Continue: If a tree falls

[malico]

Valerie and Dominic walk in through the front door after their long walk in the Dark Forest. The place was full, after all, it was the opening night. One could easilly tell the hunters from the normal people. Some had scars all over their faces and bodies, others were just buff and showed off their weapons. Valerie felt a little intemidated but a quick look up at Dominic's profile and the fear fled from her eyes. A smile came across her face as she pulled him up to the ordering bar. The smell of coffee was strong in the air and it brought back so many good memories.

Looking at the menu posted on a board she sees a figure behind the bar that stood tall and their was no mistake, it was Nelo. He gave a warm smile that she wouldn't have expected from a retired hunter but it was a welcome warmth. Valerie turned to Dominic. "What should we get to drink?" Suddenly a wall behind Dominic caught her attention. It was a board for posting the top ten most wanted in the city. She looked at all the pictures but only noticed two faces, niether of which were the number one wanted. One was Malico, The owner of the Eclipse whom she had only seen once before. The other face made her take a step back from the counter. It was Dominic's wanted poster.

[snow]

Dominic recognized a few of the hunters in the bar, most of them pretty new at the game. The man behind the bar was exactly who he had hoped it would be. Nelo, a legendary hunter. Though he had been at it for just as long as Dominic, he had accomplished so much more in his career. A few years back he had even stopped a demon infestation of Newark, New Jersey single handedly.

Valerie posed a question at him, and he began looking at the menu over the grizzled veteran's face, not noticing Valerie's interest in the posters behind him. He started noticing however that his name had begun coming up in the conversations throughout the cafe.

[malico]

Valerie was a little unnerved now after seeing the wanted poster. *what could he have done to get on that list?* she thought to herself. She heard everyone around them talking about Dominic now. She stepped back to the counter, looking at Nelo. She wouldn't let the fact that he's wanted destroy what she met him as. He was nice to her and that's all that mattered. "How about we get some Chai tea? With some cinamon on top, it tastes really good I promise."

She made sure he was looking at her while he was talking so he could see her eyes turn focus back to the list. He should at least know what everyone was talking about.

[snow]

"Yeah, sounds good." He noticed the shift of her eyes and followed them to the poster. "Wanted eh? Don't worry Valerie, I'm pretty sure that bounty is simply there on account of all the failed attempts on my life. Not that you're in any danger."

He turned to the crowd. "Don't worry my fellow hunters. I'm not here for trouble, just a drink. I don't think Mr. Mark here wants any trouble anyways."

The gruff hunter behind the counter spoke up, his voice booming over the room. "That's right. I happen to know this man, he's a good hunter. Touch him and not being welcome back here will be the least of your worries when he's done with you."

Dominic nodded to Nelo and turned back to Valerie, smiling. "See, no worries."

[malico]

Valerie let out a small giggle with a little blush in her cheeks. She couldn't believe that Dominic knew the hunter of legend Nelo personally. "Ok then, two chai please Mr. Nelo." She couldn't shake that stupid little grin of hers, she was so relieved and felt like she could do anything without being in any danger. She hadn't been anywhere with anyone but her sister in a very long time so she seemed a little greatful at every little turn in which Dominic was there.