It was storming outside, with the rain smacking against the moving train violently. Lightning would shoot across the sky before being followed by a booming thunder often. The train was chugging along loudly and at haste. Jerking around the passengers with every movement.
Kane had hoped he would beat the rain before getting into the city. He never did like doing his work in the rain. But it didn't matter, the job will be done, nonetheless.
Luckily, his job was a rather simple one this time around. Francis Ritsk, a 21-year-old student at the Academy of Higher Education. Brown hair, usually slicked back, with green eyes. Five foot nine inches with an athletic build, but now many identifiers to pick him out of a crowd. Which, unfortunately for Kane, would be what he would have to do. The only thing he was given was an expensive gold chain around his neck with the word "Ritsk" boldly in the middle of the chain.
The Academy of Higher Education was a pretty nice academy, especially for the kingdom of Ociseon. The kingdom, run by a spineless king and officials in the pockets of different criminals, left much to be desired. Kane, before he turned to a life of spanking, had many different hits put out on the cesspool of crooks that ran this kingdom from its underbelly.
Not many could pull off the grades to get into the academy. And, if they did, money would be their second issue in trying to get in. However, when you come from money like Francis did, he didn't need to worry about his grades.
Francis, by the description given to Kane, was a very high maintenance young man. He carried this swagger around him that he was better than those. Never working a day in his life but always getting what he wants. Usually by using the money given to him by his parents.
With that swagger came an excessive amount of abrasiveness or sheer disrespect he had for his peers and especially authority. He was a fan of intimidating the authority around him. Making them feel as though they held no power against him. This worked well with the money he had, and the added bodyguard he carried around with him, Clyde.
His parents, the one who put the hit out, have been trying to break him out of these awful habits for a while now. They seemed to realize what all the years of spoiling and coddling Francis had got him, but they felt as though it was too little too late.
It all came to a boiling point, however, when he got into trouble with the local gang. His parents were able to handle this under the table, but this only grew Francis' complex. They knew something had to be done, which is where Kane came in.
This wasn't the first time Kane had dealt with a spoiled brat before, and Francis would be no different. And the 5,000 credits as his bounty was more than motivation enough to take it.
His parents had mentioned that he would be at a party in the city of Pantmawr. The city was a lively one. Crime infested to the brim, especially during the night where so much commotion is going on. He knew he had to get to Francis before anything was to happen. He'd rather him than any thug.
"Ahem!" he heard, snapping him out of his deep thought. He turned his head to see a train server in front of him with a glass of alcohol in her hand. She had a gentle smile, but quickly turned to an open frown as she took a step back. Her eyes widened as the tremble in her hands were noticeable through the shaking of the glass.
He had already known what had her on edge. The burned, seared scar etched onto the right side of his face had always caught many by surprise. The glass right eye also added to the jitters she had. Especially matched with his regular eye, lacking in any emotion like the glass one.
"Um, h-here's your champagne, sir." the server hesitated before holding her arm out with the glass. She made sure it was only her arm that got close to the mysterious man. Kane's expression remained inexpressive as he took the drink from the lady gently and nodded, "Thank you."
His voice was deep, cold and devoid of any feeling. This only put the server at more concern, letting out a quick nod before quickly walking away. Kane paid this no mind, enjoying his champagne with every small sip he took.
It wasn't long until he had reached the station. Once the train came to a full stop, he wasted little time. He got up from his seat and fiddled with the luggage compartment before grabbing his bag. He threw the bag on his back, with the items inside rummaging around quite loudly.
He made his way off the train and through the station, moving through and around the large crowd smoothly. His path was already determined and set, though unfortunate that he would have to walk in the rain to get to his destination. He stared at the pounding rain and grimaced.
"I hate the rain..." he groaned, before stepping into the pouring barrage and walking through. His silk, long black hair quickly lost its style, and his clothing were drenched in mere minutes. But, again, he remained stoic in his expression.
He walked through the dismal city, with many of the blocks he walked invoking some sort of memory or emotion. Both were usually not pleasant. Though, other than the loud beating of the rain on any surface around, it was quiet in the Pantmawr. For Kane, it was the only saving grace of this storm.
Eventually, with much walking, he made it to his destination. The building wasn't too large, about two stories or so. The outside was tattered in different graffiti or damages. The glowing sign read, "The Romantic Melons Inn", though the sign did flicker quite a bit. Kane paid little attention it's appearance, though. He had been there more times than he could count and didn't expect it to get better each time he returned.
He went through the doors, triggering a short jingle. Before stepping up to the front desk, he used his hand to slick back his soaked bangs away from his line of vision.
"Welcome to Romantic Melons, where spice and risk will do the trick! What can I-" the man at the front desk began to rehearse his script but froze at Kane's presence. The two men's eye's locked, but only Kane was willing to keep them locked. The man's eyes were trembling, darting at anything but Kane.
Kane walked up to the front desk, his shoes squeaking and leaving a dripping trail, and placed fifty credits on the table. "One room, please. Single bed. Preferably one of the first rooms when you enter that floor." he informed the man, but it seemed to go in one ear and out the other.
"Y-y-you're Kane Draco!" the man stuttered through, droplets of sweat trickling down his face and onto the counter.
"I am." Kane answered, "One room, please. Single bed. Preferably one of the first rooms when you enter that floor."
The man at the counter took a few more seconds before shaking the cobwebs from his head. He rummaged through his system, moving faster than he would usually. But, Kane seemed in no rush.
"Um, there's room 212 open! W-would that work?" he asked Kane, stuttering through his sentence once more. Kane knew he was choosing his words wisely. He feared to get on Kane's bad side, like most did. Though, Kane was used to this treatment. His name and face were known in Ociseon, and many of his storied hits.
"That one will do. Thank you." Kane thanked, his soft-spoken ring sending chills down the man's spine. He quickly took the money and got to making the reservation.
"Hehe-" the man began to chuckle to himself, but Kane paid no mind. "The folks here have a name for you, ya know?"
Kane raised an eyebrow hearing this, to which the man continued to chuckle.
"They call you the Booty Hunter."
The right side of Kane's mouth rose as he let out a short chuckle, "Amusing, I've never heard of that one before." he pointed out as the man handed him his key.
"Enjoy your stay, Mr. Draco!" the man jovially exclaimed, to which Kane nodded and began to go towards the steps.
"Oh, and one more thing-" Kane stopped and turned to the man again, "And, if anyone else tries to rent a room tonight, send them to rooms on the second floor. Got it?"
The man nodded quickly, "Yes sir, Mr. Draco, sir!" he agreed to which Kane shot him another sly smile.
"Good man." he retorted, going in his pocket one more time and taking out another credit before flicking it over to the man. The man fumbled it in his hands before finally getting a grasp on it, and let out a huge, opened mouth smiled. It wasn't often Kane would show anyone even the slightest bit of affection. The man should count himself lucky, and he certainly did.
Kane decided to take the stairs. Though his feet were aching from the long trail over here; he had known it would be faster than waiting for a barely functioning elevator. He reached the top and opened the door to the floor. It was a narrow hallway with doors adjacent from one another. He only had to walk a short distance before getting to his room.
He unlocked and entered the room. It was nothing to write home about, to say the least. The bathroom was right next to Kane as he walked in. As he passed it and entered the room, it was just as he remembered. The queen-sized bed took up most of the room, with a desk and the TV on a stand filled in the rest.
Kane quickly took off his damp clothes and set them on the desk chair. He opened his back, which was placed onto the bed, and took out an extra pair of slacks, a button up with a dark navy-blue vest. As he dressed himself back up, he checked the time, 22:45. He needed to start to get going soon if he didn't want to miss him.
He took his back and dumped out all the implements he had with him. A small, dark brown brush. It was thick and faded, seemingly from all the use it's had over the years. Next, was the wooden paddle, with the paddle itself being the size of his hand. Though not his most powerful implements he owned, he felt as though these would elicit just the reaction he wanted too.
He went to the top of the bed and took one of the two pillows. He placed one in the middle of the bed and the other near the end of the right side of the bed. Once he finished setting the bed up, he placed both the implements neatly next to one another.
After setting everything up, he was ready to head out. He grabbed the key to his room and walked out of the door and back down the steps.