The Exception, The Guardian, and The Monster

Plat

Esredes: >The wind is blowing lightly as the lone soldier makes his way into a human town this evening. There's no waiting attack he's planning on this time, just simply an information gathering. This town in particular was not in the recent memory of the nochmal, but its near to a city they may be targeting in the future. So what did it hold inside?< >He's honestly not expecting it to be anything significant, just another town, but you can never know until you see it.< >It's best to get this over with so he can go back to the base before night settles in.< >At the moment, he's making his way through the streets, observing the people and the buildings carefully. So far, nothing stood out.<

Momo

Alise: >With a list in her pocket and a tired expression, she walks through the town. It's louder this time of day before people have settled into their homes for dinner, making it easier to hide her distinct footsteps. The sound of heavy metal hitting against the ground and the clinking of her gloves often leads drifting eyes towards her, which she despises.< >Despite her best efforts to hide herself, anyone close or with excellent hearing would be able to hear the unnatural rhythmic sounds as she walked by.<

Plat

Esredes: >Indeed, the clink of it does not escape his hearing, and he immediately picks it up as out of the ordinary.< >It shifts his gaze towards where the source might be, and he picks Alise out rather quickly-- Why is that human girl wearing metallic boots and gloves? She doesn't look like anything beyond a normal inhabitant, and nobody else has had those on. He knows from experience to take serious note of the outliers.< >He's going to attempt to follow her at a distance for a minute, see if he can gain anything from it.<

Momo

Alise: >After some time,  she notices a pair of eyes on her lingering longer than usual. As she turns into a shop, she manages to get a glimpse of the individual. Someone she's never seen around here. Never a good sign.<> Outsiders have always tended to give her and partner trouble. She doesn't take any action though, continuing her errands as if she never noticed him.< >Before leaving the shop however, she gives one more looks towards him, staring a bit longer than intended before leaving in a small hurry.<

Plat

Esredes: >That extended look makes him catch on to the fact she's picked up on him. I see.< >Where are you heading to, girl? Going to run home, perhaps?< >He's going to be more deliberate about it now. He lets her go out of sight for a moment, but then he continues to tail her at a greater distance. He also focuses on her mind, projecting into it an illusion that hides himself into the background have it be she sees him again. Granted, it will shimmer when he moves, so if she looks back fast enough, she may see a ripple in the air, out of place.< >He also has to be careful not to be too far back, or else risk losing his link.<

Momo

Alise: >She can no longer see him, but her instincts tell her she hasn't left his sights. In the event something happens, she finds it best to start walking towards the border of the town towards the forest.< > She knows the area well. If things came down to a fight, she'd have the advantage of knowing the terrain. Still, she can feel that a simple home advantage won't do her any good.< 

Plat

Esredes: >Hah, it certainly won't. But he's not particularly set on having one at the moment more than he is simply curious. He gets the impression she's expecting something once he notices her starting to walk out of town. Well, if he did have to kill her, it would at least be easy. He continues following her until there's a slight distance between them and the town, then positions himself behind her and lets go of his grip on her mind.< Do people usually ask you about the metallic gear? >He's now standing a bit of a distance off, hands dug a little into the seam of his pants in a relaxed position. He's curious to see how she will react.<

Momo

Alise: All the time. >Her response is casual as she turns around to face him.< Though not many are as persistent as you. Or as quiet. Am I that interesting? >She looks him over, trying to get a grasp on who, or what, he is.<

Plat

Esredes: Perhaps. It's just very out of the ordinary in this town, or in general. What purpose could such a thing possibly serve?

Momo

Alise: Protection. If you're interested, come by my partner's and my shop in the morning, our hours are ten to seven- >She starts to recite a sort of store policy to intentionally shift the conversation from her to something else.< -we cater to anyone, customize weapons, no we do not dabble in bones or magic and please don't ask if we'll make an exception, we won't. Have a good evening.

Plat

Esredes: >That makes him raise an eyebrow.< Really? No bones or magic? That's not something I'd expect to hear. 

Momo

Alise: I prefer not to touch the stuff. It's kinda messed up that it's more normal to make weapons outta dead people than it is to deny those services.

Plat

Esredes: >That's even more of something I wouldn't expect to hear...< It certainly is, isn't it? We live in such a cruel world.

Momo

Alise: Preaching to the choir. Mind if I ask you a question then? Seems only fair. What's a guy like you doing in a village like this? 

Plat

Esredes: >You're right, it is only fair.< A simple traveler. I end up passing through a lot of towns. When there's something out of the ordinary, it's usually in my interest to find out why. Besides, you're fairly close to that big city. It's another area of interest of mine. >To be fair, it's only a half lie.<

Momo

Alise: >Well, he's trying to tell the truth.< You don't seem like a traveler. At least not like the ones who come through here... you're... mmm... >What's the word I'm looking for?< Too clean. Too neat.

Plat

Esredes: >That gets him to smile a little in an amused way. He finds that funny in its irony.< Really? I suppose neither of us look very normal then, do we?

Momo

Alise: I suppose so. Which begs the next question. Are two people pretending to be normal going to let this night stay normal? I'd prefer if it stayed normal but I'd like to hear your opinion. 

Plat

Esredes: I think it would be best that way. The night is still young, no need to spoil it now, is there?

Momo

Alise: I'm glad we're on the same page here.> < She starts to walk towards the village, eyeing him as she walks past.> < Be careful on your way to the city. 

Plat

Esredes: Oh, I will be. But first, I may end up taking you up on your earlier offer. Take care for now.

Esredes: >The next day, he did in fact decide to come back. He thought it over and he definitely wants to investigate into a place making weapons without magic. It could be useful for the nochmal, taking them off of dead humans didn't always guarantee good quality. They had died for a reason, after all.< >It doesn't take him much time to track down the shop. So this is the place. He stares at its exterior for a minute before going in.<
Momo

The exterior is fairly large, but old looking. It doesn't seem like the outside has been renovated in a while. As he steps inside, he can see why. Typical wooden floors have circular slabs of thick stone as if they acted like stepping stones. A set of soft brown sandals and large iron sandals with a large lift sit beside each other. Two people are currently inside. The large iron ones must have been the shoes the woman the night before wore. Nothing else looks like a perfect match to the sounds he heard. There's a small hallway before leading into a room with a desk and a few samples of the wares. Most of them are small daggers or swords but there are a few guns that have a finer craft to them than more common ones.

Plat

Esredes: >Guns... so they know how to make them. I wonder if they'd happen to know anything about places they are made in mass. It's one of my goals to find and destroy such a place.< >While he plays with that thought, he heads towards the desk, only noting the other strange features for a moment. He can deduce she did in fact have on metal sandals, at least.<

Momo

Alise: >Sitting at the desk, she wears large metal gauntlets on her hands. She seems to be drifting to sleep, her eyes closed and her head idly tilting towards her left side. She keeps her arms crossed, not seeming very comfortable, but she's too stubborn to change position at this point so close to sleep.<

Plat

Esredes: Interesting little place you have here. >Are you awake? I hope that wakes you up if you're not<

Momo

Alise: >She flinches a bit and sits upright, groaning.< Welcome to Levi's Wares, we're open from ten to sev-. >Her tired expression quickly disappears as she sits upright, noticing the figure in front of her.< You- I'm surprised. People who usually say they'll stop by don't stop by.

Plat

Esredes: >The way you start to go into your speech only to realize in the middle of it amuses him, but his expression doesn't change.< Oh, do they not? That must be disappointing for business. >not that he even knows anything about human economics, currency is such a stupid idea to him<

Momo

Alise: Eh, to be honest, this shop is stupid. Levi wanted to try and make this a living but it's just ends up inviting trouble.

Plat

Esredes: >yeah, the fact that he's here sure does prove that doesn't it< Who's Levi?

Momo

Alise: My partner, the guy who actually makes the weapons and other knick knacks and gadgets. He's in the back working so I'm usually at the front. Be grateful you ran into me and not him.> She leans towards him over the counter and lowers her voice.< He's a morning person.

Plat

Esredes: >That gets a slight eyebrow raise. That is one expression he doesn't recognize. He does imitate her quietness, though, but not as quiet as she is.< Is that a bad thing?

Momo

Alise: That depends. You don't look like the kind of guy who wants to be greeted with a handshake, a hug, and a tour of the whole damn place, as well as an invitation to brunch.

Plat

Esredes: >Eugh, getting hugged by a human. No thanks.< Definitely not. So you're not a 'morning person,' then. >What does that make you, a night person? I don't understand how being overly enthusiastic relates to mornings.< >It's not important, though.< But besides that. You said this place attracts trouble, didn't you?

Momo

Alise: >He picks up on a lot of little details.< Yeah, well, when you're making better quality weapons, people can get a little greedy. > She makes a sort of disgusted face. < Then people think they can bring in... their own materials for weapons. Disgusting.

Plat

Esredes: What own materials?

Momo

Alise: If you remember our store policy, there's a "no bones or magic" segment in it. I had to add the segment cause a lot of people are looking for that.

Plat

Esredes: >oh, that. Now it's his turn to wince.< How disgusting indeed. Nobody who shows up with magic could be anything but trouble.

Momo

Alise: Preaching to the choir again. Magic shouldn't be in the hands of people who aren't supposed to have it.

Plat

Esredes: >Oh shit, that last comment.< People such as humans in general?

Momo

Alise: Mmm... Pretty much. I don't see any Knochen coming in looking for magical weapons. Although that's self explanatory. 

Plat

Esredes: That would be quite surprising. >I would probably want to kill such a knochen myself, honestly. How could you ever do such a thing.< ...Have you ever actually had one show up here or are you just saying that?

Momo

Alise: >She sits up straight in her seat< I know of at least one who's shown up. 

Plat

Esredes: Oh really?

Momo

Alise: Yeah, I'm looking at him.

Plat

Esredes: >Ah. He only grins at her in that same amused way,< Well played. >I mean, normally such a thing would set him on edge, but they've gotten comfortable here. He crosses his arms, dropping the grin.< I suppose I need a better cover up than 'simple traveler,' don't I? Do you happen to have any suggestions?

Momo

Alise: Carry a travel bag and look more relaxed. You always seem uncomfortable in your own skin. Also learn a phrase like "morning person." It means that someone is active and awake early in the morning. Often referring to people who can be a little overwhelming as well.

Plat

Esredes: >I could handle the first suggestion, but the second is impossible. Nothing I ever do makes this form more comfortable.< Isn't that just how most people are supposed to be. But really, great detective work. >All right, enough playing around. He takes a few steps closer to the desk, so that he's much closer to her.< I'm sure you can also figure out that I do not like magic users. For obvious reasons.

Momo

Alise: That part is usually a giveaway too. Rest assured though, we're not a fan of magic users either. I've gotten a bad taste of the stuff and I'd prefer not to have it around me.> She doesn't back down as he approaches, if anything, she sits up further to confront his gaze down at her.

Plat

Esredes: >I like the assertion you're giving me.< It's rare that I meet any human who doesn't like magic. >no it isn't, you're just a narrow-minded shit< Much more sensible of you than most of your kind to recognize it as dangerous to use.

Momo

Alise: They haven't faced the consequences of it personally. Don't take it to heart.> She glances him over.< Mm... My instincts were right. I was kinda hoping they were wrong. You're not what someone would call "friendly" are you.

Plat

Esredes: >MUCH TOO LATE FOR THAT< Not to most humans at least, no. >or in general, but he's not admitting that much<

Momo

Alise: Which begs my next question of how unfriendly are you. I like the life I'm living right now. It's normal. Moderately stable. I would hate to have that taken from me.

Plat

Esredes: Who said anything about that? >pls, esrey< I thought we were getting friendly here. I usually favor the ones that think differently. >and by 'favor', I mean 'consider not killing'<

Momo

Alise: I can't rely on a "maybe." I need a guarantee. You and I clearly have some things in common. Perhaps we can work something out.

Plat

Esredes: That's an interesting proposition. What sort of things would you offer?

Momo

Alise: I've been getting some regulars in here who I prefer aren't regulars. People giving Levi and myself trouble for what we refuse to give 'em. They come in with a few items I'm pretty sure they didn't acquire legally.

Plat

Esredes: And you want them taken care of? >I would be delighted<

Momo

Alise: I'd take care of them myself, but I'm a little more limited physically right now. > She makes a small idle glance towards her hands before quickly placing them back on him.< In return, perhaps this town can stay pretty normal?

Plat

Esredes: How often do the unwanted regulars show up?

Momo

Alise: The trips are less frequent each week, and more aggressive each time. My bet is that they'll be making their way here sometime at the end of the month with an ultimatum. 

Plat

Esredes: Hm, I see, and there are how many of them?

Momo

Alise: 3 different groups. One is a group of four, hunters, and I'm pretty sure it's not just deer and rabbits. Second group is a group of three, not hunters, but they're getting their supplies somewhere. I suspect stealing since I've caught them trying to take from the store a few times. Third group is just one guy. Persistent though, and the way he looks at me->audibly shudders< -gross. 

Plat

Esredes: >So that's eight. Eight hunters.< Do more often show up?

Momo

Alise: A few here in there who do leave when I tell them to. I haven't had any more issues so far.

Plat

Esredes: How about you start keeping track of them, and we have a deal. >There's nothing particularly threatening here anyway. I don't see it becoming a target for a while.<

Momo

Alise: Sounds like a deal. >She seems about ready to end the conversation before speaking up a bit.< Actually there's one more thing. It's less about the business here and more for the sake of both our races. 

Plat

Esredes: Hm? What is it?

Momo

Alise: >her position changes. She stands up from her seat so that her eyes meet with his. She seems a bit shorter than the night they met. Her iron shoes must have given her some height.< There's a woman who's kept herself hidden. Very well hidden. Up to the point that whenever I ask about her, no one knows a thing. I was hoping you could keep an eye out for her. Not for my sake, but for your own. 

 Plat

Esredes: Who is this woman you're talking about? And why's she a problem?

Momo

Alise: She goes by Thiessen. She likes to tamper with things that shouldn't be tampered with, to the point that she's been experiment on humans.

Plat

Esredes: What kind of experiments? >how is that relevant to me<

Momo

Alise: Turning people into uncanny. Just whenever she feels like it. And it's not just humans she's gotten her hands on now. She's crafty enough to go after knochen.

Plat

Esredes: >okay, you have him with that last part.< I've definitely never heard of her. But she sounds like someone I need to kill.

Momo

Alise: The fact that even you haven't heard of her is scary. She's blonde, circular glasses, blue eyes with a sort of lifeless look. And this.... irritating grin. >ugh, I'm starting to feel sick just remembering her.< I recommend looking in area with a sudden increase in uncanny. She'd usually be the cause of it. And if you wouldn't mind telling me anything you find on her. I'd like to get my hands on her.

Plat

Esredes: You want her left alive for you if I manage to find her, then?

Momo

Alise: No, don't risk that. >Her tired expression shifts. Her eyes carry an intense rage that burn into his, hearing the straining of metal as her hands clench inside her gauntlets.< If you find her, kill her on sight.

Plat

Esredes: >From your reaction, he can tell you mean it.< All right. >can do.< 

Momo

Alise: >Finally, someone can start looking for her while I recover.< Thank you. >she lets out a small sigh of relief as she sits back down, her tired expression returning.< I guess I should properly introduce myself. My name is Alise.> she holds out her right hand.

Plat

Esredes: Alise. Same thing can be said for you. >He does take your hand, but only because you're wearing a gauntlet. Not touching human skin on its own.< It's Esredes. >We've gone past the point of using the fake name<

Momo

Alise: Esredes... It's a nice name. >The gauntlet feels oddly warm, compared to the cool and cold feeling one would expect. She doesn't let the handshake last too long and pulls it back, crossing her arms.< We can stop at just names if you don't care to know much about me.

Plat

Esredes: >He does note the warm feeling. Strange....< Names would be fine. There's not much else to say.

Momo

Alise: Then I supposed this is goodbye for now. I'll work on getting to know my 'customers' a bit more so that when you visit, you information can be anything but vague.

Plat

Esredes: Wonderful. If I find out anything that may be related to the woman, you'll know about it.

Momo

Alise: Thank you. >She lets off a small groan and sits up form her chair.< I'll show you out, unless you're interested in a dagger or gun?

Plat

Esredes: Not at the moment, but I might need something in the future.

Momo

Alise: >A knochen using a gun? That sounds mildly hilarious.< Stop by again then, with money, if you wanna buy. We can also customize if you want.

Plat

Esredes: >That's not what I meant.< Right. That may be useful to me. >I'm fine with my sword as it is, but as for others...< Take care, Alise. I'll be back.

Esredes: >With that, he exits, and makes his way out of town. This has turned out to be an interesting little quest. But now it's back to work.<