Train escort. (Ciran + Nemuru)

Nemuru yawned as the hills rolled past. "Oi, Ciran... I wonder what kind of goods or person we'll be escorting on the train." The poison mage stretched out lazily, shifting to lay across his lap. "I wonder if it'll be worth our time in the end. An easy job or if we get ourselves into trouble? I seem to bring bad luck where I go, though you diverted it last time."

The poison mage broke away from her monologue to sit up suddenly. "Nearly forgot, before we arrive, might as well eat something. I picked these up at the station." She pulled out a clear container of finger sandwiches and pieces of fruit. Looking up at the big muscular smith next to her, Nemuru broke into a fit of laughter. "Don't worry I grabbed two containers. I figured something lighter would be a good idea. Just in case we run into trouble." Nemuru leaned in close and whispered in Ciran's ear, "though, I doubt I'm ever truly in danger with you."
(171)

The big man just blushed at that, snagging a sandwich to munch on. "Hmmm. The poster didn't say, did it? Well, if trouble comes calling, i'm sure we can find a way to fend it off. And you don't bring trouble. We're both just talented at finding it." He was stretched out in such a way they got the entire row of seats to themselves, his feet propped up on the seat across from him, though he kept getting dirty looks for doing so. Not that he really cared. He was comfortable, and that was all that mattered to him.

Looking out the window, he watched the scenery zoom past, glad he didnt suffer from motion sickness like some did. "What did the poster say about the job anyways? All you told me was that there was a train escort job that we were taking, but you didn't pass on any of the details."

(154)

Nemuru nibbled at a cucumber sandwich before replying, "next to nothing save who the client is and her description. Naomi is her name. Five foot nine, blue hair, and will be wearing a red dress." Nemuru flushed slightly, "lucky for us, they'll be meeting us at the station. They? Considering, the train of interest is apparently the next train after ours."

Nemuru saw a woman mumble something to her partner and eye Ciran. The poison mage was torn between trying to stand up for her partner or cowering. In the end the latter instinct took over. She pulled a tomato sandwich out of the box next and chewed dejectedly, staring at her feet.

Her voice was soft as she spoke, "l-lucky for us, we're nearly to Magnolia. So eat up, get a bit of rest in if you have the time and we can ask her when we meet her. Sorry, I really am neither leader or strategist. Do you have any input on how we'll take on this job?"
(170)

"Nothin yet. Until we meet the client, and have more information, it is hard to formulate a plan." He snagged another sandwich, one with meat on it of some sort, and nibbled away. "The fact they arn't telling us much information makes me....uneasy. It makes me wonder what they have to hide...we need to be on our toes for this one, more so then usual."

He patted her on the head with his free hand, and glared back at the women. If they were making Nemuru uncomfortable, they got the stink eye. No one messed with little poison mage... Except perhaps himself, but that was all in good fun...and she gave as good as she got. "And your doing just fine. We'll both stratagize together once we know more about the job. Because what we would do to guard a person versus what we would do to guard a thing is very, very different." He continued to much along through the sandwiches, and before too long they pulled into the station. Standing, he offered Nemuru a hand up so they could get off the train. "Shall we?"

(187)

She shifted nervously closer to Ciran's side. "So you suspect them of hiding something as well? I doubt it's any kind of ambush or trap, at least. The job is available to any mage. It's bait for weaklings like us." She eyed him carefully, "sorry, but unfortunately for the time being its true."

Nemuru took a bite out of a different kind of meat sandwich. She made an interested face and attempted to hand the remainder over to Ciran. As she was patted she rolled her eyes. "Besides our usual combat strategies, yes. Either way, improvisation may come into play." Nemuru managed to grab the last cucumber sandwich before it went to the hungry smith.

As they pulled into the station she took his hand. "Let's see what this mysterious business is about. And I think that is our client." Nemuru pointed to a tall blue haired woman who stood above the surrounding  crowd. The woman wore a dress that showed off her figure nicely, with a slit to her thigh and a deep, plunging neckline. The poison mage blushed hard, forcing herself to look away and look at Ciran.
(190)

He gave a grunt when he saw her, eyes narrowing. "She's trying to distract with how she's dressing. Provocative, so women are scandalized and men busy looking. Clever tactic. She's up to something." He strode forward, keeping his eyes firmly over their clients left shoulder, so it looked like he was looking through her. Time to unnerve her a bit in return. "Miss? I believe you are the one looking to hire a few mages to escort something through a train ride? I am Ciran Garlfang, and this is my partner Nemuru." He gestured to the little mage next to him.
(151)
"Your job posting didn't give many details, so I was curious if you could fill us in more on the specifics of the job. Such as who or what we are transporting, and why they or it would need an escort. As well as any possible threats that may arise."

Nemuru sighed softly as Ciran spoke. "Scandalized, eh? Hrm.." She followed and listened to his seemingly gruff introduction. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she focused on taking in all the details of the conversation.

"You will be transporting, if the term is accurate, my husband here." She gestured to a relatively average looking man in a suit sitting on a bench behind her. "My beloved is deathly afraid of riding on trains, you see. Unlike, a big, strong man as yourself.." She stepped closer as her tone turned seductive. Nemuru turned an angry red, curving her hand with the palm out. Naomi saw the poison mage's reaction and merely smirked.

"He won't so much as get in alone, and this worthless waste of space finally has a job interview tomorrow. Unfortunately, it's too far to go without use of the train. He really needs the job." Her husband cringed as he overheard the conversation. Nemuru rolled her eyes. Wish I could poison the client, strangle her perhaps. Naomi leaned forward, stroking Ciran along the chin. The poison mage's eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. "Please, a mage such as yourself can surely do such a thing, right?"
(197)

He slapped away her hand before she could touch him, eyes narrowing. "Oh, that should be quite easy. But why get a couple of mages to do it instead of doing it yourself. And please don't touch me. I don't like strangers touching me. It makes me irate, and reminds me of things i'd rather not remember." His eyes were narrowed as he looked at her." So we're to escort him on the train to his job interview, then back again? Or are you trying to get us to break him of his fear of trains? Two very, very different things."
(161)
Behind his back, his fists were clenched. He didn't like this dame. Not one bit. And if she tried to touch him again, so help him, he would punch her lights out. He really didn't like being touched without permission by someone he didn't know. And the way she was acting was bringing out all that was vicious in him...

Nemuru immediately stepped to Ciran's side. The poison mage nearly held his hand, barely stopping herself. The client snorted at him, miffed. "I figured you mages would be more fit to do the job if he tried to run off. But, if the reward doesn't interest you I am sure I can find someone else to do the task. I'm not asking you to cure his fears. There and back, don't let him get mussed up or injured, keep him in line."

Nemuru finally spoke up, her tone sounding a bit forced, "we will do this task you have asked of us. The train is nearing the station as is. Thank you ma'am for your time and request. It will be completed thoroughly, sorry for my partner's rudeness."

She placed attempting hand on Ciran's back, the green glow activating as she ushered him along. "See that? Next will be you," she called to the husband. Fear crossed the man's face as he walked sullenly a few steps ahead around the corner towards the stop.

"Eyes on him," she whispered to Ciran. Looking back at the wife-from-hell, Nemuru waved and attempted to look cheerful. Inwardly, she swore at the client.
(198)

He just nodded, looking grim, keeping an eye on the husband., while letting his partner handle that...that...shrew of a vile woman. He shook his head, reigning in his anger before he let it get the better of him. They had a job now, and He would do it to the best of his abilities. It didn't matter that he didn't like the woman. She was his employer now, till she proved otherwise untrustworthy. And if she did, well, he'd take great pleasure in putting her back in her place.

Boarding the train, he turned to help Nemuru get the man on, keeping an eye out...this job seemed almost too easy...Almost. There was the wife to contend with...she'd prolly try to stiff them on their fee as well. Damn cheapskates. Trying to get wizards to do the stuff for free they don't want to be bothered to do themselves. He waited for the man to sit in the window seat, letting nemuru in to sit across from him before he took up the two aisle seats himself, once again propping up his feet, and glowering at anyone that dared to protest.

(190)

Nemuru eyed the fuming Ciran and smirked. Sometimes, that attitude came in handy. "You find me frightening, sir, wait til you deal with this guy. N-now w-what about giving us your name?" Nemuru's tough guy act began to falter as the train pulled away from the station. This is it? Babysit some guy?

"Dryden..." The man scoffed at the poison mage's questioning. Nemuru shrugged at her partner.

"Easy enough, eh? Is your wife always..." The mage trailed off as the man attempted a dive under Ciran's legs that revealed a nimbleness and speed she hadn't expected of him. The slender man tried to run, his eyes dead set on the exit, of the now moving train.

Panic set in to the poison mage's mind as she began to rise from her seat. Yet her twisting to watch him, the train bouncing along under her and the her movement left her stumbling. She fell hard on her ankle, twisting it. A string of curses escaped her mouth.
(166)

Ciran's answer was easy enough. he just brought one foot down hard on the hem of the man's pants to trip him. The train was unsteady enough as was, and scooped him up with one hand, setting him in his lap and holding him. "Now now Dryden. We can't have you going anywhere....we agreed to deliver you, by train, to your interview....We can't have you injuring yourself jumping out the moving train, now can we?" He kept one hand clampped on the mans shoulders, smiling, but it was one without humor behind it.

"Why such a fear of trains anyways? They make our life and getting around so much easier, and they are rather safe, no matter what some busybodies might say." He gestured with his free hand at the train car around them. "Easy to move people and goods, en mass, long distances...Why, the railroads and trains have altered our history greatly.....So i have to know why your so afraid of them"
(163)

"Ow... ergh. Now look what you've done Ciran. Our 'luggage' is a bit dirty and needs to be brushed off, can't have them arriving now in that condition." She placed her swelling ankle up on Ciran's lap. She grinned, a truly frightening expression.

"Err.. no, sir... I guess not. T-trains get into accidents and are powered by lacrima... Do you know how unstable a lacrima can be? I know plenty about trains. Some even explode? Carriages and boats are much safer, more in control of us... "normal" people. I can't believe she called on a pair of mages to bring me along."

At that Nemuru attempted to stand, nearly falling from the injured ankle. Her hand came up as though she wanted to slap him across the face. "D-don't i-insult Ciran!" Her voice was soft yet firm, a cool edge carefully controlled.

He sighed and slouched, glaring as he looked out the window.
(153)

"Ooof. We'll get that ankle wrapped while our friend here is in his interview..." He winced, touching it lightly. "Now now, lacrima are safe. they rarely explode, unless they are made for that purpose. And carrages and boats can have accidents too. Quite more often then trains, in fact. And have much lower hauling capacities then a train. So when you get down to it, a train is both safer, more efficient, and much faster, wouldn't you agree?"

There was anger simmering in his eyes at the sight of Nemuru being injured, but he kept it under control. It would not do to let it out and jepordize their mission. But still, he didn't have to like it, and he didn't have to be nice about it either.....This was one pain in the ass mission....and he didn't even know how well it paid....he should have asked that first perhaps...well, they where already on it, so might as well finish it at this point.

(163)

Nemuru winced and bit back tears as Ciran touched the injured ankle. "It's a long way to Clover Town, a few hours, at least. The Kunugi stop is next. Might as well sit back." The train began to shudder to a stop to let passengers off.

The client nodded along to Ciran's points. "But just the other day that Lacrima in Oshibana exploded, it was in the paper! When was the last time you read about a carriage accident? Have you seen the airships Aren't those most efficient for transport of goods?" At least he seemed content to debate. Nemuru sighed and watched the passengers leaving the train.Then he began opening the window. "Mind if I open the window? It's a bit stuffy in here." Nemuru yawned and started to nod, then reached out as hestarted to squeeze through. She hesitated, terrified she'd poison him. This job was a nightmare for her.
(152)

"Thats because carriage accidents are so common place tthat no one raises a fuss about them...How many carriage accidents have you seen, versus train accidents? And airships are more efficient, bit at this time are harder to produce and operate then trains...I imaginw one day they will replace trains. But that day is not here yet."

Scooting over he sat close to the man, ready to grab him if he tried to jump out the window...luckily they were slowing for their stop... And sure enough, he tried to crawl out the window. Sighing, Ciran drug him back in and just threw him over one shoulder, carrying him like a sack of grain as he wsited for the train to come to a stop, then carried him off the train, plopping him down and brushing him off. With a squeek the man bolted fir the building thst held his interview. Shaking his head again he looked ti memuru. "I got tae back, you tske the front."

165

The man grunted in agreement. Nemuru opened an eye to comment. "Even I have seen two carriage accidents personally and I prefer to walk or take the train everywhere. Airships are also magic propelled, or have you not considered that, sir?"

"Out the window, really? Where were you planning on going? Carry him to the building? No... that won't look too good at his interview and I don't want to deal with Naomi again, no matter how much she offers. We'll walk you to corner if you want." She stayed a few paces ahead of the two men.

"I'm not going to run now, I just disliked the train." The man struggled against Ciran's grip. "I need to straighten my suit for my interview and get there. Follow if you'd like but I do need this."

Nemuru looked up to Ciran. "Keep on him? We need to see this through."

Yet, the man made no attempt to run. Entering the building for his interview, he would stay as was expected. During that time, Nemuru mentioned the job only paid 500 jewels. Their charge returned and though getting him on the train was difficult, he made no attempt to run on the return trip. Nemuru kept trying to talk to him softly about his interview to distract him.

(217,fin?)

Ciran just sighed at the pay, and shrugged. "His wife must be a cheapskate..." He was quite most of the return trip, just keeping an eye on the man. He just wanted this job to be over, so he could relax a little bit before the next one. And maybe snuggle his little poison mage. Yeah, that sounded like a plan. As they got off the train, he escorted the man over to his wife, took the pay, and turned,not saying a word, not wanting to put up with the shrew any longer. Marching back over to Nemuru, he tossed her the bag with her half of the pay in it. "Lets get out of here before i lose my temper with that crazy couple." He hooked an arm around her shoulders, sighing a moment. "If I never have to escort someone on the train again like that, it will be too soon"

153