Chapter Two of the Echo Inc. Investigations is out!
Alice has always been fascinated by the city of Echocondria. She's read all about its towering stone walls, bustling metropolis, and diverse population. She's poured over maps and books, imagining herself exploring the city and discovering its hidden gems.
But despite her fascination with the city, Alice has never been able to bring herself to visit. She struggles with anxiety and the thought of being in a crowded, unfamiliar place makes her feel overwhelmed and scared.
Instead, Alice spends her days reading about the city from the safety of her own home. She's memorized every detail of the city's districts, from the Kingdom district with its city buildings and officials' homes to the Night district with its poor residents and Night Council rulers. She's learned about the city's guilds, including Antler Inc. and the Kas Company, and their unique contributions to the city.
Alice has learned everything there is to know about Echocondria, but she's never been able to experience it for herself. She's dreamed of walking through the city streets, exploring its shops and restaurants, and meeting its people. But her anxiety holds her back, making her feel like she's trapped inside her mind.
One day, Alice decides that she's had enough. She's tired of living in fear and wants to experience everything that Echocondria has to offer. She takes a deep breath and steps downstairs to the tavern, her heart racing with excitement and fear.
As she walks downstairs, Alice can feel her anxiety rising. The crowds of people and the noise already beginning to overwhelm her, and she feels like she's going to have a panic attack. But she keeps moving forward, determined to overcome her fears.
At the edge of the tavern, there was one of the Rainbow Guard sitting and drinking alone. His Blue uniform meant that he has been working through the ranks for a few years now. Her intrigue with the Rainbow Guard and her fear of the outside caused her to stop. This was her opportunity to get information about the outside without actually going outside.
The Rainbow Guard looked up as Alice sat down beside him. He glanced at her before returning to his drink.
"Hello," Alice said, her voice shaking slightly. "I couldn't help but notice your uniform. Are you a member of the Rainbow Guard?"
The man nodded, taking a sip of his ale. "That I am. What brings you to ask?"
"I've always been fascinated by the Rainbow Guard," Alice said, feeling her nerves calming slightly. "I've read all about your duties and your role in protecting the city. I was wondering if you could tell me more about it."
The man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Well, I suppose I could. What would you like to know?"
Alice took a deep breath, feeling her anxiety recede further. "Everything, really. What does a typical day look like for a member of the Rainbow Guard? What kind of training do you go through? What kind of challenges do you face?"
The man chuckled, taking another sip of his ale. "That's a lot of questions, miss. But I'll do my best to answer them all."
And so, Alice spent the next hour listening intently as the man regaled her with stories of his time in the Rainbow Guard. He told her about the rigorous training he had undergone, the challenges he had faced in the line of duty, and the camaraderie he had developed with his fellow guardsmen.
As she listened, Alice felt a sense of wonder and excitement building within her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was truly alive.
When the man finally stood to leave, Alice thanked him for his time and watched as he made his way out of the tavern. And as she sat there, lost in thought, she realized that she had taken her first step towards overcoming her fears and experiencing everything that Echocondria had to offer.