Chapter 8: We Need to Talk

Stepping through the portal, the two find themselves in the bustling city center of Monstropolis. Tristo is immediately overwhelmed by the array of monsters, they shove past, ignoring the portal as if it's another normal part of their day. Noticing his predicament, Zoe reaches up and places a hand on his shoulder. She looks up at him with a smile, before linking her arm with his and helping him move through the crowd. Any monsters that get too close or rough, get the red glowing eyes, and eldritch maw. Zoe darts them over to a small cafe, where she takes Tristo to a small secluded booth in the corner. As he sits and begins to take breaths, she gives him a concerned look.

"Will some coffee make you feel better?"

"Yeah…sorry there were just so many."

"It's okay, large crowds are a lot. I can only imagine how seeing so many monsters must make you feel."

"I'm sorry about, y'know keeping stuff from you too."

"Tristo… I know that based on what you said you have your reasons to keep secrets. But if possible I'd like it if you didn't have to. We don't have to talk about everything, but why don't we start with the dream you had about me?" Zoe asked, leaning in gently. Tristo nodded, but already looked nervous.

"Well as I said in my world you're a character in a game. I dreamed that… well that we were in a musical together."

"Really? What roles did we have in this musical?"

"Zoe… this is really embarrassing to admit."

"Don't be embarrassed dude, we both write fanfiction here. I think we can move past any embarrassment there might be."

"We were reunited star-crossed lovers from high school, battling an eldritch being of immense power. We sang while your other classmates in Spooky Academy joined as the ensemble." Tristo said hurriedly, his voice cracking along the way. Zoe stifled a small giggle as he explained.

"That's all? I was thinking it was gonna be much freakier."

"Zoe!"

"Look, all I'm saying is most of us are pretty sex positive around here. You don't have to worry."

"I'm just, not really an overtly sexual person. Conversations like this are hard for me to have sometimes. At least genuinely."

"That's okay. I can be pretty patient. Aside from all of that, how did the dream end? I mainly want to see if we can glean anything from it. Besides that it's absolutely adorable."

Tristo has already been red in his face from this conversation as a whole, but grows even redder as he recalls how the dream ended.

"The last thing I remember was that… we kissed. Then I woke up in the void."

"What kind of kiss are we talking about here?"

"Is that really relevant?"

"Nah I just wanna know, this is some good stuff. It could definitely make a good fanfic."

"This doesn't bother you at all?"

Zoe looks at him perplexed for a moment. She shakes her head.

"I think it's really interesting. And Tristo… you literally fought a creature made of darkness to protect me not even a few hours ago. I'm much hardier than you, and you're very squishy. I can tell you don't mean anything untoward with any action you take. Weighing that with the fact you and Gerard wrestled on the ground like children, I think I've got a good idea of who you are now."

"I assume that's a positive then?"

"I like you Tristo. I don't think it's a coincidence that you were drawn to me when you were. More than just liking you, I feel drawn to you in a strange way as well. There's something more going on here, and I think it involves me as much as it involves you."

Tristo's eyes are wide at this moment.

Don't mess this up. Don't mess this up. Don't mess this up. The two think to themselves in unison.

"I like you too Zoe."

"So that was all you pulled from that?" She said, teasing him.

"No, I just mean I like you. This real you. I don't know, you just put me at ease. You're very caring and fiercely protective. Easy to confide in as well, I've been so worried to tell anyone since I got here about anything."

"Thanks. I spent a long time without getting many compliments, so it's nice to hear how you feel about me."

The two sit in a comfortable silence for a moment as they gaze at each other. Zoe was far from human, and her eyes swirled with green delight. Her tentacles seemed to curl on themselves slightly as the two continued to compliment one another. Zoe eventually gets the two some coffee, and they continue to chat incessantly. They venture further and further away from the mystery that surrounds them, instead igniting a warmth of comfort within them. Before long, evening arrives in Monstropolis. Zoe looks at him with a sigh.

"This has been nice. I wonder… should we consider this our first date? Or fighting creatures with the Coven?" Zoe asked, looking at him across the table as she rested her chin on her tentacle.

"I think I'd prefer this- wait… date?"

"Unless you don't want it to be?"

"No! I'd very much like it if it were!"

"Good, then it is."

There was no more room for assumptions or doubts in Tristo's mind. As the relief washed over him at her words. He had dated an eldritch cutie, and he liked it. He watched Zoe's eyes gingerly turn from him to the city outside. The bustle of monsters off to their jobs was gone, with instead the night life beginning. Zoe stood up, offering her arm to Tristo once more.

"Allow me to escort you home?" Zoe asked, adding a fancy inflection to her voice.

"Well who am I to deny such a wonderful and beautiful guide." Tristo replied, attempting to mimic the inflection. The two laughed at one another's terrible attempts to be funny. Much like their coffee date, the walk back was pleasant. While some monsters were about partying, the two found that their own nerdy interests were enough to keep them engaged with each other. As they reached the Oberlin house Zoe turned to look up at Tristo.

"So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I'm sure. I think Mr. Oberlin wants to take me out shopping since I don't really have much. You're welcome to come if you want to."

"I'll let you have a little Oberlin family bonding time. I think while you do that, I'll look more into what's going on with the Coven. Tomorrow evening mayhaps?" Zoe posed, swinging her tentacle and performing a small bow.

"Indeed." Tristo said, returning her bow with a curtsy. "Could I give you a hug Zoe?"

"Oh Tristo, I don't think we're quite ready for that. You're only in your twenties, and I'm ancient beyond mortal comprehension."

"Okay, you don't have to lay it on that thick." Tristo said, crossing his arms. Zoe responded by stepping forward and pulling him into a hug. She wrapped her arm and tentacle around his back, and he returned the hug. They sat there for a moment, until Tristo heard a bit of static and a shriek from the Oberlin house. Zoe and Tristo turned to see Vera, Vicky, and Valerie watching from the window. In Vicky's excitement, she had shocked Valerie, her fur now fluffed out completely from the shock. Tristo let out a sigh.

"I guess the contract I signed allotted me no kind of privacy."

"That's okay. Next time you can walk me home." Zoe said, giving him a mischievous smirk. Tristo couldn't look her straight in the eye as she said it, already feeling bashful. She patted his cheek with her tentacle before spinning on her heels.

"See you tomorrow! We can meet at the cafe again!"

"Alright, see you then!"

With her departure, Tristo scurried inside, letting the door close behind him with an exasperated sigh. The three V's looked at him with intrigue.

"You gonna tell us how it went?" Vicky asked, shaking her hands in excitement.

"Maybe tomorrow. I'm beat. Physically and mentally."

"You two are super cute by the way." Valerie said with a purr.

"Stop. Please." Tristo begged, he could already barely handle Zoe's flirting. This was going to make him have a meltdown.

"Needless to say, we're going to have to get you some nicer attire for your future dates." Vera said, eyeing up the battered Tristo. Vicky clapped her hands in response.

"Hell yes! You're gonna look sick by the end of the day Tristo!" Vicky said, pumped up about their upcoming shopping trip.

"Well right now. I just want to take a bath and sleep. I'll see you all in the morning."

Tristo made his way upstairs, as the three continued to chat.

I've never had sisters before… this is pretty nice. Tristo thought, as he made his way to recover from the adventure of a day he had.

As he tried to settle in and relax, he tried to keep his mind on Zoe. But there was something still lurking in the back of his mind. The way that bug looked at him, as if it recognized him. He knew there was something sinister happening, but didn't want to believe it. Instead, he remembered the hug. The way she helped him through the crowds in the city. As long as she's there, there's nothing they can't solve together.