Oh

My

Goodness!

Sorry to have made y'all wait this long! Jesus Christ.

I've been going through it, y'all.

New car broke down, in between staff where I work so a lot of hours for ya girl, dealing with a break-up... my roots are growing out, my split ends are out of hand and I probably need to start moisturizeing or burning sage or some mess. IDK.

Anyways, I'm baaaaaack.

Please enjoy.

Hero sat at the counter of the shop lazily honing her own magic by floating a feather in the air.

"Air affinity? Impressive," Asra's voice coupled with the bell above the door jingling broke her concentration and she rolled her eyes.

"To what to I owe the pleasure of this joyous visit?" She asked in annoyance as the feather dropped in to her lap.

Asra scoffed, "Coliseum day," he responded irritably with a shake of the empty jar of Nevivon salts.

Hero bolted upright with a blink, "Already? Didn't they have a battle just a day or two before we moved here?"

Asra nodded with a sigh, "This one was a surprise. I was hoping to help out a friend with more of these salts. He's a pretty big guy so this round didn't last long." Asra chuckled but Hero could tell something was up. Asra was radiating a mess of nervous energy.

"Your friend… wouldn't happen to be The Scorge of The—"

"His name is Muriel," Asra corrected her harshly.

She raised her eyebrows, surprised, but responded softly, "I see. Tess is out but I think I can whip up a pretty potent salve with the remnants of those salts and some herbs."

"That would be great. How much do you think it'll be?"

Hero shook her head, "Goodness is its own reward sometimes," She gave him a sheepish grin, "I think the battles are dumb and you're clearly distressed over your friend's well-being. Consider it a favor. Just don't get used to them."

He grinned, looking far more relieved than he had initially, "Thanks."

"How long has he, Muriel, been participating in the battles?" Hero inquired as she rummaged shelves and drawers looking for Tess's books on herbs and cures.

"A few months, now."

"What made him pick up this line of work? Or maybe I should ask what he's paying off?"

Asra ground his teeth together, "Hero, we're not exactly there yet, dear." He winked feigning a flirtatious grin and she rolled her eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it would have sufficed," she teased.

"I don't want to talk about it," he confirmed with a smile.

"Fair enough. At least he's good at it? So he's got that going for him, at least. Are you planning to spectate?"

"I don't want to but I'd just worry myself alone if I didn't, you know? Like, 'is he fine? or is today the day someone or something bashes his skull in?' but at the same time… I don't exactly want to be there to see it… he's my best friend and I don't want him to be alone."

Hero nodded, "Tess and I could come, you shouldn't be alone either."

Asra blinked at her. She was a lot more compassionate than she led on. Her protectiveness of Tess and the shop made sense to him, now.

"I'd like that, actually."

Hero began mixing ingredients and held her hand out indicating for Asra to hand over the salts.

When she was finished with the salve, she emptied it in to a jar and handed it over to him, "Hungry?"

He nodded and sat the jar on the counter.

"I still have yet to check out the bakery next door but it did receive high praise."

"It's the best," Asra reminded her sternly in utmost seriousness causing Hero to giggle.

"Come on. Let's go. Your treat."

Asra scoffed at her confidence but followed her out the door none the less after.

At the bakery, Asra received a quizzical eyebrow raise from the baker upon seeing Hero with him.

"This is Hero, your new neighbor."

"The magician women? Nice to meet you!"

"Likewise!" Hero extended her hand to shake the baker's, "My aunt is actually the owner of the shop, I'm essentially a squatter. I was told you sell the BEST breads in Vesuvia and it definitely smells convincing in here!"

The baker let out a loud jovial laugh before turning away to grab two loafs for them and a soft cheese spread, "This one's my favorite but our lad, Asra enjoys the pumpkin bread my wife makes… which is coming out of the oven soon." He addressed knowingly to Asra.

Hero breathed in the smells of garlic and rosemary from the bread. She was sure her mouth was watering but she didn't care. Bread was her weakness. She went ahead and tore off a piece and popped it in to her mouth. It was fresh and still warm. The middle was soft and savory and the crust was salty with just the right amount of crunch.

"Okay. I'm sold and totally in love. Handsome and an exceptional baker. What a catch?! No wonder you're married," Hero scoffed blowing her bangs out of her face.

"Wait for the pumpkin, you'll want to marry them both" Asra jabbed her rib lightly with a wink. Hero nodded with wide grin as she continued to enjoy the savory bread and cheese in front of her earning chuckles from both Asra and the baker.

"She eats well and she's a flatterer. I like this one!" she baker piped.

"This is pretty fun," Hero remarked in a bit of surprise.

"Opposed to?" Asra asked.

Hero sharpened her gaze on him attempting to read his expression. All she could think of was The Magician's warning of her will power being tested and Asra's interpretation that he could be important to her in the future. It was such an intense feeling that it made her cheeks feel numb and she forced herself to look away from him with an aggressive cough, "I'm choking. Pass me my water, please," she managed weakly.

He arched an eyebrow at her and pushed her glass over to her skeptically, "is it fatal? Or manageable?"

She sighed after gulping down her water, "close call but manageable in the end. Thanks."

"Any time."

"It's starting!" exclaimed a young boy from the doorway, "The Scorge was just seen making his way to the arena!"

"That's our cue! Later boss!" Asra waved at the baker and placed his payment on the counter before grabbing Hero by the elbow and leading her out.

"Wait! What about Tess? She might be back at the shop!"

"We can check quickly."

Hero ran in to the shop and at no signs of Tess being back, she quickly jotted down a note for her aunt and grabbed the 'closed' sign to hang on the door.

"She's still away so I'm going to lock up. I'll be just a sec. Here."

She tossed him the jar of salve for Muriel and began locking the door then turned around to face him, "Let's go root on our boy, then."

There was already a large crowd when they arrived at the arena and a flash of gold caught Hero off guard nearly blinding her when Asra jerked her out of the way from the horse galloping towards them. The horse stopped abruptly in front of them and reared back before settling down revealing its rider. A pale blonde man with an extravagant golden armored arm glared down at the two of them.

"Asra! Fancy seeing you here. Who's your date?"

"I'm not his date," Hero spoke up.

"I'm sorry. I hadn't addressed you, yet, love."

"And? You were speaking about me, that's plenty enough address. Who are you?"

He scoffed, "I'm the count of Vesuvia, Lucio. You'd do well to show some respect."

"You first. A fancy title doesn't give you the privilege of being rude to your citizens or perhaps you're unsure of what that title actually means."

Asra scoffed holding back laughter.

Lucio scowled at her but then his expression softened in to a shady grin as he shifted his gaze to Asra, "She's… lovely. Lovelier still when she's quiet. I'd keep an eye on her if I were you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Asra challenged before Hero had the chance. He had his arm extended protectively between Hero and Lucio though he wasn't entirely sure who he was actually protecting and from whom.

"Precisely what I said. I hope you'll reconsider that position in the palace I offered you."

"I've given you my answer. We're finished here, Lucio."

"Hmph. Well, it was a pleasure to meet you… whoever you are. I certainly hope to see more of you."

After he rode off, Asra started to apologize but Hero was seething.

"Disgusting. I think I threw up my mouth, actually. Like, what a piece of work. Rude. Entitled. Gaudy. Absolutely no personal respect. I feel violated by the way he was looking at me. Ew! He's the guy in charge of this city?! Are you kidding me?"

"Unfortunately, this is the Vesuvia we live in."

"So, Coliseum days… his idea, huh?"

"Yeah," Asra answered shortly, "Let's get in." He gently grabbed her arm and led her through the crowd before she had a chance to pry further. However, it was all becoming quite clear the dynamic between Asra, Count Lucio, and his friend, Muriel.

And once again, Hero was left wondering who Asra was exactly.