Not long had passed since Nathaniel argued with June and now night was just about to fall upon the world. Nathaniel was seated in a dining room across from Captain Ferdinand and Gretel his co-captain. Nathaniel has been seated for a few minutes now, yet during that time he has awkwardly found himself the receiver of Ferdinand's soul attention.

After Nathaniel morphed his face and changed his clothes he has transformed from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Ferdinand had clearly taken notice of this and found himself left mesmerized by Nathaniel's appearance. Gretel has a bit of a similar reaction finding it hard to believe the Nathaniel she met before and the one in front of her now could have such a drastic changed. But, unlike Ferdinand Gretel had enough sense not to drool on the table in front of their guest. With a firm and subtle jab in his side from Gretel, Ferdinand was able to present himself more properly and less like a beast in heat.

Though it was fully called for the sudden attack from Gretel caused a bit of silent bickering between the two in a language only they knew. Nathaniel watched this display as he sipped on a glass of juice. All while finding the dynamic duo between Ferdinand and Gretel strange. Any casual glance and anyone could see that the two were complete opposites. Even at a simple dinner like this Ferdinand dressed like he was going to a party hosted at the end of the world. His choice in colors was as magnetic as a peacock's feathers. His looks were only tamed by Gretel who looked ready for a fight. Nathaniel could already picture such a scene now.

Gretel stalking her foe in a dense jungle. Her camouflage pants blend in perfectly with the foliage making her harder to detect. With her prey only becoming aware of her presence after they hear her heavy combat boots thumping on the ground. This was a thought Nathaniel believed wholeheartedly could become reality as he watched Gretel playing with a knife in her hand.

Just as the dinner had started Nathaniel made a slip up and chuckled at the table. Nathaniel's laugh was barely audible but Ferdinand heard nonetheless and asked curiously.

"What's so funny? You know I do like a good joke, mind sharing it with me? Such things should be shared with the world so do tell". Ferdinand asked.

Nathaniel exposed explain to the two why he was laughing. " I wasn't laughing because of a joke. I was laughing because of how odd I found your friendship with Gretel is. You two look like you were destined to walk on two completely different paths of life. Yet, here you two are by each others side. How did such a thing happen if I may ask".

Ferdinand unbothered by the question was about to explain when Gretel butted in and did it for him.

"I was tricked, coerced, and strong armed into working for him". Gretel said plainly.

Nathaniel raised his brow at this statement. Ferdinand seeing Nathaniel getting the wrong idea explain further.

"That's not true don't listen to her. Me and Gretel have known each other for a long time now. Years ago we made a bet that who ever succeeded first in making a name for themselves will have to work for the other. I started out my journey on a humble shrimping boat not much different from the one you are stranded on. While Gretel went off to become a mercenary. It was a long and hard-fought battle but I think you can see who the superior of the two of us are".

Ferdinand stated smugly while Gretel gave him the stink eye. In light of this new information, Nathaniel was in disbelief.

"You use to be a shrimping boat captain I find that hard to believe".

Ferdinand shook his head, "yes, that was a different time a younger me you know the drill. I have long since elevated my status and now I'm trading my wares across the sea. The coin I make doing so is quite nice too".

"That's quite a nice story you have but I must know how would you have fared as a mercenary if you had lost the wager between your friendly? ". Nathaniel asked with a sly grin.

"Obviously I would have risen to prominence in the field as well. I may not look it but I'm quite a capable fighter". Ferdinand said with upmost confidence.

In a burst of unrestrained laughter, Gretel slammed her fist onto the table shaking the plates that sat on the top of it. With a bit of difficulty, Gretel caught her breath enough to speak.

"If I had won our bet you wouldn't have lasted a day out on the field. You only engage in Sword fights with men in the sheets. Let me tell you Nathaniel was it. This twig next to me only knows how to boast and pretend to be someone who he is not. Don't fall for his tricks it'll just leave you sore in the morning".

Not put off by that at Nathaniel chuckles along. "I'll take that under advisement".

Hanging his head low in embarrassment Ferdinand played with his fingers as he mumbled under his breath, " why are you so mean to me".

Ferdinand didn't have the chance to sulk long because Gretel came in and gave him a hard slap on the back. The stinging pain jolted him into an upright sitting position.

"You deserve a bit of an embarrassment so stop pretending to be some harmless victim". Gretal voiced as she came in for another vigorous slap on the back.

Ferdinand fought off the sting of the point in silence as he pushed the conversation along. "Fine whatever let's just stop talking about me please. Oh, since we're on the topic of companions tell me, Nathaniel, when is your friend June going to arrive her food is going to get cold".

Nathaniel had a troubled expression on his face as he explained his situation with June.

"June isn't coming to dinner tonight. Me and her had a bit of a fight just a few minutes ago. So, now she's angry at me".

Ferdinand jokingly asked, "is it a lover's quarrel"

Disgusted by such a notion even as a joke Nathaniel voiced his displeasure at the comment as though it was slander with Vigor in his voice.

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"Never in a million years, I would sooner take my chances falling off the end of the world!".

Ferdinand placed his hands up showing his submission as he said, " okay, you two are just friends there's no need to be so aggressive about it. Is the thought of dating her really that bad?".

Without hesitation Nathaniel replied, "yes, it is you have no idea the kind of nightmares she brings me at night. Even after what she did to me somehow she still gets the right to be angry at me for what I did. I'm just trying to help and make sure everyone is safe but I'm the bad guy in the scenario".

Nathaniel angrily scarfed down his plate of food while cursing June's name under his breath after every bite.

"I helped that woman out of the kindness of my heart. Even though I was going through major troubles of my own and didn't even now her name when we first met I still gave aid. But, this just isn't fair she has no Idea the depths of my suffering or the sacrifices I made to get where I am now".

Nathaniel gripped the spoon in his hand tightly forcing it to bend a tad in his anger. Not even paying that any mind he continued to angrily eat with a bent spoon. Seeing Nathaniel's troubles Gretel tried to council him on this matter.

"I can't begin to imagine what kind of problems you are facing and that's because you haven't really told me anything. You see how funny it is how all that works. You seek for the understanding of others, yet you don't explain yourself clearly. How is anyone suppose to empathize with you when you leave them in the dark?".

Nathaniel's lip twitched as he stuttered the words, "d-did Jul-I mean June speak to you before me.

Gretel crossed her arms under her chest as she replied back, "no she didn't I was just stating the obvious. Why you asking, did I hit a little to close to home with my observation?".

"Ah-um, its just …you know what lets just forget about this whole mess. I can't just blurt out my feelings to just anyone. The problems I face aren't the kind that can be fixed with sweet words alone. My wounds run deep I don't want to just dump that on anyone. The only people that I could safely share my troubles with without worry are back home and that's far away from here. I don't even know if I'll ever return to see my old home again. It's quite sad now that I say it out loud".

"Homesick are you, long voyages will do that to you. How long have you been away from home?". Gretel asked.

"My journey has just started. I haven't even been gone long enough to see the seasons change".

"Just started trying to find yourself out on your own. I've been in the same place as you are being so sure in the beginning only to second guess every action you make. My advice for that is don't look back not now at least. It scary leaving what you know behind but you'll feel a lot worse waiting while everyone else is in the driver seat ready to leave you behind".

"You don't have to worry about me doing something like that while I do miss it and a few of the bastards I called my neighbors there's nothing left for me there". Nathaniel said with firm eyes.

"I see though while I don't recommend immediately going home I do recommend talking about it. Forgetting your home is like losing apart of yourself so you should reminisce from time to time. Though your clearly not one to overshare their feelings you can at least share this with us, can't you?. I would like to hear more about where you came from. You said you were from Dobin Shire correct. I heard that place was In The kingdom of Osland. They say they ain't much out there is that right?".

" Dobin Shire!? Ah, yes how could I ever forget that place. As you probably know dobin Shire a peaceful place. It's a bit out of the way from most major cities but you can consider that hey strong point if you are fond of breathing cleaner that isn't pump out from a tube. There you'll find wide open valleys as green as emeralds jewels. There's mostly Farmland scattered about and not much else. If you live there you won't find any fancy shops like you have in a big city all that you will find is hard work and dirt between your nails at the end of the day.

If that don't sound appealing well that's because you lived too long surrounded by fat pigs around these parts. That view of yours might change after you see the Setting Sun past the horizon. Changing a field of green into an endless sea of gold. It's a place barely touched by any kinds of works of steam and it's where I call home.

Let me tell you back when I was a kid I saw my sister running down the road being chased by the smallest dog I have ever seen. Though it was the smallest it was also the most vicious one in the neighborhood. Animals never really liked my sister I didn't know why and none of my brothers ever figured it out either. It's like they could smell her a mile away and some of them even picked fights with her whenever she cross their path. I have the same problem too but only with pigeons.

It was never as bad for me as her though especially this time because as she was running she tripped over herself and landed face-first into a puddle of mud. That girl was a total mess I tell you. I laughed about that everyday for a week straight. But what really got me going was seeing the dog chasing after her steal one of her favorite pair of shoes and run off with it. Now I got to tell you after my sister notice she took off like a horse on a race track.

Gone was the scared girl and out came a determined beast. She chased that dog everywhere it went and I had a full view the whole show for free. Though you can barely keep a secret hidden from your neighbors I loved it there".

Nathaniel had a genuinely solemn look on his face as he reminisced about his past while at the same time lying to Ferdinand and Gretel.

" I never had neighbors like that nor do I want it. People in my neighborhood just kept to themselves. Haven't people know about your business all the time just ain't right with me". Gretel said.

" I know what you do all the time Gretel ". Ferdinand stated.

" yeah, and I do for you as well and I hate it. Put locks on your door or I swear to God I'm going to break that pole in your bedroom".

Ferdinand sucked his teeth as he sarcastically replied, " you're just jealous that I got moves that you can never do".

The two then suddenly began bickering in front of Nathaniel. Who honestly didn't mind there quarreling. He found it quite entertaining to watch instead. Being around those two seem to soothe his spirit and his mind. Though it didn't relieve any of the problems that he's still faced. Seeing these two long time friends made Nathaniel realize that he desperately needed something and that something was a friend.

Not just a colleague to work with and boss around. But a genuine friend to share his burdens with because what he has endured up until this point has almost broken him and he cannot bear to falter after losing so much already.

With a crystal tear in his eye, Nathaniel suddenly blurted out as Ferdinand and Gretel were fighting the words, " thank you".

Nathaniel's words stop the arguments between Ferdinand and Gretel. They looked at him unsure they heard him right and I asked, " um, what do you say?".

"Thank you for what you have done for me today. You've shown me a way forward from my predicament".

"We have!?" they both said with no small amount of confusion

"Yes, you have and I'll be taking your advice to be more honest and open with my colleagues. It's best to remedy any problems now than drag it on".

Ferdinand was delighted by this news. "Well, that's great to hear my love. I'm glad this has been such a beneficial dinner for you. Oh, since you're going to try improving your relationship with your colleagues I suggest you stay for the future king of Logelons coronation".

Nathaniel ignorant to this sudden news was confused, "coronation who's coronation? What happened to Queen Henrietta".

"What? You're telling me you don't know this happened a bit over 14 days ago. Queen Henrietta Seren Angus has perished due to old age. Her husband King Andreas Seren Angus is set to take the throne".

Nathaniel was completely shocked by this sudden news. He knew that the former queen of Logelon was indeed old but he did not know that she would suddenly parish without him paying attention.

This was world changing news the 3 royal families held supreme power in the world. Their word is law and they are deified in the face of man. Anything they say or do affects the whole world and all that live in it. The only people that can contend with the Royal families power is another person of Royal Blood or God itself.

Though this was incredibly huge news Nathaniel soon got a hold of himself because this news had little effect on him now. Dealing with the whims of the Royal Family is no longer something he has to do. He left that life behind and that miserable job to someone else.

"You seemed quite shocked by the news. Let me tell you I was at first until I flip the page of the newspaper and saw the tragedy that happened in Robindale."

Nathaniel's skin crawled at that word, "Robindale!?"

Nathaniel's hair stood on end in his hands began feel clammy as he subconsciously didn't want to know what truly happened in Robindale after he left. But his own body betrayed him asking Ferdinand the question.

"What happened in Robindale?".

Ferdinand had a grave look on his face as he told Nathaniel the truth of what happened that day.

"From what we gathered and what the news is saying a pack of lanshi about 70 in number invaded deep into the central region. There where over 130 deaths and over twice as many injured. The Pugs there kept the casualties to a minimum but luckily a vessel belonging to the World Navy was in the vicinity at the time. They made short work of those vile cretins".

Hearing the news of what happened in Robindale Nathaniel didn't know what to say or think. He truly didn't it was because what was reported and what June told Nathaniel we are two completely different things.