It wasn't long after I situated myself at an empty table that a young kitsune approached, bowing low as to avert his timid, violet eyes, "I believe salutations are in order, good sir. I was told by the board manager that it was you who accepted my summons?" He paused, waiting for a response, and when there was none resumed with some small embarrassment, "My companion and I are most excited for you to join us, if that would so please you; my name is Peck." He was lithe — feminine even — and had all the trappings of a cleric — vestments, a book-bag full of scrolls and other books, and an incense burner with a bell attached, but I could sense he'd some moxie about him. If anything, Pecks's greeting had been rather amusing; a far cry from the usual pomp and animation those that frequented Yesmin's Adventurer's Guild Hall.
"A pleasure, young Peck." I gave a slight nod in kind before offering him to take a seat. Guild Halls were perfect places for rest, recuperation and for incomplete parties to fill whatever niche they needed filled; this was the latter situation.
There was an awkward delay as we sat across from one another but it wasn't long before Peck found an opening, "Y-Your shield is quite impressive, sir; is it as heavy as it looks?" A good question, as the massive slab of steel to my left was more a wall than it was a mere shield; a rectangular bulwark of heavy metal with a thick rim of polished mithril.
"Thanks," I said, flashing a smile. "It is quite heavy, indeed, but it is tried and true. Let's cut to it, if you don't mind my boldness; what happened to your previous 'tank'?" In such situations it was pertinent to prod. Seldom were parties broken without tragedy and I wanted to know who I'd be fighting alongside. Peck paused, his pale cheeks burning with shame, but another spoke for him.
"She hit it big and ditched us, but that's not important," a bratty purr whispered from my periphery, its owner strutting into view. A young cat-girl, fancifully robed in the colors of a brilliant flame, stepped into view. Her ebon locks were a stark contrast to the emerald green eyes that she so analytically scanned me with. Lycille was her name as I'd come to find and she was Peck's partner in adventure.
"Peck and I just need a piece of muscle to take the hits while we're doing the fun stuff," Lycille sat herself at the table, giving me the skeptical 'up and down', "but you don't look like much." Lycille spoke a big game but was she a big girl? No. She was nearly a child. Both she and Peck were; I found the pouty cat-girl's mannerisms endearing.
I took a long swig of my drink, giving the bright-eyed duo a long, hard look. Peck and Lycille didnt have much to offer me but a bit of excitement, but perhaps that was enough; after all, wasn't that the excitement of being an adventurer? "Well, the posting said you needed a tank. While my rank may not denote it, I'm one of the best shield-warriors there are; we can team up for a bit and see how it goes." I offered.
"Well...if you think you can keep up...I don't mind giving it a try, alright?" This girl was going to be a handful; stubborn, cocky and a bit of a tease, but ultimately dedicated to her craft. Lycille looked to Peck for confirmation, "Right, Peck? Think he can hang?"
"I believe so; we're quite fortuitous." Peck on the other hand seemed rather relieved by my joining them. His expression softened, lips curled into a satisfactory grin and twin tails coiled about in bated excitement.
"I know we haven't really talked before," Peck began, "but I feel like I should say something, since you're going to be part of our party." Peck cleared his throat and continued, "We're pretty new to this whole adventuring business. We were hoping to get some help from someone who knows what they're doing." Peck paused, a curious glint catching in his eyes, "I mean, you look like you know what you're doing."
What a sweet kid. "Oh, I know what I'm doing."
***
Peck, Lycille and I's first official quest as a party was