Tea and Trades [Kalypso]

[Uriah Ginetti]

[November 20th, 2522 - Tea Shop in Ariel City]

Three months. Three months he'd been out of his offices and out in the black. Flying planet to planet after his first chat with the nurse. He was back on Ariel after months of no luck, he was going to talk to the nurse a second time. However things had surfaced, Uriah was going to have to go back to his work. He had a lead on a woman who might be able to get the job done, a bounty hunter. He'd heard good things about her, her track record was great.

He'd arranged to meet her here, perhaps she would have better luck getting the correct information from the little nurse at the hospital. Uriah waved at the waitress, she quickly brought him another kettle of green tea; taking away the empty one and setting the new one on the warmer.

Uriah had chosen a table in a corner, one with a view of the entire small cafe and away from the windows. He was always nothing if not prepared for anything. He hadn't bothered to bring any of the guards, why should he? The bounty hunters he knew had always been sort of straight forward, and had a code of some kind. They weren't usually the type for double-crossing. Though he had a pistol inside his jacket just in case, better safe than sorry.

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Outfit

[Kalypso "Kanon" Tace]

God of the golden bow
And of the golden lyre
And of the golden hair
And of the golden fire

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The Core. It always held this twang in the air. This distinct sensory memory that just filled a person with the undeniable feeling of civilisation. It was technology. It was advancement. It was the future. Out on the border was a stark difference. It was crude, broken and lawless. Or filled with it's own law. The people ruled as best they could the 'Outer' worlds. The Alliance ruled the Core. At least, until recent years, they had ruled with an iron - kid-glove? - fist. The background sense of doubt; of shaken resolve, of broken trust. That was what tasted so sweet to the Bounty Hunter. A melancholic poem in an old dusty book, sing-song-ing it's 'I told you so' through the air and making everything awkward. What do they follow? What do they believe? She chuckled at nothing. The small noise of amusement hiding the joke that was lost on the people around her. She felt like royalty. A VIP. People parted a little in her wake. Like they were on opposite poles. Not a hero; not respect. There was an underlying unease spared for the woman in burgundy leather. Monster? Too strong a word. They had a feeling what she was. But no one appeared to impede her presence on this world. Bounty Hunters had their own little rights, sometimes. An ident card usually helped too. A special tag-- an electronic strip. So this meant an important job. Kanon was no fool. When it came to her work, she always made sure she scouted out the client a little. What little she could find.

Mental musings stopped dead as she pushed in the doors to this little eatery. Quaint. Nothing like the hookah bars and dusty saloons way out Border way. An unreadable blank slate was set over her features, the blonde woman taking confident strides into the room. She didn't disrupt anything - it was like she wasn't even there. Her usual jacket had been traded out for this. Generally, she didn't care how she looked - hence why she still looked like she didn't belong here - but Kanon? Kanon liked a little style for the sake of meeting. Her jacket was brown leather, with a row of buttons running down either side. Her reddish gloves weren't removed as she stood herself before the table. Almost like a mocking example of parade rest.

"Doctor Ginetti...?"

The odd thing about her tone had to be the lack of any kind of discernible accent. Nothing cultured. No lilt. There was a lowness to it, but still obviously feminine. Cold? Maybe a little chill on the front. Straight business, though.

Those glassy green eyes watched him with a rather shallow gaze. Like there was no deep thoughts or mental workings behind them. Not necessarily empty in a lack of intelligence.. just eerily lacking any other consideration. Kanon was an odd bird. Her reputation chequered with strange tales of certain means she'd come to take jobs, and carry them out. Generally, though, she liked to think she was straight-forward. No nonsense. Probably true. Kanon remained with the patience of a saint, awaiting his confirmation. It was somewhat out of protocol. She was certain it was him.

[Uriah Ginetti]

Uriah was half through with the kettle when a woman entered the cafe, he knew instantly this was who he was waiting for. She stood out, clad in leather and unreadable. Definitely not a normal outfit for folk here on Ariel. He didn't stand nor acknowledge her though, he'd let her come to him.

At her questioning his name, waiting for confirmation, he looked up at her. His look was solid, there would be no games, no chit-chat. Uriah was the type of man who didn't do the casual conversations or talk for the sake of talking. If he spoke to you it was because there was a reason, not to hear his own voice or cull the silence. He nodded at her in greeting, motioning for her to take a seat, "Ms. Tace. Thank you for meeting me."

Once she sat down he would begin, his voice low. "Tell me what information you'll need to get the job done, and I'll determine how much of that information I can accommodate." There was only so much he would tell her, the classified tidbits were obviously off-limits. Though in theory most of it shouldn't come into play, so long as Rayne had been behaving herself and not getting into trouble. Otherwise may Buddha have mercy on those poor bastards, because he sure wouldn't.

[Kalypso "Kanon" Tace]

Straight along that grand old path of pure business. Kalypso couldn't argue with such a demeanour. He didn't mince words and apparently was never going to so long as he held company with another person. Especially one such as Kanon. Her ilk weren't appreciated, but extremely useful outside of the Alliance's own personal bloodhounds. A caliber of person that couldn't be found through the normal channels. Not through command, anyway. To find a Bounty Hunter meant that you wanted a job done outside of the Alliance's range of hearing and knowing. Delicate operations. There were a lot of people that didn't go into great detail. Somehow it always seemed to feel like the people she was being sent after sounded like invisible, important types that should never be heard of or seen in the light of day. Of course, there were differences. Sometimes it was straight-up and straight-forward. Go here, kill this hun dan for running off with my innocent daughter, take a huge chunk of my endless wealth while I sit on my flabby pigu on my private Bellerephon island. Well, maybe her last job, anyway. Kanon had fixed him with a stare, a flit of distaste across her face at the formal greeting. She'd forget where she was - out of habit and lack of care for assumed 'civilisation' - and correct him on the matter.

"This is a working matter, Doctor. All job-related conversations ask I be called Kanon by employers. Keeps things official for me. Or anonymous. Either way."

A gloved hand waved off her almost little trip into trailing off with her words - going on some kind of tangent sometimes happened with her, so she was rather focused in her meetings. To prevent wasting time. It was money, after all. For all this time, she hadn't sat, and hadn't really been waiting for his offer to sit. She would've upon entry, but it was a tactical observation to make sure both his hands stayed above the table. Kanon would afford him the same courtesy. The chair was taken, but reluctantly. She didn't like to get 'cosy'. Crime Lords had always made her stand in the middle of the room - in view of all guards posted around them, and far enough away from the employer. Minerva had been especially good at making sure she didn't try anything. Kanon had been offered a job once to take her out. At the time? Wouldn't have made much of a difference. She had already been on a job and wanted payment from that first. Plus, at the time, Minerva hadn't been as powerful as she was now. Funny how something as small as a denied handful of coin would span into a woman holding all the power she wanted. That aside, Kanon was already listing off what she needed.

"A name they'd be commonly known by, a face for recognition - something I can keep for reference. Any skills or combat techniques they're proficient with. Any idea of the current company they keep or what they do. I don't want any surprises.[/b]" Each point had been indicated with the unfurling of leather-glad fingers into precise points, they folded back in on themselves to rub her thumb across her index and middle finger, "Then we can discuss 'how much' you want them.. or want them dead.[/b]"

It was a song and dance she knew so well.[/font]

[Uriah Ginetti]

Uriah grinned at her correction, "Of course, Kanon." He could understand that, the doctor didn't need such things to keep himself anonymous. Folks might know or learn his name, but as far as records, the man Uriah Ginetti never existed. Unless your clearance was the correct kind, or if you were a damn fine hacker. The latter would only get you so far though and you wouldn't live long afterward.

He did notice she seemed hesitant about sitting, for her own safety he assumed. Which was the reason for a non-private meeting place. While it wasn't busy enough to worry about eavesdroppers, it was populated enough to provide a little comfort. At least that was the purpose.

As Kanon went over the information she would need, he made no movements, no looks crossed his features. Once she was finished, he reached into the front pocket of his jacket; slowly. Pulling out a small photo, he pushed it across the table towards the woman. Uriah tapped the picture of a blonde girl a few times before letting it go.

"Her name is Kyla Monroe. She's not a fighter in the least, and truth be told I haven't had much luck in way of finding out her current company or location." Uriah's jaw clenched, frustration, anger. The last few months had been tedious and annoying. Part of him was thankful for having to go back to Osiris.

"The last place she was known to have been was here on Ariel, at the hospital. There's a nurse, named Abby; gave her the benefit of the doubt first time around a few months back. She obviously has poor judgment; because the information I got was incorrect." The little nurse was lucky that he had to leave, their second meeting wouldn't be a pleasant one for her. Of course perhaps she wouldn't be so lucky, he didn't know the bounty hunter's way of getting information. That made him grin.

"You're free to get the information from her any way you'd like. I can take care of any...indiscretions if necessary." They'd discuss money, of course. He expected that portion of the conversation to be the shortest discussion though.


-------------
Photo given to Kanon:

[Kalypso "Kanon" Tace]

As the photo was slid across the table, that poised digit tapping it in indication, Kanon dropped her gaze towards it, head not dipping as she reached out to slide it further her way. Gloved fingers found purchase and the item was soon held up. She gave the blonde a few measuring glances. Young. Innocent. Pure? There was no sign of anything sinister about this girl. Someone's beloved daughter, or sweetheart. This doctor wanted her captured? Or worse? Kanon tilted her head at an angle, and then looked beyond the picture to Ginetti. The photograph was lowered as she processed the information he was telling her. It was all neatly filed in her mind. Everything to be picked apart for later use. She was always thorough like that. The Bounty Hunter needed to know everything that would help her in finding her marks. Not enough to know why - or create a conflict of morals if she had any. Secrets weren't her thing. It wasn't important what a person had done. Sometimes she found out. Sometimes the mark tried to sway her with sob stories, money or appealing to her human nature. There wasn't much chance she had any humanity in her. Who knows, right?

Just from looking at the picture, Kanon could tell she probably wasn't involved with elite mercenaries or ex-military types. This girl was probably on a homestead somewhere - in a small town or something. Of course, she could be wrong. No words left her as she simply listened. It was the easiest way to learn everything, after all.

Then the lead - the only lead he appeared to have - was spoken. Kanon locked eyes with Uriah again. This nurse was free game? Kalypso given the authority to do as she pleased in order to obtain the information she desired. It was as if he were speaking her language. The silence broke on her end.

"This nurse.. Abby? Whatever you can tell me about her would also be helpful. Name, family. You know... little pieces of.. leverage."

She brushed at the table with a palm casually, eyes peering away as if to avoid the obvious mention of what she might have planned - or just to seem coy in her own mysterious way. Instead of locking his gaze again, Kanon returned to the picture. Lips pursed a little in thought as the face was etched in her memory. Kyla. Monroe.

[Uriah Ginetti]

Uriah smiled at the bounty hunter's remarks, a woman after his own heart. Perhaps she could get the work done in his absence, not like so many before her who had tried and failed. Many being killed for their failure of course. The doctor went to his briefcase, leaning over the chair slowly to pick it up. He set it on the table with care and opened it up with a click of the locks.

What he pulled from the case was a crisp manila folder, about an inch thick. Closing the briefcase the doctor placed the folder on it's top and looked across to Kanon. It was a brief look, before he passed the folder over to her. "Anything and everything on the woman is here. I assure you it's the best research work you can find. My men are good at what they do or they'd find themselves..relieved of their duties." Uriah set his briefcase back on the floor, it was empty now. It's only purpose had been to house the file. The file that was originally meant for him, but now was in the hands of the bounty hunter.

"I did not get a chance to review it as I just received it yesterday when I got here. I'm sure that you'll find plenty for your purposes." He grinned and there was a dark look on his face. The man could guess what she would do with the nurse.

[Kalypso "Kanon" Tace]

The client was pleased. That was generally a good sign in Kanon's books, but what would the outcome of that smile be? He wasn't a weak man. Just looking at him - despite his smart clothes and seemingly unarmed appearance - told the tale of a man that had... done things. What exactly those things were... Kanon didn't know. She didn't need to know. It had nothing to do with any weak stomach. Of course she didn't have one. There wouldn't be a woman sitting here dressed in red leather calling herself a Bounty Hunter now, would there? Uriah Ginetti wasn't fool enough to hire someone that was new or inexperienced. Yes, this client was going to bring her in a lot of money. Though, not as important as what obsticals that might be in her way. What stood between her and this Kyla Monroe? No doubt it was hardly just one little nurse. Nor a hospital somewhere. No. If a man like this wanted a young, innocent girl back there had to be a good challenge on the horizon.

Now she had the file. It was offered out with only a moment's glance and she'd taken it. Eyes flickered from it to him, then back again. There was no move to open or leaf through it's pages. No, no. Kanon simply opened her coat and tucked it inside. Somewhere safe and snug and close to her. No smiles were made, though. As eager as she was to get this assignment underway, Kanon was hardly going to break face and loook like a fool. That sinister smile of his, though, probably haunted those he's come across. If they hadn't been... relieved of their duties.

"This will do just fine. I'm sure we'll have much to talk about... this nurse an' I."

A moment's more consideration was taken before Kanon got up. The photograph in her other hand was held out again, regarded, and then slipped into the pocket of her jacket. The bloodhound that she was, she could already sense the trail ahead of her - her prey was out there somewhere. A job she would do well to sink her teeth into quickly.

"Unless there's anything else you have for me, Doctor, I'm sure you'd appreciate that I get to work as soon as possible."

Kanon stood by the table, gloved hands inside the pockets of her jacket as she watched him carefully and waited to see if there was anything more. Maybe moving to get up so quickly had betrayed some eagerness? No matter. Kalypso wouldn't dwell on it.

[Uriah Ginetti]

The meeting was going well, Uriah was pleased so far with Kanon. When she stood he followed suit, buttoning up his jacket. His pistol had not been needed. The bounty hunter seemed anxious to begin her job, he just hoped she had the skills to complete the job. The doctor pulled a card from his front pocket that had also held the photo of Rayne.

Uriah held the card out to the woman, "Contact me if there's anything you need, day or night. Think of a number Kanon, any number. Because if you can get this job completed, that number is yours." His face was serious, it wasn't a joke. Uriah had the resources both personal and professional to pay the woman. "It's been a pleasure Kanon. I look forward to your success."

If she went no further with the conversation he would be on his way, heading back to Osiris to take care of the issues that were pulling him away from hunting her himself. The issues in question would have hell to pay when he got there.