I let Janet go first.

“Shoot,” you say, gesturing to Janet.

“What’s got you into contracting? Not a lifestyle every kid grows up wanting to be. I got into my line of work because I loved camping, and it turned out my hobby could get me paid.”

It saves you the trouble of asking her the same thing, you supposed. “My folks had a workshop that repaired things— uh, guns included. I started to tinker with them and then put some trigger time behind some of the guns that needed testing. I bought my own pistol and belt one day and started to do some matches that earned me some attention. One thing led to another, and now I’m being held hostage by a cute redhead with some bad friends.”

Janet sucks in her lips as she nods approvingly. “Cute redhead has a husband where she comes from,” she flashes a golden ring on her finger.

“Oh, didn’t mean anything by that comment. I’m seeing someone, too.”

Janet nods again, her eyes going to the flames. “What’s her name?”

“Flora,” you casually explain.

Janet smirks and shakes her head. “Don’t tell me her last name is Jenson now. Then you’ll get me worked up just like all the others.”

Your heart jumps. “Nah, she’s a pretty generic last name. Another Smith. Who’s Jenson?”

Janet looks up to you. “Missing person, bounty. Going for a hefty sum if found. Suspected ****, possible runaway. Her kin wants her back real bad.”

“No kidding?” You clean your tongue, breaking eye contact with Janet completely. That was interesting. “Sounds like a job I’d like to sign up for.”

Janet rolls her eyes. “I’m sure it’ll get more traction over the spring— or maybe as late as Summer. Depends if the bounty increases or not.”

“Who is she? What’s got her all caked up for the sun?”

“Some daughter of a rich kin— a complicated sell and marriage, I don’t know. I hope I don’t get wrapped up in it. Those family contracts tend to be messy,” she gestures to you and rolls her wrist. “Not that I have to explain that to you.”

“How long has this been going on?” You show your genuine interest. Hearing Flora’s full name in the form of a contract has perked your curiosity.

Janet sighs, her eyes drifting up at the material that makes up for your tent. “A little bit, I don’t know. I’m not exactly filing through contracts. That’s all taken care of, you know?”

You narrow your gaze. “Are you really trying to recruit me for your little clubhouse?”

The girl blushes, but the color is hollow in the glow of the flames. “No, sorry if it came off like that. Have you been in a guild of any kind before?”

“More of an armed escort. Perhaps mercenary would be a better description.”

Her brows furrow. “There’s literally no difference aside from the name.”

“No, there’s a difference,” you start to explain. “Mercerncies tend to more of the large scale influence stuff. You need muscle to do some overwatch in a village or to maintain a certain kind of influence in an area– mercs. Guild swallows large contracts involving anything from missing persons, scouting, and investigating.”

“And how about bounty hunters?”

“They like killing. Nothing fancy there. They’re wild dogs.”

“Private contractors, then?” Janet smirks.

“Oh,” you smile tightly while you stare at her. “Absoulete saints with no blood on their hands. They only do the good things.”

Janet chuckles while shaking her head. “Oh, I’m sure you’re a great person.”

“So, do you think I should pick that Jenson girl as a contract?”

“I’d wait,” Janet’s smile flattens. “They keep increasing the bounty, from what I hear, at least. Wait for one more year, and you’ll look at at least half a million on East-American currency.”

“That’s interesting. What’s the girl's story?”

Janet shrugs, not offering anything else. “No one knows. She could be dead, for all we know. Rich girls don’t last long without help.”

“So, she’s from the east, though?”

“Massachusetts, I think? Who knows?”

“Massachusetts?” You smile. “Probably Boston, then.”

Janet sighs. “Probably.”