The morning sun filtered through Balmount Kingdom's bustling streets, where beastkin with twitching tails and humans with hurried steps moved through the market's winding paths. Hammers clinked from the blacksmith's corner, and a tigress beastkin bargained loudly over a bolt of cloth, waving her tail with every word.
At the edge of the marketplace stood the Rusty Anchor Inn, weathered from years of stories and storms. Inside, Mael leaned against a window, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and locked on the world outside. His brow was low, jaw tight.
Behind him, Nina sat on a creaky chair near a scuffed table, her boots crossed, her tone light and teasing.
"What got you grumpy on a day like this?"
Mael didn't look at her. His voice was flat. "What else?"
Nina raised an eyebrow. "Do you really want me to ask you that?"
His tone snapped. "Then why ask a question if you already know the answer?"
Nina frowned. "You don't have to be so rude." She muttered, "Not like you have anything better you're doing."
Mael turned, eyes narrowing. "What did you say?"
She stood, lifting her voice. "I said, not like you have anything better you're doing."
Mael stepped toward her. "And you're one to talk. You made us finish our own mission on time."
Nina smiled slyly, undeterred. "Oh, I see… is that what this is about? You really need to be happy, we…"
"We what?" Mael cut in, facing her fully. "Were you about to say we did a good job?"
Nina shook her head. "No, I wasn't."
"Then what were you about to say?" he asked, voice sharp.
She paused, thinking, then said calmly, "I just wanted to say we're going to rest, aren't we?"
Mael scoffed, turning back to the window. "And you call this resting? Why bother. You're a failure."
Nina's smile didn't fade. "Well, this failure is still your leader… or do you want to be the leader?"
He ignored her.
She leaned forward, voice playful. "Oh, so you're ignoring me now, uhhn? That's how it's going to be? Guess I'll have to remind you that I'm the leader. Your leader."
Mael's voice came cold. "You aren't my leader."
Nina laughed, bright and mocking. "Oh, so that's what you're saying now? You know you can always fight me for second-in-command… but you already know how that'll end."
Mael's eyes narrowed. "Says the girl who almost got herself killed in a mission."
Nina waved a hand. "I didn't almost get myself killed. That was just a silly mistake."
Mael muttered, "Sure. Whatever you say."
Nina giggled, leaning back in her chair with a lazy smile. "You see… we really do make a good team."
Mael didn't even glance her way. His voice was clipped. "I would prefer if you don't say that."
Nina's grin widened, teasing. "Then what will you do to me?"
Mael's voice dropped, quiet and flat. "Something that won't be pleasant for you."
Nina gasped, placing both arms dramatically across her chest. "I didn't know… you were like that."
Mael's face turned red in an instant. "It's not what you're thinking!"
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I don't think I'm safe with you anymore… I really hope the captain comes back immediately."
Mael turned fully toward her, flustered. "Would you stop looking at me like that? I said it's not what you're thinking!"
Nina tilted her head, pretending to be afraid. "Oh, sure. Am I? Wait… is that why you always volunteer to team up with me? Oh, let the goddess have mercy on your poor soul."
Mael roared, louder this time, "It's not what you're thinking!"
The door creaked open just then. Astrid stepped in, her arm wrapped around Takashi, who looked pale and unsteady. His soaked boots left a trail behind them, his cloak heavy and dripping. The smell hit the room like a slap.
"I'm sorry, Takashi," Astrid murmured as she helped him inside. Her moonbind cord swung gently at her hip.
Mael stepped back, covering his nose with a scowl. "Eewww. What's that disgusting smell?"
Astrid shut the door behind them with her foot. Nina scrunched her face, pinching her nose. "Where are you guys coming from?"
Astrid lowered Takashi gently to the ground, her voice soft. "Gentle… careful." He slumped down, his breath shaky.
Mael remained by the window, arms folded. "Smells like you two came out of the sewers or something."
Astrid shot him a look and smiled darkly. "You could say that."
Takashi's voice was barely above a whisper, but full of blame. "She… she pulled me. She did this to me."
Astrid didn't flinch. She sat beside him, calm as ever. "It was our only way out, Takashi."
He turned his head, eyes half-closed. "Oh, our only way?" His voice trembled. "If it's you that's saying it… then I must be going crazy."
Mael snorted. "Apparently, both of you are crazy. Not even taking off your clothes and washing before entering here."
Astrid leaned her chin into her palm, grinning playfully. "Ohhhh… so you want to see what's behind my wear?"
Mael's face burned. "It's nothing like that!"
Nina smirked, leaning forward. "Mael, Mael… you really need to get yourself under control."
Mael pointed at her, flustered. "I said it's not like that!"
Takashi muttered from the floor, barely moving, "Things entered and violated me…"
Mael rolled his eyes. "Takashi, you're overly exaggerating."
Astrid placed a gentle hand on Takashi's shoulder, protective. "Leave my poor Takashi alone. He's been through enough."
Nina nodded in agreement, her tone mock-serious. "Yeah, Mael. Just because Takashi is shy doesn't mean you should treat him like he's weak."
Mael groaned and threw up his hands. "How am I even doing that? You know what, I don't care about what even happened to them."
He turned back to the window, silent, his shoulders stiff.
Astrid chuckled softly and stood. Nina crossed the room, her voice light but curious. "So, Astrid… how was the mission?"
Astrid's smile faded. Her voice turned low. "Terrible… it really took everything for me and Takashi to find where their hideout is located."
Nina stepped closer, her words warm. "Well, you deserve a hug and a good meal from me… but first, please take a bath."
Mael muttered under his breath, "They're really killing the nice air I'm breathing."
Astrid's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice tightening. "You don't have to be rude about it, Mael."
Mael didn't look back. His arms folded tighter. "And you don't have to talk at all."
A slow grin crept across Astrid's face. "Is that so? Then I would love a hug from you."
Before Mael could react, she sprang forward, arms open.
Mael scrambled to dodge her, stumbling over a chair. "Hey! What are you doing? Stop… stop it… take a bath first!"
Astrid laughed, chasing after him. "So you do want a hug from me?"
Mael darted to the other side of the room, voice pitched high. "No, I don't want any hug from—"
Nina cut in, hand raised like she'd caught a secret. "He really does. He told me you were beautiful."
Mael spun toward her, horrified. "Don't listen to her!"
But it was too late. Astrid lunged and caught his wrist, pulling him into a tight, squelching hug. The smell of sewer grime clung to her tunic, smearing onto Mael's shirt as she pressed in close.
"See?" she said sweetly. "How does this feel now?"
Mael writhed in her grip, his voice filled with suffering. "Why must you be so unbearable?"
Astrid's laughter filled the room like music. "Because you're fun to mess with."
Mael gagged, his stomach twisting. "I'm going to throw up…" He broke free and bolted toward the bath, shouting, "I will get you for this!"
Nina doubled over with laughter, clapping her hands. Astrid chuckled beside her, brushing off her sleeves.
Their laughter softened, and a quiet settled in.
Astrid glanced at Nina, her expression shifting. "Where's the captain, anyway?"
Nina sat upright again, her smile fading. "She went back to the eastern province."
Astrid's brow creased. "What… but why?"
"It was a quick order," Nina replied, her tone cooling. "Came directly from the Saintess. Something about the Reaper… and the Bloodbound Covenant."
Astrid crossed her arms, staring at the floor. "But the Saintess calling her back that fast… that's not like her."
Nina gave a small shrug. "I know. It's strange. Feels like something big is about to happen."
She leaned back, putting her hands behind her head. "Until then, I'm in charge. You know what that means."
Astrid's lips curved upward, voice teasing. "Freetime?"
Nina laughed, warm and amused. "You really are something. But Mael wouldn't be happy with that."
Astrid nodded toward the bathroom. Faint splashes echoed through the wall. "You know him. Grumpy, stiff… but he'd do anything to protect you."
Nina's cheeks turned pink. She waved a hand in front of her face. "Where did that come from? Mael? Protect me?"
Astrid grinned. "That's where you're wrong."
Her smile faded as she exhaled slowly. "Back to what matters. What are we going to do about the Bloodbound Covenant? Should we report to the Countess?"
Nina's body stiffened. Her voice lost all playfulness. "No. She's the last person we should speak to. Even though we're working with her."
Astrid nodded solemnly. "I agree. I don't trust her either. But what choice do we have? Takashi and I saw it with our own eyes. The Covenant… they've got numbers. Too many. I don't think we're safe here."
Nina looked down at her boots, then over at Takashi, who was still curled on the floor. Her voice dropped to a softer pitch. "I get what you're saying. But the captain told us not to report anything to the Countess until she returns. And as much as I hate this, she's right."
Astrid frowned. "Still, being here doesn't mean we're safe."
Nina glanced at Takashi, then at Astrid. "You don't need to worry. We're here. Takashi and me."
She hesitated, then added gently, "And you… you can handle yourself better than any of us. Don't forget that. Especially with your…"
Astrid's face went red. "You don't have to remind me about how old I am."
Nina giggled. "Okay, aunty."
Astrid groaned and covered her face. "Stop it."
Takashi, still sprawled on the floor, murmured, "Why, why, why…"