There was tinkering, people's chatter and all kinds of squeaking and crying sounds which were successful in breaking my peaceful sleep. I got up with a slight discontent of being awoken from my sound sleep as any other teenager.

"Ah, you are awake, young sir.", Barren exclaimed with his usual cheerfulness.

"Hmmmm……", I tried to greet him with a good morning but that was all I could say instead.

I looked around as I saw crowds of people, many of which were hard to determine if they were truly people or some random fowl. But I was still drowsy and hence didn't give it much thought. I made an effort to ask Barren about our current location but by the looks of it, I guessed we were in Celest already.

"Barren……….. where… are we?", either way, I asked,  just to be sure.

"Oh, my apologies. We arrived in Celest a few moments ago. I didn't bother to wake you up as it seemed like you were in a very deep sleep. We are now headed to my friend's place as I had mentioned earlier. We can freshen up there. I will inform you when we get there, so relax.", he replied while maintaining his focus on the narrow lane we were treading through. The lane wasn't narrow but was made so by the vendors stalled at both sides of the street.

He was calm as ever even though he didn't sleep for the whole night. Maybe this was not his first.

But now as my journey came to an end, I got tensed. I had no money on me and my clothes were pretty unusual (according to this realm). Barren did tell me that he would assist me in finding myself a decent job but then again, I don't think I had the necessary skill set to do that. I also felt more and more in debt to Barren. He seemed happy to help even he was a merchant. Guess merchants in this world are kind or maybe he is one of the kinder ones or maybe his race is known for its kindness or...

…or maybe I am just being naive.

After a few moments from my conversation with Barren, we stopped. I peeked outside to catch a glimpse of this friend he was talking about. I am sure his friend would be out there to greet him.

Well to my surprise, we didn't stop in front of his house but in front of an inn. When he meant of crashing at his friend's place, he meant in a room in his friend's inn. Maybe he is a fellow merchant just like Barren here.

"Come on in, Ray. No need for hesitation. Nobody will bother you when they know that you are with me. You see", he said with a big smile.

"Do you come here often?", I asked rhetorically with a tone of curiosity (which was totally uncalled for).

"Often? I was born here. Folks all around here know me. when I was young I was the little notorious rascal. Used to cause and get in trouble a lot. Well, those were some good old days.", he looked up as he nostalgically narrated his youth.

Now that I think about it, it was very foolish of him to help a stranger wandering in the middle of nowhere. I somehow doubt that it was a decision made in a whim. He doesn't look like a guy who would make lousy decisions. On top of that, he has a soul contract brand or whatever it's called. The way he explained it, even though he didn't know about it completely, it still didn't seem like something anyone could acquire it that easily. I wonder how he acquired it? what his true capabilities are?

WHAT IS HIS TRUE MOTIVE BEHIND HELPING ME?

As I was lost in my train of thought, I didn't notice that we had already reached the reception. I came back to my senses when the receptionist enquired about me.

"He is a son of one of my client. He is a bit lazy and not so good with people, a usual problem with single kids. His father sent him with me so that I can find him a decent job. He is a really good man and was really worried about him as he is his only son.", Barren looked at me and then winked while making sure that she didn't notice.

The receptionist was a lizardma……... I mean a Ragnorin just like Barren. I wonder if she is the friend he was talking about all this time. Anyway, I had to act appropriately to make sure Barren's backstory of myself doesn't seem like a hoax.

"Whatever, that old man was a pain in the ass. I am just happy to be away from him.", I replied like a brat I was described as.

Well, it was totally effortless. I mean, I was being my true self there. It was a piece of cake but I am pretty sure I pissed off the receptionist with my attitude. That was some quick thinking by Barren, whipping up a backstory which is so believable and somewhat true to my real backstory too, I guess. I was very grateful to Barren for not revealing the truth. Things could have got complicated if he had spoken the truth. For time being, everything went smoothly and I was glad for it.

This increased my curiosity about Barren even further. To possess such high-grade soft skills. He was no ordinary trader, that's a given. But I wasn't satisfied with the idea of him being just a trader who was very good at his work. Something about him felt odd, from the moment he picked me up and until he haggled with the receptionist about my origins, he kind of seemed to be in his element. Normally a few minutes of observation is enough to know what makes a person tick. But Barren was still an enigma and it made me restless. That is something that makes me tick.

"Home sweet home", a loud exclamation by Barren (as always).

We had already reached our room and to my surprise, it looked quite good. After what I had seen about inns in medieval ages, I was a bit hesitant about staying in one. But this looked very clean. There were clean drinking water, feather beds and a personal closet. Wait a minute…………. there is only one bed. Oh, there is a door in the corner of the room. Maybe it's kind of a storeroom, I will have to rest over there tonight.  I opened the door to check it out and voila, it was a small room with a big pot which somewhat resembled a toilet from my world. I started sweating profusely. I haven't slept with anyone else in the same room and let alone on the same bed. Well, I will have to manage on the floor if I am able to live through the chilly night.

"Ray, I am heading out for a bit. Make yourself at home. Here are some snacks to keep you company", he said half dressed, as he kept a big basket on the bed.

Food might be your best friend but it can't save me from boredom. That is what I wanted to say but he was too nice and being so considerate that I ate my own words for my own good.

"Oh yeah, I forgot, the servants will bring another feather bed so you don't need to worry about sleeping on the floor or with me", he laughed silly as I let out a sigh of relief.

I was looking out at the street from the window like a locked up princess in a tower and didn't notice Barren leave until I saw him on the street. He was quite famous as every alternate street vendor greeted him as he walked past them. I still wonder who he really is and what are is his real capabilities and limits.

After a while of my street viewing, I felt a bit drowsy. I lied on the soft feather bed. It was way more luxurious and comfortable than the one in my room back in Japan. Ooooooooo……. this feels so gooooood. I closed my eyes for a short nap (although I didn't do anything at all).

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

The next instant I open my eyes; I saw a cute face which was an inch away from my own. She had feline years bulging out just above the area where the human ears lie. If it were some anime this would be my most cliché moment where the protagonist would land an accidental kiss and the whole drama would follow where the girl would feel embarrassed and then throw a bunch of things back at the protagonist. But then again this was my miserable life and what followed wasn't remotely similar to what I just narrated.

Looking at the face that close no matter how cute creeps me out let alone to be awoken by someone else than my alarm clock (which unfortunately didn't exist in this realm). I rolled a bit back a bit, giving a startled look which turned into a grim look of a scared person as I realised I had reached the end of the bed and was soon going to land with my face kissing the floor. Which I did, eventually.

"I am sorry young master. I didn't mean to scare you", she apologised as she made haste in order to help me get up.

As I rose, I saw her cute face again, only this time I had more time to observe the tiny details. Her hair was pale gold and so was the fur growing on her ear. Her eyes were of a similar colour too. She was wearing a typical black and white long gown maid outfit. My heart started racing as I realised that; as she was helping me to get up and still asking me if I were all right, she held my arm tightly and very firmly to her bosom.

I couldn't think straight (I am a healthy, growing, teenage boy after all) and I didn't like it when I felt that I was losing my cool (It made me feel insecure). I had no choice to pull off my hand forcefully as it didn't seem as if she was going to leave it anytime soon.

"Oh……….I....I……I am…..I am sorry", she retracted her hand slowly with her eyes downcast and a sad look on her face. As if she was about to cry.

I didn't mean to be rude but it was my first time talking to a cute girl who was not Hinata. It was the fact that I never received any special treatment like that and hence I don't know what to do when I receive it. I sound pretty lame but that's how it is. I am a fighter, not a lover. I still felt guilty for my behaviour and I wanted to apologise. I made up my mind, took a deep breath and I started.

"Nnnn……o………..its……its……my…….", GOD, why the hell am I so low voiced and why on earth am I stammering.

I guess I already have the answer to that. She might cry anytime or at least I thought so and I must hurry and hence I tried again. But luck wasn't on my side as someone had already entered the room or maybe he was standing there all along. I couldn't tell as I was tangled in my own situation here.

"What the hell is wrong with you man. You don't have to be so rude to her. She was just trying to help. You have got some nerve…………………….", he didn't look happy about it.

The way he went on shouting at me and defending her, it seemed as though he admired her. It wasn't obvious but I have been around people enough to know that. They were of the same race, that was the only thing I was sure of. His fur was orange coloured.

"Its fine Lucas. It's my mistake, to begin with. I shouldn't have startled him like that", she retaliated, giving off a faint vibe that said ‘I am tired of being protected'.

"But I am tired of seeing people treat you disrespectfully because……………because…………because of your past", he looked at me with disgust as he stammered along his reply.

"It does not bother me and I don't need a bodyguard to speak on behalf of me. I can do fine on my own. Thank you. This will be the last time I am warning you", the weak faced damsel in distress situation turned into a feminist moment.

"But Layna, I was just trying to……………", Lucas tried to explain himself but it was all in vain.

"I said enough. We will pick this up later. I want this to be the last time that something like this will happen.", she spoke in a soft voice and then turned towards me with a big smile on her face.

"Sorry for the fuss, young master. We came to deliver this feather bed that master Barren had ordered. Is it okay if we lay it down here?", she asked in the most polite way possible.

"Ye….ye…. yes, of course.", I replied with a stammer.

Lucas had already left but he watched me with a look of disgust, that will grow by time. This is what they call ‘getting on the wrong foot'. Hope that doesn't come to bite me back. I wonder what he was talking about when he was talking about me treating her because of Layna's past. Yet another mystery, this is getting interesting day by day.

"Oh, Layna my dear. I see you have already met my guest here. So what do you think of Layna? Isn't she the cutest creature around.", he said, having no idea what just happened.

I gave a weird smile hoping to hint that I didn't want to continue that conversation.

"Ok, master Barren. I will leave you two be. And just a reminder that lunch will be served in an hour.", she is the cutest creature I have met so far, I agree with you Barren.

"Layna my dear, how many times have I told you to call me Uncle Barren or even Uncle would fine. Calling me Master Barren makes me so distant from you and a little sad too", he replied like a small puppy who is very sad and needs cuddling.

She smiled as she closed the door. I couldn't keep Barren in the dark and I also wanted to get it off my chest. So I came straight to the point. But Barren got the best of me as he took a seat on the bed beside me with a hand on my back.

"I know what happened and you needn't explain. I was outside when it began. I also know that it wasn't your fault.", he replied like an enlightened monk.

For a moment I felt relief. Barren was so understanding. He must be the nicest person on earth……..nicest……….WHAT THE HELL AM I SAYING?

Damn, this is not right at all. If he really was outside, then I would have got some feedback when Lucas left the room. Anyone would be creeped out to see a person lurk outside a room, even if it were his own. And if he just heard then how can be he so sure that I wasn't at fault. He is hiding something.

Wait a minute, is he spying on me? Him going to meet his friends was just an excuse to spy on me. Who in the right mind would leave a stranger in a room with his hard-earned earnings, alone?

It was this moment that I was certain that Barren had neither trusted me nor was a gullible fool I thought he was. He is just like me. Cannot give up a good mystery. He already knows that I am lying or I am hiding something at the least. 

Damn it, how could I let him fool me. I should be more careful around Barren. Now that I know his motive, it is easier to predict his moves.

I can't blame him either. He wants to protect the people he loves.

That is the reason he took me with him rather than letting me go on my own. He wanted to keep a close eye on me. It's like the saying that says ‘keep your friends close and enemies closer'. Barren is surely stronger than he lets out because he was damn sure that he would be able to eliminate me if I turned out to be a bad seed.

That is the reason the receptionist was so fast to accept my story because it came from Barren. That might also be the reason so as to why people trust him and love him so much in spite of being a merchant who is usually known for their cunningness.

I should look out for myself. I still haven't figured out how I wound up in that crater which is in the middle of nowhere.

I became unstable for a moment, walking back and forth in the room while Barren was going through his luggage and sorting things out. Well, I should say that he got me good there. I still haven't gained his trust, that's for sure. I wonder who he thinks I really am.

That is the point of the day where I got my second shock when I looked straight into the mirror.

I looked like a freak. The left half of my head had white hair and the right half had black. Although my face looked somewhat the same. What kind of a joke is this? What a freak I am? Is this a prank pulled by Barren? I was hesitant to ask. What if he took it the wrong way? I still made an effort.

"Hey Barren, when you found me….", I turned around with one of my hand on my head brushing my hair weirdly and continued "did I look exactly like this? I mean I remember my face but the hair doesn't seem right….", I was hesitant till the end and now I don't know what will be the reply as he gave me that blank look.

He suddenly burst out in laughter as he explained.

"Sorry, forgive my rudeness but you look exactly the same now as you were at the time I found you. Your hairstyle did seem a bit peculiar but seeing you were a human I have seen weirder hairstyles than those, among the people of your race. Not that I mean any disrespect.", he said in his humble manner.

This day has been a disaster. I should have dinner and call it a day or else my brain will explode soon. I can't handle so many surprises and plot twists in a row.

"So, shall we head down. We are running late already and if we are late anymore I am sure Lucia will be furious.", he said breaking into a chuckle.

"Lucia?", I asked.

"Yeah, she is the friend I was talking about, all the way to Celest. You met her this morning at the reception. I hope you remember.", he still had that smile.

Lucia aye, what kind of person will she turn out to be I wonder, knowing that I already pissed her off. Whatever the case I will have to keep my guard up all the time without letting out my secrets. I have already made two people hate me in a matter of moments. Barren is a demi-human (or whatever he is) who does not hate me for my race but I can't say the same for anyone else I have met so far. Except for Layna who didn't seem to mind me but I guess she has a history, with my race or not, I still can't say about her.

Burdened with these thoughts I headed down to dine with Barren as he showed me the way.