Ryft scratched between Tritckt's ears. "I owe it all to my loyal canine companion."

Tritckt woofed and then changed into his terrier form. Ryft arched an eyebrow. Tritckt was never a terrier. Tritckt was always great, imposing, regal, and somehow loveable around Ryft. Well, Tritckt still retained some form of that as a terrier, but really. One could not be reasonably imposing as a terrier. Transforming into a terrier meant only one thing.

The bell on the door jangled, and there was a man standing where Ayame had been just a moment ago.

"Don't you mean your borrowed loyal canine companion?" Tritckt had bounded over to the man immediately. Gate leaned against the doorway and tossed his head to rebeautify his hair--not that it ever needed rebeautifying. He reached down and gave Tritckt a pat on the head.

Gate wasn't anything extraordinary in appearance. He had chocolate brown hair and chocolate brown eyes and a fairly average skin tone. His individual features weren't striking, but there was something attractive about Gate. If one tried to tie it down to a physical aspect, he would say that there was something about Gate's eyes that just allured. Truth was that it wasn't physical at all. It was all merely charisma. Gate had the natural gift of being able to attract people--influence people.

This was Ryft's idol.

Gate strode into the store and delicately examined a half eaten box of pocky. He selected a stick and bit it. "Hmm, not bad."

"It's pocky, Gate," Tess informed him.

"Pocky? What a strange and wonderful creation. Now might you be the fair lady to whom this store belongs?" He directed the question towards Ayame.