'Left. right, left, forward lunge, block, gouge at the eyes, pierce their thigh, jump back, throw one into the other, and apply pressure there, stab there, slit here. oh no, a gun, whatever shall I do? dead, dead, dead, next room, 7 more bodies for the count, let's go. lunge, jab, throw, dodge to the right to give that guy the confidence to try and stab me, move in to position so he stabs the guy I just dodged, and twist, broken leg i'll get him later.'

  'Pick up the knife, no need to dirty my tools when these assholes are providing me with free ones after all, slice this fauxhawk guy a new mouth, use the squirting blood to blind two of the others, throw him into a third to keep 'em off balance. throw the knife into this one's eye, didn't quite kill but that's definitively brain damage, oh hey this girl is pretty cute, shame she has to die here like the others *Snap* and there she falls. the two I knocked off balance seem to have recovered some though the morale is certainly not doing so well but it seems anger is keeping them from seeing reason in this situation.'

  'Good it means I won't have to hunt them down later, and they're charging at me, idiots not even trying to work together, step into the first, hook his ankle and down he goes smack the knife out of this blood covered nimrod's hand (At least he knew a lost cause in his friend a wound that gaping would need special attention to salvage), three smacks two to the arteries in his arms and one to his neck, and he's down for the count, turn round stomp on the back off this fuckers neck, and just in time those two cleaned their eyes to see me come for them, the first didn't react in time and with how hard his head hit the floor he'll be dead in minutes with medical attention, which he will not be getting, the last one's trying to flee? you don't turn your back on a faster enemy my friend, and just like that the last of these imbeciles who thought they'd make it big coming into a new a big city and trying to take it over with nothing but their friends, 'because they were the best in their old town' these types are always a joke I have to do this every year or two.'

  'It's so Goddamned boring fighting amateurs, but what am I to do, starve? hopefully the next job will be harder, at least these guys actually knew something about fighting unlike those punks from the wanna be chain gangs, I mean come on those guys practically killed themselves. regardless here I am at the meeting point waiting for payment and the next assignment, I just know it's going to be tedious.'

  "Hey Taylin, nice seeing you bud how'd your last delivery go?" 'more pointless posturing, no one can hear us here and no one's watching and yet this bastard still wants me to play pretend with him? this isn't even one of the fun ploys it's just meaningless chatter to hide our intentions... it's like he read our playbook but doesn't understand why we do things the way we do, still it's less annoying than dealing with the other handlers so I'll bite my tongue and play along, again.'

  "Joshy been awhile, I can safely say we had some satisfied customers with how prompt the delivery was, not a single package was left over either so everyone at the office is waiting for more incoming, but you know how it is the nine to five say, how's Janice doing?"

  "Janice huh, uhm yeah Shes doing good, doing good, uh yeah so if your free there's a party that's happening tomorrow that I think you'd love, and Daniella is going to be there" seriously? bringing up an imaginary person threw him off that much? why is this guy my handler again? oh right, now I remember.

  "Daniella huh? well I can probably make it, but I need some more deets my dude" c'mon just get to the point you've told me my in and now I need the target and method.

  "Right, right, well it's kind of a big party but under the radar sort of thing, mind your dress code, and maybe make some new friends I hear this place is one hell of a ball" under the radar? so, assassination is most likely, and dress code can only mean one thing. but why is this fucker being so cagey about target?

  "Alright you know I own quite the wardrobe so what should I be wearing? also anyone else of interest?"

  "Well now that you mention it, yes the party is split into two sections you and I would obviously go to the adult section where all the important people are and then there'll be the junior section with all the kiddos of the important guests" this guy clearly isn't meant for double talk

  "For the love of all that is holy 'Josh' just tell me what you need from me so I can go to this 'Party'"

  "Right, right, of course man well uhm maybe I can just write down the details for you then?"

  "Yeah, you do that"

  'Okay so it's a literal party being held by Daniel Rodmen the owner of the conglomerate RRCD and it seems the adult section is private invite only... but the junior section seems to be a little more open, hmm ages seem to be from 10-15, and the daughter of dear Daniel seems to be handing out invites rather willy nilly to various kids from her school, I have three target it seems that need to be dealt with, and all three seem to be in possession of Telquin, explains why I'm the one doing this job then as opposed to some cheaper newbie, getting past Telquin is not for the faint of heart.' (Tell-kin)

  "Well then I guess I'll see you there, right?"

  "You read it all through, right? even the, uhm, the directions? yeah, the directions are quite clear, but I want you to be sure you understand them"

  What's this fool going on about? fine I'll reread it see if I missed anything, really? seriously? they want me to frame these men after their deaths? why are they trying to convey complex assignments over a coded letter? I know they think all my kind understands is doublespeak, but this is getting out of hand, let's see replace that with that, fill in the blank there and seriously? why are they making this so complex? why so specific? and why come to me of all people for this? I'm not much of an infiltrator just because Of my training and I've told them this, espionage isn't my thing nor is leading people by the nose and setting things up how I'd like, if it was, I'd be running this show as opposed to being one of the operatives.

  "This is all rather convoluted Joshy, I'm not sure how well I can follow these, the early steps? sure those are easy enough, but after that? a lot of this is either out of my control or not something I'm particularly comfortable with, so why don't you tell me exactly why I have to do these things... or we might have a problem"

  "Now, now, Daron no reason to get upset, that's just the best way to get the party going right" can't even remember the fake name he used? pathetic, and now he's squirming after he delivered a rather insulting set of instructions? not only are a lot of those things humiliating and gross, but I don't see what the purpose of those tasks are for?

  "That is not a good enough reason Joshy, cause either you fudged these 'directions', you didn't read them before giving them to me, or there's something you're not telling me, so which is it bud?" he's sweating now, why? he's not usually this nervous around me, in fact he's normally too chummy for my tastes but this? something fishy is going on

  "Now, now these instructions would work right? what's wrong with them? I know just how impressive you are bud, so you don't have to be nervous, I'm sure you'll be just fine"

  "Arthur drop the act right now, no one's around and no one's listening, what's going on, Now!"

  "Woah, woah, hey no need to, to get so upset, just tell me what's bothering you about this assignment and we can work it out"

  "How about I write out what the message means in plain letters, and you can reread it and tell me if I got anything wrong?"

  *Quickly does so*

  "Hmm, yeah this is what I was told, so what's the problem?"

  "Arthur, how long have we worked together?"

  "A year and a half, why?"

  "And how many years have I been working for your organization?"

  "Uhm your file says five years?"

  "Five years. five years and in those years what jobs have I done?"

  "Uhm that's supposed to be classified..."

  "It's just you and me here so... answer"

  "Uhm... extermination of threats, assassination, elimination of groups foreign and domestic, guard duty, and many other things that I'm not allowed to read about"

  "Yes, yes, and where in any of my past missions or my contract states that Prostitute is a part of my job description?"

  "It's not that big a deal, just get the pictures, make it look like you're resisting in them eliminate the target, make a few statements, get cleared then we can use that to discredit the whole power block he's tied to."

  "Do I look like a fucking Seleanite to you?" (Pronounced Cell-lean-night)

  "Uhm..."

  "Did you think... that that, is how I've been getting my jobs done?"

  "Uh... no, of course not"

  "Who else thinks that?"

  "No one thinks that at all. huhehahaha"

  He's a bad liar and his nervous laughter is grating on my nerves... but serious, this whole time? the entire organization thought I was a fucking seleanite? really? I mean sure I have magic in the same vein as them but... I'm a Twyleit?, and why the hell would anyone hire a seleanite to do the shit they've been hiring me to do? do they want a dead seleanite on their hands? because that's how you get a dead seleanite on your hands, and given how expensive their services are... and I know that because that's an important lesson for any self-respecting Twyleit to know." (Twee-lay-it)

  "Well now that you do know I'm not one, can you see why I might have a problem with the job?"

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Well, it's not like you can't still do the job, I mean you have the same skills needed for this job, I believe you can pull this off, I mean you're a professional who has been in the business for who knows how long given how long your kind tends to live"

  "I'm pretty sure you're older than me"

  "Hey now no need for insults, I know how long your kind takes to mature and you've definitively reached that point so no need to call me ancient just 'cause I hurt your feelings"

  Can I kill this guy? yeah, I could, but then I'll either need to wait for a new handle, go on the run, or find something else to do... tempting, but I should at least try, senseless violence may be fun, but I know this guy can't even put up a fight and I'd lose a lot killing him now.

  "Listen here shit-for-brains you are definitely in the twenty-eight to thirty-three range and that at its youngest, is older than I am right now, the targets on the list are in their sixties at the youngest, and that's not even covering the fact that..."

  "Hey now I thought your kind had no such taboo around this kind of thing"

  "I am not a seleanite, nor any of their close cousins who share that culture with them, you want these men dead? sure I'll do that. you want them framed? sure no problem. you want me to actually let them do things like that to me? fuck no, sure I can stage a scene pretty well I can trick the eyes as well, but I'm not good at getting people to do what they don't want to do, and I'm also not going to do those acts myself... so...?"

  "Are you refusing to do your job?"

  "I'm refusing to do something that isn't nor will ever be my job, I'm a hired killer, that's what I do, you all what me to occasionally slip into a place, to overhear some conversations, or steal this that or the other thing? sure, it's not hard and you pay well enough for that, but this? this is far outside my wheelhouse and not the kind of job I want, if I was looking to sell my Favours for money There are easier ways then this, you want someone to do this? go find an actual seleanite and hire them for the job. I'm sure they'd be real keen on the brutal murder part"

  "You know there's plenty of other hired blades out there, right? many who, and pardon the pun, would kill for the kind of money we give you, and that's not including your... special requirements"

  "Hmm, you know, Arthur old buddy old pal, that almost sounds like you're threatening then trying to blackmail me, but I know damn well you don't know what those special requirements are... because... if you did... there's no way in hell you'd have said a word about them aloud"

  "Sorry, sorry, friend, now we can be reasonable about this yes? and if you kill another of your handlers I doubt our lovely organization will want to keep working with you..."

  "Good thing I was getting bored of this work anyways, and besides I've always wanted to travel... though I am going to have to get a new face before I go on the run again, but I'll have to deal with you first... shame, if I kill you your betters will know in an instant... best keep you alive then"

  And it was at the moment that Arthur S. Dale knew... he fucked up... for he would not be found for over a week despite having been being tracked up until a block of the meeting place and his employers knowing of the meeting spot, and the state he was found in, was not one a human being could naturally survive in, yet even still, he was, indeed, technically, still alive.

  "Well now that I'm feeling better, I'm going to need to skip town... though... I might as well check out that party... maybe I'll get some inspiration for my new face there? so looks like Daniella is going to *Checks the letter* a Miss Angella Rodmen's birthday party... it's a fucking birthday party?"

  After quickly looking through the letter again and again, "Okay right, so it's in the interest of saving money... the young girls birthday party happens earlier in the day, then in the evening the adults partially retire to their own party while the young ones and the uninvolved adults stay with the birthday section... okay this works..." 'So, I'll sneak in under this false invite that's enchantment will get others to ignore me, then I'll swap into a more fitting guise while I look for a target of my own... and maybe steal some shit from these rich assholes while I'm at it?'

  Later at the party

  'well, that was easy, this Daniella disguise is also nicer than most they had me wear, though it's kind of weak and limiting, why would they have me put myself in a compromising position, against powerful opponents, in a form ill-suited for fighting? I understand this was to be an assassination but... somethings off here... and why would they give those orders in the first place, did they really think I'd follow them? just because my quote unquote 'cousins' love following orders to the letter and would do that kind of thing without hesitation... but many in higher command know What I really am... unless, did those guys get fired?'

  "Hey there and welcome to my birthday party, you're Daniella, right? glad you could make it, and you came earlier than most of my close friends too... and bearing gifts."

  Wow so this is Angella... she is a lot plainer than I'd have thought for such a rich girl... guess she doesn't spend hours focusing on her appearance... but she is taking care of herself, and her clothing is rather nice, though not as extravagant as I'd have thought... now I've got her pegged she's more of a down to earth type, but her upbringing is shielding her from truly knowing some of the worst parts of what this world is really like... glad Shes not a target.

  I put on my best peppy schoolgirl voice" yep, and it's so nice to be here I've heard such wonderful things about you, and your parties so I wanted to get you something that could really express how much I love being here" there hope she buys it, see this is the kind of playing around that's fun Arthur, when there is an audience who doesn't know the script and there is actually stakes to fucking it up

  Angella: "Thats so nice of you, but bringing gifts was optional, you can place those over there though I can't wait to see what you brought" Eh I had to empty my bank accounts anyways before they froze figured might as well use some of the excess of what I can't convert to make this girls day, they're both rather expensive... too bad I'm going to be gone before she opens them, and I'm likely going to be taking one or two of her guests to go... but hey I did make sure these gifts were kick-ass (these were on her wish-list and no one else had gotten them for her and these were very expensive) so I hope that'll be enough to make up for me taking a few acquaintances from her life.

  Hmm now who would be the best ingredient for each part... it's mostly teenagers here... but then again who'd think to look for me in the body of a child? I'm normally quite averse to taking on weaker forms so no one who knew me would check... that jock over there... 14 years... and boy, does he already have a black streak running through him? I've got to get a closer look at him.

  "Hey there, you're from the rugby team, aren't you?"

  "Uh yeah, yeah wow uhm hi, my names Ben, so what do I call you except beautiful?" Hmm yeah, this buy definitely is think about more than just sex here... and at such a young age? is he just naturally cruel or did he learn it? either way he's not one to take no for an answer if he thinks he can get away with it... and he's succeeded twice from the look of it, and he killed the first one.

  "Call me Dany, though I'm sure you can come up with plenty of other things to call me?" even with the offer of it freely he still is thinking about that? he's a perfect target.

  Ben: "Oh yeah? well how about later you and me get out of here, and I'll show you a thing or two, about rugby of course"

  "I'll be waiting, but still, many rounds to do, people to talk to, so later then"

  Ben: "Later" and he thinks he has me, now time to find the... less than pleasant second ingredient

  That one looks good... the green and white mix together nicely, it really would be a shame if she's a match, but sacrifices must be made, and everyone here is living off of the blood of their lessers even if they don't know it, it's only fair that I should take from them as well, just remember to waste nothing from your prey

  "Hey there, I'm Dany nice to meet you" I throw one of my arms of her shoulder, both to keep her from getting away and to display affection, see Arthur here's how you do double meaning, you fucking hack.

  "Oh, uhm hey there, I'm Felicity, but please call me Fel everyone does"

  "Alright fell, say what do you like to do?"

  Fel:"Oh uhm, hang out with friends, cook, uh, read? uhm... oh I sometimes help out around the community center from time to time"

  Unfortunately we have a match. sorry Fel but it looks like you're in my sights now

  "Oh really that sounds like it would be so fulfilling maybe I could visit sometime and help out with you... but what book is your favourite? got any recommendations?"

  Fel:"Well, uhm I don't know what you like to read but, my favorite is the Heartbreaker series, it's about a man who has the power to change his appearance to reflect the desires of anyone he wishes, and he's a on a quest for true love, and other things but the other plots tend to stay contained to either the book or to like a trilogy before those are done through, they just released the seventeenth book last week and I've already finished it"

  'Well... at least I know how I'll keep her docile once we're together, buying new books, cooking and doing charity doesn't seem the worst for how pure a soul she possesses, I expected I'd need to raise her family up as nobles or something.'

  "Hmm I'll give them a try, then maybe we could talk about it in more detail?"

  Fel:"Sure, I'd love that" 'innocent and pure, and far too sweet, I kind of feel bad. but it's not like she's going to be dead, dead and besides it is for my own quality of life, so, heh I've done worse for less sad to said.'

  "Alright I got to get back to the party pleasure meeting with ya."

  Fel:"And you as well'

  'Well now time to find my last ingredient, so glad I've decided to quit, those assholes always made the choices for me, and for a time that was fine but now, I get to test my creativity a little, and there's the final target, oh ho ho, a rapist and murder is missing out to this one? and they even seem to have Some real power? best take that one first, welp let me introduce myself

  "Hiya, I'm Dany pleasure to meet you"

  "I'm sure, Darcie Blackwood" did she seriously just curtsy? and that snide arrogance? oh I'm going to enjoy taking her

  "Well, I'm sure you're busy and I don't want to waste your time, but I heard there's a special event, only for those with the, ehem proper credentials and I noticed you seem to have them, I wanted to make sure you got your invite?"

  Darcie: "Hmm, yes I believe I heard about this, but I was told someone would tell me the time and place when I got here, I assume that person is you" so predictable

  "Oh, these things happen from time to time, how about i come get you when the time comes?"

  Darcie: "That sounds like a splendid idea Dany"

  "Then I shall do just that, do try and enjoy this whole thing, until then i must make sure everything is going smoothly"

  Now, time to find a place to do this, and get my pawns into position.