The Noir Marche/Market

[Lorcan BeauBadex]

Lai Ku posting as GM/storyteller/scene-setter extroadinare.
In a crowded, little alley way, a few streets away from the main town square, a little archway stands, a big iron door closed firmly over it's entry.  If anyone bothered to examine the ancient Kindred handwriting on it, they would read this:
Noir Marche;
Noir Market.
Goodes and productes solde fore yore personal gaine. Will accept pirated goods.
But even if one couldn't read the writing, you'd get the general picture. All around the entrance, shady figures stand, some discussing things with other shady figures, some simply standing there, attempting to entice people towards them, and whatever shonky wares or services they may be soliciting. The door appears fairly obsolete, as if few use it. In reality, this isn't the case.  The case it, that the main entrance is only one way to gain access to the Noir Marche.  There are far more colorful methods, if you can afford them.
On opening the door, the street ahead is filled with people. The street itself is dark, dirty, scungy, and grotty.  Stalls, stands, and shops are everywhere, proclaiming half price this, or cheap cheap that.  You notice pick-pockets stumbling between the people, lifting their cash  more than easily.  Drunkards stumble about, here and there.

[Mishika / Rhissa]

Mishika stood there, emotionless watching the area around her. She turns her head to the left and right, the shadows all turning towards her. Her bright and noticable clothing helps in that. Also because she seems like a fairly decent woman. Continuing on her way, she walks onto the gravel street, making her way fairly easy, and avoiding as many rotten folk as possible. A dirty and slightly drunk man bumps into her, and she pauses, and with a swift movement, grabs the man's wrist, holding her bag of silver. She glares at him, and he smiles nervously, "Uh... oops?" he starts to sweat as her eyes seem to fill his soul with hatred and resentment. The shadows watched her simply stand there. Then, without notice, she brought out her other arm from beneath her cloak and smacks the guy's head with her staff, HARD. He gasps and gags, and blood starts to drip from the side of his mouth and he hits the ground. She turns towards him, bends over and picks up her bag of silver. As she's bended over, she looks at him straight in the face. "Moron," she simply states, and carries well on her way, after having made a scene like that on the street, as though nothing had happened.

Having no trouble after that, she enters a shop, which looked more like a shack. She looks at the owner who's sleeping on a stool in a corner behind the counter. She brings up a smaller bag, filled with silver, and drops it on the counter. The man shot up like a rocket at the lrge sound it made, "Ehh!?" he blinks and yawns, and regains consciousness. "Errr, yes?" his eyes were still half-open. Her eyebrows narrowed. "Did you get it or not?" It took him a moment, but after she pulled her hair back for a second, he realized immediately. "Oh! Mishika! Please accept my apology, I was asleep, and you know i never forget a pretty face like yours, you see..." her eyebrows narrowed just a *bit* more, and he squeeked. "Dont hurt me!"

Sighing, she gave him an annoyed look, and then turned into a smirk. "Did you get what I hired you for?" He thought for only a second and nodded happily. "Good, now fetch it." he nodded again and made his way through a door to the back. She looked around the room while he was gone, and smirked at the rusty and grubby-swords and knives. Turning into a grin as he came back, holding a wooden box. He placed it gently on the table, and she opened the box slowly but surely. A small shine came from the box, and died down after a second. She smiled, picking up the dagger. The sharp blade was made of pure silver, with a gold handle. Saphirres and rubies were imbedded in the handle, making it more of a site to see. (I'll get a picture up eventually)

Her face went cold again and she looked up at him, making him take back a step. "And my holder?" He scratched his head and then moved his into the back again. Coming back, he held a rather small (grrr, i dunno the actual name @.@) dagger-holder, made of leather. the part for the dagger was perfect, but the part that was wrapped around, usually the waist, was rather small to fit her. He blinked at the holder and at her. "Are you sure this is what you wanted?" She grinned, "Of course. Let me see how it fits!" she grabbed the object out of his hands and placed one foot on the side of the counter. She then, slowly and unashamed, began to pull up her skirt. The owner blinked and then his eyes bugged out of his head, and a nosebleed soon ensued. He twitched over the counter he lay on. She was simply grinning the whole time, wrapping the holder around her thigh, and placing the dagger right where it should be. Standing up straight again, she picked up the small bag of silver and placed it in his hand that was still twitching. Turning and walking towards the door, she smiled, "Glad to do business with you!" with a slight chuckle, she exited the store. The owner eventually recovered and counted the silver, and was surprised to find more than he expected. He smiled to himself, "She has a good heart. I only wish she did better business." sighing, he put his money away for safe-keeping and regained his nap in the corner.

[Audrey Thatch]

Unaware of the goings on in the shop, Audrey casually passes through the market place. Grubby men open their cloaks, revealing their illegal wares. She pushed most of them aside.. they weren't really worth her time anyway. She was here to get what she came for, and nothing else. And besides, all these items were pilfered in one way or another.. Nothing she couldn't steal herself. Audrey turned her nose up at the sellers, and continued on to a small book store. Not exactly illegal, as book stores normally aren't, but dangerous enough to intrigue her. A small bell chimes as she enters the store, and a small man with tiny spectacles pops up from behind a rather large bench. "Well, What kin ah do fer ye?" he asks, spit flying out in all directions as he spoke. Audrey just looked at him, and wiped the stray saliva particles away from her face. "Ahd like te see yer new stock ser" she said, rather too benevolently for liking.. Shw wasn't used to being so cheerful and good natured with people she was about to slaughter.. Audrey smiled sweetly at the man, and he obviously thought it to be a coy invitation for some fun. He quicly ran around the store, locking the front door, and covering all the windows. 'Perfect' she thinks to herself. 'This foolish man's just signed his death warrent.. now noone shall know he's dead until i've long departed this foul place.. Hurry little man.. I'd like to get that book sometime today...

[Mishika / Rhissa]

Mishika wandered aimlessly around the market. She didn't mind seeing the illegal wares, but never bought any. She wanted to keep track and mental notes on where certain objects or weapons can be found. She was looking for something specific, and knew it would probably not be found here... She paused. A dark feeling came up inside of her. "Hmm..?" she said, looking around. She felt evil in it's presence. Evil in something. Someone.

She almost started laughing, this is the Noir Market! Of course there would be evil. It's not like she would want to do anything about it... There was no money involved. With a slight shrug and a sigh, she made her way past a small bookstore, which seemed to be closed anyway. A shame, she loved books. Maybe next time.

[Audrey Thatch]

The small man continues to run around the store, closing windows and securing all locks to make sure that noone would disturb himself and the young woman, waiting patiently for him with a coy look on her face. He never could resist the charms of a young woman.. especially when she seemed to be so interested in him.. Of course she didn't say anything conspicuous to suggest that she did want to play naughty, but he knew women well enough to tel what she wanted.. Or so he thought. Audrey continued to look at the book keeper, and finally resolved to tease him a little.. after all, it could be considered to be his dying wish. "uhh.. do you mind sir, but the store's awfully warm.." She slowly proceeded to take off her coat, flinching a bit to suggest that she really was thinking of something more than just being too warm to buy a book. The keeper raised his eyebrows and grinned, revealing a set of stained teeth. "Anything you say my dear.." he answered greedily. This was one catch he wasn't going to forget. "..Don't you think you're wearing a little too much for such a warm day?.." Audrey moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, tousling what few strands of hair he had left. "..I was just getting to that.." she replied. She could feel him becoming more excited by the second. Now was the time to strike. The Book keeper slid his hand around to her rear, and as he did that, Audrey caught a hold of his chin, clasping it with her small hand. She tightened her grip around his neck, pressing against the veins, focing him to release his hold of her. She threw him to the wall, and produced a small golden dagger... "Never touch me like that again old man" she snarled.

[Seno]

Seno took a deep breath letting the smell of decay and urban filth soak into his pores.  Nothing like the sweet stench of the city.  Idly, he glanced about at the market's items seeing if he had any particular need for them.  A few moments later, a pink haired beauty wearing a tunic laced up the front and short skirt rubbed up to him.

"Wanna show a lady a good time sailor?" She asked batting her eyelashes.  Seno smiled and draped his arm over her shoulders as she lead him into an alley.  <br>
"Sorry you little sneak thief, you ain't getting nothing but rocks in that pouch."  Before the women could pull away, Seno gripped her tightly.  "Now, scream so your back up can arrive."

"Screw you," She cursed attempting to strike him.  Easily, Seno shoved her into a pile of garbage.  "GET'M!"  The girl shouted.  Seno cracked his knuckles.

A duo of dirty looking men stepped out brandishing knives.  <br>"You must be dummer than you look, sailor boy." One said.
"Without any silver, we're just going to sell your skin n' organs to a necromancer."

Seno chuckled.
"Try me.  I'll show you how I get my spending money."  The sailor side-stepped the clumsly thrust and drove his fist into the man's face sending him unconciousness.  The second attempted a slash only to have his wrist caught in his grip.

"Amauetur."  He jerked the man forward and thrust his knee into the man's solar plexus.  The man coughed up blood before slumping to the ground.  Seno quickly rummaged through the men's pockets and found a fistful of silver coins.  He turned towards the girl and flicked her one.  "Go find yourself a real job.  Turning tricks n' playing bait is going to get you killed."

Seno thrusted the silver into his pocket and began walking away.  He turned on his heel.
"Wait, that offer still valid?"  He asked the girl.  A fist sized piece of cobble stone striking his forehead was the reply.  Rubbing the forming bruise, Seno trotted around the corner to escape the hailstorm of thrown rocks, garbage, and filth.

[Audrey Thatch]

Audrey draws her dagger up to the man's throat. She'd done this many a time before, but for some reason she felt it beneath her to slaughter this man. Besides, he might be of use to her at a later time. She helped him oto his feet. "Y-you're not going to kill me..?" The Book Keeper stammered. "No, ahm just gonna use ye as mah puppet for awhile.." Audrey looked around the neatly kept store. "Ye have a book.. I do believe it's called The Book of the Firey stone. I need it from ye. If ye don't give it te me, then I'll be forced te take drastic action against ye.."

The Book keeper nodded sullenly. "Whatever you say my dear.." He trudges sadly around to the back of the store and takes out a safe. With a key that hangs on his belt, the safe opens, and he takes out a large parcel, wrapped in a dirty cloth. He hands the parcel to Audrey, who in turn, unwraps the parcel, slowly at first, soon dropping all formalities and ripping the cloth to shreds..

[Seno]

Seno absent mindly flipped a silver piece with his thumb into his palm as he walked.  He glance fell upon a lady standing before a closed book store.  Rather classy for a hole like this place...aw well, nothing better to do.

The man stepped to within a few paces behind Mishika.
"Awww man," He said in a slightly exhagerrated tone, "Only decent book store in this place."

[Audrey Thatch]

Layer by layer, Audrey hastily pulled off the dirty cloth from around the package. Her eyes glemed as she tore off the final layer, revealing a small book, it's cover made out of pure gold, with a distinctive Fae pattern adorning it. Gently she picked it up and held it to her chest. The book keeper looked at her oddly. "a-are you alright ma'am..?" She smiled warmy at him. "Aye, that I am sir.. I've finally got it back.." She turned and headed towards the door. "..Where'd you get this book old man..?" she asked. "One of the S.E.A. officers brought it to me.. wanted a price on it.."

Audrey snarled. 'the bastard' She muttered. She looked up at the bookkeeper again. "Well.. thank ye fer yer help sir, but I really must be off.."  Grinning, she threw him a golden coin. "Fer yer troubles.. and don't go and tell the S.E.A. Officers now will ye.. they're the ones who stole this here book off me in the first place.. And besides.. I know exactly who you are, so don't ye be startin' any trouble now, Y'hear?"

She tucked the book underneath her clothing, turned, and unbolted the door. As she opened it, she again smiled flirtatiously. "Twa's indeed nice doing business with you dear sir.. we must go about it again sometime.." She turned on her heel, and walked briskly off, brushing against the two bystanders as she left, her long, rich embrioidered gown shimmering as she moved..

[Mishika / Rhissa]

She turned to respond to the young man before she was rudely pushed aside by the well-dressed woman. Raising an eyebrow at the store and at the woman, she raised it even higher at the woman's clothing. She glanced at the man, "That was quite unusual..." she trailed off and moved closer to the store window, taking a glance inside. A troubled old man seemed to be glooming over his desk. She narrowed her eyebrows and stood straight again, finding the situation odd. She glanced back at the man, "You like to read?"

[Seno]

"Ummm," Seno started not really expecting a response to his cheesy ice-breaker, "Yeah, when I'm in that mood.  Ussually hard to find time you know?"

[Mishika / Rhissa]

"Well, when you have a busy job, I'm sure that happens." she said a little coldly, even more than she had meant it. She scracthed the back of her head and tried to be a little more informal. "So, you visit this-" suddenly the same man that had tried to pickpocket her earlier showed up again, and hastily pushed Seno out of their way. Along came two large burly men, obviously built and meant to look tough. Mishika didn't seem too phased, only blinked a few times.

"so, ya think ya can simply make a foo' out of me, eh?" he made a gesture with his head, and the two men stepped forward. Mishika yawned, seeming bored. "I do not wish to play games, but plase remember should we begin a match, you will surely lose." she warned coldly. "Hah! Git' 'er boys!" the scrawny man announced and the two men began to charge straight at her, who didn't even move.

As soon as they were only a few steps away from her, she bent down and made a leap into the air, holding her staff above her. The men expected her to come back down with her short staff, but after she came out of the light of the sun, she was holding a staff almost three times as large as it was. "KYEEEE!!!!!" she yelled, her staff pointing straight at both of them, and a large blue lightning bolt hit the ground beside them, and they both were encased in a block of ice. Mishika landed on a knee and one foot as she hit the ground. She slowly stood up and turned to look over her shoulder at the man who started it all. He was shaking as a leaf, and began to take a few steps back. Mishika glared at him with an icy stare, and he shivered. "Stay away from me or pay Fate a visit, my friend. Now off with you." He ran away as fast as he could.

She enchanted some encrypted words and her staff sparkled, and then began to lose it's length, going back to it's original form. She sighed at the block of ice containing two men. "As if the street isn't filthy-looking enough..." she set her staff into the ground and chanted to herself. A fire began at the foot of the iceblock and enlarged with each passing moment, eventually melting the ice completely. The two men regained their senses and stomped at the fire surrounding them. They each took a glance at Mishika and ran for their lives like children. She simply sighed again, "Amateurs.."

She had almost forgotten about Seno until she passed him, walking down the street. "Oh, sorry..." she turned back. "I get extremely famished while using magick, i must regain my strength. So if you'll excuse me..." she turned back around and began walking, but still spoke, "I'll be at the bar. If you... 'have some time' perhaps you may join me," and she trailed off into the crowd.

[Seno]

Seno blinked rapidly and used most of his self-control to keep his jaw from dropping like the other onlookers in the market.  He knew of magic, but he'd never seen such a powerful display when a set of simpler spells would have been sufficient to deal with the matter.

Obviously she's a casual magick user...  He mentally shrugged and followed her into the bar.  Oddly enough, the establishment was cleaner than most in the port sporting a full bar as well as several tables for its patrons.  I can't believe I'm doing this; the fact that she could waste me in a heartbeat should have pushed in the opposite direction...

He waved a serving-wentch over.
"Send a glass of decent wine over to that women," He said as he flashed a trio of silver.  "A clean glass and decent wine."

[Mishika / Rhissa]

She sat at an idle table by a window and blankly looked outside at the goings on. A wench scooted towards her, "Hey sweetheart, you have a fan" she winked, placing a glass of wine on the table. She looked at her questionably, "That sweet-looking man over there ordered this for ya! I wouldn't blame him, you're a sweet-looking gal. Call me over if you need me!" she winked, and walked back to the bar to serve some others.

Mishika looked at the glass and gently picked it up between her long fingers. She brought it up to her face and took a smell of it's scent. A slight smile passed over her face. The sweet smell of the alcohol enticed her to take a sip, which she did. She relaxed a little, taking in the taste. She was impressed, it wasn't cheap wine, for sure. She took a glance towards Seno at his spot in the room and made a slight wave with a small smile. She followed with a small beckoning gesture.

[Audrey Thatch]

Audrey grinned childishly. 'Ah.. how sweet..' she commented as she wiped her wine-covered hands on her costume. 'Well, ah hope that she responds.. that fellah looks hurt enough already te recieve a ditchin' from the like O' her..'
She turned to the barkeeper. Audrey had never worked in a tavern before, but the fact that her uncle was the keeper of the place helped a great deal.. especially when there's an important event soon to happen...