"So if you need to be mean, be mean to me." - Mitski
After completing the check in with the guards, Xiaomao and Daisuke walked in the city.
Wagons and carts bustling in the street as people swarmed the area. Many were from the Shengyu Kingdom who were all now looking for jobs and homes to stay in.
Xiaomao and Daisuke had rested a few hours ago, so they didn't bother to find a place to stay.
Besides, all the buildings were taken by the citizens and the people of Shengyu.
Before they had arrived, Xiaomao told Daisuke what her plan was.
Her plan is to take on some commissions with some random team to earn some money.
So she first went straight to the bar.
Holding Daisuke's hand, she went inside the bar.
She went up to the scrawny bartender, his attire fancy but yet filled with comfort.
His name tag reading, Atticus Fester.
Hair slicked back, and wearing a suit and tie, he was the talk of Sanctyr Rise.
Grabbing a glass with his thin fingers, he glanced up to Xiaomao and Daisuke.
"Aren't you a little young for alcohol?
"I'm here for the special. Add a side of black tea and-" She stopped and asked Daisuke, "What would you like?"
He pointed at the pink drink, filled with strawberries.
"He'll like the strawberry lemonade please." Xiaomao responded, handing the menu back to Atticus.
"Very well, take your seats while we bring the special." He spoke in a posh manner.
Xiaomao and Daisuke took a seat in the back, right in front of some new travelers.
Coincidentally, those new travelers were familiar.
After a while, Atticus brought the drinks and passed them a slip of paper.
"Ring me once you look things over alright?" He walked away,
Xiaomao handed Daisuke his strawberry lemonade as she sipped her black tea. "Hmm, is yours good?" She asked, looking up to see Daisuke's expression.
His face was relaxed, and it definitely looked way better than before. His eyes flushed with color as he took in his drink. Smiling, he gave her a thumbs up, letting her know he enjoyed
his drink.
"That's good to hear." She nodded, then put her drink down. "We need to look at the main thing now."
Taking the slip of paper Atticus left on the table, she opened to see its inside.
The paper then wrote,
"Commission Teams that are available to join are:"
1. Silvercrow - Leader Syphlos
2. Spidereye - Leader Sienna
3, Dreamless Azure Leader - Cassius
4. Hibiscus Roots - Leader Latifah
5. Untitled - Leader Ren
Continuing, "If you would like to join other teams, examination will be required. However, if one team is up to your liking, please sign your name under the team."
"Lowkey all these teams look like really good little child, which one should we pick?" She asked, then she looked directly at Daisuke while stealing a glance at the other team sitting afar.
"Just so you know, joining any of these teams is going to be dangerous. Are you sure you want to stay with me?" Xiaomao asked Daisuke, waiting for his response.
Taking out a slip of paper, he wrote and then showed her with a very serious face.
"I wouldn't dare to care that anywhere else is dangerous. I'll go where you go."
"Even if I make stupid decisions? Or even dangerous ones?" She asked genuinely, at this moment she did not care how she was to speak to this nine year old.
To her, he was family.
Daisuke nodded, and then sipped his drink.
"If you say so." She patted his head, "You're a really good kid."
After no thinking, she signed her name under "Untitled" and folded the paper.
"All we need is some money, right?" She asked, particularly no one. To which, no one also answered.
Suddenly, a loud noise could be heard.
"Ugh Ren its been a week and you've mentioned her for like 4 times already today. Would you mind shutting up about her?"
Hmm is that Matsuri? She asked Second Reality.
"I believe so." He responded, looking at Matsuri with an indifferent look.
"I have not been talking about her at all." Ren pouted, looking away. "But anyways, you think anyone's going to join our team?"
She scoffed, "With a name like that? People will think children were naming the group."
"Don't be that harsh now." He scolded.
Meanwhile, after Daisuke finished his drink, XIaomao and him walked up to Atticus.
Nodding, she handed Atticus the paper and a few coins. "Drinks were delightful. I'll be sure to come again."
"Glad to hear that, might you follow me to the back?"
Xiaomao and Daisuke began to walk behind the counter, before entering, however Atticus stopped.
"Are you sure you would like for the little one to hear?" He asked, eyeing the jar of candy he set on the counter.
Xiaomao gave him a dirty look, "He is not just a child. He will also accompany me."
"Little kid, do you want to go with her?" Atticus questioned for the sake of the child.
Seeing the child nod, he sighed but decided not to question further.
He opened the slip of paper to see what team she chose.
"How curious." He responded, seeing the Untitled being chosen.
"You might have dropped multiple golden opportunities, but who am I to judge? I'm just a humble bartender."
He stopped, "Alright, enough with the small talk. Come here tomorrow at dawn so we can officiate your designation. Feel free to meet with Ren if you'd like. I believe he was sitting just in front of you."
"Formalities are not required. We have met before." Xiaomao said, taking Daisuke to exit the back. "We will meet tomorrow at dawn then. Have a wondrous day."
She then left the bar.