Today’s snippet, titled “Hikaru”, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.
Be forewarned, there may be mature themes and naughty language below.
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Rhiallis knew, rationally and logically, that Kumiko was not a unique being. She had seen other folk of Tian Xia descent in her travels; the ones, like her friend, from Minkai were known as Tian Min, but there were a dozen other ethnicities with subtle (or profound) differences in appearance. She was aware that Kumiko had been from another world entirely, but the Kara-Turan people were eeriely similar to those from Minkai.
Still, despite being acutely aware that it meant nothing to be presented with this man. Despite knowing that it was not some continued thread of fate or destiny. Despite understanding that Hikaru Kaneko was in no way related or associated with Kumiko Snowblood except in the vaguest, most distant, most superficial way that a billion people may be. Rhiallis decided immediately that he would take Tom Parris’ place in the Valorous Order.
No, he’s not the arcane spellwielder we’ve advertised for, nor hoped to find and truly, intensely need to find. But somehow, I am comforted to see his face. She was staring at him intently, so focused in those moments that she had not even introduced herself or listened to anything anyone said. Rhiallis chided herself and turned her attention back to the interview.
“Well,” she heard Sadie saying, “This is totally a suicide mission. Everyone who joins us dies. Everyone. You’ll probably die too, I mean, statistically speaking. Zeke and me joined up after other people died. Rhiallis has even died. So… you’re gonna die. Probably, I mean.”
Hikaru nodded.
Rhiallis felt her jaw hanging open and a flash of her mother – so rare in her mind after all these years – telling her to close it before flies got in flittered across her mind’s eye. Before she could form an admonishment or an apologize or an explanation, Sadie waved her hand, hopped out of her chair, and headed toward the door.
“Whatever you guys want. Fuck this. Fuck everything. I’m going for a drink.”
Biting her lip in chagrin, Rhiallis made an apologetic face at Hikaru, then glanced at Zeke expectantly. Zeke nodded.
“We do have a few others yet to see, Hikaru Kaneko, but I think a welcome is in order.”
“Another blade could be of great use to us,” Zeke said. “Even though what we really need is a wizard or something.”
Rhiallis extended her hand across the table they had set-up in a rented meeting room at the Defender’s Heart. “Welcome to the Valorous Order of the Golden Sword. Assuming, that is, that our Sadie’s tirade – accurate as it may be – did not put you off.”
She and Zeke exchanged another look as they waited for Hikaru’s response.
[Editor’s Note: Spoiler Alert: He accepted.]
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Note: Image is “King Jagiello Statue Central” by (Mulligand) from SXC.hu; edited by me