pests are annoying

[Sky]

Rin just looked at him, mystified that Vyse was standing right in front of her. "I-I thought you were dead!" She looked up at the taller man, she wasn't intimidated by his height, she knew she was strong enough in magic to take on someone of his size if she ever needed to. Not that she would ever fight Vyse.

"For two years I have heard nothing from you, why didn't you at least write to me?!" She walked up to him, having to look up even more now, her bell ringing lightly in her hair. "Did you even attempt to stay in touch with me!?"

Rin was feeling a mixture of emotions. She was confused, angry, but glad to see him all at once. Why was he even here? Why had he never sent her a letter or anything. Did he not want to stay in touch with her? She hated the flow of emotions, they were throwing her out of whack. She was already a girl that acted off of emotions much of the time, why did he have to show up right when Yoko had ruined her little talk with Logan?

[Holly]

"Rin, it has nothing to do with not wanting to write you. It's because of the fact that you're blind. He wanders around the castle. Duh," Yoko's blunt voice came from the scythe, though she seemed much more distant and distracted than before. Something was bothering her, but that didn't hinder her contentious behavior. After her snap, she dwindled into silence, listening to something other than Rin's floudering of words.

She wasn't usually a very acute hearing weapon; she was meant for hacking and cleaving and what not. There was another presence in the same area that was nagging at her. It wasn't Vyse or Rin or Logan, where ever he was. No. It was someone who was trying extremely hard not to be detected, and the only reason why Yoko could sense them was because it was one of those special times where she was only focused on one thing.

"Look out!!" The words erupted suddenly, followed closely by the sound of metal clashing against metal. The sound rang clearly throughout the hallway.

Logan now stood between the two who had been chatting and a newcomer, his scythe blocking the stranger's sword. The girl who had been seconds away from slicing off one of Vyse's limbs narrowed her eyes dangerously, hopping back and gracefully landing on the balls of her feet. Blonde hair fell down all the way down to her knees, heavy bangs framing her ever-darting, red-orange eyes.

"I'm not here for you," Her tone was even, speaking to Logan. Koal turned her sword in Vyse's direction. "Just him." And, without another moment's hesitation, she leapt right over the Count and swung her claymore at Vyse's head.

[I V Y]

Vyse wasn't expecting the mystic's reaction, and he raised an eyebrow questioningly after she said she thought he was dead. "Like Yoko stated, I've been living here the past two years. I understand if you thought I was dead a few months after the incident because... I was still healing..." at this point Tom snickered loudly. Vyse shot him a death glare to shut him up. "...but otherwise I've just been here the whole time."

When Logan suddenly appeared to stop the assassin, Vyse inhaled sharply, realizing it was the same girl that killed his family and Eloise. "You!" was all he managed to say before she lunged at him.

Things happened so fast that it all took Vyse off guard, but before the assassin swung her sword at his neck, he fluidly transformed into a swallow, flying away from the hit. Circling over Koal and landing behind her in his original form, he unsheathed both swords to deliver a blow to the girl's back.

Good thing I always carry these things with me...

[Sky]

Rin jumped back as Logan seemed to come out of nowhere and block the sword using Yoko. She blinked in confusion, not really understanding what was going on, and not really understanding how she could have missed Vyse for such a long amount of time. The air in the room seemed to become colder as Rin stepped forward, now angry that someone would try to take an old friend away from her again.

She stepped between Vyse and Koal, water droplets liquifying and then eventually solidifying in the air as she built up the cold energy. She would not let Vyse be taken from her by a maniac assassin with fancy sword work. Rin may not be good at fighting, but magic was a different story.

"Back off unless you want to become the definition of a living ice-cube. Maybe I'll make it a flaming ice cube just for a little extra flare." Rin's eyes showed no emotion except anger and confidence. She knew that beating the would be assassin would-be easy, but if Koal got in close enough Rin was screwed.

[Holly]

"I have no use in attacking you. It does not benefit me in any way shape or form and you are not my target," Once again, Koal kept a level toned voice, neither hostile nor friendly. She was calculating every opponent that was within striking range. Vyse was an Olisthir, as was Count Logan, so they would be good with agility. They're strength could waver, though, leaving her open spaces when needed. They both wielded weapons, but as did she. Mystic Rin was, coincidentily, an Olisthir too. Fast, great with magic, but weak and unintimidating.

"However," Her eyes flashed gold, several other swords appearing around her like a barrier, "If you so wish to get in my way, I have no regrets about taking out those who halt my job."

Two swords shot at Rin and the other two shot at Logan with the flick of the assassin's wrist. Effortlessly, she jumped four feet to the right, allowing herself a clear line to Vyse. She didn't launch any weapons at him, eyes staring what almost seemed straight through him.

"I don't care how many times it takes. You will go down, Vyse Darkny," Koal lunged foward at him, her claymore separating into two dual swords to match him. Her right sword slashed in left while her left sword went opposite.

[I V Y]

Vyse was impressed to see Rin so aggressive towards the assassin - he'd never really seen her act like that. Then again, he hadn't seen much of her in a long time. His heart sunk like a rock to a bottom of a deep sea knowing that Rin and Logan could possibly die because of him. When Koal said they were not her target, Vyse added, "You heard her. So get lost! This doesn't concern you." After Koal said she wouldn't mind killing those who got in the way, he stated again, "Which is exactly why you two should leave!"

When the assassin charged at him, slicing both swords different directions, he positioned his twin blades in a defensive stance, blocking the attack. He pushed against the blades and jumped back a few feet. He then did a move where he spun both swords and his body, moving his momentum towards Koal to deliver both blades heavily to her side.

[Sky]

Rin’s eyes widened at the two swords coming at her, she couldn’t tell if it was an illusion or if it was real. Better not take any chances. She stepped into a ready stance and conjured a metal staff that she used to deflect the two swords, hoping that Logan would do the same using Yoko. “What, are you that determined to kill Vyse that you are willing to attack the count and mystic of Notia?!” Does she even realize what a mystic and count working together are capable of? Well, neither do I but still.

She couldn’t attack with ice to trap the assassin with Vyse and her so close together. Rin would end up hurting Vyse, which she did not want to do. How could she encase the attacker inn a sphere of ice without trapping Vyse in the wall as well? Would he trust her enough to move back away from the assassin if she told him to move out of the way? There was only one way to find out.

A thin mist of water vapor began to form around the young mystic’s body. She would only have one shot at getting this right if Vyse trusted her enough to follow her next request. “Vyse if you trust me jump back!”

((OOC: I don't really like this reply but here it is...))

[Holly]

Koal went on the defensive with her swordsplay, swinging her blades over her head to the side that Vyse was attacking. With her blades pointing towards the floor and still leaning against Vyse's swords, she pushed with all her might in Vyse's direction. You're wise for wanting your friends to get away, She telepathed while pushing, wondering if it would mess him up at all. I don't care how confident the healer is. I will not hesitate to kill them. And you know that.

Logan expertly swung his scythe in a way that knocked the blades toward the ground and out of harm's way. He then looked at the assassin, a weird feeling beginning to form in his stomach. He felt like he should help Vyse, but he also felt like he couldn't. Something about the assassin seemed familiar. And if he attacked her, he felt like he would be betraying someone.

Thankfully, Logan didn't have time to lunge at Koal. The assassin heard Rin's call and shifted accordingly. Her dual swords melded into a claymore and suddenly it was on the ground. Koal, now a snake, slithered swiftly between Vyse's legs so she was behind him. She morphed back to normal, new sword in hand.

Her eyes flashed golden, the swords that were sent at Rin and Logan, floating in the air and attacking them without wielders. As that happened, Koal brought her sword down full force at Vyse.

[I V Y]

Hearing the assassin's voice in his head was anything but pleasant. It was already enough to have her trying to kill him, but now she was messing with his already messed up mind? I can't wait to see you leaking blood... he thought morbid pictures of Koal in painful scenarios, hoping she could read his thoughts at that moment.

At that point Rin told Vyse to jump back, but before he could start to do so, Koal was about to strike behind him. Leaping forward, half way through morphing, he felt Koal's blade slicing through his shifting back. He landed as a tiger, growling and furious, a crimson stripe running along the black ones on his back.

He crouched as if he were to pounce on Koal any moment, having her full attention. He stayed back however, waiting for Rin do something, trusting her words earlier to jump away from Koal. He flexed his claws out, ready to strike in case Rin's plan didn't work.

[Sky]

Rin jumped back as the two swords began their renewed assault. She smiled and jumped back, weaving in and out of the attacks before leaping back far enough to conjure up chains, wrapping them around the two swords and sending them flying into the two that were attacking Logan. Before she could do anything else she spun around, looking at the would be assassin.

Rin raised her hand, a spark of electricity jumping from her palms for a few moments. Let's see her dodge this! The discharge of electricity crackled in the air, a powerful bolt headed straight for Koal. She smiled as a sudden quick blast of freezing cold air followed the bolt, hopefully at least catchign the assassin enough off guard to get hit by this cold fron, which left a path of frozen ice wherever it hit the ground.

[Holly]

xx

Leaking blood or not, you will still die, Koal replied in her still monotone voice. However, her mouth twitched up into a slight smirk at the thoughts that went through Vyse's mind. It signaled either anger or fear and that showed weakness. Weakness was something every predator looked for. It gave them more to work on with a battle and it just brought a predator closer to the takedown of their prey.

Upon Rin's electrical and icy attack, Koal turned on her heel and realized she had nothing to defend that with. She could try deflecting it, but there wasn't enough time...

"Oh my, am I interrupting?" Hale beamed at Logan, Rin, and Vyse as he stood inbetween them and Koal. The electricity was sent sky-high and the ice was disappated by raising the temperature in the room quickly and then bringing it back to normal.

"Apologies. I just seemed to be... well, passing through," He chuckled lightly before turning to Koal. "You know, fighting one against three isn't entirely the smartest thing to do. Maybe you should run along, Koal?" He grinned in a silly way, one that only a fool would wear.

Koal, however, narrowed her eyes and took a hesitant step back. She sent a look to Vyse, then glared back at Hale. "Tread carefully. Because if you don't there'll be a bounty for your head on a stake."

"I don't believe that would be a very kind thing to say," Hale's tone dropped a few notches into something much more dark. Though, given a few more seconds, and his stupid smile returned. "Now, begone." With a flick of his wrist, Koal was teleported away and now the three were left with Hale. "Pesky assassins. And slayers. You know, people who kill for money. It much better to do it for fun. But I always find it interesting who some of them are related to. I bet you can't guess who Koal's related to."

[I V Y]

Vyse certainly wasn't prepared for Hale's unexpected appearance. He tensed, ready to slash through him as well, if needs be. But it seemed he was on their side... for now.

At Koal's comment Vyse simply growled menacingly, baring his fangs. When she left against her will he glared in frustration, wanting so badly to have at least scratched her.

He leaped gracefully into his normal form, picking up his twin blades while doing so. He slammed Hale against the wall using his arm, carefully placing the sharp end of his blade against Hale's neck.

"Now you will tell me who the hell you are, and what you're doing here." he said in a controlled, yet resolute tone. "I appreciate your help, but that doesn't give me a good enough reason to trust you, because you know Koal, don't you?"

[Sky]

Rin sighed in disappointment when the count seemed to come out of nowhere. Hale, she had only met him a few times but he had been known to flirt with the girls. She didn't like, nor really trust the count but she had to put up with him. She sighed and stepped forward, placing her hands on her hips. "What are you doing here Hale? What purpose do you have to just jump into something like that? I'm pretty sure I had this situation under control."

She then glanced at Vyse, a little surprised by his aggressive nature towards the count. Sure she really didn't like Hale all to much but that didn't mean she wouldn't show him respect when need be. "Umm.....Vyse this is Hale, Hale this is Vyse......"

[Holly]

xx

Logan grimaced as Vyse knocked Hale against a wall... Did Vyse honestly not know who he was..? Well, now that the Count of Notia thought about it, Hale didn't make himself publicly known very often. In fact, Logan recalled a nickname for Hale being "the shadow" just for the fact he did most of his business in the unknown. Though, it still didn't reach up to King Falkor's "the opportunist".

"Vyse... I suggest you put let go of him. I don't think any of us want a challenge from another county," Logan tried to reason, hinting that Hale was a Count like himself. "Vyse, what I'm trying to say is--"

Teleporting away from Vyse and reappearing four feet away, right next to Rin, Hale sneered. "I am the Count of the Vesperian Badlands. And as such I would appreciate it if you didn't touch me with those... haha, amatuerish weapons." He gestured to Vyse's swords before nodding to his question. "And so what if I know Koal? I like to keep myself aware of who the assassins of the world are. You know, just in case."

Turning to Rin, he kissed her hand and smiled in a charming manner. "Even when you're asking questions, you're still as radiant as the sun, dear Mystic Rin."

Logan rolled his eyes. "Hale, even if you are a Count, you're in Notia, which is my land. So, for the sake of being straightforward, please answer Rin's questions."

Hale straightened up, frowning lightly. He muttered something long the line of "fun killer" before ruffling Rin's hair, conjuring a chair, and sitting down. "Well, since you're so enthused. I just wanted to know if you've been hit by the Olisthir Slayer, yet. She seems to be aiming for high-ranking people."

Yoko's voice came from the scythe again, "What Olisthir Slayer?"

"Oh dear, has Logan not informed you, Yoko?" Hale smirked at the fellow Count, crossing his legs in the chair. "There's a girl rumored to be going around killing Olisthirs. From witness reports, she wields a scythe that is as big as her, she has pink hair, and she wears a red hood at all time. She's also the one responsible for murdering Aria Ruoshe."

[/size]

[I V Y]

Vyse turned to face the three of them, cautiously sheathing his swords away, seeing as Hale was neutral for the time being. He sighed at Logan's remarks before looking at him. "Sorry, I'm not exactly a social butterfly." He glared at Hale when he degraded his choice in weapon. He's probably never fought without magic in his entire life. He'd appreciate amateurish weapons more if that's all he had.

He kept quiet as the counts conversed, and couldn't help but feel conflicted. He was to be the rightful count by birth, but at the same time he was rather glad he wasn't. He never received nearly as much respect, most people didn't even know who he was, and that certainly pissed him off at times. Yet he never felt the position of count was meant for him, that there was another purpose for him and another fate awaited him.

"I know Aria." Vyse spoke up. He hissed slightly at the pain of his injury. "Knew Aria, to be precise. But this assassin, I know of as well. I've never encountered her but for all I know I might have since she's an olisthir as well."

[ooc: yay, only took me a year to respond back xP but let me know if you don't like Vyse knowing Aria (in an acquainted sense, not bffs or anything)...just thought I'd throw that in there to make things interesting.]