Shadows in the Night (Open!)

[Rivershadow]

The Shadow crouched there in the dark, balancing easily on the peak of the squalid roof that overlooked much of the surrounding area. The icy wind bit her cheeks and whipped strands of her hair out from under her dark hood, which she impatiently pushed back into place. She pressed herself against the cold shingles, seemingly melting into the darkness itself.

Sethoran watched the streets below, her sharp eyes catching every person, every movement, every motion meant to go unseen. This was precisely why she preferred her rooftops. Nobody can get the better of you when you can see everything.

From her perch she observed street urchins slinking through the shadows, men in trench-coats exchanging packages with many nervous glances, and people hurriedly moving from one place to the next, braced against the bitter, early winter air.

She had no current assignment, but hopefully that was soon to change. The lack of purpose was making her restless.

She remained perfectly still, not even shivering, patiently watching the street below, pulling her hood lower over her face to hide her creamy skin and light periwinkle-colored hair. It was to her endless disgruntlement how easily her hair could be spotted in the dark. But she was good at hiding it when she wanted to. She was always good at being a shadow when she wanted to.

[cerasri]

Frowning as he skulked through the streets, Xerxes couldn’t help but feel that he was being watched.

Though it was only a nagging sensation at the back of neck, a sharp sting almost, Xerxes paused, tugging his ever present hat further down onto his head, the feeling hadn’t failed him yet.

Many a person passed him by, some shooting him dirty looks, others curses, but the majority tended to ignore him. After all, what was he but another random pedestrian? No one bothered to take a second glance and he didn’t expect them to. His trademark scar was hidden after all, shadowed beneath the brim of the hat that covered the mass of brown curls atop his head and covered with an beige mask the color of his skin. His eyes, were likewise shadowed, and the rather uncomfortable pair of contacts making his eyes brown would cause few to guess that he was actually a metal man, much less Xerxes.

Oh yes…these poor little ants didn’t realize they were ignoring the greatest informant to walk the across the face of the City…but then again, that was the way Xerxes wanted it.

Smirking briefly to himself, the tilt to his lips faltered, and he chanced a glance above.

There it was again…that…nagging sensation. Lips curling into a frown, the Metal-Man grimaced, tugging the dark trench coat covering his shoulders tighter to his frame. This was getting mighty annoying. Forget the fact that he was supposed to be here incognito to swap some information…with that weird sense, he couldn’t concentrate.

And if he couldn’t concentrate…well, needless to say it irked Xerxes quite badly. If only because the itch to know whoever could be watching him where he couldn’t see made his insides hurt. After all, he was supposed to know everything, right? And if he didn’t know this…well, could he call himself an informant?

Xerxes shook his head. No, he didn’t think so.

Sliding into a nearby alley, the Metal-Man informant frowned, lips parting slightly to bare gritted white teeth. Stopping beside a large dumpster, if the rather rancid smell of trash emanating from it was any indicator, Xerxes tilted his head upwards, taking in the rooftops.

There was no way after all, the person watching the streets could be in them after all. No…the best place to look was above. Or below…but considering the drainage pipes were all covered, well, that sinched that idea quite nicely.

So the roofs it was.

But there was nothing but shadows. And well, even he with his metal eyes, couldn’t spot someone hiding in the shadows left by the high rooftops. Tsking beneath his breath, Xerxes frowned, tapping at his scar but taking care not to mess with the concealer covering it before he grinned.

That left one choice.

“You! You up there watching! Come down here! I know you’re there!”

If he couldn’t find who was watching the streets then well, he could call them to him. And if they didn’t come?

Well he could rely on plan B….

Once he decided what that was of course.

[Schwarzen*Adler]

Jeanne D'arc
La Pucelle




Am I supposed to be happy?
When all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.
{Am I supposed to be happy? }
When all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.
You said, you said that you would die for me...

{You said, you said that you would die for me... }

We made plans to grow old,
believe me there was truth in all those stories that I told.
Lost in a simple game cat and mouse,
Are we the same people as before this came to light?

You must live for me too'...
For me too...
{You said that you would die for me...}

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Walking through the frigid streets of the seemingly run down City, a young Frenchwoman clicked her tongue. How crude it was in comparison to the pastures and beauty of her former home; how… unrefined. Back where she had lived, the sun had always passed lightly through the green trees, their statures and builds tall and mighty. Wildflowers of red, gold and blue had dotted the streets ad adorned the fields, followed by the light chatter of the people who came and went. Their voices had been so light and airy with a familiar accent that had sounded so musical and magnifique in nature. Even in its war torn state, it had still remained beautiful and stunning. As if the land itself was a God-blessed one, it remained divine throughout all that had taken place and shook it to its core. Never, ever, ever had it fallen into such a condition of…drabness and greyness like this new land.

But she couldn’t do much about it, non?
It was either she stay or leave.
And sometimes, perhaps something was better than nothing.

Even if that something seemed to be verging on barely anything.

Stepping lightly along the small, stone covered pathways, soft footsteps mixed with a mash and mixture of others. She was a woman in a crowd, no longer of higher rank or reason than they. She no longer had a God-sent mission to complete the will of his divine being and justice. Now, she was merely a French lost in a land of English ( or whatever they desired to be called there). To her, they were the ancestors of the ones who had tried to put her to death. And while she held no loathing for the common men and women of the streets, the could not be said for the high class nobles who had life served to them on a silver platter. Oh, how she hated people like that. They were greedy swine who consumed and ate until their bellies were full and round then threw out the rest of their leftovers in front of the faces of those who needed it.

Ungrateful, ungracious, and churlish pigs, every last one of them!

Feeling the sensation of eyes peer into her back, the woman froze. Could it be the other townspeople? Shooting a quick glare at a nearby one, she noticed a young man cringe under the 'heat.' Physically, she wasn't very scary. She was a 5'2 woman with little, as they said, 'appendages' and neither muscular or thin and lanky. You would probably have seen more scarier faces by the town's local radin or cheapskate.

The thing that made her a bit unnerving was the atmosphere she gave off. For someone so small, she was certainly one of large passion and determination. But along with those aspects of her personality came arrogance and aggressiveness that was uncommon in the women during her time. Back home, it had been normal for females to stay home and raise families as their husbands fought and went to war. She had proved them wrong though, and showed that anything they could do, she could do better and faster.

Putting a gloved hand along the warm hilt of her short sheathed blade, the Pucelle narrowed her eyes. Someone was watching, waiting for her to let down her guard. She had seen tactic and plans like that millions of time o'er, watched as others fell to defeat countless times through those means. But no matter who or where they were, the would always fail practically the same way.

But not she.
No, not la Pucelle de France.

She refused to be defeated by such a petty and flawed method. If she was, what right would she have to call herself the Maid of Orleans?

Pulling the blue hood ,connected to her ripped and worn cape, over her head, the woman frowned.
Whoever it was wouldn't have such an easy time with her though.

It was the usual routine she saw among the people, the same acts repeated countless of times.

How redundant humans could be, searching for a pattern in where there was none. It was as if they were dependent on seeing the same effect to assure themselves that things were not hopeless or futile. A long time ago, she had been the same way. After all, she had and still was human as well ( albeit lesser than before). Ever searching for something to remind her that she was a champion and a warrior, she would seek something to remind her that she had a mission. That until the she finished it, she would not die. Time passed and looking back on it, she realized how needless and foolish it had truly been to do so. No matter how many victories you acquired in your lifetime, it only took one to end it in a single second.

The same sensation again crossed her; the Frenchwoman began to become impatient. Tapping her foot irritatedly, she sighed. Not only was her 'client' missing and late, that uncomfortable feeling could still be felt even when she turned away. And how she hated with a fiery passion the thought of having another one step before her.

As she began to make her departure and take her leave, she noticed a figure quickly pass into an empty alleyway. Being the ever 'inquisitive' person she was ( though admittedly the only time she ever really bothered with tracking or spying for info was when it could directly affect or have something to do with her. ) she decided that she would take a look at the eccentric man's behavior. After all, there was nothing else for her to actually do as of the moment.


“You! You up there watching! Come down here! I know you’re there!” she heard a man yell before stepping into the alleyway herself.

" What in heaven's name are you doing, sir, yelling to the sky with no one around but your shadow and the trash storage at your side? If your goal is to not be suspicious, then may I suggest you find a more subtle way of attracting... God knows whose attention?" she said irritably, pulling down her hood, " With the way you are going, you'll scare of the person you're trying to find sooner than you'll get them to approach.

Or in another scenario, you'll attract the guard's attention before anyone else's.

And quite frankly I'd prefer not to have to deal with them more than necessary, even if it will explain who in God's name has been 'stalking' everyone in the street. Heaven forbid that they just make things worse by creating unnecessary turmoil. "

Though admittedly that would be more interesting than what she was had been going through lately.

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{ⓞutⓞfⓒharacter}
Lost and insecure, you found me, you found me
Lying on the floor surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait? Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late, you found me, you found me

[Rivershadow]

Sethoran chuckled silently to herself. He knew she was watching, but he didn't know where, and it was obviously bothering him. She found it endlessly entertaining to mess with such people. She looked around to see who else was within potential earshot and caught sight of the woman, standing warily in the street. She had a hood pulled over her head, and a sword at her side, and she was standing completely still. Seth's eyes narrowed, and she smiled slightly. She was impressed that not all the people walking the streets tonight were completely oblivious to their surroundings.

She considered what to do about the shouter. He had guts to willingly draw so much attention to himself in this district, especially at this time of night. Or he was just stupid. Either way, she had nothing better to do...

She turned her head and cupped a hand around her mouth so her voice would bounce between the crowded rooftops, making it impossible to tell where she actually was. She had nothing better to do, but there was no reason to be stupid.

"And what reason could I possibly have for doing that?" she said, her voice low. There was enough echo in the alley that he'd be able to hear her without her having to raise her voice, although her voice would sound simply like soft words on the wind, the way the sound bounced. She did love playing with sound. It was one of the easiest and most amusing ways to unsettle people, when done right. And she was the master at unsettling people.

"You should be more careful, sir. There are...unsavory...people about..." she chuckled softly at her own humor.

((SO sorry it took me so long to reply!!! D: I'll be better next time, I promise!!!))

[cerasri]

"What in heaven's name are you doing, sir, yelling to the sky with no one around but your shadow and the trash storage at your side? If your goal is to not be suspicious, then may I suggest you find a more subtle way of attracting...God knows whose attention? With the way you are going, you'll scare of the person you're trying to find sooner than you'll get them to approach.

Or in another scenario, you'll attract the guard's attention before anyone else's.

And quite frankly I'd prefer not to have to deal with them more than necessary, even if it will explain who in God's name has been 'stalking' everyone in the street. Heaven forbid that they just make things worse by creating unnecessary turmoil. "

Turning around as a woman’s voice, crisp and clear with just the slightest traces of an unknown accent, Xerxes paused, one brow arched mockingly above the other. “What in heaven’s name am I doing? Why I do think it should be quite apparent…ma’am.” Lips quirking into a Cheshire grin, the metal-man shrugged, taking care to keep the corner of his eye on the roof-tops. “I am…attempting to draw attention-the attention of the person who as you say…’has been ‘stalking’ everyone in the street’. Surely you’ve felt the eyes on you- that irritated tone of yours doesn’t lie.

And really.

Most tend to get aggravated when provoked verbally- after all, if they are trying to keep hidden, they want no one trying to draw attention to them, correct?

Of course it is.

I am forcing the person to come to me. Besides,” The informant drawled with a smirk, “I was getting bored. What better way to pass the time? And well…should the guard come? Eh, I’ll deal with that when I get there.

Besides, most of them know who I am.”

And really, that was true. Most guards, once they finally realized who they were dealing with, tended to step back. Of course, there were a few unsavory fellows who tended to want the glory behind finally getting one of the most infamous metal-men in the City under lock and key, but well, those didn’t tend to last very long.

At least, not if Xerxes had any say in the matter.

Turning away from the woman with a tilt of his head and a faux tip of the hat, the informant looked back towards the rooftops, no doubt ready to start his shouting once more.

Really, interruptions were so unwarranted.

Opening his mouth to call out one again, the metal-man stopped short as a whispering echo seemed to fill the alley.

“And what reason could I possibly have for that?” Though feminine in tone, Xerxes knew it hadn’t come from the woman behind him.

No, there didn’t seem to be that odd accent, nor the almost imperious manner of speaking.

Really, did that woman think she was a saint? God’s gift to the people? Did she think she heard the voices of God?

Xerxes scoffed quietly under his breath. Please. As if that could ever happen.

No, this voice surely did not belong to her.

Besides, the tones seemed lower, and the way it echoed from around the rooftops rather than the mouth of the alley?

Oh yes. This was a different woman entirely.

Grinning as he shoved his hands into his pockets, the metal-man only paused long enough to give the woman towards the front of the alley a smug glance before he turned his attention to the rooftops once more.

“Why, you’re interested of course. You answered, haven’t you? No doubt you’re bored up there.” Voice rather smug, Xerxes’ grin spread ever wider as the haunting echo sounded out once more, no doubt meant to unsettle him.

Tch. As if that would ever happen. No, Xerxes was to intrigued right now to be unsettled.

{And to put it simply, he was rather difficult to unsettle himself}

“You should be more careful, sir. There are…unsavory…people about…”

Smirking at the soft chuckling that followed the statement, Xerxes shrugged.

“Unsavory people? Hmm….I doubt those are the least of my worries.

Still, I shall make sure to warn them.”

And indeed, he would. After all, wasn’t Xerxes a rather unsavory character himself?

Lips quirking into a secretive smile, the metal-man laughed, though not before turning to look back towards the woman who had interrupted his little shouting session.

“See?” He murmured dryly from the corner of his mouth, “I did indeed tell you I would draw their attention.”

Taking a step back to better pinpoint the mysterious voice’s location, the metal-man narrowed his eyes, before he smirked, attempting to get them to speak once more.

“Ah, but unsavory characters notwithstanding, what perhaps, are you doing high up there? Surely it must get…boring. Watching random civilians can get….tedious, can it not? And I’m sure the conversation must be lacking.

Perhaps you’d like to come down for better company?

I do promise I won’t bite. As for the woman,” Jabbing his thumb at the blonde woman’s direction, Xerxes grinned archly, positively smug, “Well, I can’t say the same for her.”

[Rivershadow]

Sethoran rolled her eyes. The woman was odd. Worth keeping an eye on, but not particularly worrisome. And the other one...well he wasn't particularly worrisome either. He obviously thought rather highly of himself. But he could be the most dangerous metal-man in the city and she wouldn't care. Sethoran Renotii feared no man. ...Or woman, for that matter.

“Why, you’re interested of course. You answered, haven’t you? No doubt you’re bored up there.”

In a low voice, she replied, "But of course I'm interested. I'm always interested in those cocky enough to walk around shouting at rooftops in the middle of the night in a neighborhood such as this."

“Ah, but unsavory characters notwithstanding, what perhaps, are you doing high up there? Surely it must get…boring. Watching random civilians can get….tedious, can it not? And I’m sure the conversation must be lacking. Perhaps you’d like to come down for better company?

Allowing her amusement to saturate her tone, she added, "Sir, do you really believe I'd be a watcher if I was easily bored? What kind of watcher would I be, if I minded patience? You must be an idiot, that you think I'd give up my perfectly comfortable perch and reveal myself to you out of boredom."

She allowed herself a small chuckle, inwardly reflecting on what kind of person could ever believe someone to be impatient who was willing to sit on a rooftop all night.

This was an entertaining development to her night, to be sure. He obviously did not know who she was, and that was just fine with her. He struck her as too cocky to be intimidated by anyone. But she had ways of demanding respect from all sorts of people. Even the arrogantly courageous ones.

[cerasri]

“Sir, do you really believe I’d be a watcher if I was easily bored? What kind of watcher would I be, if I minded patience? Yo must be an idiot, that you think I’d give up my perfectly comfortable perch and reveal myself to you out of boredom.”

Listening to the hidden shadow’s amused tone, Xerxes gave a laugh of his own, a quick, biting sort of sound with more intrigued curiosity than cheer. “Idiot?” he laughed, “Oh dear me, I don’t think I’m one of those. No no…prideful, perhaps. Idiotic? I think you have me mixed up with the wrong metal-man…there is one who guard’s the brothels…arrogant ass that he is…”

Voice dying down to a growl as he allowed his thoughts to go off track, the informant shook his head, shrugging his arms with a theatrical sigh before he stared coyly at the rooftops. He had heard that small chuckle- and though it seemed to be as low as the rest of the hidden woman’s voice…Xerxes smiled, his eyes narrowing at the shadows of the roof top.

“As for you revealing yourself out of boredom, well my dear shadow, have you not already done that? Talking as you have its given me plenty of time to guess…where you’re at. And well…you can’t keep your voice hidden forever, now can you? Oh no….that can take…time…And if you’re distracted, by say, a cunning gentleman such as myself, well, I suppose it can get a bit…taxing…am I right?” Lips curling into a Cheshire smile, Xerxes tilted his head and grinned.

“And though I…loathe to say it oh hidden watcher of the night…that little chuckle of yours?

It was…quite telling. Really…who do you think I am?” The smile on his lips widened, and Xerxes narrowed his eyes, the metal of his sclera shining through his contacts in the dim alley before his features straightened out once more, though they loss none of their coy edge.

“….hmm. I suppose I’ll keep that little secret hidden away.

But since you won’t come down, perhaps I could ask you what you are doing up there?

It’s so fun to match wits with someone…and, though I loathe to say it…

My company has been…intellectually lacking as late...

and besides. Believe it or not, I tend to make my business…hmm….what’s the best way to put it…”

Tapping at the covered surface of his scar thoughtfully, Xerxes paused before he arched a brow.

“…seller of secrets…? No…that sounds too much like a spy. Ahh well. I suppose I’ll have to stick with….

well, you can just call me a good Samaritan. It makes things much less complicated, don’t you agree? And so, Ms. Hidden Watcher of the Night, if you don’t want to come down, perhaps you could share some information? It might be…worthwhile.”

Leaning back against the wall with a smile that spoke of hidden things, Xerxes tilted his head.

Oh yes. This night was definitely looking up.

[Rivershadow]

So he was a metal man. She'd thought so, but she hadn't been sure.

“As for you revealing yourself out of boredom, well my dear shadow, have you not already done that? Talking as you have its given me plenty of time to guess…where you’re at. And well…you can’t keep your voice hidden forever, now can you? Oh no….that can take…time…And if you’re distracted, by say, a cunning gentleman such as myself, well, I suppose it can get a bit…taxing…am I right?”

"HA!" was her only response to that. She thought it covered things quite nicely so she left it at that.

“….hmm. I suppose I’ll keep that little secret hidden away. But since you won’t come down, perhaps I could ask you what you are doing up there?

"Well I'm watching, of course. What else would I be doing?" she pointed out. He certainly seemed to like to make her state the obvious. Oh well, while it was true that she was not bored, he did amuse her.

"It’s so fun to match wits with someone…and, though I loathe to say it…My company has been…intellectually lacking as late...and besides. Believe it or not, I tend to make my business…hmm….what’s the best way to put it…
…seller of secrets…? No…that sounds too much like a spy. Ahh well. I suppose I’ll have to stick with….well, you can just call me a good Samaritan. It makes things much less complicated, don’t you agree? And so, Ms. Hidden Watcher of the Night, if you don’t want to come down, perhaps you could share some information? It might be…worthwhile.”

"Good Samaritan, eh?" Seth allowed her voice to reflect her amusement. Shifting to a more serious voice she said "And how, pray tell, would you make it worth my while to share information with you? What information do you seek?"

[cerasri]

“Good Samaritan, eh? And how, pray tell, would you make it worth my while to share information with you? What information d you seek?”

Though the shadowy voice emanating from the rooftops was amused, Xerxes felt his lips quirk, and hidden beneath the fleshy concealer, his scar gave a rather irritating itch. Ah, but itch aside, he couldn’t scratch at it.

No, that would blow his cover. After all, though he had no problems stating he was a metal-man; this wig and the concealer covering his scar were needed for a reason. He did have a job to do after this after all.

But well, good old Harper had been slacking in terms of information as of late. He’d let the man sweat for a bit, wondering why ‘Anon E. Mous’ was late before he decided to show up.

Lips curling of their own accord, Xerxes leaned back, resting his spine against the grimy brick lining the alley wall.

“Well,” he all but drawled, “That is quite the question isn’t it? I suppose you could say I seek everything, and yet…nothing at all.” A slow smile oozed itself onto the metal-man’s face, “After all, keeping one’s mind specified on merely one thing tends to limit one’s thinking, no? A mind like that takes in no clues and in my profession of being a Good Samaritan, well, that’s a bad thing. A very, very bad thing indeed.”

Waving his finger with an audible tut, Xerxes shook his head. “Oh no, I can’t limit my thoughts at all, and so, I must look for nothing and by that, I look for everything. The same goes for information. Any information you have would be nice. And in return, I will give a little…information of my own. There are rare things scattered about the City you know. And me being such a Good Samaritan I know where they’re at. And I can give you a clue as to where to find them. Simple enough, yes?”

Glancing back up towards the shadowy roofs, Xerxes tilted his head, a secretive smile playing across the hidden contours of his face. “And so, Ms. Hidden Watcher of the Night, have you information to share? Or will you do me one better and come to share it face to face?

It is so much harder after all, to tell when one is lying when you can’t look them in the eyes.

But don’t worry.” Though the smile was still present on the metal-man’s face, it grew a few shades darker, and even from beneath the contact lens covering his eyes, a sheen of red peered out, flashing for the briefest of seconds. “I still do know how to tell lies from truth. I’m not a...good Samaritan for nothing.”

[Rivershadow]

OOC: Sorry! I didn't see that there'd been a reply!
__________________________________________________

Sethoran rolled her eyes at his grandiose word games. She disliked grandiosity. It wasn't worth the breath to respond. She was just about to excuse herself...

"There are rare things scattered about the City you know. And me being such a Good Samaritan I know where they’re at. And I can give you a clue as to where to find them. Simple enough, yes?"

She paused. Rare things, huh? Didn't sound like anything she gave a flying crap about, but her loyalty to Ryelle-the-information-addict won out. She glanced up at the sky, checking the time, then looked back down at the metal-man.

"You don't say," she said in a bored voice. "What kind of rare things? I gotta know it's worth my while. Doesn't hurt you to tell me what you think is so valuable to me. Consider it a gesture of good faith. You know, because you're such a Good Samaritan." She added this last bit dryly.

[cerasri]

“You don’t say? What kind of rare things? I gotta know if its worth my while. Doesn’t hurt you to tell me what you think is so valuable to me. Consider it a gesture of good faith. You know, because you’re such a Good Samaritan.”

Lips curling of their own accord despite the bored tone of the voice emanating from the shadows, Xerxes leaned back, resting his head against the dingy alley wall with little care to how his hair took in the grime and damp emanating from the rather nasty bricks. Hair after all could be washed, and comfort was a necessity, wasn’t it?

“Oh don’t worry Miss Watcher of the Night, I can tell you no problem at all.

Have you ever wanted to find anyone, or anything at all? Find a way out, or perhaps , a way in? I can…give you something to do such a thing. Mind you, they’re rather rare-and by that I mean nigh impossible to find, ancient technology and all that-so this could be your only chance. And while you might seem the type to just watch day after day, night after night, somehow, I don’t think that’s your main occupation.

Oh no.

You seem to be of a more…” Xerxes laughed, a soft chuffing sound full of mysteries and secrets. “…shadowy type, for lack of a better word. I’m sure such a thing would come in handy, no?”

The metal-man crossed his arms. “Or perhaps,” he drawled, “Do you think yourself too good for one?” There was dark amusement in the man’s voice now, positively dripping from his words. “Oh no…that can’t be it-after all, such egoism can mean death. So I’m sure you must be interested, no?
Besides, at the very least, it could come in handy, no?”

[Rivershadow]

“Oh don’t worry Miss Watcher of the Night, I can tell you no problem at all.

Have you ever wanted to find anyone, or anything at all? Find a way out, or perhaps , a way in? I can…give you something to do such a thing. Mind you, they’re rather rare-and by that I mean nigh impossible to find, ancient technology and all that-so this could be your only chance. And while you might seem the type to just watch day after day, night after night, somehow, I don’t think that’s your main occupation. Oh no. You seem to be of a more…shadowy type, for lack of a better word. I’m sure such a thing would come in handy, no?”

Seth let out a soft "Ha!" of laughter at the "shadowy type" comment. He didn't even know... This amused her far beyond what she showed. Her eyes sparkled with silent laughter, unseen in the black of the night.

As for his "rare objects"... She was curious in spite of herself. She didn't want to be, but she was. Dubious, to be sure. Oh, more than a little dubious. Even if such an object existed, she had not yet had a need for one. She was good at what she did. Damn good. Even as an inexperienced teenager she'd never been caught. Not once. And she'd only gotten better. But still...letting him speak did no harm to her pride.

“Or perhaps, Do you think yourself too good for one? Oh no…that can’t be it-after all, such egoism can mean death. So I’m sure you must be interested, no? Besides, at the very least, it could come in handy, no?”

She bared her teeth, in irritation. He wouldn't ever see it of course, but the expression satisfied her own feelings sufficiently. He was right. Oh, how she hated to admit it to herself. But he spoke a truth she knew. Egoism did mean death. And while she had complete confidence in her skills, she wasn't invincible. Despite what the rest of the city seemed to think. This last thought lifted her irritation, replacing it with mild amusement.

"Sure, I'm interested. If what you say is true," she let her skepticism creep into her voice, "it could come in handy, certainly. But you still haven't told me what kind of information you desire in exchange for such a thing."

[cerasri]

“Sure, I’m interested. If what you say is true, it could come in handy, certainly. But you still haven’t told me what kind of information you desire in exchange for such a thing.”

Xerxes paid no mind to the skepticism creeping into the woman’s voice, instead, his smile just seemed to spread all the wider. Oh, this was turning out to be more fun than he’d anticipated. His little meeting might have to wait a minute more.

But not too long.

It wouldn’t do to have his informant to worried, now would it?

Settling back more comfortably against the damp alley wall, Xerxes shrugged, acting as if he had all the time in the world. And in his mind, impending meeting or not, he did. After all, his little meeting was but one of many, and this could turn out to be more interesting than not.

“Oh I assure you, what I say is true. Why, I’ve given one to a boy who happened to pass a little test of mine. But no test for you, after all, you’d be providing me with something wouldn’t you? As for the information itself…well,” Xerxes sighed, uncrossing his arms and dropping his shoulders in a faux-dramatic fashion. “that’s the tricky one, now isn’t it? If I said any information would do, well, you could simply tell me the cat lady in the alley down finally gave into the HHS’s pleas and gave up her thirty-five little darlings, but in secret, bought five more. Or that the orphanage is serving, surprise, surprise, gruel. Or perhaps, that Whitestag is throwing an annual winter ball.

So we’ll have to tread carefully, now won’t we? But you seem to be of a shady sort, now don’t you? Not one to dance around in the light, but one to hide in the shadows and pick your targets…am I correct? Oh yes, you are of the shadowy sort-an assassin? A spy? It doesn’t matter. But what does matter, is that information you hold. You’re looking for something this night, right?

You wouldn’t be up there for nothing, as everything has a purpose, now doesn’t it?

So, my wonderful watcher of the night, all I ask in return for the little bauble I’ve mentioned is the reason why you are here. And no ‘I was bored will do.’ Sound fair?”

Crossing his arms once more, Xerxes laughed before he paused abruptly, and with a sigh, slapped his head. “Oh! And so you won’t think I’m lying, here’s the object I speak of.” One of the metal-man’s cupped hands uncurled, revealing a tiny crystal in the palm of his hand, but just as quickly as it had appeared, it disappeared once more within Xerxes’ grip. “Now, do we have a deal or not? And please, don’t even think of trying to steal it…or woe indeed, kill me just so you can grab it. This little bauble has to be freely given. If it’s stolen or taken without my consent, its just an ordinary stone. Funny thing, Old Technology, don’t you think?”

[Rivershadow]

Smart man. She'd been about to call his bluff, when he'd flashed the crystal. Not that it mattered, of course. There was no reason not to tell him what brought her to this rooftop. After all, she wasn't on a job, and one didn't find work without occasionally telling people one was looking for it.

"I'm tempted to tell you I'm a watcher, and therefore, I'm watching," though her voice remained habitually even, it took on a very subtle hint of what could possibly be called a teasing tone. Very subtle. As in, almost nonexistant.

"Which of course would be true, wouldn't it? But I'm tired of games. I am watching. Watching for those who want something they do not know how to get. Watching for those who would pay to get what they want, but do not know where to turn with their obscene amounts of money." She paused. Oh, what the hell, she thought. Why not be straightforward?

"I do many things, but primarily, I'm an assassin. They call me The Shadow."

She knew this last bit would be a bit of a surprise. Not much, since he'd already guessed much of what she was, but still some. The Shadow was hardly known for being conversational. She was also aware, having assessed him, that his reaction would not be one of fear.

There were very few people who did not react in fear to her, but she was almost certain he would be one of them. She suspected however that her reputation would earn at least a little respect from him. Those who didn't fear her, respected her. She was too good at what she did and her reputation was too strong for any other reaction to realistically exist. The advantages of a reputation. Her's was hard-earned, but very, very well worth it.

[cerasri]

“The Shadow?” Brow rising at the thought, Xerxes broke into laughter.

Oh yes- he’d heard of the Shadow. Feared assassin- one of the best knives in the dark so to speak. In and out before you could say a word- just like the shadow she was named after. Few ever spoke of her…and here he’d been, speaking to her as she watched from a roof.

The mere idea made Xerxes want to slap his knee and double over in gleeful cackles.

Of course, that’s what Xerxes was doing right now, wasn’t he?

Rubbing at a teary eye with care to the contact situated there, the metal-man released another snicker before he straightened himself, though stray chuckles still slipped from his lips to spill into the air. “The Shadow?” he repeated once more, visibly fighting back the laughter that threatened to choke him, “Oh yes- I’ve heard of you. Made quite the name for yourself haven’t you? If my information is true, then you were the one who offed the previous Whitestag Head, now aren’t you? I always did know that Aymery wasn’t as sweet as he made himself to be. Of course, none of Whitestag are, now are they? Why their little heir is quite the trouble starter.”

Despite the cackles spilling from his lips, Xerxes did hold the woman’s name in high regard. She had been around for a few years. It took a moment for him to regain his composure, and even when he did, his lips were curled into a smile to Cheshire to be true.

“Well then, since you’ve given me that lovely bit of information, its only fair I give you this in return, right Ms. Watcher of the Night?” Though he had been given her true title, he still kept his previous ‘make-believe’ name for her. After all, it did little good to broadcast he was speaking to the feared Shadow, now would it?

Holding the spiraling crystal in his hand and letting it catch the dim light filtering in from the street lamps situated outside the alley, Xerxes cocked his head, a feline smile curled upon his lips. “Of course, it’s also only fair of me to give you a name of which to call me by, since you’ve so graciously provided yours.”

Keeping the crystal still in view, Xerxes gave a deep bow, one hand crossed over his waist while the one holding the crystal stayed high in the air. “You can call me John. John Doe. It is a pleasure to meet you. But enough of introductions, its best we get down to business, now isn’t it?”

The crystal still sparkling dimly in the light, Xerxes cocked his head with a wide smile. “You’ve given me what I’ve asked for so I shall give you what I promised you. But where shall I put it? Tossing it might break it…perhaps its only fair you come down here.” Resting his free hand on his hip, Xerxes’ smile widened further. “And if you’re scared about me knowing your face well….I’m sure you’ve probably a cloak somewhere up there. You are an assassin…right?”