Triiffic-Soul: Can I Be In Control?

[Fuck, I think we need to buy some new clothes.] (Syrus)

A new day, new problems. 

[Do you really need to swear in the morning?] (Luna)

[No, but yes.] (Syrus)

Luna groaned at Syrus’s response but did agree, new clothes would be a good acquisition. 

Eva wondered what type of clothes they would even buy.

“There you are, Syrus.”

“Ash?” Syrus paused, “Everything good?”

“I’m not sure. You've been requested to be at the Clarzxa Guild.”

“The hunting guild? Why?”

“Unsure. They only asked me since I know you and where you live. I doubt you are in trouble or that they want you to work for them. They wouldn’t be going through me if that was the case.” Ash sighed. “Sorry, I don’t really know anymore than that.”

“All good. I’ll head over then.” Syrus shrugged. “Worst case, it is nothing; then they can find out what happens when they bother me.”

“I’m not sure what outcome I would prefer.” Ash chortle. Imaging the outcomes. 

[Hopefully nothing bad has happened.] (Eva)

[I still am unsure why they called us? There are a bunch of other qualified people in the city.] (Luna)

[Could be something that requires potion work and combat experience? That’s my best guess. Otherwise it could just be a case that all the other options are out of town.] (Syrus)

[Lavender did leave to go visit Maca.] (Luna)

[There are also a bunch of escort quests still going on. Everyone is still on edge after the attacks…] (Eva)

The trio made their way to Clarzxa Guild. Technically, this would be the first time they properly entered it. They made an effort to avoid the two big Hunting Guilds of the city. Originally it was to be at least a little low-key, though that had changed. People certainly knew their name among the hunting community. Word of mouth spread about Syrus, who was an expert hunter and good option maker. She rarely interacted with people. Lavender and Maca didn’t spread facts about her willy-nilly either, but Syrus had done a lot. 

Excluding her acts at the end of the Arisea Station conflict, which no one knew about. She was seen fighting effectively against the monsters. She, as the source of the position that she supplied, became known eventually. And the fact that, even if they didn’t say anything, they had the trust of people like Lavender, and more importantly for many hunters in the city, Maca. That was enough of a reason to keep an eye out.

Strolling through the city was an interesting event. The place somehow changed a little bit every day.

Since the attack. Arisea Station had been peaceful. People were still rebuilding in smaller ways. The major construction works had been completed, people had been fast, but there were aspects of some businesses that still needed time to get back to full operations. 

Anlesa walked through the front door. “Syrus is here. Who is looking for me?” 

Her question got her a few glances from a few people sitting around the large open room. None felt like replying, and a few appeared worse for wear. 

Before Syrus got the chance to say a snarky comment back. A guild staff member came rushing forward. “Sorry for the wait. We need you at the back.” 

Syrus let the man lead the way, and they entered one of the back rooms of the guild. This place was certainly larger than the Brown Oak Guild they normally worked from. At least double the size, not counting the second floor.  

Entering a back room. Anlesa immediately noticed a man sitting at a table with bandages and an ever slightly grumpy expression. There were two others in the room, who appeared to be related to the guild as Syrus recognised them. 

[...] (Syrus)

[Everything good? There was a sudden spike in your emotions.] Luna asked, concerned about possible dangers. 

[For the moment…] (Syrus)

[The possibility of danger?] (Luna)

[None.] (Syrus)

[Potential of trouble?] (Luna)

[Debatable. But let's just say high if we are unlucky.] (Syrus)

[Okay, I will step in. You two always say my voice sounds the most evil.] (Luna)

[We never said those exact words…] (Eva)

[I know.] Luna smiled. [I am only joking.] 

[Feel free to step in when you feel it's appropriate.] (Syrus)

Syrus examined the man’s clothes with a cautious expression. It wasn’t something anyone else noticed, but the method of how the armouring and leather were layered, even if there weren’t any symbols, were telltale signs of military personnel in the home she had tried to forget.  

“So, why have I been brought here?” Syrus asked and looked around the room.

The guild staff who brought her in hastily replied. “Sorry, Maca recommended you if we had to deal with any… problematic guests?”

[I’m glad he had some trust in me, but this is throwing a mess onto me.] (Syrus)

[This must’ve been before he initially vanished, so he might’ve only said it, thinking it would be a short ask.] (Luna)

[You are definitely right, but I’m going to take some cash from him next time we meet.] Syrus said, planning what to say for her next reunion with the exoskeleton man. They did recall, after Luna mentioned it, that Maca was known to help with cleaning up trouble. But the trio honestly assumed that it was mostly only referring to people harassing others with Exotic attributes, but apparently it was more of a broad statement. 

“So why is this man problematic?” 

“He caused–” The guild member's eyes flashed between the man and another staffer who was in the room. “—was involved in a fight between multiple Hunters. A few have been injured. Afterwards, he was demanding compensation from us." 

[Why would he demand money from the guild?] (Eva)

[Assuming some sort of difference in laws?] (Luna)

[Yes.] Syrus filled the duo in. [If a merc from a band or a knight belonging to an order or noble caused an issue. It would be expected to receive compensation from the group rather than the individual. The individual was, of course, still punished. Usually the money was taken out of their paycheck or loot. But the idea still remains, you let the group deal with the issue.] 

[Huh. Did that happen often?] (Eva)

[Depends where we were working. Some places trouble liked to happen more frequently. Some other places didn’t really bother with the whole trying to ask for compensation bit.] (Syrus)

“The wannabe merc is causing trouble.” Her words caused the man’s eyebrow to twitch. 

He swallowed his complaint. “All I ask for is compensation.” 

“Perhaps read the rules when you jump content. Things do in fact work differently here. Oh, that got you another eye twitch? Yes I can see.” 

“Then you can help me ask the people who attacked me for money.” He said with a painful air of unearned authority 

“If the people you beat up were actually responsible. The guild would’ve helped you already. But the fact they brought me here means there was enough evidence that you edged them.” Syrus didn't actually know that, but it made enough sense. “Good news for you. Even if you were the one responsible. It is not really a custom here to demand compensation from fights since it is kind of considered both sides being dumb. Of course there are exceptions–" Midway through, Syrus started explaining the concept of the rules like the man was a child. 

“Your arrogant words–” The man had suddenly come up with an idea as Syrus walked to his side. 

But Syrus also had her own plans. Syrus’s hand gripped the man’s shoulder. 

“You think you can–” Before he finished his sentence, he tried standing up but was kept down. His first thought was that this girl had absurd strength. However, there was a tightening feeling around his body. 

Anlesa’s wires had unlocked and wrapped around the insolent stranger.  

“I can do what I must,” Syrus warned.

“Do you think wires can–” He immediately began struggling. 

“You certainly are impatient." Luna interrupted. “I’m told I have the blessing of a great alchemist. I don’t know if I can call it a blessing." The wires around the man’s body began to spark. They didn’t catch fire, but there was heat that could be felt within them. “However, I do like what I was born with.” 

“Is this how you treat a foreign dignitary!" His words caused one of the guild staff in the corner of the room to have a look of panic. Genuinely worried if someone of actual importance was injured. 

[Silly child.] Syrus felt like giving the young staffer a head pat. 

“That is your best on the spot excuse?” Syrus found it nearly laughable. Even if the people on the Vita continent made trips to this one, it never was for any actual importance. 

Eva didn’t know how much the two different continents interacted. She had seen a few people Syrus had labelled as mercenaries. Somehow traits of how they acted tipped her off as being from her original continent. But seeing people around meant there was at least travel between the two. 

Said travel was mostly made up of merchant ships. There was minimal direct country trading across continents. 

Syrus chalked it up to a few reasons. Lack of proper trade routes, no goods that either continent particularly wanted from the other that would last over the boat trips. 

“Now, former knight.” Syrus’s words were a sharp blade directly into the man’s heart. She knew. How did she know?! Panic began to fill him, but he tried to keep any of that worry from showing on his face. He had managed to keep his plots hidden from his superiors before—one woman wouldn’t stop him. “It would be best if you behaved.” 

“If you don’t…” Syrus paused, thinking of the numerous options that were presented before her. “Well, I think I have said enough. Any more words to anyone might be a bit overkill.” 

The former swallowed. Worried that the woman perhaps had some way to contact his former superiors. He took a deep breath and realised that shouldn’t be an issue… they were another continent away after all, and dropping whatever they were doing just to harass and capture some knights would be ludicrous. 

Either he realised the situation wouldn’t have any good results if he continued to fight. He got the memo that he wouldn’t be getting any money out of this. Trying to push the foreign dignitary angle might work with different individuals, but he didn't believe this woman would change her mind on the matter. 

The situation defused, and Eva released the man. He patted down his clothes to remove the creases and slightly burnt marks. 

“I will be leaving them.” 

He went towards the exit, but one of the staff quickly looked towards Syrus. 

Syrus sighed and said, “We require your name in case of another incident.”

“...Fabian.” A little annoyed, he left the building.

[Well… that was interesting?] (Eva)

[At least nothing stupid happened.] (Luna)

Syrus was ready to leave after being done with the situation, but she was dragged by the Guild’s staff, who wanted to thank her profusely for solving the situation without conflict.

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