MAJOR spoilers. Don't read if you're playing this game, or planning to, and haven't reached the fourth stratum.

"That sounds like a lot."

Zoran sighs. After a successful battle against the Boiling Lizard, the guild retrieved the Titan Heart and brought it to the medium. Afterwards, the small girl proceeded to nurse all of the Sentinels in the village back to health. After a night of partying with Kibagami and the rest of the people, Whirlwind ran off with the medium. The guild chased Whirlwind towards Yggdrasil and now these people with intense technology expect him to bring the Count for a parley. Never in his life has Zoran wanted to get involved in politics. Now, the vessels are in panic and the Count is stressing himself out. Zoran isn't quite sure what's going on anymore. There seems to be a struggle between four different races and two civilizations, and Zoran's Wagon Guild is in the middle of all of it.

Today, Zoran is walking down the busiest street in Tharsis alongside the landsknecht of another reputably successful guild: the Repertoire Guild. The sniper decided that after the craziness of the previous night, he needed some time away from his guild. The landsknecht next to him, Aether, is often mistaken for a young woman. The leader of the Wagon Guild has built a respectable relationship with the boy despite his preference of isolating his guild from any outside forces.

Aether, even with his commendable exploration skill and willingness to take any request, is notorious for taking several requests at once; finishing the first request he took last and sometimes neglecting the other more modest requests.. This earned him the nickname "8-Ball".

"You know it. I can't believe I'm in the middle of all of this. Me and Kathleen came here just to have fun. We didn't expect to be this successful. I actually expected to die in the labyrinth when I came here." Zoran explains.

8-Ball nods. "You very well can't die now. The Count, the Medium, and pretty much the entirety of anyone who lives in this continent depends on you."

"Like that's supposed to cheer me up."

"Hey, you said you needed some time away from your guild and you came to me. Bottling up your feelings won't get you anywhere. When the Medium was kidnapped by the Hollow Queen, I didn't see you so stressed out."

"What else is there to say, 8-Ball? My guild is too good, and now we've become too important. I'm beginning to wonder if the Count actually does see us as people or just valuable units to his exploration project."

8-Ball pats him on the back. "Don't worry too much about it. Some things get worried over much more than they need to be. You're a tremendous explorer. If you stop stressing out on the subject, you'll realize that it's much less of a big deal than it was before."

"I wouldn't know about that. One wrong move can end our lives, or possibly start a war. I have no idea what those guys who live near Yggdrasil want, but they seem serious and desperate."

8-Ball pokes his temple a couple times. Zoran is normally a loose guy. This the first time he's ever seen the sniper so distressed. His usual cocky smirk and confident gaze has been replaced by a disheartened frown and a soft stare. He's faced every challenge without fear, and now he's having a panic attack. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that his next actions may change the way the city exists in the future. Zoran always puts everybody else before himself, yet likes to make bold claims that make him seem better than everybody else.

After remaining silent for almost a minute, 8-Ball decides to ask Zoran a question. "Yo, when's the next time you guys are taking a break. I know you guys don't take breaks very often."

Zoran raises an eyebrow. "With everything going on, I can't tell when our next time off will be. Why?"

8-Ball's face goes red for a moment. The boy begins playing with his fingers before speaking. "I, uh... I was kind of planning on asking Nela out on a date."

Zoran stops in his tracks. 8-Ball begins to sweat, intense fear taking over his mind. Suddenly, Zoran starts laughing hysterically. In response to this, 8-Ball furrows his eyebrows. "What's so funny? Why are you laughing at me?"

The sniper attempts to make himself stop, but can't quite do so. "Haha, I, heh. I, haha!" Zoran just gives up and continues laughing. 8-Ball clenches his fists.

"Stop! I'm serious. You're embarrassing me!"

The green headed man clears his throat. "Heheh. Sorry. It's just, I didn't think Nela would ever have any admirers, nor did I expect you to go after girls."

"Says the one who thinks being celibate is the way to go."

"I never said it was for everyone. Look, I'm sorry I laughed at you 8, but your response was the last thing I was expecting."

8-Ball pokes his temple twice once again. "So, aside from laughing at my poor face, what's your response to this? Nela's really cute, and we've been talking a couple times. You're kinda like her dad. What do you say?"

Zoran gives him a strange look. "Her dad?" He lets out a huff. "8, you see, Nela, is.. well... sometimes I feel like she isn't even human. But you know what? I'm completely fine with this. Go ahead, do what you want. Try to get some romantic affection out of Nela. I doubt it'll happen."

8-Ball smiles widely. "You'll see. I'll make Nela perceive the masculine charm of the 8-Ball."

Zoran grunts. "Most people mistake you for a girl."

"At least I'm willing to go after them. What makes you so against romance?"

The sniper smiles and raises his eyebrows. "I have absolutely nothing against romance. I just think I don't need it."

8-Ball loosens his shoulders and pokes his temples once again. "That doesn't fully answer my question."

"Fine. I just have no need for it. My entire life has revolved around thrill and adventure, and I've had Kathleen with me through all of it. Getting romantically involved with a woman would just get in the way of that."

"Haven't you ever tried being up close and personal with Kathleen? I thought that'd be obvious."

Zoran stops suddenly and leans against the wall of the building to his right. "We have. A ton of times actually. It's never been serious, and it was usually just used as an excuse for some things. I've known her for so long, I can't remember our first meeting. She's like a part of me now."

"So she's pretty much your sister?"

Zoran shakes his head. "No, no. We're much closer than that. We're kind of like... how do I describe my relationship with her? It's more like I'm not really myself if Kathleen isn't involved, and she isn't herself when I'm not involved. We lean on each other, and we depend on each other. We make each other who we are."

8-Ball laughs. "Isn't that how you describe a girl and a boy who like each other in a special way?"

Zoran shakes his head once again. "It's hard to describe. No matter what, we won't fall in love. Either with each other or with anyone else."

"You can't speak for Kathleen."

"Actually, I can. I'm not hiding anything from Kath. Can't think of anything she could be hiding from me."

8-Ball puts his finger on his bottom lip, wondering to himself. What kind of relationship is that? He doesn't really understand what Zoran is telling him, but he seems to be content with staying the way he is with Kathleen. Kazuma is apparently another close friend of theirs, but he doesn't seem to be as connected to either of them as they are with each other. Scratching his head through his golden hair, the landsknecht just shrugs and continues walking. Zoran doesn't follow, but 8-Ball doesn't call for him or expect him to pursue him. There's a lot on his mind.

The kitchen of the Saehrimnir Inn is busy. Dalla quietly hums to herself as she cracks open an ostrich egg and drops it into her stew. Dinner is almost ready, but the only one waiting is Kazuma. Frowning, Dalla quickly finishes her stew and steps out of the kitchen and onto the Wagon Guild's designated dining table. The normally lively oak table is very forlorn and soft tonight.

"You seem down today, deary. What's this I've been hearing about the little girl?"

Kazuma removes his hand from his face and looks up at the older woman. "Kidnapped by Whirlwind. Zoran's dislike of Whirlwind just became justified. Now we have the weight of the world on our shoulders."

Dalla doesn't really understand, but she needs this boy to stop feeling so glum. "I know! Some Ox Stew should brighten up your day! I'll be back in a jiffy."

The medic silently watches her jog back into the kitchen. He hears and feels one of the chairs surrounding the table move, and then the sound of a person sitting down. To his left is 8-Ball, eyeing him closely.

"What's up, 8-Ball? Do you want anything?" Kazuma asks.

8-Ball nods slowly. "Your entire guild seems down lately, I thought I'd try cheering you guys up. I was out with Zoran a while ago but he stayed behind."

"I appreciate the thought, but I think that if you just left us alone for a little bit, we'll be back to normal in two days at most." Kazuma says.

8-Ball stares at him for a second before giving a sigh, smiling. "Well, I actually came to you hoping you would clear something up for me."

""And what would that be?"

"I'd appreciate it if you were to explain the relationship between Zoran and Kathleen. It ain't a normal best friends relationship, but it isn't romantic either. You spend a lot of your time with those two. Do you have anything to say about this?"

Dalla re-enters the room with an absurdly large steel pot filled with stew in her arms. Her face is as bright as ever, unlike the two boys seated across from her. "Stew is ready!"

8-Ball and Kazuma watch as Dalla sets the pot down on the table. It's a wonder how the table doesn't give out underneath the weight. Kazuma watches the bottom of the pot, scrutinizing it thoroughly. The pot definitely looks heavy with its contents, but the table just will not give out. Regular oak wood would not be able to support that kind of weight. Nevertheless, the table remains intact and the contents of the pot is fit to be eaten by at least four guilds. Kazuma gives her a quick thank you before turning back to 8-Ball. "Is that what you want?"

Dalla quickly realizes the tension that Kazuma, for some reason, has. "Sorry, dearies. Should I leave you two alone?" Kazuma puts up a hand and motions her to sit with the other.

"I'd like it if you were to listen as well, Dalla. You've become a surprising motherly figure for them. Something they didn't have growing up. I think it'd be important for you to know."

"Um, know what, exactly?"

"The relationship between Zoran and Kathleen. If anybody can explain it, it's probably me."

Dalla sits down as she is commanded. 8-Ball gives her a smile. "Wonderful."

Kazuma puts a finger to his chin. "Where to begin? Ah, I guess I'll start with this story. Valentine's Day. Kathleen and I were sixteen. Zoran was seventeen. I, an apprentice doctor, did not have the day off, but I love chocolate. The other two knew that well. As a result, the two posed as an overdramatic couple for several hours and came back to me with a mountain of Valentine's chocolates they bought with couples' discounts. Neither of them were flustered about it, nor did I see them go lovey-dovey ever again. They have no problem with feigning affection and they don't think twice of it."

8-Ball just stares at him. "So... this fulfills my request?"

"No. Just proving a point. I don't think it's that they refuse to feel any romantic attraction towards anyone. It's just that they can't. Those two are so close and so adventurous that they've become... eh... for lack of a better word, asexual. They've known each other for too long, and there isn't really anything that could pull them apart-"

"If one of them dies, that would take a great toll on the other."

Kazuma smiles slightly. "It's hard to imagine something like that. If I had to tell you the truth, I don't think either of them will reach the age of 30, and they'll both die the same horrible death. That's just how attached they are."

"I still don't really understand the relationship between them."

"I guess you can call the relationship between them a best friends' relationship, but it's almost like they're the same person. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that they do everything together. Have you realized that when they're not exploring, they're usually doing something together?"

Dalla nods her head. "I have."

"Good. This is important. What they have is a very special bond. It's almost like they've made a childhood promise. Not that I would know if they really did, though. Anyway, I'll just have you know that those two are a pair. Like shoes, or like a pair of eyes. One just doesn't work without the other."

8-Ball pokes his temple. "Okay, I think I know what I need to do now."

"Did that answer your question?"

8-Ball waves his hand. "Mm, a little. I think I have a small idea. That just means it's time for me to go look for Kathleen."

Kazuma raises an eyebrow. "What for?"

The landsknecht gives him a toothy smirk. "I think I know why Zoran looked so crestfallen a while ago. I think that if I bring Kathleen along, talking to him won't be so hard."

The brunette scratches his neck. "Seems like a good idea. Run along. You might find Kathleen at the Dancing Peacock. She'll probably look just as pooped as Zoran did."

8-Ball gives a final wave and spins around.

"Wait," Kazuma calls. 8-Ball turns back around and raises an eyebrow. "You'll also find Nela wandering around in the Cargo Wharf. Good luck."

8-Ball covers his mouth with his hand. "Wh-what makes you think I want to find her?"

Kazuma flashes a soft smile and doesn't say anything. 8-Ball's eyes dart immediately to Dalla, who gives him an even brighter smile. "I know everything that goes on in this inn, deary. I also have Kirtida give me a lot of information. She's a very dear friend of mine."

The blond landsknecht shakes his head roughly and rushes out the door. Now, to find Kathleen.

I've finally come around to explaining a bit about Zoran and Kathleen.

Depending on how often I'll be updating this thing, you might be seeing a lot of 8-Ball. Also, I might make this a 2 part story. I New Game +'d my Etrian Odyssey IV, so my interest in writing things about Etrian Odyssey IV has been rekindled.

I also plan on writing a chapter that revolves around Dalla and her role in the lives of the Wagon Guild. She's my favorite NPC, and since the player's guild pretty much lives in the inn, I imagine that the young explorers see her as a motherly figure (in sharp contrast to previous games, literally every class portrait in this game depicts a young person).