Hooves paw at the ground a few feet away from where a young red headed Nord stay perfectly crouched, eyeing the buck with careful eyes and being careful not to spook the creature. Carefully, Valkari unsheathed her bow and pulled out a nicely feathered and razor sharp arrow out from her quiver, and gently put it in place on the bow between her index and middle finger.the buck, who was still not aware of the Nord's presence, was quietly grazing the leaves from the low branches on trees. It was a perfect position for a kill, and an easy one. Steadily, Valkari pulled back the steel arrow and aimed with the finger that firmly gripped the Ebony bow she wielded.

'Breathe slowly ....' she thought to herself as she breathed slow and steadily. 'Aim .... and ....' she let go of the arrow, letting it fly straight into the buck's temple. It immediately fell to the ground and Valkari stood with a smirk plastered on her face. "Another good kill, if I do say so myself," she complimented herself as she breathed on her nails and rubbed them onto the light chestnut brown fur of her Ancient Nord armor. Without a moment lost, she walked to the now dead buck and examined it, smiling to herself with glee. By the look and the size, the buck she had killed will at least feed her for a week before she had to hunt again. Now to the part Valkari did not like so much, skinning the animal for it's hide and meat.

With a sack full of the buck's delicious venison and a deer pelt to call her own, the freckled red head sat down under a large and twisty tree. Sometimes Valkari needed to get away from civilized life and the feud going on between the Grey-manes and the Battleborns. It got old often and they both fought over who's side she was on constantly. It saddened Valkari that so many people, and so many good and old friends, would turn their backs on each other just because of who's side they chose. But, that was just how life went, and no matter how she hated it, she had to accept it.

With a soft sigh escaping her soft lips, she pushed back a few strands of her fiery red hair and stared up into the blue sky. It was beautiful, the woods were. She would even take a nap there if it weren't for the wildlife or the nasty bandits that came through every so often. The wind brushed through the bright green leaves and her hair, making it flow some with the wind. It was light in that way, and Valkari loved it. No problems, no worries, no responsibility. This was Valkari's small getaway.

--- i'll be there when you close your eyes ,.

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Oh it was a pure slice of Heaven, this day. The sun was high in the clear blue sky and not a single could of hostility could be heard. There was no war cries, no symphony of murder, no ransacking of caravans-- just silent peace. Somewhere on her journey towards Markarth, Ximena found herself sitting propped against a thick tree on a plush patch of moss. Today just seemed so lovely, and it wasn't like Ximena to take note of that. However, she always knew when to take time for a good book. This day and this specific area seemed like a good location to act upon her secret obsession.

Yes, Ximena loved to read. She had read more books than there was in the College of Winterhold in her days. There was nothing like reading a good story or learning a piece of forbidden information that gave you this vast amount of knowledge that some people may or may not know. Just think, in a world that gave us life, it also gave us the mind to hold knowledge. People knew how to cart the stars, how to kill their foes, how to entertain their loved ones, how to create beautiful poisons and potions alike... and all was recorded in books. Books that most people in Skyrim didn't make use of and to that Ximena thought them fools. Granted a cold blooded assassin like herself doesn't find much from them either, but Ximena was a mental encyclopedia. She made sure she knew her targets, her information, everything she needed before acting upon anything.

As of now, the only books she had brought in her bag were books 1-3 of the Wolf Queen series. It was by far her favorite read in all of Skyrim. She just loved how clever Potema was in destroying her family to get what she wanted. She was smart and beautiful, something that Ximena had hoped to obtain herself. Right now, Ximena smiled wickedly as she read over the text. No matter how many times she read the books the events that played out still entertained her greatly. So many tricks and traps and all coming from a wise woman's mind. Ximena was a sucker for a good read but she would never tell anyone. Being a assassin, being a look lover wasn't something you tell people-- it ruins the fear someone has for you.

Content with her story, Ximena sighed and looked up at the clear sky letting her story sink in. The wind blew softly, pushing her silky dark brown hair over her eyes. Ximena frowned slightly and pushed the strand of hair away, suddenly spotting a spark of fire red in the distance. It was a reaction as quick as a blink. Ximena placed her hand on one of her daggers attached to her thigh and held very still, watching as the figure moved only slightly. Squinting her eyes, Ximena could see it was a girl and she was shooting an arrow at something.... probably a deer. The woman was probably not a threat at the moment, and otherwise hadn't noticed the Redguard. you could never be to careful though. She held her position, waiting for the red head to either leave for pursue her.

tagged valkari! words enough notes nothin like a good book!
credit ! reinvented LOVE , @ caution

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As the young Nord searched in her pouch for a good book, she caught wind of something ... someone. At first, it didn't really bother her much, but after a good while it started to creep her out a bit. She hated nothing more than being watched, and being watched either meant that individual was curious, a stalker, or about to kill her. However, Valkari kept her composure and silently pulled out one of her sharp steel arrows and her bow, in case someone did happen to attempt an attack on the freckled redhead.

In the meantime, she pulled out one of her favorite book, Hallgerd's Tale. It was quite an adventurous little book, and it taught her some things about wielding a two-handed weapon, which helped greatly for her. Although, she didn't entirely read it for tips. No, she read it because of the adventure that was in it. As she read the first chapter, she couldn't help but notice in the corner of her eye, a woman sitting in the trees. Being a hunter, she could pick out these things no problem. She simply just looked up in the trees and said,

"Don't worry, I'm not a foe." Valkari lifted up her book and gave the woman a smirk. "Simply here to enjoy some peace and quiet, for once."

The Nord didn't know how this woman would react to the sudden conversation. For all Valkari knew, she was there to assassinate her for something stupid. At any rate, until this woman out right attacked her, she was going to be nice. Made sense, right?

--- i'll be there when you close your eyes ,.

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Upon further study of the red headed girl below her, Ximena found the girl oddly interesting. Normally she didn't pay much attention to anyone-- especially women-- unless she were looking for a bed mate. She was toned like a hunter, muscles tight in places that indicated she was strong enough to hold her own with a weapon. Her hair was a vibrant red color that resembled dragon fire and was probably the most interesting thing on the woman to look at. She had a different look to her than Ximena, extremely different. Where this woman was all feminine toned muscle and surrounded in the air of a Hiricine hunter, Ximena was more delicate looking. She resembled more the body of a dancer, as most Redguard body types showed. Ximena's hair was long and wavy in dark brown and fell around her giving her this mysterious air. You wouldn't exactly know WHAT someone as small as Ximena was capable of unless you were from Solitude and knew of her temper.

However, as far as Ximena could tell this girl was not a threat. In fact, her interest in the girl sparked when she pulled out a book. By the style of the text Ximena knew the book to be Hallgerd's Tale. A interesting choice, adventurous and educational. It was then that the girl seemed to notice her. She was quick on it, though Ximena frowned slightly. If she were to have a contract or something this girl would of been dead long ago. Reguardless, the girl offered up a smirk and held up her book, stating that she was just enjoying the peace a quiet-- something Ximena could completely agree on.

"It is nice out here," she agreed in her soft tone. Ximena wasn't known for being a loud person except in a bar fight. "Hallgerd's Tale is a wonderful read by the way...." she couldn't help but smile at her, "Good choice."

tagged valkari! words enough notes Ximena's actually being nice xD
credit ! reinvented LOVE , @ caution

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Valkari smirked up at, what she could tell by now, a redguard woman. She was small and had beautiful dark brown hair that framed her face and waved over her shoulders. She was beautiful, Valkari would admit. She looked back down at her book when the Redguard complimented on how good of a book it was.

"Thanks," she thanked her softly, "it's one of my favorites. The Wolf Queen is another. Very devious she can be, eh?" Valkari nodded up to the book the Redguard woman was holding in her hand.

Books. Valkari loved books, and whenever she could, she would read any book that she found or bought ... mostly found actually. She couldn't exactly spend her coin on such things, what with her house taxes and some food for herself. It was good that she ventured to bandit hideouts though, because sometimes they have stashes and stashes of books, and Valkari just couldn't help it and take which books she found interesting.

"It is rather peaceful isn't it?" Valkari asked as she looked back out in the woods. "Better than being in the cities where war conversations bash back and forth." A sigh escaped her lips quietly.

--- i'll be there when you close your eyes ,.

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Ximena hugged her book to her chest, her gaze shifting away to the red head. Her cheeks were turned a bit red as she held her book feeling embarrassed. It was awkward for her to talk about books with people, mostly because she felt the urge to engage in detailed conversation about the meanings of the stories they were reading and why certain things happened this way or that. She forced herself to hold it back though, there was no way she was going to break down the walls she and her father worked so hard to put up in order for her to be strong-- especially to a stranger, weather they shared the same hobby or not.

"I try not to get too involved with politics," Ximena replied instead, thankful for the subject change. "This war is... foolish, to say the least." she waved a delicate hand as if the matter was foolish to even be speaking of. "I'm tired of running into the matter every town I enter, It's quite tiresome."

Ximena jumped down from her branch and sighed softly, straightening her fairly revealing robes and pulling her hair over one shoulder. "I must say though, it was a pleasant surprise to find someone out here." she pondered a moment with a slender finger tapping her lips thoughtfully, "One doesn't usually run into.... pleasant company. When I saw you I was expecting a ruffian." Ximena flashed an elegant smile towards the red head and turned her golden colored eyes to the sky, "Though it just seems I've found a lovely battle maiden." there was a musically laugh that escaped her lips before she turned her attention back to the girl with fire hair, "Sorry if I'm weirding you out, My name is Ximena by the way."

tagged valkari! words enough notes Flirt mode, activated!
credit ! reinvented LOVE , @ caution

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Valkari nodded in agreement and rolled her eyes, not to the woman but to the conflicts that went on within the city walls, constantly bickering over who's side was better and yadee yadee yada. Sure, Valkari was a believer in Talos, but that didn't mean she favored any side. It was just a pointless game as to who can throw the worst insult towards the other side. After a while, it starts to get old and eventually it just gets incredibly old and rather ... annoying to put it in the lightest.

She gave the Redguard, who claimed her name to be Ximena, a nod as she stood up to greet her as properly as a greeting can get in the wilderness. "Well I'm Valkari," she introduced as she marked her place in her book and slid it in her pouch once more. "A pleasure to meet you, Ximena." She looked her over a bit, being observative as she always was around new strangers. Something about this woman set her off to be deadly, but Valkari couldn't quite put her finger on it as to why. Maybe it was the dark brown hair? The darker skin? She didn't know, and if this woman happened to be on the deadly side, Valkari did not want to end up her next target.

--- i'll be there when you close your eyes ,.

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Valkari-- a name as interesting as the girl's hair.

Ximena nodded to their meeting looked off into the distance again, "It's a..... pleasure to meet you too." something was off, and Ximena could feel the shift. The shift in the air of another presence that wasn't animal. Ximena could tell, these people weren't very smart and as far she could could tell they hadn't realized Ximena and Valkari were here just yet. With a soft sigh from her lips, Ximena brushed her fingertips aganist her thigh. The action was fairly seductive in nature, but not meant for show. She pulled a lovely orcish dagger from a strap around her thigh. It was beautifully crafted. The signature jagged edges were sharpened to a exquisite cut and the blade itself was shimmering with what looked like molten lava indicating an enchantment of fire damage. The look on Ximena's face made it clear that this blade was something of her work, and she was proud of it.

"Valkari," she spoke softly, her voice thick like warm honey, "How's a little hunting sound?"

Without much warning, Ximena took the girl's hand and lead her towards a carved section of land. It was surrounded by brush that would hide the girls perfectly. Ximena kept low, crouched on perfectly strong legs that held her weight without trembling. "See that?" she pointed off in the distance with her dagger. Beyond the cover of a few trees there were bandits that had just finished ransacking a caravan. Ximena was sure there was something interesting over there and it was very much like her to assassinate some dirty people, like crushing bugs you didn't like. Her golden eyes eyed Valkari with a look of mystery and hunger, a sort of strange lust. "Looks like we have some very bad boys throwing a party without us." she giggled softly and produced a bottle from her satchel. It had a clear liquid in it that she carefully coated on her dagger-- a poison.

Ximena's eyes looked out once more, eying the heavy built men not too far ahead. By the looks of it there were quite a few of them. Ximena could point out 3 orcs right off hand which already proved to be a challenge. Orcs were nothing to joke with, best to take those bastards out with an assassination. The others looked like a few dark elves and a handful of nords maybe. A total of 8 men. Easy prey for two girls of Ximena and Valkari's strangth. "What do you think?" Ximena asked her suddenly, watching the girl's face.

tagged valkari! words enough notes Ximena's actually being nice xD
credit ! reinvented LOVE , @ caution

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Observance proved this Nord well, especially when a group of unlucky bandits happened to be nearby. She was just about to mention the exact same thing when Ximena began almost dragging her to where they both sensed the boy bandit group. Valkari easily crouched to Ximena's level, maybe a bit lower. She didn't know, her shockingly icy blue eyes were trained too much on the bandits. A smirk found it's way onto her face as she looked at the female Redguard.

"Well, maybe we should ... 'crash' their little party. After all, what's a party without two smoking hot ladies, eh?" she asked as she took hold of her icy Stalhrim Battleaxe that was equipped on her with her bow. Her steel arrows stay on her hip for easy access. She could see the Orcs, but she didn't want to attack them. Ximena seemed able to assassinate them, so she didn't worry too much about those. Who she wanted to tackle was the Nord. He seemed larger than her, and could prove quite the challenge. And Valkari loved a challenge.

"Wanna take out the Orcs first?" Valkari then asked in a low voice as she looked to the rather concentrated Redguard, her devious smirk still plastered on her face. When this one was about to battle, she doesn't waste much time going head first. Though, she does think a bit about a sort of strategy before actually going in. Saved her hide a bunch of times anyhow.

--- i'll be there when you close your eyes ,.

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Good, she actually thought about things as well. Ximena smiled softly as she looked down at her beautiful knife, "Brilliant observation," she said in her honey silk voice, "The orcs are clearly their front line force, if we take them out first the others wouldn't exactly stand a chance."

Glancing back at their prey, Ximena nodded and held her blade tight in her delicate looking hand. "Let's go," she whispered and without another word she was heading out. She crept silently along the brush, keeping low and undetected as she made her way closer to the wrecked caravan. She could hear the bandits talking about how easy their raid was and expressed enjoyment over their find. There must of been something good on that caravan-- gold mostly, perhaps a few worthy weapons? Ximena was excited to find out, she loved raiding when she got the chance. Not to get the wrong idea though, she was no thief. It wasn't stealing when the owner mysteriously deceased. Golden colored eyes focused on the closest orc to her, and she smirked at his stupidity.

The orc was heading a ways away from the group. Ximena noticed just a moment later that all the orcs were doing the same thing. As she earlier suspected, the orcs were the front lines, they scouted out and took care of the enemy first. Oh this was too easy, with them doing this Ximena could take out all three of them without an issue. Not very much fun, she was hoping the orcs would prove a challenge for her. As she came into clear view of the first orc, Ximena glanced back at Valkari and smiled sweetly before she turned back to her prey. Her movement was quick, almost like the dark disappearing in the light. Ximena crept up behind the orc and looked over to his followers, none looked this way at all, so she stood from her crouch and wrapped her thin arms around the large man. Her hand was clasped over his mouth and her blade moved as swift as wind. The orchish blade came around and sliced straight across the orcs neck, spilling dark blood down the front of his armor. The enchantment of her blade left scorch marks on the man's neck that entered his bloodstream and burned him from the inside.

Once his body went limp, Ximena carefully lowered him down and continued her crouching. Her face was emotionless, like maybe she didn't exactly ENJOY killing, but her face was beautiful. She was like an angel of death, moving silently among her targets. When one looked at Ximena killing, the act was as easy as breathing. It seemed to come so natural to her.

One orc taken care of.

tagged valkari! words enough notes Ximena's actually being nice xD
credit ! reinvented LOVE , @ caution

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Valkari just watched the young Redguard move silently along the ground, her light feet making the sound a feather would make when landing on the ground, or air picking up leaves in it's cool breeze. Not a sound. She smirked at Ximena, dazzled by her deadly grace that brought a scorching, but silent and quick, death to the first Orc she came across. How stupid they were. Even Valkari could hear someone coming, or at least feel it. Y'know, that awkward feeling you get when someone was staring at you? Yeah, that was what Valkari got when she knew someone was watching her. Happened all the time.

As she watched silently as Ximena sunk her burning dagger into one of the Orc's throats, the second Orc had just began to turn around. With steady aim, and a little luck, Valkari shot a gorgeous poison dipped arrow right in the second's neck, making him stumble into the bushes. It was odd that he didn't make a sound, but she guessed it was because he landed in soft bushes. Either way, the third, and the biggest, Orc didn't seem to notice. Man these people were ever clumsy with their work of defense. Literally. She knew a wood elf that could defend better than these chumps! And she was only 4'11!

Valkari looked back to Ximena, giving her a slight smirk as she winked and nodded for her to kill the last one. Valkari really wanted to just chop the man's head off with her icy battleaxe, but it wouldn't have been wise, especially since he seemed at least a foot or two taller than herself. Instead, she aimed her arrow straight for the archers higher up. They needed to be taken out or else they would shoot the girls down like deer.