I looked her in the eye waiting for an answer that I'm not even sure she knew exactly. After all I barely know why I'm here or why I'm doing anything in fact. This world was different but it was also similar with magic and multiple creatures and diverse people but that also made it different with the fact that I could be the only of my kind. I kept my thoughts of possible relationships under enough alcohol now I need to add the fact I may never have someone special even if I tried.
I shook all those thoughts and buried them so far in the back of my mind that my head started pounding, but It didn't bother me too much. I breathed out and looked into her red eyes since she now took off her glasses. She looked down and I noticed that there was a chain binding her legs together though it is far too long and would only snag on objects.
She looked me in the eye as she said" I will tell everything I know thus far if you get me unchained and everyone else". I looked behind me to notice the other people in the room, there was a older couple with grey hair and there was two other sets of male and female travelers. There was also a younger guy that wasn't paired with anyone but he seemed to know the others. I looked back to her and shook my head slowly.
"I was already planning it but first I need to know where the keys are". She pointed behind me toward the dead man in the cave.
"Of course its on the leaders person or this case corpse".I walked over to the man and noticed on his belt there was a loop of heavy metal keys. I picked up the keys and walked toward the group of people in the back of the cave, I noticed they were pressing closer to the back of the cave. When I was close to the young guy that had brown skin color and black hair, he kept his hands close to him and didn't put them out for me.
I said to him" You want me to unlock you or do you want to do it yourself". He didn't respond immediately but he eventually brought his hands closer to me. I tried three out of the ten or so keys on the chain before his right hand shackle made a loud click and opened up, I used the key his other hand and it did the same.
I looked at him and said" Hey can you unlock the rest of the shackles I want to keep an eye outside". The man nodded and I tossed the keys at him which he caught in his hands. As he began testing the keys I walked outside and kept watch for anything suspicious, which basically came down to seeing people or hearing twigs break. After a brief amount of time I started looking around the clearing to notice what I did earlier.
The tree that got hit by a fireball was still smoldering and embers came off of it at a slow rate. The I guess five men I took care of earlier were covered in blood and any warmth left in there eyes was gone.
"Wait didn't the Jakkai girl say there was more than ten".I looked around at all the bodies and I looked at the tents. There was around eight of them including if you count her so how many tents are there now. I looked at all the tents and noticed all the tents looked like they could house two people and that's with a tight fit. There was also only five tents and I didn't notice any of there personal belongings in there so the Jakkai from earlier was lying or over exaggerated due to fear and I wouldn't blame her for that. But ultimately It didn't help her and it sure didn't ward me off so I still need to keep the promise, not like I was going to go back on it anyways but it helps to keep back up plans.
With nothing better to do I walked over to the man still pinned to the tree and ripped out the sword suspending him. He fell to the ground immediately hitting his head on the ground with a noticeable lack of elegance, since I wasn't trying to slow the fall. I tossed the bloody sword toward the middle before I began dragging the man from his shoulders. I dragged him over toward the left side of the clearing and dropped him gently, while I closed his eyes.
I began doing this to the rest of the corpses in the clearing including the man that was bleeding to death but when I dropped the axe on him I guess it got stuck so I had to keep it in him. While I was doing this I looked into the tents and noticed a collection of items though the one closest to the cave had almost all the money they collected.
"I guess this was the boss's tent since this is way more money than I found at all the others".I guess it was odd for me right now to be doing this since I never fancied seeing myself working in the middle of nowhere moving dead bodies so that people felt slightly more comfortable. As I was moving the final body, Vinyl scratch walked outside the cave looking around only to notice me dragging a dead body. She didn't speak but judging from her hand over her mouth I guess she was trying not to puke or scream.
She stopped doing that after I dumped the body with the rest and walked over to her. Actually when I got there in front of her I noticed that she was taller than me by a few inches. "Yep I guess I might be considered a dwarf if a female unicorn is taller than me".I shook my head before I walked into the cave to see most of the people at the entrance, while the young man from earlier was examining the dead man.
All of the people skirted around me as I entered to drag the man with the rest of his associates. Though the young man kept on looking at him similarly like a kid poking grass with a stick, or anything in general. The man didn't even notice me when I was right behind him, though I have been given comments that I make no noise when I walk which might be obvious.
I said to him"He isn't going to stand up and walk away". The man reacted to me by bolting away from me a few inches and looking quite surprised.
The man said"Your so quiet its like a ghost had decided to possess you". What the hell did he just say, I make weird analogies but that was like dumb logic weird. My facial reaction was one of a gaping maw and raised eyebrows.
He said" Though judging by the fact that you managed to make a incredibly loud noise at the same time that you might not be totally like a ghost".
I spoke at him plainly but still gaping" Yeah that's what I do now why are you examining the very dead man".
"What aren't I somewhat aloud to learn a demons tricks". I stood there glaring at him.
"I'm not a demon and please I didn't shoot tiny metal objects at him with my hands, mouth or eyes so what's there to learn". He gave me a look of do you play me for a fool.
"I know you hit him from something in that weird stick with handle". He gave that sentence with an odd tone of trying to describe something that he couldn't describe.
"Yeah your not dumb so let me drag this guy off and hope we never talk again". I began dragging him away when he respected my wish though not all of them.
He talked to me as I dragged the dead man" You know Vinyl is trying to find her friend so could you not be so harsh". I stopped moving and looked at him. "Why was he bringing something up that doesn't matter to him and how does he know Vinyl".As I continued dragging him to the pile I noticed that most of the people are looking around the tents getting items out that the previous owners or they owned or would need.
"Does her friend play a violin, speak in a strange accent and is fairly uptight". The man stood straighter when I finished talking but didn't reply until I put the body down.
"How did you describe her so well"? I gave him a small glare but sighed and responded.
"I've met them both five years ago in a place they owned which was like a club and musical theater in one, huh even sold alcohol which is one of the reasons I entered". I remembered that day pretty well come to think of it probably cause there was a bunch of noble stiffs everywhere giving me a look of disgust.
The man said" Huh must have been pretty nice since when I first met them they talked about the place a lot". I gave glared at him while I kept my normal always there frown.
"Yeah they probably lived there most of their lives so they would know it but if your an outsider that is from a country that is commonly known to have a crime problem, you tend to hate the looks they give you". He gave me an odd look that was somewhat down trodden.
I said" Now do you want to tell me your name or do you want me to just say nobody and have you respond". He perked up at the realization and put out his hand.
"My name is James parker". I eyed the hand for a moment before I took it.
"Its Jade and we are not on last name basis, you get that when its important". He understood but gave me a worried look as we shook. After we stopped shaking I moved back toward the edge of the clearing and gave a look out. There was nothing but I still had the Jakkai alive back there and my pack so, I began moving in that direction.
"Wait"! I heard a yell behind me so I turned to see Vinyl with her hand on her hips and giving me a look that I did something wrong.
She continued" Where are you going"? I pointed in the direction and continued moving in it. This just irritated her more.
She said" Why are you going in that direction"? Her voice was holding back anger but there was a lot more annoyance than anger.
I said" I got to collect my stuff and if I bring someone back with me don't ask questions". Her ears raised and she started making the noise that every girl does when she thinks romance is involved.
She said" So will I meet the person"? There was an odd lace to it like seduction but more teasing. I got uncomfortable and left in that direction immediately.
As I was walking I kept to my own thoughts about why the hell Vinyl did that and the somewhat odd mood shifts, though she could have always been like this. Though I doubt it since the time I met her she was running the bar on break and generally having a great time, but I think she might have been a little bit drunk. No your either drunk or not drunk she was tipsy at the most since nothing sound slurred and she did everything well. But she seemed to not be one hundred percent there so yeah, she did have alcohol.
I got to the place where I met the forward lookouts and noticed nothing changed, not even insects were here. I walked over to the Jakkai to noticed she was still out cold. Shrugging I went over to the marked tree and picked up my pack which made my knees bend, and give me the familiar feeling that I felt safe, or whole I don't know but I felt better. I walked passed her again to see that she was stirring from unconsciousness.
I stopped, kicked her side with my paw and said" Hey it seems your waking up already". She slowly woke up and started lifting her self up slowly and while looking around. Her eyes locked on my face and she stiffened up trying not to move.
"Don't worry I keep promises and besides I have no qualms against you". She stood up looking at me like I was a madman.
"Why don't you have issues with me I helped with everything"! She practically yelled at me but I kept my cold demeanor.
"Well one thing you ratted them all out the moment I got my hands on you and second well I keep promises". She looked messed with her jaw and nose until I saw her eyes widen. She then started looking at her hands and they were shaking.
I whispered in her ear" There blood is also on your hands, and now you just have to learn what to do with your life". I started walking away avoiding the look she was giving me. When I was about to hit the trees I looked back to see her staring at me and then looking in every direction. She looked sad and scared but I have one thing left for her.
"There's going to be a bag with items back at what was your camp it will allow you to start over". I began walking away though before I could put my paw down I heard her shout.
"I can't exactly just start over but I will try and may I ask your name"! She sounded scared and small but she did sound generally honest.
I said "Its Jade and wait till everyone is gone till you get them I'm not a miracle worker". She did a polite bow and let me leave in peace.
I was back at the camp looking everything over making sure I got what the Jakkai needs to potentially start over. I generally don't know if she will but its the best shot she has for a good life so she doesn't have a choice, or at least one that was good. I had a sack with a blanket, two bits, and about three days of food. I also noticed that I'm down to a couple of gold coins left, though I didn't care since I often never truly ran out of money.
I moved near a tree in the clearing and marked it with a cross hair before I set the bag down. When I put the bag down I put a small wooden figure in it before I covered it with a piece of tent that the people disassembled. Speaking of them, there about ready to set off so I decided to walk over to them and generally just be there since I have nothing better to do.
"Why are you just standing there"? I looked over to my left to see Vinyl with a curious look on her face.
"Taking in the sights oh and I forgot does anyone have a spare sewing kit". I was nearly going to just stop but I remembered it just in time.
Vinyl looked at me confused but grew a smirk" I didn't know you sewed, why your hidden friend might love you for having feminine hobbies". I stopped breathing momentarily but managed to respond with little issue.
"No I need it because my shirts torn up". I emphasized by opening my coat a little bit for her to see the shirt and the condition it's in.
She said" Oh I guess that explains it but don't worry I will find your friend". She left but before she did, she gave me a knowing look and unfortunately for her there is nothing. She went off to talk to one of the people and I just kind of watched everything. From the birds chirping to the people packing up and just this odd peace when I look in to the forest. She came back with a sewing kit soon after and I took it graciously.
Vinyl said" Everyone is heading out now want to come"? She was asking me to follow them? Wow I never thought people would willingly invite me along during long travel but they wanted me too. I looked at them and saw a few hopeful glances but I ultimately didn't care to travel with them.
I said" No Jade the loner must stay alone in the title but I wish you luck in finding Octavia". Her eyes widened at what I said.
She responded quickly" How do you know"? She said it loudly but I kept calm.
"Your friend James told me and I hope you fix whatever made you too separate but first you need to go so get out of here I'll be leaving shortly". She nodded and hugged me. Her grip was weak but I'm generally wondering why she hugged me it's not like I did much.
She whispered" I will explain when we meat up again ok"? I nodded. The embrace ended shortly after It began and she walked over to the rest of the group of people and left while waving. They all actually waved at me as they left and I felt pride I think at the fact that I'm actually getting thanked.
I stood there for a little longer until I felt I've wasted enough time and left with a smile on my beak.