Today's chapter is kind of a special one. Basically, while I was writing up the last chapter, when the group got stuck in the prison, I couldn't help but wonder what Erk/Serra/Dorcas/etc thought about the situation. However, I couldn't find a way to put those in, without ruining the flow. I also realised, as more characters were introduced, I'd have more and more trouble giving them stuff to do. Thus this chapter came about. Think of it as basically the chapter equivalent of a support conversation. Nothing very important to the plot happens, I just throw the characters together and watch the craziness happen. In todays chapter, we have support conversations for...

Vesper + Erk

Dorcas + Sain

Serra + Sain

Serra + Florina

Matthew + Wil

Dorcas + Kent

Matthew + Wil (again)

Kent + ... Florina?

Sain + Florina's Pegasus

Kent + Florina (for real)

I figure I should point out that this chapter contains large amounts of comedy and some sort of... I won't say Love Triangle... more like a Love Nuclear Explosion...

Chapter 10

"Now swing your arms in an arc, like this!" Lyn instructed, swinging her sword out in front of her. Vesper followed almost completely in sync.

Since Vesper refused to have someone guard him, Lyn felt it necessary to instruct him in the ways of swordplay, so he could defend himself if Ephidel returned. At first, Vesper hadn't liked the idea, but soon he agreed to do it, and was picking up the basics remarkably quickly. A little too quickly for Lyn's liking...

"Okay, we'll stop here." Lyn smiled, wiping her brow.

Vesper turned to leave.

"Oh Matthew!" Lyn called.

"Yes?" 'Vesper' answered.

"I knew it!" Lyn stormed over and yanked the brown wig off Matthew's hair.

"Uh oh..." Matthew knew he'd been rumbled.

"Vesper!" Lyn yelled into the air.

Inside one of the tents, Vesper and Erk listened to Lyn's angry screams.

"Looks like she found out." Erk shrugged.

"Yep." Vesper agreed. "Personally, I'm surprised Matthew fooled her that long."

"So what are you gonna do now?" Erk asked.

"Eh... I'll wait in here for the moment." Vesper planned out his 'strategy'. "Once she approaches, I'll head for the trees and hide there. Matthew gave me a few useful tips about camoflage."

"Okay." Erk returned to the book he was reading. "Why are you so against swordfighting, anyway?"

"Look at me, Erk." Vesper sighed. "I have trouble lifting a sword, never mind fighting with one."

"Then why don't you try learning attack magic?" Erk suggested.

"I dunno, it might get confusing." Vesper scratched his chin. "I might get the two mixed up and accidently roast Lyn, while attempting to order her to attack an enemy."

"Could you do that?" Erk asked.

"I've no idea." Vesper admitted. "I've never tried it. Don't particularly want to, either."

"So you'll stick with swordfighting?"

...

"Damn, I hadn't thought of that." Vesper sighed. "Alright, tell me a bit more about attack magic."

"There are three types." Erk explained. "Light, Anima and Dark. I think you're probably best suited to Dark."

"Thanks a lot..."

"Dark doesn't necessarily mean evil." Erk continued. "Dark magic is based on knowledge and our understanding of the forces around us. Similarly, Light magic is based on faith and Anima magic is based on nature."

"I see..." Vesper lied. "So who called it Dark magic?"

"Heck if I know." Erk shrugged.

"Well... can you teach me Dark Magic?" Vesper asked.

"Nope."

"What? Why not?"

"Don't know how."

"Well that's anti-climactic." Vesper sighed.

"Yes it is." Erk could hear the sound of angry footsteps heading their way. "Looks like she's coming."

"Yep." Vesper slipped under the tent wall. "Been nice chatting to you. If I don't survive..."

"Tell everyone you died bravely fighting off ninja assassins." Erk sighed. "I know the drill. Now get going."

"Thanks." Vesper ran off.

Seconds later, Lyn stuck her head through the tent door.

"Have you seen-?"

"Went that way." Erk pointed in the direction Vesper had left. "He's planning on hiding in the woods."

"Thanks." Lyn nodded, heading off.

"Serves that jerk right for interrupting my reading time." Erk sighed, leaning back on his bed.

Dorcas and Sain were sitting next to the fire, as Lyn stomped angrily by.

"God, I wouldn't like to be Vesper when she catches him!" Sain laughed. "Although then again, maybe I would! Know what I mean buddy?"

"..."

"Yeah..." Sain gave out a happy sigh. "I'm so lucky being in a group with so many beautiful girls. Well, three, but still. Don't you agree?"

"..."

"Yep, they sure are beautiful." Sain chuckled. "Who do you think looks better?"

"..."

"I mean, Lyn's always really cute when she's in a temper," Sain continued, oblivious of his companion's awkward silence. "And that ponytail is adorable. But then again, Florina's so timid and cute! And Serra... well, she's alright."

"..."

"But I don't think any of them are what I'd call my 'dream woman'." Sain concluded. "I think we need a pretty young blonde on the team. I always love young blondes. Don't you agree?"

"..."

"Yep." Sain lay back, a dreamy look on his face. "Plenty of blondes... Hey Dorcas, who would be your dream woman?"

"...My wife."

"Nonono!" Sain chuckled. "I mean your real dream woman, not just what you had to settle with."

"..."

"And that's when he broke your nose?" Serra interrupted, wiping the last of the blood away.

"No." Sain shook his head. "He broke it when I started to call his wife a '7/10'. Which is a fair score."

"Definitely." Serra agreed. "Most women would be happy to get that score."

"That's what I said!" Sain pointed out.

"And that was when he kicked you in the guts?"

"Yup." Sain nodded. "Joke's on him though. She's only a 6."

"So what am I?" Serra asked

"10." Sain answered instantly.

"For that, you get the clean bandages." Serra smiled. "By the way, how's Kent? I haven't seen him around recently."

"He's been busy training." Sain explained. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason." Serra lied, blushing heavily.

"Wha-?" Sain was speechless. "You mean-? You-? Kent-? You like him?"

"D-Don't be ridiculous." Serra stuttered. "As if I would like a simple, handsome knight like him..."

"W-Well... I hear he doesn't like you." Sain lied, uncontrollably jealous. "And he doesn't bathe! At all! In fact, he stinks!"

"I don't mind about that." Serra shrugged. "I only pretended I did, because I didn't want to ride with you earlier."

"What?" Sain was outraged. "Why not?"

"Because you're a heartless womaniser who chases after anything in a skirt." Serra pointed out. "That's a massive turnoff for a girl."

"You think so?" Sain was surprised. "Alright then, from now on I'll give up my womanising ways and become a better man!"

Just at that moment, Florina nervously entered Serra's medical tent.

"Oh my darling Florina!" Sain gasped, reverting back to his old ways. "Words cannot express how happy your presence makes me!"

"That lasted long." Serra sighed. "What is it Florina? Have you been injured?"

"N-No..." Florina seemed even more nervous than usual. "I-I just wanted to get your advice on something... in private."

"Oh don't mind me." Sain smiled. "I'll just sit in the corner silently, while you two lovely ladies discuss your business."

"You do that." Serra smiled, sarcastically. "By the way Sain, before I start the healing process, I'm going to administer some anaesthetic, so I need you to shut your eyes for a moment."

"Anything for you, my darling Se-" Serra smashed Sain over the head with her healing staff, knocking him unconscious.

"Gets them every time." Serra chuckled. "Especially Erk. So what did you want to talk to me about, Florina?"

"Um... You remember that you told me that you had plenty of lovers back in O-Ostia?" Florina asked "W-Was that a lie?"

"N-No." Serra lied, blushing. "Of course it was true!"

"Thank goodness..." Florina smiled, naively. "In that case, c-could you give me some advice?"

"Oh, that kind of advice?" Serra grinned. "Alright then, who is it you like?"

Florina started blushing heavily and refused to answer.

"Alright then, I'll guess." Serra thought a moment. "Is it Kent?"

Florina shook her head.

"Wil?"

"N-No."

"Matthew?"

"No."

"Not Erk?"

"No."

"Dorcas is already married." Serra pointed out.

"It's not him either."

"But that just leaves Vesper and Sain?" Serra realised. "You can't really have a crush on one of those two?"

"Wait, why am I considered so low in the rankings?" Vesper sprung out from beneath the bench he was hiding under.

...

"What are you doing there?" Serra questioned.

"Hiding from Lyn." Vesper answered. "Damn! Here she comes!"

He quickly ducked under the tent wall and ran off. Seconds later, an angry Lyn stuck her head through the entrance.

"Where-?"

"That way." Serra immediately answered.

"Thank you." Lyn left, in pursuit of Vesper once more.

Serra gave a deep sigh, before turning back to her previous conversation.

"Anyway, where were we, Flori-"

Unfortunately, during the confusion, Florina lost her nerve and slipped away without Serra noticing.

"Damn!" Serra swore. "Now I'm gonna be wondering about Florina's secret love all day!"

"Gnuuuhhh..." Sain groaned, slowly gaining consciousness. "Why do I feel so sore...?"

"Just the after effects of the anaesthetic." Serra pretended. "I'm not done healing yet, so I'm gonna give you some more."

"Does that mean you're going to bash me on the head with your staff again?" Sain translated.

"Pretty much." Serra shrugged, swiftly knocking out the cavalier. "At least I'm not leaving you hanging around like that poor schmuck outside..."

The poor schmuck in question, Matthew, had been tied up by Lyn and then hoisted into the air. She had hung him from a tree branch, so he couldn't escape without plummeting to the ground. Not that that would stop him trying...

"Okay... swing back and forth..." Matthew muttered to himself, swinging from his rope. "And on the count of three, cut the rope and jump to the tree branch. One... two... thr-!"

"Hey Matthew." Wil greeted.

"Wil!" Matthew cried with joy. "You've got to get me down from here! I can't feel my legs!"

"I'd like to..." Wil explained. "But Lyn said that she'd hang anyone who cut you down."

"Please!" Matthew begged. "I swear I won't tell anyone! I'll just claim Sain did it!"

"Well..." Wil pretended to think a moment. "I'll do it if you help me with a prank I'm planning to play on Kent."

"Deal." Matthew agreed immediately. "Now get me down!"

"No problem." Wil drew his bow.

"I meant lower me down slowly!" Matthew screamed, but it was too late. The arrow shot through the rope, sending Matthew falling to the ground with a nasty thump.

"You okay?" Wil asked, unconcerned.

"I think I punctured a lung..." Matthew groaned.

"You'll be fine." Wil shrugged, as he dragged the groaning Matthew away. "Now here's what we're going to do..."

Kent shuddered.

"Do you get the feeling that something disasterous is about to happen?" He asked Dorcas.

"... I get that feeling every time your green-armoured friend comes near." Dorcas sighed.

"Oh, that's normal." Kent shrugged. "I'm talking about something more... sinister."

"... It is likely best that you don't worry about it." Dorcas advised. "Whatever it is, it will blow over eventually."

"I guess..." Kent still looked slightly nervous. "By the way, Dorcas, I've been wanting to ask your advice about something."

"... What is it?"

"Well, you and Natalie seem so happily together and..." Kent struggled to finish his sentence.

"You wish for relationship advice?" Dorcas asked, surprised. "Why don't you go ask Serra?"

There was a brief pause, then the two men burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, that's a good one." Kent chuckled. "I'd be better off getting relationship advice from Sain!"

"I couldn't resist." Dorcas smiled. "Anyway, I'm afraid I can't tell you that much. Myself and Natalie have always been very close and one day, we just... clicked."

"So you're saying I should just let things take their course?" Kent scratched his head. "What if we never... click?"

"Then you weren't meant for each other." Dorcas shrugged. "There's no surefire advice, or hair-brained scheme I have which can help you."

"Oh..." Kent looked a little dejected. "You don't have anything that'll help?"

"Well..." Dorcas thought a moment. "I suppose you could get her a gift, or something."

"A gift!" Kent gasped. "That's perfect! But what to get her...?"

"Trying asking Florina." Dorcas shrugged. "She's been friends with Lyn the longest."

"I don't know..." Kent thought. "Florina's very shy and- Wait, what makes you think I'm talking about Lyn?"

Dorcas gave him a look which basically said 'You're not fooling anyone.'

"It's that obvious?"

Dorcas nodded.

"Well..." Kent tried to change the subject. "Do you have any more advice? Or do you know anyone I could ask?"

"Try asking Matthew." Dorcas advised. "He has plenty of... questionable schemes and I've heard he's also in a relationship."

"I don't know..." Kent thought a moment. "Matthew seems a little... untrustworthy."

"Is that it?" Matthew asked, irritated.

"What? It's a perfectly simple plan!" Wil pointed out. "All we have to do is find some horse manure, and stick it in Kent's stirrups. Then, when he goes to ride his horse, he'll step on it."

"Yeah, I get that." Matthew explained. "But it's so boring! That prank's been pulled hundreds of times! Where's your creative flair?"

"Well, what do you suggest?"

"It's very simple..." Matthew grinned. "But first, we need some mud, some rope, some brown cloth, Kent's saddle and Florina's bad tempered pegasus."

"How are we going to get the pegasus though?" Wil asked. "It mauls anyone who comes near, apart from Florina and Lyn!"

"Oh don't worry about that!" Matthew grinned. "Did I mention that I'm a master of disguise...?"

"Y-You're not seriously going to-"

"Shut up and help me get this wig on!"

After much debating, Wil managed to persuade Matthew that putting on a spare pair of Florina's clothes wasn't necessary and that he could probably persuade the pegasus with just the wig.

Matthew slowly approached the pegasus, who eyed him suspiciously, but didn't attack. Matthew had just managed to untie the pegasus when...

"Hey Florina!" Kent called, running over. "I want to ask you something!"

"Many thoughts ran through Matthews mind at that single moment, all of which could be summed up with one word.

Sh*t

"Listen Florina..." Kent began, before noticing 'Florina's' odd atire. "Why are you-?"

"-I f-fell in the river earlier, so Matthew lent me some spare clothes!" Matthew lied, attempting to imitate Florina's voice, while hiding behind the pegasus, so Kent couldn't see his face.

"Oh..." Kent seemed to buy this explanation for now. "Listen, I want some advice on something. You know Lyn really well, right?"

"Um..." Matthew didn't like how this conversation was going. "Y-Yes?"

"Good." Kent smiled. "Listen, what sort of a gift do you think I should get her?"

"Huh?"

"A gift?" Kent started blushing slightly. "I feel kinda nervous asking you about this, but..."

"It'll never work out." Matthew stated, bluntly. "Between you and Lyn, I mean."

"Wha- Why not?" Kent spluttered.

"Oh please, it's obvious she's going to end up with Vesper." Matthew shrugged. "Those two are practically meant for each may be pigheaded about it, but you can tell just by looking at them. I'd stake my pride as a ma... woman on it."

"...Y-You're right..." Kent sighed. "I was only kidding myself. I should just forget about it now, before things become worse for me."

"You do that." Matthew nodded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to-"

"I have to admit, I never knew you could be so... blunt, Florina." Kent smiled. "I guess that whole 'shy' thing is just an act, right?"

"Er..." Matthew realised he'd really screwed things up now." Y-Yeah! I do it to keep people like Sain away. But please don't tell anyone about it... or ever mention it again."

"Don't worry." Kent winked. "Your secret is safe with me."

With that he was off. After waiting a few moments, to check he was really gone, Wil leapt out of his hiding place, to where Matthew was trying to catch his breath from the shock.

"I can't believe you managed to talk your way out of that one!" He grinned.

"Me neither." Matthew panted. "I almost bolted a couple of times. By the way, why didn't you help?"

"I was too busy rolling on the floor laughing." Wil admitted.

"Fair enough." Matthew gave a quick grin. "Now let's get this prank underway!"

First, Matthew lead the pegasus away, so he wouldn't have another awkward interruption, then he used the rope to tie the pegasus's wings to its body. Then he used the brown cloth to cover the wings and, with the mud, painted the pegasus completely brown, until it resembled Kent's horse. Finally he swapped the saddles and placed the disguised pegasus where Kent's horse used to be.

"Now, we sit and wait." He grinned to Wil.

However, much to their surprise, it wasn't Kent who turned up first, but Sain!

"This'll teach you, Mr Ladies Man." Sain chuckled to himself, carrying a small pile of horse manure. "Let's see if you're so popular once I pull the old Manure Feet trick on you..."

He grabbed ahold of the stirrups and began to coat them in horse manure. Unfortunately, that startled the disguised pegasus and it bolted in fright. Even more unfortunately, Sain's hand got caught in one of the stirrups and he was dragged along with the panicking pegasus, screaming. Luckily, the pegasus had been tethered to the tree with a strong piece of rope... which promptly snapped, letting the pegasus gallop off across the forest, an unlucky Sain in tow.

Meanwhile, Matthew and Wil were bursting with laughter until they spotted the silhouette of an angry Lyn standing over them...

"What the heck's that galloping sound?" Vesper muttered from his hiding place, a tree branch.

He was then hit in the face by Florina's pegasus, which had also broken free of the rope holding it's wings. Luckily, the impact knocked Sain. Unfortunately, it also knocked them both off the tree branch. They plummeted into a nearby bush.

"Lousy pegasus..." Vesper groaned, crawling out. "I swear I'm gonna have it made into sausages when I-"

*ahem*

"...Lyn's standing right behind me, isn't she?"

"And that's how the four of us ended up here." Vesper finished. Vesper, Wil, Matthew and Sain had all been tied up and hung in the same uncomfortable position as Matthew had until they 'learnt their lesson'. "So could you let us down?"

"I'll think about it." Erk shrugged, walking away.

...

"Jerk."

"Hah! Little does he know that I lined the cover of his books with horse manure." Matthew sniggered.

"He's coming back this way." Vesper spotted. "And he appears to be gathering... what looks like firewood."

"Uh oh."

Florina sat watching Erk about to burn the four captives alive and wondered what she should do. While she'd been told to fetch Lyn if any of the captives managed to escape, she hadn't been told what to do if the captives were put in mortal danger by a mildly irritated mage. Her thoughts were interrupted when Kent ran over.

"Hey Florina." He smiled. "I see your clothes have dried off!"

"Um...?"

"Listen, I've been thinking more about what you said." Kent explained. "And I think you're right. It wouldn't have worked out between me and Lyn and, had I tried to push it, things would've just gotten worse."

"Okay...?"

"Listen..." Kent began blushing. "I was really impressed with your honesty, when I was asking about Lyn and... well... I was kind of wondering if you wanted go for a quick walk together."

"Uh..."

"I'm not being too quick about this whole thing, am I?" Kent gasped. "Sorry, I'm unused to this sort of thing! I'm sorry for embarassing you!"

With that he ran off, leaving Florina to wonder what had just happened.

"So you're trying to steal my boyfriend, eh?" Serra scowled from behind the tree she was hiding behind. "You're a sly one, Florina. But Kent will be mine! Mwahahaha!"

Dorcas listened to Serra's cackling and gave a deep sigh.

"What a weird day..."