Once the orientation came to an end, in a similar fashion to how I found my way into the assembly hall. I made my exit by backtracking to the entrance.
Soon, I was standing outside. Dusk was approaching, but there was still a decent amount of sunlight in the sky.
I turned my gaze up, the light blue canvas above me was turning a dark purple and gradually to black.Looking a bit further in the distance I could still see a slither of the setting sun, its red and orange hues disappearing with it.
Then, off to the side, glimpses of a second light started to rise from the diagonal horizon. A distinct blue color deeper than the sky emanated as it rose ever so slightly, a Deltara night was near.
Turning my attention away from the sky, I took out a note from my pocket. The same one of which I wrote down a list of things I'd need. I still had some time before it was fully dark, so I decided on getting some things I needed.
I made my way to Prism's main entrance and walked along the main road. The street oddly was named Kenzington in a similar fashion to Kenzington City.
I walked further down the road, passing more streets. Making a right on Lexington street a few blocks down. Looking around, I noticed a building towering over others. It was still a ways away, but I could make it out from where I was.
A large building composed mostly of bricks in a similar style to Prism, though that's all they shared in common. This building wasn't as large, maybe two-thirds as tall. It was more detailed and intricate in its design spires clawed at the sky. It was draped in dense ivy and crowned with statues worn faceless by time.
Light filtered through fractured glass, leaving me to wonder if inside the light scattered white and blues across the stone walls. It was the cathedral of the Telos Order. A religious order promoting faith, hope, and charity. It is also the backer of the Telos coins and notes.
I hadn't gotten the chance to see it on my carriage ride to Prism. So, I was curious if there was one and how it'd look. Back home, there was also a Telos building stationed there. But it was nowhere near as magnificent in architectural design.
In fact, describing the two would be like comparing the kingdom's mightiest and finest stead to a mere donkey. I shook my head in pity for the church in my town and continued on my way.
Walking up to a four-way crossing, I made my way to the corner. A man dressed in navy blue uniform and partial armor was in the center of the crossing. In his mouth was a whistle.
When he blew through it, the whistle produced a loud and piercing noise. He'd hold out a hand stopping carriages from pulling forward. Then he'd turn and signal for others to cross.
When he stopped traffic again, he allowed the people on my side of the road to move. I tired to immersed myself in the environment. I hoped that while walking, I'd find a market that was selling cloth, soap, other necessities, as well as a black smith.
As I walked, I noticed the busy atmosphere of the streets. People buying and bargaining from vendors, carriages passing by. Officers directing traffic on every other street while people and carriages cross for the roads.
Walking for a while, I came across a market, It was directly centered between two larger buildings. A double door was centered with two large windows on both its sides.
A single sign labeled open was displayed on one of them.
I walked up to the building, opening the door. As the door swung open, a bell atop it chimed, notifying the attendants. One of those attendants hearing it walked over to me.
She was dressed formally and she was smiling but held a calculative gaze.
"Welcome sir, how may I assist you in your shopping today?"
Already knowing what I needed, I replied rather quickly.
"Hi, could you direct me to hygiene products and cloths to cover a mirror."
She paused for a moment, then gave me a knowing look.
"I see, yes , certainly, right this way sir."
The attendant turned and led the way through the building. The place was nice, some people browsed, and others had a selection of items already in a basket.
There were things such as apples, tangerines, potatoes, onions, pants, and shirts, among other fruits, vegetables, and clothes.
We passed all of that and came up to the right side of the building near the wall. Their hanging and set on shelves were fine linen and cloths of various sizes and colors.
"If you need a smaller size, you'll find them on the lower shelves"
I nodded at her and walked up to it grabbing the one at the top of the stack. Unfolding it revealed a rectangular piece of cloth a bit larger than the approximate image of my mirror in my mind.
Embedded within it were sacred symbols forming a cryptic circle. It reminded me of a question I once asked my mother.
When I was little, she would often cover the mirrors at the inn every night. The reason steamed from a belief. If one does not cover their mirror at night, then the next day, then odd occurrences would happen.
Things such as disappearing. Other abnormalities like seeing things that aren't really there or hearing cryptic whispers coming from the mirror have also been reported.
In fact, the Telos Order is the main reason why such cloths are being sold as they encourage citizens to do so.
But even with their backing, I find it to be quite dramatic or even unrealistic.
Still, it'd be a shame if the one time I decided to abstain from covering my mirror is the day the news of my disappearance reaches my family and friends.
Deciding on the first cloth that I picked, I walked around until I found the hygiene products. After looking, I found the soap section and inspected the various shelves.
There was a variety of soaps to choose from. They were divided by signs soap type and gender. The men's side was simple. There was normal soap, and then some scented soaps such as mint.
The women's side had more scented choices. Some fruity, others a more herbal.
I doubt any man would want to buy needlessly scented soap. Though I'm sure the store wouldn't stop a man from purchasing the women's soap.
Whether it was for themselves or a lady, the store would have no way to know. Nor would it look good to discriminate. I took three boxes of unscented soap.
Then, I made my way back to the front of the store to pay. I walked up to the clerk, and the total came up to six Pyni. I paid one Tyro and got the remainder back and left the building. The items were placed in a bag I held in my hand.
Exiting the building, I took a different path back to Prism. I keep a look out while still searching for a smithing shop or weapon shop.
But I had no luck. I walked the whole way back without stopping. I guess I'll have to look and ask around tomorrow. Eventually, I made it back to the student dorms. Walking to the door labeled two hundred and twenty-two. I took my key and opened the door.
While opening it, I caught a whiff of a strong aroma of food through my nose. In the dorm, I closed the door and secured the lock.
Then, I walked past the hall into the kitchen. Sakase, noticing my arrival, greeted me.
"Brian, welcome back."
He gave a nod before focusing on his cooking again.
"I'm making some fried vegetables, so if you want some, you can get settled and help set the table. Oh, and if you don't mind, take your shoes off at the door. It'd be a hassle to have to clean the floor all of the time."
"Alright."
I nodded my head in acknowledgment removing my shoes and headed to my room. I opened the door and closed it, locking it before placing my bag down.
I took the soaps from the bag and placed them in the washroom, and grabbed the white cloth, placing it in my washroom.
I grabbed a change of clothes and a bath towel and entered the washroom. Then I turned the knob letting water fall from the shower head down to the base of the tub, and then down the drain.
Accustomed to the process, I turned on the water. It started out cold, gradually warming up. I set the temperature to a comfortable warmth, still tinged with a bit of coolness.
After a short period of time, I exited the shower, feeling more refreshed than before. Then I changed.
Exiting the shower. I placed the clothes I had in a corner. Taking mental note that I should also get a basket to place my clothes into.
I left my room and entered the kitchen again. Sakase was finishing up his cooking, so I set up the table.
And sat down waiting. After a bit of waiting, the food was ready. It was served on a porcelain white plate with a silver fork placed at its side.
The stir-fried veggies were delicious. It had carrots, cabbage, onions, and other things seasoned to perfection. It was a delicious meal, and I decided to compliment the chef.
"It's good,"
Sakase looked up and replied, "Glad you like it."
He paused, then continued.
"So what kind of chores are you good at?"
Chores, huh? Oh well, it does make sense. Since we both will be lodging together for the foreseeable future, it's only fair that we split chores.
"I'm fine with anything." I responded with that as I took another scope of the stir fry and put it in my mouth.
In fact, I was rather good at them. Back home, in the inn, I often helped with chores to keep the place in working order.
So I'm confident I can do most chores as long as it's not unreasonable. I looked towards Sakase he was also eating, but he noticed my gaze. He finished up that last bite before continuing.
"I see. If that's the case for now, we can take care of our own rooms. For the communal space during the total work and rest days, we'll split it like this: I'll do Sunday, Monday, and Friday, and we'll split Saturday"
"You can do the rest of the work days Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our third roommate visited earlier, but it seems they won't be fully setting in for the next few days."
"Once they arrive, we can further spread the chores out so the workload isn't too heavy on ourselves. Are you fine with this arrangement?"
"Yea, that sounds fine."
I nodded in agreement, liking the sound of it.
"Also, have you prepared for tonight?"
After a bit of eating, he brought up another topic. For a moment, I was lost at what he was referring to. But then I came to a guess.
"Are you talking about this Deltara night?"
Sakase answered without much change in expression.
"That's right, how often do you prepare?"
How often? Well, from my personal experience, this is just superstition supported by the order.
No real need for caution, but at the same time, a certain amount of reverence is indeed needed. Simply because such a powerful force does so. After some thought, I responded honestly.
"Just when necessary on Deltara nights such as this. Other than that, I don't bother."
He paused for a moment. Interlocking his fingers while looking down at the table with a slight sad or melancholy smile on his face, he spoke again.
"You should do it every night,"
Every night?, Confused, I responded
"It's not necessary. I've often skipped out on regular nights, and nothing abnormal has ever happened."
He then let out a chuckle.
"Well, yes, it is often peaceful in the Kingdom of Bartholomew. But there are also things in this world, things that even I never thought possible—wondrous and fantastical, yes, but deeply unsettling too."
"Even if it seems excessive, I'd still recommend keeping your mirror covered. It's better not to risk inviting the wrong kind of attention."
Looking back up at me, he gave a halfhearted smile.
"Better safe than sorry after all."
We continued the rest of our meal in silence with only a few exchanges of words. Soon, I offered to wash the plates, and Sakase headed to his room.
We exchanged pleasantries, and then I heard his door click shut. After I finished washing the dishes and entered my room, I closed the door and locked it once more.
Then, I walked to the washroom following my nightly hygiene routine.
Picking up the piece of cloth on the counter. I placed it on the mirror in front of me. And I adjusted it a bit until I was satisfied with it's position.
I was starting to feel the fatigue from the day weigh down on my body, but before getting into the bed, I went over my list once more. I planned to get everything done tomorrow so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.
After settling my thoughts, I placed everything aside. I got my watch from the chest of drawers and set it for early morning. Then I shut my eyes, waiting for sleep to take me and the busy tomorrow to arrive.