OOC: http://www.roleplaygateway.com/life-the-shadow-ooc-sign-t26429.html

They were in the capital again. Linaul was drawn to the place. He had made his friend come, even knowing what he had gone through here. There was just something to it - the excitement, the danger. It was a thrill, a test. Carts rattled past them, wheels rolling through the deep ruts in the ground. Cats meowed and dogs barked. There were merchants calling out to those on the streets, and children weaving in through every gap they could find. Linaul waved a hand and moved onto a less crowded street. Here he could see people specialized in textiles. He didn't care. It was all expensive.
"I'm starving," Linaul said irritably, looking back at his companion. "Let's go find somewhere to eat."
I want fish.
"No fish!" he snapped. He hated fish. Ryuuza loved it. Linaul wanted some good stew, maybe a beer. Some bread, a steak would be good, too. Just something that he wanted for once, not the idiotic Kage.
He stopped and crossed his arms over his bare chest. His long coat was left open, his way of showing off the muscles he had. The marks on his chest flowed across him in thorny swirls, dark and tattoo-like. Linaul turned to face Medra. "I don't suppose you have any money?" he said, irritably.
He didn't wait for an answer but instead reached into his pocket. He shifted through the gold and silver there, counting. "I have enough for both of us, I think. How much do you two eat again?"
I am not giving up food so they can eat! If I get less fish because of them-
"No fish!" He glared at a passerby. "What do you want!"

Medra followed behind Linaul like another shadow on the streets. His black clothes were a little shabby with tears and dust streaked like his face. He was glarring at Linaul's back. "Why did you drag me here? This place is expensive!" When the other man asked him for money he scoffed at him. "I live on the streets. Whatever money I get from stealing I am not waistinng on you!"

Now, now Medra. Don't be so rude. He offered to pay food for us. I say you take the deal. Firetongue chidded in his ear. He glared behind him at his shadow. Unlike Linaul, he didn't talk to his Kage out loud for everyone to hear. No. If I go along now he'll ask me for money later!

Take the deal. You can never afford to eat out here and I hear the fish is excellent/ She laughed. She knew Lenaul hated it and the more she urged, Medra would get it and probably get Linaul to as well. Medra growled low. He hated big cities, and all day long he had been annoyed at everything. He was to edgy. "We eat a lot since we don't eat everyday," he answered Linaul and stood beside him. "So where are we going?"

"We eat every day and I still eat more than you. You've seen this guy. Giant pig!" Linaul gestured at the stores and kept walking. "It's only expensive if you live here. The food is much better, anyways. Remember, I come from money. I tooka s much as a could before I left. But next time you pay!"

Get the fish or I won't come out for you when you're in trouble.

This time Linaul ignored him. He stopped at one of the clothing stores and snatched a piece off a table, holding it up against Medra. "I do believe you need some new clothes. Yours look like someone died in them. Are you hiding something from me about where you got them? Nevermind. I don't want to know."

He waved the pants at Medra. "Go on! If you try them on we can leave after we eat. Maybe they'll look good. I promise we'll leave if you go try them on! I swear on my honor."

Let's eat now!

Linaul brought his foot down on the middle of his shadow, hard.

...Oww

Misty sighed as she was in the kitchen, cutting up some meat for beef stew she was cooking for people who just happened to pass by. She sighed as she walked to teh far back of the kitchen, opening the freezer. "Hey, Brim." Misty said to Brimstone. Brimstone lifted her head up and nodded, too lazy and tired to speak. She rested her head back down between her paws and was soon asleep once again.

Misty rolled her eyes in amusement as she scraped the meet and veggies into a huge pot of boiling water. She worked at a little cavern called "Lulu's Cavern and Inn", Lulu was her great aunt. She was aging each day, getting older and weaker, so Misty vowed to take on the business. She walked out to the wooden counter. It was completely desereted, no one hardly ever came by anymore. She didn't even know why.

Echo walked through the streets, biting her lip. She held the edge of her cloak, wondering exactly what she would do. She didn't know where she was going. It isn't like you to worry so much. You normally just joke around. What has you on edge? Rilo asked her. She sighed. Its just that I'm hungry, and tired. Thats all I guess. She rolled her neck, cracking it.
She nearly bumped into another two people people, and was surprised that she had done something so stupid. She looked down. "Terribly sorry." She muttered, not meeting eyes with the two she saw.

At the sound of at a knock on the door, Kaiser awoke from his baffling dreams. Glaring at the door, he yelled to who ever was on the other side. "Hold on! Let me make myself decent!" He flicked the lamp on next to him and hopped out of bed. He grabbed his usual cotton shirt from the floor.

Hrpmh! "Decent"? Since when do you look decent?

Kaiser glared at the now visible sahadow on the wall. "Be quiet, Darkflash. You wouldn't think that if I wasn't a part of you."

A loud snort came from the Kage. Yeah, and I'm a fairy princess.

Without another owrd, Kaiser went to the door and opened it. Outside was a man dressed in the armour of the royal guard. He thrust a piece of paper towards Kaiser then turned and left. Baffled, Kaiser flipped it over to see the shiny red seal of the royal family on the back. ot totally surprised, he opened the paper to find a message:

Kaiser,
Two known "rogues" have just been found in the city. I want you to do what you do best make sure they disappear.

Sincerly,
Lady of the Kingdom

P.S. You may get help from one of my own.

Kaiser sighed. "We got another job, Darkflash. With back-up, this time."

Lovely, just when I thought we would get a break. Shall we get going?

Kaiser couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, I think we've slept in enough."

Medra scowled, but then his face brightened when he saw the clothes. He snatched them from Linaul smiling. "I do believe these will feet me. And what exactly do you mean by where I got these? They were given to me when I was a slave remember? I didn't steal any clothes before this. I might pay half of it next time. Its not fair making a poor man pay when as you say, you came from money."

Stop bickering with him Medra. I am hungry and I wont stand for that! You kept me starved! Firetongue sniffled. Suddenly she cried out in pain when a girl had stepped on her shadow. She hadn't even seen the girl. [i]Why that wretched little wench! I will fry her! Burn into a nice crisp! How dare she step on me? Who does she think she is?[/] She roared. The markings on Medra flared from her anger and made him flinch. He turned around to face the girl that had bumped into him.

Linaul watched, moderately interested. "Don't make a scene," he warned. In his head, Ryuuza rumbled about what he would do if he was stepped on like that. Linaul's shadow lengthened slightly. Ryuuza was getting too excited. He couldn't appear here. He forced the Kage back. He did not want to be caught.

Linaul smiled like nothing had happened and bowed slightly to the girl. "No need to apologize. My friend here is quite the obstruction."

Echo looked up, seeing a man about her age. "Sorry." She said, he looked pained, which spiked her interest. I don't suppose you could tell me anything about him? She asked Rilo silently. She got a snort as a response, so she continued without his help. She tilted her head down again, playing the part of the nervous and shy servant. "I'm so sorry. I seem to be lost. Could you help me?" She asked. Its rather annoying of you to keep laughing. Especially when I'm 'acting'. She muttered to Rilo silently again. They rarely conversed outloud.

She straightened, this wasn't very much like her. Normally she would have left by now, but something intrigued her about these two. And Rilo didn't want to leave, not yet at least. That alone would be enough to keep her there. He got rather cranky when he didn't get his way. But they rarely disagreed, so it didn't bother her much. She certainly hoped they would take the bait, she felt she should know them. Maybe she was being stupid. She was going along with Rilo, so probably stupid.

After he had control of Firetongue again he actually listened to the girl. He looked her over. He wasn't charitable. He only helped if there was something in it for him. He completely ignored Linaul's comment and held out his hand. "I'll help you if you can offer something for me in return," he smiled. What else was he going to do? He needed money and stealing only upped his chances of getting caught. He tried a bit of decent work every once in a while.

You a gentlemen? Ha! I still like the idea of roasting her, Firetongue huffed. Medra glared at his shadow which flared slightly. Then he turned his attention back to the girl. "So what will it be lovely?" he asked. It was only fair she payed. She did step on his Kage after all. A little payment was in order.

Linaul grabbed his arm. "She is not going to pay you" he said, recognizing the look. He turned to the girl. She was pretty, and he had money. He wasn't going to let Medra be rude to her. "Would you care for some lunch? I'm quite hungry myself and could use some company." He glanced at Medra. "Go try those on, maybe you'll look somewhat well off." He gave him a little push. "I said I'd pay for it."

He bowed to the girl again. "After we have helped you, would you please come? I am LInaul, my I ask for your name?"

Misty, there are other Kage's and their Rouge's just a few blocks from the Cavern..." Came Brimstone's smooth, but irrated voice. "Do you know who they are?" Misty asked under her breath. Only one other person was here, drinking some red wine and eating a piece of bread. "No, but they are two men and a women. They seem to be speaking about something. I can't quite make it out. I'll be back in the freezer if you need me. Still need to get more sleep."

Misty rolled her eyes and just nodded as she walked back into the kitchen to stir the beef stew. She went over to the front door and plopped it open. The smell of the sizzling beef and juice filled the cavern with a sweet aroma.

Echo bit her lip. This was interesting. She was certain she had seen that shadow move, so now she was a it stuck. That, of course was why Rilo had wanted her to stick around. "No. But I'll tell you something thats more important than my name." She said, leaning forward. "The gaurds are watching." She whispered in his ear, testing him as much as talking to him. If he knew what that meant, she would go with him, if not, he wouldn't suvive the fortnight. She pulled back, smiling as the completely innocent servant girl without a care in the world again. "As for lunch, I would love to join you." She said. She could feel Rilo's smirk.

(((Hey, just so you know, I work in the mornings, so I won't be on until about 12:30 CA time. And I'll be 'no internet access'ing it hard core the first week in august. I'm letting you know because I hate it when people disappear for long periods of time for reason without telling anyone.)))

Linaul looked at her quite flatly for a minute. "I don't think the guards will give me much trouble." He smiled at her again. He could feel Ryuuza moving. Behind him his shadow was rising rapidly up across the wall. He looked back at it, cursing mentally. Linaul couldn't stop it this time.

She knows! Kill her. Rip her. Eat her. Put silence to her!

"Enough," he said sharply. The shadow shrank back reluctantly. He pointed at Echo. "Forgive me for such a rude gesture, but if you do not tell me who you are right now, you are a dead women. The guards aren't the only people who have been trained."

Medra's eyes narrowed on the girl. Guards? Here? His eyes quickly darted around, but he made no other move. He slipped into the alley, still eyeing the people around him and pulled on the new clothes. They were a perfect fit. The girl has a Kage. I can smell it. He nodded. That didn't stop him from rushing back after he had finished dressing. Firetongue flared behind him. He crossed his arms over his chest. This woman would burn if she dared raise an alarm or attack. He knew there was a reason as to why he had been paranoid. Now he had proof that he wasn't going crazy.

Linaul allowed his gaze to flicker briefly to Medra. The other man would understand Linaul's predicament. Ryuuza was massive. If he appeared here, the guards would find them easily. Worse, he would smash the surrounding buildings and probably crush them to death. Ryuuza was a last resort.

I smell another one! Another one is here, Linaul! They are close. Many others. We must leave without the fish.

Linaul sighed heavily. Such a pain. The tattoo's on his body were spreading rapidly. Ryuuza wanted to take over. Linaul wasn't having it.

Echo smiled. "You're good. Well, thats something at least." She said with a smile. "Lets just say, I'm an ally. As for my name, again, really can't help you there. But I can tell you this: I'm not important. I'm just an Echo. But don't freak out. I won't harm you, I'm just a wandering bard. Actually, I'm not, but I'm trying to get out of the city, and I know you have a way to do that. I'm not a threat. Rilo yells at me for it. Hes ambitious, I'm really not. Look, I'd love to sit here and chat, but its really not safe. If the gaurds find us, they've bee tracking me for days, and if it comes to a fight, I'd rather it not be here." She said, looking at the children running around in the streets.

You care to much. They're just human. Rilo repremanded her like he always did when she got sentimental about the people who would have her killed. She looked up at them, pleading with her eyes. They knew more about this game then she did, she had just run away a month ago. "Look, I know you're better at this then me, and I know you probably don't want to mess around with some one like me, especially since I've already lied to you once, but please." She looked up at him, Linaul. "I just want to get out of the city."

(((I'm off to bed, night. I'll be on after 12:30 tomorrow.)))

After the last man cleared out, Misty decided to take a quick break and go for a walk. She walked upstairs. "Aunt Lulu, I'm going out for a bit, do you need anything from the market?" Misty asked her aunt, who was laying in bed. "Oh, no dear, I'm fine. Be back soon." Her aunt said, her voice breaking and cracking.

"I will, Aunt Lulu." Misty said, going back downstairs. "You weren't planning on leaving without me, were you?" Brimstone said, irrated even more. "No, I was actually just about to go get you. Let's go." Misty said as she left the cavern, buttoning up her jacket. She looked both ways, than she saw the group of people that Brimstone was telling her about earlier.

Her eyes fell onto a men, he appeared to be Japanese. Misty cleared her throat as she began walking the opposite direction, Brimstone following in her footsteps.

Herherher! chanted Ryuuza. She has a Kage! We must get her too!

Linaul jerked as his nails lengthened. He flexed his fingers. "I'm not using them" he growled. "If you want out of the city you should be gone already! If you're shadow had any brains they would know their tied to you and you should have been gone by now!"

He ran after the other girl and grabbed her, ignoring the claws. He would be bleeding for a few hours thanks to this, when Ryuuza finally retracted them. "You didn't see anything" he growled, aware of his long shadow, and Medra and Firetongue behind him. If she was a guard, they were all dead. He was going to take the risk and not attack her. He didn't like attacking people.

She could be a guard! Don't let her go!

Linaul released her shoulder and turned back to Echo.

"I saw you looking at the men..." Brimstone said in a mimiking voice. "Shut-up." Misty murmered. She gasped as she was grabbed and spun around, only to face the men she saw just a few minutes ago.

"Um...alright, I think." Misty said, her voice trembling and shaky. "He believes you're a guard of the Royal Palace." Brimstone said, grinding her teeth fiercly. "There's a fire Kage nearby." Brimstone growled. Misty just rolled her eyes. "Hey, I'm not a guard." She said, folding her arms across her chest. "Now, if you don't mind, I must be going. I have some shopping to do." Misty said, smirking slightly. She than turned. "C'mon, Brim." Misty mumbled as she headed forward, away from the man, and to the market. "A Kage and it's owner and is observing them. I can feel their prescene." Brimstone told Misty. "Dammit, not another one." Misty murmered, slightly irrated.