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odorekijin“Your Words, Presage of Fate”
chapter one
[Wizards’ Manor—Dining Hall]
The sun had already climbed high into this bright afternoon when I sought Bradley, the Sage’s Book pressed against my chest.
Akira: (Ah, there he is…!)
Bradley: Haaa, now that’s the stuff. The skin ‘s crispy, the insides tender, and the spices… Dang, do they pack jus’ the punch. What else could a man ever want?
Lennox: Your satisfaction is contagious. But please, don’t mind me; take all the time you need to finish.
Before them was set a pile of golden, positively mouth-watering fried chicken. However, while both were sitting behind this feast, only Bradley was digging into them with ravenous hunger.
Akira: (As usual…)
Bradley: Sage? C’mere! That stare ‘s tellin’ me y’got sum’n on yer mind. Y’know it’s better out than keepin’ it in, yeah?
Akira: Hi there, you two. I’m actually going around the Manor to complete a few things in the Sage’s Book.
You all have been living under the same roof for quite some time, so I figured it was about time to give the book a well-deserved update on everybody. But I see you’re busy, so that can wait…
By the way, are you, uh, bribing him…?
Bradley & Lennox: “Bribing”?
Akira: You know, offering wine and dine to get in someone’s good graces. Cain and you did that to Bradley once to get advice for one of your missions.
Lennox: Ah, right, I do remember that.
I suppose I am trying to get advice from him again… Though this meal isn’t from me, nor is it to sweeten any deal.
Bradley: Yep, that’s the loot yer man plundered through his own ruses.
The guy came in right as I was about to dig in. Dun’ wanna let a good meal get cold, so business has to wait ‘til I’m done.
Akira: (He's giving advice for free, without trading equal goods or expecting any kind of compensation in return this time…)
An unbidden smile pulled my lips at this unexpected yet much welcomed character evolution.
But then, my train of thoughts was interrupted by a rather animated intrusion.
Murr: Brad! Yoohoo!
Akira: Ack– Murr?!
Murr: Come to Shylock’s bar tonight, I wanna lay bets with you!
What’s it going to be this time, cards? Billard? Tell me what tickles your fancy!
Bradley: Y’always do that, pullin’ me along with yer bullshit outta the blue…
Murr: What can I do, I’m in the mood and I can’t ignore it! Ooor… You’re too scared to lose against me? Haha, I knew it!
Bradley: Pish, you wish. But sure, since yer fixin’ to drag me along: let’s do cards. Oughta be right up your alley, ay?
Murr: Yay! Another showdown with Brad!
Akira: Woah…! There are cards flying everywhere in the hall!
Lennox: Haha, looks like Murr is putting the “show” in “showdown” before tonight.
＊＊＊
Akira: (We each got busy with our own day, I didn’t manage to ask him again about the interview…)
Some time had passed since dinner, and I now found myself in front of Bradley’s bedroom.
Akira: (He should be done with his night with Murr by now…)
My knuckles rested on the wood of his door, holding back on knocking too soon.
Bradley was inside, naturally, but another voice rose in answer:
???: Dang, seriously… Ya haven’t gotten this plastered in a good while…
???: Bah, c’mon, a li’l hooch never hurt nobody every now an’ then.
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chapter two
[Wizards’ Manor—Hallways, third floor]
Akira: (Wait, isn’t that…)
Err, Bradley? It’s Akira, do you have a moment?
???: Wargh-wai– SAGE?!
Bradley: Sure, c’mon in.
[Wizards’ Manor—Bradley’s bedroom]
The door creaked open, my guess hardening into certainty when my eyes met Nero’s gaze in the room.
Bradley, on the other hand, was languidly sprawled across the sofa. A few buttons left his shirt loosely undone on his chest, his tie conspicuously missing.
His leisure seemed to leach the usual tension I feel entering his room.
Akira: Good evening. Um, what’s going on here…?
Nero: Oh, uh… Well, y’see, I was havin’ a drink at Shylock’s bar, and…
Let’s jus’ say Brad, uh, Bradley an’ Murr were getting way too worked up with their bets, ‘specially with all those drinks they’d already knocked back. They’d keep on goin’ ‘till sunrise if we let ‘em.
Murr ‘s with Shylock, and since I had the hard luck of pickin’ today of all days to have a drink there, the owner pushed… I mean, asked me to pick up this guy.
Bradley: Killin’ a good time while we could still hold our drinks, man… That pipe-smokin’ shmoozer an’ ya are real buzzkills.
Nero: Ugh… If you wanna drink that bad, then down this. Here.
Nero forced a glass to Bradley’s mouth, which he drained in one draught without an ounce of hesitation.
Bradley: Glug, glug… Puah! That’s one damn weak booze y’got me.
Nero: It’s water.
Akira: Pfft… Your chemistry is something. You bounce off each other really well.
Nero: Ergh, our what?!
Bradley: Oh? What make’cha think that?
Bradley suddenly closed the distance, his presence overwhelming my sight.
Nero stepped between us in a heartbeat, carving some space between Bradley and me.
Nero: Don’t pester them jus’ to rope ‘em in yer shenanigans, ya boozehound.
Sage, you should come back tomorrow when he’s…
Nero had barely moved to escort me out when Bradley grabbed my hood, yanking me back to him with a force that spun me round on my heels.
Akira: Waugh?!
Nero: Brad, you…
Bradley: This ain’t yer turf, so dun’ be pushin' folks out when I ain’t said so. They came to talk to me after all, right Sage?
You here about that thing you mentioned this mornin’ with the Sage’s Book, ain’tcha?
Akira: Yes, that’s exactly it! I’d like to ideally conduct the interview tonight, but only if you have time…
Bradley: See? Our Sage ‘s got business with me, so shoo-shoo.
Nero: … …You sure you can handle ‘im?
Bradley: C’mon, whatcha freakin’ out about? I dun’ bite… Probably not, at least.
Nero left, yet a shadow of reluctance seemed to cling to his figure.
Bradley turned to me again, mirth dripping from his features. With a dip of his head, he asked:
Bradley: So? What’s it that you wanna know?
I'm in a real good mood right now so now’s yer chance to grill me good.
Akira: Ahaha, well, thank you for having me over and for the invite, I suppose.
How should I go about it, hmm… I’ll flip through the pages about you, and I’ll ask my question from there. How does that sound?
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chapter three
[Wizards’ Manor—Bradley’s bedroom]
Akira: “He’s good at stealing, but can’t stomach neither lectures nor vegetables…”
About getting over your hate for veggies… Do you see yourself eating some, one day?
Bradley: What d’you think?
Akira: Honestly? I think you never will.
Bradley: I knew you’d get me. Ask me again in a century or so, an’ I’ll give ya the same blamed answer.
Akira: (That’s one resolute conviction…)
Um, next… Ah, it’s about your entourage, the people you’re close to.
Let’s see, close friends, family… I wouldn’t say you’ve reached that level of deep trust with the others, but you’ve been getting along rather well with some of the wizards living here.
Bradley: Have I?
Akira: I think so; look at how today went with Lennox and Murr, and that’s without mentioning how you seem to care more about Mitile now than you used to.
Plus, you’ve got a good chemistry going on with Nero, don’t you?
Bradley: … …
Akira: Woah, hey! Why did you take the Sage’s Book from me?
Bradley: Censorin’ this crap. Y’can’t say that a northern wizard, the feared an’ audacious Bradley no less, was chummin’ up with the southern, western, an’ eastern fries. Imagine the shit that’ll get us into.
Where’s it… Damn, I forgot. The previous Sage was from yer place, no wonder I can’t read this.
What about this? What’s it say?
His slender finger, still dressed in the cool sheen of his silver rings, pointed at a word.
I remember grappling with the depths of my own mind to find the most fitting title to pen on his page.
Akira: It means, “a fugitive from the prison of fate.”
I’m really fond of this word choice. I think it suits you perfectly.
Bradley: … …
Hmph, good eye; you’ve got a knack for these kinda things.
Bradley's gaze locked onto mine, a certain satisfaction curving the corner of his lips.
Bradley: Lemme add sum’n to that, though.
“He’s the sole master of his fate and soul.”
“Nothing can keep him behind bars, for he will always tear down whatever fetters him with his own two hands.” …Yeah, something along those lines.
The honeyed haze of alcohol had evaporated from his voice: his tone was resolute, his words deliberate, almost like etching an oath into the air.
However, I had the strange feeling that he was dancing around a topic I probably wasn't privy to.
Akira: (I could try something to test that theory, but that would be… No, I shouldn’t…)
Summoning my courage, I grasped his chin.
Bradley: …!
I gave it a light shake as I spoke before letting go, just as he once did to me.
Though I might get an earful for my forwardness, I held hope that he would remember how this playful gesture conveyed our friendship.
Akira: Please, do away with the fetters that keep you caged, Bradley!
I know you can and will do it, no matter what stands in your way! Because you’re the great northern wizard, Bradley!
Bradley: … …Puahaha! Damn, you sure are somethin’.
His large, toughened hand grabbed my chin.
After giving it a light shake, he lets me go only to lean down to meet my eyes again, this time a provocative smile plastered on his face.
Bradley: You know who yer speakin’ with, yeah?
I'm a fugitive—no matter the prisons, no matter the chains, I’ll always claim my freedom.
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episode story
“Time Has Passed, Tongues Unravel”
[Wizards’ Manor–Bradley’s bedroom]
Akira: Thanks again for indulging me with this interview, Bradley.
Is there anything else you’d want to share to wrap things up? Something you couldn’t bring up before, for example?
Bradley: Sum’n I didn’t bring up ‘till now, huh? …Oh, I know jus’ the thing.
Gimme the Sage’s Book fo’ a sec’.
Akira: Uh, sure…?
Bradley: Hmm, where did I… Ah-hah! Take a look at this bad boy. Crispiest fried chicken you seen, yeah?
Akira: Ah, this! I honestly don't remember doodling it.
Bradley: Well duh, I drew this masterpiece.
Akira: What? Since when!?
Bradley: My northern bunch snuck into yer room once. That was before we went through all that shit as yer wizards, by the way.
The others scribbled all sortsa stuff in there too, like arcane circles or cursed cats for bad luck.
Akira: I-I, I don’t even know what to say! That is so wrong on so many levels…?!
But there’s no need to dwell on that now… I’m more surprised by how well you drew that fried chicken wing! Can you doodle other things?
Bradley: …Heh, gimme a pen first an’ we’ll see how it goes.
Akira: Of course, here!
(Bradley scribbles in the Sage’s Book.)
Bradley: …That should do it.
Akira: Oh...! A kitty!
And… Who’s that next to it? That’s a big, smiley face you drew on them, haha!
Bradley: That there ‘s the face you make when yer messin’ with the cats, what else?
Akira: … ….! That’s… Me?!
Bradley: Yep. I’d say I got yer features down.
Akira: Ahah, you did. …Thank you, I’ll treasure this page very much.
voice line
“A promise ‘s just another excuse to screw ‘em cuffs tight an’ put someone behind bars, at least in my book. What if it was with someone I care for? …Haha, listen closely an’ drill this one deep: affection an’ sentimentality getcha nowhere, besides in deeper shit. You’ll understand, someday.”
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