'Join the masquerade, in ivy league style! politicking with cunning guile, invisalign smile, blackened vile, bleeding the funnel with gold plate omegas and crocodile shoes.' The Recruit, C.K. Baker (2017)

Shura was fairly sure she died last night while sleeping. Never in her life had she slept so hard. By the time the next morning came, her head was throbbing. Groaning she realized exactly what had happened. She slept too hard and now she had a headache. 

Rubbing the sand out of her eyes she looked around the loft apartment in the day. The daylight streaming through the yellow tinted windows filled up the place far more than what she saw last night in the dark. Sitting up, she stretched, her back cracked and her head throbbed.

"I need a damn Advil..." She grumbled still half asleep. Slowly sliding out of bed her outfit instantly reminded her what had happened. "Fucking hell...!" She cursed before falling back onto the bed groaning. Rubbing her face she let out a low shout.

That's right... It all came back to her. She was stuck here, in this medieval fantasy world! Which meant no pain killers! She groaned and closed her eyes at this thought. "I wanna die." She mumbled feeling the pain pulse through her head. Just as she was about to drift back off to sleep a thought occurred to her.

That also meant no indoor plumbing...

"NOOOO!" 

Shura's shout was heard downstairs inside of the smelter. Delta, who had been speaking to Barba looked towards the stairs leading to Shura's loft. "I see our new recruit is awake." He deadpanned, he wondered if Shura was going to be like this every morning. 

He hoped not, it might cause some unsavory rumors. It was hard enough to get people in here drunk enough to eat the shitty food. The last thing he needed was Shura causing rumors that he was a murder.

"You going to check on her or should I?" Barb's sassy voice brought Delta back to reality. "I'll check on her. I have to give her a uniform anyway." Delta said grabbing a package off of the bar counter. Mako had told him that Shura was similarly sized to Minnow. With that information, he was able to get a tailor to whip something up last minute. Though it did cost him a pretty penny so he'd have to deduct that from her pay as well. 

Walking up the wooden stairs Delta knocked on the door to Shura's loft. "Shura! You awake?" He asked before opening the door. "Go away I'm depressed!" Shura shouted from under the blankets of her bed. Delta cocked an eyebrow as he walked in, "Hi depressed, this is Shura's boss. She has a package can you make sure she gets it?" Delta sarcastically responded to Shura's announcement of her mental state.

"Ha-ha. Very funny." Shura's muffled voice was heard underneath the mountain of blanket and pillows. Delta sat on the edge of the bed with an eye-roll. "Alright. What's this about?" He asked pulling back the blanket to see Shura underneath glaring at him. "Where do you want me to start?" Shura snapped before sitting up and throwing the blanket off of her. 

With a huff, she pressed her back to the wall before looking over at Delta. "Don't think I'm not grateful to have a place to live Delta." She spoke up after seeing Delta's expression. "I wasn't thinking that." Delta defensively held one webbed hand up while using the other to hold the package up to Shura. "Liar." Shura grabbed the package out of his hand. 

"What's this?" She asked squishing the paper in her hands. It felt soft, it was probably clothes. Something she was in desperate need of... Going from one world to the next wasn't really something you could pack for. "One of your uniforms. I've got two more being worked on for you, but this should be able to serve you tonight when you start cooking." Delta explained. Shura pursed her lips at this.

"Delta I really can't cook," Shura warned looking up at Delta who smirked and shrugged. "Neither could the last guy. People don't come here for the food Shura. They come here to get shit faced." Shura grunted at this, "Alright I warned you." She mumbled before opening it up.

Inside was what you might expect, a basic button-up shirt with basic brown pants. Along with that were a chef's overcoat and an apron. "I wasn't able to get the cobbler to make you up some shoes on such short notice so you're going to have to keep using those boots," Delta explained, Shura silently looked down at the finely crafted clothes before looking Delta. "Thank you..." She said softly. Shura held the bundle of clothes close to her. It felt like it had been so long since she had clothes of her own.

Delta shifted unsure what to do about that reaction. Shura acted like he just gave her the world. From what he was told by Mako, Shura was one of the survivors of Olisvine. Though Delta wasn't sure how much he believed that someone who looked like Shura was from around here. But judging by the look in her eyes from his own experience.

She definitely just lost her home either way. 

Delta knew that feeling all too well. His homeland was ruined by volcanic eruptions. Thankfully most his people were able to escape with their lives, but that did not sooth the trama of a home lost. Because no matter how well Delta got settled into Blenheim or even the city of Vloria... He would never feel rightfully at home again.

"I'll pay you back as soon as I can," Shura promised, breaking Delta out of his train of thought. Delta let out a soft sigh just before patting Shura's head. "Don't' worry about it kiddo." He said half expecting Shura to exclaim that she wasn't a kid. But he heard no protests out of her as he had with Minnow. Instead, all he heard was, "Alright."

Downstairs, the muffled shouts of Mako's voice were heard. Then the sounds of someone running up the stairs were heard next just before Minnow burst into the room.

"Good morning Shura!" Minnow greeted before seeing Delta and Shura on the same bed. "Delta." Minnow's smile faded as he greeted him. He acted like he just walked in on a cheating spouse. Shura looked over at Delta bemused wondering what he had done to piss Minnow off. 

"Morning Minnow!" Delta greeted cheerfully just before turning to Shura. "Make sure you get back here before five." He told her, "That's when we get ready to open up."

Shura gave him a thumbs up, "You got it, boss." She said with a smile. With that said, Delta got up and left the room. Minnow shot Delta a glare as he left. It seemed that the young man was still a little sore about Shura staying with Delta.

Once Delta left Minnow walked over and sat down on the bed with Shura. "So..." Minnow started, "So...?" Shura repeated. "How did you sleep last night?" Minnow asked cheerfully, Shura's expression turned sour at this mundane question. "I'm pretty sure I died." She deadpanned. Her eyes flickered back over to Minnow who looked horrified at her joke.

"I don't... What?" Minnow asked confused and concerned, Shura blinked, "Oh right you don't do gallows humor." She reminded herself. "What?" Minnow was even more confused. "Nevermind." Shura waved it off, "What's on the agenda today Dragoon?" Shura decided to change the subject. 

Minnow relaxed at the subject being changed. For a minute there he was very concerned. He certainly didn't want Shura to die or want to die. 

"Well, we're going to see the head of the knights!" Minnow reminded her, the awkward situation that happened just moments before was quickly forgotten by him. Shura stared at him cluelessly, what were they going to the head of the knights for again? "Why are we visiting them again?" She asked. 

Minnow smiled understandingly, "We're going to submit your request to become a knight! Hopefully considering your circumstances and Mako's recommendation the process will be sped up!" Minnow excitedly spoke about the possibility of streamlining Shura's path to knighthood.

Shura noticing this mumbled, "Hey... Hey, slow down. I can barely hold a sword." It didn't seem like a good idea to speed up the process. She had no idea how long she was going to be in this world. For all, she knew it was going to be the rest of her life. It was better if she didn't rush things. If she wanted to survive... Images of that villager dying flashed through her mind... She would have to do this right.

Minnow having heard her went quiet. "You're right. I apologize, I just got a little excited." When he spoke like this, he seemed more like the Minnow that Shura had seen in the books. More reflective and level headed... Very fitting for a king.

That thought made Shura pause. That's right... She knew Minnow's future. He was destined to be a king. Though, with all things considered. It was a little hard to believe he'd eventually be a king. 

Minnow catching Shura's sour look winced, "Did I do something wrong?" He asked clueless to what Shura had been thinking about. Shura let out a sigh. "No." She said just before standing up, "I need to change." She announced. She decided she'd be wearing the outfit Delta provided her today. After all, there was only so long she could stand wearing the same outfit.

"Oh by all means. Don't let me stop you!" Minnow said with a cheerful smile, Shura twitched and then whipped around with an angry look.

Outside of the loft apartment, Minnow came flying down the stairs landing face-first onto the floor of the bar. "Oww." he groaned, Shura at the top of the stairs looked furious. "You're not going to watch!" She shouted before slamming the door shut.

"Trouble in paradise?" Barba asked smoking a small pipe. Minnow slowly stood up with a sheepish grin and a cut on his forehead. "She's strong," he mumbled laughing a little bit. "Seems like you and that orc got the same type." Barba deadpanned motioning over towards Mako who was watching Delta carry kegs of ale into the stock room with ease. Mako seemed like they were three seconds from pouncing Delta when he picked up two at the same time.

Minnow's cheeks flared up bright red, "Well Mako did basically raise me." he mumbled, it was hard to be dishonest around the tired old fairy waitress. Barba let out a puff of smoke and grunted in acknowledgment. Minnow heard the door open behind him and saw Barba lazily look up at the top of the stairs.

Minnow following Barba's line of sight turned around to see Shura at the top of the stairs. Dressed all too similar to Delta, Shura walked down the stairs still seeming a bit miffed about Minnow's little comment earlier.

"Your outfit suits you!" Minnow said cheerfully he eyed Shura up and down, "Don't try to butter me up, I'm still upset with you." Shura called back to the day before when she had upset him. Minnow let out a soft awkward laugh grimacing. "Sorry," he mumbled scratching his cheek. 

Shura shot him a look before lightly punching him in the arm. "You better be." She firmly said, Minnow relaxed knowing that everything was okay now. Shura then looked over at Mako drooling at the sight of Delta. It seemed that Delta had unbuttoned his shirt in order to cool off. 

If Shura didn't know any better, it almost seemed like Mako was creating cracks in the bar from how hard they were pressing on it. Shura looked over at Minnow and Barba. "Do you ever think Delta does that on purpose?" She asked knowing the two of them knew them better than she did.

"Yes." "Absolutely." Both Barba and Minnow said at the same time. Shura having enough of seeing this walked over. "Hey, I work here now and I really don't need you to make a mess," Shura said to Mako. "So whatever you're doing here. Is going to have to stop." However, Shura's remarks were lost on Mako. Minnow let out a sigh before walking over as well.

"Mako!" Minnow shouted snapping his fingers, but Mako's eyes remained transfixed on Delta. "Damn, I've never seen someone this thirsty before," Shura remarked rubbing her chin. As Shura walked off to the side to grab something Barba, who had been floating next to Minnow remarked. "I have." To which Minnow glared knowing exactly who she was referring to. 

"Hush." Minnow hissed over to the fairy before looking over at Shura. It seemed she had gotten a glass of water from in the kitchen. The water was brownish and didn't look healthy to drink. A stark contrast to the clear water Shura was used to seeing.

If she was going to be cooking here, she'd definitely have to purify this stuff before using it. But that was something for later. For now, Shura splashed some water on Mako's head.

"H-Hey! What was that for!" Mako shouted their hair completely soaked now. "You were damaging the bar." Shura glowered at Mako with a menacing aura. Mako shifted awkwardly before looking down at the groves in the wood. "Ah, shit!" Mako cursed, "I did it again!" 

"Again?" Shura's eye twitched, Mako looked over at Shura kind of scared. "Hey! Hey! We don't have time to fight! We have to go meet the head commander!" Minnow exclaimed getting in between Shura and Minnow. He had no idea Shura could be so territorial. Frankly, it reminded him too much of Delta for his liking.

"Oh right!" Mako exclaimed as Shura relaxed slightly shooting Mako another glare. "You better pay for that." She hissed through her teeth, "Of course!" Mako sounded nervous when they said this. In reality, Shura didn't care about the bar being injured, what she did care about was if Delta got a wild hair and decided to add that damage to her debt.

"The last thing I need is more debt," Shura spoke to herself facing away from Mako and Minnow. The two in question looked at each other with winces. "You two seriously know how to pick them," Barba remarked floating by puffing out smoke. 

After letting Delta know she was leaving, Shura and the others headed out onto the streets of Vloria headed for the knight's barracks. "You mean they're not in the castle?" Shura asked stretching a little bit as she walked. She guessed she slept crooked last night due to the kink in her shoulder.

"They used to be, but with the recruitment and education program. Well, we kind of just outgrew our space within the palace. So now only palace guards stay there." Minnow explained to Shura, "Oh so like Goby and Pistol!" Minnow winced hearing Pistol's name. "Exactly..." he said glumly. 

"Those two are great," Shura spoke clearly having a better impression of the two of them. "Glad you think so." Grumbled Minnow, his mind flashed back to his training days and Pistol screaming at him.

The three of them walked along the cobblestone streets. Shura took this time to get a better look at the city. The aesthetic of the city was close to a Tudor style of architecture. Above them, lines of clothes connected houses across the street to one another. 

For a moment Shura had to jump out of the way of a group of children racing through the streets. "Sorry, mister!" One child shouted Shura's eye twitched. "Mister!" She yelled. Mako laughed at this and Minnow softly smiled amused at her reaction.

Eventually, the trio made their way to the knights' barracks. When they approached the large courtyard they heard a young woman shouting. 

"THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!"