I winced at how massively long that took! Like, a whole minute of just walking. I tried to pull my hand free, but Talia's grip felt like iron encased in steel. I sighed and stopped trying to pull my hand free. Instead, I looked at Saki pleadingly while using my free hand to gesture. My tail flicked anxiously, mirroring the urgency in my eyes.

  What do you expect me to do! If looks could talk, those words were what Saki was screaming at me. I considered for a moment before I pointed at my eyes. (My cat ears twitched as I made the gesture.) Saki looked puzzled for a moment before a look of horror crossed her face. She shook her head vehemently, making it very clear she wasn't going to do that. Her fox ears dropped as a sign of her firm refusal.

  I didn't understand? If you could mind control people, then why not do it to help your friend? Before I could come up with another plan, Talia simply let go. "Sorry, I forgot I was holding your hand, Tama. We are here, and I don't need to keep you still now."

  I immediately rushed into the room, hopefully getting out of reach of the crazy strong lady who wouldn't let me teleport. My tail streamed behind me as I bolted, a blur of feline determination. In the room was a large wooden desk and 3 wooden chairs. They all looked super sturdy.

  Talia walked over to the desk, sat in the chair behind it, then gestured for me and Saki to sit. Saki walked past me giving me a "really?" look, her fox ears twitching in silent reproach. I shrugged at her and walked over to the chairs. I sat down before Saki, who seemed to take an eternity to sit down, her tail curling as she finally settled.

  Maybe I was just upset because of that insanely time-consuming walk down the hallway.

  "Alright, girls, you want to become adventurers, right?" Talia said as she leaned forward and looked at us both expectantly. I looked at Saki, after all, this was all her idea. Saki simply nodded before answering, "We do."

  "In that case, normally we have a 3-step process. First, you pay the guild fee. Since Tama here was clearly raised by the old ninja himself, and you were banned from the guild hall yesterday for asking extremely inappropriate questions and clearly trying to get a badge for free, I'm decently sure neither of you have any gold on you?"

  I looked over at Saki in confusion. She had looted those guys outside and clearly had shiny round things on her. She had called them gold.

  "Nope, sadly, I have none on me!" Saki lied to Talia's face. I stared at her in shock. "But Tama thought you looted those thugs earlier?" I said, curious why she would lie, unless those small round things weren't gold? My ears tilted in curious disbelief.

  Saki looked at Talia, who looked at her. Saki's tail curled up and her ears flattened. "Oh yes... that gold. I er... completely forgot about that."

  Talia raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. "Either way, it's fine. I will be covering you both. Since Tama here is the adopted daughter of a very close friend, and since you are her friend. Not even going to pretend to know how that happened." Her tone was matter-of-fact, while Saki's tail flicked in a brief display of unease.

  Saki visibly winced. Her face went back to normal only a moment later, but I saw it. Why is she wincing at that?

  "As for the second and third, they are rather straightforward. First, you must show you have the aptitude and skill to join. Tama here has shown skill in spades. Not just anyone can fight an S Rank to a standstill for just under a minute. As for you," Talia shifted her focus to Saki, "you are the most manipulative, controlling, and deceitful little fox I have ever met," she said simply. Saki's ears shot up and her tail twitched defensively at the labels.

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  Saki visibly reacted to that. Her eyes widened, and she cowered in her chair. "But," Talia continued, "you have shown courage in protecting Tama, even going so far as to risk your own life multiple times when you didn't have to. Clearly, you two have some kind of connection."

  "Secondly, you pick a partner. You can have up to five, but there are no solo adventurers. Two is the minimum. It is a dangerous world, and everyone needs someone." Her eyes went between me and Saki before nodding. "As such, I will be signing you up as a duo, and if possible, I will be sending you on a sort of... test. Teranthia and her partner will be excellent guides for your first quest, and they will be rating you on your performance. While strength and skill are important, you must know when and how to use them. Those two should also help you." (I shifted in my seat, my cat ears flicking with a mix of excitement and apprehension.) She looked at me with an amused smile before continuing, "With your questions about what it means to be an adventurer. It seems she has taken a liking to you."

  She turned to Saki and began speaking to her, "It should also help you with Tama's... inexperienced nature in certain sections. Teranthia's partner is also her boyfriend, and I am positive both will love gushing about each other. Given Teranthia's interest in Tama, I am certain the two will most likely attempt to go further with her. As her aunt, this is a personal request from me. Do not let them. It's fine for a little playfulness, but if they go too far, you need to put your foot down, Saki. If I find out my niece was taken advantage of, all of your heads will roll." (Saki's fox ears drooped in solemn determination as she absorbed the warning.)

  My tail puffed up and my ears flattened as I spoke, "Excuse Tama, but Tama is more than capable of taking care of herself! No one will take advantage of Tama. She is too fast, strong, and skillful!" I emphasized my words with a determined flick of my tail.

  I looked over at Saki, expecting her to attest to my impressive and amazing skill. Instead, she looked at me with a sad smile before turning to Talia and saying, "You have my word, little as that might mean to you. Her chastity shall remain intact on my life." (Her fox ears drooped as she made the promise, and her tail curled with quiet resolve.)

  I stared at her in betrayal. How could she turn on me like this! What even was a chastity?! Tama did not know, but she would keep it herself! She did not need help!

  "With that out of the way, let's go over your details real fast. Names please?" Talia said matter-of-factly as she pulled out two forms, grabbed a quill, and began to write. She paused, looking at Saki first, "Autumnal Sakilera. I am eighteen years old, with no living family." Saki nodded, her fox ears perking up just a touch, and looked over to me. I paused for a moment before attempting to repeat Saki, "Fuyuki Tamaneko. I am eighteen years old, Sensei is my family." Talia nodded and continued, "Primary and secondary elements?" Saki spoke up instantly, "Earth and Air." I answered quickly after, "Water/Air." Talia nodded and continued writing before stopping once again, "Species?" Saki was silent, and I looked over at her. She seemed uncertain. She looked over at me, and I saw something flicker in her eye before a determined look crossed her face. "I... I am... I am a Kitsune." I didn't understand why she was hesitant to say her species, but I responded after her, "Nekojin." However, Talia had stopped writing and was looking up, eyes wide at Saki, whose fox ears now lay flat in apprehension, a look that seemed between horror and fear. I looked at her, and then over to Saki; Saki was looking down at the chair, not making eye contact, her face still determined.

  Talia stared at Saki for a long time, as if trying to read her, her gaze intense while Saki's fox ears remained lowered. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, much longer than even the long hallway walk, Talia spoke, "Foxkin." Saki looked up in surprise, and I said, "I thought she said she was a kitsune?"

  Talia looked between us, her face serious, brooking no argument. "You are a Foxkin, Saki, and that is what everyone will see you as, understand?" Saki's tail curled submissively in response. Saki nodded in submission.

  "Nya, Tama does not understand! What is wrong with Saki being Kitsu-thingy?" I protested, my ears perking up in indignation.