Hold a Moment

A soft fog blanketed the ground as the two set off from the outskirts of town, mist swirling in the air. Coolness stung at their lungs as dewdrops hung on trees like glass beads, sparkling and shimmering.

Just as they'd agreed upon, half-elf and ogrelyn had departed at the brink of dawn, journeying beneath the dimmest of skies. She'd debated informing Larkspur before they'd left and maybe invite him too, but apparently, he'd left on a trip of some sort the day prior. In the end, she decided to leave something else for him when he'd inevitably visit her shop later.

Citrine's ears twitched as she readjusted her bag's straps, rolling shoulders as the weight shifted.

They'd also taken quite a few bags with them, enough to where even Ferris would've noticed their weight if she had to carry them herself for a long period of time.

*clunk* *clunk*

So Citrine had brought a stony helper along to help.

Golem number two trudged alongside the pair, a large backpack filled with supplies strapped to its back. It was the fastest of the three, and thus the best choice for their venture, especially if they needed to carry back any new rocks. The others would be doing their best to tend to the shop in her absence.

"…" If she ever did come back, but that was a worry she could put off for now.

The shopkeeper's attention flicked back to her traveling companion, who was currently walking a bit ahead, leading the way through the trees. The warrior's adamantine gear looked stunning as it did before, although there were a few alterations Selena'd made to the outfit—most notably the breastplate, which was a little more rounded, and a new skirt of mythril chainmail, perhaps not as durable as adamantine, but certainly lighter and serviceable.

They hadn't noticed those until Ferris had gotten dressed this morning, and Citrine couldn't tell if the warrior was happy about the unexpected changes or not. Regardless, the ogrelyn seemed to be at home amidst the wilderness, her movements practiced, confident. Even now, she'd taken the lead for their journey, half-elf following closely behind.

It was almost like they were adventuring again, all those years ago.

*crack*

Citrine's eyes snapped over to the sudden sound. A squirrel had scampered up a tree, chittering in the early morning light.

"…"

A beat, then she let her attention drift to the scenery around her, searching for anything off. She could determine nothing save for it being admittedly beautiful—perhaps not as much as something like zircon or amethysts, but pleasant nonetheless. Flowers and ferns covered the forest floor, and the canopy overhead was alive with the songs of birds and insects. To top it off, here and there, she could also make out the occasional glint of quartz and feldspar among exposed bedrock.

Once it was clear there was nothing suspicious, she let her guard down again gently, relishing in the crisp air. Despite the looming deadline and the potential dangers ahead, there was something almost calming about it all.

"Hey, Citrine?" Ferris's voice broke the quiet.

"Yes?" Her head swiveled, curious about what she would say. Had she finally thought things over from their sparring match?

However, as emerald eyes looked at her, she found only a different type of nervousness. "I know this may seem weird, but I just wanted to thank you." Ferris shifted as she grabbed her own arm. "For uh, letting me tag along, and all that."

The half-elf blinked. "I feel as though I should be the one thanking you. You arrived literally a day after Larkspur discovered my miscalculation about the curse, agreed to travel with me, and helped with my bags."

She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she continued walking, her footsteps heavy and expression distant.

"I guess, but I just… well… I'd been thinking about this for a long time. Thinking about you… about how you'd react. I wasn't sure if you'd even want to see me again. So, when you welcomed me so warmly and agreed to let me come with… well."

Citrine's lips flattened in both annoyance and amusement. "Ferris, I suppose I appreciate the sentiment, but as we've already gone over, it's completely unnecessary. We're friends, after all. And I'm happy we can spend time like this before the end."

The warrior looked like she was about to say something before redirecting her gaze at the ground. "Please don't say that."

"Hm? Say what?"

A pause as the warrior shifted.

"…I don't want you to die."

The words caught the half-elf off guard midstride. Her ears fell, and her chest tightened. This time though, there was no pain, no curse—just a morbid warmth, spreading through her body.

To say something like that so frankly. It almost didn't seem like Ferris.

Almost.

"…Question for you. How much of your humor from back then was real?"

"Wh-where did this come from? And what do you mean?" Ferris asked, turning to her at the rogue question.

"Curiosity mostly. You were always the life of our party, making jokes and poking fun. So how much of it was genuine and how much was a front? I always thought it was the former with how comfortable you seemed, but now… well, now I'm not sure."

Ferris's mouth quirked wistfully. "I'm, uh, not sure myself, to be honest. I feel maybe half the jokes I made back then were for humor's sake, but at the same time, I didn't mind making the other ones. They helped me… cope for a lack of better terms."

"With your situation?"

There was hesitation, but eventually, the warrior acquiesced.

"…Yeah, to be fair, it started all the way from childhood, so I got a lot of practice. My allies always needed a strong front, and I couldn't really provide that when I was struggling with myself. Humor was easier, and it was a way to get people to like me without… well, you get the idea."

"…I see." Citrine paused, her voice dropping an octave at the revelation.

To think that she'd hadn't seen past the facade.

"N-no. Don't get sad. It's fine. I have nothing against you or the party," Ferris insisted, her voice rising. "It was my decision not to say anything. And besides, I don't think I regret it. You were going through a lot yourself, and something as dumb as whether or not I liked dresses paled in comparison to the fate of the world."

The warrior chuckled a bit, uneasy smile on her face.

She though, frowned hard at the 'humor'.

"No. It's not fine. Ferris, don't look down on yourself. You deserve way more than that."

"Citrine? What are you—"

"Quiet. I need to say this." Her voice took on an authoritative edge, one that she'd dipped into, but hadn't fully used, in a long time.

"When it comes to your needs verses the world's, I don't want to hear it. They're still important, especially to me. It was MY duty as leader of the party to ensure all of our safety and well-being." Her brow furrowed. "Hearing this now, I realize I failed you. I was negligent, self-absorbed, and I'm sorry. You deserved better."

Ferris's eyes widened. "S-self absorbed? W-what are you—"

She interrupted again before the ogrelyn could get her objections out. "I was. I was so focused on defeating the Ashen King that I ignored the problems of those closest to me. And now? Now I've gone and made a mistake that might end up leaving you without support if it weren't for the rest of our party."

"Citrine! Don't blame yourself, please! But erm, what do you mean by the last part though? I haven't exactly seen them since—"

"Well you should." Citrine crossed her arms. "There's no reason to hide who you are from them. They care about you. I care about you. I highly suggest that you reconnect with them. You'll deserve the love, especially once I'm gone."

"But Citrine—"

"Ferris, I refuse to waste the year I have left. So I'll tell you what I've figured out for myself thus far. Aside from wanting you to reconnect with the others, I want to understand you—the REAL you. I refuse to die without knowing that much, especially after failing you for so long already."

"…" Ferris stared, dumbstruck, another breeze blowing by as silence settled over the duo again.

Then, the warrior's face scrunched up, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"I-I'm going to miss you, Citrine," she choked out, her voice cracking. "This… this is exactly why I… I don't want you to die."

The half-elf's lips withdrew upon themselves, her heart sinking at the display. Ah, perhaps she went a bit too far with her words. This wouldn't do.

"Ferris, hold a moment."

Before the ogrelyn could react, the half-elf pulled her into her embrace.

The gesture was a little awkward, given her stature, and it was almost like she was hanging off the taller woman's torso, but it probably communicated her intent well enough.

"Don't mourn me just yet. There's always the tiniest chance that our trip to Nexuspoint will be fruitful, as unlikely as it is."

"…"

The warrior's breathing hitched before Citrine suddenly felt herself lifted off the ground.

"F-Ferris?!" she gasped out. The ogrelyn's grip on her tightened as her feet dangled in the air, and she was pressed even further against the armored figure like some sort of doll.

"Shh. Just… please. Let me have this," Ferris murmured, resting her head against Citrine's. "I've… always wanted to do this, and you didn't want me holding back, right?"

"!" That strangely warm feeling that'd been popping up since their reunion flared up again in the half-elf, this time strong enough to send heat radiating off her ears. It was a tad embarrassing, but at the same time, it was also rather pleasant, and it did sort of act as the response the half-elf was looking for, if not a bit unexpected.

So, she didn't resist, letting Ferris hold her, and even leaning further into the ogrelyn.

"…"

She was going to miss this too.