The carriage wheels hit another hole in the road, jolting Liam awake from his half-doze. He blinked, shading his eyes from shafts of afternoon sunlight filtering through the canopy.

Berry’s head rested against his shoulder, her tiger ears flicking occasionally as she slept. The sight of her so commanding by day, yet so vulnerable now, sent a strange warmth through his chest. He shifted carefully, not wanting to wake her.

Across the carriage, Mirra lay curled with her hood pulled low, wrapped in a small bundle of blue fabric. The rest of their party napped in various stages of exhaustion after the day’s dungeon crawl.

"Hey, healer girl."

Liam’s head snapped up. One of Iron Guild’s tanks, Daveth, according to Johan, leaned forward, his bear-like features bright in the afternoon light.

Mirra didn’t move.

"I know you’re awake," Daveth said, louder now. "I can see your eyes glowing under that hood."

The blue fabric stirred. "And I see your low health," Mirra replied, unmoved. "What of it?"

Daveth tried for a charming grin but ended up with a predatory grimace. "Thought you might help a fellow player out. Guild solidarity and all that."

Liam felt Berry stir. Her eyes cracked open, narrowed at the scene, then closed again with a quiet sigh.

"My healing isn’t free," Mirra said, pushing upright. Her blue eyes shone even in daylight. "Especially not mid-afternoon."

"Come on," Daveth leaned further in, taking up half the bench. "What’s a little mana between friends? I’m the tank, I take hits so squishies like you don’t have to."

Liam suppressed a grin, classic tank logic.

"Your reasoning is flawed," Mirra replied coolly. "You chose to be a tank. I chose to be a healer. That choice doesn’t entitle you to my services."

Berry’s ear flicked against Liam’s cheek. She was awake, enjoying the performance.

"Look," Daveth wheedled in that ridiculous deep voice, "heal me up and I’ll make it worth your while. I’m talking dinner in Aero City, nice place, maybe more, if the evening goes well."

Mirra stared at him for a long moment. "More."

"You know." Daveth spread his large hands. "The night’s still young."

"It’s mid-afternoon," Mirra said.

The carriage lurched over a bump, and Daveth nearly fell off his seat. He caught the railing with a groan, pain etched across his face.

"See? I’m suffering here, the pain’s real. I can barely lift my shield."

"You’re not even holding one," Mirra pointed out.

"I would be if I hadn’t sold it for potions that didn’t work half as well as your magic, sweetheart."

Liam snorted. Berry’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.

"Your acting needs work," Mirra said, pulling her hood lower. "And so does your negotiation. Good afternoon, Mr Daveth."

"Wait," Daveth’s voice dropped, turning syrupy. "Come on. A girl like you, healing hands like that, bet you’ve got a gentle touch outside of combat too. What do you say, just the two of us in Aero City, skip the guild dinner, find somewhere quieter..."

Berry’s eyes opened.

"somewhere we could really get to know each other, if you know what I-"

"Daveth."

The name landed like a dropped shield. Berry hadn’t moved, hadn’t sat up. She simply looked at him from under her lashes, orange eyes catching the light through the canopy.

Daveth’s mouth closed.

"Iron Guild has standards," she said, her voice still carrying the softness of someone half asleep. "Apologise to the healer, and then pay her."

Liam watched as the hulking tank shrank under Berry’s gaze. It was impressive how she shifted from a vulnerable sleeper to an authoritarian.

"Sorry, healer," Daveth muttered, staring at his paws. "I’ll pay, standard rate."

Mirra’s hood tilted back. "Fifty gold pieces."

"Fifty!" Daveth’s head shot up. "Highway robbery!"

"Then wait for it to naturally heal," Mirra replied sweetly.

Grumbling, Daveth fished out a pouch and tossed it to Mirra. She counted the coins, nodded, and lifted her hands. Sunlight danced on her fingertips.

"The Light mends what darkness cannot sever," she intoned, and healing energy surged into Daveth’s massive frame.

His health bar climbed to full. The bear-man sighed, fur fluffing with renewed vigour. "Worth every penny."

As Mirra settled back, Liam caught Berry’s eye. She offered a small smile, ears perked in amusement.

"Quite the negotiator, your healer," she whispered.

Liam nodded. "She doesn’t suffer fools."

"And neither do I," Berry replied softly. "Especially when they interrupt my rest." Eyeing Liam like a hawk

Her emphasis on "rest" made Liam’s pulse quicken. He sensed she’d enjoyed their closeness more than sleeping.

The carriage rolled on beneath the tree lines. One by one, the party drifted back to sleep, even Daveth, now snoring softly, fully healed but thoroughly sobered.

Liam felt Berry’s weight once more against his shoulder, her warmth seeping through his armour. He studied her in the afternoon light, the curve of her cheek, the sweep of striped hair across her face, the gentle part of her lips.

Midnight’s eyes narrowed. Nobody stole her spotlight. One blink, and the petite dragon was gone, replaced by something far more dangerous: a beast-woman, even though she was small, she had curves where she needed them, sliding down Liam’s chest like liquid shadow before locking her arms possessively around his waist. She turned to Berry with a grin sharp enough to cut glass, her tongue slipping out in a challenge that said louder than words this one’s mine.

[TOOL TIP]:

Status: Territorial Aggro: Critical

The "Syrupy" Tank Deflation: Daveth attempting to use classic tavern charisma on Mirra resulted in an immediate [Wallet Hemorrhage] event. The system notes that flirting with a high-tier healer mid-afternoon carries an automatic 50-Gold Penalty, leaving his health bar full but his pride completely bankrupted.

The "Rest" Emphases: Berry defining her tactical shoulder-lean as "rest" has triggered a [Pulse Spike] in Liam’s engine. Her tiger-eye tracking indicates she was 100% awake, highly satisfied with using his upper torso as premium mattress real estate, and entirely ready to discipline any tank who ruined the vibe.

The "Liquid Shadow" Slide: [Midnight] transforming back into her five-foot frame and sliding down Liam’s chest like a greedy grease slick has bypassed all known collision physics.