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 Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
“Why plan when I have you around?” Teased Valek with a grin towards Xylia. “You already picked a good path, Moon.” Between his own knowledge of the city and Cahira’s hint it was fairly obvious what Xylia had in mind. “I can pick the lock and keep the shadows over us so that no one notices.” He offered, looking back towards the Kahi when Cahira invited him to join their group. “It’s probably for the best if you do tag along. I’m pretty certain it was your neck that they wanted, not ours. Though I do have quite the appeal…” He started with amusement before a look from Moon had him snapping back to attention. “The choice is yours, but we’ll be going on ahead. Also, I’m good at gathering information about the city which includes lost Kahi. If you’re interested~” Valek saluted the Kahi before starting forward, the hybrid knowing that they didn’t have much time to waste if they wanted to escape before their pursuers caught onto them.
[Valek 4]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Haikili swore he had whiplash from trying to keep up with all three of these foreigners. The one girl seemed amicable enough while the other two looked like they were ready to rip into each other, or something like that. It was overwhelming, but he knew that it was best to stay in a group until their pursuers lost interest, especially since they were targeting him. He wasn’t that much of a fool and the blades pointed at his throat had made that part quite clear. And any desire to refuse the offer was immediately pushed aside at the offer of information, the desperation of not having much success over the past few weeks making Haikili latch onto any lead. “Fine, but if you’re lying then don’t expect a friendly reaction.” He warned, his gaze narrowing as he headed forward. Thankfully his eyes were quite capable at seeing things in the darkness and so the shadowed city did not deter him as he walked from rooftop to rooftop, even swinging from a couple of spots, and then eventually they came to another isolated part of town that had shops closed for the evening. At the front of it all was a larger building that almost reminded him of a temple with its tall pillars covered in sprawling vines and large courtyard with stone paths and more plants, the place surrounded by iron fencing, but the faded signs in the Oban language and the lock across the fence made him realize that this was not a private residence. Was it a bathhouse of some sort? Ah. That would explain why the one girl had suggested washing off all of their grime. Haikili’s nose crinkled at the thought, the Kahi noticing all the dirt and blood staining his own leathers. It would be nice to rinse that off and clean the dried blood from his hair as well. And going to this deserted place was a far better idea than returning to his inn room looking like this, his appearance certain to gain attention from anyone lingering in the lobby there.
[Haikili 5]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
It would be a bad idea to stab Valek right now. Xylia closed her eyes, counting quietly to ten in her head, and once the urge passed the hybrid simply turned away to continue guiding the group. At least Valek was going to be useful by opening the gate for them. The bathhouse came into view, Xylia taking in the familiar place with a slight frown. It was strange to see how quiet this area was ever since the business had dipped, the former owner caught up in some nefarious deeds that had the place in a flux while a new owner was working to acquire the property. But it was to their advantage since they could gather their thoughts while rinsing off in the baths. “Work quickly, Shadow.” She addressed Valek, using their ridiculous nicknames for each other just because she wasn’t certain if he wanted the stranger to know their names. “Until then..” She looked over at the hooded man with a frown. “Are you planning on keeping that hood on for the rest of the night?” Something about his gaze seemed strange, the emerald pupils almost reminding her of Aishan eyes with how full they were with no white in sight. “We were dragged into a mess to help you out, I would love to have some insight into whatever is going on here.” There was no need to dance around the point. Xylia was far more straightforward than Valek and in no mood for games tonight and the mention of Kahi had piqued her interest. “Are you in the city looking for someone? Is that why he suggested that earlier?”
[Xylia 5]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Cahira walked up next to Xylia, the hybrid peering towards the hooded stranger with curiosity. Now that they were out of sight of their pursuers and quite a distance away from the alley she felt a bit more relaxed. Not even the abandoned bathhouse gave her the chills, if anything all of this was just another adventure to the swordswoman. “What my friend means is that if we can help, then we’d be more than interested in hearing your story.” She offered with a warm smile. “But it’ll be hard to trust each other if we hide too much.” She held out a hand, grimacing as she looked down at how dirty her fingers were, and quickly wiped her hands against her leathers once again to try to wipe them clean. Once that was finished she tried again, offering her hand while keeping her smile. “I’m Cahira.”
[Cahira 5]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
“Don’t worry. I’m not lying about this.” Valek reassured the Kahi before slipping down from the roofs and landing onto the ground. The area was quiet, Valek double checking their surroundings before going forward with the rest of the group to the gates of the bathhouse. Hopefully it wasn’t too bad inside, the place had only closed a few days ago so it wasn’t as if it had been abandoned for years or anything. It was just the consequences of a wedding that had been crashed, as exciting as that event had been with soldiers pulling out corrupted merchants and nobles to serve their time. It was kind of disappointing that he hadn’t gotten to work much on that case, but it was what it was. If anything it was kind of thrilling knowing that others could pull fast ones on him while he was in Sulburi, the very idea keeping things exciting for whatever happened next. “Alright.” It grew eerily quiet around them and the shadows seemed to become somehow darker, hiding them from view should anyone happen to walk this way while Valek pulled out his tools and started working at the lock. He did hesitate for a moment, a flash of concern crossing his features when Cahira introduced herself, but then he simply continued working until the lock gave a click and opened. “We can talk more inside.” He gestured for the others to step forward, the hybrid closing the lock back around the gate and going forward into the main building. Once they were completely inside, the shadows melted away and allowed them a good glance of the marbled floors and walls with painted murals of the gods. It also gave him a good view of everyone else, Valek offering a small grin as he looked over at the Kahi. “The lady introduced herself, surely you won’t be that rude. I suppose since she started we should all take a turn. You can call me Alzali or Valek, your pick.” He teased before jumping up onto the counter and plopping down to give his legs a break while they figured things out. Normally he worked under his shadow alias of Alzali but he had the feeling that giving false names could go terribly wrong with this Kahi who was already on edge.
[Valek 5]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
The shadows made him so uncomfortable, almost as uncomfortable as he felt looking at that offered hand. At that moment Haikili simply nodded, ignoring the offer to shake the earthling’s hand, and once the gate opened he followed the others inside without giving a response. It was distracting to see so many colors suddenly revealed, the hallways suddenly reflecting with light from the moonlight that came in through the glass panes along the roof, and the murals of the gods told so many stories that Haikili didn’t recognize at all. Who were all of those figures? Either way it didn’t matter, not in the moment, especially not when the cocky man was staring him down with the rest. The one woman seemed slightly hurt by his refusal to shake her hand, but he was not here to make friends either way. “There’s not much reason to play nice, especially when you’ve been trailing me for a time now.” Haikili acknowledged, addressing this Valek with a glare. He had just pieced it together here at the bathhouse, but that feeling of being watched and those creeping shadows definitely seemed connected to this particular earthling. “You show up when I’m being attacked? Not suspicious at all.” He crossed his arms, the static crackling around his body as he tried to reason with everything. “I’m surprised you don’t already know my name, stalker.” Haikili looked back towards the earthling who had held out her hand. “If he’s your companion, then how do I trust any of you?”
[Haikili 6]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
“Hey.” Xylia moved forward, using her height to her advantage as she glowered at the stranger. “Valek may be an a** but Cahira is a precious soul who truly helps others.” She expressed as she chastised the stranger for his rudeness. “The two of us are innocent and got dragged into this mess, so we deserve answers. That includes you as well, Valek. Is he another one of your missions?” She wasn’t about to even hide anything, not when they were all trapped in this place until their pursuers cleared the streets. It would probably be an all nighter, as much as she hated the idea of being in an abandoned place like this. Spirits were ridiculous concepts, but the empty hallways did give her a shiver whenever she happened to glance down at them as if expecting to see someone there. Either way that only heightened her senses, making Xylia very alert and snippy as she refused to deal with childish behaviors. “And if you are…” She looked over at the stranger. “Then we’re more than willing to help rescue someone in danger. As long as you’re willing to work with us, that is. I don’t tolerate any crap or trickery. And if we’re going to work together then we need names. I’ve been called Moon by others, but you can also call me Lia.”
[Xylia 6]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
Cahira’s cheeks flushed lightly as the stranger walked away. Well, at least she tried. She forced a smile, following the others until the man was confronted by both Valek and Xylia. “It’s okay, really…” She started before growing quiet again as Xylia jumped in. It was true that if they were working together that it would be best to share names and information, but she also didn’t want to force the stranger to do anything if he wasn’t comfortable with it. Though she would have hoped that fighting together would surely have meant something. Not that she was that great at playing these mental games, Cahira not being much of one for trickery or anything like that. “Just let us know.” She added, giving another attempt at a smile towards the stranger. If anything Cahira was at least stubborn with her kindness. “I think we’ll be stuck here for the night, so there’s plenty of time to discuss things if you’d like. I know for one that I would love to clean up some though. The baths are good, right?”
[Cahira 6]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
Valek raised his hands as if defending himself from both the Kahi and Xylia. “In my defense, I didn’t want to scare you off. You came into Sulburi and indirectly got involved in one of my missions, that much is true.” He admitted towards the Kahi, with a glance towards Xylia to confirm her suspicions. “But I didn’t know if I could trust you either. I’m in a tricky spot with my line of work and it takes some serious investigation. I just wasn’t prepared to let a bunch of assassins kill you today, ya know?” He shrugged lightly. “And if you would rather me do the introductions, then I can. Haikili?” He questioned, remembering the name he heard in passing from the other Kahi as they wandered the markets together those few times. “As it is, I can reassure you that I’m on your side. I’m not too fond of those who kidnap others and would love to get your friend back. The issue is that they aren’t really fond of people nosing around the city for them. You put a big mark on your back my friend and this operation will take time, more so now.” He had already been investigating the collector, a mysterious noble or wealthy merchant who had a bunch of underground deals, but having the Kahi walking through the markets looking for someone who obviously was in the collection had only sent alarms through the underground. The man was lucky that Valek had intercepted the assassins today! Either he would have been snagged to be added to the collection or killed, whichever one seemed more possible at the time of the ambush.
“I overheard your friend asking questions in the market. If your Kahi friend matches that type of description then she might very well be in something we call the collection. I’ve been trying to infiltrate that place forever, but it’s very much under lock and key. It also rotates between here and Jatine, hence why I helped your Kawena friend to get over that way for the time being.” Valek expressed as he looked over Haikili. “If I had ill intent then I would have tossed you both over towards the collector days ago. As it is now, I would much rather hide you until we can figure out a better plan. How do you feel about this bathhouse or going outside of the city for a bit until the pursuers calm down? It could be good to make them think that you got scared out of the city after that fight.”
[Valek 6]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
The last thing that Haikili had expected was to be chastised by the other earthling, the taller woman making him take a step back. At first he wanted to snap back out at her, the crackling energy in the air a warning that his temper was going to break, but the look from the other woman made him stop. She reminded him of one of those little cubs, the warm energy and smile confusing him after all of today’s events. And then the truth came to light as hesitant as Haikili was to believe it. Kaipo had said that someone had helped him in the markets and so far the Kawena seemed to be alright while searching Jatine. “You say mission…so you often get involved in situations like this? I don’t understand.” What type of man would be doing this type of work just out of the goodness of his heart? Maybe once before Haikili would have believed it, back when he was an aspiring adventurer who had a loving family to support his golden heart, but now there was only wariness where adoration would have been before. “Either way, I suppose it is best to stay safe tonight and wait out any more pursuers.” He let out a sigh, lowering his hood since there was no need to hide himself now that Valek had already spilled his name to the others. “I don’t want to run away from any fight, but if my presence is only delaying helping my friend then I’ll leave.” He could at least give them a bit of faith since they had risked their lives today, that much was true. It still made Haikili feel awkward, the Kahi not completely at ease with anyone yet, but he felt trapped and with Kaipo in Jatine it was best to accept what help he could.
[Haikili 7]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
“Ah.” Xylia crossed her arms as the men decided to finally talk over things. When it was revealed that Haikili was a Kahi, she couldn’t help staring just a bit. He truly was a Kahi then. To cross oceans to find one person? Talk about inspiring, even though he seemed completely at odds with them she did hope to find out more of his story eventually. “You think staying in a bathhouse for over a day is a good idea?” She questioned Valek, thinking about the situation a bit more. “If your organization was buying it then maybe, but…” Her lips pursed together thoughtfully as she looked back over towards Cahira. They had already caused so many issues for her, could they truly ask for another favor?
[Xylia 7]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
“My school.” Cahira answered, nodding at Xylia when her friend looked towards her. “I have a school along the border of Oba and Matori where you could hide, if you’re alright waiting a bit away from the city.” She offered before biting her bottom lip thoughtfully. “There’s another place that you could stay within Sulburi, but that’s with my brother and he might not want to get involved in this. He’s not the fighter like I am, you see.” She expressed. Cahira was slightly worried about how Omari would even react if he ever heard wind of her friends and the situations they could get involved with, so perhaps it was for the best that they avoided the academy unless absolutely necessary. “But if you stay with me then we could work on training a bit more and there’s far less eyes in the village where the school is.” She smiled encouragingly. “It seemed like you packed quite a punch and I’m more than good at fighting with various weapons to help you hone that energy more, if you’d like. Feel free to think it over, okay?” She glanced around, looking at the bathhouse and then back towards Valek. “As it is we are trapped here for the night so I’ll go with Xylia to the women’s baths while you two can discuss things in the other wing where the mens’ baths are. I need to get out of these leathers and rinse off, so let’s focus on cleaning up for now.” She reached over for Xylia, linking their arms together so that she could drag her friend away from Valek and Haikili for the time being.
[Cahira 7]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:50 pm
“Oh don’t worry. I get paid for my work cleaning out the garbage of Oba.” Replied Valek with a grin. “But I’m glad you’re seeing some reason. We’ll discuss details and figure out a plan tonight.” He looked over to Xylia and Cahira, appreciation gleaming in his silver gaze as he listened to the other hybrid offering shelter. “She’s offering you a good spot. I can easily sneak in and out of the city so I can bring news and bring you back when things are quiet again. The lady is correct though, we all stink and it’s best to clean up while we have some peace. Dawn will be here before we know it and we can all use a bath.” He looked after the others as they left him alone with Haikili a soft sigh leaving his lips playfully. “It’s a shame that they would rather not share one with us though.” He teased lightly, gesturing for the Kahi to follow him so that he could try to talk things over with him more. At least Haikili hadn’t electrocuted anyone here tonight so that was a good sign, right? Valek chuckled at the thought, the hybrid disappearing down the hallway towards the baths with his new companion warily following along.
[Valek 7]
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