Early the next morning, Sal curled up at the head of the bed, waiting for Nina to wake.
As soon as Nina opened her eyes, she saw an enlarged, adorable little face right in front of her. She reached out to pet the "little kitty" and laughed softly. "Little Flower, were you waiting for your owner to wake up? You're being so good."
Sal rubbed against her affectionately, then picked up the spirit pearl beside him and placed it in front of Nina. He let out a soft "meow," as if to say: Little female, this is for you—to nourish your body.
He had risked going out to retrieve the spirit pearl he had hidden away, all so he could help Nina recover her strength—and, incidentally, help himself regain some of his power as well.
Nina picked up the spirit pearl and examined it. "Little Flower, where did you get this? You didn't steal it from some beastman in the tribe, did you?"
Sal shook his head vigorously. Of course not—this broken tribe didn't even have anything this good.
