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[Cantos Orlan]

Cantos turned onto Kenton Street from a side ally. After making contact with some Hazekillers, he had learned that a major ball was forthcoming, and that violence was considered eminent. Knowing the upper nobility would be feeling the need for protection, Cantos hoped to make some contacts in the streets.

It was mid day, and the ash fall had tapered off slightly, allowing all to walk for a while without concern. Nobles dominated the street, surrounded by bodyguards and retainers, they shopped and bullied the Skaa. Though he was there for a job, he couldn't help but glare at some of the Nobles, his disfiguring scar screwing his face into a scowl. He avoided the press of the crowds, and attempted to simply see what the street had to offer.

Cantos turned his attention to the Skaa, looking at them and studying them. He had always been impressed by their ability to survive, now more then ever. He had heard about the inquisition, and seen the terror that these men and women suffered under. He sighed and approached a Skaa vendor selling snacks and purchased one for a boxing.

He nods politely and conducts himself as a Gentlemen, no threatening, no disgusting displays of false bravado which seem to make up the rest of the noble population of Luthadel.

He moves to the side and leans against a wall. Reaching into his pocket he considers his latest possession, a vial of iron from the Lurcher he killed his first night here. He is tempted to burn it, to see what it does, but has decided against it on the street. However, he is entranced by the light glittering against the glass and metal.

[Valkynphyre]

((we generally use 3rd person past tense, and you've got a lot of present tense there. Might wanna look to that. Especially since you changed tenses midway through the post.))

A man sat, hooded and masked in grey robes. He plucked at a lute, a soft refrain that somehow reminded one of rivers and rainstorms. His hands were hard and calloussed, his robes were those of an obligator. With his hood up, little could be seen of the face underneath. A strong chin and a mouth with a hook shaped scar to the left of his lips. His tattoos were concealed in his cowl and mask, making it impossible to divine which Canton he belonged to. Or had belonged to. He seemed to be aware of nothing but the melody he plucked.

Valkyn watched from beneath his disguise. No one would expect a Steel Inquisitor to look like an out of work obligator. The strings he played to match Elena's heartbeats. She was coming closer, the thumpings louder.

There.

A hazekiller, burning tin instinctively. He was sneering at a group of nobles. Not a wise move for someone who wanted to be hired.

The hazekiller had a vial of metal on his person. Hidden in his palm, but having no eyes had ... some... advantages. Which metal was impossible to know unless he started to burn it, but Valkyn assumed it was tin. If it was anything else...

Still, he looked like a noble. If a poor one. And nobles were not what Valkyn was interested in.

His song hadn't ceased, and he plucked the strings mournfully as Elena passed. He would have to find her again. Hopefully, next time, She'd lead him to a Skaa.

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron sighed as he let Martin stalk off down the alley. Daerra would be disappointed. They had no contracts for the night of the ball. Of course, Daerra had plans of her own, but his twin thrived in the chaos that the great houses of Luthadel created, and she welcomed any chance there was to add to it.

A melancholy tune caught his ear. It was beautiful, at least as good as any that Daerra could play or sing, if not better. He searched Kenton street, looking for the source of the song. It would be close by. He was no tin-eye, and such a soft song would not reach his ears from far down the street. He caught a scarred soldier scowling at him. Angry fellow, I wonder what his problem is. The man was leaning against a wall, eyeing every noble on the street coldly. Ahh, thought Aaron, A grudge against the gentleman's race. That explains it.

Just to be cautious, Aaron burned Iron briefly. Blue lines shot out in multiple directions. One pointed to the man's clenched fist. Aaron raised his eyebrow at that. He had been suspecting some sort of hidden weapon, but the only metal the man had on his person was whatever was in his hand. Some sort of Trinket?, wondered Aaron. Resisting the urge to investigate further, he turned his attention back to the mysterious song. Finally, he found an Obligator in frayed robes plucking at a lute. His tattoos were hidden beneath his cowl, so it was impossible to tell which Canton he belonged to. If he belongs to any Canton anymore, it certainly doesn't seem like it. Feeling bad for the fellow, Aaron walked op to him, and dropped some coins into his empty lute case, hoping others in the square might follow suit. They weren't his coins anyways, he'd lifted them off a young man in the square when he bent to retireve the glasses Aaron had pulled off his face.

"It's a beautiful song," he told the Obligator cheerfully, "I didn't know there was a Canton of Music."

[Valkynphyre]

The 'obligator' smiled and thanked the man. A high noble, an Elariel if he wasn't mistaken. Aaron. His sister had a date with this man for the Casuana Ball. Something sinister was in the works. He took comfort in Elana's heartbeat. She would always be there for him. A relief from political intrigue and posturing. She was always so brutally honest.

"There should be," the 'obligator' replied. "The Lord Ruler knows, music works almost as well as emotional allomancy to a master. The ladies of the court understand, even if he doesn't. The Canton of Orthodoxy uses it occasionally, but one would think it would be held in higher regard. What is your opinion on the subject, my lord Elariel?"

[Aaron Elariel]

It unnerved Aaron how darkly the hood shadowed the man's face. He hadn't even looked up at him as he spoke. A strange man indeed, he thought. And he knew who I was on sight, or at least my house. Perhaps he isn't as far removed from the Cantons as I thought. He suddenly thought of how foolish he must have looked, donating pocket change to an obligator. Oh well, what's done is done. The way he spoke of the Lord Ruler not understanding music was definitely unorthodox. Perhaps the other Obligators had kicked him out.

The obligator's smile was disconcerting, especially with his eyes hidden. Aaron's curiosity burned to bump the man just so, and send the hood tumbling back off of his head. For once, his nobleman's sense of propriety stopped him.

Instead, he focused on the obligator's question. "I can't say I have much of an opinion on any business of the Steel Ministry, or music for that matter. I know what I like and what I don't, and leave the rest to my sister," he paused, and when the obligator did not reply, he continued. "Living with her all my life has given me a bit of an ear for a good tune. Forgive my presumption, but if you are short on boxings, I'm sure the Casuanas are still in need of musicians of your skill for their upcoming ball..." he trailed off. How do you address an Obligator who is not an obligator any more? His street corner musician routine does not suggest high nobility, but how to be sure? Daerra would have known what to do, but she was still back at the Keep. He decided to take the coward's way out, and waited to see if the man would supply his name and station on his own.

[Valkynphyre]

The 'obligator' smiled, genuinely surprised by the young gentleman's generosity. Living with his father and sister must have ruined his naivete. This nobleman was kind and thoughtful, traits not often espoused among the high nobility. It was refreshing and bittersweet. Like Elena.

This man definitely deserved better than his sister as a date to the ball. he doubted there was a noblewoman among the current crop worthy of him. This Aaron Elariel was a better man than he was. His ignorance of music could be excused.

"I thank you, lord Elariel for your suggestion, but I will already be attending the ball in an entirely different capacity. Appearances are not always as they appear, you understand."

He lifted his hand away from he strings, yet they continued to play. He replaced his hand and continued his speech.

"You have caught me with my second love, one which does not mix easily with my station. The Lord Ruler is kind and merciful, but those in his service can not always do as they wish. Just as those in service of their masters have certain decisions made for them."

This with a meaningful eyeless glance was said with the tiniest hint of knowing. His smile was no longer so wide, his music slower and more delicate.

"Your kindness moves me to song, Lord Elariel. I offer you the kindest wishes this weekend."

His voice dropped to a whisper. "Be careful with her, she is much more, and much less than she seems."

[Cantos Orlan]

Cantos sighed, his thoughts had turned black once again. Often his mind turned to his wife, his face would scrunch up, and his eyes turn to black pits deeper the Lord Ruler's soul. His eyes would search the crowd, looking for a certain man, one to hunt and kill. Cantos struggled with the thoughts that entered his head, and attempted to reign them in.

Finally, he sighed, straitened himself, and brushed away some of the ash on his haze killer robes. He paused in his actions as his ears finally adjusted to the world around him, and he listened to the sweetest music. It was with a shock that he realized an Obligator played on the street. One engaged in conversation with a noble.

Cantos studied the man briefly before dismissing him as a target. Finally he approached and attempted to smile. He waited for the conversation to finish.

"My Lord Obligator," he paused, his eyes still roving the crowd, "Excuse me my Lord." He spoke quickly to the young gentlemen, not wishing to be rude. "Your music is astonishing, I have only known one before to play as you do, my lost wife."

His fist still clenched around the iron in his hand, and the thought of his wife gave him a moment of courage. "How do you play here on the street when the Steel Ministry seems so against music and mirth?" He pauses, knowing he spoke dangerously, but confident in his ability to escape if necessary.

[Aaron Elariel]

When the obligator mentioned his generosity, Aaron felt a twinge of guilt, but only that. The money might not have been his, but he had given the man his own advice. When he said that he would be attending the ball in another capacity, Aaron groaned inwardly. At least he's not a Prelan, he thought, My father would be sure to hear about it if he was. Prelans were almost never as civil as this man was. Aaron wasn't sure if it was because he spent so much of his time outside the law, but higher ranking obligators, especially Prelans, made him almost as nervous as the inquisitors did. Almost.

His voice dropped to a whisper, and said... something being careful. With a woman?

Aaron looked at the obligator in a new light. Who was he speaking of? Did he know something of Daerra, and of her... temperment? Had he been watching them? Waiting here to trap him? No, he had approached the man, not the other way around. Had he not heard the song, he would have never run into him. Was he really talking about Daerra? What did he know? Aaron shifted his weight slightly, and burned iron, ready to escape from the situation should things turn sour. If an obligator was on to him and Daerra, they were in deep trouble.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The obligator was interrupted when the soldier Aaron had noticed before appeared at their side.

[Valkynphyre]

The hazekiller approached as Lord Elariel's face writhed. It was hard to tell, but he thought fear and suspicion warred across his face. It was probably changing colors.

Ah, colors. what he wouldn't give to see them again. Elena always wore the brightest colors. He missed the sight of her in her spring dresses. The music turned more melancholy. Her heartbeat pounded right beside him. Iron again. Twice from this young lord in as many minutes. Yes, he was nervous. Too nervous for the meanings Valkyn had put behind the words.

"Who are you," Lord Elariel queried, interrupted almost immediately by the Hazekiller.

Now there was bold. There was brazen. There was stupidity. The hazekiller complimented his music, but in the same breath spoke of the misery of a lost one and a desire for revenge against the Steel Ministry. Not explicitly, but the emotion in his voice left no other interpretations.

Here was a fool. Maybe he could be useful, but if this was all the restraint he had, putting him on a hook may be the only use for him.

Elena hissed. She didn't like threats to the rebellion.

"No one of consequence, I'm afraid, my lord. I shall have to talk to you later. After your 'mettle' has been tested." He said it simply, knowing that Lord Elariel would understand. 'mettle'. 'metal'. I know what you are.

He didn't turn his head to address The hazekiller. He often forgot to do so.

"I thank you, my lord, for the comparison. That my small skill can bring to memory that of your beloved is a sincere compliment."

The 'obligator' stood, replacing his lute in its cover.

"Will you walk with me, my lord," he asked.

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron caught the obligator's emphasis on the word 'mettle.' He knows I'm burning metals. He's an allomancer then. That in itself wasn't a problem. Many Noblemen were known to be allomancers. That one obligator knew he could burn iron would not effect Daerra's plans too much. If that obligator already had suspicions about them... it could be very bad indeed.

I need to get out of here, he thought, Before things get any worse. He nodded to the obligator, glanced at the soldier, and left. Up close he realized the man was wearing the robes of a haze killer. That explained the lack of metal on his person, but not whatever he held in his hand. The obligator said he would be attending the ball in another capacity, perhaps he's in helping the Casuanas with security. Lord Ruler knows they'll need it. He took a quick glance backwards. The two men were intent on their conversation, and neither was giving him the slightest bit of attention.

I'm worrying over nothing, he thought, as he rounded a corner. For all I know he could have been talking about Phyra Venture. He laughed at the thought, and continued home to tell Daerra everything that had transpired.

[Cantos Orlan]

"Will you walk with me, my lord."

Cantos cursed silently at himself. He needed to calm down, get his internal emotions under control. His anger was seeping out of control and he needed to work on that, though in his honest assessment he couldn't see many Obligators being upset with being called stuffy. They usually were!

"Of course, Lord Obligator." He paused. "Are you in need of protection? I notice you travel with no guards, and I would be honored to escort you." No time like the present to make amends. Obligators were powerful people, and in a crowded street he couldn't be seen to simply smash one down.

"Your music is payment enough, believe me. To hear music such as that again eases some of the pain caused when my wife was killed." He smiled, though the expression was twisted against the scar.

[Valkynphyre]

Valkyn smiled as he pulled out a duelling cane. He tapped the ground in front of him before stepping, giving the impression of a blind man. He smiled softly at the offer of an escort, and again at the heartfelt compliment. The man was a fool, but perhaps an honest one.

That could be cured.

"I would be honored, my lord..." Valkyn fished for a name.

[Cantos Orlan]

Cantos immediately bowed smartly, "Cantos, House of Orlan." He paused. "I train and lead haze killers in the Southern Dominance. My last contract brought me here to Luthadel."

He noted that the dueling cane was being used as a walking stick. Not a staff, not a crutch. He was suspicious, and aware that Obligators were powerful opponents both politically and militarily. He was willing to walk with the man, but would not let himself be killed.

He paused and let the man take the lead for a moment, quaffed the iron while turning his head away, pulled off his shield and prepared his own dueling cane. He didn't burn the metal, but he could feel it within. It felt... odd. He wasn't sure what he could do with it, but as he walked, he reviewed in his mind fights with Lurchers. He knew that metal pulled towards them, such as coins, and that if they pulled on something to heavy, they went towards it, like anchoring a rope and climbing up it. Your weight could make the anchor more solid. Knowing this he felt somewhat more prepared, though he knew to use the metal without training was very dangerous.

[Valkynphyre]

"Lord Orlan," The 'obligator' continued. A minor lord from the southern dominance, most likely poor and unused to Luthadel politics.

He saw the blue line that led to the vial move. He didn't need to turn to see the hazekiller uncertainly quaff the metal. Another advantage to having no eyes. Valkyn paused, readying pewter, steel, iron, tin, and bronze. He also prepared to tap weight, should the need arise.

Valkyn walked to the nearest street corner before continuing. He headed straight for the nearest Skaa Slums. "I take it you arrived last night, as you do not mention a new contract. Do I have the honor of being the first to welcome you to Luthadel?"

The question, and the answer didn't matter. He only needed to keep the man occupied and free of suspicion until he could find a decent corner to abduct the fool. Perhaps instruct him in discretion and pain.

[Cantos Orlan]

Cantos followed along, though he was growing suspicious, and let more space open up between himself and the Obligator. The man moved towards the side street without any hesitation or problem, as if he could see it, despite the covering over his eyes. What is going on here?

"Indeed my Lord Obligator," he paused. "You do!" He followed down the side street, noticing how closely built the city was here, the building seemed to lean against each other for support. Cantos was concerned, this was the perfect place for an ambush.

[I}I am a fool.[/I] He cursed to himself. He had killed an Obligator, and somehow they had tracked him down. He didn't even make it hard. He walked right up to one! Cantos felt like an idiot and his face burned as he realized that the man in front of him must be laughing at his good fortune, perhaps preparing himself for the accolades of his companions in the Ministry.

As they walked, they came to a fairly empty area, only a few skaa who hurriedly walked away. He nodded to himself, If he is going to act, it will be here.

"My Lord, might I suggest an alternate route?" He knew that his suggestion would be ignored, but he lifted his shield and dueling cane.

[Valkynphyre]

"In that case, I welcome you warmly to Luthadel."

He could see suspicion and tension rising in the hazekiller. That wouldn't do.


He burned zinc, soothing some of his suspicion away. The touch had to be subtle, or it would be useless. His fear he barely touched. The fool needed that. His pity, however, he rioted with zinc. Very few would attack one they pitied, or suspect an attack. Elena's heart thumped behind him softly.

The hazekiller suggested a different route. almost intelligent of him.
His Steel and Iron, always at a low burn informed him there was no one inside of the nearest Skaa hovel.

It was well tended, for a skaa hovel, and no one was likely to return before nightfall. They would all be at work in the mills.

It would do.

"No need, my lord," the 'obligator' replied. "This is my new home." He forced out a dry, bitter laugh.

"When one falls in Luthadel, one often falls far."

He pulled softly on the cheap lock, and opened the door.

"Come in," he insisted.

[Cantos Orlan]

As a Hazekiller, Cantos had been well trained in the arts that would oppose him: Soothers, Rioters, Thugs, Lurchers, Coinshots, Smokers.... he was familiar with them all.

An Obligator in a Skaa slum? Hardly. An Obligator touching on his emotions so lightly? Hardly again. Immediately his training kicked in. Here was an allomancer, one who seemed to sooth and riot. A mistborn.

Cantos knew he was in trouble, but felt the pull against his emotions to calm. He fought it, desperately trying to regain control. He needed to gain the initative, especially against a Mistborn, but he had a surprise. He wasn't any Skaa Hazekiller. He was a noble, and a Mistborn Hazekiller. An odd combination, but he was willing to try anything.

Without waiting, or even answering the invitation, he burned his small store of iron and pulled hard on the lock, knowing it would act as a punch to the gut.

[Valkynphyre]

Valkyn saw the Hazekiller's face tighten in determination. He sighed inwardly. Only one thing left to do. He burned pewter and grabbed a coin with his right hand.

He swung at the man with his dueling cane, but it was only a diversion. He grabbed the hazekiller's right arm as he attempted to parry, and threw him into the tenement, but was hit in the gut by the lock which had torn free.

Following and locking the door behind him. His hood fell down as he entered the house, revealing a masked face. One with flat eyes protruding against the cloth.

An inquisitor in disguise.

The hazekiller was fast, already on his feet, and burning iron.

[Cantos Orlan]

Cantos swore as he was thrown in to the hovel. The strength was overwhelming! How did he end up fighting an Inquisitor? He dampened the panic immediately, burned iron, and watched as blue lines spread out over the room. Uncertain of what to do, he yanked on all the ones that touched the Inquisitor. One went through him to the lock, which ripped off the door pulling the lock and wooden splinters into the back of Cantos' opponent.

Startled by the force of his pull, he stumbled, but kept his shield and dueling cane up. He quickly began to look for an exit or another pathway.

[Valkynphyre]

This time, The lock took him in the back. Valkyn's anger rose.

he pulled out a few more coins and sprayed several into the corners of the room. The sunk deep into the wood. Valkyn stored weight. and pulled on the coins softly.

He rose into the air, and Elena kissed his cheek. She was with him.

He could see the blood rushing through The Hazekiller's veins. Could almost see his heart pumping.

He pulled to the side, his decreased weight throwing him much harder than normal, adjusting his pulls as he flew.

He was a ghost in the mist. Untouchable. even by a mistborn.

He flew, spinning through the air, and swung his dueling cane directly at the shocked Hazekiller's head.