Beliefs

[Zerrif]

"I happen to have liked that party name." Gerik said, playfully miffed as the group approached Geffen. Bascht let forth a groan as Ren just chuckled, skipping on ahead. "What? I thought it had a very deep and real meaning."

"It's not that it's just..." Ren said, stopping to a halt. The Archer spun around to face the Acolyte, sticking his tongue out. "It felt too serious for what we are, y'know? I figured us just a ragtag group of adventurers who happened upon each other sort of thing."

"Can we drop it?" Bascht said, obviously annoyed. "You've been bantering about this for the past week we've been travelling. Who cares?" He just huffed, and continued onwards, the two Merchants following after. Gerik and Ren just giggled to themselves, soon catching up.

"You're from Geffen, ain'tcha Bascht?" Muarim asked, as they passed the guards with the noticeably unique helmets. "Don't you wanna stop by here and say hi or something to people you know?" The question was innocent, but Gerik and D looked at each other with worry, thinking that the already-annoyed Mage was only going to snap.

"No, it's okay." The flower-donning magician replied. Calmly too, much to the Acolyte and Blacksmith's surprise. "I'd rather just get what we need and move--" Bascht stopped talking as he suddenly looked into the sky, and pointed. "Hey d'you guys see that?"

As everyone looked up to stare at what the Mage was pointing at, a screech from above made them instantly aware. There was a hunting bird of sorts bee-lining straight for them, and it wasn't showing any signs of slowing down. They didn't really know what to do; it wasn't a monster, but if they didn't do anything--

A loud whistle pierced the air, and everyone turned to see Ren whistling at the bird. Gerik stared back up to see that the now-apparent falcon began to slow it's descent, and by this point it was clear that it was meant for the group. It glided slowly down and Ren held out an arm, the falcon perching around it. Attached to a leg was a small envelope, and around the bird's neck was a yellow scarf.

"... It's for D." She said, handing him the letter. With another whistle, the bird took off and flew away, as if it had never existed. The Blacksmith took the letter and began to read it (without letting even Bascht see), and he just nodded. "What's it say?"

"Just a small invitation from a friend." The Blacksmith said, pocketing the envelope. It was clearly evident at this point that the Mage seemed a little miffed that he didn't get to see-- but Bascht figured that even D had things he wanted to keep to himself. "Looks like we part ways for a while again here."

"That's no good." Gerik mumbled. "I was sort of counting on your support in Glast Heim-- I mean I'm sure we're very capable but I wanted someone seasoned for insurance, you know?" Muarim nodded to this statement. "I still think it's a little dangerous without you."

"So then what?" Muarim asked, setting down his cart. The group had moved off the main road a little to discuss what they had to do. "If you don't want to go to Glast Heim without D, then where else can we go that's within range of Geffen? The Coal Mines are a little farther, and there's not much there but... well, coal."

"Hey!" Ren said, clapping her hands together. "Isn't there a dungeon here in Geffen? Underneath the tower in the middle?" The Archer pointed to said building as she spoke. "Why not investigate in there? I hear there's undead and demons of all sorts-- that'd do, right? As long as we didn't go too far?"

"I doubt we'd be allowed." Bascht piped in. "They only allow certain adventurers access to the deeper levels." He didn't sound all too pleased with the offer. "But if that's where we're going, then we should get a room here to use as a base of sorts. Luckily, I know a few places-- let me see if I can get some deals."

"That's the spirit!" The Merchant added, putting an arm around the Mage. "Lemme see if I can help out with that, hm? We'll meet by the fountain in about a couple hours, deal?" Everyone nodded in consensus, and with a parting hug, Bascht left D, heading off towards the north end of Geffen.

With a simple bow, and a shaking of hands, the Blacksmith was soon gone as well, heading east. "Hey, Gerik?" Ren asked, as soon as the two were alone. "Y'know that falcon that delivered the message? Did you notice the colour of the scarf?"

The Acolyte blinked. "It was... yellow, right? Is there some sort of special significance to it?" He asked. He was sure he'd seen it somewhere before, or at least heard of it...

"Actually..." Ren scratched the side of her head. "How close do you think Bascht and D are?" Gerik could only give her a sort of blank stare, not really getting where this was going.

"From what I know, they're just very close friends. Affectionate, but that's about it. Why?"

Ren paced a little. "You said you grew up in the Prontera Church, right? Did you ever have people from Payon get married there?"

Gerik crossed his arms. "Stop avoiding the point, and just tell me what's wron--" The talk of marriage seemed to spark something, though. "Actually... yeah. Now that you mention it there was a Bard and a female Sniper who got married... her Falcon--"

"Had a Red Scarf during the ceremony, most likely. However, there's a small, old Payonese tradition between Hunters, especially Snipers. The red scarves generally signify strength, speed, and overall excellence-- but there are times when the birds fly with yellow scarves. They carry a simple, but straightforward message. It's not really all that practiced anymore-- in fact, I was surprised people still did. Do you know what it is?"

"It's a proposal of marriage, isn't it? I remember the couple talking about it. I found it funny that the bride proposed to the man, but she was the Sniper after all and--" Gerik stopped. Enlightment dawned on his face.

"... So how do we break this to B?" Ren asked. Gerik let out a hum of thought. It didn't feel right to hide it from the Mage, but at the same time if he knew, that would probably drastically change his demeanour.

"I figure that if D didn't want to share what it was with Bascht right away, then we shouldn't either." Gerik said, after another moment. "You saw how he was reading it privately, right?" Ren nodded. "I think... it's best if we stay away. It's just..."

"I'm worried about what B will do. Do you think he'll still come along?" Gerik blinked. He hadn't thought of that. Would the Mage be so overcome with sorrow that he wouldn't want to travel anymore? "Maybe it's best we distract him for the time being. You know, go to the dungeon, visit some old teachers of his--" Ren stopped.

She knew exactly why that wasn't the greatest of ideas.