While we were walking the twins and I had some bonding time. From what they told me they were aspiring Adventurers. They wanted to follow Harvey’s footsteps, but he wouldn’t allow it until they were at least 18 years old.

I guess he doesn’t just dot on Erin, but on these two also. I also learned a few things about Harvey from our conversations. Harvey, is a spear user mainly, though he’s proficient with swords. They both are so similar it’s really hard to tell the difference between the two, I don’t know how Erin does it! For now I can cheat… maybe when they heal… I’ll just do it again so I can tell the difference…? No… that’s a terrible idea… I’ll just figure it out.

Even after we reached the bakery and bought several types of bread, we continued our talks. They seem to really want to have more sparring rounds so they can get strong enough that Harvey won’t stop them from joining the Guild. Not a bad attitude I think honestly. They’ll definitely grow stronger over time...hopefully.

After we finished eating everything… yes… everything. We slowly returned back to their home and hung out in the courtyard for a while. I ended up offering to showing them the few things I knew about spears, but I needed something wooden. Hmm… what could I… Oh! A broom!

A nearby maid was sweeping the area and I end up requesting to borrow the broom for a moment.  The nice thing about having a wooden staff compared to a steel one, is it’s flexibility. With a good wooden staff you can actually swing it hard enough to make it bend causing extra damage from the whiplash. Problem… they break a lot easier then something made of metal.

(Gavin) “Master… I thought you were going to show us a few techniques for the spear? Why did you not borrow one of our weapons, but instead a … broom?”

I should explain it to them shouldn’t I…? To the best of my ability I explain the use of having a flexible shaft for the spear. There was also the fact that they didn’t have tassels at the end of the spear, the chinese used those a lot for good reason.

The first reason was blood… the tassel would absorb any blood that would drip downward making sure that it wouldn’t cause your spear to become slippery. There was also the fact that the tassle could be used to conceal the length of the spear and distract the enemy. The point of the spear is NOT your only weapon, the butt part can be used in tandem.

After going over all this I suddenly feel an ominous presence behind me…? I turn around to see Erin folding her arms, glaring at the twins? It’s not like they’re doing anything wrong… Why is she so mad? We’re all getting along, and just talking about fighting… not fighting each other.

(Erin) “Kuro… Aren’t you forgetting something…”

Forgetting… Uh oh… I turn around to seek help from the twins, but they both ran away already, leaving me to fend for myself.

“Uh… I’m… sorry?”

(Erin) “Sorry for…? What ever could you be talking about? It must have not been that important for you to forget.”

Oh god… I know that look… she’s smiling right now, but her eyes… her EYES! Yea… I’m not going to wait around to see what happens!

(Erin) “Wha…? Come back here!”

Dropping the broom I break into a sprint towards the house. I purposely run around furniture and jump over tables before jumping out the window. Alright… there’s a tree! Climbing the tree like my life depended on it, I reach the top and jump over the wall and run back into town.

Well then… I guess I’ll just... wander around town some more. While Erin cools off… hopefully… I had completely forgotten that she was going to show me around town this afternoon! If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s you don’t mess with an angry girl. ESPECIALLY when you’re in the wrong, heck even if you’re RIGHT.

As I wander through town I come upon a shop that specializes in jewelry… That’s it! I’ll try to bribe my way out of trouble! While I’m at it I should probably buy something for my mother. Sadly, I still haven't met my mother or father yet. I have no idea what either of them looks like, or even what they like.

After browsing for a while I settle for a necklace for Erin, and two bracelets for my mother. The bracelets each had stones imbedded into them, one was a black stone, the other blue. I  got these with the intention of one representing me, the other my sister. That way even though we’re apart she can look at these and remember us.

After purchasing, I take a look at a few other things for the girls when I met the crazy lady from earlier today. She was much more calm today and was looking around also. She ended up picking up a plain looking necklace, and a headband I was eyeballing for Aoi.

Our eyes met for a moment after she picked up the headband, and she simply smiled at me before looking for the clerk. She apparently wanted to hang two stones onto the necklace, a black and a blue one. While they were talking I overheard the fact that she was looking for her lost son, and the necklace was for him.

Some “nice people” had found her son, and were taking care of him… in the outskirts of town. They were supposed to meet after this and they were going to escort her to her son after she was done…. Ah… This whole story reeks...I seriously doubt these people even know what her son looks like, and probably are trying to sell her off after striping her of any valuables they can find.

For some reason though, I felt like I had to protect this lady. I mean she wasn’t a bad person or anything, just a little crazy sometimes. It’s not like she deserved something like that to happen to her. As she leaves the shop, I follow her at a distance large enough for me to keep an eye on her, yet far enough she wouldn’t suspect me tailing her. Eventually she leaves town and she meets up with her son’s “Benefactors” and they escort her into the forest to the north.

Being in a forest makes trailing a lot easier now, since I’ve somewhat gotten used to moving around in the wild now. After going deep into the center of the forest, they reach an opening which looks like a small bandits camp. There’s a small dwelling with an additional 4 men came outside from, each with a grin on their face.

Ah… I knew it… This lady either too easy going… or just gullible. The group of men start to encircle the lady as she’s questioning about her son. Before they could get too close I jump in to shield the lady and confront them.

“Stand back Lady… These guys tricked you. I’m pretty sure they don’t even know what your son looks like!”

The Lady is taken back for a moment and steps back confused. Ah… Figures... I’d have a nice trip between cities without any bandits or thieves wandering about, just to run into them during my stay! All I want is just a peaceful trip damnit!

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The entirety of their group in one word… were weak… I didn’t even need to use any weapons and just ended up knocking them all unconscious. They’re probably worth more alive than dead since they didn’t seem like more than some small time thieves.

Once I finish up tieing up the group the Lady suddenly tackles me and starts rubbing her face against me… I knew it… This is why I ran away last time! She then pushes me away for a moment and … starts crying?

“Umm… are you ok Lady…?”

I expected her to apologize like she did with the other people but… she’s acting differently?

(Crazy Lady) “Kurogane? It’s you isn’t it dear!”

How did she… wait...a...second. There’s only one explainable reason for this, she reminds me of sis… and is looking for her… son. It has to be that right?

“Mo...ther? You’re mine, and Aoi’s mother right!?”

The Lady still crying nods, all I could do was just hug my mother whom I finally have met for the first time after all these years. What? There’s just some… dirt in my eyes! I am not crying or anything! Damn dirt… flying into my eyes at the worst time…

After the emotional meeting, me and my mother end up dragging the bandits back into town and turn them over to the local guards and catch up on lost time. The first order of business was we ended up exchanging the gifts we bought each other. Funny how we both were thinking the same thing. What I thought were stones… were actually the scales of my father and mother. Given to me to remind me that they both love me even though they aren’t always around.

Without thinking my feet had brought me back to Erin’s home and I had completely forgot… she was mad. Erin was standing near the entrance glaring at me with an intensity that is reminding me of a monster from a game I played before. They wore brown hooded cloaks… had green skin… They also carried a lantern and a knife… slowly closing in on you…

(Mother) “Good evening Miss, I must thank you for taking care of my child Kurogane and allowing him to stay at your home. My name is Kirie, the Azure Dragon who watches over the Eastern Sea. I would also like to request that I trouble you for a while, so me and my son may catch up on lost time.”

So that’s what she does when she’s away from me and sis. Heck, I didn’t even think about finding out my own mother’s name… Since I’d just call her some kind of variation of mom anyways. After my mom’s introduction, Erin suddenly stiffened up and replies.

(Erin) “AH.. Umm.. Nice to meet you Madam, and i-i-t’s no t-t-trouble at all! Please! Make yourself at home!”

Uh… Why are you giving me that look Erin… it’s not like I KNEW my mother was here!? Gah… her face is red… is she that mad!? It’s not my fault!

Erin eventually escorts me and my mother to a guest room for her and I take that opportunity to appease her before she… kills me in my sleep.

“Hey, Erin…”

She sharply glares at me when I call her name, it’s almost like I scared her or something?

(Erin) “W..w...what is it Kuro…?”

She’s acting weird… well hopefully this fixes it. Reaching into my bag I hand Erin the necklace I bought for her earlier. She...looks displeased…? I even asked the clerk if it was a good choice and she agreed! It’s a platinum colored necklace with a ruby in it… I thought it would match her hair?

“Do… you not like it? I got it as an apology for forgetting about today. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow I promise.”

(Erin) “No… it’s beautiful, I really like it… It’s just… I thought… Nevermind. I’m expecting you to keep your word this time Kuro…”

She thought… What? She didn’t think I was going to give her a ring did she? It’s not like I purposely brought my mom here. Ha! Good one, me! There’s no way the thought would even pass her mind. It wouldn’t work… for various reasons.

The rest of the day was nice, although at this point it was practically over already! All I did was eat dinner with everyone and talk with my mother until we were both too tired. I learned some interesting things about her during our conversation.

My mother is also from another world, I’m unsure if she is from mine or not but she was summoned here. Previously she was a Guardian Deity, revered by humans who lived by the coast. She would constantly travel and was known by many names, most of which I recognized.

Seiryu...Qing Long… My mother’s a freaking legend!? It’s not like finally meeting my mother after all this time wasn’t enough… She just drops this nuke on my lap. Also from what she tells me, she uses the name Kirie, because she liked it the most?

There was also the matter of the strange mist I would encounter… That was my mom. *sigh* When she travels she often creates a thick fog so she can travel uninterrupted. Not a bad idea honestly… But how the hell was I supposed to know she was visiting!

Was I just supposed to ask the mist “Hey, Mom is that you?” Gah… So I effectively evaded my mother on 3 different occasions. I feel sooo intelligent right now. There was also the strange behavior my mother was exhibiting before.

My scent… She apparently can tell who I was by my scent. The thing is she would need to be right next to me in order to tell… I still think it's weird though! Why couldn’t she do something else to figure it out… Also how does she even know my “scent” anyways!?

The next morning I get my things together and meet with Erin. As I approach our meeting place I see her. Erin was leaning against the wall, wearing a white one piece dress. Her hair was braided to one side and was wearing the pink hat we bought in Demarrer.

“Hey Erin! Did you wait long?”

Starting off the conversation as I get closer to her… is...she wearing makeup?

(Erin) “No I didn’t, I just got here myself.”

She smiles at me as she grabs my hand and drags me into town.