Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 29, 2012 22:55:47 GMT -5
Some time had passed since Florin's first encounter with the sellsword. She doubted she'd ever even see him again, much less go back looking for him. But right now, she needed whatever help she could get.
After the recent attack, she'd managed to repair most of the damage, though her body still bore new stitches and a faint scar across her left eye. Still she hurt where his claws had severed her veins and dragged across her organs, as evident by a slight limp in her usually graceful step, and the soft, pained groans that slipped from her occasionally. She was humiliated, frightened, angry... even more so now that she was back in Savior territory, seeking help from one she was previously rejected by.
She'd have to forced herself to get over it, for now. Best she not ask the other Racketeers. Should they find out, she wasn't sure what would happen, but it wasn't a risk she was about to take. This route may be a bit more... unpleasant, but it was certainly safer. She had more to worry about than her pride right now.
Florin stepped into the library, not bothering to dust the snow from her body, instead letting it melt and soak into her fur. She had other things on her mind right now. She only hoped she could find this doll again. It was a long shot, but perhaps the first place she found him would provide a good chance...
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
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[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 30, 2012 9:47:43 GMT -5
Only a machine or the weather could drive the sellsword indoors, and the latter was extremely rare. That it had occurred twice in as many months was irritating, and he reflected on this as he dried off on the ledge of the front desk. Inspecting his sword to ensure that it was undamaged, he proceeded to do the same with his other gear, before beginning to retrieve his grappling hook.
The footsteps were as unfamiliar to combat as ever. This would hardly have surprised Ulysses; many came to the library, perfectly secure in the utter lack of machines or other threats. What gained his interest was the cadence; it was irregular, forced. A limp. it took barely any time for him to identify the source; it was her. Briefly, he contemplated hiding from her; she couldn't have seen him yet, and she was pathetically easy to surprise. He discarded this idea as she drew closer, and he saw a bit more of her condition; she was clearly limping, but also was leaving a trail of snow.
She hadn't bothered to clean herself off. The prima donna hadn't bothered to clean herself off. This was the final flag; she was scared, running, and desperate. And, though he was loath to admit it, Ulysses would not abandon her. Not yet. So, he simply knocked on the table, a loud, clear sound, intended to draw her attention.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 30, 2012 11:11:41 GMT -5
She gasped sharply when she heard the knock, spinning around to face him with a horrified look, as though he were about murder her. Within a moment, she calmed, her expression relaxing as she let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank God... it's you. I was... looking for you, actually." She spoke softly, still managing to hold a polite, ladylike tone, but most any air of dominance and authority her voice held during their last conversation was gone, in it's place what one might consider pleading and submission.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 30, 2012 11:20:49 GMT -5
Looking for him? The changes were easy to see, and Ulysses blinked. Had it been another time, earlier, perhaps, he would have been pleased to see the change in her. Maybe even had a chuckle; karma had done its work, he would have thought. Now though, he felt no smug self- righteousness, no joy. In fact, he felt barely anything save for a brief twinge-
Worry, concern It would have been so easy to pass over, and he almost did. It actually almost broke to the surface, but he hid it. All he did was blink down at her, and motion for her to continue. He didn't make any move to join her, just looked down at her.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 30, 2012 11:39:57 GMT -5
Florin waited a moment for Ulysses to make some kind of response. When he didn't, she decided to continue. " Look, I understand we didn't exactly see eye to eye during our last meeting, but... I need something done. I don't trust my faction with this matter. And I've heard very good things about you, so... anything you want, anything at all, it's yours, just do this for me. Please."
She looked up at him, her optics wide and frightened. She folded her hands together, absentmindedly fiddling with her fingers as he waited for his response.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 30, 2012 12:51:34 GMT -5
Look, I understand we didn't exactly see eye to eye during our last meeting, but... I need something done."
Ulysses would have rolled his eyes on this, had he not seen the fear in her eyes, something that had not been present in her when they last met. The fear of realization. She wasn't untouchable. Still, the though of her last offer was rankling in his mind. As he listened, he began picking up on subtle cues; the width of her optics, the way she tried to be controlling her word choice. The tears in her fabric that looked as though something had slashed her.
She'd seen something. And that something had done more than just scare her.
". . .anything you want, anything at all, it's yours, just do this for me. Please." Ulysses had to snort. Desperation. He disappeared from sight, returning with an inkwell, paper, and a pen. He wrote something quickly, and then tossed the paper down to her.
How big is the thing? And what does it look like?
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 30, 2012 20:59:22 GMT -5
Florin almost looked embarrassed now. "It was a doll... I think. The body of one, but eyes like a beast. A male, wore a hat, carried a scythe. He had a number, I believe... I could barely make it out. 16, I think, on his chest. He'd been following me, apparently, for about a week. I never noticed, until I awoke a few nights ago to find him in my room. He... did all this to me." She gestured to her new scars, and pushed the fur and cloth on her chest aside slightly to show her inner workings. It was easy to see where her chestplate had been forcefully removed, and was now held back in place with painful looking staples, likely a temporary fix. The scratches on her sternum and voice box, though, were obvious, and likely permanent.
" I know you'll probably turn me down again, but I'm desperate. He tried to... take away something very precious to me. I want him dead. I want him to suffer. I want him to know I'm not one of his playthings. And mostly.... I don't want him to find me again."
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 30, 2012 23:22:23 GMT -5
A piece of paper was flung down after she finished her little speech. The Sellsword was out of sight. The paper fluttered, before landing face down, in front of her.
I will charge my standard rate, Miss Florin. No more, no less. He didn't ask what was precious to her; it wasn't his business. Nor did he ask anymore about her encounter; he had the information he needed. And, if he had had any qualms when she mentioned the target being a ragdoll, his handwriting certainly didn't show it. In fact, it seemed resolute, almost. . .
Angry. Ulysses never took pleasure in killing ragdolls. But for this, he thought, as he climbed down, and came around to the front of the table, for this, he might just have to make an exception. Because for animals like this ragdoll, he only saw them as machines.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 30, 2012 23:30:05 GMT -5
Florin let out a soft sigh of relief as she flipped the paper over and read it. A small, timid smile spread across her lips. " I can't thank you enough. Find him, and I'll be in debt to you. Be cautious, though. He followed me for days, and never was I even aware of him. He's insane, he has no mercy. If he finds you first, I'd bet he wouldn't hesitate to kill you. Though, I did discover one useful thing. He seems to be afraid of clocks. It was the tower's striking at midnight that allowed me to escape."
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 30, 2012 23:37:18 GMT -5
Ulysses was already by her side when she told him what she knew. He nearly laughed, but lacked the capacity to do so. Instead, he scrawled another message. It was quick, but carried all the weight of the last time he had spoken with her.
Mercy? Mercy is for ragdolls. Not machines. This killer thought he was scary? Ulysses checked his gear, before standing near his new employer. A single book stood out; Peter Pan.
He doesn't know what fear is.
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 31, 2012 0:21:05 GMT -5
Florin visibly relaxed. While this doll still didn't have her full trust, she certainly felt much safer with him nearby. Granted, she was used to having someone around her most of the time to protect her, but Evander couldn't be near her always, and Zosimos... it was difficult enough being around him when she was. She didn't have the desire, or the patience, to extend her time with him.
"How wonderful. thank you again... Ulysses, right? Well, perhaps you and I shall get along after all." She smiled sweetly up at him, her voice regaining a bit of it's usual charm and authority.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 0:46:26 GMT -5
Ulysses didn't return her charm. He didn't even really hear her. He was busy scanning the shadows, and slowly goading her towards the exit. As far as he was concerned, they needed a better location; one that he knew, and few others did. One that-
Oh. Oh, that was perfect. The Chemist was a saviour in so many ways. In this case, he knew where to go. Of course, Enzo would be less than pleased, but that would be a blow he'd be willing to take.
"How wonderful. thank you again... Ulysses, right? Well, perhaps you and I shall get along after all."
Ulysses simply nodded, and bowed, motioning for her to follow him. Out, out into the snow. Into the most dangerous areas of the Wastes.
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