Some time had passed after the events within the " Smiling jester". Alesul had been resting and was fast asleep after the antidote given to Scotch had taken affect. On the surface things looked as though everything had been settled, however the reality of it was much different. As an eerie feeling haunted the establishment.
Scotch : " By the looks of him you would've never imagined he'd be this heavy "
Old man Hughes : " Well, you know what they say can't judge a person by their appearance"
Scotch : " Fair enough I guess... but for how long do you suppose he'll sleep for "
Old man Hughes : " Most likely a couple of days if he's lucky... though I can't be sure "
Scotch : " Just so you know this isn't over; I'm sure when he wakes up he'll wanna go looking for Jack and those other guys that were with him"
Old man Hughes : " Believe me I'm well aware... but that kid isn't ready to face someone like Jack. I mean just look at what he did to him, he's lucky all he has are minor bruises. Not to mention that poison would've killed him if it wasn't for that antidote "
Scotch : " About that...I've been meaning to ask you, why'd you go out of your way for him like you did. You barely know him... heck I barely know him myself "
Old man Hughes : " If I'm being honest, I don't really know to tell you the truth... guess you could say it was…the whims of an old man "
Old man Hughes : " At the same time I could ask you the same thing. Scotch Silvers... "
As the old man spoke he looked at Scotch with a piercing glare. Scotch however didn't seem bothered by it, instead he seemed rather calm about things. Though the aura he gave off was that of someone who was quite amused at the situation at hand.
Old man Hughes : " I won't pry into your business... but I do wonder as to why someone of your infamy is passing by through such a remote town "
Scotch : " Like I said earlier today, I'm just looking for my comrades who went missing inside the labyrinth"
Old man Hughes : " So thats the story your sticking with, fair enough..."
Scotch : " Anyways there was something else I wanted to ask, you ain't the average pub owner you pretend to be. Just who are you? and how are you and Jack connected ?. I seen guys like him a dime a dozen. You know big ego's always looking for a fight, but when you asked him to back off he got up and left no questions asked "
Just as old man Hughes was about to speak there was a gentle knock on the door.
Old man Hughes : " Come in… "
Hooded girl : " I'm sorry if I disturbed your conversation, but I brought the bowl filled with warm water and the towels like you asked "
Old man Hughes : " Good you can place one on him right now, then put the rest on that stand right next to the bed "
The girl gently placed the bowl on the stand and then proceeded to gently place the towel on Alesul's forehead.
Hooded girl : " he seems to be doing quite alright even after all that's happened "
Scotch : " He's a tough one I'll given him that; but what about you girl, you haven't said a word until now how are you holding up"
Hooded girl : " I'm fine… I should probably get going I've already taken enough of your time as it is"
As she quickly tried to hurry out of the room she stumbled and fell to the ground.
Old man Hughes : " nonsense you can barely stand on your own, sit here, an old man like me is only gonna get older if I sit down for too long. While your at it you can take that hood off your head. You're making me feel hotter just by looking at ya "
As old man Hughes said that the girl hesitated for a moment but then decided to remove the cloak that covered her. Revealing her unkempt light blue hair, followed by old worn out rags that couldn't be considered proper clothes at this point.
Old man Hughes : " seems like I wasn't the only one who's had it rough, when was the last time you had a proper meal young lady ? "
Blue haired girl: " around two days ago"
Old man Hughes : " what about that kid that was with you earlier "
Blue haired girl : " around two… "
As she tried to finish her sentence the unexpected happened, as a loud scream suddenly burst within the room loud enough to be heard outside.
Alesul : " JAAAAACK IM GONNA KICK YOUR ASSSS !!! "
To everyone's surprise Alesul had woken up faster than they had anticipated him to, and full of energy no less.
Scotch internally : " It hasn't even been 7 hours yet somehow he's already back on his feet. His Resilience is truly impressive "
Old man Hughes : " I- I don't believe it he's awake already, he shouldn't be awake for at least two more days, let alone have this much energy to move"
Blue haired girl internally: " he's up so fast, I've never seen anyone like him before "
For a brief moment the room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Alesul: " hey gramps you got any food I'm starving"
As Alesul spoke old man Hughes cracked a small subtle smirk.
Old man Hughes : " you're something else kid… yeah, I got some food for ya let's head down stairs I'll cook something up. You too girl I'll fix ya something to eat "
As everyone exited the room as they headed downstairs Alesul turned towards the blue haired girl with a smile on his face
Alesul : " What's your name I'm Alesul, Alesul Illumina"
Julie : " My name's julie "
Alesul : " Nice to meet ya Julie, oh and by the way I ain't forget…you were the one who stole my money earlier today I'm gonna need that back "
She responds with an embarrassed expression
Julie : " I- I was kinda hoping you forgot about that"
Alesul : " yeah… that wasn't gonna happen "
SOMETIME LATER
Alesul : " This really hit's the spot gramps keep the food coming ( NUM, NUM,CHOMP, MUNCH) "
He says as he devours every single plate that catches his attention.
Old man Hughes : " Slow down your gonna bleed this place dry at the rate you're going, and you're not to far behind him either young miss. Seems you must of really been starving yourself "
Julie : " I- I promise I don't usually eat like this,but this food is soo good "
She says as a massive smile ran across her face, it was as if the massive fatigue she had accumulated was slowly being replaced by the joys of a warm meal. Her smile was truly contagious as it made the rest of them smile just the same.
Scotch : " Hey old timer, now that the ice has been broken, why don't you answer that question from earlier "
Alesul : " Yeah gramps I was gonna ask you the same how do you know that jack guy ( MUNCH, MUNCH, CHOMP"
Old man Hughes : " So you heard that huh…"
As the old man responded an air of melancholy surrounded him "
Alesul : " It wasn't like I was fully unconscious or anything I was just a bit tired was all "
Julie : " Mister if you don't mind I'd also like to know how you and jack are acquainted. Even I have to admit it was pretty strange for him to give you the antidote so easily, given his personality"
The old man hesitated for a brief moment, as though he were carefully preparing his answer. He first to a deep breath and then he answered.
Old man Hughes : " It was around 18 years ago…I was a soldier for the government, nothing special just your average foot soldier. I was stationed far northeast of here deep within this continents land. In a small poor village named Bronze-bell deep within the Azul desert"
Old man Hughes took a moment before continuing as if trying to recall the memories from long ago.
Old man Hughes : " while there…me and my platoon became very acquainted with the people of that land, that's when I met jack. He was a small frail boy barley any meat on his bones, he was no older than 6 years old but he had already seen things no kid that age should. He… was an orphan just him and his little sister, it started with him stealing food and medicine from us. Some of the men wanted to teach him a lesson for it but I took the blame for it instead… over the many months I was there I got to know him very well he was a shy kid at the start but that slowly changed. Then one day as we were out scouting the area. Bandits showed up, by the time we had gotten back they had ransacked the place killing all of the villagers.
I found jack by luck under a pile of rubble barley clinging on to life the same couldn't be said for his sister however. The following week after that incident I resigned from the military and decided to take him in and raise him as my own"