Curtain Drops! [job][Private]

Hargeon Town, popular for it's location near the sea. Although it's fallen victim to a rather unfortunate fate because of it, the people still seemed cheery. They had recovered, if at least only mentally, from what once befell the town. Smiles could be seen all around and the sun was nearly setting outside. The cold winds of winter were stinging on everyone's faces as the few people still outside sought refugee either in their homes or one of the many inns. It had been a week since their last job, and since then Horatio had managed to pull charlotte into his ploy of forming a team. 'Team bravado' he called it, and with the pride of having thought of that name without really consulting Charlotte at all Horatio grinned as he walked with what he considered his pupil among the few people remaining on the streets.

Merely weeks ago he was only one of the most famous magicians in the realm, or so he thought. But now he had actually completed a mission with flying colors for once his self confidence had risen to a previously thought impossible level. It wasn't that he had grown more smug, just the fact that deep inside the sometimes self doubt Strange instilled had vanished. Well, to be exact most of Grave's personalities influence had been null the past couple of days. It was all Horatio in all of his splendid grandeur.

Now you might be wondering why team Bravado had gathered at this town. Horatio's purse was filled for once, instead of being empty because of reimbursements, so he felt the need to celebrate. Hargeon might have seemed like a bit of an odd choice to most people. Especially since he had no special connection to the Town. But that was exactly it, it was a place he hadn't performed yet. One of the few places on the planet he still deemed himself vaguely anonymous. Every now and then it didn't stop Horatio from hiding his face like he was some celebrity trying to enjoy his holiday though. His clothing style had slightly changed this time around as well. He wore a similar suit, but this time everything was black. He had definitely learned from his last rather greasy adventure.

Horatio, as his pride allowed it, was leading the two with a slightly hastened pace as he was determined to find a suitable place for the two to stay at. Was the girl even legal to drink yet? Probably not. Such thoughts clouded his mind as he glanced over a few inns and less respectable enterprises that wouldn't be befitting of neither his grand stature or the little girls innocence. It took him some time, a hour of scowering around to be exact, but finally he found a place that seemed below the radar enough to house a celebrity such as himself, yet casual enough to allow someone like Charlotte to enter.

It seemed like a small cafe hidden in the corner of some side alley. It seemed kind of hidden, but that was what drew Horatio towards it to begin with. The door was a simple piece of purple cloth, something that was regular in this region because of the restoration still fully going on. Hell some might say it had become a bit of a cultural thing, and some had even taken a liking to it. The insides of the establishment was surprisingly warm as Horatio held the cloth open for Charlotte to enter as well. There were only a few tables, and a few seats, but there was a large open fire near one of the corners leaking heat into the entire room. It was a pleasant change form the streets they had just left behind them. None the less, behind what appeared to be a bar stood an old man with grey hair. He could have been seen as almost as fancy as Horatio if it weren't for the fact his clothing looked like that of a proper bartender except for the fact it was ragged and damaged here and there. Nothing too suspicious for the region they were in though.

The rest of the room was dimly lit with a candle here and there, which caused the hearth fire from the corner to cast playful shadows on the walls opposite of it. Horatio didn't quite mind the rustic look though. Somewhere he even thought it was inappropriately romantic for the situation. At this point he didn't really the rest of the people in the room. There were only two besides the bartender anyways, which appeared to be some fellow in what could be considered standing adventuring gear. Cloth armor and swords at their waists. It might have alerted some people, but Horatio didn't care even a little. After all, he was the grandest mage of the Black Rose guild.    

As Horatio sat down on one of the bar stools he patted the one next to him, signaling to Charlotte to have a seat. After letting out a sigh of relief Horatio looked straight at the bartender and gave him one of his famous wicked smiles. ''Good evening lad, would you be as kind as to pour me and my companion a drink? I'll take a double whisky and she.. Give her something more suitable to her age, if you understand what I mean.'' . The bartender nodded without saying a word, and grabbed a whisky glass and a longdrink glass. He filled the whisky glass with what it was intended for, and filled the long drink glass with what appeared to be apple juice. Horatio smiled satisfied as he dropped a couple of jewels on the counter, enough to give a rather generous tip to the fellow, unbeknownst that the bartender had juist poured Charlotte an apple cider rather than juice.

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Horatio was humming a merry song as he seemed to be caught in some blissful thought until he heard the little Charlotte speaking up. Indeed, where they here for a reason? He had made some good money with their last mission, and he was in some definite need to unwind some. Downing his drink in one more go he patted Charlotte in the back and looked at her with a smile.

''Of course we are here for a reason my dear. We are here to celebrate. After all, we are a team now! It would be rude of me not to show my appreciation for you, my presumable most loyal fan, in some way or form. So consider the drinks on me. After all, we made quite some jewels on our last job, and we might as well spend it every now and then to get even the tiniest bit closer to each other..so, to our partnership!''

He signaled the barman to pour him another drink, and as he did so he downed it again in one go. Why was he drinking this much anyways? It might have been a tat excessive, but somewhere, deep down, there was the urge to do so. His little speech didn't go unnoticed by the other patrons of the bar either. Hearing 'a lot of jewels' even made them a bit on edge. Maybe they could swindle these two seemingly harmless fellows, either with wits or through old fashioned brutality, though they did notice that the individuals were talking about missions and getting paid for them. They couldn't risk it by just going at it right now. They both nodded to each other as they both left the bar to get reinforcements, bearing ill intent. In the meanwhile Horatio seemed hell bent on ordering more and more drinks, not because he necessarily wanted to, but someone did.

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Let's get this show on the road!

The member 'Strange' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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'Monster Dice' :

Whistles of stormy winds and a harsh night ahead of them raged outside the bar as the deserted streets became a host to the sound of many footsteps slowly closing in on the establishment. The men who left earlier had gained their reinforcements, and they came in the form of five men who looked like regular thugs, wearing tattered clothes and having scars all over, though none of those seemed particularly strong. Following behind the group were two seemingly more experienced fellows, being decked out in what appeared to be armor and wearing both a gun and a cutlass on themselves. They oozed the aura of experience, and anyone who was still traversing the streets quickly fled as soon as they came into sight. Apparently they must have had some reputation among the local population, and it sure wasn't the good kind.

Horatio, who was still indulging himself with the pleasure of alcohol was unable to notice the footsteps coming ever so slowly closer to his position. They weren't inside yet, but the empty streets made for an echo that could be heard if one were to pay attention. What Horatio was instead paying attention to was the bartender pouring him another drink. The bartender in question, with his black gelled back hair and well taken care of mustache had different plans in mind though. Knowing the situation quite well and realizing these two were valuable targets the bartender decided he might as well try and get a bonus for siding with the local criminals by slipping one of his sleep pills into Horatio's drink. Now most people weren't capable of noticing the quick and nimble manner at which the bartender skillfully dropped the pill into the drink, nor the way he managed to shake the glass just enough before putting it done to make it completely evaporate in time. But alas, Horatio was a master con artist at heart, and being able to discern visual deviations was one of his few talents that could be of any use ever. He noticed the pill, and just smiled at the bartender as he refrained from drinking it immediately like he had done in previous moments. It wouldn't be obvious after all if he just stopped drinking to take it easy after the already large amounts he had consumed already. Horatio wondered why the man would try and poison or intoxicate him with some kind of pill, and had to try his best not to call the man out on his devious acts already! It caused him to be on guard, but with his focus completely laid upon the bartender he was unable to notice that the five henchmen had already entered the bar, seemingly ready for a fight and trouble.

[Wordcount; 460]

As the thugs entered the bar they were capable of assessing the situation. Just like the guys said there were only two rather suspicious looking characters, though at least one of them certainly had the flair someone with a lot of money to spend would have. Even if he didn't have anything on him, little girls were often worth a fair amount in ransoms, and otherwise they could always execute other more devious plans. The bunch couldn't help but grin at this prospect of an easy money grab, though that very grin and a couple of chuckles among their crowd gave away their position to Horatio as he, though slightly intoxicated, looked back and saw the men. Now Horatio certainly didn't posses any kind of instinct or sense for trouble with his many ventures into windows and bar furniture alike, but he did became experienced in recognizing when such moments may arise and this was definitely one of them.

Standing up from his bar stool, deciding to let the occurrence with the bartender slide Horatio turned around with his own devious smile as he stared the bunch down. He couldn't help but let out a bit of a cocky laugh as he began speaking. ''I'm assuming you're not here for the lackluster whisky or the low quality apple juice are you? Now I hate to inform you of this small but crucial detail but someone like me, one of the best mages to have ever set foot into your little town, and I assume your establishment, have very little time to perform theatrics of which I'm not will yield anything else but resentment. You see, I do picture myself a hero of fame and fortune rather then some goody two shoes that goes around trying to just 'do the right thing'. So let me make things clear, we'll be leaving, or you'll be forcing me to do 'the bad thing' instead, alright fellows?''. He was cocky. Too cocky. Especially for someone possessing no magical might of his own and for someone who is infamous for losing duels he himself causes. Yet his words spoke true and were said which such confidence that even the thugs who had no moral standard began doubting whether they should engage this bluff. Sadly, the two experienced ones weren't quite as impressed, and one of them kicked one of the thugs over and barked ''GET ON WITH IT OR YOU'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME!". The voice sounded powerful and intimidating, way more than Horatio did. One last thought of damn I should learn how to do that occurred to Horatio before the thugs began with their movements.

One of the thugs grabbed a cutlass that was hanging on a sash around his shoulder and held it steady as he slowly approached Horatio, ready to strike at a moments notice. Two others weren't as cautious with Charlotte as they misjudged her as a easy target. They grabbed their knifes and charged at her, hoping she would be scared enough by such acts so they could subdue her without much of a fight. If they could do that there would be no need to fight the boasting one once they took her hostage. In doing so their movements became reckless and careless.

Horatio, unable to interfere with the two men heading towards Charlotte by the one thug that was on the steady against sudden movements was only able to watch the event unfold in the corner of his eyes, and was a tat amazed but mostly happy that Charlotte somehow managed to wrestle herself loose from her assailant. As she made her dash towards the entrance he knew it wasn't the time to become subdued by men like this. It wasn't even just because he wanted to ensure Charlotte's safety, but if he were to be defeated again and by thugs of this caliber none the less he would truly lose his confidence in his title of 'the best of the universe'.

And with that Horatio, or rather said Strange who resided in the back of his mind had a bit of a familiar feeling. ''Hurry up, at least make yourself SOMEWHAT useful!'' ''Try me ONE more time like that!'' ''YOU have been my biggest mistake!''. Horatio closed his eyes as he remembered the familiarity of the words he felt resounding in the back of his mind. But those days were long past, and he couldn't allow himself to revert back to that sorry state. They truly hated each other, Horatio Strange, and Strange hated Horatio back. They both resembled that which they hated the most, that which they lacked or hoped to be like.

Alas, Horatio wasn't allowed a lot of time to reflect on that, for the second thug that had tried to subdue Charlotte had gotten a new order. They were to forget about the small one for now, as they had noticed a fire, a rising passion kindling in Horatio's eyes.What made it more apparent was the fact that he had set a few steps towards the first thug on the ready without noticing it. Just another stage he thought to himself as he grabbed his cane and readied his grip with a resolution set on defeating the ones before him.

Utilizing the most of his reaction speed gained through years of practicing sleight of hand tricks he moved at the slightest of disadvantageous position the opposing thug took and slapped, using his Cane, the cutlass out of his hands. The thug in front of him only had a moment to have a glance at his cutlass was flying away as Horatio planted the heel of shoe in his face. Horatio wasn't taking chances and had followed up his cane with a backwards spinning kick.

The thug fell down on the ground immediately, having lost consciousness after the sucker punch, or rather said kick, just dealt to him. One of the two experienced slavers had a chuckle before the other nudged him back into shape. Horatio, being the man he was, wanted to make a statement of bravado yet was not allowed to as three more thugs conveyed onto his position. They were the remaining three seemingly capable of combat, as the one who held Charlotte earlier was still sitting on the ground, something must have shocked him quite badly.

This time around, the men weren't taking liberties and had their cutlasses drawn. The fight went over swiftly as the three were locked into combat. Swift punches, kicks and dodges were all that Horatio had in his repertoire and it appeared to be completely lacking in taking out his assailants. In tens of seconds the cuts were beginning to show. His clothes began to look more like loose rags, yet every cut was shallow for Horatio displayed a great sense of reaction speed dodging most of the strikes just barely. After having, by some force of luck been capable of knocking yet another thug out though at great cost, one of the experienced ones with the seemingly better gear raised his gun and shot Horatio straight in the side. No amount of mortal reaction speed or wits could have been capable of dodging it. Grasping the spot where the bullet had hit Horatio let out a quiet and suppressed grunt as he went down on one knee. Closing one eye unconsciously out of pain Horatio looked at where his teammate had went, and saw her standing in the door opening behind the experienced slavers, it seems he had drawn their attention out enough to make them, even if temporary, make them forget her.

Horatio smiled as he looked into Charlotte's eyes, the same as he would always do though with one eye closed, and spoke to her in his most Horatio like voice; ''Sorry dear, could you do me a little favor and go ahead to look for that restaurant you were referring to, I'll join y-you shortly'' . Horatio cursed at himself in his mind. He tried his best, and though in all actuality he wanted to shout RUN at Charlotte, he wouldn't go down looking like a fool. Like someone powerless. Yet his voice wasn't filled with the same confidence, he definitely tried, but somewhere around the 'you' point his voice had a small moment of cracking up, though he picked it up again at the next word.