Stranger From a Strange Land (canceled)

Chapter VI: House Party

"it's a pretty long story" I say. "Oh, I'd imagine" says Aries. "I did what I thought was right!" I say. "And you hurt people in the process!" She yells. "So what? They deserved it! And even if they weren't slave traders, I couldn't stand seeing her helplessly running!" I yell. "That's no reason to save a person" she says. "Like you'd understand! I've felt helpless my entire goddamn life, always trying to run from my issues and chase my dreams! Look where that got me! Absolutely nowhere!" I argue. "Then now's your chance to try again!" She yells. This shuts me up. She just drove home the one thing that I've been too blind to see this entire time. This isn't my old life anymore. This is a completely different world. Why should I let issues from my past life bother me here? She's right. I acted irrationally because I let myself get bothered by problems that are no longer plagueing me. At the same time, one could argue that this situation is too sudden, and that I'm still getting used to it, but that's a cheap excuse in my eyes. I've been here long enough to get used to it, and I'm even enjoying it to a degree. But I let my past get the better of me. And here I thought I'd gotten better as a person. I sit down, resting my head on my hands. "Listen, Deisuke. I know this isn't easy for you, but you've got to keep your head together. You can't go off doing reckless things in a whim like that anymore" she says. "I'm sorry" I say. "It's okay" she says. "We all make mistakes sometimes"

"So how do you two plan on taking care if this?" Asks Sammy. "Well, now that she's here, I suppose it's my responsibility to take care of her" I say. "I see" says Daniella. "I just don't know if we'll be able to afford the extra costs of a third mouth to feed" says Aries. "Yeah, I was thinking that too" I say. "We might be able to help, but don't expect free lodging" says Daniella. "How so?" I query. Sammy also seems perplexed. "We'll help pay some of your fees for you, but in exchange I need you to do me a favour" she says. "What kind of favour?" I ask. "I need you to do some big things. Achievements, if you will, in quests, such as subjugation quests for tough beasts" she says. "Alright, but I don't see how that benefits either of us" I say. "It will help spread your name" she says. "Why would we need to do that?" I ask. "There are Kingdoms out there with visionaries. Ours doesn't have one, so if we can spread the name of a new strong adventurer, they might be intrigued and take a look. It could help us determine whether you're the hero or not" she says. She makes a good point, except for the fact that I already know I'm the hero, if what Aries says can be trusted, which I'm sure it can be. "That's a good idea" I say. It couldn't hurt to meet one of these visionaries, even better to get acquainted with one, it could give me useful connections in the future. It will also put Daniella's mind at ease, I don't know why but she seems to be obsessive about this. "I see, so you want to make Deisuke famous?" Asks Sammy. "Indeed, but not for our own good. It is to determine whether a new evil is rising within this world, and if there's anyone who can stop it" Daniella says. "That does make sense", I say. I look over at Aries, who seems to be pouting. "Aries? What's wrong?" I query. "It's nothing!"she says nervously. Hey now, I might be a little dense sometimes but I'm not stupid. There's something wrong and I can see it. At the same time, if she won't tell me then it probably means she doesn't want to, I have to respect her wishes. Although, this is, without a doubt, what Sammy and Daniella were talking about when she said Aries would be mad. They were also right when they said I wouldn't understand, because I don't. Not one bit. "Well, I'm pretty tired, I'm gonna dmturn in for the day" says Daniella. "Yeah, I've got a bunch of paperwork to get stuck into" says Sammy. "I just remembered a few things I have to do at the inn! My bad" Aries says nervously. Liar! You're just trying to put me in an awkward situation when the girl wakes up! "Be sure to tell the innkeeper I say hi" I say in a sinister tone. After everyone's left, I'm sitting alone at the table, waiting for the girl to come out. I don't know what I'm going to tell her. 'hey, I just saved you from a bunch of slave traders and now I own you'. Yeah, as if that's going to help the situation. Just then, a small, little catgirl steps out from the backroom door. "Hey" I say. She doesn't respond. Instead she stands by the door, looking confused. She's pretty small for a girl, although I suppose it my be the cat part. I stand up and approach her, and the takes a step back, but I put my hand on her head to pet her. She seems to enjoy it a little. I decide to try and communicate. I tap my chest with a finger. "Me, Deisuke" I say.  She makes a curious sound. "Dei... su... ke?" She says. I nod. Then I tap her shoulder. "You?" I query. She looks confused. It seems she doesn't know how to speak any language. "Me" she says, tapping her chest, and shakes her head. That must mean she doesn't have a name. "Don't worry, I'll take care of you" I say, patting her head. She's cute. And I'll do anything in my power to protect her. She's my responsibility now. She seems to be okay with me, afterall I am probably the first person to show her true affection in a long, long time. I decide to give her a big hug, one of the most comforting interactions out there. At first she seems surprised, but eventually she embraces it. "I'll protect you" I say, "I swear it on my life."