Waste's and Wilds: Kyo's Tale 1.5

Grow, or die. Either way, you serve a purpose.

-Teaching of Virdis

Kyo watched the Lion laughing before he finally recovered his dignity. After several moments of munching on a squiggly snack that probably cost more than anything she’d ever eaten combined, she asked, “Is everything ok?” Older cats tended to have a strange array of issues, and she suspected the laughter from nowhere might be a symptom of something serious.

“Yes, everything is just fine kitten.” Robert the Red said in a deep gruff voice. He was a lot nicer than most of the rumors described, although Kyo would admit the food might have slightly tilted her decision-making process on that point.

“Let me explain a few of the basics to you,” Robert said.

Kyo immediately gave eighty percent of her attention to the older Cat. To anyone looking she was extremely attentive and prepared to receive information. The other twenty percent was of course concentrated on lifting the spiced heavenly white milk to her lips with both hands. Milk was something she had only heard about in fanciful rumors as the price of it was exorbitant in the market. Even if the Lion was about to impart the secret to immortality, or some other adult information of importance she had to pay attention to her priorities.

“My gang has several competitors. There are the normal Beast Tribes such as Dog, Rat, and Snake who aren’t much to worry about. No one in the normal run of things wants to rock the boat too badly. The main issue is we also have competitors from the Werebeast Tribes, filthy shadow maggot scum that they are.” Robert said. He took a big gulp of his cup before his expression of distaste eased. Kyo was certain that whatever these were-somethings did it was nothing good!

“Were Tribes?” Kyo asked. Information was more valuable than gold and learning from an older cat was the best. Take Mr. Gretchen or Talos for instance, they were much older than her, but she learned a ton from both of them!

“Indeed, kitten. They are creatures not created by the Totems, but by the Dark Totems instead. Foul things that copy our Kin like shadows distorted on the wall from the torchlight.” Robert replied gruffly.

“Totems?” Kyo tilted her head. “Are those like my Patron?”

“Correct. Patrons and Totems are two sides of the same coin of power.” Robert said. “Patrons are a direct line. Totems are a less direct connection that follows certain rules of the world we live in. For example, all Werebeasts are part of the Darkness.”

“Darkness? Like what the white robes have in the sermons? The great evil that steals food from the mouths of hungry cats?” Kyo said as her eyes widened in horror. Food thieves were the evilest of evils!

All food thieves deserve the ant hell treatment! Kyo thought placing her milk down carefully. They also deserve no milk!

“Indeed. They are a blight upon our societies hiding in the darkness. Each species has specific needs in order to propagate or utilize their powers unlike us.” Robert said. Kyo’s attention was captured by the storytelling gestures the older cat used.

“What type of powers?” Kyo asked as her ears twitched atop her head. Powers sounded nice. Before meeting Kudzu she would have been impressed with such things, but they felt like a pale shadow of what her Patron had now.

“The species known as Werewolves are the ones, we have the most information on. Their abilities include incredible healing regeneration along with immunity to most types of damage with the exception of damage dealt with silver. Many think the weakness to silver which is shared by almost all creatures of the dark is a parting gift from the Silver Empress.” Robert said before taking a sip from his cup of alcohol. His eyes turned cruel before he said, “Even though the Werebeasts can infect by biting unprotected flesh during the full moon their numbers are paltry compared to true beasts. We hunt them relentlessly, keeping their power at a minuscule level compared to our own.”

“I’ve never heard or seen of these things,” Kyo said. She searched her memory but nothing like what the Lion described had ever made it into any story she knew from the market. It was weird, if these things were such a huge issue why wouldn’t anyone talk about them? People gossiped about everything, it made little sense that this subject was sacred enough not to speak of.

“That’s to be expected. Information on them is tightly sealed for safety. Imagine if you told a starving man or beast he could gain incredible power, as long as he sold his soul to evil on the full moon.” Robert said grimly.

“People would do it,” Kyo said instantly. “I can think of twenty that I know right of the bat in the slums alone that wouldn’t even spare a heartbeat of thought before taking the option.” It was practically guaranteed with the way those in the slums lived. For the chance to improve their situation, many would have no trouble accepting a hand wet with dripping red. Kyo felt lucky her Patron’s hands were green like fresh vegetables, instead.

“The gangs keep the streets clean from such trash, but it is a constant battle on two fronts,” Robert said sneaking a snack for himself from the dishes arrayed. He gave a cheesy grin at Kyo as she despaired from the loss of a delicious morsel of food.

Kyo gave a tearful expression at the older cat before vaporizing two more dishes of wonderful meats. She took a quick sip of spiced milk before lightning struck her mind. “The sewers!” Kyo exclaimed.

Robert nodded, “Indeed. The sewers are the number one hiding place for all such creatures. Filthy creatures banished to a filthy world.”

“Nobody goes into the sewers, it’s a death trap,” Kyo said. She recited the words taught to her by Talos. The butcher had explained in excruciating detail that hunting in the sewers was only for suicidal slum kids.

“Let’s test your crystal-making capabilities. Depending on how good they are, I can make better decisions for the future.” Robert said.

Kyo nodded. It was only natural that the older cat wanted to see proof of her claims. She doubted she was the first to come into his sights with wild stories of her abilities. Even backed by reports of her Patron, Robert the Red was no fresh-faced fool to spend on anything less than a certain bet.

A well-dressed female cat entered from the door wheeling in a small cart with a long tray on the top. The two adults exchanged a look before the woman departed with a faint grin on her face. Kyo couldn’t be sure but it almost looked like the Lion somehow lost an exchange during that brief moment. Before she could think further, her attention was pulled to the cart’s tray as Robert the Red whisked the cover off of the top.

“Behold! Fresh salt crystals!” Robert intoned in the voice of a street performer. The action only reinforced Kyo’s theory that adults lost some of their brainpower as they grew older. Perhaps it was given to their children instead?

Kyo turned in her bed so she could reach the part of the cart’s tray that was directly on her left. Just like the countless times she had trained under Patron Kudzu, she extended her right hand. Plant Manipulation IV spread a moldy spore cloud out from her palm until the entire tray of salt was covered in verdant green.

“Interesting,” Robert said looking at the tray covered in green mold. “You are using a Spell?”

Kyo nodded as she let the mold work and said, “Yes. Plant Manipulation IV.” Since her entire focus was on the tray, she missed the flash of terror that crossed Robert’s features when she mentioned the name of her Spell.

“Is the Spell from your Patron?” Robert asked in a neutral tone.

Kyo nodded as the mold withdrew revealing multiple mana crystals that were completely formed, yet completely empty of mana. As she turned to look at Robert the Red his eyes were completely glued onto the tray of sparkling crystals that reflected the light. Kyo waited patiently by eating more dishes and drinking her milk. It wasn’t until her mug was empty that she finally decided to take action.

Kyo coughed drawing the attention of the Lion before glancing at her empty mug with a pitiful expression of loss. The older cat rolled his eyes before refilling it. After her mug was full once again, Robert the Red picked up one of the crystals before pumping it full of a type of mana that resembled spilled blood.

“No mana loss when filling, and I can’t sense any escaping once the crystal is full,” Robert said before giving a sigh. “Truly the young have no mercy for their elders.”

“That’s good?” Kyo asked as she sipped her milk. She was starting to get a bit full. It was unfortunate, but according to Mr. Gretchen if she ever felt full, she had to stop eating or her body would explode into meaty chunks. “Is it worth many tray units?”

“Tray units?” Robert the Red asked with a confused expression.

Kyo gestured to the tray of food with a completely serious expression and said, “Tray units.” Her eyes narrowed as she saw the older cat suppress a cough.

“According to my understanding, this single crystal would be worth ten tray units,” Robert said with a serious look.

“T-Ten?!” Kyo repeated the number in shock. Her mind grew dizzy as she wondered how many four legs that could be.

A hundred four-legs? No, a thousand? Or a million? Kyo thought excitedly.

“Calm down kitten, you’re drooling,” Robert said handing her a small towel to wipe her face.

“I’m rich!” Kyo said after wiping her drool away.

“Yes,” Robert said kindly.

“Very Rich!” Kyo said her eyes sparkling.

“Yes,” Robert said with a slight facial tic.

“Ungodly unholy insanely wealthy beyond all manner of the word! Rich! Me!” Kyo said spinning around on her bed with her fists raised.

“You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you,” Robert said with a glare.

“Sir! This rich kitten is true. Sir!” Kyo said giving a salute with her left hand while grabbing the milk mug with the other to steal another few gulps. It was a struggle but for the milk, Kyo managed to make it work.

“Why have the heavens cursed me so?” Robert said staring up at the ceiling with deep despair writ upon his face.

“Because your rich, too!” Kyo said cheerfully dropping her salute with uncaring casualness.

“You understand you will be working for me, right?” Robert said with a deep sigh.

“For the milk!” Kyo said raising her mug with both hands.

“I’m going to hand you off to one of my wives, ok?” Robert said as he finished the rest of his cup.

Kyo stared at him with soulful eyes as she glanced at the tray of food and her mug of milk with despair written on her small face.

Robert rolled his eyes and said, “She has a ring full of better food, kitten.”

“Good luck boss! Stay safe, for the milk! For the tray units!” Kyo said as her eyes brightened with visible green light.

“I’m only suffering for my access to food,” Robert mumbled too low for Kyo to hear.

Waving his hand, the food and furniture vanished with the exception of Kyo’s bed. “I’ll have someone bring you back to your old location after you are done meeting my wife, ok?”

“Ok,” Kyo said her eyes dimmed with minimal life in them. The loss of her milk mug was a tragic blow to the kitten.

“Where is the best place for your workstation to be made?” Robert asked.

“Someplace with lots of water, and tons of sunlight,” Kyo said with a sigh. Her mind wandered until a spark of inspiration lit within.

I wonder if I can make a plant that provides milk. Kyo thought as the Lion opened the door to the room and whispered with someone outside. I wonder if I can make different types of milk!

The concept of a plant that could provide her endless joy was a lure that pulled her attention away from the queen who entered as the Lion left.

“Nice to meet you, kitten. You may call me, Sene.” Kyo stared entranced at the sparkling fluffy black tail and ears the older woman had.

Sene quirked an eye before waving her hand in front of Kyo. “Hello, sand to the kitten. Come in kitten.”

“Pretty!” Kyo exclaimed. She wanted fur that fluffy and ears that soft too!

Sene smirked and said, “Oh, we are going to get along just fine munchkin.”