Mood Swing - 2

-----Fabian's POV

With everything now sorted between Rina and I, we're finally back to how we were before... Although I can't help but feel like something has changed... In a different way than before. Instead of being distant with me, Rina has became a lot more lively, especially now as she's bringing in lunch for us.

Ilfa: "Ooo! You went all out there, Rina."

Only this time, Ilfa is here with us. When Rina ran off after breakfast, Ilfa returned and I told her that Rina and I have made up and have become friends, which did put a smile on Ilfa's face. She did say that she'd have to leave later, but for now she's just been spending her time here with me. But I do agree with Ilfa when she says Rina went all out. I'm seeing multiple kinds of meat, all steaming hot, with evenly chopped up vegetables to the side. Just from the amount, I can tell that she plans to eat alongside me, which brought a smile on my face.

We both sat down at the table like we normally did as Ilfa stood up to examine the food, taking glances at both Rina and I.

Ilfa: "You're living quite the life here, Fabian, fufu~"

Fabian: "Well it came with some sacrifices."

I gesture with my feet as Ilfa takes a moment to inspect my ankles.

Ilfa: "Mmm. If I knew you were so slow at healing, I maybe would've been more careful removing those shackles."

Fabian: "It's okay, you didn't know."

We smile at one another as Ilfa goes and grabs a half of a baked potato before taking a bite. I didn't mind it since this is quite a lot of food, but I couldn't help but notice Rina looked a bit uneasy as she watches Ilfa eat the potato.

Ilfa: "Mmm! Tastes good. But if only my stomach accepted it. Hah~"

Fabian: "So you really can't eat normally?"

Ilfa: "That's a bit rude, pfft. This here is normal for my kind-"

She suddenly mounted an attack on my lips out of no where, quickly dancing her tongue around with mine for a few moments before pulling away. A string of saliva connecting our lips before breaking off. I honestly would've liked it to have lasted longer, but Rina is sitting right there in front of me who looks to be quite uncomfortable with this whole situation.

Fabian: "S-sorry about that."

Ilfa: "Hmm? Oh, right. Sorry for holding back your guys' food. I guess I'll get started now, so I'll leave you two be for now. I'll be back later~"

And with a carefree tone, Ilfa leaves out the door, closing it behind her as peace slowly came back into the room. Or at least that's what I thought, but it still looks like Rina is still uneasy.

Fabian: "You okay?"

Rina: "I thought you were not like that with the Matriarch."

Huh? Wait, did I say that? Didn't we clear up this misunderstanding earlier at breakfast? But her choice of words doesn't really make sense to me, as it's leaving me a bit puzzled on how to approach this new predicament.

Fabian: "You mean the kiss?"

Rina: "Mm."

Fabian: "Ilfa does that when she pleases. I'm her hostage, so I don't really have a say."

Rina: "You seem to be happy about it though."

Fabian: "Well... I can't argue about that, haha."

Rina: "Hah~

I tried to brighten up the mood with a little laughter, but Rina didn't take the bait and instead dropped her shoulders, breathing out a heavy sigh as she just stares at the food. I quickly try and wrack my brain over what was possibly wrong with this. Rina and I made up, even becoming friends, so I'm confused as to what she's upset about right now. I'm glad she isn't storming off and is just sitting there, but it does make things awkward right now as even I can't seem to start eating.

Fabian: "...Can I ask what the problem is?"

Rina: "I thought we were friends."

Fabian: "What? Of course we are. What made you think-"

Rina: "Yet you happily accept that kiss?"

What the hell is going on? Does she think friends kiss? But even if that's the case, I said that Ilfa and I aren't really considered friends, so there shouldn't be a problem on that front. I'm so confused.

Rina: "After all that you said to me before..."

Oh god! Wait is she really that upset about this? Her ears have even drooped down as she casts her eyes down onto the table, clearly avoiding any eye contact with me. Seeing her like this makes me want to just get up and hug her, but I don't think that'll fix whatever this is. We need to clear up whatever this is before we reconcile... Again.

Rina: "Do humans think it's okay to have more than one friend?"

What kind of question is that? Doesn't she have her other elf friends? Surely she knows that you can have multiple friends, so why is this question so off?

Fabian: "Yes, humans can have multiple friends. Aren't you friends with many of the other elves here?"

Rina: "What?! Of course not!"

Out of no where, Rina stood up, seeming to be more pissed than upset unlike before, yet I can still see that her eyes are moist with tears. What the hell is going on in her head? What do I even say to that?

Rina: "They aren't my friends. They're my- 千尺丨乇几ᗪ丂."

Oh? That is a new word for me. It's not the same word she used to describe us. Maybe there's a separate word for a friend of a different race? I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. Is that what this whole misunderstanding is?

Fabian: "T-then what's the difference between 千尺-乇几ᗪ丂 and ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺丂?"

Rina: "Huh?!"

Her reaction makes me seem pretty dumb, as if my question should be answered with common sense or something. But in the next moment, Rina's ears shot back up as her eyes widened, as if she had just come to a realization.

Rina: "...You meant that... You mean we're, 千尺丨乇几ᗪ丂 and not ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺丂?"

I still don't know what the difference entirely is, but if it means that she sees me as an equal to her elven friends, then I guess I'm happy with that. Also I really just want us to be back to how we were before. This whole string of events with misunderstanding after misunderstanding is getting a bit too much.

Fabian: "Yes."

But the instant I gave her my response, the tears that were built up in her eyes finally broke out and a couple tears streamed down her cheeks. I'm unsure if they're tears of happiness or sadness, leaving me a bit stumped as to how to continue from there.

Rina: "I-I'm... I'm sorry... I misunderstood..."

Fabian: "No, no! It's okay. It's also my fault for not understanding either."

Rina: "..."

Even though she sat back down on her chair, she still chose to just stare at the food as her ears drooped back down. I guess she was sad after all?

Rina: "Guess this was a waste of time then..."

She mumbled under her breath but I did manage to pick up on it, although I'm pretty sure she didn't want me to hear it. Or maybe she did? If she didn't then she would've kept that in her thoughts.

Fabian: "Why was it a waste?"

Rina: "I thought it would be nice to, celebrate together."

Now that she says that, this does look to be quite a celebratory looking feast. And actually, I don't remember teaching her the word "celebrate." Maybe she learnt it from one of her friends?

Fabian: "Is this something you'd do for a ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺?"

Rina: "...Mm."

She looked quite shy now upon hearing my question, choosing to just nod instead of giving a proper response.

Fabian: "So then, what's the difference between a ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺 and a 千尺乇几ᗪ? Is one of the same race, and the other different?"

Rina: "No. A ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺 would do what you and the Matriarch just did. 千尺丨乇几ᗪ丂 wouldn't."

Ohh~ Okay now I understand. So then ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺 is like a word for partner, or lover? I didn't think of that misunderstanding since I figured Rina already knew what my relationship with Ilfa was. Makes sense now that Rina was acting like that. If Rina and I are... Wait a minute...

I quickly glace up at Rina who still looks to be quite shy and embarrassed, gently prodding the food as if to distract herself. I can't believe I was that blind to notice! This makes so much more sense now!

Fabian: "I'm sorry!"

I end up bowing my head, but in turn I ended up smashing my forehead straight onto the table, causing the platter of food to clatter. But my mind was to focused on what I just realized to take notice of the pain. To think that Rina was actually open to something like that, even going so far as to prepare this meal for us. I must really look like quite an asshole right now.

Fabian: "I'm really sorry, Rina!"

Rina: "U-uhm. What?"

Fabian: "I'm completely in the wrong here! Please forgive me."

Rina: "Pfft, hehehe."

Her laughter causes me to slowly raise my head back up. And I'm glad I did so as I got to see her ears were back up, paired with a cute smile on her face. I can even tell her eyes were smiling before she soon opened her eyes as we finally lock eyes to one another.

Rina: "Oh? Your head is all red now."

It stings a bit as she completely dodged my apology, almost like she doesn't plan to actually forgive me. Although I do understand why, I did probably just cause her to feel so many emotions just from today alone. But seeing her happy right now does soothe that sting, even making me smile back at her. But in that moment, I quickly recall what had just been said...

Rina actually considered having "that" kind of relationship with me... I never knew. The same elf that threw my food to the ground? But then again she was being harassed by her peers so I can understand that. She's actually very sweet after spending all this time with her, and now that we can communicate a lot better, I find myself finding quite a lot of joy being around her, making my days here a whole lot more enjoyable. Sure Ilfa gives me joy, but that's a whole different story... With Rina, it feels quite calm and refreshing. Maybe it might not be a bad idea...

Rina: "So, what does ㄥㄖᐯ乇尺 mean in your language?"

Fabian: "H-huh? Oh... Well, probably lover? Or partner?"

Rina: "I see."

She quickly wrote that down in her notes before we finally begin to eat our lunch. I was about to ask her about the proposal I just thought, but maybe that can wait till later. I've already thrown Rina into a wave of emotions, so I don't plan on adding anymore fuel to the fire... At least not until we finish lunch. If Rina actually considered being like that with me, I feel like I could take advantage of the situation, and possibly even finding a way out of here. It's a stretch, but it's worth a shot.