Storm Chaser (Job)

[The Izzack]

"Just what have I just gotten myself into?" Job briefly thought as Yolette sprung on him, eager for his protection. That apprehension melted away fairly quickly, however, when he heard about this young woman being threatened. What sort of honorless thug would do such a thing? Sure, this woman didn't seem quite...innocent, but that was no reason to...

"Job, your getting mad. Maybe you should just refuse Ms. Yolette if she's making you so upset, instead of working yourself up so much, hmm?" Syl offered, though she seemed confused as to why the man would be so upset by a woman taking him up on an offer he himself made.

"That's not..." Job began, but then he quickly turned his attention back to Yolette. "I would be honored to escort you back home. If it is the case that the foul worms that threatened you have further plans, I will do my best to turn their ambitions into nightmares." he said, somewhat fiercely bringing his fist up to his chest in some strange salute as he did so.

[Lepa]

Yolette really wasn’t too far off with that whole Prince Whathisface thing, was she?

"...Geez," she laughed, amused with his grandiose vow. She released his other hand. "You’re a real knight in shining armor, ain’tcha Job?" She teased with a smile, then playfully elbowed him. "You use that line on every damsel in distress you meet?" The woman chuckled, stepping away with an idle twirl.

It was a bit childish, but it was a genuine expression of happiness.

Because for too long, everything in her life had ended in disappointment, betrayal or violence; and every time it happened, she had to run away. Men were no exception to this, so naturally, she kept them at arm’s length.

So why was she happy?

Why did she feel so comfortably open with this man?

Yolette mentally paused as she pondered her emotions.

...No, it couldn’t have been happiness. Not a long term happiness, at least. She was just projecting a fantasy onto this man. There was nothing different about this... Job. It would be the same encounter as every guy she came across - Yolette would toy with them for her amusement, poking and prodding at them, then vanish into the night at the first inkling of hostility. Sure, she might’ve been fonder of some more than others, but it was nothing more than shallow infatuation; or in more pleasant terms, “puppy love.” I’m just letting my imagination get the better of me, she internally rationalized. The idea of having someone by her side was sweet, but... unrealistic. She had lived alone for all of her life, facing all sorts of dubious people, but she had managed to claw her way into a comfortable spot; there was no way she was about to let her guard down and lose it over just another man.

Clearly she had to break up these faux feelings. Immediately.

...But not without getting something else out of this! After all, while it was nice that he had saved her from those rogues, she lost out on the opportunity to loot their stuff! Chivalry didn’t pay the bills, Job!

In this moment of self reflection, it was clear to him that Yolette’s face went solemn in thought. It then turned into a grimace, then a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scowl before quickly lighting back up into her enthusiastic demeanor.

"...Anyway! This is a pretty bad neighborhood," Yolette lifted a leg and spun it in a wide arc, overemphasizing her abrupt turning away. She marched in proud exaggeration, deciding to take the lead in leaving the alleyway. "I usually know what to look out for around here, but I’m not so sure about a goodie two shoes knight like you," she teased. She then stopped, turning around to face Job. She grinned.

"I’m thinkin’ you might’ve just gotten lucky with those guys."

[The Izzack]

"I'm not-" Job began rather roughly, a look of anger flashing across his face for a split second before he could stop himself. He took a deep breath, and began once more. "I am sorry to disappoint, but I am no knight. I am no noble at all." He certainly seemed calmer this time around, though there was still that anger, hidden deep behind his eyes. It wasn't towards Yolette. No, she couldn't know what he had been through. Still, it was...difficult, whenever someone made those kind of connections with Job. Each time, it dug up old memories. Memories that, no matter how many years had passed, always brought back the pain of wounds never quite healed. "I can, of course, assure you that, peasant though I may be, I am quite accustomed to this life of violence I have found myself put to. So long as I stand, I shan't let you fall to harm." he promised, trying to make up for his previous rushed response with a more measured, nicer sounding promise.

"Now, might I ask you which way your home is?" Job asked. On the surface, he was polite, though inside, he was just waiting to be done with this woman, so he could be left alone to the demons she re-awoke within him.

[Lepa]

Was he... mad?

For a second it seemed like it, and that's definitely what Yolette was going for, but... Job getting all hung up on the knight compliment wasn't what she expected. Clearly, he was a trained fighter, and most men she encountered took pride in something - combat, cars, grilling, you name it. Many of them, she found, were easily riled up when you challenged their pride. So she had challenged Job's battle prowess, thinking that would have irked him... but no, it was a silly little comparison that had annoyed him. At least, she think it did. It was hard to tell now.

Only one way to find out!

Yolette had decided she was going to profit off of this man one way or another. Sure, he saved her, but he still cost her some nice loot back there! If he's so determined to humbly insist that he's a "peasant" - a strangely archaic word choice, she thought - then surely this so-called peasant wouldn't miss... something, anything going missing, right? Maybe he was like one of those holy people who took vows of poverty. Yolette internally frowned. Dang, wait, would that mean he'd even have anything good on him?

Well, she'd worry about that later. Step 1: get him emotionally distracted. She knew Job was awkward when she flirted with him, and he seemed to have some sort of reaction to the little knight joke. Clearly, that meant she'd have to combine the two, and by the end of this, he'd be too flustered with her advances or irritated enough to want to kill her. And then, Step 2: she'd strike! And by strike, she meant steal. Yolette hoped he would become more flustered than angered (especially considering she witnessed what he could do) but she'd dealt with others wanting to kill her before. Besides, she had her own little ace up her sleeve! When the time was right, she'd steal something off of him, anything, and cheese it! Yeah!

Now all she had to do was slowly turn up the heat.

"I can, of course, assure you that, peasant though I may be, I am quite accustomed to this life of violence I have found myself put to. So long as I stand, I shan't let you fall to harm."

"...Again, you tell that to every girl you meet? " Yolette snerked in amusement. "I appreciate the protection; _{especially since you're the first guy to offer it to me,}" she winked. "...But If you're tryin' to out sob-story me, that ain't gonna work, buddy." She shrugged, then placed her hands on her hips. "Just 'cause I'm a cute little maiden," she had briefly put on a frilly little voice, "...doesn't mean I haven't seen my own fair share of..." she paused. "...unsavory... things." She didn't quite elaborate on what those things were, but she hoped it was vague enough to give the man some... ideas.

"Now, c'mon," she turned away and began to lead again. "You asked where I live, right?" She looked back over her shoulder, flashing a sly smile. "You sure it's not because my shining knight doesn't want his... reward?"

[The Izzack]

Again with the knight business. Job had to stop himself from getting angry again. He couldn't even hear that word anymore without thinking of the last man he knew called a 'knight'. A good an honorable man, which made his betrayal of Job sting all the more. "I would ask that you stop calling me that, miss." he said simply, flatly. Suddenly he seemed less like a man, and more like an object, a weapon perhaps, or a shield. He was focused on his duty to the point of blocking out any...unfortunate thoughts.

"Job..." Syl began, but she was quickly interrupted by a quick grunt from Job

"It is fine. We shall guide this one home, and be on our way, Syl. Let's be on with it." he offered. He assumed he was following from far enough behind so as to avoid Yolette's suspicion, but the truth was, he didn't exactly care if she heard him or not. He was too busy focused on...not focusing on certain things

[Lepa]

That wasn't the response she was expecting, either.

The woman paused, turning around and waiting for Job to catch up. She placed her arms behind her head rather casually, eyeing him as he approached.

"...You're a weird one, Job."

It wasn't condescending, but a plain, amused statement. He hadn't gotten angry like she hoped, or at least not in a way that she was used to - if he even was angry. Hell, he flat out ignored her attempts at flirting. Whatever he was feeling, it was... neither of what she had aimed for. She sighed as the distance closed between them. Might as well give up on that strategy, she thought. "You're... not from around here, are you?" Yolette raised a brow inquisitively. Even after she grew up in a place like this, Yolette saw that this man had his own weird way of sticking out. She began walking again once Job was beside her, hoping he'd at least settle for simple small talk. "What brings you to lil' old Aster City?" She folded her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, attempting to read Job's face as she awaited an answer.

[The Izzack]

Job grunted slightly at the bluntness of the brazen woman's comment, but he was quick to return to his stoic facade. "I am what fate has made me." he replied simply, offering no more input on the matter. As it was, he was starting to suspect that this woman was trying to get on his nerves. Obviously, that wasn't the case, but it was hard for him not to feel suspicious of her constant prodding.

The stone-faced man didn't answer Yolette's question at first. In fact, for his lack of reaction, it probably seemed like he didn't hear her at all. After a long pause, however, he glanced in her direction. "I...fell." was all he said. Truth was, he didn't quite understand what happened that brought him to this place himself. He was out training, and then...things got blurry, and here he was. Stuck in what appeared to be a city of cruelty and avarice. Still, no sense getting upset about his current situation. He just had to make the best of it, and do good deeds where he could, even if it meant tolerating...excitable women.

[Lepa]

Yolette leaned forward even more, raising her brows rather skeptically.

"You... fell?"

She paused.

"What, like from heaven?" She laughed. Her own wit was too quick for her; it was only after she spoke that she processed what she had said. "Geez!" The woman huffed humorously, almost as if she was embarrassed. "You're the one who's supposed to be saying that to me," she laughed again, lightly elbowing Job in amusement. Yolette then leaned back, nonchalantly placing her arms behind her head again. "Not that I haven't heard that line a million times before..." She rolled her eyes knowingly. "But it makes sense, I think." Yolette smugly closed her eyes with a smile. "That must mean you were sent to me to be my guardian angel!" It was a silly joke, but a little lighthearted fluff seemed to be the safest bet when dealing with this strange man.

...Then again, why was she worrying so much about playing it safe? Wasn't she supposed to try and ruin whatever little good will she had left with this weirdo? Sure, Job seemed to... say a lot less when she began to poke him with more knight nicknames, but his curtness was hardly an indicator of what he felt. That's just how he was in the last... 20 minutes she's known him. It wasn't because Yolette herself felt bad at the potential of whatever it may or may not have meant...

Right?

...She was losing focus again.

Yolette had to irritate him somehow. She had to get him to let his guard down, turn away, or do something so she could try to steal something off of him - particularly, whatever she had heard clinking in his bag when she jokingly elbowed him earlier. But what could she say...?

"...Wait."

The woman opened both eyes in realization. "Actually... Yeah." She nodded. "Yeah! Yeah, yeah!" She repeated more enthusiastically, turning to Job. "My guardian angel... That's actually a great idea!" She curled a hand into a fist, excitedly pounding it into her palm for emphasis. "You'll be my bodyguard, full time!" Yolette declared. It was a ridiculous suggestion, but that was the point. "Clearly, you're qualified for that kinda thing. And clearly you'd be doing it out of the goodness of your own heart!" She placed a hand to her chest pleadingly, attempting to play up to Job's formal speech. "At least... for a sweet little maiden like me...?"

Yolette had done nothing but tease this man, and now she was asking - no, stating that he should protect her 24/7 with no obvious mention of payment or lodging or compensation of any kind?

There was no way he'd bite.

[The Izzack]

"I have heard people talk of 'heaven'. Most often, they speak of it in a way that seems like it is not a real place, but a...thought? Even so, I did not know that it was placed right here, above this city. That being said...no, I don't think that this 'heaven' place is where I came from." Job offered. Through his facade, he seemed somewhat confused. The people of this place had some strange customs, and stranger city locations, apparently. Was this heaven up in the mountains? No matter, he had no time to waste pondering on such things, he had a duty to fulfill.

"I feel like it's been a while since you've been able to talk to someone like this, Job. Like a normal person." Syl noted, floating around Yolette's head. "You're not gonna let her go after this one encounter...are you?"

"Whether or not I do, I-wait, what?" Job blurted, caught off guard by Yolette's sudden offer, especially given that he wasn't really focusing on her at that moment. "I...I apologize, but there are more people than one in this city that need me. I'll gladly help you when you are in trouble, but I am not sure if I can follow you at all times, especially when I am not needed!" his stony front slipped somewhat with his surprise, and with it, more memories of the past. Specifically, of his failure to protect others that he was supposed to guard. He didn't know if a 'guardian angel' did anything different than a normal guard, but he didn't want to let this woman down like he had others.

[Lepa]

Yolette found herself idly chuckling at Job's confusion at the concept of the celestial afterlife. This man... didn't really know much of anything, did he? Or at least, he didn't know much of... here. Now, whether that "here" was Aster City, the state, or even the country, Yolette couldn't tell, but wherever he came from, he definitely wasn't from here. His cluelessness was... amusing, if not endearing.

Just then, Yolette couldn't help but feel a chill. She shivered, briefly folding her arms and rubbing at her elbows out of reflex. She swore there was a cool breeze, but she didn't feel it on her legs or anything... just her neck. The woman shook her head and readjusted her scarf. Maybe she just... imagined it? Must've been Job's... "uniqueness" getting to her. Especially when he had answered her little bodyguard suggestion.

"I...I apologize, but there are more people than one in this city that need me. I'll gladly help you when you are in trouble, but I am not sure if I can follow you at all times, especially when I am not needed!"

Hrghh...!

I'm trying to get you to hate me, you dork...! Yolette internally screeched, though he could only see the pout on her face. Why was he so polite about it?! He was supposed to show his true colors! He was supposed to be a jerk! Then she could could steal from him without feeling guilty! Not that she normally had any guilt before, but... but...! Why are you making this so hard? She frowned, her brow furrowing. To Job however, it simply seemed that she was unhappy with his answer.

"Well..." Yolette looked aside to quickly recollect herself. It was more difficult to see her face, but from what was visible, her expression was conflicting - she definitely radiated a vibe of anger or disappointment, but her face seemed more melancholy. "That's fine and noble and all, Job..." Yolette looked back up to him. She had shifted to a more sensual gaze, just barely masking a dark whirlwind of emotion underneath. "But I have just one question for you..." The woman approached him, goading him up against a wall.

"When you're the one in trouble..." She frowned sadly, leaning up against him. "...Who's going to help you?"

[The Izzack]

While Job could definitely sense the woman's frustration, he couldn't quite place it, especially since whatever vibe she was shooting off certainly didn't match her face. It was...odd, especially once she decided to turn on the charm again. "No, I don't think it's normal." he sneakily mouthed to Syl right before she could ask the question. He backed up as she came towards him again. She didn't really seem to understand the concept of personal space. Maybe this was just how women acted in this strange place. Well, he had to say, it was anything but charming to him for a girl to be so...pushy.

When Yolette leaned against him, Job kept his hands right in the air, as if he was being arrested by police. There was no way that this woman was going to say that he did anything improper. Was that what she was after? Was that what she meant with what she just said? Well, it didn't matter. He wasn't going to fall for any such trick. He might be a fish out of water, but that didn't make him stupid. "I...suppose that I can help myself well enough, when I need to. I am sorry, but shouldn't we be going to a...safer location? This is...very...out in the...open." he said,a tinge of embarrassment coming through in his voice. He wasn't used to such...public displays like this, that was certain.

[Lepa]

Yolette frowned.

"...You're right."

Almost as abruptly as she had began, the woman pulled away, folding her hands behind her back. "I... uh..." She started, looking aside again as her bangs veiled an eye. "I-I'm sorry," she apologized, seeming a bit embarrassed herself. She lifted a hand, shyly brushing her hair aside. "I... I just thought..." She curled a finger onto her lips, trailing off. The woman remained silent for a moment, clearly pensive. Finally, she gathered her thoughts and spoke. "...Thanks again for helping me." She forced a sad smile. "I... can make my way home from here."

It was all an act, of course.

At least, she thought so.

No matter what she did, he just wouldn't bite. Trying to get the outcome she wanted didn't work, and admittedly, she was a bit hurt that he didn't seem to have much interest in her. Yolette wasn't used to that. She had hoped for the day that a man would finally leave her alone, but now that he was here... why was she upset about it? Or rather, why this one in particular?

And that's why Yolette knew she had to cut off their interaction then and there.

"I'll, uh... just go now." She turned away, shifting her hands up front. "...Bye." She quickly added before turning a corner and out of his view.

After several solemn paces down the block, Yolette looked over her shoulder to see if he had followed. It had been maybe 10-15 seconds, but once she saw he hadn't immediately pursued her, she exhaled with a low sigh of relief. In the moment she had leaned on Job, Yolette had somehow managed to carefully take a strange bag he was carrying. She peeked inside. It was filled to the brim many glass orbs, each of them carrying a multifaceted gem in their centers. Yolette let out a soft, impressed whistle.

"Sheesh!" She snorted with a grin. "This is way better than whatever those chucklenuts would've had on 'em...!" She snickered to herself, resealing the bag and hoisting it aside. It was almost enough to make up for the emotional turmoil she had just undergone! Almost. After all, her weirdo knight was bound to notice this missing sooner or later, so she had no doubt he would be coming after her soon. Nothing a quick getaway couldn't fix, though.

Then again, he did just save her. Even though she had that perfectly under control, it was the thought that counted, right?

Maybe she would give him a fair chance.

With a shrug, Yolette began to jog at a spritely pace; quick enough to look like a normal woman out on a jog, but slow enough just so Job could catch sight of her as he turned the corner. If he didn't like the direct approach, then maybe he'd appreciate a good old fashioned game of cat and mouse!

[The Izzack]

"Are you really okay with leaving things like that, Job? You two seemed to be getting along." Syl question broke the silence that Job had let linger since the strange woman had left. The little sprite sat on the man's shoulder, seeming more serious than playful, for once.

"...I am, Syl. I'm not going to intrude on a stranger. That would be rude, wouldn't it?" the man seemed more like he was trying to convince himself than his companion. "Now come on, it's time for us to be going back home, don't you think?" With that, he tapped into his powers once more. He pulled from the energy of...

of...

No energy came to him.

"Come on, I could have sworn they recharged la-" Job stopped mid-sentence, staring at the blank space on his belt where his gem pouch should have been

"Looks like they got stolen, Job." Syl offered, knowing full well that she was pointing out the obvious.

"But when!? I didn't see anybody near enough when I was escort-"

"I know of one person who got close enough to you to take your gems. Looks like you're gonna have to catch up to her anyway!" the sprite giggled before she charged on ahead. "Come on! I'll help you!" she offered as she turned the corner.

Job let out a sharp hiss of anger at the circumstances. "Should have known not to trust any of these people..." he growled under his breath and he took off in a sprint. The combination of his furious glare, and his heightened reflexes meant that there was little in the way to slow him down. Most people parted before him, and most objects were easily vaulted over. As it was, he managed to round the corner just in time to see a familiar form turn out of site, followed by a more visible beacon "You're not getting away that easy!" he said to himself as he began sprinting once more.

[Lepa]

As Yolette continued her jog, she looked down to her wrist as if reading a watch.

"Three... Two... One..."

Right on cue, she could hear Job's loud footsteps on the concrete pavement. Well, okay, it could've been anyone running, but Yolette was sure it was Job - she'd stolen from men enough times to recognize when one was coming after her. Usually, it was an annoyance having to deal with them, but this time, well... Her lips couldn't help but curl into a smile. She was glad it wouldn't be the last she'd be seeing of Job... even if it meant potentially being on the other end of his weapon.

But Yolette had her own way of dealing with such things.

The woman slowed her jog slightly to crane her neck over her shoulder, looking back. She cupped a hand around her mouth. "Joooob, is that youuu?" She called out, her tone overtly friendly. To bystanders, most would assume she was playing a game with a friend, but to Job, there was no doubt she was teasing him. "Did you forget something, Joooob?" She giggled, slowing to a stop. She hoped to wait a few seconds, but when Yolette saw the man round the corner, running at full speed, she couldn't help but be caught genuinely off guard - even if it was only for a moment. The look of surprise on her face quickly disappeared however, with another mischievous look replacing it. How exciting!

"Kehehe...!" She giggled again, making sure he'd see her run into another alley. It was a dead end - not unlike the one they had just met in - but this time... boy oh boy, was it gonna be different.

She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he'd rush around the corner - only to see that she wasn't there.

[The Izzack]

Focused as he was, Job refused to rise to Yolette's taunting, opting instead to use the sound of her voice to further assure himself of her location. Of course, catching a visual of her walking into another alleyway certainly aided in confirming where she was. He didn't slow at all as followed, except when he broke into a slide, keeping one hand on the ground to steer him more properly towards the entrance of the alley.

"Alright. You've had your-kcht!" Job cut himself off, seeing Yolette was nowhere to be found. How was that possible, though? It didn't take him long, of course, to determine that this woman must also have powers, and further thinking brought him to the conclusion that they were probably of the illusory persuasion. After all, why else would she go through the trouble of making sure he heard and saw her? He had fallen for a fake. "Shit! Syl!" he called out to his companion.

"On it!" the little sprite pipped up before launching up above the rooftops, scanning the surrounding area for the woman.

Of course, Job wasn't content to just wait as Syl searched. With a running start, he began to climb the nearest building, scaling it with a surprising grace, especially considering that his powers would normally have done all the work for him.