"My lady." The voice came through the darkness, piercing that shadows that surrounded the woman who lay sprawled boredly on the huge black throne.
"What is it Gennai?" The voice returned quietly, the question echoed by a long yawn that echoed through the huge dark room.
"Well my lady...you said...you said you wished to be alerted if there was strange activity in the outside and well...."
"Yes, yes. Speak up Gennai! I'm getting bored."
"There are tales coming of a war god named Homura! It's said that he's changing men into gods."
The woman sat up with interest leaning forward into the thin sliver of moonlight that threaded in the only window that stood high above the chamber, the woman's dark eyes flash with interest. "Changing men into gods you say! Oh this is wonderful." She laughed and turned a summersault of her throne. "I'd better go pay my respect." Something jangled in the darkness. "Or lack there of I should say."
Homura stood before the flickering light of the fire silently his manacled hands unseen beneath the shelter of his cloak. He shifted and tipped his head back to look at the sky, the firelight turning his bi-colored eyes luminous. Where to go from here? Shien and Zenon had gone into town when they'd realized he'd planned to stop for now.
"So you're the god." He turned in time to she the woman that dropped down from a nearby tree. She retained a crouching position then straightened and flashed a grin. "Yo."
Her clothing was skimpy, her top no more then a twist of dark black scarves that hid her not very ample chest and a thin skirt that reached just shy of half way down her thigh. A few strands of jet black hair was apparent from under the black and red jesters hat she wore, the tiny silver bells on the thing chiming with each step she took. Her skin was a dusty cinnamon color complementing the deep brandy color of her eyes that flashed wolf gold near the fire.
"And who might you be."
The girl laughed and bowed. "My name is Harlequin. The Red Jester."
"And what business does a fool have with a god?"
She turned two front flips neatly till she was standing only a few feet from him. "Do you expect me to ask you to turn me into a divinity? I won't you know, that's far too predictable. And what other then that would a fool have to speak to a god about? Well nothing..." she smiled. "Unless she was a God Slayer."
Homura lifted and eyebrow at her absently. "A god slayer you say? You believe you can kill me."
She nodded her head making the bells jangle loudly. "What would this world be without faith? Shall we test your own faith in your power?" She questioned spreading her fingers to reveal a number of tiny knives between each digit. She didn't wait for an answer before throwing the knives.
He stood immobile, waiting arrogantly but he blinked in mild surprise as the dagger flew right through his usual barrier to bury themselves in his shoulders and arms. The girl leaned forward to study him a moment then leaned back and settled her hands on her hips, pouting.
"Damn. I missed."
Homura looked down and plucked the knives from him one by one, letting them clatter to the ground. "Interesting. However I'm afraid now I can't let you live."
He lifted the flame bladed sword he carried and drew it back, the luminous blade casting half his face into shadow. He didn't bring it around though, staring at her the sword drawn back for a long while before he lowered it slowly.
"What are you?"
She smiled and stretched lazily. "Me? Why I'm just your friendly village tumbler. But...I have a wager for you." She moved cartwheeling towards him till her feet connected with his chest tumbling him backwards and she landed on his chest.
"And what would this wager be?" Ignoring the position they were currently in.
"A game." She rested her chin on the heel of her hand. "It's been a long while since I've had and adequate playmate." She twirled her hand to produce another knife. "I could kill you now or...you could try to catch me."
"And if I catch you."
"If you catch me...you get me." She bowed dramatically. "I will be your most devoted little slave."
"And if I don't?"
She thought for a moment then shrugged. "I win."
He watched her a moment then smirked. "Very well."
She squealed her delight. "I'm so glad! Well then I deserve a 24- hour head start. So..." she dropped her mouth to kiss him then back flipped away from him before he could respond. "Tag. You're it." Before disappearing up into the trees again.