Chapter 59: Frustration

Friday, April 7th, 9:11 AM

Dungeon Ciara

“We’ll figure something out,” said Michael, touching Rihelah’s cheek.

“I don’t wanna be useless, you know?” She sniffled.

“We’re helping,” said Michael.

“Yeah. With housing and other stuff, and I know it’s important. I’m talking about when it’s time to fight. Sven said…” Rihelah trailed off. Her lips quivered.

Michael replied, “We’ll do whatever we can. Even if we never earn a class.”

“I feel like I’m falling behind,” said Rihelah.

Me too. But I have to be strong for her.

“I already loved you when you were a normal girl.” Michael hugged her.

“I’ve never been a normal girl,” she replied.

“You know what I mean, dork.” Michael touched a finger to Rihelah’s nose.

She batted her eyes, and Michael kissed her.

Rihelah’s embrace was as strong and urgent as the first day they’d come together.

Rihelah pulled her lips to the side and raised her eyebrows. “Can we ask Joe again?”

Michael shook his head. “He’s training the marines. We could ask Siobhán. She gained her abilities a while ago.”

“Okay.” Rihelah kissed him again.

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Siobhán pressed a hand between her cheek and shoulder.

Why would they ask a question like that?

“You guys help people all the time. Everyone appreciates that you’re always ready to lend a hand. How can you possibly feel useless?” asked Siobhán.

Rihelah frowned.

“She’s frustrated that we haven’t got any special abilities like everyone else is. Aside from the Dungeon resident thing, that is,” said Michael.

“I’m sure you guys will get something soon.” Siobhán hugged them both.

Nobody was mad when they ran off together after they confessed. Anyone would do that in their situation.

“I hope so. I want to fight with everyone else,” said Rihelah.

“Me too,” said Michael. “But I think we’ll earn our classes if we keep doing the things we need to.”

Rihelah sighed and kissed Michael’s cheek. “I hope so, Mantis Brain.”

“You guys are adorable, you know that?” Siobhán smiled at them.

“So are you and Joe,” said Rihelah. “How are you two so close already? He went from, like, zero to head over heels in a day.”

“Um. So, there’s this ability I gained…” Siobhán explained.

“That’s amazing. I wish we had something like that,” said Rihelah, staring into Michael’s eyes.

“Me too. Then you’d know you actually are the prettiest girl around.” Michael brushed his hand against Rihelah’s cheek.

Rihelah’s chin trembled.

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You’re the most beautiful girl in the world, Rihelah.”

“I want to believe it.” Rihelah sniffled.

“But you don’t?” asked Siobhán.

Rihelah shut her eyes, blinking away tears as she shook her head.

“Actually… I could use my ability to connect with you, Rihelah-Senpai. Michael’s not wrong. You really are the prettiest girl I know, and I can prove it to you.” Siobhán raised her eyebrows.

“O-okay,” said Rihelah.

Let me in and you’ll see, Rihelah.

Yes.

Towering anxiety beyond anything Siobhán had ever felt chilled her entire being as soon as Rihelah accepted the connection.

“Oh, sweetie…” Siobhán embraced Rihelah.

“You… I am beautiful to you.” Rihelah sobbed.

The warmth of Rihelah’s friendship and surprise pushed some of the deep-rooted self-loathing away.

That’s not right. Rihelah’s such a good friend.

Rihelah pulled back and locked eyes with Siobhán, then it looked like her face tried to smile and grimace at the same time.

At that moment, Siobhán felt a glimmer of hope in Rihelah’s heart and she nodded. “Mm, it’s true. And it’s not only your looks, Senpai.”

Rihelah went limp in Siobhán’s arms and sobbed, but the look in her eyes was one of joy and relief, rather than sadness.

That’s right, Rihelah. You actually are as beautiful as we keep telling you. And a lot of that—it’s because you never became arrogant over your looks.

“I-I’m really pretty?” Rihelah asked after she calmed down.

“Mm-hm. Prettier than me,” said Siobhán.

“You—you actually believe that! But you’re gorgeous, Siobhán!”

Michael offered his hand and Rihelah took it. Then he gazed into her eyes. “I keep telling you, Rihelah. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

“He’s not wrong, Senpai. I’m not bad, but you’re in a class all your own. I was jealous of you before we were friends.”

Rihelah shook her head. “You’re not lying. I can feel—you’re not just saying that to make me feel better. You really believe—”

Siobhán inclined her head. “Because it’s true.”

“This is—I don’t even know how I can—”

“You don’t owe me a thing, Rihelah. You’re one of my best friends.”

“I wish we could connect like this, Michael.”

“If I could let you and Michael share the connection, I would. Maybe I’ll get a skill like that someday.” Siobhán shrugged.

“That would be incredible. It’s funny how—I always knew you were a real friend, Sio… But I never knew you respected me so much,” said Rihelah.

Siobhán felt a rush of respect, trust, and loving closeness from Rihelah. She wasn’t surprised by those feelings, but they were greater than expected.

“I love you too, Senpai,” said Siobhán. “Always have, you beautiful dork.”

“I know. This connection is incredible, Sio. I’m really surprised I can feel other things, too. Your bra’s too tight, and that’s—wait…” Rihelah’s eyes widened.

Oh, crap. Well, the cat’s out of the bag, now.

Searching Siobhán’s eyes, Rihelah asked, “Don’t tell me—you and Joe can feel what each other are—”

“Yeah, we can, and we have. It’s amazing.” Siobhán grinned.

Rihelah’s jaw dropped and she looked at Michael. A tide of lust and a familiar downstairs tingle permeated Siobhán, and she cut the connection.

“Oh…” Rihelah looked back at Siobhán. “Oh my gosh, Sio… Did you feel—”

“Yep. Things got private, so I backed away. But I think Michael already knows what you think of him.” Siobhán laughed.

Rihelah stood wide-eyed.

Siobhán said, “It’s fine, Senpai. We’re both girls. It’s nothing I haven’t experienced before.”

With an embarrassed smile, Rihelah said, “I don’t know how to thank you, Sio. These past couple of minutes helped me more than all the therapy I’ve ever had.”

Rihelah hugged her again.

“Well, now you know. You’re so beautiful, it’s nuts. And… now that you’re immortal, there’s nothing you can do about that.” Siobhán smirked.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Rihelah snickered, and her smile became radiant when she locked eyes with Michael.

Siobhán said, “Oh. I have a request. Joe’s not keen on people knowing about us sharing the physical part of this, so if you could—”

“Understood.” Michael nodded with a stony expression.

Siobhán rolled her eyes. “Just like Joe. Guys are so squeamish about some things. Oh, by the way, Rihelah…”

Rihelah met Siobhán’s eyes.

Siobhán continued, “I know for a fact that Joe has strong feelings, but they’re different from mine.”

“What do you mean?” Rihelah asked.

“Um… It’s hard to explain if you haven’t felt it. Have you ever ridden from one emotion to the next while seeking experiences that make you feel strongly?”

“Yeah.”

“Joe cares more about what he’s said he will do. Like, I’m loyal to my emotions and that seems normal to me. But Joe is loyal to his word—and his emotions come after.”

“I never thought I’d hear a girl say that.” Michael blinked, looking surprised.

“That’s the way it is for you, Michael?” Rihelah asked.

Michael raised his eyebrows. “Well… similar, anyway. Not everyone’s the same.”

“So, here’s what I learned, Senpai… If Joe’s upset about something, it doesn’t help to do things that I think will make him feel better. That will just piss him off because I’m ignoring what he’s mad about. I have to fix the problem that made him upset. Then he feels better, and so do I.”

“We really need this kind of connection, Rihelah. Because holy shit,” said Michael.

Siobhán nodded. “Yeah. There’s been a few times me and Joe would have had massive arguments. Except we both know what the other is feeling, so communication is way easy.”

“That’s crazy. I want that connection, too… And the physical part.” Rihelah winked at Michael.

“O-kay. With that, I’ll get out of your way. Love you guys!” Siobhán took off running down the beach, toward the Dungeon’s entrance.

As Siobhán neared the Crow’s Nest, Joe stepped out ahead of the marines and headed straight for her.

“Is everything alright?” Joe asked.

“Mm. Just had to connect with Rihelah for a bit.”

Of course!

When their hands touched, the connection was re-established. Siobhán breathed a sigh of relief when she felt Joe’s protectiveness and love wash over her.

“So… there is one thing,” said Siobhán. “They know about the physical part.”

Joe furrowed his brow. “Ah. I knew you were going to use this ability elsewhere at some point.”

He doesn’t feel angry at me. Just… thoughtful.

“You’re not mad?” Siobhán asked.

Joe shrugged. “I’m not overjoyed about them knowing that part, but I agreed to participate, and I’m not about to stop. I’m happy you were honest about what happened, because that’s important to me. Regarding your skill, as long as the romance stays between you and me, there’s no problem.”

“Mm.” Siobhán beamed at Joe.

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Laying prone in the nude with her abdomen heaving as she tried to regain her breath, Rihelah looked as tired as Michael felt. Although it was brief because they’d agreed to continue trying for classes, the couple’s latest romp on their castle bed was the best yet.

Even better, in Michael’s mind, was the fact that Rihelah had become comfortable enough with the Shadehunter mantids to allow them to stay in the room while they slept, and, just a few minutes before, during lovemaking.

“Right, Mantis Brain!” Rihelah hopped to her feet and let her boobs jiggle in front of Michael, whose eyes followed them like a mantis watching a fly.

“It’s amazing how much you’re mesmerized by them,” Rihelah muttered, and smiled bashfully.

“It’s because they’re yours.” Michael hugged her but she pulled away.

“Mm. Not now, Jackrabbit. I’ll get in the mood again, and we’ve got things to do.” She headed for the bathroom.

“Yeah.” Michael followed her.

They bathed quickly, dressed, and headed out to try again.

“Do you have to bring them along?” Rihelah kept her distance, looking askance at the Shadehunter mantis on Michael’s right shoulder.

Michael grinned. “You know I’m hoping for a class that will have something to do with them.”

“I want the same for me, but it’s just…”

“I know, they’re venomous. But you know Ciara would never hurt you, right? Even when she went crazy that one time, we were fine. We’re residents, so her minions didn’t view us as invaders.”

“You’re right.” Rihelah stopped.

“You okay?” Michael paused and turned to face her.

“Hold still. I’m gonna do it,” said Rihelah, setting her jaw as she reached toward Michael’s shoulder.

“I love you,” said Michael.

“Mm. Love you too, Mantis Brain.”

“I noticed Siobhán does that, too.”

“Huh?” Rihelah stopped just before her hand reached the mantis on Michael’s shoulder.

“That Mm response you give, when you mean yes,” Michael explained.

“Oh, that. Yeah, it’s something we started doing together when we watched Anime. We’re dorks.” Rihelah gave Michael a shy smile. Then her brow furrowed and she took a deep breath. “Right. I’m gonna hold that mantis.”

Rihelah held her hand up again and the mantis walked on smoothly, then cleaned its forelegs.

Wide-eyed, Rihelah stared at the mantis. “They’re so pretty. You can’t even tell there’s anything dangerous in their legs. They just look… strong.”

“Yeah, Ciara’s amazing. All her creatures look like they were meant to be the way they are. Even those crazy crabs and the crickets.”

“It’s a little easier, now. She really is pretty. They both are.”

“Yep. Now, this one here is a HUGE female… Danger, danger, danger!” Michael did his best caricature of an Australian accent.

Rihelah snickered. “Okay, Irwin.”

“Best nickname ever!” Michael grinned.

“Well, you always did love creepy critters. Still cracks me up that your fraternity brothers named you that,” said Rihelah.

“I mean… I did go to class with a mantis on my—”

“You actually did that? I thought you were just being silly!” Rihelah chuckled.

“Yep. Many times. That was my Tenodera sinensis—the—.”

Rihelah held up a finger. “Mm. Don’t remind me. Chinese mantis, right?”

“Yup. She was awesome. Her name was Dude.” Michael waved his eyebrows.

Rihelah touched Michael’s shoulder with her free hand and beamed at him. “Ah, Michael. Only you would name a female mantis Dude.”

Michael said, “Maybe we should take these little girls and feed them? It could help with the passion part of gaining a class. I always loved that part of keeping a mantis.”

Rihelah’s smile gave way to pressed lips. Her eyes shone with determination. “I’m willing to try almost anything, if it’ll help to defend our world.”

Michael’s breath caught. I love her. Even more than her looks… That burning desire to help others is amazing.

“Hey, Mantis Brain. You in there?” Rihelah waved her free hand in front of Michael’s face.

Michael cleared his throat. “Sorry… thinking.”

Rihelah grabbed Michael’s hand, kissed him, then said, “Let’s get out there and find something for them to eat.”

When they passed the construction area, Mike called out, “Hey you two! Got time to lend your old man a hand?”

“Yep!” they replied in unison.

“We can try later,” said Rihelah.

“Yeah. Gotta take care of the people, first.” Michael gave a lopsided smile.

Mike looked up from his work, grinned, and shook his head. “More mantises, eh?”

Michael replied, “Yeah. They can wait nearby.”

“Ciara, can you have the Shadehunter mantids wait somewhere safe? We have work to do.” Rihelah’s voice was cheerful despite their plans being cut short.

[No problem. Any luck, yet?]

The mantids took flight, then disappeared down a nearby hole.

“Not yet. But we’ll keep trying. It’s all any of us can do,” said Michael.

Rihelah leaned toward Michael for a kiss. They sighed at one another, shrugged, then turned to Mike for instructions.

Once the task was designated and the tools were in their hands, Michael glanced around at the dozens assisting with material prep for construction.

We’ll find a way to be more useful.

Michael met Rihelah’s eyes.

We have to.

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Floors: 3

Minions: 316/360

Residents: 12/16

Denizens: 393686

Traps: 11/15