faderift | [ closed ] It's not fate, it's DESTINY!

Kallian was even paler and more nervous than usual. She was the one who would be the least conspicuous for this job, and the retrieval rested on her slender shoulders. But the small elf had received warnings about what a dangerous place Kirkwall's Lowtown could be, and it was through Lowtown she would have to go to reach the alienage.

"Anything else I need to know before we do this?" she asked in a small voice.

"Hand over the card I gave ya when we meet her and try to smile. This is all very fine and legitimate work and t'ween me and Korrin we got you covered should things start look'n a little tense. No one's gonna lay a hand on you." Easy peasy.

So long as things go smooth, everything'll be right and fine.

Just.

Let things go smooth.

It would be nice if things did go smooth for once, but the way Korrin is glancing around, she's doubting it. But the city elf with them doesn't need to be made any more nervous than she already is, so Korrin will try not to further fray those nerves.

"What he said. We've been at this for a long time, so we know what we're doing." Usually. "Let's just get in and do what needs to be done. The sooner this is over, the better for all of us."

"I agree." Beleth piped up, though she didn't look very soothed. "There's a lot of us. And I'll have my bow. So, I mean. Me and Korrin can fight, even if it's at a distance." She shot a look to the qunari in question, giving her a quick smile, reaching up to pat her arm.

"You know, if you relax, people won't care. Looking like you're tense enough for two isn't going to help much." She pointed out to Korrin. "I think it'll be fine. If anyone messes with you, I'll protect you, alright?" A smile followed that, because wow, Beleth is surely more intimidating. Goodness.

Korrin tries to echo that smile, tips twitching faintly at the thought but also touched. People having her back is always appreciated, especially when she's feeling vulnerable. Not that she wants to dwell on that now. "My hero."

Of course, that's when she hears the voices of nearby humans who aren't even remotely trying to cover up what they're talking about.

'A Qunari, here? Kirkwall doesn't need to be overrun again.'
'By just one ox? Impossible. It's just somebody's pet.'

Kallian draws her cloak a little more tightly around her, her steps light and quick. She tries to avoid looking directly at anyone if she could possibly help it. Head down. Hands to herself.

Well, maybe not quite. Quietly, subtly, she weaves spells of protection around her and her companions. Nothing too obvious. Maybe a slight shimmer in the air that could be mistaken for a trick of the light.

The tree rising out of the mishmash of buildings was her first clue that they were getting close to the alienage.

"If the elves here are anything like the ones in Denerim... You aren't going to want them knowing you're there," she said softly.

"Keep walk'n." Mal's voice is low and friendly enough, his smile open even if his eyes are dark. "They ain't worth it. We're gonna get paid and they're gonna go home hungry."

It's not much, that. It ain't even all that good a thought to keep 'em warm, but it's someth'n to stow the imminent violence from ensu'n. They got their work to mind and a job to do. No time for undue fuss'n. No time for fight'n what they don't got to. In and out. Quick and clean. One smooth job and they're back home. "You got the card, li'l miss?"

"Plan is we hang back. You walk in with Jayne, he'll mind you. You get what we need and we meet you in the house; we get the goods, we get out. No muss, no fuss."

"I have it, yes."

The elf keeps moving, hoping a mabari at her feet doesn't attract too much attention. Most elves never got a chance to be anywhere near one in the city.

Once in the alienage, her eyes dart around, looking for the meeting place. The card is clutched tightly in her hand, and when she sees what looks like the right person...

"Evelynn?" Kallian quietly shows the card.

For a moment, Evelynn looks upon Kallian in wariness, but her eyes settle onto the card and she lets out a quiet laugh.

"Well, well. I didn't think I'd be seeing that anytime soon," she comments, looking thoughtful for a moment before she gestures for her. "I figured he wouldn't come himself. Come along, and follow me."

She turns, calmly walking into one of the unfortunate looking homes.

Kallian follows quietly, if slightly puzzled by the remarks. The unfortunate-looking homes don't bother her any. Actually, this alienage looks a little better-kept than Denerim's. Not so many clapboard houses here.

Still, she goes inside with the strange woman and waits to be presented with... whatever it was she was getting.

Fortunately, she doesn't seem to be filled with many questions, and doesn't prod Kallian further. Evelynn leads the other elf into the home, then pauses so she can take out a knife and begin to work off some of the floorboards inside.

There, a trap door waits. Evelynn calmly unlocks it, and reveals the box inside with the strange mark embedded into it.

"This is what you're looking for, isn't it?"

"It is, yes." Kallian nods. She hadn't been told much, but "strangely-marked box" sounded about right. It corresponded to the card she had been given, so it must be the correct item.

"Will that be all?"

"That's all for me." Evelynn chuckles. "Tell T.F. I said hello. I'm thinking of him."

From the way she leaves hastily, Evelynn has zero interest in sticking around. Maybe because her job is done.

One could hope.

"Oh. Um, certainly," Kallian agreed, surprised at how quickly the woman left. Ah well. The exchange was complete. Kallian picked up the box, tucking it under her cloak, and headed for the door to return to the others.

The exchange is indeed complete, and all seems well. A simple pick up.

But as Malcolm Reynolds might have expected, it doesn't run as smooth as expected.

Outside the alienage home, Evelynn has snuck out the window, already leaving. Anyone watching from the outside can see the elf clearly leaving in haste while familiarly dressed men approach from the outside, at least five of them.

Venatori.

One particularly large soldier shoves the door open before Kallian can leave safely.

"Give it here, elf," he orders gruffly, a hand resting on his blade.

Kallian gasps and draws back, flinching. All the more tightly does she clutch the box against her small body.

"Please... serah... I can't. I was given strict instructions..."

"...well shit. Korrin you got anyth'n that'll make 'em back off what won't attract too much attention?" Mal mutters from where he's tucked across the alley, Jayne at least at Kallian's side to rumble a low growl at the Vinty bastards.

At that, Korrin turns and raises an eyebrow at him. "You do remember my spells, right? All of them attract attention, but it looks like we'll just have to deal. She needs our help." Her lips forming a thin line, she removes her staff from her back, ready to cast Chain Lightning. That ought to distract them from the elf long enough for her to get out.

"It wasn't a request," the man growls at Kallian, the sword beginning to draw out.

The spell that Korrin casts is fortunately timed well enough. Lightning dashes from man to man, stunning them momentarily, giving Kallian enough time to slip away with the cargo in her arms.

It does, unfortunately, gather their attention.

"Follow her!" one of the other men shouts as he eventually recovers.

Kallian flinches at first when the lightning strikes, a squeak of terror bursting from her lips, but it takes her little time to dash through the nearest door, trying to find her way back out, back to safety.

She can hear footsteps behind her, gaining on her, their legs longer than hers, and while she might be skilled at hiding, running was something else entirely. Her breath is quick and shallow in her panic, and her fingers are tingling, from her hyperventilating, her white-knuckled grip on the box, and her own magic starting to spark up in natural defense. A quick glance down, and she can already see the first tendrils of blue light flickering along the veins of her hands.

They're getting closer, though, she knows it. She doesn't doubt that they will kill her without so much as a second thought to take the box from her.

"Don't," she gasps out, voice rough from the exertion. She holds up her hand, trying to keep them from coming closer. They can probably see the blue. Damn. "Don't come any closer. I warn you, don't. I can't let you have it. Talk to the one who owns it. It's not me. I'm just the one making the delivery. But don't take another step, or-- Or--" She can't quite get the threat past her lips.

"Jayne-" Command tone and the Mabari won't need to hear it twice. Cover the girl. He rounds on the nearest of the men, mouth going hard 'round one of their legs and yank'n to give he and Korrin room to move in. Well. Him room to move in, Korrin covers best from behind and she's tall 'nuf she can work around him. He sprints after them, haul'n his spear up and over his shoulder, ain't rightly time to make a throw but he's waiting for his opening.

[ closed ] It's not fate, it's DESTINY!

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