[EVENT RP] The Reclamation of Tania

[WyvernSlayer]

Satsume rubbed the sides of his head as he sat on the edge of the bed.  There had been a staggering amount of commotion in and around the inn for most of the morning, and that, coupled with the slight hangover, had left him with a nasty headache.  Don’t these people understand that it’s rude to be so obnoxious outside someone’s door?  Muttering a curse, Satsume stood and started reaching for his armor plates.  The best plan, he decided, was to get out of the inn, grab some food, and find a quieter place.  He fastened his side straps, shifted his shoulders around inside the pauldrons to get comfortable, and then headed for the door.

“Did you hear about the wyverns spotted over Denir last night?”

“Oh my!  You don’t suppose…”

“I told you we should have moved to Ilia.”

Satsume paused in the doorway, listening to the various chatter going on amongst the inn patrons.  His head throbbed with displeasure.  He again held a hand to his temple, trying to massage the pain away.  As he looked up again, he spotted a glum-looking man in white and gold robes walking past.  He carried a tall hat under his arm, and his eyes were fixed on the ground.  Surely he was a Keeper, but Satsume kind of assumed that the Keepers around here would be hustling about, assuaging the general populace or some such nonsense.

The man seemed to notice Satsume staring at him.  They locked eyes.

“Good day, sir,” said the Keeper.

“Good day,” Satsume replied.  “Rare to see a man of the cloth by himself.”

The man frowned.  “We all walk with Elimine astride us.”  He looked down at his hands.  “…some of us closer than others.”

Satsume stepped out into the hallway.  “Do you know what’s been happening around here lately?  Something about wyverns to the southeast?”

The holy man shook his head.  A furrowed look of surprise crept over his face.  “Aren’t you with the Lycian Guard?”

“Uh… no.”

“Oh,” the man started to walk past Satsume.  “In that case, I would seek them.  They should be making their way into town shortly.  At least that’s the rumor.  Maybe it’s connected to that thing you heard about the wyverns.”

“I’ll try that.  Thanks,” said Satsume.

“Elimine watch over you, my friend.”  The young Keeper continued past Satsume and disappeared into one of the rooms.  Satsume stood in the hall for a moment, as other patrons moved past him.  He’s an odd one…, he thought.  I always thought Keepers were all cranky zealots.

He went downstairs.  There was still some number of people shuffling about.  A few of the tables were occupied by guests having breakfast.  It set Satsume’s stomach rumbling.  Hmm… wonder what I should have.  Bacon and eggs, for sure.  Maybe some fresh fruit, too…  As he fantasized about his upcoming meal, Satsume noticed a young woman sitting at one of the tables whose red hair made her seem like she was his twin.

He recognized it immediately.  As he weaved his way past the tables, he swiped up a pear from one of the platters that had been set up.  He was able to keep his armor quiet enough amongst the background noise to sneak up behind the young woman.  Well then, thought Satsume as he chomped on the pear.  That was way easier than I thought.  And people say it’s impossible to be stealthy in a suit of armor.  As he reached out to tap the woman on the shoulder, someone bumped into Satsume as they tried to walk past.  The chunk of pear in Satsume’s mouth slid down his throat.  And then it stayed there.

“Hrrkgghghghkk…!”  Satsume sputtered and coughed, finally forcing open his airways before bracing himself against the back of a chair with one hand to catch his breath.  He heard a meek voice behind him utter a “sorry,” but beyond that, Satsume was all too aware of the multitude of eyes that had converged on him during his brush with death – including those of the woman he was standing directly behind.  He felt his face turn a few lustrous shades of red.

Satsume cleared his throat.  “Uh… hey, Paige.”