|
Post by Ashe on Dec 1, 2019 15:01:22 GMT -6
Ashe eyed the sly, shady guy, eyebrow raised. He had just checked the back of the board to see if maybe something had been posted on this side, seeing as the other side was pretty full. He didn't much like crowds, too much chaos going on for him to keep up. So he had stumbled upon this guy hiding in the shadows, waiting for someone like Ashe to peek around. Now he realized he was being mesmerized by the tone and the flashing cards. When he realized this, he blinked sharply and took a step back, hands going to his pockets. He was about to be robbed, if he hadn't been already, he was sure of it. It was a very classic attempt and Ashe was kicking himself for not noticing it for what it was before. Well, it felt like everything was still there. his credits, his ID, his nodes, everything else in his pockets. Maybe this guy was more legit?
Ashe hesitated just a moment. He was intrigued, to say the least. He reached out and took the paper, eyeing the guy and careful not to fall for any slight of hand tricks. He looked anywhere except the obvious hand movement. "Sure, let's give this a try." Then he read the quest order. Inyala read the paper over his shoulder, then gave Ashe a sideways look. Did he really want to get himself involved in this mess? She hoped not, but she knew better, unfortunately.
Inyala: 0 1/5 Ashe: 0 1/20 Post 1
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 5, 2019 23:40:39 GMT -6
Ashe wracked his brain to try and figure out how to get this item. He had a general idea of who might have it, a picture of a person on another card the sneaky man had handed him. Ashe had to first find that person, then track them, then locate the item. He didn't know what the item was exactly, the man hadn't said that much, but he did say that Ashe would be a fool if he missed it when he saw it. Ashe didn't like these terms set before him and thought it would be too easy for Ashe to mess up and fail; he hated failing. But he told himself, if he couldn't figure it out, then tough shit, he didn't have to finish the quest. What would the man do to him? And if he did try something, Ashe could easily just kill him and be done with it. Well, he might not sink so low as that, but he wasn't above such imaginings. So now he had to choose the correct pets for the job. Inyala, of course; she was Ashe's shadow and most trusted partner. But who else would be up for a sneaky task? His thoughts had led him to Toxic Rose, a gorgeous Akui Malii, who was quiet and dependable. Toxic Rose" 0 1/5 Inyala: 0 2/5 Ashe: 0 2/20 Post 2
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 5, 2019 23:49:37 GMT -6
They walked the streets later that night, the three of them. Inyala was perched on Ashe's shoulder, standing tall with her hands on his head, so she could see as far and wide as possible. She was scanning the (small) crowd of people still out and about, trying to find this person. Ashe had a feeling where they might find him first, though if he could find him faster on a brief stroll through the streets of the city, he wanted to try that first. Toxic Rose padded quietly - nay, silently - next to him. Her tails rippled and occasionally her blank white eyes would narrow as she spotted things she liked or didn't like. She didn't make a noise and expertly stayed out of Ashe's way while he walked, and never got trampled on by any passerby, no matter how intent she was on anything that moved. She was the shadows, almost as much as his Shadow Lurker, Kitty, was at home.
No luck so far. Ashe would give it two or three more rounds before calling it a day and heading to the Tavern, where he thought would be the best to find single men who had shifty items. At least, Ashe got the impression there wasn't a wife in the picture, when he had been informed of this man.
Toxic Rose 0 2/5 Inyala: 0 3/5 Ashe: 0 3/20 Post 3
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 5, 2019 23:55:42 GMT -6
The city's streets at night were not the best place to be, and certainly not a good place to travel while alone. While he hated to be sexist, above all it would be a terrible place for women to be, too, without some form of defense. The outskirts where the homes and farms were were far safer; the parks and the Dock were safer. But the city held pick pockets and Mortavos knows what. Once so far, someone had tried to sneak up behind Ashe, though the man never found out what for because Toxic Rose had reacted and quickly dispatched him, tying him up with literal shadows. Ashe had given him a swift kick in the ribs as added punishment when he saw the knife that had fallen from his hand, leaned down and said "Don't you ever try that shit again to anyone, hear me?" before continuing on his way.
Inyala made a noise, talking to him, and Ashe responded with a shrug. "Did he seem like a good guy to you? He definitely looked like he'd been set to rob someone at knife point, or just run them through." Another few words from the demon. "You're right, I should have checked his pockets, robbed him back. Shit, why didn't I think of that?" But when Ashe returned to the spot, the man had been freed and was gone.
Toxic Rose 0 3/5 Inyala: 0 4/5 Ashe: 0 4/20 Post 4
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:06:19 GMT -6
Ashe was the boogeyman. Ashe was what went bump in the night. If you made it through his pets to get to him, you would wish you hadn't. That was the air he always (tried) to give off, anyway, so it annoyed him when people decided to try their luck. He was a decent fighter when it came to fists, strong with magic, and above all else, he didn't let himself be restricted from fighting 'dirty' if he had to.
This was the air Ashe was working on when he walked into the Tavern fifteen minutes later. No luck on the streets, so maybe some luck in here? He asked Toxic Rose to stay outside, as he doubted medium pets were allowed inside. He told her to stay to the shadows and wait for him. He assumed she understood the orders, because she slunk off and disappeared immediately. Hopefully she'd return when he came out and didn't take the opportunity to run back home! Then he walked in, Imp on his shoulder, and sat down at the bar. He ordered a gin and tonic and casually glanced around at the other people milling about. He didn't see anyone that matched the picture on the card, not yet. But he did see that he himself was getting some looks; namely, more than just glances were being cast Inyala's way.
Toxic Rose 0 4/5 Inyala: 1 0/5 Ashe: 0 5/20 Post 5
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:12:05 GMT -6
Ashe met some of these glances, which had turned into stares, with a level stare of his own and a slight upturn of the chin, as if challenging them to say anything. Like what, never seen a shoulder demon before? Most people turned away, though one or two held Ashe's gaze in return for a long time before they did. Ashe had the desire to avoid eye contact, to be sneaky himself and not be noticed. What if the man with the item was suspicious, or found out Ashe was on his trail? But it was already impossible to be on the down low, with so many staring. So why not command the room instead? On top of the staring contests, Ashe leaned casually and spoke casually to those who spoke to him, including the bar tender and the patron next to him. He let others instigate, however, so he didn't cause a scene.
Sipping his drink, he glanced causally at the door, as did many others, whenever someone new came in. And, like the others, he went back to business when he lost interest in the new comer. Unbeknownst to him, Inyala was not cursed with the same human habits. She was keeping a decent watch on all people, guarding her master as she was wont to do.
Toxic Rose 0 4/5 - Outside Inyala: 1 1/5 Ashe: 0 6/20 Post 6
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:18:10 GMT -6
Ashe was a few drinks in, and feeling pretty damn good now. He'd made friends with the newer person next to him, a man close to Ashe's age. The man there before him had been older and rather boring, but this younger guy had stories to tell and had Ashe nearly rolling on the ground laughing. But he gave as good as he got, and the stranger, now friend, was laughing as well. They were mostly tales of escapades with near death results, or sexcapades with women of all attractions. In the back of his mind, Ashe couldn't help commenting on his own behavior. Vix would wring you out and leave you high and dry for this, he told himself. It's a good thing she's not here, or she'd probably shame you publicly.
Inyala was slightly concerned that Ashe had forgotten their task completely. While one night of delay for some fun and spirits wouldn't be the end of the quest, the Imp did not partake in these frivolous acts. She was still keeping an eye out, having memorized the picture of the person that was their target herself. So far, no luck, but the night was still young, or so the humans said sometimes. She glanced over at Ashe's new friend, and then narrowed her eyes; a girl was approaching.
Toxic Rose 0 4/5 - Outside Inyala: 1 2/5 Ashe: 0 7/20 Post 7
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:26:38 GMT -6
Now, the interesting thing about this woman was something only Inyala could see. It was actually a man using some sort of a glamour, a magical cover to make him look different than he was. Ashe wouldn't be able to see through it, she doubted; he was powerful, but not that powerful and not that practiced or skilled in the different kinds of magic. She, however, had the shrewd perception of a demon and wasn't limited to such things. She could see the image of a lovely busty young woman with long black hair, overlaid with a shimmer on top of the man they were hunting for! Inyala quickly tapped on the side of Ashe's neck, to get his attention, but before he could ask her what was wrong, the woman arrived.
She gave both men an appreciative once over, giving a slow smile as if realizing she liked what she saw right then. "I'm sorry, I just had to come over for a closer view..." she cooed to Ashe, placing a hand on his knee. She glanced at the other man as if to keep him in the conversation, though it was obvious Ashe was her target. The necromancer in training instantly felt warring urges, and thanks to the alcohol, they were pretty close in their forcefulness. One side wanted to shrug her off; what if Vix saw? The other side said hey, Vix isn't here and this woman is nice.
Toxic Rose 0 4/5 - Outside Inyala: 1 3/5 Ashe: 0 8/20 Post 8
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:34:44 GMT -6
"I think I was right..." the woman was continuing, her hand sliding up Ashe's leg. Inyala couldn't tell if she was touching the other man or not, she was standing between them, but she could be doing anything to Ashe's new friend and Inyala wouldn't care. Ashe grinned at her, his ego being stroked like a cat. "Such big muscles, handsome face... I don't think I've seen you around here before."
Ashe chuckled and shook his head in agreement. "I can't say I've been here but maybe once, long ago," He confessed. It was true; he normally hung out at the Midnight Panther. "How about you, sweetheart? Bet you say that to all the lucky boys..." He flirted back, the two sides still warring.
The girl laughed, and Inyala found it interesting how even the voice was different, because this was definitely a feminine voice coming out of what only she could see as a man! She was willing to bet if she was touched, Ashe would feel soft inviting flesh instead of the hairy sinewy hide of a man. Magic!
"Do you think you're lucky, now?"[/b] She teased. The hand rested on his thigh, and she leaned toward Ashe, dipping forward at such an angle that would cause men to lose their sense.
"Who wouldn't consider themselves lucky, to have you come over and say hello?" His gaze went where predicted, and Inyala felt his body tense, trying to hold itself back.
Toxic Rose 0 4/5 - Outside Inyala: 1 4/5 Ashe: 0 9/20 Post 9
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:44:02 GMT -6
Inyala took this time to save Ashe from having to make a decision. She chattered softly at him, in his ear, and despite the siren in front of him, she could tell that he was listening to her. Inyala told him about the magic involved, told him that this was the guy they were looking for with a glamour. Ashe was quiet a moment, and Inyala worried he might not believe her. But then he gave a nod in her direction, and Inyala had to trust that he meant it toward her and not in flirting with the siren.
Of course, Ashe trusted Inyala above all else. But he had been known to brush her off sometimes, as well. The brush off times had been motherly 'don't do that!' times, however. This was important; this was a mission! So of course he trusted her, she wouldn't lead him astray on something so crucial.
"That's a cute little friend you have there," the girl was saying, having hear but not understood the Imp. She was smiling, but Ashe could tell she didn't want to share. His eyes searched her face, searched her chest, trying to find some sign she was a guy in disguise. Nothing! He would swear she was full woman!
"Oh, don't worry about her, she was just leaving."
Toxic Rose 0 4/5 - Outside Inyala: 2 0/5 Ashe: 0 10/20 Post 10
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:50:51 GMT -6
Ashe picked up Inyala and turned briefly, setting her on the counter. He murmured quickly, "Go get Toxic, meet me out back." Then he scooted her with his hands, shooing her. He turned back to the woman and slid off his barstool. Standing at full height, he was a head taller than her, and had the best view in the world. He tried to meet her eyes, though, so she would think he was some lovesick puppy. His hand went to her elbow, a gentle touch of interest. "Would you like to go somewhere a little more... quiet? So we can get to know each other a little better?" This line wouldn't work on a normal girl. Hell, he'd get a kick in the boys if he'd tried it on Vix when they had first met. But he doubted this was a normal situation. Why would the man they were hunting, turn into a girl to flirt with him, if not to try and get him alone?
"Mmmm, I'd like that," she said, looking up at him. Her hands went to his chest, rubbing his muscles through his shirt.
Ashe thought he could hear his 'friend' yell at them to get a room, and he smirked. "What he said. Let's get a room." He slid an arm around her waist, dumped some credits on the counter for his and his friend's tab, then led her out the back door, which led to an alleyway. Inyala and Toxic rose were there already, in the darkest shadows, waiting.
Toxic Rose 1 0/5 Inyala: 2 1/5 Ashe: 0 11/20 Post 11
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 0:58:00 GMT -6
It was dark and empty out here. "God, finally we're alone," Ashe said, turning to press her against the wall, appearing to the world like a man lost to desire. He bent his head to kiss her neck, part of him sober enough to think that this would be better than kissing her on the lips. Even if Vix never found out, he wouldn't be silly and count it as cheating. There was no intent, right? Damn these new morals! The woman moaned softly under him, and Ashe pressed his hips into hers, pinning her to the wall. His hands trailed down her sides, found her arms, slid down to her hands. It was an awkward angle, with their heights; kissing her neck, grabbing her low hanging hands. But he was a skilled man and managed it. He drew her hands up and above her head, then transferred both (smaller) hands to one of his (bigger) hands, so he had a free hand to shimmy back down again.
He felt, rather than saw, his companions move into place behind him. Good. He wasn't sure how much more time he could buy without doing something he'd regret!
Around the same time, he heard a deeper, throatier laugh come from the siren in front of him. When Ashe looked, he could see a man's face in the darkness, not the lovely woman he'd been holding.
Toxic Rose 1 1/5 Inyala: 2 2/5 Ashe: 0 12/20 Post 12
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 1:06:07 GMT -6
"HA! Got'cha, didn't I?" The man said, still laughing. He didn't make a move to free himself, however, which made Ashe think that he was relying on the element of surprise. He imagined this might have normally worked on any unsuspecting man; reveal yourself, the straight male freaks out and drops you, then you have the upper hand. But Ashe was neither; not unsuspecting, and not straight, either. He wasn't surprised or grossed out, and had instead been expecting this. So his grip on the hands only tightened, and he had a free hand to access his nodes quickly if he needed to.
"Mmm, you're just more handsome now," Ashe cooed back to him, just for shits and giggles. And the man looked like he nearly did shit himself when Ashe pressed back again. This must not happen to him too often, huh? "Toxic, if you please-" Ashe gestured with his head, indicating the hands he held pressed. The Malii obliged and, for the second time that night, she used the powers of the shadows to create bindings, which wrapped around the man. It didn't stop at the wrists; it continued and coiled around his whole body, ankles as well. Once he was secure, Ashe took a step back. He pushed on his shoulder with a hand, to keep the man from falling forward.
Toxic Rose 1 2/5 Inyala: 2 3/5 Ashe: 0 13/20 Post 13
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 1:18:47 GMT -6
"What the?! The man cried out. This wasn't how he'd planned it to go at all! Now he was trapped, held securely in place by- what was this, even? Shadows? Black ropes? Ashe smirked and crossed his arms over his chest, proud of himself and his companions. He definitely was the boogeyman, wasn't he?
"We've been sent by your friend, to return something of his in your possession." He paused for a moment, a sudden thought occurring to him. "I'm sure you know what I'm talking about," he said patiently.
"I don't have anything of his!" the man shouted back at him in protest. But he realized his slip at the same time Ashe had. He admitted that he knew the guy Ashe was talking about, and the way he said it definitely indicated that he'd denied the ownership before. Which, Ashe thought, was just as good as shouting 'I'm guilty, take me in!'
"Ah, but you do. Or he thinks you do. And, hell, I don't care, I'll just take the item myself as payment for your little seduction act. Can't have you running amuck out here, tricking random people to - what, do you rob them out here?"
Inyala and Toxic Rose stood at Ashe's sides, but just a step or two behind him. Toxic's eyes were glowing a bit as she used her magic to keep the shadows solid.
Toxic Rose 1 3/5 Inyala: 2 4/5 Ashe: 0 14/20 Post 14
|
|
|
Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 1:45:38 GMT -6
The man looked a little indignant, and more than a little frazzled. "What? I don't- I never- I mean, I-" He stammered through, trying to form a full sentence and being unable to. Ashe had struck a nerve somewhere and he wasn't sure which part it was exactly that had affected him so much, but he really didn't care about that. He wanted whatever item it was.
"The sooner you tell me about it and hand it over, the sooner you'll be set free. Otherwise..." Ashe shrugged his shoulders. "I have a free night and a bottle of lube at home, if that's more your style." Now Ashe could tell he'd hit a nerve. The man squirmed and fought the bindings harder. He must be straight, Ashe thought, because otherwise a night tied up with Ashe, was totally a sought after reward.
"Alright! Alright, alright. Let me go and I'll take you to my house, I'll-"
"Oh, yeah, we can go to your house if you prefer. Probably for the better, I have a girlfriend and a roommate. Can't let them know what fun I've been having-"
"STOP stop for the love of god, stop!" the man begged. "I'll take you there and you can have whatever you want!"
Inyala crawled up Ashe's leg and the back of his coat, to resume her perch on his shoulder. Toxic remained on the ground, of course, her eyes glowing brighter. She didn't like the man yelling at her human.
Toxic Rose 1 4/5 Inyala: 3 0/5 Ashe: 0 15/20 Post 15
|
|