"So how are things going with you and your friends and also your second home?" He asked, trying to lift the mood. "I mean considering how geared up and nice looking you are it should be nice hmm?"
I chuckled softly shrugging, "I guess so, and business is well I assume except for today of course considering that I may be your only 'customer' today." I said searching through the menu "Have any unsold stock? I could buy them considering that it might take a day if not a week before it reaches my turn." Then I proceeded to look up towards my father waiting for a response.
He gave me a warm smile and beckoned me over and I did as asked walking behind the counter towards my dad. He went into the bakery's kitchen and came out with a sack presenting it to me. "Take it I can't let my son or his friends go away on an empty stomach. I won't accept payment or take no as an answer." He told me with a sideways smile, "I hope you find what you are searching for out there in this world."
"Thanks dad," I said with a happy smile accepting the sack "I hope you as well will be able to find what you have been searching for."
"I do too, now go along don't leave your friends waiting for you for too long!" He told me gently, giving a slight shoving to my shoulders, I smiled and waved at him as I left the bakery.
"Thanks dad!" I called out to my father as I left closing the door behind me and heading back towards my friends by the monument. Although the cheery mood I had quickly vanished as those dark thoughts returned. After some time passing through the streets filled with hushed mutters I eventually met up with them again before the memorial. Below the statue was a guard post grandly constructed, currently housing The Phoenix gem.
I walked over to my friends and sat down next to Star who pulled the ticket out of her coat. I looked over to her who was wearing a baggy hat to conceal her horns to avoid attracting attention. Her scales have been covered up by clothing while her wings and tail were hidden with magic. "Orange 14" she informed me looking over and upwards towards me "That means we are the 14th to go so let's get this over with quickly I want to get out of here."
"So do I Star, so do I…" I sighed opening the sack my father gave to me, I pulled out a piece of bread and offered it to Star who accepted it and then proceeded to inhale it. I chuckled and passed the sack to the rest of my group all took a piece other than Shadow who remained sulking.
I sigh softly eating finish my bread, Star leaned against my arm nibbling on a croissant embarrassed after being teased on how she finished her last piece of bread. I pat her head through the hat avoiding her horns which elicited a soft purr from her as she kept her eyes trained on the call sign waiting for the sound of the horn where the ceremony begins.
All around us was bustling with activity with groups who wanted to be chosen for the grand quest of a lifetime. Most were excited about it but there were others who dreaded it like us and a handful of other groups. I soon finished eating my bread looking over at the others, seeing the silence from them I closed the sack. I looked back to star who had only finished half of her croissant with small nibbles and heavy eyes giving her the look that she was falling asleep somehow despite the ruckus around her.