An evening gone awry

[Hayate_Amatsukami]

That’s one down, only three more to go… Hayate thought to himself as he leapt from roof to roof traversing the sprawling city of Radasanth. Since the eruption in Lorinus more and more people flocked to the city seeking refuge and safety in numbers. The ashen skies reflect the apathetic moods that blanketed everyone in sight. Though times may look bleak there are still many things that need to be done, not only for those trying just to outlive the devastation but for those seeking to capitalize upon it. Hayate was one of the latter and he alongside his faithful militant weren’t going to be left behind. No matter what Vann Osiris had said.

From above the city streets looked like infested allies as many people took to setting up makeshift housing wherever they found the room. It was truly a street urchin’s paradise, plenty of pockets to be picked. Hayate Amatsukami, along with three members of his task force, had made the journey to Radasanth from Tylermande seeking the aid of the great houses in the upcoming siege on the city. It was still some time off, but the ground work still had to be laid. And it didn’t matter what Storm or anyone thought, Hayate couldn’t trust just anyone with this delicate matter.

Soon the shinobi stopped at the edge of one a building overlooking a prominent part of town. And before long he was accompanied by three shadows, his subordinates, all taking up position around him. Without words Hayate gestured for them to be off and do what they had come to do and in an instant the three figures melded with the shadows and were gone.

“What do you think?” the lone Amatsukami asked as he reached for the hilt of his nodachi. “Should we take a moment and observe the scene? The others can handle addressing the nobility on our behalf, we should get a closer look at all these civilian and assess the threat level.”

Must you really ask me? We both know you’re going to do whatever you want anyway. The voice of Yamato answered him from the recesses of the shinobi’s mind.

“I just like hearing you sometimes, you’re always so chipper.” He finished as he stepped off the edge of the building. With a flick of his wrist a large cable jettisoned from his arm and latched tightly on to the building, gently lowering him all the way down to the street.

It wasn’t long before Hayate found himself lost in the shoulder to shoulder crowd. He hated the smell of it, the squalor of un-bathed filth, it disgusted him. But to his amazement something grabbed his attention, rather someone. From the corner of his eye Hayate spotted a large sight for sore eyes, sitting in a nice restaurant with a fine lady at his side was none other than the giant himself. John ‘Mother Lovin’ Cromwell had come to the city instead of sitting at home on his farm.

Instantly Hayate’s mood improved as he pushed himself through the crowd to get to the restaurant to see his mechanic. After a brief chat with the host he was granted permission to enter and come up to John’s table. Hayate wasn’t sure if he would be interrupting things, but in all honestly he didn’t much care. They appeared to have finished their food and were just chatting so he brushed off any hesitation and walked up behind the half-giant.

“It’s been a while John, everything seems to be holding up nicely.” The shinobi said as he rested his metal hand on John’s shoulder. “I’ll never really be able to pay you back for this. But I can offer you some advice, it’s about time you get yourself out of Radasanth.”

[redford]

John looked to his side. Where the bombastic lord had been, there was the shinobi, Hayate, in his place.

Perhaps this wasn't shaping up to be a pleasant evening after all. John glanced at the metal of his arm, his hand resting on his shoulder. Truth to tell, even in his chair John was as tall as the ninja beside him. He looked around the table as Hayate spoke, trying to find any danger or suspicious behavior from patrons. Aside from the fog, slowly attempting to roll in and barely being beaten back by the lantern light of the open air portion of the restaurant, John could not see anything significant. The half-giant's eyes narrowed.

"Are you threatening me?" He asked of the shinobi, placing a massive arm on the table to separate Hayate and Jamie. It didn't feel like much, but it was something. He began to feel tense, and he uncrossed his legs, ready to move if he needed to.

A scream pierced the night, long and wailing, and was then cut off abruptly. Guards immediately moved toward the sound, which came from the courtyard, which sat ringed by buildings such as the restaurant. The thickness of it prevented John from seeing too far into the courtyard, no more than ten feet or so. He could not see the source of the strangled cry, but he imagined he knew who was responsible. He whipped his arm at his own shoulder, catching the shinobi's metal forearm in his hand, and squeezed tight. He felt the Titanium, strong though it was, flex slightly in his powerful grip. He pulled the boy toward him, and pushed Jamie away with his other hand. She would understand. John's metal armor began to seep down his arms, coating his skin in rivulets.

"What is this, boy?" he asked forcefully, squeezing his arm further. He could break the thing, true, but he didn't want to destroy his own work unless it was absolutely required.