His eyes were still open huh? They hadn't close in what...2 hours? Maybe a few more than that. There's no way he could tell anyway. The efforts to block out those damn images he saw every time he closed his eyes and shut off his stupid brain, pretty much destroyed any possible info of how
long his body couldn't rest. After all, that's the reason why he was splashing his face with the water he had on his person, wasn't it? He already use half the bottle...Ugh. On his abandoned pillow lied that familiar squirrel who, thanks to Ease's words, actually was able to get
some sleep.
Lucky, furry bastard...The shirtless man rubbed his beard and mustache. Yeah right...that's what he wished it was. It was that same familiar 5 o clock shadow scruffle that he had attached to his face. Scuffle's a funny word, huh? Kinda is...He lied back to the wall again. Eyes at the ceiling. What was happening? There was so much to swallow down at this point. New group of Earthlings and so many of them, one of them suddenly disappearing out of thin air, and a madman or even a mad group of men who massacred knights and innocent while getting away unscathed. And more importantly, another person who seemed to live here for so long but was from Earth. His other open hand dropped his pen as he let out a groan. The pen itself simply plopped onto a notebook covered in writing. It was usually an on hand memory book for him so he wouldn't forget. Now? It was his theory book figuring out what the hell was going on. He looked down back at it, pushing the pen off his little black book, and flipped through the pages.
The Earthlings...there's several reasons why they could come but there was nothing truly definitive. From what he saw those far, it was a Japanese girl, Aya, a Japanese high schooler, Daisuke, a downright suicidally confident kid, Kyle, and, probably the only one he was truly acquainted with, Duncan, his neighbor of the north. Obviously, there didn't seem to be some sort of physical or appearance based similarities from what he's seen. They were all random people when you looked at them. Personality wise...Hard to pinpoint, but more than likely random too. Aya was the only other deciding factor in determining if that was the case cause he doesn't know a thing about her and she's nowhere to be found. Skills? More than likely random, but there could be something he's overlooking. Actually, there probably is gonna be something he's overlooking. He barely knows these damn people. The only other theory he could think of is possibly backstory. Did they share something in their past that made them similar? Either way, someone must've brought them here. Or something. And considering they were in a group, maybe there was a group that came with Ease too? But why would they make them be a year apart...? Maybe his original group failed whatever this "Summoner" had planned. He always did have a thought on whether he was the only one brought here... Man, his Resurrect ability could've helped them wonders if that's the case. But one things for certain-someone brought them here. How is the bigger question and why more than likely ties in with that. Next section of pages.
The disappearance...There was blood at some point and probably some form of a struggle or an injury at least. But when Ease entered, that wasn't the case. It was fresh...Fresh enough that it seemed like none of that could've remotely happened but still messy like it was in that same state. Like someone couldn't have tried to clean the crime scene. He's been going in that room all night after all. He would've noticed. It was a paradox in his head, but he couldn't help but want to figure it out. Playing detective...Didn't him and Evan do that a lot back in high school? Junior year, right. Man they did that a lot for some reason actually...Shit, getting sidetracked. Anyway, if all the evidence is to be believed, that entire situation was a closed room case. Yet, it shouldn't be and couldn't be because there's no body, no nothing. A divine protection or magic perhaps? Shit, maybe Aya tapped into it accidentally and teleported herself to a different location. Definitely on the table. And man that'd be useful to have around. Some sort of magical assailant with those listed abilities? It wouldn't be too far of a stretch considering their very existence in this world isn't something average or ordinary in either world in terms of possibility. Didn't help that he still had no real info of how he got here over the years. Let alone who did it.
"Of course my luck had to be that shit till now." He whispered. Either way, it was supernatural and possibly linked to their appearance in this world. But a separate possibility...His Resurrect divine protection. At least that's what he called it. He's yet to ask anyone else considering how hard it is to believe. Every time he died, the scene was wiped clean as if he was never there. Much like with Aya. The possibility of it being this definitely had some potential evidence to be considered...But it's still just a theory and he barely knows shit about these people. Info. He needs info on his new Earthling companions. Next section of pages
The most dangerous mystery-the Madman of the Streets. Best name he could think up on a short notice without forgetting info. Whatever, results were the most important. They killed an entire squad of knights and judging by eyewitnesses, lived to tell the tale. It seemed so...fantastical like a character in a movie destroying an army, but it happened. He let out another groan. God...That straight up massacre was held by one man. That sign is not pretty. Was he part of The Witch's Cult? It would make sense why he would aim for officials like knights. But why would he go alone, without any apparent back up, and face them with the subtlety of a brick through a window? He didn't know how the Witch's Cult operated considering he's never even seen them, but he doubted they'd fight people that high up alone. And if the Madman of the Streets was a high up member, it makes no sense to risk a member that powerful's death by sending him alone. Even then, it'd be a perfect way to throw people off and make it harder to figure out what they're doing. Being logical by being illogical. He coulda sworn a friend of his tried using a comic book that did that. Plus, being logically illogical is kinda fun. Hell, him of all people would know. Him being a solo worker or being hired by an assassination guild...Both of those make sense too. A solo worker would explain why he fought so many skilled people on his own. Sorta like that one guy who always got C's but never asked for help back in high school. Except this guy was actually something to worry about. An assassination guild could theoretically give plenty of reasons why he would have to kill more than one person. Bribery, revenge, money. All answers that sure as hell made sense to Ease. Temporarily, those are his best options. But it still doesn't answer why he did it...Final section of pages.
Finally of course...Avery. Avery was something he only had so much info on and it's all based on two words. Scooby Doo. He chuckled a bit, the first time in hours. Whoever thought those words would be the game changer in all this? Thank god his parents had him watch that shit on repeat to sate his boredom as a kid. They probably did it so he wouldn't bother them as much, but fuck if he didn't enjoy it.
"Thanks Mom and Dad. Bet you never thought that'd help me quite like this." Okay, back on task even though he loved remembering, The situation had 3 possibilities. The most obvious-Avery is from Earth too. It just made too much sense. Well sense with the lack of info. All he knew about her was that she was a Celestia, could use some sort of summoning magic or spirit art, can heal, and for some reason he wasn't attracted to her as he should be. Like, she's cute, but for some reason he still feels...eh about it. Weird. Anyway, there wasn't any major indication she was from Earth besides those two words, but it definitely seemed obvious. The second was that she's met someone from Earth that showed her Scooby Doo. He mentally admitted he was kind of just grasping at any straws there, but fuck it. He didn't see harm in having a few more theories floating about for him to use. But finally, one that would make sense, is that the Celestia's somehow
knew about Earth. He couldn't quite figure out how but it's not illogical. Nobles would have more info available to them so from what he knows, it could most certainly be the case. But as much as it pissed him off to admit, none of this was conclusive. He doesn't know anything more about Avery's connection to Earth and just as little about Avery.
That was the last pages worth of info huh? Damn, all those conclusions took more writing than he thought. Then again the man's been writing non stop.
"More I got marked down, the easier I can come back to it. I can't forget any of this. Not now anyway." He spoke basically to himself. His hand and fingers rubbed about his tired eyes. Still, he barely got a wink of sleep and now thought he was done with his information spree, that fact was starting to hit him hard. Well, wasn't like he wasn't used to pulling all-nighters on Earth. In a weird way actually...it was kind of refreshing to get back to an old habit he had back on Earth. All-nighters aren't exactly a healthy habit but right now? It probably was his favorite little habit that wasn't a habit anymore. His apparent smile stopped however as he took another look at the now closed book and thought for a moment.
These theories...The others have to know about them. Everything in it is important. Remember that Ease. But...Resurrect. They can't know about that. Nor that Avery's from Earth. Not yet. He knew how terrible an idea it was to tell them about his Resurrect. Dropping a shell like that out of nowhere might freak them out. And Avery...Avery seems to have gone native. Which begs the question of how long she's been here. Dropping a nuke like
that will definitely freak em out. Hell the only other one he might be able to talk about this is Duncan since he was there when Avery said it. Even then he wasn't sure. But the idea of staying here forever...He was biting his inner lips. No. It won't happen. It can't. Now, the other info was safer to make common knowledge to them. This was info they need to know today.
But more importantly came the question: How was
he gonna use this info? From here on out, this little trip to the world became a mystery. A mystery he's gonna have to try and solve.
"Lunch is ready!!"Aaaaaand like that, he screamed like a little girl out of surprise. And fell off the bed to the floor. Rubbing his now bruised head, he realized he was snapped back to reality with that little shout. Shit, did he do it again? He must've zoned out from reality from his thinking. Let's see...Oh yeah. Still in the tavern's inn. Stayed here to keep watch on Duncan and Daisuke and so he could continue his search for Aya. He slowly got up as he came face to face with a thoroughly pissed off Ratatosk. "Ratatosk: Why, oh why did you have to wake me up?"
"Well uh...Breakfast! Yeah, that's why. And I know you want some. The squirrel could only look at him with a deadpan face. "Ratatosk: ...You aren't wrong. Just try and get me some, alright?" Ease gave a quick nod before stretching his body at the morning glare.
With a quick putting on of a shirt for his topless torso and shoving on his glasses, he carefully moved downstairs. He hadn't really been utilizing his legs the past few hours so they were fairly wobbly. Well, time to use the wall as his "anchor" of sorts. He yawned as he walked into where Yoshi had been cooking food.
"Fuck...Thanks for letting me stay the night Yosh." He took a glance over to the food that was currently being prepared by her and smiled as he put his hand down on a nearby counter. Man, it's been awhile since he had her cooking.
"Oh? Man, I can already see you're trying to spoil the new people with your usual bacon and eggs, huh? Well, I'll be damned if it hasn't worked in the past!" He said, chuckling.
In truth, despite his words being cordial and warm, it was obvious by simple body language and tone of voice it was the exact opposite. His voice was more hoarse than usual as if he never spoke a word before till now. His eyes looked like absolute shit, not quite having multiple bags but definitely stressed and like they hadn't been closed in ages, with them only half opened. The arm he had on the counter was shaking a bit as if just keeping his weight up was a task for the strongest man in the world and it was just the substitute. He looked like he was even having trouble standing too and his smile, while warm, also lacked much life. He seemed rather in disrepair, but it seemed like he was just...forcing himself to manage by despite it.
Quite honestly, that was exactly what he was doing. His body definitely wanted to betray that step ford smiler persona he was putting on.
He took note of Duncan being there as well and gave him a peace sign to his tired saying of "mornin." Even that looked like it took more effort than it should've. Right afterwards though, he plopped his head onto the countertop and his armed crossed below said head. He let out a sigh. Taking a look at Duncan it was pretty obvious that he was in just as shitty of conditions too. No wonder. Poor bastard had to stay and help clean up with those bodies. He was an army man when you got down to it, so he was probably used to it, but it still must've not been a fun thing to help with. At least Yoshi was able to get some sleep it seems...Ha...Bright sides. He took a quick glance away from his two compatriots, due to not having much else to do besides waiting for Yoshi, and noticed something in particular.
A person clad in armor...Armor that looked distinctly familiar. It had something to do with last night, easily, he could figure that much out. Exactly, what was the question.
He stood up for a second, albeit with trouble.
"Hey, I'm gonna be right back. Always good to have a nice drink before you eat, ya know?" He said over to Yoshi and Duncan, hoping that'll they'll just talk among themselves. He was surprisingly able to manage walking without the use of any faux crutches like the counter or a stool, albeit he was still wobbly. Ironically, a little bit like he was drunk but the distinction was drunk. Looking closer, the armor cad person was obviously female in nature due to both her voice and the actual appearance of the armor and what shapes of the body were made out
by said armor. He sat his ass on a stool next to her and sighed out loud.
"Getting a drink to help start the day huh? Man, I feel ya there." He said with a semi smile and a semi frown. He was playing himself off in a rather laid-back fashion. Not having quite the same drunken stance as some of the taverners, but still relaxed and downright unassuming. In his head on the other hand-
That armor...It involves something late last night. I can't pinpoint where though...Where have I seen it?@Sir Lurksalot @liferusher @Lucius Cypher @Seirei no Hai @Soragoku @Kitsune
