Author's note: I am so sorry about the delays. I have excuses, but I won't make you hear them, instead I'll tell you a schedule. I will post at least seven chapters a week. My goal is higher than that, but you can be sure that I'll post at very least seven chapters.

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"So, old man, when are we going to start my training?"

"Hmm? Oh, we can't start anytime you like. I just thought you would want sometime to settle down first. I haven't even shown you your room."

"So I have my own little den? Can Shiva and Asura stay in it with me?"

"Of course, I would let it be any other way they're his responsibility. Come on, I'll take you too it now."

I follow the old man up the stairs and through one of the three doors. The room is green and has lots of windows. Now that I think about it the inn's room looked like regular wood, but the room down stairs was blue! How are they changing the color of wood!? The old man speaks before I do and I forget my question.

"This was one of my two guest rooms, but from now on it will be your bedroom. There is a bed, a chest, and a desk with a chair. Today we'll go shopping for other things you'd like to have in here."

"What else do I need?"

"Err. Hmm, nothing else is really necessary right now, but most people like to add things to make a room feel more like their own."

"... We could get more beds for Shiva and Asura."

"How about we just get them some big pillows. It will feel the same and take up less room. Let's see what else do you need? Clothing, pen and paper, shoes, a brush, and a wand. That sounds about right."

"Old man what's a wand?"

"People use it to help focus and strengthen their magic."

"That's lazy."

"Yes, but it's better to have one just in case you need. Like if you come across something stronger than you; every little bit counts."

"Okay. Lead the way old man."

"Are you going to take those two with you?"

"Of course. I'm going to take them everywhere I go."

"We should buy them some collars then. To let people know they are tame."

"Do I need to wear one?"

"No...but you can. It would match theirs and it would probably look stylish on you."

I can tell the old man is trying to suppress his laughter, but his words are also sincere...I'll be forgiving and ignore it for now."

"Ok, here we are: Couper Smith's Armouries.

The old man chuckled as he said the name. He laughs at everything doesn't he.

"Why are we here?"

"To buy some weapons for you to train with."

We walk into the store. The man at the counter has Orange-brown hair and sleepy eyes. He is a little short compared to Garet, and Shila.

"What's up Niel?"

"I've come to order some weapons."

"Are they for that little lion boy besides you?"

"Yes, he has a lot of potential for weapons and magic, so I've decided to train him."

"At this age you're already saying that about him? That's some talent. I better get on his good side."

He gives me a lazy wink as he says that. ...Good side? I don't think either side of me is better than the other. I twist around to check. The two adults watch me as I do so.

"Better keep it literal Couper, he doesn't understand figures of speech yet."

"Where did you find him, the middle of the woods?

"Yes."

"Yes."

The old man and I say at the same time. Couper is taken aback for a moment, before he chuckles.

"You must be quite the survivor, huh kid?"

"Yes"

I wave my tail proudly. Couper continues to speak to me.

"So what kind of weapon do you want?"

"He doesn't actually know anything about weapons. I was planning on teaching him how to use a few different ones to see what he likes best."

"Hmm, so, if I'm not mistaken, you'll want a sword, a spear, a pair of daggers, a pair of gauntlets, and a bow, plus some light armor right?"

"Spot on as usual. How soon do you think you can make them?"

"Three days tops. You know my prices."

He claps his hands and rubs them together, the sleepy look gone from his face.

"I better get to work then. It's been nice meeting you..."

"Chaise."

"Chaise."

I glare at the old man when he manages to say my name first. Couper has already walked away. He lazily waves a hand in goodbye as he stands in the doorway to another room. The old man starts walking again and I follow him.

"Now where are we going?"

"Are you going to ask that every time? No, don't answer that, of course you will. We are going to Button Tailors, I don't understand her naming sense, to buy you some new clothes. We should probably buy the collars there too."

We walk for half an hour before we arrive.

"Welcome to Button Tailors, how may I help you?"

A woman with two ponytails of messy, brown hair and green eyes peeks out from under the counter. She frowns slightly at...Niel... Nope I can't call him that, old man suits him much better. Her expression brightens when she sees me.

"...Niel... Who I is this adorable child."

She's practically purring her words, except for when she called the old man's name. I guess she has a hard time with it too.

"He's Chaise, my new pupil. I would say student, but he is only ten and so isn't old enough to enter the academy. He needs a new set of clothing. And don't you dare try to give him a dress, Linsley."

"Old man what's a dress?"

"It's girl clothing. Shela was wearing one, remember?"

"Yes, my mother wears those too. Why shouldn't I wear one. Why do girls have different clothing?"

"That...would take to long to explain. Did your mother ever have you wear a dress?"

"No"

"The reason she didn't dress you in them is because she didn't want you wearing such girly clothing. Does that make sense."

"I guess."

I don't like the old man using my mother to explain something, but mother did never have me wear a dress, so he's probably right. That doesn't mean I have to like it though.

The woman looked disappointed when he told her not to give me a dress, but she quickly recovered. She took out paper and a pen.

"So what exactly did you want for him?"

"He needs three sets of casual clothes, a training outfit, adventuring gear, a cloak, and some shoes. Oh, right, we also need three collars. Two are for the little wolf pups he's holding and one for himself."

Linsley gasped in delight when she saw the puppies.

"What are their names sweetie?"

"Shiva and Asura. The girl is Shiva and the boy is Asura."

"Those are good names. It's so cute that you'll be wearing matching collars! As for the other clothing..."

She begins mumbling to herself. She's drooling a little. Are all humanoid women this way? Linsley isn't even stronger than me and I still feel like she's looking at me like prey... No, it's probably just because they know the old man.

"Linsley, I'd appreciate it if you would make the clothes with some room for growth. Also, could you make two huge pillows for the wolves to sleep on? They would have to be big enough to accommodate their adult size."

"Yeah yeah, should be easy..."

She waves off the old man's question, writing it down so she won't forget. She mumbles distractedly to herself, no longer paying attention to her surroundings. The old man and I use it as a chance to escape.

"Old man is everyone you know this weird?"

"For the most part, yes. I know some normal people too, but most of my acquaintances are quite eccentric."