[Jaykobell]

The pair walking down the streets of Aldrect stood out against the civlians — even with the festivities that were happening all around the city.

One seemed to be looking forward to it; a lean, tall man with an interesting look to him. He looked human, yet not quite so, in a way that was difficult to explain. The man walking along with him was definitely human, and in addition, was someone others might expect to see at such an event: a priest of the Triumvirate.

[Jaykobell]

Strangely, their expressions should have been inverted: the priest should be the one carrying a curious expression towards the festival. The golden threads everywhere, the golden-themed activities and trinkets, the songs and the art; this story had a base in the religion of the Triumvirate, didn't it? Had he been called here on business rather than for personal entertainment, then?

"Isn't this all very nice," the strange man said quietly as he looked this and that at all the decorations, giving a small chuckle.

[Jaykobell]

The priest gave no reaction to the words of his partner — or friend? it was hard to tell. Instead, he simply kept on walking onward, his eyes clear on a destination they had to reach.

"You humans have such an imagination," the strange man continued, and he seemed to be looking at the decorations as if he had never seen them before, as if he had never been a part of this festival before. "Even for the smallest things..."

[Jaykobell]

Still without looking away from staring straight ahead, the priest did have a reaction to that last comment. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" he said under his breath, but just loud enough for the other to hear. "Isn't it nice when puny humans worship you?"

The strange man's eyes glanced at the priest. His face, however, remained amused, despite the sharp words of the other. "It is nice to be worshipped," he confirmed, and the aggravation of the priest only made him grin more.

[Jaykobell]

"But don't get too worked up," he tried to soothe the priest. "This festival here isn't for me, unfortunately." As much as the gold colors fit him perfectly, none of this little celebration was about him. Beyond that, they had come here with a very specific goal in mind.

"Good thing it isn't," the priest said, his attitude and his voice still sour. "Or else we wouldn't get anything done while we're here." He quickened his pace just a little.

The other rolled his eyes. "The hotel won't be going anywhere, Clovis."

[Jaykobell]

It was an easy thing for the strange man to catch up to Clovis, matching his quickened pace so the two could walk side by side. "It'll still be there no matter when we reach it," he pointed out.

"Instead of criticizing what I'm doing," Clovis retorted, "how about you keep your eyes out for anything suspicious," he suggested, and right before quickening his pace again, he gave the other man a hard look before spitting out, "bottle."

[Jaykobell]

That was the first thing to spur a reaction out of the strange man, who stopped in his tracks at the degrading nickname he'd been called by the priest. He frowned a little, looking mostly unimpressed. "That's Hark for you, little priest," he groaned, huffing a little. "Would it kill you to be a little bit more grateful for having me tag along with you?"

Clovis stopped in his tracks, and he turned to face Hark, waiting for the other to reach him.

[Jaykobell]

"We've already gone over this," Clovis hissed through gritted teeth. "I'm only doing this to get rid of you. Get it?" he reminded the other, having no fear at facing a creature containing what was essentially the essences of many different Gods.

Hark stared right back, his expression more unreadable than Clovis's. "So you say," he answered quietly, "but this is no easy task you've agreed to handle, is it, now?" he reminded Clovis. "Surely there has to be something motivating you to do this besides getting rid of me."

[Jaykobell]

Clovis's face visibly contorted into a grimace, but no words came. The silence was telling, and whatever the reasons were, the priest had no intention of revealing them. "That's for me to know," he finally replied. "It doesn't matter why I agreed. For now, we need to find more of those sick Gods." He raised his eyes, and he turned around to take a look around them. "And this festival is a perfect place to look."

Hark watched Clovis with what almost looked like pity, but he silently agreed with the latter comment.

[Jaykobell]

With a soft sigh, Hark shrugged. "Very true," he agreed, and his solemn expression soon changed to something a little bit more mischievous. "But until one shows up, we might as well enjoy ourselves, don't you think?" He moved to walk next to Clovis again, all the while pointing at a few upcoming booths for the festival. "Wouldn't you like to stop here and get a little 'golden string of faith'?"

Clovis's face soured at Hark's sneer, and at the realization of what a painful headache this stay, and this whole festival, would be.

[Jaykobell]

With a little bit of coaxing, Clovis managed to drag Hark along with him to their hotel. It took little time to settle everything and to get the key for their room.

The receptionist seemed to be especially curious to see a priest of the Triumvirate visiting the town for the festival. She passed a comment about the holiday not being really based in religion, but Clovis gave her little attention. His focus was settling down in the room, and then get to work.

[Jaykobell]

He took one of the two card keys and handed one over to Hark for him to keep. The deity was wasting time dawdling in the lobby, observing the humans partaking in the festivities. The costumes and the extent to which the people went to give that small story meaning was inexplicably fascinating to Hark.

As for Clovis, the festival itself didn't matter. They had come here with a clear plan in mind, and that was exactly what Clovis would be working on.

[Jaykobell]

He left Hark behind and took the time to visit the room. He didn't need to carry his luggage around, after all. Leaving it in the room was the smartest choice. A little bit of alone time, even if just five minutes, would also be greatly appreciated. He hadn't quite had such a thing ever since he had taken the leap of faith to create a bond with Hark.

When he stepped inside the room, the silence was almost eerie.

[Jaykobell]

He took a moment to observe the room before stepping inside. A simple room with two small beds, a television, a desk, and a bathroom that included a standing shower. They didn't need anything extravagant. Having lived with so very little ever since he could remember, even just a comfortable hotel bed was considered luxury for Clovis.

After a moment, he finally stepped inside. The door closed with a loud noise behind him as he settled his luggage near his bed.

[Jaykobell]

Although faint, even up here in the room, Clovis could hear the people down in the streets getting excited for the festival. Music was echoing down in the streets, decorations popped with their colors and sizes. The festival was essentially in full bloom now, and meant to last for a number of days still. A crowded space full of people and pets, gleefully unaware of what might be lurking...

It really was a perfect place for a disaster to happen.