The caravan splits up to resupply and gather info. While still on her shoulders Cela grabs Braz and says, ‘ you know I get lost easily so you have to make sure I don’t.’

Arching his eyebrow he looks at her, ‘Shouldn’t you be grabbing Fairs then, considering he is our scout and has the most knowledge of the cities culture and layout.’ while smiling wryly at her he responds.

Standing fully upright and proper she looks at him, ‘Yes that would indeed make the most sense oh great and fearless leader but I didn’t ask him and now I feel like you’re trying to ditch me because you don’t like me anymore.’ halfway through speaking she has slid over to grab his arm and looks at him already tearing up.

‘You know with Seren on your back looking at me with eyes the size of saucers it’s not easy to say no so I suppose I can guide you.’ he says while not looking at all surprised at this turn of events.

Chuckling happily she reaches up to pat Serens head and tells him, ‘I knew you would work, the captain has been getting too good at resisting me so I was getting ready to bust out the big guns but thanks to you joining the group I can save that for later still.’

Braz looks over slightly scared looking but before he can speak Seren goes first,

‘Can I ask you guys a question?’

They look at each other and nod.

‘I’m starting to realize some things don’t quite work the same out the pit so I just wanted to ask you guys before and make sure before I did something embarrassing or that gets me attacked. Usually when I saw the older kids or adult leagues talking like you two do they usually go off and have sex but I’m pretty sure you guys haven’t so does that mean you guys aren’t like dating or am I missing some things, are there supposed to be some other in between steps that I missed out on seeing in the pits or?’ he looks at them waiting for an answer after he finishes.

Both blushing furiously Braz coughs before answering, ‘ahem, well while some souples certainly do have sex soon after meeting thats not considered the norm, tyically there are indeed some in between steps. As for me and Cela we are offically engaged meaning we are promised to marry each other and while its not uncommon for couples to hvae sex before marriage, in fact its typical, Cela has asked to wait so we ourselves have not as you have you have so keenly noticed had sex.’ Braz answers while looking at Seren despairingly.

Taking Seren off her back she places him before her and comes down to his level to tell him, ‘Now as for the girls who do do that before they’re married that's completely okay and If I hear you saying anything to the contrary not only will I be severely disappointed, I’ll also be paying you a personal visit with my fists, you understand?’ she says while glaring slightly.

‘YES MA’AM!’ he snaps while shaping up, after that he asks ‘It might not be that important but do you think you can tell me why it was different for us in the pits?’ while looking straight across into her eyes.

‘Well, I imagine it's due to circumstances, when people have to fight every second, or they’re worried about getting killed the next day they’re less worried about getting to know each other, about the potential consequences, they just want to feel connected to someone, their adrenaline is pumping and they know they go through the same struggles so it’s easier, easier to let go and live in that moment without worrying about the next. Out here we have a little more time to consider all the ramifications, we do more than our fair share of fighting but we still have enough time to say I wanna get to know you more first, figure out if you want more than sex from each other, if you all want a life together. You’ve been through a lot Seren and it shows in how you talk and think but there's still things you don’t understand and relationships are gonna be one of those for quite a while I imagine so if you don’t understand all that right now then it’s enough that you remember and if you ever meet someone that you really want to know everything about, spend every second with, fight armies for then keep what I said in mind and I think you’ll be just fine.’ she smiles at him while finishes speaking and stands up to grab Braz’s hand. Looking over Seren sees Braz also smiling at him.

Seren, blushing says, ‘so what about that resupply we're supposed to be getting to.’ They just look at him and laugh, Cela throws Seren back onto her shoulders and they walk off looking for all the world looking like a small family of three.