Hi everyone, I hope that you're enjoying the story so far! I am going to keep sprinkling in Sebastian POVs throughout the story so hang in there. :)
-Lithalithari
Chapter 6-Into the Mines
I wake up in my own bed, extremely confused. Was that a dream? There was a wizard and some runes, a strange little…'Junimo?' And that potion…I get up and go to check my backpack. The scroll is gone so it probably wasn't a dream but everything was way too weird to try and process right now. Sighing, I get changed and put my hair up into a ponytail, I could already feel the long day ahead of me in my bones. Going outside I notice that I have mail, I really hope it's not another strange letter from an even stranger wizard. Worse, it's from Joja. It's surprisingly good news, with them letting me know that they removed the large boulder that was blocking the way to the mines. The mines had always intrigued me when I was little but I was never allowed to explore them, with all of the adults telling me that there were monsters inside. That is going to be my quest for today. Determined, I pack some water and a few field snack bars that I had made then head off to the Mines! On my way to the mines I run into Sam who was on his way to work at Jojamart. I hated that place but I understood why Sam needed to work there; it was his job to look after his mom and sister while his dad was away fighting in the war. "Yo, Sam!" I call out to him giving him a wave. "Oh, hey Maeve. What's up? I can't talk for very long, I'm running pretty late already."
"You're always running late." We both laugh and I start rummaging in my backpack. "I know you have to go but now that you're here I thought I'd give you this, I know you like them." I pull out a Joja cola and hand it to him brightly. "Aw, yeah! This is my absolute favorite. Thank you!" He gives you a kiss on the cheek and then starts to run off toward Jojamart. "Bye Maeve!" I just stand there stunned for a minute, not expecting the contact. Sam was adorable and funny and nice but I had never really considered him as more than a friend. There was potential for more to be sure but I hadn't thought that far ahead yet, I had just been too busy. Maybe that was just a friend kiss? Am I overthinking this? Ahhhh, yeah, yup. Just a friend kiss. I decided. Just a friendly kiss. No need to worry. I anxiously pick my backpack up and keep going.
Once I enter the mines I can see a man standing at the entrance of the first level of the mine, he has an eyepatch and a somber demeanor. I find out that his name is Marlon and that he runs the Adventurer's guild for Pelican Town. He gives me a rusty sword that still looks pretty sharp, wishing me luck exploring and letting me know that I can join the guild after I slay ten slimes. Slimes? They sound…messy. I hope I don't run into too many of them. Are they the 'monsters' that the adults always told me about? I get through the first five floors of the mines, breaking rocks, gathering materials and actually killing a few slimes who explode with green goo anytime I kill one. I can feel myself getting absolutely exhausted by floor four but I don't feel too bad about exiting because I found an Amethyst and two pieces of quartz! Next time I knew to bring more snacks to help give me energy since I apparently have to fight on top of the actual mining. On my way out I check my watch and notice that it's already 6 PM. I was in the mines for almost 11 hours! It was definitely a good use of time though and the work gave me no time to overthink which was nice. I didn't want to think about my dad or the work I still had to do, or Sam's 'friend 'kiss.
Sebastian POV
I had just walked out by the lake and sparked my 6 o'clock cigarette when I heard the crunch of boots coming from the direction of the mines. I closed my eyes and sighed. Who could that possibly be? No one ever comes over here or I wouldn't be here. I pray to Joja that they don't stop to talk. Who would want to talk to me anyway. I slowly open my eyes and take a drag of my cigarette. I glance in the direction of where I heard the footsteps and see Maeve the farmer walking along the path, Hair up with an excited gleam in her eyes and carrying…a sword? She also has some kind of green gunk on her white tank top but something about her appearance leaves you staring. She looks so bright and alive. She notices me and gives me a small wave with a smile, I start to smile back before catching myself and putting on my usual bored expression. "Hey Sebastian, what're you up to?" she asks, coming to a stop in front of me.
"Oh, y'know, this" I reply dumbly, holding my cigarette up. "I can put it out if the smoke bothers you." I say without realizing it.
"Nah, it's okay. I actually like it, I kind of miss those things." I raise my eyebrows.
"Yeah, I know. Weird right? I used to smoke a lot back in the city." She gives a chuckle and continues, "I might have to join you for one one of these days." Wow, I never would have guessed it but I'm not actually that surprised, she does seem like the kind of person who would smoke and I actually wouldn't mind spending the time with her.
"Hey, I hope this isn't too weird but I found something in the mines that reminded me of you." She sets down her bag, avoiding eye contact and starts to rummage around. I can hear a lot of what sounds like rocks clinking together. "Aha! Here it is. I found this amethyst and it just reminded me of how your eyes look sometimes…I hope you like it." She hands it to me while looking at the ground and was she…blushing? I look into my hand and see the most beautiful dark purple piece of amethyst that I have ever seen. It reminded her of my eyes? I had thought my eyes were lifeless black on the best of days so this came as a surprise and I could start to feel the heat creep into my face too while I looked into the stone. "Thanks, I like this." I say to her with a little smile. I couldn't believe that she had been in the mines though, that place was known for being really dangerous and it always made me especially antsy. Plus she was almost a foot shorter than me. It would explain the sword though.
"I'm glad you like it." she said, clearing her throat. She gave a nervous laugh before looking up at me and finally meeting my eyes. "Anyway, don't let me ruin your solitude. I'll see you later Sebastian!" She smiled and winked before turning towards the direction of town and walking off. 'I wouldn't have minded if you stayed' I wanted to say, but the words got stuck in my throat and instead I got to watch and appreciate how she looked walking away.
Maeve's POV
I could feel his eyes following me until I finally turned onto the path where he could no longer see me. His eyes. Oh Joja, I can't believe I told him that! Or that I actually gave him the amethyst. I mean, yeah I had been thinking about it ever since I found it but actually giving it to him? And saying all of that…how embarrassing. He probably thinks you're crazy. Plus you interrupted his alone time. Great job making friends Maeve. I sighed and started walking slower, starting to really feel the drain from all I did today. All I can do now is hope that he doesn't hate me and would actually want to see me again. I really would like to smoke with him someday. Cigarettes or something a little stronger if I could learn how to grow it. I did think I saw a hint of red on his pale cheeks after I gave him the gift so maybe the impression I made hadn't been all the bad. I could only hope.