Perplexed, Mikael sat there, staring at Diana's mouth moving, and hearing the words spoken.
'Part? Yeah, wait, no. How am I supposed to survive, I don't know anyone, having nothing.'
He looked down at the table, the copper coins forming a small hill. 'No, not nothing.'
"I'm aware how irresponsible it sounds, as you are on your own. But your circumstances are very weird, and Rob here had some valid arguments, which I shared. We helped you out with escaping the forest, food and money. Everything else can be well done by yourself."
"You can find easy work around here, learn a thing or two. Be it as a porter for some hunters, assistant in an Inn or smithy. The Guild got a Inn right next to this building, not quite the grand housing one would expect, but cheap and you get a warm meal a day."
Mikael sat there quietly, listening to Roberts and Diana's reasons.
"You really don't have to explain yourself so much to me." he answered. "Your help." he lifted his bandaged arm a bit, "lodging and now this," his eyes on the money, "are enough, I guess."
He stood up, getting a bit dizzy but facing towards Robert, who still stood there leaned over the table, his curious gaze following him.
'Father taught me to accept challenges, not backing down just because I'm afraid.'
"Thank you for everything, Robert, Diana. I will never forget your kindness, as my saviors." He held out his hand for a handshake, like Brom would close a deal when making a requested item.
"Glad you accept it like that. Then I won't uselessly try to reason. But we don't do that like that between Hunter." He nonetheless shook Mikaels hand, a genuine smile on Roberts face for the first time.
"As you took down a Monster, I will for now threat you like one."
He bend his arm in 100° angle on chest height. Mikael mimicked him, and they knocked at each others forearm.
Diana looked from her seat at the two different persons, in height and character interacting. Her smile especially was directed at Robert, who for once shed his sarcastic shell and talked normally.
Mikael also felt different, as a weight fell of his heart.
'Seems me depending on them also made me subconsciously burdened.'
"Why like that?" Mikael asked as also Diana made that gesture with him, as he was quickly dragged in a hug, her hair tickling his nose and the hug surprisingly firm.
"Why a handshake for deals? It developed over time, some say because with a weapon in hand your hands can't do something else, or if you loose a hand you still can greet others."
"Not important. Sorry to leave you, Mikael. But this village has many nice people, so don't worry about asking if you need help.
We will leave soon again. A task requires us to travel away for a bit. Did you get it?" She asked turned at Robert.
"Yeah, Lizzy saved it for us." he waved a paper around, handing it over to her.
Her smile turned mild, only her fingers slightly cramping indicating her feelings.
"Here, take this." Robert handed Mikael a small satchel made from a relative thin leather and string, a lash to hang it on your belt on the backside.
"Use that for your money. It may not be much, but should suffice for at least two weeks in that Inn, depending how you spend it.
And for the last bit of help we offer," he took out from his inner pocket a small card, transparent in color with many fine lines along the innards.
He handed it over to Mikael, who took it and turned it over many times, admiring the smoothness and fine details. It was clearer than the green glass he saw before, but had a tint of brown color that was more apparent at the edges. Also it produced no crisp sound when tapped on.
"Before you ask, that thing is like a identification card, also serving as a membership proof. It is a quite costly item, for that particular reason." He took out a thin needle, poking his little finger. Quickly a small droplet of blood was seen, and he dripped it onto the clear card.
When the blood seeped into the card, lighting up the fine crack like lines in a reddish brown color, he nearly dropped it.
"Is this magic? Are you a magician?" Mikael blurted out, quickly returning the card, as if afraid of it.
"Hah, every time a blast." Robert said, taking it back, holding the now dying down glimmering card between index finger and thumb.
"No, sadly no magician. But all our blood has that stuff called Mana. Said someone smart once, Tizia I guess she was called. Anyway, this card was made with a thin, useless metal. Only purpose one could find was for that card here. Soaked in a solution made by a alchemist, it turns out like that. After receiving the first drop of blood, it gets engraved with that pattern, unique to every person," he ran his other finger along the cracks, which were now the only remaining part slightly shining.
"Can I get something like that? It's so awesome!" Mikael's gaze fixated on that thin piece, desire burning inside him.
"Sure you can, just at that counter. But can you pay?"
He looked at the small bag he had now hanging next to the book, which he took everywhere he went. "Not enough I guess?" he asked rhetorically.
"Not nearly, but you can get it upfront from the Guild, just pay them back with a bit of interest."
Knowing how scarce his money was at the moment, he grew hesitant.
'I can always get it later, when I saved a bit.'
As if reading his mind, Diana which overheard their conversation spoke after she stowed away the paper:" I advice you get it now. It is just too precious to have, quickly identifying you and your origin. See these lines here?" She took out her own, more yellowish card. Her pointing out the small carvings orderly in a row made it obvious, and after getting lit up shined most prominently.
"It says here your Name, rank, occupation and so on. Everything you want to have written on it. The more equals more information. It has to be verified, but for some things your own statement is enough. Makes it easier to get jobs, quests or just trustworthy.
Many don't get one, as they have a stable life, job or never want to move away, see the world. But your circumstances are..."
"...Special." Robert ended. "You need to find jobs and meet new people, so having one is almost essential."
"Got it." Mikael said, agreeing with all their points. "When can I have one like that?"
He trusted them enough, seeing no harm in having it.
"Right now. You know, I wouldn't have told you all this if you made it difficult, even when justified. But make sure to repay them as soon as possible. As most your jobs are hosted or dealt by the Guild, they know you have money or not. And you don't need to get on their bad side."
"Noted. Can you help me with my registration?" Mikael asked, not knowing what information are essential or how to read and write he needed a middleman.
"Yeah, no problem. Let's go over to Lizzy, the girl to the left, in that brown west with the tree emblem on her chest."
Together they stood in line, waiting for their turn. After ten minutes they finally stood at the front.
The floor in the meantime got more crowded, as the owls also awoke and came in, handing in reports or searching for jobs. Many also went up to the second floor, but he didn't knew what is up there.
The welcoming voice of the black haired beauty filled his ears, drawing his eyes back to her, away from all the different people coming and going.
The Emblem on her chest was embroidered beautifully, the roots reaching down her left breast towards the waist, and the branches seemingly growing towards the entire upper left chest.
Mikael had the impression the tree was a sign for the Guild, as he also saw the other employees with similar emblems.
"Back so soon Robert. What can I do for you, or your little friend here?"
She leaned on the counter, it only amplifying her ample breasts. She giggled, as Mikaels gaze laid a moment too long on them.
"He's a honest little fellow. But please," She said smiling turned at Mikael," don't stare so much. It even makes me uncomfortable."
He blushed red, quickly averting his eyes and staring at the door behind her.
"Then don't make such seductive actions." Robert said unimpressed. "You love to toy with people like that, and should really change this."
"Doesn't hurt anyone, and it is fun." She shrugged, winking at Mikael only further making him feel ashamed.
"So?" she asked more seriously.
"I want a card, like he has." he answered before Robert could. "But I don't have enough money right now, so if possible I would like to pay later."
"Heard him. Still some around?"
Her looking curiously at Mikael, she responded:" Plenty, but you sure are young to get one. But well, not my choice."
She took out a paper, ink and a hollow pen, made out of wood and a metal tip. Dipping it into the ink, she asked:" What should be written on it? Name is mandatory, as well your date of birth. Everything else up to you."
"Can I take my fathers name as my surname?" Mikael asked, wanting to have it written on this magical item.
"Sure, if you have a Nickname or alias, it can be included, too."
"Then I'd like to have following written on it: Bromson, Mikael. Born in 5th Bloom 513. What else..."
Robert chipped in, adding:" Make him a wood rank to, and make this place here his Origin, please."
On the last part her pen stopped a moment, quickly glancing at Robert as if he said something questionable.
But her writing continued soon, and finally showed him the paper.
"Everything alright?" If so, please follow me." She opened a part of the counter, it swinging upwards.
"After you." Robert said, passing the paper over Mikaels head back to Lizzy.