Kystilan & Marcus

[DarknessDawning]

Forgive the partial archive... but before this portion it gets kinda broken what I'm able to find and what I cannot. I'm sure you remember what happened though.



She nodded. "I don't think I need anything. You shouldn't spoil me you know. " she tightened on his hand and turned to head towards the hotel. "I'll need a work station and sewing and tanning supplies... We can talk about that all after we've gathered skins though. If we do well enough to have help, I could go gather as well. There are quite a few tinctures and teas that can be made from plants you can find all around... I could easily go out and do some gathering to supply that as well." She seemed a little giddy with the thought, the grin on her face pinking her cheeks some. Her walk more like a slow and graceful dance.

Marcus listened and nodded carefully taking in her words for a moment. "Yes. That sounds good.. really good." He trailed off becoming lost in thought for a moment. He would need two horses and gear to bring the stuff back. The Young Assassin would be able to manipulate the earth to make them a sufficent home for their time out in the wilderness but that wouldn't be hard at all. He would have to find some yarn or string or something for traps and snares. "Ah!" He snapped back into reality. "I need an axe for wood.. I think thats the only tool I'm missing, anything else I think we can make do." Marcus looked over and smiled again, "Uh.. where were we going again?" <E>


She jumped slightly when he snapped back. "I .. Oh. I was just leading us back to the room. Should we be going somewhere else?" She looked up to him. "I suppose an axe would be good. I can make things from ice but wouldn't want to over exert myself if I had to keep remaking and making things stronger." She looked around for a moment to see if there were any tool type tents around that might have an axe, heading to walk closer to the tents as she scanned them.

Marcus made his way over and after a brief moment had found him a sturdy axe to his liking and the two travelers were off in the direction of the inn once more. "Today has been eventful to say the least." Marcus ran his hand across his forhead, his thoughts drifting to laying down and relaxing for the evening before they took off again sometime in the mid morning. "Are you excited about out little business venture?" The Young Assassin could barely hide his excitement as starting a store would be a perfect opportunity to gain friends in the city, do some good, and eventually gather enough support for his cause. He found himself silently hoping that she would eventually become supportive as well although he didn't want to put her in direct danger.

She nodded, fingers locked into his as she floated down the street. She was such a Sweet and simple girl it seemed, but she had shown that somewhere inside was a fighter. As they came to the inn she pulled him along to the door. "I think it's a wonderful idea and yes the last couple of days have been quite different for me. Buy I must say its been nice not wandering the roads alone in search of a purpose. " she looked up at him with a gentle smile.

He smiled back at her then took the remainder of the short walk back to the inn in silent contemplation. It felt like he was moving with slight haste but it he also thought it unwise to be slow when the universe presented oppourtunities to accomplish goals at the current moment. There was no telling when another chance like this would arrive. Then there was Kystil, the way that they kind of just stumbled into each other how could he not include her in his plans, they way they just kind of fit together. It couldn't be mere coincidence, "Kystil, tell me. Do you think rational beings are born innately good or evil?" Marcus looked over, listening intently very interested in her response. <E>

She frowned for a moment at his question... Her step slowing some as she focused to develop a full answer. "Well.... I would say good but only in most cases. I do believe that some people are born with innate evil as well. " she mulled over it again for a moment. "I suppose though that it doesn't matter much. No matter how you are born I believe strongly that you learn from those around you. If you're surrounded by evil then you will likely learn it and it will become habit... Likewise with good. " she nodded the completion of her answer as they reached the door to their room. "Why do you ask?"

He listened to her and was pleased with her response. "I only ask as a means to get to know and understand you better." Marcus opened the door to the room and allowed her to enter before shutting the door behind them. "I think it is important to comtemplate how the world works and things of that nature. I believe through that understanding, one can come to better the environment around them. He moved to the bed and plopped down, his legs from the knees down sticking out over the side of the bed as he was laying on his stomach. "Maybe we can bring a little bit of good to the city, for our tenure here anyway." He turned his head and looked at her, "What do you say?" <E>

She gave him a half frown/smirk, walking over to the bed and sitting lightly on the edge. "In theory it sounds well. I mean... I suppose doing good is... Beneficial. However I must admit... I'm a little curious.... In the short time I've known you... We've gotten into three separate fights. Two were your doing, and the third you finished... Marcus... You fight well you fight viciously. Whereas I fight to stop or prevent... You fight to end. I must admit it has me just a little confused as to what you actually do, why you fight so well... Why you're so determined to hide your gifts... And whether or not your intentions are truly good." She paused for a long moment, letting her eyes drop to the bed. "Just an observation. I've enjoyed not wing alone... So I didn't really way to ask too many questions and upset you so that you sent me away. "

Marcus listened and was truly intrigued by her response. He had been many places and seen many things that determined a lot about the Young Assassin. Kystil, for a rather innocent looking young lady was strangely perceptive. "That's a good observation. I've found in my travels that being observant saves lives." He chuckled a bit, "Tell me something, how can one truly stop or prevent evil." He paused for a moment, "Let's say wrong doings without ending those who would engage in those activites?" He sat up a little leaning against the head of the bed fully interested in what she had to say. A part of him was excited, this would be a very important conversation in the course of their relationship with each other. <E>

She shrugged slightly at first, before sliding up to sit next to him against the head board. "I'm not sure I suppose. There was little evil I would say where I came from... Possibly because each of us worked for everything we had and for each other. Without each other none of us would be able to survive. Everyone had what they needed and not much more. In the end, there wasn't much crime or abuse, and when such a thing did happen, that person performed penance. If they refused or the act was egregious enough they faced being expelled from the colony. It worked well enough for us, but I supposed logically that had to do also with being born into the system." She glanced over at him and smiled slightly. "It would be difficult to implement I believe in a per existing society."

He nodded listening quietly, pondering on her lifestyle and her colony. "That's so interesting, I can't really imagine that kind of lifestyle. You're right though, my people are far too lazy to have to work with people like that, for their lifestyle? No." Marcus bit his lip and shook his head pondering a little further. "What if I was to tell you that there are people who keep other people in situations of poverty.." He tilted his head to the side a bit making eye contact. "That those people have a system where they make money off every one elses misfortune. Wouldn't that be something people like you and I should work against? Should extrodinary people like ourselves work against for the good of people who don't really know us?"

She frowned and sat on the thought for a moment before shrugging and meeting his eyes. "I suppose that you could say that... However at the same time you have made a life out of hiding your gifts have you not?" Her lips twisted to one side and she slid her knees up to herself, turning to face him. "I cannot pretend to know the eccentricities of your society or these people whom you speak of, but would it not be easier to simply come out and take control using the gifts that others have no ability to control?" Her words were still thoughtful... Working through some process in this strange world she had been plunged into.

Marcus hummed a little in thought. "It's good that you aren't particularly involved. It's sort of selfish but I find your ignorance to my lifestyle as a way of viewing it. I'm bias of course being raised in the system but, you aren't so I find it refreshing. Now, as far as taking control. If I, or we, take control of people less fortunate than us whether it be because of our gifts or because they can live as freely..however." The Young Assassin took a pause licking his lips slowling, "How would we be any different than the people who currently control the system in the shadows? Even if the system that we would implement would be good, the fact that we steal the freedom of movement, wouldn't we be just as bad?" <E>

She shrugged this way and that for a moment before crawling into his lap and laying her head back on his shoulder. "Not necessarily. Every system has leaders. There's no escaping that. Regardless of how much freedom the people have, there is an inherent need for the expression of leaders in every society, to enforce involuntary punishments, unpleasant laws.... Settle disputes. It can be as simple as giving direction to those who are less independently motivated, or as severe as making decisions that are unpopular with the masses but necessary for the overall continuation and success of the society. For instance... If a warring faction is coming... Someone must decide to fight or run... Either way the decision is likely to be unpopular with at least some of the people, but it must be made. " she glanced up at him again before pressing her cool cheek into his warm neck and closing her eyes.

Marcus rubbed her hair gently thinking deeply about what she said. "I think that we are talking about different principles. I definitely think that there should be some sort of hierarcy as far as government is concerned, militarily and such. However, I'm talking about people restricting other peoples freedom to make their own way. The entire system, in its current set up, allows a select group to behing the scenes benefit." Suddenly, he had a bit of an idea, "Like a gang almost. I don't know if you're familiar with the concept but gangs will threaten businesses then collect a sort of protection fee.. Well there is a group similar to that in this city and all across these lands except instead of gangs manipulating business, they manipulate governments, police and so on." Marcus yawned a bit, the long day catching up to him. "It sounds hard to believe I know." <E>

She didn't open her eyes just yet, staying nestled into his warmth as she considered the things he said. "We did not have gangs no... But I think I might understand the concept. Much like bandits robbing travelers on a road." She sighed gently and let her body relax into his chest. "As I said... I don't suppose it would work easily to change a pre existing society. So then how may I ask do you plan on changing things? Certainly not with a simple trade shop and a silly girl from the rural north." She smiled gently and turned until her lips touched his neck, kissing the flesh gently.

Marcus got a little more comfortable relaxing a bit and nodding slightly, "Exactly the same concept. Except they live here in the city, robbing the same people." A deep, satisfied groan escaped his she kissed him. Marcus ran a hand across his head, "The funny thing is, thats exactly how I plan on changing things." He found himself smiling again and kissed her on top of her head before leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "That's exactly my plan.." He laughed a little bit more. Marcus found himself excited for the plan that they had came up with for the future, both the plan and Kystil showed promise. <E>

She frowned slightly. "Then perhaps ignorance truly is bliss as I really have no idea how that makes any sense to work Marcus. " she laughed some herself and turned more of her side to him, wrapping an arm around his waist and cuddling her face to his collar bone. "I could absorb your warmth for years. It's so refreshing." She sighed against him. "Well ignorant or not... I hope that I can at least contribute well to this vision you have... Seems more purposeful than simply walking south indefinitely until something... Strikes me."

He smirked this time, "I could give it to you for years, trust me." His hand ran through her hand and down her back a bit in a very comforting manner. "I think that something man have already struck you and you simply missed it." He shook his head and got more comfortable, his other hand finding her thigh massaging it gently. "For now though, just ponder on this conversation while you watch the things that go on. Well, when we get back," he paused to yawn, "I think our time out in the wilderness will be good for us." The Young Assassin closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her up against him.

She smiled at him, lifting her head to focus on his face some. "Is that so? Can you play nice in the forest without burning things down?" She laughed gently and shook her head some before leaning in and kissing his collar bone again. "You look tired. We should sleep. Tomorrow we will be very busy." She slid back down, laying her head against his chest and wrapping her leg over him so that she could rest easily on him, closing her eyes again.

A smirk played on his face yet again, "I dare say I'm more at home in the woods than you. We shall see though." He rubbed her hair some more, "You're right." He shuffled a bit so that he was laying down all the way, all while keeping her situated against him. "Try to get some rest," Marcus kissed her on her head once more and closed his eyes, his breathing became rhythmic and he was all to sleep before he knew it. The morning came early, upon opening his eyes the first thing that he noticed was her cool body against him, it was a pleasant thing to wake up to. He wiggled from under her with ease making sure not to wake her, washed up a bit in the other room then headed out toward the outskirts of the city. Marcus was up before the son and many other people in the city. A few shop keepers looked around their stalls, doing inventory and other sorts of things. Some of the gangs were still hanging out although they were retiring by the minute to go and get some sleep before returning in the afternoon sometime. Guards lazily did their last rounds before the change that was to happen at day break. The Young Assassin went out to the stables and spoke with the man in charge, securing two horses and a cart complete with all the fixings that he would pay for upon his return. Marcus also met with his mentor outside of the city gates and made arrangements for a store upon his return. He also formally, accepted his role, given by his Order to help rebuild the city's social climate. About the time the sun had fully risen he was back to the inn and tried to creep back in the room as slowly and quietly as possible. <E>

By the time he returned, she was already up and prepared really, standing, dipping her hands in the fresh water and splashing her face before drying it with a towel. She straightened and looked up at him with a smile, hands running up through her hair and pushing it back. She was clad in much more outdoor worthy garments this time... One of the extra outfits they had gotten her. The leggings were a thick canvas, able to withstand decent wear. Her tunic fit well and hung just past her hips, wrapping and buckling around her waist. "Welcome back. You seem to like slipping out like that... Without waking me hmm?" She smiled gently and turned towards the room where she had her dagger laying on the bed. She stepped over to it, grabbing the belt and moving to strap it on. "Are you ready then?"

Marcus admired her for a moment, "You look nice." He grinned widely and moved over toward the dresser, grabbing some less formal clothing and slipping into the bathroom. "I don't mean to slip out like that but I just have to get things done that I don't wanna drag you through." He returned into the room where Kystil was in a simple black outfit, that consisted of a hoodie and some loose fitting pants and black lightweight running shoes. The hoodie, had the same type of hood that was on ever other piece of clothing that he had. "Now, I'm ready. Our chariot awaits." He reached out and grabbed her hand leading her out of the door toward the cart. <E>

She shrugged some. "It's no matter really. It's only since I left that I've grown accustomed to not getting up before dawn to begin my work." She straightened her belt slightly and checked the strap that held the sheath for the dagger before looking up as he stepped out. "And thank you... You look well yourself... Though I'll never understand how you tolerate such garments with your body heat." She giggled slightly and stepped to the window, pulling aside the curtains for a moment. "Chariot hmm?" She glanced back to him and smiled brightly before moving across the room, sliding her hands along his sides and laying her body against his, kissing his lips gently. "Let's not keep them waiting then."

He returned her kiss and once the momentary daze wore off he went out to the cart. Two, rather large, black horses were fixed to a cart that looked moderately broken in yet very reliable. In the cart was basic material consisting mostly of the stuff they had purchased the night before. There were containers for cooking and retaining water etc etc.. but over all it was a pretty bare trip. They could get everything else they needed in the woods, especially with the power the two of them possessed. Marcus climbed up into the drivers position and waited briefly for Kystil to get into her position. The seat was hard, hopefully while they were out they could make some sort of cusion from animal skins and moss or something. "Are we forgetting anything?" He looked over toward her with a small smile on his face. Again, he found himself to enjoy the pleasantry of her company. It seemed as if this was becoming a regular thing. Marcus would wait until she responded and then assuming that they forgot nothing they would head off to the Great Forest in the East.

Kystil followed him down and looked over the cart and the horses, running her hand along the side of the first and across its nose before she ran down the other. She climbed up into the far side simply enough, gracefully as though she were light as a feather and dropping into her seat before looking over the back. "Looks fine to me. I don't think we had much to forget. " she giggled slightly as they started off, making light conversation and biding her time until they got out of the city and the eyes of others. "I'll fill the water basin." She turned and hoped over the rail into the back of the cart, moving toward the container and popping the seal. "Do you know this forest well?"

Marcus watcher her climb over into the back laughing at her innocence, it was refreshing in a way. She was so different from the corruption of the world, she would be good for him in the upcoming months. "No, actually, I've never stepped foot into this place. It's supposed to be a lot of unclaimed land though, apparently some nomadic people live there. I think it will be a good opportunity to gather supplies in a peaceful manner." He focused his attention to directing the horses as the ground was becoming more rough as they got closer to the forest. The land was becoming noticably lusher, small mammals ran about in the large pasture that was forming in contrast to the filthy city. He looked over his shoulder briefly at her, "And to think I was going to camp near a water supply, I forgot about your talent for a moment." His attention focused back on the road, "I'm thinking we can make camp near a lake somewhere, far enough away that no nomads will try to take our stuff but close enough that we can travel there to fish and such. What do you think?" The Young Assassin whistled quietly waiting for her response. <E>

She nodded some as she drew the liquid from the air and began to fill the barrel. "Sounds fair enough. Though with how light we travel and such I can't see anyone really trying to take anything but the cart and the horses. We won't need a water supply for the water... And water drawn from the air tastes better anyways. No fishiness. " she glanced up at him with a smirk as she re-capped the barrel. "I mean we can certainly fish... I don't foresee us having much issue getting enough food though. " she giggled some as she moved and hopped back over into her seat. Between the two of them three of the four elements were beautifully mastered. She wasn't one to be proud really, but with him, and with what that had done in the few days prior she was feeling rather confident.

They traveled for quite some time, away from the main roads, deep into the woods and eventually had to leave their cart behind and seperate the horses, traveling on the two beasts. Marcus encased the cart six feet deep within the earth so that no one would take it, all of their gear he fixed to the two horses then traveled for about an hour deeper into the forest before stopping at a large stream. He dismounted and allowed his horse to take water while walking around looking for signs of game. It was humid in the forest, he had began to sweat rather easily so soon, he was shirtless and sweat was glistening lightly on his form. He dipped his hoodie into the cool stream and wiped his face with it. "What do you say? Looks about as good a place as any to set up camp right?" Marcus took a few steps back then ran toward the creek and launched himself the 6 or 7 feet, assisted by bending wind around him to propel him forward, he landed softly on the other side. "I'm going to look off this way a bit. Try and clear out some space, find some firewood and stuff like that. I'll stay within yelling distance, if you need me just holler okay?" He smiled at her momentarily and if she had no questions would take off into the woods.

She rode easily enough... More natural to her than sitting in some cart, and allowed her horse free to drink and eat as well when he dismounted. She watched him for a moment, amused by how easily he became hot. Clothing for her was uncomfortable, but overall her temperature maintained a moderate climate around her, keeping her cool when it was hot outside, and remaining closer to the atmospheric temperature when it was cold. She watched him jump and giggled some, considering simply walking across the stream almost to mock him but deciding against it. "Oh fine... If I must. " she turned and looked around the area for a moment considering... They wouldn't want it too cleared... Just gathered... And maybe set up a good line for drying the skins. She set to work gathering wood and brush for fires and setting up a small area encased a bit so that it wasn't readily visible to anyone passing through.

The Young Assassin traveled in a large circle around the area in which they were setting up camp. He didn't see any amount of detail that would lead him to believe that there was a large human presence in the area which was a good thing for the moment. He would like to set up a good campsite before anyone came searching for them and disrupted their operation which he was sure would happen eventually. Marcus climbed a tree and scanned the horizon, it was early evening yet he did not see any smoke coming from any fires, or large clearing that were proof of agricultural societies. It appeared as if they had chosen a pretty good spot. He began moving back toward the direction of the stream although choosing to remain in the trees. The forest was pretty thick which caused him to have to move up and down in order to get from one tree to the other, sometimes reaching heights of 25 or 30 feet. This forest could provide plenty of lumber but transporting it from this deep would prove to be a difficult task. In 10 or 15 minutes he was back at the location that they had chosen however, he remained in the tree quietly watching her movements for a while. <E>

As the horses started to wander a bit more she tethered the horses to a nearby tree with enough rope that they could reach the water as well. She didn't seem overly concerned about anything or anyone coming up on her really. She hung a line between a few trees and built a small fire areas below it to allow for the smoke from whatever fire they had to assist in curing the skins they would be collecting. When she was satisfied with her set up she walked back over to the stream and crouched at its edge for a moment before pressing a finger to its surface. Instantly ice began to splinter out from her touch, freezing a strange web like pattern into the water below. Caught in the tendrils of the web would be several of the larger fish of the stream while smaller ones were able to pass through easily. Pleased with her work she moved on, wandering nearby and searching through the brush gathering edible berries.


He watched her quietly getting back in time to see her make her web of ice to catch the fish. He nodded in approval as he jumped out of the tree, twisting the air currents around him to allow his fall to be soft and quiet. "Looks like you're setting up nicely." He moved over and gave her a good squeeze of a hug before moving away from her a bit and beginning to form a very crude home from the earth. It was a rather loud process, as he was moving an incredible amount of earth. Slowly but surely a cabin was formed ten feet by twenty feet seperated into three rooms, a bed room, a smoke room and a general multi purpose room in the front. Next, he carefully carved windows into the bedroom wall by changing the solid rock into a sand type formula. The Young Assassin inhaled deeply and opened his mouth releasing a loud shout and flame came pouring out as well, heating the sand until a crude glass was formed. Marcus repeated this in the multi-purpose room as well to give them a way to look out. He stood around and looked for a moment, sweating from his work. "Not too bad, not my best but definitely not bad." He went back outside and sat against the small home. "What do you think? Willing to call it home for a while? We need to get something for bedding, and I'll make an out house but I think its a good start." He laughed a bit, and stretched out on the ground. <E>

(From here we can start the back and forth post by post... also again, my archives seem to currently lack the most recent posts :/ so I'll have to type them out by hand... bear with me.)

[Isoba]

Kystil stood there and watched the development, not too close to him to be sure she was free of any earth popping out under her feet or closing in around her. Her face was bright with awe as she began her walk around the building, her fingers reaching out to graze along the surface of the glass. "It's amazing Marcus. It's.... It's a house." She laughed slightly, completing her walk around and stopping at the door looking in at him. "I've never seen anything like it. I mean... I can do things but Marcus.... This is a house." She laughed slightly and began the walk through again, this time on the inside. Her fingers trailed the walls as she walked, following the trail as she passed through each doorway. "Doesn't it exhaust you though? Using that much energy?"



He watched her as she inspected the house. While she did so Marcus sat on the ground panting lightly. The Young Assassin listened to her basically be in awe of what he did and chuckled a little, "It's not really a house." He shook his head slightly as she was making it more than it really was. "It's very much like lifting weights when it comes to manipulating the earth, so its heavy but its not like I'm draining myself of some magical power or something." He smiled a bit catching his breath some more, "Manipulating the fire is really all about breathing which explains my shortness of breath. I wouldn't call it exhausting though more like a good solid whole body work out." He laughed a bit more then stood up looking at his work once again. "It should keep the rain off of us anyway." <C>

After pausing for a moment he continued, "I'm sure you can do far more interesting things that put four walls together and heat up some sand." Marcus nudged her slightly, only enough to slightly test her balance. "I'll go can collect some soft things for us to make bedding out of. I've noticed you got some fish for us to eat and also that you've been collecting some berries and things. Once we get enought to sustain ourselves then we can worry about collecting for others. He moved over to his mount and retrieved his bow and arrows, "I'll probably play around with these while I'm out. Not saying that I'll bring anything back but you know.. Might as well get accustomed." He kissed her playfully before heading off randomly into the woods. <E>


She laughed some. "Well... It's all water and ice you know with me... And it is draining." She pushed him back those his nudge barely tipped her. She was grateful and potentially deadly just like the element she controlled. I think though what is most draining about it is the act of drawing it... Changing its form from vapor to liquid and then to ice.manipulatimg it once its there is no where near as draining " she followed him out and watched him mount. "Alright. I'll stay close by and continue my gathering... Perhaps some hunting as well. Oh... Before you go do you mind?" She gestured towards the fire pit she had built and stacked. She could not produce fire as easily as he and would rather not waste the time if he could simply light it himself. She smiled when he kissed her and watched him ride off before returning to her work in a motherly dutiful manner.


Before he had left, Marcus opened his hand exhaling briefly and an ball of flame shot out igniting the stack that she had produced, then he was off. It was liberating to ride around in the forest like this. So much time he had spent up in cities protecting innocents and looking after his enemies, it was nice to be able to get away for a while. After some time he slowed his horse and dismounted looking around, briefly forgetting why he came. When his eyes fell on the moss he remember so he set out to collecting as much of the stuff as possible, stuffing it in a bag he had brought with him. Marcus had collected more than he would probably need so he secured it to his horse then walked around quietly for a while looking for an animal whose skin would be large enough to use as bedding for them.


Kystil gathered a good portion of berries near the camp, wrapping them in large leaves and returning them to the house area. When she was done she checked on the net that had caught several large fish in it already. The ice would stay strong and keep the fish fresh so she left them there. With that she began off into the woods a bit to see what else she might find useful. Following the stream upwards she came to a wider rocky area where the fish were thick and the foam grew. Repeating her net trick she created a bit of a dam, but this one wasn't to catch the fish themselves. She climbed into a nearby tree and sat straddling a branch not too far from the bottom watching the fish thrash and struggle in the water... Waiting for something better to come. She eyed the pants and the tunic some. Clothing was perhaps the crux of joining this society. She saw no issue with covering only the most intimate areas. She smiled some as she lay her head back, letting thoughts and memories swim free as she passed time.

- - - Updated - - -

Marcus walked as quietly as he could through the woods looking around. He noticed small game crunching threw the leaves either running away from him or going on about their business as if he was not even there. He squinted his dark eyes noticing that his daylight was slowly beginning to run out. Marcus growled to himself as it looked like he would not be able to find himself something large for dinner. The Young Assassin's body was cooling off slightly and the amount of sweat that he was producing slowed up as a result. A breeze blew causing the leaves to rustle a bit, hindering his hearing. In this moment, Marcus realized that he had a lot to learn when it came to hunting. As he traveled looking around, his mind shifted to how she had made the net out of ice, that was something that he would have never thought about. He was not a very finesse person unless it came to navigating environments and perhaps political situations. Marcus tended to want to meet things head on... A loud crack of a twig broke his thought pattern causing him to stop and listen more closely. It would seem as if what ever he was listening to was listening to him as well.

His eyes scanned his immediate surroundings as he searched for a tree to climb so that he could have a better view of things. Slowly he stepped off in the same direction he had originally been traveling soon finding a tree that he could climb. Once he reached it, Marcus scurried up it almost silently then mad his way back toward the sound. After searching for about five minutes he found a small doe foraging on the forest floor. His heartbeat raised with excitement, as he pulled his bowstring over his head, drew and arrow and readied it. The doe took a step toward him as he drew his bow taking aim. Suddenly, the wind shifted and the doe caught wind of his scent causing it to take off. Disgruntled, Marcus sent an arrow off in the general direction of the doe, obviously missing his mark. Frustrated with his failure, he made his way back to his horse then eventually back to the camp as soon as darkness fell." Upon dismounting, Marcus tied his horse to a nearby tree, "I'm back," he announced looking around for her.

[DarknessDawning]

Kystil was waiting for a while... even started to dose off a bit in the tree. In her delusional dream she could see Marcus, standing out in the water... wading on all fours. Her brow furrowed sharply and she leaned forwards slightly. What a strange thing... he waded through the water slowly, moaning? Groaning maybe. Her brow furrowed deeper... what was he doing. It took her a moment before she realized his skin was furry looking and much quicker certainly than it took her to dose off she snapped back awake, the jolt sending her down on her belly on the branch, wrapping her arms around it tightly to prevent from spinning under. She took a few too quick panicked breaths, her eyes shooting to the raging waters of the stream and the flopping bodies of the fish... there in the water, waded a decent sized young male black bear. The sight brought a smile to her lips and a laugh to her breath at the thought of Marcus wading in the water groaning. For a moment she corrected herself, lifting back to her sitting position on the branch before she moved to a crouch. She sighed, calming her breath and her body as she focused on the bear who was freely pawing at the captured fish, pulling one up and catching it in his snout to gnaw it. Without competition, he would have no reason to leave, not while food was readily available.

Kystil sighed again, leveling her focus on the bear. He would do for a start. She wouldn't like the process of killing many things in such a short time span to develop a surplus for this store they were starting, but it was a necessary evil that she would settle in her mind later. For now... the water began to build, raising to the bear's stomach before it began to concern itself, wading as though to move to the shore. Before he could get face however, Kystil raised her hands and clasped them tightly together in a gable grip, the water mimicing the movement of her hands, it gripped the bear's face tightly and filled it's mouth and nose, pouring down its nostrils and into it's throat, searching for the bear's trachia. He would have only moments to react, thrashing and back stepping, falling into the water in a panic before the aspiration would drown the animal. Safe in her perch in the tree, Kystil merely wated until she was certain he was finished, and dropped down to the ground level again.

Walking out and onto the surface of the water, she made her way to the dam of fish and the body of the bear. She stared at the fish for a long moment... though they couldn't save them really to sell she wondered if she couldn't use the fish scales, sewn together for trinkets.... perhaps purses, bags, clothing, jewelry... something where the shiny nature would be desireable. Tilting her head from side to side in thought she bent down, pressing her finger against the water to wrap the dam into a bit of a net encompassing the majority of the fish within... there were plenty more fish in the stream, and they, just as the one's in the net at the house, would preserve better alive and remaining in the water. As the fish became trapped, Kystil lodged her foot against the edge of the ice and pushed off, breaking it free from the bottom of the stream so that it might simply float along the current, down towards the camp. Once the fish were on their way, Kystil moved towards the body of the bear, setting herself behind it and again pushing off. A small wave, just enough to float the body easily, would lift the bear from it's place and begin to carry it also along the current.

The walk back was simple enough. Kystil hadn't wandered far to begin with, and with the plentiful water supply, the fish and bear would simply float in front of the graceful nymph who walked along the surface of the stream, barely leaving ripples in her wake. The sky had begun to stain a shade of purple and the air would have nipped any normal person's skin, but to Kystil... this was just like home. Her distracted joy was abruptly disrupted by his call and she lifted her bright blue eyes towards the horizon, tendrils of her raven hair framing her face where they'd slipped free. "Marcus! Here...... " She lifted a hand to wave at him and picked up the pace to a trot, the wave growing ahead of her to rush her catch along until they rested against the already established net and she trotted off the stream onto dry land. "Sorry.. I thought I'd scout the stream... there's an excellent area just a little ways up... shallow and rocky... perfect for fishing... or bait." Her grin was wide and proud. Up until now, though she could handle herself well, she felt as though Marcus had carried her a bit with her niavity... but this was her element for sure.

[Isoba]

Marcus scanned the area a bit more everything seemed to be in order but she was no where to be found. Marcus moved over to the side of the make shift earthen home reaching for his axe. As he picked it up he examined it again pleased with its quality. The black axe head was heavy, heavier than normal but it would serve good for the amount of wood cutting that he would have to do. He swung it around once or twice as he moved over to a small tree, no more than six or seven foot tall and three or four inches thick, the tree had barely begun to live as far as trees are concerned. The Young Assassin reached back torquing his body and bring his right arm around the axe held firmly in his hand followed the arc until the heavy axe head bit its way into the tree with a loud twack. It was then Marcus noticed the rushing sound of the stream and turned his head looking for the cause of the rushing. Sure enough, Kystil was returning with more than he had been able to get today. It appeared that the Young Mentor had picked a good partner idea, someone who in this environment could match and maybe even surpass himself. He left the axe in the tree and headed over in her direction waving briefly. "It appears as if you were relatively successful today!" Marcus greeted her with an embrace and a kiss on the cheek, "How the hell?" His hand ran over the bear, apart from being cold and wet it was a good kill with plenty of meat, fur, fat and pretty large claws. Marcus looked at her nodding his head, "Good job. I was just cutting down a tree to add to your pile over there," he spoke as he nodded a bit toward her pile. "You wanna cook up some fish for tonight?"

[DarknessDawning]

The wave left the stream lapping gently against the banks in her wake. She smiled up at him proudly before following his hand to where he touched the bear. "Not hard really... I set a dam for the fish to attract him.... then waited in a tree." She looked up at him and her brow furrowed some as her eyes passed him and looked around a bit. "Where's you're catch? You put it inside already?" She leaned down and began pullign fish from the ice one by one and tossing them up towards the house. They flew through the air, their bodies shimmering in the sun before they began flopping about in the grass where they landed. She became absorbed in her work for a moment, her hair falling over her face as she connected the two net frames together and ensured that they would sufficiently hold their supply of fish overnight without requiring tending... and the fish were low enough under the water to not die or attract predators as they would when they were thrashing.

"Sure... I figured I would scale some anyways and see what I might be able to do with it... as far as making something useful or sellable that is." As she spoke her hand wrapped under the bear's arm, clinging to him tightly as she heaved as though to lift him from the water. Behind him though, the stream surged with her efforts, effectively pushing the bear up out of the water and onto the bank in one pull. She gave a quick sigh of breath and brushed at her now soaked clothing strangely. "I assumed you'd likely skin the bear and use the meat... I can always catch more later. " She started towards the fire, pushing the fish that hadn't flown as far with her feet until they were gathered by the fire side. In one simply movement that seemed all too natural, her hand fell to the knife, sliding it up from it's sheath with no more than her thumb and spinning it to rest comfortably in her palm. She crouched and dropped back onto her butt in the grass with her knees bent in front of her, picking up the first fish to begin scaling and gutting it right there between her legs, elbows resting lightly on her knees.

[Isoba]

Marcus was in a state of shock that bordered upon awe as he watched her work. They way she used the environment as a tool of assistance instead of fighting it was impressive. It was almost as if she was one with nature, or at the very least the water. He snapped back out of his thoughts as she asked him a question, the first time she had stumped him since they had met. "My catch? Uh.." The Young Assassin frowned a bit as an unfamiliar feeling rushed over him...embarrassment. Very rarely did Marcus fail and when he did normally everyone around him did as well but this, she had accomplished easily. "I actually missed," Marcus spoke as he hung his head, "Luckily for me you were here to feed me tonight. I'm going to take to the rest of that tree then I'll tend to the bear." Quickly he retreated back to the tree and reached down slowing wrapping his fingers around the bottom of the axe before squeezing it tightly. In one quick jerk The Young Mentor removed the axe from the tree. Using the momentum, he raised the axe and swung it with extreme force, even anger. Three or four swings in he had separated the majority of the tree from the base and root and was dragging it back toward the light of the fire. Quietly, he made quick work of the branches and used some of the smaller ones to sustain the fire before he took to cutting the larger parts into sections small enough to use in their fire.


Marcus walked over in front of Kystil still shirtless and sweating a little from the labor revolved around the tree. "Do you think it would be better to freeze the meat or smoke it?" Both options were available based upon their available resources. His mind wondered a little to perhaps sectioning out a bit of solid rock and having her freeze it then push it deep down in the earth where the ice would stay frozen longer..maybe checking on it once a day. Not quite sure that his idea would work he decided not to suggest it for now. While waiting for his answer he moved over to his things found his gauntlets and attached them to his arms just in case people, or animals came while they were cooking. Next he found a dagger and set to gutting and skinning the bear, "We should bury the guts so that they don't attract predators during the night." he thought out loud, "Maybe we should freeze the meat to alleviate the smell as well...What do you think?" He asked her looking up but never quite stopping his work.

[DarknessDawning]

She looked up at him as he moved the tree and re-filled the fire, a light fond smirk playing across her face. There was nothing of boasting or judgement there... she didn't really think twice about the fact that he missed. Dear were harder anyways, much faster moving. She was building a pile of shiny scales there inbetween her legs as she finished scaling the fish and turned it over, belly up in her hand and began to cut into it's chest to gut it. "You can bury them I suppose... or just toss them in the fire... or the stream.. I could wash them further down." As she finished her cut she slid her finger down inside the fish and began to pull out it's entrails bare handed, tossing them into the fire in front of her. Her eyes flitted back to him with his gauntlets and her smile widened some. "You feel the need for protection beyond your gifts? Out here? Where no one will see you?" She laughed some, finishing the emptying of the fish and grabbing one of the limbs from the tree, breaking off a small branch she thrust it into the body cavity of the fish and leaned forwards, staking it into the ground like a small cooking trophy near the fire's heat... without missing a beat she picked up the next fish and began her work again, blood running along her forearm.

"That's a good question.. I'm not overly concerned with the smell.. I mean, not that I want this place to become putrid or anything, but that I arleady had anticipated a need to clean frequently and maintain a decent range as far as... territory and hunting to prevent over curiosity from predators.. I mean, depending on how long we stay out here, gathering skins and materials and such, we won't be able to completely contain the scents. We can merely hope to seem more menacing than anything interested in what we might have for them to scavenge." She looked up at him and sighed gently, sliding her knife up the side of the fish and seperating a line of scales. "Also, I'm not too worried about running out of meat. So either way is fine really... Do you plan on taking some of the meat back to sell? If that's the case, freezing it would probably help it maintain longer and not dry out so much as to lose it's taste." Her eyes dropped as though her words were rather matter of fact and she slit up the fish's stomach and began digging again.

[Isoba]

Marcus sighed as the days work began to bear down on him even though he was no where near really being finished. Looking down at the bear who happened to be laying on its side, Marcus bit his lip before jumping a short distance into the air then stomped down two pillars of earth rising up on one side pushing the legs of the bear upward and two more rose up on the other side of the bear to hold it up in place. Next, he moved down toward the bears hind quarters swung his dagger around a bit before pushing it down in the soft area of the underbelly opening its bowels. He quickly slit upward toward the throat soon revealing all of the inner workings. It wasn't long before he was elbow deep in the bear removing all types of sinew and things freeing the intestines, liver, heart and other inner workings that he wasn't interested in eating. Once he freed them he tossed them into the stream deciding that her pushing them down stream would be better than having something to come and look for them. The Young Assassin thought about her comments on hiding his talents, "You know, its almost like second nature to me now. I guess it isn't necessary out here huh." He chuckled a little as he took to removing the skin from the bear.

The scent of cooking fish cause Marcus to raise his head looking in the direction of the fish suspending just above the fire. His stomach grumbled for the first time all day, hunger had crept up and made a stronghold in his stomach. "I'm so hungry," he whined a bit, "How many of those are for dinner?" Marcus licked his lips slowly before putting his blade down one of the pillars of earth moving to the stream and dipping his arms in them trying his best to get them clean so that he would not have to wash the bear hide. Once that was done he took back to skinning the bear, removed the claws and teeth, cutting both out very carefully, throwing them near Kystil, "Can you make something out of those? Maybe a necklace for you out of the claws?" The Young Assassin liked the idea of having a necklace made out of bear claws but since he didn't harvest this bear he would not claim a trophy from it. "I think I can make some sort of box to keep the extra meat in and you can freeze it to use as a storage place for the meat.. Do you think that would work?"

[DarknessDawning]

Kystil was much more used to this type of labor... she seemed fresh and able bodied... her hands and knife moving quickly over the fish and stacking them in a row on their sticks by the fire. The pile of scales between her legs steadily growing. She glanced up at the splash in the stream.. he must have made his decision. Before she looked back to the fish the water level began to rise and the sound of the rushing water grew as it worked through pushing the undesirables away. "I wouldn't think so... though again... I understand and yet... don't fully agree maybe with hiding them in general. I mean.. I guess I hid it when I first arrived, but it was more for fear of what others might be capable of... people like yourself."

Her hands paused for a moment as she glanced up at him. "I think we'll have plenty of fish for you to eat your fill." she laughed slight as she speared another and it took it's place in the steadily growing line. "Fish are easy to catch... and with the rook just up stream, they will be plentiful... bears are less common, but I'd imagine there's a steady supply who frequent that rook for the fish. Deer are harder to catch... well, anything I can't bait I suppose is harder to catch... more of a waiting game." She looked down at the claws and teeth as they landed near her and nodded some. "Sure... I can make a couple of things from bear claws and teeth really.. though they will take more time... drilling and coring with water is a finite skill that requires a lot of focus. She took them and tossed them into the fire so that the organic material would burn off. "That should work... I can freeze it deep enough to keep for a good while... and just check on it now and then to re-freeze it when it starts to warm up." She glanced up at him to assess his progress, standing and walking with her knife palmed to the stream herself to wash the fish from her hands and blades. "You almost ready to eat?" As the gore washed free from them, and the remnants of the bear entrails were all swept away the stream began to calm and she made her way back to the cooking fish. She took the first stick and turned it some, grabbing a handful of the berries she'd found and stuffing them into the clean inner cavity and putting the fish back first to the fire to finish roasting and heat the berries until they would pop, filling the flesh of the fish with a sweet tartness that would seep through the meat and into the roasted flavor.

[Isoba]

Marcus listened for a while to the things that she said, becoming quiet as he worked. He was, in fact, very hungry and once she asked him was he ready to eat he stopped what he was doing and made his way over. "I'm starved." The Young Assassin laughed a bit before plopping himself down beside her, her pile of scales, and the fire. "I'm a little curious, what do you plan on doing with those scales again? I would have just thrown them away." He hadn't said anything before but assumed that she would have a plan for them. Marcus reached up and grabbed the first stick that she had put the first fish one and removed it from over the flames, pausing for a moment to examine it. "Nice touch with the berries, maybe we could do that in our store too. I think that would be a great sell because I've never seen it before and I've been a few places in my life." He laughed a bit, waiting for the fish to cool down a little bit more before taking a bite.

Marcus had experienced a few different foods from a few different cultures in his life but he had never experienced something like this. The way the juices mixed with the meal and gained both the smokey flavor from the woods and the sweet flavor from the berries was amazing. He let out a gluttonous moan, "Kystil!.." His words a little muffled from his full mouth, "This.. ugh.." The Young Assassin stopped trying for a moment and just enjoyed his food some more eventually swallowing that bite. "Probably my new favorite meal.. You really shouldn't show off like this..what are you going to cook tomorrow?" He laughed a bit picking up a small stone and tossing it at her. "You've really outdone yourself, seriously." Marcus took another bite, enjoying the fusion of flavors quietly while pondering and after a while snapping back to reality. "Tell me more," Marcus swallowed the rest of his bite, "about your thoughts on free will again."