The squadron was left with the bounty of their work, 18 Chickenfooted Legs and 9 of the ghoulish heads. Of course, there was meat galore, and they could take their turn to return to the capitol...
"Hey? Can I cook them, Casmere?" Asked Bie and Wanxi simultaneously. The latter Guide blushed as her gaze met the prior's, who sent her a queried glance as if there was a newfound interest in his eyes.
"Sure to the both of you. I will go collect the timber." Casmere nodded as he affirmed, walking off to most likely rip up some more trees. Bie turned to Wanxi, question in mind as he asked what he was wondering.
"Do you know how to cook? Can you teach me?" He looked rather excited as sparkles dazzled in his eyes, only asking because he liked food and wanted to cultivate another hobby. Wanxi fixed her lips into a subdued smile as she coolly looked at him, restraining herself.
"Mhm...my master Frie taught me. He's a Limbo Wastrel, so an undead like you...which means he likes to eat a lot." Inside her head, she was fist pumping, the feelings being transmitted to Perdi, who she had placed inside her own Inner World. She really tried to appear like a cold beauty on the outside though, and Lulac and Gyuho rolled their eyes.
"Hey, Gyuho. Do you think Bie's dense?"
"Mm. He's smarter than you, Lulac."
"Yeah, but, it's obvious she's into him?"
"Different kinds of intelligence, Lulac."
The two boys were whispering to each other, and Bie was caught up in his excitement to the point where he didn't even hear them! Wanxi and Bie talked, the latter giggling as the War-Mer told him all about the dumb failures she had made when Frie was instructing her.
"So you fried it with your lightning?"
"Yeah...Frie didn't teach me until I could roast a Camfer Cow for him. Lousy old man..."
"A Camfer Cow?" Bie tilted his head slightly, fully immersed in his curiosity. "I've never heard of that before?"
"Ehehe. You know, it's a pretty common Crystal Ball? We cook it all the time back in Emerald City...though it should be served everywhere. Where have you even been?" Wanxi was delighted to find out more about her crush, the boy seemingly ensconced in mystery since he came from nowhere. What was odd his prowess in combat and strategy, even odder was his lack of knowledge of Guide culture...
"Uh...I've been with my mentor Amitha pretty much ever since I was born. Mainly Underground, haven't spent much time in any other layer. And even then, I've really only been at her hut, you met me when I went to The Red Quarters for the first time. Oh, and the first time we met at that tournament in Caderia."
"Wait...THE Amitha? She's a legend for getting to Realm C despite not being able to use her Torch! Oh, and she's apparently very distant..."
"Don't say that, she's very kind once you get to know her. She comes off a bit gruff, but she laid down my foundations. There was a time where I had no hope of ever becoming strong." Bie revealed a wistful look, trailing off and looking rather lonely. Wanxi couldn't look away, enraptured by his beauty and the cold emptiness he exuded, the feeling simply begging for warmth.
"Hey, your hand's cold..." Wanxi grabbed onto Bie's right hand, the digits twitching atop the stony ground. Suppressing the heat welling within her cheeks, their gazes met, and Bie didn't immediately draw away. Instead, he gently brought his hand up as she held it in two of her own.
"This thread...it's your Ideal, right? What happened to your hand?" She softly pouted, looking concerned while Bie revealed a soft smile. He chuckled a bit at this, as this was the first time anyone REALLY asked about it.
"I almost lost it at birth, since I touched something I shouldn't have. Pretty stupid, huh?"
"What was it?"
"A black envelope..."
"WHAT?!" This was Lulac, who shot up and ruined their moment. Well, it was more of Wanxi's moment more than anything, but still...
"Are you sure? I've only heard legends of those! That envelope could've been out of this world!" Lulac's eyes were beaming, and a shocked demeanor was openly displayed on his face. Bie nodded, and Lulac could not help but continue shouting!
"That could've been any number of things! You're not simple, are you...?" Lulac could hardly restrain himself, caught up in the memories of his mentor's lectures. Bie remained polite, but he wasn't taking kindly to the commotion as he began to become annoyed. He was so annoyed, in fact, that his smile froze over.
"You could be some kind of monstrosity! A mixed blood, it all makes sense. Some unknown creature's blood entangled with yours to create something new, that explains your strength and your odd beauty. Why, you're so lucky, if it was me, I'd-"
"Hey." That was Bie's last straw. Unpleasant feelings welled forth as if his effort was being mocked. As if he was simply handed everything on a silver platter, and he underwent no hardship. What he hated the most was the gross feeling of being looked at like a treasure, something put behind a display. A mutant, a monstrosity, hell, those were synonyms in this circumstance. He was a Guide, born in Uthreth's embrace like anyone else, and he was getting f*kcing pissed that this weak bastard would claim anything else.
"I don't like you very much. You f*ckhead." Bie sent a winning, frigid smile, but his countenance was so cheerful, you'd think he offered a compliment. His yellow topaz eyes glowed, and his blood was roiling and rioting in his body, and deep inside him, the eyes of the dormant spirit body deep inside his Inner World began to stir.
"So, you feel inferior. Fine. You want a rematch? Fine. Clench your teeth~" Bie's cheery voice seemed to ring in the ears of all that was present as his position blurred. A second later, a dense crashing noise made itself known as Lulac's face caved in.
Lulac spat out lilac jets of blood as he flew meters back, and a purple haze seemed to seep out of Bie's mouth. He stood there, waiting for the periwinkle boy to rise up as his chest heaved, and he cracked his knuckles.
"GUH! What the f*ck? You think you can just-" Lulac was disrupted as he charged, sent flying in the sky by Bie before he could even unfurl his waxen wing. Bie leapt up into the sky with reduced weight, his titular Mountain's Step fueled by the resentment collected by Smile, an illusory grin hanging behind his lower back.
"Yes. I do." Lulac recovered his wits and released the beam on his metallic hilt, sending out piercing thrusts towards Bie in the sky. To his surprise, the Gem of the Dead did not even attempt to dodge, his digits reaching towards the beam itself...and the beam flickered out at that moment.
"Talk how you want, but face the problems that arrive at your doorstep, hm?" Bie held himself up by planting his knees behind Lulac's neck, pummeling him as they both fell towards the ground. Brutal smacks rang as he kept on punching at his face, revealing a wide grin on his blue violet lips. Moments later, a deep indent was marked on the stone as Lulac fainted, his face smashed into a pulp as Bie dusted off his hands and left towards the watching two.
Bie noticed that their jaws were agape, but he simply shrugged.
"What? He's alive, he should just think more about what he says." He paused, his smile returning to normal as it loomed beneath his eyes that formed crescent moons. Wanxi, although surprised at his outburst since he was usually so calm, walked to him and grabbed his hand. Gyuho didn't even bat an eye, thinking that Lulac had really gone too far with his shenanigans, and that the two should make up soon enough.
"Hey, Bie. Wanna cook with me? It's a nice hobby..."
"...Gladly."