Chapter 2.4

Mornings at Freelancer Halls tended to be busy as expected. From the residents, both passing through and proper members, going about their business of either eating and chatting over details, various parties gathered at the information boards near the entrance of the lobby to look for new work to take them far and wide.

The only real quiet time one would find in the average Hall was nighttime, and even then, considering differing needs for sleep between people of different lifestyle choice or even just needs based on their race, the nights would still see plenty of activity, just on a somewhat smaller scale.

Soren, for his end, could thank being half-alf for somewhat cutting down how much sleep he needed. He was still rather prone to a “typical” eight-hours, but it wasn’t like suddenly jolting up from a nightmare did much to dent how much rest he truly got out of it.

Though needless to say, he was stewing more than a bit as he sat at a table on his lonesome, prodding at his rather hefty breakfast with a listless expression. And considering his recent return from a job, rather than his admittedly weighty equipment, he was dressed in a far more casual wardrobe, the main piece being the dark blue, half-sleeved jacket of a particular brand he liked. Though notably to it, he was also wearing a fingerless arm glove that ended just at the jacket’s cuff on his right arm, and only there.

His sword was leaned up against the table, merely because he had plans involving a smith who’d give him hell for not bringing it in at some point that day.

“What’s with the dour face at this time of day?” Looking up, Soren caught Manas coming into his vision, the young man toting two mugs in hand and setting one before Soren, before taking another seat and picking the other one up. “It’s just some milk fresh from the farms, don’t be looking at it weird now.”

“Sorry, just… mulling over something…”

“Clearly. For a guy who normally wolfs down his meals faster than a Vulcan, you’re being oddly tepid. Something happen on that last job?”

“No. The job was fine, went off without a hitch. Just… you know that dream I’ve told ya’ about before?”

“You mean that one where you see some sundered sky and apparently one of the Grand Dragons?”

“Same one. Had it again last night… only this time I actually heard things. Not that it makes any damn sense to me… but now I know it’s gotta be one of the Grands I saw in it. Cause I got a name, Jormungandr.”

Manas choked as he flinched, a spray of milk flying from his mug in time with his surprise. With a groan, he wiped off his chin and set the mug down. “Don’t blimey surprise me like that! You mean that Jormungandr? The Grand of Genesis, Eldest of Dragons? That Jormungandr?” Manas sighed as Soren nodded. “You realize most people besides me would think seeing one of those things in a dream means you’re crazy, right? Nobody’s even sure the Grands exist!”

“People aren’t sure a lot of things exist, and yet we continue to hear about them. Primals are a thing,” Soren countered, Manas sighing. “Look, I’m as lost about what in the Concepts it even means, but it means something. And I may have some lead to actually start going down that trail, no matter how thin the thread is.”

“You’re talking about Ms. Fleyldis, right? Weren’t you going to take her on a tour of the other Halls today?” Manas hummed, “What if she joins a different one? Gonna make it a bit trickier to arrange joint jobs, if she even plans on doing some ruin delving.”

“Oh, she told me herself it’s why she wants to be a Freelancer,” Soren chuckled, finally digging his fork into his food and taking a mouthful. “And besides, not like we don’t do plenty of work with other Halls on jobs like that. Those are always group expeditions. Not to mention ruin delves pay out big time, hehehe.”

“Always the money with you at the end of the day huh? Well, money and getting to fight things,” Mana smirked as Soren didn’t give any signs of denial at the claims of his intentions, merely getting to eating his food with little pause between bites. “Speaking of the newcomer, I’m surprised she hasn’t come down yet.”

“Maybe she’s writing letters home or something. Alfs back in the forests ain’t much for using Decks after all. Old fashioned as letters are, they do have their place.”

“Ah please we’re talking about Alfs. Them writing home is way different then how we’d do it. Still got no clue how their stuff works, what with all the magical nature warping and everything.”

“It’s not warping,” Syr’s sharp input made both young men flinch as she made her presence known. The Alf chuckled as the two turned to her, a quick flick of her arm causing her mantle to flutter. “It’s called Weaving. Our architects and smiths don’t use regular tools to forcefully shape materials, instead they use magic to reshape it in a natural way. It’s why so many of our cities are built in and through the trees of the Great Forest. Basically, all of our technology is based on different forms of Weaving. Though from my brief time here, there’s certainly merit to the advances made by others.”

“So, what were you doing in your room anyway?” Soren inquired, Syr adjusting her skirt as she took a seat.

“Drafting some messages back home,” Soren gave Manas a smug look at the confirmation. Syr raised a brow. “Anyway, I hope something hasn’t come up. You did say you’d give me a tour around the district to see some of the other Halls.”

“Relax, I’m not the type who’s prone to go from one job to another without taking a break,” Soren chuckled. “Some of the folks here certainly are, but I like to set a pace for things. Besides, that old bull at the smithy wouldn’t let me hear the end of it if I wasn’t taking my blade in for maintenance on the regular.”

“That thing’s made of Automech alloys though,” Manas hummed, his eyes falling to the propped-up sword. “Why’s he so insistent on looking at it all the time? That thing’s sturdy as hell.”

“That old Vulcan keeps checkin’ in on it cause he’s the one who forged it,” Soren remarked. “Old SSA tradition. The top four students of a graduating year are forged special blades as a symbol of their graduation. And the old man was the one who forged all four that year.”

“Ohhh? Sounds like a story,” Syr hummed, resting her chin on her hands with a cheeky smile. “Wanna tell me over breakfast? Manas here mentioned your time at SSA was interesting.”

“What did you say?” Soren bit.

“Nothing,” Manas winked. “Only that you have some interesting stories is all. Anyway Ms. Fleyldis, got anything in mind for a meal this morning? I’ll bring it to the kitchen for the cooks. They handle basically anything no matter the culture.”

“Hmm… then what about something a bit traditional? I’m thinking… Vanir-style breakfast. You know, breakfast cakes done with herbs, eggs, and some meats. And maybe some syrup from the Maple Branches if possible.”

“That it?” Manas chuckled.

“Not much else. I’m a rather light eater… plus things with actual flavor are nice after all the uhm… excuses for food I had to put up with at the College,” Soren and Manas snickered as Syr looked to be clearly recalling some poor memories as she also shuddered. “Oh! Actually, alongside that, I want to try something new. What’s something from around here that’s good?”

“If you want a suggestion that goes with a Vanir-style breakfast, I’d suggest pairing it up with a glass of local milk, and… hmm, what else…” Soren rolled his eyes as Manas got to thinking. He knew well enough that alongside his job as a Keeper, Manas was also quite the gourmet. “Ah! Try it with some Sea Pearls, it’s a Clearharbor specialty good for about anything.”

“What are they made from?”

“I’ll leave that a surprise.”

“You just had to give him ammo, huh?” Soren chuckled, taking a drink from his own mug of milk. “So, since it is relevant, what kind of Halls you wanna take a look at once we get out there?”

“Well… starting with one affiliated with the College would be nice. Just to set up contacts at least.”

“Hmm… well then, we’re going to wanna start with a place called the Silver Scales. They’re a College associate branch, so a grad like you is gonna be welcome, member or not.”

“Then I suppose we have a starting point.”

It wasn’t much longer after that Syr’s order came out. Quite quickly to her own surprise. She was also quite further surprised to find out that the accompanying “Sea Pearls” she had been recommended were a balled fish item, made in a set of orbs and covered in a rich cream of some sort. She wasn’t unfamiliar with fish of course, but certainly not the kind that would be caught at a seaport city.

Despite the surprise, she found it went quite well with the otherwise traditional food from her homeland, finding the flavor quite sweet. I suppose that adds something to my impression of this place, she thought while happily eating, catching Soren snickering at her the while. Though… I’ll have to see how these other Halls pan out. Oh, do I pray that this Silver Scales place is tame…