Fantasy Kaizoic: Earth Reborn

[Da Doofus]

Rufus coughed into his hand.
"I'll take some water too." He rasped, latching his satchel closed once more and seemingly less fazed by Dracon's assault.

Cräga eyed him, and filled the cup with clear water that sparkled in the faint sunlight from the windows.

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Thanks.” Kairo said, before looking at Rufus. His eyebrows were furrowed in concern. Rufus might have seemingly been unfazed, but that didn’t stop Kairo from worrying.

“I guess we gotta be more careful around Dracon.” He added, almost guiltily. He was the first one to put his faith in Dracon. And even though it wasn’t the Irokai’s intention, this could have all been avoided if they’d just been a bit more cautious. A bit more distanced.

 

[Da Doofus]

"I'm already taking necessary measures, kid." Rufus managed to eke out a smile and gulp down the water.

Cräga raised a brow, and returned to her work. Shortly after, Darrek approached the humans.
"Hey . . . I appreciate the help you guys gave me back there." He said. "I'll be seeing you guys around, yeah?"

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo wasn’t entirely sure what the irokai meant for a second. What could he be thanking them for? In fact, it seemed that Darrek had done more for them with stealing the money then they’d done for him.

“You mean with Bazin?” He turned to face Darrek. “Thanks, but we did sort of drag you into that mess to begin with.”

 

[Da Doofus]

Darrek smirked. "Well the coin I snagged off him was originally mine, so at least thank you for giving me the chance to get it back." He smacked Kairo's shoulder.

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Yeah which you then used to give US a place to stay for the night.” Kairo replies, rolling his eyes. “If anything we should be the ones thanking you. Which I don’t think we’ve done yet. So thank you for all that.”

 

[Da Doofus]

"You guys can make it up to me later." Darrek smirked, patting them both on the back. "I'll be seeing you guys around.

See ya." He concluded, turning away to follow Crina outside.

Rufus took a last sip of his water.
"I'll be checking with the dwarf about the job. Hopefully, we get a bonus for the trouble."

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo smiled back, waving the two goodbye as they left. He was happy to just sit there for a second and finish his drink, but it seemed Rufus had different thoughts.

“You’re not gonna have some food before that?” Kairo asked, turning to face Rufus. “who knows. He might piss you off more on an empty stomache.”

 

[Da Doofus]

"Not hungry right now." Rufus sighed and stood up. "You coming with or staying here? I won't take too long."

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo looked over at the stew still boiling in it’s pot. The smell was seemingly calling him to stay and have a bowl. But it seemed business called. Last thing he wanted to do was force this all on Rufus, even if it didn’t make much of a difference if he came or not.

He broke his longing gaze with the stew, sighing in the process. “Yeah, I’ll come with. Gives us a chance to get familiar with the town anyway.” He gulped down the last of his water. “If only takeout still existed.”

 

[Da Doofus]

"Come back and there'll be food." Cräga took the bowl back. "You paid for it, and I don't do refunds." She made a friendly smirk and set the bowl behind the bar counter. "Your room will be the same as before. Second door past the stairs."

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Thanks Cräga. You’re amazing.” Kairo said, hoping she’d appreciate the comment. Even though she made it clear she didn’t seem interested in him all, he still found himself subconsciously caring about her opinion, even during small gestures like this. He then got off the stool, pushing it back into the bar counter. He gave the women a quick wave goodbye as he walked backwards to the door, comically bumping into the door before finally turning around to open it.

 

[Da Doofus]

Rufus was already back on the road leading to Drafisl. The dirt and leaf covered path was bearing more traffic this time, as wagons of traveling merchants were coming into town. Possibly for the upcoming holidays.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo waited a few moments outside the door, expecting Rufus to come out. He only noticed that the man had long ago left the rest when he gave a casual glance to the path. Maybe he'd been too preoccupied with talking to Cräga to notice.

"Ey! Wait up!" Kairo shouted over, jogging over to catch up with him. He passed by a few wagons in the process. The road seemed much more lively today, a vague reminder that some kind of holiday was coming up. He made a mental note to check that out if they ever got the time.

"Thanks for waiting for me." Kairo quipped sarcastically, now beside the man.

 

[Da Doofus]

Rufus shrugged. "It was your call." He said, glancing at the passing wagons of crops belonging to human farmers. A few Vindav were walking along the road to Drafisl carrying backbacks that reeked of herbs and spices.

The walls of Drafisl cane into view and plumes of smoke bellowed from behind the now open gates.

 

[Chai_T3a]

The caravan travelling to Drafisl made the walk their interesting again. No matter where they were, there was always something new and refreshing. The smell of exotic herbs, the sound of the wagon wheel hitting the road, the casual chitchat from the travellers, it all helped to build a lively atmosphere on the path that didn’t use to exist.

Kairo would occasionally make small talk with Rufus on his journey to Drafisl. This lasted until he saw the gate, for once, time seemed to flow by.

“Ya know. I feel like Vincent’s gonna rip us off again. ” Kairo warned. “Wish I knew how the money in this damn place worked.”

 

[Da Doofus]

"We'll figure it out." Rufus smiled and patted his back. "After this I'm going to see about less . . . Dangerous work."

They entered the town, and activity was bubbling out of every inch of their vision. Decorations were being hung from the cooking area, which now began bearing resemblances to a festival. Banners depicting a stylized six-eyed face of Kavera painted among a collection of bright colors.
The smells of sauces and cooking spices filled the two mens' noses as they passed through the human-built main street.

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Oh count me in.” Kairo agreed. “Never working as a courier again.”

As the two walked into Drafisl, they were immediately burst with the festive atmosphere that was now commonplace. This was even more hectic than the trail here.

Kairo whistled. “We came at a good time huh?” He said excitedly.

 

[Da Doofus]

Rufus smelled the air. "Damn right. Smells like barbeque a bit." He sighed, then saw Darrek emerging from Vincent's general store.

The young Irokai saw the two approaching and waved. "Well that didn't take long. You guys miss me already?" He joked

Rufus rolled his eyes and continued to approach. "Just came to see about some due pay on that courier gig."

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo nodded in agreement. “What about you then? Didn’t know you knew him too.” He pointed at the door to Vincent’s general store.

 

[Da Doofus]

"Oh I just pawned off my gun." He shrugged and smiled sheepishly. "I only had a few bullets left so why not get some extra coin out of it?
Oh I also accessorized a bit." His hand reached into his right side satchel and pulled out a familiar red scarf. In a swift toss, the cloth was wrapped over his neck and shoulders. Darrek crossed his arms in a brief pose.
"What do you think?" He asked, drawing attention to his light brown vest and red scarf addition.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo eyebrows cocked. Was that what he thought it was? What a coincidence this was! He looked between Darrek and Rufus, not entirely sure about what to say at this point. Darrek did look good in that particular combo, but he wasn’t entirely sure how Rufus would react.

“Uhhhh. Ya know what.” He says, slapping Rufus on the back. “What do you think Rufus?”

 

[Da Doofus]

Rufus rolled his eyes and gave Darrek a thumbs up.
"Looking sharp there, kid." He complimented. "Vincent in I take it?"

"Yeah. Wasn't too happy to see me." The Irokai smirked.

"Why's that?"

"Cause he knows I can smell his bullshit." Darrek joked and stepped off the porch.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo perked up at that “Oh actually if that’s the case. Wanna come in with us?” He asked. “He’s still gotta pay us for doing his courier job. But I’m pretty sure he’s gonna screw us over somehow.”

 

[Da Doofus]

"Better off getting Cräga for that." He passed them. "I don't haggle well, I just know the little turd's habits."

"I'll handle it, Kairo." Rufus assured, stepping up to the General Store's wooden doorframe.