The evening sun hung low in the sky as your party made its way through the forest, the golden light filtering through the trees and casting long shadows on the path ahead. Fern led the way with her usual efficiency, while Stark trailed a bit behind, groaning under his breath about the weight of his pack.

“We’ve still got a few hours before nightfall,” Fern said, glancing back over her shoulder. “If we keep up this pace, we should reach the next town by then.”

“Sure, if my legs don’t give out first,” Stark grumbled, earning a glance from Frieren, who was walking a few steps behind him, her expression as unreadable as ever.

The path wound through the trees until you reached a small clearing, where the scent of fresh water hinted at a stream nearby. Fern paused, consulting her map, then turned to the group. “We’re close to a stream. Stark, help me gather some water and a few more supplies from the woods before it gets too dark.”

Stark let out a dramatic sigh but didn’t argue. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.”

With that, Fern and Stark headed off toward the stream, leaving you and Frieren behind in the clearing. She stood quietly by a large flowerbed, gazing down at it as if lost in thought, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes, her white hair glowing faintly in the fading sunlight. The quiet between the two of you wasn’t uncomfortable, but it had that familiar feeling you’d come to expect from Frieren. Even in moments like this, though it wasn’t unpleasant, not in the slightest. As you glanced at her from where you stood nearby, she suddenly turned and caught your gaze.

For a moment, her expression remained as unreadable as ever. Then, without any warning, she casually raised her hand and winked, blowing a kiss your way. Her face was completely neutral, her green eyes giving away nothing, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. She glanced at you, her voice as flat as ever, though there was something teasing in the gesture.

“I felt you staring at me. Are you going to collapse like Himmel did?"