>>6102646The only light comes from an oil lantern on a table in the center of the room. It casts a warm glow on the unusually still set of plate armor positioned upright on a wooden chair. Three others are positioned on the opposite side of the round table. The interior layout that you can see seems to be that of a brewhouse, but most furniture appears to have been pushed to the sides of the building, a myriad of cobwebs are connecting them. One cushioned chair is even levitated off the ground a good few feet in a position that reminds you of a hammock. The beady red eyes hidden in a dark corner of the room leave no second guesses to the culprit. As you approach the table and take the centermost seat, you don’t seem to find where the slime went.
“It’s rather dark in here,” You comment to the suspiciously still armor as Marie sits beside you. The Inquisitor elects to stand.
As expected, a voice comes from the plate armor. It’s deep yet clear, like the kind you’d expect an old nobleman to have, “My apologies, none of us see the world as we used to. Light is no longer something sacred to us.”
“You are?” The Inquisitor questions.
“I am known as Mikail, a denizen of this kingdom for many years now, yet I remain a Stranger to those born here.”
“It’s normally seen as rude to carry discussions with a helmet on,” You state, though you already have an idea as to why it has not been removed.
“You speak truth, Your Highness,” He should have no knowledge of your attendance. He must know your face, “And I shall remove it should you ask. Though I’ve found that many people find conversing with a skull to be most unpleasurable.”
You briefly look around at Marie and the Inquisitor’s barely lit faces and see nothing but stoicism on both, “Remove it then,” You command.
“Of course,” The Stranger’s gauntleted hands reach for his helm, and underneath is a somewhat disconcerting sight, an animated skeleton bleached white. His jaw moves as he speaks with a rather loud clacking noise as he has no lips to block the sound of his hitting teeth. Still, somehow, your impression of the man does not change, “I must say this is more people than I was expecting would come, or would come at all. And while my face doesn’t show it, I am shocked that I am currently sharing a table with this kingdom’s princess and another Stranger. Pardon any offense, but you are Asian, correct?”
Marie nods, “I’m Japanese, but please refer to me here as Marie.”
“Certainly, Inquisitor Marie. That is correct as well? You come here on their side?”
Again, she nods but then seems to defer to you, “I’m on Lorina’s side. Unless the Inquisitor says something, you should defer to her.”
