"Are you really okay" Jennifer asked with a gentle tone, looking down at the red eyed goblin.
Skritch said nothing walking back into the city.
'The poor thing had been saving that money with its friends.' She thought, watching his slumped shoulder.
Skritch walked down the dirt road with dull eyes, as if going through the motions.
"How about this," she said. "There's a cute goblin girl where we're going."
"You can talk to her." A weak smile appeared on her face.
Skritch only shrugged, putting one foot in front of the other staring at the ground.
They walked past the stall labeled BLACKSMITH & APPRAISER.
Jennifer reached out slightly, but her hand stopped halfway. She bit her lip, 'I should give him some space.'
'I am one of the people who helped kill his friends,' her chest tightened. 'And now we're robbing him of everything they saved.'
'I should've stood up to Vance.' She looked down at her feet, remembering how she'd done nothing during breakfast.
But what could she do? She was in the same position too. Even if she had stepped in, it would have done nothing.
She stood there lost in thought then.
"Hey." A gentle voice touched her shoulder.
Jennifer's heart raced as she spun around with her fists clenched.
She relaxed seeing the women with cat ears piercing through her long silver hair.
"Are you having a bad day?" Roxy asked.
"No," Jennifer replied. "Its nothing serious."
"Really?" Roxy asked with a hint of doubt. "If you say so. Lets go inside."
Jennifer nodded and followed her through the busy streets.
"Hey, can you guard the stall?" Roxy asked the neighbouring goblin.
"Sure."
They walked to the building behind the stall.
Roxy pushed open the door, which glowed faintly silver before sliding open.
"Tell me what's stressing you out?" She asked casually, walking behind the counter.
'I should get this done and go find Skritch.' Jennifer said nothing. She crouching down and reached into her shadow.
Three bags emerged.
Roxy stared silently as Jennifer placed them on the counter.
"Is there anything you know that can help me get stronger?" She asked with a lackluster tone.
Roxy smiled at her. "You don't even pray, do you?"
"Do I need to?"
"Yes you do." Roxy leaned against the counter. "No one can advise you about your path better than your god. That's basic knowledge."
Jennifer looked away. "How do I pray?"
Roxy blinked before sighing, "You close your eyes and recite the prayer the priest spoke at your baptism."
"Baptism?" Jennifer jerked back.
Roxy sighed again. "The words you heard when you got your system."
Jennifer eyes widened at the realisation. 'Then I should recite the whispers of the darkness and shadows.'
"Thank you," Jennifer said turning to leave.
"Take this with you." Roxy placed a suit carrier on the counter.
Jennifer turned back and grabbed it.
"If you're worried about Vance, don't." Roxy said.
"Why?" Jennifer asked.
"He'll die in less than three month," She smiled at Jennifer. "His gift is more trouble than a reward."
Her words brought no comfort, but only felt as if they were superstition.
'I should leave.'
"Thanks." Jennifer said before hurrying outside.
'Why would Vance tell me to ask her for advice?' She wondered walking past the stalls.
She suddenly stopped turning the goblin vendor. "Hi"
"Yeah?" the goblin replied.
"Are hou free tonight?" She asked.
The goblin narrowed narrowed her eyes. "Yeah."
''Great." Jennifer beamed "I wanted to invite you to dinner tonight."
"N..."
"Of course we'll come," Roxy said winking at Jennifer as walked to her stall.
Jennifer smiled. "Thank you, we live at xxxxx"
"That's a nice neighbourhood near to the central district." Roxy commented while the goblin frowed at her. "We'll be there around five."
Jennifer waved before disappearinginto the crowd.
Roxy watched her leave with a faint smile.
"Why did you do that?" The goblin asked setting down her apron.
"They work for my former investor," Roxy said stepping behind the stall counter. "why can't you be nice?"
The goblin's eyes widened slightly. "You mean he's alread dead."
"Near death." Roxxy smirked while looking at the crowded street. "His scent is weakening. I won't have to wait long until the contract voids itself."
She glanced at the goblin. "Just be nice to them."
The drifting clouds turned red as sunlight slowly faded from the city.
...
...
Jennifer stirred the boiling soup pot with a smile.
She glanced at Skritch, who sat slouched on the brown leather couch staring blankly at the wall mounted screen.
'I hope this makes him happy,' her smile softened.
"Knock. Knock." A knock echoed from the front door.
"They're already here?" Jennifer smile widened as she rushed over.
"You're earlier than expected," she said pulling the handle. "The foo..."
"You were expecting someone," Tooka stood at the doorway with weavering smile. "Then I'll keep this short."
Jennifer's smile faded.
"Your friend, Vance Grave has gone missing," He said gently.
Jennifer's eyes widened as her hand slipped from the handle.
"We've already began an investigation into his whereabouts," he continued. "But we may never find him. People with gifts like his are often victims of kidnapping."
He bowed his head as if with a burdened heart, "I deeply apologise for any grief this may cause."
He turned and walked away.
Jennifer stood their frozen at the doorway.
They had only been in this world for only 2 day and Vance had already gone missing.