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[b]“Sure ‘bout this, Nano?”[/b] A bulky man spoke, leaning over the counter of a shop that smelled of oil and rust. [b]“Yer a good kid, but the Brass City’s a bit beyond your talents, methinks. And monster hunting…never a safe choice.”[/b]

An ashen haired youth turned with a shrug, finalizing the contents of his tanned duffel bag. [b]“Thanks for the warning, but I know all about the risks already, boss.”[/b]

The man snorted. [b]“No, you don’t. Round the town’s plenty safe, and even the ruins aren’t bad. One week out though?”[/b]

[b]“Orcs, kobolds, trolls?”[/b] Nano listed, tying up his bag, [b]“Heard of ‘em as well.”[/b]

[b]“Then you know it’s a fool’s errand.”[/b] He spat to the side, lifting a stump of a hand up onto the counter. [b]“And I’ll always need another hand.”[/b]

[b]“Maybe one day,”[/b] the youth laughed. [b]“But not today.”[/b]

The older man snorted, a ghost of a smile on his face. [b]“Don’t turn out like me, you little shit.”[/b]

[b]“Love you too, Beil.”[/b] And without any more hesitation, Nano shifted his pack over his shoulders and left that small shop, his eyes as black as coal and as bright as stars.

Outside, the town square was as lovely as ever, people in various costumes mulling about in the morning light. It was a bright day, clear blue skies and crisp wind, and Rengoku was bustling. Adventurers hauled back their loot or bargained for discounts, children learned their trades as well as they could, and vendors hawked their wares to whoever walked by. Everywhere he looked, people popped out as individuals, sporting hair that didn’t make sense, eyes that didn’t make sense, clothes that didn’t make sense. Unique was a kind word. Disorderly was a cruel one. But it was always fun to spend a few moments to sweep the crowd, to make a guess at their occupation, their skill, their wealth, their class. But on that auspicious day, it wasn’t his eyes that were caught, but his ears. A nostalgic tune twisted through the air, mangled by footsteps and chatter, and, humming that same tune in his own mind, Nano pushed through the crowds, shouldering his way past armored warriors, stepping carefully around children lead by their adoptive parents. He spared a gentle smile at a sunny-haired girl with vines slowly curling over her hands, before slipping through the gaps of people and into an open space.

Well, that was certainly someone interesting.

A scarred face and a beautiful sword. A feathered hat and a bulky frame. Others bore their past mistakes on their bodies as well, but few did so as ruggedly as this adventurer. Far from his guitar playing, it was his own appearance that drew the most attention, and Nano could easily see a few others casting furtive glances at the man, half-intrigued yet with better things to do. That was their loss then. With a smile that burned like the sun, the ashen-haired youth stepped up.

[b]“Trouble remembering how it goes?”[/b]