Fantasy Project Anima

[Srion Receno]

Crimson finished pulling on her boot as she heard Arty talking. "I have a feeling I'll hear. 'why is my cute innocent title sister dressed like that assassin your corrupting her! '" she said this in a slightly manly voice then giggled. She turned and looked her over before nodding."I like it it's vary cute on you" she then put her hand on her hip and did one of her famous flirtatious smiles. "how do I look?"

 

[From Darkness]

Arty laughed upon hearing her impression of Gills. "I don't think he'll say it out loud but I guess that'll be his response," the girl watched Crimson putting her choice of clothes and showing it. The design showed more skin, just like her previous clothing, but it really fit with Crimson's style. Arty nodded in approval. "It looks really good on you, miss Crimson."


She looked around the store. The selections were more fitted to the style of adventurers as opposed to the ones she usually wear. "So this is the kind of shop where you buy your clothes...usually you always brought my brother with you, so this is really my first," she murmured, more to herself.

 

[Srion Receno]

She looked down at her self when Arty complemented the outfit. "it really dose fit me huh?" she let out a light laugh then walked up beside her. "well yes and no sometimes I go to special shops to get my gear....I guess ill have to take you along more then" she poked her arm with a small smile. "is there anything else you would like to get?" she asked as she made it over to the counter to pay for there cloths.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty shook her head. "Hmmhm, I think this is okay for me. Do you still need to get something else, miss Crimson?" her eyes lit up a bit when Crimson mentioned her 'special gear', more like curiosity out of anything else. After all, common people wouldn't know the tools for assassin, not even royalties.

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson was looking away from Arty as she asked and shook her head. "no nothing that I can think of... " she turned around and looked at her. She sighed at the sight of her. "OK I guess it's been a wile since I had any of my old equipment we can go check it out" she said this as she finished paying.


"come on" she waved Arty to fallow her out of the shop. "see the signs above each shop the ones we are looking for have a little red dot at the vary bottom that's the ones with the weapons I need" she smiled at her then started to walk letting her look for them.

 

[From Darkness]

The princess nodded, a cheerful smile hanging on her face. She felt closer to the assassin this way, as if they were sisters hanging out around the city like a normal siblings would. She followed behind Crimson, glancing around to search for the "red dots" Crimson said would denote the right shop. That was until she found a delerict-looking sign only written with a white paint, "Elmer's". What gave it away was a the little red dot at the bottom of the sign. It looked like a splash of red paint accidentally placed on the sign, if Crimson didn't tell her beforehand she would've missed it.


"Miss Crimson, is this it...?" she pointed at the shop. The curtain was pulled down, although the sign at the door said that it was open. Not a particularly welcoming shop, that was.

 

[Srion Receno]

As they had been walking she didn't even bother to look at the signs, Arty was a bright girl she would be able to find it with out her help. When she was stopped she looked up at the sigh and nodded. Now that it was found all she had to do was talk to the shop keeper. "good job, now I'm not sure what all they sell so it may be best not to touch anything" she smiled at her before she entered.


Crimson didn't really pay any attention to the things around her, what she needed would not be there. She walked right up to the shop keeper. "good evening do you have anything for ones that hunt in the shadows?" she smiled at them then looked over at Arty to see what she was doing.

 

[From Darkness]

The interior of the shop was as bad as the sign. While it looked somewhat cleaned, dust gathers around corners, and some of the items on display was even covered in web...Arty looked around the display, trying to reason on why people would find a crudely-made candle holder interesting. Most of the things there looked like what people can make at home by themselves. Is this what people like Crimson use in their 'job'...?


The shopkeeper didn't pay attention to Arty. Crimson, on the other hand, immediately caught his interest. A rowdy-looking man with long hair reaching to his shoulder, he gave her a knowing smirk.


"I sure do, but you wouldn't mind a simple test, do you?" He put his hand together as if he was clapping. "It's a nice day outside."

 

[Srion Receno]

She tipped her head slightly confused, normally it would be 'its a lovelyday today is it not?' she looked at him then placed her hand on her dagger. Perhaps it has changed slightly though this way. "only when the sun is back and the sky rains red" she said this quietly as she got ready to slit this throat.


There has always been those who wanted to shift out the assassins and she has killed many. There has also been times when the saying has changed, but the information is normally given out. She glared at the man waiting for any moment that showed he was not what he calmed to be.

 

[From Darkness]

The man raised his eyebrows, his face clearly showing the same confusion and suspicion Crimson was sharing. This time he leaned closer to Crimson, not wanting Arty to hear him. "You...said that correctly, but isn't that for the other type of 'job'? The guild changed the keyword recently, haven't they notified you?" He moved back again and shook his head.


"Well, anyway, it didn't matter much since I'm merely a provider. As long as you got the gold, then it's all good. Follow me," he motioned for her to follow him to the back door. Before that, he deliberately glanced toward Arty and murmured to Crimson, "what about her? Is she your pupil or something? She doesn't look like...our kind, if you know what I mean."

 

[Srion Receno]

She sighed hearing that it had changed. She probably should of stopped and got information on the underground before they left the city. "I've been on a big job I haven't had time to drop by any of the shops yet" she said as she fallowed him. When he spoke she stopped and looked over at her. "she is just my employer is all" she shrugged then looked back at him with a smile. "weapons and info are what I need" she moved a bit closer to him. "she won't fallow"


She looked over at Arty for a moment then back at him. "I'll be right back stay here" she said to Arty in a voice that meant it. one that she would of used before, almost like she did not know her on a personal level.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty turned around when Crimson called her, but her voice sounded distant...unlike the one she had used just before. The princess just nodded. She somehow understood that the man behind her wasn't ordinary people, and showing her emotion here would be bad for the assassin. However, it saddened her a bit to hear her voice like that again, like the first time they had met weeks ago.


"Employer, huh...?" The man, who called himself Elmer, scratched his head. "A bit too young to know the underground, don't you think? Oh well, let's finish this quickly," he opened the back door to reveal a stairwell going down the basement. He picked out two lanterns and handed Crimson one after lighting it. "I'll go first, safety procedure," he descended the stair, but not going too fast so that Crimson can follow him. The stairwell spiraled down the dark chamber until there was another door at the end of it.


"But really it was quite surprising. Business was slow these days because you people are more active in Serion and Unocedor recently. I wonder if there's some security problem there. Then a customer turned out just an hour ago, wanting to get some things. I didn't usually allow such exception but she paid generously so I guess, why not? A man need to fill his stomach," he opened the door to reveal a dark room with only a few torches lighting it. "I think she's still here, I'll tell her that we'll need the room. She can wait upstairs with that employer of yours until we finished the business..."


"Still looking. Can't, wait...?" A familiar voice came from beneath the dark of the room. As the torch illuminated it, the figure of a petite female came to view, dressed in black garb striking contrast to the silver of her hair. Rizeluke Brahne, the ex-assassin, was standing inside the room, rummaging through the stacks of bottled venom and poisoned needles.

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson listened quietly as they went down the steps and into the room. hearing the voice she almost laughed, maybe she will get what she wanted soon. "its fine she can stay I know this one" she said like it was nothing, she had actually gotten use to running into her. "I just need thin needles glass and mettle if you have them" she turned away from Riz and smiled at the man. though she was use to Riz showing up out of no were now she was not taking any chances.


As soon as she had heard Riz's voice she had said a spell and sent a shadow clone up to get Arty. though it could not talk it grabbed her wrist and hurried the two of them out of the shop to find the prince and Norman.

 

[From Darkness]

Upon hearing the assassin voice, which she clearly already familiar with at this point, the petite girl turned his head slowly, crankily, like a machinery needing a serving of oil. "You...!" She hissed, "You want to, get my master, again? I'll...wait, master, is not here..." as soon as she realized that, the aggressive stance she had showed disappeared instantly.


Elmer just looked at the two women with confused look. "Err...you guys know each other?"


Riz just glared at the shop keeper.


"...Don't look at me like that, White Death, it's business, I swear!" he waved his hand in front of him. "Okay so, needles and so on you can find it there, at the cabinet," he pointed at the rows Riz was rummaging on. "As for info...go talk to the Master in the back. I'm not qualified to answer your question yet, for now."


Meanwhile, in the front store, Arty was suddenly yanked by the shadow clone made by Crimson and taken outside. She yelped, thinking it was an enemy at first, but grew at ease after realizing it was just Crimson. "W-what happened, miss Crimson?" the clones couldn't talk or respond to her question, but she asked anyway.

 

[Srion Receno]

"white death?" she tipped her head looking at Riz then looked over at the shop keeper. "I'll see them after I am done here" she smiled at him then moved over beside Riz. "how is your wound?" she asked as she looked over the needles. "I got you pretty good" she gave Riz a small smile then looked back at the needles.


The shadow dragged Arty around the town then stopped ware they were told to meet. It looked around then pointed at her trying to tell Arty that Riz and the other prince was in town. The shadow kept looking around as they waited for the boys to get there.

 

[From Darkness]

Riz didn't answer her questions, not even showing a sign that she was paying attention, although she did glance at Crimson from time to time cautiously. Like a wary cat. "...I, got you, too..." she pouted. Unlike her usual appearance, the two gauntlets weren't hanging on her hip. She had left it with Cruz as she didn't want to be seen with such prized weapons in the den of assassins. Miraculously nothing happened between them. Yet. Although Elmer could feel the tension rising by each seconds.


"What, are you, planning, in Zebeth...?" she muttered out of nowhere.


=====


In the town center, sitting on the edge of the fountain, were Gills and Norman, with the latter droning on and on. Seems to be another story time with Norman. Gills yawned in boredom, while the bartender didn't seem to notice his companion's woe. The prince raised his eyebrow when he noticed Crimson's clone coming toward them, with Arty by her side. The shadow clones made by Crimson looked like a dark-skinned version of her, but after seeing it many times he was used to recognizing them immediately, unlike normal people who need to concentrate for a few seconds before realizing that it wasn't real.


"You're back, what takes you so long...wait," he glared at Arty, then to Crimson's clone. "What did you make my sister wear?!? Godamnit you worthless assassin!"


"Not now, brother," Arty remarked between her breath, "Something happened with miss Crimson, I think...she sent her clone to get you guys."

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson shrugged at her question. "don't know and your right and it was a good hit" she placed her hand in the middle of her chest. "any longer and we both would be dead" she let out a small laugh then picked up a case of different needles. "oh another question....do you love that prince? " she whispered this as she looked down at something random not wanting the man to hear her.


-------------------------------------


The shadow looked at the prince and started to laugh looking like it was making fun of his anger over a outfit. They were different from her and really didn't care about things like that. When Arty said that it came to get them it shook it's head and got down on it's knees. -Riz prince brother- it wrote in the dirt and pointed at it.

 

[From Darkness]

Riz scoffed when she said they would be both dead. At the least, Riz believed that she won't. This assassin would be the one who would be dead...they were two against one back then, and Cruz was with her, so there was no way that she would've lost, not to mention die...her thought reached her mind right at the moment when Crimson asked that question. Something clicked. Somehow. Somewhere.


Riz's hands froze for a moment, and the box of small throwing knives she was holding fell to the ground, clanking like mad as its content spilled out. "W-w-what you say..." her hands...her entire body was now trembling, not just her tongue and lips. "I-I, not, with my liege, not..." Riz's pale skin started to flush red.


=====


Gills sighed mentally. Brother...if Rizeluke was here, then that would only means Cruzreich. Somehow they kept on meeting those guys. This could only spell more trouble. Did he follow them to Zebeth, or was it another scouting mission?


"This is giving me another headache...and we haven't even started our job yet. What do you suggest we do?" He asked the clone, although he didn't expect any answer. "We can run away, which is a good move, but I'm afraid delaying our business any further would not be good. First things first, bring us to where you are," he demanded. "I'm assuming you haven't seen Cruz yet? Arty?"


She shook his head. Nobody else had approached the store up until Crimson's clone brought her here.


"Might as well face Rizeluke head on then," Gills concluded.

 

[Srion Receno]

She looked at Riz and and sighed as she started to pick up the girls mess. "I need to know.....can someone like us actually feel that?" she picked up the box and held it out to her. "you are the closest person that I can ask....Please to one assassin to another is it possible?" she asked looking at her with a small smile.


---------------------------------


The shadow clapped it's hands and jumped up and down excited for a fight. With one final jump it turned and started to walk to the store. It didn't walk fast knowing that Crimson walking talking and that there was nothing wrong at the moment.

 

[From Darkness]

Riz took the dropped box from Crimson warily, still not trusting this girl completely. "Riz...no more, assassin," she muttered. "My liege, saved Riz, so Riz...help my liege, that is all..." given the status of a Serion Prince's bodyguard, she was freed from the world where killing each others are the norm. Such was why she felt gratitude to Cruz. Admiration. Endearment. But was it 'love'? Even she wasn't sure.


=====


Gills and co. followed the clone to the shop from before. As expected, Gills and Norman showed disinterest from looking at the delerict store. The inside wasn't stimulating either, although the shopkeeper was nowhere to be found. Arty noted that he had brought Crimson to the basement, and whatever happening must be inside.


"So...can we enter the basement then?" Gills wondered. The clone was still hopping around just fine, so at the least Crimson was still in perfect condition. If they were holding her then the clone would've disappeared. "This looks like a domain only accessible by her people...those assassins."

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson sighed hearing her answer. "I guess it is not possible..." she smiled at her then walked beside her. She had felt her shadow arrive back onto the store as well as the three. "my group is here do not engage them" was all she said as she walked to the shop keeper. "is it alright to go and see your master? Oh and can you tell the three up stairs I be right up" she smiled at him as he placed her hand on her hip.


.-------------------


The shadow danced around happily staying away from were Crimson had gone. It mage a silent giggle at Arty and poked Norman in the chest lightly, then went over and smiled at Gills. It moved its mouth happily then went to hug Gills.

 

[From Darkness]

The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows. It was rare for an assassin to travel in groups due to the nature of their job. But it was a customer's wish and so he would oblige. "From your request I presume that they are not a member of the underworld. So be it, they can stay in the front shop but there is no reason for them to be allowed down here. I shall tell them accordingly. Also, you are allowed to see the Master. Just go beyond that door over there."


"Riz, done," the petite girl murmured. "but, stay here, Riz not, trust you," she eyed Crimson with a suspicious eyes. Fair enough. Elmer gave her a slightly annoyed nod, but allowed it nonetheless.


"Just don't enter while she's inside. The Master is quite peculiar in that regard. One customer at a time, remember. Also the payment will be high these days. Everyone want information," he said as he disappeared to the staircase, ascending back to the front shop.


====


At the shop, Gills was freaking out because of the clone. Face blazing red, he was trying to get her off, while Norman whistled and Arty just giving them a knowing smile. "Oi, get. Off!" He swung his rapier at the clone, knowing that it won't hurt Crimson at all, but it was enough to make the clone dissipate into thin air. Damn it, what was she thinking?


"No weapon in the shop, please, or I'll call the guard," a tired-sounding male voice came from the back door, and Elmer surfaced. Arty recognized him as the person Crimson was speaking to. Gills wasted no time to inquire about it.


"She still have some business to attend to, but she'll be up here shortly. Just wait for a bit," he replied lazily. These people weren't his customer, so he had no interest in serving them properly.

 

[Srion Receno]

She nodded at the shop keeper then looked at Riz. "fine stay your free to do as you wish" she shrugged then walked into the room she was told to go into. Price was not an issue and her information was not much. "hello? " she said as she peeked her head into the room. She smiled a bit feeling her clone disappear, it must of been Gills. Her clones seamed to be a really strange. Nothing like her always happy and cuddly a mind of there own almost.

 

[From Darkness]

The dark room was lit only by a dim lantern, and the only person in there was a figure drab in shroud. It wasn't a corpse, though, as when Crimson showed her face inside, it spoke in a rough feminine voice. The sound rung with age, depicting a woman in her old age.


"Welcome, child. Take a seat," a wrinkly hand appeared from beneath the shroud, motioning for Crimson to sit down. This woman was a member of underworld support for the assassin guilds. Specializing in supply procurement and information gathering, the group stayed in the big cities around the Kingdoms, acting as relay spot for assassins to restock and gain additional knowledge about their targets. If need be, they can even provide assistance to accomplish their customer's goal...although to go down to that extent would speak volume of said assassin's incompetency.

 

[Srion Receno]

She went over and took a seat in front of the women before smiling at her. She gave her a slight bow of the head before looking back up at her. "hello, I'm sorry to speed everything up but I am needibg any new information that is going though the assassins." she let out a small sigh. "I haven't had anytime to stop and check up on anything new"