† Helfershelfer † Johann

Fall had arrived with the splashes of autumn hues across some leaves, a scent so typical of the town rose around her, sharp salt and fish assaulting her senses. The uncouth nature of this town was evident from the way that she had been watching this place for three dawns and dusks yet the stench that needed cleansing remained. Early morning light glanced off the brim of her hat which she glared from under, when replying to the contractor she had been notified that this was no solo job and the frail old man would be pairing her up with another mage to complete the task. Glare and displeasure, they were not due to the possibility of a partnership but rather the lack of communication by the commissioner of this job, really now it should have been specified that any who took this offer alone would get paired up. Order was already lacking, the outlook for the job was dim.

Slim the folder in her hand held much information about this Olivia Sutton, it reminded her of times past, just getting handed a file and expected to complete the job to the upmost standered. The child was here now, the brief moments of structure she got were fleeting yet delicious. Finger traced lightly across the page, it was not a sight too odd for any stray citizens around. Although if one knew what they were looking for it would be a simple connection to make. The park bench she was seated on faced many of the entrances, she hadn't a clue which direction this unnamed accomplice would approach from yet the order had been simple, wait here: the bench under an acorn tree in east par, wait now: early morning of the forth week day. Then meet, and complete. It was doubtful the cleaning would be that simple, yet after brushing a stray leaf off her sleeve the page was once more most important. Notes scrawled in the corners about what she had learned herself alongside information which had been provided.

The early mornings of this woman were spent cooking, large batches of meals cooked at once in her home. It would be later distributed at lunch and again dinner, there was a slight gap in surveillance until early lunch when she started making her rounds, families in need, homeless. Those who needed to stand on their own two feet or be purged. Perhaps she was being a little too harsh towards those who were just slight stains. Focus on the larger marks Verosia, focus on those who needed to be purged. It was time to focus on this cleaning, she had been issued the order to wait here until some partner appeared. Who was it though? A woman winding her way through the hydrangea bushes, one of the couples with their children, or just a bystander, cautiously waiting in hopes that this was no mistake.

That one, he seemed off, she couldn't place it yet as her boots touched the ground and she rose from the bench the girls sky blue eyes latched onto him. A simple soft face among the dark uniform. "Excuse me sir, I'm waiting for someone. Does the name Olivia Sutton mean anything to you?"  Her head tilted to the side, questioning him. if it was a mistake she would just be another child waiting for a woman who was known to help others. if it were the partner? Well who would tell yet it would be amusing to see the reaction.

Dummkopf, the man before her just drew his eyes together, a thoughtful look crossing his face as if the name sounded familiar yet there was no initial reaction. A sound of thinking left him, the soft 'mmm' followed by a 'nope' and shake of the head. With a brief apology he simply rubbed the back of his head, a sign of slight discomfort before turning and returning from whatever crevice he needed to be purged from. Yet she worried not, for there was time, she could just return to her bench and let her eyes glaze over until someone approached her. A voice as unsettling as the speaker spoke from behind her, muscles stiffened slightly as it greeted her. Perhaps the hook she had initially thrown out to catch the first fish had snagged a second fish. A slight bounce in her step with questioning eyes brought her around to face the masked figure,  he was taller than her- no surprise yet it was the elaborate attire which brought a quirk to her smile. Many questioned her choice of clothing, a military uniform being rather strict for clothing in this nation yet at least it was- acceptable. Utilitarian uniforms were perfect, with normal shoulders. Not the odd shaped shell like shoulders this man before her had. She couldn't see the face behind the mask yet the voice was, soft. It was likely that this man was the one she was seeking, it would be best to hear him out. Legs at shoulder distance her hands folded behind her back she slid into a position of at ease, could he assist her in the endeavours? Well it depended which endeavours he mentioned, if it was Olivia Sutton then of course. yet she waited to fully hear him out. Vertrauensvorschuss "Yes actually, Pleasure to meet you Casus Belli, I'm Verosia." A moments pause as she considered their choices, after all if she gave too much away and this individual was not the one she was looking for it could cause, well confusion and a chaos that was less than satisfactory. His attire was certainly not of someone who was here on an early morning stroll, not to mention the appearance of this stranger right after she had mentioned the targets name.  "I'm here waiting for someone, you see I was put on a job with someone but we've never met before- I'm a cleaner!" Eyes slight and questioning as she spoke Verosia raised her brow slightly, she hadn't lied. Every word was true, she was a cleaner, yet not some garden cleaner or house cleaner no she cleaned

He seemed polite, well mannered as well which was a slight shock in comparison with his appearance, the clothing was rather, well not rugged it was well kept yet in no way was it formal. Almost eccentric something seen on the stage as a costume in a play. He wasn't weak by no means however, yet the attire did concern her, the people here had magic, not just the ability to use magical weapons but the innate magic withing, was his clowns or something, acrobatics magic with that circus like hood. Really now the civility of this country had degraded so much. This Casus did have manners, which meant even if not in presentation he was likely a formal person and like her would appreciate a more- concrete, confirmation that they were indeed working the same job together.

"See this old man approached me! He was suuuuper old though, I've never seen anyone with so many wrinkles! But then he told me that when he was younger he met this mage called Olivia from Lamia Scale. Well that place is dead now but he's old and he still thinks of her with lost of emotions and feelsy stuff right. He wanted to take care of her and all, which is really sweet but he's just too old to do it himself so he asked a couple of us to take care of this Olivia Sutton lady, shes pretty old by now as well!" Light, her voice childish as if she was at a festival the words were so easy to form. Yet it was with wide eyes that she looked up at the man, would he take it as an old man still in love with a woman? Or a deep seated revenge ridden grandfather, bent on destroying an enemy from long ago that had caused so much pain so then he could happily settle into the eternal slumber. Thats what death was after all? The matrons had said that when people died they just went to sleep forever, it did sound a little nice, forever resting in a nice warm bed.

Verosia, this Casus stated that it was an unusual name while winding a little compliment in it. That was rather kind of him yet unnecessary, if this was the person she was ordered to meet then there was no doubt that she would find a way to make the journey smooth. He had smirked lightly earlier, quirks of the mouth seen below the odd mask which covered the upper part of his face. He was an odd one, yet wasn't she the same? The way that this population worked was odd, mages coexisting with those who lacked power, indeed it would take getting used to, the rune knights wandering the streets with their amusing garb, this was just another oddity that would need placing under scrutiny later.

There is was again, a smile this time not quite a smirk. Was it normal to smile so often, according to one of he many books in Fiore it was associated with being happy, comfortable and a generally pleasant person. It did appear that way, Casus was polite in his speaker manner and addressed her as Miss Verosia. Although the young was a little annoying there was nothing technically wrong with it. "Perhaps" A gentleman perhaps, he offered a hand for her to take. The greeting an odd one but she accepted, odd indeed yet the path had been a good one for the duo to take otherwise they would be left stranded going around in circles until one admitted why they were here.

Telepathy, so there were those with the power here. A creature of habit she was, not listening with ones ears to a person speak seemed odd, new and unfamiliar the feeling caught her a little off guard. Olivia Sutton, yes indeed it appeared to be the same mission. Another change back to more familiar speech patterns followed as the fella indicated to a nearby bench, "Yes, lets" Seated carefully the feeling of a telepathic link had been a little disconcerting yet now knowing what to expect the young lady felt quite at home answering back through it.

Well what did she know, Olivia Sutton. 'Olivia Sutton is an elderly lady in her sixties, ex-mage of Lamia Scale she now lives a calm life. It is luck for us as she lives alone, our job being to only kill her without anybody noticing us. Contractor has asked for it to be personal although failed to specify how they want it to be personal.' Mind following the recent days she had spent following her and listening into conversations had lead onto a few discoveries. Although not as many as she would prefer. 'She wakes up early, just after dawn to spend approximately two to three hours cooking, extraordinarily she is a person with a positively kind heart. In between her cooking and lunch her schedule changes day to day, this would probably be the worst time as this is when she makes unexpected movements. At lunchtime she starts going around the homes of those in need and those who are homeless, starting east from her house and moving around the city.- I have a map should we need it.'

Would it be better to strike in the morning when she pours her heart and soul into cooking for those in need? Or in the evening. 'I have Chemicals on standby and will be able to cleanse any residue that we leave when ending her life. The body will not be hard to dispose of either. After her lunchtime rounds she is found to be in a local school, teaching the students anything from self defence to mathematics. This school runs from lunchtime until the evening, about seventeen hundred hours where she briefly returns home to collect the last of the meals she prepared that morning and distributes them. She has dinner with one of the families she delivers the meal to- this changes every time. but always returns home before 22:00.' Her says were mostly the same with the exception of her activities after breakfast and before lunch. 'Once she arrives home Olivia mainly just sleeps. We cannot kill her with others around so it would be best to do it either in the morning or the late evening. I do not know much about her fighting style or battle skills however.'

Eyes flickered up slightly to greet the shadowed mask in question, had he any information? Or any thoughts as she found one detail rather annoying, the request to make it personal. What were they supposed to go, kill her with her favourite frying pan? Bash her over the head with a schools text book or strangle her with some homeless mans shoe laces.

The compliment, it was appreciated. A slight warm feeling of satisfaction was set off within her, after all who didn't like it when those around them, yet this was not the appropriate moment to be getting all emotional. Her head had tilted slightly to 'listen' the input of speech straight into her mind was still an oddity to the girl, uncomprehendable almost this was not a method of communication she had come across before. He had listened carefully, that was a blessing atleast, "Yes she would be cooking about now, perhaps stay together for now unless we see someone who looks as if they may impede upon our work. May I question as to the range on this- link?" Helpful indeed, could it span cities, countries even? It would be helpful if the link could be turned on and off perhaps, then if the range was great then it would enable teams of warriors to track multiple enemies and be in direct contact without any time difference. The body was hers, the fight was his. This job would not be too hard for the duo, she hadn't heard of him before yet being new to the lands that was not unexpected. She could feel the strength that he had however, nothing to be humble about either it was what many kings looked for when choosing commanders. He seemed welcoming as well, flexible and happy to adept if she put forth a plan.

He spoke a lot, not that it was bad exactly more so an interesting note that would be fled away for the future. She let him finished, simply taking in the information happy to listen, he did not know much about the fighting style either. Hopefully it would not be problematic as she doubted that there would be a chance for them to learn about it, yet Casus seemed to have no qualms about the lack of solid information, perhaps he was simply a calm person. Either that or the man had no doubts about his own ability, foolish if one was weak yet if one was truly strong there was nothing wrong with confidence. It would have been odd to any watching, a man in some sort of geometric costume, withdrawing an amulet from his pocket, whilst a girl sat next to him, clad in military attire neither of them conversed from what the public eyes would have been able to see. An oddity indeed. He fixed one problem that had arisen however, the amulet was some special to her, it would work for completing the objective of killing her with something that was precious to this elderly mage. "We should get over to her house. The rest can be discussed whilst we move." They were currently wasting time, and whilst she was not paid by the hour now it still felt wrong to waste time.

With that she simply stood, a stray leaf brushed off before with a click of her heels the young girl teleported up to the nearest row of roofs. The buildings here ere often close to each other, most at the same height as well, a simple two story area of residence with houses which were similar. "Do not worry about my speed." short and brief the comment was precautionary, many in the past having thought that due to her being small in stature there was a lack of speed as well. Alas that was no so, for in many places she had visited a small child was ripe for being thrown in a cage and sold off, it was a smart idea to keep ones boots in good condition and have a couple of fähigkeiten, die in der Mobilität helfen. Yet the method of dealing with her life, how to end it with an amulet. "I have not planned ahead as to how we will proceed with ending her life. I am not much of a fighter unless I have to be so perhaps your.. Fähigkeiten are more suited to this moment?" Her face scrunched up slightly when she stumbled over the word, skill, abilities, strengths. Vergiss es! there were more important things to think about while running across a rooftop towards their destination

Focus on the rune and it vanished, yet while it remained the rune would allow them to communicate form any distance. A wonderful little piece of technology, well it was magic but all the same. Intriguing indeed, yet it was unlikely that someone had made something similar that worked without the use of the magical power. A slight smile, some form of emotion of Casus's face which he had not displayed before whilst in front of her, yet what had caused it had caught her attention. It had been a simple movement up to the rooftop, was it so surprising for people to have basic teleportation abilities in this land? Yet he said 'naturally' as if it were an obvious common thing. This experience was going to be one that left her with more questions than before as well as a bag of Euro, or whatever they paid people in here. Something silly wasn't it, jewels. Yes that was it, an odd thing indeed, there were still things that caught her off guard here. A small flowering bush caught her eye, someone had planted it in the top of an old chimney, the rich blooms flooding out the the chimney and onto the rooftop where it grew unhindered, ingenious really get plants should be in their proper places. In planters or small organised gardens.

He spoke it. She had noticed his slight change in pace yet assumed it was due to something else, so it was both the use of another language and the physical speaking that had brought a slightly shock across her. She was hearing him with ears now, a voice that was physical instead of magically implanted in her mind. A welcome change none the less however she did hope he would just choose a method of communication and stick with it, consistency was important after ahh, she had learned that many times over in the past. She mulled it over, the question being tossed around in her mind as she decided how to answer, it was not too common in Fiore indeed, he was the second she had come across who had knowledge of the language. She mused  softly the words mainly meant for herself yet they were spoken aloud, a soft hint of warmth held in her voice as if she were recalling a positive memory "Nein, du hast Recht, es ist nicht" She had to give him a proper explanation, yet did he speak it fluently or was he just vaguely knowledge in it?

Golden eyes flickered over as the conversation continued. "Ich bin neu in Fiore, ich habe diese Sprache fast mein ganzes Leben lang gesprochen." Had he spoke it often, perhaps this Casus was another historian that there were so many of here, just another dabbler in many tongues. She remembered the map of the city from how often she had looked it over the past few days, offering it to the other mage she motioned ahead to what had come into sight, perhaps another minute and a half away at their current pace it was the house. She would still be cooking if all was to plan. "Soon we arrive" He had used a rule on her wrist, she sent it a quick glance yet the symbol was not familiar to her, that being said there had been no sparkles glows or other indications of his magic when the man had teleported. He seemed fairy confidant so must have some amount of offensive firepower, did he use rune magic then? He had mentioned traps earlier too.

There was a question on her mind about how he planned to take care of Mrs. Sutton yet it would be both rude and unnecessary to ask when there was no doubt she would find out soon, it would be better to discuss tactics when they had a little more knowledge. It was odd, a feeling of being incomplete, uncentred, off balanced. There was still that prickling thought at the edge of her mind which she couldn't figure out how to banish. Why did they call the currency jewel when quite often it was digitally transferred or with paper notes.  

So he was the same, now that was interesting, yet perhaps the conversation would be best left to another time. Yet her blue hues rested on the masked man as he inspected the map with care, was it easy to view the world through a mask? Surely such restrictions around one of the primary senses was foolish, for no fighter would block his ears. This was another matter not to pursue. There had been many of those one she entered this place, how unprofessional would it be to ask a question such as that. Yet it was burning within, the curiosity as her brows drew together and mind recessed into that of a child, losing sense of maturity and focusing on the single idea which was swirling around. "You have currency is is called jewel yet when I'm not using my iLac to make transactions I'm given paper squares- notes. Paper currency when the name indicates it would be a gemstone, a jewel." Worded more as a statement the short one released a slight huff, realising that it hadn't been posed as a question. "Herr Belli do you know the reason for this oddity of a name being chosen for the currency here?" It was a rather rude break away from the mission, yet the concern had been weighing her down and she preferred that the matter be cleared up as soon as possible to prevent anything going askew during the main section of the mission.

His sight was indeed good, not only being able to read the map but being able to see through the walls of the building, she hadn't felt any magic being used yet the cleaner was not particularly adept in that area of her senses. Two options, well it was always good to evaluate all of the missions possible paths before breaching further ahead. Wait until the night time, many hours indeed and there would be little to do other than watch and follow, or he could teleport the two of them in, it would leave her with less time to deal with the remains yet that would not be hard. She had already arranged for there to be a large empty oil drum left in the back ally of the house, with that area being deserted she could quite easily dispose of the body in there with a could of corrosive catalysts before arranging for the drum to be picked up and taken back to storage. It was always such fun to add to the collection of bodies all canned up. "We shall enter now, it will not take long to deal with her carcass and I would prefer to get this settled quickly." A slight risk yet one she was willing to take, a slight remembrance from the earlier magic she tentatively offered a hand, he could teleport the duo in together somewhere out the way in the house. Once they were inside her eyes swirled with a slight gold as she started to summon a par of thick rubber gloves in a military green colour, "versuche und sei sauber, während du es tust, Ich will nicht mehr arbeiten als nötig" Briefly she spoke through the link whilst cladding her hands in protection, blood removal would be hard yet she was hopeful that the execution would not involve opening the stomach or a similarly odd tradition.