The Winds of the Past [Rune Factory 4]

Chapter 22

We sat for a some time snuggled up on the sofa before the fire, Avani reading a volume of history while I worked on the volume I'd been translating for Arthur. Clorica came in at one point late in the morning to whisk around tidying and dusting, then she let me know that it would be a while longer but that she'd bring me my clothes as soon as they were dry. I thanked her, and she turned to Avani to ask if she would like lunch to be brought to her today. Avani asked for her to please order lunch for both of us from Porcoline's —a salted rainbow trout set meal for me and a large bowl of stew for her. She returned a while later with the requested meals, and we sat in front of the fire and enjoyed our meal.

As we ate, Avani asked, "So tell me, besides 'exciting' foods like that poisonous fish you're eating, what else do you most enjoy?"

I thought about it as I nibbled at my fish, then replied, "I like things that amuse me and keep me from getting bored. And I enjoy reading, though perhaps not as much as Kiel does. I love to travel, as well—seeing new places and people and trying new foods."

"I wonder if I traveled, before I lost my memory?" Avani mused as she absentmindedly tore a piece off her roll and nibbled at it.

"Well, you must have done some traveling, or you wouldn't be here. Right?" I replied.

"True..." she trailed off, still lost in thought.

After a moment, I said, "Now it's my turn to ask some questions. I know you like chocolate and shrimp and smoothies, you love your pets, you apparently have a fondness for men with tails, and you love adventure. What else do you like most?"

Avani began to rattle off a list of things she liked: "I love this town and the people here, I love mountains and sunsets and sunrises. I love to fish and swim and to make things and grow things. I enjoy cooking, especially for others, and I love to soak in hot baths. I love flowers and music and poetry and reading books in front of a roaring fire on a chilly day, like today."

I just looked at her for a minute, trying to process all that. Then I looked sternly at her, saying, "That's too much—I said what do you like most? So I want you to tell me what is your single absolute favorite thing? If I were looking to give you a gift, for example, what would be your first choice?"

She thought for a minute, then said, "I'm tempted to say food or maybe flowers..."

"Nice, honest, straightforward answers, both of them—just what I'd expect from you," I said with a smile as she paused.

"...but," she continued with a mischievous look in her eyes, "I'd have to say that my favorite thing is you, Leo."

"Ah-ha," I replied, with a wicked grin, "then if I give myself to you, would you accept me?"

She set her empty bowl down and looked me straight in the eyes as she said, "With pleasure."

I nearly choked, feeling my cheeks turn hot at her frank reply—it wasn't at all what I'd expected. "O-okay...." I said, stammering slightly in my confusion.

She smiled at me, her eyes dancing with amusement at my momentary discomposure, and picked up her book, saying as she flipped through to find her place again, "Don't worry. I know you were just teasing, like always. You wouldn't make a suggestion like that seriously."

"So does that mean that your real answer would be no?" I asked her, curiously.

"Not at all," she replied as she found her place and began to read again. "I meant what I said. I'm just saying, I know you didn't really mean it. You just tease me to get a rise out of me. I'm wise to your ways, mister."