Stoat | Dawn

There is a clear admiration for Selene, or rather, Yên Xuân’s cunning mind. Deducing that the boy is the owner of the booklet. To then tell the farmers that falsehood the day she found the booklet, and changing rooms: thinking several steps ahead of whatever situation may come towards her and her Party.

With Purnama, or Solveig, furthered Selene’s plotting by getting Sasaki involved. He also confirmed Selene’s hypothesis that the markings are in fact the Beyonder’s written language. Quote: ‘It's called Japanese.’ Which is helpful information to this study as well. Now, all they have to find is the boy with the likely guess that he is still within the city limits. One can’t help but wonder what they will do if they find the boy.

The city of Eidsvik is unmistakably a well populated region. Vast numbers of merchants, salespersons, and countless small businesses implemented in the long building city streets. Quite remarkable that there is a welcome volume of prosperity of modernization in this world.

Considering these variables, locating a single person will be a clear challenge, however, this one person is quite the distinction. Simply asking around for a Beyonder will be a productive strategy. The reality of Beyonders is a well known aspect of this world and even common folk should be familiar. Selene and Purnama with Sasaki searched most of the day for the boy, remaining relatively hidden by lurking in dense crowds or shadowy areas.

After several hours, their searching finally paid off. From dead ends and false leads, they were able to determine a proper timeline of the boy’s movements. They were capable of tracing the boy who was more or less attempting to find someone himself, even trying to earn some money.

Eventually landing himself near the center of the city where the castle is located; quite far from their hostel. Apparently this area has been known for two groups to conjugate: Sect members, and, interestingly, Beyonders. They’ve devised the plan for Sasaki to get the boy to return to his room at the hostel. Then they’ll begin the much needed questioning.

Before they execute the plan by confronting the boy. Selene stopped Sasaki before walking to the establishment.

“Listen Sasaki.” Selene announced. “I won’t blame you if you don’t want to travel with us after this, but I can guarantee you that you won’t last very long by yourself.” She delineated with a somewhat serious tone.

“Well, I’ll think about it.” Sasaki looked down. “I’m kinda curious what this guy’s all about.” Sasaki smirked.

“Alright, we’ll be waiting at the inn. Here’s coin earnings, do what you want with it.” Selene then handed Sasaki a sack of coin.

“Just…” Sasaki paused with a sigh. “Who are you? Really? You have been using different names, right? I think I can trust you, but.” Sasaki then mentioned.

“Because it's… Trusting people is not easy.” Selene sighed. “And we're joining a rebellion, who knows what people could do with our real names.” Selene looked off into the distance as she explained.

“I’m Yên Xuân and this is Solveig. And before you ask, no we don’t have last names… it's just always been safer for us to use fake names. Please understand and use them around us… That is, if you choose to travel with us.” Selene expounded, as her and Purnama began to walk away.

Sasaki nodded with a faint smile, then entered the establishment. Much like an uninhibited tavern seen before, probably just the most affordable architecture for a building such as this. There are several people populating the building, all possibly Beyonder, except most seem to have lived in this world.

Just as Cassandra. Going off of their clothing and informal behavior towards other patrons. Some Beyonders were conversing with possibly Sect members, judging from their own attire and the emblems they have on their person.

Sasaki acted casually, quickly surveying the surroundings. Within moments he sees the boy; tucked away in the back corner of the room. Sasaki avoided all eye contact, then sat in a spot that the boy would surely see. Shortly after seating, the waiter asked if he would like a beverage. He obliged and paid right away.

“Is that you?” The boy walked up to Sasaki. Wide eyed, visibly tired; the boy must have been having some form of struggles, externally and internally.

“Oh, hey.” Sasaki smiled. “I see you made it out.” Sasaki remarked.

“Uh, yeah, what happened?” The boy quickly asked, sitting at the table with Sasaki.

“Well, nothing good…” Sasaki sighed, pretending to scratch the back of his head.

“What? What do you mean? Is it true then?” The boy quickly asked.

“Um, how did you find out?” Sasaki then asked, as he shows clear signs of skepticism towards the boy’s behavior.

“I, uh, went back to the farm… But that doesn’t matter.” The boy quickly disregarded. “How are you still alive?” The boy followed.

“I’m not proud, but I just hid.” Sasaki said sadly.

“Are you still staying at the inn?” The boy asked.

“Yeah, why?” Sasaki questioned.

“Let’s go back there.” The boy stood up hastily.

“Wait, why? I wanted to see what this place is about.” Sasaki remarked, confused.

“It's nothing special, just people that trick Beyonders. Now, let's go.” The boy dismissed, walking towards the exit.

The two Beyonders returned to the hostel within moments, as the boy felt the need to walk with an immediate pace. Once they entered the hostel, the boy went straight to the concierge.

“Hey, what happened to those women?” The boy vaguely asked, as the concierge looked at him blankly.

“We don’t provide information about our clients.” The concierge explained, with a wary look.

“There were four of them, the one with the horns paid for two rooms.” The boy said quietly, placing some coin on the concierge’s desk.

“Well, they didn’t pay their fee, the other day.” The concierge slowly grabbed the coins. “Once we went to go get their payment, no one answered, then the next day we just emptied the room with all of their stuff.” The concierge explained.

“Do you still have the stuff? They had something of mine!” The boy quickly explained, impatiently.

“Sorry kid, that stuff was quickly auctioned off.” The concierge mentioned.

“Damnit!” The boy yelled.

It is apparent that the concierge is disposed to the idea of bribery. Selene knew this, and instantly planned for this exact situation. By bribing the concierge to tell that lie, that will solidify the forged that the Party fabricated for the boy. Also frustrating him a great deal.

“Hey, man? What’s going on?” Sasaki asked the boy.

“Did you find anything in our room?” The boy snapped.

“Like what? I’ve been just chilling in there the past few days, trying to think of a plan for myself.” Sasaki mentioned.

“Let’s go to the room, I have to find it.” The boy asserted, marching to their room.

“Go ahead, it's unlocked. Nothing really to hide or protect.” Sasaki mentioned as the boy got close to the door, also revealing a worried look.

The boy quickly went inside the room and the bed that he first slept in, lifting up the bed sheets and the bed itself. Frantically searching for his mysterious belongings. Sasaki walked in the room, and the door slowly shut behind him without him touching it.

“Looking for something.” Selene asked, hidden in the shadows of the room.

The boy whipped around in confusion. Sasaki continued his act, making a face of shock as the boy stared at him and Selene in a panicked confusion. Purnama then stood in front of the door.

“How? I-I saw you die!” Sasaki hollered, as the boy quickly stood up breathing heavily.

“You saw Bulan and Luna die.” Selene mentioned slowly, as she pulled out a table to the center of the room. “Purnama and I just barely escaped.” Selene mentioned as she placed two chairs with the backs facing the door.