Sonata finished dealing with the packages and letters that she was given earlier; she didn't waste time delivering the packages, she laid down on the flat rock in the hill to take a rest--mostly finished with fighting the Husk creatures that roams around the rocky hills of Cadenza and Elegy District. "All of them were safely mailed..." she said with a sigh, smiling happily when she sat up on the flat rock beneath her and stand up. "Now I need to go back to Welkin, better make it fast so I won't be late," she said with a yawn while she covered her mouth with her hand, her wolf ears twitched a little when she walked back to the path that she went earlier.

Sonata felt a black-gloved hand grabbing her wrist; stopping her from going forth-it was foreign feeling... it was cold, hard and rough when she felt it. "Whoa!" she gasped in surprise as she found herself being pulled by someone, she looked up and saw a tall young man before her eyes--for some reason she feel a rather tense but... oddly intimidating at the same time.

The young fellow has a smoke-white hair with bangs almost covering his violet eyes and has alabaster complexion, he wears a collared black cape that covered his entire clothing. On his left arm, he wore an antique silver bracelet that glimmered in the light, he was wearing a pair of brown boots that matched his attire. Underneath his collar, he also has a chain around his neck that connected to a key ring with several keys hanging from it--it looks like a musical note and a crown engraved onto it.

Sonata's wolf ears drooped down in defense by the menacing aura, her pupils sharpened as she growled softly by her instinct. "Excuse me, can you please let go of my hand... if you don't mind?" she asked, but the young man didn't reply--his violet-colored eyes were dull and empty which made Sonata suspect that he was a Marauder--a mercenaries or the foot-soldiers of the Reverse Organization; that alone made her shiver when she saw him.

"U-Um, excuse me but could you let go of my wrist?" she asked again, but the man didn't answer her question.

Sonata tried to break free, but she failed miserably because the man was too strong for her--she could barely move that she snarled as she extracted her wolf claws from her nails as she scratched his wrist with her other hand--causing the mysterious man to release her wrist instantly. Sonata growled at him, her white wolf tail under her coat was wagging frantically as she could see that he's not backing out or cringing from pain, instead his face was still void of emotion.

Who was the strange man in front of her? His face looks terrifying and menacing at the same time, almost like Alastair's stoic face--but the scary part is... he looks almost emotionless like a statue!

"Why... are you following me...?!"

Sonata demanded the mysterious young man, who wasn't affected by the sudden change in her appearance as he began to step back from her. The young man was holding his scratched wrist with his other hand, then he looked at Sonata panting heavily from the attack she made--her wolf nails retracts into normal short human nails. Sonata was confused, what's with that reaction? He looked emotionless and silent, making Sonata wonder if he had seen through her plan when she attacked him.

But he didn't say anything to her; his violet eyes were empty, he only stared at her as she stood in front of him on the hill, she frowned at him. "Who are you?" she asked, but instead of answering her question--the mysterious young man left her by herself and disappeared somewhere into the distance of the rocky hills.

Sonata frowned by the sudden disappearance of the man--what is this person?! What is his problem? Did she offend him somehow? Sonata gulped and looked behind her, she had a feeling that something was watching her from behind. 'What if that guy is just--' Sonata thoughts were interrupted by a sound of a crow that flew next to her, making her stepped away from the scene as she hissed.

"GODDAMNIT!"

It feels scary that she thought of him, it was disturbing and unsettling at a same time; it feels like... he's familiar somehow... but she didn't know where she met him before.

Sonata finally arrived at her destination after some few hours of walking and climbing up into the rocky roads, the endless night sky with the stars as the result of the enveloping 'night' of Canaria due to unknown circumstances, the moonlight reflects on the clear surface of the ocean that glitters beautifully as the wind blows softly. "Alright... three letters are the last ones..." she said with a sigh, before putting the envelops into the mail boxes of the house.

Until she goes to the Stardust Express Station where the Mail-Hunters are returning and going back either to National Postal Service Headquarters in the Welkin City or somewhere in other regions for giving updates to the headquarters. Sonata decided to go back to Welkin for reporting her mission as ordered by her superior, she is currently stationed in Cappella and it's an hour drive to Welkin City from here.

Sonata yawned when she entered inside her compartment as she slid the compartment door close behind her, she keep her Automotive Gear weapon strapped behind her back she always taking care of. She waited for the Central Station of Stardust Express in Welkin, the train has arrived in the station of Welkin City as she got out from the compartment--stretching her arms as she yawned.

Sonata entered the National Postal Service's Headquarters likewise as she greeted back other Emissaries, before she bumped into someone as she shrieked--finding out it was her mentor; Alastair. "M-My apologies, Master Alastair!" she apologized, saluting at him as she feared of his strict, cold and calculating but also disciplined attitude. "I already finished the mission that you tasked to me!" she added.

Alastair clicked his tongue at his own apprentice, before he sighed--making her flinch at his stern tone. "Thank you, Sonata," he thanked her, before he folded his arms. "I heard that you had an encounter with a stranger earlier, do you know who he is?" he questioned her with a stern expression. "Um... I don't know who he is," she confessed, knowing that he demanded to know the stranger who tried to harm her.

“I-I think it was a Marauder… judging from his appearance…”

More worse, his silence and emotionless expression made her uncomfortable. She was trying to fight it; she was hoping that Alastair won't get suspicious of what happened to her. But apparently... Alastair is more interested with what happens to her than she thinks. "And, that’s what I encountered today..." she admitted, looking up at him. "It seems like you've encountered a new enemy... it could be troublesome for you to deal with such people, it will be fine if you report this to me first and let me handle it; do you understand?"

Alastair asked, which made Sonata nodded and relieved which she didn't have to worry about this anymore--since her mentor knows everything about the people involved in their work. "Yes, sir..." she replied, her wolf ears drooped down in shame and embarrassment.

"Thank you, Master Alastair."

Alastair nodded while retaining his stern expression and tone of voice, before he clapped his hands together in front of him and left her alone. "Good luck with your reports, Sonata," he spoke to her and exited the room, leaving her behind--feeling a little bit better knowing that Alastair is keeping a keen eye on her. 'At least Master Alastair is still looking out for me…' she thought.

Few hours later...

“Claire... your father is scary...”

Sonata whined, referring to her best friend’s father Alastair—she’s inside her own residence of the Mail-Hunter's Housing Complex known as Blue Notes Neighborhood, resting her head on the dining table when Claire is cooking for her and Gabriel--after she finished the work that her mentor ordered her. Claire look at her who mentioned her father Alastair before she sighed, before smiling a little saying. “My father always like that, even when he meets me personally and that is normal, he’s naturally a strict and serious person.”

Claire took a pot off the stove before adding some vegetables into it, “he’s been like that since I was a kid, even more when I became a Mail-Hunter. He’s a descendant of the noble bloodline like me, so it’s common for nobles to be very strict on their children and treat them like hell—but my father would never do that to his own child," Claire explained as she put the pot aside once it was done boiling, she added some rice to it then poured soy sauce and some pepper on top of it.

“It’s hard to find out...” Sonata murmured, while Gabriel is taking care of Claire’s cat; the white Persian cat as he was combing the cat’s fur. The three friends are relaxing while talking to each other, they are sitting in the living room near the entrance of their house, where the living room was connected to the dining area, kitchen and the bathroom. Sonata watched her cat was sleeping on Gabriel’s lap when he was combing the fur of Claire’s cat, she petted the sleeping cat’s head before looking at Claire and asking her question--with a hopeful tone in her voice, “I heard you encountered a stranger earlier?”

Gabriel asked, sounding worried because he heard the news which made the Emissaries concerned of Sonata’s well-being due to the stranger being a Marauder. “Yes,” Sonata replied, frowning as her wolf ears drooped down. “I think that was my first encounter with that person... I couldn’t remember exactly who he is, but I felt like I knew him before.”

“Oh?” Claire tilted her head a bit at Sonata’s comment, then she shrugged her shoulders lightly—she wondered if he was familiar to Sonata but with Sonata’s uncertainty towards the stranger—making it ambiguous. Claire poured soup into a bowl and gave it to Sonata. Sonata took it with a thankful smile, she enjoyed the taste of her Beef Bacon Stew with eggs on top she always make—Claire is good at cooking which is self-taught.

Sonata was happy to have a friend who can cook and bake good foods for the rest of their meals--just like Suona who can cook, it would make things easier for them. “Thank you, Claire!” she thanked her, making her nodded while joining them for a dinner. Gabriel put down Claire’s cat Elizabeth on the floor, before he could eat with them. “I’ll give you treats okay?” he told the cat, which the white Persian cat meowed at him. “I think your food will be ready soon, come here,” he beckoned Ellie to follow him as he headed towards the dining table to eat with them—which makes Claire’s cat followed him.

They sat in front of each other as they shared with Sonata what they felt and thought about Alastair—and they were shocked to know how scary their superior can get sometimes.

***

Sonata was helping the crates of resources and food supplies for the festival, everything was super busy during the preparation of the Festival of Lights in Welkin City. "Sonata! Get those birds off from the rice seeds!" she nodded when she growled at the birds, scaring them away like a scarecrow with her growls from her sharp pupils and tilted up wolf ears and tail. The birds flew off thanks to her, she was helping the other Mail-Hunters who are in the middle of the process of festival decorations and preparations.

Sonata jumped onto the boxes of crates and heading up to the rooftop swiftly, sniffing around before she gave a thumbs up at the other Mail-Hunters for decorations above as a gesture. As they were carrying the cables of white bulbs for the Festival of Lights they prepared for everyone, she helped them arranging the cables carefully and decorating the rooftops. "Thank you!" she nodded with a smile, before she jumps down and landing on the ground smoothly like a wolf and standing up straight.

Claire was carrying supplies of harvested ingredients for the stands like baked foods and breads, including the equipments for cookings. Gabriel on the other hand was carrying crates of sardines which it is the important element of the festival, alongside the playgrounds and games for children and adults enjoying performances of some musicians and performers. All of them were busy working hard for this celebration--but it looks like it won't be enough since they need more workers, Sonata sighed sadly and scratched her head. "I wish I can bring more people outside Welkin."

"Sonata! Catch this!"

Sonata's wolf ear twitching a little when she heard Gabriel from the distance, seeing her tossing out Challah bread which made her startled. As she jumps up high when she reached for the bread, catching it with her teeth and landing on the ground on two feet. "What are you doing?" Claire asked him, seeing Gabriel was caught testing Sonata's skills. Sonata took the bread, put it into the basket when someone else was carrying it with her. "This is for lunch, correct?" she asked, before taking the bread and unwrapping it from the thin white sheet of baking papers. The softness of the bread melted her heart, enjoying the fresh Challah bread that is sweet like always--this is the best dish during festivals, especially for celebrations.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Suona, here's one for you!" Gabriel shouted, tossing the grilled honey-lime salmon fish towards her.

Suona look up to see the grilled honey-lime salmon fish was tossed upwards, the Spring Serpent Mail-Hunter used her half-dragon ability to jump and catch it with her teeth. It made Sonata's best friend squealed happily as her long dark purple dragon tail wagging happily, landed onto the ground on her feet and walking towards the group as she ate the grilled fish. "Mm! This is delicious!" she beamed in delight after she finished munching the fish, the other Mail-Hunters came back down as they finished preparing the stands.

"We still have consumptions over there, if you are hungry," Claire pointed her thumb at the table with foods for the Mail-Hunters, Sonata felt her stomach grumbles so does Gabriel and turns out Suona too. They were heading into the counter, near the bakery where beverages like Butterfly Pea Tea, Apple Cider, Lemon Tea, Sunset Peach and so many more--even others like sweets and pastries are provided.

"Foods!"

Claire watched her approaching the table and take a clear look over the meals, she almost drools when she witnessed them before her eyes. "I'll take a slice of that bread," Claire told the waitress behind the counter, she takes one bread from the stack and went to stand with Sonata and Gabriel. "Wow… that looks so good…" Sonata whispered happily, even her best friend Suona also excited for another grilled fish. Claire was about to reach for one piece, but Gabriel hold her back with his arm. "Don't eat too much, okay?" he reminded her.

Wait, did he just...

Claire growled in anger and pushed him hard, causing him to fall onto the floor painfully. "You know nothing about our metabolism system, shut your mouth!" she said angrily while Gabriel got up to his feet, he was used to tease her and he was so damn calm about it (not offending her, he's too blunt about it). Suona snickered and Sonata holding back her laugh, not everyone would think Claire is that kind of person. "Don't eat all of them, okay? I've been working hard on that, everyone deserve to eat."

Sonata stopped staring when it comes to the unfamiliar voice, looking up to see none other than the doctor of the National Postal Service; Mikhail Chamberlain--or Dr. Chamberlain. "Y-You're…"

Dr. Chamberlain has a youthful face with tall height and lean but muscular built, he also known for being the cook after Claire. He has a light cyan-gray short hair with some of his bangs framing side of his forehead, almost disheveled and covering his light green eyes--he also has porcelain complexion. Wearing a black formal shirt with the yellow tie and black pants with brown leather shoes, in addition of white lab coat as his profession to be a medical surgeon. "Dr. Mikhail Chamberlain, nice to meet. you."

"He's the head researcher and also the professor in the Headquarters, he has helped a lot of patients who are from distant lands."

Claire explained when he approached them with carefreeness, smiling with his hands held on his back. "Don't fret about his experiments, but stay away if you're a 'rare species' for him…"

Gabriel whispered, his face went pale when he said that, making Sonata stared at the doctor with comical horror on her eyes. His cool demeanor suddenly reverted into a grin and wearing his glasses that was shimmering, with a white reflection of lights she witnessed. "S-Stay away, mad doctor!" Sonata snarled, barricading herself which made Suona froze and yelled. "Don't you dare touch my serpent dragon tail!" she used her long dark purple dragon tail to block herself, making the other members of NPS surprised to see the scene.

Dr. Chamberlain calmly put his glasses on the inside of his coat pocket, making his dim green eyes showing up at the group. "Now that explains it, her wolf ears and tail are something interesting for a rare species like her, I wonder if you like to be part of my test subjects?" he asked, making the three of them shudder even Sonata with her wolf ears pinned back and her tail curled up in defense. "Oh don't worry, I won't hurt anyone. Also, your childhood friend has a beautiful oriental serpent dragon tail that is smooth and silky like a scales," he reassured them, adjusting his white gloves.

"I just need some blood samples for my research--"

Suona yelped loudly from his words, causing her to jump and hide behind Claire, Sonata and Gabriel. "You better not trying to do something on our friends, you got that?!" Gabriel snapped at him, which made Claire frown with concern. "It would be be bad," the doctor grinned, until he felt a clipboard smacked behind him--turns out it was Claire's father. "I heard that you were trying to take some blood samples from my apprentice, Doctor?" Alastair asked bluntly, surprising Dr. Chamberlain because of what Claire told him.

"Sorry about that, Master Alastair..."

Dr. Chamberlain clarified, shaking his head and laughed awkwardly by his sudden presence. The doctor cleared his throat, before he clarified. "For experimental purposes, Vice Postmaster-General. I was informed about Miss Nocturna's appearances; she is a foreign species, unlike any of us humans. Just like Miss Fermata's half-breed species, I wanted to get to know their biology."

Sonata growled with the irritated tone, her eyes now sharpen and looked intimidating at the same time. Her wolf ears pinned back, her fangs seen biting her lip as her canine tooth is visible to the doctor. Gabriel and Claire backed her up and Suona was used to this, she knows how to calm her childhood friend down. Not even Suona had to be restrained by both of them as well, due to listening of what the doctor stated.

"Easy there, Sonata, Suona,” Alastair reassured them, seeing them defensive towards the doctor. "Don't look at her like that again," he told Dr. Chamberlain, who instantly nodded his head and apologized to her and her friends. Sonata still intimidated by him, with a growl and snarled at him—she stayed beside Claire and Gabriel—she eventually calm down when Claire offered her some foods to eat for her and Gabriel offered the baked salmon for Suona to distract her.

"Apologies, Vice Postmaster-General.”

He apologized humbly, Alastair nodded while sighing in relief at the man's reaction. "Be careful about your actions from now on, Dr. Chamberlain. Remember to put yourself together," he reminded him, he know Dr. Chamberlain is OBSESSED WITH HALF-BREEDS AND LEGENDARY CREATURES. "Understood, Vice Postmaster-General. Once again, I apologize for my misbehavior as well to both of you."

Sonata was relieved that she was able to eat, eating a homemade cookies with ease that made her wolf ears perked up. "Hmm~ so delicious~!" she smiled happily while her wolf tail waving, making Cordelia squealed by the sight of her. "The Winter Wolf Mail-Hunter is so cute…" she said happily, observing her from the distance. Gilbert was shocked at her sudden reaction towards Sonata, that alone made him shake his head. "Cordelia, what the hell are you doing?" he asked in grimace, once she got carried away. "Aren't you suppose to take care of the performers?"

Cordelia blinked when she heard him, making her realized what she has done and went panicked all of the sudden. "O-Oh no! Now you mention it, please help me with grand rehearsals!" she stuttered, Gilbert sighed as he folded his arms. "Don't be silly, now could you help me with that decorations in return?" she huffed, folding her arms with facing away from the Head Mail-Hunter.

"Fine then, you asked for it."

Gabriel ate one for himself before drinking to easing up his thirst, so he can continue his duty with the festival for tonight and Suona also got her energy back from eating. "Come on, let's get back to work," Sonata and Claire nodded when they finished eating, heading back to the spot where they left to finish. Sonata's wolf ear twitched as she tilted one down, before lifting it up naturally by looking around on the rooftop.

"Hmm… nothing suspicious, it should be safe to assume it's fine for a festival to be running."

Sonata still carrying her Automotive Gear behind her back like the rest of the Emissaries, they were obligated to carry them no matter what situation they had and they are recognized everywhere for their weapons and the delivery service. "Is it true that the visitors came from Aria, Sonnet and Canon?" she asked one of the Emissaries, he nodded when he was decorating the edge of the rooftops while she helped. "That's true, they were anticipating for something new. We better make the festival very exciting and wonderful, that means we cannot mess it up in every next years."

Sonata nodded when she was sitting on the rooftop across him, keeping both balance and her movement so she won't fall. As she look around the view from above in here, her wolf ear twitched a little when she sensed something off from there. Her wolf tail flicked behind her body in curiosity, looking around to check whether there was anyone or not around them.

She felt like she's being watched and then felt very uncomfortable, until her instincts started to kick in--her heart started pounding rapidly and her muscles tensed up in anticipation of danger. Something is wrong… something isn't right. Sonata stood up in panic while her wolf ears flattened against her head and tail curled up to protect her spine; a growl escaped from her mouth.

"Who's there?!" she snapped, causing her surroundings to turn silent and tense--until she sensed a looming presence behind her--but it disappeared as if it vanished into thin air. Her heart skipped a beat, wondering what was that all about. What is it? Why is it happening? she asked herself internally when she saw an image of her past which made her stepped back--until she realized she was off the rooftop's edge--she fell with a loud yelp and she immediately landing smoothly on her feet to the ground. "What a relief..." Sonata sighed, standing up and brushing off the dusts from her knees. "I thought I'm going to die..."

"What was that?"

Sonata shrieked when she heard her mentor Alastair! Sonata was terrified to see his sharp gaze piercing through her soul, she can't move at all and froze stiff. "Are you alright!?" he demanded to know what happened, glaring at her with anger on his face. "Y-Yes, I'm alright! It was an accident!" she stammered out loud, her whole body shivered from his intimidating stare. "Why did you leave the roof?" he asked harshly, making Sonata gulped in fear.

"N-No reason sir! I promise I won't do that again!"

Alastair was confused, he thought that she fell by accident; how can she keep everything perfect? Until he felt the unnerving sensation of someone watching them... he went pale, is it for real? Is it the same one as before? This person... he is watching them... but who is it? He need to find out as soon as possible. "What happened? Why are you afraid?" he asked her.

Sonata gulped, before she explained what happened earlier to him-which made him knitted his eyebrows together and look up at the rooftop once more, trying to see if there is anyone else is hiding in the corner--there isn't. She's lucky he came to find her in time before someone would have noticed it. "How did he get here?" he whispered, his expression darkened with worry when he noticed it. "You need to get to work, don't worry about this incident okay? I'll handle it," he reassured her.

Sonata bowed her head lowly, making him patted her head once more before he turned and walk away without saying a word. Waiting for him to be out of sight, Sonata grumbled when her wolf ears pinned back. "At least I didn't fell on him... that would be terrible if I did, he will give me a push-up as punishment and I hate that so much," she imagined if she fell on her mentor, it would be terrifying. "Hmph," she snorted with amusement, tilting her head in slight interest while walking to her post.

"I hope today won't end like this."

The festival night finally arrived and the streets are packed with crowds from all ages; some families with their children went to enjoy their first festival night, while others brought along their dates to watch the fireworks and eat the food. It was an amazing experience for the citizens who never got to go through such event before, especially the young ones—as they were excited and full of joy for tonight’s celebration. The main square of the city is completely transformed into a stage that hosted a lot of performances, music, dancing, games, stalls and so much more!

Sonata was sitting on the balcony’s edge while watching the view of the town from National Postal Service’s Headquarters, it made her peaceful when she took a break with the others. As her wolf ears pinned back, her white wolf tail curled to the side. “It’s really crowded here today,” she mumbled while looking around on everyone enjoying their night.

As her wolf ear twitched, she sensed someone’s presence which she deemed intimidating—knowing who it was without turning around--because Alastair is behind her and she still afraid of him. “He must be somewhere else...” she whispered under her breath, making sure nobody hears her.

“Hm?” Sonata heard a gruff voice approaching from behind her, making her stand up with startled to see none other than Alastair himself. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he apologized humbly, walking closer. “How are you holding up?” he asked curiously, noticing that she’s fidgeting nervously. “Things have been pretty busy these days,” Sonata replied honestly, sighing in exhaustion—while her wolf ears pinched together in annoyance. “But... it’ll end soon.”

“I hope so,” he murmured, staring at the crowd outside. “Do you need anything?” he offered to help her with something—like taking a break or buying some snacks. Sonata was surprised to see her mentor like this, was he trying to be nice to her? It’s unusual for Vice Postmaster-General to be kind to anybody—he usually only cares about business and doesn’t care about people, even though he’s not that cold person like his daughter.

“Um.. thank you for asking but... I’m okay,” she declined politely.

Maybe Alastair didn’t want to offend her, this is the side of himself--not as a Vice Postmaster-General in duty. “Well, I just wanted to ask how you’re doing,” he said, nodding his head slightly. “If you ever need help with anything, feel free to talk to me.” He glanced at the clock tower near the plaza, knowing that it’s almost midnight.

Sonata gazed at him, his aura is completely different compared to when he was a Vice Postmaster-General—it looks like he wants to be friends with her—is it possible? Is it because he knows she’s not as strong as his daughter, Claire? Or maybe he sees potential in her? Whatever the case, it makes her happy that he’s considerate enough to give her a chance to prove herself worthy to be called his student. “Thank you, Master Alastair,” she thanked him, looking away with her wolf ears drooped down a little along her white wolf tail wagging a little.

Alastair stared at her for a moment, before looking at her wolf ears that was part of Sonata from birth as he tried to touch the wolf ears—it evaded his fingers instantly so does her wolf tail. He twitched his eyebrows in annoyed, but he didn’t say anything further—he just let it pass. Sonata was speechless after seeing him like that, unsure why he acted like this towards her—his aura is completely changed when he’s not on duty as Vice-Postmaster-General—it looks like Alastair was being himself; the real him... Claire was right, her father always like this when he’s not on duty. That explains everything.

‘Claire was right... the reason why he was strict and angry is because of his position as Vice Postmaster-General...’ Sonata was relieved that she’s not imagining things, there might actually be a good side of him aside from being a harsh Vice Postmaster-General. “Thanks for your concern, Sir,” she told him sincerely. Alastair stared at her, before he look away with a nod—his gaze was not sharp and cold like before—it was soft and warm.

Sonata still sensed the intimidating aura from him, probably because he was on duty—so he couldn’t relax around her like usual—but that doesn’t bother her too much since he has shown kindness to her. “I appreciate that.”

“Anytime,” Alastair said simply, he was trying to get a long with her but he didn’t realize it. But it’s fine—she’s glad he’s not treating her differently because she’s younger than him. “I should go now, I have my duties to attend to later.”

Sonata nodded, she wondered if he was actually not scary and intimidating--maybe his position and pressure as a Vice Postmaster-General did make him like this after all.

“Take care, Master Alastair.”