Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on May 26, 2017 20:12:44 GMT -6
Why was she talking as if she was some grizzled warrior? Just who was this girl? From her perspective, this Sharktooth seemed more like a brat with an axe than an actual bandit. Like seriously, was she actually considering trying to confront these guys? This seemed more like foolhardiness than actual guts. How was she supposed to win with only her fists? Not only that, but according to her, there was no vegetation for him to hide at higher altitudes.
She then asked him what he was doing here travelling. Sigma didn't really have anything to hide so he decided to tell her: "Oh, well you heard about the tournament that Bern is hosting soon? I thought that I could join to take a vacation, might also visit Lycia but eh, that's still in debate." Was she also going to join? With her personnality, it felt almost sacriligious that she'd turn it down... Well maybe not, honestly Sigma was having a very difficult time trying to read that girl. Everything about her just seemed...off.
Actually, maybe presenting himself would lead to him learning more about her... "Oh my apologies, I don't think I've even introduced myself thanks to this impromptu fight. The name's Sigma Wolfhart, freelance investigator. He gave a big smile while making a small bow. Eh, he didn't usually act with so much courtesy but with this lady, Sigma was more lost than a blind mouse as to what to say. Guess he was used a bit too much to the more generic Illian he would talk to back in Edessa. This young lady was a bag full of surprises compared to those people.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2017 17:50:17 GMT -6
"A tournament huh? I never heard about any tournaments coming up. There was word of one a few years back with a crazy rampaging dragon though. I get a feeling it was just some wyverns getting loose though. I mean, imagine a bunch of wyverns getting out and causing havoc. I'd say I fought off a dragon of legend too!" She laughed? It was a forced and fake sound, to her own jests. In all honesty her concerns were on if that story was true. She was not so depressed or conceited to believe she was the last surviving dragon but her heart ached to believe that the first to appear was struck down in a berserk rampage. This, all without mentioning that watching a bunch of fools scrambling about trying to quell a wyvern swarm was hilarious imagery.
"Sigma Wolfhart, Freelance Investigator." Nightingale repeated the selfserved title with hands on her hips and a slightly cocked head. "Oh, right, alright. So, a fancily named MERCENARY by the name of Sigma." She grinned. "Well, long titled mercenary Sigma Wolfhart, my name is Nightingale." As she produced no surname she paused, she considered calling herself Nightingale Drake but that was just a bit too tongue in cheek for her. "Just Nightingale, I have no surname." She began to stroll down the road she had made so much effort to walk.
"I noticed you got knocked around a little bit back there. Are you perfectly alright? No bruises or scraps on ya?" Her own cheek still stung at the touch from getting slapped around. "And what does an investigator do that sets them apart from others? And I swear if you just say investigate I will be greatly displeased." She did not want some cocky smart mouthed answer.
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on May 28, 2017 19:49:55 GMT -6
Sigma's ears burned at the mention of the word "mercenary". Ugh, please. Sigma is so much more than just hired muscles! His job was also one that required a lot more skills than simply knowing how to wield a sword... And why was she even making fun of his title with that name! Nightingale sounds like what kids call themselves when roleplaying! Ugh, nevermind, it feels like he isn't to get anywhere by arguing with her.
Though it did fit her, strange girl being able to drive off a bandit with only her fists. Pale skin but hair like ebony. Nightingale was a strange name, but Sigma guessed that she was probably the best person to have it, well only until he meets a person who litteraly only lives at night. That would be special. Sigma was a night owl sure, but to never see the light of day was pretty crazy, also very unefficient with time. Ok, why was he asking himself these question? This was no time for semantics about strange night humans! Also, it seemed that she asked him what he did exactly, with a very specific demand to not say "insvestigate". Damn, that was usually his best joke too!
"Aw man, but that's how I present myself to everyone! All kidding aside, to give an example, you can hire to find information about anything. It could be to find if your spouse is cheating, if your business partner is falsifying the books... I can also find information about objects and relics. Let's say you're looking for an ancient king's crown. I could point in the right direction by getting information in ways most people are not trained it, you see?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2017 18:26:49 GMT -6
Huh, he was young and likely a VERY naive young man at that but his, hobby, profession, whatever he wanted to name it as sounded very intriguing. She looked at him and as he mentioned ancient things her chest ached. "I don't imagine you could find the living descendant of the saint Fein could you?" It was out of her mouth before she could consider just how odd a request that was. There was over a millennia of history gone by since that woman rose to saint status, and surely the descendants would number in the dozens if not hundreds.
Then would come the questions about why she would be searching for such a thing? Oh, well you see, she stole my dragonstone, yes yes, I AM a dragon! Her descendants have it but it would seem that the current holder of it was lost in an assassination where no body was recovered! Her name is Elaina and I would very much like to meet her so I can take it back. Her livelihood be damned I need it to live!
Yeah, she had no interest in explaining all of that mess to him, but she just had to open her lousy mouth. "You know what... never mind all of that, forget it." She rubbed the back of her head. She was the closest to finding her stone that she had been in 1000 years but now the lead was cold again and even more impossible, and a boy just so happens to land in her figurative lap with a goal of finding things for people? Huh... this is a tough call.
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on Jun 6, 2017 16:43:43 GMT -6
Saint Fein... He may have heard the name once but really, Sigma didn't know anything about that person... Strange, he was usually pretty good at knowing historical figures. But why would she need to know who the descendants are? Do they have magical blood perfect for a human sacrifice? Maybe they hold an ancient artefact with unknown powers... The way she said it too, something was definitely special about this Saint Fein, at least to Nightingale. As she was trying to deflect Sigma's answer, he decided to not let it go.
"Wait just a second. You can't mention a job like that and then move like it was nothing! You're talking about some kind of saint... I've never heard of this person but it definitely is piquing my interest..." One thing about Sigma was true, if he didn't know who you were talking about, he would instantly try to learn who that person is. Knowing important figures was part of the job after all. How could he even work if he didn't know who had power and influence on this continent! Getting back on subject, Sigma was much too curious to let that little tidbit of information go. This girl had a job for him, and from the looks of it, probably something interesting considering the way she had asked with that tone. Maybe something personal to her? Anyways, the mention of a saint and descendants was more than enough.
"You were asking about descendants, correct? I mean, I do have experience in searching for specific people. I'm telling you, I could be of use to you... Now of course, if you think you can do it alone or it's something you can't share, I'm not one to pry into a lady's business, but I'm telling that you might be losing the opportunity to hire a proficient investigator...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2017 23:55:24 GMT -6
"I think I very much can mention something and change the subject to something else thank you!" She retorted with a haughty tone. But the boy had a point, this was a good opportunity and it was like dangling a steak in front of a hungry hound and pulling it away at the last second. Honestly the opportunity was just too good to be true! The only thing holding her back was, well, how does she explain everything without just going, HEY! I am a manakete everybody!
She sighed and placed her fists on her hips. With a slight attitude bend she tilted he head and looked him up and down. "Well, I SUPPOSE I can tell you about it, but it has to remain between just the two of us. If not... well, you'll get the business end of these fists." No threats, just promises, she would fight anyone, anyday if they were a threat to her livelihood.
"So, if you want a little background on this whole Saint Fein thing for some context, then she is someone who came to prominence around... around about fifty years post Scouring. Her claim to fame was finding a family of dragons and with her men killing them all. An incredible feat no?" She hated that woman and to talk like she praised her made her sick!
"Anyway, she took from them stones they possessed, presenting some as gifts to the church and keeping one for herself. This stone was passed down through her lineage to the eldest daughters. This stone became a symbol of the house and the immense riches that were connected to it. That said, the stone should belong to me." Now was the part she had to convince him she was a descendant, and not one of the three dragons.
"During the current generation I was born to my mothers, well..." she trailed off. "Not my father's child I was cast out. My younger sister would instead come to be the one gifted with the stone and the house legacy." She brushed her hands through her pigtails thankful that from what stories she heard she had the same sort of raven hair. "That said, the manor came under assault and my... sister, is missing. If you can find her, it would mean a lot." Oh boy, THIS was a huge lie, but maybe she sold it well enough?
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on Jun 11, 2017 17:08:42 GMT -6
"There will be no need for fisticuffs. I am a man of principle... Well to the people of employ me of course, I'm not sure about the people on the receiving end of my contracts though." He may be a criminal in the eyes of the law, but he still had a code he "usually" followed. How would he even get contracts otherwise?
He continued to listen her story about Saint Fein and how apparently she had been a slayer of dragons after the Scouring. Sigma had never studied the Scouring a whole lot since he much prefered recent history. However he did know overall the story and why it had happened and whatnot. Anyways, it seemed like this story was leading to some kind of retrieval mission. A stone that used to belong to dragons? It definitely sounded intriguing alright. Not only that but according, she was some kind of noble? Or at least an illegitimate child of a noble... Wait a sec, the way she phrased that... Something smelled fishy.
"Mean a lot? Sounds to me like all this is is you wanting to get back at them and steal what you say is rightfully yours. But now it sounds like you have compassion for your sister." Getting a more serious look on his face as he did not have a lot of patience for people playing tricks on him, he slowly inched closer to her, keeping eye contact.
Sigma had a lot of experience with this dsort of thing. Clients not telling him the truth and then him being caught in a bad situation because of his emploter. There was a contradiction in her statement and he had to get to the bottom of it before considering taking on her contract.
"I've seen situations like this a few times. Either you despise your family for doing this and you seek vengeance by stealing back the stone. Or maybe you still like your sister as it was not her decision to be born in your family and you decide to do the grownup thing and let her keep the stone for her sake. Now, tell me which is it or if you're even telling the truth because I don't like being played for a fool."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2017 21:14:59 GMT -6
Well, looks like her bluff skills were still in check. The thief bought right into her story for the most part. He was convinced the two were related, he was less sold on her feelings for her 'sister' however. This was fine, she could work with this and it took a bit of her to keep from making smiling faces to give herself away. "I can't guarantee there won't be a need for a skirmish or two." She shrugged.
"Is it really so hard to believe I may want both my rightful inheritance and hold no ill will towards my sister?" And as such, it was time to commit to the story in full. She sighed, she should be given an award for her performances and patience. "You see, I wasn't just cast out, I was made to spend most of my days with my father in Illia. ILLIA! You know how far that is? And how cold Illia is too? Now with the invasion, and the manor in ruins... there is nothing left for me ANYWHERE!!!"
She began to sob crocodile tears. It was easy seeing as it was all backed by a lot of very real deep seeded stress and bitterness. "Look, if you want an absolute and not sugar coated truth, then here it is. The family fortune is directly tied to that stone. As of now, it is in a weird place with land titles and possessions not able to be properly accounted for. If I can get that stone, then it will fix an aweful lot of problems and if you find the stone, you find my sister. You find my sister, we find who caused all the chaos in the first place."
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on Jun 12, 2017 0:22:54 GMT -6
Her sob story about Ilia didn't really make him feel bad. "Born and raised in it. No need to tell me how cold it can get." He honestly could not sympathize with her story. Sad? About living in a mansion in Ilia? He had to rough out in the streets with no money and no family (or how ever much a drunk and whore of a mother could be considered family) so to him, living in a mansion was no reason to be sad.
Also he couldn't really start feeling bad for her when she started crying... I have always had trouble sympathizing with nobility and this is just making it worse I fear... Listening to her talk about what made the stone so special, he slowly came back to a more neutral attitude and decided to not linger on too much about her slightly "spoiled noble girl" tendencies. He was honeslty debatting wether or not to take her job... It felt strange alright. Like he knew that something strange was happening that she wasn't telling him... But at the same time, having the possibility of learning about this Saint Fein was definitely tempting, the idea of a dragon slayer having ancestors many years after the Scouring was in itself an interesting thing to know. Not only that, but he had never heard about those "stones" that dragons apparently had... So many mysteries... Ugh, resigning himself, he decided to bite:
"Hmph, alright fine. I'll help you find that sister of yours. In exchange however, I'll give you a price in gold when I can think about it and also when you'll be able to pay it after we retrieve that stone... Oh, and I also need to know everything about that stone and what it is. Consider it the price you'll have to pay to my curiosity if you want me to do this."
Reaching his hand out, he awaited for her to shake it: "So how about it, is that fair with you? And don't think I'm gonna let you haggle, I'm already not so sure about this so you better just accept before I refuse it outright."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2017 0:55:39 GMT -6
She never had a mansion, and she sure never meant to let there be a mansion in her story. Her intent was that she had to live in some lousy home shack sort of place but she would never know that he had thought that of her. Though him being from Illia was a surprise. Wait, did he mention that already? He did say something about coming here for a tournament. Eh, whatever, at the end of the day she really did not care about him. "Oh, well, if you are from Illia then yeah, I guess I really don't need to tell you."
Oh, hohohoho! Nightingale was really earning that acting award, it was a struggle not to hide her face to grin and laugh at how easily she had manipulated the boy. He would never see a shilling of gold. Once she had the stone back she would have her power back, and she would be spared of the growing weakness she had begun to feel spread.
She let out a soft sigh. "Once the stone is in my hands you can have your price." She agreed to his monetary demands, never really intending to keep that promise. How could she? Not that he needed to know. She took Sigma's hand firmly in a shake. He just made a deal with a snake. "Well, what all do you need to know of the stone?"
"I've only seen it a few times now, but it is fastened into a necklace. The stone itself is a deep and reflective purple. The piece that holds the stone is silver with interlacing designs all around it like vines, and the chain of the necklace itself is also pure silver." On the whole the necklace was a very expensive piece, and the fortune it represented made it even greater.
And now to feed him more lies. "As for what the stone is, a gemstone I think. Looks like one anyway. Why a dragon would carry it?" She shrugged. "I could not say."
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on Jun 13, 2017 0:14:11 GMT -6
Welp, it seemed like she seemed to agree to his terms and conditions. But really, all it was were words. Sigma was still a bit uneasy about all of this. He still wasn't sure if trusting Nightingale was something he could do safely. To be fair, her earlier fight had shown there was something strange about her. That sword was still a huge mystery to him and how it had actually broken in Nightingale' hands. And no, saying it was brittle does not work I'm sorry, that's just way too much of a cop out.
He started taking mental notes as she described what exactly the stone looked like. A necklace with silver apparently. Definitely did not sound like a jewel which actually held this much wealth (or at least the amount of capital she said was attached to the gem...) it still seemed a bit too much of a cheap jewel for it to be the entire story... A stone that dragons had and now he was supposed to act like that information was not intriguing? WHy did they have them? Did they have a purpose or goal aside from beign shiny? All of these questions were going through his head and being heard louder as she denied knowing anything about them. This definitely feels strange... Ughhh why did it have to sound so interesting though... Damn you curious and inquisitive side of my personnality!
"So nobody knows about it in your family? You've never read a book from your ancestors that talked about it? Sorry, I just have a hard time actually believing you. Seems like you really just wanna tell what you want which I was expecting anyways... Just saying that it might be better in the long run if you actually tell me but eh, that's your choice. As long as I have the opportunity to learn what it is, with or without your help I'm okay with it."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 0:32:41 GMT -6
Nightingale stared at Sigma with a blank look on her face. Suddenly she smiled and just chuckled to herself. He would not want to know the truth. She had met her share of humans that were accepting and were willing to roll with that punch, but far too many others had turned violent in fear and disgust or fear, no, she had no reason or desire to tell this boy the truth of herself. If he knew he was being hired to bring a manakete, the ancient enemy of man, her stone that granted her power he was liable to have every right to refuse at best and strike her down on the spot at worst. Even if he thought it a joke her pointed ears would ring of the truth too, luckily her hair kept that secret.
"Look, I don't really know what more you are looking for. Like I told you, I was sent away to live in Ilia away from my mother and sister, so forgive me for not knowing every little detail, okay?" She sighed pretending to get all huffy and upset. Not entirely untrue, but she was far more level headed about the situation than she would let on.
Nightingale crossed her arms and looked around, "Look, Sigma, I will be happy to discuss it in more detail later, but for now, can we get out of bandit territory where troublesome ears can be hearing about these things?" She offered a wry smile to him now and nodded with her head to the path back to the village.
"I'll admit for you, I have my secrets, but if I am to reveal them, I am going to need to trust you. Forgive me. Oh, and a story passed down over onethousand years does not make a reliable tale." She began to walk with rhythm. "I can tell you the tale I suppose. But only after we get to town."
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on Jun 13, 2017 1:23:44 GMT -6
"Eh alright, I'll stop pushing the issue for now. You helped me out against those bandits so I know I can trust you in that sense, no need to get angry at each other. I know when to let a thing go. Guess he may just have been pushing a bit too much. There was still a possibility she wasn't lying after all... As she proposed to leave this place, he quickly agreed with her. "Yeah, I guess you're right,alright let's head back. I think I deserve a pint of ale after this fight.
He glanced over at the body on the ground. Feeling angry it had to come to that, he decided to forget it and turn around to follow the girl. He knew death was sometimes inevitable, but that still never made it feel justified. Some of these people had a life, and simply because society wasn't made for them or simply did not want them, they had to live this life and be killed by yours truly. It felt... wrong. He remembered feeling trapped as an urchin in Edessa, thinking he'd never amount to anything more. Thank god he learned how to do more than just rob. His other talents were what gave him the opportunity to actually acquire enough gold to purchase travelling gear. Not only that, but he was talented enough to stay out of the guards's view. However some were not as lucky sadly. As he continued to walk, he decided to try and keep mindful of that next time he'd be fighting other.
He was happy to see that she was at least admitting the fact she was hiding some things... Good, I'm not vrazy at least. As he followed her pace while walking down to the village, he was amused by something she had said. SOmething that actually hit very close to home for him.
"Any event will one day be a thousand year old story. For it to have survived that long, I feel like it must hold some truth to it. And anyways, we'll all one day become ancient stories, to seek the truth in them is the reader's choice. he chuckled softly, continuing to match her step.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 19:26:56 GMT -6
"A pint? Is that all you want?" She looked at him with a wry smile, "Or perchance it is all you can hold? You are small so if you have a weak constitution it would be no surprise." She tossed her arms out in a teasing way like she was asking a question. Honestly she was challenging him. She was sure she could out-drink him any day and if he was drunk she could likely get him to talk about all sorts of information. Perhaps it could serve to prove his value as an investigator.
Sigma's reply to her comment of old tales and their unreliability took her completely by surprise. She returned him with another wry smile and silence. Oh yes, the old tales have a great deal more truth about them than he could ever know. "Well, tell me Sigma, what do you prefer to be? An ancient story? Or a legend?"
A trip down hill was much faster than the steeper climb the two had to previously endure and as the hill began to roll out into level ground the two passed through the gate checkpoint without incident. Nightingale took a brief look around the town as one of the villagers took notice of the two arriving.
"Oh! You both came back safe! and together?" The villager looked at them questioningly before taking notice of the bruises. "Oh no. Don't tell me the two of you got into an, uh, an altercation with Sharktooth and his men?"
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Sigma
Thief
Does anybody care about intelligence work anymore?
Posts: 151
Profession: Spy/Information Broker
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sigma
OoC Alias: Sigma
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Post by Sigma on Jun 14, 2017 23:47:52 GMT -6
"Oh you'll see one day what I'll become... However telling you would ruin the surprise no?"
Continuing their fast descent to reach the village, Sigma realised that trying to take this shortcut was really a stupid idea if he wanted to reach Bern. Though at least now he had found an interesting job opportunity. There's good in every bad situation, no? Overall, this Nightingale (yeah, no that's not an actual name. Sigma is pretty out there but Nightingale is where you put your foot down) girl seemed very interesting. It was obvious she wasn't telling the whole truth... But at the same that's what was making this fun.
As they entered the village, a man came to greet them but quickly, his relief was shifted to fear as he realised we had fought some of Shartooth's minions. It didn't take a genius to realise that from his reaction, Shartooth was probably the kind of bandit to hold grudges. Killing of his boys would not be good for their survival rate apparently. Looking annoyed, Sigma grabbed his nose with his thumb and index finger, putting pressure on the bone trying to figure out what to do next. Looking at Nightingale, he decided to ask what she thought could be a good idea, anyways better start working as an efficient team if they wanted to get that stone.
"Welp, seems like this Sharktooth has a record of being an overall pretty bad guy... Ugh, I'd say it might be a good idea to just go right now. I personnaly don't even want to deal with this guy, he seems like unnecessary trouble honestly. How about you? Think we have some time or should we just go right now?"
"I swear to god, if you say anything remotely close to engaging them, I'll get angry. Ugh, now wasn't the time to antagonize her. Despite how she hid a lot about herself, it was obvious she wasn't an idiot, far from it.
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