Faye arrived to meet Mary at the request of some cute gypsy girl. She of course brought Lucy kitty with her. The girls training was coming along great and she hardly went anywhere without her.

She smiled brightly to Mary. ?So I hear you are in need of a bounty hunter. This is Lucy, my kitty.?

Mary?s heart stopped for a minute when she saw Lucy accompanying Faye. She swallowed hard and said, ?It is lovely to meet you as well? I have heard some impressive things about your artistic dances and your story telling talents.?

She shifted her eyes back to Faye. ?I have called you here today because for this reason: one of our employees was attacked and almost killed by a man named Wolvinator. Do not harm him more then is necessary to bring him in. I want to have a talk with him before more blood is spilled. I fear that unless this man and I can reach some sort of arrangement he will be killed in the most horrible way. I have told my employees to let me deal with this, but there is only so much I can do to restrain their anger.?

Mary stared at Lucy for a moment and then spoke to Faye and her both. ?The Bonny corporation is about to open a huge fair of sorts. I think Lucy would make a wonderful star with the right publicity, don?t you agree? If she would like we could contract her as the headline performer. Does this sound like something you may be interested in?

Faye crossed her arms and stared at Mary intently as she pondered the offer she had laid out on the table. She glanced over at Lucy, looking for her reactions, wondering if she even wanted such a job. They both had everything they could ever need, and Lucy should know that Faye would take care of her no matter what. But on the other hand something like this? It could mean she would be able to show the world the talents that Faye already knew deserved recognition. It could mean that she too would be self sufficient and that may be good for her.

She sighed and replied, ?You had better be willing to pay her exactly what she deserves for this job. I would still want something from you myself as well for completing such a mission. If I do this? it?s still going to cost you. I?m not just going to do it just in exchange for you giving Lucy a job. I have a feeling I am right in assuming you need someone as talented as her anyway. So this would help you as much as it would her.?

Faye bit her lower lip and appeared thoughtful for a minute. Wolvinator was indeed someone she thought of as a friend, but if she would actually be helping both sides of this disagreement then perhaps taking the job was sort of the right thing to do. Not to mention she had never heard the phrase name your price before when negotiating.

She looked at Lucy once more before turning back to face Mary. ?Assuming Lucy does indeed want this job? I will do what you ask under two conditions. First off I want 150 silver pieces as a show of good faith just taking the job. It?s going to be dangerous and I might get hurt. I want the money up front and I get to keep it just for attempting this mission. Upon completing it I want this diamond tiara I saw at the Rhydin general store. I?ll more then deserve it.?

?As for Lucy?s pay, you two can work that out and I expect you to make it more then worth her while for anything she does. Whatever you may have heard about her abilities couldn?t possibly express how good she is. I can assure you that she is the best in all of Rhydin and deserves to be paid as such.?

She figured that between Mary giving a great job to Lucy, and supporting her lottery habit another week, would make taking the job worth while. But she did expect that nice Tiara when she succeeded, which she had to believe she would. Does no good to think of potential failure, and at least her and Lucy were still going to come out better off for the effort.

Lucy thought about the offer. It was ironic, she thought, that she was being offered paid labor by the woman who had formerly tricked her into slavery. She didn't want to work for Mary, she didn't want her talents (made more impressive by her long hours of practice with Faye) being harnessed by the wicked woman's Corporation.

But she did want to be famous. She remembered longingly her brief employment with the Alley Cat Club - the lights, the applause, the beautiful clothes... the adoration. Faye was an excellent and appreciative audience, but she was hungry for recognition. And after all, she reflected, it wasn't like Mary could put her in a bad situation again. In many ways, she was not the same person as the scared and naive kitten that had been lured into an alley. That person had escaped from Travanix, been re-captured - and never been seen again.

She was a new Lucy, stronger, with powerful friends. She was no one's slave and would be no one's victim. And she did want to please Faye, her saviour and her teacher, her beloved. She knew it would make Faye happy if she blossomed into the star that Faye thought she could be.

"I accept your offer," she said to Mary, and her voice was only a little tense. She had excellent breath control. "We will discuss compensation later... I know you will accede to my requests. You are known for being a woman of your word, and honest - is this not so?" She looked straight into Mary's eyes, saying without saying: I could destroy your reputation. I could tell everyone who you really are... but we're being reasonable, aren't we?

She squeezed Faye's arm tightly, letting her know that she was getting edgy. She whispered to her lover, "I am tired, let's go soon." If this elegant pretense went on much longer, her tail would start lashing with anger - and that would never do.

"You will bring him to my building. I will have a conference room prepared. As I said, I am hoping this talk will end any more aggressive actions on either side, not make it worse. Despite his mission... I have heard some good things of this man. I have hopes to find he is in fact a fair, honest, and reasonable sort - as he appears to some."

She tossed a company phone at Faye, trusting her quick reactions to catch it. ?This is a cell phone, I think you are familiar with them? Call the number that is on the top of the list and you will reach Marguerite; she can set up a way for the two of you to get in.?

?And remember dear, the best outcome would be to end the conflict before it all goes deeper? Keep this as peaceful as you can.?