Damiann47

No One Escapes The Guilds

Good to hear, anyway I'm not asking we post here constantly just only to keep a good line of communication going. Anyway I'm working on my post if you want to hold out a little longer before taking off.

No One Escapes The Guilds

Hey by the way if you want to say anything in OOC feel free to do so, its good to communicate more you know? Anyway how are you feeling about the RP so far, we're getting a decent ways in.

No One Escapes The Guilds

It was all too clear that Kiori wasn't used to normal socializing anymore, almost painfully clear to Rylee it was depressing really seeing such a good friend end up like this. Not that she turned out perfect either, even then she couldn't bring herself to fully trust him though Kio was her best friend to an almost dangerous fault, Kiori the assassin was a member of the highest power within the guilds that fact alone meant he still kill her at any moment. Suppose it could be worse than holding a few trust issues. When offered a hand Rylee hesitated for a split-moment, not for long, and probably not too noticeable, now standing next to Kiori she listened to what he had to say next.

Least to say Rylee was utterly surprised, it was all too sudden for Kiori to renounce his membership like that especially with zero convincing from her. She wasn't sure if to be relieved that someone else stupidly opted to walk alongside her, or terrified at the unexpected decision, mainly that somehow this was some twisted roundabout way to knife her in the back. Rylee did nothing to hide her shock and not entirely on purpose yelled, "What the hell! You show up after all this time, and not for the most pleasant of reasons, just got out of a little scramble with me, then go off join me in a slow suicide! I- Jesus this is stupid, even for you Koi... just come on... yo- you going turn coat so suddenly!"

Rylee stopped mid stride into her mini-outburst, and took a deep breath, she stepped back from the now former assassin to lean on the nearest wall. His reasons possibly couldn't be to take her down in some insidious fashion, would it be all that bad to think maybe Kiori still honored their past friendship? She had to give him a chance, especially if she wanted to live, the rest of her existence wouldn't be a long one alone, plus she can't ever dream about defeating another assassin... yet Kiroi easily could.

"Alright Kiori, even thinking about dying to some assassin's blade is depressing by itself. Here's what we're gonna do, sleep on it, emotions have to be running high for both of us, a bunch of complex, tangled and confusing emotions brought about from this less than happy reunion." Rylee started to unbutton her coat, "I got a plan, first we clear some room, then I use my coat as the worse bedding ever, you figure something out yourself, and we sleep. Today's been way too much, and at times like this I say just calling it done is the best option, now come on kick some wood around."

Before actually kicking around wood she finished undoing the last button, then obviously slipped out of the coat. Underneath Rylee wore a very white button shirt, constables had only one uniform for both men and women, that said the shirt wasn't completely white anymore as blood continued oozing from her fresh shoulder wound, by then the cloth was heavily saturated crimson still Rylee didn't seem to pay any heed.

No One Escapes The Guilds

It really was him, Kiori was physically right there after so long they've finally crossed paths once again. Rylee didn't want to admit she all but forgot of him, too much has happened over the last decade yet even that that was no reason to forgot her best friend. He'd changed a lot, by so much she didn't recognize him until coming face to face. Kiori was too somber not much of that boy from their childhood seemed to remain, they used to do everything together there was never a time Rylee was bored when in his presence, the guilds really had twisted him into something else. Above all this he manged to smile, admittedly it barely counted as one, yet that meant some of that child stayed with him this reassured her, reassured her that Kiroi couldn't be completely lost.

Rylee said nothing in response to Kiori's questioning at first until with closed eyes she slowly shook her head, "This isn't how long lost friends greet each other after fourteen some odd years, you know give or take." she then flashed a light, yet somewhat half-hearted grin, "Shouldn't you instead be saying something like 'Sorry for trying to murder you and for stabbing you in the shoulder.' least that's how I see it." Rylee's banter was similar to when they were kids, however here it didn't feel as legitimate she wasn't trying to force it of course, at the same time she also felt out of place doing so.

Her smile faded from view, a reflection of a serious tone. Rylee sighed and leaned back facing up towards the gaping hole above. "I can't tell you why I did what I did... I want to tell you, at a minimum you deserve to know, but... I don't see you understanding even I were to tell you. Its all a very complicated matter, there isn't just one reason it by no means is a cut and dry deal." She wasn't lying, even if back then they were inseparable friends, today they lived in two extremely different worlds, her as a constable saw Cederburg in a much different way than Kiori the assassin saw the same city, though this was an assumption. Rylee waited for an answer, it was his turn.

No One Escapes The Guilds

Rylee didn't expect the boards to give so easily, the floor probably would've collapsed anyway leaving one to wonder how it managed to remain "stable" for long as it did. The good news, she was able to do something that the assassin didn't expect, bad news after the explosion mud and wood settled Rylee found herself lying flat on her back, not obviously injured any further unfortunately it didn't matter. Seemed she made her situation much worse, now in a vulnerable position without new options. At that point there wasn't anything else to try, no other trick to attempt, no other potential way out, completely trapped and awaiting death to come.

She stared up at the still-standing-assassin, from the start of this encounter one question remained within her mind the question of who exactly was this man. She should've been long dead if just half of the rumors surrounding the blood soaked reputation of the assassins held true, yet there she was yet alive. Even then Rylee was virtually defenseless her enemy still stood over her not carrying through his given task, again it all begged the same question. Who is he? Are other assassins like him? What is going on, this can't be normal could it? Not for some ruthless killer.

From her new perspective Rylee could see more of this man's face, despite the worsened lighting conditions for the first time she really saw who he is. It was perplexing obviously there was nothing confusing about the assassin, one nose, one mouth, and two eyes making him a perfectly normal human, yet from the far regions of her unconscious a sense of familiarity arose, a sort of paradoxical feeling of comfort. She squinted, eyebrows furrowed as Rylee tried her best to process the fresh information, naturally she went back to the very first words uttered "Hello Rye, long time no see." Maybe it wasn't so impossible they met before, there clearly had to be a connection sometime in their history.

"Rye. You called me Rye earlier... why did you use my nickname?" Rylee ventured carefully, "Although more importantly where did you hear it from? No one has used that name for a long time, not since..." Then it all snapped together, metaphorically speaking, it almost seemed down right stupid she wasn't able to piece it together before. She found the answer from which a wide eyed Rylee practically whispered, "Kio?"

No One Escapes The Guilds

Who is this guy, do I really know him... or knew him? Rylee dealt with people often, a constable's job entails plenty of interaction with common folk at least lot more than actual combat. This assassin almost seemed honestly trying to communicate, even though he showed literately no emotion he wasn't attempting to deceive her through some sick tricks of empathy. Rylee started to seriously consider dropping her blade, maybe for the first time in history a target could talk things out with an assassin, there wouldn't need to be blood. Ideas of peace quickly shattered once the assassin accepted her offer, despite her newly emerged second thoughts there was no turning back. He held back once more even though both swords were drawn, really was an assassin having doubts?

She was heavily outclassed here, in skill, strength, probably speed, and for sure in power who knew what magic her opponent had... yet none of that mattered, for she was going to survive this what she lacked in combat ability she had to make up in raw spirit, just with the simple notion of a will to live. The assassin made the first move of their skirmish, a frighteningly fast strike with his left weapon Rylee felt herself jump back before even commanding it so, thanks to constable drills being so ingrained one of the first lessons was never to block with a sword, especially with the Police's Sword as the metal would likely snap with any meaningful force. She barely made the dodge, she actually felt the air displaced by the short sword, if it were not for the adrenaline coursing through her veins it was clear she wouldn't have been fast enough meaning the blow would've hit.

Without any time to react Kiroi fell forward into a thrust, the longsword being the weapon of choice this time, even though Rylee made some slight distance the length of the blade was still able to make contact, it was brutal as the metal tore through her left shoulder, good news it could've been much worse since she was saved by her off center ordination, a result of that same jump. The pain was bad, yet she had to ignore it not even daring to clench at the fresh wound, the bleeding may stop on its own least that's what she told herself. It was bad Rylee knew conventional tactics will only get her killed, it was becoming very clear that a straight up fight would only result in her death. Honestly without any true consideration to formulate a sound plan she went with the first idea that came up, it was be fast, or be dead.

Rylee dropped to the ground, hoping that somehow the remaining light emanating from the disappearing sun would be enough, just enough to blind the assassin for a second, that's all she needed. With all her might the former constable stomped hard on the ill-maintained boards beneath them, if there was a support beam under the planks, she was dead, if was open space down there, than maybe...

*Crack*

She could break the floor, throwing the two down the first floor.

No One Escapes The Guilds

Rylee's mind instantly went blank, or maybe it went into overdrive through unfiltered panic wasn't like she could tell anyway. After her blunder there was little time to regain any composure, truly the assassin worked quickly, seemed their skill wasn't exaggerated unfortunately. Perhaps also unfortunate in other ways she couldn't understand what the assassin's greeting meant, do they somehow have history together... impossible. Rylee had no idea who Kiori was, not anymore.

Another thought flashed through her mind, the assassin appeared so casual in his stance, plus he hasn't even drawn a weapon be it a sword or any other shady weapon possibly in his possession. Is he toying with me? Where is my "quick death?" Rylee expected to already have a blade straight through her chest, or more preferably dead after some sort of fight, not that dying was anything preferable in the first place. A warrior's death had more appeal to her, at least some control over her destiny though a struggle, yet even though she still stood, alive, this assassin stopped to greet her. Why?

Then it hit her, this was an opportunity, a sliver of a chance to survive after all. With a rough motion Rylee tore the ragged curtains off, it would serve to encumber her. Of course she still wore her uniform, the blue long coat that marks constables, hesitation was the enemy and so was the man before her, without missing a beat Rylee drew her sword. Blade wielded in her right hand she automatically entered a fighting stance, facing down Kiori with the side of her body.

"I don't even have a ghost of an idea who you are, but I will not stand to be toyed with. You came to kill me, so do your job, however I promise one thing, I promise that I will not hand over my life willingly, maybe I don't even have a remote chance to live, but I will be damned if I were to roll over and die!" Rylee issued her challenge, fueled by the bravado and stubbornness that had been with her for long as she could remember, even has a kid she acted as such, especially when backed into a corner.

No One Escapes The Guilds

Rylee found her resting spot on the second floor within one of the many rooms that if she were to guess once served as sleeping quarters for patrons, specifically it seemed like the common room given how large the space was. The fugitive sat on a rickety bench, looked as such and most definitely felt as if the entire piece of furniture was about to give. There was still some daylight left, stray rays bathed her face it was good, comforting and warm. None of that however could calm the rising anxiety within her, maybe she made the wrong decision by camping within this decayed structure there were not a lot of options to escape, not to mention even in the commons there wasn't enough space to maneuver in a fight, and... Rylee let out a drawn out sigh, the worse part of being hunted wasn't the actual hunter, anticipation was the real current threat.

Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, partly on purpose as to stomp down more pessimistic thoughts as panic was the enemy, the first step to victory was to maintain discipline through crisis, just as her gui- just as her former guild taught. Remain calm in the face of danger, that's what Corey used to say, even if not a mercenary the Constables still had a job to do and that job came with all the dangers with none of the rewards. All those mundane hours wandering through the streets of Cederburg, dealing with drunks, looters, and the occasional wanna-be crime lord all made to be basically the gutter work deemed too menial by the mercenaries. Looking back now Rylee was starting to feel better, she will never miss that... among other personal reasons, there was no way she would ever regret running even if at that moment an assassin was closing in upon her. A strong mind was the second step to victory.

*Crash*

The sudden intrusion of her thoughts was anything but welcomed, rather then becoming alarmed Rylee was more annoyed, at first that is, until the realization dawned that something, or much more importantly someone had to be the cause. It was now or never, it could be the assassin, maybe somehow he fumbled giving away is position? Probably very unlikely assassins were legendary at their craft, but what could it mean, maybe it was a stray animal like a cat, or maybe some haphazardly placed object fell only to shatter a window... somehow. Rylee shook her head, it really wasn't the time loose herself in a tangent. Careful not to give herself away, she was hiding after all, she stood up from the bench, the wood groaned now free from her weight. She made her way forward, one step at a time, that is until one board creaked quite loudly underfoot, she froze imminently knowing full well the possible repercussions of her mistake, if the assassin was there he must've heard that, so much for a game of cat and mouse...

No One Escapes The Guilds

There you are.

No One Escapes The Guilds

Filth clung to the underside of her boots as Rylee weaved through the narrow city streets, it must've rained earlier that day seeing as the path was literally flooded with raw sewage. In one word it was disgusting though not as if she had any choice otherwise. The lone woman had no destination in mind nor any goal beyond simple survival, it had only been mere minutes since she ran off, uniform and all, even then an assassin without a doubt was already on his way. Rylee's distinct navy blue long coat made her to be the least inconspicuous target ever, perhaps it would be best to find something else to wear, she skid to a stop right in front of a garbage pile, it had to be quick there was such little time.

In the end she settled with some old curtains, while not even clothing it had to do. Rylee threw the nasty cloth over her head, blocking the short-cut, brunette head of hair from the world. The lack of sleeves hardly made using her arms easy, but as far as pretend cloaks went the curtains honestly didn't do too poorly of a job with luck no one pay her any mind, expect probably for deadly assassins. If it came down to it Rylee had to fight, she was trained, and while not gifted with magic, a little bit of skill goes a long way. The Police's Sword in her possession was forged for anything but real combat, still in a pinch it could still at a minimum injure a man.

Back on the run, back to weaving to and fro through tightly packed buildings, back to dreading every second as each one could easily be her last. Hours passed by at an agonizing slow pace to Rylee's perspective, somehow she managed to see sunset, the last rays of sun bounced off the twilight clouds, it was beautiful, and perhaps she would've stopped to admire the sight if the threat of death didn't loom over her. Night had to be much more dangerous after some consideration she opted to squat in the nearest abandoned building, there was hardly a shortage of them. Her choice was at one time a tavern, sometime in the past patrons flocked to this hall, but no longer. One could only imagine why the ex-owners were shut down, maybe they couldn't make payments on time... in the now however it served to be a temporary sanctuary, how much of a sanctuary it really was remained to be seen.