The Tale of Vespairia (PM/VM for invite)

"I never knew I lost it to begin with..." Li looked back at the man before back at the group, "We should go though, I don't feel safe hanging around this tavern anymore." He opened the book, placing a few gold coins on the table before getting up and leaving the tavern He looked around the area for a hotel stay

"Foolish woman. Think about it. I've been following behind you all the way here. I didn't see Li drop anything on the ground or out of his pocket. So when did he drop?" She asked her brainless mate as she stood up from her seat with Li. "I agree we need to leave. Maybe even let the city and prepare for other attack."

She glared at the Li knowing her had to be hiding something. She didn't know what, but she was deep in the middle of it now. "It your choice what you want to do. Whatever I think it best we take turns sleeping for now."

Perplexed with the whole situation, Li made it clear he was uncomfortable staying and took his leave.

Nis made a snide remark before following suit and Elmeriie scoffed at the idiocy of it. “The pair of you are paranoid. Let’s get our heads down for the night and everything will look clearer in the morning.”

Taking a wine bottle, Elmeriie went to hold the door open for Nis and then thought better, letting it shut behind her instead. “If we’re taking it in turns sleeping, me and handsome will bunk for the next few hours and you can keep watch.” She laughed, swaggering towards Li and giving him a friendly nudge. “Don’t be peaking at us now, Nis.”

Outside it was black with only lamps dotted along the streets lighting the roads in an amber flare. Shadows danced across the walls, melting into the darkness and Elmeriie shivered not just from the cold. “Take your pick handsome.” Elmeriie said, staring gloomily at the endless row of housings. “All look the same to me.”

Li smirked at Elmeriie's comment of all the housings before walking over to one, "This one..." walks inside one of the closer hotels and paying the clerk of a room key. Li opened the door the his room and looked around. It was a small comfortable room, a table and chairs, a bed, and bathroom. Li took off his coat, dropping it on the floor.

"Sure as hell not sleeping in that." He mused before collapsing on the bed.

Swigging from the bottle often, Elmeriie followed Li’s lead towards a hotel and upstairs to his room.

Inside it was cramped but cosy and Elmeriie figured you get what you pay for and seeing as she hadn’t put her hand in her pocket, who was she to complain?

Li had made himself comfortable on the bed and perching herself next to him she then gave a playful little shove, “Move up handsome, because I’m certainly not sleeping in the tub tonight…”

Holding the bottle with both hands, she guzzled more of the wine and slowly sank back into the bed.

"Now we know where he is all the time."

“That’s just great. Now they know both our faces.” Zyler replied. Mitsu looked hardly concerned. A few moments later, he disappeared and his wolf crept into the shadows as the trio left the bar. Zyler had heard them coming and took a few steps back as well, whispering under his breath an incantation to shroud himself from view. As long as people weren’t deliberately looking at him, the spell would hide him if he were in the middle of a market place.

“If we’re taking it in turns sleeping, me and handsome will bunk for the next few hours and you can keep watch.” The female elf giggled and stumbled into her companion. She was drunk as hell. “Don’t be peaking at us now, Nis.”

Zyler overheard the conversation as the three trotted away from the bar to find a place for the night. He nearly punched the wall. How could this guy be so lucky to befriend such a creature? That ought to be him bunking with the elf. The princeling was gonna pay for this.

The bounty hunter inconspicuously followed them to their destination and peaked his head into the hallway just as the duo entered their room for the night. They looked like they would be passing out any second, but the redhead still seemed alert and sober enough. She hadn’t noticed him yet of course, and she wouldn’t be much trouble, but he had to be careful to not let her rouse the others. Zyler paced around the hotel, still shroud in his stealth spell, waiting for Mitsu to show up. Surly, the shadow man would be wroth with Zyler if he went in all by his lonesome.

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Meanwhile, another bounty hunter stalked out his prey through the frozen woods. Bran had been lucky enough to spot the rogue as he was leaving the fortress. He had barely been able to keep up but was grateful when the man stopped to rest for the night. Bran was exhausted himself and needed the rest. He found a nice overhang to burrow into, downed a few rations and was asleep before he knew it.

The mercenary was one of those strange types. Those anomaly’s that take the title of ‘morning person.’ He was up and at’em before the sun rose, and had spotted his prey still asleep in his tree. He would bid his time. The rogue would be waking soon enough, and he would lead the bounty hunter to his friends. Bran already had backup on its way. This was going to be a very good day for him.

OoC: I got the backup all planned out, FYI =]

Li chuckled at Elmeriie's drunken behavior before closing his, "It'd be easier to move if I wasn't so tired. Hell I'm surprised you can move properly with the beating you took." He slightly mumbled, mentioning their battle with the blue haired bounty hunter. Speaking of which, Mitsu watched as Zyler followed the group into the hotel using his cloaking spell, clever, and only lucky enough they weren't looking at him. Mitsu on the other hand just walked in the hotel and sat down on the lounge room, looking through any reading material in the room.

Elmeriie began to choke and splutter, most probably from trying to breathe and drink at the same time. Sitting bolt upright, she coughed to clear her throat and wiped the wine from around her mouth. “I feel much better actually. ~ Hiccup.” She replied, whilst checking the bruising on her arms and legs. Although she hadn’t had an opportunity to regenerate, her natural healing was somewhat fast anyway and she was looking remarkably better for it.

Guzzling the last of the wine, Elmeriie felt a little nauseous and tried to stand. Her vision was blurred and the room was starting to sway about her and misplacing her footing from the bed, she fell forwards.

Still holding the bottle, Elmeriie gave into the darkness sucking her down and she lay sprawled across the bed, partly over Li in a most submissive position, out cold asleep and snoring.

Mercury sat still in the crook of the bough, his chin resting on his chest as it rose and fell with steady breaths. To any spectators, he would appear as one asleep. This was not the case.

He'd closed his eyes and rested, dozing against the uncomfortable hide of the old tree, but his sharp ears soon picked up the soft whispering rustle of old, dead grass as someone - or something - moved about, attempting stealth. Perhaps the figure was indeed being stealthy, and perhaps any other person would never have suspected a thing, though why any other person would have been in this situation wasn't quite as obvious. Fortunately, however, Mercury was not any other person. His senses had been honed to such an extent that he could easily pick out the sound of someone - and here his mind once again countered with "or something..." - stepping into the clearance below.

He didn't move or show any sign of his awareness, but his attention snapped onto this individual while his body feigned sleep. This was the same figure that had been observing his movements since his escape. This was the same figure that had tracked him all this way, and now, it seemed likely that the thief might soon discover the identity of this mysterious figure.

Li coughed a little as Elmeriie collapsed on him, not ready for it at all. He smiled at her sleeping form, she seemed so calm and peaceful when she wasn't awake, you wouldn't think she was as flirtatious, or dangerous, as she is. She was actually kind of beautiful and Li couldn't stop himself from a letting a soft kiss reach her forehead before closing his eyes again and drifting off to sleep, instinctively bringing her in closer with arm.

"This book is boring me..." Mitsu closed the book, putting it back on the shelf, "I guess that's why I screw with people for fun."

OoC: I can't continue this RP on my own, somebody post please

Nis walked the streets of the city letting her anger vent away as those two clearly... She shook her head getting the thought out of her mind. When did I start losing to her... She asked keeping her head low and watching the street lights from the ground. She was sure something was wrong, but the two of them weren't listening to her at all.

If he was here. I would be able to talk more sense in the group. But now I'm only one with a brain. Damn it, She thought finding a small store along the road. After walking in and buy and bottle of beer she begun walking back to the hotel.

OoC: Something.

Zyler noticed Mitsu had entered the hotel, and also noticed when the red head left. He waited for a few seconds, but his fellow bounty hunter wasn't making his move, for whatever reason. Zyler never cared for the man, and was beginning to care for him less and less. He considered walking out on the job just to spite him. But, the pay was too good to pass up, and now that he was all healed and charged, he couldn't miss a chance to mess with the elf, and take a little payback out on the prince.

Not a minute after Nis left, Zyler crept into the room of his targets. They were both passed out cold, sprawled on top of each other on the bed. The elf still had a beer bottle clutched in her hand, that had toppled and soaked the sheets next to them.

Zyler went through a whole slew of different scenarios in his head on what to do with the two of them. He didn't need to hurt them too much. They were already asleep. He just had to make sure they stayed unconscious for the next several hours. But first, he'd cause a little humiliation for the elf. He took out a knife from his belt and ran it up the inside of the back of her shirt, relieving her bare back.

The prince began to stir at the sound of the fabric ripping. Zyler promptly beat him in the temple hard enough to make his head bounce on the mattress. He then placed his hand over the elf's nose and mouth and delivered a precision strike of electricity into her nervous system to knock her out for good. She was passed out so hard already that that probably wasn't even necessary. He pulled her shirt off the rest of the way. Of course she still had her bra on, but this would be enough humiliation to get her back for the nut mag she gave him earlier.

"Yo Mitsu, you there?" He said, observing his work. "Come teleport them to wherever it is you need to take them." He smirked and added, "Looks like they got a little frisky before they passed out."

OoC: Was that too much? =B You guys kinda gave him free reign to do whatever he wanted xP

He ran. The trees whipped at his racing figure, but he ignored them. He ran towards the break in the line of the forest, heading towards the not-so-distant lights. He ran not with the steady pace of a man who can keep going all night, but with the urgency of the chase. A determined look settled upon his face, but with a tinge of fear pinching the corners of his eyes. Yet there was also a spark in his eyes, a spark of adrenaline and excitement. Behind him, in the darker depths of the forest, something else ran low against the ground, lithe and sleek. It streaked over the grassland, leaping fluidly over fallen logs and weaving around those still standing. It gave chase and its prey ran.

Mercury's breaths came hard and fast, yet without labour or hardship. His arms pumped and his legs pounded the earth; despite the fear of the beast that had stalked him through the night, part of him was joyful and free, revelling in the thrill of the chase in the dark. Part of him was born for this.

He burst triumphantly through the treeline, and he hit the flatlands running. This was where the chase would reach its climax, where the test of speed and stamina would spiral and where the risk was greatest. Two legs versus four. He was close enough now to see the gates of the city, but not so close that whatever chased him was put off its hunt. He would need to reach the gates before the wolf-like creature reached him.



OoC: Sorry I), took too long with Bran. I'll be in the city soon!

Nis felt left out of the group and wondered the street becoming lost in her thoughts. She thought about her next move his next move and how to make those two listen to what she had to say. It was clear to her they never been chase before and she wondered how they been found so easy.

"Hey baby, can I get you other drink?"

Nis left her thoughts, glaring over to a strong looking young man that hand his hands all over her. "Only if I can kick you first, maybe even let out some anger on your face." She said before walking away pissed off more than before. She looked around her noticing a few building, but than realized she had made it back to the entrance of the city.

"Grrrr Why didn't they listen to ME!" She yelled standing in clear view of the gate.

The two forms raced across the open flatlands, one upright and one on all-fours. He did not look back - for to do so would slow him down - Luca knew instinctively that the beast would have gnashing teeth and the hunter's death glare upon him. And he knew it would be gaining on him, slowly but surely. He considered using some of the plains' obstacles to his advantage, perhaps using some of the scenery to slow the wolfen hunter down, but he knew it would be fruitless at this point. His only hope was to run.

His arms were tiring and his legs were burning, but rather than slow down the panting thief put on a final burst of speed and effort. His own teeth were bared now, with the pain and exertion this effort was exacting on his body, but the thought of the snapping jaws of the animal behind were enough to force his aching legs on.

Then he heard it, an echo rolling across the plains from the city. He longed to shout back, but he could not spare the breath. He only ran faster towards the shadowy figure standing in the gate.

Her anger calmed enough for her to hear the noises around her. To hear the sounds of foot steps coming closer to her faster and faster. She turn to see a man dashing faster to the city. A trail of dust following him father back. As he came into her view more clearly it was like time begun to slow down. But the next events happen very fast.

She reached for her gun noticing the beast that was chasing him. She lower down to one knee and aim to shoot. Breathing calmly and slowly she to aim of the trail that followed behind the man. Bang, her gun fired at the beast and she kept firing until she noticed the trailing dust behind him had turned away.

She kept her gun aimed but this time at the man that looked like Mercury. "Tell me something that only the real you knows. What was your reward for helping back in the cell?"

OoC: In case you've forgot. She gave him a kiss on the forehead.

When he heard the shots, it was as though the sound had travelled from the other side of the world and was slowly drifting across his consciousness. His momentum kept him going through the gates and past the kneeling form there, his arms flapping through the air as he tried to regain control of his body, but to no avail. He slipped and slid along the floor for a few feet. His legs seemed to have gotten so used to running that it took several moments for them to stop their twitches and spasms.

He gasped and panted, sucking in as much air as he could. This'll hurt in the morning, he thought to himself. He opened his eyes and found the end of a gun pointed his way.

"Tell me something that only the real you knows: what was your reward for helping back in the cell?"

He struggled to form an answer, but only gasps and wheezing breath made it out of his mouth. He grinned weakly at her, never having been so grateful to see someone pointing a gun at his head. He puckered up his lips to make a smooching gesture, and then carried on trying not to die.

Nis smiled, lowering her gun she couldn't help, but think how cute his answer looked. Maybe it was the booze or it could be see him again alive, but her cares disappears. "Took you long enough, what happen?" she asked while putting her weapon away.

"I didn't think you would show up with something on your tail. Or do you like things being behind you?" She asked brushing her hand by his butt. "Anyway the young man and that woman are having fun in the hotel room. And I think something is following or watching us. They say I'm crazy and left to the room."

She looked up at him before asking, "Did you learn anything about the group or anything useful?"

He wheezed. "What..happened...was that...I saved...the day..." He closed his eyes and gave a wry little smile. "And anyway...I'm a wanted...man."

Even as utterly fatigued as he was, he still couldn't resist throwing in a little charm when the chance arose. "Besides, I had it...on the run..." He slowly regained his breath. He grinned when she playfully tried to pinch his rump. "If I tried doing that...to you, I get the feeling that I'd lose my fingers."

She gave a tiny smile in return. "Did you learn anything about the group or anything useful?"

"Not really, apart from that they weren't fast enough. But why do you think we're being followed?" He was breathing a lot smoother now. "And more importantly, where can I get a hot bath?"