It had been two weeks since they were transported to the outskirts of a small town in Aelria. Marihea nursed the young human named Felix reluctantly back to health - she always remembered her debts and preferred to owe nobody anything. The thought still lingered in her mind about that awful power that man used to repel the army chasing her on Aether before their jump here. 'No ordinary individual should've been able to wield such magic...I just barely was able to bring him back from the shadow of death' thought Marihea as strolled through the forest.

Marihea and Felix had parted ways as soon as he was able to move freely for his own safety, she knew it was only a matter of time before she was pursued again. However, as true as that was, she was still watching over Felix from as distance. 'For fluffs sake why am I doing this? He gave me my vials, I healed him we're done!' She kept playing in her head.

"Of course he'd join that local guild and a stupid lost child would be his first request" groaned Marihea wading through the snow. She spied a figured with a small catlike person on their back. "Don't worry little one I'll get you home to your mum, is your ankle still sore?" spoke the individual in the distance, the little figure nodded their head holding tight to his jacket. Marihea approached him with lantern in hand.

"Sigh...you always have to get yourself into trouble don't you mister Felix?" spoke Marihea. Felix stopped moving cautious as to why she was here of all places. "...Marihea why are you here? I thought you were long gone?" replied Felix holding tight to the little lady on his back. Marihea scoffed "I-I just was in the neighborhood and thought I'd check-up on you and see how you're adapting here seeing as it'll be a while before you get home to Aether". "Ehh...I suppose that's ok, usually there's some nefarious reason why your about as I remember the last few occasions I met you" spoke Felix in a nervous tone.

"Urgh...shut up you're annoying me already like that last time, do you want help with the pipsqueak or not? I can already tell you're freezing to death right now..." replied Marihea in a dark tone. The little figure on his back let out a sharp gasp. "Don't worry little one I don't plan on leaving you to die out here I get you home before anything happens" he replied in a gentle tone tapping the figures hand on his shoulder. "For fluffs sake come on let me warm you up first with this invigoration spell - before you say anything it'll be a small mana burst so you don't go out of control" spoke Marihea in a serious tone as she traced invisible lines in the air speaking a few strange words. "You said a bad word" replied the little figure on Felix's back causing Marihea to scoff in annoyance at response.

Felix felt a warm build inside as his strength returned to him. "Thank you lady Marihea, I appreciate it!" smiled Felix. "First you, now the kid you better have some compensation for my time here, come I'll lead the otherwise it'll take you longer getting out of here" replied Marihea in a stern tone. "Will a hot meal in town suit you before you go?" answered Felix, "You better include some alcohol with that meal as I need some after coming out here, same goes with a room for the night" replied Marihea. "Umm...my mum could get you a room at our Inn miss maia..." interrupted the little figure on Felix back lifting her hood to show off a very calico like features.

"Ehh...I think that's asking a bit much considering I've already agreed on the reward with her for bringing you home" replied Felix. "I'll talk to mum, the tiger lady is a very nice person inside I can tell!" chirped the little calico girl. "Fine...whatever...and it's miss Marihea not maia" corrected Marihea as she lead them through the snow covered forest.

Character Marihea ©  Mari274
Art  yuichi-tyan