Nanaki looked upon the nicely ordered buildings with their blue slatted roofs gleaming in the sunlight, and he was amazed that he had actually come back. The last time he'd walked away, he had believed that unless it was for some necessary errand with the rest of the group, he would not cross these gates again.

The greetings were as varied, though they ranged in a wider field of reactions than the first time. This time, some of the onlookers recognized him and were more than happy to come and greet him. Most of the younger folks, however, dodged his one-eyed gaze with fear and ran back to their mothers' skirts, the latter not so far behind in their panic.

Only the old and wise knew him now, those who had been present when Cloud's party had left its mark on the peaceful town of Kalm. How they had aged since, coming to him on canes and wobbly knees. He remembered them young and squealing as they tried to convince him to allow them to ride on his back.

"Red! What an honour to see you again!"

"Blast my eyes, but he's grown big!"

"Honey, come here now! Red is back!"

"Did you come with others, mister Red?"

Nanaki sat on his haunches, answering their questions patiently and smiling his own smile. He was surprised to be so happy to see these humans he barely knew, that he'd met so briefly that he could not recognize them even now.

Eventually they retreated, understanding that he was here with a goal in mind and hadn't all the time in the world. His name was on the lips of the people of Kalm that night, either from the elderly telling the story of their encounter to youngsters or said youngsters wondering at the beast that had helped save the world.

Really, it had all been a coincidence that had made him stop at Kalm. He'd been in the vicinity with no intention to stop, but with a struck of bad luck and a reminder from nature that its force was not to be underestimated, he'd lost most of his items. With a long trip yet ahead of him, he'd been faced with the necessity to restock.

And so he could be found in the item shop with a small group of people still curious and eager to speak to him. Though he held only good intentions towards these folks, he was starting to get tired of the attention.

"Are you mister Red?"

Nanaki had just stepped outside, a bag of items clutched in his jaw to be stored later in more practical spaces, in his case. In front of him stood a young girl with wide brown eyes and an unruly mop of hair. She was looking at him with not a hint of fear, but much curiosity.

"Yes, I am," he answered cautiously. No matter the esteem he had won here, he understood a mother's almost indestructible worry in the face of something lethal. He did not want to cross her, wherever she might be. The child looked to be alone.

"Thank you!" With those sudden and puzzling words, the little girl launched forward to attach her small arms around his neck in an unmistakable hug. Nanaki could only blink in surprise and confusion.

"For what, child?" he prompted. He could feel her gripping hard; a good thing that she was too small to do much more than ruffle is fur.

Finally she let go, and looked at him with a shy smile. "Well, my Grandma said I had to thank mister Red. She tried to explain about the Planet and some stream and big meanies, but I didn't get it, but it looked important, so thank you mister Red!" she piped up, turned on her heels, and ran away with a giggle.

Nanaki watched her go, nonplussed, before breaking into a melancholic smile. That night, instead of camping in the wild like he had intended to, he stayed at the inn and found enjoyment as the elderly owner questioned him and they chatted amiably throughout most of the night.