After a brief pause to grab a few fruits from a passing food wagon, Jacque located and entered the local police department and swiftly made his way over to the desk that served as the check in for captive criminals. "[b]Well as I live and breathe...Jacque, my boy! Is that you[/b]" The grizzled old man behind the desk exclaimed as he pulled out a pair of glasses to examine the bounty hunter before him. Jacque blinked, then scrunched his face a bit as he tried to place the old man's face, "[b]What's with that look, boy? You forgot your manners, or did you really forget your father's old partner?[/b]", "[b][color=004b80]Wait...Adrian? Adrian McNamara?[/color][/b]". The old man gave an approving nod and stood to properly greet his partner's son, "[b]The very same one who helped teach ya boy. You've really grown a lot since then, and by the look of those two sorry sunsofbitches you got there, your height ain't the only thing that's changed.[/b]", "[b][color=004b80]Yeah, good meals and plenty of exercise thanks to these criminals. Not to be rude, but what exactly are you doing out here old timer?[/color][/b]". 

Adrian gave a shrug and adjusted his glasses a bit, "[b]Caught word that the normal collection officer for Payon got killed by some bandits a few weeks back. Since I retired from bounty hunting years ago and needed something to do, figured i'd come give these folks a helping hand. Figured people like yourself wouldn't take too kindly to bounty hunting and receiving no bounty. Speakin' of which, who you got on the floor there?[/b]"

Jacque released his grip on the horse thief's collar and dusted his hand off on his pants, "[color=004b80][b]Horse thief from Rudibrium of all places. Guess he couldn't hack it as a smith and chose to steal instead.[/b][/color]". Adrian leaned over his desk to examine the thief, then clucked his tongue, "[b]Poor bastard doesn't look like he'll make it through the night. Probably for the best anyway, thieves hang here, just saves us some rope. What about the little miss you got there? His accomplice?[/b]" "[b][color=004b80]Glad you asked. Caught this one snooping around with an older male who was either kind enough or stupid enough to tell me he was a scout for an empire assault heading this way. Says they'll be here by dawn.[/color][/b]". Adrian's brow furrowed as he absorbed this newfound information, "[b]Do you believe him?[/b]" he asked lowly, "[b][color=004b80]I don't know what to believe. All I know is that i'd rather get my money and supplies and go rather than find out come tomorrow morning.[/color][/b]" Jacque retorted.

As soon as those words left his mouth, Jacque knew he'd screwed up. Adrian locked eyes with Jacque and jabbed his finger into the younger hunter's chest, "[b]You're just going to up and abandon these folks boy? Everyone? The women, children, and elderly? You know damn well your father raised you better than that Jacque. You're a bounty hunter, not a damned monster.[/b]". That stung. The words cut deep, causing Jacque to visibly cringe as Adrian stared daggers at him until Jacque could no longer look him in the eye. The old hunter shook his head and turned away, "[b]If you're really certain that you want to run, then fine. I'll go fetch the bingo book and a check so you can get your money.[/b]" Adrian made it approximately three steps before Jacque let out a low groan "[b][color=004b80]Fine damnit it, i'll stay and help. Twist my arm a bit more why don't you old man.[/color][/b]". Adrian didn't turn back to face Jacque, if he did, then Jacque would have bore witness to the most smarmy shit eating grin ever seen, "[b]Knew you had it in you boy. I'll go get your check, then we can warn the sheriff and the local militia.[/b]". As Adrian walked away, Jacque began to repeatedly whack himself in the forehead with his palm as he wondered what he'd just gotten himself into.