[center][h3]Day 5, After classes[/h3]
~Gwynn & Luna~[/center]

Despite the somewhat disastrous date she had with Lukas yesterday, Gwynn was in a fairly good mood. She had her fun with Lukas, and...well, she got to see a side of Maoin she hadn't seen before. She had to admit, it was pretty cool to see Maoin do that. Maybe she wasn't the timid little kitten she assumed she was after all? A timid little kitten wouldn't go off on someone like that just for throwing a plate of food at someone.

She kinda wanted to see it again. Overall though, the Kitten's mood had mostly remained the same: Terrified of her. Yesterday helped with that a bit, she thought...but...she sighed, it just wasn't enough. Maybe she should do what Swen had said. More importantly though, the headmistress hadn't taken her hide yet for breaking into the library. She was pretty okay with not being given detention of some sort, but the suspense was killing her. She was pretty sure the headmistress wasn't gonna just let that slip by.

She was dressed in her normal casual clothes, looking more like a peasant than anything, just like she wanted. That said, she had skipped lunch since she used the time to train instead - she was getting pretty good with some more magic but it was far from anything other than a high beginner level. And well, she couldn't train on an empty stomach and she was pretty hungry.

Thankfully, the number of places to eat in the small town was easy enough to find. After having spent time in two rather expensive restaurants, Gwynn wanted something a little...less flashy though. Not like she had a lot of money to spend anyways. So she found a rather small tavern that had some pretty pleasant smells coming out of it. Wasn't the biggest place to be sure, but it smelled delicious.

She took a seat after looking at the menu. Nothing fancy, but that was fine. She didn't want fancy.

Luna meanwhile, was hungry and today was her next day of touring the food facilities. She arbitrarily picked a restaurant that looked (and smelled) good.  [color=yellow]"This seems fine to me. I probably shouldn't eat anything too heavy though."[/color]  She stepped into the tavern and looked around.  It was a rather comfortable place and it reminded her of some of the countryside inns back home.  

As she looked over, she saw someone that looked familiar.  It took her a few seconds, but she soon remembered the girl as the owner of the kitten from the first day of school.  Her name was Gwynn, if Luna remembered correctly.  As a matter of courtesy, Luna made her way over to were the girl was sitting and greeted her.  [color=yellow]"Good afternoon, miss.  You may not remember me, but I helped your familiar in searching for you.  My name is Lunalel Lightsword.  Sorry if I've disturbed you."[/color]

She had just ordered some simple salad with some sort of chicken when Luna approached. She was careful to avoid any mention of alcohol. Gwynn turned her head from the table to her, and gave her a bright grin. She hadn't expected to see her again, but having someone to talk to while eating would be nice. She had told Maoin to stay at home. After what happened at the date, she was...well, still thinking about how she wanted to go about this.

[color=8dc73f] "Oh hey."[/color] Gwynn cheerfully replied. [color=8dc73f] "Nah, its fine. Thanks for that by the way. Distracting Maoin, heh."[/color]

Luna laughed a little, [color=yellow]"Well, I was seriously looking for you with her."[/color]  Luna assumed a seat and looked at the menu for a second before grabbing hold of a waitress and ordering some beef meal and a mug of mead or whatever they used at this establishment.  [color=yellow]"You make it sound like you don't want to be around Maoin, Miss Gwynn."[/color]  Luna said as she turned to her conversational partner.  [color=yellow]"She's quite the precious little thing, I'm surprised anyone wouldn't want to be around her."[/color]

Wow. Luna was...incredibly blunt, wasn't she? Not that she minded. Considering everything that was going on between the two of them though, that question couldn't have come at a worse time. Gwynn shifted slightly uncomfortably in her seat as she replied.

[color=8dc73f]"What? No, she's adorable."[/color] Gwynn replied, trying to sound as casual as she could about it though it would have likely been obvious she was at least having misgivings about it herself. [color=8dc73f]"I just don't want her following me everywhere trying to tell me what to do. And uh, could you just call me Gwynn? Without any 'miss' in front of it. That's kinda annoying."[/color]

[color=yellow]"My apologies.  It's a bit of a habit I've picked up from my day to day life back in England."[/color]  Luna said, noticing the uncomfortable feeling coming from Gwynn.  Her drink came quite quickly and she took a sip, testing it.  [color=yellow]"It's good."[/color]  She said as she sat it down on the table and looking back at Gwynn.  

[color=yellow]"So she follows you everywhere and tells you what to do?"[/color]  Luna couldn't help but question this point.  The Knightess didn't know nearly enough about the two to say much, though this tale was sounding familiar.  [color=yellow]"Does she do it malciously or something of the sort?  Or is she doing it because she cares."[/color]  It was almost just genuine curiosity at this point, though she understood it was annoying when someone nags you, but it's not always bad overall.

[color=8dc73f]"Pfft, she might as well."[/color] Gwynn laughed lightly, but her tone turned somewhat uneasy as Luna kept talking. Maoin, of course, was doing it because she cared. Gwynn very well knew that. Well, she was pretty sure she cared, except when it came to things like this whole engagement thing or trying to tell her what was 'good for her' and trying to get her to do what her parents did. [color=8dc73f]"And...yes, she does it because she cares."[/color] Gwynn was unable to meet the Knights gaze, and instead looked towards the table. Even if it had been a few days since the incident, Gwynn still felt guilty over it, and so far everything she tried to do to cheer up the kitten hadn't worked.

...she really wanted to change the subject here.

[color=8dc73f]"A-anyways,"[/color] She said rather quickly, looking up. [color=8dc73f]"What are you doing here? I missed lunch so I'm kinda starving."[/color]

Yeah, that was a terrible change of subject. Mission failed.

Luna could have forced the subject but. . . Well, the girl seemed miserable so she dropped it and played along.  [color=yellow]"Well, somewhat the same thing as you, Mi-- Gwynn.  I'm hungry as well, and I love to search for the nice places to eat around this campus."[/color]  Still, she was pretty sure that the one Swen was talking about Gwynn and Maoin at this point.  If nothing else, it would be how he knew them before talking about his "friend".  

Luna's stomach was starting to tell her she needed food soon, not that it mattered. She couldn't rush the food after all.  [color=yellow]"So far, this one and one from yesterday have had the more home-like feelings to them.  I've been to this overly expensive one but it was too. . . Formal? Even for me, I suppose."[/color]  She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.  [color=yellow]"Do you happen to like looking at all the different food places around campus?"[/color] She had to ask, taking another sip of her Mead.

Okay, mission not failed. Gwynn let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, and the subject moved on to something they seemed to both enjoy. 

[color=8dc73f]"You too, eh? I was at one my first day here. It was a pretty expensive place. Had some pretty good food that reminded me of home. Not something I can afford though. I'm not exactly the richest person about there."[/color] In truth, she was dead broke. Maoin was the one that handled most of her money. [color=8dc73f]"Went to a pretty cool place yesterday though, buuuut I think I got kicked out after me and my date caused a bit of a problem."[/color] She laughed a bit at remembering the events of the previous evening.[color=8dc73f]"Was still pretty funny, though. Had some really delicious seafood."[/color]

With that, her own food arrived. Two plates, one with a salad, another with a rather large piece of chicken, some toasted bread with a few spices on it, and a mug of water. She had to drink something after all, and she was going to avoid alcohol.

[color=yellow]"Chicken?[/color]  She questioned.  Nothing seemingly surprised or negative resounded in her voice.  It was mostly an observation telling Luna more about Gwynn.  [color=yellow]"Interesting.  Perhaps it was because of the vast pastures of cows back home, but I much prefer beef myself."[/color]  Luna commented, making a small chuckle before taking a hearty drink of her mead.  

[color=yellow]"It's a bit different around here though.  Far from home with a completely different lifestyle.  I use to rely on my swordarm but here I'm practically forced to rely on my mind.  It's somewhat off."[/color]  Luna tangented, it just kind of came to her how weird it was.

Gwynn hungrily dug into her food, showing little care for any fancy decorum or rules as she did so. She eyed Luna's alcohol a bit jealously, but refrained from saying anything. Instead, she took a drink of her water to wash down the chicken before replying.

[color=8dc73f]"Eh, you good with a sword?"[/color] She asked with a grin. [color=8dc73f]"Don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty good with one myself."[/color] She chuckled. Now that they had changed topics, she seemed to at least not be so nervous if not entirely comfortable. [color=8dc73f]"But yeah...I'm not entirely used to using magic. I kinda just always used my sword back home. Not that I mind - magic's pretty cool, but academics are just...ugh."[/color] She groaned, shaking her head. [color=8dc73f]"Unless it history, no thank you."[/color]

Despite the change in subject though, her mind wondered back to their previous topic. She didn't say anything though, but well...maybe she could ask Luna about it? She mulled it over as she took another bite of her chicken.

[color=yellow]"Well, I wouldn't be a Knightess of the Lightsword house without being good with a sword."[/color] Luna replied.  [color=yellow]"Perhaps we could spar some other time then?  They say the more people you spar with, the more you learn."[/color]  She continued as it seemed Gwynn's face started show she was thinking about something.  [color=yellow]"Is there something on your mind?"[/color]  She questioned curiously.

Once again, Gwynn had not been prepared for such a question. She guessed she had never exactly been the hardest one to read, so likely thinking about it was as clear as day on her face. She mulled it over some more as she took another drink, trying to think of something to say. She hardly knew Luna, but she seemed like a nice sort...the sort of person that would at least appreciate Moain more than herself. At least, more openly appreciate her anyways...and didn't get annoyed easily enough to hit the cat.

[color=8dc73f]"W-well...it's about Maoin..."[/color] She shifted somewhat nervously. She didn't want to talk about the events in detail. She knew what she had done was bad, and she didn't want to hear it form someone else. [color=8dc73f]"Lets just say...she's terrified of me for some reason. I have no idea how to fix that since I have no idea what's even going through her head most of the time. Hell, I don't even want a familiar. I've tried a few things but...nothing."[/color]

[color=yellow]"Then get rid of her."[/color]  Luna told her briefly and bluntly.  It sounded even slightly cold, but she soften her voice when she said her next set of words..  The Knightess really just wanted to try shocking her acquaintance.  Her father did it to her in the past when she was being wishy-washy about fighting or not.  It worked for her.  [color=yellow]"But I don't think you want to do that, do you? Or else you would have abandoned her by now, right?"[/color]

Luna took a sip of her mead before continuing.  [color=yellow]"You must appriciate her enough to keep her dispite disliking her actions.  If I had to guess, you'd feel horrible if you gave her up.  It's hard to know what you did without you telling me, and I understand if you don't want to confess.  That said, I'm here to listen if you want to talk."[/color]  About that time, her beef meal arrived.  It was a nice and juice flank piece of meat accompanied by a few pieces of what seemed to be freshly baked bread.

Get...rid of her? The thought had never actually crossed Gwynn's mind before. She turned her eyes towards the table, suddenly loosing her appetite. The knights next words were somewhat better, but she couldn't get the thought out of her head. Yes, she would feel terrible about it. And after what happened yesterday, she was pretty sure it'd break Maoin's heart even more than she previously thought it would. Her hands fell off the table as she started to rub her arms in thought. Maybe...maybe Maoin would be better off with someone who could appreciate her more?

[color=8dc73f] "I...I'm not sure if I do."[/color] She replied quietly. Really, how could she appreciate Maoin more? She hardly understood the cat. [color=8dc73f] "Hell, I hardly understand Maoin. All she does is just, go around doing whatever she's ordered too either from me - or my parents. Most of the time I just tease her or see if I can get her to do something [i]other[/i] than what I tell her too."[/color] That...sounded pretty bad, but it was the truth and she wasn't really one for lying. [color=8dc73f] "Yes...I'd feel horrible if I gave her up because I know it'd break her heart. She's been with me for awhile and...well, she just depends on me a lot. Hell, she doesn't even have any hobbies or do anything unless I tell her to do so. I don't understand why. Most of the time it just annoys me. How can someone just so...so...easily follow the orders of someone else?"[/color]

She sighed, hands falling to her side. She wasn't going to talk about what exactly happened with Luna so easily, but maybe it wouldn't be entirely difficult to surmise.

[color=8dc73f]"Maybe you're right though...maybe she'd be better off with someone else."[/color]

So, it seemed Luna's plan backfired.  [color=yellow]"Maybe she just listens to you and follows your orders because she enjoys it.  You say she doesn't have a hobby, but what if her hobby is just taking orders from the girl she vowed to take orders from."[/color]  Luna said, wondering if what she was saying was the truth of the matter.

She really didn't want to be the reason that this girl gave up her familiar. [color=yellow]"I understand there are familiar contracts, but I think that girl probably really wants you to depend on her like she does on you."[/color]  Luna took a bite of her flank steak and a sip of her mead to wash it down.  [color=yellow]"I don't really think she'd be better off with someone else if what I'm assuming is true."[/color]

[color=8dc73f] "I never vowed to give her orders though..."[/color] Gwynn grumbled. [color=8dc73f] "I didn't even want a familiar, but my parents made me and I just chose her at random. And following orders...that's not exactly a hobby. How can it be? It's not fun and its just...stupid."[/color] Really, how could that even be considered a hobby? That's just being an idiot and following the orders of someone even if you don't agree to it. But depend on her like she does her? That was...odd. How could she depend on Maoin? 

[color=8dc73f] "How am I supposed to depend on someone that only wants to dress me up in frilly dresses I don't like or make me look like some uppity noble that I don't want to be?"[/color] Gywnn questioned. Granted, after what happened last night...it was clear Maoin would have done anything for her, even if it meant getting hurt herself.

Ugh, this wasn't really helping.

Honestly, Luna was getting a little frustrated but nothing she'd show on her face.  This girl really didn't realize just what people would give to be in her exact position.  Thinking now, there's one thing Luna's not actually been sure of.  [color=yellow]"Gwynn. Have you ever just gone up to your familiar and asked her why she wants you to give her orders?  A simple yes or no is fine."[/color]

[color=8dc73f]"U-uhm...no?"[/color] Gwynn replied with some unease. It wasn't that she had actually never thought about talking with Maoin about it, but...until now it didn't even seem like there was anything to talk about. Plus...another small reason she wasn't going to elaborate on. [color=8dc73f]"Until now, there wasn't really much to talk about."[/color]

[color=yellow]"You're rather an imbecile, are you not?"[/color]  Luna grumbled.  It's the first time since Lyssa she's felt so frustrated (though it has only been a few days to be fair.)  [color=yellow]"How do you expect to understand her feelings if you don't talk about it and I swear that if you say you've not talked to her because you didn't want to, my head isn't the only one that will have an ache about it."[/color]  Luna isn't known for idle threats.

At the threat, Gwynn straightened herself a bit, looking nervously around the room a bit. Well, that was...part of it. She didn't like these sorts of things. This whole...thing she was doing right now. Trying to get along with someone when they clearly weren't doing so well. Honestly, if it had been anyone other than Maoin, she'd have just left them ages ago.

[color=8dc73f]"I...I'm not gonna lie, that's probably part of it...and its gonna sound stupid."[/color] She took a breath. [color=8dc73f]"But I was...well, a bit afraid I guess? I'm a noble, but I really would rather not be. I dislike people doing things for me for some stupid reason like that. Sure we weren't the richest of nobles, but we had servants and stuff too, and I usually told them to get lost. I have my own two hands and a good head on my shoulders. I can do things myself, just like anyone should. I like Maoin, I do. I really do, but if she said that she just followed my orders because its what she was supposed to do or some stupid thing like that, I don't think I could have kept her around. That would have...well...[/color] Her voice trailed off, not having much more to say on the matter than that. Maybe it was an excuse. Truthfully, she really did dislike conflict like this. Oh sure, give her a giant sea dragon to slay any day. That was easy. But people? She dreaded conflict of this kind more than anything, and that's the only thing she assumed talking with Maoin about it could bring.

Well, that's not exactly what Luna had in mind.  She sighed, feeling relief that pushing this girl so far seemed to give some sort of results.  [color=yellow]"I apologize.  I got unnecessarily aggressive."[/color] The Knightess confessed as she closed her eyes and stood out of her seat and walked over to Gwynn, before delivering a nice blow. Nothing to make her head rattle, but maybe enough to get her head out of whatever crack in the road it dug itself into.  Then she proceeded back to her own seat.  [color=yellow]"Just think of it as tough love, Gwynn."[/color]  Luna said with a smile, contrasting the mood she had earlier.

Gwynn prepared herself for the incoming blow, but damn it Luna could hit hard. Harder than her, probably, and that was saying something. The smack earned a small squeal from Gwynn, but otherwise she did nothing but rub a sore spot on her head, sighing. At least her appetite was back now. She didn't immediately reply, only starting to eat again as she tried to think of something to say. Silence passed for a few moments between the two before Gwynn could say anything.

[color=8dc73f]"Thanks, Luna."[/color] She finally replied. Swen and Luna were right then, she guessed. She should talk to Maoin. Even if she didn't like the answer and ultimately had to get rid of her, it would be better than...well, whatever this was. [color=8dc73f]"Uhm, feel free to finish mine. I'm gonna go for a walk..."[/color] Even if she did though, this wasn't gonna be all that easy for her. She would need to collect her thoughts...decide what exactly she was going to say to Maoin. She didn't want to upset her, or break her heart. 

She paid for her meal and got up from her seat, walking past Luna without saying anything else.

[color=yellow]"Gwynn, don't be nervous when you talk to her.  It'll make everything go more smoothly.  You have to have confidence."[/color]  Luna's parting words of advice to the lost lamb, unsure of her current predicament. That said, Luna put back the rest of her mead hurried to eat her food and Gwynn's. No need to let food go to waste.