The clear skies and bright sun made the town of Hersk feel as if better days were coming. The rainy season was now coming to an end, and soon the beginning of spring and the season of summer would follow. Even as quiet as things were, it was quite the sight to witness for the townsfolk themselves.
Lero was using that time wisely, as he was packing the final bag the pair had. The last week was spent figuring out where to go about next and what would happen from there. As close as he was to bonding with Keru, the man still had his personal ventures in reuniting with his aircraft and meeting Jamal Wrint in the process. Even as isolated as the town was, the news even made its way all the way into the interior of the nation. Allegedly, the territory surrounding Port-O-Bea was off-limits due to some "terroristic activities", but it was quick to connect the dots that it had something to do with Jamal Wrint himself. It was only more motivation for him to continue on his own journey and see what would come out of it.
Just as the final bag was zipped up, the door leading downstairs opened, as Keru was carrying two mugs of hot tea. He was grateful for something to soothe his throat as he shot her a quick grin.
"You're welcome." she handed him the liquid, before taking a quick look around, "Seems like that's everything. It was nice here."
"It sure bloody was." he already downed half of the liquid before replying, "Anyway, I think I want to really tell you something."
"Oh yeah?" Keru bit her lip, staring into his eyes, "What's that?"
"Well, I think-, I think I'm going to head back towards Jamal. I have something I must get back."
The smile on her face quickly disappeared, as she took a step back in surprise. Lero wasn't even surprised by this reaction in the first place, but he could only hope she took the news better.
"Wait, what?" she stuttered once she truly processed what he wanted. "So, you want to leave me?"
"Not when you put it like that, but I really do have important things that he bloomin' knows about. We have some unfinished business."
"Are you serious!" she slammed her fist on top of the room's dresser, hard enough for him to hear a crack. "After everything we've been through!"
"You must have expected this to happen."
"You loved me! With what we've done to escape that hellhole! You let me go down on you and rubbed your d-!" the ferocity of the woman began to pour out, with the tears starting to run down.
"Alright, I just let us have a bit of fun that one time. Now you need to hold yourself together like the woman you are, and calm down." Lero already was grabbing his belongings. "You'll still be fine. After all, didn't you tell me a few days ago you wanted to find your relatives?"
"I mean, yeah, but I wanted them to see you."
"Eh, no worries. I'll be more of a bother than a lumberin' Digmalo."
"Whatever that is, I'm sure it's something I'll rather not deal with. I just really wanted to be by your side." Keru wiped her face and looked into his face. "If you're really leaving like this, Lero, can you promise me one thing?"
"Yeah, I'm all ears." he gave her a quick nod.
Setting down her mug, Keru moved closer to him until she was only a few breaths away. Just as Lero was planning to react, she wrapped her arms around him and stayed embraced for what felt like a minute. Even as surprised as Lero was with the response, he attempted to return the favor, although Keru couldn't see with her face buried in his shirt. He couldn't lie but say it felt almost relieving for her to leave on a good note, and was a moment he definitely was okay ending with.
Just as she let go, the woman could still not help herself, as she gave him one last kiss on his lips, planted for a good five seconds. At this point and time, Lero had lost any shock from the love and affection she still gave him, as Keru finally backed away.
"That's what I want you to remember me by. Promise?" Keru looked at him in all sincerity.
"Ay, that I can do." Lero shot her a smile. "Thanks. Thank you for everything."
With that, the man finally heaved his bags up again as he opened the door and looked towards the hallway that would lead to the stairs. Taking one final look at the woman, she gave him a quick wave as Lero simply returned the favor with a nod. And at long last, did he turn around and move forward and towards his new goal: reuniting with Jamal and getting back that bloomin' Ariocaster back at last.
...
Whistling to himself, the hotel owner was too relaxed in his seat until he took a turn to hear some noise coming from the stairs. Turning his head, he could see Lero taking his time moving down with some of the bags he had entered with? Wasn't he also with a woman?
"Sir, are you leaving?" the owner straightened up, "Because you'll have to check out in that case."
"No worries, she'll cover it for me." Lero cracked his neck, "Say, where's the nearest cab service or whatever you guys have? Carrs or carriages, I don't really know or care."
"North of town? But I must ask that you still check out-." the owner was starting to ramble off.
"Like I said, the woman that was with me will have it all completed for you. Thanks for the stay, love to come back another time." Lero just shrugged his shoulder before fidgeting the door open and off the property.
The owner could quite literally do nothing about but sit back down in shame. Well, at least the other one should be able to do what was required. But it was just one less person in their quiet little town.