Teva watched them in the distance near the garden. They seemed so happy that she wasn’t sure how to get close. She had fun the last few times, and he never pushed her away, but it still felt like a wedge was keeping them apart…
Maybe it was the church and her lack of freedom she decided she would quit and work somewhere else maybe the tavern he had to eat so he would go there and she wouldn’t be seen in a drabby grey robe…
She thought she heard them saying something about a brother and she watched Coby leaving Wolf looked around still with a smile he was young though around her age dressed nicely but in simple clothes much better than her grey robe…
Now that she stopped and watched him, he had black hair and slightly pale skin despite the sun; his friend Coby had more tan skin in comparison.
She also liked his eyes they were a rare geen she loved staring at them reminded her of the grass plains and wondering free…
“It's not like you to just watch niece, why not go to your friend? “ Her tale puffed out, and a chill went down her spine…
The only one more sneaky than her was her aunt… she said nothing, though she knew her aunt knew she spooked her. “ He is charming; I thought you wanted friends, yet you’re letting him go? She couldn’t stay quiet under the constant badgering…..“He already has friends.” She was been defiant, but she didn’t care; her aunt put her hand on her head, petting her gently, speaking once more.
“He can’t have more? Did he tell you that?” She gently moved away from the touch but still kept hidden even as she watched him go…
“No…”
“Then follow him…” she scoffed at her aunt’s words.
“It’s not that easy, “her aunt giggled at that, since when did that ever stop you?” That did inspire her, since when was she afraid to have friends? But she still could not move, it wasn’t the friends she made, it was losing them… her aunt pushed her out into the hall, and she panicked. If he wasn’t already halfway gone, he would have seen her! “If you do nothing, all you have is me and the grey robe…” THAT… did light a fire and spark her to be like No, no, no!
She did not look back, she did not hesitate, she stalked her goal she would win this battle and keep her friend… she was off down the hall chasing Wolf from the side and shadows stalking him all the way… her aunt laughed, watching her go she was happy for her niece growing up she was so bold and brave. Till it came to something she wanted, then she let it go for fear of losing it. She would rather not have it at all… a childish view, but it was one she adored all the same.
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He moved slowly, but with purpose, she wasn’t sure where he was going she hated she still had the grey robe on she felt like a beggar or some person who could never leave the church even though she had left plenty of times….
The chase did not last long, it ended up at the general shop where he went inside. She remembered him saying he worked there and his family owned it…
The robe had a hood she usually kept down, but now raised it to sneak inside and was shocked at what she saw…
She went inside, there was not much business. She watched him from hiding, listening where she could
“Is it needed?” he complained.”I already know how to cook from mom, how to work at the shop, and how to identify herbs and berries. Plus, you had me go to church.”
And I know about magic and the gods, what more do I need?” Dad smirked, “Son, you need this knowledge.”
“You know how to read a few signs and very basic math, their much more to life… he stopped speaking while smiling, causing him to worry about what he would say next.
“Besides the tutor I got is someone who is already a friend of the family he still looked at his dad confused, and he sighed trying to make the hint more clear, “They have been helping with the shop…”
“ They have been here for a while… come on, son…”
He was sure it was one of the foxkin. Nina was the first one that came to mind, but she was way too carefree, so that left…” Nebo?” As if summoned by his voice, he came from the back holding a box. he saw Wolf near his dad and nodded.
“I take it you told him?” he looked on impassively
“Yea, he’s a little slow, but he will learn, “ he grinds with mirth
“Hey!” he wasn’t happy to be openly mocked. His sister came out sooner after with Nina upon hearing them talk.
“Relax, brother, the lesson tends to be easy,” she smiled at him, reassuring Nebo nodded at that.
“I’m self-taught but can impart knowledge very well despite my sister’s looks I even taught her the basics when she wasn’t goofing off. Nina was surprised to be attacked for just being there.
“Hey!” he ignored her, focusing on a new task, leaving her to fume, ears going flat, annoyed, but she subtly stopped and perked up once more, ears alert when she saw the person in a grey robe hiding nearby the swaying of a white tail catching her eye…
Though the person wasn’t aware they had been spotted having the hood over their head, but listening intently from what she could see…
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Teva was amazed he had such a large shop with many random items she remembered her mom talking about trades but never cared much it was hard to see with the hood.
But she was trying to remain low profile, so she slowly looked around with small head tilts to see. She heard something about a tutor and voices she remembered from long ago, but as she was trying to place them, a female voice spoke nearby.
“Do you need help?”
“ Or are you ok? “
“you’re a grey robe, does the church need something specific?” She panicked turning to face the voice, making her hood fall she saw a puzzled, concerned face watching her with gentle patience she heard. A gasp in the distance made her look…. she knew that person! It was nina… her old friend. Why was she here? And working at Wolf’s shop???
She was overwhelmed she came here to find her friend, not her past… she was not sure what to do or how to address this it was too much in a short time the girl saw her panic and and tried to ease her mind.
“Would you like a drink? We have tea or fruit juices.”
“HEY TEVA “ Wolf ran up and hugged her, she was still too stunned to move. both his sister and Nina spoke at the same time, “You know her ?!”
“YEA, she is my friend from church.” he was surprised and happy to see her and out of the church! She found her voice spoke meekly.
“Hey,” nina frowned conflicted about how to feel nebo did not care his dad smiled and nodded and his sister was happy her brother made new friends and welcomed her first.
“This is our family shop, if you’re a friend of my brother you are a friend to me, nice to meet you I’m Leena.
“Um… I’m Teva. “She felt lame introducing herself and out of place, but Wolf beside her just beamed pride that she was there.
It eased her fears knowing he was happy, but looking at Nina from the past soured it a bit. They did not end on the best note. Wolf looked confused and looked at what made her frown, unsure, he asked.
“You know Nina?”
“She… an old friend… we grew up together before I moved “She wasn’t sure how to address that feeling but Wolf surprised her but saying odd things…
“That’s great! We should all hang out together and maybe get something to eat!”
“ The tavern has really good food.”
“Or maybe explore if Dad lets us. “ he looked to see what his dad would say he just shrugged before speaking.
“We’re not busy. “
“and I don’t see why not it’s why I hired more help to give you guys more freedom” Nebo spoke up first.
“Assuming I was included,”
“ I prefer to focus on his schooling or working here.”
“ I’m not one for just casual social.”
“ But enjoy yourself, she was my sister’s friend if I remember right.”
He looked at her but was mostly indifferent as he went to the back, Dad following to do something himself, not too interested in their affairs.
She was here to see him and she did want to stay friends she was looking down at her drab robe wishing she had changed first but got over it she had pride and wouldn’t be meek now.
“I would like that, it could be fun, “ she smiled, putting on an air of confidence she did not feel nina still looked soured.
She knew it was from their unresolved past, but then why was she here? Was she looking for her? She was supposed to be an elder… Leena spoke up, breaking her thoughts.
“It has been a while since we went out for fun. “
“I’ll go to them, brother, and Nina?” She looked in the distance to see if she was going too. Her ears went down, up, then down before she did a weird little twirl and said “Ok include me…” Teva wasn’t sure how to take that, but she did want to spend time with Wolf.
So if that meant facing her past, so be it. She did not hate Nina, they were… well, are… friends.
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The talk remained casual on the trip there, but both Wolf and Leena could cut the tension with a knife.
It was obvious there was a past, and they were not part of it per se, but by proxy. Teva hated the tension, so she decided to just let it out and sort it from there. Nina was a friend in the past at my tribe. “
“But when I moved, she was supposed to stay there.”
“That’s why I was trying to make a new friend…”
“ like you wolf.” She was a bit embarrassed saying the last part but it was true Wolf looked at her unsure what to say and nina spoke up first annoyed herself.
“She left with barely a word,”
“ I never really had a choice at first… “
“But when I did…”
“ I found a home here, “
“and by chance, Wolf’s family offered us a home…” She was surprised to hear that; she wasn’t sure where she was staying, but with Wolf’s family, wasn’t it… Wolf saw her look and clarified.
“They’re staying outback.”
“ Dad has been working out the details to build them a guest house since they agreed to work for us full-time.” She was a bit envious of how easily she got placed in an ideal outcome, not even trying, where she was fighting just to keep one friend…
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Talk remained calm but pointed as if a wrong word could pull back the tension but entering the tavern made it better as it was full of life unlike before people were everywhere and it was almost too much.
They found a table easily enough despite the crowd. Wolf panicked as he had no money, causing Leena to laugh.
“Don’t worry, brother, this was always going to be my treat as a way to celebrate your new friend.
“Thanks, Len.” She was happy she was included and had been looked at fondly from the sister’s view she felt like a bit of an outsider trying to worm her way in.
Nina spoke up smugly, spoiling her mood a bit.
“I would’ve paid too; you just had to ask..” Her face looking haughty Teva couldn’t help but laugh causing nina to pout.
“O’calm down, we can’t change our past,”
“ but we both found Wolf let me be happy about that “She did not feel that way internally but knew if she wanted Wolf as a friend or even her old friend back… they needed to move on. Nina sighed.
“Whatever, it’s not like I can’t afford to treat you too…” she laughed at that.
“I plan on working here one day.”
“ then I will treat you so there…” Wolf and Leena weren’t sure if it was friendly banter or the start of a fight but they ordered drinks soon after and talks remained calm and almost friendly…
When the food came it really did just feel like old times for her just with new friends as well as old.
It was nice, but she couldn’t help but feel it was only temporary, even now, scaring her wolf saw her face and asked.
“The food is not good?”
“No, it’s fine… It’s good, and I’m having a wonderful time. just a little tired, long day at church, and all.” She was lying a little, but he did not need to know that
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The day ended shortly after that she did not feel closer to nina even though they tried awkwardly to work things out she found it odd how easy it was to break the friendship but now was so hard to mend it…
When they made it to the shop, everyone was going inside, but she shook her head, “I’m going to” ears down, tail slightly aloof.
“It was nice to meet you.”
“And thank you for the meal.” Nina and Leena both wished her well and started going inside easily enough, but Wolf did not.
“I’m going to walk her home.”
“Since she came here to see me.”
“It's only fair I return the favor. “Her heart skipped a beat, and she waved her hands.
“No need, I won’t get lost,” Wolf laughed and replied
“What kind of friend would I be if I just left you “Nina narrowed her eyes and Teva wasn’t sure if Wolf meant anything by that but she accepted it “ Ok, “ she saw nina conflicted but heading back inside while they walked home, he told her how his dad was forcing him to have a tutor so he wouldn’t have much free time she chimed in the church already taught her those things.
He went on saying though he would be busy he would make time to see her where he could, that made her happy so she told him to look for her at the tavern she did not have the job yet but promised she would and would serve him he laughed looking forward to it.
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The next day, she felt drained. It was too many things in a short time; she went from literally nothing happening for weeks at the church.
To so much in one day… she needed a refresher. Her mom made her a nice meal of berry jam bread and some tea she was happy to finally be throwing away the gray robes.
Not only did they hide her figure, but they made it feel old and weird wearing it what she did like was her loose-fitting leather while showing off all her curves and her tail, she felt much better out of the robe…
She told her mom about her plans for getting work, she knew from past talks, but today she was going to push for it more.
The walk to the inn was easy and brisk she was early so it was a bit calm the keeper wasn’t watching but stopped polishing sniffing the air when she moved a little closer.
“You lost, kid?”
“ Or just need a drink.” She frowned at that; she wasn’t a child, even if she was a little young.
“Neither, I want to work…” he stopped ignoring her and set the rag down and looked at her, he was definitely a big bear he had a lot of body that took up space and she wasn’t sure how he moved around back there.
“You don’t look like much? “
“Sure you won’t fall the moment someone walks near you?” She did not like the snark but figured it was part of the job, so she returned the bite.
“Maybe if it was you?”
“ Yeah, you probably ran over me and anyone else? I can manage,” he looked surprised for a minute, then laughed a big laugh, causing the few guests in here at this hour to look before going back to their drinks.
“I like your kid.”
“ don’t matter to me “
“their always more work, and more hands tend to make things easier. You can work whenever till you get bored and leave.”
“ I already got my main staff, but I like the option.”
“ to give way with more help”
“ so you’re owed nothing and everybody lives better lives. “ She was surprised it was that easy she thought she had to fight and prove herself more.
“That’s it, just show up and leave whenever…?” he laughed once more then scratched his chest.
“Ah, youth,”
“Everything is an adventure and a quest that must be won.”
“ Sorry, kid, no quest or heroes here, “
“Just people looking for food and drinks.”
“You want help, great done, you’re helping.”
“Get tired, or find a new job? “
“Great! So long, and thanks for serving the dish.”
She still wasn’t sure to agree, but this was what she desired, and she knew she could do it.
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It wasn’t long before he had his dread tutor lessons with Nebo; they were in his room at his small desk, which made him feel trapped in his own home…
“Hello wolf, it’s been a while.” Not really, he thought, I saw you at the shop or even randomly at meals, but did not voice that…
“Hello, you’re a teacher?” he figured that was a better thing to say.” I thought you only did trades with Dad? This seems like a major job,” Nebo nodded while listening.
“ I was trained at a young age to oversee many things and retain the knowledge well enough.”
“I’m confident I can teach you the main things so that you can get any advanced books and succeed.”
“ In anything on your own in whatever you wish.”
“I can already read some words from Dad’s ledgers why would I want more books about that?” nebo nodded after a brief pause, then spoke, “Books are a collection of knowledge and power, much like magic.”
“It’s like magic? “He got excited, “so I can learn magic from books then! “Nebo frowned and tried to word it better so as not to mislead Wolf.
“Books like magic teach power.”
“But unlike magic, that bound and finite book can be shared endlessly and spread knowledge and power.”
“Through magic can do amazing things. “
“It is limited in what can be done by one person.”
Wolf lost interest after that and was not happy with the way things were going,
The lessons were boring, the only joy was his sister visiting with food she even joined in and helped guide him, which helped.
. Coby stopped by a few times, but the teaching was every day, unlike the church, which frustrated him as he never could play. Coby said it was ok as he focused more on hunting while I was away.
After a few frustrating months of basic math, he mostly knew and endless repeating of words to learn to spell, and he finally was giving more of a review of reading.
Nebo praised his commitment, and his sister agreed he learned fast; she took longer.
He didn’t feel like it, he wasted spring and most of the summer with nothing to show for it, but Nebo disagreed. he asked Wolf to name three things he desired.
He was not sure if it was a trick, but he figured he had already dealt with all this which was a little more as well he thought of a few things.
“I guess magic, alchemy, herbs?”
The last was more of a question than a statement of desire, but those were the main things he wanted.
“Ok, Nebo said, “As a parting gift, I’m heading to the city on your dad’s next shipment and will get you books on magic and herbs,
I can’t do alchemy as that is not something I think your father will approve of, maybe magic creatures instead?”
“ he was surprised such books existed and happy all this time he misunderstood reading as a borning ledger and plain signs.
. He thought now he knew why his dad wanted him to learn it was indeed a gift…
“Make sure you visit the shop more when you can I am doing more long-trip deliveries for your dad but my sister is always happy to see you there.
“What does she do?” He always knew she was working, but she seemed to be talking mostly with Leena.”
“Odd jobs, mostly she gets bored easily,” he said the words easily, but I noticed his annoyance in the slight turning of his ears and tail moving as he stared ahead before he spoke once more. “I’m surprised she never tried visiting you here? Maybe she was respecting me as a teacher and giving me space… he mused.
Leena came from the kitchen, bringing them snacks and overheard him talking voice her view.
“No, she almost fought me a few times to come here.”
“I stopped her and told her my brother needed to learn not to play, and felt she was too much of a distraction.”
“She wasn’t happy, but she accepted it.” Nebo sighed at that.
“guess I praised her too soon and Wolf laughed now happy all the boring stuff is in the past.
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He tried to visit Coby, but Mrs. Crow apologized he was out hunting he was dejected but not too upset he thanked her for letting him know and thought belatedly he hadn’t seen Teva in a very long time…
He tried the church, but they said she hadn’t been there working in a while though she does visit from time to time he wasn’t sure he remembered where she lived.
So he wandered the area and found her house he remembered it had a small flower garden in front and was happy he found it when he knocked a slender cat woman answered with a charming smile she titled her head sideway before speaking.
“I remember you, child,'
‘” You’re my daughter’s friend?”
“It has been a while, where have you been?' he bowed, ashamed he did not try harder to see her.
“Sorry, been busy with studies and stuff,”
“Um… she's not mad, is she?” The mother laughed freely at that. He got a better look at her now, he wasn’t so flustered. She was just a bigger version of Teva to his eyes,
well, older? Too, but still a pretty woman, he thought she was wearing a simple, well-made dress, she had long white hair, whereas he remembered teva like her very short; beyond that, the resemblance was unmistakable.
“No child,”
“She has been busy too.”
“ I see to that even as she complained, wanting to look for you.” Though she was smiling, her eyes had a mischievous look. “She won’t be happy to hear she missed you…”
“ I can’t wait to tell her. “As she laughed to herself, he felt bad knowing a lot of time had passed and decided to at least try to find her…
“Um… is she busy or will be back soon?” she loved watching him squirm and knew why her daughter became attached to him.
“You’re no fun she pouted, confusing him
“Since you must find her and spoil the milk,”
She started working randomly at the inn.
“ I usually let her do it once a week or so,”
“But it gets her out of the house.”
She was looking away as she said it, mildly invested in telling him, but when she looked at him once more, her eyes shone with a desire to pounce; he felt like a mouse that cats toyed with.
And he wasn’t sure the thought was wrong…
“Do be kind to my daughter. “
“Fierce she may be, she still has a lady's heart.” He wasn’t sure what that meant he was always nice, so he bowed, thanked her, and left she watched him go, thinking to herself careful daughter, you may have caught a fish that is more trouble than it worth, but shrugged to herself that part of growing up she supposed and went back inside.
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The trip to the inn was brisk. He was worried that even if she was there now, how she would react, but he would cross that bridge as it happens, he entered, and it seemed he got lucky with a lull in business. The place was clean and quiet. Too quiet…
He was worried something bad had happened as he did not see the big bear and had no customers. What before was good fortune is now seen as ominous…
He was wondering where the staff was when he heard banging in the back and voices shouting, “I told you to put that away! “
“Whatever, you big oaf, you’re not the only cook I said I would help move !”
“You’re lucky you remind me of my kid or I would fire you day one…”
“O, please, you couldn’t keep this place open if it wasn’t for me, the people love me!
“You’re barely even here working; little cat, don’t think you’re that special…”
“Um… Hello? “ He tried speaking to the back, hoping things were okay, and there was silence, then banging followed by shouting
as Teva ran from the back with a surprised, happy face “Wolf!”
“Where have you been?” as she ran around and hung him.
He was still trying to recover when the bearkin appeared, looking annoyed, wiping his hands, he stared for a bit, then spoke.
“Hmmm… I remember you, kid.”
“It has been a while since you grew a bit. “
“This is the wolf I told you about!”
“ I kept hoping he would stop by and he finally did!” The bearkin just nodded
“I remember you wouldn’t shut up about it,”
“You here about eating kid or just staring?” he wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but Teva did
“He’s my friend and I want to treat him as a celebration,”
“ and catch up”
“We were not busy anyway.”
You gave others time off, let me have this.”
“Celebrate what?”
“ Meeting someone who lives here? That stupid…”
“Just cause you miss your wife.”
“ doesn’t mean you get to be mean to Wolf!” she was defiant, tail swishing, ears going flat, and the bearkin looked uncomfortable…
“Wish I did not tell you that,”
“Whatever, I liked the kid too.”
“ This is not a church where things are free.”
“So remember, to come back again, paying next time.” Though his words sounded harsh, he did not feel any malice from them as he went to the back and heard the sizzle of food being made.
Teva started for a bit longer before watching Wolf once more.
“He is a grump.”
“But nice, he always tells me how he misses his wife and kid in the city, but trying to help them move here. “
“think they are trying to save more money first or something dunno?”
“ How have you been !?”
The words came fast and took him a minute to process. “Um… good.”
“ I have been doing studies that kept me busy.”
“Sorry, I never visited, “ she waved her hand dismissive.
“It’s ok.”
I had to study too, so I was busy.”
“ Mom insisted I get more learning, so I got a friend from the past.”
“ She knew Nebo and Nina, so she had him train. mHe he is smart.”
“What?! He was teaching me too, we could study together…”
“Aw,” she pouted, “I bet mom knew too… She probably did it to antagonize me, thinking he would tell me, he was also teaching you. “
He never did, just focused on the studies... “She smiled at that, “bet it ruffled her tail knowing it failed,” after a bit of catching up, the bearkin served them both a meal. He was leaving them in peace.
But he felt bad not remembering his name and begrudgingly asked him, though he could secretly ask Teva, he felt he owed him a direct response, “Um….. Sorry,”
“ I forgot your name, sir.” The bearkin looked at him a laughed
“No worries, kid, I get called keeper, Bearman, buddy, pal, and probably a few names I can’t repeat but rarely my name… It’s Icarus.”
“By the way,” he smiled, showing teeth as he said it, looking more vicious than friendly. “ You left out grumpy, “ she smiled.
As her tail slowly swished, he just frowned at her, got them a couple of drinks, and said
He was cleaning in the back if they needed anything. Wolf enjoyed the rest of the visit with Teva, promising to visit more, and went to the shop.
He wanted to see Nina and let her know she was missed too, even if not really, and only found his dad, it seemed Nina was off running an errand for him…
So bored he figured he gather some berries in the forest for a mini adventure since has it been so long since his last one, he got the biggest basket his dad had and set off for adventure.
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Nina returned a short time later, bored and annoyed she had wanted for a while to get closer to Wolf as family, she felt a kinship with his dad, mom, and even his sister.
Since they always came to the shop but never Wolf… he felt like a potential little brother she always wanted but was never there, much like her real brother that hurt a bit…
“What’s wrong the delivery went bad?” she looked up, surprised to see Wolf’s dad showing concern.
“No nothing like that just missing … um… not being able to see wolf I wanted to see him for a while but Len said it was best to stay away…” he nodded then looked away into the distant.
“Then hate to tell you he came to see you today.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqApmOYFxJf
“WHAT?!, when? Why? How? “ He laughed
“His studies are over, so he stopped by to visit you. I think Len told him she kept you away, and he felt bad. “
She wanted to run home right away and find him there, but she was working. He saw her mood and relented
“He's not home before you try to run off there, “ she panicked, knowing she was seen threw and she would not find him. “ he probably went around the lake. He loves going there and thinking”
“ Though now he's trying to get a bunch of berries, and before you ask,”
“Yes, where slow.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD3TInk8NJ
“ I don’t mind you going. “No sooner said than she was out the door
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