"Hi Syr!" I forcefully quelled the rising instinct within me to push her away. Hector, you crazy old man, chill out!
The sensation receded, but I certainly needed to address Belle as she stood stock still. An expression of grief formed on her face as she spoke a single word.
"Oh."
Syr didn't seem to get the hint that Belle needed a hug and instead tugged tighter on my arm.
"Come on Andrew, we have a date to get on- hm?"
I couldn't just leave Belle like this! I had to think of something to say before she got confused.
"It's just a platonic date, she wants to get to know me a bit better after our first meeting was cut short." I nodded my head as the truth flowed from my mouth. Good job brain!
Syr's grip tightened a little bit, but Belle smiled. Her hands crossed behind her back as she shrugged.
"Well then, I suppose I'll allow it. It's practically not even a date. More of a meeting." She leaned in towards Syr, who pressed into my chest in response. "I have business to attend to for our familia." She sent one final glance at Syr before smiling at me. "Have fun with your new friend."
With that she began to walk off, but I took a step in her direction, causing her to pause. The smile on her face became more radiant as I blushed and bowed slightly in her direction. Presenting something of critical importance!
"You'll be needing this." I handed her the suitcase full of money, and she looked confused for a moment before lightly sighing with a smile and putting it under her arm. "Thank you Belle. You're the best." My sigh of relief was obvious, even to Syr, who looked more annoyed than anything at this point.
"Don't mention it, I'll see you tonight." She emphasized seeing me tonight with her voice, and I gulped lightly as she walked away. Was she going to beat me up? She walked away, her stride relaxed, and I could only hope her heart was feeling the same way!
The sea of people surrounding us became a haze that slowly drew my attention back to the grey haired woman in my arms, who pouted lightly as she stared up at me.
"You know, you shouldn't be looking at another woman while on a date."
"Belle is one of my closest companions, but from now on I'll be focusing all on you."
She blushed lightly at the words and quickly pulled out of my bosom while gently holding my hands. Her grip tightened ever so slightly, her eyes creasing as she smiled.
"Well now that she is out of the way, I'll take center stage."
She began pulling me along through Orario, the crowd seeming to part in her wake as she dragged me through.
"Syr, do you have any hobbies?" I wasn't a master of 'dates,' and I did plan to keep this one platonic because of my blooming feelings for Belle, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to at least be polite!
"That's exactly what I'm going to be showing you!"
Pulling me into a small shop, I was immediately hit with the scent of flowers. Many of the different blooming plants were ornately held together in bouquets and vases. An older man lightly pruned one of the leaves off a small rose by the window and turned towards the two of us.
His gaze lingered on Syr for a moment before his eyes flicked to me with mild interest.
"Looks like Miss Syr has brought a friend along this time. Please come in and enjoy the flowers."
"Thank you Milo, now then- Andrew, what's your favorite flower?"
Her eyes gently stared at my face as the question rang through my mind. Flowers could mean lots of different things to lots of different people. I knew two people who had vastly different opinions on the same flower because of their own life experiences.
It was interesting to think about, but those two had shown me something important.
"My favorite flower is the one that makes you smile."
Truth is, I didn't care too much about one specific flower. I could smell them, look at them, or put them on display. All ways of appreciating them, but one specific flower? That could mean a million things to a million people.
But the person in front of me was Syr, and I wanted her to keep smiling! Even if Hector could be a bit of a jerk, and I knew Syr was a little odd, she had a good heart!
Of that I was certain!
Though, unfortunately, my answer didn't satisfy her at all, if her pouting face was any indicator.
"Well if I had to choose, I'd go with lily flowers. The ones that sit on the water's surface are a site to behold."
Master had a lake nearby her home that was full of these things. A fond smile bloomed upon my face as I thought about her and my four close friends who trained with me.
"They're peaceful, and the person who taught me how to use a sword properly said they represent unity and peace." I walked towards Syr, gently running a finger over the petal of the tulip next to her as I continued. "Those are some of my favorite things."
Syr, moving faster than I expected, picked up a potted plant with a few white lilies growing out and held them like a baby.
"Lilies are great, they certainly do make me smile. Everything ends up working out." She gently laughed, but there was still one loose end that needed tying up!
"What about your favorite flower Syr? If you love these awesome plants so much you've got to have a favorite?"
"Daisies of course! They're happy just like me, and are beautiful once they bloom." She let out a gentle sigh as she set down the lilies in favor, leaning in towards a different daisy flower. "All that tender love and care, it makes a flower struggling to stand on its own rise up and become something great."
"Isn't that wonderful?" I blinked at the question, momentarily caught off guard. This was something I hadn't exactly thought about before, but the idea of propping others up so they could shine . . .
"That's super awesome!" Maybe flowers were cooler than I thought! I really feel like I've learned something deeper about flowers. It's not just the end result that matters to a plant, but the journey as well!
Rank 3: So that Beauty may Bloom - Increases Excilia gain for your lowest statistic
All my gardener friends back home are probably slapping me senseless for only understanding this now! Syr moved towards me as the thought ran through my mind, running a hand around my side as she held the daisies in my direction.
"Wel now, we've focused on something I like. So why don't we do something you like." Her hot breath hit my face, smelling faintly of lavender as she smiled. "So Andrew, what would you like to do?"
"S-Syr, I'm not sure if you'd want to do that sort of thing with me."
Despite fighting back at her question, she only continued to lean in.
"We can do anything. Just say the word."
"Are you sure? You might get a bit sweaty, and maybe even get hurt if we take things too far."
Syr was practically vibrating, humming to herself as she set the flowers down and left the building with me in tow.
"I can handle your passion."
"Alright then. Thanks for doing this with me Syr, it means a lot."
"Of course, I like a man whose forwards with his desires."
Syr and I made our way towards a more familiar part of the city, the area where Welf did his smithing. I gently opened the cabin door to see if he was inside, but the red head was missing.
Probably off somewhere spending his money! Or maybe getting his status updated after our dive as a team. I'm sure he would understand, and I'd make sure to reimburse him for any damages!
"Doing it in a place like this, away from the hustle and bustle of the city . . ." Syr began blushing as I grabbed a pair of training swords off the wall and walked towards her.
"Alright Syr, let's step outside."
Syr didn't move an inch as I offered her the sword. Confused, I extended it farther in her reach, and she picked it up with a slightly puzzled expression on her face.
"I can teach the sword, but if you already know how to use one we can get straight to the sparring."
Her expression fell flat as she stared at the dull weapon in her hand.
She let out a light hum, her expression changing to one more calculated as she stepped back inside with slightly gritted teeth.
Shelving the long blade, my eyes became slightly watery.
"It's ok if you don't want to do this sort of thing, I'm sure we can figure something out."
She turned over her shoulder to look at me, her expression morphing from slight dismay to a smile in a single fluid motion.
"I know how to use a one handed sword and shield."
Oh. Oh!
"I am so sorry! I didn't even think to ask what weapons you would prefer!"
Gosh, I'm being such a bad sparring partner right now!
"It's fine, you couldn't have known I'd ever even touched a weapon before."
"Alright then! Let's do this!"
Her stance widened slightly, and my eyes followed as she did so. I took a more aggressive stance of my own in response.
Syr, a non adventurer I'd just so happened to meet by chance, knew how to fight? This was going to be great!
"Are we going to do first blood, touch, or-" I paused as I remembered what happened with Hestia and rephrased to the best of my ability. However, Syr continued to surprise me.
"First blood works, any solid blow to an area that would end the fight right? Hands, torso, head, legs?"
"Yeah! So a graze won't count." My smile grew. Syr was secretly super cool! "Alright then, let's do this!"
Syr wasn't that fast, and I immediately restrained myself as she moved towards me because of that fact. She wasn't an adventurer, so I had to hold back and lower my stats to around average human level.
Sending out a simple cut towards side, she easily moved the shield in the way before parrying my sword away and immediately forcing me on the back foot in order to keep distance.
She brought up the shield as she stepped forward, moving it in the way of my sword while also poising herself to bonk me on the forehead.
I let out a breath as the warmth of battle took me, and I felt something I hadn't felt in a while. Something I felt when fighting that Hunter. I could feel something from within back then, something that came from me. Now I saw it coming from her.
For but a moment, I saw it, an emanation around her form. The distinct shape of power. It smelt of flowers, desire, wealth, passion. It was intoxicating for a brief moment, but I forced myself back to reality.
Those feelings didn't really match the Syr I knew, but I wasn't opposed to getting to know this side of her.
Unfortunately, Hector vibrating in my soul wasn't helping!
Nonetheless, I could feel the feint coming as the wind moved around her weapon. Her sword was sliding towards my gut, and I pivoted to the side in the direction of her shield while weaving under it, before tripping her to the ground with a weak strike to the knee. Her momentum did most of the work as she began to sail through the air, but I bolted into action as I accelerated my form.
Just before she fell on her face, I scooped her up with a blush of embarrassment. What the heck was that sensation!?
"Hit." The words left my mouth, an announcement of my victory as my face turned even redder. "Are you alright!?"
Syr, the poor girl I was so worried about, responded with a giggle as she let out a small, "Yep!"
I set her down on her feet, and she slid closer to me as her weapons fell to the ground.
"This was fun Andrew. I feel like I've gotten to know something so, so special about you." Her eyes looked a little bit scary as she said that last part, but that was probably just Hector sabotaging me. I used the ability Welf gave me to subdue him, and gave a quick sigh before speaking with a smile.
"I can't help but feel the same way."
Rank 4: Scents of Love and Lust - Increased benefits of Gifts given by the Empress Arcana
Syr was cooler than I thought, and now I think I want to get to know her even better! Though what was with that super lewd Rank name?
Maybe Syr truly is just looking for love . . .
I knew Hector was just a weirdo! But it's ok, Hector, I still think you're pretty cool.