Evening Ale

"So…" a seemingly bored voice spoke in the silence, "Where are you headed?"

"Just a stop-over at Prontera…" another answered, "I'm looking for a healer."

The man's only reply came in light chuckles escalated into soft laughter. In the shadowed night, two dark silhouettes sat on the ledge of an old abandoned stone cottage---the typical design of Morrocan residence. There was a light clank as a bottle of Morrocan wine touched the lips of a glass cup,

"Prontera eh? For a healer!" the assassin grinned, light desert breeze filtered through long hair tied at the nape, the cold ferocity in his expression earlier that night was forgotten as his face lit with a smile. It was one that would otherwise melt any girl's heart had it not been partly hidden by bangs that completely covered the right side of his handsome face, slighted only by a scar that ran down his left cheek. "I didn't know you were hiring help Rei,"

The other, called Rei, slid his ghost bandanna to one side, and faced his companion squarely, "This is a hunt Flick, I don't know the exact particulars of this mission but bringing a priest along would be of help." A serious expression was on the man's face. "Besides," he continued, "I would be able to save a lot of zeny for the healing potions."

"Ahh, how miserly of you…," Flick mocked. "…but how in the world are you going to acquire a healer? What idiot would ever volunteer to go with an assassin…?"

A quiet expression flitted across Rei's face, "I don't think my healer would think of objecting…"

"Oh really? How are you going about convincing a priest to join you?" Flick scoffed, not quite convinced when he suddenly caught sight of a suspiciously malicious look in his friends eyes. He choked on his wine and started laughing, "Oh my God! Tell me you're not doing that!" he said in mock surprise.

Rei cocked his head to one side in assent, sending his companion's chuckles into escalated laughter. "What's a man of my profession to do?" he said evenly. "I'll have to steal one of course,"

Flick made an effort to suppress his laughter before letting it all out full-blown. "Do you actually believe you can steal a priest from the church?" Flick hiccoughed, finally gaining reign on his mirth.

"Don't laugh too much…," Rei commented, not bothering to answer the question nor hide his irritation. "You'll run out of air…"

"You're unbelievable, Rei," Flick stated, hiccupping from remnants of his hysterical amusement.

Rei, the assassin with the ghost bandanna, picked up his katars and backpack, "Well then, I'd better be going…"

Now only smiling, Flick stood up and then clasped Rei's shoulder, "Good luck! You're gonna need it…"

Flick watched him go, his thoughts centered on Rei, the assassin aliased Midnight Wanderer—friends though they were, Rei still remained as much of an enigma to him as was to the other assassins. More importantly… Flick smiled, "The man's a born killer…"

Never had two lone assassins met without trying to kill the other where in their line of work; it would be more convenient to kill off the weaker competition. However…this was not the case for the two. They were men of the most deadly repute and the most reclusive and in-demand of their field, much more terrifying when brought together as friends than if they were as rivals.

It really was a wonder how they ever became friends—two assassins; one, able to kill with his bare hands, and he…Flick chuckled, he on the other hand, was the cunning one…

"Well Rei," Flick began as he walked lazily towards the southern gate, "Good thing you didn't ask me what my assignment was…"

Flick laughed aloud at the thought as he headed out of the gate. His next destination… Comodo.