An Errand Outside

After closing the main door of the inn, I left open to the bright yet warm bamboo forests outside. The Inn is quite a bit away from the town below as flower field stretched far and dotted the surrounding area of the town could be discerned between the gap the bamboo forest left.

Sometimes I just could blink myself all the time over the wondrous scenery, like my eyes were playing a trick on me. I just sometimes couldn't accept this reality, like a soon crumbling illusion once Alaya, the collective consciousness of humankind, found me.

The pond was filled to brim with colorful fish, following in curiosity under each of my footsteps on the red bridge made of bamboo. I could discern, a faint magical scent on both statues that presided on each side of the bridge, like a guardian.

Its eyes following mine, as I nod to them in silence.

A giant tree, towering on the west side of the Inn. The height and width alone could comfortably fit two football fields inside its trunk. From what I know from Shino, it was the protector of this land, believed to nourish the land and the legend stated it has once become a union bridge between the monster-kin and humankind.

Though, now it's abandoned and is kept clean by the town mayor.

I descended down the concrete, some covered with a bit of moss, stairs to the restaurant below. A shrine depicting a god and its custodian was left on the side of the stairs, I placed several offerings Shino gave to me.

After contemplating for almost a week, I almost lost my cynicism upon seeing the two sister's antics and Shino teasing. I couldn't say I open my heart to them, but spending countless Millenia or who-knows-long inside that land of steel, marble phantasm, alone, forgetting my ideals, memory other than a scratch mark of my names.

Like I was once again, walk through that fire.

I shook my head again.

There's no use brooding over the past.

I seek comfort by holding the sheath of the katana rested on the left side of my waist.

Although the Inn was a bit far away from the town, it only takes a good climb for 10 minutes to get to it. And surely, none customer could complain about how mesmerizing the sight it takes when climbing and reaching the top.

Sigh, there it is. The restaurant, Shino requested me to bring some spice they ordered last week. Other than managing the Inn, Shino's job was to sell some exotic goods that came from her homeland. While Sakuya often traveled the land, searching 'questionable' object to sell, much to the explanation Shino gave and a cute pout of Sakuya directed to her.

The restaurant was quite large, taking an architecture design from a European country in the past or is it American?. The pillar and the wall covered with wood, a sign of deterioration were cleverly hidden by flower patch creating a classic novelty and serene atmosphere blending with green trees behind it.

I pushed the saloon door, as a familiar odor of dishes spread over me.

"Welcome, please help yourself with the seat."

A calm voice was directed to me, a man with, I don't know, I never have a great taste with fashion, a cowboy and Indian fusion getup? I judged merely so, because he wore leather made jacket along with a cowboy hat, and with feathers dotted around.

Hell, I still remember when Sakura always admonished me over the choice of my articles. Most I wear is just for necessity, a shirt and comfortable pants were all I need on a normal day.

Though I couldn't find any, I only left with a choice to wear the getup Shino gave me. A red Igote fitted on my left hand, as a white cloak draped over my right shoulder, and chest left bared to the world. I can't say or admit it, but it's getting comfortable with how cozy the air here.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I come to deliver the spice you've requested from Shino."

I ignored the petite girl who been scarfing down plate after plate as inhaling it, she makes saber in a run, tail tucked between leg in fear over the little girl enormous appetite, or like the king of knight she is, she will challenge her in a duel.

I shuddered at the thought. Why it always the petite and blond one, were they always born with a black hole in their stomach.

He wiped his hand with a towel tucked between his belt, a soup spoon dangling beside it.

"Ah, you must be the lad' Shino been talkin' 'bout."

"Yes, Nice to meet you, I'm Shirou Emiya," I gave a hand to him, knowing he must be more familiar with a handshake rather than an eastern bow.

He took my hand, "Nice to meet you…"

"Shirou, just call me Shirou."

"Right, Shirou, Nice to meet you. I'm Blaise the Head Chef in this humble restaurant. And sorry about that, can't get the feel of how should I address an eastern like you."

"No, that's fine. Anyway, here's the order."

I gave him the parcel.

"Thank you, I almost run out of stock of these Eastern Spice. I heard you're quite a cook yourself, with how much Shino boasts that cooking of yours, mind you, she has the most devilish tongue around these parts."

"I don't know about that, but certainly I put everything I have every time I cook."

"That's the spirit, I don't mean to lecture you, but when Shino boast about your cooking, I just have gotten curious, maybe I could learn a thing or two."

Blaise Sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, with a smile.

He must be a very humble fellow, with how soft-spoken the way he talks. Although a bit goofy, I couldn't do a thing but like his character.

Though I politely declined his offer to cook on his kitchen for once, I promised to come over someday. I declined so because the petite girl who been finished her 'breakfast' and still ordered more dishes to Blaise, who only shook his head. I know how to avoid danger, moreover if they are a glutton. One saber is enough for me.

"She's my little girl, along with her brother who must be still sleeping right now. Be friends with them if you could Shirou."

"I'll certainly do so, Blaise."

"That assured me, thank you."

After saying a farewell with Blaise, and Collette, the petite girl who still busy scarfing her food down the oblivion. I left the restaurant.

Now what to do, Shino said to wander the town, and familiarize myself with the people. But where should I start?

Sharance is fairly big for a town, with it being a trade hub between the main continent and the numerous islands lie beneath the sea to the east., especially the Eashen. I heard from Shino, that there is actually another continent beyond that, from her experiences as a trader there.

The Sharance was split into a few districts, with the largest being the residential, market district beside it, the town center, and the Harbor beneath the cliff, there's also the hill where Blaise restaurant, Miyako Inn, and the town square presided. Other than that, some people prefer to live in the outskirts near the woods or the plain to the west as mostly they come by as carpenter, lumberjack or farmer, even I heard an eccentric elf live inside the woods.

The river was teeming with fish and freshwater ran along with the town to the Dragon Lake in the south and then to the sea. Though, the town really not packed with buildings and dirty, as there's plenty of space left to grow or build.

Then I look at the sky as cloud swimming freely, breezed by the wind. I saw a leaf flown on my face and whistled with a gentle breeze in the direction where the center of the town lie.

Sighing to myself, it's a good start, the center of the town it is.