Kalia rolled out of bed and opened the curtains. As the morning sun lit the room, her eyes fell on an enormous pile of scrolls that had appeared in the corner.
"Astra..." Kalia tapped on the sleeping girl's head.
"Mmph." Astra pulled the blanket over her.
"Astra."
"Wha..." Astra rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Why is our bedroom full of scrolls?"
"Umm... because I ran out of space in the lab."
"Good grief..." Kalia sighed, rubbing her temples. "Did you really need all these?"
"I-I couldn't help it. They had so many I haven't read before."
"When did you even sneak these in here?"
"When you were asleep..." Astra slowly pulled the blanket up to her nose. "...It was only a few."
Kalia yanked the blanket down and gestured toward the mountain in the corner. "A few?"
"Hehe." Astra flashed her fanged smile.
Every single time...
Kalia could already feel her resolve crumbling.
"Could you at least stack them in the closet?"
"Um..."
Kalia narrowed her eyes.
"Don't tell me..."
She reached for the closet door.
Astra shot out of bed and planted herself in front of it.
"I'll get them out later! As soon as I figure out where to put them."
Kalia stared at her. "The closet is full too, isn't it?"
"...Maybe."
"What am I going to do with you...?"
Kalia glanced back at the mountain of scrolls.
"What if we moved your lab into one of the unused buildings?"
Astra blinked. "Never thought about that."
She placed a finger against her chin.
"We do have that old smithy, but it'd need some remodeling."
"If I remember right, the guild offers construction services."
Astra's eyes lit up. "Wanna go check today?"
"Sure, I'll ask the girls if they wanna come along."
"Actually..." Astra fidgeted with the edge of her nightshirt. "Could it just be the two of us?"
"Oh?" Kalia closed the gap between them and planted one hand against the door behind Astra. "Are you asking me on a date?"
"What?! No. I mean..." Astra's face flushed a deep scarlet.
Her eyes darted away. "...Mhmm."
Kalia gently tapped the end of Astra's nose with her finger. "I'd love to."
Astra's eyes snapped back to Kalia. "Really?"
"Just the two of us."
"Yay!" Astra threw her arms around Kalia.
"Oof—!" Kalia stumbled back a step. "And she's back..."
"Lady Kalia, Lady Astra," Lora called from the hallway. "Breakfast."
"Coming!" Astra hummed. "Let's go eat."
Kalia opened the door and found Lora waiting outside dressed in her new maid outfit.
"Lora, you know you can just call us by our names, right?"
"No, no," Lora replied firmly. "A proper maid should address the masters of the house appropriately."
Kalia sighed. "You aren't going to budge on this, are you?"
Lora shook her head. "Nope."
"If that's what you want, then go ahead."
"It is, Lady Kalia. Now, go ahead and take a seat while I prepare your plate."
"I can make—"
Kalia stopped mid-sentence at the glare Lora sent her way.
"...Right. Proper maid."
Lora replied with a satisfied smile before returning to her work.
I've created a monster...
"C'mon, Lady Kalia! Sit next to me!" Astra grabbed her hand.
Kalia narrowed her eyes. "Don't you start."
"Yes, Lady Kalia," Astra teased.
Scratch that... I've created two monsters...
"So..." Astra spooned a bite of Lora's porridge into her mouth. "...when do you wanna go on our date?"
Every head at the table snapped toward them.
"Oooh, a daaate?" Eron snickered.
"'Bout time," Fio muttered to herself with a small smile.
"Hehe..." Kalia nervously wrapped her tail around her fingers.
Astra glanced around the table. "Wha?"
Lora poked her head into the dining room. "Did I just hear you two are going on a date?"
"Mhmm!" Astra took another bite of porridge. "We're going to the guild to see about converting the smithy into my new lab."
Lora smiled. "Understood. I'll make sure everything here is taken care of, so the two of you can enjoy yourselves."
Eron stared at Astra. "That's all you're doing for a date?"
Astra paused before looking at Kalia.
"...Right?"
"We're doing more than that, Astra."
"See, Eron. We're doing other stuff!"
"Like?" Eron retorted.
"Like..." Astra opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
She leaned toward Kalia and whispered. "...What are we doing?"
"Whatever we want. We have the whole day to figure it out."
Astra turned back to Eron. "Yeah, that!"
Eron snorted. "So you have no idea."
"Exactly!" Astra answered proudly.
"I think Astra's plan was just to have Master Lia to herself today," Fio chimed in.
Eron grinned. "Aww, Astra wants some alone time with her girlfriend."
"Eron!"
"What? It's true!"
Kalia chuckled and reached under the table, taking Astra's hand.
"Then you can have me all to yourself today."
"Eep!" Astra nearly leapt from her chair, her face a deep red.
Fio smiled into her teacup. "Definitely about time."
"L-let's go, Lia." Astra suddenly jumped from her chair.
"Oh, no you don't." Lora stopped her at the doorway, arms folded. "You aren't going on a date looking like that."
Astra looked down at herself. "This is what I always wear, though?"
"Maybe when you're spending the day in your laboratory."
Astra looked helplessly at Kalia.
"I can't save you this time." Kalia shook her head. "Best not to argue with her."
Lora nodded approvingly. "Wise choice, Lady Kalia."
"Upstairs, Lady Astra."
"I still don't—"
Lora silenced her by pointing toward the stairwell.
"Go on."
"Yes, ma'am..." Astra slowly trudged upstairs, with Lora following close behind her.
Kalia watched them disappear upstairs and breathed a sigh of relief as she took a sip of her tea.
"Good luck, Astra."
She took another sip of her tea.
Fio stared at her.
"What?"
"You don't seriously think you're going dressed like that either, do you?"
Kalia slowly lowered her cup.
"...Fio."
Fio smiled mischievously. "Upstairs, Master Lia."
"Oh, come on!"
Eron burst out laughing.
Fio grabbed the back of Kalia's collar and started dragging her toward the stairwell. "Let's go."
Kalia sighed, surrendering to her fate.
"Yes, ma'am..."
————————————————————————————————————
"No, that's not the right color either." Fio exchanged the dress for another.
"Maybe..." She held up a short purple sundress. "No..."
Kalia sighed. "Can't I just wear pants...?"
"Absolutely not!" Fio tossed another dress onto the bed.
"This is it!" She pulled out a flowing scarlet dress with gold trim. "Put this on."
Kalia reluctantly slipped into the dress. "Isn't this a bit much?"
"Not at all." Fio circled around her, carefully evaluating her choice. "Not too formal, long enough to be comfortable all day, and..."
She adjusted the neckline slightly.
"...just revealing enough to make Astra blush."
"Why is that a requirement?"
"Because we all saw how you looked at Astra that night back in Shella."
"Oh..." Kalia's face flushed. "You saw that."
"We all did, Master Lia."
"Now come sit back down so I can do your hair and make-up."
"That too?"
"Of course, did you really think you were going to get off that easily?"
"No..." Kalia sat on the edge of the bed.
Fio rummaged through her bag of brushes and set about her work.
"Hmm... Since we are going with a red dress..." Fio selected a shade of lip stain. "...this'll go nicely."
"You know, I can do my own make-up."
"Hold still."
"Sorry..."
After what felt like an eternity, Fio finally set her brushes aside.
"There."
Kalia started to turn toward the mirror.
"Ah-ah! Not yet."
"Seriously?"
Fio made one final adjustment to Kalia's hair before turning the mirror around.
"Alright. You can look now."
Kalia fell silent.
The woman staring back at her barely looked like the same demoness who had rolled out of bed that morning.
Fio had left most of her long crimson hair flowing freely down her back, gathering only a few strands away from her face. The scarlet dress hugged her figure, its gold trim catching the light whenever she moved. A touch of makeup sharpened her grey-green eyes, while the deep red on her lips completed the look.
She's good...
"Well?"
"I..." Kalia smoothed the sides of her dress. "I look..."
"Beautiful?"
Kalia smiled sheepishly. "Yeah."
"Astra is gonna lose her mind," Fio announced proudly.
No kidding... She nervously reached for her tail.
"How are you of all people getting nervous?"
"I-I'm not."
"Your tail." Fio glanced downward.
Kalia quickly released it. "Hehe."
"And now for the final piece."
"What now..."
"These." Fio placed a pair of sleek black heels in front of Kalia.
"You do know we are going to be walking most of the day, right?"
"Mhmm," Fio nodded, completely ignoring the point.
"As in, all day."
"I heard you."
"Then why am I wearing heels?"
"Because they go with the dress."
Kalia slipped them on and took a few steps across the room.
"I guess these aren't that bad."
"Comfort and style. Perfect!" Fio smiled.
"You're enjoying this far too much."
"Yup!"
"Wait here. I'll go see if Astra's ready."
Fio disappeared through the doorway, leaving Kalia alone.
Kalia turned toward the mirror again.
It's just Astra. Calm down.
Somehow, the thought only made it worse.
————————————————————————————————————
"Goodness, Astra. Hold still." Lora struggled to adjust the dress while Astra continued to squirm.
"I am still!" Astra squirmed again as Lora adjusted the straps.
After a few agonizing minutes, Astra was finally in her dress.
"This is so short," Astra protested.
"No, it isn't. It comes down to your knees." Lora smoothed out the skirt. "Just long enough that you can sit comfortably without having to worry about it."
Astra tilted her head. "Worry about what?"
"The skirt coming up too high when you sit."
"That's a problem?"
"Of course it is!" Lora held her head in her hands.
"Then wouldn't pants be better?"
"You're going on a date, Astra."
"And?"
"Never mind..." Lora pulled out a chair. "Just sit down so I can do your hair."
"I think something simple would be best." Lora muttered to herself as she brushed Astra's hair. "Maybe... braids?
"Yeah, that'll work."
Lora separated a few strands near Astra's temples and carefully twisted them into thin braids, drawing them around the sides of her head before joining them together at the back.
"There." Lora handed Astra a hand mirror. "Well?"
"Mmm, it feels like something is missing."
Lora reached for Astra's hairpin and clipped back a few loose strands of hair.
"That's it!" Astra turned her head. "I kinda like this. With my hair like this it wouldn't get singed while I work!"
"That's not the..." Lora sighed. It wasn't even worth putting to words.
"Now for your make-up."
"Do I need that?"
"Yes."
"But why?"
Lora rubbed her temples with a loud sigh. "Just close your eyes."
"O-okay..."
Lora kept everything simple with a little color around her eyes, just enough to emphasize their unusual star-shaped pupils, and a soft shade across her lips.
"Done."
Astra opened her eyes and blinked a few times. "That's it?"
"Yup. That wasn't so bad, now was it?"
"No..." Astra gazed at the floor.
"Alright." Lora turned the mirror around. "Take a look."
Astra gazed at herself in the mirror. The simple black sundress cut a sharp contrast with her silver-grey hair and pale skin. It hugged gently around her waist before opening into a loose skirt. The modest neckline and narrow shoulder straps left her collarbones exposed, giving the normally disheveled researcher an unexpectedly delicate appearance.
Her silver-gray hair had been carefully brushed and woven into small braids along either side of her head, meeting beneath her familiar trinity-shaped hairpin.
"I feel so exposed..." Astra turned from side to side in front of the mirror. "...So much skin."
"That's the whole point..." Lora straightened the bow around Astra's waist. "...Kalia is going to love it."
"You think?"
"Trust me."
"If you say so."
"I do." Lora handed Astra a simple pair of flats and a matching shoulder bag.
"Oh, a bag!" Astra immediately opened it and began trying to stuff it with her notebooks.
"That's not why I gave you that." Lora promptly removed the items and replaced them with a few essentials.
"But... what if I need to take notes?"
"What for? It's a date, not an expedition."
"I've never been on a date, though. I need to document everything."
Lora stared at her. "So you're going to take research notes on your date."
"How else am I supposed to remember what works?"
"Ugh...fine." Lora placed a small notepad and quill into the bag. "You can have this. But please try not to spend the whole day writing in it."
"Okies!" Astra smiled as she slipped the bag over her shoulder.
"Lora?" Fio knocked at the door. "Is Astra ready?"
"She is," Lora replied. "I take it Lady Kalia is as well?"
"Mhmm. She's waiting downstairs."
"Alright, I'll send Astra down."
Lora turned to Astra. "Ready?"
"Mhmm..." Astra gripped the hem of her skirt.
"Sorta..." she muttered under her breath.
"You'll do fine." Lora opened the door and ushered her out. "Now go on."
————————————————————————————————————
Kalia stiffened upon hearing footsteps at the top of the stairs.
It's just Astra... It's just Astra.
Kalia slowly looked up.
Kalia's breath caught in her throat.
The dress was beautiful, sure, but it was Astra's nervous little smile that completely ruined her.
Astra had always been beautiful to her. Probably the most beautiful woman in the world, if Kalia was being honest. But this...
She hadn't been ready for this.
After several moments of complete silence, Fio nudged her in the ribs. "Say something."
"Uh, hi." Kalia stammered as Astra descended the stairs.
Hi? Who even says that?
"Hi." Astra nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Kalia took a step toward her. "You look...great."
"So do you..." Astra smiled.
Her eyes wandered over Kalia's scarlet dress, tracing the neckline as it dipped.
Astra suddenly realized where she was looking and snapped her gaze back to Kalia's face.
"Really great..."
Kalia's hand instinctively reached for her tail.
"Master Lia," Fio whispered. "Tail."
Kalia tried to release it, but her fingers refused to cooperate. No matter how much she told herself to let go, it remained firmly in place.
"Ready to go?"
"Mhmm." Astra smiled as she held out her hand.
Without even realizing it, Kalia finally released her tail.
She intertwined her fingers with Astra's.
Apparently, she'd found something else to hold on to.
————————————————————————————————————
The ride into Tuugo was eerily quiet, the pair seemingly unable to find the words they wanted to say.
"We're here." Kalia finally broke the silence. "Wanna go to the guildhall first?"
"Mhmm." Astra nodded. "If we do that first, we can spend the rest of the day together."
"Sounds good."
They started down the street toward the guild, silence once again claiming them.
"..." Kalia glanced at Astra.
"..." Astra fidgeted with the strap of her bag.
"Lia..."
"Is this how dates normally work?"
"I don't know."
"Haven't you been on one?"
"A long time ago..."
"Why does it feel weird?"
"I don't know..."
Astra tilted her head. "We go places together all the time."
Kalia nodded. "We sleep together, eat together, do almost everything together."
"I can't understand why this feels so different."
"Maybe we're overthinking it..." Kalia paused. "Maybe it's because we gave this outing a title?"
"So... why don't we just do what we normally do?"
Kalia smiled. "Okay."
Astra leaned against her shoulder, the tension between them lifting.
She quietly reached into her bag and pulled out her notepad.
Date Rule #1: Just act like we normally do.
Kalia glanced down. "Are you taking notes?"
"Mhmm. This is my first date. Gotta make sure I know what to do."
"Isn't taking notes 'overthinking' it?"
Astra tucked the notepad back into her bag. "Nope, this is research. Completely different."
That's the Astra I know.
————————————————————————————————————
"Welcome back, Miss Kalia, Miss Astra." The clerk greeted the pair as they entered the building. "Something I can do for you today?"
Astra approached the counter. "We'd like to see about getting some renovations done to our smithy. Does the guild offer construction services?"
"We do, but unfortunately your party is not a high enough rank yet."
"What rank do we need to be?"
"Rank B or higher."
"And how many points do we need to rank up?"
"Let me check." The clerk flipped through her ledger. "Fifteen more points. After that, you'll be eligible to take the Rank B promotion quest."
"Promotion quest?"
"For promotions to Rank B and above, earning the required points isn't enough. Your party must complete one quest from the rank you're attempting to enter."
Astra turned to Kalia. "Should we just hire a regular builder?"
"Maybe."
"Ordinary construction services are available throughout the city. Guild-certified magical construction is restricted to Rank B parties and above."
Astra's ears perked up. "Magical construction?"
"Spell-resistant walls, reinforced barriers, mana containment, specialized laboratories—"
"We need Rank B."
Kalia sighed. "Of course we do."
"Would you like to see a list of available quests?"
Astra glanced at Kalia.
Then at the request sheet.
Then back at Kalia.
"N-no..."
She pushed the sheet away before she could change her mind.
"I'm on a date with Lia!"
Kalia couldn't quite stop herself from smiling.
"We'll come back later."
The guildhall doors closed behind them.
Astra immediately retrieved her notes.
Date Rule #2: No work or quests... Unless Lia wants to.
"I saw that."
"Saw what?" Astra asked innocently.
"You just put a loophole in there."
"Well, it's true. If you wanted to do a quest on a date, I should let you."
"I guess I can't argue with that logic."
"Exactly!"
Astra tucked the notepad back into her bag.
"Okay. What do we do now?"
Kalia looked down the busy streets of Tuugo.
"Wanna grab something to eat?"
"Ooh, I saw a new café yesterday. Want to try it out?" Astra tugged at Kalia's hand.
"Sure." Kalia followed after her.
Kalia felt like they had been down every street in Tuugo by now.
"Astra... how much farther is this place?"
"It's just around the corner."
"You said that two corners ago..."
"This time for sure!" Astra stated confidently.
Please be true... My feet are killing me...
"Here it is!" Astra exclaimed. "Told you we were close."
Thank god... Never letting Fio talk me into heels again...
"Finally, let's get inside. I need to sit down..."
"Why?"
Kalia pointed downward.
"Oh... Why'd you wear those?"
"Because I was dumb enough to let Fio convince me they looked good."
"She's not wrong..." Astra muttered under her breath.
"You say something?"
"N-nope!"
Astra grabbed her notepad.
Date Rule #3: Comfortable Shoes.
"Put a star next to that one." Kalia chuckled.
Astra drew a little star next to the new rule. "Okies!"
Kalia reached for the door. "After you."
"Hehe, thanks!"
"Welcome. Table for two?"
"Yes, please."
"If you'll follow me."
The waiter led the pair to a table tucked away in the back corner of the café.
It was the perfect spot for the two of them to talk, far from the noise of the busy street.
"Mmm." Kalia took a seat and slipped off her shoes. "Much better."
"Is it really that bad?"
"Astra, I'm thinking about going barefoot the rest of the day."
"But you do look pretty in them." Astra immediately stuck her nose in the menu.
A few more hours wouldn't kill me...
"Can I get you anything to drink? Wine? Tea?"
Kalia looked over the menu for a moment. Her eyes settled on a particularly expensive bottle of wine.
It is a date, after all...might as well treat myself...
"We'll take a bottle of Tellfeire Blanc. Two glasses, please."
"Certainly." The waiter turned to Astra. "And for you, miss?"
"I'll just have some tea."
"Excellent. I'll be right back."
"Tea? Not gonna have a glass of wine with me?"
"Was I supposed to?"
"Why else would I ask for two glasses?"
"Oh... I'll have some then."
"Here you are." The waiter returned and uncorked the bottle, pouring each of them a glass. "I'll be back shortly to take your order."
Kalia raised her glass. "To our first date."
Astra's expression brightened. "To our very first date!"
Their glasses gently clinked together.
As soon as Astra set her glass down, she retrieved her notepad.
"That's not a rule, Astra..."
"But isn't it important?"
"We don't have to have a toast every single time, only for really special occasions."
"Oh..." She continued to write.
Date Rule #4: Only toast for special occasions.
"Jeez..." Kalia smiled as she took another sip of her wine.
"Are you ready to order?"
"Go ahead, Astra. I haven't decided yet."
"I'll have the special parfait, a slice of rhuteberry pie, and three of the chocolate cream puffs."
Kalia smiled to herself. As usual, Astra and her bottomless stomach.
"And for you, miss?"
"Just a bowl of the potato and cream soup, please."
"Right away."
Astra watched the waiter disappear into the kitchen before shrinking slightly in her chair.
"Did I order too much?" Astra suddenly felt embarrassed by her order.
"For you? I'm surprised that was all you got."
"Hey..." Astra playfully nudged Kalia under the table.
Kalia smiled as she bumped her foot against Astra in return.
"You should know I'm used to your impressive appetite by now."
"So..." Astra took a sip from her glass. "...About Lucy going to the Academy."
"Hmm?"
"We should probably expand the smithy to have room for her to study and practice."
"Actually..." Kalia paused, unsure how Astra would take the news.
"Lucy wants to stay on campus."
"Really? But how can I help her when she doesn't understand something?"
"That's why she wanted to stay in the first place."
"We both know you would be too willing to help her out."
"Oh..." Astra stared into her wine.
"Did I help her too much?"
"It's not that," Kalia said gently.
"But isn't it better to have help?"
"It is, but she idolizes you. She wants to become a researcher like you, and I think she feels like she needs to learn how to find answers on her own instead of always having you there to give them to her."
Astra's cheeks reddened. "Does she really look up to me that much?"
"Very much so. Besides, she'll be coming home on the weekends, and if she really needs your help, she can ask you then."
Astra's ears perked up. "Every weekend?"
Kalia chuckled. "That's the plan."
"So I can still teach her things?"
"As long as you promise not to do her homework for her."
"I can do that!" She nodded vigorously.
"Astra... I mean it."
Astra frowned. "Okay..."
"Here's your order."
Astra's attention immediately turned to the enormous parfait that was placed in front of her.
"This looks amazing!" Astra dug her spoon into the glass and took a bite.
"Mmm!"
"Lia, you have to try this!" Astra held her spoon out toward Kalia.
Kalia leaned forward and took the offered bite without thinking.
"That is pretty good."
"Right?!" Astra spooned another mouthful. "Not too sweet and tons of fresh fruit."
Kalia sat back and watched Astra enjoy her food for a few moments, a smile slowly creeping across her face.
"What are you staring at?" Astra instinctively dabbed her mouth with her napkin. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Nothing, I was just looking at you."
"M-me?" Astra's cheeks flushed red. "Why?"
"Sometimes it just hits me how beautiful you are."
Astra nearly choked on her spoon. "B-but I'm not..."
"I meant what I said that first night you slept in my room. You really are beautiful."
Astra's face turned a deep scarlet. "I-I think you're beautiful too."
"Even when I'm not wearing a dress?"
"Even then." Astra's eyes wandered over Kalia for a moment. "But... I especially like the dress."
Kalia smiled at Astra's sudden boldness. Noted, Astra likes me in a dress and heels.
Astra ate in silence for a few moments. "Lia? Can I ask you something?"
"Hmm?"
"When did you start thinking about me like that?"
"I don't know."
"You don't?"
Kalia shook her head. "I think it just... happened somewhere along the way."
"Me too..."
"I'd never really thought about things like this before you."
"Never?"
"Not really." Astra shook her head. "I was always busy."
"For a few hundred years?"
"There was always something new to study."
Her fingers lightly traced the stem of her glass.
"Then I met you." Astra smiled sheepishly. "The idiot demoness staying in that village inn."
"The Great Demon of Stupidity." Kalia bowed her head. "At your service."
Astra giggled. "You were pretty stupid, though."
"No kidding... If it weren't for the Armory, I wouldn't even be sitting here right now."
"I'm glad you are."
Kalia held her gaze for a moment. "Me too."
For a while after that, conversation gave way to food.
Astra made short work of her parfait, followed by the pie and cream puffs, occasionally insisting Kalia try a bite of whatever happened to be in front of her.
By the time Kalia finished her soup, only a few crumbs remained on Astra's plates.
"That was really good." Astra leaned back contentedly.
Kalia eyed the collection of empty dishes. "I'm impressed."
"That I finished?"
"That you didn't order anything else."
Astra puffed out her cheeks. "I could."
"We're leaving."
"Hehe."
Kalia reached beneath the table and reluctantly slipped her heels back on.
Outside, the sun had just started to set. Golden light spilled between the buildings, stretching long shadows across the streets of Tuugo.
Astra slipped her hand into Kalia's. "So... what now?"
Kalia smiled. "No idea."
"Anywhere you wanna go?"
"Not particularly. You?"
"Same."
"Home?"
"Home."
Astra glanced down at Kalia's feet. "Want to get a carriage?"
Kalia breathed a deep sigh of relief. "More than anything."
"Okies." Astra skipped off toward the town stables. "Just wait there, I'll bring it around!"
Kalia found a nearby bench and sat down, making a mental note. Kalia's Date Rules #1-100: Comfortable shoes.
————————————————————————————————————
As the carriage rolled through the gates of their home, Kalia could already see Fio waiting at the door.
"You know they're going to jump us the moment we get inside."
"I know..."
"Might as well get it over with."
"Yeah, probably."
The carriage finally came to a stop.
Kalia took a deep breath as she opened the door and stepped out, Astra following closely behind.
"Soooo...?" Fio bounced on the balls of her feet.
"We had fun," Kalia replied stiffly.
"Had fun?" Fio frowned. "No, no, no. I want the details."
She practically dragged Kalia into the parlor.
"Why do I feel like this is going to be an interrogation?"
"Because it is." Fio pulled out a chair. "Sit."
As if on cue, Lora appeared around the corner and promptly ushered Astra in the opposite direction. Astra watched Lora approaching like a predator coming for its prey.
"Wait... Where are we going?"
"Upstairs, Lady Astra."
"Why?"
Lora smiled. "We need to talk."
Astra cast a desperate look toward Kalia.
Kalia could only reply with a glance at Fio. They were both trapped.
"So." Fio leaned back in her seat. "How was it?"
"It was great."
"And?"
"We went to the guild first, then stopped at this nice little café and ate."
"That's not what I meant." Fio sighed. "Did you hold hands? Did she like your outfit? I want the good stuff."
"Fine..." Kalia surrendered. "Yes, we held hands while we walked and, yes, Astra liked the dress very much."
"The shoes?"
Kalia's eye twitched. "You're lucky Astra liked them..."
"Hehe, and you doubted me." Fio grinned.
"Don't even start." Kalia rubbed her ankles. "Next time I am wearing regular shoes."
"Sure you will." Fio snickered. "What else happened?"
"Nothing much. We just chatted about how we met..." Kalia's cheeks flushed. "And... It was the first time Astra had ever told me I was beautiful."
"I bet you liked that."
"Maybe..."
Fio's grin widened. "So are you two finally a thing now?"
"I don't know. We didn't talk about that."
Fio's head hit the table. "What...?"
"It didn't come up..."
"After all that effort..." Fio sighed. "There's always the next one."
"Anyways, I'm glad you had a good time, Master Lia."
"I did." Kalia smiled. "Now if you don't mind, I would love to get out of these clothes."
Fio laughed. "You're dismissed."
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"How was your date, Lady Astra?"
"It was a lot of fun! I took some really good notes!"
"Notes?"
"Mhmm!" Astra pulled out her notepad. "Very useful information for next time!"
Lora raised an eyebrow. "Next time?"
"Yup! Now I know..." Astra realized what she was saying. "...what to do on our next date."
"I suppose that means you and Lady Kalia are officially courting?"
Astra blinked. "I don't know. We didn't really talk about it."
Lora covered her face with her hand. "So you two spent the whole day together, and that didn't come up, not even once?"
"Nope."
"Goodness..." Lora sighed. "We're going to have to work even harder next time."
"Okies!" Astra nodded in agreement, not entirely aware of what she had just agreed to.
"Can I come in?" Kalia knocked at the bedroom door.
"Certainly." Lora opened the door and allowed her in.
"I'll leave you two for the evening." Lora bowed. "Good night, Lady Kalia, Lady Astra."
"Good night, Lora." They replied together.
The two finally settled into bed after changing.
"Lia?"
"Yeah?"
"I had a lot of fun today."
"Me too."
Kalia wrapped her arm around Astra, pulling her into her usual spot.
"Night, Astra."
"Night." Astra quietly pulled out her notepad one last time.
Date Rule #5: More Dates with Lia.