Bethany
*Terrel would walk past the different stalls of the marketplace while the Oni spoke, raising an eyebrow at him stating that he wasn't a runt. It really was a wonder. If him being a runt was up for debate then it really would leave someone considering just how tall they could get. However, Arco's stated otherwise, leaving that debate for another time.

He'd listen to him at the mention of getting water, tugging his horse along to a nearby place where he could fill up his waterskin before looking for a stable to give his horse some water himself. The horse's movements would be slowed, hardly attentive to the Oni as his timidness would have usually forced him to be.*

"You good at anything besides walking?"*The Elf would ask him as if considering the thought of bringing him along.*"And managing to be the one Oni that hardly knows how to fight?"*The last part was of course a joke, but he didn't add more onto it as he would look back at him and question:*"Know where a nearby stable is around here?"*At any rate, this Oni could be a guide for him while he's here considering he's most likely been here longer than the Elf. Maybe he could even locate a tavern to escape the worst of the heat in.*
Robert
*Smirking, Arco looked over to Terrel as he pulled his waterskin out that was clearly empty. The truth was, Oni were able to go 2 feet taller than he was without issue, even if it was rare and it was most likely an average size anyway in truth.*
```coffee
" Yeah, I'm good at stuff besides walking. I've got skills one would need. "
```
*The unfortunate part - he didn't know where most of the stuff was since he didn't really grow up here, instead around Irunia, where Blue Onis lived there more. It was somewhat unfortunate in this situation, but he'd be able to lead him crudely around somewhere where there was a stable from some hidden memory years ago.*

```coffee
" I'm able to fight. Not the same as the others, but that can change. I'm a Necromancer, and also have a spare dagger from home if anyone gets too close to me. Although, I can just summon a creature to battle for me. " 
```
*Explaining his circumstances, the Oni nodded about the stables, turning around and hanging around for a second to think about where they put a stable, before going to fill his waterskin up. He was getting really thirsty now.*
Bethany
*A summoner it seemed he was. The Elf had to admit, it had been a long while since he's met one, the last being an Elf with his own episodes, but still, he had a firm grasp on his capabilities. This one was a necromancer however.*"A necromancer? So what, you bring back the dead or something?"*The Elf would say with a chuckle. Though he didn't care much to study that kind of magic, the Elf had seen something similar to it what with this woman raising a horde of zombies before suddenly running off.

With the Oni claiming to know where the stables were, the Elf would wait for him to fill up his waterskin before showing him where to go. A gloved hand would pat at his tired horse in waiting, trying to sooth the dehydrated steed. 

At the very least the man seemed to be capable in the most basic form a fighting, perhaps able to handle himself if ever ambushed by the common bandit, though the Elf doubted he was ready to go on the kind of missions he did.*"While that may help us to not get attacked out of the blue, the stuff I do can turn deadly real fast. Are you really sure you'd want to put your life on the line for something like that?"
Robert
*Waterskin full, the Oni capped it off, and turned to them. In truth, Arco did know a summoner like him was rare, it was also looked down upon usually because some people liked to ruin his fun as a necromancer. It didn't matter though. In truth, he did bring back the dead in a way, but it was really more a summoning magic than anything. So far, at least. He figured having an army of undead slaves to do your work wasn't that bad in the end anyway.*
```coffee
" I can summon a skeleton warrior right here, right now. But I wont. Need the mana for if I get attacked. You never know. "
```
*Looking to the horse, he nodded downward and began to walk toward where he thought the stables would be, by staring at the tracks and rationalising where they would most likely be.*

*Arco had been in fights, and had seen the effects of his magic. He took a look at Terrel. Perhaps.* 
```coffee
" I don't have anything that I could leave behind. I've wanted to do this kind of thing for years. I'll put my life on the line because I have nothing left to lose in all honestly. "
```
*He didn't have friends except for the Elf, or much of a family anymore, so for the past decades of his life he prepared for this exact circumstance which was inevitable. Then he could get a jumpstart on his ability and become the best necromancer in the whole entirety of the continent and perhaps further. That was one of his dreams, at least. One he'd try hardest to make a reality.*
Bethany
*A slight smirk would appear on his face, the sign of added interest as far as what the pig mask would allow him to portray. There was something intriguing about the ability to raise the dead and summon them at will. Though magic was never something he took to learning, it never failed to surprise him. Part of him wondered if constantly working with the dead made anyone desensitized to the idea of death. This Oni didn't seem to care much of what happened to him, maybe that could be of use if he were to become strong for the Elf to take along with him. A summoner was never a bad addition.

At him nodding towards showing him where the stable was, the Elf would follow after him.*"All for the money I see."*Terrel would suggest in the man's statement of not wanting to do anything else.*"Not a bad mindset. Who knows, maybe you'll create your own guild some day with whatever money you manage to get along the way. Putting your life on the line would be worth it for the extra companions, eh?"*The Elf would question him, toying around with whatever it is the Oni hoped to achieve with the money he gained.

The Elf assumed he'd want to make more companions along the way, especially with him coming to a random Elf in the Oni lands of all people. Maybe he simply wanted to travel around as well, meeting people along the way for his sake of finding something to do with his life. It was as great a story as any the Elf supposed. Most travelers ended up that way anyways.*
Robert
*The Oni could see the Elf getting more interested, so he most likely had a chance of being able to follow him around and get stronger. Maybe it did desensitize him to the dead, if they were so easy to bring back up from their graves, why would he be scared of the very nature of what he controls? Either way, he wouldn't let himself die easily. It was perhaps a good duo, a good way to have meatshields (rather boneshields) to soak damage for you while you deal the main damage.*

*Turning his head back to the elf behind him, he shrugged. It wasn't just for money. Arco explained:*
```coffee
" Not just money. Power. And perhaps womanly fame. "
```
*He exhaled sharply out of his nose in amusement. Creating a guild would be okay, he'd have probably already tackled the old age that comes with growing. Maybe having an end would be preferable instead. That was usually when people got famous anyway, right after death. The money would help though, weaponry, staff upgrades and the such. He wasn't sure where the skills of a necromancer would lead him, but hopefully it wasn't to absolute eternity in pain.*

*The Elf wasn't too wrong, making companions and becoming part of a skilled party was something anyone probably wanted. Terrel was an obvious choice. All the other Onis? He couldn't see past the same things over and over, but seeing an Elf in the Oni lands? That was how he knew the Elf would be someone strong, even if they were seen as feeble magic casters at times by the brutish ones.*
Bethany
"That is what money typically leads to."*He'd comment in a more thoughtful tone.*"Wouldn't be wandering about with all this weaponry without it. I suppose that's one thing the empire has going for it. Somehow managing to make everyone follow this one person without even getting to see them."*It seemed the Elf was referring to the Silnari's emperor. No one he cared to meet as he wasn't one for following rules that inconvenienced him. Perhaps that was why he had so much blood on his hands.*

"That's power, but any one person trying to rule over the actions of several others is bound to bring problems."*The Elf would shift his gaze towards the other Onis walking about. He wasn't sure of their own customs. Perhaps they had some hierarchy of their own under their brute force and fighting nature. Nevertheless, he found it more captivating than the Elf's teachings of how to attack from afar and hoping you don't run out of mana before then.

He shook his head to and fro at the thoughts. Magic hardly ever saved him, but he supposed to rest found their own uses for it in more creative ways than he could.*"I guess it's nice to see someone who knows what they want. Most stray away from it in the thoughts of morality, but they simply let that be the reason in of it getting in their way. But I suppose playing with death changes your mind on some things."
Robert
*The Elf was not wrong. A hierarchy was never healthy, after all. It always bred the worst of the worst who never deserved to live at the top. But such was the nature of a societal hierarchy that separated rich from the poor in drastic ways. The poor were used as pawns to make more money for the rich, and that was something he wouldn't stand for. Being one with the people was the best a leader could do. It had him think for a moment, but he kept on leading the Elf and the horse to the stables, eventually reaching it.*

*Sometimes he wanted to learn swordfighting. It'd make him versatile, considering he had a good magical affinity naturally and being an Oni, you couldn't go wrong with being good with swords, huh? Nodding, he ate the fruit in his hand fully, within two bites. Then he took a sip from his water, humming in agreement.*

```coffee
" It's the nature of all who think for themselves. They will not always follow. "
```
*Entering the stable, he let the Elf care to his horse. It was nice, knowing what he wanted at that moment, but he was not sure on what would be of the future. He could become a spellblade, a powerful mage that knew three magics at once, or the necromancer of all necromancers. It was best not to think of the future. Arco nodded.*
```coffee
" It does change your mind. Makes you see life and death differently, more similar to eachother in a way. Seeing and playing with death makes you think differently. It's no wonder necromancers are known as evil, hah. I won't summon hands from the floor and pick you apart, though. "
```
Bethany
"Well isn't that reassuring. Maybe we can get you a Vulture mask to show how well you work with death."*The Elf would say at the man's last comment, giving a brief nod to him before heading to the stable as they had finally arrived to it. He'd talk to a man at a front for a short while, eventually paying him some silver before grabbing his horse's lead and taking him over to a nearby trough where the horse could finally get a drink from. 

Carl would hardly wait for him to bring him over to it fully before he'd start drinking from it with more haste than need be. Not like it was going anywhere after all. The Elf would grab his own water skin, taking a drink from it as well to quench his own thirst for the time being with the desert heat to be weary of. A tired sigh would escape him as he'd lower it from his mouth.*

"Definitely not crossing back across the desert again in this heat. Might have to find a place to rest at for today before setting off again tomorrow."*He'd turn to look back at Acro, having to tilt his head up slightly to look at him.*"Though I'm guessing you already gotten everything you needed from this town?"
Robert
*Acro nodded at that idea. The Vulture mask would fit, but he'd prefer something like a Crow mask. Watching from afar, the Oni took a large sip from his water skin again. The desert was tiring, no wonder his parents went to another Oni region. The shade brought relaxation that he truly needed at this moment. He'd nod at the statement. It was way too hot, so they'd have to go to sleep now and wake up early in the morning before the sun decided to set them all on fire.*

```coffee
" Just about everything. Not leaving yet. I might grab some more supplies and then leave. I only just came here, you know? "
```
*The Blue Oni glanced outside, the floor quivering in the heat, air warping. He doubted the Elf knew about Irunia, his actual hometown. This was the most well-known Oni area. He barely ever lived in Amongko, in fact, only visited.*
```coffee
" I think a Crow would look nice. "
```
Bethany
"I think both work well enough."*He'd say in agreement to him getting a crow's mask. One was at least much more appealing anyways. The Elf would turn away from his horse, allowing him time to himself for a while.*"You seem to know your way around here well enough."*Terrel would point out in reference to him finding them a stable.*

"I think you'd learn to become a good navigator, at least as good as a crow would entail, what with the eyes in the sky and everything."*He'd shift his gaze to look out towards the heated area, saying:*"Think you can find a Tavern around here? Might not be a bad idea to look for one before night falls. I've heard the deserts get cold at night. Ridiculously at best."

*At the very least, his clothing provided an abundance in protection against the cold, making the passage of winter much more bearable in comparison to the coming of summer. Nevertheless, some things never changed in certain environments and, even then, one didn't want to have to face the elements in the middle of the night.*
Robert
*Nodding, the Oni left the stable, immediately getting hit with the heat again. The other Onis here that were red were probably just sunburnt Blue Onis. Any town had an inn, so they just had to look for a tall building in the middle of town around the market. That's where they got the most money, right? With this logic, Arco led Terrel back to the middle of town.*

```coffee
" They aren't wrong. Take that from an Oni. You can never trust the cold or heat in a desert. "
```
*It did make sense to be good at navigating, but all he really did is use logic and his height to see past thing that someone smaller than him like a dwarf wouldn't. Either way, crows were servants of death in a way, and if he could have any mask, it'd be that one. Wearing armour and a cloak over that was tiring, not because it was heavy, but the heat basically cooked him alive in a way.*

```coffee
" Where do you come from? I sure as hell know you aren't a tiny Oni. "
```
*He said this in reference to the gruff voice, and the fact that there was a sword hilt sticking out from his back.*
Bethany
*The Elf would follow him out into the heat, warmth radiating along the metallic plated armor he wore. Needless to say that the heat affected him more than others with his choice of attire, but he kept the discomfort to himself in not letting it get to him.

Before leaving the stable, he'd speak once more with the man working there before allowing him to take his horse into the stable for the time being. He could go back for him later. The Elf would continue down the road as they headed closer to the center of town. He'd scan the area for any sign of of a tavern, eventually giving up in letting the Oni show him where to go.*

"Was that up for debate?"*He'd ask for a chuckle in Arco stating that he wasn't a tiny Oni. The Elf wasn't sure whether to take the comparison as a good thing or not, but he thought it funny if that was the case. Maybe with enough swordsmanship skills he'd be compared to the warrior of one. It wasn't such a bad idea.*

"I'm from the Steppes mainly."*He'd say.*"Being a Steppe Elf and all. Been traveling around Ramul Ta for quite a while now."*Though it was a strange that the Elf was typically a bit taller than most of his race usually grow to and his voice growing to be much deeper than it used to be in his youth, some traits of being an Elf never left him what with the pointed ears and long locks of pink hair that matched too well with the mask he wore.*
Robert
*Arco snorted. Perhaps he was a tiny Oni. All he needed was some paint and horns to full transform him into a warrior that resembled one. Surely he had the skills to be one too, send him off into a school of actual children to see who would come out alive.*

*The Steppes. He had heard stories about the elves who lived there. They must've been shorter than this, he thought. The hair did check out, and it was quite respectable. Keeping on walking, he read some of the signs, before coming up to a neat building. This seemed to be it. Back in the shade, Arco pulled out his coin pouch, before going up and conversing with the Oni.*

*After paying, the Oni went back to the Elf.*
```coffee
" Okay, you gonna come with, or get your own room? "
```
*Once they answered, he'd hang around for a second, before going to rest in the room he paid for.*
Bethany
"I'll get my own room, but I'm planning on getting something to eat from around here if you'd care to join me."*The Elf would answer before the Oni had left to go head to his room. Whether or not he decided to come with, the Elf supposed he'd find out later on whenever he came back down to get something to eat.

The Elf would go speak with the Oni as well, handing over some coins to pay for his own room before he'd turn away to begin heading up to the rooms to rest for the time being until they could potentially regroup back downstairs if the Oni agreed.*
Robert
*Setting his stuff down, Arco unpacked for a little, before deciding to go eat, since he was feeling a little peckish now anyway. Downstairs again, the Oni's face seemed to be moist, and that was because he took time to wash it. Waiting outside, the Oni wondered how far the Elf would let him go along with him.*

```coffee
" Hope he understands that my skillset is valuable. "
```

*A friend like him wouldn't be bad anyway, it was the only thing he lacked in as of now. Melee.*
Bethany
*The Elf would gradually make his way back down to stairs after some time of getting rest in the cooler environment. At least with the time he took relaxing here, the sun would no longer be at his highest point, sparing them from the heat of it with it nearing its horizon. 

Terrel would head outside, being met by the Oni who was waiting to him.*"Glad to see you decided to join."*He would say simply soon turning away from him in beckoning for the Oni to follow while he would explore the area a bit to see if there were any restaurants around worth checking out.*

"I suppose I never introduced myself."*He'd say after a while of walking.*"The name's Terrel. Mercenary for hire as I'm more formerly known."
Robert
*Terrel would see him smile, before he began to follow the Elf through the town. It was finally cooler, and his body had stopped boiling. Arco was grateful the sun had stopped now, since he could actually eat up properly. All he wondered now was where they would eat after buying their room. His head perked up, though, to Terrel speaking again.*

```coffee
" Well then, Terrel. I'm Arco. A necromancer is what I'd likely be formerly known as, I guess. Haven't really found a job yet, but I'll find a guild some time. "
```

*Eyes gazing up, the sky had darkened significantly, from the bright blue to a more mellow tone. The environment was much more fitting to eat in without tearing apart your eyeballs from how bright it was. It likely wouldn't be too fancy anyway, considering the fact it was just a small town and they were probably not prone to frequent visitation.*

I have writer's cock sorry
Bethany
*A nice cool breeze would pass by, giving added relief for a while. Terrel would turn off the main road to another branching out in his search of a place to eat, soon finding a small building that seemed to advertise some meals they offered.*"Well Arco at the rate you're going at, you may just end up being a Mercenary as well."*He'd point out, allowing his cloak to cover around him in making him appear more passive as he walked which, in a land of Oni's, was probably not needed at his stature.*

"There are plenty of guilds around the bigger Capitols. I wouldn't look into joining them personally, but they do offer some jobs, being the chivalrous people they are at times. If you ask me though, the higher paying ones won't come from the guilds that are better known, more so private organizations of sorts or people with enough things they hate that they're willing to overly pay in order to exterminate, but you didn't hear it from me."*The Elf most likely wouldn't take him on those kind of jobs, those ones being more of a hassle than the simpler ones the guilds offered, but at least he'd know where to look. Maybe he would even get lucky with one.*
Robert
*Finally, they hit a restaurant and Arco smiled with a nod. Perhaps he could be a mercenary, it did reap high rewards, but so did guilds with the added protection of the guilds themselves. He wasn't sure how it would turn out as a mercenary, but he doubted at his level it would be too pretty. Still, there was room for improvement, for development, for skill to be gained. With Terrel's help, he'd get some real training done and would be able to adapt in a way to overcome obstacles he faces.*

```coffee
" I hear adventuring is getting more common. It'd be good for me to start there though. Being a mercenary is risky is it not? Dangers come with jobs like that, but if I start with the guild, I can really find my magic's place and well- It's easy training for my ability. I'd like to be a mercenary for a little while though, I'm sure I could gain some skill there. "
```
*It was really all about what type of jobs he would get if he was one. He wouldn't put his whole life on the line just yet, even if he had nothing to lose. It was a cowardly way out, even if he didn't follow what other Oni's did, he did know the principles of a true warrior. Letting himself die easy would be humiliating at the least. Arco needed luck for now, though.*
Bethany
"I can see why. It's typical for people to want to travel away from home. Guess there's not much to do around the house after several years of living there."*The Elf would say with a laugh before reaching the restaurant. Making his way inside, he'd find a table for them to sit at what with the place being more set up like a tavern than anything too fancy.

Finding a nice place in the corner, the Elf would take a seat in one of the chairs, soon relaxing back while he eyed the rest of the people there. It wasn't too crowded at the very least with it being a smaller town and all, something the Elf could enjoy in comparison to the larger Capitols.

Once he was settled, the Elf would continue the conversation.*"I'm sure the guild could train you plenty."*The Elf would say with a snort of suppressed amusement.*"But it wouldn't be anything compared to on the job experience."*Terrel would comment.*
Robert
*Nodding to Terrel's statement, Arco agreed. Everyone must leave at one point, or if you have stuff like farming to do at home, then that's acceptable. That was the most known type of at-home job, and there wasn't much else at home anyway. Following the Elf inside, he took a look at the other patrons. Then the food, which didn't look too bad.

Relieved, Arco strolled over to the end, slipping into the part next to the corner facing Terrel. It seemed people really paid no mind to them being there, simply glancing at them like they would the rest. Maybe that was in part due to the fact he was an Oni too, but them being cloaked let them basically blend past their vision anyway.*

*Raising his eyebrows, he replied with an enlightened tone, turning back to the Elf.* 
```coffee
" Hmm. Very fair point. I should become a mercenary then if I really want to grow strong, no point just being another wanna-be adventurer, huh? They get enough of those already, I bet. I'll definitely tag along with you then. "
```
Bethany
"I guess I can bring you along in that case. Planning on heading to Salvania which should be practically crawling with guilds to check out."*He'd explain.*"You can decide what you want to do from there. I'll be setting out by next morning so it would be best to get plenty of rest before then if you want to get up early enough to beat the desert heat."

*With that being explained, the Elf would wait for someone to come take their order, soon deciding to buy a simple platter of vegetables for his own taste, never being one to favor meat over it. As the waiter would walk off to go prepare the order, Terrel would turn his gaze to look back out the window.*"Ever visited the other countries outside this one?"*He'd ask.*