“Something for me?” Wisteria repeated, brow furrowing, “You didn’t need to get me anything, Duke! You’ve done so much for me already.”

“I know I didn’t need to. I wanted to,” he said, pulling out a long wooden box which he set on the desk and shuffled her direction, “Blame it on being Alister’s friend. Or if you’d like you can think of it as me investing in you. Or the fact that my wife likes you so much. Whatever makes you feel better.”

“My brother’s a softie, Wisteria,” Felthinus said with a thin grin as he leaned back against the wall behind the desk, “When I got the order for this I was quite confused. Why would he randomly need something so specific? Now I see.”

Wisteria’s cheeks flushed red, but she inched forward and opened the box, letting out a small whimper of surprise as she opened it and revealed a beautifully crafted rifle. “B-but,” she muttered, words going nowhere.

“I didn’t want you to have nothing to use with your Powder Mage class,” Blas said, smiling wide. He clearly enjoyed this, and began pointing out each part of the gun, describing it in detail. “More people becoming comfortable with guns mixed with magic in combat is important for the future of the nation, as I see it. I’m more than happy to fund a friend.”

Wisteria sniffled, tearing up, “I… I could p-pay you ba-”

“No. Wisteria, it is a gift. Don’t you even think about it. Besides, you’re going to be working for me, right? I’m not going to have my employee paying ME with anything other than hard work. Just be Alister’s friend. He doesn’t have anyone else to socialize with right now with how he is.”

“Y-yes sir,” she muttered, sniffling again, “Thank you. Thank you a lot. This is incredible, really.”

“I’m sorry you can’t try it out right this second, but you can make sure to familiarize yourself with how to clean it and all that in the meantime,” he said, waving off her thank yous, “When we make stops on the way to the capital we can have you try some shots into the trees or something. Alister I know you’re not interested in guns, but make sure to take the opportunity to learn.”

“Yes. Of course! I’m excited for you, Wisteria!” he chirped, smiling wide at the flustered girl, “Do we have to spend much time here in Rythwith?”

Blas nodded, but Felthinus answered for him, “At least a few more days, yes. Our… patron snake… has deigned that we must hold a party.” He looked annoyed about it, “She probably just wants to gorge herself on food and drink…”

“Well she did miss me a lot!” Blas added, “But… yeah… yeah, she likes food a lot. Amaiara is definitely a handful, but you don’t need to dislike her, Fel. She protects the city dutifully.”

“Oh, no, I’m not arguing that. She just… enjoys teasing me a bit too much.”

“Well then be harder to tease.”

“Har har. You’re so clever. Anyway, she shows up in a human form to these parties and eats food and drinks alcohol and then fucks off,” he said with a huff, looking back to Alister.

“I can’t argue that. Her goals are alien to me,” Blas agreed.

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“That… giant snake… has a small humanoid form?” Alister confirmed, and the two adults nodded, “Strange to think of. She is so intimidating.”

“Oh yes. That hardly changes no matter what size she is,” Fel muttered.

“I don’t find her that intimidating.”

“Yes, YOU don’t. You’re the crazy animal lover, not us. She’s terrifying to any rational person.”

“Ech. I suppose.”

Alister blinked, looking between his father and uncle, “You two get along more than I thought you would.”

“I may be an asshole, but we’re family. And he’s already the duke. I’m not such a shitty person as to plot deaths or whathaveyou. The deaths our family have had over the years are more than enough for me,” Fel huffed, as though he thought Alister’s comment was silly.

“Not to say we really ‘get along’. We tolerate each other, and annoy each other. I disapprove of many things Fel does, and he of many things I do. Really, I’m surprised he’s been as calm as he has been. Becoming a grandfather has calmed him down. Before, he would’ve never tolerated someone like Wisteria acting so comfortable around us.”

Felthinus rolled his eyes, “Oh shut it. It’s… different.”

“Suuuure it is. Softie.”

“Would you prefer I act cruel?”

“I don’t know, do you think your old heart could manage it?”

“You’re insufferable.”

“You’re-”

The two of them continued to bicker, so Alister and Wisteria took that as their cue to leave the office. She was hugging the large wooden box to her chest, clinging to it with a death grip. “Your family is odd,” she said, “But at least your immediate family doesn’t seem too bad.”

“I don’t know how much of it is because you have gem features,” Alister responded, heading back to her room so she could put the gun away, “I don’t trust it. But… Uncle Felthinus does seem to be the fanfare sort. All dramatic but not with a ton of bite behind his feathers. That sort of person can be dangerous, they’re too good with their words.”

“Don’t worry, Alli, I’ll be careful,” she teased, “Even if I can’t trust his words, the fact that he’s acting nice toward me is good either way. It’ll limit how mean other nobles in Mare’s capital can be to me. Having more nobles on my side isn’t a bad thing. I just need to be more clever than them.”

Alister sighed at the nickname, rolling his eyes, “Yes, yes. Just make sure you be careful. You know, at some point I’m going to have to go to the academy. What will you do without me?”

“I’ll go to the academy too.”

He paused, watching her put the weapon box away, “...I don’t know that you’d be able to.”

“If I can’t, then I’ll do schooling too, wherever I can, and wait for you to be done in the academy. I’ve decided I want to go with you… on… whatever journey you choose to go on.”

Alister looked away, a light huff escaping his lips, “You’re ridiculous…”

“Embarrassed?”

“N-no… It’s just… touching, I guess…,” he muttered, “Don’t go getting feelings for me.”

She rolled her eyes, “Gross. Not gonna happen. You’re my friend. I do kinda think a few of your cousins are cute though.”

“Eww. They’re all annoying, and not nearly good enough for you.”

“Mmmmhm. Sure. I’m certain the great archmage has the most rational of requirements for who I’m interested in.”

“Oh hush it, I’m just protective,” Alister moved out of the room again, “Let’s take a walk. I want to watch the manatee carriages swimming along.”