A moment away from hardship (Hana/Icos)

[Icos El-Elron]

Do you realize how hard it is for someone to get in contact with a highly trained assassin for the only purpose of having a meeting that didn't consist of having someone killed? Actually it wouldn't be too hard, just call that assassin's personal number would be the answer to this question... except that assassin has yet to modernize her way of doing business and in fact DOESN'T have a cellphone.

So Icos went about this in a rather rudimentary fashion and diverted a fair amount of Imperial resources tracking down the assassin known as Hana Redfern. It took awhile but slowly the agents began to pick up common patterns until eventually tracing her location to a rather shitty apartment on a rather horrible end of town. So there Icos was, keeping his sight hidden by a raincoat that protected him not only from prying eyes but also from the light drizzle of spring rain that brought this night down to a rather chilly temperature.

Normally Icos wouldn't bother tracking Hana down, one way or another they somehow ran into each other, but lately Icos was convinced his time was running short and he needed to get in contact with her, mostly because Icos hadn't spoken more than a couple of words to her after the coronation and he felt rather horrible about it. As far as Icos was concerned these were his last couple of weeks in Thelotia, so it made tracking her down all the more important.

He walked down the rather cramped halls of the degrading apartment building until coming to the door where his agents were pretty sure he resided. Icos raised his hand and gave the door three knocks before taking a small step back. He slipped the hood off in fear he would frighten her into thinking he was some Government hitman before casually combing his hair through his hair, flattening any loose hairs that waved around awkwardly.

[Hana Redfern]

The cool air rushed into Hana's lungs at a slow pace, taking in fragments of dust and dirt riding along the swift movements in the air. She was comfortable finally after months of stress and unpleasantness, settling down in a state of mind to just simply procrastinate away the rest of the day and to delay further activity at all costs and just simply stay in and rest up, mending her wounds.
She's gathered many since coming here, both physical and mental. The bullet wound in her leg now healed up as a silver round whole to match all the flaws she's gathered from the claw marks of the wild beasts back home as well as the scars and bruises from her missions and jobs, not to dismiss the encounters with Ataxia as well.
She shifted in her placement, the hard ,squeaky, lumpy mattress she retained beats sleeping on the bg infested, cold ground or on a stack of hay any day. However it still left her waking up with muscle aches and pains in new places instead of a fluffy, downy bed full of well rested sleep.

She pulled the flimsy blanket up higher on her toned translucent body to cover her ears, wishing the walls of her place was a tad more insulated. As much as she enjoyed knowing her neighbor's every movements and sometimes things such as the night time and especially when they had guests, the noise was just a bit too loud that it tended to kick started new horror images in her mind.

Now, most normal people would rest in darkness,with their windows draw tight to make the room seem small and enclosed, finding some kind of soothing peace in the shadows. However, Hana slept in fear of the monsters larking in that darkness of her own mind and decide that she'd much preferred that she had a least one place she could retreat to, despite the odor all the mold and stains emitted out.

She watched the birds flutter by the window in harmony, wondering aimlessly what it would be like to to fly and speak through songs all day, when came a sudden knock. Hana froze in her spot, tensing up quickly on high alert. List of names ran through her mind that could have something against her. it couldn't be the landlord, for she had already paid the bill nor the neighbors who already tried once to bombarded her and talk her into joining their little Mana drug-session. But it couldn't be them, because they learned the hard way to not disturb her when she is home, she can't imagine that man being able hold a weapon, let alone have any more children after that event.

Rising quietly she moved soundlessly over the tacky hardwood floor, stepping over the bubbles to avoid making any creaking noise and darted the patches of stains everywhere until her back rested against the wall with the door.
Close her eyes as unforeseen wave of spasmodic panic washing over her and taking control of her heart rate. Trying to calm her nerves, she kept telling herself that the demons who follow her every step and torment her with each new soul she adds to the pile she's disembodied, would most diffidently wouldn't come knocking on her door with a polite smile. Maybe it was the druggie's pizza man and he came to the wrong door. Holding onto that hollow theory, she arched up on her toes, titling back the cover over the eye piece and peered through.

A tiny gasp released from her throat as she realized who was staying behind the door, relief and curiosity masked her fear in a blink of an eye and she shut the cover gentle. Icos El-Elron, the most famous bachelor and widely loved man and formal employer was standing very casually behind Hana's chipped up, splintered filled door looking like a million bucks dressed in all black. Then again, it was Icos, he'd make wearing a plastic bag look like the new high end, dapper trend.

Hana glanced down her own clothes, frowning when she realized she looked like a bear arise from it's cave in a a big brown shirt and underwear with her hair frizzy up all around her, looking more like she was shocked than sleeping. Dashing through her little place and knowing she couldn't be seen like this, she moved quickly into her backpack and pulled out an outfit she required over her night out with Kree over four months ago, slipping on black lace, sleeveless tank and floral print skirt before throwing up her wavy gold locks into a messy bun. Hana, never owning any make up once in her life, only wearing it once during the coronation and she had that professionally done, felt she looked decent enough to be seen and the came back to the door in matter of seconds.
Opening the door and then rising a eyebrow, playing unsurprised but equally pleased to see him . “...Hi..” Smooth, she thought with a hard mental chastising.

[Icos El-Elron]

As Hana made herself decent Icos waited patiently on the other side, rocking back and forth on his heels. The walls were thin enough that he could hear the ever so slight evidence that there was somebody in the apartment so he figured they would be coming to the door soon enough, so he decided it would be best to play it cool.  Icos glanced around in the hall, the faint smell of mold filled his nostrils which caused a light burning feeling within them that caused him to hover his hand over his nose to keep the smell away. He was about to raise his hand and knock again after a good long moment of waiting when the door suddenly opened, revealing a rather beautiful blonde lady that left Icos almost speechless at sight.

He tilted his head to the left a bit and smiled at her, "Well hello to you too." She was different somehow, in a good way of course. "I do hope I didn't wake you up. I realize what an ungodly hour it is but it's actually the safest time for me to walk around."

Icos rocked on his heels once more, not wanting to invite himself in but eager to get out of the hall. He kept his arms behind his back as he spoke once again, "You look good, by the way. Did you do something with your hair?" 

[Hana Redfern]

Hana blinked dazedly for a second, spelled by his charm she completely forgot what she was wearing. Glancing down out of sudden panic that she only imagined getting dress, fearing she was still in her pjs before reaching up and reassuringly touching her hair with a resounding sigh, she shook her head.

“If you mean by not brushing it, yes. Though, I'm sure you didn't come all the way here to discuss the difference in my locks.. So what can I do for you El-Elron?” She tilted her head to the side giving him a quizzing look before taking a step outside her grimy apartment and into a slightly more grimy hallway before turning with a swipe of her key, locking her door behind her. She didn't want those Mana-enduced druggies from her back pack sitting in the sunny deteriorating room and stealing her only possessions. She debated briefly on taking it with her, however she decided against it not wanting to lug around an extra heavy weight in the summer's hot rays.
Not even considering offering Icos in, feeling too embarrassed by her so called 'home' that she just didn't want him to see the unhealthy, highly flammable and all together dangerous living conditions Hana has succumb to live by temporary.
“Would mind taking a walk with me? I could use the excuse to buy some spirits” She spoke, already taking a step towards the old gray wobbly staircase that has already threaten to break her ankle more than once by now.

[Icos El-Elron]

"Ah, is that so? I've seen women who pay a great deal of money to be made presentable and yet you're miles ahead of where they are."  Icos commented with a bright grin. Nobody would doubt that Hana wasn't a beautiful lady and while Icos was merely here to speak he couldn't help but feel the need to remind her of it. He was a bit surprised at the fact she wished to go out but made no motion to try and stop her, after all the smell of the building was rather revolting so the idea of the fresh air seemed like a rather good idea. 

Icos stepped to the side to let her pass him and followed close behind her. "The night air is rather chilly..." Icos pointed out as he wondered if she even had a jacket. He wouldn't ask of course, questions concerning cash and material possessions were never taken well when it came from a mouth of a man with millions in his name. So to save her a trip back or an awkward excuse as to why she didn't have one he merely slipped off his long Imperial jacket and handed the heavy jacket to her. "A lady like yourself needs to stay warm." 

It didn't occur to him that perhaps she wasn't bothered by the cold, using ice as she does it must mean she has some type of resistance from it, right? Icos wouldn't pretend he's a expert on her powers but he had already offered his jacket and now he was holding it out to her and trying not to look awkward while doing so. Wasn't terribly hard, keep your eyes steady and don't show any sort of doubt in your actions.

[Hana Redfern]

Hana thought Icos couldn't surprising her any more and then he went and extended out his jacket with his dazzling charm, calling her 'lady' and treating her like one. It was strange, she's never been called a lady before. Bewilderment masked her cool features, disorientation ruled her actions with a hesitation, questioning the sudden abruptness his act of kindness brought on. Ruling it out as just how the famous man was, she decided perhaps she needed to expend her horizons a bit more and get away from all these low lives she's been surrounded by for too long.

It making her slightly comfortable, but it didn't dismiss the astonishment in it as she figured she rather liked the sound of it . Awed by his gentlemanly ways, she graciously accepted his offer. Snugging the heavier black materiel of his jacket over her strong shoulders, taking a breath and getting back a t powerful smell of cologne , soap and distinctively Icos' own curious smell, she clasped her arms over her stomach protectively.
“Is this about a job?” She questioned, taking a deep breath when they stepped outside into the cool air of the night. She loved how bright the stars showed in the sky. Millions upon millions of something so beautiful lit up above them, burning brightly with a fierce power as civilization crumbled and rebuilt it self over and over again. She thought it was fascinating the different kinds of stars they were and how no matter what, they never seem to be anything but pure beauty in itself despite in reality what they were was simply just burning rocks.

[Icos El-Elron]

Without Icos's jacket he was left in a simple black T shirt that hugged his body protectively. It was enough to keep his chest warm but his arms were feeling the effects of the chilly air that was floating about tonight. He took it like a man though and only slightly quivered at it!

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Icos side stepped Hana's question and instead focused on the thing that had caught her sight. "I'm always comforted by it. It's the same stars I would stare upon at my family's estate and it's the same one I stared at when I was fighting. I've been all over the world and they've been there with me."

He slipped his hands into his pocket and took a deep breath before looking over at Hana. "I don't have a job to offer, Hana." He finally said, "I honestly just wanted to see how you've been. Haven't really spoken to you since the coronation." He actually had some other things to say but he decided it would be best said after a drink or two. He hated goodbyes.

[Hana Redfern]

Hana wished she could say the same, only where she was born she never saw the stars. Not once in the cold nights did she have the reassuring glistening light up above her to keep her grounded. The gloomy coldness of her empty land kept the sky's murky with clouds, a depending fact that caused most people to avoid the land. Who would wish to live in bleak fringed temperatures their whole life?

“I use to read all about them when I was little,” she spoke after him, smiling at his nostalgia. “ I didn't believe they existed and now I've grown so use to seeing them I don't want to remember what a world without them felt like anymore.” She silently took a side noted at his little quiver against the wind earlier and decided after a few more minutes advancing out of politeness then she would give his thick wooly jacket back. Hana did indeed have more of a resistance to cold then most like she imagined how Kat could withstand the temperatures of flames longer than others. She herself, came in problems when it came to the heat. When she first experienced the summer rays, she had dropped unexpectedly having an unforeseeable blackout from the heat in the air.

She was a little taken-back by his words. Honestly, no one comes to her for 'just a check up' and she found it rather touching. “ T-thank you.” She spoke unsure. Turning her head ever-so slight to the side and narrowing her eyes, she tried to understand the game here. She liked Icos, finding a usual ease to him that made her believe that would get along respectfully well. Observing him at this moment, she decided yes, he was as good looking as the magazines made him out to be. However in almost a disappointed if not comforting way, she found his presence just didn't have the same affect upon her as Ataxia.

Liking the easiness of his aura, one that didn't send butterflies to her stomach and put her on edge, trying to seem impressive and important to someone who drove your heart to run a mile was a nice break. Deciding that it would be nice to have a real friend in Icos. Not to over look the relationships she has built, she loves Kree and their very motherly-sister-y dynamic they have going on there and Ataxia wasn't someone she just wanted to be friends with.

“I've been okay. Really, thanks. H-how have you been?”

[Icos El-Elron]

"Excellent!" Icos answered with a snap of his fingers, "Well..." He paused as they came to a small bar, he grabbed the door and held it open to her, "What do you say we grab a drink before we discuss my life? My head hurts just thinking about it." He laughed a bit at it, but honestly it was a bit chaotic - making alliances with gangs, getting in gun fights with the largest crime syndicate in the world and he was about to be pulled out of the city. Icos suspected if he was really a international star he day would consist of laying around and having his pictures taken all the time. 

They stepped into the bar; a stuffy little establishment which was probably as old as Hana's building but at least it smelled a LITTLE better, he suspected Thelotia's Health Minister made sure the drinks that were served were at least somewhat safe. Icos walked up to the bar and grabbed the bartender's attention, "One beer my good sir." He glanced over at Hana and wondered what the younger lady would order. He didn't want to make any assumptions... but his money was on something with tequila in it. 

[Hana Redfern]

Hana followed him quietly, observing the odorous bar from over her shoulder. It was musky old bar that kept a historic flare to its shape. A smokey haze clouded the air and trailed down anyone's lungs, choking back a cough she watched some tough looking men in the back played pool while chugging down their mugs of beer.
Glancing around she saw a weepy looking man sitting alone in a corner, nursing his cup like it was the last drop of liquid on earth and he was dying of thirst. Hana slipped onto a tool as Icos ordered his drink, finding the seat uncomfortable as the tears around the edges to poked her skin and the promise of grim transferred onto her clothes, grateful enough that at least she was off the dirty, peanut and gum trashed hardwood flooring.

“I'll have a long island ice teach, please.” She clasped her hands over her lap, crossing her legs and throwing her shoulders back and steadying her gaze upon the young man's face to her left, she could see something troubling him behind Icos 'cool gaze.

“What's wrong?” She asked softly. Not quite believing him earlier when it he said it wasn't a job, a fleeting worry that it would some how involve her skills in the mesh of his problems.

[Icos El-Elron]

Icos raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly, well it DID have tequila in it. Icos waited until Hana was given her colorful cocktail before even considering her question. He took a couple long sips of the drink, his thoughts too preoccupied on his response to even enjoy the taste before he glanced towards Hana and gave a weak smile. "I'm leaving Thelotia in a couple of days." He began, weighing the risks of disclosing the fact he was to marry the Empress, even though he trusted Hana greatly he wouldn't ignore the fact that he was a damn good bargaining chip.

He glanced around the area, realizing the bartender was in ear range he dug his hands into his pocket and pulled out three hundred Thelos before sliding it over to the old man. "Get lost for a couple of minutes." The bartender looked at the money before up at the two, considering only for a moment before taking the money and walking to the far end of the bar.

"When I leave I won't be coming back, at least not for many years. I went to find you because I consider you to be a very inspiring lady and I wanted to wish you the greatest of luck."

[Hana Redfern]

Hana watched him with patience as he slipped the bar tender more money than she made in a week and shooed him off like he was the prince of Egypt or something. Feeling only a fleeting frustrating about his show of money before becoming alliteratively detracted with his words. She honestly did not know how to take the news he spilled out in front of her and in such a casual manner too, like he was simply discussing the weather that it completely threw her off. She took a long sip of her drink, feeling the alcohol warm her buddy and slowly sooth all her aches and pains she has required over the past few weeks.

Swallowing hard she tried to form intelligible words. "Thank you for that," She whispered, clearing her throat. Has anyone ever told her she was something more than 'not good enough' or a blood thirsty killer? She tried to come up with the complaints she has gotten over her life span, finding a discerning notion that she could count them on one hand.
"Why are you leaving? Feeling the need for some sandy beaches for a long time?" She couldn't understand why he would want to leave in the middle of his prim, the peak of his fame. He could get thousands of more dollars just by letting people photograph him, so why skip out?

[Icos El-Elron]

"Trust me when I say I'm not leaving because I want to or even that my initial mission has ended, Thelotia has such a long list of troublesome things dwelling within its walls that I could spend a lifetime wiping them out." It was a long list indeed - Dust Collection Agency, Morgan Flynn and Ataxia were just some of the many organization/people Icos would have liked to have seen jailed or buried deep under ground, "There's been a change in objective, I suppose."

He took one last sip of his drink before finally saying what he had been trying to say, "I'm to marry the Empress of Ellusia.  That news will be announced within a couple of day and I'll be whisked away to Ellusia to be kept away from any sort of danger..."

Icos tried not to sound so bitter. Venita was a very beautiful woman with immense strength and untold wealth, to sound bitter about it would make him seem ungrateful, yet he couldn't help but feel like what freedom he had was being stripped away with every title he would be given.  

[Hana Redfern]

Hana choked, couching up her drink and snorting it through her nose. Pulling her hand up to cover the mess she sudden became, wiping the counter with a near by napkins to clean up the remains of her once delicious drink. "T-the Empress?" Her eyes widening, refusing to believe what he just told her. Her mind brought up images of the young female caked in mass of amounts of make up from long ago at her very troublesome coronation. The empress' words floated back to Hana know with a sharp sting. Her questions whether or not she and Icos were an item made the connections seemed painfully crystal clear now. "So that is why.."She muttered more to herself. She felt an uneasiness settle deep in her stomach to stay and no amounts of alcohol could burn it away.
"Are you unhappy about that?" She spoke, wanting instead to laugh at the idea that Icos could be in danger. Remembering the way he carried the empress out and into safety with his heroic flare she couldn't imagine why anyone thought he couldn't handle danger on his own.

[Icos El-Elron]

"Why would I be unhappy? I get to sleep next to a very beautiful lady every night, eat of gold encrusted plates with a diamond shaped fork and I get to sit near the throne of the most powerful Empire to grace this world. I might even get a crown myself." His voice was laced in a bitter tone, "Of course the closest I'll ever get to walking in a meadow of flowers will be in the confinements of the castle's garden, the only time I'll be able to drink in a bar like this is when my royal guards have removed everyone from it and the only time I'll ever get to speak to people like you and Connor will be, well, never. But that won't really matter of course because I'll be Emperor until the end of my days."

He drank the rest of the drink right there. To Icos this was the end of everything, a start of something new but not a new start Icos wanted.