Azdin stood before a decently sized building constructed from the same weathered wood and rough stone as everything else in the city. Its sturdy walls and sloping roof gave it a rustic, almost ancient appearance, with dark wooden beams framing the stonework. Above the entrance hung a large sign carved from pale ivory wood, its surface standing out against the lighter materials surrounding it. Engraved across it in bold lettering were two words:
"Black Boar? Yeah, I think this is the place."
Immediately after arriving they had encountered a couple problems. Of course, Azdin was stuck in a hospital bed so he didn't go through all that much, but Hugo was so busy that he barely had time to come visit him. As for the other two.. he wasn't sure what they were up to.
Anyhow, in the short time that he did get to see him again, Hugo told him about a meet up they were having to sort their business out. It was already arranged, so he just had to make sure to show up.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he stared at the doors nervously.
He hadn't even walked in yet, but he could already feel an intimidating presence on the other side. So taking a deep breath to ready himself, he took his first steps in.
**
'Wow, it's actually kind of empty.'
On the other side of the door was a large, open hall that could maybe fit two hundred people. In-between him and the other end of the room was a small army of tables and empty chairs, with a large bar waiting at the other end. There appeared to be a waiter working behind it, who made a brief eye contact with him before getting on with their duties.
He only needed to glance around for a moment, before he saw a table with familiar looking people sitting around it. Smiling, he quickly walked over.
"Guys!"
As Azdin approached the table, Hugo offered him a light smile and a casual wave. Beside him, the nameless Awakened lounged in her chair, her feet propped up on the tabletop as she rocked back and forth with an air indifference. She lifted her drink in Azdin's direction in a lazy greeting before tilting her head back and downing its contents in one go.
"Hugo! And.. uhhh."
Azdin's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than intended, quietly analyzing her as he tried to make sense of something.
Gathering enough courage, he hesitantly said,
"You know.. I still don't know your name.."
She seemed to understand what he was getting at right away... but it was only a couple moments later did a wide grin crack across her face, before she exploded into laughter. Eventually, she tipped too far in her seat and tumbled out of it, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. Yet even then, she showed no signs of stopping, clutching her stomach as she continued laughing hysterically.
"That's it?? I was wondering what both of you were shaking in your boots to ask me this entire time, but that's seriously it??"
Embarrassed, Azdin quickly sat down while hiding his face. When he did, that was when he noticed a decently sized pouch bag settled in the middle of the table. He subtlety glanced at Hugo to ask about what it was, only to see him turning away in shame too.
"Oh god! I'm dying! This is too hilarious!"
Hugo sighed, watching the nameless Awakened continue to laugh herself breathless on the floor. He turned towards Azdin, offering him an apologetic smile as he attempted as he said,
"In our defence, talking to you was very hard."
Her laughter only grew louder. Even as she pushed herself upright, she could barely contain herself, her shoulders shaking with barely suppressed giggles. Then, amidst another fit of laughter, she pointed an accusing finger at Hugo.
"Then man up! How old are you, five!?"
Hugo immediately fell silent, staring at her with a thoroughly unimpressed expression as she finally managed to calm herself. With a few lingering chuckles, she pulled herself back into her seat and settled against it, wiping the tears from her eyes before turning her attention towards Azdin.
"Myne.."
She paused, her smile fading into a look of mild annoyance.
"That's all."
Azdin raised an eyebrow, but he didn't question it. Instead, he asked about something else.
"So where's Lotte?"
She was mundane, but their escape also wouldn't have been possible without her. While everyone else around her had given up on escape, the moment she saw an opportunity in Azdin she snagged at it. They all considered her just as much of a comrade as eachother, even if she was seemingly the weakest.
Hugo was the one to answer him.
"She'll be here soon. Give her a minute."
And right on queue, the door swung open.
With a tired creak a woman dressed in a tight-fitting waistcoat suit staggered inside. She looked utterly haggard, her shoulders slumped and her steps heavy with exhaustion. A few strands of golden hair had fallen loose, and her expression carried the unmistakable look of someone who had endured far more than she cared to explain. In one hand, she gripped a leash, holding onto it lazily as she was dragged by it inside.
As for what on the other end, it was..
'A boar?'
It was pitch black like charcoal, with two ivory tusks protruding from each side of it's mouth. It seemed to snarl quite loudly before rushing off, forcefully tugging it's leash away with it.
Sighing heavily, Lotte glanced around and spotted the only filled table before slowly walking over. The moment she arrived she grabbed open a chair and collapsed right down on it.
Seemingly the only one in the dark, Azdin asked,
"What were you doing?"
Sparing him just a short look she answered.
"I work here."
The answer made him puzzled. To his knowledge, the people who weren't injured were given refuge in the navy dormitory, and would receive free meals there too which was the case for both Hugo and Myne.
Lotte could tell that he noticed the oddity at a glance, but she was too exhausted to say anything about it.
Instead, Hugo pointed out.
"That's the mascot, a domesticated Awakened beast. Her name is Lily."
Azdin's eyes widened as he followed the creature's chaotic path around the room.
"They can be tamed??"
"Yeah. The owner and her have quite the history apparently, not that I'd know."
Before Azdin could ask anything else, Lotte let out an exasperated groan.
"Jeez, walking that thing is so annoying! The one day her usual handler isn't in it's time to take her on a walk!! She's the only one that gets along with it!"
She was tired, but still held the strength to get angry apparently.
"Hey Azdin.. if you're looking for work too then.."
He answered without the slightest hesitation, tucking in his chair cautiously as Lily came charging past them.
"Yeah, I'll pass thanks."