Encounter

After having trained by Zangetsu with a normal bow, Noctis knew it was time to leave.

When he came back to his consciousness, he saw Pitou still sleeping peacefully in his lap. He didn't know how many hours has passed by since he didn't keep track of time.

He took his mind off of it and just caressed Pitou's hair. Soon, Irene and the others finished playing and are on their way towards them.

When Irene arrived she saw that Pitou is still sleeping.

"Looks like she won't wake up any time soon isn't it?" Irene said and he nodded.

Erza and the others were still talking about their experiences in riding a horse when they saw Pitou sleeping like a log. Kagura then came up and poked her cheeks.

"Shh. Pitou is sleeping." Noctis said to Kagura as she stopped poking the cheeks of the sleeping Pitou.

"Why don't you go and explore with the children, I will bring back Pitou." Noctis said and Irene nodded and pulled the kids.

The chipmunks were asking why but Irene patiently explained that Pitou is sleeping and she won't be comfortable sleeping on the bench so their father has to bring Pitou back so she can sleep comfortably.

When Noctis saw that they have boarded the carriage, he carried Pitou on his back and teleported back to their house in the forest. He then put Pitou on the bed and covered her with a quilt.

He then thought of preparing their dinner when someone knocked on the door but he is in the third floor and he is too lazy to teleport downstairs so he went down.

When he opened the door, his face went from a lazy one to a surprised one. He saw August with Brandish at his side.

"What a surprise, August. How did you find me?" Noctis asked.

"I have memorized your magic signature, when I felt it near, I decided to have a look. And I was in for a surprise. I never knew you have such a pet." August said while Brandish is of course, confused.

"What pet, Gwandpa? I don't see anything?" Brandish said while craning her neck to see if there really is a pet maybe she could play with.

"Hello, Brandish, how did your trip go?" Noctis asked.

"Hello, Uncle Noctis, it was gweaaat! I saw lots of new things I haven't seen in Awvawes." Brandish said.

Noctis chuckled after hearing about Brandish's accent in speaking.

"Come in. I'm about to prepare dinner. Do you want to play with the chipmunks, Brandish?" Noctis asked as he looked at August and Brandish. Brandish then looked at August as if asking for permission. August warmly smiled and nodded his head.

"The kids are not here at the moment so let me bring you to them, they are playing in the capital, do you want to join them?" Noctis asked and Brandish excitedly nodded.

"Okay, hold on tight, Old man, man the house for me for a second. Brandish, hold my hand and close your eyes, don't let go, okay?" Noctis said and she nodded.

Noctis then teleported back to Glasgow. He used the flying rune to find out where they are. While they are flying, Noctis formed a barrier barrier rune to protect Brandish from the wind. Its easy for Noctis to find them because of Kia's carriage design which is pink in color. Noctis saw that they are in another farm and they are munching on some strawberries. Noctis shook his head as he looked at Erza and Irene's face eating strawberries in delight.

When Noctis landed down, Irene was surprised to see Brandish at Noctis' side. She thought that August is nearby and tried to search for him but didn't feel his presence.

"You can open your eyes now, Brandish." He said and Brandish was amazed. At one point they are in the forest and now they are in front of the chipmunks. She let go of Noctis' hand and rushed towards the chipmunks.

"Ewza, Kaguwa!" Brandish shouted and hearing their names again, Erza and Kagura felt like something made their ears bleed.

"Its Erza, okay?! E.R.Z.A. Erza. Got it?" Erza reprimanded Brandish.

"E. Aw. Z. A. Ewza." Brandish repeated making Erza sigh in defeat.

Kia seeing their interaction laughed out loud causing Erza to be slightly irritated. Kagura on the other hand hugged Brandish and told her stories of their journey.

"Weally? Thewes a big pig undew youw house?" Brandish asked and Kagura nodded.

"I didn't see it..." Brandish said making Kagura chuckle.

"Of course you won't see it, its under the ground after all." Kagura said.

Irene on the other hand is talking to Noctis.

"So you say that August happened to be in the area when you teleported back and he noticed your magic signature?" Irene asked.

"Yep. Anyway, I need to go back and prepare our dinner. I plan making a slow cooking meal, so it would take maybe hours to prepare for it. Can you handle the chipmunks? They are troublemakers, you know?" Noctis asked worriedly making Irene smile as she cupped Noctis face.

"I can handle it. Who do you think I am?" She then gave Noctis a slight kiss on his cheeks.

(Choco/Couples - 4 Single Readers - 0)

"Hehe, looks like my dear Irene is up for the challenge." Noctis said as he looked at the jumping chipmunks near them.

"Don't worry. Go on and prepare and take care of Pitou." Irene said.

"I will." Noctis gave Irene a light kiss on her lips and teleported back.

(Choco/couples - 5 Single Readers -0)

Irene then touched her lips that just got kissed and smiled warmly, emitting a certain charm that made even the surroundings blossom. The other people in the farm looked at the blooming Irene and got captured by her smile.

Although they got charmed, no one dared to hit on her considering that they know who she is and her lover is a space mage. Both are something they can't afford to offend.

Irene then got pulled by the children to come with them.

"Mama! Let's go!" Kagura said as she pulled her mother's hand to play with them. Irene smiled once again and followed the kids as they played around the farm.

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Noctis teleported back and saw August reading books that were in the bookshelf.

"Looks like you are enjoying yourself." Noctis said as he stared at the book August is holding.

The book that August is reading is about children's story picture books. Noctis bought those earlier when he bought Mama Hawk. He had forgotten about it because of Kagura crying herself to sleep on his embrace. He thought of reading it to his kids before they sleep but haven't had the chance to read it to them yet.

August seemed to be enjoying as he read through them. He is not reading them for himself but for Brandish whom he thought of as a daughter.

"Anyway. I'm going to start preparing for dinner. Wait for a while, I'll make some coffee. Do you prefer tea?" Noctis asked.

"Looks like you've made another weird food." August said while Noctis just chuckled.

"Weird... but tasty." Noctis replied.

"Indeed, I have nothing to say against that. I would like to have a taste of this coffee you speak off." August said and Noctis nodded as he took out the coffee maker that he bought from the system.

He then let the coffee maker do its thing as he started prepping for dinner because its going to take so much time.