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Tilly sighed as she waited at her table alone. It was about a year after Lillith's death and she was just getting back into the dating world. Kalliope, her best friend and closest confidant, had the brilliant idea of setting up a blind date for her. Yay! An awkward, enclosed social situation with someone she probably didn't know. It wasn't exactly Tilly's cup of tea, but the elf was insistent, so here she was.
The inside of the tavern was fancy, or about as fancy as New Landia got. It was a rustic-looking tavern with tall ceilings and thick glass windows lining every wall. From the center of the ceiling hung a giant crystal chandelier; Tilly was surprised it hadn't been stolen or destroyed yet. The waitress she had gotten was... less than nice, but looked at her with pity as she assumed, maybe rightfully so, that the paladin had been stood up. She had been sitting at the tavern alone for an absurd amount of time. Maybe the date had changed her mind, or maybe she went to the wrong place, or maybe she got kidnapped and now Tilly has to go save her and go on another epic quest with demons and monsters and dragons and-
However, just as she got up to save this hypothetical damsel, a patron entered the tavern. She was tall, with long legs that could stretch all the way to her head. Her gown was white, pure as snow, and seemed to be made from the finest silk New Landia could offer. Her hair glittered in the low light of the eatery as if each strand was personally crystalized by the Gods. She was beautiful, and she was-
Kalliope?
Tilly was stunned. Why was Kalliope here? Did her original date change her mind and now Kalliope had to break the bad news? Millions of thoughts raced through the paladin's mind as her elf friend approached the table.
"Hello, Tillius the Paladin!" Her voice was cheerful, as usual. "I am here to begin our date."
"Our- huh?" Tilly couldn't believe it. Kalliope? And her? She thought she still had a crush on Agnes the Asshatted; surely this couldn't be right-
"Yes! I have deduced that since our orientation, identity, and chemistry all line-up, I would be the perfect match for you. Well, after Lillith, of course-"
"Yeah, no, don't worry, I got it, uh- this is just, like, really sudden and-"
"Relax, Tillius!" The elf situated herself across from the warrior. "I assure you that no matter what happens during the approximately one hour and thirty-five minutes allotted for our date, our relationship will not be damaged in any way."
There was a pause as Tilly processed what her friend- potential lover? Had said. "Alright, yeah, cool..." She sat back down in her seat, trying to get as comfortable as possible. "Let's do this!"
BOSS FIGHT NUMBER 4: TILLIUS THE PALADIN VS. A ROMANTIC DINNER DATE
The date went better than expected; though the two had been friends and adventuring partners for years and years, there were still things about Kalliope Tilly had no clue about. Learning so much about someone she thought she already knew so well drew the paladin in more and more and, by the end of the night, she was completely enamored with her previously strictly platonic friend.
The two talked until the tavern closed for the night and their waitress practically kicked them out. They didn’t care; they were having far too good of a time for a Grumpy Gus to dampen their mood!
“Tonight was lovely, Kalliope,” Tilly said with a giant grin on her face. “Same thing next Friday?”
“Of course, Tillius,” Kalliope returned with a smile. “Assuming New Landia does not need saving by then.”
The shorter girl laughed. “Nah, that’d be fine too! An adventure with you is one worth missing a dinner date for.” She reached up as high as she could on her tippy-toes and gave the Elven goddess a kiss on the cheek.
Across the street, hidden in the shadow of an entryway, stood two figures eagerly watching the new couple.
“See? I told you they were made for each other! Well, after that other one-”
“Can it, Orcus!” Agnes gave the demon a look- or the best she could in the low light. “I’m just glad she can be happy again.”
The big red demon opened his mouth to retort, but, for once, decided to keep his mouth shut. Instead, the two silently watched the two disappear into the night, wondering where this new adventure would take them.