The Mugging

[Aerin Vaettir]

“Ooh, mercenary work?” Elle said, calling from the kitchen as she fetched Delliks his water. “That sounds interesting! You’ll have to tell me about it some time.”

Aerin sat by quietly, listening to the conversation. He figured Delliks had some kind of training, what with the way he handled the muggers. He also listened to Elle as she filled a cup of water, walked back into the room, handed the cup to Delliks and then re-entered the kitchen. He heard the knife begin chopping, smelled the meat she was cutting. He could feel his appetite beginning to stir.

“So Delliks, outside of saving blind men, what do you do as a hobby?” Aerin asked, deciding he might as well get to know the man that his twin was shamelessly hitting on and may end up going home with. Aerin didn’t approve. Not that he didn’t like Delliks, but he hardly knew the man, and he didn’t like the idea of Elle leaving herself so vulnerable to a man who could easily kill. She may be a fighter but if Delliks decided to perhaps strangle her while on top of her in her bedroom then how would she fight back?

[Deleted]

Not a chance... Delliks thought to himself as he smiled outwardly at the thought of him sharing his mercenary work. Perhaps some of the work he had done in Avaleur, but much of his past he would keep buried.

Delliks continued to smile as he was handed the water. "Thank you lass." he said and as soon as she turned his smile weakened as he thought to himself about those days.

His smile only continued to weaken as Aerin asked about hobbies. He couldn't really think of anything. In fact all Delliks had done since being in Avaleur is work, or kill or steal... it did pain him slightly as he thought of that.
"Besides saving blind men I would say I am quite the bore." He chuckled. "I don't do much other than try and put food in my mouth and any of the other little lads that ask for it." he stated.

Although he could not hear Aerin's thoughts. He would have agreed with them. Delliks had strangled grown men while standing, and much more while they were armed. It was frightening to think of what he could do to someone laying.

"I would like to find a hobby, but my talents leave me stuck in the same area I suppose. Not much work for a trained killer other than that eh?"

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle listened to Delliks as she cut meat and laid the pieces into a hot pan, the meat sizzling at the touch of the heated metal. She pinched in a few seasonings before moving over to put a small pot to boil over the same fire, boiling some veggies so they could eat something other than meat and bread. Perhaps she’d break open some wine. Elle had her own stash of alcohol here. And she knew Aerin would never partake of the stuff unless she made him, so it was safe.

“You could be a butcher!” She called, trying to be helpful. She stepped back into the store, crossing her arms. “If you’re good at killing, maybe a little training in anatomy and you could cut up meat for people who bring you their animals. Maybe be a mobile butcher! I’ve killed big deer that I can’t carry nor have the means of taking all the good meat, so someone tagging along would be helpful. You could do that.”

Aerin smiled. Elle had such a fanciful mind. She’d probably find a way to get Delliks a hobby. His smiled faded somewhat when he realized she’d probably make herself the man’s hobby if she liked Delliks enough.

“Oh! You could be a hired bodyguard! Aerin could use one full time.” Elle said. Aerin’s remaining smiled disappeared quickly.

“I like maintaining what little independence I have.” He said. Elle rolled her eyes.

“Maybe so, but with you meddling in magic who knows what you could summon? Maybe you try to summon a flower and instead you get a bat creature from hell that eats your face off.” She said, turning to go back to the kitchen to check the food. Aerin sighed. That wasn’t how summoning worked, but he already explained this to Elle time and time again.

[Deleted]

Delliks chuckled, "Yes I suppose if I had the patience to learn about such a subject that already sounds like a bore such as anatomy, I could make a great butcher." What really amazed Delliks was that all these suggestions did not break his oath. He had thought it would be hard to figure out careers that utilized his skills and refrained from causing tension with his oath.

Body guarding was just a watered down mercenary really, if one wanted to be honest and take only the shallowest of definitions.
"I bodyguard eh?" Delliks rubbed his chin for a moment. "Yes I suppose I could do that well enough. No harm would come to them I'm sure. But whatever your brother summoned, if he couldn't handle it with any of his magic I doubt I would be much help. After all I hear most creatures that can't be controled when summoned are the creatures that should never be summoned eh?"

He had never heard of not being able to maintain control of a squirrel or bear or golem... But dragons, hydra, and those sorts of things he almost always heard that they ran rampant.

[Aerin Vaettir]

“This is true. But you get novice summoners who tend to either summon the wrong thing or think they are more powerful than they really are. Banishing is more difficult than summoning.” Aerin replied, thinking of a time, while he and Elle were traveling here, they came across a village where a boy managed to summon a dragon. It had been a young one, no bigger than a horse really, but it had caused the total destruction of the village. People had no place to live, but it wasn’t like they could emerge often from the cellars of their charred homes to flee. Aerin had banished the dragon back to it’s nest. Of course banishing a thing summoned from another person was more difficult, since you had to dissect the spell they used. But Aerin was skilled enough to pull it off.

“Yeah, you wouldn’t believe the messes Aerin has had to clean up after people who botched their summons.” Elle called. “No bats from hell yet though. Mostly giant rats, fish with huge teeth, an occasional dragon, some wolves…a troll once.” She listed, flipping the meat over.

“That’s because a ‘bat from hell’ would be something summoned from another plane. Not our own. That is more difficult and dangerous. I don’t see many new mages screwing up that badly. Even I don’t mess around with summoning creatures of a different plane often.” Aerin replied. Elle frowned and stepped into the store, crossing her arms.

“You don’t do it often? Which means you dabble.” She said. Aerin’s small smile faded. Oops. Slip of the tongue. Elle stared at her brother, who sat by calmly, hands folded in his lap. Perhaps, had he been able to retain his sight, he’d be shifting uneasily under such a gaze she gave him. “Are you crazy? You can’t go summoning shit from a different plane Aerin! It could kill you! Why even bother?” She demanded. Aerin didn’t answer. Elle looked to Delliks. "Tell him, would you?" She said, turning to check on the boiling vegetables.

[Deleted]

Delliks sort of listened and sat as all of what was being said passed over his head. Summoning was not an area that he had even a slight knowledge in. He was pretty sure he had contributed to the conversation as best he could and all his knowledge was out there already.

When the questions were directed at him, he was silent for a moment, trying to figure out what was happening that way he could judge his answer correctly. His eyes were wide for one moment.
"Well, a life of fear is not a life worth living." Delliks said and then nodded. Yeah, that was what he was going to live with. "And the first step to banishing is summoning I do believe. How are you to banish a creature from a different plane if you can't summon one eh?"

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin listened to Delliks opinion, and smiled a bit to himself. Elle popped her head back into the room, looking shocked.

“Wait, you’re defending him?” she said to Delliks. This caused Aerin to grin a bit. She looked to her twin and frowned. “Wipe that grin off your face Aerin! Don’t come crying to me if a bat from hell does eat your face!” She said, turning and walking back into the kitchen. She began cutting bread, loudly chopping and muttering to herself. Aerin suppressed a laugh.

“Who else would I cry to?” He asked.

“How about your girlfriend?” Elle called back, stomping around the kitchen to collect plates. Aerin shook his head. Namari was not his girlfriend, but it seemed as useless telling Elle that as it was how summoning worked.

“Women can be a bit angry at times, can’t they?” Aerin remarked to Delliks, tapping his cane gently on the floor. “Though I suppose I should read carefully. Elle is the one who takes care of me.” He added, hearing his twin’s muttering in the kitchen.

[Deleted]

"Ah-ha..." Delliks laughed nervously as the woman grew upset. The chopping could be heard slightly from where he was at, wow that would be a way to go. Killed by and angered friend's sister. Not the heroic end he would have wanted.

"People can be angry at times, I think women receive the worse of it though. Men will be men and let's face it if you aren't a man you just don't get it." He said with a smirk and a laugh. "But I would watch it too, don't want to lose the home cooking. It smells to die for eh lad?"

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin gave a little, soft chuckle. “No, wouldn’t want to lose her cooking at all. I can’t cook. And Lenore would more likely burn the place down for a good laugh.” He said, Lenore lifting her head and twitching it in Aerin’s directions when he mentioned her name. When she felt it was established Aerin wasn’t speaking to her, she tucked her head under her wing.

A moment later Elle came back into the room, setting a tray with sliced bread down on a small table, which she added two more glasses, for herself and her twin. She blew some stray strands of hair from her face.

“Meat is almost done.” She said. Aerin gave a nod and stood, walking over to the table and he sat down in his usual spot, all with the ease of a man who could see. It seemed impressive to most, but if they had witnessed Aerin’s process of actually memorizing where everything possibly within reach was, they’d release it was a rather long, somewhat painful process. His toes still hurt from bashing them into things.

“So Delliks…you don’t seem to be the most proud when it comes to your mercenary work.” Aerin said, toying with his fork. “But you don’t seem to be the type to try to drink it away. Why this outlook on life? You seem awfully peaceful and kind, all things considering.”

[Deleted]

Of course for Delliks, the witnessing of Aerin's grace over to the table was surprising, and even if he had known of the process in which it had taken he probably would have found it inspiring to know of his profound patience and determination. Delliks also wasn't aware that it was his normal seat and so he didn't think that Elle would have a usual place. Luckily he simply pulled his chair that had been given to him over to the table and sat at an empty place.

"No, no I suppose you can say that I am not your regular mercenary lad." Delliks agreed as he got comfortable at the table. His sheath tapping against the chair for a moment before he steady and quieted it. "But you could also say I wasn't apart of any usual mercenary group." He explained. "Out it the deep wilderness of the most peaceful Kingdom known across the land, Core, a different side is seen. A side of gloom and despair. The Kingdom tries yes, but the wilderness is vast. My Grandmother Francesca started the group nearly fifty years ago and it has been running ever since. She started it for the good of the people. Out there they don't take any job that doesn't have some silver lining or good behind it. You know what I mean eh? So I suppose growing up, under my Grandmother and father and mother, I learned to think likewise." Although he had had his moments... in fact it had been a long time before he saw the world like he did now. "But what being in the mercenary work did teach me was that peace does not come without work. It is bloody. But peace is worth fighting for. The weak are worth saving." Delliks shrugged before leaning back. "I suppose that is what I learned, and that is why I took the oath. Back home they call it the oath of the silent blade. You would think it makes me a sort of an assassin eh? But it ain't quite like that. I can never draw my blade for the benefit of myself." He explained. It made for a tough life, survival-wise. He couldn't really protect himself, kill for himself, nothing.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Aerin and Elle both listened with interest as Delliks told them a little bit of his history and beginnings. Elle found in interesting and exciting. Fighting for the weak, protecting those who couldn’t do it themselves. It was sort of something she did now with her twin. Though she was much less merciful than Delliks’s code allowed. She wasn’t exactly above hunting a person down and punishing them severely should they harm her brother in any way. Maybe she’d be too bloodthirsty or something. Still, she found that he’d make a good full time guard for Aerin. Delliks probably wouldn’t have to unsheathe his weapon often. The sight of him could scare away most criminals from attacking her brother.

Aerin, meanwhile, found the oath intriguing, but ultimately silly. Not being allowed to protect oneself? What was the point in vowing to protect life and not bothering to protect the one that mattered most to a person; their own? Sure people had children and loved ones they’d put before themselves, but if you died, how would you protect all those that needed you unless you tried to protect yourself first? Aerin found the logic flawed, but said nothing. It wasn’t his place. He found most religions flawed in a similar manner, but didn’t judge those who chose to worship. What business was it of his? Besides, if it made people feel happy, then he wouldn’t by any means try to discredit it.

“That’s pretty interesting. Never heard of a merc group that tried to help people.” Elle said, stepping up to the table and she set a plate of bread down with some cheese. “Most mercs kill for money.” She went back to the kitchen and took the meat off the fire, the meat still sizzling and popping. She pulled out three plates, dished out the meat evenly, then pulled the boiling vegetables off the fire.

“Your grandmother must have been a strong person to start such a thing.” Aerin said softly, reaching out to pick up a slice of bread and toy with it between his long fingers a moment.

[Deleted]

Aerin was right to think the logic silly. It was and many before him had also said so. Delliks himself probably thought it deep down. But it was the events that took place that led him to take the oath... the choices that led up to a choice in which cost him more than his pride.
It took a moment for Delliks to snap out of it. This was why he tried to avoid talking about his past.

"Hm? Oh yes, yes she was a strong woman. Not likely that I will see one quite like her again. She was tough, but strangely there was no one else in my family that I received more kindness and comfort from." The man shrugged before he took a piece of bread after Aerin and chomped it into his mouth. A large section of the bread was taken from the bite and he quickly gulped it down, there wasn't much chewing. Out of all his characteristics, probably the sight of his eating was the best at giving away his mercenary history.
"Don't misunderstand me though." Delliks said as he finished the bite. "We may have been cautious on what blood was spilled but when it came to spilling it. There was no drought... you know what I mean eh?" Delliks thought about when he found himself with that hunter in the woods and a group of bandits with a cage full of women and children and a few men. If anyone had seen that, who was here now, would have sworn they saw a different man.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Elle came back into the main room with the plates, and she sat each plate before both men before seating herself with a plate of food. Aerin could smell the cooked meat and steamed vegetables. It wakened his hunger further. He set his bread down before gingerly touching his plate, fingers caressing over the food, locating where each bite was, before he lifted his fork. He stabbed it into a cooked carrot and took a bite.

“Well there is no doubt about your spilling blood.” Aerin said after swallowing. “I certainly could smell it strongly in the air. You’re quite the character.”

“Indeed.” Elle agreed, favoring Delliks with a flirty smile. “I don’t think I could ever kill anyone unless they truly hurt me or my brother or friends. You’d have to push me hard. What about you Aerin?” She asked. Aerin remained silent a moment, picking up his knife.

“Blind men aren’t dangerous.” He stated simply, cutting into some venison.

“I didn’t ask that. I asked if you could kill a person.” Elle pointed out, biting into some bread and cheese. Aerin stopped cutting a moment. Could he? Could he kill? For any reason? It was a bit difficult to fathom such an idea when he knew he was incapable. He’d have no chance. So he never bothered to think it over. Could he kill if he had a way? But he did have a way. He reflected on his office, on the summoning spells he practiced and perfected. He could kill. He could perhaps summon a monster. Though it would come at a great cost. But even so….

“I don’t believe so.” Aerin lied, continuing to cut the meat. His lie was smooth, flawless. Only a person with a great amount of intuition who could read people very well could possibly tell if Aerin was lying. The male elf was very good at lying, very good at masking his emotions. Even so lying wasn’t a habit he liked to keep. Hiding his feelings, maybe, but lying as he just did so? Not often. It’d become a very bad habit otherwise.

[Deleted]

Delliks didn't buy any of it. No, he didn't suppose either of them were lying, but he did know that they were wrong. Everybody could kill. He knew that as fact. Hated it, wished it to be false, but knew it to be true. Each person was capable of horrific deeds for reasons that could be justified... or for reasons that were nonexistent. He had seen "good" men and women commit the darkest of deeds. But his knowing of this tortured him, so he smiled and shrugged.

"Then you have already shown to be a better soul than I could hope to be." Delliks said with a jealous smile. "I am envious of your goodness."

It was time he switched the subject. He began to shovel some food in his mouth, not discriminating against any of it. If it was in the way of his fork it was placed in his mouth.
He did have the decency to swallow before speaking again.
"But anyway, enough of this gloom and despair eh? Is hunting and flirting, and making colorful liquids all you two do for fun?"

[Aerin Vaettir]

The twins ate in silence for a while, Elle eying Delliks as he shoveled food into his mouth, Aerin eating slowly and with some great care. Normally he’d be a bit more relaxed but they had a guest. Funny how it was the blind man who was worried over appearances. But only when he ate. Food could be messy. Especially when you are no longer gifted with sight.

Elle smiled when Delliks moved the conversation into better territory.

“Oh sure! I love doing things! Going drinking at the pub, swimming, exploring. I’ll try anything once.” She said, flashing Delliks a flirty smile. Aerin didn’t reply, tearing a bit of bread from his slice and popping it into his mouth. Elle gestured to her brother.

“This guy? He’d work himself to death. He doesn’t know the meaning of fun. “ She said.

“My idea of fun differs vastly from yours Elle. There is only so much a blind man can do. I like to learn.” Aerin replied. Elle rolled her eyes and looked to Delliks.

“See what I mean?” She asked, before biting into the last of her meat.

[Deleted]

Delliks had finished his meal and he leaned back in his chair, signifying unconsciously that he had finished. "A bookworm eh?" He chuckled. "My sis is the same way. The lass will spend hours deep within the books of the past or legends or anything she could get her hands on really. Smartest gal I know though. My Grandmother always said she took after Grandfather." He explained.

The mercenary flashed Elle a smile back. "Maybe I'll invite you on one of my jobs then eh?" He was joking mostly of course.

[Aerin Vaettir]

“Well sure!” Elle replied, being perfectly serious. “And maybe after that we could have dinner at my place. Who knows what’ll happen?” She said, toying with her fork. Aerin shifted, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

“Elle…” He said. She sat back in her chair.

“Oh right, I’m supposed to pretend I don’t have sex with men. You know Aerin if you gave it a try maybe you’d be a lot less tense.” Elle said teasingly, reaching up to tweak Aerin’s pointed ear. Aerin waved her hand away.

“Perhaps, but I‘ve yet to meet a man who has caught my interest.” Aerin replied, sipping his water. Elle giggled before she paused.

“Wait seriously? You’d go for men too?” She said, staring wide eyed at her brother. Aerin suppressed the urge to blush, succeeding well, and he set down his fork. “Oh my God! Aerin why didn’t you say anything before!? If I would have known you liked men and women both I could have hooked you up with so many good guys!” Elle said, pouting and reaching out to tug sharply on her brother’s ear.

“Ow! Stop it!” Aerin said, waving her off again. Elle turned to Delliks.

“You have any cute friends?” She asked. Aerin sighed and stood, rubbing his leg.

“Well, while you discuss that I think I’ll do some more work.”

[Deleted]

Delliks chuckled awkwardly, he too was getting uncomfortable. Not exactly because of Elle's statements and flirtatous hint but because her brother was around. It just felt... well awkward was the best word probably.

"No, I don't have any friends." Delliks said quickly. The conversation continued to become more awkward for him. How does a blind man have a preference at all? And homosexuality was never something he hated or went out of his way to stop but he never understood it. He could never go up to someone and say, 'hey I understand and I agree with what you think'. Delliks would likely never be able to do that.

He was eager to do something different. "You need help with your work? Or you Elle with cleaning up?" He asked hoping to separate himself from at least one awkwardness.

[Aerin Vaettir]

Awkward was a perfect word to describe the situation, and Aerin was quite glad to find that Delliks had no problem separating himself from it. Of course what man wouldn’t after that little chat? Aerin kept his preferences to himself, Elle hadn’t even known of course. Not that he was afraid to tell her that he was attracted to men occasionally, but because she simply never asked. She always assumed he was straight, like her. Not bisexual. The fact that it came out in such an awkward manner in front of Delliks was something he hadn’t foreseen.



“Thank you for the offer Delliks, but I like to work alone.” Aerin said. He was glad the man offered though. It meant he didn’t judge Aerin, at least not a lot. Besides, people got in his way when he worked. Elle was the worst at it.



“Yeah, he’s a loner in his work. You can help me clean up though! How kind of you to offer.” Elle said, jumping on the opportunity to be alone with the handsome merc. Not that they’d be alone, with Aerin keen ears and being only in the other room, but it’d give her more one on one time. She could go for that. Elle stood, picking up two plates, leaving Delliks’s plate and the bread plate for him to grab, and she went back to the kitchen, giving her hips a good sway as she walked.

[Deleted]

Delliks stood and nodded toward Aerin. "Alright lad, I understand completely." He himself usually preferred to work alone nowadays. While the man got the plates and had watched to make sure Aerin wouldn't run into anything, he turned to see only the last sway and a half or so of Elle's hypnotic hips. Delliks chuckled to himself as he followed the path she took into the back room. She sure was persistent he had to give her that.

"I do believe it would have been rude of me if I hadn't offered to help you lass." He stated as he entered the room and looked for the place he was to put the dishes. "It was a meal fine enough for a real noble eh lass?" He smiled. "If only your company would have matched." Making himself a bit of the joke, although it wasn't really all that much of a joke or anything.