The next few weeks were awkward at best. Everyone seemed on edge and avoidant of each other, especially Pam and Arlow. Pam because they were angry with her, and Arlow because they didn't want to elaborate on the events at the bar. Or at least that's what Arlow hoped, though there was a small anxiety in the back of his mind that he may have done something wrong.

The only one who hadn't been acting strange was the lanky introvert whom Arlow had come to know as a friend, Sebastian. He'd invited him over to chat about what he was working on, and just generally keep him company till his job was finished. The conversation so far had devolved into small talk, and Arlow was trying to decide in his head if breaching the topic of the bar was appropriate yet. But his expression must have given it away, because Sebastian quite bluntly set down his notepad and turned to Arlow. "You can talk about it you know."

Arlow looked up with slightly startled eyes "Huh?"

Sebastian sighed as he got up from his desk and sat down on his bed, patting the spot next to him. Arlow complied, and Sebastian started talking. "It was a few years ago. That doesn't make it hurt less, especially for Marnie, but we can't keep treating Shane like he's fuckin Voldemort or something."

Arlow stared down at his lap, not fully sure what to say. "...I get why people would. I mean in a small town like this I assume it hit pretty hard."

"Well yeah, of course it did. But you have to move on eventually. No amount of hindsight is going to give Jas her uncle back."

He felt his face scrunch a bit at the bluntness of Sebastian's words, but at the same time, he knew it was right. They couldn't live their entire lives tense and mourning. "Yeah. I get what you mean."

"It's not fair you know. You deserve to be welcomed in, not whatever is going on right now." Sebastian flopped back, lying on his bed and staring up at the ceiling. It was the clearest Arlow had ever seen his face. It hit him that Sebastian's style contrasted his actual personality the moment you got to know him deeper than the base level, with dark colors and demeanor that would probably be pegged as 'emo' or something of the sort. But while Sebastian could be a bit gloomy, he was extremely caring when you took a deeper look. It really made Arlow feel grateful that he had this kind of connection so early on. Things about Sebastian concerned him the more time they spent together, mainly how often he seemed to smoke, but Arlow didn't really feel like they were quite close enough for it to be appropriate to bother him over it.

"I... Thank you. At least you make me feel welcomed."

A small smile played on Sebastian's face, a rare but welcomed sight. He had a nice smile. "Yeah, that's what I'm here for man."

It was a warm interaction to pierce through the icy sensations that had been permeating the last few days. It calmed him down and made him feel the slightest bit less tense.

There was a faint knock on the door to Sebastian's room

"Wah-" Sebastian sat up "Yeah?"

"Mom and Dad want you up for dinner! Your boyfriend can stay if he wants!"

"WH- HUH?" Sebastian's face turned the same shade as Arlow's tomatoes. It was probably the most color that had ever entered it.

Maru could be heard laughing as she walked away and back up the stairs into the house.

He glanced at Arlow "I'm sorry, she gets under my skin sometimes. Ignore what she said."

Arlow shrugged "It's fine, let's just go eat." He hopped off the bed and left the room, being followed by Sebastian up the stairs and into the family kitchen where his mom and stepdad were having a seat at the table. The whole kitchen smelled incredible, and he felt his stomach growl as he sat in the guest spot they had left for him. "Thank you for having me."

Demetrius nodded "Of course. We weren't just going to kick you out when the sun went down." He gave a small chuckle as he started eating

A sense of inclusion washed over him. What Demetrius said had been what he was expecting, in fact it had happened to him multiple times before. None of his friends families had ever attempted to make Arlow feel like part of the family in the slightest. It was a very welcomed change. He listened in on their family small talk as he worked at his plate of food for the next half hour or so, taking note of the fact that Sebastian only ate half of his food. That wouldn't have been very worrying if it wasn't for the fact that Arlow hadn't seen him eat anything else that day. Robin must have had the same thought, because he saw her cast Sebastian a stern look which made him reluctantly take a few more bites.

Once dinner had ended it was finally time to go home. He decided to take the long way and walk by the river to take in the nice views and salty air of the valley. This eventually brought him to the Wizard's tower, which was shockingly open. The Wizard was standing outside, reading some kind of book with a lantern next to him for light. Arlow cautiously spoke up "Hello."

The Wizard glanced up, raising his normally furrowed brows. "Do you need something farmer?"

Arlow blushed, feeling a bit inadequate next to the mysterious figure. "I um... Not really. Sorry to bother you, I just haven't really gotten a chance to meet you yet."

He stared for a moment before closing his book and stepping back towards his house. "Come in. There are things I wish to discuss."

Arlow was startled by the seemingly out of nowhere invitation, but he was far too intimidated by the Wizard to say no, so he anxiously made his way into the tower. The door closed behind them as Arlow's gaze drifted around the large room. He didn't have much time to observe much before the Wizard spoke up again. "You've heard of the mines, correct?"

Arlow blinked rapidly a few times before responding. "Oh um- yes. I've gone into them a little bit, but not very far."

"Hm. Probably for the best. For the time being, that is."

Arlow frowned a bit. "Sorry, I don't follow. What do you mean for the time being?"

The Wizard let out a drawn-out sigh, seemingly exasperated by Arlow's inability to read his mind. Or at least that's how it felt to Arlow. He paced back in forth in front of the confused farmer as he started dumping information off onto him. "You see farmer, there has been a shocking influx in supernatural activity in the mines. I suspect it has much to do with the destruction of the community center. Ghouls that would normally shy away in the deepest, coldest shadows have begun inhabiting higher and higher layers. I need someone with decent mining skills to go down there and investigate the intentions of these monsters."

If he hadn't already been told of the Wizard's abilities, he would have thought he was talking to a complete and total madman. But the Wizard's explanation intrigued him. "Why are you telling me all of this? Do you want me to do it?"

"If you're up for it. No one else has so much as looked at the place in years, so your willingness to enter has sparked my interest. You will need weapons of course, I'm not expecting you to run in there and be torn apart. The last thing this town needs is another premature death."

Arlow felt himself tense. There was a slight sense of frustration at the fact that even here, in this fantasy-like setting, he couldn't escape the looming cloud that was Shane's departure. He wouldn't voice that out loud of course, he hardly wanted to be insensitive, but it was seriously weighing on him. "I.. I'll um... Think about it. It sounds a bit risky."

The Wizard nodded in understanding. "Of course. If you decide you do wish to do it, speak with the adventurers guild and they should be able to help with equipment. Just tell them I sent you. If there is nothing left to speak of, I suggest you get home now. It's very late."

Arlow nodded and promptly made his exit. His mind swirled with fantasies of being some kind of monster-hunting hero, but the logical side of his brain knew that it was insanely dangerous. Even so, as he got home and settled down, he felt himself considering the offer. "Maybe I'll just sleep on it. My head will be clearer when I'm not on the verge of collapse." He chuckled a bit to himself as he settled into bed, bringing an end to another long, interesting day.