"Bil really made all those himself?"
"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't underestimate my master."
Two young men strolled back to the Fire Rose Pub with a stack of empty baskets. They weren't laughing, but they were smiling, savoring the subtle, short-lived familiarity of being alone.
"It's been a long time since we've talked, just the two of us," Ayjen commented.
Kriff nodded with confidence. "I guess so… But it hasn't been two weeks since I left the Chateau."
"Well, yeah. But it's been a hectic week."
"I can't argue with that." Glancing at his old friend, Kriff asked, "What's wrong?"
Ayjen sighed, smiled, and shook his head. "Nothing's wrong–"
"You clam up when you're thinking too hard. Which means something's bothering you," Kriff reasoned without skipping a beat. "What? Aren't we still friends? Or am I the one you're thinking about?"
