Canon is bravely default!

[swordmagic]

...You're tiring of playing with jumped up children and decided to give me a try, is that it?

Know this. I come with a price, and your purse is too light.

I'll impart something to you for free, however. Drop every semblance I'm saying this because I like you. I don't. That one that puts up with you is right. You see a sad story, and you're taken.

Mine will not be repeated. We have no contract.

Comments

omg khint

[got_the_d]

I fear you'll have no choice but to stay, so why not enjoy it the best you can?

[But the mystery of the universe is this; can khint have fun? Scientists still can't come to a conclusion.]

[swordmagic]

[There's only the slightest narrowing of the eyes, then his expression returns neutral.]

As I said, we've no contract.

[No fun at all. Nnnnnnope.]

[got_the_d]

I'm afraid something so minor won't interfere with your being here.

[swordmagic]

[But retreating is what he does best.]

For now, you are correct. A few weeks, months of refusal, and she'll move onto someone else. Nothing is in this for me, so I'm out.

[restlesswings]

A price?

[swordmagic]

A price.

pg mainly, though I'm not above taking gold or silver for services rendered.

[But a big conversion surcharge for that sort of thing, of course!]

If you want anyone dead, I'll deliver. But it won't be cheap.

[restlesswings]

Oh, so is that the curren— [Well, that came out of nowhere! Kino goes quiet, blinking, before carrying in calmly.]

... no, that won't be necessary. [Kino draws back the coat to reveal the two gun holsters around her hips.] If it comes to that, I can take care of myself.

[swordmagic]

[Khint has no idea what those things exactly are. But he knows enough- that they're weapons. What he does know though, is that this person is little more than a child.]

... You're very young.

[restlesswings]

Am I?

I started training when I was twelve.

[swordmagic]

You are.

Twelve is no age to have to protect yourself. Where are your parents?

[restlesswings]

[Kino smiles grimly.]

Dead, I presume. My country no longer exists.

... but, they were the reason I escaped it, so I suppose I should thank my father for trying to take a stab at me with a butcher's knife while mother watched, not lifting a finger to stop him. It was all the confirmation I needed not to end up like them.

[swordmagic]

[Khint's expression merely remains neutral. ...Another sad story, though this one appears to have some way of looking after herself, unlike those he's taken on from his world.]

...Hmph. And being a killer is better?
Take my advice, child. Don't waste your youth pretending to be an adult. It sounds tattered enough already.

[restlesswings]

You make a lot of presumptions. One of the most important lessons I've learned on my journey... is that you should never pass judgement based on first impressions.

[She quietly adjusted her sleeves, before looking Khint in the eye.] In my land, everyone under the age of twelve is a child. Everyone older is an adult. I don't fit either of their standards.

[swordmagic]

[Deadpan.]

And what is not a presumption, by any world's standards, is you've barely begun to experience life and those with the need to carry around weapons tend to die early. No-one is above that. No matter how skilled you are - there's always someone better out there.

When it comes to it, and you're left alone, bleeding out, knowing there's no way out of this - hope there's a next time. And hope you make the correct choice then.

[restlesswings]

... I know.

My choice then will be the same one when I made when I decided to go on a journey, the same choice I'm making today. No brush with death has ever made me regret my decision. I am a traveller and I will not end my journey. I have a right to protect myself.

[swordmagic]

If that is your decision then I wish you luck, girl.

[restlesswings]

... I appreciate it, I really do. [She smiles gratefully.] But please don't call me "girl," it's Kino. Who are you?

When did you start in your craft? I'd like to learn a little bit more about you, if that's alright.

(ahahaha)

[swordmagic]

It's best you not concern yourself with the affairs of others.

[...There's a slight look of distaste at that. Normally, he'd outright refuse. But this Kino isn't anything to do with his world. And, according to his logic, her numbers already been called. She'll be dead soon, anyway... and he can omit things. Of course he can.

...So.]

My name is Ciggma Khint. I'm a travelling sellsword. If the job's messy or goes against my conscience, I charge triple. I started to train twenty years ago. That's all there is to know.

[restlesswings]

[So he was like her Master in her younger days... but Kino promised not tot ell anyone about her.]

It's nice to meet you, Ciggma.

Isn't it a burden, to maintain a conscience, in your field?

[swordmagic]

You as well, Kino.

No. If they can pay the rates for me shoving it to the side, I'll give them their money's worth. The second it's gone, I offer to extend their contract. If they can't pay, then their problems are their own from that instant on.

[Even if said problem is someone with a sword pointed at them.]