Chapter 2.2

“… and then we I got back, got kind of waylaid by a smuggled in Drake causing a mess near the docks district,” Soren was regaling the two with the story of his last job no doubt, and had gotten to the part just before his and Syr’s arrival at the Hall. “One of those experimental Armaros types. Fast little bugger, but had the same dang weakness they all do.”

“The bloody neck!” Chuckled the Dwarf, stroking his auburn beard as Soren nodded. There was also quite the shiner over his left eye, “Those tree lovers do enjoy their faffin’ about with magical beasts and nonsense! Pah, nothin’ a good automaton can’t do just as well, if not better!”

“You try creating something biological that doesn’t have some flaws in the design,” The one to speak was the Kólasi, his skin of a dark ashen grey tone, golden eyes aflare as he glared at the dwarf, with silver hair looking like wispy flames as it fell past his curled horns. “Unlike your clanky ass automechs, those take a bit more finesse.”

“Hah! And what finesse is required when all ya’ gotta do is say some fancy words and wave ya’ fingers around?” The Dwarf waggled his fingers in the still-aggravated Kólasi’s face as he chortled. “Ain’t nothin’ needin’ more finesse than the fine components of a well-made automech!”

“And yet nothing we can produce, be it magical or mechanical, has yet to hold a candle to those made by the Ascians,” Syr elected to give her own input as she approached, the Dwarf and Kólasi downright snapping their necks with how quickly they turned at the sound of her trilling voice. “I see your friends are quite the rambunctious sort, Soren.”

And no sooner had the young man’s name left her mouth than the other two snapped around and grabbed Soren with an arm each, Soren barely getting a yelp in as they forced him to lean down.

“The ruddy ‘ell!?” The Dwarf growled, “What’s up with this, eh?! Why you bringin’ back a looker like that and not tellin’ us what you’ve been up to?!”

“It’s this damn face of his I swear!” The Kólasi grabbed Soren by the cheeks. With a quick move, Soren broke free, stumbling back a bit as he grumbled.

“Sheesh, lay off! I met her when I was on the airship, don’t go thinking anything funny,” Soren said, then jabbing a thumb back to Syr, “She’s a prospect. It happened to be convenient for me to show her the way to the district so she could make it to the Guild Halls.”

“You say that like we didn’t oh so valiantly deal with that wayward Wyrm together,” Syr chuckled, leaning forward as Soren looked to the side.

“I was getting to that part,” he grumbled.

“Well with the staff she’s toting around, gotta be a decent mage at the least. College grad, I take it?” The Kólasi hummed, his eyes trailing from Syr’s folded staff to her robes. She couldn’t help but smirk a bit at catching his eyes linger on her waist for a bit longer than what would be considered typical for giving someone the look over.

“Yes, in fact. Top of my class as it happens. So do know if you get any funny ideas, despite my size, I’m more than capable of sending you through the nearest building… or three,” her playful threat got the Kólasi to laugh. He then threw an arm around Soren’s shoulders, tapping him on the side.

“You picked up a good one you pretty bastard! If she chooses this rowdy place, she’d fit right in! Nice to meet ya, the name’s Ard Gespent.”

“And I’m Branmek Stoneheart. A pleasure, little miss mage.”

“Syr Fleyldis, the pleasure is all mine,” Syr gave a polite bow to both. “I hope regardless of whatever decision I make in who to join, in the future we can be friends and engage in good business. I’m quite interested in the stories you all have to share, since I’ve so rarely left the forests of my home.”

“Heh, considering how big the Vaniran Forests are?” Ard chuckled, releasing Soren when he was wordlessly prompted. “I’m sure you’ve had plenty of adventures of your own just exploring around there. You ever been to the Maples? I hear that place is damn pretty!”

“It’s a tourist trap for a reason,” Syr chuckled. “But yes, I have. It’s as pretty as the stories say, even more in person.”

“Well now I’ve got more of a reason to hope Sellen gets us out on a job to the place.”

“Speakin’ o’ Sellen…” Branmek muttered, “We best get a move on afore she gets back. Don’t wanna be on the end of another of her bloody lectures I say.”

“Agreed. Well then, you two have fun! Hope to see you around Little Miss Alf!”

“Well, they’re certainly good fellows,” Syr chuckled as Soren took a seat at the table while the other two departed. “So, what were they meaning with this Sellen person?”

“Sellen’s one of our highest rankers here in Amber Sky,” Soren stated, leaning on his right hand. “She’s subsequently the leader of one of our best teams, who those two nuts are part of. She’s… what one would call strict but fair. Her tongue’s sharper than her spear, and no one wants to be on the end of either.”

“Hmm, sounds interesting. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to meet her,” Syr chuckled and hefted her things, checking the key she was handed to recall the room number. “Well, I think it’s about time I get some rest. Would you mind showing me around some of the other Halls tomorrow?’

“Well, I’ve basically gotten myself into that one. No reason for me not to at this point. Hope you enjoy the lodgings. I’ve still got some things to wrap up concerning my last job.”

Syr nodded as Soren waved her off, trotting along and greeting some of the other Hall members milling about now that the commotion had died down. Finding the sign for the guest rooms and making her way down the hallway until she found the room. She had to go up a couple of floors to find it. The key terminal let out a soft ring as Syr inserted the keycard, the door smoothly opening for her. To be expected for a room meant for a temporary stay, the space past the door was quite small and simple.

A large bed in one corner, a desk opposite it near the window, and a large screen opposite a chair near a nightstand. A door to her left no doubt led to a washroom. Though for now, Syr simply deposited her luggage on the chair, removing her hat and coat to hang them from hooks she spotted after moving further into the room. To then flop onto the bed and let out a sigh. It was certainly soft, though not quite “luxury” if she had to say anything. Not that she was expecting luxury in all honesty. Of anything it was a nice change of pace from what she was admittedly used to. Life in Vanira made for quite the contrast to her brief impression of the city.

“And now that I’m here…” Rising from the bed and throwing open the curtains of the window, Syr felt her breath leave her as the view of the window spanned out to more of the city beyond, the buildings clustering to create a web of passages and rooftops she could near compare to the literal forests of her home. “… I can finally start working my way towards unraveling those mysteries… though, I’m sure it’s going to take a bit more work than just showing up.”

With a chuckle as she spun from the renewed excitement blooming in her chest, recalling how food would be served soon, Syr decided to make do on that and headed off. She just hoped dinnertime wouldn’t be half as rowdy as things had been earlier.