Homesick

| 7 | Strawberries

Dapha excitedly raised her arm as they reached the center of town. "We've made it! And oh my goodness, is that strawberry stand!" She exclaimed, pointing towards a stand adorned with paintings of strawberries.

River gave a small nod and told Dapha, "I'm going to get antidote, i'll meet you back here when your done."

Dapha who barely listened was already running towards the stand. As she approached, an older woman looked up from behind the counter, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Five packs of strawberries, please!" Dapha asked, displaying five fingers.

The woman began packaging five packs of strawberries. "Of course, miss Dapha. Is this for the cafe?" She asked.

"Oh no, this is for me," Dapha said cheerfully. "Wait, you know who I am?" She asked, surprised.

The woman smiled. "Of course, you're my number one customer! I haven't seen you in a while, but you're lucky you came when you did. I was just about to close up shop."

Dapha awkwardly laughed. "Oh, good thing I made it."

"So who's that?" The woman asked, pointing to River. "Another friend from your little gang?"

'I thought he was getting the antidote, how'd he finish so fast!?' Dapha thoughts to herself as she stared at him shocked. "Oh, him? That's just James," Dapha replied.

River raised an eyebrow looking towards Dapha. "James?" He asked.

"Yeah, James. I can't call you your real name or else she'll know you're the duke's son. Then they'll think I kidnapped you!" She whispered.

"Here!" The woman says shoving bag of strawberries in between Dapha and River. "Don't worry about the payment, these were about to go bad anyways." She laughed.

"Thanks." Dapha smiled. 'What's so funny about giving me rotten strawberries.' Dapha thought as she reached in to grab a strawberry.

She took a single bite and her eyes lid up. "So good!" She squealed. 'Way better than the hospital!'

"Come River- I mean James, let's go. Thanks again miss!" Dapha said waving goodbye to the old lady behind the counter.

The old lady waves goodbye and closes the curtains to her shop while Dapha and River make their way through the center of town. Dapha stuffs her face with the strawberries while River silently follows behind.

"Here," Dapha says handing River a strawberry. "They're tasty, take one," she grins.

River takes the strawberry "Thank you." he mutters as he begins to start nibbling away.

"How'd you get the antidote that fast? You barely took any time paying for it." Dapha asked.

"Yeah well the stand was right across from the strawberry one. One look at my face and he just handed it to me." River shrugs.

"Oh I see."

'I just realized I spent the whole day with one of the love interests.' Dapha thinks to herself. "I hope I didn't ruin the plot. In the game I doubt River spent his time with a commoner girl when he ran away." She thinks feeling a little guilty.