<div class="floatleft">(http://orig00.deviantart.net/065f/f/2017/187/5/9/august01_by_ravagedgirl-dbfdsq3.jpg)</div><br/><br/>He'd learned not to delve too much into his papers while on the move--a few lessons from Hilde and comments made in passing from the rest of the crew he held allegiance to had taught him that much. Even so it was difficult to keep precise track of what he read in the tome while weaving his way through the wide but still populated streetways, eyes flicking up from time to time to observe his surroundings. At one point August had to flinch and jump back to keep out of the way of the pack mule someone stormed past with.<br/><br/>The outskirts of town were nowhere near as dense, but every bit as busy as the main thoroughfare, and he knew he would do well to remember that cleanly. Two chickens came fluttering past him and fled across the road. The air's touch was soft today, with some heat from what little sunlight dodged between the packed buildings. August stepped around the puddles in the road, unwilling to get mud on his boots if he could help it.<br/><br/>Rebounding snap of memory took him a few days backwards, to the conclusion of the last job that the crew of four had run. Zanen, Ireth, himself, and the Unhinged Rogue together and resting in the shady husk of a dilapidated, half-collapsed house, all four ruffled from their run-in with the reptiles, but no worse for wear thanks to August's healing spells. He'd spent that downtime furiously writing down notes on what potions and herbs he might need later. Hilde, always on-task but slightly off-kilter, with one of her Named Daggers twirling in one slender hand as she watched him. The other two teammates were counting the coins from their take.<br/><br/><em>There anytime ye don't have yer nose in a book, boy?</em><br/><br/><em>Hilde, I have a lot to learn, and not much time to do it in.</em><br/><br/><em>Tell ye something fer free, Aug, ye bury yerself in text and yer gonna fail to read the world around ye.</em>She'd huffed, stepped in a little closer, made at least a dozen threatening gestures and mock-throws with her weapon. When he had not seen any of them, she sighed and flicked the blade at him for an expert near-miss that spooked him into falling out of his chair.<em>See?</em><br/><br/><em>Not. Funny.</em><br/><br/>She'd tilted her head to the side a bit and smirked, lengthy red hair swaying to follow the motion as she continued in her harsh accent.<em>Oh, but it is, lad. More than ye'd think. Everything's gonna pass ye by, but I ain't gonna stand fer that wit' someone wit' yer looks. A big sense of duty and diligence is fine and all, but yer too tight-arsed. Time to unwind. Tell ye what, when we get back, there's a certain tavern I want ye to visit. Keep yer nose outta that fokkin' book fer long enough and ye might learn a thing or two about real life. Stop being a student fer a day and have some fun. Now gimme Roland back.</em><br/><br/>And thus, this was why August was here, heading to a place Hilde was all-too happy to give directions for, and also because<em> I'll fokkin know if ye skip out on it, I'll see it in ye eyes and know yer as yellow as they come. Ye'll never hear the end of it either. August, the Yellow, the Terrified, the Dull, you get the point yet lad?</em>Curiosity chewed at him though, both for why she sent him so far from their usual haunts, and for discerning what purpose a wench could possibly have for kneeling. Treating customers like royalty? Seemed farfetched.<br/><br/>He held his book closed, but folded one corner of the page he'd been reading so he could come back to it later. The sign for the place was up ahead. Biting his lip, he muttered<strong>"Okay"</strong>to himself before he made for the entrance. If anything it'd be to disprove Hilde at least. Once he entered, August would head for an unoccupied table and seat himself, nodding to those that greeted him. Passing the time by opening that book up again and resuming where he left off, until one of the barmaids was able to address him.