Hey new favorite, spiffy. Thank you for that!

Thank you Presea for your review. And her past just gets worse from there.

Speaking of pasts getting worse...

Tales of Xillia and the Tales of Series are the copyright of Namco Bandai and whoever else owns the rights. I own nothing except for OCs that haven't appeared yet/ever.


Day Eleven: Jiao

With one last swing of the ax the tree gave way to the man hacking at its trunk. Trees were one of the last things he could still look up at, so seeing it fall was a sort of melancholy, but it would provide enough firewood for a month on its own. He stripped off the snow from the trunk and the branches, and let the latter lie. They'd shed on their own and he could retrieve them later. He heft the trunk on his shoulders and headed back north to his home.

The journey through the snowing Mon Highlands was long, but lacked any difficulties which was how he preferred it. He'd used his talents in beastcraft to give his new home a wide berth from the monsters in the area. Those who didn't agree with him got a couple of whacks and they all fell in line. The area was mostly isolated, and they'd survived well enough without him, but there was no being too cautious.

The smoke of the fireplace was the first sign he was returning, followed swiftly by the bright pink Princessia flowers in bloom through the endless snow of the highlands. The home itself was of modest size, which meant he barely fit inside, but it was warm and comforting and he didn't have to deal with the stares and whispers of the "civilized" people. This life suited him just fine.

He set the logs down and cut off some firewood to take inside. The pieces would still be wet from the snow but they'd drive off near the fire. He cleaned the home of its accumulated snow(and himself as well) before stepping back inside. The door wasn't built for anyone his size, so it took a bit of wrangling to duck inside.

"Welcome back Ortega," the lady of the house, Ana Lutus, welcomed him back. She was sitting at the main table in the seat closest to the warmth of the hearth. But the quick chill brought about by his entrance swelled into the woman's baby girl, causing a quick cry at the sudden change. "There, there Elize," the mother wrapped her child tightly. "It's alright, it's just Ortega." The little one was quickly bayed back with her mother's cooing.

"My apologies," he offered his regret. "I wasn't aware you two would be out."

"It's fine Ortega," she accepted his apology. "I couldn't keep her away from the fire either."

"I see," he knew very little about raising children(his own circumstances were hardly normal) so he relented in her wisdom. He placed the logs he'd collected down near the fireplace of the sizable room and began hanging his thicker clothes. "It's surprisingly cold out, even for Undis." It was what drove him here after all.

"Well, your efforts in making sure we don't freeze are appreciated Ortega," she actually thanked him.

The irony caused him to give a great bellowing laugh at it. "Eleven days is not enough for me to repay the debt I owe you. Eleven years wouldn't be enough."

The lady giggled at it, earning a giggle from the pudgy cheeks of the baby as well. "I suppose we'll hold you to that then."

One of the other doors opened and the master of the house came stepping out. "Ah, Ortega, welcome back," Hubert greeted his return. "How ere things outside?"

"Cold, snowing. Mon Highlands as usual," he replied. "Monsters haven't been a problem for a week know so I think it's time I began construction."

"Are you sure?" Hubert asked, a fair bit of worry with his concern. "You could wait until Efreeta or Ragnome you know? Trying to build your own room in this cold's a bit much."

He had to shake his head at that. "I'd rather not risk an avalanche in Efreeta and I can't impose in your living room until Ragnome. No, I'll be fine. I've gone through worse than just a bit of cold after all."

"Well, it's your decision. But remember we're here for you." Both the master and lady gave him their support.

He wouldn't have the aid of other people like he Lutus' had when constructing such a remote home, but he was worth a dozen others so it was fine. After what he did when he first arrived he couldn't burden their kindness any further. "Let's say I go and round us up some dinner as well?"

"That's be lovely Ortega," Ana answered. "But you just got back. At least warm yourself up a bit first." She offered and the master was quick to give his support.

He smiled at their kindness. This, he couldn't refuse. "Very well." He took a seat next to the lady. "How is she doing?" he asked of the little one.

"She's a strong little girl," Ana praised her daughter. "Cute too!" She looked between her daughter and him... "Do you want to hold her?"

At least an invitation was better than kidnapping. They trusted him so easily and it warmed his heart. But he couldn't. "No, no, I'm still damp. Best not to let her get a chill." A fine enough excuse he thought.

"Alright," she was saddened a bit at the news but let it fly.

"If you two need me I'll be back here," Hubert said before returning to the extra room.

Ortega leaned forward over the girl. "How is she?"

"Fine. The fire keeps her warm enough in spite of the cold. Your help might be the only thing keeping her alive this Undis."

A lie, but he didn't call out her kindness. "I hope she grows up to be a strong girl." Not as strong as him though. No one should bare that isolation.

"With you around I have no doubt," she rocked Elize a bit more. Close enough that the little girl reached out and grabbed his beard.

"Careful little one, it's rough," he smiled at the scene nonetheless. Elize was wondering what she was gripping before pulling back and forgetting. "She's a strong grip."

"She'll be the one collecting lumber soon enough." The two of them laughed at the silly joke.

Never when he arrived did Ortega believe these would be the happiest days of his life. Living with mother... fighting side-by-side with the wyvern brigade... they turned into bitter memories. One day, this might as well... but he'd do everything in his considerable power to safeguard these people.