Another Day, Another Job(Nothel's Intro)

Nothel would walk down the streets of Lavinitir Port, towards the guild hall. He had just finished the first three jobs he picked up, and he needs to grab a few more. It seems to be later during the night, maybe around seven P.M. The sun is setting, leaving off towards a cooler night. He shakes his head slightly, pulling up his hood some to protect against the chill. He would wander the streets, forgetting exactly where the guild hall was. It would take him a bit longer, around ten minutes to find the large building and its entrance.

He stops outside of the entrance, looking up at the well-crafted walls of the building. "I really hope not a lot of people are here...." he groans, knowing no one really knows he is in this guild. If peopel see him he will probably be asked a lot of questions and such. He just wants to work and get out of here. Though, something deep inside of him really wants to meet new people, but for years he has repressed these feelings. Shaking his head, he would put his hand on the door, opening it and walking inside.

He would give the interior a glance around, revealing the well built insides of the facility. It is a thing of beauty, yet Nothel doesn’t seem to really care. He walks forward, towards the boards with jobs posted on them, Specifcally the one for D-Ranked wizards. As he approaches, he scans the room for people. To his disdain there would be a few people around. He just hopes they don’t drag him into something stupid….but he can’t really defend against that, can he?

Sighing slightly, he finally gets to the board, hands in his cloaks pockets as he looks around for easier jobs to do. He would see a few that need a partner, which he looks at with disgust. He likes to work alone, but he guesses he can make an exception for some jobs, if he gets to fight something that is. The last job he had, to teach that baby how to walk, was a total bust… At least he got his money. Smiling, remembering the ending to that job, which was nearly disastrous.

Getting used to this new environment proved as odd as all the other times. Unlike when she joined Infinity Hydra however Shade held the benefit of at least knowing one person prior to joining Black Rose – the very reason she’d done so – and yet for the moment he eluded her. Sure he was likely busy or maybe away for the moment, the girl didn’t know which she simply knew that right now she was stuck in a place with a bunch of strangers. Spending too much time in her new – and still relatively empty – room held little appeal though as much as a “safe haven” as it might seem. Energy jittered inside too much for it to be particularly comfortable, likely to lead her feeling trapped so her guardian had more or less kicked her out and barricaded the door with her body.

For the past hour she’d spent her time doodling at one of the various tables strewn about, the vanilla colored rabbit plush currently flopped over with its rump partially in the air, cheek pressed to the table with that stitched in smile firmly stuck in place. She liked giving her denizens the plush forms, making it easier to bring them into this world without causing immediate issues and most importantly: she enjoyed hugging the soft bodies. Designing them however came with the usual issue of what form to give them – such as tying it to their actual one or not – and often times what colors or patterns to use. How floppy did she want the limbs? What kind of stuffing? Should they have a velveteen fabric, simple cotton, or something plush that left one wanting to rub their face against it all day long?

Bored of her current block half-lidded eyes rose to survey the room and stare listlessly at the people here. There were still so many to meet, but nobody in particular jumped out at her and the girl didn’t feel inspired to jump into their conversations. Just when she considered demanding entry back into her room so she could laze about on the windowsill seat someone walked into the room and outright scowled…well they didn’t, but in her mind they may as well! The fellow struck her as the aloof type, avoiding the tables with people to head towards the fateful job board.

She had half a mind to lob Desa at his head.

’He wouldn’t get mad at me though, would he?’ she thought with a hint of concern for once, though the thought wasn’t spared for her target. No she still pondered at his reaction to the sudden stimuli, and her curiosity spurred the little plush figure into action on the white-haired woman’s behalf. Rolling off the table, the little rabbit with its oversized ears jogged around the occupied tables and chairs, opting to go through the empty ones until it could firmly hop and latch onto one of the man’s calves, full-body hug in motion. Stubby arms and legs could barely reach halfway around whereas the ears provided a firm hug just below his knee. He’d have a few moments to process this before a voice with a note of laughter in it would pipe up behind him, ”Trying to steal my friend? That’s kind of rude, don’t you think~?”

You know, Nothel was just trying to mind his own damn business, just trying to get to the job board and leave before anyone noticed him. But, he was slightly delighted when the tiny plush doll attaches to his leg. Looking down to inspect the little creature, he smiles lightly, actually liking the thing. This would be a fatal mistake, because he would mutter, "Oh, how cute~" right as Shade walks into earshot.

Hearing the girl talk, he turns, sizing her up from her question. Oh, a little girl, did I accidentally step on one of her dolls? Oh well, doesn't matter...His delighted expression turns back to one of stoniness. "Did you drop this, girl?" He wasn't one for really good introductions.

Even if she hadn’t heard the comment…what her denizens knew she knew, though luckily the man wouldn’t know that, not yet at least if he ever did. There was something highly entertaining about the stark contrast, such a tough looking fellow walking in, sighing, and heading to the board with a serious look about him as he sought out a new job to complete and then devolving into saying “how cute” in what she could only describe as a “sweet tone.” It hadn’t been sarcastic to her nor Desa’s ears at least, the rabbit plush’s beady eyes able to see the smile yet aside for the hug it offered no other sign of sentience or life.

Closer in proximity she only belatedly realized how much taller he was compared to her, having to crane her neck more and more. Watching the warm expression melt back into what she could only deem some sort of “lone wolf” type thing, Shade’s smile widened even as she stuffed the giggles back down. ’If by “drop” he means ran over of its own volition I suppose he’s correct,’ she thought, but with her sweet smile in place nodded and replied, ”Ah yes, sorry about that! Sometimes I swear these things have a mind of their own!”

As if on cue the plush’s grip faded, the little vanilla bunny plopping to the floor without a sound despite one likely imagining a small “squeak.” She picked it up, hugging the thing to her and waving at him with one of its floppy ears, ”A pleasure to meet you by the way. You may call me “Shade” instead of “girl.”” She didn’t particularly care for the moniker, though that came after years of various “macho” fellows using it as some snide nickname. ”Is there something I can call you, or would you prefer “fellow?””

The girls actions slightly confused Nothel. Something was....off about her. Most definitely she was one of the weird ones. The outfit, the mannerisms, the name, and the dolls. Something was unsettling. But Nothel wasn't one to care for those warning signs. Nodding at her last statement he would reply, "Alright, Shade, you can call me whatever you want, I don't really care." He waits for her to ask another question, hoping she'll bugger off at a point so he can take his job and leave. But knowing his luck he will be drug to a table for talking. He wasn't against it but...well...actually he wants that to happen, but wasn't going to admit it.

He stands there awkwardly, unable to bring himself to be intentionally mean to the girl. But sadly his asshole nature would leak out here.

Well! The shock registered on her face, eyes widening as he failed to offer a name and her head tilted a bit. Yes, he certainly played the part well even though she’d seen a glimpse of his mushy innards! Shoulders raised before dropping with a large sigh as the girl shook off the emotions that broiled up for a second. She’d come close to lobbing her plushy friend at his head again, only this time to his face rather than behind his back, but mentally reminding herself that he apparently lacked an openly social bone in his body…she brought a hand up to her chin in thought. Desa remained stuck to her body, albeit now merely pinned to her side by her arm as the hand played with the hem of her short dress – a hard habit to break given the pleasant feel as she rubbed it between her fingers.

Shifting from one booted foot to the other she seemed to deeply consider something to the point she closed her eyes in concentration. And then, as if struck by a comet of brilliance they snapped back open, a smile back in place as she pointed a finger at him, ”Very well! If I’m allowed to call you whatever I want I shall dub thee…” she paused for the slightest dramatic effect and nodded, ”Tyberius Alexander Karlheinz-nowait! That’s the name of my cat. Too confusing…um…better yet! Tobias M. Ferguson! That way I can call you Toby or Fergy!” Yes this was perfect, that way she had two names to fall back on in case she forgot one or the other, never mind the oddity of completely renaming someone (likely against their will). In her defense he’d failed to offer a proper moniker even if a nickname to go by since she hadn’t exactly offered her proper name either.

”And you may call my plush friend here Desa, but don’t get him confused with his sister Haigha just because they’re twins: they like having their own identities! Gods help you if you forget it or mix them up they’ll remember it,” she nodded sagely, again hugging the happy-as-can-be rabbit to her bosom. It was sadly true: they would remember and they did like being told apart. She just failed to mention how easy it could be since they were different colors.

Nothel had to give props to girl, approaching him out of the blue, and out of everything she could have called him, he gets Toby or Fergy. It was so insulting that it was commendable. smiling lightly he nods, "Toby? I hate it, I hate it so much that I can be amused by it. I feel this conversation will go on for a while, do you want to sit down?" He gestures towards a table, inspecting the dolls differences so he doesn't confuse their 'names.' His eyes would linger on the doll for a second, wondering what it feels like. Shaking his head softly he reminds himself he can't really let anyone know that, it would ruin his image.

Briefly she toyed with informing him that if he could think up a better name then he better cough it up so she could use it instead, but the passing fancy continued its journey into the ether. He hadn’t exactly said “no” after all and didn’t seem particularly keen on stopping her, so Shade would do as she pleased and dub this man with a new name. ’I guess if his soul among other things ever becomes mine that’ll be his real name anyways…’

More amusing than anything was his suggestion to sit down and ‘talk’ when she fully expected the gent to find a getaway point and dash. Then again snapping a job up at random could have consequences as well, either taking one well out of his paygrade or one that, well, didn’t match his personality and preferences. After all nobody wanted an “unclog the toilet” job even in desperation. Again the contrary side wanted to decline the offer of “chatting” for a while but she neither had anything else to do or reason to say no…not when that’s probably what he wanted her to do! Very well she’d agree to his little challenge, Shade’s imagination getting away from her just a little.

”Very well, over here,” she motioned him to follow to the table she’d been at, closing the sketch pad before he could glimpse any of the ideas for new plush friends. None of them came out particularly to her liking anyways. Once he sat down she’d stare at him, plopping her cheek into her hand and asking offhandedly, ”What did you want to talk about then?”

Nothel would study her for a second, taking a seat opposite of her. He knows something is up, and he is here to find it. This is honestly the last thing he wanted to do. But he needs to know her game. Wait..she just asked why he wanted to sit down. Damnit. He didn't have a good answer to that. He has to make something up, quick. The consternation would be quite visible on Nothel's face as he tries to figure something out. "Er...Hmph. Doesn't matter, It seemed you were going to talk to me, so I at least wanted to be comfortable." Hoping he saved the situation, he waits for the child to ask a question now.

Watching this fellow proved better than any show or magazine as she observed the troubled emotions. It must’ve been a surprise to not be nearly as “captive” as he initially believed, but he’d basically made his bed and now had to lay in it. Giggles stayed locked inside though, Shade not exactly wanting him to go table flipping on her though he’d remained generally calm so far. People could be so unpredictable however so she refrained on his behalf. Again she could only wonder though if he either didn’t consider rudely leaving as an option, or was too polite to excuse himself…or perhaps too clueless?

Maybe Desa’s hug threw him too much for a loop?

Moving the plush rabbit to the table from her lap, Shade’s free hand patted the thing’s head a few times before playing with one of his large ears: squeezing it in her palm and splaying her fingers over the soft fabric. It was hard sometimes to choose one’s words, not wanting to come off as too biting at the start, but at the same time…well…when a target presented itself it could be awfully hard to resist. Finally a few questions came to mind, ”I suppose I could start off with ‘what’s a tall, dark, and brooding fellow like you doing in a place like this?’ but…that seems too silly now that I think about it. Tell me Toby, how long have you been with Black Rose?” It turned into a more honest curiosity, the girl only knowing Magna really to date and only slightly conversing with a few others. She wanted a new person’s opinion on the guild and, well, since “Toby” so kindly offered to keep her company why not take advantage of the moment? Besides with the way he acted she sincerely doubted he expected something of an honest question anyways.

Nothel would have a really hard time trying to read the girl. It was odd, normally he could see right past someones disguise or see their ulterior motives. But this girl? He couldn't make head or tails of her. He was honestly completely stumped. When she asked him a question he didn't even respond like he was spaced out. It took him a second to realize and then come up with an answer.

"How long....in...Oh..." He gulps, shaking his head slightly. Why was he so intimidated by this girl? He has fought beast, he has nearly been literally ripped apart by dogs. He felt no pain, no fright there. But here? He is honestly scared, but he has to push on.
"About...two weeks now, first guild I was thought of joining.."
He stumbles on his words, still confused on how this girl was able to shut him down. Why was he so intimidated!?

This time she managed to achieve an honest answer out of the man. ’Two weeks? I suppose I’m his junior in this instance then…’ However he didn’t ask it in turn so she wouldn’t offer that tidbit of information. ”Ah, relatively new then, nice to meet you Toby!” she offered with a small grin. Sure it implied she might’ve been here longer, the girl curious to see if he’d latch onto that minor insinuation or not.

Continuing to play with Desa’s ear – knocking the stuffed bunny over subsequently – she considered the next bit of topic now that she already had the fellow on the mental ropes. He’d unfortunately opened the door to conversation so naturally Shade would take advantage of this moment and continue the odd string of statements and questions, curious to see exactly what she could gleam from the fellow. ”Let’s see…so you’re now Toby, you’ve been here two weeks, and if earlier is any indication…you either like rabbits, stuffed animals, or cute things in general,” she kept her voice low enough that the other tables wouldn’t hear, but the teasing smile stood out plain as day, ”not that I blame you: Desa and Haigha are quite a cute pair. I have plenty more adorable pals I’m sure you’ll get to meet over time! CM’s particularly enjoyable…”

Unfortunately “Toby” hadn’t quite earned the ability to see CM, not yet now that she felt like holding them over his head – partially to see his reaction. The odd moose was horrendously adorable, more so when alive than playing dead with his easy slide into a panicked state. Only in the thick of combat did the thing seem to find its mind and confidence, knowing merely the instinct to “protect” and for everything else…well it was a matter of time before he devolved into some bout of hilarious skittering about and wailing about something or another.

”Hmm…so what made you decide on Black Rose then?” She figured she’d stay a little broader, using the guild to discern characteristics and things from her newfound little “friend.” After all she didn’t want to just cut to the heart of him and end up scaring the man away since she’d somehow trapped him at this table.

Upon hearing the first part of Cielle's dialogue, Nothel would just plainly nod. He is the newest member right? Everyone technically holds superiority over him here, in terms of age that is. Nodding again to the nice to meet you part he returns with a small smile. Behind his face he desperately tries to figure the girl out. What was she? Was this some magic over him to feel this way? Or was this just normal emotions. He couldn't figure it out, having no idea how to combat her mentally.

He would watch her play with the bunny cautiously, wondering if she is going to pull some stunt. Before he could start processing her words, she calls him out. '...you either like rabbits, stuffed animals, or cute things in general.' How...how did she do it? No one knew this about him. It would ruin his appearance as the loner and arrogant bastard if people knew that about him. His face quickly drains of color and turns to one of shock. He stumbles trying to say something to her, and just stops, listening to the last of her words. She was playing with him, he knew it, but he had no way to counter. No way to stand up and leave without making a scene. He worked himself into a hole and couldn't get out.

CM? Who was CM...W-Wait that is the least of his worries right now. Grah How had this seemingly little girl destroyed him this easily?! Leaning back in his chair, he tries to play it out cool, like he isn't worried but. Nothel is a bad bluffer, and its obvious he is quite worried. Once she asks a question out loud she tries to respond, "I..Er..uhm...The other legal...guilds seemed legal for me...and...I...well thought of a dark...guild but....uhm..." He consistently stammers. How did...how did she know!?

In a low voice he asks, "How...how do you k-know?!"

Once, twice she blinked. ’Oh?’ her mind marveled, ’Broken already?’ Going pale had been a neat thing to watch, but words utterly failed him as the fellow attempted to answer her question and couldn’t formulate a proper response. Vaguely she could assemble some sort answer from it, but the complete one eluded her for now. He’d considered going to a dark guild before? For what reason? Now Shade could understand someone not-so social wanting to avoid perhaps the cheerier seeming guilds, but it left her curious for his reasoning.

However, first things first, she needed to bypass a bit of the damage she’d done.

A grin played across her face, coming and going quickly as it dimmed back into the playful smile. ” ‘How do I know…?’ “ she parroted a little mockingly, positive she knew what he alluded towards. It was hard not to leave him in the lurch for a second or two as a look of exaggerated realization struck her. ”Oooh…you mean the….”Oh how cute” comment you made earlier?” For his benefit Shade kept her voice low as well, not wanting to attract too much attention and luckily there were enough odd balls in the guild they went largely ignored. ”Well there’s honestly two answers to that but mostly…I heard you. In fact that comprises both answers now that I think about it.” After all what Desa heard and knew she did too. Such was the relationship between her and her denizens.

”But back to my previous question,” she tried to steer him back away from his curiosity – having answered it – and back towards hers, ”What’s this about ‘legal guilds seeming legal’ and ‘dark guilds’ dealio?”

Nothel nods slightly. So he had been careless in his speech and actions...Hm...that was her game then...He didn't step on that doll...this was planned. This girl is certainly smart...well...No she couldn't have made a plan like this. That would have taken a ton of planning and forethought. Well...at least it is an idea to keep in mind. Relaxing a bit, he listens to the last of her words, some color returning. Though, it was obvious he was still thoroughly shaken up.

"Ah...what...What I mean to say was the other legal guilds seemed too legal for me...and well...I was going to go to a semi-legal guild before a dark one..." He bites his lip. He is holding back information, but he isn't in the position to do so. He wanted to join a dark guild most definitely, but he chose Black Rose. Why? He can't remember, he felt like a dark guild was the best spot for him. But the appeal of not being chased by rune knights was pretty good. So he went with the shady Black Rose.

’ “Too legal” is a thing? An interesting concept…’ Then again she’d surmised as much already, the fellow not exactly one to be roped into a food fight or some odd, brawlish romp over at some other, rowdier guild. He also didn’t fit the image of someone delivering friendship speeches or going on about honor, valor, or…whatever those hero types seemed keen on these days. It’d been so long since she got to really play with one of those types…she almost wanted to go out and find one.

”Mmm…but why a dark guild?” an eyebrow rose, ”I could see reason to avoid a perhaps overly sunshine seeming guild…but going full dark seems like…such a commitment. Not that you’d be stupid about it of course and gallivanting around declaring “I’m with these guys who constantly steal candy from children” or something of the like…yeah, you don’t look like the type to be silly about it…” Tilting her head a bit as if considering this point she nodded in agreement to the notion before continuing, ”So why a dark guild over one of those more neutralish ones? The freedom to kill or steal without a second thought to the repercussions? The freedom to do just about anything as long as it doesn’t anger the guild leaders? Or were there some whose particular ideals appeal to you? I mean they’re not just about mindless killing like some might lead one to believe.”

Had one tickled his fancy or was it really just the ideals and perceptions that legal guilds were filled with rainbows and daisies? Though to be fair Shade wasn’t entirely convinced on how “wonderful” all the guilds could be…life often sported too many variants of gray after all to ever truly be black and white.

She..nearly hit the nail on the head. Nothel had two reasons to want to join a dark guild. One, Nothel was slightly weird, and thought someones magic determined what guild they should join. When he ended up with Blood Magic he thought he should have joined a dark guild. But...bloodshed was a pleasure of his. Killing was fun for him. The no-rules of a Dark Guild were quite appealing to him. Shaking his head slightly, he has to respond or she will dangle what she knows over him.

He comes clean. "When I was little, and found out what my magic was, I was determined that I needed to join a Dark Guild. I am a Blood Mage. Then on top of that the no rules of a Dark Guild seemed fun, easy jobs, just bloodshed. Yet, I couldn't find myself to join one. Therefore I settled on Black Rose."

’Ah, a presumption then,’ she determined, now rolling Desa’s ear against the table in her need to do something with her hands – or at least the one. Learning his magic type intrigued her, and the girl could understand a bit why someone might think that made them a darkie…sort of…’Still kind of funny he almost went the children’s fairy tale option…’ A simple answer in her mind even if not necessarily a wrong answer. Plus there lay the pros (and some cons) of a more free society that the dark guilds sort of went by.

”So what if it turned out a dark guild held rules too?” she offered, curious about his thoughts now, ”I mean maybe some of the lesser ones are a bit more rampant, but I imagine most have at least some sort of pecking order and the larger ones? Well, they likely have some sort of “code of conduct” within their walls and possibly a few rules you have to abide by before signing up. Buuuuut I suppose a lot of them really don’t care as far as life is concerned…I’m also guessing you’ve never considered both sides of your magic either.”

Destruction was easy after all, things much harder to fix in the aftermath. Something like “blood magic” left one with ideas about wrenching it from a living body, altering flow and stopping hearts, creating internal damage, perhaps using someone’s ally’s blood to kill them, and so many other possibilities. However she could imagine there were other uses one could find for such a magic. ”Any ideas why you couldn’t bring yourself to join one?”

Listening to her intently, he takes no time to quickly respond. "Dark guilds would definitely hold their own rules, yes. All guilds do, yet the ones in a dark guild would be much more relaxed. The only ones would probably not to fuck with the other dark guilds...Life wouldn't be concerned in the rules." Listening to the last bit of her speech, he wonders. Both sides of his magic? What did she mean?

Cielle would be completely correct on what blood magic could do. He could instantly kill someone if he so cared for it. Destroy their blood veins, make them literally explode into a mess of leaking blood. The pain they would feel would be immense. He has done this on only one thing though.

Now...the last question was weird. Why didn't he just join a dark guild from the beginning. He could have, would have been easy to as well. There was just...this little voice in the back of his head. The voice could have been the good side of him. Wanting him to make the right decision. Whatever it was, it took control and he joined Black Rose. He was happy here. "Why...I don't know...it was...honestly just a random choice I presume. I just felt compelled to do so."

’Hmm…well, lax in certain other ways indeed.’ She honestly couldn’t comment, not having joined a dark guild before. Most of her time spent in the human world had been unpleasant at the start and since that unfortunate event it’d been filled with the freedom of wandering intermixed with time spent in “Paradise” when she eventually tired of people. Joining Infinity Hydra when she came back recently had been merely for a free bed when she heard about guilds and potential housing since Shade absolutely refused to camp, at least in traditional methods. Setting up every night would get tiresome however…

A random choice he claimed, but the answer didn’t really fit. People opted for such answers when they couldn’t yet see it for themselves, at least that’d been her determination some time ago as she continued to stare at the fellow with her magenta eyes. Slowly though they drifted down towards her plush friend, Shade moving the vanilla and mint rabbit into an upright position so she could stare into those polished, beady little eyes and that cute little three-shaped smile. ” ‘Random’ you say…but you felt ‘compelled’ to join a legal guild who instead perhaps…toes the line a bit? I don’t think it’s random at all: I think you just don’t understand the side of you that opted out of that path of life. It’s understandable though as people don’t always, fully comprehend the reasons behind their actions and often devolve to “gut instincts” or “random” and even other simplistic, veiled reasoning.”

Her voice had lost the playful tone to it as she seemingly started a staring contest with the rabbit rather than the man before those orbs returned to him. ”So tell me…why do you think you chose legal instead? Because you speak with such simple reasoning…but I don’t think you truly operate on it, you just haven’t thought hard enough about it yet. Like your magic: anyone can see it’s easily a destructive type magic, but that’s only if you go the easy route because destruction is always the easy route. Building, repairing – those are harder and require more skill. You could likely pull blood from a body, but could you command it to instead increase healing? Invigorate the body to perform better? Who knows, maybe even more simply use control over it to pull someone out of harm’s way or use it to shield them harm without killing them in the process? That is, assuming you aren’t able to conjure from some pocket dimension source or unable to use a nearby killed animal’s blood instead. They might be trickier methods, require more training and finesse, but not wholly unrewarding either I suppose.” Shade then shrugged and admitted, ”I’m just playing with possibilities mind you…I can’t honestly claim to be much better if at all.” After all she’d often absorbed the living into Paradise, damning them into becoming a part of her creations just as much as the souls and lives who wandered in there freely.

Nothel sighs, giving her a scowl. "I do not know why I chose a legal guild because of the sins I have committed. I can use my magic for helping, yes, but I have barely tried to develop that side of it. I can control the blood in your veins so it ruptures out of you and explodes and kills you from the inside out. I can poison you with my own blood, since it is cursed and poisonous to anyone else but me. I had murdered a total of fourteen people, only one of them wasn't in cold blood. Two of those were my adopted parents. They treated me fine, I just didn't like them. Six of them were because I wanted to steal what they had to better myself. The others are just because I didn't like them...That is why I find it weird that I felt compelled to go to a legal guild. Even though a dark guild was perfect for me." he takes a breath, returning to his stoic look, watching Cielle carefully.

Pondering what could’ve turned his blood poisonous Shade listened to the man expel his “sins” of sorts. ’He still knows the number of lives he’s taken…I lost count between those on purpose and those…”accidental”…I’m a little envious.’ Fingers tapped against the table as she considered this new bit of information, eyes drifting down to stare at the back of Desa’s head as he continued his little “stuffed” animal routine: looking cute, adorable, and innocent as all heck. Sure she could vocalize her instances of taking lives, compare kills or try to “sympathize” – if one could in this instance – and the list went on of what Shade could do…

”So…did they have anything good?”

Callous as the words may be too many is remained an honest question. If he’d wanted it, had it been out of necessity or pure desire, and if pure desire then was it worth it? Was it good? If it turned out to be simple junk she might experience some disappointment, but at least there’d been some gain aside for the sheer joy of killing so…surely that accounted for some small counter-measure? ”I mean, I could try to expound upon how deep down some small part of you wants to make amends for these “sins” or “crimes” or whatever you wanna call them…but I feel like that’d be boring honestly. And maybe they’re not a part of what you want to gain out of joining Black Rose? Maybe some part of you simply wants the protection from the law, to take advantage of being a part of a legal guild or maybe some small part of you wants to try out the ‘good’ life whatever that might involve…but it sounds like you’re still struggling with the answer so it’s all gonna end up as speculation anyways.” Thus she shrugged and repeated, ”So: did they have good loot?”

Nothel savagely grins as Cielle appeals to the more, insane part of him. "Of course they had good loot on them, I wouldn't have killed them for it if it wasn't. One night I made 28000 jewels selling goods on the black market. Twas some jewelry with a large red ruby in it. It was quite spectacular and sold for a good price."

She had mentioned maybe trying to comfort him, but went off that topic. Appealing to his more murderous insane side was always more fun. Though...there were two kills he couldn't get off his mind..

Well it worked at least, may not have been in the big leagues but allowed him some nice things for a spell so Shade nodded as he bragged a little. Shade couldn’t exactly fault him as the girl did enjoy nice things here and there, but unlike him the ageless teen sported more time to accumulate things in a casual nature, a home of sorts crafted in that other realm she’d been tied to ages ago. Her gains from death bordered more on the necessity of the life over what goods they owned…

Yet he’d mentioned in passing that one life stood out amongst the rest. It hadn’t been his adoptive parents, already mentioning killing them purely for not really caring or liking them as well as other’s. ”And the one that wasn’t in cold blood? What’s the story with that one?” It could’ve been out of necessity, his life or their’s, yet at the same time she supposed it could’ve been for some other reason. ’A bounty or contract? Hmm…but could that be considered as a part of killing in cold blood…surely it wasn’t for the sake of trying to protect someone else?’

Nothel did infact like to brag. And he would give a short reply to her question. "Tw'as a job. Murderer was on the loose and the guy attacked me. Bloody nearly got me as well impaled me three times before I took the hulk of a man down. Laid there for hours unconscious after that fight, healing myself. Was pretty fun though, haven't been challenged that hard in a while. Except for well you maybe." He grins. His eyes showed...respect? Did he respect her for stumping him and making him nearly break?