"Alright kid, I think that's the house we're elooking for, right Oza?"

"It is, but don't yell. I'm right in front of you!"

• Cole, Kolnuo, Ozashue, Inanuo, Lady Zazunue

Five sets of footsteps walked down the forest path, leaving behind only the sound of thumping footwear in their wake.

The sun shone overhead as light was cast from between the leaves of trees. The rays of shine spottedly illuminated the various Anar walking down the way.

Four priests - and one desert dweller - had split off from the group.

After having tentatively received Cole as a hangar on, the camp had been swiftly packed up by the many lower ranked priests that had been present. Within ten minutes, tents had been put away, fire pits had been fully buried, and the supplies had been gathered onto the backs of the subordinate priests.

Throughout this process, Cole had been kept a close eye on - especially by Inanuo. Though Cole had attempted to make conversation with the frigid anar...

"Cease talking, and close your mouth - I've had my fill of dubious galloping gullet guano, thank you."

... the guy hadn't seemed one for conversation.

Luckily for Cole, the female who had accepted his story came to find him.

He began feeling infinitely less lucky when he learned that the priest he had stolen the bag from worked for this particular lady - named Ozashue, apparently - and that she and her cohorts were going to escort him to that person's house.

Cole, being who he is, kept his outward appearance as cool as he could.

"Oh yeah dude, no problem. I mean, heh, it's their stuff, right?" he said as he scratched the back of his neck and closed his eyes.

Internally, Cole simply yelled, 'Fuck! Gadriel! What am I going to do!?'

And unfortunately for Cole, he didn't have the time to think of a solution. Within minutes, they were already away as a large group.

A few minutes later, they came to a crossroads. From there, Cole, Ozashue, Inanuo, the old lady, and the dude with the eyeband split off from the main group in order to return the fruit bag.

According to Ozashue, it was going to be a bit of a walk, and so Cole settled in for a long stretch of awkwardness.

...

... but then he glanced at the guy next to him.

'Eyeband guy - what's your story?' Cole thought to himself. After all, it wasn't usually a stylistic choice to cover one's eye at all times - at least, not that Cole had ever seen or heard of.

"So uh... hey 'an, what's your name?" Cole asked the priest.

The priest vaguely tilted his head in Cole's direction, and Cole imagined that if his eye weren't covered on the side of his head facing him, the eyeband priest would have glanced at him.

"Kolnuo," came the reply, "Don't wear it out."

"My name's Cole," said the young bandit. "Heh, your name's alot like mine!"

Kolnuo smirked, and asked "When were you born?"

Cole put his finger to the tip of his beak in thought, before eventually stating, "I'm about 17, I'm pretty sure. Haven't kept as a good a track as I think I should've, y'know."

"Tsk," Kolnuo began, leaning backwards ever so slightly as he walked, "Talking with a knock off - what a way to start the day, ey?"

"Yeah yeah, whatever an'," Cole replied playfully. "I'm new and improved!"

Kolnuo gave out the slightest of chuckles and shook his head.

"New, yes. Not so sure about the proved though - proof's a little thin, kid. At least, yours is," Kolnuo said simply.

Cole furrowed his brow slightly, but kept himself collected. "I'm as honest as they come, y'know!"

"Though, I guess..." Cole looked all around at the trees and cool air that surrounded him, "I can hardly believe what my life's been these past few weeks myself - past few days especially."

Eventually, as Cole continued to converse with this priestly counterpart, the sight of a new crossroads began to emerge - and the sight of a house which Cole felt strangely uneasy about.

"Alright kid, I think that's the house we're looking for, right Oza?" Kolnuo called ahead.

Ozashue covered her ear, and replied, "It is, but don't yell. I'm right in front of you!"

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