=Written in Tiz's POV=

Cat's are loyal, but in their own way. They will often choose one person and consider them 'theirs', showing only them their true affections and loyal side.

The sun is shining down hard on the poor city of Caldisla. I watch Ringabel banter with Edea, arguing over this or that as usual. It's almost normal to happen now, having been traveling together for so long. The spat ends with a loud slap and much like every other time, the blond retreats to my side, pouting visibly. I smile as he crosses his arms, telling me about the whole ordeal. I overheard some of it but the whole thing is just silly now that he's explaining it. "Sometimes I just...Augh! You know?" Ringabel looks me right in the eyes and I freeze up. I don't quite know why, perhaps I was just caught off guard? I just dumbly nod my head, hoping to avert his staring and gain the chance to compose myself. Sure enough he starts to ramble on about other topics, something he ate, clothes he saw, a girl he flirted with. I'm not really listening, instead just watching and enjoying the attention, no matter how little and side set it is.

Eventually he finished his rambles and gets up to wander off, likely to pout over something, and leaves me alone. I'm alright with it though, as it gives me time to sit and think. I lean forward in my chair, resting my elbows on the table. The sounds of the inn we're staying in melting into the background and silencing into nothing more than a muffled whisper. I'm left to my own thoughts. I don't even notice when Anges approaches me until she touches my shoulder lightly. It's enough to cause me to jump, hitting the table and startling Anges as well as myself. "Tiz! Sorry! I thought you heard me!" I settle back into my chair, breathing a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting you there. What did you need?" I ask, trying to slow my heart rate down to a reasonable speed. "Have you seen Ringabel? I know you two were talking a few hours ago." Wait...a few hours? How long had I been sitting here exactly? "I uh...I'm not sure." I stutter out, still baffled. "Why are we looking for him?" Anges gives me a concerned look and places her hands on her hips. "Well I told him to stay close to the inn, as we were going to have dinner but I cannot find him anywhere. Edea even went out into town to look for him." That's unlike Ringabel. He's usually one of the first ones at the dinner table... "I'll go take a look for him if you'd like." I offer, having a guess at where he might be.

I walk down the pathways, my boots tapping rhythmically against the stone. It seems like ages ago when my father took me through these streets. Sure it was just for simple errands when I was no more than a little child, but the memory stuck with me through the years. His loud steps, booming as I tried hard to keep up, his large broad shoulders blocking out the noon-day sun. His laugh as he looks back to see me copying his long strides, looking more like a newborn deer walking on ice. I too smile, playfully taking awkwardly long steps and earning a few strange glances. I don't mind though. I decide that the first place to check would be up by the old burned house that Ringabel mentioned having stayed at a time before. Looking over in the direction I spot a form up at the small outlook where I had seen Ringabel stand often before we were officially introduced. Hopeful, I make my way over only to find a young lady there. Dang. I avert my eyes quickly when she looks my way, embarrassed for staring. My gaze lowers and I hurry back to the remains of the old home. I call out quietly, not really wanting to go in if I don't have to. Last time I tried to weasel my way through an old abandoned building, a rotted through roof fell on me and trapped me for nearly half the day. Thankfully Ringabel and Edea found me and helped me after laughing themselves to death. No response so I'm stuck taking a little look inside. I poke around the half incinerated door and yell louder. "Ringabel? You in there?" With again no response, I move on, not wanting to stay any longer than I have to.

I pass back towards the inn, feeling a little defeated but not ready to give up. Where else could he be? I continue towards the shops, uncertain of where else he might have gone. I check along the lowers walkways but still nothing. I can hear the water of the fountain splashing and I look over, seeing the mossy old wall, the water spilling through the small space in the center. Out of habit I walk up to it, dipping my hand into the cool liquid. I would wait here for my father to be done in the shops as more often than not, I was too much of a terror to be allowed in. Swishing the water gently with my fingers I make patterns, momentarily forgetting what I was doing out and about. I could hear my father's words, scolding me for making a mess but laughing right away afterwards telling me that I was just like him at that age. Full of curiosity and trouble. With a sigh I step away, and look up towards the small shops. Maybe he went up by the castle? I have no idea what for but I'd rather look now than have to backtrack later. I drag myself up the steps slowly, watching the local cats doze in the late sunlight. Another thing my dad would often scold me over. The cats on the farm were more wild and didn't like to be touched or approached whereas the cats in the city would let you pick them up and carry them around. I can't count the number of times I tried to beg my father to let me take one home.

I find myself in front of the castle, the massive archway guarded by a pair of young gentlemen, both of whom salute me on sight. I offer a nod of acknowledgement and look about. Still no sign of him. I'm becoming a bit tired of walking around without even so much as a clue. But I really have no choice other than to turn back and check the last part of the city. I trudge past the shops once more, smiling as this time I'm reminded of the other day when Ringabel and I had gone to get supplies. Instead of actually getting what we needed we goofed off until Anges had to come after us. We got one heck of a scolding but it was worth it. Though now that I think about it, Ringabel seems to be more goofy when it's just us. There's things he'll say and do but only when others aren't around. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing sometimes. I pass the fountain once again, this time going straight forward instead of turning to back to the inn. The stones paving the pathway quickly starts to look worse. Grass and moss growing into the cracks and crevices, showing the age of the city.

My footsteps become quieter as the ground becomes softer. The graveyard. I don't really like being here. I'm not scare of things like ghosts or anything...It's just... It brings back a lot of memories that I don't really want to remember. I sigh and step up the short flight of stairs, spotting light blue and blond just a little ways in. He's standing in front of a large marker. One that I instantly recognize. "Ringabel." I call out, not wanting to get close. He turns to look at me, confusion in his eyes. "Tiz? What are you doing here?" He turns around fully to face me, but does not come over to me. "Anges sent me out to get you. She was worried." I look down, the dirt and grass seemingly much more interesting than before. Soft footsteps inform me that he's now in front of me, his hand resting on my shoulder. "I suppose we ought to be getting back then?" His words are light hearted and warm and it puts me at a sense of peace. "Yeah..." I agree quietly but instead of starting back, I push past him. I step up to the huge marker and lower myself down to my knees, closing my eyes peacefully.

This large stone was placed in honor of the people of Norende. Those who were lost to the great chasm that day. My friends, neighbors and family. Mother, father and Til. As I offer my respects, I feel a light pressure enclose me. Ringabel may not always know the best things to say nor when to say them, but he knows what I need most. I return the embrace as best I can, listening to the steady beat of Ringabel's heart and feeling his breath gently teasing tufts of my hair. After what feels like an eternity, he speaks up. "Shall we? Any longer and Anges will chase us down and beat us. And as funny as that sounds like it would be, I'd rather not." I chuckle, my heart feeling lighter even after today. Ringabel holds a hand out, helping me up when I take it. His smile shines brightly and I feel my heart jump a little. Next thing I know he shoves me lightly out of the way and starts to run, yelling back to me over his shoulder. "Race you!" I follow behind, laughing loudly. "Cheater!" I yell at him, hardly able to get it out past my laughs.

He may not always show how he really can be around the others but that's okay with me. It makes me feel something I never really have before. For once in a long time, I feel important. To know he's only this way with me. I love it.

Author Comments:

So here's the flip side of the coin. Something like that anyway? Either way this chapter feels a little funny to me. It doesn't 'flow' quite right but maybe that's just me being really tired. After all, this actually took some time to fix all of my spelling errors.

I dunno. I like this chapter but then again I don't. I'll try to find a better and smoother way to write the next chapters. Enjoy guys! If you like anything or have any comments/ideas, feel free to review or pm.