Short chapter

Enjoy

"Get out!" Orland growled, this time throwing his book at Aira, "You stupid human."

She grinned, "You know you enjoy it!"

He gave her a death glare, "I don't look into the female side!"

"You can if you want to."

Face palming, he shook his head. Sitting in the water, she seethed in pain from the heat soaking into her fresh wounds. "Ow…ow…ow…"

"Hey Aira!"

Closing her eyes, she replied, "Yeah?"

"If Orland passes out, can you get him out of the springs, I've got to go somewhere for a couple of minutes." Cammy said, placing a hand on the doorway.

"Sure."

"I do not pass out!"

"So quick to denial, okay I guess that's the case then, see you." She chuckled before running out of the door.

An awkward silence carried throughout the bathhouse. "… Hey… Orland."

No response,

"I'm not going to make a stupid human remark."

"What?"

"Can you tell me why you're always protecting me, you never tell me, and I'm finding it hard to sleep because that same question comes into my head."

Awaiting a response, she curled her body so that her mouth was just above the water level.

"I will tell you, both my father and I have known all along that you have been going into the caves, because of that he asked me to watch over you… you humans might consider it affectionate, but I'm only doing it because dad told me to…"

"Really? Why your father of all people?"

"Kyle and dad were good friends. He once told me Kyle was the only person he considered worthy of the title of a warrior, which for an elf, is something to be honored."

"So you're doing it because your dad tells you too."

"Think of how many times you would be dead if I wasn't there."

"True… Thanks by the way, it makes me feel good to at least know that you care about something." She said sincerely.

"Hm." He scoffed, "I told you, I only do it because my dad said so."

"Yeah I know." She smiled. Bathing herself, she heard the sound of footsteps stop.

Looking up, she noticed Orland, "Hi."

He twitched, "Hi, I come over here, and all you say is hi?"

"My brother and I used to take baths together all the time when we were younger, plus, since you aren't human, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

He sighed, "Predictable…"

Silence.

"So you were expecting me to say this?"

Shaking his head, he turned around, "Don't stay in the baths too long… you idiot." Slamming the front door behind him, he stormed off.

Blinking, Aria pondered, "Well that was rather strange…" Gathering her things, she headed out of the baths, and ran to the caves, continuing her training.

"Promise me Jake, no matter what you will protect my daughter from that of which haunts her."

TBC