It's been weeks, and Tarka was slowly beginning to trust Valor. Today, the two were outside, Valor trying to fly.

"Ugh, why is it so hard to get off the ground!?" Valor roared, stubbornly plopping down on the ground. Tarka's able to see most of his injuries are healed, and she was fairly certain that he was in almost no pain. "Maybe try a running start?" Tarka suggested, unhelpfully. Valor had been doing that for an hour now.

She cackled when Valor ignored her. "Well, I'm gonna go and help mama at her shop. Don't do something stupid." Tarka announced, heading off into town. She didn't bother sticking around to hear Valor's retort, as Tarka was fairly certain Akanu would need help.

Tarka didn't want to keep her mother waiting, especially with how much Akanu had been aching lately. The trek into Saie lasted quite a while, the trail winding, and many new holes to avoid.

There were some down trees, and petrichor tainted the area with its scent from the rains the day prior. It's been raining quite often, lately. A storm must be brewing. Tarka eventually arrived in Saie, her walk being rather short on the trip to Plants and Paws, Akanu's shop.

The bell rang out when Tarka entered, the strong scent of patchouli permeating through the air. "Hello, mama!" Tarka greeted the older molly, who was stocking the rosemary. "Oh, greetings, Tarka. Where have you been these past few weeks?" Akanu asked, her whiskers twitching.

Right, Tarka needed to tell Akanu. "I've met a cat. He's- he's a dangerous cryptid, mama. I've been thinking-" "You have not saged your home? If you refuse to do so, then please, be wary of this cat." Akanu interrupted. Tarka nodded. "Of course, mama, but karma is much like a spider, scary, and something we don't understand, but I have great faith to test the strings on karma's great web."

Akanu seemed skeptical. "Very well. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of cryptid is he?" She croaked, done with the rosemary, and working on restocking the crystals. Tarka helped carry the box of crystals out, before working on taking off the dried sage and replacing it with fresh. "He's a soul cannibal, mama." Tarka answered, glancing at Akanu as the old cat dropped an opal. 

"A what!? My daughter, you mustn't consider this. Please- promise me you'll be safe?" Akanu protested, picking up the opal and putting it away.

"I promise, mama." The two mollies continued to work on stocking the shop in silence, neither one speaking. Tarka almost started to feel anxiety. Was Akanu upset? What was she thinking...?

Eventually, customers became more frequent in the shop, and Tarka had to leave, wishing her mother goodbye and stopping to get lunch, eating outside and watching the sky, before continuing on her journey home. Tarka hated working when customers were stopping by, as it meant that she was constantly getting in the way.

Plus, it saves Akanu from a headache or two, considering the fact that Tarka didn't technically work there.