Tomoe picked his nose and tossed the green nugget over a railing as they walked, ensuring that the noble's back was good and turned to them. Seeing more of that man's personality come out throughout the day, the Joyan couldn't help but sigh and think happy thoughts. Happy thoughts like the idea of just sneaking off, changing faces and coming back so he could horizontally bisect the man.
But then I go home broke..., Tomoe thought with a miserable, glazed expression coming over him at the thought of once more eating goddamn dry oats or plain rice again.
He had, admittedly, been saving up his funds to buy himself something nice soon. He wasn't sure what yet; whether he'd go all-in on a new weapon, some armor, or even some enchantments. He'd been out and about all over South Fiore lately, and he felt like he was finally starting to see equal pay for the effort he was putting in; effort not as a criminal, but as somebody of good morals. The thought was laughable to Tomoe, but at the very least there was nothing that would reflect so badly on the guild as to be detrimental.
It was in these thoughts when he noticed something suspicious, and stopped. From an alley they had passed while walking he saw a man with a toothy grin hunched over, watching them. And then in front, two more had stood to prevent the noble from continuing on his way. Finally, one more was walking up from behind, each keeping a five meter distance from the trio of the noble, Tomoe and Aegis.
"What is the meaning of this?! Clear the path, or I will have you moved by my bodyguards!", the noble shouted out in defiance, taking a step back closer towards his hired mages.
Tomoe was about to draw his sword when an area flew by his face, cutting off a strand of hair as a warning shot. Distancing his hand from the handle, the Joyan turned towards the man who was approaching from the alley, hunched over with a crossbow in his hands. Giggling to himself gleefully, he loaded another bolt while the two men in front closest to the noble drew knives and the one in the back closest to Tomoe and Aegis drew a rusty scimitar.
"Ye'll hand over yer loot 'er else ye die here!", the hunchbacked man spoke in an unruly, ghastly voice, stink lines coming off his clothes.
Tomoe quickly shot Aegis an inquisitive look, wondering how they would proceed without a dead employer on their hands. If Aegis would not give an answer that Tomoe could agree on quickly, the Joyan would make his own preparations to rush forth, guided on instinct as he always had been.
WC: 1,337/1,700 (15% reduced)