Ace had a rule.
Actually, Ace had many rules.
But one of the most important ones was this:
"No emotional development inside the workshop."
And yet—
Here they were.
The shy boy and the adventurer trainee sat at a small wooden table Ace had reluctantly set up outside the shop.
Two cups of herbal tea steamed gently between them.
The scarf rested quietly around the boy's neck, glowing a soft pastel pink.
Ace stood in the doorway, arms crossed, tail twitching.
"This," he muttered, "is a controlled environment."
Ravenna perched above the doorframe.
"You say that every time before chaos happens."
Biscuit peeked out from behind a flower pot.
"I brought emergency snacks."
Ace ignored them.
The girl smiled politely at the boy.
"So… um… thank you again. For helping me yesterday."
The boy nodded too fast.
"You're welcome! I mean—yes—no problem—anytime—"
The scarf flickered.
Ace hissed under his breath.
"Easy. Easy. Don't spike."
The girl noticed the glow.
"…Is it doing that thing again?"
The boy swallowed.
"A little."
She tilted her head curiously.
"Does it hurt?"
"No," he said quickly.
"It just… reacts when I feel strongly."
She smiled.
"That sounds inconvenient."
The scarf shimmered brighter.
Ace slammed his paw against the doorframe.
"DO NOT ENCOURAGE IT."
Ravenna laughed.
"He's fighting destiny with a paw."
The conversation continued—slowly, awkwardly, gently.
They talked about herb gathering.
Training at the guild.
How the boy had never really known what he wanted to do before.
The scarf pulsed with a calm, steady light.
Ace relaxed slightly.
See?
Normal date. No disaster.
Then the girl asked—
"So… what do you feel right now?"
Ace froze.
The boy froze.
The scarf—
WHOOOOM.
It flared bright pink, then red, then sparkling.
The tea cups began vibrating.
Biscuit screamed,
"IT'S REACHING ROMANTIC OVERLOAD—!"
Ace leapt forward.
"STOP TALKING ABOUT FEELINGS!"
Too late.
The scarf extended one end gently—
and wrapped itself around the girl's wrist.
Everyone gasped.
The boy panicked.
"I'M SORRY—IT DOES THAT SOMETIMES—!"
The girl blinked.
Then… she laughed.
Not nervous.
Not scared.
Just… amused.
"That's actually kind of sweet," she said.
The scarf slowed.
Its glow softened.
Ace skidded to a halt.
"…What?"
She looked at the scarf, then at the boy.
"It's reacting because you care. You don't need to suppress it."
The scarf unwound itself.
Returned neatly to the boy's neck.
Stable.
Ace stared.
Ravenna's beak dropped open.
"She neutralized it with emotional maturity."
Biscuit whispered,
"She's too powerful…"
The boy looked at the girl, eyes wide.
"You're… not upset?"
She shook her head.
"No. I like honesty. Even magical honesty."
The scarf glowed a warm rose color.
Ace exhaled slowly.
"Well I'll be cursed."
The date continued peacefully after that.
No explosions.
No flying furniture.
No emotional shockwaves.
Just conversation.
When the sun dipped low, the girl stood.
"I should go," she said.
"But… maybe we could do this again?"
The boy nodded, smiling properly this time.
"I'd like that."
The scarf glowed gently.
She waved goodbye and left down the road.
The boy turned to Ace, bowing deeply.
"Thank you. For everything."
Ace waved a paw.
"Just remember: feelings aren't emergencies. Treat them gently."
The boy nodded and left.
Silence settled.
Ravenna flapped down beside Ace.
"…Ace."
"Yes?"
"I think you accidentally made a healthy relationship tool."
Ace groaned.
"Great. I specialize in cursed items and emotional growth."
Biscuit smiled.
"You help people."
Ace looked back at the quiet road.
"…Yeah," he said softly.
"I guess I do."
But far away—
Something stirred.
A faint ripple of magic.
And somewhere unseen…
A pair of eyes opened.