Night had fallen, and though the streets of Manda were devoid of shopkeepers, the taverns were still open, and activities were bustling as always. Despite the variety of taverns, the most prominent among them was Fadziso's Sorghum's Nights. It was renowned for brewing the best Sorghum beer and being one of the earliest taverns that existed since the town's inception, so it held a reputation of being ancient while providing the best Sorghum beer for a relatively low price.
But beers and taverns weren't fancied by Diacrao, who preferred spending his time sitting at the bridge that connected the Auxiliary's quarters and the town of Manda. Over here, it provided a decent view of the town and its peripheries and the small ravine where the river from the Bogro mountain ranges flows into the sea. He wondered, what lay beyond the seas, a new land? perhaps.
He had witnessed the sheer diversity of the town of Manda in its peak hours. Not only did it host the Zanziyin people who were diverse groups of people and cultures themselves, as noted by Kadungon, but he saw people of various colors and cultures, a blend of those from other parts of the Island, and sailors from foreign lands who would sell their goods.
Personally, he was intrigued with the idea of exploring distant lands, but it would be a distant dream, for reality and responsibilities would bind him down. Even the lands within the Mkasi Republic were a mystery to him. The gnoll woods and the ruins of Azawe were just among the few locations within the boundaries of the republic, he reckoned there would be more to explore within it.
Just as he was lost in his flood of thoughts, staring into the distant seas, the sound of footsteps snapped him back into reality.
"Dia?"
"Aitana?"
"Sorry, am I interrupting you, Dia? I can leave if I am."
"No, you're not. It's shocking to see you outside since you usually head to bed early."
"The same could be said for you too, Owlman."
"I can't turn my head behind, and If I could, I need you to smite me to dust."
Aitana giggled as she walked towards Diacrao, taking a seat by the bridge and making herself comfortable. As she settled herself, her attention was focused on Diacrao, arms folded. For a time, things were pretty quiet, and awkward, so to speak.
"Having difficulties sleeping, Dia?"
"Nah, I sleep like a baby, I just like hanging around here, the view's nice and it gives time for me to think for myself."
"So it's your personal time? but don't you think it's a wee bit late to be out at such hours, sir?" She tittered.
"Eh, that's right, but we don't usually have much leisure time anyways, let alone drowning in our thoughts. Besides, I'm not the only one out here late at night, you know ma'am?" he remarked.
"Oh, you're definitely correct sir! there's a load of people present at Fadziso at this hour! Good observation!"
"Pfft, you know I was talking about you."
"I know, I'm just pulling your legs!"
Both of them giggled. The mood was lightened up and the duo were pretty surprised at how open they were towards each other. Although they were teammates for quite some time, Diacrao has not particularly talked with many of his teammates, barring Kadungon, and sometimes, Conrad, but he did not speak with the girl much.
Aitana was pleasantly surprised to discover Diacrao wasn't as strict and uptight as she initially thought him to be. Most of her interactions with him were during combat and discussions, and in most times, he was rather cold, rigid, and disciplined. To see a relaxed side of him was a shocker to her.
"So, you've been drinking at the bar aye? never thought you were into beers team leader."
"Oh please! I don't drink beers okay?"
"Oh, so you drink Wine then I suppose? Must've been fancy drinking with the consulates."
"Ugh! No silly! I was just taking a walk!!"
"Sure."
Aitana pouted as the swordsman just couldn't stop giggling as he teased her.
"I really don't drink Dia! besides, I was just taking some time for myself. I find it...relaxing, and it helps keep my nerves in check too."
"See? It might seem inconvenient, but having some space for yourself does help keep you sane."
"It does! and...I have been thinking about our performances and the criticism that Conrad and the rest had shared."
"Oh?"
She let out a big sigh, the mood shifted from a light-hearted tone to a serious one. It was a change of pace from the usual, hearty Aitana that the group usually knew, a side not seen by many others, but by Diacrao only.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disrupt the mood."
"No, it's no worries, you want to talk about it?"
"I...I'd rather not. It's nothing much anyways."
"You sure? You look like you could blow some steam."
"Pft, I'd rather not, Dia, my kettle is not boiling full at the moment."
"If you insist."
From the distance, the sound of a few voices was audibly heard by the duo. A group of people emerged and they were heading towards the quarters. They were drunk, singing their merry songs incoherently as incoherently walked across the bridge. Among them, a male from the crowd spotted the duo by the bridge.
He tipped his hand onto his forehead as a visor to get a closer look. After a while, he smiled and waved his hands toward the Duo's direction. "Hey Diacrao! Long time no see buddy! You never told me you were dating!" The male yelled.
Dating!?! It was such an obnoxious assumption, that Diacrao was flustered, to say the least. Aitana's cheeks flushed red, cupped her face with her hands, this certainly did not help the male's situation as this seemed to confirm his friend's assumption, evident from his laugh.
"You sneaky bastard, you never told me you got a pretty chick!!"
"Giorgio you idiot, you got the wrong impression! She's my friend, not my girlfriend!!"
"Yeah and I am the flying kebab monster, don't lie to me, buddy!"
"I swear!!"
The group laughed as they approached the duo. Aitana was still embarrassed by the comments, and tilted her head away from the group, to much of Diacrao's dismay. Giorgio told his buddies to take a leave while he would stay back to converse with Diacrao, to which they left, leaving the three of them alone.
As they were alone, Diacrao jokingly punched Giorgio's hand.
"You fool, I'm not dating you know that?"
"I know brother, It's fun mocking you my man. Sorry for my antiques, lady, I'm Giorgio! Diacrao's really good friend."
"Aitana, meet Giorgio, he's an Auxiliary soldier that I met through Kadungon, he introduced us to the ruins of Azawe."
"Uhm, it's great to meet you...Giorgio, say you surely know how to embarrass someone."
"Hey, that's what good old Giorgio is good at! A master, a connoisseur even! Hey Giorgio, here's an idea, you definitely should open the tomfoolery guild and be the High Fool!"
Giorgio jokingly punched Diacrao's arm as the three of them laughed. Giorgio looks to be somewhere in his late 20s. His low fade haircut was complemented by a light stubble beard that covered his swarthy skin. His face is riddled with small slashes and scars attained from the battles he faced, indicating that he could have come much earlier and was experienced. His stature isn't too big or small, standing as tall as 5'9, he was fairly built.
"Messing around at Fadziso again man?"
"You know it bro!! You guys should join us sometime!! trust me the food and the beer is amazing, uh-mey-zeeeeeeng!!!"
"Are there any find ladies over there bud? Asking for my lady friend over here." Diacrao teased Aitana once again, as she pouted at him. "Hey!!"
"Oh, there's loads and loads of beautiful ladies for you to check out, and for your lady friend too if she's interested, heh!" Giorgio joined the teasing foray, leading Aitana to flush in red as her red cheeks puffed. "Oh how funny, you should consider joining the guild too, Dia!"
"DIA!?!? Is that your nickname? Or a special name from the lady herself??" Giorgio can't help but burst into laughter as he heard Diacrao's nickname. Looks like it was his turn to be the laughingstock.
"Hey that-" Just as he was about to say something, Aitana cut through his words.
"Why yes!! It's a pet name for him, I created especially for my dearest comrade in arms, am I right, Dia~?" She sneered as she gave a cheeky smug towards the swordsman, his cheeks now flushed in red. "This is revenge, mister!"
Meanwhile, Giorgio was laughing his heart out until he was out of breath, tears rolling down his eyes. As he was done laughing, he took a few deep breathes and wiped off his tears.
"Alright, its time for bed lovebirds, catch you guys when I see y'all. Don't get freaky in public area alright? Get a room somewhere if y'all wanna get down!"
"Ugh, we ain't lovers Idiot!! But see you buddy, see you around."
"Nice to meet you, Giorgio! good night and see you around, you Royal Jester."
They laughed, as Giorgio left, leaving the duo alone once again.
"Send my regards to Kadungon!" It was Giorgio's last words before he entered into the Quarters.
"Ugh, silly idiot, he just likes to joke around like that. Hope that didn't bother you."
"I feel bothered by his jokes."
"Oh...Well uh, he didn't mean-"
"I'm just kidding, Dia! He's just full of energy, I like him so much."
"Oh phew, yeah he's pretty silly, but a pretty cool guy too. "
"Indeed. It's getting pretty late, I'm gonna head to bed, are you still gonna hang out here?"
"Yeah, I'll head up in a while."
"Alright, It's great talking to you, Dia! I hope we can talk more, it was really fun!"
"Likewise. Good night Aitana, and rest well."
"You too, Owlman."
Both of them parted ways, leaving Diacrao alone by himself on the bridge, back to his usual activity of drowning in his thoughts as he stared at the distant sea. But this time, he looked at the conversation he had with Aitana, and he realized that the party wasn't as interconnected as it should be.
Sure, they were a group who had each other's back, but outside of combat, they were rather distant, and it felt like their relationships weren't as tightly knitted as they should be for a group that has been in the world for a few weeks or a few months? how long has it been? he pondered, he did not keep track of time, nor did he subscribe to a calendar system, to him, and the party at large, every day was hunting day, they couldn't afford to take a break, or else they would not be able to earn.
Moreover, his blade needed replacement, he's not sure if it's gonna cost him, or if he's gonna be given junk as his new replacement. He hoped for the best, but his hopes weren't high. As he believed it was enough drifting at his whirlwind of thoughts, he retired to the quarters to get a good night's sleep. He wonders what tomorrow is gonna be like, but he doesn't put too much thought into it, as there was one thing this world has taught him, it is to expect the unexpected, and to improve and adjust based on the situation.