Roll For Arson

Splitting Up

Day 1

It was very sunny this particular morning. The sun rays fell upon her hard bed, sheets spilling on the floor since Pepper moved a lot in her sleep. Her birch bedside table held only one lit candle that was about to drown in its own wax. The air was refreshing and the clouds were shaping themselves into silhouettes of what could be interpreted as many unique creatures.

The young elf started to wake up, wiping her mouth with her shirt sleeve because she was drooling in slumber. She originally wanted to use her jacket sleeve but noticed that she was only wearing her right one. Her eyes were half open when she reached her arm to the left side of the bed where her roommate once laid, moving it around expecting to touch her. She was sad when she found out there was no one there anymore.

Standing up, she stretched her arms up in the air with a yawn. After rubbing her eyes, she threw her legs to the side of the bed and hopped off. She decided to keep her eyes closed while walking. This led to her tripping over something on the ground and falling down. Surprised, she opened her eyes, knowing she didn't have anything there in the first place. When she looked her there laid a gnome hugging a soft pillow.

"Qiroe?" Pepper questioned. Qiroe was still asleep, quietly snoring. Pepper crawled over to her and grabbed both of her upper arms to try shaking her awake. It worked, she woke up and mumbled something unintelligible. "Qiroe, what are you doing in my house?" Pepper asked in concern. The gnome tiredly mumbled something again but repeated it louder after, "I'm not in anyone's spouse, that's gross..." The elf shook her head, "No, my house."

"House?" Qiroe yawned, rubbing her back with a soft "ow" followed by it. "Ohh... good question- Weren't we at a tavern?" she continued, followed by Pepper's pensive silence. Pepper's eyes got big and snapped her finger, "I think A'Pyhu carried us here, she does that when I fall asleep at the tavern. 'Guess I just didn't expect she'd bring you here too."
Qiroe smiled, "How nice of her, I wonder if Ivo fell asleep and got carried here too."

Pepper felt her heart sink a little, she still couldn't fully believe her brother was back in her life. "I hope not." she scoffed and stood up. Before Qiroe could stand up as well, they heard knocking coming from the open door that lead to the hallway. Shocked, Pepper corrected her jacket quickly and fixed her hair as much as she could and swiftly walked to the front door.

Nervous, she took a deep breath before opening the door. She opened the door to reveal Ivo in a dark coat over a button up shirt, a yellow cape being held by a shoulder plate standing in front of her. Pepper almost deflated, "It's just you." He rolled his eyes, "Good morning to you too." Qiroe rushed over to the door without making herself look presentable like Pepper had done, "Morning!" she cheered with a smile. "Alright, just so you two won't be confused: A'Pyhu is coming with us and she thinks we're experienced beast hunters."

Pepper quickly got upset, "The hell? You just met this person and you lie to them?" followed by his simple response, "Precisely." Qiroe tapped her foot, "The nice lady doesn't deserve to be deceived!" Ivo sighed...

"Would you rather have I tell her the truth and bring her into this?"
"You're the one who invited her!" Pepper hissed.
"I didn't, she wanted to join us herself."
"As if!"
"She's going to surprise visit her family in Ceberlia, Verbatim."
"Ok. Then why would the quest be dangerous for her to know about?"
"Well a certain someone who is forced to work for the king dragged me into a heist once and now I'm forced to work for the king."
"Wouldn't that apply for us too then?" Qiroe spoke up.
"The king himself requested you, not me."

Pepper looked down in disappointment, rubbing her nose bridge. Ivo continued, "It's just a white lie. Big deal. It's not far from the truth either." She scoffed, "It's not the lie, it's the fact you did it in the first place" and walked inside to her room. "And where do you think you're going?" he raised his voice for her to hear. "Calm down, im only getting ready!" she replied in a yell.