“So, how’ve you been?” Chase asks.

“I’ve been okay. It was a bit hard after…You know.” She says.

He gets up from behind his desk and grabs her hands.

“I’m sorry I left you so soon. I didn’t expect drinking to take me out like that.” 

She releases herself from his grasp and smiles.

“You never can see stuff like that coming. So, really, it’s okay.” She says.

He sits back at his desk and offers her a seat at one of the cushioned chairs before his desk. She also takes a seat.

“How did you spend your time?” He asks.

“The usual, studying magic, brewing potions, the occasional monster subjugation.” She says.

“And let me guess, you’re here for the coffee?” He says.

Rielle chuckles.

“Don’t get the coffee; it’s godawful.” He says. “My wife makes a much better cup.”

“You found your wife!” Rielle exclaims in happiness.

“My daughter, too. I felt lost at first, what with everything going on.” He says.

“I get it. This place was such a surprise to me as well. I thought that it was the end.”  She says.

“Yeah, but ever since I got here, I’ve had nothing but happiness; sure, I have my struggles too, but I think I’m happier here.” He says.

“I’m happy for you.” She says. 

“Thank you. Alright, let’s get you sorted out. So you wanted a house, preferably somewhere not around other people, right?” He asks.

“I’m surprised you haven’t forgotten.” She says.

“I could never forget about someone I used to love.” He says.

A tinge of pain tickles her heart hearing those words, but she smiles.

“You’re right. Anyway, I can get a house outside of town, preferably in the forest?” She asks.

“We don’t usually allow people to live in the forest because of the risks with the magical beasts running around. But I will vouch for your combat skill because I’ve seen it first hand, the kinda stuff you get into.” He states.

“Thanks.” She says.

“The only thing is that getting approval may take a day or two. I can give you a temporary residence in the meantime.” He says.

“Sure, that sounds fine.” She agrees with a nod. 

He hands her a silver key.

“It’ll open the door to any unclaimed home and automatically become specifically for that house. I’ll take it back from you when we get your approval.” He says.

He stands up and extends his hand to her, and they shake.

“Once again, it was nice to see you again.” He says.

“It was nice seeing you too, Chase.” She says.

She hugs him before taking her leave. After she leaves, the woman from reception comes into his office.

“Did you let her know?” She asks.

“Babe, I didn’t.” He says.

“Why? The others told you to let her know.” She says as she leans against the door.

“It’s okay because life is more fun that way.” He says.”Or, I guess, afterlife.” 

Rielle started walking down the dark streets only lit by the lamposts nearby. She stretches her arms upward.

“Ugh, it’s gotten so late already. At least from how dark it’s gotten. I didn’t see a sun or a moon in the sky.” She says. 

As Rielle is silently walking along, she notices something strange.

“I’m being tailed. Not sure why, but it seems like there’s something they want with me,” She thinks.

She continues walking, not to rouse suspicion from her pursuers. She turns the corner past a random home.

“We gotta move quick, or we’ll lose her!”

“Wait, don’t! This is a tactic to…”

As one of the hooded pursuers turns the corner, the third and furthest back turns around, noticing a shadowy figure approach from behind. An icy chill fills the air as the sound of her footsteps resounds around the area. The sound grew heavier and more drawn out the closer the figure appeared.

“...Get behind us. This plan has gone up in flames. I knew these cloaks were a terrible idea.” They said with a sigh. 

“I figured it’d add to the mystery if we approached her like this!” She angrily threw her arms down.

“It only made us look like criminals!” 

The closest hooded figure to her pulled off their hood, and Rielle froze in her tracks. Her staff disappears into a cloud of frosty mist. The woman stood there clad in a leather breastplate. She wore a white collared shirt underneath and a pair of thick leather pants. She had long orange hair wrapped in a ponytail and a sword at her hip. 

“Erica?!” She exclaims.

“Not just her!” The other woman shouted as she pulled off her hood.

She removes her hood, revealing her blue-green hair styled short with many curls swept back and held neatly with a white hairband. Beneath the robe, she had on a green dress. Finally, the last of the group unveils himself; he has long blonde hair and blue eyes and wears a dark brown blazer over a tan sweater with matching brown pants.

“Maira and Artorius?! How the hell?” She exclaims in complete surprise.

“I knew she’d be surprised about this,” Artorius says, scratching his cheek.

“What’s so surprising about all your exes being in the same place?” Maira questions.  

“Ask yourself that question one more time,” Erica says while looking back to Maira. “Sorry for the surprise, Rielle. Chase was supposed to tell you we were coming to get you.” 

“Well, there was no harm done. But the bigger question is how you all know each other.” Rielle says.

“That was all me!” Maira exclaims. “But let's not chat in the middle of nowhere; let's get something to drink!” 

Rielle’s face lights up.

“Alcohol…?” Rielle questions.

“Uh oh. Maira got her started.” Artorius says with a chuckle. 

Erica walks to Maira, places a hand on her shoulder and smirks.

“Since the cloaks were your idea, you’re paying!”

“What?! You’ve both seen how much she drinks!” Maira exclaims.

Artorius shrugs. She looks over at Rielle, who’s still in a blissful trance over the thought of drinking. Erica and Artorius begin walking to the bar, and Maira walks over to Rielle and starts dragging her along.

“This sucks…!” Maira exclaims.  

A few minutes passed, and they arrived at the bar, with sounds of cheering and merriment that could be heard from outside. The neon sign outside read “Neon’s Drink Bar.” Set with saloon-style double doors, they all walk in together. Tables full of people partying and drinking line the establishment. The scent of ale heavy on the air and meat from the kitchen made Maira’s stomach growl. Barmaids dash back and forth to keep up with the constant orders. While running back and forth, a barmaid stops to greet them.

“Hello! You can all just take a seat wherever, and I’ll get you situated in a few!” She says before running off.

Erica spots a table in the back corner, and everyone follows, sitting on each of the dark wooden stools.

“Now that we’re here, you must tell me how you know each other,” Rielle says. 

Erica smirks and rests her cheek on her palm.

“You have Maira to thank for that.”

“Huh?” Rielle questions.

Artorius clears his throat.

“Well, all of us frequented this place,” Artorius says.

Rielle gestured her hand outward.

“Why this place?” Rielle asks.

“Because the scent was familiar,” Maira adds. “I just happened to be drunk one night and went rambling on about… My lover.”

“Oh yeah, you were approaching random people and telling them their girl was no match for yours,” Erica states.

“I thought you forgot about that,” Maira says, trying to cover her face. “That was a dark time in my life.”

“I heard that too; as you kept listing things about Rielle, it also sounded increasingly familiar to me.”

Rielle leans into the table and smirks. Behind her smiling face, a darkness began radiating from her body. 

“Just what sort of things were you saying? I hope they were good.” Rielle says.

“Just the usual surface-level stuff,” Maira said while rubbing her palms together.

“I seem to remember you saying something about her butt…” Erica says in a teasing tone.

“Just that it was round and soft. Nothing bad.” Maira says.

“I agree, but I wouldn’t go kissing and telling.” Artorius thinks.

The barmaid appears at their table.

“Sorry for the wait! What can I get you?”

“4 ales,” Rielle says with a smile.

“Is that for the table?” Erica asks with a bit of concern in her voice. 

Rielle peers at her with a wide grin and doesn’t answer.

“That… Is for the table, right?” Erica says with increasing concern.

Artorius sighs.

“Please add three more for the table.”

“And add in your daily special!” Maira exclaims. “I’ve been craving a nice steak all day.”

“Anyway, getting back on track. What about the scent here was familiar?” Rielle asks.

“Whenever you’d go drinking, you’d always come back drunk and have this heavy alcoholic odor,” Maira says.

“And you all associated me with the smell of alcohol…?” She says with a sigh. “My drinking wasn’t that bad, was it?”

The table grew silent.

“Well, at least you didn’t… always black out,” Erica mutters.

“Y-Yeah! The hangovers were the only real guarantee!” Maira adds. “It, uh, adds to your charm…?” 

“Even I fail to see how that’s charming,” Rielle says. “Sheesh… Maybe I should cut back on drinking.”

“In the end, Rielle can’t view herself objectively,” Artorius chuckles.

Rielle’s face gets a bit flushed. 

“But now it's time for all the games to cease. Because I’m about to ask the question we’ve all been waiting for.” Maira begins.

“Uh oh,” Erica says, rolling her eyes.

“Who do you love the most?!” Maira questions.

Erica nearly falls over, and even Artorius’ eyes widen. They look at the smug Maira sitting across the table, then look to Rielle, who sits there with sweat rolling down her cheek.