The Best Surprises Hide In Shadows (Aello)

[Ashanna]

The Best Surprises Hide In Shadows 72nd of Summer, 512 AV Several days had passed since Ashanna had gotten herself more or less settled in the city. It was nearing midnight when she left the brothel heading for the boarding house she now called home. Her nude toned skirt moved about her legs as she walked, every now and again revealing the soft, smooth skin of her leg through a slit on the side. Slipping on a pair of gloves, Ashanna kicked herself for not carrying a jacket or cloak with her that night. The wind blew again though this time it brought a certain scent to the kelvic's nose. She didn't turn around or react in anyway, really it was just a smell and in a second it was gone. Must have been her mind playing tricks on her, the girl assumed. Ashanna kept walking, the wind was getting crisp and her corset did very little to keep her warm. The sound of her boots hitting the stoney bridge was comforting to Ashanna, it was like the clicking of a hand on a clock or the dripping of a leaky faucet. Repetitive, staccato and banal. She adjusted the silver ring on her finger as though it bothered her or had sentimental value. Ashanna had crossed the bridge and walked straight into an alleyway between two particularly tall buildings. One seemed to be white while the other was a shade of maroon, though the darkness of night did often alter hues. As she walked into the alley, Ashanna seemed to melt into the shadows, a task made very easy by the utter lack of light. In walked another behind her. A scuffling noise could be heard and Ashanna had the man pressed against the brick wall. She held his jaw with her hand but the man did not seem to be fighting back. "Farrick sends a message: Wherever you go, he can still find you." "I am no longer his!" her whisper was frantic. "Not my concern. I'm here to finish the job." Before the man reached for a weapon, Ashanna curled her finger in and slashed at the man's face with the blade that remained hidden until then. He pushed her back and Ashanna hit the stone wall hard before running out of the alley back onto the bridge. But she felt a pull from behind, a hand that jerked at her skirt. Ashanna dropped to the ground scraping the side of her arm enough to cause some bleeding. She kicked at the man and her heel hit his shin, knocking him over too. He groaned as he tried rolling over onto Ashanna but she was smaller and quicker than him and as he was getting onto his knees, she was up, throwing a kick at his face. He was out cold, at least for now, so Ashanna took advantage and patted him down. She took the dagger that he had sheathed on his belt and the ring he wore on his index finder. Even in the bleakness of night Ashanna could see the man's Benshiran heritage, she recognized him, she'd worked with him before. "How quickly alliances end...." she whispered, she had actually liked him when they were on the same side. With the man's own dagger, Ashanna sunk the blade into his chest. She pulled the man up just enough to push him over the bridge and into the canals that ran below. There were no Ravosolas anywhere in sight which while that may have saved her from prison, it meant she had a long way to walk. For now, however, Ashanna could do nothing more than let herself sink to her knees and breathe. With her back against the bridge's guardrail, the young kelvic sat there shocked. The kohl that had rimmed her eyes now made streams down her tear soaked cheeks.

[Aello]

Soles rested against cool stone. Lain bare against uneven grey slab. Offering to a chaotic god overseeing a vastly majestic city; encased within prismatic shell. Entrancing veneer behind which curtain drawn, revealed heathens concealed by doors of chipping paint. Blood slipping between the boards. Heels scraped as scrunched foot twisted, hunched body leaning against bent knee sinking into the cold. Ears prickling as they picked up on subtle sounds. Froth bubbling; bursting into oblivion as black waters lapped lazily against their prison. The lake rocking against the edges of wooden beams; long grown sodden and laden with bracken. Pebble scraped against stone; drawing enlightened line. It swerved down the length of block, before falling off the edge. Cascading down a bed of ethereal air for several feet, until it landed in the waters below with nearly inaudible plop. Hands rested against knobbed bone of ivory tone as muddied eyes darted across empty street. Scanning the shadows for the first rouse. Birth of rats whose pickings consisted of the garbage tucked into the corners of the streets. Crevices and fissures cast in buildings and wooden beams. Tendrils of smoke rose from the grates. Vapors swirling through the air. A plethora of colors which wreaked of every facet of the city. Piss, blood, fish, decay. But also things more elusive- silver ale and various tinctures. Lady's perfumes meant to mirror the rose coupled with lavender. It was a soft scent, gingerly prodding the girl's nose. Enough to keep it from ruffling as she kept her eyes peeled. Allowed her magic to scout the streets for her, until they had settled upon the only two beings that seemed to still be awake at this hour; save for her. A man and a woman, entranced by their hatred. Their confusion. Locked in a scuffle which led to simplistic, unartistic death. A toss into the lake where body was lost to oblivion. Sentenced to consumption by the multitude of schools; fish of glimmering scales who had succumbed to necrophilia. Their lust insatiable in that teeth glistening with crystallized saliva of tulip's tongue could never seem to sink deeply enough into flesh gone blue. Leaving them to the darker matters of cannibalism as their bodies decayed along with the sustenance on which they supped. Dilated pupils drank in the night as marauder's Kelvic slipped. Back falling against stone grown slick with moisture. Muscles coiling against a bridge. Intrigued, the aurist's head tilted to the side. Sending brown hair spiraling down her back in various clumps of wave and flashy furl. Now why would she do that? Aello wondered. Why sit when she should run? Surely she knows that the city never closes its eyes. Even during the dead of the night, there are beings lurking. Hands waiting for another to be within reach. A soft smile crossed the girl's features, as the light of the moon reflected in the dark coals of her eyes. Perhaps I should show her, the young spiritist thought as her fist tightened around the supple curve of her father's old bow. For a moment, she remained upon the wall. The divide between solid and liquid; land and water. Steadying herself by taking deep cleansing breaths, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Finally, she came to; pushing her feet up against the bridge. Launching her body forward. She fell through the air. Black cape billowing out around her form as she remained suspended in space for but an instant, before she crashed onto uneven rock beds. Her boots clicked against the surface as she grit her teeth; straightening her body out. The aurist stood a moment, peering from left to right. There was no one there. She knew that no one was there. Gathering herself now, Aello reached for the folds. Free hand clutching the fabric. Pulling it around; encasing her form protectively behind its gossamer shield. Only a few chimes and we shall meet, Aello thought, as she began to head in the direction of the Kelvic. Easily winding herself in and out of city streets.

[Ashanna]

It couldn’t have been a very long time that she’d remained sitting there but Ashanna’s blood ran cold and chilled her to her core. Realization suddenly hit the girl and she immediately stood up. Ravok was a bittersweet city. Its human citizens were treated with fairness and protection. She however, was neither human nor a citizen. She’d be thrown to the rats if not slaughtered on the spot. Looking down at her hands, her eyes were only met with the dark red stains of blood. The creases on her palms were draught ridden rivers of red, beginning to dry and crust. Ashanna had killed before, but no other time had bothered her as this one had. They’d worked together so many times. He had been her informant, her partner and until now Ashanna had thought a friend too. But what happened, happened. She couldn’t change the past and could only face the future. And at the moment, her future laid precariously on a ledge. Staying there any longer could incite suspicion, and bodies did, after all, float back to the surface unless made to otherwise. She glanced back at the alley and began walking briskly. The sound of her walking made a different noise than before, more hurried, as if her feet were trying to figure out her next move. If Jannar had found her here, then Ravok was no longer safe. I did kill him, though. He may or may not have had time to send word to Farrick, --her previous owner and currently the man trying to end her. Well, if he sends another, it will take time. Time for him to find out that Jannar is gone and more time for his assassin to find me again. By then, I’ll have to be ready. Her grip on the hilt of the dead man’s dagger hardened as she walked. Ashanna had been about to cross another of Ravok’s narrow streets when she caught the slightest bit of movement in the corner of her eye. While her eyesight was always enhanced due to her natural leopard form, it was at night that Ashanna sight really stood out. She was made to spot things in the dark. Seeing the moving figure Ashanna brandished her dagger. “If Farrick sent you, you may as well head back now while you’re still intact.”

[Aello]

Aello chuckled a moment, before her lips settled into satisfied smirk. Her eyes grazing over the Kelvic's attire- nude skirt, heels, simple enough top. Form taller, slightly more graceful in appearance, and slender, which lent one to weakness. Even had she not mastered several arts, magic and martial alike, the young human felt no sense of threat when faced with an opponent such as Ashanna. She rolled her shoulders lazily, never providing an answer as she willed her coiled muscles to grow loose. As she willed her blood to start flowing just in case this took a turn for the worse. Having been halted by words previously stated, the aurist could only stare at the darkened silhouette which lay in due course. What does this fool think she is doing? Aello wondered as she finally took a single step closer. Cool, calculated. Measured; in its own way, intimidating. "Farrick is but a name fallen on deaf ears," she called. "Put your dagger away. Although you wreak of blood, and it trickles down your flesh. Speckles your attire, increasing unsightly nature, I mean no harm to befall you." The girl paused, allowing her words to settle in. "We are both ladies of the night. You one who basks in it and serves to sate its lust for carnal pleasure, I one who slips into shadow to perform the bidding of powerful mistress," Aello chuckled. "You are still inexperienced enough to draw the light." Again the girl paused as she took another step forward. "Making it all too easy for people to follow the subtle steps left in your wake. Such a shame, had you any practice, any real skill you may be a force to reckon with. Considering how you can shed your skin in the blink of an eye, and slip into majestic furs." Aello's muddied gaze sparkled dangerously. "Now... if that hasn't startled you enough to force you further against a wall, it seems unlikely anything else will." The aurist's gaze fell, following the length of Ashanna's arms to her hands. Taking note of how her fingers bunched. Whether they unfurled, or clenched all the more tightly. Strange, how such simple things could predict what would come next... "It's obvious no one has ever taught you," Aello whispered. "For you've yet to find out that you shouldn't make a threat, lest you have the ability to back it. Do you understand?" Aello asked. "Or would you like someone to show you?" she added as her hands slipped past the folds. Running across a bed of skin before reaching wire hilts. Her hands circled them hungrily. Basking in familiar feel for but a breadth before she ripped them from their sheaths. Sending soft, metallic hiss into the air as she brought them into the open. Cursed, bloodied blade sparkling in the moonlight as her spare sank into the shadow. "Choose wisely stranger," Aello warned. "For although there is no intent to do any real damage, your brash and wild nature; uncultured, can easily go unchecked. Leaving even the most talented teacher powerless when it comes to meeting your needs. Showing you how easily such ferocity; unrestrained, can serve to sever your own strings." With that, Aello could only smile knowingly as her thumbs idly trailed up and down the length of wire hilt. Marveling at soft undulations as the material rippled beneath her.

[Ashanna]

The woman was not another assailant sent by Ashanna's angry former owner, so there was a small relief. She was still however, a random stranger in the middle of the night who, by the looks of it, had very well meant to find Ashanna. As the woman stepped out from the shadows Ashanna realized how short she was. What the woman lacked in height, however, she made up for in words. Many words. Ashanna was not apt at understand the cryptic way the stranger spun her language. A Kelvic fault, when spoken to in riddles, Ashanna's first response was usually annoyance. But it was hard to lash out on someone when you aren't entirely sure that they were actually on the opposite side. Pointing out her knowledge of Ashanna's race and lack of training might have been the woman's way to assert her superiority over Ashanna but the kelvic didn't care. Where the stranger liked to think and speak in winding, turning rivers riddled with... well, riddles and wordplay; Ashanna's mind was a hot spring, her thoughts bubbled in her head for a bit until hot enough to be thrown out into the world. The origins of her thoughts were simple like the source of warm spring water, there was rarely any critical analysis as to where the river started and where it ended. One minute her liquid thoughts were in the ground and the next, the were out. Simple. Much of its simplicity was, of course, due to her animalistic nature, which was something the girl was quite proud of. Proud, but not stupid. As much as she enjoyed both of her forms, Ashanna was well aware that one of them was best kept secret, especially in a city like Ravok. The fact that this woman knew of Ashanna's kelvic blood told Ashanna she held power in some such magical field, for she didn't have the hook nose of a bird or the slit-pupiled eyes of a house cat. Ashanna's human form was incredibly human, especially in this light-lacking scenario. An Aurist, perhaps, though Ashanna had come in contact with peculiar Konti women of strange abilities, she had also heard of Divinists who might work their skills in such a way. But the woman smelled strongly of human and magical arts were easier to come by than being touched by a god. "You know, Aurist" she began, "you have a very atypical way of offering aid." Ashanna held up both her hands, holding the dagger against her palm with her thumb as the rest of her fingers stretched outwards. "I however, am in no position to turn down help. You may call me Ashanna. I would appreciate it if you kept certain details about me to yourself."

[Aello]

Aello simply nodded as her eyes glimmered with star's reflection. "If it should please you. There isn't a man in the city who doesn't know of the dangers lurking in shadow for those without consistent human face." Her lips curled into a soft smirk as her right foot slid forward, while the other remained behind. She bent each leg in the knee, before leaning into the appendage which led. Putting the majority of her weight on it, while she rocked from one foot to the other. Adding spring to her step, and ensuring that her blood remained flowing as she waited. Her arms rose, until each hand was held before her. The blades resting across the length of her limbs, bent at the elbows in a generic fighting stance. Her eyes danced over Ashanna's form a moment, taking note of how her bearing would serve only to get her killed in a real fight. "Follow in a teacher's wake, mirror her steps," Aello instructed. "Lest you wish to lose a hand. Think of it like this. If you were out hunting in the forest and spotted a morsel which you were certain could help sate your hunger, would you stand proudly and expose yourself? Or would you contort your body against the terrain, crouch, until the opportune moment to strike? To pounce on the unsuspecting, raking claws against bristling fur and meaty flesh?" The aurist paused a moment, lending time for the Kelvic to consider as she continued to rock on her feet, matching the rippling of the lake's surface which occurred just beneath her step. "Whenever you are ready Ashanna, feel free to attack," the girl wore on. "But do mind the clock, for if you dally too long, your opponent is sure to seize the opportunity. Putting you on the defensive." A final time, her eyes glimmered, before glitter fell into coals grown dim. Snuffed out by blistering wind.

[Ashanna]

Every move the woman made was stalked by Ashanna's eyes. Though the darkness caused no handicap to Ashanna, lack of practice did. Kills she had made before were never based on actual combat. It was a poison in one's soup or a snake in one's bed, but never really a knife in one's gut. But now the woman's words rung twice in Ashanna's head; while she may be in the offensive in this duel, she was definitely in the defensive in her life. And when you are waiting for your opponent to strike, you certainly don't plan on not putting up a fight. "No, no..." she whispered, "hands are very important in my field of work." Ashanna's movements were smooth as she slid in the same position her opponent held. One leg ahead of the other, slightly apart. She was too tall to keep her balance focused on one spot. She'd learned that a couple nights ago when she had to entertain a certain man with strange fetishes. Never again on a high beam... If the woman wished for Ashanna to see her as prey, then that's what she'd do. The Kelvic lowered her back and spread her legs slightly further. She raised the arm that held her dagger while keeping the other closer. Stepping to her left and keeping her right side closer to the woman Ashanna's voice was calmer than before, "Have you a name? Or shall it be Aurist that I call you?" As she finished her question Ashanna stepped forward quickly with her right leg and slashed out with the corresponding arm aimed at the woman's armed hand.

[Aello]

"Aello, if it should please you," the aurist replied as she watched the Kelvic's limbs tremble. Contorting into the desired shape it found difficult to hold. She could see the flesh bouncing beneath supple sweep of nude fabric, hinting at internal tremor. An opponent's next step she knew only too well. It came as no surprise then when Ashanna led with the right; ambling as unpleasantly as a man who'd had too much to drink. Placing too much pressure on wavering heel which knew not how to support; on muscle undefined. Unwilling to take the heat; crumbling beneath. The aurist's eyes sparkled as her heart paused, awaiting another thunderous beat to match its tune. Coiled muscles wove themselves together before final spring, in which right arm was leased, drawing cursed blade against poorly molded metal. Two daggers clattered together; sparks flying as they hovered in midair. Moonbeams causing their flesh to glimmer as Aello gritted her teeth. "Never strike directly in the weapon's path. It's too easy to block. Jarring, yes, when the metal radiates into your hand, but what use is that when it effects you as much as it does them?" The girl paused as she added pressure to the resistance. "Try to take advantage of the areas left exposed," Aello instructed as she pulled her cursed blade back. Her toes, pointed at the ground, drew across the docks. Right leg swinging around in half circle, blade following behind as she kept her arm raised and extended towards her surroundings. When her foot came to a halt, Aello brought it back in, allowing it to tap against her left foot's side. Which she then pushed out, towards her opponent alongside her arm. Which lazily jabbed at the Kelvic's shoulder. As soon as the attack had been made, Aello's limbs would recoil, sending her shuffling a few steps back, just out of reach, assuming Ashanna did not charge. In which case, she'd launch another defensive before turning the tides. OOCI just made an assumption about which side you attacked, considering the fact that Aello is dual wielding.

[Ashanna]

The gritty sound of metals colliding was rough and quick. It zinged as the daggers slide upon each other's blades. It would've easily put so many on edge but somehow only pleased the kelvic. It fueled a certain eroticism that Ashanna oh so desired. Pain and pleasure were so often linked, but risk and pleasure might've been even closer siblings. The girl braced her knife on that of her opponent's and she quickly pulled back rubbing metal on metal as if it were a whetstone. She was definitely the weaker, more inexperienced fighter, but that much was to be expected. Ashanna had for so long been an object of lust or deceit but never the most useful offensive tool. There had always been soldiers or mercenaries to do such jobs. She was only called upon for tasks of a quieter nature. And yet she'd just dumped the body of an old friend into the local streams; his death, by her hand. Though Ashanna could not have guessed that this is where she would've been standing, she also didn't feel the need to complain about it. When Aello's blade nicked her shoulder, Ashanna hardly twitched. She'd had masters and clients whose sexual appetites hungered for more blood than the strike had spilt. She reacted and retaliated with her left hand swinging at Aello's striking arm before she pulled back. Her almond shaped nails, filed to a point and painted red with lacquer, scratched over the woman's bare skin as any cat's first reaction would've been. Ashanna thought she'd felt moisture but whether or not the wound actually bled she didn't check before taking a quick side step as Aello moved back. OOCI just went ahead and assumed that Aello was wearing the dark blue dress since you didn't specify and it is the most "night time" of the ones in your CS (though I did read that her hands went over a bed of bare skin which made me think a top and bottom but I couldn't find a record in your CS so I made a little assumption, hope that's ok. If its not, please just let me know what she is wearing and I'll amend my post before you write yours so we go on smoothly )

[Aello]

Colored lacquer seemed to drip onto a bed of paling flesh, grown slick with a thin blanket of sweat. Transparent beads provided little cushion, allowing the skin to become upraised as nail swept over. Reddened ridges cascading down the slight dive of skin rounded over ivory bone. Clinging casually as it circled endlessly, strips of parched skin providing mountain's peak as claws drew away. A sharp, insistent sting shot across arm's length, trailing from just below the elbow, onto woman's wrist. Aello didn't so much as flinch, she had experienced far worse before, in the heat of battle. More besides, when she was simply training in the art of dagger's form. The aurist took another step away from the Kelvic, before shuffling forward. "You may be tired Ashanna, but do not give your opponent too much time to recover," she instructed, as she lazily swiped at the middle of her right arm, intending an easy block by which she could practice. "For you cannot win on the defensive. You must attack, allow them to tire too, enough where you although strained, have just enough left to finish them off." She paused, as she danced around the Kelvic, her arms swinging out around her form in a pair of deadly swipes. Or at least they would have been, had the aurist not been attacking with the flats of her weapons. "Or they will deliver you into Dira's arms," Aello finished, as she rounded out of her twirl. Folds of blue and black fabric billowing out around her ankles as she backed away. Turning to face her opponent once more. Aello was waiting. OOCIt's totally fine. I am not too uptight about stuff like that.