I wandered through some of the streets of Altissia, keeping in mind the goal of finding Maagho, but also just taking in all the sites I could find. I grabbed my journal from my pocket, excitedly writing down everything that interested me. After a moment I stopped to look around. I caught a glimpse of someone familiar passing by. That coat, I thought, that's right, Ravus and Ardyn are both here, too. He looked over at me for a moment before approaching me. I tensed up, suddenly nervous.

"Have we met before?" Ravus asked, looking me over. "You seem familiar."

I just nodded slightly, trying to find the words. "Yes, sir. That imperial base in Duscae. I was with Noctis and the others."

"I suspected you were one of the Crownsguard," He responded with a slight smile. "We haven't been formally introduced. I am High Commander Ravus Nox Fleuret."

"Gaia Machina. No fancy title," I laughed softly. He nodded.

"Is this your first visit to Altissia?"

"Yes, sir. We're all just checking out the area right now. We're supposed to be looking for a specific place, but I admit I got caught up in just exploring."

"Would you like for me to show you around?"

I nodded. "That would be nice, sir."

He chuckled softly. "You needn't be formal with me. I'm not your superior. Perhaps while I am showing you around, we may come across what you're looking for?"

I nodded slightly, letting him take the lead. "This place is Imperial territory, correct?" I asked.

"Indeed, though they still maintain their own government. The empire is far more generous with Accordo than they are for other territories."

"I see," I mumbled. "I hope that Niflheim doesn't think I'm one of their troops."

"If someone thinks that, I will clarify that you are just another tourist," He turned to look back at me with a small smile.

"Thank you, sir- I mean Ravus."

We continued walking for a moment in awkward silence. I couldn't help but notice some passersby stopping to whisper. "Pay them no mind," Ravus said calmly. "They aren't talking about you. Rather, it appears I have quite a fanbase I wasn't aware of."

I laughed softly. "I mean, it isn't every day you see the High Commander just strolling around Altissia," I joked.

He stopped just ahead of me, at one of the numerous gondola stations nearby. "As you are aware by now, the city uses gondolas as transportation. I understand if you do not feel comfortable riding with me, but there is someplace I would like to show you."

"You don't make me uncomfortable," I rubbed the back of my neck. "I just find this whole thing very new to me."

He chuckled softly, motioning for me to go ahead of him. "Ladies first."

I blushed slightly as I carefully sat down on the gondola. "I still really don't like boat rides," I laughed.

"Do you get seasick?" Ravus asked, sitting across from me.

"Yeah, but it's nothing major. Suppose that's how everyone is the first time they ride a boat. But what was it you wanted to show me?"

"Just a few areas you might find fascinating. I know a lot of tourists are flocking to a spot."

"Alright," I smiled. "Thank you for doing this, by the way." Soon the ride was over and we reached our stop.

"Come, right this way," Ravus motioned for me to follow him again. We must have been in a plaza area.

"Look at all these fancy buildings," I mumbled in awe.

"The Claustra estate is over that way. I assume Noctis may have business there soon," Ravus responded.

I kept looking around, the various food stalls littering the street catching my eye next. "Wait, they have ice cream here?" I asked. "I've never had it."

Ravus turned to look at me, clearly confused. "You've never had ice cream?" He asked. I shook my head. "Would you like to try it?"

"Yeah, how much gil is it?" I asked, rummaging through my jacket pockets.

"Don't worry about it. I'll pay."

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure," he responded, walking over to the stall and motioning for me to come over. I quickly made my order, just something simple. I tried it hesitantly as Ravus paid for it.

"So this is what Prompto meant by an ice cream headache," I laughed quietly, putting a hand against my forehead. Ravus looked over at me and chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"You can't eat it too fast," he warned, motioning for me to follow him.

"You aren't getting yourself any ice cream?"

"Not this time," he responded. I ran to catch up with him. We reached a more crowded area and I made sure to keep close to him. It wasn't a matter of being afraid to lose him in the crowd, but more a matter of not liking crowds. He stopped after a moment. "Here. I figured you would find this something of note."

I realized why there was a crowd. We were right where Lunafreya's wedding dress was displayed. I smiled slightly, looking up at Ravus. "I should let the others know where this is! I'm sure Noctis would be happy to see this!" I whispered excitedly. I noticed he seemed more upset than anything else. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he muttered, walking away. "Shall I see you back to the Leville? I am sure your friends are waiting for you." I nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Ravus," I said after a moment, walking next to him. "You're worried about Lunafreya, aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" He asked. "Her duty as Oracle is strenuous, as you probably heard."

I nodded slightly. "Yeah, I heard about that. I hope whatever she does to awaken the gods doesn't hurt her."

"It drains her," He responded.

"I can't imagine how it feels. For both of you," I sighed. "I don't really have much for a family myself. Just my mother, and the guys, if they count."

"I would say they do. It's obvious your time with them has created quite the bond. It seems unbroken even after... that event."

I nodded. "For the most part."

The rest of the way to the Leville was quiet. It felt a bit awkward, to be honest.

"Thank you for showing me around," I smiled slightly. "Suppose I'd better get back to the others now. I had fun!"

"I enjoyed it as well," he responded before clearing his throat, seeming a little flustered.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I just haven't met anyone like you. I'm aware of the age gap, but if it's alright with you, I would like to continue seeing you."

I felt my face turn a bright red. I stammered, unable to find the words. "Romantically?" I finally asked. He simply nodded slightly. "Yeah, I don't see why not," I responded. Why did I say it like that? "I mean- I would love to. I'm just at a loss for words right now."

He nodded and kissed me for a short moment, causing me to freeze up yet again. "I'm glad. You should probably return to Noctis and the others now, I am sure at this point they are quite worried," he advised with a smile. I nodded and ran into the Leville, where the others were waiting.

"So, Gaia," Prompto began, walking over to me. "See anything interesting?"

"I saw where Lunafreya's wedding dress was being displayed if that's something to note," I smiled.

Prompto nodded slightly. "Anything else? Your face looks pretty red."

I shook my head. "No," I lied. "It was just that."

He grabbed his camera and went through it, looking for something. He stopped at a picture. It was of me and Ravus. If my face could turn even redder, it would have. "What's this?"

"I can explain," I stammered. Noctis laughed.

"Hey, he didn't attack you from what I saw," Prompto laughed. "He must really like you."

Gladio walked off to the hotel room without a word, though his silence spoke volumes.

"It's a long story. Hard to explain, but I just bumped into him and," I began.

"It was a date, wasn't it," Noctis chuckled.

The thought of that never crossed my mind until then. "Shit, I guess it was," I admitted. "But now I gotta ask why you were following me, Prompto!"

"I just wanted to make sure nothing happened to you!" Prompto laughed, ducking slightly when I glared at him. Well now they know, I scolded myself.

"So long as he doesn't try anything suspicious, I suppose we can allow it," Ignis said, turning to Noctis.

Noctis nodded. "Maybe you can get some information from him that we can use."

"I'm not going to be a spy," I interjected. "Politics weren't brought up at all, so that clearly isn't the reason behind this!"

"If he does anything to you, let us know," Prompto crossed his arms, trying to look serious.

"Look at you being a good older brother," Noctis laughed, patting Prompto on the back.

"While you were doing that, I found where Maagho is," Ignis responded. "We'll be heading there tomorrow."

"You had an eventful day, Gaia," Noctis teased, putting an arm around my shoulder.

"Technically we all did," I crossed my arms. "It was a really long boat ride and you guys kept teasing me the whole time."

"Well, it paid off, didn't it?" Prompto laughed. "And weren't you just talking about how you wish you could have someone to call your own?"

"And it's the other Nox Fleuret," Ignis chuckled.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "Enough guys," I laughed. "I'm going to our room, I am absolutely exhausted."

With that, I made my way to our hotel room and practically collapsed onto one of the chairs. I got lucky, I thought, I really did go on a date with Ravus Nox Fleuret himself...