RP:The Face of a Dead Man
Synopsis: Rinn gets a bit of a scare when she happens upon a man that she thought were dead. A tense bout of words precede a renewed job offering.
Date: 06-14-2018
Overlooking Gorge
Your stomach plunges sickeningly quick as you stare down into the seemingly bottomless pit before you. Thin tendrils of smoke lazily drift skyward from the massive chasm, and earthquakes and other signs of volcanic activity are quite common. The narrow strip of stony ground that is the continuation of the Milous Road is a web of cracks leading east, where the beginnings of a bridge over the endless gorge can be seen. a small paths trails northward, while south, the steep ledge you are standing on continues. There seems to be a lot of activity going on to the east as the finishing touches are placed on the new bridge
Blackened abyss. A crack in the earth. Inviting darkness beckoning for someone to plunge into its depths. At the edge, a blonde man who seemed out of sorts. Steel blues stared down below into shadow; Unmoving, unblinking. Lifeless. A cool breeze whistled across the chasm and pushed itself forcefully past the black jacketed man; Blonde hair and coat tail dancing in tandem. Eyelids snap. There is confusion upon the man’s face now, brow furrowed as he tries to process whatever he had been thinking about at the precipice where he stood. It was not an unfamiliar location. Nor were it an unfamiliar scenario. This was his home. The one that he had grown to know most out of any other location in this land. This is where he had awaken. Armored hands slip into the pocket of his jacket, shoulders lifted to raise the collar and offer some protection from the wind. He made no obvious motions to depart the area- Not yet. He was lost in thought.
Rinn was headed for Cenril in look for more work. She wasn't the type to stay in one place too long, that's how one would get caught. Pursed lips had a merry little tune pouring from her as wide steps brought her closer to her destination, The Whaler's bar. Pale blues caught the backside of the tall blond and the song turned more into a wolf whistle. She hadn't seen a face to know the trouble she was about to stir, "Hello there." She smiled and it was evident in her tone, "I seem to be lost." There was a slight chuckle paired with her lie, "I'm looking for Cenril? I feel so turned around and I'm worried it'll be dark soon." Said the woman who played in graveyards, regardless she sure could act. If and when he'd turn around she'd sport those big does eyes until she recognized the face.
Trent was brought forth from his lingering thoughts, head turned slightly to the voice that came from over his shoulder. “You’re not far, really.” he would answer, soon turning to face the lost stranger. Scrutinous and curious, Trent took in the woman from head to toe to get a feel of what sort of person she might be. The friendly facade was analyzed to an extent, but no so much that he would have any sort of suspicions. From the way he spoke next, his mannerisms and helpful nature- It was obvious. He did not seem to recognize her in any capacity. “This bridge here.” He points. “Takes you right into the city. It’s pretty sturdy. If you’re going to be exploring, stick to the main streets. Where the guards patrol. There are… problematic persons on the side streets and alleys.” The man offers an earnest smile.
Rinn worried her bottom lip as she too studied Trent. How the? Her head swirled with questions but she shook them away."Oh." Her eyes went wide once more, "It is dangerous?" Both her hands grab the hem of her dress as she tugged the fabric down with a wiggle to cover more of her thighs. After her adjustment both her hand clasped before her as she fidgeted like a nervous person would. She lifted her right leg to scratch her left calf with the laces of her boot as she questioned if he truly didn't remember, "Maybe you could walk with me." She took a few steps closer to the man while she bat her long lashes, "You know... Keep me safe." Finally she was at his side where she timidly reached out to touch the man making sure he was real and not just a haunt. She sure had her fair share of those in the past.
The nature of his altruistic side showcased itself as Trent made his decision to assist the woman in her journey through the city. “Of course. Is there a certain destination that you’re looking for? A business? An inn?” He was clueless as to what had taken place just two night prior. The question was- Why? Why had he retained memories of people and places before? Did it have something to do with what sort of impact they made during their interactions? Maybe this wasn’t even Trent at all. Maybe this was just a man that looked strangely like the amnesiac. To Rinn, with her touch, he would certainly feel real. He wore the same jacket. The same gauntlets- When he finally took them out of his pocket. It was odd, to say the least. Trent began the walk at a casual pace. He had no real idea as to where Rinn had come from, or how long she had been venturing. He didn’t want to rush the poor girl, just in case she had already been worn out. He was quiet at first, steel of his gaze aimed for the city gates as they cross that expansive bridge. “I would guess that this is your first venture to the city? Have you traveled far?” Light conversation would at least make the trip a little less awkward.
Rinn slipped her arm around his as she allowed him to lead her towards Cenril or would it be his second demise? "Oh I've been walking for hours now." That was probably the first truthful thing she had said, "You look very familiar." She fished as she tilted her head back to look at the man who completely dwarfed her, she -did- like them tall, "Are you sure we haven't met before?" She smiled sweetly before looking off towards the city they approached, "I've never been to Cenril before." Lie. "I was told it's a city one must see, and that they have a bath house. Even a theater! Oh the things I would do for a bath." There was excitement in her voice that really sold the act, "What about you, where are you from?" She paused while she aim to gather more information, "How long had you been standing there?" Then she steered the conversation back to familiarity, "Maybe you have a brother, or a twin? I just feel like I know you."
Trent bit his lower lip momentarily, searching his memories for anything that were familiar. He looked down, taking in whatever he could to try and stir some sort of impression. The recognition on her part, in Trent’s mind, was something of a hopeful endeavor. “I do not think so. Perhaps we have met in passing? I patrol between Cenril and the Xalious Village quite often. I don’t recall anything as of recent, however.” A shrug. “Perhaps we’ve met long ago in some way. It’s not out of the question, i would assume.” The locales that Rinn was listing off seemed fairly familiar. He had even been to one of those locations when he too needed to be refreshed. “Ah, then you will want the North side of the city.” he offered, leading the girl up the street once they passed the city gates. “It is a nice city, for the most part. It has seen its share of turmoil from what I’ve heard. But there is a lot to explore. This street we are approaching, Beloy, it’s a main attraction for visitors. Complete with a Bath House, the local Theater, an Inn, and even a Library down at the far eastern section. If you’re interested in shopping, then you will want to head south, down to Merchant Street. You will find shops of all sorts, food, and even a bank.” When the conversation steered back toward himself, Trent offered what he could, “I am not sure where I am from. It is a long story, but suffice to say, I am without a past that I know of.” Another shrug. “I’m not sure how long I had been there. I stop by from time to time. It’s quiet.” he admitted. Finally he looked down upon Rinn and his gaze would seek hers. Her questioning was starting to make him far more curious than he had been. “A twin? Not that I know of. At least, not one that I’ve ever met. Perhaps, as I said, we’ve briefly met in passing, or some time long ago in brief.”
Rinn sighed in annoyance before she released her grasp on Trent, "Are you messing with me?" Her tone showed frustration. At this point she backed away from the man making sure she wasn't in arms reach. This poor schmuck, sure he would be an easy mark -again-. However this time it just wouldn't sit right with her and that was what really pissed her off. She began to march away before she spun back accusingly with an extended pointed finger, "Are you special or something?" She snapped with her pointed finger moving to the side of her head to make the typical twirl of her finger, the crazy motion , "I watched you die!" Now her arms rose and fell exhaustively.
Trent stopped fully. There was a look of absolute confusion on his face when the girl suddenly made those subtle accusations. There was no mistaking it, she knew the man. “Messing with you? What are you talking about?” he asked. Suspicion peaked. “Wait. Who are you? Have we met?” The metal digits of the man’s left hand began to flex and curl, each razor taloned digit seeming to come to life one by one. Concealed by a sleeve of leather, a gentle glow of azure started to hum. And much like their previous meeting, so too did the hum echo before his chest; Where should Rinn be looking, she would note something all too familiar. An identical amulet of crystal quartz. “Special?” he parroted. “I have no idea what in the hells you are…” But before those words could be spit out, he went dead silent. Rinn’s admission has put him into a state of shock, with the color in his face draining completely. If one were to compare him to a ghost, this would be a prime time to do so. “W-what do you mean?” he stammered.
Rinn huffed and moved to take a step forward but as she saw that appendage grow and glow to life she reconsidered and headed in the opposite direction, back. "Look..." She took a deep breathe to try and compose herself, "I'm not some sweet innocent little girl." She would lock her pale gaze to his, " I'm actually not very nice in general." Again she took another pace away from Trent for she feared the reaction to what she was about to confess, "I bashed you over the head the other night with my shovel cause I wanted that shiny amulet you got around your neck." She pointed with a finger while the other hand pulled out it's twin from beneath her dress, "Clearly I got it...you deteriorated before my eyes and blew away with the wind while three creepy dudes appeared. One told me to take this thing and the other two collected what was left of you....The metal." Rinn then fiddled with the metal chain and collected it in her hand where she tossed it over returning the man his belongings. This was very rare of her, like 1 in a million. "Do yourself a favor don't ever take that off....Oh and don't always trust a pretty face, you're too sweet and naive for this world, love."
Trent couldn’t believe what he were hearing. Who was this woman? Why was she speaking like this? The steps backward had the man tensing up. He was sure she would run. In an attempt to reassure her, Trent too took one step backward to further the distance. Despite her admission, his emotions were those of a sceptic. He would recall being hit in the head with a shovel wouldn’t he? It was only when she produced the twin amulet that his eyes went wide. “Where did you get that?!” he questioned, no longer worried about whether she would run or not. He needed a better look. One step. Two steps. Three. He closed the distance carefully. It looked like his. It even hummed with that familiar glow, albeit it was weakened. Fading, even. “Three creepy.. Dudes?” The silver gauntlet snapped up and out, snatching the tossed amulet with surprisingly quick reflexes. As metal met quarts, there was a flash of light and the item suddenly exploded into dust, causing Trent to grasp at his head in pain. His cold gaze lit up briefly, a shimmer of azure cascading across the iris in a flash. It would take a moment before he erected himself and began stare the woman down. “I remember.” he finally said after a strained moment of silence. “Vailkrin. The graveyard.” Trent did not seem to pleased with the woman, now.
Rinn jumped as he closed the distance and each step he took moved her as well like a dance, like reversed magnets. She spazzed a second time upon the explosion of the amulet, "Oh so you do remember." Her face was blank as she stared him down. "Either you're full of shyte or theres more to that thing than meets the eye." She gestured again, "Look I had every intention of doing it a second time." She snapped in defense to his annoyance, "But I didn't, if you are going to be sore about it then we can have a repeat and erase that little brain of yours again." She threatened cracking her knuckles. She didn't like Trent. She didn't like that he was so sweet, she didn't like that he was kind. She didn't like that she felt compelled to return her trophy and she didn't like that he was able to make her feel sorry for him. However it wouldn't change her ways and this didn't mean he was safe from further attacks.
Metal creaked and groaned as the fingers of the silver gauntlet balled into a fist. There was a light blue flame wrapped around the metal, a natural instinct of the sentient limb just in case the woman were to make a second attempt at an attack. Trent wasn’t sure what to do. She robbed him. Hit him hard enough that he could have died. No, he did die, according to this woman. She was guilty of a crime and she should be rotting in a cell. Another step forward and his anger surged. “What is wrong with you?! Have you no shame? You rob me, claim to have killed me, and now you threaten me again?” The remaining amulet pulsed brighter and with more fervor. “Intending to do something horrible, and not doing it out of some sort of strange guilt does not simply absolve you from your crime. You understand this right?!” Another step. “I should do something about this, now. I should call the guard. Have you arrested and thrown into a cell to rot.” The other fist balled up in anger, and Trent took a breath and held it. He couldn’t continue like this. This is the first advancement he’s seen in some time, despite the sour way in which things came about. It would take a moment, but a long drawn out sigh would lead into calm words. “But I won’t. Not if you tell me exactly what took place. What happened? I… recall… searching for a ring. I recall… a blow to the head. I recall… it gets fuzzy after this. What happened? Who collected my belongings? Were you put up to this? Are you with them?”
Rinn was very adamant about keeping space and as his aggression built so did hers. He threatened her with calling the guards, "Oh yeah!? Then do it!" She challenged him with fury, "I'm not scared of you or some cell. I can get in and out of anything you twit!" She snickered with confidence, "And you're damn right I threaten you!" She threw her head back as a laugh erupted from her petite frame, "I know how to destroy you!" There was mischief in those pale eyes as her voice softened, "And you might want to play nice, darling, or the rest of the world will know too." There was that sweet smile on her face while long lashes bat flirtatiously. "I don't -have- to tell you anything." Rinn was stubborn and defiant when approached in this manner. "But for the record I work alone, thank you."
Trent once more paused in his forward momentum, this time finding within some form of emotion that would mirror annoyance. Never before had he met someone so hard headed. Well, not in this way, at least. “Do you, though? According to what you’ve said, I was dead. And yet, here I am… correct?” His eyes narrowed and he looked upon Rinn with disdain. “If you destroyed me, then how is it that I am here? Who is to say that even if you try again, that I will not just come back for you, over and over?” Trent wasn’t quite so sure he wanted to accept that idea. He still doubted his death, even now. It must have been a vision. Or some sort of strange memory. He was here, after all. People do not just come back from the dead like nothing ever happened. Still, even if he didn’t believe it himself, he would call her bluff. “And what of those that you tell? When I come back, who will believe you, then? You will be branded a liar. No one would ever trust you again.” Trent swallowed, teeth grinding as he stared the woman down. “I… just want to know what happened. Who were those that came for my belongings, if that is in fact what happened?”
Rinn snickered as her arms crossed in front of her frame once again, "You think people trust me.: That was amusing to the little redhead, "Well we have learn you come back stupid...with no memory. So that's enough, to watch you die again and again, over and over, to still be clueless. I could do it all . day." She was sure to articulate every word before she laughed. "Look love, I don't know who came to claim you effects. I don't usually hang around. Ya dig? Also there was never a ring. One guy said take it." She pointed to the amulet once again, she felt like she was repeating herself, maybe she hit him a little too hard in the head, "Then two ghoulish dude came and collected your things then they disappeared." She yawned with a quick glance around her surroundings before focusing back on Trent, "Now if you want to pay me." She flashed a cheeky grin, "We can have another go and this time I can try to talk to the guys if they pop up to collect again."
Trent had never been so frustrated in all his life. That he knew of, rather. This woman was so damned full of herself. So arrogant. Rude. He just wanted to be done with her once and for all. And it was in this thinking that the silver gauntlet lifted, palm aimed toward the woman with the fingers half curled. In the palm of the hand a large sigil, beginning to glow and burn with flame. Trent quickly took the limb by the wrist and forced it downward- She wasn’t worth it. Or maybe she was. “What i do not understand… is why you would hit me with the shovel. Why you would try to take… my amulet of all things. I offered to hire you for a large sum of gold.” The man seemed to struggle with the armored appendage he was holding down. The flame grew stronger, wanting so badly to seek a target. “...And if you’re as good as you think you are. To get in and out of whatever you choose… then I… still intend to make that offer. Twenty thousand gold.”
Rinn had an attitude problem to say the least, now she hadn't always been this way but product of ones environment. She didn't care what others thought about her and had no reason to change her wicked ways, "I hit you with the shovel cause I have problems." She chuckles, a bored Rinn was a dangerous Rinn, "I can't help myself." Another truth, poor little kleptomaniac, " If that thing wasn't so shiny and dangling in my face you might have been safe." She sighed, "Now if I were to take your job how would we trust one another?" She asked earnestly while her eyes locked to his metallic limb, "Who is the one in control here, hmmmm?" She lofted a brow talking to both man and arm. The price was enough to keep the petite thrill seeker still in his presence as was the adventure.
“Tell me about it.” he quipped, regarding her admission to having problems. It was low, but definitely audible, even with their distance from one another. Still Trent fought against the spiteful nature of his sentient hand, his eyes dropping down into a glare as if to threaten the thing. “I have no other guarantee other than my word. I don’t care what happened. I don’t care who you are. What you are. You do this, you get the gold, I get my material, and we part ways. Never have to see one another again. You walk free without so much as a second glance.” Trent shrugged. “I already figure that I can’t trust you for as far as I can throw you, so I can only say that you get nothing up front. And when you get what I need, it’ll be an even exchange. No other parties. Just you and I, in a public space. Where others can watch the both of us.” The human figured that this would be at least somewhat agreeable to some extent. “It’s not going to be an easy job. You will need to be prepared. I am certain that the library is under lock and key, and heavily guarded. I need anything regarding the history for Lithrydel. Anything regarding the Forsaken Knights, or anyone tied to them. Anything else you can keep.” Trent ignored the latter comment, the hand beginning to settle finally.
Rinn listened to what the man had to say but as he mentioned trusting her as far as he could through her she smirked, "Oh I don't know, love. With all those muscles I'm sure you could throw me pretty hard." There was a kiss blown in his direction before the corners of her lips curled into a playful smile. "I don't work for free. We will find a median who you can pay that will hold the money until the job is completed." She offered in return, "Deal, darling?" She would offer a hand to seal the deal however how that thing seemed intent to blast her away she simply nodded, "And what will you do? Sip tea until I return, knit a scarf? Do you intend for me to do all the leg work? Also how do I know you aren't setting me up so you can call the "guards" and report a thief in the library? You've already made it known you believe I should be locked away."
Trent obviously wasn’t playing ball with her faux flirtatiousness; A roll of his eyes, a sign of objection, a barely heard scoff. Had she not walloped him with a shovel and pretty much murdered him, he might have found it, in some manner, amusing. “Very well. I can commit to that.” Her prodding observations were met with a shrug. “You’re the one making claims that you can get in and out of anything. You… said that I wouldn’t be able to go unnoticed. If I could go myself, I would. But as I said, the place is locked down. I have no intent to set you up. This is extremely important to me. I would not jeopardize any means that may yield me answers to a problem that I have. I also do not wish to have you locked up in Scherezade. If rumors are true and the city is under command of a dark force, then you getting caught surely means death; or perhaps a fate worse than that. I have a conscience. I don’t want you dead.” Trent released the wrist of his left hand, the accursed metal falling limp for now. “I will most likely do what as I always have. Patrol the land. Go to work. However, if you know of a way that I can help make this process easier, then I may be willing to hear you out.”
Rinn grumbled as she offered a two finger salute towards Trent, "Yeah yeah, I'll see what I can manage." She was silent for a moment as a certain face flashed into her head, hmmm maybe she could in list that drow that seemed so smitten to be the one to kill her. He promised protection just to get the honor. If only Trent knew of the tortures he endured at her hand then maybe he wouldn't feel so singled out..."I'll be in touch." She promised as she dug into her pocket to retrieve a coffin nail that she would toss to Trent. It was kinda like her calling card.
Trent dipped his head to the woman as he caught the nail, giving the item a strange look before he turned to the south. It was getting late and he thought it best to head back toward the barracks for the night. The hood of his jacket was slipped over golden strands, and he looked over his shoulder. “I look forward to it. Until then, try not to kill anyone else, hm?” A smirk is deployed with this attempt at humor. The man tucks his hands into his pocket and speaks no further, the silent streets now coming alive with the sound of his boot steps as he took his leave for the night.
Rinn actually chuckled, maybe this Trent wasn't so bad. As he turned and walked away she studied his backside still wearing a smirk. She definitely had a dude mentality, so what was next? Booze. Off to the Whaler bar she went, and perhaps off to another victim.