GbnF: The town of Coppermine.

GbnF: The town of Coppermine.

The bird woke up, seeing the mouse had already left. Not that she cared, as her focus was at her own business. She grabbed her bag and moved through the busy tavern, which was doing great during the morning. Outside, there was a thick, dangerous fog. Ominous and gray, like the stare of a blind animal. She looked at a sign road sign, before going right, on a path of stone and moss. With a few stretches and yawns, she tried to wake up, so her start would be fresh and fruitful. An adjustment to her goggles and she could take on the world. The trees slowly vanishes, though not by growth, but by fog. They crept away into the gray blur, giving the impression of an endless wasteland of bland gray light. With her sword, she tapped the soil to avoid any tripping or traps. She wasn’t going to let the fog get the best of her.
“AAAIYA!” A shriek pierced the semi-darkness and she looked around, adjusting her goggles. Through it, she saw a blot of red coming her direction, bracing for impact with a firm stance and correct structure. But when it came close, it appeared to vanish, before crushing her with pressure and force. “Why did you leave?” She removed the goggles and saw the mouse of yesterday.
“Because I really don’t have time to eat.” The mouse pouted and got on her own feet.
“Breakfast is important!” She exclaimed with a mix of joy and disappointment.
“Damn it, leave me alone! Ugh!” She groaned and turned back to the road. Not exactly sure if she went right or not, but she really wanted to leave the mouse.
“What’s your name?” The mouse followed her before she vanished into the mist.
“None of your business.”
“You should get that fixed; it’s too long.” A fist pummelled her stomach and grounded her to the floor.
“Let me alone!” The mouse quickly got up, shaky and hurt.
“Don’t be like that!” She squeaked small cries of sadness, trying to catch up with her.
“Go back home!” There was silence, dense and thick as the fog that surrounded them.
“I can’t.” She stopped and sniggered. “It’s not funny. A healer’s apprentice isn’t allowed to stop until the training is complete. And now I’m an exile.”
“Not really my problem. You see, I’m a warrior; you’re a random nut job. I don’t need you.” The path turned back to a tunnel of trees as the fog slowly vanished. In the distance, there were speckles of light, flickering gently.
“Please! I could help!”
“How! You never completed your healer’s training.”
“I did complete that. I just never agreed on the less logical rituals.” The bird looked around and continued her path.
“You can follow me around. Just stay out of the way.”
“My name’s Mimi!”
“Mimi the Mouse. Ugh, like your behaviour wasn’t terrible enough. Call me Flora.” The mouse ran up to make a pun, but was brutally stopped by a fist. “Make even the slightest comment and you die.”

The end of the path was marked by a small, stone gate. There was a single guard there, leaning on his spear with a face so tired one would fall asleep just taking a glance of it. While the bird counted her money, the mouse started conversation. “Mister Sleepyhead! Why are you sleeping? You’re supposed to stop alien forces! Hello? Mister?” The bird grabbed the collar of her shirt and dragged her through the gate.
“Don’t bother people doing their job.” Through the gate, there was a large city, built inside an open pit mine. The style was simple and very square. “This old copper mine has a set of large beasts inside the lower tunnels. A good place to hone some skills and gain some cash.”
“Why harm those innocent animals?”
“Meh, I need to start small. You’re going to have a little chat and see if there are any local treasures.” The mouse nodded and walked into the alleys. “We’ll meet at the centre shaft.”