Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
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Post by Hunter on Oct 18, 2014 18:36:21 GMT
Hunter had been to Regna Ferox before. Of course, that was when his father was still alive. His thieving after his father died had mostly consisted of Plegia and Ylisse, with the closest he ever came to Regna Ferox was the wall. The first thing he learned on the trip to the northern country with his father was that it was a pain in the ass to sneak into if you lacked a good alibi and a provable alias. Thankfully for Hunter when he was younger, his father had both a great alibi and a easily provable alias, thanks in part to a few people in the Plegian underworld that were experts in forging documents. Unfortunately for Hunter now, those experts were caught a few years ago after someone who had gotten a set of false records from them and made it into a another country had sold them out when the person with false records was caught stealing.
Now, staring at the large wall that separated Plegia from Regna Ferox from about a mile away, the white-haired thief couldn't help but wish that there were any other good ways into the country than what he was going to have to attempt. Key word being attempt. His father had told him a 'surefire' way to get into any country if you lacked the necessities to get in through the gates by himself, and, in Hunter's mind, he at first thought his father was insane. The plan consisted of hiring a merchant who had access to a wagon, purchasing their wares, and getting them to drive the wagon into the desired country. Before the trip begins, empty one of the larger boxes of a lot of their contents, put the removed contents someplace inconspicuous (he had always been told to stuff whatever was in the larger box into another box if he could), and then hide inside of the box underneath whatever was left in the box. While he initially considered the plan to be complete and utter madness, Hunter was later proven wrong when his father proved him wrong by using this very same method to sneak into the ground's of a duchy's castle grounds. So now, as he looked at the Feroxi wall that he would now be attempting to get past from the merchant's wagon, Hunter hoped that he had the same luck his father had had with this trick. He had only ever seen his father use this tactic once or twice after the initial sneak into that castle, but every time he had been successful.
Putting those thoughts aside, Hunter began to prepare for their short arrival to the wall, where there would no doubt be guards to check over the merchant. Looking into the slightly-larger-than-the-rest box he had chosen as his hiding place, he looked in to see the bags of spices that he was going to use as his cover. He had taken out a few of the bags and put them in a corner of the wagon, resting them against another box he had checked and also had spice bags inside. He began to move aside the spices to give himself enough room to stand in the box, and knocked on the box to get the merchant who he hired's attention.
The merchant was a kindly looking middle aged man who's hair was starting to gray considerably, and dressed the part of a merchant perfectly. Hiring this merchant for this escapade into Regna Ferox was actually easier than one might've expected. Hunter had given the merchant some of what was in his father's will a few years prior when he saw the man begging for people to buy his wares to afford medicine for his wife. Apparently the money that the merchant had gotten from Hunter was enough for the medicine and there was enough left over to help him invest in better stock which helped him to start making a better income. As a result, the merchant was happy to give a hand to Hunter as thanks for giving him the money from before.
As he began to climb into the box, Hunter gave the merchant a thumbs up. "Thanks again for this. Wish me luck." Hunter hadn't said much to the merchant since they had set out for Ferox, mostly cause he was unaccustomed to making small talk and didn't quite know what to say to people at times. The merchant merely smiled back, returning the gesture, before turning back to look at the path to the wall. Hunter grabbed the top of the box and began to put it back on as he began to sink himself down. He maneuvered himself and the bags to the point where he was pretty much curled up in a ball, his cloak wrapped around him to better cover himself from view, and began to stack the bags on top of himself to the point where he felt he was being squashed by the surprisingly heavy bags of spice but believed he was pretty decently covered. Now that he was hidden, all he could do now was wait until either the cart made it to the wall and it gets passed through after the cargo is checked and he's not seen, or until he gets caught and pleads for them not to think the merchant was in on it. The merchant was a kindly soul, and Hunter didn't want him to be punished for his deeds, even if he was assisting the thief. His whole purpose for going into Regna Ferox was to see if it would be a safer place to be than Plegia, and see if he could do something worthwhile here. And if a few bits of treasure went missing along the way, no one'd be any wiser, right?
He felt the cart come to a stop and heard voices approaching the horse-drawn wagon. If his plan was going to work, it was now or never.
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
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Post by Penelope on Oct 22, 2014 21:08:04 GMT
◥ chill
words: 251 | tags: Hunter | notes: enter; archer. "Go kiss a goat, yeah milk-hearted lummox." Her grumbling dripped with distaste. The trip to the wall on foot had taken her the better part of a day, a relatively short journey from the farm. Her reasons for coming here included finding someone willing to help her hunt down Risen and acquiring a decent weapon. The soldiers manning the first guardhouse she'd encountered seem more than willing to let her in. A little too willing to hear her out. She had asked anyways, and what had it gotten her? 'I'll give you a lance' and 'make you quiver' jokes. She could throw a punch hard enough to shut a man's mouth for him but unfortunately that only made the others laugh harder. "Bunch'ah sissies, the lot of 'em." Wind whipped at her arms like knives and wrestled with her clothing. The Feroxi chill was an old friend. She wore it like the Ylissians wore their fancy shirts and embroidery, most Feroxi did. Outside she was moving towards one of the gates. While she expected the reception to be similar her stubborn streak demanded that she get what she came all this way for. That she didn't walk all the way to the wall for nothing. She slowed, there was a merchant coming through. The guards were hailing him, likely checking his papers or whatever the Grima guards did before letting someone into Ferox. She started that way. A merchant may have weapons or even a direction for her to look in.
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
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Post by Hunter on Oct 22, 2014 22:06:56 GMT
Hunter couldn't help but be a little nervous. Well, a lot more than just a little nervous. This whole pseudo-escape plan was conceived from a somewhat tested method that his father had used enough times to count on his right hand. Something about it, even more so now that he was shoulder deep in the plan, seemed a little risky, even in his line of work. Hunter breathed a deep breath, attempting to calm himself. His recent failure was what was making him this way. It was making him nervous, edgy, paranoid- errrrrr, more paranoid. He stayed, curled up in a ball to take up about the same space that a couple of spice bags made, praying to whatever deity wasn't against him to let this work. He didn't realize that in his shifting when he began to get nervous had brought his sword out of it's sheath by a few inches. It wasn't enough to be noticed unless one of the guards were to look very closely into the crate, but it was visible enough that the metal of the blade would shine if light were to fall upon it. Meanwhile, outside of the crate, the merchant calmly and kindly talked to the guards. They asked him for his papers, which was pretty par for the course as far as the merchant was concerned. He had made deliveries of his wares into Regna Ferox and Ylisse a few times before, even with the natural suspicion that some people held when they found out he was a Plegian merchant. Reaching into his satchel that rested next to him, the old man pulled out his official documents that would get him entrance into the walled off nation. He held them out, a old, kindly smile on his face. "Here you go, gentlemen. You'll find everything in order here." The guards couldn't help but write the merchant as a harmless, old man. They seemingly viewed him as the farthest thing from a threat that could exist in their times, but there were still rules to follow. One of the guards took the papers and began to look them over, and then gestured his spear to the cart. "Check him for contraband or anything suspicious like. It's probably nothing, but it's our asses if we don't." The other guard merely grunted and began to come around the back of the cart, climbing into the wooden transport. Hunter could hear bits and pieces of what was going on outside, the last audible thing being 'our asses if we don't'. He could hear someone coming around the side of the cart, and subsequently began to grasp his cloak tightly to keep himself calm as he heard and felt a guard climb up into the cart. He heard the guard check on of the first boxes, mumbling 'wheat' before moving onto the next crate. It was merely a matter of time before the guard got to his box of spices and began to inspect it. Penelope
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
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Post by Penelope on Oct 23, 2014 0:10:11 GMT
◥ how archers hitch rides
words: 235| tags: Hunter | notes: bum a ride? Her stride was brisk and there was purpose in her frown. By her direction it was clear that she had the merchant in mind and if the guy wasn't completely oblivious he would spy her approach before she hailed him. Without armor or a uniform she wasn't likely one of the guards here, which may strike him as a curiosity. Not to mention her arrival distracted the Feroxi checking over the merchant's legalities. That one would only receive attention should he say anything. And he would have to interrupt her to do so, "You're headed towards town, aye? Can yeah give a girl a ride?" Normally such a request would be friendly and come in hand with a smile, yet Penelope wasn't in the mood for any of that. The other guardsmen had done quite enough smiling and all of it at her expense. Now she bore this stern, 'brook-no-nonsense' tone and did a lot of frowning. Of course she wasn't likely to be happy if her request was declined and considering his 'contraband' there was a good chance of such happening. She wouldn't let it go without a fight. If the merchant refused her eyes would narrow and she would declare in the same, firm voice, "There are Risen here, partner. The roads ain't safe. Now I'm a crack shot with a bow and won't charge yeah for services, just find me a nice spot in the back and I'll keep an eye out. Just to the nearest town."
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
|
Post by Hunter on Oct 23, 2014 1:27:18 GMT
The merchant kept his composure as the guard that wasn't looking through his documents began to check the wagon. He had to remain calm and composed and keep up his guise of nonchalance. This was for the sake of the young man who had helped him out tremendously in his most dire time of need. This was the least he could to repay the lad. While remaining unmoving and smiling, his eye caught a female figure approaching their direction. Raising an eyebrow at the approaching young woman, the merchant instantly noticed a lack of any discernible armor or uniform. She obviously wasn't with the wall guards, and that made her an unknown variable. He saw the man who was reading over his paperwork also stopped to look at the young lass, and began to wonder what she was doing here. His ears instantly perked up as the girl hailed his attention, asking for a ride into town. The old merchants eyes took on a less kindly, complacent appearance, taking on a more critical look. What was the correct answer here? What was least suspicious? Considering the passenger in his cart hidden underneath spice bags, the obvious answer would be to politely decline, but his mind was still conflicted on the matter. He then began to wonder what Hunter would say/want him to do, as this was his escapade, and the older man seemed to believe that Hunter would allow her passage on the cart to lessen the suspicion that there was anything in the back of the cart and possibly get someone who knows the land better than he does on his side. While the merchant hadn't spent much time with Hunter, less than a days worth a time to be correct, he had a general understanding of how the white-haired thief managed. Hunter was pretty simple to understand, in his own words. Returning to his previous look of demeanor, the merchant responded to the unknown girl. "As long as you don't cause any ruckus, I don't see why I couldn't lend you a hand, lass." The guard handling the merchant's legalities raised an eyebrow at the exchange between the old man and the woman, but merely shrugged it off. If the old man didn't mind, and everything was clean in the back, then everything would be fine. The guard in the back was mostly uncaring to the exchange going on between the merchant and girl, merely giving them half of his attention. He was trying to get this cart cleared for entry or denial so he could go back to his guard duties, and continued perusing the crates and checking their contents. So far, everything was clean and perfectly legal. He had cleared most of the cart and began to move onto the last few. Seeing one of the last crates was larger than the average one, he began to make his way to that one. Larger boxes meant a larger chance of there being illegal items. Hunter too heard bits and pieces of the exchange between the merchant and the woman, and agreed with the older man's decision, but he couldn't dwell on that for long as the guard checking the contents of the cart approaching. Hunter began to mentally sweat bullets as he heard the guard come upon his hiding place, and his knuckles began to turn white from how tight a hold he had on his cloak. Hearing the top of the crate being removed, he clenched his teeth in anticipation. The man removed the top of the crate as he had done so many times from looking through the supplies, and saw that the inside of the box contained bags of spice. The crate was fairly full of the bags, and he didn't notice anything particularly suspicious about the arrangement or contents of the bags but hovered over the crate for some reason, as if something didn't seem quite right. The guard cast a shadow over the box, thankfully preventing the blade of Hunter's sword from being seen or gleaming from any light. The guard at the front of the cart, having finished going over every detail of the paperwork, yelled to his ally. "You about done back there? There can't be that much back there that it's taking you THIS long, mate!" Grumbling the guard hovering over the crate of spices put the top back on the box. "Shut yer trap! I'm nearly done back here!" And with that, the man moved on to the last one or two boxes before jumping off the cart and giving it the all clear. Hunter had nearly died of a heart attack in the time that the guard hovered over his hiding place, mentally going over every single thing that he may have done wrong or given himself away with. He just knew this wasn't going to work, it couldn't have- and before he could finish that thought process, he heard the first guard yell to the one skulking above him, and then the guard hovering over him yelled back and put the lid back on the crate. It was almost too good to believe. His plan had worked! Penelope
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
|
Post by Penelope on Oct 24, 2014 2:15:46 GMT
◥ based on movement
words: 331 | tags: Hunter | notes: knock knock. Or had it? She wouldn't have put a damper on his spirits if she had known he was there, yet ultimately even if her keen eye had caught that brief glint of steel as she clambered into the back of the wagon Penelope wouldn't have assumed it meant a person. For all she knew this guy could be packing weapons as well as spices, merchants did that sort of thing sometimes. She unlimbered her bow, fingers fishing out its string from her coat pocket. It would be in the process of her arming the weapon that the merchant's hidden passenger would be in the most danger. For in that instant when they weren't moving and the old man was getting things squared away Piper was bent over and focused. Things were quiet back here and there wasn't exactly much space to stand. The slightest movement or loud breath would snag her heart like honey from a beehive in bear country. If such was the case her breath would catch and her eyes would widen. Like a deer hearing a twig snap she froze up and listened. It was in the moments after that she would prove herself different from those girls in horror movies. She wasn't the sort of person to just wave it away and say 'Oh, it's nothing'. If she heard something then something was there. If she heard something, something was back here. She wasn't alone. Her eyes would bounce between one crate and another while her hands slowly resumed their intentions. Once her bow was strung the draw of an arrow would be careful. Quiet. This would all look pretty awkward from anyone paying attention to her, of course. Had she spied something the guards had missed? In the chance that nothing happened Hunter would find his crate acting as her seat for the trip. Aside from a few hummed notes to nameless songs afterwards she seemed content to let this ride along go down in silence.
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
|
Post by Hunter on Oct 24, 2014 21:30:53 GMT
Hunter, albeit happy that his plan had seemingly come to fruition and had prematurely announced his own victory in his head, realized that he still had much to worry about. Although he had agreed with the old merchant's earlier decision to allow the unknown woman into the cart, he began to wonder just who she was and how she would react if he decided to arise from his hiding place during the trip into the country past the wall. Would she take whatever weapon she had on her, assuming she had one, and use it against him, would she merely be surprised but nonviolent, or would she go running to the authorities? There were too many variables to ponder, so the white-haired thief decided to stem the tide of his paranoid thoughts and wait to decide on any moves. It was then he realized that his foot was falling asleep thanks to the pressure that was coming down on it from one of the spice bags, and had to fidget slightly, the tip of his boot tapping the innards of the crate for a millisecond, in order to keep the limb awake and ready for use if he needed it. He heard the noise, and instantly went ramrod stiff, not moving in the slightest in response to the mistake. With the merchant, he merely smiled as the guard handed him back his papers. The gatekeeper nodded to the older man, signaling that he was given the green light to enter the country. "Thank you for your patience. You're free to enter the country." The merchant looked from the guard to the young woman that was now in the wagon, making sure that she was there and not snooping in the wares, especially the box of spices. He was unsure if and when Hunter would make his presence known to the girl, but the older man didn't want her exposing their plan before they got into the country after just skidding by on the skin of their teeth. "Hang on back their, lass. We're headed in." With that, he turned back to the guards, raising the straw hat that he had on off of his head, a signal that he was thankful for their time and to say farewell. Adjusting the reigns, he silently got the horse that drew the cart to start making it's way into Regna Ferox. As the cart began to move after he heard the guard give the ok, Hunter made sure not to move even a inch or breathe more than necessary as they began to pass into the country. He couldn't afford to slip up any as they were passing into the northern land just because they had fooled the guards mere seconds ago. He also had to make sure not to alert the woman anymore than he possibly had with his fidget moments ago, who he wasn't quite certain if she was sitting upon or standing very closely to his crate, as he was unsure how she would react. If she hadn't already heard him and was preparing to check the crate for herself as the cart had just passed the gates, then he would more than likely reveal himself after he was certain that they were far enough from the wall or the merchant said something to him. Penelope
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
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Post by Penelope on Oct 25, 2014 21:40:15 GMT
◥ watch for suspicious activity
words: 434 | tags: Hunter | notes: movin'. Tap That was all it took. The plan was ruined. Penelope was going to alert the guards and tell them that there was something in this wagon. If it turned out to be a mouse they'd laugh but she could handle that. But if there was some smuggled away assassin she would be doing her country a favor. She would alert the guards and they would thank her and everyone but this naughty do-no-gooder would go home happy. Maybe they would give her a medal, or commend her then let her join the army. She'd be a war hero from the start, 'the girl that saved the khans from certain destruction'. But really, patriotism wasn't her thing. For all Penelope knew what she heard could have been a thief, in which case she would be doing the merchant a favor by exposing him. But that wasn't certain either. A refugee, a pet, some merchant fairy that the old man kept enslaved because the fae brought him good luck in the market and he was planning on selling her before retiring to a vacation home in the mountains where he'd inevitably be eaten by Risen and sad for his decision because he could have been doing some good in the world but now he was just going to end up as a zombie. She didn't know what it was that she had heard, only that it was none of her business so long as whatever it was remained hidden. The crates were none too large and too few in number that she felt the need to worry. Even if a man was hiding in every box on this old merchant's cart she was confident in her ability. The real question, though, was how could /she/ profit from all of this. The old merchant called back to her-- they were getting ready to leave. The archer had been standing and eying the cargo suspiciously this entire time. When she glanced towards the trader and the departing militants she let her expression soften. No need to let him know she knew that something was amiss. Just in case he already knew something was amiss and decided to do something desperate. A pretty smile and a nod, before she chose a box near the back to take a seat. She drew an arrow from the quiver along her hip, knocked it and kept her bow horizontally across her lap. Swaying as the cart set into motion, she did little more than smile towards the guards in passing. They would leave the wall without incident; at least from her.
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
|
Post by Hunter on Oct 26, 2014 22:48:48 GMT
The merchant was glad that they had gotten into the country without having alerted the guards, and by extension all of Regna Ferox, which would've made for another country with a possible price on Hunter's head. However, they weren't out of the woods yet. There was still the young woman now sitting in his cart to worry about. Sure, her pretty smile and nod whenever he told her they were heading in would've dissuaded some from keeping a close eye on her, but now was not the time to out rule the possibilities. Turning his head, there not being a massive need to look at the road ahead of them for a moment or two, as it was fairly smooth and went on for a long way, the old man looked at the woman. She had found herself a seat of comfort on the most important box out of the bunch, and the merchant couldn't help but look from her to the box for a moment before turning his attention back to the girl. She had a bow, an arrow preemptively knocked, sitting in her lap. Whether it was for use against any Risen or bandits that could potentially arise, or for another reason, he was unsure, but he sincerely hoped that she didn't put an arrow in his white-haired friend if he showed himself. Clearing his throat, the merchant decided that perhaps some small talk/information gathering might be necessary. "So, lass, if you don't mind entertaining a old man's ramblings, d'ya mind if I asked what you're plans are? Feel free not to indulge me, just a old man's curiosity speaking out loud."
Hunter remained motionless as he realized that the woman was sitting on his box when he felt the variation of the box's movement and new occasional odd motions as the cart made it's way down the path past the gate as compared to on the road to the entrance. He cursed in his head. "Damn it. I just had to go and make some noise. My mistake to success ratio has been severely getting worse here lately. Dad must be rolling in his grave and yelling at me from whatever afterlife he's found himself wallowing in. But I still don't know if she's a threat, and I don't know if she heard that little knock from my boot. Wishful thinking says she didn't, but realism and paranoia are sending off more than a few alarm bells and yelling she heard me." His ears perked up as the merchant began to make conversation, and he made sure to listen for her response. Depending on her answer, there was a chance that his appearance would be sooner rather than later. Whilst waiting to hear what the woman's response was, Hunter was inwardly pondering something. He was uncertain what the rate of bandit attacks or Risen hordes was in Regna Ferox, as he could only recall bits and pieces of hearing about the crime rate in the northern country and the situation with the undead soldiers of Grima. If worse came to worse, as he was uncertain if the woman had a weapon, and he knew the merchant was essentially defenseless, he would come from his hiding spot to attempt to help the situation, but that was only if something were to happen. Penelope
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
|
Post by Penelope on Oct 27, 2014 5:23:42 GMT
◥ go fish
words: 722 | tags: Hunter | notes: sorry, experimenting with colors! The archer seemed content to watch their surroundings. Pulling away and out of sight of the Wall exposed she and her group to the open road, a beautiful view of the countryside. No sooner were the Feroxi soldiers behind them than did her host deem it a fair time to look her way. The motion caught the corner of her eye and she turned her head in response. Met the man level look for look and a good deal longer even after he stopped looking. If she noticed his glance towards the box she was sitting on she gave no notice. For all the angles involved he could have just as likely been looking at her crotch-- or her bow, more likely. But when he spoke she looked away, returning to her watch as though intent on keeping her word about protecting the merchant from any nasty surprises. Pausing before she answered may have led the old man to believe at first that he was being ignored, yet she spoke eventually and had quite a bit to say. "Ah'll indulge yeah alright," she started carefully despite her gruff manner of speech, "Look around you, stranger. This-- intimidating intensity is Regna Ferox."All seemed quiet and peaceful enough. There were trees near the road, most spruce and pine, and below many of them was housed any manner of wintry shrubbery. The sun stood high in the sky and where it touched stood mostly grass. Thick, coarse blades of green that were mangled more often than not as though feet had trampled them down wherever they stood. Nothing shared their road, not so far as ever her eyes could find in the distance. It dipped with hills and twisted in bends yet for the foreseeable path they were alone. Just the three of them. Penelope eased out of her accent as she continued, "Our shadows hide wolves, here. Our wind carries knives. Where the sun does not reach snow from days past gathers and clouds almost always bring more. Risen walk the roads by night, true, but even without them this land is no place for a merchant. There are tribes in these hills that would think you bring gold in an attempt to buy and control them. Ones that would not allow you to enter their lands so freely, not by the way of papers and words."Was she threatening him? It was hard to tell as her voice was more or less neutral, she could have been talking about the weather for all the emotion she showed towards the topic. Perhaps she was trying to intimidate the poor man? Or maybe weasel a bit of payment out him by making herself sound useful? A wizened trader would know the dangers of the road well, one whom had been to Regna Ferox before ever more so. That much should have been obvious-- so perhaps she was insulting him? "Mayhaps the fellahs at the wall didn't see it, but then they think they have a grip on everything that happens when in truth they hardly have a thumb on the idea. They're as blind as the hair on their chest and about as smart. A merchant that doesn't request an escort and hires no guards means less work for them and reinforces the idea that they keep things safe. While I say a merchant with no guards is a man either confident in his ability or a man with no gold, and what merchant doesn't have gold? I say that a merchant with no gold has something up his sleeve."She looked at him then. There was nothing particular about her expression, it was little more than another adjustment in where her eyes were focusing. The corners of her mouth angled downwards slightly as though she were on the verge of frowning, long lashes lowered lazily and she kept her chin tilted upwards slightly to create a smoldering expression. The implication was clear; She knew he was up to something. No longer was Penelope the grinning girl that had left the wall with these two. Her slight accusation hung in the air for only a moment before she went on, eyes now locked onto the merchant and his elderly-ness. "What I plan on doin', mister," she slipped back into her former tongue, "Is findin' out just what that is."
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
|
Post by Hunter on Oct 27, 2014 21:55:12 GMT
The merchant thought nothing of when she paused between answering him, merely deciding to turn back to enjoy the scenery before she answered him or he deemed she was ignoring him. He quite enjoyed the brisk chill that surrounded the country, and the fauna that dotted the landscape fit the northern, somewhat isolated feel that he always associated with Regna Ferox. When he turned around, he looked farther out, and saw that they would come across some hills and bends in the near future, but that was nothing his trusty horse couldn't get up. When the girl eventually responded, his attention, but not his eyes, went back to her. He noted her not-so-elegant vernacular, beginning to believe that she was either from around here or from a rustic lifestyle. He couldn't help but grin when she referred to the 'intimidating intensity' of Regna Ferox, and he nodded at her words. "I'm familiar with it. I've been here a few times before, lass, though I was probably more able-bodied back then." As she continued, the old man saw that she was more than just some random passerby looking for a free ride. This girl knew what she was talking about, said what some would refrain from saying, and wasn't afraid to point out that he was a fish out of water here in the land of strength. "You're certainly knowledgeable, young miss. I don't think I'd be wrong in assuming you're from here, although that observation could've been made by a three year old. But you're right, I'm not exactly in the most forgiving of places for a man of my age and profession, but a man's gotta pay his dues. My paperwork certainly won't work on one of those bandit tribes, and I'm not nearly young enough to fight anything anymore, even if I wanted to. But don't go thinking I'm defenseless, coming into Ferox without a entourage. You don't get my old being a merchant who isn't worth the salt he peddles, and you don't go anywhere far off without a little insurance tucked away near you." The old merchant saw no threat or insult or implication of asking for a service fee in the girl's words, so he simply responded as he would to anyone else. Of course, the insurance he had on him now was Hunter, who would help him out if the need arose. Hunter was intently listening to the conversation between his merchant friend and the woman, and he was curious as to what the woman was getting at here. She was talking about the intensity of Regna Ferox, and about all the dangers that awaited any ill-fated merchant that they came across, but she had yet to answer the question. "She's working up to something here. She probably is gonna start picking apart why a merchant shows up to the gate to Ferox sans a entourage, sans gold, sans nothing more than paperwork and produce, and start putting the pressure on my friend up there. But on the bright side, she does seem pretty aware of the land. Maybe we can be beneficial to each other somehow... Let's wait and see."The merchant began to wonder as well what she was getting at, but both got their answer when she spoke next. While he couldn't help but let out a little chuckle as she insulted the intelligence and aptitude of the guards from a mere few minutes prior, he was becoming increasingly more worried as she carried on. She casually dissected the fact that he had no gold, and that, indeed, a merchant without any gold is a merchant with more than just a arm up his sleeve. He turned back to look at her, doing the best to conceal his growing concern from what she was getting at. The look he received was that of smoldering intensity, her eyes seemingly attempting to bore into his brain to extract whatever secrets were in there. He instantly knew what she was implying and what was said by her gaze. She knew something was up. The elderly merchant, although knowing that they'd been found out, attempted to wave her off. "Well, lass, y'do have a point, a merchant without any coin is mighty suspicious, but what would a codger like me have to hide? The only things out of your sight are the spices underneath your rump, seeing as how that asshat of a guard forgot to put the tops back on some of the boxes." Although unknowingly accidentally pointing out the only possible place he could be hiding something, the merchant felt that it was important to keep her off the scent as long as the could. Penelope
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
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Post by Penelope on Oct 28, 2014 4:24:02 GMT
◥ revelations
words: 339 | tags: Hunter | notes: hook. The archer's eyes lingered on the man for a moment while her thoughts ran circles around what had been said. Whatever her conclusion she didn't seem to like it, though that in and of itself would only raise more questions to the questioning eye. She looked away again, gaze returning towards the wilderness while they trundled along. There was nothing out there. Not right now, not that she could see, and she trusted her sight as much as she trusted her gut. If she believed him, if she caught onto his slip, she gave no sign. No, it was more or less back to how they had been initially after this journey had begun. Just the archer, the marchant and their mysterious cargo atop a horse-drawn cart. To her credit Penelope showed no signs of tension, even with all the skin she was parading around in that outfit. "My parents were slain by Risen." The comment was both sudden and sharp, as though the archer was parting with something she'd rather not let go. There were no hints as to the timeline, there was nothing of her face to speak of the recency. It was tough, marred by a deeper version of the frown she had worn before, but that was only typical of someone broaching such a sensitive subject. Such a tragic topic. What was disconcerting was how casually she spoke of such things, continuing on as though making idle conversation even when her words packed a weight that bogged down the sunshine. "First I swore I'd finish off every last one of'em. Figured I'd get the guard to help me root'em out. Hunt'em down." A certain harshness lingered in the words but she was careful to keep the emotion subdued in her tone. It was there, it was detectable, and it made the casualness take on a cold tone. As though the girl that was speaking was empty, "But they just laughed, didn't take me seriously. Now ah'm on my own. Can't herd sheep on my onesie."
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
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Post by Hunter on Oct 28, 2014 22:25:29 GMT
After he felt his words had suck in, and as he turned back to look at the path, he could feel the young girl's eyes still boring into him. It felt rather uncomfortable, to say the least, as he had just lied to the woman's face while she had that scalding expression on her face. If she believed him or knew he was bluffing, she said nothing about it. Slowly, the atmosphere seemed to recede to how it was when they passed the gates of the country, but there was still a underline bit of tension hiding beneath the surface. The old man couldn't seem to enjoy the scenery as much as he could a few minutes prior, now knowing that their plan was in jeopardy. It was still unknown if she would alert the authorities if she found out what was hiding beneath her, so it was still dangerous water to tread. The elderly merchant went to say something to the passenger, hoping to clear the air if at all slightly, but he was stopped when she dropped a large weight on his conscious in the form of telling him that her parents had been killed by the Risen. Instantly, the emotion of pity and sympathy began to work their way into his judgement. His voice wavered when he went to speak again after the fact was spoken. "I'm dreadfully sorry. I know that probably doesn't mean much from some old man that you don't know from any other old man, but I am sorry to hear that." He realized how casual, but gruffly she talked about the subject. He could only imagine that many others wouldn't be able to admit to that fact without bawling their eyes out, but she admitted the fate of her parents as if she was talking about the weather. The hidden thief couldn't help but also feel a bit of sympathy for the woman. He too had lost his parents at a semi-young age, although one he had no clue if they even existed anymore due to never meeting them, and one died of a disease eight years ago, but neither by the Risen, so they could only compare in the fact that both of them were parentless now. He couldn't let the sob story get him though, as there was more than likely a lot behind her pulling this fact out of midair. Either it was false, or she was hoping to coerce the merchant to give him away. And from the little he knew of the older man, he felt that her trick would probably work. Hunter and the old merchant had probably only been in each other's company for less than a few hours since having met each other. They'd had probably spent much less time in each other's company if Hunter hadn't come asking for help to get into Regna Ferox. But in the little time Hunter had known the merchant, he knew him to be very sentimental and philanthropic, going out of his way to help people he talked to even if he hadn't known them for very long. Granted he owed Hunter, but the old man still felt fairly attached to the white-haired thief. When she continued on to what she was telling the driver of the cart, he listened closely. The merchant nodded his head as she continued their conversation, understanding her reasoning for wanting to hunt down the Risen after they did such a thing to her parents. It was a very human thing to do, punishing those that had wronged you and those who you cared about. He wasn't surprised when she said that the guards had laughed her off when she asked if they'd help her hunt down the undead foot soldiers of the Fell Dragon, given how she had talked about how they assumed they had everything on control in Ferox. Sighing, the old man sank into his seat at the front of the wagon decided that, after a story like that, she deserved some truth out of him. The peddler didn't assume that she was lying to him, or pulling a fast one on him. He was a sucker for stories like these, and he hated the idea of lying to someone who just bared part of their soul to him. "Well, all might not be lost. I've got a friend who happens to be in the country now, who just so happens to be looking for something worthwhile to do. He's not exactly a people person, and by that I don't mean that he's a ass, but he just doesn't have much experience dealing with others even though he's about your age or a little older. I haven't known him for long, but he's pretty easy to read, so that's how I know how awkward it is for him dealing with people. He's also not terribly use to charging in to fight others, thanks to his line of work, but he can handle himself with his sword rather well." The merchant actually wasn't aware of Hunter's ability at swordplay, but he believed that no self-respecting thief wouldn't know how to use one of their tools of the trade. He also was uncertain of Hunter's age, although he could make a rough estimate of both the thief and the woman's ages. "So, if you're looking for help, I believe he'd be happy to oblige. " While he hadn't yet revealed the truth to her, he was now leading her up for a reveal of his own. Hunter almost couldn't believe how easily the old merchant caved in to the story of the woman. Although, the thief could give him credit for not just throwing him to the wolves and breaking the illusion of there's nothing wrong on the cart before finding out how much of a threat the girl was. While Hunter too was beginning to believe that she'd be open minded enough to accept his assistance and not turn him into the authorities, he was going to wait for a little more information to be unveiled before he made any moves, but it seemed the merchant was moving things along by himself. "Suppose it saves me the trouble. But if I wind up with a arrow in me, I'm gonna be tempted to wring someone's neck. And I'm not sure how happy I am that the old man is talking on my behalf, but he has a point. I really wouldn't mind helping her out."Penelope
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Feroxi
Archer
BULLION:
@piper
tag @piper
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Post by Penelope on Oct 29, 2014 12:33:14 GMT
◥ tentative testing
words: 331 | tags: Hunter | notes: line Brevity was her fashion, it seemed. Only a small pause came before her lips peeled off towards a smile. It was warm, inwards, and accompanied by a confident tone. The volume of her voice was soft, like the whisper of a knife drawing free from its sheath, "That'd be a nice thing. Truly."Penelope wasn't playing her hand just yet. If she had caught wind of the merchant's slip and suggestion then she gave no sign beyond superstition. Yet she had given the man a hint of her guile, a taste of the idea that she was no simpleton, some barbaric Feroxi girl running around trying to bully everything. She had told him to his face what she was going to do. Sucking in a breath through her nose, a deep breath, said that she was already over her little vulnerable moment and now she rolled on towards something fresh. Tied it all in. Her voice was firm but friendlier than before, more akin to how she had spoken to him back at the wall. There was a thread of something stern there as well. Respect? Maybe. "Ah'd like to meet him at some point, I reckon. Seems like a good sort, the way you're talkin'." Her eyes lingered on the merchant after the words were free from her lips. It was the polite thing to do in a conversation, look to the person one was speaking with, but of course there was more to it than that. Any visual clues she could pick up on. His demeanor, his expression, where his eyes looked when he spoke. Even if it meant the countryside, if she could catch onto the direction then she wanted to know. The archer knew this road fairly well, and while much of Regna Ferox was foreign ground to her she knew that for this stretch of road they'd have little to fear. Well, unless their luck took a turn for the worse. She didn't discount the possibility.
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Plegian
Thief
BULLION:
@huntertarot
tag @huntertarot
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Post by Hunter on Oct 29, 2014 22:11:02 GMT
Still somewhat sunken in his spot, the merchant almost missed what the girl had said. At her tone of voice, the elderly man couldn't help but turn the to look at the woman, pleasantly surprised. A smile, or maybe just a soft grin, was definitely a good sign that things were looking better than they were a moment ago. Giving her a smile in return, the merchant nodded at the girl. Turning his gaze softly to the box for a half-moment before looking back to the girl, he couldn't help but believe he was making the right choice in returning her truthfulness. "I bet he'll be pretty happy to talk this over with you. I think you two'll be thick as thieves." The merchant realized he had accidentally made a slip in the form of a pun, and couldn't help but chuckle audibly to himself. "I do apologize for the bad joke." He said this seemingly to himself, realizing that he had made a terribly slip-up, but the joke seemed so worth it in hindsight. Hunter was taken aback slightly by the tone of voice the woman above him took when she responded the older man, and was silently agreeing with the old man's plan of action. Perhaps he was making the right choice here. When the old man made his ill-timed pun, Hunter bristled in his hiding place. There was a difference between easing into letting in on the fact he was here and who he was and making obvious jokes like that. "Gotta remember to get him back for that one when I get out of this box." Making sure to look back down the path every once and a while during their conversation, the peddler couldn't help but chuckle again when she mentioned she thought he sounded like a good sort and would like to meet him eventually. "That he is. He's a pretty kind soul, even if his slightly detached demeanor would say otherwise. And I think you'll meet him here shortly. He's pretty sneaky that one, so ya never know where he could be till you find him or he finds you." He turned around once again, made eye contact with the girl and glanced at the cargo beneath her. Whether this was to give her the final indicator she needed to look into the container below her, or it was just a casual glance, it was unsure. For what it was worth, the old man didn't give any clues from his tone of voice or facial expression, so while his actions were very indicative, they still could've been seen as fairly normal. Penelope
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