Being the Former Archon's Live-in Cook

Act 8

As you had been too engrossed in your surroundings, the world around you seemed to fade into the background, just for a second. Although, you did not forget the people in your peripheral, the Champion Duelist was the champion for a reason, bypassing your vision as if it were a small lens unable to capture the full picture of life. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of city life provided a soothing backdrop to your thoughts, to be followed by a sharp wind that visited and left as quickly as it showed. Unbeknownst to you prior to a few seconds ago, this certain figure moved with the quiet grace of an assassin through the shadows, her steps barely making a sound against the soft earth.

Silent as a wisp of smoke, she inched closer to both you and Furina, her movements fluid and deliberate. Her hands rested on each side of her waist as she looked at you with that bored expression that permeated a calm fury within.

"Clorinde! Why, your presence is most unexpected... Do I have the privilege to hear your intentions of being here?" Furina must've encountered this woman so many times in her life that she hadn't budged from her spot in a moment of temporary fear. 

You've argued with the woman before on topics you both knew, today just didn't seem to be that day.

"I was in the area," the duelist coolly replied.

Oh sure you were.

"A fine way of saying it's not our business. Nothing less from a stoic." you said as Furina hid a little titter from her lips with the palm of her hand.

"Actually, maybe I can tell you why I'm here." Without so much as a pause, Clorinde was beginning to indulge in telling you information. The weight of that information right now was not your main concern but the sight of Clorinde out and about was a rare thing to see, considering she was not such a fan of showing herself outdoors. That line of thinking, however, would be thrown out of the gate whenever she was on duty. 

"After your sudden appearance, I'd like an explanation at the very least," you threw your words out, caution to the wind. 

"You were not consistently present during times I needed protection so you must dispense away with confidentiality and lead us down with truth instead as compensation, my dear combatant social worker." Furina added as she crossed her arms. 

"If I tell you, I'm sure you won't think straight afterward." Clorinde replied honestly, the flintlock pistol in her possession making you think something was in the air. In fact, the thing looked handled recently, around a few minutes before it was holstered back in its rightful place.

If there was one thing you'd be grateful to your dad for at the moment, it was inheriting his eye sight and sense for things suspicious.

You swore the first thing you didn't notice was Furina sharply scrutinizing the woman's obviously taut buttons doing everything they possibly could to hold her blouse together. Although, that was one of the many things that did catch your attention.

Sadly, this eyesight declined with age on your dad. 

Checking the barrel and breech area for any residue or fouling left behind by the combustion of gunpowder on Clorinde's pistol was indication enough that something had occurred not too long ago. A gun fight? A crossing of mysterious opponents? Black powder residue, carbon deposits, and traces of burnt material. Fresh fouling appeared darker and more distinct than older residue on the weapon. Unless she was shooting practice targets, Clorinde wouldn't normally be at the Steambird where coincidentally she'd bump into both you and Furina for a simple chat. The woman would rather eat than read, if you were to be critical of her character.