It was a murky fall day in the cease pool town called Oak. The sun was looming behind dingy, gray clouds just setting under cover as dimness fell over the city entirely, the day was shrouded in little light. A gentle breeze caressed the street side, dancing over the leaves of rustling shrubbery with gentle rustling. Resting atop of a bench in front of the already busy road was the raven haired adventurer that went by the alias of Lone Wolf. He wore worn out, faded black jeans along with a top similar in color, faded and black. His feet were clad in black boots, his white pistol in the front of his pants without a strap. In his right hand was a beer bottle, thick ale of the gods it was considered by some in this area. Enjoying a beer was something he often wished to do when he wasn’t working. He did so while he people watched for a moment guessing what they were doing and where they were going, who was it they were with a sub game in his mind being ‘mistress or wife’ and such. He had guess 13 mistresses to 23 wives at the moment.

Taking a swig of his beer, Baron placed his empty hand on the back of the bench. The day seemed to be lacking life, given it was fall so it would be too cold to truly enjoy an outing without risking sickness. “Hm, so much hubbub for such a small place,” Baron thought to himself as he downed what remained in his beer bottle, “Eh.” he grabbed another bottle from his six-pack that rested between his legs. Opening his mouth he’d bite down over the cap of the beer and tilt it upward popping it open in a way that probably wasn’t too good for his teeth, but what did he care about oral health? Life on his own had taken a light turn over the last few weeks. Week after week it was all the same: just survive.

“To Oak, the cease pool of the North.” he toasted the town and took a big gulp. Nothing beat public intoxication.

Requiem walked on patrol with a couple guards. She was being given the rough layout of the place she would be calling home for the next several months and already she had...reservations. Orchidia had a rough and tumble feel to it that made her think of spaghetti westerns for some reason she wasn't able to figure out. Oak however brought "last stronghold" to mind. Perhaps it was because everyone had a weapon in the westernmost city of Fiore. She absentmindedly reached up and stroked Jaeger's ears as she parted ways with the men who had been charged with her instruction.

"well, I don't think we have anything to do now. Let's get a drink little guy." The Momo chirped and glided towards a store that had fruit drinks out on display. Paying for two of them, Requiem walked towards a bench where a man was sitting with a six pack in front of him.

Ordinarily, she would've tried to find somewhere more private to be with her thoughts but heck, she was new here and wanted to meet some people for once, maybe find a friend or as Delilah put it, "a bed warmer" whatever that meant. She sat down next to the man and opened both bottles, giving one to Jaeger and drinking from the other.

Baron’s mind drifted off in thought as he brought his beer up to his lips. How delightful it was to be drinking out in the open like this again. Last time he did so he was on Hargeon’s beach making a fool of himself in front of an ashen haired beauty, now he was on his own again drinking beer after beer, the liquor having very little effect on him as he sat slouched on the bench. As nice as it was to be at peace he was having trouble adjusting to the solo life again, even with a tasks laid out before him he was unsure of his future at the moment. Now that he thought about it, the mission he was on was one that might just get him killed if he wasn’t careful. Even with a magic gun there was no use in trying to handle something above his understanding.

Just thinking about it made him suck his teeth in annoyance as he parted his lips from the tip of his beer, hand around the neck of the brown bottle. “Fuckin’ spirits” he mumbled to himself as he took another long gulp of his beer. He sighed to himself as he through his head back and sighed aloud, shaking his short, raven hair as he tried his best to loosen his tight, worried thoughts. He needed a good night’s sleep for this shit, this was going to take quite a bit of psyching up.

Just as he relaxed into the seat after resting his empty beer bottle between his thighs he felt the bench gently creek as someone sat next to him. Opening an eye he squinted just a bit as he looked into the far corner, a woman and a… Animal? Monkey, bat? Dragon thing? What on Earth was that? “Well damn, if I knew I was going to be having company I would have put on my good top.” he sat up and looked over at the blue haired woman.

“Wasn’t counting on entertaining an angel, but i’ll think of something.” he chuckled as he rubbed his forehead. Well damn, he needed to sober up… Well get more sober.

Requiem had learned many things from her father and friend. One of those things was not how to handle being called an angel. She looked at the man confused for a minute and noticed he had drunk...two or three beers? She smiled, "I'm sorry, you must've had quite a bit to drink. I a human." The man's remark about needing a good top on had also been strange unless he was talking about his clothes. That must be it.

Jaeger chirped again and picked up a bottle cap before scampering around collecting other shiny things laying on the ground, "I was told this place had character. I didn't expect to find one so quickly." She said innocently. The woman nervously twirled a bit of hair around her finger and muttered to herself "why is talking to people so hard?"

She unzipped her jacket and watched as people passed. The weather might be getting cooler but there were still brave souls who dressed lightly. She looked over at the man again, "what's your name sir?" She pulled her feet up and rested her head on her knees.

It seemed his pick up lines fell flat on delivery as she not only called him a drunk but slapped him across the face for it, not literally but in a figurative sense. He tried to collect his thoughts for a moment, putting his beer down and cupping his chin with a with a curious hand. Maybe she was one of those intellectual types that didn’t like to joke around, all business and no pleasure, he could appreciate that. Then again, given how timid she was, she could have just been legitimately confused by his approach.

His attention only left her for a moment as he examined her monkey, bird, bat, thing. He had never seen something like it and it was such an oddity. Could it have been some sort of fusion? Like a cross breed of several different animals? Would make sense, but who was he to question biology, or more so question the biology of someone else’s pet.

“You seem a bit tense.” he chuckled, reaching for his six pack and snapping one out of the band. “My name is Baron, Baron Corbin at your service lovely. And can I get your name?” he handed her a beer, “And are you alright?” he reached out to touch her forehead and his own to access how warm she was, dropping his beer on the bench in the process the bottle keeping put.

“You don’t feel too warm…”

She shrugged a bit, being tense was normal for Requiem and told told that she was tense was rather common. When he intruded himself as Baron and asked for her name, she blushed a bit, "I'm Requiem. No last name." She smiled as Jaeger scampered about, it lol ed like Baron was confused by the goofy little creature (although, to be honest, she was a bit confused by it as well at times). She wasn't paying attention and suddenly felt his forehead against hers, "You don't feel too warm" She blushed furiously and stuttered as the Momo climbed into her head and perched there chirping.

"I ah...I... um..." She had no idea what she was supposed to say. She had been sheltered by her father and friends so this was very new to her. Requiem tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and tried again, "I ah...probably should've gotten a warmer drink." inside her head she was berating herself, A warmer drink? Really? She took a deep breath and tried again, "I guess I should've put on something warmer but I don't like bulky clothes."

Her reaction was simply delightful, he had seen her blush crimson twice now. This woman was one of action it seemed, it would take more than a few pretty words to turn her red. He’d back away from her a smile and sat back against the bench. He looked up at the lemur as it perched atop her head chirping away, what a strange sound it made when it did so. An impressive creature to say the least, but now that he had gotten into its owner’s head Baron was far more concerned with just who he was dealing with here. She seemed like a timid young woman, she reminded him of the flowers that bloomed back in his home state, Centaurea Cyanus, they were called her blue hair reminiscent of their exquisite petals.

Whilst she stuttered he retrieved another beer and handed it to her, “You seem stressed,” he laughed, “Sorry if I was a bit forward, I was just worried I was throwing you off or the weather was gettin’ to ya.” he looked her outfit up and down, “Hmm, ya know maybe less clothes would work instead… I mean uh, shit, uuuuh… More um, form fitting clothes, not saying what you have on his big but ya know a lady with your slender figure could benefit from uh.. Clothes that really…” he looked away and at the sky concealing his warming face.

”Hug your hips…”

She accepted the beer and popped the cap, tossing it up so Jaeger could catch it and tuck it away where ever he was putting the treasures he found. "This is all pretty new to me, first time I've really been on my own." She folded her legs under her and took a sip, "I grew up in the north, weather never really bothered me. And you hadn't thrown me off, otherwise I wouldn't be...oh, you meant that as a joke didn't you?" She smiled.

His comments about wearing less clothes confused her for a moment until he tried to backtrack and failed and then he turned his face away as he said, "hug your hips." Ookkaaaaayy...She wasn't sure what he was trying to say now, "Don't pants have to hug someone's hips in order to be worn?" to her, it seemed kind of obvious since she had never seen people wear pants any other way. Although, the idea seemed funny and she started to giggle, "imagine people wearing pants off their hips, how rediculous would that be?" Jaeger Chittenden in protest to being shaken from his perch as he fell off her head into her arms and snuggled in close.

He studied her expression closely, she was rather flustered with everything he did. It was pretty cute in fact, she was so shy and timid… Baron would need to see more of her to gauge just where she was mentally, “Hey, hey, it’s new for me too milady. But you know sometimes we all just need someone to get close to us so we can feel like we have a path… If you know what I mean.” he scooted close to her with a small smile. “Sure, a joke.” he chuckled lightly.

She mentioned all pants hugged hips, he laughed and agreed. “That’s true, but do you think I cn hug your hips? I don’t fit like a pair of pants but i’m ten times more comfortable and I can keep your warm all night.” he crossed his arms and leaned back as he yawned aloud. “Speaking of night, I take it you aren’t from around here. Got anywhere to stay tonight? Got extra room at my place if you and your partner want a warm bed… I’d take the couch of course.” he shrugged. He worked fast, but his words were friendly and warm. He had no intent other than seeing her warm if she wasn’t a resident of Oak.


(So sorry for being slow but i'll make it up to you!)

Requiem smiled as warm memories surfaced. She liked getting hugs She wasn't sure what he meant by "having a path", but it must be something good if it was talked about in public. "yes you may" She smiled warmly.

For a moment, she had briefly considered refusing the offer since she had a place at the barracks. However, she looked at the sky and realized it was much later than she had thought which disturbed her a bit since she liked to pride herself on her awareness, "I think I'll accept your offer of a warm bed" She said in a dead on royal accent. One of the skills she prided herself on was impressions. She watched Jaeger scurry back and climb into her jacket, poking his head out under her chin and looking adorable in general, "I think Jaeger agrees with me." She looked up at the sky, "The stars her are the same yet so different." She said with a childlike wonder. She hoped that after this, she would get jobs that would take her to see other places and have more stars to watch. She wanted to sit there for hours but a small chill breeze and a Chittering momo told her it was time to go, "So um,
Lead the way, brave knight. " Requiem smiled again.

Brave knight? In that case he would indeedy do lead the way. In fact he’d do more than that! As a suave gentlemen he had a duty to the ladies and for her, he would full his duty correctly. He’d take off his jacket, erm, cloak and put it over her shoulders as his hands would keep in place.

“Please, milady, I am glad you accept my offer, you shant regret it!” he laughed, wit that he would offer her his arm and if she accepted they would make their way for his temporary residence. They would only have so much time before night fall, thus when he got bored of walking he’d kneel and pick her up bridal style like a true gentlemen. Mostly so he could stay warm without looking too suspicious. His move would probably catch her off guard, in which he’d laugh at a slap and maybe cry at a punch. Either way he would take her to his building, the hotel in which he stayed. It wasn’t the fanciest but comfortable none the less as he took her up a flight of stairs to the first door in a long corridor on his floor.

Oddly enough his door was still open, he forgot to lock it and with a twist of the knob he’d open things up and turn on the light after putting her down. The hotel room was more reminiscent of an apartment than anything. There was a fair amount of space to say the least, greeting them was his living room two beige sofas resting in the center, one against a window the other facing his TV. The carpet was short and brown, and in front of the chairs a nice coffee table with stacks of magazines and hob request he still needed to fill out. Besides the TV stand was a dinner table suited for four seats brown full cushioned chairs around a mahogany table rested in place. The only light now that Baron had made adjustments were two tall lamps, one at the doorway that led to the kitchen the other beside the window lying couch.

“I’ll make us some tea! Make yourself at home, and if your hungry please say so I’ll whip you something up.” he smiled at her brightly as he walked on, into the door to the kitchen turning on the luminescent light, it was small but basic, fridge, sink, and stove, nothing too special and then there was his room in a door at the end. His room was large, a single bed, brown mink blanket over the top, matching his chestnut pillows and cushion frame plus headboard, he turned on two lamps and readied everything he needed to sleep on the couch, a blanket and extra pillow. The rest of the room was alright, a window that overlooked the town, a TV at the front of the room and a seat at his bed side alongside a end table. The closet where is thing laid was on the far end, and his bathroom was at another near his bed. It was a decent set up.

“Did you want me to get you extra blankets for the bed? Or, do you wanna share it? How are we doing this? I’ll sleep at the end?”

Requiem walked alongside Baron until he scooped her up. Rather than squeal or show displeasure, she nestled against his chest and started to fall asleep in his arms as he walked. She watched through lidded eyes as they entered a rather nice hotel. It wasn't like the ones in Era, but it was still cozy. She came back to mostly awake by the time they reached his room which seemed more like a permanent living space than a hotel. "Tea would be nice, thank you."

She wasn't hungry at all and informed Baron of it as she curled her knees under herself and looked around at the room. She noticed the door leading to what she guessed was the bedroom and vaguely remembered something her father had told her about being alone in strange places, but he was gone now so she was always alone now in strange new places.

Requiem shivered a bit even though it was getting warmer and she removed her jacket and shirt. She could feel herself being very warm and cold at the same time. She noticed she wasn't feeling as well as usual and her mind was fogging up. She looked up Baron as he asked if she would like another blanket or something, "We can...share the bed. It's big enough right?

Baron was taken back by her willingness to share a bed with him, sure he had felt her nestle against him when he carried her but he figured she was just cold… To be sharing a bed with a beautiful woman. Well that was a bonus like none Baron had ever received before. He’d toss the blankets and extra pillow back into his closet as he rubbed his hands together. “Alrighty, I’ll get started on that tea.” the smile on his face was well out of her sight, he had no motive for sharing a bed but an extra body would keep him warm at least.

Heading back into the kitchen between the bedroom and living room he’d start a pot of tea and by pot it wasn’t one meant for tea: he put a few tea bags in boiled water and let it go through the motions of properly brewing as he got her a mug. He’d whistle a cheerful tune from the kitchen and after a few minutes he’d await the water to come to a boil before turning the dial to a simmer.

When the tea was done he’d take a ladle and pour her a cup, not too full in case she didn’t like it. Having grown up in the conutry his folks didn’t have a tea pot so he learned to make it in a straight up pot. “Alright madam, now that we are out of the cold I figure we can get to know eachother more.” he’d enter the living room yet again in one hand a plate of cookies in the other a cup of tea for his guest. He’d place the tea on the ground and offer her the cookies. “Your little friend must be hungry.” he chuckled.

“Oh yes and tell, are you in a guild by chance?”

Ah, a nice cup off tea. Her mind wasn't fogged up anymore as she drank and watched Jaeger accept the cookies making happy sounds and leaving shiny bits on the plate in exchange. She looked at Baron as he asked her about her guild, "I'm a member of the Rune Knights. We serve Fiore through the Magic Council by ensuring that mages follow the law." She pursed her lips in thought, "Most of the laws are just basic decency, like not abusing magic."  She brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled at Baron, "I just joined a few months ago myself so I'm not entirely sure how it all works. There's a written exam and practical to take, mostly to ensure you know the basics of magic law and won't drop over dead from running after criminals. Or going up and down stairs." She giggled a little at the memory of one applicant who couldn't even make it up the front stairs.
"for the most part, they don't care about your past unless you wiped an entire village off the map and even then if you can show you've changed or were forced to they can be forgiving."

It was nice that the two seemed to loosen up around him, as they did so he would put the plate of cookies down and sit next to her on the seat leaving a cushion between them as he hoped not to intrude on her too much. SHe offered a fair explanation of the Rune knights, a test, some other things along those lines and more test.. Well then it sounded quite fun other than well, all of the professional junk. “Well then in that case I think I’m qualified to join, as long as they count carrying beautiful women upstairs which I just did.” he laughed, and nodded, “But really, sign me up milady, I want to be a Rune knight!” he’d lean towards her, invading her personal space a bit as he beamed a hopeful smile and pleading eyes to her. For some reason he wanted this badly, but just how badly? He was unsure really, but from what she described it was a pretty sweet gig, and he didn’t mind chilling out all day doing police work, in fact he welcomed the chance to be the law. He could probably get a sweet ride, a nice mustache going and a partner in crime.

"So get some rest new partner, or we can get no rest at all because now that im a knight we're getting the hell out of Oak." he laughed.

Requiem smiled at Baron's earnestness. She had seen quite a few people who took their jobs too seriously but for every one of those, there were several who were wholeheartedly into it. When Baron suggested they leave the next morning she shook her head, "I have some things to do before I can go back. Shouldn't take more than a week though." She really wanted to spend more time learning about her new friend. His eyes spoke of a desperate hopefulness, perhaps a sense of purpose or something along those lines? She curled up and leaned against him as she tried to recall everything that would be needed for him to become a Rune Knight. Identification of course, he had to prove he wasn't a dark Guild member. There were a couple other things that she couldn't remember but that would be a bridge to cross once they reached it.

Requiem stifled a yawn and muttered sleepily, "do you think sins can ever truly be forgiven? I mean the really bad things like mass murder." Her eyes fluttered closed as she wondered if Illumin was going to bless this moment or if he would bring his wrath on her again.

Baron had finally sat down and relaxed himself after being so eager, “Then we can wait, one week from today we’ll go together wherever.” he nodded, wrapping an arm around her as he looked off into space registering her question, “Well my dear, I think our sins can be forgiven, I also think even with forgiveness they’ll get punished. I guess resolve from sin never really is a promise that its washed away.” he cleared his throat, “But what about you? What do you think?” he looked down at her, it seemed she was tired. It was a long night on, thus he understood that she was probably a bit dreary. What would make her asks such a thing? Was she perhaps guilty of a murder? Or maybe she was deeply religious. Regardless he respected the question and the woman who gave it, though he expected a bit more bed warming at the end of the night.

He’d stay there for a moment and allowed her to begin to doze off. If she fell asleep he’d carry her to the room and lay her down for rest, “C’mon let’s get in bed ha.” he chuckled as he’d carry her to the room, laying her on the bed and stepping out incase she wished to change. “Just uh… Tell me when I can come back in, if you want to change or anything.”