Minx
New Member
Don't trust me? Good. You'll survive longer.
Posts: 155
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Post by Minx on Jan 26, 2010 16:18:49 GMT -8
Oh. Hah. Of course he would have, at least at one point, have traveled through the forest. After all, how else would have gotten to Clehon? Minx had realized over the years that she seemed to have a little bit of a disease; she called it Foot-In-Mouth Syndrome. Considering the fact that she was very likely to say whatever was on her mind at the time (in most cases, at least, since she could hold her tongue when the need was there), the hunter found that she often accidently offended someone. Foot-In-Mouth Syndrome. Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be a cure…
Smoothly hiding her mistake, she lifted her glass and finished off the last of her drink. When the bartender moved to refill it, Minx waved her hand at him, signaling that he shouldn’t do so. Her pointed ears twitched a little at the mention of Illinor City. Ah. Illinor City. That was a city full of opportunities, if you knew where to look. Grinning, Minx nodded in agreement to his statement. ”You heard right. The royal family lives there, after all, so the city should be grand. In fact, I actually have a charge that lives there. Or, he did last time I checked.” Again, she rolled her shoulders in place. This time of the sockets popped, and Minx sighed contentedly as it did.
”Hm, not very long. We could leave right now if you wanted to. But, where would you want to go exactly? There are other mortal towns other than Illinor City. Or we could wander through the forest aimlessly until we found something interesting. Or whatever else you wanted to do.” Minx wasn’t too picky. As long as she had something to do, she was perfectly fine. And the woman had a feeling that Harlequin would keep her quite entertained with his stories and such if they didn’t find anything interesting in wherever they went.
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Post by Harlequin on Jan 26, 2010 18:28:51 GMT -8
Harlequin was quick to follow Minx's lead, draining his glass with a satisfied huff and placing it back on the bar with a wave of thanks to their gracious, if quiet, host. The pirate then stood and reclaimed his drooping, rather patched hat from the bar and flung it carelessly on his head where it settled comfortably into position, as though worn habitually over a long length of time. And indeed it had been. Harlequin was quite fond of his hat.
"The royal family, huh?" So the mortals worked on a monarchy? Perfect! This meant classes of people, the highest of which would be closely associated with royalty, loaded and poorly defended against the skills of a tricksy Hunter. Oh, this would be fun. "This sounds like a better plan with every passing minute." The pirate grinned, now clearly in high spirits and impatient to be off. But he paused first and, as Minx had done earlier, crafted himself a sandwich from the remainder of the meal. Hey, he'd already paid for it right? He had to get his moneys worth. Or rather, the person he'd robbed moneys worth.
Once Harlequin was done he considered her question. What to do first? Clehon was a large enough town that Illinor City was probably some distance from it. There was no sense missing interesting places in between in his hurry to get there. Especially since he actually liked the forest and felt no discomfort there, despite his many years away. The trees after all were no more dangerous than the angry, unpredictable ocean.
"You can lead the way, love. If we come across any interesting towns, villages or regions of the forest and you feel inclined to show them to me I'd be very grateful. Perhaps we can meander in the general direction of Illinor City and make deviations as you see fit?" Harlequin tilted his head, munching unashamedly on the sandwich as he awaited her decision. Hey, he was a pirate. They were not known for their table manners. Or indeed, their manners in general.
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Minx
New Member
Don't trust me? Good. You'll survive longer.
Posts: 155
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Post by Minx on Jan 27, 2010 20:25:17 GMT -8
That hat... She wanted a cool hat. How fun would that be? Walk into town, everyone thinks you're a pirate because of your hat... It sounded fun to her. A moment later, however, a realization sank in - hat hair. ... Nevermind, no hat.
Grinning, the woman pushed away from the counter, slipping gracefully off the stool to stand next to Harlequin. "I feel I must warn you, however, that those of the royal family are heavily guarded. Some of those guards are even kin of ours - other shifters who swore oaths to protect them. Of course, with your skill, the precaution might be needless, but I can't in good conscience not tell you." Hey, Minx was good-aligned. She didn't always follow the law, but she was good. Folding her arms over her chest, the woman tilted her head, eyeing him. Hmm... what villages were on the way to Illinor City? Mentally she counted them up. Well, there was Jin. Of course, it was being rebuilt after it was completely destroyed, so there might not be anything too interesting to see. But it never hurt to look, right? When they were close enough, Minx would ask Harlequin if he was interested in seeing it or not.
"Sounds good to me. If you want to buy supplies, I suggest you do. The forest can be very giving when it wants to, which you may know, but it can also be rather cruel. I guess it just depends on the mood its in at the given moment." Ha. A forest. Having a mood. Had she not known better, she would have laughed. The forest could either guide them safely through the forest, filling their bellies with its fruit and water, or it could throw everything it had at them, starving and dehydrating them. As long as they were respectful, things should sail smoothly. Ha. Sail. Pirate. ... Anyways.
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Post by Harlequin on Jan 28, 2010 12:49:37 GMT -8
Harlequin turned on his heel and, with a jaunty wave of farewell to the accommodating people of the tavern, headed out the door still munching on the sandwich. Hmm. He should have purchased a bottle of rum.
However the pirate much preferred to travel unburdened, carrying only what the many tattered pockets of his flared coat could hold so in response to Minx's suggestion regarding supplies, the Hunter merely shrugged and grinned brightly. "I think I'll take my chances with the forest, love. Weapons I have in excess supply, and water should be forthcoming with this blasted snow. So long as you are prepared we can head off anytime you'd like." The Pirate pulled his coat closely around him as biting wind cut through, foiled only by an inner lining of sheeps wool sewn in shortly after the unusually harsh winter broke. The hat, it seemed, was well worn to a perfect fit for although the edges rippled it remained firmly in place.
Harlequin performed a joking, flourish of a bow, still grinning and in endlessly good humour despite the weather. It was a ridiculous time of year for travel but Harlequin wasn't adverse to cold, hard conditions and his curiousity wouldn't hold off until the spring. "After you, m'lady," the pirate stood, snow decorating his shoulders and head. "And as for the matter of the royal family, my aims are not so lofty. No yet, anyway. But where royalty gathers so too do the snobs and wealth of society, and they cannot all have a personal guard." Harlequin smirked. "You make an interesting point, though. Our kind have chosen to work for the mortals? I'd have not thought such an arrangement possible. But then, many things have changed since I've been away, yes?" Indeed, his world seemed to change a little more with each passing moment. [/font]
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Minx
New Member
Don't trust me? Good. You'll survive longer.
Posts: 155
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Post by Minx on Jan 31, 2010 20:35:31 GMT -8
Amused by his wave to the other patrons, Minx was prompted into saluting them playfully with her index and middle fingers, winking as she exited. The moment she stepped out the door, however, the woman froze in place; the warmth of the tavern had made her forget just how cold it was out here. Now, the hunter was not one to complain, but she shivered regardless and pulled her cloak tighter around here.
"Ha! I have all the supplies I need right here," she stated, pointing at the pouch hanging from her hip, which contained a few pieces of dried jerky. It wasn't a five course meal, but it could sustain her if she needed it to. Never could be too careful, eh? Laughing at his bow, she swept passed him into the street, playing along with him as she glanced over her shoulder, one hand on her hip. "Not yet? Why, sir, you're so bold! But you're correct; most of the nobles have it in their head that the guard will run to their aid at a moment's notice. Of course, distracting them from their duties is so simple, really..." She trailed off with a smile, whirling around to face him, her cloak billowing out behind her.
Oh, there it was again. How could they choose to work for the guard? Pursing her lips, the woman tried to think of good reasons. Well, they could have been forced. Or maybe they needed to support their family, and it was the only job they could get; the last time Minx had checked, shifters weren't treated nearly as well as mortals. Glancing around her, the hunter thought it over again, since there were many shifter children playing with mortal children. Fine. Illinor City didn't seem to like shifters. Though that could have changed in the last two years.
"Tch. I don't understand it any more than you do. Maybe one day I'll be able to ask one why they would agree to such a thing, but until then, I don't know." She shrugged. "But, enough of that. Let's get a move on, shall we? We're burning daylight." Grinning, Minx turned her back to Harlequin and began to stroll down the street at a leisurely pace, trusting the other hunter to follow.
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Post by Harlequin on Jan 31, 2010 23:02:06 GMT -8
Harlequin's good spirits were only stoked further by the realisation that, in Minx, he'd found a companion full of youthful humour and perfectly willing to play along for the sake of enjoyable banter. It was a welcome realisation and the Hunter's lilac eyes sparked with delighted wit. The prospect of travel was much brightened in his mind by the company of such a person.
Harlequin grinned at her words. "Now you, love, speak as though distracting guards is not something you've merely heard about - it seems to me you have some experience in the matter. Not quite so innocent, hmm?" Harlequin was teasing though only half in jest; it seemed to him perfectly likely that Minx had indeed practised such a feat. More the better for him, if his companion should not only be unopposed to his thieving ways but also experienced in some form of deception! He quirked his brow at her for a moment, gaze discerning and sharply intelligent.
"Burning daylight, we are indeed. I could not agree more, love," he replied before following her down the street. He travelled easily despite the drifts, shaking snow from his hat and brushing it from his shoulders every now and then. Cursed flakes! A pirate was not suited to such weather conditions, but he was prepared to make the most of it.
Harlequin matched her leisurely pace, hands in his pocket to protect his gloved fingers from the cold. Slowly the sounds of children playing and people going about their daily business faded out of hearing, muffled by sheets of slowly falling snow and the thick, damp air. Harlequin felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that came along with escaping any kind of limit, be they imposed by the walls of a town or the cold, cruel and beautiful sea. Even as they were slightly dampened by the confines of a world that was not limitless, not quite big enough for a pirate longing for freedom, Harlequin breathed in the crisp air and smiled.
Sure enough, the wall loomed before him. Harlequin stole ahead of Minx for a moment and climbed the barricade with graceful ease, leather boots scuffing the wood as he hauled himself over the top and dropped to the snowy ground edging the forest.
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Minx
New Member
Don't trust me? Good. You'll survive longer.
Posts: 155
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Post by Minx on Feb 4, 2010 18:40:50 GMT -8
She smirked, glancing at him. ”Is it that obvious?” the woman glanced, laughing lightly. It was lucky that she had found such interesting company. Minx had other friends, of course, but none of them were quite as daring and bold as she was. Harlequin, on the other hand, was practically a male version of herself. Or, she was a female version of him. Well, he was older than her, after all.
The hunter was content with the short silence between them. She watched curiously as Harlequin bounded over the wall, quirking an eyebrow at his antics. Would it not be easier just to use the gate? Ah well. Let him have his fun. However, considering that she would not let a man outdo her, Minx felt the need to run up the wooden logs, catching hold of the spikes before gracefully pulling herself up and over, landing crouched on the other side. Standing, the woman fixed her cloak. She glanced at Harlequin and suddenly grinned. ”Forest, ho, then!” Without any sort of warning, the woman shot forward toward the forest, leaping over a snow drift that was in her way. Skidding to a halt next to the edge of the forest, Minx glanced back at her companion, gesturing for him to follow after her before she slipped between the trees.
ooc|;; I'm going to apologize for the shortness of this post. xD Sorry.
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Post by Harlequin on Feb 4, 2010 22:01:13 GMT -8
"Isn't that obvious?" Harlequin had to laugh as he nodded his head in assent. "I wouldn't exactly say you hide it," he agreed with a smirk as she dropped down beside him, sending a dusty puff of white flakes into the air.
He was released the obligation or chance for further conversation however as Minx darted into the forest, faster than expected. Harlequin was not about to fall behind so early into their travels so he darted after her, only a hint of caution in his fluid movements and wide, sharp eyes. He'd not long been accustomed to being back beneath the trees again, after all.
Thick, choking mist rolled lazily beneath the trees and clung to Harlequin's jacket as he slipped into the shadows, movements more instinctive and less measured now. Minx was little more than a murky blur among blurred trunks and plants but he caught her up nonetheless; a Hunter had more than just sight to guide him through the forest - hearing, touch, instinct.
The pirate fell easily into step with Minx, his spirits still high despite the chill, damp air and patches of knee-deep snow that spilled over the top of his worn leather boots and made certain wet feet for the forseeable future. "But I find myself still curious, love. What could have led a young woman into a life disregarding the law? Were you a thief, also?" Well, pirate was close enough to thief. He simply plundered ships rather than pockets and making the switch now that he was on land hadn't proven difficult.[/color]
OoC; Not a problem, quality over quantity is the name of the game XD
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Minx
New Member
Don't trust me? Good. You'll survive longer.
Posts: 155
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Post by Minx on Feb 15, 2010 9:01:46 GMT -8
Pleased that he was able to catch up quickly, which she shouldn't have expected less of a fellow Hunter, Minx grinned in his direction. Her steps were light and quick and sure, though she still left tracks in the snow behind her; not that it mattered, of course, for more snow would surely fall later today and conceal their passage.
Harlequin's question caught her off guard, though she showed no sign of such. Honestly, Minx had gotten to the point where she should expect such questions. How do you do what you do? Why do you wear bandages all the time? Why do you look like that? Questions, questions, questions... a never-ending pile of them. She liked the other Hunter, of course. But she didn't trust him. He was in the same field of occupation as her (well, the general field of occupation), and theirs was not a trustworthy bunch. There were always those who were honorable, of course, and those were trustworthy, but they were rare. Minx considered herself to be one of the honorable ones, generally, but maybe she was just building herself up.
Laughing, she slowed into a walk. Her blood was pumping from the run, and that's the effect she had been going for. "I was a thief, yes." Technically, she had not lied; an assassin was a thief of lives instead of coin. Plus, she had stolen from others before, just not very often. Usually only when she was in a pinch and needed coin right at that moment. Her eyes twinkling, she looked at Harlequin. "And if you're still curious... well, you'll just have to tag along and you might find out a little more about me. That's always more fun than being told, yes? Besides, its your turn. What are some of your stories from the High Seas?"
ooc|;; That's true. =3
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Post by Harlequin on Feb 16, 2010 15:25:36 GMT -8
Harlequin breathed deeply; the air was thin and cold, bringing an invisible blush to his smoky cheeks. He grinned and for a moment he once again looked strangely out of place - his eccentric attire was too showy, too individual, too impractical; really, a pirate could only look at home on the sea. Anywhere else the silver and jewels, bones and feathers were odd and unexplained. The coat and boots were too bulky for a Hunter although they did something against the cold. Even so they were definably him and somehow he would have looked ever odder trying to fit in.
Perhaps this explained the very faint unease he felt here. This was extremely odd for any kind of Shifter - being among the trees should have been the most natural thing in the world. Harlequin had chosen his forest a long time ago though; one composed of waves and angry, bubbling water, weathered planks and black sails. He'd get used to being back here eventually, although he knew he'd never really belong. He wasn't even sure he wanted to.
Harlequin didn't miss her brief, measured reply. He was bright enough to figure out that there was far more to this story and gracious enough to leave off pressing Minx for details. Theirs was, after all, a very brief companionship and he didn't blame her for hesitating to divulge everything right away. He, however, was shamelessly open. He had no qualms about being judged because, quite simply, a pirate captain couldn't care less what people thought of them. After all he was in charge for all intents and purposes and what the rest of the crew thought was largely superfluous. "How could I resist such an invitation!" Halrequin laughed, stepping lightly and shaking snow from his boots every now and then. "But fair enough. I have too many tales to tell in one short afternoon but perhaps I could start at the beginning?" Harlequin pondered for a moment, before deciding on the short version. He didn't like dominating the conversation with talk of his own escapades.
"How does one go about being a pirate? It happens by accident, usually, or birth. Few aspire to become one of the most hated men on the sea, to live a life on the run and constantly chasing. It's like aspiring to be a criminal. I was thirteen when I took a job on a merchant ship. Had always loved the sea, spent more time swimming than running. But I only got a year being free before we were attacked by pirates." Here he paused, assaulted my memories, almost nostalgic though in a stomach-churning kind of way.
"I've never been so terrified. I was barely an adult and when black sails suddenly appeared, too close to outrun, I saw the look on my employers faces and knew for sure we would all die. Nothing to do but wait - we had precious little protection. They were after the cargo, not the ship, so to disable us the first that happens is cannons. This was what saved me - I was thrown from the ship, unconscious and with bad burns, but alive. The pirates mistook me for their own cabin boy and hauled me aboard. I woke up before they realised I was a Shifter, not a Mortal, and managed to convince them to take me on. Even after I watched them murder each of the men that had taken me in, one by one." Harlequin trailed off; it was hardly a pleasant story, but after a moments introspection smiled.
"A pirate's tales are not always glamourous, love." [/color]
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