Forbidden Tome [mission]

While the lizardwoman voiced her concerns regarding the super awesome special plan, the trickster’s excitement deflated with a sigh. “Oh, that’s a shame...” Her eyes gleamed and smile sharpened. “...I didn’t think you’d be such a scaredy-cat~!” The barbed comment came with a playful, taunting chime. The first poke~! Reactions told more than words ever could.

Worry had no hold over Kin. Stealing was her specialty, especially when it came to things described as rare, forbidden or delicious. Her mind was already brimming with ideas on how to use her new partner as bait. Like disguising the woman as a freaky forest monster and pushing her through the hideout’s front door!

“...!”

Suddenly the shady mage stopped dead on her tracks. Her hand quickly reached out to stop Kaida as well. A sly whisper hissed past her lips. “Shhh... Did you hear that...?” The golden eyes darted between the ruins. Talking. Someone was talking... The words were faint, unintelligible in their echo, but definitely there.

Kin tiptoed off of the path, climbing up a fallen tree trunk and peering across the ruined landscape. ...There! She slipped behind a tree and pointed twice into the broken building ahead. Two scraggly figures were sitting by the entrance, passing a hip flask between each other and laughing about something.

While the trickster would’ve loved to poke the lizardwoman for more reactions, she had two new targets to play with instead. Still, the heated reaction told her all she needed to know... And next time she knew exactly where to poke.

Kin brought a finger to her lips with soundless hush. She leaned towards the two figures and closed her eyes. Beneath her breath she mused quietly. “Hmm... Ah... I see... So that’s how it is...” After a moment of eavesdropping, her eyes flickered open again. She directed a confident look at her partner. “Nope, not a word~” A cheeky smile underlined the joking tone.

Meanwhile, one of the suspicious fellows stood up and started sauntering towards the spot where the mages where hiding. Judging by his lazy pace and slightly swaying steps though, he hadn’t noticed them. Up close it was easy to see the man was carried bit too much steel to be a simple camper. Two sharp daggers hung from his belt. And his exposed arm had a tattoo of a coiled snake, a symbol of local bandit gang. The trickster still thought her tattoos were much nicer.

Kin watched curiously from the shadows as the drunken man approached. Now, if he didn’t spot them, then why did he come here? He just... walked up to a tree, undid his belt and... “Oh. Ew.” She immediately looked away. A whisper drifted across the air to her partner. “Yeahhh, this guy is all yours... I’ll go get the other one...” She called this reverse dibs.

While Kaida dealt with the distracted drunk, Kin dropped down from her perch and snuck towards the other target. He was sitting on a stone, taking idle sips. Behind him was clearly an entrance deeper into the ruins. And it was in an oddly good condition, supported by wooden beams...

The trickster covered her face and stepped into view. Soft sobbing drew the man’s attention. Upon seeing the crying woman, he quirk a curious brow. Before he could voice his suspicions, however, she lunged. His features went pale and a scream got caught in his throat.

The hip flask hit the ground with a clatter.

When the lizardwoman trotted up to the entrance of the ruins, she would find the other guard on the ground. His eyes had rolled back and foam filled his mouth. The devious blonde was busily rummaging through his pockets. “Ooh, found it~” She pulled out a money pouch and slipped it inside her jumpsuit.

Kaida Lux

Kin patted the pouch in her pocket with a pleased hum. It had some nice heft to it. Stepping aside, she gave Kaida some room to tie up the unconscious crook. Killing had never been her style. It was far too messy and final for a fate. You couldn’t toy with people who were dead, you know.

Much to the trickster surprise, her partner-in-crime seemed keen to take the lead. After pondering briefly, she nodded. “Hm, sure thing~” As if... Sneaking after the lizardwoman, she voiced a teasing whisper. “Lead the way, scaredy-cat~” Yep, that would be her nickname now, whether she liked it or not.

Ahead of them awaited darkness. Natural light didn’t reach very far beyond the entrance. In the dark, imagination tended to run wild and shadows seemed to shift. It didn't help that soon Kin voiced an idle question. “Sooo I’ve been wondering... Do you believe in ghost stories?” She had been told that it was a strange thing to ask, which was exactly why she asked it. The second poke~!

Kaida Lux