Ariah Lusias
"Nothing like that wooshing sound wind makes when you go really, really, really fast." Ariah Lusias
Age: 20 (Claims to be 22)
Race: Dragonkin
Appearance: At a standing height of 5' 8'' Ariah is a bit short, especially for a Dragonkin. Similarly he's quiet lanky and thin, while also maintaining a firm and toned body, given and maintained by his unusual method of living and fighting. His frame doesn't contain many blemishes and marks which is somewhat surprising given his chosen career path, but thanks to his style it makes a bit more sense.
His face shows just how young he is and looks even younger yet. His unblemished skin mixed with his blue eyes and his dark, ragged hair all adding up to honestly make him look like he's in his late teens. Of course this matter has been one that irks him quiet a large bit as he constantly claims to be older than he looks.
Nation of origin: Red League
Personality:Ariah embodies a sort of live and enjoy it lifestyle and personality. To him and in his mind the world may be a powder keg waiting to blow, plunging the great expanse of the Eversky into bloody and depressing conflict... but since we aren't there yet, so let's enjoy it. True life isn't exactly easy and Ariah knows plenty about that, but as long as you smile through the shit you'll be better for it... right? Often aloof and happy, Ariah enjoys talking, chatting, and joking. If not for his questionable sanity, then for the others as there's enough sadness in the world already, so why add to it when you can make people smile! Just tread lightly when commenting about how young he looks...
Biography:Ariah grew up as part of a life in exile. Being born to a mother that joined Jane Oakheart in her split from the Oakheart Sovereignty. While his father left the Iron Dominion with Jack Kinz's revolution, breaking off from their heavy handed rule to join the Red League. This twin rebellion giving an opportunity for love to bloom in the shape of marriage and the eventual child that was Ariah. Born of warring factions as a nobody in a world they were only starting to claim a space in.
Still despite the odds, circumstances, and challenges Ariah grew up in a happy life, changing and learning about the world around him through his tiny eyes. His parents so in love that despite their origins stayed together to keep Ariah happy. Sure growing up was a bit of a challenge especially with all the mean kids he had to deal with since he was so early born of different worlds, but it didn't change him. In fact it gave him an appreciation for life, that he was able to come to be from what had to pass for it to happen.
As he grew up on his island home he found a fascination for dragons and specifically their mighty flight. The way they soared and swam through the air, commanding the skies was something Ariah envied. This is what made his mind run wild and as she ran around the fields and streets of his home, 'flying' in his mind with the dragons he felt a deep connection with. Being Dragonkin he felt it was destiny to one day take wing with his fellows. That day came when his parents brought him on board an airship that they were using to help build their home town. Taking flight in the craft Ariah felt like he was a dragon running around on the deck of that airship.
From that point on Ariah had a new found love for airships as they were his connection to the skies and the dragons. From there on and even before he hit 10 he was flying them with the guidance of his parents at first but before long he was flying on his own, with the help of a box to stand on of course.
Much into his life he continued this trend, learning more and more about all types of airships he possibly could and loving each moment of it. When he could he'd even sneak off with one to go and sail into the setting sun, pretending he was a dragon, feeling the wind washing through his hair. This was a life worth living.
Though as life continued on and time progressed reality came knocking and when it left it took Ariah's Mother. Made sick from a storm and destined to die he watched as his mother passed on to a better world, leaving him with his father. It hurt to be sure, but at the end of the day Ariah was ok with it. Death was just another part of life. His father on the other hand was devastated and one would say that it ruined him. Taking to drink and joining a crew of mercenaries he became an absent father.
Being left alone for so long left Ariah to his own devices and with how little his father was around, he found a new father in the shape of a band of mercenaries. Being only 14 it was a little rough to hang around such a crowd, but he stuck to it. After all... he was walking in his father's footsteps... for what that was worth. Taking to swords and pistols as his method of combat he showed to be quiet the weakling among his fellows, but one thing he outmatched everybody in was the fact that he was the fastest of them all. Using this speed he became a lethal swordsman, dodging and slashing faster and more precisely than any other.
When he was 18 though his father's band came back and he was not among them. Asking around he wasn't given a clear answer which could only mean one thing, he wasn't coming back. With no more ties to keep him stationary Ariah decided it was time to set out on his own, using the skills he was given to make a name for himself and seek out a new life.
Taking to contact and mercenary work it wasn't long before he pick up bounty hunter jobs, taking him to dangerous places to track down dangerous people one of which would soon become a good friend.
Ariah had picked up a contact to take out a rather obnoxious and dangerous Elf by the name of Tanoui. It was just another bounty and wasn't chocked up to be anything to crazy. Well that was until he found the pesky Elf... Turns out another had taken the contract as well and just as Ariah was closing in to to mark he found her... Ekaterine Volkov. Tenacious, aggressive, and kind of a bitch. Kat, as he'd later start calling her, had tracked down his mark to the same place at the time.
The Elf was doing pretty good for himself, having a neat little mansion to call home. On the outside though it wasn't as guarded and as he moved up the yard, keeping his head low and his blades at the ready he used his augmented speed to guide him to the buildings left side wall. Peering around and through the structure he found his way in through a guarded door. Well at least it was sometimes guarded as their patrol routes left it empty for a usable chunk of time.
Passing through the door and getting inside he waited for another opening to progress further. That was when he found her... or more appropriately she found him. Running up to him on silent steps and threatening his throat with a knife and asking who the fuck he was. Drawing back and whipping his sword her to her neck, ready to return the threat in a hushed whisper,
"Who the fuck am I? Who the fuck are you!" He started by returning, not exactly caring for her tone,
"Get that toothpick out of my face before you regret it!" He finished, not wanting to be put down by some stranger.
True to fashion she took her blade away from him, only to then try and pull a fast one, trying to open up his defense and send a rough, spiked set of knuckles for his masked head. Well one thing she couldn't have expected was his speed and reactions. Using his opened sowrd he contorted his body, moving his head to the side like a bolt of lightning and using the same momentum to bring around his second sword, Umbra. It was going to be a cold, and precise slash, however that all changed when he saw where her fist had struck. Landing firmly on a bust, sending it tipping away towards the ground. His eyes went wide as he took his sword away from her to try and move to catch the statue. Yet in the end he wasn't able to loop back around to prevent the loud and thunderous crash of stone on marble.
After the bust fell to the floor it was like all Hell came with it and as Kat swore quietly, the air was filled with a hail of lead. Ducking down so fast it was almost like he pulled his feet from under himself to fall to the ground, he took cover with Kat to deal with this situation she just put them in. Before he could get a sense of the situation Kat was already shouting at him to take bullets for her. Like he'd ever...
"No way in Hell. Just stay out of my way!" He called back to her, drawing up his swords and rounding the corner to dash from cover to cover in the hopes of closing the gap to take them out. However, almost as soon as he rounded the corner a torrent of bullets flew at him and it was a miracle he only took one grazing shot in the arm before he rolled back into cover with Kat. He couldn't close the gap as going at them in any agnle would only prove to be unhealthy.
"Fucking Hell!" He cursed out padding the new wound his arm now had. In fact it was an incredibly rare day he even got hurt, so this was truly unusual for him.
"I still don't like you, but we need each other now! Make your shots count or I'm going to kill you!" He yelled over the hail to Kat. From there he put Umbra back in it's sheath, drawing Slugger and taking a deep breath. Taking but a few moments to center himself before dashing out with a streak of lightning and firing sporadically at the guards, managing to actually kill one as he drew their fire towards him. All while running like a bat out of Hell towards a nearby marble pillar to seek shelter behind.
Thankfully she took her chance and while he was dodging bullets she had her shot, cascading red into the room. Her voice rang out over the sound of gunshots, mocking the guards that were trying to kill them. The worst part though was when she moved towards the window, leaping out of it to leave him alone with a bunch of pissed off trigger happy guards. If she thought she would leave him with her mess, she was wrong.
Running towards the same window she went through and following suit he leap from it to take chase, watching her scale the structure with ease. Again not to be shown up... or shot at by more angry goons, he ran after her, taking to the building and climbing up the side of it. Even though he was quick on his feet he wasn't exactly experienced in building climbing, about keeping pace with her. At least until he reached a level space on the rooftops. That was when he could shine and doing so in full force he dashed after her, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, gaining on her until he was side by side. Continuing on their path until they were save from the angry men.
From there he slowed to a halt and started to catch his breath, panting a bit. Turning to face the woman who just about cost him his life he chimed up to say,
"Look... You're out of your damn mind. But I'll admit... That was pretty awesome."That was when Kat proved just how cruel and cold she really was, talking about pain, torture and lord knows what else almost like it was nothing, but at least she wasn't trying to kill him again. Really though she was twisted in way to many ways, but it was almost... fun how much she seemed to enjoy her craft. For her of course, and while it wasn't something he respected he did have a little respect for her skill and what they just did on their mission. Looking down at her bloody hand he wiped his hand on his sleeve, picking up some of his blood before firmly clasping her hand to shake.
"You're crazy, reckless, and probably insane, but I can deal with that. Name's Ariah Lusias." He confessed.
"You may not be in it for the money, but there's a bounty on that man we just killed and I think you're entitled to some of it." He finished, nodding and taking his bloody hand back.
Despite the rough start it was the beginning of a partnership. Signing on with a crazy sadist who knew her way around a sniper to give some fire support to his close ranged specialty. Not exactly the more likely of pairs but it worked and as they worked together racking up successful bounties and missions it only left one question. What was next?
Skills:- Dual-Swordsmanship Mastery - Using twin swords by the name of Argeance and Umbra with incredible dexterity and great lethality. Using speed over brute strength to make his style swift and accurate.
- Augmented Agility - Ariah may not be the strongest, he may not be the most durable especially for a Dragonkin, but one thing he has is his incredible speed and reflexes. Running, dashing, climbing, and thinking quickly are his greatest strengths.
- Pistolaro - While not as skilled with rifles, shotguns, and even larger weapons. His skill with a pistol is the exact opposite, able to pull off close range, rapid, and deadly shots with ease.
- Outstanding Pilot - It's a rare day when Ariah finds a ship he can't fly and fly very well, and fast.
Weaknesses:- I Don't Lift Bro - While Ariah may be the fastest man in the world he isn't as strong as many others leaving him rather weak when it comes to test of raw strength.
- Low Constitution - Much like his strength he isn't very durable, looking to avoid any attack sent his way rather than tank through it. It doesn't take much to gravely wound him.
- No know how - Ariah has a very specific set of talents, mechanical knowledge is not one of them. Fixing, repairing, or even working some machines leaves him more lost than an airship in a storm.
Equipment:- Argeance - Well forged to be strong, dense, and lightweight. While lacking the board size of larger swords, this one is specifically designed for rapid, fast slashes.
- Umbra - Much like it's brother blade, Argeance. Umbra is lightweight and lethal, made for speed and precision.
- Banded Leather Armor (Masked) - Dark shaded and padded with wind-resistant leather. Inlaid with metal bands to help protect the wearer. Maximizing mobility over defense it doesn't provide as much protection as other armors. Ariah also has a mask that he often wears when out on missions or in the heat of combat. The mask has lenses built into the mask to reduce the effects of wind on the wearer's eyes.
- Slugger - A dual chambered revolver with twin magazines located in the weapon to increase bullet capacity. Chambered in a medium sized common round to pack a punch, while still keeping recoil down to a manageable level.
- Mercenary's Pack - A side slung pack of goodies featuring a lighter, pouches for smokes, a day-trip pouch, and a very small medical pouch containing some bandages, gauze, and antibacterial paste.
Other: Ariah considers himself straight and has followed that code up to this point in his life. He feels close to Ekaterine given their history, even if she is a little... aggressive and weird.
