Chapter Text
"Whew, that was the last one," Partitio puffed as he pulled his spear out of the monster, and it vanished into thin air. The group had been on the move all day, and each monster was almost immediately replaced by another.
"I'm tired," Agnea muttered, sinking down onto a rock. She screwed up her face when she felt the cold and jumped back up almost immediately.
"And I'm hungry," Ochette grumbled, shifting her weight onto her right leg, her face contorted in pain. "Ouch. I think I sprained my leg."
"We should let it go for today," Castti decided. She looked at her comrades for a moment as she settled down next to Ochette and opened her medical bag. "You're all injured, and it'll be dark soon anyway. We should set up camp and take care of ourselves."
"Sounds like a plan," Hikari agreed and helped Partitio unload his goods.
Osvald chose a spot for the camp several yards below a quarry that offered good shelter from the freezing wind. He then set up the tent with Agnea while Hikari fetched firewood, and Castti tended everyone's wounds.
Throné kept watch and occasionally exchanged a few words with Temenos about their next destination. After a while, the group sat together around the campfire, and all eagerly held their hands to the flame Osvald had conjured. Partitio sat snuggled in his cloak with his goods as he went through their supplies and sighed in relief.
"Okay, that's it. We've got enough firewood, some meat left over from a few monsters, and the tent's set up. All that's missing is water."
"I could go get it," Castti suggested and was about to sit up when the thief grabbed her by the shoulder.
"Castti, you just fixed us all up, don't overdo it," Throné started, but the apothecary shook her head and gently grabbed the thief's hand.
"It's really not a problem. I was going to collect ice flowers anyway. They're only found in this area, so I can get water while I'm at it."
The thief was absolutely not thrilled with the idea of Castti going off on her own and rose.
"Wait, I'll come with you then."
"It's just a bucket of water, Throné."
"I was going to stretch my legs a bit anyway, so I might as well help you carry it. By the way, didn't you mention that it was better for your back if two people carried it?" Throné argued with a raised eyebrow, and Castti grinned.
"My my, someone sure listened well to my lectures. But I can get it on my own, I have enough strength, you know?"
She tapped her upper arm, to which Throné let her gaze slide and bit her lower lip.
"I don't doubt that. I just don't want you to be alone in the dark, that's all."
Castti took Throné´s hand.
"I will be all right, okay?“
The thief looked at her with concern, and after a few seconds Castti gave in.
"Okay, if you insist so much," she hummed softly.
Suddenly, the apothecary's gaze turned sinister, and she looked sternly at the young huntress.
"Ochette, please don't follow us this time. We don't have that many bandages left, and your wounds might reopen if you move too quickly... besides, we can really do without the fiasco from last time."
"I was just trying to scare you guys. It was a completely harmless prank! It's not my fault Throné almost attacked me... and I attacked her in response... and Mahina attacked both of us... and that we got attacked by the monsters nearby..." grumbled Ochette, but she dropped her shoulders and ears when Castti gave her an even sterner look. "Okay, okay. Got it, Ma..."
The apothecary sighed, relieved.
"All right. Throné, shall we get going?"
The corners of Throné's mouth twitched up slightly.
"Ready when you are."
The thief handed Castti an empty basket and grabbed the large bucket herself. As soon as they left the camp, the merchant quickly turned to his companions.
"Okay, guys. There's something we need to settle once and for all," Partitio said, smacking Hikari on his arm.
"And that would be...?" the warrior asked curiously, looking up from his sword, which he was polishing.
"Throné and Castti. I don't know about you guys, but I can't take this anymore. Those two are definitely into each other, but they're both as blind as a rat."
"Do you mean as blind as a bat?" Osvald asked.
"... that's not the point. We agree that there's something going on between them, right?"
"I thought I was the only one who thought that," Agnea admitted, blushing slightly.
"It's really striking how much time those two spend alone together," Hikari murmured thoughtfully.
"And the way they shoot glances at each other all the time," Ochette reflected. "Or 'accidentally' touching each other's hand."
"In fact, I don't think it's even 'accidental' by now," Agnea interjected.
"Throné even lets Castti doctor her without protesting. Even Temenos couldn't do it," Osvald remarked, casually turning a page in his book.
"We have to do something," Temenos also agreed, "it's more than clear that these two can't do it alone."
"But... gosh, I don't know. Would that really be okay to get involved?" Agnea asked, concerned. "After all, it's very private..."
"But of course, Agnea dear," the cleric assured her with a diabolical grin. "That's what friends are for, don't you agree, Hikari?"
The prince's eyes lit up, and he pounded his fist on his chest.
"Of course. I swore to help all my friends," he said firmly.
"Why don't we make things a little more interesting," Partitio said suddenly. "Let's make a bet. We'll each bet 500 leaves. And whoever manages to set up our two lovebirds first gets all the money. Win-win!"
"Five hundred leaves? That's..." Ochette counted strained with her fingers.
"Twenty-five pieces of jerky," Temenos quickly recalculated for her. "And since you get all the money, and there are six of us, that makes a total of... 150 pieces."
"150??? THEN WHY ARE YOU EVEN ASKING? I'M IN!" exclaimed Ochette excitedly. Mahina chirped loudly.
"Mahina, too," translated the huntress, scratching her owl's head.
"Here's the money, Partitio. May the best one win," Hikari said, tossing him a bag.
"I really don't know if it's such a good idea," the dancer muttered, her cheeks flaming red, but her excited grin betrayed her, "...all right, here. It's not like we're going to hurt them in the process."
"If we don´t do anything now, nothing will ever change," Temenos added as he rummaged for his wallet, "the gods certainly won't help them. It's my job to guide the lambs to their destination."
Osvald just grunted and wordlessly handed Partitio the money.
"Hehe, it was an honor to make a deal with you. Alright, my friends. Whoever manages to set them up first wins. I would let declarations of love or a kiss count as the result. Or several kisses. The more, the better, actually. Ladies and gentlemen: Let the game begin!"
After a while, the tent entrance opened, and the two women entered, their cheeks reddened from the effort of carrying the full bucket and out of breath.
"Hi guys, we're back!" Castti called out to them, puffing and putting down the bucket full of water. Everyone turned to them and smiled so innocently that Throné raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"...did we miss anything?"
"Nope. Welcome back!" Partitio just hummed and happily turned his attention back to his finances.