Chapter 2

Potato Snack Attack

Bell Cranel hurried down the busy streets of Orario, his face flushed with embarrassment. He had been on his way to meet Riveria Ljos Alf again, hoping to continue their previous conversation, when disaster struck.

As he rounded a corner, he collided with a beautiful and ageless woman, sending her basket of freshly baked goods tumbling to the ground. Jyaga Maru Kun scattered across the cobblestones, and Bell's heart sank as he realized who the woman was.

"Lady Riveria!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with mortification. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going, and—"

Riveria stood before him, her elegant robes now dusted with crumbs and flecks of icing. Her emerald eyes widened in surprise, but her expression quickly softened as she took in the sight of the flustered young adventurer.

"Bell Cranel," she said, her tone measured. "I must say, this is not quite the reunion I had envisioned."

Bell felt his face burning as he scrambled to help her gather the scattered pastries. "I'm so, so sorry, Lady Riveria. I didn't mean to—"

"Hush, child," Riveria interrupted, raising a hand. "It's quite alright. These things happen." She knelt down, her movements graceful despite the mess, and began carefully placing the baked goods back into the basket.

Bell watched, his heart still racing, as he tried to assist her. "Please, let me help you," he insisted, his hands clumsy in their attempts.

Riveria glanced up at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You're making more of a mess than you're cleaning up, Bell Cranel."

He winced, his fingers fumbling with a particularly stubborn potato snack. "I'm sorry, I—"

"There's no need to apologize," Riveria interrupted, her voice soothing. "It was an accident, and I'm not upset. Aiz might cry, though." She placed the last Jyaga Maru Kun in the basket and stood, brushing off her robes.

Bell followed suit, his head bowed in shame. "I feel terrible. I wanted to see you again, but not like this."

Riveria's expression softened, and she reached out to gently touch his arm. "Well, now you have." She paused, her gaze meeting his. "And I'm glad for it."

Bell's head snapped up, his eyes wide. "You are?"

Riveria nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, Bell Cranel. I find your company quite refreshing, even in these... unusual circumstances. We don't know each other very well and we don't have much in common, but I can't help but feel… drawn to you. It's a travesty, really. If I was a younger woman we could have become very close friends."

The tension in Bell's shoulders eased, and he felt a glimmer of hope ignite within him. "Then, perhaps we could continue our conversation? If you have the time, that is."

Riveria considered his request for a moment, then nodded. "I believe I can spare a few more minutes." She gestured toward a nearby bench, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Shall we? Please walk with me."

As they made their way to the bench, Bell couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and anticipation. Despite the embarrassing start to their encounter, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to speak with Riveria again.

Then, something even more embarrassing happens!

They settled onto the bench, Riveria's basket of potato snacks tucked neatly between them. Bell fidgeted nervously, unsure of how to continue their conversation after the earlier mishap.

"So, Bell Cranel," Riveria began, her voice calm and measured. "What else did you wish to discuss?"

Bell took a deep breath, summoning his courage. "I, um, I was hoping we could talk more about the Dungeon." He paused, then added hastily, "If that's alright with you, of course."

Riveria nodded, her expression serene. "Of course. The Dungeon is a subject I'm quite passionate about."

Just as Bell was about to respond, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. A group of rambunctious adventurers, their voices booming, came careening around the corner, barreling straight toward them.

Bell's eyes widened in alarm, and he instinctively reached out to steady Riveria's basket, but in his haste, he knocked it straight into the air. Time seemed to slow as the basket tumbled end over end, potato snacks spilling out in a flurry of crumbs and starchy goodness.

"Oh, no!" Bell cried, his face flushing with mortification as he watched the basket and its contents crash to the ground, scattering in all directions.

Riveria's expression shifted from surprise to something akin to exasperation, but before she could say a word, one of the boisterous adventurers, oblivious to the chaos they had caused, stepped right into the mess, his heavy boots grinding the Jyaga Maru Kun into the cobblestones.

"Hey, what's going on here?" the adventurer bellowed, his voice booming. He looked down, finally noticing the scattered baked goods. "That kid is throwing food at me! What a little punk!"

Bell felt his heart sink as the adventurer's gaze landed on him and Riveria. He opened his mouth, desperately trying to explain, but the words caught in his throat.

Riveria, ever the picture of grace, rose from the bench, her robes swishing softly. "I'm afraid you're sorely mistaken, good sir," she said, her tone polite but firm.

The adventurer's eyes widened as he recognized the renowned elven mage. "L-Lady Riveria!" he stammered, his bravado quickly evaporating. "I, uh, I didn't realize—"

Riveria raised a hand, silencing him. "It was an accident, and I take full responsibility." She fixed the adventurer with a stern look. "However, I would appreciate it if you and your companions were a bit more mindful of your surroundings in the future."

The adventurer nodded, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Y-yes, of course, Lady Riveria. It won't happen again."

Riveria acknowledged his response with a graceful nod, then turned to Bell, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of awe and mortification.

"Bell Cranel," she said, her voice soft. "I believe we've had enough excitement for one day."

Bell opened his mouth to apologize, but Riveria raised a hand, silencing him.

"Let us reconvene another time, shall we?" She offered him a small, reassuring smile. "I believe we have more to discuss."

Bell could only nod mutely, his throat suddenly dry. As Riveria turned and made her way through the now-dispersed crowd of adventurers, Bell felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing that he had once again managed to embarrass himself in front of the esteemed elven mage.