There`s No Point in Hiding

[Stacey]

Stacey pursed as the wind blew a gust of dirt towards her face. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her legs placed comfortably apart. The irises of her eyes were the most vibrant of purples, almost matching her loose clothing. The loose clothing of an assassin. Knives were strapped to her bodice in leather sheaths, hidden under her clothing. She had a thick belt around her waist, a belt only another assassin or thief would know held the deadly liquids that could kill within minutes and other various thievery tools. The only weapons visable on her were two swords, one strapped to her back and one to her hip. They were carefully angled so that the weapons within the cases could only be removed at certain angles.

There was no poin in hiding anymore, she had been found out. There was no reason to try and deny who she was; even if those certain two people didn`t say anything to anyone else, she might as well bring out her true self.

While she wasn`t about to admit she was a member of the Black family to anyone who didn`t need to know, she might as well have. Her present state would say quite enough about her, anyone could guess who she was. It was only a matter of time before everyone knew she could be a traitor. Even though she was far from it, keeping the secrets of both networks would be hard would be difficult. There were certain people who would want answers from her, try to hurt her to get them. But she was a tough one, oh yes, and the only thing she planned to do was find a place in this new town.

As the newest member of the assassin`s guild, she awaited her forst assignment. She didn`t know who would deliver it, but she hoped it would be someone with a kinder heart.

[Anasha]

The night was still young and Anasha had been sitting in the guild when she reached over and snatched a piece of paper from a small page that was passing her by. “Hang on little one.” She told the kid. “Whom were these going to?” She then asked the ten-year-old child who was looking up at the Queen with large eyes.

“I was taking to the new girl.” The child replied after he found his voice, it wasn’t often that the Queen took any notice of the small ones running about the place and suddenly this child looked as though his world had just gotten a lot bigger.

“How about, I take these to her, and you.” She started and then looked around the small room. “Take these papers to the guild master at the end of the hall for me instead.” She decided, handing the child an envelope sealed with her insignia on the back.

The child looked in awe at the envelope he was handed and then back at the Queen. “Right away!” He exclaimed with pride and turned heal and ran as fast as he feet would carry him back the other way, nimbly dodging spies and other assassins and ducking under counters to make his way with the papers tightly in his grasp.

Anasha chuckled to herself at the kid’s reaction and then stood. She looked down at the small parchment paper and then pursed her lips. “Well Miss. Black, looks like we have work for you after all.” She stated to no one in particular as she stood now and then hopped over a railing to land one story below in a crouch and then once again, stood, looked around at the eyes watching her and grinned.

“I’m going out, if anyone feels they need to talk to me badly enough, they can wait until I return.” She stated and was out the door and into the early night air.

She knew where to find her, knew she was standing in the street over off Glenhorn. Anasha climbed on top the roof of the next building over, shimmying her way to the top between two buildings and then started to run on nimble feet, jumping from rooftop to rooftop until she made it to where she could see the girl, standing there looking as ready as ever for her first assignment from the guild.

Another few steps and Anasha let herself land quietly down on the street beside the building she’d been on and then walk calmly over to the young Assassin.

“Well, we meet at last, Stacey Black.” She stated in her friendly voice. “You of course know who I am.” She inclined her head to the girl, the piece of paper designated to be the girls’ assignment still perched between her thumb and forefinger.

[Stacey]

Stacey watched the sky silently, her eyes taking in every tiny detail in her surroundings. Her purple eyes didn`t even flicker whn she felt the special presence of someone who had been trained for most of their life; that person could only be an assassin or a thief.

Being pretty sure about who would soon approach her, she didn`t bother to look their way until the woman landed near her. She nodded slowly, taking in the sight oof the woman, and her eyes changing green in the process.

"Yes, I know who you are." Who wouldn`t know who this woman was? Even someone could take a guess at what she did by the way she held herself, the way she took in her surroundings with such a careful eye.

Quite more important than what other people thought of the woman was the fact that Stacey didn`t yet know if she was to be a friend or someone that thought her of the lower class becasue of who she had been born to.

She eyed the paper carefully, her eyes swirling to a careful grey. "I`m ready to do whatever the guild wishes me to." She stated in a strong voice.

[Anasha]

Anasha smiled down at the girl, it was a friendly enough smile as Stacey’s ever changing color did just that. “Alara told me you had beautiful eyes.” Anasha stated with a pleasant and truthful voice. “I believe she was right.” She finished but said nothing else about the girl’s eyes, nor would she at that point at least, there were other things to discuss, and the mention of her eyes was perhaps just something to get out of the way so that the girl might feel a bit more comfortable as Anasha realized it wasn’t every assassin who was brought something as trivial as an assassination notice by the Queen of the guild.

“She has taken a liking to you, Alara that is.” The Queen then began. “I watched the way she talked to you the other night in the guild, how she finally laid a hand on your shoulder before she left.” The queen continued to smile. “In a way, you have much to thank her for, though don’t bother, she won’t accept the thanks, she is just that way.” The Queen continued, her voice speaking with honesty to no fault.

Anasha walked around the girl, looking her over until she came full circle and then stood in front of her once more. “I like your resolve Stacey, I like it a lot, as well, and you show great respect for those who deserve it, this I like as well.” She stated still holding that friendly smile on her lips.

Anasha was not a tyrant and she was truly liking what she observed in this girl, of course, she had not grown to trust her fully yet, but in time perhaps, if she continued to be loyal and showed no deceit, the Assassin Queen might even think to promote the young girl, but for now, she would simply watch her and gently appreciate what it was the child had to offer.

“Here, this is for you, it will tell you where and who.” She told Stacey then as she handed her the note.

[Stacey]

Stacey`s eyes flashed pink for the shortest of moments, but of course the other woman would have noticed. "Thank you." She said softly, pushing her eyes to stay the same green shade. She made no comment when the Queen assassin spoke of Alara, the first assassin Stacey had met in this new town.

As Anasha held the paper out, she took it gingerly in her hands, quickly scanning the assignment that could very well determine if she lived or not. This woman didn`t seem to be bothered by the fact that she was the daughter of an enemy assassin and thief, but she hoped the woman knew at least.

The first time she had told someone who she was, it had been a thief, and a very important one, at that. He had completely gone off and the way he acted towards Stacey stated his opinion very clearly.

She looked back to her elder. "Does this need to be done by a certain time?" She asked, not seeing a deadline on the sheet.

[Anasha]

Anasha knew Stacey’s background, new her parents as well, or, at least had studied their movements over the last ten years or so. She had never actually met them and honestly had no desire to, as they haven’t stepped on her toes, yet. Usually Assassin guilds kept quite to themselves unless one overstepped their bounds, then there would be another story arising from the ashes. Anasha had heard tales of Assassin guild wars and she did not like the sounds of them, she just imagined the amount of well-trained killers clashing together and it didn’t sound pleasant at all. Though of course, should something of that nature ever arise, Anasha was prepared for it, as would be any King or Queen of any guild she assumed. She didn’t however have a problem with Stacey being here, the girl had pledged herself loyal to the guild and as Anasha saw no reason to mistrust the girl, she as well saw no reason to question her on her parents, or the movements of their guild. Certainly the young girl wouldn’t move against her parents as well, and once again, Anasha did not see a problem with that either, as she honestly had no reason to ask the girl to do so at any point, nor would she. So, the arrangement seemed perfectly fine, if this is where the girl wished to grow up and perfect what it was she seemed to love to do, then that was her decision, and her parents would like it, or not, that would be a family issue and not a guild one, unless it was made to be one to protect the girl, as that was always a possibility as well.

“No, it doesn’t’ state as to when it should be completed, though the sooner the better of course, as no one gets paid until the task has been complete.” Anasha told the younger girl. “The where on that piece of paper however and as I am certain you may know, is just one of many places that he can be found, and the most likely, but of course, Celesta is a big place, so simply keep an eye out and ears open, and I am certain you’ll run across him.” She then added and then paused. “If…” She then started to pace slightly, slowly moving as if contemplating something quite deeply, her hands clasped behind her back. “Yes, I think you might do well enough…” She then lifted the corners of her lips again. “If, you complete this task in a timely manner, come seek me out again, I might have something else for you to do.” She then told her and turned and looked at her seriously.

[Stacey]

Stacey nodded, meeting Anasha`s gaze. "Yes, but what do you want me to do with the body once I`m finished?" She asked, her eyes flickering darker for a moment. She was not used to the new guild, and had to clairify a few things.

She glanced over the paper again. This would be easy. The man wouldn`t be hard to find, and he didn`t seem to be expecting his death as only few were. It would be easy enough to kill him. In fact, Stacey wondered absently why someone would want to kill this kind of person. Of course this single piece of paper didn`t say much, but it said more than enough.

[Anasha]

What an odd question, one that Anasha hadn’t heard from an assassin in a very long time. “Why, just leave it where it falls, who cares once the job is done.” She said with a small shake to her head. “Just don’t forget to get his ring, I am certain that will suffice as proof of his demise.” The Queen directed and then turned and walked towards the buildings behind her but stopped.

“You can find me in the guild later.” She stated with a wink and then moved away back to the shadows and disappeared into the night without another word. Though the direction she was headed was definitely not back toward the guild. Obviously, Anasha had other things in mind for the night, than spending it answering questions all night long.

[Stacey]

Stacey nodded and was almostglad when Anasha left; she was done with her questions and it gave her the excuse of not having to be rude, even though she didn`t think the assassin would mind.

As soon as the other turned, she too turned and quickly creeped into the shadows. She jumped easily onto the roof tops, her landing barely making a noise. She walked across the wooden top of the buliding and jumped to another roof. Soon, she was on the roof of the suggested place to find the man that was to die.

She tucked the paper into one of her many hidden pockets and jumped down to the ground. Her eyes flashed to a dark, and attractive, brown. She figured this would be the easiest way; she folded her hand into a fist and knocked on the door.

She heard signs of movement inside, and the door opened within thirty seconds.

"Hello?" The man looked confused, and he should. A young lady clad in dark purple and whom he had never met before.

"Hi. I`m Stacey, can I come in?" Her eyes were irresistable, and she knew that. It was obvious by the way that the man`s own eyes widened.

"O-- Of course." The man stammered.

"Thanks." Stacey mumbled as she stepped inside. The inside of the house was common and cozy.

"Can I ask you why you`re hear?" The man asked softly, his voice giving away the fact that he was trying not to be rude.

Stacey turned on her heal and killed the man, sticking a short dagger into his chest. His breathing quickly ended and Stacey sighed. His body crumpled to the ground and she hopped over him. Closing the door behind her, she looked around for a source of water.

She heard a stream nearby, but had to quickly step inside again to get the man`s ring. It as a simple gold band-- it would have to do as it was the only ring he wore.

She cleaned her dagger and quickly tucked it away. She set of towards the guild, expecting Anasha to be there. As she walked, she could feel eyes on her. This didn`t bother her as much as it should have, but she just shook it off as she opened the door to the Assassin`s Guild.