[h1][color=gold]Location:[/color][color=red] Marketplace with Floran ([@Melo])[/color] [color=d84646]||[/color] [color=gold]Mood:[/color] [color=red]Feeling Good[/color] [color=gold]||[/color] [color=red]Making conversation[/color][/h1]
[b][i]Mentions: Persephone[@Write] and Narcissa ( [@Melo] )
Collaboration with [@melo][/i][/b]


Alexis was happy to hear that her target was there after all. She moved towards the merchants and asked them more about her mark. After a few minutes of nagging them with questions she decided it's time to move on. See her target , observe their habits and such. It was the first thing an assassin , pardon me , a bounty hunter had to do. 
As she moved through the many tents that had the signs of every major clan , even Karill from where she just returned , she thought she saw someone she hasn't saw in a long time. 
She went straight to him to see if he was who she thought he is. 
And there he was. Floran. Her old mercenary friend. Last time they've met was before the Karill job a few months ago. 
" [color=gold] Floran ! Is that you , old friend ? [/color] " yelled Alexis when she approached him from behind. Her cloak was as always over her head so that her face couldn't be seen. 

With the Craenak arrived and his job completed, Floran had left the Craenak encampments to look for people from the other clans. As practical as the craenak are, he much preferred the hospitality that some other clans offered. The Roamwyns and Wolfrahg were where he always enjoyed his times. Similarly, the longears always gave him this sense of home that he often longed for. One place he absolutely despised were the Karill, the few times he had worked there were among the most awful. Slavery wasn't exactly his cup of tea and the princess was an absolute snob. He hoped Rimguage wasn't going to let his new wife influence his good heart too much, such a pity that would be. As he thought of that, he heard a sound he hadn't heard since those months back in Karill, the sound of a person he had missed alot.

[color=e93b1c]"Alexis! It's been some time."[/color] Floran responded, trying to hide his initial startle. It was no lie that he very much enjoyed her presence, but that wasn't something he had voiced before. [color=e93b1c]"How have you been? Are you looking for work as well?"[/color] He asked as he looked her up and down, her face still covered by her cowl. She looked very much still in one piece, that was good to see. You could never be too sure with mercenaries.

" [color=gold] I'm all good Floran. Haven't seen you in...what ? A few months ? Oh' stop looking for wounds and such. We both know I'm damn lucky sometimes. I just killed a wolf on the road. A straight arrow in the eye and I didn't even knew where that wolf was. [/color] " she laughed. " [color=gold] I see you are in one piece yourself. I'm been in Karill 'till now. If I tell you something , you won't believe me. I got in bed with the princess and damn if she isn't good , if you know what I mean. 
Looking for work ? Nope. More like , here for work. Got a mark somewhere here. You know how it is. They give you a place , a name and a rough description and if you are lucky some money for the road. I know I wasn't. I had to take a bounty on the road to pay for food and you know I don't like to take more jobs at once. [/color] " said with a smile on her face. It was good to see Floran. 

[color=e93b1c]"Which one? The one getting married tomorrow, or the one that is six years old?"[/color] Floran joked, knowing pretty well which princess she meant, though that in itself was a worry. [color=e93b1c]"I'd suggest you stay hushed on that topic. If that would get out, the karill guards would probably try to arrest you trying to slander the princess. Those issues are sensitive when she's already the center of discussion with the marriage and all, know what I'm saying?"[/color] Floran warned her. He knew the princess wasn't above putting a bounty on Alexis's head if she ran her mouth any further. He didn't know the princess was into females, or Alexis for that matter, but such matters were usually kept under wraps.

He shook his head a little as she told him about the contract. [color=e93b1c]"A bounty on someone at the gathering? That sounds like trouble."[/color] He sighed. [color=e93b1c]"I don't think you're targeting a criminal this time, those wouldn't be out in the open here."[/color] Alexis knew how much Floran hated targeting someone who hadn't done anything wrong. He had done his fair share of manhunts, mostly bandit leaders and the sorts. But no bandit was insane enough to walk in on the clan gatherings. [color=e93b1c]"You sure about this one?"[/color]

" [color=gold] Don't worry Floran. I only told you because you know how to keep your mouth shut , when needed. Marriage ? She's getting married ? I've never been with a engaged person 'till now. But never mind that. 
Yep. A bounty here. I don't know who she is , believe me. Don't look at me that way. I know you don't like targeting non-criminals but the pay was too good for me to pass it. It's way more than any of the jobs I took ever. Someone really wants this person but this time...the person wants her alive. Which is bad for me. Especially here. Too many eyes around here. Too many people that can see. I just hope that with the money I still have I can pay someone to look the other way. Hmm...are you sure you are not interested ? We could split the money and it would still be enough to get us out of this bloody buisness forever. [/color] " Alexis knew something was rotten with this contract but she still decided to take it. " [color=gold] Do you perchance met a woman...what was her name ? Yes. Persephone ? She should be here. And I promise , due to our friendship. If she is not the woman the guy that gave me the job said and yes. This is not a simple bounty job , a guy came to speak with me about it. He swore that he isn't the contractor but simply a middle-man...he told me that this was a vile woman. If she is not what he told me , I'll drop the contract. I've got enough innocent blood on my hands for a life time. In 1 year and a half I've killed more people that one would kill in a lifetime. That's why I want to get out of this buisness ,that's why I took this bounty. [/color] " said Alexis with a sigh at the end and a shake of her head. 


Floran shook his head at the name. [color=e93b1c]"Not a name I've heard. But no contract not shady or vile would require a middle man. If this Persephone had done something worth killing her for, her face would be plastered on a bounty board somewhere."[/color] Floran sighed. [color=e93b1c]"I became a mercenary because it allowed me to travel, but I want to help the people. The more of these jobs you do, Alexis, the more of them come your way. They see you as a manhunter that kills anyone for coin, not a mercenary of honor. Ultimately, the fate of indiscriminate manhunters is often the same as their victims  He warned her again. [color=e93b1c]"I've taken several of those contracts, and I'd rather not have to take yours, for both of our sakes."[/color] He put a hand on her shoulder. [color=e93b1c]"Try to stick to beast hunting or bandits, they're less trouble in the long run and a lot more stupid. Maybe then you won't feel like you need to get out."[/color]


" [color=gold] Thanks for the advice old friend but you know that I don't like this life. I chose it only because I didn't know what else to do with my clan killed and all that. I am good at what I do and you know it but you are right. Become too good at something and someone will eventually kill you to take your place.
Maybe the one that wanted her dead wanted to keep it secret ? You know that once your face is plastered on a bounty board , you have the habit of watching over your shoulder again and again. Remember that bandit , we killed before I left to Karill ? He knew someone would come after him and he was prepared , maybe this guy wanted to avoid that. 
And Floran. No one is innocent in this life , everyone did something in the past he is worth killing for. My first contract was to catch a guy that left a woman pregnant and the bounty was put only when her child got to the age of 20. So...yeah. [/color] " 

[color=e93b1c]"They don't want your place, they want justice."[/color] Floran assured her. [color=e93b1c]"Kill those who don't deserve it, and some day you will deserve it. That's why those bandits know someone comes for them eventually. The innocent don';t look over their shoulders because they are innocent."[/color] Floran shook his head. [color=e93b1c]"Innocence definitely exists in this world. It isn't simply a yes or no question. But there is a turning point where one becomes the guilty. You seem dangerously close to it now. Please be more careful."[/color] Floran tried to convince her. 

Alexis laughed and said " [color=gold] That's what I always liked about you, Floran. You were always the idealistic mercenary. This line of work is not cut out for you sometimes but this time you are right , more or less. You know I don't question bounties. If he/she is there , he did something. The only kind of jobs I don't take are those that involve slaves. Those I hate. 
But it doesn't matter. I have to find my mark and see if she is the one that the guy told me she is. Maybe I got it all wrong ? Maybe he did it and she is not even here ? That would be funny. I think I will skin the guy for making me move here. You can say whatever you want about Karill but they pay much more than others. [/color] " Alexis said with a smile on her face. She put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a friendly hug. " [color=gold] Thanks for the advice , what do you say if tonight we two drink together and share some old stories ? Maybe you could tell me about what you did in the past months. [/color] " she grinned when she asked him for a drink. 

Floran nodded [color=e93b1c]"A drink sounds good. Those damn Craenak, they have no idea of a good ale I tell you."[/color] Remembering the Craenak brought him back to the conspiracy that was on his mind.[color=e93b1c]"Maybe I've got some work for you as well here on the gathering. I can't guarantee the pay, But if things work out well, the abaneki might be in your debt big time."[/color] he smiled at her. [color=e93b1c]"I'll tell you more once we have a drink."[/color]


Alexis nodded and said " [color=gold] We'll see. For tonight day. Good luck [/color] " with that she parted ways with him and went to search for this Persephone.