It's getting dark again now. We wander back to the Furious Stallion, Kiku holding my hand with her new swords over her back. She's actually rather subdued, rustling next to me in the now dried dress.

"Bleh! Shit! This dress still stinks of salt and is really stiff!" She exclaims to herself, disturbing her quiet introspection.

We had another quick bath after we slept together, but I guess the fabric on that dress was quite absorbent?

"Um... do you think the others will wonder why the date took nearly seven hours...?" She fidgets.

"I'd like to say no, but they certainly will." I grin.

"Fuck! Bollocks! Uh... damn... I went too far. Now I'm going to be interrogated. Shit!"

The troubles girls go through... uh... well that sounds hypocritical from me considering I'm the source of those troubles.

"Uh... sorry?" I apologise tentatively.

She blinks at me.

"Um... you're weird, Nii. I brought on myself... or rather... inside myself!" She cackles like Seria at her dirty joke.

"Oh well... here's the moment of truth." She whines as we cross the last street.

The place appears much less busy than usual, possibly due to the day.

We go inside.

The remainder of the girls, minus Kaede, is sat at the far corner.

But I think the strangest thing I have seen in a while is the fact that the vicious tabby cat, which Violet ominously calls 'Slicer', is lying on one of the tables nearest us, between us and the other girls, belly exposed and purring whilst being scratched by the tanned hand of one of two ladies there.

That cat can be sociable!? What the heck?

"Ah, the hero finally makes his appearance, then?"

My gaze shoots from the cat to one of the guys sat at the table. He puts down his stein of beer, and stands with a clank and rustle of chain.

I have hardly ever seen someone so covered in metal. Full plate and chain, and a large kite shield and sheathed saber lie propped against the table leg. He has close-cropped purple hair, purple eyes with a steely gaze, and hawkish nose, and looks about my actual age.

"Good evening, ser? How can I help you? Though... I'm not much of a hero."

"On the contrary. You and your girls defeated a Skull Beast. It's something us mercenaries dream of!" He guffaws.

Oh... so is this four the mercenaries Simon said he’d assemble? Wow, that guy works fast.

This appears to be a team of two guys and two girls.

He turns his gaze to Kiku, but it’s a kindly one.

"And you would be Kiku, right? However your muscle of a father cranked out such a cute thing is truly a mystery!"

"Um... you have me at a disadvantage... do you know dad?" She looks wary.

He grins, and salutes with an arm to his chest, banging his breastplate.

"Right, how rude of me! I am Fortinbras Organthe. I am the leader of this group of misfits."

"He's the only misfit, though." The paler of the two girls here comments.

"You wound me, Jeanette!" He cries theatrically.

He's quite a silly chap despite his imposing appearance.

This Jeanette has very curly long blonde hair, blue eyes, a tight white blouse accenting a modest chest, red skirts, and a flowing green cape. She seems snarky. She stands and clouts Fortinbras round the head.

"Stole my thunder, bastard! Ugh… Well anyway, I'm Jeanette, wind mage extraordinairre. I was trained personally by the Wind Sage, Faris!"

She nudges the other girl next to her.

"Esraye. Metal Bladesward." This one states, tersely, standing, bowing with a jiggle, and sitting again.

Oh, this is one of those hybrids that Kiku was talking about? This one is tanned like Kali, but with black hair done in a side-tail, radiant emerald eyes, and is dressed in a strangely fanservicey outfit, with bare shoulders and just a gothaloli type corset-dress barely holding up her big chest.

"She's my woman, by the way. You better not get cozy. I'm Darion Argenti, archer." The final guy stands as well.

"My little brother's a dickhead, don't worry about him! Gods know how he got Esraye to open her legs." Jeanette laughs.

He glares at her. He's obviously also blonde and blue eyed, much younger looking than Fortinbras, probably late teens. He's in a maroon noble doublet with a frilly scarf. His appearance reminds me of the rival of a certain objection-happy defence attorney. Except blonde, of course. His bow is on the table. It looks a short-bow, half the size of Kurono's enormous black metal thing.

"Boy, these four are the mercenaries that will be joining us in Sandy Shore." Seria remarks, sidling up to me and taking my other arm. Kiku is still holding the other, and puffs out her cheeks.

That confirms that, then.

I nod to the four.

"Thanks for your support. It's great you came so quickly." I say in a level tone.

Actually, it's mildly irritating. I guess that means we're off tomorrow morning. Well... I guess that depends on Kaede. But no more dates!

Though I should have guessed I wouldn't have six days. Alas.

"It's no problem. Us four cut our teeth on Sandy Shore. We know a good majority of its tricks. And we still visit now and then, when the S-rank jobs don't hold us back. We wanted to meet you before tomorrow, of course." Fortinbras explains.

"Teeth cutting painful. But some fun memories too..." Esraye comments with a wistful smile.

Kiku suddenly looks like she gained some respect for this group. Was it the mention of S-rank?

"Looks like you have plenty to learn from this man, Darion. He's tamed six girls! You're still stuck on one." Jeanette chortles.

Darion looks slightly scared.

I jump slightly and feel ill as Esraye cocks her head at him, touching his sleeve gently. That... that was my danger sense, right?

"Flirting. Careful." Esraye comments, with a gentle smile. He gulps.

Haha, he seems impetuous and controlling, but she totally has him on a lead, doesn't she?

"Err... ahem! I'm not in a rush... Esraye is... my jewel, of course! Ah... of course!" He panics.

Jeanette and Fortinbras laugh heartily together, patting each other’s shoulders and sharing a knowing glance.

It's less obvious, but they seem surprisingly affectionate as well. Their party is like a constant double date, eh?

Well, they seem like quite a colourful bunch to travel with. I wonder how this will turn out?