Cait Shelter Guild hall

Where My Demons Hide - Imagine Dragons


Jindal saw the notice after sitting at the table and staring at the wall for a few minutes. He then stood and decided he'd do his best not to get voted as guild master. Large crowds and transportation were his only weaknesses and they would be more common as a guild master. "I am not suitable to be a Guild Master due to my past!" Jindal shouted hiding his relief that this would work before a few members he didn't know spoke out. "But you don't even remember your past! Yeah you're fine I think you'd Do great! AYE!" Jindal started to get nervous and realized they wouldn't let him off the hook that easily either. "Shit. Exactly why I shouldn't lead You guys would do better with Equtas." He said trying to divert their attention since he'd been the first to make any comments about mastering the guild. He now had a few people crowded around him. "I gotta go I have a job" Jindal said slightly panicking before vanishing in a cloud of shadows along with a job off the s rank board. He then proceeded to walk outside looking at the random paper he'd snagged.


Jamboree watched everything at the coffee shop unfold before sighing and deciding to pay the shop owner for all the damages and stuff himself before leading the way aback to the guild where he explained what happened to the fake recruits. "I'll happily throw myself into the fray for Guild Master! I've got the experience but if it's not me it should be Jin or Layla maybe Jindal." Jamboree explained.

---

---

Jin opened the door and motioned for the three to enter before him. The guild’s main reception room was surprisingly unadorned, with the only spice being the sporadic arrangement of trophies and awards hung up on the walls. No cloth to brighten up the dull colored couches, a barely maintained bar with a few used glasses on the countertop, he wouldn’t be surprised if they were overwhelmed with disbelief that this was the hall of the renowned Cait Shelter. The group had already received the notification of the soon to be held polls from a dispatched guild member, and as expected, many were assembled in the room due to that, in addition to greeting the new guild members.

If anything, Asa and Hunter seemed even more dubious than the two original recruits who had furnished backgrounds. Murmurs seeped through the conglomerate of members at the sight. It was blatantly obvious that more had their eyes locked on the giant in the room, rather than the basically ordinary looking girl. Jin glanced at the expressions the masses were making. Nobody didn’t seem sound in rising up to a position of such omnipotence, or moreso, they had already decided on a few candidates. The person to make this verbally clear was none other than one of the runners, Jamboree. He sacrificed himself for the good of the community, but also mentioned Lyla, Jin, and Jindal. Jin himself didn’t seem to resonate with the last option, as seen by his furrowed brow, Jindal seemed to be a candidate because of his power, but that was it.

As for Lyla and Jin, it didn’t take a genius to state why. They were both longtime veterans of the guild, Lyla was a dominating mastermind with years of adult-like wisdom to back her up, meanwhile Jin had a borderline military pedigree and had a high tier combat style. They had enough jurisdiction to make onerous decisions, but were not considered official leaders of any sort. With that being said, he took the bag containing the souvenirs and raised his free hand, ”I agree, it is time we appoint ourselves a leader, a person to make detrimental decisions during rough times. We may be a guild known for our expertise in combat, but it’s not the strong leader who wins, but the one strength and an equivalent amount of virtue is the one to rise to the challenge. I just want to make this clear, regardless of who we appoint as our leader, this will still be the same Cait Shelter which welcomed you in the day you joined our ranks. I say this with the upmost certainty, because it is not our goals which connect us, but our ideologies resounding in harmony that keeps our ties intact.” He looked over at a group of five members and handed them the bag, ”Find a mantle for this and place it wherever you like. Have Lily help you if need be. I think Jamboree drained all of the blood, but just be careful.” Jam wasn’t exactly known for his tediousness, but hopefully he had the foresight to act accordingly with a trophy from a beheaded dragon. There wasn’t exactly a guidebook for such a thing.

”That being said, I’d rather not run for guildmaster. I’m too much of a goofball to ascend to such a status. On another note, as Jamboree mentioned earlier, we were nearly breached by a dark guild who seem to have a vendetta with us. We would like to ask that guild members travel in teams of two or more, just for safety reasons.” Having issues wasn’t something Cait Shelter hadn’t experienced in the past, a guild with such fame would most definitely anticipate signs of animosity. But going through the hassle of living under a false pretense and fashioning the reputation to bolster it was surprising, even almost plausible. Chances are, this was only a prelude to the symphony of strife soon to ensue.

As the selected members went upstairs to rummage through the hall’s storage, Jin walked over to Hunter and Asa and pointed a thumb over his shoulder in the same direction, ”The second floor is where the sleeping quarters are located. Just find an empty room and claim it as your own. Unsealing the mattress should be enough of a sign to others that your room is occupied. If you have any questions, should be pretty easy to find me. Just remember to knock, don’t want to walk in on any maidens changing~” He chirped the last part while satirically wagging his finger at Hunter, he then turned around to face the whole embodiment of the guild population. By this time, the group had returned with a wooden mantle and was already in the process of setting up the display. Jin showed them all an assemblage of ebullient white teeth, ”Alright, enough with the serious talk! Let’s welcome our new guild members, Hunter Briggs and Asa Sachi!” A chorus of cheers echoed throughout the room, a grand greeting for the two additions. Jin stepped back towards Asa and dropped his voice to a whisper, ”In case you’re not feeling up to the occasion, feel free to make a beeline for a room. Should probably get some rest after working at that cafe.” The boy still took her timidness into account, and would rather not have a repeat of event a few minutes prior during a celebratory event. "So, you two, how does it feel to be one of us?"

---

Hunter entered the guild and was a bit underwhelmed once seeing it. He expected something a little more after hearing the gossip about such a place. Still it was modest and he could respect that, after all, he's seen what lavish truly is. He took a quick assessment of the hall and noticed all of the faces falling upon him. He wasn't surprised, of course he would stick out like a sore thumb. Large man like him will always draw attention, regardless of what he's wearing, which he will admit isn't doing much to help him out in times like these. Fortunately he was used to it and was more worried for the rather shy one next to him. It was quite interesting the state of the guild. Apparently he has arrived at a time of great change. It seems Cait Shelter was without a guildmaster.

Already he has heard a few names thrown out an about for who should lead it. They must be consider the guild's best and brightest, lest this guild has a funny way of thinking what qualifies to be a guildmaster. Then he hears about a dark guild infiltrating their ranks. If he had to take a wild guess it would have to do with Death Head Caucus. Guild Wars are never a pretty thing and he's a bit worried he may have entered the guild on the verge of a conflict. Still, he wasn't worried about the mages from Death Head, he could handle himself when the going gets tough. If anything the mages here may come running to him for protection rather than the other way around.

Jin then explained the living quarters being up on the second floor. It sounds decent enough and Hunter would like to deposit his things. He must say, Jin must be brave, he's someone he hardly knows and already he pulls a joke with him. He may call himself a goofball, but so far this kid is the only he's seen to possess the qualities of a guildmaster. Sure, Jamboree is skilled no doubt, but this one shows not only skill, but understanding as well. It was then Jin declared a celebration for their arrival into the guild. It was quite customary for orientation purposes and has witnessed these occasions more than a few times. Despite the uproarious celebration he noticed that Asa has already bounded for the upstairs rooms. It was during him watching her that he noticed another girl rushing past the crowds. She looked bound and determined to do something...not even fazed by his and Asa's arrival or the party that's ensuing. She went straight for the board, "She must be looking for a mission then." Hunter thought. Soon he was brought a beer, being the only one to stand around for the festivities. This took his eyes off the mysterious girl for a few moments and when he turned his eyes back to the board, she vanished. His head turned about the room as he scanned for the girl, but alas there was no sign of her. "Interesting." He thought.

He was a bit distracted that he nearly forgot to answer Jin's question. "Well...," he spoke as he looked at the beer in one hand and the case in the other, "...So far it seems, satisfactory." He said. "I, well, thank you for readily accepting me...it took me by surprise, don't guilds usually ask questions before outsiders join?" As he spoke he felt stupid for even saying that. "What the hell are you doing Hunter!? Are you trying to get yourself ousted this soon!? He hasn't been asking questions and that's a good thing! Do you want to starve out there in the streets!?" Hunter was mentally beating himself up. The one good thing about the helmet, no can see the expressions on your face. Otherwise, what he must look like right now, would send a kindhearted fellow like Jin here, asking all sorts of questions right about now. Questions, he doesn't wish to answer.

---

---

Jin traced Hunter’s line of vision and set his own gaze upon the guild’s enigmatic white knight, Equtas. She was never the social type, surrounded by almost as much mystery as Jindal, and with that did not hold a fondness for such events. He only had fought alongside her a handful of times, but those few instances alone were enough to gauge her as a strong force, on par with him. They both specialized in manifesting their magic into beings to fight alongside them, except her summons weren’t as flexible and interchangeable as his. Jin gave a light tug at his scarf as the girl passed him by, his way of bidding her good luck on whatever quest she took upon herself. It was then did one of the guild members swing by with a few beverages. ”When was the last time… Ah, to hell with it.”

Jin waved away any uncertainty and snagged a glass for himself, and gave the member a quick cheers before taking a sip of the beer. To most he must have appeared as a lightweight, given his slim physique, but Jin’s had enough sake during traditional banquets to build up a tolerance. Although, he was a bit interested in how Hunter planned on drinking from his own mug. Maybe he would reveal a portion of his face? Jin shrugged off any thoughts when the man finally devised a response, the manner of which it was asked made him perk up. It started off solidly, but progressively derailed into turmoil as Mr. Helmet believed he was digging himself his own grave.

A playful smirk stretched across the swordsman’s face at the questioning of the guild’s recruitment policy. ”Oh yeah, you’re right. There’s a looooooooot of paperwork we missed out on, and a few oaths and stuff were skipped over, and tradition has it that any faults result in the recruit’s expulsion…” The boy trailed off and longingly stared at the ground, witnessing the man’s reaction out of his peripheral vision. Although he had the emotionless helmet visually defending him, the coarseness of his voice along with the ever so slight increased bloodflow of his jugular were bearers of his uneasiness.

The smirk parted into a grin, Jin pat the man on the back and chuckled, ”Kidding, kidding… please don’t bash my head in. I’ll admit, we’re a bit lax in that respect.” After another sip the boy continued, ”I guess it’s because we can sense peoples auras, ya know, see where their heart is.” He tightened his scarf and relaxed his composure, since it was a celebration, there wasn’t as much of a need to remain on guard as usual, ”...Jamboree and I think in the same light. When we recruit mages, we don’t think about what they can do. We wonder how they can apply themselves? How well they can operate in a cohesive unit with others? How can they fit in? Some excel in certain categories while others struggle. Strong people are nice and all, but what really keeps you alive is working with others. Per example, if I was your opponent, I’m sure there’d be a bit of weight added to the back of my pants with you as my foe. But also, I see you as somebody to mobilize behind, that reserved composure of yours ensures that.”

He sighed and glanced over at the bulletin board, still full of quests waiting to be accepted, ”We also look for how much fun people can have. Excursions are one’s source of happiness, my friend. Don’t miss out on ‘em.” Jin turned to face the conglomerates of celebrating guild members and waved at a certain few, ”Oi, could I get some coffee?” One of them broke into laughter and managed to get out a few words, ”Maybe you want to stop by that cafe again and grab a few more members?” Jin returned the same impish grin, ”Who knows, maybe I will? Perhaps one of them’ll be a busty fox lady, I know you fancy them, Benjamin~”

The member giggled and indulged himself with his beverage, "With these changing times, people will have to come to terms with their weaknesses, for the bettering of themselves and those around them." Jin sighed and stretched out, ”N’ways Hunter, go out there and strike up a conversation with a few of them. Gotta know who you’ll be fighting alongside in the future. I have to bounce, Lyla’s making me allot guild expenditures, and I know hell’s awaiting me, especially after that little event at the cafe. If I don’t come back alive…” Jin placed a hand on the man’s shoulder and looked up at him with empty eyes, ”Tell my metaphorical wife I love her. Well, see ya~” The boy sluggishly dragged himself upstairs, doomed to mounds of paperwork on the third floor.

---

”Just die already!” The child pleaded, digging the sword deeper through a figure of equal age, blood smearing the hilt as he did so.

Jin awoke with cold beads of sweat running down his face. He instantly sat up and glanced over at sword resting on the other side of the room, propped up against his dresser, gracefully reflecting the beam of moonlight. Only now did he realize he was still in the same apparel he was wearing that morning. He must’ve returned to the room half awake and instantly passed out. The boy swung his legs over the edge and got to his own feet. Still in sluggish mood, he stumbled a bit before affirming a stable stance. A yawn was about to fly from his lips, until his ears picked up faint footsteps proceeding through the hallway. ”Guess my suspicion was correct…” No way a child of the moon could remain cooped up inside of a guild hall. ”Perhaps Lyla and I should construct some sort of condo on the roof?” Jin sighed as he rummaged through his drawer and produced a spare blanket, then quietly paced his way down the stairs, trailing the girl set on sleeping outside. He caught the entrance door as it was about to close and cleared his throat, ”There’s a shed around the back of the complex, the roof is a bit beat up, so some moonlight should be able to get in. On the bright side, you’ll have some privacy.” He held out the blanket and stared up at the very orb proudly suspended in the sky, shining brightly, ”Looks pretty clear tonight, not a cloud in the sky.”

Hunter felt relieved, even if a bit skeptical over Jin's words. Sure, he was joking about expelling him over any little flaw, but, he is unsure if he would be the exception. Still, Hunter merely gave a hmph over the joke at his own expense. He then looked down at his own drink as Jin partook in his own. He would need to sit his case down to lift up the face plate to drink from his own mug. Yet he hadn't the time to do so as Jin explained what they expected from their members. They seemed pretty lenient and only wanted good team work, which he understands. The issue for himself was, he never was apart of a team for long until he met with expulsion. He could work by himself to help earn more time but it seems this guild was heavily team oriented. He wasn't quite sure about the aura bit, sure he may seem alright enough, but...there are some things to the contrary.

He decided to follow Jin's advice as he nodded when he left to go do the paperwork. "Well, they do have some basic procedures." Hunter thought to himself. He decided to sit himself down at the bar with his drink as he sat his luggage to the side. He did talk with a few, but some found it difficult to hear him through the helmet. Then that led to the inevitable question of why the helmet? It was then Hunter responded with a dead coldness, "That is business of my own, do not ask me again." He said without ever raising his voice. Yet the tone made those around him feel quite frightened of the man, he was definitely not the person to mess with. He then placed a few fingers at the tip of his helmet and lifted the face plate as it slid a bit over his eyes. Some Guild members could help but take a peak. Unfortunately for them, the face plate only revealed his chin and part of his lips. Hardly the exposé they wanted.

___________

Besides the minor threat, the rest of the celebration was uneventful. While some did seem to consider fighting alongside him, the rest of the guild couldn't get a good reading on the helmeted mage, like Jin seems to have done. This uncertainty surrounding him and his obvious predilection for privacy, will make it hard for immediate team building. Some already believe he will be another Equtas except for the fact Hunter will actually speak. It was getting late, and Hunter was in his room getting himself acclimated to it's surroundings. He unpacked his suitcase and was in his late night dressings, the only constant was his helmet. He believed he may have heard a few guild mages stirring about outside, but it didn't really interest the new member. He very much was content to just staying inside. He looked at the unsealed mattress and decided to lie his helmeted head down on the pillow.

It would seem rather silly to sleep with such a thing on your head. It must not be very comfortable to begin with, let alone sleeping the whole night away still wearing it. Hunter has done this time and time again, he wouldn't be comfortable without it on. He doesn't trust that no curious soul would check in on him while he was asleep. No, he can't let down his guard that easily, despite his ease of access to this guild. He continued to stare at the suitcase propped up next to the closest. He has unpacked his several changes of clothes and stuffed them in the closet, leaving only few items tucked away in the case. The case was locked and one would need a key to open it. A key, that Hunter always keeps on his person for safekeeping. His mind drifted back to his past as he closed his eyes, trying to remember pleasant memories.

5 weeks later...

Jindal stepped into the guild hall closed in shadows as normal when it happened. He got a odd chill in his spine before the guild door was violently thrown open. He put both his hands up out of instinct and wondered where that idea had come from. He then looked at the door and saw a group of council enforcers standing there holding a paper. "Jindal the black dragon you're hereby under arrest for crimes against the council and the destruction of a building in this very town. The other charges are as follows:

48 counts of assassination.
77 counts of hiding evidence.
223 counts of using forbidden magic.
3 counts of murdering a council member.
1 count of joining a dark guild.
99 counts of theft.
221 counts of defacing public property.
800 counts of assault and battery.
3 counts of arson
And finally 2 counts of using the secret magic of death head cactus. Death head law a thousand executions."

Jindal stood up shocked and a large amount of gasps could be heard. He looked at them shocked then at everybody else before taking a deep breathe and sighing. "I don't remember any of that but I trust the council's judgement. I may or may not be guilty but I certainly won't add to the list of crimes." He said before turning to walk to them without putting up resistance. He was arrested quickly.

Jamboree looked stunned and almost tried to fight for Jindal but decided against it. "You guys are making a mistake! He's innocent." He stated before turning to go to his room on the second floor of the building.