Have a Heart

"Ah," Daniel replied. "That's my father's name. He's a great man, but he's known for being rigid."

"I wouldn't doubt it." Kasey replied simply.

"He's the head of the family. He has to be," Daniel answered a bit stiffly. "We're all stubborn and want our own way."

"Sounds like every other noble family in the world." Kasey replied. "Well, except this one."

"I've noticed this family is a bit...odd, not meaning to be rude," Daniel replied. "But I think it's better that way."

Kasey nodded. "They're good hearted people. Ellona especially. She was ment to be a hero, and she isn't going to let something as silly as gender stop her from it."

"Agreed," Daniel answered. "It's good, being able to fight side-by-side."

Kasey made a small snort. "Do you want my honest opinion?"

"And that would be?" asked Daniel.

"Your family will end up treating her like a bird in a guilded cage, good for nothing but child bearing, and she will resent you for it. She will not let you near her until the point that she will leave, threatening anyone that tries to stop her, and your family will be furious." Kasey stated. "Ellona would never fight beside you anyway. She doesn't slow her pace for anyone."

Daniel frowned, unsure what to say to that. It was insulting, but it was possible, even likely.

"I don't want that for her," he finally replied.

"Then do something about it." Kasey replied coldly. "A man watches. A Hero acts."

Daniel couldn't help but nod in agreement, though he wasn't sure what he could do.

"Well I am going to go see if I can procure another tunic." Kasey stated. He turned and walked away, leaving Daniel at the painting.

Daniel paced restlessly at the painting for a while, trying to figure out what he should do. When nothing came to mind, he decided to further explore the castle.

Many of the doors in the castle were locked, the ones that weren't simply led to sitting rooms or guest rooms or even the occasional library.

When Daniel got tired of wandering he decided to head for the kitchen. Maybe some food in his stomach would settle his nerves.

The kitchen was one of the hardest places in the castle to find. You'd think it would be easy but there was only one corridor that led to the kitchen and only one corridor that led to that corridor and if you took a wrong turn you would end up hopelessly lost.

This is what happened to Daniel, which didn't help his mood. He didn't understand why he couldn't find such an essential part of the palace on his own. It wasn't like he had moved in yesterday. He found himself wanting something to beat the crap out of.

Eventually a small silver cat came across his path. It stopped and sat in front of him for a moment before getting up and padding away. It came back a moment later to repeat the action. The intention was obvious: Follow me.

Having little better to do, Daniel followed the feline. Maybe it knew where the kitchen was, or at least the way to a familiar room.

The cat led him on for a while, turning him down corridor after corridor until it led him right back to the large entranceway. But it didn't stop there. It continued to walk toward another hall, toward Ellona's room.

Daniel paused, and then continued walking after the silver cat.

As they neared Ellona's room, voices could be heard.

"So where did it go?" Ellona's voice, clearly.

"You weren't focused when you let it out of the charm. It went to accomplish your thought" Gregory.

"What thought?"

"Well I would assume that it went to go find Daniel. You were wondering if he got lost weren't you?"

"No. I was hoping he got lost."

"Oh... Well then the charm definitely plays on your hero training. He went and got him."

"God dammit. Can't I learn magic in peace for once?"

"It is not my fault that you caught my bed on fire last time."

The cat slipped in the partially opened door.

"Oh, there's the charm."

"Like I didn't notice."

Daniel followed in soon after. "Learning magic too, huh?"