20 The First Step

Morning rays broke through the cracks of the cabin, Pepper groaning as they reached his eyes tried to shield them with his hands. As soon he raised his hand a resounding slap echoed through the room as Kasper connected with his target grinning from ear to ear. A loud scream was emitted from Pepper as he shot up in surprise, fists up ready to retaliate and then slouching as he realized he was now being ignored as Kasper had already turned his back to him and was finishing up tying his boots and packing up. "Let's go Pepsi it's time we turn this tacky tango into a real dance, let's head back to the inn and see if they have any suggestions for members." Pepper was looking away from Kas whistling, if you could call that screech a whistle, a tuneless tune, enraged Kas grew louder this time "You with the face of a rejected potato, i'm talking to you." Slight anger flashing in his eyes at that, Pepper turned to face Kasper " It's Pepper not Pepsi, and why the hell would we look at the inn why don't we go to the adventurers guild, it's small but this city does have one." "They have those?" Kasper said in excitement as inversely Pepper's face turned snow white, this is my boss, seriously? Mentally exhausted and pondering his life choices all he could manage was a slight nod. Kas hurriedly finished packing, slung his pack over his shoulder and turned back to his new comrade. "All right Potato let's go, no point letting the rat pack grow any fatter." Having just finished packing his own back, anger emerging yet again he swung back to give a retort of his own. Just what it would've been he had no clue, he never was a bright one. Fortunately or unfortunately the point was mute as he realized the slave driver he now worked for had already sprinted out the door. Grumbling and beer belly jiggling Pepper slung on his own pack and followed suit.

The duo received many curious glances as they ventured through the town towards the guild building. Many citizens were surprised to see the town drunk with a sword on his hip yet again, and even more were curious of his companion. Wearing all black with a mask pulled up from his neck just under his nose encircling the whole bottom half of his head, all that showed were his frosty eyes and bundle of white hair. They also didn't fail noticed the short sword at his hip, nor the hidden message it portrayed. Leaving the sword exposed and easily accessible this curious stranger strolled confidently up to the adventurer's guild building as if daring someone to see how fast he could draw and utilize it's potential. The guards at the entrance didn't know if he could back up, but he was at the very least, capable looking.

Gripping onto their spears a little tighter as they recognized one of the pair, the guards found their voice as they realized the mysterious black clad figure was young in the face, what little they could see at least, and seemed to only be of medium build. "State your name and purpose" One of the guards huffed out as he and his partner watched the youth draw closer. Pepper turned to look at Kas as well hoping he had a plan, true it was his idea to come here but he had seen the guards handle their weapons tighter when they recognized him. Being a fallen bandit turned to town drunk weren't exactly career moves that would draw him applause. He figured they only let him get close to the building due to the fact they were curious of the second in his party. Kas, truth be told, had been singing one of his favorite Taylor Swift songs in his head the whole final stretch of road leading up to the building and was completely out of the loop. Refocusing as he realized Pepper and thing 1 and 2 were looking in his direction he turned around to see what all the fuss was about. "No you idiot we're talking to you, who else would we be?" One of the guards, growing more and more impatient spat out. At this Kas turned around, tilting his head and pointed at the building behind the guards. "Well I mean this is the adventurer's guild right?" Kas started, the guard nodded in agreement while his annoyance rose. "Well I thought it was obvious I want to go in, is there like a passcode? Are you going to give me a grocery list to complete to test my skills? What's the big deal?" Kas said back. He was stalling for time, he hadn't missed the guards tighten the hold on their weapons as tension rose, he wasn't worried about that. These two guards looked to be just a few years older than him and even if they spoke with confidence he could see by how they gripped their spears they weren't going to be confident if they had to use them. What made him slow down was when had been singing that banger on the walk up he had seen a man in the second story window looking at them, now that man had almost made Kasper hesitate. He didn't get the best view of him but their eyes had met for a moment and Kas knew this man would be more of a hassle than Mango had ever been if came to that, so he was loathe to smack down dumb and dumber here if it would incite the broad shouldered stranger. Seemingly fed up one of the guards went to push Kas back with a slight spear jab "Alright times up, I'm tired of your attitude" To Kas' surprise, Pepper actually shot his hand forward and caught the guard's spear and yanked it down towards the ground leaving it stuck, not ready for the extra momentum the guard fell face forward into the ground. Pepper had been a little surprised himself, back in the day he'd have turned these guys into Swiss cheese, though the years of drinking had definitely taken a toll, that being said he had been shown front row seats to the speed Kas had possessed and knew he hadn't even been serious. He might be timid of the repercussions of what he had just done but the boy behind him scared him more. "Oh you fuck..." The second guard sputtered out fumbling to get a good grip on his spear as he planned on ramming it into the side of this drunk before him who had his foot pinning his friend into the ground. Before he could even get his feet set however, he felt a chill snake its way down his spine as a youthful voice whispered into his ear, shivering he realized the black clad boy in front of him had somehow snuck behind him, unbeknownst while he was fumbling with his weapon Kas has nimbly and skillfully slid through his legs like a bounce pass. Hitting the poor guards temple with a right hook with such force Mango probably would've adopted Kas on the spot had he seen it. The guard crumpled instantly and slammed into the dirt next to his pinned friend. Kas then bent down patted the dirt off his pants as he surveyed the scene. "Well this is awkward huh Potato?" Pepper just raised an eyebrow at Kas' remark, the situation definitely wasn't going smooth. He then saw Kasper shoot his gaze up and following his lead looked up to see a second story window, "Oh fuck" he heard his companion utter. Confused, as Pepper only saw an empty window match his view was when he heard the deep footsteps in front of him and an accompanying laugh that he recognized, no one who lived in the town wouldn't have. Scampering back off the guard he had pinned, the shamed man quickly darted towards the door smirking now. Finally the figure Kas had seen in the window earlier came into view as he stepped outside and Kas was frowning behind the mask unsure if the situation was about to turn as ugly as he thought. Though to his credit the man ignored the pair at first and instead put a hand on the smirking guard and said, "Stand down Dean it's fine, that youth over there held back quite a bit if he was really malicious he probably would've taken you both down in seconds out of anger had his friend not intercepted your spear for him. Grab Sam off the ground and go clean yourselves up." Dean bowed to the man and quickly grabbed his friend, throwing one last dirty look at Pepper who just shrugged in return.

Now the man finally turned his attention to Kas, eyes meeting once again confirmed Kas' earlier thoughts, this man was dangerous. Broad shouldered and slightly average height, a heavy two handed great sword was sheathed on his back with a double knife scabbard on his left hip. Pepper went into a deep bow before stating "We're sorry for hurting your guards sir, we were just seeking entrance and things got heated." "Why are you wanting into the guild building, last trial we saw you still a drunken fool unable to even stand as a sentence was passed." The man thundered out in response. Still bowing, Pepper managed to squeak out " W-w-we were looking for more adventures to form a party." At this the man finally swept his gaze from the youth to Pepper in surprise, "Oh ho, you lead a party? You believe you have any sway or anything to entice anyone to form a group you head." Pepper finished his long bow and to the mans surprise looked him the eyes with confidence he didn't think the drunk still had. "No I won't lead, he will." The man seemed to jokingly ponder this as if it were a game. "If they won't follow you what makes you think they'll follow the boy?" He matched Pepper's gaze and let out a little magic, just a taste to make the fool's knees shake, yet as soon as he did he felt an equally power magic force slam into it and negate it instantly and his eyes swept back to Kasper as Pepper finished with, " I think you know why just as I do, Battle Master Vayne." Vayne let out a low chuckle before turning his back towards the entrance. " I'll have the desk set you two up, to recruit adventurers you need to be one yourself." Kas raised his eyebrows as he realized the man in front of him was actually the leader of this city's guild branch, though that would explain the power he felt as he tried to negate the man's magic output. With a relieved sigh, "aye, aye sir" Pepper quickly straightened his shirt and fixed his pack before following the Battle Master inside.

Kas turned and peered into the distance, somewhere out there stood the man who had shattered the tranquility upon which he had built everything. It had been a harsh lesson yet because of that it would be one that would engrave itself in his soul forevermore. He wouldn't get close to people he couldn't protect, otherwise there would come a day where they would shatter too. He needed to progress and get stronger, getting some allies would be a momentous step in the right direction. He wasn't concerned with building friendships at this guild, as long as he found strong people to accompany him and help him come face to face with the Ferryman that would be enough. After that who cares what happened to them, or himself for that matter.

With a final heavy sigh Kas turned and entered the building, following Vayne as his footsteps echoed down the stone halls and the heavy oak doors slammed shut.