Marielle was in a tight predicament. Though this could also be considered a stroke of luck.
She had been part of the guard force for a while now, but hadn't really achieved anything notable… well, not notable as in the meritorious kind of notable.
However, there had been an increase in drug related activities in the past couple of months. She had always wondered what drugs were like and this was a prime two for one chance. She could try out drugs whilst also apprehending a drug dealer.
Right now, she stood in a dark, dank alleyway. Opposite to her stood a man wrapped in black. He was certainly a drug dealer, he even asked her if she had money, as if he dealt with broke drug addicts on a daily basis.
Gods damn! She was acting too suspicious though. To think she actually forgot to bring any money, if the dealer got suspicious he might flee.
At the moment, there was at least 7 feet of distance between them, if he wanted to run, he would probably get away.
Ah shite! The guy was turning around and seemed to hurriedly walk away. She had to catch him! Focusing on the essence in the surroundings, she filtered out all the redundant and unnecessary essences and condensed the starlight essence.
Perhaps feeling the shift in the atmosphere, the dealer made a run for it, he was fast. Very experienced at evading the law.
Her concentration was on her spell, though by the time she finished it, the dealer got away.
Her summons surrounded her, and looked around as if they were looking for prey, however, with no orders, they just idled.
"Sigh, to think I let them get away," she seemed disappointed to let the dealer get away.
"My drugs…" correction, she seemed disappointed that the drugs got away.
Unsummoning her summons, she left, rather dejectedly.
…
After that close encounter, Jeffrey stayed in his previous accommodation. Not willing to run into another 'Dark Artist,' considering their combat power.
The little white chick was still startled and making chirping noises. He had never really understood how to raise a chick himself, without other birds doing it. However, now that he is in a city this was a good chance to ask around for more information about this.
Inquiring around with the other patrons of the inn he was staying at. He asked about ways to raise a bird,
"Do you know how to raise a bird?" He asked a random passerby in the inn.
"What?"
"Do you know how to raise a bird?"
"Wait, what?"
"Do you know h-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know whatcha said,"
"So, do you kn-"
"No!" he seemed agitated for no reason, "I do not know how to raise a star smitten bird!"
The guy stormed off. It seemed Jeffrey's first attempt did not work out, perhaps it might work on the next passerby.
This time three people walked by, they were equipped with swords and cheap armour. Quite an interesting group. They were mercenaries, not that Jeffrey even knew what a mercenary was.
"Do you know how to raise a bird?" Jeffrey repeated his same inquiry.
"What?" same reply as the last guy, however Jeffrey, learning from his previous attempt, let the guy have some thinking time. Perhaps the question was too complex for these people to process so quickly.
"We don't know," said the leader looking mercenary. He had a bulky build, and a scar across his cheek, accentuating his intimidating figure.
"Why d'you wanna know anyway, huh?" He gave his own inquiry to Jeffrey.
"To raise a bird,"
"Well, nah mate!" he also seemed rather agitated as well. This didn't make any sense, why was everyone so aggressive today?
"I'm asking why you wanna know, are you perhaps thinking of creating some kind of abomination you maniac?!" To suddenly be accused of being a maniac, was sufficient evidence of the leader suffering from a mania himself.
Back in the village, people diagnosed with having a mania were also said to be possessed by demons. The proper procedure was to find a practitioner from a nearby town to help cure the patient and if not, then to burn the maniac.
To think he would run into another weirdo so soon…
Wait. This was no coincidence that there was this maniac and that demon summoner from earlier. He figured it out. It was all connected.
That demon summoner must be enacting some scheme! She must want him dead for escaping before, so she sent some of her demons to possess some poor souls.
"How cruel!" his sudden shout startled the mercenaries.
It probably wasn't safe here, thus he fled.
"Hey! Get back here!" they shouted as they came back to their senses.
However, his fleeing was so profound that it left them in the dust in no time.
…
"Say, what d'you think that was about?" one of the mercenaries asked the leader.
"Eh, probably some crackhead, don't let his crap get to you,"
"Mhmm, boss is right. There are lots of weirdos out there and if you get hung over each and every one then a mercenary career ain't for you,"
The two veterans comforted what seemed to be a rookie amongst their rank.