Enjoy the Festivities!

 Mary was entirely stunned for a moment. Had he said “only person?” Mary opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She didn’t know if she should be excited, proud, or stressed beyond measure.

“Dinna believe me?” Hunter asked, chuckling. “Ask anybody! They’ll all tell ye that nobody can do anythin’! Last portal, I tried to wreck it, but it just broke my good axe! I was telt that they even got some o’ thae fancy grand mages down at one of ‘em. Word is that even they cannae power ‘em down!”

Mary looked down at her hands. Was that really true? Could it be true? It was hard to believe. Her hands weren’t strong, they weren’t special- and she certainly didn’t have any grasp on her magical powers compared to somebody with as much experience as Hunter- let alone a grand mage who had studied magic for their entire life.

“How?” Mary asked.

“Ah, wish I could answer that one!” Hunter chuckled. “If I could, I’d be spreadin’ the info like wildfire!”

“Is it… Really that important to stop the portals?” Mary asked. “S-Sorry, I just… Don’t remember about them.”

“Nayy, it’s alright!” Hunter said, patting her on the back. “I’m not the best person tae ask about all o’ this, but basically… That cult has been up tae no good a long while. Most o’ the monsters that roam the land come from ‘em in one way ‘r another.”

Hunter paused for a moment to take a sip, his expression darkening in a way that made Mary’s stomach knot. “The portals’re the most recent thing they’ve been on. Wherever they pop up, the land itself tends to corrupt and the beasts turn to monsters. We’ve got not idea if they’re releasin’ anythin’ or if they’re just a source o’ tha corruption, but we’re not takin’ any chances. That’s why we’ve been lookin’ so hard for ‘em and a way to take ‘em out!”

Hunter smiled, turning directly to Mary. “And, looks like you’re our only answer so far!”

“Only answer…”

Mary’s shoulders rose several inches. She looked at her hands again and saw them shaking. It felt like something was pressing down on her back, smothering her, making it hard to sit up, making it hard to breathe. If she was the only one, then she had to do it. It was no longer a question. She’d have to rage again, risk hurting people again, and even though she didn’t remember what exactly had happened, she remembered how it felt. How hungry she had been.

“Wait,” she said shakily, “where’s Rosetta?”

Hunter looked at Mary, eyebrows raised as he noticed her quivering voice and trembling hands. “Rosetta? Well, she’s in a private room by herself. Took a lot out of her blood to cast that sleep spell, she’s gotta eat to replenish herself. She ain’t too fun at parties when she’s had ta do that, y’know?”

Before Mary could ask another question, Hunter tapped the bar. “Can I get a Snake Venom for the lass here?”

The bartender walked over, raising an eyebrow. “Snake Venom? She looks a bit small for that.”

“Ahhh, yer right,” Hunter said. “Then get her somethin’ to ease th’ nerves!”

He moved a hand over to her wrist, though he hesitated instead of grabbing it. Mary looked up at the bartender, blushing as she lifted her hands herself to show how she was shaking.

“Ah, I get it,” the bartender said with a smile as he grabbed a few bottles and a metal cylinder. “Jitters. Common for first-time adventurers. I imagine it’s a little worse for somebody around Hunter.”

“Hey,” Hunter protested with a laugh, “I’m not that bad!”

“Sure,” the bartender teased, pouring the bottles into the cylinder and shaking it. “Now, I take it she needs what you usually have, but weaker?”

“Yup!” Hunter said, laughing. “Make sure it’s th’ kind that calms the rage!”

Mary watched the interaction, feeling a little eased by it. She wasn’t sure if she’d like drinking, but if it was something that helped Hunter, maybe it would help her. Either way, she didn’t want to think about what all the new responsibility could mean- no, she shouldn’t think about it until she understood what the portals meant. The bartender eventually poured some of the liquid from the metal container into a small glass and slid it to her.

“Here you are,” he said with a warm tone, “It’s the kind of brew that helps you relax and empty your mind of anger. Thank you for your adventures.”

It was well after nightfall when people began to clear out of the tavern. Hunter, however, was still happily drinking. For herself, Mary had fallen into a pleasant, relaxed silence beside him, simply leaning against the bar counter. She wasn’t drunk- or at least, she certainly didn’t feel like it, but the drink had helped her relax and clear her mind quite well.

The tavern started to quiet down with the patrons leaving, and Mary felt a unique sensation. She felt safe here, especially with Hunter. She felt like she belonged somewhere, despite being such an oddity in the world. With no home, no memory to herself, Mary had nowhere to go except to join with these adventurers. Now, though, even only knowing them for perhaps a month, she was starting to feel like she could belong with them.

Mary wanted to tell Hunter, wondering if he had anything to add. When she looked up, though, she noticed Hunter turning to look across the room. She followed his eyes, and found Rosetta and Lena standing near the stairs.

“Ah, is it time to meet already?” Hunter asked, “I was jus’ gettin’ started!”

“Yes,” Rosetta said, “is Mary going to be able to understand what’s going on?”

“Yeah,” Mary said, turning to fully face the two women. “I-I didn’t drink.”

“Oh,” Rosetta said, looking at Mary with a bit of curiosity. “You look relaxed!”

“Yeah,” Hunter said with a massive grin, “She drank what I usually have t’ calm down after an adventure!”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Rosetta nodded, “then let’s head upstairs and discuss. Now that we’ve got a way to crack portals, there’s not a shortage of jobs for us. Mary, I hope you remember how to take those things out.”