Yer' A Lancer, Kid! (Or, You Are A Lancer In An Anime Fantasy Setting, Good Luck)

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The Alba.

An ancient species whose power and wisdom is unmatched by any mortal.

An ancient species who looks down on the childish trifles of mortals, refusing to intervene in the World Below.

An ancient species who is said that, if enraged, one single member of them can cause cataclysmic destruction in their wake.

An ancient species who is said that, if convinced, one single member of them can grant a mortal knowledge and power beyond anything in this world.

An ancient species who is unbounded by the march of time, for they have seen the dawn of this world; for they shall see the dusk of this world.

Feared and revered in equal parts, the Alba are known to live in seclusion, and that seeing one in flesh and bone is but an omen of things to come...

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"…But really, meeting one of them like this…?" In your first job? Just like that? It was something truly baffling.

And you have to admit, you feel awfully excited about the prospect of meeting such a creature, especially if you manage to get them to teach you something.

…You also feel particularly apprehensive about that, because you value your life, of course.

"It's a once in a lifetime chance!" Cedric speaks at your side, his barely contained excitement visible to anyone to see, "Just being able to say 'Ah, yes, I met an Alba at my first mission' is already material for the beginning of one of those fairy tales about heroes and swords and princesses and stuff!" Cedric then shrieks in absolute bliss, attracting the looks of people nearby, reminding you of where you are exactly.

Just yesterday, you joined with your new companion of sorts, managed to acquire a well paying quest, and discovered that your client is an Alba, an ancient, long lived species, more often than not referred to as dragons.

...Honestly, it kind of makes you wonder if they take issue with how they are portrayed in stories...

Regardless! Today, you would have your first, serious quest as a true adventurer, and it would be escorting such an ancient being, too...

You can't help but to chuckle in satisfaction at your good fortune, you can hardly contain your excitement!

Truly, there is no other adventure that would be more fitting as your debut.

But first…

"Cedric, I know you're excited, I am excited myself, but please, 'remember to be on your best behaviour'" You remind him of the words of the receptionist. You simply cannot allow anything to go wrong in this mission! You must excel with the opportunity you have been given.

..Besides, you really don't want to be seen as a weirdo, or even someone related to one, that would hamper your progress amidst the guild's ranks!

Your companion can only offer a sheepish chuckle in response, "Sorry, it's just... This is my first job as an adventurer! My first time on adventuring, heeding people's requests! And then this just..." He snaps his fingers, "Lands on my - I mean - our laps! Just like that! And I just can't help but to want to imagine if I can't try and speak to the Alba to see if we can... I dunno, become friends? I'd like that, imagine what I could learn from someone like that!"

Well, you can't really blame him for thatf, after all, you are already planning on trying to get in the Alba's good graces, to see if they'd be willing to teach you any ancient art they have on their sleeve.

...You wonder why a being like that would be asking for escort, and amidst the lower ranks in the guild, but you suppose that it's the kind of eccentricity that comes with age.

"Like, think about it, what kind of experience could someone who has lived in a world a thousand years ago would have to pass down? Imagine what kind of stories they have to tell!?" You nod at his words, a being like that would certainly be a wellspring of knowledge and power.

Oooh! You can hardly imagine what tricks they could teach you, how much power you would able to obtain after obtaining their favour and mentorship...

"But if there's one thing I'd truly like to ask that Alba..." Cedric's face turns into one of absolute resolution, "I wanna fight them."

…

"What?" Wow, you must have heard wrong, there's no way someone right in the head would say that!

"Look, it sound crazy, but hear me out," he attempts to defend his insane proclamation, "so, dragon and knight are the most classic of the classic, right? So, I would wish to reenact one of those stories. In the future, when I'm not going to be destroyed by just them looking at me too hard. More like a training match or a dual than anything, well, maybey not a duel duel because the 'to the death' part that is sometimes included, but you understand, right? It's part of the dream, you know?"

…

"Are you an idiot?" You start wondering if you might have made a mistake along the way.

He actually pouts at that, "You don't have to be so mean, you know? It's not as if I'm going to just ask them to fight in the very first moment I met them... Although..." You don't like where that 'Although' might lead!

You shake your head, "I'm not, 'mean' I'm just informing you that asking such thing is probably going to end with you as a human-sized mount of ashes... Listen, Cedric, only a fool would try—" "'—to fight something that has at least a century of experience over you.'" Yes, precisely so!

...Wait, what? Where...? Behind you...?

"Ah... This is so nostalgic to me," you turn to the voice to see... Your client, sitting on a nearby bench, watching both of you with a whimsical smile on her face, "Ah, please pay me no mind, I'm just a humble witness of yours."

"A-ah, My lady!" Cedric wastes no time in standing upright, straight as an arrow, "I'm-My name is Cedric Lowell, at your service, Ma'am!"

You quickly follow suit, "My name is Kara, at your service, my graceful lady!"
Charisma (+5): DC75: 6!
Your client watches both of you in barely hidden amusement, a cheshire grin firmly set on her lips, "My, you two are truly adorable! My name is... Ah, well, I suppose that neither of you have the required vocal cords to pronounce it properly... Well, call me Mira! My defenseless self will be on your hands, my lord, my lady." She offers a cordial bow.


...Dammit, she called you a 'lady', didn't she? "Excuse me—" "Um, I'm sorry but—"Both you and Cedric start speaking at the same time, making you share a confused glance between each other.

"No time!" You watch her struggle to contain her laughter, confusing you even further, "Follow me, I have our transport ready to go!" She quickly turns around, heading for the gates.

...

At your side, your equally confused companion can only offer a shrug before following her, "I'm sure it'll be fun!" Is what he says, you watch as your companion walks away, trying to catch up with your client.

"Ugh..." You can already feel a headache forming...

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Much to your delight, the 3 day journey towards your destination seemingly goes without a hitch for the most part.

Although... There's something that happened during it...

[ ][INTERRUPT] You walk into an... Odd conversation between Mira and Cedric.
[ ][INTERRUPT] Cedric wanted to talk with you, something about getting to know each other.
[ ][INTERRUPT] Mira, ah, 'decided to grace you with her presence.'

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