The Announcement

Elin was mortified. She'd been able to put the skirt on after she'd taken off the robe and leather clothing she'd been wearing, but now the bodice was proving a problem. The dress didn't come with an underdress, like she had first thought it did, and then the bodice tied in the back. She would need Kim to help position it before she tied it on. Which meant Kim had to see her topless.

While that normally wouldn't have been a problem, Kim was the only other girl in their group and Kim was also someone Elin really wanted. Which meant that she would have to show at least part of herself to Kim before she was ready. However, she couldn't ask Elmo or Jonas. That would be even more improper.

So, in the end, she was forced to call Kim in there. Elin tried to keep her back to Kim, so her breasts wouldn't be seen, but when Kim tried to help her tie the bodice on, Kim had to see her breasts in order to make sure the bodice was positioned correctly. Then as Kim tightened and tied her bodice, Elin thought that would be it, until Kim reached around her and put her hands in her bodice and adjusted her breasts.

While it felt more comfortable afterwards, Elin couldn't help but be mortified at what Kim did. She felt her skin tingle where Kim had touched her and couldn't deny she'd enjoyed it, but at the same time, she couldn't believe what Kim had just done.

"Why...?" Elin started, but had to stop when her mind couldn't think of what to say next.

"Simple," Kim explained. "Your bodice looked kind of like a bra from my world. Or at least the part that holds your girls does."

"My… girls?" Elin was confused. Was this something that made sense in Kim's world?

"Yeah, your breasts. Your tah-tahs. Your mounds. Your tits. Your-" Kim said, listing phrases like she was ticking items off of a list. Though, each one made Elin feel more and more embarrassed.

"Please stop," Elin interrupted. "That's too embarrassing." Although, she thought she might have an idea of what Kim was getting at.

Kim merely chuckled and Elin couldn't find it in her to be mad at her for this. "I understand. I'll help you when you want it," Kim said, pulling Elin into a hug.

Elin couldn't help but snuggle as close to Kim as she could. "I guess as long as it's you," Elin said.

Elin was about to let go of Kim when she felt Kim remove one of her arms holding Elin and placed her fingers under Elin's chin. She then lifted her face up and Elin was surprised when she felt Kim's lips press against hers. She felt her entire body warm up in that moment, as her lips pressed against Kim's.

Then as Kim pulled away, Elin wanted to reach out to stop her, but couldn't think of how she should go about that. Maybe if her mind didn't feel like it was lost in a fog, she'd be able to know how, but as it is, she could only walk next to Kim as they left the room, the dress having turned a dark rose color.

Though, aside from what happened with Kim, Elin was startled out of her thoughts when an announcement was made.

"To be sure everyone is aware, a portal to a goblin world has opened. The unfortunate part of this happening is that two contestants were already by the portal when it was opened: Heather Goldblum and Sonya Harris. Fortunately for them, or maybe unfortunately, they're both girls and so have been taken captive by the goblins who have already come through the portal.

"Now, for those who think the portal is a way out of here, let me assure you that it isn't. The portal is designed that creatures with a system can not pass through. That said, a goblin champion has already come through and a side challenge has been declared. Whoever can rescue Heather Goldblum and Sonya Harris will have completed a challenge. If they manage to escape on their own, they'll have completed the challenge for themselves.

"Regardless, whoever can save them will have completed a challenge and will move up in the rankings. And again, if you are part of a team, every member of the team that is credited with saving Heather Goldblum and Sonya Harris will have a challenge completion added to their total.

"So to all who decide to venture forth and try to save them, good luck. However, keep in mind, this is not necessary to complete the challenge of the dungeon crawl. This will in no way aid you in completing the challenge for the dungeon."

The last part sounded almost like a warning of some sort or something else, but Elin couldn't think of what it would be.

At that moment, sounds of heavy footfalls could be heard from one of the hallways that connected to this room that. One they hadn't come from.

"It sounds like someone is running towards us," Elmo remarked.

"Let's meet them like we would an enemy. We can't be sure it's not goblins coming at us," Jonas said, drawing his weapons as he moved to the entrance to the hallway.

"Sounds like a plan," Kim remarked, drawing her sword. "I have a new skill I'd like to try out."

"Interesting," Jonas said. "Might be interesting to see."

Elin noticed Kim glance at Jonas in a way that she couldn't help but wonder if both of them were competing for something. Could they be competing for her affections? She didn't think Jonas had been interested in her, but maybe he was. Even though she liked Kim more, Jonas might be someone that would be acceptable both to her father an the king in regards to receiving her father's title and lands.

If that was the case, then maybe she could get married to Jonas and have Kim as her mistress. While it wasn't common, it wasn't unacceptable either. Especially since any child she had would be only sired by her husband. As such, wouldn't create problems with legitimacy issues.

"Ready Elmo?" Jonas asked.

"Yes," Elmo said.

"When we finish this, I still need to repay you for your trying to keep me warm last night," Jonas commented, as the sounds kept getting closer.

Elin glanced at Elmo and was confused at this blush. She could have sworn that Elmo was interested in Kim, but not she wondered if he might be interested in Jonas.

What was that about? Men didn't do that with other men. That was beyond improper. She momentarily lost focus on what they were doing as the idea of two men together in that way was drawing all of her attention.

What would it look like? she wondered as she was surprised to find that she found the idea more intriguing than revolting like she would have expected to have found it.

"Elin? You still there?" Jonas asked.

Elin jumped and looked at Jonas to see him smirking at her.

"Y-yes, I am!" Elin yelled, bringing her attention back to what she knew she was supposed to be focused on.

"Keep it that way," Jonas remarked, making Elin feel like he was teasing her.

She couldn't think of anything to say, so just pouted instead. If she married Jonas and she had Kim on the side, would Jonas then have Elmo on the side himself? That could work, especially since no one would expect it. Everyone would think that he would have several of the maids or even girls from the nearby town on the side rather than Elmo.

However, she shook her head to get those thoughts out of her head. She needed to focus on what was happening right then. Maybe things would work out that way down to road, maybe not. What she could be sure of was that they didn't know if what was coming their way was a threat to them or not.

So, they needed to act like it was a threat or they might be in trouble. As it is, if it was goblins, how many would they be up to fighting as they were? Elin wasn't sure and was partly afraid to find out, but knew that it wouldn't matter since if it was goblins that were running towards them, then they would find out soon enough.