Hide and Seek

[Lucy Serrano]

Fluidity in movements must have been second nature for the assassin, just as a naturally delicate touch rocked against the way the thief liked to make contact with people she found interesting. There was a newly developed lack of haste, but she stepped closer to her instinctively.

Close enough that she could steal another shot at those lips, if she really wanted to risk a slap to the face.

"Oh, love, what goes on in my head's probably not a place you want to linger." She replied pointedly, partial as she was to leaving little to the imagination when desire played a factor, "But I'll play, if you want a game instead."

[Talia Bracken]

She came closer without Talia needing to do too much. Close enough to kiss, if either was willing to steal it. As for what was going on in her mind, it wasn't a place to linger. A remark said pointedly, although it didn't need to be. Talia read into it clearly and couldn't help but smirk. But she would play if that's what Talia wanted instead. Again she hummed in thought. Took her time. She didn't mind their close proximity.

"How about we add a reward then?" The offer came with a cat-like smile. "We'll play my game first. And if you win, we'll do whatever you would like to do instead." Another challenge. Those seemed to litter their interactions together. Yet Talia didn't mind. They were exhilarating, in a way. She'd certainly never acted this way around anyone else but her sister. Yet with her things felt different. And for once, Talia wanted to explore that difference. "So what do you say?"

[Lucy Serrano]

As Lucy offered her return, she was kept waiting for a response. It didn't surprise her to see the way this girl took her time with an answer, but she couldn't help how she wished for a more direct approach. She took the time to remind herself that mutual interest could be the only reason the assassin would seek her out. There was comfort to be found in that, at least.

A broader smile caught the thief's mouth at the idea that she was playing for something more than the ability to impress someone who wasn't so easily swayed.

"I say fine." She replied without hesitation.

And then she closed her eyes, which was daring enough considering the company. Considering the vulnerability. "Should I count to ten?" She asked, her hand remaining light against the wrist she held.

[Talia Bracken]

Her smiled broadened at the idea. Talia had a feeling that would've sounded good to her. It gave a little better incentive than just impressing Talia again. She said fine. There was hardly any hesitation in the answer. Something that further amused Talia. Every interaction with her was entertaining in some way. Fresh. New. Exciting even.

She closed her eyes. A gesture that spoke volumes in Talia's presence. There were so many thing she could do to her in such a state. But she would play nice. Or at least, nice enough. Should she count to ten? Talia smirked. "Sure." Then she leaned forward slightly. Brought her lips close to her ear, but not close enough to touch. "I hope you don't keep me waiting too long." With that Talia slipped her wrist out of the light grasp. Then she ran.

Something about the whole situation was thrilling. It was different. Impulsive. Refreshing. Talia liked it and her opponent. But that didn't mean she was going to make it easy. No doubt the thief was equally as good as Talia in disappearing. But it was one thing to vanish, and another to find the vanished. Hopefully it wouldn't prove too hard, as Talia had already snuck her way to the city docks. There she waited, hiding near some crates yet enjoying the view of the waters. Why not while she sat? Who knew how long this would take. She was out of plain sight after all. Unless someone went for a swim.

[Lucy Serrano]

Though she couldn't see a movement made, Lucy felt the difference. She felt the way this person leaned inward, and while she didn't make a connection, the breath that little statement carried itself on breezed her skin. "I'll do my best." She replied, but she knew it would take time. Tracking wasn't a skill the thief had excelled at as well as an assassin would.

Ten seconds went by in her head, and all she had to go off was the direction she heard her run in.

It took a while for Lucy to find her. Evidently, she didn't make it easy. Lucy had admittedly assumed she would, if only because she assumed this girl would want to be easily found. It wasn't the case, but eventually she stood at the docks, and she somehow felt alone. She raised a hand to her jaw and ran the length of it idly. Heavy footsteps spun around.

"Fuck." Lucy swore, pursed lips expressing obvious distaste as she had no idea she stood within earshot.

[Talia Bracken]

She'd try her best. That was all Talia needed before she fled the scene and found her spot. She didn't know how much time passed. Enough so that she knew it hadn't been too easy. Part of her did want to be found. Yet she wanted to make her work for it. Getting anything was Talia was hard. Even for her own sister.

After a short eternity she heard footsteps. Her ears perked but she didn't move. It could've been a sailor. But the familiar voice dispelled that theory soon enough. Fuck. A simple word that made Talia smirk. There was distaste in the tone. Clearly she was worried she'd lost her target. Little did she know Talia was near. The only question for her was; was it time to give a hint? Talia pondered it for a few seconds. Then spoke up without moving.

"You sound like you'd fit in well around here with a mouth like that."

[Lucy Serrano]

Just when Lucy thought to completely leave again, she found herself caught. It had barely been a step in the opposite direction before a growingly familiar voice captured her attention and forced her to stop. She had to be grateful she couldn't be seen, because a crack in her own ego wasn't something she wanted to be so evident.

Another second and she exhaled the air she held in her lungs. With it came a sense of relief, short lived as it was bound to be. She turned back around, and she took slow steps towards where she thought that voice had come from.

"That a bit of a turn off for you?" She asked, but she was quick to move beyond the question; "You nearly had me walking off, here."

[Talia Bracken]

The footsteps halted. Talia's smirk grew with every second until it was wide and amused. Soon the footsteps were heading back her way. Slow and searching. Was that a bit of a turn off for her? "No, not really." She dealt with drunks on a daily basis. She'd gotten so used to profanity that it hardly registered as anything other than another word. Certainly nothing to be offended by. Only if she had to act that way.

She nearly had her walking away. The remark earned a soft chuckle. "Wouldn't that have been something." It would've been slightly disappointing, although funny. "You would've been so close." Only to turn away. Yet here she was. No doubt using Talia's voice to pinpoint her location. But she didn't mind. She'd made it this far on her own. Talia was feeling a little generous.

[Lucy Serrano]

There was simplicity in following a voice that allowed her to do so. It was like a lifeline in a situation where Lucy could have easily drowned in the pressure of the available moment. At least she wasn't being scolded for her swearing; it was a nice enough change of pace to be accepted for that.

"I reckon you would've been laughing." Lucy replied, a sense of surety to her tone. She probably would have laughed if the tables were turned, but at least she harboured that little sense of regret.

She pressed a hand against a particular set of crates, catching a glimpse of a blonde hiding behind them; "And apparently, you can find me with no problem. So it'd be up to you to fix it all."

[Talia Bracken]

She reckoned Talia would've been laughing. A statement which made her laugh softly now. "I reckon so." She had sounded so sure when she said it. It might've been the truth. Talia would've found it hilarious if she'd allowed it. But now the footsteps were drawing nearer and nearer. Soon enough she caught sight of her pursuer. She flashed her a smug smile.

Apparently she could find her with no problem, so it would've been up to her to fix it all. Again she hummed in thought. "Perhaps. If I bothered to fix it." It was a tease, yet truthful. Whether or not she would've gone looking if she hadn't tracked her down was uncertain. But not an issue. The trial was over either way, and she had won. Even if she'd needed some help.

"Well a deal's a deal." Her smile grew, mischievous and expectant. She arched a brow. "So what do you want to do since you've won?"

[Lucy Serrano]

Evidently, so many options were now available to the thief. So many choices, because there was no restriction. Most people easily crumbled at the offer, because the second freedom was granted most didn't know what to do with it. Her forward nature was openly expressed in the way she spoke; her mouth had no filter from her mind even in new company. She even wore an equally thoughtless grin before it dwindled down to something smaller. It could almost look like embarrassment, or an egoless expression which was rare within itself.

"I wanna know who you are." Lucy offered almost sincerely. There was no guarantee that she would find any kind of truth in that request, but the option was certainly available.

And then her eyes glanced out at the water as opposed to the individual she took a spot beside. It might have seemed unorthodox; given how she spoke, it certainly looked out of character.

[Talia Bracken]

When she made the offer, a few answers immediately sprung to mind. What would she choose? At first there was a large thoughtless grin. But then it dwindled. Faded down into something small. Something almost like...Embarassment? Or at least something that seemed sincere. Which startled Talia yet made her curious as well.

She wanted to know who Talia was. It was such a harmless question. Had it been pointed at anyone else. Yet it was also a surprising one. Certainly not what she had been expecting from her. She was even looking away now. Glancing out over the waters instead of at her. It was out of character. Interesting. Talia pondered the question for a while. Mulled it over in her head as she brought her knees into herself. Rested her chin upon them with a sigh.

"Well, to start with I guess you could call me Talia." It was fair trade enough. Besides, her name could've been easily gotten from the meadery. "But otherwise, what exactly do you want to know? Should I just ramble on about my life's story?" The question came with a small smirk.

[Lucy Serrano]

Lucy knew without looking that she'd struck a sense of surprise. It definitely seemed out of character; the person she had given up until this point hardly seemed interested in personal notes. She doubted this girl was interested in the same from her, but curiosity was pegged and this was a far greater prize.

At least she had a name. It almost felt like a level playing field. And as she eased her hand from the crates that kept her stable, she sunk down to sit beside her.

"I dunno. What would you choose to tell someone who keeps following you around?" She asked in return. It might have started as her own request, but pushing something remotely personal wasn't going to land in her favour.

[Talia Bracken]

She walked over and joined Talia on the ground. What would Talia choose to tell someone who kept following her around? She chuckled at that, but was soon lost in thought. What should she share? She'd made a promise. So she'd keep it. But it was a dangerous game to play. At least for her and her personal life. Something she rarely let anyone into or even near to.

The silence extended. Eventually she sighed. "I came from Astilon." It wasn't something she necessarily hid. Others knew the story, when they cared enough to actually ask it. Not many did. "My father was a trapper, and we had a pretty good thing going. Honestly, I probably would've stayed in the business." She had to smile a little. "Although I was much more social than he was." The smile faded. "But being a recluse came with its disadvantages." She stared out over the waters. Unseeing. Lost in thought. "We...Were attacked, and no one came to help." Her tone was bitter, though distant. "After that, I came here. Worked at the meadery and got started with my other job after I figured out I could do it." Blue eyes turned back to her. "That's about it."

[Lucy Serrano]

The moment a story was being offered - and genuinely at that - Lucy turned her attention to her completely. She watched the difference in an expression and how it matched the sincerity of a former life story given. Something negative fueled a change of pace. Something terrible drove her to a place of equal terrors.

And Lucy pondered what it was she felt obliged to offer in return. The thought of an equal exchange plagued her despite how little she owed. "I've never met an assassin; at least, not that I know of." But if they blended in as well as she did, how was she to know the difference? Catching her in the act of framing a murder was almost lucky.

"I guess I just wondered what made you jump into something like... What you do. There's always a reason."