[DISCONTINUED] No Straight Roads x Monster Hunter Rise

-CHAPTER THREE: Simple Beginnings-

Mayday and Zuke's race lasted until sunset. Their Palamutes were exhausted by the time they arrived at the NSR Tower.

Biz and Encore panted heavily as they came to a walk. Mayday and Zuke dismounted their Palamutes.

Tatiana stood inside the hub, greeting BBJ. "You two have been gone for a long time."

"Sorry, Elder Tatiana, I-"

"No need to apologize, Zuke." Tatiana averted her violet gaze from BBJ, and returned back to them. "What are you kids doing back here anyway? Don't you two have your own hut?"

"Our own hut?" Zuke tilted his head in confusion. "Yes. You two woke up in a hut. That hut is where you two will be sleeping for now on."

"But what about our sewer home?"

"All your belongings have been relocated into your hut. Everything, including your bunk bed, is inside your hut." Tatiana said. "It's such a shame to see fine hunters living in waste."

"But our sewer home is clean! It doesn't stink or-"

"Save your energy, Mayday. You will need to get some rest. Look how dark it is out now." Tatiana motioned outside the threshold. BBJ followed her gaze, viewing the dark sky. "Oh."

Tatiana picked up a torch from its sconce. "I will lead you to your hut, just for tonight. Then I will promptly let you two have the rest of the night to yourselves." She patted their backs to make them move forward.

Outside the tower, BBJ gazed up to the sky. They saw dark clouds swallowing up the moon and the stars, and birthing them again as they passed overhead.

"It's such a cloudy night."

"You're telling me."

"We're here." Tatiana stopped in front of the hut. She held the torch close to the hut to illuminate it, but was cautious to not burn it.

"This is our hut?" Zuke asked.

"Yes."

"Are our things inside?"

Tatiana sighed. "Did you two seriously not pay any attention to a single word I said? All your belongings have been relocated here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Mayday hastily entered the hut, Zuke following suit. Upon entering, they came to a conclusion that Tatiana was right. Their bunk bed, TV, figurines, everything they had was there.

A small, blue alligator squealed with delight upon reuniting with BBJ. "Ellie!" Zuke trotted to the blue alligator at once. Ellie immediately snuggled in Zuke's arms. Mayday attempted to join Zuke, both Palamutes and the single Palico followed her.

As Mayday approached them, Ellie noticed Spot. Ellie stopped nuzzling Zuke and hissed at Spot. The orange Palico meowed threateningly. They began to circle each other.

"Uh, May? I don't think Ellie likes Spot."

"Just wait, Zuke. They're bonding."

Ellie tilted her head at Spot, as if she were trying to study him. Spot took it as a sign of nonaggression and calmed down. Spot raised his paw to Ellie's snout. Ellie took in his scent and caressed Spot's paw pads with her tongue.

"See? Told ya they were getting to know each other!"

"Very well, Bunk Bed Junction. Now you two better get some sleep. You've got a big day ahead of you."

"Big day ahead of us?" Mayday perked up. "What do you mean?"

"Tomorrow, you will be going on your first quest."