Leaving Abalone was an incredibly bittersweet experience. On the one hand, I was upset that we couldn’t stay longer. It’d been a while since we’d been able to kick back and enjoy ourselves. We’d spent our time relaxing, partying, playing games, shopping around, all the things one would expect to do when they were taking time off. It was time we all needed—that much was certain.

On the other side of the coin, I felt like if I’d spent any more time here, one thing would lead to another, and I would end up spoiled and penniless. I was eager to get back anyway. I’d enjoyed my time living like a frat boy for a few days, but Cannoli and Ravyn were still back home, and no matter what I did to try, I couldn’t get my mind off of them.

“Got everything you need?” asked Keke.

I held up my [Cat Pack] and shook it for effect. “All set.”

It was back to business as usual. It wouldn’t be long until we’d set sail once more. We still had another island to visit, another man to convince. Tristan and Shi Island had been its own can of worms, and there was still the matter of Ara’s sister. I didn’t know whether they were tight as nails or not, but they sure seemed that way. Ara’s questions about returning were starting to resurface, and we had a long road ahead of us.

If Ara’s concern was even a pinch of concern I felt for Ravyn and Cannoli at this moment, then she did a great job at putting on a face.

“Alright, let’s get going!” said Keke.

It was going to be a couple hours before we arrived. The five of us sat in a wagon and watched the scenery whisk by. I did everything in my power to keep my attention on the scenery, the sights, the smells, and the sensations. Mindfulness was a trick I’d been meaning to practice more. I was never very good at it, but with no internet or social media or really any high-tech means of distraction, I had to let myself be bored. And that meant my mind drifted into places I really didn’t want it to. It was all I could do to stop my heart from racing at the thought of meeting Cannoli and Ravyn again.

Our recent interactions reminded me of a crush I had when I was about fourteen. I’d fallen hard for this girl at a mutual friend’s party. We didn’t do anything special or romantic—I couldn’t even get up the courage to hold her hand. We’d just danced and laughed together. Like any guy at that age, I was enamored, and I asked for her phone number. She was a little taken aback, and I was convinced she’d just rattle off a number beginning with 5-5-5. It did have a five, but only one. We parted ways, and I was on top of the world.

Thinking I could invite her out to a movie, I gave her a call. To my surprise, someone picked up. A man. I asked to speak with Amber. There was a bit of a pause, but he got her on the phone. Long story short, she was interested, but she found it ‘inappropriate’ to go to a movie together at that age. Even though it was a sentence probably parroted straight from her dad, at that age, any semblance of rejection from a girl is heartbreaking. I was devastated.

Afterward, he wouldn’t give Amber the phone when I called anymore. A few times, my friend called on his phone, then passed it to me so she and I could talk together. But, eventually, she stopped picking up, and as the weeks passed, I couldn’t bring myself to call her anymore. It was just too awkward, and I felt like I was forcing myself into the situation. My nerves got the best of me. I never called her again.

That same sensation was coming back. The latent dread that I was forcing my nose where it shouldn’t be. That awkward anxiety that no matter how many times I knocked, Cannoli wouldn’t answer.

Mindfulness, Kelmer. Mindfulness. What do you see? What do you hear?

I watched the landscape pass by like one of those old movie reels—the ones where a painted background gave the illusion of the main character running away from some baddie. I’d catch the stray Encroacher here or there dodging between the tall grass or roosting in the trees. Most of them never got close enough to become an issue, and a few cute furry ones displayed mild curiosity at the cart's appearance.

“So, what’s next on the order of business, Matt?” asked Tristan.

I hummed in thought, pulling my thoughts back together. “I’m thinking we should make Ichi Island our next stop.” I rested my chin over the wagon’s edge and scratched my elbow. “I’m gonna pick up my shield, see if I can get some better potions made, maybe see if Quinn knows how to upgrade [Cat Pack]s.” And then I remembered something Keke and Cannoli had said when I first arrived. I turned my head to Keke. “Where did you and Cannoli upgrade your packs?”

Keke blinked. “My mom upgraded our packs. She’d learned from some of the catgirls she’d fought with over the years.” She shrugged. “Cannoli and I were set before we started adventuring.”

Well, there goes that idea.

“I can ask Quinn. Worst-case scenario, maybe she or Espada know someone who can upgrade them.”

“I see,” said Tristan. “Well, I have another idea.”

I twisted around and leaned my head against Keke’s shoulder. “What’s the other idea?”

Keke chuckled and stroked my hair.

Tristan looked to his left at Ara. “Ara?”

Ara glanced at him with a furrowed brow and wrung her hands. “Young Master, it is… impolite and selfish. I cannot.”

Tristan’s smile vanished. “You need to stop that. Your needs are important too, Ara.”

“Y-Young Master, please. It is fine.” She shook her head. “I understand we have a task at hand.”

“No, it’s not fine. We want to hear your thoughts as well. You’re as much as part of this group as me, Matt, Keke, or Ceres.” His smiled returned. “I’m sure Cannoli, and to some extent, Ravyn, would also agree.” Then he looked at me. “What do you think, Matt?”

How do you so easily say these kinds of things? I sat up straight, returned his smile, then looked at Ara. “I have to agree.” I crossed my arms. “Speak your mind.”

Keke frowned. “Is this about your sister, Ara?”

Ceres’ eyes widened. “Your sister?”

Ara sighed and twirled a lock of hair between her pointer finger. “Seems the young Master likes to put me in difficult positions.”

Tristan averted his gaze and sucked in his lips. “I just want you to be honest and forthright. I understand we’re on a mission here, but it’s not fair that your voice goes unheard. Besides, we found that you work best in difficult situations, right?”

Ara’s face turned beet-red. “I-I, uh.”

Did I miss some innuendo there?

She cleared her throat and straightened her posture as she laid her hands on her lap. “If you would have me speak my mind, then be prepared for the consequences.” She let out a sigh, and Tristan nodded. “My sister still resides on Shi Island. I can only hope that she is okay. A certain group of individuals tricked me into thinking the young Master was my sister.” Ara shot a glare in my direction.

Keke and I squirmed under her gaze, both of us turning to look at something inconspicuous. I caught Ceres’ confused stare.

“My L—ahem, Sir Matt.” Oh no, now we’ve upgraded to Sir Matt? What happened to just calling me Matt? You said it with such ease just hours ago. Ceres put a hand to her chest. “Does this girl require our assistance?”

“She, uh, might,” I admitted.

Ara turned to Tristan and took his hand in hers. “You ask me to speak my mind. So I shall. I want my sister back. It is not fair that I escaped, and she resides.” Her voice lowered to a growl. “Lynn knows how to take care of herself. Even so, under the watch and tutelage of Madame Celestia, I fear even she would falter at some point and surrender to her circumstances.”

“I fear for anyone beneath that woman,” I murmured.

“I must agree,” Ceres whispered in reply.

“Young Master,” Ara continued, “Lynn will break. It is only a matter of time. Some nights I lay awake at night, praying to Saoirse that she will be happy and healthy.” She shook her head, and her grip around Tristan’s hand tightened. It was clear that she was fighting back tears. “Please. We must rescue her.”

A silence swept over us. Rocks and imperfections in the road staggered the stability of the cart. Birds whistled into our ears. Ara’s chest rose and fell, and it seemed she was unable to look Tristan—or any of us for that matter—in the eye. This had to be the most selfish thing she’d asked for in her history of service. Her devotion to Tristan was clear as day, and I couldn’t imagine how hard it was to ask for anything for herself. The habits she’d picked up from Nyarlea’s teachings and Celestia’s indoctrinations wouldn’t go down easily.

It felt like I was watching a drama. Admittedly, I was here for it.

Tristan put one hand over Ara’s. “Thank you for being honest. Think you can do this more often?”

Ara let out a half-laugh. “Let us see where the future takes us.”

“We can consider it repentance for all the poor catgirls you robbed at cards,” Tristan teased.

The blush extended to the tips of Ara’s ears. “I-I did not rob them!” She slipped her hands out of Tristan’s grasp and resumed her prior stature. “I played the game. They were slow on the uptake.”

“We must assist this poor girl!” Ceres said suddenly. She looked up at me. “You stood with me when all hope seemed lost. It is thanks to you that we still stand and breathe.”

Whoa now, hold on. I wouldn’t go that far.

Keke giggled. “Does this mean we’re going on a rescue mission?”

I sighed and scratched the back of my head. I thought about it for a minute. Going back to Shi Island sounded like suicide. The image of a few dozen catgirls hiding on rooftops with their sniper rifles primed came to mind. If Celestia had the opportunity, I wouldn’t put it past her. After a while, I nodded. “Yeah. Let’s do it. Let’s rescue Lynn.”

“I knew we could count on you,” said Ceres.

Don’t put me too high on that pedestal, please. I don’t deserve it.

“We’ll get Ravyn and Cannoli to come along too,” said Keke. “I doubt Ravyn would object.”

That was a good point. The entire island had pissed Ravyn off to no end. This might’ve been just the occasion we needed to get her back to normalcy.

All we could do was hope Cannoli and Ravyn were up to it.

Guess time will tell.

“But, Sir Matt, I am curious.” Ceres touched her chin and cocked her head. “How did you trick Ara into thinking Tristan was her sister?”

This was going to be a very long cart ride.