Year of the Rat

Chapter 4

Ging paced through the Hunter's Association's halls, seemingly lost in thought. He was recalling the events of last night. He was moreover contemplating why Pariston did not stop him from leaving. As much as he told himself he did not care, he mulled over the rat's behavior way more often than he really should have. The short man snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing his name being called.

"Ging, are you okay? I've been calling your name for a while now," Cheadle inquired, tilting her head to the side, expressing either concern or annoyance. She began to approach him, "You seemed oddly quiet for you, usually you always have some kind of input."

Ging could not help but visibly exhibit his agitation. He really did not want to talk to her, but he knew she would keep prodding, courtesy to her impatience.

He finally spoke up, "It really isn't any of your business, so why don't you back off, huh?"

This earned him a look of indignation from Cheadle, but he really could not care less. Especially when she whips around, muttering, leaving Ging alone with himself. He really could not stand her, she is too impatient and does not like to listen to a word he says. How childish.

With a sigh, Ging continues walking briskly down the hall, making his way towards the exit. Suddenly the man hears his name being called once again, but this time it was not Cheadle's demanding voice. It sounded more like... Aw, shit...

"Yoohoo, Ging!"

Pariston.

"Leaving so soon?"

This was really the last person Ging wanted to be bothered by. He reluctantly turned to face the taller man, who seemed to be shining brightly, giving the groggy man a migraine. "What on Earth could you possibly want?" He asked.

"I was just wondering why you were so silent in the meeting." Ugh, him too?

"Like I've told Cheadle, it's none of your business."

"How mean. Oh well, does no good to pry," Pariston pats Ging on the shoulder with comradery, "See you!"

And with that Pariston leaves. Is he not going to say anything about last night? Ging slaps himself; Why the hell am I thinking about it still?! He mutters and continues his way out of the building, angry at himself for letting that waste of space get to his head without actually having to be there.

After exiting the building, Ging makes his way towards the back, where the dumpsters were kept. It was a large and spacious area, as it was meant for garbage trucks and semis carrying various cargo to be dropped off at the warehouse to fit through. The most notable characteristic of the area would be its foul stench, thanks to the dumpsters kept there. It is not as though Ging could not afford to stay at a hotel or anything, far from it, actually. It was more that he did not feel like going through the whole process of booking a room and then making sure he had all his belongings before leaving (in all honesty, he was just either too lazy or too shy to do it on his own, moreso the latter). It was far more convenient, especially since he was already at his destination, as he was only in Swardani for a series of meetings between the Zodiacs. He sat and leaned against one of the steel containers and began to lose himself in thought. Ging had been uncharacteristically daydreaming frequently lately, and it was really bugging him. He could not help but think of none other than Pariston when he spaced out. What a pain.