Hell of a pair

[Jain Zar]

His hands moved from her back to her waist and he kept Yaassima at arm’s length, his ice blue eyes peering into those silver irises,” Death will come, never say I didn’t warn you. There will be moments of truth and moments of falseness, moments of gambling and moments of chess. To live will become an uncertainty and our life may be build upon the blood of others. Yet we will not be amateurs along the way.”

His eyes delved into her own. Could he see her desire? Could he see her longing? She did not know how to speak the words she wished to say. She did not know how to show him other than following his commands and staying at his side.


Lucius let her go and walked to the middle of the room after taking the broom standing next to the door. He lifted it up and aimed the handle for a hole in the ceiling. After an audible click, a square shaped hatch slowly opened and a sudden cold breeze blew downwards into the room. The hatch was so perfectly designed and with the shadows in this room, that it hadn’t been visible earlier.

An integrated ladder was automatically and slowly ejected, all without making any sound. The moment it reached the floor, Lucius looked back at Yaassima and then glanced up at the hole, revealing an attic shrouded in darkness.
“After you.”


There was a crushing disappointment again as he let her go. Could he have not held her just a little longer? If that was all she was to have from him, could it not have lasted just a few moments more? For a moment, she stood there...alone, lonely. Her shoulders were slumped in dejection. Her hands rubbed over her arms. The sad silver gaze watched as he revealed the hole, a place of darkness, the ladder leading up.

At his command, she walked past him, pausing only to gaze at him for one moment. She wanted this man's touch...his kiss. Only this man's. He is out of your league, be happy he wants you with him.
Why couldn't she be worthy of him? Why couldn't he see her? She sighed softly and slowly climbed into the darkness without a thought. If this is where he wished her, then here she shall be.


The moment she stepped on that ladder and went up, Lucius couldn’t help himself but to look up as she did, and with that sight once more something stirred within him. He wanted to stop her half way up, but before he knew it her body was swallowed by darkness, and with it the lovely sight he had had.
A wishful sigh escaped his lips, and as he climbed the ladder he tried to get his head clear again.

Dammit Lucius, dammit…

[baby1111007]

Yaassima climbed up the ladder, cursing herself. Why did she wish his arms around her so much when she hated to be touched? He was keeping her with him, so why did she wish to cry? Why was she so aware of him...when she did not effect him the same way? She was cursed, she had to focus and stop thinking of these things before she drove herself mad.

Once up in the attic Lucius found her quickly again, her dress not more than a shade less dark than the surroundings. Carefully he pulled up the ladder again and sealed off the manhole.

His sight rapidly adapted to the darkness and soon he could see things perfectly. This was his terrain. The moonlight found its way through a few small cracks between the rooftiles, but it never was much. Flawlessly and on places where any normal man would have bumped his knee and his head, or tripped over an object a million times, Lucius found his way between boxes and what appeared old furniture. The attic was rather big and seemed to exist as one big loft on top of the inn.

[Jain Zar]

Here, directly under the roof they both could feel the temperature drop. Not that it would hurt them much as they had a natural resistance to it. Nevertheless, where they were going Lucius couldn’t use body parts flashing in darkness.

He opened one of the chests and took some dark clothes out of it. Then he walked over to her and swirled a black hooded cloak over her shoulders. Before she knew it, he was the one making sure it was tied.
“There… you look… good.” Those eyes...

Say it, Lucius! Say it!


The cloak enveloped her, his fingers brushed against her as he tied it. It was almost as good as his arms around her. No, not even close. But the care he took with her, the way he took care of her, it was a start. She could live forever on just one of his smiles.


Instead he looked at the other clothes, ready on one of the boxes. He turned away from her and walked to the side of the attic. With his back at her he started to strip, taking of his delicate but decent clothes. His body partially at a display, Lucius started to put on the other clothes that completely hid his flesh, including is face, except for a small slit around the eyes. First a black shirt, then a likewise jacket, a black pants which looked like it was made from a stretchable and lightweight fabric which further downwards disappeared in black boots.
This footwear had a split in between a big toe and a small toe and if Yaassima recognized it, these were designed for climbing ropes and pipes as well as for scaling walls.
He started to fill his pockets with all kinds of objects, among them a few sharp looking, and a few breakable but wrapped in soft looking fabric.

[baby1111007]

Her eyes followed him as he changed his clothing. The gleam of his upper body in the scant light made her wet her lips. His chest was muscular, well defined. He has the build of a swimmer. Again she felt the fluttering in her stomach as she watched him. Then, her eyes really looked at the clothing. Lightweight, dark, thin...this was work wear. The boots were meant for climbing, the clothing for staying hidden. Her head tilted slightly.

Fully geared up in a way like Yaassima hadn’t seen him before, Lucius walked back while he too swirled a cloak over his shoulders.

He didn’t say anything anymore but simply look her hand and let her to the other end of the attic. And before she knew it they were out on the roofs and started a journey under a partially clouded sky, swiftly jumping over gaps between buildings and stepping over low roof walls. It never got difficult, and perhaps on purpose given the fact Yaassima was still wearing a dress.

This...was freedom. The soft shoes and boots they wore made little sound on the slate rooftops that he chose. In the darkness, it was a maze, a hidden forest where the chimney stacks were the trees and gables the undergrowth. Like children, they appeared to play hide and seek in the shadows...using agility and terrain to jump from rooftop to rooftop. A balcony became a mountain to climb. A steeped gable became a cliff to balance upon. Rooftops of flat stone became a game of who could be the most quiet.

Her lips curved in a rare smile as she followed him in the moonlight, this new world much to her liking. Here, she did not have to hide. Here, she could be herself and not care. For this one moment, she was truly free and she was giddy with it.

[Jain Zar]

Further and further Lucius led her into the night, until they suddenly stopped in front of a slanted roof window. The glass was very dirty and they were unable to see what was in the room on the other side and down below. Yet Lucius seemed to fully trust the situation and opened it.

Then he jumped and landed quietly on his feet. He turned and looked up, stretching his arms up motioning her to jump...

She gazed at the young man who had guided her on this journey. With anyone else she would have hesitated. But for him...she made the leap. She knew not what the room would hold, or why they were there. But she bravely took that jump on fate, trusting that he would be there to catch her.


Lucius was surprised, as if a slender bag of feathers was thrown in his arms. She was young, she was short, she was enchanting to him… and… she was a lightweight. He caught her under her arms, her feet hovering just above the ground a moment longer while he picked up her scent. Then he slowly set her down, letting her go.

Being held by him had her heart fluttering in her chest. He was stronger than she expected, holding her aloft for a few minutes before letting her down. Her eyes fastened on his lips as he whispered, her breathing unsteady.

The dark haired male whispered,” Keep your cloak at all times close around you, alright?” Then his hand reached for her hood which had fallen off in this last leap down, and pulled it back up before tucking away any other visible tresses under it.

Lucius turned to the door and took out that key again… which seemed to fit more than one lock.

He motioned her to follow him.They found themselves in a dark hallway again, comparable in size with the one of the inn where they were staying. But the appearance was completely different. While Lucius closed up the door, Yaassima had the time to examine these new surroundings.

[baby1111007]

First of all, it was bathed in a dim crimson light, spread by candles hidden behind red glass hanging on the walls. Instead of rough plank, a long stylish rug covered the floor. Every other three steps a low table was set down, on it stood pots with glowing incense, spreading a not so unpleasant aroma. Above the doors hung drapes made of a red soft fabric, attached with gold-like rings to dark brown curtain bars. Some were open, some were closed… and many doors there were in this hallway.

Yaassima would be able to count at least seven on each side. But what was even more noticeable, were the sounds coming from behind some. The walls between the rooms were probably more sound-proof but here in the hallway sounds seemed only partially blocked. Perhaps it was on purpose...

Muffled or not, experienced or not, it was very clear to her what was going behind these doors.
Her eyes went wide. She looked at him, then at the doors, back at him. Her cheeks began to color. Was this a place of business for him? He said she would not be a whore, yet he brought her here? Her teeth gripped her bottom lip, sights, sounds and scents making her a bit lightheaded.

Moaning on the left, a whimper on the right, and as Lucius took her hand and motioned to follow him, they walked a path that would have made a celibate monk jump right through the first window. When they passed the third door on their left, they could feel the floor tremble under them, most likely as a result of lusty behaviour that was taking place on the other side of the closed curtain.

The trembling floor had her peeking at him. What kind of lover would he be? Passionate or gentle? Rough or tender? What noises would he make? Her cheeks started to flame at her own thoughts. She blinked a bit, uncertainty and curiousity showing plainly.

[Jain Zar]

Two doors ahead on the other side, the ones present had little to no problems at all with the sounds they emitted as their physical devotion simply made the bed bang loudly and rapidly against the wall.

They were in a brothel, and by the looks of the furnishing of the hall they crossed and the stairs they were descending, a classy one. Which… might have raised questions considering the neighbourhood where they had started their roof journey. But who else besides Lucius could tell in which part of the city they had arrived?

Thus far Lucius had walked swift and with strong steps, yet carefully. Even with that black cloak surrounding him and covering his outfit he actually looked nicely dressed, the fabric a bit shiny, both that effect and the color suiting him. When she glanced at his face she could see that he was conscious of his physical appearance as he gave her a somewhat playful smile back.


After another stairs, and just before they ended in a warm and cozy looking sitting room, a soft voice became audible. Still holding her hand, Lucius and Yaassima finished the last steps of the stairs only to end standing on a thick and soft carpet. As if they were about to walk on grass, except it would have been brown and red instead. And as if the carpet and furniture weren't red enough, the room was bathing in the dark crimson light spread by an artistic candelabra hanging on the ceiling.

The surroundings had her gaze constantly moving, this all new to her. His playful smile is what called her back to him, thus when they entered the room her attention was on him. It was the soft voice that had her startled. Female...she looked at the room and those in it and felt her heart sink. Was he here... seeking companionship? Would she be forced to watch him with another? Could she see him with another?
Her posture stiffened, she raised her head. Still unschooled, a bit of hurt betrayed her thoughts, yet she stayed at his side. Silent and still, she watched... and waited, her chest tight with breaths she could not seem to take.


Lucius made sure he kept the small slender hand in his while he advanced into the room towards the one lady who was standing. The other three ladies looked up at the two newcomers.

A smile crossed over the lady’s face as she saw Lucius, her eyes shifting curiously to the short figure next to him. She stretched her arms to him and made a posh impression.
"Lucius, darling. How nice to see you."
She touched his shoulders, nearly a brush as she demanded for a greeting from his side, her head turning slightly, her chin lifting a bit.

[baby1111007]

Yaassima's hand tightened on his own as the woman smiled. Is this who he came to see? Is this who she would have to watch him with? And when she touched him, Yaassima's free hand went to the hilt of one of the hidden blades, the silver eyes narrowing cat like. Her whole body tensed, ready to spring.

Lucius's reaction was fairly neutral and polite, but he sounded like he always would have greeted this lady," Madam..." he offered her two kisses on the cheeks, but if Yaassima observed well, she would have noticed two things.

First of all, with none of the kisses, skin was touched. Secondly, Lucius dropped something in the pocket of the lady's dress.

The silver eyes were almost predatory as she watched the scene, her stance relaxing as she saw he did not touch either cheek. Then… the quick exchange was made. So this was a business and not a pleasure call. Her face became more neutral, the stormy silver eyes now taking in each detail of the woman's gown, how she wore her hair and how she carried herself.

Yaassima could perceive this lady, who was the assumed boss of this establishment, carried weapons, a bit much like herself. Her dress was fairly sexy, yet not too expressive, and enough fabric was left to hide even more surprises.

Yaassima's fingers entwined in his own, her body subtly leaned against his , almost as if she was staking claim on him. She tossed her head back slightly, letting the hood fall, revealing the waterfalls of dark hair and her features.

[Jain Zar]

The ‘Madam’ had half long red hair, tied up in a knot. Her blue eyes looked curiously at the girl next to Lucius.
"And who is this young lady, my dear?" Her hand went to Lucius’s hair meanwhile, her fingers delving a few seconds in his black tresses.
Lucius let her do this and when she stopped, he turned his head in Yaassima's direction," She is with me, and her name is Yaassima."

A feral growl rumbled in the back of her throat, the silver eyes turning almost feral. Lucius was hers, even if he did not know it yet. She would not share him. A subtle feeling of meanace seemed to come from her, her body coiled as if a serpent ready to strike at the other female. Her eyes moved from the woman's hand in his hair to her face.

Lucius wouldn't have sounded too surprised if the 'Madam' had guessed the hooded figure next to him was a girl... since they were holding hands. Gently he squeezed Yaassima's hand reassuring, as if to say nothing bad was going to happen. "Yaassima, this is Madam Franciezka, the owner of this place."

She gave the other female an almost challenging look, her little chin lifted, her eyes wild and dangerous.

The 'Madam' looked between them, and then offered the small figure a smile," Welcome my child," For some reason this lady managed to look so that it was disarmingly. Reassuring actually. She turned to Yaassima," Let me take a look at you, dear." She touched Yaassima's cheeks and gently motioned her to turn her face a bit left and then right.

"Do it..." Lucius mumbled between his teeth.

Lucius would have felt it, that subtle coil of tension when touched. Then the trembling of her fingers as she was forced to submit to the touch of the other. It was only his mumbled words that kept her steady. She turned her face from one side to the other, a look of sheer defiance on her face in the doing.

As the fingers of the 'Madam' touched the cheeks, Yaassima felt one of the fingertips was ice cold. Suddenly her face was her own again as hands were withdrawn.

"There you go, my my, you really are a natural," she smiled and sounded kindly.

[baby1111007]

She relaxed as soon as the touch ended, but her hand tightened on Lucius' fingers and he could feel her trembling. The woman's compliments had her looking plainly confused. It is fairly obvious that she could not tell if the woman was being sincere or playing with her. The lashes lowered to cover the silver gaze, not one word leaving her lips yet.

The woman turned back to Lucius," For pleasure... I suggest the 'Temple'... and pleasure you will have I bet." She winked at Yaassima when she said it. Then she looked back to Lucius," I'll put this on your tab. Dismissed, darling."

"Thank you," Lucius nodded and said goodbye to the ones present. He motioned Yaassima out through another door.
She blinked a bit at the woman's words, her cheeks flushing as she gaped at Lucius. She was still in shock as he lead her out the door.

[Jain Zar]

Franciezka looked a moment longer in the direction where Lucius and the female had left, a soft smile appearing on her face. So he finally had allowed a female close at his side again then. And by the looks of it... kin. The girl sure was a beauty, the symbols on her face intriging.
She certainly was not her type but Franciezka had liked how she responded. This girl was... protective of Lucius, and quick jealous maybe.
But good. Lucius deserved someone better than the last one at his side... much better.

As always and known for it, the Madam of the brothel was stunningly beautiful and very attractive in her elegant, red dress, its fabric effortlessly accentuating her curves. But to those who did knew her well, knew it was show only and none would ever be able to go further than what was currently at a display.
The Madam ran the business, but she never became the business.

Franciezka glanced one more time. Just like the male who just left. He came here once in a while, to chat, to drink, to talk business, but never he took a girl along. Not even to pleasure him a little.



Lucius glanced at Yaassima when they walked out, his instincts almost taking over and he could barely prevent himself from taking what he actually wanted. And he knew there would be more than just pleasure to it.

Focus Lucius, you should have done it earlier, but not now.
And with that he tried to ignore her scent, and how she would smell when they…

Lucius almost too soon shook his head to himself and led her through another hallway and at the fifth door on his right he stopped.
"You okay?” His eyes caught hers. "You are doing great so far..."

She looked at him....and her cheeks flushed hard. “I...am sorry..."

A brief shake of his head was his only reply while his hand moved to his hair and something dropped out the black tresses in his hand.
When he took the small object between his fingers, they could both see it was a small metal key.

[baby1111007]

She blinked and blushed harder, now looking down at her feet. It had all been a ruse....and she behaved like a jealous wife, and she had no right to. What must he being thinking of her? Gods, what a fool she was.

Whether Lucius had noticed that or was judging on her over that, was hard to tell. Instead he let her hand go and unlocked the door with the key, revealing a dark room as it swung open.

"Go on…," Meanwhile Lucius glanced over his shoulder at the entrance of the hallway.

She sighed softly, now subdued as she stepped into the dark room, her hands now twisting together. She messed up...overplayed her hand.

Lucius entered too and the door closed behind them. Although the room was dark, their heritage provided them with a sight able to see even in the darkest of caves. Glancing around nervously, they see somber portraits staring at them from behind layers of dust.

She could tell the room was opelant, rich. Walls were covered in cloth, though the pictures were shadowed with age and too much dust. "Where are we?"

"Not where we are supposed to be, at least not yet." Lucius moved to the fireplace in a straight line, and she could only assume whether to follow him or not. Blindly he took ahold of a small statue above it and gave it a twist.

She followed him, almost as if she knew that she should. There was no hesitation as she watched him. The back of the fireplace slowly creaked to the side. It was dark, and it was small, but the opening was large enough for them to step through into the passage beyond.

[Jain Zar]

As soon as they entered, a stairs was there leading them down. Behind them the passage way closed again and as they ended up in a cellar, suddenly the only door down there flew open....
Five black clad men came out and surrounded the pair.

"Easy now...," it was not clear if Lucius said it to them or her.

As soon as the door opened, she moved in front of him, her blades in hand, now in a defensive stance. One arcane word died on her lips as Lucius spoke, but she did not cease the protective stance, ready to take a blade for him.

"Well well, what do we have here, a walking stiletto?" one said. The others chuckled softly.

Lucius replied," Better not offend her, she's with me."

Her eyes darted from man to man, her chin upraises, both blades in hand. The silver eyes found each male, the look in them ice cold. She was a panther protecting her cub, wild and unpredictable.

“Ha! Fancy thing you got there, Lucius. Brand new and a beauty. You hardly meet any like those these days." He grinned as he saw how Lucius laid his hand on Yaassima's arm, gently motioning her to lower at least that blade.

Her arm lowered at his unspoken command, though the knives remained out, within sight. Her lashes lowered over her eyes and she remained silent and still.

"Cut it out, Slik. I'm here for Her, is she in?" Lucius sounded relaxed but Yaassima could tell he rather didn't want 'accidents' to happen as he moved to business right away.

As he moved to business so did she...instinctively moving more to his side. It was very apparent however that she maintained a protective stance over him. The look on her face said that anyone who dared touch him would taste cold steel.

The man, an older guy with a greasy beard, rubbed the hair under his lips as he still glanced a bit amused in Yaassima's direction before he finally looked at Lucius," She is in, you wish to communicate with her?"

Yaassima remained very still and very silent, but she leaned ever so slightly against him as if for comfort. Another female...is this the one she would lose him to?

"No, I'm here to date her, I said cut it out, Slik," Lucius sounded annoyed, but there was also a chance he was playing that," If I'm here to see her, then yes. Take me already to her." Now Lucius even sounded intimidating and seemed not the least impressed by the other four surrounding them. Meanwhile his hand went to Yaassima's butt," And she comes along." It was hard to tell whether this was all a play or something else.

She trembled slightly at the touch but remained quiet and defiant, waiting to see what these men would do.

Slik gave Yaassima and appraising look and just grumbled a bit before saying," Hmm, guess I can let her pass, but since she isn't a Inner Circle, no weapons." He grinned," Guess she gunna ave to strip."

[baby1111007]

Lucius would feel her whole body tense, and he hand no warning as her silvery eyes flashed. "You want my weapons...you can try to take them...and if you wish me naked...ask your self one question...are you prepared to die for the chance?"
She said it before Lucius had the chance, then he glanced at her approvingly... this young and short girl was able to stand her man. Except an outsider better didn't mess with a Watcher. To prevent the situation from escalating any further,

Lucius stepped in between, and the words he used seemed to underline some rank," I said she is with me, Slik, unless I am not trusted anymore?" His ice blue eyes seemed to freeze the man on the spot.

Slik looked from her to Lucius," Dammit devil-breed, you know the rules and you know well who has to make sure they are lived by.”

She stood at Lucius's side...and handed him her two blades. He would know she had many more, but she pressed the two into his hands. She tossed her hair back and looked at the other man defiantly. "Lucius… is the only one allowed to undress me...anyone else...will...lose...a ..limb."

Her reaction stirred something within him, his blue eyes flashed to her, a question in them, yet his thoughts hidden for her. Lucius, she wants you… she wants you to see her. Can you imagine that??


They both could see how the other men started to grin, while Slik accepted the blades which Lucius gave him blindly, his eyes remaining on the girl.

She stood quietly, defiantly, waiting. Her head was held with pride, her face a mask.

He slightly raised a brow as only communication, while he tried to wet his lips as unnoticed as possible.

She just looked at him, giving him that trust. She was tensed, but she would not show fear.

"You can pass," Slik said.

Lucius snapped out of it and turned to Slik," Lead us in..."

Yaassima took a deep breath, there was a subtle relaxing of her body and once more he felt her lean against him slightly.

[Jain Zar]

A door was opened before them, behind it : a long corridor immersed in darkness. They were in a subterranean complex, that much was certain for her. As far as her sight could go, it looked like a rabbit hole, narrow, a curved ceiling...

Lucius took her hand again and they start their journey into the deeper parts of this mysterious underworld.

Darkness never bothered her, but enclosed spaces reminded her of the cage. Her body was on edge, the confrontation with Slik having her already wound tightly. The smell was dank, mildew and dirt along with rot. His hand was her lifeline, her fingers were tight in his own as he seemed to count his steps.

A turn right and they had to duck tree roots, the squeaking of rats preceeding them. Beady eyes stared out from the shadows, watching them as they passed. One cavernous area opened, three forks in the road.

Lucius did not hesitate at all, moving right again, which lead her to believe he knew exactly where they were going. He had her trust and he had not failed her so far.





After what felt like a neverending batch of decisions, they suddenly stopped. Lucius took something from his pocket, and this time it didn't look like a key but it looked more like a short wand.