As I watched my sister move away down the street, I made my way back to the Main Street…well, maybe not the most direct way to the Main Street, but certainly in that general direction.

I popped out between a butcher and an adventuring market stands. The two people behind the stands were in a hushed conversation as I shimmied my way past. The butcher didn’t give me a second glance. The adventuring clerk…owner…salesman…gave a scan from head to toe and determined that I have no money and as such…no money to be made.

Take a quick glance towards the gate, I didn’t see anything that look like a clothier. As I turned around I found myself getting pushed back into the adventuring stand by my favorite big cat. Her paws landed on each shoulder and her nose was working its way up and down my upper torso.

“Easy girl, where’s your bonded? I don’t think you are suppose to be running around the village unattended.” Sure enough a quick yell from the down the street caught my ear. As I maneuvered my head past the large cat, I could see her bonded running down the street.

“Mister Ava…uh…Influencer, what happened? I could feel the earth domain getting locked down. Did something happen? Are you alright?” Her questions were a flood…and everybody on the street was caught up in it. I could hear the whispers and questions. Why was she looking for him? Why did she think he had something to do with it? Why didn’t she just ask her parents?

The last question had me wondering who her parents were, but I was a little occupied by the cat. Her weight had finally tripped me up so I was sitting on the ground. As her bonded approached, the cat turned around and sat squarely on my chest.

The various onlookers went from being curious about her comments to laughter at the man trapped underneath the huge cat.

“Simon, get off of him…you know better.” As the tea house girl approaches, she grabs the thick skin on the back of “Simon’s” neck and begins a tug of war with this 1000kg beast…good thing being an Avatar strengthens up the bones a bit. Isn’t Simon a girl’s name. Did they not check before naming her?

As the two wild cats continue their tug-of-war, I slowly depress the soil around me and slide out from underneath the monstrous cat…which was not the right move…apparently. The cat…Simon…no longer sensing me below it, turns and pins me to the street by me shoulders again. In the process, tea house girl is thrown across the street.

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The bystanders have gone from concern to laughter as our comedy routine seems to be hitting a climax.

“Simon, you get over here right now, or no hunting for a month!” Well, that seems to have done it. Simon’s head snaps to look at the tea house girl and chuffs. After years of living with a large bear, I can understand that chuff. “You have to be kidding me.”

The large cat slinks back to their bonded, and I began the lengthy process of getting more sand and dirt out of my already worn out clothing.

“I am extremely sorry, she is usually not like this. I mean, she can kinda be with my parents, but usually that’s just her wanting some scratches. She never tackles good people…well, assuming you are good. I guess you could be a rogue Strong, hell bent on taking over the world. You are not right? I would hate to have to kill you.” The last bit was said with…well, with simple coldness…like killing assholes is an everyday occurrence.

“Ah, please don’t, and no, I am not a rogue Strong…just an Influencer.” I think the crowd has realized that the entertainment has finished for the hour, and begins to return to their routine for the day.

“Yes…Influencer.” She emphasizes my strength comedically. How does this girl know my strength. I am very good at controlling my effect on the surrounding essences. I wonder if it’s the cat. Dual attunements is a rare thing…probably makes it sensitive enough to feel my presence in both earth and shadow. I will have to ask my guardian, he might understand.

“Ah, yes, thank you for keeping the kitten from grinding me into the earth. I should probably get moving before she decides hunting is not as good as sitting on me.” Standing up, I continue brushing off the dust and begin to move towards the nearest clothing stall.

“Oh, no problem. You did run out earlier and I wanted to apologize if I made you uncomfortable…but your essence presence is amazing. It’s like warm cookies straight from the oven.” Her and the cat take a slinking step forward. I don’t know what is up with these two. I feel like a rabbit getting toyed with.

“Ah, ok, well…I need to get some clothes for my new job tomorrow…so, ah, I don’t want to take up anymore of your time.” Hopefully, this will create the separation I need…and it doesn’t”

“Clothes. Great, Simon and I were looking for some new hunting gear anyway. We got carried away with a Strong Boar and got a little torn up. They are just so fun to hunt though…we were running 10 or 20km just playing tag. Ok, enough of that. Let’s go this way, there is a place I sell all my leathers to. They should have some decent gear for an “Influencer”.” With that, she grabs my arm and begins to drag me down the street.

—————————————————————————————————

“Did you feel that?”

“Yep. You think our daughter is causing problems? It wouldn’t explain the lock down…wait…you don’t think?”

“Yes, we should hurry up. I know she can take care of herself…especially with Simon…but if its the Avatar, she will be out matched”