The entire family and a guest gathered at the dinner table. Abdo was a week into his work and it yielded great results, the only thing left to do was to confirm his theory. Before that he'd like to rex. Kus was happily reading tablets that the guest brought over. He's always enjoyed those that Eria brought over. "She's quite curious about it as well!" Kus thought to himself, feet swaying underneath the chair as he read the test regarding the Dustsong.

  The three have gathered around the table for an hour now. Considering the number of adults Kus opted to tend to himself. "It has been quite a while since I st had your food. You have greatly improved." Eria said as she finished the st scraps of food.

  "Thanks!" Kus leaned in, "What did you think of the bear?" And pointed at the now empty pte.

  Eria shot him a thumbs up, "It was great!" Kus' smile widened. "How did you cure it of its gamy taste?" In fact, it tasted sweet.

  "That's the cool part. I didn't." Now it was Eria who leaned in. "See, gamy is a taste. I simply used ingredients that worked well with it. Like egg and bitter gourd."

  "That's very impressive. I'm going to steal that for myself actually." She righted herself and made a mental note of it.

  "This one," Kus flicked a finger towards Aurora, "Is very picky. Ow!" Aurora lightly spped him on the shoulder. "I had no choice but to improve. Not with her taste buds."

  "Okay you. Go back to reading." Aurora pced a hand on Kus' head and pushed it down. Kus did just that and now it was her turn. "How's the experience of working under my brother? It's been half a year, yes?"

  "He's very overbearing, and overprotective." An honest answer possible because the subject is currently not present. "The coin is good. I can easily provide food for my family for at least a year."

  "That's a lot of coin! That's wonderful!" Aurora rejoiced at the notion. What neither of them knew was that Eria's wages were well below average. A strategic choice Abdo made; her lifestyle was frugal to begin, that paired with the fact that she's a hardworker makes it a very attractive deal for Abdo. "How much do you make?" Aurora had asked a very personal question and Eria would not answer. Though, neither of them knew this. They would spend time around merchants, not with them.

  "Every month I earn 25 silver!" Eria answered with excitement. If proper merchants heard of this, they'd be ughing their hearts out. Eria's excitement quickly faded as she materialised a stone sword. "I still try to hunt but I am only reminded of the fact that I am not a very good hunter."

  Aurora held Eria's hand, "I'm sure you've gotten better. I notice that my skills sharpen if I take an occasional break."

  "That's not how it works for me, unfortunately." Now holding Aurora's hand with hers. "I am with the Trailbzers. They're Agrikoinonia. We hunt in a party. We have roles and I serve as the tracker and navigator. Not all that different from a regur Forestbound hunting party."

  "We can always go hunting together. It would be like old times." Before Eria could give Aurora an answer.

  Abdo cut in, "I grant Eria great wages," Lying through his teeth is something he's quite good at, "Wages so great I estimate her family will be able to live of it for at least a year." He pulled a chair and sat down like the owned the pce (he did). "There is no reason for her to hunt." He had no context of the conversation except for Aurora's invitation to hunt together, yet he still felt the need to answer.

  Eria forced a smile, "I appreciate them. But I do enjoy hunting for its own sake. It's what I'm used to. Even if I'm not particurly good at it. Don't you remember when the three of us would py hunt?"

  Ages ago before Kus was born their families would spend all their time together, this made for a natural friendship. They'd do what children do. They run around, they fight, they make noise. Lots of noise. They'd even ruin the hunt of other hunters because of it. Their quarry would be scared away by their shenanigans and ruin whatever trap has been id out.

  Aurora burst out ughing, remembering how Abdo would sulk after getting an earful. "Why are you ughing? Don't you remember all the times we all got an earful even though it was Abdo's fault? He was always the loudest."

  "Enough about the past. I don't see how growing up with it means we have to cling to it. Do you not see the value of coin?"

  "Oh, no you don't." Try as he might to change the subject Aurora wouldn't allow it. "You used to SNEAK OUT of the house and try to visit the Wilds by yourself. We knew nothing about hunting besides killing animals for food. Of all the nights you tried to sneak out it was during aulion mating season."

  Abdo smacked the table and pointed at Aurora, "Yeah, 'tried'." Emphasising it. "Mom caught me and dragged me back by the ear."

  Eria and Aurora both ughed heartily. Kus felt bothered by the noise and moved further away to enjoy himself better. "What of your mom and dad? Still with the Sunfire Encve?"

  "Yep. Been there for the past five years. Though this was the longest they've been away. To much work this around I suppose." Aurora said.

  "Bringing back to it. Do you not appreciate the moments in the Wilds?" Eria asked Abdo. "Think about it! When we were big enough we hunted for a boar, and it took us an entire day! It was barely just enough for the three of us. It is hard work but it provided value for us, for our families."

  "Does my work not provide value for mine?" Abdo threw his hands up, bringing notice to the house they are currently in. "I brought them from nothing. I have provided tangible, sting value."

  Eria was surprised at how passive Aurora was, she took Abdo's statement without protest. Not even a twitch of her brow. "How about before all this started? Aurora and Kus would hunt for the food you eat. Don't you think it is disrespectful of you to imply their efforts are not worth it?" Eria would not let it stand.

  "It's fine, Eria. Don't you just see how proud he is to be able to support us?" Now that got Eria's brow to twitch. Why would she defend him?

  "If you actually used the coin I provided, I'd be much happier." Abdo answered. "Eria is making great use of it. Her family can survive without the need to hunt, she's far better off without it. She's only one person, there's a limit to how much she can hunt for and how much she can bring back to her home."

  "I still hunt for the fun of it. Whatever game I manage to kill, I take home for my family." Eria answered.

  "That's fine, there are those who hunt for leisure. This has been great, but, I have work to do." Abruptly he shunted his royal self off the chair and went into his room. Eria and Aurora looked at each other confused.