An outing

[paradigm]

[continued from]

By the time vision was regained for either of them, the two shinobi would find themselves in a room remarkably similar to the last, save that the rock walls seemed to be constructed of a differing mineral. However, the symbol they stood upon was an exact replica of the one in the Lair. One might assume that it was the exact same symbol, but there were subtle nuances that only the truly dedicated would find. No man's hands were capable of perfection , even the Priest's.

"We're beneath the Frontier of Muhir,” Itazuki explained to Noa “Our meeting is to take place at a Warehouse roughly half a day’s travel from here.”

Stepping off the pedestal, the Deva Path raised his hands to form a single seal and the red clouds on his black cloak came to life, shifting and moving before they disappeared entirely. “Should we face opposition before our rendezvous,” he said with a glance. “I would prefer this meeting be discreet, if none save our suppliers know we’ve business in Muhir, it would suit me fine.”

Was it that the Leader of Akatsuki was afraid? No, simply cautious. The Dead were a powerful ally to have and Itazuki had no desire of alerting every passerby in the Frontier that ‘wanderers in red clouded black cloaks wandered the plains.’

Tossing the tails of his cloak back, Itazuki revealed two sizeable pouches attached to his belt. The weight of the platinum at one’s hips was enough to tire an average man out after a while, but Itazuki persevered with extraordinary ease.

“Let’s be off, then.”

[.deceitful.]

Valentine sat in his office, perusing a few papers fanned out before him under the influence of his spread fingers. Each was read, stamped, then set aside on a rapidly growing stack sitting trapped under the curious lines of a carved mana crystal paperweight. "Hmm...good, good and...good. Doesn't get any better than that; once I tally this up and send the result to him, the amount should exceed even his expectations." Satisfaction bled through his smile; success made Val a happy man.

A knock on the door was followed by a redhead's cute features peeking through. "It's almost time sir...the airship is here, and so is Mr. Scutliffe." Valentine nodded, more than pleased. He liked it when people were on time; it raised his opinion of them substantially.

Rising from his chair, he tossed aside the remaining few papers and swept out the door with the redhead in tow, doing her very best to wrap him in his overcoat and scarf, arm him with his documents and adorn him with hat and cane. To the roof he strode, pausing beside the transport and searching the immediate area for his other redhaired comrade with the sharp teeth. Wasting time was sinful and they had business to handle.

[Hush]

Noa nodded passively, her silence confirmation that she would have no difficulty being discreet. Imitating Itazuki's maneuver, the clouds on her cloak swiveled and vanished, leaving naught but black. Feeling hot, she unzipped the front, shrugging it from her arms slightly so her shoulders were bared. She wore a jacket underneath, part of the reason for being stuffy, but it served a purpose- if she saw battle she would remove the heavy thing anyway, not wanting it to get caught on her weapon or slow her down.
The cloaks looked nice, they gave a sense of uniformity and belonging, but Noa didn't care for the added bulk.

To continue her fascade of discreetness, she placed her weapon on the ground, unraveling a long scroll covered in intricate markings. Carefully cutting her finger, she smeared blood in the center of the paper and placed her hands overtop, sealing away the oversized thing for when it was necessary. Then, she rolled up the scroll and placed it carefully under her cloak. She nodded to show that she was ready, and they were off.

Following complacently behind Itazuki, Noa formed her first words since her brief introduction.

"When we reach our destination, do you wish for me to remain silent?"

It was an important question, because otherwise she would verbalize any duplicity she saw immediately. If this was unwanted, it could lead to unnecessary confrontation, which was why she had asked now instead of taking the risk.

[paradigm]

The sound of footsteps were accompanied by the tell-tale tap of a cane against the rooftop, it seemed Valentine was on the move. Tilting his spectacles downward, along with his crimson locks, Pygmalion nodded at the fellow member of the Dead. Buttoning the front of his grey pinstriped jacket, Pygmalion motioned towards the transport with a gloved hand, baring a sharp toothed grin.

"The cargo has been loaded," He explained with a wide smile. "With luck we'll arrive and have them unloaded with plenty of time to spare."

Pushing spectacles further upon the bridge of his nose, the mad inventor sighed before placing his hands upon his rather slim waist."You still haven't told me who we're meeting, or who will be walking away with enough firepower to arm an entire city."

Nodding for Valentine to take the lead, Pygmalion would follow the blonde man onto the transport ship.

~*~

Rubbing a hand against his facial piercings, Itazuki peered out across the dank room at a flat stone wall that had a large slip of paper affixed to it. Hands moved to complete the necessary seals and several symbols burst to life across the plain white surface. With an earth shaking shudder, the wall rose to reveal a long dark passage.

"This path will lead us to the frontier." He explained without offering the young kunoichi so much as a glance.

It would not be until they were both moving through the passage that Itazuki would give Noa an answer to her question. "No, you may speak, but do not make any false statement known unless I've asked it of you."

[.deceitful.]

Before they entered the waiting transport, Valentine would turn to the little redhaired wench, raising his voice enough to be audible over the rising hum of engines behind them. "Anna darling, Papa would like to return to a clean crib this evening, so be sure to buff my office well while I'm away." A gloved hand pinched a cheek that reddened slightly under the gentle bruising. "Any abandoned chips you stumble across -- keep 'em, ne?" A click heralded the setting of a fine tailored shoe into the transport.

"Gentlemen." Both hands laid upon the respective shoulders of both pilot and copilot. "The new whip is better than I expected; excellent choice. Now...just ensure we don't get overly bucked during flight or I'll have to get a better crew." Chuckles abounded; they were used to Valentine's banter.

Settling in the plush seat across from Pygmalion, hat and cane alike was tossed aside as a brunette entered. "Drinks, gentlemen?" Valentine waved a hand as the lifting sensation crept through his body while the airship took flight. When and if Pygmalion did so, Valentine would draw a thin silver case from an inner pocket. "These are some of the finest bones you can find my fly friend, care to try one?" And then they would move on.

Settling back into the overwhelming comfort of the seat, straw tossed crown rested likewise. "Well, Pygmalion...believe it or not, we're meeting the ghost of an organization quite similar to our own in some respects -- the Akatsuki. You've heard of them, I presume?" An inquisitive brow launched heavenward.

Outside the window, Aeliyr's city proper sped by, quickly left behind in the short flight that would take them to the previously agreed upon warehouse in which the meeting would occur.

[Hush]

Trailing behind complacently, Noa showed no signs of annoyance or disappointment when Itazuki did not immediately address her. She already knew what kind of man he was, and therefor understood the reasons behind his actions and silences. Whether it was to test her, or simply his whim, it did not matter.

She had other questions in mind but kept them to herself. How well did the people of this area know his face? Would they be recognized for that alone? She also felt that the black cloaks were still conspicuous, but didn't complain. She doubted they would run into trouble on the way, and felt that both of them were competent enough to handle whatever might happen.

Still, Noa wondered what kind of people they would be meeting up with. No eccentrics, hopefully. She had little patience for that.

[paradigm]

A crimson brow arched at the name.

"Akatsuki? I've heard talk of them running about Genesarsis...but to venture into our crib. Hmm, seems a bit suspect to me."

There were those who ignored details when in a hurry, Pygmalion was not such a man. He had taken note of Valentine's wench, particular note of her red hair and how it paled when compared to the opulence of his. So the man had a thing for gingers did he? Well he would be shit out of luck if he hoped to use these moments to sway Pygmalion into a stupor. Albeit, he was off to a decent start: an airship ride and offer of bones, one could do much worse to win Pygmalion's heart.

"You've met with them before though? You're certain these aren't a bunch of Jakes we're going to have to rub?" A brief pause as Pygmalion's flickering eyes moved from the view to his suave colleague. "Not that I wouldn't enjoy it."

This still didn't sit well with him. While Pyg was all for making some easy money, he didn't enjoy climbing into bed with strangers...at least not in the metaphorical sense.

"No disrespect, I'm a bit of a worrier, ya dig?"

~*~

The opening to the passage would close behind them and before long the two shinobi would find themselves entering the bright scenery of the Frontier. Hands, tucked into his robes, Itazuki slowed to a brisk walk. Even when attempting to take it slow, he was still lurching forward, but such was the way of the Deva path.

While he knew the risks of letting any outsider close to one of his bodies, the benefits could very well prove to out weigh it.

"I don't think we'll run into trouble with this lot. They're professionals. So long as our coin is good they won't ask too many questions."

[.deceitful.]

With a mere nod, Valentine affirmed Pygmalion's suspicions. "That's them alright." A slender hand drifted across the shoulder of his fitted suit, dashing away whatsoever infinitesimal speck of filth that dared settle there. As usual, underneath all the elegance, Valentine had adorned a special made undersuit that functioned in the manner the basic footsoldier's uniform did in warding attempts at divination.

Again, a second nod advised the redhead -- of whom Valentine had no idea as to his sexual orientation -- that he was correct once more. "No need for worry, I have idea met with these gentlemen before, on more than one occasion. And I doubt very seriously there's to be any conflict." A grand gesture of his hand, a dismissive flip as to dash away any expectation of strife that Pygmalian may have harbored toward their upcoming meeting. "It's how I do things, rest assured I'd already checked around before our first meeting." With hands steepled before him, the sharp gaze narrowed, though not in his compatriot's direction.

"In any case, if it came to that, let's just say -- it'd be troublesome. These guys are ninja. I'm not sure what you know of the type, but they're top notch assassins; I contract out the most difficult hits to them. They've never failed me." A glance out the window brought the memory of a few landmarks to mind and the suave businessman leaned forward, calling up to the pilots. "Oi! Get a move on fellas, you know how I hate to be late. I want you to touch down with a minute to spar...my feet should hit the ground, at 7:30 sharp, on the second, understand?" Words to the affirmative echoed back.

"Now..." Attention returned to the lieutenant. "...that being said, this group has made very little moves in Aeliyr. Call it a...mutual and professional, albeit criminal, respect. Although at some point in the future, we may clash, for now we can both profit from a little business with each other."

The pilot called back, "10 minutes gentleman." Valentine nodded, checking his watch.

[Hush]

Noa listened to her commander, tension eased slightly, but not completely.

"I see," she said quietly, keeping up with him with a strange ease. It would seem that the Akagane girl was naturally gifted with speed, not that it mattered in a world where everyone was fast.

"However, regardless of whether or not we run into trouble, it doesn't matter, does it?"

Because Noa knew that they could handle whatever was thrown at them. She had complete faith in herself, and as for Itazuki- she could see the competence written all over his face.

However, her patience was wearing thin. She wanted the mission to begin- Noa had little appreciation for scenic traveling.

[paradigm]

Pygmalion's eyes settled upon a deep green as they peered out from behind his spectacles at his laid back comrade. If Valentine felt the organization could be a handful for the two of them, then it was most certainly something Pygmalion was interested in. Not that he was a sadist or anything, but the idea of facing someone powerful and crushing them beneath his thumb simply pleased him to no end. Pygmalion was certain there were those within the organization who would be opposed to the steps about to be taking. To send contracts Akatsuki's way was one thing, to make them clients was another matter entirely. Prior to this deal, they were hired help. After a deal was made and bartering began, they could be viewed as affiliates of sorts...and Pygmalion was unsure just how his golden eyed adonis would feel about climbing into bed with terrorists. In fact, imaging Faustus climbing into bed with anyone was odd, to say the least.

For a moment Pygmalion pondered if Faustus even slept or had use for a bed outside of decorative purposes. He wouldn't put it past the man, after all there was a reason he was leading one of the most powerful organizations in Muhir.

At Valentine's remark regarding professionalism, Pygmalion nodded. "That's something I suppose. At least they aren't clicking their tongues and blowing up our property...I do so despise religious fanatics. Honestly, what's the point of wasting a perfectly good bomb by blowing yourself up. That's what children are for."

Tossing crimson locks over his shoulder, the maniacal toy maker chuckled and waited for the ship to land.

~*~

At Noa's confidence, Itazuki nodded. "Not really, no." Had she been with the Naraka path or the Preta path, Noa would have most certainly been faced with a lengthy lecturing regarding pride and it's preceding the metaphorical fall. Luckily, the Deva path was not one for lectures and seemed eager to have the mission over with.

Dead gray eyes looked past the high collar of his dark robes at the warehouse in the distance.

"Still, let's keep our wits about us."

[.deceitful.]

Valentine found himself incredibly amused by Pygmalion's sentiments. In truth, the crimson headed bishie (lol) was only one of the many colorful characters that the rapidly expanding criminal empire of the Dead hosted in it's ranks. A lesser man may have been offended at the thought of someone using a child for anything other than loving and nurturing but such a concern was not his own. Valentine was a complicated man -- even hypocritical at times. He could very easily take in a starving abused boy into his thieves guild and treat him as a little brother and, the very next day, use a random child as leverage in a business deal. Perhaps it depended on how the cookie crumbled; either way the situation decided the sentiment on any given day.

Which was one reason he so enjoyed this group; he quite literally learned something new every single day, today was no exception.

A gentle lurch and the gradual cessation of their forward locomotion signified their arrival at the meeting place and Valentine checked his watch once more. Satisfied with what he saw, he gestured to his comrade. "Well then. Shall we?" Ensuring the craft had touched down already, the door opened once more and the stairs folded out to allow safe descent to it's set of well dressed passengers.

5. 4. 3. 2. ...1.

Finely crafted leather touched the ground just in front of the looming warehouse at exactly 7:30 on the precise dot. Donning a velvety black hat, the lapels of the tailored suit gave way to a firm tug, and he strode off for the open doors. And now, where were those pesky ninja? It was time to do business.

[Hush]

Keep your wits about you. Indeed.
Well, Noa never lost sight of her wits. She was one of those people that was constantly collected, no matter who she was faced with.
There was only one exception.
Hopefully the guy was dead by now, she hadn’t heard of him since he’d attacked her and her village those years ago. Noa used to have a strong loyalty to her country. Now those ties were reserved for Akatsuki.

As they approached the warehouse, Noa’s gaze fell across the flamboyantly dressed man in the doorway. Raking her scrutinous eyes across his attire before resting on his features, Noa was about as emotional as a brick wall when she said:

“Nice to meet you.”

Valentine had some tough clients ahead of him.

[paradigm]

Pygmalion could appreciate the importance of being punctual, not only did it lend an air of professionalism to almost any environment, but it saved him a great deal of annoyance and boredom. There were many people who could amuse themselves with silly personal games, but Pymalion was not one of them. At least, not today. He had things to do, items to create and a golden eyed commander to impress.

With a polite nod in response to Valentine's gesture of letting him go first Pygmalion moved out of the flying machine...fully aware that were an attack to occur he would be the one in harm's way. Luckily no such attack occurred and Pygmalion and Valentine were well on their way to closing this deal.

At first glance, Pygmalion was put off by the two shinobi and offered Valentine a glance that spoke volumes. What, was school out for the summer or something? These were fucking kids...neither one looked to be pushing twenty and they were supposed to be hardened terrorists?

See, this is why it's a good idea to blow up orphanages.

At Noa's 'greeting' Pygmalion offered a polite, shark toothed grin.

"Allow me to introduce myself: Pygmalion Scutliffe, at your service and this," he said with a terse gesture "is..."

Pygmalion would pause allowing Valentine to utilize whatever moniker he might have adopted to do business with the teenyboppers. Glancing back and forth from Itazuki to Noa and noting the piercings each had Pygmalion acknowledged Noa before Itazuki despite the former's lesser amount of face metal.

"Absolutely love what you've done. Wouldn't work for me though...I don't have your bone structure." A sigh that seemed indicate genuine regret "but I suppose we can't have everything we wish for."

~*~

Cold gray eyes surveyed the forms of the two Dead members. Hanjiro had been their initial point of contact, but given that he had just returned from Dead Peaks no more than a handful of hours ago, Itazuki was not inclined to drag him to Muhir. Besides, the meeting had been in the metaphorical books long before Kouketsu had landed himself in the Terrenian Prison.

Nodding at the two, Itazuki motioned towards Noa with a tilt of his head. "This is Noa, I am Itazuki. It is a pleasure to meet you. Shall we initiate the trade?" It was worth taking note of that in his separated state, Itazuki's voice, no matter the effort put forth, continued to sound uninterested and monotone.

[paradigm]

In no time at all the exchanging of coin occurred and The Dead had received their payment. It didn't take Pygmalion long to have the product unloaded and it took Itazukie even less time to affix the needed seals to the boxes. All pleasantries aside, it could not be forgotten that this was a business transaction and social interaction while, certainly pleasant could only go so far. Eventually, time passed and everyone found their tasks to be completed. Hands were shaken, heads were nodded, glances exchanged and when all was said and done, Itazuki activated his seals and took himself, Noa and their recently purchased items to the Lair, leaving but a poof of smoke in their wake.

/thread.