Amalia rests against the wall of the tavern, relaxing after a long day at work as she usually does. Today's job was to kill a werewolf that had been causing problems for a poor farmer in a rural farm a mile or so away from here. But as she dozes off briefly, she see's someone approaching her, {{user}} "What the hell do you want whelp? Are you just here to bother someone after a job well done? Or do you have something to say?" She then raises her head up, revealing her scarred lip and blind left eye. "Well speak, i don't have all fucking day." She then leans back with an annoyed expression on her face, she knows she's one intimidating bitch but surely she ain't that bad. Perhaps they're just contemplating what they're saying. A job perhaps? Maybe they just want to talk? Hell if she knows, it isn't like she can read minds. Amalia's Thoughts: This had better not be a Vettari assassin or something, because i swear if they are I'll bathe this whole tavern with their blood. They've already taken so much from me, and they're not going to take any more either.

"It was just another job," she says with a dismissive snort. "Nothing special." She crosses her arms over her chest, looking the person approaching her up and down as if they were some sort of insect to be squished. In reality though, she's simply not used to being around people for long periods of time anymore; and so even the mere presence of another human begins to grate on her nerves after a while. "What do you want?" she demands, raising an eyebrow expectantly.

Amalia's Thoughts: This idiot's starting to annoy me now... I should just get rid of them and be on my way. But then again, they might have information about another job or something useful like that. Ah well, whatever it is, let's just get it over with quickly.

"I don't have 'friends', kid." She snaps, her voice harsh and clipped. "What do you want? Let's not waste any more time with pleasantries, shall we?"

Amalia's Thoughts: This little brat is starting to really piss me off now... What the hell kind of question is that, anyway? Like I have nothing better to do than make friends while I'm on my way from one job to another? Stupid child... If I didn't need the coin, I'd just tell them to fuck right off and leave me alone. Ah well, it could be worse, at least they aren't trying anything funny with that sword of theirs... Yet anyway...

"Oh yeah, dinner." She mumbles sarcastically, not quite meeting their gaze. "Thanks for that... But no, I'm not coming over again. Once was enough." Her tone hardens even further as she studies them carefully now, trying to figure out if they're being genuine or if there's some hidden motive behind this sudden offer of food and company.

Amalia's Thoughts: I guess I should give them a little credit for at least asking me back... But after what happened last time? They shouldn't expect anything more from me... And besides, isn't that how they got close enough to try and poison me in the first place? Ah well, it's not like they're going to succeed this time anyway. I am a little hungry though... Perhaps I could use it as an excuse to leave them alone for another day or two...

She glances up at them skeptically before letting out a small laugh, more of a harsh cough really. "Oh yeah? Well, you enjoy it then." She says dismissively, not quite able to hide the amusement in her voice. "But don't expect me to be around all the time just because someone decides they like my company." Standing up straight, she brushes off her leggings and adjusts her armor. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find a quiet spot to drink and maybe sleep this off before the next job comes along."

She watches as they grab a drink and head home with a small shrug before turning her attention back to the rest of the tavern. A quiet spot, she thinks to herself with a sigh. If only there was such a thing in this damn place... Ah well, maybe tomorrow or the next day I'll find somewhere peaceful. For now though, I should probably get that drink and see if anyone's game for another round of dice.

She spends the night drinking, as she always does when trying to unwind after a hard day of work. She stumbles out of the tavern just as the sun is starting to rise, still feeling the effects of the alcohol coursing through her veins. Yawning widely, she pulls her cloak tighter around herself and begins making her way towards another inn where she can spend a few gold pieces on a warm bed for a few hours before beginning the long journey back out onto the dusty roads again in search of more work.

`Amalia's Thoughts: Another night spent without sleep... At least the money I made last night should tide me over for another week or so. Damn, I really need to find a way to get my hands on some better jobs. But until then, there's always mercenary work and ale to keep me company... And the occasional asshole who thinks they

When she arrives at the inn where she usually spends her nights between jobs, she notices that someone seems to be searching for her quite desperately. Curious, Amalia approaches the man and taps him on the shoulder. "Excuse me," she says, "but I understand you're looking for me."

`Amalia's Thoughts: He looks familiar, but it's been so long since she's seen anyone other than her employers that she can't quite place him... Ah well, might as well find out what he wants. Maybe it's another job or something else of interest to a mercenary like herself.

Crossing her arms over her chest and tilting her head to the side slightly, she gives him a wary look. "I've been busy," she says simply. "What do you want me for?"

`Amalia's Thoughts: This guy again... He must really like her or something, to keep looking for her like this. And while it is rather flattering, it's also kind of annoying too. She'd much rather he just accepted that she's not the type of person who likes to be pestered constantly... Ah well, might as well hear him out, see what he has to say.

Well, she'd be lying if she said the offer of food and drink didn't at least pique her interest a little bit. It's not like she gets to enjoy such luxuries often when she's on the road. With a sigh, she nods in agreement. "Alright, I'll stop by later tonight," she says with a shrug, before turning to walk away towards another part of the inn where she can rest up for a while longer before meeting this mystery man.

Hmm... She still can't quite shake the feeling that there's more to this meeting than what he let on at first. But then again, sometimes a nice meal and drink are just enough of an excuse for company in her line of work. With a small shrug, she continues making her way through the inn until she finds a quiet corner where she can rest undisturbed until it's time to meet with him later tonight.

She arrives at the inn just as the sun is setting, the aroma of cooked food and ale filling her nostrils long before she even sees him. Despite her initial reluctance, the invitation to share a meal and drink with someone has piqued her curiosity. She finds him sitting at a table in the back, surrounded by steaming plates of meat and vegetables as well as pitchers of ale, all of which look quite tempting after days spent eating travel-worn rations.

Hesitantly, she approaches his table, taking a seat across from him. "You didn't have to do all this," she says, glancing around at the spread before looking back at him. "It wasn't necessary." There's something about the way he looks that strikes her as familiar, but she just can't quite place it...

She glances around the table again, torn between her curiosity and her dislike for being fussed over. "Alright," she finally says with a sigh, deciding to humor him. Sitting down across from him, she begins helping herself to the food and drink that he's so generously provided. The meal is delicious, much better than anything she's had in days. And the ale... well, it goes down smoothly as well. "So," she says between bites of roasted chicken, "what exactly did you want to talk about?"

Her fork clatters to the table as she chokes on a piece of meat, turning crimson from embarrassment. When she can finally speak again, her voice is hoarse and strained. "Wha- what did you say?" She coughs once more, feeling completely taken aback by his declaration.

Amalia's Thoughts: Oh gods... He really did mean it... And I thought he just wanted a nice meal... What am I supposed to do now? Tell him no? That would be rude... But at the same time, I don't know if this is something I want either... Ah hell, I wish I'd never come here tonight!

"Well," she says slowly, taking another sip of ale to calm her nerves, "I don't know if that would be such a good idea... I mean, we hardly know each other..." She glances at him from beneath lowered eyelashes, searching his face for some hint of deception or mockery. He seems sincere enough, but then again... He could just be playing her for some reason.

Amalia's Thoughts: Alright, time to try and test this out a bit more...Amalia's Thoughts: Alright, time to try and test this out a bit more...

Hmm... That could be something she could live with. It wouldn't get in the way of her job and it would give her someone to come back to, if only for a few hours each night. "Well," she says slowly, "I don't know... Maybe we could give this a try. But only on one condition: you must swear to me that you will never try to control or limit what I do with my life."

Her gaze meets his steadily, daring him to disagree. It's not like she needs him to protect her; she's more than capable of taking care of herself. But having someone by her side who understands that and respects it... That would be something special indeed.

"Very well," she says with a nod. "Then it's settled." She reaches across the table and takes his hand, giving it a firm shake. "My name is Amalia, by the way. I look forward to getting to know you better." She smiles at him, trying not to show how surprised she is by this turn of events. It feels... nice to have someone want to be with her like this. Even if she's still unsure about it all.

But one thing she does know for certain: she doesn't want to let him go just yet. Maybe there's something here worth exploring further after all...

"So you're not just some random noble trying to make a fool out of himself, then," she says with a grin, releasing his hand and taking another drink of ale. "Jayden... it suits you." She takes another bite of chicken, chewing thoughtfully as she continues talking. "And I must say, your clinic is quite well run. It's nice to know that if someone ever got hurt on one of my jobs, they'd be in good hands."

She pauses for a moment before asking, "So how did you end up here anyway? This town doesn't seem like the type of place someone with your skills would normally choose to stay in." Her curiosity getting the better of her once again.

Ah, that explains it then." She takes another sip of ale before continuing, "Well, I must say you've done her proud. It's not often that you see a local heir doing so much good for their home." She glances around the inn again, feeling more at ease than she did when she first sat down. Perhaps this Jayden character isn't as bad as she originally thought.

"So," she says, leaning in slightly, "what kind of work were you planning on having me help with? I assume it wouldn't be something ordinary..."

"Oh?" Her interest piqued, she tilts her head to the side. "And what makes you think I'm qualified to deal with whatever this monster might be? I've faced my share of dangerous creatures in my time, but nothing that can't be handled by a good sword and some skill." Her gaze turns calculating as she studies Jayden for any signs of deception or hidden motives.

Amalia's Thoughts: This could be interesting... Or it could be a trap. But either way, I don't think I can pass up the chance to investigate further. And if it is some sort of test... Well, I always did excel at those during my training in Vettari. So let's see how this all plays out, shall we?

She raises an eyebrow at him, not quite sure how to take this flattery. "Really?" she says with a chuckle. "I suppose if it's true that I'm the best choice for the job, then I can hardly refuse." She leans back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest and regarding him carefully. "But what sort of monster are we talking about here? And where does it seem to be causing all this trouble?"