A figure stares at the posters on the corner of the wall, the wanted poster torn halfway and a BEWARE poster placed halfway on top of it. The figures on the posters are similar, but one takes the form of a Sphinx, and the other a Jester.
"I hope you're not thinkin' 'bout tryin for that bounty, Son." The gruff, scratchy voice of a soldier in simple armor wavered through the air, as the owner of said voice approached.
"I'd be crazy to try." Came the reply, his voice much softer and younger. "I've seen it, I'd stand no chance."
"An eyewitness, 'ey? Do visit the Guild if ye've got some info on him." His gaze shifted, a softness replacing the caution his eyes held before. It was something the other only noticed when the expression shifted, this man was an expert at subtlety it seemed.
"Don't expect even my information to be of any help to the Guild members. There's no chance in hell the whole guild at once could take it down."
The other man scoffed, eyes widening in an offended way. "That's a bold claim, young man." His voice was somehow even more gravelly and deep, sending a temporary chill down the younger's spine.
He met the gaze of the older man, ears flattened against his head. "You won't catch it. Not unless it wants you to." He keeps his voice calm and smooth, not betraying a hint of the fear he felt for this soldier.
The older man studied him for a long moment, before groaning under his breath, and shaking his head. "Just detail your encounter with him. No funny business, sir."
"I'll be sure to make a stop at the guild." He looks away, back to the posters.
"One more thing."
"That is?"
"What's your name, lad?"
Hesitation. Then, resolution. "Hill. My name is Hill."
"Short n' simple. Well, Hill, I'll be seeing you 'round, aight? Keep yourself out of trouble, lad." The faint clink clank of his armor was most of what Hill heard as the Soldier passed him, and wandered away.
Hill stole a glance at him just as he walked out of sight, mulling over the conversation in his head. He wrinkled his nose, smoothing his fur down in vain. Whatever. Whatever! Sighing, he meandered in the way the soldier came from, aiming for the Guild building.
The interaction was..... awkward, at best. He got across what he saw, picked up the package he ordered---and then left as fast as possible.
Checking into the nearest hotel, he unfolded the clothes he'd ordered, inspecting them. Good leather, tough fabric, sewn well... Good, good. He tucked everything neatly into a shoulder bag next to his bed, and flopped over backwards.
Before he allowed himself some rest, he double-checked everything. His belongings, the lock on the door, the noise from the hallway, and finally, looking out the window briefly.
His heart almost stopped in his chest, and his breath hitched---seeing the soldier from before on the street below, talking oh so casually with the worst possible person that could ever be standing next to him---A bounty hunter from the capsaicin district. Hill closed the curtains halfway, just peeking out from behind them.
He shook in his boots, heart pounding loudly in his chest. They were approaching the hotel, closer and closer to the entrance---and then they stop. The soldier points to the hanging sign swaying lightly in the breeze. And then they enter.
Hill closes the curtains, quietly shoves his boots back on his feet, and turns the light off. He can faintly hear their muffled voices through the floor. He steadies his breathing, tucks the bed, slings his bag over his shoulder, and carefully opens the window, listening as they ascend the stairs to the second floor.
He waits. Do they know he's here? Are they going to enter the room? Keeping his breathing smooth, he listens. The conversation between the soldier, the inkeeper, and the bounty hunter was definitely about him.
"This is his room." The Innkeeper stated, just outside the door. "What's he done?"
"He's simply a runaway. The Mistress is worried for his safety and well-being." The bounty hunter responded quietly as if he were trying to keep Hill himself from hearing. He then knocked on the door. "Hill?"
He made no sound.
"It sounds like he's asleep." The soldier added.
"He may just be unwilling to answer. " The innkeeper says, unlocking the door with a click.
Hill jumped, as he heard the door creak open.
"HEY---!" The bounty hunter yelled, rushing forward to close the distance. He grabbed at air, however, as Hill fell too fast. In a fraction of a moment, Hill whipped out a pen---clicking it. There was a brief flash of color.
"GODS DAMN IT!!!!" The bounty hunter bellowed, digging his claws into the windowframe.
He was gone.
