The Help

"So? What is it?" I ask. "And give me my hand back! It feels like you've been holding it for days!" She found it funny for some reason. Still, she did as I asked and let go. "Well... I think I feel something for Conlan... and I w-want to get to know him a little better. Think you can help me?" She asked with a hint of shyness for the first time that I've met her. I turn to look at her and realize how close she had to be for both of us to fit on here. I move myself over a bit and look at her scarlet hair. Why do I feel robbed? "Conlan huh? You're interested in him? Look, every girl who's asked for my help with him ended up in a short relationship with the guy. He just... I don't know. Maybe he's not ready for something like that..." I try to tell her... why do I even care? She quickly responded saying. "I still want to be closer... If I can. I mean if you don't mind." Oh, now I understand. "No, I don't mind. Conlan and I are close because we grew up together but that's it. We are not anything more than that." I tell her to maybe ease her. She did seem to respond well to it. It's dark but I think she's smiling. She then tells me. "So, if you see me in need of help when I'm talking to him..." I feel my hands being grabbed again and brought up in the small space between us. "I can count on you right?" Now I feel a mix of emotions that can be described as indifferent or bittersweet. I don't understand why though. I don't like Conlan like that. I never have and never did. Is my friendship with him closer than what I thought? Oh, I should answer her, she's starting to look worried. "Well, I guess I can help you out every now and then. But honestly Conlan can be a bit dense about things sometimes although he does seem to like you at least a little." The excitement she felt when I said that transferred to her hands as I felt them squeezing my own. It made even me smile from it. "Really? So, I have a good chance?" Her voice raised a few octaves when asking me that. I just smile and nod trying to ignore this small yet painful feeling I have deep inside. It's probably nothing. I must have told her what she wanted to hear as my bed invader left and returned to their own bed cheerily. Now in her own bed yet facing me, she had a really bright smile. I've seen girls fawn over Conlan before but seeing her like this made even me feel warm. Hearing her telling me good night, I say it back and turn to my back... why do I feel a need to frown?

The next day in our adventuring class, our mentor guided us to the entrance of a cave. "Alright, this place is called the cave of beginnings. Every adventurer in the region started at this cave, even I did. Now it's your turn. You see this weapon's rack next to me. It's for you all. All of these weapons are simple enough to wield. All each team has to do it go in, retrieve a gem and come back." The mentor then pulled out a red gem. "The gem you'll be looking for will be in the deepest part of the cave. It will look just like this one except it will be blue in color. The creatures in there will of the weaker variety. Nothing stronger than a kobold should be in there." He then went through the basics of fighting in closed in places like caves and all the risk before finally telling us which teams will be going in what order. Of course, our three-man team was first. Our Mentor's reasoning behind it was that we had the highest likely hood of something going wrong and with us being first he'll be the most attentive. Other than the weapon of our choice, we were given a flare. Apparently, this cave was just a straight shot, so if we need help, we just shoot it at the exit. Sounded simple enough. Conlan heard the word shoot and immediately gave it to me. That was fine though because I was the only choice anyway. Natalia was holding a staff and Conlan decided to use a sword and board. If Natalia was going to be casting spells, I'd much rather be the utility anyway. So, all we need to do is go in and retrieve a gem. Conlan could probably do this by himself but he didn't tell the Mentor that he had a hero's mark. I wonder if that would have even made a difference. The three of us move to the entrance of the cave. Conlan spoke and would say. "Alright, even though this is supposed to be easy, lets still take it seriously. Natalia, you should only use your spells if Rosa looks like she needs help watching my back. I want you to save your magic for healing us if something goes wrong. Rosa, well I guess I already said what you'll be doing huh?" Both Conlan and Natalia laughed at that. I don't know why but it was kind of funny so it made me smile. It did help ease the slight tension I was feeling. Conlan actually looked like he was worried about more than himself and it was somewhat refreshing compared to his normal demeanor. With things now in order we walk inside our first dungeon.