Adventure

"Alright, I agree. Let's look around for what we can loot. If we start running low on healing though, we'll head for the exit." You agree, glancing at the others for confirmation. Eris seems to puff up with pride even more at that, rushing forward to take the lead into the mist.

In all honesty, the area you're trudging through is rather unpleasant. Narrow paths of tall grass and thick mud, winding between pools of water that give off damp, humid heat. Some of the pools even bubble, giving off foul smelling fumes. Still, you pick your way carefully along the paths, doing your best to fight only in the wider and flat areas when you can.

"This is fairly easy-" Eris's words are cut off as you give her a shove from behind, sending her down into the mud and out of the way of a particularly nasty Scald. You hiss as the edge of hit hits your arm, rounding on the attacker- Ah, but Prue and Tracy are already on top of things.

"Hey, hey, are you hurt?" Mindy asks, rushing up to your side to grab your arm. It stings a bit, there's a bit of a blister, like a first degree burn. But it should heal quickly.

"Her!? What about me huh?" Eris grumbles, pulling herself out of the mud. "Ugh, it's everywhere..."

"Ah, sorry... But if you took an attack like that head on." You explain sheepishly, watching as she glances towards your wrist and her eyes narrow.

"Hmm... Warn me next time." She huffs, turning and marching onwards.

"Maybe pay more attention then?" Mindy shouts back, turning back and offering you a berry. You wave it off, honestly you're not hurt enough to use a full one. "Jeeze, not even a thank-you?"

"It's alright. We're a team, we look out for each other. No thanks necessary." You do get the feeling Eris would be freaking out if you got seriously hurt on her behalf... Best not to get in that situation in the first place. "Come on."

In the end you score a few prizes. Some herbs that only grow in the area, which Tracy recognized by smell, a trio of pearls, each about half the size of your fist, and an oily substance off the top of one of the pools, which Prue says is worth something.

"Okay, good haul!" Eris decides with a nod. "My share can be..."

"Let's sell it first, then divide it evenly? No sense splitting up right when we hit town." You suggest.

"Erm... Okay... B-but... I want to hold on to one of the pearls, as collateral." Eris insists. "S-so you don't run off."

"But what if she runs off? That's a bit portion of the loot..." Prue points out, her voice kept low.

You reach into the backpack, and withdraw one of the pearls. One of the smaller ones, but still worth more than a mere 1/5th of the loot. "Alright, you can hold onto this-" You pull your hand back as she reaches for it. "Until the time comes to sell it, then we all get our fair share. Deal?"

"Alex-" Ah, Tracy doesn't seem too thrilled about that. Nor does Prue by the look of things.

"It's fine. We're not like her old group, right? We're not going to run off or abandon her, or deny her what's hers." You place the pearl in her palm, and offer her a smile. "But, if you're still worried we'll run off, you can hold onto my hand."

"Idiot." Eris frowns, looking at your empty hand. "If anything, you should be worried I run off. You said it yourself." Her hand, warm and soft, clasps yours tightly. "See? This way you'll know for sure."

"Alex, you're a sweetheart, but you're far too trusting." Tracy whispers, stepping up beside you and taking your other hand. "Her group attacked us, tried to rob us, and then abandoned us when we stepped into help them."

"But she didn't." You point out.

"She didn't have a choice." Tracy corrects. "Once we're in town..."

"If... If she runs off, that'll be on me. It can come out of my share." You shrug. Honestly, you feel like maybe your share should go to Tracy anyways, for everything she's done for you so far. "In any case, I'm hoping to use some of my share to take you all out on dates."

"What, really?" Mindy speaks up, looking excited at the prospect. "You mean like to the inn, or the hot springs, or the food stalls? Oh, or the temple?"

"Wherever you like." You reply happily, giving Eris's hand a squeeze as well. Soon enough, the circle to Rubrum is in sight, and your group speeds up to get out of the humidity.

-------------------

Rubrum town is... Well, it's hard to see where it differs from the mist at first. A dense fog of steam hovers over the area, soaking into you as you step into town and blocking most of your view. The town itself, however, has smooth cobblestone roads, which lead further in to red wooden buildings with an Asian theme.

The signs direct your group where to go, and while you can't see too far, you can hear the sounds of happy people going about their business. The girls stay close, Eris squeezing your hand when Prue steps in close on her other side, as if to cut off her escape. "Welcome, welcome!" Someone calls from inside of a stall, as you step through a doorway into the cooler, drier air.

"Hello! I'm told this is where I can trade in treasure?" Tracy asks, stepping in towards- "Ah, Cecil!"

"Oh? Hmm... You're one of Mistress's customers, correct?" The girl, Cecil apparently, gives a swift bow. "Please come in, the heat outside can be unbearable."

You step in beside everyone else, looking on as Tracy and Cecil talk business. Her silver hair is pulled back into a tight braid, a pair of wire frame glasses perched on her nose, highlighting the freckles on her face. What stands out most, however, is the maid-like outfit. "Ah, right... Everyone, this is Cecil, Camellia's assistant."

"If you're customers of my Mistress, I'm happy to assist you." Cecil beams happily.

"We actually just came from Crocea town, after escorting her there." Tracy explains. "She should be along in the next few days."

"That's right." You nod, stepping forward with your backpack. "In the mean time, we have a few things to sell." You begin pulling out what you've collected, discussing with the others along the way to determine what's for sale.

"I have this Thunder Stone still." Prue notes, holding up her personal treasure. "We could sell it, or keep it if you need one."

"The house could use one." Tracy admits.

"That makes my share of the loot smaller..." Eris notes with some dismay.

"You weren't with us when we collected our loot from the canyon anyways, and this was before even that." Prue points out. "So you shouldn't get a share of that anyways."

"Ah, let's avoid that argument entirely and not sell it." You decide quickly. "Like Tracy said, the house could use it anyways, so we all-" Ah, you glance towards Eris. "We can all make use of it, if you want to keep travelling with us, after this."

"Hmm..." Eris hums, looking off to the side as she places the pearl on the counter as well. "I'll consider it. Your group could use a strong fighter like me."

"Definitely." You agree, reaching up to ruffle the hair around her bone mask, laughing as she flails to get away from your hand.

"If you're staying around, please do feel free to come by again. When Mistress comes back into town, perhaps she'll have something interesting to sell you?" Cecil suggests, smiling happily as she counts out the coins for the group. "And, if there's anything I can do for friends of the Mistress, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm always happy to serve!"

Ah... S-She's giving you that look. You know you made yourself attractive, but you're still not used to that eager look from cute girls. M-maybe... No, no, focus. You've got four girls to take on dates first... "Thank you so much for your help."

"Alright, that's settled. Let's divvy up our shares, and then go find an inn. We can't exactly stay on the streets." Tracy suggests, leading the way to do just that.

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