*Jin’s alarm clock went off in his new place to wake him. He got out of bed stretching his arms and back before going to the restroom to take a shower and brush his teeth. He then put on some blue jeans, a long sleeved red shirt, and some red shoes before heading out the door. As he walked to the sidewalk, he saw his neighbor, a female dark elf walking her big black furred dog down the street and waved at her. He continued to walk down the street waving at his neighbors before making it onto to the main street and heading for the Office of Internal Affairs. After walking for eight minutes, Jin managed to reach the building and walked in where he headed to the elevator to the eighth floor to the conference rooms where Morrison and the rest of Shadow Eye were waiting for him. Jin reached the floor and exited the elevator where he went into the conference room to see that everyone except Dust was present*
(Jin): Morning everyone. Hope I’m not late to the meeting?
(Morrison): Not at all. We’re just about to start.
(Jin): Shouldn’t we wait for Dust to arrive?
*Jin takes a seat next to Jade*
(Morgan): If we did, we’d be here all day. That guy rarely comes to meetings. Or rather, he’s allowed to skip meetings if he wants.
(Jin): How’d he pull that off?
(Sanada): It was a bet we made a while back. The bet was to see if Dust could pull off a successful heist in all of our houses. If he failed, he would have to do all of our paperwork for a whole year, but if he won, he’d be allowed to skip meetings whenever he wanted.
(Raika): It was a complete defeat on our part. He played us for fools.
(Jin): Oh man. I’ll have to ask him about it someday. So, what’s in store for us today? Eclipse extermination? Helping the White Tiger Knights take down a criminal?
(Morrison): Today, you will be doing Internal Affairs work.
*Morrison’s statement gave a surprised look from Jin*
(Morrison): Keep in mind, while you may be a member of Shadow Eye. On paper, you’re a knight of Internal Affairs and we expect you to act as one. Even though you may not have any major missions, there’s still many areas of the kingdom that need help. Orders could use an extra hand and we act as an order for the people, so there’s a number of odd jobs that they need help with around the kingdom. Also, school is out. There’s no more classes or teachers forcing you to go to class. From now on, you get to decide what kind of knight you want to be, so take the time to learn new things from others and keep up with your own training. Now, let’s start our meeting.
***
*The week went by quickly for Jin as he spent it doing a number of activities. On Monday, he returned to the pier to help out the merfolk with their tools and other equipment. He also helped walk some kids home from school whose parents were still at work and couldn’t pick them up. On Tuesday, he worked with Sanada, Raika, and a few other Black Tortoise knights in performing maintenance at an orphanage. In the afternoon, he received more hands on training from Raika and Jade who decided to help him out as well. On Wednesday, Jin went on an artifact excavation with Morgan, Ryuuji, and some other archeologists. Jin, Ryuuji, and Morgan served as bodyguards and actually fought against a few Eclipses. During the trip, Morgan taught Jin some tricks to summoning and Ryuuji gave him some training regimens he can do at home to get a full body workout. Later that evening, Sanada invited him out for ramen where the two talked and Sanada taught Jin some meditation techniques which could help speed up his metal manipulation. On Thursday, Jin went to help Amarti, Dust and Zia at Le Garden. They needed some extra security for a private party that was happening and Jin was more than happy to help. During his time at Le Garden, Dust taught him some basic fear tactics, Amarti taught him some manipulation techniques to fool others, and Zia as well as some of the girls helped Jin with his confidence on talking with other girls. On Friday, Jin was riding in the car with Dust. Both guys were wearing the standard Black Tortoise business attire which consisted of a long-sleeved white buttoned shirt, a black jacket with the emblem of the Black Tortoise order on the back, black pants, black shoes, and a badge of the Black Tortoise emblem on the upper right chest area*
(Dust): Thanks for joining me on short notice today, rookie. Ryuuji had to bail out on me after his kid got sick at school.
(Jin): Don’t mention it. So, what are we doing today?
(Dust): Nothing much. Just going around and getting the monthly paperwork from each order. This will be a good thing for you too. You’ll finally get a chance to see the other orders. Maybe see some old classmates and friends.
(Jin): Doubt it. Back in school, I was kind of a loner. I mean I talked to people, but we weren’t exactly on a friend basis.
(Dust): I get ya. I can respect that; I was kind of a loner too.
(Jin): That’s shocking.
(Dust): You know I won’t hesitate to throw you out from here, right?
(Jin): I will keep my sarcasm to a minimum.
*Jin quickly tries to think of a subject he can talk about*
(Jin): What did you do before you came to Brister? I remember you telling me that you came from outside the kingdom.
(Dust): Nothing much. I was just a traveler, went from place to place and accepted the odd job here and there. One day I accepted the job of a short elf and the next thing I know I’m caught in the middle of a rebellion and picking a side.
(Jin): Hmm~, giving me information but keeping it vague because I haven’t earned the right to that information yet.
(Dust): Correct. You are learning from us. It’s also to keep people guessing and interested in you. Never show all your cards from the start. You only show one or two cards and then go all in when you feel confident that you’ve won. We’re here.
*Dust and Jin pull into a parking lot out of a plaza building that is all white and has the emblem of a white tiger with black stripes that look like swords. Dust and Jin exit the car with Jin taking a moment to look up at the building and being amazed at what he sees*
(Dust): Welcome to Tiger Plaza, headquarters of the White Tiger order.
(Jin): Whoa. This place is huge. It makes the office of Internal Affairs look small.
*Dust and Jin make their way to the entrance where they see knights clad in white outfits or capes coming and going from Tiger Plaza. Dust and Jin make their way inside where they show their badges to the receptionists and she points them towards the elevator. They head up the elevator and arrive at the fourth floor where they see multiple people at desks working on paperwork, answering phones, or at their computers. They make their way to the back where an office is located and inside is a child-like looking elf woman with medium hair tied in twin pigtails that was silver, and green eyes sitting at the desk. She was reading over some paperwork. Standing in front of her was another elf woman with orange hair cropped up and having green eyes which complimented the blue skirt and blouse she was wearing and a young human man with short red hair and blue eyes wearing glasses, a long white trench coat, nicely pressed white pants, a white shirt, and having one rapier placed on the right side of his waist*
(Child-like elf): These papers look good, Katherine. Send them over to prime minister Lee. He’s been ducking and dodging this issue long enough. Leon, increase patrols down near Atlus district. There’s been a number of attempted robberies down that way. I want to know who’s behind it and why.
*The child-like elf’s attention soon turned to Dust and Jin who were standing by the door and she smiled*
(Child-like elf): Well do my eyes deceive me? Dust Balor, here on official Black Tortoise business.
(Dust): Hello Korone. Katherine. Leon, it’s been too long.
(Leon): Indeed it has.
*Leon goes to shake Dust’s hand*
(Dust): Heard your sister graduated from the academy this year but chose to join a different order. Feeling lonely?
(Leon): *Chuckle* Not at all. My sister was always the more adventurous of us. I’m proud she chose her own path. I’ve heard you’ve also taken on a new member of your order.
*Leon turns his attention to Jin*
(Jin): Uh, hi. I’m Jin Hephaestus. It’s an honor to meet you all.
(Katherine): Oh my. The grandson of Arthur Hephaestus. I’m Katherine Edelweiss, secretary of Korone.
(Leon): I’m Leon Helios. Vice-commander of the White Tiger Order.
(Korone): And I’m Korone Percival. Commander and chief of the White Tiger Order. It’s a pleasure to meet you!
*Korone gets up from her seat and smiles at Jin happily as she approaches him.
(Korone): I knew your father and grandfather. They were both great knights who served under me. It’s good to see the family lineage continue with you.
(Jin): You knew my dad and grandpa?
(Korone): Of course. In fact, I’ve known about you ever since you were in your mommy’s tummy. You were such a cute little baby.
(Jin): Don’t let Korone’s child-like appearance fool you. She’s been around for about 250 years.
(Korone): Hey! That’s personal information!
*Korone tries to attack Dust flailing her arms around wildly, but Dust stops her by putting his hand out on her head*
(Dust): Katherine, we’re here for the monthly reports. Hand them to us and we’ll be on our way.
(Katherine): Of course.
*Katherine exits the room and heads to her desk which is just outside of Korone’s office to get the paperwork*
(Dust): So, Leon how have things been on your end? Still making the young female knights swoon over you with that million credit smile?
(Leon): I believe they’re more interested in my knighthood than my smile. Things have been going nicely here. You guys gave us quite the haul last week with that fight club.
(Dust): Any evidence pointing to Ivo being involved?
(Leon): Still investigating, but I’m sure we’ll find something soon.
(Dust): You know he’s behind it. I’m sure I can get him to confess. Just give me five minutes in his house.
(Jin): Uh Dust, should you be divulging order dealings like this?
(Dust): No need to worry, rookie. They already know about us.
(Korone): You guys have helped us out a lot in the past.
*Katherine comes back in with the paperwork*
(Katherine): Here you go. All set and ready to go.
*Katherine hands the paperwork to Dust who quickly flips through it*
(Dust): Everything seems to be in order. Thank you, Katherine.
(Katherine): My pleasure. Still, I am surprised that you came today. Considering that Saber and her group should be back from their mission today.
(Dust): Oh shit! The last thing I want to do is see her. Let’s go rookie.
*As Dust quickly leaves the room, the elevator opens and out comes a woman with long brown hair, red eyes and wearing glasses. She wore white heeled boots, long black tights on her legs, a white skirt and long-sleeved buttoned jacket with black trims and buttons, and white gloves. She had an armband on her left arm which had the emblem of the White Tiger Order on it. She exited the elevator with a calm look on her face only for it to turn into a stern look when she locked eyes with Dust and walks towards him where the two come face to face*
(Dust): Saber, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.
(Saber): Neither was I. I didn’t know they allowed uncivilized vermin in here.
(Dust): Well you worked here, so I figured it was alright. You think there would be more bug traps lying around here.
(Saber): I see you’re still as witty as ever.
(Dust): It’s part of my charm. Try not to fall for me.
(Saber): Trust me, if I dated you, I would make every day of your life a living hell.
(Dust): Sounds lovely, but we should just be friends. I’m sure you’re used to hearing that a lot.
*Dust and Saber continue to throw insults at each other while Jin, Katherine, Leon, and Korone watch from the side with other knights. Jin stood there stunned seeing Dust bicker with such a well-established knight he was familiar with*
(Jin): So. . .just to make sure my eyes aren’t playing a trick on me. That’s-
(Leon): Saber Kay. Leader of Javan, one of our elite groups of the White Tiger Order? The same group responsible for taking down some of the biggest crime bosses in the city? Yes.
(Jin): Okay. Just wanted to make sure.
(Katherine): I’m so sorry you have to see her like this. She’s not usually like this. She only gets this way whenever Dust is around.
(Jin): I’m guessing they don’t like each other?
(Leon): Afraid so. Aside from having incompatible personalities the two had an accident on a mission together.
(Dust): *Whistle* Rookie, time to go.
*Dust walks past Saber followed by Jin*
(Saber): Wait.
*Jin stops in his tracks*
(Saber): You’re new. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you before. What’s your name?
(Dust): Don’t answer, rookie. It’s a trap. Don’t dance with the witch.
(Jin): Jin Hephaestus. I’m the newest member of the order. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Saber. I’ve read all about your exploits in magazines and newspapers. You’re truly one of the greatest knights of this era.
*Saber does a quick scan of Jin*
(Saber): Hmph. So you’re supposed to be the grandson of Arthur Hephaestus? How embarrassing.
*Jin was taken back by Saber’s statement*
(Saber): Your grandfather was a great knight that inspired many people including myself. Your father continued that legacy and inspired many more knights to go beyond their limits and the call of duty. When I heard a Hephaestus was graduating from the academy I went to the exams personally to have a look for myself. I was excited to see what the next Hephaestus could do only to be disappointed in what I saw. Careless fighting, sloppy moves, and a lack of discipline. It’s infuriating to think you came from their bloodline.
*Saber’s words cut through Jin deeply. He knew that his father and grandpa were great knights and he didn’t measure up to them. However, he was giving it his all at being a knight and decided that he would continue the family legacy his way. As he stood there hurt by Saber’s harsh words, her jacket had a wardrobe malfunction and opened up revealing her lacy black bra and slim upper body to everyone. The knights either looked away or gawked at her while blushing*
(Saber): Gah!
*Saber quickly crouched down to hide her indecency all while Leon and Katherine went over to shield her from everyone*
(Dust): Quit standing around, rookie. Let’s go.
*Jin quickly ran to the elevator and got inside with Dust. While Saber was crouched down she spotted a wire thread on her jacket. She picked it off her jacket and quickly turned her attention to Dust in the elevator who was smiling and waving at her as the door closed. Anger quickly formed on her face*
***
*Dust and Jin made it out of the building and were back in the car ready to drive off*
(Jin): Hey, thanks for the save back there.
(Dust): Don’t know what you’re talking about. But I will say this: Don’t worry about trying to be your dad and grandpa. Just be yourself. Everyone is underestimating you right now, but I as well as everyone else in Shadow Eye know how hard you’ve been training. You’re doing good and you’ll only get better from here. Rest assured, you’ll show all the people who underestimated you what you can really do.
*Dust drives off as Jin smiles at what Dust told him feeling better about himself and the path he had chosen. Jin re-confirmed his resolve to become the knight he wanted to become instead of the knight everyone was telling him to be*
Author’s Notes: And we start the second half of the volume on a peaceful note by exploring the Kingdom of Brister. Now that I’ve established the main characters I can start focusing on the world around them. I believe it’s important to establish your characters first and then steadily focus on the world around them so that you can care about the events that take place in this world and around the characters. We’ll be continuing this exploration of the kingdom as well as introduce some new characters who will play a part in the story as it continues. Thanks for reading as always and I’ll see you next time.