[amanda784]

Piper sighed in relief. The sabbit's foot had reminded her of her past life in crime and she was glad it was gone. This moment was one that proved a change inside of Piper. She was slowly becoming more the person she wanted to be.

"I will help you little one," said Maverick, "but if you get in my way I will hunt you. Do you understand? I'm not an unkind person. You may even think of me as a mentor, but this job is my life and I will not risk that. I'm sure you have questions. Ask them."

[amanda784]

"What kind of protection can I carry against sabbits?" asked Piper.

"I have one for you," said Maverick. "I always carry spares."

Maverick held out a hand, showing a single keystone.

"It's just a keystone," said Piper.

"No, it's a lucky keystone. For centuries people have claimed finding a keystone face up would bring you good luck. This is not true. Still, a lucky keystone will protect your luck. It's a simple object really, but I find a lot of magic comes from simplicity."

Piper took the keystone gratefully.

"Thank you," said Piper. "Should I pay you?"

"Last I counted you were down five keystones to my illusions. I hold those keystones. We will call that good."

[amanda784]

"Couldn't I just drop one of those five until it lands face up?" asked PIper.

"No." said Maverick. "Part of the magic comes from finding the item. If you do find an item that is seemingly magic I suggest you leave something in it's place. The universe does not take kindly to our kind taking things as we please."

This was Piper's first experience with magic items. Piper had some magic inside of herself being able to create small gusts of wind. Still, magic items were foreign to her.

"I'm also looking for a baskerville," said Piper. "How do I catch one?"

[amanda784]

"I'm afraid I can't help you with that one," said Maverick. "I deal only in physical creatures. I'm deal as little as possible in magic as I can. I've found that creatures without magic do not take to kindly to creatures with it. If I had not known about your small ability I would never have shown myself to you."

"Oh," said Piper, disappointed.

"Do you have a researcher on your team?" asked Maverick.

"Yes," said Piper, "and she did give me the name of a sorcerer but-"

"Be careful around those ones," warned Maverick. "Still, I would trust your researcher on this one. Would you mind giving me her name? Working alone has its perks, but I do need some research help."

[amanda784]

"Certainly," said Piper. "Her name is Laura. She works at Farley's Finds and you can reach her by calling there. It's where I work."

"I highly suggest that next time you listen to her instructions and take your hunts in the steps she provides," said Maverick. "I have a long list of unsuccessful hunts where a little piece of information would have changed my luck."

Maverick began spreading a map across a long abandoned card table.

"The places with "x's" I have thoroughly checked. As you can see, I have been searching to the East. I want you to stay on the West side of town." said Maverick. "If you run into trouble, call your office and then me."

[amanda784]

"What kind of trouble would I run into?" asked Piper.

"Am I the first other hunter you have run into?" asked Maverick, looking over Piper's confused face. "I am. Well, they aren't all as friendly as I am. Your safest bet is to apologize and leave - quickly. If you haven't been spotted then just run. A day will come when you will stand your ground and claim your own hunting grounds, but you are new. My illusions would have been easily spotted by a seasoned hunter. You need time before you can stake any claims."

Piper couldn't help but smile. The adrenaline of thievery and the possibility of getting caught was long gone from her. Still, this new type of adrenaline was nice.

[amanda784]

"You smile," said Maverick, looking disappointed. "Do not think your gusts of winds will deter any hunter. They will not be scared of you."

"It's not that," said Piper. "I just like the mischief of trying not to get caught. As you can see, I'm typically a creature of mischief. It's not easy to leave that life."

"Then don't," said Maverick simply. "Just make sure you aren't hurting others with your mischief. Use those tendencies for good. I see potential in you little one. Hunters don't have friends, but you would make a wonderful trainee."

Maverick gave a small smile to Piper.

[amanda784]

"If hunters don't have friends then why help me?" asked Piper.

"In time, you will make a great resource. I have knowledge of hunting, but you have a researcher at your disposal. I pay for the services that your company gives to you freely. You do not realize the advantage that holds," said Maverick. "Perhaps, if you turn out to be the hunter I think you will be we could work together some day. It's not easy to go from working alone to working with partners, but I like you kid. Besides, I have no children to pass down information to. I might as well pass it to you."

[amanda784]

Piper felt comforted and even protected by Maverick's presence.

"I won't leave the company, but perhaps you will join?" asked Piper.

"Not today," said Maverick, "but let me know if your hunt turns out and I may consider it. I don't want to work for a company of failure. I think you have a fighting chance."

Maverick turned his attention back to the map.

"Start here," he said pointing to a building. "It's an old bingo hall. It's still active, but only on weekends. Go at night and during the week. Sabbits are carnivores. You are too big to be a meal, but that doesn't mean they won't attack you. If there are sabbits there they are hiding themselves well. There's no real big winning or losing streaks. It's a low chance of a capture, but you aren't like to run into any hunters."

[amanda784]

"Won't I want to go during operation hours if I am to find one? I know sabbits sometimes hang out in abandoned casinos or operational ones, but a barely active bingo hall?" asked Piper.

"I already said the chances were slim," said Maverick. "Safety is your number one priority right now. Besides, sabbits tend to live in their place of work. If there is one there, then you will find him even after hours. What traps do you have?"

"Traps?" asked Piper.

"Little one," said Maverick. "You need to have a thorough chat with your researcher before you go out on any hunt about what items you will need."

[amanda784]

Laura had handed Piper the case file not long before now. Piper was told to go to the sorcerer and come back to check in. Instead, Piper had gone straight to his first possible site.

"I'm doing this all wrong," said Piper.

"You're making mistakes," said Maverick. "We all do. You need to learn from them quickly so you can make it in this business. That adrenaline you seek is here, but so is a danger like none you've ever met. Go straight back to you researcher. Admit your mistakes and ask for very specific instruction."

Maverick place his hands on Piper's shoulders turning her towards the door.

"And tell her she will be receiving a call from me and that I pay well."

[amanda784]

Piper opened the door to the office with her head down.

"Piper," gasped Laura. "My contact said you never showed up. I was so worried! Just because I hand you a case does not mean you have the all clear to begin."

"I'm sorry," said Piper. "I know that now."

"I have been told," said Laura. "I got a call from a hunter named Maverick. He has offered payment for sightings. I will give you a percentage of those earnings. From my understanding, he is looking for more promising hunting sites. Those ones are more dangerous so I will give them to him until you have the experience to take them on."

Laura

[amanda784]

"You can forget the sorcerer for now," said Laura. "I have been told you're leaning toward sabbit hunting?"

"Yes."

"And you have obtained a lucky coin?" asked Laura.

"Yes."

"Then here is the full file on sabbit hunting. Read it entirely before you leave this building. Do not attempt a hunt before gathering all the materials laid out on these pages," said Laura sternly.

Laura's voice softened, "you have already come so far from who you used to be Piper. I want you safe."

Piper nodded and began to read over the information.

Sabbit
Carnivore
Location: Slums
Information: Sabbits are extremely fast and cunning. They have the ability to attack, but will rarely need to use it. They are smooth talkers with keen hearing. The trap used must be strong, preferably metal. It must be placed carefully and quietly. Some believe that there influence on luck is from there smooth talking. Most hunters wear ear plugs to prevent hearing the smooth voice. Still, luck protection is highly encouraged.
Materials needed:
- luck protection (optional, but recommended)
- trap (metal or strong wood)
- ear plugs (optional, but recommended)

"Just a note dear," said Laura, "those items listed as optional are NOT optional for you."

[amanda784]

The next day, Piper got up early to go shopping. For her, early was a little before sunset. She walked into the little hunter's shop at the edge of town.

"Yes, I need a trap and some ear plugs," said Piper.

"What kind of trap?" asked the worker.

"Metal," replied Piper.

The worker rolled his eyes at Piper, "what size metal trap?"

"I-I don't know," stammered Piper. "It needs to hold a fifteen pound animal."

"Alright," said the worker. "Are you looking for a foot trap or a cage?"

A foot trap sounded like torture to Piper, "Cage please."

"Alrighty," said the worker. "How will you be paying for this?"

"From my work account," said Piper sliding over ID. "I should be listed on the Farley's Finds account."

"Very well," said the worker. "I'm going to go ahead and give you a size up on your cage trap. Pro tip, you don't always catch what you're looking for. It's far better to be prepared."

[amanda784]

Piper knew the worker was right. There was still a chance she would catch something she wasn't looking for. Still, any catch would be a good catch. The cage she was given was far too large to hide, but Piper had an idea.

"Maverick," Piper said into her phone, "I think I'm going to need an illusion."

"I like your style," said the voice at the other end of the phone.

The plan was simple. It was Monday. Piper would set the trap in a way that Maverick's illusion would disguise it. Then, she would carefully check it every day. She would remove the trap on Friday morning before anyone came in for bingo. She hoped that even a partially abandoned building would lure something.
[Wild Pet Found]