Muttonhawk

The Depths of Deception

Fatal Error 1337 said
The writing so far has made it sound so, but we may need to change this or there will be some housing issues. Then it really will be Big Brother with heavy ordinance.

I'm sure in this hypertechnological metropolis they have fitted these suites with independent climate control for each room. I don't think we'll be having a winter war anytime soon.

Also, Lightbox, a shot in the dark here but... where's the van?

The Depths of Deception

Shiva glanced up at August's cybernetically altered bodyguard. He was either quiet or didn't seem to be getting any words in. So these were both mercenaries. Wow, the humans must either be keeping their trump cards within their forces or they don't want to be blamed if this team does something bad. Or maybe something else, either way it was politics that Shiva didn't want to get involved with. As long as these 'contractors,' as they called themselves, would pull their weight, there wasn't likely to be any problems.

"Don't worry about it," Shiva reassured August with a wave of her hand, "I understand. I've shot at more humans than I've talked to as well, but not so many these days. It's been a long time since the war." Shiva crossed her arms and leaned against the wall of the corridor, but held something near a sly smile for a masulu, "And seriously, you think it is rude to speak about fighting amongst my race? That's all half of everyone I know ever talks about. It isn't rude, it's boring. War stories, that is." Shiva angled her head to one side and looked at the ceiling, "Well, there are a few remarkable tales, but mostly old people prattling." She looked at August again, "Tell you what, young lady, you can be as culturally insensitive as you like, and I will tell you when you hit a nerve, because I have heard a lot." She glanced at Shuo and back to August, leaning in to mumble quietly, "Just don't mess with 5th eschelon Yuyun over there, I haven't got a handle on his prattling level yet." She leaned back to her original position, "So, what is it you contractors do? Do you have a specific skill set?"

The Depths of Deception

"Hmm, that's the same for us all as far as I know." Shiva said, slowly averting her eyes to get a quick look at the other two, Ashley and Dante before making it obvious that she caught herself being rude. Humans don't like to be stared at in her experience. Shiva's point was effectively refuted by Rareth'Jharn approaching Ashley and exchanging pleasantries. "Well, maybe not all of us then." Shiva remarked, turning her attention back towards August and Dante. "Are you humans from the UN? You are not in any uniforms that I recognise."

It was a question that was on Shiva's mind since she saw the first human of the team, actually. Even with Shuo nearby, she felt somewhat out of place in her military dress amongst all the casual clothing. Well, casual and somewhat functional in some cases, but nevertheless few uniforms.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

With Zharanthixil's back turned to him, Janius put on a confused expression at his comment. There was of course part of him that was relieved that his cover had worked, but still, that was more of a childish threat than anything. Something that one would say in annoyance rather than hate. Maybe there was more to Zharanthixil's thoughts past his serious face, or perhaps it was simply an Argonian mannerism that Janius didn't pick up on.

More time passed and Janius began to worry that his hopes had risen too high by finding the campsite earlier. By the time Zharanthixil stopped and sniffed the air, Janius didn't expect much more, but his comments held something different. If the Master-Hunter himself couldn't recognise the scent in the air, then it had to be something of note. Janius tried to discern what Zharanthixil had detected, and found that his own mind drew up a blank as well. Perhaps he would know what it was if he saw it, or if got a better whiff of it, but as it stood he was having just as much difficulty as Zharanthixil.

Trying his best with what he was asked, Janius meandered for a moment, noting the direction of the light wind and from which direction the scent was strongest. After less than half a minute, he looked across the river with confidence. "It's coming from the other side of the river." Janius started to wade into the river in preparation for diving forward and swimming across.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

G'night!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius stood up once he had handed Zharanthixil the fish remains. He couldn't detect anything definite either, but his observations confirmed Janius' suspicions that this was a spot where Kaleeth could have stopped. One thing that Janius didn't notice was how decayed Zharanthixil had observed the fish to be. Janius thought that it would have taken longer to get to that state. He guessed he was still not used to how fast things rotted in this marsh. This was a good thing though, it meant that they were closer than Janius had initially thought.

When Zharanthixil asked Janius about his smell, he blinked a couple of times and swallowed nervously. Fumbling a bit, he made up an excuse on the spot. More of a white lie as it turned out. "Um, more than most humans," he turned to continue to the riverbank, "It's a... I-It's a gift I have. My nose is a bit like a hound's."

Janius hoped that they could continue the search without Zharanthixil probing further. He was so focussed on finding Kaleeth that he hadn't even bothered to hide his lycanthropy, much less think of a cover story for it.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes," Janius nodded firmly.

As they progressed alongside the river, Janius' mind was cast back to the last time he was in this situation. It was a different Argonian this time, but Janius could only hope it ended with as much relief.

It took almost an hour and a half for anything to be found, but Janius' hope perked up when he smelled something distinct in the air. Without a word, he ran ahead a short distance, then stopped to pick up the scent again. It was slightly away from the river. He turned and walked briskly, his eyes darting around the ground. He seemed to be checking around randomly, but it wasn't long before he found the source of the smell. On the ground was a seemingly unremarkable portion of dirt, smoothed by the rain, but with flecks of white through it. Janius walked up to it, squat down, and dug away at it with his fingers. Lying just under the surface of the dirt were some sharp shapes. Janius pulled them out and brushed the mud from them to find lumps of charred twigs and a fish head with the spine still attached. The mud was laden with some remains of wet ash. "Zharanthixil!" Janius called out.

Janius sniffed at the fish remains. There was no definite trace of Kaleeth-Rei on it, but this might have been evidence of her passing if they were lucky.

The Depths of Deception

So I just ran 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit into a converter and.... yeah, Shiva's not going to need that fridge, huh.

The Depths of Deception

"Right, pleased to meet you then," Shiva responded, extending one hand to greet the Rothian, and carefully reaching for the door controls with the other. The door slid shut, leaving them separated from the air flowing from the rapidly cooling suite. "Technically my name is Shkitliktuit, but no one outside of my hometown can remember that, let alone pronounce it, so I saw the name Shiva in a human book and thought that would work. Rareth'Jharn isn't that hard though. But, uh, anyway, I'm from the MedCorps, 1st eschelon." Shiva rubbed at her shoulder and looked around the room, "I can't remember what the Rahn'Masser is, my Rothian knowledge is a little rusty beyond physiology. Sounds important though."

It occurred to Shiva then that if this Rothian knew her nickname of all things, then it was likely that she already knew her rank and file. Oh well, serves me right for not thinking first, she thought. Perhaps Shiva just let her mouth run because she wasn't used to talking to Rothians in any capacity.

It was moments later that Shiva was virtually ambushed. Three other humans, different from that Coin woman, came and joined in the conversation. "Yyyes, that is right. You can call me Shiva." Shiva responded, staring curiously at the black haired woman, wondering why exactly he held just enough masculine features to make her sex difficult to read from a glance. Shiva thought she had it down to an art with all the assembly races, especially humans. This one, however... nope, no idea. "Who might you three be?"

The Depths of Deception

Good morning everyone who doesn't use kelvin temperatures! I have some reading to do before I post.

Also, Shiva picked a different suite to Shuo, but I assume with all this fancy tech that the air conditioners can be adjusted room by room.