Pauline
*The Hawk that had been circling overhead swooped down, landing rather gracefully on the back of the horse, for such a large creature. It fluffed its feathers as Ishikawa reached a hand out, gently stroking the top of the creatures head. He said something in a language his companion couldn't understand, but it seemed to be some sort of compliment to the bird. Then, as quick it had come, it darted out again, flapping its wings hard enough to brush Ishikawas hair to the side with the wind. It returned shortly after, a pheasant in it's talons. It set the carcass of the other bird before him, tilting it's head as if it was expecting something. The hunter cooed to the animal, gently taking the Pheasant from it.* 

"Good, Havock." *The mans voice had a genuine warmth to it that hadn't been present previously, though it slowly faded as he went back to addressing Ulric, the hawk hopping up onto Ishikawas shoulder.* 

"Not many have. A trip across the sea is not one many will take... It's a journey that takes several months..." *Ishikawa quickly affixed the pheasant to the other side of his horse, looking back up at Ulric as they spoke, though he still failed to meet his eyes.* 

"What sort of work do you do? If you mind my asking."
Lucy
Ulric watched with interest as Ishikawa interacted with the hawk, he hadn't known it was possible for such a bond to be made between a bird of prey and a macen. It was possible though, that was obvious enough considering how the macen in front of him had a perfectly calm hawk perched right on his shoulder. "Can't say I've seen a macen falconer before, you're just full of surprises aren't ya"

"As for what work I do? To put it lightly, I'm a soldier of fortune." This was when Ishikawa had asked about Ulric's line of work, it wasn't that personal of a question considering his armor and such. Ulric also didn't like to use the term 'mercenary' when referring to what he did for work, to him it implied that he was an undisciplined, ruthless fighter and he knew full well that he was not that. Ulric leaned a little on his spear as he wondered what Ishikawa here did for work. Being a hunter made sense, but the scars he had indicated run-ins with beasts far fiercer than deer or rabbits. "Same question can be asked to you, seems like you've experienced many a battle"
Pauline
*The Hawk responded by gently pulling on Ishikawas hair, playing with it as it sat, the 'Macen' unable to hide a grin as he side-eyed the raptor.* 

"My family raised birds for Falconry. We grew up together, you could say. I've had him since at least my 10th year, if not earlier." 

*Ishikawa seemed to look him over more carefully when it was revealed Ulric was a 'Mercenary'. In contrast to his armored companion, Ishikawa didn't seem to have any sort of bladed weapon, only a bow; though, if one were to look more closely, a sword belt hung across his waist, empty. His smile faded as he was asked about his work, a distant look crossing his eyes. He started to speak, but stopped himself, turning his head towards the horizon.* 

"I hunt monsters, by trade. Though..." *His voice became quieter and somber in tone.* "I wouldn't call the beasts I am paid to hunt monsters." 

*Barely audible now, only a whisper.* 

"It's the people." 

*His hand absentmindedly trailed across a great scar on his neck, left hand visibly trembling as he did.*
Lucy
*The wisper Ishikawa let out barely stood out from the light breeze of forest, yet Ulric was still able to hear just enough to get the gist. It seems like Ishikawa doesn't quite enjoy hunting these monsters and instead holds a grudge against those that hires him to do such, this was Ulric's interpretation at least due to his own background. While Ulric wasn't always contracted to kill as he wasn't an assassin, there were times when killing was a part of a job he was tasked with. Ulric didn't enjoy killing others much like how he assumed Ishikawa didn't enjoy killing the beats, this connection shone a different light upon his acquaintance.* "You don't have to tread carefully with your words 'round me, I understand what you mean by saying people are monsters... Seen it myself many a time."

*Ulric's eyes dropped to the ground for a moment as fragments of repressed memories of past jobs tried to claw their way back into his mind. He had done some terrible things in the past in the name of money so it wasn't unfair to call himself a monster too, though it was the regret he felt that proved he still had a sense of morality. Ulric stopped himself from thinking on it too much though as this was no time for sorrow after all, instead he focused on what Ishikawa had said about his family and falconry.* "Your family seems like an interesting bunch, I guess macen from the northern lands take up different professions than those here."