"After dealing with the bandits, I made my way back to the camp. Not wanting to startle them with the blood that covered me, seeing how I did just kill eight of them, I first washed it off at a nearby lake.

Once they asked why I was soaking wet, I simply told them that I had to wash up... not really a lie, either, so I don't have to worry about having that on my conscience... never was one to lie.

"It's been a few hours since then. Nightfall has officially begun.

"Gilda, after cooking up some of the rations and spreading it out for us, called it an early night and went into the tent. I thanked her for the food, letting her know that it was good, and she was pleased to hear it... even saw her blush a little, which is a bit unusual for her. Thankfully, though, she brushed it off with her usual cocky smirk, asking me if I expected any less from her.

"Gabby followed shortly after, having burnt out most of her energy making the tent... that, and flying around a little bit, cheering about how we're on an adventure. Despite the bandits being in the woods, I'm just glad they didn't follow her voice... though to be fair, if they did I would sense them by now. Anyways, after the meal she was also thankful to Gilda about her food, and complimented it.

"As for Greta, though, I noticed that she was still lingering by the fire, staring distantly into the flames. She hasn't really said much during the meal... though none of us did while eating. She's usually quiet, yes, but I also sense something's wrong with her... depressed about something. Likely the fact that we've lost our home.

"It was then that I supposed it was time I went over to check up on her... and so, I stood up from my spot; a stump from a tree long fallen before we got here, and sat on the log... just an arm's length beside her."

You gaze upon the fire in silence, listening to crackling of the wood within. Next to you, you hear Greta sigh, as she continues scratching out a rune.

Your eyes drift towards said rune, and you rub your chin in thought.

"Hmm... Fire Rune?" you ask, nodding towards the rune in question.

She nods her head, eyes still focused on the rune. "Can't be too careful."

You smirk, before looking back at the fire. "True."

The silence continues for another moment, before she sighs, looking your way for once.

"I appreciate the gesture, but... I'm fine."

You shrug your shoulders. "I didn't say anything."

"No, but I know what you're thinking."

"Good, then you know I'm not here to ask you if something's wrong." you reply, which catches her off-guard.

"You're... not?" she asks, to which you shake your head.

"Nah... I'm just here to relax, mostly. Enjoy the wilderness I've been away from for so long... besides, I already know something's wrong."

She looks down, and towards the fire once again.

"... But I trust you enough to tell me whenever you feel like it." you add, making her smile weakly.

"Thanks..."

You nod your head again, before leaning forward a little. You grab a stick and stoke the fire a little more. Then, once it's warming up enough, you relax, and bask in the silence for a few more minutes.

Then, she speaks up again.

"... Hey, Regol?"

You turn to face her. "Yeah?"

"... Do you even know what a Flock is?"

Rubbing your chin in thought, you hum and consider what you've picked up so far about it.

You then shrug your shoulders and sigh. "Can't say I know everything about it, but... from what I've gathered, it's a group of griffons that respect each other enough to consider themselves family... right?"

She looks at the fire, and rubs the lower corner of her beak in thought. "Hmm... that's one way to look at it, yes... but only to a degree.

"A flock is more than that... you see... well..."

You raise a hand to pause her.

"I think I get the picture... you three feel something more than just friendship with me, correct?"

Her eyes turn to pinpricks and she stares at you, beak agape. "Y-you know?!"

You shake your head, smiling slyly at her. "Didn't... was just a theory. But now I do."

She groans, and covers her face in embarrassment. Her cheeks flush red. "Oh, jeez, now I just ruined it..."

"Hey... it's alright."

"N-no it's not! We pretty much started courting you!"

"And I'm not gonna back out of it." you reply.

She pauses, and slowly lowers one of her talons to look at you.

"Y-you're... you're not?"

You shake your head. "Nope."

"S-so... you feel the same way about us, then?" she asks. You can sense a hint of hope in her voice.

However, you can't lie to her. And so, you simply shrug.

"Can't say I do, but I can't say I don't. It's just still a bit early for me to decide..."

Sadly, though, she doesn't take it the way you want. Her smile falters, and she looks saddened once more.

"... Oh."

You raise a hand to get her attention. "That being said, that's not a 'no'. It simply means 'not yet, but perhaps eventually'. If we just take things slow, get to know each other better personally, then I'll give the whole relationship thing a chance. However, if it doesn't work out, then we're still gonna be a flock... just in a more platonic sense. Deal?"

She takes a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. In the end, though, she smiles at you and nods her head.

"Okay... deal." She then scoots closer to you and slowly raises an arm up, as if deciding whether or not to hug you.

Your response, of course, is to simply pull her into the hug, resting your chin against her scalp. She sighs in, what you're certain is, relief... like a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders.

"Thanks, Regol... I'll do my best to win you over." she says, to which you simply chuckle at.

"Well, keep the cute act up, and it might not be long."

As you both continue to hug, you can sense two pairs of eyes looking at you both from inside the tent, but decide to ignore their eavesdropping. Best not to ruin this moment for Greta.

With everything else out of the way, you both decide to call it a night. Crawling into the tent, you quickly find yourself covered in griffons within the next few minutes.

Now knowing their feelings for you are definitely more than just friendship, though, you can't help but think that, perhaps, these griffons may very well be the death of you.

"The following morning would prove to be a bit more of a challenge for me, though... if they put forth so much effort to make me more comfortable in this world, maybe it's time I tried helping them feel more comfortable in my world... metaphorically speaking, of course..."

Author's Note

I know what you're thinking, "Ain't it too soon for relationships to start?"

Why no, no it isn't! Sure, it's only Chapter 3, but let's also recount the fact that he's still, technically, been in Equus for about 3 months, now. He knew them since then, and developed a great friendship with them!

That being said, as you read, he didn't simply jump to "Romance", though. Expect more progression over time, as the griffons try winning his heart over!

PARTY STATUS:

Gabby:
(Amity) ☻☻☻☻☻☻ o o o o +0
(Sensuality) ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ o o o o o +0

Gilda:
(Amity) ☻☻☻☻☻ o o o o o +0
(Sensuality) ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ o o o o o o +0

Greta:
(Amity) ☻☻☻☻☻ o o o o o +1
(Sensuality) ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ o o o o o +1