Chilled but not frozen

This was boring.

He stopped in front of her. “Code name, November.” He saw no reason to to be honest. She could be some sort of mind reader, though even that would hardly tell her anything. It hardly mattered it he told the truth, he didn’t plan to let any of the outworlders live long enough to do anything useful with it. She could take that name to the grave. November just smiled and adjusted his glasses, clearly she was no ordinary girl. It would pay to learn what she was capable of before killing her. If that meant sacrificing some of his own kind to see her capabilities, it would be a useful sacrifice to gain a net sum in avantages of power over all. Still, she was just one person. It would be far better if he could kill a whole crowd. The thought crossed November’s mind like it was the more logical thing in the world. It really was though.

What’s up with this guy? Fung isn’t sure, whether the other’s serious or not.  While all of this seems absolutely ridiculous, something tells Fung to be careful. But, he just couldn’t face the others anymore, if he’d ran away from a guy with a water bottle. To be without his gang though, gives him a uncomfortable feeling. He likes to think, that the lack of support gives him this weird vibe here. … and so, he’s ignoring that something, that told him to be careful..

November said nothing, and then in a lightning quick motion that he had practiced countless times, he tipped the water bottle forward with one hand and then snapped the water at it came off the tip of the bottle with this other hand. What would have been just a harmless spray of water turned into a pinpoint spray of ice needles that shredded holes through the bag the lizard was carrying. It was already full of loot, so only a small strain on the bag’s fabric would cause collapse. Of course he was right, the tiny tears caused by the ice shards quickly became stretching rips. The lizard man would have to either set down his treasure or watch them spill to the ground. That was the minimal amount of force that he needed to accomplish his aim. A contractor never used more than what was required. The next step, was carefully tilting the water bottle so it’s head was now pointed at the lizard man directly.

Aoba wasn’t entirely sure he had walked into. It wouldn’t be the first time. He heard people and gravitated towards there. Of course, this guy didn’t make him feel as though it was the right decision.

“What a wise choice you’ve made.” Slightly tilting his head, November smiled sharply, before locking the door behind him and then returning to his guest. That was much better. You could hardly hear the screams for help from out here. It would be a terrible shame if any other would be rescuers had to be silenced.

“You went there before?” Once again, her eyes lit up at him, wondering if he truly did go. By the looks of it, he was taking this rather seriously- no lies seeming to mock her so far. All the man had done was wanted safety for her… so she still couldn’t understand why she was being wary of his presence.

“Only once, but I’d be quite happy to return.” Indeed there were a few spots he had missed to search. What he was looking for though... well really anything of value. The quaintness of these locations was lost on him, but their usefulness as hiding places was not. 

“You’re doing something wrong just by bothering me! Why should I care what you think suits me, huh?”

“Well then I’ll have to apologize, miss Akazome. I’m only looking out for your best interest.” Perhaps she was just having a bad day. It was still quite rude of her to act so brutishly. “Then let’s hope it doesn't come to that. I’d hate for you to be ruined.”

Well, Sorey could certainly respect an individual who needed to keep to their own devices. Even as a Shepherd, Sorey had been under an oath as to not reveal too much to outsiders. Privacy was not only necessary at times, but it could keep innocent bystanders out of trouble. However, it didn’t seem as if he had much of a choice being stuck here in Hive–he and the lot were all under very similar and grave circumstances… Giving and taking information seemed to be the only way of learning anything here if you didn’t have a lot of spare pocket change. 

“Certainly. It was no difficulty at all.” November gave the boy a kurt nod. How studious, that he didn’t want to bother November any more. It was a small hassle for some interesting conversation anyway, but the boy had nothing new to teach him in exchange, and no way to pay.

“Shed tears…?”

Hastily, Fung looked through a bunch of jewelry in a store. Much to his disappointment, most of these appeared to be fake. But then, his bag is almost full already anyway. He’s swinging the bag over his shoulder and wants to move on, when suddenly someone speaks up behind him. Great, someone noticed him. But then, earlier or later, that had to happen. But seriously, did that guy just threaten to take his life like, out of the blue? The croc bandit turns around, doing his best to look intimidating, as he does.

November let all those useless words wash over him for a second, still holding the water bottle at the ready. Really nothing he said made any difference, November was just thinking how best to dispatch him. “Perhaps you’ve never been in a war before. But I have. Allow me to clarify your situation. You’re not a leader anymore, you’re now a soldier under my command. You’ll fight and die for this city. Put down that bag.” 

Listening to his words, footsteps slowed until halting once more. Villainous witch? Mermaids?… Was it truly alright for them to visit there? Even through naive perspective, she learned quickly that things weren’t always what they appeared to be around here. It was for that reason she somewhat kept cautious around her surroundings, doubting them unless she knew for certain.

“I was only trying to pique your interest dear. I actually have no idea if the cavern is inhabited, only that it’s quite relaxing and empty, since last I was there.” Ah yes, perhaps he had gone overboard in his fantastical descriptions. Had he been too quick to assume she was such an adventurous one?

“No bad feelings at all. I’m not going to hold you to the same standards which I hold myself. Besides, I’ve never been fond of people sensing my full power either. I’m fine with them knowing that I am strong, but know the exact levels of my strength is always irritating. It makes playing possum much harder.” Of course, Riful didn’t play possum in the normal way. She would limit her strength and then pretend to be on her last legs before revealing that she was much more powerful than her enemies thought. She was like a child pulling the wings off a butterfly. It was fun to watch a helpless creature struggle against something infinitely more powerful than it.

“Of course, I would hate to ruin your fun by acting as anyone other then myself. It just doesn't suit me.” The same went for her of course. To speak of tricks, he dared not assume that she wasn’t without them. Still, wanting to play possum was a weakness in itself, like gravity contractors who enjoyed the play ore then the kill. Distraction made you careless, as did concentration. 

“What’s a grotto?” Could it be somewhere dangerous? No, it shouldn’t be… after all, he did promise he wasn’t going to harm her- right? Still in the borderlines of whether she should completely trust the man or not boggled her mind, though she compelled to his words. Standing next to him as she eyed his stature, she took several steps forward, proving that no lifting was required.

“A grotto is a naturally occurring cavern. Though hardly anything in this city occurs naturally, now does it. You must wonder if it’s not the home of a villainous witch, or inhabited by mermaids traveling though underwater passages.” Unlikely, but not entirely impossible for this place. It was simply material to get her imagination going,  though it appeared that he did not need to assist with that, or with her pace.

“Incredibly uplifting. How kind of you.” Hmmm, she just couldn’t find the heart to give him a little credit couldn’t she? Well, he shouldn't have been expecting anything but a bristly exterior from someone so perturbed by his presence. It would be quite interesting to uncover why he affected her so, but his approach would perhaps require slightly more tact.