Private Tales Black Strings

[Naser]

Vel Anir - The Gutters
Norah

There were few things in this world that put Nas off from his perpetual feeling of boredom, but the note he'd received three days ago had certainly been enough.

He knew who'd sent it before he'd cracked the wax seal. He knew what would have happened had he not come. He knew that he had little to no choice in any and all of this. A pain had filled his stomach since the letter had arrived, and it would have been a lie to say that he didn't miss the constant listlessness he felt usually. Knowing the future didn't always help.

Especially when it was this one.

Standing in the small, but familiar alleyway, Nas already knew that in a few seconds Norah would come wandering down the way. After that? After that he knew the 'Robber would make his show.

Nas knew it because he had seen it, because on the first night while clutching the letter he had done something he'd never done before; look days ahead instead of just seconds. Doing so had nearly sent him into a coma, but at the time it had felt necessary. He'd needed to do it, because otherwise...otherwise he wouldn't have made any choice at all.

Just that sent a tingle of anxiety down his spine, anger at his own weakness, at the fact that once again he found himself beneath the thumb of the torrid scum of Aniria's Underworld.

 

[Norah]

The alley smelled like piss and vomit. This one seemed particularly ripe. The myriad of small silver blades were well hidden on Norah. Stitched into the very fabric of her leathers and/or on bandoliers beneath her clothing. Little good they would do against the Robber's machinations.

Dark, shrewd gaze snagged on Naser as she wandered into the alley.

Her footsteps as light as a cats.

A twin note to his own was gripped in one of her hands. Her other fingers hovered around the myriad of silver hidden on her person. Traveling to the city was not...easy from the Academy. But it was doable. There was a silent question in her eyes as she peered at Nas before shifting her attention to the mouth of the alleyway.

 

[Naser]

The only answer he gave was a shake of the head.

It was all he had time for. "My darling boy."

The voice sent a shiver down Naser's spine. It was a sound that he had thought he would never hear again. One that he thought he'd left behind, one that still gripped his heart in every nightmare he'd had. Worse than the Proctors. Worse than some of the monsters the Republic had already made him fight.

"It's been such a long time." The 'Robber stalked forward, spindly as ever. Arms and legs too long for his torso, a black cloak surrounding him, an odd and torn top-hat adorning his head. Eyes seeming to spark a dark purple light even in the darkness. "My sweet girl."

The words made Nas sick to his stomach. "I'm glad the Academy has been taking good care of you."

 

[Norah]

Norah knew better than to speak first. A lesson learned long ago. Knew better than to cry when things hurt. Knew better than to whimper or show any kind of weakness. Her dark eyes flitted beyond Robber's tall shoulder and to the open mouth of the alleyway he now blocked.

There were a few others who passed by or loitered about. They looked young. Younger than herself and Naser. She knew they belonged to Robber. Just out of earshot but keeping a lookout.

Robber had a way of sucking the air out of a space. Making it hard to breath. Norah wanted to look at Naser. They'd gotten good at reading each other's expressions, even though Norah's were so practiced. So careful. Everyone still had their tells. Even the tiniest ticks. Those silent ticks and expressions in their eyes were a hidden language. A language only those on the streets could read.

But the rogue forced herself to keep her attention on Robber and waited him out, wondering what it would feel like to slide one of her silver knives into his heart.

 

[Naser]

"Still quiet eh?" The Robber asked as he took a step forward. Almost instinctively, Nas flowed backward. His movements far smoother than they had been when he'd been a boy, but still painted with obvious fear. The scarecrow of a man grinned, but did not try to press.

"Well, better that you listen, than talk." He smirked. "Your dear old 'Robber needs a favor you see."

Nas tensed, there were no favors with the Robber. There never were. The 'sweetness' of his request was always tainted with bile, and despite the crawling terror that still rose up his spine Naser couldn't help but bite back. Even if he knew it was useless. "Why the fuck would we help you."

The moment he spoke, the Robber's backhand struck across his face. His head jerking to the side, now far more used to the pain.

"I liked you better when you were quiet, boy." The Robber hissed, but then immediately smiled. "You both know why you'll help me."

His smirk returned. "Why you'll do every little thing I say."

The 'Robbers fingers danced, like he were dancing with a marionette. "Don't you worry, it's just a little job. Nothing you can't handle."

 

[Norah]

There was a tightening along her jaw as the Robber's hand made contact with Naser. A storm brewing in her dark eyes as she held her ground. Then, a feigned look at the ground as if she were casting her eyes downward in subservience. Though she kept a watch on his movements. Not foolish enough to take her eyes off what he might do next.

A small breath in that she held for a count of four.

Mousy-brown hair shifting along her face as she cocked her head to Robber and his gesticulating hand gestures through the air.

"What do you need us to do?"

Hands remained relaxed at her sides. Even though her fingers itched to palm that silver.

 

[Naser]

The 'Robber grinned wide as Norah finally spoke. His eyes those of a cat who'd spotted a mouse they intended to play with, rather than eat. "There is a girl."

He mused, and Nas almost immediately tensed.

"She lives in a town called Uliet. Just a few miles north of Vel Stratholm." The Initiate quickly did the math in his head. It would take them two days to get to the city, a probably the same for this town. That meant probably a week for this 'job'.

Long time to be away from the Academy. Too long. They would need to find an excuse.

The 'Robber brandished a piece of parchment, far too fine for him to have. "You bring her to me, out in the Farrow Fields, and that's it. Just make sure she's still alive when she gets there. Understood?"

He seemed to stare for a moment, expecting an answer, but all Nas did was snatch the paper from his hand. A second or two passed as the monster made man waited for another denial. But none came. "Good. I'll see you soon."

The man sang, slowly turning to step away.