Chapter 5
Opera
As Ritter walked down the streets of Katamuri, the town was still stirring from its slumber. The fog had fully disappeared and the sun now glowed brightly in the horizon. It wouldn't be long until the hustle and bustle of daily life resumed motion. Ritter decided to take care of food and lodge first before the city grew too hectic for his liking.
Sage
Ritter was approaching Matteo's Delicatessen, he figured a 24cm Sub at half off would be a very good meal, and if he remembered correctly, Matteo's niece ran a Bed and Breakfast.
As Ritter approached the building, the smell of cooked meats once again entered his senses, delicious. Matteo's Marvellous Meat Eats, as the shop was called, was a small triangular brick building in the middle of a block on one of the short ends. Next to it was a parking lot for a number of minor shops adjacent to it going down the block, while on the opposite side was a large wooden lodge, The Remembered Monument Bed and Breakfast.
Opera
Somehow, even in the disharmonious collage of Katamuri, this building stood out as an anachronism. But I suspect on a spectrum of Apples and Bananas, the number 17 would be a strange sight.
Sage
It was large, much larger than the surrounding buildings, with a boxy front. A wooden patio sat at the summit of steps formed by the lining of thick rectangular stone slabs. Ritter decided that perhaps he should lodge first before eating.
Walking up the steps Ritter placed his hand on the wooden railing on the steps, hand carved, with many grooves and bumps.
Opera
Ritter felt that familiar scent of woodland from the cabin, well, not actually the scent, more like an acute mentalism. The wood reminded him of his early life playing with wolves in the forest, the smell of pine was particularly strong where he grew up. And while the wood had clearly been separated from its greenwood home for some time, how long exactly Ritter could not tell, it still had the familiar trappings of isolated forest living.
Sage
As Ritter reached the top of the stairs he looked around the patio, witnessing the sparse yet tasteful furnishings. A small table lies on the end near the Delicatessen with two chairs, and a much larger table on the other end that overlooks the intersection.
As Ritter entered the lodge, a strong source of pine scent revealed itself, scented candles, homemade looking ones at that, sat on a large wooden dresser immediately to the left side of the door. On the other side some small trees stuck out of little ceramic pots. Bonsai plants, Ritter identified them as, each cut and groomed to perfection. Matteo’s Niece must spend all day keeping this place tidy.
Opera
Indeed, the place was spotless, each wooden panel and surface waxed and scented slightly citrus like. Any other surface was dusted and cleaned with immaculate detail work.
Sage
In front of Ritter was a large wooden desk, trapezoid shaped, behind which was a large cubed panel, containing a number of different items, one shelf had keys hanging on hooks and numbered tags attached for the rooms. The next shelf had various photographs and assorted knick knacks vaguely organized, clearly they moved positions frequently.
Now perhaps the most unique feature of the place, was the seemingly endless collection of photographs adorning every wall. Each depicted a different Monument. Truly to all but the most intrepid of Jumpers, those who had the means to travel across the scattered worlds, none could see all of them in person. Ritter was slightly surprised at the quantity and quality of the photographs. The one that drew his attention the most, was the large 300cm by 300cm picture of the Roman Colosseum that hung upon the wall behind the desk. High Definition.
Ritter, vacantly to himself
Wow, I’ve seen that in person, and I can’t even recall that level of detail…
Mysterious Women
WOW!? YOU’VE SEEN THE COLOSSEUM?!?
Sage
Ritter suddenly jumped back, startled at the mysterious, womanly voice from behind. Ritter quickly turned around to see a woman in rather high fashion standing in front of him. She wore a bowler hat that sat square on her head, her rose gold hair framed a comely face. It was rosy in tone, with a smattering of freckles framing her cheeks. Stunning hazel eyes sparkled out from her slender face.
Her outfit was rather deluxe for someone who lived in a rather small town, she had a brown sweater with vertical lines alternating some embroidered weave patterns. Her pants were cream colored and leather, going down near the floor with massive leg cuffs. She wore pointed dress shoes.
Opera
She looked at Ritter with all the excitement of a puppy seeing a new person carrying their favored toy. After all, Ritter just mentioned he had seen the Colosseum, one of the most famous pieces of her culture’s Oldworld lands one would have to think she took an immediate fancy.
Ritter
Ugh.. Yes I have, are you the manager of this place?
Opera
Ritter awaited a response, was this woman really the manager of the lodge? This was the kind of establishment one might expect an old timer who ran it in lieu of retirement to be in charge of, someone with too much time and nostalgia on their hands. But this woman looked like a supermodel, to Ritter at least. She could have been on the cover of any beauty Zine she wanted. If Ritter had been the type easily swayed by the heart, he might have been smitten.
Contessa, realizing what she’s doing
OH! Oh My! I am SO sorry, that was probably unprofessional of me, how embarrassing.. I’m Contessa, and yes I run The Remembering Monument. How can I help you today?
Sage
Contessa spoke with a thick accent, one derived from close familial ties, yet gently whittled down to have an ease of understanding towards outsiders. She slipped behind the desk and grabbed some paper and a writing tool.
Ritter, adjusting himself
I am Ritter Wandenloche, I am seeking lodging for the next three days. I am alone.
Contessa, writing notes before placing down a piece of paper
Okay there mister Ritter, I’m just going to need you to sign here and I require half payment up front, the rest at the end of your stay. Physical or Digital?
Sage
Ritter grabbed his Bond Card. The Orthodoxy gave each member one whenever they went on jobs, there was theoretically no limit, yet in reality each transaction would be inquired about when one got back and filed their report. Completing the payment, ten Credits a night, not bad, Contessa leaned over the counter.
Contessa
So, have you really seen the Colosseum? What’s it like?
Opera
Ritter tumbled the question around in his mind, what was he to say? This woman clearly was enthralled by such matters, and Ritter had seen it up close and in person, the problem began with how Ritter didn’t really pay attention to it when he had seen it up close and personal. To him it was just an Old World building from before the Divergence. Ritter had always assumed it had meant something to someone, but to have a person actually press him for details, it made him ever so slightly off guard.
What should he do? Tell the girl he didn’t bother with it? Jumping was at this point still a privilege, for Ritter to casually not care about these kinds of things might be considered rather insulting. Maybe tell her some phony word salad about how it was grand and majestic? Ugh, think Ritter!
Unsure of what to do, Ritter, well, he didn’t really decide to, but he ended up putting his foot in his mouth.
Ritter, nervously
Well, not as beautiful as what’s in front of me…
Contessa, feigning cool headedness herself
Slick moves Casanova. Here is the key to your room, there is a strict 0100 hour curfew.
Sage
Ritter quietly acknowledged what Contessa said before retrieving to his new found room.
Opera
The room was plainly dressed, fashioned in much the same vein as the rest of the Remembering Monument, wood paneling with indents to imply a log cabin shape. It was rather sparse in dress, the room sported a desk with a chair on the door wall. On the desk sat some glass bottles filled with some miscellaneous materials, near the end is… Is that a Record Player? It is!
Sage
The bed was a large wooden frame, queen sized, with quilts and a large plaid comforter. Ritter tossed his Overcoat and Inquisitor jacket on the bed, he kinda wanted to plop down and get some genuine shut eye, but didn't want to risk more unpleasant memories swelling back up. So instead he continued his original plan and began to make his way downstairs and out the Lodge.
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Approaching the door of Matteo's Delicatessen, he was once again enjoying the delicious scent of meats, it completely fills Ritter's senses, and reminds him of his empty stomach. He hadn't eaten since before he boarded the train on his personal quest of.. what would you say Opera?
Opera
Oh there's many things one might call this endeavor of his, vengeance, reconciliation, maybe even redemption, in a certain light. Yet Ritter wouldn't agree with any of these labels. To him, this was simply searching for and taking down a rogue Inquisitor, at least that's what Ritter has come to tell himself.
Sage
Upon entering the shop, Ritter’s stomach nearly growled. There was a stone alcove in the corner by where a kitchenette was, inside was buzzing with the movement of workers and the preparation of food. Also located in the corner was a glass display case where various high quality meats were put on display, with prices close by. Matteo worked both in the wholesale selling of meats as well as fresh and prepared food.
Opera
The whole place had such a welcoming vibe, it was clear that Matteo invested heavily into the mood of the restaurant. On a wall at the far end was a large collage of various words, “fresh”, “warm” and “friendly” were among the smattering of pleasantries written, alongside pictures of the various food items the place served. Curiously it seemed that the restaurant was rather full at the moment, it had only been 800. But the place was already in, not quite a rush, but was rather busy, a line had formed at the register.
Sage
Ritter simply stepped in line when a voice called out from the Kitchenette. Matteo had seen Ritter enter and decided to let him skip the line, he walked over to a second register and motioned over to him.
Matteo
Hey Inquisitor! Come over here I’ll check you out!
Sage
The place became much more quiet than before, people looked at Ritter as he walked over to Matteo. An Inquisitor, for all intents and purposes, was a rather exciting presence. They hadn’t come to Katamuri in, oh, about 12 years. Not since that situation with the living fog…
Opera
But Ritter, ever the one to ignore others, didn’t pay them any mind, simply walking over to the counter, and setting down his Bond Card. Ritter looked at the menu and made a simple selection, Tomatoes, Coleslaw and Corned Beef on Focaccia with a side of Cheesy Macaroni.
Matteo
No Pay! Your friend already gave me his card.
Sage
Ritter perked up and this, his friend? Did Matteo mean Aldel? He couldn’t have, Aldel had just met him. Ritter was curious..
Ritter
What do you mean Matteo? What friend?
Matteo, unconcerned
Your friend in the back, he booked a private booth for you two. Just go on and sit, I’ll bring your plates shortly.
Sage
Ritter had a bad feeling about this, and turned towards the corner of the Delicattesen that was near the Kitchenette, opposite of the door. Inside was another alcove. Each was a large table, separated from each other and the rest of the place by glass doors and windows, and is within one of these that sat Maxwell Mars, patiently awaiting Ritter.
Opera
Ritter had… Well it’s kinda difficult to encapsulate all the various feelings surging through his head, what was Mars doing here? Out in the open? Was he simply impatient? Wanted a fight that bad?
But Ritter managed to stave those fears and thoughts, heading into the booth. He knew if he just followed the Inquisitor playbook, he would do okay.
Ritter, feigning calmness
So, did you wanna make my job easy?
Mars, casually
As if you’d violate the Playbook, you know if we fought here it would be a scene. Tell me, Ritter, If I were to say… For the sake of argument, just start killing civilians without concern for you, how many would die?
Ritter
None, I would stop you.
Mars, amused
Oh really now, and what makes you think that Ritter? I trained you, taught you everything, and if that wasn’t enough, you’re also not Awakened. What genuinely makes you think you can win?
Sage
Ritter felt a bitter sensation at the back of his mind, he knew Mars had a point, he hadn’t Awakened, he lacked all the extraordinary abilities that made Werewolves so powerful, the very reasons the Orthodoxy saw fit to enlist them in the never ending battle against the forces that threatened Adama. All he had was the Chalice with basic Augmentation Theories and a minor recovery Theory.
Opera
But Ritter wasn’t about to just let Mars walk all over him, no, he had to be strong, let Mars know that he wasn’t the child Mars rescued from the Quiet Den all those years ago.
Ritter
Because I'm an Inquisitor, and stopping things like you is my job.
Mars, facepalming
Ritter, to think I'd have to tell you of all people this, platitudes aren't an acceptable substitute for battle plans.
Ritter
Tell me Mars, how'd you know I would be here?
Mars
I've been following you since you entered Katamuri. I knew when that Italian guy offered a discount that you would take the opportunity. You've always been that kind of reasonable person.
Opera
A thought crept into Ritter's mind like a snake. Tama’s Amulet. Perhaps he should ask, it wouldn't be beyond Mars.
Ritter
Tell me Mars, did you swipe the Tama Amulet at the train station?
Sage
Mars rather boisterously stretches his long arms across the booth's backrest and gives a rather toothy grin.
Mars
Guilty, decided to give you some… entertainment while we wait for our battle.
Ritter, curiosity intrigued
Entertainment? Wait for our battle? What do you mean?
Mars
Well Ritter, I'm not going to fight you today, or tomorrow, instead, on the night of Overmorrow, we’ll meet at the abandoned underground train station, THAT will be the arena where we settle things.
Ritter, incensed
You think this is some kind of game Mars? Like I'm some kind of circus performance for you to laugh at?
Mars, still grinning
Well I mean watching you wander about, unsure where I am or what I'm doing will be certainly entertaining.
Sage
Fast as his training allowed, Ritter subconsciously flicked out a Dagger from his tooth, and held the blade up against the neck of Mars. The Silver Titanium alloy ever so slightly draws faint impressions of blood.
Mars leans in on the dagger, letting a crimson drop streak down to his chest.
Mars, excited
Do it Ritter! Do It! Unleash Your Inner Beast! Let It Run Rampant! Stab Me! Gut Me! Do It And Show Me You Got What It Takes!!
Opera
But Ritter… will not do that, he's not going to make a scene here, not spill blood where Sleepers could see the Orthodoxy’s grisly business. No, he would do this as he was taught, the way he has been told. Well, at least at least that's what he's telling himself.
Ritter, putting his Dirk away
No, the Orthodoxy demands discretion, and I'm not going to show the fine people of this diner the Orthodoxy's ugly side. Now what do you mean Entertainment?
Opera
Mars looks disappointed, not in the way you're disappointed when something genuinely upsetting happens, but the kind of disappointment that occurs when you knew what was going to happen but had a smidge of hope in your heart otherwise.
Mars
Well, my… Benefactor has given me some interesting commodities, and I was rather put off on what to do with them, but I think I'll let you and those buffoons this town calls Public Safety take care of them.
Ritter
Don't play with me Mars, what do you mean by “commodities”?
Mars
Well, let's hope you can handle one or two mild Geists, not even 3rd Degree.
Sage
Geists, the strange middle ground between an Anomaly and a Spirit. Not quite mindless, yet not really Sapient. Ritter of course has handled such adversaries in the past, but knowing that this time, they weren't just some random missions he was sent to investigate. This was Mars deliberately wasting his time, watch him deal with these nuisances.
Opera
But what Ritter was really focused on, was that strange word Mars used.. “Benefactor”, was Mars seriously not working alone? Of course most Werewolves who live outside Orthodoxy Law live in packs, but typically rogue Inquisitors didn't join up, they frankly tended to go some kind of insane or paranoid.
Sage
And furthermore nearly any pack would reject such runaways, Werewolves hated those of their kind that joined the Orthodoxy as Inquisitors, “Dogs” was the preferred name. Even Runaway Dogs were typically thought of as “having caught on too late”.
Opera
Ugh, Ritter started feeling worse and worse about this. Did he have to worry about more of them? Did he have to call the Orthodoxy? No. No No No. If he called in, that would mean he would admit he can't handle himself, that he can't do this alone.
Ritter kept stirring these questions in his mind like ingredients in a Cauldron, as if thinking that if he did so enough the answers would make themselves clear. Staring at Maxwell Mars, he looked a lot like he did when Ritter first saw him eight years ago, short and straight brown hair. Deep brown eyes and stubble on his lower face, Mars never could manage actual facial hair. He wore a rather plain outfit, a brown sweater with beige slacks.
Ritter, growing impatient
What's your game Mars!?
Mars
Ritter, what I want, more than anything else in all the worlds, is for you to see the truth. Ritter, I don't want to kill you, I want you to join me.
Opera
Ritter was put off by this, naturally. But one thing was for certain, there is NO hexing world where he would ever become a Wild Werewolf.
Ritter
Never.
Mars
Ritter, listen to me, let me expla-
Sage
Ritter cuts him off.
Ritter
No, not now, not ever.
Mars
Well, then fine, have it your way I guess, I'll deploy the first Geist tonight at 1900 hours, good luck.
Sage
Mars then simply gets up and walks out of the Delicatessen. A waiter brings over Ritter's food.
Waiter
What's up with your friend? I was under the impression that he was dining with you?
Ritter
No, just… talking for a bit…
