#here them asks

Robert realizes that Herman should have stopped traveling with him ages ago. He had escorted him to the village he originally said he wanted to visit when they first met. But then instead of parting ways the young man had found an excuse to stay with him...

In fact he kept finding excuses. And Robert isn't sure that he minds.. He likes having him... He's good company on the trail. Eager, smart, willing to rough it if he has to. But also his magic makes setting up camp way easier. And he's a decent cook, which makes evenings way more pleasant then eating plain trail rations.

have this little campfire moment anon! i’d reckon he’d be a breath of fresh air for robert haha.

Courtney figures it out before Robert does... At first she gets really mad that Robert would choose Herman over her. She picks on Herman at first a lot.

Over time she realizes that Robert has no idea what's going on and that Herman is not going to tell him. And that's way more annoying than Robert having terrible romantic taste. Watching them both dance around each other but not doing anything is agonizing.

Soon after Herman admitting he wants to stay with Robert, they work with Courtney.. Herman being a complete mess, his spells cause them a huge amount of trouble.

"What in the Nine Hells is wrong with you ?" She corners him later and drags the truth of why he's so out of sorts, kicking and screaming.

"Did you actually say the word love to him?" She grilled

Herman ponders for a second and admits that he didn't.

She actually gives him a smack aside the head. "You are a Wizard you are supposed to be smarter than this! At least Robert has the excuse of being a dumb knight..."

Herman protests " He's not dumb..."

"Yes he is, and so are you! Dumb Knight and Idiot Wizard perfect for each other." She seethes.

fjdkfnfb LMAO

Robert is seen by most people as a bit past his prime because of a recent battle that he nearly died at. His father and grandfather were also very famous knights so very much a similar situation to the main universe.

Herman always loved stories of knights and their adventures. He was on a journey of his own when he met Robert. They happened to be coincidencently going to the same place for different reasons. He didn't recognize him at first but when he did, was so nervous the famous Sir Robert Robertson III. He had prove to him that he was actually useful, latches onto the traveling knight and keeps trying to prove his worth.

Robert is a bit oblivious, Herman wants to travel with him? I guess two is safer than one? And magic can be very useful... He needs to learn control, but that just reminds him of how reckless and green he was when he started. It takes him a while to realize that Herman has become really devoted and that he could have left ages ago. Feelings start a brewing.

Sonar is a well known werebat, but known more as a local pest rather than dangerous. He's known more for scaring people rather than hurting them. Haven't fully formed thoughts on others yet.

oh alright! veri inch resting

Courtney is a local rogue she's known for petty theft, but she's also known to help local adventurers when they explore old ruins..

Herman knows that she's into Robert and pretends not to notice. He is not sure he trusts her, but Robert is willingly to work with her and she is competent so he tolerates her when she is around.

Mandy is the head of a local townships guards. She's hired them several times as independent contractors. She's pretty open about her interest in Robert. Herman likes her but he also is constantly comparing himself to her. He feels like it's only a matter of time before Roberts polite declining changes it's tune.

Yes Robert puzzles over the who Herman was holding out for. He has narrator down to two people both wrong of course. He notices that he treats Courtney weird when she's around so maybe her?

Or there's this tiefling named Malevola they sometimes do work with her. She and Herman seem to get along really well and they talk shop about magic things that Robert doesn't understand at all. It's gotta be her right? Who else could he be talking about and why does thinking about it makes Robert's stomach sour.

Herman is terrible with non magical weaponry as most Wizards are. Robert wants him to be able to protect himself without magic just in case. Gives him lessons on how to use a quarterstaff, dagger, and a crossbow.

During those lessons he notices that Herman gets flustered sometimes.. Robert not quick on the uptake doesn't understand why.