(Chapter 18) Store, Time skip and creepy old man.

As my eyes closed I pulled the fur blanket closer to me and as soon as sleep gently embraced me, I found myself laying on silver grass. I was back in my mindscape and as I looked around, the beautiful landscape had changed.

There was noise now. Insects sang in the night while a small pack of deer was grazing in the distance pasted the trees. while the light of the moon was dimmer now. As I looked up it had changed fazes. Rising up as I dusted my clothes I searched for my other self but I couldn't not see her.

A smooth melody floated in the air, It was familiar and calming. As I followed the music I came close to the forest, it was coming from within there. Taking a breath and feeling a bit stupid I walked passed the forest line.

Unlike before it didn't turn me towards the lake but allowed me to continue. Turning my head to look back at the lake I could see the large wolf drinking from it. Breathing in the fragrance of nature as my legs moved, leading me deeper into the woods.

The light glows of fireflies danced between the trees, even the trees seemed to be moving. As their branches shook to the tone. Placing My palm against one as I walked. Energy could be felt within familiar to what I had felt in that weird vision.

The more I walked, the more I recognized the path. It had been the one I had followed while hunting with Alawion. And it had dawned on me, the instrument that was playing was a Ocarina. And as I re-stepped the trail I came across the place where the troll had dropped down on me. There my other half was playing with her back to me.

And as I moved closer I saw what seemed to be a small creature, the size of a mouse but made of leaves resting before her. Amazed I had not been paying attention and had stepped on a branch. Looking down and cursing myself I raised my head to see that the creature was gone, Aruzhan simply had turned her head to look at me and smiled.

"Welcome it has been a bit since we last spoke," She said as she turned completely to face me. I nodded as I sat crossed-legged on the ground. "It indeed has been a while, Though I am surprised I didn't come back here right after our last meeting." It was weird that so much time had passed for them to meet again.

"Well..... I'm not truly sure about the needed conditions for us to meet like this." She said while looking stumped. "Ah well... how did you manage to expand this place?" I asked Not willing to waste what time I had chatting with myself.

"I didn't, it was you that expanded this place." She motioned with her hand around herself. " If I had to make a guess, I'd say that with every event that you experience that is important in one way or another it will manifest in the place." That actually made sense maybe I could expand to events that happened to me on Earth..... naw that would be too boring and I hadn't made any progress with my other self yet maybe some fantasy worlds or games? now that sounded interesting. I'll leave that for later.

"Right, I got to ask what was that thing?" I said as the creature was not here before. "Well, I'm not too sure myself, it had appeared twice so far. And I have noticed a pattern." Aruzhan commented while placing a hand under her chin as she rocked side to side. "It appears every time the mother used her strange magic."

Wait it was connected to Alawion? "Why do you call her the mother?" I asked a bit confused.

"Well as I've told you my mother was sent away while I was at a very young age, but she shares the same nurturing nature. One thing you have to understand is that whatever you see, I can see. whatever you feel I feel, the same applies to you." she said apologetically.

"So..... what your saying is that the reason I was crying was because of you." Sharing emotions and longing was something I had not expected. scratching my head as I watched her nod while looking sorry.

Sigh

"Well, we will figure something out." And for the next few hours, we spent chatting, mostly about a few things she came across while searching my memories. Not that I minded but when the topic came to some of my less than pure actions it had been a bit strange to explain.

"Look... it's fine if they do the deed, I mean they're even wearing protection." Then I had to explain the whole meaning of protection. As shee when to ask about my more kinky attachments I had to beg to switch topics. much to her amusement and my embarrassment.

"Right I wanted to ask if you could buy me some books about what happened to our people" She looked hopefully as she stared at me. Well, I could understand why she wanted to know plus it gave me a chance to check out the shop.

As I thought about it a large black screen appeared before me. Suddenly I felt as she sat down right next to me. hip to hip, Right calm down my inner perv right now is not the time.

___________________________________________________

STORE

Food Tab

spell tomes tab

books and maps tab

raw resources tab Locked Requires materials

Weapons tab

Appears

Donation tab

___________________________________________________

Well, everything seemed normal I guess. Moving the clicker with my mind toward the third one. Once I confirmed it a large list of books appeared. There were so many books and the little bar on the side where people would click to scroll kept getting smaller. And what was worse was the fact that it didn't have a search tab. Fuck...

There was no way I was planning on sitting here and scrolling until we found it. And the prices what the hell 150 for a book about herbs? what? why was it so high?

"Maybe... I should look for one once I'm awake. see if there's a shop around town that sells one?" I said while turning my head to look at her. My nose touched hers as she turned at the same time to look at me.

she laughed as she leaned a bit back and wiggled her nose at me. Gods was it cute. "Yes that seems like the best course of action, for I doubt we would even know where to begin our search on this," She said while pointing at the screen. Wait that means she could also see it.

Right, she did mention that, well it wouldn't hurt to know maybe I could get Arnovia to come with me and look around. "Looks like your time is up again, mayhaps you could find a way to come here again once you found some?" She said while tilting her head and smiling.

Shake Shake

Hmmm... as I opened my eyes a saw Arnovais was there with two buckets of water. A light ray sneaks its way through the wall. Right morning I said as I moved out of the warm loving bed. As we washed the crisp cold air was refreshing and I couldn't help but find myself liking the cold. Guess both could be nice in their own way. Getting dressed I grabbed both buckets once we were down and head down the hall.

As I reached the kitchen I could smell the food. It seemed like today we would be having some type of meat with eggs, bread, and goats milk. Looking over to the bowls on the table my stomach couldn't help but make itself heard. Alawion smiled while chuckling.

"Well dump those out the window and come eat" No sooner had those words left her mouth had I already made my way towards the open window and did as told. My hungry urged me to rush, and as the water was thrown outside I heard a voice shout watch it. Turning to look out the window I saw Sorus who was but a few steps away from the water.

"Oh no sorry Sorus I wasn't looking," I said while being embarrassed again. I swear someone has to be doing these things on purpose to see me embarrassed I thought as my stomach growled in protest. Sorus heard that and his face softened.

"Well, I can hear why" He laughed while looking down at how close he got to being wet." Nevertheless, could you be more careful from now on"

I nodded as I apologized again and passed him the buckets through the window. Turning back to go eat I could see Alawion hold back her laughter. I decided to ignore that and focused on eating before heading to work.

It was a bit busy this morning and then there was that creepy old priest again, the one that had been present during my training. Was watching me from the corner for some reason. Beyond that, nothing else interesting had happened.

"Hey, Gersg will there be training today?" I asked as I removed my apron. Many of the other waiters had not worn one preferring to show their cleavage. I was not one of those types so I went with the apron.

"Sorry lass, not today, expecting a few guess around midday so I won't be able to," Gersg said while looking at a leger. "Why not take the time to go enjoy yourself in town, Focusing on training all the time is not a good thing lass. Even the body needs breaks from time to time." he seemed sore, maybe I was overdoing it?

nodding I headed to the back where Alawion was using the troll meat and cutting it up before sliding it off her board and into the pot. Arnovia was towards the side cutting potatoes. With every motion of her hand, she ended up removing chunks with the skins.

Making my way towards Arnovia I leaned down. "Hey, I was hoping you would be willing to join me on another exploration again?"

She moved her head to look at me and then at Alawion who had been watching us.

"Alright you're free to go," She said dramatically before smiling "Go on have some fun cub" Arnovai got up so fast that I couldn't help but chuckle to which she gave me a dirty look. Sometimes I couldn't help but forget she was just a kid. Helping her I moved the container of peeled potatoes towards Alawion and we both headed out together.