Masks (Ryu/Burgid C)

[Ryuzaki]

Ryuzaki stood in a darkened alleyway, shadows casting bars of light and shadow across his lithe profile as he spoke to one of the new members of the 'crew.' The new thief had said her name was Juniper, but Ryu had some strange doubts. Not only about her name... But about her as a whole.

"Well, Juniper... As you know, I am Ryuzaki. That is my real name. I'd like to get to know you, if I'm going to be trusting and working with you... So. Tell me about yourself? What are your strengths? What's your style? What... Is your name?"

[Burgid]

Burgid stared down that questioning thief in front of her. For some reason, or perhaps no reason at all, she did not like him. It might be his skill in his weapons unnerved her, or the way he moved, or his aura, or just nothing at all. Before she answered his questions she gave a small tease to him.

"Oh? Not going to stick a sword at me this time Ryuzaki? How nice of you. I'm an impersonator and have some skill in acrobatics. But my style? That depends on what it needs to be. By birth my name is Burgid, but i don't have much of a name anymore. Now i could as the same from you, Ryuzaki."

[Ryuzaki]

"Acrobatics, huh? Well, that certainly is interesting. I mean, we all can do jumps and grabs and rolls, but to actually have someone who could leap over enemies or flip off of them while attacking... That's handy. You were a good catch, it seems.

And no, no. I don't want to stick any of you with my blades. Do I trust you? Not at all. That will come in time, I hope. But for now... I realize that if we're to work together, we need to at least be able to get a superficial understanding of how we all work.

As for my style? I like to analyze first. Quick, effective analysis can be the difference between life and death. So I find the weak spots... Weigh each one's cost and benefit... And then I strike. Fast and hard. Once I find their 'chink in the armor,' so to speak, I exploit it to the maximum."

Ryu smiled. Yep, that was his preferred method. Quick, planned, and brutally effective.

[Burgid]

What exactly was with this guy? He just assumed that she meant that she used her acrobatics to fight rather than the climbing and balance that it actually was more related to. She also did not like being called a catch, made her sound like she was a tool rather than a person. She forced herself to get past that for the moment. She decided to try to learn some more about his skills so this could be a bit more productive.

"Well, what are your field skills? You can't just strike your way through every satiation."

[Ryuzaki]

"Well, I pride myself first and foremost on my fighting skills, obviously. I can dance circles around an opponent in melee combat, and I've been working hard with throwing knives as well. I've become quite accurate. So I can do melee combat and ranged combat. Versatility, right there.

Let's see. I also enjoy strategizing. What are the enemy's strengths? Weaknesses? Where to strike? And when? Knowledge is power.

And finally... I love using new and unusual tactics. Diversions, distractions, the whole lot. Like firesticks. Here."

Handing the woman a firestick, Ryu laughed. He felt remarkably at ease.

"Do you have any plans this evening? Otherwise, I'd like to show you one of my haunts. It's a pretty amazing place."

Why was he doing this? Ryu wasn't sure. It just felt like the right thing to do.

[Burgid]

"So there is more to you than a dumb killer. Nice to see we share some tactical and distraction skills."

Burgid took the firestick with a slight smile, she used them herself and even had her own supply. She slipped the explosive into her pocket. She might have judged him too quickly.

"Sure, someone needs to make sure you stay in check."

She did not know why she was going to go with a probable serial killer to who knows where, but see accepted.

[Ryuzaki]

Nodding, the blue thief moved away quickly and quietly. His pace was fast, but not too fast. He was moving at a good speed, both efficient and comfortable. The streets blurred, their myriad alleyways and shortcuts as familiar to Ryu as the back of his own hand or the hilt of his sword.

Their path suddenly halted at the city wall, near a guard tower. But the tower was abandoned, considered too dangerous and in need of renovation and repair. Slipping out his lockpick, Ryu quickly and elegantly opened the door, holding it open and ushering Burgid inside.

A long spiral staircase later, they were on the platform, which looked out over the city and the surroundings. Lifting a box out of a dark corner, Ryu pulled out a bottle of fine champagne and two crystal glasses. They'd been a tough but rewarding steal. Popping the cork and filling the glasses, Ryu gave Burgid a small grin and handed her a bubbling glass, holding his out to toast.

"Cheers, Burgid. This is my haunt. It's actually where I sleep, eat, and pretty much everything else but steal. I never had the money for a house, so, this is it."

Looking out over the city, Ryu sighed softly. The view was nice, but what was truly important was that he'd trusted her with the location of his home. That was a large step for him, and one not easily made. He hoped he'd chosen wisely. Not even Rogus knew where he lived.

[Burgid]

Burgid followed Ryuzaki through the city at a fairly fast clip as he moved quickly to their destination. It was an old guard tower that had clearly seen better days. Ryuzaki quickly opened the lock and soon Burgid found herself going up a long spiral staircase to the top where she found a platform overlooking the city. It was quite the sight and Burgid took it in as Ryuzaki retrieved something.

Much to her surprise he came back with two glasses of champagne and handed her one with a smile. She accepted it with a true warm smile as returned the toast. As his eyes drifted back over the city she stepped just a little closer to him. "You know, this is quite the place. Thank you." She also looked out and again just took in the sights. It was such a fine spot that was so easily overlooked she wondered why Ryuzaki picked her, or perhaps why she was brought here. There was much more to this man than she thought.

[Ryuzaki]

"You think so? Thanks, Burgid. That actually means quite a lot to me."

Drinking heartily from his glass, Ryu was surprised when Burgid stood nearer to him, and he shivered slightly and involuntarily as her warmth mixed with the chill of the night air. It was nice to have someone to share the night with, looking over the silently sleeping city... It was a strange feeling, to be there, looking over it all, seeing Santaruz on such a macroscopic scale instead of the microcosm of the alleys.

"It's...much more beautiful at night than it is during the day, isn't it?"

The small, wistful smile stayed on Ryu's lips, as the memories washed over him, and he moved close to Burgid, standing directly next to her even as his gaze wandered over the dark peaks and soft glows of the city's silhouette.