After I said that, a stupid, excited grin crept to his face. As if I had just dangled a bone in front of a dog… a golden retriever or some other hyperactive breed. It wasn’t a bad thing, though. I left it at that and pointed back toward the Bessy Barstool.

“I am planning on staying there for a few days. Perhaps a week or two, possibly. Will that prove to be an issue?”

“Nah,” he quickly shook his head, waving his hands a little. “No problem at all, buddy. I like Swallow Lake well enough. Quiet place. Nice folks. Good for training and drinking.”

“Excellent, then let us proceed.” I started for the bar and inn. My first order of business was actually getting a room and then filling my stomach; the meal being particularly wanted as I hadn’t eaten decently since arriving on Mortalis. I wanted pizza. But, I doubted pizzerias existed. ‘But I could make a pizza sometime…’ A little thought sprung into my head.

‘I can use my knowledge to make new things and sell them, like with foods, items…’ I looked down at my hands, ‘Guns… and… and…’ I also noticed that my runes were completely uncovered. ‘Oh crap.’

“Was meaning to ask ya about those, buddy. I know they’re ancient glyphs or something,” Macsen said curiously, trying to lean over to look at them. I shrugged and let my hands naturally fall to my sides so he couldn’t see.

Taking a quick breath to calm my skipping nerves, I answered with a steady voice, “They are just to help me use my magic. Someone who knows Chaos gave me these.” Again, technically true… I just left out the part concerning how that ‘person’ or Oracle gave me them for tracking purposes. I kept my hands to my side, planning on wrapping them the first moment I got.

“Nice! Can you introduce me to them sometime? As you can see, I like glyphs, runes, and that sort of thing,” he chuckled and motioned over his body literally covered with them.

My lips tugged upward, “So I noticed. If we ever run across her again, I will ask.” I quickly thought, ‘Though I never plan on running into her again.’

“Thanks, buddy! Say, what do I call you? Just buddy? Or should I come up with another nickname? Like… Mysterious Stranger or Chaos Curiosity?”

“Neither… please. Just Chaon is fine.” I motioned toward my summons, “And they are Ditto and Ivy. Both my summons.”

With his friendly, million dollar smile, he waved to each of them, accompanied by a flouring bow. “Greetings fair Ditto, lovely Ivy.” Ivy giggled lightly and offered a little wave in response. Nudging my shoulder and giving me a thumb’s up, Macsen said, “Nice job, buddy. She’s cute.”

“Oh…?” I asked blandly, no humor in my voice. I immediately wondered if I had to worry about him trying to go after my Ivy. If that proved to be the case… this companionship was going to be a short one indeed.

Macsen picked up on my worries. His arms flailed in the air again. “Woah, no no no no no… you got me all wrong, buddy Chaon. Neat name, by the way. Just thought I’d mention that. Anyways, you see…” suddenly clutching his heart, he beat against it while looking toward the sky. “There is only one goddess for me, buddy. For her to notice my unwavering loyalty and love, I must only look after her and no other.”

A sigh of relief escaped me, “Is that so?”

“Tis so!” He nodded, his unkempt brownish hair bouncing about. “Since the day of my oath sworn, I have walked this daunting and… honestly pretty lonely road. I have remained chaste and only let my heart and head focus on her.”

“I see… well, good job on getting this far then,” I said. Internally I wondered if his presence was really a good idea. ‘I thought he was a bit odd, but now I know he’s a few eggs missing of a dozen.’ But then again, he didn’t seem to be a bad person either. Just someone with their own quirks. Just like myself.

I would grant him the benefit of the doubt still and see what would come of it.

“Would you like to join me for a meal?” I asked, wanting to learn more about him during that time. Being a man, I knew how to get them to become malleable. The stomach. Fill a man’s stomach and he becomes far more agreeable. Fill his cup with bubbly and the effect is amplified.

“That’d be great, buddy!” Macsen said, beaming. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. You will have to tell me of your first meeting with Chaos during that time.”

“Sure thing, buddy!” He shot me a double thumb’s up. While he didn’t seem to be a narcissistic sadist like Chaos… his overblown energy reminded me of her quite a bit.

Stepping into the Bessy Barstool proved to be a louder affair than I anticipated. The ancient hinges squawked in complaint as I pushed them in; they sounded such a fuss I was surprised they even opened in the first place. Immediately the room quieted. All eyes turned towards our group. To me.Being a small town, I imagined strangers weren’t too common; especially ones accompanied by an Alraune and a slime.

The inquisitive silence hung like a wet blanket of the room. Whispers zipped between the different tables, as thick as the cobwebs hanging in the shadowed corner. The uncanny amount of attention threatened to boil over within me, so I looked around casually, as if there weren’t twenty-odd pairs of eyes staring my way.

Wisps of smoke rolled over a low hanging ceiling adorned with the occasional hanging oddity or antler. Lanterns lit where sunlight missed, and the smell of burning oil mixed with that of cooking food, sweaty patrons, and the sour acid from powerfully yeasted alcohol. Light undertones of perfume that the barmaids doused themselves in also filled the room.

Battered arrays of furnishings served as the tables, stools, and chairs; with enough to house a good sixty people on a full eve. Combined with the wooden floors, a rickety staircase leading up, and the aged glass windows, it reminded me of a semi-Old West bar, just with a fantasy flair.

Not unpleasant. Aside from all the curiosity aimed my way.

I walked up to the man behind the bar while forcing myself to maintain a casual, carefree gait. Graying hair mixed with dappled red on the man’s head, with a mustache that would make a European proud. His larger frame, strong eyes, and more serious looking nature presented the feeling of someone who knew himself well. I immediately assumed him to be Croon, the owner.

‘That’s how fantasies have it, right? The owner is always the one behind the bar.’

“I would like to rent a single room, please. The best available,” I said. If I was going to be stuck in an inn… I wanted it to be as luxurious as I could get it. I doubted I would find much luxury at such a small town though.

The man looked me over, then at my summons. “They tamed?”

“Indeed they are,” I replied, not wanting to share that Ivy was, in fact, my summon. Macsen could know… but I didn’t need the world knowing. The hairs on the back of my neck seemed to stand as I still noticed the leery silence and attention.

Macsen stepped up and smiled at the man, “It’s okay, Croon. He’s with me. My buddy, Chaon.” He looked to everyone in the bar, “A summoner too. That crimson slime was pulled from the pits of the Underworld, in fact. The Fires of Narte’Hak. He wrestled with its queen for a hundred days just to gain the right to bind with it,” he waved his hands for emphasis. It was such a tall tale that everyone took it as a joke, chuckling. Instantly the room diffused and interest began switching away from me.

I knew then that Macsen was definitely an extroverted person… and someone who could really control a room without orders. I could talk, but with a more protected personality and dryer humor there was no way I could match Macsen’s ease in transforming a room like that. It was impressive. But also made me more wary. If he could manipulate others than easily… could he manipulate me in the same way?

I thought to myself, ‘I’ll sleep with one eye open for now.’ Macsen turned back toward the bar.

“He really is my buddy though,” Macsen told Croon while giving me a pat on the back.

Croon nodded. He wiped his hand off on one of the drying towels and held it out for me. “Croon Shyflecher. The owner.”

“Well met, sir. Gramps told me about you,” I said, taking the massive hand and shaking it as best I could manage. Callouses covered the man’s hand.

After a solid shake, he let go. “Gramps?”

“Granmps Larw?” I asked.

Croon chuckled and nodded, “Gramps, eh? I like it… Have ta use it some for ol’ Mast.”

“The Larws are in town, so you’ll get the chance soon enough.”

“Oh? Whole family? Why? Mast n’ Britheer was just here a week past…” He said, curious.

I wasn’t about to tell him. With an apologetic dip of my head, I merely said, “That is best left to others to explain, Mister Croon.”

For a moment it looked like he wouldn’t accept the answer, but with a nod let it go. “Fine.” His eyes scanned my summons again, “One room? How long ya be staying?”

“A few days at least. A few weeks at most, if that is alright.”

“Should be. Five Wood Crysts night,” he said.

‘Wood Crysts…’ I thought, fishing out my coin pouch. They were the coins with the orange gems in the center; which I found odd since there wasn’t an ounce of wood on the coins at all. But, who was I to judge their currency naming conventions?

From what I knew, every hundred Wood Crysts equaled a Stone Cryst. A hundred Stone equaled a Copper. So on and so forth… Wood, Stone, Copper, Iron, Steel, Mithra, Silver, Gold, and Ruun. It would take some getting used to, but it made sense in its own way.

Looking in my pouch, I found about thirty Stone Crysts; with their light yellow crystals shimmering at me. I also had one copper colored gem, which I assumed was a Copper Cryst.

‘One night is five Wood, so with one Stone, I could stay for quite the while and still pay for food…’ I pulled out one of the Stone Crysts and placed it on the counter. I added two more, earning a surprised look from both Croon and Macsen.

“I would like to pay for Macsen’s room as well. And would like meals for my party,” I said nonchalantly, trying to act as though the three Stone were pocket change. “Anything left over is a tip.”

Croon smiled and nodded, “Done. Thank ya.”

“Thank you as well.”

Croon grabbed a key, handed it to me, and pointed at the stairs, “Up those. Second door, left. Bathing room in back and open throughout. Just have one of the gals or I heat water for it. Meals are at eight morn, twelve afternoon, and seven eve; but anytime, really, since me wife loves cookin’ anything and everything, all the time. Best wife a man could ask fer,” he said with a deep chuckle. I smiled and chuckled lightly as well.

“Indeed, Mister Croon.” With a nod of my head and the key in hand, I headed for the stairs. “Thank you. I look forward to staying here.”

“Thank you, Sir Chaon. I hope we live up to yer standards.”

I just offered a smile and another quick nod before heading up the squeaky steps. I had to pull Ivy along as she was lost in the sights of the bar. She wanted to try sitting on the stools. Touching the mugs. Drinking the fizzy cloud things. That sort of thing. When I glanced at Macsen, I saw a near-teary eyed dog looking at me; at least that was his expression.

I paused, “What?”

His lip quivered, “You… you’re really paying… for my room and meals…? Honest?”

“Yes…” I mumbled, now a bit confused. Was he really that overjoyed by the gesture?

I got my answer.

He quickly stepped forward and hugged me so tightly I could hear my back cracking. “You’re the best, buddy!”

“…let… me… breathe…” I gasped.

“Sorry,” he did so, giving me a sheepish grin and taking a deep breath to calm himself. “Sorry, buddy. I can get a little emotional sometimes. I mean… that’s just really nice of ya. Really nice.”

‘Oh great… not only is he bizarre, but he’s an emotional softy too? That’s both a good thing, and a bad thing.’ Already I was becoming the controlling force of this odd companionship; like some comedy act where there was a serious guy, and then the goofy guy. But… that had the strong possibility of working in my favor, so I decided to roll with it.

I sighed a little and nodded, “Okay, we have established that I am nice. Though, naturally, if you are my traveling companion and are staying here on my account, I should support that stay with my funds. That is simply the right thing to do.” Sort of. It was more I wanted to earn his loyalty as quickly as possible so that I didn’t have to worry as much about him betraying me. It also meant he would be more inclined to answer my questions. Perhaps even train me.

He grinned and nodded, patting me on the back several times happily. “Thanks, buddy!”

“You’re welcome. Now I am going to head up to my room. I’ll be back down shortly to eat.” I nodded toward an empty corner table, “Why don’t you order our meal… I would like meat, Ivy would like berries or bread, and you can order whatever you wish… and that way once we return from the room, the food will almost be ready?”

Giving a hearty nod a thumb’s up he said, “Good plan, buddy. I know just the dish for ya. Ribs and fish.”

“Sounds delicious. We will be back shortly.” I started up the stairs again, pulling Ivy along. She wanted to try the fizzy drink so badly… but there was no way under heaven I would let her get drunk. A drunk Alraune… that was a horror show just waiting to happen.

“Okay. Till then,” Macsen gave a little wave and headed over toward Croon while Ivy, Ditto, and I headed toward our room.

“A marriage suite… it must be…” I muttered, looking over the frilly sheets of the bed. The pillows. The rather high standard wood furniture that had dozens of hearts and initials carved all over it. The queen sized bed sat in the center of the room. Two bedside tables sat to either side. A sole wooden trunk rested at the foot of the bed, waiting to hold clothing or the like.

Overall the room was small and offered just enough room for the bed and a comfortable avenue to and from the door. A light sheen of dust sat on the trunk and tables, though the sheets looked slightly fresh… the flowers, hearts, swallows, and other designs sewn onto the woolen thing blazing their myriad of colors.

A single window on the left allowed light to drift in. When the sun went down, a sole lantern sitting on the table would serve. Either way… it was humble. Far more humble than I had hoped. With a little sigh, I set Ditto onto the bed and began unpacking my backpack and placing the contents into the trunk.

“I thought fantasy inns were supposed to always have a chair… or at least a stool. Maybe I can borrow one…” I thought aloud while placing my few clothes and possessions into the trunk. I needed to get more. Dirty clothes needed to be washed. I needed to be washed. Ivy too. Ivy needed clothes. Shopping would be the next order of business after lunch. I prayed that the few Crysts I had would last long enough for me to figure out some way to make some decent money.

My ears caught the sound of the bed squeaking. Of Ivy’s lovely, lighthearted giggling. Glancing up, I saw Ivy had figured out, quickly, that the mattress offered a bit of a bounce to it. She was busy rolling around and playing with Ditto. She hopped up and down, curling into a ball, then pouncing and hugging the slime. The slime, in response, hopped up and down a few times and bounced on her. It was utterly adorable…

‘Wait… Ditto doesn’t have a brain, so how is it playing with Ivy right now?’ I continued watching, enjoying their play while observing them. Ditto responded to Ivy’s movements. It understood when to allow Ivy to snuggle and cuddle, and when to bounce along with Ivy. It was… smarter than the inert blob I had contracted with. It was also a bit larger. Definitely a different color entirely. ‘Is it… evolving or something?’ I shrugged a little and finished unpacking. That was a question to be answered at another time. For now, I needed to eat.

“Ditto, Ivy, let’s head down to lunch,” I said, walking to the side of the bed. Ivy gave me a brilliant, sunshine smile and hopped toward me, arms outstretched. I almost stood there dumbly, caught off-guard. But the contract synced me to brace and catch the giggling Alraune without dropping her. Her hair flew all over the place, giving her a guns and roses hairstyle that matched her over-joyfully playful grin.

“Nnnn!” She told me, pointing at the bed.

I chuckled and nodded, “Yes, it is a very fun toy… but it’s for sleeping on, not bouncing on.”

Her face contorted in shock at the revelation. “Nnn nnnn…?!”

“Yep, for sleeping.” I pet her head, adding a quick kiss to her forehead before trying to fix her wild hair. “You sleep under those blankets and put your head on those pillows,” I explained. She soundlessly formed the words with her lips while looking at the bed in an entirely new light. The concept was so foreign that it befuddled her. It was almost too strange to believe.

“Mmmm… nnnm hnnn…” She looked at me, cocking her head. She wanted to know why humans slept on a bounce box instead of the floor.

I tapped her nose and winked, “Because we like sleeping on bounce boxes more.” She smiled up at me and blinked with both eyes, then again, then finally managed a struggling wink.

Setting her down, I picked up Ditto and pulled Ivy along downstairs. The day was starting to look up. I just hoped it stayed that way.