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It’s civilians are strong, a location not visited frequently by foreigners, though people visit occasionally to recruit the help of its people, hiring them as mercenaries or bounty hunters, hired killers as the common trade. Naturally, they are all warriors; not a single person without the capacity to kill. Murder is legal when performed under the terms of a proper duel, but murder remains the most frequent crime in Caldor'rah. Those who enter must beware, because even the greatest of warriors, champions of other worlds, have fallen to Suldari as simple as children.
The Noise, the shadows, the sneers.. Ah yes, now she could recall why she disliked this planet so much. Giving a regal tilt of her chin Vi studied a small group of dock workers to her left through the thick lenses of her sunglasses, her gloved fingers tapping out some half-forgotten beat on her arm as she held them crossed over her chest casually. It had been almost an hour already since she settled against the side of her ship's loading bay, watching as cargo was brought to and from the sturdy old craft's interior. All she had to do was keep her mouth shut, gloves/boots on, and glasses firmly in place and these frisky Suldari seemed to think she was just another of their breed.. Despite her otherwise wild appearance. Typically that would annoy her to no end, yet since it was for work.. It hadn't taken long to settle things with her Fence here thanks to these silly glasses, Lark would be pleased..
Vi's chest rose with a deep inhale, the female letting it out with in a low whistle.. Seeming bemused by the way it ruffled the locks of hair that had worked their way down over her face. They had chosen this ship port due to its isolated location on the city's edge, keeping tight to the dredges of society so no one would look too closely at what they were up to.. It made for very relaxed business to be sure, yet at times like this Vi found boredom licking at her heels. There was nothing to see this far out, just idle foot traffic beyond the Port's gate.. No threat to her cargo or mission from what she could sense. Her sharp gaze slid to the side again, a faint frown curving the corner of her lips as her fingers started to drum harder.. a hint she was growing impatient.
A man wanting to keep out of sight and out of mind, what better way to do that than stay as far away from a mass grouping of people in capitol cities. He made an effort of staying in the shadows, crossing through the less populated areas. With just his luck, he found it difficult to find a ship that would get him off Suldar. He'd often carry his armored skeleton around when it became too uncomfortable to wear. It's sizeable figure attracted those who just so happened to see him where ever he traveled to next. For months after his mixed heritage was revealed, he's stayed in hiding, fighting off whatever got too close or whatever he deemed a threat.
Teiyo's search for freedom brought him to the near outskirts of Suldar, somewhere he was tipped off to be almost unavailable and unused. He walked around the dock, a thick brown cloth that shadowed his face. He wore his armor, seeing as he didn't quite trust the place feeling an altercation could spark at any moment. He looked all around, workers hauled things to and from the platform to the craft. What are they carrying.. He shook his head, beginning to realize that he was thinking of a problem that was not of his own. Teiyo pressed several buttons on his left armored wrist, shortly followed by a slot in his hip opening up to reveal a medium sized hand gun. He concealed it in the brown cloak, just in case he needed it for a fast release. "How do I go about this?" He whispered to himself.
The workers kept moving about, the soft murmur of their banters filling the air as though nothing had changed.. If not for how Vi relaxed, her fingers slowing their irritated beat into a rhythmic pulse, most would assume things were still golden.. just as she wanted it. The truth of the matter was every hair on her body had started to bristle, a persistent itch working its way up her spine until she could feel her claws ache with the need to scratch it. Someone was watching, stalking from somewhere nearby..
Standing away from her craft's wall the female took her time, studying the area behind her thick glasses as she stretched absently.. curling her fingers together and stretching her arms over her head as her back arched in a delightfully tense manner. It was purely to distract herself from the need to hunt her 'guest', though the relief this gesture caused as she relaxed again was a surprising bonus.. Really, who wouldn't be tense on this blasted planet? She couldn't afford to play cat and mouse right now, the job was more important. Though if she was careful-- A subtle chime cut this thought short, earning a wince from Vi as she placed the ringing com-link in her ear and pulled the wire-thin microphone down to her lips.
Ignoring the work crew the female shifted her weight to the side, her head tilting down and mouth closed firmly as if listening intently.. and her feet started to move in steady strides; Vi scooping the registry log out of her employee's hands as she prowled calmly towards the warehouse directly across from her ship's loading bay. The rest of her stock was in there, what little would be left by now anyway.. and if one went deep enough back the building offered sanctuary from any prying eyes. She waited, prowling deeper into the shadows, until at last she reached a isolated group of crates.. the pearly white tips of her fangs flashing as she finally let out a growl into her communicator. " .. I see, that helps. If they are waiting by the crystal nebula then I will take the long way around coming back. Alert the Dead Walk Base and tell them to have food and fuel ready, R." A few more cryptic exchanges, and Vi pushed her microphone back into the earpiece.. starting to flick through her confiscated registry screen as she turned her back towards the gap in the crates.
The majority of the figures here in this supposed isolated area looked easy enough to get by. Was this a public area? Teiyo stopped for a moment, turning his head to the left and to the right in a normal manner without looking too frantic. Why hadn't anyone question him yet, it felt too easy to just come in and steal an entire craft. "Just going to have to wait it out.." The brown cloth cloak frayed in a low wind that picked up slowly. "They'll most likely be moving their cargo from this warehouse. I could sneak into one of their crates. An odd idea when he thought about it, but what were his options without facing a manhunt all across Suldar.
Teiyo walked carefully and slowly as he approached the entrance to the warehouse. One person in particular peeked his interest, a very busy looking woman, one who could most likely hold her own in a fight. Something he didn't need right now. He crept low to the ground, moving behind boxes and dodging passing workers. His armored hand reached into the cloak, pulling the handgun from it's depths. "Now I play the waiting game." He could see her, whoever she was, directly across from his coming towards the warehouse at the entrance. A small crack in between boxes made it easier to peer through. Did..did she see me?
For a few moments only the soft clicks filled the air, Vi's gloved fingers tapping through the digital list of items as she waited for the all-clear call from her loading crew.. and silently debated on what to do with her little mouse problem. She wouldn't have noticed her company in the crates, honestly didn't at first, if not for the way his scent thickened over time. He was holding still, and her presence.. seemed to be making him uneasy. Which in itself was strange, considering the locals of this planet attacked the moment they had a drop on someone.. why hadn't he?
Reaching the end of her data-log the female gave a soft exhale as she looked over her shoulder.. Vi's sharp gaze scanning the dark crevice between the crates through the cover of her sunglasses. She didn't want to risk a fight breaking out, the cargo would be damaged and a scuffle here would draw way too much attention.. Slowly, keeping a firm grip on her data-registry, the female lifted her hands over her head.. turning her face away so her 'mouse' wouldn't be able to see her fangs as she gave a dry purr in Suldari. " I'm really.. not in the mood for a robbery attempt. What do you want." She could speak the native tongue, though it carried an accent due to lack of use.. But it was clear enough to understand.
Teiyo moved between areas in the boxes. The woman would draw closer to him, making him grip his gun harder behind the exo-skeleton hold. The way she spoke, he definitely didn't know this person. A smuggler? Hm.. Teiyo rose from his crouched position, circling around, peeking through the cracks between boxes. What did she know? Could she make out his location? This game of cat and mouse couldn't last forever, and he didn't intend to keep it going. "This isn't exactly what I'd call a robbery, but I do need something from you." Teiyo walked out, right in the open revealing himself in front of the woman with his gun by his side, ready to fire if necessary. "I need off Suldar."
Listening to him move about Vi waited, curious to see if he would take her invitation or slip away.. However the Mouse didn't disappoint her. Watching him emerge from the crates she slowly lowered her arms, pressing the registry-log against her abdomen as she placed her other hand over her mouth; Her gloved fingers tapping out that familiar rhythm against her cheek as she casual studied the male. He was very polite, coming out in her direct view.. and having his weapon lowered, no less. My, but what rough shape his armor was in. Finely crafted but clearly he hadn't had the time to take care of it properly. Behind the cover of her fingers Vi felt her lips twitch in a grim smile, her voice holding traces of her gallows-humor as she finally answered the stranger. " Polite, cautious, patient..? Yes, I imagine this place isn't healthy for you."
For some reason her little mouse wasn't welcome on this planet. Everything about him screamed it and while it was unfortunate, it wasn't particularly uncommon on this hostile rock either. If he was a target he was a risk to her cargo and crew, R wouldn't like it.. The thought just made Vi's smile twist into a grin, her gaze narrowing with mischief as she added softly. " What is in it for me?"
The man scanned her over with his detection equipment.Right, damaged. A red dot, circling about on the screen signified that his systems were in bad shape. He didn't know whether it'd be unwise to look away from someone who could potentially have the first shot at him, but he couldn't help notice the the damages done overtime. Weeks of running led to this. "I don't take unnecessary risks. Making an inference and observation of your skill set, I chose not to attack you head on, considering you reasonable." A slot in his armor opened up around the thigh area, placing the firearm back into his place. He'd frown slightly behind his helmet, "I can provide whatever services to you in anyway shape or form, so long as that I can be taken to..wherever you're going. My goal is to be away from this.." Teiyo tried his hardest to think of a word that best described what he went through here, but it all came down to so many things. Appropriately, it's description would be left unsaid.
" Curious, Mouse, that is all." Vi corrected, dropping her hand to her hip as she shifted in place. No one had ever accused her of being 'reasonable'.. Once she picked a course it was difficult to sway her from it. Outside a dull ring sounded off, the noise echoing throughout the warehouse and warning that the last of the cargo was being secured.. " Stay on my six and relax, you'll blend in just fine if you follow my lead." The noise sounded again.. Vi answered by turning on her heel and prowling towards the loading bay, her voice deepening with warning as the female mused to Teiyo over her shoulder. " .. just remember, the moment you step on that ship you're mine."
Giving him the choice to follow Vi didn't look back, her posture shifting from casual to that of a Captain as she left the cover of the warehouse.. Seeming perfectly at ease as she headed for her ship. She would worry about the details if he came, right now.. she wanted to focus on getting them off this blasted rock.
Teiyo put on an inviting smirk, his inference was right, and a confrontation was less than lethal. Her orders were firm, it made sense in the area, although he found them fairly easy to follow. He worked his way over to where he laid down the tattered brown cloak, picking it up and throwing it over himself to conceal him. A few short steps put him right by her side, his body shrouded by the cloak. The way she spoke to him, an agitated feeling arose. I'm her's? Hm.. I may have played into this irrationally. Teiyo walked alongside her, doing as he was told in order to meet her demands. "You have a name, right?"
((Gonna be on these posts a lot more. I apologize. Writers block. ))
His voice sounded to her left and Vi tilted her head in his direction, a slender brow quirking over the rim of her sunglasses in a curious gesture. Oh? So he hadn't changed his mind.. When he hadn't immediately followed she had assumed he was going to try his luck somewhere else. Now she realized he was simply being careful, taking note of the thick brown fabric that cloaked his tall frame as she guided him past the dock workers absently. What had he asked.. Ah, a name. Answering him with a thoughtful " Mhmm.." she looked straight ahead again, lifting her chin faintly in a gesture towards her ship. She wouldn't risk actually opening her mouth.. until they were inside the old cruiser ahead of them.
Her ship was large, clearly an old military supply tanker yet from what nation or generation.. no one could really tell. It was a slow old bird but damn difficult to damage, making it the best choice for delicate or unstable goods. Due to the speed, and the cargo, Vi only employed people she knew personally by name and trusted at her back.. and every one of them clearly noticed the man sticking to her side as she escorted him into the large cargo bay of her ship. Behind her the service door groaned, the large shutter starting to lower as the last of the ground crew evacuated to the docks outside. It was his last chance to run for it.. But no, she couldn't visualize this guy backing out now.
He wouldn't check to see if people had eyed him, standing behind her. Each and every person would surely question just who this man really is. The way this woman operated, this line of work, you'd have to put a lot of trust in people in order to get things like this done. Not even names were exchanged with the two. Is she oka-. Oh.. How could he forget, something as a name could make a big difference. Teiyo continued on the path up to her ship. He'd stare with doubt, wondering how anyone could make it so far with such an old ship. There had to be some good that would come from it that would want her using that thing. Stepping aboard, he'd turn around almost immediately, catching a glimpse of hopefully his last moment spent on this planet. The door began to close and just before Teiyo removed the cloak, throwing it into the wind. It would float down as he would gladly ascend. He'd face her, nodding in some sort of agreement that he was definitely in it now. As if he could leave at this point. "Where's this headed?"
Watching the stranger.. Vi had to admit it was as though he had said some sort of farewell, though to what or whom she couldn't be sure. His life here? A loved one? Perhaps everything.. or the lack of anything. Handing her registry log off to a nearby crew member she reached up, pushing her glasses up to rest in her hair.. Blinking a few times as she folded her arms over her chest and waited. He wasn't a coward, she'd give him that.. Jumping on board a smuggling ship wasn't something just anyone would try. He had to have his reasons, as long as he didn't cause trouble she wouldn't pry too deeply. Under their feet the ship gave a firm jolt, the crates creaking in their tether-lines as the launch prep flared to life. They would be a few feet up already.. She couldn't wait to get out of this warped atmosphere. It was a pain to play full-blood with those brutes..
" Dead Walk, a isolated colony near the dead planet Vymm. After that we are pulling back to the Banton Lunar Colony.." The male turned.. and Vi flashed him a fanged grin, her clearly not-Suldari gaze warming with a hint of respect as she nodded towards the now sealed cargo door. " It is going to be a long trip, think it will be worth it.. giving yourself to me like this Sir Mouse?" She had noticed his small frown earlier at being 'claimed'.. and she couldn't resist the urge to heckle him a bit. Vi had no reason to hide her hybrid nature on her ship, if he.. being a native to Suldar.. had issue with it or her humor then he could find a dark corner to sulk in for the journey.
Her gaze slid to the side, tracking those few still working around them.. and the last of the tension eased from her shoulders. The Amivi made up the bulk of her crew though certainly she had picked up her fair share of strays elsewhere.. and on this ship everyone functioned well together regardless of species. This was home.
