Chapter 5 - Connection

                                        

                                              






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Location: Wall Rose (?)
Year: 844
Time: Night



My boss led the way, his gait casual as he moved toward the counter where the bartender was wiping glasses with a practiced hand. 
At the sight of us, the bartender—a man with a slim build, bald and with a neatly trimmed beard—nodded in greeting, a hint of a smirk tugging at his mouth.
"Well, well, if it isn't Remaro," he said, giving my boss a hearty pat on the shoulder. "It's been a while. Thought you'd retired to some far-off corner to avoid trouble."
Remaro laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Who, me? I'll die before I can give up on the thrill of it all. Speaking of which..." He glanced in my direction. "Brought someone along who could use your expertise. Faust, this here's Kiyotaka."
Faust appeared to be an alias. Its translation is akin to something like "lucky."
The bartender, Faust, turned his attention to me, his eyes narrowing as he gave me a slow, appraising look. I met his gaze evenly, maintaining a neutral expression, as I always did.
"Kiyotaka, huh?" Faust finally spoke. 
His voice was low and gravelly. 
"You've got... an odd look about you. Those eyes of yours—like a dead fish staring back at me." He tilted his head, clearly intrigued by the lack of reaction in my expression. "What's the kid need fake documents for, Remaro? Thought you kept your guys clean."
"Favour," Remaro replied smoothly, leaning against the counter. "Kiyotaka here has a knack for getting things done and managed to pull one over on the Military Police. I owe him."
Faust's gaze lingered on me a moment longer, and his eyes held a slight glint of interest. 
"You're full of surprises, aren't you, kid?"
I remained silent, simply observing him in return. There was a hint of tension in the air, a subtle test in the way he studied me, but I didn't mind. Faust seemed to register my calm as a permanent trait, and he chuckled, shaking his head.
I need to learn some expressions...
Turning back to Remaro, he said, "Guess I can whip something up. Papers shouldn't take long, but if he's so capable..." Faust gave me another glance, this time more thoughtful. "I have a job for him. Wall Sina. Stohess District."
Remaro chuckled, folding his arms. 
"You know, Faust, Kiyotaka here can practically do anything you ask him to."
The bartender raised an eyebrow, giving a skeptical, yet interested, glance my way. "Is that so?" He leaned forward, both elbows on the counter, his stare unwavering. "You think you can handle a job in Stohess, kid? Not exactly a place where you can disappear easily."
I nodded once, the barest tilt of my head. "If it's something within my abilities." 
Faust grunted approvingly, his smirk widening. 
"Got nerve, at least. That's good. Listen, there's a guy in Stohess District who needs a reminder of his limits, let's say. A dealer who's been skimming off the top, keeping goods and lying about inventory." He glanced between Remaro and me, gauging our reactions. "I want him dealt with—but quietly. Get my meaning?"
I gave a small nod, registering his meaning clearly. "Understood."
Faust leaned back, crossing his arms. "I don't care how you do it, but make sure the message is clear. And if you can swipe any records he keeps hidden, even better. As for the reward, let's say I'll throw in a few more documents, should you ever find yourself in need again." He looked to Remaro. "You vouched for him, but I need to know—can he handle something like this?"