Today Luna and I were going along with her brother Nicholas to see the nearby town of Maemont. Alice however felt it was necessary for her to come in case something bad happens, so after meeting up at Luna's house we set off on our own little adventure.
Nickolas and Alice led the way as they knew where they were going, leaving Luna and I following close with them. Nickolas was wearing his adventuring gear, with leather armor. Alice opted to just wear what she normally wore which was her blue and white uniform, leaving Luna and I wearing casual clothes.
Nickolas: "Maemont isn't too far, it's roughly a 30 minute walk once we leave the city. There shouldn't be anything dangerous but just in case, stick close to us."
Ellen/Luna: "Yes"
Luna had what looks to be an old sword that her brother must of given her. Maybe while we are out I could find something for Luna; that sword just didn't suit her as it was a short sword. When we were sparring in school she would always hold her sword with two hands, but would be quite difficult to do that with a short sword like this.
Alice: "I'm sure you didn't need me to come, but if something were to happen to Ellen I wouldn't forgive myself, so you're stuck with me hehe."
Smiling away at each other, we make our way towards the gate where multiple guard stopped us.
Guard: "Ah! Nick! Long time no see. You off to Maemont again?"
Nickolas: "It has haha. Yeah I'm taking these two ladies to see what outside the city is like. We'll be back before nightfall."
These two seemed to be on good terms and also roughly the same age, they probably knew each other in school or something.
Guard: "Sounds good. Be sure to keep them safe."
Alice: "We will, Fredrick."
Fredrick: "Alice? I uhh. Nice to see you t-"
Alice: "Okay we'll be off now. Take care"
Alice seemed quite annoyed at his presence as we walked on ahead, meanwhile Fredrick seemed a little embarrassed to see her. She did actually look the same age as Nickolas and that guard Fredrick; maybe they all took school together. We continued walking out along the stone path heading towards Maemont.
Ellen: "Hey, did you know him Alice?"
Alice: "Ah, yeah. We went to the academy together, but he constantly pestered me. It's nothing to worry about."
Luna: "Did you two date or something?"
Alice: "Something like that."
That surprised me. I always saw Alice as a stoic figure who wouldn't have time to date around, so hearing this side of her was refreshing to see.
Nicholas: "He was a little annoying. He would always come to me talking about you Alice, but he is a great guy, you shouldn't be too hard on him."
Alice: "I'm not interested in him anymore. I'd rather not feed him false hope."
Luna: "What made you decide to end things with him?"
Alice: "Uhh, It was actually mutual. We realized that we liked each other as friends and not as lovers, but later in our academy life he wanted to try again, but I refused every time."
Luna: "Not as lovers?"
Alice: "Well I guess you're old enough now, but I felt no desire to have a sexual relationship with him. I just really enjoyed his company as a friend. Or well, I did."
Luna seemed to be engaged with her conversation with Alice, leaving Nickolas and I silently walking, smiling away at the two.
Luna: "Sexual relationship..."
Alice: "Don't. You're not quite an adult yet, and don't rush into it either. Take your time to find the right person."
Luna: "Y-yes. I just wonder if I will find someone at the academy."
Alice: "Someone as pretty as you will be sure to get attention. Just be sure to tell which guys are genuine and-"
Ellen: "I'll help. I'll make sure no sleazy or gross guys come after you"
Luna: "Yes, Thank you~"
Her smile switched over towards me as it pierces straight into my heart. "Dangerous. I'll be sure to keep Luna safe" I think to myself as we walk. Her looks sure are beautiful, completely different when we were in school. I'll try my best to protect her.
Nickolas: "Here we are. Maemont"
After our long walk we had finally arrived at the town of Maemont. It was quite a large town as there was a lot of stores and houses that we could see. However the biggest thing I realized were there are humans that looked to have animal ears on them.
Nickolas: "You might of realized but there are demi-humans here. You wouldn't be able to see them in the capital as they aren't allowed to enter."
Ellen: "Wait, why aren't they allowed?"
Nickolas: "Something about demi-humans having lost ties to demons and the capital doesn't want to risk having them inside if something bad were to happen."
Ellen: "That. Doesn't seem okay to me. Hasn't the demon king been gone for hundreds of years now? Why keep them out?"
Alice: "Well there are still demon lords around, and they can influence demi-humans a lot easier than regular humans. Personally I agree, I don't think they should still be cast out, but the capital sees it as a necessary precaution to take."
So this is basically racism. Not a great start to our little adventure today but at least I'm learning new things. I wonder if mother could do something about this, she is a duchess after all. We continue to walk around the town of Maemont as I spot a weapon store.
Ellen: "Hey, can we go over to that shop?"
Alice: "Heh. Ellen, not surprising at all. Did you want something else besides your rapier?"
Ellen: "Ah no, not at all. This weapon is special to me, I'll never replace it. I just wanted to see what it's like inside."
She seemed satisfied with my reply as she had a big grin on her face.
Alice: "Yes, we can go."
Nickolas: "Ah, you 3 go on ahead, I have business up ahead. I'll meet up with you soon."
Luna: "Ah, okay, we won't be long!"
The 3 of us enter the shop. The shop was filled with all sorts of armor and weapons on display, from simple leather armor to plate armor. Looking at how heavy the plate armor looks I'd hate to try and move around in that thing.
Luna: "Pretty"
However to my side, Luna seems to enjoy the look of the plate armor as she mumbled to herself. The plate armor could wait, I wouldn't want to buy too much for her, what I wanted first and foremost was a longsword, something that would be far better suited for Luna.
After browsing around I noticed a longsword on the wall. It's hilt was made of blue leather with the guard and pommel having a shiny silver to it, accompanied by a long sharp blade with many engravings. I looked over to see Luna still eyeing up the plate armor as I take down the longsword.
Alice: "I thought you said you weren't replacing my rapier?"
Ellen: "Ah! I uhm. This isn't for me."
I whisper to her, looking in the direction of Luna.
Alicen: "Ahh~ I see now. A present?"
Ellen: "Yes"
We both ended up whispering to each other before making our way to the shop keeper.
Shopkeeper: "I'm sorry, this sword is quite expensive"
Ellen: "How much?"
Shopkeeper: "150 gold"
Ellen: "Here"
His eyes opened wide as I took out a pouch from my bag. My parents gave Fabian and I an allowance every month growing up, but I found myself not spending any of it. Even 150 gold barely scratch the surface of how much I had.
Ellen: "Oh, and could you wrap it as well please?
Shopkeeper: "S-sure thing! Thank you so much"
He looked happy as he took the sword away, getting its scabbard and wrapping it up for us. I look behind me to Luna was coming towards us. "Phew" We just made it in time.
Shopkeeper: "Here you are. Is there anything else you'd like?"
Ellen: "Yes, How much for that plate armor back at the front?"
Shopkeeper: "Ah, that armor is enchanted. It's 2000 gold right now."
Luna: "No Ellen. I know you saw me looking at that, I won't let you buy it for me."
Ellen: "Hey, I was looking at it too so I was curious hehe."
I knew she would react like this as she never liked the idea of receiving gifts so I had to make sure she didn't see me buy that longsword. Alice then picks up the longsword and brings it to her back, giving me sly wink.
Alice: "Thank you so much. We'll be off now.
Shopkeeper: "Yes. Pleasure doing business with you"
I'm glad I told Alice about my present for Luna, as It would of been too suspicious if I were to suddenly pick up such a big item.
Exiting the store we see Nickolas coming to our direction meeting up with us.
Nickolas: "I see Alice bought something? What is it?"
Alice: "A sword obviously. My old sword is damaged so I wanted a replacement"
Nice save Alice, except for the fact that your rapier is to your side in perfect condition!
Nickolas: "Your rapier looks fine to me."
Alice: "Ah no not this one. It's a replacement for my sword back home. I like to use different kinds of weapons."
Suspicious, but that only because I know Alice well. She never liked using heavy swords like this, but I don't think Nickolas or Luna would figure it out.
Nickolas: "Don't you only use rapiers though?
Fuck...
Suddenly Alice grabbed hold of Nickolas, dragging him a bit away from Luna and I as they whispered together.
Alice: "It's a present for Ellen, now shut it."
They were whispering but I still could make out what Alice was saying. Thankfully she didn't say it was for Luna as I breathed a sigh of relief with the two of them coming back to us.
Nickolas: "Sorry my bad haha. Let's look around some more"
Ellen/Luna: "Yes"
After that predicament, we continue walking down the streets of Maemont, Luna once again wrapping her arm around mine.
Luna: "This is fun"
Ellen: "M-Mmm"
"Keep it together Ellen, its just a stupid arm" I think to myself as we continue our walk.