The Ranch

There's two types of errandboys (1)

A new day arrives and Tih bumps into a new backround ch- soldier. They happened to meet around the area between the apartment districts and the colosseums. There were only a few people around at the time, but even if there were more, they wouldn't interfere in a stranger's problem.

The person Tih happened to bump into has developed a case of PTSD from living on the island for many years. This particular soldier wasn't born with a strong mindset and was easily susceptible to the side effects of the trials.

As soldiers go through more trials, the time and day of them become more sporadic. The only thing that's set in stone is that each person will have to go through twelve trials every year. As a result, some people are constantly on edge, awaiting their next life or death challenge.

This side effect mostly occurs with the less talented soldiers that struggle through each trial. In the end, they put themselves under constant stress and their mentality slowly deteriorates over time.

The soldier Tih unintentionally triggered happened to be of this group and he seemed to be in a particularly bad mood.

The soldier wasn't looking where he was going and bumped shoulders with the child.

"Watch where you're goin brat! You-You got some kinda facial paralysis or somethin?" He pats Tih's face.

"Heh, that's an interesting look you got in your eyes." The soldier mistakes Tih's emotionless for coldness, similar to someone like Victor.

The soldier, named Nathan, sees that the child isn't retaliating and thinks he's afraid. A response normal newbies would have when confronted, especially if they don't specialize in any combat professions.

"Newbies like you should really watch where they're going. If mere foils like you offend someone important, it'll be a death sentence. Newbies don't realize how cheap their lives are. Your rules don't apply here. If I really wanted to, I could cripple you right here but I'm feeling magnanimous. As an apology, go fetch me a drink." Nathan shoos him off after letting off some steam.

He watches the child walk off, not actually expecting him to come back. What fool would be stupid enough to return to their oppressor.

That's why, when Tih returns minutes later with drink in hand, Nathan is flabbergasted. To the point that he forgets to question how Tih make a round trip to the market and back in only a few minutes, when it would take him half an hour if he sprinted the whole way.

Nathan discovered a new level of naivety. Gears in his head start spinning as he realizes he found himself a personal servant. But first, he has to make sure this servant is "loyal".

He takes the drink," It looks like you can take orders properly. If it were anyone else, they would have killed you for taking so long. In fact, you should be thanking me for telling you all this information. Newbies usually have to learn it the hard way." He takes a sip," How about this. I'll continue teaching you things and in return, you do me favors. Sound good?"

Tih stares at the man with no opinion.

"This is a really good offer you know. Other newbies would kill for an opportunity like this." Nathan gets a little impatient, shown by his tapping foot.

He turns away from his drink to look at the silent child," ...wait, are you a mute?" At first, Nathan found this idea to be annoying, but then he realizes a silent servant might be more convenient.

Although Tih is not sure what the actual definition of "mute" is, he's picked up more than enough context clues over the years to get an understanding of the word. As he's often been described that way, he nods.

"Then...if you want to learn from me, nod your head."

Tih ponders for a moment before nodding. No matter if it's the "learning" or the "favors" part, all of it seems like it'll be interesting and new to the child, so he has no reason to decline.

And with that, their relationship begins. Nathan, this PTSD patient started using Tih for everyday tasks.

A normal day for Tih would consist of running errands such as buying food and bringing it to wherever he was. Nathan wouldn't stay in one place during this period and his orders would be very specific, like wanting a certain brand or wanting something from a specific shop on the opposite side of their current position.

Luckily, with Tih's insane speed, it wouldn't take long to grab what he needed and scour the area for the man.

As time went by, Nathan's courage increased and the orders became more outrageous. Once, he used Tih as a chair. There was also the time Tih personally fed him his meal, which became a habit afterwards.

Sometimes, Nathan would be in a particularly irritating mood and would tell Tih to do weird things on a whim like fishing for lobsters, collecting clay from Phil Lake, or catching rabbits in the mountains. He would then take the items and sell them for a profit and pay off some of his debt.

Some of the richer islander's have set up loan businesses, which have brought many soldiers into debt. As a result, their workers, nicknamed 'loan sharks' by the islanders, are despised by many. Although the businesses are scorned, many still flock to them. Death rates have also lowered ever since they were established.