Masters of Shadows

[Esmeralda]

Aurelio rolled his eyes at Shenzi and Shere Kahn's impatience, and rolled the scroll up, "I thought the map would have been a useful reference for out illiterate members. I like to plan these things out, you guys."

He slipped to his feet and offer the scroll to Taylor in case she wanted to keep reading it, "And to answer your question Shenzi, Sir Brighton himself isn't really dangerous. He knows a little fencing as a sport but that's about it. It's his guards and his fortified mansion that's the danger. He's a paranoid bastard."

He turned fully to the quadruped members of this little meeting and crossed his arms, bracelets chiming together, "He has bolt holes and escape paths. His soldiers are also well trained. They wouldn't be a challenge in straight power, but they have the advantage of location and would have strategies to out flank us and other such tactics."

Aurelio spread his hands out in an open gesture, sweeping them out, "If we attack and fail to eliminate our target, then he will escape and it'll cause a whole different political headache."

He then placed his hands on his hips, shifting his weight dominantly to one foot. He seemed to be doing his best to maintain a polite and factual town, but he couldn't help but end it on a note of sarcasm, "But if you insist we can just... Go."

[Shanty]

"Tsk tsk, so impatient. For apex predators, you two certainly don't know how to hunt a mouse."

Shanty's usual, toying tone chimed softly from a side entrance, a soft whirr of machinery echoing through the chambers as she leans slightly on the doorjam. It seems the machine had joined them sometime during the discussions, favoring hanging in the back to listen in.

"Apologies for the tardiness. I'd entered a resting state when I was called for, it took a few good minutes to get my fire going again. Though.. I'm not positive why I'm here, if you're looking for stealthy creatures." Shanty saunters up to the group, gun arm swaying in time with her steps, "I'm three tons of war machine, build specifically to fly massive airships that use cannons and guns. Though..."

There's a smile here, decidedly wicked, as she glances over the gathered intelligence and maps, "Information gathering, I can do. If someone can secure a path for me, or bring our little friend out..." She glances towards Aurelio, a flit of mischevious excitement flashing in her gaze.

"Well, I can make any bird sing."

[Shenzi]

Shenzi had gotten to her paws shortly after Khan. She was following directly behind the tiger before she came to a cold halt.

Muscular neck brought the matriarch’s deadly head around slowly. Her smile was long since gone, as had the playful look in her amber eyes. All that remained was the bone-chilling, primal gaze that only a wild predator could give. It was none other than the very same glare she’d given to the traitor Scar before she and her clan descended upon him; there was no mercy or reasoning, only bloodlust. If nothing else, that single look sent the clear message that the female hyena wasn’t always laughs and games.

“I’m not stupid,” she stated in a voice that was hardly her own, “There’s no way in hell I’m going to stick around with a group who treats me like I am. I learned better. You ask for my help, but can’t be bothered to treat me with respect? Ha! I know where this is going. You ain’t taking advantage of me.”

Shenzi moved her head around and made a sharp turn, walking at an even pace with her head lowered.

[Shanty]

The machine turns from her investigation of the map, but she doesn’t seem startled by Shenzi’s gaze. There was no fear to be hand in the jaws of a hyena, a tiger, or most organic creatures when you were made of metal and fire. Though, she does seem rather surprised by her reaction, as it were. The pirate made habit of keeping life lighthearted, often exchanging blows with the people around her. It’s how she’d lived for decades. Though, the hyena had taken none of it, and had the telltale signs of past experiences.

“Mh... there was an unseen line there.” There’s a soft mechanical beep! here, and Shanty’s expression changes slightly, to an odd, almost... familiar look, “Note taken. I’ll be certain to apologize when she’s less likely to try and tear my limbs off, but for now... I recognize a need for space.” She sighs wearily, turning her gaze to Clopin, “I apologize. I forget that those bound by time have a tendency to feel more desire to hold onto... bitter things. Before this, I did not socialize much beyond my ship and ports, and I’m used to those ‘dishing it out’ also having a willingness to ‘take it’, as the terminology goes.”

A gloved hand reaches and pinches the bridge of her nose, weight sidling back slightly, “I do hope this group of yours is a good choice. I’d be lying if I wasn’t worried about failure, and I do hate lying. But I trust your decision.”

[Amber]

The shadows, as most nocturnal animals would know, were an excellent place to hide, and Amber was taking full advantage of that fact. He had been listening in to the conversation for some time but hadn't yet felt the need to make his presence known. He was at least sure that Clopin knew he was there, whether any of the others did or not.

Dark russet ears perked forward, and mismatched hues turned to Shere-Khan and Shenzi as the two voiced their concerns. The fox had to admit that both had valid points(particularly Shenzi with her regard to disrespect), but he couldn’t help but agree with Shanty somewhat. For top-tier hunters, Shere-Khan and Shenzi lacked foresight.

“The mechanical one is right you know,” Amber said, stepping out from the shadow of the pillar he’d been leaning against. “We can’t simply rush into this blindly. We don't know what we’re up against; we haven't even heard the whole plan yet. Have patience, Spots ’n’ Stripes, all good things come to those who wait.”

With that said, Amber turned to Aurelio and gave a little nod in the man’s direction. “Well, go on then, tell us what you would like us to do. Preferably before we lose the less… tolerant of us.” He cast a knowing look in Shenzi’s and Shere-Khan’s direction before setting his gaze entirely on Aurelio.

[Clopin]

Clopin stood across from Aurelio, silently listening to the group’s opinions, from Shenzi’s hurt tone, to Amber’s suggestion that they leave before losing two of their own.

But if there was one thing the gypsy king hated more than anything, it was when his judgement was questioned. Sure, there were times when maybe his choices seemed a little off the wall, but there was certainly a method to his madness.

He slammed the end of his scythe into the tiled floor of the throne room, causing the sound to reverberate throughout. Taylor flinched, raising her eyes from the map as she handed it back to Aurelio.

“Assez! I don’t want to hear anymore of anyone’s bickering!” Clopin bellowed. He then looked at each and every one of them individually, tightly wrapping a gloved hand around his scythe.

“I chose each and every one of you for a reason. Since you joined our ranks, I have been observing you, watching how you interact, and what your skills are. I will not have any of you questioning my choices. As your leader and King, I deserve far more respect.” Clopin growled. He then turned to the two predators, watching them carefully.

“I don’t expect any of you to put all your trust in me. But I do expect that you all work together as one unit of elite assassins. Sir Brighton has vital information that we need, and it would be incredibly unfair to Jenn and your fellow Rogues injured in Australia to learn that we took no steps into getting revenge on those Blackblood salaudes.”

He then strode across the small circle they had made around Aurelio, until his back was facing his brother.

“We leave immediately. The night is our only cover, and we are wasting our time. For those of you who feel that this is no longer for you, feel free to return to your tent.” Clopin declared.

Taylor looked at Aurelio for a brief moment, before joining Clopin at his side. She adjusted her own weapon, before looking up at the gypsy king.

“A little harsh, don’t you think?” Taylor whispered. Clopin’s dark gaze turned on her, and by now, the young woman was smart enough to know that he meant business. She could understand Shenzi’s apprehension, and general feeling of being left out, but at the same time, she hoped the hyena and tiger would reconsider.

“We must do everything in our power to protect our fellow Rogues, and I have a duty to my people to protect them.” Clopin whispered, after a brief moment of silence. He then pushed open the door to exit the throne room, and without so much as another word, disappeared into the night, leaving Taylor and the others to choose whether they wanted to follow, or stay.

Taylor looked back at the others for a moment, unsure of what to do. She then chose to follow Clopin, and she headed off in the direction of Notre Dame, where he had gone.

[Shanty]

There's a hang in the air here, from the Captain. With their leader and King's extravagence, it was easy to forget that he's gotten where he is through action, not silly games.

After her moment, Shanty sighs, a soft puff of smoke and embers illuminating her face in the dark. A telescoping arm reaches up and grabs her hairband, allowing her articulated, gloved hand to reach up and tighten the tie.

"Aye aye, Captain," comes the hum, and she steps forward, following Clopin and Taylor into the dark of the night.

[Deleted]

The insults were not taken lightly either by him nor Shenzi. Yellowed teeth were bared at his own comrades, low but steady growing in volume growl echoed loudly out of his throat. Large body tensed under the ribbons of stripe scattering his coat and his golden hue narrowed. He seemed ready to launch himself into an attack but the silence that was bellowed from Clopin had him pause if just for a second. Clopin demanded utter respect and while in military standards Clopin was higher ranked, he found himself on par with him. He too was a king, just not in the standards of 'man'.

But there was a reason animals feared him.

Lips settled back over his teeth though his hostility did not leave his body. He pivoted towards Clopin heading out into the night as ordered. He had no brotherly feelings towards the Rogues but he did have a debt to pay back. Mainly if it meant getting back at that damn tigress for further injuring his face.

[Esmeralda]

Ah, there it was. He wondered when Clopin would bring the hammer down, or scythe as it were. Aurelio has pulled back after his sarcasm had bubbled the tension out of control. It seemed to him there was just a fundamental difference in thinking at play here. His bright eyes ping ponged back and forth between the exchanges until Clopin silenced them. That was the gypsy king, now king of france, speaking. 

Aurelio needed no further prompting. He removed his sash from about his waist and followed Clopin while removing all the loose articles of jewelry and accessories that would jingle and give his presence away. He made a make shift pouch from the sash, rolled it up, and tucked it away making sure it was secure. Another cursory glance for his daggers, thieves kit, and the like, and he knew he was ready.

Carefully he stepped lightly besides Clopin and muttered from the side of his mouth, "I'm sorry. I hadn't intended for things to go that way."

[Shenzi]

Shenzi stopped walking, but no one was allowed to meet her eyes. It wasn’t bitterness. It wasn’t weakness. Shenzi was very much a queen in her own right and the way she was treated was unacceptable. These “allies” didn’t deserve eye contact anymore. They talked down to her. They shoved words in her mouth. How very… Scar like of them.

And the worst part of it all, Shenzi knew they didn't understand what they’d said that was so insulting. She’d had her misgivings about humans, and just making allies in general, but to be looked down upon because she, a wild animal, couldn’t make heads or tails of a human construct? Instead of simply using words to explain the symbols so she could understand, she was descended upon. Othered. They could have tried to unify the group. But no. They picked her and Khan out from the crowd for having a different point of view.

She obviously wasn’t even close to considering attacking, as she felt that would be taking things too far, but the indignation could be tasted in the air. What her mom always told her was right: no matter what, someone is going to think they’re above you for some contrived reason.

“There’s always gonna be someone,” Shenzi muttered, half rolling her eyes and half looking toward the heavens.

But who would want to listen to her anymore at this point? She shrugged her shoulders.

“If your human-things fail you, oof, boy wouldn’t that be funny?” she clucked, “Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to see it happen. Peace.”

Without another word, the matriarch slipped away.