open Nothing personal, it's just business...

[Yoshi89 5,293]

@@nx9100, @@Gloomfury,

 

Ruby gave a weak smile, acknowledging the fun she had despite being sick to her stomach. Refund hailed a taxi from the city street and helped his wife climb aboard. As the cab pulled away from the nightclub, Ruby passed out in his forelegs. I wonder what sort of project he was talking about, Refund thought, holding his wife close. If Ruby remembers this night, Bucklyn will be buzzing about this.

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100, 

 

Malachi smiled.  "Great." As soon as Sakuya started walking, he followed.  He didn't say much at first, he was just looking at the sky for no real reason. "So, how long have you been in this kinda work? I  know this is one of those questions  you're not supposed to ask. But I cant help but be interested. I started when I was twelve, selling candy and sweets while the school only had sugar free junk. It was how I got good at making bits."

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya gave him a glance.  "How long?" she asked, "let's just say a long time.  I met Ennex the night I got my cutie mark, and have been with him ever since."  As they walked, she found her gaze wandering into the past.  "It was little things at first.  Just helping him around the office, run errands, etc.  I had just lost my mother, so was looking for a new home, and I guess I just jumped right in.  Pretty soon he started having me trained in the more... hoofs-on side of things," she smiled wickedly, "if you get what I mean.  I think he was looking for a second in command, and when he found me, he found somepony he could shape to what he needed."

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 Malachi smirked. "I know what you mean. My old man had me do the same thing, He made me started from the bottle and work my way up. Which I'm really glad he did. I love working for the things I want, it makes it so much more satisfying. Taking the easy way was never my style anyway. Plus it helped me gain the respect and loyalty of my crew." He smiled.  "And I can tell he made a good choice in bringing you in. If you weren't working for him I would try to recruit you right off the bat." She chuckled. 

 

"But I know you'll stay loyal to Ennex. Plus I can till you're a hard mane to gain the respect of." 

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya nodded at Malachi.  "Thanks.  And you're right, I am loyal to him.  But it's more than that.  I owe him..."  she paused... "everything.  After I lost my mother, I didn't know where to go.  I was devastated.  All I wanted was to get revenge on the ones who hurt us."  Her voice seemed a bit strained, as painful memories flashed through her mind.  "After I got it, I just stood there, not knowing what to do next.  Then he approached me with his offer."  Her smile returned.  "He gave me a new life, a new purpose, and I owe him for that."

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

Malachi nods. " I think I can understand. Even though I never had something happen to me to want revenge. I have friends who went though something. One friends small village was raided by a warlords troops. Killed his pop and ma, right in front of him. After that he joined some freedom fighters. Long story shot it ended up with him killing the warlords bodyguards by himself and bashing the warlords head in with his club. He also lost a leg.  But he didn't seem that broken up about it.

 

The other was forced to watch his commanding officer kill a griffin filly that he grew really close to. After that his CO gave him a scar on the side of his face so hill have to remember it. Which he soon regretted when my friend hunt him down, castrated him and forced fed him his own... well you get the idea. " He shuttered a little from the image that popped in his head.

 

 "Anyway. My point is even though I don't know what you or my friends really went though I can understand the want for revenge. I just hope I never have to face something like that. I already have to deal with crap now that I've been dealing with since I could remember. And even though I'm fine with it now I still kinda find it hard to deal with sometimes or even talk about." A look of melancholy grew on his face. 

 

((I just wanted to use that word.))

[nx9100 1,013]

((lol))

 

"Yeah," Sakuya agreed, "the past can be hard to talk about sometimes."  They continued on down the street, an uncomfortable silence hovering over them.  Great, now what do I do? she asked herself, not really knowing the answer.  She never had another pony walk her home like this before.  He eyes quickly glanced at Malachi.  I assumed he was just trying to get an easy score with me before, but now he seems to have backed off.  A movement off to the side caught her eye, and she had the briefest glance at a familiar black outline before it vanished into the shadows.  Why is he still following me?  Doesn't Ravage have anything better to do?

 

------------------------

 

As he collapsed onto his bed, a sigh escaped, and Ennex turned to stare out the window at the skyline.  "Maybe Sakuya's right," he thought outloud, "maybe I... maybe I really should get this drinking under control."  That thought brought up another.  "And why in Nightmare's name did I ask her about.... about tonight?  That hasn't happened in over a year."  He laid back, the room only lit by the lights from out the window.  "I mean, I know that Mala...Mala... uh Malachi!  I know Malachi was hitting on her and crap."  He frowned, then smacked his forehead.  "Oh, come ON Ennex!  Get it together!  It's not like she belongs to me or anything."  Reaching over to the stand next to the bed, he pressed a button on a remote, and music started to play from a pair of wall mounted speakers.  Just need to relax, he thought, it's the alcohol taking.  I'll forget it all by morning.  A few minutes later, he was fast asleep....

Edited January 20, 2015 by nx9100

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

Malachi was quiet for a while. He was thinking of the right things to say to, Sakuya. That didn't sound like he just wanted her for a one-night-stand or anything like that. And that he was generally interested in her. And so he decided be blunt. "Sakuya, I'm just gonna be blunt with ya. I like you. I find you interesting. And I know I didn't make the best first impression. But I think it was worth it just to kiss you." He said with a smirk but then his mouth went back to a line. "Anyway, I know that most wiseguys ponies come off scumdogs who like to just get mares into bed with them. But not all of us are like that.

 

I mean you are very pretty, but I don't just like you cause of that." He stopped walking. "Ennex told me you have a hard time trusting others after what happen with your horn. He didn't tell me what happen cause I don't ask. Cause I don't like telling stories about others, when I'm sure they don't like to talk about it, behind their backs.  Cause we all have things like that." He then took off his hat to reveal his curved brown horn that marked him as half a full blood demon and a pony. Then he looked at her with both his eyes. 

 

"Not a lot of ponies know this about me. When I was growing up I was treated like a freak, You can see why. Even if I covered my horn and keep my eye closed I was still nothing but a monster to others. About the only ponies that treated me like I was normal was my family, ma and old man. But as I got older I was lucky enough to make friends who don't treat my like I'm a monster. Even my crew don't even care about what I am." Instead of the the normal, smart ass and charismatic, Malachi. He was acting rather shy and nervous, he even had a blush. "And the reason why I'm showing you my... 'real self' is because so you wont think I'm just trying to get in your pants... so to speak." He gave a nervous chuckle.

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya smiled.  "You know, you didn't have to go through that whole speech," her eyes turned to face the ground, "but I'm glad you did.  Honestly, after this morning, I just had you figured as a thug.  Somepony who uses both his name and muscles to get what he wants.  But that's all just a tough-guy image, isn't it?"  She looked up again.  "And thanks for not asking about, well you know..." her eyes glanced up at her forehead.  "I know how you feel.  Most ponies give me weird looks about my horn.  Although they know better then to say anything directly, but I can hear the mumbling that goes on behind me."  What's going on?  Why am I letting his new 'nice guy' attitude get my guard down?

Edited January 20, 2015 by nx9100

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

"Kinda. I usually try to be myself as much as I can. A friend of mine told me once, 'If you can never be yourself, then there is no reason living.'. And I  know I come off as a thug. cause lets be honest, in my line of work you can't be a nice guy all the time. And sometimes the ponies I deal with really need to learn things the hard way.  But either way I go I still need to work heard for what I want. Cause like I said, I hate taking the easy way." Put his hat back on and gave Sakuya a smile.

 

"And also, the first thing I noted about you wasn't your horn," He took a step forward. " It was your eyes. I know it sounds cheesy,  but I mean it. I have thing for eyes. For most guys the first thing they notes about mares are their flanks. But I think a mares eyes tells you the most about them. " He looked right into hers. "Yours are very strong, but also a little soft. Like your use to being in the dark but you don't let it take over all the time. And you also like to be yourself but also hold back as much as you can without giving a a lot away."

[nx9100 1,013]

She turned away to try and hide the red that appeared on her cheeks. "You seem to know a lot about me," she finally said after a moment. "Either you're a good judge of character," she cocked her head to the side, "or Ennex has been talking out of turn again." A smile played across her face. "But you're right. Most ponies start with the flank, and work their way up. But you are a bit different, aren't you? I guess being half-demon gives one a different perspective on things." Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that they had arrived at the apartment building she lived in. It wasn't luxury, but still a decent place, with a doorpony and everything. Her job let her afford that much, at least. While Ennex had a private penthouse, she liked to keep a small place to herself, in a quiet neighborhood where most ponies kept to themselves. It made for fewer distractions, and even less questions, when one was practicing Zebra magic at home. "Well, here we are," she said, not really sure what to say next. She'd never had any visitors here. Well, except Ennex once. And she would bet Ravage had been there. He seemed to be everywhere. I know he's Ennex's bodyguard/enforcer, but sometimes he goes too far! She shook the thought away, as the doorpony opened the entrance.

 

"Good evening, Miss Sakuya," the old stallion greeted her.

 

"Oh, hi," she said, having let her thoughts distract her, and turned back to Malachi, "umm...."

Edited January 20, 2015 by nx9100

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 Malachi kept looking into Sakuya's eyes with a smile. "In this line of work you pick up a few things. Plus ma taught me right and to treat mares like ladies And the perspective thing is true too. " When he heard the sound of the door pony he looked around to see that he was able to fully walked Sakuya home. "Well, looks like I got ya home without a fuss or making you angry." He said with smirk but it went back to a normal smile. "I'm kinda sad to say good night. But I will honestly be happy when I see you again. Which I highly hope will be soon."

[nx9100 1,013]

She smiled again.  "Well, I'd have to agree, your mother DID teach you some manners," she said with a laugh.  You know, why not.  It has been a while, after all.  With a (hopefully not to visible) breath, she turned to walk into the building, nodding at the old doorpony.  Half way through the door, she paused, and turned her head to not quite look behind her.  "So, um..." she broke off for a moment, "would you like to come upstairs?"

 

(if you want, we can jump to the following morning after this post.... hehe)

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100, (( Nah, I'm cool to keep going.))

 

Malachi wasn't gonna a lie, he wasn't expecting her to say that. But he kept smiling. "I would love to." He walked up the stairs and into the building when she went in. He looked around while he was next to her. He started to thinking of what to say once they get to her room.

[nx9100 1,013]

Stepping out of the elevator, Sakuya made her way down to one end of the hall, Malachi following behind.  At this end, there was only a single door, which lead to her apartment.  She preferred it this way, as the more seclusion the better.  She waved a hoof over the handle, and muttered something under her breath.  With a click, the door opened, and she smiled back at her companion.  "Little trick from my mother.  Only somepony who knows Zebra magic can unlock it."  She led the way inside, to a sparsely decorated living room.  Just a single couch along the wall, facing a small table, with a window overlooking the cityscape behind it, a small kitchen area off to one side.  There were three other doors, two of them open.  Beyond the first, one could get a glimpse of a bed.  The second, a bathroom sink.  The third door, was sealed shut.  It was her meditation room, where she practiced her Zebra skills her mother had taught her.  NOPONY, not even Ennex, had ever been allowed in there.  "I know it's not much," she said, waving a hoof around the room, "I usually spend so much time with... work... that I only really come here to relax and sleep."

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 Malachi looked around a little. "Not bad. I would like a place like this. Not to big, not to small." He said as he leaned his bat on the wall next to the door." In a family like mine it's pretty normal to still live with your parents at my age. And sure the place is big enough to house more then five ponies. But I just sometimes want... you know...solitude." He took a seat on the couch and placed his saddle bags non the floor next to it.  "It must be nice to have a place where you can go when you don't have deal with work. Or anyone really."

[nx9100 1,013]

@@Gloomfury, 

 

"Yeah," she agreed, "it is nice.  And the neighbors are all of the type to keep to themselves.  Which is nice when one practices... a different... kind of magic."  She moved to look out the window.  "Gotta keep up the tough persona when working.  Even out in public, but here," she turned from the view, and dropped to the couch opposite of Malachi, "here I can relax, and just be me."

Edited January 21, 2015 by nx9100

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 "You remind me of a friend of mine. She also practices a... very different kind of magic that I'm sure not a lot of ponies are willing or want to learn. But she seems to really love it to the point that she gets  giddier then a school filly when talking about it." He chuckled. Then he moved slightly closer to her. "And, if you don't mind, I'd like to see your true self."

[nx9100 1,013]

Breaking the habit of a lifetime, Sakuya didn't try to move away from Malachi.  With a sigh, she visibly let her guard down, and relaxed into the couch.  After a moment, she reached over the side, and pulled up a small bowl filled with yellow powder.  "Alright," she winked at Malachi, "how about this?"  Taking a moment to remember the words, she started quietly chanting, closed her eyes, took a hoof-full of the powder.  Her voice gaining volume, she tossed the powder into the air above them.  As it slowly sprinkled down, the shape of a phoenix appeared out of the dust, and flew over Malachi's head.  It banked to fly around the room, as Sakuya continued her chant, eyes still closed.  Suddenly, the dust-phoenix dove towards her, loosing its shape as it flew, the powder forming into a stream, and pouring back into the bowl.  Once all of it had returned, she opened her eyes with a smile.  "How about that?" she asked.

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

Malachi's eyes were wide with amazement. "That was fantastic! I didn't know Zebra magic could do anything like that. My from from Zebraca told me a little about the magic they use there, But nothing really flashy. Just normal potion making stuff. " He was giving a wide smile that was aimed right at Sakuya . "You are amazing. "  

[nx9100 1,013]

She blushed.  "Thanks.  My mother taught me that one when I was younger.  You're right, most of it is based on different potions.  But there ARE a few other interesting things that can be done."  She returned the bowl where she found it, and turned back to face Malachi.  "I could mix up brews to do just about anything you'd need.  It's come in handy over the years."  A slight frown crossed her face.  "And while Ennex hasn't really pushed me to use my magic, I know he'd prefer it if I used it more often to help his... schemes...."

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

"Well, he knows with his strengths lie. Between you and that Ravage guy I I've never seen a hearts as black of his think we can take over this country." He smirked. " I've never seen a heart as black as his with so little light. It's like a clear night with just a few stars. Oh, yeah. Another thing I didn't tell you about me is cause I'm half demon I can see the darkness in everyone's heart. It come in handy with dealing with others. Like what's the writ things to talk about. Yours is as half in half. Bot it's mostly leaning towards the dark. But you still have a lot of light."

[nx9100 1,013]

She froze, a look on wonderment on her face.  "You can see into our hearts?" she asked, and thought about it for a moment.  Half and half, huh, she thought, well, that makes sense, I guess.  She looked back at Malachi.  "And what about yourself?" she asked, "like when you look in a mirror.  What do you see?"

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 "Well, to be honest. I never looked into my own heart. I looked into my old man's and my ma's. My ma's is filled with nothing but light, with one or two dots of dark. But my old mans, well. He was born of darkness and fire. All that lies in his heart is a fire. A fire that if forged from hell. But, he is a great father. And I love him and my ma dearly. Plus, being half demon ain't that bad, I got this skill and I can live longer then most normal ponies. But not as long as my old man. But we can be killed, like any other pony."

[nx9100 1,013]

"Well, I can honestly say I've never met a demon-pony before," Sakuya replied, after a moment.  "And I can see how being able to read others like that could come in handy.  Honestly, I wasn't sure if there was any.... light, left in me.  After what happened," she shuddered, "and all these years of working with Ennex, I guess I thought the darkness was all I had left."  She smiled at him, a soft, friendly one.  "Thanks for telling me about myself."