For a solid minute, Cactier couldn't comprehend what Sunburn had asked him. He then used another minute to try to piece the words together. "Ride" was the word that especially spun his mind into a jumble. He had repeated it in his head again and again.
Sunburn didn't understand why Cactier was hesitating. As far as she knew, she had asked a fairly normal question. She was tired and didn't want to fly, therefore she asked Cactier.
"Well? You can say no!" humphed Sunburn, slightly annoyed. She couldn't really understand why he was hesitating and his cheeks were so red. She honestly just wanted to avoid flying, but if he was going to make such a big deal out of it…
Cactier stood there with a dazed look in his eyes, still unable to comprehend her request.
Sunburn took off into the sky angrily, no longer looking at the statue that was Cactier.
Only after standing there for another minute did he finally realize what she said. She had asked him if she could ride her! He had mixed feelings containing the request, but he didn't know what they were. He could feel a faint trace of excitement but…
Cactier looked around and realized that Sunburn had already flew off to town, leaving him. He felt a rush of disappointment, sending him in dismay.
Recently he had been getting weird feelings and he didn't know why. Whenever he looked at Sunburn he felt a happy, whenever she can back from a mission unharmed he felt a sense of relief, her joy was his joy.
At first he was completely sure it was the spell she had cast on him, but now he wasn't so sure. He didn't know what to feel anymore and couldn't calm his emotions. He also wanted to hurry up and go to town and talk to Python.
Trying to no longer think about it, he rose into the sky and flew to town.
When he was the town from up above, he dove down like a rocket. Only when he was a foot from the ground did he pull up and hover in mid-air. He looked around while still flapping his wings. After spotted Assassin's Gathering he landed majestically, swishing his tail around.
Whenever he left his small hut, he felt many eyes on him. Many female SandWings always stared at him lovingly, giving him a chill. He really disliked it when he saw other SandWings wave at him a blushing cheeks. He felt like puking whenever that happened.
Yes, before he had "met" Sunburn, he did like playing around with girls. But ever since he had started to live with Sunburn he started to dislike the SandWings trying to hit on him. It was a very weird phenomenon.
Cactier stopped thinking about it and looked around. For a moment he didn't know what he was looking for but then it suddenly dawned on him that he didn't know where Sunburn had gone. He thought for a moment and concluded she would either be wandering around, at Scorpion's den, as she hadn't eaten yet, or Assassin's Gathering to look for missions.
Cactier stopped his gaze on Assassin's Gathering. It was closest to him so he thought to look their first. After he had already entered the Assassin's Gathering, a few girls were gossiping.
"Damn Cactier is handsome! It's like his face is carved from the heavens and dipped in holy water!"
"I know right! I wish I could just kiss that face of his! I bet he's great at kissing. Urgh! Just thinking about it makes me crazy!"
"No! Cactier is mine! Keep your claws off! He's MINE!"
"But… Guys… I-I think Cactier has a crush on someone already…"
All of the SandWings had fire streaming from their eyes and they looked at the SandWing who talked furiously. It was as if Cactier belonged to them.
"I-I'm just saying! Didn't you see his expression when he was standing there? He was definitely thinking of someone!"
The SandWing tried to defend herself, barely getting the right words out.
"Hmph! Even if he did like someone, it would be me."
"HA! Dream on girl! He was obviously looking at me when he blushed!"
"Don't lie to yourself! I'm way prettier than all of you! Tch! You think you stand a chance against me?"
The girls argued and argued, refusing to back down.
Meanwhile, Cactier, ignorant of their conversation, had already sat down. He and Python were having a chat.
"Sigh~ I don't know how I feel anymore!"
Python was delivered a few cups of beer to customers and put one down in front of Cactier. He moved around smoothly, already used to the motion.
"What do you mean?" He asked with confusion.
"I mean, I don't know how I feel about Sunburn! I thought it was the spell but I'm not sure now. I enjoy her company everyday and I feel happy when I think of her!" Cactier gulped down a bit of beer before slamming it onto the table.
Python stopped for a second before continuing.
"Now, don't you EVER tell Sunburn about I betrayed her, alright? I treasure my life, alright?" Python said in a serious manner.
Cactier seriously nodded. He was also sure if Sunburn heard this conversation she would have Python's head.
"Now to answer your question…" Python chuckled and said in a amused tone.
"You, my friend, are in love."
