Night of the Hunter

Nighttime was a time where the monsters came out. The time where the daywalkers and fear holders would box themselves up in their little homes and pretend they were safe. But what happened when a daywalker felt the cool of the night and smiled? What if a daywalker became one of the monsters of the night? Feared by even the other monsters that roamed. Joek was humming a small tune while he slowly walked through the streets. He had a cane in his hand and a top hat upon his head as he walked, just itching for someone to start trouble. This was one of the ways that Joek preyed on the people of the city.

Make himself look like a noble, and when someone decides to make sport of him.... earn a very, very well made surprise. He continued to hum, challenging the night to throw what it could for his sport.

It would seem this part of town already had him pegged. Perhaps he would find something fun to do somewhere else? He hadn't been to the tavern here in a while, perhaps a pint or two would loosen some lips to tell where some coin could be taken from. Perhaps he would return to the days of old where he stole for fun... No blood, just fun. Though blood was fun as well.

Joek stepped into the tavern, tossing the hat and cane to the side to be forgotten, instead allowing his dark green hair and smile do the impression making.

He stepped up to the bar, tossed a coin and asked a for a glass of water. Sure it was free, but tips were a way to get on a bartender's good side. Which was a great place to be in the world of information.

Joek turned and scanned the area, even taking note of the redhead who sat next to him. Oh how much this town could offer. So many different types. So much to do.

He blinked as she spoke, turning to her slowly, smiling a rather large smile.

"Oh? Well aren't you interesting." His smile remained as he turned toward her, leaning on the counter and sizing her up.

"Do you ask because you are one of those curious innocents that you spoke of before? For if you are I must state my flattery in declination. I ask only because I find myself wondering if you are even old enough to enjoy Ale." His voice wasn't condescending, more... curious.

"To answer your question though, I drink water because if during downtime you are to be relaxed instead of stressed, and a fool instead of a philosopher, well... I'm a fool on normal days."

He tilted his head slightly at her, tapping a gloved hand on his chin.

"But you do bring up a lovely question of my own. What brings you to our sleepy town? Passing through? Here for a good time? Wishing to make your father ashamed?"

Joek only smiled a bit more, leaning a bit heavier on the bar. "You are such an eloquent speaker. Bravo to you." He clapped his hands gently.

He cocked an eyebrow once more at this girl, amusement riddling his features as he gazed.

"My dear every doe eyed girl says such things, just before they step themselves into danger." He shrugged his shoulders, looking around the room. "Dangerous times indeed." He took a sip of his water, sliding it from himself for a moment and turning back to her.

"No father! I've never heard of such a thing!" He gave a sidelong glance at the barkeep, "Have you?"

The bartender just gave a quick smirk and walked to the otherside of the bar.

At her last words, he let his look of amusement filter down to one of curiousity.

"Do we? If you are here to kill me, then I'd say you are a rather different sort of assassin. What can I help you with?"

This girl had guts. It was cute.

Joek reached his own hand out, shaking hers. "Perhaps I would surprise you." He took another sip of his water, releasing her hand and bowing his head slightly.

"My name is of what I am. Joek." The guy sitting at the nearest table stood up suddenly and made his way toward the door at a brisk pace.

"Don't mind him. He owes me money is all."

With a quick sweep of the room, he turned his attention back to her. "Well if you are able to kill me without my knowledge of your existence, I'd go out on a limb and say you are an Assassin. Interesting how fast they get the training done these days... or are you homeschooled?"

"Unique? I agree that I've been called that a few times." He took another drink of his water, placing it to the side and running a hand through his hair. "Homeschooled it is then. How refreshing. I was getting tired of all these... Assassin Clans or Cults or whatever they call them." With a shrug, he spun back round and faced her.

"I am many things. An Assassin I am not. See... they do what they do for money." He left that vague on purpose, He turned to look at her once more, watching her drink her ale.

"So if I am not an assassin, then what am I? Where would be your carefully guided theories lead you?"

Joek nodded his head, staring her in the eyes before chewing on the inside of his cheek and tapping the table with one finger. "You are close... Closer than you'd know. You know... I have a meeting with someone later this evening. Would you be interested in getting to know me and my kind a little better? I swear your safety of course. I would just love to satiate your curiosity. It's not everyday that the Thief King invites a tag along, you'd do well to accept."

He stood up from his chair, holding out a hand for her to join him. "Care to take a stroll?"

And with that, the green haired devil whisked her from the bar, stepping out into the cool evening, his hat and cane left at the bar. He wouldn't need those where he was going. So he began his walk down the street.

After a few minutes of silent walking, he finally stopped in the middle of what looked to be a subdivision. A place where homes lined both sides of the street. Some of them had toys out front, some had other items of interest telling tales of those that live there. a pair of shoes here, a horse in its stable there, maybe a cat lounging and sleeping on a porch.

All the windows were dark.

"Alright then my dear. Lady's choice. Choose a house, any house. I find my favorite way is covering my eyes and spinning. When I open my eyes, I'm facing the one I choose. Oh it is all sorts of fun!"

The madman nodded his affirmation of the house. "I like that one. Felt a bit like it deserved to be picked. Good choice." He stepped/skipped his way over toward the house, stopping before reaching it's fence. "Well alright. Let us begin."

He raised his gloved hands, and clapped twice.

A few moments went by... then a few more. Joek stood perfectly still, crossing his arms. Finally, 3 men came their way toward them, each of them a bit more scarred and stupid looking as the next.

"Welcome welcome welcome. Boys, I'd like you to meet Erin. She's a new friend of mine. I'm showing her the fun of the town. Care to join us?"

They smiled devilishly to each other, looking at the house in front of them. "This da place we goin boss?"

"Yes it is Brick. Now. Would you kindly do me the favor of keeping our good friend here comfortable while I set the stage?"

"Sure thing boss."

With that, Joek gave a slight bow and walked his way up to the house, He tapped the door a few tmes, bent down, his work obscured, and simply.... opened the door.

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

Everyone outside waited, hearing nothing from the interior until suddenly....

"WOAH!"

A high pitched scream and then silence. Some scuffling sounds...

Quick as a flash, Joek opened the window on the second floor and gave a waving motion.

"Party time..." Brick said from behind as he began to walk his way inside as well.

In the bedroom of the owners, Joek was sitting on a chair with one leg over the other, He was straightening the tie he was wearing, waving Erin in.

"Oh come in come in! Meet my newest of friends. This is.... What was it? Gerome? Oh... Jerry. Didn't hear very well past the cloth... and this is his lovely mistress.... Barbara? I think it was? Didn't quite catch it before knocking her out. So? Are we ready to begin?"

Joek rolled up his sleeves, the men downstairs clanking away as they stripped the house of anything valuable.

"Well Erin I suppose you are new and I'll let you have the first honors. Good sir! I happily welcome you to the game of fate! Roll the dice? Spin the wheel? Answer the question! Such riches await you, and such deaths can befall! Tis a game of your living, and the game of your life." He stepped forward, ripping off the cloth and slipping a rather ornate and shiny blade right underneath the cowering Jerry's chin.

"Let us begin! Jerry. What would you guess is our fine friend's age here?"

(OOC: I'll allow you to make the guesses for the Victim)

Joek turned his attention from the man back to the girl. "My my myyy someone has a bit of a dark sense of huuumor! Fun fun fuuun." He stood up and kicked the man over, stepping on his wrists and pressing the blade in his hands.

"So tell us the winning number of age you are Erin! I hope for his sake it's less than ten..."

The blade pressed to the man's knuckles left a crimson line, the man quivering and trying to pull away from the surprisingly strong knee holding them in their place.

Joek cocked an eyebrow at her, smirking his smirk. His hand slid it's way down to the man's mouth, removing the gag once more, and sure enough the man began blubbering about his want for mercy.

As the girl made her pun the man looked up at her. "I heard you the first time you bitch! How can you do this to me?! I've done nothing wrong! I'm just a merchant down the street! What is the matter with y-"

Joek pressed a hand to Jerry's mouth, pressing a finger to his lips and shaking his head.

"Game has rewards, and it has consequences." It was a swift move, well practiced. Jerry didn't even get the chance to fully flinch before realizing all of his fingers had just been lopped off, leaving bloody stumps and his thumbs.

Joek pressed his hand upon the man's face even harder, suppressing his screams until it was just sobbing. Joek allowed the man to press his stumps into his torso to staunch the bleeding, but he was looking pale.

"Now now.... we go by the rules here. Next question... What is this girl's natural hair color?"

The man let out another wail of terror. "I- I don't knooooooow."

"Come on take a guess."

"I don't.... I... " And he fell over, passed out.

Joek gave a grin, nodding his head. "Well Jerry... Seems you forfeit." He stood himself up and grabbed the unconscious woman, dragging her by one hand down the stairs and outside.

"We don't kill those who don't get the chance to play. She will be spared..."

He stepped back in, grabbing the man and dragging his barely breathing corpse down the stairs as well, effectively breaking his neck in the motion.

He laid the man beside his wife, and took out a knife.

"Now this is something you assassins are always lacking in your work.... Artistry."

Joek carved the man.... Cleaned the flesh from the bones of his jaws and teeth, leaving a nightmare stricken grin on the man's bloodied and mangaled face.

"And with this.... This town is mine. Light up."

The men standing outside nodded, throwing the torches they carried into the house.

Joek turned to the girl standing before him and bowed his head.

"And what of you? I hope you enjoyed our little show."

Joek took the hip bump and swayed slightly, crossing his arms as he walked to the newly widowed. "Seems a bit sad that she's not even really a widow.... I uh... noticed that our friend over here isn't her husband... see that man was the one who owes me money. Funny how fate works...." He tapped a toe on the girl, "Yeeeaaah her hubby's gonna be real mad at this predicament... Oh well. Cheaters never prosper and all that." He grinned, stepping over the woman and nodding to the guys to get the loot out of here.

"A Card eh? Bit cliche but gotta love the classics."

At her snarky remark, Joek blinked and shook it off. Women fancies were always so... predictable.

He watched her walking down the street, nodding his head and letting out a laugh. He was going to love this town... oh yes very much so.