Charlotte waited until the sun rose before leaving the bear's body behind. He was carrying both the slices of meat and claws on both hands. Wanting not to waste time and make the trip back, he focused on his legs and ran off at astounding speeds. He had to focus some on his head to stop himself from running into the trees; it had the upsetting factor that all his senses were on overdrive.
"How do people ever get used to this...it feels like my brain is gonna fry itself." He groaned and slowly closed off his senses, although his sense of touch wasn't something he could push aside. It wasn't too bad, but he could feel his clothes touching his body and every ridge of the meat on his hands.
In record time, he returned to the town; a few guards were eyeing him strangely. He tried not to make it obvious he noticed, but it was strange. It could be because of the golden claws he was carrying, but that didn't seem to be the reason. There was a sense of danger, he felt.
He kept walking away without turning around, spreading his Chi around his body. He turned around once he was far enough away; Charlotte saw the man he had fought earlier in the night; it seemed he had run to the town guards. He couldn't help but chuckle as he recalled his Chi; there was no way the guards would believe he had beaten him. If they did, he could play the weakling.
He arrived at Butch's shop; he seemed to be still asleep as he set down the meat on the table and held onto the claws. He checked his pockets, eventually pulling out the gold coin and setting it on the table. He was waiting for a few minutes before he heard the steps of butch getting closer as he looked back and waved.
Butch waved but seemed to be struggling to remain awake; Charlotte waited till he seemed ready, which he knew once he grunted.
"Can you smoke this meat?"
Butch picked up the golden coin and nodded. He picked it up and gestured for him to leave. Charlotte was a bit confused; he didn't feel comfortable leaving it alone with him.
"Is it going to take a while...Can I trust you to give me the meat back?"
Butch nods his head, tapping his chest. Charlotte took a deep breath; Butch was an honest man. He had to trust him; he couldn't be suspicious of everyone.
"I'll be back around when the sun is setting. Is that fine?"
Butch nods, and Charlotte smiles as they head back home. They had to make a necklace; they might do that later. They were feeling sleepy and still had to explore the lake. He walked inside his home and saw that a few of the weapons on the wall and even tools had been taken. It was inevitable since he was almost constantly not home.
He walked under the stairs, lifting the loose floorboards to place the claws inside to keep them hidden. He shut it tight to hide it and headed upstairs to sleep, snoring reaching his ears.
He opened the door to his room and saw a homeless man sleeping on his bed; he grabbed onto their legs and pulled them off the bed.
"Shit, who the hell?!"
The man's head struck the floor and immediately woke him as he glared at Charlotte.
"Get out of my house; I'm too tired to throw you out."
He rubbed his eyes; the man glared up at him. He slowly reached under the bed. Charlotte looked up as the man pulled out a knife; Chi spread to his right arm as he quickly went and held onto his wrist and nearly lost his cool and broke his wrist. The screams coming from the man stopped him.
"Leave, I will not ask again. If I see you here again, I'll break your fingers."
Charlotte let him go, and the man quickly got up and ran away. Charlotte didn't like doing things like that, but the fatigue did not help his temper. He threw himself on the bed, still wearing all his equipment. He was uncaring, though; he just wanted to sleep.
He had no dreams tonight; it felt like he had just laid down when he woke up. The sun told him that was wrong; the sun was setting, so he had slept for a long time, and his body felt sore.
He forced himself to his feet and looked at himself. He had blood on his clothes and face; it was good he was going to visit the lake anyway. He ran downstairs, looking at the weapons on the wall. Once he left his home, someone would most likely take everything, and nothing would be left. He shook his head and left, heading to Butch's shop.
A guard stood near the shop, and he glanced at him before walking away. Charlotte was almost worried they had been waiting for him.
Butch saw him and walked to the back of the shop, bringing out a sack and placing it in front of Charlotte. Charlotte would open it and look at the pieces of meat as he took a bite. The feeling of a familiar strength filling his body relaxed him.
"Thanks, Butch; take care of yourself." Butch nods; before Charlotte can walk away, though, he taps the table.
Charlotte looks back at him; he points to the guard walking away and taps his back. Charlotte looked up at him and the guard before whispering.
"Am I in danger, or are you?"
He points at Charlotte, and his expression looks a bit worried.
"I'll be fine, Butch. Thank you."
He smiled and walked off; sleeping at home might be more dangerous now. He didn't want to, but the forest seemed like his new home.
He quickly left the village, making sure nobody followed him as he did. He was returning to the lake but took an extra long path. Passing near the home of the Sage to ensure he hadn't been followed.
Once at the lake, he climbed up the tallest tree he could find and climbed up. He tied his sack against a branch and ate as he looked into the lake. He didn't have to think too hard to focus on the Chi he felt from the meat. He quickly brought it into his storage as he contemplated what to do and how to explore the inside of the lake without risking his life.