“Not likely!” the Yamani woman snorted, not believing anyone would fall for the idiot’s prices. “I’ll not pay three times the value of the breeches your gixie wrecked for a pair that’ll shred with the first kick. ‘S your lass’ fault that I’m out, and you’ll be damn glad I’m willing to pay you anything, when really, I should be reporting her to the guard. That, or mention the incident to my employer—” here she placed special emphasis “—as he so hates it when anyone encroaches on what he feels is his territory.”

This much, at least, was a blatant lie. Her new boss – much as she detested calling him that – was as likely to care as she was to be made into a goddess; if anything, the idiot would laugh at her over the matter. Based on what she’d seen of him thus far, Fallon Smithy was an easy-going enough man, and the idea of him viewing a child nicking a pair of breeches as ‘encroaching on his territory’ was laughable. Still, though, the man before her was not privy to that information, making her intimidation worthwhile. His face paled visibly, his expression such that, were it not for her Yamani heritage, Kasumi would have been unable to prevent a burst of laughter.

He quickly conceded, though, making it all worth the fuss. To be honest, the Leopardess had only been mildly annoyed when her breeches had been snatched from the line on which they’d been drying, and that more at herself for not keeping a better eye about her home than at the child who’d seen fit to take them. Her annoyance grew progressively, however, as the girl proceeded to haul them through the mud, get them caught – and torn – on a rosebush, and throw them into a burning building (what kind of child knew where all the flaming dwellings were, anyways?!).

With a sigh, Kas took the offered garment, shoving a few coppers into the man’s hand as she did before stalking off. Aside from the indignity done to her poor clothing, the gixie had also seen fit to insult the Shang’s Yamani heritage. It hadn’t been the first time she’d been insulted in such a way since she had arrived in Corus, but it had been a while; the end of Tortall’s war with her homeland had greatly lessened the grudges born against her people. That children carried on such a tradition was startling to her, and the petite warrior couldn’t help but wonder if her life would ever be peaceful. Well, as peaceful as the life of a Shang could be, at any rate.

Kasumi sighed, lightly running fingers through her dark hair. She was certain life must have been simple at some point, however the years the woman could recall were hardly what could be deemed normal, leading her to doubt it. Fleeing your homeland, being subjected to a civil war, and training as a Shang were hardly ‘simple’ events, after all; it was quite possible that accepting the position of bodyguard for the Rogue’s king was the most ordinary thing she had done thus far.

“That,” she mumbled with a grimace, “is a depressing thought if I ever had one.”

Small, but muscular, legs carried the Yamani into Prettybone, at which point she slid tiredly onto a stone bench. It was possible, Kas couldn’t help but think, that simplicity was overrated. ‘But not likely.’

It was getting a little frustrating, if anyone had cared to know. Keeping his shop in Upmarket was a little demeaning on his work. Sure, the Upmarket Dogs would come and buy from him, those who wanted to keep their fellow Dogs alive passed on the word. Few actually believed them. The Rogue... wanting to armor up the city's guard... it seemed laughable.

But was completely true.

Fallon wanted to put armor on someone. It was becoming infuriating. His work was so well done that no one needed repairs after the last time he worked on someone's pieces. So what else was there to do but to find a new place to set up shop? Why not Prettybone? The area was all... pristine and slightly rich. The dogs there could afford his work and then some. As he was sauntering down one of lanes on the way to Prettybone he heard a familiar angry voice reprimanding a man selling breeches. It seemed funny to hear the small woman bring him up in conversation.

I’ll not pay three times the value of the breeches your gixie wrecked for a pair that’ll shred with the first kick. ‘S your lass’ fault that I’m out, and you’ll be damn glad I’m willing to pay you anything, when really, I should be reporting her to the guard. That, or mention the incident to my employer as he so hates it when anyone encroaches on what he feels is his territory.

Fallon chocked back a full blown fit of laughter with only an amused chuckle. To hear his guard pulling his name out of the air about something he would have laughed in her face about. His eyes followed her movements as she took the garment and headed off in the direction he was already headed in. Her face a Yamani mask of indifference as she stalked down the crowded streets to settle her self on a bench and fume when she thought no one was watching.

Standing back and watching Kasumi sit there lost in thought Fallon's forehead furrowed in concentration as he wondered what was running through her lushish black haired head. He stepped forward after a moment of thought, gathering his dignity to take on the shang warrior.

"Why Kasumi! What a pleasant surprise to see you in Prettybone! What brings you all this way?"

Fall let a small smile flutter across his features before settling himself down on the bench next to her.

That voice. The Yamani knew instantly to whom it belonged, though she strongly hoped it was a hallucination. Brown eyes shifted ever so slightly in its direction, though veiled by her eyelashes, this action went unseen. ‘Nope. Definitely Smithy,’ Kasumi thought, the strong urge to grimace veiled only by her stone-faced expression. Fallon Smithy could certainly make a trying day worse. For one thing, his conversational tone was too damn cheerful, and his arrogance was astounding. The Rogue seemed to be under the mistaken impression that, merely because she was in his employ, the shang warrior could tolerate him, though Kas was well aware she’d done nothing to encourage such a belief. Death threats were hardly the warmest words of welcome.

‘I was hoping to get away from you, actually,’ the small woman thought dryly, ‘but I see that plan failed.’ True, this idea had not been in her foremost thoughts, but it seemed a safe bet to assume it had been a subconscious one. Rather obviously, Kasumi inched away from where he had moved to sit beside her, turning her head to look at him.

“Given that I’m off duty, Smithy,” she responded curtly, a dark eyebrow forming into the familiar raised arch, “I don’t see how that’s your business.”

Most wouldn’t dream of speaking to their employers in such a manner—at least, not if they intended to keep their job—and most would sooner dive from a bridge than risk angering the Rogue. Kas, however, thought nothing of treating Fallon Smithy precisely as she liked to (though, admittedly, she did refrain from strangling him), having initially felt certain that she could kill him if he were to try anything, and then having worked under him long enough to know he’d not fly off the handle as many men would. This fact alone had earned him her respect, however grudgingly she gave it, though didn’t prevent her from entertaining thoughts of killing him when he was particularly vexing.

“Unless, of course, you think someone’ll try to kill you before I start up again. In that case, you’ll be paying me overtime.”

Though her eyes, actions, and tones all currently displayed her feelings as if on a billboard, the Yamani’s expression was still decidedly blank, and any passers by might have thought she was simply ignoring his presence. If only she could; the Rogue was far too annoying for that.

Fallon smiled brightly as he sauntered over to his guard, loving the way she kept her composure, knowing that if she weren't yamani she would have stiffened in irritation. Her heritage was part of what made the shang warrior the amazing person she was, not that Fall would ever tell her that to her face. That sort of behavior wasn't that of the King of the Rogue. Although flirting mercilessly was one hundred percent the kind of person Smithy was, not that Kas would ever return such feelings, not yet anyway. She still didn't like him much but she kept him from getting killed on a nightly basis. Safe from others and from himself.

Given that I’m off duty, Smithy. I don’t see how that’s your business.

He chuckled again, enjoying her brash words, knowing most would beat or fire their employees for such a thing. Instead Fallon found it especially amusing. Not many people talked to the Rogue in such a way that gave him the equality of other people.

Unless, of course, you think someone’ll try to kill you before I start up again. In that case, you’ll be paying me overtime.

Again Fallon laughed at Kas's comments. How she was different from his rogues she was the same; always concerned about their money. "Now, my dear. You know that I would love the opportunity to spend more of my time to be ravished by your beauty but not today."

Feeling generous Fall continued to indulge her ears with his day's schedule. "I'm actually just passing by, looking for a new smithy. The old one, which I still adore as you well know, isn't in the best location. I'm having a hard time keeping up with funds since my work is so exceptional. And since I'm the Rogue many wont come to me for work."

Walking over to where Kasumi sat his tunic style shirt flowed a bit with his movements. He particularly loved this top. "A new place might help with funds and possibly I can give you a raise."

Fall's chipper tone skittered out of his mouth and around his companion. He really did love poking at the few soft spots she had let slip, money being high on the list. She might follow him around stomping her indignation, but he would have amusing company.

After a moment of internal debate, the Leopardess let the comment about her appearance slide. Likelier than not, Smithy would give her cause to beat him again if the conversation were to continue, and so not taking the effort to rise and do so now would hardly cost her anything. Still, though, her dark brows narrowed slightly, indicating her displeasure. His tone was a conversational tone, pleasant enough, however her usual irritation at him was well within sight. Yes, she’d take his money, but that didn’t mean she had to like him, nor did it mean that she had to smile and act polite around him—a fact that Kasumi had drilled home many, many times.

Even given that, the Rogue’s bodyguard found it hard not to perk up slightly at the mention of a raise. She couldn’t say he didn’t pay her well already—especially given her decent lodgings in Highfields and her occasional splurges on equipment she really didn’t need—but it was the money that kept her from letting folk kill him. And from killing him herself. Her face, though, showed none of this; rather, the woman showed only the traditional Yamani mask, as lifeless and noncommittal as her tone.

“What,” she asked sarcastically, “you’re afraid I’ll simply follow the highest bidder and let some nobleman with a grudge kill you in your sleep?”

Kasumi didn’t mention that it would be tempting, because she wasn’t entirely sure that that was true. She may not have liked the man, but Shang warriors, especially those of Yamani origin, always tended towards doing the honorable thing, which was rarely backstabbing one’s employer simply because the killer had more copper nobles to give her.

“Too, I’d advise against Prettybone; the richer folk tend to be less receptive to criminals than your sort are.”

Still, she did nothing to dismiss the idea of a raise.

Fallon watched the yamani mask sit on Kasumi's face, noting with satisfaction that she must have rattled her or she wouldn't hide, What, you’re afraid I’ll simply follow the highest bidder and let some nobleman with a grudge kill you in your sleep?

He laughed, heartily. No one could get close while he slept, everyone knew that. The spells he had laying around his building were quite deadly, never mind the ones that lined his bed room. He was also a very light sleeper, had been since he was a child and noticed when the neighbors were beating their children. That sound he never enjoyed but he heard them get robbed one day and that was enjoyable to listen to.

Too, I’d advise against Prettybone; the richer folk tend to be less receptive to criminals than your sort are

Fall gave that advice some thought. She really did have a good point about that. Rich folk wouldn't want the Rogue roaming around their area. And getting his children together for privet meetings would probably cause his neighbors much discord and alert the dogs. The Prettybone dogs are more likely than not to be out of his pay reach while family bribes would be of little help. These dogs were of a nobler breed that thought themselves better than all others.

"Maybe you're right dear heart, Prettybone's look would diminish with our beauty here," His tone was saturated with sarcasm and with a silly glint in his eyes.

No matter what Kas said she had to slightly enjoy his company and wit. His words flew off his tongue in a pleasant manner and he treated her with respect. What was so bad about all of that? "What about Flash? Think that area would be good for us?"