A few days pass by after Liam and the twins successfully snuck the files, books, maps, and pictures from Wilhelm's manor. Heading her hunch on being searched for suspicious activity, the twins were questioned by some mages at the mercenary's guild. Both girls denied knowing anything as they spent their time comforting Liam during his grieving.
Liam himself has been absent from the mage's guild as a sign that he has been not wanting to pursue things at the moment due to his masters passing. Some within the guild understood as he was very close to his mentor. In secret though, Liam was bidding his time as Wilhelm was doing a lot more than being his mentor. He was also paying over the landlord for the property Liam was living in.
The ferret mage did not have a true main source of income unlike Shade and Kitsuno as he was mostly pursuing studies of the arcane arts and alchemy. While there are some jobs he can opt in for, it is mostly to help those learn about magic or alchemy. The young arch mage knew only a few basic potion recipes as his main focus was on magic itself. To which this became a problem for him as the only place that would frequently ask him for such a task, would be the university.
And with the old books and such he has now acquired, Liam is being extra cautious in leaving the items by themselves for too long. Just on the off chance someone finds it and returns it to High Mage Quincey. Something Liam now understood from another note he found among the textbooks in why he must not allow the knowledge reach the guild.
Shade and Kitsuno were on duty right now doing a slow patrol around the city. The elder twin let out a small yawn as she was getting bored. "Bleh... didn't think I would be bored after what's been going on the last few weeks." Her sister was flipping through a catalog she picked up from one of the shops in the district. "True, but I would rather take being bored right now than nearly getting ourselves killed or in serious trouble. We've had a fair share for the next few months I would say."
Giving her a glance, Shade looks at some of the lettering in the catalog, "What are you looking for in that?" Kitsuno pauses in her search to look up as they pass by a few shopping stalls. "I'm actively search for the other volumes in Journey in the North." Her sister tilts her head, "Yeah I remember you going on about some of what you read. Do you have any idea how many books there are in that series?"
Kitsuno shrugs as she closes the booklet and tucks it away in her side pouch she had. "I think there are forty-two books in total." Shade blinks before moving out of the way from someone passing by with a large vase, "Forty-two? Those books are pretty lengthy sis." Her sister wore a bright smile, "I know, but that just means more story to uncover."
Shaking her head before the two stop at a crossroad, "Kit, where exactly are you going to shelve all those books if you find all of them? Our bookcase at home is already full with what we have. And you only have eleven from that series as far as I know." Moving forward pass her sister to the left path, they continue their patrol. "That is something I have to think about real well. Especially when we move Liam in our place."
Shade let out a sigh as she was explained about that from Liam the other night. "Yeah, that really bites he has to give up his home. But, I'm okay with sharing space with him as he's a nice guy. A good friend where it counts too."
As they continue down the pathway, Shade had an odd feeling that they were being followed. Kitsuno kept idle chatter going about the situation, but doubled over as a cover up as she felt eyes on her as well. When the moment came, Shade turns around to stare down whoever was following them.
Her eyes at first saw nothing as the city streets seem to be active as normal. Then that is where she saw a pink tail whip around a corner. She waited a bit before turning back around to start walking again.
She and Kitsuno played up the act a little bit longer to allow their pursuer to come out from hiding and get closer. When Kitsuno felt her tail brush up against something, she doubled back fast in her steps and fell back a few feet. Shade saw this and quickly turned around as they got who was after them in a pincer strike.
Her eyes sharpen as the one who decided to follow them was a red headed white mouse in leather armor. "You again!?" Melissa wears a sly smirk on her face before stepping aside and leaned against a wall, "What? Not looking forward to seeing little old me?"
Kitsuno glared at the mouse, "Last time we met, you tried to kill us. Hell, I'm surprise you're alive after getting beaten in by my sister." The mouse girl raises a hand to check her nails, "Yeah I know too. She really did a number on me there. Good thing most poition shops are easy to rob from."
She then lowers her hand before looking at Shade, "Most. Mind you." The elder twin glared at the mouse as Kitsuno looked at them both. "Yeah yeah, what the hell do you want? It is stupid of you to come to Sarydia if you were to finish the job, especially since it is daytime and deep into the city too." Kitsuno seem to notice some extra tension between the two, but looked at Melissa, "Why don't you be smart and go back to Thales."
This is where the mouse pushes herself off the wall and walk pass the two, "See that's a problem there bookworm. My folks aren't exactly happy with what happened. Especially after what your sister did to me in Daeldeus." Kitsuno looks at Shade, "Wait, she was in..." her brain clicked the puzzle pieces together, "Oh my god, she was what you wanted to show Charlene and I?"
The mouse snickers before moving closer to Shade, "Wow, you wanted to show your sister that you raped me and made me cry? You're fucked up, you know that?" The elder twin felt a lump in her throat as she felt the concerned look her sister gave her. "You did what!?"
Melissa laughs as she patted Shade on her back before the elder kitsune swats her away. "She sure did. Though, gotta ask. How old are you two?" Kitsuno stared at the mouse from the sudden question. "What does that have to do with anything?"
The mouse raises an eyebrow as she looks dead into Shade's eyes. The elder twin started to look over on Melissa's body. And that is where a hammer hit her in her brain. "Oh good god..." she then turns around and throws her hands in the air. "You have to be joking."
Kitsuno does a double take on both of them as Melissa bursts out laughing. "Well if you weren't going to end up in prison for something bad, you definitely got a spot now sis. What even was going through your mind when you did that?" The cocky redhead moves in closer to Kitsuno and wraps an arm around her, "To get even with me from stabbing her in the ass."
Shade starts pounding her head into the wall, "I was not thinking other than to hurt you, alright." Kitsuno removes the mouse from her presence and steps away from her, "So what are you going to do? Report my sister for sexually assaulting a minor?"
Her smile disappeared, "Nah, not that big of a deal as you two don't look that much older. You're what? Eighteen?" Kitsuno sighs, "Nineteen." Melissa moves over to Shade and pats her on the shoulder, "Don't see why you are making that big a fuss about it. It's just a three year gap."
Shade rubs her head on the wall, "Says you as it is still a major offense. God damn it... just when we thought we were having a boring day." A smile creeps back up on the white redhead, "Well prepare to be bored no more as I have a proposition for you both."
Kitsuno takes out her bow and notches an arrow as a warning, "Look, whatever it is the answer is no. Blackmailing my sister for what she did ain't gonna work either as we may as well end you here." The mouse shakes her head, "Already said it ain't a big deal, sheesh." Stepping away from the two, Melissa folds her arms behind her head, "No, I want you two to hire me."
Shade turns her head towards her sister and the two exchange looks of confusion. ("This girl cannot be serious. First she tries to kill us, then I sexually assault her, now here she is. Asking us to hire her? There has to be a catch.") Pushing herself off the wall and walking up to the mouse, "What do you mean "hire"? Don't you have anything else to do besides pester us?"
Throwing her arms up, "Like I said earlier, my family isn't exactly happy right now. Not with you, and especially not with me." Lowering her arms and turning around again, "Long story short, I don't have a home anymore. No idea where the hell Lucas is as they put someone else in charge of Thales. So now, I decided to follow you two after someone damaged the pillory enough for me to break out and escape."
Reaching behind her and pulling out a dagger to toss around in the air a bit, "So, what do you say? Got room for one more in your crew? My price is at a firm level." Kitsuno scowls at the mouse, "Exactly how firm?"
Catching the dagger at its tip, "Around ten grand." If either kitsunes were drinking something, they would have spat it out. "Ten grand!? How in the world is that fair?"
Melissa shrugs before twirling her dagger around, "Well part of that is to deal with some of the damages little anger issues here did. The rest is to cover expenses that there are to live here and whatever else I need to deal with."
Shade had a feeling that they were being played by the mouse. There was no way she really needed ten thousand dollars just like that. She and Kitsuno didn't even have that much. As Kitsuno goes to open her mouth to say no, Shade immediately speaks. "Fine."
This catches both of them off guard as Kitsuno drops her arrow and Melissa stops spinning her dagger. "Wait, really?" The elder twin nods, "Consider it me being merciful and to be nice for how rough I was on you back in Daeldeus."
Kitsuno quickly grabs onto her sister, "Excuse us for a moment." She points a finger at the mouse, "That means you stay put." Then proceeds to drag Shade a good several feet away from the assassin. "Have you completely lost your mind!? Why in the world would you agree to hire her? Need I remind you that she tried to kill us both about Thales?"
Shade shakes her head, "Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. I'm taking her in for a reason sis." Kitsuno slaps her sister on her chestplate, "We don't even have ten thousand!" The elder twin looks back at the mouse, who was now carving a piece of wood she found laying around in the street. "I am well aware. But I am calling her bluff. Look, I don't trust her one bit. Even if she is asking for the money, I feel that if we keep her around, then she is less of a threat as we can keep a closer eye on her."
Her words had some truth in them, but Kitsuno still had her disagreements. "And if she tries to kill us in our sleep?" Shade closes her eyes for a moment, "Well, we can keep her weapons away from her and I'll keep her in a tight grip." Kitsuno facepalms, "Sure, use her as a teddy bear then." She then raises her hand up and pokes her sister on the nose, making her eyes open, "She is going to be your responsibility then."
Shade sighs a bit before pulling herself back, "Believe me, she already is." Turning over towards the mouse, "Alright girl, you're in." Melissa tosses the wood piece aside and sheathed her dagger. "Alright. I'll have you know, you made the right choice. I'll break you two in anywhere you need. Or kill anyone of your choice."
Kitsuno returns her bow in her holster and starts walking away. "I'm leaving that all up to Shade. She's the one hiring you, not me." Shaking her head, Shade follows behind her sister. "No intro eh? Fine. We'll talk at some point." Melissa then follows behind them as the twins resumed their patrolling duties.
.........
Once the patrol was done for the day, Kitsuno headed off on her own to check up on Liam to see how he was faring. Shade on the other hand, took Melissa alongside with her to talk to Zhutto in what she was doing with the assassin. The minotaur looked at the mouse as she sat in his office and Shade had her arm resting on his desk as she explain most details about the mouse. Leaving a few things out for her own safety.
Zhutto held a hand on his head as he kept staring at the mouse, who had an innocent smile on her face. "Shade, I swear you are the biggest headache we've had. Both good and bad." He then moves his hand towards the mouse, "So you are telling me that you trust this assassin to one, not kill you, two, cooperate with us in what we have tasked, and three, not end up causing more issues herself by robbing others?"
Lowering her head onto the desk, "I'll do what I can to keep her in order. If she causes any issues, it's all on me." He shakes his head and leans back in his chair. "If you think you can, then so be it. What's your name?" Melissa kicks back in her seat and rests her legs on the desk, "Melissa. Melissa Silvertail. A pleasure to be working with you big guy, and gotta say, you have some serious muscles there."
He ignores her compliment and moves a hand over to pull the mouse off his desk. "Just a reminder to you Melissa. Shade may be hiring you, but I am her boss. Which means I am your boss. Whatever orders I give her, you are to follow them as well. And the first one I am saying right here, right now. No killing other people. Not even as a mission." The kitsune raises her head, "When have we ever gotten something like that?" Zhutto turns his gaze to her, "I am sure you are well aware on who really tends to those duties the most."
Putting two and two together, Shade knew he was talking about the elves. Standing up and cracking her neck slightly, "Got it. Well, with this done and out of the way." She places a hand on Melissa to tell her to get up. "Let's get you situated with the city and show you where I usually go to." The mouse stands up and follows behind Shade, "What, I'm not allowed to leave your side now? Afraid you might lose your new toy?"
The kitsune began to feel a slight headache forming in the back of her head. "Don't start testing my patience Melissa. Need I give you a rerun of your first attack with me?" As she opens the door and the two walk pass Mally, Melissa began to nudge the kitsune in her side, "No thanks, I like my ribs intact. But I know another way you can rerun with me."
The fox watches as the two leave the guild. Shade with possible regrets in going through with her idea as the mouse was being very testy with the limits between them. Zhutto shortly walks out of his office with a folder in hand. "Shade never ceases to surprise us with whatever trouble she gets herself into, but this seems too far, even for her."
The minotaur hands Mally the folder and she opens it to file away some paperwork on her desk. "That mouse has quite a mouth on her too. And we know Shade well. Her temper is going to break through the roof." He sighs as the fox hands back the folder. "Honestly, why can't she be more level headed like her sister?"
Mally looks up at her boss before patting him on his arm, "Well those two do have to have some sort of difference to them. However, you need to focus at the moment about the meeting with the mayor. No doubt it is about the investigation from Wilhelm's old manor and the mysterious dog they found that looked like Shade."
Zhutto looks at the folder in his hands before focusing his gaze at the window near the guild's library, "I have an odd feeling it is going to be more than just that. There's still talk going on about Bailes too."
Outside in the city, Shade had began showing Melissa around the district she frequently atttends herself in her off time. The elder twin had a bit of a rough go as Melissa kept poking fun at her the entire time. And she wasn't sure if she knew which way to get her to behave. Another pounding, or another pounding. Either way, she's at a loss.
Along the way, Shade sighs in relief as she spots Vern. The wolf was making his way in the opposite direction as he had a package in one arm. His eyes lock onto hers and a warm smile comes across his face. "Hey babe, how's your day been?" The kitsune immediately closes in on him and leans in to give him a firm kiss on the lips.
Breaking away from the kiss, Shade nuzzles her face in his neck slightly before turning around. "My day could have been better." He chuckles and wraps her in a hug with his free arm. "Aww.... does my special girl need some attention later?"
Melissa tilts her head slightly before chuckling herself, "You know, I think I made the right decision. Didn't know you had a boyfriend. Next thing I find out is you have kids." Vern stares at the mouse before him, "Shade? Who is this girl?" She sighs before raising a hand up, "This. Is my new companion. Melissa, this is Vern. Keep your hands off him."
"Or what? You two gonna spitroast me? He looks very firm and sturdy after all." Vern couldn't help but blush at the comment as Shade slaps herself in the face. "God damn... I can't win with you at all." The wolf studies the mouse some more before looking at Shade, "Shade, hun. Do I even want to know why you hired a bandit?"
She says nothing and plants a kiss on his neck before releasing herself from his grip. "Long story, not pretty." The kitsune then turns towards her mousey friend and jabs a finger into her chest, "And will you fucking behave. I am this close to just turning you into another mess."
Melissa then lowered her smile, "Speaking of mess, I do have a question. Is it normal for your cum to be glowing?" Vern blinks befote looking at his lover, "How does..." he then looks back at Melissa before shaking his head. "You know what? Nevermind." He then begins walking away to resume his delivery, "Melissa, don't go having her explode now. She's started enough fires already this year."
"Hey!" Vern snickers before speeding up as Shade tried to grab him. Now furiously annoyed, Shade turns around and brushes pass the mouse. "Bah, I need food." Melissa follows behind her quickly, "Come on, I'm actually asking an honest question. Not poking fun at you."
Vern sighs as the two became distant and out of earshot. "Jeez Shade, you couldn't have found a more mouthy companion. But, it's your call." Once he reaches the shop district, the wolf started looking at the shop stands outside. ("Wonder how long til she snaps? Cause from how casual that mouse said it, already sounds like she had an eventful encounter with her.")
A few hours later
Kitsuno had gotten a damp rag from the kitchen and placed it on Shade's forehead. "I honestly cannot believe it. You got her so angry she ate like a direwolf." The elder twin was stripped of her armor and put into her casual clothes. Her stomach was bloated from hopping from multiple food stands and eating.
Melissa was in some casual clothes of her own sitting on windowsill, dangling her legs about. Whether the clothing really was hers or not, Kitsuno couldn't care as she was more focused on her sister. "Honestly wasn't expecting to see her pack away a five pound steak, five tacos, a large salad, a dozen sweet rolls, and three fruity drinks." Kitsuno snaps back at the mouse, "Gee, you think!?"
The mouse felt slightly bad as Shade was groaning slightly as she tried to move. "Okay I guess I did press her buttons a bit too much." Kitsuno steps back a bit as Shade let out a very loud burp before raising her left arm up to give Melissa the middle finger.
The younger twin waves a hand to fan the air, "Good lord." Melissa held back a giggle before pushing herself off the windowsill. "Look, I'll tone it down a bit okay?" She approached the kitsune on the couch and placed a hand on her stomach to rub on it. This results in Shade reaching up to grab the rag and threw it at Melissa's face.
Kitsuno moves back into the kitchen and started digging through some of the cabinets, "I don't usually make threats, I really don't. But you keep doing this to my sister, and I'll tied you up and turn you into a pincushion." She then digs out a container of biscuits to crack it open and pulled out a few to much on.
Melissa takes the rag off her face and folds it back up to put back on Shade's forehead. "Alright, alright. Message recieved." She let out a slight yelp as Shade grabbed onto her tail, "I'm kicking your ass later you brat." The mouse opens her mouth, but quickly closes it as Kitsuno shot her a glare. ("Heh, definitely got to be more careful.")
The younger twin sighs as she places the tin back into the cabinet. "Anyways, before I came back to seeing you in a food spiral. Shade, when you are able to move again we need to help Liam with stuff." The elder twin let out another burp before letting go of Melissa's tail to sit herself up slightly, "What's going on now with him? The mages didn't find out now, did they?"
Kitsuno moves back to the couch and leans forward on the back end, "No, they haven't yet. But he wants to get a head start in moving his things over in here. That way he has very little to move when his notice comes." Her sister laid back down on the couch. "Eh... give me a couple hours to digest."
Melissa looks back at the two, "Okay now you're being delusional. I saw how much you ate. There is no way you are going to do stuff for the rest of the day." The younger twin flashes a smile, "If we go back a few years ago when Shade and I barely had much to eat, then yes. But since we started doing mercenary work, she's been able to put away food well enough and burn it off quickly."
Shade raises an arm up, "Both a blessing and a curse I would say. Especially when I go into one of those hunger fits where nothing hits the spot." As she lowers her arm down, Melissa held a stare at the elder twin. ("Wait... barely had food?") She steals a glance at the other kitsune before looking around at their belongings. ("Were these two homeless before?")
Her thoughts began to cloud out the sisters as they started talking over things. The mouse never really thought about it on her way here to Sarydia, on aside from pestering the twin foxes, she is now starting to realize those two are not normal. If that's the case, did she bite off more than she can chew?
