Azure hummed as she led Aqua into what looked like a primitive dwelling; however, inside it was clear it was a bakery, the smell of pastries filled Aqua's nostrils as she took a deep whiff. "It smells nice…"
The voice of a young-looking elven girl reached Aqua's ear. She wore a hood over her hair. which she assumed was to prevent hair mixing with food. "Good day, ladies! I am glad you like the smell of my pastries. What can I get for you?"
Then her eyes widened slightly as she noticed how well dressed the woman in red was. Instantly, she placed her hands in a V shape and bowed, "Forgive me for my insolence. Please enjoy my selection, my Lady."
Aqua's lips stretched into a line. "I am not a noble, please be at ease."
Azure placed her hand on her mouth as she let out a small chuckle, "Aqua, you do look like a very noble lady, so do not feel surprised that people would mistake you for one."
Aqua sighed, "I guess." She took a moment to look around before she turned to the shopkeeper, "Anything you would recommend?" She smiled softly.
The girl tapped her cheek, "I would recommend these potato pies. They are one of my specialties." Her smile made Aqua step back.
I guess I know what we will be getting.
Aqua turned to Azure, "What do you think?"
"Let's go for the pies then! Lady, please 2 for us." Azure reached into her pouch and retrieved a single golden plate.
The baker packed the pies into two separate brown bags before handing them to Aqua and Azure. "That will be 4 copper coins, please!" Azure's lips twitched nervously as she handed the woman a golden plate.
"That is far too much!"
"Please take it, we only brought this…" Azure said sheepishly.
"That is enough to buy out my entire stock for weeks, I just can't accept it for a mere pie!" The baker put her hands in front of her defensively, "I can't take that much from you in good conscience!"
"Please take it, it's not much for us." Azure pushed the plate into the girl's hand and forced it closed.
The girl stared at Azure, then at her hand. "Let me at least give you some more food! Please wait here, I have fresh produce coming up!" She pocketed the gold plate before she rushed to the back.
"Aqua… you really have to do everything so over the top?"
Aqua tilted her head in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Every single stunt you pulled off was way too impressive."
"How so?" Aqua crossed her arms.
"First of all, you create a goddess as a way to save someone, then you bring me back from the dead, then you pull an airship from nowhere, you teach Sheira magic like it's nothing, and now you casually give enough gold to buy out the entire store if we so wish. Honestly… I don't know if I should be scared or impressed."
"Azure, I do not want anyone to be afraid of me. That is the last thing I wish, I had enough of that for my entire immortal life."
Azure's eyes widened, and then she let out a chuckle, "Of course, you are immortal too. Sure… Well, it makes sense considering what you can do."
"Let me demystify my deeds. The first creation of the goddess was only that easy because of Sheira's holy blood. Airship is a creation of my friend and Sheira, and you are absolute prodigies."
Azure raised her brow. "All I am hearing is that you could make anyone into a goddess with enough time."
"Yes…" She stared at Azure intently, "I am not cursing you with divinity, no matter what."
"No, No! I am not asking for anything!" Azure defended herself, yet Aqua merely chuckled.
After a minute of waiting, the baker girl came out of the back carrying an assortment of pastries and pies. She had packed them in two large brown baskets that the girls could carry without issue.
"May I ask for your names?" The baker girl's ears twitched.
"My name is Azure." She pointed at her and then at Aqua, "And that is Aqua."
The baker scratched her chin before realization hit her."Azure?! Martial Champion?!"
"One and only." Azure scratched the back of her head. She was used to people recognizing her, but it never made her less embarrassed.
She bowed deeply before the champion, "Forgive me for now recognizing you sooner! I am sorry for charging you. Please have your gold back!" With a hurry, she retrieved the gold plate and held it in her palms.
"No, Good service deserves to be rewarded." Azure placed one hand on her hip as she waved down the girl. "I am here with her to grab something to eat, do not worry about my status at all."
The girl's eyes widened in realization. "Did the champion finally decide to settle down with a partner? Although I have to say I did not expect mighty Azure to be into women."
Azure's face reddened as she snapped to Aqua, "No, no. She is not my partner, we are just friends and companions…" She puffed her cheeks slightly and muttered under her breath, " For now."
"She is just a dear friend," Aqua interjected as she waved her hand, even though she wore a slight blush.
Why do people assume we are together? She couldn't help but ask herself. In her mind, they were merely friends.
No matter what, Aqua could not afford to get overly attached. One mistake on her part and she would lose everything once again. Even merely being so friendly with the princess and Azure was pushing her to her limits.
"I see… Well, I wish you luck." The girl handed the baskets. "And also, my name is Lila. It's an honor to meet your esteemed self!"
Azure picked up the baskets."Thank you! And honor is all mine."
"No, thank you, my ladies! Please visit anytime, I will make free pastries for you!" The girl smiled warmly as she bowed.
The elven duo waved as they made their way out of the bakery. Azure turned to Aqua and lifted one basket. "Want to find somewhere to sit and enjoy these?"
Aqua nodded, "Sure."
I can't tell her I don't need to eat. Her ears moved slightly as she cracked a small smile.
With a skip, the two girls made their way towards the village centre. In the middle was a rather large well, and opposing it were 4 long benches that many people used for quick rest. Fortunately, one of them was free, one of them was taken by a passionate couple, and the others by the two workers who were just taking a break from a long day's work.
Azure's ears slumped and gained a red tint as she tried to ignore the obvious showcase of love.
"Azure, are you sure this is a good spot?" Aqua stared at the couple before she averted her gaze. So carefree. She shook her head; she had to dispel thoughts of jealousy.
Two girls sat down and opened their baskets, inside they retrieved a small pastry and chomped on it. "These are delicious!" Azure spoke with her mouth full of food.
Aqua lifted the pastry before her eyes; for all intents and purposes, it was ordinary food with no hidden effects. Just an ordinary pastry.
Azure leaned forward and stared at Aqua, "You gonna eat it or just stare at it?" Azure devoured a piece of the pie as she spoke to Aqua.
"Ah, of course!" Aqua's lips stretched into a grin as she opened her mouth and threw the food inside. She chewed and swallowed. Nothing special, but I can tell it's made with love.
Azure leaned back as she gripped the edge of the bench. "Aqua, I would really like to know more about you. I asked Sun God, but he told me to ask you instead."
Aqua raised her brow, "Like what? My favourite color?" Aqua tilted her head, then she stared at her clothes, then she picked up part of her hair."I think it was pretty obvious?"
Azure pouted, "I could have guessed." Azure placed her hand over her mouth as she let out a soft chuckle, "But I was more interested in what your favourite pastimes are, maybe what you do when you aren't being awesome."
Aqua tilted her head up, "You know, if you keep praising me this much, it might go into my head."
"So? You are my heroine, why shouldn't I?" Azure stared intently.
"I guess, it's not that I mind… Well, my favorite pastime is to study. I like studying about anything and everything." Aqua kicked her legs slowly, "Especially about anything concerning magic. But knowledge is what I live for."
Azure nodded, "So you like books?"
"Very much so, but information crystals work too; however, I doubt this world has them." Aqua grabbed a pastry and threw it in her mouth.
"Information crystals?" Azure grabbed a piece of the pie and stuffed it into her mouth.
"Basically books, but holding the crystal transmits the information right into your mind."
"Honestly… every time you tell me about something like this, it just makes our kingdom look primitive."
Aqua smiled warmly, "I can't judge just yet, but according to everything I know by now, it does seem rather underdeveloped."
Azure stared into the sky for a moment, "It's nice to just relax like this…"
"I agree." Aqua moved her body left and right slowly. "It's not something we can afford usually."