Skeletons (Ryu / Rogus B)

[Ryuzaki]

Well, the expedition was an utter failure. Ryu was... Unhappy, to put it in nice, euphemistic terms.

"DAMN IT, Rogus."

Ryu kicked a rock angrily. They had slipped out of town and were walking along the road to the next one. Poor. Out of a job. Without adventure. Again.

"Why the hell does she always have to show up, RUIN our work, and then disappear?!"

Ryu was blazing mad.

"Dammit, Rogus. We're not the bad guys here. We aren't slaying innocent people or burning towns to the ground. We're just... reallocating resources. There's nothing wrong with what we do!

Honestly, why doesn't anyone see it the way we do?!"

[Rogus]

Don't be so mad, you're too feminine when you're angry. He laughed at his counterpart. While Ryuzaki did have a point, rogus saw no reason not to bug the blue thief endlessly about it.

Could be worse. At least i stole us some whiskey! He laughed again, and tossed his pal a bottle he had been carrying in his pack of goodies.

I'm actually surprised you didn't kill her and hide her body more than anything.

[Ryuzaki]

"Whiskey, heh? Nice job. I managed to get my hands on some bread and meat, so I think we're set in the provisions department."

Ryu cracked open the bottle and took a small swig, before sticking it in a belt loop that seemed strangely suited for the purpose.

"Kill her and hide the body? That wouldn't be any fun at all. I would've invited you so that we could've really made her life miserable. Yeah, so I hold a grudge... Yell at me all you want, at least I'm not a snitch. But honestly, I didn't kill her... Yet."

Ryu took out his scythe, examining it briefly before turning to his companion. "You ever thought about gettin' one of these? They can be damn handy, with the reach and all. Plus, you can get a lot of force behind a swing. It's mighty fun.

[Rogus]

His nose twitched. The weapon was barbaric, and to add to it Rogus hadn't even yelled. He put on a smile anyway despite being more than a tad annoyed.

And take the nickname "angel of death" away from you? HA! No way, pal. He joked, and kicked dirt at the weapon for emphasis of his point, My dagger suits me just fine... But back to the point, you aren't considering actually killing this girl, are you?

I mean, that's fully up to you. I can't help it if you can't control yourself, but honestly, you'd only be proving her right.

[Ryuzaki]

"Hehehe, Angel of Death. I like it. Next thing you know, I'll fly and steal souls. Imagine that, Gus. Imagine being able to suck souls. Hell, that would be the best job I could think of besides, you know, an actual job."

The thief laughed, clearly showing a little impact from the alcohol. "Kill her? Naah, not yet. She hasn't angered me that much... I guess you could say I'm peeved at her."

The thief began to whistle a tune he'd heard long, long ago... Ages ago. When he was just a boy. "C'mon, Rogus. Here's to looking up," he said, draining another long swig of whiskey.

[Rogus]

<font color="ff0000">Heh... Yeah. Oh by the way, have you been hearing the rumors?</font> He left it purposefully vague to see where his friend's mind was at. The dude was carrying around a scythe for elimine's sake, could anyone blame him for thinking he was a little bit off kilter?

Don't drink it all you lout! I want some too.

[Ryuzaki]

"The rumors about... The giant bandit assault, that we are definitely jumping in on because it'll make us rich rich riiiiiich? Or the rumors that I ate Ingrid in a delicious soup? Or the rumor that there's a crazy guy named Rogus giving me open ended questions to frustrate me?"

Ryu laughed, throwing his partner the bottle. "Relax, man, we have two after all, right?"

[Rogus]

The rumors that you're an idiot. He caught the bottle, laughing as he did, The rumors about the city of heroes of course... I'd have thought you would want to rush headlong into battle to defend your homeland or something. He downed the drink, wiping his mouth off with his cloak. Nasty stuff, but it did its job.

I'd be happy to help with that... But, i have gotten a message from my... boss, of sorts. He needs me for something.

[Ryuzaki]

"Pssh. Defend my homeland, nothing. I owe nothing to that place. Nothing." Ryu spoke with surprising viciousness, especially for someone whose mother was a Sacaean.

"Anyway, what are you trying to pull, ducking out on me? We're going to Bern, Rogus. Rumor says they're hitting towns there for supplies. And when you have a town getting ransacked, nobody knows if a couple...handful...bagful of coin goes missing, or a sword or some of this medicine gunk, or whatever. It's a lucrative opportunity. We can't miss out!"

[Rogus]

No need to get angry pal, was only askin'. Rogus held his arms up theatrically. We must work on that temper of yours. He scolded jokingly.

Bern? Thats where i was going to ditch your hide for, you're welcome to come along. Although, just behave. I have work of my own to do there, but you're welcome to help yourself to the loot as long as you blend in with a crowd of ruffians...

[Ryuzaki]

"A crowd of ruffians, huh?" He had chosen to diplomatically ignore the jab at his temper. He did not have a temper.

"Gus, my man, you're asking the right guy for the right job. However, I've gotta go grab some things I stashed a while back, and resupply. So maybe we should do our own thing, and then meet up in Bern? I'm sure I'll find you, pal. We have a way of running into each other."

Ryu was getting excited. There was money and new challenges to be had. It sounded like an Expedition. But hopefully, this one wouldn't burn like a priest in a battle with a mage.

[Rogus]

Before we part ways... If something happens to me, I need to know you'll be able to take care of a few of my loose ends. You're the closest thing i have to a friend i can trust at the moment after all. He said, suddenly somber and serious.

Oichi, the mercenary Oleg's daughter. I promised to find her a noble house to take her in. The best bet is Santaruz, the steward there knows me well; Just mention my name and call in the favor to have her become a ward. He'll honor his word.

There's another woman, Natalie. I haven't been able to track her down, but she's an old friend. If i'm not able, I must ask you to find out what has happened to her, and makke sure she's safe. If she'ss still alive that is.

He continued walking side by side with Ryuzaki, listing off the various contacts and debts he owed. Telling him every detail he needed to know to complete the tasks at hand.

And there's just two more things... Kyle and Ingrid. I owe them both some debt oof gratitude for saving my life after that bandit toook a chunk out of my neck. Whatever you do, do not kill Ingrid, that is the only way i can see that can pay her back... Kyle on the other hand is tricky. I wanted to help him in some way, but if i cannot I hope that you can do so for me.

Thats it. If I am rendered incapable of these tasks I leave it to you. He subtly hinted at death, Its your choice whether to do it or not, how could I possibly argue if i am not there? Oh... and here. He pulled a small red notebook, ravaged by elements and stained with ale and blood, Give this to Natalie if you ever find her. She deserves to know what kind of scum i was and have become.

[Ryuzaki]

"...Right. Don't kill Ingrid."

Ryu solemnly took the little red book from Rogus, tucking it safely away, and committing the list of debts to memory. He owed it to his fellow thief, after all. They had become like estranged brothers who were reconciling.

"...But seriously, Rogus. Nothing will happen to you. I'm covering your back, remember? Nobody can beat us. We're like wraiths, man. We flow and go, appearing only when and where we need to. We're gonna beat this system, and when we do, all of our debts will be repaid. We'll show them."

[Rogus]

You say that as if they haven't already won. I'm just being careful and keeping my interests safe. These people... they aren't the most civil lot. Rogus explained warily. Should he trust Ryzaki with the information of his true allegeance? Not yet, its too soon, best to let the man find out himself.

Just don't stick your neck out too far, eh? He let on to Ryu to back off while he could. It was odd to feel so utterly weighted. He guessed he actually cared whether Ryuzaki made it out alive or not this time around, and not because he had Rogus's journal either.

[Ryuzaki]

"...Yeah. It never hurts to be careful. I can't die before I get to enjoy my riches and status, huh?"

Ryu coughed and reached out for the bottle again. It was going to be interesting, this trip to Bern... Hopefully, Rogus would survive it. Hell, he hoped he'd survive it. Fighting with bandits... He tried that once. It didn't work so well. He ended up betraying them and killing one of his fellow thieves... "Gyra, you idiot..." he mumbled to himself. Well, this time, there wouldn't be any cute mage to cause him to falter. He was going to have wealth and power, dammit, and nothing would stop him!