Fairy Tail RP

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

• Patch Notes •                 • New User Guide •                • Guild Information •

    The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Ahote
    Ahote

    Moderator- Main Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Coming Storms- Guild Master- Demon Slayer- Working Together- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Helper- Guild Creator- Achiever- Sticking Around- Loyal to the Bone- Dank Memer- Veteran Level 5- Veteran Level 4- Veteran Level 3- Veteran Level 2- Veteran Level 1- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Senior [500]- Novice [250]- Cookie Achievement- Cupcake Achievement- Rainbow- Villain- 1 Year Anniversary- Player 
    Lineage : Gold Rush
    Position : -
    Posts : 2244
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 10
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Age : 22
    Mentor : N/A
    Experience : 2,246,236

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Forbidden Flame Arts
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Ahote 2nd March 2019, 6:48 pm

    NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN DEVILS

    751/3,500 WORDS
    @Artemis Dagger
    + BG MUSIC
    Time for the intro REEEEE
    Boomslang—a club in Capital Crocus and the result of an investment made by the former mafia, the Tesoro Family. Now, this club was still a hit in Capital Crocus, and on almost every weekend and weeknight it was swarmed with crowds of women dressed in skimpy outfits, men dressed equally as messily, and was overall reeking with alcohol. It would've been foolish for any investor to close their deal now, so Ahote, the former Guildmaster of Basilisk Fang and previous Boss of the Tesoro Family, took what wealth that remained and kept investing into the club—and now it was his main source of income and livelihood.

    So most days were spent here at Boomslang, and the pretty-faced Ahote had hardly lived a lick of his former glory—if he could call it that. If he recalled, his time spent on Mt. Hakobe were bitter and far from glorious. If anything, they were just sequences of unfortunate events. Famine, his adoptive mother and also former Guildmaster of Basilisk Fang, had died a mysterious death, as did her secrets. Sol Terumi, his adoptive father, hadn't done any better. He had betrayed the guild and left, taking important members with him as well. And so, he had risen to power and only through coincidence and his apparent relation to his parents, but there wasn;t much glory in that either. There were modicums of comfort in that lifestyle when he had it, however. He had made deals with some of Fiore's most formidable mages and guilds like Mythica, Black Rose, and the whole lot of Fairy Tail. Several of his underlings like Iris Esperanza, Aeluri Atra, Theo Calathes and many others to name had stuck by him until the day he had disbanded the guild and their mafia. He and many others had made names for themselves during their time at Basilisk Fang, and it was the closest thing to glory that he ever experienced. But he wasn't the Coming Storm he was when he first earned the infamous title, and while he still holds it, it doesn't hold nearly as much of a grim weight when street folk might hear other Coming Storms.

    But titles were only but a biproduct of success in Ahote's book, and most days he had hardly thought about them except when a new infamous face would show up on wanted advertisements or the Sorcerer's Magazine. Days had been slow and lately he had been spending his time at Boomslang alone at the counters, drinking anything but alcohol, wallowing in a deep and drowning boredom. Lately, he had tried becoming a mercenary to diverge from his idle lifestyle, but it was far too different from his career as a terrorist and volumes less exciting. It would seem that this man was quite in a pickle as far as dark mages went.

    Today, however, Ahote hovered over his counter mulling over a letter with fine print scribbled in ink over its paper. Everything about it smelled and felt like it was of the highest quality, and it was sealed in a red wax, marked by no one or group in particular. It was a mysterious item with even stranger contents: "Ahote C. Laspor, we are pleased to inform you that you have been invited for preliminary testing to assess your aptitude in a special business venture. We have been following your career with a vested interest and believe you to be an excellent candidate to fill a vacancy within our organisation.

    Our organisation is made up of various men and women with goals and skills very similar to your own, and as such we will it is only in our best interest to extend this opportunity out to you. If you are interested, please meet one of our associates at Boomslang at 11:00 p.m. We hope to see you there."
    it would read. Of course, any sane person would've declined such an offer, but Ahote's life was far too boring and meaningless as it was to be in any position to decline anyway. So he closed down the club a little early just for this event, and even let his bartender take the night off for this reason.

    Ahote wore his usual well-dressed attire: a white dress shirt beneath layers of a suited attire in traditional black and white colors and textures, shiny black loafers and equally dark dress pants. He sat at the counter with a glass of water in his hand, resting at room temperature, staring at the letter expectantly.
    AND THAT'S SUCH A SHAME


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Artemis Dagger
    Artemis Dagger

    Alt Account- Alignment Shift- Gain An Artifact- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Guild Master- S-Rank- A-Rank- Wanderer- Working Together- Forever Solo- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Teaming Up!- Unknown Powerhouse- Unknown Legend- Guild Creator- Achiever- Obligatory Beach Episode- Sticking Around- Richie Rich- Rich- Veteran Level 1- Character History!- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Novice [250]- Player 
    Lineage : Descendant of Jagers
    Position : None
    Posts : 605
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 2,399,882

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Incubus Soul Takeover
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Artemis Dagger 4th March 2019, 9:52 am


    Ahote C. Laspor.

    This was an interesting recruitment, perhaps a little on the risker side. When Blanche had brought to his attention the severe lack of recruiting being done to fill the vacant spots in his guild; Artemis had felt nothing if not intense pressure. After all, it had been his employment as the Chairman of Hidden Blades that had resulted in the severe drop in Operatives. Loyal to his father and unwilling to work under new management. Artemis wondered if they would feel any different if they knew he was, in fact, the previous Chairman's son. He doubted it, it may have swayed a few minds, but the majority of those who had left would most likely still resigned. After all, it was clear to the Operatives that Artemis was much younger and much more inexperienced than their previous leader. How could he expect them to stay when they neither respected nor trusted him. So, he had been pulled into a meeting, following which his underlings had demanded that he come up with better means of recruitment. As far as he had been able to tell he'd been doing okay. Recruiting the likes of Shark, Troubadour, not to mention he'd even gotten Deleronark to join, which was a relief, to say the least. But it wasn't enough; they needed more significant numbers, experienced mages who'd worked in a similar field to his own.

    So he had gone off, brainstorm ways to figure out how to find members — getting in touch with his old criminal connections to find out any news of mages in need of work. That was when he heard about a certain guild that no longer existed. He couldn't remember all their faces, there were too many that day, plus he hadn't really paid much attention to the whole event. Back when he belonged to Black Rose, and his Guildmaster at the time had carried them all on her back to a particular guild in Mount Hakobe. So much potential, and now it was gone. The faces he did remember, were the ones he had ordered the Intelligence department to take a look at. Dig up any history they could on what they were capable of. There were clearly gaps in their knowledge, most likely due to the severe lack of staff in the Intelligence sector. But it was something. The first person he had decided to target was by far the most interesting. He had never actually spoken to him, only looked at him from across the room of the guild hall. He doubted the man would be able to pick him out in a crowd; they never exchanged any conversation at all, he was pretty sure the guy hadn't even glanced his way that day. But still, there was always the risk.

    Even so, to recruit a character list this, capable of running a criminal organisation like he had, well it was sure to benefit Hidden Blades in some way. He just had to convince him, and hope that this new item's magical abilities and voice changing mechanic was enough to hide who he was. The pros, in this case, outweighed the cons. It was just something he had to do, for the sake of Hidden Blades, and getting the weight off his back. He wasn't wearing his armour today; instead, he was trying a new product. A prototype that was given to him by his father, something he was to test out and if effective was to distributed into the guilds arsenal. It was a ring on his finger, a casual silver band; however, it had the ability to change his appearance. The twenty-two-year-old red-head now resembled a man in his forties. With black hair and blue eyes, his skin was deeply tanned and his skin quite wrinkled. He stepped up to the bar; he had been here before a few times. As for himself, he was quite the regular, but in this guise, he was a stranger. Memories of when he had met a hot little red-head during a dance competition floating in his mind. He certainly missed his old life.

    The club was quiet, in fact, if anything it looked closed. But still, Artemis pressed his hand against the door, pushing it open. It was dead, completely dead; they must have closed it early. Interesting, at least they could talk in private. Artemis stepped inside, allowing the door to shut behind him. He spotted him, sitting at the bar, a glass of water in front of him and the recruitment letter in hand. He made his approach, pulling up the chair next to him, the disguise he wore was fitting in a long white shirt, and black trousers. It was a simple attire, because what else did you need when making an offer like the one he was about to.

    "Evening, Ahote." He said, his voice sounding much deeper than it normally did, a voice to match the guise of the middle-aged man he appeared to be. "I see you have our letter before we start. Are there any security cameras on? Forgive my caution, but this is a business so I imagine such devices would certainly be fitted in such an establishment and I can't allow the risk of incrimination to occur once I tell you my offer." It wasn't that he planned to reveal too much about the guild anyway, but just enough to hopefully pique the man's interest. Even so, he had to cover his tracks; he sincerely hoped the man wouldn't lie. That would create a problem for both of them.

    WC: 936 / 3500



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Ahote
    Ahote

    Moderator- Main Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Coming Storms- Guild Master- Demon Slayer- Working Together- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Helper- Guild Creator- Achiever- Sticking Around- Loyal to the Bone- Dank Memer- Veteran Level 5- Veteran Level 4- Veteran Level 3- Veteran Level 2- Veteran Level 1- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Senior [500]- Novice [250]- Cookie Achievement- Cupcake Achievement- Rainbow- Villain- 1 Year Anniversary- Player 
    Lineage : Gold Rush
    Position : -
    Posts : 2244
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 10
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Age : 22
    Mentor : N/A
    Experience : 2,246,236

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Forbidden Flame Arts
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Ahote 4th March 2019, 5:33 pm

    NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN DEVILS

    1,173/3,500 WORDS
    @Artemis Dagger
    + BG MUSIC
    Time for the intro REEEEE
    The hour had finally arrived and the guest who said to meet here had also arrived with it. It was a middle-aged man dressed rather plainly with only black trousers and a long white shirt, not drawing much attention even if he held a gun with him. But this was only to be expected since the anticipating Ahote figured that this offer wasn't one for mages without a muddy history following them like shadows. Why else would someone seek out a Coming Storm? Why dirty the fingers of clean hands when there are others drenched in the soil already? Surely not to do the work of any other mercenary!

    Discreetness was key to many of these kinds of men and a priority to those who enjoyed their lifestyle without conflict or opposition. They did everything they could to conceal their true selves when they could and many of these kinds of people valued control over everything else. So, if this middle-aged man turned out to be anything but that, or maybe even a woman of all things, it wouldn't come to much of a surprise to Ahote. Even he himself did not look like how he did when he was expelled into the world.

    The man pulled up a seat next to him and their exchange began almost instantly. Many of the formalities were given at the beginning, like the evenings, "glad you could make its," and others like the sort. He mentioned the cameras and Ahote was certain to have turned them off during these hours as it was not uncommon for him to have equally ne'er-do-well guests after closing anyway, and he prevent any self-incrimination if he could. So in a tone like a friend's, he answered. "Ah yes, they are off. I wouldn't incriminate myself either, would I?" Ahote half-jested. He was his usual solemn self, not allowing too much room for jokes and joviality. But since he disbanded his mafia and guild, he felt a sudden liberation come over him that had still not left. He'd embrace his childlike mannerisms and behaviors like he would sharing drinks with his old lot, and his crooked, rigid demeanor became more open and friendly despite his atrocious behavior in every other thing.

    "Would you like anything?" he offered. While Ahote himself did not drink alcohol, he was competent enough to know how he organized his own club and how to read labels. Understanding his workplace and operating it whether he was there or not was one of his specialities, he figured.
    AND THAT'S SUCH A SHAME


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Artemis Dagger
    Artemis Dagger

    Alt Account- Alignment Shift- Gain An Artifact- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Guild Master- S-Rank- A-Rank- Wanderer- Working Together- Forever Solo- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Teaming Up!- Unknown Powerhouse- Unknown Legend- Guild Creator- Achiever- Obligatory Beach Episode- Sticking Around- Richie Rich- Rich- Veteran Level 1- Character History!- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Novice [250]- Player 
    Lineage : Descendant of Jagers
    Position : None
    Posts : 605
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 2,399,882

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Incubus Soul Takeover
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Artemis Dagger 9th March 2019, 6:26 am


    Artemis listened to the man response regarding the security cameras. He nodded, satisfied with this answer, it didn't seem like he was lying. It made sense, and at least they could move on to the matter at hand, his recruitment. It was strange to have to behave so cautiously, the last time he had been in this mans presence he had been himself. The carefree youth who loved to drink and party all of the time so much had changed. Now he was a guild master with actual responsibilities. Responsibilities that if weren't handled correctly, would likely result in his own demise.

    Ahote offered him a drink; he considered it for a moment. Boy, did he want a drink? He rarely got to enjoy any alcohol these days. It had been a dry month for the Dagger heir. All of his free time was being entirely consumed by his job from initiating members, recruiting candidates, juggling responsibilities and doing paperwork. His life seemed pretty non-stop lately. In some ways, he had noticed that he was starting to enjoy certain parts of it. The authority, the way people didn't seem to judge him on sight. Mainly because they couldn't see him, nor did they know who he was. But still, it was nice not to be looked down on because you didn't fit the quota of what society expected of you. Yet, as he considered the offer, he shook his head. As much as he wanted it, it was best to stay level headed in this scenario. "No, thank you." He declined. He cleared his throat, figuring now was the best time to get straight into it. There was no point wasting any time.

    "The organisation I belong to. We are a discretionary business that has a tendency to handle matters that our clients would prefer not be handled by the general authorities such as legal or independent guilds, or the Rune Knights. The work they request of us is design to be effective but leave no trace; often it can be unpleasant or unsavoury. But the impact that we have tends to be anything from minor to monumental. Our goal is to serve our clients needs to the best of our abilities without the knowledge of the public; we are what you might consider a 'shadow organisation'. To the outside world, we don't exist, but we play our part, pulling strings and making changes according to our client's requests. I've seen what you are capable of Ahote, and I personally feel, you would be a valuable asset to us, which is why I'm offering you employment. You can work with us, under an alias of course. There will be no association with your actual life and your life in our company; only I need to know who you are." He stopped, eying the man to see how he would react, was his interest peaked? Or was Artemis flogging a dead horse? The man had after all been the guild master of Basilisk Fang. Would he care to be an agent in a secret organisation? Unfortunately, Artemis didn't know enough about the man to predict his response.


    WC: 527
    Total: 1463 / 3500



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Ahote
    Ahote

    Moderator- Main Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Coming Storms- Guild Master- Demon Slayer- Working Together- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Helper- Guild Creator- Achiever- Sticking Around- Loyal to the Bone- Dank Memer- Veteran Level 5- Veteran Level 4- Veteran Level 3- Veteran Level 2- Veteran Level 1- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Senior [500]- Novice [250]- Cookie Achievement- Cupcake Achievement- Rainbow- Villain- 1 Year Anniversary- Player 
    Lineage : Gold Rush
    Position : -
    Posts : 2244
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 10
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Age : 22
    Mentor : N/A
    Experience : 2,246,236

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Forbidden Flame Arts
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Ahote 10th March 2019, 1:28 pm

    NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN DEVILS

    1,694/3,500 WORDS
    @Artemis Dagger
    + BG MUSIC
    Time for the intro REEEEE
    Ahote was rather disappointed to hear the man decline his offer since it had been a while since he was able to prepare a drink for someone. It was just practice, really. The ability to do and give the things people enjoyed most, like a specific drink or their red meats prepared a certain way, was a value that people like Ahote cherished. It was the gateway into garnering connections and "special treatment."

    He never wanted to be a leader or someone people went to for questions or answers or anything of the like, but deeply enjoyed the idea of simply assisting or indulging someone who was. The optimal suck-up or kiss-ass, if you would. It's what he did in his youth with both Sol, Famine, and all of his other superiors in Basilisk Fang. Of course, it wasn't nearly as lovely of thought then as it is now. But no sugar is sweet when it's forced into your mouth—only when one's own hands control the spoonful does it truly become delectable. Ever since he disbanded Basilisk Fang and his mafia, he began to romanticize the idea.

    When the man continued to explain his offer, the hazel-eyed Ahote had already decided to join, and any exchanges between the two afterwards would only be badinage or just him humoring the man as solemnly as he could. There were also some things that crossed his mind as the man spoke. Some things that didn't necessarily make much sense. Ahote, with the same ginger smile as before, tapped his fingers against the countertop, "I'm flattered to hear that!" he smiled again toothily, "But it sounds to me like you all are just mercenaries who hide their tracks a bit better than the standard kind," Ahote began to sigh wearily and fold his arms over the counter now, one hand still caressing the glass of water and swishing it to and fro to watch its contents wave back and forth, "this and being a shadow organization. If yours are unknown to the outside world, only those on the inside know of you, am I wrong? And surely the outside is much larger than this inside, and such a place would have only a handful of clients who request for your group's services specifically, as opposed to any other mercenary. In other words, it's safe to say that ordinary mercenaries would have more clients and leverage over their requests than your organization, all while doing your job at an equal or even better level since all it takes to cover up one's tracks thoroughly is a note requesting that one does."

    Ahote said all that in several continuous breaths, but it all appeared to be one, and he spoke rather matter-of-factly. This organization, which he knew not the name of, didn't appear to have anything besides their thorough covering to give them an edge on the everyday mercenary. He'd join regardless. "Ah, but, to put it plainly," Ahote frowned as he turned to look at the man, anticipation smeering over his expression, "what can your organization offer me that I cannot get elsewhere with greater convenience?"
    AND THAT'S SUCH A SHAME


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Artemis Dagger
    Artemis Dagger

    Alt Account- Alignment Shift- Gain An Artifact- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Guild Master- S-Rank- A-Rank- Wanderer- Working Together- Forever Solo- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Teaming Up!- Unknown Powerhouse- Unknown Legend- Guild Creator- Achiever- Obligatory Beach Episode- Sticking Around- Richie Rich- Rich- Veteran Level 1- Character History!- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Novice [250]- Player 
    Lineage : Descendant of Jagers
    Position : None
    Posts : 605
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 2,399,882

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Incubus Soul Takeover
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Artemis Dagger 15th March 2019, 1:28 pm



    Artemis had been prepared for questions, he always was. Although he had been surprised how little people actually asked when he was recruiting them. Often, folks agreed so easily he wondered if they were really worth hiring. The simplicity of just taken a 'shady' position such as the role of an undercover agent in an organization like this. But then again he wasn't dealing with just any recruit, the man wasn't just another worker bee looking for a payout. He wanted to know more, and Artemis respected that. His first comment, caused Artemis to smirk slightly. It did seem that way didn't it? Perhaps Mercenaries was a better way to look at it, at least Artemis felt so. But his perspective of the guild was unfortunately not so pleasant, the term mercenary seemed so 'noble' to him, yet there wasn't really anything 'noble' about what they did. Not in his eyes at least. But still, he had to embrace it, and sell it for what it was worth. So that was what he would do. He took a breathe, the next question he would need to addres 'carefully'. While he wanted to recruit this guy, he couldn't risk telling him too much information on the guild. Were he to say 'No', it would potentially put them in jeopardy.

    "Whilst I cannot explicitly tell you names, I can tell you this. our Clients do not contact us directly but through shelf companies, created by us. Clients know us by various different names, aside from the one we actually exist by. So although they know that they can put requests into this 'companies' and have certain jobs completed for then, they by no means know who is actually doing the job for them." He explained, "So if anything, our client-base is not sourced by one faction, but many. I can assure you, there is no shortage of work for our members." He added if anything the guild master could do with less work. Sitting here trying to recruit this guy was about as close to a break as he had gotten in a while. The guild was pretty non-stop from his perspective, have been around for a long time, they had to accumulate a great deal of clientele through the 'fake companies' that had been created for that purpose. That brought them around them to the man's next question, an important question at that. The offer he was really making, what would it be that would sell it to him. Artemis thought for a moment, before speaking once more, beginning with his own question.

    "Have you ever felt stuck? Like you're floating from moment to moment, trying to exist somewhere, only to have it either ripped from under your feet or to learn that you never belonged there in the first place?" He asked the ex-guild master, he wasn't sure just how much he would be able to relate. But it was the only thing Artemis could think of, describing his own experience in hopes it would help him understand why it was worth joining. "Well, I have, and quite frankly it's nice to have some ground under my feet. If it's glory and fame you want, then this company cannot help you. Our members live their normal lives and work under aliases to protect them from a repercussion that comes along doing our kind of work. If you join us, you wouldn't be 'Ahote C. Laspur', but whoever you chose to be. Sometimes, when individuals are particularly skilled at doing our kind of work, they fall into factions that do not protect them. Their lives become stained with the work they'br done, and they become targeted by those who find this... unacceptable. Except that doesn't happen with us, because the people we become when we do this work, well technically they don't exist. They are shadows, and therefore cannot be touched." He shrugged, thinking about how to continue, he didn't want to ramble on for too long. Else he may risk boring the guy and losing his interest entirely. He needed to wrap this up, and so he continued.

    "Honestly Ahote, more than anything, what I found this place to be, is a fresh start. An opportunity for an experience that rivals anything you would find elsewhere. So let me ask, are you by any means interested?" He asked looking at the main with a stoic expression. He figured he had said enough at this point to warrant confirmation, it was only going to go two ways. Either the man would say 'no' and Artemis would leave, crossing him off of his list and disappear from the man's life without a trace. Or he would say yes, and so would begin his membership within Hidden Blades. Artemis knew what outcome he would prefer to be the result, after all failure wasn't something the man enjoyed. If he went back to the guild empty handed, then it would just go to add to the Directors suspicions that he wasn't up to par. Even if he hadn't wanted to take over this guild in the first place, didn't mean he wanted it's members to look down on him. He'd just about had enough of that for one lifetime.

    WC: 876
    Total: 2339 / 3500



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Ahote
    Ahote

    Moderator- Main Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Coming Storms- Guild Master- Demon Slayer- Working Together- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Helper- Guild Creator- Achiever- Sticking Around- Loyal to the Bone- Dank Memer- Veteran Level 5- Veteran Level 4- Veteran Level 3- Veteran Level 2- Veteran Level 1- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Senior [500]- Novice [250]- Cookie Achievement- Cupcake Achievement- Rainbow- Villain- 1 Year Anniversary- Player 
    Lineage : Gold Rush
    Position : -
    Posts : 2244
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 10
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Age : 22
    Mentor : N/A
    Experience : 2,246,236

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Forbidden Flame Arts
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Ahote 22nd March 2019, 12:00 pm

    NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN DEVILS

    2,265/3,500 WORDS
    @Artemis Dagger
    + BG MUSIC
    Time for the intro REEEEE
    Ahote didn't expect any less of an informative response from the man, but he never expected to outsmart him either. Again, he had already resolved to join their company, but as their discussion progressed further and further into particulars and nuances between them and mercenaries, his curiosity became genuine. He didn't like the idea of shadow organizations—it wasn't meant for attention seekers or showy people like many of the kinds of folk he surrounded himself with just in his recent days, but it was refulgent with comfortable living. A steady check fed to them without a sorry soul knowing a lick of what they were doing. Ahote could instantly see how the life appealed to others.

    But there were other things that struck him curious. Now this man's appearance was most clearly a facade in some shape or form, for a man who wouldn't introduce themselves and their names would never display their true form if that's where their insecurity lie. Working in the shadows, everyone branded names different from the ones they lived with, never "technically" existing. It was difficult to tell what was truth and what wasn't, and incredibly easy to perpetuate and spread lies and misinformation. Ahote began to wonder just how much of their contracted underlings' lives were protected. It was awfully unnerving.

    "Very good then, but I have some other inquiries. You won't mind, would you?" Ahote asked this politely at first but went ahead to his questions anyway, "I understand that you all are a shadow organization, but it's awfully odd that you'd come to people without so much as giving your name. . . and yet knowing so much about individuals. Not even a piece of writing. . ." he continued on softly, sharply. His words were paused and paced as if he were hopping from stone to stone across a large and still river in which its quietness could rupture at any moment. Information gathering wasn't difficult if done by the dedicated and persistent, and Ahote wasn't any less surprised when he'd find out that the man knew so much of him—he was a Coming Storm, after all. But his question addressed something more pressing. "Your company specializes in the secrecy and privacy of its members in order to protect them and their identities, but who'll protect them from you? So far, there's nothing but your word to work with here, sir. For all I know, I could be joining some Girl Scouts—is this some ambitious recruitment for some of your famous cookies?" Ahote burst into waves of high, dry giggles. The thought amused him and he'd join even sooner if it proved true!

    "This whole. . . happening—yes, a happening since wouldn't dare call it a business meeting—seems just grossly suspicious even for a dark mage!" a cheeky smile broke his placid expression and threatened to send him into a roar of giggling again, but he resisted and instead choked on laughter in between words and cupped a hand over his lips to help hide his smile, "I understand that this all just a thorough way to save face—to protect your own privacy! But I'm wonder how in the hells you get people to join you when they don't even know who you are!" It was true that this company seemed to pose more of a threat to their members than the public itself, but Ahote was still determined to join anyway.

    AND THAT'S SUCH A SHAME


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Artemis Dagger
    Artemis Dagger

    Alt Account- Alignment Shift- Gain An Artifact- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Guild Master- S-Rank- A-Rank- Wanderer- Working Together- Forever Solo- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Teaming Up!- Unknown Powerhouse- Unknown Legend- Guild Creator- Achiever- Obligatory Beach Episode- Sticking Around- Richie Rich- Rich- Veteran Level 1- Character History!- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Novice [250]- Player 
    Lineage : Descendant of Jagers
    Position : None
    Posts : 605
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 2,399,882

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Incubus Soul Takeover
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Artemis Dagger 30th March 2019, 3:31 pm



    It seemed that the man was satisfied with Artemis's answer, which was good. However it didn't seem like it would end there. He didn't answer Artemis's question about whether he was interested. But instead would continue with his own questions. It seemed that Ahote was still somewhat suspicious of Artemis, or at least that's what his words reflected. Again, it was a valid point. He made a reference about girl scouts, and giggled at his own joke. He was much more playful than Artemis expected a man of his history to be, but then what did he really expect of a openly dark mage. When he was done, Artemis eyed the man, thinking his answer. He certainly was clever, and his words were like a picklock, carefully attempting to pry more truth from Artemis. Were he able to be himself, he probably would've enjoyed hanging out with the man. But instead, he had to remain guarded, for the sake of himself and the task he was bestowed as Guild Master. He reached up, running a hand through the dark locks of the man, whom he was disguised as. His expression was thoughtful, as though he was contemplating the best way to explain things to the man sat next to him.

    "I've never thought to ask my agents why it is they join our company, I only ever ask if they'd like to. However if I had to take a guess why they don't question my identity, I suppose it comes down the simple exchange. I offer them work, money and freedom from consequence, and they instil they're trust in me." His dark eyes would meet the man across from him, his expression stern as he continued. As much as he had not wanted to take up this role, he had grown to understand it very well. The responsibility it came with, how much was at stake, if the man made one mistake. It could crumple away, and the devastation it would leave in it's wake was stupendous. He could ruin his family, everything they'd built. Dagger Corp would be torn apart, and the crimes they'd committed in the shadows would all come to light. As much as Artemis loathed the ways of the Dagger family; even he did not wish that upon them. Then there was a matter of the guild itself, all the individuals that had agreed to work with him and what they'd put on the line.

    "You see, it's not just my privacy on the line, but the whole system. If I was exposed, then so would the company, and as a result everyone in it. There is a mutual understanding that if I am to protect them, then I need to protect myself first." He explained, he sat back a little. There were obviously contingency plans in place, if the guild were exposed beyond repair then the guildhall would self-destruct, and all sensitive information along with it. Then there was a team prepared to deal with the guildmembers, and ensure their silence until the next step was decided. Then there was the affiliated 'shadow companies', and all their employees, which would need to be handled. When Artemis had read those protocols, he had realised just how important it was that this didn't happen. He in no way wanted to put that action plan into place, he didn't think he could stomach it.

    "It may seem absurd to think people would take such a risk but then what is opportunity without risk. It is just a matter of exchange. I can assure you, I've had no complaints so far." As it said to him, it occurred to him that he never actually asked his father about his reign as Guild Master of Hidden Blades. He didn't actually know how he had led it, instead, he'd just taken it in his stride. He knew that Lucarius was greatly respected by the older members of the guild, but there was also a deep layer of fear too. Was that how Artemis wanted to lead? Not really, but then again, he was still figuring it all out - this 'leadership' thing.


    WC: 692
    Total: 3031 / 3500



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Ahote
    Ahote

    Moderator- Main Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Coming Storms- Guild Master- Demon Slayer- Working Together- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Helper- Guild Creator- Achiever- Sticking Around- Loyal to the Bone- Dank Memer- Veteran Level 5- Veteran Level 4- Veteran Level 3- Veteran Level 2- Veteran Level 1- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Senior [500]- Novice [250]- Cookie Achievement- Cupcake Achievement- Rainbow- Villain- 1 Year Anniversary- Player 
    Lineage : Gold Rush
    Position : -
    Posts : 2244
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 10
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Age : 22
    Mentor : N/A
    Experience : 2,246,236

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Forbidden Flame Arts
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Ahote 7th April 2019, 8:41 am

    NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN DEVILS

    2,746/3,500 WORDS
    @Artemis Dagger
    + BG MUSIC
    Time for the intro REEEEE
    Business would be business and Ahote didn't expect any less from the man's answer, though he was hoping for a more interesting response. Like some elaborate method of instilling trust in their "employees," but it wasn't anything extravagent.

    Suddenly, his thrill vanished as the man continued to speak and a dull, pursed poker face tightened onto his expression. He began to swirl the liquid in his glass with small movements in his wrist and gazed into it with an almost disappointed face. "I see," were the only words that sighed from his lips and for a moment there was brief silence. But that silence was abruptly broken when he let himself, as if exhausted, drop his head onto his crossed arm, his chin resting roughly on his forearm. "The world's gone to shit, you know? I remember when I was just this cute little kid back down in Fairy Tail—I was in Fairy Tail when I was little—and look at me now!" another sigh escaped his lips, more exasperated this time.

    "Basilisk Fang's gone, Famine's probably dead, and I'm stuck here doing heinous side jobs—how'd my life turn out like this? Damn shame, isn't it? They can't even draw my face right on those "wanted" whatchamacallits. . . damn shame!" Ahote indignantly began to thump his balled fist onto the countertop enough for anyone who watched him to realize that it was him just pouting. He wasn't particularly upset with his lifestyle—he in fact quite enjoyed it—but couldn't help but release some sort of diatribe about it.

    Ahote rolled his head over from his arm to squint at the man with an accusing expression before finally tossing himself back up to an erect, appropriate posture and beginning to stare straight ahead of him with a depressed look in his eyes. "Ah. . . well, forgive me, sir. The busy days really pent up all kinds of grievances over time. Really wears on you sometimes. Maybe you'd understand—or maybe you wouldn't. I'd hardly put running a shadow organization in the same lot as running a club." he tapped his pointer finger on the countertop in an equal indignancy as before. But then, he returned from his tangent to look at the man again, "Well, anywho, besides the fact that there is some complete and total stranger in my club who's inviting me to do some heinous, vague things under some hidden indentity, everything seems wonderfully enticing. I'd love to work under your company." he grinned toothily, a grin that can only be attached to his face. When he was leading a terrorist group or running a mafia, Ahote Laspor was an agreeably pleasant man and rather humorous considering how solemn he was. "Well, really, I was going to join anyway regardless of your responses—but it gets so lonely around here, you know! Hardly anyone with any lick of interest comes about here."
    AND THAT'S SUCH A SHAME


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Artemis Dagger
    Artemis Dagger

    Alt Account- Alignment Shift- Gain An Artifact- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Guild Master- S-Rank- A-Rank- Wanderer- Working Together- Forever Solo- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Teaming Up!- Unknown Powerhouse- Unknown Legend- Guild Creator- Achiever- Obligatory Beach Episode- Sticking Around- Richie Rich- Rich- Veteran Level 1- Character History!- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Novice [250]- Player 
    Lineage : Descendant of Jagers
    Position : None
    Posts : 605
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 2,399,882

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Incubus Soul Takeover
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Artemis Dagger 14th April 2019, 6:31 am


    Artemis got the feeling the man was expecting a more exciting response. The way his face shifted, as he spoke he even looked a little disappointed. Artemis didn't know what to say. Perhaps things had been a little more excited when he was a guild master. But for Artemis, it really was all work and no play. There wasn't any exhilarating secret to what he did, it really was just a job. You worked, you got paid. the work was dirty, but it didn't affect what you did. You remained free of consequences, there wasn't anything else to it. He would continue, talking about his time in Fairy Tail. Artemis knew of the guild, having not long since gone to the festival held by the guild. They were an independent faction, although his family didn't generally associate with them much. So there wasn't much else he knew on them. Ahote continued to talk about the last of Basilisk Fang, and mentioned someone named 'Famine'. Who Artemis had no knowledge. Artemis reached over and patted the man on the shoulder sympathetically.

    "Sounds like a real shit sandwich." He commented bluntly, before lowering his hand once more as the man banged against the table. Artemis couldn't really empathise with the man, but he acknowledges that his experiences had at least been unpleasant. Artemis hadn't even wanted a guild, he had been forced into it. But he could only imagine the circumstances may have been different for the man next to him. Although Artemis wasn't entirely sure, Ahote was proving to be a more curious character than he first realised. A little more whimsical than he had expected of someone with the experiences he had. It made him hard to read, Artemis couldn't tell if he was being real or if the man was attempting to toy with him. It was better to keep his guard up for now.

    The man continued once more, talking about his own grievances. He remarked on Art's potential to understand, the Chairman's eyes would narrow a fraction. It wasn't the comparison of the difference between running a shadow organization to a club that irked him. It was the almost assumptive attitude it reflected, that Artemis may not be able to grasp the man's suffering due to his own position. In Art's mind, his own like had been a neverending influx of shit, that fate it seemed had no favour for the boy and more often than not he was slapped with the harsh truth. That life simply was not fair. Had Artemis been able to be himself, he would've chewed him out. But Alas, he couldn't do that. He had to remain, professional after all.

    The man circled around once more, summarise the experience he was undergoing, to finally give Artemis an understanding of where he stood on the matter. Artemis's felt himself relax something, at the very least. All of his efforts had not been wasted. He could go back to the Directors with some good news. Perhaps a few of the other acquaintances he had come by would also be a success. The man would only hope so, anything to get them off his back. "I am glad to hear that." He replied. The man continued to tell him that he had planned to join in spite of what Artemis said. Artemis cocked an eyebrow, so he had been toying with him. Although his reasoning for doing so was a little more innocent that Artemis anticipated. If that was the real reason.

    "In that case, I will get in touch soon for your initiation. Hopefully, we'll be able to liven things up a little for you." Artemis remarked, grinning at the man. "Thank you for meeting with me Ahote, it had been... enlightening. For now I will take my leave, I have some paperwork to attend to." Artemis climbed off of his stool. With a nod, he moved towards the door of the bar, as he reached it, he paused.

    "You said earlier, about how odd it is for me to be able to recruit so many people without so much as giving my name. As true as it is, I recieve no complaints about the name by which they know me. Should you truly end up in our ranks, then you'll know me as The Chairman. Arrogant isn't it?" He commented with a chuckle, "I suggest you think of an alias too, but until then, see you soon. Ahote." With that Artemis pushed open the door of the club and stepped into the night. Making his back to the guild, a satisfied grin on his face. Finally, a job well done.




    WC: 778
    Total: 3809 / 3500
    Group Total:  6555 / 7000



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Ahote
    Ahote

    Moderator- Main Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Coming Storms- Guild Master- Demon Slayer- Working Together- Christian Minecraft Server- I Have Friends...- Helper- Guild Creator- Achiever- Sticking Around- Loyal to the Bone- Dank Memer- Veteran Level 5- Veteran Level 4- Veteran Level 3- Veteran Level 2- Veteran Level 1- Magic Application Approved!- Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Obtain A Lineage!- Join A Faction!- Senior [500]- Novice [250]- Cookie Achievement- Cupcake Achievement- Rainbow- Villain- 1 Year Anniversary- Player 
    Lineage : Gold Rush
    Position : -
    Posts : 2244
    Guild : Hidden Blades
    Cosmic Coins : 10
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Age : 22
    Mentor : N/A
    Experience : 2,246,236

    Character Sheet
    First Skill: Forbidden Flame Arts
    Second Skill:
    Third Skill:

    Private Re: The Invitation (Hidden Blades Intro/Artemis/Job)

    Post by Ahote 2nd May 2019, 5:01 pm

    NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN DEVILS

    9,993/7,000 WORDS (group)
    @Artemis Dagger
    + BG MUSIC
    Time for the intro REEEEE
    And like that, he was gone. The man, or rather, the Chairman had left as silently as he came and Ahote had watched him and every step he took until he disappeared into the night of Crocus. A curious smile was spreading cutely across his lips as he sipped from his room temperature water. He wondered of when the next time they'd meet and if the Chairman would look like that. Ahote was almost certain that this appearance of a well-groomed, ordinary, middle-aged man was a mere facade for the occasion, and this seemed to fuel his curiosity even more. Well, really, the entire situation was exciting and was completely obscured in mystery. The exchange between him and the Chairman was bizarre, to say the least. It was difficult, if not impossible to determine how his life would look after enlisting under them for his skills.

    He hadn't expected the meeting to be so brief, even with the chitchat he added to prolong it. To him, it was far too brief for his liking and he instantly began to shrink back into his lonesome. It was awful! So awful that not even his employees or customers kept his attention long enough for him to enjoy them. Consequently, he began to keep a journal to document these experiences.

    Ahote pulled out the small, pitiful leather journal with a thin black strap keeping it sealed. It had a thin, smooth, ruby-red ribbon in between its pages to mark someplace, and the brown-haired man quickly slipped the strap from the front of the journal and flipped to the page he was last on. He had started writing just some hours ago but two whole pages were already filled. The writing was neat and there were some incredibly tiny but noticeable puddles of ink that must've fallen from his expensive, lavish fountain pen that he'd maintained since it was given to him in Basilisk Fang. The puddles looked as if his pen had hung above there, watching the ink drip from the pointy metal tip onto the paper. It was the puddle of a bored man, and so it was.

    He was going to finish this log for today, but he could only stare at the partially filled pages with eyes lost in thought. He tapped the butt of the pen on the counter to every quarter beat of a metronome that seemed to silently tick, and sometimes he'd pause, and then he'd resume. The meeting was so awfully eventful yet uneventful that he was beginning to bargain an authentic memory for a journal entry—was it even worth writing down? The conversation was simplistic and it wasn't anything he or anyone else would ever want to read later in life, and the details of their conversation were, and this goes without saying, strictly forbidden probably anywhere but between them. Ahote had at least some respect for the integrity of his word. And so, he pinched the journal shut and slid it away from his grasp.

    If Ahote had spent any longer mulling over this night, it would no longer be night. It might've been the crack of dawn before he found any resolution for his unresolved restlessness. So instead, like any other occasion like this, he retreated to the Boomslang basement. It was where many of his poor customers who were too drunk for their own good often found themselves. He was, in fact, dealing with the dead and necromancy as of late and a few easily-accessible test subjects were always welcomed. He felt quite at home in the basement since it reminded him of the lower levels of Mt. Hakobe's fortress where men, women, children and weapons were stored for similar experiments. As he stepped down into what looked to be a cellar, a malicious grin appeared on his face. When the door creaked open, the sobbing of young women could be heard bouncing off of concrete walls and chains clanging against metal. Dwing! Dwing! DWING! It was desperate noise, and Ahote paused before stepping down to stare. His grin softened into an eerily kind smile, and he shut the basement door.

    The sobbing stopped.
    AND THAT'S SUCH A SHAME


    _____________________________________________________________________________________


      Current date/time is 21st November 2024, 10:51 pm