Gene loved adventuring.
Walking down the road from Meteli, he yawned as he shrugged his shoulders. He would really have to rent a room at an inn or get to his house sometime, so he could take off his armor while still being safe. He was just getting near the watchtower when he spotted two soldiers wearing glass armor, with a mage before them and... a Meif'wa?
Picking up his speed, Gene moved past the soldiers and confronted the wizard.
"You are getting in the way of official Tu'La business." The mage growled, narrowing her eyes at him. "Be gone!"
"Last time I had checked, which was only a few minutes ago, Meif'was had nothing to do with the assassination of Lord Garte of O'khasis." Gene pointed out, giving the Meif'wa a sideways glance.
"You dare speak against the word of Tu'La?" She sneered, preparing a shock spell in her hands. "I'll just have to deal with you myself, then!"
After killing the two soldiers and wounding the mage, she glared at him with bared teeth. The Meif'wa was leaned up against a rock, greatly wounded and wearing nothing but rags. The cat hybrid watched them both with panicked eyes, her ears tilted downwards.
"This is not the last that you'll see of me, you..." The mage began, before disappearing.
"You're wounded, pretty badly at that." Gene observed, kneeling down in front of the Meif'wa. "Here, let me patch you up."
"T.. Thank you..." The Meif'wa smiled weakly, lifting her head a bit. "This one is not used to such kindness... but you must go to Phoenix Drop, and find her Kitten!"
"Don't move, you'll reopen those wounds." He warned her, before picking up on her request. "What is this about a Kitten?"
"Before those elves took this one prisoner, she had a human with her... this one protected him, she risked her life to protect him." She explained, wincing slightly. "Please, find this one's Kitten! If stranger does not, then she risked her life for nothing!"
"Alright, I'll find your Kitten. Will you be alright?" He asked her, standing up.
"This one can take care of herself. Now go! Find her Kitten, and make sure he is safe." She said, standing up as well.
"Is there anything I should know about him, like his name?" He asked, putting his gauntlets back on.
"His name is Zane. He... has a troublesome past, yes.. This one does not know if he will speak to you. He has trust issues.." She hummed, trailing off at the end. "He... likes to read, yes! Helpful books on skills, like fighting, or interesting books on stories! His favorite foods are cupcakes and venison, if you can find them."
"That's information I'll remember." He nodded, before going back on his journey.
Arriving in Phoenix Drop, Gene grinned at some children who were playing nearby. It smelled of freshly baked breads and sweets, with the cooked meats and cheerful atmosphere. He liked the combination of a lyre, flute, and drum that the local bards played, as it was much more skilled than anything else he had heard. Apart from the music in O'khasis. Nothing was better than what was in O'khasis.
He headed for the inn, which was where nearly all rumors and trails of gossip went. It was like a market, but for blackmail and information. Not the library kind of information, but still information. The innkeeper would be able to help get information on the Zane the Meif'wa cared so much for.
"Hey there, Gene." The innkeeper greeted, flashing him a smile as she sat down a tankard. "The usual bottle mead, I assume?"
"Actually, I'm here for some help." Gene corrected, taking a seat by the counter. "I need you to tell me about someone named Zane."
"Zane? Well, there could be many people with that name." She hummed, taking a moment to think.
"He really likes cupcakes and venison." He clarified, drumming his fingers against the countertop. "Quiet."
"Ah, you mean that Zane." She smiled slightly, laughing a bit. "Yes, the homeless fellow who never says anything to me? He's quite the cutie."
"You've seen him?" He asked, feeling that the comment on his looks was unnecessary.
"I leave him a meal out behind the inn every morning and night." She nodded. "He never says a word to me, though. He just takes the food and leaves."
"Huh... strange..." He muttered, standing up and heading outside.
"Oh, and one more thing!" The innkeeper called after him.
"Yes?" Gene huffed, turning to look at her.
"There was a pair of bandits in here not that long ago. They were asking about someone who perfectly matched Zane's description." She answered, looking worried. "You might run into trouble if you're not careful."
~~~~
Gene frowned as he saw two men who looked like bandits near the area behind the inn. They seemed to be looking down at something, or someone.
Walking closer, he ducked behind a tree and eavesdropped on them. He could see the person clearly, with the palest skin and black hair, an eye that resembled the sky and tattered white and black robes. They looked kind of formal, so where was this guy from?
"Have you ever seen anything like it?" The chief bandit asked, grinning.
"No, never. How does he look so feminine?" The other asked, shifting on their feet.
"Doesn't even smell like a homeless hag." The chief scoffed, tapping Zane's knee with his boot. "They usually don't even have this many clothes on."
"Damn shame, too." The other sighed, shaking his head. "I'd like to have him as my... pet. I say we get a little payback for those two."
"Get your head on straight." The chief warned, glaring. "If we don't take him back, we don't get paid."
"I'm not saying we don't take him back." The other insisted. "I'm just saying I'd like to enjoy him first."
"That's not a bad idea." The chief admitted, laughing. "I want in. But we can't leave any marks. So we'll have to be really gentle."
"Hey, leave him alone!" Gene barked, stepping towards them with his sword drawn.
"And just who the hell are you?" The chief asked, looking at him with disgust. "Back off, this one's mine."
"Takes a lot of skill and strength for two well equipped men to attack a defenseless one." He scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Watch your tongue or I'll cut it out for you." The chief hissed, a black tail lashing.
"Oh, please..." He yawned, grinning. "Be my guest."
"Alright then, you asked for it!" The chief cried, grabbing his sword. "Get him!"
After both bandits were dead and looted for money and valuables, Gene saw Zane walking past him.
"Bad guys might have got good things." Zane yawned, his legs shaking as he walked. "Search them, would you?"
"I just did..." Gene blinked, before sheathing his sword. "But how..."
"I didn't ask for your help! Leave me alone!" He cried, running off towards the forest.
"Hey, wait!!" He called after him, catching a letter that was on the ground.
WANTED
Name: Zane Ro'Meave.
Age: 18.
Looks: Black hair over one eye, sky blue eye, pale white skin, noblemen white and black robes, freckles on his face.
20,000 in wealth if brought alive.
"What the...? I gotta find him again, looks like he's in more trouble than that Meif'wa led on."