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 Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:38 pm
Til'Morte was just as disturbingly charming for Sydney as it was for most of the individuals who called the tiny island home. As he'd passed through the darkened streets, his paws caught on every loose stone and avoided almost every questionable pile of filth. Where one might find shops, inns, and dwellings on the main land, here there were pubs, brothels, and gambling dens. It was where those with a death wish came to end their lives, and the twisted decided to remain.
When he reached the dock, the young foxtaur gave a sigh of relief, his nervous eyes looking over both shoulders before finding a place to wait for his ship. His last mission had been a disaster. For a courier, it was his job to assist assassinations in their most basic forms, but this last time he'd almost cost Captain Quintessa her life. As one of the more experienced, revered veterans her life far outweighed his, or so he'd been told for the past two days.
To relieve himself of a possibly dangerous sentencing, the Master had decided to give him a task. It would be his job to go with a newer recruit to dispatch of five marks, make notes of each kills, and report back. Apparently this individual was already skilled in his own right, but the Order wanted to make sure of his skill before assigning him to a higher position.
Sydney tapped his paws nervously on the worn wood, his hand tightened around the strap of his satchel. Til'Morte had always been his home, but something about being alone, in the early morning hours, when all was quiet seemed to unnerve him to the core.
Spirits only knew what happened in the dark.
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Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 3:08 pm
 Malak took a deep breath of the cool morning air and all the smells of the town came with it. It had been a while since he’d been in a town like this. Ever since he’d been on ‘leave’, at least that’s what his old council had told everyone. He was actually under review because he had killed his old guild master. They had to get the truth of that matter and find out that his boss was one crazy son of a b***h. He had feelings for Malak but he didn’t return them. That should have been the end of it but he turned a tad possessive and thought that he was the only one that could have Malak. His master attacked the only person he cared about, Amara. He had found her when she was just a fawn. She had been abandoned so Malak took her in and raised her. She was his daughter and he would do anything to protect her.
His master had broken into his house and tried to kill Amara. He managed to give Amara a small cut before Malak killed him, brutally and without mercy. He went through several months of interrogations and reviews until finally he was cleared. One question they asked him was whether he regretted it. He told them ‘Hell no,’ and he didn’t. He tried to hurt something precious to Malak and now that he has to strength to protect, he’ll use it. He won’t be in a position that would make him helpless to protect his precious people again. ‘Never again.’ He thought as he turned a corner and made his way to the docks. After being cleared of all charges, he was recommended to join the Order of the Claw. Now here he was on his way to do his first job and they were sending a courier along with him. ‘He’ll probably just get in the way though.’ He’d never had a partner before. Always preferred going it alone, you know. Less muss no fuss.
He pulled himself from his thoughts as his paws hit the worn wood of the dock. He walked toward the place where he was supposed to meet the courier boy. He saw a younger foxtaur whose posture said that he was very nervous. Malak let a small smile grace his lips before it was gone. Maybe this boy going along wouldn’t be so bad after all.
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Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:12 pm
Sydney's tipped ears responded to the sounds of Malak's approach a moment before the fox himself appeared. He seemed to have a certain aura about himself that many in the profession held; one that kept Sydney from getting to comfortable with any one taur. Trust wasn't given lightly in their community, and more than likely he would spend many a night lying half-awake with a dagger in his hand.
"I trust that you're Malak?" Sydney stepped forward and motioned to the boat at his side. "My name is Sydney, and as I'm sure you know, I'm going to be with you to validate your work. If you'll just hop onto our ride, we can get started."
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:12 pm
Malak stared at the boy as he introduced himself and other such stuff. 'Straight to business then.' Malak thought as he stopped in front of Sydney. 'Funny. First time meetings usually have the other party making some crack about my fur color. Interesting.' Malak rubbed the side of his face as he looked the boy over.
'Definitely not an assassin in disguise.' he thought. He's been weary of anybody in this line of work now which is one of the reasons it took so long to get back in the game after his last boss. He had trouble trusting anybody but Amara and himself. It's not that he trusted them like he trusted Amara but a modem of trust is needed to work for people but he never let his guard down anymore. Ever.
Malak stopped his examination and answered the boy. "Yep. I'm Malak. Nice to meet you Sydney." He smiled, "I hope we get along." 'by you not getting in my way.' but Malak left that unsaid. He speaks his mind whenever it suits but sometimes things didn't need to be said. He'd wait and tell the boy his rules for working with him when they were on the boat and already on their way. He let out a sigh. God, he hated working with others.
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:12 am
Sydney's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Malak to take much notice of him, none of the others ever did, and to have him speak so cordially, well...it put him on edge. A sort of jagged mixture between relief at being treated as an equal, and oh-jeez-he's-going-to-kill-me-in-my-sleep. After all, wasn't it the nicest assassin's who always turned out the shadiest?
Still, his smile was bright and honest when he replied. "I'm sure we will. " As long as you don't stab me, poisin my food, strangle me....
When they had boarded, a larger, portly wolftaur approached the two. His one, large hand rested above his gut, scratching at the dried skin as he spoke. "Ye're the two?"
"Oh, yes," Sydney held out a slip of parchment, and jerked back when it was ripped from his hand by the wolf. "A-as you can see, we need-"
"I know wat'cha need. I can read." The wolf balled the paper up in his fist before handing it back to the now nervous fox. His sharp, black gaze shifted past Sydney to Malak, an amused grin lighting up his face at seeing the bright fur, before he bellowed, "SHIP OUT!"
Almost in an instant the ship was alive with men, and before the wolf had walked away they were already pulling out from port.
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 4:30 pm
Malak grimaced as a sick feeling hit his stomach. ‘He’s going to be trouble.’ He thought as the ship left the port. His instincts were burning like a big neon sign flashing ‘danger, danger’ as he watched the taur walk away. This trip just got more serious. Not only would they face dire circumstances when they landed but he was gonna have to be on extra guard throughout the whole boat ride. He grabbed the arm of a passing taur.
“Where’s our cabin?” Malak demanded. He hoped that the guild was smart enough to book only one room. It just made things simpler and less traceable.
“Che. It’s this way.” He grumbled.
“Sydney. Let’s go.” Malak said. He placed a hand on Sydney's shoulder, directing that he should go first. He looked around the boat, his eyes catching everything and everyone. He noted every little stitch. Suitable escape routes and hiding places. Who would be trouble and who wouldn’t be. ‘This isn’t going to be good.’ Malak thought.
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 8:21 pm
The wolf chuckled heartily once more, echoing in Sydney's skull when he looked down at the crumpled document. A lot of good that did him. It had taken him hours of a** kissing to get this ship, and now...He sighed and straightened the parchment before slipping it back into his bag.
"Sunny's got a case of the jitters." Cackled a voice from above, and Sydney looked up to catch the shape of a naga in the crows nest. He instantly paled, and couldn't keep his mouth from gaping, even as he was being pulled away by Malak.
"Oh....no..." Sydney whispered at length. This was bad, really bad.
When they were well into the hull, Sydney leaned in, quiet so as not to tip off the taur leading them. "This ship is Order registered, so there shouldn't be naga," He murmured, "We've always been on bad relations since the war, when our leader decapitated a Cobra.
"E're's yer room, enjoy." The taur gave them an odd stare before leaving, and the spirited fox wasted no time in entering. It was simple at best. One desk, a table, and a single bed with a pallet in the middle of the floor.
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Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 6:54 pm
Malak processed Sydney's information. He mentally groaned as the taur opened their door and left. Malak, with Sydney first, entered the room making sure to bolt the door when it closed.
Moving around Sydney, he quickly but careful inspected everything. When he was satisfied that there was nothing here, not even a hollow spot in the walls, he looked at Sydney.
"It's clean." He stated as he sat down.
Malak reached up around his waist and unclasped his bag. He watched as the yellow and orange camouflage melted away as he sat it in front of him. Malak rubbed his shoulders while cracking the bones in his neck.
When finished, he started shifting through its contents. He pulled out his belt which was adorned with multiple pouches. He made sure his throwing spikes and stars were still in their secret compartments before clasping it around his waist. 'Extra's are secure.' He thought before going through the pouches. The spikes, stars and knives were good. He touched the side holster and found his kama set, one of his more favorite weapons, in place.
He reached into his bag and pulled out his leg sheath and attached it to his left leg making sure his daggers were still there. Lastly, he pulled on his arm gauntlets. He made sure everything was situated comfortably before looking at Sydney.
"We'll go over a couple of things shortly but the thing that I need to know right now is if you know how to use a weapon and if you have any combat experience?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:05 pm
Sydney wasn't impressed by any means upon glancing about the room, but he knew better than to whine. Sometimes the stealthiest missions did not mean the most luxurious, no matter how hard he prayed. While Malak inspect the space for pitfalls and traps, Sydney made short work of claiming the writing space as his own. He pulled scrolls, a fine raven quill, and an ink well from his satchel; all while organizing them as neatly as he could on a moving vessel.
"I would hope so! The Master himself paid for this ship, so I'm sure it's safe." After all, his Master wouldn't do anything to harm him, right? ....Even as he thought it, the words tasted sour to him. His, no, their Master cared little for anyone and what was it to him if the ship was run by pirates, slavers, or the like?
He turned to watch Malak rid himself of his pack, eyes widened in awe. "That's some ma- EH." Sydney shuttered, his blood running cold. "Could you...would you mind never doing that to yourself again? It's creepy." The other fox had certainly come prepared, though; but then again, what else should he think, from an assassin?
"I've been given the general training of the Order, which boils down to common knowledge of basic weapons. Swords, daggers, a bow; things like that. Beyond that, I'm afraid I don't have much. I'm paid to keep my mouth shut, take notes and deliver them. It's my speed that they want, not my steel."
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 6:16 pm
Malak had forgotten. He shouldn't do that around others. Amara always warned him. "Sorry. I do it to loosen up." He continued on after Sydney had stopped talking about the order's training. "Well, sorry to say but I don't want your speed. Knowing that your fast is a bonus though. If worst comes to worst you can run away and hide if something happens. However, I am glad to know that you can at least somewhat defend yourself. In case something happens, that's gonna be a good thing."
He rummaged through his pack and pulled out a small belt with two daggers and holsters strapped on it. "Here. To protect yourself."
With that done, Malak closed the pack and fastened it back on his back, adding the camo. "Now that that is all taking care of, I think it's time for me to lay down some of the rules that come along with working with me. After that, I'll take first watch while you catch some sleep. First thing first though, these rules are non disputable because they are here not just for your protection but mine as well. Any questions before we get started?" He added with a cocky kind of smile.
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Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:52 pm
"Well...it sounds like you're breaking bones." Sydney shivered once more and turned back to his scrolls, maps, and tools. One could count the little miracles in the day by just seeing the relieved smile on his face when he saw the candle. Ahh, the simple things! He picked up a quill, dipped it in an inkwell, and started writing. "I don't plan on running away, Malak. I won't be in the thick of it, and you may not see me from time to time, but I'll be there. I am keeping track of you, remember?" He looked up through a fog of hair and smiled.
That is, until he saw the daggers. "I...oh no, I couldn't...I'd just stab myself...uh, alright then." He took them with a weak smile and sat the daggers on the desk...as far away from his body as he possibly could.
"Good, I'm glad you brought this up because I've got some ground rules myself." He turned to face the other fox, more than a little away of just how attractive he was when he smiled. "Let's here them, then."
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:14 pm
Malak watched as Sydney laid out his things and cringed. You should never put out your belongings in any place that wasn't your own. You take out only what is necessary and then put it back immediately. He sighed in his head 'I guess because of my training I think a little differently but he could leave something behind on day that could hurt himself or someone else. Although I don't think he would be that careless.' He rubbed his chin contemplating this.
This train of thought quickly went away when he saw Sydney place the dagger on the table. Malak almost...almost gritted his teeth. He was supposed to wear that. If things went bad he would need some sort of weapon just in case Malak couldn't get to him right away.
Malak watched as Sydney turned to him saying that he also had some ground rules. "I'll tell you what then. You give me yours first and then I'll give you mine." Malak gave a lopsided grin. "Sound good?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 7:37 pm
Where in the hell did he leave his peacock quill? Sydney dug around his bag, pursing his lips into a frown before giving an aggrieved sigh and sitting his satchel underneath the desk. Probably left it in some town, with spirits only knew what else. It was a good thing he'd never carried much gold on him; he'd be poor in a night, having left it on some bench!
The smaller of the two foxes nodded, scootching forward some and straightening his spine. He snatched up a quill, some cheap thing he'd nabbed, and a piece of papyrus to take notes. "Alright, then. My rules are really short and simple, so I don't think you'll have alot, if any, issues with them." Or at least, he hoped. "Rules number one; I don't fight. That's pretty self-explanatory by this point, but I want to make it clear that if you get caught somewhere, I can't have your back. I might end up stabbing you instead." He flushed and shook his head. "On accident, of course! Erm...yeah, so, rule number two; you're not allowed to read what letters pass between myself and the Order, nor are you allowed to read what I write in my log." If Malak happened to read something he didn't like...Sydney wasn't so sure he wouldn't get his head cut off for it. "And the last rule; Do not threaten me. For one, it's terrifying, and on top of that you'll be out of work, possibly with a price on your own head."
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