Midnight had come to Blood Spike. The streets where ghostly quiet and not a soul was out. However for where life was void above the streets, the underground exploded into life. Criminals all shapes and sizes came up, drinking their nights away with mugs of ale, while the fighting pits roared with excitement. Men, woman, teenagers, adults, where all pitted against each other in battle. Who ever came out victorious, or alive for that matter, would be awarded double their bounty. For that reason alone, people of similar bounties where pitted up against each other. It was here, down in the lowest of the fighting pits, where only the lowest of bounties fought, that our story begins.
The lowest fighting pits, shamefully named the Omega Ring It was a small dirt ring, about ten metres in diameter, with wooden stands surrounding it. Two gates, both blocked off my raising metal bars. Scattered around the ring was blunt and crude make shift weapons. Everything from metal pipes to battered wooden clubs. With the buzz of a new fight within the underground emerging, the pits filled with excited watchers.
The Omega Ring soon had audience members turn up lazily. The stands where scattered slightly, with a few bored audience members watching, waiting for the fight to happen. A fat man with a twirly moustache walked into the middle of the ring. His suit was tattered and old.
"LADIES AND GENTLETHUGS! WELCOME WELCOME TO THE BATTLE OF A LIFE TIME! TODAY FITTED INTO THE PITS ARE TWO OF THE MOST BRUTAL! EVIL! DISTUGISTING PIECES OF HUMAN FILTH!" The fat man shouted to the audience members, attempting to get a reaction, but he was only met with a few unenthusiastic cheers. "IN THE RIGHT CORNER WITH HAVE THE MOST FIERY OF GIRLS, HER REPUTATION IS FIERCE AND HER ABILITY TO GET WOMAN IS EVEN STRONGER THAN HER LOOK! YOU ALL KNOW HER, YOU MEN PROBABLY ALL HATE HER, WHILE ALL YOU GIRLS LOVE HER! IT'S THE ONE AND ONLY, JESSIE REEEEEED!" The announcer shouted, pointing over to the right gate. The cheer from the audience this time was a bit greater as one of a pair of woman screamed in excitement.
Jessie Red, inside her corner was suddenly shoved up to the gate as it opened. She was young and her hair was messy and long, effortlessly falling over one eye. She was dressed in a white vest, jeans and boots. Her hands where covered in a dirty white cloth, that wrapped over her knuckles and the palm of her hands. She looked back into her corner as she was shoved into the ring, flipping off the guards who threw her into the ring. Returning to the audience, she lifted her hands, even blowing a kiss to the girl who was screaming for her.
The announcer chuckled as the audience came to life a bit, he then pointed over to the left corner. "AND IN THE LEFT CORNER WE HAVE THE CRIMSON FLAME! THE SCORCHING BLAZE, HIS BLADE IS SHARP AND HIS JOKES CUT EVEN DEEPER! YOU WOMAN FALL FOR HIM, AND YOU MEN WANT TO RIP OFF YOUR EARS WHEN YOU HEAR HIS JOKES! BLAAAAAAAZE CRIMSON!" The announcer cheered, as the second woman of the pair suddenly got up and screamed for Blaze's entrance. "He glad I don't have to pay these suckers more than 50g" The announcer whispered to himself as he wondered off the ring, as Blaze was shoved out of his side into the ring.
The lowest fighting pits, shamefully named the Omega Ring It was a small dirt ring, about ten metres in diameter, with wooden stands surrounding it. Two gates, both blocked off my raising metal bars. Scattered around the ring was blunt and crude make shift weapons. Everything from metal pipes to battered wooden clubs. With the buzz of a new fight within the underground emerging, the pits filled with excited watchers.
The Omega Ring soon had audience members turn up lazily. The stands where scattered slightly, with a few bored audience members watching, waiting for the fight to happen. A fat man with a twirly moustache walked into the middle of the ring. His suit was tattered and old.
"LADIES AND GENTLETHUGS! WELCOME WELCOME TO THE BATTLE OF A LIFE TIME! TODAY FITTED INTO THE PITS ARE TWO OF THE MOST BRUTAL! EVIL! DISTUGISTING PIECES OF HUMAN FILTH!" The fat man shouted to the audience members, attempting to get a reaction, but he was only met with a few unenthusiastic cheers. "IN THE RIGHT CORNER WITH HAVE THE MOST FIERY OF GIRLS, HER REPUTATION IS FIERCE AND HER ABILITY TO GET WOMAN IS EVEN STRONGER THAN HER LOOK! YOU ALL KNOW HER, YOU MEN PROBABLY ALL HATE HER, WHILE ALL YOU GIRLS LOVE HER! IT'S THE ONE AND ONLY, JESSIE REEEEEED!" The announcer shouted, pointing over to the right gate. The cheer from the audience this time was a bit greater as one of a pair of woman screamed in excitement.
Jessie Red, inside her corner was suddenly shoved up to the gate as it opened. She was young and her hair was messy and long, effortlessly falling over one eye. She was dressed in a white vest, jeans and boots. Her hands where covered in a dirty white cloth, that wrapped over her knuckles and the palm of her hands. She looked back into her corner as she was shoved into the ring, flipping off the guards who threw her into the ring. Returning to the audience, she lifted her hands, even blowing a kiss to the girl who was screaming for her.
The announcer chuckled as the audience came to life a bit, he then pointed over to the left corner. "AND IN THE LEFT CORNER WE HAVE THE CRIMSON FLAME! THE SCORCHING BLAZE, HIS BLADE IS SHARP AND HIS JOKES CUT EVEN DEEPER! YOU WOMAN FALL FOR HIM, AND YOU MEN WANT TO RIP OFF YOUR EARS WHEN YOU HEAR HIS JOKES! BLAAAAAAAZE CRIMSON!" The announcer cheered, as the second woman of the pair suddenly got up and screamed for Blaze's entrance. "He glad I don't have to pay these suckers more than 50g" The announcer whispered to himself as he wondered off the ring, as Blaze was shoved out of his side into the ring.
Blaze came storming into the ring with alot more show than Jessie, turning to the audience first raising his arms like gladiator. He had medium armor on, black thin plated and shoulderpads with a scarf over his mouth, the straw hat casted shade over his face leaving only two red marks as clues of where his eyes were. He jumped around for a bit longer before finally facing his opponent, upon noting that Jessie too was a woman he winked at her before drawing his weapons as the first bell sounded. A curved longsword and a dagger, the longest one he held in front of him with the tip pointing diagonally up crossed with the dagger that was pointed diagonally into the ground, creating a large X in front of his general person. He patiently awaited the second bell that would prompt them to start fighting.
And suddenly, through the weird magic themed almost electronic like music the loud bell sounded. Most likely both Blaze and Jessie were used to attacking larger, slower enemies as they both charged forth on the same nanosecond with a string of blade attacks that lasted the same amount of time before jumping back the same amount of damage. Blaze thought he already took her out and possibly she was thinking the exact same thing as Blaze looked up to what he thought would be the K.O'd opponent but instead Jessie on her feet and well with the same amount of integrity left as Blaze did. It was as if they were synchronized in movement as the second attack they did was a pounce with another flurry but as they launched off at the same time they ended up flying into eachother face first and withdraw again to the attack stance.
Blaze got annoyed, it's as if this woman was reading his mind. From across the pit Jessie could see a frown forming from under the straw hat. But the formerly bored and uninterested audience members became invested into the fight, watching in awe how the two contestants kept using the same set of attacks and movements and began cheering louder as more and more people came to watch it. In particular a small woman with a latino skin tone with a peculiar pet on her shoulder. She watched with interest at how the two opponents would keep swinging at eachother. In detail: Everytime Jessie swinged her kama from the right it would be met with Blaze's right dagger in exactly 50% of the distance swung and everytime Blaze tried to do an uppercut with the longsword he would find it coliding with Jessie's left kama. Everytime Jessie attempted to do a grapple by shooting her hand towards Blaze's scarf she would see that Blaze also had his body half turned as he tried to grab onto her shirt with the exact same hand as they moved past eachother but following it up with a roundhouse swing with blades meeting in the air and sweep kicks intertwining with eachother.
It was an endurance fight at this point. Blaze was older and had a more athletic body from the years of bar brawls bit his athletic body also had to carry the armor he was wearing while Jessie still had her youthfull stamina and no armor to worry about. The audience was going crazy will the small woman in the audience took note of their names and left again. The fight was coming to an end when both of them were getting more and more fired up and decided to throw and offhand punch. Blaze turned his dagger around, knowing that killing her would not do him much good and launched his fist forward. A small grin apeared as almost in slow motion he saw his fist get closer to Jessie's left cheek without the dagger blade near her to cause a wound but his hopes were dashed when he saw the hild and blade flash in front of his face, giving him a split second headsup that Jessie has the exact same idea. Speed up to regular speed and they both caught a nasty punch from the same arm, spinning out onto the ground and getting up at the exact same time. As the fists collided with the jaw a sharp crack was heard from both their heads at the same time, amplifying the sound.
Blaze got up and looked at his opponent who was in the exact same pose and decided he next move would be another pounce but he knew (or thought) Jessie would copy it. So he feigned a low to the ground tiger pounce to trick Jessie into doing that move and then jumped up to catch her but as he stared down midflight he didnt see her sillhouette traveling close over the ground, instead they flew face first into eachother as the audience went wild and the narator staring at it in awe...
And suddenly, through the weird magic themed almost electronic like music the loud bell sounded. Most likely both Blaze and Jessie were used to attacking larger, slower enemies as they both charged forth on the same nanosecond with a string of blade attacks that lasted the same amount of time before jumping back the same amount of damage. Blaze thought he already took her out and possibly she was thinking the exact same thing as Blaze looked up to what he thought would be the K.O'd opponent but instead Jessie on her feet and well with the same amount of integrity left as Blaze did. It was as if they were synchronized in movement as the second attack they did was a pounce with another flurry but as they launched off at the same time they ended up flying into eachother face first and withdraw again to the attack stance.
Blaze got annoyed, it's as if this woman was reading his mind. From across the pit Jessie could see a frown forming from under the straw hat. But the formerly bored and uninterested audience members became invested into the fight, watching in awe how the two contestants kept using the same set of attacks and movements and began cheering louder as more and more people came to watch it. In particular a small woman with a latino skin tone with a peculiar pet on her shoulder. She watched with interest at how the two opponents would keep swinging at eachother. In detail: Everytime Jessie swinged her kama from the right it would be met with Blaze's right dagger in exactly 50% of the distance swung and everytime Blaze tried to do an uppercut with the longsword he would find it coliding with Jessie's left kama. Everytime Jessie attempted to do a grapple by shooting her hand towards Blaze's scarf she would see that Blaze also had his body half turned as he tried to grab onto her shirt with the exact same hand as they moved past eachother but following it up with a roundhouse swing with blades meeting in the air and sweep kicks intertwining with eachother.
It was an endurance fight at this point. Blaze was older and had a more athletic body from the years of bar brawls bit his athletic body also had to carry the armor he was wearing while Jessie still had her youthfull stamina and no armor to worry about. The audience was going crazy will the small woman in the audience took note of their names and left again. The fight was coming to an end when both of them were getting more and more fired up and decided to throw and offhand punch. Blaze turned his dagger around, knowing that killing her would not do him much good and launched his fist forward. A small grin apeared as almost in slow motion he saw his fist get closer to Jessie's left cheek without the dagger blade near her to cause a wound but his hopes were dashed when he saw the hild and blade flash in front of his face, giving him a split second headsup that Jessie has the exact same idea. Speed up to regular speed and they both caught a nasty punch from the same arm, spinning out onto the ground and getting up at the exact same time. As the fists collided with the jaw a sharp crack was heard from both their heads at the same time, amplifying the sound.
Blaze got up and looked at his opponent who was in the exact same pose and decided he next move would be another pounce but he knew (or thought) Jessie would copy it. So he feigned a low to the ground tiger pounce to trick Jessie into doing that move and then jumped up to catch her but as he stared down midflight he didnt see her sillhouette traveling close over the ground, instead they flew face first into eachother as the audience went wild and the narator staring at it in awe...
The crowd exploded into excitement, cheers booming from the stands as the two combatants fell down to the ground for the final time. Jessie had fall down, her head resting next to her foes as he laid opposite her. Both of them seemed out of the count breathing heavily, as Jessie gritted her teeth, suddenly attempting to force herself to hr feet, just one last time to finish off her combatant. However, upon taking the first step, Jessie crumbled down, her knees failing her as she landed face first into the dirt. For all her youthful strength and iron will, she was out of for the count, and she knew it. The crowd fell into a deathly silence, as the clock ticked down. The announcer starred for him booth in complete and utter awe. His head quickly turned to the guards behind him, as he hushed words to them, before leaving his booth.
The corner gates suddenly opened as two pairs of guards marched out, each pair hauling up Jessie and Blaze by there shoulders. The fat announcer, marched out into the middle of the stage, muttering to himself, wondering how he was going to show this. "WHAT A FIGHT FOR THE AGES! BOTH COMBATANTS MATCHED SO PERFECTLY IN SKILL, THEY MIRRORED EACH OTHER PERFECTLY! IT APPEARS THE RED FLASH AND THE CRIMSON BLADE WHERE TOO MATCHED TO EVEN COME OUT WITH A CLEAR WINNER! AND AS IT APEARS, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WE HAVE A DRAW! GIVE IT UP FOR BLAAAAAAZE CRIMSON, AND, JESSIE REEEEEED!" The announcer shouted, with the audience bursting into a rush of excitement, cheering for both of there names. The words "Jessie Red!" and "Blaze Crimson!" could be heard as the two where hauled off into there corners by the guards.
Being taken into there corners, both Jessie and Blaze, received a quick check up for any major injuries, yet thanks to there perfect mirror, damage was minimal, a few tough bruises, but nothing deadly. Once checked up, two guards escorted Jessie and Blaze, into a large hall way, where other fighters could be seen picking out equipment and training. Here the fat announcer came back, placing an arm over Jessie's and Blaze's shoulders, walking with them down the hall way. "Now that, is what I call a fight! You two where fantastic, you know, you two are star material, I bet if we paired you guys up together, you could make it to the big leagues!" The announcer said to both Blaze and Jessie as they walked, guards either side of them.
Jessie walked there, her fiery nature and rude behaviour, becoming increasingly more and more annoyed and uncomfortable as this made held his arm over her. The announcer's head suddenly turned to Jessie, with a crude grin showing off his yellow teeth. "And for you, I bet I could raise you up much quicker for a price." He said with a wink to her. Jessie shuddered in disgust, as the fifteen year old, threw her elbow back into the man's stomach, she suddenly twirled raising her fist for a round a house punch to the mans jaw line, but she was caught off guard, as one of the guards threw her back into a wall, pinning her there as he placed the pole of his spear up against Jessie's neck, as he began to choke her.
"Ah... I see you're a bit fiesty, bitch..." The announcer said gritting his teeth in pain. Standing up he brushed off his suit in annoyance, the guard now stepping back, allowing Jessie to fall to her knee gasping for air. "Since it was a draw, and neither of you died, I'm splitting the prize money, so you each get twenty five pieces." The announcer said, chucking a small sack of gold pieces at there feet, before turning around and walking off. "Let yourself out, and do anything stupid." The anouncer growled with a tone of anger in his voice as he marched off.
The girl crawled on the ground, quickly snatchingup her fair share of the prize money. Her eyes darted up to Blaze, they glowed in the dark light. With an annoyed look on her face, she pulled herself to her feet, before taking her attention back to the sack of gold, as she opened it up counting the pieces indavidually.
The corner gates suddenly opened as two pairs of guards marched out, each pair hauling up Jessie and Blaze by there shoulders. The fat announcer, marched out into the middle of the stage, muttering to himself, wondering how he was going to show this. "WHAT A FIGHT FOR THE AGES! BOTH COMBATANTS MATCHED SO PERFECTLY IN SKILL, THEY MIRRORED EACH OTHER PERFECTLY! IT APPEARS THE RED FLASH AND THE CRIMSON BLADE WHERE TOO MATCHED TO EVEN COME OUT WITH A CLEAR WINNER! AND AS IT APEARS, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WE HAVE A DRAW! GIVE IT UP FOR BLAAAAAAZE CRIMSON, AND, JESSIE REEEEEED!" The announcer shouted, with the audience bursting into a rush of excitement, cheering for both of there names. The words "Jessie Red!" and "Blaze Crimson!" could be heard as the two where hauled off into there corners by the guards.
Being taken into there corners, both Jessie and Blaze, received a quick check up for any major injuries, yet thanks to there perfect mirror, damage was minimal, a few tough bruises, but nothing deadly. Once checked up, two guards escorted Jessie and Blaze, into a large hall way, where other fighters could be seen picking out equipment and training. Here the fat announcer came back, placing an arm over Jessie's and Blaze's shoulders, walking with them down the hall way. "Now that, is what I call a fight! You two where fantastic, you know, you two are star material, I bet if we paired you guys up together, you could make it to the big leagues!" The announcer said to both Blaze and Jessie as they walked, guards either side of them.
Jessie walked there, her fiery nature and rude behaviour, becoming increasingly more and more annoyed and uncomfortable as this made held his arm over her. The announcer's head suddenly turned to Jessie, with a crude grin showing off his yellow teeth. "And for you, I bet I could raise you up much quicker for a price." He said with a wink to her. Jessie shuddered in disgust, as the fifteen year old, threw her elbow back into the man's stomach, she suddenly twirled raising her fist for a round a house punch to the mans jaw line, but she was caught off guard, as one of the guards threw her back into a wall, pinning her there as he placed the pole of his spear up against Jessie's neck, as he began to choke her.
"Ah... I see you're a bit fiesty, bitch..." The announcer said gritting his teeth in pain. Standing up he brushed off his suit in annoyance, the guard now stepping back, allowing Jessie to fall to her knee gasping for air. "Since it was a draw, and neither of you died, I'm splitting the prize money, so you each get twenty five pieces." The announcer said, chucking a small sack of gold pieces at there feet, before turning around and walking off. "Let yourself out, and do anything stupid." The anouncer growled with a tone of anger in his voice as he marched off.
The girl crawled on the ground, quickly snatchingup her fair share of the prize money. Her eyes darted up to Blaze, they glowed in the dark light. With an annoyed look on her face, she pulled herself to her feet, before taking her attention back to the sack of gold, as she opened it up counting the pieces indavidually.
Blaze's first time not winning a fight was definetly his most interesting one and the one he would recieve the most fame for and the fight that would catch him the attention of a woman that would set everything into motion unknowingly. Blaze had one of the nurses mend his wounds before meeting with Jessie and the anouncer. He was only half listening to what the man was really saying, mostly wondering why this guard was around as he never needed one before. He had no real opinion of the anouncer yet other than the fact he smelled out of his mouth pretty badly, that was until he heard a tasteless comment from him regarding Jessie. He mostly just frowned at him but further ignored him. He noticed how the obviously old man seemed to be entering very nonce like teritory by getting a bit too close to her.
Then, a few steps later out of nowhere a fight broke out between Jessie and her guard, normally he wouldnt try to protect one of his opponents but partly because of her age and partly because Blaze gained some respect for her during the fight he kicked Jessie's guard in the bend of his knee, forcing him to drop down and reacting by pulling the spear down. He did not have enough time to draw his own blade as Blaze's guard was little more than 2 steps away from him so he used the spearbutt and thrusted it into the groin of the charging guard while keeping his foot on the calf of the now kneeling guard to keep him from getting up. "It's very rude to hit girls, especially when they're below the age of 20 and without armor you know." He said mocking the downed guard before letting go and returning to his former position on the right of the anouncer leaving the downed guards to get up on their own slowly.
Blaze watched the old man leave, he too picked up the pouch and counted whatever was inside as he slowly wandered out. "We can even speak of luck, last time this bastard double crossed me and payed in silver instead of gold..."
Then, a few steps later out of nowhere a fight broke out between Jessie and her guard, normally he wouldnt try to protect one of his opponents but partly because of her age and partly because Blaze gained some respect for her during the fight he kicked Jessie's guard in the bend of his knee, forcing him to drop down and reacting by pulling the spear down. He did not have enough time to draw his own blade as Blaze's guard was little more than 2 steps away from him so he used the spearbutt and thrusted it into the groin of the charging guard while keeping his foot on the calf of the now kneeling guard to keep him from getting up. "It's very rude to hit girls, especially when they're below the age of 20 and without armor you know." He said mocking the downed guard before letting go and returning to his former position on the right of the anouncer leaving the downed guards to get up on their own slowly.
Blaze watched the old man leave, he too picked up the pouch and counted whatever was inside as he slowly wandered out. "We can even speak of luck, last time this bastard double crossed me and payed in silver instead of gold..."
Her eyes widened as Blaze suddenly dispatched of the guards who held her to the wall. The whole event almost seemed alien to her. Never before did she ever have someone stand up and fight for her, so she could only stand back and watch without knowing what to do. Once the guards had left, and Jessie had got onto her feet, she starred at the man with a confused look, far too many thoughts trying to be processed at once, all of which giving her conflicting feelings. She didn't know whether to be angry at the man or thankful.
Jessie stood there, her eyes locked onto the man who just saved her from those guards. Biting down on a gold coin, to make sure it was actually real, she watched him wander off. She raised an eyebrow, and in some childish nature, begrudgingly followed the man. Walking up to the side of the man, she kept quiet for a long while, looking at a gold coin she held in her hand, playing with it. Why she stuck with the man wasn't totally obvious, but perhaps it was to do with the fact he did save her.
"You didn't need to save me..." Jessie said quietly as she rubbed her neck from where the spear was place. There was something in her voice, that made it sound as if she wasn't thanking Blaze, but was actually angry at him. However she was almost to quiet to say anything else, instead she just kept her head low, stuffing the pouch of gold into her pocket. Her mind was set, she could of saved herself, she didn't need this man to step in for her. She could of taken on that guard alon, she would of got out of that lock and butchered them all, but instead this man had to rush in and take that from her. Her blood was suddenly boiling as the thought of catching Blaze off guard and throwing her kamas into his stomach passed his mind, only to quickly fade, as she was left feeling cold. Not helpless nor blood thursty, just usual cold anger.
Jessie stood there, her eyes locked onto the man who just saved her from those guards. Biting down on a gold coin, to make sure it was actually real, she watched him wander off. She raised an eyebrow, and in some childish nature, begrudgingly followed the man. Walking up to the side of the man, she kept quiet for a long while, looking at a gold coin she held in her hand, playing with it. Why she stuck with the man wasn't totally obvious, but perhaps it was to do with the fact he did save her.
"You didn't need to save me..." Jessie said quietly as she rubbed her neck from where the spear was place. There was something in her voice, that made it sound as if she wasn't thanking Blaze, but was actually angry at him. However she was almost to quiet to say anything else, instead she just kept her head low, stuffing the pouch of gold into her pocket. Her mind was set, she could of saved herself, she didn't need this man to step in for her. She could of taken on that guard alon, she would of got out of that lock and butchered them all, but instead this man had to rush in and take that from her. Her blood was suddenly boiling as the thought of catching Blaze off guard and throwing her kamas into his stomach passed his mind, only to quickly fade, as she was left feeling cold. Not helpless nor blood thursty, just usual cold anger.
Blaze casually walked out, not expecting to have Jessie turn up at his side. He put the pouch in an inside pocket on his chestpiece. As they left the hallway leading out of the pit Blaze looked back quickly to see how the guards were doing. The same nurse that helped him earlier was hunched over the guard's leg, blaze often forgot that he was capable of delivering quite the stomp. These attempts to keep someone down are the moments he most often wounded people without the intend to do so. "Oh no i didnt, i just cant stand bullies and nonces especially combined. Besides, one of those two guads still owes me a sharpening stone." Soon enough they stood in the crowd surrounded by other people heading to the people with higher bounties. Mentions of a certain Keya pitted against a former executioner.
"So tell me, can you read minds or something? How the hell did you manage to flawlessly copy my moves? I've been doing this for about 2 years and never have i seen this happen, not even against mages or rogues so how did you do it?" He asks while walking next to her. Jessie probaply noticed but Blaze was heading to a bar, something he did after each pit fight. After a bit of a walk they arrived in a small bar. It was full of lowlives and criminals and they all stared angrily at the young girl because of her stature but didnt bother to say anything, possibly because of her weaponry and the fact Blaze was well known here. He sat down at a table in a dark corner of the bar and his body language made clear that Jessie was free to join him, but it was no real invitation.
The evening was getting more fun as both Blaze and Jessie began consuming more alcohol, both of them had an iron liver it seems and despite the demographic of this bar it was still cozy and fun, especially when dancers apeared. After a few more hours Blaze partially gave in to the alcohol and subtlely placed his arm around Jessie, not as rough as the anouncer and without offering her a sleazy smile. He didnt even look as he did it wich was probaply a mistake as he never saw a strike aproach and he couldnt brace himself. This strike would spark a friendship that would last for years, even under the intense tests it will go through...
"So tell me, can you read minds or something? How the hell did you manage to flawlessly copy my moves? I've been doing this for about 2 years and never have i seen this happen, not even against mages or rogues so how did you do it?" He asks while walking next to her. Jessie probaply noticed but Blaze was heading to a bar, something he did after each pit fight. After a bit of a walk they arrived in a small bar. It was full of lowlives and criminals and they all stared angrily at the young girl because of her stature but didnt bother to say anything, possibly because of her weaponry and the fact Blaze was well known here. He sat down at a table in a dark corner of the bar and his body language made clear that Jessie was free to join him, but it was no real invitation.
The evening was getting more fun as both Blaze and Jessie began consuming more alcohol, both of them had an iron liver it seems and despite the demographic of this bar it was still cozy and fun, especially when dancers apeared. After a few more hours Blaze partially gave in to the alcohol and subtlely placed his arm around Jessie, not as rough as the anouncer and without offering her a sleazy smile. He didnt even look as he did it wich was probaply a mistake as he never saw a strike aproach and he couldnt brace himself. This strike would spark a friendship that would last for years, even under the intense tests it will go through...
Jessie didn't even whisper a word as the two travelled into the crowd. Her hands where stuffed into her pocket as the approached the bar. A small grin crept onto her lips as they wondered over, she was never actually able to get in, leading to her having to break in during the closed hours and stealing a bottle of whiskey. When Blaze asked how she mapped his attacks, she just shrugged, yet in reality she had no clue. Jessie always had a way of going with her instincts, and the man matched them perfectly. It was slightly daunting, but interesting to her. Upon entering the bar, she looked up, starring all the men who starred her down. Her skin suddenly grew with goose bumps as her hand twitched for a kama. However, forcing herself to calm down, she took a breath following Blaze to a table in complete silence. Even though he didn't offer a seat, she took one next to him, sitting in the corner, as she crossed her arms as her eyes darted towards a few of the good looking waitresses. "Pretty..." She whispered to herself, as the both of them ordered their first round of drinks.
With the night ensuing, and with Jessie becoming more and more drunk, she began to speak more, even saying more than one sentence at a time, above all else, she even smiled at one point, as she drunkenly attempted to flirt with one of the younger waitresses, and failing miserably. However, that all stopped as she felt Blaze's hand upon her. Even with several whiskeys and ales down her, Jessie was extremely quick to react, grabbing Blaze by his scarf, as she kneed him in the crotch, and gave him a nasty backhand across the face. "Don't." She said sternly, sitting back down, instantly beginning to smile at, who would become, her closest friend.
Five Years Later...
A long time had passed since that fateful night in the bar, and as if it was destiny, Jessie and Blaze found themselves back in that very same bar. Over the years, Jessie had grown up a lot, she had became more talkative, bigger, faster, and far more skilled. She wasn't that tiny girl who mapped everything Blaze did anymore, instead she was deadly woman, who was just looking for a bit of fun.
Jessie slammed down a flyer on the table, as Blaze was sitting there, probably half way through a drink. "Blaze, look at this." Jessie said with a frustrated tone, as she shoved the flyer in Blaze's face. The contents on the flyer where important to the both of them, over the years the two of them had made a name for themselves, becoming something of a legend in the criminal underworld, there bounties no longer a measily twenty five gold pieces. The flyer told how the death penalty was coming back to certain parts of Bloodspike, there's in particular. "We need to go legit, because I don't know about you, but I like my head on my body!" Jessie said, her blood boiling as she slammed her fist down on the old table. She sat down next to Blaze, massaging her temples in frustration.
A waitress came by to there table, offering Jessie a drink, with her move improving a bit as the girl appraoched she offered a smile. "Yes please Ruby, just a whiskey today." Jessie said winking at the girl, who instincitvly blushed up with a small smile before nodding and walking away. "Adorable woman... If anything would keep me in this place, it would be her." Jessie sighed before shaking her head, her gaze returning to Blaze.
"Hey, can't you get your chick, Kat was it? To fill us in on this, or help out, you always said she was good with connections, so maybe she has a way to get us out of this shithole?" Kat, a small litno skinned girl. Jessie had only ever met her once, when Blaze introduced them to each other. To Jessie she was good looking and intellegent, but there was always something about her that unsettled Jessie's instincts, when she brought this up with Blaze, he would only hush her, and tell her it was nothing to worry about. So against her better judgment, she let it go, trusting Blaze, as much as a dumb idea that was.
Ruby returned to the table, placing down Jessie's whiskey. Jessie sat up digging out a few gold coins and giving them to Ruby. When she asked why Jessie had given her so much, Jessie only shrugged with a smile. The waistressed gigggled before disapearing to serve someone else. Bringing the cold whiskey to her lips, Jessie took one long sip, before placing the glass down. "Please tell me, you have some ideas on what to do?"
With the night ensuing, and with Jessie becoming more and more drunk, she began to speak more, even saying more than one sentence at a time, above all else, she even smiled at one point, as she drunkenly attempted to flirt with one of the younger waitresses, and failing miserably. However, that all stopped as she felt Blaze's hand upon her. Even with several whiskeys and ales down her, Jessie was extremely quick to react, grabbing Blaze by his scarf, as she kneed him in the crotch, and gave him a nasty backhand across the face. "Don't." She said sternly, sitting back down, instantly beginning to smile at, who would become, her closest friend.
Five Years Later...
A long time had passed since that fateful night in the bar, and as if it was destiny, Jessie and Blaze found themselves back in that very same bar. Over the years, Jessie had grown up a lot, she had became more talkative, bigger, faster, and far more skilled. She wasn't that tiny girl who mapped everything Blaze did anymore, instead she was deadly woman, who was just looking for a bit of fun.
Jessie slammed down a flyer on the table, as Blaze was sitting there, probably half way through a drink. "Blaze, look at this." Jessie said with a frustrated tone, as she shoved the flyer in Blaze's face. The contents on the flyer where important to the both of them, over the years the two of them had made a name for themselves, becoming something of a legend in the criminal underworld, there bounties no longer a measily twenty five gold pieces. The flyer told how the death penalty was coming back to certain parts of Bloodspike, there's in particular. "We need to go legit, because I don't know about you, but I like my head on my body!" Jessie said, her blood boiling as she slammed her fist down on the old table. She sat down next to Blaze, massaging her temples in frustration.
A waitress came by to there table, offering Jessie a drink, with her move improving a bit as the girl appraoched she offered a smile. "Yes please Ruby, just a whiskey today." Jessie said winking at the girl, who instincitvly blushed up with a small smile before nodding and walking away. "Adorable woman... If anything would keep me in this place, it would be her." Jessie sighed before shaking her head, her gaze returning to Blaze.
"Hey, can't you get your chick, Kat was it? To fill us in on this, or help out, you always said she was good with connections, so maybe she has a way to get us out of this shithole?" Kat, a small litno skinned girl. Jessie had only ever met her once, when Blaze introduced them to each other. To Jessie she was good looking and intellegent, but there was always something about her that unsettled Jessie's instincts, when she brought this up with Blaze, he would only hush her, and tell her it was nothing to worry about. So against her better judgment, she let it go, trusting Blaze, as much as a dumb idea that was.
Ruby returned to the table, placing down Jessie's whiskey. Jessie sat up digging out a few gold coins and giving them to Ruby. When she asked why Jessie had given her so much, Jessie only shrugged with a smile. The waistressed gigggled before disapearing to serve someone else. Bringing the cold whiskey to her lips, Jessie took one long sip, before placing the glass down. "Please tell me, you have some ideas on what to do?"
Years later of crime and mischief later with Blaze and Jessie becoming close friends the bar where they first really got aqainted with eachother became their pub, the place where they would go after another succesfull heist or trouble round. One evening in particular Blaze was hanging back half sleeping while hanging back with the menu book over his face. When Jessie slammed the flyer onto the table Blaze wanted to get off his offensive stance but instead only managed to keep himself from falling back by holding onto the table. Recuperating from the jumpscare within a few seconds he leaned over the flyer and read it. It mentioned that due to a surge in crime and alot of the soldiers being corrupt the death penalty was being reintroduced in bloodspike and is proposed to become a country wide sentence. Specifically criminals with bounties above 20.000 g on their heads would instantly recieve it upon capture. It was actually an ad for people willing to become executioners, the only requirements were really a large black hood and a woodcutters axe, employers would provide the block and the stage. "Seems like a beneficial job proposal to me. You're telling me you're applying?" Blaze commented, making another awfull joke.
Over the years Jessie must have gotten used to Blaze's habit to make witty remarks regardless of the situation as to sort of balance out Jessie's generally more serious tone. Yet despite his joking stance he obviously had a hint of disgust in his tone of voice. Part of him wondered how this proposal got through as the death sentence is generally frowned upon in Dracholm. "Well, the problem with Kat is that she finds me but i can never find her if i ever need her. She's hard to find, probaply a good thing with a bounty of that magnitude she has." He stared closely at the flyer with a look of disbelief, he knew the state of bloodspike was dire but to reintroduce something that's widely outlawed means that it's not just this particular city succumbing to crime, it made him feel a bit guilty knowing he was part of it. "Kat wont be much of a help here because last i saw her she was planning a grand heist regarding technologies for that annoying red bug of hers. But i know of some corrupted soldiers that might know of a job that would help us remove some of the bounty and help us go legit. Let's go see them because i saw soldiers marching through the area today, setting up stages and going into bars and stuff and now i know what they're up to i dont think we're very safe here. So kiss your girl goodbye because i dont think we'll be coming back here for a long time." He said standing up and leaving the bar, scanning the area for a few seconds while Jessie spoke to her favorite waitress. He then beckoned for his friend that the area was safe and disapeared into the night with her.
The town was dark and lifeless as opposed to how life bubbled here at night. How it evaded his attention he doesnt know but what was a healthy and living if criminal community turned into a grim, dark town as if they were suddenly near the colleges or somewhere in Bylyn before the dwarves emerged... Some high figures were already executed, hanging from makeshift gallows hung some pit fighters and even the anouncer hung there, it was clear that what little government Bloodspike had was absolutely tired of criminals running everything and were cracking down hard on corruption. At this point it would become clear that staying a criminal was no option for them and that going legit or running was the way to stay alive. It was dark and raining, fortunatly, unlike several years ago the duo had better equipment now. Jessie had light armor actually protecting her and blaze instead of a straw hat with medium armor now wore loose sitting warrior's armor with a metal version of the hat he wore with the same scarf. After walking through the neighborhood that the government turned into an execution zone they finally arived in a bar full of militia whose first impulse was to pull out the handcuffs, startling even blaze but once they were recognized they all put back their equipment and sat back down. It was certainly a depressing walk with them being confronted by something they contributed to, scaring a government into taking such radical emergency measures only to be almost brought to the chopping block but saved by their reputation on the last minute.
Even if the soldiers stood down, knowing that these pitfighters could wreck up the place if confronted their angry staring and scornfull whispering made it clear that they were NOT in charge here and that they were on THEIR turf. Carefully Blaze shuffles through the bar, keeping a close eye on Jessie as if they were swimming through a reef with holes and in each hole there could be a moray eel lurking to grab them and drag them into the darkness. Eventually Blaze met his contact and sat down with him. His contact was an orcish man, seemingly a veer orc. he had a frown on his face as he did not recognize Jessie but when Blaze shoved a pouch of gold his way he dropped his distant facade. "Let me gues... You two heard of the reintroduction of the death penalty and want to go legit." The orc asked with an annoyed tone to wich blaze responded with another one of his snarky comments. "You're a great judge of character, Groak. We're not interested in leaving the land nor do we want to go on the executioner's talkshow as his one off guests. And you're going to help us because you know who put me in contact with you."
The orc scoffed, he wasnt intimidated by Blaze, Jessie or even more notably not intimidated by Kat anymore. Suddenly it became clear to Blaze why Kat has gone silent out of nowhere, he knew she was to cunning to get herself captured but worry still struck him. "Listen, Blaze. In case you havent noticed the tables have turned. You streetrats arent in charge anymore here in Bloodspike. Your little pirate girlfriend has taken her fleet and hightailed it out of here so im not working for her anymore. But i did not forget what you did for me with that one elf exposing me for my teenage mistakes. So i can offer you one thing, not a way to go legit but a way to blend in with the ranks of the soldiers. Not for long though, the cover will last just long enough for you two to get to Frostspike. From there you're on your own. Head to Linnesse once you leave the carriage: First 5 mountains north then take 2 bridges on your left and follow the signs to Lionslair. Just steer clear from those religious mountain hippies, they dont take kindly to people of color nor do they take kindly to women... This is the best i can do."
Blaze visually thought about it and despite knowing that his decision would mean that Jessie would have to follow him to survive. He knew Jessie trusted him but he wasnt so sure about his informant though, he knows this particular veer has been a slaver who escaped once things turned sour for the Veer in the tundras when the Yuk were supplied quality weapons to revolt against them by the Linnesians. He never told Jessie any of this and he knew Kat had leverage over him or used to. In short he wasnt sure if the veer was double crossing him he had no choice but to accept knowing the borders were guarded and that leaving town in general was suicide as this town was the last corrupted area of Bloodspike. "Right, what are we up to?" Blaze asked the bearded orc who was eyeing up Jessie, when Blaze asked him the orc turned him again and proceeded to explain the plan. "There is a heavily guarded blueprint moving through bloodspike. The convoi will stop here tonight to switch troops. Im a commander and will retire two soldiers today and you two will take their positions. They are going to switch troops again in Frostspike at a checkpoint, that's your only way out of the criminal game." Blaze nodded and gave him another pouch of coins and went through with his plans.
Before they knew it they were on the carriage to frostspike, Blaze and probaply Jessie too looked with grief at the village that had succumbed to crime, where they struggled and fought but yet had so many joyfull memories. It was depressing seeing a city controlled by the people and people alone being turned into a dark dystopia due to the paranoia of the government. Ruby, Groak and anyone else they met and knew as friends in this town would face an unknown future with even big names like Jessie Red and Blaze Crimson escaping town...
After a rough estimation of 8 hours of sitting on the bumpy carriage they suddenly stopped. Both Jessie and Blaze were stripped of their original gear and given standard issue military outfits complete with red plate armor and a spear like weapon. A weapon neither of them were used to nor suited their prefered combat style. In the middle of the road was a large mast of what apeared to be an airship. It just seemed like debris until one of the soldiers looked up to see 3-4 airships releasing a rope down with pirates sliding down from them. Definetly an unplanned obstruction. Both Blaze and Jessie defended their only way out of Bloodspike but with the clumsy gear neither of them had training to use so soon enough both of them were knocked out.
A few hours later both of them woke up in a jail. Blaze was already up, normally he was the optimistic one, looking for a way out but by his pose it was obvious he felt defeated and powerless... "He double crossed us..." He said upon noticing his friend woke up. "We're facing trial soon... Along with our regular bounty of 19 thousand another 2 thousand was added because we were trying to cross the border illegally and impersonating figures of the law... This is my fault, i shouldnt have trusted him and now we're both dead..." He went quiet for a few seconds, audibly sighed and finished his sentence with "Im sorry..." There wasnt much time for an argument as minutes later a soldier came into the jail packed in heavy armor and spoke. "Come with me. Your verdict is about to begin."
The soldier let both of them to some sort of courtroom with a grouchy old man sitting there as the judge. Just the look of this man, his poorly maintained wig and his obvious personal disdain for criminals made it quite obvious that despite whatever the lawyers could throw at him he would always give them the death sentence... Yet there was something off about him, he had a look of worry in his eye. The trial began soon as he violently smashed his hammer on the desk. The trial took up to 3 full hours but despite everything: their lack of defense, the high bounty, the look of the judge they were sentenced with life long in prison and promptly dragged out of the courtroom. Confused yet terrified they were dragged out of the courtroom shouting eachother's name as they were seperated for their sentence...
Two years later...
After two years of rotting in a small, cold cell wearing little more than rags Jessie probaply began to realize that a swift death would have been better than this. Then one day, against all odds she saw someone enter that could never be who she thought it was. Blaze, now wearing polished red armor with ornate golden parts and new weapons walked into the cell with a paper of sorts. He was shortly interupted by the guard: "Mister crimson... This woman is a convict, you might want to stay out of her ce-" He was interupted by Blaze showing him a paper of sorts. "I know what im doing bud, take a break and let me talk to her." The jailer, walked away confused. It apeared Blaze had authority here. He wasnt alone either, accompanied by a gorgeous young woman who popped her head around the corner and spoke to Blaze. "Hey! I forgot to feed barbsy but you know the way back right?" and with a nod and a smile the blonde elf was dismissed as well. His facial expression turned to one of worry again as he got closer to Jessie and sat down next to her, expecting a slap or something of the sort. "Hey... I know you may be mad at me but i really couldnt get to you any sooner. Im not sure if you've followed the news but alot has happened and im here to get you out..."
He showed her a paper proving the legitimacy and approval of the requested release of Jessie Red with a condition with her release being in exchange for banishment from the countries: Bloodspike. Signed by Blaze, the person who was currently in charge of Bloodspike and a certain Tower Charlot.
Over the years Jessie must have gotten used to Blaze's habit to make witty remarks regardless of the situation as to sort of balance out Jessie's generally more serious tone. Yet despite his joking stance he obviously had a hint of disgust in his tone of voice. Part of him wondered how this proposal got through as the death sentence is generally frowned upon in Dracholm. "Well, the problem with Kat is that she finds me but i can never find her if i ever need her. She's hard to find, probaply a good thing with a bounty of that magnitude she has." He stared closely at the flyer with a look of disbelief, he knew the state of bloodspike was dire but to reintroduce something that's widely outlawed means that it's not just this particular city succumbing to crime, it made him feel a bit guilty knowing he was part of it. "Kat wont be much of a help here because last i saw her she was planning a grand heist regarding technologies for that annoying red bug of hers. But i know of some corrupted soldiers that might know of a job that would help us remove some of the bounty and help us go legit. Let's go see them because i saw soldiers marching through the area today, setting up stages and going into bars and stuff and now i know what they're up to i dont think we're very safe here. So kiss your girl goodbye because i dont think we'll be coming back here for a long time." He said standing up and leaving the bar, scanning the area for a few seconds while Jessie spoke to her favorite waitress. He then beckoned for his friend that the area was safe and disapeared into the night with her.
The town was dark and lifeless as opposed to how life bubbled here at night. How it evaded his attention he doesnt know but what was a healthy and living if criminal community turned into a grim, dark town as if they were suddenly near the colleges or somewhere in Bylyn before the dwarves emerged... Some high figures were already executed, hanging from makeshift gallows hung some pit fighters and even the anouncer hung there, it was clear that what little government Bloodspike had was absolutely tired of criminals running everything and were cracking down hard on corruption. At this point it would become clear that staying a criminal was no option for them and that going legit or running was the way to stay alive. It was dark and raining, fortunatly, unlike several years ago the duo had better equipment now. Jessie had light armor actually protecting her and blaze instead of a straw hat with medium armor now wore loose sitting warrior's armor with a metal version of the hat he wore with the same scarf. After walking through the neighborhood that the government turned into an execution zone they finally arived in a bar full of militia whose first impulse was to pull out the handcuffs, startling even blaze but once they were recognized they all put back their equipment and sat back down. It was certainly a depressing walk with them being confronted by something they contributed to, scaring a government into taking such radical emergency measures only to be almost brought to the chopping block but saved by their reputation on the last minute.
Even if the soldiers stood down, knowing that these pitfighters could wreck up the place if confronted their angry staring and scornfull whispering made it clear that they were NOT in charge here and that they were on THEIR turf. Carefully Blaze shuffles through the bar, keeping a close eye on Jessie as if they were swimming through a reef with holes and in each hole there could be a moray eel lurking to grab them and drag them into the darkness. Eventually Blaze met his contact and sat down with him. His contact was an orcish man, seemingly a veer orc. he had a frown on his face as he did not recognize Jessie but when Blaze shoved a pouch of gold his way he dropped his distant facade. "Let me gues... You two heard of the reintroduction of the death penalty and want to go legit." The orc asked with an annoyed tone to wich blaze responded with another one of his snarky comments. "You're a great judge of character, Groak. We're not interested in leaving the land nor do we want to go on the executioner's talkshow as his one off guests. And you're going to help us because you know who put me in contact with you."
The orc scoffed, he wasnt intimidated by Blaze, Jessie or even more notably not intimidated by Kat anymore. Suddenly it became clear to Blaze why Kat has gone silent out of nowhere, he knew she was to cunning to get herself captured but worry still struck him. "Listen, Blaze. In case you havent noticed the tables have turned. You streetrats arent in charge anymore here in Bloodspike. Your little pirate girlfriend has taken her fleet and hightailed it out of here so im not working for her anymore. But i did not forget what you did for me with that one elf exposing me for my teenage mistakes. So i can offer you one thing, not a way to go legit but a way to blend in with the ranks of the soldiers. Not for long though, the cover will last just long enough for you two to get to Frostspike. From there you're on your own. Head to Linnesse once you leave the carriage: First 5 mountains north then take 2 bridges on your left and follow the signs to Lionslair. Just steer clear from those religious mountain hippies, they dont take kindly to people of color nor do they take kindly to women... This is the best i can do."
Blaze visually thought about it and despite knowing that his decision would mean that Jessie would have to follow him to survive. He knew Jessie trusted him but he wasnt so sure about his informant though, he knows this particular veer has been a slaver who escaped once things turned sour for the Veer in the tundras when the Yuk were supplied quality weapons to revolt against them by the Linnesians. He never told Jessie any of this and he knew Kat had leverage over him or used to. In short he wasnt sure if the veer was double crossing him he had no choice but to accept knowing the borders were guarded and that leaving town in general was suicide as this town was the last corrupted area of Bloodspike. "Right, what are we up to?" Blaze asked the bearded orc who was eyeing up Jessie, when Blaze asked him the orc turned him again and proceeded to explain the plan. "There is a heavily guarded blueprint moving through bloodspike. The convoi will stop here tonight to switch troops. Im a commander and will retire two soldiers today and you two will take their positions. They are going to switch troops again in Frostspike at a checkpoint, that's your only way out of the criminal game." Blaze nodded and gave him another pouch of coins and went through with his plans.
Before they knew it they were on the carriage to frostspike, Blaze and probaply Jessie too looked with grief at the village that had succumbed to crime, where they struggled and fought but yet had so many joyfull memories. It was depressing seeing a city controlled by the people and people alone being turned into a dark dystopia due to the paranoia of the government. Ruby, Groak and anyone else they met and knew as friends in this town would face an unknown future with even big names like Jessie Red and Blaze Crimson escaping town...
After a rough estimation of 8 hours of sitting on the bumpy carriage they suddenly stopped. Both Jessie and Blaze were stripped of their original gear and given standard issue military outfits complete with red plate armor and a spear like weapon. A weapon neither of them were used to nor suited their prefered combat style. In the middle of the road was a large mast of what apeared to be an airship. It just seemed like debris until one of the soldiers looked up to see 3-4 airships releasing a rope down with pirates sliding down from them. Definetly an unplanned obstruction. Both Blaze and Jessie defended their only way out of Bloodspike but with the clumsy gear neither of them had training to use so soon enough both of them were knocked out.
A few hours later both of them woke up in a jail. Blaze was already up, normally he was the optimistic one, looking for a way out but by his pose it was obvious he felt defeated and powerless... "He double crossed us..." He said upon noticing his friend woke up. "We're facing trial soon... Along with our regular bounty of 19 thousand another 2 thousand was added because we were trying to cross the border illegally and impersonating figures of the law... This is my fault, i shouldnt have trusted him and now we're both dead..." He went quiet for a few seconds, audibly sighed and finished his sentence with "Im sorry..." There wasnt much time for an argument as minutes later a soldier came into the jail packed in heavy armor and spoke. "Come with me. Your verdict is about to begin."
The soldier let both of them to some sort of courtroom with a grouchy old man sitting there as the judge. Just the look of this man, his poorly maintained wig and his obvious personal disdain for criminals made it quite obvious that despite whatever the lawyers could throw at him he would always give them the death sentence... Yet there was something off about him, he had a look of worry in his eye. The trial began soon as he violently smashed his hammer on the desk. The trial took up to 3 full hours but despite everything: their lack of defense, the high bounty, the look of the judge they were sentenced with life long in prison and promptly dragged out of the courtroom. Confused yet terrified they were dragged out of the courtroom shouting eachother's name as they were seperated for their sentence...
Two years later...
After two years of rotting in a small, cold cell wearing little more than rags Jessie probaply began to realize that a swift death would have been better than this. Then one day, against all odds she saw someone enter that could never be who she thought it was. Blaze, now wearing polished red armor with ornate golden parts and new weapons walked into the cell with a paper of sorts. He was shortly interupted by the guard: "Mister crimson... This woman is a convict, you might want to stay out of her ce-" He was interupted by Blaze showing him a paper of sorts. "I know what im doing bud, take a break and let me talk to her." The jailer, walked away confused. It apeared Blaze had authority here. He wasnt alone either, accompanied by a gorgeous young woman who popped her head around the corner and spoke to Blaze. "Hey! I forgot to feed barbsy but you know the way back right?" and with a nod and a smile the blonde elf was dismissed as well. His facial expression turned to one of worry again as he got closer to Jessie and sat down next to her, expecting a slap or something of the sort. "Hey... I know you may be mad at me but i really couldnt get to you any sooner. Im not sure if you've followed the news but alot has happened and im here to get you out..."
He showed her a paper proving the legitimacy and approval of the requested release of Jessie Red with a condition with her release being in exchange for banishment from the countries: Bloodspike. Signed by Blaze, the person who was currently in charge of Bloodspike and a certain Tower Charlot.
The years passed, slowly and painfully. Ever since that day in the court room Jessie had been left alone and helpless, the prison life had not been good to her either. For all her brutal nature, she never found a place among the criminal scum which inhabited the prison. On her first day, she was ganged up on, after picking a fight with one of the inmates, making it out only thanks to a few guards who, begrudgingly, saved her. It was that night she went to sleep crying. She was terrified, alone, her only friend, the only person who she could call family, had been dragged away from her. It was ever since then, Jessie became bitter and cynical, she began to return to her old roots of feeling nothing but cold, the cold anger which just pushed her on. She became quiet and alone, each time in the canteen, she would sit alone, and remove herself as quickly as she could.
Somewhere after her first year in prison, she got into a fight. Not with an inmate, but with a guard. She was unease, on the edge from a year of little sleep and terrible nightmares that sent her to the edge. So she was thrown into a fit into rage, by an odd comment from a guard, calling her a name. With her bare hands alone, she was able to bloody up the guard, using his own helmet to beat his head in. However, she was quickly thrown off, receiving a long and deep cut on her back from some guard with a blade. With her rage deepened, she grabbed onto the blade, twisting it out of the guards hand, not caring for the cuts she received on her own hands. Yet, for all her prowess and iron will, she couldn't hold her own, and just like the pit, she crumbled down.
Ever since that day, she gained the respect from her fellow inmates. Yet she didn't care, her life was here in this prison, and they would all leave her eventually. She had wished she had just been killed, she didn't want this fate. Yet she was damned with it.
Those two years passed slowly, when Jessie found herself sitting in her cell. She had grown up a lot in those two years. Her body had became slim and muscular. Her hair had grown long, and her skin even paler. Dark rings laid under her eyes, which seemed to glow a little less these days. She knew people where talking outside of her cell, probably about her, but as if she cared, probably another person who wanted to blame her for some long forgotten crime. Yet her attitude suddenly changed in an instant as she heard the name "Crimson." Sitting down cross legged, she raised her head, her eyes still glowing in the darkness. Then for the first time in two years, she smiled. Energy flowed back into her body, as she became excited. It had to of been him, everything about the man was him.
Then for a split second, her mind was taken away as a woman came into view. For what seemed to be forever, Jessie found herself staring at this girl. Lost in awe, her mind was only placed on straight when she disappeared and the cell door opened. She fell silent and didn't even move, as Blaze sat down next to her. She just listened to him speak, as if she was a kid getting told off. Then half way through his speech, she cut him off. Her arms wrapped around the man tightly, as she hid her head into the man's chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sat there crying. "I-I didn't think you would come back!" She cried, guilt stuck in her throat, as she struggled to breath. For the next few minutes, she didn't even let go of Blaze, let alone stop blaming herself for everything that happened. However, eventually, she calmed herself down, snatching the papers out of Blaze's hands, and reading through it carefully.
"I'm... Free?" Jessie asked, with serious doubt in her voice as she looked up at Blaze with a face of disbelief. "But... But how!" She asked, only to quickly spot the name of 'Tower Charlot.' Her eyes flickered back to Blaze, now with a small grin and a cocked eyebrow. "What have you been doing these past few years?" She asked with a sense of excitement in her voice, standing up, and pulling Blaze to his feet.
Somewhere after her first year in prison, she got into a fight. Not with an inmate, but with a guard. She was unease, on the edge from a year of little sleep and terrible nightmares that sent her to the edge. So she was thrown into a fit into rage, by an odd comment from a guard, calling her a name. With her bare hands alone, she was able to bloody up the guard, using his own helmet to beat his head in. However, she was quickly thrown off, receiving a long and deep cut on her back from some guard with a blade. With her rage deepened, she grabbed onto the blade, twisting it out of the guards hand, not caring for the cuts she received on her own hands. Yet, for all her prowess and iron will, she couldn't hold her own, and just like the pit, she crumbled down.
Ever since that day, she gained the respect from her fellow inmates. Yet she didn't care, her life was here in this prison, and they would all leave her eventually. She had wished she had just been killed, she didn't want this fate. Yet she was damned with it.
Those two years passed slowly, when Jessie found herself sitting in her cell. She had grown up a lot in those two years. Her body had became slim and muscular. Her hair had grown long, and her skin even paler. Dark rings laid under her eyes, which seemed to glow a little less these days. She knew people where talking outside of her cell, probably about her, but as if she cared, probably another person who wanted to blame her for some long forgotten crime. Yet her attitude suddenly changed in an instant as she heard the name "Crimson." Sitting down cross legged, she raised her head, her eyes still glowing in the darkness. Then for the first time in two years, she smiled. Energy flowed back into her body, as she became excited. It had to of been him, everything about the man was him.
Then for a split second, her mind was taken away as a woman came into view. For what seemed to be forever, Jessie found herself staring at this girl. Lost in awe, her mind was only placed on straight when she disappeared and the cell door opened. She fell silent and didn't even move, as Blaze sat down next to her. She just listened to him speak, as if she was a kid getting told off. Then half way through his speech, she cut him off. Her arms wrapped around the man tightly, as she hid her head into the man's chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sat there crying. "I-I didn't think you would come back!" She cried, guilt stuck in her throat, as she struggled to breath. For the next few minutes, she didn't even let go of Blaze, let alone stop blaming herself for everything that happened. However, eventually, she calmed herself down, snatching the papers out of Blaze's hands, and reading through it carefully.
"I'm... Free?" Jessie asked, with serious doubt in her voice as she looked up at Blaze with a face of disbelief. "But... But how!" She asked, only to quickly spot the name of 'Tower Charlot.' Her eyes flickered back to Blaze, now with a small grin and a cocked eyebrow. "What have you been doing these past few years?" She asked with a sense of excitement in her voice, standing up, and pulling Blaze to his feet.
Blaze smiled at Jessie when she held onto him and patted her on her back. "It's been too long..." After a few minutes stood up, reaching his hand down to get her up too. He quickly shouted at the other woman "Hey Sylv! Wait up, we may need to hitch a ride later!" And at first there was no response from the elf but soon she came into view for the last time raising her thumb up before disapearing again to feed her giant predator beast. "Let's first get you out of here and out of these prison inmate rags. Whilst doing that ill tell you what happened." He said leaving the prison complex with her. They walked past the blonde woman, seemingly not noticing the two as she was bent over over a bag of animal chow. Next to her stood her huge barbed bear. It was a huge jet black canine creature with a maw large enough to swallow a person whole, claws strong enough to crush a carriage and a long spiked tail with the spikes running up it's spine. Even when sitting down obediently next to it's bent down master it looked quite intimidating as it snarled at anyone that looked at Sylvia for too long. Next to the little elf stood a dwarf with a helmet and fancy clothing underside thick leather armor. He was smoking from a pipe while sitting on some sort of dwarven designed carriage with rubber wheels. He nodded at Blaze as he walked past with Jessie.
"So, what happened after that sentence is that i was thrown into jail. Normally we would have gotten the death sentence but luckily for us Kat caught on to it somehow and managed to abduct the judges family and used them as negotiation tokens. She told me it was her most bold heist yet, the judge couldnt get it any lower than lifelong because we had a large bounty at the time. She got me out of jail by planting in a procedure mistake wich made me egilible for being released in exchange for community service. It's a good thing we were trialed on the same moment otherwise you would probaply not be around today..." As he talked he brought Jessie around the remnants of the town they used to run amock in. Admittedly with crime being barelled down it was much more pleasant, no more mugging and criminal activity anymore. The grim public execution stages were gone and it was just a regular village now. He brought Jessie to an armor smith to get her equipment similar to what she wore before jailtime then led her to a weaponsmith as he continued.
"The catch was that at the time of my conditional release there was a war raging, and a pretty bad one. This is also the reason i believe how crime could get the upper hand like that in Bloodspike back then, the patrol units were reserves. So i was put into the bloodspike army and sent to that dementing malcontent up in the dojo who trained me mostly by being very confusing... And i still have to go back every weekend... Anyway, i served as a soldier on the frontline where i met Tower who was pulled from the village he looked after to fight as well. Then we met Klaut who was the dwarf on that carriage that will bring us home soon. And the 3 of us kind of singlehandedly took out this tyrant that started the war. Tower let her into the crew too, we recruited this huge bloke named Viktor and our latest recruit is that elven woman named. Because me, Tower and Klaut kind of singlehandedly ended a war we are now proclaimed heroes, im using one of those shadier perks now to get you free again but the catch of it is that you need to stick around with our crew for a while." He explained now a the weaponsmith he gave Jessie some gold and let her choose out weapons and for whatever reason, in the span of two years there has been an increase in dwarven firearms. Many cultural weapon types were suddenly available such as elven bows, dwarven rifles and necromantic looking blades straight from gloomshade or huge hammers like the ones wielded by the coastal guards of rifthelm.
"So, what happened after that sentence is that i was thrown into jail. Normally we would have gotten the death sentence but luckily for us Kat caught on to it somehow and managed to abduct the judges family and used them as negotiation tokens. She told me it was her most bold heist yet, the judge couldnt get it any lower than lifelong because we had a large bounty at the time. She got me out of jail by planting in a procedure mistake wich made me egilible for being released in exchange for community service. It's a good thing we were trialed on the same moment otherwise you would probaply not be around today..." As he talked he brought Jessie around the remnants of the town they used to run amock in. Admittedly with crime being barelled down it was much more pleasant, no more mugging and criminal activity anymore. The grim public execution stages were gone and it was just a regular village now. He brought Jessie to an armor smith to get her equipment similar to what she wore before jailtime then led her to a weaponsmith as he continued.
"The catch was that at the time of my conditional release there was a war raging, and a pretty bad one. This is also the reason i believe how crime could get the upper hand like that in Bloodspike back then, the patrol units were reserves. So i was put into the bloodspike army and sent to that dementing malcontent up in the dojo who trained me mostly by being very confusing... And i still have to go back every weekend... Anyway, i served as a soldier on the frontline where i met Tower who was pulled from the village he looked after to fight as well. Then we met Klaut who was the dwarf on that carriage that will bring us home soon. And the 3 of us kind of singlehandedly took out this tyrant that started the war. Tower let her into the crew too, we recruited this huge bloke named Viktor and our latest recruit is that elven woman named. Because me, Tower and Klaut kind of singlehandedly ended a war we are now proclaimed heroes, im using one of those shadier perks now to get you free again but the catch of it is that you need to stick around with our crew for a while." He explained now a the weaponsmith he gave Jessie some gold and let her choose out weapons and for whatever reason, in the span of two years there has been an increase in dwarven firearms. Many cultural weapon types were suddenly available such as elven bows, dwarven rifles and necromantic looking blades straight from gloomshade or huge hammers like the ones wielded by the coastal guards of rifthelm.
As Blaze let her out of the prison complex, Jessie stayed close to Blaze, much like the first time she wandered off with him after their fight in the pit. In her prison rags she almost seemed scared of all the guards surrounding her, and for the first time in two years, she allowed herself to be. She wasn't trapped in that hell anymore, where if she showed herself to be afraid she would be targeted. None of them could get her now, and even if any tried, she was sure Blaze would of been strong enough to protect her, if his look was anything to go by. Her head hung low, and her hands where stuffed into her pocket as she felt weak, and small.
Upon leaving the complex, Jessie looked up at the sky, she squinted as the light was bright. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes, feeling the breeze pass over her. She shivered a bit, those rags of her not doing well to keep heat in. Shaking herself off, she began to laugh. For the first time, in what was forever, she was free. No guards watching over her, no criminal overlord pulling the strings. No, this time she was truly free. Opening her eyes she quickly ran up to Blaze, who had no doubt began to keep walking, talking to himself. She got back just in time to hear something about Kat, and her heist. In reality, Jessie had forgotten that girl even existed, with her stuck in jail, she didn't have much outside connect, and finding a pirate was a rare commodity in that place. Yet even lost in thought, she was suddenly taken back to reality, and thrown right out of it. Catching another glimpse of that elf woman, she slowed down in her tracks, slowly walking away, as she found herself starring once again. She was only dragged back to reality once she head the low growl of the beast next to the elf. She shook her head, quickly adverting her gaze. Then for the first time, probably ever, she found herself blushing.
During their time in the armour smith, Jessie took herself to another room to quickly change into her new clothing. Stripping herself of her rags, she found herself starring at her own appearance, in a mirror. Not having a lot of time to herself, she found herself judging her own look. Starring at herself, as if it was another person, she dragged her hands over herself, feeling her skin. She had grown up, maybe not attractive, but her boyish appearance definitely made her handsome. She quickly changed into her new outfit, her coat dark and long, two tails hanging off the end as she did up the waist belt. A cloth covered up her mouth and nose, as she fitted a tricorn hat on the top of her hand. Looking around, she found something sharp, a straight razor perhaps, and quickly cut her prison rags into long strips of cloth, before wrapping it around her hands and knuckles, much like she use to have them in the pits. Looking at herself once more, she found something off about herself. Raising the razor, she grinned.
Moments passed, and then Jessie exited, her hair was suddenly short, the cloth hanging around her neck loosely, and the tricorn hat sitting on her head comfortably, as she grinned. She began to look like her old self, something Blaze would of easily been able to note on, while everyone else probably just shrugged it off. Next was the weaponsmith, Jessie listened to Blaze as he talked about the war, and the friends he had made. It made her smile, knowing Blaze got out safe and had done well for himself. Ever since their first fight, Jessie always looked up to Blaze, acting like a completely different person to him than anyone else, and knowing what he had done, only made her respect him more. "Sounds like you had one hell of a time, but I bet your love life is still fighting a loosing battle." Jessie chuckled as Blaze gave her some gold. She grin, giving Blaze a light punch on the arm, which compared to all the other times she had done it, was a lot stronger. Jessie began to walk through the shop, nothing meeting her interests until she came across two very special looking Kamas. One light and one dark, one have a rose and the other a skull. Obviously symbolising the line between life and death, how something like that could be used as a tool or a weapon. Jessie bought it in an instant. It wasn't the old plain ones she had so long ago, but something special. Jessie took one last look around before grabbing a dwarven revolver. She didn't like the idea of a bit rifle, but a bow seemed too specialised for her. However, the revolver almost fitted her needs perfectly, small but powerful.
After their shopping trip, Jessie exited the shops with Blaze, her kamas strapped to her back, and her revolver snuggly placed into a holster. Jessie walked with Blaze for a little while longer, just until they where away from everyone. "So I stick with you guys?" Jessie asked, seeming not to object at all, looking down at the ground, she stuffed her hands into her pockets. "So, tell me... What's the elf's name?" Jessie asked, as she made another quick glance to that girl. With Blaze knowing Jessie for as long as he did, it shouldn't of been hard for him to quickly catch on about what Jessie thought about her. As well as the look in Jessie's eyes, which gave away her true feeling all to easily, as she looked over to the elf.
Upon leaving the complex, Jessie looked up at the sky, she squinted as the light was bright. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes, feeling the breeze pass over her. She shivered a bit, those rags of her not doing well to keep heat in. Shaking herself off, she began to laugh. For the first time, in what was forever, she was free. No guards watching over her, no criminal overlord pulling the strings. No, this time she was truly free. Opening her eyes she quickly ran up to Blaze, who had no doubt began to keep walking, talking to himself. She got back just in time to hear something about Kat, and her heist. In reality, Jessie had forgotten that girl even existed, with her stuck in jail, she didn't have much outside connect, and finding a pirate was a rare commodity in that place. Yet even lost in thought, she was suddenly taken back to reality, and thrown right out of it. Catching another glimpse of that elf woman, she slowed down in her tracks, slowly walking away, as she found herself starring once again. She was only dragged back to reality once she head the low growl of the beast next to the elf. She shook her head, quickly adverting her gaze. Then for the first time, probably ever, she found herself blushing.
During their time in the armour smith, Jessie took herself to another room to quickly change into her new clothing. Stripping herself of her rags, she found herself starring at her own appearance, in a mirror. Not having a lot of time to herself, she found herself judging her own look. Starring at herself, as if it was another person, she dragged her hands over herself, feeling her skin. She had grown up, maybe not attractive, but her boyish appearance definitely made her handsome. She quickly changed into her new outfit, her coat dark and long, two tails hanging off the end as she did up the waist belt. A cloth covered up her mouth and nose, as she fitted a tricorn hat on the top of her hand. Looking around, she found something sharp, a straight razor perhaps, and quickly cut her prison rags into long strips of cloth, before wrapping it around her hands and knuckles, much like she use to have them in the pits. Looking at herself once more, she found something off about herself. Raising the razor, she grinned.
Moments passed, and then Jessie exited, her hair was suddenly short, the cloth hanging around her neck loosely, and the tricorn hat sitting on her head comfortably, as she grinned. She began to look like her old self, something Blaze would of easily been able to note on, while everyone else probably just shrugged it off. Next was the weaponsmith, Jessie listened to Blaze as he talked about the war, and the friends he had made. It made her smile, knowing Blaze got out safe and had done well for himself. Ever since their first fight, Jessie always looked up to Blaze, acting like a completely different person to him than anyone else, and knowing what he had done, only made her respect him more. "Sounds like you had one hell of a time, but I bet your love life is still fighting a loosing battle." Jessie chuckled as Blaze gave her some gold. She grin, giving Blaze a light punch on the arm, which compared to all the other times she had done it, was a lot stronger. Jessie began to walk through the shop, nothing meeting her interests until she came across two very special looking Kamas. One light and one dark, one have a rose and the other a skull. Obviously symbolising the line between life and death, how something like that could be used as a tool or a weapon. Jessie bought it in an instant. It wasn't the old plain ones she had so long ago, but something special. Jessie took one last look around before grabbing a dwarven revolver. She didn't like the idea of a bit rifle, but a bow seemed too specialised for her. However, the revolver almost fitted her needs perfectly, small but powerful.
After their shopping trip, Jessie exited the shops with Blaze, her kamas strapped to her back, and her revolver snuggly placed into a holster. Jessie walked with Blaze for a little while longer, just until they where away from everyone. "So I stick with you guys?" Jessie asked, seeming not to object at all, looking down at the ground, she stuffed her hands into her pockets. "So, tell me... What's the elf's name?" Jessie asked, as she made another quick glance to that girl. With Blaze knowing Jessie for as long as he did, it shouldn't of been hard for him to quickly catch on about what Jessie thought about her. As well as the look in Jessie's eyes, which gave away her true feeling all to easily, as she looked over to the elf.
Blaze's mood got brighter after each shop visited, it was uplifting for him to see Jessie go from what was an imprisoned lowlife back to her roots, and fully free this time, something he too longed for ages. "Kat is fine nowadays, she too found a way to legalize her pirate fleet. Im not sure if you've noticed a ton of orcs being imprisoned lately but there's something gruesome going on in the elven lands. And Kat managed to capitalize on it by conducting raids on the enemy and going from pirate to privateer. Or so i've heard, it's hard to get word from her." Eventually after getting done shopping for equipment Blaze wandered back to the carriage with her. "Yeah, the thing with being legit now is that nothing is free. It's not as much of a release than it is a recruiting contract with remission of former crimes with conditional banishment from Bloodspike that will be suspended if during your service until your next promotion you do not relapse into doing any crimes similar to what you were wanted for. And yes, im learning all these bureaucratic terms but in short it really means that you're completely free but if you commit any crimes of what you were jailed for you will be banned from Bloodspike. I think it's annoying and makes no sense but Tower has to fill in alot more of these."
The sun was setting over bloodspike, city guards were lighting the lanterns in advance as everything began to get dark. Blaze already noticed Jessie looking at Sylvia the first time she popped her head around the corner but didnt yet comment on it. But as soon as Jessie asked about her a grin crept up on his face. "Heh, her name is Sylvia Sunshard, she's our healer and hooking unit. I dont advise you to go hit on her though because she's very feisty and that big beast of hers she calls barbsy... Well i can just tell you from experience that she doesnt really like it. She also has that douchebag lover of hers named Brad that wont talk to us and keeps telling her to be home early. Though you'll get the chance to choose who gives you an initial training. Sadly i cant do it because i didnt graduate yet from my dojo and you probaply dont want Spectre." Eventually both of them arrived at the carriage where Klaut was sitting on some sort of control panel that would somehow control the carriage but the functions are unknown. Sylvia was laying on the back of her big black creature, seemingly daydreaming. Blaze fumbled around with the door of the carriage and seemingly couldnt open it. "Yo Klaut! Did you lock the doors again?" "Ah yes, sorry lad, try again now." A voice with a very thick but charming accent said from in front of the carriage as a loud click was heard from the door, now allowing Blaze to open it.
He sat down and beckoned Jessie to sit down next to him as the doors closed and the carriage began moving. The ride took only a day or 3 as the animal was remarkably fast and the carriage could handle the insane speed of the animal. "So when we arrive in Linnesse we first need to go to our inn where you'll be introduced to the other members of the crew. Tower is the leader but dont be nervous, we're close friends and he's a casual guy. Spectre is a bit of an antiquated malcontent and i can already imagine her making snarky remarks on your preferences but dont let her get to you, you'll probaply get defended. Viktor is the biggest one of them all and he's the nicest as well. You shouldnt think of them as collaegues but rather as new potential friends. Im not forcing you or anything but there's no need to be shy. It's like a night at the bar but Tower will occasionally ask things like your handedness and combat preference."
After a few more hours the carriage arrived in Linnesse and stopped in front of a cozy inn in the middle of a semi large village. It had nothing out of the ordinary, standard wooden design for a linnessian bar that was vastly different than the ones in bloodspike, the only thing that stood out was a small sign stating 'Headquarters of the immortals! Brigands beware!' with a crude drawing of a small smiling demon almost mocking criminals by stating that this one bar is invincible to their petty crimes. Inside the bar life was bubbling like no other, no dancing stage like the bar Blaze and Jessie always went to but it was exchanged for the double in bar goers and not one of them frowning. Music and clinging of glasses went hand in hand with the warm sounds of people laughing and talking. Blaze followed Jessie into the bar and seemingly searched for someone, letting Jessie take in the vivid, cozy athmosphere of the wooden inn lit by torches and candles. Suddenly Jessie felt a small bump on her shoulder. It was blaze telling her to follow him to a table in a corner of the inn surprisingly close to the exit.
At the table Jessie saw 3 people she didnt know but would become close friends to her soon enough. Most notable was a tall man wearing heavy armor. Mainly polished white armor with golden highlights and rims across the grey/white chestpiece and helmet. He was decorated with many symbols over his armor, implying that they were all from different origin. The visors on his helmet seemingly moved, taking on different shapes to reflect his mood, from behind these visors a strong blue light eminated, similar to blaze and how his red eyes were also suddenly mere shapes in the darkness of his helmet.
Next to the night was a significantly shorter woman with bone like wings sticking out of her back but folded up. She wore a cloak and darkly colored purple and black armor combined with a white mask. The mask was seemingly shaped like a skull with two large eye like shapes that faintly glowed purple, from these eyes were thick trails running to the side to represent tears and on the forehead of this mask was a purple of the same color as these tear patterns. These tears and the crystal would begin flashing whenever she spoke. She wore a cloak and hood over this mask with small tufts of her purple hair sticking out from under them. There was something very unsettling about this person, as if she was hate and death incarnate...
On the other side of the knight was a behemoth of a man, it was astounding to think men came in sizes like this. Close to 3-4 meters tall and seemingly a good sense of humour as for the brief moment Jessie could scan his apearance he was always laughing. Much like Klaut he had a long beard and maustache covering his entire lower face. He had very thick eyebrows as well, each almost the size of a prison inmate's pillow. He was dressed in casual civilian clothing with bits of armor strapped onto it. He had a huge hammer strapped onto his back as well as a full on broadside cannon issued for ships hanging onto his waist as if it was a mere pistol.
Suddenly the knight at the table noticed Blaze and waved at him after wich Blaze led Jessie to the table and sat her between himself and Viktor. He purposely didnt have her sit next to Spectre because of obvious reasons and only mere seconds after seating down the other two came in and sat down at the same table. Another round of drinks was ordered and previous topics were finished up while Blaze whispered to Jessie who was who. Then Tower asked to Blaze "So! This is your friend from back in the day you told us about?" Blaze nodded with a smile while suddenly the huge viking like man looked down with a smile and asked. "So where do you know Blaze from?" While this human mountain's size could be a bit intimidating his smile undid most of it. What was more intimidating was the cloaked woman across Jessie staring right at her menacingly, it was probaply best not to keep eyecontact with her. Next to Blaze was Sylvia who seemed preoccupied with attaching small bags to her arrows while Klaut next to her was fumbling with some sort of mechanical device. Tower was drinking, knowing that keeping eyecontact with Jessie would make this extremely awkard.
The sun was setting over bloodspike, city guards were lighting the lanterns in advance as everything began to get dark. Blaze already noticed Jessie looking at Sylvia the first time she popped her head around the corner but didnt yet comment on it. But as soon as Jessie asked about her a grin crept up on his face. "Heh, her name is Sylvia Sunshard, she's our healer and hooking unit. I dont advise you to go hit on her though because she's very feisty and that big beast of hers she calls barbsy... Well i can just tell you from experience that she doesnt really like it. She also has that douchebag lover of hers named Brad that wont talk to us and keeps telling her to be home early. Though you'll get the chance to choose who gives you an initial training. Sadly i cant do it because i didnt graduate yet from my dojo and you probaply dont want Spectre." Eventually both of them arrived at the carriage where Klaut was sitting on some sort of control panel that would somehow control the carriage but the functions are unknown. Sylvia was laying on the back of her big black creature, seemingly daydreaming. Blaze fumbled around with the door of the carriage and seemingly couldnt open it. "Yo Klaut! Did you lock the doors again?" "Ah yes, sorry lad, try again now." A voice with a very thick but charming accent said from in front of the carriage as a loud click was heard from the door, now allowing Blaze to open it.
He sat down and beckoned Jessie to sit down next to him as the doors closed and the carriage began moving. The ride took only a day or 3 as the animal was remarkably fast and the carriage could handle the insane speed of the animal. "So when we arrive in Linnesse we first need to go to our inn where you'll be introduced to the other members of the crew. Tower is the leader but dont be nervous, we're close friends and he's a casual guy. Spectre is a bit of an antiquated malcontent and i can already imagine her making snarky remarks on your preferences but dont let her get to you, you'll probaply get defended. Viktor is the biggest one of them all and he's the nicest as well. You shouldnt think of them as collaegues but rather as new potential friends. Im not forcing you or anything but there's no need to be shy. It's like a night at the bar but Tower will occasionally ask things like your handedness and combat preference."
After a few more hours the carriage arrived in Linnesse and stopped in front of a cozy inn in the middle of a semi large village. It had nothing out of the ordinary, standard wooden design for a linnessian bar that was vastly different than the ones in bloodspike, the only thing that stood out was a small sign stating 'Headquarters of the immortals! Brigands beware!' with a crude drawing of a small smiling demon almost mocking criminals by stating that this one bar is invincible to their petty crimes. Inside the bar life was bubbling like no other, no dancing stage like the bar Blaze and Jessie always went to but it was exchanged for the double in bar goers and not one of them frowning. Music and clinging of glasses went hand in hand with the warm sounds of people laughing and talking. Blaze followed Jessie into the bar and seemingly searched for someone, letting Jessie take in the vivid, cozy athmosphere of the wooden inn lit by torches and candles. Suddenly Jessie felt a small bump on her shoulder. It was blaze telling her to follow him to a table in a corner of the inn surprisingly close to the exit.
At the table Jessie saw 3 people she didnt know but would become close friends to her soon enough. Most notable was a tall man wearing heavy armor. Mainly polished white armor with golden highlights and rims across the grey/white chestpiece and helmet. He was decorated with many symbols over his armor, implying that they were all from different origin. The visors on his helmet seemingly moved, taking on different shapes to reflect his mood, from behind these visors a strong blue light eminated, similar to blaze and how his red eyes were also suddenly mere shapes in the darkness of his helmet.
Next to the night was a significantly shorter woman with bone like wings sticking out of her back but folded up. She wore a cloak and darkly colored purple and black armor combined with a white mask. The mask was seemingly shaped like a skull with two large eye like shapes that faintly glowed purple, from these eyes were thick trails running to the side to represent tears and on the forehead of this mask was a purple of the same color as these tear patterns. These tears and the crystal would begin flashing whenever she spoke. She wore a cloak and hood over this mask with small tufts of her purple hair sticking out from under them. There was something very unsettling about this person, as if she was hate and death incarnate...
On the other side of the knight was a behemoth of a man, it was astounding to think men came in sizes like this. Close to 3-4 meters tall and seemingly a good sense of humour as for the brief moment Jessie could scan his apearance he was always laughing. Much like Klaut he had a long beard and maustache covering his entire lower face. He had very thick eyebrows as well, each almost the size of a prison inmate's pillow. He was dressed in casual civilian clothing with bits of armor strapped onto it. He had a huge hammer strapped onto his back as well as a full on broadside cannon issued for ships hanging onto his waist as if it was a mere pistol.
Suddenly the knight at the table noticed Blaze and waved at him after wich Blaze led Jessie to the table and sat her between himself and Viktor. He purposely didnt have her sit next to Spectre because of obvious reasons and only mere seconds after seating down the other two came in and sat down at the same table. Another round of drinks was ordered and previous topics were finished up while Blaze whispered to Jessie who was who. Then Tower asked to Blaze "So! This is your friend from back in the day you told us about?" Blaze nodded with a smile while suddenly the huge viking like man looked down with a smile and asked. "So where do you know Blaze from?" While this human mountain's size could be a bit intimidating his smile undid most of it. What was more intimidating was the cloaked woman across Jessie staring right at her menacingly, it was probaply best not to keep eyecontact with her. Next to Blaze was Sylvia who seemed preoccupied with attaching small bags to her arrows while Klaut next to her was fumbling with some sort of mechanical device. Tower was drinking, knowing that keeping eyecontact with Jessie would make this extremely awkard.
"Sylvia..." Jessie said, zoning out for a moment, which she appeared to be doing quite a lot since that girl came into view. She quickly snapped out of her day dream, only to hear Blaze talk about her husband by the name of Brad. Her hopes where suddenly crushed, as she shook her head. Upon hearing she would get to choose an instructor, her head perked up, now her eyes locked onto Blaze, even as he said he couldn't do it, she still grinned. Just because she couldn't get with Sylvia, didn't mean she couldn't get to know her.
As they came to the carriage, Jessie chuckled as Blaze struggled to open the door saying "Competent as ever Blaze" only to raise an eye brow as the door opened with a slight click. Dwarven technology had always been something that interested her, even something like a lock was something to peak her interest. Her new weapon almost seemed like a work of magic to her, she knew what firearms could do, she had seen them first hand, but to see how refined they had became, sent odd sensations of excitement down her. Climbing into the carriage, Jessie sat down next to Blaze. Suddenly feeling tired after the first hour of travel. Deciding to get herself so shut eye, she took her hat, placing it over her eyes as her head leaned back on the wall, and within moments she had fallen asleep.
Over the next few days of travel, Jessie made small talk with everyone there, asking questions to the dwarf about dwarven technology, and what Bylyn was like. Talking to Sylvia was a bit more difficult as Jessie had to stop herself from flirting with the girl, occasionally failing and getting a sharp look from both Sylvia and barbsy. Feeling incredibly awkward, Jessie stuck most of her conversation to Blaze, laughing and catching up. When it came to talking about her prison time, Jessie wasn't all too fond with speaking about it, usually falling quiet, but eventually she told Blaze everything that happened, with the scar on her back, the fights, how she began to lost it. Everything.
Finally, they reached Linnesse. Jessie was one of the last out, stretching her legs as she took off her hat, rifling her hand through her hair, before putting it back on. With them entering the inn, the atmosphere changed completely, from what seemed like a boring street, suddenly turned into a bubbly and lively bar that was warm and friendly. It was nothing like the bar Jessie had grown up with, with thugs and dancers, which the lack of the later was a bit of a disappointment, but it could be over looked. With Blaze pointing her in the right direction, she looked over to a bubbly and colourful cast of, what seemed to be, heroes. Each unique in some way, the giant of a man putting her in awe at just how huge he was, the knight intriguing her for his armour, and the woman, well she appeared to be something otherworldly, but Jessie wasn't phased by it at all.
Upon sitting down, Jessie was sandwiched in between Blaze and the giant, it was only thanks to her tiny size she wasn't actually crushed by the two, with drinks suddenly being placed down, Jessie was cautious at waiting for everyone to grab a mug, before she did. She was cautious after that, slowly drinking, but once half the mug was gone, Jessie became far more relaxed, suddenly downing the last of it. As the next round of drinks came down, Jessie was the first to finish, slamming the mug down on the table before anyone else, wiping foam from her lips with the sleeve of her jacket. Hearing the giant speak, she instantly looked up at him as he asked her how she knew Blaze. Suddenly feeling all eyes on her, including the cold stare of Spectre who she felt already hated her guts, she chuckled, looking down into her empty mug. "Oh, this guy?" Jessie said jutting a thumb back to Blaze. "I met him down in the old fighting pits of Bloodspike, where I kicked his ass." Jessie said with a large grin, already feeling Blaze's eyes on her, she shook her head. "Alright, alright, I didn't kick his ass per say, however we did meet in the fighting pits. We basically mirrored each other, to the point where we simultaneously knocked each other out." Jessie smiled, nudging Blaze with her shoulder. "From there, we went to a local bar, and had one too many drinks, ending up with me kneeing him in the crotch taking away his ability to ever have kids, you're all welcome for that by the way, and ever since then, this bastard has been my closest friend." Jessie smiled, as she ordered another round of drinks for everyone.
As the hours ticked on, Jessie became more talkative as more alcohol came into her blood stream. She went on to explain the adventures that she and Blaze had, probably some Blaze didn't want to be reminded of. With her shameless personality and attitude, she continued on telling stories, embarrassing Blaze, only to have it returned right back at her from Blaze. "And that's how I taught Blaze to get women." Jessie laughed, finishing a story from when she and Blaze had first met, and how she had drunkingly flirted on that first night in the bar, painting herself as far more successful in the story, compared to how it really went. Sitting back, she looked around, now seeming far more bubbly and happy. "So... Uh, anymore questions?" Jessie asked sheepishly, realising she had gone off a bit on her own.
As they came to the carriage, Jessie chuckled as Blaze struggled to open the door saying "Competent as ever Blaze" only to raise an eye brow as the door opened with a slight click. Dwarven technology had always been something that interested her, even something like a lock was something to peak her interest. Her new weapon almost seemed like a work of magic to her, she knew what firearms could do, she had seen them first hand, but to see how refined they had became, sent odd sensations of excitement down her. Climbing into the carriage, Jessie sat down next to Blaze. Suddenly feeling tired after the first hour of travel. Deciding to get herself so shut eye, she took her hat, placing it over her eyes as her head leaned back on the wall, and within moments she had fallen asleep.
Over the next few days of travel, Jessie made small talk with everyone there, asking questions to the dwarf about dwarven technology, and what Bylyn was like. Talking to Sylvia was a bit more difficult as Jessie had to stop herself from flirting with the girl, occasionally failing and getting a sharp look from both Sylvia and barbsy. Feeling incredibly awkward, Jessie stuck most of her conversation to Blaze, laughing and catching up. When it came to talking about her prison time, Jessie wasn't all too fond with speaking about it, usually falling quiet, but eventually she told Blaze everything that happened, with the scar on her back, the fights, how she began to lost it. Everything.
Finally, they reached Linnesse. Jessie was one of the last out, stretching her legs as she took off her hat, rifling her hand through her hair, before putting it back on. With them entering the inn, the atmosphere changed completely, from what seemed like a boring street, suddenly turned into a bubbly and lively bar that was warm and friendly. It was nothing like the bar Jessie had grown up with, with thugs and dancers, which the lack of the later was a bit of a disappointment, but it could be over looked. With Blaze pointing her in the right direction, she looked over to a bubbly and colourful cast of, what seemed to be, heroes. Each unique in some way, the giant of a man putting her in awe at just how huge he was, the knight intriguing her for his armour, and the woman, well she appeared to be something otherworldly, but Jessie wasn't phased by it at all.
Upon sitting down, Jessie was sandwiched in between Blaze and the giant, it was only thanks to her tiny size she wasn't actually crushed by the two, with drinks suddenly being placed down, Jessie was cautious at waiting for everyone to grab a mug, before she did. She was cautious after that, slowly drinking, but once half the mug was gone, Jessie became far more relaxed, suddenly downing the last of it. As the next round of drinks came down, Jessie was the first to finish, slamming the mug down on the table before anyone else, wiping foam from her lips with the sleeve of her jacket. Hearing the giant speak, she instantly looked up at him as he asked her how she knew Blaze. Suddenly feeling all eyes on her, including the cold stare of Spectre who she felt already hated her guts, she chuckled, looking down into her empty mug. "Oh, this guy?" Jessie said jutting a thumb back to Blaze. "I met him down in the old fighting pits of Bloodspike, where I kicked his ass." Jessie said with a large grin, already feeling Blaze's eyes on her, she shook her head. "Alright, alright, I didn't kick his ass per say, however we did meet in the fighting pits. We basically mirrored each other, to the point where we simultaneously knocked each other out." Jessie smiled, nudging Blaze with her shoulder. "From there, we went to a local bar, and had one too many drinks, ending up with me kneeing him in the crotch taking away his ability to ever have kids, you're all welcome for that by the way, and ever since then, this bastard has been my closest friend." Jessie smiled, as she ordered another round of drinks for everyone.
As the hours ticked on, Jessie became more talkative as more alcohol came into her blood stream. She went on to explain the adventures that she and Blaze had, probably some Blaze didn't want to be reminded of. With her shameless personality and attitude, she continued on telling stories, embarrassing Blaze, only to have it returned right back at her from Blaze. "And that's how I taught Blaze to get women." Jessie laughed, finishing a story from when she and Blaze had first met, and how she had drunkingly flirted on that first night in the bar, painting herself as far more successful in the story, compared to how it really went. Sitting back, she looked around, now seeming far more bubbly and happy. "So... Uh, anymore questions?" Jessie asked sheepishly, realising she had gone off a bit on her own.
Sylvia didnt just give sharp stares back at Jessie, she gave angry grunts and sighs in response to Jessie's remarks, often reminding her of Brad, yet when she spoke of him she never sounded fond of it but more as if it was something she did systematically, as if it's a reflex rather than a response. At the end of the ride Sylvia apeared to be absolutely sick of Jessie, now avoiding her in general.
The evening went on, warm and pleasant. As soon as the first few awkward minutes passed and Jessie started to get more talkative the other crewmembers were obviously growing fond of her. She was quickly accepted as one of their friends in the crew... All but one, Spectre did not laugh or move at all, she just sat still and stared at Jessie as if trying to frighten her with the nearly dead gaze. Though, due to her short stature it was possible to ignore her mostly in favour of the other remarkable personalities, especially Tower who seemed to have the same god awfull sense of humor as Blaze, no wonder they got along so well. Jessie would almost forget that it was something similar to a job interview and only got subtle reminders of it being one when Tower would ask questions out of nowhere similar to: "What is your handedness?", "Can you take on stealth tasks?" among other things that would help him figure out what kind of jobs Jessie could take on and what her best applications were. He wasnt exactly a tactical genius, in fact Tower is a soldier himself. Luckily Spectre and Klaut were alot more tactical and capable, they would help him strategize later on.
The evening went on and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Despite not consuming any alcohol even Sylvia had a healthy blush on her cheeks, smiling as well as asking her friends questions because she too has been gone for several days, gone from her friend Tower and Viktor. Then suddenly out of nowhere the little girl's gaze darted to the window, only now noticing it was about midnight. Her expression changed from joyous to what apeared to be absolutely frightened. She suddenly stood up and began packing her things. 'UHM! I need to go! I lost track of time and Brad wants me to be home before dark otherwise im in trouble! S-see you all tomorow! Bye!" She said frantically packs her things and storms out. As soon as everyone waved her goodbye everyone looked at eachother in confusion. "Huh... Guess she really wants to go home. Also, Jessie. One last question: Since you're new you're supposed to chose a mentor who will show you the ropes of being in the crew. Anyone you got in mind?" Tower asked to Jessie.
After Sylvia left in such a hurry the evening dragged on for a few more hours before everyone went their own way. Tower, who was told somewhere in the evening that Jessie just got out of prison and that she had no money at all gave her payment in advance of about 125 gold. More than enough for her to rent out an inn for the night. Blaze already left to his own house but in the distance was seemingly picked up by an airship with skull and crossblades. It didnt take a genius to figure out that he was picked up by a specific sky pirate. Tower stayed with her a bit longer to give directions to the inn and what the initiation lesson meant. Among other things such as general weapon lessons and certain duties it also included survival as well as camping. He told her he'd send a mail pidgeon to Sylvia telling her to meet Jessie near the gates of the goldwood ranger nature preserve then gave her directions to said gates before going home himself. It was this day that Jessie made at least 3 new friends who just like Blaze would look out for her until the end.
the next day...
The next morning after waking up and such and heading to the gate for Sylvia Jessie would find that she wasnt there yet. She wouldnt have to wait for terribly long though, about an hour or two later the elf apeared but she wasnt in the same condition as the day before... She had a bruise on her neck and a black eye, no recent things either. Despite the bruises aching her up she was cheerfull. "Hii! Sorry im late, my husband wanted me to cook for him before having to go to work and i didnt recieve Tower's messenger bird until this morning." She cheerfully squealed as she bounced towards Jessie. "Come on! Let's get into the initiation lesson because im expected to be home before dark and we got alot to do. Do you have an education or any sort of training?"
The evening went on, warm and pleasant. As soon as the first few awkward minutes passed and Jessie started to get more talkative the other crewmembers were obviously growing fond of her. She was quickly accepted as one of their friends in the crew... All but one, Spectre did not laugh or move at all, she just sat still and stared at Jessie as if trying to frighten her with the nearly dead gaze. Though, due to her short stature it was possible to ignore her mostly in favour of the other remarkable personalities, especially Tower who seemed to have the same god awfull sense of humor as Blaze, no wonder they got along so well. Jessie would almost forget that it was something similar to a job interview and only got subtle reminders of it being one when Tower would ask questions out of nowhere similar to: "What is your handedness?", "Can you take on stealth tasks?" among other things that would help him figure out what kind of jobs Jessie could take on and what her best applications were. He wasnt exactly a tactical genius, in fact Tower is a soldier himself. Luckily Spectre and Klaut were alot more tactical and capable, they would help him strategize later on.
The evening went on and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Despite not consuming any alcohol even Sylvia had a healthy blush on her cheeks, smiling as well as asking her friends questions because she too has been gone for several days, gone from her friend Tower and Viktor. Then suddenly out of nowhere the little girl's gaze darted to the window, only now noticing it was about midnight. Her expression changed from joyous to what apeared to be absolutely frightened. She suddenly stood up and began packing her things. 'UHM! I need to go! I lost track of time and Brad wants me to be home before dark otherwise im in trouble! S-see you all tomorow! Bye!" She said frantically packs her things and storms out. As soon as everyone waved her goodbye everyone looked at eachother in confusion. "Huh... Guess she really wants to go home. Also, Jessie. One last question: Since you're new you're supposed to chose a mentor who will show you the ropes of being in the crew. Anyone you got in mind?" Tower asked to Jessie.
After Sylvia left in such a hurry the evening dragged on for a few more hours before everyone went their own way. Tower, who was told somewhere in the evening that Jessie just got out of prison and that she had no money at all gave her payment in advance of about 125 gold. More than enough for her to rent out an inn for the night. Blaze already left to his own house but in the distance was seemingly picked up by an airship with skull and crossblades. It didnt take a genius to figure out that he was picked up by a specific sky pirate. Tower stayed with her a bit longer to give directions to the inn and what the initiation lesson meant. Among other things such as general weapon lessons and certain duties it also included survival as well as camping. He told her he'd send a mail pidgeon to Sylvia telling her to meet Jessie near the gates of the goldwood ranger nature preserve then gave her directions to said gates before going home himself. It was this day that Jessie made at least 3 new friends who just like Blaze would look out for her until the end.
the next day...
The next morning after waking up and such and heading to the gate for Sylvia Jessie would find that she wasnt there yet. She wouldnt have to wait for terribly long though, about an hour or two later the elf apeared but she wasnt in the same condition as the day before... She had a bruise on her neck and a black eye, no recent things either. Despite the bruises aching her up she was cheerfull. "Hii! Sorry im late, my husband wanted me to cook for him before having to go to work and i didnt recieve Tower's messenger bird until this morning." She cheerfully squealed as she bounced towards Jessie. "Come on! Let's get into the initiation lesson because im expected to be home before dark and we got alot to do. Do you have an education or any sort of training?"
As the night went on, Jessie soon eased herself off the ale, coming onto a small glass of whiskey, a staple if Blaze had ever seen it. Thanks to Jessie's iron liver, she was still relatively ok. Taking a sip from her whiskey, she would notice Spectre starring her down from across the table, sitting there completely un-fazed, Jessie smiled to Spectre. It wasn't a friendly smile though, it was more of a gambling smile. The type of grin you would give to someone to purposely mock them as they sat there so intensely. It was a sign, something that showed Jessie wasn't afraid of this woman, in one simple movement. Suddenly she perked up, looking at Tower as he questioned her. Usually responding with how she was quick and could take hit, the rouge type who would be perfect for close combat and stealth, even if her mannerisms didn't show that.
The evening continued on in good fun, at this point Jessie was on her final whiskey, she could feel the alcohol hitting her now, with the occasional slurring of her words, and hazy movements, it soon became clear her iron liver was beginning to falter. Then again, it had been too long since she had any form of alcohol, and felt as if she needed to get hammered. Suddenly, with Sylvia getting up and rushing out, Jessie flinched a little, waving Sylvia good bye with a hazy smile. With a drunk giggle, Jessie looked down into her glass, suddenly becoming deadpan for a moment before someone spoke her name, in which she enthusiastically looked up. If anyone was laughing at her, it would of been Blaze. When she was asked of a mentor, she just hazily looked up at Tower, and pointed at Sylvia as she left.
With the evening coming to an end, she was struggling to even sit up right. One by one, she waved people good bye, even giving Blaze a drunk hug from behind. After a bit of whining of why she couldn't stay with Blaze, she soon took up the inn, watching Blaze walk away to the pirate ship. "Pirate... Bitch..." Jessie said quietly, probably so only Tower could hear. When Tower explained everything to her, she just nodded with a "Yup, uh-huh" Tower could probably see how drunk Jessie was, but in having the same humour as Blaze, he probably found it hilarious . With the money given to her, she nodded, waving Tower goodbye as he left. Then, looking down at her coins, she picked on out, biting down on it, to see if it would bend. Once satisfied, she left for the inn, quickly getting herself a room. Falling onto the bed in her clothes, she quickly passed out, muttering something about an elf and clothing.
The Next Morning...
Jessie woke up that morning with a massive hangover. Practically falling out of bed, she groaned, holding her head. Getting herself ready was a breeze thankfully, as she really didn't have to get changed at all. Instead she wandered out to the inn, her gear on her back. Ordering herself a hardy breakfast, and something to drink from a pretty young waitress with red hair and sparkling blue eyes, she winked to the girl as she ordered, using that charm of hers to get a small giggle and blush out of the girl. Besides, she was probably going to be staying at the inn for a while, so she might of well as had a bit of fun with it. Breakfast passed rather quickly, with Jessie devouring it all at an impressive rate, as she made small talk with the waitress every time she came to check up. By the end of her meal, the girl had been coming up to her regularly. Paying, and adding a tip on the side, she quickly made her way out of the inn and made her way to the gate.
As she wandered down the area, she took the time to take in her surroundings. Finding the atmosphere pretty she smiled at the colours which burst out from every speck of life. It was nothing from the dark and unforgiving place she grew up. However for a pretty as it was, she quickly became bored of it, as she stood back waiting for her mentor. Jessie had no idea what to expect, would this girl hate her already, or would she have warmed up after last night. Upon seeing Sylvia, she smiled. Although she noticed something was off. A black eye and marks on her neck, where some cause for alarm, since they weren't there last night. Even though she wanted to ask about it, she didn't against her better judgement. With Sylvia's bubbly nature, her mind was instantly taken off it, with the question of combat Jessie shrugged a bit, stretching her arms. "Well, if you call seven odd years in the fighting pits of Bloodspike, sufficient combat training, I would say so." Jessie said with a grin, as she looked at her mentor. "Education wise, not so much, growing up in an underground criminal ring isn't the greatest at schooling, I mean I learnt how to read and write from Blaze, as terrifying as that is."
The evening continued on in good fun, at this point Jessie was on her final whiskey, she could feel the alcohol hitting her now, with the occasional slurring of her words, and hazy movements, it soon became clear her iron liver was beginning to falter. Then again, it had been too long since she had any form of alcohol, and felt as if she needed to get hammered. Suddenly, with Sylvia getting up and rushing out, Jessie flinched a little, waving Sylvia good bye with a hazy smile. With a drunk giggle, Jessie looked down into her glass, suddenly becoming deadpan for a moment before someone spoke her name, in which she enthusiastically looked up. If anyone was laughing at her, it would of been Blaze. When she was asked of a mentor, she just hazily looked up at Tower, and pointed at Sylvia as she left.
With the evening coming to an end, she was struggling to even sit up right. One by one, she waved people good bye, even giving Blaze a drunk hug from behind. After a bit of whining of why she couldn't stay with Blaze, she soon took up the inn, watching Blaze walk away to the pirate ship. "Pirate... Bitch..." Jessie said quietly, probably so only Tower could hear. When Tower explained everything to her, she just nodded with a "Yup, uh-huh" Tower could probably see how drunk Jessie was, but in having the same humour as Blaze, he probably found it hilarious . With the money given to her, she nodded, waving Tower goodbye as he left. Then, looking down at her coins, she picked on out, biting down on it, to see if it would bend. Once satisfied, she left for the inn, quickly getting herself a room. Falling onto the bed in her clothes, she quickly passed out, muttering something about an elf and clothing.
The Next Morning...
Jessie woke up that morning with a massive hangover. Practically falling out of bed, she groaned, holding her head. Getting herself ready was a breeze thankfully, as she really didn't have to get changed at all. Instead she wandered out to the inn, her gear on her back. Ordering herself a hardy breakfast, and something to drink from a pretty young waitress with red hair and sparkling blue eyes, she winked to the girl as she ordered, using that charm of hers to get a small giggle and blush out of the girl. Besides, she was probably going to be staying at the inn for a while, so she might of well as had a bit of fun with it. Breakfast passed rather quickly, with Jessie devouring it all at an impressive rate, as she made small talk with the waitress every time she came to check up. By the end of her meal, the girl had been coming up to her regularly. Paying, and adding a tip on the side, she quickly made her way out of the inn and made her way to the gate.
As she wandered down the area, she took the time to take in her surroundings. Finding the atmosphere pretty she smiled at the colours which burst out from every speck of life. It was nothing from the dark and unforgiving place she grew up. However for a pretty as it was, she quickly became bored of it, as she stood back waiting for her mentor. Jessie had no idea what to expect, would this girl hate her already, or would she have warmed up after last night. Upon seeing Sylvia, she smiled. Although she noticed something was off. A black eye and marks on her neck, where some cause for alarm, since they weren't there last night. Even though she wanted to ask about it, she didn't against her better judgement. With Sylvia's bubbly nature, her mind was instantly taken off it, with the question of combat Jessie shrugged a bit, stretching her arms. "Well, if you call seven odd years in the fighting pits of Bloodspike, sufficient combat training, I would say so." Jessie said with a grin, as she looked at her mentor. "Education wise, not so much, growing up in an underground criminal ring isn't the greatest at schooling, I mean I learnt how to read and write from Blaze, as terrifying as that is."
"Well that doesnt officially count as a training nor as an education but ill just take that as an ambigous 'experienced'! Do you know any basic means of survival like herbal healing, hunting, fishing or seperating toxic mushrooms from edible ones?" The little elf asked walking ahead of Jessie. Sylvia was wearing a cloak over her back so there was nothing for Jessie to stare at. Probaply for the best because right behind both of them the huge animal walked. And it seemed to be paying close attention to Jessie's movements. The elf led Jessie around the forest while asking all sorts of annoying no brainer questions regarding survival. The forest was beautifull with lush greens, browns being iluminated by the bright yellow sunlight, almost a paralel to Sylvia's long blonde hairs hanging over her long green cape and brown leather outfit...
"Eh, when it comes to survival, I can probably fight off a big animal, but that's about it..." Jessie said shrugging, showing off that she wasn't the most suited when it came to any natural means of survival. After all, her concept of survival was, picking your fights, not going after the one running everything, how to go without eating anything for a few days, and how to steal your next meal. In terms of hunting and gathering, Jessie was at a loss. She couldn't analyse an animal the same way she could a person. A bear would probably be a far different opponent compared to a thug in the ring. As they travelled further into the, Jessie answered Sylvia's questions as soon as she could, with it becoming quickly apparent that Jessie didn't know a lot when it came to outside of combat. Jessie also noticed the creature behind her, watching her every move, she left it's eyes on her where ever she moved, something which unsettled her far more than Spectre from last night, yet she had a strange sense of respect for the creature, it had it's priorities in check.
Somewhere as they travelled, Sylvia asked her a question, but Jessie didn't hear. Zoning as she did, she got swept up in the beauty of the place, starring in awe as golden rays of sunlight broke through the trees, spilling onto the plant life below. Every speck of dust that floated through the air, sparked with life as the warm sun glossed over them. For once, everything didn't seem so cold and chaotic, for once everything appeared calm and warm. Then in the corner of her eyes, a bundle of flowers caught her eye. They where a dark blue, with spots of warm golden yellow dotting the end of each petal. Dark lines of red, rimmed each petal life, as through some type of magic, each bulb of pollen glowed with a comforting orange. Jessie stopped, for as simple as it was, something as vibrant could never of been found in Bloodspike. Everything there was dark, cold, and dead. Rotting wood, cracked stone lining buildings. It was nothing like Linnesse, which burst with life colour. Kneeling down to the bundle of flower's, she unsheathed her white kama, only to cut the bundle of flowers by the bottom of their stems. They would make a nice treat just to have, as a keep safe, or for a small gift. She didn't know a lot about maintaining flowers, but a jug of water should do to keep them alive for a while. Unwrapping a the cloth that wrapped around her left hand, she quickly tied the flowers up in a bundle. Standing up she turned back to Sylvia, who was probably watching her with a confused look. She gave a small shrug and offered an apology, scratching the back of her head.
Somewhere as they travelled, Sylvia asked her a question, but Jessie didn't hear. Zoning as she did, she got swept up in the beauty of the place, starring in awe as golden rays of sunlight broke through the trees, spilling onto the plant life below. Every speck of dust that floated through the air, sparked with life as the warm sun glossed over them. For once, everything didn't seem so cold and chaotic, for once everything appeared calm and warm. Then in the corner of her eyes, a bundle of flowers caught her eye. They where a dark blue, with spots of warm golden yellow dotting the end of each petal. Dark lines of red, rimmed each petal life, as through some type of magic, each bulb of pollen glowed with a comforting orange. Jessie stopped, for as simple as it was, something as vibrant could never of been found in Bloodspike. Everything there was dark, cold, and dead. Rotting wood, cracked stone lining buildings. It was nothing like Linnesse, which burst with life colour. Kneeling down to the bundle of flower's, she unsheathed her white kama, only to cut the bundle of flowers by the bottom of their stems. They would make a nice treat just to have, as a keep safe, or for a small gift. She didn't know a lot about maintaining flowers, but a jug of water should do to keep them alive for a while. Unwrapping a the cloth that wrapped around her left hand, she quickly tied the flowers up in a bundle. Standing up she turned back to Sylvia, who was probably watching her with a confused look. She gave a small shrug and offered an apology, scratching the back of her head.
For as beautifull and pretty as she was a major drawback to her was that she seemingly never shut up wich probaply contributed to Jessie zoning out, daydreaming about her future and what was ahead of her or maybe just things about Sylvia. She was definetly very talkative, occasionally looking back with those huge green eyes of her. When at some point she turned back to see Jessie picking flowers her expression changed to a sly grin. The flowers Jessie picked were a rare kind that Sylvia could use in alchemy to brew powerfull healing agents. Normally about 75% of her payment that Brad didnt take away from her would go into buying these. Without drawing too much attention to it over the walk Sylvia would constantly adjust her movement speed, going just a tick slower everytime to get closer to Jessie all while yapping about the capacity of being part of the crew. Suddenly with a sleigh hand Sylvia could swipe away the bundle from Jessie unnoticed. Part of her felt really bad about stealing them from her but Brad made her buy her own food often resulting in her choosing between being able to heal or starving, now she could afford both. To make it up with Jessie in advance she would teach her some secrets of survival and beast mastery... As well as risking to go home after dark with her and helping her set up a camp.
For the rest of the day Sylvia showed Jessie around the forest, teaching her several survival techniques and of course with her bubbly and joyfull personality it was a ton of fun but eventually the night came and she was obviously getting nervous. Hurrying to help Jessie set up a camp that would help her get through the night but once it was done the night has come and it was pitchblack with the lantern along with the moonlight lighting up the forest in a beautifull, fairytale like manner with the occasional floating island passing over the are. She lead Jessie around the area one more time and told her that Aragon, her giant 6ft long spider would stay around to protect her against wild animals and bandits. She took Jessie's hand softly and placed it on the head of the spider to assure her he wouldnt hurt her. "Just dont put him against the way his hairs are placed... He has venomous quills..." She said before taking away the flowers from Jessie's pocket one last time...
For the rest of the day Sylvia showed Jessie around the forest, teaching her several survival techniques and of course with her bubbly and joyfull personality it was a ton of fun but eventually the night came and she was obviously getting nervous. Hurrying to help Jessie set up a camp that would help her get through the night but once it was done the night has come and it was pitchblack with the lantern along with the moonlight lighting up the forest in a beautifull, fairytale like manner with the occasional floating island passing over the are. She lead Jessie around the area one more time and told her that Aragon, her giant 6ft long spider would stay around to protect her against wild animals and bandits. She took Jessie's hand softly and placed it on the head of the spider to assure her he wouldnt hurt her. "Just dont put him against the way his hairs are placed... He has venomous quills..." She said before taking away the flowers from Jessie's pocket one last time...
As the day went on, Jessie went around with Sylvia without much of a problem. For as talkative as the girl was, she found herself enjoying the sound of it. Her bubbly and enthusiastic nature was a nice change from the angry and hard faces she had grown up with. She followed through, listening and following Sylvia's instructions as best she could, learning technique after technique. Failing miserably at the hunter gather side of things, as she just lacked the patience and such refined movements to do so, yet Jessie showed a large amount of superiority when it came to the technical side. Learning how to use the environment to her advantage, knots, navigation, it all came to her easily.
As night soon passed over them, Jessie suddenly became far more relaxed and at ease. The warm sun had sunk behind the horizon and the cool air of night surrounded them. The songs of birds and became silent, as the lurking of creatures soon became all to known. Yet, as much as the life was taken away, new life was breathed in. A new, interesting type of life. The type that lit up the trees with a cold blue hue, that shrieked in the night, and that slumbered in the day. Probably the most noticeable change Sylvia could see to Jessie, where her eyes. In the dark light, they seemed to be the only thing that gave off a warm glow. Her fiery eyes, almost flickering in the darkness. Whenever she looked at Sylvia in that light, it quickly became apparent that she wasn't of this world, or a part of her wasn't at the very least.
Setting up the tent, Jessie raised an eye brow as she saw Sylvia tense up as night came. She grinned a small bit, knocking in the last peg of the tent. "What's wrong? You afraid of the dark?" Jessie chuckled, as she pushed herself to her feet, smirking at Sylvia before looking off into the sky, catching a floating island, as it flew past blocking out the stars. "You know, I think I wasted two years of my life in Prison, but what a view it got me too see." She smiled, resting her hands on her hips as she looked deeper into the forest.
Brought to a beast of a creature, Jessie stood back in awe at just the size of the spider. Spiders never scared her as a child, yet the creature in front of her, definitely sent chills down her spine as it's teeth clacked together. Being brought up close to it, Jessie reluctantly stroked her hand across the creature's head. Listening to Sylvia, she said nothing, her eyes fixed onto the creature's many eyes. However, she broke her gaze with the creature, as she felt something being swiped from her pocket. On instinct, Jessie turned around, her hand flying out in an attempt to grab the thief's wrist. However, just missing, Jessie stood there, her eyes meeting Sylvia's as she stood there holding her flower's. "Oh you little Flower Thief..." Jessie said with a sly little grin.
Suddenly Jessie pounced, her hand swiping across Sylvia in an attempt to grab her flowers back. However due to Sylvia just being far more skilled to Jessie in general, she would of been able to easily dodge out of the way. With a grunt, Jessie landed on both her feet, looking up at Sylvia. Jessie could see her grinning as she suddenly began to run back. Jessie smirked, already liking the girl's change in attitude. Wasting no time, Jessie sprinted after Sylvia, being a surprisingly good match against the elf's speed. Catching up behind her, Jessie reached out, grabbing the hood of her cloak and pulling her back. The sudden jolt caused Sylvia to let go of the flowers, taking her moment, Jessie reached out. Her finger tips brushed across the stems of the flowers, as a hand grabbed her face, shoving her out of the way. With a spin, Jessie launched herself, suddenly tackling Sylvia from behind, forcing them both to the floor with a heavy thud.
Coughing, Jessie pushed her upper body up, only to find Sylvia underneath her. With there faces so close together, everything suddenly clicked. Time seemed to stop as they starred into each others eyes. Jessie began to fall, loosing herself in those green eyes. She could feel Sylvia's hot breath blowing across her breath, she felt her own heartbeat, as if sped, seeming as if it was about to burst. Everything, even if just for a split second, stood in complete stillness and calm.
Then, like a punch to the gut, angry shouting came from the entrance of the forest. The voice was one of a man, too gruff to be that of Blaze, and completely alien. Whatever he seemed to shout, was definitely in a tone of anger. Seeing the light of a lantern and a figure suddenly rush towards them, Jessie quickly rushed to get off Sylvia, as awkward blush suddenly filled her cheeks.
As night soon passed over them, Jessie suddenly became far more relaxed and at ease. The warm sun had sunk behind the horizon and the cool air of night surrounded them. The songs of birds and became silent, as the lurking of creatures soon became all to known. Yet, as much as the life was taken away, new life was breathed in. A new, interesting type of life. The type that lit up the trees with a cold blue hue, that shrieked in the night, and that slumbered in the day. Probably the most noticeable change Sylvia could see to Jessie, where her eyes. In the dark light, they seemed to be the only thing that gave off a warm glow. Her fiery eyes, almost flickering in the darkness. Whenever she looked at Sylvia in that light, it quickly became apparent that she wasn't of this world, or a part of her wasn't at the very least.
Setting up the tent, Jessie raised an eye brow as she saw Sylvia tense up as night came. She grinned a small bit, knocking in the last peg of the tent. "What's wrong? You afraid of the dark?" Jessie chuckled, as she pushed herself to her feet, smirking at Sylvia before looking off into the sky, catching a floating island, as it flew past blocking out the stars. "You know, I think I wasted two years of my life in Prison, but what a view it got me too see." She smiled, resting her hands on her hips as she looked deeper into the forest.
Brought to a beast of a creature, Jessie stood back in awe at just the size of the spider. Spiders never scared her as a child, yet the creature in front of her, definitely sent chills down her spine as it's teeth clacked together. Being brought up close to it, Jessie reluctantly stroked her hand across the creature's head. Listening to Sylvia, she said nothing, her eyes fixed onto the creature's many eyes. However, she broke her gaze with the creature, as she felt something being swiped from her pocket. On instinct, Jessie turned around, her hand flying out in an attempt to grab the thief's wrist. However, just missing, Jessie stood there, her eyes meeting Sylvia's as she stood there holding her flower's. "Oh you little Flower Thief..." Jessie said with a sly little grin.
Suddenly Jessie pounced, her hand swiping across Sylvia in an attempt to grab her flowers back. However due to Sylvia just being far more skilled to Jessie in general, she would of been able to easily dodge out of the way. With a grunt, Jessie landed on both her feet, looking up at Sylvia. Jessie could see her grinning as she suddenly began to run back. Jessie smirked, already liking the girl's change in attitude. Wasting no time, Jessie sprinted after Sylvia, being a surprisingly good match against the elf's speed. Catching up behind her, Jessie reached out, grabbing the hood of her cloak and pulling her back. The sudden jolt caused Sylvia to let go of the flowers, taking her moment, Jessie reached out. Her finger tips brushed across the stems of the flowers, as a hand grabbed her face, shoving her out of the way. With a spin, Jessie launched herself, suddenly tackling Sylvia from behind, forcing them both to the floor with a heavy thud.
Coughing, Jessie pushed her upper body up, only to find Sylvia underneath her. With there faces so close together, everything suddenly clicked. Time seemed to stop as they starred into each others eyes. Jessie began to fall, loosing herself in those green eyes. She could feel Sylvia's hot breath blowing across her breath, she felt her own heartbeat, as if sped, seeming as if it was about to burst. Everything, even if just for a split second, stood in complete stillness and calm.
Then, like a punch to the gut, angry shouting came from the entrance of the forest. The voice was one of a man, too gruff to be that of Blaze, and completely alien. Whatever he seemed to shout, was definitely in a tone of anger. Seeing the light of a lantern and a figure suddenly rush towards them, Jessie quickly rushed to get off Sylvia, as awkward blush suddenly filled her cheeks.
Sylvia had a restrained smile on her face when she was caught with the flowers in her hand and when Jessie pounced her for the first time she had to yell in an odd elven language for her animals to not protect her. After a skillfully dodging Jessie's first pounce. She then let the playfight continue for a while, not only was it fun but also was it a good way to test her skills, but she mostly enjoyed frolicing with others of her size, others always ended up hurting her, but Jessie seemed to know what her pain limit was and she never felt pain while playing with her. She was loudly giggling and it was absolutely adorable watching her like this. Then when she stared up, giving Jessie full view of her deep green eyes with her face gleaming with sweat, a healthy blush and a big bright smile on her face. They laid there for what seemed do be forever until suddenly out of nowhere a deep enraged voice rang out.
Sylvia seemed to recognize him and she seemed serious now with her grapples as the man charged to the two with his hand raised. After a quick move in less than a second Sylvia was on top of Jessie, giving her an interesting view until suddenly the hand of the man met with Sylvia's face. A sharp slap rang through the forest along with Sylvia whining and falling to the ground. 'Who the hell is this?!" The man barked at the little elf who held her hand on the place she was struck...
Sylvia seemed to recognize him and she seemed serious now with her grapples as the man charged to the two with his hand raised. After a quick move in less than a second Sylvia was on top of Jessie, giving her an interesting view until suddenly the hand of the man met with Sylvia's face. A sharp slap rang through the forest along with Sylvia whining and falling to the ground. 'Who the hell is this?!" The man barked at the little elf who held her hand on the place she was struck...
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