Breaking the Chains (Felix)

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It had been only two days since Dirk had walked the streets of the city, with the memories still fresh in his mind, the sights, and the sounds would have had Dirk’s head on a swivel as he tried to take in everything at once. Two days since meeting the slave woman named Giselle, who fled from the Lycan’s warehouse, wounded and during a terrible storm. Two days since promising to free the slave from the collar bound to her neck, and that is exactly why they were here. In the very city where slaves were bought and sold under the radar, the lock-pick lived somewhere on these streets, something about near an orphanage.

In that short time, Dirk had told Giselle about a great deal of things from his past. How he rescued Trega as an egg, promising her mother to guard it until the day Trega was old enough to fend for herself. He recalled memories of his homeland, a place where events that rivaled stories of old still happened and stranger creatures than Trega existed. His childhood living an Abby built by a powerful Mage, where abandoned and orphan children were given home. A place where people lived in harmony with each other, no matter what race of being you were, where Dirk had learned to wield a sword and to fight for what he believed in and for others. The very same place that Dirk had met his childhood friend, whom Dirk had not seen for a little less than three years now.

After Trega had foraged a breakfast of berries, edible mushrooms and the like, they made their way back to the city while Trega hunted for food. The going was slow for Dirk insisted that Giselle should rest her feet every now and then, because her feet would still be raw from being chased barefoot by the Lycans. In another time, before Dirk had met Trega and gained their mental link, when he was more foolish, Dirk might have asked to carry Giselle to not lose any time. However the moment he thought of it, Trega would have her say. ’She is a proud woman, her pain will not advert that pride either. From what you have shown me, she reminds me of myself actually; cautious, independent. Yet it seems that you are the only one who suffers from haunting nightmares and a trouble past.’

So here they were, after spending a frightful night on the outskirts of town on the night of the full moon no less. Listening to the daunting howls of the Werewolves who were forcibly changed into their monstrous form. Groggy and dreary eyed from the sleepless night, the two wandered into the town just as the sun began to rise above the horizon. There was little for life on the streets, the odd passer by, but no one that seemed harmful. Dirk could hear the distant laughter of children playing before breakfast and smiled as he remembered his days as a mischievous orphan, pulling pranks on the elders and the old caretaker Alba. Noticing a gouge in a brick wall, which looked like the figure of a man with a bag in mid run, Dirk turned down the next ally way. “Follow the Green Menace, first door on the left.” He whispered. Coming to the first door, Dirk turned to Giselle. “This is it.” He said before pounding on the door.

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She had refused to rest for more than five minutes, for many reasons. One was that Giselle hated to be taken care of like she was a child, though in times of great need, she would do so. It was fine, for the most part. However, she was terrified as well, for fear of stopping too long that the three of them might be more vulnerable than ever. However, Giselle had compled to his demands, if not unwillingly. There was many things that Giselle needed. Shoes and new clothes were some of them, but at the moment, they were heading into the city to rid the woman of the silver band going around her neck. She hated the collar, and it would finally come off.

"Alright," she murmured, following after Dirk again. Her breakfast had been suitable, though not something that she necessarily enjoyed. Giselle was craving some watermelon at the moment, anything fruity in that sense. It was a desire of hers to eat some normal food. She winced as he pounded on the door. That noise broke the close to complete silence, and Giselle watched him, anxiously. It seemed to her that they were being watched, but then again, Giselle had good reason to worry for themselves. "Is he sleeping? Or are you banging that loud to wake up the neighborhood?"

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Dirk stood at the door a few moments before whacking the door once again. There wasn't much else to do but wait until someone responded. 'Knowing him, he probably just went to sleep an hour ago. The guy is sort of a night person, don't be offended if he comes off a little rude.'

Inside snoozing on his bed was Siris the lock-pick. Recently falling asleep after finishing a spying job for some criminal overlord. Of course, Siris gave the warlord the wrong information and his plans will soon fall apart. The pounding on the door stirred the lanky man, and the loud single hit snapped him fully awake. IN the background he could hear the music player quietly whispering a song through its speakers.

Through the Fire and the flames, Breaking the Chains
Into the night we go, Torment and pain, stuffs all the same
into our hell we go!
Stand Strong we live forever, through the lands and far away
Our eyes have seen the sorrow, far across the sun, the power in your hands!

The door opened, and a tall lanky, half naked man stood in the way. Scratching his snow white hair he looked dumbly down the steps at Dirk and Giselle. Suddenly realizing who was there, and catching a glimps of the collar around the slave woman's neck, a sly grin came over his face. 'Why Dirk, Ah always wanted a slave fer mah birthday. Yer a little early though.' The man said before being thumped on the head by Dirk's massive fist. "Shes not for you Siris!" Dirk growled and pushed his way into the tiny apartment.

It was bland and well kept, there was two doors in the opposite wall leading to a bedroom and a bathroom. A couch sat in the middle of the main room with a miniature kitchen sat in the corner with a fridge. 'Please, make yerselves at home Ah guess.' The man said before closing the door.

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The woman looked up at him. Defiance and anger, as well as some slight fear were easily read in the glare she gave Siris. Despite what Dirk said, the slave woman had a bit of a tough time listening to his advice. The man was rude, and Giselle didn't know what to say to him. However, she smirked when Dirk hit him, and easily slipped into the apartment, right after Dirk. She had no intention of straying too far from the man with this unknown person.

Her eyes went to the fridge, and then to the couch, before back to the fridge. Of course, making herself at home probably didn't mean to actually eat her fill of this man's fridge. She sat down on the couch, hesitant at first. Again, she pulled her knees to her chest, much like Giselle did with Dirk. "Don't mind if I do," she muttered.

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Siris caught the glint in Giselle's eye and grinned amid his sore head. Quickly backing off into the bedroom, Siris returned with a pair of shorts and a white t-shirt. Quickly putting on a kettle and opening his fridge, Siris grabbed a hunk of store bought lemon pie from it and munched on it. "So mah tall farm boy, what can ah do fer ya. You don't need something broken into do you?" Siris said, his eyes flicking back and forth from Dirk to Giselle. Dirk chuckled before raiding Siris' fridge as well and taking a slice of the same pie. Scarfing it down quickly before gesturing to Giselle. 'Aye, I need a collar broken into.'

Siris sighed as he set down the slice. Knowing full well what Dirk wanted the moment he opened the door. Siris read alot from peoples body language and facial expressions. Obviously having some kind of past dealing with Dirk, Siris would dust his hands off and tap his chin. 'Hmm I dunno, slave collars are tricky business, how do I know the owner isn't gonna show up and cut my head off. How much are you willing to pay?'

Dirk smiled evily before grabbing Siris around the neck and picked him up. 'I'm willing to not have to knock you on your ass!'

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Giselle sighed, the scent of lemons wafting through the apartment. She wanted some, and soon rose, taking a small slice of pie from the fridge, and then stealing onto the couch, curled up again. Giselle at the pie with a spoon, quiet and anxious, though the woman didn't show it. Siris's words made her almost shudder inwardly. Broken ito? Hah, as if. Giselle was already broken in almost any respect, though it was hard to tell if one didn't see the girl naked.

She started a bit, setting the plate on the couch as she got up. she walked over to Dirk, peering at Siris, before whipping her gaze back to the more familiar man. "If he doesn't want to do it, we can't force him. But, he could also sell us out, so I suppose that we'll have to slit his throat if he refuses us, Dirk," Giselle murmured, though with her back turned to Siris. Would he be able to tell that she was only playing around? Well, either way, the female human wanted that collar off.

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Siris was no fool, he knew a bluff when he saw one. The man would crack a smile at Giselle when she turned away from him. Slipping out of Dirk's grip he fell to the floor with a thump, "Ah like her Dirk, shes got a little bite to her. Ah suppose ah could knock off my usual fee, just fer yous two." Siris went into the back room, returning this time with a small bundle of cloth. Laying it out on the table, he unfolded it to reveal a series of strange tools. "Like ah said, collars are tricky business, some are locked magically, some have strange locks to em and see more delicate tools." Siris turned to Giselle and held out his hands. "May ah?"

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It was obvious that the woman didn't trust Siris, but Giselle had no other choice. She stood next to him, looking at the tools, not showing much emotion. He did make sense, but that didn't mean Giselle had to trust or like him. She sighed, looking to Dirk, before turning back to Siris. "Do you want me sitting, standing, or kneeling?" she asked, a bit reluctant. It would be a great feeling to have that collar off of her, that was sure. Giselle had been wearing one for so long, she could barely rember what life was like without one. It was something that had slowly become a part of her.

But now, the human wanted it gone, and she would get it off. Dirk had gotten her here. "Alrigt, come on." She was getting impatient.

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Siris was nearly dumbfounded by her question, however a smile tugged at his lips, wishing he could play along. However he reached out and grabbed a chair for Giselle to sit in and sat her down. Brushing away her hair, Siris examined the collar for the next hour or so, looking it over and over, tapping it with different tools, murmuring to himself and he tried to figure it out. Finally after some time, Dirk got fed up with the wait, sensing that Siris was just buying time for something. 'Well? Can you get it off or not?'

'Ah can't say fer sure... say, has this been enchanted at sometime?' Siris asked.

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She amazed herself at times. Giselle managed to stay patiently still, though her fingers were twitching, and sometimes clenched when his tools or his hands met her skin. She did not pull away in the least, and kept her breathing even, gentle and easy. "What?" Giselle opened her eyes, looking to Siris. "It might have been.. I know that some alchemist made it, but I have no other ideas on the properties of this collar. Do you think my previous master would be stupid enough to actually tell me what enchantments were on it?" The woman snorted, stretching out a bit.

"If you can't take it off without that information, then I guess it'll stay on." Giselle looked to Dirk, asking with her eyes if this guy was for real. It was an excruciating wait, and she was getting ready to burst, something that rarely happened with her.

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Siris sighed, an alchemist, why didn't she say so! Siris stepped away and grabbed a strange curved dagger. Its blade almost mirror like with a strange glint to it, it were as if the blade was not metal, but made of a liquid. Siris held the blade up into the light, running his thumb along it to test its sharpness. "Well then, we should have that thing off in a jiffy then." Siris said advancing on Giselle with the knife. Figuring that she might freak out, Siris quickly snatched the collar so Giselle could not slip away in fear of the knife. Making the experience as quick as he could, Siris slid the tip of the blade between the collar and her tender skin, and with a slice as effortless as cutting soft butter the dagger cut through the silver bound to Giselle's neck, the dagger glowing a pale silver before being let down on the table, the collar falling to the floor with a clang. "Well now, how does freedom feel?" Siris asked.

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He had figured right, for the woman had begun to second guess this man and his capability. She struggled, trying to get away from him, now that he held her collar. Giselle didn't whimper, though she was in a dead panic. The former slave did not like this, not in the least. She finally stopped as the blade neared her neck, for fear of injuring herself with it. However, it went so quick, so effortless, that the woman let out a relieved sigh when the knife was removed from her. It was odd-looking, something that was pretty to look at, though. She didn't pay much attention to Siris, and bent down, her small hands bringing the silver collar up from its place on the floor. She studied it for a while, then tucked the thing into the folds of her clothes. For a different time when she would get rid of it, for another time..

"Thank you," she mumured, now looking at Siris. In truth, though she didn't like the man too much, he had helped her. "It feels better than you can ever imagine, Siris."

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Siris gave her a warm smile as she thanked him, his eyes gleaming as if they were about to tear up. Siris was not an evil man as his outwards demeanor suggested, that had come from his years of being a full time murderer. A different, and dark time for the lanky man, bound by evil oaths, shackled by his memories, weighted down by the immense pressure of stress. He was not a slave as far as slaves went, Siris was free to choose what he wished to do, but sometimes Siris felt trapped by those evil people. He created so much death in those seven long years.... Siris was only just beginning to return to his normal self.

Siris gave the newly freed woman a fancy bow and spoke softly, 'It was mah pleasure madam. One freed slave is a victory for all other slaves. For it builds hope that one day, they too may escape their cold collars of slavery.'

Dirk watched as everything played out for the better. The warm feeling of happiness spreading through his entire body, or perhaps it was that of Trega's ancient mind washing over his own as she watched the scene from Dirk's eyes. "It is wonderful to see you filled with happiness. I often wonder what happened to that side of you, but I see it is still whole. I am glad, for you should be happy, you brought freedom to someone who had lived their life without it."

Siris looked up at the clock, which had just rolled over to 8 A.M. With a sigh the man would stretch out his body and yawning. "Ah guess it'll be another long day at the office. Ya two look beat, feel free to help yerselves to mah home. Ah got a job ah can do, won't be back till nightfall at the very least." Siris said as he walked into the back room for a few minutes. Returning fully clothed with a black vest and a pair of navy blue pants, the legs lined with different straps and pockets, all filled with different tools for breaking and entering. Strapping a belt of silver throwing knives over his vest, Siris snatched up the curved dagger and placing it in the proper sheath at his back. Strolling to the door, Siris made a final check of his equipment before waving to his company and opening the door. "Oh, by the way, if you two are gonna get cozy, in the dresser next to the bed there's some-"

"Siris!" Dirk yelled, shocked that Siris would even consider the possibility. Snatching the first thing that came to hand, which happened to be the couch cushion, Dirk bounced it off the door as Siris slipped away unharmed, "Just kidding!" Dirk muttered a string of curses under his breath, scratching his shaggy hair as he turned to Giselle, laughing nervously and looking rather sheepish.

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Giselle laughed outright, enjoying a small sense of narmalicy with this man. He was easy-going, though a bit hard on the eyes and mind. Siris was someone she could trust though, because Dirk trusted him. However, she knew that under normal circumstances, the two of them would not have met. "Well Dirk, I say we freak him out.. you know, give the appearence that we slept together. I'm sure that he would get a kick to think we had sex in his bed." She rose, stepping over to the fridge and grabbing the milk, pouring herself a glass.

"If you don't mind, I could use a shower." She looked over to him, washing the dishes and then searching out the bathroom. She ran the water in the tub, planning on soaking for a bit. "While I wait for that, I suppose I can visit with you. If you don't mind, that is.." Giselle smiled, the amusement obvious in her voice. She was pleased with her company. In fact, she felt safe here. It was nice to forget about the rest of life, even if for a little while.

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Indeed she should feel safe, the various locks over the reinforced door, the cupboards stuffed with various cooking ingredients, food packed in both the fridge and shelves. Somehow the place gave Dirk the feeling it was not only Siris' home, but his safe-house, a sort of sanctuary for the sticky fingered rogue. Giselle's idea struck Dirk by surprise, not exactly what he expected from the woman. Dirk could feel his cheeks sting but instead of acting like a stunned fool, he cracked a mischievous smile instead. "Aye now lets not give that stick of a thief the satisfaction. The best way would to actually have sex in his bed and then make it look like we didn't."

Dirk couldn't believe he had just said that, wincing out of habit, as he had done several times in the past few days, when he would have said a smart-ass comment and be disciplined by Trega with a slap in the back of the head. Even if she was not within reach, she could even mentally slap him from a hundred leagues away. However all was silent in Dirk's mind, he had not noticed Trega pull away from his mind. But now that he did, a kind of cold fear rushed through his body as his mind raced at what could have happened to Trega, yet she was far capable of taking on even the toughest of foes.

That fear was instantly washed away by the strange silence of his own mind, the one place he could go and truly be alone. Dirk had not felt this way since he first connected with Trega, her mind was always just a signal away, and even as Dirk called, there was silence. Knowing that Giselle would likely ask about Trega's discipline, he flatly answered. "Trega... we are alone. Its Strange cause she never leaves me alone with a woman."