To build a better mousetrap(N / C )

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

Teeth bit into lips when the creature created a good sized crater, the sound that had preceded it even more disturbing to the were than the exciting taste of blood from the small wound in his mouth. That could be a problem, especially if it could do it repeatedly. He wanted to attack during it's flayling swing at the tree, he really did. But despite his instincts screaming at him to pounce for the kill, the man waited. And then, just as expected, the thing was gone. Vladislav didn't let himself relax his grip on the arrow, however. Lord knew he wouldn't have the focus in him to create any more strings if he missed. He simply waited, and kept each sense on high alert, his reptilian eyes darting back and forth as he stood his ground, still aiming where it had been.

It was his eyes that saved him.

His shadow on the ground was hidden by a much more monstrous shape, and the young ruthenian felt the air whistle in his ears as he ducked and turned, crouching low and aiming high. "I don't think we've been properly introduced." He said, leaping backwards and adjusting his aim as he flew away from the creature. "Here's my card."

The arrow was flung out towards the beast's eye, seeking it's undead brain behind it. Black strings snapped as they gave their final push to force the arrow away faster than it should be moving, the square lines fading from Vladislav's torso even as he glared at the monster, one arm carefully placing his bow back on his back and the other supporting his crouching stance, the forest guide hissing and focussing slitted pupils on the guardian's movements.

[Major NPC]

The undead mage lord slashed at air twice - once, in an attempt to snap the guide's neck; twice, to blast at where he had stood a moment prior. The backflipping archer was already in motion, already away.

The creature's vision went down, then up. The arrow was already piercing through the ghostly light where unrotted eyes should have been. It tore through skull and brain, and punched an opening through the back of its helmet.

The air hissed around them, drawn inward towards its body like a vacuum turned on, bending trees and grass toward itself. The pale green light seethed out from its skull, from back and front, as if energy was trying to desperately escape while limbs contorted in painful, inhuman ways.

The energy, like the air, was pulled back in, arcing towards the wound, until cyclical energy formed a single, solid light in the darkness ….

And was gone.

A small smoke billowed upwards.

Anxious breath denied everyone's silence.

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

Landing with grace that belied the blood pumpin in his ears, the guide panted as he looked frantically around, fighting the urge to taste the air with a serpentine tongue and doing his best to regain his calm. His heart beat fiercely and wild, slitted eyes darted across the area, surveying the damage.

Once he was certain that everyone still moving was part of their little group, Vladislav fell on his rear with a soft thump. "Is... Is anyone bleeding out? Everyone still alive? Did we get the damned flower?" He asked quietly.

Is it safe to let myself fall onto my back and sleep for a week?

[Major NPC]

The mercenaries slowly staggered out from their covers, two by two. The shotgun soldier was giving his shoulder to the sniper, who'd been knocked off the tree and clearly the worse off for his latest confrontation with gravity.

Another was holding the body of their fallen comrade, whose neck was obviously not supposed to look like that. The eyes, open and wide, just kept looking blankly at nowhere.

"He got Niko, sir."

The swordsman swore softly under his breath, before he looked toward the caster among them.

The wizard simply called Bruce had their precious cargo tucked away as he moved to join the rest. "The plant is secure, sir."

The swordsman pointed to the motionless body. "I don't suppose you can do something about that, comrade?"

The wizard shook his head regretfully. "I don't have that power."

The swordsman sighed in turn, "Then lets get the hell out of here already. We can patch up Zip on the other side. Everyone ready to go?"

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

Right.

Now came the second half of his job, getting them back out of the forest.

Well, since they'd already fought the fae on their way in. "Come on." He called, not sparing a look to the fallen men. "We're heading back out, in a straight line this time." As he spoke, the forest guide got back to his feet and took some deep breaths, feeling his pupils return to their usual slightly less than round shapes. Had they noticed his rather... unusual traits? He hadn't done the best job hiding it, but on the other hand, it -was- during a pitched battle... Well, either way, the mercs needed him to get out of the forest. If they were racist to the point of trying to kill him, it would only be after that. Until then, he'd work with that suspicion in mind.

"The only reason we weren't stuck fighting anything before we did was because no one was looking for us. By now whatever other fae patrols roaming about the forest have probably found the bodies, or at the very least noticed they haven't gotten any reports. We can assume they're looking for us." He said, about to start off at a jog, but pausing when he saw the state of their band.

"Can you all run? I really would like to get out of here before whatever posted this sentry comes in to check why it was destroyed."

[Major NPC]

"We're taking the quick way out, comrade," the swordsman said, too high on adrenaline and too frustrated at the loss of one of their number to think this situation could be funny.

"Group teleport, back to your place," he nodded at the forest guide, and then at Bruce. The wizard was already muttering something again, before he put his staff forward and stabbed the bottom into the ground. Mercenaries moved in closer, even as the magical energies spread outward from the wooden implement to line the ground beneath them.

It stopped after forming a broad disc, and the wizard politely asked, "Last call, comrades?"

The swordsman shook his head for all of them.

"Get us the hell out of here."

The wizard nodded once, and then the edges of the broad disc lifted up off the ground, forming a dome around them. It blocked out the rest of space, until the spell moved them through space and opened up, revealing the guide's cottage a short distance aways and the deadly forest further beyond.

The swordsman gave a small sigh of relief to see them safely out at last.

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

The guide was surprised. Less so that the mage could perform such a spell, although that was impressive in it's own right. More the fact that they hadn't informed him of it. Livid, probably much more than he had any right to be, he came up to the swordsman until they were practically nose to nose. "Are you telling me you had a nigh instantaneous, group teleport spell at your disposal and you didn't let your guide know about it? We didn't need to fight that Monster at all! We could have just went in, you and I, grabbed the plant, and retreated to teleporty safety!"

It was a minor thing, really. It made sense not to tell Vladislav everything they could do. After all, the weresnake had spent most of the trip doing the same. It was just getting really, really hard to ignore the hissing voice in his head that was screaming betrayal. //They were trying to get you killed by the beast... they wanted you out of the picture so they wouldn't have to pay...//

Shaking his head and trying to clear his thoughts, the shirtless forest guide grunted in frustration. "J...just give me the rest of the payment... you can even take out a penalty for those deaths, but I still think those are your fault. Whatever... just... give me my money and get the hell back home. The faster you get that horrid plant away from here the better." He hadn't even realized that as he spoke, he'd forgotten to bind up his tongue, the forked end pretty obvious whenever it slipped from his lips.

[Major NPC]

An angry, battle-worn guide thrust himself at the swordsman, and only the greater functions of a mind aware he was pumped on adrenaline held him from punching the other right then and there.

"Are you telling me you had a nigh instantaneous, group teleport spell at your disposal and you didn't let your guide know about it? We didn't need to fight that Monster at all! We could have just went in, you and I, grabbed the plant, and retreated to teleporty safety!"

"In case you didn't notice, that's what we were trying to do!" he snapped back, hand on the hilt of sword still and gripping tighter as his voice rose louder and louder. "I said we were going to finish the mission and leave! The others did their job and kept those monsters off of us long enough to do that - and if you hadn't killed the thing, I would have just gotten them out myself. I didn't see you try to save anyone back there! You don't even know these men, so stop acting like the injured party, you *ucking hypocrite!! It's not like you told US all you could do back there either, so watch your *ucking mouth!!"

Shaking his head and trying to clear his thoughts, the shirtless forest guide grunted in frustration. "J...just give me the rest of the payment... you can even take out a penalty for those deaths, but I still think those are your fault. Whatever... just... give me my money and get the hell back home. The faster you get that horrid plant away from here the better."

The swordsman glanced down at something close by in the dark of the night, and made a motion with his hand to the cottage nearby.

"Get the others," he ordered of his allies. "All of you. I want a word with our guide."

Something strangely ominous about the phrasing made them reluctant, but only for a moment. They caught the glare and the way he grunted at them, and walked away at a quick pace to leave the pair of them alone.

The swordsman waited for them to be out of earshot, before he whispered something at last.

"I'm not going to start anything," he said, still sounding frustrated with it, "But you are damn poor at hiding what you are."

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

The swordsman's words were honestly a surprise to Vlad. Less so that he'd been discovered, more that he wasn't being persecuted for it. Still, he didn't like being told he was bad at something, true as it had been. He rubbed his temples, grunting and then pointing up at the moon.

"Usually better when that damned thing's not full. Hard to think. My money pleaseandthankyou." He said simply. Great. Now he'd be even more nervous in the coming weeks, worried that anyone looking for him was actually a band of purists looking for his death or exile. The swordsman was probably okay, but the rest of his crew were a liability. Probably even more when you factored in the deaths during the battle.

Forcibly stomping down the screaming hisses that insisted the leader if the band was just trying to get on his good side so he could stab him in the back, Vlad sighed. "But uh... Thanks. You know, for the whole 'not being a horrible racist to my face' thing."

[Major NPC]

"Don't flatter yourself - it's not for you," the swordsman grunted, grumpy and tired and still a little on edge. "It's for them."

"This has been enough toll on us," he explained, glancing at the house whether the others were told to wait. "You're obviously strong and fast and have more than a few tricks up your sleeve, and I'm not about to put them into another life or death situation when it can be avoided. Whatever your kind thinks of us, I do care about my men."

"That said, what you are will not escape our employer's notice," he said with ominousness trailing in his voice. "I know, so he'll know. And that of course leaves us with a problem, comrade."

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

"Well met then, Comrade. I'd rather not have to kill you. "

Vlad felt anger well up inside him. Not at the swordsman, he was just another man doing his job... well, okay, a little bit at him. But mostly at himself. He hadn't had to show off like that, show everyone just what he could do... He could have defended a few, waited, let the swordsman get the plant, and leave, all without giving them any inkling as to what he was. And now it was likely he'd never have a job again in the area. Just. ****ing. Great.

"Will you at least do me the favour of telling me how long I have before hordes of 'concerned' citizens come burn me a the stake for deigning to have them travel safely for a few years without telling anyone? Three to one odds say I'm going to get blamed for the ones who disappeared when they were too stupid to get a guide before going into the forest."

He'd have to move, maybe on the other side of the forest, and try to settle in somewhere. In a few months he might be able to start work again under a different name... Or maybe he could work for the else...? Well, after killing a few tonight, he doubted that would fly well with them...

Not even caring what the swordsman thought of him anymore, Vladislav looked up at the moon, a feral twinge tugging on his mind as he glared at the celestial body. "I hate you. One of these days, you're getting taken out too."

[Major NPC]

"Well …" the swordsman started, eyes looking off to the sides as if he was thinking of possibilities - or possibly, trying not to. He took a deep breath before starting again. "You have a choice here. We work for the government - a select side of the government. I have it on good authority that they … 'bend' certain rules, where skill is a matter."

"Weremonster or not, your intimacy with the forest represents a precious commodity to your government, comrade. Under normal circumstances, yeah, they'd probably kill you or force you into something else if they caught you. If you come with us now, I could insure they give you a job that isn't going to be the imminent death of you - probably what you're doing right now, except for agents of the government instead."

"Beyond that, they will send out werehunters here shortly after your nature is uncovered in our debriefing - werehunters - hunters," he stressed with a glare, "Not 'concerned citizens'. Their job, their life, is caging up or putting down people like you."

"We will be teleporting home. You will not have long then. They may demand Bruce - 'Stickman' - to teleport them out here. If you're still here by then, if you think you can actually handle yourself against that kind of force, I request you avoid hurting him. He's a good man and a servant of his people."

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

A job offer was certainly not something he had expected.

Or particularly wanted. A were working for the government had nothing but enemies all around. Working for a government who wanted you dead, for people who hated you... and against your own kind, who now viewed you as a traitor. Vladislav didn't have many attachments to people in general, but this was just about a good way to commit suicide. He'd be outing himself and just asking to get himself killed in his sleep by some righteous zealot...

On the other hand, that might still be less risky than having to fight off a whole platoon of werehunters during a full moon. Then again... he didn't know just how much he could trust this sword guy... But.. Okay, stop it with the thinking. Too much thinking, too much. It's all dangerous, just pick one and roll with it.//

Rubbing his temples and desperately trying to think through the hissing in his mind that insisted he lop the man's head off, Vlad sighed. "How about I work for you guys... and stay here. You go home, tell them I'll let whatever government official through free of extra charge so long as I get a salary, and I stay here and do my job in the place I'm needed without being murdered by who knows what in the big scary capitol cities, hm?"

[Major NPC]

The swordsman frowned, shaking his head slowly. 

"Doubtful that would work, comrade. The government isn't something you negotiate with," the swordsman said, sounding disappointed on his behalf. "I said I could insure you aren't killed. Beyond that ... things would be out of my hands. They'd most likely fit you with a collar to monitor your location, and to control your magic and transformations. They do that to the Beastfolk who have worth, too. You'll be alive, and live out the rest of your days like everyone else - a servant to your country."

Slave would have been more appropriate, but he didn't include that part. 

The swordsman gave him a more critical look then, and held up a hand to stop the were from talking. 

"Seeing as you have proven yourself an honorable and trust worthy were so far, you will of course stay here while we leave and wait for the hunters to come pick you up. It should take ten minutes at the least for them to teleport in, after we leave, but potentially longer if they aren't right on the ball."

His palm ground into one eyeball then, adding in a soft, "Hmm. Something in my eye."

Then he shook it off, and continued, "I may not see you again after this, comrade, so I'll just say thank you while I can. Your assistance in this endeavor most likely kept the bulk of my men alive. The rest of your payment should be on your table. We'll be leaving now."

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

Swallowing nervously and putting a hand up to his neck, the weresnake shuddered. Servant to his country? More like indentured slave. Unable to control his own magic or transformations... all that really made him who he was. He was more than a little shocked when the swordsman offered him an out, and just had to quell the thoughts that he was only doing this to catch him off guard when the hunters would arrive within two, three minutes.

"It's been... well, not a pleasure, but at least I don't feel like slitting your throat, if anything."

He turned to head towards his cottage, then, cursing his own paranoia earlier since it meant he couldn't get in his little bunker to get at his supplies for another few days, and if he ran now the shack would surely be under surveillance. Turned out the sword guy wasn't all that bad... Wait.

Vladislav turned, eyes narrowed. "Hypothetical question, say a tiger jumps out of the forest, bites my leg and carries me off, and no one can find me. Aren't you going to get in trouble? You want me to knock you round the ears a bit first?" he asked, as if he were offering a service instead of asking if he could punch the man in the face.

[Major NPC]

The swordsman scoffed, "If you get eaten by a tiger, you're not worth our interest, comrade. You're just one less monster to deal with."

And he laughed, as if this whole conversation was something hilarious. It only lasted a moment, and then he added, "The were hunters will probably try to track you, if said tiger comes. They're good at what they do. I doubt the tiger has much chance, but hey, if the tiger's that hungry, it's his own fault."

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

Nodding and extending his hand, Vlad sighed. "Wonderful. Now, about that second half of my payment?" he asked, raising a brow. The sooner he was paid, the sooner the swordsman and his group left. And the sooner -that- happened, the quicker he could be on his merry way out of danger. This day was too stressful already. He dumped the payment into his haversack, giving the other man a final nod and moving towards the shack to go inside of it and watch the party from there. About three seconds after they would be gone, however, so would he.

The strings flew from his fingers like they were just another appendage, latching on to trees and branches as he hopped, swung, pulled and kicked himself through the trees without making a noise and leaving very few tracks. He used all the tricks he knew, back tracking and then hopping to another direction occasionally, and keeping a sharp eye out for anything resembling a fae hunting party deciding to take their grudge out on him.

So where did he go now? Well, he couldn't really go to the nearby city, or the closest fae outpost... then again, why not? Word from the slaughtered scouting party probably hadn't reached them yet, and it was a sure that no group of werehunters working for the government would dare try and follow him into a fae outpost... that was tantamount to suicide. The woodsman sped up a little now that he had an actual destination, sharp eyes taking in all details around him so he could narrowly dodge branches and leaves as he sped through the trees.

It took him a few hours, thanks to a few detours to try and mask his path a bit, but finally he was looking at the unassuming gate of a hidden fae outpost, clearing his throat and looking around him cautiously. "Oy! Would you guys mind opening the door? I'd rather not be out in the forest until daybreak." He called, looking up at the full moon with a deep sigh. So much trouble that thing had caused today...

"You can stop ignoring me, I'm not human, or with the government. Look!" He said angrily, sticking his forked tongue out at a nearby tree and hissing a bit. He looked back at the forest behind him, chewing on his lip. "Come on, It's your friendly neighbourhood forest guide! You guys have seen me come and go for -years-, haven't you?" He came closer, walking through the optical barrier and glaring at the guards standing near the large gate. "I just want to grab a bite to eat, maybe stay a night, and I'll get out of your leaf and twig riddled hair."

[Minor NPC]

A swirl of green leaves accompanied the arrival of one fey knight, with another shimmering into existence - both flanking the weresnake with sword and spear, just a few feet shy of actually being in striking distance. Their nature-themed armor blended well into the forest around them, and could have made them invisible to the passing eye.

Their own stern eyes were turned on him.

"You're making a lot of noise," the one gatekeeper said.

"Why should we open our doors to you, moon-cursed?" the other asked with a somehow serene sort of superiority. "This is a dangerous night for you."

"And that makes you a danger to us," the other finished, both gripping their weapons more tightly.

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

Feeling each muscle tense and coil at the threat of weapons so close, the woodsman did his very best not to strike out at the pair of them. Instead, he smiled, spread his arms and took a step closer. "Come on, guys, if the moon was that much of a problem, I wouldn't be here talking to you like this. I haven't gone on a rampage since I was a youngling. How about it, I'll buy both a mug of mead after your shift."

Even as he spoke, however, he was trying to listen to what was going on in the forest behind him. If they had better trackers than him, the group would find him here before long. Vladislav knew they wouldn't attack a fey outpost, but if they caught up before he was inside, that would probably dash any hopes of getting in.

[Minor NPC]

The two guards waited a moment longer as they slowly considered his request, and his offer. If they were talking with each other, it wasn't out loud, but they reached a consensus somehow. 

"You'll be gone in the morning," the one said in a voice as deadly serious as the sword he wielded. 

"If you cause any trouble, it'll be sooner than that," the other added, matching his tone but also moving closer to one particular - but nondescript - tree. The first guard began to move likewise, toward a similar tree, standing less than a dozen feet apart at best. 

Each of the guards touched the tree nearest them, stroking downwards along the wood in such a way that magic responded. The veil between the two trees shimmered, offering a more clear view of a small outpost - and not the continued woodlands the glamour had projected. 

A few small buildings, built out of magicked trees, were arranged haphazardly together like the very forest itself - random, with the trees used from wherever they had first sprouted and simply enchanted to humanoid-supporting size. Several "roads" separated them, but these were simply grassy footpaths left open. Stalls were left largely barren, so late at night, with only a few more nocturnal beings still up and selling. 

Firelight through stick windows marked the largest of the "tree" houses as a tavern, with branches for stairs leading higher up the massive trunk. 

The two guards closed the magical gate as soon as he was through. 

[Vladislav Zolnerowich]

"You'll be gone in the morning."
"If you cause any trouble, it'll be sooner than that."

The woodsman gave his best attempt at a charming smile, but it felt thin even to him. "Wouldn't dream of it." he said with a light hearted chuckle. "Since when have you known me to cause trouble?" he asked as he slipped past the open barrier and into the outpost. The were snake made a beeline for the largest 'building', already licking his lips at the thought of a stiff drink.

"Any free rooms ?" He inquired when he stepped inside, looking around for a free seat so he could get a drink or three before grabbing some shut eye. If he was lucky, the fae scouts wouldn't make their rounds looking for a murderer before morning. And if he wasn't, well... He had to take the chance, since the were hunters were looking for him in the forest.

[Minor NPC]

The tavern-like building was the most crowded part of the place - though that wasn't exactly saying much. A dozen or so were still awake at this hour, their features ranging from the more well-known Noble Fey to darker skinned fey of the night. Times past might have made them enemies of of each other. But they all had a bigger threat to deal with.

A gregarious Satyr that clearly didn't understand the concept of personal space was in the middle of flirting - or trying to flirt - with as many people as he could. He was also one of the only people drinking any kind of alcohol, as many of them simply preferred a tea and ate modestly - if anything. The distraction he provided wasn't enough for the sparse taverngoers to see Vlad.

They all stopped what they were doing for a moment to regard the newcomer, who clearly wasn't with his own kind. Some guessed his nature, since it was one of the only exceptions allowing a human to walk their halls. The tusked blue troll - who at least had the decency to wear some clothes - wasn't as quick on the uptake. He got up from his seat and made a beeline for the human.

"No free rooms no free nothing," he spat the words out. "What the hell do you think you're doing here, mud crawler?!"