It was almost time to go. Carter said goodbye to Emma and the two adventurers, exchanging a few warm smiles and handshakes. Then he turned to Raena, who stood nearby, her fierce yet calm expression unwavering. "Are you ready to go? Let's head out," Carter said, gesturing toward the door.
Raena nodded, her green eyes glinting with quiet determination. "Okay, let's go."
With Ivy perched happily on Carter's shoulder, the three of them left the guild and stepped onto the bustling street. The chatter of merchants, the clinking of carts, and the distant laughter of children filled the air. Carter glanced at Raena as they walked. "So, Raena, what made you decide to become an adventurer?"
She smirked faintly. "It's in my blood. My family's always been warriors. I guess I wanted to prove myself, not just to them but to myself too. What about you? Why potions and plants?"
Carter chuckled softly, his hand brushing against a nearby market stall as they passed. "It's just something I've always loved. Growing things, helping people—it's calming. Speaking of which, we're heading to my girlfriend's potion shop."
Raena raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Girlfriend? What's her name?"
"Aria," Carter replied with a small smile.
Raena's eyes widened slightly. "Aria? As in Aria, the potion master?"
Carter nodded. "That's her. You've heard of her?"
Raena chuckled. "Yeah, she's pretty well-known among adventurers. Looks like you've got good taste."
The two continued their conversation as they strolled through the busy streets, the atmosphere alive with vibrant colors and enticing smells. Ivy chirped happily, her tail wagging as she took in the lively surroundings.
The aroma of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the air as they passed a row of food stalls. Vendors called out to passersby, their voices overlapping in a symphony of salesmanship.
"Freshly baked bread! Still warm from the oven!"
"Spiced meat skewers, best in the city!"
"Exotic fruits from across the kingdom! Come and see!"
Carter's stomach growled audibly, earning a laugh from Raena. "Alright, let's grab something to eat. What do you think?" he asked.
"Sounds good to me," Raena replied, her gaze scanning the options. "Let's see what they've got."
They stopped at a bustling stall selling skewers of grilled meat and vegetables. Carter ordered a variety for them, and they found a small table nearby to sit and enjoy their meal. The food was simple but delicious, and they ate in comfortable silence for a moment before the conversation picked up again.
"So, Raena," Carter began, taking a bite of his skewer, "what's your favorite part about being an adventurer?"
Raena thought for a moment, chewing thoughtfully. "The freedom, I think. No two days are ever the same. It's tough, but it's rewarding." She glanced at him. "What about you? What keeps you going with all the potion-making?"
Carter smiled. "Helping people, I think. Seeing someone's face light up because something I made worked—that makes it all worth it."
Raena nodded, a rare smile crossing her face. "That's a good reason. Not many people think like that anymore."
A nearby vendor approached their table, holding out a small basket of candied nuts. "Special treat to end your meal?" he offered with a grin.
Carter glanced at Raena. "What do you think? Dessert?"
Raena shrugged. "Why not?"
Carter handed the vendor a few coins and took the basket. They shared the sweet snack as they continued talking.
"Do you think you'll stay in this city for long?" Carter asked.
Raena looked thoughtful. "I'm not sure yet. It depends on where I'm needed. But… I'll admit, sticking around to see how your potions turn out is tempting."
Carter grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They finished their food, the lively atmosphere of the city providing a pleasant backdrop to their growing camaraderie. As they got up to continue their journey, Ivy chirped happily, nuzzling against Carter's cheek. Vendors continued to call out their wares as the trio moved through the crowd, weaving between stalls and taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant marketplace.
"You know," Raena said as they approached a quieter street, "you're not like most people I've met. You're… different."
Carter raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
Raena smirked. "You're… softer. Not in a bad way. Just… you seem to genuinely care. It's refreshing."
Carter chuckled, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment too."
The two shared a laugh, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment. With full stomachs and lighter hearts, they continued their journey toward Aria's potion shop, ready for whatever the day had in store.
Carter, Raena, and Ivy made it to the potion store, the sound of the door ringing announcing their arrival. Inside, Lily and Aria were at the counter, chatting and organizing the shelves. Ivy immediately leapt onto Lily, snuggling into her arms as Lily laughed and stroked the fox's fur. Aria and Lily looked up, spotting Carter, and their faces brightened with smiles.
"Carter," Aria greeted warmly, her red eyes glinting with delight. "Welcome back!"
Lily chimed in cheerfully, "You're finally back! How was your day?"
Carter grinned and opened his mouth to reply, but both women's eyes shifted behind him to the tall figure of Raena. Their expressions became curious as they noticed the tiger demihuman standing quietly in the doorway.
"Oh, uh, this is Raena," Carter said, gesturing to her with a smile. "We met yesterday at the guild. She… well, she's the one I helped when she was injured."
For a moment, Aria's smile remained, but it grew noticeably colder as her gaze settled on Carter. Her expression didn't escape his notice, and a chill ran down his spine.
"Ah, yes," Aria said, her voice deceptively sweet. "You mentioned something about… mouth-to-mouth?"
Carter waved his hands dramatically, trying to defuse the situation. "It wasn't like that! I was just trying to save her life! Honest!" he exclaimed.
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly, but the corner of her mouth twitched with amusement. "I see," she replied, crossing her arms. "Well, I suppose I should thank you for helping her. Still, Carter, you have some explaining to do later."
Lily, meanwhile, giggled at the exchange before turning her attention to Raena. "Hi, Raena! It's nice to meet you," she said warmly.
Raena nodded, her expression softening. "Nice to meet you too. Carter… he's been kind to me. I'm here to help him in any way I can."
"Help?" Lily asked curiously.
"Yeah," Carter jumped in, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "She's going to help us when I open my shop in the future. She's pledged herself to me… in her culture, it's a way of showing loyalty and gratitude."
Aria's expression softened slightly at the explanation. She stepped forward and offered her hand to Raena. "Welcome to the team, and to the family," she said genuinely.
Raena hesitated for only a moment before shaking Aria's hand firmly. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
Lily beamed and clapped her hands together. "Yay! Our family is growing! Raena, you're going to love it here."
The three women began chatting animatedly, their voices a harmonious blend of laughter and conversation. Carter stepped back slightly, watching the scene unfold with a soft smile. Ivy returned to his shoulder, chirping happily as he gently scratched her head.
As Carter observed the growing bond between Raena, Aria, and Lily, he found himself lost in thought. "What's next for us?" he murmured to himself. The vision of his future shop, filled with laughter, potions, and flowers, danced in his mind. For the first time in a long while, he felt like everything was falling into place.