A Trip into Town [Calathes/Aeluri]

The air had condensed int something thicker and warmer as the group of guildmates scaled down Mt. Hakobe and towards the single train station that took the Basilisks to and from the foot of the mountain. But on this particular day, the two men and their petite female companion would wait patiently for the aged train to take them to Hargeon Town for what Ahote considered to be "important business."

The raven-haired man slunk into the wooden bench with his fingers intertwined, laying on his lap idly. His topaz orbs had been hidden underneath his pale eyelids, dozing quietly in wait of the grind of metal wheels against the train tracks to appear. Or, so it seemed. His lips would part just moments after he sat down, "Aeluri, was it?" he softly began, "Was your hike up the mountain a fun one?" Ahote's lips twisted into a smile, the thought of the smaller woman scaling the mountain had tickled his sides like wet feathers. Of course, he was well aware that scaling Mt. Hakobe was no easy task and that wall who joined Basilisk Fang must overcome these natural obstacles in order to even be considered for recruitment. Regardless, the thought of a more convenient way to and from the fortress was something even the enlisted members had craved.

With eyes still closed, Ahote began to play with his fingers, "I didn't know you and that cat were so chummy together either, Theo." peals of laughter escaped his lips at the thought of his dark companion stroking the cat just earlier. He really enjoyed animals, it seemed.

Beneath the heaviness, where the layer of ice dissipated into the warmth just further by the towering canopy of jagged stone, withdrew slivers of daylight. Creeping past the mist, every step engaged just a bit further into the energy. Soaking into the essence like a sponge which absorbed everything. Even if it could barely contain what it already had. He'd taken in a breath, discovering relief in spite of the fact that such a brutal location was the only place that had offered him a chance to remain hidden. It was a risk to be within the light, as much as it hounded his urges like the taunting growl of hunger. In such exposure, there was scarce time to find closure even in the company of his friend and the newfound pair that had embarked along in this apparent errand. Whatever it was, he had doubted it to be good.

"Huh?" collapsing into reality upon the sound of his name, golden momentarily peered to the side at the rather nonchalant man. It was difficult for him to deter whether or not Ahote had been teasing him, either way he had swiftly jumped to that conclusion. "I don't know what you're talking about, idiot," he'd decided, dropping the offence just on the end of such cool words. By now it had been familiarized in the overall frequency of an unresponsive demeanor from one that had found amusement in how Theo was. For just a moment he'd given way to the truth as his gaze wandered to the adorable shadow unfolding upon the ground before them. Just as quickly, he turned elsewhere from the company with arms folded and brows just barely furrowed.

The station held few individuals, overbearing with luggage or simply returning home from some sort of errand. It was difficult to rule the exact tale to every stranger, yet for the most part they all seemed normal. Something that roused the beginning of envy, churning in the pit of his stomach with what was like motion sickness on the everlasting sway of a boat. Theo closed his eyes and resolved it was best to look elsewhere. Ridding of the thoughts which stirred every faint and hidden memory of the places he'd much rather wish to forget. Of course it was never that easy. Thankfully it was the approach of the train, jolting rusty tracks into the attention that meant their ride was here. For him, perhaps it could have also allowed slumber, as long as the others did not bother him so.

---

Aeluri was perhaps one of the more chipper people that had walked through the fortress doors, and as if to gain bonus points, her tar-black companion accompanied her along the way up the mountain and seemed she'd continue to do it for many journies to come. Now, Ahote had been a lover of all things animal, especially those trailing on the fuzzier side, and was quick to find his gaze frequently drawn to the feline friend. Though, if it weren't any more obvious, it had a name. Umbra, Aeluri called it, and while Ahote never found himself talking to it, he would always address her by that name in whatever thoughts she appeared in.

The raven-haired man's lips quirked up into a smile after listening to the pale-faced woman's blasé response, "Peachy," Ahote chirped, "then I suppose that your trip up the mountain for days to come won't be as troublesome. Think of it like your daily exercise. . ." The rather inconvenient hike up Mt. Hakobe was an obstacle most Basilisks found themselves facing the days they decided to venture past the silver-covered rocks. Yet while Ahote recalled most of his childhood days spent on the mountain, he himself never grew too fond of the scale himself.

The younger man's attention shifted back to Theo, who was noticeably drowsy and waited patiently for the train to arrive. "When you were holding Umbra just earlier," a grin twisted against his lips, "that's what I'm talking about." Ahote was pleasantly surprised to see such a sight when preparing to leave Mt. Hakobe. His tanned companion was a man of many mysteries, so learning anything about him was a pleasure in of itself to the inquisitive guildmaster. In fact, Ahote couldn't recall an instance where Theo had mentioned anything about his past and didn't seem like the man to enjoy animals or anything with a pulse for that matter.

Before Ahote's thoughts had descended into a cluster of questioning about Theo and his habits, the grinding of metal against metal screamed in the nearer distance. He raised his head and lo and behold, the rather aged train could be seen rolling its way down the tracks and toward the trio, coming to a slow and complete stop against the rusty tracks. The station itself had seen better days, but there weren't many services that specialized in upholding any sort of standard with this station. Ahote was quick to conclude that as long as there wasn't a corpse sprawled over the tracks, there simply was no issue. Mutually, the passengers seemed to agree more often than not.

Ahote tossed himself up from his seat, pacing his way over to the opening doors of the train. His shiny loafers clicked as they tapped against the steps, slithering his way down the aisle before dropping himself to the seat farthest to the back of the train. Ahote peered out of the dusty window just adjacent him with a wistful look in his topaz pools, yet an unmissed excitement burning within them as well, "I don't suppose you two dislike going into town, do you?" he asked, since strangely enough, the criminals atop the mountain were a well balanced mixture of both extroverts and introverts.

WC: 540/2,500