Having just arrived in Oak City, Rinni Faithe was a bit weary from the journey. She was cold, hungry, and if we're being honest... exhausted. But she couldn't think of food nor sleep. She could only think of Ko Lesalt. The first person she ever fell in love with. She had to find him before ever considering sleep as a proper option. At the very least... she had to know he was safe.

She asked around Oak City and those who knew Ko or saw someone matching his description described him as being seen in the company of other women at various times. Maybe friends or guildmates? He wouldn't cheat... would he? Had he... moved on from her without telling her? "What's happened to you, Tiger...?"

Her thoughts trailed off as she came across a job board, a particular job catching her interests. A drinking contest... and a shop owner seeking help from any willing. The thought of a drinking contest made her wonder if she'd find Ko at such an event. Looking down at Winter, then up at Storm Fang, the teen werewolf scratched between the large Tempest Wolf's ears, before kneeling down to scratch the Snow Vulpix under her chin.

"What do you guys think? Should we check this guy out and see if we find any leads?"

Winter, who knew and adored Ko, let out a few happy yips. Storm Fang, the newest addition to the family, simply let out a guttural growl, his ears twitching and his expression showing disinterest in the subject. Rinni picked up Winter and climbed onto Storm Fang's back as the massive wolf walked down the city streets.

They received several odd looks from passerby's, most of which stepped out of the beast's path. Rinni sniffed the air, hoping to catch the familiar scent of a friend, Guildmate, or her Boyfriend. But it seemed, as far as she could tell, that she was alone in this city. A sigh escaped her lips as they neared the shop. The address matched that of the job request, so Rinni dismounted her Tempest Wolf and proceeded to enter the shop, Winter following close behind her leg.

The large wolf curled up outside the building for a nap, as he was much too large to fit through the door. Rinni left him to do his thing, having only just arrived she had no shelter to return him to until she needed him. She made a note to sign up at a hotel later.

"Hello? I'm here about a job request?" She called out timidly as the door dinged behind her to announced her entry. The bell caused the little white fox to flinch and let out a startled yip as she huddled close to the werewolf's legs. Rinni, quite used to her timid companion, ignored this as she approached the register and was met with a hardy greeting from a giant of a man.

Her eyes widened in surprise, but the man appeared friendly enough so she managed to keep a calm composure despite her nervousness. Being a shy petite young lady herself, she gingerly brushed a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear and peered up at the shopkeeper.

"Ah, hello. Hi. I'm... I'm Rinni Faithe."

"Rinni Faithe, is it? Beautiful name! Simply beautiful!"

"Th-thank y-"

"You seem quite young to be taking jobs, young lady. How old are you? Have you ever managed a shop before?"

"I'm 16... I'm... I'm an A-Rank Ranger... I've tended farms and defeated werewolves... I'm sure I can handle this..."

"Splendid! Splendid! Well, then. I'm off to the drinking competition! I'll see you when I see you!" The friendly giant headed out his door when Rinni stopped him.

"Wait! Rander! It's... a drinking competition, right? If you see a... if a man named Ko Lesalt is there... tell him I'm looking for him, please."

"Of course, Ms. Faithe. Of course. Take care!" And with that, he was gone.

Rinni sighed and looked around the shop. It was time to get to work.

[WC: 721/1000]

Outside, Storm Fang lay curled in a tight ball sleeping. Inside, Winter curled up under the counters asleep while Rinni cleaned the floors, stocked the weapon wracks, and did the basic routine of a slow day. All of them oblivious to what would happen next. She was actually grateful that there had been very few customers, as she wasn't entirely sure where everything was nor prices and basic info a shop keeper would know. She did have a list, of course, but it was somewhat stressful on her part to try to answer questions from impatient customers.

While cleaning the blade of a well-crafted sword, she heard Stormy growling and making quite a noise outside. Something had clearly riled the Tempest Wolf up a good bit. Played the polished sword on an empty shelf, Rinni headed outside to see what was happening. To her shock, she discovered that the store had been vandalized. Graffiti and broken decore littered the storefront. There was no sign of anyone in the area, nor any evidence as to who had done such a thing. Running her hand through her soft brown hair, the girl sighed in frustration and proceeded to clean the mess the vandals had left in their wake.

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After an hour or two of cleaning broken glass and scrubbing graffiti off the building, Rinni stretched only to catch a strange scent in the air. She turned around only to find herself surrounded by eight men, all wielding knives. They demanded to see the shop owner, but when she explained that he was away and had left her in charge of the store... the men burst into laughter. A little girl, left in charge of a smithy? This was too easy.

"I'm giving you guys one chance to leave. Please, do so now for your own safety." Rinni's warning only warranted further laughter from the men. They charged toward the young girl, knives ready to strike. Rinni remained calm. The boys were slow, inexperienced, and weak. She sighed, she wasn't looking for a fight today. But, it is what it is. In the blink of an eye, she moved behind the thugs, causing them to crash into each other in an 8-man pile-up.

"Are you finished?" She asked in a bored tone. She wasn't even armed, nor had she broke a sweat.

Confused and surprised by her speed, the men struck again, convinced by the unwritten rule 'strength in numbers'. The teen rolled her eyes and activated her Pocket dimension ring, Her dagger materialized in her right hand, and as they charged she easily dispatched one of them with a swift blow to the back of the head by the blunt end of her dagger.

Once he hit the ground, the remaining seven took off running. So focused they were on the girl, they failed to notice the show white six-tailed fox companion that sat nearby observing the action. As they ran, she took a deep breath and exhaled a frost that froze the ground beneath their feet causing them to slide and land on their asses or faceplanting promptly.

Rinni thanked her companion with a gentle scratch between the ears as she proceeded to grab a spare rope from the store and used it to tie up the thugs until Rander's return.

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Rander returned sometime later, very much drunk. Upon seeing the thugs and hearing what happened, he rewarded Rinni graciously, telling her she's welcome at his smithy anytime. Rinni took her jewels and mounted Stormy, Winter scooped into her arms as they left the smithy together.

[WC 1000/1000]

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