Daybreak }{ Open to anyone

[indigo]

Nissa found the cover of the book he held intriguing, but nothing to hold her attention for too long a time.
"Yes, I find myself drawn closer to those two than any others, though I occasionally pay respect to a couple other goddesses or gods, Nyx and Diana are the two that I follow," she replied.

"Ah, yes, it is about that time," she grinned expectantly, wondering how much longer she would have to stay out of politeness before she could find somewhere private and outside to greet her nightly companions.

[Laughing Man]

Minh followed her gaze again and decided it was time to go.

" I suppose I'll be taking this one then." He said, waving the book that was currently in his hand. He smiled slightly and set the book on the shelf. He then pulled at his belt and dropped his pants, then took off his shirt. What lie underneath was not bare skin, as one would expect, but a harlequin's outfit of leather and straps. The colors were dark, and he affixed a crimson sash to accompany them. He then turned around and stuffed his clothing and the book into his backapck and hauled it onto his shoulders.

"Well, It was nice chatting."

As he finished the last syllable, he pulled his Harlequin's Mask over his face and stepped back into a shadow like a panther. As his form entered the shadow, his image began to shimmer as if he was falling out of focus. It was actually a technique he'd developed over years of practice mixing the fairy dust that was infused with his tattoos to employ faery glamour, and a bit of sneakiness, he could dance his way through shadows, appearing in any location where there is shadow within a certain distance of himself.

He laughed a bit as he disappeared, leaving nothing behind once the laughter faded.


Minh did enjoy that. The look on their faces when he did was delicious. AS he stepped into the fading light of dusk, he took in a deep breath through his mask and turned toward the tavern from before. There were usually people to entertain there, and he might as well do that since he was in town.

[indigo]

Nissa watched curiously as Minh disappeared, waiting a few moments to wonder whether or not he was really gone. Eventually she stood and slipped the book back into a place on the shelf. Then she exited the shop and maneuvered her way through the thinning city crowds. She was searching for a safe, secluded place within the city's walls. It should have been easier with the nightly clearing of the streets, but that was not so. Urchins roamed various alleys and streets, searching out dinner or various other necessities. The occasional person walked purposefully, wary of the shadowed night. Nissa did finally find a darkened alley in which to greet her nightly companions, and it was this alley she slipped down, behind the very tavern she had seen Minh in earlier that day.

"Ravenissa," Tora materialized from the shadows, followed closely by Taigas and Devion. Tora, the feline shadow, went right to Nissa's side, while the canines scented the air, looking for danger. Nissa laughed softly.
"Relax you, there's no one to bother us for the moment," she told them. Raucous laughter reached them from the tavern, and Taigas and Devion stiffened again. They relaxed at a glance towards Nissa, who was broadcasting every signal of peace and ease over their links.

[Laughing Man]

The Harlequin threw his act around a bit, made a few coins that were worthless to him, and went on his way through the city. There wasn't much to do so he stuck to the shadows and did some more people watching. That was when he saw her again.

He couldn't figure out why he kept running into this woman, but he would swear she was following him without meaning to. That happens, right... Of course it does.

He decided to turn the tables and followed her instead. Hopping from shadow to shadow, being one of the shadows... As long as there was one within ten feet of himself, and 40 feet of another shadow, he could literally hop from shadow to shadow without ever being revealed. Unless this woman could smell like a dog or cat. Then he'd be in trouble... and the game would be over. He hated when the game was over.

[indigo]

Tora was the one to scent a stranger first, despite the attentiveness of the other two. She curled her body close around Nissa's legs and waist before stepping away to give her space to fight or run if necessary. The feline creature lowered her head and a threatening sound escaped her, somewhere between a hiss and a growl. Taigas and Devion followed her lead, backing up slightly to be closer.
"You three always overreact," Nissa sighed, though she did cast a wary gaze around them before leaning against the back wall of the tavern. Her companions let no one near her without her specific permission. After a few moments she decided to speak up. "Unless you wish for death, I suggest you make yourself known. They are deadly, even if they cannot see their target."

[Laughing Man]

Minh chuckled, letting it echo around the alley way. He hopped to a shadow on the roof of the tavern cast by the chimney for the stove. Sitting in the shadows, he spoke and cast his voice as if it was coming from a shadow near their feet,
"Such interesting creatures... Humans I mean... So quick to defense, quicker to violence, and quickest to stab another in the back." his voice held a silkiness to it, and dripped with darkness and whispers. It was a technique he had recently cooked up when taking odd hit contracts.

He would never take random contracts. Only those he considered morally acceptable in the world of hit contracts. Such as Crime bosses, or highwaymen. Even this was a recent developement for him. The murderer in him had been brought out by an incident in the forest a few weeks back, and he could never let it go. Since then he had embraced this new side of him while still retaining his old self. Instead of a complete shift, it just became another part of him. Resilient was his mind in it's ability to adapt...

"Perhaps if you simply asked me to show myself I would be inclined to oblige. Or even to say hello. Your friends are quite beautiful creatures. I might like to have a better look at them without their jaws around my head. No doubt that would be a terrible prediciment for myself...."

[indigo]

The way his scent shifted with his movements and the casting of his voice confused the creatures, but they did not cease their threats until Nissa assured them all was well.
"You're overreacting, friends, like I've said. There's nothing to worry about at the moment," she told them. Tora circled around Nissa before sitting at her right side. The others relaxed as well, following the feline's lead and also sitting close by Nissa.

"Shall I ask then?" Nissa looked at Tora, who growled faintly. "Of course," she smiled. "Well, will you come out?" she asked in a louder voice, not liking the way the 'stranger' kept seeming to move. "Though indeed you should keep my warning in mind; they are quick to judge, and they often react quite strongly."

[Laughing Man]

The Harlequin chuckled once more and materialized in a shadow a good distance from the group. He didn't want to seem like he was attacking or doing anything aggressive. He had no doubts that the animals could tear him apart. He just enjoyed his games more than life sometimes. His quilt-pattern outfit and Harlequin's Mask with a single, bloody tear sat darkly in the shadow for a moment before he stepped closer very slowly. There was a single Butterfly trinket, carved from Rose quartz dangling from his left wrist, and a crimson sash around his midsection. He gave a bow at the waist with his feet together, "Pleasant Evening, is it not? I do believe we have met m'lady... But I dare to Ask: Who might your intriguing friends be?"