The evening after Tommy's rejection from Wolf, at the inn.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ5URpgHJM
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The inn was full of life and joy, all the tables filled, and plenty of food and drinks kept everyone singing even as the coins flowed freely.
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Everything was going great for their growing town, and everyone was trying to one-up the next with rumors and tales of their personal feats among the tales they spoke.
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Though Tyler really did not care… Well, that's not true. He loves all the stories. He even wanted to run an inn like his dad but as a cook and serving drinks at a counter, not… this… waiting tables and getting endless shouts. The Cheers laughter and music were blaring, which was even more annoying to him….
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Everyone was too damn happy, and he was tired of serving them…. He was doing this for a while, and he felt he was going nowhere in his life, depressing him.
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“HEY KID, CAN I GET A DRINK?“
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“YOU LOOK LIKE YOUR DAD, AND I THOUGHT HE WAS GRUMPY!”
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“YO, WHY UPSET, CUB?”
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“LOOK, BEAR CUB IS GROWLING.“
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Random laughter beyond that sea of voices, he kept hearing repeating those same things over and over… day after day… and so much yelling when they drink, as if I can’t hear them just fine…
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“You can go back; we got it, Ty.” One of the wolfkin servers was pitying him and letting him go… He wanted to protest, but he was tired of the people.
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“Thanks.” This was not the first time it got to this point, but it was the first time it was this rowdy in a while. Rumors of someone coming to town stir up a hornet's nest of rumors and praise for the local hero who shooed him away with his power…
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It was hard to follow a lot of the rumors, and he ignored most as he heard them hundreds of times if he heard them once, but the main ones he held on to were about Wolf. He really admired him and wanted to meet him, but he never visited the inn…
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But he loved all the tales told. He was an amazing, powerful master alchemist. He had the rarest magic and could turn water into any potion. He even heard he could shift things from thin air, but it was much harder…. Truly a sign he was chosen by the gods and all agreed….27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgGariq1IK
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Few other things he loved hearing were that the hero was as generous as he was powerful, and he loved beastkin kin as equals and went out of his way to only hire them vs. humans! He even got one as a girlfriend. He laughed to himself as he went to the kitchen, full of mirth, thinking how great he was, till his dad's voice soured his mood.
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“Not time to be playing, Ty; we got tables to serve, and I’m trying to cook… whatcha need, and it better not be to talk." Dad said all that not even looking at him. Guess he heard my laughter… He was the only one in the kitchen at the moment. He did not like to share his space when busy, though he knew there were other cooks also in a different section ignoring him completely.
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“They said I could help,“he tried reasoning, hoping to stay
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“Who did?” his dad asked, but he knew it would not matter who…
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“You already know I don’t need more help, cub, and you ain't bringing nothing new to the table… I told you, give me a reason to care I will. Till then, you're just under my feet.”
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He wanted to argue, but it went nowhere in the past, and he already had a headache from the crowds, so he finished his shift in defeat among those crowds…
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The only mild highlight was the other gossip about the mysterious new person, someone named Tommy, supposedly a master alchemist with lots of money and power, who was forced away thanks to our hero… He wished he worked for the hero vs. his indifferent dad. He figured if he got a chance, he’d try talking to him, as it was now he wasn’t confident enough he could be worthy to see him.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXJwPPOhUt
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He went home before his dad closed since he wasn’t really needed and the crowds were giving him a headache. Mom had the day off and made them a stew so it could be eaten at any time since she did not know when they would get home or if they would be hungry, and it could be enjoyed the next day too.
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He tried slinking to his room, not really wanting to talk, but it seemed his mom caught him anyway… “Bad day, son?”
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“Day fine, ma, can I go…” She looked with concern.
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“If you don’t want to talk I won’t make you, but maybe I can help?”
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“You already can’t get me a new job, and Dad won’t let me cook, so it doesn’t matter what I say…”
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“Son, this is not like you. You were so happy before. What changed?” She had a hint of sadness in her voice, and that bothered him. She only tried to help him, so he relented and joined her in the kitchen as she made him some honey tea…
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“You already know I want to cook, and Dad won’t let me. That’s why I wanted a new job anywhere else. I’m not happy, but I need money…”
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“Lots of people are nice, but they just see me as some kid and won’t hire me. Well, that and I don’t want some random, stupid job…”
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“But you don’t want to work for your father either?“ She asked it as a question, but he knew she was hinting at him being a child wanting everything one way… It was why he did not want to tell her. She saw his look and so tried to compromise.
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“Let’s pretend I could get you any job. What do you want?“
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“That easy…. To be a cook and innkeeper like Dad.”
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“But I need money to build a shop, or at least for Dad to stop saying he doesn’t need me…”
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“He does need you; he just gets possessive of his stuff… much like you. Is there nothing else, son? I don’t think I can help you if that’s all you’re willing to do…”
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He thought about it, he really did… “Uh, I want to work for Master Wolf too.”
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“Well, son, you and everyone else since he opened his shop and showed he would hire people there are probably on a waiting list just to get in to his shop, much less work there.” rosa said was lost in thought
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“They're not.” tyler said breaking her musing
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“Pardon?”
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“Anyone can go in anytime, well, when it opens. I mean, he welcomes all, though I don’t know about the work part…”
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“Really? I avoided going there, fearing a line! I want to shop there too!”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrVbkNccQ8
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“Rumors say since he hired staff, he has had more time to help customers and make time for who he can, but you might get his staff helping you, and they tend to ask people to not loiter to make room for others.
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“That’s fine. I just need a few random things, potions and such; maybe browse a bit. Thank you for telling me, son.”
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“Wherever can I go? Nothing changed for me, and I’m not feeling well.” Rosa watched her son's downcast mood and had nothing but pity for him. For years he dreamed of working with his father, just for the day to come and be cast aside… She did not agree with her husband, but he did have a point: if the cub wanted to stand next to a bear, he needed to be a bear and not a cub…
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“Son,” she said, carefully, thinking, “It’s nothing official, but I do know someone who knows his sister and also someone who’s friends with him…
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“REALLY?”
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He got hopeful, and she was happy to see a bit of the old life back. “There are no promises, but I’ll mention it and spread the word, and if I get a chance while shopping, I’ll also say something, ok?” She watched her son with concern but just saw joy as he rushed and hugged her, feeling hope, so she went on.
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“Assuming I do this, what do I tell them or even Wolf? that you can do for him to have him want to hire you though.” He stiffens in her embrace. Why would a master care for a new apprentice cub who literally knows nothing?
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It was then he knew it wasn’t just going to be a struggle to get him to notice him, but what could he even offer?
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He left his mother with those conflicting thoughts, torn between wanting change in his life and needing something to offer a hero who already had everything…
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When you already got the girl, the fame, and the power? What could he offer? His joy and hope faded a little more over time as he still wanted to try but knew the answer before he even saw Wolf. He would say, long before he saw him, the same thing his dad did: “What have you got to offer me, cub…”
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Icarus was miserable; he loved that his inn was a success but felt defeated knowing he was in a rut…. He entered the home smelling stew, which made him smile. His love never forgot about him, not once. He passed the living room to find her in the kitchen dozing, reading a book. It seemed it was later than he knew, and even now she refused to sleep alone without him…
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He was glad the guild got help; it allowed her to get later shifts. He felt bad wanting her to stay home, but she refused…. Much like his cub, they both wanted a job.
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“Rosie, honey, I’m home.” Her eyes slowly focus, and she notices the book slipping from her grip and sets it down before facing her big bear .
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“Hello, dear. Long night?” He nuzzled her face and held her, and she loved his embrace.
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“No easy night, just late cleaning up, kicking out the staff and drunks,“ he went over to the stew and smelled the aroma. It smelled a little bland to him, needing something… which soured his mood as it reminded him of his failure…
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“You want to talk about it?” his wife, full of concern… Spoke to his back while he faces the stew….
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“No.”
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“Ok, dear, coming to bed?“
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“Grumble… growl….“ He was conflicted. She wasn't pushing, and he did not want to talk but he was tired of feeling…. Off. “ It’s the meat.”
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“I’m sorry? The stew? I did not know how to season it, but it was not that bad…” She wasn’t sure what upset him or why it was the stew that set him off…
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“No… my uh… the food I work with.” He was going to say my meat, but he wasn’t in the mood for jokes or hearing her laugh…. Which made him sad. He loves her laugh. Maybe he should have said it…. He waited, but she said nothing, causing him to look.
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She had a tired face but was listening. He loved her for giving up her sleep. “It’s nothing, dear. Let’s go to bed. Maybe it has been a long day.”
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“Nonsense, this is the closest I got you to speaking, and I am listening. Just tell me, and we will go from there.” He was going to yell she was wrong and he was fine… but bit his tongue, squinting his eyes, trying to calm himself…
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“I’ve been feeling…” he started, “ stuck in a rut… I lost my touch.”
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“I made amazing honey dishes, and everyone loved them, but that’s it… it’s all I know… I can’t think of anything else new. I tried few they taste bad… I just never told you…”
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“So that’s why last week you looked like you lost a fight with a bee over honey?” She asked, concerned but curious.
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“Hah!“ He was amused and held her to feel her warmth. “Yeah, I guess I have been more sour. Sorry, love. I don’t know what to do, but here we are.”
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“So that’s why you’re rejecting our son’s help in the kitchen? You should tell him.” He stiffened and pulled away, no longer enjoying her touch.
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“Ain't got nothing to do with it, cub. Got to learn to stand …” He was lying but wasn't going to tell her that… She had a face of concern, knowing he was closing up… She wanted to tell him she was trying to help him find new work but felt it would just sour him more, so she dropped it.
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“Ok dear, let’s go to sleep. I missed you.”
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“Grumble… Miss you too, Ro,“as they both went to sleep.
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The day starts anew. Rosa saw her husband and son off to their job. Grumpy, her love made her smile with his growling at everything as he got ready, but she was surprised to see hope mix in with despair in her son's eyes. She felt bad he had been shifting between those moods a lot more lately, and she feared she could not help…
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After they left, she went to the guildhall herself to start her day. Also, she was able to talk with Ziala for her son, who promised to bring it up with Arlin since she missed him going to guard duty.
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A few days passed with Tyler in a mixed bit of mood as nobody got back to him with good news, depressing him. He was bringing drinks, depressed, to a table, uncaring what anyone said, as it was not clear why he wasn't hired. Wolf didn’t even bother telling him his rejection in person; he set it on the table with indifference, not even bothering to acknowledge who ordered it, only that they told him it was for table three it went to.
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“Think that him, brother.” A chirpy female voice spoke, making him pause, wondering who it was, but before he could turn and look, a giggle and laugh followed that other voice with a new voice.
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“Well, there aren’t many bearkin, and we were told he was here. Besides, he does look like Grumpy. Bet it’s him…” He was afraid to look. He already gave up, but if it was him, what could he do?
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“Uh… Tyler, right?“ If he wasn’t covered in fur, he’d probably break out in a cold sweat… As it was now, he was getting sick, not knowing what to do, but he knew if he wanted to get anywhere, he had to face him, the hero… Wolf was here.
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He turned and tried to give his best smile, which looked like a mix of someone trying not to growl or throw up. Neither was looking friendly, but they did not comment; they knew he must be nervous. “I’m going to go visit Grumpy in the back for a bit. I’ll be right back."
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He watched as a catkin smiling at him passed. She was wearing a violet top, which made her blue eyes stand out more. Before he looked away, nervous to see Wolf and a fox kin? He saw her around a few times; she always smiled….
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“HEY! How have you been?” She spoke with a lot of joy, as if he was an old friend. He wasn't sure how to respond…
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“Uh… good? Thanks?” She just beamed a smile; he could not see it but knew her tail was wagging. Wolf looked over at her, annoyed, which surprised him. He thought he only had love and compassion for all. Was he wrong…
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“Calm down, Nina; he hasn’t even had a chance to say why he wanted to see us.“
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“Sorry, brother !” He was awed he adopted her ?! How far was he willing to go for beastkin!? Maybe he would listen… He bowed low, startling Wolf and Nina, as it was a sudden move unprovoked, and he was just staring at them before…
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“Please, Master Wolf, sir, let me work for you…” He did not look up, afraid to see his face…
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“Just Wolf. I hate the master title…” He's so humble! “I don’t really need more staff…” And here comes the rejection, he thought…
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“Don’t be like that, brother; give him a chance!” A new voice returned before anyone could speak.
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“Hey, I’m back from visting the old bear, and he still the same grumpy. So what did I miss?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW2cjnbmKZ
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“Tyler wants to work with us!” Nina spoke excitedly. Wolf was conflicted. He could afford it easily, and he cared little for money; he just did not want the new employee just standing around…
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“Really? old Grumpy never told me?” The catkin watched him curiously, then smiled. “He did mention you, though. I’m Teva. I don't know if they introduce themselves." Her tail curled in a question as she asked.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbO7weUcNm
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“I’m Nina, and this is my Brother Wolf.” nina said full of life
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“ He already knows that, Nina…” Wolf scowled at her but relaxed and focuses on Tyler once more. "And few people mentioned you, my other sister, and a friend saying you wanted help. I thought it was for a special potion, not looking for work.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrRTcPL1oV
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He was going to say he understood and give up when Teva spoke up, surprising him: “Grumpy was always there for me, and it helped me get close to you. I say we help.“ He felt tears welling up at that and was unsure what to say. He saw the happy Nina get sour. He wasn’t sure why. And a sigh from Wolf.
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“I don’t see why not… Will we work out details tomorrow? Stop by around noon. The people finally started to calm down a bit, so it’s not as busy now. They finally feel I’m not going anywhere."
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“You were going somewhere?“ Tyler was confused. Nina laughed, and Teva was full of mirth. Wolf just shook his head.
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“No, just being overworked and lacking supplies caused issues, and people thought I might close for good. It’s better now."
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Really? He thought he never heard those rumors? Then again, he was self-absorbed…. When his hero needed him most, he was crying; he did not have a better life… “Sorry I wasn’t there for you…” Teva and Wolf were surprised and wondered why he felt he owed them anything, but Nina was just happy to be loved.
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“IT’S OK! We're good now!” Her outburst was a bit jarring not just to him but to Wolf and Teva, it seemed, and he started to see why he grimaced around her; she could be a bit much…. And yet he still loved her enough to call her sister, definitely our hero, and for the first time since they really met, he had a genuine smile.
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With the promise to meet tomorrow, talks remain mostly formal and brief. His dad was upset about being left out of the loop but figured he was a bear and could walk his own path vs. treating him like a cub. That and it kept him out of the kitchen and his hair… Tyler treated them to a nice meal that day, well, his dad did, as thanks for humoring his son…. But he still serves them, so it counts.
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He thanked his mom when he got home for giving him a chance. Now he just needed to impress him but wasn't sure how. He figured he could try learning alchemy. But he really did not want to brew things… Maybe he could just stalk shelves while he figures something out; it would be a problem for tomorrow… as he slept, dreaming of what could be.
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He put on his best clothes he had, wanting to show him his best side: a vest and leather pants. He did not want to wear more; it made his fur all rough and agitated him, not to mention it made him overheat! No, the vest would be fine; his brown fur blended in well, like a shirt. Most furry beastkin wore less than more, and no one ever complained. His dad always only wore a vest, and he also liked the idea of matching his legacy. A quick meal and well wishes to his mother, and he was off !
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The trip to the shop was simple enough; he knew the way easily enough long before Wolf told him, as it was near the lake. Well, that and all the tavern talk would not shut up about where it was at… He was impressed at its size, yet his dad's inn put it to shame as far as sheer size. When he gave it some thought, that was more from the room they rented than really the scope of what was offered.
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He passed the random people even now still coming and going, full of mirth. What really impressed him was the sheer variety of items! He never expected there to be so much from alchemy! He started getting intimidated. How would he know where to go with all this? Making food was easy; you just slap some stuff together and drop a plate at a table…
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As he looked around, hoping to see the hero despite being nervous, he only recognized the foxkin… Uh, Nina? She was at the counter working happily, surprising him; he did not know she could work… He felt bad judging her when she only showed him kindness, and he did know Wolf hired Beast Kin. Why is he surprised one is his own sister?
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“Uh… Nina? Hi, I’m here to see the Her–WOLF! Here to see Wolf…"
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"Sorry." He felt out of place and wasn’t sure how to act, so he started scowling, scaring a few customers who heard his outburst.
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“IT’S OK~” She sang in joy as if they were lost friends reunited. She then looked concerned and then frowned as she looked around…. “Seem brother with her. Let me get Misty instead to let him know…” He wasn't sure what was happening as Nina left him near the counter, but he watched her walk up to a random wolfkin, say an unknown words, and come back still looking sour. Surprising him when she saw his exasperated face, she explained and told him why she was sour.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFqNypS627
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“Brother knew you’d be here today; he should be waiting for you, not playing games in the back…” He nodded slowly. He wasn’t sure why his being busy was bad. We all have things we have to do at times, but when he heard the voice from the side, he had a better idea of the unspoken truth.
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“Sorry, I was taking a break in the back with Teva. I did not expect you till later, though it is good you’re early!" He was happy to be greeted so warmly. He also saw Teva at Wolf's side smiling at him, and as he watched them together, he could not help but see from the corner of his eye the scowl from Nina, even as there was indifference from the wolfkin lady. Who was she? Wolf saw his look as he stared at the wolfkin.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnNTmRAlxW
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“Aha, that was rude, Misty. This is Tyler; he was hoping to work here. And Tyler, this is Misty; she's an amazing help who oversees everything, and I'd be lost without her."
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She was standing passively, indifferently listening to him mention the last part, and then she got bashful, tail wagging, “Nonsense, Mas–Wolf! You give praise too easily to those who merely wish to serve you; we would do no less for anyone we worked for!”
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He watched, mildly amused, but felt the same way as her, so he said nothing, unsure what would happen next. “My teacher was very hands-off; let me do my own thing. Do you want to do alchemy?“
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He grimaced; he knew it had come to that and nodded even though he wanted nothing to do with it, so he was led to the back where two other catkin with casual Chatting well, one was the other, just listening. It seemed Nina wasn’t the only cheerful one, and he felt more like the second catkin and just wanted to work… The talking one noticed him smiled as a greeting as Misty introduced them.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl96VMxBdu4
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“As Wolf is very busy overseeing things, our job is to assist in making his life easier. We handle the overall potions and stocking, while I personally make sure guests are tended to and things get ordered and resupplied. If you have any issues, please address them to me vs. bothering Wolf, as everyone is seeking his attention, and it is distracting from his personal needs."
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She pointed to the cheerful catkin after saying that “this is Ben,“ who smiled as she pointed to the next, “ and that is Viper. Both veterans worked with me from a previous master. If you have any questions, please inform me,” and with that, she just left…. Leaving him dumfounded at how hands-off everyone had been…
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Ben, the more cheerful catkin, showed him a few basic potions that were painfully easy to make but still tedious, and that was it… Besides some small talk, it felt very isolating, and he felt alone, which was odd. He was close to his hero, getting a change in his life, so why did it feel so off?
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A few hours passed like that with him lost in his thoughts, no longer noticing Ben's random talk, when a surprising new voice did break his thoughts: “What did you expect, kid? This is a job.” He did not know that voice and wasn't sure he even heard right, as when he looked, Ben was staring at Viper with a frown, and Viper was just staring at his potion. Maybe he heard wrong… Or so he thought till Ben spoke up.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfHZ93nby5
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“Be nice, Vip; kids new it a adventure to him like it was for us.”
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“We new what we wanted even back then. The cub lost and thought we would guide him. He needs to know this is a job, not a tribe.” Yes, that voice was definitely Viper saying that now he watched, and well, the fact he was openly being mocked helped too…
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“I know what it means to work; I’m not stupid.” I retorted, annoyed, grinding the powder I was making for the twentieth time, How much damn sleeping powder do people need for it to still be selling?"27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh0Rwq9npp
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“Then what was it you were wanting? We knew what we wanted…” He wasn't sure why this catkin, who said nothing before, was being so aggressive… As I stared him down, still he just watched that potion…
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“He’s not trying to be mean, Ty, he…. Just not used to talking with people, we both want to help you; we just don’t know how.” I barked a laugh at that.
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“Yeah, sure, I can tell….” Things settled into an uncomfortable silence that only Misty passing through gathering supplies or making notes changed anything. It was a depressing day, and I feared it would end like that, with me unfulfilled and just giving up…. Now that he had time to reflect, he knew what he really wanted was to work with his dad. He thought he hated all the people and cheering, but what he hated was feeling unfulfilled. He missed all the rumors and gossip, and it had not even been a day!
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So long dreaming of being free of that life just to want to run back first chance he got, he sighed, feeling defeated, and once more Viper asked him that question he hated…
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“So what is it you are wanting, kid, since you’re not getting it here…?” He wanted to bark something mean, but as he thought about it, they only showed him respect and just wanted him to face the truth. What did he want?
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“I want to work with my dad, but I can’t… He keeps me out of the kitchen, and I got nothing to offer him, so I was hoping I could help the hero… er Wolf instead, but now I feel trapped here…” Ben gave a pitying look, but Viper just seemed indifferent. That's why it was a surprise hearing Misty's voice out of nowhere, scaring him a bit.
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“It’s part of growing up, dear. We grew up in a tribal life that made sure kids found their path long before we ever came here.”
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“It’s also why I pity beastkin that only know city life; they don’t get the same love and care.” He did not like her assuming he had a bad family and stared hard at her to show it. She just looked at him dismissively and clarified, “Relax, child. I know how beastkin are raised. I’ve worked with a few myself.”
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“Loving family but very hands-off, used to tribal elders being there; it's part of the growing pains many underestimate raising their own children, only going off their memories of life.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazgzDaFvCp
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“I’m sure it’s the same with your father; he will welcome you if you pushed, but he has his own life, so he focuses on that.” He deflated a bit, unsure if that was true. His dad seemed pretty set on keeping him away. He watched as she gathered a few things and left, leaving him feeling less fulfilled than before, unsure where to go from there…
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That's when Wolf came back and shocked him, holding what smelled like pepper. That's not alchemy… Yet he cut a small amount and ground it and was leaving with it, surprising me. “WAIT!” I shouted.
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Startling all, even me… “Sorry, uh… that pepper?” Wolf nodded slowly, unsure what to say. “That’s not alchemy, though?” It made no sense to make a spice to cook with herbs when he was known for alchemy….
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“Um… one of the first things my teacher showed me was this, so it’s rare, but people still get pepper from me.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz6LmYbxau
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"I tend to forget to stock it unless someone asks.” wolf nodded at me as I stared at him dumbfounded, and he slolwy walked away with the pepper as I lost myself to a new thought …. Can… cooking… be… alchemy? I can make herbs and cook!27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8wXemSn3b
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When Misty came back again, I begged her for spices to try. She wasn’t against it but got Wolf’s approval, which made me ecstatic. Yet, my joy soon died down as he only had maybe two or three that I could really use as spices, and it was mostly basic things….
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When Wolf found out my intent, he liked the idea and gave me a notebook and told me starting tomorrow he'd supply me with a variety of herbs to experiment with. I was shocked and had to ask why. He said he saw how defeated and bored I looked until I got happy over these spices. So he wanted me to have a chance to explore that like he was able to do with alchemy…. It meant a lot to me to have him say that, and I swore I would make amazing things.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqZiGQwpzx
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He laughed at that and was looking forward to it. It was then that his girlfriend wanted his attention, and he was off once more. Things did not start how I wanted, but they also did not end. This was a chance; now he just had to make it work…
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So the start of his quest for a purpose in his life did not take the turn he thought it would, but with this he had hope it would end better. As he looked forward to the next day.
