Assassin's Apprentice Options

[fistandantilus4....]

Devil's Hit List OOC

Devil's Hit List IC

Blooded

[ Spoiler ]

The Following is an off shoot of the Devli's Hit List Series of Runs. THe main protagonist is the character Smoke, a human girl , 17 years of age, born in England. The character was raised solely by her father after her mother's early death at his hands. She was kept entirely within the families' home, an old english estate which the family owned. Classicly land rich, money poor.

In 2061, she SURGED, after finding a mysterious cave in the forest behind their home. The cave had a very high background count, and a malevolent engery connected to it that the young maladjusted child took to. It was the final resting place of the spirit of a blood elf assassin, tied to the place through blood magic jsut before his death over seven thousand years ago.

The girl, being magically active, particualrly in regard to spirit, was able to form a pact with the spirit, a bond that enabled it to a fuller, more active free spirit form, while she was gifted with a magical boost (Magic spirit pact). She also SURGED, taking on the aspects of a blood elf (pointed ears, thinner frame, and bone spurs piercing her flesh.

Now having relocated to Seattle, the sociopathic girl begins her training in earnest at the hands of an assassin who once served Queen Alachia. She's had her first professional kill, immolating a traitorous Mr Johnson with a fire elemental at a multifuel station, and some in contact with the first person she hasn't felt the need to kill, the shadowrunner Shadowcat, who is showing her much more of the wide world she's so far hidden her self from.

It was dark in the house. That was just as it should be. Smoke stalked through the house, moving quietly, so as not to disturb it's sole occupant. She'd been practicing for weeks, under Pierce's careful tutelage. Tonight was more practice, but with an important difference. Tonight was what Pierce called a "live exercise".

She moved through the back entrance, already infintely familiar with the layout of the house. Know the Terrain. That was one of Pierce's rules. It helped that she'd been living in the house for two months already. Tonight he wanted to practice her stealth, not her observational abilities.

Moving through the darkened corridor, she was once again grateful for her night vision. The secret ways of the Assassin Pierce had been teacher her had focused her own adept abilities in interesting ways. Although she appeared elven, she was not, and therefore was not gifted with the night sight they all took for granted.

She listened at a junction in the hall. It was quiet, the man had not turned on the stereo system. That was good an bad. Good because Smoke could hear where he was. Having a drink in the kitchen apparently. Bad because if she could hear him, he could potentially hear her. Unlikely though that was of course, she kept moving slowly, gliding along the carpeted floor. Her feet left no impression in the thick carpet, another one of Pierce's Talents well learned.

The young man in the kitchen was a "ganger", a social misfit and an all together violent person. His name was Rip or some other such nonsense. Pierce had been listneing to the conversations of the Night Hunters in the area, looking for someone just like him. This "Rip" was a killer him self, a murder who had killed dozens of metahumans throughout his short 24 years of life. He'd killed with guns, with bats, and even with his fists. His favorite weapon however, was a set of retractable spurs set inside his forearm. He would never be unarmed.

Pierce had let rumor of an abandoned house find it's way to young Pierce. Once he'd heard of it, there was no question that anyone going to claim it would die at his hands, obstensibly for trying to take "his" property. Now the killer was in the house, quietly enjoying a soy beer found in the fridge. It was a simple test, Pierce had said.

Kill the Killer. There is no truer way to practice our Discipline. No spirits, none of this new technology. Your skill and cunning against his. Two hunters, deciding unequivocly which is the deadliest. Until you kill a killer, you are just another murderer. This is how you must prove your self, and enter the Circles of the Assassin.

There was no question of if she would do it. Only how long it would take. Pierce told her she had the night. As she reached the end of the hallway, and could see the man leaning against the counter, she knew it owuld not take that long. She would have to get close though. He still carried a firearm, soem sort of large pistol at his side. If he fired it even once, the test would be a failure. No one else must know he was dead. This is the way of the Assassin, her love had told her. You are alive, or you are dead. You pass, or you fail. They are the same thing. There is no space for failure for the Assassin. To fail is to die. She wouldn't fail.

[Lady Door]

Character Sheet
Smoke

[ Spoiler ]

Character Stats
Naerdiell Arundel Montgomery
Street Name: Smoke
Human (Female)
Nuyen: 45,000
L/Style:
Karma 10 /10
CS: /
Street Cred: 1
Notoriety:
Public Awareness:
Physical Stats
Body: 2
Agility: 4
Reaction: 3
Strength: 2
Mental Stats
Charisma: 5
Intuition: 4
Logic: 5
Willpower: 5
Special Stats
Edge: 3
Essence: 6
Initiative: 7
Magic: 6
Initiate Grade: 0
Active Skills
Summoning (Spirits of Man) 7
Binding (Spirits of Man) 4
Banishing 3
Assensing 2
Blades (Knives) 4
Survival (Forest) 3
Perception 3
Dodge 2
Infiltration (Urban) 3
Shadowing (Urban) 3
Palming (Pickpocket) 2
Athletics (g) 2
Arcana (Foci) 2
Knowledge Skills
European History 2
Ancient History 2
Occult Authors 3
Famous Serial Killers 4
Famous Murders 4
Forensics 2
Japanese Horror Films 2
Language Skills:
English 3
Sperethiel 3
French 2
Japanese 2
Adept Powers:
Traceless Walk (Lvl.1) [1]
Combat Sense (Lvl.1) [.5]
Wall Running (Lvl.1) [1]
Improved Ability: Blades (Lvl.1) [.5]
Improved Ability: Infiltration (Lvl.3) [1]
Low Light Vision (Lvl. 1) [.25]
Qualities:
Positive:
Guts (+5)
Mystic Adept (+5)
Focused Concentration, Lvl 1 (+10)
Astral Chameleon (+5)
Pain Resistance, Lvl. 2 (+10)
Aptitude: Summoning (+5)
Spirit Affinity: Spirits of Man (+10)
Negative:
SINner (-5)
Living on Borrowed Time (-30)
Elf Poser (-5)
Uncouth (-20)
Equipment:
Sony Emperor Commlink (w/Renraku Ichi OS); sunglasses w/Image Link, Low Light, Flare Comp, Thermographic Vision; AR gloves; Trodes; Mage Sight Goggles; Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement, Select Sound Filter, Spatial Recognizer; Lined Coat; Hermetic Circle Supplies (Force 3); F:2 Weapon Foci (Kukri); Medium L/style (3 mos.); F:3 Binding Foci
Contacts:
Talismonger (Mortuary Mary of Mortuary & Dweeb’s): 4/4
Fence: 2/2

[ Spoiler ]

[Lady Door]

Smoke watched the man for what seemed like hours, carefully shadowing his every move.
Shadowing Test

[ Spoiler ]

Shadowing 3 + Intuition 4 + Edge 3: 10, Result: 6,6,6,5,3,6,5,4,3,1 Total: 5 successes

For her, this was more then a simple exercise... this was life in motion. This was a hunt, one in which you studied your prey, watched and waited. It had a certain graceful psychology to it. She smiled when he took a direction she had anticipated, smiled as she realized she was learning the ways of the this man.
She listened as he made comm call after comm call, his fumbled attempts at one "booty call" after another causing him to grow frustrated and angry.
Soon, he found himself sprawled out on the couch, his dirty boots kicked up on the coffee table. Smoke watched him flip idly through the channels before coming across the heavy selection of porn. She smiled again. How predictable... She waited again. She watched as his chest began to heave a little faster, as the prespiration began to bead his brow. She was patient, ever so patient. Soon, he was lost to the world made real on the trid screen, his pants down around his ankles and his hands busy. Smoke cocked her head to one side and watched, finding his response fascinating. A gentle laugh from somewhere deep inside her reminded her that she could not allow herself to become too immersed in her victim, otherwise she would lose her focus.
Smoke approached the couch, down low and on all fours, her kukri gritted tight between her teeth. She kept to the shadows, her slick leathers sliding against the carpet without a sound.
Infiltration Test

[ Spoiler ]

Infiltration 3 + Intuition 4 + Improved Ability 3: 10, Result: 5,5,5,4,1,6,6,5,4,1 Total: 6 successes

[fistandantilus4....]

Intuition 4 Percetpion 4 -2 "distracted" = 4
6,2,4,2 = 1 hit

Moving slow, Smoke learned a little something about the proper speed of approach and how long it really took a man with such things. As she sidled along the side of the couch, he finished loudly, and began looking for something with which to clean himself up.

Intuition 4 + perception 2 +actively searching 2 = 8
1 net hit

Find moments of oppurunity Pierce had said. Take them when they come. Do not hesitate or you may miss them. Strike when the opening presents it's self. If you are always aware of the terrain around you, there is no danger of being caught unaware by interlopers when you take your victim. Strike, be sure, then dissapear.

[Lady Door]

Smoke listened and watched as the man busied himself with searching for something with which to clean up with. She smiled, hearing Pierce's words and knowing that the man would have to cross into the kitchen to get what he needed, unless he were to use his own t-shirt... which Smoke bet even he would not do. Besides the lure of another beer would be strong by now. She smiled again when he got to his feet, clumsily waddling into the kitchen, his pants still around his ankles.
As he cleared the couch, her eyes darted to the windows; the blinds were drawn and dark. She listened for another moment, hearing nothing but the soft chorus of crickets outside. She watched as his boots passed her hiding spot, as his back turned to her on his way into the kitchen.
In one smooth motion, she brough the kukri from her mouth and into her hand, holding it so the blade curved towards her. She stood and in one step was behind her victim. He had perhaps a moment to feel her breath on the back of his neck before her hand was circling his jaw and wrenching it up, her other hand bringing the kukri across his jugular in one sure and practiced motion.
Shadowing Test

[ Spoiler ]

Shadowing 3 + Intuition 4: 7, Result: 5,5,6,5,4,5,1 Result: 5 successes

Blades Attack

[ Spoiler ]

Blades 4 + Agility 4 + Improved Ability 1 + Edge 3: 12, Result: 6,6,(5),(2),5,4,2,6,(4),(5),3,1,5,1,6,(4),6,(5) Total: 10 successes

[fistandantilus4....]

Perception test 2 hits

Caught completely unaware until the blade was at his throat, he barely had time to begin to turn and draw out his spurs before the sharp blade passed cleanly through. He whirled, managing to keep his footing even with the precarious position his pants were in.

He whirled around, grasping at his throat with one hand while the blades came free, his eyes locked on Smoke with deadly intent. She froze in complete shock. Had she missed the vein? Was there some sort of cyber that had saved him? He advanced at her quickly, slicing with the spurs. The loose pants were the only thing that saved her, as she hesitated. No one had simply not died before.

The spurs missed her by mere inches as she back pedaled, fighting down panic quickly. She got her baldes up, assuming a defensive position. He came in again, then stalled. His eyes took on a glazed, else where look, and he swooned, leaning against the couch for support. He hung there for two seconds, as if unsure if he was really dying or not, the collapsed, bouncing off the couch to land on his back, half dressed, the spurs still out.

They always die quickly on the trid. Have to remember that.

[Lady Door]

Smoke regarded the body for a long while, watching the chest for movement and his eyes for any remaining spark of life. Satisfied that she had done her job, Smoke methodically began to move over his form. Her fingers found there way into his pockets, removing their contents.
She could hear Pierce sigh dramatically in the back of her mind, obviously irritated that she was resorting to "petty thievery".
Then find us someone that will pay to end someone's life then, my love. Until then, this is how we live.
Not bothering with the commlink or the gun, Smoke simply takes the cash. She gives the man one last long look and then cocks her head to one side, thinking.
Pulling a short tipped dagger from its sheath on her thigh, she quickly sets to work. Within moments, a small freshly carved rose bleeds on his inner thigh. Smoke smiles.
We can go now, my love.

[fistandantilus4....]

I will follow my love.

Where ever you go. You did well.

Some time you will have to face an opponent face to face, but that will be for later. You did well tonight.

What did you learn?

[Lady Door]

I learned that you can learn much about your opponent from watching, that it is better to have patience and to wait then to strike too soon. Smoke's lips curve into a slight smile as she continues I've learned that men can be predictable and that can be used as a weakness. I've also learned that some men do not die quickly... and that I need to take that into account next time... perhaps a paralytic on my blade?
Smoke steps out of the side door, sliding it shut behind her with a gentle click. With her head down and her cowl pulled down deep over her face, she listens. Nothing interrupts the cricket's song and so she continues. Spirit of Air, conceal me as I travel. She steps out of the side gate once the concealment covers her, smiling at the slight breeze that swirls up and under her cape.
Moving quickly and diligently she makes her way out of the neighborhood until she finds herself standing in the play yard of an elementary school. She pulls out her commlink and places a call to an autocab, smiling as she remembers the fire elemental and the gas station.
I should call her. She was so much fun... She wanders for a moment, spotting the swings in the distance. Wandering over to them she sits for awhile and swings, loving the feel of the wind on her face the slight sinking sensation in her stomach. ... almost like the world is dropping away... It suddenly occurs to Smoke that as she swings, the swing itself can be seen... almost as if a ghostly child was at play. The thought makes her laugh, a childlike laugh that echoes through the air.
She jumps happily from the swing, letting it fall. Let those who watch tonight, wonder...

[fistandantilus4....]

Poison's take time to take proper effect. Combinging your attack with a debilitating blow, such as to a knee, can delay your victim long enough for the bleeding to do it's work. Most will simply panic, and let time do it's work. You will never know which type a victim will be however.

Not all men are as predicatble either. If you have the time to properly track a target and learn their patterns, you can predict how they will resopnd. That is where the art of disguise comes in. We will train more on that later.

Remember as well taht your spirit servants are plain to see to the astral eye. use them, but do not rely on them.

Pierce's "voice" falls silent as she swings. She realizes he has left her to her play. He does many things, but play is not one of them. Smoke can't help but wonder if there's something else other seventeen year olds do.

[Lady Door]

Smoke sighs, hearing the reprimand in his words. Yes, my love. She steps into the shadow of a tree and dismisses the spirit's concealment. Planning her route carefully, she slips from shadow to shadow slowly making her way to the parking lot. She's waiting when the autocab appears.
Stepping finally from shadow, she steps into the waiting light of the autocab as a slight rain begins to fall.
A message pops up on the AR, repeated in the autocab's digitally enhanced "voice".
Welcome to Seattle Metro AutoCab. Please slot your credstick and coordinates. Thank you. Smoke sighs and slots the certified credstick. The balance drops to 35 :nuyen:. She enters the coordinates for downtown Seattle and then leans back against the seat.
My love... I'm lonely without you near me. When will we be together again? Her voice is sorrowful and images of Cat war with her remembered images of Pierce.

[fistandantilus4....]

The answering voice is distant. You must be able to rely on your self as well my Love. I cannot always be at your side, or you will never learn. But I am never far.

Never.

[Lady Door]

Smoke sighs again and looks out into the rain. As the cab passes club after club, Smoke watches the people move in and out of the neon light. They look strangely alive, almost electric in the reflected glow from the rain. Smoke smiles and leans forward, changing the coordinates of the cab.
Mortuary and Dweeb's The cab beeps in response and changes course. Smoke bites her bottom lip and then smiles wickedly. Cat said I should try a change. Pulling out her commlink, Smoke does a Seattle grid search for "fetish" and "Changeling" clubs.
I think it's time to see just what else is out there...

[fistandantilus4....]

The first club her search finds is Infinity. It's a changeling club, the first in fact ,based in Seattle, and has quite a name for it's self. There's also a fetish/BDSM club called the Power Exchange in the area. The next hit is a club that includes fetsh, and has a bit of a rep among the elf community called the Hellfire Club. Dante's Inferno comes up as well of course, hosting "Nine Levels of Sinful experience". The Hellfire Club seesm to be running against the Inferno, boasting 13 floors.

The cab pulls up to Mortuary and Dweebs, the quiet, unassuming little store front on the edge of DownTown. The only markings are the store name in red neon cursive, and a small gargoyle over the top.

[Lady Door]

Smoke slips out of the autocab and into the rain, pulling her cape around her tighter. She looks up at the sign for a moment and then steps inside. The smell of incense and sage envelop her as she enters. The lighting is dim and it takes a moment for her eyes to adjust.

[fistandantilus4....]

MOrtuary is alreayd gliding out from behind the dark gray granite counter top to greet Smoke when she enters. She takes her hands in hers and smiles. For some reason, she latched on to the young girl almost immediately on her first visit.

Mortuary, with her neo-victorian dresses and corsets, plum purple lipstick, and arm length lace gloves, was very much what Smoke wanted to be sometimes. She was mature and in control at all times. A very wise woman,who seemed as if she'd seen much of the world. She was also an elf.

Smoke dear, t's a pleasure to have you back. What are you looking for today?

[Lady Door]

I.. I think it's time for a change, Mary. Smoke was one of the few people that called Mortuary by her real name... she just could never seem to wrap her mind around the 'Mortuary' aspect of her. I'm tired of always hiding, of all these... Smoke pulled at her cloak. these layers. I want to look more like... well, you actually. Smoke smiled nervously, stepping out of her comfort zone for the first time in her life. A steady rush of adrenaline still pounded through her veins, the after effect of the killing... but still, there was something that nagged at her as she spoke, that caused her to doubt herself.

[fistandantilus4....]

I think I have just what you need. I'll take care of you.

She takes Smoke's hand, leading her in to the back of the shop. As Smoke watches, the picks out a nuber of skirts and dresses. Some with lace, some pure leather or synth leater, another of solid velvet. Along with these she selected a small assortment on boots, and a few shoes. Then came the selection of corsets, and especially elbow length gloves. On the AR display, Mortuary selected a few catalog options, showing Smoke how the outfits were normally worn, and helped her in to the changing rooms fitting the first ocrest over her small frame.

Not being a true elf, Smoke always ate lightly, and went hevy on the nutrient drinks. Not quite anorexic, it still slimmed down her waist line to the near tragic sizes that was common among elves. The nutrient drinks kept her in more or less good health, but it certainly affected her muscle mass.

[Lady Door]

Standing in front of the three-way mirror, Smoke eyed herself critically. The dresses looked like they had been molded to her form, the silk and velvet looking like a second skin... but still, the tiny nubs under the cloth reminded her of what lay beneath. The exposed skin that showed above the corset was studded with the tiny bone fragments. Smoke sighed.
Mary... I... the words didn't seem to come. Shaking her head, she nodded. I'll take all of it. Can I wear this out of the store? The red and black velvet gown looked stunning against the grey cloak she already wore. Her black lace gloves just the right shade of pitch black. She even loved the boots, neo-Victorian with just a hint of sadism.
She turned to reveal the whole outfit to Mary, clapping her hands and smiling... all sadness evaporated. Sometimes it was very apparent to Mary just how young Smoke really was.
Smoke walked to the counter, toying with a red and black velvet crucifix she had picked up from a display. Mary... what do you know of the Hellfire Club?

[fistandantilus4....]

Of course you can wear it out. Once you pay for it. Mortuary winked, giving Smoke a playful smile.

The club's a new one. It only opend in the last six months. I know the Dante, the owner of the Inferno, is spitting mad about it. But the owner, a woman called "Lillith" is apparently an old freind of his. We'll see how long that lasts I suppose.

It's sort of a hedonistic club. Lots of skin, lots of wine, lots of blacks and red. You'd probably like it. It's also getting a reputation of being a society place. Sort of a see and be seen hot spot. Lillith's marrying some noble from the Tir from what I hear, so it's also very in with poeple here in Seattle that like the neo-elf culture. It's a very slick place. Silk would do you good there.

Going out for some fun?

[Lady Door]

I think so. I'm trying out the new look. Smoke smiles and slots her credstick, paying her balance. Do you think I could leave the rest of this here for a bit? I don't have a place yet and I don't think I can get away with carrying all these boxes into the club. Smoke smiles and holds up her credstick again. I could pay a... storage fee, if need be.

[fistandantilus4....]

You just spent almost a thousand on an entire new wardrobe. I think I can hold on to them for you for a while without you having to pay even more.

You'll knock 'em dead.

You're not taking a cab there are you?

[Lady Door]

Smoke frowns. I was.. I shouldn't? Should I hire a car? I've never been somewhere like this before... For a moment, Smoke's hesitation comes back unbidden. A strange voice, one she's never heard before echoes from within her.
You idiot! Showing up at a place like that in a cab? What are you? Some kind of street rat? You'll never be accepted at a place like that. Might as well go home and let yourself slowly bleed to death, spare us all the pity of watching you fail.

[fistandantilus4....]

Relax. Ypu've obviously got some cred to burn. Making it your 'coming out' night. You can hhire a limo, have it here within an hour. It won't cost you more than a few hundred. Spoil your self for once.

[Lady Door]

Smoke smiles and nods. Yes... a limo. Good idea. She pulls out her commlink and makes the arrangements, splurging on a dark grey vintage Rolls Royce. Stroking the screen she practically purrs.
I would love to own one of these someday. She turns back to Mary. They said they'd be here within 30 minutes. Any advice?