Skarlet bolted up, she tumbled, hitting the ground. Ow! She thought as she pulled her knees beneath her. Looking around, she was in a room she didn't recognize, her memory was hazy as it came back. The dragon, the wine, oooh the wine, She held her head as a wave of pain assaulted her. And Cody, he came in at the end didn't he. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her as she realized the things she said to him. Suddenly she realized she wasn't alone.

"Are you ok miss Skarlet.." a young girl was standing in the doorway, she looked a bit like Maria but younger, probably a little sister.

"Yes I'm fine, you are?" She asked as she got to her feet, swaying slightly as she did.

"My name's Sarah. Thank you for saving my sissy." She said as she leaped forward and hugged Skarlet. Taken aback, she wasn't able to react and was forced to accept the hug.

"Umh, N-no problem." Skarlet replied, she was led by the hand out of the room and down the hall, she didn't know where the little girl was taking her. But it seemed fine, she could tell that she was in Maria's home so she wasn't in danger.

"Ah, looks like we have another member joining us. Hello Skarlet." A voice greeted her as they entered.

"H-hi?" Skarlet was now standing in a different bedroom. Pink and white were the main colors, and a table was set up in front of the bed, on it sat tea cups and a teapot. Clara and a man Skarlet didn't recognize were sitting there.

"We're having a tea party, join us please." Sarah pleaded, Skarlet sighed as she sat down. She was served tea, well, imaginary tea. Skarlet pretended to drink, as she sat with the girl who looked like a mini Maria.

"So, how was the dragon hunt?" Clara asked, there was a bit of anger in her voice, it went right over Sarah's head.

"U-umh, well, you see. It went. . ." Skarlet sighed looking down. "I thought I could kill it." She finally said, she felt the full force of guilt and embarrassment as she was forced to fully recognize that these people cared about her.

"Of course, well I'm glad you're ok. You'll have to apologize to Maria later." She spoke sternly, surprising Skarlet, the fox maid was younger then her by several years.

"Apologize?" Skarlet replied hesitantly, "I'll try." She looked at her tea cup, "Is Cody still here."

"Sir Cody is with Sissy in her Office." Sarah said as she poured more tea for everyone, She carried a stuffed rabbit and set it in Skarlet's lap. "Patches wants to sit in your lap." The little girl gave her a big smile that Skarlet couldn't say no to.

"Oh ok." Skarlet allowed the rabbit to be placed in her lap, I mean what else could she do faced with that smile.

"Have you met Joseph?" Clara brought her attention to the man sitting beside her, he was an older man wearing a butler's uniform, he held his hand out to her. Skarlet shook his hand, nodded before going back to her imaginary tea.

"No hands over the table, it's bad manners." Sarah exclaimed as she saw them, she had a childish parenting voice going on, it made Skarlet smile.

"Sorry about that, Sarrah." She apologized to the little girl, Sarah hmphed as she sat back down and began to drink her tea.

"So you're Skarlet, the rising star." Jospeh spoke up suddenly, Skarlet looked at him.

"You went from G rank to D rank in less than a month." Jospeh spoke with interest, "That's quite impressive."

"I took some chances and fought some dangerous creatures that's all." She explained glancing away, Skarlet stood up suddenly, She set the bunny in her seat.

"I have to use the restroom." She said before leaving, she stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind her. She let out a breath, sighing as she began walking towards Maria's office.

She pushed open the doors and stepped inside, Cody was talking to Maria.

"So she's gone, only left a note. You don't think we need to worry?" Cody asked, there was a concerned look on his face.

"It's not that just, I don't think there's a point to worrying when we wouldn't be able to stop her regardless of what she decided to do." Maria replied, frowning as well. "So I'm going to take advantage of the presents she left and advance my agenda." Suddenly Maria noticed Skarlet and turned to look at her.

"Hey, Skarlet." Maria spoke softly, there was a hint of hurt in that voice.

"Hey, sorry about, you know. . ." Skarlet began, she stopped as Maria stepped forward sharply and hugged her. She had time to react, but didn't have the heart to refuse her friend.

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"When I was told what you'd been doing, what happened, I realized that last night could have been the last time I heard from you." her voice was strained, and her eyes wet. "Don't you ever do something like that again." Skarlet nodded, frowning as she slowly wrapped her arms around the girl.

"Y-yeah, I won't." She reassured her, it felt like everything was trying to scold her. She felt a bit like a kid again who'd gone and been reckless, everyone worrying and lecturing. . . It was kinda nice.

"Tell us if you're gonna go do something like that, I'll go with you, back you up if it's more than you can handle."

"NO!" Skarlet exclaimed, backing up, "No, sorry, I can't do that." She turned away. "I'm gonna head home, I'll see you guys around." She pulled away from Maria and headed for the door.

"Why do you always do that?" Maria asked suddenly, there was a bit of desperation, in a blink she was in front of Skarlet, cutting off her escape.

"Do what?" Skarlet asked, pausing, though she knew the answer.

"Close up like that, get angry, get hurt, whenever someone tries to help or get close to you." Maria asked.

"I can't stand people who want to help." She said firmly as she pushed past Maria and let the door close behind her. Cody and Maria were left in silence

Skarlet headed down the stairs, towards the door, but she stopped as footsteps on the landing reached her ears

"You're leaving?" A voice called, Skarlet didn't look at Sarah, the girls face might change her mind.

"I am, and I won't be coming back." She opened the door and left, heading home, back to her Inn. Back to her safe place, away from people and away from the responsibility of worrying and caring.

Skarlet sat down on her bed, she set her sword down, leaned against the bedside table. She sighed as she lay there, I just want to sleep.

"Howdy Skarlet!" A voice called, Skarlet bolted up, sword in hand she pointed it at the man who gave it to her.

"Woah, calm down there kitten, Just a house call." He smiled, "By the way, call me Griax, I realized I never gave you a name. And I thought you should know it before you die."

"Die!?" She exclaimed, confusion swirled in her chest.

"The beast is coming and you're not strong enough to beat it." He told her, exaggerated sadness on his face. "I hoped you'd kill enough to gain the strength to face, the red dragon."

"Did you set those up for me?" She asked suddenly, suspicion in her voice.

"You could say that, I tracked the dragon here, set you on the path to face her. The wyvern was just luck, it fit right into your rank at the time." Griax leaned against her desk as he explained, he gazed at her with disappointment and pity.

"Maybe I should give that sword to Cody when you die, you've seriously disappointed me Skarlet." A cold chill ran through her as he said that, and she felt a weird need to prove herself to this man.

"I'm not dead yet." She spoke defiantly. He didn't respond, walking over to the window.

"It will be here tomorrow morning, Skarlet. Make your death a glorious one." Suddenly the curtains fluttered, covering him for a moment then he was gone. Skarlet felt the confidence drain as she fell onto the bed, Can't defeat it, not strong enough. Ha, guess I'll be a burden to people once more. Cody won't stand by, we'll end up fighting it together, I promise at the very least if you die I will die alongside you. She sighed, memories and regret plaguing her.

She forced herself to sit up, she began removing her clothes. She hung her sword and knife sheath on the desk chair, she slid out of her chest plate and cloak, tossing them on the floor. She also tossed her shirt and dropped her skirt before flopping back onto the bed, she pulled the covers over her, curling into a ball. She hugged her tail, squeezing her eyes shut. Emotions washed over her, shame, fear, regret, dread, loss, sadness. . . tears dripped from her eyes, no matter how she tried to keep them from falling they slipped through. She felt it flow forward, and she broke down. Sobbing and crying, she was unaware of the smile she put on Griax's face. She had no idea how much he loved her misery and self-isolation, the way she tortured herself brought him joy and entertainment.

"You're becoming a wonderful vessel child, I can't wait to see the beautiful black butterfly you become when that broken shell of a person finally breaks." He spoke only to himself as he watched her crack a little further, inching closer to shattering. Then that grin faded and a look of annoyance took over.

Knock knock

Silence followed, Skarlet ignored the knocks as she whimpered. Her feelings of desperation, the desire to be cared about and to be close with others. They clashed with her guilt and fear of being a danger and burden to those around her.

Knock knock

Go away, she thought restlessly, but didn't have the strength to say it.

Creak, the door opened softly and someone stepped inside. Tap tap tap quiet footsteps approached the bed. Skarlet felt someone sit on the mattress, and a hand caressed her hair. A weird feeling of warmth overcame her.

"A-aiko, what are you doing." Skarlet struggled to hide her emotions, she looked up at the young Lillian cat softly caressing her head.

"I was worried about my friend, I'm here because you need someone. Even if you won't ask. I'm here." Aiko spoke gently like an elder sister or mother. Skarlet sighed, she couldn't push her away.

"I'm sorry. I almost got you killed." Skarlet choked on her words, her eyes blurry with tears.

"I chose to fight beside you. You hold no blame for what happened, you're one of my friends." Aiko calmly explained, patiently like she was teaching a child.

"I-I've never heard you speak this much." Skarlet laughed lightly with a bit of self-deprication.

"Sometimes, I need to speak." Aiko spoke simply, but with that silence filled the air for a long while.

"Thank you." Skarlet suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hah, of course." She couldn't help but smile as Skarlet seemed to unconsciously lean into her hand. Eventually she fell asleep, honestly though. This room is a mess. Aiko thought as she carefully stood up and began cleaning. She picked up Skarlet's clothes and folded them before setting them on her chair. She sighed as she looked back at the sleeping girl. Still, why must you shoulder so much by yourself. What happened to you? She shook her head before approaching the bed and pulling the covers up and sliding the pillow under her head. Skarlet only whimpered in her sleep. Aiko sighed before turning and leaving, locking the door with a click behind her. Sweet dreams hopefully. She thought before disappearing down the hall.