Fight:The Butcher and the Assassin - kill or be guild?

From HollowWiki

Background

Valentin had barely finished fulfilling Svilfon's order when a representative of the assassin's guild entered his shop.


To buy himself time to prepare, Valentin names a different location, and flees his shop.


OOC Details

No stakes, unjudged duel: entrance exam to the assassin's guild.

Post limit: 10m, Valentin to have first attack and final defense


The Butcher and the Assassin


The shop front is surprisingly clean and cold - the chill seeming to emanate from the stones of the floor. Its counters are separated into two sections, and there is a sturdy metallic door at the back which appears to have no lock or handle of any kind.

The first set of counters are lined with meats of all kinds and cuts: the usual lamb, beef, veal, venison in chops, steaks, and racks of ribs. Offal and tripe may also be purchased.

The second set of counters holds cured products: Bacon, Hams, Pâtés, Galantines and Sausages of all varieties - some of the latter which are not recognisable even to a sausage connoisseur. 'Valentin's Mystery Sausage' has been a solid seller over the years for its rich flavour and subtle hint of pork.



Valentin is standing behind the counter, looking butcherly


Kasyr can't help but sigh as he comes to rest before the door to the butchers shop, lips pursed in a frown. With his hand effectively all but poised to knock, the vampire simply takes one last moment to review his preperations. To be frank, it isn't really all that much- a simple cantrip having been placed upon him so as to change the tonality of his voice to a deeper pitch (and one unmuddled by his accent). Beyond that, the vampire bears the rest of his normal gear, with the singular addition of a large robe that is effectively draped over his shoulders, ready to be shrugged off at any moment. Making sure to offhandedly adjust the hood one last time, the vampire simply knocks up the door and moves to step inside- a barely audible prayer issued in the hopes that he doesn't miss Valentin.


Valentin casts a dour look at the newcomer "It ain't that cold in here, guv. What can I help you with?"


Kasyr withdraws his hands within the sleeves of his robes just enough that he could hook his thumbs beneath the fabric- effectively keeping them in place as his arms are extended into a brisk stretch. A seemingly benign motion- but one thats' literally loaded, as the Kensai uses it to send a brief charge of electrical energy through his veiled form, the shock and upwards motion used to effectively dislodge a few scalpels from the slats hidden within the sleeves of his armoured coat. From there, the gentle drifting of his arms downward is then simply used to ensure that they don't slide backwards towards his body and become useless. Fairly subtle, all in all, minus the faint scent of burnt ozone. With an even tone, he simply inquires, "Valentin...yes? I'm here, for your exam."


Valentin narrowed his gaze, putting two and two together to make four kinds of trouble. "Well, that's blimmin' inconvenient. I'll not be having m'shop trashed." A hissing sussuration developed in the air around them as Valentin called upon the silent whispers to begin an invocation seperate to his spoken conversation. "There's an arena nearby, guv, an' nothing happenin' in it. I'll see you there." Valentin ducked behind his counter and the dissonant sibillants seemed to crescendo as the cantatus of shadowbinding was completed. Shadows spilled out through the windows and door of the Butcher's shop with the speed of a candle's snuff, and any investigation would show the Revenant to be alone in the store as the sign on the door now appears to say 'closed'.


Kasyr takes a great amount of care in departing the shop, intent upon disallowing the scalpels within his sleeves to slip out as he clears the shop. Even if it does involve a touch of awkwad gesticulation. From there, he's simply heading off towards the Arena~ his empathic abilities currently extending outwards in case Valentin decides to display some initiative in the form of an early assassination attempt. It wouldn't do, after all, to get caught flat footed by an individual whose capabilities he's unaware of.



A spirited 'examination' in the Grand Cenrilli Arena


This grand Arena appears to be the focal point of the recent restoration work. Marble Columns and arches awe and amaze your eyes as you enter through one of the two large archways, metallic gates are swung open on either side permitting entry. Your eyes fall on some of the ancient stone seats that have been lined with material in specially sealed off areas for the well off. The Arena appears to be better off than it was a month or so ago, the god of light that had descended and announced his protection from those that may spread chaos reassuring the people of Cenril so that they may return to the fights, one their favorite pastimes.



Valentin had made a slight detour through a slum side alley known to be a spot where squatters and the homeless could often be found sleeping among the city's detritus. By the time Kasyr arrives, burly Valentin - vampiric butcher and Scleratus of the Necromancer's guild - stands in the centre of the Arena, a scruffy and unconscious human held by the neck in his beefy left hand, and his oversized cleaver held in the right. Valentin is surrounded by a pattern of shadows on the ground, and he chants with a gruff and gravelly voice, dissonant verses of sibillants coursing over his tongue like snakes writhing together. The shadow patterns take on the appearance of small flames on the ground as the cantatus binds the shadows with the pyrumbral tides, burning a ritual circle into the floor of the arena. When Kasyr is noted entering the Arena, Valentin slashes the wrists of his prisoner, and the unfortunate man's wrists flare with crimson light. As the first drop of blood hits the ritual circle, the runes and sigils flare crimson, and Valentin cuts his own thumb, linking himself to the circle as the conductor through which the victim's life energies would be drained as mana. "A'right guv. Let's do business." And with that, Valentin breaks into a new chant, binding shadows with the cryumbral tides. A shadowy figure rises up in the ritual circle, a black simulacra of the Butcher with four arms, each wielding cleavers. The shadowice golem charges towards Kasyr, instructed to seek and destroy, aiming a sequence of brutal cuts high and low to target legs and arms. While the shadowice golem attacks, Valentin shifts into a new incantation.


Kasyr can't help but loft an eyebrow upon entering the arena, a faint click of the tongue his reaction to Valentins bloody preparation. Sparing a brief nod for the butcher, the vampire simply flicks his arms downwards, those scalpels that had been waiting within his sleeve now finding a home within the Revenants waiting hands. Even as Valentin begins to chant- his construct of tenebrous magic gaining form and solidity, the Kensai is putting his own energies to use, pouring an excess of electrical energy within the Mithril scalpels he's become so fond of. It's only upon the shadow simulcras' charge that Kasyr bursts into motion, choosing to dash straight towards butcher and beast. At least until he abruptly hurls himself off to one side, scalpel bearing hands flicking forth in Valentins directions so that the energy imparted projectiles can abruptly fire off at his position- the electricity within them being used to feed both their forward velocity and the possible damge they'll do upon impact. With any luck they'll stall the butcher, which, frankly, is duly needed. Landing on the ground in a roll, the Vampire barely has time to thrust himself back onto his feet before Valentins hulking shadow construct reachs him- the Kensai now stuck in a deadly dance of deft dodges, some more succesful than others, given the slow accumulation of cuts he's receiving. Though the trenchcoat he's wearing, and constant backwards momentum spares him the majority of the desired damage- he still receives a fair share, a pair of meat chunks being removed from his left arm due to a hasty interposition of the limb.


As the assassin produces those blades, Valentin picks up the intensity of his incantation. The moment the representative of the assassin's guild had showed his face, Valentin had expected daggers, but the man's speed was greater than he'd expected. The incantation crescendos as the pyrumbral tides are once more summoned in the form of an opaque black wall - but it is up a fraction too slow. The first dagger lands to punch a hole in the vampire's undead flesh, as the second dagger smashes into the shadowice barrier, its electricity safely grounded. The first dagger though, grounds itself through Valentin, who roars in angered agony. If the wall weren't linked to the dying man's energies, it would have ceased to hold form at that moment - but Valentin had expected the guild's representative would be well equipped and powerful enough to damage a vampire, and had prepared accordingly. A few moments later, as Kasyr played fetch the cleaver with his golem, Valentin recovered himself enough hissed out a sequence of foul dissonant commands, the cadence rising and falling with the pyrumbral tides. The shadowice barrier produces a spiny surface, and then, as Valentin growls out more commands, starts launching these cold sharp spines at Kasyr, a dozen spikes flying in quick succession as the golem continued attacking. Valentin is warned, though, by the dying gurgles of the man bleeding into the ritual circle, and the necromantic butcher shifts into a new cantatus which would rely on his own reserves as he watched to see how the assassin dealt with the golem and spikes both.


Kasyr, though busy with the Sceleratus' spell-crafted cleaving construst, has still been keeping an indirect eye on Valentin, his evasive motions having been in part made to get closer to the necromancer. Thus, when the the explosion of shadowy ice spines are sent hurtling towards his position, the Kensai choses what he deems the safest route- he takes a brisk leap backwards, to get the Golem to follow him, before abruptly hurling himself straight towards the creature, effectively intending on using its body as an improvised barrier. The ploy proves doubly effective, in a sense, if only because the motion effectively brings him in close to the beast so that it's flailing arms are what strike against him, battering against the mithril mesh and preklek plating of his trenchcoat. That being said, It's hardly going to be enough to stop the Revenant from shoving a foot into its gut, if only so he can kick himself up and over the construct of solidified shadow and ice- with a secondary shove of his feet to the back of his head used to propell himself towards Valentin and hopefully send it hurtling away. It's within the air that the Kensai finally summons his sword into existance- a violent convergance of darkness that materialises within his grasp in the shape of a Katana, just moments before its' engulfed in a mass of electrical energy. Valentin will barely have a moment to eye this particular spectacle, or take notice of the stream of ionic energy rippling of the Revenants left arm, before Kasyr is promptly hurtling towards him in a literal streak of lightning, the Kensai quite intent upon lancing himself down towards Valentin in an attempt to skewer him. Whether or not the butcher moves, the Kensai simply invokes more of his energy, the portion of ionized flesh upon his left arm growing a bit more severe, if only so he can abruptly draw his katana back and flick it out in a wide arcing circle, a nova of electrical energy issuing outwards from his position.


Valentin had rolled up his sleeves while he chanted the runes and sigils scored into his flesh by his twisted sire pulsing in rhythm with the umbral tides coursing through the necromantic butcher. While Kasyr leaped backwards, charged forwards, and cleverly got Valentin's shadowice golem skewered by Valentin's second spell, the necromancer had not been wasting time. It was common sense to attack a mage up close, and it was this which Valentin had been preparing for, hidden by his wall. Harsh discordant chant echoing around the arena signified Valentin binding his own essence with the cryumbral tides, and as Kasyr appeared above the shadowice wall, he would see Valentin coated in shadowice, cleaver raised aloft as the necromancer continued his incantation. But even prepared as he was, Valentin was not fast enough to expand that ice into a more protective form, and simply hurls himself backwards, angling his oversized, shadowice-coated mithril cleaver in a defensive guard. Kasyr's impact was like being hit by an avalanche. The lightning grounded around Valentin, care of his shadowice exterior, but that plunging, full-body-momentum swordthrust could not be simply set aside, and Valentin feels kasyr's sword clash with his cleaver, get diverted slightly, and cut brutally through part of his ribcage even as Valentin was knocked out of the ritual circle. Landing to the sound of cracking icea, and Kasyr's follow-up flare of electrical energy passing above his prone form, Valentin calls out a single command, and the ritual circle which Kasyr has landed in erupts in black pyrumbral flames as it consumes the hobo's life essence in a powerful flare of dark magics. While Valentin hopes to see the bastard immolated, he still claws his way to his knees, gaping holes in his chest from dagger and sword, and weakly begins another chant.


Kasyr becomes grimly aware of the scenario he's landed himself a mere moments after its occured- the forboding flare of arcane energies around himself allowing him the luxury of a sibilantly hissed, "Shi-". The end of the word is effectively drowned out as the air is promptly consumed in an inferno of shadow borne flames, preventing the torturous shriek of pain that would have otherwise exited his lips. Still, between the Kensais dark nature, and the resistance to pain provided to him by his nature as an undead- the swordsman still finds it within himself to tap within a reserve of power normally untouched. After all, whether or not people still recalled, he was still Daedrias chosen- her favoured paladin, appointed personally long after he had been turned. Specifically, He was her Requiem- a 'saintly' slayer of her foes, bequeathed of her energies in such a manner that he might be spared of their effects. A blessing seemingly contrary to his nature which is pushed outwards from his being, seeking to relief scorched flesh from Valentins arcane assault. Those borrowed moments are hardly wasting, that condensed mass of divine energy effectively being used to burrow through the shadowy calamity that had been called forth- allowing Kasyr to effectively throw himself clear of the caliginous 'inferno'. Whats' more, that very same energy thats' been exuding from the Revenant is than promptly drawn straight back to him- redirecting towards his Katana. Gospel, being an inherantly wicked and wretched weapon, begins to wail upon the internal assault of divine energies- Even as Kasyr forces himself into motion, seeking to slam the weapon into the necromancer, or the area near him- so that the entirety of the conflicting energies of light and Dark currently contained within Gospel can be released to ravage the area before himself in a conflicting wave of dissonant magical energy, effectively- a catastrophe of holy and unholy forces.


Valentin was in no condition to move in physical form, battered as he had been by those powerfully lightning-charged attacks. With the destruction of the ritual circle, the shadowice golem and wall were gone, but the Scleratus of the Necromancer's guild was an innovator, not a traditionalist, and his talent for the umbral tides gave him options the more boneheaded of his kind would not have thought of. It was fortunate also that, as a vampire, he didn't necessarily need to breath, although the punctured lung certainly made his voice a lot softer and more rasping. His sigil-scarred arms continue to pulse with the shifting, undulating cadence of his chant, and as Kasyr appears from the inferno, Valentin finalises the cantatus of shadowshifting - his signature spell, and the one which drained him the least from decades of using it. As the maelstrom of holy and unholy energies coalesce about Kasyr's blade, Valentin seems to fall into a pool of inky shadow, which then seems to streak across the Arena floor in the general direction of 'away'. But even so, Valentin's incorporeal form is battered by the overflow of those powerful energies, as they rip and tear through his shadowy essence. Saved from destruction, perhaps, but a pained howl emanates as if from the very air as Valentin's psionic scream of pain fills the aether. His shadowbindings broken by the agony, Valentin lies battered near the Arena wall, trying to use his cleaver as a crutch to at least rise to his knees.


Aftermath

Kasyr , still scorched and smoking from his brush with Valentins trap, forces himself to go through the motions of a brief flourish, before flicking the blade down and effectively stabbing it into the ground. Whilst it looks dramatic, it also serves as an effective leaning post- which is generally appreciated when impromptu combustion is involved. Which leaves the Kensai to address Valentin, the Revenant tossing a glance over towards where the butcher rests. By this point, the vampires robe is effectively annuled, making the cantrip that altered his voice effectively unnecessary, "Monsieur. Can you gather yourself?"


Valentin hauls himself upright with a pained grimace, black vitae leaking from his torso, to glare at the Revenant. It takes him a moment before the butcher can speak as he forces down the agony coursing through him. Such pain was not unfamiliar to him, but Valentin had hoped that, with his Sire disappearing, he wouldn't have to experience it again anytime soon. A foolish hope, in hindsight. After a few moments, Valentin spits out blood "I'm plenty gathered, guv." Using his cleaver as a prop, Valentin wipes more blood from his mouth "Blimmin' 'Mouse', sendin' a gods damned revenant to mess with me. Feckin' banker! I'll blimmin' well shove a revenant so far up their Xalious pass they'll be speakin' fancy tofftalk if I see 'em again." With that important detail attended to, Valentin forces his focus on Kasyr. "Long way from Frostmaw an' Vailkrin, guv."


Kasyr lurchs forward, his katana drawn out from the ground and than casually eased over his shoulder. To a certain degree, he should almost be thankful to Valentin, the pyrumbral tides having effectively served to cauterize the wounds that had been caused by the.. cost of his particular style of swordsmanship. As it is, he's simply meandering across the Arena, content to casually head onwards- though Valentin is hardly ignored. No, his ire is met by the abrupt formation of 24 fissures of darkness forming in the Kensais' vicinity, each one effectively a mirror image of the sword that he's currently holding, floating in his wake like a pair of bladed 'wings', "It could have been worse, Monsieur. But this was an examination, tu know? Now then, if you don't have any qualms or concerns with playing the host, might we continue this conversation at your shop? We have your results to discuss. ...Amidst other things."


Valentin grunts impassively "Sure thing, guv. So long as y'don't bleed on me nice clean floor." The butcher conveniently ignores the fact that he's the one doing the most of the dripping - but then, he'd only have to clean up after himself, which he was more than willing to do. By the time Kasyr has meandered his way across the Arena, Valentin has gathered himself, forced a rigid mental lock-down on the pain of his wounds, and started to trudge slowly back in the direction of the shop in the Revenant's company, his cleaver placed back in its harness.


Kasyr, hoping his point has been made clear, allows the myriad implements of murder to dissipate into darkness once more- Both the wings and -Gospel-. Hence prepared, the Revenant simply jams his hands into his pockets and follows alongside the butchers Company, "So, how long -have- tu been doing that... Shadow thing, anyways?"


Valentin speaks carefully as he trudges along to his shop "Could sense somethin' about th'shadows since I was a nipper, guv. Twisted banker what necked me did so on account o' me knack for them. Spent decades bein' the bastard's lab rat, but learned a lot. Learned more under guild auspices." The butcher says no more on the subject until they reach the butcher shop. After letting Kasyr in, the butcher draws the blinds and closes the door "Don't want th'locals peepin', innit". Valentin fetches a bottle, recently purchased on a trip to Vailkrin, and pulls out a couple of glasses. The silence would then grow until Kasyr decided to break it.


Kasyr casually leans against the door once they're inside, Valentins' particular tale resulting in a curious expression on the vampires part. Its' only after the silence between them has grown for a minute or so, before the vampire simply intones, "So, was it the necromancer guild, your...sire, or..well, experience- that taught you to fight like that? The preperations you managed in such a short time were... impressive, all considering. Most especially that clever bit of turnabout, at the end."


Valentin wipes more blood from his mouth. "'Spose it's on account o'me sire. Bastard liked to dump me in a pit with things he'd caught or created, an' see how well I fared as they tried to eat me. Called it the 'Scientific Method', th'banker. Can't feck around at times like that, innit. But the ritual circles, well, 'spose time spent with the Magister Letum Leifong is more t'thank for that. No such thing as a 'proper' way t'do things, in our books, only the 'effective' way, innit. Appeals t'me sense of professionalism. No sense in doin' somethin' unless you do it well." The butcher opens the bottle, and pours out a measure of the viscous red liquid into each glass. He passes one to Kasyr, then downs his own. "Leifong liked t'try an' trip me up with hidden spells in th'circles to see if I'd blow m'self up."


Kasyr can't help but nod to truth of what was said, the Kensais expression growing all the more thoughtful. Offhandedly, the vampire accepts the offered glass, a quiet, "Merci, Monsieur." offered before he starts to drain it. It's only when its partway done that he offers up a, "Given your unique skill set, I do think you would make a killing, as it were. Durable, et can move if things go wrong, as they occasionally do. Et you've adapted quite well despite the harsh regimens you've been put through. ...I'll be swift in sending in my report, enfin. I think you'll fare well." It's only after the Revenant finishes off the rest of the glass that he can't help but inquire, "You don't seem to have...seen eye to eye with your sire, as it were. Would that be ..a safe insinuation?"


Valentin grunts "Cheers, guv." The butcher's expression darkens slightly at further mention of his sire. "If I was capable, I'd rip th'bastard t'pieces an' feed 'im t'me gravewyrms. But th'bastard had this knack for implantin' mental locks, so he had me well under thumb. Luckily, th'bastard sodded off when Vuryal showed up. Jus' packed his bags an' proper vanished - an' good riddance, too."


Kasyr cants his head off to one side, the contemplative expression ceding way for a subtle frown, "The first time he showed up...or thus time, enfin? Et do you think its' possible he might return, should Vuryal get disposed of- possibly permanently, once we figure that part out... Pardon my querying, enfin- but I am going somewhere with this."


Valentin scratches a shaggy muttonchop "This time 'round, guv. An' I spose there's the possibility he'd pop up again if Vuryal were permanently disposed of." The butcher shrugs "O'course, I'm plannin' for the possibility. Only time'll tell how things pan out, innit."


Kasyr maintains his pose from before, with one key difference- from amidst the Revenants hair crops up a pair of twitching Calico ears quite reminiscent of a cats. Both ears and Kensai perk up in unison, one finger raised up if only to waggle, "Curious that he only left for Vuryal this time. Foreboding, peut-etre. Did he say anything on the matter? Er, enfin, I apologize for the barrage of questions- but I prefer to be well informed." Which, ironically enough, is also followed by a, "If I could help you, with that particular possibility of his return- would tu be willing to make an arrangement?"


Valentin doesn't shift expression as he pours himself another glass. "I can't recall his specific words on the subject guv." The butcher punctuates that non-answer with a mouthful of elven blood diluted with wine. "As for vague 'arrangements', guv, I tend t'avoid them. They generally come with hidden agendas an' concealed prices." Another swallow of his favourite tipple to replace what he'd been steadily losing "It's bad business practice. Kill someone t'get gold - that's a simple no-fuss transaction. But an 'arrangement'? Sane men start lookin' for the fine print, innit."


Kasyr settles his empty wine glass down upon the nearest surface, before simply gesturing off to one side, "I'll be more than happy to clarify. I'd be sort of dissapointed if tu -didn't- voice concerns on that. More or less, the vague wording was to see if tu would mention your confidance in dealing with the situation on your own terms." A casual shrug, and the Kensai merely stuffs his hands into his pockets, "I'm not sure if you've heard, or not. Likely tu have- I'm forming a Coven. Finding people who are useful, be it knowledge, power or other means- et gathering them. It's a simple enough arrangement- shared resources, protection of a sorts, et ideally a working form of government so we don't have Vuryal trying to round us up like before to tax, exploit or kill us, or in Solaris' case, just to kill us. Few other fringe benefits, like a pecking order, to keep the young ones in line, "That statement is only mildly ironic, "Prevent them turning or murdering heaps of people publically et stirring yet another outbreak of vampire hunters. Again." Scratching at the side of his head, the vampire can't help but idly add, "Et, it's sort of useful, for- well, something related to Jolie. You seemed to be part of her lot, so it may concern you. J'en sais pas."


Valentin casts a dour look at Kasyr. "The same pack o'fools which Derry tried to shyster me into? Struttin' 'round like pompous little prats full o'their own self-importance? Seems cullin' such gits from existence'd be doin' us all a favour." An overexaggeration, perhaps, as the blind vampire Kirien had at least provided decent conversation. Still, the mention of Jolie piqued Valentin's curiosity. Sure, she was a blimmin' nutter, but her ideas had been interesting. "So what's all that got t'do with the Thanatos Domina? Last I saw, she was telling yourself an' the rest of 'em to sod off. After beatin' Derry to a bloody pulp, that is. None o'my business, really, as I was only there for guild matters."


Kasyr can't help but facepalm, a mild string of profanities slipping from 'twixt his lips before he simply drags his palm up across his forehead and through his hair- forcing some degree of composure back into his features. "Derry, despite what uses he may have, es foolish. I'll admit that first, et foremost. Especially since, before he met me, he had thrown his lot in with Vuryal. That being said, for his failings- he's loyal to me. Perhaps not the brightest, since I sent him to Tenebrae knowing she was going to take a pound of flesh out of him, but he's loyal." With a long drawn out sigh, the Revenant simply lets a hand fall down to his hip, "As for what this has to do with Joliette? Well, despite the particular matters of trust that went back et forth between us due to Vuryals latest appearance... She still asked me to do a favor, et I intend to see it through. With her currently gone, Vailkrin needs someone to lead it." A pause is made there, for Dramatic emphasis, et to allow Valentin a moment to come to a 'hopefully' wrong conclusion. Whatever the case, hes' all too ready to chime in with, "Red. The Dark man. Whatever tu may know him as. She appointed him as her successor, et I'll be damned if I don't see the bits of anarchy cropping up quite abruptly stomped out. I won't have the city fall into Dissaray in her absence. ..Et I don't intend on letting anyone challenge Red. Thus, whilst I admit that the Coven benefits myself in the gathering of resources- it also has an auxilary function. Such a gathering naturally forms a hierarchy. One that's going to grow, et effectively create a subsidiary government within Reds. If anyone of our kind would seek to challenge him- they'd have to navigate the whole of that system, et than get through me. ...Et that's the ambitious ones amongst their ilk doing the same." Pursing his lips, the vampire simply shrugs, "Despite her suspicion that I'd even -desire- Vailkrin, after having had to rule that damnable city once- I can assure you, I've had my goddamn fill of paperwork, from people who don't have the good sense to die."


Valentin spits "I was the one who beat Derry into givin' up the precious little coin that showed he was one o'Vuryal's when the stupid fecker walked into the Corpse wearin' it after Vuryal screwed the guildmistress over. That smarmy little banker changes sides so quick even he ain't sure which side he's on. Loyal my Xalious Pass." The butcher drained his glass, and refilled it. There is a pause before Valentin says more "...supportin' Redhale, is it? Barely met the man, though the Thanatos Domina had a lot o' respect for him. Deferred to him in some areas, surprisingly. I suppose keepin' gits from tryin' to ouster 'im is a decent enough cause, but hardly a strong reason t'wear the same badge as a git like Derry." Another long swallow. "I'm kind o'gettin' concerned that folks keep tryin' to recruit me for things as if I were some dumb goon for hire, using big words an' fancy clothes to try an' impress me like I was a blithering idiot in need o' their special form o' guidance."


Kasyr plants a hand on his hip, Valentin afforded an absolutely incredulous look, "I had his unconscious body in my hands. Do you think if I had an honest concern about him betraying moi, I wouldn't have crushed his head into pulp, and smeared a message out to Vuryal with his remains? ...I didn't leave it to chance, I had someone effectively..ensure that he was telling the truth. ..More than that, he signed a..contract of a sorts. A particularily binding one. That he'd be loyal to my little Coterie, that he'd be discreet in his huntings- et that he woudn't turn a damn thing. He breaks that, I'll know- et he won't live much longer beyond those moments." From there, he simply recovers, hands falling behind his head, in a relaxed sort of pose, "Anyways, yes, Tenebrae told moi to support Redhale. Redhale has mentioned he would appreciate my support- I can think of very little else than keeping -our- kind in a form of government that will effectively keep itself in check. Especially since he doesn't particularily -like- dealing with us 'Neck biters'." With a simple sigh, the Revenant finally adds, "I'm not hiring you. I'm not -paying- you. This is a commitment, whether in that its a form of government, or even in the extension of it as an organisation. It has its benefits, yes, but it will also have its responsibilities. Moreover, I'm not trying to impress tu into signing over immediately. Feel free to talk to any of those amidst my Coterie. You'll be able to find us in Frostmaw. Or, hell, feel free to ask Red - if you want his thoughts upon my intentions. Do your research, en fait, than come find me."


Valentin listens impassively "Fair enough, guv. I'll not take up more of your time, an' I need to clean up the blood I'm drippin' all over m'clean floor. I'll do as y'suggest - a bit o' research." The butcher then opens the door, a clear indication, perhaps, that the strain of concealing his pain and carrying a civil conversation was becoming a bit too overwhelming. "Feel free to contact me regardin' organisational business, innit. An' tell Mouse they're a blimmin prat." The Butcher would then close the door after Kasyr, and go slump on a chair for a bit.