Chapter Text
Concerned was an understatement. But the Cleric Ethel is more concerned about WHEN it happened. It was like she turned her back and then the kids suddenly didn't want to look at each other in the face anymore!
It was even more weird considering they have spent more time with each other than the other two have, and there they were, giving nasty looks at each other during battle and taking more damage as a result.
Ethel huffed as she cured Bopi again, and turned to the Pop Star next to her. "That's the fourth time I've healed Bopi today. It's no problem at all, but she can usually manage well by herself, what's gotten into her?!"
The Pop Star Crisp hit the enemy with her mic and turned back to speak, "I know! And Nom has been tripping over and not payed attention too much as well! Like, more than usual!" She sighed. "Must be because of the fight they've gotten in."
They both turned their head at Bopi's "Don't give me that look!" as she butted in Nom's turn for the millionth time, holding back a groan.
What they didn't expect was Nom snapping back at her with a "Can't be having this!" while practically pushing her out of the way.
"Alright, you two-" Ethel tried to intervene, but like wasn't there, the kids pushed and kicked back and forth before crashing into the last standing enemy, a goblin, and having it involved in their scuffle.
The two looked dumbfounded as they fought, having difficulty keeping track of who was who with how fast they moved.
If they stopped, it was because one of the pushed too hard and the other fell, but it wasn't long before they got back up. They managed to catch the goblin staring at them with a perplexed look, and they could only reply with a just as perplexed shrug.
Before they knew it, the goblin poofed away and it's stolen face was freed, ending the battle right there.
The kids struck their victory poses like nothing had happened, and Bopi ran back to lead the party faster than usual. Nom didn't even say a word to his other partners as he kept walking behind her.
"...they...they had never gotten like that." Crisp muttered, stunned.
"We must intervene. They're hurting each other at this point!" Ethel exclaimed, walking faster to reach the two.
Crisp ran to her, attempting to stop her. "But! But! Don't you think we should let them handle it? You know, they're children! They gotta grow and, figure this kind of things up!"
"What, you have children?"
"No, but I just doubt they'll listen to us. You've seen how grumpy they've gotten!"
"That's true... the fight must really be getting to them." Ethel stopped, laying out her options, before an inn in the distance came into view.
"Let's let them cool off," Crisp said softly. "They'll probably make up at the inn anyway. Those two are practically joined at the hip, I doubt they'll be angry too long!"
Ethel sighed, she could only agree. "You better be right."
"Can't be having this!"
The next day, things were just as bad.
"...So, cool off and make up at the inn?"
"Ehh... you know how unexpected they are!"
Ethel shot a glare at her, the place suddenly surrounded by Bopi and Nom's battle cries and grunts.
"Okay, fine... we should talk to them. Otherwise they might knock themselves out before even finishing the fight.
Lucky for you, I have a special ability that might help us now!"
"And you're saying that now?!" Ethel yelped as Crisp got ready for her turn.
Once she was up, she ran up to Nom and cleared her throat.
"Hey! No more fighting! We're all in this together! Love & Peace!! ♪"
Both Ethel and Nom himself stared at Crisp together. Did she have a song for that the whole time??
But suddenly, it was like something clicked in Nom. He looked at the swarm of enemies, one making it's way toward the Hero. Without thinking, he put himself in front of her, taking the hit!
"Nom!!" The two adults yelled, but Nom seemed not to mind.
He looked up at Bopi and simply said, "are you okay??"
"...tut."
Well... at least he got her to talk for the first time in almost two days.
"How long have you had that ability for???" Ethel snapped.
"Like, a few days now?? I've been getting stronger recently, and I-"
"Just go do it to the other one!!"
That night at the inn, Bopi and Nom tolerated each other enough to have a real conversation with each other, and the next morning, they were just as affectionate as ever.