Closed Such a Treacherous Slattern

[Matthew]

"Yes." Matthew's voice was empty as he slowly stood, eyes glittering as one hand lowered to brush dust from his pant leg. Things were taking longer than he had expected them to. If there were more people down below, they would soon be wondering why their partners had not yet returned with the cold dead corpse of Fallon. The one thug left was cautiously glancing back and forth between all of them with his sword at the ready, but Matthew noticed that he was slowly starting to edge backwards. He didn't look like the type to flee a battle, even if it was a battle he was most certainly going to lose. No, he was going for back-up. There was a good chance that they had someone at the door. The harlot swirled his magic, tugging and pulling at the djed he had already willed to his body for Auristics. This djed had a different purpose though, a pattern of images laced throughout it's alluring strands. Finishing his masterpiece just as the thug nearly reached the doorway, Matthew softly cleared his throat. The thug shot eyes toward the harlot, and for a split second their gazes connected. "Let's get this show moving, as you say." He lashed out with his djed, channeling everything that he had prepared into the single moment of connection. His mind had an idea, and he wanted to see if he could imprint that idea upon a surprise test subject. A hallucination mixed with just a bit of utter horror. Matthew suddenly blurred forward, body moving at a speed that was impossible to track. The thug had little time to react before Matthew was upon him, hand grabbing his throat. He struck but the blow somehow missed. He swung again, the sword cutting through air. The harlot somehow had a knife, and had somehow brought the knife to level with the thug's eye. He swung again, flinching backwards to avoid the oncoming sharp steel. Once again his movements seemed to have no effect, the knife reaching him and sinking violently into his forehead. He blinked, hesitating, not understanding. There was no pain. Why was there no pain? Why was he not dead? A ribbon of flesh fluttered in front of his face. It only took a few moments for the thug to realize what was happening as more and more flaps of blood and fat-coated skin started to collapse over his nose and lips. The harlot was shaving flesh strip by strip, from the eyebrows to the hairline. A piece of the flesh caught in his lips as the horror over it all overtook him, his mouth opening to scream. Another strip fell, the oozing fat coating the inside of his mouth. How was it in his mouth? He fell to his knees, blade clattering to the ground as he desperately tried to spit it out. He could not taste the flesh, he could not feel the pain. But how could he deny what his eyes had clearly seen? "Kill him, please." His distant voice broke through the silence in the room as the thug collapsed to his knees, holding his throat and spitting lumps of saliva to the ground in a desperate attempt to dislodge something unseen. Matthew's comment was directed at Kaie, the harlot trusting her entirely when it came to the disposal of another living being. He stared at the thug a moment longer, and then left the matter entirely in Kaie's hands. His head turned to Fallon, passive eyes meeting her own. If he saw the questions, the glare, the distrust and suspicion... it did not register in his dull gaze. "Do you remember what I told you about the employee entrance? That would be the best way. It may be locked, but you have the solution for that." He paused a moment and then slowly sank back down onto the bed, suddenly overcome with an utterly draining sort of sensation. He had been planning to go with Fallon, but now he felt tired. More distant than ever. He didn't look at her when he spoke this time, eyes now absentmindedly watching Kaie. "Kaie can go with you just in case there is any trouble. Unless Kaie is interested in buying my wares. Does procreation in the middle of a bloodied battlefield only increase the pleasure of a Myrian, Kaie? I certainly owe you for your assistance." It was perhaps a demented idea, but a logical question in his mind. "Bitzer, I apologize for the trouble. I overheard their plan and didn't think to keep it to myself." Well, there was something of an apology. The fact that his tone didn't change for a single second probably didn't help any, though.

[Kaie]

The abyss within the center of her eyes dilated in anticipation, her grip upon the sword tightening. The last of the men did not continue his bravado with a fury-stricken charge. Instead reality seemed to strike him like a mace to the chest. There was fear there in his face and the savage couldn't quite blame him. One moment everything had been going so well and the next he witnessed his buddy fall dead at the hands of a ghost. His edge was gone and reinforcements were his only savior. The Myrian had taken only a small step forward when the harlot cleared his throat. That's when everything changed.

It was in the brute's expression first. There was the widening of his dull eyes, face contorting with debilitating terror that made even Kaie feel compelled to step away. She watched him suffer for a long tick. Her head tilted and she stared blankly as he hacked and dropped to the floor with his hands like a vice at his neck. Something flickered across her features for but a moment, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. When Matthew's anticipated request did finally come, she said not a word. Her response laid in the deliberate steps of her worn boots and the hungry twist of her wrist as she neared the man.

There was no time to be wasted on the theatrics of the act. And so she gripped his long, shaggy hair in one hand and placed the blade along the left side of his neck with the other. The bronzed woman grit her teeth as she glared forward, holding his head firmly in place before she dragged the metal edge deeply from one side of his throat to the other. Like a punctured skin of wine his blood drained from the wound no differently than a fountain. The warm, crimson river cascaded over her hand and sword, down his clothing and dribbled in pools to the floor. The paling thug dropped forward upon his release into the bloody pond without so much as a chance to gag.

"Dira takes you now," Kaie murmured in her own tongue vacantly, expressionless as the dull thud of a new corpse reached her ears. Amber eyes snapped back to the woman and the harlot as if suddenly remembering her purpose. At least the woman mercenary hadn't the nerve to engage Matthew just then. Had it been Kaie, there was no guarantee she would be so...well mannered. After stepping over the cadaver she rolled her eyes, a crooked grin slipping onto her face. "Depends on who you ask." The Myrian shrugged and ran her tainted blade's face across the front of her leather vest. When she looked up again there was playful humor in her gaze. Given their reputation it was probably a fair question regardless.

Ah, Bitzer. That's her name. I remember now.

"Looks like I've done what I could do up here. I can watch your back until you're in the clear if you want. Either way, you should be going. If there are more they'll be here soon."

[Fallon]

So, something had happened. One moment the harlot had stood, his words rolling so easily and simply from his tongue. Her sink prickled, her eyes turning to Matthew and the living thug. Her ethereal hand gave a tremble, the edges sinking and seeping back down into the skin. For a moment it trembled, the blurring between astral and the physical as they reconnected. Strings laced together, reaching up and lacing into each other. Slow and steady she watched the thug grow still, lost and consumed by something internally. And it was only then that she realised just how quiet the room had gotten.

Or at least until the crumpled harlot spoke once more. Eyes dance between them and the fingers wrapped around the kukri hilt. Eyes followed it up to the harlot, the pinch of uncertainty in her form quickly being smothered. She needed to keep a clear head, to keep her will and strength in one piece. Focus, to think and act clearly without hesitation. The key clinked against the inside of her teeth again. It had been a trap to catch her off guard, one that had failed only due to the intervention of Matthew and Kaie.

This moment of peace however would not last. She knew that. But there was still something to be done, some distant mumbling string of questions and the internal turmoil as to what to exactly do. Adrenal was beginning to stir within, the steady rise and fall of breathing in that momentary pause as things collected together, ”I remember, across the hall and down the stairs. The guards are at the front, so we would have to be quick and quiet.” There was a pause at that point, ”Does any of the rooms on this level have windows? Just in case.”

If there was anything she had learned recently, it was that it was best to have a backup plan. In this case the options were to escape with combat being the last. Her left arm twitched as the feeling slowly begun to ebb its way in. Discomfort came next, and whilst she carefully took the key out, she focused her attention onto Matthew. There was a step towards him, a low clunk as the kukri tip gave a point.

”You and me Harlot, are going to have words in the future. For the moment however,” She stood above him, nostrils flaring the internal wrestling over what she should exactly do. To strike him would invoke the wrath of the Myrian, but he also needed to be put into place. And then there was another pressing issue. Was he tired suddenly? Why? Her left arm twitched, a slow pull free of the belt and the flexing of fingers. There was a wince, a shaking away of the numb feeling, before she placed a hand onto Matthew’s arm, ”You need to move. We all do. No I am not going without you. Because you, my dear filthy, disgusting, ingenious harlot, are to me a Scar.” Eyes blinked, lightening up as ideas flooded in. Plans flittered to and fro, the clockwork ticking of schemes being laid before her. Lips broke into a wolfish grin, a far cry from a scowl that probably would have been expected, ”And I don’t leave any of them behind.”

Fallon was already making her way to the door with speed. Her hand pressed against the handle, a sucking in of air as she pulled it open and peered around. For the moment it was quiet, and so she hoped it would stay that way for just a while longer. There was a definite nod to the Myrian as she stood straight. Her hand at that point gave him a pull, a weak one at that ”You ready?” She shot a glance to Matthew, ”Now move your arse, or I will drag you.”

[Matthew]

He approved of Kaie's effectiveness. She didn't hesitate, didn't ask questions, merely did the task and did it quickly. She was like him in some ways, if only just a little. There were certain things that she saw in black and white, just like he saw almost everything in black and white. Auras flickered and faded, but he had caught one last glimpse of what appeared to be some sort of magic coming from Fallon. Unlike many others probably would, he didn't actually linger on it very long. Magic was magic. It was a mysterious and unknown thing that always took something from the person who used it, as evidenced by the sudden lack of strength in his body. His head was starting to blossom with little throbs of pain as well. He didn't think he had used too much of his Djed. Everything had been well-planned and calculated, and he had taken a good amount of time in his casting. It was just a side effect of using magic in general, he assumed. From what he understood, he was sacrificing a very intimate part of himself. He nodded at Fallon's question, answering crisply and quickly. "There is. Every other room, and one at the far end of the hall as if you were going for the employees entrance. Also, Brega does have people who will protect her investments, one of which is me. We are past the immediate danger, the initial ambush. Further attacks will be more difficult, since they aren't already up here to try and clean up. No doubt they were confident." He paused, eyes focusing on the tip of the blade as it gestured toward him. A threat? He wasn't sure. It was a motion that was quite commonly used in Sunberth, so much so that it could be anything from merely a habit to a wordless threat very subtly aimed in his direction. He wasn't so good about the subtle sorts of things. Her hand touched his arm and he stared at it next, as if not quite understanding why she was touching him. He hesitated, his own mind overflowing with thoughts. He would be fine if he stayed here. He was a harlot of this house and that was something that allowed him some leeway. He could certainly make this look like an attack by some men who were just a bit too lusty for their own good. Slowly, his eyes slid to Kaie's, studying her amber stare. He watched her for a moment, tilting his head as if trying to either read her thoughts or help her read his own. Then he slowly stood, body gracefully unfolding as he did so. He brushed himself off, once more apparently concerned with invisible dust. "Fine." A Scar. Disgusting and ingenious at that? Filthy, he could understand. Was he supposed to be flattered or offended? Another glance was cast over at Kaie, silently asking her to help him understand how he should feel. He often leaned on others to determine these sort of things. He followed her as she pulled him, blue eyes glancing around as he let Fallon take the lead and Kaie take the fore. He briefly glanced back at the Myrian once again, making sure her eyes weren't on any part of them that he would normally charge to look at. At least he would charge here. Then his attention was back to Fallon, his words soft and quiet in her ear. He had leaned down, chest brushing her shoulder, breath brushing her earlobe in another one of those sensual teases that was actually just something natural for the harlot. "I'll accompany you all the way to the back door. That way it can appear like I was just doing a customer a favor. I'd rather us not be linked together in more ways than just a perverse professional interest. Did you know some of the other female employees have asked what we do in here for so long? I've told them that you are capable of multiple climaxes. They are curious as to if you have a secret. It might be worth your while to come up with one, just in case the story demands verification."

[Kaie]

The sudden pointing of a Kukri was enough to smear the mirthful expression on the Myrian's face into one of calculating neutrality. As if a sudden, cool breeze had swept through the gore stricken room, the bronzed woman bristled for but a moment. Threat. Amber eyes shot from the blade to the harlot, scanning his features for some sort of sign of distress. As always he yielded nothing but that characteristic pragmatism rather than an emotional clue to guide her own reaction. A slender brow arched at Bitzer's demands, bloodied fingers adjusting anxiously along the handle of the gladius. Was she to protest? Matthew's bewildered gaze met her own concerned one for but a tick before he unconsciously answered Kaie's silent question as well.

Fine. He is fine. We are fine. Time to go...but what the petch is a Scar?

"Then we should get going," Kaie agreed steadily, returning the woman's nod with a stern one of understanding. As always it seemed she had naturally fallen into the role of the soldier, and though she had her ambitions like any other female of her race, there was something almost natural when she fell into such a place. It was easy and it was thoughtless. Besides, this was no sellsword mission. She owed the prostitute for peeling her off the streets and caring for her in a way that still endlessly confused her. It was such a vicious cycle between the two, this constant exchange of debts and favors owed. At least Bitzer had proven thus far she had a solid head on her shoulders, even if she was dragging one of Sunberth's most notable figures' prized investments right out from under her nose. It was bold, really.

Kaie wasted no time falling in behind them, sword loyally bared against whatever might surprise them. There was a primal surge of jealousy when Matthew closed the gap between himself and the woman of the bell, but it did not linger long. Her eyes hardened in memory of her task and without warning she burst ahead of the two at the sight of the stairs. After all, the enemy would ambush from the front rather than whence they had just come. If anyone was venturing first into the fray, it would be the savage.

"If Bitzer's the target it's best they set their eyes on me first. Worst comes to worst, I might be able to buy the time you two need to make an exit," Kaie whispered as she eased down the flight while keeping her footsteps as quiet as she could. Her body naturally fell into a crouch as she navigated quickly downward, gaze blazing across the expanse of the new area distrustfully like a tiger ready to pounce. If nothing made itself known she'd simply fall back in line and let one of them guide then on to the escape path again.

[Fallon]

Of course, Fallon was not about to tell him all the reasons for dragging him along to the exit. He was an investment, she knew that, and the household would work to protect it as much as possible. It meant, that if a second set of blades came her way and caught the man a potential scuffle would break loose. He was also a cohort in the ambush, an unwitting individual that just happened to be in the way of it all. With that in mind he played a useful potential hostage if things turned sour. Lips broke into a curl, a slight pinch of the lids as the small group filed out of the room and left the scene behind. No doubt it would spur some interesting tales - 'Never try to trap Bitzer' sprung to mind. There was a nod to the last of his words, an agreement matched with a blush before she murmured back to him, "I'm only capable of such things due to the very good bed partner I have. After all, it takes two to tango," She gave a glance at Kaie at that point, "Or maybe three in this scenario."

Following gently she whipped her head around the corridor, the orbs absorbing the scene. Ears twitched, straining past the muffled groans and cries of pleasure that seeped out of the adjacent rooms. There was a pause, the back pressing against the wall, a gentle rise up onto her toes as she stared. Somewhere there was the gentle groan of wood, the subtle press of movement serving as a tell tale of what was going on. Pressing on her toes she felt her form bend slightly, the right hand looping round to grasp onto the kukri hilt. She was ready to draw if need be. Poking her head round she began the slow descent down the stairs to the exit, the steps moaning gently with each step.

There was a wince, and a hiss as she closed in on the door. She had to take it slow, she had to make sure not to rush and ruin the chance of escape. Gingerly she pressed the toe onto the solid ground and gave a glance back up to the pair. The key in her mouth still sat in place, and it was only after the tongue pushed it forward that she removed it. There was a nod, her fingers curling around it before she took those last few cautious steps over. No, there was nothing here was there? No one who would leap out and attack - unless of course the other two suddenly turned on her, "How's it looking back there?"

Pressing her ear against the surface she stopped to listen to the world beyond the door, of the darkness that supposedly encompassed the other side of it. Twiddling the iron key she found the key hold and worked at sliding it into place. All she had to do now was have some faith that Matthew was correct and this was not some trick. Hand resting on the door handle she exhaled and readied herself for whatever lay beyond, "Let's do this."

[Matthew]

Matthew paused a moment, eyes glancing back to Kaie and then back to Fallon. "But I haven't actually taught-" He paused again and then blinked, the gears obviously turning in a different way than usual. Certainly slower than usual. "Oh, right. Part of the illusion, of course. Good idea." Another glance was shot towards Kaie. He wasn't aware that she had a hard time reading his stare, though he should have known. It wasn't like he often gave clues. Kaie was one of the first he had made some sort of social connection with, so she was unknowingly something of a comfort zone for him. He was out of his element in a way, so he was using her as something of an anchor. It kept him grounded even as unfamiliar emotions and sensations flared around him. He watched her as she brushed by, furrowing his brow a moment before returning to their task. He focused his mind for a moment, sucking in air and calling upon one last little spark of Djed. As long as he monitored his use he should be fine, though he didn't want to push himself beyond what little Overgiving he had already managed to indulge in. That one little spark of Djed would be used to activate his Auristics one last time, giving the area a quick scan. No immediate auras made themselves apparent, only the brief flickerings of all the wood and stone around them, as well as one or two pulsating bodies that were hidden behind locked doors. They approached the far end of the hallway with Kaie in the lead, Matthew letting go of his magic as he brought up the rear. He was confident in Kaie's abilities, so confident that he didn't even consider checking the area that she was heading into. Fallon might notice that one thing about the Harlot, something that was a bit off when compared to all the other social interactions she had caught him in. Normally he was polite and aloof, somewhat distant. This time he had barely said a word to Kaie, but they kept exchanging those glances and existing in that comfortable silence. She wasn't just a sellsword, if anything, she was something the Harlot trusted. Seeing as how Fallon had her serious doubts about how much faith to put into the Harlot, finding out that there was someone he himself trusted might actually be of some interest. If she was even the sort to pick up on that sort of thing. The door opened to reveal... nothing. It was the streets of Sunberth. On second glance, an open basket actually sat at the doorstep of the back entrance, a single bandage wrap and a tiny bottle of nondescript alcohol sitting in it. Matthew poked his head out from behind the two, nodding towards the basket. "I thought we might end up with some cuts and scrapes, so I left this here. Just in case. Glad to see that they were so confident that they didn't post a guard in the back." Confidence was the most easily predictable thing. They hadn't accounted for any variations in their plan. Not a single one. They had been convinced that their victory was assured and in doing so had failed miserably.

[Kaie]

Nothing...

Neither relief nor a twisted sense of frustration washed over the Myrian female. It would appear as if her very core had been hollowed empty, her face a vacant mask of neutrality. Life, however, glowed fervently in every tension of readied muscles and calculating flicker of amber eyes. Warfare had always been the focus of her people. Just as the chess player studies the checkered board, the savage surveys the field. A skilled player plans ahead, visualizing each and every potential action before the fateful move is made. Their understanding of the game allows them to be several moves ahead of the clueless opposition, sometimes with the game-ending checkmate in sight. Kaie was not the skilled chess player. There was no clear next move in sight for her, but she was beginning to find her feel for the more dangerous games she'd been playing. Anticipation, that was the key.

The copper skinned woman shifted the gladius around in her grip distrustfully. It a few ticks she paused to observe the world around her, but beyond the coquettish giggles and throaty voices of lust-driven men behind closed doors there was nothing of her interest. A passive shrug was offered in their direction before she fell right back in line behind the two. As soon as Bitzer got to work approaching the door, Kaie turned around to keep an eye on their backs. With all the damned incense burning she couldn't help but begrudgingly recall her first visit to a brothel, which prompted a momentary glance in Matthew's direction.

"Quiet. Can't say it'll stay that way for long," The Myrian answered in a volume just above a whisper, head swiveling back to observe the pair. She jutted her chin toward the key in the woman's mouth before returning her focus to the room. "Yes. Time to go." The sound of moaning hinges was the only signal Kaie needed to know to turn around. She eased forward dutifully, prepared to engage whatever appeared brutally with the crude edge of her sword. The rapid appearance of light as the door was opened was enough to make the young warrior's breath catch.

Prioritize. They said they had reinforcements, right? What if they're waiting outside? Going to have to cut them down as quickly as we can before too much attention comes to us. Bitzer can hold her own, we know that. But what of Matthew? Am I to shove him aside and guard him close? He hired me to specifically protect Bitzer though so what am I...

Just before a cry for blood could escape her throat, the door extended to reveal what laid on the other side: a basket. A petching basket. She stared down in bewilderment at the simple object and its peculiar placement, seemingly blindsided by the simplicity of the situation. From what she could tell it contained things related to healing. Never had she heard of such kind adversaries, which is why she was somewhat grateful Matthew had an explanation.

"Cuts and scrapes..." The Myrian laughed quietly toward the harlot, a mirthful grin playing across her lips. She brandished her weapon at her side and shook her head at him. "Since you're not carrying a blade I guess that means you get to hold the basket. Not to be Dira's advocate but we might need it yet," She reasoned fairly. A pause came as she warily seemed to find herself once more, looking over her own shoulder and about her companions'. "Lead the way, Bitzer. I'll keep close until you send me away."

[Fallon]

There was a whistling exhale, her shoulders slumping slightly when it was answered with nothing but the dull light of night. Gently the kukri was drawn, the grind as she looked down upon the basket with suspicion. There was a gentle tap with the toe of her boot, a lean down as she careful inspected it. Withdrawing the key back she slipped it into her pocket, safe and secure until it was required again. There was a clink of the bottle, the eyes coming down onto a narrow she pulled away and returned her attention to the surrounding gloom. They could not waste more time, she knew that. They had to move on and quickly at that. Every tick was vital, every step required for a clean escape. To be over confident and allow such things to trap and consume. A blink, a consideration. They could have been lying in wait somewhere beyond - looking to ensnare where possible. There was always a backup plan.

Her head snapped up to the both of them, eyes flickering between the pair as she weighted up the situation. A careful step into the darkness, her eyes looking up and down the back entrance of the brothel. It was quiet still, no sound as far as she could tell. Shoulders curled inwards, her gaze sweeping round once more as she took it in. The faint glow of light, the dark shadows that stretched across the floor in shapes. There was a squint, a rock upon her heels as she gave a nod. It was clear for the moment, but it was only the crisp voice that spoke out, "Dira's advocate. How poetic."

No cuts and scrapes yet. Still time for things like that though. There was a growl as she gave a pace, a firm nod to the words of the Myrian. Fast, quick, there was no use in dallying. Her eyes glanced to Matthew, trying to understand what was going on behind those eyes of his. Such a mask and mindset, enough so that it left her wondering what he was capable of. Her mind flickered back to the screaming man, the writhing as if something had taken him, "Matthew. Thank you. Maybe one day I will be able to owe you back. And not by hiring you or your services," A rough exhale, she began her lead off into the darkness, "Keep close eh? I hope that's not so close that you use me as a second sheath."

For a while she stepped, a gentle bob of movement as shoulders hunched in. Eyes blinked as they adjusted to the darkness, the momentary blindness to it lifting and allowing her sight. Occasionally there was a look back, eyes checking and surveying that everything was in place. Check for those who followed, those who might do harm - for just as she was leading the way it was also a more set personal duty to make sure those who stood with her were also safe. Not that it mattered, she would send them on their way soon enough. Another few chimes of held breath, a length of distance made through the darkness before she stopped. A turn of the head back, a wave of the free hand, "Enough. I think. I can make my way back from here in one piece. I..." She paused, her gaze looking to Kaie with careful consideration, "You have a lot in you. Even from the other day. If you think you want to use that more often, if you want to take what you can in your grasp and bring change, well, come find me if you're up for the challenge."

[Matthew]

Matthew nodded at Kaie's suggestion that he hold the basket, slim and graceful fingers slipping down to take it into his hands and cup it to his chest. He briefly considered asking for clarification on what had been so funny, knowing the Myrian would be more than happy to tell him, but decided to hold his tongue in the end. He had long since learned that if he asked questions about every little thing that confused him then he would end up wasting quite a bit of time. Instead he merely stared down at the basket, fiddling with it a bit and observing the weaving. He should learn how to make a basket at some point. It would probably end up being useful somehow. Knowledge of all sorts was always useful.

His stare flickered to Fallon as she thanked him, a short nod offered in return, his soft voice chiming in as well. "You are welcome. I apologize for how sloppy it all was. My plan was thrown together on very short notice." He quietly followed the woman, trying to step as lightly as he could. He had little to no stealth skill of his own, so instead he opted to merely follow Fallon the best that he could. He stepped where she stepped and he tried to step quietly, keeping to the shadows and hunching down a bit to make sure that he was covered in them.

When the signal was given that Fallon felt safe to move on her own, Matthew gave a nod and glanced away, already considering his next steps. He faintly heard Fallon's offer to Kaie, his stare returning to the scenario and glancing between the both of them briefly. The possible alliance was an interesting idea. He considered if he felt protective over Kaie or not, trying to figure out if he was supposed to do anything here. In the end, he decided that Kaie was a woman perfectly capable of handling herself. He'd likely make a fool of himself trying to give a correct reaction to a feeling in his stomach that he didn't quite understand at all. He just let them go about their business, waiting until they were done and Fallon was on her way before turning to Kaie.

"I appreciate your assistance. I owe you. You know how we work by now." Always an ebb and flow of favors, back and forth with each other. "May I escort you back to the Sanctum or do you have places to be?"