It feels strange to be back in this town again, it's as if I've been out of this place for a very long time, though everything remains the same, at least from what I can see. It's odd to waltz through streets unimpeded by humans stacked shoulder to shoulder, pushing each other out of the way to get to their destination, these streets are comparatively barren of them, other than a few outliers who keep to themselves. Though I can see their eyes shift to glance at us, they otherwise don't make any motions to interrupt us. Something about there being less people makes me feel more exposed than normal, as if their eyes are drawn to me. I guess it really shouldn't surprise me too much, given how this world works, we'd seem like a bizarre ragtag little group, a tiny keidran child clinging to the side of a basitin whilst a human chick goes on and skips around like an actual human child, whistling an innocent sounding tune in the meanwhile.

They probably just think I'm a keidran too in all honesty, and think that Lucy's a fucking weirdo, which isn't too far from the truth in all honesty. At least my comparatively oversized cloak that weighs on Mabel just makes her look more endearing, even if the ends of it's being dragged across the dirty stone. The look on her face is a strange mix of worried yet content, a hand meekly gripped on the cloak, purring occasionally as I pet and ruffle her hair. Cute kid, I hope she isn't as nervous as she seems, so long as she doesn't run off it'll be fine. Its a low chance, but it worries me

You're a fucking weirdo, the cloak's gonna be soiled by the time you grab it off of her. Also, can you get the weird chick to shut the fuck up? It both sounds and feels like chalk being dragged up and down a blackboard for fucks sake.

Probably, but that's what cleaning's for after all. I wince and purse my lips together as the lady's whistling reaches a peak, my ears flattening against my neck, it really isn't that bad, my ears could just be overly sensitive after all, but there I do wanna start some sort of conversation

"Hey, miss Lucy, have you been to Dartwood before?" I pipe up suddenly, the lady's mouth clamping shut as she raises a finger to her chin, humming for a while in response.

"Nupe, or at least, not for too long anyways, I don't really get the chance to move around the world too much," She replies after a short while, clasping her hands behind her back and walking beside me again, a small smile on her face as she brings her face closer to mine, giving me a likely faux innocuous wink. "Perhaps you can show me around later, Zeke~?"

A shiver runs up my spine as I lean away from the unnerving girl, not so subtly nudging her away with a hand.

I've nothing but disdain for the continued existence of this little lady, can we get rid of her? Please?

Don't be like that, she's just a bit... quirky is all, I just hope she

"Perhaps another time, miss Lucy." I respond to her curtly, breathing a sigh of relief as she pulls away with a pout on her lips. Personal space and all, I don't mind breeches of it as long as it's on my terms. "Why do you do that, anyways?"

"Hmn? Whatcha mean by that?" She answers my question with a question, and the tilt of her head, the edges of her lips curled up into a barely noticeable smile. She knows what I mean by that, the little brat. She lets out a shrill little yelp of surprise as I flick her nose, a hand of hers raised to rub at the afflicted area, pouting and huffing as I chuckle.

"You know what I mean, Lucy." I give her a non answer with a flat tone, raising an eyebrow as I look down to her. She keeps eye contact for a few moments before huffing again, looking up and away.

"Well, if you hafta know, it's cause gettin reactions outta you is amusing. It's also stuff I like to write down into my notes to keep track of ya! There's so many things I wanna test on you, things that I want ya to do, to find ya limits with magic and stuff! Does alchemy potions work on you if they're consumed or injected, what about more poison? Is there a limit to what type of poison you can stomach? Does it matter if they're made by humans or if they're purely natural? By the masks I wish I had more basitin bodies to work on, ya people are so damned xenophobic it's incredible, so I'm glad that you're around to help me wit-" I sigh to myself and tune out the little magicians ramblings, rubbing at my temple to soothe the growing headache. Well, that certainly set her off didn't it? I guess that it all boils down to 'I like it therefore I do it', even if some things she says goes over my head. I spare a glance down to Mabel, the girl looking up to me with a confused stare and a tilt of her head, giggling lightly as I shrug in response to the silent question, returning to ruffling her hair soon after.

You get distracted pretty easily when people talk, I've noticed.

It's hard to concentrate when people ramble on a bit too much, though I admit to being guilty of it myself. Distracted is definitely a word you could use though. Lucy continues to ramble on as we make our way through the town, the uneasy feeling in my chest gradually falling off as people stop staring, I don't like it when people stare.

...Hey wait a fucking second, does she want me to drink poison? What the fuck?

You just realised? Its not as if its a fucking secret that we're basically a test subject to her, you let it happen.

I know! It's just, surprisingly brazen is all, I guess I should've expected it from her though, social tact doesn't seem like her strong suit. Who fuck just asks 'hey, can you drink this poison for me' to begin with?

This little maniac, clearly, no wonder you brought her along. It's not as if your social understanding is exactly fantastic either, the pot calls the kettle black.

Stop bullying her, even if she can't hear it, she's a mostly nice girl.

She's a fucking sadist that scares the ever living fuck out of me, the fact that you don't think so is unnerving.

She's a curious mind, you stop that, she's fine as she is right now. Probably, I think so anyways.

Pfah, she's trying to get your attention by the way, you might wanna respond to her before she blows her lid.

I blink rapidly and pull myself away from the pale pouting face, shaking my head to clear my thoughts as I stop in my tracks. Huh, how long has she been doing that? Was she doing it while we've been walking, too?

"You weren't listening to a word I was saying, were you?" She accuses with a huff, crossing her arms as she stares at me with a piercing squinting glare, it's not exactly intimidating given her stature.

"Why miss Lucy, I'd never be so disrespectful." I answer her with a smug feeling smile, tilting my head back as I look down to her. She huffs again and smacks at my chest, a light hit that barely registers as a hit to be honest, there's no muscle in those scrawny arms of hers. "It's not very lady like to attack someone either, how dareth."

"You're an asshole, and no fun either." She finally speaks with another huff, turning her nose to the sky, like a faux stuck up snob. My grin turns into a more genuine smile as the sound of Mabels giggling flows through the air, my hand leaving her head for a brief moment to bow to the lady, an overly theatrical and mocking one that dips nice and low for her.

"Please, I pray that you may find the kindness in your heart to forgive me, Milady." I apologise to the lady, for the obviously grievous misdeed I've committed. Another giggle fills the air as Lucy shivers, a disgusted look on her face as she visibly recoils.

"Fuzz, ya better never do that again, ya have no idea how fuckin weird that is coming from you" She reaches up and flicks at the tip of my nose, snickering as I feel my face scrunch up, pawing and rubbing at the area to subdue the sting. Heh, at least now I know how to get under her skin, such an obviously important discovery is something I'm gonna keep in mind. I feel somewhat slighted though, it wasn't that bad was it?

I feel absolutely degraded by that, while you might not have any sense of shame because you're a weirdo, I'm unluckly saddled in your head, please don't fucking do that again.

I'll keep that in mind too, the way both of you reacted is fucking hilarious. I open my mouth to speak before clamming them shut, a tugging feeling at the base of my spine distracting me for a moment as I twist around, looking down to face the intrusion. A small child tugs at my tail, brown mid length hair bobbing lightly as she does so, the front of it just barely dipping below her eyes while the back of her hair does the same, dipping just below her shoulders. Sticks jutt out of her dirt coated, almost grimy and mattered looking hair that sticks to her as she looks up to me, her eyes are a glowing looking ruby red, filled with a strangely familiar childish excitement. She's clad in a dirtied green looking shirt, oddly enough with matching shorts too, her chest heaving lightly as she takes in deep breaths.

"Hey again mister! Can I touch your ears again?" She gasps out her question, following it up with an innocent looking beam of a smile, my ears twitching violently as she asks. I feel Mabel shuffle and hide behind my leg, her claws poking into my flesh as she whimpers. I purse my lips together as my heart races, who the fuck's this? Do I know her? Where the fuck did she come from, I should've heard her approach.

"Do I know you, kid?" I try to keep a level tone as I speak to her, yanking my tail from her gentle grasp, trying to ignore the little 'aw' of disappointment from her. Something about her seems familiar, have we met before? I turn to face her properly, planting a hand on Mabels head to ruffle it briefly as she moves behind me. I know it's just a kid, but I've had varying degrees of enjoyment from meeting people who recognise me, who's to say that I didn't fuck with her parents of some kind?

"Aw, dontcha remember me mister? I touched ya ears before, they were super fluffy!" She seems to shrug off the initial disappointment with a cheerful reply, her grin wide and childish. I let out a tense sigh as I feel my heart rate slow down, the beating of blood in my veins slowing down alongside it. It's just a kid that knows me, calm the fuck down Zeke, don't be so defensive.

"I'm surprised you got a thing with kids, here I thought it was just with Mabel." My ears twitch as I shoot Lucy a little glare, a shit eating smile on her face as she lets out a titter, the hands that cover her lips doesn't do much to smother the sound of it. Little bastard, I'll deal with her later. Something niggles at the back of my mind, though, a faint memory that just barely rests beneath the surface.

"Sorry kid, I don't have the best memory, I haven't been here in a while to begin with. Where's your parents? I can't imagine that they'd be pleased that you've run off to a stranger, they're probably worried sick for you right now." I look down to take a glance at the kid that cowers behind my legs, my digits digging behind her ears in an attempt to soothe her, it seems to do somewhat well enough given the way she sighs and relaxes into my hand. Probably got spooked by the kid popping up randomly, lord knows I was surprised. The strange child lets out a mix of a groan and a huff, something about it feels somewhat amusing, she's probably gotten this type of lecture before, by her parents and other adults.

"You sound like dad, and he's booooring." She says with a proper overblown huff, kind of reminds me of Lucy to be honest. I squint and look down to her, her ruby red eyes seem oh so familiar, the way she acts, even her fucking clothes do. It takes a bit of memory scrambling, but it clicks into my head after a while, my ears twitching upwards in recognition.

"Wait a second, you're Felicity, right? You're the kid that I met ages ago." Is that who this little girl is? I don't recall anyone else with red eyes like hers, and she's grown a fair bit too, must've been a growth spurt. Her youthful smile only seems to widen as she nods her head almost violently, ruby eyes shining in the rays of the sun.

"I knew you remembered me! Does that mean I can touch your ears again? Pretty please?" She asks with a squeaking tone, finally grinning from ear to ear as leans forward. I can't help but chuckle a bit, something about her childish demeanor just feels cute, overexcited and overly friendly.

"I got places to be, sadly. Maybe some other time, sorry kid." I apologise to her as I rub the back of my neck, ears twitching as she both groans and huffs again. She's done that a fair bit already, is that a kid thing?

"Aw, but I said pretty please! Can I touch her ears instead?" She shoves a digit towards the keidran that cowers behind my leg, the girl whimpering meekly as the attention brought to her, hiding her face from view. I frown for a moment, something inside my chest flaring up for a moment as I flinch, smothering the flickering thing that stirs in my veins as best as I can. What an… odd initial reaction to a simple question, she doesn't mean any harm, she's just a curious kid.

"Sorry, she's not really used to humans just yet, not a very social girl you see, and you might've scared her a little." It's not exactly a lie that I'm telling the kid, but it's not exactly the plain truth, and it comes through my lips as easily as a breath of air. I feel like that should be worrying, but a little white lie to not explain to a child why Mabel is how she is doesn't do any harm. She lets out another 'aw' of disappointment, pout coming full force. My heart twinges in my chest a little at the sight, aw man, now I just feel a bit bad about it. It's a fleeting feeling though, an annoyed feeling replacing it as Lucy snickers behind me, shooting a squinted glance to her for a moment. She's probably enjoying this, little bastard.

I hum to myself as Felicity mumbles something under her breath, an abashed look on her face as she rubs and down her arm. I think I have an idea of some kind, if Mabel wants to go along with it anyways. Said keidran lets out a little squeak of surprise as I kneel beside her, bringing her close and ruffling her hair softly.

"Do you want to say hey to her? She's a friendly kid, just a bit loud. You don't have to if you don't want to." I whisper to her, nudging a head towards Felicity herself, the human girl humming in a confused tone as she tilts her head. Mabel mumbles to herself for a moment, her hands fumbling with itself before nodding, a soft and barely noticeable one, but a nod. I smile and ruffle her hair again, slowly bringing her in front of me, the keidran standing up stiffly.

"...H-hello." She finally speaks out in a barely audible, almost forced sounding voice, waving a hand to the human child. It's a curt looking wave that looks as stiff as her back does, not that Felicity notices the apparent discomfort anyways, her look of confusion instantly replaced with an overly bright grin.

"Hi! My name's Felicity, what's your name?" She replies with a friendly, high spirited voice, her hands clasped in front of her. Mabel shuffles from foot to foot for a while, I swear I can almost feel her anxiousness in my chest, my hand rubbing behind her ears and through her hair to comfort the nervous little girl. Come on kid, you can do it, I believe in ya.

"M-my name's Mabel, it's nice to meet you." She finally responds meekly, bowing her head stiffly and awkwardly, I assume it's meant to be in respect. I can't help but feel amused by it, she's trying her best to be approachable despite it all. She lets out a small trilling noise as I scratch behind her ear again, a smile on my face as she pushes into my hand, I knew you could do it kid. I sure hope she doesn't feel forced by it all, I'm sure she knows she can back out.

This entire scene makes me want to puke, can we hurry this up?

Shh, let the kids be kids, she's gonna speak!

"It's nice to meet you Mabel! Do you wanna be friends?" She suddenly offers, I can't help but feel a bit taken aback from it though, looking down to her with a confused squint. Do kids just, offer to be friends? Is that how it works? That can't be right, is that a kid thing?

Your sense of obtaining friendship is a bit skewered, to be fair, so what do you know.

That's a fair point I guess, but it still sounds so strange. Mabels head tilts as she hums, her tail flickering underneath the cloak for a moment.

"Friends?" She questions in return, she almost sounds… confused by it, is she confused by the offer itself, or does she not know what a friend is? Felicity shares the same confusion, it seems, a frown on her twisting face.

"Yeah? Do ya know what a friend is?" Mabel's silent for quite a while, the tense little keidran rubbing a hand up and down her arm. I can't help but worry, though, am I pushing her too far? I'm proud that she's done so well in talking to someone else, I want her to be able to grow out of her shell, and yet…

Felicity lets out an indignant sounding huff as she puts her fists on her hips, Mabel squeaking in surprise and leaning away from the sudden sound.

"Well! I'll be your friend, then, if that's okay with you! I haven't a friend that looks like you before!" She exclaims with a bright and proud grin, reaching out to Mabel with an outstretched hand. Mabel stares up to me for a moment, a confused yet interested look on her face. Is she wanting guidance or approval or something? I nudge a head towards the human girl as I smile, you got this kid.

"Okay." She says with a nod, a surprising determination in her voice as she reaches out to the outstretched hand, clasping and shaking it, there's an almost tentative look to it despite it all though.

"Hurray! It's nice to meetcha Mabel!" Felicity pulls her hands away and clasps it behind her back, a brilliant smile on her face as she giggles. The echoes of a faint shouting flows through the air, my ears twitching along with it, does anyone else hear it too?

"Hey Felicity, did you tell your dad where you're going, or did you run off again?" I question the kid as I stand up again, the girl hops from foot to foot with an embarrassed look on her face, her smile falling to a half hearted one as she looks up?

"Maaaaaybe I might've forgotten, but he's so slow and boooring." She whines out loud again in that shrill voice of hers, crossing her arms and huffing again. Is this a kid thing to be so… rebellious? Here I was thinking that was more so a teenager thing.

"And I'm sure he loves you very much, he's probably worried sick about you," I try to convince her as I nudge my head away, but she doesn't budge, a defiant look on her face appearing before she looks away. Hm, I think I might have an idea. "Tell you what, go back to your father, and I'll talk to your mother about all this to see what happens, maybe you'll spend some more time with Mabel here, how does that sound?"

She looks a bit more convinced from the offer, a torn look on her face as she squints, glaring into my eyes.

"Do you proooomise?"

"I promise, I'll even pinky promise it. As long as you get back to your dad." I lower a hand down to her height, wriggling it in front of her to entice the kid. She takes the bait pretty quickly, wrapping her comparatively tiny finger around mine and squeezing as tight as she can.

"You better not break the promise, see ya!" She dips out of the conversation in a puff of smoke, kicking up dirt as she sprints away. I blink slowly as I stare at her back, disappearing around a corner and out of sight, she's pretty fucking fast for a kid. No wonder her dad can't catch up, how does such short legs carry a kid around so quickly? I'm glad that she's gone back to her father though, god knows that I'd shit myself if Mabel disappeared like that.

I kneel down beside Mabel again, running my hand through her hair once more, her head tilting as she looks to me.

"What do you think of her?" I softly whisper to her, snickering lightly as her ears twitch.

"...I like her, loud, but she seems nice." She replies in turn, a soft little smile on her face. She lets out a squeak as I pull her into a warm hug, resting a hand on her head as she mumbles and purrs.

"I'm proud of you, Mabel." I whisper to her again before pulling away, ruffling her now thoroughly messy hair once more as I stand upright. The feeling of pride swells in my chest as she beams, leaning into my side affectionately. God, I'm really glad that all worked out, she's a good kid, the way she was brought up in this world is just fucking garbage. Alright, keep it in Zeke, don't get too emotional in public of all places.

I've wanted to puke during all of that, Jesus fucking Christ.

I wondered where you went, don't like kids?

Not in the slightest, can we hurry up and fuck off now?

My ears twitch as a snickering echoes from behind me, humming to myself as I twist my neck, a devious little grin on Lucys face as she steps closer. A chill creeps up my spine as she stares, Jesus Christ.

"Yes, miss Lucy?" I ask her in an attempted nonchalant tone, ignoring the cold sweat that beads on my forehead. Lucy please stop.

"Can I touch your ears, Fuzz~?" The tension in my limbs deflates abruptly, rubbing my temples with a hand as she giggles.

"No." I answer the lady flatly, gently tugging at Mabels cloak as we waltz away, I'm sure the inn isn't too far off.

"Awh, come on! They're so fluffy!"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"Sure."

"Wait, really?"

"No, stop asking." Lucy's angered huffing gives me great joy, my lips curling into a smile even as she whines behind me, it's getting easier to tune her out at least.

You're not actually gonna try to keep up with that kid and her family, right?

I might've told some half lies to a child, but I'm not gonna break the sacred pinky promise willingly.

God fucking dammit, I loathe you.

….

The inns door squeaks as I shove it open, Mabel meekly clinging to my side as Lucy waltzes in from behind, the suns warm rays leak in through the windows to illuminate the area, it seems familiar enough from whatever vestiges of my memory that I can recall. Stools set up near the bar area, tables and stools for them scattered about the room with patrons seated beside them, chatting and drinking with themselves, stairs leading up to the inns second floor. Nice and clean, very stereotypical looking, I feel as if there's some solace in remembering this place, however faint it may be. I sure hope it doesn't get too rowdy here, I don't exactly like the thought of being stuck in an inn when it gets loud, I can almost imagine the ringing in my ears already.

There's no sight of Edward, though, nor his Uncle. I guess that the whole schtick with killing time with that kid didn't really do much. It was… oddly nice to meet someone I once met in my newer memories again, even if it's just a child, I fully expect to never see a person again when I leave a town. I wonder if her mother works here still, I sure hope so, I banked the pinky promise off of it.

A promise that I wish you could shove up your ass, you goddamned waste. It's so fucking pointless.

You're so testy about it, it's still funny. I guide the group to a table and take a seat, helping Mable up onto a stool as Lucy takes another seat, sighing to myself as I rest my chin on a hand, leaning into the wood. Fantastic, now to play the waiting game until they show up, surely they won't be too long, right?

"Are you feeling okay Mabel? Stools aren't really comfortable after all." I quickly pipe up as I look over Mabel, the keidran nodding rapidly in response, shuffling in her seat. A smile crawls onto my face as I plant my hand atop her head again, a flicker of delight igniting in my chest with her purrs flowing through the stifled air. My ears twitch as Lucys snickering brings me out of the moment, looking over to her with a side glance. Her snickering dies down quickly, but her irksome looking grin still remains.

"Do you have something to say, miss Lucy?" I question the mage lightly, her teasing grin only growing wider as she plants her chin atop her clasped hands, resting it on her fingers.

"Oh noooot at all Fuzzy, I think it's cute how you care for the kid is all." I feel my face burn up while she giggles, rolling my eyes as I shuffle in my seat.

"Cute isn't quite a word that I'd use, but who am I to judge you for it. It's not as if it's something to be thankful for though, she's a good kid." She looks somewhat confused by that answer, tilting her head while she nudges forward. Ah, I have a gut feeling that I already know how this conversation's gonna go.

"Really? Why do you say that? She looks pretty thankful for it." She retorts, her eyes flickering from myself to Mabel. The kid doesn't look very thankful of being made the center of attention, mumbling to herself as she fiddles with her hands, she looks pretty out of place in a building like this.

You're the reason why she's here.

I'm well aware. I hum to myself, tapping my fingers against my cheek while I think. Why do I say that is indeed a question.

"I just think it's the right thing to do, I don't think anyone should be put down, human or otherwise, let alone a fucking kid. Is it really that strange around here to look after a child, even if they're a keidran?" I question the mage in return, sparing a side glance to the kid in question. She doesn't look entirely comfortable, but I don't see any type of intense discomfort in her face. I'm sure we won't be here long, don't worry kid.

"Weeeeeeeeell, you know humans and keidran reaaaaally don't get along, it's quite the history. Children aren't exactly exempt from it, ya know." I feel a sneer cross my face as I look away, my fingers drumming against my face with a renewed fervour.

"Pfeh, this world sucks dick. Regardless, I'm not just gonna leave her alone, even if it's just me." I say stiffly, a miffed feeling in my chest while I glance away from her for a moment. Garbage fucking fucking world, garbage war, garbage slavery, it makes my fucking blood boil. Her laugh brings me back to attention though, it's not a giggle, it's a genuine good humoured laugh, one that forces my ears to flicker as I look over to her again.

"Hah, your hope is both endearing and intriguing. I think ya make a good enough surrogate for her." She says cheerfully with a wink. I tilt my head while we look at one another, surrogate? For what? The door squeaks open before I get the chance to speak, a familiar armoured guardsman coming into view with a stack of scrolls stuck underneath his arm along with another, his cape flickering in the faint wind. Ah, so they've finally arrived huh? They took their sweet ass time, but I guess there's not really a rush.

The appearance of the captain seems to cause quite a stir, though, the murmuring of the customers inside muffled into whispers as they speak between themselves, a red headed lady that I assume to be a waitress of some kind waltzing up to the pair and chatting with them, though their words are muted regardless of how much I strain my ears to listen in on them. The captains face is hidden behind his shiny helmet, Edwards' face is clear on display though, his reaction being a mix of embarrassment and exasperation, it looks like she's got under his skin in some way. I assume that he knows her, though I can't say the same, her fiery red hair is familiar enough though. The captain finally waves her off with a hand and a few words, the lady rolling her eyes before sauntering off. I wave my hand in the air as Edward looks to us, nudging his uncle with an arm before marching over to us, my gaze lingering on the stacks of scrolls.

"Please don't tell me I have to sign anything, you do not wanna see my writing." I strike up the conversation with a whine, chuckling while Edward scoffs, taking a seat beside Lucy as the captain looms behind him.

"No, nothing from me anyways, this is something that I have to carry around myself so I can deliver them later." He replies with a sigh, slumping onto the table and rubbing at his temple. Lucy coos and pets his shoulder, giggling as he gives her a sharp glare. I feel I've been usurped, it's my job to mess with him dammit! The giggling cuts off as the captain clears his throat, his head shifting over to me along with his gaze.

"While I'm quite busy myself, I've brought myself along with Edward here to thank you in person. I've heard a few things about you." He speaks with an unwavering voice, his hands clasped underneath his cape as he stands upright, just like a commander.

"I pray that you've heard only the good things, captain." I respond with a gleeful smile, eyes shifting over to Edward for a moment as he buries his face into his hands, scrolls placed neatly beside him. The captain surprisingly lets out a small snort of amusement, though he shows no other emotions beside that.

"You're wet behind the ears, but that's no surprise. I'd like to speak with you later, business I don't believe to be appropriate here." I blink in surprise, his blank and emotionless tone doesn't exactly give me any ideas on what that's about, a queasy feeling stirring in my chest.

"I uh, alright then, I'll find the barracks around here sometime later then. I'm not gonna get shanked, am I?" I tack on a joke at the end to still my beating heart, though the captain doesnt share any reaction to it, merely bringing his arm forward with a pouch within his grasp.

"Payment for your services, I'll see you soon." I take the pouch from his hands, the sack only barely dropping into my palm before he twists and marches off, his cape billowing in the soft breeze while he marches out of the door. The murmuring of the inn rises once more with his departure, back to what I assume to be it's normal noise.

"...Huh, is he normally that blunt?" I quiz aloud while I rummage through the pouch, examining it's gold, twenty-ish silver, I think I'm counting all that right, I still have no idea what the actual value of money is here. I swear Valerie was gonna have a heart attack when I offered two gold for Mabel. Ich, just thinking about that still rubs me the wrong way.

"Uncle is a very straight forward man, being a captain is a busy job after all." Edward answers simply, idly tapping his fingers on the wood. Silence falls upon the table soon after, an almost awkward feeling one at that, this conversation went dead pretty quickly.

You're all so awkward, it's awful.

"So uh, do you guys wanna get some food?" I pipe up to break the lull, looking between the two of them. It seems to do a well enough job, Edward humming to himself as Lucy leans forward, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Oh fuuuuuuuuuzzy, can yo-"

"I'm not paying for you." I cut her question short, the girl huffing and pouting in response. She turns to Edward, the man raising an eyebrow to her.

"Edwaaaa-"

"You're getting nothing from me, Lucy." He interrupts her as swiftly as I do, snickering to myself as she groans aloud again, crossing her arms with another heated huff.

"Both of ya are insensitive jerks." She mutters aloud as she pouts, a smug feeling of self satisfaction running through my chest.

"I'm the only one that Edward would pay for on a date out, anyways." Lucy's face lights up with a devious little grin, looking over to Edward as he groans, planting his face into the wooden table. The scrolls beside him trembles and shudders with the impact, a mirthful laughing spewing out of my chest, his embarrassment is fucking hilarious.

I give Mabel another glance, a confused but otherwise unperturbed look on her face, it brings a feeling of warmth in my chest. She hums out loud as I reach over to her, the girl nudging her head into my awaiting hand with a purr, a feeling of glee bouncing around in my chest as I look to the other two.

This… this feels nice, really nice, like an outing with some friends. I think this is the first time I've done this with more than just Edward, too. It feels strange at the same time, too, why do I care about these people so much when I haven't spent that long with them? Is it just my head trying to latch onto someone close, for companionship of some kind with someone other than myself?

You got a few screws loose, so who knows. If you really want to take care of these schmucks, then you better keep an eye out instead of flaffing about.

I gently feel my hands clench around Mabels head, digging it into her fur even further, though I try to disguise it as a patting. She doesn't seem to notice, shuffling the stool closer to me in return. I won't let anything happen to you three, I promise, I stake my head on it.