Chapter 14 ½ (Aaron)
This year's Wolfhaven Hunt was all wrapped-up. Night fell over the town, its blue sky dulling as clouds drifted overhead, casting Wolfhaven into an especially dark evening. The guild hall's windows glowed with amber candlelight as members within partied into the night.
Not everyone was celebrating. Behind the guild was a crowd of once-hopeful recruits, now sulking or fuming amongst each other. A Nickit, Tyrogue, Kirlia, and Gligar were some among the dozen-or-so mons who didn't make the cut. They'd be allowed to spend the night in the dorms one last time, but the next morning they'd have to leave.
"Sorry, guys. You tried your best, but… I guess it wasn't enough."
Aaron, the Scraggy groundskeeper, watched them from a distance, feeling a sense of sorrow… and guilt. Every year, he helped set up the guild's big test, spreading clues throughout the town. He didn't make the puzzles or anything, but still, he felt like these recruits flunking-out was kinda his fault.
Ironic, that he played a part in causing the grief he suffered through years ago.
"Better luck next year, I guess."
He turned and walked away from the guild, across freshly-cut grass, retreating to his hut near the woods. At least it wasn't all bad, some of the good kids made it in. Like Leon, Jacob, and William. Aaron had heard they all passed with flying colors. Good for them.
Last he saw them was when they were grabbing a snack from the guild's larder. They could've got in trouble, if it was anyone other than Aaron who had found them. The guild did notice that food was missing, but they hadn't asked him about it. The fact that he was sent to check must've been overlooked by the higher-ups.
In any case, now that their detentions were done, they probably wouldn't come see Aaron anymore.
"Wonder who's gonna wind up in detention next," he mused. Even full-time members got sent to groundskeeping when they act out of line. Once in a blue moon they were good folks, like those three.
But more often than not, they just made Aaron's life harder. Like the Combusken and Magmar who would set fire to the hedges, or the Mankey trio who started a brawl with him. That almost cost him his job, when he 'cleaned their clocks' and they went running home with black eyes. Turns out trouble makers tend to be rude, selfish, lazy, or all of the above. Who could've guessed?
He shook off the bad memories and continued on. Still… it would be nice to have some company. It would feel good to be more than just the guy who cut the grass– he wanted to be someone who makes another mon's life better.
But there'd be time for dreams later, after filling his belly with warm stew and laying his head on a soft cot. The small, cozy shack was just a few yards away. All that was left to do was settle in for the night, and get back to work tomorrow.
"Excuse me," a voice called out somewhere from behind some trees.
Aaron stopped and looked around."Eh? Who's 'ere?"
Did he just imagine it? Who'd be out wandering the treeline, especially at this hour?
"Are you with the Wolfhaven Guild?"
That wasn't his imagination. Aaron stopped turning as he spotted an outline of a mon to his right. It was too dark to see who it was, but he could make out a couple distinct features: a pair of blue eyes, and an orange glow behind their back.
"Uh, kinda?" Aaron rubbed the back of his head. "I'm just the groundskeeper here, dude. I think the folks you wanna talk to are back there, and right now they're probably–"
"Oh, but I think you could help me anyway," the stranger pressed on. "If it's not too much trouble. I just need a little bit of help, if you can offer it. Please."
Aaron paused. Whatever this was, it didn't sound like an emergency. Still, it was kind of uncanny, and weird, how this guy came to him. Would there be any hurt in hearing him out, at least?
"…Okay," Aaron replied. "What kind of help?"
"Thank you." The stranger stepped closer, showing more of their features. It was a red-scaled fellow, standing on two-legs. "I'm looking for someone…"