"Ghk!"
The first thing Zeke did when he stepped out of the Red Pilate was vomit.
Not the cleanest start to his life in Red Land, but he'd take it over being mugged or kidnapped like the stories he had heard as a child. When he had heard stories of Red Land, he thought most of them were an exaggeration, but clearly not.
It was said that the air in Red Land was poisonous—a congested, thick, palpable breath of a monster's dying howl. One inhale of it, and bile would rise in your throat, and you would feel like thousands of ants crawled on your skin.
Zeke was feeling precisely that. Compared to the clear and pure air of Magic City, this was like hell. But this was his new reality. If a man didn't know how to appreciate his only home, then he wouldn't have anywhere else to go to.
"At least, I'm alive…"
He murmured, dragging his body to the streets. His appearance attracted gazes, mainly because of his pure white hair, seemingly untainted by the redness of the land and sky.
'The letter said that I should find someone named Sam…'
Zeke thought, recalling the contents of the letter. Besides the recommendation to the academy, he was also given a new identity and a roof over him, plus some information about the city he was in.
Whoever that Starlight was, Zeke was curious about what his connection with the man was to help him this much.
'Whatever…'
He brushed aside such thoughts and began approaching other people, reluctantly. He asked around for a place called Solace Bar. Due to his handsome appearance, many answered him, but their open attempts to touch his skin creeped him out.
Zeke quickly walked away, finding the Solace Bar after looking around for a while. He was surprised when he ended up in an alleyway after following a stranger's directions. He slowed down his steps, stopping in front of a small, unassuming bar.
From the door, a swinging rhythm echoed outwards. Sometimes soft enough that it tickled his ears, sometimes so loud that it set his blood pumping. His hair stood on its end as he listened to this odd cacophony of music.
Unconsciously, Zeke found himself stepping inside the place, his body dragging itself. When the door opened, everyone glanced at him, their gazes lingering for a moment due to his striking white hair.
"You're new,"
A hoarse voice resounded from Zeke's left, causing him to turn around.
Zeke saw a middle-aged man with one eye closed, likely blind. He nodded slightly and stated his intentions, "I'm looking for Mr. Sam. I was told that I could find him in this place."
"Well, who'ver told ya, hit the damn bullseye," The middle-aged man slurred, smiling slightly. He pointed at himself. "Nice to meet ya' lad, the name's Sammy. What you looking for me for, huh? Just to be clear, I ain't interested in kids nor boys!"
"Huh?" Zeke was confused, not understanding what he meant. He shook his head solemnly. "I'm here to claim a favor. A Red Land favor."
Hearing that, everyone suddenly looked at them. The middle-aged man suddenly turned quiet. He stood up and walked towards Zeke, surprising the latter. He put his hands over Zeke's shoulder and went outside, speaking to him in a solemn tone.
"Let's take this outside."
"... Alright."
Zeke had no objections, slightly bewildered. He followed Sam outside, the door closing. Sam looked at him for a moment, sizing him up openly. Zeke felt uncomfortable but made no moves to stop him.
After a brief pause, Sam spoke.
"A Red Land favor… are you familiar with it?"
Zeke narrowed his eyes. "Does it matter?"
"Clearly you're not," Sam laughed, shaking his head. "You're not from around here, aren't you? Not from Red Land, I mean."
Zeke paused, but said nothing.
"Checks out," Sam continued. "Anyway, things here are pretty messy and chaotic… a favor is a grace that must be repaid. So who sent you? Owned a lot of favors in my life, yet only a few claimed them."
Zeke answered. "You were saved by a man… two years ago, in the Duskblade Valley."
From his gaze, he saw Sam's expression suddenly change, his mouth opening, then closing in shock. But after a long pause, he answered with a small chuckle. "I was thinking, which reaper was it, but it turns out to be the biggest one. What'd you want, kid? My life?"
Zeke widened his eyes. "No, no… I just need a roof over me."
"Just a roof?" Sam sized him up, clicking his tongue. "You really don't know the weight of a Red Land favor, huh… but alright, I'm no saint. I'll give you a roof to sleep under. I'll even add some extra cash and food in there, what you say?"
Zeke hesitated, clearly sensing something amiss. A Red Land favor was more important than he had imagined, but the letter stated for him to only get a roof, nothing more and nothing less.
Despite his doubts, he decided to trust the letter.
"I just need a roof, that's it."
Sam glanced at him, his eyes turning serious.
"... Very well."
He agreed with reluctance, then paused.
"I have a spare room in the Whiskerbarket's Apartments. Take this key and screw off my sight."
He tore off a key hanging on his pants, throwing it to Zeke.
Woosh!
Zeke caught it swiftly, staring at Sam with a grateful look. He bowed his head respectfully before excusing himself, "I'll go now."
Sam nodded.
But Zeke suddenly stopped, recalling something. He turned around and asked hesitantly, "What was the music playing in the bar? It reminds me of something…"
"Reminds you sh*t, you're not from here, so you don't know it." Sam looked at him mockingly. He shook his head and answered. "It's Jazz."
'Jazz…'
Zeke nodded, noting it in his mind. He excused himself again and scurried away.
Once he left, Sam's gaze turned somber, staring at the sky with a lost expression. But this only lasted for a brief moment, then his drunken look was back. He clicked his tongue in disdain, "Old friend, you want me to take him as a disciple? Adding anotha' burden to me as if what I have isn't enough… but I'll watch him over for you."
"It's a Red Land favor, after all."
Sam stepped back to the Solace Bar, his words left unheard.