As we pulled through the gates of Spellerguard I found my eyes still locked on Beatrice and Jax from where I had claimed the Ballista mount. As I watched them I tried my best to avoid seeming like I was staring, but from the occasional concerned looks Jax gave me I could tell he knew I was staring. However I couldn't help myself, especially with what I was watching transpire.
Both Jax and Beatrice hadn't left each other's side since Beatrice volunteered to join Jax in the woods, the pair were practically inseparable. Both would exchange these glances from time to time that left only one conclusion, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Alright, found some parting, how are we splitting the workload up today?"
Aiden asked as he leaned out the window to speak to us on the trailer. Thalia put away her tools where she had begun to add facial features to the wooden figurine as she turned to the rest of us.
"We have a free day in town because of the Quest back in Hopestone, especially now that we have the new plates. We only need 2 more quests to be eligible, and we meet the level requirement except for Beatrice who is just a level short. Are we planning to have a more relaxing day?"
We all looked between each other as Jax said.
"That sounds nice, plus Beatrice and I were planning to go shopping anyway."
Even Thalia seemed surprised as I whipped around and stared at Jax and Beatrice from where I had been grabbing my book I set down. Jax and Beatrice shared a look as they hopped off the trailer.
"Look, we're gonna let Aiden know, can we meet back here in a few hours to discuss where we're spending the night and stuff?"
"Yea sure, have fun you two."
Thalia said, hopping down as she stretched. I followed after her and stared at Jax and Beatrice from around the side of the trailer much to Thalia's worried look. She was apparently worried enough to grab Aiden and drag him and Selene over.
"Hey Liora, what exactly are you doing?"
Aiden asked with a confused lilt to his voice. I in turn spun around and said.
"I believe there is a situation most dire that requires stealth, observational skills, and knowledge of the targets."
Aiden, Selene, and Thalia gave me strange looks like I had lost my mind. I took a moment to stand, clear my throat and said.
"To clarify, I think Jax and Beatrice might be seeing each other romantically."
I resumed my position of peering around the trailer as Aiden joined me, a seriousness in his voice as he looked over and said.
"You're sure about this?"
"Unquestionably, they have been stuck together like glue since they were out in the woods yesterday."
I began to move out to follow however Aiden put a hand on my shoulder.
"Hold it, we can't just follow them."
I swatted his hand away as I put my hand to my chest and said.
"So you will allow your best bro to be swept away from you, have you no pride as a brofriend!!!"
Aiden responded by turning so he was sideways from me before he turned back with a grin and threw his cloak out to let it billow.
"I am not so shallow a brofriend I would leave my bro to be taken by some hussy. I am saying you are not dressed for the occasion."
He reached into his cloak and pulled out what seemed to be several sets of leather trench coats that he tossed to everyone as well as a few sets of newspapers. Selene, Aiden and I dawned our coats as Aiden, and I struck a pose.
"Aiden my boy, these disguises seem rather obtuse for stealth."
Aiden gave a deep chuckle as he pointed a finger towards the direction that Jax and Beatrice had gone.
"Precisely, we are trying to pursue and force them to ignore us due to social constraints, that and if Jax thought someone was following them without knowing its probably us he may try to kill us."
Aiden and I shook hands as I said.
"Didn't consider that, good call!"
We both rushed down the road, holding our newspapers open as we pursued the potential lovers.
"Did someone put drugs in their breakfast, what the fuck was that!?"
Thalia asked, sounding mortified, confused, and resigned all at the same time as she made a general gesture with her arms towards our direction.
"N-Not sure, I just put the coat on because they seem to be having fun and I wanna be included, you coming?"
Selene asked, beginning to walk down the road after us. Selene followed, thought she carried her coat instead of wearing it, her face showing a look of regret and determination that if anyone asked, she doesn't know us.
The Pair began as expected, with a restaurant. A larger place called the silver tray. They walked in and grabbed seats so naturally we did as well, though Thalia grabbed a separate seat. The menu was simple, nothing fancy, but several fun brunch options. We ordered food as we received several stares from other customers. We continued to watch Jax and Beatrice over the papers as both occasionally glanced over at us where we made a show of looking in different directions. They used their menus to hide their faces as if not wanting to be associated with us. It took a minute for our food to arrive as we took a break from pretending to be the detectives of love to chow down on some waffles. While we were doing so I watched Jax get up and walk over to us.
"Uh, what in the hells are you all doing?"
Aiden and I grinned as we nodded to each other, both having practiced the exchange, and we even incorporated Thalia. My line was first, so I stepped up, standing on my seat as I said.
"To ensure this rendezvous exceeds expectation,"
Aiden stepped up next to me as we were back to back standing on our seats
"To unite good vibes in this fine reservation,"
"To call out spills, spinach, and mispronunciation,"
"To escort all blushes to their proper station,"
"Wing mates on patrol, with impeccable timing—"
"Compliment deployed…"
" …embarrassment arriving!"
We both turned to Thalia and gestured to her for her line. Thalia sipped her drink and pretended not to notice us.
"Dang it Thalia."
Aiden and I said in unison as several of the restaurant goers began to start laughing and nudging people to look over. Selene was absorbed in reading the paper and didn't seem to notice, but we had gotten what we wanted. Jax and Beatrice were both slack jawed, both so red in the face from embarrassment that they could have passed for tomatoes if they lost the hair.
Jax seemed to sputter for a moment as he seemed unaware of what to say as we all sat down and after a few moments people went back to eating. Jax seemed to have shut down, just staring ahead like he was frozen as Aiden and I fist bumped. We turned back to the table as we began to dig into the eggs and hash browns we had bought.
"Hey Selene, did you see Jax's face, priceless?"
Aiden said, nudging Selene slightly. She looked up as if startled.
"W-What, no sorry I got kind of caught up in one of the articles."
"Oh really, what about?"
I asked through a mouthful of eggs as Jax finally seemed to remember he was alive and made his way back to his booth where both he and Beatrice buried their snouts in their paws and had a quiet conversation with each other. Selene flipped back open the newspaper and said.
"Well apparently the Omnimagic academy is closing its doors due to the rampant terrorist attacks, and its currently MIA Student council including a member of one of the great 8 families forcing them into shutting down until the foreseeable future."
Hearing that it was Aiden and I's turn to be sitting there with our mouths open in bewilderment.