Michelle
It was bustling afternoon in the city of Dragonborns. Not one Lizardfolk was seen, as they were hardly tolerated. However, other outsiders were looked upon but not turned away. Children played games in the muddy streets, and locals traveled across the City to run their errands. The City was lively, but eerie in appearance. It was quite chilly out, and swampy like most of Weyian. 

An outsider walked the streets, but in truth, she really wasn't an outsider. She stuck near the buildings, seemingly looking for something. Her eyes came upon a poster nailed to a nearby wall. The contents of the contract were written sloppily in Furian, but at the bottom, the same description is written in Common Imperial. The same poster was nailed to walls all over the city, so more would see it. Kallista ripped the poster from where it hung, skimming over the description as she continued walking. The poster held information about a monster that needed killing, within the swamplands. Beneath the written description was a sloppy sketch of what was supposed to be a big water serpent. 

It read: *An ancient swamp serpent has been devouring all who pass through the swamplands. It will strike when you least expect it. Whoever slays this monster will have the gracious reward of two thousand gold. The creature is rumored to be fifty feet long, covered in large green scales, four eyes, and an extremely poisonous bite. Bring proof of demise to the local Tavern to receive your reward. Best of luck.* 

It was simple enough. Kallista folded the parchment in half, walking along as if to start the hunt. It wouldn't be difficult, as she, Gravis, and Igni have slain bigger and worse. It was fascinating how much people would pay to get rid of such a simple monster. Kallista eyed her surroundings warily, as sometimes there was *Competition.* It was to be expected.
Heather
He was supposed to look at the contract, Stefan reminded himself when he started his walk down the street towards the place he had last seen the poster on the wall. In truth, he had no clue what the words on the poster had said, but after a conversation with a passerby and some snide remarks about how *He* Wouldn't dare take on a contract like that, he had decided that he knew enough. It was a contract, and that meant money. It had a monster drawn on it. That meant reputation. 

Despite finding himself sleeping much later than intended at the nearest inn, Stefan still smelled like sour ale. In truth, he was more concerned that he did not yet have a splitting headache. A poor start to the day, and likely a worse start to the contract. But, that would not be the end to the misfortune that was following him that afternoon. He came from the other end of the street from the one Kallista had walked. Looking along the wall, he frowned when he realized the poster was not there. He stopped and put his hands on his hips, wondering for a moment if he was truly just so out of it that he did not find it at first.

When he looked down the street, however, and saw an individual walking with purpose away from him with a folded parchment in hand, he realized his mistake. He was too late. Or, rather, that was what he assumed others would think. Not him. He was not going to let this opportunity go. Catching the wary gaze, Stefan started to speed walk towards Kallista, seemingly unaware of the implications of a gruff man with a sword on his belt approaching someone in such a rush.

"Hey, you! That's my contract!" He called out, without the slightest implication that he may take 'no' as an answer.
Gene
*The Ardent Knight* Was also within the city, after a decent nights rest he decided it was time to take on another job- his coin purse had grown a little too light for his liking, so once he left the inn he'd been staying at Alexander spotted a poster board and made his way over. Quickly skimming the various jobs posted he settled on one that struck his curiosity, a monster slaying job.

"*Not my usual pick but the pay is good, it should be fine, I've had worse.*" The Paladin tore the poster off the board and turned on his heels, walking towards the exit of the city- not bothering to stop even when other adventurers warned him of the beasts ferocity and poisonous bite- that wouldn't deter him from his goals.

Upon noticing a pair of, what he assumes is fellow adventurers, beginning a conversation Alexander looked over towards them. As Stefan drew closer to Kallista and called out to her he understood what was about to take place, either someone too brash to understand that it's first come first serve or someone too late and not willing to let it go. Either way it's cut the paladin made his way to the exit of the city regardless, hand resting on the pommel of the sword at his hip just to be safe.

"*She looks like she can handle herself, best to let them handle it- I wonder what's going to happen.*"

He intends to walk past the two, not one to intrude on a conversation he's not part of, but the likelihood of one of them stopping him grows by the second as the very same bounty is held within the paladins right hand.
Michelle
As if expecting it, the Monster Hunter stopped in her tracks as Stefan speed walked toward her. She gripped the parchment in hand tightly, turning toward him. Her gaze was no longer wary, but unsettling and hostile at slightest. Her stare burned into the man before her, it evident she wasn't taking no for an answer either. Kallista drummed her fingers on the grip of her sword, a sarcastic smirk coming across her face as she spoke. 

"Your contract? I don't think so. Step aside, and I might let you live," She said firmly in the common tongue. Her hand tightened on the grip of the sword sheathed at her side, as she waited for a response. Locals had the instinct to clear out of the area of the brewing argument, going around and not getting involved. 

In the corner of her eye, she spotted someone not too far away. Kallista turned her head toward the Paladin, the jewelry hanging off her curled horns swinging with the movement, her gaze going to the parchment in his right hand. It was likely the same contract, considering there was many hanging around the city. That was quite irritating. 

"And you? You took the contract, as well?" She called out, looking to Stefan and Alexander, back and forth. To get a head start on things, before she resolved this situation, she got Vaenyx' attention through their telepathic link, the benefits of a Drakon bond. 
*"Where are you?"* 
*"Just outside the city. What's going on?"* 
*"Start patrolling the marshes, look for any sign of a fifty foot long serpent and report back if you find anything."* 
*"Got it,"* Was the reply, the Drakon asking no further questions.
Kallista mentally turned her attention back to the tension, prepared to fight for the contract. It was a gracious reward, after all. She wasn't backing down.
Heather
"Ah, I see, you've been mistaken. The contract is mine." Stefan said, a smile growing on his face despite the hostile gaze from the woman in front of him. He keps his hands placed on his hips, his own land inching towards his sword. "I was just on my way to grab it. It's mine. How about you just hand it over before there's any ugliness?" He cooed, the smile still growing on his face. Clearly he had no idea what he was actually getting himself into, nor did he seem to have any qualms about what he did not know.

When Kallista turned her head towards the Paladin, Stefan glanced down at the parchment in her hand. Slowly. His hand reached out towards it, but as she turned her head back between him and the Paladin he quickly put his hand back on his hip, giving her as innocent a look as he could muster. 

"See? The contract isn't just yours." He said, nodding his head towards Alexander. "Isn't it obvious that it isn't just *Yours*? Come now, I'm sure there's a way we can make this work." Stefan looked around at the people who were walking around them, most of whom seemed to be avoiding eye contact and avoiding the confrontation in general. 

"Don't make me make a scene, ma'am. It makes people uncomfortable, and I'm not in the mood to make a scene today. You don't look like someone who wants a lot of attention, and he," Stefan pointed over to Alexander,"*Really* Looks like a sourpuss. None of us want to cause a scene."
Gene
"***Mind your tongue.***"

The Paladin replied as he looked over at Stefan, his tone one of absolution and firmness. Given the black and gold armor, sword and shield adored with holy iconography of the God of Vengeance it's easy to assume this man is not one for games.

His orange tinted eyed held within them a devoted malice only fit for a hardened paladin, one who would not allow himself nor a kind looking woman to be subjected to the foolishness of arrogance. Turning gaze towards Kallista his eyes, expression and tone immediately softened into a much kinder- almost formal, manner. 

"***Indeed. I saw it was posted all over and assumed it was urgent, but if you have already taken the contract I can find another.***" The Paladin patted the coin purse on his hip, only a few coins jingle from within. "***The bounty is quite a large sum and in order to make it back to the Eternal City before the year is over I need plenty of funds for the road... But, I'm sure I can find another job or two that can get me the coin I need. I'm not one to take the contract of someone who claimed it before myself. If you'll excuse me.***"

With a slight bow, often seen in the courts of the Eternal Empire, the Paladin turned on his heels and began to walk back towards the cities bounty boards. With a small flick of his hand the poster he had moments ago fluttered into the air and then burst into flames.
Michelle
Kallista nearly rolled her eyes at Stefan's reply, determined if something wasn't done quickly, it would end in violence. Not that she wasn't willing to show violence, it wasn't a good look for herself with the locals around. She clearly got to the contract before Stefan, but not before Alexander, it seemed. There was a solution, but it wasn't something she entirely wanted to do, but it would work. 

When turning back and forth between them, she caught a glimpse of Stefan's hand movement. Immediately, she put the poster inside the satchel at her side, to solve that. It would not be taken from her. Yes, there was a way to make it work, but she didn't want to admit that. Looking back to Alexander, she looked him up and down, raising a brow slightly at his armor and weapons. Interesting. 

Kallista heard both of them out, not saying a word until they said their piece. Hesitantly, she took her hand off the grip of her weapon, letting it rest at her side. Sighing deeply, she spoke up immediately as Alexander began walking away, the poster he had bursting into flames. 

"No, you- wait. We're not done here," She called to Alexander, her tone firm but gentler. "We can make it work," She paused again, looking to Stefan. "I propose... We *Could* Take on the job together and split the reward?" She couldn't believe she was saying it, but she was. People needed the money, she understood that. 

"Do you both know what you're getting into? It will not be easy to take down. If you both agree to working together, let's go. I already started on locating the serpent," She said, not elaborating on the last part. Her gaze was no longer hostile, but firm instead.
Heather
Watching Kallista put the parchment into her satchel, the man practically frowned at her, at least for a moment. Clearly he was willing to simply take it from her if the opportunity arose, but with that opportunity gone, it seemed that he would have to play along.

On a normal day Stefan would likely have seemed a little more relaxed that Kallista's hand was no longer on the grip of her weapon, but in the state that he was in, his demeanor did not change. In truth, he wasn't even entirely sure he *Wasn't* Still under the influence. His smile stayed plastered on his face at the proposal of trying to take on the job together. Now that was something he could work with, especially since he was not entirely certain what the contract even *Said*.

"That sounds like a deal to me." Stefan looked over to Alexander, his smile still unwavering, "Don't you go and say no now. You're outvoted, and you seem like a man who cared about diplomacy. Don't be corrupt." 

At the final words from Kallista, Stefan nodded confidently and without further thought. "Yeah, yeah. I know what I'm getting into, that's why I looked for the damn contract. We go, find the serpent, and kill it." After a moment, he seemed to realize the last part of what she said. "Wait, what do you mean you already started looking for it?"
Gene
"***Hm?***" The Paladin turned around, a look of simple curiosity on his face. "***It's possible, I'm not apposed.***"

Turning fully to the both of them Alexander took a few steps closer while nodding his head. "***Indeed. If fought manner of beast like this before during my days in the Imperial Army. Shouldn't be a problem, you both look plenty capable anyway and I can provide healing as necessary.***"

His gaze shifted over to Stefan, immediately turning to one of harshness and judgement. "***Do not make a habit of speaking to me in such a way, if not for the kindness of this lady I would smite you where you stand for your insolence.***"

It seems apparent this Paladin does not approve or nor appreciate assumptions being made about him or his way of thinking or acting, but when he looked back towards Kallista all hostility was gone from his gaze- a hand brought up and placed on his chest plate as a greeting.

"***Thank you for the opportunity and kindness, Miss, I will not forget it. My name is Alexander, Alexander Hendrix, pleased to meet you.***"
Michelle
While relaxing hold on her weapon, she didn't entirely let down her guard, especially with how Stefan's demeanor didn't change. If something happened, anything at all, she would be ready. She had hundreds of years of experience with backstabbers. One could never be too careful. While pleased to hear Stefan agree, his actions going forward would determine trust. 

She nodded in acknowledgement in response to being prepared to face what was to come. She didn't assume whether they were monster hunters or not, therefore ensuring beforehand if they were prepared, regardless of experience. "Good to know," She replied in Alexander's direction before turning back to Stefan in regard to his last question. "You will find out, soon enough." Her eyes glinted strangely, her tone unrelenting. 

Most were terrified when they met Vaenyx, due to his size and threats. He was quite vocal about those. Looking back and forth between the two again, Stefan was indeed being rather rude to the Paladin. When Alexander introduced himself, she nodded in his direction, taking note of his name and armor again. 

"A pleasure, Alexander. My name is Kallista, Kallista Demseis." Her name was well known enough, as the leader of a monster hunting guild containing three members, but they were efficiant. "And your name?" She asked Stefan. After asking, Vaenyx's deep voice filled her head again. 
*"Saelys."* 
*"Yes? What did you find?"* 
*"There's major water movement in a section of the swamplands."* 
*"Good."* 
*"Let me know once you have left the city, and I will guide you."* 
*"Thank you."* 
The Drakon fell silent in her head once again, and Kallista's expression changed slightly. 

"We should get going. My lead is ready to guide us to the Swamp Serpent."
Heather
"Soon enough? You know, you could just let us know now and be done with it." Stefan complained, though he didn't press the issue much more after that. Despite his usual lack of common sense, he did know that it would be a bad idea to piss someone off *Too* Much after doing him a kindness. She didn't have to share the contract after all, and he was sure this extra help, whatever it was, would be useful in the end. 

"My name is Stefan Kalkus. I'd say it's a pleasure, but I'm not entirely certain you feel the same, so I'll hold off on that for now." He joked, though his tone was a little snide, and he cast a quick glare over to Alexander. The man crossed his arms, glancing to Alexander once again, resisting the urge to mock him in front of his face. He didn't seem the type to require much pestering before things went awry. 

"I suppose we should get going. Say, how far exactly is this swamp anyway? I'm.. New to the area." He said after a moment of hesitation, not wanting to sound *Entirely* Like he didn't know what he was getting himself into.
Gene
"***The pleasure is all mine, the famed monster hunter Kallista Demseis in the flesh. It's an honor, your reputation precedes you.***" Alexander replied to the monster hunter, giving another slight bow to show his respects to the famed slayer.

"***By lead I assume you mean your battle beast, I can sense their power from here, what a mighty one indeed.***" The paladin replied to Kallista once more, seemingly aware of presence of the drakon. In truth he had heard the wing beats all the way back in town, a skill picked up from his days as a warrior in the armies of the empire- his sense have been fine tuned.

"*Tsk.*" A sharp click of his tongue. "***If you had bothered to make it on time to retrieve the bounty poster and or had the wherewithal to read it you'd know full well what we are hunting-***" The Paladin turned to face Stefan after the man had glared at him for a moment. "***-an ancient swamp serpent rumored to be fifty feet long, large green scales, four eyes and a bite so poisonous a mere drop could kill a full cohort of men.***"

He did not remove his gaze from Stefan for a moment, annoyed and angered by the blatant arrogance and childish attitude of one who should call themselves a bounty hunter. Men like this enrage the Paladin for men like this are how his family were slain, arrogant and foolish, never taking the time to fully prepare themselves and willing to walk headlong into danger seemingly without care. An annoyance Alexander has no issues dealing with if his ire is drawn.

"***Let us be off.***" Finally speaking the Ardent Knight then turned to Kallista. "***Lead on my friend.***"