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[center]Time, IC Day: Late Morning, Day 1
Location: Toran, within the city[/center]
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Mallory reached for her shoes the organizer. She slipped off her meu slippers then placed her feet into her shoes, tapping the toes against the wooden floor twice to ensure they were secure. The girl smiled when she thought about the Toran’s age-old superstition about tracking ‘bad luck’ into the house from your shoes. For years, it was still a tradition in some homes to remove them and wear slippers inside. Others no longer practiced it.  

She just figured her mom enjoyed she could limit the mud to one room without being weird, unlike back in Lifan. Depression washed over Mallory at remembering her old life. The move had brought a lot of changes in the last few years, from adjusting to a new culture and home to now her voyage ahead of her. 

The fear of leaving her family behind while confronting the unknown left her chest tight with her anxiety. 

Abruptly a huge white shape pressed its cold body against her. The chill raced up Mallory’s skin as her eyes glanced to the side. There stood her mother’s Fureishund named Pupsicle. It turned out her mother preferred cute names during her teenage years. 

The dog-like Natrelmon was almost two foot shorter than herself, with see-through ice coating the head, belly, back, and legs like armor. He leaned against her with what he thought to be a comforting gesture while his droopy muzzle panted out an icy mist. Mallory had to admit he was adorable. She also was surprised he didn’t jab her with the long, sharp icicles protruding from the back of his legs.

Gently Mallory scratched Pupsicle underneath his right floppy ear. His tail gave a hard smack against her hip when it wagged, nearly knocking her down from his excitement. 

“Owww,” She complained causing Pupsicle to whine in apology. 

The girl knew her mother kept the natrelmon out of his relic purely because they were close, the Fureishund being her mother’s starter during her own Rites. There wasn’t a single memory Mallory didn’t have as a child which didn’t include this monster of a natrelmon being around. Though like some well trained Natrelmon, Pupsicle put his trainer’s desires first. 

After few more scratches behind the ear, Mallory decided to bid him farewell, “I’m going to miss you too boy. Keep mom safe and company until I get back, deal?” 

Pupsicle just gave her a doggish grin before he trotted off toward the kitchen. Her eyes followed him until he disappeared from sight, the clanking of dishes slowly stopped. Deep inside, Mallory knew her mother had been busy distracting herself. It gave the tamer enough time to leave without seeing her mother's sorrow being masked with false happiness. 

She paused long enough to rub some warmth into her side, hip and leg where Pupsicle had pressed against her. Hoping outside wasn’t too cool, Mallory glanced to check she still had her bag. Another memory filled her as she let out a soft chuckle and headed out. 

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Mallory rushed down the stone steps and turned into the flowing crowds. Her unusual height allowed her to see over most of the people's heads. The activity was normal because she lived just outside one of the busiest areas in Toran: the marketplace. A few people, with the assistance of their various natrelmon, decorated the streets. Paper lanterns hung on strings and lucky tags were placed on the doors. Her peripheral vision spotted a small team of men practicing their routine. They used poles to wave a paper Seiryu, the legendary natrelmon, in the air as gracefully as they could. 

She thought they did a fairly good job imitating a living breathing natrelmon, but it could never match the real thing. 

Her eyes were peeled for Xander while her senses were immediately assaulted by the street vendors smells. They were busy preparing for tonight, from various spicy and rice noodles to skewered meat being charred. Her favorite was the deep-fried wheat snacks, coated with a light dusting of sugar. Her mouth began to water while she moved closer.  

A clanking of a cart caused her to jerk to the side and turn down a semi-dark alleyway between two buildings, closing in on the busy scene at the other end. Behind her, the crowd parting for an old man and his Bovent.  

Once in the alley, her finger tapped her bracelet and summoned out Gwisin. A dark, cloaked natrelmon with red stains oozed from the relic. A crown of spikes protruded from his shoulders to the back of his head, adding to his intimidating presence. Gwisin was only an inch taller than herself as he began to to follow her.   

Unlike most people, she felt comfort in the darkness. When they exited out, Mallory’s eyes squinted and she raised a hand to shade them.   

A voice caused her to stop abruptly. 

“Yeah, kiddo. Heading to start your Rites?”  

Her right leg literally stopped in midair, her head twisted toward the origins of voice. Her father, a fellow with the same height and willowy built stood behind a wooden stand. His pale blue eyes were warm in pride while his smile wrinkled his aged face, his front covered with an apron. Near the stand’s base laid Ajax, her father’s Panzer, basking in the few rays of direct sunlight. The panther-like natrelmon lazily glanced in Mallory’s direction before giving her the cold shoulder despite being a grass and light type.  

“Actually,” Mallory started to form her thoughts into words, pausing a moment to calm her racing heart. 

“I was heading to the wilds. I need to capture some natrelmon before I start, but I need to find Xander first. You haven’t seen him, have you?”

Though it sounded better in her head, her tongue tried to tangle itself and try to skip a few words. It forced her to slow down as she was speaking. 

Her father nodded, then shrugged, “Nope, I’m sorry but I haven’t seen him. Have you eaten today or did you rush out of the house before your mom got you to wait another year?” 

Mallory’s silence spoke louder than her words ever could. It screamed an obvious yes causing her father to sigh, then moved to a boiling stock pot. It shimmered over a small flame burning on top of cut stone. A small Emleaf sat nearby and watched it eagerly. 

Mallory wasn’t surprised the little natrelmon might’ve been the source of the flames. 

He stirred the chicken broth. She caught the scent of chicken, scallions, vegetables and various herbs she knew by heart after watching him for years. While both her parents could cook, Mallory’s only talent in cook was burning water. Not even her books could explain how that was possible. 

After a few moments, her father scooped out two small bowls then placed them on the stand. He also passed her two sets of chopsticks to slurp the chicken and rice noodle soup. In addtion, he added two long strips of deep-fried dough. 

“One of each is for you, the rest is for Xander. I’m pretty sure that boy will smell it and come right to you.” 

“Thanks,” Mallory smiled as she hesitated in collecting her free meals.  

“This is my way of wishing you good luck on your trip. While your mother might be overprotective, I’m pride you’re taking this first step.”  

Careful not to spill the soup or the dough sticks, she leaned across the counter to hug her father. The old man tightly wrapped his arms about her and returned the embrace. Mallory retreated back as she juggled the food in her hands before seeking out Xander. In the back of her mind, she knew if he didn’t show up soon she had the okay eat it all herself. She couldn't let it go to waste after all.