“Circumstances have changed, Nickie, and I'll no longer be able to afford your services. I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go.” Serah says with a sigh from behind her home office desk.

Serah was currently going through the process of letting her employees go, while selling the remaining stock, as she timed the sale of the store. She imagined the store employees would just continue to work for the new store owner, but for the servants of her house, Serah wasn't quite sure where they'd go. Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford to keep them employed; without the income from the store, there was just no way to support it.

Nickie’s eyes widen. “No! You can’t so this to me! When you hired me, you promised me job security! You can’t just take that back! And-and what about us! Are you just going to throw me out on the streets! Used and abused, and no use to anyone!” She exclaims dramatically as she urges her tears to come out before a single tear manages to escape her eye. “Look what you did! Now I’m crying!” She exclaims again as she rubs her eyes.

Serah lets out a bitter smile as she walks over. Serah pulls Nickie into a gentle hug as she comforts her. “Hey, hey. It’ll be okay. You’ll find other things to do. Unfortunately, I just can’t afford it. There’s the gardeners, the stable boys, the chefs, and the other maids. There’s no way I could keep you all.” She says, not sure what else to do about it.

Nickie lets out some sniffles as she gives Serah the puppy dog look. “But you could keep one?” She says, the light of hope in her eyes.

Serah looks at her and frowns.

“Didn’t you say I was special? Besides, you’ll need someone to… take care of your other needs as well…” Nickie says enticingly as she places a hand on Serah’s hips.

Serah’s face lets out a blush as she looks away, determined to stay focused. “No, no. Nickie, I can’t. I’m sorry.” She says as Nickie begins to kiss her neck.

“Shut up. You’ll take me and you’ll like it.” Nickie says bravely as she plants a deep kiss onto Serah’s mouth.

Serah’s eyes widen before slowly giving in. Dammit. I’m such a sucker for hot chicks. She exclaims in her mind, berating herself.

…

…

“Where’s the next caravan going?” Serah asks, an obedient Nickie waiting to the side with a big smile on her face. There’s nothing a girl can’t do if she puts her mind to it! Nickie thinks, satisfied with her victory.

“Ah, next one’s going to Sapphire City, should be a week or so. You wanted to join? As a merchant or a guard?” The man asks, getting to business.

“As a guard. I expect to be paid.” Serah says with a tough face.

“Of course, of course. Standard payment. 100 before, 100 after.” The man says.

“Do you not have anything going to Redriver City?” Serah asks. She was very curious at what studying at a college was like in this world.

“Ah, not anytime soon. Maybe by the end of the month? Anyways, Sapphire City, you going or not?” The man asks.

“I’m going.” Serah says.

…

…

Serah promptly handled the loose ends of her life. Her stock was sold, her store was sold, and her house… Well, she kept the house. But her employees were now left to find work elsewhere… Except for the determined Nickie, who agreed to follow Serah in her travels.

As for Serah, she would go where the wind blows. And currently, she was aching for adventure. She had taken a few adventurer jobs while she was in Gardenhill, and she had leveled up a few times, but for the most part, she’s just been idly working.

What Serah really needed was a quest. A task of great honor and bountiful rewards. Plus, she wouldn’t mind cutting down a few evildoers either. It’s been a while since I’ve cut down someone despicable. Serah thinks with an ominous glint in her eyes.