Bitter Ribbons
It was a day that seemed typical but felt very distant from that as the colorfully dressed young woman walked through the dirty back alleys of the Lower District of Hoaken. Her clothing was crudely sewn together with scraps she had saved from the trash of the garment district, so no two pieces were the same except for a general color profile of dark oranges, dark reds, and browns. This barely drew the eye away from the crude, steel plate that she wore as a mask. It didn't fit well, but Bitter Ribbon used white and gray strips of fabric to wrap it and secure it to the front of her head.
She couldn't shake off the feeling that she hadn't really woken up yet for some reason, and then she pulled out of her daze and into a narrow passageway cluttered with crates.
“Hide, quickly.” The dark figure quietly instructed her, effortlessly scaling the sheer wall of one of the buildings to the roof above. Hearing many armored boots marking down the alley she had just been walking down, she dove behind the largest crate and curled into a ball, listening as the soldier came closer and closer, passing by quickly. They weren't on a standard patrol. What was happening?
“Hello?” She asked the empty sky above her, and the figure dropped down silently in front of her. They were dressed in black and dark grey clothing with similarly colored leather armor in strategic places. They were wearing a darkened mask that appeared to be made of some kind of ceramic, but she couldn't be sure.
“Are you aware that someone just died fifty feet away from here?” They asked in a voice that was definitely altered with hidden magics. Bitter shifted her vision to search them for magic, and they vibrated with it. Blinking her sight back to normal, she shook her head.
“I had no idea... I didn't hear anything.” She was scared now; she could be staring at a murderer.
“I figured that was the case, figured the guards would overreact to seeing you so close to a murder, the victim was an informant of mine. I failed to get to our rendezvous in time to save them.” They explained. “Did you see anyone moving around the alleys today?”
“Only the weird guy who I've seen around here the past month or so. Short beard, unfortunate comb over, bit of a belly on him.” She didn't like this man, as he seemed to be watching her every time she noticed him.
“That sounds like Beni. Interesting.” The figure said calmly.
“Is that your... friend?” Bitter wanted to get as far away from this as possible and talk to Nesh. A strange itch at the back of her mind said that would be unwise.
“Yes, he was.” The figure cocked their head as if they were listening to something. “They've found his body.”
“Okay, that's good, I guess? Can I go now?” Bitter asked, debating her options.
“No. You are a potential witness; it would be best if you stayed with me for now.” They answered her. “My name is Cicatrix Texti, by the way.”
“I know that name... why do I know that name?” Bitter thought out loud. “You're the bounty hunter who took down that serial killer a couple of years back!” She connected the dots.
“I am indeed.” They confirmed her statement. “And, you are?”
“Everyone calls me B.R.” She didn't really have a name anymore.
“Well then, B.R., shall we get some distance from this and regroup?” Cicatrix asked. “I'll buy you something to eat.”
