Summary: Osvald and his companions stop in Oresrush to stock up on supplies. He didn't expect to leave with a new addition to their group, but after a literal run-in with a local merchant, that's exactly what happened.

"Oh, oh! I smell meat! C'mon Temmy, let's go find it!"

"Alright, alright! There's no need to drag me, Ochette."

Osvald watched as Ochette ran off down the street, tugging Temenos along by his sleeve as Mahina followed closely behind. He let them go; the town of Oresrush didn't seem like too dangerous a place, and even though they hadn't been traveling together for long, he knew that they could take care of themselves. Throné had already left to take care of some business, so Osvald preoccupied himself with shopping for the supplies that they needed to continue their journey.

His mind wandered as he walked down the street, perusing the various market stalls and only stopping when he found something that he needed. Traveling the world with a group of strangers certainly wasn't what he had in mind after escaping from his five year confinement, but they were all capable people and could carry their weight, especially when it came to fighting off those who wished to harm them during their travels.

Osvald had originally planned to head right back home to begin his search for Harvey, but he knew he wasn't mentally prepared for that, so he didn't really mind the detour to the Eastern Continent to help Throné hunt down one of her 'parents.'

As he stepped out of a shop, lost in thought, Osvald grunted as something smacked into him, knocking him off-balance and sending his glasses flying from his face.

"Oh shoot! Sorry, partner!"

Osvald steadied himself and squinted. Through his blurred vision, he saw that a man dressed in yellow had managed to catch his glasses before they hit the ground.

"My apologies, I wasn't watching where I was going," he said, and the stranger laughed and waved his free hand nonchalantly.

"You and me both!" he said, shooting Osvald a wink and a big toothy grin. He then gasped and held his hand up, which was still holding on to Osvald's glasses.

"Whoops! You prolly can't see too well without these. Here you go!"

"Thank you-" Osvald started as he reached out to take them, but the stranger reached up and placed the glasses on Osvald's face himself. Stunned, Osvald watched the stranger with wide eyes as he brushed off his vest before tipping his hat.

"Hey friend!" he said, his bright blue eyes seeming to sparkle as he spoke, "How's about you let me buy you a drink to make up for stumblin' into you like that?"

"Er…"

"C'mon, it's just down the road here." The stranger threw his arm over Osvald's shoulders and steered him towards the tavern. Osvald was…absolutely flabbergasted by this turn of events, so he let himself be led on until he found himself sitting at a table across from the stranger.

"Hoo-ey! Nothin' like a strong mug of ale to quench the thirst!" the man said, take a big swig of his drink. Osvald watched him silently as he took a small sip of his coffee.

"Aw shucks, but where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself yet!" The man chuckled as he held out his hand. "Partitio, at your service!"

"...Osvald." He took Partitio's hand and gave it a firm shake, before going back to nursing his coffee.

"Mighty nice to meet you, friend!"

Osvald grunted in response, and a silence fell upon their table. Partitio certainly was an…interesting fellow. Osvald didn't think he had ever met someone so boisterous and forward (well, besides Ochette), especially towards a stranger such as himself.

"So, Mr. Osvald…" He looked back up to find Partitio staring at him, head cocked to one side, "You've got a special look about you…What brings you to these parts?" Osvald chose to take that as a compliment and shrugged.

"One of my traveling companions had business here, and we needed to stock up on supplies." Partitio's face lit up at that, and Osvald was surprised to find out that it could light up even more than it already had.

"Well, well, well! Lady Luck must be shinin' down on me, 'cause it ain't every day you meet someone like you!"

"...I don't follow."

"There's a fire burnin' in those bright eyes of yours." Partitio's eyes locked with Osvald's, and the intensity of his gaze gave him pause. "Ambition and conviction in equal measure."

"Ambition and…conviction?" Osvald repeated, suddenly feeling very exhausted by this conversation. "What is your point?"

Partitio grinned and stood, propping one foot onto his chair as he pointed at Osvald, his coat flaring out behind him with the dramatic movement.

"Well, I'm a merchant, and I'm gettin' ready to hit that dusty trail." He waved his arm in a wide arc in front of him before pointing his thumb at himself. "I've got big plans and big ideas, too big to handle alone." Osvald stole a glance around the tavern at the other patrons; they seemed indifferent to Partitio's antics, which told Osvald that this was normal behavior from him.

"I was hoping to find a dependable sort like you to accompany me on my travels." It seemed like Partitio had finally finished his ranting, as he was now staring at Osvald with wide, puppy-dog eyes. Osvald let out a tired sigh; why were the people who wanted to travel with him so strange?

"It's dangerous out in the wilderness. Do you know how to fight?" Osvald asked, and Partitio nodded.

"You betcha! Been protectin' this town since I was a little chickadee."

"Hmp."

Osvald gave him a once-over; Partitio did look like he was physically fit. He was also a merchant, so Osvald deduced that he had a good head on his shoulders too. Crossing his hands over his chest, he let out another sigh and nodded.

"Alright. You can join us, Partitio. As long as you pull your weight-"

"You really mean it?! Thankee kindly, partner!" Osvald winced as Partitio let out an excited shout. He then rushed to Osvald's side, yanked him to his feet, and gathered him in a bear hug as he lifted him off the ground with surprising strength.

"P-Put me down!" Osvald sputtered, and Partitio thankfully obliged, placing his hands on Osvald's arms as he looked up at him.

"You won't regret this one bit, Osvald!" he said, and the blazing ambition and conviction raging in Partitio's eyes made Osvald raise a curious eyebrow. "C'ause I'm the man who's gonna save the world from the devil they call poverty!"

'I'm already regretting it…' Osvald thought, sighing as he shook his head.

"Wahoo! Here you are, Pops!"

Suddenly, he heard Ochette's voice behind him, and Osvald didn't flinch as she launched herself onto his back, her arms wrapping around his neck as she rubbed her cheek against his fluffy hair.

"...Does, uh, that happen often?" Partitio asked, his mouth hanging slightly agape.

"Yes," Osvald deadpanned, and he did not elaborate.

"Dear, dear Ochette, you shouldn't just run off on me like that."

Temenos was shaking his head as he approached the table, followed by a silent, stone-faced Throné. Ochette rest her chin on Osvald's head and tilted hers to one side.

"Hey, who's the yellow guy?" she asked, her tail swishing back and forth.

"Our new traveling companion," Osvald said, and Temenos chuckled.

"My, my, you certainly pick the most interesting of companions, Osvald." He made a point of casting a glance over his shoulder at Throné, who rolled her eyes.

"Speak for yourself."

"Ooh, temper Throné, temper."

Partitio grinned and waved at the newcomers. "The name's Partitio, great to meet y'all!" he said, before leaning closer to Osvald, "Say, does she have…a tail, and critter ears?" He pointed to Ochette and Osvald nodded slightly.

"I'm a beastling! We all have tails and fluffy ears, Parti!" Ochette giggled and a loud growling sound suddenly filled the air. "Ugh…I'm sooo hungry…" She collapsed dramatically over Osvald's shoulder, and the group sat down to eat.

"Y'all seem like a rowdy bunch!" Partitio said when they had received their food, and Temenos laughed.

"I think we can blame Ochette for that."

"Hey, I'm not rowdy!" Ochette pouted and shook her head. "I'm just…very excited about, well, everything! Especially meat!" She waved her jerky in front of her, and Throné giggled; Osvald was glad to see that Throné's mood had improved since she took care of her 'business.'

"I meant that as a compliment though! It means y'all are gonna be fun to travel with!" Partitio grinned as he raised his third mug of ale into the air, "Cheers, to new friends and new adventures!"

Osvald watched everyone cheer and he clinked his cup of coffee against the others' mugs. A ghost of a grin crossed Osvald's face as he took a drink of his coffee, and the group celebrated their new companion well into the night.

The next morning, they made their way out of town, with Ochette and Mahina rushing off ahead while Throné and Temenos tried to keep up.

"Hey, thanks again for lettin' me tag along with you," Partitio said to Osvald as they followed after their companions.

"Don't mention it."

"Yeehaw!" Partitio cheered, pumping a fist into the air before placing his hand over his hat as he scanned the horizon, "I'm so dang full of excitement, I feel like I could burst at any moment!"

"Just don't be standing next to me when that happens."

Partitio laughed at that and slapped a friendly hand to Osvald's back. "You're a hoot, Osvald. I can't wait to share a campfire with you!"

Partitio winked at him before rushing to catch up with the others, who had stopped to wait for them at the upcoming fork in the road. Osvald let an amused chuckle slip out as he followed Partitio. This was already turning out to be an interesting journey, and Osvald had a feeling that it was about to get even more so.