Closed A Case of Mistaken Curiousity (Fallon)

[Eleazar Victor Syroin]

45th of winter, 513AV Winter was really beginning to show Sunberth it's worst. The snow fall had tripled over the past week, causing roofs to collapses and the streets to block with several feet of snow. There was a new shelter for the homeless being built but it was too little, too late in the thief's opinion. It was now becoming more common to find a blue frozen corpse hiding in the alleyway clutching to their ragged clothes in a deathly state of hope. Although the weather was unfortunate for some, others took opportunities when they saw them. After all a corpse didn't need their clothes and wasn't exactly going to fight him off either. Plus the wild dogs that roamed the streets in packs were not complaining either. During this time of danger, Eleazar had taken to traversing the roofs to ease his travel to and from the Markets around the city. They were one of the few places where the snowfall was at it's minimum. and with his worn boots having met their match and now leaking terribly under the harsh conditions, the teen had taken to new his travel methods to avoid soggy feet. With the hooded cloak, borrowed from the icy statue of a man a few blocks away, wrapped tightly over him, Eleazar swiftly jumped over the roofs, running at full pelt before using his limited acrobatic skill to help clear the 4 foot wide spaces between the buildings. Although this meant he was mostly skidding and leaping dangerous from house to house, catching the edges of roof in some cases to avoid a broken neck. Easing up on his recklessness, the teen came to a delayed stop glazing down upon the bustling market.The merchants had been up-ing their prices recently; causing a bit of an uproar of the general populous of the 'Sunny city'. From his perch on the roof, Eleazar also clock at least twice the usual number of pig-faced hired out help that surrounded the stalls. A miffed expression crossed his face, eyebrows furrowing at the stall owner, in his furs and jewels. People were going to starve; him being one of them if he didn't do something about the number of guards around the stall. It wasn't right. These foreign vagik merchants charging more especially in this season of all of them. It was like they thought they could control the citizens of Sunberth. The dark-haired teenagers eyes shot open, paranoia throwing his fantasy onwards. The merchants were trying to control us? They did hold quite a bit of power; with their control over the main food supplies. Even the gang fractions had to answer to their 'demands' or starve. The spark of faulty logic fueled hatred began to burn deep in his heart but that was going to have to wait. He needed to find somewhere less guarded for 'Lunch.' Moving on Eleazar, ignored the activity of the street. Up here it was beautiful, crisp and clear air with an unmissable view of the normally filthy city now hidden by a deadly glittering white dress. Sighing, a thought occurred to the street rat. The drunken fish would probably busy with the weather like this. Getting his bearings, Eleazar jumped a smallish gap between two roofs carefully, wobbling slightly before striding onwards, his long legs helping him out with his journey. It was time to get some drunk fool to buy him lunch.

[Fallon]

"I spy with my little eye..." there was the whisper of a voice upon her tongue, "Something beginning with S"

There was a distinct tint of dryness in Fallon's words at present, an element of a rather low key wit within her humour and mannerisms. Sunberth had indeed warped her mind quickly, or at least it allowed her to gain a slightly more cynical outlook on life and its cast. There was a puff of air that escaped her lungs, the frosted plume billowing out and dispersing. Fallon had taken to serving her own council today, Orvin was left as a loyal guard at the tents leaving her to simply spend her own private time to think. Ears gave a twitch here and there, the prickling of skin to the echoing voices. She sucked in the air, a gentle drift of her watch take her attention down the twisted alleyways.

"Slum. Shyke. Sunberth. Snow..."

Eyes peeled for a moment, and then drifted upwards and away from the ground level once more. This was today's task, float about, check the city and its more vocal hot spots. By doing so she would begin the collection once more of information, the formation of strings and mental maps. Rumours, words, signs and information put together, the workings of the city could be found - of course, her histories and local knowledge was still far from up to par, leaving her on occasions stumbling and staggering. Still, the learning curve was interesting to say the least.

With the cape wrapped around her she began her trudge through the snow. Whispers existed here and there, the local gossip traversing the town with ease. Hound was still a name on many a lips, a mysterious figure with a bloody reputation to boot. There was always the wince every time she heard the name, her lips only forming into a line and the steps quickening further. No use dallying on it. Something else however had begun to spread like wild fire, sending an outcry of both voice and hungry souls. Food was becoming rare, scarce even in the harsh winter weather - nothing lasted, quickly becoming rotten and spoiled. There was a moment of regard to her short bow and arrows, a low sigh of acknowledgement. Game hunting might be easier at this rate - if the surrounding area was not picked clean beforehand.

Grimacing, she gave a pivot on her heel and averted her attention to the grey, overcast heavens. Or at least until she had a slump of snow give from the roof above her. There was a gasp as the cold pressed against her, seeping its way down the back of her collar. Releasing an angry shout the mercenary raised a fist up to the sky in disgust, her eyes glaring upon the upper ridge. Or at least until she watched the figure pass overhead. Staggering back into better view, the woman peered up, eyes darting as the shadow of the cloaked passed above.

One of them? she mused. A curl of the lip grew upon her face, eyes brightening as the whisper of the hunt filled her ears, Let's get moving!

[Eleazar Victor Syroin]

Unfortunately for the thief heading to the Drunken Fish meant going through the Docks, and getting to the docks would require him to get off the roof. Eleazar had been travelling across the roofs of Sunberth half a dozen days now, so he vaguely knew what he was doing. Although it didn't stop a few too many close calls in his leaps between the buildings before reaching the edge of the ransack housing. The docks where still a good walk away from here, with nothing but air and a hard frozen ground a few feet below the reckless teen. Now came the extra tricky part of this venture. Allowing himself to slid down, then off the roof, catching the edge of roof as he went. Stretching out as far as possible, he let him self drop to the street below. Eleazar landed crouched on all fours, his long legs helping cushion the fall somewhat. Unfortunately it still wasn't enough to stop his body complaining at the exertion it had been put under. Near enough a week back, he had tangled with an old man with bright green eyes and had ended up on the receiving end of a morning star and a mad merchant. His body was still recovering with black, blue and sickly yellow bruised still painting his skin like a canvas and a nasty set of cuts on his arm and face. A soft groan of pain echoed out of his throat as he stood, fog appearing in front of his face in the cold. Glancing around the thief got his bearings before setting out over the docks. They had been cleared of most of the snow to help unload and load the ship, allowing the thud of his steps to echo out over the open area. The area was fairly empty with only a few dock workers milling about. No new ships had come to port recently, leaving them with very little to do. Quickening his pace, Eleazar tugged his hood lower over his head. The quiet places were the ones to avoid in this city. Bad things always happened when no one was about. Such as that hound attack, an incident which had quickly become talk of the town. Shuddering at the thought of it, the teen was relieved when the old Tavern came into view. It was a beautiful eye sore on the first row of houses from the dock. Obviously busy at the moment too, the thief concluded as a chair exited through the window. Must be a brawl happening. A body quickly followed the chair. Maybe now wasn't the right ti- Something had just stopped. Something that had been there in the background had just stopped. That never was good. Freezing mid step, the Sunberthian quickly surveyed the area. There was nothing of interest about, it was just empty and silent bar the ruckus coming from the fish. What had it been? Shrugging it off as his usual dose of paranoia, Eleazar decided to not visit the tavern for lunch, at least for now. A quick spin on his heel, spent him off towards the nearest house. Grabbing hold of a windowsill, the thief searched for a foot hold. Getting up was the key to climbing, right? Not that he knew much about it, having an apartment on the top of a building helped his ignorance. In truth getting to the roof top from his window was as easy as shuffling along the outside of the building until the roof slanted down far enough that you could pull yourself up onto it. Placing his foot against the building, Eleazar tried to push off it to haul himself on to the sill. This worked as plan for the most part, only his foot slid down half way through pushing himself up, causing Eleazar to land on his arse. He tried again only to come to the same result. Maybe walking was the better, although soggier, option then failing to climb up on a sill.

[Fallon]

Fallon's shoulders dropped, her head bending down as the target continued to make his way precariously across the rooftops. On occasion she took a quick jerk back, pulling herself into the shadow of an alley way as he took those large leaps between. She gave a wince and a grimace, watching the hooded give a firm look from his crouch and slid his way down from his perch. There was a dull thud as he made contact, and whilst the mercenary gave a long careful stare after him it was only after a few patient ticks that she made after him.

Head down, her shoulders rolled in to shield her from the cold. It was times like this she hated the snap of ice and the bitter chill, but like all things it was a cycle - natural and something that should continue regardless. Snorting she gave a steady step, pace firm, her eyes boring into the back of the target as she walked. Giving a glance she took the docks into view trying to catch onto what may have caught his attention. That hesitant pause, the blink at the lacking life of the docks before there was the quick dart behind a stack of crates. Leaning round she watched the back swagger away, stuck within his own world as he walked forward with a definite sense of determination.

Eyes stared upon his back, judging as he paused before the tavern. A stray stool crashed through the tavern window, cracking on the ground as it bounced past a few feet. The remains of a man followed after it only half a chime after - left on the ground in a blooded, groaning mess of hurt. Must have been a wild brawl going on in there. But that pause, that turn of a flinch caused her to shift into shadow and out of sight once more behind the waiting cargo and the discarded rigging from a vessel. Foot tangling up in it, she gave a peek back out desperately trying to wriggle the limb free without causing too much noise. He gave a huff, then a turn away directing his attention to elsewhere. Meanwhile, Fallon was still tugging her boot free - her eyes sharp and tracking as dipped briefly out of her sight. She gave a curse, "Petching gods. Damn rope!"

Staggering away she picked up the pace down the boardwalk, eyes burning as she made her way towards where she last saw the lad - trying to climb the house once more. For a moment he held his weight, frozen in motion between the window sill and the snow below. It did not last long - his sliding descent rapidly commanding his movement. And it was the moment that he touched the ground that Fallon made her immediate pounce upon him.

It was her hand that grasped at his collar, her eyes burning down upon him - but questioning and searching for answers. Her other hand meanwhile fumbled for the hilt of her kukri, it was her universal close quarters tool for all situations and scenarios, "You! The hood! You're one of them right?" She snapped back her demanding tone for a chime, drawing in a deep breath then took on a more firmer - yet clearer - approach, "You're with one of those roof top lurkers that were about the other day, right?" Her gaze locked down upon him, "Answer me. Now."

[Eleazar Victor Syroin]

There were moments in time when the world moved too fast for the thief to keep up. This was one of them. It seemed to be that the moment he had hit the ground, a blonde woman had yanked him up by his coat collar. Her hand resting on a shealthed weapon and her eyes blazing while Eleazar's brain tried to grab a hold of any hints as to what the petch he had done now. She was amoured too and bore a cape against the cold, weaponed and weathered the girl was looked tough. She was also young, he would have probably put her at about his age, if not younger. The rapid fire of questions at least gave, the Sunberthian some clues. She thought he was someone important or dangerous or affiliated in some way with someone. She also wasn't from Sunberth judging by the accent. Still looking as confused as ever, Eleazar slowly brought a hand up to push down his hood and show his face to the bite of the cold winter air. Breathing deeply now that the vicious lady holding him had ceased her verbal assault, the thief did the thing he always did in situation in this, nervously babble on. “One of whom? Ay've no idea what you are on about. Honest, mi lady! I ain't lurking on no rooftops. I'm travelling o'er 'em. T's faster 'at way, dryer too 'n' safer. Speakin' o' which, a fine young lady like yaself shouldn't be out 'ere alone. T'is dangerous nowadays. What if I were a Dagger'and or a mugger or even da 'ound? Ya would be dead by now. You maybe tough where ya from but da streets round 'ere'll gobble ya up. A pretty wee 'ing like ya.” With this the teen playful prodded the end of the blonde's nose, a childish gesture and gave her quick grin be for letting his face go serious. This girl was gonna get herself hurt if he didn't step in a help her out. Heck she might even buy him food as payment. It was worth a shoot at the very least. Large pale eyes locked with the armoured woman's own pools of intelligent greeney blue as he continued talking in a tone more suited for scolding a yound child. “But seriously don't jus' go around attackin' people 'n' expect nothin' to 'appen. T'is not safe. Specially not with 'at 'ound causing problems. Stirring everything up. Gonna cause a big fight soon, 'at one is. So 'ere's about ay make ya a deal? I escort cha to where ya need to go, ay'll answer all ya questions and nonsense and you promise ta not go around jumpin' out on people and treat mi to a meal as well? Watcha say, Miss lady 'at is so pretty I'm no sure if your real or no. Do we 'ave a deal? Extending out his grubby ringless left hand as a way to offer a shake, the teen gave the girl a reassuring smile as he waited for her answer. Dark locks messy and face dirty as well He wasn't the most appealing people on the planet to look at but he had always been told he had a nice smile and up against this woman it was the only weapon he had left. Let's hope this worked.

[Fallon]

Fallon glared. That was all it could have been described as. Her eyes locked onto his, staring deep into his very core for a chime. There was confusion, those frightened flickers towards this situation. No, it became clearer as he continued his twittering, the heavy accented Sunberthian voice trilling out firstly in horror, then humble and then finally an attempted poke at her appearance. Her brow cocked, her lip twitched in a bemused fashion. Releasing him, the mercenary pushed him away with a heavy sigh. No he was not one of them.

Gods damn it.

Slapping away the finger, Fallon gave him a scowl. Her entire brow gave a crease, the lips pursing together into a line as his babbling continued. Did he never shut up? Or was his mind put into such a state of terror that it simply exploded nonsense in reaction. A growl of annoyance rumbled in her throat, her hand twitching in irritation. Taking a step back, the girl simply shoved her hand in to her pocket and fell into silence. Accent, dialect, the mannerisms were what betrayed her in this city. Massaging her throat she focused, the tendons stretching and pulling. It was almost a challenge calling her to fit in, to force her hand into reacting.

"Yeh act lik' I dun't know what I'm doin'. Or tha' I'm an idiot," she mimicked in a slow and careful tone, "Can tell yeh now I'm not. Petch this accent-," she shook it off, "Tell me, how quickly do you think I could gut someone?" She gave a smile, her eyes sharp and definite, "Besides, I'm not scared of any Hound dog." Turning on her heel she gave a sharp look about, her guard raised and her hands fixing itself firmly upon her hilt, "And it seems you have not exactly reacted. Come lad, where's this danger you speak of?"

It would be wrong to say she did not fear the powers of Sunberth; a healthy respect for their potential and what they could do would be more accurate. They were capable of banding together and the mob mentality was easily commanded by those who knew how to sway the minds. This lad was no different, already he was under their spell. But, he was right about one thing. Soon there would be a big fight - though when exactly was far beyond Fallon. No, for now it was the lulling calm before the storm. The preparing of defences and the bracing of bodies against a wave of blood and steel.

"We have no deal," she was pivot round, "I don't buy for strangers. And I don't give freely to common knowledge I could pick up from a tavern or some greasy whore." Teeth flashed, her chin lifting almost in defiance, "Besides, what you going to do? Make me? Show me this wonderful face of Sunberth be they," she cleared her throat and focused, "Dagga', mugger or da 'ound."

[Eleazar Victor Syroin]

His constant stream of words seemed to have saved his skin once again. Sheathing her weapon, rage boiling behind blue eyes, the woman attempted to wipe him off the face of the earth with her gaze. She had obviously been after someone in particular, wonder who? Who would a foreigner be after in the Sunny City? Curiosity perked, Eleazar barely noted his taunting hand being slapped away. She was interesting whoever she was. Deeming it safe to move when the woman began stroking her throat amidst a thoughtful look, the thief shifted his legs to lie out in front of him, feet firmly planted on the ground with his knees bent naturally. Rolling his left shoulder around to ease the bruise where it met the icy winter ground, he almost chocked on the very air he breathed with the foreigner's imitation of his voice. It was an attempt to say the least, Probably good enough to fool another fool unfamiliar with the town or a soft-headed local; wouldn't work on your local crook though. Grinning good naturedly when she dropped the gimmick, in favour of a few dangerous statements. How quickly could she gut someone, well certainly quicker than him as was obvious from her actions earlier. She was obviously confident in her own skills and maybe to the point of folly, challenging the hound and then him to show her the fangs of the sunberthian beast. The grin turned into a smirk and a small chuckle which quickly disappeared when she refused to buy him lunch, an evident pout taking it's turn to sulk on his mouth. There goes that plan. This sandy haired stranger actually had their wits about them, hesitant to follow down a the first path handed to her. Something he could probably learn from. Throwing his hands up, elbows bent up by his shoulders, the teen kicked off the ground with his legs. Rounding his back and tucking his chin in, Eleazar clumsily performed a backward roll ending on his hands and knees a little further away from the woman. Standing up, he swayed slightly, pulling the hood back up to protect his ears from the chill. Locking eyes with the cocky woman, he threw his words of caution at her. “Careful 'e city 'as ears to, ya know. Although if ya lookin' fer danger, I know a place no many people know aboot. Lots o' weapons 'ere and a fair bit o' brains. And Ay'll bet ya a silver no Harlot could 'ave old ya where it were.” Hands shoved in his tattered coat pockets, Eleazar all to quickly realised the lady wasn't going to buy into the words of some random stranger. Especially when she was most likely looking for someone else. Oh wait, she was looking for someone. Frantically he called out to the woman again. "'E lady 'at runs 'e place could also 'elp ya find who ya were lookin' fer! She's good at 'at. Good wi people, 'nd books. Books 'nd people. Sometimes confuses 'e two, Ay'll gi ya 'at, but if she no know where 'ey are 'en she'll most likely know who do. Et's a better option 'an attacking every random guy in a 'ood on a roof." He was probably wasting his time to be honest, there were easier ways to get coin than trying to bargain with foreigners. Stomach complaining at him, the teen decided to leave the woman be. Stepping back he pivoted around vanishing back into the alleyways of the city, grumbling about the snow soaking into his boots as he went. Although not before he gave the odd blonde one last parting piece of information. "Ya'll find 'er round in Stumble Alley. Anyone could tell ya where 'at is. But from 'ere on in ya on ya own. Besta luck ta ya, Canary." OOC (Edited)Made it so it rounded off better

[Shai]

However hopeless the situation appears to be There yet always exists the possibility of putting up a stubborn resistance Eleazar : Acrobatics 1 Climbing 1 Observation 2 Rhetoric 1 The Merchants are Trying to Control Us! Fallon : Intimidation 1 Stealth 1 Tracking(city) 1 The Spell of Sunberth; Mob Mentality Check : If there are any concerns with my grading please feel free to toss me a PM. I am more than happy to explain my reasons or reevaluate them if you feel I've been unfair.