The Same Old Thing (open)

Malik had been traveling for hours on to finally reach the zeppelin station under the floating city. Paying the man for a ride up he walked onto the zeppelin and leaned against a wall, looking out a window as they slowly started to rise. Closing his eyes he just wanted a nights rest and relaxation before starting the new job, the pay for this job was amazing but the time needed to do it was a very narrow window. He decided to give it a try any ways. A good thirty minutes passed before the reached the city and docked. Tipping the man a few copper coins before walking off and out towards the copper village. The walk took only a few minutes to reach it, the tavern was in sight.
Walking up to the tavern he opened the doors and looked around for a empty seat. Taking the closest empty table he ordered his drink and leaned back, looking around at every one. One man stood out the most, he wore a full suit of leather, head to toe. The mans body was feminine yet he couldn't figure out if this was a man or woman. So he went with the assumption it was just a very feminine man and left it at that. Malik watched this man as he turned his head every time the door opened. Was he waiting for someone? If so who and why.. Malik generally kept out of every ones business but this person peaked his interest. Watching the man he sipped on his own drink and waited. When a new man with bright red hair and a scar over his eye, entered the tavern he looked over at the leather clad man and saw him shift in his seat.
Five minutes passed and the man with the scar received his drink, that is when the leather clad man got up, pulled out a vial and walked over when the man was distracted, pouring it in his drink. As the leather clad man quickly walked out he heard the mans head hit the table and the scream of a woman when she tried to wake the man but he just fell on the ground. Pulling out a few coins and putting them on the table he stood up and finished his drink before pulling up the cloth over his nose to conceal his face and setting the tankard down. Walking through the people he left the tavern and looked around, seeing the man walking off at a quick pace he followed after him. Closing the distance to follow his fine but not seem suspicious. 

How she had done it she would never know, but she had managed to get a job here at the tavern. Perhaps her looks had something to so with it? No matter, she had played the part well. Wearing simple commoner clothes, she had be hired as a waitress. She had worked here for a little over two weeks, but it was already wearing on her. How she missed her family, and her home. She did not belong here, and wasn't sure why she even tried. The nature she had left behind, that was her home. Not here. She had saved up enough for the trip back, but wasn't planning on spending her money for that. No, she still yearned to travel, and though she would go home, she would save her money for other things.

Distracted by her thoughts, she ignored the men who tried to catch her eye as she walked past. She wove around in the crowded room, almost like a dancer. She carried a tray laden with bread and liquor. Then she noticed a stranger, make that two. Both would not be noticed among the mass of other strange faces save the fact they were both in exotic dress. Both covered from head to two, one in a gray armor, the other red cloths. The one in red the definitely male, but the other, that one was harder to guess.

Then the one in gray rose and left. A few minutes later, a red haired man fell over. Dropping her tray, she darted for his table. She yelled, trying to rouse him. She knew better that to touch him, or the cup that had left his hand. She scanned the room, and spotted the man in red hurrying out the door. Knowing her cover was blown by her actions and her grace, she ran. If she was caught, she would surly be blamed and killed. Gypsies were worthless, though had their uses. Often scapegoats ripe for the blaming. She shed her apron and any trace of the tavern as she rushed to the door. She wasn't trained in following people, but she often did for fun. This she had a feeling was on a whole different playing field. If caught she could easily be killed, or tortured for her curious nature. Even so she followed, trying her best to dance among the crowd and stay out of sight.

After a few more twists and turns, and no sign of the man that had followed her from the tavern, Schuyler came to a halt. Turning around, she surveyed the area for a while. Nothing. Whoever he had been, the man in red was gone. Now to find him again. After all, she couldn't just let him slide without first knowing why he'd trailed after her in the first place, now could she? So back she would go.
Of course, sticking to the streets was out of the question; she didn't want to risk getting herself caught whenever she found the stranger again, and the various buildings around her restricted her range of vision. The rooftops, as she had long since discovered, were a far better option and, finding the nearest wall with enough hand- and footholds, the assassin made her way up. From there, she retraced the path she had taken in the streets, keeping an eye out for any sign of her former pursuer. 
By the time she saw him again, she was back at the marketplace. In the time since she'd last seen him, he'd apparently stopped at one of the fruit vendors, as he was now tossing a partly-eaten apple about. Stepping closer to the edge of the roof she was standing on, Schuyler dropped into a crouch to better watch his progress for a moment or two. He seemed to be acting casually enough, but on closer inspection, it seemed as though he was... watching for someone? Her blue eyes narrowed as they scanned the other people in the street. No... No... There. It took her a moment, but she recognized one of the waitresses from the tavern, and from her vantage point, it was very clear that she was following the man in red. Interesting...
Straightening up, she started walking again in order to keep track of the man as he turned into another of the streets connected to the marketplace. Every now and then, her gaze would flicker back to the waitress- if that's what she even was. When the man stopped, so did Schuyler, and she settled into another crouch to watch things unfold below. 

A couple minutes passed as no one walked down the side street. Stepping out into it he looked out towards the vendors, his eyes scanning every one and every thing to try and find some hint for the woman following him. Not seeing her he started to turn and head down the side street before he caught the movement of someone on a roof. Looking up at them he recognized the leather armor almost instantly. The man he was following is now following him. This game of cat and mouse peaked his interest as he smiles under the cloth covering his mouth. Turning he walked up to a back door of a store, opening it he slipped inside and quickly made his way through the store to the front. Looking outside briefly he quietly exited and started looking around. Seeing movement behind a stack of crates he walks up slowly behind it. Seeing the woman from the tavern he sighs lightly as he says. "Why are you following me?" As he got a better look at the woman he saw her features and long dark hair. She was quite attractive but in the wrong business if shes is trying to be follow him without being seen. Not wanting to stand out to much he crouched down and waited for her, glancing up at the roof across from them every now and then for the man in leather. He wasn't afraid for the woman but the man on the roof was a different story. He was wearing leather armor and seemed ready for a fight if needed. Who new what else he had up his sleeves. 

( ooc: Sorry for the late response and short post, real life has been busy and I thought I should at least put a post in even if its short so you two are not waiting forever.)

As Malik questioned the girl he looked behind him and all around at every one. Every passerby made him look around, every movement. He couldn't see that man in leather and it made him paranoid. As the woman didn't answer he sighed and quickly got up, looking around he tried to think of the best place to meet this man at, where would he have the upper hand. The street was the best choice but far to many people, although that could be of use if things escalated quickly. Malik started walking through the crowd, pushing past people he put his hands on their shoulders to help slip by them. Weaving his way through the crowd he got to a meat store, entering it he walked in and headed through it to the back. Looking in each room he saw various men cutting up various cuts of meat. Finding the door he quickly exited the building. The waitress would have to wait until he dealt with the man in leather first.
Walking down the back street he found a street, only two ways in or out of it. Standing in the middle of it he waited to see if the man would show up, who knew, maybe he gave up already. Malik hoped this man was the sensible type and didn't want to fight, the job he wanted to take was far to big for just him alone he needed help. Maybe he could make a new ally in this stranger if they were interested. Keeping the sword sheathed hanging on his lower back Malik stood there, waiting, putting his hands on his hips and counting the seconds as they go by.

While she waited to see how the conversation between the two strangers would develop, the thought occurred to Schuyler that the woman was taking quite some time to answer the question posed to her. Apparently, something similar had also crossed the man's mind; he had started walking away from what she could hear. From where she was, she couldn't see where he was going and, somewhat more to her chagrin, she would have to break her cover if she wanted to keep track of him. Making her way back up to the rooftops would take too long this time, she was sure. So, she made a judgement call. 
Keeping one hand ready to throw one of her daggers in case the woman chose to try anything stupid, the hooded assassin stepped forward, silently searching the crowd while still watching the woman on the edge of her vision. There! He was making his way into another shop across the street. Satisfied for the moment, she turned slightly to fix her shadowed gaze on the woman, locking eyes with her briefly. In those few seconds, Schuyler recognized two things; the fear of someone who felt cornered, and a doubtless lack of a threat, despite the knife in her hand. She could get back to her later, assuming she didn't continue to follow along.
Wordlessly, she redirected her gaze toward the shop the man had entered, and began making her way after him, weaving her way through the crowd. At the front, she paused, searching for another way to the back of the building, where the man in red had most likely gone. Finding a narrow space between buildings to her left, she slipped through to another, far emptier street. It was clear to her why he'd chosen to come this way; there were only so many entrances and exits, all of which would be fairly easy to keep track of. However, he hadn't stopped here, it seemed, and if she had to guess as to his current whereabouts, she'd have chosen an alley a short distance away.
Following her hunch, Schuyler walked soundlessly forward, watching her surroundings carefully for any signs of ambush or something of a similar nature. Just before she stepped around the intended corner, she drew a dagger from her belt, but held it in such a way that it was still hidden beneath her cloak. If it were her, she'd have drawn her pursuer to a place where she felt she'd have an advantage, like the alley, so she wanted to be prepared. Just in case.
Another couple of steps brought her to the middle of the street's entrance. Apparently, her instincts had been correct; standing about halfway between where she stood and the opposite end of the alley was the man in red. Waiting. Following a short moment of hesitation, Schuyler drew just close enough to hear what he had to say- if he had anything to say at all- and then stopped. If it came to a fight, there was plenty of distance between them for her to use, and for him to make up if he had any intentions of so much as drawing the sword on his back. Crossing her arms, she assumed the best 'Well?' pose she had and began waiting herself to see how he would react.
 

Jasmine stayed still for a moment. She watched at the two moved into the store. Knowing she wasn't a threat, she would probably be forgotten, and never see either again...unless. Unless she does something about it. Unable to contain her curiosity, she casually moved from her hiding place and looses herself in the crowd. She drifts toward the butcher shop. Though she had prepared many animals before, the thought of entering the shop terrified her. She was pleased to find a herb shop next door, she entered. She moved to the back, where there were cracks between the roof and walls, allowing voices to drift in. Here she looked at the various herbs as she waited. Something about the man in red was familiar, like he was from a story she had heard. She had missed the first part of the exchange, and only heard him talking about a job he had.

She sighed. If the two worked together, she doubted her plan would work. Still she planned to try to follow them until she had her chance to ask. She had to look interested in the herbs, but focus on the two outside, lest she looses them. She could get herbs anywhere, but this chance didn't come by every day.