Cats and Mice (Closed)

[Winters-Feather]

OOC: Going to refer to Awari as Maar in this thread, since she's in that form, unless she somehow reveals her identity or your character figures it out.

IC:

     Maar stood on the opposite side of a table in front of her employer. The barrel chested man with broad shoulders and a sharp, green gaze peered down at her with a look that mixed with curiosity and disbelief.
"Well?" she demanded, putting her hands on her hips.
The fae had been travelling all night to arrive here, having just arrived that very morning. She had been granted the grace to change and eat before being presented to Dans Morindo, which was a thoughtful gesture; she had been famished. She braided her curly hair. The man had extra clothes that fit her from when his daughter was around her height. The fae was pleased with the borrowed clothing; loose, dark pants, a loose white blouse, white fur for her collar, straps to hold the sleeves down, a wide belt in place of an under-bust.

Despite his generosity, however, he was beginning to annoy her.
"You're just a child," he muttered, confused.
Maar rolled her eyes as she explained for the umpteenth time that she was a fae; there was no need for him to be so flabbergasted by her appearance. The man nodded and gave her the  terms of their agreement: protect him at all costs  and she'd get rewarded richly. Bonus if she could reveal the identity of any assassin's employers and get proof. Morindo certainly did know how to grab people's attention that way; that was probably why so many others considered him dangerous. Though the country allowed for free speech, there was still so many that were oppressed, whose voices were silenced. The man was part of a rebel organization that wished to fight against the treatment of mages, but he wasn't without his enemies.  Thankfully, he also wasn't lacking in ears, spies who managed to confirm that there were assassins after him. It was especially crucial she was there that night, for an important meeting was to happen, that night.

Normally, Maar never played body guard, and certainly not in the iron infested cities of Connlaoth. She took precautions, such as wearing gloves and boots and taking her potion, but the stench was still there.  No, she had came because she had been interested in the situation and because it meant doing some new, for a change.
After their meeting was over, Morindo had dismissed Maar, allowing her the privileged of exploring his huge manor.This was good; she needed to be able to be familiar with this place if she might need to fight. Of course, the man's servants were aware of her presence, but they had been told in before hand that she was his niece coming to visit, which seemed to encourage them to constantly offer her sweets.

Wasting no time in taking advantage of both, Maar was now happily strolling down one of the manor's halls with a honey bun in her hands, observing where the lights cast shadows with a mischievous grin on her face.

[GoblinFae]

Joints crackled and realigned themselves as the assassin finally arose from her meditative posture before the dying embers of a formerly roaring hearth. The night had been a long one as she listened intently to her employer describe the prey and the importance of the kill. She had openly blown off hearing the reasonings, claiming that "such a petty squabbles are of no use to me."

It had pleased her greatly that her employer had stormed out like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Even now as the morning sun clawed his way up through the sky, a faint smirk crossed Tiraris' lips. She prepared herself quietly and slowly, enjoying the few moments of peace and calm. 'The calm before the storm.'

The noble who had hired her, she really had not bothered to find out his name, specifically instructed her to attack at night. She on the other hand had other ideas. 'Attack at night and they expect you. Only a lunatic or a woman would dare killing during the sun's watch. Good thing I am both.'

A short walk to the manor did nothing for her. Tiraris was ready, everything just came down to the final decision. 'Front door or roof? Massacre or stealth? Roof, security is always lighter on the top.' She quickly shimmied up an arbor and slipped into an unoccupied room by way of its open balcony. 'People really need to start making things more difficult these days. There is no pride to be had in this when the work is on the verge of boring,' she lamented as she let herself out into the hall.

[Winters-Feather]

Someone's here that shouldn't be here.
Maar looked up to the roof, the assassin's presence practically shouting at her. It wasn't a servant; theirs she had dimmed out of her mind. Besides, theirs were weaker and less  honed due of their lack of training due to the strange laws of this country. This one was stronger... and who else but a thief or an assassin comes through a roof? The fae gave  a broad smile, amused by the intruder's spunk for intruding the manor in broad day light.

Wanting to have a little fun before the kill, Maar ran for the nearest stairs and skipped up towards the floor Tiraris was. She waited until the assassin turned around a corner to step in front of her. Maar pretended to bump into  her.
"Ow," she moaned, rubbing the top of her fore head as she gave the woman a curious, wide eyed look. In reality, she was taking in everything she could about the woman. Her built, where she might be hiding weapons, perhaps even signs of her employer.
Quickly composing herself, Maar bowed.
"Hello," she greeted giving her most innocent smile.
"Morindo didn't tell me he had guests," she sweetly said.

[GoblinFae]

The assassin grunted as the child ran into her. 'Gods above what did you send me one of the inconvenient little bastards? That was uncalled for!' Long fingers moved quickly to pull her cloak and cowl tighter about her, hiding any telling features.

Her voice rose to the lilting, simpering tones of a high-ranking escort. "Oh dear child," Tiraris scoffed. "Of course he would not tell you. Important men like Dans do not tell their sweet daughters about the things adults do behind closed doors. Now run along," she shooed waving her hand down the hall. "Go play with some dolls while daddy and I have some fun."

Tiraris gave a high-pitched laugh that even had her mentally cringing at its sound. 'Minor challenged averted, now to finish this and go out for a drink.' Glancing down at the child as she brushed passed her, she corrected herself. 'Make that several drinks.'

[Winters-Feather]

Maar could have laughed at the assassin's explanation. Besides, the fae knew that most children did not remain ignorant of such subjects for long; she often found herself in a position to awkwardly explain such matters to the hawklings. And if any were treated the way the assassin was treating her, they'd pout and protest that pre-teens simply did not play with dolls. However, Maar did none of those things. Instead, she smiled sweetly at the woman  as she  cheerfully skipped by her side.

"Fun?," she replied, "I love fun."
The fae giggled, taking delight in her word play. She didn't know what she was enjoying more; the hunt or fooling the assassin. The woman actually thought he was her father!
"Though you're wrong about him; he's not my father," she continued, keeping up a chatty facade.
"But what about you? Who are you? How'd you end up all the way up here?"

[GoblinFae]

'I do not care whether you are his daughter or not! Of course you are not, but could you just play along the stupid child you are? Of course not! My life would be simple then. Nothing is ever simple for the Silverd'art.'

"Oh you precious thing!" she cooed, turning to the child and placing her hands on each freckled cheek. 'Do not kill it. Do not kill it. Do not kill it!' Still smiling that simpering little grin, Tiraris slipped her arm around the young one's shoulders and hugged her close as she continued to walk. "I like fun too. I am Lady Lindy. But, tell me, what is your name dearest?"

'Might as well use the brat,' she thought walking past a set of guards and playing up the chumminess. 'As long as I do not kill her then all be well. How I hate children! Why did I ever believe it was a good idea to have any? Loud, nosy, obnoxious, little brats, the lot of them!'

[Winters-Feather]

OOC: I say 'attempt'; you decide if it hits or not :p
IC:

Maar gave a shy smile at being called precious. She didn't know whether she should loathe this or be highly amused by how the woman was treating her. The fae supposed it was a bit of both. The fae didn't seem to be fazed as the assassin wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. She could always slip away.
"Oh, me?" she replied after the assassin gave an alias.
You fool; I've met the Lady Lindina.
She was going to have to try harder than that.

"My name's Maar, ma'am," she replied as they passed by the guards. The fae threw them a glare and gave the slightest of nods. Though the servants were told Maar was the target's niece, some of his own personal guards knew the truth, such as the ones that were on post. The nodded, their hands every so slowly moving for their swords. Maar could have scoffed; the Bandits were trained to draw their weapons with more stealth than that.

The fae knew that the assassin would notice this, so she quickly took the opportunity to use her own hidden knife in attempt to stab her in the back.
"I'm so much more fun than Morindo, my lady," she said in a not so childish voice, "Play with me, instead."

[GoblinFae]

The guards' movement to arms was as obvious to the deadly assassin as the sun on the horizon. "Oh look, kitty has got claws," she commented as the now named Maar moved to attack her. A long-fingered hand caught the small wrist, preventing injury. "You know child, backstabbing is very dishonorable no matter the form."

Tiraris had given up the facade, her voice dropping to its own lower and quieter tones. Whipping around she killed two guards and knocked out three more as she headed for the stairs. 'Looks I have to do things the fun way,' she grumbled to herself as more guards filed in to block her way. 'Even the child has become a threat now, although not sure the pipsqueak could do much harm. Could I use her to my advantage? Not worth the risk. Maybe another day.'

"Afraid I must postpone that play-date little one. Maybe next time if you are good, I will bring the big toys." The assassin smirked beneath her hood as the sunlight poured down on her, lighting her mahogany eyes up with a demonic glow. They were corralling her towards a balcony. 'Fools!' Raising her hand to wiggle her fingers in a parting gesture, Tiraris allowed herself to flip and fall backwards over the rail.

She could hear the men scuttle to look over the edge. What they could not see was her clinging to the underside of the jutting stonework. 'Oh, would you look at that,' she mused looking down towards the next level. 'I found Morindo.' Sure enough he was sitting at a desk in his study, oblivious to how close danger lurked.

[Winters-Feather]

Maar only smiled coldly as the woman grabbed her by the wrist, and wiggled  out of her grasp.
She's quick, for a human, she thought in approval. It's been a while since the species gave her this much trouble. The fae tisked as the woman instantly killed the two idiotic guards. No, not killed... One was still breathing, though he'd be dead in an hour.
Messy, messy...
She ignored the assassin's taunts as she stepped into the shadow's the woman cast. Maar gave the room a sweep to make sure no one was watching before she slipped into the assassin's shadow.

She slithered underneath her belly, delight rippling through her essence. The 'Lady' was so close...Maar could have rolled her eyes at the assassin's gloating, though she had to admit, this woman was quite interesting.
I won't kill her right away.
Her mind made up, her right arm reached out to stab the woman in the abdomen, quickly and silently. She wanted the intruder alive, but a few cuts here and there wouldn't hurt...

[GoblinFae]

Unaware of the true danger she was in, Tiraris paused to consider her next move. In a matter of seconds her mind was made up and her arms moved to cross her abdomen to drop down safely. At least that was the plan.

What she had no been expecting was the pain that radiated from her arm as she fell away from the wall. Distracted, she nearly missed catching the lower balcony ledge and jarred her shoulder badly in the fall. The entirity of her right arm was gashed and bleeding freely.

Confusion played across her features as she stared at the flowing crimson liquid. Looking up she saw nothing but shadows. 'I do not understand. Something is at work here. There are unexpected defenses. This complicates things.'

No longer caring for stealth, the assassin yanked herself up onto the rail to come face to face with her target. A sword was pressed against her throat as he stared her down. "Did you really think you could kill me assassin? I'm made of tougher stuff than that," he gloated.

Tiraris rolled her eyes and chuckled cruelly. "Do you really think you can succeed?" Slowly she rose from her precarious balancing act and hopped down to the safer balcony, the blade ever trained for the kill. The hilt of her own sword found its way into her hand and after a pregnant pause they were at each other's throats.

There was a grace and beauty to the way Tiraris fought. Her blade sung as her feet danced to its beat. The thrill of the game sounded in her blood making her heart pound. 'He is better than anticipated. I may actually this,' she mused, becoming engrossed in the duel.

[Winters-Feather]

OOC: Warning:  godmodding. Though they're outside and light isn't consistent, so if you want to say somehow her shadow was cut off because there were some clouds over head and they drew back, it's cool.

IC:

Maar could have laughed as her blade sliced through the assassin's arm. Oh, her face! her expression!  It was so full of confusion, she really did have no idea what she was up against.
How delightful, she cooed.
 The fae quickly slipped into the shadow of the balcony. She could have cursed when she caught eye of her employer. What was he doing out here?  This was her job! She was annoyed by his senseless actions. Was he trying to make things difficult?Refusing to be out done, the fae emerged from her 'hiding place' a few feet from behind the assassin. Morindo grunted when he saw the fae.


"Where were you?," he asked as he fended off the assassin.
"With her," Maar replied as she casually stepped onto the woman's shadow, which ranged up to two feet behind it.  It was hardly much, but it would have to do.
Using her shadow manipulation powers, the fae made the woman drop her sword and fall to her knees with her hands behind her back.
A too wide, victorious smile spanned across her face as Mornido backed a few feet away, looking rather concerned.
"Pick up her sword," she instructed as she used one of her daggers to poke the woman in the back.
"Okay, you. Start talking,"  she said.
Suddenly, the childish and innocent voice was gone and was replaced with a much more colder one. The laughter was still there, but her tone was much more condescending than it had been before.

The fae's eyes briefly scanned the skies. She wouldn't have that much more time to control her shadow, as the clouds were blocking the sun; it might become smaller, soon. All the more reason for Morindo to pick up that cursed sword and for the assassin to spill the beans. Of course, it would prove difficult, but Maar didn't mind. It was all part of the fun, to her.
"Who hired you and what's you real name?" she asked, almost sweetly.

[GoblinFae]

The unexpected loss of her prized weapon and the forced submission of her body enraged Tiraris. For a brief moment she lost control of the ever-crackling magic lying just beneath the surface. The air around her thickened before quickly clearing again. She took slow, deep breaths to calm herself. 'It would not do to destroy him. Evidence of death is still necessary for this one.'

Smirking, she straightened her spine as if her kneeling was of her own voilition. "Still a brat, but one with some interesting tricks up her sleeve, I see." Tiraris laughed and shook her head in disapproval. "If you do not already know who I am then you are not worth my time. And you," she addressed the man now, with a killing stare but a sickly sweet boice. "Damage that blade and I will tear your throat out with my bare hands." Maroon eyes glared deeply into Morindo's as if the assassin could see straight through him and into his very soul. 'You have not won yet. It has only just begun.'

[Winters-Feather]

Maar arched her brow as she could feel the magic seeping from the woman. How very quaint. She smirked at the assassin's obvious  attempt to keep it cool and simply looked very bored and uninterested during her tough speak. At the assassin's words, Maar stepped forward onto the woman's shadow and pressed her dagger against the woman's  throat.
"You're in no position to say that," she said, quietly.
During this exchange, Morindo picked up the accursed sword and took it out of the balcony.

That left the assassin all to Maar, who estimated she only had about only up to fifty seconds to continue holding this stance, judging by the clouds. Less than twenty if the woman did something to get her to step away from the shadow. Not one willing to waste precious time, Maar pressed her other blade against her back.
"You've got five seconds to tell me who your employer is. Speak."

[GoblinFae]

The blade at her throat really did not phase Tiraris, she had faced much worse. Her chin raised in defiance as her eyes followed the movement of Morindo with her blade until he was out of sight. A mischievous light shone out from her crimson eyes as she obeyed the attacker and let off a deep husky bark.

The laughter that followed hid the movement of her hands as they began to regain control. A cloud's shadow was advancing quickly over the sun but, Tiraris had not figured out what magic it was that imprisoned her in such a way. The slight release was all she needed to break free though. The moment the cloud began to skate across the edge of the sun, the assassin broke free, pulling Maar down over her shoulder and then skipping backwards from the little girl.

Kicking off the ground and cutting corners she advanced quickly on Morindo who, not expecting the attack, just stared at her wide eyed. 'Amateurs!' Hands seeking out the beautiful sword latched on quickly to the sharp blade and cut her palms as she ripped it away from his shocked grasp. Swinging the blade back, Tiraris brought the hilt of it down against the man's temple, knocking him out and causing him to slip back over the balcony.

Tiraris swore as she reached over to catch him. The strain of his larger her body on her arms was nearly too much as she struggled to drag him back up. "Hey pipsqueak! If you want him to live you better come help or I am going to drop him!"

[Winters-Feather]

But the pipsqueak was no where to be found. As soon as Tiraris had thrown Maar's body over her shoulder, the fae had quickly dove into Morindo's nearby shadow. However, that was just enough time for Tiraris to knock the man out. The fae could have cursed ancient and vile things; this shouldn't have happened. It was embarrassing, really, for this to have happened. Of course, if Morindo had gotten out of the balcony in a timely fashion, it wouldn't have had...
I should have killed her on sight.
The fae slipped into the shadows that the balcony casted as the assassin called out for her. Taking it as a challenge, the fae quickly emerged a pace behind Tiraris. And then...


With just a slight of hand, Maar reached into her pouch, grasping a fistful of black dust.
"HEY!" she shouted, letting her presence be known. The fae blew the blinding powder towards the assassin's face as she reached out for her employer to pull him back towards safety. It was more difficult than it seemed; the man's body was almost completely over the ledge at this point, with only his legs for the grabbing. The poor fae heaved, but she wasn't making much progress. Frustrated, she  stepped on the  shadow his body casted onto the railing and caused his body to awkwardly fling itself backwards, over the railing and crashing into the safety of the balcony's floor. She wasn't a grunt, for crying out loud; he was heavy.

Panting slightly, the fae turned around to face the armed assassin. She gave a wild grin. Though she was rather annoyed, there were very few occasions where she was quite challenged like this by a foe.
"I asked you a question, you know," she stated, softly.

[GoblinFae]

'Fool!' Tiraris knew her mistake the minute she made it. Allowing herself to be distracted by the man, she had opened herself up for an attack. The moment the dust went to her eyes, she let go of the body. 'I hope she drops him. Focus woman, a lot worse could have happened to you just now!'

The assassin wiped briefly at the excess powder on her face but, did not bother trying rub at her eyes. Experience had taught her that she would only make it worse and could permenantly damage her eyes as others had done before her. Focusing on her surroundings she was able to detect the sounds of the pair's breath and the girl's movements and get her sword in a defensive position between her and her opponent.

"Aye you did," she chuckled. "But, you did not ask very nicely. Where I come from we are taught manners. Perhaps you should learn some. They would get you far in life."

[Winters-Feather]

Maar giggled at the assassin's statement.
"You are but a sapling in mine eyes," she retorted as her prideful nature caused her to resort to such trite insults. The fae knew age mattered not in such things, but she simply couldn't help herself. The assassin was trying to chastise her on manners. Manners! The fae took a bold step forward, holding her knives in an equally defensive position.
"But let us try again."
She tried to keep eye contact with the woman but her eyes were secretly scanning for any shadow of hers she could use and manipulate. She didn't much like face to face combat, and wanted to try to avoid it. However, that was starting to seem impossible; Maar was just going to have to play along.
"Tell me the name of your employer. Please."

Morindo groaned as he started to regain consciousness, but Maar ignored him. He would live, so long as he stood out of her way and left this ever so charming lady to her.

[GoblinFae]

The assassin smiled ferally at having her game be played. "Ah now you did that quite nicely. Congradulations," she praised taking a small bow. "As for my employer's name. I am afraid that I cannot tell you that. I did not take the time to find out."

Tiraris shrugged indifferently as she blinked her eyes repeatedly to try and wash them clear. Little by little her vision was returning blurry bit by bit. "I am in it for the job and not the politics you see. Names do not mean a thing to me. Just like whatever he did or did not do means nothing to me." Her head jerked in Mornindo's direction. "Kindly hand him over please and I will speedily be on my way."

[Winters-Feather]

"I see," Maar lamented as the assassin spoke to her of her employer. Slowly, she began to step towards the woman as she tried not to make her movements too obvious. It was a shame that the woman wouldn't comply. They were rather in the same boat; both rather apathetic hired hands who just happened to have different goals. Maar was even starting to like this rather rude human woman. In a way, she rather reminded her of Dram, though the Purple Hawk didn't think he'd fancy being compared to a human woman.

It really is a shame that I'll have to kill her, Maar thought as the sky started to become a little darker as the sun was being veiled with yet another cloud. It was only for a brief moment, but as Maar glanced up, she estimated that there would be one or two more on their way that would last longer. That was enough.

"You're right. It doesn't matter. But it's my job to protect this giant oaf, you see, and I am to do just that," Maar replied ever so sweetly as she flashed a smile.
Suddenly, she bolted towards the woman as the light making her dull colored stone daggers seem to gleam in the light. When she got within the woman's sword range, she swerved so that she was coming slightly more from the left than center and held her blades in a defensive position as she tried to close the between distance between the two of them and stab her in  the gut.

[GoblinFae]

"Ah, then we have reached an impasse," Tiraris commented with a smirk as she waited until the last second to react to the attack. She recognized the feint for what it was and easily countered by bringing Isilotsë up to knock against Maar's blades.

She was used to using the absolute minimal amount of movement to achieve the greatest result. Now was no exception as she let the opponent drive the attacks and Tiraris remained on the defensive. At the perfect moment she would strike and not before.

"You know," the assassin reasoned, "we are not that different you and I. Surely we can come to some sort of agreement? I am not here to kill him, only take him to the source. You were hired I am sure to keep him alive. What is a little twisting of the truth between colleagues? You could always come along for the ride." Red eyes danced with cruel laughter at the idea. 'I always win little one. You are just an inconvenience.'