Previously in NWC-
The party continues the trip back in awkward silence. Luna calls Reno aside and they have a heart-to-heart conversation, setting aside their frustrations to mend their relationship. Afterwards, the journey is more pleasant, passing them by quickly as they rest for one more night. Medusa says "Guh nii" and it is adorable. Their journey reaches the end when they finally arrive back home...
The party quickly returns to the FTG, dropping all of their gear and laying on the ground. "Finally back at base!" CeCe pushes herself up, sitting on the ground.
Reno groans as he sits on a log. "You said you could stay with Lyn, right? I don't have a shower so I have to use the old man's. I was kind of thinking about going to do that before I did anything else."
CeCe nods her head, slowly standing to her feet and brushing herself off. "That sounds heavenly right now! How about we meet up back here in two hours and I can give you the rest of your payment?"
"Sounds like a plan to me! See you then!" Reno watches as CeCe leaves. He sighs, turning to face Luna and Medusa. "Alright, Luna."
Luna lets out a huff and speaks, slightly hesitantly. "I know, I know. I'll watch Medusa." She sounds slightly dejected as she slowly begins flying towards Medusa.
"Actually, no. I was going to say you should come with me so you can shower too."
Luna suddenly stops and turns to face Reno. "What? But, what about Medusa?" Although she was protesting, her voice was full of hope at the idea of bathing. "Are you proposing we leave her unattended?"
Reno looks over at Medusa who was staring blankly at him. "She's behaved pretty well so far. That, and she seems to do really well with people." Reno continues observing Medusa. She notices him staring at her and she smiles, rocking back and forth slightly. "Besides, if Bambadale is going to get bigger one day, keeping her hidden will become impossible."
"So you think it's time we gave her more freedom?"
Reno takes one last look at Medusa, thinking deeply. Finally, he nods his head. "Yeah, I think we can trust her. I feel bad leaving you to watch her all the time, and I guess I kind of got used to you being in my shirt." Reno turns to Medusa and bends down to meet her height. He gently places a hand on her head and smiles. "Hey, Medusa. Luna and I are stepping out for a bit, do you think you can stay around here?"
Medusa nods her head happily, her smile glowing brighter. "Muh!"
Reno rubs her head, making sure not to apply too much pressure to her flower. He slowly stands up, beginning the walk to Bambadale. He grabs the bag with his extra clothes and waves goodbye. "We'll be back soon, okay? Behave while we're gone! Oh, and if you see someone you don't recognize then hide!" Reno and Luna make their way to town, using the mayor's shower and even having a late lunch with him. Reno tells him all about his journey and his fight against the shade. The mayor's eyes are wide the whole time and he listens to every word that comes out of Reno's mouth. He engages in the story, asking questions and maintaining eye contact to show he genuinely cares about the story. By the end, the mayor was nearly singing praises for Reno. After their fun little lunch, Reno decides to go shopping to restock after their journey. He spends 20 dulls during this trip, stopping by Lyn's to check on CeCe. CeCe was unavailable and Reno was left with yet another uncomfortable interaction with Lyn.
After Reno leaves, Lyn heads over to her bathroom, standing outside of it. "Doin alright in there, girl?"
CeCe's voice echoes from inside as the sound of sloshing bathwater fills the room. "I'm good! I showered and now I'm taking a bath to make up for all the one's I couldn't take the past couple of days!"
Lyn adjusts her glasses and leans on the wall. "You're the one who chooses to go to these places. You don't have any right to complain."
"I know, but it was worth it! I got the treasure which will be a huge help, and I even made a couple of friends!"
Lyn chuckles as she shakes her head. "You mean Reno and his little monster?"
CeCe's voice sounds slightly angered as she shouts slightly. "Medusa is not a monster! She's absolutely adorable and she is the sweetest thing ever!" CeCe calms herself down and sighs. "But yes, those two."
Lyn shakes her head one more time before going to sit down. "I will say that Reno seems to be quite an interesting guy, alright. I wonder where he'll go in the future. I hope he makes lots of money so I can extort it all from him!"
CeCe's voice shifts to genuine concern. "How about you give Reno a free pass? He really is a nice guy, and I don't think strong-arming him is something he deserves."
Lyn sits in a chair, shouting towards the bathroom to continue the conversation. "Eh? Do you like him or something? It's not like you to worry about what I'm doing. It wouldn't be the first time you've said someone is your friend and not do anything when I start wringing them dry of every dull."
CeCe sighs, resting her head on the edge of the tub. "I don't dislike him. I wouldn't say I LIKE him, but… he's definitely interesting. That whole group is."
"That's right, and now you're a part of it. I hope you know what you're doing. I worry about you, CeCe. Even after the things you've been through, you still trust people so easily. You need to be more aggressive!"
CeCe groans, rolling her eyes. "Again with this conversation? If I had known I was gonna get a lecture I would've bathed in a river!"
Lyn chuckles slightly, smiling. "Now that I think about it, you and Reno have quite a few similarities. Hmm… well, if you do decide you like him then I'll back off a little on the extortion!"
"You should really stop extorting people in general, Lyn…" CeCe slides back into the water and finishes her bath.
Afterwards, she sets off for the FTG, happy and clean. When she arrives she sees Reno and Luna running around and chasing Medusa. The expressions on their faces indicate the chase is a friendly one. "You'd better run! I'm gonna get ya'!" Reno almost catches up to Medusa before a vine grabs him from above, hoisting him into the air. "Ahh! You little cheater!" Reno flails around, trying to escape before he finally gives up, sighing. "One of these days I'm gonna find a way to get out of here, just you wait!" Medusa dances and smiles as she gloats in her victory. Reno, while spinning around slowly, spots CeCe leaning against a tree and giggling. "Oh, hi, CeCe."
Medusa and Luna turn to CeCe. Medusa waves and smiles while Luna flies over. "Welcome back!"
"Hey, Loon! I came back just in time to see Reno being turned into a decoration! Other than that, did I miss anything?"
Luna giggles as she begins to fly back. "Not really. We allowed Medusa to be unattended while we went and bathed. She behaved quite well and was actually waiting patiently for us!"
CeCe walks over and pets Medusa, speaking with an encouraging voice. "You're such a good girl! I bet your daddy's proud too!" Medusa tosses her vines in the air with excitement, flailing Reno around in the process.
"Oh fuck, I think I'm going to be sick!" Reno's stomach turns in every direction as he's tossed around like a toy. Medusa finally lets him down, snickering. "Don't laugh at me! Bad girl!" Medusa sticks her tongue out at Reno and shakes her head in defiance. Reno's slightly angry expression slowly swayed, turning into a smile. "You little brat!" He ruffled her hair before joining Luna and CeCe. "Ready to do the payment, CeCe?"
CeCe places her hands on her hip, shifting her weight to one side and pouting. "Not even going to say hi before you take all my money?"
Reno looks confused as he raises an eyebrow. "What? But we saw each other like two hours ago and even said we'd meet here to handle the money!"
CeCe grins with a playful smile as she pulls out her magic coin purse. "I'm just teasing you~! Open up that pouch and let's transfer this 500, shall we?" Reno pulls out his own magic coin pouch and opens it, accepting the 500 dulls. "There we go! I think that about finishes up our little journey! It was a lot of fun… other than certain aspects." CeCe's voice trails off before she recollects herself. "I'll hit you guys up one more time before I head back to the capitol! Sounds good?"
Reno nods his head, smiling. "Yeah! We'll be here waiting!"
The party says their goodbyes. CeCe returns to Bambadale where she stays with Lyn, and the others head to the barn where Reno struggles to pull himself up the ladder.
"Ugh! I swear this thing gets taller and taller every time I go up it! Did they raise the roof while I was gone?!" After much struggle and many complaints, they make it up, quickly falling asleep.
TO BE CONTINUED...