A new contract

<font color='#000000'>Day: 45
Quarter: Tessera
Year: 81377

The infamous Black Market. Possibly the single worst place to be after nightfall on the entire planet. At least, that was how the reputation went. Kuem Panymtruma was not a stranger here, though he often wished he didn't have to resort to coming here so often. But, that was how his business went. Sometimes he was sought after for his 'talents' and sometimes, like today for example, he had to journey to this cesspool to find a worthwhile contract. The problem was that few people were willing to pay the amount his services were worth, and more often than not, he was forced to take payment through more aggressive means. But, that was a constant risk of this business.

Walking with purpose among the trees, Kuem often caught sight of other transactions taking place. Perhaps an item aquired through less lawful means was being purchased. Or, perhaps one of the high society was meeting with their eyes and ears. Anything was possible here. It was simply unhealthy to ask questions. So, as usual, Kuem kept as silent as possible as he made his way to the usual meeting spot.

Arriving in a small clearing, it was a bit surprising to find no one present. Either no one was currently looking for work, which he rathered doubted, or trouble was about. Crouching low at the outer rim of the clearing, Kuem blended in well with the darkness around him. Making sure that his crimson tail flame was well hidden beneath his right wing, his eyes didn't blink as he stared into the shadows of the clearing. If trouble was about, Kuem would have a surprise for them.

Emerging at the opposite end of the clearing, a rather weak-looking pendragon seemed to peer about in all directions before taking a few weary steps foreward. With the newcomers white tail flame flickering with his apparent nervousness, Kuem could barely make out the silhouette of the old man. <span style='color:red'>"Good evening, Sampson."</span> Kuem spoke loudly enough for the other man to hear, but not loudly enough for his voice to carry far. Standing up slowly, he stepped out of the shadows and walked up to Sampson.

To most people, Sampson seemed to be just an old, mostly senile pendragon. Their presumptions were not that far off really, but the man had his uses. He seemed to be able to find any information from the four corners of the planet. That is, if the price is right.

Sampson remained motionless as Kuem came up to him. He looked everywhere, but at Kuem, before he finally spoke. <span style='color:blue'>"These are dangerous times, my friend. One can never be too careful about who is watching...or listening for that matter."</span>

Kuem stared at Sampson for a moment as a strange smirk began to form on his face. On any other person, this may have seemed friendly, from Kuem it was rather unnerving. <span style='color:red'>I wasn't followed if that is what you're trying to get at. Now, either tell me whats on the menu, or I'll order elsewhere.</span>

Muttering something that sounded alot to Kuem like 'Ungrateful little prick.' Sampson spoke a little louder than perhaps he meant to. <span style='color:blue'>"There are three active contracts to my knowledge. Two are payment upon completion, the other is payment up front. I assume you want the payment up front?"</span>

<span style='color:red'>"Obviously."</span> Was all Kuem answered.

<span style='color:blue'>"Contact Elliumu Rlyypnyym, you'll find her in Aurius. She'll give you your payment and all the information you'll need. Here, give her this and she'll know I sent you."</span> Passing Kuem a small letter. Sampson spoke up once more. <span style='color:blue'>"Now there is only the matter of my payment."</span>

Glancing briefly at the letter, Kuem tossed a small leather pouch over to Sampson. <span style='color:red'>"Five Druvan emeralds...same as usual. You can count them if you like."</span> Glancing briefly at the the forest around him. Kuem spoke up once more. <span style='color:red'>"Now, I must depart. I seem to have a long journey ahead of me."</span> With that, he turned around and began heading back the way he came into the clearing. Sampson never spoke as he went in the opposite direction, though he did seem to peer into the pouch more than once.

Departing as quickly as he came was typical for one of his visits to the Black Market. But, that wasn't what was making him glance among the shadows as he passed. What caught his curiosity was the movement he heard from the trees when he was in the clearing. Not to mention a single twig snapping. This told him the obvious, someone was watching. And, he intended to find out who and why.</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>Stretching silently upon a branch, her front feet almost touching one of the tippy top leaves while her back legs pressed against the tree trunk, a female Pendragon scanned the area. She turned her ears around as far as they would go, catching many a sound, natural to this cursed place, yet alien to any other area in Ramath-lehi. A soft twig snapped somewhere to her right and she thought she could see a black shadow galloping rapidly through the branches, as swift and agile as a monkey. Yet she pushed the matter out of her mind.

Ronnica knew the laws of the black market. Avoid the deepwoods here, for even though trees don't have ears, they have knives and spears were the words that had been imprinted within her memory a few years back. As a thirteen hundred, she had passed through the region for her first time and had been an unvoluntary and, worst of all, unwanted witness to a certain bloody prodecure. The assasin that had been concerned in it had conceived her and then broke about every bone in her body. Yet even that wasn't enough to satisfy his thirst for revenge on the Nioti that had ruined his contract, so he tied her by her fingers to a branch in a some-or-other tree, leaving her to die by a slow and painful death. But as luck would have it - and it really was luck from the seventh heaven - the tree was one of the calcinatuum family, whose leaves are used in a basic healing charm for remending broken limbs. Ronnica, a young Healer, was able to cure herself, even though she stayed in the tree top, too weak and battered to move, for one whole season. She ate the fruit and leaves of the tree and gradually managed to get away from the Black Market.

Now fate had brought her back here, and she had tried to spend the night in a safe hiding place. But even though she kept reassuring herself that she hadn't heard or seen anything, old memories and unpleasant thoughts kept sleep away from her. Realising it would be better to get out of here straight away, Ronnica slipped down from the tree, her retractable claws making deep marks in the bark. She fell with a soft thud on all fours, feeling the gentle prickling of dried leaves on the pillows of her paws. She checked around to see if no one was about, then turned... and froze with horror and instant surprise.

Right in front of her was the silhouette of a large, winged black Pendragon, his eyes gleaming in the shadow.</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>The price of curiosity was often a heavy cost for anyone in the Black Market. There were hundreds of unwritten rules that people were forced to follow if they wished to remain healthy. Someone, apparently, enjoyed walking the razor's edge.

Kuem moved swiftly through the trees, knowing that each step was one closer to his eavesdropper. It didn't really matter why they were listening, it was easy to assume that they wished to profit from his conversation with Sampson. But, what could he have said that was worth anything? Maybe it was another assassin who didn't want to pay for information. Or, perhaps a spy just trying to learn something worthwhile. Anything was possible. But, the important question was 'why'. Why risk breaking the rules of the Black Market? That was worse than deadily.

Movement seen just out of the corner of his eye drew Kuem towards one of the towering trees of the forest. His pace slowed to a brisk walk as he came up behind a figure just climbing out of a tree. Though there wasn't much light, but he could still tell it was a girl at least...young too.

<span style='color:red'>"Who are you? Who sent you? And, how much was it worth? I don't take kindly to eavesdroppers, so it would be best if you answered my questions quickly. Otherwise, I may grow impatient. And, you would not enjoy that."</span> Kuem's voice came out in little more than a growl. But, it still wouldn't carry very far. No point drawing attention yet. If he didn't like the answers he got, then he might have to get a bit louder. That would certainly draw every bandit, thug, or overall worm within a two mile radius. It wasn't beyond his mindset to throw a child to the wolves. And, at the moment, he was highly considering it.</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>She twirled around on the spot, staring into his face. The words found their way around her mouth, but would not for Heaven's sake leave her throat! At last she managed to gag something out, her voice raspy from surprise and fear:
"I... I..."
Nothing much. She quickly took a few deep breaths and steadied herself, reminding herself that this pendragon was still only a live being, even though probably some kind of professional assasin. In the dim starlight that pierced the canopy of trees high above their heads she could make out his features. He was not covered in earrings and piercings, nor had tattoos all over his body. Not a normal gangster. Someone who knows what they are after.
her knees buckled slightly, and she scowled in the darkness. She remembered the questions that had been thrust onto her in harsh whisper, and all of a sudden, her natural talktivness and slight cheek returned. She replied in the nastiest whisper she could manage:
"Who am I? Who sent me? And how much was it? Oh, really, come on. I am what I am. I haven't got any 'master' or 'orderer' to send me; I go where I want. And as luck just has it, I'm making my way across the Black Market."
She shook her head swiftly, her black hair lashing against the sides of her neck. Then it came to her that it may be a good idea to be more polite to this pendragon, since he was way too older and stronger than her. So, in a voice that didn't hold as much spite as the original whisper did, she continued:
"No, I mean it. I don't have any business around here, I was just passing through. I know this place a little too well to want to come back again," she looked around ominously, scratching at the forest floor absentmindedly, "I was trying to catch some sleep in that tree. From what you said, I understand someone has been listening to you...?" She formed the sentence into a half question, though not really expecting any answer. "In any case, I have nothing to do with that. I am not about to risk breaking my neck in the branches of these trees just to hear a few urgent whispers."
She scowled, the smirk scrunching up her pale maw into a ridiculous position. She sat back on her haunches, having given her explanation. But she didn't dare to move yet. Who knows what's going around in that male's head?</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>Kuem simply stared at her throughout her explanation. Though he only half-listened. The fact was the truth was more often than not distorted in the Black Market. Simply put, he doubted that the girl would answer true to anything he wished to know. Of course, that left him with exactly what he intended to do with her.

Killing wasn't really an option. He never killed for free. Restraining her and leaving her behind for the darker element of the Black Market was a possibility. But, then again, she was liable to stir up a ruckus and he didn't really need anymore attention tonight. It was way past time to be out on the road. Not many choices indeed. Of course, there was a third. But, he would rather not resort to that.

<span style='color:red'>While your story truly does facinate me...really, it does. You have yet to actually tell me anything that would lead me to believe you. For arguments sake, lets say you did comes here on your own accord. Fine...many people do. You like to sleep in trees...whatever. I don't care. As it is, either you're a liar, or I've wasted what little time I had and the spy got away. But, that still leaves what to do about you...</span>

Kuem continued to stare at her as he contemplated what to do. If he wasn't on a contract he could take her to some people who could get the truth out of her, the fact was, everything came back to time. And, he just didn't have the time for this. <span style='color:red'> I'll make this easy on you. Go back up your tree...go jump in a lake...or go dive off a cliff. I really don't care which. I have business to take care of and a long way to go at that. I don't have time for babysitting.</span> Kuem started to walk off at a regular pace, but not before calling back. <span style='color:red'>"See that we don't meet again."</span> And, with that he faded into the night.


OOC: Definitely not my best post ever, but I'm in a rush tonight. Perhaps Ronnica would be interested in accompanying Kuem on his trip.  </font>

 

<font color='#000080'>OOC: Sure Here we go, and the real fun begins!

IC:

"Oh sure, what an entertaining thing to do, dive off a cliff or into some cold slimy lake," she retorted, slightly annoyed. This individual hadn't been most polite, acting and speaking as if her life depended on his mood, time and whim.
"Well, it did, actually..." she murmured, snorting silently. Being no angel herself, Ronnica often bullied and tackled pendragons that thought they could talk with her as if she was... a thing, an object. It all came back on her time to time, when she met someone older and stronger. It was annoying and taught her a lesson each time she happened to fall across someone like that. Every sensible pendragon would have praised his gods and luck for such a slip like tonight, but not the pale female. She was a bit too stubborn and proud to deal with thin slips.
Ronnica took one look at the tree, then pictured a lake and a cliff. Certainly not entertaining, she repeated in her mind, gazing curiously into the darkness in which the other pendragon had dissolved. Making up her mind suddenly, she bounded forward, and soon caught up with him, falling into step at his side, sullen determination in her face.
"You said you didn't care where I went," she announced, pretending to forget his last 'post script'. She looked straight ahead, not faltering in her moves and not looking at his face.
"So I'm coming with you."
There, no beating around the bush. How savage can just a stupid Niotie be, when she's strongheaded and stubborn as an ox.</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>Finally starting to concentrate on the journey ahead, Kuem walked on in silence. Travelling was one of the more annoying parts of his profession. But, it was a living. Watching his step to avoid excess noise, he kept listening for any signs of movement. With one problem out of the way, he really didn't need to walk right into another.

Vaguely, he could make out a slight shimmer about a quarter-mile ahead of him. It wasn't his business to find out why a campfire was lit, so it was best to avoid it all together. He had just started to circle the camp when he noticed he wasn't alone any longer.

<span style='color:red'>I never realised that I had a speech impediment. What part of, 'See that we don't meet again.', did you not understand?</span> His voice was loud, alot louder than he intended it to be. And, he realised it just before he heard the first set of paws trotting in his direction.

It didn't really matter whether it was a a band of thieves or some of the more darker residents of the forest, whoever was coming, Kuem had no intention of waiting to find out. Without another word, he started off at a galloping pace, if the girl couldn't keep up, that wasn't his concern.</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>"Hush!" she whispered quietly, rather alarmed at the shrill sound of his voice, shattering the soft silence of the woods around them.
"As for your question, it's not as we're meeting again," she continued after a moment, "It's the same encounter, only a little prolonged."

She broke off, deciding correctly that now wasn't the exact time for words. She galloped beside the older pendragon, turning her head sideways every so often to catch a glimpse of the dim glow to their left. So far, she had no problem keeping up with his pace, the muscles under her pale scales strenghtened by years of ranging and wondering, and she didn't think about what will happen if her strength fails. Well, not as if she could lose anything; she was coming with this stranger out of her own free will.
They circles a shallow hole, overgrown with bushes which shielded whatever it held within from prying eyes. A soft pitter patter of toes could be heard coming from that direction, though none of them bothered to stop and listen more closely.
Was it a mistake? Who knows. Moments later, a large, swerving bat-like animal passed over their heads, swaying drunkedly, almost crashing into trees. It dissapeared into the darkness behind them, causing some nocturnal creatures to scuttle around in the tree tops, complaining loudly.
Ronnica never knew if it was sixth sense or what that caused her to brake down sharply, her claws marking the ground. A split second later, there was a whoosh and an arrow, with flickering plasma in place of feathers, burrowed itself into the ground just in front of her. She backed away rapidly, commentating cooly to the male:
"We're under fire."
She dived into a ditch that she located nearby, falling into sticky mud up to her elbows. The hole was probably some dried up well or another kind of stale water - but it hadn't even managed to dry out properly.
"Ugh," muttered the now-not-so-white pendragon, but she stayed low and looked out over the edge to see what was to happen.</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>Things were beginning to get a bit chaotic in Kuem's opinion. He watched as the arrow narrowly avoided hitting the girl, as well as heard what she had said, but he didn't reply. He kept glancing ahead and behind as though seeing something for the first time.

<span style='color:red'>''How can they be ahead of us and behind us? A coordinated attack? There wasn't enough time for that...so that means...''</span>  Kuem muttered under his breath irritably. With one final glance in all directions, he raised his paw facing North and spoke harshly. <span style='color:red'>"Emvajmy!"</span> A small flame began to form in front of him and continued to grow, finally reaching the size of a small child, it took flight into the trees ahead of him causing somewhat of an uproar. Echos of screams reached his ears just moments after the ball of flame erupted.

Kuem wasn't finished though. Spinning in place he raised his paw once more and growled. <span style='color:red'>"Wouca!"</span> For a moment nothing seemed to happen, then a slight tremor began to erupt off in the woods they had just come from. Sounds of trees cracking and uprooting themselves mixd with the shouts of the people trying to make their way through them.

Kuem knew this was merely a means to slow both partys down, stopping them would be next to impossible for one pendragon alone. But, he didn't mean to stop them. Merely distract them.

Looking over at the girl, now have covered in mud, he half-smirked before speaking. <span style='color:red'>"Seems like you're finally listening. Though I meant a lake, not a puddle."</span> Trotting past the pit of mud, Kuem stared off to the East. <span style='color:red'>"It seems like we're caught in the middle of two rival clans. Our best route is East or West. They'll fight each other while we esc...</span>

Kuem was cut off abruptly as a another soft whoosh filled the air. He turned just in time to avoid an arrow in the back, but turned right into the path of another. As the second arrow stuck his left wing, he let out a furious growl. Another problem to be dealt with later.

<span style='color:red'>"I'm going East. You can come if you want. Or stay, your choice.</span> He spoke quietly as he carefully grasped the arrow with his right paw, with one quick pull it was free. At the very least, he would be alright until he found a medic. But, flying would be out of the question for quite some time. Without another word, he started trotting off to the East, occasionally growling in a low pitch.</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>OOC: Neat! Ronnie's a Healer, LoL

IC: She watched the male's sorcery force the trees to tremble and sway, and she half-choked. So he wasn't only an assasin or some-or-other individual that was too familiar with the Black Market, he worked magic too. Ronnica shuddered, fighting the feeling to retch from anxiety. She was never on good terms with magic, its touch missing her completely when special abilities and feelings were given out by some strange means before being born. Once she had tried learning some basic sorcery, but she had never managed to master any of the spells, not even the easiest one. Giving up, she could feel the magical world edging away from her as she got older, growing more rational, technical, relying on the sources of the reality, not some dreamed up fantasy.
She sighed, the flames in front of her slowly dying. The other pendragon had trotted off eastwards, his low growlings growing steadily softer and softer. Yet what was it that he had said?
"...You can come, if you want. Or stay, your choice."
Was he actually inviting her along? However he had evidently meant it, and this was not a chance that Ronnica could turn down. She scrambled out of the ditch and trotted to his side, finding out taht he hadn't gone exactly very far. She pulled up alongside him, and in the faint glow of the moon that filtered through the trees, she could see a bloody stain on his wing.
"You're injured..." she said, letting the end of the sentence hang like an unspoken ordeal in the air between them.
"If you believe in herbal healing, I can do something with that wound once you decide it's bothering ya too much," she offered uncertainly, for she had no idea how this proposition would be received.</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>Still growling and grumbling under his breath, Kuem barely heard the faint sounds of battle coming from the the woods behind him. It seemed that he was just about right with his assumption of two rival clans. And, with luck, they would finish each other off long before either realised that the other didn't have a practitioner of sorcery on their side. Kuem didn't believe in luck though, nor did he believe in fate. The simple truth was, he believed in reality. And, the reality of the situation was that, more than likely, both clans would send pursuers as soon as they had a chance. Time was becoming a bigger issue by the moment.

But, a few pursuers were better than two entire clans. If worse came to worse, he could use the darkness to his advantage and attack first. Therein created a new problem, he was bleeding, and nearly any living thing within a small distance of him probably smelled it with relative ease. So if fighting was out of the question, that left fleeing. As much as he hated that, he could live with it. He had a contract to fulfill anyway.

Without glancing in her direction, he spoke in a harsh whisper after realising she said something to him. <span style='color:red'>"What? Herbal medicine? Fine. If you're any good, then you can look at it later. In the meantime, I would like to be out of this forest before dawn. Daytime is not much better than night here. And, sometimes its worse."</span>

He actually didn't care much for the idea of allowing a child to tend to his injuries. Of the few mottos he agreed with one was definitely 'Leave a job to the professionals.' But, if the kid could handle the problem, it would save him some time in the long run.

(OOC: I knew she was a healer. And, that she hated magic. I couldn't resist seeing her reaction though.)</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>OOC: Right Full steam ahead!

IC:
She felt rather arrogant at his reply. It sounded as if he was being extra generous to allow her to take a look at his wound. But then again, Ronnica reflected, it probably was. She had encountered many pendragons that claimed they were fine but dripped blood on every step. Only when too weak to continue, they allowed the young Healer to aid them, but it was usually a bit late. Therefore, for the meantime, Ronnica decided to leave it the way it was. Moving silently through the woods and getting out of there as soon as possible was more important than the wounded self-respect of a seventeen hundred. Even Ronnica agreed with that, so she trampled quietly next to him, sorting out through her own thoughts.

The question of whether to flee or battle didn't pose the slightest problem to her. She did not consider the dangers of two clans on their track. They'll keep ahead of them for a couple of days, and then they will eventually get bored. After all, having some territory around the Black Market was considered a luxury and had to be defended and fought for all the time. Very profiting transactions took place here, and if a couple of pendragons dissapeared without trace every now and then, everyone just turned a blind eye.

This is the Black Market, it's on your own risk, they would most likely say, and then occupy themselves with some harmless small cheater off in other parts of the region. Ronnica knew this, sadly, from her own experience. Yet she shrugged it away, content to run under the star-spangled sky with at least some kind of vague finish line.

Curiously, she realised that she still did not know the name of her companion. It felt like ages since she had met him, even though it had been barely an hour. Squinting sideways, trying to make out his face under the damaged wing, she decided it was not the best place or time for introducing. Well, perhaps later.

She glanced over at the damaged wing a couple of times, making sure exactly what plants she was going to use. It looked like a fairly clean slash, even though the flesh was a bit torn from the back-turned hooks of the arrow. A couple of leaves from the kjatt sjaa would deal with that though. Plus a mild water and kjatt sap solution to work as desinfection and scar bleach. Ronnica grinned in the darkness, her teeth flashing in the gloom. Not that hard. Kjatt trees grow all around here, so the only other thing she would need was some clean water, a creek perhaps. But that will be found too.</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>Time was going by two slowly for Kuem, according to his memory, they should have been just about to exit the forest at any moment. And, dawn should have been approaching as well. With no signs of pursuit it would seem they were almost home free. It had been nearly two hours since he had last heard a scream or the other typical sounds of battle. And, other than their own footsteps, he had not heard any sounds for the past thirty minutes. Possibly meaning that any pursuers had given up their chase. But, that didn't slow down his feet. He had already mentally written out a schedule for himself that he intended to stick to for the next few days until he got to Aurius.

Trotting around another tree, he found the exit of the forest and took no time getting out. Sure enough the sun seemed to be just beyond he horizon. He could finally take a short break. Laying down was a bit more of a challenge than he thought it would be though. No longer thinking about pursuers, the full extent of his injury seemed cime to him at once. Growling bitterly, he finally managed to lay down on his belly with his wing carefully folded on his back.

<span style='color:red'>"Got a name, kid? Or, do you simply prefer being called 'kid.'"</span> Her name wasn't important anyway, but if he really was going to go through with allowing her to try healing his injuries, he had best try and be civil at the least.</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>OOC: Great, the system keeps kicking me off, so if there's a "guest" thing next to my post, it's most probably that.

IC: A pinkish shimmer spun its way up the eastern sky, battling the withdrawing shadows with a bright sword. A sun ray shot up, coloring the heavens golden, then another. Soon the first half of the sun was up, a bright ruby set in gold, lying around in wet strips of fog that always seem to keep the sun from rising. Ronnica held her paw over her eyes and squinted at the pathway she had just left. It led into the depth of the forest they had left behind, uncanny and smirking like the tongue of a dangerous troll. Shuddering, the young pendragon looked away, strolling casually over to a kjatt tree and plucking a couple of leeves away from their stems, careful to chose ones in the middle of the tree, hidden from the eyes of whoever might pass through here later. After all, they didn't need to know the whereabouts of the two travellers.

She strained her ears, trying to catch the faintest sound of water trickling and churning. But only deathly silence remained around. Oh well, she sighed, we'll have to wait until the dew falls.

She spread the largest leaf on the ground, then walked over to the lying pendragon. He was evidently in at least some pain, for the wing was lying, uncomfortably curled, on his back. The blood was now a mere trickle, flowing out a drop at a time, but the whole wound was scabbed and black. Ronnica looked at it, then lay the leaves by the male's side.

"I hope you will be able to remember it," she shot back, catching his question, "It's got three syllables, you know? Kinda advanced. Everyone can say 'kid'."
She smirked, but then stopped goofing around and returned to the leaf that she had left lying on the grass. It was speckled with small droplets of dew, which tried sliding away as the Healer picked it up carefully. It was enough for her. Kneeling next to the other, she hissed through gritted teeth.

"Hang on, this might hurt a bit..."

Not waiting for his reply, she quickly removed the blackened scab and rubbed the wet leaf over the whole wound. A wisp of steam escaped from underneath her fingers, as if she had been meddling with acid. But she wasn't. Ronnica removed the leaf a few seconds later, only to find - as she had expected, after all - a round hole, frayed around the edges, yet without the smallest sign of blackness or necrofied cells. She applied the other two pieces of plant she had prepared, and watched as the hole in the wing draw together, then stick as if powered by magnets, and eventually close off altogether, leaving a small scar fitting nimbly between the black feathers. The Healer gave a small sigh of relief. She had done this many times before - the scars on her forelegs were proof - but she always felt a bit edgy about how the scar would come out in the end. This one was a bended line, about five centimetres long and very thin. Very good.

Ronnica removed the last traces of the leaves and dumped them in a nearby bush. They would rot away anyway, but no point in getting messy. She straightened up and looked at her companion.

"Finished. You've got a nice scar there," she said in a matter-of-fact voice, "Girls will find it irresistable, as long as you supply a heroic tale of how you fought... something, who cares what? As long as there are about ten times as many of them against you!" She laughed, then added:

"If you are interested, which I most highly doubt, my name is Ronnica. Ronnica Vox. Now, who may you be?"</font>

 

<font color='#000000'>(OOC: This maybe a little short. I don't have much time to type tonight. )

If Ronnica expected him to yell or make some sort of ruckus over her pulling the scab off his wing, then he was going to have to disappoint her. He didn't flinch. He remained silent until she finished tending to his wing.

<span style='color:red'>"I care little for scars. I have enough as it is. And, I have no long-winded tales behind them. They simply come with the job."</span> He flexed his wing carefully, and was almost surprised to find it healed. Okay, so perhaps the kid knew more than he realised.

<span style='color:red'>"Kuem Panymtruma."</span> He replied simply to her question. If she expected him to tell her anything else about himself, she had another thing coming.</font>

 

<font color='#000080'>OOC: My hundredth post! It ain't the best though. My original got deleted, and I'm in a little hurry, so please forgive shortness

IC: She shrugged away her slight surprise at his curtness and shortness. After all, what had she expected him to do? Wallow and cover her with words of thanks? Certainly not. Ronnica was impressed by the way he had not moved a muscle when the leaves did their job. It was one thing to stay still when one already knew what was coming - like Ronnie herself - but another when one hadn't encountered kjatt leaves yet.

She turned away, a smile passing her lips. She didn't mind him being secretive at all, which he was being at the present moment. Actually, she knew quite a lot about him already - that he knew his ways around the Black Market, that he worked magic, that he was on a mission of some sort. And now his name. It was already enough for her to start considering feeling scared that someone will torture her to find out what she knew. Hehe. A smile played with her features once more.

She walked a few paces away, looking around the small clearing they were standing in. It's like a crossroad,</I> she thought to herself, So far we've been running together, united by one thought and direction. But now, we could just as well face each other and wonder about who the hell the other one is.</I>

The smile broke into a wide grin. Ronnica wasn't intending to take advantage of the crossroad. She was staying with Kuem until he either gets mean or nasty or chases her away by force.</font>