Gilded City

Nassau shifted from foot to foot, uncomfortable standing outside the Trance nightclub. The pulsing music coming from the building a constant buzz and at times, whenever someone entered or exited the establishment, the noise grew to a crescendo before returning to a buzz. A dry breeze swirling around his talons Nassau considered abandoning his vigil outside the club when the dragon he'd been awaiting emerged from inside. "Ah, Thornhill! I've been waiting for you." The skinny, sand colored SandWing now standing before Nassau smiled amiably. On this occasion the club owner was decked out in gold earrings, bull nose ring, horn and armbands, and a multitude of rings. His scales were also painted with purple highlights of flame patterns. 
"Why not come inside if all you wanted was to talk?" he asked. In his right talon Thornhill held a glass of amber liquid, taking a sip from it caused a shiver to run through his slight frame. 
"I don't think a nightclub is a good place to talk to someone." Nassau said. 
"I disagree, but... here I am, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Thornhill asked. Nassau twisted one of the rings on his left claw back and forth, stumbling over his sentence.
"Uh, I-I'm here to personally invite you to an auction and party at my father, Atlantic's apartments."
"Ooh, art auction?" Nassau nodded.
"Yes." Thornhill downed the rest of his drink and chucked the glass over his shoulder. Nassau cringed slightly as it shattered against the ground. 
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Thornhill said. "Let's get going."
"Yes... Lets." 
Leaning against a balcony railing Nassau gazed out at the Madripoor skyline. The massive glass and stone buildings rising up from the sands, and at the edge of it all on the horizon the ocean. Bright lights and loud music emitted from many of the buildings, dragons flew around from party to party, going about their lives and enjoying the night. Nassau turned away from the railing to face the goings on behind him. He balked at the idea of returning from the balcony to the party beyond, but he knew that if he were to far removed from everyone questions would be asked about him and his whereabouts, mainly by his father. As if the very thought of Atlantic summoned him, Nassau's father sidled over to him. "What are you doing out here?" He asked. Nassau shrugged.
"Enjoying the party." 
"From out here?" Atlantic asked skeptically. Nassau shrugged again. "Hmmm. I have something for you to do." He spoke. "I'm expecting a shipment to arrive at Pier 4 in a half hour, I want you to go collect it." 
"Where do you want me to take the shipment once I have it?" Nassau didn't see a point in wasting the necessary energy to refuse his father. It would only end in a lecture.
"I don't care, figure it out for yourself." Atlantic said, an edge of anger to his words. 
"Ok..."
"I also want the curriers dispatched, they're getting greedy, and I want to send a message." Atlantic said. "I trust that won't be an issue?"
"No sir." Nassau said.
"Good. Take Shin and Rien along with you." Nassau nodded and walked past Atlantic into the party, a frown deepening on his face. As he neared the exit to his father's apartment Nassau saw Thornhill again, and upon spotting Nassau the SandWing came over, stopping the SeaWing before he could leave. "Why the long face pal?" Thornhill asked. "Not having fun?" Nassau shook his head.
"Stuff like this isn't really my thing." 
"So, you're leaving?" 
"I guess, there's some business I have to take care of."
"Hmm, such as?" 
"Nothing you'd be interested in, no music or booze." Thornhill frowned.
"Ouch. Just because I enjoy a drink now and then and like to party, doesn't mean I'm an idiot. I'm insulted." Nassau sighed. 
"Sorry... Something came up with the family business, Atlantic sent me to deal with it."
"Oh, hope it's nothing to serious." Thornhill said. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help." Nassau nodded.
"Thanks, I suppose." 
"No problemo." Thornhill said, drifting away off towards the buffet and allowing Nassau to leave unchallenged. 
Nassau arrived at Pier 4 thirty minutes later, flanked on either side by Shin and Rien and with an entourage of three others. Five IceWings were there already, waiting for them. Nassau came to a halt four or five tail lengths away from the IceWings, the others hanging slightly further back, save Shin. Shin always made Nassau uncomfortable; he wasn't 100% sure of the exact reason why, though there were many to choose from. Shin was a tall ink colored NightWing with cold grey eyes and long scars stretching from his eyebrows to his chin. The NightWing slouched around everywhere and didn't talk much. He was somehow intimidating without really doing anything. Maybe it was the way he killed, cutting his prey into pieces while they were still alive with a long-serrated blade. It had to be one of the worst ways to die. That was probably what it was. Shin's partner Rien was just as dangerous, but never gave Nassau the same feelings as Shin. A SeaWing like Nassau, Rien was a pale purple color and wore a light blue hooded cloak. Short in stature she seemed unassuming at first until she tore your head off with her bare talons. The duo were Atlantic's most loyal assassins and often accompanied Nassau on jobs, especially the ones outside of Madripoor. Nassau cleared his throat and spoke, addressing who he assumed to be the leader of the IceWing group. "Ehm... Do you have the shipment?" The IceWing nodded. 
"Of course, who do you take us for?" As she spoke two of her compatriots stepped aside to reveal three crates. "Everything's here, you can check it for yourself if you don't believe me." Nassau shook his head. 
"N-No, no. I trust you." He turned and motioned to the three other's he'd brought with him, two SandWings and a SeaWing. "Go get those and bring them over here."
"Wait." The IceWing leader said. "No until we get our money." 
"Oh yeah, sure." Nassau said. He tossed a small satchel at the IceWing as the three lackies quickly picked up the crates and brought them over to Nassau. The IceWing opened the bag and looked through it before looking back at Nassau, a look of outrage on her face. 
"This is less than half of what we were promised! What's going on, where's the rest of our money?" Nassau shrugged. 
"Deals change all the time I guess..." 
"What?! You can't be serious!" Nassau didn't say anything, just took a few steps back as Shin and Rien rushed the group of IceWings, blade drawn and claws at the ready. The two assassins tore into the IceWings sending blue blood and flesh flying everywhere. The sight of the blood made Nassau feel sick, so he turned away from the carnage, trying his best to not throw up. His gaze now returned to the city Nassau caught a flash of emerald-colored scales and saw someone duck behind the side of the nearest building. Walking over to the building Nassau tried to stay as silent as possible so as to not alert his target that he'd found their hiding spot. 
Category:Content (Isis The Masked Dragon)
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)
Category:Work in Progress
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Alternate Universes