The Oltorain Family CHAPTER 3
THIS TOOK ME A WEEK LONGER TO GET UP THAN I WAS HOPING, BUT W/E. So yeah. As promised, Yeager makes an extended appearance in this chapter, and the Wonder Baker has a super cool ~CAMEO APPEARANCE~.
ANYWAY,
The central square of Danghrest was, as usual, very busy. It was high noon, the busiest time of the day. All of the various guilds were hard at work selling, crafting, researching, and bustling about back and forth in the pale orange hued light of the city. In the warm, sunny weather, many doors were flung open, some guilds even setting up shop out on the sidewalk. The clamor of voices mingled with the clang of hammer on anvil, the ringing of shop bells, and a multitude of other noises.
Raven made his way through the crowd at a leisurely pace, weighed down by his daughter, perched on his back. "Anise, do you remember what I made you promise me th' first time I brought ya to a meeting?" Raven asked, tilting his head back as he addressed her.
Anise sighed, resting her head on his shoulder with a pout on her face, "You said 'keep quiet and stay out of trouble,' " she recited in the disgruntled tone used by chastised children.
"So do you see why I'm upset with ya?" Raven's tone was firm, but not angry.
Anise seemed reluctant to answer, but begrudgingly replied, "Yeah... b-but he started it! I wasn't even doing anything, until he said that!"
"Darlin', if ya wanted ta prove ta him you were mature enough ta be at th' meetin', do ya really think that was th' best thing ta do?"
There was a pause again, "Well... no..."
"So ya understand why I can't take ya again fer awhile," Raven hefted her up a little on his back, better to carry her weight.
Anise responded with silence. She knew it was pointless to argue at this point, but her pride would not let her openly concede defeat.
Her father knew her well enough, of course, to realize this, so he took her silence as a yes. "I ain't sayin' it was fair what he did, but Anise, ya gotta realize that there will always be people who're gonna pick at ya like that, and sometimes ya just have ta hold yer tongue. I'm not askin' ya ta not be bothered by it, just ta handle these sort a situations maturely."
"Are you really one to talk? You certainly don't act your age very often."
"Y'know, normal people usually just say 'Hello' when they run into someone they know, Yeager," Raven said with a sigh as the well dressed foreign gentleman fell in step beside him.
Yeager laughed softly, "I wouldn't think you're really one to talk when it comes to being 'normal' either."
Raven sighed in a defeated sort of way, "Ya sure don't pull any punches, do ya?"
Yeager smiled, his eyes narrowing in an almost feline manner, "You know that I do not. Besides, your simple attitude is why you are so loved around town, ja?"
"Yeah dad, you'd be no fun if you were serious all the time!" Anise chimed in, noticeably more cheerful now that a distraction had presented itself.
Raven laughed lightly "I s'pose so."
"So, how was the meeting? Has the situation improved in Nordopolica?" Yeager's tone took on a more business-like tone.
"Ah, that's right, Leviathan's Claw would be affected by all that, wouldn't it? 'Cause they had ta close th' coliseum an' all." Raven turned his head to look at the other man.
"Oh ja, it is quite an unsavory situation. We tried to strike a deal with the Dark Wings but it would seem they are quite content with poking Pallestralle with their sharpened sticks or whatever it is they use," Yeager spoke in his usual sardonic tone, though he seemed slightly bitter at the failed sale.
Raven chuckled, "Never miss an opportunity ta make a sale, do ya Yeager?" He paused momentarily to respond to his squirming daughter, adjusting her position again. "Honestly though I'm not too surprised. I've know ya too long ta be shocked by yer crooked buisness dealin's."
"Hah! I'll take that as a compliment."
"I'll put a word in for ya though when I talk ta Karol later today, they'll probably be wantin' ta stock up on equipment."
"Oh? So Brave Vesperia has been entrusted with the situation?" Yeager seemed rather skeptical.
"Yeah, they know th' situation best, they've had a group stationed there with Judy baby for a while, that's where all the updates on th' situation has been comin' from."
"Ah ja, Miss Judith. One of their more competent members, I approve," Yeager seemed content with with this information.
"Don't lie, daddy. You just like her 'cause she's always commissioning new lances from us!" Droite interjected, as she trotted up beside her father, biting into an iced cinnamon bun. Following her, at a slower pace was her more reserved twin sister, Gauche, carrying a book under her arm.
Yeager grasped his chest and grimaced in mock anguish, "Oh Droite, you make me seem so shallow!"
Droite groaned in exasperation. Gauche added quietly, "Don't be so mean Droite. You know Daddy just likes to have someone who appreciates weaponcraft almost as much as he does." She looked to Yeager for confirmation, "right?"
Yeager nodded and gave the stoic redhead a pat on the shoulder. "I see you girls found what you were looking for," he smiled calmly. Both girls nodded.
"Hey!" Anise squirmed down off of Raven's back, landing on her feet. "I was waiting for you two to show up! These old geezers talk about the most boring things!"
Droite laughed, "I know, don't they? We won't be like that when we're old, will we?" Droite grasped Anise's hands in mock anxiety.
Anise shook her head, "Of course not! Well, Gauche probably will, but not you and me!"
Droite laughed, "Gauche is already boring though, so it won't change much!" As if to prove her point, Gauche said nothing, opened her book, and proceeded to bury her face in it.
"If ya think it's so borin' what we talk about, how come ya always want ta come to th' guild meetin's?" Raven asked in a serious tone, but with a playful look on his face.
"Daaad! That's not the same thing!" Anise put her hands on her hips to emphasize her point. "It's not just a bunch of boring old men! 'cept for that stupid jerk Tebreus," Anise's face darkened, recalling the events from earlier.
"Ah, Anise, you have to try this new cinnamon bun they have down at the bakery!" Droite grinned. "I just had one, it's delicious!"
"Ooh, a new pastry from Mimi?" Anise's anger from a moment ago was now forgotten at the prospect of a new treat.
Droite nodded. "It's her best one yet! Even Gauche thinks so, and she hardly ever has an opinion on anything!"
Anise turned and fixed her father with a pleading gaze, "can we go get one daddy?"
Raven was unfortunately no match for the doe eyes his daughter was gazing at him with, and conceeded, "alright."
Once all three girls had been suitably spoiled, their fathers left them to their own devices. The two men sat down at a table beneath one of the colorful umbrellas stamped with the phrase "Wonder Cafe and Bakery." The Wonder Cafe was run by the enigmatic "Wonder Chef" and his younger sister Mimi, the "Wonder Baker." It also functioned as a small, but well-known, guild.
Yeager turned to look at his scruffy companion, "So did something happen at the meeting?"
Raven scratched the back of his neck, "Nothin' gets by you, does it?" He glanced over to where the three girls were standing, chatting with the Wonder Baker herself.
The other man nodded, "Even if I hadn't noticed that Anise was acting a bit odd, word would have gotten to me soon anyway. I've very well connected, you know."
Raven loosed a sigh that turned into an apologetic sort of laugh. "Yeah... Tebreus made a sorta vague comment 'bout kids bein' allowed at th' guild meetin's an' Anise... uh, got upset. Let's just say I won't be takin' her with me again for a long while."
Yeager smiled, "I can imagine. Though Tebreus doesn't strike me as the time to be bothered by the snide comments of a 13 year old girl."
"Hah, ya weren't there ta see her though. I swear, Yeager, she would've attacked 'im if Moses hadn't grabbed 'er as quick as he did."
"Oh my," Yeager seemed more amused than surprised to hear this. "Doesn't she usually sit by you though? I would have thought you would be the one to grab hold of her."
"I did, but I lost my grip when she decided ta bite me," Raven folded his arms across his chest.
This facet of the story broke Yeager's calm composure as he let loose a genuine laugh, "determined as ever, isn't she?"
Raven rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile a little, "you would be the one who manages to spin it in a positive light, Yeager."
"Ja, it's what I do," Yeager responded simply.
ANYWAY,
The central square of Danghrest was, as usual, very busy. It was high noon, the busiest time of the day. All of the various guilds were hard at work selling, crafting, researching, and bustling about back and forth in the pale orange hued light of the city. In the warm, sunny weather, many doors were flung open, some guilds even setting up shop out on the sidewalk. The clamor of voices mingled with the clang of hammer on anvil, the ringing of shop bells, and a multitude of other noises.
Raven made his way through the crowd at a leisurely pace, weighed down by his daughter, perched on his back. "Anise, do you remember what I made you promise me th' first time I brought ya to a meeting?" Raven asked, tilting his head back as he addressed her.
Anise sighed, resting her head on his shoulder with a pout on her face, "You said 'keep quiet and stay out of trouble,' " she recited in the disgruntled tone used by chastised children.
"So do you see why I'm upset with ya?" Raven's tone was firm, but not angry.
Anise seemed reluctant to answer, but begrudgingly replied, "Yeah... b-but he started it! I wasn't even doing anything, until he said that!"
"Darlin', if ya wanted ta prove ta him you were mature enough ta be at th' meetin', do ya really think that was th' best thing ta do?"
There was a pause again, "Well... no..."
"So ya understand why I can't take ya again fer awhile," Raven hefted her up a little on his back, better to carry her weight.
Anise responded with silence. She knew it was pointless to argue at this point, but her pride would not let her openly concede defeat.
Her father knew her well enough, of course, to realize this, so he took her silence as a yes. "I ain't sayin' it was fair what he did, but Anise, ya gotta realize that there will always be people who're gonna pick at ya like that, and sometimes ya just have ta hold yer tongue. I'm not askin' ya ta not be bothered by it, just ta handle these sort a situations maturely."
"Are you really one to talk? You certainly don't act your age very often."
"Y'know, normal people usually just say 'Hello' when they run into someone they know, Yeager," Raven said with a sigh as the well dressed foreign gentleman fell in step beside him.
Yeager laughed softly, "I wouldn't think you're really one to talk when it comes to being 'normal' either."
Raven sighed in a defeated sort of way, "Ya sure don't pull any punches, do ya?"
Yeager smiled, his eyes narrowing in an almost feline manner, "You know that I do not. Besides, your simple attitude is why you are so loved around town, ja?"
"Yeah dad, you'd be no fun if you were serious all the time!" Anise chimed in, noticeably more cheerful now that a distraction had presented itself.
Raven laughed lightly "I s'pose so."
"So, how was the meeting? Has the situation improved in Nordopolica?" Yeager's tone took on a more business-like tone.
"Ah, that's right, Leviathan's Claw would be affected by all that, wouldn't it? 'Cause they had ta close th' coliseum an' all." Raven turned his head to look at the other man.
"Oh ja, it is quite an unsavory situation. We tried to strike a deal with the Dark Wings but it would seem they are quite content with poking Pallestralle with their sharpened sticks or whatever it is they use," Yeager spoke in his usual sardonic tone, though he seemed slightly bitter at the failed sale.
Raven chuckled, "Never miss an opportunity ta make a sale, do ya Yeager?" He paused momentarily to respond to his squirming daughter, adjusting her position again. "Honestly though I'm not too surprised. I've know ya too long ta be shocked by yer crooked buisness dealin's."
"Hah! I'll take that as a compliment."
"I'll put a word in for ya though when I talk ta Karol later today, they'll probably be wantin' ta stock up on equipment."
"Oh? So Brave Vesperia has been entrusted with the situation?" Yeager seemed rather skeptical.
"Yeah, they know th' situation best, they've had a group stationed there with Judy baby for a while, that's where all the updates on th' situation has been comin' from."
"Ah ja, Miss Judith. One of their more competent members, I approve," Yeager seemed content with with this information.
"Don't lie, daddy. You just like her 'cause she's always commissioning new lances from us!" Droite interjected, as she trotted up beside her father, biting into an iced cinnamon bun. Following her, at a slower pace was her more reserved twin sister, Gauche, carrying a book under her arm.
Yeager grasped his chest and grimaced in mock anguish, "Oh Droite, you make me seem so shallow!"
Droite groaned in exasperation. Gauche added quietly, "Don't be so mean Droite. You know Daddy just likes to have someone who appreciates weaponcraft almost as much as he does." She looked to Yeager for confirmation, "right?"
Yeager nodded and gave the stoic redhead a pat on the shoulder. "I see you girls found what you were looking for," he smiled calmly. Both girls nodded.
"Hey!" Anise squirmed down off of Raven's back, landing on her feet. "I was waiting for you two to show up! These old geezers talk about the most boring things!"
Droite laughed, "I know, don't they? We won't be like that when we're old, will we?" Droite grasped Anise's hands in mock anxiety.
Anise shook her head, "Of course not! Well, Gauche probably will, but not you and me!"
Droite laughed, "Gauche is already boring though, so it won't change much!" As if to prove her point, Gauche said nothing, opened her book, and proceeded to bury her face in it.
"If ya think it's so borin' what we talk about, how come ya always want ta come to th' guild meetin's?" Raven asked in a serious tone, but with a playful look on his face.
"Daaad! That's not the same thing!" Anise put her hands on her hips to emphasize her point. "It's not just a bunch of boring old men! 'cept for that stupid jerk Tebreus," Anise's face darkened, recalling the events from earlier.
"Ah, Anise, you have to try this new cinnamon bun they have down at the bakery!" Droite grinned. "I just had one, it's delicious!"
"Ooh, a new pastry from Mimi?" Anise's anger from a moment ago was now forgotten at the prospect of a new treat.
Droite nodded. "It's her best one yet! Even Gauche thinks so, and she hardly ever has an opinion on anything!"
Anise turned and fixed her father with a pleading gaze, "can we go get one daddy?"
Raven was unfortunately no match for the doe eyes his daughter was gazing at him with, and conceeded, "alright."
Once all three girls had been suitably spoiled, their fathers left them to their own devices. The two men sat down at a table beneath one of the colorful umbrellas stamped with the phrase "Wonder Cafe and Bakery." The Wonder Cafe was run by the enigmatic "Wonder Chef" and his younger sister Mimi, the "Wonder Baker." It also functioned as a small, but well-known, guild.
Yeager turned to look at his scruffy companion, "So did something happen at the meeting?"
Raven scratched the back of his neck, "Nothin' gets by you, does it?" He glanced over to where the three girls were standing, chatting with the Wonder Baker herself.
The other man nodded, "Even if I hadn't noticed that Anise was acting a bit odd, word would have gotten to me soon anyway. I've very well connected, you know."
Raven loosed a sigh that turned into an apologetic sort of laugh. "Yeah... Tebreus made a sorta vague comment 'bout kids bein' allowed at th' guild meetin's an' Anise... uh, got upset. Let's just say I won't be takin' her with me again for a long while."
Yeager smiled, "I can imagine. Though Tebreus doesn't strike me as the time to be bothered by the snide comments of a 13 year old girl."
"Hah, ya weren't there ta see her though. I swear, Yeager, she would've attacked 'im if Moses hadn't grabbed 'er as quick as he did."
"Oh my," Yeager seemed more amused than surprised to hear this. "Doesn't she usually sit by you though? I would have thought you would be the one to grab hold of her."
"I did, but I lost my grip when she decided ta bite me," Raven folded his arms across his chest.
This facet of the story broke Yeager's calm composure as he let loose a genuine laugh, "determined as ever, isn't she?"
Raven rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile a little, "you would be the one who manages to spin it in a positive light, Yeager."
"Ja, it's what I do," Yeager responded simply.