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‘That wasn’t so bad,’ said Garovel.

Hector destroyed his helm and rubbed his face.

The repairs to this old antechamber had come along nicely. It was mainly just simple wood and stone, but Hector didn’t think anything fancier would have suited him. He was mildly surprised to find no one immediately around.

‘Hmm,’ said Garovel, his skull twitching to the side. ‘It seems those weren’t our only guests. Prince Meriwether is here.’

‘What? What’s he doing here? And why would he show up unannounced?’

‘And there’s someone else... someone I can’t quite... Oh, wait, no. That’s Lynn.’

Hector froze up.

‘Her weird aura is like a fog. I can’t pinpoint her location. I just know that she’s around here somewhere. She’s probably with the prince, though. I doubt she’d be wandering around on her--’ Garovel stared at him. ‘Hector? You okay there, buddy?’

‘Lynn’s really here? Why would she--? Agh... You’re sure?’

‘Mmhmm.’

He could feel himself already beginning to panic. He started pacing between the room’s pair of wide staircases. ‘What do I do? Oh no, oh fuck...’

‘Alright, Hector, what’s going on? Is this gonna be a constant thing with you and Lynn?’

‘Uh... mgh...’

‘Oh, c’mon. Don’t start this hesitation-business with me again. We’re past that, aren’t we? Just tell me.’

‘Ah... ergh...’

‘Do you want me to guess? We could turn it into a game. Quack if your problem with her involves a duck-billed platypus in some way.’

‘Garovel, what the--?’

‘Ponies! She told you she hates ponies, and now you don’t think you can be friends with her anymore! I’m right, aren’t I?! Man, I’m good at this!’

‘You’re an asshole...’

‘Hector. Obviously, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong. And since you’re about to go talk to her, now might be a good time to ask me for advice. Unless you’d rather handle it on your own, that is.’

‘Y-you... I... ugh. Y-you can’t tell anyone. Ever.’

‘Okay.’

‘I mean it, Garovel. You can’t. If you do... I’ll... fucking... I don’t know--just don’t!’

‘Alright, geez. What, do you have a crush on her or something?’

Hector’s brain decided to stop letting him form words. His face flushed red, and he had to avert his eyes.

For a moment, the reaper just stared at him awkwardly. ‘Oh.’ Another beat passed. ‘Seriously?’