Arrhythmia: A Story of Judgments

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Chapter 2 Part 1: Pitcher

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Zinnia: You managed to get some rest?

 

Arabis: Mm, admittedly less than I'd like but it'll suffice for now. Tell me, what's our plan for today?

 

Zinnia: Well most of us are gonna go out and handle some jobs but I'm taking things to cool down after taking a long trip.

 

Arabis: Oh? We're not getting straight to business?

 

Zinnia: We are, but we're handling the more mundane. We're going out with Pitcher to handle some deliveries. 

 

Arabis: Pitcher is the cat yes?

 

Zinnia: One of them. Lavender is too but I guess it'd be a little hard to tell from first glance.

 

Arabis: Mmm. Sorry about that. Where is she?

 

Zinnia: Probably in her room getting ready. We should have some breakfast before we head out. 

 

The two settle down into the kitchen and prep something simple. Some eggs, some cured meats, bread with jam, and beans. Arabis couldn't help but smile a little at the plate in front of him, this was a luxury he lacked living in the woods on his own. 

 

He got to work quickly and sampled a little bit of everything, downing things perhaps a little too quickly.

 

Zinnia: You can slow down, nobody's going to steal your food you know.

 

Arabis grabbed a napkin and covered his face, hiding his embarrassment a little. 

 

Arabis: I'm sorry, I'm... really not used to eating with other people if I'm honest. It's all quite good. Do you eat like this every day?

 

Zinnia: When we can. Sometimes money gets a little tight though and we have to skip a meal but we try to have stuff.

 

Arabis: Does everyone cook for themselves?

 

Zinnia: In the morning yeah. Dinner though is usually Lavender or Tuberosa. They both got some nice recipes up their sleeves. 

 

Arabis: Mm, I'm excited to try-

 

Their conversation was cut off by Pitcher scooting herself next to the two of them on the big table. 

Pitcher: Hope you don't mind me keeping company! You're going to both be joining me for work today after all right?

 

Zinnia: of course. Got a lot of deliveries today yeah?

 

Pitcher: No, but I do have a high priority one that should help us pay the bills.

 

Arabis: Could you define high priority?

 

Pitcher: We're delivering someone's beloved mount today, something that's a little hard to keep a low profile.

 

Zinnia: How far?

 

Pitcher: From the trade spot all the way to the town over. It'll be an all day trip but the money involved is pretty good...

 

Zinnia: Were you planning to do that alone?

 

Pitcher: No... but everyone else turned out busy with stuff so I'm glad to have you two up to the job. A big animal like that can be really tricky to take care of for the hours we're going to travel. 

 

Arabis: Are there concerns over possible thieves on the way?

 

Pitcher: Possibly but not the most likely. Still it's good to be prepped for the worst case scenario on the job. We're going through a relatively mundane route and the weather is looking pretty mild today. Makes for a perfect job to initiate a newcomer. 

 

Zinnia: Agreed on that, gives you time to get to know the people you'll be working with aye?

 

Arabis: Mmhmm. I suppose I don't mind that. Are we heading off soon?

 

Pitcher: As soon as breakfast is over, try to wrap up quickly if you can. I'm not gonna miss out on a big paycheck like this.

 

The trio finished off their plates in good time and gathered their personal effects. There was very little banter on the way over to the trade spot, Arabis clearly quite nervous the entire way. Zinnia occasionally grabbed his hand to comfort him and Pitcher gave him an assuring smile. 

They entered the barn-like section of the post, a few knights from a different guild there taking care of a large creature that resembled a mix between large mammal livestock and a dinosaur. One of them was bandaged up, things clearly had taken a rougher route.

 

Pitcher led the approach.

 

Pitcher: Hey! See you've got your part done.

 

Courier Knight: Of course, though I have to admit things didn't go as smooth as planned. Joni over there got roughed up pretty hard by an attempt to steal the target.

 

Pitcher: Oh no, was it organized?

 

Courier Knight: Maybe? It's hard to say really. It was just one guy and he managed to get away after we fended him off. Was pretty decked out with a fancy mechanical weapon I've never seen before.

 

Zinnia: Possibly a mercenary?

 

Courier Knight: Maybe. I'll be honest I'm worried someone hired a merc to sabotage this. Wasn't exactly a run of the mill bandit. I need y'all to be careful out there, if you get robbed none of us get paid. 

 

Arabis: That seems... really unfair. Especially since one of your own has been injured to get things this far.

 

Courier Knight: That's how these sort of jobs work out. Hate them honestly but they're usually easy enough work. Usually is the keyword, things fell apart this time.  

 

Pitcher: We'll manage to get this done, no worries. 

 

Courier Knight: You better, we gotta eat you know? Plus we already lost a good amount out of pocket on medical fees today so... yeah. No pressure.

 

Zinnia: We got your backs. 

 

Pitcher approaches the mount, it vacantly stares back at her. 

 

Pitcher: Any name given for this big fella?

 

Courier Knight: Trail Mix, used to be a big thing in the racing scene but is pretty much retired these days. Or so I was told.

 

Pitcher: Its face is too sweet to belong to an old bouj like that. Safe to pet?

 

Courier Knight: Yeah, pretty docile. Maybe a little too much, would probably let itself get carried off if someone tries. 

 

Zinnia: Bet it wouldn't care if you tipped it over. 

 

Arabis: Why would you? It doesn't look like it could harm you if it tried.

 

Zinnia: I mean I wouldn't for one, and second that's absolutely not true. You get kicked by its hind legs and your ribs are gone.

 

Pitcher: I think we're fine.

 

Pitcher reached out and pet Trail Mix on the nose. It tilted its head in response.

 

Pitcher: Couldn't imagine a friend like this doing some killing you know?

 

Arabis: It's hard to picture it but nature is scary. 

 

Zinnia: You got some experiences?

 

Arabis: I am nature.

 

Zinnia: You're not that scary.

 

Pitcher: Yeah I couldn't see you being malicious either. Maybe killing someone though.

 

Arabis: Yes well..... I can't give you a yes or a no on that.

 

Pitcher: Spooky. 

 

Courier Knight: Hey uh, you gonna head off soon?

 

Zinnia: Seems like it.

 

Courier Knight: Don't take any weird shortcuts, stay on the paths that are most crowded if possible. I don't wanna hear that something happened to ya'll

 

Pitcher: If you hear anything in the news it'll be "Bandit found curb stomped on the floor." We'll be fine!

 

Zinnia: I don't like to brag but uh... yeah I think we'll be good you know? 

 

Zinnia looked up at Arabis

 

Zinnia: Don't you agree?

 

Arabis: Yes well... we'll still play things safe if we can.

 

The two knights lightly tugged the reins on the large cattle and directed it outside of the trade post's stable.

 

They had a long path ahead of them.