There's Something Different Here(OPEN)

[Relea Vinire]

There's Something Different Here Timestamp: Spring 23, 512AV Location: Mid-Sunberth Relea had only been in the city of Sunberth for a grand total of two weeks. She already nearly hated the place. The stench of bloodshed and fear was a constant, and having to constantly watch her back for pickpocketing cowards and murderous scum was not one of Relea's favorite activities. However living here was a must for her, at least for the time being, until she got enough money to move somewhere else. At the present time, she was roaming the backstreets of Sunberth, looking for some sort of job, or quest, or anything to get her mind off how much she hated this place. Relea placed her hand on the hilt of her short sword, feeling the way the leather binded the metal so smoothly. It felt nice, and yet, unused. She hadn't swung the sword in anger in way to long. She needed to kill, she felt the urge. It was like a monster growing in side of her. Ever since she had killed her first human, there was a hunger growing inside of her, a need to feel the adreneline she felt that day. Cold blooded murder followed with a sum of money? How could it get better. Relea licked her lips and unsheathed her sword, her fingers grazing the hard, cold, steel edge. Remembering how it felt, wet with blood. No, not now, no point. No gain. Relea had to convince herself for the thousandth time, that there was no point in killing unless it was for money. Money was the key. Relea shook her head in discontent. She had to find a way to control this monster inside of her, before she couldn't any longer. Relea sat down on some randomly assorted pieces of rubble, found so often on the streets of Sunberth, and let herself relax, checking over her shoulder one last time before kicking her feet out and placing her arms behind her head. Sooner or later something interesting would find her, it always did.

[Ximal]

Strolling down one of the alleys he normally used to hide his traversing of the city, his head covered and blanketed by his cloaks hood. Strolling down the back alleys his plated arms and legs offering good initial defence should he heed it in a hurry but his hands were free of the gauntlets which hung at his belt as usual. Trailing down the back alleys he took in the air around him, he'd grown accustomed to the stench of this city. it's unnatural and arrogant feeling it gave off, as if the very air in the city tried to kill of the inhabitants. Still heading down the alleys he traversed to hide his travel from the common people, still hunted even after the weeks of running. He wasn't likely to pull a stunt as stupid as that gain, at least not without pinning his hood down. Muttering to himself incoherently he trudged down the alleyways. Trudging down the alley he stumbled upon a pile of rubble, with a woman sitting on top he couldn't get a good view of her face still never the less he could feel his shy self creeping up but still he didn't know yet, but he couldn't fight his better nature so he wandered ofer too her and said calmly."Excuse me are you alright ?" His face hidden lightly by his hood and his features shrouded in darkness, though his eyes, those moonless-night dark blue eyes. So dark black was closer to their colour than blue.

[Relea Vinire]

Relea heard him before she saw him. A gentle pattering against the restless soil that inhabited Sunberth. She slid her hand slowly around the hilt of her blade, ready for the unannounced attack that may come from this stranger. She kept her head down, and her eyes up so that this new man, young looking she noticed, would not be able to tell she was looking. "Excuse me, are you alright? Relea slowly looked up, partially upset, and partially thankful that she wouldn't have to engage in any type of combat. At least not yet. She stood, bringing her sword with her and laying it on her shoulder. "Is anyone really alright? If they are living here?" She shook her head, and walked around the man, sizing him up and down. He was giant. The man must have been at least six feet tall, if not more, and very muscular. Not someone that she particularly wanted to get into a fight with. His clothes were loose, this meant that he could be hiding a weapon, even though he didn't appear to have one now. Relea did notice though, that if he were back here, in the backstreets, then he must be doing the same as she. Avoiding trouble. Which meant that he couldn't be all that bad. Then again in the land of no rules, one could never be sure. Fear, Blood, Adreneline. Relea shook her head, pushing the murderous thoughts out of her head again. She needed a job and fast. There was no way she could stop herself from this evil for very long. Even when she knew it was evil. Maybe killing an animal or two would give the same feeling? It wouldn't hurt to try. Maybe it would help to have this new large man with her. "So, how do you feel about killing small helpless animals?"

[Ximal]

Keeping his hood down low and his eyes off of her gave him some more confidence in talking as he couldn't really see her.But he could feel the air move and hear her pacing around him, the soft ting of metal leaving sheath, she had a blade drawn, he was hoping to avoid a fight. Clenching his fists out of sight beneath his cloak he watched her pace him jus t her feet though. then she poke asking if anyone was truly safe in sunberth. A ominous question if ever he heard one but if he answered wrong it could well mean a dagger in his back. Thinking slowly he parted his lips and spoke in a much lower tone indicating that if she struck she would get retaliation. "Not even the dead are safe in the streets of sunberth, there's always somebody that wants to kill you. I never wish to fight, but i often have too to save my own skin." Letting her pace she returned to his view, only being able to see her feet did hinder his attacking but was at least helping him talk. He sighed as he said slowly. "I mean you no harm i was merely inquireing if i you needed any help." Listening to he voice it was some what refined or was it more smooth then some others he'd heard, still he waited paitently. untill she next spoke.

Her next question was one which made him pause, he did not know how to hunt and did not enjoy killing, be it to help others or himself , but he hated killing for no reason, ven animals deserve to live. Answering her his vice cold and frozen in tone and icy words flaked off of his lips. "I care not for the murdor of innocents, be it animal or man. I do only what i must where killing is involved and even then i do not enjoy it. Perhaps if you sheathed that sword, we could talk more normally, after all i do get a little tense when a naked blade is around my person." He could smell the steel of the blade from here even above the stench of sewage beneath him. His hand opened and closed under his cloak, his hands were deadlier then most swords, especially when he was enraged, even if she got the suprise attack he could kill her with one hand if need be. But he did not want it to come to that so saying calmly. As he began to move. "If you wish to occupy your time, you could follow me. if you are not in need of assisstance and require nothing else then please allow me to be on my way." Taking a step he strode forwards slowly not giving anything away not not anger nor embarrassment. Nothing he was as stone right now, naked steel had a funny way of making him cold above all other emotions.

[Relea Vinire]

Relea noticed the man not looking at her. It was a sign of weakness in her opinion. If he couldn't face her, then surely he could not stand up to her, right?Her thoughts were confirmed when he told her that he didn't want to fight. Of course you don't want to fight, boy, your weak. But still, perhaps he could be of use to her, he said that he had killed before, that was important. She continued to stare at him, trying to force him into making eye contact with her. She wanted to know who he really was, behind the mask that he was hiding behind. What he said next though, made her laugh, almost hysterically. This boy, living in Sunberth, said that he was not a fun of murder. He wanted her to sheathe her sword. To follow him! Relea, kept a smile on her face as she touched the boys chin, forcing him to look up at her. Ignoring his request for her to put her blade away. "You live in Sunberth, yet you are afraid to kill? Poor boy, how have you lived this long? In this city, you should learn that you will talk more normally, with your weapon drawn. I wish no harm to you dear, because surely, you will bring it on yourself." Relea shook her head, stepping away. She had no intentions of harming the boy, but obviously he was not going to be of help to her, at least not at this point in time. However when he asked her to follow him, she figured she had nothing better to, so she followed his stride. "Letting a bladed person, who's intentions are unknown follow you? Like I said boy, you have alot to learn. Your lucky I'm not out to hurt you."

[Ximal]

Now he felt cold, he stopped in place letting her walk past and lifted his eyes to meet hers all, she was pretty but right now he felt a twinge of rage overriding all oter emotions and his cold demeanour emanating from him, you dint have to be trained in auristics to know what he was feeling right now. Hid deep almost black, blue eyes glared into her blue eyes. He right now as not one to be angered by something soo slight but that sword set him on edge. "I will only ask one more time, either sheath that blade, or i will make you drop it." All of his politeness and friendliness faded, when he was confronted with a sword in hand, even when it was a woman. His hand slowly opened under his cloak. "I wish you no harm." Clearly she was as arrogant as she was inexperienced, is she had any sense any real combat ethic she would know just by looking at him that he'd already positioned his feet with the step forwards, he'd lost half a foot due to hunching over. He was in a fighting position.

"I let you follow me as i know by the time you swing that blade. You'll be pinned to that wall. I've had a bad couple weeks, and my share of kills in those weeks, please don't make me have to add your name to the rostor of ead i already have." His gaze was cold, cold enough to freeze ale. If she was going to agitate him, she had to know what too expect. Still His courteousness had been answered with contempt. He was kind but when insulted he couldn't help his rage, especially when faced against someone who drew their weapon for no reason. He could tell she was a killer though from the way she handled her self with such a sure attitude in this city but half of the people in this city couldn't fight to save their life. His reach meant little as the sword she held would reach him, still his speed was greater that he was sure of. His dark eyes leering at her from the blackness of his hood. He was not in a good mood.

[Relea Vinire]

Relea smiled, she had finally gotten what she wanted. However when her eyes locked with his, she felt cold. Those eyes were not the pathetic helpless eyes that she had imagined. However it would do nothing to change her demeanor.Once again, he requested that she put away her sword. Or else he would make her put it down? Let him try. She raised the sword, running her finger along the cold edge, viewing her reflection in the polished steel. Her finger reached the tip, where it poked a tiny hole in her finger, drawing a tiny ounce of blood. So sharp, so easy to kill. Do it. She shook her head. No, this boy meant no harm to her. She could tell. He was pulling a bluff. Noone was paying her, and he was not an enemy. No use for pointless blood on her hands. She couldn't help but wonder why he felt the need to show her his hand. Was he an unarmed specialist? That could be so, but still, an unarmed specialist couldn't handle her with a blade, not if she kept her distance. "Look, I'm only keeping this out because you and me aren't the only people that live here". She looked at him, gazing into his nearly black eyes. "Also, I can tell it bothers you." She winked at him, and lowered her sword back to the ground. He wasn't going to make her put it away. Obviously the boy was not in a good mood. He also obviously hadn't killed enough people to not let it bother him. And he especially didn't get the same thrill from it she did. However despite his cold stare, and his heated commentary, Relea felt a strange urge to stay near him. She couldn't quite put her finger on it though. Like for some reason she was supposed to be having the conversation, but for a purpose unknown. She looked to the sky, and realized that the skies were blue, and the sun blazing. Which made her question how she was still so cold. She looked down to the boy, just noticing how his feet were positioned. Defense mode. "Stop acting tough. Its annoying" She shook her head and started walking towards the barrier of what marked the entrance to Sunberth, ready to leave this town and head for the woods. She needed something to do besides sit and talk, if she was going to hang around with him, it would be doing something more important.

[Ximal]

Lowered but not sheathed it would do, still now his mood lifted a bit as he continued walking. Letting the cloak fall way from his arm to reveal the vambrace which sat there. Still he didn't like it but she made a good point as far as the sword was concerned. "You have a good point but a trained swordsman knows that a blade stays sharper in it's sheath. And if you were as skilled with a sword as you think you are, you'd be able to bring it from the heath to my neck before i moved my hand. Still as i said you make a good point. But i'll walk beside you just to make sure you don't attempt anything. Xi had worked at the pits long enough by this point to know that the way she carried herself she had some skill but she felt the need to flaunt it, she was novice at best. A expert in a weapon wouldn't flaunt the fact that they could wield it. Especially in sunberth. And a master wouldn't even show he held a weapon until it was too late. watching around fifty matches a day had paid off with him. He was understanding why people in sunberth fought as they did. Striding beside her he felt his sense lighten and his chilly stance rise. Only then did he get a really good look at her, blue eyes fulll lips and straight black hair. This city seemed to produce a inexhaustible supply of pretty women, but with that blade out, there was no way he was dropping his guard. Which meant he could talk to her with a sense of normality.

His voice warmed over time as he spoke again when she said for him to stop acting tough. "I don't have to act tough, i work in and live near the blood pits. Ive seen more fights and deaths than you've probably fought. I don't need to act tough." Walking bside her he could see her frame she want what one would call slight she had a full figure but more geared towards something other than beauty. and from the way she walked he watched her, it was strange she had an air of a killer but didn't show willing to strike at any point. Maybe she really didn't want to kill him. With that he relaxed further and his manner warmed more. He was not one to start a fight voluntarily but he would finish one. Swiftly. Striding beside her he noticed they were leaving the city, where was she taking him how he let her lead.

[Relea Vinire]

Relea sneered at the boy trying to tell her how to hold her weapon. She didn't need to be told what to do, she knew perfectly well how to maintain it. At least thats what she told herself. He may have some point behind his words, but she would never let him know it. As they walked, the young man beside her, as he promised, she started to wonder what she was actually going to do once she left the city. He said he wasn't a fan of hunting, and there was no actual point to leaving the city at this point. Then she had an idea, she knew of a spot, somewhere she could go. Her intentions still not clear to herself, yet, it seemed so right for the moment. Yes, that's what she would do. She continued walking, looking over at the man, who, she just realized didn't know the name of. He was looking her over, trying to figure out her abilities. After noticing this, Relea stuck her chest out a little more as she walked. "I have something I want to show you, it's a spot I go to, to relieve my stress, and you look like you could use it." Relea went to the edge of the woods, looking to the side, to make sure the boy was still there. He was. She went three rows of trees back, finding the tree that was marked with an x, one that she carved what seemed like forever ago. When in reality, it was only two or three weeks at most. Eventually, Relea decided it was time. If she were to trust this boy enough to walk this long with him, she could put her defense down, if only just a little. She sheathed her sword. As soon as she was done, she looked at the boy beside her, and smiled. "Happy now?"Relea started, putting her hand on the lowest branch of the tree. "By the way, my name is Relea, you should consider yourself lucky. I don't talk to many people anymore." Relea put her other hand on the branch she had previously grabbed, and hoisted herself up putting her feet on the same branch. She then jumped to the next, a few inches over, and climbed above that. When she looked down, she realized that the boy had not followed her. "Come on, its just a tree." Relea sat on the second branch up, maybe six feet off the ground. Maybe this is what it would take, to contain that inner monster. Something she hadn't tried in so many years now, maybe having a friend, maybe not even that. Just someone to talk to, to release that inner tension. Maybe that would stop the constant need for bloodshed. She hoped. Kill him. Push him off. It'd be easy.

[Ximal]

Following her was proving to be a rather interesting venture, she had taken him into the woods but what had she planned to do. Then he felt the embarrassment rise, what if she... no she couldn't have. Sill in his face crept a bit of a flush but not quite notice able yet. Then she cut into the tree with her sword marking an X before sheathing it. Finally the blade was sheathed and he felt calmer he didn't drop his guard but he felt calm. He felt more easy but his edginess was keeping him along the full blown face melting blush mode that he had with so many other females. Keeping his calm he watched her scamper up into the trees and call after him. saying he was lucky as she didnt talk to many people. And that her name was relea, still he couldn't bring him self to place something was odd even as she scrambled into the tree. Lifting his arm up he jumped caught a tree branch and swung himself up like an acrobat inverting himself fully before he firmly planted his feet on the branch. he's been training in trees for weeks now and his footing felt more secure than ever. Looking at her, he replied. "Well Relea my name is Ximal or if you prefer Xi for short. ANd i do feel somewhat lucky that you are talking too me and thank you for sheathing that blade it helps my mental state." Now he smiled warmly as a friend would.

Looking at her again he still felt the flush in his face but not as heavily as he had before. Watching her he tried to peace together any semblance of what she was like but got nothing so he asked the simple question just to spark off a converstion. "Well Relea, mind if i ask you some thigns? How long have you been in sunberth it's not a city for those who don't know how it operates. Blood and sweat, but no tears there are no teary people in sunberth. Still..." he grabbed hold of the tree trunk as he pulled himself onto a higher branch in the same manner as he had used to get up to the first one. It was a quiet place out here serene. ...What did you bring me out here for though it is a nice quiet place to talk." Warming up slowly the flush returning to his face but not causing any real problems for him yet. It was strange how he could go from a cold killer, to a awestruck school boy so quickly and so easily.