Genny, Third Person

Celica thanked the woman for her help and moved along with Boey and Mae in tow. Genny, on the other hand, was preoccupied. "Passably handsome?" I'll see for myself.

After walking through town, spotting a few cats here and there, and picking up random fish from the floor to possibly eat during battle, the four reached the tavern.

"What's your business here, kids?" an intimidating man questioned.

"We seek the help of Saber, and we think he might be in here. Would you let us in?" Celica replied with the utmost grace and confidence.

"Nah, I'm just playing with you. I'm not associated with the tavern in any way. Just don't do anything you'll regret later on-it IS a tavern, after all."

The four entered the edifice dumbfounded. A noisome stench accosted the group immediately.

Alcohol. The Mother wouldn't be pleased if we were here for other reasons. Genny thought.

Celica went on to talk to a woman about the seas and how there was a necrodragon roaming about. Scary…

Meanwhile, Mae and Boey were bickering over who could conjure the more impressive flame. They took leftover ale, put in their bags, and decided to use whatever they had to make dazzling displays of their magic.

"I hope you like losing, 'cause I'm gonna roast you!" Mae taunted.

Boey didn't miss a beat. "Mae, that wasn't even good! And I would NEVER lose to the likes of you!" Genny noticed small apples form on Boey's cheeks. She sheepishly giggled, wondering how a relationship between the two mages would even start.

Her stupor ended when a rough but slightly slurred voice pierced the atmosphere—

"You lost, little lass? This ain't a place for children." Genny turned around instantly to see a shocked Celica. No matter how many times she asked him for his help, he would say the same thing over and over again. Celica left the tavern somewhat dejected; Mae, Boey, and Genny followed shortly afterwards.

"We need to cross the seas if we want to get to the Temple of Mila, but so far, we have no luck," Celica admitted.

"Well, that's okay! I'm sure we'll find a way around it. If that's what Mila wants, then it's gonna happen, right?" Mae's words lifted Celica's spirits immediately.

Celica went her own way to talk to the people there. Maybe someone could get them a boat there? There must be something they could do.

Boey and Mae walked around the wharf together talking about how beautiful the sea was up close. Genny followed them around, tilting her head at each cat she saw and sneaking a fish or two for them to eat.

"Do we LOOK like the type to fight pirates? We're delicate little blossoms!" Mae barked.

Genny deemed what Boey said next to be irrelevant.

"We'll not make it far by traveling alone," Celica started. "We need allies. Strong ones."

"Yes, and mad enough to set sail into pirate-infested waters with us…" Boey added.

With that, the four returned to the tavern, greeting the guard.

"Wait a second—someone smells like ale… I'm not letting you in until you cough it up!" he threatened.

"Guys, now's not the time for fooling around!" Celica admonished. "I'll go ahead—you three should catch up."

Genny was the first talk. "Umm, I don't have anything. I don't even have a bag to put anything in," she admitted.

"Okay then—you can enter." Genny gave him a modest smile and left Mae and Boey to deal with the guard.

Genny couldn't really see anything, what with the smoke and the people in the way, but she did hear Celica's voice.

"You're Saber, yes?"

"Yep. Who're you, girl?" The same somewhat-slurred voice was a sharp contrast to Celica's.

That's Saber!?

Genny was about to approach the conversation, but decided against it. She lingered near the entrance hearing Mae and Boey trying to find words to explain to the guard what they planned to do with the alcohol. Despite the flailing happening right behind her, and the fact that she could barely make out Saber's silhouette in the distance, Genny gave her undivided attention to the exchange between Celica and Saber.

Celica took out a dagger. Saber looked at it with confusion, but accepted it, saying that he liked her moxie.

"She really must be daddy's spoiled little lass…" Saber muttered as Celica left the table.

Forgive him, Mila, for he knows not who Celica is…! Genny prayed.

Only after taking one last swig from his mug did Saber stand up and follow Celica out the tavern door. Immediately, fire lapped at him.

"The hell is this!?" he exclaimed. He looked at Mae and Boey who froze mid-cast.

Mae and Boey stumbled on their words yet again and decided that their efforts would only go in vain. Saber commanded them and Celica to help him put out the fire. Genny followed suit.

"Hey lass, thanks for your help, but we've got it covered," Saber told Genny. She finally made eye contact with Saber and dropped her pail of water.

His fiery hair… His manly arms that could carry me around and protect me… Not to mention his chest… "Passably handsome?" Hehehe…

"You okay there, lass?" Saber interrupted. Genny snapped out of her daydream immediately. She hadn't realized she was examining his figure.

"Oh, um, yes! I'll get some more water!" she squeaked.

"Thanks. I'd appreciate it if you didn't spill it this time…!"

She returned with the bucket of water and poured it onto the dying embers. Saber smiled at her in appreciation; she smiled back.

Be still, my beating heart.

His mien turned into a scowl the second he turned to Mae and Boey.

"What were you kids—actually, I don't even want to know. First off, kids your age shouldn't be anywhere NEAR alcohol, much less taverns. Besides, you shouldn't be starting fires with it—you should be DRINKING it. Maybe you two could share some time over a mug a few years down the road." Mae and Boey made eye contact with each other then turned away. "In any case, I'm done here. I've got a job to do and rewards and fame waiting for me on the other end."

"Actually," Celica started, "that's Boey and Mae. They're some of my best friends and will be traveling with us."

Mae gave Saber a half-smile and waved awkwardly. "Ha…iii…" Boey stood there, examining him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm here to bring you to the Temple of Mila, not to babysit you lot! Celica, I swear to the gods, if they don't prove themselves anytime soon, then I'm taking a ship back and leaving you guys to your own devices."

"But before you can do that, we actually have to get a ship there first," Mae bit.

"Hold on, Celica—who is this person, anyway?" Boey asked.

"He's—"

"The name's Saber. I'm a merc, if you couldn't already tell. Your friend hired me to help you guys out on your journey. Let's get going, shall we?" he responded. He started walking toward the wharf.

"Celica, are you sure we can trust this man?" Boey questioned. "He's a MERCENARY. He's after the highest-paying job. What if he's after your head?"

"Boey, you poop! Celica just gave her a dagger! That thing even LOOKS expensive! Do you think he's gonna betray someone who partially paid him in advance with something both practical and expensive-looking? Celica knows what she's doing!" Mae barked back.

"At this rate, it seems like I'M going to the Temple of Mila. Hurry up!" Saber snapped from afar.

The teenagers followed him. "Mae, you're absolutely correct," Celica smiled. Boey, thank you for keeping an eye out for us. But I have a feeling this Saber is someone we can trust despite his threatening demeanor."

I sure hope so…. It seems like he's hiding something. Better keep my guard up.