(Part 2) Chapter Two Wrapped in Fabric
Gradually the day begins to grow older, the sun starts its approach to the west. The populace of Sky Island 86 had finished their morning errands and begun more recreational activities. No longer a bustle of people shopping for goods throughout the markets, instead venturing about the town with friends.
Koenwin didn't exactly have the luxury of flaunting around public. Especially because he forgot to retrieve his cloak, thus walking to his meeting place was rather uncomfortable. The location in question a small Inn set up well from passing folk.
Obviously, someplace such as this would attract the presence of less than desirable people. But yet again, business is business. Koenwin along with who he's come to meet simply avoid the bussier parts of the Inn.
Seating himself at a wooden table stowed away near a corner. "I'll need a new cloak before the next mission." He gives a light smile to the Varanesian across from him. "Had to... give it to someone. Sorry, Karlsgard."
That someone being a certain falling girl. Koenwin wears only a modest shirt and slacks, now without his dusty and torn coat.
"Hm..."
Karlsgard, sitting across from him gives a frustrated stare. Being a descendant of some long-lost species of reptilians, the man significantly outsizes the Human before him.
"So... How's the crew?"
"They probed around a bit too much and a cave-in killed a few. Daines got off with a few scratches. Other than that, typical." The large, scaled man drinks what could only be assumed an alcoholic beverage. "90's airship crashed. 74's crew was excavating with explosives and launched a boulder into its props. So they're all dead."
"Well..." Koenwin tries to keep a smile, but the news makes him uneasy. "I suppose it's good I took a few days off then...?"
Karlsgard clicks his wooden jug down and lets out a hissing laugh. "Yeah, seems that way. I doubt you'd want to be around sand more than you have to. Fair... And how else would you lose another cloak if you were working?"
He slides a drink across, Koenwin accepting it with a whispered 'Thanks'. "Though Koen, makes me wonder. Why're you still in this job?"
"Not much else to do? And money I guess."
"Don't go giving me that. It's not easy coin, and it's not like you have anyone to provide for. Just yourself, running around like a headless chicken." Karlsgard shakes his head disapprovingly. "It's been what, 5 or so months since we dug you up from down there? Ain't there something you want to do? You missed out on a lot."
"Yeah well no big deal. It gets me through the days, right?"
He sighs. "Get's you through the days? More like you're teasing death more than you already have."
"You're really sounding like Chlydial..."
"Chlydial?" The Varanesian pauses in thought. "Ah, him? Yes, maybe I am. But that's beside the point. The crew agrees that you should find something else to do. We scavenge the surface because we have to. While you, well I don't understand why you do it." Looking over his snout at him with an expectant gaze.
Karlsgard does share a lot with Chlydial, not just in the sense of a snake-like lisp associated with the Varanesian race. Many of the mannerisms are the same, probably why Koenwin likes him.
"What do you want me to say?"
"Me? I don't want you to say anything but reality. You keep making excuses for your mediocre life. There's no point coming to the surface. I go because I need to, mainly because I want to. Unearthing ancient relics, racing against time and decay, that's the reason of my existence. Without it, I'd just be stuck up here on Ria Volute. That'd be no way to live."
Karlsgard pauses to take a swig of alcohol, before setting it down again. "Sure, getting chased around by Fōrdners is a slight downside. But it's part of the fun. A thrill. At least I get something from working as a scavenger rather than just paper with assigned worth." He lets out a hearty sigh. "What I'm trying to say is... Isn't there something you want to do? Something you'd actually enjoy?"
