Before Gerome could even think about talking to Lucina in private she was accosted by some of the women that she had made friends with. It was slightly annoying but it seemed as if she was relieved when the women called on her and he let her go. He figured that he would get the opportunity to talk to her later tonight. One of the women however shifted her attention to him, it dawned on him that she was Herald's wife.

"Ah Gerome, my husband said that he'll pick you up at the same time that was arranged. I hope you don't mind us stealing Lucina."

"It's fine."

And with that the women and Lucina left to god knows where. Gerome thought about getting more information out of Catherine but he thought it would be impolite if he forces an answer out of her, so he left himself to brood in his own thoughts. And brood he did. The older couple left him to his thoughts; they usually didn't pry into his and Lucina's past, especially after Catherine had examined them for a routine checkup. She argued that she would have to examine them anyway if they were to live in the town so they might as well do it as soon as possible. After seeing all the scars that they had accrued all together, Gerome wasn't surprised that the older woman didn't try to get the full story on the history of their wounds.

Gerome figured that he should do something useful while he ruminated. So he made clothes for the both of them. It had been sometimes since he enjoyed the peace and quiet, and he made sure to enjoy being left with his thoughts. He was to act friendly in front of others in the next few hours so he really wanted to relish the time in his private area. Lucina's worried expression made him worry, but maybe it was nothing. She hasn't had her womanly pains in awhile so maybe that was it. Yes that was most definitely it.

His thoughts were interrupted by a boisterous laugh. It was Herald. With a sigh, Gerome stored his work and headed to the entrance of the house. He might as well get over with this boys night as soon as possible.

"Gerome! Up and at 'em my friend!"

Herald really needed to stop clapping him on the back, lest he wanted to be flipped on his back. Gerome finally noticed Nicholas by the door; he must've let the excited man in.

"Don't drink too much boys, I'm sure your wives wouldn't appreciate having to take care of drunkards."

"Ah Nicholas don't worry about it, the pub is close and there will be a lot of us."

"Hmph, then I hope I won't hear anything about a bar fight."

"That was one time Nicholas! Jacob insulted my little brother and I had to defend his honor. You would know, right Gerome?"

Gerome wanted to stay out of whatever past problems had happened so he merely grunted. Nicholas merely shook his head and ushered the men out. The trek to the bar was very short and the distraction of Herald's talking made the distance feel even shorter. Entering the pub, Gerome could see that it was a lively establishment. It was after work hours, and with a town of a little over 150 it had plenty of customers. Gerome wasn't really sure how Herald navigated between the crowd of people but the two eventually found their table.

There were 3 other men occupying the table and Gerome was able to identify them as Herald's friends.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting boys, here's the new addition to the town that I've been talking about!"

After introductions were made Gerome observed the 3 other men a bit. The oldest out of all of them was named Marcus. He looked to be in his mid-to-late 20s, and was very calm looking. Apparently he was raising his daughter by himself, and his aforementioned daughter was being taken care of by his sister currently. His daughter was almost 6. Another one of the men looked to be about his and Herald's age. His name was Thomas and he had 4 kids with his 5th on the way. He was even more excitable than Herald. Probably why he had so many kids. The last one looked a bit green around the ears. His name was Wolt, was Herald's younger brother, and was engaged. Herald spoke up.

"We may seem a bit boring, but we stick close to each other and that's a lot of fun in itself."

Was Herald afraid that Gerome didn't want to hang around with them? He had to admit, he wasn't really sure what to make of this group of family men. They seemed nice enough and he couldn't care less that most were older than him. He knew that what he lacked for in age he made up for in experience.

"It's a fine group you have here Herald."

Herald instantly lit up.

"Why don't we get you a drink? Two whiskeys, straight."

Gerome really wasn't that much of a liquor man, he preferred the lighter drinks to keep sober. A Roseanne wine would be nice but the men might've made idiotic comments if he ordered one. The first time he made such a request when he was Inigo's "wingman" he was almost laughed at by the whole bar. Inigo never let him live it down.

"So Gerome, what did you do before you came to our humble town?" Marcus gave him a questioning stare as he spoke.

"My wife and I fought in the war."

Gerome wasn't really sure what the official name of the war against Grima was. In fact he didn't even know if the general population knew that the war extended to fighting the giant dragon. Either way both conflicts were bloody.

"You two actually fought?! What side were you guys on?"

Wolt seemed excited. Gerome didn't blame him too much; he was pretty much a kid. All 4 men were quiet, no doubt waiting for his response.

"We fought on the side of Ylisse. It was Lucina's motherland."

"What brought you guys here?" It was Thomas that spoke up this time.

The server brought Herald and Gerome their drinks. Gerome sipped out of the pewter mug, the liquor made him hot. He took another sip for he needed a loose tongue if he were to spend the night talking about the war.

"We wanted respite."

The more questions about the war the men asked the more Gerome drank. He didn't really mind the questions, even if they annoyed him. If the line of questioning became sensitive he simply redirected the topic, and the liquor wasn't too bad. He wasn't paying after all.

Gerome knew he was screwed when he had his 7th glass of whiskey. Herald got the good stuff so he didn't notice the alcohol creep up on him till he stood up to go to the bathroom. It didn't help that he hadn't drank alcohol since the last time him and Inigo went bar hopping. He could handle his drink, but reminiscing about the war carried him away and before he knew it he was drunk.

When he came back the men were a bit jollier. Seems like they had enough talk about the war. Maybe he can keep quiet for once and enjoy his drink in peace. It took him awhile to register what the men were talking about but when they did his face was on fire. Gods they were talking about their wives. Well it was more like Herald and Thomas were boasting, Wolt was looking down in embarrassment, and Marcus was dozing in a drunken stupor. Gerome kept quiet while sipping his drink; he didn't want the two men to bring him into their pissing contest. He cursed his look when he was the center of attention. What did they say?

"Hey Gerome, how do you and yer wife do it when the old folks are home?"

Gods, Thomas was shameless.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about."

He feigned ignorance; he did not want his and Lucina's private affairs out in the open. The very thought of it made him mortified.

"Come now Gerome, you two are young and married. There's no way the two of you haven't done anything."

Now that Herald had spoken the whole table focused their attentions on Gerome. Dastards. Gerome took a gulp of his drink.

"Even if me and Lucina were being indecent in the mayor's house, I wouldn't tell you."

Thomas raised his eyebrow. He looked incredulous.

"Come on man! It's not like we want you to tell us every detail on how you two do it, just like you know…"

"We haven't done anything!"

The men looked shocked, gods they were misunderstanding.

"It's not what you're thinking! We've done…stuff but not something so disrespectful as do something in the mayor's house."

He finished his drink and ordered more. He really needed a drink. Maybe his mask as well.

"Haven't you guys been in the mayor's place for a month?"

Even Wolt had joined in on the conversation now. The server gave him another mug full of liquor. Herald ordered a whole bottle. Fucking great, they were going to keep him here till he was puking up his insides.

"Yes."

He took another gulp. Damn he was dizzy.

"Have you guys at least consummated yer marriage?"

"Of course Thomas."

He didn't mean to be so curt but he was greatly annoyed now. It was a shame that if he decided to run he would most likely stumble and fall flat on his face. He wasn't sure if he'd rather undertake that embarrassment over the embarrassment of his love woes.

"When was the last time you had sex?"

Herald looked very concerned.

"None of your business."

"It looks like not in awhile then."

"Gods why do you four have to look at me like that. It's only been a month."

In truth he had been sorely missing Lucina's touch, but it was just too awkward for the both of them to do anything. There had also been some tension between them lately, he just wasn't sure why. He stopped his thoughts abruptly. He was not going to think about this here of all places.

"Holy shit we've got to get the missy to help our poor man out."

"No way. Even if I wanted us to do…anything, we won't"

"What do you mean?"

"Bah, I'm not going to say anymore about this."

He was done with this talk and they knew not to pressure him. He looked awfully mad and they didn't want to give him any reason to start something. He was grateful that they stopped talking about their wives and had even left him alone to simmer down. He was in a sour mood and hell if he was in a pub he might as well get drunk.