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 Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:36 pm
 
An early Autumn sun lit Quntessa’s way through the town. She slipped through alley ways and alcoves, her spear at the ready for a chance to strike. With a slow wave of her hand sparks of energy crackled before her, blending in with the very fog dissipated from the ground. Tessa curled his claws into the path with a curse. Somewhere in these huts and mud buildings was the very cat she was trying to find. She hadn’t thought that he had possessed any physical attributes, being a doctor, but that had been her mistake. He’d slipped through her paws like water.
She stepped into the street, and just as quickly pulled back. A flash of white caught her attention in the storefront across the way. Another flash of energy confirmed what she already knew, and with a keen eye the assassin pulled her hood’s cloak over her head as she blended in with the mingling morning crowd.
Pirimus couldn’t breath. He felt like he was having a fit, and he knew that deep breathing would help him, but he couldn’t get enough air! His eyes kept shifting through the fogged window that led into the street. She was out there, he knew it, she’d find him, slit his throat, do God knew what with his body and-
“Pirimus? Sir, calm down.” His assistant placed her cool hands on his shoulders, bringing him back to a cold reality.
“He’s in shock. Can ye blame ‘im, though? Comin’ at ‘im like that.”
Between the two he couldn’t get a word in edge wise. Pirimus kept trying to tell them that he was fine, that he needed to run NOW, but they wouldn’t believe him. His assistant, a lively young naga, kept a hand on him at all times, and it would have been rude to knock her away, but…but…
The bread baker, his longtime friend, passed a cold flask of water into his hands and pointed towards the back. “The last step squeaks a touch. Watch yer step.”
“Franklin! He can’t just- Pirimus!”
He could have cried he was so ecstatic. She couldn’t find him, not if he ran out the back. Pirimus grabbed hold of the door hand, ripped it open, and slammed it shut with a scream that barely blocked the flash of lightning that singed the tips of his hair.
“What the hell?!”
“She’s here! Didn’t I tell you?! Run, run!” Pirimus screamed. He tried to run after them, when a fish burst through the thin wooden door and literally ripped him into the street.
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:21 pm
 
"Gabriel, you truly are a lost cause. You can somehow to manage to find yourself a wife, and raise that crazy family of yours, but you still can't remember where you buried your blasted roots." Wyatt loved his nieces and nephew, and, well, was getting used to his new sister, but they were an interesting bunch. Gabriel might have started working harder, but he was still as laid-back when not working as he had been before.
Gabriel snorted and glared off into the dark. "Need I remind you I was a little tipsy that night? I can't help it if I find the perfect roots for that new mixture the night of a party."
Wyatt groaned out loud. "You didn't tell me you'd been drinking! We're probably going in completely the wrong direction!" He hugged his arms around himself and sighed. "I think I remember the way home. You took so dang many twists and turns. I'm surprised every time you make it home!"
Gabriel gave a sarcastic laugh. "You're so funny Wyatt. So funny. Leave the jokes to me, alright?"
"Fine, I will. Can't trust you with anything important... Ow!" Wyatt rubbed his arm, tingling from being cold and smacked. "Come on. I think there's a town nearby. It's already dark and cold. Let's rest there for the night."
(( think I won't worry about colors. That'll get way too complicated with how these guys go back and forth X3 ))
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:41 pm
"Come on out, kitten. I wouldn't want to burn off anymore of that pretty fur of yours~" Tessa teased, her voice as clipped as her mood. She was starving, exhausted, and less than pleased to have this runt of a cat dodging her at every turn. Even as the night came in the sky above snapped with lightning, illuminating the town in stark relief against the normality of the surrounding area.
Pirimus watched as the assassin prowled past him, taking his sweet time to hedge around the edifice of the smithy. The incident behind Franklin's shop had ended with a lot of singed fur, and a panicked dash that had ended with him actually punching the female. And hitting! They'd both been so shocked it had taken them a bit to recover. Thankfully, he had made it out first.
"I'm going to give you until the count of ten to come out, since I know where you are, and I'm bored." Pirimus snapped, his fur rippling to full attention as his heart stopped. Did she really know where he was so soon?!
Tessa leaned against a post near the back wall, watching the stark white form in the darkened surrounding. Even in the dying light she could see him as clear as day.
"W-wh-why are you-?"
"One."
"Please, just-"
"Two."
Pirimus didn't wait; he ran. In a flurry of lightning he barely escaped having his rump hit, and instead booked it for the edge of town, Quintessa hard on his heels.
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:15 pm
"Come on, Wyatt. Quite glaring at me. I need those ingredients for-"
"Oh, quit whining. Honestly! You're the one who got us stuck out here. I should be the one complaining." Wyatt rubbed his bare arms again. "Should be home in my warm bed, not tromping about in the middle of nowhere tracking down your lost treasure."
Gabriel huffed and rubbed his own chilly arms. "Hey! I have a woman to get home to. Don't talk to me about not being home in a warm bed." He smirked and peeked over at his brother. "When are ya gonna get yourself a girl, anyway?"
Wyatt felt heat rise to his cheeks. Well, at least his face was warm now. "....shut up," he grumped, unable to pop out a decent retort.
"You." Sticking his tongue out, Gabriel perked his ears and looked ahead. "No, seriously, shut up." Both men now wore the same concerned and confused expression. "You hear that? What is it?" It sounded like... No way. She wouldn't be working so close to home, would she?
Wyatt cocked his ears forward. "I hear it. Danged if I know." The town had to be close. What was that sound? His ears perked straight up at the sound of thudding paws racing. Toward them?
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Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:12 pm
He couldn't feel the cold on his skin as he ran, even as the frigid Autumn wind whipped his hair around his face like knives. With every frenzied step he knew that the female was just a hairs breath away from him. He didn't need to look back to hear her growled breathing, hissing words of discontent.
When a bolt struck the ground behind him Pirimus flew off his balance, skidding into the nearby brush. As the smoke cleared Tessa looked around, and with a loud curse drove the tip of her spear into the ground. He'd escaped; again! And this time it was solely her fault.
She stood for a few moments to clear her head, but ultimately it was the chill attacking itself to her sweat soaked skin that had her moving once more. Though, she hadn't expected to see her mate and his brother, of all people! At first she hadn't been sure, since she'd only seen Wyatt, but she would have known her mate from a mile away.
With a tired smile, Quintessa made her way over to them. "Out for a stroll, boys?"
Not too far away Pirimus hid with his head buried underneath a ticket of briars. He could vaguely see shapes, and could hear voices, but he dared not get to close. All he had to do was keep still and no one would find him...
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Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:48 pm
Gabriel jumped a foot off the ground and spun toward the sharp crackling noise. "Ah! My delicate dove! What are you up to this time?"
Wyatt's head snapped around, seeing the flash of white vanish into the bushes. What was that? He started for the flash, but stopped short at Gabriel's joyful holler. "Quintessa?" His lips pressed slightly. What did she have to do with this mess?
Gabriel was oblivious to his brother's running thoughts. "A stroll. Yes...." He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "And what about you, darling? What has you out so late? Are we interrupting a job?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:40 am
Quintessa snorted. Delicate dove? He must have really been up to something if he was using such thick flattery. Still, she didn't go to him. Even now her eyes were marking the woods, trying to find the rotten snowball in the leaves.
"An interruption from you is never unwanted, Gabriel." She paused to listen to a sound, but upon determining it to be a woodland animal, she left it alone. "But I am on a job. The idget keeps slipping away from me, and no matter what I try he just slips away."
Looking between Wyatt and Gabriel, she paused, "Have you seen anyone else come this way? A white cat, specifically, with blonde hair?"
Pirimus, during the little chat, couldn't cover his mouth more fully with his hands. Had he been spotted?! One of the foxes was looking his way, but surely he couldn't have...he'd hidden so well!
Why was he even sticking around? These were obviously her family members, a mate even!, so this should be the best chance to leave- Oh, OH. What if she blabbed the reason she was hunting him? YES. If he learned why he could explain how he'd done nothing wrong and everything would be okay.
Against his better judgement, Pirimus crept just a little closer.
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Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:40 pm
Wyatt narrowed his eyes slightly. He really didn't like this 'job' his brother's mate had. He didn't fully understand what her history was, but Gabriel had told him some in bits and pieces when he could wring it out of the stubborn mule. Contract killer... Of course, he hadn't figured it out until after the kids had arrived, and his brother was clearly a pup in love.
Gabriel's ears perked. "White fur and blond hair? The only living thing we've seen out here is you."
"And that badger that scared you out of your fur after stepping on its tail~"
"Shut up, Wyatt!"
Wyatt simply smirked, and looked to the side again. A flash of white... Had he really seen that? Though, if he had seen the targeted male, the cat would surely be hightailing it away from here. "So what's this one marked for? You sure this one's guilty?" he asked casually, though his implication was clear. At least, clear enough to make Gabriel punch his arm again.
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Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 3:13 pm
It didn't take a scholar to understand why Tessa felt a tension between her and Wyatt. He clearly didn't care for her work, and she clearly didn't give a hoot. So long as she had Gabriel she wouldn't stir up anything, but..."Really, sweetheart, a badger?" Quintessa smirked. Just as quickly as her humor had come, it fled, instead leaving her bristled and slightly irritated. Why that little-! "I'm positive. He's been running a poison and venom trade for years, but has kept himself fairly quiet until he was discovered."
Pirimus inhaled sharply. Poison and venom..? He had a healing shop! There was absolutely nothing shady about it!
"More than a few deaths have occurred in this area alone due to Naga venom, but there were no bites on the bodies. The client identified the killer, and put an order out for him." Tessa put her hand on her hip. "Guilty enough?" Was Wyatt looking at something? Probably some weird bird, knowing him.
Killer?! Murder?! He was going to sick, there was no denying it. There, right there, Pirimus could feel it! There was no way he would even say cruel things to another taur, let alone be the cause of their death! He couldn't stop shivering, and not because of the cold.
He had to get out of there.
Pirimus, as quietly as he could, tried to sidle out of view...
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Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 10:00 pm
Gabriel frowned. Someone running a poison trade? Not in his town! "What?! I swear, if I see that rat I'll beat him to a pulp!"
Wyatt frowned. He had heard about venom going around... he hadn't known it was to such an extent though. "Gabriel, sit down before you get yourself hurt," he scolded, ignoring the glare he received. "You're too impulsive. If this guy is who they claim he is, he'll poison you before you can get a hold of him."
Gabriel opened his mouth to object, but reluctantly said nothing. His brother was right... Jumping into the fray had gotten him into trouble before. "Eh, why should I worry? Got my wife over there to protect me!" He looked over to the female and grinned. "Think having a couple extra hands would help?"
Wyatt snorted and crossed his arms. "Have fun with that you guys. Just see that you get home in one piece." As if he was going to go after some poison distributor! Far too dangerous for his liking. He wanted to go to make sure his brother stayed out of trouble, but the woman would take care of that. As much as he disliked her profession, he couldn't deny how the cat's eyes softened that little bit at the sight of the green fox, and how much she loved her children. He turned to leave, but paused. That bush... was shaking?
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:14 pm
"As odd as it sounds, I agree with Wyatt." It tasted like bitter medicine on her tongue, but there it was. "Gabriel, I'm not going to turn down help, but be careful. This isn't a sub class dealer we're talking about." If anything happened to him...on her mission, no less...she didn't know what she'd do. "That just means you actually have to listen to what I say now, got it? Not like that half-a** job I get at home." She teased. Bout time he left, though. It's not like Gabriel's brother would be much help to them, fuddy duddy that he was. "At least stay the night in town. He's here, in the woods somewhere, and at least during day light hours you won't be alone on the trail."
Oh, yes, that was right. Pirimus hit his palm with a fist. If he could hold out until day break, then he could get out of this mess with his fur and life in check! All he would have to do is blend in with the merchants- Oooh, it was almost too good to be true.
That is, if he could get away. He took another step, this time not knowing when his tail snagged on a briar patch. It wasn't until he was at the end of the line that he tugged, causing not only himself to jerk, but the bush as well.
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:21 pm
Gabriel nodded and waved a hand. "Of course, darling. Of course." His ears perked at the tease. "Hey!" he complained, though his own lips twitched with a smile. The warning to Wyatt made him smile. He knew his wife and brother didn't exactly see eye to eye, but it was sweet of her to show the guy a little concern. After all, they were family now! "Yeah. You be careful yourself, Wyatt."
Wyatt wasn't paying any attention to the others anymore though. His eyes were now locked on the bush. Now that twitch had been too obvious to write off as a trick of the eye. Was this the guy passing the poisons? If it was... While Gabriel was finishing saying his name, he ran and dove forward, leaping at the white figure in the bushes for a tackle. "Don't move, or it will be the last thing you do!" he snarled as he got a better look at the guy. The feline fit the description, but... he looked more terrified than fearsome.
At the other end of the clearing, someone else was watching the group from the cover of the bushes. Sharp black eyes glittered when the less noisy foxtaur notice the taur hunkered in the bushes. Justice... Justice... It was near! Long nails dug into the dirt to quell the growing excitement.
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Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:08 pm
Why wouldn't his fur pull out?! It was down to ripping the fur right out of the briars and ruin it, or try to move back to untangle it. That is, if Pirimus could get his hands to stop shaking. He felt a cold sweat building up over his skin as a ringing developed in his ears. A part of his brain told him to calm himself, that having a panic attack wouldn't get him out of this, but then the other part made him look back at the group, only to notice one getting closer!
Then all hell broke loose, and Pirimus shrieked like a small child.
A small, female child.
"P-please, don't kill me! Have mercy!" He struggled with the fox, looking into the face of his impeding death.
Unaware of the nefarious figure in the shadows, Quintessa moved in on the two after passing a look of pure glee to Gabriel. It seemed like Wyatt was good for the hunt after all! Who knew! She ripped her spear from the ground, and came up behind Wyatt, turning the shaft to lower the point of the blade near the cat's gut.
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 3:32 pm
Gabriel's jaw dropped as Wyatt sped into action, then the child-like shriek rang through the air. He looked at his grinning wife curiously, his brow furrowed. "You sure that's the guy? I think Wyatt just tackled a little girl..."
Wyatt had his own ears pinned back against the shriek. Ouch... "Be quiet. I'm not going to kill you. I can't speak for the woman with the spear though." Not even realizing Quintessa was right there, ready to gut the quivering male, he pulled the pale feline to stand and half-dragged, half-carried him into the clearing, where Gabriel burst out laughing at the sight of the poor guy. "Now, explain yourself," He dropped Pirimus to the ground and stood over him with a paw braced on his back to keep him down. "What were you doing watching us from the bushes?"
The figure hiding int he shadows practically groaned. Why were they talking to the fool?!
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 3:42 pm
Content enough to let Wyatt tote the smaller male into the clearing, Quintessa hung back, spear at the ready. She thought he might have needed back up, but this male seemed more ready to wet himself than to put up a decent fight. Pity.
Pirimus pulled against Wyatt's hold, only to be grabbed back and dropped onto the ground like a sack of potatoes. He couldn't even seen anyone with a cloud of blonde hair covering his face. If only he could bury his head in the dirt that easily! "I was trying to find out why I'm being chased!" Pirimus braced his hands on the ground, and tried to push himself up.
Quintessa snorted. "If you really were spying on us, then you should know why by now. You're going to be help accountable for your crimes."
"Since when is healing a crime?" He questioned desperately, turning his head towards the female voice.
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