After talking some more, the subject of the talk turned to silly stuff, like the fact that Raven's favorite food wasn't fish, but chicken to Fuwa's surprise, she talked about how common fish was, but the chicken was a luxury back then, especially at the orphanage, meanwhile, Fuwa talked wonders about something called sushi.
"You were so lucky being born in a world with such delicious food, and still, you tell me there are people that want to come here? That's so dumb"
Raven laughed thinking about people wanting to come to this world. But now she kind of understood them, she wanted to leave this swamp and go to the world where Fuwa came out.
"Food was good, but I guess people get bored" Fuwa simply said coming to that conclusion, after all, back then she too wished for a more exciting life, the monotony of training and studying was always there.
The talk continued for a moment until they decided they were ready to go. Both Raven and Fuwa were properly rested this time to face the dungeon in case it would be needed, but on the first priority was to fulfill the prophecy of the water spirit, they would have to wait around the fountain until the proper moment, which neither of them had the idea what would it be. Once they arrived there Raven scanned the place looking for the dumb dwarf but once again, there was no trace of him, and neither of that scum Ito, she looked like an animal looking for a quarrel, but then she calmed down.
As the spirit said, they only had to wait... but the spirit also mentioned something, she was a fool and should act as one. Raven stood up and relaxed, Fuwa looked at her going towards a group of people, once they recognized her they came their way merrily, they were the street musicians that she had once collaborated with. They exchanged pleasantries between performers and sincere smiles. Raven exchanged warm words with the street musicians, her usual tough demeanor softening in the presence of people who understood the art of performance. Fuwa watched curiously from a distance, her eyes following Raven's every move. It was rare to see the cat girl this relaxed, her sharp edges dulling as she blended seamlessly with the musicians.
After a few moments, the musicians began to set up their instruments: a couple of drums and a guitar. Fuwa perked up, her curiosity piqued as she saw Raven whisper something to one of the drummers while smiling devilishly. They laughed, and soon, the rhythm of the drums began to fill the air, followed by the smooth strumming of the guitar. This perked up the interest of the people around who started gathering around.
'It's been some time since I performed, but this time is a little different' She thought, she wanted to use the excuse that the spirit had commanded her, but in truth, she just wanted to show off in front of her companion 'Here goes nothing'
Raven took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before stepping into the center of the open space. As the music picked up, her body moved in sync with the beat, her movements fluid and hypnotizing. She started slow, her hips swaying gently, arms flowing like water. Each step seemed deliberate, yet effortless as if she were born to move with the rhythm of life itself.
Fuwa's eyes widened, completely mesmerized by the sight before her. She had seen Raven fight, leap, and maneuver her way through danger with a cat-like agility, but this... this was different. There was a grace to her movements, a captivating elegance. The way Raven's body flowed to the music, every muscle in perfect harmony with the beat, left Fuwa breathless, she remembered that she had told her that she liked dancing, but she didn't expect something like this.
Raven danced with her eyes closed, lost in the music and her thoughts. But the image that kept surfacing in her mind wasn't just the rhythm or the beat or Undine who had told her to do this... instead, it was Fuwa. The way Fuwa smiled at her, teased her, and stood by her side, even when Raven had tried to push her away. The warmth she felt every time Fuwa was around seemed to fill her movements, making each spin and step more fluid, more powerful as if the very essence of her dance was driven by the thought of her.
The drums picked up pace, and Raven's feet followed suit, her movements growing more intricate, more mesmerizing. Her arms swept out, fingers trailing through the air as if she were weaving an invisible spell around her. The musicians, noticing the intensity of her performance, added layers to the music, the guitar player strumming faster, more passionately. From the crowd two more musicians appeared dragged by the sweet nectar of their craft, one with a bagpipe and other with a flute, soon the place started to turn more into a carnival than one of the gateways of the dungeon, more and more people gathered around.
Raven's dance became the heartbeat of the growing festival around them. The rhythm of the drums and guitar is built with the lively melody of the flute and bagpipe, filling the air with energy. Her body moved in perfect harmony with the shifting tempo, flowing like a river one moment, then snapping into sharp, precise turns the next, like a predator stalking its prey. The onlookers were enraptured, and captivated by the performance, but none more than Fuwa. The people around her cheered and laughed, even some couples began to dance on the sides.
As the music swelled, Raven's eyes briefly fluttered open, catching Fuwa's gaze from across the crowd. In that instant, something electric passed between them. Fuwa's heart skipped a beat, her chest tightening as the realization hit her fully... she wasn't just mesmerized by the dance. She was mesmerized by Raven. Everything about her. The way she moved, the way she smiled, the fire in her eyes, and the softness she showed in these rare moments.
'She is amazing...' Fuwa thought, her eyes never leaving Raven's figure. In this brief time spawn they have shared together, she felt a deep bond had been slowly but steadily created around them, tho she was unsure what it was, but now she was beginning to realize, it wasn't just awe or admiration, and she cared for Raven, but strangely she cared for her maybe more than for her friends back at her own world, friends she had known for years maybe it was... 'Did I fall for this trickster?' Fuwa felt so confused as she felt her face flushing.
The thought was terrifying and exhilarating all at once, and as Raven's dance continued to enter her, Fuwa felt a warmth bloom in her chest, spreading through her entire body. The way Raven's movements seemed to tell a story... one of longing, freedom, and perhaps even affection... pulled Fuwa deeper into the moment.
The music reached a fever pitch, and Raven spun and performed some backflips adding some theatrical air to the dance, her hair catching the light, her body moving like a force of nature. The crowd clapped and cheered, but Raven barely heard them. Her focus was on Fuwa, standing still among the crowd, her eyes wide, her expression unreadable... but there was something in Fuwa's gaze that Raven had never seen before. Something vulnerable, something she hadn't seen in her, a small grin spread on her face. This was a silent confession.
The final notes rang out, and Raven came to a graceful stop, chest rising and falling with exertion. The crowd burst into applause, but Raven's eyes were locked on Fuwa. The world around them seemed to fall away, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, standing in the middle of the bustling square, the energy of the performance lingering in the air.
Fuwa approached her slowly, her heart still racing. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. What could she even say? That Raven's dance had stolen her breath? That she was falling for her? No, that was too much. Or was it? Both girls just stayed there for a moment as the party continued, now that her performance had stopped people happily took the center stage and began to dance, many still clapping and cheering for the musicians and for Raven.
Raven, catching the subtle nervousness in Fuwa's expression, let out a breathless chuckle, her usual smirk slipping into something softer "Didn't know I was that good, huh? Told you I had some moves"
Fuwa blinked, snapping out of her daze "You... were incredible" she said, her voice quieter than usual, almost as if she were afraid the words would give too much away, Fuwa walked closer to Raven.
"What do you mean? I'm always incredible" Said Raven laughing putting a hand in front of her.
"I mean..." Fuwa hesitated, her heart pounding as the words teetered on the edge of her tongue 'Just say it' she thought, gathering her courage "I mean, it felt like you were... dancing for me"
Raven's gaze snapped back to Fuwa's as she stopped laughing, her eyes wide in surprise. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt thick with unspoken feelings, the weight of everything they hadn't said hanging over them like a heavy fog.
Finally, Raven swallowed, her voice barely a whisper "Maybe I was" which caused Fuwa to violently blush as her face turned crimson, and the evildoer cat walked towards her and flicked her in the forehead with her fingers "But I'm not telling you!" She stuck out her tongue.
"You..!" Fuwa said laughing at the antics of her companion "You are such a brat"
Then they heard some voices in the crowd... it seemed like a twist of destiny... maybe this was the signal Undine had told Raven.
"Captain!" A hobbit girl said to a man with black hair wearing a suit of armor "The healer ditched us! He said that he got a better contract at the adventurer guild!"
"Damn... and when we were almost ready to advance to the intermediate floors" Another person, a warrior with a big shield said.
"Don't worry guys, we will figure something out" Smiled confidently their group leader.
They had the emblem of a candle on their clothes, but the flame of the candle looked more like a sun. They were part of one of the biggest clans in the city, if Raven's memory didn't failed them their group name was Radiant Wick or something like that, but they didn't seem like one of the advanced teams, even so, they looked pretty well-geared. Raven and Fuwa looked at each other, their talk wasn't over, but both nodded and decided to act moving swiftly towards them.
"Excuse me!" Said Fuwa "Are you looking for a healer?"