6-26-1043 Anderson Sharug
Jun. 9th, 2010 11:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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new_cantonSemael arose early from his bed at the inn. He hoped to get some time with Anderson Sharug before there were many people on the street. He also knew that Anders always got an early start on the morning in order to get as much done as possible before he had to mind the shop.
In the common room Semael invited his companions along if they were interested, then grabbed a butt of fresh sour dough and a bit of sharp cheddar to eat for breakfast on the way. The sun was just beginning to show above the trees as Semael began to walk down the street. The town was still quiet. Down the alleys a few bedpans were being emptied as people began to stir but was overridden by the smell of fresh bread coming from every inn and pastry shop along the road.
As he rounded the corner onto Smith street, the hammers and billows of the various smithies worked together sounding like an army fighting a heavy breathing dragon. Half way down the street was the smaller smithy run by Anderson Sharug. He was at the anvil working a piece of metal with surprising finesse, coaxing it into any shape he desired with a few strikes of his hammer.
Semael entered the shop, somewhat anxious about the reaction he would get, but of course none of that showed in his body language. Anderson had taken a beating, and Semael felt partially responsible. The wounds had healed some in the few days that had passed, but it was obvious there was lingering soreness. Semael began to feel a little guilty for not coming earlier, but hoped Anderson would understand that it was an attempt to keep from betraying their professional relationship.
no subject
Date: 2010-06-14 06:06 pm (UTC)"Only a few days ago, had you entered this shop, my father and I would have killed you." The voice emanates from a dark room towards the back of the shop. "We thought, perhaps," the voice continues as a young man, no older than 17, steps forward. "that you were with Archon afterall." He has a lithe build, sandy blonde hair, but he walks with a hidden confidence. "It definitely seems like you're benefiting from a well-placed patron, but your work speaks well for you and your comrades." Both men continue to stare at you for a considerable amount of time. Finally the older Sharug nods.
"Due to the considerable danger that working with your group will continue to present to me and my father, the deal has changed. You will continue to receive the discount, and we will continue to purchase at a lower price." The boy is all business, his voice does not shake as he continues on, "However, we will require that you purchase the property next door to this one and sell it to us at a 15% loss. At that point, we require that you and your companions assist in expanding this shop to include my potions shop."
He waits for a second for you to realize the cost of continuing with your relationship with them. Just as you begin to form a response he continues, he obviously wants to control the conversation "In addition, you will receive a 25% discount on any potions purchased from the shop. You will also receive a 10% discount on other various items of power sold at my shop. However, I will not be providing any increase on funds given to you for selling those items directly to me."
Again he pauses, but only for a second, "Please consider the new terms in light of the pain that your actions have brought my father, and the continued danger that you would put the two of us in." The words carry a finality to them and the older Sharug again begins working the metal in front of him.
AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-06-15 05:26 am (UTC)"Mr. Sharug, I can understand your frustration, especially at seeing your own father tortured. Any normal person will be looking for justice, if not revenge in your situation. I'm sure you don't know this, but the instant I heard your father was kidnapped I did some research of my own in an attempt to find out what happened and how we could help."
This time was Semael's. He found it easy to maintain his calm, but he had to keep control of the conversation until he had made his rebuttal. Sharug Jr. had already made a grab for control of the entire situation, and it was time to put him in his place. Semael had to set him off kilter.
"Perhaps you didn't know that the beating your father took was for your sake, not mine. The people that visited him had no indication that myself nor my party were involved with him at all. They came to perform a regular shake down and collect protection money. It was when your father made a case for your new shop that things got messy."
A slight pause to let the words sink in before taking another knock at Sharug Jr's confidence. He had put forth a very confident front, and Semael wasn't sure how much of an effect he had had up to this point.
"You should know that the deal I made with your father was very fair to both parties. It may be that because of our deal we helped your shop grow fast enough that Archon's attention was turned your direction, but it would have come with or without us, and how you react to that pressure is entirely independent of our deal. The only effect we had was the timing. There was no part of it that said your father could not comply in order to preserve his business or his life."
"Now, perhaps it's the inexperience of youth, or per chance your emotions have overwhelmed your sense of reason, but I don't believe you have thought through the ramifications of your proposal. Please let me explain what you are really proposing, and then I will give you until tomorrow night to reconsider while I do some further investigation of the options."
Without waiting for even as much as a nod, Semael continued. His tone was factual, but not lecturing. He exuded confidence in his position without a hint of condescension.
"Constable Harken has access to all town records. He certainly knows, as I know, that the shop next door is not for sale. He also knows what type of business the shop does. So, if it is then sold to me, or one of my party, and THEN sold to you at a 15% loss, our alliance will be exposed to Constable Harken, and therefore to Archon. If you believe you had pressure before, then you are sorely mistaken. Your father hasn't said anything, and I can only assume the price he paid for wanting to help you start your shop was his tongue. There is certainly no reason to expose our deal until we have been able to clean up the streets even more to make it more safe for you and your family. My party and I have made every effort to keep our professional relationship private, and this would negate all of that."
Semael paused for a moment, allowing the blank stare of a Deva to unsettle Sharug Jr. The silence lingered for a moment before Sharug Jr. shifted a bit. At that moment Semael continued.
"I'll make no comment regarding you're proposition until I talk to the rest of my party, and I would expect you to do the same with your father, but know that the conditions you put forward are quite extreme."
Semael then turned to Anders, "I'm very sorry for the pain you have been through, and I pray to Bahamut for your safety and continued prosperity regardless of how our deal works out" he finishes with a respectful nod. He then takes a small throwing dagger from the display table, setting down enough gold to cover the cost and then some. "In order to maintain pretenses" he says, without turning around.
As the knife easily shaves his bites of cheese on the walk back to the inn, Semael's respect for Anderson's skill at the anvil only increases. This had not gone as expected at all. Semael had hoped to simply touch base and ensure Anderson was safe and ok, and then have him take a look at Hacksaw's sword. It looks like that will probably have to come much later.
Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-06-15 10:01 pm (UTC)He listened intently, if there was anything he learned in his years at the House, it was how to read his opponents. As the Deva nodded at him, Anders knew at that moment that he, his son and the Deva were part of something larger he didn't understand.
"I knew they wouldn't do it," the boy relaxed as the Deva walked away with the knife he had just purchased. He walked over to the money and noticed that the Deva had paid significantly more than the dagger was worth. "And they seem like good people. I mean, we could really use the shop next door, but 15% loss? That's ridiculous."
The elder Sharug nodded and pressed his hand to the new necklace that hung across it. With a thought he responded "Trust me boy, Ruby knows what she's doing. I just hope that they are willing to take the deal. We'll need their help, as much as possible in what we're going to be facing soon." He finished and let his hands fall from the neck piece and finally thought to himself "Please know what you're doing Ruby".
AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-06-15 03:24 pm (UTC)"I didn't feel entirely comfortable with how things went down and I think we should find out more. First of all, the shop next door isn't even for sale. Word on the street is that while it puts up a good front, business is far from booming. That leaves them open for a buyout, OR, they may be open to negotiating a deal if things fall through with the Sharugs. Perhaps we should find out how much the shop would cost. I'll see what I can find out about the owner's loyalties, and then go talk to them about the shop and just how much it would cost. 25% off of healing potions and other magical supplies could be great benefit to our group, but I certainly don't want to do this entirely on the terms of Sharug Jr."
"Secondly, I think we should find out as much as we can about the younger Sharug. He was very confident, bordering on cocky, and I never got that feel before from Anders. Would you be interested in snooping around a bit Neh-Tohon?"
Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-06-15 09:58 pm (UTC)Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-06-21 09:44 pm (UTC)The prank lightens his spirits and distracts him enough from his own thoughts before he reaches the blacksmith. Unnoticed he sleeks around to the rear of the shop near the anvil and forge. The steam, heat from the forge, and the soot stained alley provide wonderful camouflage for his watch. For a few hours he remains at his perch, the lack of movement would have driven most men and women to collapse but Neh's monk training make the task easy. The wait finally pays off.
The bell above the shop’s entrance chimes. Neh-tohon takes in a silent yet deep breath. With the breath he blocks out ever other sensation, the heat of the forge, the cackling of children at play only a few doors down, the crinkling of embers, all else goes quiet as he strains to hear sounds from the front of the store. As his ears stalk after his prey, a voice stands out. Oddly it is only one voice; he knows the old man was watching the counter, but why isn’t he speaking. A question for another time, he can’t let the only voice escape him. It is a woman, and she’s whispering. She is an elusive one. Like the trickster hares of mountains, she tries to mask her call in the ambient noise. “The patient hunter with time can catch the hare.” The voice of his Neh-tohon’s father interrupts his thoughts. So, he waits and teases out the sounds. Whispers and muffles they maybe but there are clues there also. Her comments are slowing and he can tell the end is near; just a few more words is all he needs. “Semeal, Neh-tohon, Balint, and Jesse.” She said in concluding her monologue. The embers start popping more as Neh-tohon is forced by his shock to utter, “Ruby.” A plume of smoke rises and a timber buckles in two at the word. The bell rings again and Neh-tohon waits.
A minute passes and Elder Sharug walks to the forge and begins to work a piece of blackened iron n. Halfway through the routine he stops. Frustration shadows his face as he sweats and begins to finger a pendant. Neh-tohon stares at the curious object aware that the trinket not the iron is somehow the source of his frustration.
Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-06-30 09:08 pm (UTC)"I understand your concern. I assure you that you'll have protecti-" her sentence stops as if she's been interrupted, but the blacksmith hadn't spoken. Obviously agitated she waits as he fingers his pendant, his eyes glaring at her accusingly.
"I know, and that was...unfortunate. I wish I could have done more than the pendant for what happened to you. I am still not sure how they found out about your connection."
Lying was easy for Ruby. Ever since she was a child. Of course, this wasn't completely unexpected, being what she was. She definitely had the connections to heal the blacksmiths tongue, but that would require letting go of the string. She had followed the string back this far, she needed to return to its conclusion. She reminded herself it was worth it.
"Much has changed since then." Ruby continues on, "Judge Judith will be giving the adventurers a specific title and responsibility." Again she felt interrupted, but she pressed on. "I promise you, you won't be in danger if you continue with this deal. No more danger than simply still living after Harken had gotten to you."
She turns towards the exit and sniffs the air. Someone was there. In the alley, but she couldn't make them out. Obviously the tail was good if it had snuck past her and stayed hidden this long. She'll need to deal with it. Or maybe the tail wasn't for her, but for Sharug.
Quickly, she picks up her pace and hurries down the street, instantly getting lost in the crowd. She doesn't reappear until she's standing in front of the inn that she used as a meeting spot for the adventurers. She hadn't given them a job, and the Dark Lady knows they wouldn't find one on their own. They had to be in there, and hopefully they could hurry back to the Anderson Sharug. His life depended on it.
Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-07-01 07:50 pm (UTC)Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-07-01 07:59 pm (UTC)Ruby should get to the others before you. We'll let them each post before you show up again.
Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-07-21 08:18 pm (UTC)Re: AM 6-26-1043
Date: 2010-07-03 07:14 am (UTC)Semael enjoyed a few sips of his mild spiced cider after watching Neh-tohon leave the inn's common room. The warmth of the drink seemed to soothe his nerves regarding the harsh encounter with the Sharug's.
"Another one handsome?" says Vanessa just over his shoulder, with the decanter ready. Semael had been here long enough that he now recognized most of the servers. Vanesse seemed to hover too much for his taste.
"No thanks, I'm heading out on some errands." Semael politely put the small mug on the clearing tray that Vanessa had resting on her left hand at shoulder. She stepped back to let Semael through, ensuring her breast just barely brushed his arm. She was also much too eager and not nearly picky enough. Without looking back, Semael left the inn.
There was so much to do before getting back to the Sharugs. The offer had been ludicrous, there must be other reasons they had even considered making it. First, was to figure out why the Sharugs would be so interested in a bone reading shop.
Semael abhors mystics. Most are quacks or frauds, and the few others are dealing with powers they can't possibly understand. The Gods have the right to grant miracles and supply prophecies, and no others.
The display window at the shop was sparsely decorated with cheap black cloth and the skulls of some small animals, probably rats. There were some shiny glass beads of red and smokey gray scattered among the skulls, and a few hanging on thin lines from the ceiling.
Upon opening the door, a small windchime sounded. The entrance was blocked by a black curtain enclosing a small space, leaving the entry barely large enough for 2 people and concealing the entirety of the shop.
Before Semael could proceed through the curtain, a very wide, armed man appeared. His chest was bare, and you could see the muscles bulging. "What are you looking for?" he asked in a surprisingly normal voice.
"I'd like to get a reading of my bones please." Semael replied, as unassuming as possible. He cowered a bit and let his eyes shift, which was the response he believed the man was looking for. It didn't feel natural.
The man turned, buying every bit of Semael's act, and hollered, "Agatha... Customer." Then turned to Semael, "Wait here while she gets ready."
Semael expected him to leave through the curtain, but instead he just stood, staring up at Semael's 6'4" frame. He didn't let Semael's height play any part in his threat assessment. The few minutes passed slowly. There were the muffled sounds of movement behind the curtain, but they were obviously attempting to keep it quiet.
After some minutes of discomfort, an airy female voice came through the curtain. "Well Thurg, show our customer in, I can't read the bones while he's out there you silly goose."
Thurg turned and parted the curtain, revealing a practically empty shop. There was a round table with a black velvet table cloth in the middle of the room. One chair sat on each side of the table, with one occupied by a rotund woman in a bright orange mumu. She had many necklaces hung around her neck, but none with any mystical symbols.
Thurg escorted Semael all the way to his seat, and waiting until he sat down before assuming his post next to the curtain. Semael noticed there were three other very large men in the room. It seemed overkill for a simple mystic.
"Well, well, well, a Deva. That is most interesting. I've heard readings on Deva's can be especially hard to interpret due to their lifecycle, but we'll see what we can do" Agatha said jovially. She took many small breaths while talking, breaking each phrase up with multiple tiny gasps, each one causing her chins to bounce.
"Let's get started right away, I have an appointment not long from now" she said, producing a small red velvet bag from a fold in her dress. "Is this your first time dear?" She asked.
"Yes. Well, in this life" Semael replied, attempting to act a touch nervous.
"Well, let's see what's in store." She opened the bag and turned it over just above a large, white bowl in the middle of the table, letting the small bone shards bounce around at the bottom. Then she produced a flagon, which must have been resting near her feet. She opened the container and poured a dark red liquid into the bowl. It looked like blood, but it smelled like wine thickened with corn starch.
The liquid and small bones sloshed around the large bowl as Agatha poured to nearly the point of overflowing. "The bones adjust better in the cyclops skull if they have more fluid." Agatha plainly stated when the flagon was empty. Semael was more surprised that he actually believed the bowl was the top of a cyclops skull.
The bones within the bowl jostled for position while the liquid settled, then finally came to rest. One in particular caught Semael's eye. The wine had colored the cracks in the bone, making it look vaguely like a noose.
"Ok" Agatha said, attempting to scoot her chair in while being thwarted by her girth, "Let's see what's going on in there."
She stared in silence for a long minute, with no sound but the wheezing of her breath. The other four men in the room looked like they couldn't be any less interested.
"I see an island. You are a very lonesome man. You keep yourself aloof from any companionship as the tide of life slowly wears away at your resolve.
Oh, and next to that a bubble. Your hopes will be dashed, over and over again. You have no chance of success in any major endeavor in your life.
I also see a cake. There is a surprise waiting for you in the near future.
And finally, and I'm sorry to say this, but I see a noose." At that instant, she sits up straighter, looking Semael directly in the eye. Sweat begins to show on her forehead. Her breathing is deep and full, and without interruption she says, "I see you on one platform next to a very high wall. There is a hooded man standing on another platform hear yours. The hooded man pulls a lever, you drop, and your neck snaps. Azriel. Azriel. Azriel."
She gasps then, placing both hands on the table. They shake ever so slightly.
"Your reading is done" comes a gruff voice behind Semael. He had been so entranced in the last part of the reading that he hadn't noticed the man come up behind him. The chair was pulled out and Semael was escorted to the exit near the rear of the shop. Agatha didn't move or say a thing.
Upon entering the alley behind the shop, the sounds of the Sharug forge next door pulled Semael the rest of the way out of his stupor. He had learned some important information. The shop was obviously a front for something else. Did the Sharug's know that? Were they looking for more than simply expanding the shop?
In his haste to return to the inn and talk with his friends, Semael walked right past Neh-tohon on his perch, watching the Sharug shop. Even had he been in a state of full awareness he would have had a hard time seeing him.
After returning to the inn, the next step would be going to the courthouse to find out more about the bone reading shop.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-07-21 07:50 pm (UTC)Finally she presses past the last of the bar patrons to find the table occupied, but not by those she had expected. Instead a single man sat at the table. His eyes raised up as she halted, wishing she had never entered that bar today.
"Hello Ruby." The man whispers, his eyes meeting hers. They were black, the entirety of them. No whites at all, but yet the remaining features were human. At least that's how anyone else would describe him, but not Ruby. His skin shimmered, like Onyx under a hot sun. She knew what lay beneath the skin.
It was a painstaking 30 minutes before she walked away from the table. Her timeline had been increased. She didn't know if he was onto her plans yet, but he knew that she was the one behind the changes in the city. This was, of course, perfect.
Then, glass shattered as she remembered why she had hurried back here. She needed to save the blacksmith. A hand grabbed her as she exited the bar, it was Semael.
"Semael! Anders is in trouble! He's got a tail. I need you to take care of it."
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-07-22 11:15 pm (UTC)"One water please." He said with a smirk, placing 2 coppers on the bar. Vanessa giggled, shooting a wink at Semael and a quick glance at Sven to see his reaction as she grabbed a mug and headed to the back room to fill it.
While she was in the back, Semael glanced at his normal table, surprised to see that it was occupied by two people. With the bustle in the room, he couldn't get a good view of them.
The water tasted of dirt and dish rags, but at least it didn't muddle his mind. The cheap ale they served here didn't really muddle the mind either, but it tasted worse than the water.
Semael decided to stay at the bar rather than intrude on the couple at his normal table. He didn't seem able to get a bead on them. The people walking around, and the few tables full of patrons in between him and the corner table continued to get in the way, but even when he felt he should have a clear view it just seemed difficult to pick out details.
The violent movement of exaggerated gestures continued to draw Semael's eye back to the couple at his normal table. It was as though the couple believed they were the only two people in the room. They were obviously arguing, but given the commotion Semael thought more people would be paying them attention. The hum of customers was fairly loud, but not even loud enough to dull the poorly played lute at the other end of the room. Semael certainly should have been able to clearly hear the heated discussion.
He sat at the bar for about 10 minutes waiting for his table to clear or for Neh-Tohon to return. In all that time he noticed that none of the barmaids waited on the table with the couple. Finally, the woman got up to leave the table. Semael knew that he would now get a good look at the couple. Vanessa stepped right into Semael's view to ask if he would like anything else. When he craned his head beyond Vanessa's ample bosom and shoulder, the woman was gone, and his eyes briefly met the man's.
Those pitch black eyes stirred something inside Semael's head, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it; Something from a previous life, clinging to obscurity like a dream he had just awoken from. At that point Semael saw Ruby making her way toward the door. Amazed that he hadn't made the connection before, Semael now recognized that Ruby was the one that had been arguing with the black-eyed man.
Semael hurried across the room to make sure Ruby was OK and ask what was going on. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"Semael! Anders is in trouble! He's got a tail. I need you to take care of it." She said before he could even get a word out.
Semael knew that his relationship with Anders was already on shakey ground, so he simply nodded and rushed out of the inn. His questions for Ruby would have to wait; again. He hated being her pawn, but so many times they seemed to have the same goals, and she obviously had more information. Before long he would have to take her down a notch.
Semael's pace quickened as he walked the route he had already traveled a couple of times this morning. He refrained from running in order to keep from alerting anyone, and maintained the emotionless face that came so easy to a Deva.
Semael had never been all that great at stealth, so he hoped a quick intrusion would grant him the element of surprise. Drawing Vera, Semael burst into the shop yelling, "Anders, where are you!" His eyes scanned the shop, looking for anything unusual. A single bead of sweat dripped down the side of his face. He was obviously ready for a fight if need be.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-07-26 04:50 pm (UTC)Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-07-26 05:52 pm (UTC)Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-07-26 05:51 pm (UTC)He jumps from the wall eight feet across the yard and sprints to the door preparing his shoulder for a blow he is sure will hurt. Bashing things is more Samael's style, Neh-tohon thinks as he strikes the door hard. It bursts off it's hinges carry him to the storage room. Just then he hears someone yell Anders name from the front of the store.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-07-26 09:44 pm (UTC)It traveled about 1/4 of the way through it's swing when there was a heavy grunt and it came flying back to its closed position before granting Semael any view of what was in the next room.
On the other side, Natan Sharug was just readying himself to face the attacker that had burst through the door to the back alley. In the act of drawing a massive broadsword from the scrap bucket, the door launched it out of his hands.
The heavy blade lodged into the frame of the exit, lazily swinging back and forth after impact right next to Neh-Tohon's head while Natan sprawled onto the stone floor face first between Neh-Tohon's legs.
Semael heard the collisions and grunting on the other side and prepared to rush the door. He needed to stop the intruder from harming either of the Sharugs. He didn't want them blaming him for another of their problems.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-08-09 08:06 pm (UTC)"The intruder must be in the shop with the old man", Neh-tohon thought. The Elder Shrug was no where to be seen. Quietly, Neh-tohon prowled toward the door, taking care to stand to the side opposite of where the door would swing open. He had no desire to take a nap like Natan. He needed more information about this assailant or assailants so as he deftly neared the door he listened.
"Only one breath. Does this mean he's already killed the old man? The breath is thick and heavy. This thug is a large brust. Even the mighty Steepe Bison can fall to the cunning hunter. He tried entering this room once. I'll wait for him to try again and then I'll pounce." Neh-tohon thought as he waited for the unwanted guest.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-08-09 09:24 pm (UTC)No. More.
And then he hears what is obviously his door being broken from his hinges. He reaches underneath the anvil he had been working behind earlier and grabs his weapons.
His training had made him dangerous with a rapier and dagger, but they were meant to defend and disarm. He didn't want to kill this imbecile, but he definitely wanted to injure him. The Deva had yet to see him, he had known this. He was obviously more interested in heading towards the back room. Maybe Ruby hadn't convinced him well enough that we were all on the same side, was he after Natan?
Anders quickly rounded the back side of the anvil, staying out of view of the Deva. He rounds the corner, just about ready to make his move when the Deva finally m akes it to the back room and slams against he door. He obviously hit something solid, as he bounces back and loses his balance. This is the chance that Anders needs, he quickly sneaks behind the Deva before he is able to recover and slips his rapier arm around his waste, his hand flicking the tip of the rapier to come under the chin of the Deva and his dagger point finds the nape of the Deva's neck. This had been his favorite hold as a duelist, and it required the school's shortened rapier in order to pull off.
"Raraaggrarrffsssrsrssttt"
"Son of a bitch" Anders swears in his head. He still wasn't used to the loss of his tongue.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-08-09 10:09 pm (UTC)Semael immediately dropped his weapon. The massive forearms of the man seemed much more fit for an axe than a rapier, but he obviously knew what he was doing. He had captured a heavily armored paladin without giving up his identity, and all in a single, swift action.
Semael could shine with the divine radiance of Bahamut and sear the man behind him, but without knowing his opponent better, it would be foolish for Semael to resist given his precarious situation. He wasn't sure what the man had said, or if it was just a battle cry, but it didn't sound friendly. Slowly, reluctantly dropping Vera, Semael spoke, keeping his body still in order to avoid a rash movement by the assailant.
"Regardless of what you do to me, Bahamut will see you pay for anything that happens to the owners of this shop. I just hope he chooses me as his hand" He said, his voice full of venom and menace.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-08-09 10:16 pm (UTC)Realizing the brute must be distracted, Neh-tohon decided to change his strategy. Assuming the Masterful Spiral stance, he kicks the door with the full force of the attack traveling through the door into the thug behind it.
As the lumber strikes his victim with crash a wicked smile crosses Neh-tohon's face. The following grunt and return swing of the door suggested Neh-tohon contacted some bit of soft tissue covered by armor. Not a deadly strike but something to slow the thug down.
The smile is quickly ripped off Neh-tohon face as he hears the voice of the thug, but not it’s not a thug at all.
"Semael, is that you?"
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-08-18 08:07 pm (UTC)"Natan!" Anders thoughts are filled with his son. Whoever was behind the door had obviously decapacitated his son. Anders swore to himself, if his son was dead, this intruder would spend weeks praying to whatever God he believed in that he would find release, any release, a mercy that Anders would not bestow on him. With a flick of his wrist, Anders swung the tip of his rapier under the chin of the Deva, cutting a small line. "Deep enough to cause it to bleed, but not so much it was anywhere near fatal," Anders thought, "A perfect stunning wound." Releasing the Deva, and allowing him to bring his hands up to his chin, Anders stepped to the side and forward, into the Deva's field of vision. Recognition flashed in the Deva's eyes for just a second.
A second was all that the Deva had, and then the door had swung open, connecting with his beautiful face with full force. As Semael took a single step back, Anders saw the blood gushing from his mangled nose. Anders was more and more surprised by the stamina and willpower of this person, as the Deva staggered back a couple more steps and then finally succumbed to the darkness. He was out cold.
But that wasn't what had made Anders laugh. And he couldn't stop. For a full minute his eyes teared up and he was barely able to stand. Of course the door hitting the Deva in the face was funny, but not nearly as funny as the knowledge of the person that had kicked the door with such force, that its connection with the Deva's face had knocked him completely unconscious. Anders had just caught a glimpse of him when Neh'toan had slammed the door open with his powerful legs. AT that point, everything made sense. And it was hilarious. Anders was trying to catch himself and stifle the laughing before Neh'toan caught on, but when he heard a muffled "Semael? Is that you?" he couldn't help himself. He was on the floor, arms clasped around his stomach.
And despite it all, what made him laugh harder was just how ridiculous he sounded, laughing without a tongue. He hadn't laughed, and had rarely smiled since they had taken it. But damnit, this was funny.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-08-27 01:28 am (UTC)The blacksmith's odd laughing fit, if you could call the sounds coming out of his mouth laughing, added to Neh-tohon's confusion. Was this some sort of sick joke?
Seeing that Semael was unconscious he disregarded the blacksmith and went his friend at started trying to revive him. As he tended to the Deva he searched after who could be responsible for this mess. Had Ruby orchestrated this or was it someone else? Hoping he hadn't done any real harm to Semael he tried to forget who to blame and continued his attempts at rousing his friend.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-07 05:20 am (UTC)"This is all just a big misunderstanding officer. I believe the men here thought I was in trouble." Anders didn't know if he could send sarcasm through this gift from Ruby, that is he didn't know until he finished his next sentence, "What, with all the protection you lot give me, I think they were just misinformed." Anders quickly realized what he had said as the guard's face quickly darkened. The night he was taken, he didn't see a lot of faces, but maybe this guard was there...
"I'll have you hung for speaking like that to me. Not to mention the dirty aliens you seem to be galavanting with," the officer said darkly as he moved forward, pulling out his handcuffs.
It was at that moment that Anders knew that his son awoke, he could feel the anger coursing through his head, and knew it was coming from the other room. This wasn't good, the guard was going to pick up on that and make the entire situation much much worse.
Anders eyed his weapons, they were too far away now, he instead decided to take a gamble on the poor Deva laying on the floor. If he needed anything now, righteous indignation would be it. He wrapped his hand around the pendant, forcing all of his focus through it and sent a single phrase to the unconscious Deva.
"WAKE UP!"
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-08 07:45 pm (UTC)Semael lurched upright, reaching for his face in an attempt to bat the dog away. His head spun as his surroundings immediately registered and he quickly gathered his composure. Upon seeing Neh-tohon, Semael immediately knew what had happened. Apparently Ruby wasn't as all knowing as she thought she was. Once again, Semael was being punished for playing the pawn.
Semael produced a handkerchief as he gracefully rose from the floor, wiping the blood from his face. He turned to Anders, intending to compliment him on the maneuver to take him from behind, but was startled to see the guard heading toward Anders with his handcuffs out.
"Now Willis, what is going on here? Why would you arrest this poor shop owner?" Semael asked innocently.
"Shut your hole bailiff, you have no business here." Willis answered, puffing his chest so his guard's badge glinted in Semael's direction. "This 'poor shop owner' threatened me and attempted to undermine my authority."
"I have a hard time believing that, least of all because he has no tongue. But you wouldn't know anything about that, now, would you Willis?" Semael let a touch of sarcasm touch his tone. Perhaps being played by Ruby was getting under his skin more than he wanted to admit. That combined with the continual corruption in this small town were getting him closer and closer to the boiling point. It may just be time to stir the pot a little.
The frustration then began to show on Willis' face. "That's it. This shop is closed. All of you against the wall, dirty Haoles first, starting with you Sammy" he said, beginning to advance on Semael before he even completed his sentence.
Calling on the Wrath of Bahamut, a halo of divine light emanated from Semael, filling the room and creating spotlights of reflection form the many pieces of polished metal in the shop. Filling his entire 6'4" frame Semael makes it clear he has no intention of moving.
"Listen closely Willis." Semael says, his voice quiet, but piercing. "This shop is now under MY protection. If you have a problem with this place, you talk to ME first." His blank Deva eyes locked with Willis' refusing to let him look away now. "If anything, and I mean ANYTHING! happens to this shop or its owners you will wish you could answer directly to Bahamut, but I know Lawbringher himself, The Platinum Dragon will let me get to you first!"
Willis finally was finally able to tear his eyes away and his shoulders slumped slightly.
"Now, as your new Guard Captain, Willis, I propose you go about your beat and stay out of trouble." Semael said, producing his new badge.
Willis was shocked speechless. He stammered a couple of times as he backed out of the shop, but never managed to form a complete word.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-20 05:23 pm (UTC)"STOP"
The sound didn't come from him, but from all around him. The very walls seemed to have said it. And that's just what he did. Samael stopped, midair, his limbs hanging loosely, his face a mere inch away from the spiked hammer hung on the wall.
He turned, his body still floating. Natan had walked in from the back room. His mouth was bloody and both eyes were swollen. But something else was shining around him. It was as if the entire room melted away the closer it got to him. His hand was raised and pointed at Samael. It was then that he knew that it was Natan that nearly had killed him.
But it was Anders that had stopped him. Anders' amulet was glowing a deep red, and the same affect that had been permeating from Natan's entire body was also flowing from the amulet.
"Calm yourself Natan," the voice was calm now, but it still echoed throughout the large blacksmith shop. "This was a large misunderstanding. One I'm sure our intruders will gladly pay for damages, as well as spend the next few minutes explaining".
"Fine, I'm willing to listen," the younger Sharug responded.
"You're going to have to let him down first son," Anders chided his son. Natan still had no idea the affect that his emotions, let alone his directed power had on people. Anders had seen perfectly angry customers come in and upon reaching Natan's aura, had a complete shift in mood. Often to the detriment of the customer, who had forgotten their grievance and left with a smaller purse and more items than they needed. Anders usually didn't mind, but it still felt like cheating. He had searched everywhere for someone to help him figure out his son and his power, and that's when he had met Ruby.
The start of it all.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-23 08:14 pm (UTC)The area around Semael's eyes is already turning dark as the bruises settle around his broken nose, making him look like a harlot with far too much makeup. As he begins to speak his voice takes on a nasal tone thanks to the clots in his sinuses. This is going to be far from the regal, composed demeanor Semael usually likes to keep. Perhaps that will be for the best at this point. Hopefully Natan will enjoy the humanity in the normally stoic Deva.
Semael begins to explain the situation. While he is deeply irritated with the wild goose chase Ruby had set them on, and the nearly deadly consequences for himself and the Sharugs, he emphasizes the humor and good intentions of the situation. Perhaps this show of interest in the well-being of the Sharugs will help Natan allow Semael and his party into his circle of trust.
During the explanation, Anders can't help but let out a chuckle here and there further helping to calm his son. Every time Semael looks at Anders he is smirking and looking at Semael's still swollen and bloody nose. When he gets to the point of the story of being knocked out, Anders is eager to take over the narration, accentuating the way Semael flopped to the ground after the strike from the massive door.
Anders can barely explain the scene when Neh-Tohon came through the door. He puts on his most bewildered face, trying to mock Neh-Tohon's incredulity at seeing Semael on the floor. Anders is so caught with his telling of the story that he is laughing and making other incoherent sounds from his mouth while communicating the words through the pendant.
Finally, Anders gets to the part where Willis entered the shop. Rather than cut Anders off, Semael let's him finish the story, surprised and pleased by the positive light Anders casts on him. At the end of the story Anders is still chuckling about the Guard Captain badge and the look on Willis' face as he stumbled out the door.
When he's completely finished, Semael pulls out his money bag, placing several gold on the counter. "I assure you that door took no damage, but you may want to check the hinges to ensure they are still in good shape. This money should cover the damage I did to the front door, and any other damage to the shop. I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding and hope your head heals fully in short order Natan." Semael says in all humility.
"We will be keeping an eye on Willis to see if he has any ill intentions as a result of today. If you see any trouble whatsoever, please come to us in our official capacity as guard captains. The more there is on the record against those that are harrassing you, the better chance we have of cleaning things up."
"As for the other business, my friends and I are planning to do some more looking at the shop next door. It may take some time to figure that all out, and I would ask that you be patient with us. We plan to take it slow so as not to cause alarm. It's already obvious that it is not what it appears to be."
Semael pauses, looking for a reaction. Getting none, he continues, "If you have any further information about it, or could clue us in as to why it must be the shop next door, which isn't for sale, then that would certainly help us out, otherwise, we'll be on our way for now. We'll be checking in regularly to ensure you are ok, if that's alright with you."
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-23 10:11 pm (UTC)"I hope everyone can see what is happening, and what has been going on for years now. Once again the lawless and corupt have succeeded at taking another blow against the innocent." He walks to Semael and wipes off some his blood. "This is their doing." He then walks to Anders and points at the necklace. "That is their doing." Then he points at Natan, "Your anger is gift from them." Lastly, he lays bare his tatoo. "This is what they do people. They make us slaves to fill their coffers, they make us slaves to our fear, so we begin jump at any disturbance and mistrust everyone,and they pull our strings even when we think we're free of them." The frustration finally overcomes him and he slams his fists on the counter. "This has to stop, we have to stop them."
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-24 09:54 pm (UTC)Finally, as everyone collected themselves, Anders grabbed his favorite scotch from behind the counter and grabbed a few shot glasses and poured. He left them on the counter, letting his company take their glass if they wanted. It was now time to get down to business, while the Deva's head still rung from the concussion.
"I'll admit," Anders says, "that I have much more respect for each of you now. I'm sorry for the way things have played out this far. But we do need the shop next door. And I believe that due to the damages to my shop and my bodily person, that the deal we had made is fair."
Anderson shifted his weight as some of his companions gathered their drinks. He continued before they could argue, "But I will assist you in whatever you need in that acquisition," Anders said, "The first being that the store next door has very little business. But there is one man that enters the store every week at the same time. Followed exactly 2 hours later by a woman. The man then leaves an hour after that, and the woman shortly thereafter."
"He'll be entering the shop in about 20 minutes from now, in case you were wondering", Anders chimed in just before they could speak and then quickly swallowed his shot and poured himself another. "And I'm sure that sounds like a perfectly reasonable job for such a skilled tracker as you Neh-toahn" Anders quickly shot out before chuckling again.
Re: AM 6-26-1043 (Open to Samael, and then Neh-toan)
Date: 2010-09-25 04:49 am (UTC)