The journey across the final two shortcuts and the subsequent walk to the pride of Iia’s home went as slowly as it did before, but the fog of unsaid words and the pregnant silence had lifted. Now it was just a case of one friend accompanying the other before you relaxed in her home.

Along the way, Cassio Rollex groaned several times about having to teach the adventurous kids in Iia on how to use the pistol to the best of their ability for some odd reason, and promised you that he would not let them anywhere near the archaic projectile rifles that they kept in the personal armoury you and him frequented, located just to the right of the pseudo-shooting range — which was basically six to eight crates upon which empty tin cans were perched, situated at the furthest end of some ridiculously large building... the ‘armoury’ being a large, heavy black metal crate containing dozens of tiny pistols.

When you re-adjusted a bag that was over your shoulder for the fifth time and forced open the door to Nanafey’s home, you were greeted with the sight of a dozen books spaced irregularly around the living room, piles of papers here and there, and a wet splash of water in the dead centre of the living room, created by her Anima whenever they settled down to sleep for the night. When Nanafey first invited you to her home, she tried futilely hard to clean off the wet stain whenever she could, but gave up after the first few days and put it into the one-of-those-things-category.

The Anima owned by Nanafey was the first to notice the arrival of you and your ice-based-Anima in her home, and your face fell into an unimpressed glare as the Anima relinquished its owner and floated over to you, their button-like eyes narrowing with distrust. In turn, your walk became an aggressive, confident swagger as your face cut a scowl, and her eyes watched the two supposed friends approach each other with growls and antagonism driving each step — even she placed down her book onto a nearby table in mild confusion.

The two of you stopped inches from each other, both their and yours’ eyes unwavering while the Anima sat on its hind legs, forcing you to crane your head down to meet the stern gaze. Uneasy silence gripped the interior of the home, glances darting between human and animal alike, and even Nanafey scrambled to her feet to try and dissuade the prospective fight that might occur. She disliked conflict, especially when it occurred between friends... except it never happened.

Quick as a flash, the Anima cracked a wide grin as their tongue shot out between their gums, and their head darted up to cover a squirming you with relentless, giddy licks. You tried your best to block the affectionate assault with your arms, groans and cackles escaping your lips as the Anima continued the attack.

“Oh, c’mon little guy, leave {{user}} alone! You know that doesn’t wash out as easily!” Nanafey groaned loudly amid your own laughter, and that of even her own, “the last time you did that when I wasn’t looking, I got several complaints! Several! Bad, bad Anima! Stay down and leave {{user}} alone!”

The message received loud and clear, her Anima ceased their assault and floated back to their owner, who rested a friendly hand on their head. Chuckling, with your arms held out in front of you as one does when their clothes are soaked, you froze the saliva that drenched your entire upper body using your Anima’s abilities and shook off the resultant frost, creating the odd sight of a miniature instance of snowfall inside her home.

“And you!” she exclaimed accusingly, pointing her finger toward you, “you are gonna have to clean that snow up from the floor, {{user}}. You should know by now that you’re always free to stay here whenever you like, but not free to leave a mess wherever you go.” Nanafey explained with a little condescension, as though the answer should be obvious. You merely shrugged off the tone.