My guess was that Praxis was going to pull me away from any shops I showed interest in, walking right past them or pulling me away. After all, every time I showed interest in one, he just silently grunted and sped away.
Eventually, he stopped in front of a cafe, eyeing the desserts that were displayed in the window. Praxis hummed, then his stomach growled, his face reddening in embarrassment.
Perhaps he had finally gotten tired of dragging me around, but he opened the door to the cafe, not bothering to hold it open for me, as it almost hit me in the face as I turned to follow him in.
"Mmm," I groaned, a tad annoyed at the display. But I let it go, knowing that whatever came next would give me even more entertainment.
In front of me, Praxis was already looking at the pastries in the display table. What caught mt attention was the drinks menu. There was a wide assortment of different coffees and teas, as well as a few juice options.
It reminded me of a certain big coffee company back on Earth, one that had a mermaid as its mascot. This would be any coffee and tea lover's favorite place; the assortment of items led me to understand why this city was only second to the capital.
"Pardon, could I get an americano please? A lemon tart as well," I requested of the cashier, who nodded with a smile. I then turned to Praxis, who was looking at me with a blank face.
"Could I get the pastry here with the cream in the middle and strawberries on the side of it? As well as a pomegranate tea, please?" He asked, pointing into the display case. Praxis side-eyed me, trying to see if I was annoyed that he added his stuff to my order, but I merely smiled at him, knowing that since he had no money, this is what would happen at every shop.
"Alright, will that be all for you two gentlemen?" The cashier asked, blushing a bit as Praxis walked over and hovered behind me. She was likely feeling flushed at the sight of two handsome men together.
"Yes, that'll be all, thank you," I expressed, giving her the coin to pay for it all. Following Praxis over to a table he picked out, I observed that there was hardly anyone in the cafe; as such, we garnered their attention rather quickly.
'Hm, when I think about it, it sort of feels like we're on a date. Psch, if this asshole heard what I said, he'd probably blush from embarrassment and get angry.'
The table that Praxis chose was right by the window at the corner of the shop, overlooking the hill that it sat on. It was a beautiful view, making the atmosphere around the two of us a bit romantic, though I merely brushed it off.
'I wouldn't want to hurt Sephtis with these needless thoughts. Even knowing that the two of us went out together on an outing with such a date-like atmosphere would upset him greatly.'
"You stay here; I'll go get our stuff when it's ready," I said, nodding to him as I turned and left, hearing Praxis hmph as he turned away. It really was like I was trying to appease my angry wife.
'Jeez, am I glad I am not yet married! Imagine having to appease that bastard Llyr like this when he gets bothered, and not in the hot way.'
Soon I was back at the table, tray of drinks and food in hand. I set the tray down, then put Praxis' order in front of him and mine in front of my own seat. Pushing the tray to the side of the table, I sat down and took a sip of my coffee.
The bitterness was just what I needed. The sweet smell of the shop was rather sickening to me, as I had no sweet tooth at all, but the coffee with the lemon tart made it bearable.
Perhaps Praxis knew my dislike for sweet stuff, and that's why he specifically picked this place, but either way, he was enjoying himself. It was cute how he attempted to hold back his groan of delight.
"Pfft-" I held back a laugh, muffling it into a chuckle. When I looked up, Praxis was glaring at me with a look of curious annoyance.
"What's so funny, huh?" He questioned, surprising me with the amount of emotion he just expressed.
"Heh, it is nothing. Just watching you enjoy your food but trying to hold back your expression of satisfaction is rather amusing," I gave him a cunning smile, knowing what I just said would get on his nerves.
But surprisingly, it instead made his face turn bright red, his mouth agape. Praxis grit his teeth, then looked away, his pink ears turned towards me as he stuffed another bite of his pastry in his mouth.
***
A few hours later, Praxis had finally decided he was done fooling around and acting annoyed, and I was feeling rather fulfilled with the entertainment I had received from the new sides of him I was seeing.
"Haa, fine. You win, I am over it, and you were right," Praxis sighed in defeat, collapsing on a bench by the fountain in a secluded square.
"Good, I am glad you have finally realized that," I replied, earning a sharp glare from Praxis. Then I plopped down right next to him and lit a cigarette. "I hope you know that I made that decision with the best for you in mind."
"Say whatever bullshit you want, but I am not going to care. You can think of me as one of your people, but to me I am merely your servant as you are merely my master," Praxis replied coldly, sideyeing my as I let out a puff of smoke.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, darling," I poked, smiling at Praxis as I put the cig back between my lips. We sat there in silence for a moment, Praxis catching his breath as I enjoyed a cigarette or two.
Moments later, a gust of chill wind passed through the square, smacking me in the face and sending shivers down my spine. I looked over at Praxis, who seemed unbothered by it.
'Huh, I guess he was right when he said he would be alright with his shirt open like that.'
"I'll be right back," I told him, getting up from the bench and stretching. "It's getting a little chilly, so I'mma go get a drink. Anything you want?"
"If it is alcohol, no thank you. I'll pass on getting drunk in the middle of town, let alone outside a bar," Praxis poked rather bluntly, still leaning on the bench with his eyes closed.
"Eh, suit yourself," I exclaimed, shrugging. In my opinion, getting drunk or just drinking in the middle of the street was the best.
***
Soon, was back at the square, a bottle of whiskey in hand, though I hadn't opened it yet. And strangely enough, besides seeing a pensive Praxis sitting up on the bench with his eyes open, there was also a man standing in front of him. Someone I didn't recognize.
I couldn't quite pick up on his features, but he was wearing a set of light armor with a cloak, the hood covering his face. He was decently tall; I'd say about the same height as Llyr.
"Is something the matter, Praxis?" I asked as I approached the two of them, putting the bottle in my spatial pouch.
The man was visibly startled, likely not noticing me walking up to them. Praxis looked at me with worry, then sighed and got up from his seat, placing a hand on my shoulder and looking at the man.
"Ayesha, you don't need to be alarmed. This is Lev, the man who has been looking after me and sort of saved me. Lev, sorry to make you worry. This is Ayesha; he is a knight belonging to my household," Praxis introduced, making me pause with shock.
A few moments later, now I don't exactly remember how, but we were back in the manor's living room, the unhooded Ayesha in front of me as I poured him a glass of the same whiskey I just bought for myself.
Now that I got a better look at him, he had pale violet hair in a longer curtain mullet style; his eyes were like miniature suns, complementing his tan skin well.
"Well, Sir Ayehsa. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance; my apologies for any sort of trouble you have faced while looking for Praxis," I expressed, glancing over at Praxis, who was sitting next to me, then Sephtis, who was sitting in the chair diagonal of me.
"It is alright; I know that none of this is your fault. I am just glad to see the young master safe and sound," Ayesha expressed with a smile, graciously taking the cup I offered him and reciprocating my cheers.
We took a swig at the same time and placed the glass down at the same time, replacing the awkward atmosphere with a more amusing one. He was leaning forward in his seat, his elbows on his thighs.
I was more relaxed, leaning back in my own seat, my arm on the back of the couch. I figured someone would come around knocking and looking for Praxis, though I didn't think it would be this soon.
"I suppose you have come back to take Praxis home, yes?" I questioned, taking another sip of the whiskey.
Ayesha straightened himself, looked over at Praxis, whose lips were pursed as he looked down, then at me with a bit of sorrow in his eyes.
"Yes, that is correct. Her ladyship is eagerly awaiting the return of the young master; I would like to return home with him as swiftly as possible," Ayesha announced, nodding his head.
"Alright, well, Praxis…Would you like to head home now?" I asked him, looking him straight in the eyes with a look of sincerity.
"I-...I do want to go home, but…" Praxis paused and turned to look at Sephtis and I. Sephtis was wearing a frown with wilted ears and a drooping tail while I kept my same blank face. "I'm sorry, Ayesha, but there are things I still need to do here, so Zephyra will have to wait a while longer for my return."
My eyes widened, and my mouth muscles relaxed as I processed what Praxis had just said. I suppose all he really did want was for his sister to know he was okay.
"I see…Are you sure? Your sister is rather distraught about you having gone missing; it pains me and the rest of the house to see her like that," Ayesha expressed once more, his mouth curving downwards.
"Yes, I am sure. In turn, could you please tell her that I would like it if she could take a trip here? I also miss her dearly, but I can't go back just yet," Praxis relayed once more, his hands curling into fists.
"Heh, of course. I shall relay it as such. I am sure that she will be overjoyed to hear that you are safe and sound and look forward to seeing her again," Ayesha smiled, then got up and rushed to the door, likely hurried to get back and relay the news to his lady.
Sephtis hurriedly got up to show him to the door, leaving Praxis and I in the room. He sat there in silence for a bit before sighing and leaning against me, seemingly tired from the stress of having to make such a decision.
"I am surprised you didn't go back with him. Why didn't you?" I asked, looking down at Praxis with eyes full of pity.
"As you said, it is likely best for me to remain here. And I want to help you, especially now that I know you aren't so bad. I would feel guilty if I left you and Sephtis alone here to deal with that bastard Llyr," Praxis relayed, closing his eyes.
"Hmmmm, alright. I do appreciate the worry, thank you," I smiled back, laughing a bit in humor.
"Don't let it get to you; I am never, ever going to admit something like this to you ever again."
"Of course, of course. I should never get too greedy with praise from you!" I joked, teasing Praxis and getting a hard pinch from him in response.