Back to Home

Babysitting the Hero

Year: 984-01
Part 1
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
We need you to keep an eye on Kiya for a bit.
Okojo Fruman Knight
...What? Why?
In the midst of the crowds bustling about in Cinfras, Arlo and Rigel had all but an important mission to complete.
That being, Mischief had been lured away by bandits somehow. This wasn't the first time either.
There was just one problem, and that Kiya wasn't supposed to come with them.
Okojo Fruman Knight
Can I not come with you two? I see no reason for why I must remain here.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
Look, it's not like we don't want you both to come with us. It's just...
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
Kiya is definitely going to cause problems.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
Hey, that's not true.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
H-His best friend's been kidnapped and you think he won't cause serious property damage like last time?
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
Okay maybe.
Okojo Fruman Knight
I'm not coming.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
Mmmmmmmmhm. Y-You're not.
Okojo Fruman Knight
You wish for me to babysit him. That is a grown man.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
N-No. No. Listen closely.
Reluctant but ever so obedient, Okojo leans forward, only for Rigel to grab his shoulders.
He has a worried, determined look on his face that shows the importance of keeping the knight here.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
We care about him so much. There have already been groups trying to kill him because—Listen to me—because he got a little too excited with pulling the knife.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
You need to make sure—Okojo look at me—You need to make sure that no one lays a hand on him—LISTEN—You need to make sure. He does not. Lay a hand on anyone. Either.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIM TOO I WILL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
G..Got that?
Okojo Fruman Knight
A little bit.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
YOU—
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
Let's just go before something terrible happens.
Rigel Sovereign of the Fallen
G-Good luck!
With a kiss on the cheek and a farewell, the two of them make their way, leaving Okojo with all the work.
Okojo Fruman Knight
...Wait. Where is he, anyway?
This was going to be a long day.
Episode 2
Okojo Fruman Knight
Kiyaaaaa? Kiyaaaaaa!
Frankly, he just no idea why they even bothered giving him the assignment in the first place given that he himself had no responsbility whatsoever.
Perhaps this was a test, to see if he was capable of leading.
And if this was a test, then it was all up to him. Right?
Okojo Fruman Knight
Nooo, come on...I don't know where he could've gone!
??? Citizen
Eek! Run away!
Okojo Fruman Knight
What? Why are we running.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Hey, Okojo.
Sure enough, Kiya was standing below him, lightly nudging the chunk of armor with his foot.
Seems he was busy cooking something.
Evidently, it seems a few of the houses were in flames.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Do you eat?
Okojo Fruman Knight
Mmmmm. Not really?
Kiya Terror of Nemract
You're surely missing out. I'm cooking stuff in that house right now.
Okojo Fruman Knight
Oh! ...The one that's smoking?
Kiya Terror of Nemract
No, the other one.
Okojo Fruman Knight
Ah, the one that's on fire. Got it.
Okojo Fruman Knight
Wait, no! Where are you going?! I'm supposed to make sure you don't get in trouble!
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Too late for that, I already made myself a station. Are you going to come inside?
Okojo Fruman Knight
I guess.
Before Okojo can even protest again, Kiya's dragging his hand and pulling him all the way into one of the houses.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
For the record, the houses were already burning when I got here.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
And I threw everyone inside into the out.
Okojo Fruman Knight
If that's the case, why are we still here?
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Take this bag and put every ingredient you find in it.
Okojo Fruman Knight
Wh-No!!! You can't loot the houses!
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Think of it as repayment. I saved half the town, so it's the least they can do.
Okojo Fruman Knight
....
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Plus they have good spices here.
Okojo Fruman Knight
I don't really know how to argue with that.
For Okojo, this was troubling, but he was more relieved that it was Kiya who saved some of the townspeople from trouble, and not the one causing it.
Yet this felt...wrong. To sack the places that were already burning to ash.
Of course, given the knight's own reputation, it was better not to think about it too much, as Kiya could swing at him if he just chose to.
Episode 3
An explanation cannot be provided no matter what Okojo tries to muster out of his helmet.
So, of course, Kiya helped him out.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Some group pillaged the town and set everything on fire.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
I stopped them, because they were in my way of foraging.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Then Okojo helped me take the rewards, which the mayor allowed even if that was really fucking stupid of him.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
.....Huh.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
Is that why you have two sacks worth of herbs?
Kiya Terror of Nemract
Yes, and I'm going to use it for the next stopover.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
That's fine, I just...
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
...Wish you didn't kill the whole group, I mean it would've been nice to at least ask their motives.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
The motives are irrelevant. They crossed our path, annoyed me a little, and now they're dead.
Kiya Terror of Nemract
I'm going to check on Mischief and ask what happened.
Taking his leave, Kiya doesn't even bother wiping the dried blood off his face until he joins Rigel and Mischief.
Okojo Fruman Knight
....Sorry.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
You are so damn lucky this isn't the worst that could've happened.
Arlo Quick-Footed Mage
Just...be more careful next time? Please?
Okojo Fruman Knight
I can't guarantee this.
Mischief Corkian Scientist
Okojo! Hey!
But it seems Mischief wanted to see him too. The Corkian gives him a hug and two pats on the back.
Mischief Corkian Scientist
Thanks for keeping an eye out for him.
Mischief Corkian Scientist
Cause we're going to eat good soon!
Mischief Corkian Scientist
...Yes! That's always nice to hear.
As Okojo looks to the side, Kiya gives him a look. Not one of anger, but of...some kind of amusement.
This won't be the only time they'll be alone. Kiya got pretty lucky.
It could have very much been worse, is what both of them think.