So, sorry for the wait on this one, I've been stuck somewhere ranging from having a hundred ideas to less inspiration than a lamp post :) Also, the Field Team Leader has a name now! I've got plans for him later on and the latter was just too wordy. As always, any criticism is welcome and I hope you enjoy!
I wish I had slept this soundly last night, Sonia thought enviously.
The Anjanath was heavily sedated, and snored softly on the raised wooden platform where the research team kept their captured monsters. Despite her years of working with the Guild, she had rarely seen them alive and up close. The morning sunrise played upon it's scales, shifting the tones from pink to purple and then back again.
Although she was fascinated, she yawned, sleep had evaded her last night. Nonetheless she rose early in hopes of catching Hirio, but he was already gone. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
"You can probably find work at the reception." That had hurt. More than Hirio had probably understood. She had cried for a long time after that conversation, and a familiar anxiety began to creep back into her thoughts. She had spent most of her first night in the New World staring at the ceiling. Thinking of Gossfrid and listening to his poison drip into her ear.
Sonia had wandered through Astera aimlessly. Hoping to at least learn her way around when the sight of the captured beast caught her eye. Despite the obvious danger, it looked almost peaceful as it lay sleeping. Shame, the research team will probably dissect it.
"Beauty, isn't she?" Sonia jumped and turned around to see the Field Team Leader, Kenichi, standing with his arms crossed and a wide grin across his face. They had met briefly last night as she came off the Red Maiden to show them to their accommodation. He had seemed polite enough, but she still reserved judgement.
Kenichi joined her leaning on the fence. "We got her from deep in the Ancient Forest, researchers wanted to see if she sizes up to Anjanath living by the shore."
"Does she?"
"Believe it or not, she's actually a little smaller than the ones we're used to. Seems they don't grow as big further inland. The researchers have a theory that maybe it's because the competition for food is fiercer, but they're not sure."
"Competition?" Sonia queried. "She looks like an apex predator to me."
Kenichi smiled. "You'd be wrong, there's things out there to give this old girl a run for her money. And a lot of the Ancient Forest is still unexplored, there could still be other species out there we haven't found yet." He leapt over the fence in one lithe movement, and beckoned for Sonia to do the same.
"Oh, um, is that…safe?"
"Well, there's no rule against it." Kenichi laughed. "She's been heavily sedated, and anyway she needs prepping for transport." The team leader clambered onto the platform and began grabbing ropes.
"Transport?" Sonia asked, deciding to follow him.
"Yeah, research team is gonna keep tabs on her, find out why she's as small as she is." He threw Sonia a rope. "Wait, you mean your going to release her back into the Forest?"
Kenichi frowned. "Why would we keep her? Not exactly an ideal household pet!"
"But, I thought monsters where dissected after they were captured." Sonia tentatively put a hand on the Anjanaths side, feeling it's warmth spread across her palm. She had always thought scales looked slimy, but these where smooth and had a deceptively pleasant texture.
"Maybe in your Old World lady, but we're out here to study the ecosystem, kind of need the monsters alive for that. Besides, we don't want to disrupt any natural balance that she might provide and that we don't fully understand yet."
Sonia mulled over that for a moment as she tied the rope end to a rung. "So, do you not kill monsters out here then?"
Kenichi pulled the rope tight over the Anjanath. "We kill monsters, but only those that present a direct threat to research operations, or to Astera." The team leader sighed. "We get lots of hunters over here from the Old World, who think that's all their job is, just killing." He shook his head. "And they wonder why the Elder Dragons are in such a rush to get away from it."
Sonia laughed. "You really think the Elder Dragons are running from us?"
"Probably not." Kenichi agreed. "But you gotta admit, with hunters like that Hirio you came ashore with last night, well… I figure it's maybe not the nicest place for them."
Sonia's smile faltered, and her thoughts returned to her last conversation with Hirio. Kenichi seemed to notice it. "You don't get along with him either, hey, aren't you supposed to be his handler?"
"Supposed to be." Sonia agreed. "I don't even know where he is."
"Left a few hours ago." Kenichi told her. "He spent a long time speaking with my grandfather, the Commander. Apparently he's trying to find someone, and he was seen leaving Astera at the crack of dawn, heading north."
"Huh, nothing gets past you does it?"
"Wouldn't be much of a Field Team Leader if I didn't know who was in the field. There's another camp that operates in that area, so I'm not too worried. Besides, from what I've heard he can take care of himself."
They finished strapping the Anjanath to the platform, and Kenichi suggested they go and get breakfast. The canteen in Astera was incredible, filled with exotic ingredients that would cost a small fortune in the Old World, but here where as common as rice or wheat. She saw Erick sat at a table and moved to join him.
As she approached, she realised he stank of booze. Again? Sonia despaired. While training with Hirio, things had gotten better. Having to be up in the morning to get thrown around a deck had certainly discouraged him, but now he was gone… Who is Anya Erick? Is it her that drags you to the bottle?
He noticed them, and smiled. "Sonia, and our illustrious leader! I hope you've no intention to steal me away from my food, it's rather delightful." Erick gorged himself upon a leg of meat to illustrate his point.
Kenichi laughed. "You eat up pal, you smell like you need it."
Erick grimaced. "Yes, I did take a few liberties last night didn't I? Ah well." He drank deeply from the mug next to him and Sonia prayed it was water. "What's on the agenda today then?"
Kenichi and Sonia sat down while Palicos brought more food to the table. "Briefing with the Commander, he'll show you what's what around here. Hirio was meant to be there as well, but I guess he came to some sort of arrangement with the Commander last night."
Erick sighed. "Suppose I had better spruce up before meeting the new boss."
Kenichi nodded. "Yeah, he won't take kindly to this. I get it, you've been at sea for a while, nothing wrong with a little celebration when you get ashore right?"
"Quite right." Erick agreed. "Especially after that journey." He muttered under his breath.
"But my grandfather? The Commander?" Kenichi continued. "He don't take so kindly to it, hes a real serious guy on the job."
"Sounds delightful." Erick commented.
"He's held this place together for almost forty years." Kenichi told him, letting his tone harden just a fraction. "Gotta give him some respect."
"I shall be sure to polish my boots then." Erick stood and smiled. "See you there." He slowly made his way out of the canteen. When he was gone Kenichi turned to Sonia. "Is he gonna be a problem?"
Sonia was unsure how to answer. "He likes to drink, true, but he manages to stay sober when he has too." I hope.
Kenichi adopted an uncomfortably serious face. "My grandfather told me he's a noble, that true?"
"It is, though he's somewhat fallen out of favour."
"Obviously, why else would he be here?" Kenichi grabbed another plateful of breakfast. "Completely inexperienced as well, I imagine?"
"Well, we both are to be honest." Sonia said sheepishly. "Give him a chance, he's got heart." Sonia smiled.
Kenichi seemed to soften again. "Well, if it's as strong as his liver, I guess we won't have any trouble."
They finished breakfast and Sonia walked with Kenichi through Astera to where they would meet the Commander. The silence between them continued to draw out as they walked, and Sonia felt her old insecurities nibbling at her thoughts. She usually spent all day getting talked at by hunters, pleasantly agreeing with everything they said.
"Just smile, be polite, be a lady"
Sonia shivered. She wasn't used to initiating conversation. Come on, think of something!
"You're unusually quiet for a handler." Kenichi noted, turning to face her. "Normally they come spouting a thousand questions. Furiously scribbling down notes as they talk, but not you." Sonia tried to think of something to say, but Kenichi continued. "Where are you from?"
"I was living in Port Tanzia before I came here." Sonia told him with a smile as she desperately searched for a way to veer the conversation in a different direction.
"Heard about that place. Supposed to be a big city, I'll take the wilderness of the New World any day. I can barely manage Astera some days."
Sonia could relate to that, she supposed. It must be nice out there, away from everything. Nothing but the jungle for company. The thought was a pleasant one, if she could somehow find a way out there…
"Stupid girl, just smile and do your job"
Sonia sighed. Even if I was allowed to go into the forest, I wouldn't be allowed to go alone. She let the dream go, and mentally prepared herself to fend it off should the notion ever return. Nothing that way but bitterness.
Soon, Sonia was stood around a table with Kenichi and Erick at her left and right. The latter smelling noticeably better. Around them a host of strangers where arrayed in a rough circle, with an old man standing at the head.
The Commander. He certainly looked the part, he bore himself proudly, and never broke his gaze when he made eye contact, even when staring into the sunrise. Sweeping a hand across the table he spoke. "First order on the agenda, our new arrivals. Everyone, this is Sonia and Erick, a Guild handler and hunter respectively." Everyone turned to face them. "You should get to know everyone at this table, you'll need them all at one point or another." The Commander told them.
"Wasn't there another hunter?" A wyverian spoke up. "I'm sure I spotted another one coming ashore last night."
"Hirio approached me last night, and requested leave to take care of some personal business. He isn't in Astera right now." The Commander answered.
"Where is he going?" Kenichi asked. "My guys spotted him heading north."
The Commander met his grandsons eyes. "Hirio claimed he was looking for another hunter out here in the New World. One with bright blond hair and a long sword, who may have turned up with his family roughly three years ago."
"Leopold?" Kenichi asked.
The Commander nodded. "That was my first thought as well, I sent him to the north side of the Ancient Forest, to Leopold's hut."
"What does he want with him?"
The Commander sighed. "I don't know, said it was personal." Sonia shuddered, her head full of questions. Does this have something to do with that Bron? Thought Sonia. She had only seen his name mentioned the once in Hirios record, but the more she thought about it, the more sense it made that Bron, whoever that may be, was the person Hirio was looking for. What the hell is going on?
Curious to learn more she asked. "He lives out in the forest with his family, isn't that dangerous?"
Kenichi answered. "Leopold's family passed away some time ago, and he's lived alone in the jungle ever since."
"Damn shame." The Commander lamented. "He was one of our finest hunters, but we don't see much of him anymore." He shook his head. "Anyway, moving on! Field Team Leader, is the Anjanath ready to move?"
Kenichi nodded. "She's ready, we prepped her this morning. I'm gonna lead the team on this one, if that's alright Commander?"
He nodded. "It is, who else are you taking?"
"My list is on your desk, but I'd like to make the addition of Erick and Sonia."
What? Sonia gaped at him in disbelief. He actually wants me to come with him?
Another member of the meeting spoke up. "Erick and Sonia have only just arrived, would it not be risky to send them into the New World so soon?"
"No." It was the Commander who answered. "Scouts tell us the route is relatively safe, and the mission is not objectively dangerous by nature. It will be a good learning opportunity for them both." He nodded towards Kenichi. "Good thinking, team leader."
"Commander." He acknowledged.
I'm going with them. Sonia thought. She felt as if someone had burst a balloon in her chest, and now helium was filling up her lungs. I'm going with them!
The others talked of trivial matters for a while longer, supplies, timescale, the route they were taking, before deciding to meet at Asteras main gate at midday to depart. Sonia was struggling to concentrate on any of it, she felt a crushing weight lifted from her shoulders, and now felt so light she feared the elation might cause her to float away. They're taking me with them!
She imagined that desk in Port Tanzia, where she had sat for so many years, captive to a suffocating facade, choking on Gossfrids venom. It had never seemed further away.
"And that concludes our business here, dismissed!" The Commander announced. The crowd quickly dispersed, and Sonia made sure not to lose sight of Kenichi as they left. He noticed and turned to talk to her. "I'll head back with you and Erick to help you with packing, wouldn't want you to miss anything important."
"Kenichi, thank you."
He shrugged. "No problem, I've been travelling the Ancient Forest for years, I'll make sure you take enough-"
"No, I mean thank you for taking me with you."
Kenichi studied her for a while, his lips curling into a smile. "You really hate working at a desk that much?"
"Definitely." Sonia told him.
Kenichi scratched his chin. "Well, there's still some pen pushing to do while we're out there. We'll need someone to keep track of our supplies, keep a logbook, write down any observations we make." Then he smiled. "But I'm we'll have time in-between all that to show you a few other tricks. Some survival skills can go a long way out here!"
Sonia could have hugged him. She was almost bouncing with excitement "Right, packing! Lets go!" She waved Kenichi forward and he laughed at her enthusiasm. "We got till midday lady, calm down!"
But Sonia couldn't, no, she wouldn't calm down. She raced back towards her room, leaving her worries trailing behind her as she ran. Sonia smiled, and for the first time in a long time, the expression was genuine.