[Mission] Secrets

[Durriken Petulengro]

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Secrets Are Meant to Be Kept
Rank: C
Post Limit:: 3
Objective: Someone inside the guild is leaking information to the public about secret affairs, find them and teach them their lesson, do not kill them.
Reward: 175
Exp:40

Durriken knocked firmly and urgently on Riley's office door before opening the door and letting himself in. He looked okay but a fresh cut could be seen on his left shoulder and a fresh burn on his right knee. His vest and pants were wrinkled and to the really keen eye the snap on the top of the box that held his cards was open as if he was just fighting. A thin coat of sweat also coated his forehead.

"Riley, sorry to inform you but one of our new employees have been leaking information to Shark's Fang. I already took care of the Shark Fang member who do you suggest I send to take care of member? I think something creative will be in order and I am not sure who would do the best job in showing that secrets stay secret in this guild."

"I....liberated.... the knowledge from the Shark Fang member that there will be another rendezvous in fifteen minutes."

From what he could work out of the Shark Fang member the employee didn't really know anything important but it was the principle of the thing. If this was left alone they might eventually learn something important or something that can aid a rival guild in hurting their members. Just the knowledge of where each guild member is going when on missions could be dangerous for anyone who wishes them harm.

[Merc]

[This takes place after the whole plot where she spends three years in the world filled with demons, so she's 21, but looks more or less the same aside seeming a little maturer, and has the same base personality - just more fierce in battle and things like that.]

Riley exhaled a little as she scribbled away at a stack of papers that were sitting in front of her. She exhaled raggedly, as even after spending so much time in a strange world where everything had tried to kill her... It still seemed like a walk in the park compared to the paperwork that she was always forced to do.

She puffed out her cheeks a bit, furrowing her brows as she began to furiously sign her name to things, her expression fading as she heard someone approach, she rose her eyes towards the door as there was a knock, and Durri soon appeared looking disheveled, but no worse for wear. At his exclamation that someone had been leaking information to the infamous Shark Fang, she got to her feet, exhaling and tossing her pen down.

"I think the two of us intercepting this person should give a pretty clear message, yes?" She asked, not outwardly seeming bothered, but as Durri knew her pretty well he was probably aware that she was just keeping a calm face. She moved around her desk, picking up her jacket as she went and bringing it onto her shoulders, she sighed a bit and shook her head, her green eyes soon fixating on Durri.

"Shall we go show this stray little lamb that it's best not to play with wolves?" She asked, but paused a moment, "or griffins, as it were," she chuckled a bit, raking her fingers through her hair.

[Durriken Petulengro]

Durriken gave her a calming smile before laying a hand on her shoulder to slow her down.

"Relax, we still got time, we can be to the meeting place in less than five minutes, probably in only a minute if we actually run. I agree we should teach them a less but I believe a scare would be better especially if we combine it with a show of power. We just need to be careful since they are a non-magic user; I believe the man was one of the new cooks we hired."

He noticed that she was a bit harsher after her imprisonment so Durriken tried hard now to temper her anger. In his mind he didn't want her to do something that old...well younger Riley would regret doing or cast a harsh light on the guild. There were times when anger could be a very powerful emotion but until one learns how to focus and control it, it can be a very dangerous thing.

"I suggest we toy with this person a bit, show up instead of Shark Fang for the information exchange, and then let them run a bit. Between our speed and magic we should be able to quickly block off any escape routes as he tries to find them without hurting any of the towns people. At the very end we can knock them out and turn them into the government, after accidentally going through the mind wiper a bit first."

[Merc]

Riley paused as she felt the hand upon her shoulder, looking to Durri with a bit of an arched brow as he spoke to her. "Ah, I see," she initially murmured, though still seemed a bit antsy. "Mm, I guess it would be better to just scare him if he doesn't have any magic, I didn't realize that..." She thoughtfully murmured, raising a hand to stroke gently at her chin as she did so.

She gave a huff of an exhale, sliding her hands into the pockets of her pants as she did so, just sort of nodding along to him as she listened to what he was saying on the matter. She reclined a little onto the heels of her feet, appearing thoughtful.

"Though, chasing him like a couple of dogs chasing a fox almost seems crueler than just beating him up," she mused, looking to Durri as she did so, "oh well, it can't be helped, I guess. He does need to realize that no one can just for profit..." She murmured, shifting a little on her feet and looking to him, gesturing towards the door, as though to suggest they walk and talk.

[Durriken Petulengro]

Durriken raised an eyebrow at the comment of chasing the person.

"Who said chase? Chase implies the person has a chance of getting away. I was simply suggesting we show him you don't try to undermine two Wizard Saints." He said and since she was getting antsy, instead of going for the door with a blur he was by her large outside windows which he opened.

During the blurred movement he pulled out his Seven of Swords which caused a small swish of air to swirl around his feet rustling the papers on her desk. He then put the card back into the deck he winked at her as he jumped out the window with another blur and rustle of papers.

He took off across the rooftops of Onibas which by now was a common sight for the towns people. At first they would stop and stare but as he got better now he was only a red and tan blur across the rooftops.

Mana: 71/75

SPOILER: Click to show

Feeble
Range:Melee Touch
Description: The card is thrown down on the ground at the user’s feet where it enlarges to a two feet by one foot size. Where it will then disappear and make the user’s feet glow and for wind to swirl around the feet. Until the spells termination the user can jump to a max height of 15’.
Drawback: The spell does not terminate inertial so the user can sustain injury if they land incorrectly. It also follows the Tarot Magic sustaining table and rule described in profile

[Merc]

Riley arched a brow at him once more, a bit of a smirk spreading over her lips as she gave an over exaggerated shrug of her shoulders. She felt a bit of a breeze ruffle her hair, and turned to see Durri standing by the window. She gave a bit of a snort of laughter as he winked at her and leaped out of the window, and allowed him to lead the way as she soon sprung out of the window as well, following after him with ease.

In all honesty, she was glad to get out of the guild and get rid of some of her pent up energy. She had grown used to exhausting her magic and stamina, that now, upon returning to the realm where her magic was not restricted and did not take days to replenish fully, she really had no idea what to do with herself most of the time.

As she leaped after him, her dark hair whipped around her face, and she seemed to enjoy inhaling the fresh air, not paying any mind to how far off of the ground that they were, or perhaps not noticing that a misstep could mean one hell of a bad injury...

[Durriken Petulengro]

After only a minute of running and jumping the pair stopped just as Durriken predicted. It was a dark three way intersection of three alleys. It was in the poorer part of town and most of the buildings were empty and rotting. When they landed on top of a building near the intersection the roof shook violently at the combined momentum of their landing at high speed but held firm beneath their feet.

After about thirty seconds of patiently waiting Durriken pointed to a man in a dark cape and hood over his face walk down the alley. From their vantage point it was clear he had no reason to be down the alley but from anyone looking at ground level he just made a turn down any other alley.

"Where is he..." the man grumbled turning rapidly at the intersection looking for the Shark Fang contact.

Suddenly Durriken vanished from next to Riley and reappeared right behind the cloaked man less than a foot behind him.

"Not coming." He said simply.

The man turned rapidly and his eyes went wide when he saw it was Durriken.

"Durriken...Sir, it isn't what it looks like!" he stammered out.

When Durriken's angry gaze didn't change he turn and bolted down one of the alleys. Before he could take five steps Durriken was in front of him once more with a blur of movements.

"Ah ah now that isn't nice." He said an evil grin on his face.

The man turned and made his way down another alley while Durriken stood there and waved his arm in the air signally Riley.

Mana: 75/75

[Merc]

Riley came to a halt with Durri (if it could be called that, considering the swaying of the building beneath her feet), and she stood silently, her feet resting on the edge of the building as she peered below, dark hair billowing about somewhat wildly.

Her eyes trailed towards the man as he approached, well below them and unaware that they were nearby. He was even dressed like he was up to no good, which made her shake her head a bit in distaste. Durriken disappeared from her side, only to appear behind the man. She watched the two exchange words, shaking her head a bit.

She continued to look on in silence as the man ran, only for Durri to block his path. When the time came that Durri gestured for her to make her move, she vanished from her place, reappearing directly in front of the man, remaining unflinching as he nearly ran her over. "Were we not paying you enough?" She wondered, her green eyes narrowing on him a bit as she huffed in annoyance.

"I thought it was pretty fair. No one else seemed to have any complaints," the young woman pointed out, hands resting firmly in her pockets as she almost looked relaxed - as though she were not putting forth so much as an ounce of effort.

[Durriken Petulengro]

"You don't deserve to be a guild, having the council in a headlock with the hidden knowledge you brag about having. Once Shark Fang has that information as well they will wipe you out easily." He man said angrily before bolting down the third alleyway that he used to get to the intersection in the first place.

Durriken rolled his eyes at the man's actions before with a blur he jumped over the man in a large arc that put him well ahead of him. He waved his hand and all his tarot cards flew out of his deck and formed a swarm around him. He then quickly plucked one from the crowd and kneeled placing it on the ground. When he did so a magic circle appeared from the card encompasing a thirty-yard radius and a large rectangle of rock rose from the ground just as wide as the alley blocking the man's path.

The man wasn't used to such speed in magic and movement and ran headfirst into the rock wall with a loud thud and 'oomph' as the air was knocked from his lungs. He stood there stunned for a moment before running down a smaller alleyway thinking it would make it harder for them to chase him.

SPOILER: Click to show

Mediocre
Range:30 Yards
Description: This card lets the user control the natural earth around them in a 30 yard radius. The user can move the earth around but cannot strengthen or enhance it.
Drawback: Requires King of Pentacles to cast. Limited by the tarot card sustainment table. If another mage’s magic is affecting the earth this card has no affect. The properties of the earth cannot be affected such as its density or shape.

Mana: 67/75

[Merc]

Riley's left eye twitched a little at the man's bold words - that seemed to strike a nerve in her. Magical pressure began to leak subconsciously from her body, creating an aura about her that cracked the ground slightly beneath her feet and caused small gusts of wind (and she had her aura under control, at this point, as it was no where near as powerful as it should be, and the man would have likely fainted from the pressure if it was indeed at full power).

"My desire to leave you unharmed is quickly fading into the darkness," she pointed out, taking slow, calm steps forwards, her green eyes fixated on the man as Durri cut him off once more - and he still insisted on trying to escape from them.

"Running around like a mouse through a maze wont get you anywhere. There is no escaping your betrayal," she pointed out, closing her eyes for a moment, she suddenly lurched forwards at her full speed, easily catching up the the man, she put her foot against the back of his knee with enough force to send him face planting into the ground - where he skid for a few feet.

"I don't even need my magic to squash a threat as insignificant as you..." She pointed out, scoffing a bit at his audacity.

[Durriken Petulengro]

Durriken's left eye twitched slightly when her aura fell over him. It smothered him filling his nose with its unique scent of cinnamon and pepper. While normally, her magic had a sweet scent this time it was more caustic and stung his nose. He could almost taste the heat upon his tongue and his eyes teared up from it.

The man was about to say something more but before a word could leave his mouth Durriken was in front of him and placed a card upon his forehead. The man's eyes glazed over before they closed and he fell over snoring heavily from the odd position he was in.

"That is enough of that." Durriken said simply lifting the man and putting him over his shoulder.

Durriken then turned to her his gaze hiding worry and a question behind his eyes but at the last second it looked as if he refused to ask it.

"I guess we take him to the police?" he asked though it was clear this was not the question he was going to originally ask.

SPOILER: Click to show

Mediocre
Range:Melee Touch
Description:To active the user must press this card upon a person's forehead and when done so the victim will fall into a deep unwaking sleep for 15 seconds or until struck by an attack. If the person does not have any magical aura the effect can last up to 12 hours.
Drawback:Requires Three of Cups to cast. Only works on opponents weaker then the user (less xp). An ally can impart a mediocre amount of magic into the victim to wake.

Mana: 59/75

[Merc]

Riley's aura faded away as Durriken put the man to sleep with one of his tarot cards, and she stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket, moving to take a step towards them, and looking down as she stubbed her boot against something - broken pavement. She noticed that the ground beneath her feet looked like broken glass, but chose not to respond to it as she lifted her head and looked to Durri.

He was looking at her as though he had something to say, but he brushed it off rather easily. She, on the other hand, did not. "Is there a problem, Durriken?" She asked, taking a few steps forwards and coming to stand before him. This was not meant to intimidate him, of course, which hinted in the traces of curiosity on her face - an arched brow, a slight tilt of her head.

Since he had the man over his shoulder, Riley began to walk as she waited for an answer, in the direction of the police station, where they could deal with him appropriately. Naturally, she was aware of the chance in herself, especially since returning to Earthland. She never truly felt comfortable anywhere, as she believed it was entirely possible that she might get swept away again, and this scared her. It actually, truly, and completely scared her.

Above and beyond that, she had grown so used to battle and being merciless towards the attacking demons, that her habits seemed to have followed her to Earthland. "Heh." She softly murmured, at the thought that she was becoming just as bad as her ancestors, the assassins, who took life mercilessly.

Riley hoped she wasn't quite at that point yet, but she wasn't entirely sure anymore.

[Durriken Petulengro]

Durriken's eyes flashed in fear for a second before he cast his eyes to the ground. His toes played with the dirt on the ground as he tried to answer her. By default though his voice shifted to a tone he felt would tug her heartstrings the most, it was something drilled into him by the circus, always look like what they want you to look like at that moment.

"Your magic, it feels different, it lost a gentle warmth and gained an intense spicy taste that makes my eyes water a bit. I understand you and Fawn have been through a lot, but barely any time have passed here, it....it just takes getting used to." He voice was soft nearly childlike in its town and it carried a sadness that showed true concern.

Mana: 64/75

[Merc]

Riley frowned a little to herself, realizing that Durriken was afraid of her, if only for that fleeting second. That hurt her a bit, though she said nothing of it, though she walked pass him, standing with her back to him and occasionally stealing glances over her shoulders. There was something about his tone of voice and the way that he acted which made her feel worse about the change that had occurred in herself.

Slowly she rose a hand, looking at the palm as though it held all of the answers that she was searching for. It seemed this was not the case, as she closed her hand and allowed for it to fall to her side once more.

"I am sorry, but you needn't be afraid of me, Durriken," she softly pointed out, the hand now moving to rub anxiously at the side of her neck, "its true, I have changed, possibly for the worse. Battle had hardened me, made me merciless and twisted in ways that I don't care to admit, but I am still the same person, beyond that..." She assured, though sometimes she doubted it herself.

"I would never hurt you, or anyone else in the guild," that much, she was certain of, "I want only to protect everyone... I've lost too many people, and nearly lost too many more to be as merciful as I have been in the past. I guess you could say that part of me died... Or rather, has been killed..." She mumbled, making it unclear if the last parts were to herself or to Durriken. Whatever the case, she began to slowly walk forwards after she had said this, her head tilting back to stare up at the moon.

[Durriken Petulengro]

Durriken followed behind Riley without having to look. He followed the smell of her magic and the intrinsic knowledge he had of its location since it was so near to him.

"Understood..." he said softly and simply with the same sadness he had before.

As he walked he didn't notice a card rise from his deck before it was too late. He let out a loud gasp before freezing in place like a statue. His eyes gained age beyond which anyone would have ever saw coming from a being who was timeless and holder of all secrets. Upon his head there was a crescent moon in bright yet transparent white light.

"Word of caution Mistress" a voice of women emerged from Durriken's mouth.

"This boy will follow you to the ends of the earth if you let him, do not abuse that trust. Though I am the only one he found, all of us watch over him as the last of his people." This statement was said in a very specific way. It was worded as a threat but the weights of the words were much heavier holding the promise of those who lived long before her and would live long past her as well.

"As his new matriarch I will give you one for free: Be on watch, for those who most vehemently try to destroy evil are most vulnerable to fall victim to its hold, you dance on a narrow blade Riley of the Aquila's, do not let your past haunt you and focus instead on the bonds shared as the first new gypsy tribe in over a hundred years." the eyes of the High Priestess bore right through Riley, not even trying to see past any guards as she already knew was beyond them. It could be a very unsettling gaze to those not used to it.

As suddenly as it occurred and before Riley could ask any question the crescent moon and eyes were gone leaving a very dazed and confused Durriken standing there.

"....that was new."