Shy Friend

[Alright, meeting time! Where should we head next? To explore the forest, I mean.]

"This tortoise is ashamed to say, but I've been sleeping for a while so I may not be the best one to ask for that."

"This bear may have a few ideas, but not that much knowledge of the forest since…"

[I get it.]

"This hammer …"

[Yes, I know! I guess we wait for the tiger.]

Thus, we wait in complete silence. Seems my companions are taking a short break from dancing. We patiently await the tiger's return. Any second now.

"Could it be that he's not coming back?"

[There is no way he would be gone for long. The dragon died just nearby, near Yggdrasil.]

"I mean, he does disappear for months at times."

What?! Why wasn't I told this when I sent him on an errand?

[So, you are telling me we could be waiting for him here absolutely for no reason.]

"This is what I fear teacher."

Welp.

[Then lead the way, let's start going around the area you do know about.]

"Yes, teacher!"

He happily gets up and starts leading the way.

"Teacher, this tortoise will go back home and ponder on everything you have taught me! Thank you very much! Should I be needed for anything just say the word!"

[Alright, take care.]

He slowly leaves. His walking speed is extremely slow. The opposite of his dancing speed. This reminds me of the old experts. You know the kind that will have trouble walking. Even to the point of using a walking aid. A cane or something you know.

Except when fighting. Then it's acrobatics and backflips for days. I always found this to be such a dumb setting. I get wanting to appear weak. That I do get.

The problem comes afterward. Once these kinds of characters are underestimated. They shouldn't fight fairly. They should go for the kill. Take advantage of the opponent's carelessness. Then slap him real hard. You know some instant KO.

I feel like this turtle would have amazing potential for that. Oh? Just a slow tortoise? No danger whatsoever obviously… Then BAM enemy is defeated. What happened in between? The guy won't ever know.

Anyway. I'll keep such training for later. I have time anyway. Especially if the tiger will be gone a month. I turn to the bear.

[Alright, let's go. Where is our first stop?]

"We'll go and meet a friend of mine."

Oh? This is getting interesting. I feel like it is the first time he is mentioning such a thing. I may be wrong, however.

We keep going through the forest. For a while. This unit of time sucks? Deal with it! I'm no professional timekeeper.

Anyway, eventually, we reach a cliff. There is definitely something weird about the landscapes in this forest. A few minutes ago, just a forest. Now a super tall cliff. Rocky, extremely steep too. I get the feeling that this would be a climber's death trap. A fall from there would be deadly for sure.

[What are we doing here exactly?]

Will it be another secret passage? Honestly, this bear is so resourceful for that stuff. I feel like at some point he'll have a retina scanner door. One made with magic and hidden until you look at a specific point. He goes close to the cliff and … Is he trying to climb it? He quickly gives up.

"Teacher, the one we are looking for is up there."

[Can't we just call for him?]

"No, we can't. Otherwise, he will run away."

[What? Why? Does he owe you money or something?]

"Money? What's that?"

Right, I always forget that I'm talking to a bear. He seems to know so many random things too. I guess the concept of currency isn't one. Then again, he has no interest in wealth whatsoever. It does make sense in a way. It just is very peculiar.

[So why exactly would he flee?]

"His initial response to any situation is usually to flee."

[To any?]

"Indeed."

[Then what's the point to even get up there then? Won't he run away still?]

"Well, he is polite enough to answer a friend."

[Wait, why can't we just call him and…]

"He'll simply act as if he isn't there."

[So, pretty much he avoids social contact whenever possible?]

"Exactly!"

Okay at the beginning this guy sounded really weird. The more I hear the more I can relate. Have you ever acted like you weren't home at times?

I have. On many occasions. Door-to-door salesman? I'm not here. School classmate distributing flyers for prom? I'm not here. Relative bringing the police to my place thinking I'm dead? I'm not…. okay no.

I was there that one time. Apparently, they do that when you don't give any sign of life for a month. To be fair there are priorities in life. Hitting that new expansion on release date is one. Then one thing leads to another.

You manage to hit the global rankings. You keep playing to keep your rank. You forgo any sleep to keep at it. By that point who has time to charge a phone?

You get so engrossed you don't realize the issue. Then the police show up at your doorstep. Trying to get clues for that one missing person investigation. Except you ain't missing, just gaming. Then one of the policemen starts to sternly warn you… Just for his colleague to start talking about that very game.

Towards the end asking to take a selfie in front of your monitor. Then the others get annoyed. But none of this matters because you've made a friend. This is exactly why I can relate to that guy up there right now. Because I have lived something similar.

Now there remains the problem of how to get up there. I could always go ask the spider. She can play spider-woman and climb it easily. Possibly bring me along. She probably wouldn't mind that much.

At first, I was convinced she was a sadist, but she's just playful.

Ah, but that would mean lots of teasing again.

Not that it would necessarily be a bad thing.

Anyway, let's try and find another solution …