Bug's Discovery
Late morning sunlight slanted through Ember's small home as Bug rummaged inside Nyxar's travel pack.
"Let's seeee…spear, blood-stained dagger, random herbs that probably kill you—oh, hello shiny rectangle."
He held up a slim card that gleamed in the light.
"Hey Ember! You know what this is?"
Ember leaned over. "That's an adventurer's guild card!" Her brows shot up. "Where did you get this?"
Bug blinked. "Uh…people left it. With some other stuff. Like those pointy sticks and the bag of colorful liquids."
He waved at the swords, the spear, and a pouch rattling with bright glass bottles.
Potions & Panic
Ember crouched by the pouch. "Are these…potions?"
Bug shrugged. "Maybe. We didn't drink 'em. Could be poison, could be candy."
Spirit floated closer, glowing mischievously. "This is starting to sound almost responsible for you two."
Ember's frown deepened. "Did you steal these?"
Bug tilted his head. "Define 'steal.'"
Spirit laughed. "They don't know what that means. Underground economy: zero."
"Okay," Ember said carefully, "did you take them from people…or from dead people?"
Bug replied, perfectly calm, "Neither. We found them near a steel bear. We killed the bear, took the stuff."
Spirit considered. "Honestly? Sounds like fair loot to me."
Ember pinched the bridge of her nose. "We…probably need to return this."
Dressing the Cave Boy
She fetched her cloak and turned to Nyxar. "Will you come with me to the guild branch?"
Nyxar glanced up from cleaning his spear. "Mehh."
Bug translated: "That means why not."
"Great!" Ember clapped, then rummaged for clothes. "But you are not walking in there looking like a haunted butcher."
Nyxar stood stoic while she tugged a clean tunic over his shoulders, smoothing fabric against battle-hardened muscles.
A faint blush crept up her cheeks.
Bug whispered to Spirit, "She's enjoying this way too much."
Spirit twirled like a smirking firefly. "Oh, absolutely."
The Guild Branch
Ember led the way through the bustling village, Nyxar looming silently behind like a very obedient storm cloud.
Bug perched on his head, antennae swiveling.
When they entered the Adventurer's Branch, a friendly receptionist greeted them.
"Ember! Good to see you. What brings you here?"
Ember placed the card on the counter. "We, uh…found this."
The receptionist's eyes widened. "We just received a request for a replacement for this card! Where did you find it?"
Ember hesitated. How exactly do you explain I live with a silent cave warrior, a sarcastic bug, and a glowing spirit and we loot bears for breakfast?
"…A mine?" she said at last.
The receptionist's brow arched with suspicion.
The Soul-Piercing Stare
Before the questions could continue, the woman glanced at Nyxar.
"And who is your… friend?"
Ember seized the distraction. "Oh! This is Nyxar, my, uh…roommate."
Nyxar stepped forward and stared directly into her eyes—expressionless, black-and-scarlet gaze drilling into her very soul.
The receptionist's friendly smile faltered. "I—uh—pleasure to meet you?"
Spirit whispered gleefully, "He's weaponizing the creepy stare. Love it."
Bug added, "Yeah, classic Nyxar move. Ten out of ten intimidation."
Perfect Timing
As if summoned by fate, the actual owner of the card entered the branch.
A tall adventurer strode to the counter. "I'm here to pick up my replacement card."
The receptionist brightened and handed him the original. "No need! We just got yours back."
The man turned to Ember. "Where did you find it?"
Ember opened her mouth, mind scrambling. No way to explain steel bear murder loot without a guild investigation.
"Uh…around," she said vaguely. "Long story."
And before he could press, she launched into a completely unrelated topic:
"ANYWAY! Did you hear about the new bakery opening near the square? Best bread ever!"
Bug whispered to Nyxar, "Smooth subject change. Ten out of ten."
Nyxar only gave a quiet grunt that—if you knew him well—meant amused approval.