Beg and sell your skills!

You clasp your hands together and gaze up at the massive adventurer with big, wet eyes. "Please, sir... buy me? I can set up and cover up campsites, I'm good at navigating, I can hunt, I can fish, I can forage... Please?"

"Hmmm... I do get lost and run low on supplies a lot..." he mumbles.

"Then how about I provide you her for cheap, sir? I'll use the money to become a registered **** merchant! You have my word!" Sleezenose says. He's lying, obviously...

"Fine." The large man reaches into his waist pouch and pulls out his wallet. He opens the bag and begins to count out some gold coins. "How much?"

"Uhhh... how much does it cost to gain a **** merchant certification?" Sleezenose asks.

"Fifty gold coins."

"Then... how about seventy? Twenty for my travel and living expenses, of course."

"Fine." He counts out the coins and places them on Sleezenose's palm.

The shady merchant's eyes are alight at the sight of all the money in his palm. He throws the end of the leash to the adventurer. "You're his now!" He's about to turn away, but then his eyes go to the wallet that the adventurer is putting back in his waist bag. It barely changed size at all after losing seventy coins... It likely has far more in it considering how lucrative adventuring is, possibly even enchanted to hold more than its size indicates. "Uh, how do I insure that her **** seal has your name registered? Shall we discuss it somewhere private? Maybe in this alleyway?"

"Fine by me," the adventurer shrugs.

Sleezenose grins, his hand reaching into his pocket as he turns and walks into the alley. The same pocket he keeps his hidden magic knife in...

The adventurer squats down and pats your head. Even through his gauntlet, you can't help but feel his affection gratifying, a smile coming to your face as your tail wags. "Stand over there. Cover your ears, close your eyes." Wait, what?

You watch as he stands and follows Sleezenose into the dark alleyway. You turn away and grab your ears, pulling them down and closing your eyes. Even with your ears covered, you still hear the flash of steel and scream of the merchant who previously owned you. Still, you wait, only opening your eyes and uncovering your ears as you feel a familiar gesture of affection to your head.

"It is done. You are mine now." He grabs your leash and turns to walk away. You pad along behind him, gazing up at his helmet-clad face that betrays no emotions. Self-defense, you tell yourself. He knew Sleezenose would try to kill him. He was dumb enough to try it on an adventurer like him, overconfident in his surprise attack in the dark and his magic knife enchanted to penetrate defenses. It was self-defense... You hope.

You're not sure where this adventurer is leading you... But you certainly weren't expecting a restaurant. The aptly dubbed "Food Tent" lives up to its name. A large, open tent with a visible kitchen, bar, and makeshift stage. He sits at one of the tables. You kneel at his feet, but upon noticing you, he gestures to the chair on the other side of his table.

"None of that. You are a ****, not a pet. You are still a person and you will sit at the table like one. I do not care how that sleazy wannabe **** trader treated you, but you will have to unlearn what he taught you if you wish to travel with me."

...Definitely self-defense. You smile, tail wagging, and stand up.

"Wait."

Before you can turn to sit at the chair, he reaches for your neck. You flinch, heart beating excitedly at what he might do to you... but instead you feel sweet freedom around your neck as he undoes your collar and tosses it and the leash away.

"Much better," he says.

You grin up at him. Rather than sitting across the table, you hop into his lap.

"What the deuce!" he starts, clearly not expecting that.

"I'm Kohaku! What's your name?" you ask, grinning up at him, your tail wagging a mile a minute.

He coughs into his gauntlet-clad hand. "Um... Graham. My name is Graham. I am a B-rank adventurer."

"Such a high rank! Wow!" you exclaim. Your heart beats even faster... So many exciting adventures he probably goes on! So many new and dangerous places you could see with him! Scary, but... so new and exciting!

"Hello, adventurer! What can I get you?"

A catfolk waitress, dress low-cut and cleavage spilling out of it, greets your new master. He visibly tenses at the sight of her huge boobs bouncing in his helmet-clad face.

"Ah, yes. Kohaku, what would you like?"

"Um... Meat?"

"Beef stew, please. In a bread bowl. And a tankard of milk, please. Hohaku, do you like milk?"

"I love milk!"

He nods. "That would be all, miss."

"Of course, darling!" The waitress leaves to go tell the chef.

"Aren't you ordering anything, Master?" you ask, gazing up at his helmet-clad head.

"No, I am not hungry. But I imagine you have not eaten much quality meals lately."

"Why aren't you taking off your helmet, Master?"

"This is a bandit town. I must be weary of sneak attacks. And do not call me master. I am Graham."

"But it's more fun to call you Master!" you exclaim, grinning. Your tail wags and your heart beats in excitement at the way he tenses up. "Where are you from? Are you strong?"

"I am from my birthplace and yes I suppose I am a skilled fighter. But I want to ask you questions. First, where are you from? Kohaku is an unusual name for a Foxfolk, and they typically do not have white hair or yellow slit eyes..."

"Ummm..."

He's sharp... Should you tell him what you are or should you keep it a secret? He's a good person, but you don't know how he'd react to the fact that you're one of the reclusive and isolationist kitsune...