Calm before the Storm

-----Fabian's POV

Yesterday with the whole news of someone trying to break out of the dungeon, Rina ended up staying out with the other elves after dinner. This did mean that last night was quite a lonely time for me, so I just went to sleep early to try and pass the time.

I half expected for Ilfa to appear on the bed next to me when I woke up, but again, I was the only one here, but I guess I did go to sleep quite early. But just then the door opened without a knock as I quickly readied myself. But surprisingly, it was Rina. Normally she'd always knock, so it came as a surprise that she just barged right in.

Rina: "Huh? You're awake already?"

Fabian: "Y-yeah, haha."

She brought with her some cleaning supplies and a duster. I guess he planned on doing some cleaning in here while I was asleep? Cute.

Rina: "Did you not sleep well?"

Fabian: "Not really. I just slept earlier to try and pass the time."

Rina: "Heh. I did the same."

We smile at one another as she then proceeds to start her chores, but my mind was now stuck thinking if Rina was also feeling the same way. Was she also lonely? It'd be a stretch, but she did come here rather early herself. I can't help but think that she came here for that same reason.

Fabian: "So, was the meeting about the prisoner in the dungeon?"

Rina: "Yes. Tarifa explained the situation to all of us. We shouldn't be at any risk for as long as the matriarch's magic holds."

Fabian: "Ilfa's magic?"

Rina: "Yes. Apparently the prisoner is under some kind of illusion spell that's made him unable to leave the dungeon."

Now this seems all too familiar. The first thing I remember when I was first brought here was Ilfa taking away my sense of touch, essentially making me unable to feel the pain in my ankles. If she could do that, then I'm not surprised if she can also alter other senses as well. But that leaves me with another question. Who is the prisoner? I know it has to be a human, but there's plenty of humans that were taken in. But it has to be someone powerful enough to cause the castle to shake, so that makes things easier.

Fabian: "Hmm. Do you know who the prisoner is?"

Rina: "All I know is that they're a human. I wasn't told what their name is."

Fabian: "What if this person does break free?"

Rina: "Tarifa said that the matriarch will handle it herself."

So that means that this person is someone powerful enough to even fight against Tarifa? For Ilfa to be involved personally, they surely must pose a threat to everyone else. Is that why I haven't seen Ilfa around lately? We hadn't talked once or even seen each other since she suddenly left the other day, but I guess she's now caught up with this current situation. Just then, another shake could be felt, but we're used to this as neither Rina or I bat an eye.

Fabian: "Must be some strong magic for someone like that to still be stuck down there."

Rina: "That's the matriarch for you, hehe."

It does make me wonder though. I wonder if I'm actually under a spell of hers as well? Could I actually be in a completely different place and have just thought I'm in this castle? It seems so real so I never questioned it before, but I wouldn't be surprised at this point. If I didn't know Rina personally, I'd also think she could be an illusion at this point, but I highly doubt it. I don't think magic can be that elaborate.

Rina: "Fabian?"

Fabian: "Huh? Yeah?"

Rina: "Pfft. I was saying what do you want for breakfast?"

I didn't realize I was lost in thought enough to even block out Rina. But now that we're on the subject of food, I guess I'm not all that hungry.

Fabian: "Hmmm. Maybe make something you like? You're always catering towards me, so I'd like to see what you'd cook for yourself."

Rina: "What? I'm not going to just leave you without breakfast."

Fabian: "It's okay. I'll still eat with you. But just make whatever you like."

I also want to break away from this habit of letting Rina care for me over and over again. Sure I get that it is her job, but if we're going to be together, I'd like us to be on equal footing.

Rina: "Okay. I'll just quickly finish up here and I'll start on breakfast."

...

She ends up finishing the cleaning and we soon had breakfast together. I was surprised to see that it's the same food that she'd normally make for me, and when I questioned her about it, she just said that she enjoys eating this kind of food with me. I couldn't really complain there, so we finished up and began our little adventure outside the room once more.

But this time, I was helping Rina carry some of the dishes back to the kitchen at my own request. Rina was worried about my ankles, but they've healed up quite nicely now, and even carrying simple dishes like a few plates and glasses was nothing I couldn't handle now. The other elves took notice of me, some of them even smiling as I help carry the dishes over to the sink for them to be washed. I don't know if it was because of their smiles, but I just ended up trying to wash the dishes Rina and I brought over along with the other dishes that the elves must've used.

Rina: "You don't have to do all of this."

Fabian: "I just felt like it. You've done a lot for me, so I'd like to help out with the chores when I can as well."

Rina: "M-mmm. If you say so."

I give a smile back as I continue to wash the dishes, only this time, Rina came up to my side as our shoulders end up touching one another as she goes to pick up a dirty plate.

Rina: "But I'll be helping as well!"

Fabian: "Haha. Fine by me."

We both smile once more as we both start cleaning. I can't help but notice how thorough of a job Rina is doing, making sure to clean every little spot form the plate before rinsing it off with fresh water. After a while, I notice that her clean dishes are a lot more organized and clean, whereas mine is more so cluttered and messy. But at least I managed to clean off all the food that was stuck to it.

Rina: "Hehe."

Fabian: "Hmm?"

Rina: "You haven't done dishes before, have you." 

Fabian: "...You got me there."

Growing up, the maids took care of the cleaning, so I never thought there was a need for me to do these kind of things. Funny how things turn out.

Rina: "Here, see?"

She then lifted out plates from her sink that had been under the hot water.

Rina: "If you soak them in the water, it makes it easier to clean. See?"

I watch as she swiftly scrubs the plate clean in a matter of seconds before rinsing it off and stacking. As for me, I've just been doing the dishes one at a time. It didn't cross my mind to just throw everything into the water like that.

Fabian: "I see."

Rina: "Hehe."

It was then that whispers could be heard behind us, and after taking a little look, most of the elves were staring at us as we washed the dishes. I pay it no mind, but I would like to think that maybe their impression of me as improved with me helping out here.

...

Fabian: "Hahh~"

I end up collapsing on one of the chairs back in the room as Rina closes the door behind us. Looking at my fingers, they look to be all shriveled up, and pressing them together, my skin feels all bumpy at my fingertips, almost like I'm wearing some strange pair of gloves.

Fabian: "Do you always do that after ever meal?"

Rina: "Oh, no. Those dishes were ones left out from last night. With everything going on, we didn't have time to do them."

Fabian: "So it's not normally that bad?"

Rina: "Hehe. Why? You already exhausted?"

Fabian: "N-not really. But I am worried about my hands."

Rina: "Hmm?"

She them moves to inspect my hands, grabbing hold of them in her own as I already feel my face heating up. I didn't expect her to just go and grab them like that, even to go so far as to massage them.

Rina: "Interesting. My hands aren't this bumpy. See?"

After looking, it does look like her hands are normal compared to mine as even Rina doesn't seem to know what happened to my hands. All I know is that the hot water must've did this. Wait...

Fabian: "Do you think I cooked my hands?!"

Rina: "Pfft, hehe. Funny."

Fabian: "I'm serious!"

Rina: "The water wasn't that hot. Maybe your skin is different to mine."

Fabian: "Well, yeah of course. Your skin is a pretty, light pink, unlike mine."

Rina: "P-pretty?"

Fabian: "Mm."

Her ears shoot up at my compliment which does make a smile grow on my face. But it's true. Maybe at the start I thought her skin was odd, but after spending all this time with her, I've grown to appreciate it. Not only is it different in color, but I notice that she doesn't have any sign of skin damage whatsoever, almost like her skin is completely pure.

Rina: "T-to be honest. I thought you hated my skin."

Fabian: "Did I ever say that?"

I hold her by her hands a bit more tighter as I look into her silvery eyes.

Fabian: "I like everything about you. That includes your skin."

Rina: "..."

Well, I didn't expect to flirt like this straight after those dishes, but I'm not complaining. Seeing her get flustered like this is quite nice to see. I might even get addicted to this.