Jeremiah stared at the pop-up, his heart sinking.

——————❇——————

Your Contract was Rejected.

——————❇——————

"Rejected?" he echoed, surprise and disappointment coloring his voice.

He must have said it louder than he realized because Lewis's frown deepened. "What do you mean? Is something wrong?"

Jeremiah rubbed the back of his neck, trying to find the right words. "I'm not—"

Before he could finish, a new window flickered to life before his eyes.

——————❇——————

Revised Contract received.

Please review the changes.

——————❇——————

Jeremiah's mouth hung open for a moment, the words caught in his throat. Maddie didn't like his terms? And she'd already sent revisions? How the hell did she draft changes so quickly? He'd spent more than twenty minutes carefully wording his proposal, yet here was Maddie, apparently out-negotiating him in seconds.

His eyes flicked from the System window to Maddie, who met his gaze without flinching. He could have sworn he saw the corners of her mouth rise in something like a smirk.

Jeremiah's brow twitched. "Fine. Let's see what you want, then."

He skimmed past the unchanged details and dove into the meat of the contract.

What he found was…extensive.

——————❇——————

✦ CONTRACT TERMS (Proposed by Beast) ✦

Territorial Sovereignty: Maddie (Beast) claims recognized territory over the Maddock Lot apartments, adjacent green space, and all interior garden/courtyard areas of the Mystical Menagerie.

Condition: Jeremiah (User) and his agents shall not encroach upon, alter, or claim this territory without express permission from Maddie or her chosen proxies.

Residence and Pride Protection: All current residents of the Maddock Lot apartments are granted full protection and unrestricted access to Maddie's territory. No resident may be evicted, harassed, or threatened by Jeremiah, his agents, or customers unless Maddie consents or a resident breaks agreed community rules.

Non-Interference: Maddie will not interfere with shop operations, customers, or Market Street sapients, provided none intrude upon her marked territory or threaten her or the residents.

Note: Maddie is not required to act as shop guardian except when she or the residents' safety is directly at risk.

Mutual Defense: Should the safety of the residents, Maddie, the Maddock Lot, or the Mystical Menagerie's courtyard be threatened, Jeremiah and Maddie agree to warn each other and, if necessary, coordinate their defense. Each party retains autonomy in deciding how to respond.

Feeding and Care: Jeremiah must provide regular food, water, and medical aid for Maddie, her cubs (if any), and the residents, without attempting to domesticate, leash, or "tame" Maddie against her will.

Note: Any attempt to subjugate, force-bond, or control Maddie through magical means or otherwise is an immediate breach.

Contract Review and Exit: Contract will be reviewed monthly (every full moon). Maddie or her proxy may propose changes or withdraw with three days' notice, barring acts of betrayal or violence.

——————❇——————

Jeremiah scowled, brows drawing together as he read. He turned to Maddie, folding his arms. "Yeah, no, that's not going to work."

Maddie let out a warning growl and tried to rise, but her injured paw gave out, and she crumpled with a frustrated snarl.

Lewis caught Maddie before she hit the ground, but glanced up at Jeremiah, confusion etched all over his face. Jeremiah could practically see the question marks floating above the young man's head.

Jeremiah lifted a placating hand. "Just bear with me. I'll explain soon…-ish." Then he turned back to Maddie, meeting the lynx's narrowed gaze with one of his own.

"Like it or not, the Maddock lot is mine now. That's not going to change. I'm willing to compromise, but you'll have to be willing too," he told her.

Maddie's eyes narrowed to slits, but she stayed silent, watching him with wary intelligence.

Jeremiah focused on the System screen. "How about this, then?"

——————————————————

The next hour and a half passed with Jeremiah crouched in the alley, painstakingly working through every line of the contract with Maddie.

Billy had long since retreated to his bowl, curled atop his castle in exhausted sleep. Lewis, too, looked worn to the bone — his adrenaline spent, the stress finally taking its toll. More than once, Jeremiah caught the young man's head drooping, only to jerk awake a moment later.

But Maddie never wavered. Now that most of Billy's ink had been cleaned from her eyes, Jeremiah could see the sharp, feral awareness in them. She might not have been as "intelligent" as Billy, according to the System, but Jeremiah knew intelligence took many forms. Whatever "System-assistance" beasts like Maddie received, it wasn't minor. The speed with which she could review, parse, and propose revisions to the contract left Jeremiah scrambling to keep up. Much of the negotiation was him simply double-checking for hidden loopholes or reworking language to close gaps she'd pointed out.

He was improving with every round, though.

At last, they landed on a version that, if not ideal, was at least tolerable for both sides. Neither was thrilled — but for Jeremiah, it was the first version he didn't see a glaring problem with.

There was only one small clause left to settle first.

He nudged Lewis gently.

"Lewis, wake up."

Lewis jerked awake, eyes wild as he tried to get his bearings. "I—wha—huh? I'm awake! Did it work? Are you finished?" He blinked, looking between Jeremiah and Maddie.

Jeremiah couldn't help a tired smirk. "Almost. We need your input on something."

Lewis frowned in confusion. "My input?"

Jeremiah started to answer, then paused, brows knitting together in thought. "Actually, give me a second. Let me check something."

He turned his focus inward, reaching out mentally.

System, is there any way to let Lewis see the contract?

——————❇——————

Would you like to manifest a copy of the contract?

Note: Manifesting an auxiliary contract comes with a fee of 3 marks.

[Y/N]

——————❇——————

Jeremiah grimaced. Of course there was a fee. Three marks wasn't a fortune, but it wasn't exactly trivial either. It was about as much as his daily passive earnings from Billy. Still, with the shop open, his income should improve soon enough.

After a moment's thought, Jeremiah selected yes.

A pinprick of silver light flickered to life between them, casting dancing shadows across the alley. Maddie growled, hackles lifting, but Lewis kept a calming hand on her neck, holding her back. The man himself watched, awestruck, as the mote of light stretched into a glowing line, then widened into a shimmering rectangle. The light faded, leaving a few crisp sheets of high-quality paper hovering in the air.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Jeremiah blinked, taken aback by the spectacle himself. After a second, he cleared his throat and reached out, plucking the contract from midair. The last motes of magic fizzled away at his touch, leaving the pages solid and real.

He glanced over them and saw it was a near-perfect, physical copy of the contract he and Maddie had spent the last hour hammering out. Though seemingly with a few adjustments to keep some things hidden. Jeremiah was glad the System had thought of that…

—————————♛—————————

CONTRACT CLASSIFICATION:

[Beast ↔ User | Negotiated Contract] (Collaborative Revision – Mystical Menagerie / Maddock Lot)

Status: Pending

Permanence: Ongoing, with quarterly review or upon a major incident.

—✦—

PARTY A:

Jeremiah Bridge – Owner and Operator of The Mystical Menagerie

Willingness: Confirmed

PARTY B:

Maddie – Tangled Lynx – Guardian of the Maddock Lot

Willingness: Conditional (pending User demonstration of good faith)

—✦—

✦ CONTRACT TERMS (Revised, Shared Use) ✦

Courtyard Access and Use:

Maddie (Beast) is granted the secure right of residence and free movement within the courtyard, gardens, and specified green spaces of the Mystical Menagerie.

Jeremiah (User)

retains full access to the courtyard and the right to use it as a recreational area for store beasts and guests, including the ability to modify, upgrade, or update the grounds, provided that such changes do not pose direct harm to Maddie.

Resident Protection and Non-Eviction:

All current Maddock Lot residents ("the Residents") are guaranteed non-eviction except in cases of criminal activity, credible threat to shop/market safety, or mutual agreement via a resident council.

Disputes between Jeremiah and residents are to be mediated by Ulrick or another neutral party.

Non-Aggression and Guardian Duties:

Maddie agrees not to attack, threaten, or harass Jeremiah, his staff, customers, or non-hostile Market Street sapients unless a clear threat or harm is present.

No leashes, forced taming, or restrictive magic are to be used on Maddie without her express consent; emergency medical handling is permitted with Lewis's oversight if possible.

In exchange, Maddie is named

Honorary Guardian

of the Menagerie grounds, empowered to confront and repel legitimate threats or intruders if Jeremiah is absent or upon request.

Mutual Warning and Mediation:

Both parties agree to issue warnings for breaches of rules (territory, aggression, or safety) before taking direct action.

Regular (monthly) check-ins for both sides to raise and resolve issues without escalation.

Care and Compensations:

Jeremiah will provide food and basic medical attention to Maddie as needed.

In addition to the above:

Resident Lewis will be offered the position of Groundskeeper for the Mystical Menagerie, with terms and duties to be negotiated separately between Jeremiah and Lewis.

Contract Review:

The contract will be reviewed every three months or after any major incident, with both sides allowed to propose amendments.

Conflict Resolution:

In the event of a major dispute, both parties agree to third-party mediation before any action to break the contract is taken.

—✦—

CONSENT:

Beast Consent:

Conditional, pending initial demonstration of User's respect for shared use and boundaries (two-week good-faith period).

User Consent:

Confirmed.

—————————♛—————————

Jeremiah nodded and handed Lewis the contract. The young man took the paper almost reverently, squinting at it in the dim alley light, lips silently moving as he read each line.

Jeremiah found himself watching Lewis's face, reading the subtle shifts in his brow and the tightness around his mouth. They hadn't known each other long, but it was already clear to Jeremiah that Lewis wore his heart on his sleeve — open, raw, sometimes painfully honest. He didn't know how someone so earnest had survived this long in the Outskirts.

Or maybe I do, Jeremiah thought, glancing at Maddie, who hovered close to Lewis's side, her breathing slow and deep.

It was easy to spot the moment Lewis reached the particular clause about himself. He frowned, glancing up at Jeremiah with a look of confusion.

"I don't understand," Lewis said quietly. "You're… offering me a job? Why?"

Jeremiah sighed, feeling a weary sort of amusement. "It wasn't my idea. It was hers." He gestured toward Maddie.

The lynx pressed closer to Lewis, rumbling out a low, contented purr.

"I—" Lewis started, but Jeremiah raised a hand, forestalling any protests.

"Before you say anything, let me be clear. I'm not exactly on solid ground myself right now. I can't promise what I'll be able to pay any time soon, or even what all your duties would be." Jeremiah let his hand drop, fatigue weighing every word. "You don't have to accept. All I'm required to do is offer the position and keep it open if you ever change your mind. Maddie… made that part very clear."

Lewis didn't hesitate. "I accept," he said, his voice steadier than it had been all night.

Jeremiah blinked in surprise. "What?"

"I said I'll accept your offer." Lewis met Jeremiah's gaze, determination shining through the shadows.

Jeremiah frowned, uncertain. "You're sure? You did hear me when I said I might not even be able to pay you, right?"

Lewis nodded. "I told you before, if it means saving Maddie and our home, I'll do anything you ask, sir." He managed a crooked, tired chuckle. "It's not like I've got other prospects right now, anyway."

Jeremiah sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. Part of him wanted to argue further. Yet, some instinct told him that to refuse now would only break the fragile peace they'd hammered out. Maybe this was for the best — if Lewis became part of the shop, Maddie's loyalty might run deeper than any clause could enforce.

"You know what? Fine. Let's do this." Jeremiah extended his hand.

Lewis stared at it for a beat, then reached out, his grip warm and surprisingly firm despite the exhaustion on his face.

The contract in Lewis's other hand pulsed with gentle light, making them both flinch. A new System window unfurled in Jeremiah's vision.

——————❇——————

Auxiliary Contract Formed.

——————❇——————

Almost immediately, another notification bloomed across his sight, this one unexpected.

——————❇——————

Congratulations, User!

You have received the Achievement: [A Helping Hand]

——————❇——————

Jeremiah dismissed the screens and glanced back at Lewis, who was staring at the contract as if it might come alive in his hands.

"Is… is that it?" Lewis asked, voice small and uncertain.

Jeremiah nodded. "That's it. The contract's sealed."

Lewis looked between the contract, Jeremiah, and Maddie. "What now?"

Jeremiah exhaled, then bent to pick up Billy's bowl. The ache in his limbs told him just how late it had become. "Now? Now I go home. I'm tired as all hell. Come by the store tomorrow and we'll talk about your… position."

He didn't look back as he left the alley, boots crunching over broken stone, letting exhaustion and relief carry him toward the promise of rest.

——————————————————

The walk back to the Maddock apartments was slow and silent, save for Maddie's limping gait and Lewis's tired, uneven breaths. They crossed the overgrown lot under a sky shot through with moonlight and the city's distant neon. By the time they reached the battered double doors, Maddie was leaning on Lewis, every step careful and deliberate.

As they stepped inside, the musty corridor hummed with more life than usual. Shadows shifted along the peeling walls; a dozen anxious faces peered out from doorways and behind barricaded furniture. It was obvious the building hadn't slept. Bastion, heavyset and broad-shouldered waited by the stairwell with arms folded across his chest and worry etched deep in his brow. His chest-length, thick, grey bread — always neatly combed, despite his constant complaints of arthritis — ruffled as he spoke.

"There you are," he rumbled, relief and exasperation mixed in his voice. "Mina swore she saw Maddie slinking off, then you bolting out after her. Been near an hour. You know what time it is?"

Behind him, a small crowd gathered — residents in patched jackets, old boots, threadbare nightclothes. Even the youngest, a girl clutching a moth-eaten blanket, watched with wide, anxious eyes.

Lewis tried to summon a reassuring smile. "We're fine," he said, though his voice wavered. "Sorry to worry everyone. Maddie just… needed some air, that's all."

Bastion arched an eyebrow but let it pass. "Half the building's been debating whether to come looking for you. Not that we could do much if she decided to eat your face," he added with a grunt, trying for humor, but only managing to deepen the unease.

Another voice, sharper, called from the back. "Is she hurt? Did someone see her?"

"She's alright," Lewis replied, kneeling to run a gentle hand over Maddie's ears. "Ran into trouble, but it's sorted now." He hesitated, then fished the contract from his coat. "Our new neighbor, he… well… I'm not sure what exactly he did. But he says he came to an… agreement of sorts with Maddie."

Bastion walked forward and took the contract from Lewis. The older man licked his thumb and ran it across the paper. The contract sparkled slightly in the dim light — not like it had in the alley, but enough to be noticeable.

"This is magework alright…" Bastion mumbled, turning the pages with a kind of wary respect. Around him, the other residents craned their necks for a better look, eyes darting between the contract and Maddie.

That got them whispering. The older residents exchanged wary glances. A few shuffled nervously, shooting sidelong looks at Maddie and the silver-lit paper. Someone muttered, "That's all we need, another mage on Market Street…"

A thin, anxious woman in a patched sweater frowned. "If he's got magic, and Ulrick's helping him, what happens to us? You think they'll let us stay now, after this mess?"

A couple of younger men snorted, their tone more sullen than afraid. "Nice for some," one muttered, eyeing the contract. "Job offer and all. Maybe we should be finding magical cats too."

Someone else glared at Maddie. "She nearly got us all thrown out. If Ulrick hears—"

Bastion silenced them with a raised hand. "Enough!"

Bastion closed the contract and held it up for all to see. "No one's getting thrown out tonight. No one's getting thrown out tomorrow, either — not without me and Ulrick having a word about it first."

The authority in his tone silenced the last of the grumbling. He nodded toward the stairs. "We'll sort the details in the morning. Everyone, get some sleep. We've all had enough excitement for one night."

A few residents lingered, exchanging uneasy glances or whispering quietly, but soon the hall emptied, doors shutting softly behind them.

Bastion turned to Lewis.

"Bastion, I—" Lewis started.

Thump.

The old man swatted Lewis in the head with the contract.

Bastion glared at him. "None of that, boy. You did what you had to do. For us —" he nodded to Maddie, "— and her. Don't go apologizing for that."

Lewis' eyes fell to the floor, silent.

Bastion sighed. "Go get some sleep, Lewis. I'm sure you both need it. Leave all this to me." He held the contract up. "Ulrick's a good man. I'm sure he wouldn't send someone to us like this if he didn't trust them. Even so, I'll speak to him in the morning and we'll get this sorted out. Don't you worry."

Lewis nodded. "Thank you…"

Bastion nodded and turned away.

Lewis managed a weary, grateful smile, then led Maddie toward the cracked stairwell, the lynx padding beside him on aching paws. When they reached his room, the familiar clutter of old blankets and scavenged trinkets waiting in the soft gloom, Maddie circled twice and collapsed heavily on her bed of bundled towels, letting out a long, rumbling sigh. Lewis eased himself onto the mattress beside her, exhaustion stealing over him in waves.

For a moment, he just listened — to Maddie's breathing, to the building settling around them, to the memory of the contract's gentle pulse.

Tomorrow would bring more questions, and probably more trouble. But for tonight, they had a roof, a promise, and — at least for now — each other.

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