I Really Want to Stay At Your House

Sitting at the guild lounge, the passing glances of Elarian would often find their way to the Gorgon. The stigma of being adventurers that dabbled in assassination turned heads and it's not like Yazmin faulted them.

The wood elf staring at her wasn't making things all the least bit comforting.

"Marionne, am I correct? If there is something you need to say, say it instead of simply grinning at me."

With the mischievous smile of a child, Marionne did so, "Don't mind me, I'm just intrigued at how you're going to break through Althea's workaholic exterior."

"What do you mean?"

"If she's not adventuring with us, she's helping her father run this guild. You're not the last suitor she had, but oftentimes they would find themselves getting sent home. It's always 'I am busy doing this and doing that', she's more closed off than a clam when it comes to romance."

Would she meet the same fate as them? Spending day and night to travel through the desert only to be sent home? A premise that frightened Yazmin, making her clutch the shawl she prepared as a gift.

Suddenly, the centaur had returned with Althea in tow.

Telmano coughed, "I guess this would be our cue to leave. If you need us Althea, we'll be at the rec room."

With Marionee and Telmano gone, only Althea and Yazmin were sitting next to each other. Silence filled the air as each of them were gauging the other.

It was Althea that first spoke, "You said you never wanted to see me last time you stormed off. What brings you here?"

"About that, I would like to apologize. It do not know what possesed me to leave you behind like that."

Once broken, one's trust isn't easily repaired, and even if it was repaired, the dent would forever remind you of the transgression, of suddenly leaver her behind. For Althea, Yazmin must show once more that she is worthy of Althea's friendship.

But Yazmin was aiming more than friend.

Yazmin's tail proudly stood as she laid her hand on her chest, the fear of rejection swirled with her true emotion towards the Elarian.

"I, Yazmin, would like to court you!" And to further emphasize the raging emotion in her heart, Yazmin shouted. "I WANT US TO BECOME LOVERS!"

Althea's jaw almost dropped to the floor, what the fuck was she this Gorgon thinking shouting something absurd like that!?

"Have you gone insane!? I already told you that..."

Yazmin cut her short, "Yes, I know, you don't see me that way but if you would let me prove myself to you, you will not regret it."

Underneath Yazmin's mask, her resolute gaze was starting to sway Althea. By all means Althea had no time to deal with this kind of crap since she had learned that she was now living on borrowed time. And yet, something inside of Althea wanted to give the Gorgon a chance.

Althea sighed, "1 week. If a week had passed and I still hold no feelings for you then we will simply remain as friends."

A week!? Isn't that too short!? No matter, Yazmin was given the opportunity, she must seize it!

"Fine, 1 week is all I need. By Medusa...No, by my name you will fall for me." Yazmin declared.

Such confidence was able to put a smile on Althea's face, making her wonder if she was mid-fall already.

(Oh, if you're looking for the perfect gift then I have one for you!) Yazmin remembered the words of Nadia.

"Here, a gift to show my sincerity." Yazmin handed the magnificent Shawl, the pride of Nadia's craftsmanship.

The finest of silk embroided with gold and silver thread, making stunning depictions of serpents. It was shawl that can easily match the most expensive of jewelries when it came to the price.

"It's too pretty..." Therefore expensive. Althea felt bad receiving such a gift. "...I can't take this."

Yazmin grabbed the stunned Althea by the hands, transferring the shawl into Althea's possession.

"Nonsense, it suits you just fine. I already paid my friend for this, it would be a shame if you don't accept it.

"Alright, but this doesn't count. Don't think you can buy my affection with gifts."

A warning that Yazmin merely chuckled at, "Of course, of course."

"By the way, where are you staying?" Althea asked.

A dilemma that the Gorgon hasn't solved yet. The first thing she made sure was to head on over to the Guild and confront Althea.

"There should be plenty of places I could rent in this city."

"You went from Warija, all the way here just to say you want to court me, and you have no place to stay?"

"In summation, you are correct."

Did Yazmin calculate this? Althea furled her brow. Even with their bridges formerly burnt and still in the process of rebuilding, Althea still cared.

"Stay at my house."

A voice rung from behind the Gorgon, "Inviting a lover to our house? A truly bold move. Yahahaha!"

The hearty laugh startled the living daylights out of Yazmin, making her slither to Althea's side.

"Aaaaaah! Who the fuck are you!?"

"He is my father. The Guild Master."

Legends says that he was a Grand Wizard known to fling destructive spells as if it were child's play. Yazmin was perplexed. That did not explain how he managed to sneak up on a veteran assassin like Yazmin.

"The one and only. And this Gorgon must be..." Caduceus stroked his beard in curiosity, only to form a mocking grin right after. "...the one whose hand you cut off, am I correct?"

"Father, was there a need to bring that up?"

"Ah, that's not the only thing I can bring up, did you know that it's a secret for Gorgon's that they have twice the number of..."

"If you value your life, it would be wise to tread with your words." Yazmin warned, drawing a dagger from her vest. By how insufferable this wizard is, Yazmin was already clued in to what he was going to say next.

Caduceus expression lit up in mischief.

"...PECKERS!"

The immature remark was soon followed by outlandish laughter.

Yazmin's dagger thrown, but before it could hit the target, a blinding light made those in the vicinity close their eyes. Just like that, the dagger hit nothing but air.

"Aren't you going to indict me for trying to kill your Guild Master?"

"Trust me, if I did that, almost half of this guild would be in the stockades."

Wizards come in all forms, some benevolent, some are arrogant, some are massive dicks which the Guild Master seemed to fall into the category.

You would think that he would show some decorum since he had this Grand title and a Guild master to boot.

"But why is he like that?"

"I don't want to put myself in his shoes, but if you're an all powerful wizard, would you really care about offending anyone?"

When you put it in that perspective, Yazmin agreed, "Fair point."

A true asshat of a wizard, it made Yazmin confused why she even sens d that the old fogey was somehow her kin.

It might have been simply her senses playing tricks.