Gwenvair started off strong comforting Kilniara, but when she began to reveal her fears, loneliness, and vulnerability, her voice fell to a whisper and she began to withdraw. Kilniara quickly noticed Gwenvair’s concern and rapidly returned, this time not concerned and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her in tight for a deep hug. Once again. Gwenvair stiffened a bit, uncertain what to do before slowly relaxing. Despite relaxing, her arms still lay limply at her side and Kilniara spoke softly but kindly.
“You can hug me back, you know. You do not need to fear hugging me.”
Gwenvair started at that and brought her arms up stiffly and jerkily before wrapping them around Kilniara’s back. They rested there for a moment before slowly tightening ever more until she was gripping Kilniara almost desperately, deep in need for physical touch. With that, Kilinara’s concern evaporated to pity as she realized that Gwenvair truly had never had meaningful physical contact, and she hugged back firmly as well, pulling her in more tightly, allowing her the time to compose herself while also giving her the hug she seemed to dreadfully want. They did not stay like this long, Gwenvair quickly stepped back, her face a deep red at her lack of composure, but incredibly grateful for Kilniara’s true friendship.
Gwenvair did not look up, her head down and to the side as she fidgeted before finally replying, “Thank you.”
Kilniara smiled but simply nodded, “Of course. I’ll give you all the hugs you could ever need!”
Gwenvair looked up at that, emotions running a bit rampantly through almost every one she’d ever felt but only saw Kilniara’s open and kind smile before she snorted in laughter herself. The snort of laughter brought Gwenvair up short as shock and embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her again but Kilniara’s brilliant bell like explosion of laughter removed all embarrassment as Gwenvair found herself joining in with her laughter. The two laughed for a bit more, Kilniara reaching forward to hug her quickly one last time before offering a quick whisper so as to not embarrass her publicly.
“Don’t worry, no one will ever know the First in Line for Matriarch snorts in laughter! Never from me.”
Gwenvair squawked in indignation from that, pulling back to stare at Kilniara, but only found laughter and a bright smile and her own laughter returned.
“It better not become known!”
“I promised, didn’t I?” Kilniara replied in faux righteous indignation before grinning evilly at Gwenvair.
“See! There! That! That makes it hard to trust you!”
Kilniara looked away in overdone innocence, “How could you insult me. Of course I’m trustworthy!”
Gwenvair shot a dirty look at her, “Only if someone has something on you!”
“Truly! My character is being maligned!”
Gwenvair retorted quickly, “What character! It’s your lack of it that causes me concern!”
“My lady! How could you?!”
“Me!? You threatened me! I did nothing wrong.”
Kilniara quirked an eyebrow at that, “If so, then why are you so concerned?”
Gwenvair sputtered at that and the two disappeared into the inner city gates continually arguing with one another with Kilniara, surprisingly, maintaining the upper hand in the battle of wits and humor, although Gwenvair’s equilibrium quickly returned and the two began to find the tide shifting more towards Gwenvair’s favor. Their conversation continued in camaraderie before finally shifting onto lighter and more humorous topics as the two returned to their giggling gossip and laughter. The afternoon proved to be a great joy for both, their conversation much freer as they found themselves able to speak on things that the presence of the men made difficult. It was a conversation Kilniara thoroughly enjoyed and Gwenvair found surprising, exciting, and almost addicting as she found camaraderie not based in reciprocity.
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* * *
Joe found out pretty quickly why he’d gotten to level thirty so quickly with both the Loki jobs as he’d gained several skills, just like the faithful job, that accelerated his experience gain to the point that he was able to hit level thirty five today, although by the time he’d gotten outside the dungeon, he found the sun fully set and the night lit only by the brilliant glow of the gas giant. He spent the trip considering his gains, but also quite curious about why the Loki lines were so rejected. He couldn’t understand why these jobs and the boosts to learning they gave would be so rejected by others. Oh, wait… everyone had only one learning so double experience really wouldn’t be noticed much at all! But… still… or maybe they did notice? And needed to… But…
The ideas whirled through his mind, but he really couldn’t find any real explanation and neither could he ask about it. Heresies were often natural taboo subjects. He sighed deeply, but didn’t allow the despondency to affect him and maintained his equilibrium as he headed back home. He was about half way home when he realized he’d exercised quite hard and was dirty. He redirected to the baths despite how late it was and took a very quick bath, not even relaxing or really taking the time to look at his skills until he was back out on the street walking home.
Learning +: Gain a miniscule boost to your learning capabilities and stat.
Double Exp +: A miniscule random chance to gain double the experience from an experience source.
Learning ++: Gain a tiny boost to your learning capabilities and stat.
The faithful job excited him, seeing the new skills, and he lost himself in studying them. Just when he was about to take a look at the Loki Acolyte stats and skills, he found himself back at the inn. It had been quite quick, only taking about five minutes to make it home. He made it back and found no one else there being so late at night. The common room was empty and quiet, the inn keeper actually gone. His entrance hadn’t been quiet so the inn keeper came in from the back room only a few moments later, bleary eyed and wearing an obvious nightgown of some kind. He held a pretty nasty looking club in his hand and Joe found himself straightening up a bit. The man grunted and relaxed.
“Don’ be coming in so late… off to bed with ye…”
He then turned and quietly returned to his room. Joe stared a bit before quietly heading back up the stairs. Well… must be a lot later than I though!? Man… don’t want to have to have a curfew… although hasn’t really bothered me so far… should I buy a house? Easy enough for me… I have the money, right? Joe considered the idea carefully while he slipped into his room and shucked his clothes. He laid down and prepared to open his status, intent to look at his recent gains for the Loki Acolyte. He didn’t even have time to complete the thought, asleep almost as soon as his head hit the bed.
* * *
Kilniara returned to the inn accompanied by a city guard that Gwenvair had appropriated for her as they’d stayed out much too late and she could not return Kilnaira to the inn. She’d even had to leave Kilniara at a run, racing back to her home, obviously under some kind of curfew or possibly late for a meeting of some kind.
Kilniara came in but found no one in the inn dining area. She moved on to the boy’s room and found the lights off and the room empty. She lit the lamp, and settled on to Joe’s bed for a bit before sighing and deciding she didn’t want to sit alone in the room. She quickly left the room, locking it back up and heading back down to the common room. She settled in the common room and reminisced excitedly. Today had been amazing even if it had been no different than many other a day. She enjoyed her time alone for about a bell before she looked up to see her brother and Garnedell returned. She grinned to see them and waved them over.
All three quickly ordered a meal and enjoyed their meal, talking with one another exuberantly with excitement. Kilniara found herself surprised when Garnedell confessed he’d changed to commoner, and she could only feel some sympathy for him, but also a small amount of pride and respect that Garnedell had had the confidence and trust to change jobs, even if Joe had suggested it. That surprise faded and they all simply fell into an enjoyable evening. Joe did not return, so they all returned to their own rooms and Kilniara fell asleep with a pleased smile. Today had been an incredible day.
* * *