Laurence POV:

Lord--er, Aphmau had come over to me to tell me of Emmalyn's theoretical findings. It was pleasantly surprising to hear. I apologized for not seeing the three of them gone from the party, if I had then maybe he wouldn't have gotten hurt. She changed the subject talking about wanting to get rid of the bandit problems. Doing that for the settlement would actually help them out a lot.

I asked what there was to do. We had many options but some were more gruesome than the others. "I want to rebuild the original wall around Phoenix Drop." We quieted down our voices as Y/n was walking by and had stopped a ways away. "T-that sounds like a GREAT idea! If we can rebuild the old wall then the people can start taking back Phoenix Drop! We shouldn't tell Levin or the others about it."

My statement was more then agreed upon, since this was something that they needed. And a surprise can go a long way. "I'll tell everyone from our time to meet outside the safe hold gates.... We'll, everyone who wants to help with rebuilding the wall that is. I'm not sure if Katelyn or the Stranger will help but... it doesn't hurt to ask. You should go see Dante and Nekoette before hand."

Aphmau left in a gif as I scooted backwards towards Y/n. She turned to me before looking back down on the waters. "I heard of Emma's findings." She commented to start up a conversation. "Yeah, Aphmau may be related to Irene.... but I still think you're the goddess~" That was too big of an opportunity to pass up. She snorted before doubling over in a fit of laughter. Adorable, never got that reaction before.

"Haha, wow! That's a new one, and I've heard em all! You must have as high an ego as your standards to be aiming for a goddess." She did a sassy hair flip before grinning widely. Irene, she is gorgeous and that's just what I told her. She furrowed her eyebrows, grinning much less now. "Forward much? The Weirdo doesn't have to be weird."

"If it means getting your attention then I'd gladly act insane."

"I haven't seen anyone else set on it so why are you?"

"So you admit that your eyes are set on me~?"

"Oh, fuck off Laurence. Every time I see your face I want to bleach my eyes even more." Ah her words pierce me so. Y/n's comebacks have been giving me more of a challenge to counter then they used too. "Id go blind again if our future would finally be clear." She only gagged in response but I most certainly noticed the reddening of her ears and cheeks. "I'd dye your hair orange again and pretend to be Aphmau."

   'Irene damn it.' She had me there, I was all out. "Fine, you win this round. I'll be back around later though, my love~" I took strides over to the ladder. "Not your love!" Y/n have called from over my shoulder. I looked back as her with a shrug and a smirk. "If you gave me a nickname than I can give you one too!" She only shook her head before looking out on the water like before. I climbed down to make my way over to the gate.

~oOo~

    Everyone and I(excluding Aphmau) were gathered in Kiki's old barn for discussion. For the rebuilding of the wall, regular stone wasn't going to cut it. Those bandits wound get back in before we know it so our work would have been for nothing. Katelyn had a wonderful idea to fix that. When Garroth gave her those diamonds so that we wouldn't owe her anything after she freely gifted us with those armor sets, Katelyn never used them.

    She suggested going to go trade them elsewhere in exchange for higher quality building materials. I expressed to her how greatly that would be, as Aphmau finally showed and was informed the same as us. Aphmau agreed in a flash and we were set to work. Of course Katelyn had to still leave to go make the trade. So for the time being we patched up all the holes with stone from the old mines.

    Those bandits who took Nekoette weren't getting her again any time soon. Kenmur and Emmalyn were getting rid of all the vines and branches while Aphmau and I were restoring the worn out, broken down and completely missing areas. Aphmau about two hours of consistent diligence the gate was fixed with a nod & the flip of a switch, it was closed from intruders.

~oOo~

    It was the day after last and all the guards were getting suspicious of no bandit activity. I have been questioned by Y/n more then once in the last few hours. I only responded the same every time. "I haven't a clue what you are going on about, my love. You keep coming over and I'm wondering if you just want to see my face~?" She would then glare before leaving to where ever she was before. Women can be so scary.

    I started having a mental timer set to every 25 minutes since that's the pattern she kept coming back in. I don't  know if it was on purpose or just a nagging itch that I was lying at that time, but I was finding it hilarious. I was still counting and had reached 27 when a frown slowly came on. I guess she gave up-- no, no she did not. Y/n was sitting on top of the roof of Levin's house. Glaring daggers at everyone.

    "Hey! You should come down here!" I yelled up to her. Levin and Aphmau both exited out of his house and began walking outside of the settlement. "Why? So you can try another pick up line?" She had her arms crossed seeming agitated. "Not this time! I got a surprise for you!" Y/n rolled her eyes and came down from her perch. "What is it--" I grabbed her hand and started walking out. "Hey, what ar--"

    "I told you it was a surprise." My quick pace made us catch up to the other two. "No it isn't. You're just following after Aphmau." Y/n took her hand back but continued walking by my side. "Yes it is, now I want you to close your eyes." She did and I placed a hand on her shoulder for guidance around the area. In no time we reached Phoenix Drop's gate with the two Lords. "Alright. You can open them now."

    Y/n did before looking all around with an unreadable expression. "...." I was staring to think I did something wrong when refused to say anything. "...Y-You guys fixed it...?" Her voice came out quieter than normal. "It's temporary for now until Katelyn gets back." I had a small smile on my face as she didn't even look in my direction. I watched as Levin had an extremely similar reaction, they really are close to each other.

   Y/n breathed out a laugh before covering her mouth with her hands as a smile broke through. "...I-I can't believe this... you guys... YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!" I was pretty much ran into by her blunt force. "I CANT BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO THIS WITHOUT ASKING FOR MY HELP! I WOULD HAVE CAME HERE IN A FLASH!" She was grinning, laughing and jumping around just how she would always do 15 years ago.

    "But your reaction was definitely worth it! We aren't done yet but it's gonna look a lot mor--" Y/n cut me off mid sentence with a child like happiness very present. "IM HELPING! I need to be given a project to do! Ever since Levin became Lord, he stopped letting me make my mechanics for the settlement. Saying he didn't want me to hurt myself or some BS like that!"

   Of course Levin was still in earshot and gave her a look but it faded back into a soft smile when Y/n stuck her tongue out at him. He began talking to his mom again about Lord stuff before exclaiming that someone was at the gates. I could see Katelyn's face through the gate, and she was next to someone one a horse with bright orange and yellow hai--
"CADENZA?!" The gates were opened and she ran forward into Aphmau.

    Wow, rude much? She then let go and brought me into a side crushing hug. "..It's you... It's really you. I'd recognize those beautiful faces anywhere... especially your beautiful face in those clothes I made! Hehe!" Aphmau was in fact wearing an outfit crafted by Cadenza(15 years ago). My sister. My fashionista adoptive sister in all her glory. Oh how her appearance changed.

    Having much longer hair than before, and rocking a handmade set of armor. "What? Shocked to see me? YOU GUYS ARE ONE TO TALK! YOU JUST DISAPPEARED ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT DAY! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!" Aphmau said how it was a long story and that we would explain it when back at the settlement. "Cadenza I haven't seen you in forever!" Y/n gave the girl a side hug, getting one back!"

   "Yes it has been a while my friend! I see the hair is growing out nicely?" The two started chatting as we all walked back. Hm, my bride-to-be best friends with my sister. How nice.

1586 words.