After storing the beasts, the trio, Kage, Ben and Tia walked towards the workshop, since they had to discuss with Val to introduce them to his friend that could help with the butchering of the beasts.
As they entered the workshop, they found Val busy with someone by the counter.
The mans figure was quite similar to Val, beside the enormous belly and luscious head of hair.
Both Val and the man seemed like close friends since they were badgering each other while merrily laughing aloud.
The two were so lost in their own world, that they didn't notice the three passed by and head towards the back of the workshop.
Tia was about them if they wanted any tea or something to drink, since she had constantly heard it while she stayed at Bens home.
She believed it was something everyone did when they went to the others home and since Kage had arrived, she felt the urge to make something for him.
"Umm M-Mister K-Kage… Umm w-would you like a drink or s-some tea?"
Her honest expression and fidgeting hands were so cute, Kage lightly chuckled as he was amused by her charming spirit Tia unintentionally expressed.
Kage kneeled to Tias height as he arched his face upwards so meet Tias gentle eyes.
He patted her head as she squirmed about, her cheeks red, she laughed aloud while smiling back at Kage.
"Young Miss, you don't ever have to trouble yourself since I am around, is that understood?"
"B-but"
"No buts, Young Miss. Now repeat after me, Yes."
"Mmhm Y-yes"
"Sorry, I couldn't hear you, Young Miss."
"I said YES!"
Kage kept teasing the energetic Tia, as the two laughed and played around, while Ben watched from the side as he continued to clean the mess throughout the smithery.
Because they had left early yesterday to conduct their question of the Withering Rose squad, they didn't get the chance to clean like they typically would before closing up for the evening.
You would think one night without cleaning wouldn't be much of an issue, since the mess couldn't possibly exceed the usually amount the three of them would make while working all day.
Unfortunately, Ben's luck was rather missing, since the smithery was filthy after being away for half a day.
Ben was about to ask Tia and Kage, but he heard her question regarding something to drink.
He a bit puzzled, but he thought about home and how close she stuck around his mother, he thought something must have rubbed off onto her.
He ignored the two, since he couldn't handle another mother, as he had to deal with the brutish balding Master that behaved like a slob when he had no supervision.
Ben really wanted to beat his Master and force him to clean up his bloody mess, but he continued cleaning while mumbling angrily under his breath, as Tia and Kage played uncaring of Bens mood.
After hearing the commotion in the back of the workshop, Val and his friend walked towards the back to find a grumpy Ben cleaning, while Tia and Kage were playing about.
"Boy…when the hell did you both get here?"
"Huh… we arrived just before, but you were busy, so we came to the back to this lovely sight."
Bens sarcasm got him a heavy slap against the back of his head, sending his small frame crashing into the mound of dirt and crap littered around the smithery Ben had swept together.
His already grumpy and annoyed move further worsened by Vals actions, but he forced himself to withhold from saying anything that would probability mean a beating from his Master.
As he begrudgingly dragged his body to stand upright. His facial expression emanated the anger and contempt he held for his Master right now, but he pushed himself along to clean the mess made by his fall as he really didn't want to talk right now.
Val was about to reach out for Ben and ask why he was so damn grumpy all of a sudden, but someone grasped his shoulder, pulling him slightly backwards.
"I think that's enough Vally, you might have pissed off the kid just then."
"He'll be fine…"
Just as he reached for Ben again, Kage suddenly appeared before him.
His usual frightening smile was smeared across his face, terrifying the Val and his friend, both shaking uncontrollably.
"Good morning Master Val, it seems I have yet to introduce myself, my name is Kage Kurayami and I am a servant and mentor to the Young Master." He slightly bowed after his self-introduction.
"Unfortunately, I wasn't present last night to meet you, Master Val, therefore I joined along with Young Master, and the Young Miss this morning."
"No no, it's quite fine… ahh I feel I've seen you before…somewhere." Vals mind began to wonder where he had seen Kage before, until his friend spoke up, that he came back to his senses.
"I-its nice to meet you, my name is Gunthir, I'm a pal of Vals."
Gunthir kept his introduction as short as possible, honestly, he was afraid of Kage.
The person emanated death around him, so much that Gunthir felt he was back in his youth days trying to survive in the wild, coming across beasts so wild and ferocious he would barely survive by a hair's breadth.
Gunthir was about to turn around and bolt down the hall and rush the hell out of town if he had to get away from whatever this 'Kage' fella was.
Just as he was going to leave, Tias angelic voice rung throughout the room.
"Papa!" she shouted as she sprinted towards Val, leaping into his embrace.
Her voice was the beacon of light that pierced through the menacing aura of darkness that surrounded them.
She was a much-needed relief from the tension that was built up suddenly.
"Hey, Uncle Gungy!"
"Haha hey little squirt…"
Gunthir squeezed her puffy cheeks, smiling at her cheerful spirit that would always warm his heart.
"Hey uncle Gungy, can I ask for a favour?"
"Sure, squirt, anything you need…"
Tia explained the issue of skinning the beasts since there was a large amount harvested by Kage and the others while they were away.
She avoided bringing up why they required so many, and with Val right beside her, she knew if there was something she might let slip, he would help her.
Gunthir was more than happy to help, especially since it was his old pal's daughter asking, he didn't mind.
She asked if they could immediately get to work, her infectious eagerness was enough to push Gunthir along to his butcher shop with everyone following along, including an angry Ben, who kept angrily mumbling under his breath as Kage dragged him along with a smile on his face.
"There is still cleaning to be done, that big oaf made a bloody huge mess in one damn night!"
"Young Master, that is no way to behave. He is your Master. Remember, Masters aren't all knowing and encompassing…they can make mistakes too.
Even after all that happened, it's much less than you've dealt with already.
Now, stop misbehaving and straighten up. We've come here asking for his help and so please show some manners."
Kage sternly called out Ben for his conduct, with him being a noble Ben couldn't misbehave in public, especially in the during the conduct of business.
As much he didn't want to, Ben listened to Kages stern words.
He understood he overreacted and didn't want to get on Kages bad side, so he moved on, as he rushed behind to catch up with Tia and the rest.
"Apologises for my behaviour earlier sir, my name is Ben and I'm the disciple of Master Val. It's nice to meet sir."
"Eh ahaha, it's all good kiddo, just call me Uncle Gungy as well. So, you're the little smithy he's guiding along haha."
Gunthir affectionately rubbed the top of Bens hair, while the moved along towards his butcher shop.
Once they entered, Ben found it to be quite busy, with the counters manned by several young lads as they served the customers.
Gunthir took them to his personal working area in the back of the shop before they continued their talks.
Gunthir wanted to show the kids around his shop, as well as introduce a few people to them, but Tia stopped him before he called out to anyone.
Rather her eagerness was still affecting Gunthir still so he happily asked about the types of beasts so he could pack his equipment along to where the beast was stored.
However, Ben became earily silent as he forgotten about not mentioning or showing their abilities around people.
Thankfully, Kage stepped forward and spoke up.
"Sir Gunthir, if you wouldn't mind, we have currently stored the beasts within a storage building on the estate. I can accompany you to the estate whenever you are ready."
Ben was grateful for Kages quick thinking, since he wanted to make sure he didn't showcase his ability.
He was just glad right now Kage was accompanying him, otherwise he definitely would have screwed up.
Soon, everyone headed towards the estate, with Gunthir carrying along some tools he required for his craft.