This is the end

Nox was walking home from a decent haul of pickpocketing several people on the streets of Antivia. It was enough to get him something nice to eat. Though he knew he if he was low on funds Enzo would happily help him out. He let him live in one of his safe houses. One particular person he pumped into was a female. With the distraction of accidentally pumping into her, he took something from her. A particular jeweled necklace. He could sell it for a good amount of coin he thought. Maybe Enzo's lessons were helping out with his thievery. This time he didn't get caught and or chased out of town. Small confidence started to bubble within him until he felt a crack in the back of his head. His vision faded instantly as the bludgeoned weapon made contact. 

Nox's vision began to open as he shifted awake. It was blurry and dark. He was on a bed in a small dark room. Frantically, he looked around. There was a moment of panic among his face and body. [color=#419dc1]"Shit Shit Shit. No this can't happen. How did they find me?"[/color] He spoke frantically to himself. As soon as he began to panic with worry. The door opened and two guards who towered over him grabbed him with force. [color=#419dc1]"Wait no...stoppp...I have friends in high places...get your hands off of me.....I promise...I didn't do it...."[/color] Nox blustered out anything he could think of but came out with just excuses. He was completely done for. This was the end. He is dead. A feeling of dread rattled within him. Nox attempted to try to break free from the hold but his strength was pitiful. He was weak. 

It was a truth universally acknowledged, that no one liked being robbed. Not near as much however, as they hated being humiliated.  It wasn't a novel occurrence mind, but it happened to occur on a day when nothing seemed to go her way. It was the necklace that broke her resolve, and though it hadn't been stolen from her own neck and instead one of her doubles, it grated all the same. She simply couldn't let it slide, not when reputation mattered so much in their circle. Though she was confident in her abilities, Aethra could fully acknowledge the tenuousness of her position. All of this to say that this sticky-fingered urchin would not go unpunished. 

An example would be made. 

Thank you, Marco. You may leave. The taller of the two guards nodded solemnly as he motioned for the other to follow. The heavy door snicked shut behind them, leaving the windowless room in stagnant shadow. She was quiet for a moment as she observed the thief. A thief she'd since learned an extraordinary amount. Perks of being at the top of the pecking order she supposed. Hands clasped in front of her, Aethra finally stepped into the small sliver of light cast from a singular torch on the stone wall. Do you know who I am? She wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. Antiva City was a diverse and well cultured epicenter.

Nox was pushed into another one. As he entered the room, he massaged his shoulder where the guard's grip dug into his skin. That would certainly bruise he thought. As he looked around, he notice a familiar face. Where did he see her before? Then his eyes lit up slightly, as he recalled the amulet he stole. [color=#68c4e8]"And here I thought I was getting better..." [/color]He thought to himself. Terror leap across his face as he watched the intimidating women as she sent the guards away. Nox frantically looked around to see if his family was in the room ready for their fun. 

He wasn't from this area? How would he know who this woman was? He couldn't even remember what he had for breakfast this morning. He nervously scratched the back of his head before answering. "[color=#419dc1]Umm, no....I'm not from here. This is all a misunderstanding. I'm sure we can talk this out without any violence...." [/color]Nox jittery stepped slightly backward, as if he had anywhere to go. 

[color=#419dc1]"Quick question though? You weren't sent by the Avaborns were you?" [/color]If he was going to die now, might as well as before the worst fell upon him. Maybe he could talk his way out. All he had to do was channel Enzo Capana. Enzo always knew what to say. Flaunt the charm. What would Enzo do in this situation? Then the horror in his own head saw Enzo and this woman having sex. Nope. That is not what I'm going to do. Nope. Rather die here. Alright. It's okay. I've lived enough. Take me away Andraste. The inner thoughts rushed throughout his head and began to inner monologue with himself as his eyes darted back and fourth waiting for this woman to slay him right then and there. 

The poor boy looked terrified, though she couldn't say she blamed him. That was the point after all. Lessons needed learned and he looked young and impressionable enough that she needn't repeat herself after tonight. Although she'd been wrong in the past. If he was clueless enough to steal from her, his ignorance was no doubt boundless. She smiled though it did not meet her eyes. It was one of annoyance that she managed to make look regal in the way she held herself. Violence? Who said anything about violence? She didn't often deal in physicality and instead depended more on cerebral influence in all of its unusual forms. She didn't have a lay a hand on someone to get her point across. A benefit to living thousands of years was knowing there were far greater wounds to inflict with a well placed comment than with a honed blade. You can keep the necklace for all I care. You were right in guessing it's value. You'll eat well for months. She walked a wide arc around him as he backed towards the door. Like a jackal herding her prey, allowing fear to fester until he made her job all the easier. 

Her smile widened when she stopped and cocked her head slightly in curiosity. Don't worry we don't allow that sort around here. She said almost comfortingly, hand flicking dismissively. And besides, I've got a better use for you Percy When she finished her smile was positively feline. Oh yes, she'd done her research. Nothing remained secret for long when she turned curious.

At least Nox was able to keep the amulet he stole. It would allow him to live off of it for a bit longer. It always felt bad using Enzo's personal coin. Maybe it was due to the fact that growing up, Nox's family had to earn their living with jobs. Some days they had to go a day without food due to their money going for supplies. Being able to get his own money, allowed him to show some importance of being able to live on his own. Maybe it was for him to prove to his parents he was able to be a good thief. Or was Nox just in denial? 

But as he was thinking about keeping the amulet, his life was shattered. His life was thrown upside down. What did she just say to him? Percy? A better use for him? A flash flooded his mind. His mother looked down at him with a smile that could cut rocks. The night before the big heist. All he had to do was be a lookout for when they approached the object they were stealing. [color=#419dc1]"And Besides, we have better use for you Percy. All you have to do is look out the hallway. You can't mess this up. My mother could do this blindfolded...." [/color]

The image faded as he stood there in complete shock. His eyes widen at the words of his name. How did she know? He hasn't used his name since he left home. Percy should be non-existence. Panic began to spread. The first thing he thought to do was deny it. Bring out the charm. Be Enzo. His words trembled. Even Nox couldn't even believe himself. Hearing his name shook him to the core. [color=#419dc1]"You sure you have the right person? My name is Nox....not Percy..." [/color]

Watching his reactions he wore plainly told her all she needed to know. Her intel was good as she knew it would. But there was nothing as satisfying as confirming your superior intellect. Don't I? She queried simply. The question was rhetorical but she would of course welcome his fumbled excuses. She was very interested to hear how he tried to talk his way out of this one. Because for all of his shivering, and stuttering, he'd managed to make it this far in life. Luck didn't last that long. 

It was for that reason she'd decided to study him further after learning he was the one who robbed her. She smiled warmly, a deceiving expression that alluded to something sinister behind that cherubic exterior of hers. It's no matter to me what you call yourself Percy, all that matters now is where you'll go from here. She moved forward so she was standing in his personal space. Tenderly she reached down and tipped his chin up so she could look at the frightened little rabbit all the better.

Relax. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't waste my time talking to you. It was just a necklace after all. I also have no designs to turn you over to your family, the city guard or otherwise. She assured him, dropping her hand, she swirled both together to conjure a ball of light. Not fire, no, it was light to counteract the shadows of the cell. I want you to do a job for me. She cast the light towards him, having it swell over his head to cast him in an iridescent glow. And if you succeed, you can have your choose of any treasure in my personal vault. It was an extensive one given the lavish persona she put forth. But if you fail, she continued. 

Well, I believe you've already imagined what might happen to a young man like you in a dark cell like this. She smiled as if she was extending a warm welcome.

There was a sudden relief the moment Nox heard she wasn't going to turn him in to his parents or the guard. And even more relieved to know she didn't want him dead. He took soaked at the moment and listened to her. He let out a sudden sigh of relief the moment he was able to breathe once more. "[color=#005dc2]You can call me Nox. I rather terminate the whole Percy name...don't need my family catching on to where I'm at...." [/color]

Part of Nox wanted to know how she knew who he was. Because if she found out, then clearly his family members could easily find him. That may alter things. Did he need to flee and relocate? How would he break the news to Enzo, his best friend? But that was not the moment he needed to worry about now. Nox coughed a bit as he tried to ask a question. 

[color=#005dc2]"So job....I don't think I have a choice in this job....but I'd imagine by...."[/color] Nox did an overview of his surroundings and then backed at the women and continued, [color=#005dc2]"...this entire meeting you could have anyone do the job. I'm good at finding things...not the best thief....as you can see...I know things...What did you have in mind?" [/color]

Nox began to ramble as he talked. His tone of voice shattered a bit as his nerves radiated off of him. Clearly, this woman in front of him was someone of importance. And the moment of failing, well he took a giant gulp as he stared nervously at the woman's comment about failure. 

Trying to ease the situation, he thought of a moment of what would Enzo do in this moment. Clearly seducing her was out of the option for him. "[color=#005dc2]I guess I should have known better but since you clearly know me and who I am....would it be plausible to get a name?" [/color]Nox did his best to try to pull an Enzo charm with his words but it seemed rather lackluster. Nox made a mental note to ask Enzo how to handle situations better. 

She could respect the desire for anonymity for she relied on it much the same to conduct her usual business. Being who she was and standing so publicly for what she did, it behooved her to keep the vulnerable parts of her secret. It came relatively easy after centuries of practice but there was always the outlier, the one variable that might inevitably throw a wrench in her gears. She supposed that who she was for Nox right now. I would imagine not. And though she did not voice her agreement, the expression on her face communicated the sentiment. 

He was an observant thing. A promising quality for someone in his position. Somehow she felt like he was downplaying his thieving abilities. Aethra smiled tightly before dropping her arms to fold in front of her. You can call me Nero. For essentially that was what she represented, the family even if her blood did not say the same. Korath at heart, Nero to the rest. Anyone who spent more than a couple of days in Antiva city would know the name along with the rest of the crows and their talons. 

You're going to steal your own reward. She said simply before she continued. Your brazen show of nerve is something a blemish on my reputation, Nox. So to remedy that, I want you to steal whatever you would like and in the process tell me where I can improve on my security. Using delinquency to her advantage. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. Or, I can let you go right now with nothing. Your choice. But she never had any designs of keeping him to torture despite the impression she gave.

Something within himself found this opportunity a chance to prove to himself that he could be a thief just like his family. He could prove to them that he wasn't a failure. Looking back at Nero, he nodded with slight confidence. "[color=#005dc2]Right. Seems like I have something to steal then. In the process, I will also pay attention to your security and see where you can make improvements in."[/color] Nox smiled with a bit more color on his face. Excitement seemed to have rushed through him at this opportunity. As he began to walk back toward the door he entered, he turned to Nero.[color=#005dc2] "Deadline? How long do I have? And I'm going to assume if I get caught, I'll have to figure out a way out of that situation." [/color]

Aethra beamed down at the lad, she saw potential in those wide eyes. Potential where he perhaps did not. She wanted him to succeed, if only to bolster her own pride a bit. The one person who had out-rogued her if you will, should be put to good use and not exist only to vex her. If not it would no doubt get around that she was easy to steal from and that wasn't good for anyone. She followed him to the cell door, holding it open for him as he turned back to face her. Two weeks. Take your time. I want this done right, not quickly. she nodded sagely, You assume correct, you will have no safe harbor in my house until the job is finished. The only ones who will know of this are in this room now. Inferring the pair of them and the handful of guards present of whom were all sworn to the utmost secrecy. I wish you the best of luck, Nox. She smiled sweetly, a false comfort to say what words couldn't. She knew his secrets, he knew some of hers, they were even....for now.