The sun was high as the crew rode lazily through the canyon, heading back toward their camp.

Vuvi, Veena, and their new companion Raikya lounged atop the plush, oversized mattress floating a few feet above the ground, courtesy of Zora's "Deluxe Cloud Ride" spell. The enchantment shimmered faintly with each bounce, gently rocking like a cushioned boat on water.

Pip beeped happily as he bounced along on the back of a large frostmane hound, Penelo clinging to him like a fluffy backpack and occasionally dozing off. Lula rode another hound, giggling as the beast leapt over boulders with powerful bounds, her curls bouncing like excited flames. Sera, still trying to appear stoic, couldn't fully hide the grin on her face as she leaned low over her hound's back, enjoying the thrill of the ride.

Even the frostmane hounds seemed pleased, tails swishing in sync.

Veena, lounging in silk and sipping tea from a conjured glass, turned her gaze to the rough-looking girl lying at the edge of the mattress. Raikya, the white-furred wolfkin, sat cross-legged, arms folded, doing her best to ignore the comfort of the magical ride beneath her.

"So, Raikya," Veena began with a friendly smile. "Where exactly are you from?"

Raikya scowled, clearly used to the question. "Tribelands. Western borders, near the Zerenith Plains. Came from a pack of fur-sniffing hypocrites with a stick up their tailholes."

Vuvi raised an eyebrow, not looking up from her thigh she was oiling. "Charming place, I'm sure."

Raikya snorted. "They didn't like me. My fur's white. Everyone else had sleek black coats. Looked like some perfect shadow tribe. Then there's me… snow-pelted freak show. They called me cursed. Said I'd bring bad omens. My mother tried to protect me but… after a few years, she just faded. Died of heartbreak or whatever. They blamed me. Then they kicked me out."

A heavy silence fell over the mattress.

"I wandered. Met Frostlick… best thing that's ever happened to me. We've been on our own ever since. Heard stories about a savior living in the Green Vale, healing broken souls and cursed spirits. Figured I'd check it out. Maybe he could fix me."

Vuvi turned to look at her. "Fix you?"

Raikya didn't look away. "Yeah. I just… want to be normal. I want them to look at me and not see a mistake. I'm… I'm tired of being alone. Lick gets me… but she's not much of a talker."

Veena sighed, her voice soft. "There's nothing wrong with you, Raikya. Your tribe was wrong, not you."

Vuvi nodded. "Pip, over there, is the famous Prince of Pleasure. The savior you're talking about. But he doesn't do… 'normal.' And frankly, thank the gods for that. Normal sucks."

Raikya scoffed. "Yeah, I've heard that before. 'You're perfect the way you are, Raikya.' That's what my mom said right before she gave up. No offense, but save the speech. I'm just here to check the box. And it sounds like your savior's not gonna be any help to me. So… I'll be out of your hair soon."

As if on cue, they crested the last ridge and spotted the familiar patchwork of tents, crates, and contraptions that made up their camp. The warm smells of morning stew and grilled meats wafted on the wind.

Raikya stood and whistled. "Frostlick, let's go. These people are weird."

Frostlick, massive, shaggy, her blue eyes glowing, let out a lazy chuff but obeyed, padding to Raikya's side. The girl turned to leave.

"As you wish," Vuvi muttered, rolling her eyes as she floated down with the mattress. "Stay safe out there, pup."

Raikya growled under her breath.

Penelo jumped off her hound and ran over. "Wait! You don't have to leave!"

Raikya just waved her off. "I do better alone."

Just then, Zora popped out of the tent holding three trays stacked with food. "Breakfast! Come my beauties!"

The entire team froze.

Then, like a stampede of children chasing an ice-cream cart, they bolted past Raikya and Frostlick, leaving dust and footprints in their wake.

The scents overwhelmed the frostmane hound. Frostlick's nose twitched, her tongue lolled, and her eyes fixated on the sizzling turkey leg in Vuvi's hand.

Raikya noticed the longing in her hound's eyes and hissed under her breath. "No! We're hunting. We don't need charity food."

Vuvi, without looking, casually lobbed the massive turkey leg through the air.

Frostlick snatched it mid-flight and devoured it in one gulp.

A second later, she turned, licked her chops, and padded over to the table with a content sigh, sitting politely beside an empty seat.

Raikya groaned. "Traitor."

She stomped over after her mount, glaring at Vuvi. "I didn't ask for this."

"Of course," Vuvi replied without glancing up. "No one's asking for your gratitude either."

Raikya sat, arms folded, eyes darting everywhere like a cornered animal. But as the food was passed around, something in her cracked.

She grabbed a plate.

Then another. And another.

Her gruff exterior melted away as she devoured the feast with wild abandon. Meats, fruits, honey-buttered bread… her claws were a blur.

A few hours later, Raikya sat slumped on a cushion, belly bulging, surrounded by empty bowls and bones.

"I haven't eaten like that in weeks. You… guys are freaks. But good freaks."

Vuvi smacked her on the back, making her cough mid-bite. "So. Where you off to now, wolf girl?"

Raikya wiped her face with her sleeve and shrugged. "No clue. I was chasing a savior, but he turned out to be a weird mechanical man with a… harem kink."

Pip beeped softly, slightly offended but not denying it.

Raikya chuckled. "Guess I'll keep looking. Maybe there's something out there for me."

Vuvi leaned forward, tossing her a canteen of juice.

"Well, if you're wandering anyway, tag along with us. At least until we reach the Dwarven Kingdom. We're hunting for answers too… Ka'Lula's origins… Pip's powers..."

Raikya blinked. "You're… inviting me?"

The entire team turned toward Vuvi with wide eyes.

Penelo gasped. "You're inviting someone?!"

Sera whispered, "Check her forehead for fever."

Lula's tail wiggled. "Has she been drinking again?"

Vuvi rolled her eyes and threw a bread roll at them. "Shut up. You really gonna let this fluffy, feral grump wander off alone with nothing but sarcasm and a horny hound?"

They all smiled sheepishly.

Veena gave Vuvi a warm look and raised her cup. "You know us too well. Lady Blackthorn."

Vuvi grinned and muttered, "I've just stopped fighting it. This weird, debaucherous, morally-questionable crew always drags strays into the family. There's no way we're gonna let this one wander off alone."

Raikya stared at them all for a long beat, then smirked. "Fine. But if any of you try to hug me, I'm clawing your face off."

Penelo beamed. "Yay! We're going to corrupt you with love!"

"Try it and I'll bite you," Raikya snarled.

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