WHY WOULD THEY PUT A HOT WIZARD TWINK IN THE GAME IF I CANT MARRY HIM KRILLING MYSELF

Hey guys! I just uploaded a new chapter “Caldarus's Accidental Guide to Wooing a Farmer” Here’s a sneak peek:

“You’re catching on fast.” she admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe you won’t burn the kitchen down after all.”

Caldarus let out a low hum, his voice laced with dry amusement. “Your faith in me is truly touching. Should I take that as encouragement?”

“Take it as a miracle.” she shot back without missing a beat.

After finishing the prep, they moved on to the stove, where Isaria began explaining how to handle the cauldron properly. “Just a simple simmer. No excessive flames, no magical shortcuts, just patience.”

Caldarus nodded, setting the fire beneath the cauldron with measured control. Everything seemed to be going well until Isaria turned away for a mere moment to grab another ingredient. Before he could respond, a sudden boom shook the room, sending a burst of smoke billowing from the other side of the kitchen. Isaria whipped around, eyes widening at the sight of the cauldron, now engulfed in flames. “Oh, for the love of—! Caldarus! What did you do?!”

“I followed the steps exactly as you instructed.” he said, though his gaze flicked between the fire and her with mild concern.

Here's the link of the fic:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63931303/chapters/163977091

I decided treat myself to a henna tattoo featuring the iconic Stardrop Fruit from SDV.

After months of playing SDV, I have FINALLY achieved True Perfection. 🥲❤️

A congratulations from Grandpa and Mr. Qi.

Hiii Mouse, how have you been? Its been awhile since my last ask request. Soooo I have another random headcanon request. (◕ᴗ◕✿)

Remember the Monster Crop quest that Lance request for us, the Player. Now picture this headcanon scenario: Farmer finished the task and deliver all the monster crops to Lance while his studying and analyzing each crop. Then out of nowhere, Farmer got hungry and pick one monster crop and eat, they comment about the taste and keeps eating them, not realizing that Lance is watching while taking notes. (I don't remember which crops are edible) it went up to the point that Farmer eat a Void Root, which is a deadly crop that is not safe to eat. They didn't take precaution and eat it, and then fainted which made Lance freaked out.

Heya 👋 I'm doing good, thanks for asking!

Pfffff! Lmao 🤣 This Farmer's behaviour can be considered canonical, because if you recall, Farmer did various unusual and even shocking things in both SVE and vanilla gamepad. Hunger? I'm about to eat a void root of obscure origin that is TOTALLY not going to hurt me, yeah.

It seems to me that Lance, who already knows thanks to Farmer which monster crops can be eaten, and which are dangerous when eaten raw (but probably have uses in potions), seeing his friend about to eat the void root, would try to stop them and warn them. Lance mentioned something about the root in the mod (or maybe not), emphasising that "ordinary people can't eat magical food" or something like that. I honestly don't remember if it was about void root or not.

Of course, a couple of roots won't kill Farmer, but they will definitely have a nasty food poisoning, and next time someone will listen to Lance's warning and think twice before putting anything in their mouth! Our poor adventurer begins to wonder how Farmer didn't get food poisoning earlier, with that kind of attitude towards food... It's still a pretty funny scenario, thanks so much for sharing! 😊

PS: btw, your headcanon reminded me of this great art that describes the properties of the monster crop!

Summary: Aleia, a farmer with vibrant magenta hair, approached the carpenter's shop in the mountains. Little did she know her visit would lead to a surprising adventure.

Fall had settled upon the land like a colorful blanket and it seemed almost alive with the rustling of leaves dancing in the wind. Aleia, the farmer with her distinctive magenta hair, briskly walked through the mountains, heading towards the carpenter's shop. Little did she know that this visit would lead to an unexpected adventure, and not just in terms of renovation plans.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a crisp breeze that carried the distant scent of a wood fire from a nearby hearth. She shivered and continued her trek, feeling the leaves crunch under her boots.

Aleia finally reached the carpenter's shop, situated among the trees. She pushed open the door, the creak sounding loud in the quiet air. The room was warm and cozy, filled with the scent of cut wood and sawdust. Robin, the carpenter, greeted her with a smile. After exchanging pleasantries, Aleia asked about the renovation plans for her farmhouse. Robin began to lay out the diagrams and sketches, explaining the different options they had. However, despite Aleia's attempts to pay attention, her mind kept wandering to Sebastian, the carpenter's son and the emo boy who had captured her heart.

As she was about to leave, Aleia decided to go downstairs to Sebastian's room. She opened the door and found the room empty, the only sound coming from the creaking of the old floorboards. A pang of disappointment shot through her. Sebastian was not there, as she was about to turn and leave, something caught her eye, a small piece of paper lying on Sebastian's desk. Curious, she picked it up and at the top, written in Sebastian's neat angular handwriting, was her name.

Aleia was surprised and intrigued, she unfolded the piece of paper and saw that it was a riddle. It seemed that Sebastian had gone to the trouble of leaving her a game, like a scavenger hunt. The farmer only chuckled, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest. She'd always found Sebastian's secretive and enigmatic side endearing.

The first clue led Aleia to the mountain lake. The water shimmering like a giant jewel in the sun. Pinned into the bark of one of the trees, she noticed a piece of paper. She pulled it out and unfolded it to reveal the next clue. It directed her to the saloon. Aleia strolled towards the town, her thoughts filled with anticipation.

When she reached the saloon, it was quiet, save for the low hum of conversation. She spotted the next clue resting on top of the pool table. She glanced around the room but saw no sign of Sebastian. The only patrons in the saloon were a few old regulars, who paid her little attention as they sipped their drinks and played cards. Aleia carefully retrieved the clue without drawing any attention. The paper indicated that the next clue could be found at the beach. She folded it carefully and placed it in her pocket then left the saloon and began walking towards the beach, the wind toying with strands of her hair.

When she reached the beach, Aleia immediately spotted a trail of rose petals leading towards the dock. She followed them, her boots crunching softly in the sand. The sun was lower in the sky now, the long shadows of the trees stretching out like fingers across the beach.

Finally, she reached the end of the dock, where Sebastian stood, his back turned towards her, looking out over the water. The setting sun cast a golden glow over him, making his dark hair even more intense against his pale skin. As if he heard her footsteps, Sebastian turned and smiled, his eyes seeming to light up at the sight of her. The rose petals swirled up from the dock around her feet, the fragrance of roses mixing with the salty smell of the water. One petal floated away, caught by the gentle breeze and landing on Aleia's cheek.

Aleia caught it with her fingers, feeling the velvety softness as it fluttered against her skin. She looked up at Sebastian, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him standing there alone on the dock, waiting for her.

Sebastian took a few steps closer to her, the deck creaking slightly under his feet. He reached out and took her hand gently, his fingers intertwining with hers. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through Aleia, and she found herself wondering what was going through his mind. For a moment, they stood there in silence, just looking at each other. Sebastian seemed to be working up the courage to say something, his fingers playing nervously with the hem of her sleeve. Aleia waited, her eyes never leaving his face.

Finally, Sebastian spoke, his voice soft and low. "You found all the clues." he said, trying to sound casual, but unable to keep the slight tremble out of his words. Aleia nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I did." she said, squeezing his hand gently, "And they led me here."

Sebastian blushed slightly, the pink creeping up his cheeks. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked down at their hands, still joined together, and then back up at Aleia. His expression was a mixture of nervousness and determination. "I had this whole sappy speech prepared." he said suddenly. "But now that you're here, I can't remember a single word."

Aleia chuckled, her eyes growing soft as she looked up at him. "I don't need a speech." she said, her voice gentle. "Just tell me what you wanted to say." Sebastian took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He looked deep into her eyes and, without letting go of her hand, "Aleia, you're the most important person in the world to me. I've been holding back for too long, afraid of what might happen, afraid of messing things up. But I can't hide my feelings any longer."

Aleia felt her heart skip a beat as she heard his words. She'd known that Sebastian felt something for her, but hearing it out loud made her feel giddy and light-headed. She moved a little closer, her fingers tightening their grip on his hand.

Sebastian continued, his words coming out in a rush. "I want to be with you." he said. "I'm tired of waiting and pretending. I want to be your boyfriend. You're the sun to my night, the light to my dark, and I can't imagine my life without you anymore."

Aleia felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, but she held them back, not wanting to ruin the moment. Instead, she closed the distance between them in one stride and ran her fingers through his hair. Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't pull back. Instead, he leaned into her touch, his lips just millimeters away from hers.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the silence between them thick and full of expectation. Then, Aleia spoke. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for you to say that." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Sebastian's eyes flickered with hope and relief. "So...does that mean-!" he began, but Aleia cut him off with a kiss.

Sebastian was taken aback by her unexpected move, but he quickly recovered and kissed her back, his free hand sliding around her waist and pulling her closer. Aleia wrapped her arms around his neck, their bodies pressed firmly against each other. The kiss was tentative at first, a gentle, soft press of lips, but it quickly deepened, becoming more urgent and passionate. The air around them seemed electrified, the only sounds their laboured breaths and the gentle lapping of the waves against the dock. Aleia's heart was racing, her mind a whirl of emotions as their kiss continued, neither one of them willing to break the connection between them. She lost herself in the sensation, the feeling of Sebastian's lips on hers and his arms around her, pulling her even closer.

Eventually, the need for air became too overwhelming, and they pulled apart, gasping and panting. Sebastian rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed as he fought to control his breathing. Aleia laughed softly, the sound breaking the silence between them and making Sebastian's eyes flutter open.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." Sebastian said, his voice rough with emotion. Aleia smiled, her fingers tracing the lines of his face. "I think I do." she whispered, her own voice shaking slightly. "And I'm guessing that it's been as long as I've wanted you to do it." Sebastian returned her smile, and the two of them fell into a comfortable silence, standing on the dock surrounded by the peaceful sound of the waves and the setting sun.

Finally, Sebastian spoke again. "You know, this wasn't exactly how I planned this." he said, looking a little sheepish. Aleia chuckled and leaned her head against his chest. "I like it better this way." she replied. "Spontaneous and heartfelt. Just like you." Sebastian let out an embarrassed chuckle and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

The sun was sinking lower now, the sky ablaze with purples and oranges as the day gave way to night. Aleia and Sebastian stood there on the dock, wrapped up in each other's arms, not wanting to let go. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you for waiting for me." Sebastian whispered. Aleia looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It was worth it." she replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Every second." They kissed again, their lips meeting in a gentle, tender kiss, sealing the promise of a future together.

As the sun sank below the horizon, the sky turned a deep, inky blue, and the stars began to twinkle. Sebastian, reluctantly, pulled back from Aleia, his hands still resting on her waist. "We should probably head back." he said, his voice laced with disappointment. "It's getting dark."

Aleia sighed but nodded her agreement. However, she had a different idea in mind. "You know." she said, her tone casual. "You could stay the night at my place."

Sebastian's eyes widened at her suggestion, his cheeks turning slightly pink. He hadn't expected her to say that, and the thought of spending the night with her alone, made his heart race faster. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice cracking a little.

Aleia smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course, I'm sure." she replied, leaning against him. "I have a comfy bed, plenty of blankets, and we can make breakfast together in the morning."

Sebastian tried and failed to keep a straight face. The thought of sharing a bed with Aleia, even just for one night, was both thrilling and a little bit scary. But he couldn't say no to her.

"Okay." he said, his voice a little shaky. "I'll stay the night." Aleia's smile widened, and she gave him a quick, triumphant kiss on the cheek. "Great!" she said, taking his hand. "Let's go then."

They walked together in silence for a while, their footsteps crunching on the dirt path. Sebastian's mind was racing, thinking about what the night might bring. He glanced at Aleia, who was walking next to him with a small, satisfied smile on her face as they reached the farmhouse, the warm, inviting light from the windows spilling out onto the path, Sebastian couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement. He was about to spend the night with the girl he adored, and he couldn't wait to see what the night would bring. With one last squeeze of his hand, Aleia led him inside, leaving the quiet night air behind as the door quietly closed behind them.

(Here's a bunch of screenshots that inspired me to write this oneshot.)

Ngl this cutscene was just perfect. The fall leaves gently drifting into the wind, and the dock surrounded by those rose petals, making the scene super romantic. Perfect setup for a real heartfelt talk under the sunset. 😍

Mod: "Maggs Immersive Sebastian Dialogue and Custom Events Spicy or Sweet" by @maggplays (I apologise for tagging you everyday. 😣 I just really love your mods and each cutscenes I encounter during my playthrough its giving me writing inspiration. You deserve to be mentioned.)

𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜

(A/N: Enjoy my overreaction about this mod's cutscenes)

*I loaded up my save file of my farmer, Yvonne, who's engaged to Sam. I was heading to Sebastian's room with a birthday present when suddenly a cutscene started playing. Sebastian appeared at the beach docks, a path of rose petals leading the way.*

Me: What in the world? *experiencing a sense of déja vu*

Sebastian: Yvonne, I've been thinking about you constantly.

Me: Hold up, Sebastian! Aren't you married to my farmer, Aleia? This is incredibly messed up.

Sebastian: *clears his throat* I... um... I want to be with you as your boyfriend.

Me: *noticing the limited choices provided in the game* Where's the rejection option!?

Sebastian: *looking expectantly, waits for Yvonne's response*

Me: Guess there's no other choice here. I'll accept his confession.

Sebastian: *sounding relieved* Thank you for waiting for me to sort out my feelings and for always listening.

Me: Seriously, Sebastian? *facepalms*

Sebastian: *whispering softly* I... I love you, Yvonne.

Yvonne: *too stunned and betrayed to respond*

Me: *le gasp* This is so wrong on so many levels, not just for my farmer Aleia, but also for poor Sam!

*According to tradition, give the bouquet back to Sebastian when you're ready to make your relationship status official*

Me: Absolutely not! *frustrated and amused by the absurdity of the situation* This is ridiculous. I'm not giving him the bouquet, and I hope Sam doesn't find out about this whole mess.

Yvonne: *blinks twice at the unexpected event*

Me: *laughing out loud* First I catch Sam serenading to my farmer Aleia and now! Sebastian confessing heartfelt messages to Yvonne? Boys, what the heck is up with you two? This is starting to get ridiculous!

*The scene ends, leaving myself, the player, contemplating the strange and unexpected exchange between Sebastian and Yvonne, and considering the impact it might have on the relationships in your Stardew Valley world*

Mod: "Maggs Immersive Sebastian Dialogue and Custom Events Spicy or Sweet" by @maggplays

"𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮'𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿... "

I hope you're proud of me, Grandpa! 😔

(Finally! I finished the Mastery Cave. I find it hilarious that I still haven't finish Perfection but I finish this one. Need to complete the Monster Slayer one.)

Just had this unhinged crossover headcanon about my FOM farmer, Isaria, she's the cousin of my two SDV farmer sisters, Cerise and Rosemary. Now, imagine a family reunion where they introduce their lovers to each other. If you're confused, here's the lineup: Isaria is with Caldarus, Cerise is with Jio, and Rosemary is with Lance.

Now, picture how awkward that would be.

Caldarus is a dragon guardian of Mistria, Lance is a combat mage from the First Slash Clan, and Jio is not only an assassin but also an elf and a member of the Cult of the Lady with the Red Tail. Lance would probably be thrilled to meet an actual dragon, while Jio ever the cautious one would find Caldarus intimidating. Meanwhile, Caldarus though outwardly polite for Isaria’s sake, would remain on high alert, sensing the intense auras between these two men… and even those of Isaria’s cousins, especially Cerise.

Still out of respect for his farmer, he keeps his composure. But oh boy, the tension in that room would be off the charts.

[𝙵𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚁𝚎𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 – 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚈𝚎𝚝 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙲𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚍 𝙶𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐]

[Cerise, Rosemary, and Isaria stand together while their partners linger nearby. The air crackles with unspoken tension.]

Lance: *grinning, composed yet intrigued* A dragon guardian… Quite the rare sight. It is an honor to meet you.

Caldarus: *soft-spoken, yet watchful* And you must be the mage Isaria spoke of. The honor is mine.

Jio: *arms crossed, unimpressed* A dragon, a mage, and an assassin in one room. Sounds like the start of a bad joke.

Rosemary: *muttering* More like a disaster waiting to happen.

Lance: *chuckles* Oh, I assure you, I mean no trouble. Though I must admit, meeting a dragon is… fascinating.

Caldarus: *calmly observing both men* Likewise. It is rare to stand among those who carry such powerful auras.

Jio: *lowers voice, glancing at Cerise* I don’t trust him.

Cerise: *calmly sips tea* You don’t trust anyone.

Isaria: *forcing a smile* Okay! Let’s all just sit down and eat, yes? No battles, no tension, just a nice, peaceful meal.

[Caldarus offers a polite nod, ever the composed guardian. Jio remains wary, and Lance though clearly intrigued respects the unspoken boundaries. Out of respect for their partners, they all (reluctantly) take their seats.]

Rosemary: *whispering to Cerise* Ten gold says something breaks before dessert.

Cerise: Make it twenty.

𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚘 𝙼𝚊𝚍𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜

[This is a continuation for "Riddle Me This".]

Aleia: *crossing her arms and sitting back down on the couch with a huff* Anyway, speaking of mayo… I still don’t get why you refuse to acknowledge it as a good beverage.

Sebastian: *pauses mid-smirk, his grin fading as he stares at her, incredulous* You’re kidding me. We’re back to this?

Aleia: *nodding enthusiastically, leaning forward as if she’s about to give the speech of a lifetime* Listen, it’s creamy, it’s versatile, it has eggs for protein, and oil for energy! It’s basically a smoothie!

Sebastian: *groans loudly, dragging a hand down his face* Oh my gawd, please don’t call mayonnaise a smoothie.

Aleia: *completely ignoring him, gesturing animatedly* Think about it! If you mix it with a little lemon juice and maybe some herbs, boom! Gourmet drink! It could even be a café special, like 'Aleia’s Creamy Mayo Delight.'

Sebastian: *staring at her in sheer disbelief, slowly lowering himself into the chair, his head in his hands* Here we go again…

Aleia: *grinning now, clearly enjoying his misery* I mean, you’ve got people out there drinking celery juice and kale smoothies, but mayo gets slandered? Where’s the justice in that?

Sebastian: *looking up at her, deadpan* The justice is in basic human decency, Aleia. You can’t just go around advocating for mayonnaise as a drink. That’s not a personality trait; it’s a cry for help.

Aleia: *gasping dramatically, clutching her chest* A cry for help?! Wow, Sebby. That’s rich coming from someone who survives off coffee and instant noodles.

Sebastian: *crossing his arms, raising an eyebrow* Says the woman who drinks coffee like its water but coffee is a respectable beverage. Mayonnaise is... mayonnaise. It’s not even in the same league.

Aleia: *leaning forward, eyes glinting mischievously* Alright then, Mr. Respectable Beverage. How about a challenge? You try drinking mayo for a day, and I’ll-!

Sebastian: *cutting her off, holding up a hand* Absolutely not. I’d rather code for 24 hours straight than suffer through that nightmare.

Aleia: *pouting dramatically* Sebaaaastian, you’re no fun!

Sebastian: *smirking slightly, shaking his head* No, I’m just sane. There’s a difference.

Aleia: *grinning triumphantly* Fine. But one day, when mayo smoothies take the world by storm, you’ll be the one begging for forgiveness.

Sebastian: *snorts, leaning back in his chair* Yeah, sure. And when that happens, I’ll start calling you 'Chef Aleia, the Mayo Queen.'

Aleia: *smirking back, throwing another pillow at him* Deal! But don’t forget. Mayo is the future!

Sebastian: *catching the pillow and shaking his head, chuckling softly* And yet, somehow, I still love you.

Aleia: *grinning proudly* Of course you do. I’m adorable and revolutionary.

Sebastian: *sighing, resting his head in his hand* Adorable, yes. Revolutionary? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, sweetheart.

Aleia: *laughing* Mark my words, Sebby. Mayo. Smoothies. 2030. You’ll see."

Sebastian: *leaning back, groaning dramatically* Someone save me before this actually happens.

Summary: A word of advice, when the fortune teller warns of bad luck, don’t tempt fate… or risk limping home from the mines.

Winter had arrived in Pelican Town, casting a chill that seemed to seep into everything. The cold winds whipped through the air, carrying snowflakes that fluttered down, blanketing the town in white. While most residents of Pelican Town sought warmth by the fireside or tended to their animals, Yvonne had different plans. After checking her kegs and making sure her animals were warm and well-fed, she grabbed her gear and made her way to the mines. Her goal: to upgrade her pickaxe. She might have been content with her farming, but Yvonne knew a stronger pickaxe would make her life a lot easier.

But before heading out, she stopped by Moonlit Mire Farm to visit her best friend, Aleia. Yvonne always marveled at Aleia's farm—how did she do it? The crop fields stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with wintermelons and giant ones at that. A golden clock stood proudly by the fields, surrounded by fish ponds and sheds filled with her various wines and jams. Aleia had even raised a dinosaur!

Yvonne couldn't help but sweatdrop at the sheer magnitude of it all. Her friend truly was a farming demon. As she stood there, lost in thought, the door swung open, and Aleia appeared, brushing her roseate hair out of her face.

"Hey, Vonnie! What's up?" Aleia greeted, her usual cheerful self.

Yvonne grinned, despite herself. "Aleia… please tell me you sleep at night and aren't secretly a farming demon."

Aleia chuckled, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Hard work, my dear, and a sprinkle of obsession."

Yvonne shook her head. "Well, wanna come to the mines with me? I need to upgrade my pickaxe, and having an extra set of hands wouldn't hurt."

Aleia smirked. "You had me at ‘mines.’ Let me grab my gear."

The two women set off towards the mountains, unaware of the fortune teller's warning that it was a bad luck day. They didn’t think much of it, of course, as they were well-prepared for a day of mining, treasure hunting, and monster-slaying. Aleia was no stranger to the deeper parts of the mines, often coming out victorious even against the most vicious of foes. Her Galaxy Sword and skills were more than enough to protect herself and her friend. Yvonne, on the other hand, relied on her Obsidian Edge and her sharp instincts.

Their time in the mines started off fine. They encountered waves of monsters—slimes, rock golems, and bats—but were able to handle them easily. Yvonne’s grip on her sword tightened as she swung it with precision, while Aleia made quick work of any approaching enemies, her sword flashing like lightning.

"Guess this day isn’t as bad as the fortune teller said." Yvonne quipped, breathing heavily as another group of slimes disintegrated at her feet.

Aleia smirked, her face still calm despite the chaos. "Yeah, but we shouldn’t get too cocky. The mines are always full of surprises."

Just as she spoke, the ground beneath them trembled, and a group of shadow creatures emerged from the cracks in the stone, surrounding them. Before either of them could react, they were thrust into a brutal fight. Yvonne barely had time to react before a creature swiped at her, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Yvonne!" Aleia yelled, her voice sharp as she cleaved through another group of monsters. She rushed to her friend's side, but not before another creature lunged at her.

With quick reflexes, Aleia threw a bomb to disorient the monsters, using the distraction to scoop Yvonne up and race toward the elevator, her legs burning with exhaustion.

Yvonne, wincing in pain from her sprained ankle, protested weakly. "Aleia, you can’t carry me—"

"Don’t argue with me, Yvonne." Aleia replied firmly, her voice barely a whisper as they both darted into the elevator. "We’re getting out of here, no matter what."

As the elevator doors began to close, the sound of their enemies' footsteps echoed in the tunnel. The two women were in a race against time, the monsters’ pursuit growing louder by the second.

The elevator went upward slowly, and just as the doors began to open at the surface level, Aleia collapsed against the wall. Yvonne, barely conscious, rested her head on Aleia’s shoulder.

"I’m sorry." Yvonne whispered weakly. "I didn’t mean to hold you back."

Aleia shook her head, smiling faintly. "You’re my friend, Vonnie. I’ve got you."

Marlon found them shortly after, dragging them both back to the clinic. Doctor Harvey worked quickly, patching them up with the help of his assistant, Maru. Aleia’s body was covered in bruises, blood staining her clothes, while Yvonne’s ankle was swollen and bruised.

The two women were placed in the same room, but they were too out of it to even realize what was happening. Maru kept watch, making sure they were stable, when suddenly the door flew open.

Sebastian and Sam stormed in, both panting and frantic. Maru held up a hand. "Calm down, guys. They’re resting."

Sebastian didn’t listen. His violet eyes scanned the room, landing on Aleia first. "What the hell happened?" he demanded, his usual cool demeanor completely gone.

Maru crossed her arms. "She’s fine, Sebastian. Just bruises and exhaustion. They’ll be okay."

But Sebastian wasn’t convinced. He sat down beside Aleia, brushing her reddish pink hair away from her face with gentle hands. "You’re an idiot." he muttered, voice full of frustration. "A reckless, stubborn, battle-crazed idiot."

Even unconscious, Aleia stirred, as if ready to argue back.

Meanwhile, Sam had already thrown himself onto Yvonne’s bed, cradling her like a lifeline. "Vonnie! Babe! Love of my life! Are you alive?" His voice cracked with panic.

Harvey arrived to check on his patients and only sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sam, she’s fine. Just let her rest."

Sam didn’t hear him. "Don’t ever do that again!" he cried, squeezing Yvonne’s hand. "My heart can’t take it!"

Yvonne, still groggy, blinked at him in confusion. "Sam, I think you’re suffocating me."

Sam immediately loosened his grip but didn’t let go. "Oh. Right. Sorry. Still not letting go, though."

Sebastian, meanwhile, was still glaring at Aleia, muttering under his breath. "You really need to stop making me worry like this."

Maru smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Like you’re one to talk. You used to sneak off to the mines all the time."

Sebastian shot her a death glare. "Not the point."

Yvonne, despite her pain, grinned weakly. "So… uh, bad luck day, huh?"

Aleia, still half-conscious, managed to lift her hand and smirk. "Next time… let’s just make tea or sleep instead."

Sebastian sighed heavily, rubbing his face. "That’s the first smart thing you’ve said today."

Sam nodded vigorously, agreeing. "Agreed. No more death trips, just chill inside."

Harvey, already exhausted by the chaos, muttered, "Can I prescribe all of you a week of common sense?"

The room erupted into laughter, the tension easing with every chuckle. Despite the pain, exhaustion, and near-death experience

Aleia and Yvonne would probably do it all again.

Maybe.

…Definitely not on a bad luck day.