Just as she promised, Drasna had been returning to visit Isobella which made the noble nothing short of jubilant. The two had opted to take a stroll around the outside of the chateau in Isobella’s private vineyard. The sound of heels and sandals on cobblestone rang through the area. Drasna had already helped herself to a few handfuls of the best blackberries she’d ever tasted.

  “You really are a magic lady with fruit this tasty.” Drasna declared.

  Isobella let her head bob happily as she walked close to her new friend, “You are the only one other than my butler to ever be allowed back here. It makes me happy that you are pleased.”

  “Aw am I really that special, this is only our third date…,erm I mean, outing”

  Isobella blushed and stopped walking to stare at her perfectly polished shoes. Drasna took notice and turned around concerned she had said something wrong.

  Isobella spoke up,“I wouldn’t mind if it was a date…”

  Drasna didn’t answer right away; she felt the situation was important to the future of whatever relationship the two would have. She didn’t mind Isobella, or even the idea of dating her, but it was the speed in which things had been moving. It was only the fifth time they had met after all, still she was nothing if not openminded.

  “If I had known that, I would’ve worn something nicer.” Drasna joked.

  “I could have something made for you, I think you would look striking in a green dress…perferabley not one that isn’t made for, erm, blood sports.”

  Drasna laughed out loud, “Your fancy get ups are pretty neat looking, but I like my sparring dresses, they’re comfy and don’t restrict movement.”

  Isobella moved in and hugged Drasna’s arm, hoping the feeling of her own dress would change the monk's mind. She wrapped her gloved hands around her muscular arms and pulled in closer so her smooth dress grazed her. Feeling bold she rested her head on her shoulder as well. Drasna smiled, she was surprised by the feel of the fabric and the affection. Even the scent of the noble made her feel calm and happy, she couldn’t quite pin down why though.

  “You smell really nice, do you use something special?”

  “I use a perfume I got from mother-, ahem, from a close friend I consider a motherfigure.”

  “Oh? Well it's nice to have people who care for you, they certainly know how to mix a good scent.”

  Isobella was quick to change the subject, “Do you do anything other than break bricks and bone?”

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  Drasna smirked, “There’s a bit more to it than that, but yes. I like to make pottery, maybe I’ll bring you a pot sometime, probably a purple one, you seem to be fond of that color.”

  “You would bring me something without asking a favor?”

  Drasna pouted, “Are you still talking like that? I appreciate wanting to repay favors, but friends, and if I’m reading things correctly, girlfriends, give each other gifts. It doesn’t always need to be something physical either, spending time and chatting is just as special.”

  “I would like to be a good girlfriend then.”

  Isobella squeezed tighter and nuzzled harder against Drasna as they both walked. Drasna winced and pulled away with a slight grunt. The action filled Isobella with panic, had she harmed her Drasna, annoyed her, or done something else wrong.

  “D-Drasna?”

  Drasna held her ribs, “Sorry I’m fine, it's just, a sparing partner really gave it to me yesterday evening. Korin absolutely destroyed me, they can get a bit too eager and I’m pretty bruised up under my clothes.”

  Isobella’s face contorted into many emotions, “I don’t like that people are hurting you! It…it…it makes me upset, I don’t like this Korin! I can have them sent away, pay them to leave or-”

  Drasna placed her hands on Isobella’s shoulders, “Izzy, relax. I’m fine, sure I got banged up, but that’s the way it goes. Korin doesn’t mean to hurt people, but she has her own demons. I promise I’ll be more careful so you don’t worry, okay.”

  Isobella nodded with a flustered blush across her face, she wouldn’t be going after this Korin, at least not this time. “Apologies, so what else do girlfriends do?”

  “Welllll”

  Drasna leans in for a kiss, holding just long enough for Isobella to understand what had happened. When Drasna pulled back she was surprised, Isobella’s entire body looked like a tomato. The noble stammered and struggled to get any words out of her mouth, until she lost consciousness and fell back into one of the bushes. Drasna quickly kneeled beside her and tried her best to wake her up, just as flustered by the situation. She eventually opted to pick her up and run her over to the butler. She scrambled around the vineyard for a minute, completely lost until she spotted Isobella’s butler, who she’d come to know as Tristan. He was an older gentleman about 55, graying hair and thin glasses, always wearing a fine tailored suit.

  “Tristan, we have a…situation” said Drasna in a panic.

  Tristan shook his head, “oh dear, did you rough house with her?”

  “As if I’m that stupid, I know not to strike anyone outside of a fight, and Izzy isn’t my equal physically.”

  Tristan scowled, “Then what DID you do?”

  Drasna blushed, “I kissed her and she fainted…”

  Tristan pushed up his glasses, “Lady Isobella is rather stunted emotionally. Given how happy you make her I’m sure she didn’t mind, but I suspect the action was simply too intense for her.”

  “Is there anything I can do for her?”

  “Just let her wake up on her own, you may stay for a while, but if she doesn’t wake by the end of the hour, I must insist you leave for the day, Miss Drasna.”