Again, Azrael sat on the building, shrouded only by the light of the moon, just slightly out of reach of the street lamps but still not enough to be seen by someone who wasn't looking. He wouldn't talk or move, just sit there watching and waiting for his target to pass through in order to complete his mission.
After several more minutes of waiting, he saw his target, a woman perhaps in her mid-30s, walking down the street with some other people he couldn't make out in armor. With held breath, he drew back his bow and angled it just slightly ahead of the lady as she walked before releasing the shot. The arrow quickly flew and landed in her neck, causing her to grab for her neck before falling over.
"FIND WHO DID THIS AND ASSIST THE DUCHESS!" A man who was ahead of the group, perhaps their leader, ordered the others as they all scrambled to find the one who had struck down their mistress, though before he could be found, with a flap of his wings, he flew off into the night sky.
Several hours had passed since he had slain his target, and for several hours he had remained in this dark den of crime and a strong stench of alcohol, awaiting his customer to hand the rest of the payment to him. While it wasn't the nicest place, it certainly was out of sight and a place he could find respite in.
"Hey." A hand fell on Azrael's shoulder as he spun around to find his customer, a man likely of noble origin based on the clothing he wore. "I heard about it already. I suppose you were the right pick, little bird."
Azrael frowned at the nickname he had been given on account that it was both insulting and childish in his opinion, but nonetheless he'd just have to live with it. "Of course, and the rest of the money—I assume you have it?"
Azrael held his hand out expectantly as the man with a smile handed him a small pouch. "Three... four." He quickly counted the contents of the bag before looking back up. "You're two gold short. Why is that?"
The man made a grotesque expression, which Azrael could only assume was a smile. "Ah, but it wasn't as clean as I'd like it, so I am expecting a bit of a discount, if you know what I mean."
"No, this is not how this works. I mean, the job has been completed within the expected time frame, and with that, I expect full payment." Azrael quickly responded with a hint of venom in his voice.
Azrael's voice rose a bit as he spoke. "I will not be scammed out of any amount of money, no matter how small, do you understand?" He stood up and faced the man, who was a head taller, but it didn't matter; this was someone who owed him money he rightfully earned.
"Well now there, bird, I don't think that you are in a position to be making demands considering it was your hands that were dirty, not mine." The man shifted. "And perhaps if someone were to drop a tip to the city guard about the one behind the duchess's death, then there might be a little bit of a problem, no?"
Azrael was irritated, very very irritated that this bastard would try underhanded tactics like this just for a few gold coins, but the noble types were always the slimiest to deal with.
"Fine." He muttered before quickly grabbing the pouch and rushing out of the den.
"Typical scummy trash. I assure you that I will be getting the rest of my money one way or another." He muttered to himself as he flew away.
The next day rolled by as Azrael found himself once again perched on a building, this time just tending to his equipment. As he watched the people below walking by, a sea of people only occasionally broken up by a horse or two, this had become a daily ritual for him since generally he was the only person on the buildings, and it was a good way to pass the time. A slight smile crossed his face as he spotted a family of three making their way through the market.
"What are you up to, little bird?" A voice whispered behind him as a shiver ran down his spine. It had been the familiar voice of his handler, an intimidating person who, in his opinion, would probably rip him in half if they had a reason. Azrael opened his mouth to speak as words failed to come out.
"I heard of your little adventure yesterday, and I came to check on you since it seems like you're beginning to feel as if you've been let out of your cage." He felt their left hand wrap around his neck as they continue in that soft tone.
"I wouldn't want anything to happen to my precious Azrael, now would I?" Running their other hand across his right wing.
"You might end up hurting yourself or breaking a bone, perhaps, since you're being so reckless. I only want what's right for you, and that is to be obedient." He shifted to move as the grip on his wing got painfully tight.
"Sit back down."