"Seems like his taste has gone downhill." Rex says and turns up his nose at us.

"My taste has never been better." Cat snarls at him and wraps his tail protectively around my neck, little whiskers tickling my face.

"We shall have to have a discourse about the fact that you are able to speak at a later point in time, alright Cat?" I whisper softly to him. I feel him nod. Very well and good then.

I feel furious as he unrolls our scrolls and his eyes skim over them. He sneers at Kay. "Who said that you were allowed to have proficiency with a bow. At least your crappy personality is keeping you from being recommended the Archer class." he says acting really cocky. "Mage is the perfect class for a shut in like you.

"Now then, let's see what your bitch has."

He looks over my scroll and I see his eyes go wide then narrow. It seems that he doesn't know what to say for a moment but collects himself quickly.

"Haha a bard. Sing for me!" he shouts.

Crestin seems to have had enough as he slowly walks forward, casting a spell. Rex's hand glows red and he drops the scrolls. At that same moment Cat leaps out of my hands and catches the scrolls midair as they fall to the ground. He then stands protectively in front of us, extending out his claws to show he was willing to resort to violence.

"Now that you have had a practice test, why don’t you test someone with real potential" he says demandingly. He turns to me and Kay “That would be your cue to leave, low bornes, can’t even take a hint.”

"No. You have shown disrespect by opening a locked door and taking scrolls that do not belong to you. I have every right to refuse you. I could also discipline you for such actions" he responds, coolly.

"Tch, I don't need you as a tester anyways. Afterall, you must have been blind to give that stinking mutt Bs in magical aptitude." he says and turns on his heel and walks away.

I fear for Kay as we now have to part ways. I need to get back to the Paws and Claws Inn and Tavern to learn my new job.

"Kay, I don't know if you have a lot of other things that you were planning for today but do you want to do bunny feet and accompany me to the Tavern?"

"Oh, are you scared to walk there on your own because of Rex, Jestin and Fowley? Please say that you need your adorable friend beside you to be like bam with a bunny kick or kerpow with a fireball or wham bam pow... More fireballs!" he says, looking at me with big hopeful slate grey eyes.

"Of course. That is absolutely the reason." I tell him.

"Kay, you should do the spell and I will walk the three of you back to the inn. I need to have words with Cat and I think you both do as well. This sort of conversation doesn't usually happen this early, so you both can consider yourselves special I suppose?" Crestin asks.

"Well that doesn't sound intimidating at all..." Kay says, trailing off. I look over and observe Crestin as Kay says his spell.

“Fleet of feet, for swift retreat. Cotton of tail, for speed that won’t fail.” Kay incants as a soft blue glow momentarily covers him.

"Interesting that the bunny feet spell gives you ears and a tail. I have seen some side effects of it, but these are more pronounced. I am taking note of that."

Kay and I look at each other and wonder what that is supposed to mean. Will we be learning about the unique effects that spells have on individuals during one of our classes?

"Pay me no mind. Come on, let's go. I expect Rex will attempt to escalate things and since you aren’t technically adventurers yet you are at risk. Kay, I know that you love the library but you might consider staying with Mama Tia and the girls at the inn."

"I do apologize for being so very rude but prey tell you know about where I am staying?" I ask him. "I do not believe that I let slip where I am staying."

"You didn't. You said accompany you to the tavern and you have Cat with you, and I know Cat only goes to one tavern. Adventures have to be constantly observant, why am I wrong?"

"You are not." I say simply. Crestin already knew things that he had to keep secret, such as me somehow absorbing the mana crystals into myself. Which is something I scarce want to think about.

"I suppose we shall be off then?" I ask. Crestin and Kay nod and Cat leaps at me, so I end up carrying him. I pet him without thinking and he purrs contentedly. Such an interesting cat Cat is. I very much want answers.

As we turn a corner we run into Rex with a bow knocked with an arrow. He sees Crestin and removes the arrow and put it back into his quiver.

"Rex, was there any reason that you had that arrow ready?" Crestin asks him, eyes narrowed.

"Tch." Rex says and turns around. It seems that he realized that he would not be bullying Kay today and lost interest. I worry about how this bodes.

"Kay, is this the way that things always are for you? That is inconceivable and should not be happening. I am not okay with this happening. We will get strong, so strong they fear us and can do nothing but quiver in puddles of their… fear." I state, calmly. Or, well, I attempted calm but I think the tiny bit of fire bouncing along my knuckles would claim otherwise.

It looks as though Crestin is wanting to say something but he holds his tongue for now. It seems that he does have plenty that he wants to say though.

It feels like ages until we get to the Paws and Claws Inn and Tavern. In actuality it could not have been longer than ten minutes. But the tension held in the air did make it feel much longer.

"Hello! Hello! How did your testing go. You have to tell me all about it!" Vita says, smile shining brilliantly. "Oh my, it seems that you are bringing company with you today. Goodness, it must have gone really well. Or, Crestin is here to tell me that for the love of anything to never let you step foot into the dungeon." she says and lets out a good natured laugh.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"I wish I could say it was just the former, but somehow these two can attract danger before setting foot in the dungeon." he says, and Vita guides us in.

"Well then, pull up a seat and let's gab!" she says, tail twitching happily.

Cat jumps out of my arms and leads us to a table in front of the fireplace. It was warm and toasty. I can see why he would like it here.

"I have waited as long as I can, ahem. Cat, you can talk?!" Kay exclaims, as though he had been holding in those words until they burst like a dam.

""Yes." Cat said simply, staring at us.

Kay stares back eye twitching, but resolved to not comment further.

"So are you a beast-kin like Vita or are you an intellectual feline?" I ask him, respectfully.

"Both I guess?" he says and then begins grooming himself, as if he wants to drive the point home. "I am a beast-kin that prefers their beast form. Nothing strange about it." he says.

I never thought about that before. It makes sense though as everyone has their own ways to live life.

"Well then Cat, have you been following them around. Did you even follow them into the testing area? Haha I bet Crestin thought that you were there to help him." Vita’s tail twitches in amusement.

"For a moment I thought it was some form of favoritism, until I saw their test scores.” Crestin replies as he tries to gesture for a drink.

"They showed promise. Now I see that they are showing great promise." Cat says and look at me, as though he was going to say something profound then says... "Pet me. Oh, and scratches under the chin please."

Who could say no to such a request? Naturally I pet him and give him scratches underneath his chin.

"So are you going to tell them then? About your plans? Rope then in months, maybe YEARS before you normally would?" Vita asks calmly, well for her. It is strange to see her even this level of calm. She is so vivacious.

"Okay can someone pretty please tell me what is going on? You know we are both here and you are talking over us, which yes I get as we are rather short but there are these things called manners." Kay said, nervously hopping from one foot to the other. Left, right, left... I pull myself away from his feet. His nervous energy is giving me nervous energy.

"Have you two given any thought to being in a guild?" Vita asks and drapes herself across a chair. We pull up chairs and plop down in front of the fireplace too.

"And, I know that he has always hated me, but why does it seem that Rex hates me more than he used to? Which I would have not thought was possible, but the arrows he shoots at me are always blunted. Did you see him earlier! Pointy, sharp, ouchy, that is what that arrow was! He could have done more than leave many bruises across my poor tender little body." Kay says, wrapping his arms around himself.

Vita leans over to soothingly pet at Kay’s hair and ears while making soft cooing sounds.

"And why did he seem so angry about you not being the one to test him Crestin. I do so apologize for what I am about to say. Doesn't he see half-elves as unclean?" I ask, uncomfortable at the words that just passed between my lips.

"Normally, he would. However." Crestin begins then looks over to Cat. "However, Rex does not like it when people are being given special treatment. I don't think that he cares if I am the one to test him. He is upset that Cat was there when I was testing you. And that the two of us where there together. He thinks that he is the best of the best.

“And not to brag but in dungeon towns it always comes down to strength. And, well me and Cat here hold a not inconsiderate amount of records.” At this point the drink he ordered was delivered, from which he quickly takes a drink.

"Why does he care that you and Cat tested us together?" I ask.

"Because Cat is now the guild leader of the guild that me and Alice left in order to become instructors."

"Sure, left like me, Emmie and Hillie did." Vita says casually.

"I'm sorry but what is going on right now? This is starting to feel conspiratorial" Kay asks, looking as though he might very well explode if someone does not answer him soon.

"You both seem to have a decent amount of talent. I was keeping an eye on you to see if you would join my guild.” Cat continues to keep his responses short.

"I have no qualms with binding mine to yours to be stronger." I tell them.

"Another unique saying from our newest little tavern wench" Vita smiles at me.

"I guess it was what my father's guildmate said when they formed their guild. My mother told me all about it. It seems that she bore witness."

"I love it!" Vita says. "I'm stealing it."

"So you are all a guild and this is a conspiracy?" Kay asks.

"Loosely. Vita, Hillie and Emmie are now reserve members. They will join when and if they feel like it, and have no need to invest in the guild. They did their part to form it." Crestin explained further.

"And now I am as happy as a cat with cream working here. I am having too much fun to give that up. But if I am needed, or if I have need for money, sometimes I will help out." Vita adds, while continuing to pet Kay.

"And Alice and I decided to step away from the guild after the death of our previous guild master two years ago. The guild kind of fell apart after that.” He pauses long enough to down half his drink “It seems now that Cat is ready to get the guild back together."

"Does that mean that you aren’t coming back to the guild?" Cat asks Crestin.

"I don't know. What I do know is that Alice and I am going to be the instructors for these two. Cat, what do you see?"

Cat stares at the two of us. "These two have strong destinies. They will be assets to me so we need to be there for them. This girl is something I have not seen before." Cat squints at me as if he can’t decide on something, but doesn’t explain. "And the boy's magic will be fierce."

"I'll join!" Kay says cheerfully. "Hehe I am wanted. This is a nice feeling. I like this feeling, so much pampering for me. You can't take it back okay! I demand you don't take it back. Amaya we are going to be in a guild! Once we are done training of course."

"Give her a nickname Kay." Vita demands.

"What? Why? Now?"

"Give her a nickname before the patrons do. What they say sticks. And look at her!" Vita gestures at me so I pull down my hood. "She is so cute you don't want someone calling her something lame."

"Vita, the way that you jump from topic to topic amazes me. I almost miss it, almost" Crestin says as he finishes his drink.

"It's been in my head all day. Come on now. What do we call her? Maya? May? Mia?"

"Ami!" Kay shouts. "Like Emmie, Hillie. Ami."

"Good. Now for you."

"That won’t work. Kay is already a nickname. Okay I mean it really isn’t, I always assumed no one could actually be bothered to learn my full name but you know what they can learn? A letter! Everyone knows their letters."

"Ohhhhh? What was it before?" Vita pries.

Crestin and Cat who had still been discussing things something about Cat having sight, and other promising talent. It seems everyone else is boring. Which I found not to be a problem, why does a guild need more than three active members. However at the mention of Kay’s full name we all turn in interest.

"Kalindor Alphineus Yiggsrill."

"Okay, you got me there Kay is better." Vita says, stating what we all believe to be obvious truth.

"I agree. That is why we must never speak of this again. Umm, now a drink, I order a drink for myself please."

"We are quickly adding to the list of things on which we must never speak. The day has hardly begun and we are up to two forbidden items." I state, but they all look at me confused. "The stone eaters?"

"Oh that was an interesting book. I don't remember what it was about though. Did you want to check it out from the library?" Kay seems slightly confused at my mention of this.

"Speaking of the library." Cat says, standing and stretching out before hopping off of the table and onto my lap. "More petting please." I pet him more.

"My apologies. I just, your pets feel so nice. Perfected almost." Cat shakes his cute, fuzzy head. "Kay, you need to leave the library and stay here. People know that you are there. And I love the librarian, but you need people protecting you. More than one person. And as you can see this tavern is full of former adventurers."

“I don’t, sniff. Yesterday I finally make a friend, and now people are interested in me. It doesn't make sense, I’m Kay. Kay the orphan, the library mouse, the target practice dummy.” Kay starts losing coherence but doesn’t appear to be stopping “Kay the…”

"My new little brother!" Vita interjects as she moves from petting his head to fully embracing him. "Whoever you are or aren't. We want you here."

And with that Kay starts crying, but he appears to be in good hands as Vita lavishes him with affection.

"Are you sure it is best you continue to accompany us Cat?" I inquire of him.

"Obviously. I was getting bored. Also, I need to protect my investment even if it is leaking. Now then, Crestin please go get Kay's belongings and let them know that, as he has already read every book in the library, he now has a new job and place to live. I know the head librarian. If you phrase it like that she will consent and give her blessing."