Karin
Avril Maddox
Avril's Residence

Avril was admittedly happy to see the fog he was in. It was a good indication of the purity and quality of her products, which she was gradually working on improving, both in the purification process and in the growing process. She was growing enough different things though that she could appeal to a rather broad audience of users, though her primary focus was opium and this "Spice". 

She blushed a bit at his matter-of-fact comment. He didn't seem to be judging her inexperience, but rather noting it, and despite that, he didn't try to take advantage of this situation, which was a fact she could appreciate. She leaned back in her chair, pushing back so that it tilted onto its back two legs as she looked him over. 

"Yes," She finally admitted. "You were my first sale, though my partner has been selling for a while now. I'm mostly in charge of... Product development." She gave him a little grin at that and then paused for a moment before saying, "You've been using long enough that you have plenty of experience... But something tells me that you don't have the money to buy again when you run out of this batch, right?"
Paul
**Dustin Olsah**
**Avril's Residence**

First customer eh? Dustin chuckled a little. Well, she was newer than he thought. She was doing pretty well for herself on this deal already... However, Dustin noticed a significant lack of protection or safety. Then again, he didn't know how skilled she was with that dagger of hers. He hated going against a good knife fighter. If they were good and fast, they'd cut him up if they got close enough. For her sake, she better be good.

"Product development." Dustin laughed again. "So I'm the guinea pig? I think this is quite a nice variety... I may come back for more." He paused at the next pretty astute observation and stumbled over his thoughts a bit, the spice not helping. He was quite wary... If he didn't have money what would happen? Would she do a sort of gang recruit thing on him? He didn't like the idea of being part of a gang... Then again, it could have its uses since he was dead broke. He dropped the bag of spice neatly into his pocket before asking carefully, "What if I don't?"
Karin
Avril Maddox
Avril's Residence

Avril smiled at his laugh, finding it warm for as rough and ragged as the man before her looked. She supposed that everyone had a story, and Dustin could be no different. A day that he started using... A day that he ended up on the street. He was somebody's son; somebody's friend. At least once upon a time...

She roused herself from her musings at his question and tilted her head to look up at him. Her eyes were piercing as she gazed at him, her features sharp and inhuman as she pressed her pointer finger against her lips, a pensive look appearing on her face. Her lips pursed a bit before she finally tipped her chair back a bit more and replied, "If you tried to take it from me, I'd cut you to ribbons and my partner would beat you to a pulp, make no mistake." The words were harsh for a woman that appeared so delicate and tiny, and truth be told, Avril probably wasn't skilled enough to hold her own against him just yet, but he didn't need to know that. "If you came to me without money..." Her voice trailed off as she thought, then finally said quietly, "If you came to me without money, I'd either be forced to turn you away... Or I'd be tempted to offer you a job."
Paul
**Dustin Olsah**
**Avril's Residence**

The piercing gaze was slightly unsettling, but he stared back. Dustin raised his eyebrows as she threatened him but didn't push it. Maybe she *Was* Good with the knife. He somehow doubted it, but caution is what let him survive the military. Too many brave soldiers had died because of just that: their courage and bravery. Much safer to play it calm and cool.

*Captain Olsah stood in front of a man taller than him by at least six inches. The man's gaze fell upon the distraught captain. "Report!" He barked. Olsah trembled slightly and began in a shaky voice. "I was the only survivor sir. The platoon was ambushed. Rebels. They... They killed everyone." "Where were you while this happened?" The officer barked. "I was fighting..." Olsah replied, but he was cut off. "Bullshit! Captain, I'd rather have a dead man than a coward, do I make myself perfectly clear? There is no room in this establishment for sniveling bastards that run at the first sight of enemies! Am I clear?" There was a pause, and the captain spoke again. "Sir, yes sir." The officer turned away. "You have 10 minutes to figure out how to explain to me why you shouldn't be dismissed on the spot. Then we'll talk." The officer walked away briskly, and the captain cried out in desperation before leaning against a tree, blood seeping out from between his fingers. He finally let the blood flow and began to bandage it. He couldn't show weakness to the officers.*

Dustin blinked and looked back at Avril as she continued. He listened intently, choosing to simply ignore the flash of past. "A job?" Dustin's eyebrows rose again. He was interested.