Marshmallow, Depth and Wolf

Neko-chan slowed at Foebe’s whistle, coming to a gentle halt at the edge of a forest. She crouched, allowing her two passengers to slip off into the mellow evening light.

Foebe stretched, then sighed.

“You’re right. Long-distance travel isn’t good for the body.”

He chuckled.

She fished a parchment from her pocket - dinner. In a brief flash of light, a burger appeared, steaming and dripping with juices. Joash stared at it like it was a religious experience.

Foebe giggled at his reaction.

“It’s not that amazing.”

He shrugged.

“When you’ve spent most of your life in a hospital, everything tastes good.”

She tilted her head.

“What’s hospital food like?”

He sighed.

“Bland. Boring. Same thing on rotation.”

She grinned.

“Isn’t this the same thing? On rotation?”

He smiled, holding up his hands, slick with oil.

“But it’s not bland.”

He nodded to the mess.

“This is far more than the hospital ever gave me.”

She frowned thoughtfully.

“You know, for a place of healing, hospitals don’t sound like they did a very good job.”

He shrugged.

“There’s only so much you can do without magic.”

“I suppose. Though to be fair, healing magic is uncommon here.”

He paused.

“I haven’t actually heard anyone mention healing magic. I just assumed it existed.”

She laughed.

“You have good intuition. It does. It’s a branch of epa magic called mahu. It takes a lot of energy, so most people who use it specialise in it entirely. We call them healers.”

He chuckled.

“Just like an RPG.”

She blinked.

“What’s an RPG?”

“Oh. Role-playing game. In fantasy games, there’s usually a healer role. Their job is… well, healing.”

She smiled.

“What else is similar?”

He shrugged.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what adventurers are usually like. I’ve only met Rinji, and he seemed like an extreme case.”

She laughed.

“You’re not wrong. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m supposed to tell you.”

She paused, then smiled.

“Maybe when we settle down, you and I can go on some adventures?”

His eyes widened.

“We can do that?”

She shrugged casually.

“I don’t see why not. After all-”

She reached into another pocket and produced a card. Silver, with a faint blue sheen, almost like platinum.

“I’m S-tier.”

He blinked.

“Foebe? You? S-tier?”

She grinned.

“Yeah. Rinji’s combat training got me there.”

He rubbed his forehead.

“What exactly is Rinji?”

“He’s technically beyond S-tier,” she said easily. “But he can’t be ranked higher because there’s nothing to scale him against.”

He stared.

“And you completed his training?”

She nodded, pride soft but unmistakable.

“With flying colours.”

Joash didn’t know what to think anymore. The gang-member-looking tailor was more powerful than the ranking system could measure? If he’d known that, he might’ve waited outside instead of going into the shop.

“If we’d already settled down,” he muttered, “I’d be making dinner and cleaning the bathroom right now.”

She laughed.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He grinned, but unease flickered beneath it. He was quite possibly the weakest tangata alive. The only reason he felt safe - capable - was because his wife was extraordinary.

It embarrassed him.

So he changed the subject before his thoughts spiralled.

“So what’s the plan in Koekoe?”

“We’ll stay in a large city. We’re mostly getting a feel for the people, not comparing living conditions. Once autumn hits, we’ll head for Taringa and hopefully arrive when winter does.”

She sighed happily.

“Winter in Taringa… it’s a popular holiday destination. I’m really looking forward to it.”

He smiled.

“Will we need winter clothes?”

Her ears perked up.

“Yes! You’re right. We will.”

He tilted his head.

“I can’t decide if I’m more excited about seeing winter, or seeing you dressed like a marshmallow.”

She blinked.

“Marshmallow?”

He winced.

“Oh. Right. It’s a round, squishy treat from my old world.”

The meaning clicked.

“Ohhh. So you were flirting with me.”

He shrugged.

“Sort of. But yes, if you come out wrapped in so many layers that you look like a marshmallow, I will squeeze you.”

She chuckled.

“Maybe I’ll dress like that just for the hug.”

He grinned.

“If you just want a hug, you don’t even have to ask. I won’t complain.”

She laughed.

“I know you won’t. But I’d still like to be squished.”

They held each other’s gaze for a moment. Then Foebe smiled.

She whistled, and Neko-chan began to saunter over - but before the ngeru could reach them, a parchment appeared in Foebe’s hand. Neko-chan dissolved into pure white light, the glow flowing neatly into the paper before vanishing entirely. Foebe folded the parchment away and glanced at Joash’s stunned expression.

“Summoned monsters can be unsummoned. And resummoned. And so on.”

He nodded slowly. It didn’t explain why she’d done it, but he wasn’t about to question her.

She shuffled closer and leaned against his side. Together, they watched the sun sink toward the horizon.

“It’s very pretty,” she murmured.

He smiled.

“It is.”

After a moment, he glanced down at her.

“You know… I’ve been wondering about the weather here.”

For the briefest instant, disappointment flickered across her face - then she smiled.

“It does rain, if that’s what you’re wondering. Just not much in summer. Autumn, though… it gets bad. I want to leave Koekoe as soon as it passes.”

She tilted her head.

“Also, weather can be predicted with magic. Tuhi magic, of course. You need a specialised symbol for it.”

He nodded thoughtfully, his mind already drifting toward what else magic might be capable of.

But Foebe had other ideas.

“If you could change one thing about yourself,” she asked suddenly, “what would it be?”

The question caught him completely off guard.

“Uh… maybe…” He hesitated. “My strength.”

It was honest. And it was exactly what had been circling his thoughts.

She giggled.

“Your strength?” she teased. “Does knowing your wife has more physical combat power than you make you feel weak?”

He nodded, face heating. She laughed - but her expression softened almost immediately.

“Here,” she said gently. “I have a present for you.”

She lifted her hand. Resting on her palm was a silver ring - clean, simple, unassuming at first glance.

He took it carefully.

“What’s this?”

She raised her other hand, fingers spread. An identical ring rested at the base of her ring finger.

“It’s two things,” she said. “A symbol of our marriage… and your wish.”

His heart thudded as he slid it onto his own finger.

“My wish?”

She nodded, suddenly nervous.

“I… blessed it.”

He turned his hand slightly, watching how the metal caught the fading light.

“What does it do?”

She smiled.

“Try putting me on your shoulder.”

He blinked.

“What?”

She grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Don’t stand up or anything. Just… pick me up and put me on your shoulder.”

Carefully, uncertainly, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted.

She weighed almost nothing.

She squealed.

“Oooo!”

Eyes wide, Joash gently set her onto his shoulder, steadying her with his arms as she knelt there, laughing at his expression.

“There you go,” she said brightly. “Now you’re not weak anymore!”

He couldn’t find words.

Still giggling, she tapped his head.

“You can put me down now.”

He did, slowly, reverently. She looked up at him.

“Do you like it?”

Instead of answering, he leaned down. Her eyes closed as their lips met - soft at first, then deeper. When they parted, he was smiling like he’d forgotten how not to.

“You’re amazing.”

She laughed.

“It works whenever your intentions are clear,” she said. “So don’t try to use it if you’re unsure.”

He laughed too.

“Got it.”

She hesitated - then added softly,

“Oh. And that strength isn’t just for lifting things.”

His brows knit.

“What do you mean?”

She licked her lips, just a little.

“Oh… there are other things that require strength too.”

Something clicked.

His breath caught.

“Foebe…”

She met his gaze, steady and warm.

“I’m ready,” she said quietly. “If you are.”

He looked at her - her ears, her smile, her courage, her scars. The light and the dark, inseparable. And to him, all of it was beautiful.

His heart felt like it was trying to escape his chest.

“I am.”

Her eyes sparkled as she leant closer, drawing him into another kiss - slower, deeper, one they would remember for the rest of their lives as night finally settled around them.