Pendar - Session 1

38 Merrysest, Shadesday -
Soon after Sana wanders off, crowds begin to gather around the market, folks badgering the merchants to begin more sales early. The sun is beginning to descend from the sky.

Maximilian packs his book away, standing up and tending to Marigold.
Maximilian: "I don't think I can read much more of this for now, friend. I daresay I'm a tad too peckish to keep my attention!"
"Now, there must be a good place for meat or pastries somewhere..."
Maximilian scopes out the streets, horse in tow.
The building in the center of town appears to be a bakery, but otherwise there appears to be few obvious places to purchase food
Maximilian: "Aha! Look at that sign! Sally forth!"
Maximilian finds a post to tie Marigold to, and steps round to the front entrance.
Maximilian: "I'll be just a moment!"
Pash: "You needin' something, youngster?"
Maximilian: "Why yes, sir! I've the deepest longing for a pork pie!"
Pash: "Right, I'm on it. How's three copper?"
Maximilian doesn't hesitate as his growling stomach urges him to fetch his purse.
Pash takes the money, handing him one of the pies from a shelf by the oven
Maximilian: "Thank you, sir!"
Maximilian scouts for some older or cheaper loaves to pick up as a snack for the horse.
Pash: "You can have one of those from the bottom shelf free, if you want. I was about to toss 'em, the traveling shops are takin' all the notice anyway."
Maximilian: "Oh, thank you kindly! Yes, they're very aggressive with their marketing today..."
Pash: "Always gets like this, every month. No wonder the roads are lousy with thieves."
"You one of the ones Warlar was hiring to flush 'em out?"
Maximilian: "No, sir - but it sounds like just the sort of endeavour for a man such as I!"
"Perhaps I should speak to this Warlar."
Maximilian offers another three coppers.
Maximilian: "For the news, and to help you last until I may yet buy more baked goods!"
Pash: "Thanks kindly. Ye'll be welcome to take all the stale bread y'want, if that's so. The maggots even went after Dag's sister, I heard."
Maximilian: "Dastards! I shall make them taste my lance! Good day to you, sir!"
Maximilian marches out to find his horse, a loaf in each arm.
Maximilian breaks off a large chunk of stale bread, offering it to Marigold as he unties her.
Maximilian: "Now then, let's find this Warlar fellow and dazzle him with our chivalry!"

Warlar: "There you are, girl. I was looking for you. You willing to head out tomorrow? I'd rather send out a group with someone skilled at healing."
Sana: "...heading out? Where, sir?"
Warlar: "You've heard the rumors of merchants being attacked on the south road, and Zanden hasn't yet returned."
"I'm trying to put together a team of some able folk to scout around."
Sana: "Mm, I'm sure I can help, sir. Is there a place I shall meet other likeminded people tomorrow?"
Fox fidgets a little in Sana's backpack, unhappy about being cooped up for too long.
Warlar: "In front of the storehouse, just past sunrise. Spread the word if you know anyone willing to take the job."
Sana: "...I might know someone, but it would wait until later.."
"Now, I... um... must be excused, please."
Sana moves nervously away into an alley, and takes off her backpack, opening up the bag to let Mr. Foxie out.
Fox pokes its head out of the bag, looking around to make sure nobody else is around.
Sana also gives Mr. Foxie a small piece of honey bread
Sana: "...You might want to leave tomorrow, Mr Foxie, it seems I might go somewhere dangerous then..."
Fox shakes its head, attempting to communicate a lack of desire to leave.
Fox turns its head to the commotion to the south, its ears twitching.
Sana: "Ah, something is happening. Let us eavesdrop."

Warlar: "You needed me for something, young knight?"
Maximilian: "Ah, you are ser Warlar? I understand you need a team to give those scoundrel thieves a good thrashing!"
Maximilian pumps his arm enthusiastically.
Warlar: "You heard rightly. I'll pay as well as you can expect for a town this small if you can bring back any news."
"The only true knight around here left three days back, and hasn't been seen since."
Maximilian: "That works fine for me, sir! A good name would do far more than any coin!"
Warlar: "Make ready to leave near the east of town in the morning, if you'll take up the task. By the largest building."
Maximilian: "Very well. I'll make sure to prepare for a serious battle."
Sana awkwardly hides behind a box, seeing what the strange rider man is doing. [Stealth: -1]
Warlar: "...Sana, youngster, what are you nosing around for?"
Sana: "H-huh!?"
Maximilian: "Oh, it's that maiden from earlier!"
Sana jumps back in suprise!"
Fox quickly hides behind Sana when it sounds like she got found. [Stealth: 15]
Sana: "...b-but I was hiding..."
The fox seems to go unnoticed far more successfully than Sana.
Maximilian: "Why would an innocent young girl need to hide?"
Sana: "Um, well... I overheard that Mr Warlar was looking for more people, and I was wondering if... well, you'd actually accept."
Maximilian: "Certainly! As I said earlier, if you're ever in need, just call my name!"
"(...I mean, it's not like I have much else to spend my time doing.)"
Warlar: "Don't mind the girl, she's been through rough times. Even Amalie can't do much about her shyness."
Maximilian's face falls.
Maximilian: "I'm sorry to hear about that."
Sana: "U-um... well... I'm signing on to help, too..."
Warlar: "I have to go ensure the market doesn't become entirely lawless in Zanden's absence. Until morning."
Sana: "Um... well then. I shall go home, prepare for tomorrow."
Maximilian: "I'll see you then, milady."
Sana feeds the fox a fair few amount of foodscraps, petting it as she dozes off for the night

39 Merrysest, Sunsday -
Morning comes swiftly, and Warlar sees the two off, none of the other townsfolk apparently having been willing to take the job. The road seems quiet until Sana notices shouting ahead, and several figures can be seen in the distance

Sana appears, dressed in a large breastplate and a greatsword, strapped to her back.
Fox follows the pair along, stubbornly refusing Sana's commands to ask it to leave.
Maximilian: "I really did not expect you to arrive wearing that... intensity of equipment."
Sana: "...you did not? What did you expect, mister?"
Maximilian: "Well, you seemed all in tune with nature. So I expected say, a bow or a quarterstaff..."
"Certainly not clanking great chestplate!"
Voice: "Get outta the way, ya old coot! We jest want the kid!"
Sana: "...it seems as if there is trouble over there..."
Maximilian: "Those scoundrels!"
Fox follows Sana, inquisitive about the noise.
Sana: "...we should do something..."
Maximilian: "No time to hesitate! Tally ho!"
Several men in poor-quality armor are surrounding an elderly knight. A youth is bleeding on the ground, showing no sign of consciousness.
Fox enters a battle sense, growling.
Zanden: "Praise the gods, reinforcements from Auna?"

[Sana - Initiative: 20
Bandit - Initiative: 19
Zanden - Initiative: 19
Maximilian - Initiative: 16
Bandit - Initiative: 14
Bandit - Initiative: 9
Fox: - Initiative: 5
Bandit - Initiative: 1
Bandit - Initiative: 1]

Sana scowls.
Sana: "Cowardly dogs... grr..."
"How about you know what it's like to have horrible things done to you, eh. Horrible, horrible people, doing such things, how dare they?"
Sana moves forward and angrily extends a hand towards one of the barbarians. [Murderous Command]
The barbarian's eyes widen, and he turns toward one of his allies, starting to raise his axe
Sana: "That's what you're doing to them! It's not nice!"
Fox looks surprised.
Maximilian: "Um..."

He charges at the other man and hacks away.
[Bandit - Axe: Attack: 14, Damage: 6]
Bandit screams in pain and surprise as the attack makes contact. "What are you doing, idiot!"
Sana: "...that's what you to do others, bandits... that what you did to that girl..."

The knight stays back, protecting the still-unmoving girl.

Maximilian: "In battle, loyal steed and knight are one!"
"Haa!"
Maximilian shimmers with a silvery light as he charges. [Fervor - Divine Favor]
[Lance Charge
Attack: 12+1, Damage: 20
Marigold: Bite
Attack: 16, Damage: 9]
Maximilian's attack connects, the bandit immediately falling to the ground bleeding heavily.

Bandit pales and flees.
Maximilian: "That's right, scoundrel! Justice comes!"

Fox, wanting to participate, makes a running dash towards one of the bandits, chomping at a vulnerable area.
[Fox Bite
Attack: 25, Damage: 1 (3 SA)
Confirm: 15, Crit: 1]
The fox skillfully bites an unarmored area, causing significant pain despite its size.

The bandit snarls and swings his axe at the pesky fox
[Bandit - Axe: Attack: 10 Damage: 2]
Fox nimbly evades the clumsy axe swing.
Sana: "Mr. Fox!"

Bandit shoots at Maximilian.
[Bandit - Shortbow: Attack: 19 Damage: 4]
His arrow, at least, strikes true
Maximilian: "Gah! You're next, mongrel!"
Sana: "Mr rider... are you okay?"
Maximilian: "Tis but a small wound."

Sana runs towards Bandit and tries to hit him with her greatsword!
Sana: "T-take this!"
[Attack Roll: 16, Damage: 10]

Sana scores a solid hit on the bandit, and he responds with a strike of his own.
[Bandit - Axe: Attack: 10 Damage: 6]
Her armor wards it off, though.

The knight steps forward, attacking one of the bandits despite his own injuries.
[Knight - Falchion: Attack: 16 Damage: 3]
The attack is weak, but it does succeed.

Maximilian trots towards the thug hassling the old man, and thrusts at him.
[Maximilian's Lance (Favor, Flanking)
Attack: 24, Damage: 16]
The bandit falls dead almost instantly, skewered on Max's lance.
Maximilian: "Do you still wish to fight, knaves?"

Fox swerves around to behind the bandit Sana is attacking, seeking an advantageous location.
[Fox Bite
Attack: 22, Damage: 1 (2 SA)]
The fox manages another well-placed bite.

Bandit runs, shooting at Sana almost as an afterthought.
[Bandit - Shortbow: Attack: 15 Damage: 2]
It barely pierces past her armor.

Sana: "Grrr... you...!"
[Bandit - Axe AoO: Attack: 13 Damage 5]
Sana rushes angrily towards the bandit, striking at him with her greatsword.
[Attack Roll: 17, Damage: 12]
The fleeing bandit falls unconscious, struck soundly by Sana's sword.

Bandit2: "Oi, mad girl, I give up! Just don't off me too!"
The remaining bandit backs away from the fox, throwing his axe to the ground.
Sana: "...thank you, mister."
Fox looks satisfied.
Sana takes a few deep breaths, calming down.
Maximilian dismounts, and bows before the elderly fellow.
Fox lets out an almost human-like sigh of relief.
Zanden: "That was a fine fight. But this girl..."
The knight returns to the wounded youth's side, limping heavily.
Sana: "U-um... I'm a healer... please let me help."
Zanden: "The elf lass? Whatever you can do."
Sana moves to the girl's side, examining her injuries. [Heal: 9]
Fox walks over to the discarded axe, sniffing it.
Maximilian steps over, investigating.
Sana extends her hands to the girl, radiating positive energy [Cure Light Wounds: 5]
Fox grabs onto the axe with its bite, and starts trying to drag it before deciding the weapon is far too heavy for a fox to wield.
Young Woman: "...who? Did my father- oww, my head..."
Sana: "Please... do not move too much. You are heavily injured."
Maximilian: "Slowly, miss."
Zanden: "Easy there, it's safe now."
Sana helps the woman into a seating position.
The bandit clumsily tries to skulk away.
Fox gives up on the axe and goes over to the injured girl.
Young Woman: "This isn't Seskesa, why?"
[Anyone familiar with Ataletan geography can recognize it as the name of the small city to the south]
Maximilian: "We're quite close to Auna, miss."
Sana moves away slightly, letting Maximillian do the talking
Fox follows Sana in curiosity.
Young Woman: "Auna? ...I have to get to Seskesa. Return home. My father-"
Young Woman winces, looking down.
Sana: "(Mister rider...... should we...?"
Maximilian: "Take your time. Perhaps if you tell us about your father, we might be able to help."
Young Woman: "Lord Ulandal Seskesa. I have to get home. I'll be able to pay my ransom if I get home."
Maximilian: "...ransom? Oh heavens, it sounds like I SHOULD support you. You will have Ivanda's protection."
Young Woman: "Huh? You aren't more kidnappers? They said I had to be gotten rid of..."
Sana: "(...if anyone wants, I can also help...)"
Zanden sits down heavily to rest, watching the girl in dismay
Maximilian: "(You should! It sounds too great a feat for one man and one horse.)"
"No, if there were any kidnappers, they were the sorry lot we trounced."
Young Woman: "...Oh. You have a cute foxie. You can't be kidnappers. Um, can I stick with you for now? You said at Auna?"
Sana: "(...was I of help?)"
Fox walks up to the girl, nuzzling her in response to the compliment.
Maximilian: "(You gave me a great opening back there! ...with that... scary magic.)"
Sana: "(...I am sorry... my... umm... anger got the better of me)"
Maximilian: "(W-well. So long as you're on our side.)"
Zanden: "Seskesa, so you're the girl who had been sent away to Karaminia?"
Young Woman: "Yes! Father said never come back, but then he said come back immediately. I liked it there, too..."
Maximilian: "That sounds ominous."
Young Woman: "Really? Aren't you happy for me? Don't you want to go back to your family?"
Maximilian doesn't respond, as his face screws up and eyes tear up.
Maximilian: "T... troublesome matter, that."
Young Woman: "Oh! Valdya! I'm Valdya tas Seskesa. Don't you remember, you danced with me once at my father's ball before I was sent away. I was pretty, wasn't I?"
"...you were too, I guess."
Sana: "Miss... you are very pretty.."
Maximilian: "Y-Yes, you still are today."
"It's been a long time, Valdya."
"I wish times were still as simple."
Maximilian wrestles with his tears, but manages to maintain composure as he reflects. [Will save: 18]
Zanden: "Should we return to town for now? It looks like she still could use time to recover before traveling more."
Sana: "(Mister Rider...)"
"W-we should head back, yes. Mister rider can show the way."
Maximilian: "That's a good idea. These rogues need to be sent to the brig."
Sana: "...the ones you did not kill, yes..."
Maximilian: "And young miss, as I asked before, please call me Maximilian. Or at least, Max."
Zanden: "It appeared to me, Sana, that you shed much blood as well."
Sana: "U-um... yes.."
Maximilian lifts the northern thug and carries him back towards the group.

Sana: "Mister Captain, sir... where have you been these few days...?"
Zanden: "The first day was looking for the brigands, the others I was waiting for a chance to fight them without a five against one battle."
"Then this lass walked along chipper as can be, and was ambushed. It forced my hand."
Sana: "{Well done, Mr. Fox. You did very well, I'll purchase a treat for you... what do you like the most?}"
Fox: "{I liked those pastries, especially the ones with meat in them.}"
Maximilian: "Wow, that fellow is still following you."
Valdya: "But I didn't wear my nice things, just like I was told! Don't I look plain enough? Not worth stealing?"
She does seem to be dressed rather simply, for the station she claims.
Sana: "Yes... I think he is my friend now."
Sana looks happy as she pets the fox.
Maximilian: "You raise a fair point, Valdya."
Fox looks content to be petted.
Maximilian: "But I imagine rogues as unscrupulous as those are keen to claim any as prey."
Miriol: "Another of your little pets? Do see to it that this one doesn't swipe Pash's breads."
Zanden: "They might tell us more to save themselves a hanging."
Maximilian: "Do you think they may have been looking for her?"
Fox seems too engrossed in the pettings and thoughts of delicious pastries to notice the seriousness of the conversation.
Sana: "(Mr Fox... I wonder... do you understand these words? Nod if you do, please.)"
Warlar: "Possible. The Ulandal house has made some enemies. This whole business with the coronation still a mystery..."
Fox looks at Sana, and makes a deliberate nod.
Valdya: "Well! I don't think they were very pretty..."
Valdya tries to pet the fox.
Fox consents to pets.
Sana: "(...ah, can you speak the words I do... or only understand them?)"
Fox is too distracted by being petted to respond to Sana.
Maximilian: "Perhaps they've seen you before, and remembered your charming looks, Valdya."
Valdya: "Millie, Morton... Matthias? Are there more kidnappers here?"
"Why can't I go back to Karaminia..."
Zanden: "(I can see why the lass's father wanted her gone.)"
Maximilian: "It's disgraceful how many lives are washed away under the roiling tides of politics."
Valdya: "Tides? You like swimming too, Matthias?"
"Elf girl, do you know my father?"
Maximilian: "I can't say it's something I've been given much chance for, I'm afraid."
"(And it's Maximilian...)"
Sana: "...your father?"
Fox gets bored of the conversation, and begins to wander off, investigating Maximilian's pouches for pastries. [Sleight of Hand: 25]
Sana: "...I remember people say he's a mean person, and he's mean to his people... apart from that...he's a lord? ...I-It must be a town he governs..."
Fox seems to have secured something, but after trying to eat it for a little bit, it finds it not to its liking and discards it in the corner.
Dagged: "You're back! You're all back! Did you find my sister? Where's little Pellie?"
Zanden: "She wasn't there, Dagged. I'm sorry, I couldn't find any sign of Pellie..."
Dagged: "You'll go back! Keep looking! My little sister..."
Maximilian lowers his head.
Warlar: "Sir knight, you haven't seen a young girl, have you? Just a little older than those two?"
Maximilian: "Not in my brief travels in this vicinity, I'm afraid."
Dagged glares at Valdya through his tears, and she nearly jumps in surprise.
Maximilian: "You shouldn't take your anger out on an innocent, sir!"
Fox wanders up to the shy Sana curiously.
Dagged stares at Maximilian as well, then storms away.
Warlar: "We never had this much trouble before. Zanden's tried to recruit more guardsmen, but it hasn't been enough yet."
Maximilian: "I'd offer to help you there, but I'm volunteering to help escort Valdya."
Valdya: "Maximatthias, that was really brave! Were you going to kill him?"
Maximilian: "I don't kill people for being meanies, dear."
Sana: "{Mister Fox... what is your name? Or are you a Miss Fox?}"
Maximilian: "In that path lies madness."
Maximilian turns his eyes to the fox.
Valdya: "Escort me? Home to Seskesa?"
Maximilian: "That was what you were planning to do, yes?"
"Gee, even this fox seems intent to follow."
Maximilian bends down and moves a hand toward it.
Valdya: "He's cute, he likes me. I like him, but not as much."
Fox nods to Maximatthias, and turns to Sana.
Fox: "{Does it matter so much?}"
Sana: "{It does a lot, to me.}"
Fox gives Sana a strange look.
Sana: "{If you do I will give you two meat pastries.}"
Valdya: "Seskesa is a nice place, isn't it? There's the river to go swimming."
Maximilian: "Look at the poor guy tilt his head so, he knows we're talking about him."
Zanden: "Clever little thing, isn't he?"
Fox seems to be in thought, possibly an odd expression for a fox.
Sana: "...he understands us, Mister Rider."
Maximilian: "There's some good folktales abou-Really?!"
Sana: "Well... he understands me, at least..."
Fox looks startled and begins to back away.
Maximilian: "Oh, right. Yes, we established that before."
"...now we're scaring the poor thing."
Sana: "...since I can use my... "gift" to talk to him..."
Maximilian: "It's okay, little fellow, I have some nice bread for you..."
Maximilian roots into his bag, finding nothing of the sort.
Maximilian: "Or... did..."
Sana: "...is it around the time for lunch, mister rider? Maybe I should purchase some food..."
Valdya: "Do you always talk to animals? The people said that was one of the ways I was crazy. Are you crazy?"
Maximilian: "That would mean I'm crazy, too."
"Marigold has lent me her ear in many a time of weakness."
Valdya: "I know you're crazy, Maximatthias! You're just like me!"
Maximilian: "W-welcome."
"Hm, if this buddy is following us, maybe we should name them."
Fox looks very timid and worried, as if expecting to meet a violent end and thinking about escape routes.
Sana gets up and moves towards the market, beckoning the fox.
Sana: "...we should let you become more reacquainted, I'll take mister foxie for some food."
Valdya: "Marigold's a nice horsie. She'd look better in purple, though. And little foxie in blue."
Maximilian: "A purple horse..?"
Sana: "Come mister foxie, I'll go and get yo some nice foods."
Fox follows Sana cautiously.
Maximilian: "Now that you say, purple is a very regal colour. A luxurious purple mane..."
Sana: "Ah, Mister Pash... I'd like to buy some food, please, for myself and my fox friend."
Maximilian slumps, raising a finger to his wounded shoulder. [Cure Light Wounds: 8]
Pash: "Take what you need. You've earned it."
Sana: "...earned?"
Maximilian: "Do you need any more treatment, Valdya?"
Pash: "You helped out Dag, even if he don't know it. I'm glad enough of that."
Valdya: "Yes, yes! My head still hurts..."
Sana: "Thank you, Mister Pash."
Zanden: "Looks like she'll get by here for now..."
Fox tries to stay well-hidden near Sana, hoping it's not recognized by the baker.
Maximilian: "Well, I can try, at least..."
Maximilian rests a hand on her head, channeling light. [Cure Light Wounds: 3]
Sana takes five meat filled pastries, and a loaf of her favorite honey bread, but still leaves seven silver pieces on the table anyway.
Sana: "Is this okay to take, mister?"
Valdya: "Feels better! Thanks, Maximatthias!"
Maximilian: "Oh! Splendid!"
"Like I said, you have Ivanda's blessing."
Pash: "That's enough for you to eat your fill tomorrow too, Sana."
Sana: "Well... I wanted a little more to give to my horse riding friend, too.."
Valdya: "Oh! Pretty songs?"
Valdya curls up in the corner of the storehouse wall, starting to doze off.
Pash: "Take it. You've paid plenty."
Maximilian: "Well, I never did good at music class myself, but I do indulge in a bit of poetry. ...but perhaps we can discuss that after you've rested. Let's find you an inn."
Valdya: "It's nice here... okay."
Sana bows and takes her leave, journeying towards the storehouse once more.
Maximilian guides Val to the inn he inevitably found yesterday, making sure her footing is okay.
Fox follows, eager to avoid further risk of detection.
Valdya follows Maximilian closely, seeming jumpy but otherwise well.
Selisa: "Travelers? From yesterday?"
Sana enters her room and sits, cross legged on the bed, taking out the food.
Maximilian: "Yes. My companion needs a room pretty urgently, she's nodding off."
Selisa: "Ah, I'll show you to one, then."
Selisa beckons to Valdya, who follows silently with a last startled glance at Maximilian.
Fox hops onto a nearby crate in Sana's room, trying to relax.
Sana: "{Now, I can only speak like this for a little more, but... if I give you this pastry, will you tell me your name, please... and why you are coming with me... please?}"
Fox: "{I want to be friends. I... don't want to be lonely.}"
Maximilian: "I'll have a soft mead for myself, please."
Sana gives the pastry to the Fox
Sana: "{Do you have a name? I could name you if you wanted...}"
The innkeeper hands a mug to Maximillian, looking at him sharply
Maximilian pays the man a silver, and relaxes, trying to clear his mind.
Sana: "{...and, if you speak Common... could you please do so? After this, I can't use my gift anymore...}"
Fox: "I... I'm not... used to this..."
Fox seems to be struggling a bit.
Sana: "...please, mister fox... take your time, there is no rush."
Fox: "I'm... sorry."
"I'm... really not used to... understanding people."
Sana: "Neither am I, Mister Fox... animals are a lot easier to talk to than people... they can be scary..."
Fox: "I'm not... used to... thinking like people."
"It's strange. How do you people do it?"
Sana: "Well...how do you mean, think like a person? ...I guess thinking like an animal is a lot easier, a lot less of things involved to consider..."
"For an animal... your ability is incredible..."
Fox: "Sometimes... I wonder if I can go back to being an animal."
"But I can't stop thinking..."
"It was easier when I didn't have to think."
Sana: "...I can help you think, Mister Fox. I can help you speak, and think like people.."
"I'm... not the best speaker, or teacher... but I can try to help my new fox friend!"
Fox: "...People are complicated."
"I like people, but..."
"That baker..."
"He tried to kill me once because I made off with one of his chickens."
"But taking his chicken was... bad, right?
Sana: "...it was bad."
Fox: "I didn't think about that at all back then."
"Why am I thinking about it now?"
Sana: "Because...you are becoming more person-like, Mister fox?"
Fox: "What is the feeling where I feel bad about something that I couldn't have helped?"
Sana: "...It... it could be your instincts clashing with your new morals, fox?"
"Foxes naturally want chickens to eat... but with your new thoughts, you feel guilt because you did something bad.."
Fox: "And now... speaking in... your language..."
"Coming... naturally to me... what happened?"
"I'm even thinking in your language..."
"Things were so much easier before the old guy came."
Sana: "...old guy?"
Fox: "He came to the forest. Four days ago."
"He did some sort of ritual. Felt like it lasted forever."
Sana: "...maybe he cast magic on you..."
Fox: "When it was done, he left, and I... started being able to think."
"But why me?"
Sana: "Maybe he saw you as special...?"
Fox: "There were a lot of animals in that forest."
"I'm just a fox. I'm no good at anything but sneaking and stealing."
"They called you a Sana. I'm not sure what a Sana is, but what do you think I should do?"
Sana: "...I am not a Sana."
"Sana is my name."
"Every person has their own special name, Everyone has a different one."
Fox: "Name?"
"So you have a name, and that Maximatthias has a name?"
Sana: "Yes, his name is Maximilian,"
"....but that strange girl says it wrong."
Fox: "They said Maximatthias though."
Fox: "So he's a Maximatthias named Maximilian?"
Sana: "He is a human named Maximilian. Ignore Maximatthias."
Fox: "...People are confusing."
Sana: "I am a... half elf, named Sana."
"You are a fox, but... do not have a name."
Fox: "Some people called me 'Hey, you! Get out of there!'. Is that a name?"
Sana: "That's a command, not a name, Mister Fox."
"...And a command is someone telling you what they want you to do."
Fox: "...But I still need to eat."
Sana: "I can provide for you, mister Fox."
Fox: "If you provide for me, does that mean I don't have to steal anymore?"
Sana: "It means you don't have to steal anymore."
Fox: "I don't have to worry about people chasing me with those... sticks with the metal bits on top?"
Sana: "No, and if they do, I will keep you safe from them."
"...but they shouldn't, anyway, if you do not steal things."
Fox: "...Hopefully they don't. It's scary."
Sana: "it is..."
Fox: "Before, I never really thought about it, but..."
"If they catch me... I die, right?"
Sana: "...you do die.."
Fox: "I don't know what happens after I die, but... I'm afraid of it."
"I get the feeling I won't get to have pastries anymore."
Sana: "Neither do I... but I'll do my best so that no one catches you... okay?"
Fox pauses from the eating, looking contemplative.
Fox: "Okay. I don't suppose I have much choice in the matter."
"But... hopefully I can still help."
"Fighting those... bad guys?... was nice. It felt like... doing the right thing."
Sana: "It was the right thing."
"And it did help."
"You helped me, and I like having you around..."
Fox: "I like being around."
"You don't try to... kill me like the other people."
"You... aren't afraid of me when I start talking."
Sana: "I like foxes~"
Fox , finished with the meal, curls up on the crate, cushioning itself with its own tail.
Fox: "...Can we fight more bad guys tomorrow?"
Sana: "We can if we find them."
"...but, hm... you might need a name, now that you think more."
Fox: "...Can we fight that guy that comes at me with a long stick with a metal bit whenever I try to dig up his vegetables?"
Sana: "Well, those are HIS vegetables... but... he shouldn't be that mean to chase you with a big stick.."
"..also those sticks are called spears."
Fox: "Foxes have to eat too..."
Sana: "...but now you have me to feed you, so you don't need to do it anymore."
Fox: "Hopefully people stop chasing me..."
"...That metal stuff you wore today. It stopped them from killing you. Right?"
Sana: "yes, it did."
"And I can get you some... when I have enough money.."
Fox: "I wonder if it comes in fox shape..."
Fox dozes off quietly...
Sana pets the fox gently, and goes under the covers herself, thinking of a name for the fox as she drifts off...