Trying to shake off the last vestiges of the feeling of certain doom that had come over him when Thurrock had taken him, Puck couldn’t imagine what kind of bloodshed that orc had seen in his life.

Thankfully though Puck had become pretty tolerant in the department of danger and terrifying interactions by now and with Zephyrian back by his side he had calmed down faster than most would probably expect him too.

More than Zephyrians presence though it was finally time, Scarlet had begrudgingly though agreed to go out to eat together. She had been unwilling to call it a Date, but Puck knew when he should take something as it was.

Strolling through the open streets of the little orc village together they hadn’t even needed to take Taron with them, word of the events in the cavern had spread faster than lightning and none would dare to attack them in any way, manner or form.

Having already seen the beautiful structures the orcs build as their homes from afar before, Puck now took the time to inspect them from a closer viewpoint together with Scarlet.

Seeing an especially beautiful carving, Puck drew Scarlet’s attention to it and felt elated when a small smile graced her lips. Since the meeting with Thurrock three days ago she had been very closed up for some time, even moping in Puck’s opinion.

Not anymore though, bit by bit she was leaving the feeling of doom behind though and Puck was more than willing to help her with that.

Every new building, every new Stature and Lettering become points of discussion and inspection as they didn’t care for their surroundings.

Taron had decided to go off on his own for a while again, but he had communicated that he would meet up with them in two days when Thurrock had decided they would leave.

For a moment Puck had also thought whether he should have left Zephyrian in their temporary abode, but this truly wasn’t an all to official date and the sord gave them both some comfort.

Deciding to find a place for their dinner, Puck and Scarlet felt unwilling to go into the exact one they had visited with Thurrock before. There weren’t many options though and as such the principle of negative selection led them to a pretty come down establishment at the edge of the village.

Not letting the come down appearance impress them they decided to simply head in as the door was open and a few orcs already drank there.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Stepping in they first got a few antagonist gazes, but only until the orcs who hadn’t already heard of Thurrock and his companions got hit with the elbows of their neighbors.

Searching for a free place they found a quite corner where they shouldn’t be disturbed all too often.

The bartender was the first orc this evening that wasn’t impressed with Thurrocks companions at all and his angry gazes and rude gestures at them when the translation didn’t work out properly were pretty annoying.

When they finally had their first drinks, though bought by some gold reserves Scarlet had rummaged out of her bag, they could at least confirm that one drink for each of them was more than enough as the glasses were nearly as big as their whole torsos.

Trying to come into a conversation, Puck had a hard time at first. Soon though after some big gulps from their barrel sized drinks, Scarlet seemed to lighten up too and started to talk all from herself.

For the very first time, Puck personally heard of Scarlet and what her own youth had been like. How her parents had been. What she had done all the time. Why she had fled…

Reaching the point where Scarlet had left her family, Puck felt like this was a good moment to show his sympathy, laying an arm around her shoulder he truly didn’t get rejected.

For some time, they simply sat there like that. Hidden deeply on the much too large bench they got lost nearly completely in the furs adorning it.

After some time, Scarlet talked on, she started to tell Puck of her own adventures and the time she had found her old friends. She talked about loneliness and the search for answers, for true friends. And she told Puck about the time when her friends sacrificed themselves to give her a chance at life.

At one moment it seemed as if she was unwilling to talk anymore, but simply sitting there and offering her his full attention and interest in her past, Puck managed to show her that he truly wanted to know.

At some point tears started to stream down Scarlet’s cheeks and Puck felt like he wanted to brush them away, but he knew in this moment, that would be going too far.

Sitting there next to him, fully sunken down on the much too large furniture, Puck felt like he saw Scarlet for the first time. Till know she had always been someone untouchable, somebody that always knew what to do. Now though she became more approachable, more like him. A person with a heavy past and many more experiences than nearly anyone else in her age.

Deciding that this was the right moment, Puck also started to talk. He didn’t tell Scarlet about anything special. About anything great really. He simply told her about his life as the Gremlin everyone looked down upon.

He told her about the many times he had simply stood there in the middle of a gathering of Gremlins, and nobody acted as if somebody threw shit at him.

He told her about the time on the fields, the loneliness and the feeling of being without any goal, without any ambition.

Feeling like the mood got too heavy though in the end, Puck decided that it was time to switch to a happier theme.

Leaning there against the furs and looking out into the rowdy cavern, Puck told Scarlet about his dreams. About his wish to one day fly up to the stars and beyond.