Self-Isolation

The strange tree lingered a little in my mind as we continued to walk. However, the Twin Horns came up quickly. Remembering the clock tower I looked back. It was already going on seven. It definitely had that feeling. Thankfully, the tavern didn't look full from the outside.

Wood, cooked meats and alcohol greeted me the moment we stepped inside. A moment later, I heard the sounds of singing and chatter. They were far more lively than when we came several hours ago. It had a good crowd, but we were still able to get a seat.

Once we were seated and ordered, I leaned back to relax some. Though I looked over at her. “Got a question for you.”

“About what?”

“How are you so strong? I’ve got stats that govern things for me, but as I understand it you don’t have the same thing. No levels or numbers to say what you can do.”

Eri’Sol looked over at her sword and nodded. “We have to train to get our strength. But we do in a manner have numbers assigned to us like you. The Seer can tell us. That’s how we are able to learn what abilities we have and what values are assigned to us.”

“I think I remember the King saying something about that.”

“I heard a hero made it and we’ve been able to reproduce. It’s designed so all towns and cities have one. Before we had to learn through experience and trial what we could do. But thanks to it, it reveals everything so we can work to our best.”

“And you’ve looked at yours?”

“That’s right. The last time I checked it, it said that my Strength was a forty-three.” Did that mean if I put that many points into that stat I could do the crazy things she did? That creation applied the logic on us to them, right? How did that work? “What about you? Is your world like that?”

“Earth?” She nodded eagerly. It wasn’t something I tried to think about. “It’s different from your world, but it’s nothing special.” My memories turned back to Japan and my parents. I really started to wish I had the ale now.

She leaned in against the table. It was those determined eyes again. “But I’ve heard shocking stories about you yelling across the land to talk to people and giant winged animals that you can fly around! Is that what your home is like?”

I tried to get my head around what she might have heard those to actually be. There were a few guesses, but it wasn’t like she would know if that’s what they’re talking about. “It’s a lot more normal. We don’t have anything like that. It’s far less bright than here and covered in concrete.” She probably didn’t know what concrete was as I noticed her confusion. “There’s not a lot of nature around.”

“Is that how it is the whole kingdom that you live in?”

“Japan? No, it’s a big island so there’s a lot of nature when you get into the mountains. The coastlines are fairly packed though.”

Eri’Sol tilted her head some and looked around the tavern. She probably never left the town her whole life from the sounds of her parents. I could only imagine how difficult it was for her to imagine such a thing. Trees, wildflowers and animals were just everywhere for her to see. “Do you miss it?”

That made me push back in the chair more. I had certainly thought about it. And there were things I missed, but did I miss Japan? “I don’t know. Maybe, but I won’t bother you with it.”

“Please, you’re stuck here now. Away from everything you knew.”

Those pressuring stares returned. I needed alcohol for this. My eyes glanced around begging for the server to show up with anything, but nothing. There was no escaping her. Leaning on my hand against the table, the flashes of childhood and the different homes came to me. “Parts of it I miss, but a lot of it I could just give up. I didn’t really have a lot of attachments.”

This left her in a bit of shock with wide eyes. For someone stuck in just her hometown, she probably couldn’t understand. “Not even your home?”

“What home…” I muttered almost out of reflex. It wasn’t until I caught her glaring at me that I realized I said that part aloud. Dammit. “It's complicated. Thanks to my mom’s job we moved nearly every year, sometimes more. I’ve lived end to end in Japan, but I couldn’t claim any of them as home. I’ve had so many rooms I can’t even remember which is which.”

“You’re a traveler then!” That was a painfully optimistic way to look at my situation. Part of me wanted to lash out and the other side just wanted to remain silent. It wasn’t something I thought about lately and had been happy not to dwell on anymore.

Two mugs dropped down the table followed by a couple of plates. My escape finally arrived. I quickly sealed my lips with the mug.

“You got to meet so many people and make so many friends! I’m kind of jealous.”

I knocked the mug down on the table. “That’s not how it works. Try that as an adult, sure, but a developing child that needs stability, no. You just learn it's all pointless.” After that, I immediately regretted saying anything. She didn’t need to hear that and I didn’t need to claw at those old wounds. I tried to bury myself in the carrot and potato looking stew before me.

Eri’Sol remained quiet the rest of the meal. I hadn’t yelled, but I think my bitterness clearly came through. She picked up on it and understood. It took until the very end for her to speak. “I’m sorry, Minoru! I didn’t mean to–”

“No, I shouldn’t have said all that. You don’t know my situation. It was my fault.”

That didn’t seem to make her any less sad. But the meal gave me enough clarity to realize I said too much. I didn’t know what I could say to her to improve her mood though. As we stood up from the table, she grabbed my hand. “I’ll be your friend!”

There was some of that energy returning to her eyes. I simply smiled and patted her hand. “Thanks.” Her idea of friend and mine were wildly different, but I wasn’t going to take that away from her. She looked happy again.

We carried on to the inn. Cleaning and rest could finally come for us. I paid for a room for myself and waved to Eri’Sol, but she just stood there. “I’m saying good night, Eri. Sorry if you do it differently here, but I need some sleep.”

“And I’m coming with you.”

“Don’t you have a home or something to go back to?”

“I joined you. I’ll stay by your side, Minoru.”

“Then, I’ll get you a room.” But she shook her head. “There’s a limit to how much you stick with me. We’re strangers, Eri. I’ll get you a room.”

“I’m your friend! Besides, it's just sleep. One room will be enough.” Her fierce eyes flared up at me again. She really wasn’t taking rejection. I was starting to learn when she wanted something, she stubbornly stuck to it. I was an adult so I didn’t care, but at the same time I still respected her enough that she shouldn’t be forced into sharing with me.

I sighed. “Just so I can be certain. How old are you?”

“Why does that matter?”

“Please.”

“Twenty. I’m an adult, if that’s what is bothering you.” Two years younger than me.

“A little. Thanks.”

We trudged our way up to the second floor rooms. I caught her glancing around as we made it over to our room. She was concerned about us getting jumped? I thought the town would be safe. Did I have something to be worried about?

But there was no incident and we entered. After changing in something less caked in blood and handing it over to be cleaned, we went to bed. I gave her the bed while I intended on taking the floor. But like everything else, she only accepted one thing, sharing. It was about this time I was grateful I had at least a girlfriend before otherwise it might be more trouble to deal with. She was still a stranger and faced away. But a woman was in the bed with barely anything between us.

Sleep at least came quickly. I didn’t let too many thoughts consume me. It was peaceful and by morning I felt a bit better.

Though as I woke up, I noticed I was alone in the bed. I looked around not seeing Eri’Sol or her sword anywhere. I jumped up a little confused. But then I sat down on the bed understanding. “This is how it always goes. Of course, she’d leave me. Why do I keep doing this to myself?”