Closed [Seaside market] Cutting to the chase [Fallon]

[Ildi]

summer 514AV 16th The sun was beating down on Ildi as he made his way through the crowded seaside market. Despite the hot sun Ildi was still wearing his cloak, having pulled the hood over his face to keep the sun out of his eyes and prevent himself from getting burned by the harsh ray’s. He didn’t mind the heat, as long as he kept himself hydrated and alert it would just make his job easier. Because the rest of the city was slightly dulled by the heat. He slinked through the crowd that filled the seaside market, letting his eyes dart over potential targets. He ignored many of the screaming peddlers and merchants that were offering goods. He was looking for food today. Not that many offering that on the market today. But after a little bit of searching he found a stall that had some delicious looking bread for sale. A single surly guard was wearily looking around while the merchant was loudly shouting and advertising his wares. He waited till both the guard and the merchant were busy with somebody else. A man came around and started to talk to the merchant, probably to buy something. That was all the opening Idli was going to wait for as he crossed the distance between him and the stall in a moment. Grabbed the two large breads and legged it as hard as he could. Weaving through the crowd as fast as he could. Ignoring the merchant’s irate screams for him to get back. A quick look over the shoulder and he saw that the guard had gone in pursuit. Shyke, he had hoped that the merchant would think protecting his stall from more thieves would be more important then two large pieces of bread! He needed to shake that broad and fast. He weaved his way through the crowd, trying to shake her off his trail by using his short stature and squeezing himself through the smallest openings in the crowd he could. He dove into the first smaller alleyway he found. He needed to get off the market and out of view before another person smelled money and joined the chase.

[Fallon]

Heat, that was what Fallon was thinking about. Feet patted upon the wood boardwalk that made up the market, and her head continuously dipped beneath the shade of the stall canopy. A thin drip of sweat gave a roll down her temple, eyes blinking slowly as she took in the world before her. What was going to happen? Was anything going to happen? Her cheeks puffed, her brow meeting into the middle as she instilled her focus. Behind her she could hear her employer talking away, his voice occasionally piping up to shout out in a loud, roaring voice, "Fresh'est 'nd best'est food yeh'll get in 'Berth!"

She gave only a sceptical glance to the man, a mixture of uncertain as she tried to decide how much of it was actually bread and sawdust. Still, she was not here to make comments about his trade - she was here to guard and do her job for the day. Pay, coin, another method in which to put food upon the table and to survive. Though she did wonder at times if that was going to be possible by the end of the season. Trouble seemed to buzz its way around her of late, and whilst she put her foot down to venture into the outside world, she did wonder on how much time she had left before she receive a well poised blade in the back or was lead into an inevitable trap. For the moment however, she would simply have to focus upon the present.

Her head gave a turn, eyes looking the figures up and down. For the most part people seemed to be minding their own business - barely paying her a glance with her hand resting upon the hilt of the tulwar. It was those who were the normal ones, the customers and passersby who were far from the threat. If there was anything Fallon was starting to learn about guarding a stall, it was the ones who seemed to walk with focus, with their eyes not drifting just to the contents, but to the merchant and any potential guards. Weighing themselves up almost against the potential risk that could come, and patiently waiting for the opportune moment. Lurkers, thieves and quick fingers - they were all the same, and it was her job to deal with them correctly.

Clicking, her gaze swept to the other side of the traffic, watching the form slip and step quickly through the crowd. Determined steps, that bob of the form as whoever it was came closer, cloaked and smothered in shadow. The merchant was busy, obviously trying to make a pass to another, but it was Fallon's eyes that watched and observed the world around her. A slowing count, a deep inhale as she gave a nod towards the merchant. He may have been all smiles still, but he could see what had been spotted. He gave her a small incline, a granting of permission should the intention become true. With that Fallon gave a rock up onto her toes, and braced.

Hands grabbed, food was piflered, and the entire form gave a hasty retreat back into the crowd. It was the shout from the merchant that made it her cue. Lurching forward, there was a broad stride. Left shoulder lead, barging others out the way where she could, whilst others she did a quick step around. Perhaps it was an unusual exercise to chase after a bread thief, but a reputation needed to be obtained that she was quick and precise at chasing down her targets - the merchant understood that much. Eyes followed after the trail of shoves, looking for the confused expressions of the crowd and the tell tale sign of exclamations. The hunt was on, and she was going to chase it until the end.

Lungs flared into life, legs burned as they were pushed into running. Eyes focused upon the shape, watching it dip and duck towards an escape. But she was not about to let that happen. A low, rippling shout thundered out from her lips, "Move!"
Heads around her turned, a quick side step almost out of purely being startled gave her a clearer path to chase down. Foot pivoted, a sweep almost as she gave a skid and pressed the chase. The gaze darted, her head searching as she lost the thief for a moment and then, once more spurred herself onwards when the target returned. Chest heaving, she came to the mouth of the narrow alleyway with an annoyed look upon her face. Her hand gave a stretch forwards, the feelings of energy plucking inside of her, rising up into her throat and resting upon her lips. Suggestions spun in her head, the gaze locking onto the shape as she tried to work out how to tilt the situation in her favour. Pointing a digit she gave an inhale, thoughts pressing against her skull - Don't go - and then spoke firmly, "Give them to me."

[Ildi]

Ildi didn’t notice the suggestion the woman was trying to put on him. It was just washed away in the rush of thoughts tumbling through his mind. Fear was rolling through it, he was thinking about which turns he needed to take. The suggestion just didn’t have a chance to take. He didn’t bother to respond to the guard’s scream to hand his food back, if she wanted to waste her breath yelling that was her problem. Besides did she really think a thief would just meekly stop and hand over his loot? She had to be an outsider. he still had to shake her though. His home wasn’t that far away, but he wasn’t stupid enough to lead her right to his home. He took a sharp turn in an alley not slowing down to take the turn safely. He banged his shoulder against the side of the alley in the process. But a bruise and a bit of stinging pain from running against a wall were nothing compared to the beating the guard would give him if she got her hands on him! While he was darting through the alleyway he threw down anything that looked like it could slow her down. Broken planks were thrown behind him, some empty bottles rolled at , what he hoped, was her feet and whatever thrash the sunberther’s had thrown away in the street was thrown in his pursuer's way. in the best case, she would fall on her arse, if not she might at least be slowed down. While he was pelting the woman with thrash he was constantly diving into other aley’s in a random pattern. Trying to throw her of his trail. It didn’t seem to be working. By the gods, why did he manage to steal from the one stall where the guard had problems with giving up on a rewardless chase? Slowly but surely Ildi was getting short of breath and his legs were starting to burn. He really needed to get her of his trail quickly. Or he just might end up at her mercy. Which most likely wasn’t much.

[Fallon]

Unfortunately for him, that was part of the problem - she could not give when the chase had begun. No, this was an exercise she would have to see all the way through whether she wanted to or not. The reward gained would be little more than just a pat on the head, it would be a reputation for success and victory. Something that was more valuable than simple coin and material goods. Teeth gritted a glare as she watched him take that testing step backwards, a rock up onto her toes as she felt the suggestion slip away to the side and into dust. So, it had not worked, she was not surprised - more so with the state of fear of being chased could bring. Feet rocked forward, a suck in of the hot summer air before once more she threw herself forward.

Pulse flickered into life, her mind narrowing down upon the single target. She had tried simple mercy, now it was to get her hands dirty. He had thrown away the opportunity to play fair after all. Feet thundered against the ground, legs screamed into life as she trampled a path down the alleyway. There was a press down of the toes, an entire swing round of the form as she twisted to turn the corner. A press off, tendons became animated, back straightening as she sucked in the air once more and fought to find a steady rhythm.

Her entire form contorted as she saw the planks block her way. Back twisted, a side step into the alley wall, her right foot pressing against the beam. Her hand gave a slam against the wall, momentum guiding her forward. Feet staggered, arms swinging to maintain balance as she made the springing jump off, and hit the ground with much force. Staggering she gave another side step, feet darting around the stray pieces that were thrown her way - the smaller were left to smash and crunch beneath the thick sole of her boots. Arms pushed pieces back in retaliation, slamming them down to the floor with a mighty crash.

Another twist, this time to the left. Shoulder slammed into the corner, a bounce off as she made her chase through the shades and shadows that made up the maze of Sunberth's alleys. Feet picked up, a firmer and harder press as she forced herself to move. Close the ground, use the stamina that she had trained in her to reach out and grasp what was before her. Weapons clattered, the weight of iron and leather beginning to make itself known - but she could not give yet. Lungs gave a strain, hands shooting forward as she came closer. Grasp the clothing, grab the layers, and firmly pull - if she could of course. Doing so whilst running was no easy task after all.

[Ildi]

The sound of clattering metal slowly closing in on him drilled into Ildi’s scared mind as he tried to speed up. But his lungs were burning and he was slowing down by the second. ‘oh by kelwyn, why isn’t she stopping!’ he shot a quick prayer to the twin gods of lost causes as his pursuer kept going after him with the tenancy of a bulldog. His options were slowly running out and he was praying for something to happen so that he could stop running away from her. That wish was at least granted when managed to grab his cloak and before he could even undo the clasp gave it a strong pull. He lost his balance and went tumbling to the ground. He let out a pained groan as his cloak dug in his throat and kept him in place at the womans feet. He scrambled with tired fingers at his clasp and undid it. Awkwardly rolling away from his assailant. But he just didn’t have the energy anymore to get away from her without a head start. Out of reflex he pulled one of his daggers and pointed it at her. Only to laugh nervously when he saw his pursuer stare down at him. An unamused look on her face, steel at her side and armor on her body. He glanced once at his dagger. Back at the armored woman and dropped it. Holding his open ands over his head. hoping that she took the hint that he just gave up and didn’t want to get a beating just for a few pieces of bread. “Okay.. okay, you got me.” he managed to pant out in between gulps of air. “ I ain’t got no weapons anymore,” which was a blatant lie, he still had a dagger hidden underneath his shirt and one in his boot. No way he was going to use it though. ” the bread’s over there.” He did a quick nod with his head towards the fallen loafs of bread. “ So don’t hurt me.” He pleaded as he scuffled a bit away from the angry looking armed woman.

[Fallon]

There was a crunch as she pulled and firmly jerked on the cloak, an entire stagger of movement as her target crumpled. A gasp of air, her own foot slammed down onto the floor, her body rocking as she maintained balance. Whoever it was gave a slump, writhing and grasping to free himself from the cloak bindings. He rolled, she threw the cloak to one side in a heap and paid it no further mind to it - after all, it would only get in the way. A single advancing step, her hand rested upon the hilt of the tulwar, gaze burning down as he pulled the dagger forth and attempted to wiggle it menacingly at her.

Fallon raised an eyebrow, bemused expression settling there and then promptly falling behind a face of neutrality. Gaze locked, a slow blink as she watched him weigh up his options and finally picked to surrender. Her hand however still rested in place over her own blades, making no move as he spitted and spat his words. The bread was no longer in his grasp, that much was apparent as he squirmed upon the floor. Hands were empty, the sawdust loaves caught up in the cloak he broke free from. There was a take in of space, weighing up just how much movement she had - she reckoned she could get a swing in of the tulwar if need be.

"I ain't got no weapons," Fallon mimicked in harsh tones, though the mind of a literate scholar flickered into life with his poor choice of grammar, "Ain't is a negative word, and 'no' is also a negative word. And as two negative words make a positive... you do have another weapon?" Her head cocked to one side, her freehand resting upon the tulwar sheath before gently she begun to draw it. There was only the faint grind of steel as she revealed a third of the mirrored edge, eyes drifting to it for a moment and then back to him - words were not needed to explain herself nor her present thought process. She was in no mood for playing. Inhaling she cocked her head back towards the mouth of the alleyway.

"Unfortunately for you 'berther, it isn't just the bread I want," she spoke in cool tones, eyes locking with his. Energy gave a thrum, her voice box quivering once more as it was laced with suggestion and intent. Sucking in the air, her words exhaled out into a ripple. Reasoning had been suggested already, now it was time for something much more brutal, "Now... you are going to get up slowly," - Best obey - "You are going to then pick up the bread, and you will come back with me to the merchant," she gave a glare, "Do I make myself clear, thief?"

[Ildi]

Ildi was silent for a few moments. Stunned into silence by the fact the woman bothered to correct his grammar. “You really aren’t from around here.” He managed to deadpan, dumbstruck enough to ignore the fear hammering in his legs and stomach for a few moments. After that it came back full force before the woman even had time to twitch her face in anger. “I mean, i mean. I don’t have any weapons on me now. That’s what I meant now! First time as well.” He blurted out, words stumbling as he did his best to get them all out of his mouth before the woman ran him through with one of her sharp looking weapons. He followed her harsh order that he should stand up. He slowly got back to his feet. Both of his hands over his head and open. Showing that he didn’t have any other weapons. Or at least not any in his hands. When she asked, no demanded he come back with her to the merchant and give back the bread he looked at her. Panic clear to see on his face. “You can’t be serious, he’ll cut something off! so pissed is that guy. I’ll never steal again. How the petch am I going to get food then? Would you want to see me starve to death?” He tried to plead. Hoping that somewhere in the steely gaze of the scary woman there was at least a spark of compassion. “I’ll gladly give you the bread though, no prolem there! if he asks about what you did to me...” He took a deep breath.” Just nick your blade on your arm,bloody it up. Give him the bread back and tell him you dealt with me in an alley somewhere. He didn’t get a good look at my face so he won’t find out. So many corpses around here that he won’t bother asking!” He bargained in a panicked voice. The fact she was heavily armed shot again through his head. Heavily armed and faster then him. She might just do that to spare her the trouble of him trying to escape again. He started rambling again, waving his hands above his head in panic. “Or how about I just give you a share of the loot I manage to swipe? It’s not much, but a bit of coin is always better then just another rotting corpse in an alley right? I can do some more thieving. Get more coin in a shorter time. They won’t catch me. What happenend with you was a fluke, not many berther’s as stubborn and fast as you!” Bargaining, bribery and flattery all in a single sentence just to save his own skin. But he thought he would at least have her attention with this. Who could resist the lure of gold? No sunberther in this city at least. He hoped it worked just as well with outsiders.

[Fallon]

"Depends on your definition on 'not from around here'," she mimicked the Sunberth twang, and then slipped back into the slow tones she used with the 'Bitzer' persona. Fallon stared as he scrambled up to his feet, the blade half drawn now with its keen edge glinting in the light. She cared not for the look of panic upon her face, nor did she really truly register it. The nature of her job required her to deal with individuals such as him, and the better she performed, the better the reputation she would receive in return. And with that, came the inklings of power and control. As he made his pleads however, she simply let them wash on past her like water.

"And why should I nick my blade on my arm for what you have done?" The gaze flickered and burned, "I gain nothing from injuring myself. If anything I put myself at greater risk for things, infection being among them. Who will pay for when I am unable to work due to illness? Who will pay when I require a doctor for such assistance? You obviously will not," She shook her head then, her chin lifting as she took in his stumbling words and his attempt to verbally escape what was to come.

"How am I to know you would keep your word? And surely you should have thought of what could possibly happen if you lead yourself down such a path," she took a step forward then, face serious as she encroached closer into his space. The gaze gave a flicker to his form, eyes watching those wavering hands carefully, "Whilst one is free to choose our actions, nobody ever will escape the consequences of them. You are no different, nor are you immune to this rule." Another step forward, her mind set and far from easy persuasion.

"My job is to bring the target back for reprimand by the employer. By succeeding in doing so it makes me a reliable source, a good one for employment and boosters my reputation - something that even you can agree is vital within the world of work and business. Something that also cannot be brought with coin. If I return with blood, it makes me appear as a violent and bad source. Not only for myself and my employee," Her lips curled into a smile, "And as you are the one who chose to steal when you have a multiple of other opportunities before you. Become an apprentice, a word runner, a labourer. But you chose this path, and thus it is for I to deal with you."

Gold may have worked for some, but for Fallon it did not. Her gaze simply looked and burned upon him, a deep exhale as she prepared herself to begin a chase anew - or to deal with him in a slightly more aggressive manner. Something she would rather avoid if necessary, "Now. Are you going to come calmly, or are you going to struggle?"

[Ildi]

“Well.. sunberth. where else? not much else around here that actually matters.” Just a lot of forest, filled with dangerous animals and the sea. Most likely also filled with dangerous animals. He managed to reply, hoping that maybe the woman was slightly softening up and he could use that. Only for those hopes to be cruelly dashed. The woman was like a bloody rock. Ignoring any of his heartfelt pleas and continuing to focus on the fact he just stole two breads. ‘Dunno, you’re bigger, stronger and more well fed? You can probably take it better then I can?’ Ildi though to himself. Saying that out loud would probably piss her off. Not to mention that it wasn’t really an answer to her rather reasonable question as well. He just ignored that comment and focused on the fact she called him untrustworthy. He was a theif but even he had the common sense not to screw over the people he made an agreement with. He was short and weak. How was he even going to survive doublecrossing anybody. He didn’t even know what she meant about him going down a path and what would happen to him then. He took a few steps back as the woman got closer and closer. still feeding him line after line of self righteous bullshit about him choosing this. Listing a bunch of opportunities that never were an option for him or would get him tangled up with gangs and their violent turf wars anyway. Being an independent thief was the best choice he could have made! Still, the words kept tearing at his mind. He never did look around a lot for a different job did he? He pushed that thought out of his mind as quickly as it had gotten into it. He hadn’t looked a long time for a different job because he needed to eat and there weren’t any other opportunities around anyway. “Fine. I don’t want to get beaten up.” He snapped ‘or nagged at, or killed’ he mentally added and slowly made his way over to the fallen pieces of bread and picked them up. Keeping his movements slow so that his capturer didn’t think he was trying to make a break for it. When that was done he looked back to his capturer. “I hope you still know where your boss is. Because I don’t.”

[Fallon]

In the mind of Fallon it was far from self righteous; it was cold logic if anything, a series of made deductions that ran through the situation, events she had experienced in the past and the blather the lad had managed to spill out in his feeble attempts. There was only a slow blink, her gaze shifting as he begrudgingly made his moves and inevitably accepted her requests. Her gaze did not shift as she watched him carefully, eyes narrowing down into slits as he sheepishly made his way round and took up his once prize.

Exhaling she cocked her head back the way she came, the loose path marked out by the way the debris had been scattered. She could akin it to a trail of breadcrumbs marking out a trail that had been made. Her target had not exactly been subtle with his escape, nor particularly clean. Her eyes gave a dart down as she watched him walk those few feet ahead, and then onwards to the firm in prints within the ground. It should not be too hard to find the main roads, and from there it would be a smooth journey. His remarks however were largely ignored, the occasional rise of the eyebrow as he snapped and snarled. Other than that there was only the occasional nudge of encouragement to send him along.

"Left here," she muttered, her eyes flickering down. There was a crane of the head upwards, a sweeping of the gaze back and forth as she checked the narrow alleyway. It seemed clear from what she could see - a good sign for Sunberth. Another nudge and a step forward to serve as a weak encouragement. Somewhere beyond she could hear the high voices of merchants, muffled however by the collection of walls and buildings between them. At least they were going in the right direction for now. Fallon frowned, her brow pinching as she forced herself to speak on more sociable terms - if it could even be called that. It was more the steady process of picking apart and questioning the events before her.

"What do you think of Sunberth? In a non-emotional way I mean. Structurally, the people, the way it breathes, lives, thrives - or festers, if that is what you prefer," Her green-blue orbs stared down onto the back of his head then, almost as if she was trying to step into his mind and understand his thought process, "Of course, yes it is a city, though, what about beyond that? How does it all keep balance? Right here," A shrug, another flicker down as she mentally begun the slow mental pace back. She just had to keep on following the fain sound, and from there it would be the maze through the market once more - which should not be too hard.