Yesterday morning, when they entered the city, they passed by Milton's Adventurer Guild Branch. It was hard to miss, just as the guard said. There was a courtyard leading into a smallish building where people of all varieties came and went. Daire planned on stopping by after grabbing some lunch, but one thing led to another and... Yeah.

The whole group was going. Trinket pulled the cart behind them. A few people stared but most moved out of their way. Daire was a bit worried about people trying to steal the rabbits but didn't think someone would attack in broad daylight. The people weren't starving. They were craving meat, in a non-monster sort of way.

Violet's appearance had changed again. She was wearing a full-green leaf dress that went down past her knees, adding to the "I am a pixie who lives in the forest" vibe. She undid her previous hairstyle and switched to twin tails—a youthful appearance.

Daire kept his appearance, deciding to change later.

Arriving near the East gate, they walked into a courtyard where a few people were milling about. It was well maintained. Greenery surrounding the edges while the center was paved flat with a smooth stone, unlike the road's segmented cobblestone. In the center was a statue that appeared disturbingly phallus. It was a solid stone, smooth and cylindrical, about 10ft tall. Three spheres rested symmetrically near the bottom.

Daire looked askance as everyone who entered or left the courtyard touched a hand to it before leaving. Shorter individuals touched the spheres instead, like a good luck charm.

"Should we do that too?"

Violet asked while pointing at the pillar. Daire's face contorted.

"No, we aren't adventurers. Let's just go inside. Trinket, stay here and don't get into trouble. Understood?"

Trinket snorted and sat down. Daire tried to appease the jealous bear.

"Thanks, buddy. We'll be back soon; then we'll go for a walk."

Trinket blew a raspberry. Then rolled over on his back.

Daire had no idea what this meant, so he simply scratched Trinket's tummy and walked into the building with Violet trailing behind.

Walking through a large entranceway, the inside of the building was more extensive than he thought it would be. There was a reception desk at the front; off to the left and right were common areas with a smattering of adventurers lazing about. In those areas were stairs that lead to an indoor veranda. Doors lined the upper floor, perhaps meeting rooms or resting rooms for adventurers coming back from missions.

At the front counter were a few different workers doing orderly business. A woman with a prim and proper appearance greeted them.

"Welcome to Milton's Adventurer's Guild Branch. How may I help you?"

Daire was trying to place her. She seemed like a cross between a librarian and a secretary. More comfortable in paperwork but also experienced in customer service. She had a slight smile and her greeting was reserved and polite. Daire responded in kind, mimicking her tone.

"Greetings. I was hoping to put in a request. We are new to the area and were hoping to hire a guide who is knowledgeable about Milton and its surroundings."

The woman glanced to a floating Violet. Startled.

"A pixie?"

"I'm a pix- wait, what? Did you just call me a pixie?"

Violet was completely baffled by this, expecting something entirely different by now.

"You don't think I'm a fairy?"

The receptionist tidied her already pristine uniform, realizing she let out her inner thoughts.

"Excuse my rudeness. Most adventurers know of fairies and know what they look like. I have even met a couple. You do not look anything like them. I was only a bit surprised. Pixies haven't been credibly spotted in centuries, so I was startled for a moment."

Daire wanted to laugh.

Just a moment?

The Fairies that most people thought of were probably related to Fae. Normal-sized humans that had a fantastical appearance. The fact that Pixies weren't spotted at all was news to him.

Maybe there are some that frequent the capital? Or do they stay in complete wilderness?

Violet peeped.

"Really? I've never seen a fairy before, so I was confused why people keep thinking I am one."

"I can see how that would be troublesome. Now, about your request..."

Unconsciously organizing papers.

"Most adventurers are a wealth of information, but most would not like to lead you around for little money. An E rank adventurer can likely do the job for a few silver. There's no need to fill out a form or poster."

"E-rank?"

The receptionist explained to Violet what was probably standard information.

"Adventurers are ranked by experience and ability. The lowest is E-rank, which are usually aspiring adventurers who are too young to go out and fight. The ranks rise from E to D, C, B, A, and finally S-rank."

"S-rank?"

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Daire answered this time.

"They likely found someone who was stronger than A-rank but didn't have any letters higher than A, so they picked one at random."

The receptionist gave an awkward smile. Daire hit the nail on the head.

"As I said, an E-ranker can help you. I can call one over right now as most are milling about in the common area. Do you have any preferences other than them being generally knowledgeable?"

Daire tilted his head for a moment before shaking it.

"No, anyone will do as long as they can communicate and know the area well."

"I understand; I will have an aide fetch someone. You can work out an agreement between yourselves. Please have a seat over there."

"Thanks. By the way, my name is Daire, and this is Violet. May we know your name for future reference?"

Giving a soft smile, the receptionist answered.

"Tabitha. If you come by with more requests, we will see each other often."

Violet responded.

"Nice to meet you, Tabitha."

"Likewise."

Interaction over, Daire led Violet to a bench near the entrance. Violet took the corner seat, looking up at the shadow Daire cast over her.

"We don't have a ton of money, and you said adventurers are usually paid in gold. What if they request a lot?"

"Then we'll simply ask another. Tabitha said it should only cost a few silver. We can also work out some sort of deal if that doesn't work."

"What do you plan on having them do? Take us around the city?"

Daire shrugged his shoulders.

"Pretty much. I plan to have them answer all of my questions too. Anything they can't or refuse to answer, I will pay them to take us somewhere that can. I have a list of places we need to visit."

Daire took out one of the notebooks from his back pocket. Violet frowned at this for some reason. Flipping through some pages, Daire read off a list.

"General store, Clothier, Grocery, Bakery, Barber, Smithy, Jewelry Store, a Library/Bookstore, and the Church..."

Daire trailed off after he spat the last word.

"That is a lot for one day."

Waving a hand, Daire corrected himself.

"There is more, but we will do it over the next few days."

"Is there something specific we need to learn? Or are we trying to familiarize ourselves?"

Smiling, Daire answered.

"Both. I have specific questions loaded and ready, but I'm terrified I overlooked something. The most important question we need to ask is about magic. How wide-spread it is, taboo magics, rarity, affinities, and the like. An adventurer should be exposed to magic, even an E-ranker. Our guide will likely be an apprentice of sorts, so it will be their job to inform us."

Daire looked down at his wrapped arm, the pain flaring up again.

Going back to his notes, he started to flip through again.

"The majority of what I have written about magic is all conjectural. 'See the color, taste the color, be the color.' That sort of thing."

Daire looked at where he had drawn a cookie and written "Yum Yum", not mentioning it. This gave him another thought, however.

"You said you wanted to share this, didn't you? Why don't you take a moment to write or draw something while we wait?"

"Really?"

Violet lit up. Daire dug out a mechanical pencil from his back pocket and broke off a piece of lead. It was a little small for her, but it would be easier than using the entire pencil.

Violet happily laid down on her belly with the notebook sprawled open in front of her. Her legs taking turns bouncing against her thighs.

=

About a quarter-hour later, which wasn't long but wasn't necessarily short either, Daire saw a young girl move over to them.

"Excuse me, are you Daire and Violet?"

The girl was young, around 15. Daire wasn't sure what the adult age in this world was, but 15 was young. Although it did make sense that she would be E-class at such an age.

"I am Daire, that is Violet, and you are?"

"Hi, my name is Emmy. the aide mentioned you are looking for a guide?"

Emmy was shifting from side to side, peaking up at Daire despite sharing a similar eye-level right now.

Violet looked up after having finished her sketches and joined the conversation.

"Wow! Emmy, your dress is soooo pretty!"

Startled.

"Oh, ah, umm, thanks! I wasn't planning to take any requests today, so I wore something nice. I like your outfit too! How did you stitch together those tiny leaves?"

"This thing? I just used a little paste and-"

Daire listened to them talk about clothes for a few minutes. Emmy wore wearing a long dress. It was a plain tan color but well made. As an adventurer, she could probably afford decent clothes but not amazing ones either. Emmy seemed like a good kid. She was shy when walking up, but Violet worked some magic, and she turned out to be an average teenager who liked talking. Daire cut them off when they started on about stitching and cross patterns.

"I apologize for interrupting, but we have a busy day ahead of us, and I need to make sure that you will be able to help us. Do you mind me testing your knowledge a little bit? Then we can work out a price for your time."

"Oh, ah, sorry, I got carried away. Sure. That is fine. I know a lot. A little about some things... But my parents are warriors that travel, so they teach me. I know most about the area too. I know Milton like that back of my tail!"

He tried to calm her down.

"Good to know. Good to know. There's no pressure. I have three questions every basic adventurer should know; if you answer them to the best of your ability, that will be good enough for us."

Emmy forgoes words and chose to nod. Violet backed off, floating nearby.

"What are the 5 denominations of currency mainly used in the Meist Kingdom?"

Emmy smiled a full row of teeth.

"There are only four. Copper, Silver, Gold, and Platinum."

"Good. Tell me, what does the sculpture in the courtyard represent?"

Daire pointed to the awkward phallus statue that shouldn't be seen by eyes so young.

"It's a representation of the three main guilds. The Traders Guild. The Adventurers Guild. The Mages Guild. The pillar represents all of us who would fall apart without their support. I am told there is a statue at every such venue throughout the continent."

Daire filed away this piece of information. A Traders Guild could stir up trouble if he tried to expand his business far without notifying them in some way. The Mages Guild could spell trouble depending on their regulations. Daire thought up a last easy question.

"What are the qualification for becoming an Adventurer?"

"That depends. To become an E-class adventurer you must be at least 15 years of age and either have a guardian's consent for joining the guild or be an orphan and sign a lot of legal agreements. E-class adventurers aren't usually thought of as real adventurers. The qualifications to become D-class is to be recognized by citizens in the area and your fellow adventurers while showing you are able to kill another semi-sentient creature without faltering."

An adventurer was basically an odd jobs worker that specialized in exterminating monsters and bounty hunting. Being able to kill without flinching was a must. If someone hesitated at the crucial moment, they would get themselves and/or others killed.

"Well done. Thank you for humoring me. We aren't from this region and want to hire you to take us around Milton and answer more generic questions like those I've already asked. How much would you like to be paid to accompany us for the day? We can pay either in silver or rabbits."

Emmy seemed thrilled she got all the questions correct but was contemplative about her pay. Deciding your own income was difficult when most of your job description was To-Be-Decided. It was a much better option to ask for a fee upfront and then ask for more as necessary.

"I was planning to spend the day going on a stroll anyway... but they don't know that. If I am working I should at least ask for-"

Emmy's thought process stopped completely when she registered Daire's last words.

"Rabbits!?"

Emmy's tail pointed straight up.

Violet answered.

"Mhm. We sell rabbits. We even set up a street stall last night. I believe we are doing it again tonight."

Violet looked up to Daire for confirmation, and Daire nodded.

Emmy spoke with the most intense determination Daire had ever seen.

"You don't have to pay me; treating me to rabbits will suffice. Shall we head out? Where to first? On to Adventure!"

Emmy halfway out the doors, drooling.

Daire and Violet shared a look before quickly following the girl on a mission.