*Missed connections*

*ding*

"Oh, welcome to the guild you looking to join or… no… you are looking for something else, huh?" A muscled man standing behind a counter with a piece of paper and drawing pencil in hand says looking over the girl carefully.

"Ultimate Material, Cole Moedy, Where?"

"I figured as much, beautiful girl like you would obviously be friends with Cole. Last I heard he was headed south but… Oh hey, wait…"

"Yes?"

"He should be back pretty soon now it's been a few weeks. If you really want to see him that badly you should just wait. I think the Inn probably has some open bunks. Or if you are a friend of Cole's you can go over to his trade company and talk to Karlie she can probably set you up with a room."

"Hate waiting but…"

"Well?"

"Reluctant… Ultimate material, within grasp…"

"Well, in any case, I will tell him you were looking."

"Hmm…"

*Diary*

Dear Diary, today it happened, I had heard rumors that he may be coming but I never dreamed I would get to see such a show so early after he stepped off the ship. Ah, but my heart is conflicted. He seems to care deeply for his companions. I'm not sure if it's to the extent of love yet but… *SCRIBBLED OUT*

If he and I were to wed we could surely put the country the way I want it. He listened to my ideas and even seemed to understand. He even tested me, the cheeky boy.

Perhaps he prefers them younger though. He had two companions that had the appearance of children, though one was an elf. I have heard of men having that persuasion. Do I not look childish enough? Perhaps the older sister image that I portrayed when we first met already put me out of the running. Ah, why does my heart hurt?

He also beat up Calis, or did I already mention that? His strength was, beyond what I had heard. The church healer said eight ribs were broken and his skull was almost entirely shattered. It took hours to complete the healing process. And he did it all with one hand! AMAZING!! He must have heard the rumors I've spread.

I'm just happy I get to see him again tomorrow. In truth I want him to never leave but my father told me strictly 'we can not pressure him'. It's understandable. This is not someone you want to be on the bad side of.

*Feast*

"Hey, are you getting tired of feasts?"

"What do you mean Rou? It's tons of food, good music, and Captain? What's wrong with them?"

"No that's all good, and the alcohol to of course. But…"

"What?"

"This is the third feast this month, first was Chipowa and then the ETC opening and I had tons of snacks in at the festival. I…I… I've gained weight, look."

"Meh, it's not that bad" Aqua pinches at the exposed belly looking for a love handle.

"Wah! Stop, tickles. Muhh! Aqua quit bullying me!"

"Oh, I'm sorry I'm sorry. But you know it doesn't all only go to your stomach so it's not all bad. I think you are bullying me if we are comparing bodies here."

"Ah… sorry. Keep drinking milk you'll get there."

"Don't pity me!"

*Burger Joint*

"Two double oughts and a Franz!"

""Yes!""

"Trip Fry and a curly cue, stylish!"

"We need more potatoes!"

"There's a bag in the store room, hurry up we got a line!"

"This place sure is busy," Franz says glancing at the crowd and ruckus inside the open faced restaurant.

"That's because it's the best food in town!"

"Nothing less from Cole."

"You know he is in the royal capital with the princess right now right?"

"WHA? you mean… her?"

"Yes, the one with the huge…"

"Oy."

"Sorry dad, I was going to say kindness, our cousin with the gigantic amount of kindness."

"Yeah, they are massive aren't they."

"Dad?! What happened to scolding?"

"Right, right. Sorry."

"Surely Cole doesn't concern himself with something silly like br… brea… chest size."

*Nightmare*

"What? Oh, where am I?

Oh, it's my bed. Right, I'm at home. Man though, that was a wildly vivid dream. It was fun. Adventuring with Rou and Aqua. Meeting Mirna, El, and Alice. The festival and the trading company. It all felt so real. Oh, wow it's late. I'm going to be late for school. Ah well, I'll just go like this, let me just check the mirror real quick. Huh?"

"Why am I crying?"

*Day Dream*

"Alice I'm putting it on. You have no choice. You have been very bad after all."

"I understand. Do what you must."

CLICK

"With this, you are once more my slave. You will follow my every word do you understand?"

"Yes, Captain."

SLAP

"Wrong, As a slave, you properly call me Master."

"YES MASTER."

"Oh smiling, good girl. Now then shall we begin…"

"Yes, master."

~

"Alice."

"Yes, master."

"Alice, wake up."

"WHA? Oh, I was…? Oh, Mast… I mean Captain. When did you get here?"

"I've been here only a moment. You seemed to be grunting in your sleep so I was worried you had a bad dream like me."

"Oh, I uh… NO, it was a fine dream. Just fine."

"Oh. Really? Your face seems a little red are you ok?"

"I appreciate your concern M… Captain, but as you can tell I have no fever, right?"

"Yeah, you are fine. Well, I need some help would you mind giving me a hand on the deck?"

"Yes right away… Ah, actually can you give me a minute. I'd like to, um… wash up real quick."

"Ok."

*Injured*

"Hello, brother! How are you feeling this morning you went through quite an ordeal the other day huh? A little kid broke almost all your ribs that can't feel good."

"GREET ROOOUT"

"I'm sorry I can't understand what you are saying. By the way, do you like that? It's a full body cast. The healers actually did an amazing job but I was so worried about my dear older brother that I had my personal doctor whip that up for you. With that, you won't be able to hurt yourself even if you tried. It's perfect right?"

"RI RRHATE GOOU"

"Hate me? But dear brother I didn't harm you. I think it was your mistake in attempting to arrest the A rank candidate."

"RAY RANK?"

"Dear brother how poor of informants do you have? Father talked about him fairly openly and your men didn't pick it up? Shameful… Well, it's not official yet but Dad will talk to us about it soon. I hope you are excited about this year's Royal tournament. It shall likely be great fun."

"RERENGE!!"

*When life hands you analogs. Make do.*

"It's called lemonade."

"Where did you come up with that name?" Rou asks sipping the drink and puckering her lips at the tartness.

"From my country. We call these fruits lemons. Or something like them I guess."

"The 'Sour Fruit'?"

"I think lemon is a better name than 'Sour Fruit' don't you?"

"Why? With the name 'sour fruit', there is no need to wonder what it tastes like."

"I suppose that's true, but what do you say, could we sell it?"

"Yeah, people will be confused at first but it's refreshing and would go great with burgers."

"Alright good, well I'll give the recipe to Mirna and let her perfect it."

"Good idea!"

"Is her cooking that much better?"

"Ah well…"

*A day of Mirna*

Mirna wakes. Captain is snuggling tightly. Mirna smiles.

Mirna makes breakfast. Often Captain steals her glory. Makes Mirna jealous. Captain should only cook for Mirna. Then Mirna will cook for everyone else.

Mirna goes to the restroom. Captain yelled when Mirna mirrored his bathroom use style. Now peeing off the deck is prohibited. Makes angry but agree because love Captain.

Mirna changes clothes and hunts for Captain.

Captain is chatting with Alice. Mirna must stay silent to avoid detection. Mirna's level isn't El's but Mirna can hide well. Stepping only on beams Mirna follows Captain. Mirna also spots Alice fiddling with her with her dress and making noises. Should warn her not to stretch fabric but following Captain now. No time.

Captain discovers me.

Mission Fail, will attempt again tomorrow.

So far never made a whole day undetected. Captain is skilled. He hides at strange moments and then springs out when Mirna is searching.

Mirna will not falter though. Must hone skills.

Lunch time. Almost late to start but just in time.

Sandwiches with lots of Mayo. Amazing. Also a drink thats sour.

Fall asleep under a stair well. Wake up and the sun is setting. Almost late again. Dinner prep.

Ready.

And Done.

Mirna's tired. Story, then cuddle with Captain till sleep.

And repeat.

*Jun*

"I wonder if they even remember I'm here…" The boy clutches his knees to his chest with a sigh

"I said I wanted to come but I just wanted to be with that person a moment longer. And now that I'm here I rarely even meet eyes with them. Ah, this is the worst. Why am I so indecisive. I just need to come out and say it."

"Oh, Jun there you are I was looking for you."

"I just need to go up and say. captain, I love yo… CAPTAIN?!"

"I can come back later…"

"F…Forget what you just heard it was… It was advice I was going to give to… um, Rou."

"Oh, well that probably wouldn't be bad advice to give her. Well if you ever have anything you want to talk about you can come on by my quarters anytime."

"A…? Y… Yes, Captain!"

~

"Jun?"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Oh, your awake good. I heard you mumble something so I was worried."

"Ah, it was just a dream. that's… a relief."

"You know I have been kind of worried about you, so if you ever have anything you want to talk about you can come on by my quarters anytime."

"Ye…yes captain…?"

"Alright good. Well, I'm off to do some shopping need anything?"

"No… I am ok."

"Ok, good. See you at dinner."

"So… So it wasn't all a dream then." The boy smiles and spins around while doing a jig.

*Wiener*

"Are you sure it will fit?"

"Trust me Rou it will fit. It may seem narrow now but once the meat goes in it will get wider. Just watch closely."

"Wow, Captain is amazing."

"Shh, Aqua you will ruin his concentration."

"Ok done."

"Very good Captain. But I wonder why you are doing this with us and not Mirna?"

"Ah, Mirna is napping so I wanted to try it with you first."

"But really I thought making sausage was harder. It actually looked pretty easy."

"Here you try next Rou." I hand her the lining and slowly crank the grinder.

"Wha! It burst!"

"It's ok, let's try it again. First feed a good amount of lining over the tube and then slowly remove it while I crank."

"Ooh! That's a good looking sausage!"

"Let's have them for breakfast tomorrow. We should make at least ten."

"Yes, Captain!"

"I wanna try next."

*Tree*

"Hey El, are you up there?"

SWOOSH!

"How'd you guess Captain?"

"Well, its the tallest tree in the castle. Call it a hunch."

"A good hunch. So what did you need Captain?"

"Oh, I was curious how you were doing. Not many forests in the capital so I figured you would be homesick. Speaking of, do you desire to return home? I don't want to make it seem like I'm holding you hostage on my ship."

"Ah, nothing of the sort Captain. Though I admit I do wish to return to the elven forest at some point."

"I can take you back, it really wouldn't be an issue. I think it would be a fun adventure."

"Ah, well I agree but there is a condition on my return."

"Condition?"

"Yes! I must be married."

"Oh, that is… Right. Yeah. Hmm, well we can plan a trip to the Elven forest further in the future."

"Yes, Captain."