Axel woke up the next day, his ass still on fire from the beating he had gotten last night. Just when he was about to start his normal morning routine, he heard the laughter downstairs. It wasn't Meira's laughter, it was someone else's. He quickly tiptoed to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and slowly made his way down the steps. From the corner, someone he knew far too well was sitting at his dining table, enjoying a cup of tea and talking with his "Mama."
The stranger was a young female adventurer, smiling as he brushed her short red hair. She wore silver armor that gleamed in the sunlight, layered over a brown skirt and tunic. Her thighs were exposed, giving her a fierce, adventurous look, and a white scarf sitting atop her famous breasts. Her expression was bright and full of enthusiasm, radiating a strong sense of justice. "Oh fuck!" Axel thought, "It's Ember!"
"I thought no one lived in this house for a while." Ember laughed, taking a sip of her tea. "And I took a stroll today, and suddenly someone's here!"
"We moved in just two days ago~" Meira said, taking a seat across from her. "We're still adjusting to the town, y'know."
"Oh, you're new to town?" Ember asked, raising her eyebrow, "Where did you come from?"
"Ah…the East, we are refugees from the Oshoen Kingdom."
Axel scoffed. "Oshoen?! That kingdom is all the way across the continent! Do you expect her to believe—"
"Oh my, that seems like a dangerous journey!" Ember gasped, placing her fingers over her mouth. "I'm glad you've arrived safely."
"Yes, thank you~" Meira giggled, "So Ember, what do you do in this town?"
"I'm an adventurer for the Lille Guild." Ember responded, "I'm currently open for small quests while waiting for my party to get back from investigating a monster nest in the forest."
"Ah, you didn't go with them?"
"Me?!" Ember placed her hand behind her head and looked around in panic "Uhh…let's just say I overslept…and missed when they left…tee hee~"
Axel facepalmed. "She's still a dolt!"
Suddenly, Meira noticed Axel peaking over the corner and smiled. "Axel?" she cooed, calling for him, "Come greet our guest."
"Shit!"
"Oh, is he your son?" Ember said, turning back to see Axel. "He's a cute little guy ain't he?"
"Yes, in a way." Meira giggled. Axel slowly descended the steps, pulling down his nightgown to make sure their guest doesn't accidentally see what she's not supposed to see. His walk and tone was nonchalant, trying his best to act normal. He took his seat next to Meira, who promptly served him some bread and tea for breakfast. "Axel, this is Ember…say hello!"
"Helwo." Axel groaned, with a mouthful of bread. He then received a light tap on his head.
"What did I tell you about speaking with your mouth open?" Meira scolded.
"Sorry...Mama"
"Axel huh?" Ember said, her facing lighting up. "My name is Ember! I'm a hero adventurer in the house next door, but it's nice to meet you!" She stuck out her hand, but Axel didn't budge. "Now that I see it, you do look similar to this other Axel I know…"
Hearing this, Axel stopped chewing and almost choked. Meira also seemed shocked. "Another Axel?"
"Yeah…he was an adventurer like me---used to be my old party mate as well." Ember said with a sigh. "One day, he just left me saying 'I'm not working with your unreliable dumbass anymore! The only thing good about you is your tits!'...or something along those lines. Now, he's been missing ever since he went to investigate the ruined dungeon outside of town…I hope he's okay."
Meira gave Axel a bombastic side eye as she crossed her arms. "I see…" Axel tried his best to avoid her eye contact.
Ember took another sip of her tea. "What about you Meira? What do you do?"
Meirca thought to herself for a bit. "I…well, nothing so far." she sighed, "I suppose I do need to look for a job…"
"You could get a job as a receptionist at the guild!" Ember said with a smile.
"Receptionist?
"Yeah! They're hiring right now, and I'm sure you'll be a great fit! I'll give you a recommendation as well."
Meira simply giggled. " I shall consider it then, thank you Ember."
"No problem. Oh, I must get going now." Ember said, pulling out her pocket watch. "I have a request to help out at the farmers market." She then got out of her seat, grabbed a potato sack near her feet, and headed out the door. "Call if you need anything! Byeee!"
"Take care, Ember~" Meira cooed, waving their guest goodbye. Once she left, she promptly turned her attention onto Axel. "So, it seems you were the same back then as well?"
"Let's not talk about it." Axel responded, taking another bite of his bread.
***
Axel was sprawled out on the couch, lazily flipping through a dusty old book he found tucked away in one of the house's cabinets. The pages were yellowed, and he didn't even know what the title was since the cover was half-torn, but it was something to do. He squinted at the words, trying to focus, but the dullness of the book wasn't helping.
Meanwhile, across the room, Meira was folding clothes, humming softly to herself as she stacked them neatly in piles. The gentle rhythm of her movements was almost soothing. Axel glanced up for a moment, watching her with a half-interested gaze, before returning to the book.
Knock, knock.
The sound jolted them both. Axel's head snapped toward the door, and Meira paused mid-fold, her hands still gripping a shirt. They exchanged a quick glance.
"I'll get it," Meira said, setting the clothes down and making her way toward the door.
Axel went back to his book, only half-paying attention as he heard the door creak open. Meira's soft voice greeted whoever was outside.
"Oh! Hello!" Meira's tone was friendly, welcoming.
Curious, Axel peeked over the top of his book. Standing at the entrance was a woman with brown hair, long and wavy, cascading over her shoulders. She had a figure similar to Meira—curvy, with wide hips and a full chest. She wore a brown dress with an apron akin to a villager, and her cleavage was fully revealed. "Wonder which lucky bastard was able to win over that rack" Axel thought. She wore a warm smile, her hands resting on the shoulders of a young boy the same age as Axel, with the same brown hair.
"Hi, I'm Eilene," the woman introduced herself with a kind smile. "And this is my son, Warwick. We're your neighbors just down the road. Thought we'd come by and introduce ourselves."
"Ah, " Meira smiled back, stepping aside to let them in. "It's lovely to meet you both! Please, come in."
As they entered, Axel groaned inwardly, sinking deeper into the couch. .. He wasn't exactly in the mood to entertain visitors. Eilene walked in with graceful steps, her son trailing behind her, glancing around the house with wide eyes. Warwick spotted Axel on the couch and gave him a curious look.
Meira gestured toward Axel, "This is Axel. He's staying here with me."
"Hello there," Eilene said warmly, looking between Axel and Meira with interest. "It's so nice to meet new neighbors, how is the town so far?"
"Well, everyone in town is nice, and it is quite beautiful here." Meira, always the hostess, led Eilene toward the table. "Would you like some tea? I was just about to prepare some."
"That would be wonderful, thank you," Eilene replied, smiling as she settled into a chair.
Axel sighed, glancing at Warwick again. The kid hadn't stopped staring at him since he walked in. "What?" Axel snapped.
Warwick's eyes lit up with curiosity as he bounced over to Axel's side. "What're you reading?" he asked, peeking over Axel's shoulder, way too close for comfort. Axel grimaced, shifting the book away, trying to maintain his distance.
"None of your business," Axel muttered, clearly annoyed, but Warwick either didn't catch the tone or didn't care.
Warwick tilted his head, eyes wide with relentless energy. "Is it an adventure book? Is there magic? Do you fight dragons? Oh! I love dragons!" Axel clenched his teeth, trying to bury himself further into the pages. He wasn't in the mood for this hyperactive kid and his nonstop questions. Warwick started poking Axel's arm. "Hey, wanna play? C'mon! I bet I'm faster than you! Let's play tag!"
Axel's grip on the book tightened, his patience wearing thin. "No. Go away."
But Warwick kept at it, poking him again. "C'mon! You're boring just sitting there like that. Let's do something fun!"
Axel's eye twitched. He tried to ignore him, focusing on the fading words in the book, but the constant poking was getting on his nerves. "Is this kid retarded or what?" he thought. Just as he thought he could endure this childish play, Warwick poked him again—right in the ribs this time.
"Enough!" Axel snapped, slamming the book shut and jumping to his feet, his eyes blazing with frustration.
Warwick grinned, clearly thrilled by the reaction. "Ooooh, you're gonna chase me now, right?" he said, already taking off in a sprint, his laughter echoing through the room.
Axel's fists clenched. "Get your ass back here!" he growled and took off after him, the sound of his footsteps pounding through the house as he chased the hyperactive little brat. Warwick was fast, even though he was a child like him. He darted around furniture, slipping under tables and around chairs, all while Axel struggled to keep up, fueled purely by anger.
"I'm faster than you!" Warwick teased, laughing as he ducked around a corner.
"Get back here, you little—" Axel's words were cut off as he tripped over a stray stool, barely catching himself from face-planting into the floor. Warwick's laughter only grew louder.
"I told you, I'm too fast!"
"This fucking brat" Axel thought, panting.
Meanwhile, Meira and Eilene were sitting at a table, enjoying some tea while talking about their lives. "Warwick and Axel are getting along well, aren't they?" Eilene said with a giggle.
Meira laughed as well. "Yes, I do suppose they do~"