Owlriel

Devouring Light

Asran listened intently to the priestess as she spoke of her church, and her past. He even stopped eating for a moment mid-chew, he was angry. Furious even that Ayrie’s church would dare to view her in such a manner. To stifle her to make her feel threatened. God did he want to reign down every torment he could think of upon them. Before swallowing them whole. But, he swallowed it down, just like he swallowed his food.
“That’s one of the reasons I hate churches. The preach acceptance, generosity, and their gods love. Damning everyone as sinners for not following the edicts. But, they never actually fucking practice what they preach,” he said his hands tightening into fists.
In his rage he snapped his chopsticks making him snap out of it. He sighed at himself at loosing control of his temper yet again today. He called for a waitress asking for a new set while also apologizing. He even paid them enough to replace it, and then some.
He turned back to Ayrie, and rubbed at his forehead softly. “Sorry, I just get very... Passionate, When it comes to these types of things.” He gently rubbed at his forearm where the markings began to sting, and burn. It always seemed to worsen when he got so angry. As his anger caused some of his magic to spark inside him.

Devouring Light

“Ah Markus he is a very good teacher,” Asran said with a smile. He served himself a bit more food as he’d finished his first plate. The waitress returned with even more food, and set it on the table. Asran was starved he’d not eaten the night prior, or had breakfast. So he was teetering dangerously close to a feeding frenzy. Which was why he’d ordered so much food. He soon finished his second plate, and started on his third.
“I’m glad the people you’ve met so far have been kind to you. Though, you should still remain vigilant especially when your priest buddies come along. To help you preach your lords gospel,” he said between mouthfuls of food. He swallowed hard fitting down a belch.
“Your culture is welcome here. As you can see this city is a bit of a melting pot.” He paused to silently belch, with a fist to his mouth to cover it slightly.
“But, religion is something of a touchy subject for a lot of people. Especially for people who have been harmed. Such as the summoner instructor or the temple of generosity head priest. They come here seeking to feed their needs. It doesn’t matter what it is, but they flock here. Lord Gluttony gladly feeds them, so long as they return in kind with a worthy enough sacrifice.”

Devouring Light

Asran swallowed the food in his mouth. “Yeah sorry about that. They can be rather zealous in getting me what I desire. Even if it’s not in a way I’d like,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “So sorry about that.” He then went back to his food eating with a smile. The food was always delicious here ever since it’s founding eighty years ago. “So tell me how are you enjoying my city so far?”

Devouring Light

Asran looked away when Ayrie mentioned the church hurting him. He didn’t like thinking about it, having the constant reminder on his skin was more than enough already. He then noticed she didn’t take her shoes off at the entry, and sighed deeply. “Next time you come here take your shoes off at the entrance. Just be glad granny didn’t see. She’d verbally berate you,” He said chuckling.
Soon a waitress came carrying a large tray of food, and set it on the table. Asran grabbed a pair of large spoon, and served himself. Then grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and started eating.

Devouring Light

Asran looked at Ayrie with a warm smile. “Hello to you as well. I wanted to apologize for my earlier outburst. I didn’t mean to snap like that, it’s just... I’m sorry,” Asran said. He wanted to say why he’d snapped. But, he didn’t feel comfortable talking about it. He then motioned to across the table. “Please, sit down.” He noticed his sleeve slip up revealing some of his runic markings. Then quickly pulled his hand back covering it up he was ashamed of the markings, of the pain they brought him.

Devouring Light

Soon a parade of people started to pass through the street. There was loud music playing, and people in costume dancing all around. The imps began to push Ayrie around disguised as absent minded festival goers. While another rushed up to her. They were wearing a suit, and sunglasses. “This way mam the l... mayor wishes to see you,” the disguised imp said quickly. His voice almost being drowned out by the loud celebratory sounds.
The imp guided her inside the restaurant pushing her in before vanishing into the shadows.

The woman at the front desk smiled at Ayrie, “Welcome miss. Someone is waiting for you in the back VIP room. I believe with the crowd as rowdy as it is right now. You should take him up on the offer, and enjoy a meal with him. Our food is very good even the lord loves our cooking.”

Devouring Light

Asran washed slowly got up then went to the shower to wash himself better. Using the soap in the stall to cleanse his body with a special soap specially made for him. That helped soothe away the pain caused by the markings. When an imp entered his washroom he turned to look at it.
“She’s in the bath house m’lord. Should we slit her throat while she soaks,” the imp asked. Only to recoil from the death glare Asran gave the creature. “I’ll take that as a no. What shall we do then,” it asked. “Keep an eye on her. If possible try to guide her towards the restaurant next door. I’ve an idea up my sleeve,” he said smirking. The imp nodded, and took off to tell it’s brothers the masters wishes.

Asran finished getting clean feeling refreshed. Attendants brought him a warm Japanese style robe covering well past his knees while still conforming to his body. while his other clothes finished up being washed. Thanks to artificial magic crystals, and a bit of innovation. The bathhouse had a several washers and drying machines for clothes and towels. Right now the people working were looking at the priestesses clothes. Trying to figure out if she were hiding something. Seeing nothing the stuck her clothes in the washer to be taken care of.

Asran walked next door to the restaurant after getting dressed. The restaurant was very laid back with tables set low to the floor to allow people to sit on the floor on pillows. To allow them to recline into a comfortable position. The entrance had a step with a large base after the door. Before stepping up Asran removed his shoes. He turned to the woman tending the front counter.
“Prepare a lord Gluttony special. I’m going to be having company, a woman. Guide her to the back room to me.” She nodded bowing low to Asran. Who walked past into a private back room. The chest of his robe slightly opening which he promptly closed, and tightened his clothing.

Devouring Light

Asran had made his way to the bathhouse. He needed to get clean it’d been a while since he had. He had attendants get him clothes as others tended set the bath for him then left. He got undressed he looked at his skin the tubes that lined his body some were faded and scars covered some. He took a deep shaky breath as he stepped into the bath water. His face tensed in pain as the water brushed against the markings, and scars. He took a deep breath in, and slowly breathed out. His head rested against the back of the tub.
“Damn priests,” he growled out. His teeth fangs from his rage.

Devouring Light

“Jeeze that guy can be a complete idiot. But, I can understand why he’s so frightened. I mean churches and especially light aren’t exactly something he likes. Especially after what happened to him, what they did to him. But, that’s not something for me to say. That’s his story to tell or not tell,” Nadia said smiling sadly. She wasn’t afraid of Ayrie in the slightest. Because she could see she was a good, and decent person.

Devouring Light

“The mayor,” Nadia asked in complete confusion. As she didn’t know of any mayor just lord Gluttony who gave orders to his subordinates in the dark. There was no one with any sort of title like mayor. Then stopped quickly realizing what was going on. She quickly backpedaled saying, “oh yeah! That’s right the mayor. I’m sure he’s just worried. He tends to worry a lot about everyone he’s much like a mother hen protecting us all. He can often get lost in his protectiveness, and can sound meaner than he intends. However, I don’t know for what reason he’d have for not getting along with you. Care to talk to me about it? Don’t worry I’m very impartial I know what it’s like to be at odds with him. When I first came here he was none too trusting. As I can see things inside people.”