“Not everyone has the best of intentions,” answered the Knight smoothly. She wouldn’t bother explaining her reply just yet, though. As they walked side by side she allowed him to have the first question between them. What he had to ask wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, and Behemoth answered without breaking her stride or her passive scrutiny of their surroundings.

“That’s the short end of things, yes. The Etherium Council governs over Eos, and its head members are called Arbiters. The Knights are the enforcers and militant arm of the Council. There are Knight Captains appointed to most districts to oversee operations, but don’t be surprised if you see Knights crossing into different areas. I don’t hold any preferences for districts myself, and will go to where I’m needed.”

At that point she glanced down to Rhyme studying his physical appearance for a brief moment. She kept her expression neutral as she looked ahead and continued speaking.

“I would not cause any trouble if I were you, Mister Rhyme. You look particularly unsuited to life in the Trench; although, I suppose a hardened prison facility isn’t meant to be comfortable.” The mutant smirked at the thought. She couldn’t think of one criminal who looked forward to the Warden’s undivided attention. “While we’re on the subject of you and trouble.. Amnesia is a very convenient affliction, and one I’ve seen faked before by people on the run.”

Behemoth stopped walking to face Rhyme, and suddenly reached out to the man. Grabbing the front of his shirt in a firm grip she lifted him up just enough to where he would be forced uncomfortably onto his toes. Her expression remained impassive, although her inner emotions radiated suspicion and a wary curiosity. Holding Rhyme up like this she leaned closer armed with a cold, detached gaze.

“So I have a question for you, Mister Rhyme,” she began softly as an intimidating whisper, “Why should I trust a man who cannot remember anything save his name?”

---

Rhyme

Avalon vi Leomagne

I like it. Should be a fun introduction for them! That poor witness, though; having to see both their faces at the same time.

And sure, if you don't mind it. I've got no preference for the location, so if something stands out feel free to run with it.

Avalon vi Leomagne

Behemoth's future is a blank page right now, so her interactions with others will have a large part in shaping whether or not she tries for a captain's spot, attaches herself to someone for protection duty, or even takes a job at the Trench. So Avalon trying to push for something like that later on is a definite possibility.

Was thinking about a thread for these two. Perhaps even a small story arc, if you'd like it structured that way. As was mentioned Behemoth would be happy to assist Avalon in wrangling up potential inmates. What if a scumbag who was in Avalon's custody pissed her off to the point she considered them a 'real' enemy worth her animosity? Then some legal proceedings happened that yanked them out of the Trench before Avalon could really lay into them. While the courts are being bogged down through manipulation, Avalon decides to hunt this person down. Maybe to catch them red handed with damning evidence, or carry out her own sentence in accordance with her personal code of justice as Warden? In the end Behemoth would trust Avalon's decision to take things into her own hands, since no one else knows the prisoners better.

Could do a social thread first where Avalon pitches the idea IC while we get a feel for their dynamics together, then take things one step at a time from there making quests as appropriate. Busting someone who has info on the target that Avalon can sink her teeth into as an appetizer. Protecting a key witness in the trial from an attack. Stopping an attempted prison break of associated criminals. Things are open ended as far as possibilities. Maybe even have brief snippets of social threads in between to help nurture their friendship where they can do normal things together.

Could be a long term project for them, if you'd like something like that. On the other hand, I'm down for a quick and dirty 'bag the badguy, take no prisoners' quest if you want something shorter.

There it was. That unusual, determined exertion. Behemoth's head turned in the direction of Rhyme's heart signature as it entered her sphere of awareness. As it moved outside of her sight the woman compared it to surrounding heartbeats, still unsure of what to think regarding this oddity. Rhyme was a human, not an elemental golem or construct. Behemoth had found other mutants to have a pulse, so what made this man special? She had yet to tell anyone about her findings, but promised herself to investigate things further later on. Surely the Academy would have something on the topic. Yet as bizarre as the situation was, she found herself at ease as the white haired man finally entered her view. He was as mild mannered as she remembered.

"Mister Rhyme," replied the Knight crisply with a polite nod of her head, "..good day to you as well."

She supposed that he had done well for himself in finding her here. His ignorance of Eos' culture had made her somewhat concerned for his welfare. People like that were often turned into victims of one form or another. The woman closed the distance between them with unhurried but long strides. An appraising glance quickly looked over the shorter mutant to make sure that he had arrived within an acceptable degree of safety as she spoke up again in a straightforward, mirthless tone.

"I see you've managed to get here and find me without getting so much as a scratch for your efforts. Either you're quick to settle into the city life, or the fates have their eye on you. In any case, since you made it here that means you still have questions? If you don't mind walking with me, I can better respond to your curiosities." She paused briefly to nod towards another Knight on patrol, a well built looking man who was having a colorful argument over pick pocketing with another fellow that the Knight was dragging away. The sight hardly seemed to worry Behemoth.

"And, seeing things for yourself might help sway your opinion on any rumors you may have already been told." With that being said Behemoth glanced back to Rhyme, and gestured for him to walk alongside her through the bazaar. "If you don't mind it Sir, I'd like to ask you some questions in turn, too."

---

Rhyme

It was hard to believe the claims of efficiency Byzel’s sewer system boasted unless it was seen firsthand. Filth in all its forms magically separated from the vile murk leaving potable water in its place. That very same liquid would eventually be circulated back into the city’s water supply for further use and consumption. The idea had Behemoth involuntarily gagging when she had first come to Eos, but over time she had resigned herself to accepting this unsettling truth. In the very least the glowing flora in Byzel was an indication that the local water supported life, to some extent anyways.

A wide, metal set of double doors blocked the way into the sewers before the Knight. The point of entry for the job was located in one of Byzel’s many industrial waste plants. Nearby, the Mayor of the City of Tears was finalizing instructions to some of the factory workers for the eventual clean up. Behemoth waited patiently in the meantime, unsure of whether or not she should be expecting company on this excursion. She hadn’t heard of any other Knights looking into this job, and not many freelancers went into the sewers unless they had to. She had offered to begin her search of the tunnels when she had arrived ten minutes ago, but the gentle giant that the Mayor was had urged her to wait just a little longer.

For the second time since then she held up a piece of red string to inspect under the factory’s ceiling lights. The Mayor had a creative plan to track these rats, but Behemoth was doubtful of the idea. Even if one of the red strings was secured to a brick at the sewer entrance there was no guarantee it was still attached to a rat. However, her cynicism had been proven wrong before. If enough rats had been tied up this way one of them would eventually betray the location of the nest. There was only one way to find out at this point. She pocketed the item, and as her hand brushed up against the hilt of a sword sheathed on her belt Behemoth spared the weapon a brief glance.

Rumors of 'rodents of unusual size' were all the rage recently in Byzel. In the end though, they were still vermin that needed to be culled. The mutant was no expert with a sword, but it would serve her needs well enough today.

---

Iocus Devir

Avalon vi Leomagne

BFF's stomping all the baddies.

Behemoth might not laugh at most of Avalon's jokes, but there might be a few that are dark and absurd enough to make even Behemoth crack a smile and chuckle. Would probably just encourage more jokes, wouldn't it? Avalon's chipper demeaner would be a welcomed change from the usual, though. Behemoth would appreciate her genuine pleasantries, and would never turn her down if asked to accompany the Warden.

There's certainly a kinship between them what with their violent behaviors, and Behemoth wouldn't look down upon Avalon's torture. Its proven its effectiveness already, and Behemoth might even be curious to learn something or another to help with interrogations. Since Avalon is a busy person I imagine Behemoth would visit her in the Trench more often than not? It's not the friendliest of places, but the Warden's attitude makes up for that. She would even silently admire Avalon's blind loyalty to the Council. It's not something Behemoth can say she possesses, but at the end of the day Avalon's so happy with things compared to her own brooding thoughts. It makes Behemoth wonder what to do, sometimes.

Bad Cops or not, it's an unusual friendship that Behemoth would be all for.

Rhyme

Yeah, I can make the thread. I'll put it somewhere in Ordan tomorrow.