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Pita Pockets
And
Unwanted Memories
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Paimon squinted as she took in the figure on top of the statue. "Huh, now that Paimon looks at it, the deity that's carved on the statue is... kinda small. Hmm, do you think she's supposed to be Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or Lesser Lord Kusanali?" She asked.
"Maybe Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Aether replied.
"The name does seem to fit the statue somehow, hmm... Well, anyway, we'll have to figure that out later. Let's get started on cleaning the statue. Paimon'll fly up and take care of the top, and you clean everything below," Paimon retorted.
The duo then got to work on cleaning the statue.
✧˖*°࿐
"Collei, (F/n), we're back!" Paimon chirped, capturing the said duo's attention.
Collei sent a warm smile. "Welcome back! You must be tired after all that climbing. Let's take a little break. I brought some food and water for us," she states.
"Yay, food! What kind of goodies did you bring!?" Paimon cheered.
"Paimon, some restraint, please..." Aether lightly scolded.
(F/n) hid a quiet snicker as they looked back and forth between Aether and Paimon.
Paimon pouted. "Hey, don't be a party pooper! It's not like Collei is a stranger or anything. Besides, the best way to compliment a chef is to show passion for their food! Xiangling taught Paimon that," she huffed out.
Collei stared in amusement. "I prepared a nice, portable dish that Forest Rangers like to eat, called Pita Pockets. I hope you'll like them... Wh–Whoops!" She cried out as she accidentally dropped the wrapped-up food.
Paimon stared in pure horror. "AH! Nooo!! You dropped it on the ground!" She exclaimed.
(F/n) crouched and picked up the wrapped-up food with amusement dancing about in their eyes.
"Not to worry! I wrapped a few layers of oiled paper around each pita. They should be fine," Collei quickly reassured.
Paimon released a sigh of relief. "Oh, whew... Paimon nearly had a heart attack there," she mumbled.
The trio, plus Paimon, went to a nearby fallen log and sat down with Collei passing out the food.
'Bon appetite.' (F/n) mused as they unwrapped the pita, and took a quick bite.
Their eyes widened a bit, taking in the natural spices that exploded in their mouth.
'It's... not bad. Spicy ramen is better.' (F/n) thought as they quietly ate the remaining bits and pieces of the food.
It didn't take long for the four to finish off their food, seeing as they went straight into a conversation.
"Those pitas are amazing! You're quite the cook, Collei. Thank goodness you wrapped them in paper... Paimon wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing something tasty had been wasted," Paimon praised.
Collei giggled and sent a smile. "Haha, you really know how to compliment the chef, Paimon. Since you liked it so much, I'll be sure to give you a copy of the recipe sometime. I'll even include all my personal cooking pointers, so you'll be making your own Pita Pockets in no time," she retorted.
Paimon clapped her hands in excitement. "Yay thanks, Collei! It's hard to believe someone as diligent as you could have clumsy moments too," she chirped.
(F/n) took notice of how Collei stiffened up, fumbling with her fingers as she laughed nervously.
"Oh, hehe... I guess it happens from time to time," Collei states.
"So uh, Collei... don't you think that Tighnari's a little too strict with you? He won't let you touch anything without his permission. Paimon knocks stuff over all the time flying around Aether, da– (Y/n), and (F/n), but they never said anything. Everyone has their clumsy moments!" Paimon exclaimed, catching herself just in time, nearly calling (Y/n) 'dad'.
Collei shook her head. "No no, you've got the wrong idea about Master. Sure, he may seem a bit harsh at first. With some time, you'll see that he's actually very kindhearted. I've heard the veteran rangers say that Master is from some ancient and mysterious race that is known for their cunning wit and reclusive nature," she then turned towards the trio in front of her, "oh, by the way, you've heard of the Akademiya, right? Well, there's a group called Am... uh, Amu something..." She trailed off.
(F/n) sweatdropped, but didn't say anything.
"Well, anyway, because Master does a lot of research on plants, sages from the Akademiya have written him many times, inviting him to take up an official position there. But Master declines their offers every time, saying, "Sumeru City is too noisy, it'd be bad for my ears"," Collei explained.
Aether's eyes sparkled a bit. "Speaking of his ears... I'd really like to pet them!" He exclaimed.
'I wonder... you know what? I wouldn't be surprised if (Y/n) achieved that by now.' (F/n) mused, mentally deadpanning at the thought.
Collei giggled as she nodded her head in agreement. "Hehehe, I know, right? I've always wanted to pet them, too. Ahem..." Collei cleared her throat as she looked back at the group. "Anyway, Master could have easily left the rainforest to take up a position at the Akademiya. But he chose to stay here instead as a Forest Watcher, helping the locals every day and passing on his knowledge to trainees," she finished.
"Really? Paimon would've never guessed that," Paimon states before turning her attention to Aether, "Oh, speaking of Tighnari, he was the one who took care of you and (Y/n) after finding you both passed out yesterday. He even carried you two all the way here. Paimon's still kinda upset, though! He kept scolding Paimon the entire way here," she huffed out.
"What did you do?" Aether asked, sighing in disappointment.
"Oh no, I'm sorry. Master might've been overreacting a little... But it's mostly because Paimon wouldn't stop yelling, "Why, oh why!? Are they going to die"!? It probably started to get under Master's skin after a while," Collei answered, mimicking what she heard Paimon cry out yesterday.
Aether covered his lips, laughing into a closed fist.
"Aw, and it was cute, too~" (F/n) teased when they noticed Paimon pouting.
"Hey! Argh, don't laugh!!! Paimon was genuinely concerned about you two!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Pfft! Hehehe..." Collei giggled.
(F/n) looked away, snickering quietly.
Paimon huffed. "Ughhh! That's it! Paimon won't forget this! It's time for some Paimonial wrath!" She exclaimed, before moving in closer.
(F/n)'s body became frozen, their pupils being blown wide in both fear and horror.
Collei quickly moved away. "No! Don't touch me!!!" She cried out.
"Collei, (F/n), what's the matter?" Aether worriedly asked, taking notice of the stiffened and horror-filled teenagers.
"Oh! Sorry, Collei and (F/n)! Paimon didn't mean to scare you two..." Paimon quickly apologized.
(F/n) seemed to immediately break out of their frozen state as they tried their best to calm down their hammering heart.
Collei quickly shook her head. "Ah, no I just... I–I didn't mean that..." She trailed off as she looked to the side with a solemn look on her face.
"Collei, (F/n), are you okay? What's the matter?" Paimon asked.
"No uh, I–I'm fine. I'm sorry, I must've startled you both by reacting like that," she replied.
(F/n) sent a strained smile when they realized that the trio sent them worried looks.
Collei took notice of the awkward silence and decided to quickly change the topic.
"Oh, well it's getting late now. Uh, let's hurry back to Gandharva Ville. I think Master and the others should be back by now, too." Collei states before cautiously reaching out to grab (F/n)'s wrist, before directing them both away.
"Huh, what was up with Collei just now? And why's she in such a hurry all of a sudden...? Look, she's practically running back with (F/n), Paimon can't even see them now!" She exclaimed.
✧˖*°࿐
A female Forest Ranger took notice of incoming footsteps and saw how it was Paimon and Aether.
"Ah, Traveler, you've returned." The Forest Ranger, Nasrin, welcomed.
Paimon nodded her head. "Yep, we're back. Uh, have you seen Collei and (F/n) by any chance?" She asked.
"Oh, Collei and (F/n)? Yes, I saw them go into Collei's room just a moment ago," Nasrin answered.
Paimon sighed. "Oh, okay... Guess we'll just have to wait and talk to them tomorrow then," she murmured.
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