“I think we can all agree this first job was a shit show. We're lucky to have gotten through it unharmed with how ill prepared we were.”

“Language!” Mishal chided his twin.

“English, Mister Perfect.” Melantha stuck out her tongue.

Mish just rolled his eyes. “But I do agree we definitely need to improve a lot if we're gonna continue taking on jobs.”

Now that they were no longer in danger, the group had wordlessly decided to take a breather and have lunch before walking back to the city. Riv cleared a spot in the field of any stones, while Aillun pulled out a large piece of cloth from their bag. Once there was room, Mel helped lay the cloth out. Mish was soon unpacking the food out onto the covered area.

“So…” Aariv spoke up. “The real question is how are we supposed to improve so this sort of thing doesn't happen again.”

“Being better informed would have been good.” Aillun commented. “We assumed the job would be easy based on the rank the guild gave it so we didn't do much research into the area and arrogantly went into it blindly.” There were nods around the group.

“And supplies. We were lucky, but it could have been all over if we'd lost the lantern since we only had the one.” Mish added. “Not to mention half a dozen other things that could have been helpful. And that's not even mentioning we didn't bring any supplies for if anyone had gotten hurt.”

Mel munched on a sandwich for a bit. “....I hate to admit it, since this whole thing was my idea, but Aillun was the only one actually competent during the fighting. I'd assumed it wouldn't be that important when just collecting plants and we could work on such things gradually as we started taking bigger jobs. But this has made things clear that isn't the case… We need to figure out fighting styles that'll work for each of us and learn to work together in addition to fighting individually.”

Aillun nods. “First, I think it would be best for us to get you all weapons that actually fit you, instead of just what you want to wield. It might take some trial and error, but perhaps we should put off taking any more jobs until we at least find the right one for everyone.”

“Whatever you think best…” Mel refused to look up from her food. Aillun gave her shoulder a light tap with their loose fist.

“Don't you go trying to put me in charge of this team now. You are the leader so start acting like it… I'll advise on this—to make sure we're prepared enough to not die, since I like you all—but I can tell you have the potential to lead brilliantly. Also, I don't want the job.”

That put a small smile on Mel's face. Her confidence had taken a beating, but maybe she hadn't messed up quite as much as she'd thought. As long as she learned from her mistakes, at least. “Okay. We'll not take any jobs for this next week. We can use that time to focus on areas we've decided we need to improve. Then we will decide if we're prepared enough to start taking jobs again at the end of the week.” She looked around at her group. “For now, though, we should turn in this stuff for the jobs. We'll need the money for new supplies, right?”

***

Different outfits, different forms. Pheonyx had decided this one would be best for taking jobs through the adventurer's guild. It felt strong, and even seemed to have the same muscle configuration he had personally developed when learning swordsmanship with his cousins. He assumed that meant he would be able to wield a sword quite naturally, due to the memories and muscles having less disconnect. And, as a bonus, the helmet hid his face so he could more easily switch the armor set out without people noticing if it got damaged.

The biggest thing he was worried about was people finding it odd that so many strangers going by ‘Pheonyx’ had suddenly appeared. Yet, he sort of had a solution for that as well. He could just assign the forms he planned on using regularly with specific—and pointedly different—names. They just all needed to be names he could remember and naturally respond to.

This one he had decided to call ‘Ember’. It was close enough to his grandmother's nickname for him that he'd remember it. Now all he needed to do was officially register with the guild.

As he entered, he noticed another group standing at the main counter. Oh! He recognized the woman in the middle. He almost called out to her before remembering that she wouldn't recognize him in this form. It wasn't the first time they'd run into each other when he had a different form, but their repeated past interactions made it harder for him to not just naturally be friendly with her.

While he waited his turn, he had a passing thought wondering if the others with her were part of her harem or something. She seemed the sort to have a harem, and the four definitely looked close. As if to prove his point, one of the men casually slipped his hand into the other's. He could totally see them all being a polycule together.

And Mel had suggested he join her for some guild jobs. If she took jobs with her polycule, was that her way of inviting him to join said harem, without any pressure if he wasn't interested in that aspect? Sort of a chance for him to interact with her partners to see how they got along before taking things any further. She seemed really great, so he imagined he'd be cool with it if that was what was going on…

“Next!” Oh… he had gotten so lost in thought that he hadn't even noticed they were done at the counter.

“Yes, um, I was wanting to register?” He glanced around and saw Mel seemed to be waiting on one of her group who had business at a different counter while the other two were leaving.

“Certainly. Just fill these forms out and we can get you started.” If he was quick enough, maybe he could introduce himself (again) to her before she left. He swiftly looked over the form and completed it, making sure to put down his cover name. He kept checking if she'd left yet throughout the entire registering process.

He was lucky in that regard. The person she was waiting on seemed to be having some sort of issue with their business and the guild employee helping them. It was evidently taking a while to sort whatever it was out. That meant he got his proof of registration just before the feline person made their way towards Mel.

He weaved himself through the room towards her. Once he got closer, he gave a light bow before the two could walk away. “Greetings, Ladies. My name is Ember and I've just registered today… I noticed your party when I was entering, and was wondering about maybe teaming up some time. Eventually I'd like to more permanently join a party, but a lot of the others here seem like I wouldn't mesh well with them.”

The twin tailed person gave him a deep look over. “We could really benefit from another strong fighter in our group, and he looks competent enough. I advise that we at least give him a chance.”

Getting a closer look at Mel, Pheonyx noticed she looked more tired than the last few times he'd seen her. “Fine… Just to let you know, we're taking a week off from taking any jobs. You're obviously free to take jobs yourself, in the meantime, but that will be the earliest that we can team up with you.”

“Of course.” He'd wanted a chance to work with Mel sooner than that, but there wasn't anything he could do about the delay. “I will try to be here in a week so we can discuss things in more detail then. I apologize for holding you two up for so long… Until next time.” Pheonyx gave a faint smile as he watched the two walk out.

It was nice to know Mel seemed to have such a reliable person by her side. Of course it made him wonder what he could offer her that someone else around her wasn't already. It honestly was better, though, if she was already being provided with everything she needed. He preferred that to the thought she was being deprived of something just because there was no one in her life to give her it.

The exhaustion did worry him a bit, but it was probably just from a particularly long day. Surely at least one of her people would be pampering her, and helping her relax, once she got home.

She undoubtedly deserved that much minimum.