Philotes Caters to the Blossom [Part 3]

“Ahhh, that was probably the most physical work I’ve done in a long time.”

I sat on my bed with more relief than I expected. Especially now that I have that maid outfit off! I was kinda surprised, I didn’t see anyone else today. Maybe it’s just because I was working and I didn’t notice them looking at me. I can see Vahaemarr telling everyone not to disturb other members when they are working.

“Hmm… Vahaemarr. Is old.” I then pondered in my head.

How old I wonder? So is Vapula, but he doesn't look old at all. He looks like he is around 40 or 50 years old. Vahaemarr somewhat implied that he’s been working for him for nearly 60 years. I guess age is different for some people. Now I’m wondering everyone else’s age. I know Nelaemala is 17, and that’s the only one I know for sure. The other members look around 25 to 30. Can I be sure about that? Should I just ask? Whatever their ages are, it’s just to guess Vapula’s age anyway.

Well, no matter for now. I should get back to studying before dinner.

I made my way back to the library in the same clothes that I’ve been wearing for the past three days. Gross… Oh no… I haven’t even bathed myself for three days either. I’ve been so preoccupied that I must have just pushed bathing in the back of my head. I’ll study a little more; then after dinner I’ll bathe myself.

“Hey, Ryosuke!”

Huh? Oh no. It’s Írui what does she want. She’s also with Valaquendë and Elros at the end of the hall.

“Hi everyone!” I respond with semi fake enthusiasm.

I’ve been quite surprised with myself lately. I can easily mimic the mood of others. I never did that before, but for some reason I can do it with minimal effort. Maybe it’s just because everything is completely different. Copying the chipper tone and expressions of Írui will certainly make her and the others more comfortable around me. Here they come.

“What are you up to?” Írui smiled.

“I was just on the way to the library. It has so many books it takes a while to find what I’m looking for.”

“We saw that you have to help Vahaemarr today.” Elros smirked.

Tch… So, they did see me. And why did you even bring that up, Elros?!

“Yeah, he actually got me during my map studying, so that’s why I’m heading back.”

“Oh, that’s right! Quen was telling me that, we talked for a bit about you.”

Hmm, well that settles it, Valaquendë and Írui are close friends. They must talk to each other about everything. No secrets between them, almost of one mind. Valaquendë also had a unique reaction when Írui said ‘we talked for a bit about you’, also doing that thing with her index fingers. I don’t think it is anything negative. I’m sure I’ll find out soon.

“Well anyway! We came here for a reason! Remember?” Elros projected.

“Oh, yes. We wanted to ask if you were up to go do some shopping with us?”

“Really?! That sounds like fun! Sure.”

“Great! We’re going to head out right now then. So, it won’t get too dark when we get back.”

I sounded way more excited than I actually was. I really didn't want to go. Valaquendë and Írui sounded genuinely excited, so I guess that’s good. For team building or whatever.

All of these little distractions are really impeding my research. No matter, I believe that this will be a productive distraction at the very least. Now, I can learn the land, and test my reading comprehension.

⧫⧫⧫

Valaquendë, Írui, Elros, and I walked to one of the nearby towns. About a 50 minute walk, not bad at all. We laughed and chatted pretty much the entire way. I really got to experience how comfortable they were with each other. I was pretty tired so I was kind of quiet the whole way. Be that as it may, I was just enjoying being part of the little friend group and feeling the warm rays of sun along with the fresh breeze softly touching us. Thinking about the weather, I then wondered if this world has seasons. The weather here felt like spring or summer, or maybe the year round weather that I lived with in California. I suppose time will tell.

We arrived at the town and it was fairly pleasing to the eyes, but nothing special about it. It was just a European medieval like town. I’d say way better infrastructure than what was in my world during that time. Even inside the structures we visited looked as if they came from a painting from the renaissance.

It was overall a nice day. Despite the fact I didn’t want to come out: I was given a few unexpected opportunities. One being that I was able to get new clothes. Thankfully, money was no issue. I gave them the ‘I was pickpocketed’ story I thought of when I first arrived. Valaquendë and Írui were kind enough to pay for the clothes I wanted. They didn’t even want me to pay them back. That gave me a genuine smile. They also mention that Vapula gives them all a pretty nice allowance, as long as they do the weekly house work and plan to remain in the Guild.

The other opportunity wasn't so much as an opportunity but more of a question that I was pretty sure that I could get away with. There is a rather large obelisk in the center of the town. I was curious about it because there was a similar one in the city I arrived in… Hopefully this won't be a stupid question. But here goes.

“Hey, what is that thing over there?”

“Oh, you've probably never seen one before, huh?”

Írui seems to like to be the first one to hand out information.

“How have you never seen one before?” Elros commented.

“Yeah, she's from a small village.” Valaquendë defended my questioning, thanks for that. But Elros still had some skepticism.

“Where would that be?”

“I’m from Fontibus, it’s near the Cantium Dominion.” I replied as if it was natural.

“Fontibus? Never heard of it.”

“Just because you haven’t heard of it, doesn't mean it’s not real. And I know you know of the Cantium Dominion.”

Perfect Írui, that’s the exact type of reasoning that I was hoping for.

“Well, anyway Ryosuke. These monuments are all over, usually near an Infernalior. They show the current position of all 72 Infernalior’s Guilds.”

“Wow, really?”

This was great information. I had to get a closer look. I don’t think they’ll mind… On closer inspection, I got very confused, frustrated even. This monument is in a different language! Much different from the one that I just got done learning! There has to be an answer for this. My eyes viciously scanned the lettering and symbols on the monument, desperately trying to find something of a recognizable pattern.

“Where are we? I don't see it.”

“Yeah. We're not sure.”

I had the obvious thought: “What?” At least my naïve tone did its job.

“Only Infernalior are capable of reading it.” Valaquendë added.

“And Vapula won't tell us our rank, so I wouldn't be surprised if we're on the bottom.”

“You don’t know that Elros!”

Írui’s reaction kinda surprised me. She must have a lot of faith in this Guild.

“Well, as long as we're together we can get any rank we want!” That sounds exactly like something Valaquendë would say. I like consistency. She probably doesn't like to see people fight. That’s why she made such a neutral statement.

“I think the sun is starting to set, so how about we start to head back?” I felt this suggestion was needed.

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s get going.” Írui agreed.

What a pleasant experience. Even though I didn't really want to go. I’ll be spending time with people who want to form a friendship with me. This thought made me feel somewhat guilty. Even though I do plan on forming a friendly relationship with these people. I had the glaring notion that I was deceiving everyone. I basically am, but not to the extent that I was going to cause harm to them. I just wonder how different things would be if I just told everyone that I came from another world? It’s too late now, even if I told them now, they’d likely just dismiss the idea as a whole. If I persisted in that truth, they’d distance me. That would just make things more difficult.

I'm pretty sure I made the right decision. But I won’t be sure for some time.