In response to 7sky's review:

Her name is indeed spelled Hether, and I'll make sure to update that. I also have to fix the one in Chapter 2. *sigh*

My plans for the arrow will be revealed soon, my friend. But you are warmer than you think. You're standing a little close to the heater, by the way.

Also, Skyrim references! I love it.

Please, do leave more reviews, as every bit of feedback makes me even more motivated to write this!

Enjoy the chapter, my friend.

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Eclipsen sighed as he slid his drawing stand back under his mattress. He still couldn't believe what the Handler had done.

He couldn't even find the motivation to get off his knees and move back onto the bed, instead simply pressing his face into the top of the mattress and remaining there.

Deep down, he feared that the Smithy would steal his design, and he would have to reveal what Hether had done.

He didn't want to do that to the energetic Handler, and the Smithy was not one to do such a thing.

Even though he knew the Smithy would never do what he feared, Eclipsen couldn't help but run over the scenario multiple times in his head.

With each run through, he felt more and more anxious. The Frenzy Virus residing in his body did not help the situation.

He lifted his face off the mattress, now resting his chin on it.

"I need to get drunk."

-Transition-

Sundancer happily pranced towards his Meowster's quarters, his tail raised high.

On his way, the Palico noticed the Serious Handler, also known as Rebecca, berating her partner for another mishap on the hunt.

Almost everyone in Astera knew the two were in a relationship, no matter how hard they tried to keep it secret.

Sundancer would never reveal that he had been the one to spread the truth around the base, for fear that he would lose his tail, or worse.

The cat continued on his way, moving up the set of stairs quickly and efficiently.

He stopped when he noticed that Hether was sitting curled next to his Meowster's door, her legs hugged tightly against her chest.

Sundancer quickly approached the woman, letting out a quiet but worried mewl.

"What on your Paws, Hether?"

He asked. Sundancer had a strange way of speaking, as he was born in a Palico settlement that had very much different dialects from normal Guild Palicos.

Hether jumped at Sundancer's meow, seemingly having been asleep. The Handler looked around for a moment before realising where she was.

"Oh, hey Sundancer. I'm okay, it's just..."

Hether paused. The Palico tilted his head to the side, his sensitive eyes noticing Hether's slightly puffy eyes.

Hether then rose from her sitting position, petting Sundancer's head before walking away quickly.

The cat watched as she moved away, letting a sorrowful sound fill his throat.

He would need to talk to her later. Maybe he could find out what happened.

He turned back to the door, giving it a twist, only for his paws to slip. That was strange, as his Meowster normally never locked his door.

The cat growled a bit and moved to the side of the Private Quarters. He swiftly and easily leaped in through the window, landing softly on the bed.

Sundancer looked around the room, finding his Meowster sitting at his desk, with a small cup in his hand and a jug of what Sundancer knew to be very strong alcohol on the floor next to the desk.

"You're back."

Eclipsen said, taking a drink of the alcohol in his cup. Sundancer settled on the bed before replying.

"Yes sir!"

Eclipsen hummed in response. A fairly different reaction other tham his usual smile and petting.

Silence reigned after that, with Sundancer watching as the Hunter downed four cups of alcohol.

"Meowster, what happened with Hether?"

Eclipsen froze, before sighing heavily. Some time passed before he received an answer.

"A wound was cut, yet no doctor is present to stitch it. Who knows when it will become infected."

Sundancer rolled his eyes. The Hunter got very poetic when he was intoxicated, and he would most likely go to bed soon.

Sundancer moved to his side of the bed, adjusted the blankets and settled down for the night.

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Sorry for the short as shit chapter, I was nearly out of creative fuel when I wrote it.

Our dear Hunter is talking more than usual... Is something changing in him?

Until next time!