____ POV

It's a peaceful day, well, relatively peaceful nowadays. Within this massive community are almost all the people I've guided across America, all the way from Seattle since Day Zero, and everyone we've picked up along the way since we got here. This is the Bouquet, my home, and the safe-haven my family established before the shit went down. It's been a couple of years since the start of it all, and this humble place has become a bustling trade town. Of course, there's always more work, but today's my day off.

I've found myself on a semi-private rooftop in the middle of the bustling town, sitting in the shade of an AC unit as I catch up on some light reading.

I'm enjoying solitude before being interrupted by a familiar voice. "How'd I know I would find you here?" She says with a smile evident in her voice as she climbs the final few rungs to the rooftop and pulls herself over with a grunt.

I let out an exaggerated sigh of exasperation before glancing over at the intruder. It was a by now familiar young woman by the name of Skylar, her red eyes glinting from under the shade of her hoodie as she strolled over and sat down beside me. Though she flashed a mischievous smile, her gloved hands set down a satchel of books and snacks at our feet. "You know, for the mysterious and aloof son of the leader of the Bouquet group, you're rather boring on your off time." She teased mischievously as she offered me a strip of dried meat from a cloth pouch that she pulled from her bag. "I mean, look at that; what are you even reading? Machining for Dummies?" She asked, her lips pursed in an attempt to hold back a laugh as she poked my cheek with another strip of meat.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly and shrugged as I looked at the book cover and glanced back at her. "You never know when the skills and information may be useful. Besides, a day you don't learn is a day wasted." I quoted my mother to her, who was probably quoting someone else.

She couldn't help but smile as she leaned back against the AC unit, fiddling with her sleeves before slowly leaning into me as she pulled some manga from her bag. "So, how many of those 'skill' books are in your collection?" She asked knowingly, but I guess she wanted to hear the answer from me.

Rolling my eyes, I take a mental inventory before shrugging. "Well, I found a few more on my last trip, so this one probably makes number 45..."

She snickered softly as she flipped to a seemingly random page in her book, just shaking her head at the idea of that number. "All that useless information is just banging around your head; I'd eat my left shoe if you actually got the chance to put it to good use."

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Hah, at least it's more useful than those comics of yours." I retorted, gently elbowing her arm as I settled in with her weight against me.

Though that seemingly struck a nerve as she jutted a finger out at me, poking the tip of my nose. "Hey! It's called Manga, and there's a difference. Uncultured normies like you wouldn't get it." She exclaimed with faux haughtiness and huffed in mock exaggeration.

"Oh really, what is it, a timezone?" I joked in response, provoking a smile from her as we shared a quiet laugh and settled in to enjoy this peaceful moment.

She snorted softly and just flipped to the next page. "I'm not gonna even acknowledge that you absolutely pleb." She mused, shooting a glance over at me, to which I returned and offered a smile before we returned to our books.

Vitmori POV/Later in the Evening

'Are you sure about this?' I ask Zasutir as he gives me a simple nod.

"Yes, oh mighty Vitmori, I've spoken with the people of the Haven, and we've decided that you've done more than enough for us. Your generosity certainly touched the men and women of our community, but now that you've given us a roof over our heads, we'd like to do more for ourselves so that we don't burden you." He explained while sitting on both knees before my pedestal as he spoke.

I wasn't sure about this, but at the same time, it made perfect sense. That threat in the cave below my mountain should be my primary focus. I suppose this whole longhouse project has been a considerable sinkhole in my mana gain now that I think about it. The more I think about it, the more I can't help but give a metaphorical sigh in response. 'I see, well don't hesitate to ask for help. I don't mind all that much and will be happy to help if I can. After all, you asked me to protect you, so it's the least I can do.'

Zasutir smiled sagely as he lowered his head before getting to his clawed feet again. "Of course, Vitmori, and when we need your help, we shall ask."

'Alright, alright, I won't press the situation any further.' I relent. It makes sense in the end. As much as I could do to take care of these people, they are people in the end, and they'll want to be able to rely on themselves to be satisfied with themselves at the end of the day.

Zasutir chuckles softly. "Now then, I wish you a good day. I should be returning to the Haven." He excused himself before turning to leave as he ducked out of the entryway to my chamber.

Well then, now I guess I have some time on my hands… 'Oururu, hey buddy, are you feeling alright? You've been sitting still for an awfully long while. Oururu?' I called out to him, but to no response. Is he in that deep of thought?