Phantasms and Illusions (Ryu x Mila C)

[Ryuzaki]

The assassin moved quickly through the forest, following the fresh tracks and the sound of leaves crunching under hard-soled boots. But he was not hunting prey or stalking a mark... Rather, Ryuzaki was trying to determine how best to talk to a woman.

Cresting a hill, Ryuzaki saw Clover approaching a river, and instantly thoughts rushed to his mind. He knew that river; he'd been in Lycia long enough. It looked like a heavenly gift, a blessing of the earth... But its water was deadly. One sip sent chills and wracking pains throughout a person, and could be fatal unless treated promptly. Ryuzaki was no physician, but he drank of the water frequently without harm. He simply boiled it first, as his father had taught him to do. But did the mage know that?

"Clover!"

There was a split second of silence, and then a throwing knife embedded itself in the soil a few feet in front of the mage. Seconds later, there was a heavy, dull noise, and the assassin rolled to his feet, brushing off the leaves that had collected on his outer cloak as he dived off the hill's crest and shot to the bottom.

"Sorry about that. But the water's deadly. You'd better boil it if you're intending to drink, and if you need to cross, you'd best find a ford or a snag. I've no idea what about the water is so lethal, but unless you boil the water, it'll loose all the demons of hell inside you."

What was he thinking? That was no way to start a lighthearted conversation.

What was he doing? Why did he feel the need to offer his help? The mage hadn't done him any favors...

This was all a jumbled mess inside of his haid, so Ryuzaki decided to simply go with it. It couldn't hurt to be friendly, right?

[Mila]

He was having the best walk in the forest. Well about as best as she could have considering. A messy jail break, campaigning out in a rundown old cabin, and walking along in the woods completely alone. This has all of the hall marks of a fairy tale meant to teach children. Hmm.. I wonder what monster will show up and try to eat me. The mage heard something out in the distance. Someone was calling out her "name". Oh? The assassin! Hmm.. I supposed wolves come in all varieties.

She looked out in front of her. There was a river. The water didn't look any different from other water. There was a flash of metal from the corner of her eye and one of his daggers lodged in the floor near her. She turned around her hand on her tome ready for a confrontation if need be. Her cloak and scarf were still firmly attached to her head.

"Well.. Thanks for the warning." She spoke sarcastically.

"Well duh. Who doesn't boil water before drinking. That's just hazardous." Her mind recalled a working theory from the egg heads of the academy. Stating that there could be tiny mischievous spirits in the water that cause illness. Heat culls the spirits and makes the water safe to drink. She kept her gaze focused on the Assassin. Near. Remember we learned his name.

"Near ...What. Do you want?" She tried to keep her voice at a neutral tone. She didn't want to cause any alarm or panic. She didn't know what kind of man Near was. Except that he was an assassin who up till a little while ago had helped them escape prison.

[Ryuzaki]

"I apologize. Throwing a sharp object is probably not the best way to get a woman's attention, especially one who throws fireballs."

Ryu bent down and took his knife up, cleaning it and stowing it in the X-bandolier with the rest of his knives.

"What do I want? You left abruptly... I wondered if there was anything wrong. So I followed you. And forgive my impudence, but it is dangerous in a forest all alone. Especially if one is a young female. You aren't familiar with the type of people who loiter in forests... There are many people with far less restraint and tact than I in a wilderness such as this one. Plus... Where are you going? Pardon the question, but you're going deep into the woods. Do you have some sort of hideout in there, or are you... Perhaps... Misguided?"

The assassin swallowed quietly, his palms slightly moist. He wasn't doing too fine of a job conversing... What would Rogus do? His bosom friend was always much better with the ladies...

"I'd be more than glad to accompany you to whichever edge of the forest you'd like... You're pleasant company, if I might venture so far."

Ryu tried to give a winning smile, but inside he was practically having a mental breakdown. Was this the proper method for conversing? Was he being a lewd and offensive creep? He had no idea, so he'd just have to see how Clover reacted. It was turning out to be much more stressful than he thought, this whole 'talking to girls' business.

[Mila]

"You've got an uncanny way with words Near." She eased up a bit and put her tome away. She looked at him up and down. He wasn't being hostile. Her heart was racing. The precursor to engaging into any combat. She could never understand how her brother could keep his calm in battle.

"I.. am fine. There.. was nothing wrong. I just thought breaking off on my own was the wisest choice. After all were.. kinda wanted. You especially. Assassins aren't exactly on good terms with the law."
Her voice eased up.

"Well seeing as how i'm not torn to shreds already. I guess.. I can trust you?" Her words were a little hesitant.

"But. Yeah. I suppose misguided might be an appropriate term. I just want to get away from.. er the town." She paused for a long moment. She tried to calm herself.

"You know what. I'll take you up on that offer. I am not familiar with Lycia as i'd like to be. Maps are nothing when compared to the real thing." She held up her arms to the forest.

"Uhm.. are you ok? You seem to be stressing out. Your kind of pale and a little.. sweaty." She didn't approach him. An assassin who loses his cool? Perhaps. I should reconsider. She looked around. The woods were long and tall. They had many shadows with any manner of things hiding with in.

"Right.. So what's beyond the river of toxic bowel soup?" She pointed out to the stream.

[Ryuzaki]

"I would venture to say you can trust me. I won't hurt you. You've done nothing to deserve that, as far as I can tell. You certainly haven't hurt me."

Chuckling, Ryu stepped a little closer, nodding and giving a wry smile.

"You're right. We are not always the most loved. But usually, we can get away and get by. I just stick to the shadows. Nobody notices us then. And we just get by..."

He felt slightly more at ease. Then Clover picked up on his non-verbals, and instantly he checked himself. He was being far too open about his nervousness. He needed to be more... Cool. Like Rogus.

"I am a little stressed. You are astute. You see... And this might come across as extremely strange or pathetic, but I'm not exactly the best at casual conversation. Especially not with interesting women. It's funny... I can kill a man or a woman, I can taunt them to death even... But I find it frightening to be pleasant and cheerful. I've become too jaded, it seems."

Ahh. Rogus, Rogus. Thank you ever so much. Ryu felt himself calming, and he managed to smile in genuine mirth at Clover's wit.

"Beyond the Diarrhea Deluge is more forest. And after a lot of forest is some more forest. And after that, a road. The road leads off to Santaruz. But you'll need rest before that... If you want to avoid waiting around in the forest tonight and doing the whole trek tomorrow, I can guide you today. I have supplies to bivouac the night, and then in the morning I can finish seeing you to Santaruz. That's far away enough that you won't be associated, and it's a major hub, so you can go anywhere you need to.

Sound all right?"

[Mila]

"Astute. I suppose so. To be fair it was really obvious." He's nervous about talking to women. Ouch. I'd hate to see how he reacts to female clients. Perhaps he just keeps an air of professionalism while at 'work'. Great now i'm thinking of my brother. The mage dismissed those thoughts.

"Hm. Please. Don't be nervous. Just speak normally. You seem to be doing fine." She commented.

"Cause if you get nervous" She pointed at him.

"Then I get nervous in response." She pointed at herself.

"And when I get nervous, Fires happen. The prison was a fine example of that. The last thing we need is more fire. Especially in a large forest like this." So there's just more forest. Beyond the forest. And road to Santaruz. She placed a hand on her scarfed chin in her usual thinking pose.

"I've got no choice but to trust you Near. I'm a woman alone in the forest." She kind of spoke that with a slightly sarcastic tone. As if she were stating the obvious. Why am I being so hostile? She sighed.

"Sorry. It's been a crazy day. I suppose it's all just starting to hit me now. I didn't exactly get much rest at the cabin with you and Inno... Vincent dueling." She held her head through her hood. It was a taxing day.

"Anyway.. I'd like to at least get across Diarrhea Deluge" She snickered slightly at the name. It took her a moment to recover herself.

"Before setting up camp. That way it's one less problem in the morning. Do you know if there's a bridge? A fallen log perhaps? Or we can use your rope and hook and snag one of the trees on the other end and pull across." Her mind was working over all manner of ways to cross a simple river. It felt good to be back to normal.

[Ryuzaki]

"Obvious or not, I salute your perception."

If he got nervous, she would get nervous? What sort of crazy madness was that?

"Well then, Clover... I suppose I must stay as cool as ice, hmm? Perhaps I should shy away from the eventual campfire... Or I might melt on you."

Ryu gave a little chuckle, raising his eyebrow, and then responded to her.

"It's quite all right. I don't expect you to be relaxed. Flustered is good. You are indeed correct - it has been a crazy day. But now, you can relax. You can trust me. You are no longer a woman alone in a forest - you are now a woman alone with the great assassin Near in a forest!"

Ryu laughed and smiled, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"You've spoken wisely. We can cross in one of two ways - my hook here, or a snag a few hundred meters to our right. Whichever you prefer, I'm fine with. I'll make it work."

Well, he did feel more at ease. He just had to keep his calm up, and not take it so seriously. Clover would be Clover, and he would be Near. They would have a nice peaceful trek tonight and tomorrow morning, and then they would go their separate ways. Maybe he'd find her again in the future... Nobody knew. But for now, all he was doing was escorting her out of this mess of woods. Without putting her in any danger. He just had to be a gentleman, that's all.

[Mila]

"We'll given the choice. The snag seems like the safest option. If that fails we can use your grapple and rope." It was always good to have a back up plan. The snag was of a good size. Wide enough to walk on and long enough to reach the other end of the bank. She took another glimpse at the river. The river wasn't very deep and the current was mild.

"The water isn't too deep. At least from what I can see." She picked up a pebble and threw it into the current. The stone sank into the water. But it was deep enough for her to barely make out it's shape in the murk.

"If I had to guess.. Maybe about waist deep. But my view.. is limited. I assume.. the river gets deeper the further into the center we go." She sighed.

"The current doesn't look to bad either." She took a look further down the river's path.

"I see rocks up ahead. If we fall in and get swept away we end up being caught along them. Or.. killed by them." That's great Mila. Always thinking of how we could die horribly. She sighed. Right well. Might as well show my face and safeguard my stuff.

She finally pulled her hood down and her scarf off. She un did a few knots and pulled her cloak off. Revealing her face, hair, and clothes. There was a purpose to this. She took her bag off her shoulder. She laid the cloak onto the leafy ground and put her bag on top of it. Then began to tie the water resistant cloak onto the bag like a cover. Then she put the bag bag over her shoulder. And tied it in a manner so that it was pressed firmly onto her back. Back pack mode. Engage.

"Can't have my books getting wet. Or have it dangle. It might get caught on a branch or something."

[Ryuzaki]

"Sounds good."

After the two arrived at the fallen tree, Ryu instantly bounded up onto it, feeling it and then jumping. The log did not move; the trunk was cemented firmly into the earth, the product of many years of rest.

When he turned around and got off the snag, he almost stopped short, but was thankfully able to conceal his surprise. Clover was quite attractive, and looked to be about the same age as he was... Hm! What a boon. Not only was his traveling companion intelligent, she also wasn't hard on the eyes.

"Wow. Was not expecting that..." the assassin smirked, cocking his head and nodding respectfully. "No wonder you were uneasy about wandering the forest alone."

Ryu, in turn, prepared his own equipment, but was not nearly as elaborate. He simply brushed the hair out of his face and tightened his cloak.

"After you."

But before he let her cross, Ryu held up a hand, grabbing a large rock and rolling it end over end to the snag, where he propped it against one side. Then, he repeated the process for the other, creating a rough sort of barricade to double-secure the snag.

"Okay, Clover. It's as safe and sturdy as it'll get... Wait!"

Another flash of inspiration hit him, and the assassin took out his grappling hook, swinging it and latching onto a low-hanging but sturdy branch, pulling the rope tight and then handing it to Clover.

"Use this to stabilize yourself as you cross. After we're on the other side, you could probably burn the branch to free my hook, right?"

[Mila]

"Right. Right. Can do." She spoke answering Near's comment about burning the branch. She watched as Near fixed and secured the snag in place with rocks. Thorough. Not bad.

"Trust me Near it's not the first time I've had to travel about on my own. Im.. kinda used to that." Should I have said that? Oh whatever. I think he missed my sarcasm. She grabbed the rope and slowly started to cross over. She was careful with her steps. Right. Nice and easy. One step at a time. And after a few moments she was across the river. Once safely across to the other end of the bank she looked back to make sure Near had crossed.

The assassin had been very courteous and helpful so far. Normally she would question this sort of kindness. She had seen more then her fair share of people who butter her up with sweet words and gestures only to want something in return. Usually it ended up with her having to make a run for it somewhere. Or attacking things with fire.

But Near for the most part actually seemed genuinely nice. Nice and assassins usually don't go hand and hand. She would have to see how the rest of this little adventure went before she could make any definite conclusions. Well.. I haven't been robbed or ravished yet. Those are all pluses. She looked around. The hook was snagged in a low hanging branch. An easy enough target to hit.

"Just tell me when and I'll free your hook."

[Ryuzaki]

As the young woman sent back a sharp retort, Ryu nodded, acknowledging her point.

"Touché. I admit, that was poorly spoken. I guess I'm just pleasantly surprised is all. I expected you to be more hard-faced and battle-worn. I am glad you're not."

As Clover crossed the makeshift bridge, Ryu stood watching her hair sway and her feet land crisply and precisely. The level of poise she possessed was intoxicating. But he must not be drawn in. He must stay distanced and professional.

Soon, she had crossed, and it was the assassin's turn. So he grabbed the swinging rope and then, looking over at her, purposefully let it go, hopping down onto the riverbank. Ryu turned... Took a few steps back... And then sprinted forward, jumping into the air and grabbing the rope, swinging across and then launching himself the remaining distance, landing and rolling to his feet.

"May I present to you my greatest talent: speed and agility. You name it, I can outrun it, catch it, tire it out... If you ever need someone fast, I'm your man. But that is not to say sloppy. I'm precise and efficient. I get the job done, deliver satisfaction for all parties involved, and always clean up after myself, unless there is a statement to be made. Guess it's part of my Sacaean heritage... I'm a mix. A mutt. A half-breed. Whatever derogatory name you want to call me... But I'm proud of it."

Grabbing the swinging rope, Ryu held it firmly.

"Okay, Clover. Let's see those flame-throwing arms in action. My father was a mage of the Elder Arts himself, but I've never seen an Anima mage up close and personal. Mostly, they're trying to shock me with lightning bolts or roast me alive."

[Mila]

She smiled softly at his crossing skills. I see what's going on. Heh. It's kind of cute. But seriously what were to happen if the rope or branch snapped. I'd have to swim after you.

"At least you know your heritage. That must be nice. I was adopted into a mercenary family. The extended "family" is a rag tag bunch of misfits turned Mercenaries. I do not judge based on one's birth I judge on their actions. And you are quite the gentleman. But.. you shouldn't have to put on the extra flair just to flatter me. What if the rope snapped or something?" Curse you What if's!

She slowly started to unravel the make shift backpack turing it back into a bag and cloak. She slung the bag back on her shoulder and the cloak back on her body. But this time she kept the hood down. Near already learned how she looked like.

"Thank you for the complement though. I assure you the battle hardened-ness is internal." She gently slapped her chest with an open palm to demonstrate the point.

"If you want to see the battle scars you should have a word with my brother. He's a swordsman, big blue scar right here on his face." She made an X shape across her face.

"Huh. Now that I think on it, I wonder how it turned blue. I can assure you it was very bloody when he first got it." She shrugged lightly. Grabbing her tome from her bag and reciting the words. Soon there was a neat little fireball on her hands and she cast the spell onto the branch. The branch cleaved in two freeing Near's hook. The mage looked up at the remains on the tree. The embers were small and already turning to ash. Oh good no accidental fires. She put her tome away. Thank you spirits.

[Ryuzaki]

"Hmm. One's heritage is important, or at least some sort of background. We draw our worldview from our roots. Perhaps that is why you are so pragmatic and levelheaded? Working with a group requires one to be flexible and still strong... While working as an individual hones one's self-sufficiency and confidence. Neither is a better option... I think."

As Clover undid all of her crossing preparations, Ryu flicked open his cloak clasp so that it flowed better in the wind. He'd worked up a bit of a sweat with that display of agility and poise. Oh, yes... Clover was saying something about that?

"Pssh. If the rope snapped, I would've had a compulsory bath. And then... Not quite sure, but I know it wouldn't be pleasant. But if I were to worry all the time about the future, I'd never get anywhere. For me, caution is only necessary when one is not quite sure of the outcome. If you've done the feat a million times, don't doubt yourself, just doubt what could also compound upon the situation. Confounding variables, if you will. But I'm talking nonsense now."

Clover struck her chest, producing a solid noise, and Ryu's eyebrows perked up at the mention of a man with a big scar... That reminded him of... Could it be?

But that was put aside until Clover neatly struck the branch, freeing the hook, which Ryu rolled up and stowed.

"Elegant. Efficient. I like it.


Say... Was your brother's name Duma, by any chance?"

[Mila]

"Compulsory bath?" She looked at him with some worry.

"You could have been swept away if the worst case scenario happens. And I'd have to jump in after you out of instinct. And just cause something has gone right a million times doesn't mean it will go right the millionth and one time." The mage had seen more then her fair share of simple routines going wrong. Little things such as cooking eggs to much larger things like a bandit raid. Often going wrong due to a lack of paying attention to little details such as making sure the pan was clean before frying, to paying attention to the tracks in the snow. But that was her problem.

"I know in combat it's almost impossible to account for every little thing. But the more you shift those little variables that you control in your favor the better the outcome. Though not always. Sometimes.. Sh.." Choose a better word.

"Accidents happen." She looked around. Scouting for a suitable spot to make a campfire.

"Next order of business would be securing a place for camp. And making a campfire."

There was a bit of a smile to her face when she heard Near speak Duma's name. FINALLY! SOMEONE! Part of her wanted to jump with joy the other part of her wanted to ask questions, and another part of her was upset. She hadn't seen hide or hair of her brother since their separation in Nabata years ago. And he hadn't gone back to see the rest of the "family" back in Taras either, if her letters from "uncle" were accurate.

"YES!" She blurted out. She took a moment to compose herself, ignoring the faint blush on her cheeks.

"Ahem. I mean. Yes. That's my brother. Your the first person in.. like.." She made a quick count on her fingers.

"Five Years! That I've spoken too that knows of him. Did you see him recently?"Oh gods please don't tell me he was one of your targets. Not that he would get himself in enough trouble to warrant an assassination on his life. Wait.. this is Duma, Your Brother. Bandit Hater Extraordinaire. He's probably killed and pissed off enough of the wrong people to.. oh.. no. Please tell me you did not have to be "professional" with him. She tried her best to hide her mixed feelings. She stood there with her hands on her sides, in nervous fists.

[Ryuzaki]

"Ah, my dear lady. Don't worry... All is in the past now. I wasn't swept away. That's what matters!"

The assassin chuckled and swept his hair out of his eyes.

"If we want to make camp, we should probably..."

He set to work clearing a small flat area, brushing the leaf litter into a pile and then grabbing handfuls of dry wood for a fire. Soon, he had cleared flat spaces for sleeping, created a good start for a fire, and rolled two large rocks over for seats.

"It's rustic, but tried and true. It'll do the job."

And with that, he set to work lighting the fire, flicking his flint and steel together and trying to get the slightly damp litter to ignite.

"Damn, this is a little more annoying than I'd expected..."

When Clover became overly excited, the assassin smiled and looked up from his work.

"Fairly recently. We had a good fight, your brother and I. He was a worthy opponent..."

When he saw her body language, tense and... possibly afraid, Ryu realized her fear.

"Oh, no, I can assure you he was not a mark. I did not kill your brother. I met him when I was staying in my ruined village in Sacae, near the Lycian border. He was traveling and sought a place to stay the night... He and another swordsman, Haschel, were my guests. Haschel judged our spar; we tied. His strength is remarkable. Very impressive. But I did not get to loose my full power... I hope to duel him again."

Swearing under his breath and stowing his flint and steel, Ryu looked up once more at the lovely lady.

"Hey, could you... Erm... Light this?"