Frozen Tears, The wind blows a sad song.

[Jiron]

A soft 'Mmn' escaped the child's lips before she rolled over and shut her eyes, feigning sleep. The taste of corrupted soul-matter lingered in the back of her mouth, offering a pleasant tingling sensation to the tip of her tongue with every breath. Tiny fingers, no warmer than the room around them, curled back timidly.

~*~

Downstairs the lithe woman, second and youngest child to the man who ran the inn, was disrobing the cowl from her shoulders. A tender care came over her face when she set to placing her father in a chair, wrapped up in the garment. An affectionate hand gave the older man a squeeze of the shoulder before she moved around the bar.

Worn maroon boots of a heavy material laced half-way to her knees and left puddles in her wake as she made for the logbook. It was a simple ratty little book, really. It had dates and names with little numbers scrawled in the all-too-familiar gestures of her father's hand. Navy eyes lifted to the keys that rested on the other side of the counter. In a matter of moments she knew which key was out of sorts and was on her way cautiously up the stairs.

One hand found the doorknob and tested it carefully while the other took a rest at the pommel of her blade. The knob turned, but when she pushed resistance came.

She didn't frown. It would be stupid to suspect that the person or persons in that room wouldn't be expecting retaliation eventually. Perhaps not -this- early in the matter, but eventually. Instead of force she stepped back from the door and cleared her throat rather loudly.

"This is deputy Lykaios, open the door and step into the hall or I'll be forced to come in there after you." Her voice was somewhat sandpapery. It was a voice that meant business, cutting its way through the door and the space adjacent to it.

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Leo lifted his head upward. He stood and released Lee's hand walking toward the door he moved the chair and opened the door stepping out into the hall standing tall above the woman in front of him. He closed the door behind him not wanting to wake Lee. "How can I help you deputy? But please, whatever you need, please try to keep it down, my companion is sleeping." He folded his arms across his chest.
 
Aumnius wrapped his arms around Abigail tighter. It was almost time for him to deal with the one he felt earlier.

[Jiron]

Lykaios took half a step back, giving herself room if the need to draw her weapon arose. Navy eyes narrowed, perhaps detailing what chances she would stand against the brute before her, perhaps it was in distaste of the mess he had left downstairs. Then again, maybe it was because of a sight impediment. Who really knows?

"I have little tollerance for thugs and punks. I expect you'll be paying for your room and board here or we're going to be having a little disagreement, you and I." This time that grave voice came out a touch less cutting, but just as harsh as it had been before. The gentle alabaster curves of her face were slight and in human standards quiet attractive. Or they WOULD have been if it hadn't been for the deforming scar that twisted one side of her jaw. "This room costs a little over forty silver a night."

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Leo regarded the woman, "Nethier of us have any money. So we'll be staying until my companion has rested. I will find a way to repay you eventually. I suspect you won't just let my companion and I stay here for free but perhaps you could at least allow her to stay. I did not harm the man downstrairs, he is only knocked unconcious, I'd hate for this to become uncivil. No one is moving my companion from that bed until she is ready to be moved." His voice was calm but held an edge to is, a sharp edge. He positioned his feet apart slightly and looked down at the deputy.

Aumnius swung his legs around from the bed and stood, dressing himself slowly he placed an uneeded kiss on Abigail's cheek before he walked downstairs slowly. He gripped his blade's hilt and opened the door stepping out into the bitter cold. It was time he felt the one he had felt earlier, and kill them if needed.

[Jiron]

"You might not have done any permanent damage, but you -did- assault the gentleman who RUNS this inn. That alone is uncivil and offensive, not to mention rude." That sandpapery voice was stern on the point, even as the petite woman added, "However. If you want room and board -without- paying I'm sure we can come to an agreement, be it helping out in the kitchens"-unlikely, since he was so furry, and that would mean the occasional shedding-"or just tidying up at the bar. Maybe you could even put some of that brutish strength to work guarding the place from potential miscreants."

Navy eyes moved over him for a suspicious moment before the hand not resting above her falchion extended a warrant of peace. "You can work as a bouncer and added muscle, and your friend can use the room as long as you're willing to work for it. Do we have a deal?"

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Leo grinned faintly as he extended his hand out to the deputy. "Deal." He spoke calmly. His golden eyes flickering softly he smiled wider slightly.

Aumnius stepped int the bitter cold, already remembering the frogid winds. He placed his hand on the ground and energy pulsed slowly outward reaching to the very edges of the town before dragging backward into Aumnius' hand feeling every living creature and sentient inside the city. He felt the twinge of the one he felt before. Not too far from here either. He stood and sheathed his blade walking toward his next opponent.

[Jiron]

Lykaios shook her head and couldn't help but offer an almost sour smirk. "I should've just arrested you. Something tells me you're going to be more trouble than you're worth."-She gave his hand an almost friendly shake before continuing-"You can start your work tonight by watching the bar while I see to the proprietor. Keep people in-line and from starting any trouble."

Inside the room lying as still as the grave and just as morbidly quiet was Lee, curled gently beneath a number of blankets. Her eyes drifted shut, but her mind kept running in jostling circles.

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Leo grinned softly. "Very well, sounds like fun." He shook back and grinned slightly wider his canaines glistening softly in the low light. "And if i cause anymore trouble, then I'll try to repay you for that too."

Aumnius reached the door to the inn and opened it slowly he flet the presence above him. His first thought was to attack now, but seeing an unconcious man he felt he needed to assess the situation before attacking. He leaned his back to the wall and crossed his arms watching the man and the stairs.

[Jiron]

"I'm glad we understand each other, then." She released the man's hand and turned towards the stairs. "See to your friend then meet me downstairs in ten minutes. I'll take care of things until then."

The lithe woman's footfalls echoed down the stairway a moment before she became visible at the bottom, her form almost willowy as it made its way to the bar and behind it. A quick glance reassured her that the old man, her afore-to-mentioned father, was still nestled safely in her cloak and fine. Another glance, this time to the books her father kept, reminded her of which rooms were and which rooms were -not- occupied. A little scrawled mark beside the newly taken room offered a little condolence as to the room being used.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Upstairs Lee had rolled over, a splash of emerald visible from the thick dark lashes that framed all-too-knowing eyes. She was watching the door, her breath so shallow it could barely be called even that. Her voice—as meek as a voice could ever sound—trembled a touch, "Leo...?"

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Leo's ear twitched at the silent call from Lee. He turned and walked in softly closing the door behind him and kneeling beside the bed. "Yes Lee? Is there something you need?" He spoke softly and calmly.

Aumnius stood against the wall of the inn as he watched the woman come down the stairs. His breaths were slow, his skin was starting to warm from the fire in the room and he could feel his opponenet's energy above him. He needed only a litle more assesment of the area. And the woman would aid him unknowingly to her.

Aumnius walked over to the woman soundlessly, speaking calmly, "Greetings, I am in need of something, perhaps you could aid me?"

[Jiron]

"If you're a regular I'm sorry, you'll have to describe your drink to me. If this is about a room then the price is forty-three silver. Add a dinner to that and it'll round to a clean fifty, plus breakfast tomorrow." Lykaios leaned an elbow on the counter, smirking at Aumnius. It had been a long time since she'd helped her father behind the counter, but the numbers were still the same.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The child in the bed shook her head softly, her soft emerald gaze slipping from Leo to the door. Her voice pitched a little bit, a crease of worry finding her brow, "Are we...are we in trouble?"

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Aumnius looked at the woman blankly, his face with no emotion as he leaned in his gold rimmed eyes peering into hers. "You need to tell me about anybody currently renting a room. It is of grave importance." His voice was as cold as his stare, and left a sense in the air as think as iron.


Upstaris Leo smiled and carresses Lee's cheek. "No, we're not in trouble. Rest, I'll take care of everything." He smiled again a sweet soft smile at the young girl.

[Jiron]

Lee offered the littlest of nods, a pale smirk flitting over her features. "Thank you." For a moment she seemed a touch more wizened than her age portrayed, then she shifted and snuggled under the blankets.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

It was like looking into a mirror of opposition. Where Aumnius leaned closer to her own face, his expressionless eyes saying more than what words could explain, she looked intently back. The difference here was simple. Her eyes, the fathomless array of navy, swirled and brimmed with nothing -but- the sentiments that made her. Her voice, however, did NOT betray to those emotions. Quite the contrary it came out a touch on the dry side, "We're a large inn, Sir Nameless, we are housing a good number of people at the moment. If it's not too bold to inquire I sure hope you're not planning on maligning any of our patrons in any way."

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Leo stood and smilied turinging he opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him silently. he sighed softly and walked down to the stairs stopping and resting against the wall. It had been a long day, and he was exhausted.


Aumnius straightened his back and nodded softly realizing he needed to approach the situation diffrently. He reached out a hand, his flesh as pale as the constant snowfall outside. "I am Aumnius. Pleased to make your aquaintence. There is one here who threatens all of your establishment. If you wish I shall remove your customer that threatens you. I shall bring the customer outside as to not damage the building." His eyes remained locked on hers his hand still held out.

[Jiron]

"The name's Lykaios," she straightened, taking his hand in her own digits. "And you'll forgive me if I'm a touch skepticle, we've had ourselves quite and interesting night. However, you don't need to worry yourself about the safety of my patrons, I can hold my own, and we also have a bouncer here to take care of any trouble that could arise."-her eyes slid over him in a quick appraisal before she added coyly-"Although, if you want you could wait around and see for yourself."

On the far end of the tavern area a somewhat sickly looking fellow with wirey ashen hair and sunken features lifted a cloth-tied face. The bandana was a deep maroon littered with gold and silver stitches and did well to hide the right half of his face. Beneath a set of thin pale lips pursed a touch before twisting into a smile. Hands of little more than sinew and bone lifted the steaming brew he had ordered before the first of all the commotions, a chuckle low in his throat.

[Serephix Vamlyn]

Aumnius pulled his hand away after gripping Lykaios' hand softly. "I shall remain here to...see. And your bouncer will most likely not be able to aid you." He turned went to lean against the wall. Before he did however, he drew his crystal blade and leaned against the wall his blade in his right hand tightly as he closed his eyes. He could feel the souless one's presence, and knew it was resting.

Leo walked down the stairs, his padded bare clawed feet making not a sound as he reached the lobby. He looked at Aumnius, the crystal blade carrying man resting against the wall. He had never seen the man before, but the man radiated a sense of light, yet darkness. he turned and saw Lykaios across the counter. He walked over smiling a soft smile and rested on the counter on his elbows bringing his eyes level to hers. "So, is tonight going to be busy?" He asked calmly his golden and bronze eyes flicking softly-

[Jiron]

Lykaios flashed a daring smile towards the feline muscle she had just enlisted. Within half a heart-beat she mimicked his position, her elbows resting upon the counter with a thnk before she placed her chin upon open-palmed hands. "We get a decent flow in throughout the night, but most of our clientèle come in once the red light district closes down for evening. You probably won't have to worry about running up and down the stairs, though, since there's a pretty flawless system at work here. All those who you'd expect to be troublemakers are all kept in rooms right here on the first floor, that way we can keep an eye on ‘em. These people are money, though, but the rules are simple. No fighting, and no breaking shit. If anyone doesn't follow those you drag their sorry asses outside. Got it?”


The emaciated fellow replaced his warm drink upon his table and stood slowly, his joints creaking with the motion. Every step he took, however, seemed to flow with an over-extravagant fluidity to it, the tug of a rather color-faded robe shifting with his every motion. His face was twisted into a grin that did not appear to be of a sweet nature, but he made what could have only been the politest of gestures towards the navy-eyed law keeper. An expression of pure amusement and mirth mingled across his features before he moved himself towards the stairs. A moment later and he was ascending with soft shuffling steps.

Lee lay in bed still, beneath the array of blankets, but that meant in no way that the half-dressed child was in any way asleep or resting. No. Her eyes, although shut, flickered while her mind worked its way back and forth over the great many circumstances she had bridged in her time of wanderings. It wasn't until the sickly fellow had made his way into the hallway in which she sat up. The blankets slid effortlessly from her slight figure, settling upon bare-legged thighs.

Slowly each leg was removed from the nest of blankets and followed by each foot quietly finding the floor. She drifted over the surface to the door as if she herself were nothing more than a spectre. Dark coils of hair spilled into her features as she opened the door and stepped back, her chin was tucked low as flickers of frothy green dared to look upon the towering figure.

The man turned the bandanna-covered half of his face away, tilting his head to peer at the young child with a flat cold brown stare. Then his lips peeled back in a grin and he slid into the room, a bony hand shutting the door behind him. His grin grew all the more savage and his voice revealed itself then to be of an almost midnight tone, "Very clever, child. Very clever indeed. I would applaud you for your efforts here, but that would bring your little friend right upstairs again, now wouldn't it? Getting him to procure your room was simply ingenious."-he paused then and looked the half-dressed little whelp over, pursed his lips, and crossed his arms-"...then again...if -I- had thighs as healthy-looking as yours maybe I'd try that approach too."

"I thought you were in Kerbos still..." Lee's voice was a soft murmur, and she stood another step backwards, her eyes peering out beneath long lashes now. "...trying to redistribute dispute."

The figure of the man had to do everything in his power to withhold the laughter that wanted to break free of his thin lips. "I have never had such intentions, I merely insist different perspectives upon the lives of the ill-fortunately optimistic."

"So you've taken up murder again, then?" She turned back and moved to the bed, settling herself down on its edge carefully, a slight pout to her frown.

The man moved as quietly as he could, lifting the chair that had been settled near the door before walking it towards the bed. Within moments he was sitting before her, his elbows on his knees and his face smiling cruelly inches away from hers. "I call it 'Enlightenment'."

"You're a very sick man, Rougeta." Her voice had become at once ages older than her appearance.

He caught her chin in a gnarled bony hand and brought her so close that she could taste the foul warm ale he had been drinking on her lips, her expression twisted into a grimace of disgust. His voice dropped another note into the air as his breath then washed over her face, "I inspire people."-the disapproval of her expression made him shove her face away from his with enough force to have caused the lithe form of the child to of a sudden be swallowed by the blankets on the bed. She sat up as quickly as possible, scowling at him as he stood and turned his back to her-"I inspired you, didn't I?"

"You ruined me." She shuddered when he turned that gleeful eye upon her and even went so far as to flinch when he spun back around to lean closer.

"I fixed you. And what's more, this is what you ASKED for. You could show a little more gratitude. What I did to you was no trifle of a thing. That took a lot of work to get right. I had to practice on seven other children before you!" His voice pitched, then he froze and scowled. Great.

Lee winced. If that outburst hadn't caught anyone's attention she would have been so close to being shocked it might actually have been worth being trapped in the room with this...this...this being.