After we arrived, we immediately went back to work.
Several orders for the new mirrors required Lion's attention and he soon became absorbed in his work in one of the workrooms.
Sly went back to visit the grill and the ice cream shop, while Ghost went out, mentioning he had another mission to complete.
He grumbled that he would quit that job soon since he barely earned a decent income from it.
He planned to quit his other job shortly.
Pinky is getting more relaxed these days. He spends more time in the garden, though he always stays by my side whenever I sleep.
I'm becoming a bit afraid that he might turn into a regular tree soon, but Lion assured me that as long as magic is present, Pinky won't change, as he absorbs magical energy from the environment.
Now, I'm alone again.
I've grown more comfortable around Sly lately. He gets along with me easily, though he teases me from time to time.
He is laid-back and harmless. He does a great job managing the businesses and sometimes offers insightful suggestions. He even suggested adding another magic user to our group, since Lion will soon experience burnout if he continues to do everything by himself.
He also added that I should plan on opening my own healing hut, just like Puma. I told him I was already planning on it and he assured me he would handle all the necessary preparations I might need.
For now, I'm designing several frame styles.
Creatures here have unique facial structures, some have many eyes so it is necessary for me to personalize the designs.
They aren't too particular about aesthetics, but I've made them attractive enough to fascinate other creatures as well.
I do need Puma's help in making eye medicine, though.
I lack knowledge of the necessary ingredients since I'm not yet used to the herbs, leaves, or liquids she uses, especially for the eye drops.
I also need to start designing eye equipment soon.
Ahh, now I'm busy too.
...
Sly told me he sent a scroll to Puma about my predicament.
She replied that she would send some of her eldest offspring to help me. Of course, I know for a fact she might have more offspring soon.
Lion is still stuck inside the workroom.
Sly told me I shouldn't disturb him, as he looked quite aggravated the last time he checked on him.
Since the ice cream and grill shops have creatures working there now, Sly has a bit of free time to keep me company.
I've begun to enjoy his presence. He is quite interesting to talk to, even though his tongue still freaks me out.
He asked me about my previous world and I told him everything, especially about the food, since he is very interested in that topic.
He pleaded with me to design the things used to cook food back on Earth. He promised he would find a magic user soon so we could make even more new things.
Suddenly, he became silent and warned me in a low voice to be careful and not to design too much.
Changes happen slowly in this world and there are many who want things to remain exactly as they are.
He also warned me to be vigilant because Lion has many enemies, being one of the best magic users in this territory.
With a teasing look, he told me he knows Lion is planning to make me his mate.
Then, with a grimmer expression, he added that I am very valuable for many reasons and should never be alone.
If Lion isn't around, either he or Ghost should be with me.
They aren't as powerful as Lion, but they can manage a fight.
He told me that Pinky doesn't count.
Of course.
Sly told me quietly, if he had met me earlier, he would have made me his mate.
No.
I don't think I would have agreed.
He is attractive, but I still don't like looking at his tongue.
I asked him curiously how they chose their mates. I don't believe I am beautiful. In fact, I looked quite regular back on Earth.
I was always the wallflower at college dances. I don't think I'm ugly, but I just look like a background character from a romance novel... the kind with generic long brown hair and brown eyes.
Just one of many ordinary citizens.
Sly thought for a while and asked me how humans are attracted to one another on Earth.
I told him it is usually physical appearance.
He looked taken aback.
I mumbled an explanation about how I was just an ordinary-looking person back home.
Shaking his head, Sly told me humans are foolish to base a life partnership solely on physical attraction.
I hurriedly told him that it isn't just for life mates. I explained the concept of relationships on Earth.
He raised his eyebrows at the idea of "couples" before marriage, sniggered at the thought of speed dating and looked grim when I mentioned host clubs where you pay someone to entertain you.
At that last part, his expression darkened.
He told me they have places like that in other territories, only the creatures who entertain you don't get paid, they are treated harshly by their owners.
He told me quietly that it is an awful place to go and how there are twisted creatures who like that sort of thing. He warned me that I should be careful as they like exotic creatures they haven't seen before.
It's the same as Earth. Even if you aren't "attractive," you can end up in a similar situation if you aren't careful.
Suddenly serious, Sly told me that I am attractive and should be proud of it. He said that everyone is attractive in their own way and that it is the personality and uniqueness that attracts a mate.
Thanks, Sly.
....
Ghost finally came back.
He triumphantly announced to me and Sly that he had quit his job.
Sly looked shocked. I wondered aloud why changing careers was such shocking news. He explained that in this world, a career is one's purpose for living. Creatures usually serve that purpose for the duration of their lives. It is unheard of to quit a job while you are still alive.
It turned out that both Lion and Ghost were simultaneously running the business and doing their "official" work.
No wonder Lion looks moody sometimes.
We definitely need to find another magic user soon.
I asked Ghost why Lion won't quit one of his current jobs. Sly and Ghost looked at each other before telling me that Lion is under contract with one of the "Highest Beings" in this territory. Being under contract means he will die or be destroyed if he breaks it.
And no, he can't destroy the contract with his own magic for reasons Ghost and Sly couldn't properly explain.
That is why Lion, despite his contributions to the territory, cannot leave his main career.
Sly told me he didn't have a "career" before this because he only matured recently.
It turns out he is younger than Ghost and Lion.
I don't know the exact age gap, but he and I are closer in age than I am to the others.
....
Ghost has helped a lot since quitting.
He took over Sly's responsibilities temporarily while Sly took time off to find another magic user.
I am looking forward to opening my eye clinic soon.