Hello yes I am super happy with this and I hope you are too! ! I'm just in a really great mood, even though I'm sick as a dog (had to go to the doctor this morning It's just a cough, I'm on antibiotics now.).

But! ! ! I wanna remind y'all I do have requests open because I love writing one shots when I'm not feeling too great, you know? So if you could throw a few ideas at me I'd be fricken stoked.

And speaking of requests, I've gotten two (2!) reviewers askin if there's going to be a lemon and I'm sorta on the fence about it. Obviously we've got a lot more to go before that, and I'll more than likely make it a separate 'story' for the sake of keeping this one rated T. But I want everyone's opinions! Should I write a lemon ending? ? Should it be a two shot so we can have both sexes?

^ Questions I never thought I would ask but am nonetheless expecting an answer to.

Yeah that's about it. Goodnight/morning/whatever, dearest readers! ! ! I hope you have an absolutely stellar day.

Also

Lucatiel is still extremely cute.

(and we're meeting the dessert sorceresses next chapter I promise.)

It occurs to you that holding hands isn't the best strategy when there are enemies coming at you around every corner, but you can't help yourself. Lucatiel puts her mask back on when you agree continuing through Earthen Peak is in best interest, but not before she presses a chaste kiss to your forehead.

"Let us be off." She says when you stare blankly ahead. She kissed me.

"Ah... Yeah. Yeah." You stutter. "Let's do this thing! There's gonna be... Ugh. I can't remember the name. They're really creepy though." You distract yourself with trying to recall Earthern Peak as you played it.

"Isn't this new territory?" She hums, allowing you to lead the way as she puts her mask back on.

"Yes and no. I mean, I've never been here in the flesh, and my memory is sorta shot at this point but..." You jump back in time to dodge a swipe. Mannequins, that's what they're called. One fireball and a slash from Lucatiel and its down.

"But?" She repeats as you yank the switch.

You kill the hammer wielding undead before answering, "But I've sorta been here before? It's... Complicated. I mentioned how technologically advanced my home is compared to Drangleic, right?" You look up at the poison ornament with mild disgust, frowning. You don't think you'll ever accept the architecture of Drangleic.

"You did." Lucatiel confirms, farther away than you expected.

"Yes." You glance back to find her in the doorway. Staring down the Gravewarden, you assume.

"That does not explain your knowledge, you realize." She says, only stepping back when a poison arrow goes flying towards her. It bounces off her shield with a clang.

Moving to her side, you offer, "I'll get the archer and you get the blue dude."

She nods and you ready a fireball. Dodging arrows is much easier than it was in game. You just need to take a side step most of the time. No need for dodge rolling and all that. The hollow also dodges the attack, although its not wise enough to realize back stepping isn't a good plan when you're on a narrow walkway.

You press your lips together to keep from laughing, looking over to see Lucatiel kicking the Gravewarden off her sword.

"You parried a Gravewarden?" You place your hand over your heart. She's so great.

"Technically that was a riposte." She responds smugly.

You roll your eyes in response, silently following her out into the first room. "So... Left or right?"

"Left?" She says, and you don't even need her mask off to know she's smiling.

"Sure." Shrugging, you've got your hand on the first rung when a mannequin jumps down. One foot slams onto your shoulder before Lucatiel is yanking you to her chest. She blocks the hit quite easily, and although her counterattack is awkward (understandable given the position the two of you are in), she kills it with two swings.

She makes an irritated noise when the second jumps down, but you take it out with combustion.

"They're getting cleverer." She huffs.

"Fucking jumpscares." You say with a roll of your eyes. "What a cheap tactic."

She laughs, releasing you from her protective hold. "Such language is ill befitting of a monarch."

"Yeah, I mean, that's fair. But it's probably not gonna stop me from cursing." You look up the ladder before climbing this time, making sure there's no more surprises.

"As your knight I must at least try." She says, following you up the short ladder. Just another semi-small room, although this one has an admittedly gorgeous view. You know better than to lean against the railing, but you do look out at it with unabashed amazement. If only the windmill wasn't in your way.

"Nice." You say, scarcely noticing Lucatiel swishing past you. A loud crack sounds, and a thump. Oh. You don't have to look to know she probably just saved you from a painful injury and/or death.

"You really must pay more attention to your surroundings." She scolds, returning to your side.

"I mean..." You start, flashing her a smile. She just shakes her head. "Come on. I think there's a bonfire nearby." You tell her, leading the way. Sure enough, there's a fog wall that leads to an itty bitty bonfire area. The two of you can barely both fit on the platform, but you manage (by snuggling.)

You take a short rest, chatting with Lucatiel and absently wondering when you'll be separated this time around. It seems to be that death and warping are definite 'separate the worlds' things, but Drangleic is weird. You consider every minute Lucatiel remains nearby a stroke of luck.

"We should..." You say, standing up to stretch. "Probably get going then, right?"

"Indeed." Lucatiel answers lightly, holding her hand out.

You help her to her feet with a grin. How positively adorable. You glance back out at the main area, pleased to note the mannequins haven't yet reanimated. The windmill catches your attention though... Something about stopping the poison?

I have to burn it, you remember slowly. Huh.

"What are you doing?" She asks curiously as you kneel back down to light your torch. You're not about to ignore your memories, however faint.

"Watch this." You tell her, darting over to the cliffside. The oil goes up in flames near instantly and you jump back. Extinguishing your torch, you string it back into its designated loop.

Lucatiel places her hand on your shoulder, pulling you even farther from the flames now spreading all over the sails. "Was that really necessary?" She asks.

"Yes." You smile dreamily. "I love a good campfire."

"Then may I point you to the one directly behind us?" Lucatiel sighs exhaustedly.

You twist around to hug her in apology, cheering, "I'm like ninety percent certain that will help us in the near future."

You can feel her glare even through the mask. "You could've just used your pyromancy, you realize."

You blink. "Oh jeez." How embarrassing.

She snorts, shaking her head. "Are we going to continue then?"

"Of course! It would be an honor." You tell her. "Up the stairs or down and to the left?"

"Last time I choose our destination you were kicked." She says, bringing her hand up to brush the hair out of your face. It's longer than you're used to, being that you haven't cut it since your arrival in Drangleic. You should probably fix that next time you're in Majula. The mansion with the map has a lot more stuff than books, and you're sure you can scrounge up a mirror.

"(Y/N)?" Lucatiel asks amusedly.

"Sorry. Down and to the left it is then." You bite the inside of your cheek and move ahead. You simply jump down while Lucatiel actually uses the ladder. Snorting, you stride across the room and out the farther door to kill the archers again.

Lucatiel is waiting next to the switch when you return, leaning against the wall like she always does. It's a cute tic, if you're honest. Very cute.

Jeez, can you be any more lovesick? At least tone it down a little, you try not to make a face, thankful that Lucatiel is pulling the switch rather than paying attention to you.

You're almost too absorbed in scolding yourself to catch the elevator contraption, just barely hopping on before it gets too high. Glancing around the new room, you find a chest and several vases blocking some other room. You immediately try to throw open the chest, but it goes clattering back shut when you're hit with a poison throwing knife. You fall backwards with a hiss of pain.

It doesn't actually hurt that bad, but you weren't exactly expecting it. You can already feel the poison, although its not enough to be fatal. At this point it just makes you dizzy, and your injury cold.

"(Y/N)?" Lucatiel asks from below, apparently having heard you.

"Well, that was rude." You pout. Pinching the poison coated weapon between your fingers, you carefully pull it out. "I'm fine! Just... Shot. I guess."

You flick the knife back towards the mannequin that must've thrown it, who appears to be having trouble finding a way over the ledge. They're not really smart, these creatures. It usually works in your favor though.

Sighing, you chuck a fire orb at it before trying to open the chest again.

Oh. You blink, pulling out an all too familiar shield. It's a little more worn than Lucatiel's, probably from being in the wrong hands, but it's obviously the same shield. Maybe someone just left this? I mean, there's no reason to assume this means its owner is dead.

Something about this seems awfully familiar though, and while part of you is happy to be remembering things from your past, this doesn't feel like something you want to remember. Aslatiel maybe? No, that doesn't make sense. There has to be a reason a knight would abandon their shield, right?

"Hey, babe, you might wanna see this." You call to Lucatiel, your lips pulling into a frown. When she doesn't answer you, you deposit the shield into your inventory and hop down. "Lucatiel?"

Your eyes narrowing, you check the previous room again (nothing) before climbing the ladder. "Lucatiel!" You say as loud as you dare, knowing it might attract unwanted attention.

"Here," She responds tersely. The hard edge in her tone has you rushing to locate her, and admittedly, scrambling to figure out what could've upset her. Earthen Peak, Earthen Peak... What's in... Oh, of course.

Pate.

You make a sharp right and jump down the flight of stairs, finding her staring him down. You're just happy she hasn't tried to hit him. You're well acquainted with how infuriating Pate can be. Mild mannered, my ass. At least Creighton is upfront about his intentions.

"We meet again," He greets you, smirking. "And you've brought a friend."

You roll your eyes, "Yeah. Sure. Lucatiel, this is Pate, the one I mentioned before."

"You mentioned me?" He repeats, acting surprised. "I'm flattered."

"And still not my type," You hmph. "Lucatiel is a knight of Mirrah... I'm sure you can understand why she'd be interested in hearing about your previous traveling companion."

"Your type?" Lucatiel's voice becomes even harsher.

Pate appears to be completely ignoring Lucatiel's last question, prompting you to shift closer to her. "Tch." His smile disappears. "It's hard to know who to even trust these days. I do hope you'll catch him."

"Of course you do, he wants revenge." You yank your finger across your throat, making it painfully obvious Creighton is out for blood.

"Revenge? Is that what he told you? The poor bloke must have quite the imagination to spin it such a way." Pate says with a shake of his head.

You raise your eyebrows. "Yeah... Okay. I'd watch out if I were you. He sounded pretty determined."

"You are not me." Pate shrugs, smiling again. "You are much braver. There's treasure this way, but I've a bad feeling about it. Don't quite have the guts myself!"

"Treasure?" Your eyes light up. "What kind of treasure?"

"(Y/N)." Lucatiel sighs, reaching out to grab your hand.

Pate pauses, glancing between the two of you with interest. "Hm." He finally says, seeming to come to a conclusion. "Yes. There's supposedly an iron chest through that door, but it seems it doesn't open from this side." He explains.

"There's probably a way to jump there though, right? That's how things usually work in Drangleic. Let's go!" You say, squeezing Lucatiel's hand excitedly. "BRB." You tell Pate, already pulling Lucatiel up the stairs.

"What?"

You ignore him in favor of leading Lucatiel away, practically buzzing with the prospect of treasure. It isn't until you're a good ways away (past the next Gravewarden in fact) that she stops you. "Wait." She begins.

You glance back at her curiously, waiting for her to continue.

"You... What did you mean 'not my type'?" She asks.

"Oh. He asked me to travel with him when we met back in the Forest, and sorta implied he was diggin on me but I mean... No." You explain awkwardly. You're still not sure if he's just naturally like that or he was actually trying to make a move, but either way you aren't feeling it.

Lucatiel falls silent, her grip on your hand becoming acutely painful and you wish she hadn't put her mask back on.

"Lucatiel?" You shift closer. You're tempted to try and hug her, but the middle of a dungeon really isn't the best place for snuggles.

"I... Understand why he would be interested in you, but I find myself very irritated by the idea." She growls, her free hand moving to her hilt.

It takes you a moment to comprehend her words. "Lucatiel, there is absolutely no reason for you to be jealous of Pate." You declare, leaning up to remove her mask. She allows you to do so without augment, simply moving her hands to your hips. She blushes when you grin.

"Must you do that?" She asks lightly.

"What? Admire my knight?" You laugh.

She looks off to the side, avoiding your gaze. "This is not how most monarchs treat their knights, you realize."

"I'm not even a monarch yet, and you are a very pretty knight." You remind her.

This makes her snicker. "I'm sure you say that to everyone."

"Lies and slander! I have never once called Lenigrast pretty."

She uses one hand to cover her mouth, laughing in earnest. "I... Perhaps you should. He might give a discount." She teases.

"Nooooo, god, no." You shake your head furiously. "That's a terrible idea, Lucatiel. Besides, I like the face you make when I compliment you."

Her laughter dissolves into silence, the blush becoming more apparent than you've ever seen. Usually you're the one flustered, so this is an interesting turn of events. "I make a face?"

"Uh-huh." You confirm, wondering for what feels like the millionth time if it'd be okay to kiss her. Would that be rushing things? Maybe I should wait? I don't want her to think im not interested though... You lament your inability to ask Rosabeth for advice with this whole debacle.

Thankfully Lucatiel takes initiative.

You go stock still as she presses her lips to yours, a quick, innocent kiss. Way too quick, in your opinion. You cup her cheek with one hand and pull her back until you're breathless.

She presses her forehead to yours when you separate, smiling widely.

"Hey." You whisper.

"Hello." Laughing, she threads her fingers through yours.

"I really like you." You say. Although it's more of a declaration.

She kisses you again, short and sweet. "I can assure you the feeling is mutual."

"We should probably get going though, shouldn't we?" You ask slowly, trying to drag out the moment. "Got things to kill and... The next bonfire isn't too far away."

Lucatiel rolls her eyes amusedly, "I suppose."