The cool air swept in on Sextus, who was dozing off in the grassy clearing just outside of the busier parts of the city. Originally, she had arrived for some quiet thinking, but the calm of the day relaxed her more than expected.
Her long, brown bangs shifted in the breeze, irritating her forehead just enough to keep her from sleep; the sun was at it's peak anyway, and that was killing all progressive thought by itself.
A few foothills hid her refuge from plain sight, but there were signs that she wasn't the only one to have found the place. It seemed as though the calm music of nature was perfect and eternal in this one spot.

Sextus rolled onto her side, cushioning her head with her right hand, and examining a blade of grass she had plucked from the earth with the other, imagining only how perfectly boring it must have been to be such a thing as grass.

It wasn't often that Skertin wandered out here, especially by herself. Usually it was to get away from the overwhelming nature of the city. The press of the crowds, their thoughts and emotions. It actually overwhelmed her a few times when she first showed up, but overtime she learned to handle it. Out here though, it was peaceful. a glimpse of the paradise Nathaniel was working to build, paving the road with the foul blood of inhumans.

The sun hung lazily above her head, beating down mercilessly. It felt considerably hot in her black outfit, and she was tempted to take off her cap and longcoat. but she reminded herself that they'd endured worse, she could make it through an overtly hot walk. The sea breeze was warm, but cooling, and carried with it that clean scent of salt and water. the cawing of the gulls, the distant shouts of people running about. ambient background noise she could easily stand, and frequently enjoyed.

Traversing the hills with a quit thumping of her boots, she scaled on of the hills as she scuttled farther away from the city, leaving the nosies and sights behind. She paused at the crest, there was someone else here. It wasn't a crime or anything, it just irked her a little bit by being selfish, but also gave her a slight smile that someone else would enjoy the simple pleasures of this.

Skertin started to circle around to go about her own way when she halted progress again. She hadn't noticed it before, having only seen her backside. The girl however, as she could see her front side vaguely, seemed...familiar. an older face though, definitely not one from her recent experiences. A member of her old unit perhaps? Her distinct outfit was a dead give away, but last time anyone from her past had seen her, she had been a middle-aged man. Not a twelve year old girl.

There was a moment of hesitation as Skertin pondered bothering the girl or not, the chance to find another comrade gnawed at her will until she finally gave up and gave out a little shout. Not angry, but more so like if she was looking for her. "Hey there!"

Simple, short, uncomplicated. Best way to kick things off.

Sextus' eyes blinked lazily at the sound of a person calling out. It must have been someone nearby, or else she wouldn't have heard it past the screaming cicadas.

It was odd that someone else would be here, but then again, Sextus had seen the signs of this possible encounter in the flattened grass. She gave an auidble yawn, coveirng her hand with her mouth. The oxygen here was so easy to breathe in without the heavy smog in the main city.

Sextus gave this thought for a moment, before deciding to acknowledge her company. The red robe-like dress she was wearing creased as she rolled onto her back, hoisting herself up by her elbows. A sudden, sharp wind caught her exposed ankles with a bitter cool that tingled for several moment after it departed for the east.

Boiling rays of light blinded Sextus before she could fully examine the new addition to the orchestra of nature's sound. A hand made it's way to become a visor over her eyes, and Sextus was able to see a little girl standing in front of her, silhouetted by the light.

"H...hello." Sextus mumbled groggily as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

The few cicadas that were around ceased their screaming, as if silenced by the unnatural energies Skertin reeked of that animals seemed to pick up on. the others continued not noticing of the silence of their comrades, either uncaring or simply not noticing. As she continued down the gentle slope, her boots trampled grass and flower alike. Leaving impressions in the soft earth despite her light weight.

There was something about her that seemed familiar, but changed. Like someone Skertin knew before, but had changed just enough to elude her memories. Or perhaps the undead girl had damaged her memory as well. It was a frightening possibility, but until now nothing suggested as much. The girl didn't seem to have a negative nature, but she tasted of a passive annoyance. Did she possess a slothful state of being as well as apparent mannerisms?

At that moment the wind blew, and Skertin's hands went to her cap, holding it in place. The little gleam of the death's head motif that adorned the center of the hat would be recognizable if the girl had been apart of Nathaniel's unit in the City Watch. It was a symbol for Nathaniel's elite squad, his personal attendants and bodyguards. He was fairly certain she hadn't been in the unit, as those who were had been devoted utterly to Nate's cause. That and there weren't many to remember. the more she thought about it, the more she was certain of who she was.

It wasn't a very long time ago actually, a good number of years but most likely less than half a decade. She had been some of the new people Nathaniel requested transferred into his unit. so he could try and work his beliefs into the new crop of recruits. she'd been one of the ones that was a pain in the arse, but amusing in a sense. As far as she remembered, they hadn't convinced her racial cleansing was needed, but they'd managed to give her a lot in life.

"Lia? Is that you?"

If it was, she wouldn't recognize Skertin. Knowing her, she might overreact a bit over a "stranger" using such a familiar term with her. It'd at least prove she knew , or was told, about Accalia's past involvement with the city Watch.

In the silenced clearing, Sextus had been able to finally see the girl in front of her with more detail. The silence was overbearing and sudden, and Sextus became slightly tense as a reflex to this new aura.
Her short brown hair fell into her her eyes as the wind died down, and she sat up all the way as her eyes grew wide in recognition. Whoever this child was, she knew Sextus's true name, or at least the nickname she had been given when part of Nathantiel's watch unit for a short period of time amongst her travels.
But how did this little girl know that name, she wondered?
Almost everything of Sextus's past encounters had been completely left behind, and she pondered the idea of old comerades sending an assasin to get rid of her; if that were to be the case, then this small person could in no way be underestimated. Nathaniel's people were not to be taken lightly.

"Who are you? How do you know that name?" Sextus readied herself to jump and make a run for it at a moment's notice if it was necessary, although she hoped that her second theory was the case instead; it would be simpler if this was a coincidence, or at least a friendly encounter.

It had been nearly six years since Sextus had last claimed the name 'Accalia', given by her mother, and she had adopted Sextus in it's place as a sign of strength and a lack of intentions to disappoint her widowed father.
Sextus, meaning 'sixth son' was her name now; as the second daughter of five in a family with no sons to carry the title. This new name was her legacy, and Accalia was only an after thought.

Skertin stopped a good ten paces away. If she recalled correctly, Accalia preferred space between people. they hadn't always been on the best of terms or fairly clsoe to each other, but they had been comrades. Her reaction, and her surface thoughts, gave away as much.

"Trust me, I'm not assassin and Nathaniel would be a bit hurt to know you'd have thought he wanted you dead."

She paused for a few moments to let the indication of her latent telepathy sink in. It'd throw Sextus off balance and make this thing a whole lot easier. Theoretically. How much had she changed though? did Sextus intend to leave her past as that, buried in the sands of time?

"I'm...a bit different looking", There was a little puff with a toothy grin that countered the grimace she wanted to give at such a statement. "Remember me? First Lieutenant Gustav?"

OOC: Horridly...gosh-awful short...but I'm burnt from that Varnidae post and I promised you to have replied x.x

There was little to be said for someone realizing that their mind had just been invaded. All Sextus had to do was think and this person could know what she intended to say. A terribly uncomfortable feeling swept over her and she quickly tempered her thoughts to their bare minimum. Breathe, look, listen; just the basics.

"You're a little scary there, with the whole mind reading thing... "Sextus paused, "So if assassination isn't the case, then is this a re-recruitment, or just a pleasant coincidence?"

She occupied the space after introduction with a remark to the previous statement, not fully sure if she wanted to believe that this little girl was really lieutenant Gustav from the old crew. They hadn't been exteremly close, but they were well acquainted with each other.
The last time Sextus had seen anyone from Nathaniel's group was during the attempt to overthrow nobility. The hostile takeover had resulted in failure, and the legion of men had scattered all over. Sextus, who had no real ties or any obligation, had fled for good amongst the surronding madness. Assuming nobody had noticed her, she strayed away discretely, a reunion was not ever part of any of her plans.

"Well... Gustav, You certainly do look ... er... different. I suppose these things change. " Sextus veered her vision off into the blistering sun, "Faces ... and names. Speaking of which, I go by Sextus now."

Skepticism and doubt. Skertin was well acquainted with such things as she was now. The ability to command a room's attention, at least with an air of respect. Intimidation was still within reach, but it relied on being impassive and a bit off in the head than using aggressive postures and language. A sort of re-education she had gone through after the fall, and was still going through.

"Some changes are done willingly and by force. My flesh was molded without my consent, but my resolve remains as it was the last time we stood face to face. what about you Sextus? Have you simply chosen to shed ties to that time, or have you become anew?"

She wasn't certain as how to tread concerning Accalia, who now called herself Sextus. Skertin wanted her recruited for Nathaniel's movement again, but people like her don't seem to be willing to join with a cause that already failed once. Given what their purpose was made it that much harder to formulate a presentation for those who were seemingly neutral. With a slight pause she continued.

"I would lie if I said I didn't want to recruit you, but this is indeed a twist of fate than mere coincidence. I am not going to push or try to convince you. You know what we're after and who we are. As you know, the choice is up to you alone. I've learned better than to try and...persuade you."

The last statement was a jest with a sting. Before the encounter with Robyn, there was a particularly length scar down his left side from when Sextus pointed out she wasn't fond of Skertin's aggressive recruitment. Surprisingly that little spear hurt more than he thought it could.

OOC: bleh! I FINALLY replied :grr:

If Nate wants to join, let me know some details! But I'll trust you two to work it out since I'm spottily here. And both of ya have AIM! =D

Before now, Sextus had been inwardly cursing at herself for not having carried her lance with her. It was a beastly weapon that was taller than she, and yet graceful at the same time, which was why she preferred it to most. However, tucked inside her crimson robe was a pair of short daggers, connected by a lengthy rope; caution had won out to the probability of another being visiting this place. Although now, it looked like such tools were not needed.

The slighest smile of amusement cracked past her lips for a breif second before her mouth pushed it's corners back down; she remembered, upon meeting and being recruited by Skertin the first time, she had gotten more than frustrated with his rather aggressive persistence. Beginning with the cold shoulder, she had continuously ignored him in various ways, even sitting down to eat and then leaving him to pay when he joined her at a table; but whether it was blatant ignorance or damning perseverance, she was fed up quite enough to whip around and draw some blood from the left side of his face. Thanks to the long arm of her lance, her distance was a great strength in battle or anti-persuasion.

However, soon after his unremitting chase was well over, she gave in to boredom and the idea that she would have more or less of a purpose for a short while. Sextus wasn't one to wander aimlessly forever, whether it faced her values or not, if she was faced with a deal that gave her something at least mildly interesting to do with her time, she'd most likely accept it sooner or later.


"Knowing all of that I suppose I have no choice but to believe you. Although I'm surprised that whomever 'remolded' you chose such a... cute form. If opposites attract, then it suits you quite well." There was a hint of playfulness in Sextus' voice, either at ease with the situation or high on the midday air. Whichever way, her mind was calm and ready to consider.

"As far as ties go, I make and break them as it benefits me. There's no reason why any ties cannot be mended, but that would certainly have to bring me some sort of benefit, or at least remain interesting. I have no intention of getting nearly blown to smitherenes this time around." Arms folded in front of her, Sextus pondered briefly what this twist of fate could mean.


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OOC: Yeah, okies. I posted more words this time >D Drawing Sextus like eleventy billion times helped me get the character generally down, so it'll be better/longer from now on.

OOC: Okay, sorry for taking forever. :grr: My connections were spotty and frequently over-the-shoulder monitored. Which...generally makes me unwanting to even look at Arda lest the stupidity infect here as well. Anyways, I think we should wrap this topic up in post or two. It's starting to drag which tells me we're winding down after the main conflict XD

IC: It was odd when the very qualities that someone possessed made you dislike them at the same time. Accalia's unbound nature and unrelenting grasp to freedom and independence was admirable to Skertin, but the unpredictability and capricious nature made her unreliable and dangerous.

Things weren't entirely in swing to the point that she wasn't certain they could keep Sextus busy enough to get bored and wander off with one too many secrets. Just talking to her was actually a big risk. Skertin was smacking herself mentally for not taking in account who it was, instead she got excited at a familiar face and potentially made a very large breach in security.

Her brow felt a bit clammy from perspiration, it might have been from her heavy black outfit or from the minor tremors of panic. She never did very well in the sun as of late, the rays scorched her skin quickly and left her fatigued and slow in thought. As of the moment she just wanted to shuffle into the Wilwarin, fall into a seat and enjoy the shade with a drink until Nathaniel came back.

There was a slight awkward horror at being called cute. To have been reduced to such an appearance as to receive that label. Perhaps she should start wearing human skins or something, get back a little of that imposing air she was so used to before but had ripped away by Robyn. Skertin wasn't angry over what Sextus had said, just exasperated that her efforts to be taken seriously in appearance seemed pointless.

"This isn't something to be taken lightly, especially forging or breaking it. If you do accept, Nathaniel is expecting this to be till the end. We aren't doing a short-ranged plan. To be honest I don't think I'd see it till fruition, even if I died of old age. That alone probably killed the notion, but I'd at least like to have a friendly tie to you. It's always a good idea to leave one's bridges intact."

Skertin doubted Sextus would join Nathaniel's pro-humanity movement, much less stay in it for life. She might however work as a sort of mercenary. Occasionally showing up when they needed the extra hands for some less-sensitive mission or such. That and over time with a gradual indoctrination she might join them permanently.

Skertin extended her right hand from the large cuffs of her coat towards Sextus, "You already know the choice is yours and everything that comes with it. Are you with us or not?"