#bezzetserlein

Bezzet awoke to the blurry sight of an unfamiliar ceiling, once getting her eyes to focus, saw she was in her apartments. She tried to lift her right arm to rub her eyes and a sharp pain went through her, “Oh…right the bullet wound.” She thought as she brought up her left hand to do the job her right could not. Once she had regained her vision she turned her head to see a black lump of hair next to her, as her eyes followed the hair she noticed a pair of fuzzy ears that would twitch every now and then. Bezzet realized who it was finally, “Elia?” She whispered and as the name was said one of the fuzzy ears shot up bringing the rest of head up with it. Bezzet was suddenly met with a pair blue eyes staring at her that were red from crying, “Bezzet, you idiot! Do you know how worried I was that you wouldn’t make it because you had lost so much blood?” Elia’s voice squeaked in frustration as her eyes began to water again. Bezzet frowned and looked back up at her ceiling, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have made you worry.” She said weakly. “Worry?! What made you go off in the first place? I’ve tried to contact you so many times…so many times. Do you know how it feels to hear nothing, but silence when you are trying to reach out to someone?!” Elia’s cheeks were now a constant stream of tears that fell on top Bezzet and the bedding, “You are going to tell me where you went and what happened! I know Ideh’a and you separated.” 

Bezzet let out a slow sigh, “After Ideh’a and I went our separate ways I decided to take a trip, by myself. I left my pearl here and went to clear my head in a place where I wouldn’t be bugged, where I could see new sights and get my mind off things, so I went East. I wanted to know the race I had become and I heard they were from there.” Elia sat next to the bed and listened as her tail swished back and forth, tears still running down her cheeks. As Bezzet took another breath she continued, explaining to Elia of the race that she was and how there were different tribes. Bezzet also told Elia how she traveled to the Azim Steppe and how pretty it was before being mistaken as a member of a rival tribe to one and being ambushed, causing the injury to her eye. “Did you go to fight this tribe again? Is that how your shoulder got injured?!” Elia pinned her ears back to her head and pointed at Bezzet’s shoulder injury. “No, that…is something else. I haven’t been back to the Steppe since my eye injury.” Bezzet then began to explain how she challenged an old man while in a drunken rage in Kugane, only to be beaten without the old man even drawing his blade. She explained that she had challenged the man several times throughout her time in Kugane, losing every time. “I was fascinated by the way the man fought, everything was fluid and there wasn’t any excess movement…every step had a purpose.” Bezzet smiled as she thought about it, “So I asked him to train me in his ways and I spent a few months doing that. Getting to how I got injured, during my time there I had accidentally bumped into someone who was kind of a prick and wouldn’t accept my apology as a sufficient enough. He started a fight and I finished it. From there it got serious as he challenged me to a duel, which I accepted and I may have invoked the wrath of a Kugane gang when I bested him?” 

At this point Bezzet had sat up with the help of Elia, “He drew a gun during our duel and took a few shots at me, luckily he had horrible aim or it could have been much worse than this.” Elia looked at Bezzet with even more worry before speaking up, “You are such a handful, but I’m glad you are safe. You need to stop getting yourself into these situations. Do they know anything about you?” A bit of panic was in her tone as Bezzet glanced at Elia and shook her head from side to side softly, “I did not communicate a lot with the residence there, kept mostly to myself.” She thought about it for a bit, placing the pointing finger of her left hand against her chin, “Sensei, I did tell some stuff to him. He was curious about Eorzea, but I don’t think they will find out.” 

THE HUNTED

“Forgive me, I’m sorry. Please spare me.” Kira cried as Bezzet placed the blade of her katana against his neck and a small dribble of blood seeped out. Suddenly the Oyabun spoke out, “Enough he is unable to fight, Kira has lost.” His voice was still bass-like as it boomed from the distance he was at, “Spare him, yes?” Bezzet had glared at the Roe, “You said I can wish anything of the loser, correct?” The Roe nodded before lifting a finger and walking towards them, “Yes, anything is correct however know this...” He paused a moment, “…We Unmei are like a family with me as the father or Oyabun as you’ve hear me called. Killing him will be like killing one of my children.” Bezzet looked back at Kira, tears running down his face, this same man that showed her such disrespect, it was rather pathetic, “I will at least give you an honorable death.” And with that she slid the blade of her katana across his neck letting loose a torrent of blood to run down his front, Kira gurgled and coughed as Bezzet swung her blade back around connecting with the back of his neck slicing clean through, allowing his head to roll free across the ground. Kiras body fell lifeless as Bezzet bowed and then swished her sword downward splattering blood across the ground.

“You have sealed your fate little lady. “ The Roe spoke as he had a saddened yet angered look on his face, Bezzet cleaned her blade off on Kiras kimono as if to shove salt into the wounds of the Roe, “No, you brought this upon yourself. I asked for him to accept my apology which he refused and forced my hand.” She had casted her eyes upon the Roe, who was now clenching his fists, his face red with fury, “A life lost over pride. Maybe you should teach your ‘children’ to be better and not be so prideful.” Bezzet shook her head and turned her back as she began to walk back to the lone sakura tree for her sheath, picking it up and sheathing her blade, the pain from her shoulder wound showed on her face, “We are done here.” She sighed before the Roe shouted out, “NO, we are not! Be wary, for from this day onward, until we are all eliminated my men will hunt you. No place will be safe!” He had pointed a finger at Bezzet as he yelled this across the way, “And yet you still do not learn, perhaps you need to be a better Oyabun.” Bezzet yelled back with a smile before porting away, leaving them with their fallen comrade.

As Bezzet walked calmly through the Kugane markets, katana at her side she took in the sights and wonders, even though she had been there several times before each view was just as breath-taking as the first time. While not paying any attention to where she was going, she happened to bump into a fellow nearly knocking him over. The man was a Hyur, messy raven colored hair, could be no older than mid-thirties and had a few rough cuts on his face.He was very unhappy being bumped into and Bezzet apologized for not watching where she was going, but it seemed to the man and his groupies that her apology was not enough. As the crowds walking the markets casted their eyes upon the disturbance that was taking place, the man sought to embarrass Bezzet in public.

“If you are truly sorry the get on your knees and apologize.” The man said with a sneer on his face as he pointed to the ground with a finger, “And maybe then I will forgive you.”  Bezzet casted an annoyed glance at the man, “I have already apologized. Take it or leave it, but I’m not getting on my knees to make you happy.” The man she had ran into as well as his cronies behind him, didn’t look too happy to hear that, “Do you know who I’m with?” He patted his chest all proud like, “I’m Kira with the Unmei gang.”  Several people around them had gasped and whispers began to rise through the markets. He looked at Bezzet almost trying to intimidate her, his look changed after seeing it was having no effect. Bezzet shrugged, “So? What does that mean to me?” She didn’t care as she knew not of this Unmei gang, “Look I’ve apologized, move on and let’s not cause trouble, I don’t want you getting hurt.” She gave a sigh and crossed her arms.

As she began to walk past the man, he reached out and grabbed her shoulder. She maneuvered and shifted to slide his hand off, turning to face him she placed a hand on the hilt of her katana, “You don’t want to be starting trouble, I’m sure your boss wouldn’t like you crawling back hurt.” Her statement was both to instigate and a warning. The man growled, “Why you bitch…” And in his anger brought a fist up, sending it straight towards the middle of Bezzets face. Bezzet ducked and shifted to the side and without drawing her sword hit the man in the gut just below his ribcage with the butt of her katana. As the man fell over gasping for air she stood up, began to walk away and without looking back said, “I told you so.”

Meanwhile somewhere in Kugane, the Oyabun sat on his knees in front of a small memorial, dressed in a black kimono, head bowed and hands together, offering a prayer to the recently slayed Kira. Several of the Unmei members were behind him either in suits or ceremonial kimonos, sitting in rows to pay their respects to the fallen. As a door slides open behind them, one lone Lalafell in a suit briskly walks up the middle path between the yakuza members leading up to the memorial where the Oyabun sits. “Sir, I have some news.” The Lalafell says as he approaches the Roe, standing on his toes to whisper something in the Roes ear. The silence is suddenly broken, “THEN LOOK AGAIN!!”  The Roe shouted back as the Lalafell jumped back frightened, nodding his head as he rushes off in a quick walk that almost seems like a run back out the door, sliding it closed behind him quietly.

The Roe lifts his head with a sigh, rubbing his face with a rough hand and stands up before turning around to his fellow ‘family’, “I have just been informed of our progress locating the Auri that defeated Kira.” He paused for a minute to walk down the steps that led up to the memorial platform as all the members that were praying focused their gaze upon him before continuing, “We have not found her yet, I have members set up in all the regions around Kugane. We have searched the Steppes thoroughly and have not found a trace of her or even anyone who has seen or heard of her.” The men murmured and whispered to each other before someone shouted out, “But she was defiantly a Xaela! That means she belongs to a tribe!” Several of the men nodded and spoke in agreement to this.

The voice that was heard sounded older, deep and rough, definitely not young. Bezzet had turned her head in its direction before turning back to see Kira with a terrified look on his face, “Oh, it seems you’re in trouble.” She heard the heavy footsteps of the man whom bellowed as he came up the stairs, and it wasn’t a surprise that the voice had come from a Roe. The Roe had on a nice kimono and a head full of rough black hair that was spiked back, but neatly done. He had several scars on his face, a look of experience in his eyes and every now and then a flash of his tattoos showed from under his garments. He took his katana out, using it like a cane to support himself on as he spoke, “Kira! My men have reported you causing trouble for this establishment.” He slammed the butt of his sheathed katana against the floor boards making a loud ‘thunk’ noise, “Don’t you know we use this establishment for our meetings with the others! I do not wish to see you tarnish our reputation!”

Each word that came out of the Roe’s voice caused Kira to whence more than the last, “Y-yes Oyabun, forgive me…I was meaning to teach this woman a lesson.” He bowed and pointed at Bezzet, his henchmen, the ones present seemed to be also cowering behind and around her. Kira continued, “She is the one who disrespected me in the markets!” He snapped. The Roe narrowed his eyes at Bezzet, before looking back at Kira, “She the one who mocked you?” He exclaimed as he pointed a large finger at her. “Y-yes sir…” Kira said hopeful, almost like he felt his boss would do something. The Roe laughed, “You FOOL! She beat you, I saw the damage and yet here you are with more of my men trying to scare her! You coward, you shame us with such a display!” He looked towards Bezzet, “You wish to fight him, a duel for honor? I will allow him to redeem the shame he has brought upon us.”

THE DUEL

Several more days had passed, Bezzet had just finished her training regime when on the way back to her inn room, someone had stopped her, “You are the one the man named Kira wishes to duel yes?” The man looked like a commoner, the usual black hair, brown eyes he couldn’t have been older than Bezzet. He held out a small rolled up parchment, “This is the location and time of the duel. Oyabun of Unmei looks forward to seeing the fight.” The man bowed and took his leave; the Inn manager looked like he had seen a ghost, “Ma’am do you know what you are doing? Do you know who the Oyabun of Unmei is?” He asked in a worried tone. Bezzet just looked at him and then answered, “I met him yesterday.” She says calmly as if nothing is wrong. The man’s eyes widened, “You saw the Oyabun of Unmei?!” Again Bezzet just looked at him confused as if these people don’t notice a big Roe walking around, “Yes, I’m fighting some dude named Kira. Dude’s a jerk.” The man quickly bowed and mumbled something that sounded prayer-ish before standing back up straight, “Please rest. I will tell my people not to bother you; you will need concentration for the fight.” He held out a hand as if to guide her to the doors she already knew were there, “Uhm...thanks?” She replied unsure of what to make of this as she walked to her room.

As she entered her room she laid her katana against the wall and got comfortable before sitting down thinking on how the fight will go. She unrolled the parchment to check the location and time of the duel. “Plum Springs…That’s an isolated location…tomorrow mid sun.” Bezzet had been there before it was quite an amazing sight, all the sakura trees blooming against the sky, the glass look of the water that was there, it was very tranquil and a weird spot to host a duel at, but who was she to complain. The next morning Bezzet ported to the Yanixa region, sat at a local store and had some breakfast chatting with some of the villagers before she had to start heading out to the duel location. Bezzet had arrived before the stated time so she picked a single sakura tree to sit under as she waited for the so called Unmei to show up. It was just a bit past mid sun when the gang finally arrived, the head hancho Roe spoke out, “You haven’t been waiting long I hope?” Kira and a few of the goons followed closely behind him, “Not at all, but all I request is to be left alone. I have already apologized to the man and seek to move on. I do not seek to shed blood.” Bezzet answered back as she clasped her katana with one hand and got up stepping out from the shade of the sakura tree.

The Oyabun laughed, “I see, but it is not up to me, but for Kira to decide.” As he spoke Kira came forward katana in hand, “Let’s get this over with, you’re wastin’ my time bitch.” Bezzet glared at Kira before drawing her katana throwing the sheath to the side, “You still wish to fight me when all you have to do is accept my apology, if you wish your life to be ended so soon, I guess I have no choice, but to grant you that wish.” Kira gritted his teeth as the Roe spoke, “Anything goes in this fight. First one to surrender or unable to fight loses, winner can ask the loser of anything.” His voice rang through the air, “BEGIN!” Kira dashed forward, charging Bezzet with sword to his side. Once he got in close enough, his sword swung up attempting to catch Bezzet off guard, a loud ‘ting’ was heard as Bezzet deflected his attack with her blade, holding his there as he tried to force the attack through. “Shite, how are you so strong, you’re a woman.” Kira spat before flinging a foot out in order to throw off Bezzets footing.

Bezzet grinned and allowed him to throw her off, letting him think he had an advantage and as Kira lifted his sword she twisted her body and rolled to dodge his downward slash, burying his blade in the soft dirt. “Dirty fighting is how you play huh?” Bezzet grinned as she got to her feet, “I’m from Limsa…I know all about fighting dirty.” Her grin taunted the man as he pulled his blade free, “When I win, I’m going to have fun with you.” Kira growled and Bezzet made a click with her tongue an unimpressed look on her face, “You mean IF…you win.” After having said that, Bezzet rushed Kira while he was still getting in his stance, holding her sword in one hand, lifting it up and bringing it downward. As he lifted his own blade to block hers, her free hand came up from underneath connecting with his gut. Kira coughed as he leap backwards, holding his stomach, he had looked up to say something, but noticed almost a bit too late that Bezzet was charging him again. He lifted his sword as her attack came towards him blocking her blade with another ‘ting’. Bezzet quickly recoiled and came from another direction and as Kira blocked that attack, she lifted her leg and kicked him in the chest causing him to fall back and roll a ways backwards.

Bezzet set her foot down and squatted where she stood, giving Kira time to get to his feet, “Was that too much? If so I have bad news, I’m not out of tricks yet.” Bezzet chuckled which was interrupted when Kira pulled out a pistol, “Oh, now that really is dirty.” She began to run shifting directions to throw off Kiras aim, “Hold still bitch…let me finish this.” He yelled firing shots every now and then, till he got a hit in and nailed Bezzet right in her left shoulder with his last bullet stopping Bezzet in her tracks kneeling in pain. “Hahahaha! You dumbass, maybe you should have brought a firearm if you really wanted to play dirty!” Kira was walking up to her as he reloaded the pistol. Bezzet moaned in pain as she gripped her injured shoulder, the warmth of her blood running down her arm and dripping on to the dirt, the grip on her katana in her left hand got tighter. Kira was now standing over her pistol in hand, “Now beg me for forgiveness and maybe, just maybe, I will be easy on you.”

I like both your characters and your artwork.

aaaaaaa ;-; thank you.