Chapter 64 - Resolved Issue
As they walked into the Adventurer's Association, the warm buzz of activity filled the air—adventurers milling about, scribes handling paperwork, and low chatter of people.
Bao didn't waste a second before stepping away from the others. She crossed her arms tightly, leaning against a wooden beam by the entrance, her sharp gaze fixed on nothing in particular. "Do your thing," she muttered coldly, "I'll wait here."
Bral glanced over at her, his brow furrowing with frustration, but he quickly sighed it off. He turned to the others and said, "Wait a moment. I'll try to convince her."
Amukelo shifted awkwardly, glancing at Pao and Idin, who both seemed resigned to what was about to happen. Bral rubbed the back of his neck and then made his way over to Bao, who continued to stare off, as if pretending not to notice him.
"Come on, Bao," he started, his tone a mixture of coaxing and exasperation. "Don't be like that. It's a big day for our entire guild—including you. Don't you want to be part of it? I mean, just standing over here watching from afar? That doesn't make sense. If that's all you wanted to do, why even come with us?"
Bao's brow twitched, her jaw tightening. Bral could see the conflict flicker across her face before she scoffed and pushed off the beam, turning to walk away. "You're right," she snapped. "I shouldn't have come. So, bye."
Before she could take more than two steps, Bral reached out and grabbed her arm, not harshly but firm enough to stop her. "Come on, Bao," he said, his voice softer now. "I know you want to be here. If you didn't, you wouldn't have come at all. What's the real problem? Is it because I didn't punch that guy after he insulted you? Or because you had to leave your money behind? I already told you, I'll pay you back."
Bao yanked her arm slightly but didn't pull away entirely. Her eyes darkened as she turned to face him fully, the hurt clear behind her anger. "It's because you could've avoided this whole argument altogether," she snapped. "But you didn't. You leaned into it. And after that, after letting that bastard insult me, you still sat there drinking with him like you were old friends."
Bral opened his mouth to speak, but she wasn't done. Her voice grew sharper, angrier, her hands balled into fists at her sides.
"You told him about Amukelo's story—something personal—like it was just some tavern tale. You spread it like it was nothing. And then you sat there drinking with him, laughing, as if everything was fine." Her voice cracked slightly, and she paused, collecting herself. "And on top of all that, I left the wrong bag on the table. I thought it was the silver coins I brought for food—but no, it was my gold coins. A lot of them. Gone, just like that."
Bral's jaw tightened. This wasn't going the way he'd hoped, but he could see the real issue now. It wasn't just about the fight, or the money—it was everything at once. Still, he softened his voice, trying to reach her. "I'm really sorry for that, Bao. I am. But what did you expect me to do? The guy insulted you, yeah, and I got pissed. I was ready to deck him right there—but when there was a way to avoid a full-on fight, to make it end without anyone getting hurt, I took it. Isn't that better?"
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Bao didn't answer, her lips pressed in a tight line, but Bral pressed on.
"And like I said, I'll pay you back—every coin. I don't care if you left ten silvers or a hundred gold. I'll make it right." He took a breath, hoping to break through. "I didn't mean for it to turn out this way. But I also couldn't just let him insult you without saying something. And when it seemed like we could turn the situation around, I thought it was better than breaking his nose." He forced a weak smile. "And honestly, Gloram wasn't that bad after he calmed down. People get drunk, they get stupid—it happens."
For a moment, Bao's eyes softened. It was slight, but Bral caught it. She was considering his words, maybe even understanding his side. But then, just as quickly, her expression hardened again.
"And that's the problem," she hissed. "You're still defending him. Calling him a 'nice guy.' It's just cowardice. You're always trying to smooth things over instead of standing your ground."
Before Bral could say anything else, she yanked her arm free from his grasp and started walking away.
"Bao—" he started, reaching out again, but she didn't even look back.
Bral stood there for a moment, his hand still half-raised, feeling the weight of her words. He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly as he watched her walk away, disappearing into the crowd inside the association hall.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath before following after her.
He sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his head, unsure of how to de-escalate things. Maybe she just needed space. Maybe—
His thoughts were interrupted when Bao suddenly collided with someone. She barely registered it, brushing past the person without an apology, too focused on her own frustrations to care. But then, a voice called out.
"Hey, Bral... I have a thing to resolve with you."
Both Bral and Bao halted mid-step and turned toward the voice. Standing before them, adjusting the sleeves of his coat, was Gloram. Bral sighed so deeply it was almost theatrical. "Oh, perfect."
Bao immediately stiffened, her hands instinctively balling into fists, though Bral noticed the way she subtly shifted slightly behind him. Bral wasn't sure if it was out of caution or just pure exasperation. He held up a hand and exhaled, "Listen, Gloram, this really isn't the best time. We're in the middle of something here, so whatever you want, maybe later—"
But Gloram was already reaching into his pouch, cutting Bral off mid-sentence. Bral's muscles tensed slightly at the motion, the memory of last night's almost-fight still fresh in his mind. He saw Bao shift again, this time with a little more wariness, her body instinctively preparing to react.
Gloram, however, simply pulled out a small leather pouch and held it up.
"I told you not to do this, but you did it anyway," he said flatly.
Bral's brow furrowed as he looked at the pouch. "What...?" Then his eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on him. Oh. He quickly turned his gaze toward Bao, who had gone rigid at the sight of the money.
Gloram continued, "I told you I would pay for everything, and then you... You left your pouch with so much money it would've covered all of us and then some. I can't take that, I just can't. I figured, since you're adventurers, you'd be here, and I got lucky. Here—take it back."
For a moment, neither Bral nor Bao moved. They just stared at Gloram blankly, as if trying to process what was happening.
Bral was the first to break the silence with an exasperated sigh. "Man, you really need to work on your delivery. I thought you were about to attack me or something." He let out a half-laugh, shaking his head. "You looked so serious, like you were gonna demand a duel or something ridiculous." Then, smirking slightly, he gestured toward Bao. "Anyway, don't give it to me. It's hers."
Gloram turned to Bao and offered the pouch to her directly. "Oh... it was you? Bao, as I remember?"
Bao hesitated, her eyes darting between the pouch and Gloram's face. Caution flickered across her expression, her fingers twitching slightly as if deciding whether or not to take it. Finally, she reached out and took the pouch back, testing its weight in her palm. Bral could tell she was trying not to look too relieved.
Gloram took a small step back and then, to both of their surprise, bowed slightly. "I also realized something else. Last night, I apologized to the group for ruining the celebration, but I never apologized to you directly." He met Bao's gaze squarely, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. "I called you names, insulted you for no reason, and acted like an ass. That wasn't right. I was too drunk, too stupid, and I let my bad habits take over. I've been thinking about it since this morning, and I realized how badly I acted. I—" He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't deserve it, but I'd like to ask for your forgiveness."
Bao's mouth opened slightly, as if caught off guard. For the first time since she had stormed out, she seemed unsure of herself. She glanced at Bral briefly, as if to check his reaction, but he simply stood there with a slight smirk, watching the exchange unfold.
There was a long pause.
Then, finally, Bao exhaled sharply. "Well..." she muttered, shifting the pouch in her hands. "If you're serious about it... I guess I might accept." She still sounded cautious, as if she wasn't entirely convinced, but the sharp edge in her voice had dulled.
Gloram's shoulders seemed to relax a little at that. He gave her a nod of gratitude. "Ahh... thank you. That means a lot. I really do need to cut down on the drinking. Next time, I'd rather not be that guy in the pub, y'know?" He forced a weak chuckle.
Bral, now grinning, gave Bao a playful nudge. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Bao rolled her eyes, but there was no real malice in it this time.
Gloram took a step back, adjusting his coat. "Well, now that everything's settled, I'll get back to my tasks. Hopefully, next time we meet, it'll be under better circumstances."
Bral gave him a nod, and Bao simply gave a short, curt one in return, still holding onto her pouch tightly.
As Gloram walked away, Bral turned to Bao with a smirk. "So... that wasn't the worst outcome, was it?"
Bao sighed, shaking her head. "Just shut up and let's get this over with."
Bral chuckled and motioned for her to follow him back inside.