Chapter 9: Friends Day Out

After a hectic day at the Victoria Maid Café, Ellen decided to take some much-needed time to unwind with her friends, Ruby, Monna, and Lynn. The four of them had planned a casual day out in New Eridu, free from the looming stress of Hollows and housekeeping duties. It was rare for Ellen to have a day like this, and her friends were determined to make it memorable.

Ellen arrived at their meeting spot—a cozy café near the city center—to find Ruby already there, sipping on a steaming cup of coffee. The Bull Thiren gave Ellen a cheerful wave, her horns gleaming in the morning sunlight.

"You're early," Ellen remarked, sitting across from her.

"Of course! Someone has to make sure you actually relax," Ruby replied with a grin. "You've been working way too hard lately."

Monna and Lynn arrived shortly after, Monna carrying a box of pastries and Lynn clutching a sketchpad. The two friends were an amusing contrast: Monna, ever the chatterbox, dove straight into a story about her morning, while Lynn quietly observed, occasionally scribbling in her pad.

The group decided to start their day with a walk through New Eridu's bustling market district. The streets were alive with vendors hawking their wares, the air filled with the scent of spices and freshly baked bread. Monna was in her element, darting from stall to stall and dragging the others along to admire her finds.

"Ellen, look at this!" Monna exclaimed, holding up a vibrant scarf. "It'd match your uniform perfectly."

"Hard pass," Ellen replied, though her sharp tone was softened by a small smile.

Ruby laughed, tossing an arm around Ellen's shoulders. "Come on, Ellen, live a little. You might actually enjoy yourself."

Ellen rolled her eyes but took the scarf from Monna. After a moment of consideration, she muttered, "Fine, I'll take it. Might actually look good on me." The others grinned, knowing they'd won a rare victory.

Lynn, meanwhile, found inspiration in the lively atmosphere, sketching quick outlines of the bustling crowd. "This place never runs out of things to draw," she murmured, showing Ellen a quick doodle of a street performer juggling flaming batons.

For lunch, the group settled at a small, family-run eatery tucked away in a quiet corner of the district. The menu boasted homemade specialties, and Ellen found herself relaxing as they shared a hearty meal.

"Remember that time Ellen tried to cook for us?" Ruby teased, earning a round of laughter from the table.

"Hey, it wasn't that bad," Ellen protested, though even she couldn't keep a straight face.

"You boiled eggs until they exploded," Monna pointed out between giggles.

Lynn smirked, adding, "It was... a unique experience."

Despite the teasing, Ellen felt a warmth she rarely experienced. These moments of lighthearted camaraderie reminded her of why she cherished her friends.

Their afternoon took an unexpected turn when a small Bangboo, no larger than Sharkboo, zipped past their table, trailed by a panicked shopkeeper.

"Stop that thing! It's got my delivery codes!" the man shouted.

Without a second thought, Ellen sprang into action, her reflexes kicking in. Ruby and Monna followed suit, while Lynn stayed back to ensure their bags were safe.

The chase led them through winding alleyways and over bustling rooftops. The mischievous Bangboo was surprisingly fast, weaving through obstacles with ease. But Ellen, with her shark-like agility, was faster. She leapt over a stack of crates and landed in front of the Bangboo, cutting off its escape.

"End of the line," she said, snatching the device mid-dash.

When they returned the codes to the grateful shopkeeper, he insisted on rewarding them with free snacks, much to Monna's delight.

"You never fail to find the excitement, do you?" Ruby said, shaking her head with a laugh.

"It's not like I planned it," Ellen replied, though she couldn't deny the adrenaline rush had been fun.

As the day wound down, the group found themselves back at Ruby's place, lounging on her oversized sofa. Monna was engrossed in a video game, Lynn was adding the finishing touches to her sketches, and Ruby was busy organizing a playlist for their next outing.

Ellen, content for once, leaned back and closed her eyes, Sharkboo resting on her lap. The little Bangboo let out a happy chirp, earning a pat on its metal head.

She adjusted the scarf Monna had given her, the vibrant fabric draped comfortably around her shoulders. "Today was... nice," Ellen admitted softly.

Ruby glanced over and smiled. "Told you it'd be good for you to relax. We'll have to do this again soon."

"Yeah," Ellen agreed, a rare sense of peace settling over her. "We will."