Fiore walked back to the tavern, feeling self defeated. "How could I?" Fiore asked, his tone whimpering. "I almost let myself be taken over by some madman... and who knows what he would have done..." Fiore's consciousness stayed quiet. It was customary for him to stay quiet after a defeat like this. The two were both ashamed, Fiore because he almost let him get the upper hand, Fiore's consciousness because he couldn't win. 

Fiore looked up, and upon seeing Odysseus, paced a little bit faster, smiling upon seeing his trusty horse exactly where he left it. "I have practiced with the rapier all of my life, but perhaps there is something else that needs practicing..." Fiore's tone wavered, wondering about him and his well being, Fiore truly was scared. "If I were to go mad in a city like this, there's no doubt that I would be killed on the spot... or worse, sent to rot in the dungeon... I can't do that to Odysseus or I..." Fiore kept on the smile, albeit fake, he had to show Odysseus that nothing was wrong, that he was fine. 

Fiore, upon reaching Odysseus, unhitched the horse. "There you go, Odysseus." Fiore showed an unwavering smile, but it was a fake one, on the inside, Fiore wanted to cry out, Fiore wanted to die, he almost let his other side get the better of him, and if he did, he would have killed the boy of the Forbannet. Odysseus stared at Fiore, almost expecting something, like a reward of sorts, which took a few moments for Fiore to register in his head. 

"... Oh! Now, now, Odysseus, just because you stood still for who knows how long doesn't mean you get a treat." Odysseus rolled his eyes, not because he didn't want a treat, but because he somehow had this instinct that something was troubling Fiore, but Odysseus couldn't communicate that. Fiore simply grinned and patted Odysseus on the head, then grabbing his reins. Fiore looked out into the streets, they were way too crowded due to the festivities, there would be no way for the two to be able to ride out into the street and out of the village at full speed without harming anyone, Fiore would have to walk Odysseus out of here, leading him by the reins. 

"Odysseus, we can either go with the others or we can go alone, what do you think?" Odysseus glared at Fiore, affixing his gaze on him, expecting Fiore to realize what Odysseus was trying to say. "... Yes, I know you're a horse, but you can make decisions for yourself, can't you?" Odysseus kept glaring at Fiore, which slowly starting to become nerve-racking for Fiore. "... Alright, we'll try to find the other two, how about it? Besides, if I remember correct, we have to question or get rid of a group of bandits, I don't think that'll be a good job for just me alone, huh? Unless you want too join me in the fight-" Odysseus looked towards the other direction, which usually meant "no." Fiore sighed and started to walk down the street with Odysseus, reins in his hand, going back to the barracks.