After making a roundabout trip to the Spina di Rosula hideout in the sewers and back to the Adventurer's Guild, Aether was already exhausted. It was only the start of the day though; he knew it'd only get worse. The commissions he received today from Katheryne were all easy; the hard part was making the trek to each and every location…
'North of the Institute, Erinnyes Forest, underwater…' Hilichurls, Eidolons, and chasing that weird jellyfish. All the standard commissions in Fontaine. And the last one—
"Ooh, it's in Poisson!" Paimon exclaimed upon seeing the last location on the list. "Why don't we go see Navia while we're there? I'm sure she'd appreciate us dropping by." As there was no reason not to, Aether went along with the suggestion. Meeting Navia would have to wait till after he was done with his commissions;
"Thank you very much! You really are as good as everyone says," the requester praised Aether after completing the frankly easy delivery quest. What they needed, he already had plenty off so it was done before it started.
In any case, travelling here and there was tiring but not as much as the previous day. With all four commissions done, all he needed to do now was to return to the Court of Fontaine and talk to Katheryne again. However, that was for later; right now, it was time to see their friend again. Fortunately, she was around and free to have them around.
"It's great to see you again, Aether. It's been a while since we last talked like this," the president of Spina di Rosula smiled as they sat around a table of snacks and tea. "Paimon was a great company but admittedly not the greatest person to talk to…"
"Heyy, Paimon is right here, you know?"
Navia let out a small giggle at Paimon's reaction and subsequent feasting on macaroons. "Yes, sorry for saying that. But I do wonder what you were doing those days without her, or is that a secret, partner?"
"Well… it's not exactly a secret but…" It was embarrassing to admit; Navia might not be the type to spread gossip but Aether knew she'd be teasing him about visiting Furina in private. However, he didn't want to hide anything from her either. After a few moments of consideration, he decided to tell her what he was doing.
Navia's response, however, was not what he expected. "Uh huh, I already knew. Clorinde told me about you visiting Furina." He was spot-on about the teasing though. "I wouldn't say you weren't careful but do think what would happen if the press gets wind of this. The famed Traveller having secret nightly rendezvous with the former Archon: a story like that will sell like hotcakes."
"…It wasn't nightly," Aether timidly corrected.
Of course, Paimon had to open her mouth. "But we did stay at her apartment last night."
"Oh really?" The mischievous grin on Navia's face terrified Aether.
"Navia, please don't—"
"I have not the faintest idea what you're worried about, Aether." She took a sip of her tea and hid her grin behind the cup. After finishing her drink, she asked Aether about something else. "How has Lady Furina been? I hadn't seen her in some time either."
"She's doing alright," he answered; his mind wandered back to what happened last night though. Her sobs in her sleep naturally put that idea into question but Aether believed she was doing well considering all that happened. But… that didn't mean she should be left to her own devices. "Why don't you come with us then? Paimon and I will be dropping by her apartment after this."
"As much as I would love to, I am unfortunately too busy at the moment," Navia turned down that offer. "But do stay a bit longer, we have much to discuss other than your tryst with Miss Furina."
"Try—?! Furina and I aren't like that!"
"Sure, sure, I believe you…" Navia's grin somehow grew larger.
They continued their conversation after that, talking about minor things like recent happenings, upcoming happenings, and other miscellaneous topics. Eventually though, it came time to say goodbye to Navia. She gave them a box of macaroons for Furina. "Come by again soon, you hear me? I'll have Clorinde drag you here if you don't!" She waved them goodbye as they left Poisson and went on their way to the Court of Fontaine.
"Thank you for completing today's commissions. Here is your reward," Katheryn gave her usual congratulations. "Farewell, Adventurer, and thank you for supporting the Adventurers' Guild."
"Now that that's all taken care of, what should we do now?" Paimon asked as they walked away from Katheryne. "Do you want to check some shops first or do you want to go see your new girlfriend righ— WAHHH!"
Paimon'll recover from getting flung into the air; she always did. 'Why did you have to put such weird ideas in her head, Navia…'
A/N: And done. Navia and Paimon teasing ahoy because the natural step forward. Next chapter will Furina shopping and maybe bumping into someone in the process~
In the meantime, I'll continue my Persona binge in between writing this, OPB, and the AeTao fic that's been stuck in my head for a long time…