I disappeared into the morning dawn and enjoyed Orario as the city roused from its slumber. Well, at least our part of the city! Either way, it was a pretty standard morning all and all with one slight difference! I'd ended up sleeping on the roof rather than in my bed last night, using my 'getting comfortable' abilities to make the roof feel practically like a bed!
I'd told Belle we should 'get back to bed' and sleep with Hestia, but I won't lie, the way the moon reflected on her face as she told me she'd rather spend some time with me up here was quite adorable!
Perhaps I should teach Belle such self-comfort techniques? She looked a little uncomfortable, and that seemed to hold a lot truer as I'd woken up without her by my side!? I'm used to sleeping with people, of course in recent times being my Goddess and fellow Fool!
A Fool who seemed to have feelings for me. Sitting on a park bench I crossed my fingers together and held up my head with the structured form of my hands. The sun peeked over the distance, hitting my face from the side as I contemplated what she'd told me.
She told me she loved me, and not like family! She loved me as a potential romantic partner!
Folding my arms over my chest I leaned back into the bench and let out a sigh. Dang it! This is such a hard situation. Then suddenly I heard faint steps behind me, and after a moment twin hands gently rested over my eyes.
"Guess who?"
Such a test at this early hour? No matter, for when I am undefeatable in this game!
"I recognize that voice, you have to be Syr!"
"Good morning Andrew! It's so great to see you again! How have you been?"
Turning my head over to the voice, it was the poor road safety girl! Who also had a weak stomach?
I felt a hum in my mind, but quickly silenced the dissenting voice as I continued my interaction.
"I'm doing fine enough. Though, Is your stomach doing alright?" My awkward shift to my concerned tone caused her to pause.
She blinked for a moment, then gave a small laugh and waved her hand as though I'd brought up something of such little importance.
"It is! Thanks for checking in, I really don't know what happened . . ." She trailed off awkwardly for a moment, then gave a cheeky smile as she slid in beside me on the bench. An arm wrapping around my shoulder as she leaned a bit closer in.
"Thanks again for the food Syr, my Familia loved it." I turned my eyes down to the smaller woman with a bit of an awkward, but apologetic expression on my face. "Sorry I left you behind." Normally I wouldn't do that, I honestly am still not completely certain what pushed me away.
My mind flashed back to my Persona. That jerk was definitely interfering with my relationship with Syr!
"Then it looks like you owe me, and I know just how you can make it up to me."
I nodded. I did owe Syr, she gave me free food and I bailed on her! That wasn't shounen at all!
"Anything."
Her smile grew a bit pointed as she leaned in even closer, her chest pressing against my side.
"Then how about we go on a date!"
Wha- What!? My face exploded in red as I processed the words. S-Syr liked me like that!? But I barely even knew her!
"Shouldn't we get to know each other a bit more first?" This seriously was way too fast!
"Consider this my way of getting to know you, you saved my life when we were met, and my feelings have only grown since then." She took a breath, the red on her face fading slightly as her expression grew determined. "You are the type of person I could spend the rest of my life with Andrew. Though you barely know anything about me, so let's fix that!"
Her free hand held my own as she pressed ever closer, her breath growing hot as I stared into her grey eyes.
This didn't feel right. Even with Hector screaming at me to not go with her like I was in Interstellar. I couldn't understand his personal vendetta, but I didn't believe in love being like a hurricane.
Love was something you had to grow with collective passion and trust. This was too fast. It just didn't feel right. Nonetheless I did owe Syr, so I stood up, her arms falling off of me in concern as I did so.
"I'm going into the Dungeon fairly soon. Is it alright if you wait until I get back? So you have time to think over if this is all you want."
"I would wait forever."
. . . What? I paused, old memories being dredged up as they started to weave back into my mind. Then I laughed. She reminded me of someone I knew from what feels like forever ago.
"Well, I won't keep you waiting that long! I'll see you when I get back Syr!" I gave her a smile as I waved to her over my shoulder as I made my way down the street.
"You better have an awesome story to tell!" She called out to me as I paced away, and I had the perfect response!
"I'm sure something will happen! I promise!" I was certain of it! In the Dungeon cool stuff happened every time I went in! This time even felt extra special because we were bringing in our dear friend Welf!
Making my way over to Welf, I started to jog, my speed picking up and the feeling of the cobble beneath my feet sending pulses up my leg with each step.
Every time I interacted with Syr I felt weird. It was a really odd experience that I couldn't fully parse. My instincts told me she was dangerous, and my Persona did as well. Though isn't a Persona just another aspect of yourself? So all of my instincts are being weird?
This whole thing is really confusing! But I had a great distraction as I continued to accelerate, shifting my focus away from Syr and how she made me feel and instead to how running made me feel!
Running is great! I arrived in no time at all as I walked up to the front of Welf's smithy and prepared to knock on the door, only to stop myself moments before doing so.
What if Welf hadn't gotten here yet? I paused, bringing the extended hand to my chin and furrowing my brows.
Then I froze. A sound had come from inside the smithy! Praise be to my glorious senses! They may have just found a thief!
That simply wouldn't do. I had to show this thief justice for daring to steal from my friend!
I rolled my shoulder, and grabbed my fist. I think I need to teach this trouble maker a lesson!
The door in front of me cracked open as I slowly extended my hand to grab the thief by the shoulder. I'd prefer to end this without punching them in the face, but that's option three on my current plan!
My hand settled on the individual's shoulder, their slightly sleepy expression stared back at me, our head height similar, and the man's hair red.
I slowly pulled my hand back in embarrassment.
"G-good morning Welf! You aren't who I expected to see!"
His face contorted into confusion as he leaned back slightly, his arms crossing over his chest.
"Who else would you possibly expect to see?"
My face deadpanned as I stared straight into his soul!
"I have no idea."
His expression fell flat, before he shrugged and pushed the door all the way open, and gestured with a motion of his head for me to come in.
"It's too early for this nonsense. Come inside, I'll grab you some water if you need any."
"Oh, thanks Welf! So how's the progress on Heir?"
"It's damn good, that's for sure." He smiled as he turned towards the mostly pristine weapon resting against the wall across the room.
Its silver sheen shined as the sun rose and cracked through the window. Though I also spotted a clear liquid on it?
He blushed as he scrambled across the room and pulled out a towel and wiped it off.
"Sorry about that, I passed out while putting on the finishing touches last night."
He must have been working really hard to finish it. He even ended up drooling on the sword. My expression turned firm as slowly met his eyes. His face was nervous, but the nervousness became confused as tears leaked from my eyes!
"WELF!" My shout snapped him awake, his hand nearly diving for the weapon before he stopped himself despite his slight panic. "YOU TRULY ARE AN AWESOME BLACKSMITH AND AN AWESOMER FRIEND!"
I held my clenched fists in the air, Welf was awesome! The red head in question blushed under my praise and gave a nod.
"Well alright, I can appreciate the praise." He leaned down slightly and carefully held up the weapon before freezing. "Sorry, I almost forgot."
He moved, opening a leather bag and pouring the water from within into two small metal cups before handing me one of them.
Taking a swig of the warm liquid I couldn't help but sigh with a small bit of pleasure. Cold water was better, but water after a run will always be something I look forward too.
"Thanks Welf, but you don't have to be sorry or anything. I just got a bit excited is all."
"You tend to get a bit excited more often than not."
I snorted and smiled, he returned the gesture with a small laugh.
"It's true! I just can't help it! So many awesome things happening all the time, so many cool people, what's there not to be excited about in Orario?"
His eyes narrowed just barely, quizzically, and slightly in concern as he pulled up a couple chairs to a table which I happily took a seat at.
"Say Andrew, where are you even from?"
My eyes glazed over for a moment. I was from a lot of places. The United States, where I'd lived most of my young life. China, where I'd lived for most of my training, and the countless other places and cultures around a globe I wasn't certain if I could return to flicked in my mind before I settled on an answer.
"Well, I traveled around a lot, but I'd say my home was where my Master taught me how to use a sword." I felt linked to the sword, I took it with me everywhere, and I always felt at least slightly comfortable as long as I held it.
So shouldn't home be what birthed that sword then?
Welf gave a light hum, my answer didn't seem to satisfy his curiosity too much, but he also chose not to press the issue as he slid Heir my direction. I gulped as I eyed up the weapon.
"I'm from Rakia-"
"Welf, this is beautiful work-"
We both spoke at the same time, but I smiled at him and gave a brewed apology before gesturing for him to continue.
"It's nothing, this sword is more important."
My eyes narrowed. I would tolerate that answer! Leaning in, I nearly glared at the poor man.
"Nothing is more important to me right now than hearing what my dear companion Welf has to say!"
Rank 6: Quenched by Flame - Awakens a special magic within the Tower Arcana
"Damn Andrew, you really are a weirdo."
I could only tilt my head in confusion. I knew I was a weirdo, but at the same time how was wanting to know what our dear blacksmith Welf had to say, weird!?
I crossed my arms and shook my head.
"You matter to me. So come on, tell me all about-"
Then my stomach growled, my face turning redder than the man's hair and he barked out a laugh.
"Tell you all about my favorite food? Alright-" Talking about food was a fatal mistake, as his stomach growled as well! He let out an embarrassed groan before continuing. "I haven't eaten in the last day, why don't we settle this over breakfast?"
Welf . . . you truly are one of my people!