The Lance family mansion (Though it's closer to a castle), home of the world's most robust weapons manufacturing company that ever were, what started out as a small forgery eighty years ago became an industrial powerhouse that supplied armor and artillery that the main capital of Nogai generously comissioned, every type of weapon you could think of and beyond called that mansion home. Sure, security was tight, and the children of this family were practically raised to not only become bloodsthirsty warriors, but to also participate in the Warrior Queen tournament, they even had a fair sum of Jadium wagered on thier victory. But Alzaaris was more than prepared to infiltrate this oppulent armory, or so he believed when waking along mountainside of the main road. He took his time as his plan would only be enacted by nightfall, but just as he sauntered across the jagged road. He noticed an unexpected sight, a girl closer to his age struggling to fight of what seemed to be a sadistic slime Semilae, a being that was part human woman and either part animal or natural resource. The slime resembled a woman in her early 20s from his distance, but her skin was unnaturally shiny, and had a soft pink hue on her skin, her voice was high pitched and sounded extremely arrogant.
The sight confused Alzaaris, as Semilae kept to themselves across vast regions that humans couldn't dream of reaching on their own, they had abilities and lifespans leaps and bounds beyond even the most legendary of humans. This Semilae was displaying that notion right before his eyes, as she practically played with the young woman like she was a dog's chewtoy, her armor cracked and threatened to expose her, though he had seen something similar more times than he could count, he was most likely about to see somebody die. Oh well, better her than him, he was not going to risk his life to save such a poor naive soul. He couldn't make out what little conversation was made in this embarrasingly brief fight, if you could call it that, the young woman's sword sank into the Slime's frame like gelatin with a spoon, but it didn't seem to harm her in any way as she popped right back into shape. He heard a shrill girlish laugh, it annoyed him more than locked windows.
Then suddenly, he heard that the word's "Warrior Queen" Tournament from the slime, what would a Semilae be interested for such a competion designed for human civilization? He heard about a small group of them being part of a cult that served Zaphirez, the first angel that rebelled against the mother of the Universe, Leonora. Alzaaris didn't believe in things like that, but if his suspicions were correct, other people were planning to take advantage of this tournament as well, this might complicate his ultimate goal. If someone was going to crash the tournament, it was going to be him, this slime was a potential threat to the one thing he woke up in the morning for, he had to do something.
he slid down the moutainside where he was witnessing the glorified delayed slaughter, not sure what he would do as she saw the young woman being choked slowly, Alzaaris was as human as they came, a clear disadvantage when fighting a slime. But something else caught his eye. He saw a woman he recognized from the wanted posters he would glance over when checking his personal bounty, she hid behind a stone frame, with one hand gripping a mace like she was ready to strike, the other holding a reward poster that resembled the girl who was knocking at death's doorstep. If his eyes didn't fool him, that was Ristene the Wild Bandit, her bounty was worth ten million more jadium than his. She looked meatier and taller than he imagined, and a bit older than him too. Great, as if he needed more competition, if she thought anything similar to him, she had his exact idea. He stopped dead in his tracks, digging a hooked sickle he always carried into the mountain, he hoped neither the slime or Ristene had noticed him. He saw her swing her mace like a canon, the impact was so great it left a small crater where it landed. She was strong, stronger than Alzaaris had thought, but this gave him a new idea.
Ristene was a thief with a bounty like him, and a more experienced one at that. Which meant she was heading to the mansion like he was, most likely for a potential award for returning that mouse of a young girl that layed on the floor pathetically gasping for air, instead of going of off pure educated guesswork, he'd simply trail them, while the meatheaded Ristene turned the mouse in, he could sneak into the masion and locate the gem fruit, and steal some trinkets he could sell along the way, it was perfect. He wondered if the Semilae was actaully defeated or decided they wern't worth the trouble, either way, he had to make his way up back to the moutain to not be seen. Then it was off to tracking.
When the nightfall came, Alzaaris became irritated. He wasn't tired enough to stop for the night, but Ristene and the young woman set a camp. Meaning he had to wait for them to continue back to the mansion next morning, he climbed a tree that looked sturdy enough to hold his weight on a branch and looked to where the mansion could be, he growled when he couldn't make it out, which most likely meant it was farther than he anticipated. He wondered if Ristene thought anything like him when it came to these things, Alzaaris had only one partner in crime that he was separated from him when he was seventeen. Taiza, He wondered if he was even alive, the only person he could call a friend, a brother, he wondered how'd he react to his plan, if he'd tried to flirt with the girls he was trailing, the ladies always seem to gravitate towards him.
Alzaaris went to sleep, but five hours had passed and he woke up relatively refreshed. Theives always had to maximize sleep with minimal time frames, eight full hours just wasn't a privelige he could have, the sky was still relatively dark, but faint traces of sunlight leaked ever so slightly, he decided to get up for the day, there was a river nearby, he gave himself a quick wash with some soap he stole over a month ago in his compact pouch. Alzaaris hated feeling dirty after a day or two, made stealing much more difficult. He fished for about an hour with his twin chain-sickle hooks until he thought the amount would sate him for half a day, as he started the fire and roasted the fish, he noticed Ristene getting up as well, she was trying to wake the mouse up.
"Finally" He thought, he quickly finished his breakfast and killed the fire to not attract attention. He hoped she wouldn't take a dip in the river and delay thier route, but she marched straight on, the Young woman reluctantly following, as if she was afraid to go back home, like a criminal being brought back to thier cell. Three hours of walking had passed, then he noticed a long marble drawbridge, that had to be the Lance Mansion, the wealth inequity of the region was apparant from the walls alone, another reason he never felt bad for his deeds or perspective of the world. It was kill or be killed, he at least respected Ristene enough to let her collect the bounty on the lost girl she turned in, after all, the real treasure was worth at least fifty times more than a mere three hundred Jadium.
He snuck under the drawbridge that they walked along, Alzaaris was directly under Ristine's feet. He was so close that he could make out a conversation that they were having.
"You can leave me here, I don't want my sisters to see me." The Young woman pleaded.
"And not get my reward? I don't even know why you wanted to leave, this Mansion must be worth millions of Jadium." Ristene replied.
"It's a prison is what it is…I left for a reason." The young woman argued
"I'm sure you did Sweetheart, YO, Open up! I'm here to return the lost Elaine Lance!" Ristene called.
Alzaaris felt the drawbridge rumble as the moat gate fell foward, he saw his way in as he slowy made his way forward, he went a little slower than usual in case there was any sudden changes in situation, or if there was any more dialouge. Hearing that Elaine girl complain was oddly cute in an entertaining and pathetic way.
"Oh Elaine Dear, I'm so glad to see you back in our walls." She heard another feminine voice call. If memory served correctly, the Lance family had three daughters, and based on the tone, it was the middle sister, Camille. This bothered Alzaaris, because it meant the most dangerous sister wasn't present, it confused Alzaaris, he figured both sisters would be at the gate to reunite with their baby sister.
"I didn't return on my own volition." Elaine argued
"I'd like my reward now." Ristene interupted as she held her hand out
Alzaaris was now perched on the top of the wall that guarded the Mansion, he layed low on the walkable ridges in between, the conversation below him still audible, he decided to wait until it was fully over before making any sudden movements.
"Leaving with your life intact should be a sufficient award, away with you, filthy peasant." Camille Hissed.
Alzaaris rolled his eyes and began to crawl away, he wasn't going to lie around and listen to women arguing over money he wasn't going to recieve, he looked at all the bulidings and rooms the Mansion had, it was…overwhelming, he saw that a giant rectangualr panel stood upward in the center of the court, it was a Memory Mineral, a rock that could reflect and record sound and images in real time, they only usually were reserved for the weatlthy to get news updates with a letter, but they also broadcasted the nominees of all Warrior Queen participant and thier battles, he wonderd if anyone in this family were participating, he put that thought in the back of his mind for now.
He theorized if the gem fruit would be hidden in thier armory, as they technically could be counted as weaponry. But they also were worth an impressive amount of Jadium, so the vault? Alzaaris began to spiral where a pile of it could be logically hidden, it might be in one of the girl's room. He decided he'd have to check the entire mansion from top to bottom, gem fruit first, then other trinkets on the way out.
The sky began to go dark, a sudden squall was abnormal in this region's climate, but then he noticed the thunder didn't come from the sky. It came from a claymore from below, a woman with Flaming red hair held it with one hand, this was the eldest Lance sister, Callete. His heart almost stopped, as Callete had a sword that counducted electricity on it's own, made from an ore that causes lightning storms at all times where it naturally forms, it was rumored that Callete was fed a steady dose of Gem fruit from birth, meaning she had physical prowess that could compete with a Semilae, or even the current queen. He didn't breath for a minute, as he was afraid he was already caught, but upon further inspection, her attention was directed to Ristene still. Probably still addressing her payment, he slowly took in air, and his heart began to settle. Just as he was about to open a window to begin his hunt, he saw Ristene on the floor, paralyzed with electricity. "Take this wanted thief down to the cellar!" Callete commanded the guards, Camille simply smiled, calling Ristene a "Street Dog". She took Elaine's arm and led her into the mansion.
Alzaaris nervously entered the Estate, knowing he could share the very same fate if he wasn't careful. But he couldn't think like that, after all, though Ristene was the more experienced thief, she did commit a rookie mistake. She should've left that Elaine girl at the doorstep and snuck in instead, three hundred jadium was a lot, but not enough to risk detainment. He'd check on her when he found what he was looking for, maybe throw her some bread and fruit, they sure as hell weren't going to feed her. He looked around the room he entered and realized he was in a kitchen, most likely not where the gem fruit was hiding, but a raid of the rich people's food wasn't going to hurt anyone. He took a couple of pastries and a meat pie as he officially began his search.
"You can't hide from your duties in this household Elaine! Someday the you may have to be the Countess". Lectured Callete
"Camille is the next Countess! I'm a mere understudy, a contegency, nothing more." Complained Elaine.
"That is a very important role! Mother is no longer around to protect you from reality, hold your chin up high and accept your responsibilites like a proper woman!"
"Don't you dare mention Mother, you never even respected her when she was around, all because you knew that you weren't her dau-
An audible stinging slap could be heard, a mark was left on Elaine's cheek.
"There is a small banquet that ends at the tenth hour, I suggest you start getting ready" Callete simply responded as she left the room.
"What a bitch." Alzaaris said to himself as he was raiding the room directly under, it had been almost an hour since he entered the mansion to look for the elusive fruit. But he didn't find any traces, and any valuables were too large to carry conveniently carry away. He had only explored three rooms fully, and he still had to deal with roaming gaurds and the sisters, even Camille looked like she could be trouble. As long as he listened out for them, he should be fine.
He hopped out the window and sidled across the adorned walls, the decorations making it easier to balance and walk along the exterior. He saw the sun and noticed it was closer to the evening than not, he decided to check the dining hall before it was potentially filled with rich asshole nobility in the latter hours, they always did based on past heists. the hall was wide and high standing, not many optimal hiding spots if someone were to come in. The chances of the gem fruit being hidden in the hall wasn't high, but he had to be absolutely sure, if he didn't find them, his plans were as good as a pipe dream.
He heard footsteps, he panicked, he took the the ceiling and hid on the balcony from the pillars, hoping nobody would look up. It was Callete, she walked across the hall slowly and traced her hands along the tables, and then looked out the window wistfully. Alzaaris could make out her red hair and admitedly chilsled body, he was a mix of nervousness and some bits of fascination. Suddenly, she slammed the outside balcony with greater force than most could be capable of, as part of the railing had cracked and fell down, she called for gaurds to come and fix it as she exited the hall.
Alzaaris sighed in relief as she left, the gaurds entering in her stead. Gaurds didn't scare Alzaaris, he drew out his sickles as they inspected the railing.
Camille brushed Elaine's hair in slow caring motions, Elaine's face was despondent and montone. as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. "You are such a silly sister Elaine, did you get it all out of your system? I know this is a turbulent phase in our lives, but I promise you, I'll be by your side for the whole time…I wont let ANYONE get near you, all those men that even have the slightest hint of lust in thier eyes, will die the next hour." She said with a girlish giggle.
Elaine didn't respond, it was her only weapon in this battle. She could almost feel tears escaping her eyes, but didn't dare to shed them. She had to come up with a reason, any reason to get rid of her.
"Camille…I believe I left my Binder down in the foyer, could you…get it for me if it's not too much trouble, I have to prepare for the banquet." She claimed.
Camille beamed with more excitement than she should have "Of course dear sister, I'll return shortly." She said, pratcially skipping out of her room. Elaine burst into tears the moment she left, she may have been nobility, but she felt as stuck as an impovershed prisoner thrown in a cell. She went to her bed and took out her sacred binder, A religious text that featured ancient historical accounts of various people who had witnessed the love and grace of the Goddess Leonora, the mother of all existence. She thumbed through a specific verse and began to pray through her weeping.
Alzaaris peeked through her window and saw Elaine crying, on her knees and deep into the bedsheets, the room wasn't as big as the others, and a quick sweep for gem fruit would most likely go unnoticed by her. He tiptoed into the room, her cries almost defeaning, trying to recite scripture through her tears and blubbering. Alzaaris pitied her, he didn't believe in higher beings or even the concept of kindess, but a part of him wanted to pat her on the back and say it was gonna be okay, even if it were a lie. He swiftly opened and closed her various wardrobes and drawers looking for any small crystaline pieces shaped like various fruits…but found nothing, that's what made gem fruit annoying, they were small, the size of earrings. He'd have to keep looking, he'd already was here for too long, and unfortuntely couldn't tell when he'd be able to leave.
Just as he was about to exit from the window balcony, his chains that connected the twin sickles draped over a perfume bottle, "Crash", it feel onto the floor and the almost naseuating smell wafted into the room, Elaine stopped crying for a moment and looked to where the sound originated. She saw Alzaaris, they stared at eachother for a good thirty seconds, not sure who would make the first move.
"Are…you…with Rist-"
Camille knocked on her door. She turned to the door and looked back to where Alzaaris stood, he was gone. As if never there to begin with.
"-Stene?" She finished. Camille entered the room empty handed, Elaine was annoyed how short she was gone for, the foyer from here should have been an almost 20 minute respite.
"I coulnd't find your binder, I hope that's okay." Camille explained.
"It..It's fine, It was in my room to begin with." Elaine responded with a faint forced smile.
"Did something happen? You look as if you've been…defiled." Camille said with a darkness in heer tone.
"N-no, I was…just realizing how happy I was to be back home." She lied.
Alzaaris, standing right above the window, breathed another sigh of relief, if she sold him out, he'd be forced to flee, and bye-bye revenge heist. Looking for gem fruit with no lead was like searching for a needle in a haystack, one that was the size of a continent. This was twice now he almost got caught, he wondered if he was in over his head with this heist, even though this plan was the reason he wasn't throwing himself off a cliff. The sun was basically about swallowed into the night, and he was only forty percent done with his search for possible leads. If push came to shove, he may have to cut a deal with Ristene, he'd have to go back to the kitchen for a peace offering, and that still wouldn't garauntee she'd accept his offer. This was not going as planned.
"One more hour, and then I'll go to the cellar." Alzaaris agreed, he decided to check the armory, if nothing else, there should be a few things that could asssit him with combat or improve his hook's capabilities.
Ristene got up from the cold cellar floor, she yawned as if she simply got up from a much-needed nap. She stretched and realized her Mace was on the other side of the cell bars, just out of reach. This didn't really bother her however, as she had a few tricks she learned from her own years of theivery. Her wristband had a magnet that attracted the mace back into her hands. She couldn't fit the mace through the bars, but she at least had it. She heard the distant chatter of the banquet and decided to wait until it died out to make her escape, when the gaurds were not as alert and emtionally drained from the nobility. The two sisters should be in thier bed chambers afterwards as well.
She heard footsteps from the barred window out of reach, the moonlight being obstructed by a pair of sandaled feet, they stood there for a few short moments, something fell from the bars into the cell before running away. It was a bag of food, some fruit, dried meat, and bread. Ristene knew this didn't come from Elaine, she realized it was the fellow thief that thought he went undetected by her. She wondered why he was doing her this favor, most likely a baragining tool, but she decided to play along as she bit into an apple, for now.