What if I attend that 'ritual' tomorrow?

Emrys pondered as he cleared the beer bottles from the table, his mind swirling with thoughts of what Smith might be orchestrating. Despite his curiosity, he couldn't shake off his suspicion that the soldier's words were merely drunken ramblings.

As he wiped down the table, Emrys couldn't help but wonder about the significance of the ritual. Was it just a figment of the soldier's intoxicated imagination, or was there something more profound and mysterious behind it? The thought of delving into the unknown both intrigued and unnerved him.

Walking through his office, Smith noticed the commotion outside and felt a pang of curiosity. He approached Emrys to inquire about the disturbance.

"What's going on out there?" Smith asked, his tone filled with curiosity.

Emrys glanced up from his task and replied, "Oh, it's nothing serious, just a drunk soldier causing a scene. It's under control now."

"Thank you for handling it, Emrys," Smith said appreciatively

“I have some news for you regarding tomorrow.”

Emrys's curiosity was piqued at Smith's serious demeanor. "What is it?"

Smith glanced around the office, ensuring that he has privacy before speaking. "I have an important meeting tomorrow night and may not return home for a few days."

Wait… could the soldier be right?!

“I see, so no work for me tomorrow?” Emrys asked as he smirked, he didn’t like working all that much.

“Precisely.”

"Understood, sir. I'll make sure to keep a low profile," Emrys replied, nodding in acknowledgment. Smith's tone had softened, indicating a sense of relief or satisfaction about something.

As Smith mentioned the soldier, Emrys noticed a glint of curiosity in his eyes. Without missing a beat, he asked, "Were you curious about the soldier, sir? Is everything alright?"

Smith paused for a moment before responding, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, indeed. I wanted to ensure everything was resolved smoothly. It's important to stay vigilant in these times."

Smith calmly walked over to the soldiers, trying to see if everything was fine. Emrys was standing at the table, cleaning it as he looked at them cautiously.

Something seems off… he’s never this intrigued by drunken soldiers in the diner, but why today? Why him? Could he actually be telling the truth about Smith?

Emrys kept cleaning the table, scrubbing the parts where beer fell. He’d look at his hands and stop for a moment.

No! No way Smith could actually have any connection with supernatural stuff, I mean…

Emrys found himself caught in a web of conflicting thoughts. On one hand, he couldn't shake off the suspicion that Smith might be involved in something taboo, perhaps opening gates for people to become walkers, a concept both intriguing and unsettling. However, on the other hand, he couldn't dismiss the possibility that the soldier's ramblings about the ritual were merely a product of his intoxication with the beers.

Blimey! It’s all too much!

Wait a second…

Emrys finally has his answer.

After clearing the beer stains and removing the empty bottles from the table, Emrys disposed of the garbage and left the remaining beers untouched. As he continued to serve other, more composed customers, the soldier's words lingered in his mind, sparking a deep contemplation about whether he should act on the idea or not.

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As the day progressed and the restaurant closed, it was time for Emrys to head home. Despite the calm exterior he maintained, his thoughts remained consumed by the intriguing yet risky notion that had been planted in his mind.

He sat down on his desk, wearing his home clothes alone in the house he thought and thought.

Okay, so if we think about this properly, on one hand we have that idiotic soldier who said he was going to become a walker, and Smith is the one conducting it. He even is going out tomorrow which makes his theory more solidified.

But, I’ve known Smith all these years and I could never believe he could be doing such things!

Hang on a second…

Smith does frequently leave the house for these ‘meetings’ he has, especially at nights… Shit! What if the soldier is right!?

Emrys grabbed his hair in confusion, not understanding who to believe.

Seems like I do have to go investigate this…

Emrys still conflicted about Smith and his actions finally come to a resolve:

I’ll go with Smith, and see it for myself.

…

The next day dawned with the rising sun, casting a warm glow through the window of Emrys' room. He woke up with a start, having spent the night lost in thought about how to approach Smith regarding the mysterious ritual. Despite his efforts to sleep, his mind had been restless, keeping him awake until the early hours of the morning.

With a tired yawn, Emrys stretched his limbs and rubbed his eyes, feeling the effects of the short and restless night. He sat at his table, contemplating his next move and mentally preparing himself for what could lie ahead.

Per usual, Smith wasn’t home. He was often out or working at the diner but on special occasions, he tells Emrys that he is leaving for a ‘meeting’ and won’t come home.

Emrys would wear his brown coat and hat once more and leave for the morning stroll, this time he’s going to be wary of rumors that are spreading all around the city. He mainly went around crowded areas even though he was strictly told not to.

During his stroll, Emrys absorbed a wealth of information and rumors swirling through the city. Among them, one particularly prevalent rumor caught his attention — the notion that army generals possessed supernatural powers from realms beyond mortal understanding. It was a topic buzzing in conversations, drawing intrigue and speculation from the populace.

Another rumor that held sway over discussions was the simmering anticipation of an impending revolution. Whispers of discontent grew louder as stories of Titlantia's abuses of power spread, fueling the flames of rebellion in the hearts of many.

Emrys found himself drawn to this latter rumor, not out of a thirst for chaos but rather out of a deep-rooted patriotism. He firmly believed in the righteousness of the cause, viewing the actions of the Titlantians as fundamentally wrong and unjust.

…

As the time approached for Smith to depart, Emrys stood by, waiting to bid him farewell. The air was tinged with anticipation and a sense of impending change. The carriage that awaited Smith's departure stood grandly in front of the house, its polished wooden frame gleaming under the morning sun. The carriage was adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of mythical creatures and ancient battles, a testament to the craftsmanship of its makers.

Emrys, dressed in his usual attire, watched as Smith made his way toward the carriage. The sight of Smith, a figure of authority and mystery, always sparked a sense of curiosity in Emrys. Today was no different, as he observed Smith's demeanor, trying to glean any hints or clues about the secrets he held.

Smith, unaware of Emrys' presence, was taken aback when he spotted him near the carriage. Surprise flickered across Smith's features briefly before he composed himself, his expression turning thoughtful as he regarded Emrys.

“Emrys, my boy, what are you doing here?” Smith said in a smiling face.

“I’m just here to see you off!”

“See me off? That’s new!” Smith chuckled.

I have to make this quick or else he might notice me following him!

“Hah… yeah! I was around the city so I figured I would come meet you.” Emrys would take a soft breath. “Where are you going?”

Smith’s eyebrows widened as the question was asked. He was curious as to why Emrys wanted to know where he was headed to.

“From the looks of it… nowhere special. Besides… it's your curfew time, you should be heading home by now.”

Emrys deftly retrieved his pocketwatch, a prop in his act to feign a sense of urgency. With a feigned expression of surprise, he glanced at the time and remarked, "Oh my, would you look at that! Time seems to have slipped away from me. I should probably make my way home now, shouldn't I?" His words were laced with subtle intent, hinting at an ulterior motive hidden beneath the facade of innocence.

The golden rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the evening, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Emrys, playing his part to perfection, turned back as if ready to head home, intending to throw off any suspicion from Smith. With a casual wave, he bid farewell to Smith, his actions carefully calculated to mask his true intentions.