Tag: Alexois’ Adventures

The Hunt

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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(Alex is off hunting. So usual warnings apply. Violence, blood, and swearing.)

Alex was almost glad he hadn’t quite bothered to change after leaving Coerthas. It wasn’t his usual armor her preferred but the heavier coat would at least offer him some protection. As long as he didn’t have to wandering into warmer areas hunting this guy.

He reasoned it wouldn’t take him too long to hunt this guy based off where he’d run into Gulliver and the state of the man’s wound. Plus the information the other man provided would make this faster. After all he had enough information to work with.

A Highlander male, about six and half fulms tall. Dark hair and wears a stupid looking hat. Though stupid looking hat wasn’t always helpful since everyone’s taste in clothing varied. Unfriendly demeanor and an obnoxiously big revolver. The best little tidbit of information? He had the first name. Amaro. Names were always the most helpful at times. Especially for a hunter. Even if it ended up being a cover name, pairing it with a description made people remember easier if they saw said person.

Of course he was careful with the way he asked about the man. He wanted the element of surprise. Like he had told Gulliver, the first rule to a mercenary… Never trust the mercenary. They owed loyalty to no one. Being this Amaro bastard was a risk for Virae’s safety… Alex didn’t trust the man one bit. He’d become too attached to the small raen to let this slide.

It didn’t take long to track the man with what he knew. Half a day but that was nothing compared to some of the hunts he’d had in the past.

Alex silently climbed a tree and waited for the man to near his perch. One dagger in hand and ready.

“So you’re the bastard Amaro am I right?” Alex called down as he picked at a loose thread on his sleeve.

“Who the hells are you?” The man snarled as he pulled out that big ass gun and pointed it towards Alex.

“What a big gun you have. Is that to make up for the small package between your legs?” Alex asked with a nasty sneer as he dropped to the ground, landing in a crouch.

“Don’t know who you are but die you fuck!” The man taking aim and firing upon Alex.

Alex rolled to the side but hissed as the bullet grazed his shoulder. Ducking behind a tree and grabbing one of the throwing knives from his jacket. Leaping out from behind the tree and throwing the dagger as he made for cover behind another.  A bullet taking off bark from the tree but he heard the howl of pain from his throwing knife. It had managed to land itself solidly in the man’s thigh.

“No offense buddy… But I got to kill you. You threatened my friend.” Alex snarled softly as he glanced around the tree before ducking back as another round took off more bark. Palming another throwing knife.

“Stop hiding you fucking coward! Let me blow your damn brains out!”

Alex chuckled dryly at the words. As if he’d give the mercenary that satisfaction. He had reasons to live even if he still hated himself. “Nah. Not interested!” Moving for another tree as another knife was thrown towards the man. Another howl of pain when the knife found the soft flesh of a shoulder. Alex couldn’t help but grin. His aim was better then Amaro’s.

Every time he had moved, moved him just a bit closer to Amaro. It was exactly as he planned. Other then the burning pain in his shoulder from that graze. All he needed was to get close enough. That gun with it’s size would be useless if he could close the space between them. The next tree would give him a prime spot. The distance however was bigger between this one and that tree. But keeping the man angry kept him from realizing what Alex was up to. Pulling a third knife from the top of his boot, he made ready to run.

The blade flew through the air as he bolted. A shot rung out as well. He felt the bullet rip into his thigh. Shit! That was far too accurate of a shot that time. He hissed as he hid behind the tree. Removing the red cloth he usually kept around his right leg like a fashion piece, and tying it over the bleeding wound on his left thigh. There had been no howls of pain from Amaro so clearly his third knife had missed.

“That’s right. This is my shooting gallery, asshole. Let me put another few bullets into you!”

“Not likely!” Alex called back. Taking a deep breath as he readied his fighting daggers. It was now or never if he wanted to get close enough to gut Amaro. Trying a feint to fool the other man. However it failed. He felt another bullet nail him the shoulder that had been grazed earlier. Howling with anger and pain, Alex pushed forward. Dodging under the gun as Amaro took aim again. The mercenary wasn’t so easy to kill though. The daggers were blocked from a gut shot by Amaro’s arm. Alex sneered up at Amaro. “Shame I got to gut you. You ain’t half bad shot.”

“Going to blow your brains out!” Amaro roared as he swung the gun down to try an smack Alex with it.

However close range was where Alex was best. Moving left to avoid the swing and drawing a blade across the man’s exposed side. Feeling the warm splash of blood as the other man hissed in pain. Alex turning quickly and ramming his daggers into the man’s back, to the hilts. A gasping gurgle from the pain of the blades piercing vitals.

“F-Fucking… Prick…” Amaro gasped out before giving a bloody cough.

“That’s my line.” Alex whispered as he stood right against Amaro’s back and twisted the daggers once before yanking them out violently as he stepped back. Letting the man fall to the ground and bleed out. Flicking his daggers to get the worst of the blood off them. Giving a weary huff as he stumbled backwards a step. Pain finally clouding his thoughts as the battle high started to wear down. “Shit… Sana is going to be so pissed…”

A tired laugh as he began to limp off. Guess it was time to go visit Sana’s clinic. It was closer then his own apartment anyways.

( @anataerindottir & @quirkycoterie for mentions of their characters)

Forgiveness

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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Alex hadn’t mentioned to Sanagi that he planned to go to Coerthas today. The idea could potentially be dangerous but he was hoping not. She could have insisted on going with him. This was something he needed to do alone though.

Sitting down on the bit of crumbled stone wall near the gates to Ishgard as he waited. Being this close alone was dangerous. Dangers of being arrested or even killed. The painful reminders of what this place was to him. A frozen prison. The problem was this was the best place to encounter the man he was looking for. Lighting a cigarette as he waited.

Lance had returned to Ishgard to deliver something to his little brother. Not that he was able to deliver it in person sadly. Things were not fixed that easily. If ever. His mother and sister still refused to even acknowledge him after everything that had happened. Only his little brother still believed in him and cared.

Tara had given him back that one small piece of his family. Looking down at the linkpearl in his palm as snow drifted down softly around him. His brother and Tara had met. Tara had managed to get them both linkpearls so they could be in contact with one another. It was better then nothing. It was better then never knowing. For that he owed Tara so much. She was always looking out for him. Even letting him stay with her at her apartment while Miu was away.

Gods above it was lonely without Miu at his apartment. Silently, he offered a prayer to Halone to watch out for his beloved.

Alex looked up from his half smoked cigarette. There was that familiar dark haired elezen he was waiting for. Clearly not even paying attention either. The man was looking down at something in his hands with a sad smile on his face. It made Alex hesitate. No longer sure he wanted to do this or could.

It was hard trying to be a better person. To let go of the anger and pain. Yet he kept trying in his own broken, messed up way. Even when the odds were his former friend would never forgive him.

Lance finally looked up from the linkpearl as he tucked it away for safe keeping. The moment his eyes fell on someone waiting for him… That slightly sad expression was quickly gone and in it’s place was a hard cold one.

“Alexois…” It came out as a low growl.

“Lancefer.” Alex said as he pushed off the wall and flicked away the end of his smoke. “Long time no see. Been a few moons.”

“Not long enough.” Lance kept his hand away from the sword at his hip. Remembering Miu’s words and asking him to try to understand. But all he could remember was the wicked look on Alex’s face as he killed Lance’s fellow knights in cold blood. It was harder to let go with the whispering that stone kept doing to him.

Alex took a flask out of his coat pocket as he held it up to show it wasn’t a weapon. Picking a spot to lean instead of sitting. It would be safer if he needed to dodge or move fast. He could see the way Lance tensed at his presence. He hoped the fact that Lance hadn’t attacked him right away meant something other then death.

“I know…” Alex shrugged as he took a drink. Looking at the flask and then Lance. Finally holding it out towards the other man. “I ain’t here to fight. I just… Wanted to tell you… My side of things. If you don’t want to listen then fine. I get it. What I did was shit. Worse then shit. I didn’t know how else to handle it.”

Lance gave him a hard stare for several long moments of silence before finally moving towards him. Remembering the angry young man he’d found sitting alone in the cold giving everyone death glares. Taking the offered flask before leaning against the wall a couple feet away from Alex. “Fine. Then talk before I change my mind.”

Alex actually seemed surprised. Almost like he hadn’t expected Lance to agree. Nodding his head before looking up at the snowy clouds above. “Alley cat tell you anything about what happened?”

“Some. An it’s Miu not Alley Cat.”

Alex shrugs. “We didn’t know each others names back then. We just helped each other survive. Some days I think I would have been better off dead. But I wasn’t interested in dying then either.” Taking another drink from the flask as Lance passed it back to him.

“Get to the point, Alexois.”

A heavy sigh as Alex shakes his head. “I never meant to be your friend. It happened. I’d never really had someone not care about where I came from. Or who I was. Well I mean yeah no one gave a shit who I was anyways. But…”

“You meant no one cared who you were and still wanted to be your friend. Friends don’t betray friends like you did, Alexois.” Lance gave him a very dry look as he took the flask back again when it was handed over.

“Yeah. That shit. Two stupid ass broken kids from opposite sides of Ishgard’s fucked up society. What a fucked up pair we were. You had everything I wanted and it still never truly made you happy.” Alex chuckles with one of his usual smirks.

“Hard to be happy in a home where you have to fake a smile. Or where no one cared about the nightmares left behind from the attack on the Vigil. You know that. Somehow… We just understood each other back then.” Lance looked over at the flask in Alex’s hands for several long moments. Remembering the nights they were drunk off their asses and getting into fights with other people. “We stopped understanding each other the night you killed those men in front of me. They were good people, Alexois. They had lives and families.”

“I know.” Alex sighs as he rubs a hand over his face. “I know… But Jacques wanted your life. To me that was more important cause you gave a shit about me. Even if it meant I had to make you hate me. Lot of good it did me though. Bastard still wanted you dead in the end. I was back to being alone in the world.”

“What about what you did to my cousin? The part you played in the destruction of my family?” There was anger coloring Lance’s voice as Alex passed the flask back again.

“Your dumbass father set that up. They baited me with the name of my worthless father. The gil was good too but what I wanted most was that name. It was never meant to be something personal. It was just business. For what it’s worth… Even if it ends up meaning nothing to you… I’m sorry, Lance.” Alex pushed off the wall and waved a hand when Lance tried to offer the flask back. “I have a place in the Mists. I’m tired of running. When you decide whether you want to kill me or arrest me… Come fine me.”

Now it was Lance’s turn to look surprised. The anger seemed to drain away as he looked at Alex’s back. Then down to his hands as he remembered that day in the cave where Alex had set them up. The scar he gave Alex on the face when he retaliated over what had been done. “Alex.”

Alex stopped, almost afraid to turn around and look. It had been a very long time since Lance had used the shortened version of his name. “Yeah?”

“For what it’s worth…” Lance looked back up towards Alex. “I’d rather not kill you. But it is still my duty to arrest criminals. We’re still in Ishgard territory. Go. Before I have to do something I will regret for the rest of my life. For old times sake…”

“Heh. Yeah… For old times sake. See you around. Maybe.” Alex actually smiled slightly. Even if Lance couldn’t see that smile. Giving Lance a half wave as he started walking. Clearly their friendship wasn’t meant to be mended. Not easily anyways. But it was a start. Definitely a start. It would never be what it used to be. That day in the cave would forever mark what they had once had. Yet to know Lance didn’t fully hate and despise him… He’d take it. Words couldn’t fix the things he’d done. At least they could hopefully make Lance understand a little better why he’d done them.

Lance finally pushed off the wall once Alex was out of sight. Tucking the flask away in his own coat. Something was definitely different about this Alexois. Almost like the man was finally starting to mature past the cocky brat who hated the world. Yet not everything had changed either. It was a start though. Even if it was a late start. “Miu… You were right. Maybe there is hope for Alex yet.” Looking up at the snowflakes drifting down lazily.

Sunrise

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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(Writing for Alex today. Some nightmares for him but nothing too bad. At least today anyways. XD)

Sharpened teeth like daggers. Snow white hair. A predator far more dangerous then himself. One with exceptional aether control. Beyond what most average people were able to do. One that nearly killed him twice now.

Virae plummeting off the side of the bridge. His attempt to grab for her. To save her. The feeling of his heart in his throat as he failed. Failed to grab her.

There stood the man of nightmares holding Virae’s broken body. A wicked sharp grin on his face.

Alexois sat up straight in bed. He didn’t grab for a dagger or scream. He wasn’t really a screamer anyways. Working to catch his breath as he looked first at the sleeping Virae to his left and then towards Sanagi on his right. Raising a brow at Sana who didn’t seem to really be sleeping.

Grumbling a soft apology in case he had awoken her before he climbed from bed. Keeping his voice soft so as not to wake Virae if she was really sleeping. He didn’t want to find out and accidently wake her too.

“I’ll be back. Need a walk. Alone.” Alex kept his voice to almost a whisper as he grabbed a spear he kept near the door.

He had said alone but he wouldn’t be surprised if Sana followed him. Or Virae if she wasn’t sleeping. He wasn’t really going to enforce that alone bit either. Just he needed to move. To shake off the nightmare. Virae was still alive. Was safe in bed beside him.

Remembered he went to take advantage of the free drinks last night after the caravan escort. Virae asking him if he wanted company for the night. Vaguely remembered calling Sanagi. He didn’t fully trust Virae to be honest with him that she was truly alright. They hadn’t known each other long enough for that level of trust.

Alex kicked off his sandals once he reached the beach in the Mist. Tugged off his tunic and it joined his sandals. One quick spin of the spear as he strode a bit further into the sand as the sun was rising on the horizon.

Swish. A jab of the spear as he started with easy swings at first. Warming up his body and muscles. Letting the movement finish waking him from the nightmares.

He went through the various movements and attacks his mentor had taught him over the years growing up under the man. Felt the burn of muscles. Rarely did he bother with his spear anymore since Aeri had taught him how to use daggers. But he needed the heavier weapon right now. Needed that different burn. He could feel the sweat running down his body as he kept moving as the sun crept further into the air. Letting the sunrise as he worked out. It didn’t solve any of the troubles in his heart and head right now. But it was a momentary escape.

A chance for a moment to forget. To kill imaginary enemies. To lose himself in a mock fight.

Recovery

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

( @aeritria @sorenspath )

Alex puffed on his lit smoke as he leaned back against the pillar and closed his eyes. By the gods his body still hurt like hell despite the healing Cotoka had done. More then that his pride still hurt too. Then again Soren had tried to gut him and slice him into ribbons.

He grimaced as the smoke got lower. Damn… They had been on him during his fight with Soren. Now they were partially dried with his own blood. He chucked the rest off to the side with a heavy sigh.

Aeri had come to save him when he called for her to help him. Even had her precious pet healer, Cotoka, fix him up. He should have been dead. Would have been had it not been for the two ladies. Soren had been enjoying taking his time slicing him up. The poison on those blades causing him as much agony as each blow itself.

Mongrel. That was what Soren had called him. Goaded him into a blind rage by preying on his hatred of his family. Of the things that had happened to him. Alex hadn’t even needed to say anything. Soren had either done his research or gotten lucky with that word punch.

Alex hadn’t felt this low in years. Though the naive nature of the younger healer had greatly amused him for a bit. He was going to have so much fun explaining slang terms to her.

Shouldn’t be out of bed. Yet he needed space. Needed solitude. The night in this part of the Goblet was good enough being that he couldn’t go very far with his injuries.

He had ripped open old scars in talking to Aeri and Cotoka. Not physical ones. A slight snarl on his face at the thought of the old wounds.

Yet Aeri suggested finding a different way to walk his path. To demand more then survival from life. To find more then vengeance. Could he really have what Aeri had found? He wasn’t so sure. He couldn’t even have Aeri as she had found another. There was no one to blame but himself. It had been so much easier to be hated and despised. Something he had grown so used to. What he had done in the past…

Kill the people who created monsters like himself. He could manage that. It at least gave him something to start with. A path for now while he decided what exactly he wanted. More then survival. More then getting the name of the shite of a father that denied him all those years ago.

He stood up with a groan at the aches and pains. Perhaps he’d go soak in the water again. Aeri was allowing him to stay for now while he healed. While he decided where to go from here. He couldn’t change everything but maybe it was possible to teach an old dog a few new tricks.

Hunting a Spider

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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( @aeritria @knife-in-the-shadows @sorenspath for mentions)

The day had not disappointed him. Finding Aeri down at the bar near the airships. Of course she would enjoying her bought freedom in Ul’dah. It was one of the few places a criminal could use gil to buy such. The Brass Blades were often easy enough to buy off.

What he had not expected was the way their talk went. Mentions of siblings and his encounter with Lucky in the Goblet.

He had mentioned his discussion with Lucky. A bargain between devils. Information to rescue the pretty princess from her prison and deal with her evil grandfather. In exchange for information he had longed to get his bloody hands on. Information on his own father. Not that he would openly admit who the man was to him. All they needed to know was the man deserved to die for the wrongs he’d done to Alex.

His original intention was to ‘borrow’ a set of Temple Knight attire and watch the show first hand as Lucky went to slaughter. Get an idea of what the boy was capable of before they had their fun.

However Aeri had mentioned something else that seemed more fun. A meeting with her sister. One she had only recently discovered existed. It would mean missing watching Lucky drawing blood from Vladislav. Yet the idea of a sister… Aeri’s sister… THAT was intriguing enough to miss such fun. Not to mention he would still have chances to gut a few people while doing the part of the job she would rather avoid. Going to the place she was banned from. She had wanted to avoid going there unless she had to. He was the solution to that problem.

He wondered if this sister was as much fun in the dark as Aeri. Oh the thought alone was enough to excite him. Besides he could watch Lucky another day. Or even challenge him. The invitation had already been handed anyways.

For now he would head to Limsa and work on the job for Aeri. No charge of course. The romps with Aeri were always more then worth it. Maybe her sister would be better or at least equally good. Only one way to find out. It was time to go play with Aeri’s sister.