a spark; flashfire

[Moon Jae-Seong]

TIMESTAMP: Frost 3, year 122
NOTES: -

► Show Spoiler

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Since Jae-Seong had returned to Kalzasi, his existence had been a relatively peaceful one. This was, contrary to what one might think, not ideal for the swordsman. For as serene as he might seem on the surface and as valuable as he might consider keeping his emotions calm, deep within, his tranquil demeanor was a very disciplined façade. Though he would never admit it, Jae-Seong held within a nigh insatiable bloodlust and it was nigh time he found work in his trade of choice to slake it for a time.

The easiest places to find mercenary work were bars. Sometimes there'd be postings, sometimes one would hear gossip on the lips of others, and sometimes people would approach him. This particular bar was situated on the outskirts of Kalzasi and was known for a wide range of clientele. Not really one who cared that much for the money when it came to looking for work, Jae-Seong wasn't too discerning about the pay; he just wanted a target; something that breathed, something that moved, something that would put up a fight. It was always terrible disappointing to kill the defenseless, after all.

As such, he kept both blades bound to his back rather than dismissed through his Reaving. It would be obvious enough that he was a fighter. Slowly, he sipped from the soju he'd ordered, listening to the chatter of others around him. Nothing of interest, at least not yet. While he wasn't known to be an impatient man, rather, he had always been known to be the opposite, he had grown so very tired of how peaceful a season Ash had been. And though that mindset is dangerous because one never knows what the winds of fate might bring, it was hard for somebody who Jae's natural wanderlust to shake off when he stayed in one place for far too long.

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'Thoughts'

"SynskritTongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

"Inandoth Tongue/Speech"

[Isolde]

Isolde had been in the bar for the last hour. The dress she wore was above her knees, black, and with patterns of a great dragonic, snake-like creature were sewen onto the fabric. A slit on both sides of the dress that wasn't more than an inch in length with a silver broad chain belt around her waist. Her coin pouch was securely tied to it, and her black cloak was clipped around her neck for warmth, and to conceal her weapons as best as possible. Her weapons were concealed on her person as per usual. A throwing knife was stashed in each boot with an assassin's dagger strapped to each thigh.

Isolde stood in front of the bounty board, staring at the flayrs before ripping off the one with the highest reward. The paper was torn slightly at the middle at the very top of the page from where she ripped it off the board. She wanted some adventure! Now, to find a sellsword that would be helpful... she could split the reward... hopefully not. She'll keep the lot. Isolde scanned the tavern, a few useless drunks in the corner... she sighed, and took and empty stool at the bar. It wouldn't hurt to wait, she thought.

"Barkeep, darling. May I purchase a lovely cold cider from you?" She threw the old barkeep a flirtious smile, fishing out the coins from her pouch.

"Yeah, yeah, woman, coming right up." The barkeep grumbled. He looked tired, and frail, hopefully he won't drop dead before she gets her drink. It wasn't long until her drink was placed in front of her and Isolde dropped the money onto his outstretched hand.

"Thank you," she smiled. Picking up her glass she took a sip as a strange gorgeous face entered the bar. She hadn't seen this one around before. Two blades were bound to his back. A sellsword, perhaps? It wouldn't hurt to ask. She stood up from the stool with her drink and the flayr in hand and strolled over to the stranger.

"Hello, handsome, what brings you around here?" She sat across from him, a pleased smile on her face. "You look like you can handle yourself, and I need help with this flayr if you're interested, I'll split the reward..." she begrudgingly spoke thst last part. "Unless there's another way I can repay you?" She gave him a flirtious wink.

"Common" | 00FFF6

"Sknskrit" | 0061FF

[Moon Jae-Seong]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

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Jae-Seong was well aware that his appearance was oft prone to attracting the attention of others. He was quite tall, and while thin, he did cut an imposing figure; his posture was strong, austere, and he held himself confidently; the man gave an air of elegant excellence. Though he had mostly elven features, the horns granted by his Lysanrin blood often attracted some attention, too. Those not familiar with Lysanrin sometimes mistook him for Fae-ethalan. But funnily enough, he was a mix of Rathari, Lysanrin and Avialæ, something that nobody aside from skilled Semblers had been able to accurately guess any time prior.

Even so, he wasn’t expecting to be greeted by somebody almost immediately upon entering. He’d barely had time to start drinking, and certainly none to eavesdrop on other clientele…but he supposed if the woman who’d approached him was interesting enough, such a thing was more convenient than anything else. She was striking– a wildness to her eyes that reminded him of other Rathari. Was she?

Her flirting amused him; she was clearly not new to doing so, either, easily as she moved. He smiled at her, features softening.

“You’d be correct with your assumption,” he replied, an echo of curiosity painted on his features. Jae-Seong wasn't an easy person to read, subdued as his expressions always were.

"I'm here as little more than a wanderer." Passing vague, that, but Jae-Seong wasn't exactly prone to being very open about details more personal.

"...however, since I do possess a skillset serendipitous to your needs, let me have a look-" with this, the swordsman extended a slender hand to take a look at the parchment the other held.

After a moment of consideration, he spoke again. “Mmm…I’ll help you out. We can discuss payment later, depending on how this goes.” He gave her a sweet smile, something with feigned innocence, pretending he didn’t understand her implication.

Given his status, he might forgo taking any of the money simply because he didn’t need it and didn’t care, but he wasn’t quite sure of that yet.

“You looking to head out soon? Or have you things to prepare?” The sellsword had brought his bag with him. Gesturing to it, "...I've everything I need."

And finally, he supposed he ought to ask one additional question. "What may I call you? I am Seo Ji Woo." He would need something to identify her as since the two intended to work together, but he did give her a pseudonym, total stranger as she was.

If she were ready, the two of them could depart along the southern roads immediately. The directions on the bounty itself were fairly vague, but the man sounded like a menace; they'd likely cross somebody on their path who could point them in the right direction...or maybe they'd cross paths directly. Who knew?

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'Thoughts'

"Synskrit Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

"Inandoth Tongue/Speech"

[Isolde]

Isolde wouldn't be telling him her profession(s). Perhaps, vaguely. Considering he is a traveller and a stranger (despite taking random strangers into her bed most nights) however, he doesn't really need to know anything personal. Majority of her clientele assumes she is a harmless prostitute anyway. A perfect cover for the Assassin in question. She twisted her wrist back and forth, the cider in the glass sloshing about. She would have done the bounty herself, but Isolde wanted some company tonight, unless it were assassation jobs given to her by her father, she did prefer having company.

"Excilent!" Isolde reclined back in the chair, and crossed her legs. Her glass of cider still in hand she brought it up to her lips for a quick sip. "We get many travellers in Kalzasi." Many that pays her for... her. As he took the flayr, Isolde waited patiently while he took a look. If he wasn't interested, she'd get someone else for the job, or do it herself. She wasn't too bothered, but she did love the company.

"Ah, good, you are interested. Excellent!" Isolde grinned, clasping her hand together. "Hmm, yes, I suppose we can discuss payment after." Isolde gave him a sweet smile, along with a wink.

"I have everything I need." She wasn't in her leather, but with a sellsword by her side, she doubted she even needed it. She had her daggers and throwing knives and she doubted she'd need more than that.

"Well, Sao, I am Isolde." Isolde offered her real name before drinking the last of her cider, and standing up from the chair. She wasn't too bothered if people knew her name. "Best we head out soon!" The sooner she kills the person with the bounty on their head, the sooner she can claim her reward.

Money.

"Common" | 00FFF6

"Sknskrit" | 0061FF

[Moon Jae-Seong]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

► Show Spoiler

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Once she gave word that she was prepared, he nodded. Wordlessly, he turned his attention back to his rice wine, finishing it.

Looking back at her, his expression was a tad inquisitive, but otherwise flat, unreadable. “Lovely to make your acquaintance then, Isolde,” words smoothly spoken as he moved to stand up.

Gesturing to her with his hand, he casually, almost languidly made his way to the door. The swordsman clearly wasn't in a rush...he liked to travel, and he wanted to enjoy it.

…

Jae-Seong would never consider himself to be a proper tracker, but he was intuitive. He was good at following directions, good at keeping his eyes and ears open. As they traveled along the southern roads, he would stop others that they passed, ask questions, some casual, some pointed. Much of the information he gleaned was useless, but there were quite a few who’d apparently crossed paths with their quarry. The man was a bit of an apparent terror.

And as they traveled further along the road nearer to where he had been most frequently sighted, the swordsman paused, guiding his companion off the road and into the forest. “Tread lightly. We should find him ‘round this road or terrorizing one of the nearby settlements; we stand the best chance of success should we catch him off-guard. When we do spot him, follow my lead. And…” he shifted his head, cracking his neck.

“...and, I don’t fight like this. Give me a moment.”

Sequestered now within the forest’s tranquil embrace, the two of them were out of sight. Rolling his shoulders, Jae-Seong began to shift in his Lycan shape. His bones began to separate and slip beneath the skin; human features gave way to a visage distinctly avian. His shoulders warped, moving to accommodate the growth of large, ebony wings. Where once there was skin now sprouted feathers, and after a short interlude, the Rathari had revealed his true colors. Strangely, one would note that the chromatic arm which bore his runic marks remained almost entirely unchanged. Like this, however, he could not speak.

Reaching out with that arcane arm, he gestured for her to follow him further with his hand. Lurking now in the shadows, their mission had taken a more clandestine turn. Jae-Seong wasn't unused to things like this, albeit he oft did prefer a more direct approach.

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'Thoughts'

"Synskrit Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

"Inandoth Tongue/Speech"

[Hector]

Review

Jae-Seong

Points: 10
Injuries/Ailments:
Loot: None

Isolde

Points: 7
Injuries/Ailments:
Loot: None

Notes: If you ever come back, I am happy to write with you again!
The exp difference is because of our respective word counts; you're just shy of 1000 and I reached the 1500 required for full exp.