Page 4094

The task proved more difficult than anticipated, however. Even with all this noise they were making, Hector didn't see any onlookers turning their way. And the aura was casting a wide enough net that it felt like it could belong to almost anyone in here.

But maybe if he concentrated a bit more...

Focused on what the Scarf was telling him, too...

Maybe...

Ah.

He sensed head movement while his back was turned.

A man by the far door. Sitting on a bench with people on either side of him.

That would've been much more difficult to notice if everyone else wasn't being so freakishly motionless.

Hell, even their breathing all seemed to be in sync, he realized. Wow, that was creepy.

But yeah, that guy was different. Not only had his head moved, but his breathing was off pace with the others, too.

Hector decided to approach.

The expression in the man's eyes was similar to everyone else's. And his clothes seemed about the same, as well. Layered. Full of holes. Could probably do with a good washing. And there was a pair of bags at his feet, seemingly belonging to him.

Long, frayed brown hair covered his head like an old mop, and a bushy beard hid his mouth completely.

All things considered, he reminded Hector of Leo before the guy had cleaned himself up. Minus the dreadlocks. And the stench.

"Pardon me, sir," said Hector. "We've just arrived in town, and we're... uh, quite confused about all the strange things going on around here. Would you be able to tell us about what's been happening in Andeyal, lately?"

The man made no response and just kept gazing blankly off to the side.

After a while longer of silence, Hector began to wonder if he was mistaken. Maybe this guy was just as influenced as everyone else. He decided to try another time, though. "Please. Anything you could tell us would be helpful."

Still, there was nothing.

Hmm.

Hector supposed that a powerful aura didn't necessarily mean that the guy would be completely immune to psychic manipulation. In fact, that might've been the main reason why psychics in general were so scary: because even very strong servants could be like putty in their hands. And it was possible that he was only slightly resistant to it, compared to the others.

But still. Hector's eyes narrowed inside his helmet as he decided that he wasn't ready to leave this dude alone just yet.

Page 4093

While the Basilica was both the most enticing place to go, Hector felt like it was also the most dangerous--or if not that, then at least the most predictable.

It was a strange feeling. Like he needed to rebel against the attempts at manipulation from unseen observers. Psychics who were silently watching him, trying to influence him in countless subtle ways.

Probably paranoia, he figured. But a little extra caution never hurt, either.

The chosen destination turned out to be a building called the Charities of the Warm Night.

Hector stopped in front of its apparent front entrance for a moment, unsure of what that name actually meant. It seemed to be open to the public, considering its welcome sign that denoted 24-hour service.

When they entered, Hector's uncertainty was soon dispelled.

There were plenty of people around, and they were all being very quiet and orderly, often looking quite similar to the vacant-eyed crowds that he'd witnessed earlier. But their attire and belongings made their circumstances apparent. Ragged and rough, worn in many layers. Plastic bags filled with seemingly random paraphernalia.

All-in-all, it didn't look too different from the shelters in Gray Rock. Hector had made a habit of visiting them on occasion, though it had of course gotten increasingly difficult as his notoriety continued to grow. Disguises had become a necessity, but even that tactic didn't always work.

That was why he'd been resorting to sending other people in his stead, recently. Thankfully, there were still plenty of Rainlords in Warrenhold who were willing to help.

The intention had been to not just provide aid to the shelters but to also foster a network of streetwise informants who could keep him in the loop about things going on all over Gray Rock. It hadn't proved especially helpful as of yet, but that was fine, of course. Garovel had meant for it to be a long-term project from the beginning.

Here and now, these clanking suits of armor were obviously not helping them blend in at all, and yet the people here still weren't paying them any attention.

In fact, if anything, the added spectacle was helpful, because Hector was more interested in finding someone who actually could notice them. Someone without that listless expression on their face.

Judging from the powerful aura that he was sensing within this place, there was bound to be someone like that here. Probably.

Page 4092

Garovel gave an echoing snort. 'Y'know, maybe you could share some of these freaky new powers with yours truly, hmm?'

'Wha?'

'I mean, I share my powers with you all the time, don't I? It'd only be fair, right?'

'And how exactly would I do that for you?'

'I dunno. But I also don't know how you do half the other shit you do, so. Is it really such a crazy thing to ask? Maybe it's just a matter of applying yourself.'

'Uh-huh...'

'Hector, what I'm saying is, it's actually YOUR fault that I'm not a godlike powerhouse, wreathed in pure majesty and wonder. So I'd appreciate it if you would stop being so lazy and get on that, please. Thanks in advance.'

'Man, they really weren't kidding when they said that reapers are power hungry, huh?'

'Yeah, well, what's the use in hiding it, anymore? Might as well just let it fly and see how the chips fall, eh?'

He could still tell from the reaper's aura that he was mostly kidding.

'Mostly' being the keyword.

Hector didn't mind, though. In fact, that kernel of truth in there might've been making it even funnier to him, somehow, and he couldn't help snickering under his breath.

'Oh, good, you could tell I was joking, still. I was a little worried that bit went too far, and you'd start to think I'm a genuine lunatic.'

'I mean, you ARE a genuine lunatic, though.'

'Okay, yeah. But. Like. In a good way, right?'

'Of course.' Hector allowed a beat to pass. 'But I know a small part of you wasn't joking.'

'Alright, relax, pal. My ego can only handle so many beatings in a single conversation.'

That pulled another laugh out of him, this time loud enough to draw attention from the others in their group.

Naturally, Voreese was not too shy to address it. 'Somethin' funny?'

"Just Garovel being Garovel."

'Ah. Well, I hate to be the party pooper, but now's not exactly a good time to be getting distracted, y'know?'

She wasn't wrong to be concerned, Hector knew, but he also wasn't about to try and explain how he still had two entire thought processes that were fully on task.

Instead, he just pointed and started walking. "This way," he said.

Of all the auras he could sense, there were several that stuck out to him. The Basilica was clearly housing multiple of them, but he wanted to investigate the others first, if only a little bit.