“Mmm...you want to know about someone from the Upper Houses?” Michel has a strange way of walking. He’s not a Demi, Jasselryia’s house doesn't employ anything but true-blooded humans for their direct underlings. However, he reminds me of a Demi. The creeping, servile way he paces around the displays of my shop. Each step quiet, not like an assassin who is trying to get closer to put a knife in your heart, but rather instead, light and genteel, someone afraid to make waves. I hate it. I hate him. But his master is a good customer. And very much opposed to the Daggas Clan.

“I do. Are there any men that come to mind who don’t have heirs?” I ask. Though I despise having to rely on someone who relies on his Master’s shadow to seem bigger than he is, I can only feed his ego right now. You can see him puffing up with every word. He’s so desperate for praise, so deprived that it’s easy to get him to do whatever you want. “I just happen to be looking for someone. It’s important you see. And considering the extent of your knowledge and position, I thought I’d ask you...can you help me out?”

“Well, I am quite well acquainted with those at the top of Merekeep.” Michel laps up my fawning attention without noticing the barely hidden disgust behind my smile. However, he’s not dumb. I can see it in his face the moment he realizes he can make a profit here. “I suppose I could think of a few names that fit that description. But you know, I can’t spend long chatting here. Jasselryia is expecting me to be back soon. I don’t really have time to negotiate and talk...”

Really?

You get a chance to make some money and instead of using it for yourself, you want to help your Master get a discount on...cheese?

Some people truly can’t be saved.

Are you sure you’re not a slave?

“Of course, Michel. Your time is very valuable!” Leaning in on my chair, I notice how straight he’s standing as he comes to a stop in front of me. I better be careful...the way his pants are bulging, he might contaminate the merchandise if I stroke his ego anymore. Stretching my smile wider, I give a nice fake chuckle which he returns. “Naturally, Jasselryia will receive a discount on her purchase. How does ten percent sound? I’ll make sure she...knows it was from you.”

“Ten percent?!” Michel’s involuntary shriek makes me want to wince but I hold my smile steady, unfaltering while meeting his eyes. He’s a penny-pincher, doubtless hired to keep track of every little thing and every last purchase. Lucky me, I guess. Makes him easy to deal with. He tries to smooth out his face, but can only give a light cough as the cats already out of the bag. “Well, ten percent is very good, but I really am quite busy...”

“Fifteen.”

“W-What do you want to know?” He almost chokes, caving to my counteroffer like a goddamn Demi-Cat in front of cheese. Funny enough, I’m paying him in cheese too. Which makes him basically a Demi...huh, I wonder since Jasselryia hates the Daggas Clan, does that make Michel a racist or not? Because if he is, that’d be pretty funny.

“Like I said, tell me every man you can think of that’s in charge of a major house...and childless. Playboys, degenerates, widowers, don’t leave anyone out. If he’s from an Upper House, I want to know his name.” I watch Michel’s face closely as he thinks.

“Well, there’s Jantyce. But he’s more or less just denying it at this point, we all know he’s got bastards running around left and right...then there’s Murray-“

“Could you write me a list?” I begin to realize that this could take a while. Merekeep has a lot of houses, and doubtless, despite the emphasis on marriage and heirs in this world, some of them aren’t perfect shining examples of fatherhood. Heh, like Mark. Ugh...actually that kinda ruins my mood. Romy, where the hell are you? Why haven’t you brought him back yet?

“A list? Oh yea...I could write you a list.” Michel chews his lip uncomfortably. His response in the future makes me annoyed. I realize I’ve overestimated his usefulness. “To be honest, I’m only familiar with those houses that Jasselryia meets with regularly. But she’d know more. If you’d like, I could let her know of your interest-“

“Yea. Do that please.” I grimace, interrupting what I already know he’s going to say. It’s like skipping the damn cutscene in a videogame. Sometimes you just can’t press the button fast enough. Before he even opens his mouth, I continue, “I’ll meet her tomorrow, noonish. And yes, you’re still getting the fifteen percent discount.”

“How about tomorrow at-?” He stops as he realizes what I just said. “Oh...wow, that’s great timing, Myrr! What a coincidence! Yes, Jasselryia will be thrilled to meet you then! I was just about to say that Rissel canceled on her so...perfect, she’s always wanted to talk to you again! I’m so glad you finally agreed!”

“Yup, yup. Nya! Where’s Michel’s package?” I call out to the storeroom. Without missing a beat, my teensiest, tiniest, and clumsiest employee appears, almost dropping Jasselryia’s order. It seems when the Cat God blessed the Demi-Cat race, he forgot to endow a few members with his grace. Hurriedly, I swoop in and take the oversized crate filled with cheese from Nya before she makes a mess. “Thank you.”

“No problem, Master!” Nya smiles but seems a bit less perky than usual. I think I see Michel turning a bit red when he sees the young Demi-Cat girl, before he quickly looks away. The reason is easy to guess. Oh? Probably thinking about her sister. Maybe he’s not a racist after all. Huh, I should have just promised him a date or something instead of a discount. Nya finally notices our guest. The picture of innocence, she chirps with twitching ears, “Oh, hi there, Michel!”

“H-Hi, Nya. Is...is your sister in?” Michel’s awkward reply makes me smirk a bit. Before he sees my condescension, I conceal my expression and stuff Jasselryia’s crate of cheese into his hands. Yea nah...they’re my staff. Off limits. No dates for you.

“Here you go!”

“O-Oh! Thank you, Myrr. I’m in your debt for the discount!”

“Nonsense. Remember, I’m coming tomorrow at noon, the door is that way! You know what...let me just show you out! Wouldn’t want you to trip!” Putting my hand on his back, I guide him to the exit and wave him through before slamming the door. Finally, I can take a breather and turn off Foresight. “Thank you for your patronage!”

...

...

Whew. Seeing the future really makes this crap boring. If it wasn’t so dangerous, I’d honestly prefer to keep my Foresight off sometimes. It’s actually a blessing being able to turn it off in this life. Alright, lets close up shop and...oh what now?

When I turn around, I find Nya staring at me with a truly piteous expression behind the counter. Unlike Natalia whose ears both droop when she’s sad, Nya’s black and white cat-ears droop asymmetrically, one of them failing to bend, but the imperfection can’t be helped. Few Demi’s can compare to Natalia after all. Naturally my sister has perfect genes. Not everyone can be blessed. Refusing to meet Nya’s tiny face, I walk away from the door. Is she mad because I sent Michel away?

“What? Did you want me to help set him up with your sister or something?” I’m feeling snippy, already done for the day. Going over to the tower of cheddar I had to rebuild this morning, I glance at Nya only to find her expression has grown a little sad. Her emerald eyes are turning round and sparkly like wet gemstones. Uh oh...are those tears? I stall out, suddenly in damage-control mode. Nya’s quite young and kids are easily upset after all. “Um...are you okay? You know, I was joking about your sister, right? I can call him back if you guys are interested. Hell, if you can get Kisa to flirt with him a little maybe I won’t have to give him that discount!”

“M-Master?” Her cat-like whiskers twitch dangerously as her lips wobble but I don’t notice. My store mascot err, Demi-Cat receptionist, seems disturbed and I can’t figure out why. She asks me with a trembling voice, “Did you mean what you said to him?”

“Well, I mean, yea...I’ll give him a fifteen percent off. It’s no big deal...” I trail off as I see Nya bursting into tears. Oops! Behind the storeroom door which is just slightly ajar, I think I catch sight of Kisa peeking her head out to see the commotion before she hurriedly ducks back inside. Why are they...? Oh right...I always told them not to give discounts unless the shop was dying! Nya isn’t good with numbers. She probably thinks we’re in trouble. “R-Relax, it’s just a discount! We’re doing fine! The store’s not going bankrupt or anything!”

“You really think that I’m clumsy and get in the way?” Nya sobs, totally not listening.

What?

“That’s not what I said...!” I protest but then freeze...crap...that’s what I told the Stranger. She heard me last night? “Um, well you know, Nya.” I shift uncomfortably only to see Kisa peeking through the door again. Also watching intently with sparkling round cat-eyes. They both must have overheard some of the conversation. The question is how much? Damnit, do they know I’m behind the explosions? “Whatever you think you heard, it was really just to protect you-“

“Do you really think we’re just freeloaders? And you only took us in because we were cute?” Nya’s sad voice gets even more depressed. My alarm grows as I see Kisa’s head now openly staring through the open door. The older one pretty much never takes a break, but right now, her eyes are glued on me, and I know I can’t mess up the response. “Are we just useless Demi’s who only attract trouble for you?”

“N-NO! Absolutely...not...” my voice trails off because to be honest, I definitely did take them in because they were cute. How do I do this without lying? Man, this sounds so bad. But it doesn’t seem like they know about the Icebombs...else they’d be asking about that. Must have just heard the beginning of the conversation. This is still salvageable! I’ll go all out! “Look, I had to tell the Stranger some lies because I was worried he might be interested in my staff! And I can’t afford to lose anyone! You guys do a great job! That’s why I’m so scared he might try to steal you away! Mhm! One hundred percent, if I had a choice, I’d get rid of Meera and hire more like you! Wouldn’t even have to think twice, Demi’s are the best!”

“R-Really?”

“Master?!” At this point, Kisa runs into the room streaming tears and hugs Nya. Then the two of them come towards me. It seems like I’ve managed to gracefully avoid this PR disaster. However, as I open my arms hopefully for a soothing hug, a shadow flickers behind me. The two sisters shy away, horror on their faces. Huh? Am I that scary? Something’s not right...the hairs on the back of my neck raise and I really want to activate Foresight. Unfortunately, I think I learned a few too many lessons from my worthless uncle because it’s too late. Meera’s dagger pricks the underside of my chin as she grabs me in a headlock from behind and whispers in my ear-

“Demi’s are the best...I see...is that what you really think, Myrr?”

Oh god...I’ve made a horrible mistake!

“N-Not at all! You’re my number one employee! Hehe...when did you even get in the room?” I try to keep my cool in Meera’s headlock. Damnit, Jarshan! Did you have to teach her all your stealth techniques? I didn’t tell you to make her this strong! Well, at least Meera doesn’t have Demi-Cat hearing so if she just got here then maybe I can survive this-

“I’d replace Meera and hire more Demi’s...” she coos and I shiver at my own words. “Now why would you want to replace your number one employee? I must have misheard. But I don’t have Demi hearing. Or Demi-ears. Is that what it is? The ears? Or maybe it’s the stupid tail? Is that what I’m missing? Heh...I must have misheard. Tell me I misheard, Myrr!” The two actual Demi’s in question are shaking in terror, absolutely useless as their Master faces down the grim reaper right in front of them. Meera’s dagger under my chin digs deeper, drawing blood. Come on Kisa, Nya! Protect your master! Save me!

“Meera...I...you know I’d never replace you right?” I try to save myself since no one else will. For god’s sake why didn’t I take Janus instead of her! “You’re my number one employee, the best at math...practically run the store when I’m not here-“

“And I protect you.”

“-Err right, and you protect me! Haha...nobody gets by you!”

Except you.

“And I help train you.”

“Yep! Best personal trainer in Merekeep!”

That cheats constantly.

“And I’m pretty.”

“Smoking hot...hold on-ow! Okay, okay, unbelievably gorgeous!”

Missing one eye.

“That’s better.”

The dagger disappears as Meera pats my cheek from behind. She steps out past me, whistling, and I can only wonder what kind of monster I’ve created as the two Demi’s hurriedly step aside to let her through. Meera’s supposed to be my minion...man...how did she even get in the room without me noticing! Just as I breathe a sigh of relief, Meera suddenly turns around. My self-proclaimed ‘number one employee’ marches right back through the terrified Demi sisters towards me.

“W-What’s up?” I ask.

“Think I’m going to take a walk.” Meera cryptically replies. As she passes by, her hand reaches over and grabs a block of cheese from the tower of cheddar, causing it to tilt dangerously. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach as she goes to the front door and yanks it open. Waving the block at me, she steps outside. “Don’t wait up. I won’t be long.”

“But...who’s going to guard me while you’re gone?” I ask. But she’s already gone.

“Ehh, get one of your Demi’s to do it.”

What was that about?

#

Meera returns later that night, without a word on where she went or what she did. Honestly, I’m a little too scared to ask. She just smiles and taps her index finger to my nose when I open the door. Naturally, I dodge the nose boop once I see it coming in the future, but that only seems to make her grin bigger. Flouncing by me, Meera disappears into her bedroom leaving me at a loss. Rainstoppers are freaking weird man. I see why Mark did some of the things he did now. But I really have no idea what he was thinking, marrying into the Sect. Well, now that I think about it, didn’t he come from a bunch of Yuel worshipping nutjobs?

“Typical.” I mutter, trying to fix the tower of cheddar, but there are too many blocks missing now. It’s impossible to get it to stand up straight anymore. Sighing, I just let it sag. “My employees think I hate them, my security runs off, and I gave a discount for nothing. I suppose it was all going too well.” Going over to the window, I take a look outside before shutting the wooden slats. For a brief moment, there’s a glimpse of the twinkling sky, stars up above. Merekeep might be a city, but the light pollution is nothing compared to my old world. At night...though the constellations are different...it’s gorgeous...

[The stars are beautiful tonight...

I wish I could go out and see them.]

“Huh?” An involuntary shiver runs through my spine again, but it’s nothing like how I felt with Meera’s knife at my back. Instead, it’s like being touched by a long-lost friend. My eyes widen. I remember now, there was someone. Has been someone. Not just before...in my previous life...she’s been talking to me now, in this world. In my dreams. “Who’s there?”

[Treasure these moments, Truthseeker...

Everything fades away eventually.]

And then she’s gone again. Her voice fading from my mind. No matter how I try to get it to appear again, nothing comes. Someone’s footsteps from behind wake me from my thoughts. Turning, I find Kisa. Of course, she heard me. Demi-Cat hearing.

“Are you okay?” she asks. Her ears also have an asymmetrical way of folding like her younger sister, though I think it’s the opposite one for her. Kisa’s right ear droops when she’s sad, and twitches more when she’s worried. “Were you talking to someone?”

“Yea...did you see them?”

“Who?” Kisa cocks her head at me, coming closer to gaze out the window with me. Seeing no one in the streets, she turns around and meets my eyes with confusion. “Master, there’s no one else here.”

You’ve never spoken to me outside of the dreams before.

Why those words?

“Right...yea...sorry, Kisa. Go back to bed. I just thought I...was talking to myself.”

Ignoring her attempts to convince me to let her ‘guard’ me tonight, I assure the Demi-Cat I’m fine. Still though, she looks troubled as she reluctantly goes back to bed. As for myself, I remain by the window, lost in thought for a long time. The words of the voice linger with me, though she doesn’t speak again.

Everything fades away eventually...

Are you...warning me?