Chapter 1: Strangers.
AN: I'm glad you like the start of this fic, I'll be updating all of my fics (that means 'Red Planet', 'Infestation', 'Trauma' and 'The Dark Project.') on the 22nd 'cos its me birthday, *beams*
Anyway, here's the first of hopefully many chapters for this fic!
Our most promising candidate
Left us
His heart was clouded
And his balance was lost
But even then
We knew to watch him closely.
Van gazed up at the cloudless night sky from his hiding place in a street cornor covered in shadows, the moon was full. A bad omen, the more light the less shadow, less places to keep out of sight. Van hated to call it hiding, he was no coward, but truly when the time called for it becoming invisible was the best bet. 'Live to steel another night.'
Looking back to the cobbled street he heard footsteps, heavy ones, the clinking of a sword being held loosely soon accompanied the noise. Van sighed, yet another patrolling guard. There were many on the streets tonight, he smiled, but he was up for a challenge.
The trick to guards was to keep ones weapon (or weapons, as was often the case) out of sight. To carry a weapon in view of a guard is stupidity, if the guard believes you are unarmed he also believes that you are no threat, making him the stupid one. Pulling his midnight cloak around him, bringing the hood down so as to not attract attention Van stepped out. His boots made no sound as he walked towards the noises, holding himself tall.
''How's it going?''
Van spoke the informal greeting without a trace of an accent as he past the guard, who merely nodded and continued on his way. Van grinned fox like when the guard soon started whistling when he thought Van was out of earshot. 'Typical dozy night watchman'.
Continuing along the yellow lamped street Van glanced briefly to his left as he passed a tavern, the dim light that escaped the windows created strange shapes as they mixed with the shadows on the street. The muffled sounds of drunken laughter and mindless chitchat of intoxicated sun lovers made him cringe slightly; he was once one of them.
Shaking off long buried memories he continued, getting back to the task at hand. Depending on the 'condition' of the guard, Van would decide whether to knock him out, or simply pickpocket him. He was an expert at both, so it wouldn't be a problem either way.
Moving under an archway made from worn, now greenish, stone Van's raven locks became unsettled as he shook his head in disgust. Turning one last corner he kept his steady pace as the 'guard' came into view.
''Oh it's mighty cold out here tonight.'' His gruff voice echoed into Van's ears.
Walking straight past the drunken excuse for a watchman, Van's cloak swung behind him as he turned sharply round the back of the well house that the guard was in front of. An observant passer by would have seen a dark blue tunic under the cloak as he turned, but he wouldn't have seen much after that as the ex-keeper moved into the ever welcoming shadows.
Taking out a small club Van waited for the perfect moment. He wasn't waiting long.
As the guard started another song Van sneaked in closer and raised his arm, within an instant he had brought it down again and the man fell without a sound. Concealing his club once more Van took the small silver key from the unconscious mans belt and without much effort lifted the body and through it over his shoulder.
Turning, Van opened the well house door with the key and stepped inside, small droplets of sweat started to form on his fore head as he realised just how heavy the guard was. Closing the door behind him he dropped the body on the wooden floor and looked into the well in the centre of the small room.
Taking off his cloak, (AN; sorry, just wanted to remind Tennyo to stay calm lol) Van removed his sword from its place at his waist and tied it to his back. Locking the door behind him so the guard couldn't escape when he came to, he placed the key back in his pocket and looked back a the long drop into the water below. His way in.
Learning how to swim was one of the first things you're taught as a keeper, but Van found himself disliking the idea of having to swim underneath the manor to find the basement. Exhaling deeply the chocolate-eyed thief sat on the wells ledge and draped his boot-clad feet over the sides, letting them dangle over the drop.
''Assassination! Murder!''
The load cry startled Van and he nearly few in to soon. Looking down at the body he had dragged in to the well house with him, his brow creased in confusion that is until he saw the trail of blood leading from the guard to the door.
''Ah crap.''
Forgetting about his hate for swimming he took the plunge. The drop only lasted seconds and Van soon burst back to the surface of the water as he regained his bearings. Treading water he brought a strong hand to his face to brush away some of his raven locks currently sticking to his face.
Looking down the half filled tunnel he swore inwardly. It was a lot father than his informant had made it out to be. Shaking his head at his misfortune Van started to swim down the rounded tunnel. Turning another bend a small smile graced his tanned features as a slope came into view.
Lifting himself out of the chilled water Van stood tall again. Shaking his head vigorously from side to side, droplets of water flying in several directions, in a vain attempt to dry himself off, Van moved forward to a cracked open wall.
Ringing out his clothes as best he could, he moved into the room and smirked at how easy it had been to get in. Letting the warmer air hit his face he congratulated himself.
''Inside at last.'' His voice was but a whisper, but he was the only one to hear it. Walking causally to the door he rested face first against it and put his ear to the stained wood. 'Time to get to work.'
AN: I'm glad you like the start of this fic, I'll be updating all of my fics (that means 'Red Planet', 'Infestation', 'Trauma' and 'The Dark Project.') on the 22nd 'cos its me birthday, *beams*
Anyway, here's the first of hopefully many chapters for this fic!
Our most promising candidate
Left us
His heart was clouded
And his balance was lost
But even then
We knew to watch him closely.
Van gazed up at the cloudless night sky from his hiding place in a street cornor covered in shadows, the moon was full. A bad omen, the more light the less shadow, less places to keep out of sight. Van hated to call it hiding, he was no coward, but truly when the time called for it becoming invisible was the best bet. 'Live to steel another night.'
Looking back to the cobbled street he heard footsteps, heavy ones, the clinking of a sword being held loosely soon accompanied the noise. Van sighed, yet another patrolling guard. There were many on the streets tonight, he smiled, but he was up for a challenge.
The trick to guards was to keep ones weapon (or weapons, as was often the case) out of sight. To carry a weapon in view of a guard is stupidity, if the guard believes you are unarmed he also believes that you are no threat, making him the stupid one. Pulling his midnight cloak around him, bringing the hood down so as to not attract attention Van stepped out. His boots made no sound as he walked towards the noises, holding himself tall.
''How's it going?''
Van spoke the informal greeting without a trace of an accent as he past the guard, who merely nodded and continued on his way. Van grinned fox like when the guard soon started whistling when he thought Van was out of earshot. 'Typical dozy night watchman'.
Continuing along the yellow lamped street Van glanced briefly to his left as he passed a tavern, the dim light that escaped the windows created strange shapes as they mixed with the shadows on the street. The muffled sounds of drunken laughter and mindless chitchat of intoxicated sun lovers made him cringe slightly; he was once one of them.
Shaking off long buried memories he continued, getting back to the task at hand. Depending on the 'condition' of the guard, Van would decide whether to knock him out, or simply pickpocket him. He was an expert at both, so it wouldn't be a problem either way.
Moving under an archway made from worn, now greenish, stone Van's raven locks became unsettled as he shook his head in disgust. Turning one last corner he kept his steady pace as the 'guard' came into view.
''Oh it's mighty cold out here tonight.'' His gruff voice echoed into Van's ears.
Walking straight past the drunken excuse for a watchman, Van's cloak swung behind him as he turned sharply round the back of the well house that the guard was in front of. An observant passer by would have seen a dark blue tunic under the cloak as he turned, but he wouldn't have seen much after that as the ex-keeper moved into the ever welcoming shadows.
Taking out a small club Van waited for the perfect moment. He wasn't waiting long.
As the guard started another song Van sneaked in closer and raised his arm, within an instant he had brought it down again and the man fell without a sound. Concealing his club once more Van took the small silver key from the unconscious mans belt and without much effort lifted the body and through it over his shoulder.
Turning, Van opened the well house door with the key and stepped inside, small droplets of sweat started to form on his fore head as he realised just how heavy the guard was. Closing the door behind him he dropped the body on the wooden floor and looked into the well in the centre of the small room.
Taking off his cloak, (AN; sorry, just wanted to remind Tennyo to stay calm lol) Van removed his sword from its place at his waist and tied it to his back. Locking the door behind him so the guard couldn't escape when he came to, he placed the key back in his pocket and looked back a the long drop into the water below. His way in.
Learning how to swim was one of the first things you're taught as a keeper, but Van found himself disliking the idea of having to swim underneath the manor to find the basement. Exhaling deeply the chocolate-eyed thief sat on the wells ledge and draped his boot-clad feet over the sides, letting them dangle over the drop.
''Assassination! Murder!''
The load cry startled Van and he nearly few in to soon. Looking down at the body he had dragged in to the well house with him, his brow creased in confusion that is until he saw the trail of blood leading from the guard to the door.
''Ah crap.''
Forgetting about his hate for swimming he took the plunge. The drop only lasted seconds and Van soon burst back to the surface of the water as he regained his bearings. Treading water he brought a strong hand to his face to brush away some of his raven locks currently sticking to his face.
Looking down the half filled tunnel he swore inwardly. It was a lot father than his informant had made it out to be. Shaking his head at his misfortune Van started to swim down the rounded tunnel. Turning another bend a small smile graced his tanned features as a slope came into view.
Lifting himself out of the chilled water Van stood tall again. Shaking his head vigorously from side to side, droplets of water flying in several directions, in a vain attempt to dry himself off, Van moved forward to a cracked open wall.
Ringing out his clothes as best he could, he moved into the room and smirked at how easy it had been to get in. Letting the warmer air hit his face he congratulated himself.
''Inside at last.'' His voice was but a whisper, but he was the only one to hear it. Walking causally to the door he rested face first against it and put his ear to the stained wood. 'Time to get to work.'