Loose Ends (Mission)

Mission Link:

Athena awoke from her slumber refreshed. Yesterday had been her first big job, and she’d blown it out of the water. Sure, she’d made an enemy of the entirety of the remains of Lynch’s drug cartel, but on a positive note, she made a ton of money and got some useful new equipment. At her side in the dark hotel room where she had slept was her new blade, currently sheathed and hidden under the covers at her side, in case Lynch’s gang should think of sending another assassin her way. Maybe this one would give her more of a challenge.

No blade would come for her throat that night, however. The gang was in disarray and it would take them quite some time to recover. For today, Athena was okay to enjoy her victory. At least, for tonight, that was. Upon the dawning of the sun over the snowy backdrop, she rolled to her feet and began getting ready, strapping her blade to its sheathe on her back and placing her tanto’s sheathe upon her chest, setting her two pouches at their place upon her sides. She looked quite uniform, and it was quite amusing given her ragged and drab clothing.

She stepped out of her room, heading down the stairs and tossing a coin to the innkeeper, who nodded and began readying her breakfast. She sat down at the table nearest to the window, and waited drearily for her food to arrive.

That was when two men sat down to join her. On her right was the blacksmith, with a package in hand, on the left was Leander.
”Morning.” She said boredly. ”To what do I owe the pleasure?” She asked.
”Oh, well, we were both on our way to come see you, and decided we may as well visit together.”
”I’ll be quick, miss. I have the second part of your request.” He said, setting the crossbow she’d designed out before her, in addition to a pack of bolts. She grinned.
”That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you actually smile, Athena.” Leander commented.
”That’s because you never talk shop with her, Leander.” Chuckled the blacksmith, standing from the table. ”That’s all I have for you right now, Athena, but keep in touch if you ever need anything done. I’d be happy to work for you again.” He said, bidding them farewell. Athena watched him go, and then, once he was out the door, she looked back to Leander.
”Err… What was his name again?” Athena asked.
”I’m not entirely sure. Everyone just calls him ‘The Blacksmith.’” Leander admitted.
”That’s rather cliche’.” Athena commented.
”Quite.” Leander agreed. ”Anyways…”

”I have another prospect for you. This one’s not a murder, just a bit of thug work I need you to do. One of Lynch’s key enforcers has just walked out drunk of a nearby bar. He was drunkenly rambling about how he was going to walk to the prison and take Lynch’s place. He also mentioned that he was carrying enough money to pay off the guards. Do you follow me?” Leander asked.
”I think I do.” Athena grinned.
”Leave him alive, and he’ll make a fool of himself, might even turn the samurai against his organization. Stay your blade, just this once.”
”I’m no thief, but I see the wisdom in letting him live. Where is he?”
”Shambling down the trail as we speak. You’d best be off.” Leander said. Athena sighed, just as her breakfast was set out in front of her.

”I think I’ve got time.” She said, picking up her chopsticks.


Athena decided to cut him off by flanking around him and heading the man off from the front. Most bandits wouldn’t think to rob someone like this man, but Athena was no bandit. She wasn’t even trying to be quiet this time, moving over the forest canopy like a dolphin gliding across the water.

She saw Lynch’s enforcer now, hobbling across the path towards the prison she’d been to just a day before. He looked a mess. She dropped down from the tree line and appeared around the corner, walking opposite to him down the path. He hardly noticed her as she approached him. She wondered if he could even see her.

She had already attached her new wristbow to her… well, her wrist, and she was quite tempted to use it, but she knew killing or injuring him was counterproductive to what they hoped to achieve. So instead of shooting him dead or just gutting him, she walked right up to him. His eyes seemed to come into focus as she drew near, and he looked as if he was about to say something when Athena struck him hard in the face, dazing him. He stepped back in pain, and Athena quickly yanked the pouch from his belt, opening it up to confirm that he was carrying the ryo she needed.

Ha. Just five hundred? He was gonna try to pay off the guards with this?

Oh well, more for Athena. She pocketed the pouch, secure in the knowledge that he didn’t even remember getting struck in the face. God damn he was drunk. She headed back to the black market now, maybe she’d even get to go back to her breakfast. She didn’t move across the path, of course, she returned to the tree line instead. This was quite the easy early morning workout, she had to admit, and she was now quite well warmed up for whatever the day would bring her. Maybe she’d get another big job like she had yesterday. She looked longingly to the bow on her wrist, sighing that she didn’t get to use it today.

(TWC: 1,006)

+1,000/3,000 words for my Wristbow, paying the other 4k for it on the app
+6 words to Hidden Arms Technique, because why the fuck not
+500 Ryo
+1 AP

Bump

Approved