Emma sighed, biting down into some mochi as she observed other students traversing through the campus grounds. "So... what do we do now?"
Dahlia shrugged. "Honestly, I think I'm a tad burnt out from questing. I don't think I'd be able to find any good ones."
"Fair enough."
Qicy bobbed enthusiastically in her seat, "Well, training can always be nice! Preparing for any quests that may come our way!"
"There's only so much you can get out of it, though, no? At some point, you gotta throw yourself back out there, and, personally, I've squeezed as much as I can from my training at the moment. Just hoping that we can get back in action without, y'know, going through bullshit scenarios every time!"
"Sounds like you guys have had a tough couple of months." The party turned to look at the source of the voice, spotting Hero looking down at them. "How have you two been doing?" His eyes lit up as he motioned toward Qicy, "And you as well in this case." He chuckled.
Qicy's face lit up, "Y-You're Hero! Hi!" She waved enthusiastically at the young man, who gave her a polite nod in return.
Hero turned to look back over at Emma and Dahlia. "Anyway. I'm glad I found you guys."
Emma gave Hero a hesitant look. "Do you need something?"
Hero sighed, Emma not even bothering to hide the expression on her face. "I've been looking for you guys recently..." Hero scratched the back of his head. "We've acquired a job that needs us to have a joint venture with another party, and I thought that you guys were the best for the job, so- A-Also, it's not anytime soon, so you guys can continue to rest. I've heard how tough a time you all have been having, so..."
"Wait, you want us to go on a quest with you?"
Hero nodded. "It's gonna be a hard one, and we need the people. You guys were the best I could think of, and due to your recent ventures, there wasn't much debate from my party."
Dahlia raised a hand. "W-What type of quest is it?"
Hero sighed. "Well... to be frank... It's a heist. We're gonna be doing a heist at an auction."
Emma furrowed her brow, and just as she was about to speak, Dahlia interrupted, patting her on the shoulder. "No, no, let me." She then looked at Hero straight in the eyes, "I'm sorry, what?"
"Viana, her sister, is being sold at this auction, and we're working to break them out. There's for sure going to be a lot of loot there, but with," He begins counting in his head. "Around... nine, Level 4 Adventurers," He gestured to himself and then at Emma's party. "That being said, and my party, it shouldn't be too big of an issue-- plus, there might be some really nice artifacts, or tech you guys could steal in the commotion."
"Wait," Emma spoke up. "Where is this auction?"
"In Mars' Undercity. It's gonna be a difficult quest, for sure, but I feel like it'll be worth it in the end, plus, it doesn't happen until a week from now, so we have some time to prepare."
"Okay... well..." Emma looked at Qicy first, who was just excited to be in the presence of a popular student at the Academy, and then at Dahlia, who looked back at Emma hesitantly. Emma sighed, "There are gonna be artifacts? Like, potent magical shit?"
Hero nodded. "Yeah, it's a pretty big auction, and if they hold themselves to anything, it's authenticity. They have the rarest of the rare. It's not an unknown auction necessarily, at least, not in Undercity circles."
Emma sighed through her nose. "I'm willing to," She looked to Dahlia, "Will you?"
Dahlia shrugged. "If you go."
Emma then looked to Qicy, who looked back to Emma. "What's up?"
Emma raised an eyebrow. "You wanna do this?"
"Do what?"
Emma blinked. "Uh... do you want to join Hero on his quest/heist?"
"Oh! Of course! No hesitation! I'm willing to do anything!"
"Oh... Okay?" Emma looked back at Hero. "There's your answer."
Hero smiled widely, "Thank you! We really needed this. Tomorrow, you should meet our team."
"Alright..."
After a moment, Hero left, leaving the party on their own. Emma sighed, hands sliding across her face. Qicy looked at her, confused, whilst Dahlia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Emma nodded, licking her lips. "Okay, we got a week."
Dahlia's ears flicked curiously. "Are you okay?"
Emma blinked, eyes locking on her long, velvety ears. "I've always wondered..." She pointed. "What's with that? I-I know it's weird to ask, but... You got some long ass ears, girl."
Dahlia pulled both ears down with her hands. "I... I guess I do?"
"Aren't you like... part Jotunn, part Orc? How'd that happen?"
"Eh... It's what typically happens to most Jotunn mixed breeds. Pure bloods are actually able to shapeshift, y'know? It-- Well, d-don't tell anyone I said that, actually, it's sort of a... secret...? At least, from what I can tell, we try not to talk about it."
"Like... a Changeling?"
"N-No! More like... animals...? Beastkin, stuff like that! How can they transform and stuff? I can't do it, but if you meet another Jotunn like me, they can. Most Jotunn that are born outside of Berlajia use their abilities to shrink themselves a bit-- to appear more normal." Dahlia paused. "As you can tell, I cannot control these things." She pointed to her ears. "It's why most people of the Jotunn race don't look too fondly on me. T-They don't hate me per se, but..." Dahlia shrugged.
"C-Can I touch them...? They look super soft..."
Qicy raised a hand. "Can I as well?"
"U-Uh..." Dahlia looked between the two of them. "O-Okay... s-sure, go ahead." She removed both of her hands, her ears perking up at the sides of her head.
Emma leaned forward, hand cupping the ear's soft velvety touch, lightly rubbing her thumb across the auricle, Qicy doing the same, having to stand on the bench Dahlia was sitting on to even reach her head.
After a few minutes of groping Dahlia's ear, they separated from Qicy, leaving Emma and Dahlia by themselves.
Emma sighed to herself, both of them making their way back to the dorms.
Dahlia's ears flicked once more in curiosity. "You look stressed again?"
"Eh... nah." Another sigh. "Sorry, I was just... um... I'm just hoping that everything doesn't go to shit again. I'm getting tired of it-- where are all the normal adventures, y'know?"
Dahlia gave a slight nod and a shrug. "I dunno... I..." She pursed her lips. "I wouldn't want to turn back time at the very least... I don't think. I feel like... if it weren't this way, we wouldn't have gotten close like we have now."
Emma looked Dahlia in the eyes, staring into the deep crimson that surrounded her irises. "I guess. You're the best thing that's come out of all of this." Emma paused. "I've been workin' on a-- I think you've seen a bit of it..." She paused. "A suit... hopefully it'll bridge the gap between me and everyone else."
"Have you not looked into those weird powers I mentioned?"
"W-What? The... what did you call it?"
"Flower things."
"Yeah... that."
"You haven't looked into it?"
Emma shrugged. "I wouldn't even know how to."
"I-I just bring it up cause... I-I don't like seeing you put yourself down like this. There is no bridge with a gap or any other issue. Y-You're doing great..."
"Yeah... but, the last fi--"
"The last fight, you kicked ass and beat Rogier with practically your bare hands."
"I certainly don't remember it. W-Why do I have to believe I'm good at something, or holding my own weight from... testimony, no offense. I-I don't... Sorry, I dunno if what I said was rude."
"No, I understand, it makes sense why you feel that way. Doesn't change what I have to say, though, and I think you're great."
"Y-you... h-have too much faith in me."
They finally arrived at the dorms, stopping at the entrance.
Emma sighed. "I'm still only... human." She gestured to herself.
"That's what makes humans so admirable, no? They can either be weak or super strong through sheer force of will. That holds for many of us, including myself, but I think it's even more so for you. You... you're very talented, Emma, intelligent too, smartest girl I've ever known, y'know? Not... the wisest, but you're smart enough, actually, to talk out your emotions, your feelings. You push, hard to do what you need to do, even if it hurts, even if you're terrified... isn't that what being alive is? I may have some advantages due to my natural state of birth, but... isn't that how we all are? Surviving, pushing through even if it scares us to no end. I feel like you and Hero sort of epitomize those ideals-- a lot of humans do." Dahlia scoffed. "Why do you think so many historical figures are humans? There are many of you, but when there is someone special among you all, you are truly exceptional. I think you're special, at least, to me." Dahlia twisted her lips uncomfortably. "I-It feels weird talking about you in this way since we aren't really all that different, at least, not in the ways you think we are."
Emma stared at Dahlia for a moment, considering what she had said, then shrugged. "You're probably right. It's just hard not feeling like a burden sometimes, especially when I can't hit worth shit most times and nearly pass out at a small breeze."
"Then... we keep training! Your body takes time to change after all. Plus, I can already see it. You're getting stronger, smarter. We need to give it time to maybe get to a point where you're satisfied with yourself though..." Dahlia ushered Emma to a nearby bench outside the Dorms, sat down, and gestured for Emma to sit as well.
Emma sat beside her. "Though?"
Dahlia leaned in close to Emma's ear. "I'm already satisfied with who you are..."
Emma's heart jumped, face flushed. "U-" Before she could say anything, Dahlia wrapped her arms around Emma, taking her into an embrace.
Dahlia rested her head in the crook of Emma's neck, one of her soft, velvety ears brushing against Emma's cheek. "You've been distant lately."
"O-Oh... s-sorry..."
"I'm... I get it. I'm not sure how we should do this either, but... it felt uncomfortable..." Dahlia paused. "I felt a bit scared. Maybe an overreaction but..."
Emma couldn't respond; she sat in stunned silence, the warm embrace of her friend enveloping her. Emma's hands slowly grasped the back of Dahlia's hoodie.
"Maybe it's because we got too close, too quickly, but... sorry, I'm... I don't even know how to put into words what I'm trying to say." She chuckled. "I-I've been yappin' a bunch these days, so... I'm surprised I can't find the words now, of all times." Dahlia swallowed. "I just want to be closer, sorry."
"D-Don't... apologize..." Emma responded softly. "Um... okay. H--In what way do you want to be closer?"
Dahlia pulled away a bit to meet Emma's gaze. "You can," A beat. "You can be a bit more physical with me?"
"W-huh?" Emma shook her head. "W-What do you mean?"
"Hugs? M-Maybe... uh..." Dahlia brought her knuckles up to the sides of her temples, using all of her brain power to think of something she'd want. "I-Uh... y-you can..." Dahlia's face suddenly became flushed, her long floppy ears turning red along with her face. "I-I've overestimated what I can handle, I believe?"
"W-What? W-What the hell were you thinking about?"
"W-What do you find attractive?" Dahlia asked stiffly.
Emma, in response, could only blink, eyes narrowing.
"W-Wait. T-That's not it..."
"Uh... I-- I don't have much of a prefer-- W-shouldn't I be asking you this? What do you even find attractive!?"
"Personality!"
"T-That's not an answer! W-What did you mean by that question?"
"Uh... like..." Dahlia pouted. "P-Physical."
"Okay, then what do you like in a person, physically?"
Dahlia thought on it for a minute before lowering her head to Emma. "I lose."
"What!?"
"I concede."
Emma sighed. "Look, I have very open preferences, but at the very least, I know for a fact that I find you physically attractive, okay!? I think you're gorgeous, and hot as hell!" Emma, red in the face, shouted, stating it as if it were already known to be a fact.
Dahlia's eyes were wide, shocked at what Emma had just said with such confidence. "Oh...?" Dahlia nodded to herself. "Right..." A beat. "What specifically?"
"W-What do you mean? W-Why are you asking this?"
"I-I was just wondering. I-I don't really see it I--"
"E-Everything? I-I dunno!?"
"Well, uh... y-you can be a little more specific? W-What is attractive about me?"
"W-What the hell are you talking about!?"
"W-I know I'm not exactly bad to look at, but I... d-don't really understand..."
"And you're the one talking about how I shouldn't put myself down? Y-You're like... look, you're a massive woman with like... big ass muscles, a big..." Emma slapped herself with both hands, tormenting herself over her perverted delusions.
"W-What!? Why did you do that!?"
"I, l-look, t-we... we shouldn't be talking about this actually, let's have a nice sleep and move on--"
"I wanna hear it!"
"Why!?"
"Uh... an ego boost?"
"Really?"
"K-Kinda? I also wanna understand why you think I'm attractive."
"W-How di--" Emma scratches at her head in frustration. "W-Why does this need to be about physical attraction anyway? I'm attracted to you because of who you are as well, so..."
Dahlia looked down at herself. "I've seen you look at my chest quite a few times--"
"AHH! NO!"
Dahlia smirked. "There's nothing wrong with it, in fact, it's understandable..." She paused. "Though a bit embarrassing to hear out loud." Her ears flicked.
"L-Look, the more I looked at ya, the more I realized that you were my type. Does that make sense? Tall, got a lot of meat on your bones, most of it being muscle, and y-... God sayin' this shit out loud sounds hella objectifying."
"So that's why you gawk at me sometimes at the gym?"
Emma put her head in her hands. "I'm sorry... I'm dirty."
"I don't really get to see you though..."
Emma looked at Dahlia, confused.
"You always wear so many layers. Like the compression shirt, or something over that."
Emma, with cat-like eyes, just stared at Dahlia, daggers in her gaze.
"Is it because we're in public? You've seen me... and from what I could tell, you don't have a body to be sheepish about or hide?" Dahlia reached a hand to Emma's face, almost recoiling as a reflex, but letting her touch regardless. Dahlia's rough touch slid across Emma's soft face. "You have so many freckles, your hair is even prettier than before as it becomes redder by the day... where else do you have freckles...?" Dahlia asked softly, scanning Emma's body.
Emma sat there, stunned.
After a moment passed, Dahlia head butted Emma, completely knocking her out of her dazed state. "The point is... You can be more bold around me... more greedy." She smiled, "Goodnight." Dahlia stood up, leaving with a pout.
Emma sat there for more than a minute before grasping her face with both hands, eyes still wide with alarm.
***
Qicy sipped on a slurpy Emma had bought for her. "Um... so..." She blinked. "Did you need me for something? I-I'm happy you called, I just... never expected you to do so." She chuckled.
Emma rested her head on the knuckles of her fist. "I... just... need some outside assistance, I think."
"Um... okay?"
"S-So... uh... Dahlia and I are sort of... seeing each other, y'know?"
Qicy staggered in her own seat, choking on her drink. "R-Really!?"
Emma blinked. "Y-You didn't know? I-- Honestly, I thought you knew, uh..."
"N-No, I didn't!? G-Go on, though! I-I'm a sucker for gossip, so-- Go on!"
"Uh... o-okay." Emma cleared her throat. "I-I was wondering if you could help me out, give me some input, y'know? Two minds are better than one, and the only other person I can go to is a machine who barely understands what sex is, or how it works, so..." Emma shrugged, giving a very roundabout and exaggerated gesture with her hands, which could only be a representation of her whole situation at the present moment.
Qicy nods, sipping from her drink again. "O-Okay, go on."
"So... I was wondering, like... maybe--" Emma clicked her tongue, frustrated that she couldn't find the words. "Is there a way to... remove a stigma that you have about someone and yourself?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"L-Like... um... Dahlia has asked me, or rather said, that she doesn't mind if I become more physical with her, but... I-I can't help but feel this guilt for indecently looking at her."
Qicy stared at Emma for a moment, sipping her drink before speaking up. "I'm gonna be honest, I don't really understand any of what you just said."
Emma gave a questioning look at Qicy.
"H-Honestly... I-I don't really know what "sex" is, or looks like... either...?"
"What?"
"I-I also don't really know what you mean by 'indecent'?"
Emma nodded to herself, coming to a realization. "Alright, I think I should've gone to the most experienced person I know instead."
"W-Wait!"
Emma met Qicy's gaze.
"I-I don't mind hearing what you mean, y'know?"
Emma just shook her head. "I don't think you need to, j-just..." Emma took a breath. "Just... y'know... take your time learning all of those things, okay?"
Qicy cocked her head, a questioning look on her face.
Emma bought Qicy some food in exchange for her silence, and she set out to wander her Academy campus in search of anyone with a modicum of experience. Eventually, after a few minutes of walking, Emma's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Ay, Roja!" Emma spun around, meeting Meliana's gaze. "Can we talk?"
Emma gave a hesitant glare at Meliana before letting go of all the tension she had built up with a single sigh. "What's up, Mel?"
Meliana put a hand on her hip, eyes averting to the ground before looking back up at Emma. "Hey, I wanted to..." Meliana sighed. "It's been... a couple of weeks, right? Almost three now..." Meliana snickered.
"Yeah, it has."
"I wanted to apologize." A beat. "I was wrong, you were right. I put us in danger by not telling you and Dahlia about what you two were getting yourselves into. I want to apologize for that. Especially since I didn't give you the answer you needed after the fact..." Meliana sighed, scratching her cheek.
Emma nodded as she spoke. "Yeah... not letting you back into the party though, so..."
Meliana scoffed. "You think I'm dumb or something?"
"Yeah."
Meliana clicked her tongue. "Whatever," Before snickering. "Anyhow, I knew that. Thanks for hearing me out, though. Anyway, how have things been going these last couple of weeks? Things happen fast in this Academy, so..." She shrugged.
"Uh... yeah. Some things have happened." Emma paused. "In fact... I... need advice...?" After finding themselves somewhere to sit, Emma continued. "O-Okay, so... Dahlia and I are seeing each other, right? E-Experimenting, I suppose."
Meliana quietly raised a hand to interrupt Emma. "I'm sorry, you guys are seeing each other?"
"Uh... kinda? W-We aren't exactly what I'd call 'official', but y-yeah... I-I think we're exclusive at the moment?"
"So... it's relationship advice?'
"Yeah," Emma nodded. "Yeah, I-I'm not exactly sure how to do this right."
"Uh... elaborate?"
"Well. D-Dahlia brought something up to me last night, and it made me realize, I-I have... I think I have a stigma or something?" Emma shrugged. "I feel kinda... guilty, lookin' at Dahlia the way I do, does that make sense? Like, I'm objectifying her, or something."
"There's nothing wrong about being attracted to your partner."
"I-I know! It's just... I feel like I'm super like... weird about it? L-Like, you really don't wanna hear the things I think about a lot of the time, y'know? They're so bad that I'm like... is-is it right for me to be seeing this person this way? Like, I-I feel super like... ugh. I think also, I-I guess I put her on too much of a pedestal. She's mortal, she's flawed, yeah, all of that, but compared to her, she seems like... a hero? More of a hero than I am, at least. I feel pathetic being beside her, like I don't deserve to be by her side."
"She would hate to hear that, that's for sure."
"I know! I know!" Emma groaned.
Meliana sighed. "I'll admit... she is better than you in a lot of ways. We relied on her quite a bit during our short time together, but... everyone relies on one another in this business. Some pull the weight harder than others, and some catch up eventually, bridging the gap. That's just how it goes. Nothin' is consistent when we're Adventurers, y'know? Here's an example-- the club. You guys had completely blown me out of the water at the club compared to our last quest together. Shit ain't consistent. You don't have to look down at yourself because you'll probably become a lot more amazing than you believe yourself to be... or become worse, but from what I can see, from where I'm sitting... you're improving."
"Am I? Really?"
"We all are. At the moment, though, rely on your girlfriend a little longer. You have ways to bridge the gap, right?"
Emma nodded.
"Then you've already done what is necessary to be her equal, no?"
"What do I do about being a pervert, though?"
"Huh!?" Meliana burst into laughter, cackling in Emma's face. "What the hell are you talking about!?"
"W-Well!? What do I do about it!? Don't just fuckin' laugh at me!"
"Okay, okay." Meliana calmed herself down, taking a breath. "Okay, so... wha-what are you even looking for in your relationship anyway? Do you wanna take it slow, or...?"
"I... want to go at a pace that's comfortable for both of us. T-To go with the flow. H-Honestly, I don't really give a shit about the pace just as long as Dahlia is comfortable with it."
"Jeez..."
"What?"
"You're so... selfless here, it's annoying. Did Dahlia like... did she happen to ask you to be more selfish by any chance?"
"Huh? Uh... I guess? Super roundabout way but..."
"Then be more selfish, Roja! Dahlia's a big fuckin' girl and can speak for herself if she thinks you're goin' too far, okay!? She's speakin' to you now, right!? Communicating, right!? Then go with your gut, alright!?"
Emma sighed, "O-Okay..." She kissed her teeth, face in her palm as she submerged herself deep in thought. "Okay."