I am the flea you cannot flick! [Aeyt!]

[Rhindeer]

The man had killed working ladies? Anger threaded through Owl at that, of some bastard killing poor women like that, preying on them. She might not agree with their profession, but they were doing what they needed to do--and from the ones she'd met tonight, whatever her preconceived notions and prejudices had been, they had all been rather lovely. Perhaps Ebony had been...aggressive...but only because she and Ryk had given her that impression.

She tapped her sword. "Not to fear! I will shred that man! Shred him, eat him, and spit up his bones! Well, figuratively. That wasn't a very good owlish threat, that sounded kind of...um..."

Owl trailed off, because Rufus got up and was getting awfully close, purpose in his stride. Her heartbeat quickened before he'd even made his announcement.

"Wha--" That was all she got out before the blood was rushing to her head--for more than one reason. Partly because Rufus was dipping her. Mostly because his lips were on hers, his kiss warm and tender, far different from the fierce kiss the working girl had given her, and yet...Kia help her, it was better, too, and drew a low moan from her throat. Startled, Owl once again found herself frozen even as her belly fluttered nervously and her hands jerked at her sides as though not sure what to do, whether she should be grabbing onto him or shoving him away, and thus settling on neither.

And then she was upright again, her eyes snapping open--she hadn't realized she'd shut them--and she jumped again at the light slap to her bottom. Clapping a hand over her mouth and staring at Rufus, she wasn't so sure she could move after that. Her heart was pounding as she was once again struck with that strange realization that somehow, he got to her more.

And that realization pissed her off, for some reason. More than him actually kissing her did.

"Th...that was wholly unnecessary," she said when she'd finally found her words, and she wished they could have come out angrier, and not so shaken. She forced a little more venom into her words. "I already had a good kiss tonight, and it wasn't from you!"

[Aeytrious]

"Ebony was practically gnawing at your face," Rufus said as he went out the door to the exterior stairs. "I don't have time to make you a woman proper, so if you die, I would like to at least know you've been kissed right. That was the sort of kiss dashing knights give young maidens." He waited for her to follow him out, and then locked the door behind them. While his room was the only one with a door outside, there were a couple windows to lower rooms that the stairs passed. It was a second story window that Rufus stopped at. He had left a note from the Red Wolf that this room be left vacant for the night, and it was through the window that they reentered the building. The balcony was full of revelers, as he stepped out of the room, the brothels nightly celebrations in full swing. He could see the killer, a very rodent like posture to him, as he talked to one of the working girls, showed her his coin. Lulu. Rufus nodded in his direction to make sure the Little Bird was watching.

"We will watch and we will stalk him like prey. When he is alone with her, and we are sure he is the one, we will strike."

[Rhindeer]

Owl marched out after him. "I am a woman proper. Well. Perhaps not right now, but most of the time, whether or not I want to be," she said as she followed him. Oh, she knew what he meant, but she chose to pretend not to. That expression had always confused her, anyway.

She climbed through the window after him, fully intent on putting that...that moment behind her, at least for now. There were more important things to focus on than Rufus's lecherousness and her own confusion--

Like Lulu down below, getting purchased by the man Rufus had called a killer.

Her breath caught as she drew close to Rufus. "Not Lulu..." she whispered, hand going to her sword, voice filled with genuine worry. "Oh no...okay...no, she's gonna be okay. We came just in time, right? Right. Alright. So we're going to watch him. And follow them, and--" She paused and looked up at Rufus. "How will we know it's him?"

An awful thought struck her as soon as she said it. "Because he'll try to kill her, huh?"

[Aeytrious]

Rufus just gave Owl a look. Just a look. She knew what it meant. Words were not needed. Then he watched.

[Rhindeer]

Owl swallowed hard, and the excitement she'd felt about this hunt turned to something else--a nerve-wracking sort of tension as the very real stakes hit her. She'd promised Lulu she would rescue her, though, and she was not about to let anything happen to her.

It took all of her willpower not to leap over the balcony and take the man right then and there!

Instead, she waited, chewing on her lip.

After what seemed like forever, and after what looked like a lot of harmless small talk and flirting, the man suddenly rose and took Lulu's hand. Owl tensed and elbowed Rufus, though it wasn't necessary; he was likely watching as intently as she was. "They're leaving."

[Aeytrious]

The rat down below, took Lulu by the hand and headed for the side exit that Ryk and Tanin had used earlier. Shortly after Einin had emerged as Owl, Ryk's driver had returned to the carriage and taken it home. He'd received a note saying Ryk would be staying at the Lifeless Lech that night. Without the gilded coach to block his way the sleazy little man would have free access to the alleyway. Rufus knew from reports that the killer took his victims into the alley beside their establishments to do his work. It was not uncommon for men who could not afford a room to pay a woman to accompany them to the alley. The Lifeless Lech was not known for this practice, but it did happen on occasion, especially with the younger girls. As they crossed the crowded barroom, hand in hand, Rufus grabbed Einin by the arm and pulled her back to the vacant room. He dashed to the window, flung it open, and dived through. He took the steps down four at a time, and came to a stop at the edge of the building. Figures flitted through the shadows, and Rufus signaled to one on the roof of the neighboring structure. Soon after, the little man exited into the alley with Lulu.

Rufus was too far to hear the exchange, but the man handed Lulu some coins, and she smile before giving him a very convincing kiss. He then turned her around and lifted her skirts. He struggled with his pants for a moment but soon they were around his ankles and he started his rutting. Rufus was beginning to doubt that this was the man, especially as his grunting began to increase in volume. As the little mans gasps and whimpering reached underwhelming proportions, he pulled a dagger from his sleeve and held it up to stab into poor Lulu's back.

Rufus moved quickly, whistling as he dashed into the alley. He pulled a throwing knife from some hidden place and it was flying through the air in an instant. It struck the mans hand and his dagger fell away. Lulu screamed as the man fell back, pants around his ankles. Wolves materialized out of seemingly nowhere, blocking off both ends of the alley. A particularly large Blood Wolf stood in the door back into the brothel. Nobody was leaving this place.

"Do you know who I am?," Rufus asked the quivering fool, "I'm the Red Wolf, and Arca is mine. Killing is a forbidden crime in my city. Nobody dies without my word on it first." Ryk stomped on the mans fingers. The breaking of the joints was an audible pop, and the man let out a scream. "Killing women and children are especially bad. Only weak men prey on the weak," Rufus kicked him in his gut then. "Your greatest folly, was that you chose this establishment to hunt at. I OWN THIS PLACE! YOU KILLED MY GIRLS!" Rufus lifted the wretch up off the ground by his tunic as he screamed the words. He then threw him back to the ground, and kicked him a few more times. There were some things Rufus would not abide. Angering him, was never a good idea. You didn't survive in his position without knowing how to be ruthless.

After his anger was sated he turned to his Wolves, then to Einin. "Do not kill him Owl. Instead, I suggest you make him a woman. And perhaps ruin his hands, or remove them. I don't want him to ever hold a blade again."

[Rhindeer]

"Ohmygods," Owl whispered, hand over her mouth. The man and Lulu, they were...they were...

She didn't blush so much as blanch, and she stole an uncomfortable look up at Rufus. This was not something she wanted to see. And yet, horror aside, she forced herself to glance briefly at them. This was a test. Maybe not intentionally, but everything was a test in some way, and if she wanted to take on criminals, this right here was proof that in order to do that, she was going to have to face more than just fear, but also discomfort. The man was a killer.  He could kill Lulu if she looked away. And so she swallowed the sick feeling in her gut and tried to focus on some point that wasn't utterly raunchy, and couldn't help but notice that while the man seemed awfully enthusiastic, Lulu only looked like she was enduring.

Gods.

It was getting to the point where Owl wasn't sure how much longer she could do this, and maybe they'd gotten the wrong person, and that she really wished the man would just hurry up, when he pulled out the knife.

That changed everything.

Before Owl could yell out a warning to Lulu, the man had a dagger in his hand, and Owl darted behind Rufus. While Rufus confronted the rat, Owl went to Lulu, who was sobbing and had to be terrified out of her wits, for she had come so close to being just another girl laying bloody in a gutter. Even though Owl's heart was beating fast with the frantic, panicked rush that came from seeing the poor girl almost murdered, she found herself surprisingly calm as she put an arm around her and turned her away from the scene as Rufus beat the villain with a ferocity that shocked even her. No need for the traumatized girl to see that kind of violence, as much as that man deserved that much and more.

"It's okay, you're okay now! C'mon, now. Let's get you somewhere safe, alright?" Owl said as she lead her toward the blocked back door, stroking her back to try to calm her as she clung to her and cried. She paused at the sight of the large Wolf blocking the door. "Ah, hello. Can the lady come inside? She's been through an ordeal and should get somewhere safe."

With Lulu safely inside, Owl turned around just in time to see Rufus deliver some final kicks. Then he turned to her, and...

Oh, wow.

Owl came to a stop, her eyes widening at his rather brutal suggestions. She had been thinking a lot of terrible thoughts since the man had pulled that knife, things the man deserved and that, theoretically, she would like to do to him, but now that it was real and the man was right there, trembling and bloodied up on the ground, suddenly she wasn't so sure. A kick to the face? Sure. She had enough anger in her to think she could kick him in the face. But cutting off body parts? Maiming someone? He was a killer! A murderer! He had killed innocent people! He definitely deserved to be punished. He deserved to die.

But...torture?

Her stomach roiled. There were a lot of Wolves around. And Rufus, her teacher. And they were all watching. If she didn't do it, and with this big of an audience, would anyone take her seriously after? But...if she did, what kind of person did that make her? Heroes didn't maim and torture people. Should she really be concerned about the opinions of criminals?

She swallowed and shook her head. "No. We're going to turn him in to the guard," she said. The man began to snivel at that, and Owl shut him up with a swift kick to the face that broke his nose with a snap. There. That was satisfying. And hopefully a gesture that sent a message, that she wasn't afraid of using force. She was just choosing another route.

"I'm not a torturer or an executioner, Rufus. He's going to pay for his crimes, but justly and by the law."

[Aeytrious]

Rufus whistled a pattern, made signals with his hands, and all the Wolves dispersed. Owl and he stood alone in the alley with the now crying man.

"Quit your sniveling fool," Rufus made as to kick the man, and he squeaked pathetically before ceasing his whimpers. "It's your lucky day. You'll be hanging from the gallows instead of living out a pathetic life without your manhood." Rufus walked over to Owl and stood close enough that only she could here his whispers.

"The guard will be here soon, and I will not be," he looked at her pointedly, "someone has gone to fetch Lulu. She must give her witness statement to the guard so that they know he is guilty. I would not have made this choice that you have, but I respect you for making it. And I'm oddly proud of you." He patted her shoulder before moving away. "I'll be watching from nearby. Let's hope the guard does not lag."

[Rhindeer]

It was weird how his words made her feel, to hear Rufus--Ryk--say that he was proud of her. The entire thing was enough to make her head spin as she wrestled with what had just gone down, and wrestled with who that man was. He was insufferable. He made her want to punch him on the regular with the way he thought he could just touch her or kiss her whenever he wanted, and he was a criminal! Her enemy! He was vile! And yet, he was her teacher, and was trying to help her, and had just saved a woman few might bother to save. He took her out for some fun, kept her safe while she was drunk, even taught her how to play a card game in good humor, and had brought her along on this mission to let her dip her toes in safely.

And he might be a fake fiance?

It hurt her head, because she didn't know what to make of him. It had been easier when she had just known Rufus, as she had seen him that first night.

Owl waited with the ratty man until several guards came onto the scene, and she stayed there with Lulu as she gave her statement. Lulu played a little dumb for the guards, obscuring Rufus's identity, and Owl was questioned briefly as a witness, as well--who was in no way connected to Lulu's savior! Nope! Lulu wisely backed her up. The girl was certainly no dummy.

When all was said and done, the rat of a man was hauled up between two guards and dragged away, his cries and pleas echoing down the alley. It was strangely satisfying. Owl might not have done much that night--Rufus did all the work--but it was still nice to be involved, and see one criminal that would no longer be terrorizing innocent folk.

It also opened her up to a completely new way of seeing things.

When the guards were gone, Owl escorted Lulu back inside. The woman paused in the doorway to give her a kiss on the cheek, saying it was for Rufus, but since he wasn't there, his accomplice would have to suffice! She mentioned she would have given either of them a larger reward, too, but after that scare she really just felt like laying down.

"Ah! That's really alright!" Owl said, holding up her hands. "I really ought to get going, anyway!" Oh shit. What time was it, anyway? Ryk had never told her when that party her parents were going to ended!

Turning to leave, Owl paused only to grin at Lulu from over her shoulder. "Oh and Lulu? Told you I'd rescue you," she added with a wink, and then she turned and quickly rushed off before Lulu could put the pieces together.

Now to find Rufus.

[Aeytrious]

Rufus watched the guards go, and once Owl was on her way, he crept out of the shadows.

"Time to get you home I think."

[Rhindeer]

Owl jumped at the sound of his voice, then turned to face him. Letting out a breath, she nodded. "What time did you say that party went 'til?"

[Aeytrious]

"You know how Nobles are," Rufus replied, "the wild ones will be at it all night, the prim and proper ones," Rufus looked to the moon, "will probably be heading home about now." He smiled at Owl from behind his eye patch.

[Rhindeer]

"In other words, my parents are on their way home," Owl said with a grimace. "So, Red Wolf, did you have a plan for how you're getting me back?"

Since he had been the one to drag her out, and that carriage ride had felt a little lengthy.

[Aeytrious]

"Well lucky for us there is a stable nearby," Rufus took Owls hand in his and dragged her along at a quick pace. "Can you ride?"

[Rhindeer]

Owl tugged back against Rufus's hand to slow him and gave him a look, eyebrow arching. "That depends on how we're acquiring these horses."

[Aeytrious]

"Do you want to beat your parents home or not," Rufus laughed, as he pulled Einin along harder. This was thrilling. He'd never experienced anything like this. Getting a young lady home before her parents knew she was missing was something young men did. Rufus never had that sort of life. "Don't worry about the horses. They'll be back before their owners know they're gone."

[Rhindeer]

"I--ack!" Owl stumbled and ended up jogging to keep up with him, for his grip was solid and he was stronger. She smacked at his hand with her free one. "I want to beat them, of course! But not by stealing! What if we get caught? You know horse theft's a hanging offense!"

[Aeytrious]

"Do you think I'd do something in my city if there was a chance I'd get caught?" Rufus asked as they hustled along, "I prepared for this ahead of time. The horses are saddled and ready, we just need to get to them." He released Owls hand and ran ahead of her. He slipped in through the open stable door, and disappeared inside.

[Rhindeer]

"How did you--?" With a shake of her head, Owl followed after him into the stable. "How did you know? That I'd even come? How did you get my clothes? Was this entire night staged or something?"

[Aeytrious]

"I make it a point to plan for contingencies," Rufus said as he offered Owl his help getting on a beautiful dappled filly. "Like your cloak that you left upstairs. A Wolf is already taking it to your home. The clothes you left in the carriage will be back to you before morning." Ryk himself mounted up onto a dark brown colt, that nickered as he settled in. "Ready to fly Little Bird?"