Chereads / Broken Boundaries: Unorthodox chronicles. / Chapter 59 - C11 - Settling in the tower.

Chapter 59 - C11 - Settling in the tower.

Fluttered off to the shop, a empty shell of one that is boarded up with busted windows. There a strange smell inside. The location of being a entire corner has its benfits for open space that a normal stall could make use of. One wall side it just totally open to traffic from potential feathered customers, in being a direct stop route from realm returns. All the other stalls of business are bright and blossomed of all sorts of items, this rotting corner really stands out for all the wrong reasons.

I land on the remains was once a window. Looking at the potential, I didn't need this panel window if I got the bird flocking through here. I have the place half bird café which is busted window side which is the open traffic side. My curiosity charm shop the stable wall that shares my neighbour. At the back can be where my assassin booking and exchange counter. Oh and there a vault and sink back there, both very helpful for butcher or expenisive public trades. Makes me dance about in joy, tapping about making quite the racket.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I turned around at how my busted business door had some lass in black zoo keeping uniform, "Oh, you're not a carrier crow slacking off."

"No, I am the new trade for this spot." I get the laughed look from this, uh… bird keeper? I will go with keeper, "This be meat café and curiosity shop… run by me. A hunter."

"I heard about there being a bird hunter from the crows."

"I am also the humanoid one too. I know it confusing that I am in both society's but they have similar dilemmas with splitting views." They huffed with not believing me, "Call me Mut."

"Mut?" She looked about me with even looking between my legs, I danced about with jumping to a different part. I narrow at her with pondering if humans do that normally... my family didn't. Maybe these folks did. I get back to inspecting things with my talons. I noticed that she expecting me to continue this conversation.

"My nickname…" I hop down while turned back a dog. Wagged my tail about with clearing up the floor. My mask half of myself is crawling the ceiling with fixing it like some freaky spider demon. It goes to the worst spot at the back and goes cleans that up. I turned human and unlocked the door, peering at this pouted keeper, "I wouldn't invite folks to a shop not ready for trade but we were talking and I will be rude to totally ignore you."

"Uh, Mut?" I nod again with a tilt of wonder, "Wow, you're a shape shifter. That's rare."

"Most shapeshifters don't talk or think like me." I chuckled, "You can hang here while I fix up the shelving." I do very sensible check of make sure no electrics were live here (well if they had any, clearly a magic sort of realm). I tare the old stuff away and pushed it to storage for now. salvage it later. Being all strong and distractions; my talking sort of evaded me as I hear them babbling at the door. They going through things I already knew or asking if I did things to have approval.

"What the hell is all the ruckus next door here for? Wow, that is a lot of space for a tiny hide away." Tradesman from next door.

"You're of no mind if a lot of bird coming around here?"

"As long as they don't poop on my trade."

"I have them warned when business takes off." I dusted my hands and stood back with having to rethink where and what shelving. Tilting and back about these two visitor, "My common name is Hunter. Sir Hunter. I have a long title that I can't work out why. Something like the sale sword hunter trader of the seven hells and twelve heavens… uh, something like that."

"And what a ghost assassin's setting a shop here for?"

"Make a living. I have a strange way of business. I ask for little and expect little; even for what seems the largest of jobs."

"Sir hunter… sir… Sir Hunter Shade of the between paths."

"That's sounds right." I was distracted with looking at the walls, "Something about ghost assassin and spider walking. Rumour stuff and something like the non-humanoid among many."

"Those are awarded subtitles."

"Why have subtitles? You humanoids are annoying about fancy words to made things confusing. Just the simple masked hunter would do."

"Masked? Like puppet?"

"I can look like one if you want nightmares for the next 13 nights."

"No thanks." Both defensive and scooting out slow.

"Well if that all you wanted to know, I speak to you whenever you curious again or bird hunting. Whichever." I waved half noticing anything else and just very fixed about how I want my shelving. Taking charcoal and measuring out sections… muttering at my own with not liking the placement. Do a fiddle about with stacking the longest bits out from storage… more muttering about it.

"Where the heck is that wood from?" I had a tail whip near as a warning, "Wow, backing away."

"I heard you all walk in, what's folks nosing about? Nothing setup yet."

"Oh, you be the bird that signed that key… what are you going to do about the water and and acid leak?" I scanned each new face, peered about what they carried on themselves and hide the tail away.

"Seal the leaky pipe of water and have a vast for acid catching under the acid leak. Cuz, not much patchwork is ever going to out smart a stomach acid leak. Besides… handy to have… for reasons."

"Like?"

"Bleaching bone. Or stone polishing." I tilt with how confusing that seemed, "Well you don't craft why you sale. I do. It's better then the alternatives I could be doing and is within my skills." I looked back to the wall again, "I just have make my shelve 4 meters by 1… yeah. Oh well to this lot. I just have to making them into something else or sale all is." Those moved to the side in one slide, "You all still here to pester for a job to get done? What name and reasons?"

"Oh, you the local demon hunter."

"Yes, and I really need to eat soon. It be rude to eat in front of you lovely folks. I take my privacy very seriously." I glared with how the few just think they can waltz in here and be in my way. They find that they walk one direct and end up facing the folks they were moving from, "May ask for you all to leave – this store isn't ready for public access. I still have to support the ceiling yet."

"Support the ceiling?" They all backed out of there but my other masked side was already strengthen the ceiling by taking nails through the new wood support beams (this was what my next door trader was being pissed about. As I fixed this row's ceiling safer again. These stalls aren't part of the out skyscraper walls. Just stand alone terrace rowing of open shops (some remodelled or closed up front to suit the trade. The draining sewage piping for my store is eroded by the acid leak… I have to use something replaceable and safer to re-pipe there.

I worked all day with having now closed the door, boarded up with a new sign with a advert about my curiosity store. It had easy pictures for birds to understand meat offers. There was some voodoo practices on offer, enchantments for stock items. The sort of thing a path walker like myself speacilisized with. There is also my slogan, 'Give me the name and why, I do what I can'.

My shadow part of myself has finished the ceiling. I have boarded up the sides and removed all the rubbish in here. I had time to start shelf crafting. I ate snacks as I worked, getting there. A working progress.

"Pardon me…" Someone that has a key, the spare key to this shop, "Wow, this place is really starting to take shape."

"How can I help?"

"I was going to say that to you, as part of the merchant committee. We help each other to get the shops to standard." Looked around, "What sort of shelfing are you looking at for the curiosity shop?" I peer oddly with how random they just appeared out of no where to me, "You must hadn't read the welcome pack… which I guess is why they asked me to bring it along to you." A envelope of things.

I openly go through it all. It slowly hits me that this is the traders guild that services the public area outside the shop and act as embassidors for us all in trade courts. I go through the rules they have on what is ban sale here (this often changes to be confusing).

"What's with the rail and troph system on this side?" She looking at my bird side.

"Oh, forgive me. Here…" I go through what I had been thinking about with how the bird section is going to work messing around with ideas of how to platform for birds.

I explained the bird signs of menu listing and what they translated into (without being to detailed). She has this notebook about each shop side purpose. We turned around to the charms sale side I show examples of how I thought to display some stuff and the glass cases for the more expensive stuff closer inside near the desk. She makes a lot of brilliant ideas that helped me.

"I can have you shelves installed overnight and we have to talk about the health and safety about raw meat and birds in here." I sigh thought about it. Humans have said this about my food before. Are all humaniods this way?

"Is there anyone the owns this side?" Knocking the boarded traffic side.

"No, just a open exit. Oh I get where your going with this." She turned a page and made a bird view of the floor. Reconizing the floor plan and what areas made sense. Puts a screen across the back to stop folks poking about the acid vat there… making it a back closed of room. The desk in front of the office. The glass wall case along the panel window. The table shelf lower down with the odd hanging area for necklaces between the bottom of the glass cases and the table shelf. the back counter extends side which sandwiches a space for me to work with bird around the open section and glass case trade. It's a bit like a nick nack shop. That has a murder of crows hanging about behind it. The real secret stuff being the back desk counter. If business really takes off, I could hire someone to man the curiosity and bird sections when I am gone… just a thought for the future.

"You will be open for business in no time." She makes a copy of the finalize plan and has a crow take it, "I just have to check you licenses."

In being all exhuasted, I finally got the lass out of my shop floor for now. We stood together outside my door, I locked my door for now. I have a hand ruffling through my clothing, with pulling a file out. I pass it over as she narrows to look through it.

"You have the license to kill folks with that one." I shuffled about, "ah, the right to sale, bird care, and right to sale difficult or often banned items." I get a strange look.

"Most Clothus rings are also weapons. Angelic gear is also wearable golden fashion. It's why they look like fashion models then warriors fighting war."

"I didn't realize there was a war."

"Well, it will come sooner or later. Humanity seems to mirror the gods or is that gods influence humans?" I scratch a eye section in thought and stopped, "Well, whatever. It doesn't matter now and not matter later. I am tired from all the tearing out the old stuff and ceiling repairs."

"Ceiling repair?"

"The acid and old water leak." I pointed out the old wood I haven't the material to replace yet and the measurement scribbling over it, "3 by 12 meter replacement." I carefully yon, "meter being the human metric system." I rub a sore joint, "I should get some sleep."

"Yes, now that I have how you would like you shop to be like with planning. Just need a colour style scheme."

"Purple with silver… misty look. But the shelving could be dark woods or dark materials. Back counter be black surface with a inlay glass window through it. Make it the expensive display case as well as counter." I looked about what is going to be open and not, "shutter system and maybe a fitting touch up on my front windows. Swap them around if needed."

"So full of ideas, even when exhausted."

"Just trying to picture would it will be like when I could trade." I gently pulled all those papers in my hand into one of my important books and away it disappeared, "I wouldn't worry to much about how I would pack it up or take things out. I have a magic trick for all that." I tap about and got a new card out and wrote out the contact details for myself, "Any problems, I glad to come back down after some rest. A short commute anyways." Hand it to her with a few coins, "Use it as you wish; I would be glad to pay back any loss of cost from fixing up this…" I looked about the floor, "Difficult job. Might have to look at flooring too now that I think about it."

"Go sleep. I let you know about it all tomorrow or the next time I see you." I nod and changed to a bird take a few times jumping about to higher spots… then sort of dances about the different highest I will be looking at dealing with huffed and hopped through the gap of the window. Being watched with many degrees of confusion.

I fluttered up all the way to the top and took a break on the banister in front of my door. Pause with looking at the crowd looking at my door.

"Did someone die in my new flat again?" I voiced with turning to the businessman and tilted toward the nearest bystander.

"Whomever is in there is having a fight with someone else."

"Right." I break the crowds away and made double sure this is 13. And this is the 13th floor. Yes… I am not mad. I unlocked my door and step in. Caught the glass bottle about to fly but the door, "Looks like a drunkard." I announced, "Anyone missing a drunk fool?"

A lot of unsure faces, the few snickering children trying to contain themselves. I judge the weight of this bottle and throw it back into the room. This was dodged and missed by the two folks hovering about my flat… but blankly look vacant and pissed with me.

"Who the hell are you and what right does this no one throw a bottle at us for?" I sighed with this and went to the kitchen with clean up. Place that to the side in view, go back to kitchen and made a drink that will keep me awake. Sighing often with not being successful.

"Jackle!" Ah, boss at my front door, "What are you doing in 13? I told you 15."

"15?"

"That person has had to much to drink and can't remember their manners." I commented, "I am glad not to be in a foul mood right now. Just too tired to care for now."

"I have to ask forgiveness on these two children."

"Forgiven. They seem like infants to me." I have a smell of something and put it back, "Need some help dragging them to where they belong?"

"Concise and unharmed, if that's alright."

"Sure…" I have a drink of water and blinked a few times, "which floor?"

"15 on this level." I nod and waved shadow around them both sunk them away for just a moment (safe). I go walk on over to where they should be and release them at front door. Opened the door gentle guided them in there. They were to sobered up scared to really care about me pushing them in there. I offered the boss through, closed the door behind me and go back to my room. Instead of cleaning up, I did my night route and sleep.

Being refreshed to the new morning, I cleaned up my room, had breakfast and chilled with reading meal. Just more the same; the few new names to be added in my network of people dairy. Just another chill morning for while. Even with the knocking at the door.

"Good morning." Opened on the chain, as since I wasn't human shape (I didn't want to freak the knocker), "This is room 13, who are you looking for?"

"Hunter, right?" I study them for a while and close the door alter to a human took the door off the chain, opened in welcome and hand invited them in.

"Please have a seat in the living room. I will go see what there is to drink around here." A hand tapped to mine before I leave, I study them more. This hooded figure and that hand is… clearly a illusion look which hides that real skin. They disagree and walked through to have a seat. I poked a look at the fools guards around my door.

"Best you stand it and not stand out like sore thumbs, fools." They walked in and have the door closed, they glared about this with the folks already sitting down. I stepped around folks to my room; fixed papers around and locked up that room. I go fetch my drink, then just chilled on a shadow seat.

"What could you all want from me?"

"Looking for someone to kill a pest."

"What did this pest do to need this for?" I broken them up from doing this long monologue of hating them. I sipped my drink as they turned silent and pissed that I interrupted them. They were to huffed to talk, "I am a simple being. I first work out if this out of revenge or duty. Then I take their name. I demand why, so I can use that reason around how I go about doing this. Then I do the job and ask for a small reasonable thing – usually if I could have the corpse or get new things. Money has not bother for me, in spite of being what you see as poor."

"What you do with corpses?"

"I don't have to look like you to talk to you. I don't have to look like a casual person to stare you down for answers. I don't normal care about titles and often I don't care of what you call me." Sip my water and then set it to the coffee table, "Am I the one you want to kill? For why is that the case? I let folks live, in spite of being soul traders or nasty demon dealers. It's rare that I kill anyways. I am more the torture and kidnap them type."

"You're a creepy… well whatever you are." I creaked the smile in finding that funny, "We are looking to kill some angels. This is because they are in the way of… our plans." I sigh and not longer creaked a smile, "What?"

"Right, that's all your going to give me?"

"Yes." I take out a book and huff pouting, "names?" I get given a black paper letter with a curse over it. I have a candle taken out light by the rub of scales… burned the paper in front of them, "names and not black paper."

"It wasn't black paper."

"No cursed paper. I want names. I want reasons. I often just ask for cloth, ticket bits or just recommendation trade for such craft supplies." I watch it light fold around the paper, "I care little about these little threats or complaints. I care even less about you lot the longer you try to fool me or enslave me. It's why I never ask for your names and never give you mine. Not that matters either." I poured the contain of my water over everything before the spread of fire, "Name, reasons, how you want them, and then talk of recommendations after the job is done."

"I want you head of a silver platter to feed my dog."

"I feel for poor Cerebus. I heard that demon dog is delicay among us reptiles." I have folks peeled from their seats and the gaurds step in, "Why? Because I don't believe or care for gods. Gods is a human belief. I more a dog that could eat anything it wanted then some drooling loser to kiss the ground you walk on."

"I take back everything I said, I no longer require anything from you."

"Is that so? What a shame… you're about to start war on the Roman prathoden. You might like to trade some of my wares with me before they do. Lost little bits from the path… lost bits that likely starts war among themselves." They still sneer with me, "Fine. Fine. I look forwards to see how you go about trying to have me murdered in future. I would enjoy the…. Little games you humanoids play."

They all stood up and leaving with being ticked off about me. I picked up after them, piled their little cursed bits into a cooking pot, lit that up into flames. Collected some nice shiny bits out of the remains and into the sealed gem box. I did a third time clean up, I go fix up papers in my room… I actually started writing a few letter's in reply. More like notes with the same message or the few where I am asking about what the title ring looked like.

There some I just asked to describe what this person they were looking for was like; looks, habits and diet. My sense of smell will find them easier that way. It they were last seen wounded or scared. These letters are marked wth Hunter and tree claw rip. These were sent on offer by the nearest crow to take them (being just light paper notes in a small envelope is all part of my style).

"Good morning, looks like you pissed of some sub-group cult." My reptile break friend to join me at the banister this morning, "I think I seen some of them before."

"Hades likely. Some sort of god viewed by humans as one of hell gods. Or maybe someone that fits that description. I haven't a care to work it out or not. We have to see how many assassin will come find me." I scratched a chuck of shedding fur with partly ruined my human mock illusion for a brief second. I pout with the fluff ball on my hands and tuck it away, "Anything new around here other then freaks around my door or my arrival stirring politics? I knew I cause some huff blip in the international courts last case with the soul eater cult. All I could really make out from it all, it were very boring to sit through."

"You got the more interesting news then I do, who were the convicted?"

"Fancy lords, a red face assassin sort, some Clothus cards… nothing to shocking to me. Mastermind behind the puppets behind another layering of puppeteering. Nothing to fancy and all to serious for my taste in caring."

"You really are a animal under that illusion. Sheesh, the opposite of me. I were a person in m a last life. I was some kisser in some company big deal. I gave that all up when I lot my way."

"Very different from me. The dog that saved my humans. Half my humans died burning into a early grave. Did all I could to prevent those I got out from going in. I still could save them all." I whimpered at the thought, "but two were left alive from it. Two that were saved by my fast actions. If I did nothing, they be nothing of them." I clicked a joint, "I guess things are alright but not great. They miss us all together."

"You had heaven slam you face in or something."

"Well, I don't go to detail about that… I don't need you seeing me differently for what I am then whom I am." I growl low to my own thoughts and huffed out the negative thoughts, "I should go see what they did to my shop down stairs. Last I seen it, I teared out the old stuff down to brick and saved the roof." The reptile laughed, "I expecting my open wall side to attract all the good meat eaters to have interest in required tastes." It stopped laughing, "Would you be interest in eating demon gut?"

"Sounds horrific"

"They you never lived like a true animal. Nasty smell the better the meaty taste." I froze up with peering to my other side, "What about you? A former human that can't stand the idea of eating raw guts or a wild meat freak?"

"Who are you talking to?" The reptile doesn't have my sight and I seriously spooked the all in black freak.

"Mute types that can't be noticed in the general veils. That's whom I asked. Often hanging around like no one business being a living hell for me to not look crazy. You know?"

"You see layers of realities lapsed over each other?"

"You think I am mad?"

"No, it's rare. Extremely."

"So does my ability to talk and cope with understanding any language I face up. Adapting to how I used to walk alone along the lonely between realms path… always full of faces that don't want anything to do with you of ir do eat you."

"Which catigoery you say you be in those to?"

"Often the mute unless you hassle me enough. Then I be chomp on that nice neck and stomach track folks have."

"No souls?"

"Why eat them? They aren't worth pissing off or left unattended. In fact, souls no matter from what are all like mindless children lost in a maze. You parenting really shows when they come back one way or another."

"We learn something new every time you speak." I tlited to look behind, "You never ate a soul before?"

"I morally couldn't even if I wanted to try. I hate things that can beg for mercy when I try to eat them."

"What so you limited in menu or something?"

"You could say it that way… but I don't need to eat souls. I quite happy with the shells they leave behind. No matter what place they made them shells from. But I also have to be careful, some that die don't exactly leave much behind." I turned with joining my neighbour to the conversation, "You met my bird friend here?"

"Uh,,, No. I don't even see it."

"See, reality layer viewer." My reptile friend nuzzled my arm, "You see through ways where others can't."

"Everyone loves making that assumption. I don't often use my sight to see. It's my other senses I reply on. They just happen to be smell or arua."

"Aura is different to smell?"

"Bunch of humanoids that rely on there limited of percptective, even that is clouded by lies too. No wonder animals like me pity you blind children." I huffed and scanned about them, "How are you anyways, neighbour? Anything worth sharing around the banister this morning?"

"The official title hade's visiting."

"Must really had been him." I hear beside me as it hop on to my shoulder, "You looking at being dog food?"

"No but I have considered eating fellow dogs. Canibal practice protected the pack in the past and made winters pass easier."

"What's that go to do with hades? Anyways, he might have the level power to make the whole big news soul eater cult get out for free." I blinked like this wasn't any news at all, "I heard that boss is looking for a new lead on whom tops above those right now." I thought about it at length in not seeing any logic to there being anything higher then Hades. But I am still a freshy fish on land. I will adapt fast or die really. The muttering of the detailing about this news zoned me out a while but has my reptile friend all nosy into it.

"Hey!" I got note from crow during this long monolgue… boss wants me talking to hades in the top office ( that down here really), "Attending?"

"Yes but I have to make a few stops first. Pardon my late arrival and let them talk things out before I get there. I don't like being tied with stupid human thoughts." All spoken in bird dolect and traded with a lasting bow and back to looking at my neighbour making a quick leave to speak to someone else passing.

"I visit down at your shop."

"I don't think its up to running soon or ready at all. We will see." It hops off so I may shift to a hawk. I scanned my bellow tracking I made my own path with avoiding the flight order… danced with being unsure of the moment to jump.

"Will you please just jump?" the reptile huffed, "I would often no ask fools but your dance is annoying."

"Cats are much worse." I dived and too a twirl through a next sort of route today, being deathly close to the banistors wall side in my sweep. Landing perfectly right on one my bird section. I hop about testing the hieghts and see how they adjust. Playing about goes by unnoticed by those making next order on the wall of shelving. I jump to the counter they got glassed all the way around (but the ends. One end a desk for that business and till. This end here a sink and cleaner closet.)

"Hunter?" I hop around the sink and looked up to my land manager, "It is you. Spoken yesterday night about you lot."

"Yes yes, I remember. I do love the work up into this so far. It had me so exticed about it… found some time to source some recycle into something useful." I hopped around and turned human and study the reactions of scaring the pants off folks. This I ignored and just too out a shelf example, "This be perfect for the small things in tiny jars." Sort of a spice rack but for a lot, "maybe some more large few ones like this… go basic in tone. Not to dark and gloomy."

"How about a black background with neon colouring around?"

"That sound punk rock style… sounds like the human version of TGI or whatever."

"What?" I confused someone here, "Who said anything about rip off?"

"No, just a comment on the perspective. One of many. You can never please everyone. Going for the nesh market is all I stride towards being. I make no competition lovely folks here."

"I like your thinking." She laughed and has some notes written, "What do you trade mostly?"

"I take nasty things of market, break them and make them into safe sale items. Like rings, necklances, the occasional jar of sands, dusts and luck charms. I can make one off personal items or mass carve general things. I can be even daring have craft canes and just maybe bags."

"That's really cool and you have no fight in the market for now."

"I am sure trends come and go. But I be something to hunt around for years… depending on which sides fetchs the most."

"You running multiple businesses?"

"All interlinked as one but there sections. Bird café, curiosity and finding pesky lost beings… often hoping alive and happy." This has mixed views, "I am sure someone wants to find lost family or loved ones. Some just want to avenge (whatever sickos think is possible) and most just want to take back lost things (without murder). It's hard to not sound creepy when business deals with dark subjects of personal matters to clients." I get the reasonable nods from the few that see my tracking that way, "I think you all lovely and I will be glad to help out with the fix up where I can. If no one likes it, I am glad to start again." They looked all mixed about that, "Shelving arrangement. It's hard to picture shelving shapes with a arkward wall and I don't want be a terrible stall holder."

"Heart of gold you got there, buck. What in it for you anyways?"

"Having a career of putting lives together… even the over looked ones. I demand little money really and care for just getting by day to day life. Normal or not. I can't have a normal life like anyone of you humanoids. So I make do with what I can be. Enjoy the fact I can live and stay around to help." My heart sings in my words and caught so many as something they didn't expect out of me, "Best stay the good dog I were before. Although no longer held by the love of my humans, I do what I can to stay a good dog. Do right by their ideals and prove I am still a good being… in spite of whom I seem to others and what became of me after my death."

"A loyal heart, I guess you have work to caught up with."

"I think so, some fool intereupting justice maybe. Whom really knows. I don't track such selfish goals like that." I have a few shelved pulled out and around. Patter about with them. share muttering games with my friends here about placement.

Go slink off to trade for a few things; like proper drinks and food for later.

I walked my way back up a few floors back around to the open desk area. I then hide about slowly the long way around towards boss's desk. Stocking around those body gaurds around to pin me. I choose to turn a bird and hover over to sit by a visitor perch, bowed in greeting to those that know to notice me.

"You get what I mean about whole blood phsyco's with their pentagon worship. It's nothing statisfying about it." the sudden break of conversation of whatever their topic was before had been abruptly dropped, "Like the new hawk, this the hunter your prasing."

"I was having to talk to you this morning about something. This the list of names I burned before?" I asked toward the knowing stranger, "Well in any case, I still ask the simple of things. And just maybe with someone to translate my words clearer to you. We both get what we want from making this, something."

"These names?" I passed a paper that disappear into my shadow and read through properly, "These lot have possible connection to the one's you brought to the courts before. Any information about these folks and evidence to have them put through the courts is all that is asked."

Momentary lasped thoughts as it felt the conversation had already finished. They peer early for a sort of reply, so it could be that this conversation finished. A weird coldness spreads then left. Refocused with what was being asked once again.

"These names?" I passed a paper that disappear into my shadow and read through properly.

"These lot have possible contection to the one's you brought to the courts before. Any information about these folks and evedenice to have them put through the courts is all that is asked."

I feel like I knew these few names here, like friends. A itching feeling I masked away from those around me; the soul eater cult case is a very big issue now and these name can be excuted or 'sentenced' time for their doings. I do what job I am given but I do my own research into my diaries in my storage… as slowly there has been some appearing out of no where. Just more private matter's I am not discussing with folks that don't even understand what I am. I can't have this painted on me; I loss my current home if I do. My anrchor from not being a wild creature.

"I will see what I can fish out without interrupting. Finding these names is quite easy for me." I get the long doubtful or suspicion from them around me, "Walkers often like spot to take rest at. For being once a walker myself, I have my trade secrets." This lessen off the strangeness even if that sense still clung to them, "Will there be anything else you wish of my services? There going to be a lot of stops through interesting realms to get around to finding these folks. Pick up anything obscure to taste. I am very infamous for my hunter gathering skills in such area."

"Do these places have anything worth a lot?"

"Sure, crystals, flake gold, diamond that could be fashionable dinner platters. Rare liquids and this sort of list could go on."

"Black sand?" death voiced.

"I already have a lot of that, how much you looking at having. Metric system measurements, if you will."

"Would a kilogram be to much?"

"Sure. No issue." I jumped into my shadow and sorted out the amount and back out with it on my bird back, slide to the desk bellow. Hop back up the perch, "Anything else?"

"For now that will do, I have to talk cost later."

"I haven't a care for the cost of sand. Sand is dirt and dirt is free. I often would consider moderating the amount sold – as it is a summons componets. However, this you. I think you're a sensible sort. Not to bring out much havoc with that amount."

"This is enough to summon the devil." He pointed out.

"The I would equate the amount I have as being about to summon his ancestor. Which that is confusing." I peeled the beak off again and look oddly to why this kept happening, "well then, I better go. My beak it not having it today." I huffed, "I would be freaking out the locals with this."

"that doesn't hurt?" Hades frowned.

"Why would it? I guess you don't get me. So whatever." I tossed it into my shadow and shifted bird types – a type to hid the beak issue, "I will be returned regularly over the course of the next 3 weeks or have small notes of new names or spicy secret sent." I hop into flight and dodged through everything in my way, dived off this floor to land on the floor bellow. Stopping to stare at my reptile ally hanging about right here. Sleeping on his post. I poke him a few times to bother the reptile… and budged off by the time he woke up. I turned into my monster mock, cloth mask look. Since my jaw being gone in this form isn't as horrific to being a pretend human. Being on the bottom floor, I ghosted around listening to shopper crowds; to be awards some nasty bits of news about path sections being closed off from use (makes some of journey more dangerous) and also what coloured things are people looking for. What they look for… how much they be paying for it.

I looked around stalls to see what not th be selling. There is a whole sale sands and compents spell markert here… bt it's bulk things without quality. Rare item parts aren't on sale around here and I face no competion. Maybe I can cut a deal with the salers here to help them by stocking things. That will help.

"Hunter, right?" I walked through a normal store that often sales this realms market meat, "I heard you're a meat sale, to bird only."

"It's bird that aren't going to be offended by the fact the meat was talking demon once." I step around to their counter, "they also a sort of hard to bargain customer type… they pay little and demand decent. Unhappy I tell you."

"Demon meat, huh. Whose the poacher you buying from?"

"hahaha, I trust my source to not use anything that could kill the bird that eat it. I would be dead too, since I quite the meat eater myself. How about you? Looking for a chain supplier of demon meat? I am happy to have some shipped to you directly through me. I am the middle man that demands no money. The poacher only demands a few cuts to keep for themselves."

"Now that does sound like a bargain… how is the identity of these demons sorted?"

"Through me too, I have them listed by name and any items on them is withheld for a time period. If none comes forwards asking for such things, sell they be on my up coming shop. As you heard. Respected, named, and remembered. Status little or larger then life." This stall owner is pale with how I work, "Understand that I am not what I look like. I were once a family dog in my pervious life. You can say that my current ways is better then a raved lost dog. Almost nuetral human as I were told. The poacher is my sibling, you see. So, we share this common faith."

"Isn't that special… you and your sibling race only or targeted."

"Client request… we don't kill strangers for no reason and often there as to be a duty reason for their lives to be in our hands. Names don't fall out the sky after one is murdered and why else would we respect to carry through burial rights." I smile, "The bones are often all that is left and are always looked after."

"The cutting a deal about this meat trade… since I am highly requested for some parts of demons." They take the time with writing out a list of parts and bulk amounts. I count through of numbers are possible, toss in a bulk of demon livers. We go back through this list and shake on a share of profit. This little trade is about half my rent or a month meal. This is little trade is exactly my example of making other market stall's have first pick of supply from my shop. I get show where to toss the meat into the freezer, give a key to said freeze for future continue stocking and on my way around the stalls again.

The next stall sale I stop to was a gems and souls trader (this person has connections with the names in my list). Here I made profit of letting go of crystal chucks I have no se for, a bag of mixed soul gems, a trade of common bulk gems for the few rare one's I just liked the look of. And the few that would be perfect to may into set pieces.

"Say, you the new curiosity shop sale good luck charms?"

"I will be when everything finished. I am here to not over step turf and ensure I don't steal market from you or those around you. My main business is people hunting. One way or another; folks are always missing or needed be found by loved ones. Some other cases I help courts look for the convicted and the sad cases of corpse finding really. nameless folks left where they died.

I just harvest profit by doing what I can for these cases. I so happen to have a poacher sibling that is my hidden partner in this. They gather the few gem bits along the way looking for folks. Together we never really keep anything but get by with what we are allow to by social customs or laws. Following laws is what we do, for a business that can seem illegal when talked about."

They nod so well in understanding my views and hands me over a contact card.

"If business is alike, we might as well get along. Gems and pet soul sale is happy to talk trade for more; understanding that if you sold it, you be hurting our community market place. I like you and maybe after a few trades we can talk more stuff."

"I hope to sale things that aren't on offer and give the community first pick on bulks items of sale. You be very surprised by how much crystallize demon we get out hand on." There eyes widen and looked around scared, "I am hunter after all. I am used to being hunted. Just a part of my trade and my siblings chaos." Away the card goes into my network book, "Speak to you some other time. If you looking for someone; I will be glad to help. We don't ask much and we prefer our missing to be brought back unhurt and alive. Even demons can't be slaughtered like pigs. There's a norm about it all that you humanoids love keeping."

"Humanoids? And your not?"

"Me? A shapeshift? I were a dog once." I laughed a little and they do to nervously, "I loved protecting humans and no I make business by doing just that." I bowed a little with leaving, scanned the glancing of strangers around here.

I give them a bow too and leave to got to the next stall. It all goes very smoothly for a first encounter. I will be watched intently over time; I will be glad to be watching them back. I walked into a dog shape after making the third round around the entire floor of stuff. I made myself a supplier to 10 stalls and have the entire place marked who to speak to for what trades. My network book has four pages dedicated to these lovely folks. I have the best ways of deailing with the obscured compents and items shop. Being where to find the missing and only legal trade for lost title rings.

This other sibling that everyone is assuming is my brother of my race. The true, it's just my mask. It be what stays to man shop where I hunt people down. In about the turn over of a week; still without my stall ready, some small progress on the list and the market adjusting to having me as a stock supplier. Things are peachy. I had no assassins on me. My flat is cleaner then when I first moved in and stocked of real fresh foods. I had a chest freezer (a sort of invention by a death realm outside of here) installed for my meat only. Leaving the fridge freezer for a room mate. That's only note worthy changes to happen. Why fast forwards to this?

The market committee invites all stall owners into a mass meeting on the rare occasions or yearly base conversations. This was going to be the meeting of the announcement of my shop opening to them, their year talk of trades together and the often charity pay in to keep the made market floor clean. This is a cost that would increase with new shop opening and will not because I say would cover it for them. A sort of being social favourite is happening to me among them. I have done things that are often not looked into doing or just newbies hated for not doing their research.

In this meeting I have my mask shown off plus myself as I would like to be presented causally. I will be in a dire wolf form and act as twins (this will make plausible confusions to cover over my double body issue). I did over the course of this week make regular help to fixing the stall with the team (so It wasn't leaving them to work on something that is mine alone). More human brownie points. At a personal level, I like the gratification but this isn't my humans. Just trader strangers that share common goal of living.

"I am glad that you came…" both sides looked to the manager of the site, "Who is with you today?"

"Please excuse my mute brother, his often the business partner working in the shadows and we share work together with. Yes, everything is own by me and through me is asked of everything. I have to also credit my business partner. He is often the outside source of that wood used in the shop or the often material gatherer."

"Does he kill on license?"

"He is not the killing type and wouldn't even without a license." I pawed the head of my partner shadow, "Right softy this one but it to social shy." It snapped gentle at my paw for the comment, "Hey, sorry. I mean not a humanoid speaker." That allowed my paw to be let go, "Will if be fine if we seated over there without chairs?"

"Go ahead." She smiles and notes things down. We walked together in sync and have out both side looking around at whose here now before and those missing. I settled leaning both sides of me together at the spot as I said I would. The scan about has finished and made my mask lay down and pretend to not listen or care. Focus with just one side, I kept eye on those whom entered. I bow nod to those I trade with as they to bowed back with me. the abnormal of those lot is, the crystals and soul dealer. Frowned darkly at me and my other side. I ignored that and looked on being cute with listening to the speaking folks.

"Welcome to this years meeting, starting off with the announcement of a new shop joining us. They are officially named the missing curiosity corner. They will sale meat to carriers, charms, components and service to customers. I heard that they are already providing bulk sale of materials to the market and give the market first pick in new sales. I gladly announce that this years pubic donations isn't required, thanks to their generosity this year. All the legal side is sorted with everything they do and are in fact allow to sale or buy weaponry. This is a market first and is already moderated by up stairs." This had so many folks staring over to us, "Mysterious as they are. I am sure we all get along with them. Which now leads on with moving on topics to you." This meant that each stall owner has a piece to say in 5 to 30 mins a turn.

Each stall talks of what is best stall, worst sale and if they made profit over this year. The 10 stalls I trade with spoke of our terms to the rest openly and still reported profit. New trends are shared too and trade secrets where needed. The occasional some will complain of something or report bad dealings with clients or neighbouring stalls. During this the public path crew have their own say to. Following with…

"For the owners of a strange store coming soon, you have to one of the nicest. Praise is shared here about the trades made fair to you, the generosity of covering their own shop cost plus the public donation. They come in do their own work too during the project of getting the place together. A store that needs specailist matireal, provided by them. a store that could be illegal, it a clean service that goes through courts themselves or reads into laws we have forgotten ourselves.

Despite the shady character, grey area business and being something very out of place to out committee. I have no objections with them; even if we don't even know their real names."

"Real names?"

"Hunter, Mut, Tradesman and Stranger is just nicknames that you folks call us." I voiced, "I have only used my full real names in disclosed paperwork. Even then, I take being nameless with pride and with safety reasoning. All explained in my turn. So, please continue."

This circle around is slow approaching, the gem stall holder is average like the rest. minor profits, has a trade with me on a batch to bath base. Disclosed that no souls of people has ever once been dealt between and further with disclosing of the recent loss of stock types. Blood stone has became rare on market due to trade route being closed off. That the sort of news I expected to hear.

"And now your turn."

"Thank you." I nod, "As of this moment I haven't been trading directly with the public as of yet and will be so until we can come some agreement about what to do about the shelving. Yes, that is why the delay of opening is happening do to awkward shelving.

As explained myself and my twin here have been doing trade between you. This comes around to being profit in a different way. Official real profit has gone into half savings and half into the community (which is where this years donation has came in). So in your terms, this means there hasn't been a real profit at all – which is how we work. We not money grabbers really, and when we do. It goes into helping others or improving other aspects.

At the end of the day, our real business is being people finders. Along the way, we gather materials from those off realm journeys, making most of what we get or just often always being weird. We get that comment a lot." my other side nods, "We be glad to take up specialist requests such as peeling the odd demon out from tricky places, finding a lost family from another life, pick up hard to find materials." I pause to listen to my mask make a comment in our language, "Yes, I was getting to it. We will continue being a sort of non-profit holding store unless we have to for circumstances.

So as a once only of disclaimer;

Yes, we sale weapons. This is due to the nature of title rings of Clothus and angels – they are weapons in ring disguised. We take sale of such rings seriously and will sale to family ownership first, after a time it will then be public sale with reasoning. I got onto that last part in a bit.

Next is yes, we can become contract killers for hire. This also plays to reason. We will not murder everyone and everything that moves; there has to be laws in place for it. We go through courts and laws and of course the reason.

We are as we are nicknamed; hunters. Will will hunt even in living and dead realms alike. We aren't demons and we aren't saints. It's part of what we are, whom we are and natural order of our true business.

Lastly, reasons. We aren't human and aren't used to the social order you seem to follow. We ask with every business request, why do hire us for such jobs. We take this information in great use and is our success secret. You want to hire us for a revenge plan, expects to play the double edged blade or two way street. We stay in law to no soul is left broken by our actions directly.

Reason is what helps us learn how to be like you. In spite of our shapeshifting ways; we are in fact animals in disguise. We love humanoids and treasure you like equals; this is what is hoped from you. Now you are aware officially… we aren't like you." I get another pause by my side, "My brother likes to add the fact that this is why are are a part of the bird community as well as yours. It was why we have a bird section to begin with. This discloses that confusion for why we are in paperwork two different identities, in spite of being what we are.

This should help you all for now, we glad to answer questions in private later and pass on this ring around talk to our next trader." I bowed and give nod with the next to speak.

Soon to be back around to the manager that dismisses the public meeting members. This however start the meeting of the spells traders and has outsiders that aren't traders come in for this portion. The ground workers would leave here too. Thus having the new main speaker, a grim spell cast maker take over. My other side leaves to help the workers in store fixing. Overall I stayed as this market part is also of my interest. I hope to sale harder to reach components. However the majority of this conversations is about potions and stocks making and sale. All stuff I am not a part of.

"Wolf? What's that doing here?"

"Pardon me, I am the trader owner of the up coming curiosity shop. I sale rare or hard to find components. Maybe to luck charm ticket. Nothing to interesting."

"If you sold rare items, would you buy this?" I am shown a staff.

"I could but that to important to you to sale. You're just testing me for arrogance."

"They do have license to buy and sale; a market first." Someone else voiced, "And my current stock suppler of quality black sand." Yeah, I finally have a deal to shuffle half of it out of my pocket, "No push over and not someone to play games with Zig." Zig is this persons name. When a name is used, the matter is more serious. From here there was a little bit of a argument and I got swept aside. Mostly forgotten by the main speaker. I had the feeling that those listening haven't cast me to the side. That overall they were keen to learn what I got to offer.

"Say, wolf hunter. Got any demon hearts for sale?"

"The organ?" I asked in wanting a clarification.

"I guess it be more like crystal…" I tilt and have a few examples of guessing what they mean hung from my tail, "uh, wow. That very good good quality crystal scale… not any of that. Think more like a bunch of it." I sunk my tail down and back up with a clump made by pouring crystal demon blood into a container, "that's it."

"A confusing name. Heart more like this." I showed a heart in that condition, "But whatever. Whatever you call it." I sunk it all away, "Now isn't the time to be trading." I see I had a lot of attention, "Does my way trouble you? Or is it examples of my wares?"

"I thought I see a good conditioned demon crystal heart like that one." Jokes on them, I have plenty to eat or sale. Most demon crystal types that die under my claws are those convicted by their own as outcasts. Outcast that don't live long without being together. Reliant on each other, which can be a good thing (just not in this case). I am not spilling my secrets like this to them. My distractions aside, the move of conversation was getting on with some spicy issues. This community of spell makers are having it harsh.

"Has anyone ever got any tip on how to collect dragon hearts?"

"That sounds fun." I commented, "Why does folks need majestic dragon hearts for?"

"Uh, you live in the dark ages. There is nothing majestic about them."

"Clearly you don't talk to them like me and the birds. Such a proud race and threatened by terrible human practices."

"You standing up for dragons? Why?"

"Mmmm… let me put it this way. I have better conversations about corpses then anyone of you in this room. I even including the fact there is 13 grim and four of which are veteran titles. I am better relating with a dragon then I do a human. Does this make sense to you?"

"You're a dog!" I shaped into a large rattle snake and hissed. It knocked them off the chair and I turned a large cat. Purring at their foolish ways.

"Hunter, it often rude to scare folks like that." I get told off by a leading veteran.

"I mean no harm but children will have to learn. I have no quires with anyone, just proving a point. I am not what I look to be. Never forget that I am a shapeshifter and so is my brother. We are rare and I am the only one that speaks human tongues. We too are prideful in of our talents and nature – in spite of having to hide most from the public."

"How old would you consider yourself?"

"More like a phoenix. Where number doesn't matter, I just come back to haunt you… if you even succeed in taking our lives. We not so easy to be rid of in that way. I should bring back to a point I wanted to make on the matter of dragons. I could see what I could ask of them; if there can come an agreement between myself and one." Lifted eyes over at me, "Or aren't you not to sort to trust something like me? Believe me, I would too in your standing. I am no demon under this illusion and I have never used my name publicly. Who would risk that unless they are newbies, right?"

They are all a mix bag of angered kittens in here. Look how ready they are about trying to take my life, look how ready they are to axe me here. I just have settled down and keep quite for now. They will warm up to me over time; if no too selfish that is. In reading the mood, I turned ever so silent and back to the dire wolf. I sit so faithfully here, quietly.

"Speaking of announcements that is going to get everyone all shivering." A elder veteran, "It would be best to had announced you current titles, hunter. You would have found these folks acting a little more kindly."

"Oh please, I prefer being the silent type. I like watching the before interaction and compare them with the after affects. Judge what customers they are going to be. Yet, if this is a human social cue to be followed. It will be next time, so please continue."

"Yes, creepy as I were warned but makes all the more sense." He cleared up, "I did over the course of this year, and warned the pervious year, that I would step down from a few of my titles. I left them to be given by lord to those fitting to them." They all were aware to some extent, "I gladly pass on with great agreement; my titles as court spy and court hunter." There is a bunch of people instantly in loud shouting matches before he could even finish. Order was back with the slam of some glass across the floor centre. The attention of the drinker walked forwards and growled something to the old veteran. I knew the language but I wasn't bothered about it.

"Do you think they are royally made at us?" I asked my mask beside me… as it joined from my shadow, "Or was it because I was picked over someone else?" It studies the group around and follows with a shrugged, "I don't understand human packing order. Have to be strong dancer for such silence."

There is suddenly a break of overall muttering again.

"The wolf is the new handler of those titles. Their full title it often changing but starts as; The ghost hunter of the path, shifter of many faces and the nameless merchant of between. Don't you ever question those above of their chooses, you will regret wronging them."

My mask made this comment about eating grim… something I thought not worth passing among these lot. But it were insistent. I can't ignore my wishes.

"Often grim dust when they die, brother. Quite hard to stomach ashes." Spoken softly and not intended to be loud about it, "You're not allowed to hunter folks anyways; you leave that to me, youth. Hush now. Listen to these gentlemen."

The folks around that caught the conversation were caught in a pale look towards us; since they haven't been listening to the main speaking voices arguing the rights of title.

"I demand duel of titles trade." The gauntlet tossed to me, "Whose soul is lifted out first?"

"This does sound like fun." I comment, "What a game to play? Is it worth it to play games? What are the point of these games?" I pause to listen to my other side, "social ladder for humanoids? So like one of us with how we fight over best meat?" the nod, "Ok, that does make sense." I stood picked up the gauntlet and drop it back at their feet, "I like games." I wag my tail and smile about having the chance to play games with these lot, "First to poke a soul out huh… it sounds easy. But not something to practice in the middle of a meeting."

"Is that even a law?" Someone asked.

"Book 184, verus twelve through ninety." I wag my tail continually a it see a displeasure wiping a smirk off that drinker's mouth, "Never heard a animal read before? Shame on you to demerit the work of raven crow carriers. They have to read the laws too." I tilt, "You going to throw the gauntlet again, I like that." They picked it up. I stood and danced backwards ready to caught it. He then throws it up in the path of a soul cutter. I let it take gravities course and caught it on the bounce off. I danced in a circle about not needing to jump to caught it and toss it at him. He frowned deeper, "Does my words taunt you? I don't mean to be rude. Or you not enjoying toss?"

"I wasn't playing toss. I am duelling with you." I tilt a little in thought.

"Think of it as play fighting practice before you learn to hunt like a normal dog." Their someone among the crowd says with some common sense, "And you back down because it a matter of you position in the pack order."

"Oh, one of them. Thank you stranger." Stopping being all play and jump back. I changed my colouring and my height a little to be intimidating. My low growl rumbled hollowly through the fool in front of me. I snarled the closer he dares to move for a hit. I blocked it with a paw, a chance hit. I didn't go for him yet because I working out the best way not to break his gentle little soul. He moved the blade a new direct and it caught into my claws. I moved us away from the crowd watching, as they don't need to be hurt by him or me. I will if I have to put myself first before someone to protect them.

"Stop." I backed and quite down. I knew this voice could kick me out the house and is the maker of laws here, "I was informed of this and choose for your own safety that you step down from fighting the wolf." I sit down watching the fighter reaction turn much more horridly about me, "I wouldn't allow you to be thinking about eating him on my grounds."

"I never planned it, good sir. I thought his was a packaging order play fight. We know each other that well, and thought this was learning soical ladder. This is good practice for the little lad. It might even sober up the child and make him think that testing me is a terrible idea."

"It blocks soul cutters." Someone watching shouted.

"Yes, I am not surprised that they would block them or even break them without meaning to. I am however interested in why this behaviour."

"Duel is game, right?" I tilt with being confused and my paw to block this fool in front of me again, "Or is it all serious? Why would taking someone soul out be all serious? Sounds very stupid to me."

"That sort of duel is banned." I have the time of blocking the blade a few times as the rambling goes on.

"Hey if it's banned…" I nod over to my other side and it sunk into shadow stepped around me as a mimic of me, then both of us turned into humans. back to back and on hand resting on the soul cutter the other with swords made from prayer. Both stepped circling the one confused and pinned his legs to the floor. We disarm him methodically while he tries punching parts that aren't even felt. Walked around with him fully disarmed and left to pissed to notice he can't move. We walked back into wolves. Sitting there wondering how long it take for this idiot to stop. This became a bet with myself, until death says so or he gives up or someone / something intervened.

"I announce that this duel is over by disarming the opponent." The veteran announced. I have the prayer swords turned back to harmless spell. Back onto paper. The very pissed title snatcher does this long string of insulting me. We blind at him but I had to stop my other side from going for his throat. Disagreeing.

"I will have your head one day, dog. Your whole race if it has to be."

"Then understand that is acceptable, as we aren't dogs anymore. We maybe have our mentality of dog because that all we know. But those out there of our race… they are thing to be murdered. Nasty towards you and myself. Many have tried to rid of this race, many have died… soul crushing death. No one understands."