[ Hm... Flynn takes the other appetizer fork to stab a mushroom for itself. ]

That does make the texture interesting. It's too bad frying things is so difficult on the road.

[ 'It can't be that hard': famous last words uttered before freak mushroom cooking disaster destroys many locals. ]

You're right. This season should be good for them as well, I think. ...It's strange to have so little to do here besides cook and clean.

[ Oh, that's relatable. Flynn nods wry agreement and smiles at Syrlya. ]

I admit, I was first intending to sign up for the auction because I thought it would give me something concrete to look into. I wasn't anticipating the location to be a ship, though. [ And then Yuri signed him up first, and, well. ] You said you'd retired, hadn't you? Although it didn't sound as though you had any shortage of things left to do.

Ah... not exactly. I was planning on it, but Yuri -- my friend beat me to it. [ Flynn gives a wry little sigh and takes a sip of his mocktail. ] So I wrote his for him. It sounds like we weren't the only ones. What about yours?

I see...

[ Flynn thinks of the application he submitted for Judith. He fidgets, a little guiltily. ]

Some of the applications were a little rude. I hope it wasn't one of those? [ But good intentions would surely count for something, and that frown is ominous? ]

The auction became something of a bigger deal than I expected. I suppose it could be a little awkward, in a public forum like that, to have someone put forward whatever came to mind for them. ...Even if it was someone who knew you well?

[ Flynn kind of wonders if all of that is related to whatever argument at the auction Mishka was talking about — but there were a lot of them, so who can say. He lets his expression relax into a polite but honest smile again in return. ]

I'm glad for the chance to meet you, whatever the circumstances. Your "Pact" might not be quite like the Knights, but I feel like we've got a little in common.

I wonder if that was deliberate on the goddess's part, or just a matter of chance. It must be fairly common regardless. People everywhere have things they want to protect, after all.

Those were a little... invasive, weren't they? I can't imagine where she could have even found out some of those things.

[ Flynn sips unhappily at the mocktail. No one else even knew what his perfect date was, before this. ]

Well, I don't expect any detailed answers from someone in her position, as unfortunate as it is.

[ Flynn chokes a tiny bit on his drink. This is... maybe the first time it's crossed his mind since his date earlier in the week. ]

...I'm not sure. That is, I hadn't really had plans for it before this. My work takes up most of my time. But since I have two other friends who were brought here, it seemed simple enough to suggest we all get married so we could return together. Assuming the goddess allows an arrangement like that.

I don't think they would take it too seriously, so I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a problem. But I haven't actually asked yet.

[ Is 'won't take it too seriously' a good thing? Breezing right along. ]

And what about you? It's a bit unreasonable of her to ask, but is it going to inconvenience you?

[ Flynn lets out a soft laugh of agreement and reaches for another mushroom. ]

I take it that even in your new role, your absence is likely to be noticed. I feel the same. I don't know why she chose marriage as her condition in the first place, but what's important is being able to return.