Mentara is young, arguably in her early twenties or late teens. You can clearly tell by her youthful, angry expression. She’s got that unmatured pissed off look down perfectly. No emotional control whatsoever. Just realization, immediately followed by the pouring of alcohol. Strong alcohol too in consideration of the smell.

Eventually, all bottles must come to an end as the pouring finishes. Dripping wet, the old man looks unperturbed by the shower. So much so, that very few at the pub noticed anything happened.

Glaring at Myers unfazed expression, the thought of smacking him across the head with the empty bottle crosses her mind momentarily.

Like I said before, young fiery ladies have a tendency to yield to emotions.

Myers hand reaches up and grabs the bottle before it can further ruin the old man's hairstyle.

“You’re still as hot-headed as ever,” He says calmly. With ease, he lowers the bottle down on the counter.

“I wouldn’t be if you’d not just disappeared several years ago,” She growls.

“I apologize. Something happened and I needed to leave immediately. I didn’t get a chance to leave a message. It was dangerous.”

“Dangerous? Because of your dangerous, mine and my mothers life changed for the worse.”

Myers grimaces. “Did something happen? Is Terresa alright?”

“No,” She shakes her head. “She’s not alright, and she’ll be worse if I take you to her.”

The old man heaves a sigh of relief. “So she’s alive. That's good.”

Her anger flares. “Alive!” she somehow both screams and whispers. “Being alive isn’t living!”

Her hand reaches under the counter and retrieves a knife. She then slams the knife into the counter, right in front of Myers, and finally attracts everyone's attention.

“Tell me why the fuck I shouldn’t just gut you here and now?”

Quasi, ever the grinning hero that he is, places his paw upon the woman's hand. Then he slowly caresses it. “Shhh, child. Relax and focus on the kitten rubbing your hand.”

Mentara freezes. She looks away from Myers. “Yes, feel the rubbery pads and the magnificent fur.” Quasi continues. “Let your anger rest, for you are in the presence of adorable royalty.”

Clay muffles a giggle as Mentara stares slack-jawed at the talking kitten.

“Relax. Forget about the mean old man and focus on the adorable furball.” Quasi moves more of his body into her arm, rubbing the softest fur that Mentara has ever felt.

Unconsciously, Mentara’s hand shifts from knife to cat. Slowly, ever so slowly, her hand begins petting. “Yes, like that. Mmmm.”

“You can talk.” She forces out.

“I am indeed experienced in verbal communication, but it is where the nonverbal we converse.” Her petting slows, but Quasi quickly pushes his body into the hand, reigniting the petting back to optimal levels.

“Do not stop. Continue stroking. Use both hands.”

She pauses momentarily, then obliges by picking him up like a child.

“You’re so soft,” she says.

“I know,” Quasi whispers. “Have you calmed down?”

“I-I have.”

“Good. My name is Quasi Eludo, but many call me Kitty- or Comrade Kitty if you’re Russian. The drenched old fart is my servant and the child next to him is my on-demand petter.” Quasi yawns before leaning into the woman's chest. “I understand there is clearly some history between you and my servant. History that I wish to listen to behind closed doors and in the absence of a crowd.” Quasi waves a paw to the now silent and staring pub. All eyes are on the talking kitten.

“S-sure.”

_________________________________________________________________

“I am not his servant,” Myers corrects.

“Yes you are,” Quasi says while being carried by the young lady.

“I am not,” He says. Then glances at Mentara. “We have a mutual understanding agreement.”

“Ignore him. He’s going senile in his old age. He really is my servant.”

“I’m the petter,” Clay adds happily.

The old man sighs. “Don’t humor him, Clay.”

“Ignore him Clay. You can humor me as much as you want.”

The child giggles at Myers sour look.

Mentara can’t help but grin at the back and forth. She can already tell that the talking cat is currently soothing her anger. Soothing enough for her to actually oblige with Myers request. Traveling behind the counter and up some stairs, they arrive at the living area of her home. A nice, modest home with many runic amenities.

“The Grounded Gardener seems to have been doing very well.” Myers comments.

“No thanks to you,” She counters.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Mentara, your beauty does not look well with such anger.” Quasi wiggles into her chest.

She tries to grimace, but only blushes at the cuteness in her arms.

“My mother is in her room.”

Mentara knocks first and then opens the door. She enters and the rest follow inside. What they find is a wheelchaired woman sitting in front of a desk with Quill and documents in hand. Her head shifts to the newcomers, and then immediately focus on Myers.

She smiles warmly. “Admi- Myers. It’s good to see you're safe.”

The old man grimaces, eyes focused on the wheelchair. “You as well.” He forces guiltily.

She rolls her eyes at where the man is looking. “Idiot.”

She wheels herself away from the desk. “Let's go into the living room. My room is a bit too small for conversation. Mentara, bring some drinks and snacks- why are you holding a cat?”

“This is Quasi, a talking cat.” Mentara says. “Quasi, this is my mother Adriana. Say hello.”

“Meow.”

Adriana smiles, amused. “That’s ice, dear.”

“No, mom. He can actually talk. Quasi say something.”

“Meoowwww.”

Adriana continues smiling at her now Panicking daughter. “I’m serious, mom. He can talk. He was just talking to me.”

Adriana chuckles. “I believe you, dear.”

“I’m not crazy. I swear!”

“Meeeeeooowwww.”

Adriana wheels herself to her daughter. She raises a hand and pets the cat on the head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you [Captain] Quasi Eludo.”

The cat immediately pouts. “Damn.”

The chaired woman starts giggling.

Once the giggling subsides, everyone is moved into the living room. Here, Mentara brings out juices, fruits, and a sausage for a certain kitten.

“Adriana, about your legs. What happened?” Myers asks after thoroughly rubbing a towel over his hair.

Adriana sighs. “Before I begin, I want you to know that this is not your fault. So do not blame yourself for what happened.”

The old man nods, but clearly not in agreement.

“Now, is it alright to share any information with Quasi?”

“Yes,” Quasi says.

“No,” Myers answers. “He does not know anything other than that I am hunted.”

“You’re a criminal,” Mentara exclaims.

The old man tilts his head to the young lady. “You haven’t told your daughter?”

“It’s better that she doesn’t know.”

“What don’t I know?” She asks.

“Yes, what doesn't she know?” Quasi asks.

Adriana smiles, “You’re a nosy one.”

Quasi shrugs. “And an adorably cute one.”

Myers leans forward. “A [Bounty Hunter] got a lead on Clay. They attacked and almost killed him before I intervened and escaped. Immediately after, I rushed to port and paid for an immediate departure. I couldn’t risk coming back to you in case they were waiting for me.”

“They were,” Adriana says. “When you never returned, they came for information.”

“You gave them nothing,” Myers says.

“No, I didn’t.”

“You should have,” Mentara interrupts. “Then you’d still be able to walk.”

Adriana shakes her head. She looks at Clay eating what looks like a strawberry. “I made a vow a long time ago, and that vow still holds. If I break it, I will regret it for the rest of my life.” Clay blushes at her words.

“They tortured you.”

“They did. They broke my bones, flayed my flesh, and many other things I do not wish to speak of. When they realized I was willing to die, the leader shattered my spine before leaving.”

“Did you go to a [Healer]?”

“I did. All the other injuries they were able to fix, but the damage to my spine is not one of them. I’d need to find an [Archhealer] or [Grand Surgeon] if I’m to regain the ability to walk.”

“I bet my [Chief Physician] can fix your spine.” Quasi interrupts.

Adriana smiles politely. “I doubt a ship’s [Healer] has the levels and experience to fix such extensive damage. But, I thank you for the offer.”

“Your doubts may not be warranted,” Myers says. “His [Chief Physician] has a rather unique skill set that I’ve never seen before.”

“Oh?” She taps her chin. “Something you’ve never seen before? That's quite rare.” She looks at the kitten ripping into the sausage. “Am I to presume there is a cost for your [Chief Physicians] services?”

Quasi swallows. “Yup. The question is, can you pay it?”

“Monetarily, not much. But if it’s information you seek, then I absolutely can.”

“Good, because that's exactly what I need. A lot of it actually.”

“Then ask.”

“I need three things. First, I need information on the locations of all Towers, including the one near here. Second, I need runes. I have a [Runesmith] that needs to expand her repertoire- specifically the rune that reduces recoil on cannons.”

“Towers? That is an odd request, but I can easily obtain it. Is there a reason why you need only the locations?”

“I need to visit all of them.”

“I see. There is a recent [Mage] who is doing the same as you.”

“Auranta,” Mentara says.

“Yes, her. She’s a bit of an enigma, but her skills are exemplary. If you need a [Ship Castor], I’d recommend hiring her.”

Quasi frowns. “I’m willing to meet her.”

Adriana looks to Mentara. “If you see Auranta, inform her of Quasi.”

Mentara nods.

Adriana returns her focus to Quasi. “Obtaining simpler runes is easy. I’ve several books I can already provide. But, more complicated ones like [Reduce Recoil], [Reduce friction], and [Disperse Kinetics] are going to take some time to get.”

“I can wait. My [Quartermaster] needs to set up an auction for some valuable goods. That’s going to take some time, so I can wait.”

“Then I’ll start searching. You mentioned there is a third thing you needed?”

Quasi sits up and glances at Clay. The child looks back at him with a puzzled look.

“Myers mentioned Clay was being hunted by a [Bounty Hunter]. A [Bounty Hunter] that tried to kill a child. Are they at Menston?”

“They are.”

“I want their name and everything else you know about them.”

She scowls. “Why?”

Quasi grins, teeth showing. “Clay is a good petter. A very kind child who I’ve grown fond of. And now I’ve just learned that someone attempted to kill Clay three years ago. Clay was what, four at the time? Yea, see, I don’t have very many morals. I’m not above slaughter, torture, and many other worse vices. But, I draw the line with harming children, especially against anyone who would kill a four year old for money.”

“You want to kill them.”

Quasi starts giggling. He shakes his head. “Kill? No. Absolutely not. Why would I offer someone like that the gentle reprieve of death?”

Adriana glances at Myers, but the old man refuses to say anything.

She sighs. “Her name is Egressa Dleron…