The hypnotist smiled, letting the offered hand fall back to his side. So, they didn't trust him. It was just as well, he wouldn't hope for men backed against a wall to be so willingly trusting. Their suspicion marked them with a sort of intellectual fortitude, something that might be useful down the line.
"Gale and Rayes," Murdock said, repeating the names, "A pleasure to meet you both." Djed filtered into his eyes and he viewed them with strange new light. The first he concentrated on was Gale. The man's aura was not the vibrant ebb of magic and life but the quieter desperation of a sadder man. He sensed a certain mellow of emotion, smelled the paint and lead upon him, artist hands. His skin was not calloused, but blood speckled his body. The fight had left a spray of blood like bright wounds on his clothes, painfully iron in the mage's vision before he let it fade.
Rayes was the next, a headache starting to form in the temples of Murdock's mind as he regarded this man as well. Whereas Gale had smelled of paint and lead, Murdock could practically feel the broken, splintered construction of his body. So many wounds and re-healed bones. He reeked of blood, bathed in it to the hypnotist's auric sense. This man was much more confident than his companion, almost vibrating with a destructive energy. Yes, this man would be useful indeed.
Neither man turned their backs on each other, Murdock simply stepped back into the mouth of the alley.
"I'll be calling on your services soon," he said quietly, "Do enjoy your evening and fear no reproach from the law." A wink. "I'll handle the Waveguards."
He did not turn to step around the corner, simply stepped sideways, vanishing. Leaving them in the alley to contemplate their deal, the hypnotist made his way toward the Waveguard headquarters. There were certain men who needed to have their minds placated...and plans to be made.
Now that he had two more pawns.
"Gale and Rayes," Murdock said, repeating the names, "A pleasure to meet you both." Djed filtered into his eyes and he viewed them with strange new light. The first he concentrated on was Gale. The man's aura was not the vibrant ebb of magic and life but the quieter desperation of a sadder man. He sensed a certain mellow of emotion, smelled the paint and lead upon him, artist hands. His skin was not calloused, but blood speckled his body. The fight had left a spray of blood like bright wounds on his clothes, painfully iron in the mage's vision before he let it fade.
Rayes was the next, a headache starting to form in the temples of Murdock's mind as he regarded this man as well. Whereas Gale had smelled of paint and lead, Murdock could practically feel the broken, splintered construction of his body. So many wounds and re-healed bones. He reeked of blood, bathed in it to the hypnotist's auric sense. This man was much more confident than his companion, almost vibrating with a destructive energy. Yes, this man would be useful indeed.
Neither man turned their backs on each other, Murdock simply stepped back into the mouth of the alley.
"I'll be calling on your services soon," he said quietly, "Do enjoy your evening and fear no reproach from the law." A wink. "I'll handle the Waveguards."
He did not turn to step around the corner, simply stepped sideways, vanishing. Leaving them in the alley to contemplate their deal, the hypnotist made his way toward the Waveguard headquarters. There were certain men who needed to have their minds placated...and plans to be made.
Now that he had two more pawns.
