Faye skipped ahead of Alza briefly. The wildborn girl seemed very excited by the prospect of new clothes. "Yay! Thank you Alza!" she exclaimed, before leaping to give Alza a big hug.

Alza was momentarily caught off guard, the bag of bread nearly slipping from her grasp as the wildborn girl hugged her. Fortunately, she quickly regained her balance and managed to reciprocate Faye's affectionate hug. "You’re welcome, sweetie."

The two continued to walk for some time. This time, however, Alza felt that she was actually getting closer to her destination. She had grown more used to the streets of Menon, and having a very cheerful wildborn girl helped to ease her mind.

Before long, she saw a large house in the distance. After checking her address card again, Alza assumed that the house was hers. Conveniently, just a few buildings before it, was what looked like a boutique.

"Are you ready for some new clothes, Faye?" Alza asked, shooting an amused look at the wildborn girl.

"I’m ready!" Faye replied.

Soon, the two made their way to the boutique. Their entrance to the shop was marked, again, by the ringing of a bell. This time, however, Faye did not flinch in the slightest at the sound.

The moment they entered the shop, Alza and Faye were greeted by an elderly-looking woman. Her gray hair was pulled back in a loose bun, a few wisps framing her gentle face.

The old woman's eyes widened in surprise, "Well, hello there! I wasn't expecting any customers at this hour."

Caught off guard, Alza offered an apologetic smile, her voice carrying a hint of concern. "Oh, sorry. Is this a bad time?"

The wrinkles around the corners of the old woman's eyes softened as she waved her hand. "No, no, it's absolutely fine. I'm always ready to help customers," she then extended a hand towards Alza.

"The name's Charlotte, by the way."

With a nod, Alza clasped Charlotte's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Alza, and this is Faye." She said, pointing towards the wildborn girl. Faye was still tucked behind Alza's protective form.

The wildborn girl was still shy, only daring to peek out just enough so that her furry ears were visible.

A chuckle escaped Charlotte's lips. "It's alright to come out, sweetie, I don't bite."

Faye wasn’t convinced. She clung tighter to Alza’s robes, hoping to avoid Charlotte’s gaze.

"Faye, be a good girl and introduce yourself to Charlotte here," Alza said, nudging Faye with a gentle pat on the head.

The wildborn girl meekly walked out of Alza’s shadow. Though she was shaking, she tried her best to introduce herself. "M-my name is Faye!" she exclaimed, before hiding back behind Alza once again.

Charlotte smiled, amused by the display. "What a sweetheart, how old is she?"

Alza stepped to the side, allowing Faye to meet Charlotte’s gaze. "Why don’t you tell her yourself, Faye?"

Faye froze for a moment. But with an encouraging look from Alza, the wildborn girl finally decided to speak. "I-I’m nine years old." she muttered.

"Oh my, and such a good girl already," Charlotte said. "And you’re here to get some new clothes, yes?"

Faye nodded. "Ye-yes."

Alza smiled and walked back to Faye’s side. "I’m proud of you Faye, well done." She said, patting Faye on the shoulder.

The wildborn girl smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I did good!" She said to herself.

Alza then turned her attention to Charlotte. "So, I am looking for something comfortable for Faye to wear, preferably something light and made with silk."

Charlotte’s brows furrowed in concentration for a moment. But soon, her eyes beamed with inspiration. "I happen to have something that might interest you then. I received these very small silk dresses a long time ago and had no idea what I wanted to do with them. Would you like to take a look?"

"I would love to." Alza replied.

"Oh, and I don't mean to be rude, but I think you should clean up the little one if she's going to try out clothes later." Charlotte said with a cordial smile.

"That's…fair. " Alza muttered; she couldn't believe herself for not thinking of that earlier. "Give me a moment." She then kneeled down and placed a hand just over Faye's head.

"Um, what are you doing, Alza?" The wildborn girl asked.

"Something I should have done earlier."

A soft light emanated from Alza's palm. Her spell was delicate yet potent, cleansing away the grime and dust that had clung to Faye's skin and hair. The dirt and smudges lifted, leaving the wildborn girl looking as clean as though she had just taken a bath.

With a gentle smile, Alza withdrew her hand. "There we go, all freshened up."

Faye looked at her arms and legs in astonishment. She then brought her nose close to one of her arms and sniffed it briefly. "Wow…I smell nice."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Alza looked at Charlotte with a nervous smile on her lips. "Sorry about that. I hope we didn't cause too much trouble."

Charlotte's laughter soon filled the room. "Oh it's fine, I'll be back with your clothes now."

The old seamstress then went to the back of the store, returning with a rather large box. Soon, she unveiled its contents, revealing a pristine white garment, adorned with some black that traced along the edges. Delicate blossom motifs decorated the fabric, adding a much needed touch of complexity to the garment.

"It might be a bit too big for Faye, but I could tailor it down to size if you need it." Charlotte said.

Alza nodded. "I think we might be taking this one."

With a gentle smile, Charlotte carefully laid the intricate garment on the counter, She then retrieved a soft measuring tape from a nearby drawer.

"Come here dear" Charlotte beckoned with a welcoming gesture. "Let's make sure it fits just right."

Faye edged closer to Alza's side, her furry ears twitching. Charlotte's presence seemed to radiate a calm assurance, however, and after a moment's hesitation, Faye took a small step forward.

With practiced ease, Charlotte gently took Faye's measurements, her touch light as a feather. The tape slid along Faye's shoulders, waist, and hips, capturing the dimensions needed to ensure a perfect fit. In a matter of minutes, the measurements were complete, and Charlotte retreated momentarily to the back of the store. Soon enough, she returned, holding the folded garment after having adjusted its size.

"There we go," Charlotte announced with a gentle pat on Faye's shoulder. "Now, let's see how this beauty looks on you."

The old seamstress helped Faye slip into the garment, adjusting the fabric with a delicate touch. As the clothes cascaded around Faye's form, it seemed almost as if the garment had been crafted specifically for her.

Faye seemed pleased. Her fluffy tails swishing in glee. "I really like these clothes, Alza!" she exclaimed as she skipped around.

"I’m happy you like them," Alza replied. "But don’t forget to thank Charlotte here, Faye."

The wildborn girl shifted to face Charlotte and dropped to a bow. "Um, thank you for the clothes!"

Charlotte let out a laugh. "Oh, it’s no problem, I’m glad you like your new outfit."

After Alza paid for Faye’s new clothes. The two bid farewell to Charlotte and headed back outside. Faye was so different to how she was when Alza found her. The wildborn girl now had a spring in her step, and her every move radiated joy.

"You seem happy, Faye." Alza commented with a light chuckle.

"Yep!" Faye exclaimed in joy. Her excitement, however, was briefly interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling.

"Are you still hungry?" Alza asked.

The wildborn girl nodded meekly, her cheeks red. "Ye-yes."

"We’re close to my house, after we arrive, you can eat again, alright?"

Faye nodded eagerly. "Okay!"

But suddenly, there it was, Alza felt it again. A familiar sensation that had wormed its way into her conscience before. It had begun to grow too much to bear. She was certain of it, demons were following her. Though for now, she would need to smoke them out.

"Um..Alza, are you ok?" Faye asked, gently tugging at Alza’s robes.

Alza kneeled down to kiss the wildborn girl on the forehead. "I’m fine sweetie, but I think I need your help to do something."

"Oh, what is it?"

"I’m going to need you to close your eyes and ears."

"Umm is it for a surprise?"

"Y-yes, it is definitely for a surprise."

"Okay then!" Faye exclaimed. The wildborn girl shut her eyes and placed her hands over her furry ears.

Alza's pulse quickened as she glanced over her shoulder, her senses tingling with unease. Four figures approached her. Yet, it was not the sight of these approaching individuals that bothered her; it was the unmistakable, putrid miasma of demonic essence that clung to their bodies. These were no ordinary travelers; they were demons in disguise.

She turned to face the four people who trailed her and tapped her right foot on the ground. A sudden wave of darkness emanated from Alza and spread out to cover the whole street. Everything was pitch black, even Alza herself couldn’t see anything, but she did not need to be able to see demons to find them when they’re so close.

Clasping her hands together, Alza invoked her necromancy. Suddenly, the ground beneath her demonic pursuers rumbled. Bony spines erupted from the ground, impaling the unsuspecting fiends. Their unholy screeches rent the air, echoing the darkened street.

As the demonic essence of her assailants waned, Alza knew that she had been successful. She retracted the bony spines, willing them to recede back into the earth.

"Al-Alza, what was that?" Faye muttered meekly, hugging Alza’s legs.

In a swift gesture, Alza picked up Faye and carried the wildborn girl on her back. "Nothing you need to worry about sweetie, we’re going now."

With Faye safely on her back, Alza wasted no time in leaving. As she glanced back, she dispelled her darkness, her eyes then caught sight of several bystanders going outside, drawn by the commotion. Yet, all that remained of the confrontation were four conspicuous holes etched into the street.

***

After some more walking, the quaint charm of Alza's house came into view. It was a wide, two story building adorned with large windows that allowed sunlight inside. It also had a porch that was not too large, allowing room for a chair or two, and a small table, a perfect space to enjoy a cup of tea. Last but not least, a small garden softened the transition from sidewalk to doorstep.

"Here it is, Faye, your new home."

Faye's enthusiasm was palpable, her eyes widening as she took in the details of the house in front of her.

"Is-is this where I live now?" Faye asked, her furry ears rising with keen interest.

"It is," Alza affirmed, her lips curling into a reassuring smile. "Now, let's go inside."

As Alza walked into the house. A figure came to greet her: a wildborn woman whose air of professionalism was undeniable. She was human-like in appearance, but with a pair of turquoise and black wings that sprouted from her back, mirroring the hues of her hair. A pair of onyx glasses framed her face, complimenting her black and white maid uniform.

"Hello, Mistress Alza, I am Myriam and I have been assigned as your stay-in maid by Guildmaster Elysia."

"Delighted to make your acquaintance, Myriam," Alza responded, before gently guiding Faye forward to face the awaiting maid. "Why don't you introduce yourself, Faye?"

Faye's response was a soft mumble, her hesitation apparent. "Um, Okay." She muttered meekly, "I-I'm Faye…and I'm 9 years old."

Myriam replied with a gentle smile. "Nice to meet you, Faye."

A sudden flush adorned Faye's cheeks, her twin tails swishing about with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "Ni-nice to meet you too!" she blurted out.

"She’s a cute one, isn’t she?" Alza said with a chuckle.

"She is." Myriam replied with a smile. "Oh, I can show you to your room if you’d like, mistress."

Alza nodded. "That would be lovely."

With an elegant bow, Myriam extended her arm towards a staircase that led up to the upper floor. "If you'll follow me, please."

Alza was about to reply. But a familiar feeling gnawed at the back of her mind: it was much stronger this time around.

"Actually…I think I need to go." Alza said.

Myriam nodded. "Understood, mistress, I will-"

"Aww, but why?" Faye interrupted with a pout.

Alza gently patted the wildborn girl on the head. "I’ll be right back, alright?"

"Okay…" Faye muttered.