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Post by Ruko on Nov 4, 2009 20:38:23 GMT -5
Shark sighed inwardly as they walked through the town. He hated being sent on recruiting missions, though that was probably why Snake sent him. A member of the gang was supposed to do anything for part of the gang, so they had to do this. And the +Anima race wasn't even this season, so why?
Mouse, however, as always, was enjoying herself. Flouncing ahead, always curious, she poked her nose into all corners, investigating. That was why she was named 'Mouse'. Looking back at Shark, she grinned happily. "Hurry up, Onii-chan! I'll leave you behind!" Of course, she slowed down slightly, as Shark didn't increase his pace.
Walking next to each other, the pair cut their way across the pretty much empty square. Rock Porter wasn't a busy town to begin with, even when the +Anima races rolled around, and at this early in the morning, they were deserted. Most rational people were in bed at this time. Then again, Shark and Mouse weren't exactly rational.
Sitting down on an abandoned bench, Shark brought out two apples, and they munched on them, Shark silently and Mouse happily.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 4, 2009 20:56:52 GMT -5
Ryker shifted uneasily. Rock Porter was several miles away, an easy distance. If he hurried, he might come across Mouse and Shark, the two plus anima Age had told him about. Ryker lifted his chin to the sky, feeling the wind brush his hair. His icy blue eyes, which turned a liquid silver when he transformed, raked the terrain. He wondered what that Age kid was doing now...did he find another anima, perhaps?
He leaned back, the bright stars above him his companion. Ryker blinked slowly, enjoying this new sense of freedom. Freedom.
"So," he laughed softly. "This is what it feels like."
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Post by Ruko on Nov 4, 2009 21:04:05 GMT -5
Finishing up their apples, Shark and Mouse stood up, almost simultaneously. "How long did Snake say we gotta stay here?" Mouse asked, her voice soft. On recruitment missions, you would stay in an assigned town for a certain time, snooping around and locating all +Anima, and then leaving, with the found +anima (preferably freely), after the time was up.
Shark thought a moment, recalling their days here. "We can leave tomorrow," he told her. "Today's our last day, and so we leave tomorrow morning, dawn." Of course, always dawn. Gang members always got up at dawn. They gave the younger ones some slack, though, and gang members usually slacked off when they went out on missions. Not these two. They were the best of the best.
Mouse hopped impatiently from one foot to another. "I'm bored, Shark. Can we go shopping?" Not like there were many stores open, but still. "At the very least, could we find a place to go spar? My sword's getting rusty." The corners of Shark's mouth turned up slightly. Rusty, indeed. They were the best two fighters in their gang. They were both able to beat Snake, and the only people they couldn't beat were each other. No matter how hard they tried, they were completely equal in combat.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 4, 2009 21:12:20 GMT -5
Ryker, deciding he was wasted enough time lounging, stretched. He allowed himself to transform into his anima, a snow leopard. Ryker relaxed. Allowing himself to be in his anima form was much more comfortable then his human one. His hearing was better, his eyes sharper. He started out at a slow walk, but then gradually speed up into a run. His long tail, longer then most, flew behind him, wavering in the dark. He picked up his feet, leaning into the wind. In the distnace, Rock Porter stood.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 4, 2009 21:41:54 GMT -5
Shark shook his head at Mouse. "No sparring. The humans would think it was weird if we tried to pound each other to death. Besides, I wouldn't be able to punch anything." With the iron inserted into his knuckles, most humans couldn't see him fight, because the process wasn't legal, so he wore black gloves all the time.
Mouse grinned at him. "That's the point, Onii-chan! I might be able to win then!" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a store open. It was a book store, but still, it was a store. And they had already gone into all the other ones. "Hey, look! A book store opened! Let's see if it's got any books on +Anima!" With that, she sped off to the store, with Shark close behind.
Once inside, she addressed the sleepy-looking midde-aged man at the counter. "Excuse me, sir, do you have any books about +Anima? As in, where to find them and such?"
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 4, 2009 22:18:43 GMT -5
It didn't take Ryker long to reach the town Rock Porter. As he approached the town, he shifted back into human form. No need to scare any humans off, or have hunters after him. Though plus animas were considered free in Asteria, they had to hide their true identities in fear of prosecution. Hunters often sought out plus anima in Asteria, though it was rare, smuggled them back to Sailand to be sold as slaves. Ryker had only just escaped from slavery. The very idea of hunters trailing behind him was...sick.
Ryker entered the town. Immediatley, he felt a snese of uneasiness cross over him.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 5, 2009 15:58:15 GMT -5
The shopkeeper blinked, surprised. "+Anima? You certainly came at the wrong time. The Races aren't for months!" Shark's gaze on the man harshened slightly. Blanching slightly, the man shook his head. "No, we don't have any books on how to find them. Sorry." Mouse thanked the man, before heading out of the store.
"Honestly!" announced Mouse, as soon as they were out of earshot. "+Anima races aren't for months! No duh, we already know that." She ground her teeth. "Grr... If we were on a fighting mission, I'd so whup his ass! That'd show him."
Shark, still impassive, replyed with a harsh voice. "We're not on a fighting mission, though. It's a recruitment mission. Not fighting."
The girl sighed. "I know, Onii-chan. Fighting missions are so much more fun, though!" On that, Shark had to agree with her.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 5, 2009 18:25:53 GMT -5
Ryker shivered as he moved through the emoty, lifeless streets. This place felt so foreign and unwelcoming. Far off, a door slammed, causing Ryker to flinch. The image of hunters seeping out of the buildings invaved his mind.
"I'm in Asteria," hissed Ryker. "Asteria. No hunters here. Safe." His words, however, gave him no comfort. If there was one thing Ryker feared, it was hunters. Slave hunters...
Most plus anima, once in Asteria, wouldn't have to worry about hunters. Ryker was different.
It was then that Ryker spotted two people standing out in the streets, talking.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 5, 2009 19:29:48 GMT -5
Out of the corner of her eye, Mouse spotted a boy on the streets. The only other person awake in this sleepy town! "Look, Onii-chan!" she announced, tugging on Shark's sleeve and pointing, though he had probably already noticed. "Someone's awake!"
With that, she sprinted off towards the boy. "Hello!" she announced cheerfully, only slightly out of breath. "You're certainly up early." Shark came up behind her and bopped her gently on the head. "Ow!" She complained, rubbing the spot, though it couldn't have hurt too much. "What was that for?"
"You're too loud." Shark explained, in an impassive voice matching his impassive face. "You'll wake half the town, if you don't grow quieter." He turned his gaze to the boy, who seemed about three years younger. "A traveler, huh."
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 5, 2009 19:39:41 GMT -5
Ryker flexed his hands, determined to not show how nervous he was. Could it be possible these two were Mouse and Shark, or were they regular people? If they were dangerous, there was a chance he could fight them off. However, one lesson he had always learned was to not underestimate your opponents. For all he knew, these two could be experienced fighters.
"Traveler," Ryker confirmed. "I go here and there." He thingyed his head, suddenly intent. "Is there anyone else with you?"
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Post by Ruko on Nov 5, 2009 19:48:32 GMT -5
Shark's and Mouse's eyes hardened at that question. Most people wouldn't ask something like that. "No one else." answered Shark with a harsh voice. His hands clasped together, ready to rip off his gloves at a moment's notice. Mouse, no longer looking playful, and now looking quite harsh, brought her right hand to the hilt of one of her swords.
Her voice, quiet but filled with menace, rang out. "Most people would not ask a question like that. Who are you? What is your business with us?" Mouse asked, drawing out her sword slightly, not more than a few inches or so, but it made a noticable noise. They weren't the best fighters in the gang for no reason.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 5, 2009 20:43:10 GMT -5
Ryker tightened, ready to fight. They must have others with them. An ambush. It had to be. He mentally prepared himself for this battle. If this was Mouse and Shark...Ryker pushed back the thought. These guys were trouble. It didn't matter who they were.
"I'm not one of any value," hissed Ryker, narrowing his eyes. Ryker resisted to molt into his plus anima. "A traveler."
He was still uneasy. There was a scent, a fourth one. If he transformed into his anima, even for a brief moment, it might be easier to identify. But he couldn't risk it.
Ryker straightened, not realizing he had been crouching, ready to attack. "I have no business with you. Sorry to be a bother." He glared at them, waiting for them to leave. They didn't move.
Not willing to turn his back on them, Ryker took several steps back, never taking his eyes off the strangers. He held up his hands. This was the first time Ryker had ever tried avoiding a fight, but two against one...and maybe more. Human, yes. Plus anima or hunters, no.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 5, 2009 20:53:12 GMT -5
Mouse and Shark weren't that ready to back down. There was a strange scent about him, and Shark was willing to bet a lot that he wasn't 'just' a traveler. He wasn't someone to just blow off. Glancing quickly out of the corners of his eyes, to make sure no one was there, Shark made a quick, short nod at Mouse. Time to fight.
Quickly, the girl whipped out both of her swords, holding one in each hand. Spreading her grey wings, she flitted through the air, to land on the other side of the boy, in a ready fighting stance. Whoever he was, he wasn't getting away that easily. Besides, the gang could always use more supplies. They'd just strip him bare.
Shark, on the other hand, ripped off his gloves, revealing two hands with short juts of metal sticking out in the knuckles. He unhinged his jaw, revealing row upon row of sharp sharp teeth. He, too, fell into a ready stance. They both stared menacingly at the boy.
Mouse was the one who spoke, as it was difficult for Shark with his jaw. "You know have business with us." she announced, her voice hard and harsh. "We've gotta gang to feed. Cough up, and we won't hurt you." The corners of her mouth turned up slightly. A fight!
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 5, 2009 21:00:50 GMT -5
Ryker snarled at the two plus anima. He had seen this tactic many times, when he was a slave in Sailand. Someone who was suspected to be an anima would be forced into a fight much like this, possibly a fight to the death. It was either reveal your anima or die. Ryker shifted his weight more evenly. "I don't have any money." It was true. Ever since he had escaped from Sailand, he was satisfied with with little or no money. Anything was better than going back to his master.
Without warning, the girl spread her wings and jumped into the air. At the same time, the boy slammed into him.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 5, 2009 21:07:39 GMT -5
Flitting through the air, not far above the scene, Mouse watched as Shark slammed into the boy, hitting him in the gut with his metal hands. He called to her. "Mouse! Now!" She grinned, enjoying this part. As Shark shoved the boy to the ground, she, aiming carefully with her swords, flung them down, so they landed criss-cross over the boy's neck, missing each side by barely a hair.
Landing on the ground next to the two, she grinned. "Nice one, Shark!" Mouse congratulated her companion, though he remained where he was, holding the boy's arms down.
Flicking his eyes in her direction, he replyed. "Mouse. It may not be over."
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