Mockingbird (Open)

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Of course Ulysses was wary of her, just like he was wary of most ragdolls. When she grasped his hand, he shook it deliberately, before separating again. When she asked the question, he shook his head. He got the pen, and, filling it with ink again, wrote.

Just passing through. He stopped for a moment, deciding whether or not he should write that he was looking for work. In the end, he decided against it, and simply put the pen down. He watched the other ragdoll. Florin she called herself. Interesting name. He mentally shrugged; it wasn't anyone's concern what they were doing there, either way.

[Florin]

"I see..." She feel silent as her gaze ran over his body, briefly examining him. Fortune had been smiling on her, lately. He seemed like just the type she needed.

A soft smile spread across her lips as she turned her gaze back up to look him in the optics. "Forgive me for saying so my dear, but you look as though you've seen your fair share of action... what is it that you do, if I may ask?"

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Ulysses' eyes narrowed imperceptibly. It was probably his paranoia, but for a split second, he could've sworn he'd seen something in Florin. Something. . .calculating. That put him on edge again, albeit only slightly. After all, she was being polite. Small talk was important to some.

Then came her comment. Fair bit of action? That was an understatement. Ever since he'd awoken, all he'd done was survive, fight, guard, or procure things for other stitches. In the case of procurement, it was usually something in a more remote location, and he only ever took those jobs if he was desperate. With his reputation, he wasn't too desperate. He knew where this was heading.

"What is it that you do, if I may ask?"

He'd be keeping an eye on this one. Nevertheless, the question was probably an innocent one. He answered cautiously, but honestly.

This and that. Usually guarding and escorting, rarely deliveries and settling debts. Independent contracting, sort of.

[Florin]

"Really now?" Her mood immediately seemed to brighten. The fur around her neck seemed to puff up slightly. Her gaze narrowed a bit and turned to the side, as if she was pondering something.

It seemed worth the gamble. If he said no, then so be it. Not like he could run off and tell anyone, after all. Well, he could write, but that was different. Besides, he didn't look the type to have superiors to tattle to. He was already in Savior territory anyway. It would be a simple job for him.

Her last mercenary failed. Perhaps this one would be better.

Worth a try, at least.

She looked back up at him, her expression slightly narrowed into a sly, almost flirtatious smirk. "If you've nothing to do at the moment, my dear... I just may have something you might be interested in." She said, her voice low and softened, as if her words were meant only for him to hear.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

He'd been right. Score another one for his paranoia. His eyes narrowed again, and his hands tensed on the pen. The change in her posture and expression was easy to read, and now her flirtatious tone and smirk clearly meant one thing: trouble for him. Still, as a professional, he would hear her out. It was the polite thing to do. And he was free. If he didn't like it, he'd turn her down. That was the nice part; he could chose his jobs.

I'm listening, was the written reply.

[Florin]

She bent down to grab the edge of his paper, picking it up. She waved her free hand, gesturing for him to follow her. "Come with me." She turned and began to walk further into the library, dragging the paper behind her. Just in case he wasn't the only other doll currently in the area. Couldn't be too careful, after all.

Eventually, she stopped in a corner, deep enough that her voice would no longer echo through the building. She dropped the paper on the ground in front of him, then turned to face the corner, her arms once again folding across her chest before she began to speak again. "I've something I've been meaning to take care of... a debt to settle, of sorts." Still her voice was soft, the corner helping to muffle it further, though it was still loud enough for Ulysses to hear clearly.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Ulysses followed, taking the pen with him. Of course she lead him somewhere more secluded. she needn't have bothered; he'd scanned the place, and it was empty, for now. Not that he'd be able to communicate anything like that anyways. When she finally stopped, he stepped back, and gave her room.

A "debt to settle." Of course. He narrowed his eyes; she clearly mistook him for an average, run-of-the-mill mercenary. He was sorely tempted to simply wave her off, turn and leave. But his dedication to his trade won out, and he motioned for her to continue, though he had already decided his answer.

No.

[Florin]

Seeing his motion, Florin continued, thankful he hadn't simply turned and left, though the look in his eyes did not go unnoticed. He already knew exactly what she wanted, she could tell, and he was uncomfortable with it. She was tempted to just drop the subject upon seeing so, but she decided against it. Already got this far; might as well finish what she started.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking again, trying to think of the right words to say.

"I'll be blunt... Have you ever killed someone, my dear?"

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Bingo. Ulysses' eyes were slits; hostile, venomous. He knew it. The paranoia had saved him again. He knew her type; couldn't get their hands dirty, didn't know how, wouldn't learn. The Rogues only rarely asked him about assassinations, and they'd stopped but for a very, very rare contract now and then.

Racketeer. That was the only faction he knew of that would ask that kind of thing. He hated working for them. In fact, he'd more than once contemplated never returning to their clock tower. Still, such an act would stain his reputation, particularly for the fairness and variety he was known for.

He nodded yes. He'd killed many, many times before. Before this ragdoll existed, after; it didn't matter. He'd killed. And it was because he'd killed that he knew the answer; no contract was worth the moral quandries, the implied cruelty.

[Florin]

She noted the nod, but the look in his eyes caught her attention more. Touchy thing, wasn't he? Obviously not as casual about the subject as she would have liked. She turned to look over her shoulder at him, into his optics, hoping she would see eagerness or hunger. She found quite the opposite; disdain, anger, hatred.

This was getting a bit too risky... but her desire to have her job completed outweighed her caution. Perhaps she could change his mind.

"I can see you know what I want too ask. Do you have any thoughts, darling?"

[Ulysses-Σ47]

"I can see you know what I want too ask. Do you have any thoughts, darling?"

Yeah, Ulysses had plenty. Several were about where she could find someone with low enough standards to help her. Maybe the emptiness. Hell, maybe she could try and do it herself, see how fun it was. He nodded, then quickly scribbled out a message.

Not interested in assassination work. Not for you, not for the Rogues, not for anyone. I can procure items, but that's pushing it.

[Florin]

Florin read his note, then sighed softly. She seemed rather disappointed. "Are you sure? I promise you, I can more than make it worth your while. It'd be a simple job. In and out, just a few minutes..."

She spoke with a tone as soft and smooth as silk, her chest and shoulders tensing to make the soft, white fur that adorned them fluff up and frame her face. She moved her hips slightly, just enough so they were angled to highlight the curves of her body, which appeared more human than stitchpunk. Whoever had designed her clearly meant for her appearance to mimic that of a human woman.

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Ulysses didn't care what she was offering. His standards were absolute, as unshakable as he was. He shook his head adamantly.

Not an assassin anymore. You want them dead, you look them in the eye as they die. His words were blunt, to the point. She thought she could shake him? She obviously didn't know him, or the work he'd done. But, as much as he wanted to, he wouldn't write her off completely. He signed another line.

Try me when you have legitimate business. Not before.

[Florin]

She quickly dropped the seductive attempt. Her arms folded across her chest, and her optics narrowed. "Very well then. Should you change your mind, I'm sure you've already figured out where you can find me." She smirked at him. Florin wasn't ashamed of what she was. She was quite fond of her faction, actually. They had power, wealth, grace, anything one could want. A few injuries or deaths occuring now and then when someone stood in the way... it was just part of life. Survival of the fittest.

"However, I highly recommend you don't let anyone onto our little discussion. That might cause a few... problems, you see."

[Ulysses-Σ47]

Ulysses glared at her, but he nodded. He wouldn't be seeking her out, though. Unless she were an assassination target herself. Then. . . he thought about, but discarded the idea. As dangerous as she was, she'd undoubtedly lead herself to her own fall. He'd seen it before. That thought alone gave him adequate comfort for now.


"However, I highly recommend you don't let anyone onto our little discussion. That might cause a few... problems, you see."

He blinked, before stepping forward, almost threateningly. A quick stroke, and then he pushed the message towards her, dropping the pen, and turning to leave.

Only for you and your little "family," Miss Florin.