He's Nice

''At least they'll look for someone with nine tails instead of you,'' the fox said on our way towards the guild. Street vendors and old ladies on a morning walk were chatting about the awful female demon that attacked the town. Apparently, everyone was aware of yesterday's events.

''I don't want to be blamed for a murder and rape that I didn't commit. How did they come to this conclusion?''

The fox yawned in my mind, ''Who'd take the blame voluntarily when there is a demon to blame?''

Sighing, ''Okay, but who the hell is the knight they say died while protecting the lady?'' I asked.

''The man who chased you down the balcony?''

''He didn't chase me, he chased you. Didn't you said he was her lover?''

I was at the guild already, but before I went downstairs, Galen, the peg legged man I had never seen anywhere except the reception, stopped me. I always thought he was related to Hermes, they had the same last name, but I haven't had the opportunity to ask yet. ''The ventilation system is under renovation, you are off today.''

In fact, it was technically impossible for me to be considered on leave because I wasn't their employee, I was a business partner. I had a small brand that producing potions and I was selling them to the guild in bulk. I had no idea if they were using it themselves or sending it elsewhere, I left the details to Hermes.

Smiling, ''Thanks,'' I said. So Hermes kept his word, I thought. Seconds before I poured boiling water on him, I was complaining about the ventilation of the basement and he heard me.

I looked around to find Hermes, hoping to find out what they talked about at the dinner that no one bothered to invite me. I could ask Ender, but unfortunately, he wasn't thinking it is necessary to inform me about where he is and when he would return. So, I headed to the upstairs, Hermes's study particularly.

''Complain if you want, but without him, you wouldn't be able to complete the sharing the core quest yesterday. He has quite handy skills. Maybe you should keep him too,'' the fox said.

I knocked on the door of Hermes's study and waited, but I didn't hear his voice telling me to come in. ''I don't think Ender will ever let me keep him as a pet,'' I said.

Remembering what happened yesterday in a similar situation, but I was at the other side of the door, I frowned. I opened the door without being invited in and it was empty. With both relief and a little concern, ''Am I being paranoid?'' I asked as I closed the door.

''You're definitely being paranoid. What if the man was busy making that sexy assistant moan?''

''I would hear the moans. Or I would feel the lust. Which sexy assistant?'' I'd know if Hermes had an assistant. I have been working in the guild for weeks.

''That sexy assistant,'' the fox appeared in front of me and pointed to a window.

''Go back. I don't want anyone to see you while the fox demon rumors are still around.'' Surprisingly, the fox did what I said and disappeared. I looked out the window it pointed to.

''Ah, that sexy assistant.'' Hermes was training with his bow and arrows at the archery range with a woman that had short blond hair who helps him to collect his arrows back. She had long tanned legs that she had no hesitation to show. I wondered how she keeps her tan with that eleven-month-winter calendar. ''Who is she by the way?''

''Daughter of the blacksmith who is the neighbor of the guild. She helps her father.''

''And how do you know that?''

''She is one of three women the guild's adventurers pray to see in their dreams. The other one is you, and the last one is Casey. Casey lost her popularity when she started dating with, ah what was his name, Xander. You and her share first place,'' the fox explained.

Frowning, I looked at the fox with confusion. It sighed, ''No offense darling, you're prettier but she loves to show what she has and to be honest, you are a little unfriendly.''

''Who did this ranking? I'm not unfriendly, I was kind to everyone,'' I said.

''Very bored adventurers because the soldiers don't let them go into the forest. You might be kind but you're always stuck in the basement. I can say you're a little asocial, but don't worry, we can fix this.''

I stopped peeping at Hermes and the blonde in training and headed downstairs. ''I don't need to be fixed.''

''Okay. Your choice. So you let the blonde take him?''

''Not my bussiness.''

''Mhmm, I can already see long tanned legs wrapping him and pulling him deeper. Did you see how his back muscles appear under the shirt as he stretches the bow string? I'm sure his arms are strong too...''

The scenes came to life with the fox's overly detailed description. Shaking my head, ''What do you want me to do? I think he's nice, that's all.''

''What are you waiting to bang him if you think he's nice?''

''Should I have sex with every man I think nice?''

''Yeah, why not?''

I sighed and told the fox that all it talked about is bullshit. However, I was already at the archery range when I noticed where I'm heading to.