Partnership
My response was tinged with playfulness as I latched onto his mention of “marks,” continuing to tease him lightly. “Oh, you’re not looking to take marks, huh? That’s too bad… I like marks~.” My voice carried a flirtatious undertone, deliberately leaving room for interpretation as I let the words hang between us, a playful challenge in my tone.
As I turned to look out towards the forest, I allowed my tail to brush against him subtly, an innocent touch that added to the flirtatious atmosphere. “Any idea on where he might be?” I asked, feigning a casual innocence while smoothly shifting the conversation. My gaze shifted sideways, catching his eye with a hint of mischief, as if inviting him to not just converse but to join in the adventure awaiting us. The light interaction was an open door, beckoning him into the shared thrill of the hunt and perhaps, deeper connection.
His response seemed to be blunted, and I didn’t quite catch his fluster as he spoke, “This was my last place to check, honestly. Maybe if your scouts might have any information… I’d be grateful to know. And you don’t have to fight him with me. I’ve done this many times before… alone.” This response was irritating. Great, a lone wolf. I crossed my arms in annoyance and tapped my foot determinedly. “Nope. I’m coming with you. I have a vested interest in this, and my goddess sent me here to deal with the problem. I’d venture to guess that this desecration won’t go away until he is dealt with.” My tone was firm, my resolve clear, but just as I readied myself to continue, it hit me. He was flustered.
“Are… are you flustered?” I asked, my voice softening as a hint of surprise mixed with concern emerged when I noticed his discomfort. “Oh dear… did I press too hard?” Approaching him gently, I placed a comforting hand on his back, trying to soothe the awkward tension with a reassuring smile. “You know, it’s been quite some time since I found someone to be smitten with.” I admitted, slightly surprised at my own openness but feeling an instinctive truth in my words.
Attempting to lighten the atmosphere, I gave a small, encouraging chuckle. However, it seemed my words only heightened his embarrassment. After a brief pause, during which he seemed to reassess the situation—and perhaps me—he suddenly walked out abruptly. He stopped just before exiting, turning to take another look at me, perhaps reconsidering or simply needing a moment to gather himself before he spoke. “Alright, so, let’s start finding your scouts, if they aren’t back now!” His words, hurried yet firm, suggested a desire to shift focus from the personal moment we shared to the task at hand, perhaps as a way to regain his composure.
“H-Hey! I still need to wait until morning!” His abrupt departure made me realize he was about to leave me behind, and given our recent combat, I refused to allow him to continue on without rest. I quickly ran to block his exit, holding my arms and my wings out to fully block him, “At least stay with me tonight and let’s share a meal! You need your wounds to heal, and I need to recover my magicks! Besides, they will be returning later tonight; if we leave, they won’t be able to find us.” My voice carried a mix of urgency and reason, hoping to persuade him to pause and consider the practicality of my proposal. “I won’t take no for an answer~” My smirk returned, playful yet determined. The combination of my physical stance and mischievous expression made it clear that I was not about to let him pass easily, embedding a light-hearted challenge to my stance.
Haruki came to an abrupt stop as I blocked his path, carefully avoiding a collision. I watched as he processed our conversation, his arms crossing as he let out a measured sigh, perhaps reconciling his thoughts with my earlier words and gestures. A moment later, his expression softened into a smile, signaling a shift towards acceptance.
“Fine. I don’t have anywhere else to go tonight, anyway, and maybe… a rest would help me recover for a potential obstacle tomorrow. I haven’t crossed any of the Warlord’s lackeys, otherwise. You’re the first person I’ve come across that wasn’t a civilian since I left the city, and… I did expend a lot of my Ki on you.” His tone carried a mix of resignation and practicality, but his smile told me he enjoyed this. My excitement would not be contained in this moment.
“Yay!” My voice bubbled out with jubilation and enthusiasm as I wrapped him in a tight hug. I was very much a physically inclined individual, and it felt natural. However, I quickly realized that he was still mostly a stranger, and I became very aware of my impulsiveness. I could also feel him freeze as I hugged him, I released him just as swiftly as I had acted before, rubbing the back of my neck in earnest. I could feel the rush of color into my cheeks, embarrassment creeping into my very being, “I-I… I’m sorry! I-I like to give hugs and…” My words trailed off as I, too, became flustered.
Despite the awkwardness of the moment, I attempted to regain my composure, though the blush spreading across my cheeks betrayed my lingering nervousness. Determined to steer the conversation to safer, more neutral territory, I ventured a tentative question, hoping to shift the focus and ease the tension. “…what sort of food do you like?” My voice carried a hopeful note, clearly aiming to transition away from our earlier exchange.
It was a simple, everyday query, but one that I hoped would open a more casual dialogue, allowing us both to relax and perhaps even share a laugh or two about our tastes. It was important to maintain the budding connection, and I was keen not to let a moment of embarrassment hinder what could potentially be a meaningful friendship—or more.
Haruki stammered in response to my question, clearly caught off guard, “I–I uh… I’m not really picky. Being a roaming mercenary, I just eat rations or find the cheapest item to get when I’m stopping to rest. Your choice Kazumi.” He turned on his heels in a very stiff like fashion and began to walk away back towards the altar, then turned back towards me, “Where… are you wanting to set up to rest?”
I could barely process his question. The mention of rations sent me into a flurry of questions, but there was no way I would ever be willing to let him eat those horrific things tonight. “…R…Rations?” The very word left me feeling surprised and disbelief. Who could ever want such things? “Oh… no no no… that won’t do. Give me… an hour! I’ll have a place made for us, and it’ll be super comfy!” I ran out the door of the temple before he could respond, my mind racing already to determine the space required. “I’ll need… at least 120 feet by 120 feet of space… and then I’ll be able to cast the spell needed to build our accommodations!”
Haruki seemed to be quite perplexed as he followed me out. As I surveyed the field near the temple, he walked up to me, seemingly confused by my demeanor, “Is… this something I can help you with? I can’t imagine that you’re building a tend that large…”
I shook my head and motioned for him to give me space, “No tent needed! It’ll take an hour to cast this thing…” I made certain he was at a safe distance before I began to work. Settling on the grass, I knelt down with a grace that showed reverence for my task at hand. In my hands, I held my holy symbol up high, which bore the likeness of Sune herself, radiating a soft, inviting glow.
As I began my incantation, Haruki’s voice barely registered over the focus required for my spell, “I—ugh. Alright, well, you clerics are typically stubborn. Fine, I’ll just rest here I guess.” His acceptance, albeit grudging, brought a brief smile to my face as I continued with the elaborate spellwork.
Throughout the casting process, I noticed that Haruki didn’t just sit idly; instead, he got up after a few minutes and began to walk around the perimeter of the area I was enchanting. It was a simple action, but it spoke volumes. That’s…sweet of him… I thought, a warm feeling spreading through me despite the complexity of my magical task. His presence, his decision to stay close and keep an eye on the surroundings while I was vulnerable, added a layer of security and comfort. I couldn’t help but smile genuinely in the midst of my spellcasting, reassured and heartened by his protective instincts. Knowing he was here, actively ensuring my safety, truly made me feel more secure and valued in this shared endeavor.