Heart and Soul/Kamui: Wandering Blade

Kamui: Wandering Blade - C

Kamui	I never imagined I’d be working with such a huge band of folks. I’m never going to remember all these names...
Names are tricky... Some Heroes even go by different aliases at different times. And they’re both here! But if you forget a name, you can always just nod and smile as they pass by.		Gatekeeper
Kamui	While we’re on the topic, everyone calls you “Gatekeeper,” but that’s not your name, is it? Why are you just smiling at me?
Would you look at that? The scouts sent to survey the western highway are back.		Gatekeeper
Gerik	Gerik reporting in. Everyone’s back safe and sound. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Phew... I’m lookin’ forward to washin’ off the dust of the road. And dinner.		Dieck
Gatekeeper	Well done out there, men!
Don’t know about you, but returning safe and sound is something I celebrate, personally.		Kamui
Gerik	Kamui! Well met. Looks like you’re through with training. You used to Askr yet?
I’ve always been a wanderer. Figuring out the lay of the land is nothing new.		Kamui
Dieck	Now that’s a useful skill for a merc. Pays to keep an eye on which way the wind is blowing.
Valbar told me a lot about you. Said you were skilled and trustworthy, like Leon.		Gerik
Kamui	I only did what it took to earn my keep. Simple as that.
That’s exactly what makes you a first-class mercenary in his eyes, ain’t it?		Dieck
Gerik	We should get together and swap stories over a tipple. I’ll invite Valbar and Leon, of course.
Works for me. Those two do love their stories.		Kamui
Dieck	Later, then!
Right...		Kamui
Gatekeeper	You’re the real deal, Kamui! Even hardened mercenaries are singing your praises! If I would trust anyone to appraise a mercenary, it’d be another mercenary.
Eh...		Kamui
Gatekeeper	Hmm? Is something wrong?
Nah. I’m going to get in a few more practice swings before the sun sets.		Kamui
Gatekeeper	Understood. Be safe!

Kamui: Wandering Blade - B

Valbar	Got a job lined up. We’re to guard Midgard’s Shield, alongside the Greil Mercenaries.
“Midgard’s Shield”? That’s quite a name. Never been myself, but I’ve heard it’s seen many a battle.		Kamui
Leon	Now that we’re reunited, let’s show Askr what we can do!
We have a full week to prepare. If you need any supplies, be sure to visit Commander Anna.		Valbar
Kamui	Will do.
The way the Order of Heroes keeps things running is something else. Each Hero assigned to duties that play to their strengths, and the entire kingdom benefits. One thing is clear, at least: Prince Alfonse and the commander are no ordinary leaders.		Valbar
Leon	It’s true that quite a few strong men work for them, but none can hold a candle to you, Valbar. Anyway, I’m glad that they respect each of us as a person. For what makes us unique.
Now that you mention it, this place does feel pretty liberating.		Kamui
Leon	It was fun traveling with the priestess and all, but life here is just more... Let’s call it cozy.
Cozy? Hm.		Kamui
Leon	Come on, what’s with that look? Don’t tell me you actually dislike this place?
Nah, it’s not that. I just... It’s all a little too good, you know?		Kamui
Leon	No, actually, I don’t. If you’re going to get philosophical, connect the dots.
Bah...		Kamui
All right... This should be all of my worldly possessions, plus some grub for the road. Considering I was summoned here with the clothes on my back, it’s not much, but... This is where we part ways, Order of Heroes. It was short but sweet.		Kamui

Kamui: Wandering Blade - A

Gatekeeper	Halt! State your business! Wait...is that you, Kamui? What are you doing out so late?
Do you sleep?		Kamui
Gatekeeper	Of course! We all need rest. I was just about to call it a night and turn in, actually.
We didn’t get to spend much time together, but I’ll always remember your stories of Askr.		Kamui
Gatekeeper	Oh, er... Thank you? That sounds like “farewell,” not “good night.” Are you leaving on a journey?
I spent some time with Valbar and the priestess, but it’s not in my nature to stick to one place. Now that I have a mental map of the local area, I figure it’s about time that I moved on. No need to worry about me, though. Never been to a place that can’t make use of a mercenary.		Kamui
Gatekeeper	I see... I hope it isn’t that you’ve taken issue with how the Order of Heroes operates.
The opposite, in fact. It’s so comfortable here that it chafes. Fighting’s hard, but you’re working with the best in the business, and the drinks aren’t bad either. If you had to live as a warrior forever, I reckon this would be the ideal place to do it.		Kamui
Gatekeeper	I see...
Look, I can tell what you’re thinking. But this isn’t the life for me. I hate being tied down. If I get out before I make ties, I don’t have to cut them later. Make sense?		Kamui
Gatekeeper	Sure. Different people have different ways of living.
What about you? Don’t you get tired of guarding the same gate, day in, day out?		Kamui
Gatekeeper	My duty is to guard the gate, so I go where it goes. Which is to say, nowhere. But people pass through all the time, and when they do, we have a friendly chat. They regale me with all sorts of stories from Askr and beyond. It’s like I lived them myself!
Well, I’ll leave you to it, then. Keep those eyes and ears open, and you’ll do fine.		Kamui
Gatekeeper	I will. It was nice talking with you. Be careful out there, and drop by anytime. I’ll be here!

Kamui: Wandering Blade - S

Blaiddyd Rex	*bark*
What’s wrong, buddy? It’s not time for dinner yet! Be a good boy and settle down.		Gatekeeper
Kamui	Let me guess—nothing to report, as usual?
Kamui! I didn’t expect to see you back so soon. By my count, it hasn’t quite been three days since you left. Did you forget something?		Gatekeeper
Kamui	Eh, sort of. I neglected to tell Valbar or the priestess I was leaving, so I’ve been feeling guilty. Truth is, I haven’t repaid them for everything they did for me, and I can’t let that slide.
You’re indebted to them. I see.		Gatekeeper
Kamui	I got so worried about being tied down that the thought itself was tying me up. I’ve lived my life as a wanderer, but that doesn’t mean I have to keep on wandering.
It seems the shackles we bind ourselves with take many forms.		Gatekeeper
Kamui	On the nose. But now they’re broken. I came back because I wanted to... Simple as that.
Then let me be the first to welcome you back! The Order of Heroes is lucky to have you.		Gatekeeper
Kamui	Thanks. From here on out, I’m going to dedicate myself to solving the Order’s mysteries. For example: How do a guy who spends his life wandering and one who stays put become friends? What is it about this place that brings opposites together... Any thoughts on that?
Any thoughts on what now?		Gatekeeper
Kamui	Never mind. I’ll catch you later. I’ve got that job with Valbar, and I’d better get ready. And I got roped into drinking with the other mercs. Guess Askr is going to keep me busy...for a while.

Scenario
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Heart and Soul
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