Archive of Our Own

A sizable party of alchemists and their friends now entered the streets of the vast water city of Stellard. Over them hung a mix of exhaustion from fighting the massive slag guarding the city’s water purification device, and relief over the fact it was possible to get it fully functioning again, thus saving the city and its surroundings from being swallowed by drought and the Dusk. Spearheading the party was an ecstatic Shallotte.

“We really did it! We saved the city! Now there’s finally no need to worry, and even Stera’s hometown should be safe” Shallotte turned around to face the others that she had gotten some steps ahead of.

“That’s right. It’s such a relief” Shallistera smiled slightly, as much as her tired face could smile.

“Hehehe! That it is, and we’re basically heroes now! I’ll be raking in the cash like nothing after this!” Shallotte had already painted a picture in her head of people coming from far and wide to hire the hero Shallotte, but that might be a tad unrealistic.

“Lotte, I can’t understand how you have so much energy after that battle we had” Shallistera sighed. Physically Shallotte is also exhausted, but mentally she's on fire.

“Heh, how could I not after saving my home city together with my closest friends! Hey I know! We should throw a party to celebrate our success today!” Shallotte jumped in excitement, they have to have a party for something this big, she won't take no as an answer.

“I think that sounds like a lovely idea, although there’s not really time to make anything fancy, maybe just some basic pies” Escha scratched her chin in thought.

“But Escha, isn’t the most important part the company anyway? We can just buy some snacks and drinks and hang out, no need to be more fancy than that” Logy suggested from the sideline.

“Miruca’s still underage, so no alcoholic drinks” Jurie said while she grabbed her younger sister’s shoulder.

“Sis, just mind your own business” Miruca glared back at her sister.

“That’s sounds fine anyway, I’m not good with alcohol” Ayesha giggled quietly.

“What! Now I kind of want to see Ayesha turning into a violent drunkard!” Shallotte exclaimed to the shock of several of the present parties.

“Oh I don’t turn violent, I just start slurring a lot, making no sense and then pass out… It’s not a pretty sight” That sounded a lot less exciting than Shallotte first thought.

“Okay we’ll skip that then. What about you master Wilbell?” Shallotte turned towards her master, the witch Wilbell who hid her face with the brim of her large hat to not show how tired she actually was. She can't admit it but Shallotte has learned to tell when she's tired.

“Yeah I’ll be there, someone has to make sure you don’t go crazy” Wilbell grinned, lifting the hat just enough to make the grin obvious to Shallotte who fell right into the trap.

“What? I won’t do that. But I do have so much energy it feels like I could run several laps around the city… But since we all agree we should split up, then we should each bring something with us later to the town square!”

“I might have time to make some apple pies then!” Escha pumped her arms in newfound energy.

“Hmph, sounds like an unproductive activity, but I suppose my apprentice will give me a verbal trashing if I don’t show up” Keithgriff muttered from the back.

“Oh Keith. It’s kind of boring when you know what I’m going to say before I say it” Ayesha turned to smile at him. Shallotte haven’t yet dared to ask, but aren’t those two just too in each other’s heads to not be dating?

“Then I’ll see you in a bit!” Shallotte called out before she ran off, leaving everyone else behind. She had to make time to visit her mom and tell her the awesome news after all, and Raoul as well, and Perriend too, so much to do but so little time, but she couldn’t be happier right now.

A few hours went by where they did their own thing. Shallotte found some strange types of candy at Katla's shop that she brought with her. Although the obvious winner was Escha who had time to make several pies that she proudly showed off. As the sky slowly turned orange groups had formed to talk about their experiences over these exciting times. Shallotte and Wilbell had left the discussion and seated themselves at a table from which they could see everyone else, and had a good selection of snacks.

“Hehe, this is great!” Shallotte threw a small biscuit into her mouth and swallowed it whole before glancing over towards Wilbell who rested her head on her fist, and her eyelids looked heavy. “But you seem really tired master” 

“Huh!?” Wilbell flinched and reflexively straightened herself back to her stoic self, but then she sighed. “It’s not that bad, really, I think it’s just you who are weird that you aren’t tired at all” 

“Hehehe! You know I’m always full of energy, that’s my redeeming feature! But it’s really not that strange, since right now I’m happier than I have ever been! How could I not feel excited about that? And in fact, so much of it is thanks to you master Wilbell!” Shallotte smiled at Wilbell who widened her eyes

“W-What!? Now you’re exaggerating way too much!” The flustered Wilbell waved her hands as if to defend herself from Shallotte's praise.

“Not at all. Ever since that first day we met my life has changed completely. I got a goal for my life, people started depending on me, and at every step I had a master that supported me, even when she herself didn’t know what to do. And now I’ve not just reached my original goals, but even surpassed them!” Shallotte grabbed Wilbell’s hand and smiled at her “So thank you so much master Wilbell, I mean it!” Wilbell blushed from ear to ear from the accolades she received and looked away.

“I still think you give me too much credit, anyone would have helped you after seeing you so desperate that day, but I guess it would be rude to not say you’re welcome” Shallotte was happy to get the acknowledgement she wanted from Wilbell, although she kept being shy and looking away.

“But not anyone did, you did” Wilbell got a light shade of pink on her cheeks, Shallotte giggled at the fact Wilbell couldn't handle praise at all. “And you’re cute when you get embarrassed”

“I-I’m not embarrassed! We’re just sitting close to an open flame!” Said open flames were at least 5 full meters away from them, but Shallotte saw no reason to pry, she just covered her mouth and kept giggling at the fact her master couldn’t be honest with herself.

Shallotte put the teasing on pause and reached out to grab and quickly gobbled down one of Solle’s candies, delicious as always, practically melts the moment it touches your tongue. She then laid eyes upon a box of chocolate snacks that she herself had brought to the gathering, and she got an idea, she wasn't done teasing after all.

“Well I have come a long way since we first met. So therefore I challenge you master Wilbell to show you that I’m not just a simple apprentice anymore, but in fact a master in my own right!” Wilbell looked back at Shallotte with furrowed brows.

“What's gotten into your head? And challenge me to what? I can't do alchemy and you can't do magic. It would be pointless when knowing the results beforehand” Shallotte grinned and glared at Wilbell, she's right, something like that would be boring. The game Shallotte had in mind was one that tested your nerves and determination.

“Hehe! I Shallotte challenge you Wilbell at the pocky game!” Shallotte stretched out an arm and pointed right at Wilbell's face, but got no response beyond a stare and a slight flinch from her.

“… And what does that mean?” Wilbell didn't know about the game, well neither did Shallotte before today so she can understand. Shallotte reached out and grabbed the box of chocolates and pulled out a stick covered in chocolate that she held between her fingers.

“I got these from Katla who's the one who told me about this game. Two people face each other and each put one end of the stick into their mouths. Then you nibble at it so your lips get closer and closer, and the first to pull away at the embarrassment of potentially kissing loses” Shallotte gave a sly smile.

“Sounds like a childish game” Wilbell looked away, but Shallotte isn't letting this challenge go.

“Oh, are you scared? Guess you weren’t much of a master after all” Shallotte held up her head and smiled smugly, and she heard a tapping from Wilbell’s foot that proved she got hit in a weak spot.

“Just give me that” Wilbell turned so she straddled the bench and glared right into Shallotte's eyes, and Shallotte turned to face her opponent head on.

“Guess the game is on then” Shallotte held the stick between them as they kept glaring as mind games. Then they both reached out to put their respective ends into their mouths and the game was on.

Neither of them wasted any time and went straight on the offense. They approached each other quickly and neither surrendered, so their lips ended up making contact, Wilbell's lips were quite soft, and her eyes were shining from so close, but Shallotte fought the embarrassment at the sensations. After a few seconds in that intimate position, Wilbell pulled away with reddened cheeks, and Shallotte got a big grin again.

“Guess you took my first kiss there hehe, but I took the win so I guess I’m the new master” Shallotte also blushed but not as bad as Wilbell, but it was the truth. Shallotte hadn't thought closer about the fact it would be her first kiss until it happened, but although unexpected, it's not so bad to have the first be with Wilbell.

“W-what are you saying? And I-I just wasn’t ready for what the game meant, in a rematch you would stand no chance at all now that I’m prepared! And don’t you think for a second that I’ll call you master!” Wilbell grunted and grabbed a new stick that she now held between them, she still blushed slightly even while glaring at Shallotte and it made Shallotte giggle again at the sheer cuteness of her blushing pouty face.

“Hehe, if you’re so sore about it then I’ll accept the challenge” Again they took their positions, and just as before none of them chickened out before their lips made contact. Their respective blushing heating up the mood. They glared into each other’s eyes to try making the other surrender, but once again the one who pulled away in the end was Wilbell.

“D-damn it” The blushing Wilbell exclaimed under her breath.

“Awwww, you’re too shy to win, but it’s cute when you act tough” Shallotte stuck her face right up to Wilbell again, the glare being returned was a telling one, showing just how ticked off Wilbell was at the teasing, but Shallotte thought it was so fun to see that she decided to just keep pressing. “So the winner is me, your new master. Come on now, call me master Shallie. The magnificent master Shallotte, master of alchemy and mormmmmm!” It came like a complete shock for Shallotte whose eyes went wide. From nowhere Wilbell had grabbed Shallotte’s face and pulled her into a kiss without any stick or game going on at all. Shallotte was frozen from shock and watched Wilbell’s closed eyes. She didn’t let go, and once Shallotte felt the sensation of a foreign tongue between her lips she couldn't handle it anymore, she pulled back so hard she fell onto her back. Then Wilbell stood up, Shallotte was flabbergasted and only watched Wilbell's face, where the smug smile Shallotte had earlier had appeared.

“Guess I got the title back there hehe. And with that settled I’m going over to talk to Ayesha” Wilbell got up and left Shallotte there, her cheeks were blushing like crazy and her heart was thumping as if she had been running a lap around the city. She slowly sat up, not sure how she should process what had just happened. The game was over, so why did Wilbell do something like that? What she did was outside the rules, and not to mention it was something that could be easily misinterpreted.

“Lotte, are you okay?” Shallotte jumped at hearing Shallistera's voice right next to her. “I didn’t really see what happened but did you and Wilbell have a fight?” So she noticed something was off with Shallotte, it's not exactly hard right now, but at least she missed the details of the triggering event. That would have been so hard to explain, especially since Shallotte couldn’t explain what exactly had just happened to her yet.

“O-Oh no, nothing like that. We were just messing around with each other. You know how fun and games can get intense!” Shallotte laughed, even she herself could hear how awkward her laugh sounded, but it was all she could do right now.

“I see, that’s good, I was a bit worried for a moment. Want to go try some of Escha’s pies?”

“Yeah sure!” Shallotte stood up, and glanced over at Wilbell’s back who was having a conversation with Ayesha, Wilbell started waving her arms around, showing Ayesha had also said something to tick her off. Shallotte wanted to go over and talk more, but she didn’t dare because she had no idea how to ask the question she was curious about. Instead she followed Shallistera to try the pies, and for the rest of the party she would only partake in idle chatter. Almost constantly wondering why Wilbell did what she did, but not talking to her anymore for the rest of the evening.

A new day had arrived and Shallotte had encountered some problems, namely that a certain event from the day before had gotten completely stuck in her head to the point she could barely think about anything else. She huddled behind some crates and gazed from a distance at Wilbell who stood at the edge of a pier with some book about magic in her hands that she was reading.

Since yesterday that final kiss had occupied an unhealthy portion of Shallotte's thoughts. But it wasn't just the kiss in itself, but Shallotte’s own reactions to it that had gotten her so confused. At first it had felt like something forbidden, but then after a while it shifted to feel exciting. Even now as she just watched Wilbell she felt a slight pulse at the thought of going to talk to her, even more so when she looked at those lips she felt yesterday. Shallotte had given this some thought and it almost feels like she's in… No she can’t jump to conclusions like that from something so small. But she can't stop being curious about just what it is she's feeling, so finally she swallowed the butterflies she felt and walked over.

“Hi Wilbell!” Shallotte waved to Wilbell who looked up from her book and put it away.

“Oh hi Shallie! What’s up?” Wilbell smiled, and unlike in the past, that smile did something to make Shallotte feel strange.

“Oh I just wanted to say hi when I saw you” Shallotte made an awkward attempt at a smile, her pulse had risen even further to the point she had big trouble hiding it.

“… Are you okay there? You look a bit funny to me”

“O-oh I’m completely fine, I can assure you” Shallotte waved her hands in front of her and grinned, and Wilbell tilted her head in response.

“Really…” Wilbell held out the back of her hand and put it on Shallotte’s forehead, making her flinch at the sudden touch. “You feel pretty warm to me, you sure you’re not sick?” Shallotte felt her cheeks were hot, but was pretty sure no sickness had a part in causing it.

“Y-yeah totally, there’s just something I need to find out”

“And that made you get a fever?” Wilbell’s questioning was valid, but Shallotte was stumped for an answer. The perceived fever was a symptom of her nerves, she knew that. But when put under pressure like this, what can one do but to panic and do something rash? So without really giving it much thought, Shallotte came to a conclusion and chose an action that wasn't unlike yesterdays. She grabbed hold of Wilbell’s face and pulled her in to kiss her. This time Shallotte was the one who squeezed her eyes shut, the fact she just went for it surprising even herself. Meanwhile Wilbell watched in panic how her apprentice’s lips pressed against her own until Shallotte pushed them apart.

“What are you doing?!” Wilbell took some deep breaths while Shallotte felt dumbfounded and just looked at Wilbell “Are you still sore that I beat you yesterday?!” Shallotte stood still a few moments more until she felt another emotional barrier inside her got broken, and it all became clear.

“I love you Wilbell!”

“W-What!? D-don’t you think you’re taking this game a bit far!?” Wilbell had a new noticeable blush, and Shallotte felt her entire face was burning, but finally she fully understood this new fact about herself.

“T-This isn’t a part of any game. I just realized that I'm in love with you Wilbell!” Shallotte held nothing back, it wasn't her style after all. Wilbell flinched in shock at the confession, and then Shallotte pulled her in for another kiss, but before that could happen, Wilbell pushed them apart.

“W-what the. G-get away from me!” Shallotte's grip loosened and Wilbell slowly backed away, and Shallotte could feel the approach of tears from Wilbell’s harsh choice of words. But instead of being offered consolation from her dear master as she had hoped, she saw the panicked Wilbell turn and run away.

Shallotte's whole face frowned by the feeling of having her heart completely broken, did she make a big mistake by telling Wilbell about the feeling she had realized? She never thought she would get such a reaction, did Wilbell hate the idea that much? She gazed up at the rolling white clouds in the sky and dried her tears, and realized she was just a few minutes away from Shallistera’s ship. So she took some long and deep breaths to calm down until the tears stopped, then headed over for a much needed chat with her best friend.

“Hey Stera…” Shallotte hung her arms and her tone dragged when she entered Shallistera’s ship, Shallistera stood at her cauldron but immediately turned to face Shallotte upon hearing the greeting.

“Hi Lotte!” Shallistera smiled at seeing her best friend but almost immediately that smile vanished and she held a hand over her mouth . “Lotte! Did something happen? Have you been crying!?” Shallistera didn't move, just stared with worry in her eyes at Shallotte who sighed deeply.

“Just a little” Shallotte dragged her feet over to the sofa next to the cauldron and jumped onto it, landing with a thud, learning that it was too hard to jump on like that and now Shallotte's butt hurts as well.

“… Do you want to talk about it?” Shallistera's voice was so quiet and Shallotte looked over to find a look of complete pity on her friends face. Maybe she really does look so bad that it's deserved to be looked at like that.

“I guess I do… Or rather I kind of feel like I must talk about it” Again she sighed.

“Okay, then just tell me all about it and I’ll listen to everything you say, and hopefully help as well!” Shallotte scooted over so she sat properly and made room for Shallistera to sit down next to her.

“Now that I think about it, it’s almost too embarrassing to say out loud” this was after all the first time ever that Shallotte had experienced love trouble, but she can't get much worse reactions than she already got earlier.

“Oh don’t worry, I’m all alone here for a while and I swear I won’t tell anyone about what is said here today” Shallotte put a finger on her chin to think.

“Hmmmmm… I suppose you are trustworthy” Shallistera nodded with a big smile. “So… what has me in the dumps like this, is getting shot down by Wilbell” Shallotte's revelation got no reaction from her friend except for an extended stare.

“What do you mean by shot down?”

“You know, like we kissed and I told her I loved her, then got shot down” Shallistera’s mouth and eyes went fully agape as she finally understood what the revelation meant.

“Y-You did what!? And said what!?”

“Yeah, I kissed her because I wanted to find out what these feelings that I had were, then I said I loved her, because I did come to learn what they meant” Shallistera’s face was still stuck wide from her shock.

“H-hold on, where did this come from? How long has this been going on!?”

“I dunno, guess yesterday at the party when we were goofing around and it went a bit too far” Shallotte felt glad she decided to talk it out, just saying it to someone makes it feel better. But she hadn't counted on Shallistera reacting so over the top.

“You did what!?”

“We just kissed as part of a game at first, but as I said it went out of hand and... unlocked something new inside of me” Shallotte made herself blush now. Shallistera finally gathered herself, shook her head and afterwards she could force her face largely back to normal.

“H-hang on, are you saying you are a lesbian Lotte?”

“… I dunno” a lesbian? Shallotte hadn't thought that far ahead at all.

“But are you attracted to Wilbell?”

“… Yeah”

“So you like girls!? I had no idea” Shallistera blushed at her own words. Could that really be what it all means?

“Well... maybe I am. But then again I only feel this way with Wilbell, like getting flustered, heightened pulse and wanting to kiss her. For example, I don’t feel any of that when I'm together with you” Not that she really had ever felt it for a guy either. Maybe Shallotte is just really picky with who she's attracted to, or their gender just doesn't matter. If Wilbell did turn into a guy Shallotte's feelings probably wouldn't change, although she would be a bit disappointed at Wilbell not being completely herself.

“I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel about hearing that!” Shallistera shouted. She seems to be supportive but man is she being loud for no big reason.

“Well anyway, back to the issue at hand. After I did that, she told me to get away and she ran off looking almost like she was afraid of me” Shallistera's eyes again widened to their max.

“W-what? That doesn’t sound like Wilbell at all. You two are so close, I can't believe she did something like that from just learning how you feel about her”

“Yeah, I thought so too. But I guess the bond wasn’t as strong as I thought... I just ruin things as usual by not thinking them through before” Shallotte sighed and hung her face forward.

“I’m sure that’s not the case! This must all be because of a misunderstanding. Can you think of anything you did that could be so distressing to Wilbell?” Shallotte scratched her chin, and did think of something.

“Maybe I did spring it on her a bit”

“I see. How bad was it?” Shallotte suddenly felt embarrassed about it and scratched her head before answering.

“Like… I said hi and then immediately jumped in to kiss her, and then I said the love thing” Shallistera gasped.

“Shallotte! Of course that would be distressing when you do it like that, that would be a major shock to anyone when it comes from nowhere, even if you are really close that is still a huge change to spring on poor Wilbell like that!”

“… Huh… I guess I see your point. I just didn’t know what to do about it so I just went for it without considering how Wilbell would take it” Yeah she's right, act first think later. Why does she always do that?

“That’s it exactly. You have to go apologize to her. I'm sure she feels horrible about what she said. But if you take the first step then I’m sure you can go past this and talk to each other as usual again” Shallotte thought about it for a few seconds before she stood up brimming with new energy.

“That’s right! I’ll go apologize to Wilbell and make sure there are no hard feelings between us... Then I can calmly try getting her to properly listen to what my feelings are for her. Thank you so much Stera!”

“Y-yeah, you’re welcome… But I guess I won’t be your best friend anymore then...” Shallistera looked down into the sofa. Now she's feeling down? But Shallotte has no plans to replace her.

“What are you talking about? You’re still my best friend! I’m trying to be something even closer to master Wilbell... girlfriends! So you have nothing to worry about!” Shallistera sighed and under her breath she said,

“For some reason, that doesn’t make it feel better at all”

“Well give it some time. Okay then! I’m going out and finding Wilbell even if I have to turn over every stone from here to the eastern continent! Wish me luck Stera!” Without a worry left Shallotte ran towards the door.

“G-good luck Lotte!” Shallistera sighed again as the door closed behind Shallotte. “... I think I need to eat a bucket of drumsticks now” Shallistera sat in thought for a good while. "I wonder... had Lotte played that game with me instead... would she have fallen in love with me?" Another sigh escaped. "Well it doesn't matter, but Wilbell should feel lucky she's sought after by someone as great as Lotte. I can't believe the audacity to just run away like that!" Shallistera had suddenly shifted to be mad at Wilbell, and hoping Shallotte would give her a proper lecture about hurting those close to you.

At about the same time in another part of town, namely right next to the city's main square. Wilbell had ended up at Ayesha's room that she rented in the city. The initial shock had passed and had Wilbell also feel the need to talk it out. She hadn't said anything to Ayesha yet who patiently waited to hear her friend’s worries.

“Ayesha... I think I accidentally messed up pretty bad, although I also think I had a good excuse for messing up!” Wilbell sat down on a chair and held her head in her hands, looking right down into the floor. Ayesha sat down on another chair next to her, putting a hand on Wilbell's shoulder to show her support for her worried friend.

“Oh Bell, it can’t be that bad. Just tell me what happened?”

“… I made Shallie cry, my apprentice Shallie, not the other one” Wilbell could still remember that sight she saw just before she ran, as tears were starting to form in the corners of her apprentice’s eyes. It felt like a stab in the heart just remembering that look, and it was entirely Wilbell's fault that her face looked like that.

“How did you manage that? You always seem so nice with each other, even when you tease each other, which you do a lot” Ayesha giggled while she patted Wilbell.

“I kind of know what you mean, I really handled the situation horribly, but Shallie went a bit far this time so I lost control” Shallotte doing impulsive things was nothing unusual, pretty much an everyday thing. But the meaning behind what she said back there, it would throw their entire lives for a spin.

“Oh. I’m curious what this so called situation might have been?” Ayesha tilted her head and with those always curious eyes begged Wilbell to provide the answer.

“You promise not to laugh?”

“I promise Bell” Wilbell took a deep breath.

“She… She kissed me and told me she loved me” Ayesha gasped and then she giggled. Wilbell raised her head from her hands to glare at Ayesha.

“You promised not to laugh!”

“Oh, I’m not laughing at you. It’s just so sweet that Bell has an admirer, and a cute one like Shallie too. I could almost be jealous. So why did you make your girlfriend cry?”

“We’re not girlfriends! Why are you always so dense!?” Ayesha giggled again “You’re just messing with me…” Wilbell sighed and tried calming down, damn these alchemists toying with other’s emotions.

“So what’s the problem? You and Shallie go together like a hand in a glove. Why not try taking that step?”

“Let me just get to the point where she started crying! After she said that, I said something really bad back…” Ayesha tilted her head, even more curious than just before “I Told her to get away and then I ran away from her” Wilbell had to look down into the floor, she felt such shame. Shallotte had put herself in an extremely vulnerable position, and Wilbell had stabbed her right in the chest.

“Oh Bell! I can’t believe you! Why I could almost smack you on the cheek for doing such a thing to poor Shallie!” Ayesha pouted and held up both her fists. She was obviously angry at Wilbell but mostly looked adorable.

“I-I just panicked and had no idea what to do!”

“You could have just said it back to her”

“But I don’t love her like how she meant! And whose side are you even on?”

“I’m on both your sides, and are you sure you don't?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Wilbell had already decided that romance wouldn't be part of her life since a long time back. And even if she's gotten really attached to Shallotte... That's just something completely different!

“Oh, Too bad. But you should give her a chance anyway, you might change your mind. The fact you’re so distressed about this show how much you care about her”

“Just tell me how to fix this and stop trying to change this issue to something else!”

“Oh Bell hehe. We'll get back to that later. But I think you already know what you need to do, you're just your regular old stubborn self and want someone to tell you to do it”

“No I don’t! That’s why I’m asking! This is not something I can solve with magic”

“Just go talk to her. Apologize in your own words and go back to being as close with each other as before, or maybe even closer hehe” Wilbell almost felt a vein pop in her forehead. Ayesha is making some big assumptions... That are unfortunately entirely correct, except that last part.

“You know you’re not one to tease with how much you might misinterpret the nature of your relationship with that old man!?” Wilbell turned the attack around. Ayesha and Keith are way too close to not rouse suspicion.

“Misinterpret?” Ayesha said with a smile.

“… Hey what’s that smile about!? Don’t tell me you actually!” Ayesha cleared her throat to interrupt Wilbell.

“Now, now Bell… I have a feeling Shallie will soon be nearby so you should get out and fix your misunderstanding. And even if you don't go further. At least listen to her with an open mind” Ayesha had stood up and looked out a window with great focus. Wilbell stood up next to Ayesha, and since they were on the second floor of the building they could see clear across to the other side of the main square, where a small figure that was still clearly identifiable even from this distance as Shallotte could be seen scanning over the crowds. Like she was looking for someone that hurt her...

“Fine” Wilbell sighed before making a wave and leaving Ayesha's room to head outside. Almost immediately upon exiting the front door she saw Shallotte again. Shallotte noticed Wilbell as well, and she slowly paced closer, without looking directly at Wilbell. Wilbell almost ran away again because she doesn't know how to handle all this. But seeing that pain still on Shallotte's face she forced herself to stay until Shallotte had approached her. She never wanted to be the cause of such pain ever again.

“W-Wilbell, I...”

“Not in the middle of a crowd, let’s go down to the harbor, it’s just a few minutes” Wilbell started walking down towards the docks and waved for Shallotte to follow, which she did, a few steps behind.

The few minutes between Ayesha’s place and the docks felt like hours with the awkward silence hanging above them. Once they arrived they had searched out a secluded place where they could talk without worrying about anyone over hearing, and Shallotte gathered the courage she needed to say the first word.

“I’m sorry Wilbell! I went too far” despite her nerves making her shake, Shallotte forced herself to hold eye contact to prove how serious she is. Wilbell sighed deeply.

“Not as sorry as I am. There’s no defense for me reacting like that”

“S-so… you don’t find me repulsive?” Shallotte could feel tears starting to form again, but happy tears.

“O-of course I don’t! I never did. It was just a horrible form of self defense at a new and shocking experience being thrown in my face”

“Hehe" Shallotte wiped away those tears that had slipped out and her smile couldn't be contained anymore "Thank you Wilbell, really thank you”

“Hey, what happened with master Wilbell?”

“I just figured, since I’m in love with you that it would be weird to keep calling you master” while she had long held Wilbell on a pedestal, Shallotte now wanted a place for herself right next to her.

“Okay now Shallie. I truly am sorry about how I reacted, but the reason is still there. I don’t love you in that way” Shallotte had an inkling, and couldn't hide her disappointment, but she can't just let it go like that.

“But what about that kiss yesterday? That was all you and it was so intense... If not for that we wouldn't be standing here...” Shallotte made herself blush from the memory, that such a short moment of contact could change her perception so completely.

“That! I just wanted to shut you up and beat you! There was no deeper meaning behind it!”

“Oh I see... But are you really sure?” Shallotte couldn't believe that her impression from that kiss was so one sided, it has to be Wilbell just denying herself.

“What question is that even?”

“Maybe I’m just hopeful. But I just feel so close and safe with you, and want to get even closer. I was hoping you felt the same”

“… In part I do, but! I’m still a witch and you’re still my apprentice for now” Shallotte's face shone up.

“… For now? So in the future”

“Don’t read so much into loose words!” Wilbell got a big blush. So there is hope after all, as long as Wilbell doesn't push her away for real, Shallotte will keep trying to get them both on the same page.

“Ohhhh! You’re still cute when you get shy. I love you Wilbell!” Shallotte said with a grin.

“Stop saying that!” Wilbell shouted, working up that cute blush even more.

“Hehe. You already know I have a never give up attitude, it’s my redeeming feature!”

“I said stop it!” Wilbell took a step back and shook her head, Shallotte had gotten complete control of the situation. She sighed and started walking. “Now I’m going back to Ayesha's place. We're drafting up a plan to go chase down a big slag early tomorrow, it's been causing a lot of trouble near the city and the Guild requested it to be eliminated” Shallotte had no idea about such a mission. She wanted to be part of that as well... Both for the excitement and for helping Wilbell.

“Oh, I see” Shallotte scratched her head as Wilbell passed her and headed back towards the square, and Shallotte just stood in place.

“You coming or not?” Shallotte turned around to see Wilbell looking back at her, and with a big smile ran to catch up. When Shallotte jumped to grab Wilbell's arm, she started running to try getting away.

The next day the trio had left the town to track down the slag in the maze of ruins where sightings of the slag had been reported. Despite apparently being large as a small house they couldn't locate it right away. They decided to split up and just after Ayesha had separated from the other two to check a different path they duo left behind was surprised and ended up in a fight with the slag. The slag had a humanoid form but about five times higher than a regular person. Its body was hard as rock and their attacks weren't having much luck.

“Hey Shallie get more bombs in there. My magic is only scratching him!” Wilbell shot out a fireball from her fingers but it just dissipated on contact.

“On it Wilbell, let me fire up the flying machine, cover me so I can get close!” Shallotte revved up her hover board and went flying towards the slag, aiming to land a lightning bomb directly on the part resembling a head. And she successfully hit it, the force of the impact almost making it fall over. But it also flailed with it arms and one of them hit the back of Shallotte’s hover board, making it spiral out of control. “Aaaaah! Wilbell!” Shallotte crashed into the ground some twenty meters behind the slag, kicking up a thick cloud of dust and going silent.

“Shallie!” Wilbell got ready to follow Shallotte but a lunge from the arm of the again stabilized slag forced her to jump back. The most important part now is to save Shallotte, and she has her magic wings as a trick up her sleeve. The slag lunged again and Wilbell hunched under the fist flying towards her so it missed and just hit a wall. She got ready to spread her wings again, but in a lapse of attention she missed that a large stone got detached from the wall and landed right on one of her wings. So when she tried to take flight, it instead pinned Wilbell to the ground.

“Damn it!” Wilbell cried out in desperation as she could just watch the slag preparing another attack. Panic slowly overtaking her at the fact she had nowhere to run.

“Don’t you dare touch my Wilbell!” a voice screamed out, immediately apparent for Wilbell as belonging to Shallotte, what a relief, at least she's okay. Shallotte flew over on her board at great speed, hitting the slag dead on with another lightning bomb to interrupt its attack on Wilbell. Then she grabbed hold of its right hand and hovered in place, and Wilbell could see how she attached a big bomb to the hand before letting go and revving to get away.

Just a second or two later the bomb exploded. Shallotte was still too close when it went off and the shockwave sent her out of control and crashing straight into a wall. But the slag took the brunt of the explosion. Its hand was fully intact but got sent flying towards its own body, punching a hole straight through and making it crumble into pieces in front of the shocked Wilbell.

“Shallie!” Wilbell called at the top of her lungs but no response. She had the time now so she chanted a spell to blow up the rock that trapped her and ran towards the crash site. “Shallie are you okay! Talk to me!” From the settling dust appeared a raised thumb, and several coughs could be heard.

“I can still move all my limbs with only slight pains, so I'd say I’m fine” Wilbell let out a sigh of relief while she kneeled down next to Shallotte and brushed some smaller rock away from her.

“I can’t believe how reckless you were! You almost got killed there!”

“Well I know, but I had to or it might have been you who got killed” Shallotte had acted on pure instinct after seeing the slag readying to squash Wilbell. She hadn't given a single thought to her own safety.

“Don’t make excuses, I’m an experienced magician so I would have thought of something” Wilbell lied, in that moment she had frozen completely, and without Shallotte's dumb heroics she would have been no more.

“But you looked so scared so I had to try doing something, and look! I defeated it soundly!” Shallotte extended her hand towards the remainder of the slag. If she could say so herself she’s feeling awfully proud how she took it down with that flashy maneuver.

“That’s not the point” Wilbell sighed again as she looked over Shallotte “You might not have major injuries but you’re bleeding from smaller cuts and grazes all over” Shallotte raised her hand and turned it, showing a trail of red on the back of it.

“Oh yeah, that’s true. But I think my bag is still okay, I have medicine and disinfectants in there” Wilbell immediately reached over and found an elixir that she forced Shallotte to gulp down the entirety off, despite her insistence it wasn't necessary. Then she found some disinfectants and a towel and started rubbing at Shallotte’s wounds. The stinging of the disinfectants made Shallotte twitch repeatedly. But Wilbell was gentle and even patted her on the head anytime she touched a new wound.

“Hehe, this is sort of nice” Shallotte said with a giggle, before twitching again.

“What do you mean? Do you enjoy getting wounded?”

“Not that part, but being taken care of by you. Makes me fall in love even more” Wilbell's face went red almost immediately.

“This is not the time!” Wilbell slapped Shallotte on the chest with the towel. “But this is exactly why this can’t work. Soon I’ll be travelling again so I can one day complete my training, and dangerous stuff like this will keep happening”

“Then I’ll come with you and protect you!”

“Shallie… It’s not so simple. The world is vast and full of danger, after coming so close to disaster today, I can’t allow you to get hurt again”

“Well I’ve been on quite a number of adventures now, most of them with you. And I believe I’ve proved myself capable, and without me here… who knows how it would have ended for yourself against a slag like that?” Shallotte glared at Wilbell, but got interrupted by another sharp sting.

“That’s…” Wilbell sighed “Some are too strong even for me, I know that”

“So it’s better to be two, two people are stronger than one. And since one of us is a magician and the other is an alchemist, we're a proper dream team!” Wilbell giggled.

“You’re full of dreams Shallie... I admire that”

“Hehe thanks, and I think I’m making some progress on another one”

“What do you mean?”

“Yesterday you said we’d never be together, but now you’re making excuses to not be together. I think you’re softening up!” Again Shallotte got slapped with the towel.

“Stop it” Wilbell went silent and cleaned up the last of Shallotte’s wounds, then kept checking her over until seeing Ayesha appear.

“There you are, where did you go to!? Do you know how close we were to kicking the bucket!?” Wilbell extended her arms and gave a brutal glare to Ayesha. If Ayesha had been here she could've probably handled it all by herself.

“Oh there was no problem, I could tell the situation was under control”

“Under control? Just look at Shallie!” Wilbell held up the towel that now had several bloody smudges on it.

“I saw how you handled it. I would have intervened if there was any actual danger to your lives” Ayesha giggled. Shallotte didn't really care and even felt some pride about the trust. But Wilbell was of course still ticked off.

“Why didn’t you intervene anyway!?”

“I wanted to give you girls your moments together”

“Why you!” Wilbell shouted but stopped herself at hearing Shallotte laugh loudly, mixing in a cough between every other laugh.

“Thank you Ayesha. Great to have your support” Ayesha tilted her head and smiled at Shallotte who gathered the energy to slowly stand up.

“Ouch, everything is a bit sore. But I can walk fine, but not fast” Shallotte looked back at her hover board, damaged beyond use, but probably repairable if she put in the time “Lucky I made a second one in case of emergency, might take a while to get this working again” Shallotte grabbed the board and took a limping step forward, but got grabbed by her arm which got pulled to rest around Wilbell’s neck.

“Let’s get back immediately and get you some rest” Shallotte got surprised and was about to say she could walk for herself, but came up with a better idea.

“Thank you Wilbell. I love you!”

“Shut up!” The pair slowly made their way back, followed by the giggling Ayesha who kept track that nothing would jump them from behind. And observed her favorite ship senselessly argue.

The sun had already set when Shallotte finally came back home. Her mom wasn’t there, and perhaps that was for the best since she didn’t need to see Shallotte covered in dirt, scrapes and tears on her clothes. She pulled off her shirt and skirt and threw them on the floor. Maybe her mom can repair them later, but she’s got extras, in fact a whole bunch of exactly identical outfits. They were bought in bulk some time ago to save on the family’s at the time limited funds.

Shallotte drew up a hot bath that she took a long soak in, or two baths technically since the first one’s water got too muddied from all the dirt washed off. But it was so worth it to soak for a good while until all the little pains from the battle had been whisked away.

While soaking in the bath many thoughts went to both the day’s events and to Wilbell. She had said she would soon leave to further master her magic, but Shallotte doesn’t want her to leave, or at least not on her own.

That's precisely it, Shallotte made a decision for her life, what her new goal should be. She decided that it wouldn’t matter what Wilbell says, Shallotte is going with her out into the world, it’s much safer to travel with two persons after all. This is even more important than getting Wilbell to fall in love, but that would also be impossible if they separated which made it doubly important that she didn't let Wilbell go alone. Even if she has to fight Wilbell for it, she will stand by her side the day she leaves Stellard. Of course… there’s also Shallotte's mom to take into account with this new decision.

Shallotte rose from the bath, filled with new determination. She put on a new set of underwear and just as she entered the living room her mom just entered through the front door.

“Oh hi Shallie! Just out from the bath I see... But how do you look!” Shallotte saw her mom tense up, there’s still some scratches visible even after the medicine and bath, but it wasn't that bad so she had to get her mom to calm down.

”Relax mom. I just got some scratches from a fight today. I’m fine now and we succeeded in taking down the dangerous slag threatening the locals!” Shallotte smile broadly to really bring the point to her mom that she was completely fine now.

“I-I see... you're always so reckless Shallie dear. But if you say it's fine then I’ll take your word for it”

“That’s good. So where did you come from?” Shallotte curiously had to ask since her mom rarely left the house.

“I was just visiting my old workplace” the Perriend Company then. She’s been visiting there a lot lately, and Shallotte knows it’s not to work.

“You visit there a lot lately…” Shallotte glared at her mom.

“What are you suggesting Shallie?” her mother did that Innocent giggle and leaning of her head that she always does, but Shallotte doesn't buy it.

“Mom. I’m an adult now, you don’t have to hide it if you're together with Mr. Perriend” her mother gasped.

“Oh my. Can’t two old friends hang out together without starting seedy rumors?”

“Come on mom. Dad’s been gone a long time now, and Mr. Perriend has been alone for long as well, and I'm well off enough to fend for myself now. If you want to I won’t say anything about it” Shallotte wanted her mom to be happy, and will support whatever path she chooses to be so.

“Oh Shallie, you have matured so much in so little time. But this almost sounds like you projecting your own little romance onto me”

“What! No way!” Shallotte quickly worked up a blush.

”Oh Shallie. Who is it? Is it Al?” Shallotte cringed with her whole body. While they've been friends for a long time she never had any thoughts to get together with him.

”What!? I have no interest like that in him, and I have too few mechanical components for him to be interested in me either!”

“Mechanical components? You can say such strange things. So who is it then?” her mom tried to smile so innocently that Shallotte would crumble, but she's not ready to talk about this until she's ironed out the details with Wilbell.

“I’m not together with anyone, and that’s the truth! Unlike your sneaking around!” Shallotte pouted at her mom who responded with a loud giggle.

“Hehe. Oh my shy Shallie. So it’s still in the chasing phase. I‘ll always root for you Shallie dear!”

“Mooooooooom!”

“Just promise to tell me when it happens” Shallotte sighed.

“Fine, but only if you're honest with me as well” Shallotte glared at her mom.

“Oh alright. But I was being honest earlier. But I’ll tell you if anything changes”

“Good” Shallotte looked at her mom while she entered the kitchen area. Shallotte wanted to talk about the prospect of her leaving to travel for potentially a long time, but her mom just looked so happy right now and she didn’t want to ruin that. She’ll just save that subject for another day. Her mom will almost certainly be supportive even if she’ll also sad about it, she can always count on the support of her mom.

“Now Shallie, get dressed properly and I’ll fix up dinner. I got some gifts from Perriend to cook up” Shallie looked down to realize she had forgotten she was still just standing around in her underwear.

“On it!” Shallotte got dressed in a flash. Her mom will be alright. She has people here who will care for her even if Shallotte leaves for travel. But enough about that. Her mom and Mr. Perriend will have to solve their affairs on their own, it's not Shallotte's responsibility. Tomorrow she's going to think up a plan on how to proceed towards her own goals.

A new day had dawned and Shallotte threw her fishing line into the water. You weren’t allowed to fish in the city’s waters but the pond she had seated herself at was just technically outside the city, but still so close that she could see Shallistera’s ship from it, although she wasn’t there right now. While watching the water that barely had a ripple on the surface, she pondered in circles about how to proceed with her romantic situation.

“Any luck?” Shallotte snapped out of her daydreams by the voice of the person having the lead role in it.

“O-oh hi Wilbell, you shouldn’t scare someone like that” Shallotte calmed down her breathing.

“Sorry, I was just curious”

“Well there’s not much luck to talk about, I’ve only got one bite but it was so tiny I threw it back”

“I see”

“So did you want something?” Shallotte had a realization and grinned. “Or is it just that you finally come to see my point of view and surrender to me?”

“No! Don’t always joke about that stuff. But I did want to talk to you”

“We’ll talk all you want! But just so you know I wasn’t kidding” Wilbell shook her head.

“This is just it, you’re pushing too hard for something that can’t happen, can’t you at least tone it down a bit?” So she's trying to get Shallotte to back down, well that won't happen any time soon.

“Nope! If I do that then you’ll just make a tsundere slip away from me”

“W-what!? I'd do no such thing”

“Really now?” Shallotte glared at Wilbell, wondering if she lied or just had such bad sense of self. But in the corner of her eye Shallotte now noticed a ring on the water right at her line “Oh finally!” She called and stood up to get ready for a fight, and barely a second later she got a bite on the hook. But Shallotte was unprepared for the force yanking on the line, she had no idea such a powerful fish could even live in this midsized pond. She lost her balance from the sudden pull and fell face first right into the water with a big splash.

“Shallie! You okay!?” Wilbell rushed to her side as Shallotte stood up, the waterline resting right at the height of her skirt. She looked down at her soaked clothes before turning around to Wilbell who held out her hand to help.

“Hehe, hahaha! That’s how it goes sometimes!” Shallotte shook her head sending water flying, then saw her fishing pole in the edge of her view so she grabbed it.

“Let me help you up” Shallotte happily grabbed Wilbell’s hand and got pulled up to dry land again.

“Oh man I’m soaked” Shallotte watched how the dripping water pooled at her feet. “Guess I’ll have to get out of these clothes so I don't get a cold” Shallotte grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it right off her body.

“H-Hey you can’t just strip out in public Shallie!” a freshly blushing Wilbell called out.

“Huh?” Shallotte pulled off her skirt as well. “This isn’t exactly the middle of the town, and look” Shallotte grabbed her bra strap and pulled it up until it released and snapped back into place. “I wore my bikini under in case I wanted to go for a swim. So it’s dry and no risk of sneak peeks!”

“Have you no modesty?” Wilbell's awfully cute when she gets shy like this, but she's worrying for nothing.

“Not really. If people want to look at my bikini then what do I care?” Suddenly Shallotte got a blush. “Or is it that you’re so entranced by my beauty and want to keep it just to yourself?” Shallotte gazed at Wilbell with a grin on her face.

“Stop it with the weird jokes! Come on! My place is closer than yours so I can dry your clothes and lend you others in the meantime” Wilbell again grabbed Shallotte’s hand and pulled her along.

“I-if you say so” Shallotte just got dragged along, but she didn’t really mind since she got to hang out more with Wilbell.

The pair soon arrived at Wilbell's small apartment just at the edge of town. Shallotte hadn't actually visited before but wasn't surprised to find it crowded with magical objects.

“Just hang the clothes next to the fireplace and I’ll start up a fire with my magic” Wilbell simply held out her hand and a flame shot out to light the rooms fireplace. She can actually be really cool when she does magic.

“Okay” Shallotte walked over to hang up her soaked clothes and simultaneously take in the room. There were a few brooms here, lots of magical relics and also some ingredients gathered during their explorations. It’s surprisingly much like Shallotte’s own home, just lacks the cauldron.

“Hehe. Wilbell took me to her place…” Shallotte giggled and got a glare from Wilbell.

“What are you after Shallie?”

“That you’re so bold. Taking a stripped down girl back to your own secluded place”

“S-stop it!? Okay that’s the last joke. Just listen, it won’t work out!” Shallotte sighed and finally felt that she was fed up with Wilbell's non commitment, she can't even reject the suggestion properly. Shallotte walked up to Wilbell, grabbed her arms and pressed her into the wall.

“Why?” Shallotte said while glaring straight into Wilbell’s eyes at point blank range, a Wilbell that she could feel was shuddering.

“B-because I’m a magician!”

“Oh yeah… So?”

“I have to keep aiming for that you know… and travel to dangerous places… and magicians have always lived on the edges of society”

“Already told you, I’ll come along with you, I’ll help you become a better magician while working on bettering myself as well”

“It’s not so easy! What about us both being girls? And with me being a magician, we would stand out like a sore thumb!”

“Guess we would do that, again, why should I care? I don’t think most other people care either, and if they say something I’ll smack them on the heads with my broom” Wilbell’s gaze trembled as she was finally stumped for an answer and Shallotte decided to keep the offensive going since she felt it starting to work. She took the gamble of leaning forward to quickly kiss Wilbell.

“S-Shallie!” Shallotte kissed her again. ”What are-” And again ”S-St-” and again.

“Why are you so against this Wilbell?”

“I-I already told you!”

“No you didn’t, you've only given me excuses to try making me back away. But not once have you said what you want for yourself” Shallotte laid one hand on Wilbell’s red blushing cheek and rested her forehead on Wilbell’s.

“I-I’m just telling the truth…” Shallotte gently leaned in and kissed Wilbell once again, a longer kiss, a kiss she put all her love for Wilbell behind to make her understand how serious she was about this.

“Hehe. You say you don’t want this yet you returned the kiss there”

“You're just imagining! And if I did it's just self preservation from being under attack!” Wilbell's breathing was strained to the point her chest heaved

“Wilbell! Just tell me, please, why don’t you want this?” Wilbell’s lips trembled as she remained silent for seconds upon seconds.

“I-I’m scared…”

“Scared?”

“Yeah, scared alright! The great witch Wilbell can be scared just as any other girl!” she looked away with moist eyes

“I-I’m not denying that. But what is there to be so scared about?”

“All kind of things. Just being a witch limits how I can live my life, I can’t just act how I want anywhere”

“That’s true I suppose” Wilbell often mentions how witches have to hide the fact they are witches, although Wilbell isn't good at hiding it.

“A-and I’m scared of losing people. I’ve almost lost my life multiple times on my journey to become a great magician. And if I ever were to drag someone down with me I don’t know if I could live with that”

“Wilbell…”

“And while I have plenty of friends, what you’re suggesting would go beyond that. That makes it even scarier, and what if it sours and ruins the relationship we already have? Being your master hasn’t been easy and has put me under a lot of stress, but seeing your rapid growth has been all worth it... I don't want to lose that feeling" Wilbell couldn't look at Shallotte at all and blushed from ear to eat.

“Heh… Wilbell…” Shallotte released her grip of Wilbell, whose chest heaved from the release of the nerves she had built up and had now released. Shallotte walked over to her clothes, felt that there was no dampness left in the fabric and pulled them back on.

“S-Shallie, what are you doing?” Shallotte giggled.

“You know Wilbell, I’m really, really happy right now”

“Um… why?” Shallotte took a few steps towards the door before turning to Wilbell.

“Because you were finally honest about your feelings with me” Wilbell finally looked up at Shallotte again.

“I-I was?”

“Yeah. I never knew just how much you had in the back of your mind, but now it feels like I can understand your feelings”

“Okay?”

“So now we have both shared our true feelings. And mine haven’t changed one bit after hearing what you said. I want to be by your side as a team, romance or not, I know I won’t regret that”

“Shallie…”

“Mom will have dinner ready soon. I think you need some time alone to think” Shallotte grabbed hold of the doorknob but before exiting turned around a final time ”But if you want to talk, you know where to find me!” With a wink Shallotte exited the room. And Wilbell staggered over to the bed and fell face first onto it.

“Even I don’t know what I want anymore” her muffled voice said into the bed, trying to regain some composure after having Shallotte tear down every emotional wall she had without mercy.

The next day. Shallotte had just finished up a quick synthesis of some metals for a request from the guild, Raoul had told her there was a shortage of metal for making both weapons and parts for sandships, and it paid well for the limited amount of work. Shallotte had decided to play it cool today, Wilbell had obviously been shaken yesterday, and while she wanted them to talk it out, even more she wanted Wilbell to be the one to take the lead this time.

“Shallie, you in there?” Just as she placed down the last ingot she heard the voice she had hoped for through the crack of the front door, her patience had been rewarded.

“Yeah! I’m all alone so don’t be shy and come right in!” Wilbell slowly entered the room, slightly tilting her hat so the large rim was partly obscuring her face.

“Hi there… I wanted to talk to you a little” Wilbell really is super cute when she's acting so shy.

“Always happy to!” Wilbell walked up to lean against the pillar in the middle of the room before looking up properly at Shallotte.

“Shallie, I’ve decided that I’ll soon leave Stellard to continue my training elsewhere” Shallotte’s previous smile waned right away at hearing this, this wasn't at all what she had expected to hear after yesterday.

“Wilbell, seriously…” Shallotte wasn't going to just stand here and let Wilbell run away, nor was she playing nice anymore. She walked up to Wilbell and slammed a hand against the pillar right next to her head, making Wilbell jump. “I won’t let you just leave me behind!” Wilbell shuddered from the glare.

“H-hey! You didn’t even let me finish!” Wilbell’s voice trembled.

“Oh… I’m listening then"

“W-well, I suppose… I just wanted to, you know… Formally ask you if you’d like to join me in my travels?” Shallotte’s smile slowly grew back as the words settled in her mind, until her smile reached a point it hurt her cheeks.

“Heheh, you mean it!?”

“A great witch never lies”

“Ironic that you just lied, or are you just not great yet?” 

“H-hey you shut up before I change my mind!”

“Hehe. I’m super happy right now! You finally came around to my side!” best day of her life Shallotte thought.

“N-now don’t go making too many assumptions. Maybe I’ve just gotten used to having you around, kind of like a pet!” Shallotte looked into those fidgeting tsundere eyes, then pulled Wilbell into an embrace. Wilbell tensed up and closed her eyes, the sight made Shallotte smile and she stopped to gaze at Wilbell’s tensed up face for a good while until Wilbell peeked out of one eye.

“W-what are you doing Shallie?” 

“Hehe, I love you even more when you get shy and cute like that” And now Shallotte took the moment to surprise Wilbell and pull her into the kiss she had expected.

“… From somewhere you’ve turned into a proper kissing monster”

“Haha! Well when I want something I rush headfirst in to grab it without a shred of doubt. It’s my redeeming feature!”

“You know, you say different things each time you mention your redeeming feature”

“Huh… guess I do, maybe I have several redeeming features?”

“You have a whole bunch actually, they’re just hidden behind your annoying quirks” Shallotte couldn't even get mad about Wilbell's teasing.

“Oh Wilbell, you know you like the annoying parts of me too!” Shallotte went in for another kiss, a deep kiss, and whatever Wilbell might say about it, she fully returned this one without hesitation.

“I’m home Shallie dear. I got some fresh vegetables for dinner. Oh have you got a friend over?” Shallotte’s mom barged in right in the moment, the mood turning awkward in a flash as Shallotte and Wilbell looked in shock at Nady who was frozen on the spot as well.

“M-mom!” Nady slowly came to realize just what it was she had walked in on and got embarrassed and covered her cheek with a hand.

“O-oh dear me. I had no idea. I just thought you two were regular friends, but I guess she is your girlfriend?”

“Uuuuuum” Shallotte tried to come up with an answer but failed.

“Well I guess there’s no point beating around the bush. We are as you say girlfriends” Shallotte looked in shock at Wilbell, with complete confidence she made it official without technically getting asked, in front of Shallotte’s mom even, that makes it like super official!

“O-oh my. Now I feel so bad, if I knew you were attracted to girls I wouldn’t have pushed so for you to hang out with boys” Shallotte's cheeks got even redder.

“Mooooom!” can she just not make the situation even more embarrassing than it already is? 

“And of course my daughter is in that age now, and here I just barge in to interrupt the moment” Nady tilted her head and smiled while slowly moving towards the door. “I-it’s alright Shallie. I’ll just get out your way so you can do your thing. Just put that green book over there in the window so I know when it’s safe to come back”

“Stop it Mom!” somehow she can make it even worse than Shallotte thought was possible.

“I’ll lock the door too” And with that Nady shut the door on her way out, and as promised locked behind her.

“She took that way better than I thought. But what was with that weird reaction at the end?” Wilbell voiced a question that Shallotte had already understood the answer to and slowly turned away with a blush.

“A-ah. D-doing that with Wilbell, it’s just too soon… But I guess if Wilbell wants to then who am I to say no?”

“What are you whispering about over there?”

“A-ahahaha! Nothing important!” Shallotte voice trembled so she cleared her throat and rubbed her face to attempt taking control of her emotions again ”A-anyway, did you just make us girlfriends without checking in with me?”

“What? You’ve made yourself abundantly clear these past days. I thought you would be happy?”

“Oh I am! Super happy in fact! It just came from nowhere” Shallotte reached out to grab one of Wilbell’s hands “So does that mean, you finally feel the same?” Wilbell retracted her hand in lightning speed.

“D-don’t get too full of yourself! Not like I could ever feel the same obsession you do!” Shallotte reached out to embrace Wilbell and puckered her lips, but Wilbell grabbed her shoulders and held her away. “S-stop being so clingy or I’ll break up with you!”

“Awwww, you like it clingy!”

“H-hey let go of me at once! Otherwise I’ll. Ah!” Wilbell’s efforts to hold Shallotte back and get out of her grip had instead resulted in her tripping backwards, dragging Shallotte along with her to the floor.

“Ouch” Shallotte rubbed her thumping forehead that had bumped into Wilbell’s forehead on the landing.

“See. When you just throw yourself in you end up getting hurt” Wilbell slightly rubbed her own forehead.

“Ow. I think a kiss will send the pain away”

“Seriously, how clingy can you be?” Wilbell glared right into the eyes of the smiling Shallotte. But Shallotte had already decided to not give in, and when they get into such a competition Shallotte has learned that she always wins if she persists. Although it took nearly half a minute before Wilbell grunted and reached out to plant a peck on Shallotte’s lips, and then she managed to wiggle her way free of Shallotte.

“So now you got what you wanted, damn I need to get better at standing my ground... I’m going out for to clear my head by flying on my broom”

“I’ll join you!”

“Alone! Geeez. I’m coming back you know. We’re not physically attached to each other. See you later” Wilbell scurried out of the house. Shallotte can admit to being a bit disappointed that she did, but only slightly since the developments so far this day was more than enough to compensate, Shallotte got herself a girlfriend. It wasn’t what she had dreamed about in the past, but now it had was a dream come through.

“Stop crying mom or I’ll feel really bad” Shallotte patted her mother’s shoulder. A few weeks had now gone since stability returned to Stellard. Shallotte and Wilbell were on the edge of town, ready to embark on a journey to master their respective skills. Seeing them off were Nady, Shallistera, Mr. Perriend, Raoul and Ayesha.

“I’m not crying, just got sand in my eye” Nady wiped her eyes of what she claimed was sand.

“Yeah, yeah mom. Just don’t go moping around all the time when I’m gone, and keep taking that medicine so you stay healthy” The medicine in question had been taught to her by Ayesha and Keith and was the final piece that made her able to leave for travels with calm, knowing that her mother’s condition would be stable for the foreseeable future. She had made enough for a whole year, by then she should have time to come back and make more 

“Do not worry yourself Shallotte, I’ll personally make sure Nady is taken care of in your absence” Mr. Perriend eloquently spoke his mind making Shallotte narrow her eyes towards him.

“I'll trust you on those words, but no funny business with my mom you hear?”

“Funny Business?” He scratched his chin. Actually Shallotte didn’t mind even if they would have funny business, maybe a new partner is just what her mom needs at a time like this. However, Shallotte's already decided to not interfere and let them work out whatever they want on their own.

“The streets of Stellard will miss your presence Shallie!” Raoul called out with a deep laugh.

“Stop it! I’m not just good for cleaning you know!?”

“Yeah I know. All the same the streets will be empty without the city’s energetic poster girl running through them, pulling everyone along to improve by just her aura” Shallotte got taken back, is that seriously how she’s seen around here nowadays? From once being just a poor girl sweeping the streets for chump change she’s become someone the entire city depends on? Now she’s really starting to feel embarrassed.

“Oh Bell and Shallie. I just wanted to wish you luck before you go. We’ll be leaving soon as well” Ayesha giggled “But I’m sure we’ll run across each other somewhere out there and cooperate again. Keith wanted to wish you luck too, I tried to get him to come along but you know his social skills aren’t the best”

“You should take off when you have the chance” Wilbell snarked at Ayesha.

“Oh no, life would be so boring without him”

“If you say so, and if there’s anything I’m sure about it’s that we’ll find you somewhere out there. Probably bumbling through a ruin without a care for your own safety”

“Oh Bell. I’ll miss you too” Wilbell snorted at Ayesha completely brushing off her comment.

“I’ll really miss you too Lotte. I wish I could go too… But I’d just get in the way, and I need to go back to my village. Even if the water is back there’s still much to do before we are completely safe. But I’ll be back in Stellard now and then. While I love my village there is just more opportunity to learn and expand my horizons here so I’ll work hard to foster closer relations between Stellard and Lugion”

“That sounds great! And don’t worry, you know I’m not going away forever. We’ll come back around now and then to visit and make sure the city and our friends are alright. And we’re the Shallie’s!” Shallotte grabbed Shallistera’s hand and held it up between their faces. “No matter the distance, best friends forever!” Shallotte grinned as big as she could, causing Shallistera to chuckle.

“Yeah. Best friends forever!” They both squeezed the others hand and held on for several seconds.

“Okay then Shallie. Ready to head out?” Wilbell asked while she turned and started walking .

“Yeah!” Shallotte went to follow Wilbell but had one last thing to say before turning around.

“I won’t say goodbye, just see you later!” Shallotte ran backwards with a huge smile waving to the others who waved right back to the pair. Shallotte walked up next to Wilbell, and jumped to give her a kiss on the cheek

“Love you Wilbell!”

“Hey! Can’t you just calm down for one second. They can still see us”

“Hehe. But I’m so excited! This is my first proper adventure. Obviously I’ll miss my mom and friends, but just imagine all the stories I can tell them when we’re back!” Wilbell shook her head.

“Well I guess that’s true at least. This will be one wild adventure with you along for the ride”

“You know it!” Soon the others had turned to silhouettes, and soon after they disappeared behind the sceneries. When they would be back did neither Shallotte nor Wilbell know. But whatever may happen out there they have each other, and always somewhere to go home to.