Drink away... And traitors begone!

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

Brisk stared long and hard at his ale before taking a swig. The lynx leopard mix was sitting alone in a corner of the tavern.

He was in his normal attire; save for the fact it was torn and tattered. In fact, his right sleeve had been torn off completely, and now his arm was decorated with many bloody bandages. On top of it all, he had a cloth wrapped around his head, angled, so that it covered his left eye. A small part of the slash mark extended below the cloth. All in all, Brisk was alright, sort of.

He was in pain yes, and he was lucky since only around his eye was slashed. If the cloth had been removed it would be shown that the slash stopped for whatever reason just before the eye, and then continued above, perhaps symbolizing only the tip of the blade had struck. What really mattered was, what was the cause of all this?

The other night he had gotten a job to go investigate a vermin clan not too far from the base. He was successful almost the entire night, in terms of keeping hidden, but eventually things took a turn for the worst when he realized that somehow they knew he was coming all together.

The hybrid realized that someone in the Guardians, was a traitor, and decided to book it. The only reason being was that the loud mouths themselves said, something about a Guardian giving information about a potential threat, and to be on the look out for a lynx. Unfortunately, by that point, as Brisk began to make his leave he did make a mistake and they surrounded him. Fortunately using guerrilla tactics, he did manage to manuever himself back home, and in the end, well it didn't turn out well on both sides.

Wincing, he took a long chug of the ale and heaved a sigh. For a moment he could understand why someone would betray him. He wasn't exactly the nicest guy, or most emotional at all unless it pertained to himself or money.

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

Benedict stepped silently into the Tavern and crept silently to the bar. He scoured the room for anyone else who would be frolicking around late at night; the Barracks were not a fun place at night. It was cold, tight, and uncomfortable. The fresh air of the outdoors during a winter night was soothing, despite the cold. His dark cloak concealed the throwing knives beneath, which the bartender must have seen when the mouse flipped up the tail, because he immediately went to a different side of the bar, where nobody even was. Disgusted by the portly squirrel's cowardice, the mouse turned around and stepped off the stool. Curiously, he saw a shady figure in the darkness, who he recognized as the other rogue. However, he didn't know his name. With nobody else around to talk to, Benedict began to strut back over to him. He nodded and took a seat across from him at the table. "Hello. Is there a reason that your eye is cut, stranger?"

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

Brisk's ears perked up when he heard the voice travel to his ears. A snarl immediately formed on his features. One, he was ticked as it was, and two, when Brisk looked at him, he recognized it as the other Rogue here, and in fact, Brisk was the head rogue. So, naturally he took offense being called stranger.

" For starters, I'm no stranger, I'm the 'ead rogue for the Guardians, 'n yew, secondly should some respect." He stated roughly before taking a long chug once more. Wiping his lips he gave a scowl.
"Besides, what's it to yew, or anyone in this terrible region anyway?"

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

Benedict rolled his eyes and sighed. "You officers and your craving for respect. I've been here for two days, stranger; I call you stranger because I lack the knowledge of your name. What is it to me? Simple boredom and the opportunity for a job, if you are as you say are . . . sir." The mouse chuckled softly. He didn't care what this lynx was; he wanted a job and wouldn't be put off of it because of disrespect for his superior.

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

In a flash Brisk had his dagger to Benedict's throat. His gaze hardened, and his cold eyes narrowed(of course only one visible =p), rage filling his body.

He bared his fangs in hate and distaste.
"Y'know what we did to those who talked back, where I'm from? Cut out there tongue. It was actually a good solution seeing as then they couldn't make any idiotic mistakes with their loud, and stupid mouth. So, I'd wipe any thoughts of yew disrespecting me from your brain this instance or so 'elp me, I'll do it, and I'll go find work somewhere else, 'cause I'm never desperate. Opportunities come to me, unlike yew, who prolly gets lucky enough if ya 'old yer knife right." He responded enraged.

Sighing, he removed the knife from the harmful distance, and ran his paw through his hair.
"And if it is a job you really want, I'll give it to you, on one condition."

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

Benedict chuckled at the lynx's misled confidence. Did he know who he was dealing with? The mouse's eyes softened and he began to laugh, despite the cool blade at his throat. "Go ahead. Cut my tongue out. Then what? I'll still be the better rogue. The only reason you're the Head Rogue is that you got here first. Good for you. Cling to your role as an officer in this little, insignificant Fort; I'm a drifter. I'll be out of here soon. And yes, it is simply a job that I want. Why else would I talk to you? You're nothing." The mouse spat on the ground to his right, growing impatient of the lynx's insolence.

[Yasmine]

Yasmine had just walked through the doorway when Brisk had a knife up against some mouse's throat. She rolled her eyes, and walked over to the bar. The lynx was probably overreacting about something the mouse said to him. It seemed to happen a lot, and Brisk wasn't exactly the peace loving type.

It amused her to see the lynx so beat up. She had heard him boasting about his strength and the fear his cold gaze seemed to give weaker minded beast. Yasmine was kind of tired of listening to that kind of talk, so she would love to know who or what did that to him. Unfortunately, and much to her disappointment, she wouldn't. He would obviously be in a horrible mood about it, and she wasn't exactly in the mood to be sliced and diced.

"...Why else would I talk to you? You're nothing."

Yasmine sat down next to Brisk and chuckled a bit, motioning to the bartender to hurry up over from his corner. "You've got that right, mouse. Brisk isn't anything too important." Once the bartender had reluctantly slunk over, she ordered an ale and leaned on the counter while she waited.

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

Brisk's eye narrowed and he was about to speak when Yasmine spoke up. Suddenly, his confidence dwindled a bit. That was two people in a row, both agreeing on the same point. Brisk had received many insults, and most of which he could respond back to because he had the edge, but now, he didn't have the edge, and the mouse had reinforcements: someone Brisk thought he trusted, despite the fact he would never admit it.

His gaze softened a bit, but then narrowed.
"I'm tired of your kind. Yew think, that bein' a rogue, is jus' about the stealth and assassination, well it isn't! A good rogue adjusts and can be a good threat on many levels, yewr prolly the standard, a copy, all yew know 'ow to do is 'ide, then come out, 'n stab, no knowledge of improvisation, strategy, turnin' things 'round when they come to the worst. 'n even so, if yew are such a great rogue, fine, but me give you a job? Never. If it wasn't for the fact that I slightly respected Rinafera, I'd kill you on the spot and be gone!" The hybrid declared, slamming a knife into the counter.

"But, don't worry, I'll spare yew, 'cause unlike yew, I don't need this job, 'n actually 'ave respect 'n common sense. Thus, give Rina' my resignation. I'm tired of this place anyway!" Brisk yelled. Suddenly, a rat's arm touched his shoulder saying to settle down. Brisk, in reaction immediately grabbed his wrist, twisted, causing the rat to howl in pain, and then slammed his head into the bar, knocking him unconscious.

Still in a rage, he turned to Yasmine.
" 'n to yew, I never should've came back for yew. I should've left yew to die like I originally intended. I hope the same traitor that warned that cursed vermin camp gives you a nice slow death. In fact, yew kin 'ave that death too!" He finished pointing to Benedict at his final statement and walking out, shoving anyone who may be in his way.

Upon being outside, he glanced out at the stormy sky. Deep thoughts penetrated his former wall of confidence. He had always deep deep deep down inside, worried that maybe a lot of the things he did, weren't for the best at all. Now, that worry was on the surface, and he was filled with rage.

He was done here. It wasn't just Benedict, but a lot of Guardians, how that he thought about, didn't really fear him or like him either. They all gave him glares because they thought he was a psychotic cocky know it all.

Sighing, he decided what he'd do. He didn't want revenge on the fort. He'd let the traitor take them out. Their fault anyway, thus indirectly getting revenge. The key thing was, only Brisk knew any clues as to who the traitor might be, and he wasn't going to tell anyone, he was just going to leave.

What he would do, however, is attack that vermin camp by himself. Although severely outnumbered, he'd get his revenge on a good amount. He wouldn't do it stealthfully either. He'd do it head on, that way he'd get to see each one's final reactions in their final desperate moments of life.

[Yasmine]

Yasmine was...how do you say it...shocked. She had figured the lynx would be upset, but she certainly didn't expect him to lose his cool like that. As she recalled, he never lost his cold calmness, and his resignation definitely bothered her. She knew personally that those in a state of shock and despair (or at least she thought he was in despair) would do reckless crazy things.

Yasmine stared at the glass of ale the bartender plopped in front of her as thoughts ran through her head furiously. She thought...no, she knew, that any other time this would happen, she would shrug it off and completely ignore it, but for some retarded reason she couldn't piece together, Yasmine couldn't do that this time.

'Dang it, I better not be getting soft. I can't get soft. I promised myself I would not get soft, but...dang it, dang it, dang it!'

Slamming down a few coins on the table, paying for both hers and Brisk's drinks, she ran out of the tavern, forgetting about the other mouse completely. Once outside, she caught sight of Brisk in the distance and gritted her teeth. Running faster and harder, the mouse caught up to the lynx and punched his ribs once she got alongside him, causing him to gasp and clutch his side. Then she crouched and swung her leg, knocking his feet out from under him and landing flat on his back. Yasmine stood up, straightened her garments, and glared at Brisk with her sapphire eyes and her arms folded.

“Idiot! How stupid can you get? You are…are…unable to be described with words! You irritate me so much with your arrogance! I would bet that mouse was only taunting you, and then you go slamming his head against the counter!” Yasmine sucked in a huge breath and let it out, sighing loudly. “Though you would do that anyway even if you weren’t in this state of mind. Nevertheless, slamming the creature’s head was a bit much, don’t you think?” Yasmine rubbed her temples, frustrated, though she didn’t know why. Perhaps because of his reckless stupidity.

“Look, idiot Brisk. I have no clue why you are completely beat up, but I would assume that you are not finished. Traitor? So there’s a traitor? Fine, but next time why don’t you say that without blowing your top off? And don’t get me wrong, because I am completely used to others blowing up in my face, but coming from you, that’s just ridiculous. Pull yourself together, lynx…” Paws on her hips, she looked at Brisk expectantly. “…and tell me who and when you’re planning to attack.”

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

Why didn't I kill her? Anyone else I've ever had a chance to do wrong to, for my own benefit, I've allowed to come to harm. Save for Purple, I don't remember quite why I helped her, if I even did both times, if at all, but none the less now this Yasmine. It can't be because she's pretty. Money has always been prettier to me. So has victory, ' other things, but why didn't I allow her to take the fall... Heck, why didn't I kill her in the bar? Why didn't I kill him? The traitor, duh. So why?! Why didn't I take advantage of her in both opportunities?! He thought angrily, rain pelting him and the ground.

Brisk's stomach began to ache and he didn't understand why.
You're Brisk, yewr name means cold, so why are yew worryin' about her?! Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted. He felt a harsh jab hit his side, and his wind left him. Next minute he was on his back in the mud, landing with a squishy splat sound.

For once, his cold gaze was soft, and confused as she spoke, but when she finished, his eyes filled with their former freezing state.
"Don't worry about it. Why would yew care anyway?! If my arrogance drives yew so insane, then leave me be." He declared as the got up from the mud. He locked his eyes with her. "Besides, its my problem now anyway. You don't need to know when, or why." He began giving a sigh.

His muddy hand stretched up to the bandaged eye and pulled off the cloth, so he could look at her with both eyes. He wiped some dry blood away from that eye and shrugged.
"Before I go though, the traitor is one of the other rogues. 'e isn't that punk from the tavern, but I know 'e is one. I'll make sure I leave some sort o' clue as to who it is when I'm done with my vengeance..." He said almost hopelessly.
If I even make it out alive. It really stinks having the rough end of any outcome... I finally know how it feels.

[Yasmine]

"Oh please, don't you go all...all..." 'Ooh, I just can not think of anything today!' "Well, whatever." Yasmine tapped her foot on the ground and folded her arms stubbornly. "Listen here, Brisk. I have a right to know. I was just yelled at by someone who is obviously cross about being so beat up and all. I knew it. I knew the minute you stormed out of that tavern you were out for some sort of revenge. How do I know? Because you're just that sort of beast." 'And it's something I probably would have done. Probably.'

"Listen, lynx. I'm not gonna go run around looking for a traitor among the rogues. For all I know, they are all in some sort of conspiracy. And besides..." Yasmine glared right back at Brisk. "I owe you one. You saved my horrible life, and then you think that I'm gonna just stand here while you committ suicide? Yeah right. Even if you did just mysteriously disappear, I will find a way to follow you, and there is no way you can stop me." Yasmine paused, thinking a bit about certain scenarios, then backed up two steps and narrowed her eyes.

"And don't you dare knock me unconscious in that shifty way of yours."

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

As the lynx exploded and left the Tavern, the mouse sat in silence as the other ran after him. Something had happened to cause his anger, and the mouse knew that he was only the tip of the iceberg; he sighed and shook his head. He was becoming a rat; he had left his nobility of a mouse and became a vermin.

His arrogance, his pride, and his duties as a rogue had changed him into a vile creature. Forlorn and regret filled Benedict as he sat in the dark, still silent. Finally, he stood up, turning around to see Yasmine and Brisk speaking to one another. They left the Tavern and into the rainy, awful night that had caused all of this madness.

He strolled slowly out of the Tavern and stepped into a puddle. This, added to his impending apology, pride and dignity ceased to exist in the mouse. "Sir!" He called out to the Head Rogue, choosing to now respect his wishes and superiority. The mouse stepped over to them and nodded respectfully to Yasmine before he saluted to Brisk.

"I am sorry for my actions in the Tavern; I wasn't respecting your authority and your skill as a rogue. However, you have misjudged me in my purpose here. I am not simply because I need a job, but because I believe that what's going on here is noble, and I need some more nobility. I'm a mouse, and I act as if I'm a rat. My deepest and most humble apologies. I'm turning over a new leaf. If you're going out there to stop a traitor, I want to come with you."

He then seemed to stare into the distance, his eyes narrowing as memories flooded his mind. "I'm not too fond of turncoats. . . sir."

[Brisk Balvayne VI]

OOC: I apologize for the crappy post but I'm short on time and obviously that means I'm rushed = p, so sorry >.<

BIC:

Horrible life? Brisk thought, ears perked. How could her life be horrible? He was the one who could never be forgiven, never redeemed, and never have a better life. His actions throughout his entire life were unforgivable, and still would continue to be unforgivable, simply because it was his job and what he was good at. His stomach began to hurt more. It was these realizations tonight that were going to effect him, change him, yet even with the change, he knew he'd keep doing his job.

Scowling to himself, he turned away.
"I guarantee nothing can amount to the mistakes I've made... and yew owe me nothing fer what I did anyway. You have no debt to pay, n'thin'." He responded to her. He was about to say more, but then she spoke up, saying she'd follow him, and there was no way he could stop her, and then she mentioned the final part. He snickered, wanting to do something of that nature, but controlled himself seeing as his battle wasn't with her, and something inside him was holding him back.

Then, Benedict's voice could be heard. The feline whirled around, his softened gaze turned to ice once more, and a scowl forming on his features.
"You may not be too fond of turncoats, but I ain't fond o' foolish actin' insolent worms who don't listen to their superior. I may 'ave my own cocky mouth but I do listen to my superior!" Brisk snarled. Sighing, he rubbed his temples and growled.

Suddenly, a plan formed in his head.
"Fine, yew can come with." He said looking to both of them, but then pointed at Benedict." But yew, yew must now earn my respect 'n yer job back. Sound fair? If so, follow me into the nearby settlement, I 'ave a supply base setup, 'n I kin give you my plan there." He explained, turning and walking away. If they obliged, they'd follow.

Still, one thing ate at him, and that was Yasmine. Why? What was going on in his head?!

[Rinafera Woxwitty III]

"You may not be too fond of turncoats, but I ain't fond o' foolish actin' insolent worms who don't listen to their superior. I may 'ave my own cocky mouth but I do listen to my superior!"

The mouse was a little stung by his reaction, but it was deserved, if not provoked. The fault was his. Benedict simply nodded; he had to tame his tongue if he were to make allies.

" But yew, yew must now earn my respect 'n yer job back. Sound fair? If so, follow me into the nearby settlement, I 'ave a supply base setup, 'n I kin give you my plan there."

He nodded and saluted. He would follow the Head Rogue to the end if he was worthy his weight. The mouse followed silently behind, sneaking as he always did, in his creepy way.

OOC: Eh, same as you. Crappy post.

[Yasmine]

OOC: Yeah...why am i eating you?

I really have nothing to say, and if I did it would only be a sentence , so go ahead and don't wait for me, Brisk and Mr. Woxwitty.