Leading the Blind

There's a buzz about town. Not exactly a happy one, but it wasn't as gloomy as one might expect either. Being so close to the Groves made it difficult for anyone to truly let their guard down, even more so with the recent increased activity of the Nachzehrer. It wasn't clear why, but the reports of the Flesh making attempts to expand its domain were likely related. Fortunately, the activity had the effect of attracting numerous adventurers who sought to test their mettle against the stranger undead and other creatures. So, while activity had increased, the town was actually safer than usual and the locals were able to enjoy some respite. Decorations have been strewn about and many people have begun setting up stands in preparation for a festival to make the most of the moment.

Amongst the hustle and bustle, two women navigate through the streets in search of something. One curiously tilts her head in the direction of every odd sound and, every now and again, 'looks' intently at someone the pair passes by. The other keeps her head on a swivel, anxiously looking over her shoulder as if being hunted. She clings closely to the other girl, at once trying to hide in her shadow as well as lead her.

"Might I ask where we're going?"

"I... You need somewhere to rest. There's a guild."

"Oh? You didn't say you were part of a guild. How wonderful."

Morrigan grips Dark's hand a little tighter as she grimaces under her hood. There was a lot she hadn't said on their journey to town. Most notably at the moment, she hadn't she didn't bring up the fact that she was homeless. That shouldn't have mattered, but she found herself reluctant to just let go of someone who had so genuinely expressed a need for her. Someone hadn't wanted her — let alone needed her — in a long time. So, instead of simply guiding the woman she found in the woods to town, she found herself coming into town while people were still out and about in a desperate bid to extend her usefulness to the blind woman. The least she could do was find her a place to stay. She refused to give any thought to what came after that.

"Heard there's something nasty prowling around. It's been preying on the beasties in the woods, but it's only a matter of time before it gets a taste for something fresher."

"I heard it's a Cockatrice. Cockatrices don't eat people. Nothing to eat after they curse you to death."

"If it is, then this one likes to make you suffer. Riddles its victims with holes until they're begging to be put down."

Dark is yanked and rushed along as Morrigan tries to put as much distance between the gossip and them as possible. She had also neglected to inform her new companion of what she was. Dark would never find out if she could help it. The last thing she wanted was to give her a reason to leave or worse. The more pressing issue at hand was that they were steadily growing closer to the local guild house and she was not a member of the guild. The shy cockatrice hadn't found the courage to approach the woman she followed into town. She wasn't even sure how one would go about joining, but it wasn't like she had anywhere else to go. As long as it didn't require too much money, she could deal with it. Maybe.

The Adventurer's Guild comes into view and the pair's pace slows back down. Even just from viewing the entrance, it's immediately apparent the members of the guild have also joined in on the festivities. Colorful flags and lights are hung from the roof and outside of windows. There also seem to be flyers for some kind of event the guild is hosting being handed out. However, what draws Morrigan's attention the most is the woman with the golden mane — Alicia, as she'd found out while tailing her. Next to her is a grey-haired man who she doesn't know and what seems to be a trio of young adventurers. She had seen him around questioning people, but she never stuck around long enough to catch his name. Some of those questions seemed to be about her, and she couldn't think of any reasons someone would be interested in her. Not any she liked.

She would just need to wait until he was done before they approached.

"-and that's all there is to it. Just some regular old undead as far as it could tell. By the way thanks for helping out the newbies."

Alicia lets out a loud and infectious laugh that can be clearly amidst the mix of noises surrounding them. She slaps one of the young adventurers on the back, causing her to yelp and nearly drop her staff.

"Y-Yes, thank you again, Mister Burn."

"It was no trouble at all. I appreciate you answering my question, Miss Sandmane."

The man begins to say his goodbyes and makes to leave. However, a boy carrying a large sword interrupts him.

"Since you're here, I'm sure you could show some stuff. Just a few tips wouldn't take long."

The grey-haired is quite obviously displeased but hesitates to shut the boy down. The other two adventures also start trying to convince him to stay longer. He looks to Alicia for her help, but she only laughs.

"You know, hanging around the guild is a great way to hear all the juiciest news."

Waiting for him to leave was quickly becoming more impractical by the second that the conversation continued. Yet, Morrigan was certain that she couldn't allow herself any closer to him than she already was. Her mind strains to come up with a means of driving him off or distracting the trio that was so desperately trying to keep him. Thinking was becoming somewhat difficult, however. The warmth at her side which she'd become so fond of intensifies to an almost unbearable level and Dark's hand tightens around her and the staff she carries.

"That man... Who is he?"

The question catches Morrigan off guard. She still wasn't exactly sure how Dark was able to sense people despite her blindness. It takes her a moment to recognize who Dark is referring to, and worry enters her mind when she realizes it's none other than the grey-haired man.

"Burn, I think. Why? Do you... Do you recognize him?

"There's something dark and wretched inside him. It's insufferable."

There's an anger to Dark's words that Morrigan had not heard before. It was like a different person. Her whole demeanor begins to shift as she grips both the staff and the cockatrice tighter. She didn't entirely understand it, but what she felt inside of that man was a smoldering darkness, and it made her blood boil. She now grips Morrigan tight enough to cause pain and the ever-increasing warmth causes her to panic slightly. Yet, she doesn't make any attempt to separate herself from Dark. She'd rather risk being burned than be left in the cold.

The cockatrice does her best to pull Dark out of view and make the woman focus on her instead. Whatever was happening couldn't be good. That much even she could figure out. What she wasn't sure about was how to fix it. She wasn't even sure what exactly was going on, and she was the last person anyone would go to if they wanted help. Yet, Dark asked for her help, and she wanted to help her. Unable to come up with any sort of plan or even words, she simply pulls Dark farther away and embraces her.

"Sorry. Please be ok."

"Forgive me. It seems I got a little worked and made you worry."

"It's nothing. He should be gone now."

The shame in Dark's words is even more evident in the look on her face. Though, Morrigan fails to understand what had transpired over the last several minutes or why her companion should be ashamed. All she could take away from what happened was that she had further reason to avoid the much too curious grey-haired man.

The pair makes their way out of the alley that Morrigan had rushed them in and again approaches the guild. There's no sign of the grey-haired man, Alicia, or the young adventurers. Hopefully, that meant that he'd left for the day and hadn't been dragged inside. When they get close enough, Morrigan takes a moment to peek through a window before entering, just to be sure. The inside is even more well-decorated than the exterior, and there are numerous adventurers scattered throughout the guildhall. So many and packed so tightly that Morrigan's nerves begin to get the better of her.

"Ask about joining. They'll let you stay."

"So, it's an Adventurer's Guild? It could be nice. I'd love to-"

"I have to go."

The cockatrice's hand slips free of Dark, leaving her in front of what appears to be some sort of reception desk. Dark can feel her getting farther and farther away, but she doesn't quite actually go. Not that far. She hovers around the edge of the blind woman's senses as seeks to separate herself but also keep Dark in sight. After all, it wasn't that she wanted to leave. She just didn't belong. Even now, the thought of joining the guild herself had never entered her mind. It was unthinkable.

However, she did selfishly hope that her friend might call out to her and ask for her help again. Even if that help involved further risking herself for the sake of celebration.