A Cute Little Rat

After leaving the room, Vance and Celine headed towards the small area he had set up for the baby rat. As they got closer, they noticed that the baby rat had, in fact, woken up, and was watching Vance approach. As Vance got closer the rat seemed to want him to pick it up, and so he did.

"Aw. It's so cute. Hmm. A name for such a cute rat. How about... Ava?"

Hearing the name that Vance had for her, the little rat, Ava, was ecstatic to be named. She nuzzled her small head into Vance's palm.

"Master, it seems Ava really likes you."

"True. Well, her parents are dead."

"And who was it that killed them?" Said Celine looking intently at Vance who was petting the little rat Ava.

Hearing this, Vance once again averted his gaze from Celine. He then began to speak to the cute little Ava.

"So, little Ava, can you understand me?"

Hearing Vance's question, Ava looked straight into his eyes, and nodded.

"Well that was kind of unexpected."

"Why Master?"

"Well where I'm from, not a lot of animals understand human speech. Some pets kind of get it, but a lot of the time that includes gestures."

"Well Master, in this world, beasts like Ava tend to be very intelligent. Although some of them don't have such intelligence, a majority can at least understand human speech."

"That is fucking awesome. Ava, do you want to become stronger? Do you want to be able to defend yourself?"

Ava looked at Vance, and nodded. Seeing this, Vance understood that Ava was willing to be strengthened. He also understood that Ava was adorable.

"I really did get a cute pet. Now, what would be the best ways to strengthen her without hurting her?"

As he turned to Celine to discuss how they would strengthen Ava, he also pet Ava's little head.

"Well Master, before strengthening Ava, I suggest you acquire a taming skill, or something similar, and make a contract with her. This should guarantee that she doesn't betray you."

"Wouldn't it be a good idea to do something similar to the girls as well. I mean, as much as I like them, human nature isn't exactly something that can be trusted. At least within my knowledge."

"Master, if you truly don't trust them, there are methods to guarantee their loyalty. But for the record, even if someone were to betray you, or lead to a bad result for you, you always have methods to reverse everything that has been done. Just remember that."

"I will Celine. Jeez, what's with us. We've gotten so much darker since we got further in this life. It's only been a few days. So why are we acting like old men?"

In addition to their little chat about betrayal and such things, the pair had been working together to design and come up with things to strengthen Ava, in addition to a taming skill for Vance. This went on for a while.