It is interesting how the world works. Some time ago, some months ago, Raven was terrorizing some towns and stealing their goods, now she was received with open arms, and they even threw a party for her, well... for Minato technically but hey, those were just formalities for her. It was pretty late, the sun had set already some hours ago but the people of the town had lit a big fire pit, and they were dancing around it, drinks and food didn't stop.
'It's all that stupid airhead fault!' She thought as she downed another round of beer offered to her as people cheered.
Stupid Fuwa with her stupid mouth, was there talking all happy with Minato about mangus and waifis and moovis or whatever all that trash meant, then at some point, they began to speak in devils tongue, it seemed like it was their native language and none around them understood them, they seemed to like too much each other. Then there were the other girls, the friends of the hero who were looking as if they were dead inside.
The people of the town danced and danced, they were so happy of being free from the terror of the bandits, even some young couples were there having a really fun time kissing and hugging and doing other things.
Raven's frustration simmered as she watched the scene unfold. The fire pit crackled brightly, casting warm flickers of light across the faces of the townspeople dancing and celebrating. But all Raven could focus on was Fuwa's cheerful voice and that infuriating grin as she talked animatedly with Minato, both of them lost in their otaku conversation.
Raven huffed, downing another beer with a swift gulp, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She glanced at Sophia and Mia, the hero's companions, who sat nearby, their expressions distant and gloomy. Clearly, they weren't thrilled about the Minato-Fuwa duo either.
'Well, well, well' Raven mused, an idea slowly forming in her mind 'If Minato gets to rizz up my partner, then I might as well have some fun of my own'
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Raven stood up, smoothing out her outfit as she walked as if she was dancing over to where Sophia and Mia were sitting. The lively sounds of the celebration buzzed around her, but her attention was focused on the two girls who had been left out of the cheerful conversation circle. As soon as the cat girl arrived she sat on top of an empty barrel of ale and looked at both of them.
"Hey there, ladies" Raven purred, her voice dripping with playful confidence her tail swishing lazily behind her. "You both look like you could use a break from all that hero nonsense"
"Raven" Said Mia acknowledging her presence.
Sophia glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, her sharp, elven features softening slightly as she eyed Raven curiously. Mia, the quiet healer, looked a bit startled but gave Raven a polite smile. Sophia looked a little ashamed and looked down.
"Look I'm bad with all this chummy stuff" The elf recognized "But I gotta said it now to get it out of my mind... I'm sorry for shooting at you!"
Raven laughed loudly and theatrically "That's water under the bridge!" Then she poked her with her tail.
Raven leaned back, casually resting her arms behind her head as she flashed a teasing grin. "I dunno, how about some fun? Maybe I can tell you a story or two?"
"Oooh I would love to hear more about you" Said Mia clapping.
"Well... a story could be good to pass the time" Admitted Sophia.
"Hey bring us some Ale!" Cheered Raven and the townspeople cheered too, happy to see some life back into the girls.
Raven leaned back on her makeshift barrel throne, a playful smirk on her lips as she motioned for the villagers to bring more ale. The firelight flickered in her eyes, and her tail swayed lazily behind her, signaling just how at ease she was. The townspeople were quick to oblige, passing fresh mugs of ale to the girls as they settled into the atmosphere.
"Now that's more like it" Raven said, taking a big gulp of the foamy drink. She licked her lips and let out a satisfied sigh before turning her attention back to Sophia and Mia, both of whom seemed a little more relaxed now "Now... are you ready?"
...
...
...
Fuwa and Minato couldn't believe it, they liked almost the same series, they talked and talked about how Re: One starting life in the thingy world was amazing, but neither of them wanted to be like that kind of protagonist. They compared their own journeys and had a good laugh.
"Damn Minato I envy you so much!" Fuwa said grabbing some chicken that had been cut into slices "You are living the real hero dream!"
"What!?" Said Minato surprised "What about you!? Aren't you way stronger than me? You must have been into so many adventures!"
"Hehe... it's not like that... the world I ended up stuck in was different, there is only one big dungeon... but hey I have lots of fun with Raven! She is smart and funny!" Then she reflected a little "Well sometimes she is a little too pushy... and she sometimes want to stab people... but she ain't a bad person I swear!"
"Well if you say so..." Said Minato with a well-feigned smile.
For a moment they shared a wholesome smile between them, a growing sense of camaraderie, then Minato spoke again.
"Ah... when I go back home I'm gonna have so many tales to tell" He said.
"Going back home huh?" Said Fuwa "I never believed it would even be possible... but hey... if we came here by mistake maybe it is possible to go back"
"Of course! At the end of the journey, the hero must return home!" Said Minato with his positive aura.
Then a bunch of villagers came to their side and started to congratulate Minato for vanquishing the bandits, he looked at Fuwa but she just winked, this was a celebration, and there was no need for them to know the details that would sour the party.
So the time went on as the party continued, rounds of beer keep passing, well, both heroes just drank milk and juice, the local folks didn't judge them... and finally after some time both felt like it was time to head to bed, the town major told them they had prepared a house with two rooms for them, so they could rest.
"Let's gather the girls" Said Minato happily "I'm thankful of having meet you Fuwa"
"I say the same, I think this was..."
"What?" Then Minato turned around and saw the girls "..."
...
...
...
Raven loved this story. It always worked to get some girls and sometimes guys too. At this point after so many drinks Sophia was sitting on her lap and Mia was looking at her hypnotized.
"So there I was" Raven continued, her voice rising as she gestured wildly, it was a trained routine, another act, clearly enjoying the attention of the hero companions "This pig-faced merchant was shaking like a puppy! He had a whole stash of gold, and all he could do was whimper like a baby. Pathetic!" She liked her lips like a predator, she was a wild cat playing with her prey.
Sophia giggled, her normally serious elven features flushed from the alcohol and laughter. Her head rested comfortably against Raven's shoulder, her earlier reservations completely melted away. Mia, sitting cross-legged on the ground in front of them, was practically leaning forward in awe, eyes wide as she hung on every word Raven said.
"Then what did you do?" Mia asked, her voice hushed with excitement.
Raven smirked, her tail curling in satisfaction behind her. She loved it when her audience was this hooked "Well, what do you think I did? I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. All his gold for protection... though let's be real, the only thing he needed protection from was me." She winked, causing both girls to giggle.
Sophia's hand playfully swatted at Raven's shoulder, though she didn't move from her comfortable spot on the cat girl's lap "You're terrible, I never thought that such vulgar stories and full of... strange points of view would be this entertaining, you are like a wild cat" she teased, though her tone was light.
Raven grinned, baring a fang "Terrible? Maybe, I can be even worse"
The mood between them was warm, relaxed, and flirty. Raven could feel the shift in the atmosphere; even the noise of the townspeople celebrating around them seemed to fade into the background as she reveled in the attention. She was the center of their world right now, and she loved it.
Raven placed one hand on her waist and raised her beer mug to the skies, it had been recently refilled, right now she had the most unlady-like sitting position ever "I toast for you girls, you both are such a good audience!" She laughed, she felt a little tipsy, maybe she drank too much.
"Hu-huh" Said Fuwa behind Raven slowly, Sophia and Mia gasped at the sight of Minato and jumped from their spots blushing for being discovered "So I got interested in this story" The cold look on Fuwa's eyes was enough to tell she was in big trouble.
"Minato we were just... huuh..." Said Mia blushing deeply.
Raven's cocky grin faltered for just a moment when she heard Fuwa's voice behind her. She turned slowly, her tail freezing mid-swish. Fuwa stood there, arms crossed, with an expression that spelled trouble. Minato looked equally bewildered, his wide eyes flicking between the blushing Sophia, Mia, and Raven, as if trying to make sense of the scene.
Fuwa stepped closer, her piercing gaze locked onto Raven "So… you've been telling stories?" she said, her tone calm, but with an undercurrent of danger.
Raven straightened up, her usual bravado slipping into a more defensive posture "I was just… keeping them entertained" She said with a shrug, flashing a sheepish grin.
Sophia and Mia, still flushed from the drinks and embarrassment, remained quiet, both clearly mortified by Fuwa's sudden arrival. Minato, standing awkwardly beside Fuwa, scratched his head "Uh, Fuwa… I think maybe we should all just… get some rest?" he offered, clearly hoping to defuse the situation.
"I agree" She bowed in front of Minato "I'm sorry for the trouble"
"What trouble?" Asked Raven.
"You are the trouble" Fuwa said coldly "And you have drunk too much, here let me help you"
Fuwa grabbed Raven like a potato sack and carried her over her shoulder taking her back to the room they had been granted to pass the night. Raven had some tears in her eyes.
"Somebody save me..." She said in a whisper but everyone looked away.