[center][h1][color=ac00e6]Khaliya, The Swordwind[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/f4/56/fff456a35e475ce133dc741789e686e0.jpg[/img]
[b][u]December 3rd, 2286
Fleetwood Subway Station[/u][/b][/center]

[i][color=ac00e6]Half of them will die within the first mile.[/color][/i] The thought had come unbidden and it took a moment for her to recognize just how right she was. It was rather unfortunate, as it was clear a great deal of effort had been spent to acquire such… [i]Unique[/i] people. More than a couple medics, skilled mercenaries, what seemed like a raider well out of his element and prime, and not to mention herself and Jeremiah. He was taking to it rather well, too well in fact. Off to the side he had approached a small gathering keeping to themselves, speaking softly and with that damned smile of his that made her worry and relax all at the same time. True, the Necropolis had foiled even the Brotherhood's attempts to discover its secrets, and countless other groups had broken themselves upon it. Something about this particular group though…

Khaliya stirred from her idle thoughts, sensing attention on her and seeking it out. Another woman was staring over at her and it was with some bit of recognition. Slowly the expression on her face changed from the idle observation of before and into a wry smirk, patting her hand on the pommel of her blade and sending a wink over. Nothing like a little bit of tension in the air and possible old animosities to get her back in the mood. Speaking of which, her eyes settled back on the Talon Company mercs, who were also staring quite firmly in her direction. Now those people she recognized. Jeremiah had seemed to catch on to the growing need to fight in the group, the crunch of his boots guiding him over to stand between her and the mercs.

"They're here for a reason, just like us Lia. We need to work together."

All he got from her was a rolling of the eyes and a sigh that spoke of her resignation. For now at least the situation was defused and they could all get back to wondering just where the hell the Pariah was. Khaliya had her suspicions of course, but that was for her and perhaps her husband to share. Perhaps not all of them were here yet. Despite being a fairly large and well armed group, it would have been smart to- That thought was interrupted by someone else gaining her attention, this time by addressing her directly.

[color=silver]"What is the [i]mighty[/i] Swordwind doing between us, lesser people?"[/color]

The voice was rough and metallic, and in the span of the moment between being addressed and turning to answer, Khaliya assessed the potential threat. She wasn't immediately familiar with this one, so it wasn't one who she had fought in battle before, but the woman was ready for a fight. That at first made it seem as if she was looking to start one, but her posture spoke differently, as did the tone of her addressment itself. Curiosity?

[color=ac00e6]"Just like you, I was offered something."[/color] Her hand still rested on her sword, and part of her was more than eager to find out who could draw first and finish that particular fight. At such close range, Khaliya was confident it would be her, though if the other woman [i]did[/i] get a shot off… It would be dangerously close, and there was a decently high chance that if she missed another would be hit. All she had to do was give a glance behind her and see a woman smoking nearby, and a man stooping to light a cigarette of his own with a candle. [i][color=ac00e6]Not today.[/color][/i] Slowly she removed her hand from her sword, though it remained close at hand just in case.

Khaliya eyed up the woman carefully now, wondering on who and perhaps even [i]what[/i] she was. She had the bearing of someone who knew how to fight and was decently equipped for it, which only made her wonder just what the Pariah offered her.

[color=ac00e6]"Though it seems as if our Pariah is a no-show for his own party. Not like we needed a tour-guide anyways."[/color]