(Batuu|FF) Boarding House

Jo and Webel Koinn were both well known members of the community around Tabanna: Webel as a poet and writer of some small renown, with about the hardest exterior possible for a person as thoughtful as him. Joana (who went by Jo) was known as a sturdy and reliable jack-of-all-trades, but received just as many calls about oddjobs as she did about her three adopted kids, who traveled in a pack and caused more trouble than some of the old folks in Tabanna were willing to tolerate.

Their hike was short, and they kept a companionable silence throughout, except for the few times that Webel gruffly shared the name of a particular flower or tree, or told a short anecdote about when that particular tree was planted. Jo could see how that kind of thing might be interesting to someone. It just wasn't very interesting to her, something that she had long since stopped feeling guilty for.

Webel didn't really care how invested his companion was in his facts and stories. He was talking to himself as much as anyone. He was of an age where it made sense to start using every opportunity to remind yourself of those small things you could soon forget.

"Heyo, Jo!"

The call came from the door of the boarding house, which rose over the hill and the nearby grove of trees to meet them. Standing by it in the distance were Kayin, the boarding house's longest tenant, and Gordus, a refugee who had recently taken up residence there himself, but who was doing a fine job of becoming part of the local community. Jo and Webel had seen both of them earlier that day, in the town center. In Tabanna, you saw almost everyone at least once a day.

"And Webel Koinn," Kayin smiled, as they approached. "How's this weather treating you?"

"Hm, it's fairly ordinary, for the spring," Webel mused, glancing at the sky. "It's fine. Comfortable."

"What brings you two out of the town walls?"

Jo crossed her arms. "We heard that new guy, the masked one, with the yellow cloak, has a room here. We just wanted to talk."

Kayin glanced at Gordus, and they exchanged a grimace.

Gordus frowned. As an Abyssian, that really just meant his existing frown deepened.

"The stranger doesn't really talk. Has a lot of secrets, I figure."

"We figure," Kayin added, with a conspiratorial grin.

"But hey, don't let us stop you. What's, uh, the deal? You know him from somewhere?"

Webel started to pass them, switching the door controls with his walking stick.

"We hope not," he grunted, and he and Jo walked inside. 

As the door slid shut, Kayin and Gordus shared another look. Mysteries had recently been an idle hobby of theirs, and with all the comings and goings, they'd been specializing in the mysteries of others' personal lives. They found it passed the time.

Kayin wrinkled her nose, a curious glint in her eye. "Woah."

"Yes, odd."

"I mean, Jo is usually in a huff, but I've never seen that look before," Kayin mused, leaning back against the archway wall. 

Gordus agreed. "Curious, most curious." He stroked his chin, staring up at the billowing clouds in the midday sky. "Hope there isn't any trouble."

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