Definitely gay...

* * *

It's just silence for a while, her leaning against me and me leaning against her. The moment is so undeniably human and real. I sniffle slightly, looking up towards the night sky.

I didn't even realize I'd been sat here this long, but it's honestly comforting to just have someone ready to talk with me. I don't know why I'm opening up to someone I've actively been fighting for a month, nor do I know why she's letting me.

"I'm sorry that I've been fighting you ever since you showed up..." She says, looking off to the side with a bit of guilt. "Baldwin and Jerard had said that you were evil and I kinda just took it at face value, plus you do look a little... scary."

I look down, thinking for a moment. 

"Can you... describe what I look like?" I ask, looking over at her. I haven't gotten a direct testimony on my appearance in the dungeon.

"Well..." She pauses for a moment, looking over at me. I can see her biting her lip slightly, a sign that she's hesitant to tell me. "You look like... a sentient piece of demonic mana, as if you were malice itself swirling around in the shape of a man."

I try to picture what I would look like for a moment and I finally understand why I'm getting the 'attack on sight' treatment from everyone who sees me. I sigh and look back at the sky, my hands on the sill of the ledge as I lean against her.

"I was hoping to hear the word handsome in there somewhere," I say, laughing a little. I don't want the mood to stay somber right now. "You wound me, Patricia."

She chuckles slightly, bumping me in the ribs with her elbow. Ouch. 

"Don't get ahead of yourself, silly," She mutters, insistent on keeping me at least a little humble.

* * *

Vajra POV...

Why did they even make me go after him? I by far know him the least, so what's the deal? Despite my lack of familiarity, I had found him relatively fast.

I'm sat on an adjacent roof a few buildings away, just watching like it's a soap opera. Are they going to kiss already or what? Actually, nah. Knife-ears has prior commitment to his boyfriend.

Strangely enough, the system quest got an update recently. It says we're now 2/??? objectives down, which is odd considering I have no idea what progressed it.

I've got my own soap opera right here, so I'm definitely gonna take my time. The drama is enough to entertain me more than actually doing what I was told. Her I sit on my soap box, monocle in hand, as I watch the excellent play.

"What are we watching?" I hear a voice behind me speak, just behind my shoulder. It sounds like that annoying guy I fought earlier, the assassin-caster-summoner hybrid.

"Arthur and the girl are talking. In other words, Arthur is cheating," I respond, taking a bite from my preferred snack: piece of moldy bread. Mmm, yummy.

Wait a damn second-

* * *

Arthur Ishviel POV...

"So why aren't you attacking me anymore?" I ask, looking down at her. A smile has been gracing my face for a while, which is nice.

"Well, I suggested trying to talk with one of you since it became pretty clear that you were intelligent and not just... y'know, evil," She says, nodding lightly. 

"Makes sense, I guess... so we can all just figure out how to fix all this, right?" I respond. Maybe I can finally stop fighting people? "I mean, I don't want to be overly optimistic, but we don't have any actual reason to fight."

She looks off to the side, leaning forward and away from me. I hear her sigh as if something were unfortunate. I lean forward as well, looking over at her.

"Well... you know the guy that the yellow girl beat up? Baldwin?" She asks, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Well, he healed well from the fight, but... he convinced everyone to keep fighting even though we always started it."

"Oh... dang."

I mean, I can see why, but it's still a shame. I wish we could get along, but we have been fighting each other for a month. Can't really expect forgiveness.

* * *

Gram POV...

Feels weird to be so isolated in the sewers, only one person I know here. Well, might as well talk a little with Valory.

"So... what do you think about Arthur and Pierce?" I ask, looking over at Valory. We've been sat here in silence since Pierce left, so it's been a little awkward. "Honestly, I think Pierce is really rude for no reason and Arthur is... perfect."

"Not much, if anything," She responds, looking over at me. She's kinda weird, always dressing in elegant clothing. "They're of lower class than me, so why should I be concerned? Sure, they could be good people, but I don't care enough to find out."

Well, that's a simple answer. Her classism isn't too terrible since she's not automatically judging the poor, but simply not engaging with them. I suppose it's almost admirable to not be too terribly classist as a noble in this world.

Maybe Arthur could fix her... wait, what? Why am I thinking about my best friend liking this girl? Am I weird or something? How is that anywhere near related to what she just said?!?

Why did I just think that? It was funny to me, but way out of pocket considering I don't really have romantic feelings or physical attraction to her. God, I'm so weird. Arthur, on the other hand... wait, no again!

I'm not gay! I am NOT gay. Dad said men should like girls! I am not gay! I'm not attracted to men! HEAVILY INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS, BEGONE!

Valory, seemingly unaware of the (very much not) gay panic I am enduring, continues on with a question of her own.

"Arthur is definitely better than Pierce though. For one, I haven't seen Arthur get hit with a chair yet. Pierce seems a bit off, like he can't judge social situations as good as another person. I would say that he's just weird, but it feels like it's more than that. Arthur seems nice... plus, he doesn't look bad on the eyes either."

"Yeah..." I mutter it out before I can even stop the words from escaping. I slightly blush, having to look to the side out of embarrassment. Maybe I can make it seem like I meant something different.

"He is really nice as long as you're respectful. I can't really vouch on his looks, but-"

"Dude, just admit that you're gay," She interrupts, crossing her arms and furrowing her brow. She looks irritated.

"I'm not gay!" I refute, pointing my finger at her. "I just have a very close bond with my friend! It's not my fault you don't have a friendship like me and Arthur's!"

"You like kissing boys, don't you? Boy kisser," She says, pointing at me. She's gone from irritation to mocking me in a single moment.

God, when will Arthur get back??? At this point, I'd do with Pierce! He's kinda cute in his own right... wait, no!

* * *