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I could finally see it.

Whatever it was.

A city rose up in the distance. I wasn't sure which one, on account of not having a map (or pockets, for that matter, though I was developing a hammerspace spell), but it had to have food. And water. Maybe even some of that sweet stuff... Pop, I believe it was called.

The road was smoother now, some of the new stuff humans made... Walk of the side, right? Something like that. With renewed vigor, I trotted forth into the city, a small, fluffy bundle of magic and mischief.

Philosofia sighed and walked out of her classroom. There was nothing to do for the next few hours leading up to the evening. So she decided to take a stroll along the streets of the city Westerfield was in. A bit of de synchronosis (Jetlag) hit her, and the nearest cafe produced this awful espresso. No need to go into detail about the tea. So two choices were left-Candy, or a carbonated drink. Obviously the latter, candy would just make brushing teeth more of a hassle. She entered a few light blue square coins into the machine. 'ERROR' Well, there wasn't anyone that could turn hippocampi into human money. Darn.

I look around me... Lights, sounds, the smell of burning from those metal creatures the humans ride in.

It was...

It was so...

Overwhelming.

No longer as excited, I slow down and sigh. I knew this was a bad idea... Still, I'd rather be here than out in the country. Stupid hawks trying to eat me...

A bright light illuminates somewhere along my path. Something with letters I didn't care to read. But all along it, in pictures I immediately recognized, we're slim tubes and bottles of the best thing in the multiverse...

The sweet stuff.

I dash up to the machine, which looms over me like Mt. Olympus. In front of it stands a human-- a girl -- I stop in my tracks and stare, examining her outfit. Who's this? I dare speak up.

"Are... Are you the keeper of the pop?"

"Fortunately not. The humans come and check the pop machine at the end of the day and remove the money. It is a shame I don't have any human money, I need caffeine and the nearest cafe's espresso is horrid. Don't try it if you want to live," explained Philosofia. "Who are you? I am Philosofia, professor of Folding and Programming, Genius of Order of The Learnists."

I squint up at her. She's acting ridiculously calm for someone who's just seen a talking... Well, whatever I was. Familiar, fox-eared mouse, it was all the same. "Money... I don't have money either. Is that how you obtain the sweet stuff?" I try and look up at what's in her hands. I could've sworn she was trying to stick something in the machine. "Don't you have some?"

"Yes, but it is Hippocampi. Learnist currency. We need human money to get that caffeinated, carbonated, sugary pop. Curse this desynchronosis!" Yelled Philosofia. She sat down on the corner by the fox. "It's quite a shame I can't access the pop any other way legally. All my Folding students are mages or witches or angels. Being smart and antiaging does have it's benefits, though..." Muttered Philosofia.

I look up at the machine and frown. I then look at the little black metal covering up the power part of the machine, a small recess. "What's that slot for?" I then glance the girl up and down.

"It's where you put the money in, so people can't get a free pop by taking coins out.

I frown. "Could you lift me up? I wanna see if I can do something real quick." I then stand in front of the girl, lifting my arms high.

Philosofia picks Snicker up. "Sure, but what? You're not a Familiar, as far as I can tel-Oh," says Philosofia as she realizes something. "You're a Familiar, aren't you?"

Oh.

Oh crap.

I'm taken by surprise as I'm lifted into the air. I've never been fond of heights, not since that crow tried to force me down it's throat-- and partially succeeded-- before coughing me up. I grasp onto the human's finger and balance myself, grimacing as I look down.

"U-Uh, familiar? What're those? I'm just a-- a... friendly, fluffy... thing."

I reach out a paw and begin murmuring.

"I don't have money, not the time
Let two cans of pop be mine."

And with that, several clunks and this echo through the contraption, and the metal flap at the bottom of the machine shudders. I tilt my head in curiosity. "Did it work?"

Philosofia places Snicker down on the ground and takes the sodas out. She hands one to
Snicker. "Sure you aren't. You grant wishes. You're obviously a magical creature of some kind, so unless you're not a furry genie, you've got to be a Familiar. That, or you're paper. But you're fluffy. Not cardboard stocky," wonders Philosofia.

I climb onto the can and tug at the metal lever thingy. Through gritted teeth I strain, "Okay, so I'm a familiar. My master died a long time ago. Been roaming the world ever since." I pant from exasperation. "How do you open these things?"

Philosofia gently laughs and pulls back the metal tab. "I knew it! And yes, I do agree these things should be easier. The opened part is quite sharp as well. If you'd like, you could be a colleague of mine and join the Order. I'm sure my Folding students would enjoy having you as an assistant teacher."

I look down into the dark of the cylinder, where the opening was made, and push the metal part all the way down. Then, as best I can, I push my head into the opening and start lapping at the liquid. The beer of roots... A beautiful flavor.

"A teacher? Teach what, exactly? I don't know much outside of magic. That, and I don't have a place to stay."

Philosofia smiles. "Teach folding. It's a bit like magic. If you're not too skilled in it. You could be my apprentice instead. And about the housing, I'll see what I can do with a large piece of paper and your tiny size," she says.

I stick my nose up smugly. "I'm not that small."

That's a lie. I could fit in a pocket quite comfortably if it was a good fit.

However, I consider the offer. No more scrounging for food, shelter, or running from dangerous animals (though I'm sure nekos are potentially dangerous). It would be safe... Assuming this lady didn't have any pets.

"But... Sure, I'd like to try this little set-up."

"Wonderful, I hope you don't find it too lonely seeing as you're the only one besides me," said Philosofia. She picked up Snickers and brought him back to the office, where she folded a large paper box, turned it upside down, and cut a hole in it. Next, she folded several small paper lanterns and a bed and placed them in the house. "Voila, Snickers, your new home."

I'd always been... Well, okay with being alone. I didn't like company much, and had grown accustomed to a life of solitude. Still, I was okay with giving this a try.

I admired Philosofia's handiwork. Quite impressive, actually. Clean cuts and neat folds all around.

I stepped in and glanced about.

"You know... I hope you don't mind me doing this, but I'd like to improve on this a little. A quick spell could turn this into a 'real' house."

Philosofia ruffled Snicker's head with a finger. "Go ahead, i don't mind. ," she answered.