[ Chapter 16.5 ] Cat Rescue

Gilden stares at Ana and the group leaves the adventurer’s guild. Looking at the paper about the job, he walks back to the board grabbing the paper.

[ Gilden ] ¨Ceres.¨ He walks over to the counter where Ceres was, ¨I would like to do this mission.¨

Ceres takes the paper analyzing it, looking back at Gilden with a slightly boggled expression.

[ Ceres ] ¨Hmm?¨ She puts the paper down on the counter, ¨You sure? I know you´re new but you are a yellow rank you know. Why are you starting with such a low job?¨

[ Gilden ] ¨I have my reasons… but I want to start small. Working my way up, building my reputation. Being ranked yellow doesn´t change that for me.¨

Ceres moves, taking out a stamp from the drawer.

[ Ceres ] ¨I can see why you feel that way. It is uncommon, as I´m sure others would go straight to higher jobs.¨ She stamps the paper, ¨Well, off you go then. Safe returns. Though I doubt anything would happen.¨

Ceres hands the paper to Gilden. He takes it looks at the paper, then turns over to Ragna.

[ Ragna ] He notices the glance from Gilden, ¨What is catching your eye? Spill the beans.¨ He crosses his arms.

[ Gilden ] ¨I have a question.¨ He pauses for a bit, ¨I´m surprised you don´t care that an elf here.¨

Ragna scratches his head thinking for a bit of time.

[ Ragna ] ¨Hmm?¨ He lowers his hand with a softer tone, ¨We know elves haven´t been here in Astrea for a while. And seeing one is kinda surreal. However, she is no different from us besides her age and ears. I don´t want to make a scene of an elf coming here.¨

[ Ceres ] She smiles nodding at Ragna, ¨That is true, I also feel that way. She is no different from us. So why is there a reason to make her seem special? Though an elf hasn´t been in this country for a long time, we still know they exist.¨

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨I see their point… but will everyone feel this way?¨ He says to

Ceres, ¨How long has it been since Ana arrived here?¨

[ Ceres ] Her expression wavers in diffidence, ¨How long… I believe… hmm… It is her second day as an adventurer. However… how long since she arrived… I have no information there.¨

[ Gilden ] He turns over to Ragna, ¨How about you? Do you know?¨

[ Ragna ] ¨I was the one who got her registered… Ana first came to me looking to exchange elven cash for human coins. But, she didn´t tell me when she arrived. Though I would assume it would be the same day.¨

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨So we don´t know the exact date huh…¨ He turns to Ceres and Ragna, ¨Anyway, that is all I have to say. I will be going now.¨

Gilden turns away towards the guild´s exit. Ceres waves at Gilden, her tone soft.

[ Ceres ] ¨Come back safely!¨

Gilden leaves the guild, walking in an unknown direction to him.

[ Gilden ] He ponders to himself, ¨An elf has arrived in the human country in such a long time and there isn´t anyone talking about it… this is weird.¨

Gilden takes out the mission paper and takes a good look.

[ Gilden ] ¨Huh… missing cat… black fur… yellow eyes… has a scar on its right eye… and the name is Kuro. Posted about… 2 days ago. It hasn´t been too long. The cat should still be here in Straya.¨

Gilden puts down the paper and looks at his surroundings. His face slowly becomes more bewildered. He stands between the waves of people walking.

[ Gilden ] ¨Where... am I…?¨ he looks around the area, ¨Is that…?¨

Gilden sees from afar a similar-looking shop. Looking run down and eerie mostly isolated. It was a similar sight.

[ Gilden ] “Oh… Oba. I wonder if she knows where the cat is.”

Gilden walks towards Oba’s shop and makes it to the entrance opening the door.

[ Oba ] “Irrashai.” She was tidying up clothes on display and then turned to Gilden. “Oh, back so early? What is your visit young one?”

[ Gilden ] “I came just to ask a question about a missing cat named Kuro. Have you heard anything about it?”

[ Oba ] “A cat…? Hmm…? I remember I saw a cat around at the borders of the city. I am unsure if it is the correct cat.”

[ Gilden ] ¨From what was said in the job, the cat should have a scar on its eye.¨

[ Oba] ¨A scar… I don´t recall seeing any scar on the cat. Why are you doing this job?¨

[ Gilden ] He takes out the job paper showing it to Oba, ¨I got registered as an Adventurer and this is the first job I chose.¨

Oba tilts her head slightly with an inquired look.

[ Oba ] ¨A cat saving job… what is your rank? This would be a low-ranked job.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨The rank I was given was Yellow.¨

Oba's demeanor seemed to be caught off guard by the words said.

[ Oba ] ¨Yellow??! Yellow ranks are rare. From what I know, I believe only about 80 yellow ranks exist globally. Counting all of the countries.¨

[ Gilden ] He puts his hand on his chin, talking in his mind, ¨If they are that rare… Ragna didn´t seem to make a big deal… I´ll ask later.¨ He put his hands down, ¨Anyways, I´ll ask around then. I´m sure someone will know.¨

Gilden turns back, grabbing the door to the exit.

[ Oba ] She slowly bows at Gilden, ¨Itterashai.¨

Gilden waved at Oba while leaving her store, and walked through the market nearby. As he does he turns to a vendor. The vendor has packaged meats for sale. The vendor looked young and had a kind of hairnet on. Under the hairnet, he had light red hair.

[ Gilden ] He walks towards the vendor, ¨Hello sir.¨

[ Male Vendor ] ¨Hello good sir! Would you like to take a look at our meats? We have all kinds for sale.¨

[ Gilden ] He shakes his head no slightly, waving his hand, ¨No, I am fine. But I came to ask a question.¨

[ Male Vendor ] ¨Oh, not buying anything. What´s the question?¨

Gilden takes how the job slip showing it to the vendor.

[ Gilden ] ¨I wanna ask, have you seen this cat anywhere? Black cat, has a scar, and named Kuro?¨

[ Male Vendor ] He analyzes the job, ¨Oh you´re an adventurer…¨ He thinks for a few seconds, ¨I don´t recall seeing any cat of that description, sorry sir.¨

Gilden rolls up the job slip and puts it away.

[ Gilden ] ¨It´s fine, I just need as much information as I can get. Thank you.¨

Gilden begins walking away.

[ Male Vendor ] He put his hand out, ¨Wait!¨

The man runs over to Gilden, and Gilden turns around to face him.

[ Gilden ] ¨What is it?¨

[ Male Vendor ] His tone slightly increases in volume, ¨What is your name sir?¨

[ Gilden ] ¨My name…?¨

[ Male Vendor ] ¨Yes!¨

[ Gilden ] ¨Why do you ask?¨

[ Male Vendor ] He lowers his tone slightly, ¨You remind me of an old friend… I knew a long time ago. Looks and all. My name is Reku Varala.¨

Gilden eyes widen and shake for a couple of seconds before returning to normal.

[ Gilden ] His voice was shaken slightly, ¨What… was his name… if you remember?¨

[ Reku ] His tone was resolved, ¨His name was… Eun Yuga.¨

[ Gilden ] He smiles with a low tone, ¨No… I am not Eun Yuga, my name is Gilden.¨

Reku's confidence and attitude looked to be disheartened.

[ Reku ] “Sorry sir, I guess I got the wrong person then.¨

[ Gilden ] He waves his hand, ¨No, it´s fine. I get it. Then, I´ll get going now, I have a job to do.¨

Reku extends his hand out once more.

[ Reku ] ¨Wait!¨ He heads back to his small market, ¨I want to get you something.¨ He returns shortly with a small bag, ¨This is for you.¨

Gilden takes the bag with an unsure look at Reku. Gilden opens the bag seeing it has kinds of raw meat in it.

[ Gilden ] ¨Why are you giving me this? I haven´t done anything to deserve this.¨

[ Reku ] He scratches his head smiling, ¨You´re saving a missing cat right? Maybe it will come in handy. And… for being an adventurer. I respect adventurers who help around, so it is just a small gift.¨

[ Gilden ] He smiles faintly, ¨I´ve done nothing to deserve this. But, I´ll take it with gratitude, Thank you Reku.¨

[ Reku ] ¨I gotta get back to work now. Would you mind eventually keeping in touch? I wanna learn more about you since you remind me a lot of Eun.¨

[ Gilden ] He nods at Reku, ¨Sure, I´ll get that in mind.¨

Reku nods, turns back, and heads back. Gilden looks as he returns to work, turning around and leaving.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨Gotta find this cat.¨

Gilden begins to go to other vendors in the area and reach another vendor.

[ Gilden ] He shows the paper to the vendor, ¨Have you seen this cat anywhere?¨

[ Vendor ] Shakes their head no, ¨Sorry, no I haven´t.¨

Gilden goes to another vendor to ask.

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[ Vendor 2 ] Shaking their head, ¨No, I haven´t.¨

He goes to another vendor.

[ Vendor 3 ] Crosses their arm, ¨No, sorry.¨

Gilden goes around asking all the vendors in the market area. After minutes pass,

Gilden sits down on a bench clearly exhausted.

[ Gilden ] ¨How… did… only one give me a hint.¨ He sighs deeply, ¨I´ll go ask around some more.¨

Gilden walks towards the cates of Straya. As he draws near, he hears some of the guards at the outpost talking.

[ Guard 3 ] ¨Hey have you heard?¨

[ Guard 4 ] ¨What?¨

[ Guard 3 ] ¨The rumor about an elf coming here to Straya.¨

[ Guard 4 ] ¨An elf came to Straya?!! I thought they only stayed in Kathin?¨

[ Guard 3 ] ¨I know, I thought elves were rumors!¨ He gestures a bit, ¨Hey! Apparently, the two stationed at the front saw what the elf looked like.¨

[ Guard 4 ] ¨Let´s go ask about them!¨

Gilden stays hidden, watching the two guards leave the outpost towards the gates.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨So the city does know about Ana… rumors are bound to spread… but what will this lead to I wonder.¨

Gilden follows the two as they walk to the front Gates. He stays near the city walls eavesdropping.

[ Guard 3 ] ¨Hey, Johun! Hull!¨

[ Guard 1 / aka Johun ] He turns to the sound, ¨What?!¨

[ Guard 2 / aka Hull ] He gestures, ¨Can´t you see we´re busy here!¨

[ Guard 4 ] ¨Sorry, we both just got some questions.¨

[ Johun ] ¨What?¨

[ Guard 3 ] His voice increases in excitement, ¨Is it true you two saw the elf that came here?¨

[ Guard 4 ] ¨What was it like seeing it? I heard they exist but they don´t leave their country much.¨

[ Hull ] He thinks for a bit, ¨We didn´t talk to her much… she looked like any one of us… but with longer ears.¨

[ Guard 3 ] ¨She!!! A woman elf!¨ He pokes Johun with his elbow, ¨Hey tell me… was she cute?¨

[ Johun ] He sighs, ¨Why is that the first thing you ask? I guess you can say she´s cute yes, but we didn´t talk to her much.¨

[ Guard 3 ] ¨Why not!? It was an elf, you don´t see those here often.¨

[ Hull ] ¨At the moment we didn´t talk much, we had nothing to say and just let her in.¨

Gilden hears their conversation from the side.

[ Gilden ] He thinks to himself, ¨Johun and Hull… those two are the ones who saw her and let me in…¨

Footsteps are heard from afar, as the four guards turn toward the direction.

[ Gilden ] He turns to the person thinking, ¨This guy is here now… What does he want?¨

The man walks to the four guards intervening in their conversation. He puts his hand on Johun´s shoulder, showing himself to them.

[ Emessio ] ¨What is this about seeing an elf?¨

All four of the guards' faces distort into a startled look.

[ Johun ] His tone was bewildered, ¨Emessio-! What… brings you here sir…?¨

[ Emessio ] Crosses his arms, ¨I heard your talk of the elf that came to this city. Would you care to tell me about this… elf?¨

[ Johun ] He straightens his posture, ¨Y- Yes Sir, the elf is a woman of blonde hair and recently left the city with two others.¨

[ Emessio ] ¨Who were the other two and where were they headed?¨

[ Johun ] ¨The elf was with two others, a girl, and a man. The girl had blue hair while the man had green. May I ask sir, why are you curious about this elf?¨

[ Emessio ] ¨I do not care for the elf girl much, I am only doing this for his majesty's order. I do not care for elves, they may not come to this country but that doesn´t mean they don´t exist.¨

[ Johun ] ¨The King´s wishes… then we´ll keep a look out for her.¨

Gilden listens intently from afar, taking in the words said.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨The King… rumors spread fast huh… what does the king want…? Doesn´t matter, I have to finish the job first.¨

Gilden sighs, closing his eyes, and begins walking. As he opens his eyes, he bumps into Emessio without knowing it.

[ Gilden ] Reels back a bit, ¨Oh, sorry sir. I was paying attention.¨

[ Emessio ] Gestures his hand, ¨No, it´s fine. I should´ve paid attention too.¨

Emessio looks at Gilden before his face slightly alters in a strange manner.

[ Emessio ] ¨Question? Have you seen or know anything about the elf that has come to this city?¨

[ Gilden ] Slightly shakes his head no, ¨N- no, unfortunately I have not.¨

Emessio keeps a glare at Gilden for what seems like seconds before backing off.

[ Emessio ] ¨Sorry to bother you then, I´ll take my leave.¨

[ Gilden ] As Emessio leaves, ¨Wait!¨ He takes out the job papers, ¨Have… you seen this cat?¨

Emessio turns around to look at the paper.

[ Emessio ] ¨A adventurer huh…¨ He points further into the city, ¨Near the walls separating the city. I remember seeing a cat there with a scar.¨

Gilden nods, putting away the papers.

[ Gilden ] ¨Thank you.¨

Emessio nods then walks away, leaving. Gilden also begins walking in the direction given.

[ Gilden ] In his head, ¨I should probably ask around more.¨

As he came close to the border between the city, he paused for a second thinking, and looking around.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨Where is that cat…?¨

As Gilden looks around he feels someone bump into his back. The squeak of a woman was heard.

[ ??? ] ¨Eyah!¨ She stumbles back a bit, ¨Sorry, I wasn´t paying attention sir.¨

[ Gilden ] He turns around gesturing, ¨No, it´s fine.¨

Gilden sees the woman holding bags of groceries. The woman's head was slightly bruised from the impact. The woman is Nora.

[ Nora ] ¨I´ll take my leave then-¨ She looks better at Gilden, ¨Wait… weren´t you with Ana earlier today? I remember shopping and seeing you with Ana and Hearts earlier today.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨I was with them earlier yes, who are you? And how do you know Ana and Hearts?¨

[ Nora ] She smiles, ¨My name is Nora, I know Ana because she and Hearts rescued me from goblins up in the mountain. I also work at the inn downtown. Who are you?¨ She tilts her head.

[ Gilden ] ¨Oh, I am Gilden. I am a friend of Hearts and Ana.¨

[ Nora ] ¨You´re a friend of them… Are you also an adventurer?¨

[ Gilden ] He nods, ¨Yes, I just got registered today. I´m currently doing a job right now.¨

[ Nora ] ¨What´s the mission?¨

[ Gilden ] He brings out the job papers, ¨Finding a missing cat. Have you seen it?¨

Nora looks at the paper, looking at it quickly. Before a quick jolt in her face appears.

[ Nora ] Her pitch rises as her tone increases in hurry, ¨Oh that cat! I saw it around these streets yesterday.¨

[ Gilden ] He gained a relieved face, ¨Oh finally, do you remember where it went?¨

[ Nora ] She nods no, ¨No, but I remember it was scraping for food, maybe you can lure it with food. Come, I´ll make it for you!¨

Nora seems rushed as she turns away, Gilden reaches his hand out calling for her.

[ Gilden ] ¨I have some meat you can use!¨

Nora turns around seeing him holding up the bag. She walks back quickly to Gilden.

[ Nora ] She takes the bag, ¨Give me some time, I´ll make a meal for that cat!¨

Nora darts away with the bag, leaving an air dust, and towards the direction of downtown. Within seconds she was gone, this left Gilden slightly agape.

[ Gilden ] He says to himself, ¨Guess… I´ll look around for the cat.¨

Gilden walks around the block of the border, examining the area.

[ Gilden ] ¨I wonder where it is at?¨ He turns and looks around.

Gilden sighed looking down, and then a sound of something light landing was heard. Gilden looks back up and sees a cat in the middle of the pavement near him. Gilden eyes lock in as he examines the cat.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨Black fur… yellow eyes.. and a scar… that´s it. How do I deal with cats…?¨

Gilden kneels on one leg, bringing one of his hands out to the cat.

[ Gilden ] In a softer voice, ¨H- here kitty… I won´t hurt you. I want to return you home Kuro.¨

The cat begins slowly walking toward Gilden, being cautious. Gilden notices the movement of the cat.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨Oh, easier than I thought.¨ He reaches his hand a bit more, ¨Come her Kuro. Let´s get you back hom-.¨

[ Kuro ] ¨Nyah!!!¨

Kuro jumped up and sliced Gilden´s face with its claws, landing and running away. Gilden was there kneeling with his hand out, 3 lines of scratches on his face. He stands there still for several seconds with nothing but a blank smile. A bulge of anger appears on his head and a face full of fierce. Black and Silver wind come forming around his open hand.

[ Gilden ] His voice was sonorous, ¨I´m gonna kill that cat!¨ He clenches his fist destroying the wind he made, fixing his tone, and taking a deep breath. ¨It´s okay… It´s okay… it´s for the job… no need to get angry… it´s just a cat… calm down…¨

Gilden gets up, taking a breath.

[ Gilden ] ¨Now, where that cat head off too?¨

Gilden heard a voice behind him, but it wasn´t the voice of Nora, but yet another.

[ Mysterious Woman ] ¨Hey~¨

Gilden stops, as he was moving forward. His eye shakes a bit in shock.

[ Gilden ] In his mind, ¨This voice…¨ He turns around, ¨What is it?¨

Aa Gilden turned he saw a woman with short green hair, yellow eyes, and was medium skin tone. Her attire was a brown coat, black shirt, dark green jean-like pants, and black gloves with black boots. She also had an earring of what looked like the Silver Fiend. She crosses her arms behind her arm leaning forward with a seductive tone to her voice.

[ Mysterious Woman ] ¨To think~ You are here in Straya~ What brings you here~ Eun Yuga~? Or also known as… the Silver Fien-.¨

[ Gilden ] Interrupts her, ¨Don´t!!! Don´t… call me that here. Nor Eun Yuga. I am Gilden now.¨

[ Mysterious Woman ] She leans back smirking, ¨I´ve been watching you Eun.¨

Gilden steps in front of her, his face and tone threatening.

[ Gilden ] ¨Don´t call me that anymore. You should know that by now.¨

[ Mysterious Woman ] Keeps the same smile, ¨What´s wrong~? Eun was the name we always knew~. Why does Reku get to say it, but I don´t~?¨

[ Gilden ] ¨You know why… and he doesn´t know the current me anyways.¨

[ Mysterious Woman ] She begins walking around Gilden gesturing her hands, ¨I´ve been watching you, being with those two girls, registering to be an adventurer, and now you´re looking for a cat. One of the girls is an elf huh... Truth be told here I thought elves were rumors, but I guess we didn´t learn about them in class for a reason.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨How is this important?¨

[ Mysterious Woman ] Looks at Gilden, ¨What made you turn a leaf? I know you´re trying to rebuild your name.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨That elf girl… reminded me of someone.¨

[ Mysterious Woman ] ¨Oh… that person… that´s why? You know, what makes her different from me? Why can´t I help you? You know I am always down to help you~.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨This isn´t something you should get involved with, I don´t want you tangled in my problems. Especially not after what you´ve seen.¨

[ Mysterious Woman ] ¨Ahh~ that´s sweet. But you know I won´t stop. No matter where you go, I´ll keep following you~. Until you give in, or do I have to prove myself~?¨

She begins walking closer to Gilden, trailing her fingers on his chin.

[ Mysterious Woman ] ¨Cause you know~, no matter what they say about you or what you do~.¨

The woman leans close to Gilden´s ear. Gilden was able to feel her scent and breath brushing against him.

[ Mysterious Woman ] In on soft and alluring voice, ¨My love for you still stays~, but yet you don´t allow me to be with you? I just want to be by your side you know~?¨

Gilden slightly moves her away from him, making a slight distance.

[ Gilden ] His tone was remorseful, ¨And that is the reason you shouldn´t. You shouldn´t be with a Fiend… Narn.¨

[ Narn ] ¨You´re still on about that… even after all these years?¨ She sighs, ¨What will it take until that´s gone… But it isn´t so bad. You being here now is already an improvement and more of a reason why I won´t stop until you give in~. Got it Gilden.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨Is that all you came to say? The usual whenever you find me.¨

[ Narn ] ¨Of course, but now… I don´t think I´ll leave your side now that you´re trying again, even if you don´t want to. But not now… I have things to attend to… but the next time I find you Gilden~, expect me to stay.¨

[ Gilden ] He sighs, ¨Well… I can´t stop you… even if I don´t want you to. Do as you wish.¨

Narn's face turns in confusion and her mind bogged.

[ Narn ] ¨Huh…? What´s with the change in heart?¨ She smiles smugly, leaning at

Gilden, ¨Then expect company the next time we meet~. You can´t back out now.¨

Narn turns around quickly, turning back to Gilden.

[ Narn ] ¨Then I´ll be taking my leave~. Don´t miss me~. Jaa ne~!¨

Gilden watches as Narn begins walking away.

[ Gilden ] ¨When have I ever missed you, I feel you´re rather a nuisance.¨

Narn turns back around, and the distance between them is prominent.

[ Narn ] ¨Last thing before I go, remember Gilden. I´m always here to help. Same with Reku. After all, we´re your old friends from Fod. You shouldn´t distance yourself from us.¨

[ Gilden ] He pauses for a bit, ¨I´ll think about it…¨

[ Narn ] ¨And also… the cat is in that direction.¨ She points towards the direction the cat ran off, ¨Keep going over there and you´ll see the cat.¨

Gilden looks in that direction, turning back.

[ Narn ] ¨And one more thing! Stop being around other girls too much, it makes me a bit jealous.¨ She turns away waving, ¨Bye~, bye~!¨

Narn walks away, leaving Gilden. Gilden turns around walking toward the direction of the Cat ran off.

[ Gilden ] ¨She´s so… mysterious…¨

Gilden looked around as he saw an alleyway where Kuro was lying down. Gilden slowly walked to Kuro before hearing Nora from behind him.

[ Nora ] Running towards Gilden, ¨Gilden! I got the food!¨ She reaches Gilden holding a cat bowl of meats and vegetables, ¨I got the food for the cat! Now where is the cat?¨

[ Gilden ] He points in the alleyway, ¨Kuro is there.¨

[ Nora ] She stops in her tracks, ¨Wait? Did you say Kuro?¨

[ Gilden ] Nods slowly, ¨Y- yes…¨

[ Nora ] ¨Kuro… that is the cat of a friend of mine. Here let me try.¨

Nora puts down the tray of food, kneeling to Kuro.

[ Nora ] Her voice was very energetic and friendly,¨Kuro! Come here! It´s me Nora. Do you wanna return home?¨

Kuro turns its head hearing Nora´s voice, standing up and running towards Nora.

[ Kuro ] ¨Meow!¨

Kuro jumps into Nora´s arms. Nora catches Kuro and holds Kuro, cuddling him.

[ Nora ] ¨Aww~ Kuro, your mother is missing you. Why did you leave?¨

Kuro purrs as it is in Nora´s arms. Gilden watches the scene with a derpy face.

[ Gilden ] In a low tone, ¨I think he has favorites…¨ He reaches his hand out to pet Kuro, ¨Hey Kuro-¨

Slap

[ Gilden ] He looked at his hand seeing Kuro slap his hand away, ¨Ahh…¨ He softly touched his hand pulling it away, and in a soft and sad tone ¨I think he hates me…¨

Nora laughs at the sight.

[ Nora ] ¨Hahaha… Kuro just isn´t used to it. Now, let´s get Kuro back home.¨

[ Gilden ] ¨Can you come with me to the guild, I need to show them Kuro.¨

[ Nora ] She smiles, ¨Sure!¨

Gilden and Nora both walk together through the streets of Straya making their way towards the guild. After what seemed like minutes of walking, they reached the guild.

Gilden opened the door, walking to Ceres with Nora.

[ Ceres ] Bows to Gilded, ¨Welcome back, I assume you found the cat?¨

[ Gilden ] Points at Nora, ¨Yes, I did. With some help. Nora here helped me.¨

Gilden gives Ceres the job papers. Ceres takes the paper, putting it to the side.

[ Ceres ] ¨Let me get you your payment.¨

Ceres leaves into the back, coming back within seconds with a tray.

[ Ceres ] She places the tray down, ¨Here is your payment Gilden. We appreciate your work for the guild.¨ She bows to Gilden.

The tray had 8 bronze coins on the tray. Gilden takes the money turning back to leave. Both Nora and Gilden leave the guild, seeing the sun is now setting down into darkness.

[ Gilden ] ¨Thanks for the help, Nora.¨

[ Nora ] She smiles, ¨No problem, I´m going to return Kuro home now.¨ She walks away waving at Gilden, ¨Bye!¨

Nora walked in a different direction from Gilden leaving him alone. As Gilden walks around aimlessly, he hears a tiny squeak. As he goes to investigate the noise he sees a tiny baby cat in a box alone.

[ Gilden ] ¨A cat… by itself? Who would leave it here?¨ He picks up the box, ¨I can´t take care of you…¨ He ponders for a moment, ¨I know who can take care of you.¨

Gilden begins walking,carrying the box with him.

Click

The door of the store opened.

[ Oba ] ¨Irrashai.¨ She turns to see the customer.

Gilden stands there holding the cat out of its box showing it to Oba.

[ Oba ] ¨A Neko…?¨

( Author´s Note: Oba adopted the cat. )

( Gilden didn´t have a place to sleep so he now stays at Oba´s shop to sleep. )

( Narn still spied on Gilden. )