Ashes of the Fallen

"What does that have to do with dying?" she answered, somewhat confused by my statement as she crossed her arms and leaned back. She was getting a little angry with me however it was necessary to keep pushing.

"It's precisely because you can die at any point," I started to explain before holding my tongue to gather my thoughts. What I wanted to say was different from what I could say. I was at a loss, but I decided to give it my best try.

"You and Katherine, and all the other members of Dragon's Breach get one life, if you lose it, all is forfeit. That's why it's important to take advantage of the situation that's given, and work to improve. It's natural for everyone to struggle with some inner turmoil, an inner demon or two or three.

"Kate has her issues too, and you help her with those, do you not? So, why when the situation is flipped, do you deny Kate the opportunity to return the favor? Is she not good enough to help? Is she inadequate as a person, or as a friend?

"All I'm trying to say is, it's fine to seclude yourself when you need the space, but don't deny us the ability to help where we can. You've offered and aided both of us in the past, and I'm sure you have helped many a man or woman in the village. Allow us at least an opportunity, to do the same."

Having finished my long-winded explanation, I broke eye contact and stared off into the distance as I let it sink in. Selene took her time to wrap her mind around it, before finally clapping her hands on her knees and sitting up.

"I make no promises," she said as she briefly looked away. "But it's a fair point… thanks, for coming out and finding me. I needed that."

"If you ever have a problem you can always come to me," I said with a smile.

"Thank you, that means a lot Sigurd," she replied with a weak smile.

"Anytime, Selene."

Chapter 61: Stranger, Danger?

(Saturday, September 11th Game Day / Friday, March 26th Real Day)

A few days had passed as Selene appeared to have returned to normal, with her behavior more consistent with how it had been in the past. Between her and Katherine, the two of them seemed to be getting along just fine as they managed their own affairs apart from me.

The Loyalty Bar had received a slight bump from both women, as Selene's Affection for me rose slightly after talking things out while Katherine's went up in both. Her Trust Bar raised due to the Rattanorv incident and Affection saw a boost from general discourse. All in all, I was making good progress with my Companions.

Unfortunately, I had yet to reach the threshold for Soul Link with Katherine, though it actually wasn't too far away. A few more adventures, a little more Trust building, and maybe some flirtatious behavior, and it was within reach.

Well, that was for another time.

Without anything in particular needing to be done at the village, I had taken the day off and decided to go on a hunt. In search of new creatures roughly fifty miles to the southeast of Dragon's Breach, my travels had thus far proved fruitless with only a wolf to show for it. One lousy wolf in fifty miles, and it was a mangy one, at that.

In the midst of skinning a hide, I was suddenly startled when a wild beauty appeared through the bush! She had stumbled forward and fell to the ground in an awkward display of coordination, or lack thereof. Brushing the leaves off her clothes and plucking the ones stuck in her hair afterwards, she then patted her knees and stood up.

Watching the scene unfold before me while kneeling down next to the corpse of the wolf, with hands halfway through the process of carving the carcass into something usable, I was completely thrown off guard. My hands and arms dripping with blood, all I could muster was a weak smile as I realized the graphic nature of the scene.

It took her a second to realize I was there, as her eyes traced the ground up to the carcass and then up towards me. Shocked with what she saw, she took a step back before realizing I had already seen her.

"Uhh hi?" she said awkwardly, in an attempt to break the ice.

"Hello," I replied as I turned away and went back to work.

Continuing to carve up the carcass, I ignored the girl that was standing a few feet away. The only problem was, she didn't move or say anything else. Ah, where are my manners, I thought to myself.

"Welcome to the North," I added onto my previous greeting with no shame felt.

Returning to my work with the hopes that she would turn around and head in the opposite direction, I was soon disappointed when she continued to stand there silently.