Fox-Tailed Espionage (Macha)

Junko
A sigh escaped the fox girl's lips as she leaned her head against a tree outside. It was simple day for her since she was given a day off from working the tails off of soldiers and being worked to the bone by her bosses. Just a few more days... She thought, remembering why she came here.

The Lux spy was in this case for one goal; to blend in a gather information for the headquarters of her own faction. So far, she found out where they stored their weaponry, what their main defense is as of a month ago, and even has picked up a few names and races in the war. Sure, she had to kill a few of the newbie Lux soldiers, but she had no choice in the matter since they didn't know what they were doing and the enemy was watching her like a hawk.

Junko rubbed her arms and yawned. Six months since she got this job... and now she spends her time either working with the soldiers to train them, or battling the challengers who think they can be the so-called fire mage. A grin flashed across her face at the thought. Some of her challengers would have been successful at beating her... the problem was they predicted a fire mage's attacks, not a Kitsune's.

What to do, what to do... She wondered, not making much of an effort to think of something. Ah well, might as well make the most out of her day off. The fox smiled small and closed her eyes as she let her body relax against the thick tree's trunk.

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Kohl
I bit into my apple, leaning against a tree as I waited for the signal to move. Next to me Braid my second in command sharpened his waraxe. I glanced towards him, taking in his hefty and giant frame. Standing he was nearly seven feet tall, with a excess of muscle. He was a living breathing mountain. With the weapons to arm an army. Strapped all over him were blades of all shapes and sizes. Axes, maces, daggers, swords, and even a flail.

Stealth wasn't his strong point, but on the other hand I could think of no one I wanted more by my side in a fight. He knew his way around each weapon in her arsenal., and spent the time sharpening and checking each one. In our profession, sometimes you really just needed someone to smash heads in.

"What is the plan here?" Braid asked, his eyes shooting to meet mine. "You don't usually care about lesser spies like this." He went back to his axe, running his thumb over the edge.

I moved over, tossing the core of the apple to the side before patting his giant shoulder. "She is a spy for Lux, our old home. But she has been asking questions unknowingly in all the right places. She is close to the truth of our group. I wan't to head off the problem before it happens. And we have taken some losses lately. I want to see what she is made of."

He snorted and gave me a shove that nearly sent me sprawling. It was only through a quick step and a hand against a tree did I keep my feet. I flashed him a grin that died out as he spoke, "You just think she is cute, and she looks like Shayni." He gave me a knowing look. "I'm glad your thinking about moving on, she has been dead for a long time. But this isn't the way to win a ladies trust."

I would have given him a flat stare if I really thought it would do any good, but the rumbling giant wouldn't care in the slightest so I kept silent. A piercing laugh drew my attention towards the trees. "Its time. You know what to do." I told him as I slid my mask over my face. I stalked in a half crouch towards the trees following the boistrous noises of some of my men.

The men in question, were aware of the girl above them, and were laughing and joking with one another. They were dressed as woodsmen. I had chosen the three for simple reasons. They had grown up together and so the act of joking and teasing that only close friends could do was no great effort on their parts. But also, the three were my best scouts and knew the land as well as Braid knew his weapons.

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Junko
A chill ran down the girl's spine and she opened her eyes to check her surroundings. During her stay, things had been rather quiet when it came to suspicion in her opinion. No one asked questions and gave her the answers she wanted. She even made a few friends with the soldiers she trained with! And they said being a spy would be hard for someone whose shadow reveals the truth.

The only problem was a boy she had her eyes on. He was definitely different from his comrades. With his reactions to her, Junko had a bad feeling he could know about her. Which could end badly for either side of this war.

Find nothing in line of sight, but hearing a faint noise of feet hitting the ground, the fox did what seemed the safest idea: She stood up and checked once more before climbing up a tree and getting comfortable. If someone was coming, she would see them in no time.

Of course, it could end up that she was just a bit paranoid. Who couldn't be when they are in enemy territory trying to blend in? Everyone seems to know a little about you when in reality they think of you just as another soldier that joined their ranks. Perhaps she should have picked a lighter job... battling on the field by her faction's side would have been more heroic instead of deviously getting information by infiltrating the enemy's lines.

The girl took out the knife on her right side and ran her finger across the edge. Sufficient though a little dull. Later on she would get herself something to sharpen them with. Nothing worse than a dull blade.

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Kohl
I quieted my steps to the point of silence, continuing my journey forward. I knew my men would be close to being near her. They were under orders however to be oblivious to her. I was moving faster than the trio and their friendly playing was getting louder to me.

A flicker of movement made me pause and I focused on what I had seen, and then I focused on what I couldn't see. The movement wasn't what was important to me, movement was common near trees. What was important though, was the brief flash of light. I had been trained to notice such things, as they came from one source. Light reflecting off of a weapon.

I stopped completely before shifting sideways a few feet so that a trunk of the same tree I had caught the movement as well as the flash. It was a good distance away, but I advanced carefully. I hoped to time my arrival with that of my men, and to do so I needed to catch up. But I was ever cautious of staying hidden.

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Junko
The quiet footfalls suddenly ceased and the fox girl relaxed her muscles slightly. There could be danger still... but the noises could have been a mere animal trotting around. Perhaps she was just paranoid.

The spy sighed and looked up to the lush tree's leaves. She reached her hand up and plucked one from its branch, spinning it in her fingers. Her eyes looked carefully at it, noticing the creases and folds, not quite sure of the type of tree she sat in. How queer... to think she knew the leaf of quite of few different trees. Maybe someone would lend her a hand in finding out what kind it is later on in the day.

She leaned back on the truck and jingled her bracelet with a small smile sneaking on her face. The sound always made such a joyous shiver run up the fox's spine, forcing her to relax further.

Didn't last long when she heard the soft approach of laughter. She thought very little of it, but after the footsteps previously, the chuckles put her on edge for a moment before she dismissed them. No need to be afraid of a few friends walking through the woods... right?

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Kohl
I moved a bit quicker, my steps still utterly silent over the earth. I could hear the words of my men ahead of us as they laughed and joked. I smiled under my mask, they were doing their usual argument.

"No. See, I am handsome, the two of you. You look like you were run over by a hill giant." The tallest one teased with a booming laugh.

"Better to be run over by a hill giant than to be as warty as a toad like you." The man to the left of him said with a hearty shove.

On the other side a barrel chested man, tugged on his bushy red beard as he boasted out, "Please, its not about how you look, its about what you can do. And I can out work the two of you yokals with a hangover and two hands behind my back."

I gave an amused shake of my head before focusing once more on the task at hand.

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Junko
The chuckles and arguing grew even closer. Soon the fox could hear them right below her and she looked down to see the commotion. A group of powerful looking soldiers were standing around the base of her tree, arguing about who was more attractive than the others.

The girl furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance and stood up on the branch she had be sitting on. When the leaves moved, the group looked up to see her and grinned. "Hey beautiful! Think you could help us finish this argument? They think they have a chance at being more handsome than yours truly!" The tallest bellowed while the others tried to tell him differently.

"In my opinion, you all look like ignorant soldiers. Big muscles are only good for getting through solid walls." she said matter-of-factly.

"Oh yeah?" They all laughed and the one who spoke pointed to her. "What kind of guy do you like?"

Her mind drew a blank. My... m-my opinion? She felt sweat start to build on her brow but narrowed her eyes as if she wasn't nervous or freaking out. "Most women I have ever spoke to like guys who have just enough muscle to carry them, a lean frame, nice hair and pretty eyes."

Every single one of the them laughed at her comment and one even slapped the tree he was laughing so hard. "Whatever you say! I still think I am the most handsome!"

"Fat chance! I am, obviously! Look at these biceps!"

One of them stop laughing before the rest though, as if realizing something strange about the fox girl. Her heart rate increased. Could he know something about her because of her comments? Could have just blown it? Kuso...

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Kohl
If I hadn't already tuned out my men, I would have heard one of them said. "What is it with girls and liking guys like Kohl? I swear, ye all go for him." And with those words they went back to arguing good naturedly.

I snuck up the tree, keeping the trunk of her tree between me and her. I climbed up it slowly and carefully maneuvering myself silently till I could wrap one arm around her midriff. The other hand popped out a hidden blade that I pressed to her throat.

"Put the knife down, and this can go much more smoothly." I said softly in her ear. My voice held a note of warning, and I accented by pressing the blade more to her throat.

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Junko
The girl's eyes widened and her body tensed completely, her knife clenched in her fist. She gave a small squeak of surprise and her breath was caught in her throat and she looked out in front of her. How did this guy get behin... Damn it! Were those men down below a distraction? Were they to keep me from jumping out of the tree?

She prayed for her life to not end at this moment and dropped her knife to the ground just barely missing one of the men down below. Once it was dropped, she felt the blade pull away from her neck slightly and she closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself.

"What do you want? Did I say something wrong, or did I miss a training session?" She asked, her voice cautious and collected even with the knife at her throat.

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Kohl
"Chatty for a spy." I remarked, glancing down at my men. "Gentlemen. Call for Braid, and lets get a fire going. I think we might want to get comfortable for now."

"Now, back to you. In order, for your questions. I am here to find out what you know. Not yet, though if you do this tree will get an unusual source of liquid nourishment. Plus its own set of bones. And lastly, I don't know, if you have then you are of no use to me." I said the hand at her midriff pressing a finger into her skin at each point. Once they all were done I relaxed the pressure of the fingers, but kept my hand in place.

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Junko
"I'm a simple fire mage fighting for Umbra." She explained vaguely, knowing too well that no matter what she said, even if she was innocent, it was all in vain. Humans and most creatures are so predictable... accusing and keep to it no matter if they have prove or not. Wasn't that in a human made play once? She wondered. No one was a witch and everyone accused and kept with the accusations...

No time for that. Back to reality. Her back gave a shiver up her spine because of his fingers pressing on her and then releasing.

Her eyes opened and widened. A fire!? Did... did they burn those who knew too much? Or... hell, either way, she was doomed! The light of the fire would cast her shadow! This wasn't good... And one word about the fire would bring about the questions... Today didn't look like a good day for her...

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Kohl
"See, your making mistakes already. I already called you out as a spy." I said, shaking my head. "They must have dropped the standards."

"She Lux?" The bearded one called from down below. "Ask her if she knows Aud..." He trailed off at my cold glare. "Right, sorry."

I adjusted my grip on her, pressing the knife deeper to her throat, a ploy to discourage her trying to escape. With that in place I released her midriff. I absently patted around her waist, then her thighs before going higher to check her arms and shoulders. I was searching for documents. If I found one I would bring it out, if not I planned on relaxing the blade at her throat and putting the hand back at her midriff.

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Junko
The girl flinched and felt the trickle of blood run down her neck. No documents were on her person nor where she stayed. She wasn't in charge of that information. Only how to use the land to help her faction get the advantage. Though she did know the names of comrades on that duty... Did they get caught?

She took in a deep breath and waited, doing her best not to move so as not to cut her throat more than she had. Her curiosity, a curse of her ancestors, was getting the better of her though... what was that bearded man about to say? Doubtful they would ever tell a spy, but it was out there now... they had something more to hide!

By the end of the search, all the boy found was her sheathed knife, her twin swords on her back, a paper clip, and a pencil. Thank goodness she only was in her half human disguise when she was asleep in this faction... Not like it mattered though...

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Kohl
I put the hand back to her midriff and pulled the blade a little away from her throat. "Now, are you going to continue to lie to me?" I asked calmly, tapping a finger on her midriff absently. Through the tree's I could hear Braid coming, his weapons clanking together as well as his giant self making no effort to be quiet.

I turned my gaze down below where two of the trio had started a fire, and were working on and checking out their weapons, not even glancing in our direction.

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Junko
A sigh escaped her. "Either way, you see I have no documents, therefore showing I don't know anything." She explained. "I don't see why it matters. If I am innocent, I will be sent away because of suspicion and if I am not, I will have the situation. Why not get to the end of this and tell me to leave and never return?"

Again her back gave a shake from the movement of his hands and she growled. "And if you could do me a favor and stop moving your fingers, I would appreciate it greatly."

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Kohl
"Ticklish huh? I'll remember that." I remarked softly before continuing in a bored tone. "Your forgetting one outcome. I could just kill you." I tapped a finger on her midriff one more time just to spite her.

I flicked my eyes towards Braid as he stepped out of the trees, the giant of a man easily being able to reach a hand up and touch the branch we stood on. "See him. Your going to climb down the tree and sit down with your back to him. Then we are going to have a chat."

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Junko
"Or you could follow your suggestion and kill me. It would serve you less of a hassle. You wouldn't question me, your secrets wouldn't be poured to the enemy, and I would be out of your hair in a snap." She hissed lowly. Of course, he would only kill her if she had very important information or even ran away possibly... He seemed to want something else though. It wasn't just information, was it? A soldier would have killed her as soon as his knife was at her throat.

"I'll climb down once you release your grip, sir." With that he let go and the fox began her descend. When her feet hit the floor, she felt massive hands rest on her shoulders and she made her way to sit down. The good news? The man being behind her blocked her shadow and distorted it so it couldn't be identified. Bad news? She still had to be there...

She raised her hand to go around her neck and she looked to the hand afterward to see the last of the blood in her hand. Least she didn't move enough to cause the blade to cut deeper...

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Kohl
I hopped out of the tree, giving a lazy stretch as I retracted the hidden blade. I patted the bearded man on the shoulder before sitting cross legged across from the girl. "Now, I don't like it when people lie. Just because you hold no documents doesn't mean you don't know anything. You should know that."

I drew a vial. "I will get you to drink this before the hour is up." I challenged, placing it on the ground in front of me.

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Junko
The fox girl raised an eyebrow. "You honestly assume this? Drinking an unknown liquid?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "Afraid not, sir. I don't plan to do such a thing." A truth serum? A poison? The curiosity would kill if all else failed...

She watched the fire, her ears open to many different noises. Please... allow me to get through my last birthday at least...

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Kohl
"Assumptions are made because I can just as easily force you to drink this. Though I am betting that I can just as well make you drink it on your own." I said rubbing my hands together. "Now, start talking. The more stuff you tell me that I want to know, the easier this will be on you. I'm perfectly fine and happy ending this little encounter by having you drink this potion, and leaving you better off than we found you. Richer, better armed, even lessons. But everything depends on what you say and if I like what I hear."

I closed my eyes and let out a soft breath, "On the other hand...if you make me think your lying, or you use any little tricks you think I don't know about. Then this can get nasty really quickly." My eyes snapped open and focused on hers. "Do we understand each other?"

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Junko
She narrowed her eyes and looked him dead in eyes. "I'll make a deal with you. I'll talk when I hear your name. You look familiar..." A grin flashed across her face before fading. "I was rather skilled at hiding who I was. I want to hear the name of the one who found out who I am."

Her fingers drummed on her arm as she waited for his answer.

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Kohl
I leaned forward. "Names are powerful Kitsune." I said revealing a bit of what I knew about her. I was still wearing the mask and so she wouldn't be able to know my mouths expression. Instead I raised an eyebrow as I asked. "Tell me what I want to know."

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Junko
She leaned back and her eyes grew wider. After a moment she hissed and narrowed her eyes. "I know very little, sir. No secret plans." She said vaguely. "I am barely a threat to your faction."

The girl rang the bells on her wrist and tried to forget what she said. All facts... and yet she was nervous. This guy knew she was a Kitsune and she had been very careful about her disguise, mirrors, and her own shadow. How did he know? "Now, how about you at least take off your mask? I see no reason why I should be the only one answering questions. Fine, no names, but tell me a bit about yourself."

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Kohl
"I dont exist. That is the answer to your question. You answer me truthfully I will answer you truthfully." I said with a nod. "What is your mission?"

I glanced towards Braid before pulling the girls knife out of the ground where my men had left it. I tossed it over her to him where he caught it. He stared at it for a few seconds before leaning towards the girl. "Is this yours?" His voice rumbled out.

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Junko
She quickly took the knife from the large man's hand and brushed off the dirt. "That's isn't your concern. I didn't finish it, so you have no reason to ask that question." She explained, sheathing her knife and looked him in the eyes. "Next?"

She glanced to the vial and then back to the boy. Every moment increased her curiosity to know what the liquid was. Should she ask? Would she really get an answer? Doubtful...

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Kohl
I watched wordlessly as Braid drew a wetstone and some oil from a pouch and dropped it in front of her. "Sharpen it." He said, his voice leaving no room for her to do otherwise. "If you don't take care of something you don't deserve to have it."

I turned my gaze to her eyes, trying to read her. I could guess her mission, and send her on her way. But getting information first hand was always better than guess work. The real question was, why did I continue to waste my time waiting on this girl.

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Junko
She took up the oil and whetstone and looked at both of the men before unsheathing her dagger. "Thank you..." The fox said. Her fingers clenched tight around the hilt of her dagger and she began to use the borrowed stone to sharpen it. "Anymore questions then? Can I leave?"

Her eyes wandered to find the masked one staring at her. Junko raised an eyebrow. "And... perhaps would you tell me about that vial?"

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Kohl
I kept silent as I watched her still. I was waiting for Braid to speak, as he no doubt had something he wanted to say. When nothing came out, I finally answered. "It matters what your mission is. Tell me and I will tell you about the vial."

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Junko
"Then I suppose we will both be leaving with no information." She growled. "I don't plan on telling you because it is none of your concern. I told you what I know. You don't need anymore information." The fox stood up from her seat and looked to all of the men who crowded around them. "Now, I think you have enough. Let me take my leave."

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Kohl
"If you take another step, a bone will break. Two steps, and you lose blood. Three and we spend our time digging a grave." I said, my eyes never leaving the spot she had just left. All traces of niceness, or playing were gone from my voice. And even as I spoke, the three men who had started the fire slowly drew weapons. Braid himself didn't draw any, as she was still in reach for him to grab.

"You have stepped out of your safe little world. You are now a piece in a game that goes above your business as a spy. How this game ends, depends on how happy you make me. So far, you are doing nothing but making me annoyed." I continued my voice soft, but a note of warning entered it.

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Junko
Fox girl slowly sat down and glared at the boy who sat across from her. "Then make this easier for both of us. Tell me why I seem so damn important. If you didn't want information getting out, my death would have come before I even got out of the tree. Tell me why in the name you want to know when you could slit my throat and be done with me." She growled, challenging him.

"At this point, I don't if I die because I know nothing as it is and I am not going to risk telling you and dying anyway. I would rather die with my secrets." A rare grin came to her face. "I would rather keep you guessing forever with my death than giving you satisfaction."

"We both are at a standstill. One of us has to break before the other will move. Give me a better reason than my life or pain and I might break down and give you the information. Or tell me why you want to know."

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Kohl
"Fine, your stubbornness has spared your life." I announced after a long moment of watching her. "You get your life and your freedom."

I got to my feet slowly, a motion of my fingers and the trio slid their weapons home and started working on dousing the fire. I didn't look at the girl, instead I watched the men. It was braid who broke the silence, "It is unlike you Kohl to give up..."

I cut him off, speaking sharply. "Give up? She has failed. I don't deal with failures. She will learn her lesson, or she wont." I turned to look at Braid. "Take the others home, I will deal with the consequences myself."

Junko
Failed? Didn't... "Excuse me, my mission failed when you found me out, yet you dealt with trying to work with me." Her eyes narrowed and she stood from her seat. "Either you are a complete idiot, or you don't like to admit your own failures."

The fox crossed to the boy, her eyes still mere slits. "What were you planning to get out of me that you could have solved by killing me? Stubbornness with soldiers would have gotten me killed. I took a chance and got no consequences." Her arms were removed from her chest to her sides. "You aren't a soldier, are you? Your men are since they are ready to kill me, but you are hesitant.

"Do you wish me to go further, or will you at least fight to keep your pride?" She didn't care either way, but now he was getting on her nerves.

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Kohl
"I gave up pride a long time ago." I said getting to my feet slowly. I brushed off my pants before turning my gaze to meet hers. "For your arrogance, anger, and refusal to communicate you brought deaths upon yourself."

I gave a shrug of my shoulders, "I had hoped to end this with out bloodshed. But apparently a lesson must be taught. I think twelve people will do."

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Junko
"... what?" She whispered. "What are you talking about?" The girl growled low and clenched her fists. "You little..." she unsheathed her blades and stopped midswing before she realized her mistake. She sheathed her blades and moved away.

"A mission of scoping out the area and waiting for my comrades was all I was given. If I found information, I got a bonus. Now keep your blades away from the throat's of others unless done in defense. You have you pathetic information. May I be on my way?"

The curiosity of the stupid vial still rang in her ears, but she couldn't ask now. All she should do is walk.

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Kohl
I watched her walk away, shaking my head slowly before I turned and followed after my men. Under my breath I muttered quietly, "You failed your test, a shame too. You were cute and good at dodging a question. But nothing should get in the way of the mission." I closed my eyes to steady myself.

When I opened them again I pulled out the vial from its sleeve and inspected it. I uncapped it and brought it to my lips, tipping it back without any ceremony and draining the entire thing. A small blossom of warmth came to my stomach. It was simple alcohol, a test to see what she might do over the chance to drink. I smacked my lips at the apple taste in my mouth from said vial before I stoppered it up again and put it into its sleeve.

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Junko
After a lot of thought, the kitsune decided to head back to the tree where she was interrogated. She had thought quite a bit about the events that had occurred yesterday and her curiosity was getting the better of her impaired judgement. When she had returned to her home in the Lux faction, she had been scold and put back in training for the reasons of being too in-experienced to handle even a simple job. The poor girl was forced to go to her old teacher, Sir Galid, a person feared by most in the faction...

If only her morals didn't include wanting to help people... If she had simply let those people die, she would have been completely fine! Why did her messed up moral compass have to contain that kind of moral? If she didn't have it, her life would be much easier...

She reached her destination and sat down under the tree she had been guarded near the day before. The fox took out the dagger she had sharpened yesterday and smiled at it. They couldn't have been all bad... they allowed her to sharpen a weapon near them... Her thoughts raced around, each one relating to the men from yesterday... especially the masked one... why had he not ordered for her to be killed?

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Kohl
I was in my civilian clothes, walking through the woods, feeling rather relaxed. My sleeves were rolled up enough that my hands were free. And I was using my hands to use a knife to cut bites of cheese off a block. I hummed softly as I worked, glad for a chance to relax. Yesterday I had kept good to my promise and twelve people had been killed. The people themselves had been criminals. But it was still a promise.

I cut another piece off and put it into my mouth. I wasn't really focusing on where I was going, and it was nice to relax a little I felt.

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Junko
Footsteps brought the fox girl back to reality and she looked around to find a lean boy walking around the woods. Junko quickly got to her feet and climbed a tree to get out of sight. Who was to say a man of the umbra faction wouldn't fight her on sight for being a Lux?

She jumped to a new tree and watched him for a moment as he ate pieces of cheese. As he walked towards her tree, her heart sped up and his eyes looked up for a brief moment. Stormy grey... the fox's eyes widened and she jumped down from her tree on the other side to stay unseen by the boy.

That... The masked boy! It was him! Her face grew a tint of pink. Why... why was it his eyes that made her notice his identity? No no! Must be because... he was in all black! How else could she recognize him?

The fox step out from behind the tree and put on her best straight face. "Hello." She spoke softly. "What are you doing here?"

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Kohl
I was mid bite when she stepped out of the tree's and I simply blinked at her for several seconds, the piece of cheese halfway to my mouth. "Hi." I responded with before actually bringing the cheese to my mouth.

I chewed slowly before finishing it and answering her question. "I'm out for a walk. It is a nice day out after all." I gestured to the landscape around us before smiling at her. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you around before, but then again I spend a lot of time indoors so I really don't see much of anyone."

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Junko
"Huh...?" She trailed off, a bit confused by his reaction. "What do you..." She narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to him, examining his face. Sure enough, his eyes held the same grey with the golden rings that circled his iris. "You... but you..." the poor girl couldn't understand what she was hearing compared to her vision.

"You are the boy who was masked the other day. I know it!" She stood up from her current position and tilted her head to the side. "You were the one who wanted informa-"

The fox stopped herself and shook her head. "Never mind... I am mostly new I suppose... sorry about my babbling..." She apologized, staring at his eyes, wondering if she stared at them enough if they would give her answers.

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Kohl
"Masked boy? Sounds like something from a story." I said with a gentle smile. I cut a piece of the cheese off and took a bite before offering out the cut piece.

"Babbling can be cute anyway, so don't worry. I haven't lived here too long, but I am sorry if I intruded on your part of the woods." I continued without missing a beat to make her feel at ease.

I knew for a fact that she remembered me from yesterday. But what could I do? If it came down to it, I would fight but for now I wanted to relax today.

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Junko
The girl took a step back and did what she could to hide the slight blush that was beginning to come to her face. "Only lived here a little while?" Her suspicions weren't fading. "This is my part of the woods... I hang out here every once in awhile to get my head on straight." She lied. It was plan as day to herself why she was there. Though she would blame it on loving the scenery.

Fox girl looked to the cheese and plucked it from his fingers gently. She sniffed at it absently before putting it into her mouth. It couldn't have been poisoned... considering he had been eating it previously. She doubted even the masked man would be able to easily predict her actions as to place a light poison in the cheese...

Her face lit up slightly and she licked her lips before straightening her features once more. "Thank you for the food..." Was all she said before she crossed her arms and her ears turned a bit to see if she could pick up noises of heavily armed men. His plan could have been to be friendly to her while his group of men from yesterday snuck in for the kill... right?

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Kohl
I nodded with a bow to my head, "Of course. I am glad that you liked it." I leaned closer as if I was sharing a secret. "I managed to talk the seller of the cheese down because it had a bit of mold on it."

I leaned back, "Little did he know, that you can just cut that off easily and still enjoy a good amount of cheese." I gave her a teasing smile, making a mental note to actually find someone who sells cheese. I never really did much shopping, and I had just taken the cheese, as well as a few other things with me in a backpack straight from our stores.

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Junko
The fox almost unsheathed her dagger from her waist when the boy had told her about the mold, but quickly felt a sigh of relief relax her body. "Thanks... I needed another reason to worry." She muttered and looked at his eyes again, still very sure he was the same boy from yesterday. Why was he so friendly? He didn't even seem to recognize her...

"Are you sure you know nothing about me? You look... very familiar..." She asked, hoping his pupils would dilate or something... just one lie... that's all she needed to get rid of her stupid curiosity and leave... No, of course not! I still want to know about that little vial... Junko sighed unexpectedly, feeling her stress levels go even further. Perhaps she should have left it alone... Maybe leaving this guy to be on his way was a better idea…

___________________

Kohl
I pursed me lips, looking her over. "Well, I can't say that I don't know anything about you. But where I am from, asking personal questions about a lady, or even a stranger is kind of frowned upon. But might I suggest if you wish to remain hidden, you watch for the sun." I said pointing with a finger to her shadow, something that was mostly hidden by the branches but with enough showing for a guess to be made.

I held up my hands apologetically, "I honestly mean no harm, and I'm sorry if I make you feel embarrassed by my guessing. But I think your a Kitsune...right?" I raised my voice and added the word at the end to form a question from my statement. As it was, I gazed at her with a mixture of curiosity as well as nervousness.

____________________

Junko
Her eyes widened and she looked to her shadow to see the shadow of a two tailed fox. Junko stepped further into the shadows, moving to his side. Her head turned back to him and her eyes became slits. "Yes... I am a Kitsune... Now... since you know what I am... might you simply tell me your name?" Her face softened and she gave a welcoming smile.

"My name it Kohl. And yours is?" He said, making Junko smile bigger.

"Junko. A pleasure to meet you, Kohl." She charmed, immediately beginning her silvertongue. Her eyes grew bright silver and her eyes stayed glued to his.

"Um..." The fox trailed, drawing a blank as to what she should ask him now. "What is your occupation, Kohl, and are you sure you didn't see me yesterday? Perhaps around a cozy fire with a few other men?"

____________________

Kohl
I considered her words, knowing what power she was using and knowing how it worked. "I am a storyteller. Though I am not sure what story it is I want to let out." My smile grew small as I continued, "I think I would remember someone with such a pretty smile. And I spend a lot of time around fires because of my job."

I gave a helpless shrug of my shoulders, "Did that help you at all?" I asked hopefully.

____________________

Junko
"H-huh?" She stuttered, her concentration broken and her cheeks blushing. Her eyes reverted back to their normal color and she looked to the ground in an attempt to hide the pink in her cheeks. "Not... really... but thanks..." She said. A storyteller? Definitely not what masked boy was... or he would have told her something instead of vise versa...

"Okay... never mind then." She said, losing her words because of his comment... Why was that the problem? The fox shook her head and looked back up, trying to resist the smile wanting to appear on her face. "So... Um... Not sure if there is anything else to be said." She shrugged.

____________________

Kohl
"Well, if you don't mind me asking. Could I hear some stories or hear about you?" I asked, a shy smile growing on my lips. She was cute when she blushed I noted in my head absently. "Oh, and was that silver tongue you used? I wasn't going to lie, but the words seemed to flow out easier."

____________________

Junko
"Stories? Stuff about me?" She questioned. She shook head and sat down, leaning against the tree again. "I don't know... We just met, didn't we?" the fox said as she sighed heavily. "Sorry for being so... strange to you, by the way." She spoke, rubbing the back of her head.

_____________________

Kohl
I gave a slight shrug to my shoulders, "Considering the war going on, it isn't a bad idea to be mistrustful of strangers."

I sat down and clasped my hands together, thinking a moment before asking, "I know a few parts of the Kitsune's stories, but not all..." I hesitated a moment, "Would it be easier to tell me a story of your people than to tell me some of yours?"

_____________________

Junko
The girl looked to him curiously. "I... guess it wouldn't hurt... after all, anyone can pick up a book and read about Kitsunes..." She said, resting her head against the tree. "Um... Ever heard the gripping story of the first Kitsune? Or... Why the white Kitsunes lost their color?" A giggle escaped her and she immediately regretted it. "Th... that one is just a folk lore. Not at all real... just a story my mom would tell me before bed or something... I never found in a book either."

____________________

Kohl
I gestured for her to continue, cutting off another slice of my cheese and sticking it into my mouth as I waited. A story was always the best way to pass the time, to me at the very least.

My eyes flicked upwards, towards the sky, the sun. I had plenty of time till it would grow dark and I would have to go back to camp.

____________________

Junko
Even though she wasn't told which story, Junko decided upon her traditional bedtime story. She sat up straight and twiddled her thumbs in her lap. "Alright... There lived a skulk of foxes. Vixen and Reynard, the mom and dad, had two pups. The story follows the youngest of the pups!" She began, a small smile coming to her face and she closed her eyes. "Little fox had a friend, squirrel. They played and played every day and by dusk, Vixen and Reynard would called little fox back to the den while squirrel went back to its tree to sleep. In autumn, little fox had grown up and his friend did as well. Even though they had grown up, fox and squirrel still played together and wrestled.

"One day, Fox and Squirrel chased each other around and around, distancing themselves far from their homes. All of a sudden, a terrible storm hit. Tiny flakes fell from the sky and the wind blew icy cold. Squirrel shivered madly and was scared of such terrible weather. Neither of them knew what to do. Because Fox had a fuller coat of fur, Fox wrapped himself around Squirrel to keep him warm. The wind blew and blew, snow swirled in the air, and they stayed together trying to keep from freezing.

"When the storm passed, Fox was completely covered in snow, and both creatures didn't move. It wasn't until most of the snow had melted that they decided to head for home. However, when fox stood up, he noticed his usual rusty colors were gone. His fur was now was the color of the fluffy snow that created a blanket over him during the storm. From that point on, foxes who didn't stay close to the den just before winter became white, and the offspring of these rebel kits also lost their red colorings." The fox girl sighed contently and opened her eyes. "The end. What do you think?"

____________________

Kohl
"As a story teller, I think its a wonderful story." I said after a moment. I put a smile on my lips, though inside I wasn't agreeing with the words that came out of my lips. But it was what I had asked for, so I couldn't fault her for telling it.

"Do you know who first wrote the story? Or what its usually used for?" I asked, continuing my role as someone who hunted for stories.

____________________

Junko
"It's just to give children a story to hear before bed or keep them from getting out of hand..." She nodded to herself. "For some of the white kitsunes, sometimes it would make them feel better knowing they live without red in their fur because their ancestor was protecting a friend. White kitsunes are looked down upon too... It's rather... depressing to say the least."

She looked to the boy and raised an eyebrow. "I don't know who wrote it. It's just been passed down... Do you have any stories? Or have I bored you with my own?"

____________________

Kohl
"There are plenty of stories that I know, would like to hear about the Zarsni tribe? Or the realm of hats? I am afraid that I can't quite tell my own tale. As it doesn't have an end yet." I said with an apologetic shrug.

____________________

Junko
A frown came to her face and she brought her knees to her chest. "Why not just a scene from your life? An event? I'm curious now..." She asked, a bit desperately. Then her mind went back to a current wonder.

"Um... are you sure you don't normally hang around with a bunch of soldiers? Or perhaps... You don't normally wear black clothing?" She asked.

____________________

Kohl
I considered her words, my lips poked out a bit as I thought of the best way to answer. "To answer the last two questions I will respond with one of my own. Do I look like I am all sneaky and armed to the teeth? All I have is this knife on me weapon wise." I gave the knife a little brandish, a bit of cheese still stuck on the end.

"As for a story, I'm afraid my mind is blank on any stories about me...I do remember a story I grew up hearing..." I leaned towards her and looked around conspiritory like as if I was telling a great secret. "It's about a Lux army company." I leaned back with a playful, but also smug smile on my face. I was following the assumption that she lived here and wasn't a Lux.

____________________

Junko
Her eyes widened and her heart raced. "A Lux army company?" She questioned. "Wh-what about it?" She stuttered, unable to hide the jitters she was beginning to get. "Sorry... talking about Lux is kinda of frightening..."

It was... especially after failing the mission... "What is the story then?" She asked, getting over the terror that had shot up her. She supposed he didn't know her... he was treating her like an Umbra... right?

____________________

Kohl
I looked around for a moment to be sure we were alone before starting the story, my voice matching perfect pitches of a story teller. "Ten years ago, Lux had a company, as I already told you. The company's name was Wraith Company. It was named for its captain, one of the best leaders on that side, Terrance Wraith." I paused, letting that information sink in. I was also waiting to see her reaction, knowing that the late Captain Wraith had been considered a good leader someone that many in leadership roles tried to be.

____________________

Junko
The girl nodded slowly. "Uh huh... I think I have heard of him..." She said. Of course she had! He is the greatest leader of Lux!

"So... what happened with this company...?" She asked curiously, knowing a bit about it as it was…

____________________

Kohl
"The company had been sent the Rock Canyons to help hold a Lux base from Umbra assault. For a week the fighting lasted, until a break finally appeared the the Umbra lines. Through this line, the Captain retreated with a small group of his soldiers, the rest volunteering to stay behind and defend the place to the last breath. The group held the fort for a year, hiding amongst the bodies of their fallen comrades to surprise the enemy. They held it for an entire year, with no support, no resupplying, no word on relief. They kept sending messages out, but no word ever came back. When the Captain finally did return as promised, the fort was empty except of prisoners. Noxus ones. Each person there was considered crazy, they rambled on and on about soldiers rising from the ground like ghosts killing and slaughtering Noxus troops like they were paper."

I looked down at the ground, "The troops talked about how the Lux group was lead by A man all in black, distinguished only by his unusual weapon and a gold ring around his eyes. The only clue they found about any of it was, a letter waiting in the spot that the Captain and the man had last spoken. To this day the company is rumored to be out there someplace still, though no one has been able to find proof of the existance."

____________________

Junko
The fox had been on the edge of her seat the whole time, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. Her body had twisted at the hip so she was facing the boy sitting next to her. "Wow..." She whispered. "I never heard that story before..." Her eyes fell to ground under her. "Very interesting..."

When she noticed her voice had softened tremendously and her expression was more childish, she straightened up and crossed her arms. "Right. Thank you for the story. It was rather nice to hear."

Then a thought occurred to the girl. "Wait... sir," she began, her brow raised. "Will you look up for me?"

_____________________

Kohl
I raised my eyes slowly to meet hers, knowing full well what she was asking to see. I gazed into her eyes with my gold ringed ones, inventing lies in my head on how best to explain it. I was also cursing myself in my head for ever mentioning that part of the story, in fact I was angry with myself for ever telling her this story, my story, or the rumored one at least. Parts of it were false, things we had come up with and put out there. Other parts were completely true, we had driven those men mad. We had slaughtered thousands of them with a small force. Not one of the men still alive from that time flinched anymore when liquid of any origin was on them. It was also how we 'baptized' our new soldiers. We soaked them in blood. Rained them in it for hours, days sometimes. My soldiers were baptized in blood, and forged through combat.

_____________________

Junko
The girl narrowed her eyes and then widened as she noticed the gold rim. "Um..." She muttered and looked away, a frown on her face. "You... you said you heard this story... I have the strange feeling you lied." Her arms crossed over her chest and she sighed.

"Eto..." Was all she could say afterward. Why had he told her that and then blatantly lie...? Was this a trick or something? Was he amused? Didn't seem so... Her heart raced... did he know she was part of Lux and not Umbra? This could be a test! Gah... why had she even sat down with him? Had the fox not learned her lesson from being a spy and losing that privilege?

_____________________

Kohl
"Lied? Well, I did tell you the truth. Possibly not all of it, but I have heard the story exactly as I told you." I smiled at her. When I noticed how nervous she was becoming I held out a hand to bring her attention back.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Maybe I could make it up to you, I swear on the honor of my friends, and the memories of those close to me that I have heard rumors that the dragons have signed a pact to fight on the Umbra side." I spread my arms a bit. Making an attempt for a smile as I continued, "With the help of the dragons the tides of the war should change right?"

_____________________

Junko
The fox tried not to let her fear show as he gave her the news. "Dragons? That's definitely going to turn the war around!" She... she got information! She wasn't even spying! Her eyes darted to the ground and her index finger slid to her lips. "Hm... Such a thing being a rumor could me it isn't true too... Guess we just have to hope, right?"

Her eyes softened and her head looked toward the sky. "I guess telling me that makes up for what you did." Junko mused, mischief curling her voice. "Half of it, at least!" A giggle escaped her lips. She made the assumption her sudden rise in mood was because he had given her a valuable piece of information if the rumor proved to be true... or it was because her body was aching from being so stiff…

_____________________

Kohl
I nodded, then gave a gasp. "Only half? What else must I do to win your affection again?" I replied, a similar mixture of mirth and mischief coming to my own tone. The dragon thing was completely true, I had been watching from the shadows when the deal had been made, and I figured she could use a bone to give her side. Besides, just her being here already told me what side the Kitsunes joined. Even if she was to be an outcast for her people, I knew her deity, Kuzu-something-or-other, was fond of her little outcasts.

_____________________

Junko
"A-affection? I didn't say that!" She said, her face falling and turning away from him. "A stranger should only expect friendliness... Affection is for closer relations!" She explained, trying to keep the red out of her face. Affection meant liking someone... at least as friends. Sure, he wasn't the worst person to hang out with, but he used a strange word for something so simple...

She was blowing this out of proportions! She had to be! There's no way he meant it as friends... right? He was smarter than that. "Anyway... I don't know about the other half..."

____________________

Kohl
I raised an amused eyebrow, leaning forward with one hand propped up my head on an arm that I was having propped up on my knee. "True, it is for closer relations. But does a girl or guy not develop feelings over someone from a distance? A passing crush over some one they have seen and possibly never met." I was entirely teasing her, her reactions to my simple phrase was greatly amusing to me.

____________________

Junko
The blush in her cheeks was turning her cheeks pink. "Uh... Maybe for you, but I have never experienced a crush with a boy or girl just by looking up them..." She commented. "A-and unless you're feeling affection towards me, affection is not the word to use when describing the feeling between us. More... friendliness or kindness."

Her arms crossed over her chest and she brought her legs up closer to herself. Perhaps it was best to calm down. If she looked, Junko would have seen the amusement in Kohl's face.

____________________

Kohl
"And if I do feel affection towards you what then hm? There are many different types of affection out there. Family affection, like one feels for a brother or sister...Friendly affection, like a best friend you grew up with. Sexual affection, for those that you find attractive and start to get a crush on...Sexual affection can also be love affection if things progress that way." I was fighting a grin, catching sight of the bit of red her face was getting.

"What do you think I feel for you?" I asked, my eyes dancing as I shook with silent laughter. I knew I was pushing her buttons, but I didn't feel all that bad about doing so.

Junko
Out of all the teasing, the fox was starting to see through a bit of it. She closed her eyes as the blush got worse, but found some composure by doing so. "I don't care which kind you feel. I-I-I don't feel affection considering we just met and I am not a big fan of people as it is." Yes! Take that, Kohl! She thought, resisting the smile she wanted to show.

"Besides who is to say we will see each other again? I could disappear at any moment or end up dead after a brutal fight. There's no reason to have such affection like so when we live in war."

____________________

Kohl
"To me that is all the more reason to start something. You never know what happens, or who you might lose and never see again..." I trailed off, my own dark thoughts about my first love running through my head. I pushed them away quickly and slowly got to my feet. "Well, if you don't want to have any affection for me, I should be going on my way then."

I patted her shoulder, "It was a pleasure to meet you like this, and your blush is cute you know. Go on and find someone you like and tackle them in hugs and kisses every day." With that said, I turned and twirled the knife between my fingers as I whistled a merry little tune. I kept my steps slow, a pace one sets if they have no real place to go.

____________________

Junko
Poor girl couldn't wrap her head around the situation. All of a sudden he was up and walking away! She opened her eyes and watched him for awhile before sighing and standing up from the tree. She stretched and ran over to him, knowing she could regret her actions...

"Hey, wait! I just... We can at least hang out! Unless you have something to do, there's no reason for us to just wandering around bored to death, right?" A small smile came to her face just for got in front of him to stop him for continuing his stride. "We could play a game... we could talk some more..." Her gaze fell to her feet as she gave her suggestions, having no idea how he would react.

____________________

Kohl
I continued walking forward until I was standing less than a few inches from her. "A game or talking hm?" I asked my head tilting as I waited for her to look up at me. "Sounds interesting, though what would we play or talk about?" A pang went through me as I stood here, she was so much like my past love...it was heartbreaking to see the similarities.

_____________________

Junko
The fox girl took a step back, uncomfortable by the boy's presence being so close that her heart raced faster. "U-u-um... well, Kitsunes have a few games dealing with our favorite item..." She explained, reaching to her bracelet and snagging one of the detachable silver bells. "So... we could play a version of hide-and-seek."

"Or we could talk more about each other, I guess..." She looked up to him with cautious eyes. "If your willing to say more, you are quite an interesting person. I wouldn't mind hearing more stories."

_____________________

Kohl
I considered, eying the familiar silver bell. I nodded slowly then, "How about a deal then. I'll play a game if you win, you get to ask anything you want and I will answer it truthfully and to the best of my ability. No lies, no half truths, no riddles." I grinned at her, "But what are you willing to offer me if I win?"

_____________________

Junko
"Anything?" Her eyes brightened even if her face stayed a straight line. "You really think you can win?" A smirk threatened to come to her face at that point before it was taken over by a frown.

"Offer? Um..." She crossed her arms and stepped back again. "I will offer to you... oh! I will allow you to have a... friendly affection thing with me if you wish for such a thing. If not... then I could also promise you some more cheese if you so choose."

____________________

Kohl
I blinked at her for several seconds before laughing hard, enough that I had to put my hands on my knees to try and breath. When I got my laughter under control I straightened, wiping at my eyes a bit before I even tried to speak. "Friendly affection? So if I win I get to take you on a date?" I grinned at her then took one of the bells from her bracelet, pinning it to my chest right over my heart.

"I have played your games before." I teased before taking a jump backwards, landing with no noise from myself or the bell.

____________________

Junko
The fox could no longer trust her eyes or ears. A date!? He already could move without moving the bell!? She put her hand over her mouth to hide her blush as she stood back and thought about it. "F-fine... a date if you so choose!" She decided and sighed.

Her body suddenly relaxed and her expression lost most of its emotions as she did her best to think of words. "Alright. The object of the game, in case you haven't heard them before, is to catch your opponent. Getting the opponent's bell before them is kind of a bonus and bonuses could mean... extra detail or a special dress, I suppose for whoever wins. The rules are as followed: Boundaries are the trees from here to half a mile, every five minutes both bells must ring if the holder hasn't slipped up, weapons are free game, but magic is prohibited. I believe that is it..." She finished. "To tag someone, all you have to do is tap them on the shoulder or similar. Any questions?"

___________________

Kohl
I nodded and just stood there, waiting for her to make the first move. I kept my hands to my sides, my body loose just so I could wait for her to come at me, or run away. This was actually a good idea, I reasoned. I hadn't given up on her joining my crew yet and it would give me a good idea of her abilities and skill level. I was struck then, just how familiar this was, but I pushed that thought aside, as well as the next one...the next one was that I was so intent about having her join because she was so much like my past love.

____________________

Junko
When she got no answer, Junko placed the bell she had taken off back on her bracelet and dashed towards him and a smirk flashed upon her face as her body shrunk and fur began to cover her face. Once she was a foot away, she jumped and her fox form landed on Kohl's head. The fox quickly fell to the ground behind him seconds after and ran off into the woods.

The little creature kept running and the bracelet made no sound as she kept moving. This was going to be fun.

____________________

Kohl
I nearly had a hand on the bell when she landed on my head. My fingers had been touching it, nearly grasping it before she jumped off. I whirled around and actually had to resist throwing my knife and impaling her in the spine. I slid the knife kind of haphazardly in my belt before leaping up into the air, kicking off with all my strength to land in the branches above us. From there I started running towards the direction she had gone off in. The hunt was on.

____________________

Junko
With no magic being allowed, she was stuck in her fox form for the rest of the game, a feat that wouldn't be hard to keep up with. The brown creature stopped running and looked behind her, making sure he was still far behind before ripping the bracelet off her leg and struggling to get it to her back leg. She figured her tail would hide it well if it was behind her.

That being down, she knew she had made enough noise for him to find her fast and quickly turned around and ran parallel of where she had been before, hoping to hear Kohl without him finding her as she stayed in the foliage on the the ground.

____________________

Kohl
I put my hands in my pocket and slowed down, keeping myself relaxed as I scanned around. In this game we had to go for the bells. She was stuck in her form, and so I just had to wait for her to come to me. I hummed a tune at random, continuing to scan the woods as I wandered aimlessly. I kept an ear out for her, focusing on the sound of things rustling in the woods.

____________________

Junko
Bingo. The fox girl laid her eyes on the man and slowed her pace. Looking around, she found a branch that had fallen from a tree that was perfect for a distraction. Quietly, she picked it up and snuck up to the boy, staying out of his sight. Once she was at his side, the side where his bell was pinned, she backup carefully.

The fox threw the branch behind him and then pounced for his chest, either striving to bring him to the floor or get the bell off him. Either way, he would hopefully be confused and not know where the bell was on her after she moved it.

____________________

Kohl
I ducked under her, planting my feet onto the earth and kicking a foot up. It hit her bell ringing it. I used my hands on the ground to spring forwards, tucking into a roll that I came out of to my feet, where I stood completely at ease. I was a bit disappointed, but then I knew that my last companion for this game had been one of the fastest Kitsunes I had ever seen.

____________________

Junko
Surprise engulfed the girl's face and she turned to face him once her feet had been planted on the ground. A small yip escaped her lips just before she bolted towards him and feint to his right to get around him. The fox gained enough speed to pounce and fall behind a bush. Alright... what now... maybe no powers wasn't such a good idea... She realized.

The female moved her paws as her mind bustled to come up with a new plan. Once a lightbulb lit up, her face brightened and she hunched over and licked her muzzle. She studied the boy through spaces that the leaves of the bush gave her to find he was still standing there, waiting for her to pop out.

In a flash, the fox bounced up and dashed for him once more this time aiming for his legs and opening her mouth to bite down or put him off balance. If she happened to do the latter, she would climb up on him and retrieve the shining bell.

____________________

Kohl
I took her hit and just withstood it. I dropped to a knee by my own power, a hand flashing out to grab her by the scruff of her neck. From there I moved her to be cradled to my chest, my bell right above her face, but my fingers were holding onto her bell.

"Caught you." I told her with a grin, my eyes dancing merrily.

____________________

Junko
The fox's eyes grew huge when she looked up to the boy's eyes. He... She was so close to his bell! And yet... he had his fingers over her own. Her first instinct was to snatch the bell from his collar, but he would still have the ability to take both of them in his possession once more. This was over.

The girl in fox form closed her deep green eyes and breathed in deep. When he eyes opened once more, she leapt from Kohl's arms and to the ground at his feet. The changes happened immediately. Her fox ears withdrew into the sides of her head and became round. Her tail swayed as if was engulfed by her rapid increase in height and form. The fox's fur began to whiten and clump together on her arms and legs. Her eyes dilated and her claws retracted. Junko's last mutation was the fur on her head turned chocolate brown and grew longer as she whipped it behind her to see.

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the boy, seeing the bell in his grasp and the other still attached to his shirt. "Happy? You won." She growled in annoyance. "If I had used my magic though I know I would have won! A kitsune's power is no match for anyone." The fox said proudly no matter how false that was for a defected kitsune.

"I supposed I am to go on a 'date' now." kitsune girl said, putting the word "date" in air quotations. "Where will we be going?"

____________________

Kohl
I stood there silently, watching her transform then her facial expression. I listened to her attitude filled words and still I said nothing. It was only after she was done air quoting the word date and asking to where they would be heading did I finally feel like speaking.

I calmly removed the bell from my chest and held the bells both in one hand. I looked at them, my face unreadable as I ran over her words and her actions. I tossed the bells at her feet and turned around to walk away. "Nowhere, I am no longer in the mood to play."

In truth I was ticked and disappointed. It was one thing to lose and accept that loss. It was another to put a rule on yourself, adhere to that rule, lose and then be angry and complain that if you could just have used what the rule prevented you from doing you would have won. And then after knowing what would happen if you lose, she then made it into a joke.

Because of her actions, there was no winner of this game. We both lost. Some more than others.

____________________

Junko
"H-huh?" She questioned, unsure of what happened. Junko picked up her bells and jogged after him for a bit before stopping in her tracks. She bit down on her fingernail and tried to think. What just happened? Backtrack... he was having fun beforehand, right? Why was he in a bad mood now?

Once again she chased after him before he was too far and moved into his way again. "Hey, hold on a minute" She spoke, concern leaking out of her voice. "What's wrong? You won! I thought you wanted that date. What changed your mind?" She asked. She corrected her posture and tilted her head to the side as she waited for his answer.

____________________

Kohl
"I did. You had an attitude about losing. Were taunting that you would have won had you been able to use magic. You set that rule on yourself not me. Why should I want to stay to play some more, on a date or otherwise with someone with so little respect for her people's own game." I snapped, my eyes flashing with anger.

I closed my eyes and drew in a slow breath. I needed to be calmer, other wise I would have punched her right then. I opened my eyes, and looked at her. Making sure my displeasure was known.

___________________

Junko
She took a step back in shock at the harshness that spewed from his mouth. The girl looked to her shoes and put a hand on her other arm. "I... I'm sorry." She whispered. "I didn't mean to..." She trailed off and sighed, accepting another loss.

"Very well." Junko said, doing her best to compose herself. "I suppose that would ruin someone's day and I apologize sincerely for such an act." Her hands moved to her sides and she looked back up with as much confidence as she could muster. "I would; however, like to honor your reward or ask you to pick a new one for winning." Her face tinted to a light pink and her eyes looked away to hide her embarrassment and shame.

"Of course, nothing has to be finalized now, I guess. If you need time to think, take it though... if you just want to leave," She paused, getting her emotions under control, "simply say so. I don't want to be waiting two days someplace for you to show up to tell me how I can reward you for winning if you don't plan to see me again."

_____________________

Kohl
I sighed softly and closed my eyes. "I won't be leaving for a while yet. I have business about town that I still have to do. Stories to dig up, information to be found out, ect." I grew silent again, then opened my eyes to look at her.

"I was disappointed by your reactions. I don't think I will play that game with you for a long while. If you want to play again sometime, you are going to have to earn that right back. As for the reward, we will have to see. I'm still unhappy about the ending. I expected more." My voice was soft but carried easily.

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Junko
Once more the girl hung her head and sighed. "Of course... I'm sorry. I hope you have fun elsewhere I guess, huh?" She said looking up and doing her best not to cringe at his disappointed face. "Um... see ya around?" She said, forcing herself to smile.

She really didn't want him to leave and for her to be left on her own. Junko was still having the jitters with the game and the failed mission. She waited for him to say something in hopes of him deciding to stay no matter how little possibility that had…

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Kohl
I watched her, reading her expression rather easily as she was doing nothing to hide it. I fought inwardly before sighing in my head. What in the world was I going to do with her, hm? I shook my head then sighed dramatically. "If only I had someone to show me around the city. I would hate to get lost while I am here."

I peeked at her, letting my eyes still have the disappointed look, but also a bit of mirth behind them. I hoped she would take the offer of forgiveness. If she didn't then I really had no want to be with or around someone like her.

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Junko
"Hm? Oh! I can help you find your way around." She said and tilted her head slightly with a small smile. "I don't know many shortcuts around the town... but I can get you places." The fox rubbed her arm and looked to the city. If only she had been here longer... she would be able to help him find the shortcuts that lied all over this place... Perhaps that would have made a better impression on him...

Or... could she make not knowing shortcuts an excuse for her to see him for longer? Would that freak him out? Would that be a nice idea? Junko shook her head. Maybe not... "Whenever you're ready, we can head down."

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Kohl
I made a gesture for her to start leading, using the motion as well as a head turn to hide my amused smile. Watching the emotions roll across her face had been charming, but I wasn't fully ready to forgive quite yet. That would come in time, but for now I wanted to see what she might do. Over all, that was my goal now. I just wanted to see what she would do.

I turned my head back but was unable to remove entirely the expression I had on my face. I kept my steps light, and carefree much like any storyteller.

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Junko
Another smile appeared on her face. She nodded and started walking toward the city. "Alright... let's see..." She said, heading down the hill. During their stroll, Junko pointed out the decent restaurants and the acceptable stores to him. Her eyes darted around the buildings, noticing something... different. People were dressed in vivid colors, long dresses, and shimmering headdresses.



How queer... The fox was used to seeing both cultural styles of Lux and Umbra: Lux's people always wore the pale colors that one would see in old photos while the town's in the Umbra faction would bare deep, crisp, and dark colors. Completely different from the attire people had now.



The girl hastened her pace, Kohl trailing right behind her. When they reached the middle of the city, streamers flew through the air while children danced to the sound of drums beating. Junko's head was spinning and she placed a hand to her forehead. "Wow..." She whispered and swiftly turned around to find Kohl and frowned up to him. "Sorry... I didn't know a festival wa-" She tried to say before someone tapped her on the shoulder.



"Hello there, cuties! I hope you both are as excited for this year's festival as I am! We have tons of stands, games, and activities! Oh, we also have dancing going on in the center!" The fox spun back around to see a short girl who carried a huge smile on her face. "Oooh, you two must be hoping to win the couples contest, huh?"



Junko's eyes widened. "Wh-what? No, I-we-" She stuttered.



"Oh, don't be so bashful, sweetheart! Let's go and find you some ravishing clothing to wear!" The woman said and took the fox's hand as well as Kohl's. She dragged them off to the far end of the plaza where a rack of outfits were organized by boys’ and girls’ clothing. “Alright! Juliet will help you, madame, and I will help you, sir!” She said and the girl probably known as Juliet dragged me in the opposite direction of Kohl.



“W-woah! B-but Kohl and I aren’t a cou-“

“Deary, it’s alright. We will take good care of your boy.” She said as she pushed Junko into a small changing room and tossed a few dressed over the door. “Now, try those on and come out so I can take a look at you!”

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Kohl
I had listened to her point out shops, nodding my head at the right moments, though I already knew the entire city and what most of the places were already. But out of politeness and the effort to know what she knew, I listened anyway. She had a nice voice anyway.

I was just as surprised about the festival though, and I looked around in happy amusement. It was so bright and colorful, a happy occasion for all it seemed. Though by looking around I couldn't tell exactly what the festival was actually about. I didn't let that bother me though, and just looked around in as much interest as I could. Which was a lot actually.

I was even more surprised when we were called a couple, I glanced at her just to see what kind of reaction she had about it. I watched her adorable little stutter and I just ducked my head shyly. I was pulled away by the short girl to a separate dressing room. She looked me over consideringly tapping her lips. She had me lose the shirt before she began to measure and hand me clothing, getting rid of options as she watched me put them on and show her.

In the end I was dressed in black and red, in an outfit that was skin tight, but also seemed to be made of nothing but bandages. It was an exotic outfit, and her reasoning was that I looked rather exotic. I felt weird wearing such an outfit, but I didn't complain. It was free, and they were really kind about the entire thing.

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Junko
The girl kept being tossed unique and exquisite dresses. Each one becoming more intricate as they were thrown over the stall door.

"Um... is there anyway we can try something simpler? These are getting to large for the stall to handle... as well as to large for me to be able to deal with while walking around..." the Kitsune called as she looked the purple and blue dress that fluffed tremendously at the bottom.

A sigh was heard from the other side. "If you really want to... I have this pretty green and brown one that would look gorgeous on you!" Poor girl had said that every time she had passed a dress over the stall though...

In seconds, a red dress with a few sparkles at the neckline was pushed over the top. "Hope you like that one! You will look beautiful!"

Junko slipped into the dress with ease and noticed in the mirror that the fabric hugged her in the right places for her figure. She blushed a pink tint and clasped her hands in front of her. She couldn't help thinking about Kohl... and if he would like her outfit.

"Almost done in there, girly?" The woman from behind asked and Junko pushed the door open to reveal her looks. The girl stared with wide eyes and smiled. "You are amazing, sweetheart!" She hugged the fox girl and freaked the fox out, startling her and making her uncomfortable because of physical contact.

"Um... can I see my friend then?" She asked and received a puzzled look from the woman. "My... um... Kohl? The boy I came in here with?"

She giggled and laughed. "Oh, sweetpea! Don't be so embarrassed to call him your boyfriend! You'll make him feel bad!" She pointed to the opposite side of the plaza. "He is over there" And before Junko could explain once more that they weren't a couple, her helper was gone.

The fox sighed and walked over, feeling very exposed in her new clothing. When she found Juilet and Kohl, he had just gotten himself situated in his festival outfit. She stared and couldn't help but admire his appearance. Wow...

"H-hey Kohl!" She squeaked and waved at him. "You look really nice..."

Kohl:

I looked over myself one more time, silently bubbling with questions. Where had they gotten a hold of something like this? It wasn't perfect, but it was close to the formal clothing my people used to wear before we spread apart and began to evolve into the respective races that inhabited the world. I smoothed a hand over it and made a few adjustments, my mind completely elsewhere...to another time.

I was so lost in memory I didn't notice her coming towards me and my helper. My memories was of my youth, growing up in the now long dead and forgotten capital of my people. Alnabans, the city of the seasons. Few knew of it's existence, and those that did...either lived on the city island, or likely never returned to the island again. Our nation that had spanned far in all directions, was in my youth the size of the large island. But still, in all my years of travel, nothing matched the splendor of my city. Not the Temple of the Bells that the Kitsune's had in their capital. Not the Spire City home to those who lived in the clouds. Not even the dwarves golden palace, a stone and precious metal construction that seemed to defy all logic on how the stone could support the entire weight of hundreds of feet of construction above it.

It could be that I was biased about it, but even those from other lands, those who stumbled upon my home...even the few invaders who tried to take the place from us. They saw its beauty and became a part of it, either by joining our people, or by adding their supplies to our own as we took it from their corpses. The clothes we wore, reflected this style. As we didn't get many ships to our island, we took what we needed from the sea, or from those who came to visit. It had been our seventh High Council during the time when we were sending and receiving many travelers from our people and from the great nations at the time. Segregation and infighting had developed, as competing interests over what one wore and whom you associated with became prevalent. The PRefect set us straight, as she had each group bring her a set of clothing. She took them all, and stepped away. The groups waited for three days before she came back out, and when she did she was wearing much like I was wearing right now. Clothing that was made of many strips of cloth. The strips were of varying length and thickness. Single colors were for everyday use, but multiple colors had become used for formal events, as it was harder to get all the strips to work together in a cohesive way.

I had a set of the bandage clothing back at my hideout, carefully taken care of and repaired as needed. IT was that ability to be repaired so easily that made me feel as if it was better than any other clothing out there. FOr once you knew the pattern, if you ever got a rip or a tear, all you had to do do was get a new strip of cloth. Not only that, but as the name of the clothing implied...it was great for bandages.

I ran a hand over the outfit again, silently making a few more adjustments to its fit before my brain registered that Junko was beside me. I turned to her and gave her a shy smile, "Thank you. It has been a long time since I last wore something like this." I glanced down at myself one last time before taking a mostly discreet look at what she was wearing. My attempts at being discreet stopped when I did catch sight of what she was wearing. I was brought up short and I turned to openly stare for a good long few seconds. Eventually my brain caught up and I managed out, "W-wow."

Junko
A small smile appeared on the girl's face and she looked the boy up and down for a moment. "I've never seen such a unique style of festival attire..." She commented, tilting her head slightly. "It's made out of different overlapping pieces?" She looked curiously at the red and black colorings.

"Oooh, the design is cool too... and it doesn't look very big so the seamstress didn't actually build upon the design much, did they? Smart... that way the wearer doesn't get too warm!" She exclaimed loudly before she realized she was staring at the crossing patterns. She looked up to him and blinked a bit.

"Sorry... it's something new I am not used to..." She spoke as she noticed the lines went over his shoulders and down his front to form and "X" like pattern along with the woven design. The "X" helped to create the rest of the pattern with diagonal lines going around him. "Wow..."

Junko shook her head and rubbed the back of her head. "A-anyway! What should we do? I don't know about this festival and I don't know if you do either... do you happen to have a plan?" Her smile was gone as she questioned him, trying to focus her attention back to the situation.

Khol:

I smoothed a hand down my chest then offered out the same hand to her. "I don't have any clue about this festival...and I don't have a plan either. Someone was supposed to be showing me around. I don't see how this should change...though its more likely to be a date now...should we continue this."

I left this up to her, she could take my hand and we could make this a date...or she could not and it would just be her showing me around the city. The choice was literally, in her hand.

Junko
Fox girl looked to his hand and felt the hair on her neck stand up straight. "But... I don't know what to do either. Will we be figuring it out together now?" She asked and reached out to touch his hand.

She flinched once and then jerked out the last few inches of distance to grab his hand. "There." She muttered before feeling the heat in her cheeks. She hadn't exactly meant to say that allowed. "So... Should we ask someone about the festival? Would that be first? Or should we try to get around the place on our own?"

Her face was red hot and instinctively she wanted to let her ears and tails show for comfort, but she knew that was a terrible idea unless they somehow were in private or she was on her own. Why did she grab his hand anyway? This could be a casual thing still and she could just show him the rest of the town that she knew. They could completely ignore the festivities.

Maybe... she just couldn't help feeling a little excited to go on her first "date".

Braid:

Braid stood with his arms crossed, standing amongst the stone columns of their latest home. He was as still, as large, and as wide as any of them, but he had grown up in a place that made warriors bigger than he. He had been waiting for several long hours, the sun having dipped past the horizon for a good long while. And he was willing to wait till the sun set once again for the boy to return.

And come the boy did, a grin on his face a mark on his cheek that could only have been left with a kiss. The outfit was new, but he knew the story behind such an outfit. "You're late." The giant rumbled out, while the smaller man approached and stood before Braid.

"Oh hush, I was out having a bit of fu-" Khol started to say before he was cut off by Braid.

"The three brothers are dead." Braids voice was stern, and quiet for the giant. But he watched the change go over Khol. His eyes darkened first, then his face, then it was like his whole body became shrouded.

"How?"

"They were found out. It was quick."

"The bodies?"

"We have them already."

With out another word Braid moved out of the way and Khol advanced past him, going deeper into the base. But Braid knew his night wasn't over. He had something he needed to do now, someone he would need to see. So he left, to find the one who plagued his Captains thoughts and mind.

He found her in the same tree they had captured her for the first time. So, he moved into her field of view calling out in his deep rumble. "Come down here girl. No, don't run. I am not here to cause problems. If you run, I would have to follow. And I am much too old to do that."

The girl seemed crouched, ready to flee in a moments notice, but she stayed. She glared at him, eyes full of suspicion but the giant simply gathered together things to make a fire. Once it was finished he sat down and pulled off a weapon and withdrew a sharpening stone. "You are welcome to stay up there all night, but a fire would be more comfortable...especially in a dress."

He put some oil onto the stone then set to work giving it a strong edge. He didn't look up from his work even as the curiosity got to the lass and she came down from the tree. "We have much to discuss Lass. T^hings that will determine if I need to kill you, or take you with me. Things involving my Captain and the effect you are having on him."

Junko
After the festivities, the fox had wandered back to her tree, deciding it would be her home for awhile since she couldn't go back to either town until she was sure she could get away with it. Her mind couldn't help reeling from the possibility of being discovered or the group of men who had come out a few days back spreading the word that she was a spy.

When she had gotten back to her cozy tree, she had cursed at herself in her native tongue about her stupidity. All she had at the moment was the snug dress to be in until she could find a bit of clothing elsewhere. Perhaps a trip to a clothing store wouldn't be too much hassle? The amount of coin she carried; however, wasn't unlimited. She carried little on her as it was and the rest was in the room she had in a barrack. 

She had climbed the tree anyway, hopeful and careful that no one would be at the bottom to see anything underneath her. Junko sighed when she reached a sturdy branch and slid down the trunk to sit with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Her eyes closed and she sighed, allowing her ears to pop out of the top of her head. She decided against letting her tail free because of the dress. The girl shivered slightly, but didn't mind as she tried for some sleep.

Footsteps fell and immediately the girl was on her feet, crouched on branch. The muscular male moved to her line of sight and her breath caught in her throat. She knew exactly how he was. The man from when she was caught before. Her eyes darted from side to side, looking for the rest of his group in vain. No one else seemed to be around as the guy spoke to her and picked up pieces of wood and placed them in a pile.

As he worked, her curiosity piqued and she slowly descended from the tree, glad he didn't look away from his work. Junko moved to the side and kept her distance from the man, her hands at her sides as she watched him closely. Only then did she realize her ears were still out and she made them vanish before the burly man could see. "Your Captain? You mean the man whom did all the talking the last time you and I were in the same vicinity?"

Braid:

Braid kept his eyes on his sharpening as he spoke, his deep voice grave. “Ten years ago, Lux had a company that was known as Wraith Company. I’m sure you have heard this story before, or if not, then the dirt of the Lux is simply being swept under the rug. The company was given a mission to hold a Lux base from Umbra assault. The fighting lasted for a week, I watched good men and woman die.” I paused and the only sound was the crackle of flames and the rasp of stone to metal. “Like all good stories this one has a hero. And a girl. The hero of this tale isn’t the Captain of the company at the time. It is about the man who served under him. The man and the Captain were close. Though the man was likely older than the Captain, he was still a child by his peoples standards. He viewed the captain like a father. And the captain made a promise, swore on his life that he would be back with reinforcements. The Captain left through a break in the Umbra line. For a year we waited. For a year we fought till the last man. But during that year, something tragic happened. The man lost the one most precious to him. She was a kitsune, and she died in his arms. When she died we had been holding our ground for a month.”

The man slid the weapon back into its straps and drew out a new one, reoiling his stone and then setting to work again. “He was changed then. Before he was always talking to us about how the Captain would be just around the corner, that soon enough we would hear the war horns blowing. But with her death he drew into himself, his eyes focused on the horizon where the Captain promised to come from. Another month past and he stopped looking and instead threw himself into the fighting with a drive that spoke of suicide. We held for a year, using the bodies of our comrades, our enemy, of the few innocents who always get caught up in war. We hid among them and rose like wraiths to kill our enemy time and time again. Umbra sent an entire battalion against us. Ten thousand men. We were a company of five hundred. We slaughtered them to the last sane man. All we left behind were gibbering messes, who flinched and screamed about the ghosts of the dead rising to get revenge on the fallen. We had done our duty. But the cost was great as the last forty three of us walked away. Leaving the post, the bodies, and the insane behind. We traveled to the Lux capital. On the way four died from the wounds they received in the year. Two more we had to put down ourselves because they went as crazy as those we left. We made it to the capital but our captain asked us to lay low. That something seemed off. Seven didn’t listen to him. They went to families, to the leaders. Each was gathered up and interrogated. And for our service, for our promise of support. Each was executed for abandoning the post. The man came back to us carrying the heads of our friends who had been executed. He came back also with the badge of commander our old Captain had gained. He never came back, he never kept his promise. Instead he got a promotion and let his old comrades die.”

The giant lifted his gaze up and stared at the girl. “The man became our new captain, and we made a promise amongst ourselves. We were no longer going to serve Lux. We would never serve Umbra. We would exist outside the two forces, and outside the bounds of politics. We would end this war even if we had to kill the leaders of both groups. And so we kept the name we had gained from our old Captain. And we will end this war. I am telling you this because you have affected my Captains mind. We lost three of our best people today. The three who distracted you in fact.” The man’s voice took on a hard edge. “I am here to decide if I should end you now before you have the chance to hurt the Captain. I will end you if I have to, or you can try to join us. We find new members rarely. But you are skilled, if naïve. I personally don’t think you will pass the initiation. But I have been wrong about people before. Like Captain…no…its Commander Wraith now isn’t it.”