dial h for hire [video]

[unweave]

[ The feed picks up with a slight buzz of static. The visuals over the network focus on a waist-up shot of Aranea who isn't looking too hot. Not only is her face bruised (healing black eye, slightly swollen nose and busted lip), but there is a bandage pack poking out from under her top. ]

Don't want to waste anyone's time — there's enough stupid messages coming across this every day and I don't want to add to it.

My names Aranea Highwind and I'm recruiting for a mercenary group — odd jobs, monster hunts, personal protection, and the like. I'm willing to give a large cut on jobs I get in, bordering 65%. Tough sons of a bitches please apply and those looking for their problems to be solved? I'm your gal.

[ I mean, even now she's confident with a sly smirk plastered on her face. This is the most blunt ass sales pitch ever? But — ]

You can't trust everyone you meet here, some people will literally stab you. [ She nudges the view to her hip, but rolls her eyes as the camera gets back to her. ] But, there's still people wanting to help out. Why waste your time at that shitty fight club when you can make a difference and get paid for it? Think about it.

Comments

[unweave]

[ She smirks at that. ]

You're the first number on my speed dial.

[punshots]

[ Remember that half a second he was trying to play it cool? ]

Wh - are you being for real right now?

[unweave]

[ HEH. ]

For that job description? Who else would I call?

[punshots]

Hah - well I guess when you put it like that...

[ There's no concealing how pleased he is though, that she actually wants him to be a part of this rather than feeling like she has to let him tag along out of obligation. ]

Sign me up, then! Someone's got to take pics of you being a certified badass, anyway.

[unweave]

Less pictures of me, more pictures of the action. I'm not in commendable form right now.

[punshots]

[ A spurt of nervous laughter. ]

I-I don't know, if you can still fight after whatever did that number on you, I think that should totally be documented.

[unweave]

Lucky for you, I'm not looking to get myself into trouble. I'm a good girl right now, promise.

[punshots]

Keywords being "right now". [ But he says the words fondly, teasingly. ]

So...you'll just be in touch? When you've got some jobs ready to go?

[unweave]

Absolutely. But for you? I won't give you anything that can kill you.

[ A sweet-song tone in her voice. ]

Y'know, for old times sake.

[punshots]

Hah, I appreciate it. Preemptively save my ass now so you won't have to do it later.

[ As for as much as he misses Eos, and the journeys he'd been on back home...he doesn't necessarily miss the ever-present threat of being eaten by twenty times his size. ]

[unweave]

It's officially one of the notches on my resume now. "Saving asses".

[punshots]

Yeah, put that right below "doing the stabby thing".

[ Points for such a technical description. ]

[unweave]

The "stabby thing" — shit.

[ Stop making her laugh?!?!?! ]

[punshots]

[ Um, never? Her laugh is great. ]

I know, I know. I've got a knack for putting things - uh. Plainly? Clearly? - Wait, no. Pointedly.

[ There we go. ]