*knock knock*

The knocks made Skeet wake up from a shallow slumber. Curious at who on Esteria would knock at this late night, he opened the door from his room, yet no one was there except for him.

*knock knock*

If those knocks were not from his room, then where could it be? He already looked around the rooms next to his on the third floor, but there were no signs of knocking nearby. He also checked the rooms in the second floor, yet no one else were bothered by the continuous knock except for him. Seeing no anomaly on the two floors, he decided to check the reception counter on the first floor. As he makes his way downstairs, the knocks became louder. It came from the inn entrance, hence rushing towards the door and opening it.

Upon opening the door, a woman in a brown cloak greeted them. Her green oval eyes stared right into Skeet's soul, as if it pleads to them.

“Pardon me for disturbing, but do you still have available rooms that I can check in?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, but we are actually closed at this time of night.” Skeet stuttered, and couldn’t keep his composure right.

“Yet I presume that you still have vacant rooms, yes?” she asked again.

“No—uh, actually yes, well, but we are already closed. O-our inn is not open from sunrise to sunset, I’m terribly sorry about it.” Trying to keep his composure, he gave a response which would most likely Teri would say if she would be in their place. 

“But you are the innkeeper! I am willing to pay anything as long as I could get myself a place to sleep and eat. Anything! Name your price!” clenching her fist towards her chest, she gazed deeply onto Skeet's eyes, hoping for a hint of kindness within him. “P-please, I have come from a faraway land without food.”

As much as he wants to help her, he can’t afford to lie to the woman in front of them. Silence wafts between the two—yet deep inside his mind is a tough decision to make. So, what it’ll be? Help the lady out but lie at the same time, or be honest about not being the innkeeper, rendering themselves helpless? It was tough, they thought. Yet they need to decide…

“I’m sorry, but I must be frank with you. I am just a helper here, not the innkeeper.” Skeet replied while looking down. The lady in brown cloak looked down as well, then nodded twice. “I…see then. Thank you…anyways.” Just that and the lady turned her back against him, making few steps back from where she came from.

“W-wait up! Miss!” he called out, causing the lady to look back at him. “You…can at least stay in my room, free of charge.”

The lady stepped closer to the inn. “Are you serious about it?”

“I’ll explain to the innkeeper tomorrow. I just couldn’t stand the fact seeing you walk your way back home.” The lady let out a small curve on her lips, suggesting a light smile before entering the inn.

Upon entering, she sat down on one of the benches near the window and mumbled, “I thank thee, for I am finally able to rest for the night in Esteria’s grace…” closing her eyes to say her prayers of thanks before talking to Skeet, who is closing the door. “Thank you.”

“Y-you’re welcome… Uh, should I get you something to eat?”

“If it pleases you. A slice of bread or two should be sumptuous enough, thank you.” The lady nodded, and Skeet went into the inn’s pantry. While he was preparing something to eat for her, she took off her cloak, revealing the brown sleeveless dress she is wearing behind the cloak. As he came back, he saw her true figure— an elf maiden with green eyes and brown hair wearing a brown dress, something he hasn't seen earlier while she was cloaked. Her boobs were also surprisingly huge enough for an elf lady. Shaking his head by a little, he gave her three slices of bread and a cup of kitsuneko coffee, a coffee made from a twin-tailed kitsuneko’s waste product. Due to it being well processed by Esters from Pyria Village, the sweet aroma of the said coffee is said to be its signature.

“Why, thank you!” She thanked Skeet once more upon receiving her bread and coffee, and said her prayers before touching the food. “Are you not hungry…?” he shook his head as the elf lady takes her first sip.

“This taste good. What is this made from?” she asked. 

“Would you feel disgusted if I told you it is made of a kitsuneko’s poop? I’m actually not supposed to tell you that.” The last sentence made the elf lady laugh. “Dear me, I never thought the Esters could be as weird as fairies!” Her exclamation confused him. “In one of the areas in Fantacia called Undyra, there is a juice called Salmon Ella’s which is made by a fish’s urine. How weird is that!”

“Actually, it is disgusting.” he thought.

After a laugh or two from the elf lady, she then fixed her posture “Ah, but where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eliona de’Triarch. I am an Oread, as you could see, yet I am no ordinary wood elf, for I am the sole oracle of our realm, Fantacia.” She speaks. “And you are?”

“Skeet. I am Skeet Caldurn.” he replied.

“Ah, Skeet. I deeply appreciate your kindness, even if it seemed to be a little bit… hesitant.” Eliona commended with a bit of giggle, shying him out. Taking the last sip of the coffee, she muttered, “Ah, thank heavens…”

“S-should I now take you to bed?” Skeet suddenly blushed at their words, which made Eliona cackle again. “Sure, unless you mean it the other way around.” She then stood up and said, “Show me the way, please.” Nodding twice, he took Eliona upstairs.

…

“Pretty decent, if I may say so…” she commented as she dropped her entire body to the bed, yet it was late for her to realize that it wasn’t as fluffy as she thought. “Ow…”

“It’s actually not recommended to jump in my bed. It’s… just your typical bed with a slightly hard mattress…”

“Doesn’t matter anymore. It’s still fluffier than my bed in Nymphae,” she added. “So, if I were to sleep here, where will you sleep, then?”

Skeet replied, “Downstairs.”

Eliona became silent about it. Then she replied, “Oh, I’m terribly sorry about it. Having you to serve me a good bread and coffee and offering me your bed, it’s… it’s a little too much, if I may say so.”

“No, I insist. You are my visitor, at least. Please enjoy your stay at Teria Mist Inn.” he bowed in front of her before closing the door. Certainly, it was a long night, but at least it would finally end.

…

“Skeet-nya… don’t be a pain in the nya and wake up…” said Kurimo while doing her usual waking up ritual for Skeet on his room. However, on the moment she pulled the bedsheets, she found Eliona sleeping on the bed on her surprise.

“NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” that said scream awakened Eliona, as well as alarming Teri, Yumiku and Skeet who were on the first floor.

“Ah, good morning, Skee—” Eliona begun to stutter when she found Kurimo. “M-may I know who you are?”

“You mean who ARE you, nya?! And what were doing in Skeet-nya’s bed, nya?!” Just before Eliona could ever respond, Skeet already arrived along with Teri and Yumiku and instantly replied, “She’s my visitor.”

“Eh—” Eliona stuttered again.

“Nya????” Teri and Yumiku gasped in wonder.

“Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!” Kurimo looked at him suspiciously. “What do you mean by ‘your visitor’, nya?”

“I… I just helped her out. Is it bad to do that?” he replied, trying to defend himself.

“Actually, I came from a faraway place and had no place to rest for the night until I find this inn, despite being closed for the night. Just then, Skeet here opened the door for me and let me in, aside from feeding me with some of your delicacies and letting me sleep on their bed. I am actually willing to pay for anything, but I terribly need to have a place to stay at least within three days, or until my matters are complete. So, if you would allow me to stay here for a bit longer, it would be of my greatest appreciation.” Eliona pleaded. Kurimo only gave a sharp sigh after it.

“Nya, you could’ve told us in the middle of the night so that we could give her a better place to sleep on. You really suck, nya know that?” Kurimo said before leaving them.

“Nya, is that so, milady?” Teri interrupted and Eliona nodded as a response. “Nya, if that’s the case, allow me to formally make a check-in record for you as well as transferring you to one of our vacant rooms here, nya. Before that, my name is Teri, nya. I am the innkeeper of this inn, nya. It is a pleasure to have you on our inn, nya.” Teri and Yumiku bowed in front of her.

“No, please do not bow in front of me, thank you. The pleasure is mine.” Eliona replied. “I am Eliona, an oracle from Fantacia”

“Fantacia? Such a far place, nya!” Yumiku exclaimed in wonder. “N-nya, I-I should prepare you your breakfast, nya.” Just then, Yumiku went downstairs to begin cooking.

“Nya, shall we have this settled on the first floor?” Teri asked. “If so, Skeet-nya, come with me.” 

Before leaving the room, Eliona called out, “Wait! May I ask for another favor?” he and Teri looked at Eliona, which Teri gave out a response, “Let’s have that settled downstairs as well, nya.” After that, Eliona was left alone.

***END of CHAPTER 2***