Shapeless Hero

21 - Skill Issues III

Rev opens the door and steps aside, fumbling with his hands. "A-and that's the other room. The toilet is at the end of the corridor. Let me know if you need anything."

The commander enters said room. She puts me down on one of the beds, then checks the furniture and walls. "Nostalgic." She returns to the corridor, where Rev is still waiting for her approval of the sleeping quarters. "No further requests, thank you for showing us our rooms."

Rev's brows rise. "Nostalgic?"

"I started out as an adventurer many cycles ago. I took my rank C exam here."

"Woah." Rev stays in awe for a second before his thoughts clear up again. "A-anyway I still need the names of everyone in your group—for the f-free meals, remember?"

"Sure, let me write them dow—"

The entrance doors of the main hall slam open, loud enough to be heard up here in the lodging area and make Rev wince. "Ah, they're back! Apologies, b-but duty calls. Just bring me the list to the counter, please!" He quickly bows and makes his way out of the room towards the main hall. The muffled chatter of people can be heard from far down the corridor.

The commander shakes her head and locks herself in the room with me. "It really feels more and more like a vacation...", she mutters as she walks over to the only window, opens it and whistles a signal.

Two familiar crows appear and land in the middle of the room, immediately surveying it. "Not too bad, I suppose.", Karl says, taking a closer look at the legs of a chair.

"Dibs on the wardrobe!", August exclaims, before vanishing in the largest furniture of the room.

Karl sighs. "Suit yourself, dear, suit yourself..." He turns to the commander. "I have most of the materials needed. Most. Some of the stores already closed for the day, I'm afraid."

Moving nothing but my mouth, I ask in the voice of Alya: "So I have to be like this for one extra day?"

Karl shudders. "By the gods, that voice replication of yours... Anyway, no. Remember that you can be yourself, as long as no one wants to see Alya."

"Couldn't someone be spying on us right this moment?", I ask.

"Don't worry, I checked.", come the muffled words of August from the wardrobe's innards.

Trusting the judgement of people I just met a day ago, I make myself comfortable in the bed. "If you say so..."

Karl coughs politely. "If you all don't mind, I'd like to go and prepare the other room for the ritual."

The commander throws a key to Karl, who catches it with his beak. "Much obliged. I'll be off then!" He hops over to the door and with a few chants, helps himself to open it and leave.

As expected from a room on the second floor, we easily hear the passing adventurers on the street. The commander leans out of the window to take a peek. "So, Fylka, what form do you want to take for your stay in Ryelope?", she asks while keeping her eyes on the outside.

"Do I have to change?"

"I don't know how your clothing works, but you'll have to wear that guild uniform eventually, if you want to work here. I didn't know that was mandatory until Rev mentioned it. It really has been a while for me."

She makes a good point. I can imitate clothing and armor, but I can't take them off—at least not completely. I wouldn't be surprised, if they tried checking for shapeshifters in the past by forcing people to remove their clothes or gear.

Could I switch to an alternative color palette from the fighting game? Those are usually used to distinguish the players in a match, if they both choose the same fighter. No, that won't work. The character has no guild emblems, which the uniform requires. Those must be present on the front, according to the rules.