LAL2: Return of the Missing - IC

Immediately there was a whirring sound, and bright, blinding light illuminated the area in front of the door, where his subjects stood.
The Overarch was unseen, but a long sigh of discontent was audible throughout the room. It echoed.

He gave the guards their chance to speak.

After much silent coaxing from the rest of his squad, the captain spoke.

"The prisoners have escaped," he said bluntly. "And they took one of our own with them."

The Hunter pricked his ears. This would be interesting.

The Overarch had more than enough security footage readily available to him, whenever necessary.
"I'm aware of that," he said slowly, dragging out the words. He didn't sound happy.
A few shuffling sounds announced that he was standing up. Footsteps followed.

He came just close enough to be visible; the light shining down on the four guards barely reached him.
He brought his hand to his forehead for a moment, then looked at them, one by one.

He let out a tired breath. "Did you try at all?" he asked flatly, a bit of the usual formality dropping from his voice.

"My guards tried their hardest, Sir," the captain said formally, choking down his fear. "They were simply too quick, and disappeared into the city...."

The Overarch leaned in closer. "And I suppose following them outside would have gotten your boots dirty," he said.
Taking a couple of steps back, he looked at the ceiling for a few seconds, as if bored. When he directed his attention back to them, he spoke. "As understandable as your reasons may be, I find it hard to push myself to believe that your guards are indeed, trying their hardest."
He pressed his fingers together. The chains around his neck and wrists clinked and clattered as he moved, a tiny background sound that broke the silence every few seconds. "Perhaps they need a new captain," he mused.

His eyes glinted as he looked at the head guard.

The captain involuntarily took a step back. He threw a glance at his fellow guards, asking for support.

They remained silent, muted by fear and intimidation.
One of them had finally noticed the Hunter standing at the door, blocking the exit.

"...Sir?" the captain ventured.

"Is that the problem?"

The Overarch slid his sword out from behind his back. The light reflected off of it, causing it to almost glimmer. A thoughtful look on his face, he stared at it for a minute.
There was silence.

"How about this," he decided, running his finger along the blade. "You tell the other guards..."
His hand moved away.
"Well."

The next second or so happened alarmingly fast. All the other guards saw was the flash of the sword as the Overarch thrust his arm out in a sudden, but smooth motion.
All they saw after that was the captain slide to the ground.

"Tell them they will have a new captain."

The guards were started to slide back towards the door, away from the growing pool of blood on the floor. The one nearest the door tried to push his way back, as he didn't want to near the menace on that side either.

They stilled, staring up at the Overarch.

They had not yet been dismissed.

"That matter aside," he said casually, frowning slightly at the blood dripping from his sword. "There is no more room for error. I need those prisoners returned as soon as possible."

A thought seemed to strike him. "Actually..." He paused. "No."

"Just bring me the girl."

There were many a 'yessir' muttered, and much bowing before the guards left the room like a herd of spooked deer.

One of them managed to catch the eye of the stoic-eyed Hunter, who in turn flashed the guard a quick smirk. The guard jumped and shoved past his comrades.

The door clanged shut.

The Hunter shifted his attention back to the Overarch, head cocked and looking quizzical. His hands were held neatly behind his back, fingering the hilt of his sword out of boredom.

He tucked the sword away and slid a hand out.

The girl? he signed, flicking his fingers slightly. He had just a hint of a smile on his face, though it was hard to see in the dim light.

The Overarch watched the Hunter's hands with a sideways glance.
"Of course," he said, turning away. "They'll come running if they know we have her."
He gave a short chuckle. "At least he will."

In a couple of steps he was at his chair. He pressed something and dimmed the light he'd turned on earlier before sitting down.
"Nonetheless, she'll be useful."

I understand, The Hunter signed back. Do you have a mission for me?


He was rather hoping for an assignment, as babysittng Kydi was not exactly entertaining. Kydi talked a lot, and all the Hunter could do was listen.

"Mm..."
The Overarch cast a glance at his wrist and shook his head.

"No," he said.
Everything is ready.
"Do whatever you want."

The Hunter blinked.

"Do whatever you want."

He momentarily lost his composure. Had he been walking, he might have tripped.
Do whatever you want? What was this? ....A..day...off?

But why?

Composure regained, the Hunter slunk out of the room without a sound. He felt slightly miffed; the Overarch didn't want his help today... Then again, maybe the Overarch didn't want to overwork his best man.

Somehow that didn't seem likely.

The Hunter shrugged it off, and realized that his feet had taken him to his room. He stepped inside cautiously, as he usually wasn't there at this time of day. He sat down on the bed, pulling his cloak off.

...Now what.

He sat there for a moment, lost in thought. An idea occurred to him, and he looked up sharply. He jumped up and ran into his closet, pulling out a pair of plain clothes that he never wore.

He decided he was going to spend a few hours incognito.