Another Mercenary Among Merchants

[Aveilthé]

Footsteps were heard from the vast church, and Taro was quick
enough to toss his double-bladed katana up on the roof. He was
tall enough to do this, thus, Taro folded his arms and leaned
agaist the church's wall, many feet away from the door so that
he may look less suspicious. He meant to hide, but his mind did
not make up such an assumption so quickly, thus he did what
he had to do - look normal. But a giant of a man hanging by the
doorway looked suspicious enough, but Taro perhaps didn't realize
this.

"Sup, fathah," said Taro as he smiled broadly at the man that
he guessed was some sort of clergyman of the church as he
came into view.

[Felypsa]

December’s eyes blazed with impatience as she regarded the urchin girl before her. As intriguing as the mysterious dagger was, there were more important things ging on currently. “I’d rather you didn’t follow me,” she said, “but I know you; you’ll follow me whether I like it or not. Girl, you’re almost as much trouble as that fop of a vamp.” Though December spoke disparagingly of Fortuné, as she usually would, she could not help but feel a twinge in her heart, which she tried to ignore.

“I’m trying to save a life,” she informed Jolene, not telling her which life—though that was fairly obvious. “You’ll tag along, as usual—but if you get in my way, I will not hesitate to call the authorities on you. Tell me about this dagger, but don’t slow me down.” With that, December resumed her hurried pace to the address listed on the posters. Of course, she could not have known that Taro had since moved on from there…

If Father Hyde was surprised by the height and breadth of the giant mercenary, he did not show it. Rude and crude, he thought to himself; typical mercenary scum. Oh, Lord, do forgive me. “Rosa’s mercenary, I presume,” the priest said, nodding to Taro, while tilting back his head in order to see his face. “I am Father Hyde, the priest of this cathedral.” He paused, expecting Taro to introduce himself.

After a moment, he resumed. “We are very different, you and I. Yet we find ourselves striving towards the same goal currently. There is a deadly and sinful vampire on the loose in this town. As God’s servant, I must protect the innocent people from his vile influences and threats. I have already failed in one instance; the poor Rosaline’s grandfather is deceased, because of my failure. I will not fail again.

“You too seek to destroy this demonic beast, albeit for an entirely monetary reason. Nevertheless, I know that there is nothing like money to make a man determined. Which is why I will trust you to do your duty. You have followed the girl here already, because you know she knows where the vampire’s lair is. She has come to me so that I might ‘exorcise’ this devil, for by some cruel twist of fate, she has fallen in love with him.” Father Hyde looked grim, for he believed Rosaline’s soul was in danger.

“Here is my plan, then: I have told the girl I will attempt to ‘exorcise’ the vampire, but I intend to do no such thing. I was going to betray his location to the authorities, but I would feel much better if this evil creature were taken to burn in the depths of Hell forevermore. You look like a capable mercenary who can send him to where he truly belongs. So, if you agree to this course of action, here is what will happen.

“Rosaline will lead me to the vampire’s lair, with you following us, of course; I trust you can do that quite well. When she coerces the vampire out into the open so that I will ‘exorcise’ him, I will act as though I am beginning a very important ceremony. There will be smoke and chants and songs, and in the height of confusion, you will leap out from your hiding place to kill the beast. With luck, Rosaline will not realize what has happened; if not, I will convince her that this was the best way for her beloved vampire. What say you to that?”

Father Hyde finally ceased to speak, looking up at Taro, expressionless. The priest was aware that he would have to go through serious spiritual cleansing after this plan, for he was indulging in deceit and murder and darkness, steeped in sin. But it was worth it to protect the people from the evil that resided in their city.

[Aveilthé]

Taro froze and took a deep intake of breath, but he knew that it
was too late; the man knew already whom he was, but the giant
didn't want to blow his cover so quickly. Perhaps it wasn't too
late to fool the priest.

"Dunno what yeh're talkin' 'bout," he replied gruffly, foldinig his
arms more in an insecure manner that was very un-Taro like. "M'
just a man walkin' by, s'all. Takin' a rest now... will... err..." he
looked off vaguely, feeling as though the shades he had placed
over his eyes were not working and made him even extra
suspicious. "Right, what makes yuh think I'm 'bout to do someone
in, eh?" But he knew that what he had said made no difference
whatsoever, it was too late to obscure his identity. "Whatevah,
dun answer dat."

Thus he'd listen to Father Hyde speak of his terms, but for the
longest of time, Taro did not respond. He didn't want to share
all the Escavan money with this man, Father or no Father. He
operated alone, with maybe a partner (as in December's case),
but didn't like strangers to butt in.

"Fathah, dun mean to sound rude n' stuff, but I work alone
with no accomplices, yuh dig?" Then he paused, as if considering
the priest. "Yuh can help, I guess... but I ain't gonna share da glory
with yuh. N' I killed off dem dark creatures before. I know thar' kind
very well. As fer yer plan, I think it's coo', short, sweet, and to
da point." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but he tried
his best to not sound in such a way in front of a priest. Taro was
never the guy to respect just anyone, he demanded respect,
but it usually took some time for him to allow his respect be
granted to people. Nonetheless, he forced himself to stay on
good terms with Father Hyde. For now, he decided to not give
way his name.

The reason for the aforementioned sarcasm was only due to
the fact that he hated being told what to do, especially since
this man butted in his business out of the blue. Taro cursed
to himself; he should have simply walked away instead of blow
his cover.

[Felypsa]

Father Hyde watched Taro with cold, searching eyes. The brute clearly did not like his interference. He was one of those types—proud, one who would eventually be infected by hubris. Pride goeth before the fall. The mercenary was unwilling to let one of a higher authority give him orders. But Father Hyde, much as he hated to admit it, needed this man—it would, paradoxically enough, ease his conscience. He would not be the one doing the actual killing.

“I am only trying to protect the people, and, in particular, Rosaline,” he said, trying to rationalize with this giant. “If you kill the vampire so insensitively, you have killed the spirit of an innocent girl who naïvely wanted nothing but to save the soul of one who was already lost. An girl whose heart was stolen by this dark creature, which is perhaps an even greater crime than the murders he has committed and the Satanic rituals in which he takes part.”

Father Hyde let out a sigh and tried to appeal to the mercenary’s inner emotions, if he should have any. “Many a time have I seen a young girl waste away for love of a man who does not return it to her or who has died and left the world forever. Many a time have I seen her father’s pain when he sees his daughter slowly dying and being helpless to stop her inevitable demise. I do not know if you have ever had a daughter, or a sister, or someone you have cared about very much died this way. And that is how Rosaline, the poor, naïve girl that she is, will die if you coldly kill this vampire who has stolen her heart.”

The priest spread his hands in a gesture of near-helplessness. “What can I do? I cannot prevent the vampire’s death—for he must die if the rest of us are to live in harmony and virtue, not steeped in darkness and vice—but at the same time, I do not want to see Rosaline pine after her forbidden love. I cannot stop her emotion, for it runs deeper than mere words can erase. I will not be able to console her after her vampire is gone. I can only try to make his passing more peaceful and to convince her that he has died at the height of salvation. Even then, I am not sure if that is enough to help her survive the heartbreak…but it is all I can do for her now.”

He lowered his arms and looked at Taro. There was neither pleading in his look, nor haughty superiority, just calmness. “If he dies without a sound, killed like some victim of the night, killed by shadows, she will be too distraught to be mended. But if he dies with pomp and circumstance, with the assurance of heavenly salvation, perhaps she will be comforted. I do not need money to do this; you can have the entire reward. I am, unfortunately, asking you to sacrifice infamy. If Rosaline hears that her beloved died at the heartless sword of a hired hand, she will be inconsolable. If she is to survive heartbreak, she cannot know about your part in this. That is, in effect, all I am asking. If you refuse, I understand. But keep in mind that I am only trying to save a young girl’s life.”

He bowed his head, as if in prayer, and awaited Taro’s answer.

[Aveilthé]

Taro stared off in disbelief, for he couldn't bear to look at the priest.
He could care less about Rosaline, and her feelings; he hardly knew
the girl except for perhaps an hour or two, and that was it.
Whenever he killed, it was only for his benefit. The only family he
was December. She was the only person in this earth that
he considered the closest thing he had to a little sister. If
anything, she was the only one that he would protect. His
feelings for anyone else were as cold as the deepest winter. He
was friendly to a point, but overbearing to the rest.

"Yuh, wha'evah... I'll do it den if it makes yuh happy, Fathah."

[Relairah]

A slight smile came to the girl's lips at being accused of being
troublesome. It was one of her specialties, she thought proudly.
Yet she gave no response, simply listened as December
continued to speak. She sighed slightly, "Figures, well whatever,
I won't be in your way." She began to follow December, not
questioning where the other was going or what she was doing.
She guessed quite a bit of it, and putting things together from
what she had seen, for one, and for another that December was
coming back from the vampires' house, she figured it out,
somewhat.

She glanced at the dagger, and began to speak about it. What
she had never really said before anything about, neither really
paid attentiono to, was that when they had been down below in
the vampires' house, her dagger had been emitting a strange
glow from within its sheath. She hadn't wanted to really draw
attention, thus had decided to leave it alone for later.

But she now explained this to December, and upon speaking of
the glow said, "It was too much like your sword. So, I'm curious
about your sword." She already knew that it was special, but she
wanted to know more about it, being her usual curious
self. "What else does it do, besides glow? Is it special in
anyway?" Suddenly she was a questioning annoyance perhaps,
but she wanted to learn as much about this dagger as possible-
and obviously it was related somehow to December's sword.

[Felypsa]

Father Hyde bowed his head at Taro upon hearing his lukewarm answer. Whether he had truly moved the mercenary or not, he did not know, but it did not matter; he had achieved what he had wanted to achieve. “The girl and I will set out soon,” he promised. “All you need to do is follow us—I am sure you were planning on doing that anyway. When the ceremony has reached its height, I will cry out, ‘Out, foul demons!’ That would probably be the best time for you to act. I leave everything else up to you and your own style. God bless you.” He nodded to Taro and went back into the church to prepare Rosaline, who was still praying steadfastly at the pew, unaware of the secret dealings that were taking place behind her back.



December raised her eyes to the sky as Jolene followed her so closely, asking her questions about her precious sword. How nosy! thought the half-seraph crossly. Just because she has found a similar-seeming dagger does not give her the right to know all the secrets of the seraphim and their metalsmith skills. Besides, December was impatient, keeping a sharp eye out for Taro.

“It is a weapon,” she said shortly, “and a weapon is only what its bearer makes it. It does not have a mind of its own; it’s just a tool, nothing more. If Seraphim is special, it is because I make it so.” She knew that probably wasn’t the answer Jolene was seeking, but she didn’t care to elaborate currently.

For at that moment, as she passed by the cathedral, she caught a glimpse of a giant of man standing in the shadows. She thought she saw another man beside him, but when she looked again, there was no sign of him. The giant stayed within view, however. December had found Taro—but what was he doing by the church? she wondered. He was not a religious man by any stretch of the imagination.

“Taro!” she called out, stepping into the area. “Taro, it’s me, December…I’m back. And thank goodness I’ve found you.” She glanced briefly at Jolene, who was still following her like a shadow. I won’t be rid of her easily or quickly, she thought. Oh well. I suppose she is harmless enough.

[Aveilthé]

"Uhh... kay," Taro replied stupidly, staring at the back of the preist
as he hurried off.

Taro obtained his double-ended katana from the roof of the church
and strapped it back over his intensely muscled back once more.
No sooner had he taken a step did a familiar voice reach his ears.
He rolled his eyes and took off his shades, putting them away
inside his tight black shirt. Beady dark eyes stared down at the
much smaller December. "Sup, girly," he replied suppishly,
folding his arms again and leaning up agains the wall.
"Just chillin', yanno." He scratched his shiny bald head awkwardly.

"S'what's gottin' inter yuh, huh? You look all shakin' up n' stuff."
Taro tried his best to keep his manner collected. He then diverted
his gaze toward a slightly down-trodded looking girl. "Who's da
brat?" he asked quietly to the seraphic girl, obviously talking about
Jolene.

Suddenly, out of the street corner, came Dog, waddling up
towards Taro. For a moment he didn't notice, for the dog was
considerably small, but suddenly felt his feet feeling quite damp.
With shock, he looked down and cracked a grin. "Holy hell, you
just never quit," he murmered, bending down to scratch the ugly
creature behind the ears.

[Relairah]

Jolene listened as December began to speak but stopped soon
afterward. She frowned, though looked down when she did. It
deffinately hadn't been the answer she'd expected. Yet, she
couldn't really do anything about it, and neither did she press the
matter, for she didn't really have time to.

December suddenly began shouting at some tall figure in the
shadows of the church and she simply tagged along, curious as
to who this was. She glanced at December shortly before
suddenly snapping her gaze to the man when he spoke. She
looked him over briefly, he certainly was a mercenary, and from
his appearance would be rather intimidating to anyone.
However, any friendliness she might have shown him as being
friends with December was instantly gone with his comment
about her. She glared at him, frowning. "I'm not a brat," she
snapped, "I have a name, and I'm not unarmed and
undangerous either." Her eyes flashed but she calmed slightly
after she had spoken, realizing too late that she might have just
gotten herself in a heap of trouble. And not only that- but
December would probably not end up siding with her if it came
down to anything.

[Mama Z]

The song drifted on lively, but inside, Zayn felt the need that a new action was to soon be taken. Just as a bird knows when it is time to move south, the Phantom knew that he must now move on. Hands glided over the keyboard with ease, foot moving up and down to determine the length of the notes and added a certain whimsical sound to the room. But eventually, his finger ceased to move and allowed the last note to ring freely in the room. He glanced to his left, trained eyes catching sight of the small Imi. Such a remarkable bird and to think she had stayed here the whole time. He looked back at the ivory and ebony keys. They had to move on.

'I think it best we depart soon.' He started, unsure if Fortune would be willing to travel after. 'We've lingered too long.'

[Felypsa]

“I’m just…” she paused, thinking fast. What kind of explanation would Taro accept, and which would he see through? “…concerned about that deal I saw on all the posters.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’ve heard that there is not one but two vampires in this town,” she went on, wishing she didn’t have to betray Zayn’s existence but not really having any other choice. “And I was thinking about taking the job, but if there are two…well, one I can handle easy, but with two, I thought that since you were in town too, we should team up and get both vamps.” She nodded fervently. “It’ll be just like old times, Taro, when we were in the same merc band. We were unstoppable, unbeatable. We should do that again for this job, Taro. We should also go back to the dealer and ask for twice the compensation,” she added, hoping that, if anything, the prospect of more money would entice Taro.

She then looked at Jolene, unsure how she felt about her presence. “This is just a street urchin,” she said, speaking right over Jolene’s defiant retort. “I think she’s pretty good with knives, and Imi certainly likes her. It doesn’t really matter if she comes along or not. I’ve gotten used to her following me around.” She shrugged carelessly. Jolene should know better than to speak out like that, and deserved any reprimand Taro might give her. But December didn’t think Taro would much care.

“Speaking of Imi,” December said to herself, “where is that obnoxious little bird?”

With all the skill of a talented human musician, Imi let her last warbles fade out with Zayn’s own final notes. She had been more or less unaware of how much time had passed, being underground with no exposure to the sunlight. She knew she had better find December soon, but she felt worried on the vampires’ behalf. What if someone came while both she and December were away? It was Imi’s personal mission to see that Zayn and Fortuné did not come to any harm, and she was fairly confident that December was looking out for them too, in her own roundabout way. So when Zayn raised the topic of departure, she fluttered her wings in concern. When would they go? Where would they go, where could they go? She decided to wait a little longer to learn of their plans, so she could inform December.

[Aveilthé]

Taro's brows quirked in amusement at the young urchin
girl. "Woah, calm down thar', kid, stop bein' so defensive.
N' I was talkin' to December har', so like, butt out."

The giant kept a placid expression and an even voice.
He liked the kid a lot, he felt an immediate bondness
with the girl regardless; he thought of how the girl
was a lot like him in his younger years. This was
saying something, for he didn't much like kids, and he
was ready to give the urchin girl a chance to earn his
respect. He diverted his attention back to December.

He listened patiently, and didn't like what he heard, but
tried his best to look mildly surprised at her words.
"Posters?" he inquired, ready to pay dumb. "I ain't see
no posters... two vamps, yuh say, hm? Oh Dec, this bodeh
is growin' old; I ain't so limber like I used ter be."

Bastardly Taro. He indeed missed the old days of working with
December, but he really wanted to work alone, and he didn't
care a bit if he lied through his teeth at December's face.
Doubling the compensation didn't phase him in the least.
His right eye began to twitch, and he rubbed his smooth chin.

Fortuné ended his piece also, lowering both bow and violin and
settling them down upon the ground. He'd look up with intense
green eyes at his brother.

"Zayn, where would we go? Tis daylight still, and it would surely
harm us if we set foot outside." He sighed forlornly and sat
on the ground with his legs crossed, hands spread behind him
to hold him up properly. "You go... I'll stay."

[Relairah]

Jolene glared at December. 'Just a street urchin? JUST a street
urchin? The hell? Just because she's some mercenary...' Jolene's
thoughts she kept hidden, but she half wanted to retort that
December was just as much a street rat as herself being as she had
no job and no home and no money. However, she held her tongue,
listening as December told Taro about Zayn and saying she wanted
to take the job and for this bulk of a man to join her! Jolene could
hardly believe her ears. It took all she had to not protest or let her
jaw drop agape. Her bright orange eyes widened, staring at
December briefly. She was still in complete disbelief. She had to do
something she told herself...

She was even more surprised by Taro's response to December. How
could he not know? The posters were everywhere. Everyone in
the whole city knew what had happened the previous night.
Everyone was wanting to know if the vampire would be caught and
killed or if it would escape. As she stepped slightly to the side, she
suddenly noticed they were standing next to the church. She
wondered, questions suddenly pouring through her mind. Arms
were folded across her chest, yet they dropped to her sides, holding
her seraph dagger behind her, hidden from Taro, and also ready.
One hand gripped the sheath, one the handle.

She tossed her head slightly, dark brown hair falling behind her back
where it had been in her face. Bright orange eyes looked at
December, "If she's not with you, could she be..." but she stopped.
"Nevermind, she's your bird," she mumbled, glancing toward the
ground. She had almost just let slip the fact she also knew where
the vampires were. She figured Taro could've guessed that, and
December knew as well. But still... she didn't want to risk any more
than necessary- and her knowing anything about the vamps could
get herself in a deeper hole than she needed.

She looked up again, glancing between Taro and December. Surely
December wouldn't betray the vampires so easily? Would she?
Jolene had no idea, but she knew she could never trust the
mercenary again... not unless proven otherwise. She had to find
some way to get back to the vampires' house and help them, and
before these two mercenaries could get there... at least, December.
She was so full of anger, disbelief, and uncertainty that she couldn't
really decide on any one thing. This certainly had taken a different
course than she had expected, and she began to push everything
rushing in her mind aside.

[Mama Z]

He heard his brothers wishes, but wished himself that he hadnt heard it. A deft sigh left his lips and he turned to look at Fortune with the utmost seriousness. 'Do you honestly think you could survive in this city?' He shifted, twisting his body so he was no sitting oppisate of his beloved instrument. 'Do you think you could live here in this burnt down preformance theater in hopes you think no one will dare enter?' He shook his head, a few small strands of hair wavering with the force. 'Three people know for a fact you are here. One who is foolishly in love and tried to "save" you,' Here he stood straightening to his true height and looked across at his brother with a look that a judged gave to a condemned man, 'You think she tell?'

Green eyes looked around teh room, the memories flooding in his minds eye and causing him to struggle against the words he knew were true, that tried to deny once himself. 'You are a fool to think you can go unnoticed and a fool to think you want to be unnoticed.' He looked directly at him, seeing him clearly even through the dim candlelight. 'You'd be a terrible fool.'

[Felypsa]

December was afraid that Taro would say something like that. She let out her breath and looked annoyed, in some vain hope that Taro would try to console her and change his mind. “Well,” she said, looking around. She caught Jolene’s expression and knew she was as dubious as December. Only a blind man would not have noticed the posters all over the city, and even he would have heard the gossip. Escavas had not faced a crisis like this in a very long time. The local authorities were working on it, December knew, but they would never find Fortuné. The only one who had a ghost of a chance was Taro, who, December was willing to bet, had already hired himself out. For some reason he was refusing to work with her.

How she hated being put at odds against her friend! For a moment, she thought that she should just let Taro do whatever it was he was going to do, and let Fortuné deal with it. He and Zayn were right, she thought crossly, they had survived this far; what said they wouldn’t make it unscathed through this trial too? But an emotion instantly crossed her heart that told her to press on. It was guilt. December literally could not walk away from the vampires, knowing that she could have prevented their demise but didn’t. Besides, she felt she owed this one noble act to her father. He would not have walked away; she could do no less.

“Dammit, Taro,” she muttered. “Spirits, I know you’re thick, but not that thick.” She said it half to herself, half to him. She frowned. “The hell you’re doing standing around a church, Taro? Confession?” She barked out a laugh, though she didn’t really feel like it. Something else is going on. I need to find out what. Her eyes narrowed.