Standing outside of the Old Pike Restaurant, Kaelin drew in a sharp short breathe before stepping into the establishment. The place was one of the few restaurants that had remained loyal to the old world of Arcania, it's air thick with the old familiar scent of malcore and pint.
Looking around, most of the tables were empty thanks to the looming war breathing down on the citizens of Reuthar as well as the other kingdoms. Taking a seat, she made her order before waiting for Jarren.
...
Minutes ticked away and still no sight of the man she had been waiting for. Her plate now empty was being whisked away by the server. "Is there anything else you'd like to have miss?" The server asked with a warm and inviting smile. "I'm fine, just waiting for someone is all." Kaelin brushed them off before checking her phone.
She was sure that he was to make his appearance that day and yet he remained absent from the restaurant. "Maybe there was something wrong with the tea. Someone could have drugged it." The more time lapsed, the more probable it seemed to her as she let out a helpless sigh.
[{Kaelin: Are you going to come or how longer do you plan on making me wait?}]
Her irritance shadowing her patience.
[{Jarren: There was an issue with the carriage but I should be there in no more than five minutes}]
Her brows furrowed reading this. 'Am I really wasting my time with this jester?' As for her security, as an awakened individual, she wasn't all too flustered about it. And with her being deep within the capital of Reuthar, soldiers lurked at each corner.
...
She made another order, a light wine to pass the time as she checked her phone once more. 'An hour already and he has yet to make his arrival! Doesn't he know that you shouldn't keep a lady waiting?' She couldn't help but wonder as she rose to her feet making her way to the restroom.
With her departure another figure walked into the restaurant, his gaze sharp as he glanced around before locking onto Kaelin's table. "Excuse me sir but this table is currently occupied." A server stepped out. "I'm aware. I had a meeting with the lady seated here." Flashing his grin, the server gave a knowing bow before taking their leave.
Kaelin who was ready to leave froze seeing the individual at her table. 'Is that Jarren?' She couldn't help but wonder. The black haired youth wasn't what she saw but rather a man who seemed to be in his thirties, his brown hair already graying out with his hazel nut eyes gleaming at her.
But what unnerved her was his smile, she was sure that the only one who wore it was Jarren. "Excuse me but are you meant to be Jarren? That's a terrible lie you're wearing." She stated making her way to the table. "I am the man known as Jarren, it just so happens that I have a bidding with my master at the time."
Kaelin's gaze roamed the man, her face portraying her skepticism. 'Did Jarren send this man or is he someone completely different?' Her hands resting on the table as she let out a small sigh. "Who is your master?" She pressed, thinking that it would be Jarren. "A fair miss shrouded in secrecy but she's been generous to let you know. You may identify her as Lyssara."
She paused, unfamiliar with the name. 'Lyssara? Who is she?' She wondered as the man glanced at the approaching server. "Can you please empty out the other guests?" Kaelin was inwardly shocked hearing his order but what bothered her even more was that it came to pass.
Those who casually dined rose to their feet and left the premises leaving the two with their chat. Their motions as if rehearsed for this moment. Just as she was about to ask, the air around the man contorted in a means that defied all logic revealing another figure, a more familiar one.
"Jarren?!" Kaelin shouted as her face turned red, her heart racing before breaking into a stream of apologies. "I'm so sorry for all the things I said back then and for making you wait! I wasn't thinking-" Jarren let out a chuckle as soft footsteps could be heard making their way to the two.
In front of Kaelin another lady stood, no older than seventeen years old with her face masked with a golden piece. The more she looked at her, the more she yearned to stare at her till eternity. "This is my miss, Lyssara." Jarren gestured at the demonic lady as she took of her mask revealing her crimson eyes and flat face.
The two locked eyes, Lyssara akin to reading Kaelin while as Kaelin was lost in her beauty. "You must be Kaelin, I've heard nothing but praises about you from Jarren." She teased extending her hand. Jarren rising to his feet helped her with a seat before the two sat adjacent to Kaelin. The air was stiff, all ears and eyes gone from the premise leaving the three.
"Why thank you, I'm sorry but I haven't heard much about you." Kaelin smiled at Lyssara before noting at her horns. Still, she wasn't bothered with Jarren lurking in the scene as her eyes drifted to him for answers. "She's a lady Callista picked up at Caerthalas." The air eased between the two ladies.
"Jarren, could you please give Miss Kaelin her gift." With a snap of her fingers, Jarren let out a low chuckle as he rose to his feet. "Kaelin, I'm quite thrilled with your progress so far within the Ark Facility, I've been keeping an eye on you." He started off as he stretched his hands to her as if for an invitation.
"However I'm sure that you could make so much more progress with a little help." Space began to ripple as something bled into the veil of reality. It started with a glimmer that reeked of power before slowly dulling away, by the time he was done, a weapon rested on his hands.
"Here, something I'm sure you'll love." In his hands a bow came to be, it's arc made of gold and it's strings blood of an old horror, the same had had been used to make Lyssara's mask. "I- I- Well thank you Jarren and thank you Lyssara!" Kaelin mused, her words coming off as mumbles to the two who flashed simple smiles.
"Jarren said that you would get a lot of use out of it. I hope that he was right or he'll be facing a brutal punishment." Kaelin's gaze landed back to Jarren as she took the bow out of his hands. "I hope you don't mind me asking but what is the relationship between the two of you? A master and their servant?" So far she knew that Jarren was a monster, once a student who stood above their peers was now something completely different.
However seeing the dynamic between him and Lyssara, she couldn't help but wonder if she was just as powerful as him or even more for him to be so subservient to her. "He's nothing more than a servant to me, a gift from Lady Callista." Lyssara mused with glee as she flashed her pearls revealing a devilish grin.
Jarren didn't bother protesting as he let out a cheeky laugh. "I wouldn't get too comfortable." His statement complicating the conclusion Kaelin had of the two in her mind. "Think of it as a play and she is the queen and I am her pawn." Kaelin was stumped, baffled with what he meant. 'Why would he want to be placed in such a role then?' With his power, it made no sense to her for him to be playing such a role.
"It would be best to introduce you to the game he and his brood of crows for creators have made." Lyssara sharply stated snapping her fingers. A server made their way quickly taking their orders before disappearing back to the kitchen. "Game? What kind of game?" She was hesitant, aware that Jarren wasn't exactly a hero to the world and nor did he bother becoming one.
"It will make far more sense once you play but first, after I'm done with my meal." Steaming hot dishes came filling the table, Lyssara began her feast in a reserved grandeur while Jarren merely watched as his veil for a butler took over once more. 'Just what about any of this would make you proud to play?' Kaelin wondered taking a long stare at his attire.
Lyssara noting this broke the silence. "Is there any form of attraction between the two of you? If you are eyeing on my servant then a price I ask. However with his lackluster performance, I could settle at two hundred blue malcore shards." The joke eliciting a smile from Jarren. "I'm truly sorry for my sloth at my role. I'm certain that you could find it in your heart to forgive me."
His attention went to Kaelin. "...Or you could free me from this... devil of a lady." Lyssara didn't bother as she went on indulging in her meal. Kaelin who was still wrapping her head around the scene let out a baffled exclamation. "Why would you want to play this game when the world of Arcania is on the verge of collapse?"
She was sure that even a monster like Jarren would be forced to care about his family, if not his own safety. "This world is nothing more than a stop on our journey. It could be your grave or a memory as you drift past the worlds and stars far above." Unsure with what she meant, she excuses herself making her way to the restroom once more.
...
The grin on Lyssara's face faltered, her gaze turning sharp as she stared at Kaelin's departing figure. "So that is the pause between the laughs and chaos of horrors? Not a bad choice from you if I had to say." Jarren now began with his meal, his hands moving with unnatural accuracy and fluidity.
"It's best to have an anchor in this storm of a play. You, my queen after all are the bridge between the two and she is the end point." Rather than offended, Lyssara took his words as a compliment. "Why thank you. I would have never thought that I would be worthy to be in your gaze."
Her fear of his apathy towards her waned the more she played with him. The act she had thought was something for him to watch her break was far more than that, as she used it to gain more insight to the monster that walked beside him and with it manage to secure a spot under his gaze. "Lyssara the devilish inquisitor, I was thinking."
He joked, his facade of a butler waning the more the two stayed in Reuthar. She knew that the play was over and it was a matter of time before she sunk back into the maw of the abyss. "It'll have to suffice for now." She taunted taking a bite out of her steak. She poked him with her act and his engagement both surprised and strangely pleased her.
Kaelin made her way back to the table, her chest now heaving harder than before. "Should we take this conversation elsewhere?" Lyssara stated with a hint of arrogance as she wiped her mouth of any bits of food. Jarren dutifully helped her out of her seat as Lyssara now made use of the restroom leaving the space for Jarren and Kaelin to converse.
"I still don't get it between you and Lyssara. And what happened to Callista?" She posed, Jarren merely taking in the bewilderment of Kaelin for amusement, the same a mother would have watching their young one try to walk for the first time. "Yo will in due time but for now, just watch the game unfurl." She was lost as ever with his words.
'You always did love to be elusive with your words Jarren.' She sighed as a faint smirk came to form on her lips. "Come now Jarren, let's see it that we aren't late for Kaelin's introduction to the game." And with that the three took their leave.