[b]Ritoi[/b]

Ritoi listened to Kito's queries, as well as his commendable resolve to assist in his mission.

~The threats I speak of are ones you are not capable of handling yet. You are too young to this world and involving yourself would put you and your Natrelmon in danger. For now, let us worry about these things, but knowing they exist is a first step towards understanding the dangers of this world. There are forces as ancient and as powerful as we are, forces that lack the noble intentions with this world. One day you will have to face them and hopefully when you are ready, for there are some things from which no magic can bring you back.~

The lion Natrelmon moved closer to Kito, ~I cannot leave without rewarding you for your willingness to help.~

Putting his nose near the ground, a small object fell out of RItoi's maw, one of his teeth, ~Take this. With it, you shall unlock the magic of Pyromancy. As well, when you are feel ready, you may utilize the tooth to summon me to you once. Do not invoke that power unless you are in grave danger, or you feel you are capable of challenging me in even combat. I do look forward to the possibility of the latter.~

Ritoi moved back to the center of the clearing, ~For now, go and ensure you protect those that are weaker than yourself, for there are those that do the same for you. For now, that is your mission in the world and it is a most noble mission.~

With a echoing roar in the clearing and a flash of bright light, Ritoi vanished in an instance, a flicker of light moving rapidly in the distance as the Guardian of Justice left Kito to his task, as well as to think through what the Natrelmon had said. They would meet again one day, in some fashion. Ritoi suspected, and hoped, they would be on the same side as humans occasionally fell for the lure of power, or the desires of their heart.

---

[b]Shio[/b]

Shio had been to the Red Nakumo once before. It was the restaurant that sparked her liking of traditional Toranese cuisine. The spicy noodles with various vegetables and meat drew made her mouth water. It was unusual for them to have eaten at such a restaurant, but the owner was insistent, and after taking the necessarily family precautions against various assassination attempts, they were cleared to eat there. Usually they only ate at particular, highly vetted, restaurants with food that lacked the color and flavor, specifically so they could easily pick up on any changes to their food, such as poison. So the Red Nakumo had been a rare treat, and now independent of her familial obligations, Shio was eager to treat herself once again.

At the restaurant she quickly acquired a table on the outdoor patio. Her Hitsuji and Kujaku accompanied her, the bird perching on the railing next to her table, and the sheep type Natrelmon taking a position across from her. While partially for her protection, Shio also enjoyed the presence of her Natrelmon. Despite her general inability to understand people, Shio had picked up that she occasionally took people off guard with her behavior. Her Natrelmon never felt that way, so she looked to them for support.

The waiter was quick to process her order, the son of the owner, who had remembered her. Once again, Shio found her food paid for, the son insisting that they could not take money from a distinguished guest such as herself. She bowed, staying silent to avoid offending anyone. She ordered, yet again, the spicy noodle dish she had the last time, accompanying it with another spicy herb dumpling appetizer. They never had gotten appetizers as children, or desert. They were often foods with poor health benefits, designed only for flavor, so they were always barred from ordering such things. It was Shio's intention to experience these things.

Shio examined the area, watching the sun set along the shore, which the restaurant had a clear view of. She had only seen a sunset along a coast once before and there was something about the colors that drew her in. The last time she had seen it had been when they were waiting to exorcise a ghost from an old manner in Armkfish, so she hadn't been able to truly examine the natural wonder that it was.

Moments later, her food arrived. The dumplings were as delicious as she expected, quickly scarfing them down after loading them up with the dark red sauce that accompanied them. She had no idea what was in it, but it was a unique experience for her. Pulling out a notebook that she kept in her pack, she wrote it down in her list of experiences. It wasn't a checklist like some would expect, but things that she felt she wanted to do, or eat, again. Also as expected, her noodle dish was incredible. She had ordered it as extra spicy, to provide a slightly different experience from her last. She ate it more slowly, both from the spice, and from her desire to savor the experience. She even let her Natrelmon try some of the noddles. Her Kujaku didn't seem to hate it, but her Hitsuji had no interest in eating anything more than a single noodle. The owner's son, taking note of the Natrelmon, brought out two dishes for Shio's companions, with a flavor pallet designed to be appealing to each. Restaurants in Atren very frequently had Natrelmon specific menus to cater to the trainer's companions as well. Like her own food, it was complimentary.

Soon it would be time for Shio to return to her Inn, as the day began to dwindle.