Chapter 29 – Invitation

Chapter 29 – Invitation

“Ikarus-sama, you awake yet?”

“Ikarus, wake up”

Two faces stare at me looking down from above, I’m currently laying down on a bed and I feel slightly hungover.

‘Urgh, my head...’

Whose room am I in? There’s only one double bed in here, this definitely isn’t the room my party would have bought for the night.

“Where am I?”

“You’re in the blind woman’s room”

“Yeah Ikarus. Petra told us you were in here”

These two did brilliant in the quest to defend me, I’ve woken up in another woman’s bed, that couldn’t have been dangerous for me at all. Sarcasm intended.

...

Wait, did I share a bed with the blind woman last night? Shit, I can’t remember.

I’ve never done that one night thing and I can’t even remember doing anything as well, I only remember drinking and laughing, then falling asleep at a table.

I can understand why I’m getting such a disappointing look from the priestess about this, even I’m really unhappy with myself. Ikarus, you should have way more class than sleeping with a woman before you even get to know her, stupid bird!

“Ah, you’re awake”

The blind woman joins all of us in the bedroom she’s rented out, I can’t help but feel extremely guilty.

“Erm... did we do anything last night?”

The priestess immediately facepalms from my questioning and I can’t even deny that she’s right to do so.

“We did nothing. Since I didn’t know which room you three booked, I took you back into my room after you fell asleep at the table. It was slightly after you decided to start mixing some drinks”

“Phew...”

After a let out a phew of relief, I can’t help but quickly get stressed out again.

‘Aesa, why did I pass out? It doesn’t feel like a normal hangover this time’

I’ve got to ask because I don’t know if the blind woman is telling the truth or not, I still can’t trust her one hundred percent yet.

[<-User’s- stamina hit 0. Target -*****- told -user- truth>]

‘Argh! For the love of God, you can’t be calling the blind woman target *****, you’ve got to stop that target thing as well. Please system, it’s infuriating now’

***** doesn’t make any intelligible word, it just sounds like a quiet bit of static. It actually hurts hearing it in my head.

[<Aesa will try -user->]

‘Thank you... anyway, back on topic. How the hell did my stamina drop that quickly? I swear I slept a night or two ago’

[<Constant alcohol consumption increases stamina drain throughout the next day. -User- has been drinking too much recently so stamina current drain is maxed out. Stamina hit 0 last night>]

Wow, I actually might have a problem. The issue is when I don’t feel tired, I’m more than happy to spend most of the night drinking. Yeah, I’ve got to cut down, it’s time to start drinking in moderation now.

“You say we didn’t do anything right? What about the bed, did we share the same bed?”

Stop looking at me like that priestess! At least the blind woman doesn’t seem to care all that much, the knight doesn’t really seem all that fussed as well. With him, I don’t know if he actually understands the situation or not. Sometimes he seems innocent, others he’s somewhat normal.

“No, I stayed up last night”

Oh God, I’ve even kept her from getting a good night’s rest as well stealing her bed.

“I’m really sorry Petra”

She gives me a reassuring smile after my apology.

“Heh, it’s fine Ikarus, last night was a nice laugh. Been too long since I’ve had a nice drink and good company, thanks for that”

“You’re welcome, I’m in agreement but only on the company part, I’ve got a slight problem. It’s probably caused by how boring these two are”

“Heh”

“That was uncalled for Ikarus-sama”

(Nathan) “It was a bit”

I get a couple of nasty faces from my slight joke but I also get a slight laugh from the blind woman. That’s more than enough motivation.

“Since your awake and alright, I’m going to head off since I’ve already paid. It was nice speaking to you all again”

“It was nice speaking to you as well Petra-sama. May God bless you on your travels”

“Yeah, it was nice to speak again”

I’m guessing these two had a quick chat while I was out cold, they clearly must have since my party members wouldn’t have known where I was.

Getting myself of the bed to say goodbye to the woman, I can’t help but get curious on something.

“Wait... before you leave, what are your plans moving forward Petra?”

“My plans?”

“Yeah, other than stalk me, what else were you planning on doing?”

This gets another smile and slight laugh out of her, at least someone here finds me funny.

“Heh, probably hunting, have a lot of free time right now”

Then an idea appears from my brilliant mind.

...

Okay, I’m pissed off now.

“Who the hell do you take me for!? Ah forget it, the situation I was in really doesn’t help my case... let’s just go back on topic once more. If you two are so worried about my safety now, it should be obvious that it’s safe seeing that I’m happily alive and kicking after what’s happened”

“...” “...”

Both of them are quiet from my somewhat intelligent response, they can’t use the danger excuse no more. They probably could say that she might attack me at a later date but I think we’re all slightly dumb in this party, this bird included.

“Now that I’ve explained in it that way, will you two be willing to compromise a little more?”

“Fine Ikarus-sama”

“Okay then but what about the species issue? We won’t exactly be able to get around”

Nathan does have a little bit of a point but I can use that backstory I made up. I’m also surprised he’s managed to be confidential and not say my species out loud, fair play to him.

“I said I knew her while growing up, she’s knows what I am Nathan”

(Nathan) “Ah, okay then”

At least there slightly open minded, it would’ve been a lot harder if they were stuck in their ways. Thing is, I don’t actually think they dislike her, it’s just it’s more of an unsure thing.

“So... will you two be willing for her to join us then?”

“I guess so”

“I’m still not completely happy on the idea but me and the Lord will accept your decision”

They both still don’t seem to be all that behind it but what can you do? I’ve convinced them more than enough now, it’s just up to the both of them to get on with it and accept the blind lady. They really should be more thoughtful to people with disabilities... once again, I’ve started thinking of stupid shit. Let’s continue on with something else which I think is funny.

“You can stop listening now Petra, we're all done slagging you off behind your back. You’re more than welcome to join us if you want to”

...

Wait, was she listening or not? She didn’t leave the inn so I just assumed she would be quietly spying and listening in our conversation. That ruins my little acting bit then.

“I’m surprised you could sense me Ikarus. I wasn’t actually listening till you just called my name right now, have no need for eavesdropping”

Ah, I was right, she walks in from the hallway leading to the rooms while saying that. I guess I’m more partially correct at the very least, I’ll try and play off that I actually can sense her.

“Aha... yeah, I most definitely can sense you”

“Heh, you’re not the greatest of liars Ikarus”

In my defence, I am a good liar, just I only properly lie about things when I really need to. I’m just being playful more than anything else right now, think it’s called a white lie. No, it’s not called that, I think?

“Ah, you caught me. Do you want to come along then for an adventure of blood and glory? Valhalla awaits! Just makes sure you die holding a weapon”

I’m getting a bit exited again, Vikings are epic!

“Valhalla? I’m unsure on what that is but I’m happy to tag along”

She’s not going to get my references, is she? She’s too old to remember anything about Earth. Sigh... it’s still better than the other two though.

“Now everything is sorted, should we get on our way then?”

Immediately, my plans are thwarted by my shitty memory sometimes choosing to play up. It’s now decided to not work.

“Ikarus-sama, you’re forgetting something. You still haven’t paid your tab yet”

“Me and Lotte have both paid for our rooms already, your drink and food bill are unpaid”

“Oh crap... crap crap crap”

I head up to the counter and wait for the inn owner to return, he went out back to get something while we speaking at the table.

I’m dreading the bill, I didn’t drink this inn under like the one on the north but I still did have a lot, the bill is definitely going to be nasty, I’m sure of it.

Okay, let’s prepare my ‘how much!?’ face and get ready to start complaining when this costs close to a gold coin.

Before I even have the chance to prepare my shocked face, the blind woman interrupts and joins me up by the counter.

“I’ll pay for you, call it my treat”

She’s actually offering? Hmmmm, it’s tempting, but no, I can’t accept her generosity. I actually don’t mind this woman, making her pay for my bill makes me feel guilty. No idea why though.

“No no, that’s not happening. Ikarus ain’t no charity”

“It’s not charity, you made last night enjoyable so this is just me saying thank you”

“You’ve already said thank you... you understand just how much that bill will be? No, I can’t allow you to pay for me”

“I’m sorry Ikarus but I must insist, just let me pay the bill”

“And I’m telling you, there’s no need for such a thing. Stop offering”

We’re actually arguing over who has to pay, what’s going on right now? It’s actually winding me up a little and even she is looking a little annoyed from this as well. Let me pay off my own debt, I know it’s my parents’ money but still.

(Charlotte) “Why don’t you two just compromise and just pay half each?”

“That’s what me and Lotte do most of time”

Both my party members have joined us by the counter as well now.

They pay half for everything? How is that even possible especially when knight’s get paid in peanuts? I guess the prince must have upped his wages then.

Wait, why am I fixating on that? They literally just said they pay for halves on everything... that’s what some married couples do... I knew it! I freaking knew it!

I’m just going to let them get on with it now and try not to tease them too much, cupid Ikarus is no longer needed! They’re going to have three brown haired little babies I bet, that’s only if succubus-sama is fertile.

Damn, I shouldn’t call her that, it will get stuck in my head again.