Break day

The enticing aroma of breakfast wafted through the air as Esther called out, “Breakfast is ready, everyone!” I could hear the sizzle of bacon and the gentle crackle of eggs frying, the smell making my stomach growl in anticipation.

Nia, with her fiery hair and temperament to match, was the first to sit down, a disgruntled look on her face. “You two were so loud last night,” she complained, shooting a glare at Oman and Zarah.

Zarah merely laughed, her chestnut curls bouncing as she shook her head. “Nia, darling, you're just jealous,” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Oman, in contrast, blushed a deep red that contrasted starkly with his silver hair, averting his gaze and mumbling something unintelligible under his breath. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Esther was blushing too, her gaze flickering to me before quickly darting away.

Nia huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh, really? All of you, getting all hot and bothered while I'm left here single,” she grumbled, her emerald eyes flashing. “I swear, if you all don't get it together, I'll kick all your asses.”

There was a moment of silence before we all burst into laughter, the tension in the air dissipating. Despite her complaints, Nia couldn't help but join in, her laughter mingling with ours as we settled down to enjoy the breakfast Esther had prepared.

The morning continued on like this, filled with laughter and good-natured teasing. Despite the strange dreams and awkward moments, there was a sense of camaraderie amongst us, a bond that went beyond our shared adventures. It was these moments, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, that I cherished the most.

“Any quests today, Jasper?” Oman's soft, monotone voice cut through the lingering laughter. I blinked, momentarily taken aback by his abrupt question.

“Oh, I haven't checked yet,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “Been a bit preoccupied.” I left the reason for my distraction unsaid, the memory of those glowing red eyes still vivid in my mind.

“Well, then,” Zarah chimed in, her voice thick with enthusiasm. “What are we waiting for? Let's head to the Guild!”

Nodding, I rose from my seat, the rest of the group following suit. We made our way to the Guild in Ardglass, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the bustling town. There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air as we entered the building, the possibility of new quests and adventures just within reach.

To our disappointment, the Guild was out of quests. The board that was usually filled with parchments of varying sizes was barren, save for a few low-tier tasks. I sighed, turning to my companions with a sheepish smile.

“Well, looks like there's no quest for us today,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “But, we do have a good amount of coin. Maybe we could do some equipment shopping instead?”

Oman, ever the practical one, nodded in agreement, his ice-blue eyes thoughtful. “That does sound like a good idea, Jasper. We could all use an upgrade.”

Zarah, grinned widely, her eyes already sparkling with the prospect of new weapons. Nia, too, seemed intrigued, her nimble fingers already itching to try out her new axe.

Our little group split off, each heading to the stores that catered to our individual needs. Oman drifted towards a magical trinket shop, his eyes scanning the various staffs on display. He picked up one, examining the intricate carvings and the glowing crystal at its apex. The magic in the surrounding air was palpable even to me, and I watched as he tested its balance, waving it around a bit before nodding to the vendor and bartering a price.

Zarah, meanwhile, was in her element at the armorer's stall. She was engrossed in examining a pair of rugged boots, their thick leather soles designed to withstand the toughest terrains. She flexed the material, testing its durability, before trying them on. She stomped around a bit, a satisfied grin spreading across her face as she paid the vendor.

Nia was lost amongst a sea of gleaming blades at the weapons vendor. She had an eye for quality, her nimble fingers running over each blade's edge, testing its sharpness. She finally settled on a pair of curved daggers, their blades as black as the night. The vendor explained that they were coated with a material that made them nearly invisible in the dark, perfect for a rogue like her.

As for me, I took a moment to browse a general supplies store, picking up some necessities such as potions and map-making materials. But as I scanned my surroundings, I noticed someone missing.

“Where's Esther?” I asked, turning to my comrades. They all looked around, realizing that our healer was indeed missing.

Just as we began to worry, Esther returned, a content look on her face. “Sorry about that,” she said, brushing off our concern with a wave of her hand. “Just saw something I wanted to grab.”

I couldn't help but be curious, but Esther didn't offer any further explanation, and I didn't push.