It's not a date, stupid!

Fuwa truly believed that they were going directly to the dungeon after finishing the business with the rich merchant, she was relieved that they were going to take it easy. It went way better than what she originally expected, she was ready for plan b... cause mayhem and run for it trying to save their lives, but it seems his gratitude was real, she was worried there, after all, not only Raven but the royal family had warned her too to not trust much on the people of this city, maybe she was really lucky or she was blessed. 

After clearing Raven's status, and gaining a very small share on a business that Raven stole from her memories of her homeworld, they just went back to the marketplace, leaving the rich part of the city felt weird coming back to this side, it strange, maybe it was part of the so-called curse of the dungeon but she was starting to feel at home in this place. 

As they walked through the bustling marketplace, Fuwa couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. The air was filled with the familiar smells of street food, herbs, and the cacophony of merchants shouting to attract customers. This part of the city felt more alive, more real compared to the cold, polished wealth of the richer district. Here, there was an undercurrent of struggle, but also a strange camaraderie, and in some odd way, it felt... comfortable.

As they strolled through the bustling marketplace, Fuwa couldn't shake the sense of relief that lingered after their success with the merchant. The colorful stalls, lively chatter, and the distinct aroma of spices in the air all seemed to welcome them back. It was odd... this place, chaotic and rough around the edges, felt like home, maybe not like back then back in her life, but this is the first time since she came to this world she felt this kind of relief. 

Raven walked beside her, scanning the crowd with her usual alertness, though today she seemed a bit more relaxed. Maybe it was the newfound freedom, or perhaps just the brief reprieve from danger. Either way, it was a good thing. 

"Didn't expect us to just be walking around here" Fuwa said, breaking the quiet as she glanced over at Raven "Thought we'd be hacking up goblins by now"

"You need to learn to take things easy" Said Raven shugging Fuwa words "If you don't relax you will go mad inside that evil place and will end up walking towards a trap like a moth chasing the fire"

As they continued wandering through the marketplace, Fuwa spotted a stall selling fresh fruit skewers. Her stomach rumbled loudly, earning a sideways glance from Raven.

"Okay, okay, I get it. You're hungry again" Raven sighed, though Fuwa could see the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips.

"I'm always hungry!" Fuwa grinned, nudging Raven with her elbow "Let's get something to eat. I mean, we're not in a rush, right?"

"And that's the reason we seem to need more and more money..:" Raven said defeated "Okay, let's just grab something to eat... but not much!"

"Stingy" Said Fuwa.

As they walked closer to the stall they noticed it was popular, some elven people and humans were buying the products, and there were even children's anxiously munching at their fruit skewers. The fresh aroma of the fruit was captivating, and soon, to the dismay of Raven who was forced to wait in the queue by Fuwa they were at the front of the stall. 

"What would you dear ladies?" Asked a chubby girl that was the owner.

"We want tw..." Raven was about to order when Fuwa interrupted her. 

"We want six Skewers!" She said and paid them fast so Raven couldn't complain. Raven just smiled but Fuwa could notice she was a little angry. 

As they picked their food and walked to the sides of the market near a wall, Raven just chose to not start a fight over the food and just picked one, the food was simple but delicious, and Fuwa savored each bite. She looked over at Raven, who was eating more slowly, but with a satisfied look on her face.

"You know, this isn't so bad" Fuwa said between bites, trying to break the quiet again. "Just… enjoying the city for once, since I got here it's been hiding and enjoying near the tavern all the time"

"Yeah, you're not wrong" Raven admitted, though she quickly added "Not that we should get too comfortable. We've still got work to do"

"Obviously" Fuwa replied with a grin "But can't we pretend for a second that this isn't just about work? That we're just… two people having a good time?"

Raven's ears twitched slightly, and she looked away, clearly flustered by the suggestion "Don't start getting strange ideas. This isn't a break, and it definitely isn't…" she trailed off, eyes narrowing.

Fuwa blinked innocently, even though she was enjoying the rare moment of seeing Raven a little off-balance "What? A date? Please, like I'd ever..."

"I wasn't thinking that! I Suddenly got hungry!" Raven interrupted quickly, her tail flicking in agitation and she grabbed two more Skewers from Fuwa's hand.

"Stupid! My food!" She said whining. 

Fuwa scowled, pretending to be upset as Raven took two skewers from her hand, but inside, she was amused. Raven could get defensive quickly, but moments like these revealed her playful side. It was a rare treat to see Raven out of her usual guarded shell, even if just for a second.

"You're lucky I'm nice, or I'd wrestle you for those" Fuwa said, sticking out her tongue. She grabbed another skewer from the pile she ordered, taking a dramatic bite to show she wasn't really mad.

Raven gave a small, smug smile "I'll take my chances"

Both of them shared a laugh, the moment was too stupid to even feel real, the two of them were just being lazy and trying to disconnect from the dangers that lurked around. Then Fuwa decided to push her luck. 

"Hey, other than fighting people and doing... dubious things... do you like to do other things?" She asked.

"Actually, I like to drink and dance" Said Raven spinning the green coin that had been resting in her pocket since the Black Port incident, since then it has become some sort of good luck charm "And also I like to have.."

"Not interested in the last part!" Fuwa said flushing furiously. 

"What?" Raven asked looking at her with a victorious grin. 

"Nothing! Shut up!" Fuwa said in a high-pitched tone of voice, causing some people to look at her. 

"Hahahaha!" Raven grabbed her stomach and laughed "Such a wuss! Come on Fuwa you are already an adult grow up!"

Fuwa felt a little confused, she was eighteen years old, and for what she understood Raven was nineteen, in her world both of them would still be considered immature, probably in their first years of college and getting into a bunch of trouble, but here, they were considered fully fledged adults. Differences like that were the ones that usually caused her the most trouble.

"You are right" Said Fuwa looking at the sky. 

"Hey don't be sad" Said Raven near her raising her skewer to the skies as if she were making a toast "I will let you drink from my booze next time" The cat girl smiled smugly. 

"Wh-what!? Isn't that an indirect kiss!?" Fuwa said looking at Raven getting nervous. 

Raven tilted her head, blinking in confusion "Indirect... what?" she asked, her ears twitching as she tried to make sense of Fuwa's reaction.

Fuwa's face flushed even more, caught off guard by Raven's lack of understanding "You know, sharing a drink... it's like..." She trailed off, feeling ridiculous trying to explain the concept to Raven. "Forget it!"

Raven narrowed her eyes suspiciously, still unsure what Fuwa was flustered about, but a hint of pink crept onto her own cheeks "Wait... why are you freaking out over sharing a drink? It's just booze" Raven said, crossing her arms defensively. Despite her nonchalant words, her tail flicked rapidly behind her, betraying her flustered state.

Fuwa let out a frustrated groan, covering her face with her hands "You really don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?" Raven huffed, now clearly feeling embarrassed but not fully understanding why. Her usual confident demeanor wavered "Why would drinking from the same bottle be such a big deal?"

Fuwa peeked through her fingers, looking at Raven's flustered expression and realizing the cat girl was genuinely confused "It's... something people back home would consider kind of... intimate" she mumbled, her voice quieter than before.

Raven's ears shot up, and she froze, her eyes widening. The realization seemed to dawn on her slowly, and even though she still didn't fully grasp the idea, she understood enough to know it wasn't just casual "I-I... intimate?" Raven stammered, her tail swishing nervously as her face flushed deeper.

Fuwa, seeing Raven's rare moment of vulnerability, couldn't help but grin a little, her embarrassment giving way to a sense of triumph "Oh, now you get it!" she teased, her confidence returning.

"I didn't... I mean, I wasn't thinking about it like that!" Raven quickly defended herself, her usual sharpness missing as she stumbled over her words "You're the one who made it weird!"

"Mom look at those ladies" Said a little kid pointing towards them without any shame, thus interrupting them. 

Her mother slapped his hand. 

"Don't point at others like that!" She said angrily trying to teach her kid a lesson "And it's bad to interrupt other people dates" 

Both Fuwa and Raven were speechless, they looked at each other and then both screamed. 

"It's not a date!" 

Raven push Fuwa away from her and then ran a little. 

"Hurry up slug! We are going to another place!" 

"Eeeeh!? But I wanted more skewers!" 

"No way! You cow you eat too much!" 

"What did you say!?" 

And thus the chase began again.