M came far too early for Peter’s preferehough, he reflected as he y in the bed he was given, in the room he was assighat had always been the case.The loud banging on the door that awoke him was, hopefully, doo do just that — be sure to wake him up — instead of obnoxiously overdoing it. Though, for some reason, he had a feeling Elbert Havengard would not be above it to be done so; likely not deigning to do it himself. I could, though, be thinking that way because of the fact I am tired and, therefrumpy…

  ?Probably.? Na’at spoke, quietly, in his mind’s ear as he slowly came to sciousness, ?I’m only here to ‘poke’ you out of bed. Don’t wane on your first day, after all.?

  Thanks Mom…Peter groaned as he sat up, unsure if he meant it genuinely or sardonically, and, being half-asleep, was not sure he cared at the moment.He yawned and looked around, sighing deeply and running a hand through his hair before pulling it back out of his face, “Remio ask about where I get a bath or something…” He mused; it was somethiiced; despite being a ‘medieval fantasy world’ he had been ‘reinated’ into there were things that were much more advahan even his old world: magic existing was ohing… but he could tell that hygiene was a lot better than his world’s historical medieval time and he did not want to be the un one.

  ?sidering yoing to spend a good couple hours sweating out on a practice field with at least a dozen other men and women?? Na’at chuckled, ?You won’t be the only one wanting a soak.?

  “Mrh.” He grunted in agreement as he reached under his bed and pulled out the package he had brought back from Sharra the other day and snatched one of the frycakes, gripping it between his teeth as he stood to dress, grabbing his small clothes to slip oing down the frycake on the small bedside table his room had he wandered over to a vanity with a mirror, passing his hand over the purple ruhat y between a red and blue. After a moment warm water started to flow from the spout built into the basin’s ridge/rim.He wet his hand, spshing his fad patting his hands dry, running his fihrough his hair again, and binding it into a ponytail. Making sure his hand was dry he popped the half-eaten frycake into his mouth and chewed as he grabbed his socks.

  ?What are you thinking?? Na’at asked.

  That my room is small, barren… uandably so, but still… and both Santis and Elbert begrudgingly gave it to me.Peter answered holy. Though I worry I’m reading too muto things in this case.

  ?Well, at risk of c your perception, I don’t trust either of them. As a Goddess, I’ve been prayed to, talked to, et cetera, and… mhrph.?

  Graer sighed and pulled on his shirt and jerkin after seg his pants and boots. And making sure his frycakes and bread loaves were stashed away safely. Wish me luother warm sensation enveloped him as Na’at ‘hugged’ him again.

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  Breakfast was… disappointing, to say the least.He arrived at the food hall, seeing several others from the day before eating as well. The first thing that made the back of Peter’s neck itch was the fact they were all eating from bowls. No variation.Everyone, from bowls, maybe with some bread on the side once or twice he saw a couple of people mung on some thick-cut strips of meat. Ooh, ba?~Peter held the happy thought in his mind as he stepped up to the service area and a tray lonked down in front of him with a bowl of some sort of pe and a small pte with, amazingly, two strips of thick-cut meat, and, of course, a spoon. “Here yae go.” The cook who handed him the tray was a rge man, older, with a grey beard that was tightly braided and decorated with a golden ba the end, with only a ‘paint brush’ of hair stig out past it. “Thank you, sir.” “To need fer ‘sir’.” He nodded Peter on his eter bliaking the tray and nodded, “Right. Sorry.” He said simply as he looked to find ay seat out of habit.Settling down onto his stool he picked up the spoon and took a small bit of the pe to taste. Could be worse… could be better, sure but… it’s like a fine grained oatmeal… like grits?Then he nibbled on the meat-strip and nodded, “Ba-enough for me.” He mused out loud to himself as he took a rger spoonful of the pe that was reminding him of a thin sort of grie?brei or cream of wheat if one preferred.

  It was, admittedly, not a bad meal; a little pin, but filling — some butter ar would have been he ba was certainly delicious. With tray in hand, he got up a back to the cook, “Ah, pardon me…” “Sorry, one bowl is all you get.” The cook rebuffed him brusquely, holding up a hand to stop him, “Rules are rules… you lot know that.” “I… was just going to ask what to do with my fihings.” Peter said pinly, fusion on his face.The cook looked him in the eye, sg his face up and wrinkling his beard. “Look, I just got summoned here yesterday. I’m still learning things about the world.”The older man’s wrinkled eyes widened from their peing gre and realization could be seen reflected in his eyes. He coughed, pr an open hand, “Right. ‘Ere, gimme yer tray.” “It was good, thank you.” Peter enuine gratitude to the cook.This made him stop, eyier, “… Yeah?” “Yes s… Yeah.”The cook nodded, “Sorry about snappin’ at ya then, d. There’s always some twit tryin’ ta whine or bully. But I got my orders I gotta follow… One bowl’a cottage pe per person an’ no more than two pieces of rasher. Shepherd d’Zaier doesn’ want you lot gettin’ fat an’ zy from eatin’ too much.” “I… see.” Peter nodded, “Well, thank you for expining it to me.” “Yer wearin’ green though…”Peter nodded, “I’m told that it’s for those who are w with but not for the Church Luminous. Like I said, I was summoned just the other day so I don’t think I’ve been here a full, well, day holy.” “That so…” He rubbed a hand over his beard and , then picked up the bolopped some more of the cottage pe into it, “Rasher?” “Uh, please…” Peter nodded, “Are you… I don’t want you to get in trouble.” “The rules are fer the Church-folk an’ you ain’t Church-folk.” The old man smirked as he gave Peter back his tray, including a small roll, “You drink keffe?” “… Would this keffe be a brewed beverage made from ground beans, with water poured over it to drip slowly into the carafe or tainer beh it?” Peter asked, voice hopeful.The cook gave a hearty ugh, “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’.” “Gods yes, please.” Peter gave a snicker and inhaled happily as the cook put a det-sized mug on his tray. “Sorry, no sugar but I have some milk if you like.” The cook asked.Peter nodded, “I like to add just a spsh so I drink it right away but I have taken it bck before.” “Oh ho. A fel man’a culture, you are.” He ughed and pulled out a small tainer, adding a spsh of milk, “Now git on with ya. Pretty sure ya don’t got much time til m practice.” “I have no idea, holy.” Peter shrugged ao sit back down and stopped, finding someoting at the table he had been sitting at.

  Broseff looked up and raised a hand iing, “Ah, wele back.” He chuckled, “Sorry if I’m intruding but… I was hoping we could have a talk.” He o Peter’s seat, indig the other man should have a seat.Upon seeier’s sed bowl, “Careful you don’t wrankle nerves.” “Yours, theirs, or Shepherd d’Zaier’s?” Peter asked, pushing the rasher strips towards Broseff, even breaking the roll in half befoing for his spoon for his cottage pe. “Not me.” Broseff shook his head, taking the half of the roll he was offered with a grateful nod, “Some of them might not like you getting ‘special treatment’.” He held up a hand, “I know, you’re wearing green so Dohat’s the cook’s name by-the-by, had the right of it.” “For what it’s worth… I don’t want to wrankle nerves either.” He said, putting the spoon of pe in his mouth then sipped the keffe, closing his eyes and sav the drink, “Mmm… that is some good coffee… er… keffe.” “So. I’d like to ask you something, if I may?” Broseff asked, sipping his own cup of keffe. “That being?” Peter nibbled on his half of the roll befoing back to the pe. “Why were yht here?” Broseff asked, “While the higher-ups haven’t announced your prese… it was fairly obvious what was going on. The supplies he time spent…” “I am, apparently, meant to be a mentor and protector to Ennalyssa.” Peter answered pinly. “Apparently?”Peter exhaled through his hat is what Shepherd Vaunn told Ennalyssa yesterday as we were leaving the room he and Miss Traya took me to to get some clothes.” He expined. “So… the cloth in her nose…” “It wasn’t from me, or Shepherd Vaunn, or Miss Traya.” Peter looked up, meeting Broseff.They froze for a moment, the soldier of the Church shocked and then, eyes widening held up his hands, “No no! You misuand me on that.” “I only guess she was leaning against the door and when Shepherd Vaunn ope… she tumbled in, and the floor rose up to attack her.” He smirked.Broseff snorted, coughing “Goddess! Don’t make me snort keffe when it’s hot like this!” “Sorry.” Peter, still grinning, apologized as he finished up his rasher, sharing the two extra slices.Blowing his nose, Broseff looked to Peter as he sat across from him, “So, what are your pns?” “I figured I’d shadow Ennalyssa for her lessons. I’m supposed to be her bodyguard after all, it makes sense.”Broseff nodded in agreement, “She’ll be starting those lessons soon. Before she joins us oraining yard.” “Do you know where her lessons are?”Nodding again, Broseff smiled, “I take you to them. Since you likely aren’t yet aced to the temple’s yout.”Sipping his keffe, Peter nodded iurn, “That would be correct.”

  A soft, feminine, clearing-of-throat broke the sileweewo men; a sound that was trying to be stern and attentioing but, in truth, wasn’t. “Thank you, Shieldbearer, but that will not be necessary.” Traya stepped up to the table, hands csped in front of her, “As I am Champior’s aide, that is my duty.” “Makes sense. You aiding him around the Church grounds and all.” Broseff sipped his keffe, not at all bothered.Peter nodded, “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. I imagine Shepherd d’Zaier’s ire would not be something to risk.” “You would be correct.” Broseff frowned, nibbling on the half-roll he was offered earlier, giving Traya a bit of a side-long ghough we aren’t speaking out against his style of leadership, of course.” “Of course not.” Traya quickly agreed, nodding, “His wisdom is uionable.” “… Ahuh…” Peter, cup in hand, looked betweewo.her looked fortable, aher looked like they were trying to be in a superior position to the other — both seemed to be bothered, “Right. Well. Let’s just ge the subject then.” “A good idea.” Broseff nodded.Rubbing her forearms through her long sleeves Traya gave an agreeing nod.Peter, lookiweewo, only sipped his keffe with a soft slurp… right before it went up his nose and the table and his food due to being shoved roughly, suddenly, from behind, “PPHGTH~?!”

  A male voiarked what one might suppose ology, “Oh, Goddess… I beg your pardon, Oh Great Champion.” The voice held a barely-tained so it.Peter was not really paying attention, as he was trying to clear his nose of the hot beverage, looking at this tunid the absolute puddle that covered his front. “What was that all about?” Broseff had risen to his feet, demanding an answer from the other Shieldbearer.Meeting his gaze the other Church Luminous soldier gave a mog bow, “That was an act, I assure you. I seem to have been temporarily struck dumb by the greatness of Shepherd d’Zaier’s new pet—” He ‘stammered’, “—I mean, the Great Champion he summoned.” The soldier’s lips curled, “Surely, we mere mortals, who are undeserving of even sed servings of the graeal the Shepherd allows us, are no longer o serve as meat shields for d’Zaier’s little wench — I mean, the Goddess’ divinely Chosen Hero.” The soldier gave another mog bow, “Please, excuse me.”

  It was theer stood up, dabbing at his tunic with his napkin, turning to face his antagonist, “If I truly have offended you, I offer a sincere apology.” He said evenly, and quietly, as he met the other man’s eyes.The soldier, a man who looked like he had a subtle cat-like muzzle, as well as not-so-subtle cat’s ears atop his head shifted his weight to his back foot as he looked into Peter’s vibrant purple eyes. “You see—“ Peter tinued, “— I haven’t been here even a full day. So I’m still learning things about this new world I am, for all is and purposes, trapped in.” He gave a wide, but sad-looking smile, “I meant no offeo you, or the other hard-w members of the Church’s guard forces. I don’t know who’s been calling me a ‘great champion’ but it certainly hasn’t been me.” He offered his hand, “I prefer Peter.”

  The cat-like man looked down to Peter’s hand, then back up to his eyes. Peter noticed his slit pupils narrowing momentarily before turning with a growling hiss, “Just watch yourself, Champion.” He muttered as he stalked off on digitigrade feet.

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