"..."
It has been quite A while since Randy And X-Haria Hitched a ride with Harinezumi and her knight Ispulgasa, Infact the sun was just about an hour from rising. X-Haria Slept, her head leaning on Randy's shoulder as saliva dripped out her mouth, Randy however couldn't sleep, simply because...
|Do people in this world not cater to guests?|
He was hungry..
"..."
The Carriage soon came to a stop, as Randy looked towards the shaft[1] of the carriage as Ispulgasa walked down, he had a basket in one hand, his sheathed sword in the other. he sat down on the floor of the carriage and set the basket down in front of randy's feet, he then opened the basket and took out bread and what seemed like a yellow fruit.
"Would you like a Hachizes[2]?"
Randy looked at him and nodded, slowly getting up and laying X-Haria's head down where he was originally sitting. he sat down near Ispulgasa.
"Yes Please, I'm so hungry that I can eat a horse"
"You can eat one in the upcoming village if you'd like"
Ispulgasa responded
"Sounds nice."
Randy Replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.
|Rather not, but thanks..|
Randy Watched as Ispulgasa held a slice of bread and squeezed the yellow fruit on top of it. the insides of yellow fruit poured onto the bread slice, It was hot and looked like cheese. after he finished squeezing it he put another bread slice on top of it and handed it to Randy.
"Did that fruit just make hot cheese?"
"Yes it did, Its a Yellow Dairy fruit, I guess you never saw something so odd before. I apologize if it freaked you out, kind soul."
Randy shook his head and takes a bite without a second thought, the cheese stretching and some drizzling down his lips as he ate, Ispulgasa kept his hands in his lap as he smiled seeing Randy look so happy made him happy.
The Carriage creaked to the side a bit as Ispulgasa got down to feed the giant cassowary looking creature some cabbage.
A Sign Read: "Welcome to Upal Union"
Randy looked out the side window of the cabin-sized carriage. The village was quiet, with stone paths that converged at a fountain in the middle of the square. Wooden buildings were scattered around the edges, smoke rising softly from chimneys. The sun had fully risen now, casting an orange glow over the mossy rooftops.
"We've arrived."
Ispulgasa said knocking at the side window, his voice was slightly muffled.
"I'll be heading to the inn to get you and your Companion A room. While I do that I Encourage you two kind souls to take a look around this humble town."
"Thanks."
Randy said in return, his voice muffled due to the hot cheese sandwich in his mouth
"Oh and the horse meat is---"
"Thanks."
Randy thanked him again, so he wouldn't have to hear about that horse meat thing again... Ispulgasa nodded and entered the village.
Randy stood, brushed crumbs off his pants, and gently nudged X-Haria. She sneezed once, a string of snot coming out as she floated upwards, her head hitting the roof. she rubbed the top of her head and floated down to her feet..
"..."
She grumbled... and then yawned
"Are... we here?"
"Yeah"
Randy said, stepping off the carriage.
"Hurry up, I wanna ask around. just to see if there's anyone here knows anything about my friends."
X-Haria floated down behind him, half-asleep, adjusting her cloak. Harinezumi, meanwhile, remained curled up inside the carriage. A light snore slipped from the cabin behind them, muffled by silk pillows and layers of royal fabric.
Randy and X-Haria went toward the fountain in the center of the village, the cobblestones clicking softly beneath their feet.
|First meal in hours. A quiet village. I think we earned this... Wait no.. I earned this|
Randy smiled and looked forward from the fountain.
"The shops aren't going to be open for a while.."
X-Haria states.
"I can infer that. the sun literally just became visible."
Randy replies.
"besides, there has to be at least one person to speak with this early other then the shopkeepers."
Randy adds, as he walks forward, and points to A guy sitting near A training dummy and a orange leafed tree.
"See?"
X-Haria sighed, and dropped her body on the grass nearby next to where Randy was.
The Guy looked middle aged, he was blind folded, with a neck bracelet that look identical to Harinezumi's neck bracelet. Randy stopped in front of him and sat down.
"Yo."
"You Speak Englo, huh?"
the old man asked when randy asking him that question. but randy was confused, he turned to X-Haria, as she groaned..
"Englo, Is just English..."
"Makes sense."
Randy turned his head back to the guy as he responded
"Yep, I'm actually fluent in Englo."
The guy scoffed.
"Ya don't say.. what do ya need kid?"
"I'm looking for somebody.. well somebodies is more accurate."
Randy says as he leans forward
"Heard of anybody named, Luma or Jokaba?"
The old man tilts his head, and speaks
"I don't know about that Jokaba person, but I do know a Luma. A hushed one that girl, Green Hair with a monocle."
Randy smiled, he looked glad.
|That's her alright... Green hair and hushed is spot on, guess she had to switch up the eye wear.|
"Do you know where she went?!"
Randy asked, eagerly.
"The brat left Three days ago, headed toward The Arugula Savanna, saying she needed to search for someone named Randy."
|Looking for me instead of Jokaba?, I always thought she was closer to Jokaba then me.|
"I see. Oh, and my name is Randy by the way."
"Well that's inconvenient for her hm? The names Dan."
...
"Nice to meet you"
Randy said
"Likewise"
Dan Replied.
... ... ...
The wind blew, a few leafs fell on randy's head, as a pile of leafs fell on top of X-Haria, Suffocating her. Dan looked over at the pile hearing X-Haria's muffled screams.
"Is this what this generations helpers look like?"
Dan asked
"I wouldn't know, but she's A bit special for someone claiming to be a Demi-God"
Randy brushed a leaf off his head, leaning forward a bit.
"Hey Dan. how would someone get to the Arugula Savanna?"
Dan froze for a moment before letting out a short laugh.
"Kid, you're asking me for directions to your own funeral. Even I had to teach that Luma girl basic magic before she went there. And she's a lot more prepared than you look."
Randy frowned.
"I can make do. I've gotten this far without magic."
"You was on a turtle for A week."
Says X-Haria, her voice muffled under the leafs.
Dan shook his head.
"You won't make it ten steps in that place without knowing at least the basics, and not just magic. You're going to need a combat style too, unless you want to end up as some beast's breakfast."
Randy's shoulders slumped, but he kept his voice firm.
"Fine. So what, you're saying you'll train me?"
Dan leaned back against the orange-leafed tree, smirking slightly.
"Not all at once. We'll start with the fundamentals. Magic first, then you can pick a weapon and learn to use it. After that, maybe, just maybe I'll think about letting you head toward that death trap."
Randy leaned backward dropping his body on the ground, groaning because of how annoying this was, but he didn't protest any further, Dan was right after all.
"Alright. Deal."
"then its settled. Your training starts Tomorrow, Noon."
"okay, thanks I guess"
Randy stood up and walked back to the carriage, dragging X-Haria out of the leaf pile along the way. She coughed, brushed herself off, and floated lazily behind him.
As they reached the carriage, Randy saw Ispulgasa helping Harinezumi down the steps. Her movements were slow, her hand rubbing her stomach, her face pale.
"What's wrong with her?"
Randy asked, stepping closer.
Ispulgasa opened his mouth to answer, but Harinezumi quickly waved a hand.
"Silence"
she muttered, her tone sharp but quiet most likely out of embarrassment. Ispulgasa did A Zip it gesture, and smiled, Per usual.
Randy shrugged his shoulders. X-Haria drifted back to her usual place hovering near him, looking unconcerned.
The two of them followed Ispulgasa through the small village streets until they reached the inn. Inside, Randy was shown to the room he'd be sharing with X-Haria.
He stepped inside, glanced around, and immediately noticed there was only one bed. Without a word, he kicked off his boots and dropped onto it, and fell asleep almost instantly.
X-Haria stood in the doorway for a moment, realizing the situation. After a short pause, she simply floated over and laid down as well. She didn't move much on the bed, not that he would have cared anyway.
[1] The front of the carriage aka where you can see the horses from inside.
[2] Pronounced Hot-Cheese