Gem looked at Vaishi staring back at her with pleading eyes. She didn’t know what to do. She wanted to help her, she really did. But she didn’t know if she could. After all, it had been Sausage that saved her village when all hope was lost. She had failed. But she could just leave Vaishi to be defeated by her sister. Against her better judgement, Gem decided to agree to help. If things got too dangerous, she could always get someone else. “Okay. I’ll help you.” she said. Vaishi beamed. Her smile was infectious. Gem found herself smiling too. Vaishi hugged Gem tight. “Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me!” She paused suddenly and stood up straight. She cleared her throat and said, “I mean: thank you mortal, your service will be rewarded.” She blushed and Gem blushed and giggled too. “Do you know a Gnome of the Undergrove?” Vaishi asked Gem as they were sitting down to discuss the job at hand. “No, I’m sorry, there’s no Undergrove here.” “Oh. I don’t suppose you know anyone named Shrub Berry then?” “Shelby?!” Gem exclaimed, memories flooding back to her of her last death. “You know her? That’s great! She might know-” “Oh no… we can't do that.. Shelby- I- It-it’s just not going to work.” “But she might know how to trap Ruezya again!” “What? Don’t you know how?” Gem asked, confused. “I know how, but I’m not powerful enough to trap her without a spell. Which I don’t know.” Gem looked down, clearly thinking it over. “Fine. We speak to Shelby, and we leave.” “It’ll be fine Gem, trust me.” Vaishi said, smiling at her. Gem sighed. “Okay.” “And anyway, I’ll be right here with you.” Vaishi said, pointing at Gem. “Oh… right…” she said, laughing nervously. She was still a little unsettled by the thought. A little later that day, Gem was at Shelby’s door. Her hands were shaking very slightly. “Hey.” she heard the voice in her head. Vaishi’s voice. “It’ll be okay. You have nothing to worry about.” She instantly felt better. After taking a deep breath, she knocked on Shelby’s door. It creaked open. The feline peaked out. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “Uh, hi Gem. I didn’t expect you to be visiting me so soon…” Her eyes widened as a thought crossed her mind. “You’re not here to, uh, kill me are you?” she said, laughing nervously. Gem answered, “No. I need your help.” “Oh!” Shelby broke out into her signature grin. “What do you need?” she said, happy that Gem wasn’t seeking revenge. “I actually wondered if you knew anything about a… what’s it called?” “The Wanderer.” Vaishi replied. “... The Wanderer! That’s it.” Gem said, clicking her fingers. “Hm, I’ve never heard the name before but I’ll have a look in my little library!” she said. “Why don’t you come inside while I look? I'll get you something to drink.” Gem stepped in the doorway. She was greeted with her own head. It was being displayed on the tree in Shelby’s house. “Uh-” she raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Oh- haha. Sorry about that!” Shelby hastily took the head down. “Let me see if I have that book for you.”
