>>19173320Valari sighs.
>"Of course you are right. I will follow you into town, SHEE6, and accept your offer of 'ring gear'. Then I must find a trainer and a sponsor, and I will try to earn a living at this professional wrestling. Allow me one moment."By now, Taco Bear has finished all of the tacos and trundled back towards the cave. Valari swallows back a piercing pang of hunger in her belly, then slowly walks to the mouth of the cave and stares into it. She looks at Taco Bear, then into the cave, before finally making a decision.
>"The secret of the cave should be safe for the moment, for it is protected by the most powerful creature in this forest."She kneels and strokes Taco Bear's fur, and feels a wistful lump forming in her throat.
>"Rest well as you carry out your duty, friend. I will be gone for some time. SHEE6 and I will bring you more tacos as often as we can."Fear and uncertainty grip Valari as she walks from the cave into the open. Is she really going to try to make her way in this city? A part of her wants nothing more than to brave the perils of the World Between Worlds once more, perchance to be reunited with Fyodor, and return home with him or carry on to their final destination together. It almost seems more daunting to seek her fortunes in this strange new world of wealth and warmth and plenty, than to face likely doom sheltering out the winter or venturing into the forbidden realm again.
She takes her hand from Taco Bear's fur, and stands.
>"I go." 