Bear Scritches & Questions
Ember sat between the two massive steel bears, lazily scratching under their chins while they rumbled like giant metallic cats. Bug stretched his wings.
"Do we have plans for today?"
Bug buzzed. "Not really. Unless you count Nyxar's test—something about comparing the deer's speed to Bella's digging speed? But that's his deal, not ours. So… free day."
The receptionist raised an eyebrow. "…What deer? And who's Bella?"
Bug grinned. "If the bears freaked you out this bad, trust me—you do not want to meet Bella or the deer."
The receptionist and Edward shared a nervous glance. They were already imagining horrors worse than steel bears.
Reminder from Last Week
The receptionist cleared her throat. "Anyway, the real reason I came today was to follow up on what you asked me last week, Ember. About getting an adventurer's card."
"Oh, right!" Ember hopped up—still absentmindedly scratching Steel behind the ear. "Let's eat first though, yeah?"
They gathered around. Bug and the Spirit promptly fell asleep sprawled out on top of the steel bears, which nearly gave Edward and the receptionist simultaneous heart attacks.
Spirit's Contract Talk
As Ember set food on the table, the receptionist started, "Before anything else—we'd need to test your strength level."
Spirit yawned midair. "She's strong enough to forcefully contract me."
Bug blinked. "Wait, I thought that was mutual?"
Spirit glowed smug. "Nope. When we met, she either intentionally or unintentionally made a contract. No consent on my end."
Ember winced. "I said I was sorry for that!"
Spirit waved it off. "And I said it's fine. You're more fun than the spirit world anyway."
Edward nearly spat out his drink. "You—contracted a spirit? Just… accidentally?"
Receptionist rubbed her forehead. "…Why am I not surprised?"
Coffee Chaos
Nyxar then walked out of the kitchen wearing Ember's apron, holding a cup in both hands like it was an artifact of war.
He set it down in front of Ember. "Something called… coffee."
Ember smiled sweetly and took a sip—
—and instantly coughed like she'd swallowed fire. "Too much—ugh—you added way too much."
Nyxar silently took the cup, sipped it himself, paused, then said: "Another attempt." And marched back into the kitchen.
Edward's grin stretched ear to ear, because he had noticed something Ember hadn't. "Ohhh… you two just drank from the same cup."
Receptionist also noticed, but bit her tongue—choosing instead to mutter, "Really, Ember?"
Ember blinked, confused. "…What? What did I do wrong??"
Edward shook his head, chuckling. "Nothing, nothing."
"How Strong is He?"
The receptionist leaned forward, serious again. "Look. I want you to be able to enjoy life, Ember. But I don't want you going over your head and winding up in danger. Which means…" She gave Nyxar a sharp look. "I need to know how strong your… housemate… really is."
Bug shrugged. "Well, he's hopeless at human stuff. Doesn't get language, doesn't get social cues. But—he got better at cooking than Ember in, like, three days."
Ember slammed her hand on the table, cheeks red. "You did not have to bring that up."
Spirit, floating smugly, added: "And he's handsome."
There was a pause. Ember's smile twitched tight.
"…Say one more word, and I'll cut off your tongue."
Edward nearly fell out of his chair laughing. "Oh, handsome, huh?"
Receptionist ignored the chaos, eyes still locked on Nyxar. "Fine. Then I'll be the judge. We'll test his abilities tomorrow."
Bug muttered: "Careful what you wish for…"
Spirit added: "Yeah, don't blame us when the test site doesn't exist anymore."
Receptionist: "...What does that even mean?"
Edward, still chuckling: "It means this is gonna be fun."