The night passed, and the next morning came. Korrie was the first to wake up, a rare occurrence for her, and equally rare for her was the restless feeling so early in the day, that made her want to get some fresh air and walk around rather than just laze in bed for longer or go get breakfast. A bit too much had happened last night, and it left her with questions that she wasn’t sure she wanted answers to.
That was how Shiroi found her, on deck early in the day, staring out at the sea rather than the city with an uncharacteristically sober expression.
“
Welp, here I thought I could get some time to myself.” The white-haired girl grumbled half-heartedly, before walking up to lean on the railings next to the wyvern girl anyway. “
What, feeling lonely after Fay disappeared?” That earned a surprised look from the wyvern. “
Ran into Baba just a minute ago, she told me we’re short one. She looked completely refreshed too, grumbled something about having to change plans on short notice. Sometimes I wonder if the old crone even sleeps or if she just stalks the halls at night. Well, she was probably doing some unspeakable shit to those bandits all through the night this time. I don’t even wanna think about it.”
“
Korrie is surprised you know already. And surprised you don’t seem more surprised.”
“
Oh I was, but y’know, thinking about it, since when was that hothead ever predictable? You’ve been with her longer, you probably know that better than me.”
“
...Korrie guesses that’s true. She’s just worried, about her. About us. There’s so many possible reasons…”
“
Well considering the rest of us made it through the night, I don’t think it’s anything we have to immediately worry about. Though that does remind me that our real bodies have been very vulnerable for a while now…” Shiroi tsked. It seemed to remind her of something else as well, and the white haired girl went quiet.
Korrie allowed the silence to go on for a bit, before looking over and studying her current companion. “
You troubled by something too? Korrie thought the date went well?”
Shiroi flinched, a hint of color showing on her pale face. “
How did- Oh whatever. No, it went great. It’s just something else on my mind, don’t worry about it.”
“
You sure? Korrie won’t tell anyone.”
“
I’m quite sure.” Shiroi answered, and soon silence reigned again. She was not nearly close enough to the perverted lizard girl to start spilling her heart to her, and besides, of all people, she wouldn’t trust Korrie’s opinion on the subject. She didn’t even know if she should ask Kuroi about it.
Something like the sheer vulnerability she felt in hindsight, when she woke up sober earlier and remembered how Aila made her into smitten putty so easily, that lingering yearning of addiction… Her trust in the golem girl didn’t change how unnerved she felt. She didn’t blame Aila at all for the experience, and that made it all the more awkward for her on how to broach the subject going forward. If the poor golem girl finds out her true reaction, after the confidence-boosting charm spell falls off…
“
...Anyway, what d’you think today’s schedule will be?” Shiroi asked after a long silence.
“
Korrie doesn’t know. She’s the kind that’d just follow the tour guide.”
“
Boorringgg. Come on, we’re in a completely alien world, don’t you want to explore a little without a chaperone breathing down your neck all day? You like video games, right? Surely you’re not the kind that just follows a guide and that’s it?”
“
But that’s a video game! There’s no real consequences! This isn’t the same.” Korrie retorted, giving Shiroi a reproachful look. “
Last time you and your sister ran off without a chaperone, you got us into this mess in the first place! Even while chaperoned we keep getting into trouble! Fay and Korrie got kidnapped, Kuroi got possessed by some elder god fragment, and we keep getting attacked by things like those squid guys or those bandits!”
“
Yeah, and we got through all of it just fine in the end! What’s an adventure without some danger along the way? Some challenge, some unknowns?”
“
You say that until your luck runs out. There’s no plot armor here. Korrie gets what you’re saying, but… maybe Korrie’s just weak. Korrie always relied on Fay to actually deliver the real firepower. Now she’s gone, and… Either way, this might be a dream, but it’s also real, not like a show or a video game. Korrie would just rather stay safe, with people she can rely on for back up if things go bad. If you two and Aila want to sneak off on another date though, Korrie won’t snitch.”
“
Hah.” The two shared a brief smirk, “
We’ll think about it.”
After a moment longer, Shiroi went back downstairs to check on her sister and Aila, who were still fast asleep cuddling each other last she checked. Korrie remained above deck, thinking about things going forward now that she’s on her own.
