Morning came swiftly and with it was a hungover Luna and Jamie. The two woman were resting their heads on the bar counter while glasses of water and bowls of porridge were handed to them.

"Light weights," Amber said with a chuckle.

Luna flipped the cat off before drinking her water and smacking her lips. "Who invited the kitty cat?"

Growling, Amber pinched Luna's ear. "Don't call me that!"

Returning the growl, Luna pulled out of the cat's grip and whirled on her. "Did the little kitty say something? I couldn't hear over the meowing."

Mender shared a look with James. "Going to step in?"

"I'd rather live," James stated.

Amber grabbed both of Luna's ears and twisted. "I'll claw out your eyes, pup!"

Luna snagged one of Amber's ears and pulled her head in close. "As if you could, kitten!"

"Umm…" Jamie scooted away.

The moose cleared his throat, startling both ladies.

"Sorry, Mason," they both muttered.

Tapping the porridge and water, he drew Luna's attention. Releasing Amber, the wolf started eating while doing her best to ignore the cat sitting next to her.

Once Amber and Mender had their food, James started talking. "We are leaving in a few days. I'm just waiting for my leather while Jamie and I enchant some items. We need to gather supplies still as well."

Amber nodded. "I can scrounge some stuff up. Will we be subsidizing our meals with Forsaken?"

"What are you talking about?" Luna growled.

Smirking, Amber used her thumb to gesture at James. "He invited me to tag along."

Whirling on James, Luna gave a look that could kill. "Leaving me for a cat? Was my tail not good enough?"

Frowning, he pointed at Jamie. "They are together."

"Oh!" Perking up, Luna went back to her food.

Sighing at how easy that was, James glanced at Mender who shrugged. Turning his attention back to Luna, James continued, "you need to help Mender pack what we need. Remember, the first week is going to be very painful for them. We'll need soap and preferably another tub. Gather supplies like rope and anything else we might need for exploring. Light stones are a must."

"Meh," Amber waved him off. "I can see in the dark."

"We can't," Luna deadpanned.

"Anyways…" James glared at the two. "Take some of my money and buy what we need. I'll make a storage ring for each of you today if I can."

"Jamie and I already have one," Mender stated. "We never gave them back after our trip."

James rubbed his eyes. "That'll make it simple. Luna and Amber will need one."

"Can you design mine like a cat?" Amber asked.

"He's not crafting the jewelry, kitty cat," Luna said with a frown. "He's only enchanting them."

"Calm down, pup. It was just a question. You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I can't ask simple things."

Snorting a laugh, James quickly schooled his expression as both women glared at him. Clearing his throat, he turned to Jamie. "Let's get going as soon as you finish. We have one hundred gold worth of items to enchant."

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Mender choked on his food. Coughing most of it out, he asked, "one hundred?"

"Yup. Master Marion is going to buy it all from us," Jamie explained. "That's after I teach James how to enchant like a master."

"You're an apprentice," James reminded her.

"And you're a novice," she shot back. "Bow down to me, serf!"

Luna shook her head. "Mender and I will be fine. We'll take the pussy cat with us as well. Shall we check on your leather?"

"Please do. Look for Linda." James glanced at Jamie and found her bowl to be nearly empty. "Ready?"

Stuffing the last of the food into her mouth, she nodded. "An entire day with my brother! So exciting!"

Chuckling, James turned to Luna. "Explain to Amber what we are and what following us means."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll wave a feather around to keep her attention."

Amber glared at the wolf. "I'll shove that feather up your—"

"I'm out!" James said quickly. "Let's hurry, Jamie."

Mender sighed. "Why am I stuck with these two…"

Both women spun on him. "Are we such a burden?" Luna asked.

"I'm a joy to be around," Amber argued.

Stepping back, James retreated to the door. Jamie hurried to his side and linked arms with him. Before they could get pulled into another argument, they departed.

Luna yawned one last time before getting up. Hooking her arm through Amber's, she started leading her away. "Know any good shops around here?"

"Yes! I have a few friends that have everything we need."

"Umm…" Mender frowned as he looked between them.

"Something wrong?" Luna asked. "You're awfully pale."

"He didn't give us money…"

Laughing, Luna turned back to the door. "That's what you are for, Mender. You know he isn't responsible with money, nor life."

Amber snorted. "He doesn't seem that bad."

"He's a spoiled brat," Luna stated. "Grew up with a silver spoon stuck up his ass."

Frowning, Amber kept pace with her as they left. "Isn't he your husband?"

"He knows I feel this way." Luna looked up and down the street before Amber turned them to the north. Mender hurried behind them.

"Mender following us is going to cause problems," Amber said softly. "I say we ditch him."

"I can hear you," Mender grumbled.

"Don't stare at our tails, perv," Amber teased.

"Yeah, mine is only for James." Luna pulled her tail around the front. "I can still picture his hands running through my fur."

"Jamie's are better," Amber said without pause. "She's really handsy when in bed."

Turning to Mender, Luna found him with a flushed face as he looked anywhere but at their tails. Chuckling, she turned to Amber. "So, how much did you make last night?"

Patting her pocket, Amber shook the coins. "Enough to pay for my share of supplies."

Smiling, Luna leaned in. "If you're a good kitty, I'll have James make you a weapon."

Growling, Amber grabbed her ear and twisted.

Laughing, she pulled away. "Seriously though. You're going to need a weapon to help fight. If you join us, you'll be a cultivator and will grow stronger through fighting the Forsaken."

"How is that possible?" Amber asked. "I don't have a dantian."

"Don't need one." Yawning, Luna turned towards the mountain. "James will change you. I can't explain much in the city, but I can tell you that I once had a solid core, but I accepted James's offer and became something more. In two month's time, I'm now able to hold my own against the elders."

Amber pulled her to a stop. "That doesn't sound possible. What's the catch?"

Luna decided to be truthful. "A hunger unlike anything you've ever experienced. It'll drive you mad at the time, but if you can eat, you'll be fine. James won't let you eat anyone."

"Eat anyone?"

Nodding, Luna felt her expression fall. "I've tried to eat him before. He's always kept me in check. When you receive your special weapon, there will also be side effects."

"Like what?"

Mender leaned in as well.

"James can summon a sword, but he has trouble dodging attacks and starts savoring the fight and injuries. It was subtle at first, but it's becoming a problem. He's died more times than I care to admit."

"He's died," Amber gasped.

"He always comes back." Waving her off, Luna continued. "I have a wolf form for my weapon. I grow hungry. Very hungry. And if I don't feed through fighting, I turn on those around me. I'm getting better at controlling it, but James usually knocks me out."

"How are these good things?" Amber nearly shouted.

Luna stopped them. "James is the strongest person in this city, or even the sect. His sword can cut through dragons. He may take more damage than most, but he can kill. He can kill anything he puts his mind to. We have power that surpasses anyone you can think of. We can't die. We can watch the stars at night. We live freely. I wanted to explore the world, and James has given me that ability. He can give it to you too."

Frown slipping to a smile, Amber nodded. "I'd like that."

"I'll explain more once we leave. Just know that James will do anything to keep you safe now that you are part of the team. He'll also know if you are lying or hiding things from him. Honesty is best."

"Do I want to know?" she questioned.

Luna shook her head. "Later. For now, we get supplies. We only have a few days before we leave. I need to gain a few skills while I'm here."

"Skills?" Mender asked, joining the conversation.

"That's a secret," Luna teased. "You'll find out soon enough. We cultivate very differently. It'll break your understanding of the world."

"And we'll be hungry," Amber stated. "I'm game."

Picking up their pace, they hurried to find the shops before the crowd grew too thick.

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