Penelope walked besides Kip as they headed out of the room. The two women fell into a small silence until Kip glanced over her shoulder towards the thieves, making sure there was some distance before turning her attention back over to Penelope. 

“So.. What happened yesterday? Give me the details.” Kip said with a glimmer of interest in her gaze. 

Penelope blinked as she looked over at Kip with a hint of surprise. The seemingly timid woman could certainly be quite forward sometimes. “Uh... I’m not sure what to tell you.” She said with an awkward chuckle. “I just told him how I felt and well, clearly he felt the same. I-I don’t know what details you’re looking for."

“You’re not very experienced with this kind of thing huh?” Kip giggled. “Have you never been courted before?” She added teasingly. 

“I have... Once... Kinda.. But that was a couple years ago and it didn’t last very long.” Penelope admitted looking a bit embarrassed.

“Really? What happened?”

The knight shifted her gaze away from the questioning gaze of Kip. She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. “Nothing important. It just didn’t work and I had other things to focus on.”

Kip clearly wanted to push for more details about Penelope’s past suitor, though the knight didn’t find it to be a very appealing topic. [i]It’s not like it’s a big deal anyways.[/i] She thought with a strange hint of annoyance. She fixated her gaze on the road ahead. “Hartley looked over-joyed to be courting you again.” She mused, changing the topic. Luckily it was a topic Kip was rather fond of so the peasant women didn’t seem to mind. 

“Yeah.” She said with clear affection. “He may be a thief now but to me, he hasn’t changed at all.. It was almost like we were never apart.”

“That’s good.” Penelope mused with a small smile. “I wish you two the best.”

“Thank you. I wish the same for you and Crow.” Kip said returning the smile before slowing her pace as the group reached the town’s end. “looks like this is where we part.”

Penelope nodded her head turned to look over at the two thieves as they caught back up with them. Hartley seemed less energetic now, though the knight thought it might have something to due with parting ways. Admittedly, she was even a bit sad to say goodbye. 

“Well, if you two come back this way, be sure to find me.” Hartley said with a sigh and crossed his arms as he shot a look towards Crow. “I’m certain you’ll have some stories I’ll want to hear if that happens.”

“We will.” Penelope promised with a nod. “Just try not to cause too much trouble.”

“No promises.” Hartley said with a grin. The knight rolled her eyes and patted the young thief’s shoulder. She looked over at Kip and smiled. “And good luck to you.”

Kip giggled and smiled at Penelope. “Thanks.” She said then looked over to Crow. “She really loves you so you better treat her right.” She added quietly with a wink, her smile turning into a small smirk as she looked over at the two. Penelope had to note that the young girl was certainly growing rather relaxed around them, bringing out a side to her that Penelope wouldn’t have guessed existed upon first meeting her. Kip's gaze softened once again as she moved to hold Hartley’s hand. 

Penelope blushed at Kip’s words to Crow. She cleared her throat and looked up at Crow as their goodbyes finished up. “Ready to go?” She asked him.