Submission (#1500) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 3
Act Type: Bravery
Word Count: 1142
Adult Elnin Present: Luma [ELN122]
Regional Affinity: Silveil
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Cirrus [ELN1573]
[Adventurer] Rank Unlock Mini-Requirement: Complete an act of bravery

On their way back to the apothecary, Cirrus filled Lumia in on the details of his trip, about how Ocean took on a shady request, ended up catching Dusk Fever in the process, and the reason Cirrus was here now.

Listening quietly, she couldn’t help but chuckle. She hadn’t kept close contact after she and Cloud parted ways, but still sent letters and money on occasion to Cirrus and his brother, since Cloud was… less responsible in the financial department. Seeing Cirrus now, she marveled at how much he had grown. Such a smart, mature boy now. Cloud and Ocean on the other hand… well.... At least Cloud was cute.

“So to make up for the lack of funds, you decided to run an errand for him?”

Cirrus nodded.

“Yah, I just hope he keeps his end of the bargain…”

Belatedly Cirrus realized he had left the money and ingredients in the shop, so if the elnin decided to feign ignorance in not having received either, Cirrus wasn’t sure what he’d do.

“Oh, don’t worry, he’s not much for a swindler. Besides, I’m sure I can persuade him to offer a bit more of a discount~”

Cirrus groaned. He didn’t need to know his mother often liked to use her charm to get her way, for better or worse.

“Besides, you haven’t had any food yet, right?”

“I-”

A growl cut him off, making him fluster. Lumia laughed.

“Okay, hungry boy. How about we grab some dinner first? I’m sure your little errand can wait.”

“But-”

A shout rang through the streets, followed by loud clattering and the sound of things toppling over. A kittom dashed off into one of the alleyways followed by a small group of elnins.

Lumia arched an eyebrow, not quite sure what to make of the scene. Cirrus on the other hand dashed forward.

“Cirrus!”

He turned his head and called back.

“Meet me back at the apothecary! I’m gonna see what’s happening!”

Before she could protest, he was gone.

It was only a brief glimpse, but Cirrus saw fear on the kittom’s face. While he had a hunch of what was happening, he couldn’t be sure until he confirmed it. When he ran into the mob and asked what had happened, he was told that the kittom that had ran away stole some food from a local food vendor, and when caught red-handed, they bolted.

Silveil City was often known for its glitz and glamour, where one could let loose and potentially make it big. However, the opposite was also true, in where one could potentially lose it all, having their wealth stolen underneath their nose by the prestigious “Thieves Guild”. More often than not, these unlucky victims were left begging for scraps, often ignored as the outcasts of Silveil for succumbing to their folly, but there were also kittoms too, who grew up knowing nothing but poverty, often left to fend for themselves by resorting to petty thievery.

That said, the good often outweighed the bad. Fear of thieves aside, Silveil City was a place of wonder and awe for both young and old. The “city of lights”, he’d call it, where despite it always being night time, the streets themselves were filled with lights, from street lamps to light spilling out from buildings that beckoned others to come in with their flashy neon signs. Perhaps the most amazing was that despite all this, the allure of night was not lost, and the stars above were always visible, adding to the wonder of this never-sleeping city.

Stealing was wrong, but when one needed to do so to live, it was hard to judge. Cirrus had been fortunate to have been provided for, but he knew others weren’t so lucky, so he couldn’t help but sympathize.

Reassuring the crowd that he’d help look for them, Cirrus began searching in places where someone small could hide. He checked behind vendor stalls as well as the alleyway he saw them run down. After checking behind various crates and dumpsters, he found the kittom huddled up behind one, nibbling on their absconded loaf of bread. When they saw Cirrus, they flinched, and hopped to their feet.

“S-stay back! I… I have a knife!”

Cirrus put his hands up, showing that he meant no harm.

“Don’t worry, I won’t report you, calm down.”

The kittom didn’t seem to believe him, still shaking. They clutched the loaf of bread tightly, fearful that Cirrus would take it from him. It also didn’t help that Cirrus’ stomach growled at that moment, making him fluster.

“S-sorry, guess I haven’t had dinner too, but I promise I’m not going to tell on you, or steal your bread.”

He offered the kittom a sheepish smile, hoping his sincerity came through. Seriously, stomach. Bad timing.

“Cirrus!”

Both he and the kittom jumped. Lumia…?

The kittom looked like they were going to bolt, and Cirrus grabbed their arm.

“Wait, stop! Running now is only going to make things worse. I-”

Oh, wait. Lumia had money, right?

“L-Let us pay for the bread! Let’s go back and apologize, and if you’re still hungry, we’ll treat you, ok?”

The kittom seemed hesitant, but Cirrus only smiled at him. At least he hadn’t stolen their bread yet, and the offer of MORE food was pretty tempting…

Reluctantly, the kittom agreed, and Cirrus took their hand, leading them out of the alleyway. They were greeted by Lumia, who childed Cirrus for running off, but was happy it was to help a fellow kittom. The three returned to the vendor they had stolen from, and the kittom apologized for stealing. They explained that they hadn’t eaten in several days, and the hunger had gotten too much to bear. While Lumia offered to pay, the vendor took pity on them, recalling the time when they struggled to make ends meet when they were younger, and ended up giving the kittom some extra food, as long as they promised not to steal again.

The kittom, overcome by the kindness offered, burst into tears, and promised they wouldn’t steal again, and bid farewell to Lumia and Cirrus before rushing off into the night.

Lumia sighed.

“Well, all’s well that ends well. And you! Don’t you dare do that again! I know you mean well, but if that kittom was carrying a knife, you could have gotten hurt!”

O-oh yah. They did say that, didn’t they.... Though Cirrus felt it was probably a bluff. Probably…
Best he didn’t find out… or mention it, lest he get scolded more.

“S-sorry, I promise, mom. I won’t do that again.”

She smiled.

“Oh, I can’t stay angry. Now how about we pick up that medicine and finally grab dinner? I think after that ordeal, you deserve it.”

Cirrus’ stomach growled again in agreement, and he blushed.

“Y-yah, sounds good.”