"And here is little Blakey helping us paint the halls".

The women, 'Kali' as I have come to learn, was showing me small paintings of her daughter. 'Photos' as they were called, in what she had named the 'photo album'. I had made a mental note to find the artisan who has created such life like images. They were pristine, smooth, and I had yet to come across a single flaw in the linework.

We had spent some time chatting shortly before the situation I was in now. Both my hosts having introduced themselves as the leaders of the island. Yes, island, not only had I been healed from my injuries after the loss but I had also been displaced. I was seemingly stranded on this island, only temporarily however as I was sure I would find my way back to the main land.

Nevertheless I had managed to keep calm during our brief discussion. I posed as a visitor on a temporary paid leave from my duties, claiming I was a guard for my clan that had power over a small village on the main land. Giving just enough information to hold my story while also keeping it vague enough to not have any direct ties, aside from the name of the clan which was an on the spot slip up from my first introduction.

They did not seem bothered however as they proceeded to give me small pieces of trivia about Menagerie, pointing out several areas I may have wished to see on my 'visit'.

Of course this was until Kali, as she wishes me to call her "Mrs. Belladonna makes me feel old", brought out her photo album. The book itself containing pictures of their daughter Blake from her childhood. I experienced a brief look of pity from her husband as she proceeded to give me the rundown on every little thing documented. From Blake's early childhood of getting stuck in high places oddly enough, to her various birthdays and the ensuing chaos.

"Oh oh and here is when she tried her first tuna, she hated the smell but after tasting it she couldn't get enough. She always cleans her plate every time".

"And this is the time she got stuck on the roof. She was chasing a pretty birdy and climbed up off the balcony and got stuck. Ghira had to get the ladder".

"Here she is running away from a humming bird, she's a little afraid of them. Their humming makes her ears hurt".

Kali had seemed to have a story for almost every picture here, love for her daughter on full display. Yet she would focus on only the childhood moments. She seemed to purposefully avoid several others by jumping from one story to the next, conveniently passing over the older looking Blake pictures. One of these however stood out to me. Blake was slightly older in this one than the previous child ones and was standing next to two others, both carrying signs. She looked much more serious than the carefree curious girl I was shown so far.

"What of this one?"

I asked, pointing slightly. It was none of my business yet curiosity had taken hold of me. I could not shake the odd feeling Blake had bestowed upon me in that image, her face held a mixture of fear and rage.

Kali, the embodiment of excitement so far had faltered, if only for a moment. She shared a look with Ghira before turning back to me, a somber smile adorned her, pain held behind her eyes. She reached down, taking hold of the still memory.

"This was Blake's first protest, back from the early days of the White Fang. Our first visit to one of the neighboring villages just outside of Vale".

The White Fang, a group striving for equality. Only mentioned briefly during our initial chat, both having held themselves tense when talking about it, as if I should know about them. I held my tongue at the time as they stated its purpose and that it's main base was stationed here, both looking relieved when I had motioned them to continue afterwards. Perhaps there was more to them than I thought.

"Sorry, I'd rather not say more on this photo, it brings back some... personal issues".

"No... no, it's fine. It was none of my business anyway, I should not have asked".

She gently lodged it back in its place and closed the book, turning back to me with a much more joyful look.

"Well, has your head started to clear up a bit?"

Honestly... it had. While I wasn't drunk like they thought, the initial surprise of my situation had run its course. I was able to think much more clearly now than I had before.

"Yes, I think it is. Thank you, you've helped quite a lot and I appreciate your hospitality".

Standing up I prepared to take my leave, only to feel a hand on my shoulder. Looking back I saw it was Ghira. He motioned for me to continue, both of us walking out as Kali presumably put her album away.

It was calm outside, the fog having cleared up I was able to take in the sights. The broken moon shining down on the pristine land below. It was warm, even at night and the reflection of the ocean at this distance was breath taking. The buildings still having that foreign look to them, a look that I was still unable to identify, yet they felt familiar. I may have read about this type of architecture before, in one of my studies from when I was younger?

I felt Ghira's hand leave me, turning over to him I watched as he pointed to the docks.

"Just before you reach port take a left at the stalls. At the edge of the next turn you'll see a place with a large sign next to the door, two candles on each side. That's the inn, you can get a room there".

"Thank you".

I responded as I took my leave.

"Wait!"

Or would have, had I not been halted by Kali who arrived in a light jog. Taking a moment to catch her breath as Ghira glanced away, holding what looked to be a slight chuckle. After gaining a hold of herself she proceeded to shove something into my hands. Gazing down as she stepped back I saw that it was an emblem, silver in color and sporting what looked to be a wolves head gazing peacefully ahead.

"This is usually used by White Fang members who return temporarily before heading out again. It'll get you a free room and complimentary breakfast at the inn. Paid for from the White Fang's agent expense budget, it lasts for a week so make use of those free breakfasts".

With that I gave my thanks again and proceeded off towards the inn.

Watching him go Ghira turned to his wife.

"You know we're not supposed to give those out right? Where did you even get that anyway?"

Kali rolled her eyes before heading back inside, Her husband close behind.

"Hush you. I found it out next to the stalls on my way to get groceries last week. I'm sure one of them dropped it, probably got a heavy scolding to for losing it".

Taking a seat she patted next to herself, to which Ghira let himself down. She then gave him a much more serious look.

"You were off almost the entire time we spent with him, what troubles you dear?"

He let out a sigh before looking down.

"It's just... the way he introduced himself, the Rose clan. I've never once heard of them. Yet they have a village... and if that's the case then why come to Menagerie?"

He looked down, clearly in deep thought. Just then it clicked in Kali's mind.

"You think something happened, don't you? He said he was on leave didn't he? It's probably just his vacation".

"We've never seen him before, he just up and appears out of nowhere. Trust me, I've checked the visitor lists many times before as each ship arrives to make sure we have enough space available for everyone. Not many come here so the ones that do I always remember the names of, yet I've never even heard of him before. With his distinct look you'd think word would spread, yet here he is. It's almost as if he's been hiding. You found him drunk in the fog in the middle of the night, alone. Nobody does that without some sort of weight. I don't know what happened but it's clear something is going on with him".

Kali took a moment to gather her thoughts. Gently she placed her hand over his.

"What do you think we should do?"

She asked quietly.

"Nothing we can do, as much as I hate to admit it. This is his business, we have no right barging into it".

Her husband went back into his thoughts. She didn't like this, but he was right, they couldn't get involved unless he came to them.

Shaking her head she began to wonder, why was she so worried about someone she just met? Everything they just thought of was only speculation. They had no proof of any of this, yet she worried so. The boy was respectful during their talk, he held himself proper, so what had drawn them in?

Lifting her head from her thoughts she glanced upon a photo, the family photo on the coffee table to be precise. It was a picture of Ghira and her, holding a toddler Blake while at the docks. Blake and her were welcoming Ghira back from a trip. Back when he was still leader of the White Fang. Blake had jumped right up into her fathers arms, excited to see him again, she was such a daddies girl.

She remembered asking Sienna to take a photo of the three of them. The boat her husband had just got off of sat gently in the background.

Blake... was that it? looking at it now the boy and her were quite similar at first glance. Both had this calm stillness to them, yet both held a silent curiosity. Was that why? Was his similarity to Blake the cause of her stirring emotions?

Kali held the picture closer. Their last meeting having gone sour, as harsh words were thrown between her and her father. They were worried for her, yet they could not express it properly. In the end their daughter had stormed off and that was the last they ever heard from her.

They had visited the White Fang for answers yet they were only ever told that Blake was doing well. They had never gotten word from her directly. She felt her husband take hold of her as they both looked longingly into the photo, both having only a single thought.

'Blake, wherever you are, please be safe'.

I had made it to the inn after a short walk, having continued to take in the sights along the way. A sign outside the door, a candle on each side just as Ghira had said. Though I could not make out the wording of what appeared to be the local written language, I had assumed it was the name of this establishment. Strange as I could understand them verbally, perhaps it was just the writing and they spoke multiple languages. Regardless I made my way in past the curtain that had acted as a door.

The inside was rather clean looking with a single carpet rolled out towards the counter. A lone woman with short fangs pointing just past her lip looked up. Given the slight jump it appeared I had startled her.

I made my way to the counter as she quickly brushed off the initial surprise.

"I take it you want a room?"

She asked, eyeing me up and down. I ignored this as I gave my answer.

"I would if it isn't too much trouble".

"For how long then?"

"A week please".

She took to writing before continuing on.

"And how would you like to pay?"

With this I pulled out the emblem given to me. She held out her hand as I gave it over. She briefly examined it before opening a drawer and dropping it in.

"Name?"

"Vermillion Rose".

Jotting it down she motioned for me to follow. I walked along till we stopped before a wooden door, much like the others we had passed but with a the number twelve carved into a metal plate just above the center. At this point she handed me a key.

"Here's how this works. Each morning before twelve you can drop by the front desk and pick up your breakfast, one per patron. If you miss out that's on you. If you loose the key you can get another at the front desk, but you'll be charged for it. Cause any problems and we'll kick you out, even if you're with the Fang. Any questions?"

"None".

"Then enjoy your stay".

Author's note

...

Well that's that. Yea I posted yesterday, but don't expect quick posts like this all the time. I just so happened to have the last done and this one halfway.

Anyway let me know what you think and see you next time.

(Finally, I've learned how to make those line separator things!)