Masks Chapter 1.2 : Unknown Mask

"He" looked at the Man with his head tilted, confused.

Also still confused, the Man calms himself.

"I pick Fruits and Berries, as well as the occasional Vegetables, for the Church in my Village. The Church also runs as an Orphanage, so I donate quite often. Today there was a good amount of Berries around, so I picked as many as I could while also finding some Fruits as well as a single Carrot. I didn't expect a Bear to suddenly jump out of nowhere."

"Church? Orphanage? Fruits? These are all new words to me. Please explain them further." "He" was more confused than before.

"Really? Well, a Church is a place to pray for Forgiveness as well as learn about the God that the Church represents. An Orphanage is a place that Children without Parents are gathered. They are taken care of by the people who work at the Church. And Fruits are just a type of Food. Is that clear enough? ...Umm, are you okay?"

"He" was kneeling down beside a Flower.

'I don't get it at all! Every time he explains it I hear more confusing words! What the heck is a God!? Let alone a Food!?'

As he rattled his brain about these things, the Man speaks up.

"Umm, I don't mean to barge in, but, what about the Bear?"

"Bear? Oh, that one. They are no longer alive. I gave them a proper farewell."

"That's... good. And, if my eyes don't deceive me, what you're holding are..."

"Ah, these are the Babies of the 'Bear' you were talking about. I was entrusted with them as the last wish from their Parent."

The Man had an even more confused look on his face.

"Last Wish? We are talking about the same Animal, right?"

"If you have doubts, then that is your problem. I can see that your [Kindness] isn't too bad, but it isn't great either."

"Kindness? I'm a pretty nice guy if I do say so myself. In fact, how about I take you to my Village? You know, as a thanks for saving me from the Bear."

"To your Village? What is that? Are there any [Shadows] there?"

"[Shadows]? No, not really. Not very many [Veils] open up around here, so it's pretty safe."

"[Veil]... do you mean a [Space]?"

"That's an old name. It was changed to [Veil] many years ago."

'Interesting. I guess this place isn't a [Space], no, a [Veil]. Just where am I? How did I even get here?'

"Hey, are we going or not?"

The Man was already beginning to walk back through the Trees.

'I'll need more information. I guess I'll follow this person until I can find some answers.'

He begins tailing behind the Man.

"Oh yeah, I'm Tayl. I work as a Gatherer for 3 Days of the week. And you?"

'Tayl... is that their Name?'

"I don't have a name. Call me what you will."

"Seriously? No Name? You are joking, right?"

"I do not have a name, nor have I ever thought of having one."

"You're that young, yet you don't even have a name?"

'Young? Do I look young to them? I've been fighting [Shadows] for well over 100 Years by now... I should probably keep quiet about that. I still don't know what could pass on as wrong or weird.'

"I was always alone. The only Partners I have are my Hand-Cannon and my Sword, and I didn't talk to anybody, so I never needed a Name to give anybody."

"Seems like you had it rough. What about those Bear Cubs? You gonna name them?"

'Names? I haven't even thought about that. What should I name these two?'

"Do you have any suggestions?"

"For Bears? I guess it would almost be like naming a dog or cat. Do you know their Genders?"

"Gender? ...No."

'What's a Gender?'

"I see. Then excuse me."

Tayl examines the Bear Cubs for a brief moment.

"You got yourself a Male and Female. With this it'll be easier to name them."

'Male? Female? What does that mean?'

"How about Rio and Mika? The one to your left will be Rio, and the one to your right will be Mika."

"Rio and Mika. Sounds good. Do you have experience in naming things?"

"Not really. I am sometimes asked to think of names for newborn children, but other than that, I don't name anything else."

"I see. Are the other people in the Village as nice as you are?"

"To an extant. They won't be mean to strangers unless they have a reason to. Other than that, no hostility whatsoever."

'They seem to live peacefully. Is there really no danger from the [Shadows]?'

"My Village should come into view soon. Oh, right over there!"

In the distance, there was a large wooden Gate attached to a slightly shorter Wall.

"Big. Is this your Village?"

"Yup. We call it Pake Village. It has roughly 70 or more people living inside. The Walls are quite intimidating though, so most animals don't try attacking at all."

"That is quite something. Who built it?"

"The Village Leader did, and with her own 2 Hands as well. Man, she can get scary when she works."

'One Person? That makes this more interesting.'

Arriving at the Gate, someone from above called out.

"Yo, Old Man! Get anything good for the Kids?"

"I got a lot! Mind opening the Gates now?"

"Yeah, hold on. Also, who's the Kid?"

"I found him in the Forest. He saved me from a Bear, so I brought him here to repay him."

The Gate Doors began to slowly open, and on the other side was the person from the Top of the Gate.

"A new guy, huh? And are those... Bears?"

"I had the same reaction. Do you mind showing him around while I drop off the Basket?"

"Sure. My Shift is over in about 7 Minutes, so let's talk for a bit."

"Vence, your Shift was over almost 10 Minutes Ago."

"What!? And nobody told me!?"

"As usual, your sense of Time is terrible. Anyways, show him around. The Cubs are also no threat, so don't worry about them."

"Alrighty. Got a name, kid?"

"No. I don't have a name."

Vence looked at Tayl, who just shook his head.

"Then, I'll just call you 'Mask', since that's the first thing people would see."

He beckons "Him" to follow him.

"We'll meet again later. Vence, bring him to the Fountain after you show him around."

Waving his hand, Vence walks off with "Him" following behind.

"As you already heard, the name's Vence. I'll be showing you around for the time being. Now, where should I show you first? What do you want to see? A Shop? Blacksmith? Wait, the Bakery! They have the best sugar bread you'll ever eat!"

Turning left from the Fountain, they walk to the farthest building, which had a sign with the shape of a Crescent Moon.

Entering the Bakery, there was a sweet smell that filled the air.

"Luck! Kate! You guys here?"

Coming from the back room, 2 Children appear.

"Vee!" They both say in unison.

"How are you guys? Also, I'll take the usual. And add an extra Cream Bread for Mask here."

They both look at "Him".

"Cool!" they say.

"I'm Luck!"

The Boy, Luck, stares at the Sword on "His" side.

"My name is Katie! Call me Kate!"

The Girl, Katie, was staring at the other Weapon, the Hand-Cannon in the Holster on his opposite side.

"Nice to meet you. I do not have a name, but feel free to call me what you like."

"Are those real?" They both point at the Weapons he carried.

"They are. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes please!"

Taking the Sword, still with the Sheath attached, "He" hands it to Luck, and hands his Hand-Cannon to Kate.

"Hey hey, what are you doing!? Handing dangerous objects like that to Kids!?"

"There will be no harm done. They do not cause any harm if they are not in my hands. See?"

"It won't come out! Why won't this Sword come out!?" Luck was struggling with the Sheathed Sword.

"Nothing comes out when I shoot! Why not!? Is it broken!?" Kate was pulling the Trigger, to no avail.

"What? Why can't they..." Vence had a Confused expression.

"They are bound to my [Will], so they do not follow the orders of others."

Even more confused, Vence ignored his words.

"Where's your Mother? Is she still in the back room?"

"No, she's sick." Kate says.

"She isn't in bad condition, so she should be fine by tomorrow." Luck says.

"It's a good thing you want to be a doctor. Luck, if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask."

Luck nods his head while handing back the Sword.

"So, about the bread." Vence says.

"Right. I'll go get it. Luck, hold this for me." Kate hands Luck the Gun.

"I still don't feel comfortable with the kids holding those weapons. Please, for my sake, hand it back to him."

Luck hands "Him" the Weapon, which he puts back in the Holster.

"Luck! I need a little help with the Cream!" Kate yells from the other room.

"Did she spill it again? Be right back."

Luck runs into the back room.

"Man, those kids are a handful." Vence sighs.

"Tell me about it."

A Man behind them spoke up.

"Vence, you should get yourself a girlfriend already. Hm? Who's this?"

"Tayl found him in the Forest today. Apparently Tayl ran into a Bear. This guy saved him... I think."

"Well, welcome to my Bakery and Home. The name's Park Vardin. I guess you already met my Kids. Are you getting the usual?"

"Yup. I'm also getting something for the kid here. Do you still have some leftover Deer Meat from yesterday?"

"Meat? We should have a little left. Are you gonna eat it with the Bread?"

"Actually, they're for the little one's here."

Park took a closer look at the 2 Bear Cubs, noticing that one of them blinked.

"Holy- Those were real!? I thought they were well made stuffed animals. That surprised me quite a bit."

"We're back! Oh! Papa came home!"

In sync, both kids placed the 2 Bags on the counter, then immediately tackled their father with a hug.

"Glad to be back. Luck, I brought the Medicine you asked me to buy. Go give it to your mother."

Taking a small paper bag, Luck runs past Vence and "Him" and runs up the Stairs around the corner.

"Kate, do you mind getting the leftover Meat that we ate yesterday?"

"The Deer or the Fish?" Kate asks.

"Take half of the Meat and 2 Fish."

Kate runs into the Back Room once again.

"Now, the price for 2 Sweet Rolls, 1 Sugar Donut, and a Custard filled Donut, that will amount to 16 Ren's."

"16... Wait, isn't that the usual price I pay?" Vence asks.

"The kid here is a newcomer, right? Have you ever tried Custard Donuts?"

"I... have not. I don't usually eat Bread." "He" answers.

"Then it's on the house. You can take the Deer and Fish as well, since you seem to have your own circumstances."

"Well, I guess that'll ease up my Coin Pouch a little. I only make 10 Ren an Hour for 6 Hours a day, so I should be thanking you for this." Vence says.

"I'm Back!"

Kate comes back with a Bag slightly larger than her Head.

. . .