Maxim ran through the streets after sunset. Puddles formed quickly as rain poured down and he quickly skidded to the nearest cheap inn. He pushed in, soaked and dripping, and pushing past the crowds to a table in the back. It was near the fire place, which was good considering he needed to dry off.
This was the fourth night it had been pouring outside, the summer storms were at their peak season. He shed his cloak and set in on the back of his chair, pushing back his blonde hair and ignorning the party that joined him at the large round table.
He tried to hold his breath at the smell of smoke, and wet dog, apparently from the bad cook in the kitchen and the three coon hounds resting by the fire.

Maxim knew he probably wouldn't get a room tonight, but, luckily this was also a hostal. There was a huge communal upstairs, and the private rooms were above it. Maybe for some bits of copper he could wiggle in a bed between some strangers.
Hell, he'd keep warm that way.
He continued to shed his mud covered leather boots and socks, massaging his feet and making sure to warm and dry them by the fire to prevent the rot. The more he studied the hounds curled up, the more he wanted to join them.

Kleo sat at the bar already, dry. She'd gotten there only moments before but the rain hadn't seemed to touch her. She had a glass of wine in hand, smoothly talking to the man next to her. He seemed interested in her, the long slit in her skirt and her low cut top, all red, but he couldn't get past staring at her ears. They were a soft brown, tipped in white, and furry, much like fox ears.
She didn't seem to notice he was staring, or if she had, didn't care. She sipped wine and lost interest as the man stopped speaking all together. She shook her head a bit and turned on the stool, looking over the rest of the busy tavern.

Maxim growled a little at the obnoxious drunks at his table. He managed to steal some bread and a half pint while they keeled over laughing, and he slipped off the chair to join the three dogs. They lifted their heads and rest back down, the owner too fat and drunk to give a care about the man seeking the fire's warmth and the company of the animals rather then the people.
Maxim didn't looke approachable by people, normally, carrying two weapons. A large sword that seemed weight less, and a light sword on his hip. He had a scar on the side of his face and one eye was glazed over, but still seemed functional.
He devoured his stolen piece of bread, ignorning the weevils and downed it all with the cheap diluted ale. He caught a glimpse of the strange girl at the bar, but that was all. He didn't want to stare...he certainly didn't like people staring at his half maimed face.

Kleo, however, saw the man sit with the dogs. She smiled slowly and scooped up her bowl of stew, going over to sit near him. The dogs studied her a lot longer than they had him, and the youngest of them slowly crawled towards her, whimpering a bit.
Kleo laughed softly and shook her head, gently petting the creature. She glanced at the scarred man with a smile. "Mind if I join you?" she asked lightly.

Maxim's glare was apparently unwelcoming, but he grunted and nodded upwards in agreement. People that approached him either wanted something and would pay for it, or were stupid. Stupid people meant he could take advantage of anything they had to offer, and a job or two was always nice.
He never made the first move. He set the pint down and looked around, wondering if he could steal anything else from the drunken men and women.

Kleo smirked a bit and shrugged, eating her stew calmly. She let the young hound put his head on her lap and she scratched behind his ears ever now and then.

Maxim sat with his knees up and his feet by the fire. He wiggled his toes and massaged them. They were pretty sore, and there were a few blisters.
That happened when one ran everywhere.
He glanced to the girl and glanced up to her ears. "You're rather odd." He said bluntly, cocking an eyebrow.

Kleo glanced at him. "Thanks for noticing," she said lightly, smiling calmly. She shrugged a little. "So are you. Sitting with the dogs. At least I fit in." She smiled down at the dog in her lap and scratched his ears again.

Maxim smiled a little bit and held out a hand. "Max." He said, introducing himself to the strange girl. He usually wasn't warm, but he could make an exception. she seemed like the witty type.

"Kleo," she smiled, shaking his hand briefly. But the hound whined and moved further into her lap. She laughed a little and broke the shake, going back to petting him.

Maxim lowered his head a little and chewed on his lip, still surveying the inn room. He was tempted to snatch the pouch dangling from the fat dog owner, but with this girl watching him, he figured it was a long shot. He dug into his pockets and began unloading them in a pile in front, sorting through and pulling out a few copper, among an iron lockpick, a piece of paper and a piece of graphite, some needle and string and a stray button, and finally a few dried almonds. He quickly popped those in his mouth and set aside the copper.

Kleo watched him curiously as she continued to pet the dog. "Broke?" she asked lightly.

"Horribly." Maxim replied. "I haven't had a paying job in a month or so. No one wants a fighter anymore. No ones sheep are getting eaten by wolves, no one's cat is stuck in a tree. Everything is down right perfect." He uttered bitterly. "Unless you're like me who makes a living off the screw-ups and incompetants."

Kleo shrugged a bit. "Ouch," she said sympathetically. "Well... you want the rest of my stew? I'm finished..." She held out the half full bowl to him.

Max grinned and took the bowl. "I knew you'd be worth talking to." He said, taking the spoon and eating happily. He gathered up the copper. "How much for a bed up in the hostel. Can't be more then a few copper right?"