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 Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2022 6:47 pm
Life had been busy lately, but in a good way. Honi was learning more and more about her magic, honing it into a tool she could use for her art. It wasn't great yet, but she was making progress. She could use a ball of lightning without completely shattering her pottery now, and she was taking full advantage of the skill. Her stall was speckled with an array of vases and pots that sported intricate and unique markings made from shocking the glaze. The stall had started out full that morning.
Honi sat on her stool resisting the urge to count her earnings so far. She could already see what she would be doing with it. Some better quality equipment for her art, gifts for her family, put some away for her own place later...
It took a moment, but she realized someone was talking to her. "Huh? I'm sorry. Is there something you would like to purchase?"
The tall, rough looking Matorian cocked his head slightly with a rather amused expression. "No.. no, I do not. Actually, You're usually hanging around here, right? I was wondering if you've seen a Geian around here lately. Male, maybe about your age? May or may not have a beard."
Honi couldn't help a soft smile. She did know one, but it had been a while since she had seen him... "I haven't seen anyone like that lately, no." The man leaned forward and asked if she was sure. Honi's lips pressed slightly, put off by the gruffness the man was giving off.. "Yes, I'm sure."
The man stared her down a moment before nodding. "Okay, well, this is a dangerous fellow I'm looking for. If you see him, let me know." He slapped a paper with an address on it onto the stall counter and headed off to question other stall workers.
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Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:56 pm
Life back in Belrea had been a whirlwind of work and family issues. The jobs were coming in faster by the day now that his reputation was growing. Keeping his father out of the family home had been easier as well, now that Eliazer was fully armed, but that also meant the disapproving arguments with his mother.
She hadn't liked that he'd thrown his education away for something as brutish as bounty hunting. She'd hoped that his time spent with Aleksi and his family might have shown him another path, but Eliazer couldn't even say the last time he spoke to Aleksi. Ages, really, and now that he was back on the trail to Matori it would be longer still. A side effect of his growing rep was also the notoriety about being someone willing to travel for the right amount of coin which meant Eliazer spent a fair bit of time aboard airships.
A mark back home was making trouble and it was up to Eliazer to bring him to justice. Six dead, homes raided, and there were already reports of him being in Tendaji. It would be his most challenging case to date, and even though his mentor had offered to come with him Eli denied her. He could handle this; that much he was confident in.
As much as he'd traveled his trips to Tendaji were limited. This was the first time he'd been in Matori since leaving some time ago and, well...Who really blamed him for starting his search by asking locals? Specifically, by seeking out a certain stall owner...
What he hadn't expected was the murmurs that followed him. It started with one older woman who furrowed her brows, looked down at a paper on her stall and turned to a man with her. Did he have something in his beard? Self consciously Eliazer brushed it off and moved a little quicker toward Honi's stall.
Thankfully, the hybrid was right where he'd hoped she'd be. With a little crooked smile, he waved her way and came closer.
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Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 4:26 pm
Honi stood for a moment and watched the Matorian walk off. She looked down at the paper and tapped it lightly. The address wasn't that far away; maybe in the shadier section of town. A dangerous Geian man? She couldn't help a slight smirk and slipped the paper off to the side. The one she knew was certainly dangerous, if he was still following the work he'd been in before... There was no way though!
Then she saw someone wave at the edge of her vision, and her expression lit up. "Eli! You're back," she called excitedly. She jumped up and rounded the stall so that she could stand in front of it to greet him.
The Matorian... It couldn't be a coincidence. Her brow knit and she looked over the way the Matorian had gone. She couldn't see him at the moment. She skipped the pleasantries and bent over the stall to grab at the paper she had been given. "I think someone was just here looking for you. Their description was pretty vague, but here you are. Do you know this address?" She held the slip out to Eli.. but now he was closer and she couldn't help smiling. "He'll have to wait his turn though. I'm happy to see you."
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Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 5:38 pm
He couldn't help the smile that blossomed as soon as she called out to him. Things in Belrea had grown so tense that Eliazer couldn't remember the last time he'd felt that light hearted and despite himself he moved a little quicker to her side. Honi's energy was infectious; it was like just being around him brightened Eli's spirits.
Still...her words caused one brow to raise in question. Someone had been looking for him? That would explain the strange looks... Craning his neck, Eliazer got a good look at the paper. A dangerous Geian, but the description didn't give much. Taking out his notebook, Eliazer scrambled for a semi-clear page and wrote.
"Sounds like my mark. It's nice to see you again, but I'm here to look for a target. Might be the same man?" Still, when asked about the address he shook his head and took the slip. "I could always go talk to him. He might have some information." At the very least he could make it clear it wasn't him and that he had paperwork from the Belrean authorities to be here.
Should be a quick, simple fix.
"I met up with your mother before I left. Did she give you the package?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 6:19 pm
Honi's eyes fluttered along the written words, and she couldn't help a sigh of relief. She gave him a coy grin. "He said that this was a dangerous man he was looking for. You can understand me being confused. ..But really, if it is, you should get there to make sure they don't think you're him."
Her brow rose at the mention of her mother, and another grin rose. That had been an unexpected conversation she'd ended up having with her mother! "She did! Look!" She scurried back behind the stall and dug around underneath. She returned with a sturdy mug in one hand and a bag in the other. "I made this with it. See that design over the paint? I discovered I have magic, and I can use it on my pottery!" She was positively beaming with pride. After all, he'd gone before she could tell him about the discovery of her powers before.
"And.. I made something for you, too, with what was left." She smiled and held out the bag. Inside was a notebook with a clip at the top that held loose sheets of paper for easy refilling when needed. The cover was nice leather with a small but intricately made medallion taking up the center. "It's the symbol for.. friend." She blushed softly, hoping it wouldn't be too sentimental for Eli's tastes.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 1:02 pm
"Maybe it's another bounty hunter." If the same killer had been making waves here then it wouldn't be all that surprising to find locals that had taken up arms. Honestly, as annoying as it would be to fight for his spot, Eliazer preferred things that way. It kept more people safe. Still, it was worrisome to have that sort of thing hanging over his head. If Honi wasn't so magnetic then he could have easily left and yet...
Taking the mug into his hand, Eliazer eyes widened and he mouthed 'wow' without actually speaking the word. It was gorgeous and amazing. Her mother had mentioned Honi's affinity for magic, but he'd just assumed it was spellwork. To use it with her crafting took talent! When he looked back at her, he motioned to it and nodded his head with a smile, hoping it translated into astonishment.
But then came the real treat and Eliazer's heart clenched. He gingerly exchanged the mug for the notebook, sliding his rather ratty one back into his bag and fully admiring this gift. He just...he couldn't believe she would make something this precious for him. His thumb ghosted over the clasp, heart fuller than it had been in weeks.
With his free hand Eliazer made the signs for 'thank you' and hesitantly wrote it in the new notebook.
"It's perfect. I don't know what to write."
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 1:40 pm
Another bounty hunter... Honi didn't know how that would work, having multiple hunters gunning for one bounty. Hopefully it wouldn't give Eli too much trouble. As much as she wanted him to go make sure everything was fine... she was fairly rooted in place with delight and pride at his reactions to the items she had made.
She took the mug back and admired it another moment before setting it onto the stall. "I actually get a lot of use out of it, too. I figured it would be better to make something useful with it. It was really fun to work with; different than the clay here. I'll have to have you send some more my way later."
A bashfully pleased smile rose and she clasped her hands together in front of her chest. Eli looked so happy with the notebook! She cocked her head at the signing, and looked on the freshly broken in paper. "I'm glad you like it." Then she giggled. "I know what you can write though.." She released her hands so that she could attempt to copy Eli's motion from a moment ago. "What does this mean?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:04 pm
The Geian was only vaguely aware of a nearby stall vendor closing up for the day. It wasn't anything too strange for him to pay much attention too; though the way the man clutched his flyer would have been. Unfortunately, he was too busy getting caught up and missed the details entirely. Before long the stall had been wrapped up and the man was gone; straight for the provided address.
"You could always pick some out yourself. Maybe one day you'll decide to see Belrea and I could show you around."
It was a bold move, and yet he made no move to retract it. A little casual flirting never hurt, especially when he was just testing the water. Opening the notebook once more, Eliazer wrote, "It means thank you." And once he was sure she'd read it he went through the steps again, this time slower so she could see clearer. "The school I was enrolled in taught classes for people like me. Each hand sign means a different letter or phrase, if you put them together. If I'm around someone who knows it we can 'talk'."
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:55 pm
See Belrea? The thought of leaving Tendaji had always been a thrilling concept, but she had never given it serious thought. Yet, when Eli mentioned it, and pointed out that he could show her around, it was pushed that much further into the realm of possibility. "I bet that'd be a lot of fun. I've never left Tendaji before! Took a long trip all the way to Zena, but that's about it. You better be there with me though." Though not entirely conscious of the flirting, she found herself readily dipping her toes right into the pool.
"Thank you," she murmured softly to herself, repeating the gesture a couple times. "I've never know anyone who used those moves before." She perked up and nodded. "Okay! I'll learn what I can so that you don't have to use up all your papers on me!" Besides, for her, it was like a secret language and would add a hint of mystery to their interactions.
While it didn't bother her, she did realize that one of the nearby stalls had closed down early. It actually looked like a few were packing up as well. Oh, right! "You should get to that address.." She glanced at her stall, and gave Eli a hopeful look. "I can't leave all my inventory hanging out like this. How about you go do your check in thing, and I'll get this all packed up. Then, as quick as you can.. you get back here and teach me more."
In the distance, a small group of bounty hunters was jumping to their feet and grabbing their weapons. The Matorian himself was particularly irked, knowing that he could have caught the guy himself if he'd lingered over there just a few more minutes. If the stall keeper really had seen their target, they would have to move fast!
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 11:46 am
Eliazer felt the back of his neck heating alongside his smile. Of course he would be there. He'd show her all the best things of the cities, and what areas beyond them he knew of, as well as make sure she didn't go anywhere she shouldn't. Those were...those types of places weren't suited for anyone other than the vermin who called them home.
By the time Eliazer had nodded and turned to look he couldn't help feeling his gut drop. How many stalls had closed while they were talking? Was he really so blinded by Honi that he hadn't noticed? The whole thing wasn't settling well with him.
"I don't think you should stay here. You should pack up early for the day. Something's wrong."
Even without an enemy in sight, Eliazer was moving his hand back toward the blunderbuss on his back. He didn't want to take it off unless absolutely necessary, but-
One of the stall owners, just down the way, was slower about packing up. She was busy shoving as much of her glasswork into a crate, being as delicate as she could while expediating the act, when she caught his gaze. "Don't shoot! Please! I'll give you whatever you want I just want to go home to my family!"
What was going on?!
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 6:53 pm
Honi started to turn back to her stall, eager to get packed up now. She noticed Eli's hesitation though, pausing to take in his sudden tension. "Wrong?" Her brow knit and she looked around again. "It's awfully early for so many to be packing up.." she murmured softly. She still wasn't quite sure why it was unsettling to see, but she found herself edging a little closer to Eli's side.
The woman's plea made Honi flinch and spin around. "Shoot? What?" She looked up at Eli, and then back to the woman with wide eyes. That man had been going to every stall looking for his target! Anyone who saw Eli without knowing him was sure to think he was the dangerous man being sought after. She tried a disarming smile and raised her hands. "No, no, it's okay. This isn't-"
"You! Don't move!" The Matorian from earlier was marching toward them with a handful of equally tough looking hunters at his heels. They spread out, intending on surrounding the pair while one went to make sure the woman packing her stall was okay and get her away from the group. "I should have known you knew this guy," he snarled at Honi before focusing on Eli. He bared his teeth and pointed his spear. "The gall of you, threatening an innocent woman in broad daylight. You will pay for your crimes."
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2022 1:06 pm
The woman clutched her goods and passed a frightened gaze Honi's way. "We thought we knew you...What else are you hiding?" When the others started to descend on their little gathering she grabbed as much as possible with her new found escort. She didn't even so much as look behind her before taking off.
What crimes? Eliazer's mouth opened slightly as he shook his head out of sheer frustration. He very nearly started signing, felt his hands lifting to make the motions, before lifting his notebook. Instead of using his nice, new one he scratched out some hard lines in the old book, ripped the piece out, folded it and tossed it at the hunter.
"Wasn't threatening her; was making sure we didn't get stabbed in the back. Hard to pay for crimes I didn't commit."
To the right of the defacto leader, another Matorian, this one with a nasty scar over her eye, looked at the paper. She must have read it quickly because just as quickly she was spitting into the dirt. "Geian wanted for murder in Belrea crosses over to Tendaji to make a fresh start and kick up his spree? That doesn't seem suspicious to ya?" She brushed her fingers along her windpipe. "Markings up his throat? That's as good as a target."
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2022 9:53 pm
The first thing that Honi did was take a deep breath to relax her body. It was a tactic used for certain aggressive animals in the wild, so maybe it would work here? Ah, then the stall owner spoke up. Honi stared at the stall woman with shock. Soon enough, her shock turned into a sharp glare. "Me hiding? You're the one suddenly showing their spineless backside!" she snapped, glaring as the woman ran off with the escort. So much for calm.
She took another breath and looked around before focusing on the much more important, and much more angry, crew now surrounding them. Well, this was excessively uncomfortable. "No, no. He hunts the bad people, he's not one of them!" She looked up at Eli, brow knitting sharply. What had that woman said? "There's.. a murderer here?" she squeaked out with concern.
The Matorian snorted. "Girl, you will get away from him if you have any sense. I know you live here, so we'll go a little easier on you. Maybe save you before you turn to killing like your buddy there." He edged a little closer and aimed a sharp smile at Eli. "You know, your bounty says alive or dead. Guess which option I prefer for a murderer like you."
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 12:01 pm
"How sure are you of that? Whose word do you have to go on? His?" The woman scoffed and raised her weapon. Eliazer recognized the pistol instantly; it worked in much the same way his blunderbuss did, expect it was better suited at short range combat. As soon as she started to move it he tried to step closer to Honi only to have her call out. "Stay right where you are!"
When Honi started to speak he turned to look at her from the corner of his eye, but something in her tone caught his full attention. When she asked he nodded somberly. There was a murderer here, but that was his job. He was here to protect people, to stop the heartache not add to it!
She may not have been able to read his hand signs and Eliazer was too worried about a quick shoot out to write anything so he mouthed, 'Run'.
He couldn't take out a group by himself, but at least he could make sure she got home.
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 6:39 pm
Well, maybe she didn't really know Eli, but killers gave hints. No matter how it bounced in her head, Honi couldn't pin heartless killing on Eli. "And whose word are you going on? Someone who hasn't even met him." She shot back. There was a serial murderer out there, these people were attacking Eli, different weapons were being pointed at the both of them! If she hadn't held him up for so long.. the agitation was building. Honi clenched her hands and stared hard at the Matorian man. "You guys will be the murderers if you don't stop this!"
The Matorian barked out a laugh. "There's a difference between murder and justice. Looks like he has you completely wrapped around his bloody fingers." He affirmed his grip on his spear and took a step forward. "I'd hate to consider you a lost cause, but you're not giving us much choice."
They were the ones not listening! She gave Eli a desperate look. What should they-? Run? Was that really their best choice?
Maybe not the best, but their options were limited.
She turned to look at those surrounding them, but was more-so looking for the weakest point in the threatening ring. In a voice low enough for Eli to hear, but hopefully not the others, she growled out, "If you're not right behind me I'm coming back for you." This was absolutely not fair, and she wasn't going to stand for it! Yet, they had to survive first.
She spun on her heel, dug it in, and bolted straight for the biggest guy there. It took the bulky fellow by surprise, and she was easily able to dodge by his slower movements. He had the strength, but his agility was lacking! Her fist snapped out as she slid by, catching the side of the guy's knee to throw him off further. She heard shouting start almost immediately and peeked over her shoulder as she ran. Running from a bunch of hunters... Could this possibly end well for them?
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