「Cursed」I7 (DISCONTINUED)

"Ah! You're the one from last night!" A familiar voice called out through the now quarter-full tavern. 

Riku's attention turned behind him to see Mitsuki, the boy who had helped him gather coins at night until an acquaintance of his had brought him back inside. "Oh! Mitsuki right?" He greeted.

The orange-haired male sat next to him at the counter, "Yup! That's me." 

Yamato approached the two. He took Riku's empty plate which once had a warm sandwich on it in one hand and waved at Mitsuki with the other. "Oi! Mitsuki. Hows your injury healing? You seem alright."

Mitsuki smiled, "Just fine. Thank you." He grabs a menu which was already settled on the counter while Yamato gives him a thumbs up then heads to the back. After scanning the menu for a moment, he looks up at Riku, more specifically the beverage in front of him. "What's that drink? It looks good."

Riku picked up the colored drink in front of him, "Oh, it's just a cocktail." He had chosen an alcoholic drink since he needed to cheer up a bit after Tenn had just confronted him, telling him to leave Dénué village so suddenly. It had hit him hard. Nothing like a good drink to lower down those stress levels. 

"Hm, I'll get that one then."

"Eh?" Riku tilted his head slightly, "Aren't you kinda young?"

"Huh? I'm 21!"

That threw Riku off for a moment. 'But he looks so young!' This meant that he was older than. . . He nearly facepalmed himself. "I'm sorry! I just assumed so because you're - I mean -" 

Mitsuki bursted into laughter, he waved his hand back and forth, "Don't worry about it! I get that a lot."

As Mitsuki ordered the cocktail to Yamato, Riku awkwardly takes a sip of the cocktail, he felt his face getting a bit hot. 'How embarrassing.' He cleared his throat, "An - Anyways, what wound was Yamato talking about? Are you the one who survived the attack one night?" He didn't mean to be nosy but he figured this boy could hold some importance in volunteered case. Under the boy's loose tunic, a bandage could be seen right next to and under his shoulder.

"Ah, yeah that was me." Mitsuki said, "Pretty rough that night but I'm all good now."

"That's good to hear," Riku replied. He debated for a quick second whether to tell him about himself or not. 'Eh, might as well. Maybe I could help this guy out.' "I'm Riku by the way," he introduced himself, "A traveling mercenary."

"A mercenary?" Mitsuki gasped, "You don't work with Gaku and his accomplices do you? I haven't seen you around."

"Gaku. . . The silver-haired one?" Riku said, "No. I don't."

Yamato settled the cocktail in front of Mitsuki, who thanked him. Mitsuki took a quick sip of the drink, he looked as if he's contemplating something. Letting go of the straw, he asked, "Are you here for wolf which has been terrorizing this village?"

"Well," Riku hesitated to respond. He honestly wasn't so sure himself. He had meant to check it out but on his first night, it hadn't worked out as he had expected. He thought of Tenn-ni, who wanted to rid him of the village. "I'm not sure. I'm not informed enough to help."

Mitsuki frowned. His expressions sure were evident, they basically said everything he was thinking. "So are you leaving or staying?"

"I plan to leave tonight." Riku said even though he hadn't really made that decision until just as he spoke those words. He felt bad saying it. Truly, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to help the village. He wanted to resolve things with Tenn-ni and to hear him out. He wanted to make sure Tenn was safe on his mission. But he felt like a burden to Tenn for just being present. Suddenly overwhelmed in anguish again, he took another sip of the cocktail.