Walking through town, Mister Ram tried everything to cheer Clover up, getting excited over little things, offering to show her the shops, even going as far to purposely twitch his ears but she seemed so sad. 

Moments ago she wanted an axe, so he went to make that happen, but to his dismay, the shop was closed until late afternoon. 

“Did you want to go to the markets?” He chimed. 

“Not really.” She said back in a gentle dull voice. 

“Well- how about the potion shop?!” Mister Ram said, fidgeting. 

Anything would work! Anything but seeing her look all dejected in front of a closed weapons shop! 

His ears twitched when he finally sighed and walked over to her, sitting beside her on the floor against the wall. 

“Alright fine, we’ll wait.” He said, putting his legs to his chest as she reached over and started petting his leg. 

“Stop that.” He said quietly. 

“But I like stroking you.” She said plainly as he calmly stared into the distance. 

“Wow…never say that again.” Moving her hand to his knee she laces her fingers in the fur, having fully given up, he stares at the town. 

Seeing people put up stakes and tents, with banners, he had almost forgotten. 

“That’s right, the red moon festival will be celebrated soon.” Mister Ram said, as he looked over to see Clover aggressively ruffling his fur. 

“Festival?” She responded, tilting her head. 

“They have it here too, but we always go to the capital to celebrate, it’s a giant hunt where most the huntsman gather for one night, and we hunt as many Moon Fiends as possible!” Waving his hands around, Mister Ram explains all about the festival. 

Sitting against the wall, Clover runs her hands through the fur once more as she takes a moment to think. 

“So you’ll be leaving?” She asked, and he turned his head confused. 

“No, you’re coming with me, we’re partners.” 

“Oh my, this is so sudden~” She said while putting her hand to her face and looking away. 

“Not like that!!” He flushed before turning himself to face her, sighing as his ears flickered. 

“You didn’t listen to a thing I’ve told you about the huntsman have you?” He asked, and she simply put both her hands up to squish his cheeks. 

“Well listen this time! All huntsmen work in pairs! Usually, our captain assigns them but Presscott paired you with me since well-“ Staring at her, he sighed. 

“You wouldn’t have joined anyone else—“ Grumbling, he shook his head knocking her hands away. 

“And usually we’d have a fortune teller tell us our compatibility which was one of the reasons she was there earlier but— everything’s going wrong” He squealed in disbelief as she grabbed his face. 

“There there.” Clover said, patting his head when a voice interrupted.

“Hopper, is that you?” Looking to the side, a burly leathered man stood near the shop. 

He had orange hair and a full beard, his body tattered in scars and burns, bite marks traced his arms. 

“Eldwoor!” Springing up onto his hooves, he hopped with glee to see the man, as the man chuckled. 

“What brings you to my shop?” He said, glancing at the little lady sitting on the floor. 

“We came for a weapon for- oh! I haven’t introduced you yet! This is my new partner Clover.” Helping Clover up, she holds his hand while walking beside him. 

Feeling the man’s eyes scan over her, the hair on the back of her neck bristled, and she glared, but then…he smiled. 

“Pleasure to meet you Little Lady, I’m Eldwoor, town's blacksmith! And might I say one of the best in the land.” Giving a toothy grin, he unlocked the shop. 

“Come in, come in, I’ll see what I can do for you.” Eldwoor said, and together they all walked in. 

Lighting a lantern the other lanterns flickered on like magic as whimsy filled the air, the pristine shop was filled with all sorts of weapons, armor and shields. 

Some were clad in iron, others made from the fangs of Moon Fiends. 

“So, what’s the little lady looking for? A bow? A dagger?” 

“An axe.” She said bluntly and turned to look him in the eyes as he pointed to the other side of the shop. 

“The hatchets are over there, more your size.” Nodding, she walked over as she looked at the array of sharp hatchets, running her hand along the blade when she heard whispers. 

“Too bad really, I always thought you’d work up to being paired with Sabrina.” Eldwoor said, tapping his nail against the counter. 

Picking up a hatchet, she felt the wooden handle rub against her palm which was still soft, and free of calluses.

“N-No it’s fine really!” Mister Ram said, But Clover could feel it, he lost an opportunity because of her. 

Feeling her blood stir, with a swift crack the hatchet fell to the floor, hearing the thud Mister Ram ran around the corner. 

“Are you alr-“ Stopping in his place, she looked at her hand which held half the hatchets handle, broken from pure pressure. 

“It broke.” Clover said, her eyes a fierce red as a chill went down his spine. 

“Y-yeah t-that tends to happen! Haha it’s wood after all-“ His ears nervously twitch as he takes the handle and the hatchet, sweat dripping down his neck. 

“Maybe something with iron would work better!” Pushing her to the other hatchets, he scurried up to the counter with the broken parts. 

“S-sorry I can pay for anything that bre-“

“My hatchets don’t just break.” Eldwoor said, almost offended as he grabbed the broken hatchet. 

“W-well you see-“ Interrupted, Clover crashes into him, as she threads her hands through his arms and near his side, putting a hatchet on the table. 

“This one! I need this one.” Placing down an iron hatchet made with the bones of a Moon Fiend, she wrapped her arms around Mister Ram's waist and scowled at Eldwoor. 

“Oh! This is a good one, well-“ Before he could finish once again, Eldwoor rested an arm on the counter and spoke over him. 

“I’ll make you two a deal, if the Little Lady does a Crystal Ball reading, I’ll give it for free.” Getting a box from beneath his counter, he drops it on the table. 

Within the box were cushions, and on the cushions a large sparkly ball, glistening in the lantern light. 

“It smells like that old lady did.” Clover says in a blunt manner. 

“Do not refer to Lady Moon that way!!” Mister Ram hissed quietly as he signed, and stood tall.

“I’ll just pay, Clover has had enough of fortunes and readings today.” Pulling out his wallet, Eldwoor insisted. 

“It can’t hurt, right? And isn’t it up to the little lady?” He said with a smile eyeing down Clover. 

“Yes but….” His ears twitch as he can’t help but be curious as well. 

The crystal ball was capable of telling her what weapon would suit her best, her possible whimsy, and her strengths. 

Groaning his ears twitched faster as Clover on her tippy toes put her chin on his shoulder. 

“Do you want me to do it?” She asked, her voice soft. 

“W-well you don’t have to! You’ve had enough of all this sort of stuff and-“ 

Touching the ball, it began to glow red as she rested her chin on his shoulder, before their very eyes, a plume of black smoke appeared from the crystal ball.  

Putting his arms out to shield Clover, Quentin felt as his heart pounded, the smoke formed to be a large wolf that floated in the air, baring its fangs it said. 

“Little Red, Will you not come home?” The wolf's horrid voice sent shivers down Clover’s spine. 

Unable to breathe, she grabbed onto Mister Ram and held him close, hugging his back, afraid, she shook and in a quick moment, Mister Ram reached forward and slammed shut the box. 

Dissipating, he threw a few golden coins on the counter before grabbing Clover and the hatchet, running out the door. 

“On that note! Have a good day! Until next time!” He yelled, bursting through the door as the bell chimed. 

“W-wait!” Eldwoor yelled back but he was already as far away as possible.

Skidding to a stop, Mister Ram takes a deep breath as he looks up to Clover who he threw over his shoulder. 

“What was that?! Are you okay?!” He asked, and she just slowly slid down him, fear on her face as she stepped back, holding her arm so tightly her nails dug into her skin. 

“Clover…..?” Whispering her name, he stepped closer, offering his hand as she leaned in and grabbed it, both her hands holding onto his fingers. 

“I don’t think whimsy likes me very much….” She said, and he chuckled. 

“They really don't, do they?” Rubbing his thumb against her fingertips, his ears twitched as he looked at her. 

“I know you don’t really wanna talk about whatever’s happening….but we’re partners now, you can rely on me.” Smiling, he gives a nervous laugh as her eyes sparkle. 

To rely on someone….? 

Lunging forward, she wrapped her arms around him and whispered. “Okay…but only if you don’t make me go back to the wolf…” 

Later that night, as clouds drew over the moon, and owls sang, a candle lit the night, walking up the stairs, Quentin opened the door to the study. 

In the dark, lit only by candlelight, Presscott sat at his desk, his eyes glowing in the night as Quentin stood before him. 

“Your verdict on the girl?” Presscott said, almost coldly. 

“After a lot of thought…. I've come to the conclusion that yes…” Looking into Presscott’s eyes, Quentin's seemed to glow blue. 

“The girl known as Clover, is a Moon Fiend, a wolf.”