#flexable sheep

"And I thought the clockbelly's we have here were bad," Fazzi said clearly seeming disgusted by the words from the opossum. "Care to explain why trash like you is here?"

"Now now, that's no way to treat a guest," Chicadino said as he entered the room. "You'll have to excuse my employee for her behavior. Fazzi is very 'expressive' with her opinions along with not having much of a filter." The avian would then extend the magic induced hand. "I do hope this doesn't put us on bad terms. After all, I could really use an experienced partner."

Ofélia kicked her feet up, letting her steel heels rest on the table at the current fine dining restaurant she was in, lighting a cigar and starting to smoke. The white furred gamba could see the people glaring at her, though she didn't care. Then a lizard waiter wearing a suit came over.

"Excuse me, ma'am. We don't allow smoking here," the waiter said before he was handed a rather thick stack of note's, each worth a hundred. "What shall I bring you ma'am?" He asked pocketing the stack of notes. The people around them would request to be moved away from the gamba, though she didn't care.

"Best red wine you got, the entire bottle," Ofélia said before the waiter nodded and walked off. The gamba taking a puff of her cigar and blowing some smoke into the air. That was until it was completely froze. "Seriously? These were imported to." She'd crush it in her hand, letting the shattered cigar fall to the ground.

Ofélia then turned her attention to a large sheep wearing a giant blue wool coat and a matching blue sun hat. "You're really no fun to be around. I don't see you treating Valente this way when he smokes," the gamba said, leaning back in her chair.

"He knows to follow the rules of this restaurant, and one that your former employer owns might I add," Fazzi said, walking over to the chair on the opposite side of the table, though it was clearly too small for her. The sheep motioning to a random waitress passing by who used a quick spell to change it to a bigger chair. She then sat down.

"The key word there is former employer. I've been officially retired for about a year now. If I recall the way you phrased it was your boss giving me a nice 'donation' to retire my rather promising bounty hunter career early." Ofélia would then watch as the waiter set down the wine she ordered. "You freeze this then we'll have problems," the gamba said, opening it and drinking it straight from the bottle.

"So, what's your boss want from me now? Last I checked, he seemed pretty insistent on me retiring for good after he got on my bad side. Must be important to be asking for me come out of retirement." Ofélia would've jumped at the chance for work the first few months of retiring, though once she got settled into her new place, began relaxing, and buying whatever she wanted she realized she rather liked finally being able to kick back and just relax.

"He was, though I guess he has a job you might be interested in," Fazzi said, summoning a folder before sliding it to Ofélia. "Not sure what it is, just know he said it pays well and you'll find it interesting." The sheep didn't question orders just followed them.

Ofélia raised a brow as she set down the wine, followed by picking up the folder and opening it. "Never got a bounty like this before. Used to just a picture with a number on it," the gamba said reading it. "It's for an opossum?" She asked, looking at it closer. "Wait, oh, I know this one. She's uh, what was the nickname she got? The Opossum Bruiser!" Took her a bit to remember that name.

"Valente mentioned her a few times. Guess she was actually decent at dealing with average bounty hunters. He never bothered since she always avoided high ranking ones." Fazzi and Valente assumed at one point this opossum would slip up. Not to mention she moved a lot, so the avian thought it was only a hassle.

"That's why I heard too. Not sure why your boss thinks I'll be interested." Ofélia would turn to a second page while taking another drink of the wine, only to spit it out to the side, much to Fazzi's annoyance. "By Delphi, she hooked up with a royal from another world." Now the gamba could see why someone thought she'd be interested. "And here I thought someone was working extra hard to keep him from slipping his people in other worlds." She heard a lot of things it seems.

"That's not your concern. Are you taking the job or not?" Fazzi only needed conformation that if Ofélia was taking the job. Whatever spies her boss as in other worlds or who was keeping him from having such things wasn't the gamba's concerns in the sheep's eyes.

Ofélia looked over the file before setting it down. "I want double," the gamba said, finally taking her feet off the table and crossing her arms. "I ain't going through the trouble of pissing of a royal for the amount that's being offered." It was a lot sure, though not enough to justify making enemies of a royal, even if they were from another world.

Fazzi glared at Ofélia, not seeming happy about the demand, though a buzzing on her hand made her restrain herself. "Fine, just get it done as soon as possible," the sheep said, getting up and walking away.

"This metal plating isn't entirely comfortable, not that I'm ungrateful for it." As much use as Valente gets out of his Lucky Star it is rather bothersome how even healing magic gets burned by his flames.

"Don't get messed up by an opossum next time. Seriously, you wouldn't see me losing to a clockbelly. Not to mention you should know to be on guard at all times in our line of work." In Fazzi's opinion Valente only had himself to blame.

"Now Fazzi, we already had a discussion that such words aren't allowed anymore. Not after last time. Remember your notecards please." Chicadino then turned his attention to Valente. "Though I must agree you had it coming. You must remember just who Petunia is. We should be extremely grateful she's taken the Seal of Pacifism along with keeping her mother out of this. The hit you took is nothing compared to what a Grandmaster of the Iron Paw can do."

"Ah, yes, fighting someone who's skilled in the Iron Paw is something even I'm not willing to do if given the choice." Valente was naturally gifted in combat along with having an exceptionally powerful Lucky Star, though those of the Iron Paw are truly dangerous.

"I attempted to dabble in the art, though hooves aren't really built for it. My clan's Artic Arts are a decent counter, though I am unsure if I'm at the level of a Grandmaster." Even Fazzi had to respect those who master the art of the Iron Paw.

"My, so hasty my dear friend. Why don't I tag along?" Valente asked, catching up to Fazzi and walking alongside her. "After all, you hardly take a break, and I'm sure even you have limits despite your talents. Besides, I'm sure whatever you're doing will be fun." The avian schedule was cleared at the moment.

"I doubt it. I have to visit mother today." Fazzi never so much as turned to face Valente, though was sure what his reaction was. "What is it she always yapps on about? Something about coldest ice and hot fire?" The sheep honestly never listened.

"I believe it was the coldest ice can burn more than the hottest flame. A somewhat true statement to some degree since ice doesn't burn away whatever it touches." Valente was well away Fazzi's mother can be a bit... much when it came to fire users. "Well, give her my best wishes," the avian said, finally letting the sheep walk away.

"Doubt she'll accept it, though I'll think about bringing it up," Fazzi said before teleporting away. The sheep now walking on a path surrounded by a large wheat field. In the distance a large town could be seen with a large wooden wall surrounding it as she made her way to it.

Fazzi soon enough began walking up to the gate, easily getting the attention of the guards at the door who simply used their magic to open it and letting her walk in. It was a peaceful town with various people out and about. Guards patrolling, people talking, and even kids playing.

It wouldn't take long before anyone in Fazzi's way swiftly moved, letting her pass freely through the town before resuming the various activities. The large sheep only stopping as a ball came across her path. She leaned down, picking it up before spinning it on her hoof a bit followed by rolling it out of the way and resumed her walking.

After walking through the town Fazzi soon reached a house which resides at the middle of it, walking up and entering said out. The sheep would remove her hat, placing it on a rack. It was noticeably cold, obvious by the fact she could see her own breath.

Fazzi made her way through the house, passing various empty rooms as the only sound was her hoofs walking upon the wooden floors. Soon enough the sheep was in front of a large iron door, pushing it open without much effort. She now stood in a large room empty room, save for a smaller sheep who sat crisscross in front of a floor table. She too wore a heavy blue coat.

"You're late." The other spoke up, her voice on the deeper end, though also a bit soft. "Sit," she said, motioning to the other side of the table.

Fazzi would simply walk over, sitting crisscross in the spot the other directed. The sheep then looked down at the table, seeing two bowls, two spoons, and a large pot of soup in the middle of the table. "Smells like chilled beet carrot soup. I assume it's cold?" She asked, now looking at the other.

"Were you expecting anything else? Our bloodline has developed the most powerful ice and frost techniques since separating from the Gods. Cold foods are tradition as are our techniques." She'd then use her magic to fill both bowls. "Eat," the smaller sheep said, picking up her bowl and spoon, taking a sip the soup.

Fazzi did the same, yet seemingly disliked the taste of it. "Could do with some seasoning." The sheep almost forgot how bland the family recipes were. Supposed she had grown accustomed to the various food stands and restaurants in Eggton.

"The recipes haven't changed for generations. If you wished for something with seasoning, then perhaps you should've shown up on time and made your addition to the family recipes." Seemed there was a bit of tension.

Fazzi didn't say anything, continuing to drink the soup spoon full by spoon full. The two would do this in silence until both finished their bowls, setting them down and resting the spoon inside.

"Report," the smaller sheep said, waving her hand as everything on the table disappeared.

"Nothing out of the usual in regard to my normal tasks. Keeping the gangs in order, opossums in line, and following Chicadino's commands. As for new information, Queen Kit's portal system is up for travel between new worlds, and everything is now in order. Going to scope out some new ones soon." Fazzi kept it brief like normal.

"I see," the small sheep said, seeming to take a moment to think. "What are your thoughts of the other worlds you've been to? Any notable threats to Chicadino's plans?" She asked, wondering how Fazzi would answer.

"Most are harmless if you ask me. Some might have problems, though Chicadino has already begun making moves to prevent issues. Namely some a few Mobian's I've heard of who could cause annoyances, though I'm confident in my skills to deal with them." Fazzi had only agreed to assist the Darling Family with checking out worlds to get information ahead of others.

"Good, I didn't allow Chicadino to put you in school at Eggton and assist with developing your skillset for him to break his promises. After all, you're the first of our bloodline to be born with a Lucky Star which required some outside training."

"Yes, I'm aware mother. Though Chicadino doesn't make empty promises, that I can assure you. He's one who can be followed and worthy of loyalty." Who better to say than someone who's worked with him for years by this point. "I still detest his employment of opossums, yet he's made use of them."

"Ah, I see. Well, how others in their country conduct business with opossums is of no concern to me. Just keep them in line. Anything else to report?"

"Nothing worth note or that would be cause for concern." Fazzi then seem to be thinking for a moment, something that caught her mother's attention. "Valente sends his best wishes."

"If I recall correctly you were forbidden from mentioning the fire user to me. Do remember that next time before speaking such useless information. Anything else?"

"...No mother, that is all," Fazzi said, seeming to want to push the topic yet she bit her tongue. "Anything else?"

"No, you're dismissed," she said, shooing her away with a hand as she stood up and exited the room though another door on the opposite of the room.