Harsh Decisions [Open]

[Cain]

And immediately, probably from his higher experience and age, the man declared himself the leader of their merry small band. Cain would stare at him for a brief moment, before releasing an amused smirk and lowering his head lightly as he shook it. Well, whatever. It was only all the way to the tavern anyway. And it wasn't that far off in the first place. He doubted their luck would carry so much misfortune than something were to happen that caused all three of them to stick together longer than necessary. Besides, they proved rather entertaining. There the old man was, trying to relive his youth, and definitely and embarrassingly show more energy and vitality than the other two youngsters did. Cain's eyes would meet Dao's for a brief moment, before he shrugged, and with that, began to follow after the older swordsman. As he did, his hand would reach into his pocket, pulling out a red cloth from within. Unfolding the rag, he'd begin to wipe himself clean of the blood from the earlier tussle. Once again, he had emerged from a scuttle unharmed, with naught a single scratch on his body. The blood would seen blend into the red cloth, which begged the question, was the cloth red to begin with, or had it been an entirely different color? Aye, that would forever be a mystery. At least, to the other two who Cain traveled with. For he knew well enough that this cloth had initially been white. Cain would glance over his shoulder momentarily, at Dao who just so happened to suddenly walk past Cain. The Mercenary's eyes widened slightly. He had been so silent, even Cain had not heard it come up behind him. He slowed to a halt, golden gaze locked onto Dao's back, before he pursed the corner of his lips. What a peculiar guy. Glancing over his shoulder once again, he gave his latest playground one last look, before walking off. Just another day in the life of a mercenary, huh? For the longest hour, the three walk, with the older man in the lead, Dao in the center, and Cain casually trekking behind them, his fingers interlocked and placed behind his head, as he stared blankly up at the sky. Their peaceful stroll, however, would suddenly be destroyed as the man in the lead released a loud yell. Cain's arms shot downwards, his right fingers coiling around the hilt of his sword, as he glanced around. Had something really come to attack them? Cain's eyes would grow wide open in disbelief, though, as the man explained himself. And Cain stared at his direction. Was he... Serious... Cain dropped his head, an audible sigh escaping him as he straightened his posture, his body having scrunched lightly, as if ready to leap at the smallest sign of danger. Then, bringing his chin back up, he stared at the two's direction. "It's Cain. Please don't ever do that again."

◀ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

[Dao]

The youngest of the trio had to calm his beating heart. The sudden spike of tension wasn't going to help him out ever and it was difficult to focus with all the blood pumping in his ears without the adrenaline to help stave it off. Dao shook his head, trying to relieve himself of the sensation that coursed through his arms. A moment later, his attention was caught by the man behind him and his introductions. Ebony eyes glanced again at the other male's form and, in some deep part of him, Dao was happy to know that he wasn't the only one who had freaked out at the muscled swordsman's exclamation. Still, when everything had finally passed, the feroxi youth came out with that event with two new pieces of information.

The monster of a swordsman was named Edmund, and the other Mercenary who knew his way around a fight was named Cain. The formers eyes, however, shifted from Cain's and unto his. Black met brown once more and Dao seemed baffled for a moment. Did the guy actually expect him to introduce himself? The young man made a move to just continue on his way but those brown eyes of Edmund refused to budge an inch. A budding amount of annoyance later and Dao let out an irritant huff. "Dao." And where he would have normally left it at that, the young man found it prudent to continue a step further. "And stop looking at me like that."

Crossing his arms with an indignant look present in his eyes, the youngest of the three seemed to wait then for the eldest to continue walking again. A hearty laugh later and a fond shake of his head in an exasperated manner later, Edmund was once more leading their ragtag band of swordsmen with a joyful spring to his step. Dao, on the other hand, was trying his best not to drag his feet and continued onwards; his voice as silent as his footsteps. And onwards did they go, each one of them with their own little quirk. The old man with his overly joyful countenance, and Dao with his lack of any. Though the latter did keep track of where Cain was, he wasn't exactly looking at him. Yet surely enough, that man probably had his own little quirk to add to the mix.

The atmosphere was making him antsy, and he hated it. Just how much farther was the civilisation away? An hour, two? Half a day even? The feroxi moaned internally. He really wished that time could just speed up so he could get on with this job of his.

[Cain]

Dao, huh? Well, at least the two of them had another thing in common, other than their choice of weapon and well, lack of regard for the life of their enemies. They had both taken Edmund's exclamation rather grudgingly. Cain sighed, shaking his head once again, finding himself rather perplexed at fate's decision to throw him in with these two. They were the oddest companions he had ever been with, and their greatly contrasting personalities already made it a curious wonder how they were traveling together. Trudging along, he brought his hands into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch, a pipe and a matchbox. Carrying them in two hands, he would first fill the mouth of the pipe with the weed, before placing it in between his lips. Pocketing the pouch, he'd light one of the matches, and use it to begin setting the plants ablaze. It was a particular kind of weed, one that burned slowly and produced a rather relaxing fume when set ablaze. Really the perfect substance for this particular purpose, as Cain decided to indulge himself in his addiction while they walked. Not long after, though, Edmund would once again break the silence. "I see something! There! Over the hill!" He exclaimed, a right hand energetically stabbing at the air before him. Cain blinked, before following the direction he had gestured towards with his eyes. He was right. There was indeed something there. A trail of smoke that rolled up towards the clouds. That must be from the tavern. Cain smirked, before giving a nod of his head. Pulling the pipe off his lips momentarily, he would speak up once again. "Aye, we're close to the tavern now. It's right over that hill." Realizing that their temporary partnership was finally coming to an end, Cain found himself walking at an increased pace. They were impressive fighters, sure, but they certainly made for boring and annoying company. One was overly loud and expressive, and the other was the complete opposite. And both were male too, which was really the fact that bothered Cain the most. He sighed, as he placed the pipe back onto his lips, taking another puff off of it. Well, at least he still had his weed.

◀ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS