Recruitment (solo)

[Hoff]

Hoff sat in the room he had purchased earlier that evening - the stew was cooking in the corner, and he had covered his windows leaving the room dark. He had been on the road since leaving Lycia; due to his fast pace had little time for stops to deal with food and was starved by the time he reached the small Etrurian town. The prospect of the stew had him in high spirits as he enjoyed the comforts of the small room.

He got up from his chair, and in a few steps suddenly became very dizzy and felt his eyes loose focus. Struggling for balance he felt his legs give out and dropped on his side. Amazed he had not lost consciousness he laid for a few moments struggling to come back to, glad his head nearly missed the table.

As he got back to his feet he suddenly noticed someone sitting across from where he had fallen - feet up on the table, their figure obscured by darkness. He took a few seconds to gather his mental cool again and check his surroundings before, though keeping his voice as casual as possible, he addressed the stranger.

"And here I thought I was just weak from hunger"

The figure didn’t move but Hoff felt its cold gaze piercing him.

"It is a powerful serum. I'd be surprised if you knew of it." the voice was harsh, and put Hoff further on edge "But I doubt this is what you want to ask at the moment"

Hoff shrugged, tilting his head to the side then looked into the darkness again, waiting for the stranger to continue.

[Hoff]

"We ask simply that you continue as you were planning, go to Illia. " the motionless figure started and Hoff noticed that although raspy the voice was fairly high pitch - the man was not very large, if he was a man at all.

If I had not blabbed about my destination, I would not be wondering how he knows this. - he chastised himself in silence while taking care to keep his face motionless.

"And who are you?" he had to keep it short, long sentences were trouble when he felt like this.

"Suffice it to say that you will be helping Bern." - the figure ignored his question "Any information that would be of interest will be well rewarded. More details are to come, this is simply the offer"

"Why take your word for any of this? You cant get many recruits this way?"

The figure regarded him for a moment, then lazily answered "How would you go about it then, when you hire a Spy?"

As Hoff thought on this the figure moved forwards slightly and placed a small bag of coins on the table. The tiny sum made it obvious, this was about the contract not the gold.

[Hoff]

"You will undoubtedly learn about me, in time" the shadow continued on as if trying to read his mind

As much as he wanted to smokescreen with him, this was thought trough. He was looking for someone that will work for other reasons, and not turn on coin - and he made that clear. It was also clear that he held power much more than Hoff had access to, and would be a strong ally.

But there was a lot wrong as well. Why want to keep his identity secret that badly, yet still meet in person? Finding out who this guy is may be first priority, but getting involved isnt the best option.

Still, it would be the fastest way to getting some answers - and so far he was not required to do anything unreasonable. Without word he reached for the bag of coin quickly pocketing it.

For a few seconds he thought on what to say before a familiar dizziness clouded his vision and he collapsed to the floor again. He heard a chair move and barely saw movement out his fuzzy peripheral. Hoff saw the boot of the stranger come down nearby as he walked past the crumpled heap on the floor to the room door and out into the inn. With so much to think on, far back in his mind Hoff was glad for the minutes peace before the feeling came back to his head and he regained consciousness.

(ooc: short and sweet character development )