The sun was high in the sky, and there wasn't a cloud to be seen. Solus walked through the streets, his hood pulled down low over his face. The streets weren't busy, but they were still bustling. He seemed to move against the crowd, but skillfully dodged each person. The skillful observer would notice his hand would every so often lash out and snatch a gold pouch here or there. Eventually he reached a street corner and stopped to take a rest. He walked over to a nearby building and leaned up against it. Good day.. he thought to himself as he watched the people going about their business in the streets of the small village.

The sun was high over the square of Estolad, beating down on the bustling passer-bys. Most of their heads were filled with the various errands that plagued their day. Others were lucky enough to have their day free of worry and their trip was merely for leisure, but only a select few were so lucky. The traveling merchants had graced their presence in the small village on this day and with it various other conmen, thieves, and bandits alike. The security of the town was considered laughable and punishment non-existent. It was a perfect day for such a man, bent on his luck with his funds, to jumble about and relocate the lost amenities. Or one with a plethora of goods to end up with a considerably lighter sack.

Vaudeux was one of the former, yet less conspicuous. His exterior was built and attractive his clothes travel worn yet its color unfazed. On his back a sweeping cloak licked the surface of the earth, dust kicking up and dancing along behind him. He was one with the crowd, merely blending in. Every now and then his cloak would tug along over his arm with a simple subtle motion. Consequently every time a body would fall behind him as would his cloak, hiding his arm from view. The thief traversed through the crowds and passed the stalls with obvious superior pick-pocketing skill. His victims wouldn’t even realize their mistakeningly easy gold pouch locations until it was too late. Once they would try to buy something with nothing, only then would they realize their error.

Cloak pocket stuffed he attempted to divert his path of destruction in order to check out his spoils when he noticed another face, bumbling through the crowd, going upstream with no particular reverence. Sensing a difference he pulled away from the crowd, bursting through the opposing wall of patrons, and coming to a stop next to a melon stall. Just glancing at the melons, he turned his back on the stall and watched the man pass. His pair of green orbs fell to the man’s hands and ended up catching him in the act. Ah another thief, Jupiter thought to himself with venom. A sneaky plan concocted in his mind and he set off, after the man, at once. With great strides from his powerful legs he was within the crowd once more, following the opposing path the thief created. Soon he was bustling along side of the man shrewdly. In one movement his cloak flew up along his forearm, with clever practice, and his hand slipped down towards the man’s pockets, undisturbed by any sides of fabric or knocking of instruments. It seemed as if he had grasped one of the stolen gold pouches from the man,

“Excuse me,” Vaudeux offered as he bumped by the man. He looked away and continued forward, a devilish grin spread across his pout lips.

Solus felt the man's grab, but made no attempt to stop it. A small grin could be seen on what little of his face was not covered by the shadow cast by the hood. Instead Solus waited for the stranger to continue on his way and followed him. Solus became one with the flowing river of villagers and travelers, moving as if with a purpose, every so often stopping at a stall of various foods and goods as if looking for something in particular. All the while he never let his eye loose site of the man that took his ill-obtained gold. The strangers looks were quite stunning, and Solus wondered why a man like this would resort to the life of thievery that Solus himself had no choice in taking up. Men of the strangers looks usually had money. Solus didn't care, the man had taken his gold. He knew he would have his chance to get it back, he just had to wait. Solus didn't want to create a scene, at least not yet.

Confident with his thievery he continued forward not taking a precious second glance at his victim. That’ll teach the kid a lesson, Vaudeux thought to himself fondling the heavy pouch within his already bulging cloak pocket. Pilfering succeeded he strode onward until the stalls thinned and the buildings were just adding stories to their height. Now it would be time to sit back on his plunder and count his chickens. The first location that came to mind was, of course, a bar. His strides brought him along through Estolond while his thoughts kept him in tune with his own being. His surroundings merely a blur while the sounds from the bustling trade area carrying far across the small village to cover up anything else that may be lurking near.

The pub was feet away and his stride grew longer until he reached his destination. Jupiter pulled open the wood latch that secured the door only to find that another was exiting as he entered. A brunette maiden strode out, stopped, and looked surprised to see such a man in her doorway. With poise the thief stepped aside to allow the woman to exit first out of respect. The woman looked him up and down, smiled, and waved after him as she exited. Vaud grinned with perfect dimples after her, noticing no other figures than her swaying hips, then turned back to head into the establishment.

Inside it was musty with the usual pipes and, due to the time of the day, filled with lunch goers. The smell of lamb was overtaking the scent of ale while the sounds of talking surpassing the plunking of a instrumentalist in the corner. The pub was famous for its home-grown food as well as dazzling night-time entertainment. Jupiter moved through the room like he was a local, many looked up at his presence like they knew him, while he smirked back with aplomb. His strides led him to the base of the bar where the barkeep approached him at once. Vaud stood there for a moment, contemplating what he would most like to order with his new found fortune yet he just couldn’t decide.

After a few minutes he ordered an ale and waited for the barkeep to comply. For payment the first thing he reached for was his new pouch of coins, stolen from the other thief. They jangled happily in his hand, out in the open, Jupiter smiling down at them for a brief second. The barkeep busied himself with the cheap ale for a while and Vaud continued to admire his plunder.

Solus continues his pursuit of the strange man, who didn't even take a glance back. Solus was quite interested now and knew that their meeting may be one of excitement. The man flowed through the crowd like Solus did, dodging those who got in their ways artfully. Solus' target came upon an inn quickly and ducked inside, but not after taking a moment to admire a girl who exited the establishment. Bingo.. he thought to himself.

The girl was quite beautiful, and that was going to be the stranger's downfall. As the girl continued on her way Solus broke his pursuit to head her off. His pace quickened as he needed to get to her quickly, and soon he had her. He grabbed her arm and she turned around in a fright.
'Who are you?!' she asked, obviously frightened.
'That is not something to worry about, I have a job for you though' Solus replied, flashing a couple gold pieces in the process. Her mood quickly changed.
'What do you need?'
'The man that you passed as you exited the inn, I need you to lure him out. That is all.' The maiden looked Solus up and down. His face was covered by the shadow cast by his hood as usual so the girl couldn't see his eyes, but she nodded and took the gold from him. The two of them headed over to the inn and she entered well he waited outside, resting against the wall next to the door.

The outside of the inn was much like any other building in the village, quaint and homely, in good condition with a wood roof. It had windows that were fogged from years of wear and tear. But this building was different. The others were made in such a way that slight poverty was obvious based on the materials used. but the inn, it was built to look like the others. This place has got money.. to bad I have more important business to attend to.. Solus thought to himself.

Inside the maiden had spotted to stranger her and head straight for him. She felt bad that she must lure this good look man into a trap, but money is money and her family was in need of it. She reached the table and placed a hand on the strangers shoulder, getting his attention. Without saying a word she motioned for him to come outside with her, and she left, not waiting for him to follow. As she exited she nodded to Solus and ran off.
Good.. he thought.[/color]

The barkeep, taking his sweet time, finally returned with a foaming pitcher of ale. Jupiter gladly put forth his tokens and slid them across the table, after all they weren’t his own. The barman stole the gold away enthusiastically then turned to serve another customer, allowing Vaud his moment with the liquor. He pitched the mug up to his lips and tipped it to taste the bitter liquid and found it running down his throat. Even so the refreshment was too good to pass by, so he continued until half of his mug had been drained. With a pleased sigh he retracted the glass and replaced it to the bar top, a frothy mustache was what was left to serve as evidence that he had drank. The thief wiped his mouth clear of any embarrassing spots then stood up straighter, more thoughtful.

After his introduction to the bar he thought it appropriate to glance around and observe its happenings. Just as he thought of this a soft hand graced his shoulder. At once, with fighteresque reflexes, he turned to see the very brunette he had passed when he was entering. Somehow he could sense that that wouldn’t have been the last time the two crossed paths. Interested he turned his full chest on her to watch her speak. To his dismay her stay wasn’t prolonged and she offered a journey rather than a conversation, and strode out the door. Practically dumbfounded he continued to watch her sway until the door was shut behind her.

It wasn’t until then did the offer soon kick in and he grew anxious. With another couple gulps he finished his ale promptly, to give him that last boost he needed, and slammed the empty glass back to the bar. With an antsy shrug he wiped his upper lip and strutted across the bar and towards the door. A few patrons, enjoying a card game or their own pitcher of ale, turned to him and nodded approvingly. He smirked confidently in reply and pushed his way out of the front entrance. Soon he was back out on the streets and the sounds of the nearby trade center seemed to be growing nearer. Nevertheless the first figure he spotted out in the streets was that of the curvaceous tease. Jupiter stopped, played a flirtatious double-take, then swaggered over to her spot. He inclined his head towards her out of veneration then returned his gaze to hers, sparkling green orbs first.

The stranger left the pub just like Solus expected him to, and Solus was waiting. As the stranger left the building Solus made his move. He ripped his dagger from it's sheath and brought it up to the strangers throat from behind with stunning speed and precision. With his left hand he grabbed a fistful of of the stranger's cloak and pulled him back.
'Here's what we're going to do. You're going to give me my gold back or else I'm going to slit your throat.' he whispered into the man's ear. Life around them went on as if nothing was happening, as if a man with a knife at his throat was seen all the time. Solus' hood was pulled back slighty so the stranger could barely see his face if he looked.

Even with the beauty dangling feet from his, his senses were not down nor his defenses weakened. If anything he was a mere man, unsuspecting of anything but the returning glances of the woman lure in front of him. The presence of a warm body, an aura, looming in behind him grabbed his wavering attention at once. Vaudeux started to turn and look at the approaching form, but was caught in the updraft of an attack. Before he knew it a man enclosed a long dagger across the base of his neck. Jupiter remained still momentarily, a wave a surprise passing then quivering off of his expression. The worst thing he could do at that moment was try to jerk away and escape, so he stood, allowed a figure of seemingly equal height pull him back but not allowing his feet to lose his balance.

At that moment, arms dangling at his sides, back stiff and rigid, he listened to the man whisper in his ear. It was the only thing he could do. Whilst the figure spoke, a man’s voice, Vaudeux allowed the attacker to distract himself with words while the half-dragon acted. Within the phrasing of the last syllabus the thief’s right hand rose up, under the wrist of his opponent. With his throat in danger he still had his arms and his strength as well as his balance to boot. The attack that would render a mere mortal man bewildered and frightened only opened more doors for the crafty mind of the fighter.

His hand was fast to grab around the attacking wrist and his long digits enclosed around the man’s hand, like it were a small live mouse to crush. With a deadly grip, the dropping of his shoulder, and the pivoting of his feet he initiated the first pivotal moments for his daring counter. “Slit this,” Vaudeux retorted harshly while sliding out from the man’s initial knife-grasp. The twisting of his body it would be hard to hold on, and with a strong and smooth jerk he made sure that the movement was fulfilled nonetheless. While turning he could feel the cold metal nearing dangerously to his throat, so he twisted his own wrist down while moving his arm down, taking his attacker’s balance to the ground and away from his neck. Vaud then would spin from the grasp in order to face his opponent full-on, his tight grip still wanting to crush the bones in the man’s knife hand.

Solus was stunned at his opponents abilities, but reacted quickly and almost thoughtlessly, slamming his left boot into the back of his opponent, attempting to make his opponent stumble, or at least show that he wasn't someone to be messed with. The stranger managed to get Solus to drop his dagger to the ground, it falling point first sticking into the ground. His hand was hurt so Solus grabbed his wrist and stretched it out a bit.
‘Not bad..’ he said.

Before he actually escaped he knew it would be successful, the type of actions only obtained through repetition. Everything went smoothly and seemed perfect until he felt a wide amount of pressure in the small of his back. It threw his off slightly, his grip on the man’s hand loosened and finally slipped, and he stumbled forward. Determined not to be caught off guard he turned his torso around to face his attacker. His body spun along with it follow until he was faced, planted with both feet, and turned back to see the man looking back up at him hand petting his injured hand tenderly. At this Jupiter smirked with a thought,
Got in over your head,

For a moment his thoughts strayed from the failed attempted at his own throat cutting when a nearby sniffle from the woman grabbed his attention. His eyes darted to her, dangerously, and he glared down at her tramp visage then looked away coldly. Vaudeux had been alive long enough to know that mere looks could sting. As his vision returned to the scene before him he noticed a shinning dagger piercing the ground feet from his body, within arms length. Ever so slightly his eyes widened as the possibilities flooded to his imagination.

Quickly his piercing glare shot back and fourth from his attack to the dagger, if they were to make a daring dash for the weapon Jupiter would be ready - perhaps even reaching the blade first. His adrenaline was pumping still from his first attack and he glared angrily up at the man before him.
“Not bad?! I should know better than to perceive your actions as a test,” Vaud was accusing, harsh, and his soothing voice piping in sporadic sharp notes. “Now that you stumbled onto the wrong path, what say you?” His body inched as he stepped forward while speaking, angled so his arm would easily reach the dagger implanted before the two men. The sounds of the market were ever looming closer to their location, almost as if a show had been released and everyone was scurrying back home. The scene they would come across would be interesting if it did escalate before them.

Solus grimaced, this encounter had none gone in his favor liked he hoped, but that didn’t mean all was lost. He took in his surroundings. His dagger lay stuck into the ground, closer to his opponent than to him. The towns people were now gathering to watch a fight, so if he were to attempt to book he would probably be stopped by a couple of thugs who wanted to see a fight. His enemy was clearly a better fighter, more experienced than Solus, but he didn’t have more magical powers.
‘True, this isn’t a test, but I had underestimated you when I was thinking of ways to get my gold back.’ To the skilled observer Solus’ face was changing, becoming more Lion like as he said this. If one could see beneath his cloak they would see his body was becoming hairier, thicker, more toned. He was slowly morphing himself into a powerful lion. Perhaps then his opponent would back off.

Vaudeux wasn’t fazed by transformation as he was faced with his own more frequently in his past to have all the shocked drained from consciousness, yet the interesting form of the man was starting to take shape before his emerald eyes. The clothes of the man before him had already once obscured his vision of any physical features, so when he started to swell in size at first Jupiter believed it to be mere breath capacity - that is - until the man failed to expel his inhalation. As he watched he listened, curious of the man’s actions. It was then did he realize that this was the very figure he had napped of the stuffed pouch of gold and despite his avarice a quiver of a smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth in enjoyment of the man’s destitution.

While the crowd formed around the pair of men his mind concocted the most entertaining and humiliating display. So he reached into his pocket, the very one with the man’s longing, and fondled the coin pouch inside. Since it was already open after paying for his ale he tipped the sack until a good portion of the coins had fallen out into his cloak. Then he tightened the top with subtle fingers and went to remove the sack. As silence encumbered the group, all awaiting to hear Vaud’s response, he quickly removed his hand and tossed the sack at its owner so fast that it would be a quick surprise. The coin pouch flew threw the air, aiming to hit his face, coins jangling as they would make contact.

The crowd burst in a short spout of laughter at this action, which only made the half-breed smirk even more. It was true that while Jupiter was amused, he attributed much of his amusement to himself. If he knew any jokes he would be the first to laugh, yet it wasn’t in his persona to string yarns and instead found such enjoyment in the torment of others. After the pouch had landed he smirked back confidently and folded his rippled forearms over his broad chest.
“There,” Vaudeux replied with just as much venom as he would allow to escape without frightening the surrounding crowd. “Sorry if it’s a bit light. I found myself in quite a dire thirst.” The crowd laughed despite their understanding, the striking man’s smooth words impetrating.
Fool

Cali's bright red eyes wandered from building to building as she walked along the crowd. She had heard much of the Village of Estolad and longed to visit it at least once, but she had not had a chance to do so until just recently. As she walked further into the village, she noticed a crowd slowly forming around something. I wonder what’s so interesting… she pondered. Wishing to settle her curiosity, she made her way to the crowd and easily pushed her way to the front to get a front row seat at the action.

Cali almost laughed at the sight she saw. A man wearing a cloak with the hood shadowing his eyes and a man that was somewhat built were fighting in the midst of the mass of people. Let’s see… Cali thought as she looked around. There’s no woman trying to break up the fight, so I doubt they’re fighting over a woman. My next guess would have to be that they’re fighting over money.

Cali’s suspicions were confirmed when the built man reached into his cloak and pulled out a small coin sack. It’s so funny how predictable men can be… she thought with a smile. The built man tossed the coin sack to the shrouded man and Cali laughed at what he said. Her eyes looked at the cloaked man to see what his next course of action would be. Will he attack? Cali asked herself. Or will he just walk away?