On my way to Levithan, I remembered how attractive this little town was. There are lines of lanterns that are strung all around the streets, illuminating the night so no one could be lost. There are market stalls running up and down the road. But even the streets are paved, which is interesting because most towns would opt for plain dirt streets. Only the big significant cities seemed to care about their looks. But it looks as though Noctius seemed to care for functionality more than the looks, seeing as it is a busy port and merchant town. I have seen plenty of wagons pass by, and the people in them even waved to me. I remember this town well, and there are a few faces that remember me, even when I was just a little 15-year-old kid. 

I walked only for a little bit before I arrived at Levithan. Still the same old run-down building I remember when I helped move Jessica into. But it seems a little fixed up and with a new coat of paint. I walk in, and I'm still greeted with the little bell above me announcing my presence to the whole tavern. Why hasn't she gotten rid of that yet? It serves no purpose other than sentimental value. It may be ten in the morning, but the smell of alcohol is still lurking in the air. At the bar, I see Ida, the owner of Levithan. Still a busy body and grumpier than usual. I remember her late wife, Nala. She was the former commissioner before Arilius took her place after she died. I remember her fondly as she was the one who gave Jessica a place to stay. I still need a room, so I make my way to the bar.

"Good morning Ida!" I wave my hand to her with excitement.

She looks up, and I see a confused look on her, wondering who in the world is saying good morning to her. Then her eyes widen in the realization that I'm talking to her, and she runs up to me with arms wide open. "Andromeda, is that you? Oh, who am I kidding! Of course, it's you I'd recognize that red mop of hair anywhere. What are you doing here?"

"I'm the new Acer assigned here" I smile at her, hugging her back.

"What? You're here to replace Ridley on the case?" she pushed me off and just stared at me.

“Yes, that's what I'm here for, I guess. In the letter I was given, I had no idea I was going to replace someone. But I'm not here to talk about that. I was hoping to get a room and see Jessica right now."

"Andromeda, you of all people should know that we don't accept rooms until noon," She barks at me. "Until then, have a drink or some food, or do you want me to introduce you to the person you are replacing? She's over there sulking,"  there is a woman at the bar with her head down on the bar drink in hand. "But don't bother Jessica right now, she is asleep, but I'll let you know when she's awake, but I doubt she'll want to talk about work," Ida continued.

"Yes, ma'am, I won't" I give her a salute and smile at her. 

She scoffs at me and goes back to the bar to grab me some food. I follow her. I sat myself down at the bar. I remember when Nala was alive that she and Ida would take care of me and the others. They were the closest thing we had to parents. They would constantly worry about us even if we were just passing through to get to our next bounty. Nala would find us without fail and make sure that we had enough food and clothing. She would always make sure our weapons were sharp enough. I remember I always had a room here. There was room for all of us. Even though it was an inn and they still had to rent out those said rooms, they always made sure that we were comfortable. Without fail, they showed us kindness when most wouldn't. People don't like the fact that we have so much blood on our hands that we are more powerful than them. And it was that kindness that had given Jessica a place to stay after her retirement. Ida gave the apartment upstairs as one of Nala's final wishes. I still remember her funeral. It was the last time I was able to see Beolin, Jessica, Victoria, Sizen, and Cerriza together. I do miss them.

For now, I turn my attention to Ridley, who happens to be still sulking still but not as bad as before. I do really feel bad that she was taken off this case. She really was putting her heart and soul into it. It sucks that the once safest town in Corak is now the biggest monster hotspot, and on top of that, people are dying in mysterious ways. Maybe I should be friendly and try to make a better impression on her than the one I made on Arilius. 

"Bad morning for you too, huh?" I ask her.

She moves her head to face me, pushing the curtain of her brown hair to the side, "You said it miss, actually my week has been bad," she adjusts herself to sit up straight. "It has been chaotic, and everyone has been making space for the Acer, my replacement! Arilius had been drowning in more paperwork and was too stressed to want to do anything. Sometimes they sleep in their office, definitely not good for their health. What's worse is that the lieutenant isn't even here half the time to do her work. She just shoves it on it, Arilius!" she takes another big drink of her ale and slams it down. "Another thing is that Talia thought it would be a good idea to replace me with a damned war hero!" she shouts that last line.

“Goodness, my arrival has the people that scrambled, huh,” I replied to her long rant, but calmer than she was.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" she appears to be a cross between shocked and frustrated.

I hold out my hand to her, “General Andromeda Ver’Axi, or as you know ‘a damned war hero’.” 

"Well, shit, I didn't think you would be. I mean, you don't look like an Acer... You look too... Nice," She says while shaking my hand.

That statement does make me laugh a bit, "Ha! I have never had someone call me too nice before. Hey, why don't I buy you a drink for all the trouble I caused? I just don't want any bad blood between us. You know me taking your job and all."

She thinks for a bit and agrees. A wide smile on her face, and we talked for a little while about things from the academy. Then we got to the topic of the war, I knew she fought in it, but I didn't know where she was placed. So she told me about her squadron and the fact that Arilius was also a commander in her squad.

We talked for about another hour or so before Ida came up to me, placing her hand on my shoulder, creating a silence to fall between Ridley and me, then she broke our silence. "Andra, my dear, I hate to take you away from your new friend, but Jessica is awake now."

"It's fine, Ida. I need to go anyways, or else I might suffer the wrath of Arilius, which I have done this way too many times. If another happens again, I might be demoted for the second time," Ridley says, packing up her stuff to leave. "Goodbye, Andromeda. It was really nice meeting you. You were not at all what I was expecting from the rumors," she smiles and pats me on the back.

I get up and pull into a hug instead, "No, it was a pleasure meeting you. I was relieved that you weren't too angry with me about this whole situation. I do hope I can call on you for help with this mission."

She smiles like a child who's very excited that she has made a new friend. She puts on her coat and looks at the clock on the wall, realizing it is way past ten in the morning. She sprints towards the door slamming it in the process.