At least the voice calling me from behind was one I was very well acquainted with - Sanna. Different from the women I had interacted with lately from her, I felt no danger, so I turned to face her while giving a bow, "Ile Sanna."

Taking a step forward, Sanna slightly blushed and bowed back, "Sorry to disturb you."

"No worries. Did you need something?"

As before, when I looked straight at her, Sanna stuttered as she explained, "Maester Zelindo asked me to come to confirm whether you can drop by the Guild tomorrow before sunset."

"Tomorrow?" From our talk yesterday, Zelindo had given me three days before coming to the Guild, so the request was a bit surprising. Honestly, I felt like saying no, but with Sanna serving as the messenger, I couldn't refuse just like that.

Assuming my question was more than a simple half-assed inquiry to gain time, Sanna quickly started talking, "Maester Zelindo is worried about the current events and has summoned every member and affiliate of the Guild to control the situation."

"...I see?" Who knows how much I understood, but considering the events I have learned about, I at least knew that there was a lot of stuff going on, and with Zelindo being anything but an idiot, it was clear he had to do both damage control and strive for gains.

"Mmm, so I think his summons for you, Maester, is to confirm your actions and learn the views of someone related to the main branch." While Zelindo and Falko perfectly knew my situation, everyone else in the Guild thought of me as someone from the [Cadowden] main branch. And while the badge I flashed at the gates was one for the local one, it still partially confirmed that I had some influence. Thus her words, while slightly unclear, definitively pointed to the fact.

"Understood. I will be there." Honestly? The words crossing my mind were different, but I couldn't say something like - Fuck him! I want free time. - could I?

"Thank you. I will take my leave to inform the Maester." Bowing again, Sanna said while smiling. Then, she continued as she straightened up, "And I hope you have a nice evening."

"Thank you." I could be sure that her work didn't entail running to search for me as part of some errand, so my thanks and smile were absolutely genuine, though they sent the woman into a deep blush once again.

"...Will you be..?" I had nearly turned around towards the door as I heard part of her question said in a low, whisper-like voice.

"Hmm?"

"Ah, nothing!" Suddenly, as if I had scared or surprised her, Sanna shouted out, and when I once again turned to face her, I found her already making her way toward the Guild's compound quickly.

_______

Lately, I have had the worst luck with women. And that even when literally being surrounded by them!

First, it was Gris. Someone charming, attractive, fascinating, and everything else I could wish for. And damn! We even connected nicely, but as I felt we would end up doing something, or at least furthering our relationship, the assassination had to happen. And while I foiled it and, by all logic, even got somewhat closer to her, she hurriedly left town, leaving without even a word.

Then the mission to Chubu? Something that literally entailed, at least in my first opinion, investigating brothels turned out to be far different. And even so, I met and interacted with my share of attractive women, even risked my life, as it turned out to be in vain, to save one!

Eithne, Harna, Lelani, Lady Ezilda, and even Lady Nitia, I had to some degree, interacted with several attractive or directly beautiful women. Yet, the interactions were far from enjoyable, with some attempting to kill me, others to use me, and one was a mere construct of a being so powerful that I could only call it out as HER.

And no matter how much actual gains I obtained from the unexpected troubles I lived through in the city, it was a fact that I had not even a chance to sit down and trade a couple of words in some cozy setting.

As I returned to Megvuroz, it seemed my bad luck continued, with me interacting with breathtaking beauties. And yet, both more dangerous than anything, Esme and Arxibiela.

Esme? Her crimson hair, green eyes, and the grace she moved with? Everything combined into something that was enough to mesmerize the best of men. And if not for the small detail of her connection to people that literally nearly set fire to half of the city, I can't even deny how I would run around her in circles.

Arxibiela? A damn olive-haired demon, beautiful as scary. Yet, even when she openly flirted with me, I couldn't even think of making a move, perfectly aware of what it could entail.

But during the last events, there was a small bright ray in the otherwise dangerous women I tended to interact with, Sanna. Honestly, and to no offense to her, she hardly could compare with either of the furies in any category. Any but one! She was the only one that had no actual occult plans or agendas or carried any danger. At least, so I thought and felt. Plus, to continue on a frank note, she wasn't bad looking in any way, and her eyes? They were clear and sincere, not to mention the cute blush covering her face every time I approached or called her out.

So, would it be bad for me to try and attempt to get at least some - normal - interaction? I think not.

_______

"Sanna!" With the previous thoughts crossing my mind (though in a shorter manner), I found myself taking a few steps after her and calling her out.

Having started quickly, she had already moved a decent distance away as my shout reached her, and she turned in surprise, her light brown eyes widening as she saw me walking towards her.

Honestly, I didn't even plan what to say or anything, all coming just from feeling how much I would like to enjoy the company of someone normal for a change. Not that I couldn't find anything, especially considering I hardly was some lovestruck idiot. With the first part, obviously not so, heh. It did end up a bit overly formal, as I hesitated to use casual speech, "If you don't have any plans for tonight, I would be honored to invite you for a drink."

"...I will be right back!" After some silent staring and blushing even more than usual, Sanna suddenly shouted out before turning around and nearly running toward the Guild.

{Was that a yes?} As she ran off, I started to return to the house, questioning what the hell. And not even about Sanna's reaction or else, as most of my thoughts would return to a single one, {Just what the hell I was thinking?}

***

"Lindar! Welcome back!" Kierra greeted me with a smile as soon as I crossed the doorway.

"Mmm, and the others?" I nodded before asking, as I was pretty sure we lacked at least some people from the ones I expected to meet. After all, even if Soni left, Dart and Angelique should be around, shouldn't they?

"After you left, we found out that Dart has no possessions of his own, not even a change of clothes, but Soni said they would go and buy at least some things." Kierra explained clearly and took a pause before adding, "Angelique tagged along."

"Oh, I see. Did they go towards the plaza?" With the more affordable and ready-to-go stores located closer to the inns and taverns catered to travelers and me seeing them not around the gate area where Xiela's shop was, the only explanation would be that they went towards Soni's shop location. Though it was a bit surprising, as the closer to the city's center, the more expensive everything got, the situation only changing as one moved close to the opposite side gates.

"No, Soni mentioned she knew some good spots on the backstreets, so she wanted to take them there." Shaking her head, Kierra explained further.

"The slums? Not the best area by this hour, is it?" Honestly, I was somewhat surprised, but with Soni and Dart around, I did not doubt that nothing short of a damn cataclysm could affect Angelique. So, while I did worry a bit, it was just a first reaction, something quickly vanishing as I recalled both demi-humans strengths.

"I told her the same, but Soni assured me that nothing could happen..." Seemingly my initial worry infected Kierra, who hurriedly started explaining, breaking her phrase midway as she also started worrying.

And while I immediately attempted to reverse the damage, no assurance of mine could help that we would pass the next hour or so in stress. Kierra worried for Angelique and me just from looking at her unending walking around and my previous thoughts.

Still, it all would end nicely, both matters, to be frank. After all, some hour later, Soni, Dart, and Angelique returned, each carrying at least a cloth sack.

"We're back!" As if it was her own home, Son was the first to enter, shouting aloud while waving her hands - each occupied with a sack.

"Lindar! Ile Soni knows so much! So much!" With gleaming eyes and a broad smile, Angelique followed after the [Horned One], who somehow ended as a bonus to our acceptance of Dart, exclaiming in a matter similar to the red-skinned woman.

The only one to enter the house silently and in a normal manner would be Dart. And while the first one was no surprise, his usual calm demeanor, and actions were something I very much liked. After all, it seemed that even Angelique got overly excited, and while I was happy for her, it did make me slightly wince - hearing her shout out loud, that is.

***

Using the moment that the girls and Dart went upstairs, the latter taking one of the sacks in Soni's hand with him, I called my first demi-human acquaintance out for a smoke, immediately asking her as we left the house, "Just what did you teach her for Angelique to become so agitated?"

"Just some stuff about our race and so on. Why?" Probably surprised by the question, Soni still replied calmly and even offered to elaborate after asking and learning about the reason.

"Ah, there is no need. I thought it was strange for Angelique to get overly excited by something, but when you said it was knowledge unknown to many, it all connected."

I had already noticed that Angelique was very curious about learning new stuff, especially things not many knew. As an example, she was very excited when I offered them to read the herbs and potions notes I had on myself before. Still, I truly felt the need to confirm just what Soni decided to teach the girl, as, for some reason, I couldn't find myself entirely trusting the common sense of the [Horned One].

"And here I thought that what excited her was my wisdom on women's matters." But just as I assumed something, Soni dropped a damn bomb. Casually and with a shrug.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, you see, since we spoke yesterday, I found myself thinking about a small change to my usual wardrobe-" Giving me a fang-full smile as she motioned towards her attire, one that had changed nothing since my first meeting with her, "-after all, as an attractive woman, your own words by the way, I should dress the part, shouldn't I? So we discussed a lot about clothes, and I even went and got her some stuff she liked." Still flashing her sharp teeth, Soni winked at me as she swayed from side to side, as if inviting me to check her out.

"...And I hope that was all?" Okay, I will admit that I did think of Soni as attractive - even ignoring that she was about my own height and probably could win in a contest of strength and not to mention her skin, teeth, or horn - but the topic was just too dangerous. Angelique was just twelve, and judging from Soni's behavior, I had no trust that she didn't talk about something else than wardrobe decisions.

I may ask myself why I stressed about it, but I did consider the two girls close, and I was not planning for Angelique to get strange ideas, not until her coming out of age, at least. Maybe it was an odd thought, with the girls not being related to me or anything, but damn! I accepted to take care of them, and while I have been failing miserably, I should at least do something, shouldn't I?

"Obviously!" Probably understanding what I meant, Soni vigorously nodded, her slightly blue-tinted dark hair swinging in synch with her movement.

"Sorry to doubt you?" Well, what else could I say as her purple eyes stared into mine while an offended expression formed on her face?

"Hahaha, no worries! I get that you worry about her, but she's a girl! Nothing bad can come from some interest in dressing up, or it can?" Soni was a damn good actress, far away from what her stats said, and something I learned from just how different her actual self and the one presented to Azar and other people was. She even got me with the offended face from before, and as she laughed everything off, I found myself laughing along with her.

"Wait, you bought stuff for her? What do I owe you?" After laughing for a bit, I recalled part of her words and decided to clear it up.

"Oh, so you are aware you owe me? And you plan to pay? What if I say it was a lot?" Suddenly assuming a serious face and looking straight at me once again, Soni asked in quick succession.

"Then I will just pay a lot." From the previous interaction, I could understand that the damn red-skinned, horned, and fanged woman was just playing with me, so I answered with an absolutely serene voice and a serious face, using all my willpower to contain my laughter.

"Damn, you learn quickly!"

***

Like that, laughing and jabbing at each other, we spent some minutes finishing the first pipe and even started to prepare a second one. Soni was very easy to be around, and as she joked around or assumed poses as if she was a model, even if she was still wearing the wrinkled pants and shirt she usually wore in place of the [Awesome] [Girly] [Breathtaking] attires she bought today, I found myself at absolute ease. So much that I, to my own shame, had just asked a woman out. Just some damn hour ago!

But as I [Record]'ed before, both things stressing me out would resolve, and so was the one about Sanna's strange answer and quick runaway.

"Maester Lindar!"