When Given a Lemon

Part 38

I fiddled with a rogue string on my jacket for a while before sighing.

“I don't even know what they were looking for, honestly. They weren't exactly forthcoming. Ya know, they asked the questions.” He nodded quietly and left it at that. Lost in thought for a minute, I stare into the flames before asking, “still want to train tomorrow?”

I hoped it wasn't too off topic or that the weird events of today had deterred them from wanting to associate with me other than when required to.

“Yup. I'm happy to help.” He smiled and the world lit up around him. I keep a straight face, but it makes me internally shiver. “I think a spear would be far more suited to you than a sword would be though,” he paused for a moment, “but it's good to know how to use that too.” I'm instantly relieved. I told myself that Lemon getting the notice of officers, leading to my tent being searched, wouldn't change anything but subconsciously I must have been feeling stressed about it.

“What about those axes?” I point in the general direction of the armory where said axes are along with most of the other unclaimed weaponry.  I wouldn't mind an axe. They look pretty cool when people throw them.

“Do you have a pretty good aim?”

“Well… that is…” it's not terrible. I've hit the target by mistake before…

Perhaps sensing my hesitation, he heads in a different direction.

“Let's start with the spear and see how it goes. You can always switch to something else later.” I nod, beginning to actually look forward to tomorrow's training.

First I will have to deal with Lemon though.

If they're going to cause problems again I will have to ensure they don't go, but first I would like to see if they can be reasoned with. Cayeol is a member of our squad after all and being in a squad meant watching out for each other.

My tent has been oddly quiet for the past few minutes so I take this as a sign that I should probably head in. Saying my goodnights to Cayeol I leave him by the fire. Inside, Lemon is tucked into their bedroll, facing away from me.

“Lemon?” I ask softly.

“Tomorrow.” They grumble.

“What?”

“Ask me tomorrow.” Then they curled further under their covers so that I could only see the top of their head.

“Okay. Tomorrow then.” I lay down in my own bedroll, shivering just a little inside the cold material. I'm hoping it will be a better day and close my eyes trying to will myself to sleep.

It isn't long before my dreams take me and I wake the next morning to a grumpy Lemon sitting up with the most ridiculous mess of hair that I have ever seen.

“With the way your hair looks, some might think you have turned into a bat.”

“It looks nothing like a bat.” They grumble, patting it down, voice still gravelly with sleep.

“No, I mean you look like you slept suspended upside-down.” I chuckle despite myself. Their glare only makes it funnier.

They slam themselves back down into their bedclothes where I can't see them. I have a feeling it's just an excuse so they can doze more.

When they are a little more awake I try to bring up my plans to train with Cayeol. They only snort. I had a feeling they could hear our conversation last night, their reaction only confirms it.

“So, are you going with us?”

“Do I need to?” They huff.

“Do you want to?” I counter.