n

n

nI turned back to Nushi after the other two settled down.

n

"Don't listen to Jilly; I just want to help you. The way that your horns grow must make life hard for you,

" I said to Nushi.

nShe was looking at her hands that were fidgeting in her lap. Nushi looked like she was deciding on something, so I grabbed my Loose Leaf Dagger and held it out from me.

nI glared at the blade because I knew it was going to try and make some kind of protest when I asked it to cut her horns off if she would let me. I didn't want to have to fight with the blade in front of the girl I was offering to cut part of her head off.

nI didn't feel any resistance from the knife as I held it in my hands. Last time the knife had felt hostile when I had tried to cut the branch, but I knew that wasn't a job for a sharp knife.

nMaybe the blade worked on intuition or something like that. I knew that I should be using a tool like that for that job.

nThis time it was different. This job was something that I needed the knife for, and there was no other that could do the same as it could.

nI swore I felt the knife… get happy at my comment? Maybe I was more sentient than I thought, but I would have to run some tests in the future, but for now, Nushi looked like she had gathered her resolve.

n

"If you cut them off, and you come back before tonight, then they will only have grown a little bit, but I am warning you, MAN! If you touch my hair…

" Nushi said as she started to get ready to give me a good ear to work, but I didn't have time for that, and I was done.

n

"Done,

" I said as the two horns fell away, and just like she had said, the horns were not like normal ones I have helped to cut off before.

nIn the past, I had helped on numerous local ranches and farms with things like dehorning, nutting, tagging, and numerous other things, so I was familiar with the inside of a horn. The horns had nerves in them, and they spared blood, and it hurt them when you cut off a horn, But Nushi's were different.

nThey were all horn and no nerves and no squirting blood, thankfully. I didn't have any talcum powder to clout it if I did, but that would look funny to see my shaking baby powder all over her hair.

n

"What?

" Nushi said in confusion as she looked at the horns that were lying on the bed now.

nThe Loose Leaf Dagger I had used had cut as close to her scalp as it could get without hurting her, and it had even rounded the cut. I reached forward and ruffled Nushi's hair a bit, and she puffed out her cheeks cutely like a spoiled child as I did.

n

"Okay, now you can barely even notice them, and now I can see your pretty face,

" I said, moving my hand down to her cheek, and Nushi started to blush furiously and pulled her face out of my hand.

n

"Shut up! Get out and go kill that monster my father told you to!

" Nushi yelled at me, and I smiled and turned to go, but the girls were waiting back in dog form, wagging their tails, and I petted each one.

n

"Sorry girls, you will have to stay here with the others while I go. I can't protect you yet, and I am going to have to move fast, but when I get back, we will try out your skills, okay?

" I asked the girls, and they nodded.

n

"Bringsss backsss some treatsss

" Mary hissed as I walked back to the door, making me smile.

n

"I will try and find you all some nice treats on my way back, do you all like fish?

" I asked as I turned back to the girls.

n

"Meatsss? I likesss them all! Mary said as she reared up and then grabbed Jilly and started to lick her.

n

"Get off me, you slobbering fool! Go lick Kazz!

" Jilly complained as she tried to figure Mary off but failed, and then finally gave up and let Mary lick her.

nI turned and left the room, I had already used enough of my time, and it was already the afternoon. I would have to make good time if I wanted to make it back before dark.

nI closed the door behind me, and there was no one around, but when I turned back from closing the door, there was a little old female red-skinned demon standing in front of me. I jumped back in reaction to the Demoness, and the old woman gave me an evil-looking smile.

n

"Good reaction. Mex was right; you are a wuss,

" The old Granny Demon told me.

nThis must be Nixi, but she was a dark red, not blue, but that must be what Jilly had mentioned about her being a higher ranked Demon. I was going to have to watch my words with this one; she didn't seem to have a problem with people if your kin were any representation of that.

n

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. I'll get stronger, though; just take some work on my part,

" I said, figuring that just having an ideal conversation would be best, and I was right, thankfully.

n

"Hmm, yes, maybe with some proper meat on your bones, you might be alright, but for now, you're just a weakling that my Grandson is taking pity on. No wonder that useless beast always stays number three, always being too nice to the natives, like they own the place or something. Your lot come through here and then just die anyways, but my dear Mex always wants to help,

" Nixi said, rolling her eyes.

n

"Well, I am thankful, but I do need to get going… what?

" I said in confusion as I looked around.

nNixi was gone.

n