8 Surveillance Day 5, An Idea Sparking Future Innovation -Chapter 7-

It had become quiet.

Silence was something that often came with night, but for the slime who had just recently gained its hearing, the complete lack of noise was a bit disconcerting. There was noise, and then there wasn't.

The elf had long since fallen asleep while reading. In fact, the slime was right next to him. Before the elf had fallen into the grasps of the abyssal thing named slumber, it had tucked the thing in, now keeping it comfortably under the covers. While still confused, the slime was comfortable enough. It decided to stay here, at least to rest. The feeling was again a bit like being in a pocket, which it previously was in.

Ten hours quickly passed. This was more than enough time for the elf to wake up, which he didn't. However, loud repeated knocks reverberated through the door. They were loud, yes, but not hurried. This had woke him, with an opened book right on his face. An unpleasant feeling, but he didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by it. That, or he was simply too groggy to realize it was there. Either way, he propped himself up, the book falling to the floor.

"Mmmmgh..." He let out a half-voiced groan, "fell asleep while reading, hm? That must be the third time this week."

He quickly wiped his eyes, checking if the slime was still there. Which, to his relief, was. It simply layed or sat on the bed unmoving and without thought.

The elf got up from his bed, surprising the slime with the sudden movement. Anxious, it stayed where it was while the footsteps moved closer to the door.

The elf wiped his eyes, cleared his throat, and answered the knocks by opening it, as anyone would. The door creaked as it was slowly pulled open, revealing the form of a small man, although, one only small in height.

"'Ey there! eh... Alfin. Ye look terrible." Dralof as he was referred to as, the dwarf the elf was formerly with, stood there with a concerned look on his bearded face, giving the elf a small wave.

"Hello, Dralof... do I really look that bad?" The elf rubbed their neck, chuckling a bit at the dwarf's words."

"Ye do! Ye've got bags under your eyes and yer hair's a mess! What, did ya even sleep?" The man spoke quite loud despite it being the morning. His voice alone probably woke up a few residents of the town, never mind his ear-splitting knocking.

"Yes, I did, somewhat... You've just caught me at a bad time. Actually, you're the one who woke me up!"

"Eh? I did? Uh, sorry abou' that..."

"Don't worry about it."

An awkward silence appeared between them, the two only staring at each other without a word. However, the dwarf's eyes eventually landed upon the slime laying on the bed in blind confusion.

"You really brought i' here, didn' ya?" There was a slight let down tone to the dwarf's voice, distracted by the slime.

"Well, I said I was going to, didn't I? And, keep your voice down, it's not violent, but it's certainly not tame."

"Eh, yeah. Tha's exactly the type o' thing ye'd do... right, you don't wan' anyone ta know, aye?"

"Of course I don't, it's still technically a crime keeping it here..." The elf almost whispered while speaking, trying to stay as quiet as possible while discussing that topic, "so, what exactly did you need?"

"Oh, I was just wonderin' if ya were actually going to do yer job today. Ya know, the only way you make money at the moment?" The dwarf smirked, waiting for his response.

"Oh, please, you sound like my Father. Save me from your lectures... besides, adventuring is just a side job - or, well, it's my only one, but I'm still pursuing my dream. I'll explore the world and learn everything. And I can't--" The elf was cut off by the dwarf.

"And ya can't do that as 'n adventurer 'cause it involves too much other work. Ye've must 'ave told me a thousand times by now! Ya say I sound like yer father, but ya sound exactly like my own!

The dwarf's words were followed by silence, then the sparks of laughter, then full-on guffawing. It came slowly, then suddenly all at once.

"Hah... but seriously, we should get going. I'd rather not be forced onto the streets." The scholar spoke with a quickness, moving quickly back into his home, leaving the door open.

"Eh... alrighty! I'll just... be here!" The dwarf spoke out to the other, but without notice like all things happen, an idea struck him, "actually, why don't ya bring the slime with us?"

The elf turned back to face him, raising a single eyebrow, "Now why would... actually, that's a wonderful idea! Dralof, you're a genius! If it were to level up or evolve..."

The scholarly elf mumbled to himself in intrigue, a wide smile appearing on his face.

Thus would begin The Slime's first quest, even if unofficial.

-Surveillance Day 5, | First Half | Log End.-