Breaing the Rules

Breaking the Rules takes place in an RPG universe, and is the sequel to Bending the Rules. To understand the characters and how the world works, please start from Part 1 of either series. Not based on any particular gaming franchise or storyline, but there may be guest appearances.

Maybe there is such a thing as too sexy, after all.

*****

"Those are the Diamond Dales up ahead," Ace said, reappearing briefly to point past the next hilltop. "If you've got somewhere to put your drum, I recommend you do so now. Diamond Metro effectively begins at the many roads leading in. Somebody's watching for you, and while they're probably not expecting you here, they're going to notice anyway."

"Time to pull my hood up," Nuru said.

"Please, that old cliche. It'll never work in the middle of the day. It's like whistling innocently," Ace said. "People are going to look even closer at you because of how often it's used to cover something up."

"I thought it was an expression. I don't even have a cloak, and that's not the head I'm covering," Nuru said, pulling his loincloth out where he'd stuffed it.

Ace palmed his face and vanished. "I'm just following you. You know where you're going right?"

"Yup."

Nuru put his drum into his otherwise-mostly-empty pack by packing his scrolls into the drum first. He walked down to the gate as if alone, and walked through as if he knew what he was doing, and had done it many times before, but kept a slow pace to give himself a little extra time to process where the turns were that he needed to take. The original instructions had been fairly cryptic, but Furaha had written out some helpful interpretations that made it far easier. Someone shouldered him roughly aside.

"Hey! There's plenty of room here, watch where you're going!"

"Sorry," Nuru said.

"Noob. Someone's already stolen your purse."

"What!? You! Give it back, asshole. Guards!" Nuru yelled.

"Why would I tell you about it if it had been me?" the man said, waving him away. "Besides, you're just asking for it, walking around here all innocent, in a shirt way too expensive for your class and level."

"Hey go eat shit, I worked hard for this shirt," Nuru fumed. "And that money! Where's-"

"Easy, your purse is safe with me," Ace murmured in his ear.

"Ah. That explains it. Thanks. False alarm!" Nuru added, for the guards. "But watch that guy, anyway."

"Second warning, clubber," one of them said.

"Aw come on guys, I've never so much as-" the man protested.

"Stow it, punk," one of the guards said. "You've got a disguise on, but I know it was you trying to scam your way into a lucrative raid the other day, ya damn puppy kicker."

"I fart in your general direction!" he announced gruffly.

FOOMP

And he was gone in a flash and cloud of smoke.

"Safely with you, huh?" Nuru said sarcastically as they started walking again. "You didn't bother to tell me first?"

"Look, if you're just going to leave it carelessly tucked under your shirt with your hand constantly pressed on it, you just know somebody's going to snatch it the moment you've lost your balance."

"That doesn't make sense. How is that careless?"

"You're advertising for the whole world to see how much you care about it, but can't be bothered to put it in the bank or otherwise properly secure it. It's a sign that says, 'hey thieves! Come steal me!' I figured I'd save you the hassle and slipped it out on the way here. I was going to put it back before you noticed if you were going to buy something," Ace said.

"I've never had that problem except with you around."

"Bet you've been paying the 'stupid tax' this whole time and didn't even know it."

"The 'stupid tax'? Never heard of it."

"It's an inside reference. High Factioner thieves habitually nab a few coins from anybody just standing around leaving their purse exposed, for practice. 'Paying the Stupid Tax', we call it. I took an oath when I became a Master not to do any more than that; Low Factioners of course are known to take the whole caboodle. But I still have my fun now and then."

"Yeah, I remember, mister 'no drama' Ace. Taking your payment out of my purse without asking, and all the extra armors I was trying to pass out for a quest."

"Alright, it's more of a 'leave no grudges, no tears, and no permanent marks' philosophy, but that just doesn't snap off the tongue as well."

"What have I gotten myself into," Nuru muttered.

"Says the guy with a pact with you-know-who, since Level One."

"Don't think I haven't thought twice about that too!"

"I'm sure you have. Every night. No need to either confirm or lie about it."

"I know you don't want to hear about it. I'm shocked you'd continue associating with me, knowing that, especially as much trouble as I keep getting in."

"I can't help admire the ingenuity of who you chose, though. I mean, you leave out what are - to me - ugly graphic details and it's kind of brilliant. Everybody's usually fighting on the physical level; arrows, hammers, traps, wards that touch the body and so on. But emotions are powerful. Change someone's heart and you can win a battle with no shots fired. I'll let you in on a little secret of the Masters; we encourage our members to practice discretion above all else. If you're not sure you can win, you've already lost one battle. I know, everybody says we're the best at what we do, we can handle just about anything - but how did we get that way? Patience. A dead adventurer learns nothing. Battle on another level, where everyone walks away afterward, there's more opportunity to learn, just like training; and people at any level always have room to grow. I'd say you should join us, buuuut not only do I know you wouldn't... to be honest, I'm pretty sure you're blackballed for your... known association, from back at home town."

"So I'm limited to Low Factions anyway, you think?"

"Blue Sun might take you, if you proved yourself. They're all about people finding a place to belong. You might not like what they come up with, though; they can be kinda capricious, and maybe a little vindictive about violating their code of ethics, even if you weren't theirs when you did it. White Lily wouldn't know what to do with you, but they'd take you anyway. Probably want you to start a school or a questline for reformed pact-holders eventually. You'd have to give your own pact up. I know how likely that is, at this point."

"Yeah, not happening. Even if she doesn't help my EXP growth directly."

"So realistically, if you wanted to join, I think Low Factions are your best bet. It's all academic anyway, right?"

"Pretty much."

"Alright, shut up and let me do my job. Small-talking to me is going to give me away."

Nuru huffed, muttering, "One of these days I'm going to travel with people who like to converse," but fell into silence and looked for the landmark businesses that indicated he was nearing the right area.

He got a little giddy as he started seeing the signs, and turned down one street, then another. There, the alley; he ducked in after a careful and -he hoped- surreptitious glance around. There was nobody here at the moment, and the sounds of the city muted as he went in. He turned, followed the next street to the overhead walkway, and passed back over the alleyway he'd emerged from, made another turn, and down another alley. It was far faster than the cross streets he'd have otherwise had to take, but it still felt a bit strange, passing piles of refuse as if it were just a normal path to his destination. He turned a corner, and came directly in sight of an elf woman standing in front of a doorway. Her eyes were locked onto his, as if she'd been watching him come down the alleyway, despite the walls in breaking the line of sight.

(Could she hear me? That must be it.)

Two more turns to go. But the elf woman stepped forward, tilting her head to let her half-of-a-long-bob cut fall over her shoulder, and the shaved side of her head faced him, showing off an intricate tattoo.

"Well, well. I haven't seen you come this way before," she said, putting her hands on her hips with elbows out to take up the walkway.

"Excuse me, I'm here on business," Nuru said, trying to slip past her.

She stepped to block the way. "Oh, you have just a moment don't you honey? I won't keep you long."

"I might. What's this about?" Nuru said, taking a moment to ogle her brazenly.

Her ornate shoulder guard held up the rest of the leather across her chest, and her long skirt bunched on one hip, leaving the leg on the other side almost fully exposed down to the low-top boot at her ankle.

"I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood," she said, throwing her arms up as if to give him a hug.

He tugged at Sanaa.

/Look out, Nuru!/

The elf twisted, reaching back with one hand and spinning around him abruptly. Nuru saw the flash of steel and dodged away from her, barely missing Ace as he made his sudden appearance, who caught her long sword on a blade of his own.

"Hold!" a voice called from a balcony above.

Ace and the elf woman stared each other down for a long moment before slowly disengaging and pulling back.

"Raziya, I told you it wouldn't work," Tatenda said, leaning over the railing. "Nuru, this is my bodyguard. Please forgive her for startling you, she was just supposed to check you for weapons. Apparently she wanted to question my judgment about the invitation we were going to give you to come inside, and instead your man checked her weapons instead."

"Sorry, boss, that's how you usually- Wait. That- that's my sword," the elf said, frowning.

"Why, so it is," Ace said, laying the blunt edge of the curved blade on top of his forearm, and presenting the handle to her with his other hand.

The elf huffed, sheathed her blade, and took back the other to replace them both in their home behind her back.

"Come inside, won't you? Let's talk," Tatenda said, turning back to the doorway behind him.

"This way, please," Raziya said, gesturing to the doorway behind her. "If you'd be so kind..."

She let Nuru in, but stopped Ace with a hand on his chest. "I'm watching you. Hand it over."

"Ah, you did notice," he grinned, producing a dagger in the same curved blade style as the swords. "I'll have to work on my technique."

"Took me a moment. You're good."

"Ace," he said with a humble bow.

"You're a Master, aren't you?"

"That I am. You too?"

"Indeed."

They went through a brief but complicated dance of fingers Nuru couldn't begin to follow.

"Well met," Raziya said. "Let's not keep him waiting, shall we?"

"After you, Nuru," Ace said.

(Is it safe, do you think?)

/She was just posturing - trying to establish the balance of power, for negotiating purposes. I won't call them safe, but they intend no violence at this time, I'd say./

They entered a finely upholstered lounge area. Raziya gestured to the seating, and Ace plopped himself down casually, giving Nuru his cue to do the same.

"Welcome, welcome, I apologize again for any alarm we may have caused. I've given Raziya freedom to do what she does best, and that is protect me. It seems you have a knack for finding good people as well. I wonder, Nuru, just what is it that you think I can do for you?"

"Furaha vouched for you. Don't sell yourself short. The people I'm looking for don't just announce themselves, I'm going to need someone that can make connections."

"Oh yes, I remember what you said of course; and you're right, lechers and nymphomaniacs tread carefully in the light of day. Except for you, Nuru. One might think that with all the noise you're making, you're inviting them to come to you."

"Subtlety may not be my strong point," Nuru admitted. "And there, you see, is the reason that I need you. I need someone who can be discreet, and who can filter out the people who are going to expose me to my enemies. I've been convinced that luck is not a viable defensive strategy."

"Your advice, I take it?" Tatenda asked Ace.

Ace shrugged. "Could have been. It's obvious enough, I can't take much credit."

"You're the one that got Home Town's Mayor that new set of armor though, aren't you?" Raziya said.

"I believe that was Nuru's quest to complete," Ace said, betraying nothing.

"But still - he didn't have the level required. Someone must have done the leg work."

Nuru recounted the story of the father-and-son disagreement that had led to a thief being hired for some kind of dirty work. "And then, when the son balked at paying out for the deed, the proof of his own family's involvement had to be leveraged to secure the chest armor's release. There was a great deal of skill required. I can see why you think it might have been him," Nuru finished.

"Yes, I see, a great deal of planning went into that," Tatenda said. "You were able to bribe the Mayor to let you off the hook for your little demonic sigil escapade."

"I probably shouldn't confirm that," Nuru said.

"I bet it was for support of that new open quest option at the armorer, that all happened at the same time. You were the spokesman for the promotional quest, weren't you?" Raziya said.

"That hardly proves anything," Tatenda said. Why would an established armorer need a neophyte adventurer for anything other than a mouthpiece? He's a bard. He makes the announcement, that's all. Meaning no offense; there's no doubt you sparked a great amount of interest in the matter. We've all certainly heard about it, and that's a testament to your presentational skills."

"Can I quote you on that?" Nuru said. "I might need an argument for my uninvolvement quite soon."

"Ehh... come to think of it," Tatenda said, "I've misunderstood you once. Perhaps I ought not be so hasty to speak in certainties I haven't personally witnessed. Particularly negatory facts, which are hard to prove."

"Ah, well. If not that, then what have you invited me here for?" Nuru said.

"I asked you to go help a friend of mine run his party one evening. I could be angry, I suppose - you definitely did not enforce the community norms and decorum, in a particular sense. That reflects back on me, and my reputation. But as it happens, I may have an opportunity that might be a better fit for you."

"Another service job?" Nuru frowned.

"I have to say, I'm not sure quite what they have in mind. But I managed to convince them that they should at least meet you before deciding."

/What he's not saying is that they practically begged him to meet you, and he wants you to pay him for the privilege./

"And how much did they pay you for the introduction?" Nuru said.

"Well, now, a man's got to eat you know."

Nuru looked pointedly around the richly-appointed room. "Yes, you're a growing boy I can see. Quite the appetite."

"I like my guests to be comfortable; I assure you, most of my facilities are quite sensible."

"And you bought my meal the other day, before the party. Just how many mouths are you feeding?" Nuru said.

Ace laughed.

"What's that? Something I missed?" Tatenda said, smiling to try not to look sour.

"Apologies, I'm not trying to interfere with your 'delicate' negotiations," Ace said making finger quotes, schooling his expression back to neutral. "I just can't help but enjoy the sight of that lance of logic skewering someone else, for a change."

"Sorry Raziya, it seems we are destined to starve," Tatenda told her.

"Oh, please. You're going to be getting plenty for helping your friend with his new party theme," Nuru said.

"Dammit, Furaha, quit giving my store away," Tatenda muttered. "That's only if you decide to show up," he added.

"I've been advised not to make an appearance for a month. You'll have to wait at least that long," Nuru said.

Tatenda wrung his hands dramatically. "Woe is me! I have already promised him- but I'll have to make do somehow."

"Build some anticipation, it'll be fine," Nuru waved dismissively.

Tatenda sighed. "Very well. It seem you're the only one to see any satisfaction today. Raziya, the address."

She pulled a sealed scroll case and handed it to Nuru. He popped it open, pulled a Fire Hand scroll of his own, and read it carefully, checking front and back before taking it with a flaming hand and letting it shrivel to ash and fall back into the scroll case.

"So much for checking for secret ink," Tatenda said.

"Why, did you put some on there for me?" Nuru asked.

"Didn't you notice the seal? Even I don't know what it says - they insisted. Isn't that why you burned it? I'll, uh, just dispose of that for you," Tatenda said, waving Raziya forward.

"Thanks," Nuru said. "I burned it because I respect their privacy, yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a very busy schedule..."

"Yes... yes, of course. Don't let me hold you up. Do come back and see me! You enjoyed yourself so much at the party, you could-"

"We'll see. Good day!" Nuru said, getting up.

/Heh. Watch this. Not even my fault./

"Say, uh, Ace was it?" Raziya said.

"I'm taken," Ace said, smiling apologetically.

She sagged, ears drooping dejectedly.

"You... you're not gay, are you?" she said. "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

"Well, no, I'm not."

"Oh, thank D'Shemil for that. I've had a streak lately, I was worried- well. If she ever treats you bad, you just come look me up, ok?"

"Don't hold your breath. Blue isn't your color," Ace winked. "But I'm flattered, and I appreciate you giving me leverage with my girlfriend!"

Raziya pouted adorably as she showed them out.

"Raziya, what the heck," Tatenda said.

"Hey, I'm just trying to give him a reason to come back. If you ever wanted to hire him-"

"You're not allowed to proposition fellow employees!" he insisted as the door slowly closed.

"But if I get to him first, he's grandfathered in!"

"Yeah, and then none of my higher-level girls can snatch him-" Tatenda winked before turning back.

"Don't say that right in fro-!"

The door thudded shut, cutting off the rest.

"Nice of you to let her down gently," Nuru said as they walked back out of the city.

"No tears, remember," Ace said.

"I'm glad we have that in common. Say, how did you know what she was going to ask?"

"I've seen that look before. Women have tried to change my mind about the whole asexual thing."

"Still, you're awfully perceptive for a man. I mean, let's be real."

(I'm smarter than average, and you've told me about things you saw through my eyeballs that I didn't even see coming...)

/You'd be so lost without me./

"I have a theory that, without the pressure of constantly obsessing over it, I don't have to dispel the unconscious fantasy that someone wants me before I can read the truth of it for myself," Ace said.

"Huh. I can't disprove that," Nuru said.

"Where to?"

"It's not far, actually, just outside of town. Do your stalker thing, I'm gonna go pay a visit."

*****

Nuru arrived at a gate. Inside the gate was a giant lawn, carefully manicured. Surrounding the lawn was a great iron fence, ornate and expensive, and around that was a line of bushes that were trimmed right at waist height. In the center of the lawn, Nuru could see a large house. After he finished gawking, he noticed a sign that said "ring for service," right next to a large gong with a hanging mallet. Nuru looked up as a thundering sound approached; a great monstrosity in full battle armor came to a halt at the gate, not stopping quite in time to keep from hitting the bars with a clang. A huge roar stunned Nuru, even though he was expecting it.

"Rude," Nuru said. "Somebody come deal with this nuisance! Hey!"

He reached over and grabbed the mallet, and slammed it into the gong. For a minute, nothing happened. Nuru rang the gong twice more as the creature wandered the yard near the gate. Then at some imperceptible cue, the huge mount stood up straight, turned, and thundered away. In the distance, another animal had been led out and staked into the yard, and the war beast plowed straight into it and began to feast while it screamed and flailed.