Rhy'Din - Assassin for hire

[Ekaterina]

A drift in his paced path made a swathing curve for the end of the bar where he stood a moment in silence, watching as she went about her preparations. Careful consideration was taken in pondering his answers to both her questions, and with the concentration and his brows crushed lightly together, his silence continued for another moment or so. "I...don't know." The simple three-word phrase adequately answered the questions simultaneously but still lacked the depth needed to satiate her curiosity. For the moment after, he again considered his expounding on the plain phrase, glancing down at the glass coddled in both hands and resting on the counter. "I don't feel as if my capacity to love again has been so tragically diminished that I would actively deny myself, but on the same merit, I can't imagine loving another woman as deeply as I loved and still love Indigo." The glass was then abandoned to its rest on the counter as stepping around the end, he moved to reclaim the forgotten broom left leaning against the front edge. "And if Death was eminent on the morrow?" There was no further offerance of an answer save that of shrugged shoulders.

While she listened to his response, she just stood there with her back to him. The task at hand had long since been completed and that which she tended to now was more flitting than anything. In fact, it occupied herself as she dealt with that turmoil of thoughts. Hands then ceased in motion as she slowly turned around to face him. For a long moment she stood there looking upon him, and several times lips parted as if to speak, but no words would be uttered. An inner battle waged within her, to the point she was no longer able to hide the fact outwardly. The mounting frustration of that which toiled within was begining to show. "I guess true love can never be replaced." Was that which she spoke, although far from what she wanted to say. Turning again to snag that mug now prepared, she'd cross the distance to where the kettle rested near to the fire. No move to collect it, instead she stood there gazing down upon it, as if awaiting a visual sign that the water was heated enough to be used.

Though he felt puzzlement, the sensation would be kept from the lines of his features and in its stead, curiosity coloured his expression with deepening wrinkled brow and subtle hint of a frown. "Not if true love is confined to a single person, no. But love..." A pause broke his verbalised thought as brows were relaxed and the questionable frown faded from his visage, and casting aside the hesitation that held him at bay, steps were taken to bring him within a few feet of her stilled figure. "Love comes in many forms and each can be true in its own unique manner. True only means that love is in its purest, no matter the form." Pensive silence then fell between them, and though unbeknownst outright to him, he stood hesitant as if there was more to say. Such thoughts flooded his mind, the brimming of a thousand different things to say pressing him to speak, yet he held to his silence for a long moment after before with reluctance visible in his actions, he turned
to walk back towards the bar.

She could see him via periphial, yet not once did she look up or towards him when he was there. "Besides the obvious of the situation with Indigo, have you any regrets? Things that if you had a chance to change them, you would?" Thekettle would begin to sing, and it prompted her to reach forth to capture the handle with the utilization of a dry cloth. Lifted to fill the cup with the steaming water before it would be set next to the fire to keep warm, not heat further. Slowly she'd stand and turn to make her way back to the bar. Moving behind it, but only at the very end to stand as the cup was placed upon the bar before her. It took a moment or two, then those pale eyes would rise to settle upon him. While she was talking to him, thoughts still ran rampant in her head, the multitasking mentally caused those guarded features to lax and outwardly show within those crystalline depths that inward war's full rage.

"Regrets? I have a few, perhaps more than I care to number but none so debilating to keep me lamenting." A subtle smile would be seen for a brief instant as gaze met with gaze, but as he continued, his features were once again captured by a solemness of reflection. "Some I would change if the difference were of a positive one, but the others I would have to seriously consider the wisdom and worth of change." Idly, broom bristles were swept over the small patch of flooring at his feet before he stilled, realising the uselessness of the action. As he held her gaze with his own, notice was taken of something reflected within the depths of her eyes. "Life in and of itself is too complex for me to believe that if given the opportunity to change something, to erradicate a regret, that what I would pray would result actually would to my satisfaction."

She wasn't one who had taken to smoking, although occassionally she'd have the want, and it was something that was becoming strong within her now. Although she'd not give into the vice, nor would she turn to capture that bottle of Cognac that rested near. Instead she'd look down at the mug resting before her, as fingers began to lightly trail over it's outer surface. "For many years I have shy'd away from getting involved with people, as friends or otherwise. I always found it simpler to make no ties, so when I had to move on there would be nothing to miss or make me want to remain." Fingers would slowly work upon the mug that it began to slowly turn with the effort. A deep breath taken then slowly released. "Then I came here and things began to change. I found that I enjoyed the company of people I would come to know, to be in the presence of those that I had actually placed trust. To walk into someplace and see the face of someone I know, greeted with a smile or wave." Slowly her gaze rose to rest upon his features, her own at that moment looked weary in a sense. "I had even began to contemplate on the posibility of a permenant residence. The very things I avoided at all costs, for fear of it making me weak when I was called upon..." For a long moment she'd just look at him, then slowly her gaze would redirect to that mug between her hands. "I was right." The last a almost a hushed whisper to sound.

Brows arose in unison in a show of disbelief and lowered once the peak of their mutual arches had been reached, yet slower was the decline than had been the incline. Sky blue gaze was as slowly lowered as did hers, to settle on her hands with the tea mug in their grasp as he settled on a barstool, again leaning the broom to the counter's edge. Shoulders raised and lowered in a minimal effort as an inhale was drawn and released, and as his mind grappled on providing a response, a reserved thoughtfulness took hold of his expression. "Why do you consider yourself weak?" The gentleness of his tone deflected the curiosity that was held behind his words, and without the benefit of lifting his head, sky blue gaze lifted of its own accord to glance across at her. He watched her for a lengthy moment before upon raising his head to level his gaze, but not unkindly, he spoke again. "Or is a fear of something that compells you to see yourself as weak?"

Slowly her gaze rose to meet his in a steady hold. "Because I've come to like you Aloysius, and in that I've created a weakness in myself. Where once I would not have cared, now I find that I do." Brows furrowed slightly, this was not easy for her. What she wanted to say, she just couldn't blurt out, which was unlike her being as brutally blunt as she could be. This was the result of that inner battle taking place. It was almost as if she couldn't find the words that needed to be said, or perhaps it was more the reaction she would gain from him if she stated them in full. A combination of all involved upon the war grounds of her inner mind. Hands to release that hold upon the mug as she'd abrubtly turn to walk over to one of the windows that enabled her to look out into the dark. More something in which to actively gaze upon to keep her from looking upon him at that moment in time. She hadn't never actually pondered on what would happen when she seen him next, this left her ill prepared to deal with this properly at all.

Fully perplexed by both her answer and her actions, he could do little more that stare after her as she stood at the window, gazing into the darkness of night beyond the panes. A turn of his body resulted in a swivel about on the bar stool, and remaining perched, his mind mulled over what she had said. The compliment had been clearly heard yet her words carried volumes that were not heard in her voice. "I'm uncertain of what you're saying..." With his voice trailing off again into silence, one boot was placed flat to the floor as he eased himself from the barstool, and with hesitent softly-echoing bootfalls, he crossed the room coming to a stand of feet behind her. "You find friendship that damaging? But...how?"

Right hand lifted to settle upon the cusp of that hip, the left rose to lightly cover her face as her head bowed forward. For a long moment she stood silent and unmoving, taking slow deep breaths as she worked to quickly resolve the situation in her mind. Minutes passed before she'd move again, with a slow lowering of her head as she stood errect. Again a deep breath taken, her decision had been made. Slowly she'd turn from the window to face towards him as her eyes rose to meet his and hold. "Because it means I've made a personal connection with someone. To the point I will worry over their well being, and offer aide where I'm able and can..." It would be in the last where her decison to tell her greatest confession. His being a knight, she would expect a harsh reaction, and it would be in this which would determine the ultimate outcome. In this she was now prepared, had even steeled herself to a degree for what could possibly transpire. "I'm an assassin Aloysius...." Her hand rose to indicate their surroundings. "...all of this is but an illusion of my life to offer others. A temporary status, or at least it's how it use to be. That was before I met you, Nicodemis, Iskin and Xander, along with others. Which places me in a very awkward position right now..." Hand lowered to rest close to her side as her gaze continued to hold his. "I was contacted two nights ago to take on a contract. I returned word of my acceptance to do so and in return gained the information of the one that's my intended mark." Another pause, a deep breath taken and released. "I've been contracted to kill you Aloysius." Watching his features closely for his reaction.

"An...assassin..." The soft timber of his voice fell into nearly a whisper as he repeated the words. But it was what she had last said that had struck his ears with the hardest audible blow, and a hand reaching out from his side claimed hold of a nearby chair as if for support were needed to remain standing. As difficult as it was to believe what he'd heard, he was still all too aware of the possible truth behind her admission, a thought which ran his mind through a gamut of queries. Suppositions and conjections, assumptions and conclusions were drawn but without the certainty needed to support them, the questions they were intended to answer were left open-ended. With his turnabout, letting go the chair with the action, sky blue gaze fell to the floorboards as a less than half a dozen steps were quietly shuffled in a direction not exactly away from her. "Sent...no, contracted...to kill...me." Again his voice was hardly more than a whisper as still with his head lowered, a sideways glance was drawing his attention and focus back towards her for a moment, and then again his focus was floorward. Visibly, he was shaken by the confession but drawing in breath, he raised himself to his full stature, the calm settling over him seen in the suggestive alterations in his features. Slowly, he nodded while forcing himself to accept the fact but as he turned to face her more directly, there was nothing of malice or contempt seen in his expression. He had considered her interest in weaprony that of only an interest but with her confession, the admission of her profession was made more stark. Two questions arose but of the two, the who was not as important as would she, and was asked in a quiet tone. "Do you intend to honor this contrac?"

She never moved from that spot before the window as she watched him, no matter how much inwardly she wanted to rush forward and assist. She realized the impact of her confession upon him, it was quite obvious in his stumbling state. Drawing upon that within her that had protected her so well for so many years in the past. Those walls she hid behind were erected quickly, to shield her from what ever may come. When he stood, she was prepared for the worse, not the question that was posed to her. "That depends Aloysius... upon you." Hands remained close to her sides. She had shared a part of herself that only few others knew about, when she exposed her collection to him in her room. "Like I said, and I honestly mean it. I like you and I have come to care what happens to you. This can go one of two ways, and the direction in which it does depends on how you're going to handle what I've shared with you. I've exposed myself and my cover, why do you think I would do that? I'm in no hurry to feel a rope around my neck, of that I can assure you."

A slight correction in his previously shuffled direction was made with a single step forward, the intention hardly ambiguous as he was directed towards the bar, whereupon reaching his destination, hands were curled about the counter edge. Though with his back turned towards her, it was still evident by his posture the contemplation he fell into while staring at the various wines and spirits kept behind the bar. Sky blue hues narrowed, more prominently creasing the crow's feet at each corner while his focus trained on a few of the more visible labels, but as he was a long-standing veteran of this recurring battle, he turned about to study her in favour of the bar's stock. "I can very well appreciate the risks you've taken in confessing and in all honest sincerity, I am grateful. But I'm still at a loss of understanding, unless by your meaning, your solutions are vastly different from my own. The only two ways I can see to solve this little dilemma are either you kill me or I kill you." Though his tone was level and hushed, there belied in that same tone a desperation to avoid what would be considered the inevitable. The hope of maintaining the friendship they had begun to cultivate dimmed with the anticipation of her answer.

[Ekaterina]

"You're correct in your assessment Aloysius, for I see that as being one choice. The other being, that the friendship that was being developed before I was placed in this precarious position, be maintained and that you allow me to help you find out the source behind this, and in turn, it be their head that I deliver instead of yours." That rigid stance would relax only slightly. "It's what I meant when I said I now have a weakness. My weakness here is you, I don't want to kill you, and I can't believe I'm saying this. Although, I also know you're a knight, a man who's lived by laws and codes. What I fear is your sense of duty will be that which will leave me no choice and unable to stay my hand. Why I said this all depends on you and what you'll do now. I will fight you if I have to, to the death, be it mine or yours, of that have no doubt if you put me in a position in which I must. I'm in hope it will not have to come to that."

He could find no fault with her reasoning and silently cursed the understandable logic that supported it. Assassinations and their accompanying intrigue had been part of his dying career in service to the king he once pledged his loyalty, but in such, he had been a distant player to the dramas and so never close as to be more than a knowledgeable bystander. Slowly, he nodded to signal his understanding but the acknowledgement did little to ease the unsettled feeling resting in the pit of his stomach. As he had lived, and continued to do so, by the laws and codes expected of a knight, he knew she too lived by a set of dictates expected for one of her profession. Thoughts he found himself to be dwelling on, such as the usual inquisitions that would present themselves when anyone found their life threatened, were pushed aside in favour of the first and seemingly most logical to be asked. "Who is it that wishes me dead? Because I find it almost too coincidental that a contract was proposed after we met."

"No name was given, though I do have my suspicion due to the last missive I received. In the first, it wasn't your name I was given, but that of another. Where my mark to be found was left out, so I was forced to respond with my acceptance and clarification of who it was and where this person could be located. Alorian was the first name given, then in the second missive, it was your name written, along with a comment that I already knew you and had been seen in your presence. We've only met in public twice Aloysius, from there I have to leave it to your memory, as to whom it could be." Steps were now slowly being taken as she moved away from the window and towards him. "I do believe we both know who this person is, and why." She would move to stand before him, although keeping a few feet distant so he wouldn't feel threatened by her nearing. Watching his features as she spoke. "One thing I can say, who ever is the financial backer of this, went through an alternate means in having me contracted, because of where I'm to deliver your head." She had many little pieces of the puzzle, just still in the process of putting it all together.

Memories of their two meetings weren't simply pulled from the recess and mulled through but viciously hauled to the forefront and disected with precision, for which his efforts revealed but a single name and with it the parting words heard that particular evening echoing hollowing in his mind. But the conviction reached created more deluded intrigue, the questions provoked by such goading him like the point of a sword dangerously prodding his side. With her approach, his relaxed stance fluctuated with the shift of weight from one boot to the other, but settling once again, the previous casualness of his posture was regained as the reflex had faded. She had been honest with her confession as she had been brutal in her admission she would kill him if forced into it, and in part it was the reason he took her in her word, but more importantly it was because he wanted to believe her. And despite the awkward situation she had chosen to reveal to him, he found his fondness for her as a friend had been expanding. "So you're saying that the one who wants me dead and my head delivered contacted you through a secondary to keep their identity secret?" A few steps were advanced to bring him only that much closer to her. "Where are you expected to deliver my head?" There was a sublime detachment in his tone akin to a coldness, not borne of
rising emotion but of growing morbid curiosity.

For a long moment she stood there looking up at him. "Before I will or can answer that Aloysius, I have to know. This is a matter I can not nor will not let rest upon assumptions. Where do we stand now, in your knowing who and what I am?" They were standing close, less than a foot to sepearate the two of them. "In order to share that information, I'll be exposing much to you. I'll not hold back on anything, even if you tell me after you gain the information you want, what's between us has come to an end and our next meeting will be upon the foregrounds facing each other off. I just won't openly expose everything and everyone. I know my days are limited and one day I'll fall by another's hand, be it yours or not. I will protect my interests though, in this I'm being forthright with you, so I expect no less in return." She had her reasons to be weary, for the simple fact she was treading upon territory never attempted before, the greatest risk she's ever taken
in life.

"Where I stand is where I have stood from the beginning." His words, though perhaps a bit cryptic in their utterance, were said with sincerity in the hushed volume that hovered his voice above that of a whisper. "It matters not to me what you are, what matters is who. Why should my death at your hand be any less if you were of a different profession? I could be just as easily struck dead on the morrow, my body trampled by a runaway horsecart, as a well-timed dagger slid into my heart?" With his pause, his gaze remained held to hers as by his side, one hand began to lift, yet in the next moment lowered arresting the intention of lightly touching her cheek. "You are an assassin, it is what you do, I can accept that. But even I can see that isn't who you are, it's only who you've made yourself to become." Taking another pause, he felt as if he had lost the thread of his thought and yet still had the faith she could understand. A drawn breath, pulled deeply into the lungs, was released before he spoke again. "There is only one person I know who would wish me dead through extracted revenge and that would be the Old Roguess, Cricket. I never learned whatever became of Indigo, but judging from Cricket's quiet hatred of me, I can only assume the worst." It was with as much shame as it was regret that he lowered his head, unable to hold her gaze with his own. As he spoke yet again, his voice fell to an even quieter level. "I never have and never will forgive myself."

Again that heavy silence would hang between them as she absorbed his response. Fixed was her gaze upon his, those blues which were the gateway to one's very soul. It was enough understanding that she'd now continue on with a touch of something never felt before; compassion. When his gaze lowered and his last words were heard, it touched something within that
caused an ache to be felt. It wasn't a sensation she liked, and found herself wishing to cause pain upon the source from which it was created. Hesitant was the motion of that hand which rose, to cross what slight distance rested between them, to lightly touch the side of his arm. "My suspicions are of the same individual, who I am quite positive has no idea of what I am, let alone how to
gain my services. I'm not cheap in what I do, and there's a good reason for this..." Slowly her hand began to withdraw from it's touch. "...I am unknown by name, only by reputation to those who I've served. I will not state which ones or who, but I have tended to duties on royal and high noble levels. I am contacted through a network, so I can't be easily traced, and where this missive has me to deliver your head, is a recently made business associate. I am listed as a shadow Aloysius, also known as a ghost. In fact, most refer to me as the shadow of death, provider to fullfill one's darkest desires." Trying to offer a bit more clarification as to just how tight her network of contacts truely are. "There are some islands in the south atlantic, where a new association had been created with the one who holds ownership to these lands. These islands have yet to be placed upon any printed maps anywhere. They're a safe haven for individuals like myself..." Leaving it there for him to gain understanding as to the populus of these islands. "..There is one which is called Jade Island, I was to deliver your head in a crate or box there and collect my ten thousand gold in payment." A pause as she contemplated a moment more. "There are only a rare few who know how to contact me, so this means this was either done on blind luck for you, or fate, that she managed to hire one who would chose me for the job." Head tipped slightly to the side. "Or else you might be dead now instead of trying to figure this out."

Nodding bobbed his head in a slow and absent manner, continuing even after she had finished to leave him the task of piecing together the unravelling mystery she had presented him with her initial confessional. The light touch she had made upon his arm had not gone unnoticed and for a brief instant, his gaze was averted from the floorboards to that portion of his anatomy before rising again to meet with her own. Eyes were indeed windows into the soul, the testimony to which could be seen in the depths of sky blues where the turbulent culmination of emotions could be detected. With the last of her words, he knew well the truth she spoke, that even after revealing the few secrets she had, had she remained stoic in her resolve as a paid assassin, she would not have hesitated to wetting the steel of a blade with his blood, severing his head from his body where he stood. "Perhaps she would be satiated merely with my death and promised the secondary my head for whatever diabolical and unholy craving needing satisfaction..." A brief small curl of a grin was visible but as quickly as it appeared, to illustrate the possible absurd truth the conjecture could contain, the grin was as instantly vanished.

All the while that they spoke, her mind never ceased in it's action. Mulling over the entire situation within her mind, and it would be in this that the planning had began. It was how she often worked, having to quickly assess a situation, devise a plan and enact in a short period of time. Timing was everything in her particular trade, as important, if not more so than the actual skill of the tools utilized in getting the job done. "Then perhaps she should have the opportunity to have both." The gleem in those pale pools of blue could only be defined as malicious, cold and cruel. Aloysius could now be the only one to ever lay claim to seeing this part of her. Even her business associate had not a clue to the workings within her mind when it came to this aspect of her partnership. "A proverbial Trojan Horse if you will." Thoughts being spoken openly as the plan began to unfold within her mind.

To a point, he could understand her reasoning and implied logic yet not knowing all the aspects of the situation as well as he trusted she did, he was still left at a loss, evidenced by brows coming together in a crushing wrinkle above the thoughtful frown and in essence, crowning the pensive contemplative expression. With analytical thought there came a random shaking of his head, as if the conclusion he drew were far from true of the ones she had already drawn. "If what you are proposing is substitution and propagated lies..." Again, his head was shaking with more adamancy as he turned to walk away, only to turn again and face her directly. "Cricket knows me, she knows my image, and she's not a woman easily deceived by lies and untruths. If she were even suspicious of being told a falsehood, she wouldn't hesitate to seek the truth. Revenge can't blind her any more than it can lie to her." A hint of mounting dispair was disguised by the weary exhale expelled as pulling on the nearest chair, he lowered himself into the wooden confines with an element of careless haste.

[Ekaterina]

"I wasn't refering to a subsitution for you Aloysius." Slowly crossing the distance to where he settled in that chair as her hand came to rest upon it's back. It was then she'd lower to crouch at his side gazing up at him. "I'll be living up to my end of the bargain, I'll be delivering your head as promised. Only it will still be attatched to your body. The only falsehood will be in your actual death." Free hand lifted to hault any words that might spring forth so she could continue with those thoughts rolling through her head. "You'll hold the appearance of such, I know just the source
to utilize in setting this up. You'll be delivered to her hand, I'll make up some excuse that I had to enact quickly or risk being discovered and hence why I delivered your whole. You'll be alert and able to react to any move against you, worry not about that." Head tilted slightly, a pause in words as she thought a bit more. "There are also those whom I can trust and rely upon that I can have in the area. I was given a distanct description of the man I'm suppose to deliver to. If they can happen upon him before the meeting, then I can have him watched to gain what ever information may be needed in finding her exact where abouts." Eyes rose to meet his again. "He'd have to know where to deliver the package, unless she intends to be where she can witness the exchange. All the better, for we won't have to go far to get her, and she'll have no escape from your final judgement upon her." In her world there are no courts or juries. Just a judge and executioner.

Patience held his tongue and kept him silent as she explained and the urge he felt to interject with questioning was held at bay with the lift of her hand, and again he sat quietly listening. One elbow bent to rest the blunted point upon the chair arm and fingers were splayed across the definition of his chin while brows were moreso forced together to deepen the wrinkles created. The foremost expression that coloured the lines of his features was that of piqued intrigue and it was a full moment taken to consider her proposition once she herself had lapsed into expectant silence. Few and nearly random were the nods of his head before his choosing to respond, as many of the possibilities he could fathom considered carefully in the very process. "I would take a potion that would feign death to the eye yet leave me alert and aware to make a strike when the moment was right." His tone of voice reflected approval of her planning despite the one crucial detail felt to be relative importance to success. Slowly, he shook his head as he voiced his thought. "Even if Cricket were within our grasp, she hasn't lived as long as she has without learning how to cunningly avoid capture."

Slowly she'd shake her head. "No, not a potion. I don't trust something you intake, it could always react in a manner not wanted. More, an item. An amulet, that will create an illusion to those who look upon you. In their eyes, you'll appear dead. In fact, the illusion cast could even present your head only to look severed from the body." One of the benefits of her business association, she had plenty of so called toys at her disposal. "Who said anything about capture Aloysius? If she lives, you'll have to live constantly looking over your shoulder. You can either face her off there, where you'll be assured she'll not easily escape. Or I'll kill her, it matters not to me who holds the blade, and I'd do it for more than just a reason to kill. She insulted me that night by the fire, she's caused you undue distress over a situation that's already ate you alive. I think you've paid well for any mistake you had made. To add insult to injury, she makes threats she can't back up herself, so she hires another in which to do so. She's nothing more than a coward with a mouth that spits words that hold no more value than what drops upon the ground from a horses behind." How's that for putting it nicely? "I'm going to go after her, one way or another Aloysius, to ensure your well being. I'm not one that takes matters like this lightly, nor lets them drop. This has become personal to me, although not as much as it is for you, but enough that I am now involved."

On hearing her comparison, a smile curved briefly as he allowed himself a moment to indulge in the unintended humor, and as the smile faded away into nothingness again, he was struck by the reasons she verbally listed to support her involvement beyond that of an assassin contracted for his death. Serious thought was given to that of the Old Roguess again, as the possibilities and likelihoods were considered and again reconsidered. At length, his hand would free itself of supporting his chin, allowing the appendage to curl over the end of the chair arm, while his gaze held steadfast to hers. "The Old Roguess is vindictive with an unforgiving soul. I am not." The reluctance he knew would stay his hand from thoughtless slaying Cricket tainted the look in his eyes before he could avert his attention to an undefined space in midair between them. "But neither would I hesitate to save the woman from a senseless death." Lifting sky blue hues met with her own cool blue gaze, hold as steadfast and level as before. "Whether or not Cricket dies, I will forever be haunted by my regret. But you're right, I should not have to spend the remainder of my
existence constantly looking back over my shoulder."

Again she remained silent as she listened and for several moments later after he had finished. A slow nod as she grasped his chair to slowly rise from that crouched position at his side. "Very well, then it's settled. I'll tend to this matter in my own way and keep your involvement from it." Once she stood fully, she'd gaze down at him. "I don't intend to fail, but if for some reason I do you'll know and then it's up to you what's to be done next." The smile which appeared could almost be classified as sad. Slowly she'd turn to step away and back towards the bar.

He could sense the certainty curtained by her convictions and could feel as well as see the instaneous saddness as it left its signature in her smile, which caused a tug to be pulled on his compassion. A slight twist of the upper body allowed him to watch as she departed his company in favour of the bar, and it was for a long moment after that his gaze lingered on her. Inane and senseless questions that would have undoubtedly cast some light of understanding or insight of her nature and character were quelled and housed in the recesses, knowing that in even considering answering any he could pose would have her guarded, knowing the risk answering truthfully could entail. At length, he arose from the wooden chair and with boots softly thumping
the floorboards beneath, a path was made for the lesser of the two chairs hearthside. He smiled to himself as lowering himself into the cushioned chair, he imagined Nicodemis comfortably reclined in the wingbacked chair opposite. Once settled comfortably, elbows resting on chair arms with hands laced together in his lap, legs stretched to their fullest length, sky blue gaze was shuttered closed behind lowered lids.

Her return to the bar was to tend to that untouched mug of tea that rested there. Contents dumped, the vessel cleaned before it would be returned to it's proper placement. As she moved from behind the bar, a glance in his direction to note the peaceful nature in which he rested there, in turn this would keep her silent of any further words. For a long moment she just stood there gazing upon him, before she'd turn to make her way back into the kitchen. Exiting the building in the same manner as she arrived. As she passed through the door and stepped out, a glance back over her shoulder. This was beginning to become common place, that places she visited, the back entry would be taken. Another thought to pass would have that smirk that appeared to wan into features lacking expression. Turning once more, she'd continue towards her destination of the stables to collect her mount. She'd lead the large Bay by it's reins for awhile, perfering to walk as she mulled over her thoughts. Eventually the saddle would find her weight upon it, as she directed the horse towards the port area. She had some arrangements to make.

Sleep would soon overtake him, the weariness of a long day and the exhaustion of increased with the news she had imparted weighed heavily on him, and it wasn't long after her unnoticed departure that his mind would begin the subconscious journey into the dreamscape. The dying fire would eventually smolder away into ash and coals, and with the descent of ultimate silence upon the pub, he would remain undisturbed, the gentle, slow rise and fall of his chest marking off alternating inhales and exhales.

[Ekaterina]

Silence would hang heavily between them as they followed the road towards the south that intersected with the path that would lead them to the lake. All during this time, her mind mulled over multitudes and variances of how she should and could share this information with him. Surly if Aloysius wanted him to know, he would have told him, unless he maintained his silence to protect her. Such battles waged within the core of her being, it nearly made her sick to her stomach to a degree. Everything she feared to happen if she broke her rules was! Worse of all, she was exposing herself, and that was very dangerous in so many ways. Soon the lake would be in view, to gaze upon it would offer a brief respite to her torment. Just as he had preordained, the view was spectacular. The surface of the lake, due to the calm with the lack of a heavy wind, held a mirror like quality to it, reflecting the brilliance of the moon and stars. Once they were close to its banks, she would release her light hold of his arm to take a few steps forward gazing out over it. She knew he had many questions, she only hoped she had the answers he was or would be ready to hear.

As her hand trailed away from his bent arm, he remained behind to watch as she distanced herself from him by a mere few steps. Subtly, pitched hues would glance past her to catch the undistorted reflection of the moon, nearly dead centre of the lake's surface, shimmering in nearly the same brilliance as that of the illuminant orb suspended in the night skies. Hands were then slipped into trouser pockets, the wrists harnessing the edges of the tailored knee-length coat, and quietly easing up to stand at her shoulder, his gaze was turned away from the lake in favor of glancing down at Question would begat question as he stood there, pondering on what to ask,
and at length, a hushed breath was drawn and released as dark hues again cast their focus outward over the deathly still lake waters. As he spoke, his voice held to a quiet volume but the tone was calm and unthreatening. "As much as I want to know everything, down to the most inane detail, perhaps we should start with my asking you to tell me what you can...or want." There was a flicker of his gaze towards her before once again his attention was forward.


With that comment, she now knew he actually knew nothing. Continuing to look forward it was easier to speak if she gazed out over the lake. She had come to view him as a good friend, and it was not going to be easy to divulge any of this if she looked upon him. Trying to steel herself
within, she suddenly found she was unable to gain that solid self control. After a few moments, she finally decided on the course she would take. A slow intake of breath was taken, to be released after a brief inward hold, it was then she would begin to speak, her voice maintained that quiet nature. "An assassin has gained a contract against Aloysius ..." Quite an impactual starts, but she knew it was not going to be the hardest pill to swallow. "He and I spoke and think we
figured out who took out the contract and why...." Another pause before she would continue. "..It has to do with a woman by the name of Indigo, but it is not she who contracted the hit, but another by the name of Cricket. It seems she has a burr in her side against Aloysius, having been the owner of this Indigo that he fell in love with. Something happened to this Indigo, I am not exactly sure what, but this woman blames Aloysius and holds a hatred against him. Aloysius carries the guilt heavily himself, saying he did nothing when he should have...." Here she would pause to let what she had to share sink in. The pause would be the clue there was more to tell; she was just giving him time.

[Ekaterina]

There was a sudden minute shift in his stance upon hearing Indigo's name but it was with the mention of Cricket that his head turned and his gaze fell on her, although he said nothing for the eternal moment that followed her lengthy but partial answer until at last not only did he then turn his attention away, but physically turned to take only a few steps away from her, pausing a moment with his back to her before slowly turning about. "Cricket hated him even back then." Though he faced her directly, dark eyes were intent on the ground as he continued to speak. "She openly despised Aloysius and was thoroughly opposed to him seeing her." Though the words weren't outright spat out, there was a suggestion of such in the vehement quieted tone as lifting his head and thus his gaze, a calming breath was taken then released. "He loved Indigo with all his heart and soul; she was that one great love in his life." Lips were pursed for a moment as if to fight back a rising emotion, and then relaxed in the next. "Aloysius will go to his grave regretting what happened."


Via peripheral she watched as he stepped away and then turned again. Her own focus remained before her on the view of that lake. His knowledge of the situation might help in many ways, yet she still had to get through with telling him all there was to share. "She wants his head, literally. The contract taken out on him was to have his head delivered to a distant place for evidence the job was done ...." Seems she held quite a bit of knowledge on this matter, intricate details. "..I don't know if it was by accident or she sought out the network on purpose, but she didn't waste any cost to see this through." "The assassin she hired is a ghost." Unsure if he knew exactly what the position was or not. It wasn't like they were commonly known; more considered myths or
drunken fables. It was why they were high dollar to contract, it was the nature of what they did, how they accomplished and then seemed to vanish into thin air immediately after.


Brows were crushed together slowly, increasing the wrinkles above narrowing, studious pitched hues, and the straight line of his mouth began to curl downwards at the corners. It was a thoughtful expression rather than a harsh one, and was the visual evidence of his mulling over everything she was telling him. A question or two that arose would certainly put to rest the debate of how she knew what she knew, but for the moment, that particular importance was set aside in pursuit of further assessing and resolving the situation of which he was becoming a part. "Cricket doesn't really do anything on 'accident,' it's usually with a specific purpose. If she doesn't have the resources readily accessible, she will find ways to make them accessible."


"That it seems she has... I suggested to Aloysius, that he feign his death and be delivered by the stipulations of the contract to set up a trap in which to capture her." A bit of frustration might now be noted in her tone. "He refused due to his chivalrous nature. Irregardless she wants him dead, and has gone to such great lengths to see it through; he refuses to retaliate by any means of deceit." Again she'd pause, this time her focus would shift to the ground before her. "So I told him I would deal with this and involve him not."


A hushed chuckle was let go and soon after, faded away allowing for a momentary silence between them as closing the distance he had separated himself from her, he came to stand alongside and glancing down on her with something of a genuine grin. "That's because he finds it far easier to justify killing a man on a battlefield in the name of a king than he can in defending his own life." Just as the chuckle had, the grin faded away to be replaced by the straight line from previously. "I think it's because that in the final days when the King's realm fell, he saw too much death. Even the most resolved man can crumble if he sees too much." A slight turn had him standing sideways to her as his gaze went out over the dark waters. "It surprises me he didn't protest what you said to him...or did he?" As there had been once before, a quick flicker of pitched hues were lowered in a glance towards her before his attention was returned to the lake.