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Post by wilson on Jul 25, 2007 23:59:01 GMT -5
Rabbit loved Xynd. The architecture, the simple beauty- Rabbit appreciated beautiful things. Even the small, homey inn he'd chosen to stay at was magnificent, the etchings along the aves and even the shingles carefully chosen for shape and color. He certainly appreciated those shingles, especially the ones that formed the bottom edge, with their little lip. It gave him an extra insurance if he wouldn't fall into the street if he feel. as it was he was sprawled back along the slope of the roof, bare feet braced on the shingles and chest raised up on his elbows.
He stared at the buildings across the street, the down on their luck beauties of the city offering their wares to customers. Male and female alike, he observed them, vague curiosity in his eyes. he'd spoken to a few of them in the early afternoon before true work started. He wasn't working, currentl- none of his third party contacts had gotten hold of him yet, and they'd find him if they had something that would interest him. The albino boy simply reclined comfortably, soft gey breeches hugging his legs t just below the knee, and a loose grey shirt easily two siz two bigs draped from his narrow shoulders, the top couple of buttons undone so that a slender vee of pale skin showed from through to partway down his chest.
Pale pink eyes moved from the brightly lit buildings across the street to th sky above, though most of the stars had been chased away by human made lights. The moon shone, a pregannt crescent of a thing, waxing closer to full every night. Full lips pulled apart in a slight, relaxed smile, flashing surprisingly dainty pointed teeth. Abruptly, he rolled over, skulking along the sloping roof towards the edge of the building, long fingers tightly curling over the edge of the roof as he leaned his chest low to the shingles, peering into the alley below.
No one was there, so he slung himself down, landing lightly on a window sill, then hopping down to an overturned crate. A dance-like leap took him to the ground, avoiding a bit of refuse so the only thing that dirtied his bare feet was the dust of the road. He stepped out into the light, face gone still though a tiny smile still played at his lips.
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Post by valter on Jul 27, 2007 20:00:55 GMT -5
Xynd was a beautiful city indeed, its night side almost as bright and cheery as its day side. Almost. And yet, the plague of all big cities also infected Xynd, in the hours of the night, monsters roamed, both literal and metaphorical. One such creature was out and about along the rooftops as Rabbit jumped lightly down the alley. His silhouette was opaque, Valter stuck to the shadows. With a mighty leap, Valter jumped upon a curving spire, his outline imprinted over the waxing moon. A pair of wings slowly unfurled from his back, and the creature swooped down into the alley below, searching for something.
He taptapped along the alley, moving surprisingly swiftly for one wearing spike-toed boots, rounded a corner, and beheld a strange sight. A boy was standing outside, apparently alone, his figure illuminated by the hanging light overhead. He had no color at all in his body, forcibly reminding Valter of another such boy. His hand drifted to his sword, intent on cutting this human down and being on his way, and then he stiffened. Valter realized two things at once. One, his presence was already known, and two, this boy didn't seem quite exactly human. He withheld his judgement, leaning back, waiting. The boy would have to speak first.
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Post by wilson on Jul 27, 2007 20:44:47 GMT -5
Rabbit blinked up into the bright light, ignoring a couple of cat calls from across the street. Either he'd decided that ignoring them would get them to leave off, or he simply didn't regiser that it ws directed at him. He reacted immediately to the increasing volume of the clicking foot steps, looking over his shoulder. Even the small smile had been wiped clean of his pale face, pink eyes trailing over Valter's body, appraising like a lazy predator, studying something new and vaguely interesting, deciding whether it was potetial prey or simply another thing to coexist with. After a moment he turned around fully, hands clasped behind him in an oddly ndearing, child like pose. It was a very good act. His eyes suddenly lit up with some odd emotion, not curiosity but more like...anticipation.
"So quick to jump to violence, sir? Like a rabbit chase by hounds." His eyes wandered to where Valter's han had drifted near his sword, then back up, a smile suddenly animating his face. The smile was carefully controlled though, full lips pressed together, flashing no hint of teeth. Just a small, secret smile as if the boy got some joke that the stranger was at the butt off. Rabbit was in an excellent mood. He had nothing to worry about, with Horse safely bedded down, and his own shelter secured, food and drink already taken care of. With no suh things to bother him, Rabbit was quite content to bait strangers on the street.
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Post by valter on Jul 27, 2007 21:42:08 GMT -5
Yes, there was definitely something odd about this one. His manner and appearance exuded something sinister, unnerving even. The aura exuding from the child seemed distorted, inhuman, despite his endearing act. I never liked humans anyway. This could only be an improvement. Valter thought, taking a step into the streetlights.
One apparent human was joined by another, although Valter boasted a blatantly demonic appearance, his spiked bat wings fluttering behind his back as he stepped into view. Red eyes, and sea-green hair added to the demonic effect, and the bloodstained pauldrons helped as well. "A rabbit chase by hounds?" Valter asked, a tight-lipped smirk forming on his own pale face. "Amusing, but not quite. I thought you were a human for a second. My mistake." Valter said shortly.
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Post by wilson on Jul 27, 2007 22:18:24 GMT -5
Rabbit considered the demonic appearence, not particularlly put off. He gave a soft laugh, oddly gleeful at Valter's comment, this time flashing daintily pointed teeth before he ran a slender fingered hand through silky white strands of hair. "Human, inhuman, doesn't matter. The only real difference is how hard we are to kill, and how long the hunt takes." He gave a shrug, talking about it as casually as if it were the weather. It was what he lived for and it was his life.
"I'm the Rabbit, though I'm more likely to chase the hounds than they are to chase me." He didn't offer more explanation than that. Amongst the circles he ran in, the White Rabbit was well known, though anyone outside the circles wasn't likely to know him. Those contacts he kept were vry careful about who they spoke to. They protected Rabbit because they knew that he would track them down and make sure they didn't have a chance to betray him again.
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Post by valter on Jul 28, 2007 10:45:49 GMT -5
This is some wierd kid. Valter thought, while another thought flashed through his mind. Dangerous. "You're the rabbit, huh? Then you are a rabbit among the mice, and I the owl." Valter stated cryptically. He held his ground as he met the other's pink eyed gaze, although he flicked his wings open, sending a sudden draft down the alley.
"My hunt will last for centuries, although my targets are many. You're lucky that you're not on the list." Valter stated with a red gleam in his already crimson eye. "I would ask what you are, but I doubt I'll get a straight answer, now will I?" Valter asked with a laugh that was bordering a sneer. "I am Valter, also known as Obsidian." said Valter with a curt nod, batting at the stone hung around his neck with his guantlet hand.
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Post by wilson on Jul 28, 2007 10:56:31 GMT -5
Rabbit iggled at the analogy. Flat out giggled. "An owl? Not likely. Owls move silent as night wind and you clank along like some child'stin soldier." There was no maliciousness in the statement, just bright amusement and cheerful teasing. Obviously, Rabbit was not one to be put off by cryptic statements. His hair flipped in the breeze and he automatically ran a hand throguh it to let the cornsilk strands fall back into their proper place.
"I'm not on anyone's list. I just clear other peoples' lists." A one shouldered shrug followed the comment, a hand having to grab the loose fabric of his shirt to kep it from sliding off his shoulder. "Obsidian, glass forged of earth fire. Black glass, distorted and unclear. And even if you asked, would you believe me when I say I do not know?" He stepped closer, though not under any intent aceept to get out of the bright pool f light and lean against the side of the building that formed one wall of the alley.
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Post by valter on Jul 28, 2007 20:46:15 GMT -5
Valter stepped into shadow on the other wall of the alley, although his red eyes were still visibly fixed on this 'rabbit'. "Silence is overrated." Valter stated, brow furrowed. "When sighted by the hawk, the rabbit's life is ended. So, should it matter if the hawk is silent?" Valter blinked, and added. "Bad analogy. Sorry."
There was one more thing about this boy that was off somehow. After a moment, he realized what it was: lack of fear. Curse it, this was the second child on Vrut'tal with a lack of fear. "Well, I hardly stopped by here to exchange pleasantries or discuss properties of volcanic rock." Valter began, slowly rising on bat wings. "Unless... you could clear something off of my own list. What are you called, anyway?" Valter asked. The floating red eyes had stopped glaring, and instead seemed to be considering the boy below him. It did not make Valter any more endearing.
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Post by wilson on Jul 28, 2007 22:14:13 GMT -5
Rabbit watched him, amusement drained suddenly from his face. It wasn't so much that Rabbit lacked fear in this situation- he simply could not comprehend 'fear'. It wsas a foreign concept when applied to himself. He gave a slow nod though- indeed, bad analogy. He crossed his arms over his slender chest, feeling the hard metal inside the sleeves that told of hidden weapons.
"I told you, I am the White Rabbit. That is how I am known unless it suits my purposes to be otherwise." He spoke clearly, voice gone abruptly neutral as if Valter had fallen ather short of his expectations in intelligence. They'd gone over this already. "And I could certainly help clear something from your list. The true question is will I for a price you are willing to pay. I do not work for free, even if the hunt is one I will particularlly enjoy." A few strands of hair fell forewad, not quite into his eyes, but he made no move to flick them away, hands remaining where they were, settled comfortably on well hidden weaponry.
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Post by valter on Jul 29, 2007 10:42:30 GMT -5
"It seems that negotiations have begun to break down." Valter said, landing lightly on a windowsill, unknowingly on the very one Rabbit had used to leap down from. "In resorting to violence, perhaps we two are not unlike?" Valter asked coldly. "White Rabbit. Not just an analogy, but a name as well. Parentless for a long time, I'd wager." he deduced shrewdly. Valter put his hands behind his head in a seemingly harmless gesture, although that was where the sword hilt rested, just in case.
"Now, there is one man I'd like to see dead above all others, yet I myself am unable to meet him in combat. I'm here to rectify the problem." Valter said, leaping lightly off the sill and onto the crate below. For the first time, a distinctive chink could be heard on his person, announcing a bag full of gold. "I wonder, have you ever heard of Umbra?" Valter asked.
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Post by cael on Jul 29, 2007 15:16:06 GMT -5
Cael was walking through the streets of Xynd, on his way home. He stayed in bright light, knowing that danger lurked in the shadows. "Bah. Whatever could possibly be in there is no threat to me, though still... I should be on guard..." He heard talking nearby, and immediately felt the darkness that a demon-like creature emanated. "What could that be?..." Immediately running for the shadows, he pulled out his staff. The dragon eye held on one end briefly pulsed silver, activating its magic. Taking a look from a corner, he saw what looked like a demon harassing a child, intent on killing. (Of course, this is what Cael thinks he saw.) Running from out of the shadows, he raised his hand. "I'll save you kid!" Arcane energy coursed through his hand. "Magic Missle!" Three invisible projectiles of pure force burst from his hand and rocketed towards Valter. If they connected, he would hopefully be forced away from the child.
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Post by wilson on Jul 29, 2007 15:21:18 GMT -5
Rabbit watched him, giving only a vague shrug. "I do not offer violence. When I do, you'll know." He offered a quick, not happy smile that flashed plenty of teeth, more of a snarl than a smile. "And yes, a name." He left the parnt comment alone- animals do not mother their babies as nmuch as humans do, and Rabbit quite thought that it made humans weaker. He settled against his bit of wall, pink eyes tracking Valter with a quiet tranquility marred only by a faint wariness. It wasn't the wariness of a smaller predator watching a larger, but of a predator watching a particularlly large prey animal and wondering if it was going to do anything stupid and potentially harmful.
"The name doesn't ring a bell, but I've hunted things I don't know before. It just takes longer." A moment of quit as he considered, fingers running over cloth covered weapons. He didn't even notice it, really. Which ment he was thinking more than he let on, if he was letting his iron tight control of his motions go. "Umbra..." He murmured, memorizing it like a hound setting a scent into it's brain.
The shout startled him, visibly. His thin frame jerked, and then he was off the ground, gaining the sill that Valter had vacated. He didn't stop moving until he'd gained the roof, moving with a fluid ease. He ended up clinging to the edge of the roof, pressed close to the edge, thin, deadly looking daggers seated comfortably between the fingers of one hand as if he ment to throw them. His lips were pulled back in a snarl, not even softened by the hint of amusement from earlier. A vicious baring of teeth, ment for nothing more than to intimidate and to warn of violence.
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Post by valter on Jul 29, 2007 15:59:42 GMT -5
Valter sat on the crate, waiting for Rabbit to come up with a reply of some sort as he contemplated the name. Suddenly, a shout filled the air. Magic Missile? What the-! Three powerful thuds crashed into him, sending the half-demon slamming into the wall. Valter veritably snarled as the pain from the impact lashed through him, and landed heavily on his feet, shattering the crate.
Valter drew his sword so quickly that sparks flew from the rubbing of metal on metal. Purple flames half-a-foot tall were emanating from the blade, he was that enraged. "What the H*** was that for?" Valter shouted, advancing on the newcomer, Rabbit quite forgotten. "What did you think you were doing!? Decided to come across and just blast a guy, huh? Didn't bother to check at all?" He swung his sword violently, chopping a water barrel in half. Water sizzled as it was evaporated, and Valter glared down at the kid, murderous intent in his eyes.
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Post by cael on Jul 29, 2007 16:29:49 GMT -5
"You don't fool me, demon! I know what you are!" He slammed his staff into the ground. A small rumble answered the action. "Scorching Ray!" Cael's fist began emitting what looked light sunlight. All the shadows around him were banished by the Arcane spell. He moved his fist in what seemed like a punch, and at the end of the movement, a blast of searing light burst from his hand. The light burned to the touch. Cael raised his staff and pointed it at Valter as well. A second ray joined the first, doubling the potency of the blast. Their combined might were effectively light on fire.
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Post by wilson on Jul 29, 2007 16:34:07 GMT -5
Rabbit seeing that attack was no directed at him, relaxed. Unfortunately, he couldn't just enjoy the show-= Valter was a potential client. Choices, choices. Finally, he flipped one of those thin blades to his left hand, and with a precise, practice movement, threw it. The trajctory was precisely aimed to cut infront of Cael's face, but not to hit him.
"Can you not think of even the most mildly creative names. It would be damn bad for business of someone heard that I let a maniac randomly off a client." Rabbit sighed. Delicately dropping off the roof to perch on the much used window sill, crouched but still armed.
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