"Urgh…" I groaned. The boat we were on rocked subtly, but enough to upset my stomach. Here we were in a lake called Bellow lake. Just further down the road from when we went into the forest. Snow was scattered along the edges of the lake, patches of brown mud were seen though. The lake itself was somewhat small itself, it was its own body of water besides the ocean that was on the West side of Prusha. I think kale called it a Coastal Lake?
Anyways, What's it been? Two months or so? This was something that Kale had planned for some time. A little break from everything and have us all fish. Me, Lilith, Tera, Griffin and Sura. It's not that I hated fishing…
It's the fact that we had Amelia come with us. The damn blue haired girl made friends with Lilith at some point. Which caught me by surprise when I came home one day and found them giggling and having fun in our room. Also Amelia almost immediately tried to turn Lilith on me, which didn't work but Lilith seemed upset that I fought with her.
It also seems that Lilith didn't even tell her that I lived with her, which made Amelia more confused. "You live with this brat?! This is absurd!" I remember her saying. Lilith didn't seem too bothered by it, and Kale seemed to enjoy what unfolded in front of him. Starting to question that man and what side he's on.
And here we are, On a huge boat with all of us. The snow was still falling down, luckily we had a roof on our boat. But everyone wore their usual winter clothes. While I was unsure of how to fish as I never really did before in my past life, Lilith seemed to have gotten a hang of it very quickly. She already pulled Two fishes in the first hour we were here.
Also…why did Kale want us to go fishing? I never saw the man have any interest in fishing. Maybe it was something he did before he started training Lilith? I don't know, so I decided to ask him.
Leaning next to him, I whispered. "So kale…Do you like fishing?" That seemed to have jolted him as he quickly turned to me and jerked away.
"Ay-hooh! Relax. No need to whisper in my ear, Kota. That is something I don't like. Fishing, though? I've done this ever since I was a kid. Usually I build my own fishing rod out here." Kale explained. "It's more like…a Hobby of sorts for me. A way to relax."
"So why bring the others? I'm Curious." I heard Tera say. She was at the front of the boat, looking quite disgusted at the bucket of fish in front of her legs. "I hope you know most of us don't even know how to fish."
"Watch. I'm about to impress you with my skills." Kale then casted his reel into the lake. "All of this is therapeutic! Just cast. Wait. And then reel in when you feel something!"
"Sitting here in the snow and watching a grown man try to impress a lady is not what I had in mind today." Griffin chirped in. He too was fishing, but he hasn't caught anything.
"Listen…Griffin, right?" Kale asked, Griffin nodded. "Women love a man who fishes. Those who bring in the meat." And suddenly, Kale started to reel in his line. And effortlessly, he pulled out a fish. "Get all the…Uhhh get to go in the sheets!"
"Urgh." Tera groaned. "So stupid."
"It's great! Griffin, listen to my advice!"
Griffin saluted Kale. "On it! Fishing to get Sura!" And he quickly casted his line.
"Gonna get what?" Sura asked, she hadn't been paying attention to the conversation. She was reading a book on the wildlife in this area. "Excuse me! What'd you say?"
"He said, he's going to make you his!" Kale said happily, looking at the fish he just caught. "Look at this! This is a catfish!" He held it in front of me. The look of the fish certainly was a catfish, I guess some wildlife here was similar to my old world.
Tera looked over the edge of the boat, into the lake's bottom. She gave kale a Grimace look. "Y'know it seems only you and Lilith are the only ones having fun on this trip."
"Shhh…No! No, everyone's having fun! Just let me…let me f-" Suddenly, the catfish in his hand whipped around and slapped him with its tail. "…I'm cooking you first, Fish." Kale wiped his face and tossed the fish into the bucket between Tera's legs, to which Tera made an audible groan of disgust.
Taking my focus off of Kale and Tera, I looked over to see what Lilith was doing. She was at the back end of the boat with Amelia. The two were conversing as Lilith fished. A lot has happened with those two. The main change that has happened in the house was Amelia's visits. Besides Tera's visits and Some guards who came to give task for kale, Amelia showed up almost every night to chat with Lilith.
Me and Amelia were on somewhat…Neutral terms. Every time she'd come to our house, she'd always roll an insult out instead of greeting me. 'Pervert', 'short guy', 'degenerate'. All those insults would be demolished whenever I pointed at my chest to indicate her own flat chest. That always enraged her. Speaking of chest, It was natural that Lilith had been growing some. Not that I intended to always look at her chest area. I'm not a genius when it came to breast size. But I'd assume they were B cups right now? I'd assume once she was older, they'd be something of comparison to Tera's. When I asked Tera about this, she assumed that it was perhaps the dragon blood inside her that was Increasing her growth to get her at her prime physique. Normally dragons would stay in their prime for quite some time before aging slowly. Meaning since she was half dragon, she'd probably only be at her prime for less amount. Now when I asked kale, he laughed in response, questioning why I would even ask him before he asked his own questions. like if I was interested in just seeing breasts, to which I immediately left the room he was in. Besides chest, Amelia has also started to Hang out with Griffin and Sura. She'd show up at our table and just sit there, eating. It wasn't king before she'd try to spark up a conversation with them. And when I mean them, I mean I was usually left out of the conversation unless it was necessary. I paid no mind to it at first, however I was listening in on their conversations.
Amelia would take morning classes that included strengthening her wind magic, the rest of her classes were either alchemy or just time used in the library.
I don't think I've ever really cared about alchemy since I too had that class. Beside the general ideas of them. I only found usage in their knowledge when it came to buying potions. What some potions do and how to create only the basics. Amelia was interested in alchemy, so she was actually more capable of making and figuring out most of them. Same with Sura.
"Kota?" I got snapped back to reality as I heard Lilith speak. "What are you looking at?"
I quickly trained my eyes on her. Whenever she asked that now, I felt my spine tingle as it reminded me of the scary side of her. I've made it my goal to not piss her off. "Nothing, just thinking."
"Stop staring, lover boy. We got fishs to reel in!" Kale grabbed the top of my head and turned it to face the lake water. "You can look at her for as long as you want when we finish!"
"I was not staring! I was just thinking!" I insisted.
"What? About the Owl lady? Relax, I'm handling that. We haven't had anyone come by our house." Kale had brought this up to King Lucian when we brought it to him. Funny thing, The description we gave to him matched with the two figures the guards saw near the north gate of Prusha. So King Lucian made it kale's mission to figure out who the two were. Ever since then, he has been on a higher alert when on the streets and at home. But right now, he was relaxed and wanted to reassure me.
Everyone else on this boat knew about the owl lady. And luckily, no one else seemed to have been targeted by this person. It was just me and Lilith.
"Now come on, let's focus on fishing. Here." Kale handed me his rod. "I don't think Gerald ever told you about fishing, so let me."
"Couldn't I just…use magic to catch them?" I asked, I could easily use water magic to just grab them.
"Don't ever say that. Ever again." He then began to explain to me how to catch fish.
As he began to explain how fishing worked and so on, I noticed Tera handling her staff. She aimed it into the water.
"Okay, so when you cast the bait. Wait a moment, wiggle the bait around a bit before you feel a bite. It's like a tug." Kale peered up at the water, aiming at the water. " Okay cas-What are you doing, tera?"
"Hmph, taking Kota's idea." Then she began to chant a fire spell.
"Oh, wait! Wait! Don't do that!"
Tera's fire spell didn't erupt like we thought it would, instead the water in front of us started bubbling. After a few moments, a couple of fishes floated up.
Kale let out a gasp as he saw them before he turned his whole body towards Tera. "That's messed up."
"What? I removed the hassle of Waiting and just got us some food to cook." Tera said as she lowered her staff underneath her. She then held up the bucket of fish from between her feet and tossed it to kale. "Bucket?" She said sarcastically.
"Yknow, I'm starting to think you don't like fishing." Kale caught the bucket and held it.
"Indeed. I'm only here since you actually went shopping with me." She folded her legs and her arms as she said that.
"Then you should also give the same amount of effort as I did when I went with you."
"I am." Tera said coldly. I vaguely remember some time ago when she came over to ask Kale about the trip. Actually, I think she thought it was just for the two of them. But kale suggested they bring everyone else to connect on the Fishing trip. So…This was not what she intended would happen.
Griffin made a 'oooh' sound, that was a low blow from Tera.
Kale frowned at those words, looking somewhat hurt. "Hey, at least I tried…"
The two stared at each other for a moment, there was an uneasiness that spread across the boat as everyone looked at the two. I batted my eyes between those two, unsure what was going to happen next. If they intend to fight right now, maybe it's best to do that when we are off the boat.
"Can we not fight on the boat? We're in the middle of the lake right now and I don't think any of us want to swim." Sura broke the silence, she closed her book she was reading and angrily looked at the two. "Stop with the lover squabbling."
"Woah, woah, woah! Lover squabbling?" Kale held his hand out to sura. Kale never liked it whenever any of us referred the two as lovers, though at some points they tend to actually be like lovers. Plus, I know how Kale feels about Tera…
"Yes, Me and Kale are having a perfectly normal squabble…" Tera said. "Isn't that right, loverboy?"
"Don't use that term on me!" Kale snapped at her,the boat rocked ever more slightly as the two made continuous movements.
"What are you mad at? I think my fishing skills are quite top notch, you just have to grab them…"
"Ugh." Kale tiredly stoked his face. "This was supposed to be a trip where we all learn something with fishing. Patience, also bonding together." He gave Tera a sad look. Tera frowned when she saw that, not sure of what to make of it. "Seems like you don't want any of that…"
Tera held a hand out for a moment like she was grabbing for something before retracting it to her chest.
"Oh no…They're both sad." Griffin commented. "Y'know my parents usually have full trust in each other. But when one of them lies, the other gets extremely sad and the one who lied tries to make up for it."
"How does that relate to this?" Sura asked.
"I don't know, maybe the two should make up for something. My parents usually tend to do some smooching and stuff and it's all good. Maybe these two can smooch."
There was another moment of pause before Tera sighed, she looked up at kale with somber eyes and pouting expression. Great, now the two of them were sad.
"Kale…I apologize." Tera said slowly. "I suppose I was acting immature. Perhaps I should've told you that this idea of all of us coming was bad."
"Why would it be bad? The whole gang's here?" Kale looked around at everyone.
"No…I'd rather it have just been us." Tera was now playing with her hair as she said that. I could tell by her voice that she was nervous when saying that.
"Oh…ah…" Kale began to scratch his head, pursing his lips. "…shit." He mumbled those last words before thinking to himself, looking out to the lake. I don't know if Kale didn't see that she wanted time to themselves. Sometimes I think Kale is too oblivious to things like this, or maybe he's doing it on purpose for his own reasons. Either way, it's hurting both parties.
There was another long pause, Lilith and Amelia kept on fishing with an uneasiness to it. I just sat there, unsure of what to do. That was when sura spoke up.
"I think it's best that we…Take the boat back to land." Sura suggested. "I don't think any of us want to fish anymore…"
"A-agreed…" Tera said, her hand covering her mouth. "Kale?"
Kale nodded, still looking off at the lake. With that acknowledgment, Tera then grabbed the rows for the boat and rowed us back slowly to shore.
***
Lilith and I sat on a tree stump amongst the snowy trees. When we left the boat, we decided to hide off from everyone else to just enjoy the snowy environment. It was far from the shore as We watched as kale gave the owner of the boat some rubees. It was an eldesche Man, his green scales were apparent over the winter clothings he had. The brown water lapped along the boat as it slowly moved. The brownish mud was sticky and smelly, but a quick water spell was enough to wash them. And Amelia dried us afterwards, although I think she blasted me a bit too much on purpose.
"Tera and Kale are upset with each other…" Lilith murmured.
"Yeah, Nothing we can do about it though." I stared at Kale and Tera as they both began to talk, it was too far for me to hear. But judging by both their movements, they seemed pissed still.
"Well…what if we could?" I turned to Lilith when she asked that.
"What? Like, help them with…?" I felt like I knew the answer to that. There's a good possibility that Kale might've told Lilith about his concerns with dating Tera since they do have a student and master relationship.
"Hmm…Maybe with them not being mad at each other?" Lilith shrugged. That wasn't what I expected for an answer, and somehow my own curiosity is setting in.
"Has kale ever told you about his issues with Tera?" I asked, I just needed to know if she did know.
"…yeah, but what does that have to do with this?" Lilith tilted her head. So Kale has told her about it.
"Well…Kale does like Tera…why don't we get the two together?"
Lilith frowned at that idea. "I don't think Kale would like that. He's too afraid of committing." She then pressed her left hand against her left cheek. "And Tera also noticed it."
Huh, well that's new information for me. Though I should've guessed since the two did hang out a lot whenever they could. Usually to teach Lilith manners and how to be a girl. Tera was probably gossiping about it with her.
"Maybe she's just mad that he's avoiding most situations where they can be alone. She probably wants to confront him about it." I suggested, that would be a good reason. Kale does tend to bring one of us with him whenever Tera asks him.
"Hmm, I guess…" Lilith kept on thinking, her finger tapping against her mouth. Her amber eye staring off at the lake.
I took another look at Tera and kale and noticed that Tera had actually left. So did Griffin and Sura, it was just Kale on the shore of the lake. He was scratching his head as he kicked a rock into the lake. Seems like it didn't go out as planned.
"Oh!" Lilith shouted. "We get them together for the festival!" She smiled at her own idea. "Make kale go there by force!"
"Beg pardon?" My eye darted to Lilith. "Forcefully?"
"Yeah, like um…We take Tera as a hostage!"
"That is a horrible idea."
"We tell him King Lucian is in danger?"
"Wouldn't king lucian be greatly protected?"
"Erm…" Lilith tapped her head as she tried to think of something else. "…I beat him into going with us?"
I held my hand up at that. She probably could do that, but we don't want to shed any sort of blood over this. Lililith isn't giving any good ideas on this, so I should probably step in.
"How about I talk with Kale and see what I can do?" Lilith sank her head when I said that, but I grabbed her hand to reassure her. "Trust me. I think it's better if it was…man to man."
"But…you aren't a man, yet." Lilith put her head up and gave me a concerned look. "Plus, what would you know?"
I immediately batted my hands away from her. How dare she say that? I'll have her know that I've dated only two women in my past life. I think I know my way around how men feel. And thinking of it now, I'm pretty sure I'm in a similar situation with Lilith. I then proceeded to point at myself and then her, it only took her a moment to realize what I meant as she then frantically waved her hands around, her cheeks reddening as she stumbled off the tree stump.
"It is not similar! It's healthy and well!" She blurted out. Her hands were static in front of her as she stared at me.
"Look, all I'm saying is that if I'm able to talk with him. I can probably get him to go." I said. "It's only unhealthy because of kale. Let me see if I can help him."
Lilith stopped blushing and folded her arms, getting serious again. She thought for a moment, staring at me. "…are you sure you can?"
"Yes! I'll come up with something. Just trust me." I got off the tree stump and stood next to her. "If anything, we'll go with your plans."
Her eyes glittered when I said that, a smile crept up as she jumped. "Yes!" She said as she came down, holding my hand firmly.
I don't think she wanted to do this in a peaceful manner, Somehow I'm thinking she just wants to beat up kale, and this would just be a good excuse for her. Eh, if I can't do anything. She probably would.
"Come on, let's talk with Kale right now! Talk to him!" Lilith then walked forward, moving past me and following a small trail that led back to the shore where kale was. Absurdly, her grip on my hand was extremely tight. Like she didn't want me to leave.
"H-hey! I didn't say when we'd talk! Wow, your grip is strong!" I said, struggling to keep up with her. I had no intentions of fighting and trying to break loose from her, the girl's strength was absurd and I'm quite frankly afraid of what she can do with it.
We pushed passed through the trail, the snow covered ground suddenly changed to a muddied floor as we got to the shore. I looked behind us to see the snowy greenery we were in. Suddenly, I bumped into Lilith who stood still behind kale. When I took a look back, I saw kale just staring off into the lake. His boots muddied from the mud, the bottom of his cloak was soaked in the mud. His blonde hair matted with bits of dirt. Did he fall? The man paid no mind as he just stared off, a frown presented on his face. It took a moment for him to realize we had come back. Once he did, he turned around and gave us a weak smile.
"Hey…where'd you two go?" He asked, he put his hands along his hip. "What's with the Looks on your face?"
Lilith took a breath in, almost as if she was prepared to say something. Was she going to tell him?
She turned around, letting go of my hand and walking behind me. Her face was red as she then whispered into my right ear. "What do we do? I don't know how to…speak with him about this, You should talk…" For all that effort to seem courageous, it crumbled down once she realized she needed to talk. But the way she hid behind me was cute, so I'll take this opportunity.
"Uh…we just explored the forest for a bit. Where'd everyone else go?" I asked.
Kale scratched his head, there was almost a defeated tone in his voice when he responded. "Ah, well Tera decided to take Griffin and Sura out to explore the forest. I don't think they intend on coming back."
"What do you mean? Wasn't Tera mad with you?" I gotta get this man to say something about this. If I recall, his reasoning resides with his past love life. I just need to get him over it. Otherwise, he's just caught in this loop.
"I…uh…Let's just head back. Today's trip was alright, I'm sure we're all tuckered out!" Kale quickly walked past and onto the trail we used to get here. He's trying to avoid this. I can see it in his face and how he avoided eye contact with me.
"Lilith, let's just follow him. Then I'll speak to him at the house." I whispered to Lilith. She nodded in agreement, she then proceeded to rest her head on my back as we walked behind kale. Not sure why she was doing it, perhaps out of embarrassment of not talking to kale? I don't know, but I'm enjoying these new physical moments we have now.
A/N: Focusing on Kale's development as a character before we enter the Festival and it's more chaotic events! The next chapter will be pretty big as well! Hope you enjoy this Chapter!