Interlude II - Break From the Work Scene
[Location: Unknown Town - Unknown Pub] [PoV: Valence]
“Wait, so we’re not taking another job?” I ask Rodrigo, who is sitting beside me.
“I’d say not.” He chuckles, taking a bite of melted cheese bread. The strands of cheddar and mozzarella drip from the bread, catching on the fur under his chin. “We’ve made more than enough from the past four bounties, it’s about time we stop our hunting and take a little R & R.”
Upon hearing this I feel my mouth wide into a full-blown grin. “Hell yeah!” I laugh. “’Bout time I say, I was starting to forget what relaxing feels like.”
Normally I wouldn’t swear when Artemisia is around, but thankfully she and the others are currently away, doing their own thing in the town we’re in.
Heh, so far I’m still managing to do a good job avoiding her..
I lean on my hand, pulling out another peppermint stick and sucking on its end. “Any places in mind?”
Rodrigo shrugs. “None as of currently. However first it would be best to discuss with the others, in case they wish to return back to their homes or families.”
Oh yeah, that’s a thing.
Once the candy I’ve been sucking on softens enough I take a bite, the sweet pepperminty taste filling my mouth as I crunch on it. “I hope we don’t go to any cities.” I say, still chewing. “Hanara City was enough to last me for more than a life-time.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” He says while rolling his eye, finishing his bread.
I cross my arms, the peppermint stick poking out of my lips. “Yeah, to you at least. You know I don’t like the city life.” Thinking of all the loud noises makes me cringe slightly. “It’s just way too overwhelming, I prefer when things are quieter, like a candy store during the slow hours.”
“I’m not surprised to hear you use that analogy.” Rodrigo chuckles. “But I’ll keep that in mind when I speak with the others on the matter, but they have their own opinions on the matter as well.”
“Except for Vedika.” I mutter under my breath, too low for Rodrigo to hear. “Her opinions are either fucked up or she doesn’t give a fuck to begin with.”
“What was that?” He asks, giving me an incredulous look.
“Nothing.” I say nonchalantly, leaning back in my chair.
“Right...” He says slowly, not believing me. However he doesn’t push the matter, instead focusing on digging into another slice of cheese bread.
Since our conversation is kinda over I let my gaze drift lazily around the pub. The place itself isn’t very crowded at the moment, mostly since it’s currently after lunch-hours.
Besides me and Rodrigo there aren’t really any interesting characters, just a few Pokemon wearing various kinda of clothing and conversing with one another. One particular table catches my eye though, specifically the person sitting there.
It’s kinda hard to see all of the details from where I’m sitting, but the guy is wearing...quite a lot of clothes actually. Almost as much as me even, if not more so.
He seems to be wearing some kind of hooded cape? The cape itself isn’t quite interesting, but the hood has some rather interesting red markings on there. The outfit underneath that looks like it’s made of leather or brown cloth, which covers his entire body. I can see a blue reptilian tail poking out from his cape as well as a yellow horn from his hood, which is making it even more difficult to tell his species.
Regardless, something about him just screams ‘bounty hunter’, or at least one of the more self-absorbed kind.
You know what? I’m gonna check him out.
“I’ll be right back.” I tell Rodrigo, getting up from my chair. Without waiting for the Chesnaught’s response I make my way over to the guy I was eyeing.
“Hey.” I say, getting the guy’s attention.
He turns to gaze at me, which gives me a good look of his face. To my surprise he’s actually a Scrafty with some strong Samurott genes, seeing his blue lizard-like face combined with the horn. He looks at me with narrowed eyes, looking at me with suspicion.
“Can I help ya?” He asks in a somewhat disgruntled voice, his accent being something I can’t quite place. It’s sound a little like that Magmar farmer’s, but a bit more...’distinct’.
Without even asking his permission I pull up a chair and sit down at his table. He grimaces at this, his irritation growing more apparent.
Course I don’t intend to fully irritate the guy, since I’m above that sort of stuff. Well, mostly. However that wasn’t the main reason as to why I’m here to begin with.
“You a bounty hunter?” I ask him out of the blue, making him stop.
“...Yeah?” He says uncertainly, eyeing me skeptically. “How’d ya know?”
I lean back in my chair and grin, taking another bite out of my peppermint stick. “Think of it as a bounty hunter’s intuition, I saw you and immediately noticed the signs.”
This makes him lean back slightly. “So ya’re a bounty hunter too, eh?”
I nod my head. “Yup, what I said.” I take the last bite out of my peppermint stick, finishing it off. “Not gonna lie? You seemed kinda familiar, or at least you have a sort of appearance that’s recognizable.” I extend one of my hands towards him. “The name’s Valence by the way.”
Upon hearing me say that he seems kinda familiar he quickly grins. “Heh, I guess mah reputation does get quite around.” He accepts my offer and gives my extended hand a firm shake. “The name’s Shadowjack, now does it become clear?”
I feel myself stop when the name hits my ears.
“Shadowjack?” I repeat.
“Yeah.” He nods, grinning with satisfaction. “One of the best bounty hunters ‘round these parts. Now you know why ah seem familiar, eh?”
My expression grows flat. “Never heard of you.”
This makes him snap out of whatever prideful feeling he was in. “Wha-?”
I nod my head. “Yup, never heard of you at all.” I tilt my head slightly, cocking an eyebrow. “And what kind of name is Shadowjack? That can’t be your real name.”
At this his eyes narrow again. “It’s my name, that’s why I gave it ta’ ya.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s not your name, c’mon man. I know everyone is all about those nicknames to make themselves cooler, but it’s kinda ridiculous though.”
A low growl escapes from him. “My name is Shadowjack, whatever thought ya thinkin’ of won’t change a thing.”
“Yeah and my name is Twilight Sparkle.” I comment snidely. “But fine, I’ll call you Shadowjack if it’ll make you feel better.”
His gloved hands clench into fists. “If tha’ only reason for ya comin’ here is ta’ make fun of my name, then I’ll kindly ask ya ta’ leave.”
Huh, even though it wasn’t intentionally I guess I really did intend to fully irritate the guy. Kinda funny how things change on the fly.
But then again I can’t really blame myself, since...well...
...who the hell names themselves Shadowjack?
Like c’mon, that can’t be his real name. If it is then I feel very bad for him, since parents like that really shouldn’t be having children. I mean seriously, that sort of stuff is just asking for your kid to get beaten up.
Another growl fills the air, snapping me out of my thoughts. However this time it isn’t from the Scrafty guy, but instead from my stomach.
Damn, guess peppermint sticks don’t really fill you up after all.
“Hey waiter!” I shout, getting the attention of one of said people. “I’d like an order of that cheese bread platter!”
A second growl fills the air, but THIS time coming from the Scrafty again. “Why...are ya still here...?” He hisses.
I glance over at him, noticing his narrowed eyes and that his hands are right next to his Seamitars.
You know what? The guy looks like he needs some food. You tend to be a bit grabby with your weapons if you’re hungry.
I know this from experience.
“Actually, make that two platters.” I correct myself, in which the waiter nods uncertainly.
What? I’m a generous guy when I want to be, the guy looks like he needs something in his stomach to get over the fact that his parents named him Shadowjack.
And let me tell you, nothing is better than filling your stomach with delicious cheese bread. Rodrigo definitely had the right idea.
“You can thank me later.” I say to the Scrafty, grinning.
He grits his teeth in response.