Chapter Text
“…You know, we could stand to stay a little longer, in the garden. If you wanted to, with me. I know it’s selfish, but… When I’m around you, I, uh.”
“Sometimes, I want to be selfish. Is that… alright? Am I really allowed to be?”
Choice “Let’s stay a little longer.” <PAID>
Choice “We really should go.”
“Let’s stay a little longer.”
Julian turns to me with a mischievous grin, eyes dancing.
“Ohh? Am I a bad influence on you, or the other way round?”
His smile fades a little as he settles back against the bench, craning his head up to stare at the stars. His fingers stroke idly through Pepi’s fur. She purrs and nuzzles into his lap.
“I, uh. I had fun today. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I haven’t always made things so hard. I used to have fun all the time.”
“Oh? What kind?”
“Oh, all sorts. Why, do you want to hear some stories? I warn you, some of them aren’t for innocent ears.”
“Before I came to Vesuvia. Before the plague hit. I was exploring the world, you know. Getting into all sorts of trouble. Not the first time I’ve been threatened with a hanging. Never got caught, though. Well, except for that time on the pirate ship…”
“A pirate ship? So you were a pirate?”
“Ahem. Not so much a pirate as a, er. Captive physician? I was onboard a merchant vessel travelling across the Southern Sea. Offering medical care for free passage. It was, uh… a spice ship! That’s right. Imported from Milova. The journey was supposed to take a month. But a fortnight into the excusion, we were attacked! And right before the captain took the final swing to lop my head off, I yelled… ‘Wait! I’m a doctor! And that foot of yours looks gangrenous!’”
Pepi looks up at Julian, startled by the exclamation, and hops out of his lap to go chase fireflies.
“So began my stint on a pirate ship. I learned a lot during those years. Mostly about how to talk my way out of sticky situations. I, uh. I’ve always been trouble, (Y/n). I know that. I can’t feel it more keenly than when I’m with you. Seems like it’s all I’ve gotten us into.”
“But trouble… trouble can be fun. Just not this kind. Not the kind that will get you killed on my account.”
Choice “Not this again.” <Go to Chapter 2>
Choice “I’m not worried.” <Go to Chapter 3>
