With a shake of his head, Audrice grinned, "For some of the most successful mercenaries of the world: you really all are quite assuming." He shook his head, "Watching you in an ambush would be humurous."<br/><br/>Looking up to the elf, the nobleman-turned-mercenary seemed rather nonplussed about the height difference between he and the elf before him. He had spent time in Lucenia, briefly traveling, do mercenary work where it paid, and even catching the eye of a young Elven baserving girl for a time. Yet despite his outward appearance, it was still a sight to behold when an pure-blood Elf stood at full height. Fishing beneath his cloak, he retrieved one of his hand-wrapped cigars, placing it lightly between his lips, and producing a bright flicker of orange flame on his palm to light it. Quickly extinguishing the flame, he took a relaxing drag of the tobacco, and leaned casually against the wall while still maintaining eye contact (though he had to look up to do so) with Modya. Letting out a wispy cloud of smoke, he finally spoke again after a long moment of silence.<br/><br/>"If I were in need of handling a problem, I doubt I would be so lacking in skill as to need to outsource it." He shrugged, "As well as the simple fact that nobility does not oft' help their reputation to be seen in the company of mercenaries, even ones such as yourself, and so it would be far more prudent of me to work through a messenger should I wish to hire your services."<br/><br/>He took another relaxing drag of the tobacco.<br/><br/>"I do not wish to<i>hire</i>you, Modya." He shook his head, that same wolfish grin still present, if slightly diminished, "I heard you are in need of -- helping hands?" He quirked a brow, punctuating his statement with another drag of his cigar before leaving it hanging there between loosely closed lips.