The storm still rages on when night came. To make herself useful, Rylai offered to cook their dinner. She checked the pantry and found some eggs, salt, tea, a sack of potatoes, and some pork and cabbages. A typical bachelor's food.

"Juggernaut, do you have any herbs or spices?" Rylai asked as she prepared some potatoes, pork, eggs and salt. "How about other food? What's in your pantry won't last when I'm still here."

"No. And I can only cook simple dishes." Yurnero answered as he watches Rylai. The haori looks like a mini skirt when she wore it and she really look beautiful. He mentally shakes his head, disturbed on what he is thinking right now.

"Oh, okay. I wish I have my bag with me. I got some herbs and spices in it. Although, maybe I can search the ground for herbs."

"No. You mustn't. It's too dangerous. You might get crushed by uprooted trees. Maybe tomorrow the storm will be gone."

"Hm, okay. Still, I think the food here is not enough for the two of us."

"Don't worry. I'll find a way to search for food tomorrow. Let us worry more on what we eat tonight and tomorrow morning. Here, let me peel those potatoes for you."

Yurnero showed Rylai his tradition of eating, which she gladly learned. They chat about ways of cooking types of food while they eat. After Rylai washed the dishes, she saw Yurnero bringing two slabs of birch wood and a rope made of straw.

"Juggernaut? What are you going to do with that?" asked Rylai.

"I'm going to make you slippers."

"Like what you're wearing right now? Cool!"

"Sit down and give me your foot."

Rylai did follow his instructions. When Yurnero held her foot, he was quite surprised to feel how soft and smooth her skin is beneath his rough and callused hands, how interesting that her skin is warm when she releases cold air, and how fascinating is the contrast of their skin color: his is bronze while hers is white like snow.

When Rylai softly gasped, Yurnero looked at her face. He could see her eyes are wide and cheeks are tinged pink. "What is it?"

"Oh, um, n-nothing."

"You're lying. Tell me."

Her blush deepens. "It's... Y-you're looking at my foot and, um... that's all."

Yurnero realized he really was looking at her foot for a long time. He cleared his throat. "I was just, studying your foot so the slippers I'll make will fit just right. If I made you uncomfortable of my, studying, forgive me."

Rylai smiled at Yurnero with understanding. "That's okay."

Yurnero nodded his head then proceeds to make the slippers. When he was finished with the other slipper and proceeds to make the other, he heard Rylai giggle softly.

Yurnero looked at her, who has pink-tinged cheeks again. "What's so funny?"

Rylai smiled sweetly. "I could feel your touch with my feet. Your hands are rough but I really like it."

Did he hear right? "You... like my touch?"

Rylai nodded happily. "Yeah, I do... It's really strange and hard to describe it. All I can say is I really like your touch. That's all."

Yurnero never commented and went back to work.

Back in his bedroom, Yurnero keeps on wondering about the 'inappropriate' thoughts he have regarding Rylai, who is now sleeping in one of the extra rooms with a bedding that he provided, and her comment about liking his touch. It was... disturbing... and fascinating... He wonders if she would like his touch all over her body-

Not liking where his thoughts are going, Yurnero forced himself to sleep.

Morning came. Yurnero was looking outside the kitchen window when he heard Rylai coming downstairs.

Rylai was still dressed in his haori and Yurnero thought she looks so sexy in it, and what he was thinking disturbs him. And when she smiled at him when she saw him, he thought she was so beautiful, which made him uncomfortable.

"Good morning, Juggernaut!" Rylai greeted.

Yurnero hummed in return. "Morning. The storm haven't died down so I cannot row you back to the mainland."

"Oh, really? That's okay. I wonder when will the storm die?"

"Maybe tomorrow."

"Yeah, I hope so... I'm going to cook breakfast now."

After they have a hearty breakfast, Rylai cleaned the dishes and kitchen. Then she proceeds to clean the house.

Yurnero grabbed Rylai's hand as she took hold of a broom. "I think it's not necessary to clean the house, especially when it's a rainy day."

"I just want to make your house sparkling clean. And maybe tidy things up. You know, I've got some suggestions on what decorations and arrangements to use. Would you like to listen while I clean?"

"... You really are persistent when you're focused on something, aren't you?" Rylai really wanted to please and be helpful.

"I am?"

"Yes." and she remains clueless too.

"Oh, um, thank you...? I guess..."

"Let me help you so you won't be burdened by such a task."

Rylai beamed. "Thanks. That's so cool of you." when her eyes looked down before facing Yurnero, this time she has a blush on her face. "Um, Juggernaut." she said softly.

Yurnero realized he was holding her hand and he lets go. "Sorry. Lets go to work."

They worked together in cleaning and fixing the house. As they cleaned, they talk about days past, giving each other advises, helping and arranging things. The work was done almost lunch time.

Rylai wiped a sweat with an arm. "Hoo! Finally, the house is sparkling clean."

Yurnero agreed. "Yes. It looks cleaner and tidier than before. You are very good at house-keeping, Crystal Maiden." he complimented.

Rylai giggled, pleased to be praised by Yurnero. "Thank you. You know what? That was the first time I heard you give praise."

"Hm? What do you mean about that?"

"Well, during the Defense, you never said anything... nice, such as 'Well-played' or 'Nice work'. I think you were more focused on fighting."

"Hmm. Come to think of it, yes, I am more focused on winning the war. A very memorable war."

"Yeah, you're right." Rylai giggled then looked at him with bright eyes. "You know? A praise coming from you means a lot to me, Juggernaut."

Yurnero remained silent, not knowing what to respond. As he watched Rylai prepare their food, he was very intrigued of what she said and how she looked at him. What does she really mean about it? He decided to ask her.

Rylai smiled shyly at him after she added the sliced pork in the boiling pot of water, and she shyly lowered her eyes away from him. "I really don't know..." then she returned her eyes on him, looking at him with warmth, her hand near her heart. "It's just that, your praise really makes me very happy, Juggernaut." then she continues cooking.

Yurnero continues to look at Rylai, forgetting to prepare the plates. My praise makes her happy? And the way she looks at me... How... curious.

While they ate, they continued to talk about housekeeping, then Rylai giving advise to Yurnero about gardening, then Yurnero telling her how he was doing in the current war he joined and his fishing business. Which then leads him to change the subject.

"I remember you saying going back to Icewrack and sleep a thousand years. Why have you not return there yet? The Defense is finish and you have no business with any war."

Rylai giggled. "It's too soon for me to return. I want to see other places, though it gets a bit tiring now." she sighed. "I really wish I could have a home like this one."

"Then go back to Icewrack."

"I will in the near future, when I feel very tired... Right now, I don't want to."

"Why?"

Rylai sadly smiled as she lowered her eyes. "... Because it will be very lonely there."

"... you have your mentor for company."

She looks back at Yurnero, still maintaining her sad smile. "My mentor is hibernating when I left. And he won't wake until a thousand years have passed."

"I see... How about your homeland? Have you visited it yet?"

She shakes her head no. "I don't know if I should return there... the last time I was there, a lot of people were mad at me for freezing their orchards and water... and that's why my parents sent me away to the north."

"If you return, they might scorn you again. Am I right?" asked Yurnero. Rylai nodded her head. "Mm. I see... Where will you go after you leave my island?"

"At first, I'll just travel, never minding where I'll go." then she smiled, back to her old self again. "But seeing you and how you manage to find a home, I'm inspired to do the same!"

"Hm? You will look for an island too?" joked Yurnero.

"Sort of. Anything that is an available plot and near a town is enough. I still have enough gold I earned during the Defense, my ward-creation business, and as a mercenary."

"Mm. I never knew you were creating wards and worked as a mercenary."

"I did just to earn extra gold. I really like to show you my first ward. I called it White Ward because it's all white and shiny. But it's back in my room at the inn... Oh, yeah. Juggernaut, do you mind if our dinner will be cabbage stew? We ran out of pork now."

"I don't mind. As long as you cook delicious food."

Rylai giggled. "The food would be very appetizing if there's enough ingredients."

After Rylai washed the dishes then went to bath. Yurnero then took the initiative to go out and fish for their dinner.