The Charm of a Merchant [Job/Solo]

Dear Miss Samara,

It is with great anticipation and unfortunate circumstances that I write to you. I am afraid our last encounter with banditry was not our last, and once again, I, and the people of my village, require your escort throughout the plains. The imminent threat of highwaymen is stronger than even before, and we fear for each others' lives right now. If you are able, please come back to our village and we will brief you further. I look forward to seeing your comforting smile and charming demeanor.

Thinking of you,
Levi~" Asha read the letter, and placed it down on her desk. She's never received anything like this and given her merchant friend's tone, she was both flattered and embarrassed that this man was pining for her. Tempted to not go take the mission at all and have it be deferred to someone else, she did have a special connection with this village and its people. After nearly risking her life for them before, she would feel rude for not being the person to take up the mission. The issue of Levi, though, the young man she had made conversation on her first mission, would be a whole other ordeal to deal with. She had hoped her roommate could come with her, but unfortunately Noir was not around. It seemed evident that she'd have to go out to the village alone and deal with the trials and tribulations of fending off charming, handsome boys with captivating brown eyes. Asha shook her head, whispering "no, no!" under her breath as she walked out of Magnostadt and toward the plains.

The walk was stressful--does she address the letter? Does she just go about her business? This was all so new to her. She found herself trailing off into daydreams of him whisking her away on a journey throughout the world. She would take intermittent breaks to remind herself that this was just practically a stranger and she shouldn't be thinking about these sorts of things with a tribal merchant. She got to the village, only to find Levi waiting by the entrance to the settlement.

"Asha! You're here! I thought you weren't going to come heh ha....heh...I'll go get the merchants!" He called out, immediately blushing and then rushing inside the nearest tent to, Asha guessed, alert the merchants. His eagerness to see her made her all the more uneasy, and she continued to ruminate about the uncomfortable situation she was placed in. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't realize the entire merchant caravan had been waiting for her for a little bit as they watched her be talk to herself about "needing to keep it cool" and "follow the task at hand."

"Oh. Hello. Well. Let's go!" Asha said, keeping her sentences curt and short. She took off at the head of the caravan, attempting to become the vanguard, but Levi soon appeared right next to her, attempting some casual conversation as trip began.

"How have your classes been since I saw you last?" He asked, flashing her that winning smile he had flashed before, "Have you thought of me at all?" He was smooth. Asha kept walking, giving one word answers to his responses as she kept vigilant for marauders or bandits.

"On a job." Asha replied finally, and trailed back, keeping to the middle of the caravan. A look of severe disappointment flashed across his face, and he hung his head down low, visibly upset with Asha's behavior toward him. She felt awful, and didn't want to upset him, but she couldn't let a mistake like last time occur, where her clients were stabbed. Luckily, they survived, but she couldn't risk that kind of danger again--death was always a possibility, and Levi seemed unaware of that very obvious consequence. They had come half-way to the neighboring village when Asha spotted them in the distance, a few bandits lurking around, skulking around them, waiting to pounce.

"Bandits...this can't be good..." Asha said. The woman next to her overheard her and gasped, looking very uneasy. "Don't worry--I'll protect you. There's a very manageable group of people here, and I'm one of the best magicians at Magnostadt!" Levi perked up, looking behind him to see Asha reassuring a woman. The thought ran across his mind that perhaps Asha did not appreciate his advances because she had other inclinations. He felt slightly disappointed at first, but then twiddled his fingers with glee at impure thoughts of Asha and other women. He walked over to her, beginning to make conversation again.

"Asha...I understand. I am sorry for being so forward with you..." Levi said, flashing his signature smile again. This made her blush and she put her head down to avoid eye contact.

"W-what? This is no place for...there are bandits near you idiot!" She replied, unsure of what exactly to say. Levi cringed, filled with memories of his last experience with them, and pulled out a baselard from his merchandise.

"I came prepared this time. I want to make sure that nothing bad happens aga--" He explained, before being cut off by a dagger flying by his face, just nearly nicking his cheek before hitting a wagon. Asha immediately rushed into action, throwing herself in front of the merchants and scouting out the possible location of the thieves.

"Come out you cowards! Or are you too afraid to fight a girl?" She taunted, hoping one of them would at least rear their head. She spotted one bandit about fifteen meters away, poking up from his hiding spot. Asha looked behind her, checking to see if there were any other bandits roaming around. She spotted two of them in the rear, much closer than the other bandits. She struggled to come up with a strategy, so instead she remained still, and told everyone to hold their ground and stay where they are. The bandits all emerged from their hiding places, and began to rush the caravan, knowing full well they'll overwhelm Asha at least and place her in a difficult position. She tensed up, unsure of what route to take in the ensuing battle.

"Asha, I will watch the two behind us. Go for the others ahead!" Levi suggested, running to the flank and holding up his sword. Asha raised some concerns, but ultimately decided it was for the best as he'd be able to provide some protection. With her nerves eased just a little, she charged out to the three bandits approaching from her end. They charged toward her, slashing with their knives at her body. One cut was deflected by a Borg, while one of the slices pierced her skin and cut her down her arm. She jumped back, dodging the final bandit's dagger before casting Rgs'ah Alurdah at the bandits, felling two of the bandits by striking each with two roses. Not wanting to waste any time fighting the last bandit, she let the bandit punch her in the stomach, casting Lamia at the same time to coil around him and crush his body.

"Ahh!" Asha heard, and looked back to see Levi pinned down trying very hard to defend against the bandit's incoming dagger. Asha rushed forward, simultaneously summoning Zahhak to charge forward and bite the bandit right in the jugular, killing him as he attempted to stab Levi. The final bandit looked on in horror as Asha made light work of the other four bandits, and rushed forward to grab Levi, holding the knife to his neck.

"You better let us make off with the goods if you want him to live!" He barked, halting Asha in her tracks. She was just about five meters from the bandit and Levi, leaving her in a very sticky situation.

"D-don't worry about me! Just make sure everyone else is safe!" Levi called out, only to have the bandit press his blade closer to Levi's neck. Levi winced in pain, kept a stoic demeanor.

"I don't take orders very well. Especially from some stupid bully who picks on the weak!" Asha taunted, as she silently cast Gdhur Mlzmah on the ground beneath the bandit, revealing two vines that latched on the bandit's arms, releasing Levi from his grip. "Duck! Quah Alsif Zxrah!" Levi immediately dropped to the ground as two vines lunged forward at the bandit, piercing through his body and tossing him to the side. The bandits were defeated and none of the villagers were harmed, save Levi. She walked over to Levi, his position still laying motionless on the ground.

"Are you alright?" She asked, offering her hand to help him up. He nodded in agreement and took her hand, pulling himself up with some difficulty. She escorted the villagers to the other village where they went to conduct their business and what not--something Asha wasn't too particularly interested in. She was going to leave when she heard Levi call out to her.

"Hey! HEY! Asha! Wait!" He yelled, running after her. She stopped, turning around to see what the big fuss was about, "Th-thank you...you know for, uh, everything..." He blushed, rubbing the back of his head and giving a sort of sheepish chuckle.

"Oh! It was, um, it wasn't a problem at all. Feel free to enlist my help when you need it...I'm always here!" Asha replied, smiling and giving Levi an awkward punch on the shoulder as if she were saying "hey buddy!" to her long lost friend. They exchanged more awkward banter before it was time for Asha to return to Magnostadt.

"B-before you go! I, uh, I'd like for you to come back here some time! You saved us twice now so we owe you something...not any other reason ha ha!" Asha smiled at his offer. It seems he really did take a liking to her, and she didn't quite mind if he did either.

"I'll come! It would be my pleasure, She replied, turning and walking away, "Just don't send a creepy love letter again."

WC: 1670/1000
Magoi: 80/200