Mira's POV:

It was late at night and Aisha hadn't been seen since running out of the arena today. I was seriously worried about her. She wasn't in the best emotional state and had been out since morning now.

The city of Crocus was a city that hid the darkness with a blanket of light, its wide avenues winding around the great stone buildings that called the city home. Aisha could be anywhere here, she wasn't at the inn and I wasn't sure if she'd even return tonight. I was wandering around the city by myself with the vague hope that I could find her.

I walked past packed inns and cafes but she wasn't in any, the city was bustling at night but I knew Aisha would be somewhere quiet. I kept walking down the avenue and it led me to a dark narrow street. Following the path blindly until I eventually ended up at a small park. It was completely deserted of life and noise. I saw a flickering light and as I rubbed my eyes I saw a tall dark figure laying down, a pile of clothes next to it.

I walked closer to the figure and I eventually saw it was Aisha, she had taken off her robes and left them in a pile next to the bench she was laying on. She was wearing tight black silk pants and had a black silk shirt on, if it wasn't so dark it would've almost been seethrough. She had her hand up at her face and was smoking, something I had never seen her do before. She looked alot more stern than she did today, her dried tears still visible on her face.

I walked up and sat down next to her, she looked up at me and looked into my eyes. She took a draw of her cigarette before putting it down.

"I haven't smoked since I've come to Ishgar, but after the day I've had it felt right."

"I didn't think you were a smoker at all, Aisha."

"Usually I'm not, but when I'm stressed I will partake. Today is one of those days."

She took another draw of her cigarette and I put a hand on her head and let it rest there, I looked down at Aisha and I could've sworn I saw a little hint of a smile under all of that brooding.

"Maybe I'll just need to make sure you don't smoke anymore?"

"Use one of those demon transformations and I don't think I'd look at them again."

Aisha looked up at me with those big brown eyes, her smile wide and very infectious. I smiled back at her, running my hand down one of her braids.

"You know I've always wondered how you do your hair, is there someone in Magnolia who does them?"

Aisha smiled warmly at me, moving her head slightly so that her head was resting on my lap.

"I do them myself, it's not the most convenient but I wouldn't trust most of the hairdressers here. But that sounded suspiciously like an application for the position. Not that I'd mind you playing with my hair."

"Maybe I would like to, I can't say that I'd be as adept as Cancer but I think I'd do a good job. You have such beautiful hair, I've never seen when it's not braided though.

"That's not a bad thing, my natural hair can be very messy. Especially with the humidity here, I wasn't built for this country. But maybe one day I'll let you try. I might even keep you on."

I smiled back at her, my eyes looking away from her gaze and down to her thick lips. They always looked so soft, I wonder what they felt like.

"Maybe you should. I think I'd get better with practice, I could do it every few weeks."

"A very good suggestion, I don't think this would be the best position for it. But I couldn't think of anything worse than moving right now, you have a very comfy lap. I'm surprised that no one else has thought of sitting like this on you before."

"I wouldn't say they haven't thought about it, I just wouldn't let them. If I was looking for someone then it most likely would be with someone I can spend the whole day with everyday."

Aisha raised an eyebrow and looked up at me, her piercing gaze staring right through my soul.

"Like a guildmate?"

She smirked at me, I hated it when she did that. It made me melt, she had such a beautiful smile. She was always so confident, in the few months I had known her she had let that mask slip once and now she's back to her normal self.

"Potentially, if I met the right person. I haven't really thought about it."

That was a lie, I had thought about meeting someone who could sweep me off of my feet. But people have always wanted me for my looks and have never taken the time to really learn about me. I was seen as an object and that is why I have never dated anyone, someone in the guild who knows me would be better. But there was no one in the guild who I'd want to be with, well maybe until now. The warmth I feel when I'm around Aisha is so infectious, she really does make me happy.

"Maybe you've already met that person, but that's just food for thought. We never know what's going to happen or who you'd meet, but I think you'd be an amazing partner Mira."

I blushed massively, the thought of being with Aisha was quite comforting. It was something I hadn't thought about, I thought she was attractive and I liked spending time with her but it wasn't a bad idea having a relationship together and even felt quite realistic.

"As would you Aisha, maybe we'll go on a few jobs after this is all done."

"I'd like that, now we should probably head back to the Inn, I'm sorry I've made you come out this whole way. I really didn't mean to make you worried."

"It's fine Aisha, just stay safe. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

Aisha smiled and sat up, throwing her cigarette on the ground and standing up. She put her foot on the butt and rubbed it out, she turned around and looked up at me.

"Thank you Mira, if something like this happens again. I won't go off by myself, I'll come find you."

I smiled back at her and walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her, she wrapped her arms around me and relaxed against me. Leaving us in a tight embrace in the secluded park.