Daire trudged alongside Trinket, petting the bear's neck, careful not to disturb Violet sleeping on his back.

"Oi there!"

Daire's motions were lazy as he responded to the gate guard's call. He'd forgotten the name and couldn't find the will to remember.

"Ahoy, Captain."

He got a confused look. Daire sighed.

"Nevermind."

"I'm no Captain, but I have to ask you something."

The guard looked to his partner for reassurance.

"You seem like a nice bloke. I don't want to be rude with you, so I'll say it as straight as I can. There've been complaints from parents and a few other concerned citizens about you and your bear running amok. You need to give your word to keep it under control. Otherwise, we can't let you back in."

Daire looked at Trinket, staring into his black eyes. There was intelligence in there, enough to understand they were talking about him. He didn't attempt at correcting the misunderstandings and allowed himself to take the slap on the wrist.

"I promise nothing will happen. We are leaving in the morning, so you won't have to worry for long."

The guard again looked to his partner for reassurance. They exchanged a series of gestures only long-time colleagues could interpret. The female guard spoke tentatively.

"First of all, I wanted to thank you. That coin you gave me sold well, and I will be able to put food on the table without having to worry. I got a lot more than a single gold piece for it, and I assume it's worth even more, judging by the collector's greedy eyes. But, and excuse me for my skepticism, why would you willingly give away something like that at random.

She corrected herself.

"Two of them."

Daire wanted to laugh for days, but all that came was a huff. Worried he came off wrong, he tried to wave his hand.

"They are literally worthless to me. They are like dandelions in a field. Don't think too much on it."

"Will you be cooking tonight? There were people waiting yesterday, but you never showed."

The first guard's question caused Daire had to think for a second. Cooking?

"Umm... Oh. Yeah. Sure. I guess I should. All the rabbits I have left need to go, so bring your friends."

Excited gestures.

"I'll close shop at midnight, though."

Subdued fist-pumping.

"Perfect. We'll see you then."

"Mm."

Daire hummed. Taking a few steps, he suddenly felt the sun beating down on his shoulders. Looking at the guards standing in full armor that must smell and chafe... Once the sun fully rose, it would be more than uncomfortable.

Pausing, Daire held onto Trinket for support. Pressing his foot into the ground, he felt the magic surrounding the area. There was more than enough.

Resuming his step, he walked into the city, ignoring the reactions of the pair behind him.

"Earth Magic?"

"The shade is nice."

"But what if something attacked from the sky above us?"

"You wouldn't see it anyway. Just accept the shade silently."

"But-"

"Be grateful whatever mysterious monster that decides to attack you slams into that reinforced dirt ceiling instead of gouging out your innards."

"Sheesh. Oka-a-ay. I get it. You don't have to paint me a picture. Is the captain going to complain about this?"

"If he does, I'll quit."

That ominous statement ended the conversation.

=

Daire stopped by the inn to make sure his stuff was still there and drop Trinket off. Good news, his stuff was fine. Bad news the rabbits got into his toilet paper. Worse news, Trinket wouldn't stay put. Terrible news, when he tried to take Violet and let her rest here, he growled and started nipping at his hands.

"Come on, buddy. Please."

His voice was tired. No matter how he coaxed the bear, Trinket wouldn't be swayed. Why did even animals seem more in tune with the situation than him? Grudgingly accepting the situation, Daire hooked the cart to Trinket so he could pull their belongings. He didn't feel like leaving them here.

Inside the inn, he found Gunther smoking a pipe at the counter.

"Hey, I don't know if I'll be back tonight to sleep in the room, and we will be leaving by morning for sure. Do I owe you anything, or was what I bartered enough?"

Three long draws and puffs. Daire wanted to hurry this interaction.

"I am busy, so..."

Gunther didn't seem moved.

Daire debated just walking out but reluctantly waited while tapping a nervous foot.

"Your room is paid for."

The words were a drawl.

"You could rent that room for a month if you wish."

"No. That is fine; you can start tab. I'll be leaving then. Thank you for your care."

"Stop."

Daire's hand was on the door.

"Did you make her cry again?"

He sucked in a breath.

Talking about it was the last thing Daire wanted to do. All he did was think for hours, torturing himself, trying to find a solution. But he owed Gunther for his help, and talking would be good for Daire, even if he didn't like it.

"No. Yes? I didn't, but I made her angry. I screwed up."

"You did."

"I know I went too far, but..."

"But what?"

Daire's fist curled into a ball.

"I was excited to have such a close friend. I won't deny getting excited, going too far, and forgetting boundaries. But every time we talk my heart feels lighter."

Gunther was silent.

Daire didn't know how to fix it. It was impossible to decipher his feelings or his friendship with Violet. If that's even what it was...

[Am I a game to you?]

Her words echoed in his head.

No. You're not. Not you.

This world felt like a game... Unreal at times. But Violet was more than real. Tangible and worth so much more. The feelings he felt were definitely real. Were they romantic in nature? Daire didn't know. Maybe. But no. Not yet. Wasn't it too soon? He liked having someone to talk to. That was the extent of it.

For a long time, his favorite characters were fiction and unreachable. It still didn't feel real. But he definitely wanted to save them. That was why he was pushing himself. But Violet would undoubtedly become a part of that family. Losing her trust before even starting would be the epitome of failure and hypocrisy.

"I don't know how to express how grateful I am to have her with me."

Gunther's answer arrived quickly.

"Show it."

"..."

"You show her. Don't speak; Kids speak too much. Use your actions. Only actions can undo actions.."

"But how?"

"What am I, your mother? Figure it out."

Daire felt weird now that Gunther ended the conversation he wanted to continue. Regretfully, he walked out of the Inn. Outside, Trinket waited. On his back, Violet was awake. She stroked Pebbles in her lap. It pained him that the light in her eyes no longer sparkled the same way.

"..."

Again, his words failed him.

"We're going to the Guild, right? Best get going before we're late."

Somehow, the way she spoke those words hit him harder than anything that came before.

He wracked his brain for an answer. To apologize for writing the numbers. But the problem was more than that. He couldn't accurately say where it started, and Daire couldn't wrap it nicely in a bow or expect everything to return to normal because Trinket was already moving away without him.

Looking at his notebook, he glanced through it. It was barely filled, but it already had enough pages to make it personal. Flipping through, he saw the page in question, the numbers, and a map of the surrounding area. He wanted to rip it to shreds right then and there, but his idiotic brain hesitated because he valued the map he drew beside the numbers.

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

Closing it with a snap, he cursed himself. Throwing it in his backpack, he took out a different journal. It was almost identical. The differences that told of its age included worn yellowing pages and graphite smudges. It was a diary of sorts. It contained his unrestrained thoughts. Everything that he hated about himself. If someone read it by accident, he would seriously consider offing himself to get rid of the embarrassment. If an enemy got ahold of it, they would gain a massive amount of leverage over him easily. The only thing that made it safe was that it never left his person except when he changed clothes. Walking around with it in public already made his stomach queasy but writing in it was his only way to vent his frustrations safely.

Taking a pen, he turned to an empty page.

Just two left?

He filled the thing from cover to cover. Over a hundred and fifty pages of cringe. He'd never finished a notebook, ever. A drawing pad, yes, but not a notebook solely for writing. The concept was entirely different.

His pen paused above the page, threatening to blemish the remaining paper.

What was there to say? He couldn't streamline his writing like usual and run the risk of running out of space. Flipping through the pages, he looked for more free space. He could have skipped a few pages by accident.

It was to no avail. Every page was filled until it could hold no more, the lettering being so small and scratchy that it was barely legible.

Daire jumped onto the rear of the cart, no longer caring how he looked. Nose in his journal, he did the only thing he could think to do. He drew.

And with the drawing came his answer.

=

Violet watched the road, taking her time. Some pedestrians seemed worried at their passing but relaxed at seeing the bear act so subdued.

She still felt numb. The pain wasn't gone. She just didn't feel it. There was no way for her to react to a pain she couldn't comprehend. Only the stinging in her chest indicated anything was wrong.

"Violet."

Her neck craned up, Daire appeared next to her. They seemed to have reached their destination already.

"What?"

Judging by the way Daire was struggling with himself, he must want to apologize. Violet wasn't in the mood to listen to it, but there wasn't anywhere she could hide, and flying off would be childish. She refused to give him anything to use against her. So she stared at him, or rather, past him, as he continued to hold onto something tightly.

"Words won't help me, so I wanted to-"

"FIREBALL!"

=

Daire hit the deck as a fireball flew over his head. It veered past the cart and dissipated in the air.

"What the hell! Trinket, get over here."

"Did someone just attack us?"

Daire led Trinket to the side of the courtyard, placing themselves away from the entrance and out of harm's way. Violet's head peeked out of hiding, eyes darting left and right.

A few heartbeats later and Daire could hear a commotion from inside the Guild.

"I don't think so. Maybe it was a stray shot."

"That thing was aimed at your head, Daire."

Was it? It was close. But he didn't do anything to deserve a fireball to the face from anyone other than Violet, and she seemed more surprised than him.

"I'm going to check if anyone is hurt."

"Violet, no! That doesn't make any sense. Crap. Trinket, stay. They'll attack if they see you. Violet! Come back."

Daire hurried after her. Passing the phallic statue and through the open doors. The scene was one he didn't expect. Groups of adventurers were rampaging inside. There seemed to be multiple sides that were facing off. He immediately recognized Tabitha at the front desk. A sly figure was holding her by the collar dragging her across the counter.

"We've earned our due, so you better pay it, or we'll raze this entire branch to the ground! Do you have any idea know who we are?

Something was wrong. Anything on this scale should have at least been mentioned in The White Tragedy. Milton wasn't an important location, but this guild branch was. If someone was stupid enough to try this, it should have been mentioned in its backstory, or at least to set a precedent for Tabitha's potential.

Did I do this?

That was all he could think of. That he somehow affected the chain of events already. But he never had any interactions with these people. The change must have been in Tabitha if anything. Why wasn't she wiping the floor with these people?

"Hey! Let go of her."

The ruffian jumped as he received a shock. Startled, he threw Tabitha away to whip around with an ugly sneer. Then his expression changed as he saw the tiny figure floating in his view.

"Ha."

The corner of his mouth curled.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Eh. Get a load of this; a little birdie got out of her cage. What even are you? One of the Fae? I've never seen a freak as small as you."

"I'm a Pixie. Get lost, or I'll fry your brains."

Violet's threat and crackling hands had the opposite effect. Raucous laughter. It was so loud that it stopped the other confrontations and caused the entire branch to be focused on Violet and the laughing maniac.

"You? Fry my brains? And you're a pixie on to boot! Wee child, you should come up with better lies."

"I don't think she's joking about the Pixie part, Regi. I've seen drawings of Pixies in my books."

The voice came from a robed woman with messy, tangled hair that gave off the impression she never washed. Regi seemed in disbelief.

"You 'ave? This pipsqueak is an actual Pixie?"

"She's wearing clothes, but her size and the electricity sparking around her indicate she's a type of elemental, not Fae."

"Well shit. Forget our bounty. We take her to Orlin; we can easily quadruple our earnings."

Regi wore a sick smile as he a dagger appeared, twirling between dexterous fingers. Violet was about to attack when the tip of a wand pinched her side. The mage woman was more athletic than she appeared.

"Don't try it. You're clearly outmatched in terms of magic. I can see your supply, and it is paltry. My wand is enchanted to cast fireball, not large ones, admittedly, but they would be enough to turn someone as small as you to dust."

"Hahaha! You hear that? You're outmatched- ACK!"

Regi doubled over from a heavy kick to his gut. Daire let Regi stumble to his friend's side.

"Who do you think you are, asshole?"

"Let Violet go."

"Violet? What... you mean the Pixie? She's our bounty; get lost."

It didn't line up—any of it.

Tabitha wasn't interfering. She was only watching along with the others. The ones who were fighting earlier tried to keep up appearances, but Daire spent enough time watching to notice how terrible their acting was. The only ones participating were the two in front of him and the bulky ax-wielder standing in the doorway. He seemed to be making sure no one else entered.

"Stop this nonsense. You don't have to act this way to get what you want. Let us settle this with just us."

"We'll settle it alright. Draw your weapon and let's dance."

Daire thought the sleuth would pull out a second dagger, but he seemed only capable of wielding the one. Daire held the handle of his sword. A wooden weapon against a metal one wasn't the best choice. Neither was fighting barehanded. But Daire wanted this to end.

He stared into Violet's eyes. He could glimpse the endless frustration bottled up inside her. The shaking in her wings was more parts anger than fear. She'd rushed in only to be taken hostage, unable to do anything.

"Violet, don't move."

"..."

He switched his target.

"Let my friend go, mage."

"I don't want to."

"Draw your weapon already. Or are you going to let your little friend be blown to ashes?"

Instead of being goaded into acting, Daire relaxed, letting his arms dangle at his sides. It became clear that he had no intention of fighting after an entire minute. Regi spat on the hardwood floor, the wad of saliva congealing. He lowered his arm and approached Daire.

*Oomph*

He repressed the urge to grab his stomach. Regi's punch hurt, but reacting would be the wrong move.

"You think you're tough stuff, huh? You ever 'ave to crack a Highland Armadillo's shell as it rolls towards you faster than a diving Griffin?"

Daire doubted Regi managed anything close to that feat. He was just spouting nonsense for show. As Regi aimed a punch for his liver Daire barely managed to guide the impact so he could remain standing.

"You ever fight a horde of parasitic rats, where even one bit spells an agonizing end? You ain't worth the shit on my boots, yet you walk in 'ere making demands you have not right to be makin'.

"Is this really how you want to play this?"

"Oh, yeah..."

A toothy smile.

"I really want to do this."

Regi pushed him around, taking a shot every now, swapping his dagger between his hands as a show of skill. His actions were so blatant and amateur that Daire kept any possible damage to a minimum, but he couldn't help the heat rising in his chest. A bully on the playground. Pushing and pushing until they got a reaction.

Whether this was all a game or not... It didn't matter.

"Daire."

He could hear Violet's whisper. The pulsing in his ears made it difficult, but the silence in the building made it audible. He addressed the room.

"Does anyone else want to stop this? Tabitha? I know you're back there."

Another shove and Daire spun around. His eyes swept the room, registering each pair of watching eyes—his arms and shoulders brimming with tension.

"You think you can come in 'ere and disrespect me, eh, chicken shit?"

The stink of his breath was atrocious.

Daire eyed everyone watching, scorning the profession he once dreamed of having.

"I don't want to be an adventurer. Stop your stupid test."

Daire's legs fell from underneath him; he braced the back of his head before it hit the floorboards.

"Daire!"

A wand held Violet in place. She vibrated dangerously but didn't move.

"You're friend is ours, little man. What are you going to do about it from all the way down there- Wait a tick. What's this?"

Daire's heartbeat stopped cold.

"Dear Diary... Seriously? A diary. You've got to be joking. A grown man carrying a diary around on his person... You got to be more careful these days."

The journal hit Daire on the nose tauntingly.

I should have burned it instead of trying to...

"Well, let's read a little while we have an audience. I'm sure this ought to provoke a reaction."

"Tabitha. Stop him. Now."

"Dear Diary, I don't know why I'm writing one of these again. It didn't work the first four times, but who knows, maybe this time it will help make me a better person..."

He tried to get off the ground when a foot slammed into his chest.

"Aww. How precious."

The words mocked him, spoken in a baby's voice.

He'd been so stupid. To think that his secrets wouldn't leak out. That it would never be found. That he could protect it as long as it was on his person. That no one would ever read it. Naive. Naive. NAIVE!

The world darkened as Daire's vision narrowed. He didn't hear the words Regi spoke. He only knew one thing. No one else was going to help. Violet tried moving, but the mage let heat seep out the tip of her weapon.

"This could have been done so differently."

The sleuth rolled his neck, practically growling. The curved dagger in his hand waved curiously as he read from the yellowing pages. He prowled around Daire's prone form. Circling. Stalking. Chanting.

Daire laid perfectly still. Two opponents from the ground? A third by the door. Violet—a hostage.

His voice was level. Eyes glazed over. Distant and withdrawn. No one was here, but everyone was watching.

"Violet."

The flash of charged electricity short-circuited the wand and blinded the mage. Violet zipped away to a furious bear. Trinket roared.

The sleuth looked away.

Regi's knee buckled. He tried to stab down, but his arm bent backward instead. His chin slammed into the floorboards as the dagger fell from his twisted wrist.

"I didn't break it, so not another word."

The ax-wielder tried to stop the bear only to get flattened like a pancake, while the mage started writhing on the floor from magical backlash. The few who kept their eyes on Daire saw the whole thing happen in an instant. Like a viper. Over before the bear finished roaring.

Trinket sneezed.

=

"What is that thing called again... *snap-snap* The nobles use it. Specially the ladies."

"What are you on about?"

"You know. That thing. That one. The thing that shades people."

"A roof?"

"Nooo. I'm not stupid."

"You are."

"Am not. I am talking about those curved things attached to a stick. I saw Lady Lisanna using one the other day when it was hot."

"Are you trying to describe a parasol?"

A distinct finger snap.

"That's the one. These things remind me of a pair-ra-sul."

"It is more like an awning."

"A what?"

"Abyss, Crale. Did your mother not teach you words. An awning means shade."

"Oh. Well, I suppose that is a better word for it. There was no need to insult me mum."

A strong wind brushed up against his sides.

"Walls would have been good too."

"..."

"Not full walls. But why not build, I don't know, partitions?"

"You know partitions, but not awning or parasol?"

"We could use a proper guardhouse, the both of us. Stools. A desk. The works!"

"Keep dreaming."

"Do you think this thing will crumble if I lean on it?"

"No."

"What if I stab it with my spear?"

"Probably."

"So if someone decides to attack our shade instead of me, it'd be the equivalent of someone dropping a rock on my head?"

A deep sigh.

"I suppose."

"Who is that guy anyway? A merchant with a Pixie, a race no one has ever seen twice, who also happens to be a good cook, an earth mage, is capable of wordless casting and carries around valuable antiques in his pockets but treats them as worthless luck charms. Come on, I mean, I like the guy, but isn't he a little sus'?"

"You said you like the guy, so what does it matter."

"Do you think we can ask him to assist with the west walls? I bet they'll finish in a jiffy with his help."

"I doubt it. Earth Mages cost platinum. Besides, he's clearly a rookie."

"You don't know that."

"He used dirt, not stone."

"So? If we ask nicely, maybe he will help the builders as a favor. He made these dirt awnings without asking."

"Are you done talking?"

"I don't know. Do I have to? Guard duty is so boring."

"I swear if I hear another word out of you I'm filing for a replacement."

The wind whistled. The green grass swayed, waving outward for miles. Not another peep.

Lauren's shoulders slumped, the accumulated stress leaking away as she finally gained some peace and quiet.

Crale clicked his shoes together, swaying from side to side. His body was loose as he began to hum a tune. When his lips parted to sing a long note, he heard the sound of the wooden gates closing.

"Lauren?"

A double-take.

"Ohohoho! You've got a sense of humor after all! Very funny. Open the doors."

*Click*

"Lauren? Did you just lock it? Hey. Lauren!"

Crale tried the door. It didn't budge.

"You got me, okay? We still have four hours left in our shift. Come on out now."

Buzzing insects. Crale's voice called over the wall.

"You still there?"

Whistling wind.

"Lauren?"

...

..

.