The popping of your joints as you stretch has you groaning in satisfaction. Bringing your raised arms down to rest behind you head, you whistle a cheery tune while you make your way to the Adventurer's Guild, excited to drop off the finished report of your most recent commission and getting to talk to Katheryne. Immediately, you feel your cheeks heat up at the idea of her praising you for another job well done and you can't help but switch to a light jog just to arrive a little faster.
The guild's familiar logo comes into view and a grin spreads on your lips as you rush over, calling out before you could even reach the front desk.
"Katheryne! Hey, I'm back!"
Katheryne greets back with a friendly wave, her usual pleasant smile in place as she takes the commission sheet you had gone on.
"Done already? That was quite fast. How'd it go?"
"It was nothing I couldn't handle! Basically no issues and the commissioner looked pleased with my work!"
Your chest puffs up with pride at the applause she gives.
"That's wonderful to hear! Then will you be taking another commission or are you done for the day?"
"Hmm.. I think I'm going to rest for a little bit first, grab something to eat, and then see how I'm feeling. Oh! Before that though, I have something for you!"
Rummaging around in one of your packs, Katheryne watched curiously as you gently procured interwoven stems from your inventory. It's not hard to figure out what your gift was.
"Yeah! I had some spare time and saw some flowers that reminded me of you, so I thought it'd be nice and you'd like it."
Somewhat shyly, you present the array of flowers towards Katheryne. Your heart stuttering as she laughed lightly and bowed just enough to let you place it on her head.
You softly let out a breath of awe, adoring how the flowers complimented her beauty. The gentle wind swaying the petals with her hair, she raises a hand to tuck stray strands behind her ear while wearing her usual gentle smile, creating a serene scene for you.
"Well, how do they look?"
You jolt out of your admiration, cheeks heating as you realize that you were staring and probably looking a bit like a fool. Clearing your throat, you try to act casual as you nod approvingly.
"Perfect! You look incredible with them- Not to say you don't always look incredible of course, I just mean that the flowers really just add on to it, though, uh, not saying you need like, extra stuff, you're pretty with or without things like that, so, yeah."
You quickly shut yourself up before you could ramble more, internally cringing at yourself. Katheryne only continues to smile at you, listening along to every word that tumbled out of your mouth.
"Thank you, I'll be sure to care for them then so they may last longer."
"Great! Well, I guess I better be on my way for now. See you later, Katheryne!"
You bid her farewell as you rush off, stumbling a little before righting yourself and taking a little more care in your steps unless you wanted to embarrass yourself further.
Katheryne watches your retreating figure disappear into the crowd, lingering in that direction a little before her attention was caught by another call of her name.
"Traveler and Paimon! How can I help you?"
"Just here to drop off our commissions. Oh! What's that on your head?"
Paimon points at the flower crown curiously, floating closer slightly to get a better look before she was gently tugged back.
"A gift from another adventurer."
Katheryne takes the completed commissions, marking them done and storing them away before placing the usual pouch of additional rewards on the desk.
"Thank you for completing today's commissions, here is your reward."
The duo glance at each other curiously, wanting to ask a little more about either the gift or the adventurer that gifted it, but decided against the idea as they pocketed the little bag. Waving bye as Paimon's stomach grumbled loudly.
Katheryne carefully removed the flower crown from her hair once they left, disappearing from her post momentarily to place your gift in a safe location, alongside a variety of other items you had brought back for her many times before. Idly, Katheryne wonders what you'll have for her next and finds herself excited to find out.