[ Thuringia Inn's Pub ]

The group sat around a table, with drinks on each hand. They have been drinking since evening after getting back from the outskirts of town. It is now night time, but the pub is livelier than usual. With many families and groups of friends of those who passed the recruitment exam gather before setting off to far away places.

"Cheers!", The five of them knocked their mug together as a toast and gulped the contents down. Kee still kept a poker face as usual, seeming to not be affected by the amount of alcohol he has drank. Luis and Hugh are having their arms over each other's shoulder and giggling here and there. Riv is busy snacking on the peanut while occasionally chugging her booze. Cattleya took a sip of her drink, she's more worried than joyous because of what Riv said back out there.

"Your worry is showing, Cat", Kee sounds concerned, "Don't worry about what Riv said, you'll do just fine."

Smiling softly, Cattleya took a sip from her mug, "Yeah, you're right, nothing will come out of worrying something that we don't know. So, when are you guys leaving?"

"Tomorrow! I'd like to leave as soon as possible since Tailgate is pretty far down south. I'm actually excited now though", Hugh cuts in, while still having his arm over Luis' neck, "What you think, Luis?"

Luis was dead drunk, looking very sleepy but still cheery, "I'll be leaving with you then, there's not much for me to do here anymore anyways. Oxley seems like a boring place, but at least it's peaceful and quiet like here."

Riv stopped munching and turned to Cat, "Since you're going to Temperee, why don't you join us? We will need to stop by the capital to replenish supplies anyways, Sparkwire is 4 or 5 days southeast from there. Kee and I will leave when dawn comes up, we have already said goodbyes to our families earlier."

Cat smiled but then shook her head softly, "Thank you for the wonderful offer, Riv. But I have something to do and I'd like to leave only when it's done, I wouldn't want to delay your departure."

Riv rubbed the back of her head, "Alright, alright. You need to take care of yourself, okay? You'll be going alone. I'm kind of worried.."

The lilac haired girl grabbed a single peanut and flicked it towards Riv, hitting her forehead, then she giggles, "I'll be fine, Riv. I might look like this but I'm kind of strong~ hehe"

Kee smiled, "Alright, then let's toast and hope we all meet again someday, sometime, somewhere."

All five of them raised their mug, "Ayyyyyy!!"

As the night grew darker, the group proceeded to get wasted and all of them were sprawling over the floor, passed out. Except Cattleya, she drank the least, but she is nowhere near sober herself, it was hard enough to walk. She went to the front desk and urged the innkeeper to give a room and take care for her friends, helping to carry them to the rooms within the inn. As she and the innkeeper was carrying the last but the heaviest of them all, Hugh, Cattleya slipped and fell down the stairs, immediately passing out.

--

Come morning light hit her face like a bitch slap, Cattleya groaned as she sat up on bed and her head seems to sway and spin everywhere. With the dizziness being too much to handle, she laid back down on the bed. Weird, she didn't remember going to sleep last night, that or the inn's bed have also gotten really soft and cold.

'I knew it, shouldn't have taken up that stupid Hugh's challenge to down that last mug... sigh... that aside, the bed is really comfortable, I didn't know this inn have such soft pillows...'

Cattleya snuggled up and rubs herself on this so called 'pillow' and sighed in comfort. Much to her surprise, the 'pillow' also smells good.

'Hnggg... truly a bliss, this soft sensation...'

'Wait... soft? Why is this pillow so big and I can feel it directly as if I'm not wearing anything?'

Cattleya opened her eyes and was greeted by the loveliest face that she has ever seen, basking in the sunlight, it was Iris, who is now smiling playfully. It all came down and she realized that the soft pillows she has been rubbing her cheeks on were the taller girl's ample bosom, and her face is still between them. Cattleya turned beet red and was unable to find any words to say.

Iris tilted her head to the side and smooched Cattleya's forehead, "You were so cute, sleeping like that. Oh also, last night you reeked of booze and I didn't like it, so I stripped you down to nothing. It's not like I've never seen your body before though", Iris grinned at that last sentence.

"You... what", Cattleya looked down and indeed, she is buck naked and hugging Iris. As if it's not enough surprises, she saw Iris is in the same state as her, without any strings of cloth on her body.

"Wh-why are you naked too?!", Cattleya closed her eyes out of reflex and tries to get up.

"Why not~", Iris circles her arm around Cat's waist and pulled her close, not letting the smaller girl get up, then whispers in her ear, "Don't you think I deserve a reward for taking care of you all night long?"

"?!?!", Cattleya opened her mouth but no words would come out, she is already blushing furiously and the sensation of Iris' skin against hers and not to mention the commander's glorious pair of melons rubbing on her back is not helping her get back to her senses.

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"Oh? Is this a yes?", Iris' hand creeps up and caresses one of Cattleya's breast, earning a small moan from said girl. Not being rejected or so, Iris got more daring and kissed Cat's nape before nibbling softly. Her fingers moved to pinch and flick the pink tip that has became hard rock from the touch.

"I-Iris...", Cattleya breathes heavily, not sure of what to do or even say. The places which Iris are touching sure feels good and leaves her wanting more. But what could be 'more'? Aren't you supposed to bed the ones you love? Or so Cattleya believed. Her nether regions felt hot, burning with the desire to release. She couldn't understand what her body wants, this is all too confusing. 'This fondling needs to stop first though!'

Iris paused for a little bit, "Yes?"

"I feel weird... and my head is spinning... can we just stay like this for a little bit and not do anything else?", Cattleya's hand went to hold the naughty invader's hand which is still on her breast, preventing it from moving or touching her any further.

'Kyaaaa how can someone be so cute! Contain yourself, Iris! Contain!!', Iris wanted to squeal and hug the hell out of the tiny girl in her arms, but she held herself back so hard, with all her might. She tries to keep a cool composure. 'Gotta play it cool!'

Pulling Cattleya closer to her, Iris moves her hand to Cat's belly and just cuddled her, "Alright, is this good?"

Cattleya let out a sigh of relief and melted herself into the embrace, "Yes, thank you... do you mind if I sleep some more? My head is really killing me", her eyes closed and she tries to get as comfortable as possible and sleep the headache away.

"That's fine, I'll be here when you wake up", Iris repeatedly strokes Cat's belly softly, there were some twitches in the beginning but not long after she can feel the smaller girl's body relax onto hers.

'We have just met a few days ago, and now here I am embracing you like a lover. I have to admit I'm liking it so far, though. Never been so attracted to anyone this much.'

--

Cat woke up. Cat sat up. Cat regained all her senses. Cattleya remembered all that happened earlier in the morning. She looked to her left and saw Iris snoozing peacefully. She then got both of her hands on her head and, 'What on earth have I doneeeee?! Cattleya, just what were you thinking? Sleeping with the commander? Being a big bother to her, and top of that, naked?! If this was some noble girls I'd have my head hanged by the townsfolk right away! .... now let's see ...'

Cattleya looked around, their clothes seemed to be folded nicely on that stool nearby, along with both swords on top of it. She wonders if it would be alright to get up and get dressed first, then wake Iris up. Deciding that it might be rude to do that, after all that Iris had done for her, Cattleya laid back down, this time facing the sleeping beauty, and poked her cheeks softly.

"Commander Iris~", poke. No reaction.

"C-o-m-m-a-n-d-e-r", poke. Still none.

She then pinched Iris' nose, leaving the girl unable to breathe. Just as she expected, Iris woke up and pulled away. Blinking several times, she seemed sleepy.

"Are you awake now? I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble to you. Thank you for taking care of me last night... and this morning", Cattleya smiled softly, while lightly hugging Iris, it is comfortable around her anyways, she knew since she first talked to her.

Iris paused for a little, before replying the hug, but tighter, "If you're so sweet to me right as I wake up like this, I might kiss you, you know."

"I think that's a little too much, I hope you'd settle with just this for now", Cattleya planted a swift kiss on Iris' cheek, blushing after doing so.

"That'll do, for now," Iris smirked. She let go of Cat and got up, fetching their clothes and throwing Cat's her way. They dressed rather quickly, with both of them stealing glances at each other, one can clearly say that they're both interested in each other.

Cat had finished dressing first and sat on the edge of the bed, watching Iris, "I'll be going to Temperee, maybe I'll head out tonight, after doing some things."

Iris turned to the soft voice, taking her time fixing her clothing all the while, "Temperee, huh? I'm also heading there to report on the recruitment progress. You can come with me if you'd like, I can leave whenever. I've sent the soldiers back last night, so it'll be just us."

"That would be awesome. Oh by the way, commander, how did I end up in this room? I remember falling down the stairs when carrying Hugh but that's it."

"You guys made a ruckus so late into the night, and the sound of something rolling down the stairs made me curious on what's happening. Needless to say, after I found out that it was you, I picked you up and brought you to my room, it must be fate or so I thought", Iris giggled.

"Aaand you took advantage of me!", Cattleya huffed.

"Hey, I helped you get out of your stinky clothes and even carried you to bed, warming you the entire night with my body. That's no advantage. Anyways, what are the things that you have to do? I can wait but I'd rather get a move on, I can't be too late on returning", Iris threw Cat's sword towards her and strapped her own onto her belt.

"I have somewhere I want to visit, let's go then", Cattleya got up and headed for the door. She holds the door open and let Iris pass her, the latter girl's sweet scent flutters behind her steps.

'I must be crazy, liking her scent...', Cat sighed to herself, and she couldn't help stare at Iris' shapely rear-end as they walked out of the inn. Cattleya shook her head, 'Yes, definitely crazy'

Once outside, Iris turned to Cattleya, "Well then, princess, where to?"

Cattleya looks annoyed, "I'm far from a princess, commander, but follow me", and she leads the way.

--

[ Thuringia Cemetery ]

"Here", Cattleya stopped in front of a headstone, it says "Here lies the Vanic family; Odo, Theresa, and Caine."

Iris stood by quietly, unsure of what to say. She guessed that might be her late family members, but she didn't dare ask. She looks at Cat gently, thinking that it might be good to leave her alone for a bit, grave visits are private and sensitive matter for most people. She walks to the exit, "Take your time, I'll be waiting outside", and she earns a nod from the smaller girl.

Cattleya crouched and pats the headstone, closing her eyes, staying still in that position, seeming to convey something with her thoughts.

'This is it dad, mom, and little Caine. I'm leaving town, who knows if I'll ever come back to pay respects, so consider this my last time. I'll make all of you proud, I promise. Dad, if I ever found out what went wrong or who is behind the family's death, I will kill them. I know you wouldn't like the idea, you've always upheld the principal that weapons are created for all but to harm human beings, but forgive me for I shall sin when the time comes. I should get going. Goodbye.'