heroes go hungry

don't fight for honor fight for a paycheck.

[gxmblignant-deactivated20190418]

playing cat&mouse

[hiredhuntress]

gxmblignant:

     While Violet was preoccupied with the information broker, Rich was busy dealing with a few troubles of his own. From the information Hoax had given him, he had taken the liberty of visiting Violet’s “employer” and opted to “talk” to the big boss. Of course, “talking” meant a different thing in the underworld most of the time. Their language was written in threats and warnings, and spoken in fights and deals.

Violet’s smile morphed into something wolfish as Hoax outlined the details of her little diversion. The playful redhead was used to playing games with the Nighthawk ever since the pair had locked eyes, way back when in another nondescript alley, working out some other deal...

Red was about to see what the huntress could really do.

“Ya ready ta start ??”

“I’ve been ready,” the bounty hunter shot back with a wink. “Run run run, little Red--and take this gift with you...!”

Houndoom suddenly sprang up and launched a fireball at Hoax’s retreating figure. Wary as her prey was, Violet was satisfied with the awful smell of singed fabric and hair that wafted back from the slight point of contact--the scent was now effectively stuck on the fleeing information broker. With Hoax still staying true to her game, the huntress took some time out of her busy schedule to check in on Rich.

[to: conman] hope you aren’t getting into any trouble. if i know you, you’re probably trying to change the rules right now.

[to: conman] cutting out the middleman won’t save your ass, conman. i can find a whole crowd of scumbags who want you gone...

[to: conman] getting caught by me wouldn’t even be that bad. i would even take you out first--tempting?

[to: conman] also, if you run into red, tell her to give me back my honchkrow. stealing is wrong!

Pocketing her phone with a grin, Violet let out a low sigh and took off--whipping down familiar alleyways and passages, the faint scent of smoke on her nostrils...a burnt trail left by a certain someone. Five minutes was not a lot of time, but Violet’s tracking was legendary. She finally slowed down, taking a turn into the darkest alleys just as time began to tick down. The bricks all looked alike to some, but the bounty hunter recognized her surroundings right away. Memories of lackeys dumping off a certain feisty redhead at her feet two years ago crept into her mind. This was the spot.

“Where we first met,” Violet commented lightly into the cracked shadows of the moonlit concrete clearing, as if she was leading a tour group. Hoax had to be somewhere around here. “Predictable, but...kind of nostalgic.”

[hiredhuntress]

here to slay [zombie au!]

[hiredhuntress]

ecruteakmystic:

His saviour didn’t immediately replied so Morty took a moment to calm his racing heart. He was no stranger to close calls ever since he entered this version of hell but that was the first time where he really felt like a goner. Outwardly calm but on the inside, it took a lot to not succumb to the panic. The blond took in a few deep, shuddered breaths, then released them slowly. Unbelievable as it was, Morty was still alive so just focus on that.

“That’s one of my Gengars. You said one Pokemon, so I’m lending you one.”

“Yeah, no need for the lip, blondie,” Violet snapped, swiping the capsule out of Morty’s hands bluntly. “I’m glad that you can follow directions at least.”

She had been hoping that the Gym Leader, in the face of such an ultimatum, would turn tail and leave her alone. Even before the sudden outbreak, the Nighthawk certainly enjoyed her alone time--and she certainly had no tolerance for any stragglers.

But she would hold up her end of the bargain...for now. The length of the quarantine had softened and hardened her heart in different ways, but one goal still remained crystal-clear in her head: survival. At any cost.

Violet quirked an eyebrow dangerously when Morty explained more about his Ghost-types, her patience already fraying. “Thanks for the lesson, doc--” she muttered, turning on her heel and finally walking out of the alleyway. “Your Pokemon can’t guarantee your own survival, so why use them to hold you up? In this city, you gotta rely on yourself. Now more than ever.”

The Nighthawk took out another cigarette as Houndoom sauntered beside her, taking out any creature that interfered with a sheet of malevolent flame. As the pyrotechnics drew more zombies, Violet drew her pistol with a sigh and began to fire. In a world with warped rules and walking corpses, this sequence of events was scarily becoming ever more casual and routine.

Houndoom suddenly growled and sent a jet of flame right over Morty’s head, sending an airborne undead Fletching tumbling to the stones behind the Gym Leader. “Pay attention,” Violet ordered, sparing only a quick glance over her shoulder. “Seriously, I’m not stopping.”

“...Tell me this, though,” the Nighthawk mused after a brief lull in the action, her boots thudding against the cobbled streets. “How have you held out for all these weeks? I would’ve thought that someone like you would be the first to go.”

A darker look fell over Violet’s face, and the very air seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature. There were no howls or screams--for now--but the silence seemed to be all the more ominous.

“Out here, you change, blondie,” the huntress muttered. “I doubt you got this far by being a goody-two-shoes on your little moral pedestal.”  

[gxmblignant-deactivated20190418]

playing cat&mouse

[hiredhuntress]

gxmblignant:

     Rich was more than acquainted with trouble; he courted it even. So playing hide-and-go-seek with quite the renowned bounty hunter was an exciting game to shake up the dullness of fleeting chases. His only grief about the situation would undoubtedly be the conclusion. If it turned out more satisfying than he initially thought, then he might find himself in deep trouble.

When Violet first met Hoax many months ago, the renowned huntress was known for ruthlessness and efficiency above all else. She still prized those ‘professional’ qualities, but had since allowed herself to have a little more fun on the job. She was one of Lumiose’s top-tier badasses, after all--there was no harm in flaunting it from time to time. Her past reputation often preceded her anyways.

So when the redheaded delinquent refused to buy into the bounty hunter’s offer, Violet couldn’t help but laugh at her counter-proposal. She had missed Hoax’s free-spirited spunk--independence was a quality that was vanishing in the hierarchy of the city’s underground ranks.

The Nighthawk’s phone buzzed, having received Rich’s anguished texts. She peered at the device with a smirk, then held the glowing screen up to Hoax’s grinning face and snapped a picture. “You don’t deserve to be held back by these Mafia assholes, Red,” she proclaimed lightly, a glint in her eye. “Especially not this Conman wacko. Maybe one day you can work for me...”

Violet had been casually walking toward Hoax during her musings, only stopping when she and the messenger were face-to-face. The Nighthawk sent the picture off to Rich with an attached message [”hanging out with a new friend. no hard feelings. wouldn’t it be nice to resolve these issues face-to-face?”] and leered down at the Mafia’s information broker. Houndoom snarled quietly behind her.

“I’ll play your little game--but only if you let me know where your con friend is hiding out,” Violet offered coyly, putting a hand on the brick wall above Hoax’s shoulder. “What did you have in mind? I’m on a bit of a tight schedule, so let’s keep it short...”

Violet’s grin widened, akin to a shark revealing all of its teeth. A warning, perhaps?

“...I’m already playing a few other games with big prizes, after all--and I’m willing to share for some hints.” 

[hiredhuntress]

bringing that hoenn heat 🔥

[hiredhuntress]

lxndswrath:

“Clock’s ticking, gramps.”

“And so it is,” Even with the chilly metal again pressed to his skin, Maxie wears an equally cool mug– in this case, her assurance acts merely as a reminder rather than a threat, “The clock’s been ticking for me longer than you’ve been alive, woman.”

There had been countless nights of writhing and toiling from within, only to be told that essentially, it exists as the first case of it’s kind, that they don’t know what to do, that there’s nothing they can do. There is a distinct unfairness to it all that causes Maxie to ail even more so as the years pass.

Keep reading

“There is no end game where I don’t wind up dead here, except for the one where I, well, follow through. It would be an overhaul of the medical industry, curing thousands– starting with me.”

Everything about Maxie was ruthlessly meticulous, from his displaced viewpoint of his own death to the way he laced his proposition with just the right amount of venom. From Violet’s point of view, he definitely was not the first person to have such delusions of grandeur...but the Magma Leader accompanied all of his outlandish visions with the tiniest shred of possibility.

It was all very exciting, and Violet--as long as she was getting paid--figured it wouldn’t hurt to play along for awhile. There was even an opportunity to double her cash bonus here--the previous client didn’t say that she had to kill Maxie right away. The Nighthawk could afford to let him out on his little leash of power before snatching him up in her talons once again--perhaps there was enjoyment in playing with your food after all.

Violet scoffed at Maxie’s proposition, her sharp grey eyes slicing into the kneeling Leader. “That’s a pretty desperate offer, though it kind of fits you--a sad, sad man,” she drawled casually before her lips twitched upwards almost sadistically. “...To be honest, I like the look of you on your knees, gramps. Maybe I can keep you around for a little longer.”

And then Violet spit on him, making a mess of his already abused glasses. She leaned down and offered Maxie a hand that he would be wise not to refuse.

“Let’s get my money,” she ordered sharply, rapping the Leader on the shoulder with impatience. “If the payment isn’t in my hands very soon, I’m afraid this little partnership is over. Time to put your cash where your flapping little mouth is, old man.”

[gxmblignant-deactivated20190418]

playing cat&mouse

[hiredhuntress]

gxmblignant:

     Violet Norgard liked to think she was slick, Rich assumed, as she trashed the bartender at the bar he met the Mafia’s Leader at. Of course, she might actually be slick, but he had the advantage of knowing about a man who liked to disappear into the shadows like a ghost. Or maybe a vampire, but who really knew ??

[ TO :: Glorified Errand Girl ] Get reacquainted with li’l Red while I pick up your toys for you, okay, kitten?

Violet arched an eyebrow curiously--Rich had caught her off-guard for the first time--and her fingers paused on the keys before she flipped her phone shut, plunging the area in front of the bar into darkness once again. Her Houndoom, recently released from its ball, let out a smoldering growl into the night.

She was relatively unmoved by the capture of her hired hands--they were dumb, stupid, and loud--but...Red? Fleeting memories of Hoax flooded back into the Nighthawk’s head: the energetic information broker had once been her target, but the matter had been resolved by the Mafia before Violet really had to do anything outside of meet up with the redhead. Seems like someone’s defected to the losing team, the bounty hunter thought with a smirk before flipping her phone open again.

[to: conman] it’s good to see that chivalry isn’t dead. unfortunately, i’m still after your head, not your heart.

[to: conman] as for the idiot you snared, go nuts. he owes me a lot of money.

Violet tapped a finger to her chin thoughtfully, the luminous screen glinting off of her grey eyes. This was fun and she couldn’t help but smile--but did Rich honestly think that he could keep this up for six more days?

[to: conman] if you want to make this more intimate, i’ll pull my hired goons if you pull yours. i don’t need them to find your next little hiding spot, and i know that you don’t want to be indebted to the idiot mafia. 

[to: conman] but you can keep your close friends around if you want to spend your final days with them. red is a cutie, isn’t she?

[to: conman] six more days of this shit. maybe you should lay down and rest, dice boy.

“And speak of the devil,” Violet suddenly spoke, sending off the remaining messages and peering into the darkness towards someone. “You didn’t tell me you worked for the Conman, Red. I’m hurt.” Her sarcastic drawl over Rich’s street name was so incredibly biting that it made her Pokemon’s fur raise. “Did he send you back here as some fucked-up sacrifice or something?”

Houndoom growled, but the Nighthawk shushed him before flashing Hoax a grin. “...You know though, maybe I can make this work better for both of us,” she murmured with a wink. “You lend me some information and a path back to our friend Rich, and maybe I’ll give you a piece of the huge bounty over his skull. Or, if that doesn’t work for you...” Violet pulled out a wallet from her pocket, slowly extracting a bundled stack of big PokeDollar bills with a laugh. “...maybe a little advance payment is more your style?”

[gxmblignant-deactivated20190418]

playing cat&mouse

[hiredhuntress]

gxmblignant:

     The huntress was a woman not too far from himself … in a figurative sense. They both liked the feeling of winning and the thrill of the chase, though the roles of who played the cat and who played the mouse were blurred. Rich knew he was toying with trouble, but that was all part of the fun, wasn’t it ?? Smoke billowed out from his lit cigarette as he pulled his coat closer and kept his pace brisk.

“I swear it, Vi--I-I don’t know ‘nuffin! He comes in here often, like every day...how am I s’posed to know where he went off t-nnngh!”

“You’re a shitty liar,” Violet declared casually, her grey eyes observing the reddening of the barkeep’s face as she held him up against the wooden wall by his collar. “But that’s kind of expected. I’m just more surprised that the famous con man picked a bar as his hiding spot. Did he think that I wouldn’t know where this place is?”

The bartender didn’t respond--he was now fully conked out on his lapels--and the Nighthawk unceremoniously tugged him behind the counter before mixing herself a drink, the clinking glass echoing in the empty bar. Of course, she couldn’t take full credit for her discovery. Her watchful eyes around the city had relayed update after update to her cell phone, which was finally coming in handy. Rich is headed towards that underground bar. Rich is meeting up with some people. One already left the spot with others, she had red hair... The play-by-play texts were endless, but Violet knew that if she followed their tips, she would always be one step behind the gambler.

Taking a slow sip of her drink, Violet mulled over the fact that Rich had gotten his own crew into the mix. It was only fair, she supposed, and opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for the both of them. However, the gambler had seemingly committed an error--he was only as strong as his weakest link, and the Nighthawk excelled at...persuading the stragglers. She looked over at the unconscious bartender and smiled.

Common sense told her to leave the bar and continue the search, but where was the fun in that? Violet had all the time in the world, so what was the harm in laying a little trap for the unsuspecting? Rich might be slippery beyond compare, but surely his associates were not all so bright. Yes, the Nighthawk would snare them in her talons--and then pounce. Not everyone could keep up with the game.

Violet took a picture of the deserted bar and sent it to Rich, a smirk on her face.

[to: conman] .jpg attachment. talk about a cold reception! seems like i just missed the party. :(

[to: conman] you can’t run forever, conman. don’t stop moving, because i’m leaving your not-so-secret base to hunt, and all of my friends are on your ass.

However, instead of leaving like her text claimed, Violet swiped her drink off the counter and lingered basically unseen in the shadows just outside the bar’s creaky door. The trap was set--would Rich or any of his ‘people’ return to the scene? The Nighthawk would be ready to strike if they did, even if one lost crony wandered across the threshold.

A predator, lying in wait.

[lisry]

The Princess and the Thug [Lillie ✿ Violet]

[hiredhuntress]

lisry:

Lillie’s soft cheeks turned bright red in response to Violet’s teasing. She thought nothing of it, in a sense, she’s probably used to it, just not down to this degree of teasing.

She followed into the bar, it had bad news written all over the place. A droplet of sweat ran down the side of her cheek as Violet did all the talking. She felt eyes peering right through her, afraid to even look anywhere, her best bet was to just not make eye contact and just stare at an empty bottle of beer that someone left over the counter.

Keep reading

“Famous? How come?”

The Delinquent and Violet both laughed at Lillie’s innocent question, with the key trader resting her chin on her hand, a lingering smirk still on her face. Her eyes studied the blonde more intently before answering.

“Vi gets into a lot of trouble around these parts, but she always manages to get out of it,” the vagabond murmured reverently. “And while the rest of this city has really forgotten about us, she keeps the peace--if you can call it that.”

“So basically, Lillie...she’s a boss bitch. That’s how you gain fame and respect down here.”

“Don’t flatter me too much,” Violet interrupted, bringing a hand to her cheek in mock embarrassment. “See, Barbie? I’ve got a role to play in this city, and so do you. Ever wonder why nobody’s hassled you yet around here, even though you’re wearing that fancy dress and hat?”

Without waiting for an answer, the Nighthawk leaned down towards Lillie’s ear mischievously. “...Only I get to hassle you.”

“I think we’re gonna split,” Violet declared after straightening up, shooting both the Delinquent and Lillie a grin. “I’ll get this key back to you, babe. Say goodbye to my Alolan friend!”

With the Delinquent waving, Violet whisked Lillie out of the tavern and into the moonlit alley, the lunar beams striking the cuffs key--their ticket to freedom. However, with the bounty hunter, things were never so simple.

“You ever make a back-alley deal before, Lillie?” she asked casually, leaning up against the brick wall while twirling the key in her free hand. “Here’s how it’s gonna work--I went into all this trouble to help you escape the police and find this key...so what’re you gonna do for me? ‘Cause now I have the power to unlock these cuffs.”

As unfair as the deal was, that was how Violet operated, and not even Lillie was spared from her dealings. The Gang Member dangled the key tantalizingly, and her grey eyes glinted in the moonlight.

“It doesn’t have to be anything weird. Maybe you could take me out for a good meal? Maybe you could treat me to some shopping? After all...”

Violet patted her jacket pocket with a grin.

“...I still have that poor guy’s wallet. The wallet that you ‘stole,’ remember?” 

[gxmblignant-deactivated20190418]

playing cat&mouse

[hiredhuntress]

gxmblignant:

re: Violet Norgard ( @hiredhuntress​ )

     The messages were surprising, without a doubt. It was less of the content that struck his interest, but more of the sender. After all, Rich burned through phone numbers faster than he could scam a man — and that was saying something!

Keep reading

[ TO :: Glorified Errand Girl ] That so? Well then, the chase is on. Catch me if you can, kitten!

Violet smirked to herself, swishing around the last vestiges of cheap wine in her glass before draining it, her eyes re-reading the words on her archaic purple flip phone. This is going to be very interesting...

The Nighthawk waved off the nervous bartender and swiveled in her seat, the bright lights and chaotic sounds of the casino overwhelming her senses. She knew that the con man was a total gamer--surely he couldn’t resist the pull of the gambling house for much longer? It was a solid lead, at the very least.

But Violet had been waiting for what seemed like hours--and waiting was what she was worst at. If Rich was trying to gain ground on her now, where was the harm in going along with the chase? She’d catch him in the end--she always did.

The bounty hunter stood and stretched casually, eager to leave the smoke-filled place of vice behind. Confident strides carried her out onto the sun-struck thoroughfares of Lumiose, filled with endless hiding spots. Ducking into an alleyway, Violet rested against the cool brick before firing off a text and a call from her phone.

[to: conman] I wonder if I’ll ever see your face? You’d better still be moving...who knows where I could be? 

[to: conman] This kitten’s got claws. Can’t wait to sink them into you.

Violet’s next call was to a local street gang leader, who proceeded to put his mass of thugs on high alert for the con man. Recruiting friends was probably outside the lines of this twisted game, but the Nighthawk wouldn’t be herself if she didn’t stretch the rules just a little bit. 

Anything to win.

[hiredhuntress]

bringing that hoenn heat 🔥

[hiredhuntress]

lxndswrath:

Keep reading

“Satisfy one or both of these clients, either way I’m dead. You must take me for a fool if you would believe I’d surrender my livelihood in the process.”

There were similes to describe the transformation that Maxie’s demeanor underwent after catching wind of a possible out--the man’s efforts to stand were like the blooming of a black, thorny rose, like the lid sliding off of Pandora’s box. Such evil--previously repressed under a gaunt mask of goodwill--was finally starting to make itself known again. And while Violet glared unflinchingly back into its embodiment, her inner wariness grew. She still held all the cards, but Maxie was a powerful player. The Nighthawk could not stray too far from the table, or the Magma Leader would undoubtedly try to make off with the remains of the deck.

“I want to finish what I started too. Which is why I’m prepared to offer you yet another counter offer, as sordid as it seems, what do you say?”

Violet’s laugh of disbelief carried across the waves.

“You’ve got some balls, don’t you?” she crowed, her eyes still drilling holes into him. “I’m sure you realize what happens when too many dumbasses try to complicate a deal to save their own skin--it leaves nobody happy and wastes my time.”

The Nighthawk stood, looming over Maxie and blocking out his view of the Hoenn sunset.

“I hate wasting time,” she snarled, though a light of mischief still glinted in her gaze. “So I’ll give you this one chance to name your counter offer, and I suggest one with immediate payout. Don’t fuck with me, old man. Remember, I’ve got a wonderful offer from a person who wants your ass in the ground.”

Violet angled her revolver downward and pressed the cold metal into Maxie’s forehead, wearing an equally icy glare.

“Clock’s ticking, gramps.”

[madingas]

pied piper.| Violet / au!

[hiredhuntress]

madingas:

Following close behind her as she approached the wide window, the city lights in the distance brought a somber smile to her lips. Violet’s presence was powerful, but somehow still very calming. It was almost as if Lyra had nothing to worry about. For a minute she caught herself staring at her profile.

Quickly, she looked out of the window again. She could see her name in lights, Violets voice brought her back to her senses and to their single bed situation. “You’re really gonna kick me out of the bed when I have such a big day tomorrow?” Glancing at the clock, she had to remember to be awake pretty early for final rehearsal. 

“Break’s don’t pay the bills, besides. Since this is just the beginning, the shows wont stop. You know we have like four more stops on this tour, right?” 

Taking her own hair down from her braids, she began to get a little more comfortable. Turning away from the window, she moved towards one side of the bed. 

“Are you hungry? Do you want to get room service?” Picking up a menu off the side table, she waved it teasingly in front of Violet.

Breaks don’t pay the bills, besides. Since this is just the beginning, the shows wont stop. You know we have like four more stops on this tour, right?

Lyra was speaking the unfortunate truth. There were ten stops total on her one month tour, throwing the idol and her bodyguard into spectacle after spectacle. While Lyra seemed to handle the entire situation with ease (when did she ever not), Violet detested the hectic nature of stardom. Was it truly okay to take a break? Would Lyra ever ease off the gas and start turning down shows?

Probably not.

Violet knew Lyra better than almost everybody--the idol had long perfected the art of stonewalling columnists and fans with smiles and waves--but even in her most tired moments, the Unovan native never seemed stressed about her workload. Such a life seemed unsustainable, and in the back of her mind, the reformed huntress could feel something ominous in the air.

“Are you hungry? Do you want to get room service?”

Violet could tell that the idol was trying to get her to relax, and begrudgingly complied, plopping down on the soft bedspread. “If you’re hungry, go for it,” she replied with a smirk, shrugging off her jacket and showing off a flash of tattooed muscle. “I actually need to stay in shape to do my job--you know that the Unovan crowds are full of real wackos anyways.”

“...But I’d split some wine and snacks with you, only if...” Violet half-conceded, holding a telling finger in front of Lyra’s face. “...you promise to take a little time for yourself after this tour is over. Trust me, it’ll be good for you.”

[hiredhuntress]

here to slay [zombie au!]

[hiredhuntress]

ecruteakmystic:

For the first two decades of his life, Morty always felt like he was already living a sort of hell on earth. Born with the ability to see the souls of the condemned was a mixed blessing, though sometimes it leaned more towards a curse. Sure, it helped him understand Ghost-types a lot better than most but on the flip side, he had to go through life seeing restless spirits, some of which remained in the state of when they died. It really said a lot that he only frowned upon seeing a head that was caved in or a body with half of its chest cavity ripped apart when everything devolved into an actual hell on earth. 

Violet sprinted through the streets, not paying much attention to the poor person who was literally being towed along for the ride behind her. She whipped around the plaza, expertly dodging haggard citizens and their Pokemon before finally skidding to a halt behind a clothing boutique--momentary respite, for now.

“I wasn’t able to pull out my Pokemon in time. I’d have been a goner if it wasn’t for your Houndoom.”

The stranger’s voice was soft and surprisingly calm. Merely squinting in response to his thanks, the Nighthawk gave Morty a once-over before pulling a cigarette out of her pocket. A huff from Houndoom lit the embers and cast strange shadows across the brick walls. Taking a long pull, Violet sat back against the wall and sighed. 

“Who gives a shit?” she finally replied, weariness etched into her face as her lip curled. “We’re all gonna be goners eventually. Just listen.”

Violet fell silent, and the night was overtaken with sounds of groaning, footsteps, and screams. Lumiose City--once the crown jewel of Kalos--had turned into a forgotten hell, its livelihood on a timer. Violet took another drag on her cigarette.

“This place is a hellhole. I’m surprised you managed to make it this far--you can’t weigh more than fifty pounds. I could blow you into that wall over there,” she muttered, the hint of a smirk on her face. “No rewards for staying alive until now, blondie. Until they lift that quarantine--which will be never--your only prize is maybe dying in a peaceful place.”

Violet put out her cigarette and stood up slowly, cracking her back as she threw her purple jacket over her shoulders. “There’s no time to wait around,” the bounty hunter declared shortly, the moonbeams striking off her frame. “I know a safe spot to stay, but it’s not free to follow me there.”

The Nighthawk turned around, her hand held out expectantly. “I need you to lend me one of your Pokemon if you want to tag along,” she demanded. “It’s a bargaining chip until we get there--you never know who to trust now. Not like you ever could.”

“Of course, you could always stay here,” Violet surmised, a wicked grin on her face. “But I say you’d last about five minutes out here at this time of night, in this area. Your chances are better with me blondie, so I would suggest handing it over. I don’t have all night.” 

[hiredhuntress]

bringing that hoenn heat 🔥

[hiredhuntress]

lxndswrath:

“Oh… woe is me…” Starts the sarcastic drawl of Maxie, several long moments following the hunter’s traumatic blow to the face. Though, it lacks its usual clarity, as he not only speaks through his fingers, holding tightly to his face as if to keep it together, but also a gurgling mouthful of blood.

Keep reading

“But even so, I’m all yours.”

There it was.

After stonewalling for far longer than expected, Maxie’s snark finally gave way--if only by the tiniest amount--and Violet was once again in control. For now.

The Nighthawk looked down at the Magma Leader with a small smile, noting how his arms were spread in some form of resignation. Years of deceitful treatment left her wary, however, and given the fallen figure’s cunning history, she wasn’t ready to lift her boot off of his throat just yet. Prey was most likely to lash out when pushed to their ultimatums, their final options.

So Violet decided to reveal a third possible resolution to their meeting.

“Your client has filled me in on all the awful bullshit that you pulled,” Violet began, kneeling down and grabbing the scruff of Maxie’s collar, making the team leader look into her piercing grey eyes. “But, you know, I couldn’t care less about that. All I know is that Team Magma used to be one of the most-feared criminal organizations in the world, with big plans. And I have another hungry client that wants to finish what you started--they’re paying me a little bit more, of course.”

“So maybe you can be a little useful to me after all, old man,” Violet said with a smirk. “I want to know where the Project AZOTH files are located, or about any information that you have on them. I know that they still exist, so don’t try to hide them from me.”

The Nighthawk tilted Maxie’s chin up with a finger, feeling the strain of wounded muscle as she narrowed her eyes. “Of course, we can always continue our quality time together here as well,” she hissed. “But something tells me that you’re not quite ready to be a martyr for good deeds just yet.” 

[madingas]

pied piper.| Violet / au!

[hiredhuntress]

madingas:

To say life was boring with Violet around would quite possibly be the biggest lie in the world. As she instructed the driver to swing around to the back of the building, she even kept the shade of the windows pulled down low enough to keep all eyes off them. 

However, Violet could be a bit more dramatic than Lyra would like. As soon as the car pulled up to the back, she was out of the door in a rush. The idol was half dragged to the backdoor. 

Let’s just make the best of it, okay? Its free.

Violet let out a long sigh in response to Lyra’s lecturing, letting the tension drain out of her shoulders as the idol held her close. Wordlessly, the gang member turned bodyguard grasped her hand and squeezed firmly. It was so easy to be jaded in such a star-crazed world, and Lyra had pulled Violet out of her bitter moods countless times. The young star always made it hard for the Nighthawk to hold her edge.

Twilight sent star beams and city lights through the gigantic windows, and Violet walked up to them to take in the view, still hanging on to Lyra’s hand in a rare moment of quietude. In the distance, the bodyguard could see the neon marquees and billboard-studded city square, the location of the much-anticipated performance tomorrow. Lyra’s hectic schedule didn’t leave much time in the realm of preparation or relaxation, and Violet often wondered if the icon would ever get a reprieve.

“Remember, if I catch snoring or cold feet, I’m putting you on the floor,” Violet warned playfully, breaking the comfortable silence as she went to pull out her hair tie. “I don’t even care if you have one of your biggest performances tomorrow--when it comes to staying on your side, I’m calling the shots.”

Violet turned back towards Lyra with a bemused expression reflected in her grey eyes. “Do you think you’re ready?” she asked with a rare hint of concern. “It’s been five performances in the last two weeks--that’s messed up, isn’t it? When are you ever going to ask for a break?”

[scythexmeister]

escape plan;

[hiredhuntress]

aureatetxt:

Watching like he was in a movie theatre, he leans forward to hear more clearly. Gangs werent uncommon, but this time he didn’t have to deal with it directly…or so he thought. After the two Pokemon were released, he started to back up until he heard a growl coming from the boxes behind him. 

“Shit.”

Ambipom, swinging down from the rafters, lands on his shoulder. He could run away, however the bite from Houndoom was less than ideal. Sighing, he dropped down from the rafters. The look on his face was read boredom, but on the inside he was starting to panic.

  I hope they can’t smell fear, he thinks to himself, or else I’m done for. 

Taking a look at the woman who had called him a bitch, he blinked. Something didn’t seem right about her, but it was far past the point of analysis. Slowly approaching, he stood a good distance away still. 

“Yanno, you couldve asked nicely.” He mumbles, keeping his eye on her pistol. He hadnt laid eyes on one of them in a long while, but this was his fault. 

Ambipom shifts nervously, keeping her eyes on the Pokemon that surrounded them. 

“I don’t think I was supposed to see this huh?” He speaks in a low voice, as he avoids the mans helpless gaze. “Listen, I can totally walk out of here, not a word from me. And you’ll never see me again.”

“Yanno, you couldve asked nicely.”

As the Fire Pokemon surrounded Ethan, Violet’s two cohorts let out raucous giggles in response to the stranger’s light scolding. Even the Nighthawk herself smirked, the marked man still writhing in handcuffs on the floor, looking pleadingly at Ethan for some sort of salvation.

“Listen, I can totally walk out of here, not a word from me. And you’ll never see me again.”

The cuffed criminal groaned anew, and the Gang Member rolled her eyes predictably, swinging her long legs off the throne of pallet boxes. Her ‘henchwomen’ for the night quickly blocked off the exits. Violet walked slowly towards Ethan, piercing grey eyes sizing up the young man until she was glaring down at him, her arms crossed coldly. Despite her threatening demeanor, there was the smallest glint of playfulness in her expression. She was enjoying this.

“You can, but you won’t. Nobody ever does--this isn’t some shit that you can just stow away forever,” Violet replied. “So, why take the risk? What would Goldenrod even do if we weren’t around to take out your trash?”

The bounty hunter smirked, fanning herself lightly with the bound cash as she turned on a heel, leaning back up against the crates. “You don’t seem very streetwise, so I’ll take it easy on you...” she offered teasingly. “If you cut me an offer, maybe you’ll get to walk out of here alive if I’m satisfied.”

Violet grinned dangerously, and smoke blew threateningly out the corner of Houndoom’s mouth. “And I’ve heard a lot of offers before,” the Nighthawk finished. “...so yours better be good.”

[hiredhuntress]

here to slay [zombie au!]

Word was spreading across the Kalos region like wildfire on a trail of gasoline: stay away from Geosenge. And, by Arceus’s will, don’t go near Lumiose.

The news stations in the affected areas struggled to get a cohesive grasp on the sudden uproar before they themselves were overrun. Reporters echoed panicked rhetoric concerning the discovery of toxic materials underneath Geosenge--home of the now-defunct Team Flare base--and its ghastly effects on Kalosians. Across the region, people in taverns and at work laughed at their televisions...until a full-fledged zombie assault was recorded on a leaked video. The feed was blurry, but one could make out an apparent victim tripping over the cobblestone streets before being caught by three ambling undead. Within moments, the group of groaning ghouls had increased their numbers to four.

The message was clear: don’t get caught, unless you want to end up like them.

Three months had passed without much resolution, except for a controversial government decision that quarantined Lumiose and Geosenge from the rest of the region, effectively trapping their populations inside infested walls. It was clear that the higher-up politicians were in over their heads on the matter and, while they argued over what to do, only one thing mattered to those still sealed within the forgotten gates: survival.

“Shit,” Violet Norgard cursed, ripping the hem of her purple coat from a grasping appendage. “Don’t try it.”

After torching the gasping zombie with her Houndoom, the former bounty hunter strode out of the moonlit alleyway, streetlamps flickering on and off along the thoroughfare. Lumiose had become a lawless place in the absence of authority, as everyone of importance was hiding away in strongholds--hypocrites, all of them. Poorer people--street rats, salarymen, and trapped tourists--were forced to mingle together to survive alongside an expanding zombie epidemic. 

Sudden barking roused Violet’s attention, followed quickly by the clapping of desperate feet against cobblestone. The Nighthawk turned towards the noise sharply, ducking into another alleyway as a thud was heard not too far away.

Without thinking too much, Violet charged forward--right into a pack of zombified Furfrou, their beauty undone by postmortem neglect. Houndoom was vicious--his bites showed no mercy and his flame lit up the small corridor. As the undead dogs reeled, Violet reached down and yanked the fallen bystander to their feet, already running for the open. She didn’t even have time to make out a face or figure...they were just going.

“Come on, move it!” Violet snarled, giving the stranger a tug on the wrist as Houndoom followed closely behind.  

[lisry]

The Princess and the Thug [Lillie ✿ Violet]

[hiredhuntress]

lisry:

At this point Lillie didn’t even want to respond when she was called Barbie for the hundredth time. She was forced to sit on the ground, she adjusted her legs and skirt, trying her best to get comfortable and not scratch her knees— too late for that. 

Lillie listened to Violet’s story with an open mind, in a way, she could relate to what she was saying. She attempted to respond to Violet’s words, on how she was wrong to assume those things about Lillie. She was hushed before she could even say ‘You’re wrong…’. 

Violet let out a sigh of relief when Lillie reluctantly took her hand, confident that her tough love had worked its magic on the touristy blonde. They were walking in--blessed--silence along the boulevards until the Nighthawk’s newest companion decided that she had something to say. You’re wrong...

Lillie’s wavering tone and petty (in Violet’s opinion) problems did little to sway the Gang Member’s mind about her, though she seemed to at least acknowledge her initial misgivings concerning the Alolan native. Perhaps her past wasn’t so rosy after all, but still...

I’m sure things would have been different for you if…

Violet stiffened up like a board, and Lillie wisely decided not to continue her dangerous train of thought. However, the damage had partially been done, and a new tension filled the night air as the Nighthawk let out a low growl, stopping in her tracks (and stopping Lillie as well).

“Y’know, as much as I enjoyed listening to your starry-eyed redemption story bullshit, don’t try and give me advice,” Violet warned. “My parents are gone. My friends are assholes. I don’t have a home. And I like it that way.”

The bounty hunter took a deep breath, and the tension around the pair dissipated. They were now in front of a brightly-lit alley bar, chatter and the clinking of glasses coming from inside.

“I’ll say this, though--I think you’re beautiful,” Violet teased cheekily, shooting Lillie a wink before dragging her into the Kalosian tavern. “Let’s get these cuffs off. Try not to say anything stupid, okay? I’m gonna introduce you.”

---

The two women entered into the bar, and even though she was cuffed to a stranger, Violet walked up to the sticky wooden counter with all the confidence in the world. The space was crawling with ruffians: in the corner, two Gang Members were throwing darts at each other. Street Thugs belched and ordered another round of shots. Everybody gave a wave or a nod to the Nighthawk as she chatted with a Delinquent.

“Who’s the pretty lady?” the criminal drawled, examining Lillie like a piece of fresh meat as she fumbled absentmindedly in her pockets.

“That’s Lillie, my new friend,” Violet announced with a hint of pride and a lot of mischief. “She’s a total badass, and she goes by Barbie. Barbie, meet The Delinquent. I slipped this lovely lady some cash, and she’s gonna let us use her master key.”

“Anything for you, Vi,” the Delinquent blushed, turning her gaze back to Lillie as she dropped the key in the bounty hunter’s hand. “So...what’s the most badass, hardest thing you’ve done? Seems like you could use a drink, along with your friend there. She’s famous around these parts, you know...”

[madingas]

pied piper.| Violet / au!

[hiredhuntress]

madingas:

Easily relaxing now that they were in a more private setting, Violet was quick to instruct the driver as to where he needed to take them. Lyra swiped away a few notifications before sending a quick message that she had landed safely with no issues. After being called a liar she smiled playfully towards her bodyguard. 

Small companies like mine don’t really care for expenses as long as I’m their star. My fame makes up for whatever is spent.

Lyra’s response to Violet’s little jab sounded straight out of a public-relations handbook: deferential, not too cocky or modest, and honest to a fault. The bodyguard knew the star a lot better than most, but Lyra had been slipping in between her media-groomed persona and her actual self for a while now. Violet wondered with detached curiosity if, one day, the main act would succumb to her stiff, pristine personality completely. She had seen many stars plummet towards the same fate, but Lyra’s personality was so wholesome already--her kindness and empathy were decidedly not fake, yet she knew how to conduct herself like an icon. How could her company get so lucky in locating her?

Violet made it her mission throughout her tenure as bodyguard to get under Lyra’s skin--surely there had to be an imperfection somewhere...a personality flaw, a well-concealed secret. The Nighthawk would find it, while having fun doing so.

“Would it really be okay to just enter through the front? What if I cause a scene?”     

Violet ruminated on Lyra’s fair point before smiling just a little bit. “Good thinking, superstar,” she murmured, giving Lyra’s arm a squeeze and directing the cabby wordlessly around towards the back of the building. The nondescript black car swerved innocently past throngs of eager bystanders, and Violet pulled the window shades down to avoid a chance glance into the vehicle. She normally would have teased Lyra a little more about her deflection, but the bodyguard was not in the mood for a repeat of the airport chaos.

The car swerved into a deserted alleyway adjacent to the luxurious building, and Violet hopped out quickly, leaving the door open behind her for Lyra to follow. “Hurry up, princess--move it!” she hissed, holding out her hand and darting towards the outdoor staircase door. Her eyes occasionally flicking down the lane for signs of people, Violet jimmied a bent strip of metal into the locked door with her free hand. After a few minutes of hushed cursing and angry stomping, the door swung open--thankfully, their lavish suite was only one floor up. The passageway was mercifully clear, and Violet picked up their card key, making haste to their room on the second floor. With a quick flick of her entrance pass, the wooden door swung open--to beautiful bay windows, ornate couches, and a cathedral ceiling. Despite the amenities, Violet let out a displeased groan and slapped a palm to her face. 

“Superstar...” she growled dangerously, squeezing Lyra’s hand tightly. “...there’s only one bed in this room. Just like last time, and the time before that. There’s two of us, remember?”