A day or two later, bathed in the warm glow of a sunny morning, Larry and Merig occupy their usual table at the pub, deep in conversation.

(M)Are you feeling any better from your hangover?

(L)Much better, I’m right as rain, thanks to your painkillers. I’ll be ready to go back to guard duty today.

(M)Well, I’ve already done the morning runs, so you can relax and join me tomorrow.

(L)Sounds good to me. I’ll be up and ready in the morning. I’m sure you want to spend the rest of the day with Kate, anyway.

(M)We didn’t exactly have anything planned, but I’m up for it if she wants to.

(L)I noticed you’ve been looking really happy these past few days.

(M)Yeah, I’m just thinking about this weekend. I’m kinda nervous but also excited. I have everything planned and I can’t wait to show Kate.

(L)I’m honestly impressed that you had the balls to ask Kate out.

(M)[glare] Thanks, Larry, I’m glad you had faith in me, buddy.

(L)Oh, come on, Merig, one day you’d tell me you were going to ask her out, and on the same day, you’d get scared and not say shit to her when the time came. Then you’d come to me and sulk about it later.

(M)[sigh] Yeah, I know, I was just afraid of being rejected, I guess.

(L)The fearless Commander Merig Flynn can charge head-on into an army of bandits if he had to. But when it comes to Kate, who’s the love of his life, he runs with his tail between his legs. Am I getting all of that right in my assessment?

(M)Not exactly a fair assessment, but here’s an accurate one about you…you’re an ass.

(L)Look, I get it. Love can be scary for some people, but just be glad you’re not me. You know that I’ve been trying to ask Ash out on a date for years, and she has yet to say yes. So you’re lucky that Kate even said yes the first time you asked her. But I’m just glad you finally found the courage to do it.

(M)You’re right, she could’ve said no and that would’ve hurt. I can only imagine how you feel, being rejected when you asked Ash out.

(L)[sigh] Like a knife through the heart every time, but I still have hope.

(M)I’m sure it’ll happen soon, just keep trying. I have a feeling she’ll say yes, eventually.

(L)Let’s hope you’re right, pal.

Larry and Merig continue chatting at the table. Suddenly, a figure approaches Merig from behind and leans down to his level, placing a soft kiss on his left cheek. Merig immediately turns his head and sees Kate smiling at him. Kate and Ashley have joined the two goblins at the pub to relax and chat. Merig is stunned by Kate's gesture and gives a shaky half-smile in return.

(K)Hey, you, good morning

(M)G-Good M-Morning.

Merig's face explodes in a blush. He lets out a burst of his familiar, high-pitched laugh, erupting despite his valiant attempt to stifle it. Clapping a hand over his mouth, he throws embarrassed glances at Ashley and Larry, who gape at him, wide-eyed and speechless.

(A)[laugh] Oh my god, that laugh! It’s been a long time since we’ve heard that!

(L)Holy shit, that brings back memories.

(M)[sigh] I was trying not to let that happen. I was hoping you guys wouldn’t hear it. It’s recently come back to haunt me.

(A)Why, what’s wrong with it?

(L)Yeah, I actually kind of missed hearing it.

(M)What do you mean? You two used to make fun of me for it.

(L)Hey, we laughed at it 'cause it was funny, we weren’t making fun of you…Okay, maybe I made fun of you a little bit, but I was joking.

(K)I told him that I loved it and that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. I think it’s one of the cutest things about him.

(A)See? Even Kate doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with it. You were always so insecure about it, though.

(K)She’s right, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it at all, it’s what makes you, you.

(M)You’re right, I’ll try not to be so embarrassed about it anymore.

Flustered and crimson-faced, Merig meets Kate's gaze. Her soft smile does little to quell his nervousness, and he offers a hesitant half-smile in return. Reaching out, Kate rests a gentle hand on his shoulder in a gesture of reassurance. Merig covers her hand with his own, takes a steadying breath, and finally gathers himself enough to speak.

(M)So what’s on your agenda, today?

(K)Actually, I was gonna ask you a favor if you don’t mind.

(M)Not at all, anything you need.

(K)Well, I’ve been wanting to go gather something for cooking. When we were at the market that day, I was hoping I’d find what I needed, but sadly, I didn’t. It’s a certain type of mushroom that only grows around this time of year. It has a really nice flavor when sauteed in butter, but I know you don’t want me going foraging alone, so I was going to see if you wouldn’t mind going with me.

(M)Yeah, of course, it’s too dangerous for you to go by yourself. I’ll go with you. When do you wanna leave?

(K)Here in a little bit, I just wanted to ask you first.

(M)Okay, I’m ready when you are.

(K)[smiles] Thank you, you’re the best. We’ll be back in a while, Ash.

(A)Okay, be safe, you two.

(L)Try not to run into any bandits.

(M)We’ll be fine, I’ll take care of them if we do.

(K)Yeah, don’t worry, we won’t be going too far into the forest.

(A)Alright, see you both later

(K)See ya.

Merig rises from his seat, taking a moment to prepare his weapon and gear. Together, he and Kate turn towards the door and exit the pub. They head over to Merig's horse and set out, slowly trotting outside the city and into the forest. Kate sits in front, Merig behind her holding the reins. They ride through the forest for some time, Kate scanning the surroundings for spots where the mushrooms might grow.

(M)So, how far are we going to find these mushrooms?

(K)Not far at all, I’m going to be looking around the trees since that’s where they grow, so we won’t have to travel too deep. If you want, we can stop now and start looking for them on foot, since we’ve gone this far.

(M)Sure thing, I’ll look for a safe place and we’ll stop.

Merig finds a spot and commands his horse to stop. He dismounts before helping Kate down from the saddle. Kate holds onto Merig's shoulders and slides off, landing on her feet. They make eye contact and smile softly at each other, Kate still holding onto Merig. She then turns and walks away, looking around for the mushrooms she wants to gather. Merig, happy to join her, follows along as they search together.

(M)So, what do these mushrooms look like?

(K)They’re brown all over, with yellow spots on the top. You’ll see them around the trees.

(M)Okay, I’ll remember that. I’ll be over here to help you look.

(K)Thank you so much, Merig, you’re a big help.

(M)That’s what I’m here for.

Merig and Kate split up, wandering in opposite directions to search for the mushrooms Kate described. They diligently sift through the autumn leaves piled around the trees, their eyes scanning the forest floor. After a while of focused searching, Kate excitedly calls out to Merig, finally spotting some mushrooms hidden beneath the fallen leaves.

(K)Merig, I found some, I’m going to start gathering them!

(M)Okay, I’ll keep looking over here!

Kate drops to her knees, a large pouch secured to her cloak. With nimble fingers, she unfastens it and starts placing the mushrooms she collected carefully inside. Merig, ever vigilant, keeps searching the area. His eyes catch sight of some mushrooms too, and he calls out to Kate to share his discovery.

(M)I found some over here! There are quite a few, and there are some that are a different color from the ones you described!

(K)Alright, I’m almost done, I’ll be right there!

Kate gathers the last of the mushrooms, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. She rushes over to Merig, eager to see his haul. Reaching him, she peers down at his finds, her eyes widening in delight. There, nestled amongst the others, are the brightly colored, golden-topped mushrooms Merig had mentioned! Kate lets out a gasp of surprised joy, her excitement bubbling over.

(K)A golden mushroom! Merig, do you realize what you just found?

(M)No, is that a good thing?

(K)Absolutely! It’s a golden mushroom, it’s very rare to find these among the others. They’re perfect for cooking, and they taste amazing. There are a few others, too. We just hit the jackpot.

(M)I guess I’m not completely useless.

(K)Hush, you’re not useless at all, you pretty much found treasure among these mushrooms and I’m really excited to harvest them. Would you care to join me?

(M)Of course, I’d be more than happy to.

(K)Thank you, Merig, you’re amazing.

(M)Not as amazing as you.

A shared smile passes between them before Kate happily drops to her knees, eager to collect the beautiful golden mushrooms alongside the others. Merig joins her on the forest floor, their movements a well-practiced dance as they gather the bounty. Just as they near the end, Merig's ears twitch, and a rustle in the nearby bushes pierces the quiet. He glances around, searching for the source, but sees nothing. Not trusting his eyes alone, Merig employs his superior sense of smell, sniffing the air cautiously. His gaze snaps back to the bushes. A bandit, crossbow trained on Kate. In a heartbeat, the bandit fires, the bolt a deadly streak aimed straight for Kate. Merig's keen sight tracks the projectile. With a shout, he lunges for Kate, shoving her to the ground and shielding her body with his own. They huddle together as the bolt whizzes over Merig's head, burying itself deep in a tree trunk. Kate scrambles up, her voice laced with panic as she stares at Merig, who remains protectively sprawled over her.

(K)W-W-What happened?

(M)It was a bandit with a crossbow. He was hiding in the bushes and you were nearly hit with a bolt.

(K)What?

Merig holds onto Kate for support as he scans the tree, searching for the missing arrow. Kate follows his gaze, her eyes widening slightly as she spots the telltale shape of the arrowhead embedded in the branches. A flicker of concern crosses her face, but she bites her lip, trying to stay calm.

(K)Oh my god, are you okay, Merig?!

(M)I’m fine. I was more worried about you since you’re the one that the bolt was aimed at. That’s why I had to shove you out of the way. I’m sorry, are you okay? Did I hurt you?

(K)No Merig, I’m fine, just a little rattled, that’s all.

(M)Good, let’s finish up here and head back, okay?

(K)Y-Y-Yeah, good idea, let’s get out of here.

Merig gently grabs Kate and picks her up from the ground, bringing them both to their knees. He lets go of her and scans where the bandit was hiding, but it's empty. Still cautious, he helps Kate gather the remaining mushrooms before they head back to Merig's horse to leave the forest. Merig assists Kate onto the horse, but this time she sits backward on the saddle, facing him. He hops on facing forward, with them facing each other. Kate wraps her arms tightly around his torso while Merig takes the reins and guides his horse, trotting off towards the city. Moments tick by, and Merig notices Kate still shaken and anxious. He begins to speak softly to her.

(M)Hey, Kate, are you doing okay?

(K)I’m fine…can we please slow down? I feel nauseous.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

(M)Of course, we can.

Merig gives the reins a gentle tug, instructing his horse to slow. As it eases into a walk, Merig turns his attention back to Kate, a soft smile gracing his lips as he gazes down at her. Kate remains clinging to him, and Merig's voice stays low and sweet as he continues to speak to her.

(M)It’ll be okay, Kate, I’ve got you. I don’t hear or smell anything out of the ordinary, so we can take it slow for now.

(K)Okay, I’m sorry, Merig.

(M)Hey, you don’t have to be sorry about anything. Just keep holding onto me and we’ll be back in Tara soon.

(K)You don’t have to tell me twice.

After a stretch of riding, Kate loosens her grip on Merig and leans back, searching his face with a worried gaze. Merig meets her eyes, his own softening with a gentle smile as Kate offers a shaky one in return. In a low, meek voice, Kate starts expressing her gratitude to Merig for saving her life.

(K)You saved my life again, Merig. Thank you.

(M)[smiles] Of course, I have to keep you safe, otherwise Ashley would have my head. Besides, I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. You…you mean quite a lot to me and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. It’s also a good thing I have my strong senses, or I wouldn’t have noticed that bandit hiding.

(K)[smiles] I mean a lot to you?

(M)Well yeah, of course, why wouldn’t you?

(K)I guess it’s just nice to hear, especially coming from you.

(M)Do I mean a lot to you?

(K)Of course, you mean a lot to me, Merig. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself either if you got hurt, especially if it was from trying to protect me.

(M)Well, it’s better if I get hurt, than to lose you. I’d be devastated if you were gone, and I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without you, Kate.

Kate falls silent, her mind whirling. Tears well up in her eyes as they start to turn red. Merig notices her distress and shoots her an apologetic look. He tugs on the reins, bringing the horse to a sudden halt. Kate leans in, her voice soft and choked with emotion, as she speaks to Merig.

(K)I couldn’t imagine my life without you either, Merig.

(M)I’m sorry, Kate, I didn’t mean to upset you.

(K)No no, it’s not you, Merig. I'm sorry, I hate crying in front of you. I just can’t bear the thought of losing you, and I don’t want you risking your life just to save mine.

(M)Well, if you think about it, I risk my life every time I go and fight bandits. I protect you and many other people from harm every day. Besides, if it means you’re not hurt or worse, then I’m more than willing to risk my life for you, Kate.

(K)I just don’t think I’m worth risking your life over.

(M)Don’t say that, you’re more than worth it, Kate. I’d take a thousand bolts if it meant you were unscathed.

(K)I’d do the same for you, Merig.

(M)You’re too important to me, Kate.

(K)You’re important to me, too.

(M)To me, you’re more important…I love you, Kate.

The weight of those three words hangs heavy in the air, stealing Kate's voice. A single tear escapes, tracing a glistening path down her right cheek. Merig, his gaze drawn to the tear, reaches out with a gentle hand. He brushes it away with a tenderness that speaks volumes. Without a word, he lifts her glasses, their familiar weight replaced by the cool caress of his fingers as he tucks them onto the collar of her dress. A soft smile plays on his lips as his hand moves to her cheek. They hold each other's gaze, a silent language passing between them, before Kate, her voice trembling slightly, manages a response.

(K)I love you, too, Merig.

Merig doesn't miss the second tear that trails down Kate's other cheek. Swiftly, he reaches out with his free hand, a silent promise in his touch as he wipes it away. His thumbs linger, gently caressing both sides of her face as their gazes lock. The space between them shrinks as Merig leans in slowly, his eyes fluttering closed just before his lips meet hers in a soft, tender kiss. Kate surrenders to the moment, her own eyes falling shut as she returns the kiss with equal sweetness. Slowly, Merig pulls back, his gaze holding hers as a smile blooms on both their faces. The fragile peace shatters in an instant. A sharp snap of a twig pierces the silence, drawing their attention towards the source of the sound. A flicker of worry clouds their eyes as they exchange a quick glance, the unspoken question hanging heavy in the air.

(M)We should go back to the city.

(K)Yeah, good idea.

Alarmed by the snap, Kate throws her arms around Merig, clinging to him tightly. Merig reacts instantly, grabbing the reins and urging the horse forward in a swift gallop back towards the city. They burst through the pub doors, faces etched with worry, and head straight for Ashley and Larry at their table. The color has drained from their faces, and their expressions scream of distress. Ashley and Larry, alarmed by Kate and Merig's demeanor, shoot them a concerned look. Kate and Merig reach their table, collapsing into their seats with shaky breaths.

(A)Hey, you two, is everything okay?

(L)Yeah, you both look pale. Did something happen?

(M)Yeah, bandits happened.

(A)Oh my god, are you both okay?!

(K)We’re fine, just shaken up.

(M)The bastard was hiding and targeted Kate. He shot a crossbow at her, but luckily I saw it and pushed her out of the way, so it missed and hit a tree.

(A)Oh thank the gods, did you fight them?

(M)I was going to, but when we got up from the ground, I looked over to where he was hiding and the bastard was already gone.

(L)We should probably go and patrol that area to make sure it’s clear.

(M)We’ll do that later.

(K)Luckily, I got what I needed, so I’m done for the day.

(A)Maybe it’s best not to go foraging for a while.

(L)Yeah, this pretty much confirms that the bandits have it out for you, too, Kate, and not just Merig.

(M)Yeah, I had my suspicions, but what just happened proves it. Ashley is right, Kate. It’s probably best you stay away from the forest until we take care of these bandits and figure out what they want from us. I don’t want something like that to happen again.

(K)Alright, sweetheart, if I need any herbs or anything, I’ll just go to the market.

(L)It’s really weird that a bandit would hide out in that area, considering it’s not as deep in the forest where they tend to prowl for innocent travelers.

(M)I was thinking the same thing. I honestly didn’t think they’d wander too close to the city like that unless we’re out on patrol and they want to pick a fight.

(A)Then it’s best to be cautious when you both go patrolling the place. I can come along and lay traps and mines if I need to.

(M)That’s a good idea.

(L)We’ll gear up and head out soon.

Merig offers a curt nod, and they settle back into a tense silence at the pub. Time ticks by as the trio eventually rouse themselves and head out. With renewed focus, they patrol the area, setting traps and meticulously combing the surroundings to ensure no bandits remain. As evening descends, Ashley seeks out Kate, finding her lost in thought on her bed. Ashley steps inside the room and glides over to Kate, settling down beside her on the bed. Kate's gaze flickers upwards, meeting Ashley's eyes.

(A)Hey, you.

(K)Hey.

(A)How are you feeling?

(K)I'm starting to feel better. The shock has pretty much worn off, thankfully. Now I’m just tired, but I have a lot on my mind.

(A)I’m here, talk to me.

(K)Merig and I had a moment in the forest, after the incident with the bandit.

(A)Oh? What happened?

(K)Well, on our way back, we talked about him risking his life for me, and how I didn’t want something bad to happen to him just to save me. But he made it clear to me that he’d be more than happy to risk dying so that I don't get hurt. I told him I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if that happened. We shared a moment where we pretty much said we wouldn’t be able to live without each other, and well…he said he loves me.

(A)Are you serious? He said those three words to you?

(K)Well, he kind of already said it when he first confessed and when we were at Donna’s house the other day. When Clara asked if he and I love each other, Merig said he does love me.

(A)That’s so precious, Kate, the fact that he said it to you directly, means that he really meant it.

(K)[smiles] Yeah, well…something else special happened, too.

(A)What? Don’t tell me you kissed.

Kate beams at Ashley, silently nodding her head in confirmation. The smile widens across her face as Merig's kiss washes over her. Ashley's jaw drops in shock, her eyes widening as a gasp escapes her lips. Excitement explodes on her face, mirroring Kate's own grin.

(A)Oh my god, you kissed?!

(K)Yeah, we did. I cried like a baby after we had our talk, and he dried my tears. Then I told him I love him, too, and then we just stared into each other’s eyes. Next thing I know, he’s moving closer to my face, and I feel his lips touch mine. My heart felt as if it was beating out of my chest, but I just closed my eyes and let it happen, and I kissed him back.

(A)Holy shit, Kate, that’s wonderful. I bet you were happy.

(K)I really was. It was an amazing feeling, Ash. He was so gentle and warm. Words can’t fully describe how I felt. I felt like we were floating, and it was as if the time around us had just stopped. I didn’t want it to end, and the way Merig looked at me just made my heart skip a beat.

(A)Kate, now you’re gonna make me cry, my heart is melting. That's so sweet. I’m so happy for you. I can only imagine how you felt at that moment.

Kate meets Ashley's gaze, her eyes reddening and welling up. A smile trembles on her lips as tears roll down her cheeks. Her voice wavers slightly, but Kate keeps talking, wiping at her tears with one hand. Ashley reaches out, placing a comforting hand on Kate's shoulder. Kate takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself before continuing.

(K)I could spend all night talking about it. I’ve never felt this way, Ash. Merig made me feel important again. I told him I wasn’t worth risking his life over, and he said I was more than worth it to him. You know what I went through in the past, and that meant the world to me to hear, especially from Merig.

(A)You listen here, he’s right, you are worth it. You’re my best friend and I love you dearly, and don’t ever say you’re not worth it. Merig thinks you’re the moon, and he loves you. Despite what happened in the past, you’re still a wonderful person, Kate. Don’t listen to those voices in your head that tell you differently.

(K)Trust me, Merig just makes everything better. He makes me feel good about myself. When we kissed, I just forgot about everything bad that’s ever happened to me. It’s as if he took my pain away. I was so happy, and my whole body tingled with warmth and love. I held onto him the rest of the way back here to the city after that.

(A)I’m so glad he makes you feel that way. You look so happy, even though you’re crying[giggle]

(K)[giggles] Yeah, I am happy. I promise these are tears of joy. But I just can’t stop thinking about it.

Kate takes a beat, another deep breath hitching as she swipes away fresh tears. Ashley, ever the perceptive friend, pulls Kate into a comforting hug. The embrace lingers, a silent understanding passing between them. Finally, Ashley releases Kate, a soft smile playing on her lips as Kate composes herself, the last traces of tears disappearing.

(A)It does my heart good to see you happy. You’ve been happy since you moved here, but you seem happier since Merig confessed his love for you. Slowly but surely, you’re both getting closer, and love is blossoming so much between you two, and I love seeing that. I wish nothing but wonderful things for you both.

(K)Thanks, Ash, I’ve never felt like this before, and I don’t want it to end. It’s the best feeling in the world. I love Merig so much, and my feelings for him just keep growing more every day. I’m really happy with him.

(A)I’m happy that you’re happy, Kate, now you just need to stay safe, okay? We don’t want to worry about you even more.

(K)I will. Merig made me promise not to go into the forest anymore until this bandit problem is taken care of. I gave him my word.

(A)Good, Now you get some sleep, you had a rough day and I’m sure you’re tired.

(K)I am, I’ll get ready for bed.

(A)Okay, hon, sweet dreams, I love you.

(K)I love you, too, sweet dreams.

Ashley holds Kate in a tight hug, two best friends sharing a heartfelt moment. Then, Ashley gets up and leaves the room. Later on, Kate lies in bed, wide awake, replaying in her head the kiss she shared with Merig earlier. A huge smile spreads across her face as she closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep. Meanwhile, Merig stands on his bedroom balcony, gazing up at the stars and reminiscing about his day with Kate as a smile creeps across his face. Suddenly, a familiar voice shatters the silence. Merig looks over to see Larry stepping out onto his own balcony, greeting him.

(L)Evening, Commander!

(M)Hey, Larry.

(L)Are you doing okay?

(M)Yeah, I'm doing better, just thinking about today.

(L)Oh yeah? It was a close call, but I’m glad you and Kate made it out alive.

(M)Me, too, I’m just worried about her now. She swore she wouldn’t go back in the forest by herself, or at all, at least until we get this whole situation sorted out.

(L)Let’s just hope they don’t find the balls to come into the city. Then we’d have a bigger problem on our hands.

(M)They wouldn’t dare, they know what they’re up against. Bandits aren’t that stupid, you know that.

(L)I know. I’m just saying we should take precautions in case they infiltrate.

(M)We will, trust me, we’ll have guards at every corner if that’s what it takes.

(L)Sounds like a good plan. So did anything good come out of today, at least? A palate cleanser, maybe?

(M)Yeah actually, when me and Kate were heading back from foraging, we talked for a bit about what happened.

(L)Oh? I can see where this is going.

(M)Well, she said she was worried about me risking my life when I pushed her out of the way of that bolt. I told her I’d feel terrible if she got hurt and I couldn’t protect her. I told her I’d take a thousand bolts for her, and…I told her I love her. We also had a tender moment and I don’t know what came over me, Larry, but I saw her start to cry at the thought of losing me trying to protect her. I felt really bad, but I dried her tears, and then…I had this feeling that I wanted to kiss her, so I did, and she kissed me, too.

(L)No way, are you serious?!

(M)Yeah, it just sort of happened. To my surprise, she didn't stop me or push me away.

(L)Of course she didn’t. That woman loves you, too. So, how was it? How’d it feel to kiss the woman of your dreams, Merig?

(M)It felt amazing, as if we were frozen in time and this wave of happiness came over me. Her lips were like silk, so soft and warm. These feelings I have for her, are just getting stronger every time I see her, Larry. I love her so much that I don’t know what to do with myself, it’s overwhelming.

(L)Wow, as your feelings grow, so do your balls.[smirk]

(M)Thanks, pal, I’m trying to be all sentimental and you want to insult my balls.

(L)Hey, just be happy she didn’t slap you in the face when you kissed her. But knowing Kate, I’m sure she was just as happy as you.

(M)She was. It was as if we were staring into each other’s souls through our eyes. It was amazing.

(L)They say your eyes are the windows to the soul, and when you’re in love, they open up. I saw it the first time I looked into Ash’s eyes. It was an accident, and it wasn’t long after we met. I’m sure you remember. I was immediately enchanted by her with those icy blue eyes and her smile. She’s cold as ice sometimes, but her eyes are engulfed in red fiery flames every time I look at her.[sigh] I’ll be honest. I envy you, Merig, but I wish nothing but the best for you. You’re my best pal.

(M)Thanks, buddy, and I wish the same for you. Ash will come around soon, I know it.

(L)I have my doubts, but I love her and I always will. Our love for these women, it’s endless.

(M)Yeah, you’re right, I just feel this overwhelming need to protect Kate, and I’m gonna do it. I just don’t want her to think I’m smothering her, so I’ll try my best not to overdo it.

(L)That’s the best thing you can do. She’ll be fine here in the city, and security will be heavy. But we also don’t want to cause panic, so we’ll keep the information low. Hopefully, the queen doesn’t freak out.

(M)Nah, she won’t. I’ll send a message her way to explain everything. She’s a good friend of ours, you know that.

(L)Yeah, but hey, I’m sure you’re stoked for your date with Kate this weekend.

(M)Yeah, I am. I’m ready and it’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait.

(L)Oh, I bet, you two are going to have fun. Well, I’m gonna hit the hay.

(M)Yeah, me too. Goodnight, Larry. See you in the morning for patrol.

(L)Goodnight, pal.

Larry retreats inside, shutting the balcony door behind him. Merig continues to gaze at the stars for a while longer before turning and heading inside. He closes the balcony doors behind him and settles in for the night.