Vincent
*'It's been so long since I've wandered these streets. I see they are as lively as ever'*

These thoughts would cross Sutekina's mind as she made her way down the every busy streets of New Salvainia. The last time she had been here was when she was out retrieving supplies for 'her'. Months have passed since then, and 'she' had still not returned. For the first few months she had loyally stayed idle at their home awaiting for her eventual return, but alas it never did.

*'I wonder what would she think about me doing all this... I could only assume disappointed'* 

Sutekina would shake her head to rid her mind of the sad image. The pain still lingers in her heart, but she wasn't going to let her freedom go to waste. She had believed herself to be a princess needing a prince to come rescue her, but she had since then learned that the only way to move forward isn't to wait for your prince but to find them yourself. And that's is what she had set herself out to do today. 

That said, instead of a prince, she was in search of a reliable right hand man. She had taken actions to expand the business, but she realized with her current underlings she would quickly reach the limit of her potential. She did not fault them, as they reliably carried out their duties, but she needed someone more capable, someone who could think on their own to expand her influence. After sending her men to do some scouting, a particular name came into her ears.

*'They said he usually hangs around here...'*

He was a thief clearly affiliated with the underworld of this empire, and someone who would prove to be a valuable asset. However, it would likely prove dangerous and risky to simply force him to join. That is why she had travelled all this way to meet him herself. With her impressive sense of smell, she would quickly turn toward a seemingly empty corner while motioning for her men to stay back before yelling out in a cutesy voice

"No need to hide Horace, I'm here to make a deal!"
Daryl
*Horace would be sitting in what seemed to be a larger back alley, alone. His items lazily spread about the dirty floor without a care in the world. A rapier and set of butterfly swords laid against a grime filled wall, cleaner than anything else there really. As well as a smaller bag that held a red cross on its front, containing medicine and such. It seemed to of been opened recently, as the items within were half used. There were few other items there, as Horace didn't need much. Strewn about the place, yet all still in reach in case of emergency. Though what emergency called for something like a lock pick set or random knickknacks? The elf did not know, nor did he care.*
'Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them...'

*A mentality carved into him by his ever cautious father, who managed to be bold but carful at the same time... Horace sighed at the though of his old home while he rested in the alley. The thief needed a bit of a mental break from all that had happened recently. He'd been stabbed, betrayed, and ended up betraying someone else all in a matter of weeks. Though things like this are supposedly expected in the underworld... The elf would rest a hand over his stomach, clenching his bandaged wound as he stared up into the sky. He believed to be alone, outside of his pet, but that was not so. A white haired Kitsune seemed to be around, looking for 'someone'... Horace wouldn't notice them himself as he rested from his mental and physical wounds... Though he soon does, as a girl calls out to him. Immediately, his reactions seem to kick off as his eyes fly open and his body tenses. He reaches for his crossbow, loading it in a matter of seconds and pointing it at Sutekina instinctively. One hand holding the crossbow, the other reaches down and grabs a hold of a white mask. Said mask soon covers his face as he shouts out to the stranger threateningly.*
"Who are you and how do you now my name!?"
Anthony
Sutekina would feel the color drain from her face as she saw a male elf pull out a crossbow and point it at her. This wasn't unexpected, but she had never had a weapon pointed at her before, so she was naturally scared. 

*'Be clam, remember what father taught you*'

She would take a deep breath and quickly put on a mask of her own, a mental mask, her business mask. She would stare coldly at Horace and smirk

"You should be flattered, your reputation precedes you. As for who I am, you may call me Sutekina. Don Sutekina. Now put the weapon down, I came to make a deal, not to finish up someone's unfinished work" She would say while eyeing Horace's stomach before sizing him in general. 

The man looked worse for wear, but Sutekina decided to take it as a testament for his durability. And his quick reflexes with pulling out the crossbow was impressive to say the least. So far she was liking what she was seeing.
Daryl
*Horace would stare at the woman with harsh eyes and slight intent to kill. He was somewhat like an injured stray cat, defensive and willing to do whatever was necessary. The elf would look on with caution and suspicion, slowing, yet noticeably weakly rising to his feet. After, he takes a moment, looking the girl up and down, he'd pause.*
'No weapons...? Maybe she's... Wait, no, its gotta be a trick or something...'

*Horace reaffirms his defensive attitude in his head, his weapon still and aimed at her chest. Should he chose, he'd fire and run before the arrow even hits her. Though... With this injury, he wouldn't get far... Assuming someone follows, he'd be caught within the hour. He certainly wouldn't go down without a fight though... The elf would pause as Sutekina begins to speak once more. Her tone was... Less playful and cute than before now. As if she went from a child to a professional politician at the snap of a finger... Even her look changed, her cold eyes piercing Horace like she'd done this thousands of times before... Truly strange. The elf definitely needed to be on guard for this one...*

"Flattered? I wouldn't be so sure about something like that... Im a little concerned if anything... Sutekina...? Your name sounds familiar... You're that new gang boss i've been hearing about, aren't ya'? The one who only robs bakeries and sugar storages... I've been meaning to talk to you bastards ever since you started showing up y'know." 
*He paused as Sutekina stated her business. A deal...? He'd have to hear her out, but there wasn't much someone could promise him in this world that he couldn't already get his hands on. Though, it was probably a better idea not to hold a crossbow to a mob boss. With that in mind, the elf lowers his weapon, but refuses to sheath it for the time being.*
"... But, i guess business is business... Go on."
Anthony
"Well this certainly makes things easier" *She would muse and take a single step closer toward Horace after he puts down the crossbow. She didn't want to invade his space to suddenly and alarm him, rather it was to asert a sense of dominance just like her father had taught her. She had to show she wasn't afraid.*

"As you said, I'm the gang boss you've heard of. However, the business has encountered some resistance lately. Made me realize the family needs to expand its branches to overcome these hard times. I need a man who knows the way of the streets, a man who isn't afraid to get his hand dirty, a man who knows how to stand his ground and pull the trigger. Sound like someone you know?" *She would say with a sweet smile as she pulled out a lollipop from her pocket and plops it into her mouth. She would suck on it for a bit to give Horace some time to think as well as give the impression that she in control of the situation*

*She also wanted to gauge his response to gain some insight to his character. Would he immediately ask for payment? When he try to pry her for more information? Or would he resort back to violence? His response would determine his compatibility with her future plans.*
Daryl
*The elf almost immediately tenses up again as the Don takes a step forward. His grip on the crossbow increasing significantly, though it does not rise. What was he to do now...? Taking a step forward meant challenging her, something Horace didn't want in his current state... Taking a step back meant submitting to her and he wasn't about to let this woman dominate him either... The only thing he could do was remain where he was. Though he'd do a little more than that, straitening his posture and eliminating any appearance of weakness. Acting like he was better than ever, no matter how much stress or pain that put on him. Doing so also revealed his true height, about 6'2" Or so tall. He seemed to tower of the the smaller Oriate, his true figure blurred by his dark cloak. Though, doing this also reveals a red stain on his shirt. Whether the blood was new, old, his, or someone else was impossible to tell from the distance. Though that was better for Horace personally... He preferred to keep things up in the air and information away from the opposition... Though maybe Sutekina wasn't his opponent... Her words seemed understandable, but there had to be a catch somewhere...*
"Hm... I see. You need me for what i can offer, but what can you offer? I'd also like to know what the restrictions are? The only thing i hate more than authority is the rules they carry out... Freedom is my first condition here."
Anthony
*As the man displayed his full height, Sutekina would feel her body tense up. It would not be an exaggeration to say the current situation resembled a cat standing up to an awakening lion. That said she would dig her feet and stand her ground. The difference in height was to be expected. He was a male elf and she was a female oriate, and it was now clear that he had no intention in causing violence. There was nothing to be afraid of*

*She would shift to lollipop from the left side to the right as she pulled another one from her pocket and hold it out infront of her*

"I think we can both benefit each other. Being part of an organization will limit your freedom a bit as the name implies. Freedom and organization can't fully co-exist, but they can tolerate each other for mutual benefits. Living a life without worry for food, much more being able to enjoy delicious sweets is one of the benefits my organization can offer."

*She would then snap her fingers, signaling for her henchmen to walk into the alleyway. The situation seemed calm enough now for Horace not to be overly alarmed by their sudden appearance*

"I'm sure you've also heard of safety in numbers? With fellow individuals by your side, you would find yourself in your current situation much less often" *She would say while motioning over Horace's beat up body with the lollipop*

"I would also offer coin, but I've come to realize relationships built on greed aren't stable. What I am offering is a mutual bond, one that has you become part of our family. Your success is our success. If you are in need of support, be it financial, physical, or mental, we will be there for you."

*She would then extend her hand holding the lollipop closer toward Horace*

"Does that sound agreeable to you?"
Daryl
'C-come on already... Leave or s-something...! This f-fucking hurts like hell!' 
*The elf thought, his mind beginning to cloud with pain. Though he still had enough awareness to notice Sutekina dig around for something in her pocket. The elf's grip remained firm on his weapon as he'd glance around towards his other stuff. He's call most of these things expendable, but his weapons... It'd cost him too much to get things like those again... This meant he couldn't shoot and run like his previous plan as well... All he could do was remain, only firing unless fired upon... No, not for some shit like 'moral high-ground', but to make sure he didn't do anything unnecessary and screw his life up more... With that in mind, he'd only watch and wait for whatever Sutekina would pull from her pocket.*
'A knife...? A paper...? Some coin...? The hell could she of been looking for?' 

*Though a slightly silly feeling washes over Horace as she pulls out nothing more than a Lolli pop. God, that looked delicious... But he couldn't break now over a simple piece of candy... Then again, she seemed to be promising him larger amounts if he were to join! This alone would help to sway his opinion considerably! But... It wasn't enough yet. He was still suspicious of Sutekina's true intent. He only had one question left for her at that point, but he'd say later. Or rather, he'd have to say later as Sutekina snaps her fingers, as if signaling someone.*

'shit...' 
*He thought, his heart sinking and his imagination running wild. Who the hell knew, this could just be a complex trap by the guards to keep him in one place and surround him... He'd shiver at the thought of it, with this injury, there's no way he was getting out without cuffs or a body bag. Though he wouldn't raise his weapon, no matter how much the situation screamed trap. No matter how much he wanted to run right there... This was a business offer, one he felt passing up to be a big mistake. He watches as a couple of henchmen, clad in light armor and weapons approach and surround Sutekina. Like wolves protecting the alpha of the group. Sutekina would continue to explain, motioning to his stomach. He'd flinch slightly at that, glancing down to his wound. The elf didn't realize she's seen it yet... But even if she saw it, he couldn't break down yet.*
"I-i... I don't know what you mean... I've never felt b-better..." 
*He'd say, grimacing intensely behind his mask. Though he pauses at what else Sutekina Had to say... She wouldn't give him much in the way of coin it seemed... But that was fine by him, as he could live comfortably with what he stole alone... Then again, she was promising help, and a spot in her 'family'... He thinks for another few moments... Everything sounded okay, but there was still something else. Whenever he talked to someone who was in a gang, the same issue came up...*
"That is... Hm... Before i give my answer, i only have one question for you. What if i ever want to leave this 'family' of yours... If i ever find something better, or just want to leave... Am i going to be hunted and killed? Or would there be some insane cost to regain freedom...?"
Anthony
*Sutekina would scoff at Horace's tough act but would make no remark on it. After all it seemed like she was at the tipping point on bringing him over to her side and it would be terribly immature to break down negotiations by calling out a bluff. However, the answer she had for his question would likely not please him, as it was evident that he was a free spirit. She had to be careful how she phrased it*

"Hmm, I don't think you need me to explain what a family is. No matter how far you might be, or what you may do, the same blood will flow through your veins. However -"

*She would take yet another step forward, but instead of giving off a sense of dominance, she would smile cutely and let her scent reach the man's nose. She didn't particularly enjoy using her 'pheromones' to entice someone, but as her father had taught her, when engaging a difficult opponent it would be foolish to not use all the tools at your disposal.*

"-I think you would find being part of this family to be so enjoyable that you would never want to leave. As much as I am a business women, I really do think of everyone in my gang as my 'family'. As a 'family', I want us all to be happy. So instead of running away, why not talk things out with me so I may understand what you are going through? While we may not share blood, no, precisely because we don't share blood, I want our bonds to be stronger than that of an blood-bound family."

*She would then hold out the lollipop again toward Horace*

"So are you willing to make the sacrifice for a family that will remain with you forever?"