The Silver Lining Of The Wretched Cloud (1)

"I thought you were going to provide us with more clothes?"

"I'm sorry. I've been going through a lot lately."

"Our relationship has been feeling a little one-sided lately."

"You're right. I'll do better. Thanks for helping us." Inari narrows her eyes at my response.

"So, you do think things are one-sided?"

"Not really, but you seem to think so, and that's what matters."

"What if I'm just taking advantage of you?"

"I'm certainly giving you that opportunity."

"You're as manipulative as ever."

"I just want to know if someone wants to take advantage of me sooner rather than later."

"So, it's for the long play."

"Everything is for the long play," I say as I throw my arms up in the air.

"Except making clothes for my fairies," Inari smirks.

"Look, just because I'm thinking long term doesn't mean I'm not forgetful!" Inari chuckles and flies back out of the den. It's been four days since our training session with Jezabel. We've done a couple of days of weighted sprints with the parachutes, so we'll be more prepared next time. Jezabel hasn't talked to us since that day, but I'd be surprised if that was a one-time thing. We had just arrived at the den when Inari started digging into me. I know she isn't being very serious, but it does catch me off guard. I want to focus on deadlifts today, but I turn to Josh before I do.

"Do you want to organize the weight room? I've been meaning to ask you that."

"Yes." I look around the room at the equipment scattered about. There isn't any real order to the madness; I just try to keep enough room between each bench. Josh and Sakura have managed the clutter effectively, but I'm sure it could be done better.

"Okay, why don't you tell us how you would organize everything?" Josh doesn't say anything and starts moving things around.

"He doesn't like it when other people get in the way," Sakura informs me before walking over to one of the walls and drawing on it. I sit in one corner and watch the two of them while perusing my thoughts. While I'm zoning out, Inari flies up next to me.

"You have a unique way of dealing with people."

"How's that?"

"You seem to know how to fulfill people's needs even if it isn't by saying what they want to hear."

"Hmm…" I reflect on my fight with Sakura and how rude I was to Shinobu. "I don't know about that. I guess I try to help, but it often just feels like I make everything worse."

"Fufufu." Inari flies toward the entrance. "If you'd made things worse, then many people would be dead."

I don't know what to say to that, but she leaves the den before I have a chance to ask. The incident in the forest comes to mind, but I don't know how that would have gone without me. All I can think of is Ashley, who would definitely still be alive if I didn't interfere. I lay on the cool ground and go back to thinking. Inari has successfully blurred my already foggy mind. The ceiling is arched as if it was carved out by something; it makes me think about how this supposed dungeon was formed.

"There."

"Oh, I like it." I look to see Sakura giving her thoughts on the newly organized den. All the equipment is aligned and spaced neatly apart. The plates are stacked in tidy piles away from the benches. There is room for us to sit and lay down our packs. Overall, the space looks much larger when the space is efficiently used.

"It looks great. Good job." Josh sports an uncharacteristic smile at my praise. "Now, let's get to work."

"Okay." We focus on deadlifts, straight-leg deadlifts, one-leg deadlifts, and some core workouts. I caution the kids not to push themselves too hard because we may have another session with Jezabel tomorrow. We go hunting and kill three Punctastars that Woohee leads us to. On the way back, I start a conversation with Woohee.

"What kind of clothes do you want? I may not be a tailor, but I can at least take suggestions."

"Hmmm..." She crosses her tiny arms and tilts her head. "Something cute?"

"Alright, I'll give it a shot." I look over at Sakura, who nods at me. It would be really helpful to get her input. I try to think of some ways to spice up the outfits, but nothing comes to mind. We find Jezabel standing at the counter when we arrive at the guild hall.

"Hello." I greet her with a smile.

"I didn't think you'd show up today."

"It's nice to see you too."

"You know what I'm going to say, right?"

"We'll be there an hour early." Jezabel doesn't say anything as she walks away. "Cool, bye, I guess."

The door to the back rooms closes without a sound.

"Well, that was weird. Anyway, can we get these appraised?" Shelly holds back a chuckle as she responds.

"Of course, dear. Let me get a cart." She goes to the back room and returns with a man pulling a cart. The small grizzled man loads the Punctastars onto the cart and disappears into the back. "Feel free to take a seat; we'll come to you to discuss the sale price."

"Thanks." We take a seat and wait for Shelly to come back. While we're chatting at the table, Tyrion shows up out of nowhere and sits across us.

"Hey, what's up?" I ask.

He just glares at me.

"Can I help you?"

"Did you know? There are only about twenty Punctastars caught each year because they're very hard to find." I glare back at him, but he just stands up and walks away.

"What was that?"

"It was either a threat or a warning." I look over at Sakura as I reply to her question. "Either way, we should take his words to heart."

The kids look very confused, but I'm too busy thinking to notice. The possibility that we've over-extended or brought too much attention to ourselves is something I've considered, but no negative consequences have arisen as of yet. The attention we've gained from powerful people has only worked to our benefit.

[I need to rethink our position and work on some countermeasures.]

My mind is racing when Shelly returns.

"Here's your reward." She places a bag in front of me.

"How much was it worth?" I ask before even touching the bag. My eyes dart to the handful of people standing behind this guild staff member. I look through their expression to search for any ill will we may have sewn.

"You're looking a little nervous. Are you that concerned about money?"

"I was just informed that I might have contracted some enemies."

"Contracted? Like mercenaries?"

"Like a plague."

"Ooh, ominous. Well, I wouldn't worry about it too much. There isn't much competition in this town, so it's not like you're stepping on anyone's toes." I fold my fingers together to create a resting spot for my chin.

"Yes, but I have been told that cheddar breeds jealously, and I'm sure many of the people living here have probably fucked up at some point in the past."

"Cheddar?"

"What's the total?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Oh, right. The reward comes to five twenty-five."

"I thought the price would have gone down again by now?"

"We had a merchant come into town that bought up most of the stock of Punctastar hides and agreed to return soon if the supply of monster parts remains high."

"Interesting. I'll do what I can. We need to go now." I grab the pouch and walk out of the guild. The sudden realization that I'm missing information fills me with dread. I thought I'd managed to keep people from turning on me, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I need to work on building more connections.