The Phoenix clashes with the Tiger

Aster whistled a cheerful and mischievous tune as he walked down the streets of Oppidum. He had been here for about a year now, and was finally looking through the marketplace. It was around this time of the year merchants all around Ae'Ire would stop by Oppidum to show off their wares. Some genuine, others a sham. He was careful to stay away from the frauds, which sadly were more than half of the merchants here, they had gotten better at scamming as time went on.
    As Aster walked through the crowds, someone caught his eye, it must've been her white hair, contrast to all of the darker robes the merchants and buyers wore. He slowly made his toward her shop, casually looking over the fur and jewelery. Nothing really caught his eye, so he turned to the woman before talking. "You seem like a truthful merchant, but with all of these scammers," Aster said, putting emphasis on 'scammers' so the other merchants could his hear his taunt, "You won't get very good business. Heck, I don't even know if these are real." Aster chuckled, hoping to get a fun response to rid himself of boredom. Oppidum was peaceful, but it was also very calm.

Aster gained a genuine look of sincerity at her mention of "Wolf Tribe" and backed up to an upright stance. "Wolf Tribe, eh? Sounds interesting, but," Aster scratched the back of his head, looking at the woman and her shop. "Why be a merchant? When you have so much more power not in use?" Aster saw the crowds and their offended expressions, and released his knife in his sleeve that slightly went over his hand, and grasped it just in case. "Surely you aren't just a merchant." He smiled, waiting for her response.

Aster flicked his knife back up his sleeve and stepped back, waving his hand in a circular motion. "Nothing really, I suppose. It was just an observation, at best." Aster looked around at the dispersing merchants and gave a slight frown. "Might I ask your name?" Aster asked, before slapping his forehead. "Hah! I completely forgot!" Aster chuckled, reaching his hand out. "I'm Aster. At your service!"

Aster gained a look of wonder as he leaned forward putting his hands on the table. "Are you saying there are better places than here!?" Aster asked intently, before clearing his throat and stepping back. "I've.. Only been in this land for a year, now, and I haven't seen any of it other than Oppidum." He explained, scratching the back of his head. "I plan on exploring more of it." He laughed to himself, before opening his eyes and looking at the woman who introduced herself as Amaranthe. "Hey, maybe you could join us!"

Aster followed along behind her, unlocking his knife once more and holding it lightly in his hand. "By 'us' I mean my sister, Alys. We came from a faraway land, known as "Dark Ire" amongst the locals. We came here for our business to prosper." Aster took a second to think about it, but finally asked, "Where are we going, anyway?"

Aster blinked twice in curiosity where the grate lead, and scratched the back of his head, letting out an awkward laugh. "You seriously want me to go down there?" Aster sighed, looking back at the marketplace where they came from, "Guess I have no choice.."

"Hey, hey! What makes you think they'll come after me? I mean, who could attack this?" He said, putting on an arrogant smile, following behind the white-haired woman, her hair being the only thing he could see aside from his own hand. "Quick recap. I am in a dark tunnel with a woman I've never met before, being chased by mercenaries. Not quite the fun I was aiming for, but.." Aster thought to himself, putting his knife back in his sleeve.

Aster, at the sight of the woman's transformation, lifted his finger to speak, but lowered it and retreated back into his mind, "Who is she..?" Shaking off that he was following, *sigh*, a Tiger, he trudged along, wherever she lead. He refused to figure out why he was following her. "I think I could talk myself out of their violent intentions." He chuckled, grasping the collar of his jacket, marveling at his own excellence.

Aster nodded, unlocking his knife from its holster on his arm inside of his sleeve, and grasping it in his hand. "Aw, I left my sword at home.. Can't blame me, not like I knew I would be fighting off mercenaries with a Tiger-Lady.." Aster thought ho himself while waiting beside the door, tapping his finger with the flat side of the knife. "Mind estimating how many we'll fight?"

Aster's eyes widened as he blinked twice in curiosity. "Wow.." Before Aster could continue being shocked, the door he was watching burst open, Aster rolling off to the side, letting more wire loose, enough to where he could swing his knife around. "Alright, then. This should be fun after all!" Aster chuckled, swinging his knife in circles, giving a sly smile as he waited for the dust cloud to clear, or the mercenaries charge in.

"What the-"

As Aster distracted the Mercenary that first entered, I roared- uncoiling my tensed muscles. Shock was plastered on the face of the man I attached myself to, before the face was ripped open by my claws. A cry of terror left the mans lips, before my second hand slit through his jugular. The second man froze in terror, shock plastered across his mug before I rounded upon him.

I have to hurry before the other one ge-

I had just shifted when the weight crashed into my ribs, sending me flying into the other wall. A mewl was extracted from me, as I staggered up. Where I had just been, about to attack the second man, was the smaller being. His beard was scraggley, and his collar was dripped with chains that led to his wrists. Confusion flickered across my face, before he attacked once more with movement that was as close to mine as humanly- without help -possible.

Well color me surprised, I'm about to earn another stripe.

Prepared this time, I feinted into his path before raking my claws across where he was going to appear- shocked when all I grabbed was a few meager shreds of clothing.

Despite the mercenaries' size, Aster threw his knife toward the arm of the man, the wire wrapping around it tight, and pulled as hard he could. The man didn't move one inch. "Perfect." Aster smiled, as he pulled himself to the mercenary, and landing a kick to his jaw, pushing off of his face to proceed with a back flip, landing on his feet and kick the man to the ground, only to have his body be pulled back instantly by the hand as Aster pulled the wire back, and place his foot on the head of the man. "Too easy."