The scent of the tavern still lingered on his clothes, even as the older man stumbled into his home. It was a rare occurrence, but a joyous one. Especially since he had gotten a nifty nut in a blackjack game. He wasn't one for drinking, especially since he always had his son to think of…and he also hadn't had the money for such a celebration in years. But times were changing. And it was all thanks to…

…his pride and joy. Just the thought of his son brought tears to his eyes in his drunken stupor. It was all thanks to him tha-

His drunken sentimentality was broken early. A noise from the stairs, a creaking loud enough that sent a chill of dread up his spine. Those stairs, they wouldn't creak like that unless…someone was using them.

Partitio left a week ago, and even if he came back early, he wouldn't just enter without letting a few people know. He would have known the moment Partitio came home if it was him.

…

…he rushed to the kitchen, grabbing a weapon. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him. Hopefully. As he left the kitchen to confront…who knows what, he could only pray it was his mind playing tricks on him. That the pit in his stomach was just the result of how drunk he was. That, on the chance this was going to happen, the sight of the knife would scare any intruder off.

…though, upon seeing who the person actually was, he suddenly realized the knife might not be enough.

There were several people it could have been that wouldn't have shocked him. Like those damn tax collectors. Even with the claims of reformation, the years had hardened him enough to know some just remain rotten and only pretend.

"Who…?" But this person wasn't any of them. In fact, "person" might not even be the right descriptor. With how tall he was and by his build, this "person" felt more "beast" than man. And, with how small this town had become, where everyone knew everyone and remembered everyone who left…someone like this…this mountain of a man would have stood out like a sore thumb.

And maybe that was why, even with the weapon in hand, the drunken man had completely frozen up.

The silence only made it worse, and he suddenly realized he was being sized up. The bespectacled home invader said nothing, his eyes dull, or maybe "dead" was the right word, and yet piercing all at once.

For the longest time, he did nothing. Maybe his drunken haze made him more hesitant. Maybe he was hoping this was all just a vision. Maybe he thought, knew even, that if he tried anything he'd be killed without a second thought by this person who somehow managed to get in without alerting him and looked to be strong enough to rip head from skull. But regardless of reason, the two stood in silence…until…

"...I see now." And with those words, the drunken man's eyes flickered towards the man's fingers as sparks began dancing across them…before the two were trapped from all sides in a circle of fire.

He realized only too soon that running wasn't even an option anymore. Sweat, which had already began dripping due to the sheer fear of the situation, soon began to soak him as the heat only got more intense by the second.

"I'll say this only once. Hand them over."

There were many things Osvald has enjoyed since his escape from that icy hell of a prison island. There were the more obvious ones, such as not having to worry about someone who could withstand the blunt force of a two by four taking his possessions and ruining his plans, and there were no more guards around who'd, without any true observable patterns or logical reasonings as far as Osvald was aware, decide that certain prisoners deserved to be beaten, tortured, or left to die in the frigid weather that day.

However, Osvald found that the smaller pleasures he could now enjoy added up more frequently, and had a much larger effect on him. He could wash himself regularly now (and not just with rags either, showers and even baths were on the table now!), and he didn't even have to worry about if it was safe to do so or if it was just so cold that day, it'd be a one way ticket to hypothermia. He could breathe in the truly sweet fresh air without a muzzle getting in the way. Honestly, the fact that he no longer had a muzzle on was a blessing. He was rarely one to go anything near a lengthy rant, and this was true even before the muzzle had become a part of his face for years.

But simply having the option to be able to speak his mind freely was a luxury he hadn't quite realized he missed. If only because, in prison, there wasn't truly a moment he couldn't recall that wasn't spent fantasizing about getting his revenge.

Harvey.

The man who took everything from him.

When he had initially escaped, that man was still the only thing truly on his mind. It had made him pragmatic. The elderly man who had saved his life. How would he feel when he realized that this very same man had mugged several people in that town once it had become nightfall, only leaving once the supplies procured from unconscious bodies met the expectations of what he would need for his journey.

Ultimately, the same amount of goods procured from his method certainly was more expensive than what he could reasonably afford. And some of them even later turned out to be quite helpful.

Such as what he procured from the unconscious body of the man who had saved him.

If Osvald were to try and claim he had felt overwhelming guilt…well…he'd be lying.

But he could wonder if he had actually made the right choice on the matter. A thought that's been swirling in his head quite often ever since he began his travels with…

"Heh! I told ya that tinkerin' outfit suits ya! Look atcha, you look as distinguished as they come now."

"..." Someone who was always too open with him compliments about these things. Especially early in the morning, before the two began walking towards their destination.

"Hell, I think this might even be a better look on ya than that nifty outfit the Hunter's Guild folks gave yeah."

"...ahem…thanks…" Osvald was one who could appreciate the human form normally. He and his traveling companion have both complimented each other on their forms in the past.

…this was not that. And he still hasn't forgotten what this man said after three glasses of wine about that outfit in particular.

The two of them walked like that for a while, Osvald's mind wandering again to what he was thinking about before. Although, maybe he should've just listened to this sunny man's endless and yet uplifting chatter, because he didn't quite like where his mind went regarding…

"Something on yer mind, Mr Osvald?" This merchant. Partitio Yellowil He still wasn't quite sure what to make of him.

"...might I ask something of you?" It was a risk, traveling with this man. Procuring items was certainly much harder to do without alerting Partitio about where the items had been gotten (and really, that's what had caused this mess in the first place). And yet he had still felt compelled to accept Partitio's help when the other offered.

"Shoot, ya don't gotta ask a question just to ask a question, Mr Osvald! Go for it!" The other man gave him a grin, his teeth practically shining thanks to the sun above. And really, "sunny" was a good way to describe Partitio. An honest and polite young man who was doing everything he could to help the world at large. To "destroy the devil of poverty" as he had said. A noble and admirable goal.

And one that was only too peculiar. "Why help me?"

"Huh? Cuz there's nothing wrong with wanton' justice."

…well. That was a near immediate reply. So fast it actually brought Osvald pause. "...Justice, you say?"

"Hard to think what else to call it. Considerin' what that bastard did to ya." Osvald couldn't help but note the lack of explicit mention of Harvey had actually done.

Now, Osvald wans't one for meaningless small talk. Partitio's enjoyment of it was one of their many many points of contrast. To Osvald, such things brought nothing of merit, especially considering that anything that could be gleamed could be gained more efficiently through debate or inquiry. This current conversation, for example, would be an example of the latter. Granted, learning that Partitio valued justice and saw killing as a way of getting it was…well, firstly it was obvious.

Upon first hearing this normally cheerful man's tale, the sudden dripping venom that entered Partitio's voice near the end had been so intense that Osvald had honestly been surprised it didn't end with Partitio throwing that "tax collector bastard son of a bitch" into the fire and be done with it after getting the info he wanted.

However, the second part to be gleaned from that was…well. That the two were more similar than Osvald had initially assumed.

And that was dangerous.

Because it hadn't truly meant anything. Nor was it an act that had caused him to lose sleep, especially now that sleep could actually be considered a comfort with the lack of piercing freeze and rock hard floors.

He'd mugged dozens before and after meeting Partitio. Never within view of Partitio, always wearing something different…but never with hesitation or guilt.

And he lacked both of those things when bludgeoning Partitio's father with the two by four he had initially had used for his escape. Nor was there hesitation to freeze, electrocute, and set him ablaze several times over. The man had been frozen solid until he had made the initial demands and…well…

Procuring the items he felt would help with his journey had been quite difficult.

Still better in the end than if he hadn't done it all, however.

But Partitio wouldn't appreciate that, he imagined.

Osvald knew, if the roles were reversed, he wouldn't truly appreciate it either.

…Osvald also wouldn't appreciate being mugged, frozen, lit ablaze, electrocuted, and having the absolute tar beaten out of him with a giant fucking piece of wood. But that wasn't really a factor in if he decided to do it to someone else.

A friendly pat on the back broke him out of his thoughts. "Starin' off into space again, Mr Osvald? We're almost there!" They were on their way to Partitio's hometown.

Osvald had certainly tried to delay it. However… "It's still peculiar, visiting your loved ones even though you said you'd only return after completing your goal." Relating to Partitio's desires proved to be…difficult. And Osvald had been unable to dissuade the initial desire.

"Heh, good point. I did say I would only come back after destroyin' poverty for good…but…" He paused. "Huh. Didn't I already tell ya why, Mr Osvald?"

"You attempted. I didn't quite understand."

"..." An amused grin played on Partitio's lips for the briefest of seconds. Though it seemed to drop after he realized something. "Well…after…uh…" He paused again, as though looking for the right words. Why though, when it felt that he so often just went with his gut on what he said? "...we visited you're old home, I just got the urge to check in on my papps."

Osvald stopped walking, and after a few seconds, Partitio did as well. Removing his dancer's hat to briefly brush the sand off it, Partitio looked at Osvald, waiting for him to speak.

"...why?" Such vague reasoning.

"...pardon?"

"Why would accompanying me home and in my investigation of my old lab result in you wanting to visit your home as well?" Partitio's company, mind, had been appreciated. Upon returning to his home, Osvald was briefly overwhelmed by emotion and began screaming about his vengeance. All it took was a few humorous observations and commentaries by Partitio to dissuade the initial stares and concerns.

However, as the two had stopped walking and simply stood under the sweltering sun for up to thirty seconds now thanks to Partitio (who had a low cut on his shirt which certainly seemed more fit for hot weather than Osvald's own full suit)'s silence…his company wasn't really appreciated now. Partitio wasn't even looking at him now, only staring at the sand at their feet. Why? Why did Partitio have a look of pity on his face? What had he learned?

"...uh…gee. That's a bit hard to answer, Mr Osvald…" Such a long wait for an attempt at diversion. Why?

"I'm sure you've the vocabulary." Why was Osvald so curious?

"It's not that important." Why try avoiding it so much?

"Then it should be no issue." And why hadn't Osvald left yet, instead choosing to stay with Partitio a little longer even though he knew how this would end?

"...I visited them, before I entered yer lab. And seeing that made me want to visit my own kin."

Partitio had needed a moment after seeing Osvlad's house…or rather, the burnt and ransacked remains of what had been Osvald's house. Osvlad had even noticed, before entering the lab by himself initially, that Partitio had been talking with a little girl who was at the graveyard. Apparently he wanted to help her out after a quick trip home.

"...you paid respects to my family."

"I didn't wanna remind ya of…especially when ya didn't visit them yerself…"

"I can't bear to visit them while Harvey is still alive."

"...Hell, I'd say while the bastard isn't a pile of ash."

Thought had brought a smile to both of their lips. "So you're visit to my family made you worried about your own. That's why we're visiting them." And yet, the question of why dodge the question was fresh in his mind. To be kind?

…kind but inexplicable actions certainly seemed to define Partitio's life.

"I know Papps can handle himself." Osvald couldn't help but note mentally that Papps couldn't really handle a mugging. "But hearin' your story, seeing the results of it…well…a man's always gonna be a chickadee when it comes to his folks, y'get me?" He scratched the back of his head, smiling in spite of himself. "So maybe I can afford a visit of several while destroyin' poverty and helping you get the justice you deserve."

"...I…see." Well then.

"...also, I didn't wanna tell ya because I didn't wanna hurt ya with bringing them up like that."

"...apologies. I can become rather greedy when it comes to inquiry."

That brought a snort from Partitio, and the other man slung his arm around Osvald's shoulder. "Friend, that greed's gonna get ya one day! We already get stares when you go too far with that stuff as it is!" The words were contrasted with a grin that rivaled the very sun itself.

…but Osvlad found it hard to appreciate. Or even really be in the moment. Even as the two kept walking.

Partito was going to, at the very least try his hardest, to kill him the moment he had that conversation with his father and realizing what Osvald had done. Hunter, merchant, inventor, dancer, warrior. All of these disguises Osvald wore worked because they were never in town long for people to connect the dots, or memorize/recognuze his form.

…but Partitio had. Partitio, who always makes sure to pay compliments when Osvald decides to wear something that's not his "usual raggedy prison clothes." Partitio, who made some VERY FUCKING off color comments while drunk about Osvlad's hunter outfit (and the lack of skin covered by said outfit). Partitio, who's traveled with Osvald enough to recognize how others make comments on his height and build, especially when he's sizing them up.

Partitio, who just revealed the reason they were visiting his father was, ultimately, because helping Osvald had caused an epiphany.

And now the two were right outside of town. And Partitio's house was the second thing most people would see from where they currently were.

"...I'll stay here. I'd like to study in peace while you reconnect." Under normal circumstances, this might have been true.

Thought Partitio's only too disappointed face that showed up immediately upon hearing that was unexpected. "...huh? Really? Y'sure? I was…kinda hopin' to introduce ya to Papps and all that…"

"...After the initial meeting." Why did he feel the need to brighten Partitio one last time? "I just need a moment to observe this area in silence. Inquire about the potential weaknesses the monsters that we might encounter on our way out will have."

Partitio's face lifted after that first part, only to give an amused chuckle upon hearing the next part. "Well…alright then! You enjoy that, Mr Osvald! See ya in a bit!"

Partitio began walking towards the town itself, and Osvlad waited until the man was but a speck in the distance…before turning around and walking the fuck away.

Whatever benefits Partitio offered as a companion could no longer compete with the negatives.

…the single negative.

Who was faster than him, and frequently had he help of multiple allies besides Osvald during battle that seemed to listen to only Partitio. Better to simply avoid such an issue. Especially when the issue of Murphy still loomed above all else. Osvald walked fast.

"HE DID WHAT!?"

...Osvald walked faster.