Guild Girl opened the door to the lobby of her beloved workplace, feeling nice and refreshed after a long night of much-needed rest. The other guild girls welcomed her back, her sick co-worker apologizing for her ailment. Morning light flooded into the lobby through open windows, and as Guild Girl set herself back up at her counter, she was shocked to realize that she had forgotten to tie her hair into a tail! It hung down straight, hiding her ears behind them, and she sighed.
"Like the new hairdo." One of the other guild girls remarked, smirking.
"I... had a long night alright?" She replied. "I'll fix it on break."
Her coworker shrugged in reply, and the first adventurer for the day opened the door. Guild Girl gasped upon seeing who it was.
Hunter stood there, the light illuminating his dark form...
Which was drenched in red blood. Light reflected off of the blood-stained leather much like a fresh coat of paint, and he walked into the lobby, tracking bloody footprints along with him. Her coworkers also gasped but didn't say anything, likely intimidated by this new face. It was then that Guild Girl saw that Hunter was wearing a large brown rucksack with something jagged and tinted yellow sticking out of the top of its opening. Whatever it was, the bag was overstuffed with it, for several points could be seen attempting to pierce through the bag with each of his movements.
Unlike last night, Hunter's approach was not cautious. Indeed he seemed quite casual and laid back with his gait. This was of course, not enough to set Guild Girl at ease, seeing as the man was drenched in blood. Honestly! It was as if he took a shower in the stuff before walking in. Hunter finished his approach, stopping coolly before her.
"Hello," Hunter said, his voice deep and gravelly. "I've finished."
Guild Girl started. Well, it seemed that he wasn't a mute after all. He slung off his rucksack, and set it on the countertop before Guild Girl.
"Three hundred sets of buck teeth." Hunter stated.
No way.
"You... you're serious?" Guild girl asked him.
Had he spent all night in the sewers? Alone!?
"I apologize... I did not realize that I sounded like I was joking. Nonetheless yes, three hundred sets, I will count them out for you, a lady should not dirty her hands with such things. Not without gloves anyhow."
Hunter then reached for the top of his sack to open it up, but Guild Girl quickly raised her hand to stop him.
"No no that's quite alright, we have people to count out things like this." She told him. "Um... if you'll just wait for a bit while we count them out?" She said gesturing to a round table with several chairs to the right.
There were several areas where he could have sat, but the table she indicated was the closest. Hunter looked to where she was pointing and then back to her. He was acting... noticeably less creepy since their first meeting last night, less stiff and sudden. He nodded at her.
"I think I'll do that, thank you very much." He said allowing some silence to pass before saying. "Nice hair."
Guild Girl smiled and nodded thanks, and he began trekking towards the nearest chair, the floorboards creaking silently beneath his weight. Bloody footprints remaining where he stepped. Droplets also fell freely, staining the wood red. Guild girl frowned, and quickly raised a hand to Hunter, her brows raised with concern.
"Hold! Can you uh..." She slowed as Hunter turned back to her.
"Yes madame?" He asked her with a tilt of his head, blood trickling out of one of the corners of his leather tricorn hat like a small river fall.
The blood fell onto his shoulder and slid down the rest of the leather, pasting it even further in crimson. How did she put this without sounding rude?
"Um, can you... wash up before sitting down?"
Hunter looked down at his apparel, and surprisingly, he chuckled. This, of course, resulted in a huge dump of blood onto the floor as he moved his head downward, causing Guild Girl to cringe. Hunter looked back up to her and put a hand to his covered face in a gesture that seemed to convey embarrassment.
"I am sorry my dear, I barely notice the stuff anymore. I will wash up and be back soon." He told her, turning around slowly as to not spray blood from his clothing with the sudden movement. Guild Girl grimaced at the blood that was now liberally coating the floorboards. They would need to get that cleaned up quickly, lest it scare away the new adventurers. It wasn't the first time someone had come in bloody from rat cleanup of course... but the amount he was covered in was something she hadn't seen before.
Thankfully a Rhea janitor quickly wheeled a fresh bucket of water over to the viscera, the tiny man muttering curses under his breath. It was most likely not going to be the first time he had to clean up today, at least Hunter didn't drag in any sewage with him. That was odd... he didn't even smell like sewage, and he had been down in those gods forsaken catacombs for the entire night! Guild Girl shook her head slightly at her thoughts, and smiled, remembering Hunter's impeccable manners.
What a polite man, covered in viscera or not he was acting quite amiable. That statement on him being unable to notice the literal gallons of blood coating his... well coat, was a bit unnerving. One of her coworkers rounded the counter, as Hunter made his exit, stepping back into the sunlight. Her coworker seemed concerned about something, her eyes betraying fear.
"Who was that weirdo?" She asked, tapping Guild Girl on the shoulder.
She sighed. She was starting to do that a lot lately.
"New adventurer; came in before closing last night." She said, pulling the bag off of the table and onto the floor next to her. It was heavy, and she let out a grunt of effort as she sat it on the floor. "I gave him three quests to kill rats in the sewers and I think he just started as soon as he left."
Her coworker shook her head.
"That was irresponsible Guild Girl... he could have gotten hurt; and how did you communicate with that guy anyway? He didn't even say anything. Though I guess you do have a thing for quiet weirdos."
What?
"What are you saying? He was just talking to me a second ago, don't act like you didn't hear him."
She was in the booth next to Guild Girl, there was no way that she didn't hear Hunter. His voice may have had a lot of base, but it certainly wasn't quiet. It had certainly carried to everyone in the room, surely. Her coworker widened her eyes and started to glance around as if looking for something. What was that about?
"You hear that?" Guild Girl's coworker asked her scanning the ceiling, then the walls nearby.
Guild girl tilted her head in an attempt to hear whatever it was her coworker was talking about. She heard nothing out of the ordinary.
"Um... no?" Guild Girl said. "Are you alright?"
Another guild girl then approached the two of them and placed a hand on her coworker's shoulder.
"No, I hear it too. The bell right? It's still going... when did we get a bell? Oh wait, It just stopped."
...
...
...
Hunter reentered the guild lobby an hour later, his leathers nice and clean. Finding a canal nearby to wash himself off. The inside of his outfit was untouched by the blood of course, it was nearly airtight. Hunter merely needed a few wet towels and some time, and he was all clean. It appeared that other adventurers had entered as he was washing up. They all looked his way and fell silent. Hunter sighed, though he knew that they couldn't hear him yet. They don't have the sight for it. Hunters brow furrowed at the thought, but as he began thinking about the sight, his thoughts became hazy. He blinked, standing there silently for a moment before shaking his head. As he began his stride, the adventurers nearby parted for him quickly. Hunter noted that the floor was completely clear of rat blood, they had a good janitor.
He approached Guild Girl at her counter and clasped his hands before himself. The adventurers continued to stare at him, dumbfounded. Was it inappropriate in this place to approach the counter first? No one else was upfront or in line. It must have been something else.
What if they have the sight?
No, it wasn't possible. There wasn't enough they could be exposed to. Their stares did make him uncomfortable nonetheless. He would be fine. Hunter furrowed his brow. What was the sight again...?
He cleared his throat as Guild Girl stared at him expectantly.
"All clean madame! Now, I trust that those foul chompers have been inspected?" Hunter asked her.
Guild girl took a deep breath.
"Um... yes." She said.
Hunter noticed she had a penchant for 'Ums' and 'Uhs' he wished that he didn't make people so uncomfortable. But he couldn't help what he was. Hmm... what he was...
Fuzz
"For completing those three quests in such quick succession, we will reward you with ten gold!" She proclaimed happily.
Drawing his attention away from his muddled thoughts, Hunter refocused on Guild Girl, noting the mirth in her voice. Hunter smiled beneath his leathers. He liked it when people could be happy around him.
"I thank you, my lady, for such a handsome reward," Hunter said. "I trust that there will be other quests available soon? I like to remain busy when I can."
Guild girl nodded in response.
"Yep, that's why your fellow adventurers are waiting so patiently... and um... quietly."
It was dead silent in here, a product of his presence no doubt. Hunter nodded.
"Might I ask as to when new quests will be made available?"
"Oh in about... half an hour from now." She told him.
"Thank you my dear, I will take a stroll and then return." Hunter said, turning his back to her.
He tried to walk as casually as he could towards his exit, the eyes of adventurers following him as he went. He noted that several of them were quite young, too young for such a dangerous lifestyle. It was a good thing he killed those rats. Much safer now for them after the extra work he did.
Upon walking into the sunlight, he took a deep lung clearing breath and released it. It was such a lovely day. Hunter began his stroll, his feet echoing off of the cobbled street. Not many people were walking about at this early hour, with the sun barely just rising. A fine layer of dew coated the windows of the building he just passed, and bird song could be heard faintly.
Hunter didn't walk far until he noticed a man walking towards him. Covered head to toe in plated steel. His face was concealed behind a caged visor, and his helmet must have once had horns protruding from its sides for shattered stumps of white bone jutted out of where his ears would have been beneath the helmet. A red plume blew in the wind from atop his helm, and a fur collar lined his throat and shoulders. Several dents and pockmarks marred the entire suit of plate, including the small buckler with an X cut into the metal. What seemed to be a short sword lay sheathed at his belt.
Hunter continued to stare at the stranger, who merely kept following his path towards Hunter. He was confused as to the intentions of the stranger. Hunter then tensed with an anxiety that he couldn't quite understand... unless
He knows.
Knows what? Hunter couldn't understand for certain, but the tension didn't fade.
Hunter balled one of his hands into a fist as the armored man drew closer, ready to lash out at the first sign of aggression. Much to Hunter's surprise however, the man simply strolled right on past him. Hunter turned his head slightly to keep the stranger in view as he walked on. He gripped the doorknob to the adventurers guild, twisted, and pulled it open, stepping inside.
Hunter let out a breath. This was confusing, he believed that everyone here was able to see him, at least his first layer. Was that man unable to see him? It could be that adventurer simply did not care if Hunter existed or not; a stark contrast from his colleagues indoors. He continued on his way, reminding himself that their sight can never extend to the point where they could see-
His thoughts became muddled and he lost his train of thought, and he stopped his walk.
What was he thinking about again?
...
...
...
Goblin Slayer shut the door behind him, entering into a surprisingly quiet lobby. Everyone turned to regard him for only a moment before returning to their own hushed conversation. Goblin Slayer tilted his head ever so slightly, normally he cared not for what his 'fellows' felt, but if this rowdy bunch was speaking in hushed whispers then it could be something serious.
Perhaps it had something to do with gobli-
Goblin Slayers' thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a church bell, ringing right next to his ear. His reflexes took over, and he attempted to dodge away from the noise, causing a startled gasp to escape a few adventurers nearby. Goblin Slayer scanned the doorway for the source of the noise, but the ringing ceased almost as soon as it started.
Goblin Slayer stood, hand on his shortsword's hilt before he eased off of it. He approached the counter, moving past other adventurers staring at him, and sighted Guild Girl. She seemed worried, as did everyone else in the lobby. Shifting eyes and silent conversation took place between the other guild girls, who seemed frightened of something. Though whatever it was likely had nothing to do with goblins, so he didn't care.
"Any goblin quests?" He asked her.
"Did you hear that bell too?" Guild girl suddenly asked him.
Goblin slayer paused only for a second before replying.
"Yes."
It seemed a silly question. The bell was so loud that everyone in the room would have heard it.
"Any goblin quests?" He asked once more.
Guild Girl sighed but smiled. She seemed to smile a lot around him though he wasn't sure why. Likely it was the reflex of the customer service job.
"Yes, we have three. Two of them are in caves to the south, and another resides to the north in an abandoned dwarven fortress." She told him, pointing to the board. "The two caves are in close proximity of one another," Guild Girl said, lowering her finger. "But they should only have around twenty each, and no towns are nearby for them to threaten. We believe that they have taken a few women however..." Her eyes fell a moment to the ground before she looked back up to Goblin Slayer. "The dwarven fortress has a much larger reward, the dwarven priesthood says that the goblins are dug in for defense and that they number in the hundreds. Several villages are being stolen from, and many women have already been taken." Her face darkening. "The fortress is called Koganusân in dwarvish. It used to be riddled with traps and the like, though it seemed the goblins disabled them somehow. Still, be careful, there is apparently a mechanism that can ruin the entire fortress. Try not to activate it."
A way to ruin the fortress hmm? He would have to find that mechanism. After saving the women of course, if they could even be saved at this point.
"I will do the dwarvish fortress. If the other ones are still here when I come back, I will take care of them as well." Goblin Slayer said, marching over to the job board.
He normally waited for the other adventurers to pick out their quests and go before he had his selection. Though it didn't seem like they were in any particular hurry today, and Goblin Slayer wanted to get to work immediately.
...
...
...
Hunter found his way back into the lobby after about an hour of strolling. People around town opening up their shops and stalls in the market were visibly unsettled by his presence. Not that he blamed them of course he was, after all, a-
Fuzz
The lobby was notably vacant of most of the adventurers that were there before. The younger adventurers still seemed to be sitting about, discussing general plans and approaches for various quests they had decided to take. The conversation lulled as he entered, much like last time. He casually walked to the job board, trying his best to appear normal and relaxed to their eyes. This seemed to work somewhat, for after he reached the board, the child adventurers began speaking once more.
His eyes scanned the board, noting that only two pages remained on the board, all of the other quests having been taken by other adventurers. Hunter drew his lips to a line as he saw another rat quest on the board, and he shook his head. He would take the other one, no matter what it was. His eyes found the page, and his lips turned up in a smile beneath his upturned collar.
Goblins. They certainly weren't rats. What did he know of goblins? He hadn't the chance to experience this new land and its creatures. He frowned. New land? Why would it be new? Hadn't he lived here his whole life? His brow furrowed in confusion before his thoughts became muddled. What was he thinking about? Ah yes, goblins. He pulled the page off of the board and approached Guild Girl at the counter.
Hunter placed the page before her and leaned against the counter.
"I would like this quest madame." Hunter said.
Her brow furrowed at his request, and much to his surprise, her eyes conveyed worry. Why would she be worried about him? This was a lower level quest, wasn't it? He leaned in slightly and whispered
"What's the matter?"
Guild Girl took a deep breath.
"Well, you can take this quest if you really want too..." She said, shrugging slightly. "It's well within your rank, but goblins are dangerous; much more so than rats." Her features falling slightly. "If you plan on going on your own, then I strongly discourage it. Please party up with some other porcelains or steel ranks." She said, determination in her voice. "Goblins may be weak on their own, but they're much more dangerous when they work together."
Hunter nodded to her suggestion, but for some odd reason, he was filled with a firm confidence in himself. He knew that he could handle any challenge that was thrown his way, though he couldn't explain why. Hunter was about to tell her that he could keep himself safe in this situation but stopped himself.
She was truly worried about him. Hunter could see it in her eyes. Guild Girl had likely given this warning several times before only for those words to fall on deaf ears. While his confidence did not recede any, he would acquiesce for Guild Girl. Easing those worried eyes would be worth being burdened with other adventurers.
"Very well..." Hunter said slowly. "Who can I ask?"
Guild girls eyes brightened noticeably at his words, and she smiled. She pointed at one of the tables "Those four over there are porcelains much like yourself. They picked up the other goblin quest on the board, so if you want, you can leave this one here and help them out." She put down her finger and clasped her hands together primly at her waist. "Sure, you would have to split the reward, but you and they would be much safer."
Hunter nodded to her.
"I'll make sure they don't get gnawed on to badly." Hunter told her with a small laugh, leaning back off of the counter. "Thank you very much your guildlyness." He said, bowing low.
A light tinge of red-colored Guild Girls cheeks as she waved her hands before her.
"Please you don't have to bow so much." She told him. "I'm not royalty!"
Hunter smirked, standing straight-backed once more.
"No comment on the term 'guildlyness'? I thought that was pretty laughable." He told her, mirth in his voice.
Guild girl paused her waving for a moment, and put a single hand to her lips, stifling a giggle.
"Now, I'll be going," Hunter told her, nodding to the table of young adventurers. "I'll keep them safe."
Guild girl nodded and remained silent as Hunter pulled up to the table of young adventurers. They stilled once more as he drew close. It was a small round table of brown wood. Four chairs made of the same material stood around the table, holding up the weight of their occupants.
These adventurers were indeed young... perhaps fifteen to eighteen. Far too young to be fighting at this age. Hunter was struck with an odd feeling, that of hypocrisy. Why would he feel like a hypocrite for judging their age? Ah, he had been young in when the war first began...
Hunter's head ached but he ignored the pain, what was he doing? Ah yes, the young adventurers.
The first one he sighted was the youngest looking of their little group. Long blond hair flowed down to her waist, framing a round face with delicate features and wide blue eyes. She was slight of frame and clutched the brown shaft of her staff nervously. The top of her head was hidden beneath a white, blue and gold-trimmed floppy hat which Hunter found silly looking. The girl wore white robes with a broad blue line running down its center. A gold trim bordered that blue line, and Hunter turned his attention to her staff. The head of the staff was a golden, upside-down heart with what appeared to be a blue gem held in its center. Other blue gems were embedded in the gold, with another round one capping the top of the staff while three other diamond-shaped ones were arranged around the center gem. Four gold rings clacked together, hooped around the bottom of the upside-down heart.
The Healing Church? No... not the Healing Church. They wouldn't be here, they were-
Fuzz
The next one Hunter took note of was another young woman with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. This woman had dark eyes and sharp features. She was lean and well-muscled, which bespoke years of combat training. A large yellow bit of cloth was tied around her shoulders, the tied portions hanging low over her chest. She wore a flowing white robe with a blue sash tied around her waist, and baggy black trousers for her legs. Firm boots meant for stomping faces covered her feet, and a leather satchel was slung over her shoulder. This young lady's clothing was meant for ease of movement in combat, much like a hunter...
Fuzz
Hunter then observed a young man, the one seated closest to him. He seemed to be around the dark-haired woman's age, and his brown eyes burned with a hidden confidence which only diminished slightly once Hunter turned his head to him. He was lean, much like the dark-haired woman; perhaps they had similar training? A red headband held up his short brown hair which; if allowed to fall free, would frame a face with the soft features of youth. A bandage covered the bridge of his nose, as well as his left cheek, likely minor injuries from roughhousing. A simple steel breastplate covered his torso, held in place by leather straps. A blue jacket lay under the armor, covering his arms and neck with a stiff collar. He wore firm leather gloves on his hands and baggy brown trousers. Two leather satchels were held up by his belt loops. A red sash was worn around the breastplate which circled around to his back where a sheathed sword lay. Hunter disapproved of where he chose to wear his blade. He had made a similar mistake in his first days in the war.
War? That was what he was thinking about earlier! What war was he a part of? It must have been before he went to Yharn-
Hunter blinked, confused.
The final member of the group definitely seemed to be the oldest, based on her serious demeanor. Red hair grew down over her ears, concealing them from view. Her hair framed a face with stern features and spectacled green eyes which analyzed Hunter as much as Hunter was analyzing her. This was a woman of keen intellect, Hunter could tell. A pointy brown witch hat sat atop her head, and a brown cloak flowed down her form, held in place by a large ruby button clipped above her breasts. She wore a low-cut green dress which flowed down just past her knees, and calf-high boots covered what the dress did not. A long staff similar to the blonde girls sat in her grasp, yet the gold head was shaped more like a curved mace with a large red ruby cut into the shape of a diamond jutting from its top.
That red ruby for her cloak reminded him of something, but the same frustrating confusion came back in force, attempting to make him stop thinking about it. Why was this occurring every time he thought of his past? His thoughts shouldn't be this foggy... why was this happening-
Fuzz
Hunter blinked, then smiled, though he knew that his soon to be companions wouldn't be able to see it. He bowed low to them, much in the same fashion as he did for Guild Girl.
"Greetings, I am Hunter." He said, standing straight-backed once more. "I am a porcelain rank myself, and I was wondering if I could join with you to clean out those goblins."
They shifted uncomfortably in their seats; the priestess, in particular, avoiding eye contact. He tilted his head at the silence that followed.
"Is there a problem? Is it my breath?" He asked them, forcing mirth into his voice.
The joke eased them, but only slightly. The young man opened his mouth to speak before the dark-haired woman cut him off.
"I am Fighter." She said, raising an eyebrow at him. "You're that weirdo."
Hunter's jaw hung open slightly at the jab. The boy nodded at his friend's words.
"I am Warrior... and yeah." He said. "I mean, when you walked in earlier you were movin' like a board with legs... what did you think people were gonna call you?"
"Uh..." The white-robed girl started. "I'm Priestess?" She finished in a questioning tone of voice.
The pointy hatted girl cleared her throat.
"I have to agree with my party, you are unsettling. Please leave." She told him curtly.
Fighter and Warrior nodded to their friend's opinion, though the girl in white remained silent. Hunter grew still and silent for a very long moment. The four then began shifting uncomfortably in their seats once more.
"I didn't think you would all be so rude," Hunter told them. "I told Guild Girl that I would be coming along, so I think that you should allow me to accompany you." He said, pointing a thumb at himself. "I'm very good in a fight."
Warrior scoffed silently at that, sitting up slightly straighter.
"Look weirdo-" Warrior started.
"It's," Hunter said, interrupting the young man and leaning in close. "Hunter."
Warrior froze at the sudden proximity of Hunter, and pointy hat girl and Fighter tensed visibly. Priestess then stood up slowly from her seat. She put a hand up between Hunter and Warrior.
"W-we shouldn't be so rude to Hunter everyone." She stated, her voice quavering slightly. "Some people just don't have the same social norms that others have. Try to be a bit more tolerant?" She asked, her voice evening out. She slowly sat down in her seat once more, the wood creaking beneath her weight, little that it was.
Hunter smiled and stood straight once more.
"Yes... I was merely anxious around all of you strangers. That was all." Hunter lied. "I apologize for that outburst."
The three rude ones eased slightly. Warrior scratched his cheek and sighed.
"I'm sorry too." Warrior said, stretching out a hand to Hunter. "You're welcome to come along Hunter."
Hunter grasped Warrior's hand and they shook. The boy had a firm handshake, that was always a good thing. You couldn't trust a man with a flimsy handshake. Men with weak handshakes tended to be untrustworthy. He knew that from-
Hunter clenched his jaw with frustration, glad that Warrior couldn't see the motion. They released the shake, and Fighter stood up as well.
"I guess I'm sorry too geezer." Fighter told him, stretching out her hand for shaking.
Hunter ignored the geezer comment, and grasped her hand, shaking it firmly. This one was trustworthy. Even if she did misjudge his age. She sat down, but pointy hat girl remained seated.
"I am Wizard." Was all she said.
"Pleasant." Hunter said curtly.
That seemed a suitable exchange for Wizard, for she pulled out a simple leather-bound book from a pouch, and began reading it, not offering further comments. Priestess stood up from her seat and rounded the table to Hunter. A small smile formed her lips, and they shook as well. Hunter frowned. A weak handshake, like grasping a dead man's hand. He reminded himself that someone so young likely did not learn to develop a strong shake. Hunter would have to show her the proper way to shake hands, lest someone with Hunters mindset would mistrust her.
"Grip firmly when shaking hands young lady," Hunter told her, finishing the shake. He then wagged his index finger at her. "You need to show whoever you're shaking with that you are strong enough to be respected." He finished, holding his hand out once more.
Priestess tilted her head at Hunter's outstretched hand, and she gripped once more. Dead fish.
"Don't be afraid to squeeze," Hunter told her. "I have very strong hands, I'll be fine." He finished, laughing lightly.
Priestess complied, gripping his hand harder. Hunter nodded in approval, and then they shook once more.
"Very good." He said, releasing the shake. "Remember, you don't need to grip too tightly either. You don't want to squeeze their fingers together now, then they'll think you have something to prove." He finished, shaking his head with a tsk.
Priestess nodded slowly. "Thank you?" She said in the same curious tone.
Hunter nodded, then brought a chair up to the table from one of the empty ones nearby, placing it between Fighter and Warrior, truly redundant titles. Why were they going by titles anyway? That seemed ridiculous, his name wasn't a title... Hunter furrowed his brow as he sat down. Yes it was, his name was a title, wasn't it? Same as everyone else? Wasn't that the norm? The mental haze came over him once more in force, and Hunter shook his head.
"Are you okay?" Priestess asked him.
Her eyebrows were scrunched together with worry as she looked at him, her irises betraying her concern. Hunter waved a hand dismissively.
"It's nothing, just a headache." He told her. "Now, about these goblins..."
"Yeah," Warrior started. "We took the one three days travel north," He said, nodding his head south." Hunter frowned.
"That's south." Hunter corrected him.
Warrior raised an eyebrow at Hunter and pulled out a small compass from one of his satchels. Warrior flipped it open and nodded in the opposite direction from the one he said a moment ago. "North." Warrior said, more confidently.
Fighter cleared her throat. "There was a dwarf fortress quest on the job board earlier, but Guild Girl just flat out told us that we would die." She said, casting an accusatory glance at the woman behind her counter. Guild girl merely waved in response, smiling.
Wizard blinked, and then set down her book flat on the table.
"She told us that it was above our rank." Wizard corrected, raising a brow at Fighter, who waved a dismissive hand in response.
"Same thing." Fighter declared, putting her feet up on the table and leaning back in her chair. "They're just goblins, what're they gonna do? It's like storming a fort of five-year-olds. How many five-year-olds could you take in a fight?" She asked, not making eye contact with anyone.
The table went silent.
"Who're you talkin' to?" Warrior asked slowly.
Fighter smirked at the reply, and sat up straight in her chair, taking her legs back off of the table. She leaned her elbows on the table and scanned the party.
"Any of you." She said. "How many five-year-olds do you think you could take in a fight?"
Hunter and priestess balked at the question, though they wouldn't be able to tell with Hunter's face concealed as such. Wizard groaned softly, and picked up her book once more, reading through its contents. She clearly wanted no part of this idiocy. Warrior oddly enough scrunched his brow. He scratched his chin in thought for fifteen whole seconds before answering.
"Depends on if they have weapons or not." Warrior said, shrugging. "If they're barehanded I say I could take on an entire kindergarten, maybe two."
Fighter tilted her head at the answer.
"Only two? You use weapons you dolt." She said casually.
Warrior then slapped a hand on the table, the sound echoing through the lobby and causing Hunter to flinch. Old reflexes most likely.
"So what am I supposed to do!?" Warrior shouted. "Slice them all up!? They're five-year-olds Fighter!"
Wizard then shut her book suddenly and sat up from her chair. She stomped off muttering something about 'morons' under her breath, covering her eyes with her hand with her head tilted down to the floor. Hunter slowly glanced at the other few occupants of the lobby, and they were all staring at Warrior with horror. Priestess sunk in her chair, both hands on her face in an attempt to hide from the embarrassment. Hunter quickly stood up and addressed the room.
"They're comparing goblins to five-year-olds!" He exclaimed, putting his hands up to chest height, palms forward." That's all, we're not planning on dicing up children alright?"
That didn't seem to calm the onlookers any, and Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose through his leather collar. He gritted his teeth and shot a sudden, angry look at Warrior before grasping the lad by the earlobe and yanking him to a standing position. Warrior gave a yelp of pain as Hunter dragged him off by his ear. Funnily enough, Fighter giggled as her friend was led away to his fate, standing to follow. Priestess quickly stood from her own seat, likely wanting to escape the public embarrassment herself.
These kids were going to take a lot of work to keep safe, he just knew it.