Meeting at the Guild

Thankfully nothing happens on my way to the adventurer's guild. Sure I got lost twice, but I didn't get attacked this time! I count that as progress.

Entering the guild, it seems like business as usual. At least so far as I'm aware since I've literally only been here once. I head over to the quest board to see what's available.

'Hmm, like Receptionist said yesterday, there are a ton of hunting and guarding quests. Though it seems like most of the hunting quests are standing orders rather than outright 'we're in danger' requests.'

I do see a few of the second kind though. But I'm not dumb enough to think I can handle any kind of monster swarm. Even if a den of 'Basher Bunnies' doesn't sound dangerous, the imagery that name brings to mind does not imbue me with confidence. Not to mention my encounter with the bunnicorn.

As for the guard jobs, I don't have enough fighting experience to deal with anyone confident enough to attack someplace in the city, nor to protect a merchant from any competent bandits. The thugs hardly counted as opponents.

No, if I want any job I do to count, I'll have to either stick with the standing orders, or find some people to team up with. Too bad I don't know anybody.

"Oh, there you are Seka, I was hoping to talk to you."

Yep, it's too bad there's nobody at the guild that I can team up with.

"Um, Seka? Did you hear me?"

Darn, since Receptionist isn't here, there's no one around to help me either.

"Hey! Don't pretend that you don't see me!"

Oh well. I guess I can head over to the bar area and see if any of the morning drinkers can help me. It really is a shame that I don't know any cuties I could team up with.

"Why are you walking away!? I'm trying to apologize to you!"

Oh look, that guy is smiling at me! Maybe he's friendly and is willing to help me team up with someone. I can't be the only newbie at the guild afterall. Too bad Receptionist isn't here, I really could use someone experienced in the guild to help me.

"Do you want me to grovel!? Because I'll grovel if I have to! Let's see what wins out; your embarrassment or mine!"

I heave a deep sigh and turn towards the woman who's shouting behind me.

There I see Tesk, her face flushed in indignation. "Judging by how red your face is, I think your embarrassment would be stronger."

She beams knowing that she's gotten my attention. "Regardless of who would have been more embarrassed, I would like to apologize for my actions yesterday."

I nod sharply. "Ok."

We stand there in silence, neither of us saying anything.

Before the awkwardness gets to be too much, I speak. "Well?"

Tesk blinks owlishly at me. "Well what?"

"You said that you came to apologize." One eyebrow rises as I prompt her.

She places a hand on her chest as she adopts an offended expression. "I just did!"

My eyes roll. "No you didn't, you said that apologizing is the reason you're bothering me, but you never said 'I apologize', or 'I'm sorry'." Hmph. Trying to pull that trick on me, I pull it too often to fall for the same thing! Though I'll usually say something more along the lines of 'I wish to apologize'. I generally don't really feel sorry for my actions unless the consequences end up being a big deal.

Interrupting my internal introspection, Tesk takes a deep breath. "I apologize for trying to force you to sell me your tail." She continues in a quieter voice I'm sure she didn't mean for me to hear. "Even though I offered to buy you a potion to regrow it…"

I decide to ignore that as she speaks at normal volume again. "It was both wrong and strange to ask that of you, and I hope we can put it behind us going forward.

I can't help but snicker. Her offended look makes a reappearance, but I speak before she can voice her complaints.

"Are you seriously trying to be formal after taking me to the ground in such a determined and forceful way yesterday? I think we're way past being formal." Ignoring her red face, I wave for her to follow me to the bar area of the guild.

After we take our seats, I continue. "It's ok. Not fine, but ok. It also MIGHT not have been entirely your fault."

That shocks her out of the daze she's been in from my casual attitude from yesterday. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well~," I draw out the word, trying to build her anticipation. "Do you think I'm cute~?"

Whatever Tesk thought I was going to say, it certainly wasn't THAT. Her face heats up as she stammers a reply. Huh, she turns red really easily. Maybe it's a condition?

"C-c-cute? Y-you're asking if I think you're cute? Erm, well." She looks shyly to the side. "Y-y-yes, you are."

I nod in satisfaction. "Then you were probably affected by my ability, adorable."

"Huh?" She looks at me in confusion with her head tilted. I can almost see the question mark hanging above her,

"Well, my cuteness is amplified by my ability, adorable. Basically if someone finds me cute, there's a chance they'll act abnormally." I shrug. "I thought that it would just affect certain actions but…" I wave my hand vaguely to encompass her. "Yeah."

Tesk simply blinks at me, her thoughts running a mile a minute.

'An appearance based ability? Those are RARE. Considering that she just told me about it without a care… I don't think she realizes that.' Unlike most abilities, appearance based abilities, as well as bloodline abilities, have a high chance of being passed onto a person's children. While bloodline abilities will only manifest if a descendant has an affinity with it, appearance abilities will manifest at birth and modify the child to fit the ability.

This is why appearance based abilities are sought after by basically everyone. Nobles and commoners, humans and beastmen, elves and dwarves. No matter the race, nor their lot in life, anyone capable of having children desires a relationship with someone with an appearance based ability.

Tesk makes an internal vow after she realizes what Seka telling her means. 'I'm touched that she would trust me enough to share this with me. Especially after what I did yesterday. I'll make sure that her trust isn't misplaced. I will do all I can to help this amazing girl!'

Too bad she can't hear Seka's thoughts.

'If she gives into her urges again and jumps on me, I might be able to get even more gold from the guildmaster!'