[R'esha]

In the Shroud, a figure went unseen and little more than a blur amongst the trees. Much like Alkaid before them, this figure stalked a lone blue haired man through the forest. Unlike Alkaid, even laying eyes on this shadow would not have revealed them. Nor did they threaten to ignite the foliage around them. They stalked ever closer like a predator, poising and shifting through the brambles and branches in sync with the wildlife to inch just that small bit closer.

[Tretesta]

Alone and carefree, Tret made his way up through the central region of the Shroud, having departed the ferry in from the Lavender Beds some ways back. He of course had no reason to suspect someone to be tracking him. He was a regular 9-5 joe schmoe after all. One who had recently visited a mercenary hall to tend birds on his official day off, but the world was full of people who did a job without asking much of what the superiors were up to.

[R'esha]

Once a clearing that was suitably free of people along the path appeared, the stalking figure jumped down from the trees, landing pointedly in front of Tretesta in a kneeling position. Kicking up dust as they had come to a bit of a sliding stop caused the figure to be covered by a thin cloud, but as they slowly stood up the shadow slowly began to come into view.

It was a relatively small miqo'te woman with long black hair that stretched down the length of her back like a silky curtain. Light blue eyes (And proof of her seeker heritage) served as the majority of color on her lightly freckled face, with her pale skin in comparison giving off the appearance of one who does not often travel outside, or that of a moon keeper. There was bright red gem in her forehead that glinted ever so slightly in the sunlight, along with what appeared to be a second red gem that seemed far darker embedded at the base of her neck.

Her clothes were not out of place for an average Gridanian–sporting a light green tunic, brown pants and simple shoes, she would not have looked out of place in the city or forest proper by herself. There were no visible weapons to speak of on her person despite there being a pouch on her waist that might conceal some. Despite her rather dramatic entry, she seemed quite harmless by appearance.

“Hello.”

[Tretesta]

Tret barely regarded the shifting of leaves above, but reacted with split second timing as something landed in front of him. He threw himself towards his left side and tumbled over his back, Coming up in a low crouch with a hand on a pouch behind himself. He watched the catgirl for a few beats, then stood up and dusted himself off. Despite relaxing, he chose not to return to the path “…Hello! Has my luck finally run out?”

[R'esha]

“I was told to follow you, but I do not need to hide from you. As of right now, no one I can detect is following you except me.”

The girl spoke, but she did not seem able to keep eye contact, playing with her hair nervously.

[Tretesta]

“Follow m- Ah yes! Ellie's follower or whatever. Wonderful. Sounds like you're doing an excellent job if no one else is bothering me. Tell me, how long have you been behind me then?”

[R'esha]

She looks around, her ears twitching here and there.

“A while I guess.”

“What are you planning on doing today?”

[Tretesta]

“Well… That might have changed now…” Tret looks skyward, thinking on his day “Lessee….. Dealt with cleaning the college stables… I'm packed up mostly… Still need a stick actually…” he looks back down “Suppose I'm gonna head into town, bother either the carpenters or the lancers and find a nice dependable stick of some sort.”

[R'esha]

“Why would anyone be after you? That does not sound like anything bad.”

“I guess he was telling the truth…”

[Tretesta]

“You know, I asked him the exact same thing. Told him I'm just a regular guy, no troubles.” Tret finally returned to the path, a few paces away from his new shadow “What strange and vague answer did he give you as to why you're needed? Wonder if he told me the same…”

[R'esha]

“Find you, protect you, and not to interfere with your work. Keep others from interfering with your work. Failure will not be tolerated. It was a lot.”

She begins rubbing her arm uncomfortably now, her ears still twitching a bit at the sounds of the forest. Seems she has very good hearing, as she seemed to react to every little thing.

“He said this would be a good break unless he was wrong.”

[Tretesta]

“Break? Been having a rough time or getting away from some hard work recently?”

[R'esha]

“Operations are not peaceful.”

[Tretesta]

“I suppose that depends on the task at hand! Well… To tell the truth, I have about as carefree a life as one could want. The most danger I run into normally are stubborn chocobos and the occasional issue with wildlife. Both of which I promise you I am more than capable of dealing with. Ellie thinks theres some amount of chance that I might be of interest to some madman, madwoman, just because I know him. or something like that. That sound about right?”

[R'esha]

She opened her mouth to speak, but as fate would have it at that exact moment an Anole burst from the treeline, it's hungry gaze locked on Tretesta. It was rather large implying maturity, but to have strayed so far from what would be its normal territory made it quite the strange occurence.

Before it could even land, a superheated laser beamed down from above, enveloping the creature in a blaze of red light that left the ground scorched in it's wake.

The miqo'te had not moved, but her skin took on a bronze hue for the duration of the attack, slowly fading back to it's previous shade after the attack had ended, reducing the would be assaulting Anole to but a tiny charred remnant of a claw and blackened ashes.

[Tretesta]

In the space of time between the dinosaur like creature bursting from the foliage and the orbital cannon firing down, Tret has turned about and was double armed with flat throwing knives from his pouch. He stood still, caught surprised by the quite unexpected end to combat. Eventually, he stood up straight and turned back in time to see his little shadow looking quite normal “….That would be one of those 'Occasional issues with wildlife'. Thank you…. ah, never got your name!”

[R'esha]

She stares at Tret's feet, having resumed her nervous mannerisms already.

“…You dont need to know right? You dont care.”

[Tretesta]

“I asked, didn't I?”

“Obviously I care some amount.”

[R'esha]

She squirmed a bit in place, clearly not wanting to say anything.

“….Arcturus.”

A blush followed soon after, but by the twitching of her ears she was still focusing on everything around her.

[Tretesta]

Tret's eye twitches at the name “Arcturus… And you know my name?”

[R'esha]

“No.”

[Tretesta]

“Do you want to?”

[R'esha]

“…….What if you die?”

[Tretesta]

“I believe that would fall under the bit of 'failure' i think you were told to not do. Also not an answer, but another question.”

[R'esha]

“You can tell me your name then.”

[Tretesta]

“Tret. Call me Tret.”

[R'esha]

“Your name is strange.”

[Tretesta]

Tret could only grin at that remark “Is there a name you don't think is strange? Come on, any name. right now. Go.”

[R'esha]

“R'amzahia.”

[Tretesta]

“So, Seeker names are not strange then? I guess that makes sense. Amzahia of the Raptors… someone you know?”

[R'esha]

“You should get to your business. I'll keep you safe.”

[Tretesta]

“I should do many things. I appreciate your help with that little raptor, but I believe your task is to keep me safe from people that are set on killing or capturing me, not hungry animals. Keep to the shadows. If you make yourself known too often, then they can plan around you, neh?”

[R'esha]

“It does not matter if they plan, what matters is that they will not be able to do anything.”

[Tretesta]

“Would you rather catch an enemy by surprise or after they've had a chance to take measures against you?”

[R'esha]

She finally looks into his eyes, but it does not last long. Soon after, her gaze goes right back to his feet.

“There are no measures they can take. I am stronger, and smarter.”

“You can just say you don’t want to see me.”

[Tretesta]

“If I don't want to see you, I will say specifically those words. Never assume you are stronger than your enemy. That is how battles are lost.”

“You have a job. I certainly don't want to stop you doing it if you're not going to hurt me. If anything I want you to succeed, because my life is possibly on the line.”

[R'esha]

“Then you should listen to me. I only wanted to tell you I was here. We don’t need to be friends.”

“If I still needed training and suggestions I wouldn’t have been sent here.”

She clenched her fists at the end of her sentence, easing up to focus now at a stray thread on her tunic.

[Tretesta]

“Perhaps. I've gotten to meet several of Ellie's followers. Every one of them could use some form of training or insight. What makes me so special as to send the perfect subject? Surely you would be saved for someone far more valuable.”

[R'esha]

Her eyes narrow.

“Luck.”

[Tretesta]

Tret puts away his knives and claps his hands together once “Well outstanding! I've always been a pretty lucky type. ah, You might should know… I'm going to be going on a little trip in a few days I think. You won't be allowed along, I'm thinking. Limited space and all that. But no worry, if something kills me there, it won't be related. Shouldn't be. Most likely won't. Hows this, I'll just not die and we won't worry about it, neh?”

[R'esha]

“It would be faster to lock you in a cellar with a single entrance and exit. With no means of communication and the minimum necessities for survival you will certainly be alive and protected. I have at least three options within acceptable distance that meet the criteria. No one will be able to get past your imperfect guardian and failure will no longer be possible.”

She points at the path while staring at the ground.

“Or you can let me do my job in the least intrusive manner.”

[Tretesta]

“…I believe that was my suggestion from the beginning. And yours.”

[R'esha]

“Then go and save your lessons for someone else.”

[Tretesta]

“For today at least. We're still bound for Gridania for a little shopping. Want me to pick you up anything and leave for you to collect as I go? Snack, drink, fancy gift?”

[R'esha]

“No need. This meeting is only a formality. Now you know I am here.”

[Tretesta]

“Maybe not a need but a want. How's this: You just leave a note where you think I might find it. Something you might want. I'll make sure to get it, leave it somewhere you'll find it. Any time. Don't have to agree or not, that's the arrangement now.” As if to solidify the new contract, Tret simply begins walking past the little shadow, carrying on with his day up the path.

[R'esha]

The woman stares behind him for a while, waiting until he was a suitable distance away before disappearing into the treeline once again.

[Tretesta]

Tret continues on his way to complete errands for the day before he would retire home. Surely he was being watched now, both a comforting and unsettling thought. Arcturus would surely be tested and grow irritable with him in short time, but for today, nothing but a simple shopping trip.

[R'esha]

Tretesta’s new shadow had all but completely disappeared after the encounter, any metaphorical or literal threats being removed long before they had a chance to cause any troubles. It seems that for now, all was quiet.

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