Hoshi no Guu (Star Piece Quest) (M)

[Guu]

The princess ran as fast as she could through the brush of the jungle, no longer caring about plants clawing at her legs. She made as much distance as she could from the ambush site. She held her moogle companion in her arms, the furry friend trying desperately to maintain grasp on his bindle.
 
As the orcs disappeared from her senses, she finally took the occasion to slow down, eventually shifting to a light stroll and then into a complete stop. She lowered herself down to let her friend back on his feet. In a single flash of light, Guu shifted into her childlike form.
 
As the bat-winged comrad checked his bag to see if anything was lost in the scuffle, the princess accessed damage. Aside from the scratches on her legs and the tears in her skirt, she couldn’t sense any more damage on herself. Either they got really lucky, or those orcs were really shitty warriors.
 
Probably the latter.
 
However, she was mildly surprised as the moogle fell down to his knees. He bowed down before her, his round red nose in the dirt.
 
“I’m sorry princess.” He said, his voice somber.
 
“For what?” She inquired, cocking her head like a curious cat.
 
“I didn’t live up to my own hype. I didn’t do what I needed to do to protect you. I’m a failure as a guide, kupo.” He said, a hint of pain in voice as he barred his pride. Guu felt like a reverend at a church receiving a confessional, which she found ironic considering. “I just wanted to impress you.”
 
The furry one’s change of tone was unexpected. At first, she saw him as one of those oblivious types that would bumble into dangerous situations like an idiot, forcing the far more competent character to save the day; you know, that kind of trope. Scrappy Doo and Mr. Magoo come to mind.
 
However, she did not expect his baseless boasting to be an active attempt at her approval. She wasn’t used to people seeking that sort of thing out… or at least not without the fear of the ancients instilled in them.
 
It was a shame; he would have been really fun to troll down the line.
 
Guu extended a stubby arm out towards her furry friend. After lifting his head up to give the fingerless palm a puzzled look, he placed a paw around the Princess’ stub. It didn’t take much effort for her to lift him up to his feet.
 
“I wouldn’t worry about it. You did come through with that magic of yours.” She reasoned, trying to sound compassionate through her emotionless visage. “And I don’t really care you made a mistake. Not like either of us got hurt.”
 
“Oh, thank you princess!” He said overjoyed, he enthusiastically shakes her hand. “I promise to be more helpful from here-on-out! Kupo!”
 
It was getting more and more weird. She was barely trying to be supportive and this merchant was already inspired. Is this really what it was like to have a positive effect on other people’s lives?
 
“Now that I think about it,” added Guu, pulling away her arm and resting it on her chin. “I don’t believe I got your name.”
 
“Pitchin! My name is Pitchen!”
 
“Well, Pitchen, let’s keep heading towards the temple.”
 
“Yes, maam! Kupo!”
 
The moogle led the way as the pair made their way through the jungle. The rest of the trip was surprisingly less eventful. While Pitchen wasn’t as great with the orcs, an encounter with a bear proved him knowledgeable of surviving the wilderness.
 
“This breed of bear prefers to leave people alone.” He said, a little bit of pride bleeding out in his words. “As long a we keep distance, we should be safe. Just be glad it wasn’t a grizzly or a polar.”
 
A good hour of walking passed and the pair finally spot the sight of stone brick walls through the small gaps in the tree trunks. Guu could already sense the massive interior of the thing.
 
“We’re here my princess!” He said excitedly. “Kupo!”