"Wow," Rhea whispered in awe. "This land is almost as beautiful as home." She sighed, feeling a pang of longing for Stella and her family. The Rune Knight had finally gotten a well-deserved break from her duties in Era. Here in Luluhawa, the beauty all around her reminded her of why people were so drawn to places like Stella. Both places had so much in common, and she felt grateful for it. The sand beneath her feet felt like a warm, gentle massage as she walked from the boardwalk to the water. A cool breeze brushed against her skin, like a soft, reassuring caress from Quetzalcoatl himself. Rhea's dark locks danced in the wind, her blue bikini top hugging her chest, matching the blue bikini bottoms that peeked out from her slightly unzipped jean shorts. The string of her undergarments added a playful hint of allure.

The beach was alive with activity. Families played together, children building sandcastles and splashing in the waves, while others lay on their towels, soaking up the sun. Rhea's eyes wandered over the scene, imagining little stories for each person she saw. Then, one figure caught her eye. "Oooh~, she's prettyyy," she sang to herself, captivated by a beautiful brown-haired woman emerging from the water, her skin glistening like a pearl in the sunlight. Drawn to her like a moth to a flame, Rhea made her way toward the ocean. The woman stood out like a diamond in the rough, her beauty undeniable.

"How's the water, hermosa? Looks like high tide," Rhea greeted with a warm, inviting smile, her accent thick and sweet like honey.

Up close, the woman dripping in seawater was even more beautiful, like a sea nymph stepping out of a fairy tale. Rhea couldn't quite tell if she was Fiorian or not, but if she was, then the Light Dragon would be pleasantly surprised. Few people in Fiore were as stunning as La Reina before her. When Rhea asked how the water was, the woman responded in a way that seemed almost flirtatious, like a playful breeze on a hot day. Rhea wasn't used to this; she often missed romantic cues, assuming her masculinity put people off, as her cousins often told her. Still, she matched the woman's gentle energy. "Luckily for you, I happen to be great company~" Rhea replied, her smile as bright as the sun reflecting off the waves, as the woman drew closer.

There was something about a confident woman that the Half-Elf admired, perhaps because she too was confident. The golden sand stretched out like a warm, inviting blanket, dotted with colorful umbrellas and beach towels. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and the soothing melody of the ocean. The scent of saltwater mixed with the occasional waft perfume radiated off of her new friend."Si~ I am from the country of Stella. Oh how being here makes me miss home. Have you been? To Stella?" Rhea inquired, placing a hand on her hip, her posture relaxed and inviting. "Mi nombre es Rhea, by the way. Rhea Alvarez," she added with a charming smile, her eyes sparkling like the ocean in the midday sun. The water behind the brunette glistened under the bright sunlight, small waves breaking gently against the shore.

"Nice to meet you, Sofia~," Rhea replied with a slight curtsy nod. What a beautiful name, she thought. It had the same melodic quality as Stellan names. And now that Rhea thought about it, Sofia also had a very Stellan-esque poise to her: elegant, gentle, seductive even. The men and women in Rhea's home country all seemed to master the art of seduction, except for Ms. Alvarez herself, that is. It all made sense, though, because Sofia revealed she was practically from the same country as Rhea. A pleasant surprise, to say the least. The Elf hadn't met another Stellan, or anyone remotely close, since she ventured to Fiore.

"Oh? Well, that makes sense. I knew there was something about you that felt familiar. No wonder you are so sexy; we are like family, it runs in your blood~!" she said playfully. Rhea began to inch forward, trying to navigate both of them toward the waters from which Sofia had just come, the sand slipping from under her feet with each step. As Rhea moved, the light breeze caught her thick locks, making them dance like dark silk ribbons in the wind. Each gust flipped her hair from one shoulder to the other, like a playful lover's touch. Her back faced the water as she moved backward toward her destination.

"Entonces supongo que hablas la lengua nativa. O tu tierra natal habla un idioma completamente diferente?" she asked, her voice as smooth and calming as the waves behind her."

"Hmhmhm," Rhea chuckled at Sofia's bold comment, the sound light and musical like the tinkling of wind chimes. She had heard similar remarks before, but they never ceased to amuse her. Raised to be confident and fearless, the half-elf would have to credit this unwavering self-assurance to her mama. "Oh?" she raised a brow, intrigued by the mention of a guild Though she had been in Fiore for a while, Rhea knew little about its guilds. She had a basic understanding but remained a foreigner in many ways, like a fish out of water but now that it was mentioned...Sofia did look oddly familiar.

"You flatter me~. While I appreciate the offer, la bella, unfortunately, I'm tied to the Rune Knight organization for a little while. Perhaps when I leave, I'll consider following up on your offer- depending on the guild of course." The Dragon Slayer remarked, her gaze momentarily drifting away like a leaf caught in the wind.

Rhea briefly pondered her future beyond the Knights, a topic she had neglected due to her demanding workload. The thought of planning her next moves had always lingered at the back of her mind, but she had never given it serious consideration until now.

"Ah, Valerican. I've heard of your land before. A small island, but with mighty people. They've always been one of our greatest allies," Rhea remarked, smiling warmly at Sofia. As she walked backward toward the water, she felt the cool waves lap against her ankles, sending a pleasant shiver up her spine. "Ooooh~," she sighed, biting her lip at the familiar sensation. The water felt like a long-lost lover's embrace, stirring memories of home. Oh, how she missed the ocean.

"Did I mention how badly I miss home?"

"You are not wrong..." Rhea began, slowly turning her body to face the ocean as a small wave traveled forward and caressed her feet entirely, a kiss from Chalchiuhtlicue.

She often pondered her role as a Rune Knight, acknowledging that it was temporary, a means to an end until she had enough money and experience in Fiore to continue her journey. The Stellan held no true love for the country of Fiore, given their history and part in the attempt to colonize her homeland. Still, she knew that Fiore could offer her the tools she needed to control her power. So, she always swallowed her pride to push forward as a Rune Knight. If any other guild had offered the same resources and protection, she probably would have gone there first.

"Rune Knights are- how do you say?" she thought for a moment, searching for the right words. "Cunts. Men rule and make the orders, everyone wants to impress their superiors, and they walk through the streets of Fiore with an air of superiority that disgusts me." She sighed, her voice tinged with frustration. "I do not intend on staying. I'm just poor in this country, and the Rune Knights pay well enough." The admission was raw and honest, reflecting her inner conflict and the sacrifices she made.

As Sofia spoke, pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. The Pegasi referred to Blue Pegasus, one of the most renowned organizations in Fiore. "Oh, I see. That is why you speak with such elegance! Blue Pegasus of Hargeon is known for their beauty, grace, and power. I also hear the guild master is one of the strongest mages in the world?" The Dragon Slayer quite liked these moments shared with Sofia. Not only was she getting to know someone, finally, but she was also learning more about Fiore, for better or for worse.

"I would say so." Rhea giggled, pleased that someone else could see how full of shit the Rune Knights were. "If I had known about Fiorian guilds sooner, I would not be standing before you as a Rune Knight. But, this is the will of the gods, so here I am."

Slowly, the Dragoness of Light shuffled backward into the ocean, each step allowing the cool water to creep up from her soles to her ankles. She relished Sofia's vibrant energy; it felt like a breath of fresh air. There was something familiar about her, a connection that went beyond their shared ethnicity. A new friendship was blossoming—one of many to come, she hoped.

As the enchanted brunette spoke, elaborating on the rumors Rhea had heard about the mistress of Blue Pegasus, the air thickened with allure and intrigue. There was almost a twinkle in Sofia’s eye, an unmistakable admiration for the woman they discussed. Rhea raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Rumor had it that Alisa’s wife was just as stunning—perhaps even more so—though she preferred to remain out of the limelight. Known for her regal presence and striking beauty, she was a figure of fascination. Rhea was less like these women in that sense. Even if she had been desired, it was of no interest to her. She wasn't regal or classy. Quite the opposite, in fact. At least, that's how she saw herself.

“Oh, yes,” Rhea chimed in, her voice carrying a playful lilt. “I’ve heard about the wife as well. How lucky they must feel to have found each other…” She paused, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. “You speak almost as if you fantasize about embracing both of them!”

Laughter bubbled up, light and infectious, just as the waves crashed against Rhea’s hindquarters, sending a refreshing chill down the Dragon Slayer's spine. “Have you met them?” Rhea asked, genuinely curious. The idea of meeting such formidable women, each a force in her own right, filled her with excitement. She imagined the three of them together—strength, beauty, and magic intertwining. She had also imagined herself fighting them, how legendary that would be.

Suddenly, it dawned on Rhea, and the realization hit her like one of the waves crashing onto the shore. Earlier, Sofia had mentioned how well-suited Rhea was for her guild, but in the flurry of their conversation, Rhea had completely missed which guild that was. It wasn’t until Sofia casually referred to Blue Pegasus as “our” guild that everything clicked into place. Rhea began to piece together the clues as Sofia spoke, her mind finally catching up.

Rhea was quick on her feet, both in combat and conversation, but her mental agility sometimes lagged. She often skimmed over details, focusing only on the main points. It was a habit she knew she needed to improve, especially now that Sofia had dropped hints about her identity without Rhea catching on.

“Our Bill?” Rhea echoed, still feeling a bit lost. But as the waves crashed against her hind legs once more, a light flickered in her mind, as if the ocean itself was giving her clarity. “Oh, mierda—” she said, stepping closer, realization hitting her. “You’re… the Sofia Serena!” Her cheeks flushed a vibrant red, embarrassment washing over her. How had she not figured it out sooner? Of course, the curvaceous brunette had been intimate with "them"—she was "them".

Rhea brought a hand to her forehead, shaking her head in disbelief. “Coño. I’m sorry, I completely missed the clues, Como si fuera una idiota.” With a sigh, she placed her hands on her hips, a mix of awe and embarrassment in her expression. Just like her mama: dramatic. “I guess that is why you were wanting me to join Blue Pegasus, huh? But… I don’t think my future plans will fit with your guild, unfortunately. The gods seem to have other plans for me.” Saying it felt a bit heavy, like she was letting her new friend down.

“But I would love to visit!” she quickly added, her tone brightening. “I would love to see the guild, the city...tu bella esposa... maybe get a drink or twelve?" The thought of Blue Pegasus excited the Light dragon. Although joining was a different story. It was known as a legal guild in Fiore, and at some point Rhea imagined returning home with fresh skills and knowledge to protect Stella from threats like Bosco and the unpredictable nature of Fiore.

When Sofia asked if she was as beautiful as the stories, Rhea could only laugh, a soft, nervous sound that bubbled up from her chest.

"Even more beautiful in person. Ay dios... it's almost surreal," Rhea admitted with a smirk, feeling the warmth rise to her cheeks. The words rolled off her tongue effortlessly, but they carried a weight that surprised even Rhea. She had never really thought about her own sexuality much. As far as she was concerned, she had only been interested in men... but there was something undeniably magnetic about Sofia. The allure she exuded wasn’t just about beauty—there was a deeper pull, something almost supernatural. Maybe it was a spell? Rhea had heard of charms cast to captivate hearts, but this felt... different. She could feel the tug like a gentle but persistent current pulling her in.

Her thoughts swirled like a storm. This was already confusing her. Sofia was clearly intent on luring her away from the Rune Knights, and Rhea couldn't deny the temptation that came with the offer. Blue Pegasus, one of the most prestigious guilds in Fiore. The idea of being part of something so renowned appealed to her adventurous spirit, but Rhea knew her truth. She wasn't just any warrior, and her time with the Rune Knights wasn't without purpose. She had committed to them for a reason, and deep down, she feared that joining such an esteemed guild might be too great of a risk. What if she tarnished their name with her rough edges and untamed power?

Still, she couldn’t deny the way her heart bubbled whenever Sofia spoke. There was something almost divine about her, like a goddess walking among mortals. Rhea could see why people flocked to her. Sofia carried herself like an empress, her every move deliberate, confident, and alluring. But before Rhea could fully digest the gravity of the situation after suddenly realized that she was finding some sort of romantic interest in the woman, Sofia clapped her hands together and shouted for her lion. It was as if the air itself bent to Sofia’s will, a majestic, regal creature appearing out of thin air, its mane shimmering and its eyes as fierce as the wild. Rhea’s breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon it, its presence both awe-inspiring and humbling.

"Oh!?" Rhea gasped, her initial surprise turning into a bubbling excitement. "W-we're going right now?" she asked, half in disbelief and half eager for the impromptu trip. Sofia was clearly not the type to waste time, and the idea of seeing Blue Pegasus was suddenly within reach. Rhea smiled warmly at the lion but kept a respectful distance. She had trained in Stella by fighting beasts, and while this creature exuded a calm majesty, she couldn't be sure it wouldn’t turn hostile. "You’re beautiful..." she whispered, her eyes wide with awe as she took in the sight of the magnificent creature.

Sofia was already preparing to step through the portal the lion had conjured, and who was Rhea to deny the hospitality of one of the Queens of Pegasus? "Well, alright then~."