--- Kat ---
Kat sat down at the table with the rest of the adventuring group. They were outside in a new outdoor dining area that Thyme had spun up on Green's request. Thyme had liked the idea... but with it being a spur of the moment thing the whole area looked like it had been carved from a tree. Which, it was. Leaves and branches still remained and the whole place was clearly still alive.
The chairs were the only bits of dead wood. The tables were still connected to the main structure but Green had found one that was plenty large enough for everything.
The fae had come and dragged everyone off for a meeting together, and because the whole setup they were using was completely new nobody else was there to listen in or bother the group. Gareth had been there first, likely being sent there straight away by Green. Kress had followed shortly after apparently. He seemed... relaxed. Even compared to previous days.
Heck, he seemed almost as relaxed as the first day of this trip where he'd been under the influence a touch.
In start contrast Nixilei looked placid... but in that harsh wooden way. Kat expected that had Nixilei wanted to, she could've disguised her annoyance better but for whatever reason she was making only a half-hearted attempt. Kat and Lily were rounded up last and they... didn't really know what was going on. They'd just followed Green here.
Sure it was interrupting their cute couple time, but neither was concerned. They'd spent enough time with just each other, and dinner was approaching anyway.
Everyone waited for Green to say something as the fae took a seat. After ten seconds it was clear Green was only waiting to bother Nixilei, who started openly glaring after the five second mark. Green eventually got around to speaking... after Nixilei pulled a dagger out from somewhere and started to play with it.
"Right so we're all here because... things are looking a little questionable in regards to the team for the future.
"Now obviously, we're still going to participate in the final round. That's not even a question. The issue is... well... Kress and Nixilei both have their own things to deal with for the first little bit, and Gareth and I are currently debating if staying at the resort is worth being nearby for whatever fallout happens due to you two. Kat and Lily will eventually be going back to their dimension...
"But maybe we want to spend a bit of time together first. I know Kress isn't too keen, and I doubt Nixilei will be either... so I wanted to hear from everyone exactly what you want to do, and then we'll talk it over and try to come up with something good. I'll be staying with Gareth and he WILL be going over things first,"
"Well, that's my plan. Nothing fancy, just getting to know Stan as best I can," said Kress.
After Kress was done the gazes were split between Kat and Lily, and Nixilei. Seeing Nixilei still didn't want to say anything Kat jumped in. "Well Lily and I are sticking around to both relax and train. Not sure how much of each we'll be doing but that's the plan. We might hang around with some of the other groups if they're sticking around.
If we can work out some sort of training opportunities with a few people that sounds good. I know Burnice works out in the morning for example, so we might hit up a few of those. Lily and I didn't really think about it too hard just yet.
"For the most part? We plan to just take it a day at a time and do what we feel like. Eventually we'll have to head back home, especially because we've got people we'll miss... but the chance to train in a relaxing place like this is too good to miss out on," Lily nodded from Kat's side without adding anything herself. There wasn't really any need.
With that everyone turned to Nixilei who let out a long sigh. "Look, I'm not annoyed at you guys, honestly, I'm not even mad at Green for dragging me over here. It's honestly for the best... Asteodia is just being a bit... stubborn. I was suggesting... some things that she wasn't terribly fond of even though I'm SURE it would be good for her.
"I hope this isn't a deal breaker for her... because while I'm still annoyed and don't want to give away her secrets by explaining the matter. It's not... I'm not... god I don't even know how to explain this. I'm angry yes but it's definitely not 'I want to break up' angry. If anything I feel more closely drawn to her for some bizarre reason. So... yeah I don't have any plans anymore.
I'll have to wait till either later tonight to talk, or just tomorrow morning before I'll have things sorted. So... yeah."
"Well what do you WANT to do Nixilei?" asked Green.
Nixilei sighed and said. "Well I'd like to do a few things. I guess top of the list is just spend time with Asteodia. I'm not too concerned how it happens, but I'm not sure I'd like to stick around here too much. Sure it's nice and relaxing but I think Asteodia needs time away from people she knows a bit more than she needs a relaxing environment.
I might just see if I can borrow a boat from Thyme and take her out to sea for a bit. Otherwise? Might be heading back to that city and stay there with her for a bit. I really don't know Green,"
"Keep us updated then I guess?" said Green with a slight frown.