We took a turn to a little store, another small library squished between two (2) trees that held its structure. It had a smell of fresh shadow, instead of compressed bookshelves. The lady at the counter waved at us and kept reading, hidden between little mountains of books. That was amusing.

I walked upstairs, to another floor with chairs and shelves, as I eyed the heavy tomes and the leather covers. Hidden in one corner there were even scrolls, as well as some strange wooden tablets that caught my attention. The ogling got interrupted by a familiar, curious tone - I hadn’t noticed he had left my side and come back.

- “Sir, by any chance, are you actually interested in writing?”

- “Huh? I mean… Maybe. I did used to write back at home. I miss it. There is so much that inspires me here... Ah, why the question, Kio?”

- “It seems like a thing you would do. How to say it- the artsy type.”

- “Heh- Maybe? I liked to draw and write stories. I just kinda grew out of- Huh, I got bullied out of it, I guess.”

- “…Would you like to try it again?”

- “W-Why? I mean- Well, it would be really nice. I would like to remember the times I spent here, despite everything.”

- “I thought so too. If you are going to go back to your world one day, I’d like you to remember me-…I mean- us.”

- “…That’s reassuring. I’m not the only one that wants to be remembered...”

- “Sir, I couldn’t forget you. Even if I tried.”

- “Come on, Kio. I’m nothing special, you don’t need-”

- “I mean it, sir. If I can say, it has been too long since I’ve been treated as a person. I had forgotten how it felt - to be listened to. The prince treated me like a nuisance, the soldiers treated me like their shield. In the battlefield, I was nothing but the one they left the clean-up to. I have no honor to the old ones, because I’m not from this kingdom.”

- “Kio- Don’t think I’m being kind just because I treat you with basic respect, you shouldn’t look up to that-”

- “I won’t, sir. But for now, it is more than enough. I was waiting for my hopes to be broken, but you never disappointed me, sir. I don’t need more time to know if a person is worth it or not. I’m thankful to serve under you.”

What a statement to make, to someone you’ve known for so little time. But I understood - the craving of kindness after your hopes have been shattered. I have been there, too, clinging to every little ounce of affection I could get, even when it broke me.

He hugged me gently, and I felt the soft fur on his chest completely covering my head. He was so tall, so strong, I guess affection was unfamiliar to him. I don’t know. I have never been in such a position. It’s probably bad…to feel pity. But I couldn’t help it.

- “Give it more time, Kio. It’s still too soon to know. You shouldn’t- You shouldn’t get attached to me…”

- “With all due respect, sir,” – he laughed, letting me go – “that is not for you to decide. I wanted to help you ever since I knew what the prince had done - even before meeting you, sir. It could have been anyone, but it was you.”

- “I… Uh… Alright…” – Hesitation. – “Sorry- I don’t know how to respond to that-”

- “Just accept this, then. That would be enough.” – Kio handed me a small journal and a blue quill. I jumped back, tensing up. – “Ah- Sorry, was that too much? I know I talk too much, if that was-”

- “…............Yes. That was too much. I… I think I need a moment, yes.”

I sat down in one of the rustic chairs, holding my sleeves as if to keep my hands occupied, while Kio… stood there, with that apologetic look of his.

- “I’m sorry sir, I-. I guess it is a culture thing… I should have known- You always talk badly about yourself, I just felt like I had to-”

- “I’m… not good with people… nor with feelings… nor anything. It’s just that - not your fault, don’t worry.”

- “I’ll try to be considerate, to keep it in mind. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

- “It’s fine. Since it’s you, I’m sure I’ll learn to enjoy it. We are going to be together for a while, after all.”

I didn’t pay much attention, but I remember hearing a noise after that. A noise that came from Kio’s incessantly wagging tail hitting the side of the bench.

I held the journal in my hands, calmer now. It had a feather marked on it, as was common in Argatha, apparently, to use as a symbol of quality. The leather in the cover had a strange texture, as if from an animal I didn’t know.

Writing again, well –. I was surprised Kiochery guessed it. But maybe it was expected of such a bookworm.

A journal… A diary didn’t sound so bad, for practice. I decided to put care into it. I wanted to be able to feel my memories as I read it, hoping I would be back home by the time it was finished. So far, I’ve been having fun, for sure.

The day isn’t over yet, however.