"It's not so bad when you get used to it. You'll come to love this place. I promise." She tried to be as reassuring as possible. If the young girl was anything like Ellie when she first showed up, then nothing could be said to make her feel better. She just needed time. Another brief smile and she started to lead Eulalie back to the tavern.
Paul stood quiet as he was bombarded by Jack's jokes. His body was still, but his mind was quite active. He let a smile slip on his face as he imagined the thrashing he wanted to give the arrogant prick. The boy wasn't even a proper hunter, and yet he strutted around like owned the damn place. If he had met the boy years ago, then he would have taught him a thing or two. However, he was too old. Paul was still a member of the guild, but age was catching up to him and he wasn't as agile in the field as he needed to be. Two years ago, a very pissed off vampire had captured and tortured him. He had witty remarks like young Jack. He had his tongue cut out for it. After that, the hulking giant officially retired and took up post as a Guild Guardian, one of the few that always remain behind to protect the Hall.
"You three are at it again, huh? You fools will never learn." Paul looked up at the approaching man. He wasn't as big as Paul, but still large compared to most men. He had an excessive amount of hair on his face and body. It was easily noticeable since the man never wore a shirt. They guild members called him Beast, thanks to his unique abilities. He was one of Paul's friends from his hunting days. Paul stepped aside and opened the door while Beast stepped partially into the Guild Hall. A few curious eyes from the tavern turned to look.
"Stand back." They had to be quick, lest wandering eyes in the brothel notice. Beast bent over and grabbed Jack's leg. In the next instant, Beast's muscles doubled in size and his hair engulfed his body. If you had blinked, there would be a silverback gorilla standing where Beast once had been. The ape pulled on Jack's leg and used the momentum to swing him up and onto his shoulder. Paul slammed the door shut. The gorilla snorted and started marching the intoxicated fool to his room.
"One day, Beast is going to break that idiot's neck." Woody grunted at the sight. He hadn't moved very far away from the fresh young faces that joined him at the bar. It was mostly because of the Devin boy. He hadn't been beyond the brothel much, but word travels fast. Drunk hunters often say more than they should. Woody had heard plenty about the attitude the boy carried with the women. For some reason, Woody had a soft spot for Red. He'd be damned if he let an idiot like Devin take advantage of her.
"Oh! Beast, put him down. I need him, too." Ellie had appeared with Eulalie from the dorm hall. She caught sight of the gorilla carrying the familiar frizzy hair. Merlin gave her a longer list than usual of trainees. She was having a hard time remembering everyone. She quickly crossed over. She punched Beast in the arm as he prepared to toss Jack up and let him fall to the floor. The ape grunted and pulled out a chair. He rather aggressively planted the inebriate into the chair before disappearing into the courtyard.
"I told you. You have your hands full." Snow was descending the staircase in the corner of the tavern. She carried a few items in her arms. The largest and most obvious items was some red fabric and a quiver of arrows. "Red, Devin, come join us." Ellie pulled out a seat for Eulalie and sat down at the table with Jack. Snow joined them and laid the items out on the table. The fabric was some kind of cloak. There was the quiver of arrows and a small, odd looking book next to it. Finally, a rifle scope. The rest of the hunters in the tavern stood up and gathered around the table with curiosity. It was a big deal when guild members officially joined the hunter ranks. Once the new recruits sat at the table, Snow pushed the items towards them. The cloak to Red, the quiver to Devin, the book to Eulalie, and the scope to Jack.