Abigail just shrugged and said, “It’s your choice.”

They started walking to where the horses and Hexaquine where and the cat decided to join them. When they got closer Steffen started to explain, “Here are the more traditional mounts. The smaller horses are the non-mana beast versions.”

Thomas nodded and started walking closer when the cat bolted towards the beasts making them run. She started chasing them and quickly out running the normal horses. It didn’t take long for her to outpace the mana beast horses either and finally she passed the hexaquine. The group ran the boundary of the massive cave until the cat was sitting back in front of him with a somehow smug look on her feline face as the clear winner of the race. Before she promptly shoved her head into his chest for scratches, it had enough force behind it to almost knock him over.

Thomas started laughing and was joined by the other two laughing at the cats’ antics. Thomas obliged the cat and gave her scratches while saying “You’re so fast, aren’t you? You’re just the fastest aren’t you.” He got a resounding purr back in response.

She then stood up and circled around him and before he could react, she shoved herself between his legs. Making him land on her back and took off in a sprint. Thomas held on for all he was worth as the cat bolted while he was on her back. There wasn’t a lot for him to grab onto, clamping his thighs tightly and wrapping his arms around her neck was all he could do. Still the speed she was moving was faster than he had ever moved before. A crazed cackle burst from his lips as he watched the cavern blur past. It took him a second to notice that the wind wasn’t hitting him like it should. Instead of a strong wind it felt like a small breeze barely ruffling his hair. Like the wind was being moved out of their way.

She brought him to a sudden stop, sending him tumbling off of her back. Abigail’s face appeared over him, and he just said, “I’m fine, that was awesome!”

She laughed and said out loud, “You know they say a cat knows a cat person when they meet and you obviously like her too, so why are you dragging this out?” she turned to the cat and asked, “Would you like to come with us?” Thomas turned his head to see the large cat nodding then coming over and licked him across his face. Thomas stood up and looked to Steffen who had a reluctant look on his face. Abigail turned to look at him as well, and asked “So how much for this beautiful girl?”

Steffen sighed and said, “Please follow me, we will discuss it in an office.”

Following him he shot Abigail a confused look and she just shrugged. They were joined by the cat as they headed back to the lift. Steffen didn’t seem fazed when he realized she was coming along. The four of them headed back into the main building and went into one of the doors they passed. It opened up to a decently sized room where they all sat down. Including the cat who sat on the floor looking at Steffen.

Steffen hesitantly spoke saying “Before I say the price I should start by saying I never thought she would want to leave with someone and I’m glad she found someone she wants to leave with. She has always been a reclusive type. Anyways she is a Ventus Panther, or more commonly known as a wind panther. We believe she has a sub-aspect in lightening. She has done things that shows she can use lightening in minor ways, while her wind is clearly stronger in every way.”

Steffen continued by saying “We are selling her for one hundred gold.” he paused for a second before saying, “I always hated that wording I prefer to say, one hundred gold is her room and board costs she has incurred during her stay with us.” He held up a hand before either of them said anything and said “I would like it if you paid that, but I have a feeling that she is going to leave with you no matter what. As I have already explained it’s not like we will stop her if she does. So, I ask, can you pay what you think is fair.”

Thomas slumped back and stopped petting the cat, but she wasn’t going to let that happen. The cat didn’t appreciate the pets stopping so she plopping her head on his lap so he could continue. Thomas simply stated, “I can’t afford that.”

Abigail even looked hesitant and said Steffen “That is cheaper than I thought. Why? And why did you seem hesitant.”

Steffen explained “She hasn’t been here for long, and our expenses are low. She’s only around two and a half years old so she is still young. That’s why I am hesitant, she is still really young, and I just get worried when young ones venture out. When it comes to her total expense, they normally wouldn’t be that high but a year ago there was an incident with a wealthy merchant that lead to property damage that we covered. She was in the right to defend herself, but a public park was destroyed and as her guardians we paid for it. and a few brides to people who were affected that were caught up in it. Long story short she liked to go lay in a park, a merchant tried to drug and kidnap her, and she retaliated. The costs of the damages, is why I can be comfortable in saying one hundred gold is a fair price.”

Abigail nodded and turned to the down trotted Thomas and said “You’re allotment for a mount is seventy-five gold. Which normally covers a horse or cheaper mana beast. You will pay me back for the rest.” Thomas just looked at her dumbly and nodded. She smiled and said “Don’t worry it won’t take long to pay me back. Steffen, I will give you another five gold to get a proper harness made for her if you don’t already have one.”

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Steffen was smiling albeit somewhat sad and said, “That’s part of the deal so no extra compensation is required. I am just sad to see her go; she is a delight to be around.”

Abigail nodded and made the one hundred gold appear on the table. She asked, “Where’s the harness?”

“Follow me please.” Steffen and Abigail left as Thomas kept petting the large cat. She needed a name, quickly, he couldn’t keep calling her cat. Saying to the cat “We need to get you a name.”

She cracked open an eye and he said, “Later when the paperwork is done.”

The next few hours went by in a rush. After Abigail finished settling everything with Steffen. All he had to do was sign a non-magical contract saying he would be responsible for the mana beast and take proper care or legal action can be taken against him. Steffen made it clear that mistreatment of a companion beast has very severe consequences.

They left with their new companion in tow, the cat seeming excited at what awaits them.

The cat seemed just as relaxed walking through the busy streets as she did in the cave. They did garner quite a lot of attention walking with a mana beast. Steffen supplied them with a band that can be tied around her leg or neck to show she is under the supervision of someone. Apparently, it isn’t uncommon sight in larger cities like this one but Thomas hasn’t spent enough time in Balwyn to see any others. Still the sight of seeing a massive cat walking down the street turned heads.

When they made it back to the guild they walked back to the stables. They paid the staff member a few copper for a stall for the night. Before putting the cat away though they stood there petting the large cat. Abgail went and got Angel so they could meet each other. She sniffed the large horse and Abigail said, “This is Angel, she will be the other one traveling with us.” Angel and the cat stared at each other for a moment before they took off running around the large courtyard. Luckily the courtyard is actually big enough for them to enjoy.

Thomas stood watching the two mana beast play, he turned to look at Abigail as he said “You have done too much for me again. How much do I owe you now? I’m not stupid, I know you paid for some of my armor out of your own pocket. I may be a bit naïve when it comes to the world, but not with people. People don’t just spend that much on someone. So why are you doing so much for me?”

Abigail seemed caught off guard by the sudden questioning. She paused clearly trying to find the right words until she just sighed saying “Remember when I told you what we will be doing and what would happen if they succeeded in their plans?” Thomas nodded, he could tell she was being vague on purpose since they shouldn’t talk openly about it. The fact that there was a stable hand close to them made it clear why she was being vague but he still knew what she meant.

Seeing his nod, she continued almost embarrassed, “That drive, pure burning purpose I saw in you reminded me of myself when I started out. People helped me then and I am helping you now. I also think you have a misunderstanding something; twenty-five gold isn’t that much to me. Any extra I spent isn’t even noticeable. I get paid well for my job as a High Inquisitor, not even counting quests I complete or materials I bring in. You should check out how well A-ranked quests pay. Plus, I know you will pay me back either way so it’s not that big of a deal.”

Thomas just stared at her for a second before asking “Really that simple?”

She replied “Yup. Now what are we going to name this beautiful girl?”

Thomas just sighed, letting his shoulders slump and accepting her answer. Saying, “I will pay you back as soon as I can. It does bother me still; I don’t like feeling like a charity case. But you are right, a name is important. We should probably ask her opinion on it.”

They shared name ideas as they watched them play. After a while Angel and the cat came up to them, looking for pets and affection that they quickly received. Thomas said “We are trying to find a name for you, we both have one. If you don’t like either we can keep coming up with more.”

The cat sat back and nodded; Thomas continued “I came up with Mila.” She nodded and looked at Abigail, she said “I’m not good with the naming thing but came up with Viri.”

The cat nodded and looked like she was thinking. Thomas said, “If you don’t like either we can come up with more.”

She looked at him and shook her head before extending a paw at him and nodded. “You like Mila?”

She nodded again, Thomas smiled and said “Mila it is! It will be fun working with you!”

They played around for a while longer until it was starting to get dark out. They put the two in stables and Abigail gave Mila a large serving of meat she pulled from her ring. She explained that Steffen had given her a ton of the stuff for wholesale price. She couldn’t really turn down since it would cost them more to buy it anywhere else. Another debt he added to what he owed her.

Thomas once again sighed at the help he received and also again thought he needed to get a storage ring. At least a storage bag since a ring was way out of his price range. Carrying around food would make life so much easier now that he had another partner. This one was someone he was truly responsible for too.

They left and found a cheap room at a local inn that was close to the guild. It specialized in giving cheap rooms to adventures. After a fulfilling dinner they headed off to bed. Thomas laid down in the small room and the reality that he owed Abigail a massive sum of gold kept him awake. It was more than he had earned in the year of adventuring and the reality that it didn’t even faze Abigail to spend it. It really made him question what her back story was. Maybe his plan of waiting to see if she opened up was the wrong choice. Thomas would have to start asking probing questions, traveling was the best time for that he thought.

To distract himself and hopefully get some sleep eventually he decided to read the book she gave him. Pulling out Understanding the Nations of Athera he started where he left off last time.