Martitia pointed her head up the stairs, hopped off her stool, and headed for the stairs. Climbing over the bar, Elizabeth followed the woman up to the room. Norbert just watched the two of them walk up the stairs, sipping on his drink as he watched them out of the corner of his eye. The two never stopped to tell him to follow as the second floorboards slightly creaked with weight before Norbert heard a door closing, leaving him alone in the main room.

Finishing the drink, Norbert exclaimed to the world, "Guess it's just me again." Hearing a chirp of annoyance from above, he saw Obsius standing there, feathers ruffled as the bird stared down at him. "Yeah, your right. I'm not alone because I have you. Forever and ever, like you said." Norbert continued before reaching over and pouring himself another glass.

With his refilled glass, he stood up, happy not to have any shaky feet, as he walked to the fireplace. He sat in the seat, falling back into it as he brought the drink to his lips, smelling the alcohol coming off the clear liquid as he sipped it. He was sighing in comfort as the liquid bit into his mouth.

Stretching his feet out so they nearly touched the fire, Norbert wondered when winter would come and what season they were in now. Norbert just shrugged, not near any trees, to see if they had changed their leaves; when winter came in this land, he would be prepared for it, positive he could tough it out when it came.

Hearing a flutter, Norbert felt Obsius landing on his shoulder, hopping down until she was on his arm and then on his hand, staring into the cup. Leaning it towards the bird, he saw ripples in the water. Norbert was surprised at how much the little bird was getting down. Leaning the drink away, sure the bird would have had enough from its size, Norbert saw as Obsius spun around, swaying to the side as it tried to keep its head still.

Norbert could not keep a straight face as he watched the drunken bird sway around. Picking it up, Norbert placed her on his lap, giving it gentle pets as Obsius sat down and curled up towards him. Smiling, Norbert took another sip, staring down at his boots. Norbert kicked one off than the other, seeing his socks as he wiggled his toes at him, watching the fabric ripple around.

Angling his feet towards the fire, Norbert closed his eyes, feeling the heat lap at his feet. He lost himself as his eyes closed, relaxing in the chair as he waited for the day to end and to return, having gotten everything he needed. As his hand slowly dropped, he touched his sheath, feeling the empty dagger, the broken one from his monkey busisness.

Eyes opening, he groaned in annoyance, hoping to get a spare one from somewhere with his current house arrest.

***

Later in the day, Norbert saw Martitia walk down the stairs, nodding to Norbert as she continued walking until finally heading outside. Wondering what that was about and what Elizabeth could be doing. Starting to get up, he felt the body of Obsius on his stomach. He did not want to disturb the bird, so he sank back into the chair. Whatever reason they would have to talk to each other could be kept between them.

***

"OK, everyone, who wants me to pick up the recruits?" Martitia asked as everyone ate the breakfast cooked up in the back. Norbert stayed in his chair by the fire, not bothering to move from the chair, knowing he wouldn't be allowed to go anyway.

Turning back to the fire, Norbert half listened as the door opened again, several leaving. He was heading to the gates to get picked up. Norbert leaned to the side and picked up the bestiary he was reading before as he idly flipped through the pages.

He mindlessly looked at the creatures appearing on page after page. Now recognising them after the many times he had already seen them. As Norbert wondered what Elizabeth was doing, with Martitia having left but still not seeing a sign of her, he heard a scraping of the chair next to him on the wooden floor.

Turning his head, he saw Elizabeth sitting in the chair beside him, facing the fire as she seemed to sink into it. Turning back to his book, Norbert looked over to the next page, finding himself looking back at the Giant Bat. Chuckling at his memory of them, he heard Elizabeth beside him tapping her fingers on her chair.

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Flicking through several more pages, hearing the tapping continue, unable to hold in his curiosity any more, Norbert turned to her while closing the book. "Do you have something you would like to say to me?" Norbert asked her.

"Martitia said I can take you on my trip." Elizabeth said.

"Oh really, well, sadly for you, I can't leave the residence until it's time for the next departure. I made a big mess last time I did something for you. And now that I think about it, it was also a big mess the time before." Norbert finished as he looked back to his book, opening it up.

Elizabeth replied, "Look, I can make it worth your while. Just another favour between friends?"

Norbert, closing the book once more, just stared at her. "What can I do to help you in only a few days that won't get me in trouble? Nothing, nothing comes to mind." Norbert said—the frustration of being locked up inside for so long now getting to him.

"Just need to get a few things, that's all." Elizabeth said, desperation starting to paint on her face.

Surprised by the reaction, Norbert was quiet momentarily as he regained his thoughts. Closing the bestiary again, Norbert stood up, calling out to Obsius on the chandelier, "Looks like we're going on a shopping trip, buddy."

The bird shook her wings as she glided down and onto the bar. Norbert nodded as he descended the stairs, taking two at a time. He was happy to be stretching his legs. Opening Martitia's door, Norbert went to his chest, opening it as he reefed through the clothes, finding an outgoing pair that looked different from before.

Leaving his sword and daggers in the room, Norbert came back. He wore the same boots with a light blue button-down shirt made of a smooth fabric, like cotton and some black leather pants. Standing at the top of the stairs, he looked down at Elizabeth, who turned around to hear his approach. He ran his hands through his hair, trying to fix it as best he could. Standing up and spreading his hands to the side, Norbert shouted, "So, how do I look?"

Elizabeth smiled, the sparkle of winning in her eyes once more. "Much better than your normal scraggly look. Now get down here before someone sees you." Elizabeth said. Walking down the stairs, Norbert realised that this was all part of her plan. He started to doubt if the ploy of being on her last rope was true or if Martitia would even allow him to leave.

Just as he opened his mouth to protest at the bottom of the stairs, she linked his arm with his; holding his hand, she led him out the door. Norbert automatically walked around without thinking as she chuckled slightly at his reaction. Obsius fluttered over onto his head as the three left the place. Norbert hoped that he wouldn't be in trouble.

***

Sitting down at a tea shop, Norbert just stared at Elizabeth as she brought the steaming mug of tea to her lips, smiling as she smelt it, Norbert visibly seeing her face relax the more she inhaled. Panning his head down, he saw Obsius trying to eat a part of his cake. Breaking off a piece, he held it to the bird, allowing her to eat from his hand.

Picking up his tea, Norbert blew on it before taking a hesitant sip, trying to stop his face from scrunching up at the taste, not happy with the one he picked this time. He was looking around the tea shop, at the metal seats with the table and glass top. The sun streamed through the clouds as he looked out onto the stone streets, seeing the hustle and bustle of the city. The quaint little store on the busy street was empty except for the three.

Looking inside, Norbert saw the worker staring at them, waiting to assist when they needed it or someone else came in. Turning back to Elizabeth, he stared at her. "Is this all you wanted to do, just sit around and drink tea?" Norbert asked her.

"That and one other thing. She was waiting for the package that I tried so hard to get. Any minute now, it should be dropped off …" Elizabeth said, drawing the sentence out as she brought her cup to her face, taking another sip.

Norbert was about to open his mouth when he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Quieting down, Norbert let go of the cake and placed it on his plate, placing his hand on his lap as he brought the tea to his lips, slurping it as loudly as he could.

A package was dropped off onto the table; before Norbert could adequately register it, Elizabeth swiped it with her hand, placing it within her robes as she continued drinking. Norbert was shivering again as he could not see who had dropped it off. The thought that he would be safe with the elixirs he was having left his mind.

The two of them sat at the table, not a word being said between the two of them. After finishing her tea, Elizabeth placed it onto the saucer, a slight clink as they met. Standing up, she nodded to the staff before she moved off. Norbert quickly placed the tea down, spilling a bit, and taking Obsius in his hand. Hearing the bird screech, he picked up the rest of the cake as well, catching up to Elizabeth's sudden departure.

Finally meeting up with Elizabeth, Obsius on his shoulder as he fed the bird cake, Norbert turned around to wave his thanks to the staff, surprised when he started to see people start streaming into the place. The once quiet place somehow lined on the outside, people already looking at menus.