Path of the Hunters - NSFW

Nova just smiled back. "It's a good thing we don't have to go far to turn this guy in. Don't wan't him getting any death wishes."

"Oui. So what would you like to do... after?"

"Well, maybe you could help me work out this kink in my shoulder. One of the punks in bar got lucky, and I think that threw off my slash. That might be why he got so far.

"Then, how about that date? I know of this nice spot that serves some great wine, Chardonnay being one of their best. We can exchange stories there."

"All right. That sounds very nice."

He then chuckled. "Speaking of story swapping, I wonder what story Cross'll have when we meet up... whenever."

She lifted a brow. "'Oo is 'e? You 'ave mentioned 'im a few times."

"Cross is the gray echidna you saw before me, back in the park. A mercenary, like me, but not a bounty hunter. We've worked together on a hundred-plus missions in the decade or so we've known each other.

"Also, he's a tech prodigy, to the point where he makes his own weapons. As far as that goes, though, he's severely secretive. The secrets of his works will go to the grave with him.

"He's kind, can be pretty friendly once you get to know him, but has a kinda low self-esteem. But justice, honor, loyalty-he holds these things pretty high up there. You'd never think a guy like him would have such an ugly side."

She lifted a brow. "Mm... An ugly side? Qu'est-ce que c'est?"

Nova's face contorted. He did not mean to mention that... Too late, now. "...Well, you see, when he gets into intense bouts of anger, his personality changes. You can tell because his eyes, normally violet, turn to a fierce green, very unnatural, almost as if they're sparking with electricity. Speaking of which, Cross is able to command electricity, kinda like that video game, Imfamous, or something.

"Anyway, he becomes aggressive, combative, arrogant, vulgur-a bad-boy complex doesn't do it justice. Add Cross's lightning powers, and you can imagine how volatile he becomes. And the bloodlust..." Nova visibly shuddered. "You couldn't say a thing bad about him, to him. He'd have you gutted before you realized he moved. I remember making that mistake. I survived, obviously, but it threw me into a month-long coma."

"Mon dieu," she murmured. "That sounds... mal. And normally 'e is not so bad... It must make 'is... transformations even more sinister. Intéressant."

[Sorry about leaving with no warning x.x My roomies yanked me out of the room]

"And get this: the lightning powers, the split personality-he wasn't born with them." He then shook his head. "But, I've said enough. If you want the full story, you'll have to go to him. Just make sure you get comfortable, because it's a long one."

[It's okay. They seemed to have done that quite a bit yesterday]

[Yeah, but I don't mind so much. I like my roomies XD]

"I'll be sure to." She smiled. "For now, though, I am much more interested in yours."

"Well, mine time is yours today." They finally stopped outside a building with several posters around its double door entrrance. "This is the place."

"Parfait." She walked in, smiling.

Nova pulled one of the posters from the wall before following inside.

A receptionist-a young-looking dalmation-sat at the front desk, filing some paperwork. "So," he said, not even looking up at them. "What local reject did you bring with you today?"

He jolted up as the body thudded onto the desk. He then looked fully at the two. "Only the scum of the universe," Nova said, flashing the wanted poster of Smear.

The receptionist's eyes widened as he looked between the picture and the body... a perfect match. "Ch-Chief!" he called toward one of the side rooms. "You better take a look at this!"

The chief walked in, a large raccoon. "Yes? What is..." He looked from the weasel to the poster, then to the wolf. "Well, how about that! It's about time some... someone..." At the sight of Aurélie, he froze. "Madame La-"

"It is Aurélie, monsieur. Nothing more. Now on to the payment for capture?"

"Ah... Well... Of-of course."

Nova raised an eyebrow, looking between the two. Madame La-what? ...Later. "Now, I believe the price is ten million, right?"

"Eleven," he corrected. "Went up this morning." He kept shooting glances at the dog, a sheen of terror in his eyes. "U-unless you're wanting twelve."

"Eleven is fine," she cooed.

Nodding, he began to flee the room. "I'll b-be right back."

Now Nova was even more skeptical. "Funny, considering I checked the prices this afternoon, just before I went to the park."

"W-Well," The receptionist began, a nervous glance at the dog every second or so. "It all depends on where you check. Th-The charts might not have been, uh, updated yet."

Nova knew that wasn't the case, but shrugged it off. "Fair enough."

Aurélie leaned over the desk, smiling at the receptionist. "And why aren't you out there battling?" She slicked a finger down his chest as she spoke. "Bringing down criminals...? Mm?"

The receptionist was breathless, his blush, obvious. "W-W-Well, Madame La- M-Miss Aurélie, there's a lot m-m-more to the j-job than f-f-f-fighting... S-Someone's gotta do the p-p-paperwork ar-round here... Besides... that's w-what bounty hunters... are for..."

Nova snickered silently. Poor kid.

The chief came back in and Aurélie straightened. "Bonjour, Chief."

He handed over a check, fingers trembling. She glanced at the scrawled twelve-million, lips twitching. She kissed her finger, tapped it the raccoon's lips. "Merci," she cooed and the check was whisked away. Hips swishing, she sauntered from the building but, at the door, turned and blew a kiss to the receptionist before fully making her exit.

The chief turned to Nova, a bit more relaxed now that the dog was gone. "You're working for her?"

The receptionist fell out or his chair in a faint, blush still apparent.

Nova shrugged. "Not exactly. More like working with her. We sorta just bumped into each other, and I rolled with it." With that, he made his way for the door. "I don't really see nothin' wrong with her."

"You will!" the chief called out as Nova exited.

Aurélie smiled at the wolf. "'E wrote it for twelve, so now we get six each."