So it is done

Good wizard

As it so happens, though perhaps to be expected, Cinder Fall has a very large social circle. Ranging from simple acquaintances, 'buddies', friends of friends, or even subordinates.

Judging by the lists of people she knows, some people might say that Cinder has many friends – but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

There were plenty of people who considered themselves her friends – but for Cinder, she would say that she had... maybe two friends. But that number was only if you counted her little educational experiment as a full-fledged bond of friendship. No, Cinder loved Nora, but she still didn't consider her as a friend.

In Cinder's mind, a 'friend' was a concept applicable only to those who were not only presently close to her – but also equal in status, something that since Cinder's childhood only counted Neo amongst that group.

That was why Cinder did not consider Jonathan her friend either – though she would never say that in front of him.

Unlike her, Jonathan's notion of what is a 'friend' was radically different, which meant that Cinder's admission would probably upset him. So Cinder simply acted what he wanted to see.

For Cinder, Jonathan is not a mere 'friend', rather.

An idol, perhaps.

Some kind of tribal definition of a deity – powerful patron, but still not so all-powerful that one would expect heaven-splitting miracles from them. Though perhaps from Jonathan, that is still in the realms of the possible. No, Jonathan was like an object worthy of recognition and worship for Cinder – and so at the same time a cherished figure, whilst also serving as its Achilles heel.

A strange phrase, a saying originating not from Remnant but, like so many others, Jonathan brought with him from another world – and Cinder learned it, as she learned all other things from Jonathan.

And what believer, after all, would give up the chance to worship their idol, a chance which is usually only allowed on holidays?

Cinder already only sleeps four hours a night, somewhat less after borrowing some experimental samples from Jonathan – but before her day with Jonathan, she spent two or three hours in a feverish semi-dream, never managing to calm her mind completely.

No, this was not a date, as much as Cinder wanted it to be, and just because she thought it was, it wasn't going to be – Jonathan was in a bad mood and needed a distraction. A trip around his city to clear his head seems to be the best thing. If it also gave him the chance to gain a fresh perspective for his decisions, then all the better.

Cinder's role in this occasion was nothing more than a companion, nay a guide. She has to supervise Jonathan to prevent into falling into another pit of doubt, and to show Jonathan that life continues outside of his office as well.

And Cinder was quite happy with such a walk.

Even if she wanted more.

There was no need for the 'talk' – Cinder knows all about where babies came from or why a boy might suddenly want to kiss a girl. Medical textbooks held a lot more answers on that subject, including questions that no one in their right mind would think to ask.

And yet, knowing what her hormones were doing, and actually having to experience her fourteen-year-old body's hormones playing havoc with her were two starkly different things. But, there was nothing she could do about it. Neither sleeping nor getting up very early in the morning, which should rather have been called late night rather than dawn, helped her.