Episode 15: Canine Diplomacy

Warwick feels sharp claws press against his shoulder as it begins to be shaken back and forth.

"Master, it is 5:45."

Warwick grudgingly starts to wake up and open his eyes.

"I'm up! Careful, though. I'm a squishy still."

Warwick sits up on the edge of the bed, as Demoko freezes in position with a perplexed look on his face.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry! I did not realize you turned liquid at night!"

"Wha?.. We don't turn liquid..."

Warwick, still mentally waking up, is trying to figure out what Demoko is talking about.

"You said you became squishy."

Warwick sighs, "It's slang. It means I'm easy to kill."

Demoko looks terrified, "I'm sorry!"

"Don't worry about it. If I die, I'll come back through the Soul Stream," Warwick informs as he gets up, and grabs a Large Chunk of Meat from the bag.

"Is not that the thing Cichol says is destroying the world!?"

"It is. Though it keeps me alive for the time being. That's likely why Macha went to Cichol first. She figured if the Soul Stream was shut down by the army of darkness, she could pick me off."

"So you're not on Cichol's side?"

Warwick starts walking out of the room, "I'm on my own side. My deal with Cichol has nothing to do with stopping the Goddess, nor the Soul Stream. Now grab some food, and follow me."

He grabs a Large Chunk of Meat and follows Warwick down the stairs.

As they walk down the stairs, Piaras spots Warwick.

"Did you sleep well- Look Out Behind You!" Piaras yells as he grabs a knife from under the desk.

"Wait, it's okay! He's with me! Plus you couldn't kill him anyways."

"How did you get a Lycanthrope to be 'with' you?"

"A deal with Cichol."

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

"Why do you want to change the subject? Anyways, here's tonight's rent." Warwick laughs as he places 120 gold on the counter.

"You expect me to let a fomor stay here!"

Demoko's ears droop as he lowers into a slouch.

"Fine, I'll just sleep at the church. Meven won't deny someone needing help, even if it's a fomor."

Piaras takes the money, "Be on your way."

"Thank you so much!" Warwick smiles, as he walks out the door.

"Hey Nora! I need your help!"

"What is it? Is everything okay?" Nora asks, with a perplexed look.

"Can you teach my friend how to Rest?"

"Sure, where are they?"

At that moment, Demoko cautiously steps out of the inn, keeping his body low, and his ears bent down.

"This is my friend Demoko!" Warwick says with a smile.

Nora looks terrified, as her heart starts racing with fear.

"Tha-tha-tha-that a-a lycanthrope!"

"He's worried people will hate him because of what he is. I know you'd be the one to show him otherwise."

"Umm... I-I c-can t-try" Nora says with terror.

Demoko steps forward, "I am sorry if I scare you. I cannot really change how I look."

"I-it is Ok-kay. N-nice t-t-to m-meet you," Nora says in fear, shakingly holding her hand out.

Demoko turns towards Warwick with a worried look.

"Like this," Warwick gently and loosely shakes her hand, then lets go.

Demoko and Nora both gulp, as Demoko reaches his paw out and shakes her hand.

"Nora, don't worry. He's as scared of you as you are of him. Just speak clearly and don't use any metaphors.

Demoko, don't let your claws touch anyone, and don't try to attack anything unless it's attacking a human and isn't human, or I say so.

I'll see you all later." Warwick explains before running to the Healer's House.

He safely gets into the Healer's House and is greeted by Dilys.

"Hello Warwick, are you here to help out again?"

"You know it! What can I do for you?"

"Can you deliver some medicine to Deian, one of his sheep is sick."

"Will do!"

Dilys hands Warwick a bag of medicine, and Warwick runs off.

Warwick chooses the route that passes Duncan instead of the Inn.

"Hey Duncan, I need your help."

"What can I help you with?"

"I have a friend who is a fomor in town. I was hoping you could make the town aware he's not a threat."

"That might be difficult. Any chance he looks human?"

"Unfortunately, no. He's a Lycanthrope."

"That'll be even harder. The best thing I can think of is having a demonstration in the town square with Trefor. This could not only prove that he's not aggressive even in pain, and prove that no one in the town has a chance against him."

"That's a bit cruel, but make it so. I'll be back shortly, he's down with Nora right now. Don't mention it to him, I'll explain it to him."

Warwick continues down the path, looking down the hill to see Nora and Demoko resting on the hill, then continuing on to the Pasture.

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Introduction: A Djinn's Wish
Introduction: The Protagonist
Episode One: Nighttime Detour, A Meet With A Djinn More Episodes