The team left Motta with three new members. Otter, a lover of being alone, now had even less alone time. The trip to the mines would take about four days. While Motta claims the mine as their own. It technically has no official ownership. Motta is the only town nearby that wants to mine it. To the west of the mine and northwest of Motta is the city of Kodoku. It's known as the city of happiness. They make their money in art and fashion. They're not known for having many exceptional mages. Still, they rarely get attacked or messed with. They have a group of ten mages called the Seven Gods of Fortune. Otter's been to Kodoku a few times, but never met the Seven. Hades told him that while they're not gods. The title of Gods is quite fitting. Also, that if he ever finds himself on the wrong side of them. He should run no matter what he must sacrifice to escape. Hades was very strict on this point. Otter always assumed they must be Triple S-Ranked.
The party traveled the first day with no issues, and the second day was equally uneventful. They had a few low level monster attacks, but Puppy and Owl handled them with no assistance needed. The third day is where their journey hit its first and biggest snag.
"Um Otter, I think we may need to find another way." Puppy said
In front of them was a giant rock boulder. Otter without needing to investigate could tell it was created using magic. The boulder wasn't what concerned Otter though. It was the power of the magic that concerned him. A S-Ranked mage at a minimum made this. Otter upon doing some investigating came to the conclusion it was one of the Seven.
"Well, we can't go this way. Shit, we'll have to back track, and go around it I guess." Otter said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Livvy who'd been quiet for a while said "Should I have mentioned that this way was blocked off?"
The entire party looked at Livvy with annoyed disbelief. Owl's face became red with anger, Ana just walked away, Puppy had to cover her mouth so she wouldn't be caught laughing.
Von had something to say though "Do you not have a brain? You might just be the dumbest person I've ever had the misfortune of meeting."
Livvy shrank at the admonishment. She knows she isn't the smartest person, but she tries her best not to be a burden. She looked at Otter, but quickly looked away when she saw him cupping his face in his hands. Her face became sunken and her body deflated. She hated that she was dragging the team down.
Otter after a minute of breathing exercises gave the order. "Alright, we can't go this way. Let's fall back and we'll head for Kodoku. It'll take us around two days to get back and another week to get to the city. Let's get a move on while there's still light out."
Grumbling, the party trekked back the way they came. Livvy pulled up the rear and tried to make as little noise as possible. Otter could see how upset Livvy was, but he didn't know how to help. The team wasn't a unit, but a bunch of people with their own motives. All staying together out of convenience. Otter was glad he had Owl and Puppy. They were the only people actually on the team. Livvy was too, but Otter couldn't tell if she was there to be a member of the Harpies. He got the feeling that she latched onto them since they were willing to take her in.
The group walked back until the sun set. They decided to make camp in a clearing just off the path. Otter wasn't one to top and smell the roses, but he found the forest to be a serene and comforting place. Hades would take him out to the woods for training all the time. This entailed Hades having them climb to a cliff and Hades then flinging Otter in the woods. Otter would have to survive and return in a certain number of days. Otter wasn't sure if it really made him all that much stronger, but he did pick up many useful wilderness survival tricks.
"Um, is there anything I can help with?" Livvy asked meekly
Puppy and Owl were getting the ingredients prepped for dinner, Ana was setting up the perimeter, and Von was setting up the tents. Other than Von giving her a nasty look. Nobody responded to her question. Owl, Puppy, and Ana most likely didn't hear her, but it stung all the same.
"Hey mind helping me gather fire wood?" Otter asked, motioning towards some sticks he picked up.
Livvy's face lit up as she rushed to help. They walked a little ways in, and began gathering the wood. Otter wanted to say something, but it took all his social energy to ask her to join him. Plus he had no idea what to talk about. He couldn't just be like "Hey remember how you fucked up and forgot to tell us about the boulder." That would probably be pretty mean.
Livvy beat Otter to the punch and asked "Am I just being a burden for you guys?"
Otter internally was losing his calm, but externally kept a calm demeanor saying "Why would you think that? If it's about the boulder. Don't worry about it, nobody's perfect and we all make mistakes."
Livvy was quiet for a moment before whispering "Please don't abandon me."
Otter barely heard her, but he caught enough to know what she said. In a voice so firm he spooked himself he said "I promise"
Livvy couldn't stop herself from smiling. They shared a look that lasted just a little too long and a little too deep. When they realized their faces turned red and they looked away blushing.
Otter could feel his heart in his chest. He'd noticed that ever since he met Puppy and Owl his body has been doing a lot of weird things. He didn't have a medical explanation, and he almost asked Molly. He decided against it, he knew her and wanted nothing to do with that. They gathered the rest of the wood in silence, but Livvy's smile never faded for a moment.
When they returned to base camp everything was set up, and Puppy noticed Livvy's smile. She got a devilish grin, and decided to take the opportunity to have some fun at Otter's expense.
"So Otter, enjoy your one on one time with our new recruit? Making sure to show her the ropes…rope."
Owl, Ana, and Puppy burst into laughter, and Livvy's face went beat red. She was still smiling, but it looked even more hilarious. Otter turned away, the bridge of his nose and cheeks a bright shade of red. The whole team was having a good time until Von decided to ruin it.
"Well, guess she has to find some way to be useful."
The mood died quickly, and Livvy's smile fell. Her eyes dropped to the ground, and she backed away a step. Owl was about to say something, but this time Otter stepped in.
"So what Von, you're fucking perfect? As I recall, you tried to pick a fight with me over something you weren't even knowledgeable about. We all have our goods, and we all have our bads. Her worst quality is that she's forgetful. She never forgets to smile though. She never forgets which canteen is yours since you have an issue with sharing. She never forgets that Ana doesn't like her food touching. She never forgets us, and how we operate. She's only been with this group for a couple of days, and she already has learned our tendencies. That's a major pro in my book, because right now your biggest con is that you're a little bitch."
He nudged Livvy towards the fire pit, and left Von speechless. Von looked over at Ana for support, but she just shook her head in disappointment. Puppy and Owl weren't giving him any help either.
Pissed Von said "Fuck this! I'm taking a walk." His announcement was met with half hearted waves and apathy. Livvy was the only one to seemed concerned about him.
While the majority of the group ate around the fire. Von sulked alone in the woods. He walked and walked and walked some more. He finally stopped at the edge of a cliff. He breathed in the cool night air. He looked out over the vast dense forest. The beautiful and inviting green foliage during the day, was now a dark abyss of mystery. Von thought about jumping, and disappearing into the blackness. He only joined the Harpries to be with Ana, but even she turned her back on him. The rage he held in his heart festered and grew in intensity. He hated Otter for trying to be a better person. He hated Ana for giving him the chance to prove he can be better. He hated Livvy for being…Livvy. He stood on the edge of the cliff for several hours. He hadn't even realized it. He was so lost in his head that hours felt like minutes.
Behind him he heard the brush rustle. Von didn't look back, he didn't care if it was a monster, friend, or foe. He just didn't care about anything but his anger.
"Hello! Von, are you out there! Answer me!" Livvy's voice rang through.
She wrestled her way through the foliage, and finding Von she audibly breathed a sigh of relief. This only made Von more angry.
"What the hell do you want, idiot?"
Livvy ignored the insult, and went into answering his question. "It's been two hours, and when you didn't return I got worried. Brought you some stew, it's a bit cold but still good." Livvy walked beside Von to hand him the bowl.
In a swift motion he smacked the soup out of her hand. It splashed all over Livvy. Von looked a bit sorry, but turned away with a huff. Livvy stood there drenched in stew.
"Whoops my bad, I can be a klutz sometimes. If you'd like I can go get you a new bowl." Livvy said with a smile
Von looked at Livvy with disgust and said "This… This right here is why I hate you so much. I just spilled stew all over you, and you offered to get me another bowl. Hell, you took fault for my actions. What the hell is broken in you?"
Livvy stood there unsure of what to do or say. All she muster out was "Sorry"
Von continued to berate her "Sorry? For what? I want you to tell me why you're sorry. You know, if I'm being honest right now. You are the biggest waste of space I've ever met. I mean honestly, can you say anyone's life's better for meeting you?"
Livvy stood there on the verge of tears. She was smiling, but not out of happiness. She just didn't know how to respond. When she gets put in positions like this her natural response is to smile. She looked deep into Von's eyes, and deathly calm washed over her. Her smile left and her breathing calmed.
"You're right, I am a waste of space, and no there is nobody who is better for meeting me. And I don't know why I'm apologizing to you. You've been a total jerkface, but I don't want you to hate me. I don't want anyone to hate me. So I smile along, and try to blend in. I try to make people laugh so I have some value. I hate myself, and is that what you want from me! I fucking hate myself, and most days I wish I died instead of…" Livvy trailed off before finishing her thought.
Von was shocked to see her actually break down. He assumed she was one of those people who couldn't be bothered by life's crap. He felt a pang of guilt and regret. He was about to apologize when Livvy cut him off.
"Sorry for dumping all that on you. I'm going to head back to camp. There's still some stew if you want it. Goodnight Von." Livvy ran away, and Von could hear her crying as she left.
Von leaned his head back and cupped his face. Through his hands he shouted "I'm such an idiot!"
A voice from the wind said "Don't forget ugly too."
Von looked around for the source, and found Otter behind him leaned against a tree. He wore a smug smirk, and his eyes had a softness that said let's have a talk.
"You heard all that huh?" Von asked turning away
Otter stepped closer "More or less. I've got to admit, I didn't realize how much she was hiding. Earlier I'd gotten an idea of it, but this goes way beyond what I expected. So, what's your next brilliant move? Maybe kick her childhood pet or make fun of her sick grandma?"
Von didn't find Otter's sarcasm amusing. "I liked you better when you didn't talk and just stood around being gloomy and tired."
Otter smiled at the rebuttal. "Explain it to me though, and I'm being serious here. What's your problem with Livvy? I get that dependable isn't a word I'd use to describe her, but can't you see she's trying her best."
Von stood there for a bit before plopping onto the ground and with a sigh answering. "Honestly? I think that's the problem I have with her. She's trying her best, and I'm too afraid to be honest about my feelings with Ana."
Otter, taking a seat next to him, looked a bit surprised. "You seemed pretty honest to me back in Motta. Then again what do I know? I'm the guy who's run away from every mistake I've ever made. It took Owl and Puppy for me to face my past. I still don't think I can do it, but watching Livvy has started to change my opinion. She fails and fails and fails some more. Yet she never stops trying. Inspiring, don't you think?"
Von and Otter sat in silence for the next twenty minutes. Afterwards they headed back to camp, and were met with quite the surprise. Sitting at the fire stirring the remaining stew was Livvy. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy, but she was still trying her best to be helpful to Von. It took Von every last ounce of strength not to break down. Otter gave Von a little push, and then headed to his tent. Von took a seat next to Livvy, and gestured for a bowl. Livvy filled it with food and handed it to Von. She began to get up to go to bed, but Von stopped her.
"Hang on a sec. Mind sitting for a minute and talking? Food always tastes better with company."
Livvy gave a slight nod and took her seat. They sat in silence for a spell before Von finally spoke.
"Death… I'm afraid of dying, or I guess it's more apt to say I'm afraid of dying from an illness. That's why I don't like to share canteens, forks, spoons, etc… When I was a kid I fell very ill and almost died. Sickness and sick people scare me. I don't mind dying in battle, at least then I had the chance to fight back. Illness though, ain't no fighting that with magic… well at least not with mine."
Livvy sat there and listened. She never took her eyes off or interrupted. She was happy Von was sharing this with her. She wasn't sure what changed in the hour since they spoke, but she was glad it had.
"Can I tell you something, and you have to promise me you won't tell the party?" Von nodded slowly and Livvy continued "I'm from Kodoku, and I'm the reason that boulder was blocking our way."
Von took a bite of his food, and took his time to answer. "Is that so? You don't strike me as an earth mage. So I'm guessing it wasn't meant to help you. Want to talk about it? I know I'm just an angry asshole, but I can be a good listener when I want to be." Von chuckled at his own joke. Livvy didn't get, but she smiled anyway.
"It was cast by one of the Seven. The God of Peace Mir, and he uses Earth Magic."
Von monotoned said "He sounds real peaceful"
Livvy smiled at his sarcasm, and his willingness to have an open conversation. She was afraid after their last talk he'd hate her for sure.
Von finally got to the meat of his wanting her to stay. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said I hate you. I'm sorry I made you cry, and I'm sorry I didn't try to get to know you before making up my mind on you."
Livvy's eyes began to fill with tears, but she held them back. "So, you don't hate me?" Von gave her a reassuring smile. "I've always had to keep a certain image. I have to pretend that everything is great, and I'm not slowly dying inside. I've learned that when I let myself out, people abandon me. Otter promised he wouldn't, but I've heard that before. Then I mess up one too many times, and poof I'm all alone again. I don't want to be alone again." Livvy couldn't stop the tears this time.
Von was at a loss how to help. He started to put his hand on her shoulder, but pulled back unsure if it would be welcomed. He decided a vocal approach would be the best answer.
"I think you're over-thinking it. Otter isn't the type to run when it involves his treasures. We haven't known each other long, but I can tell he treasures all of us like priceless relics. I promise you if he told you he won't abandon you. Then you can take to heart that come what will. Otter will have your back. Plus, I get the feeling he sees you much differently than the rest of us. I'll give the guy his props. He doesn't take long to find what he likes."
Livvy's face went flush with embarrassment, and she struggled to spit out "I…I'm Sur…sure he doesn't see me like that."
Von couldn't help but laugh. "I see the feelings are mutual. I'm no love guru, hell I can't even be honest with Ana. Still, if you find something you'd move the heavens to protect. Then you should go and capture it before someone else does."
Livvy nodded, and got up to leave. This conversation was getting too overstimulating for her, but she paused to give Von some advice.
"Ana's not dumb, and she isn't very patient either. You should tell her how you feel soon. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. Just… how'd you put it? Just stop over-thinking it." with that Livvy headed into the girls tent and went to bed.
Von sat there for a minute then smiling and said to himself "Stop over-thinking it? That's some pretty good advice." He headed to bed soon after.
The next morning the team set out, but the vibe of the group felt different. The tension that had permeated the group yesterday, was replaced by light airy feeling. Otter was glad to see everyone finally getting along, but he couldn't help but notice that Livvy was being weird around him, and Von couldn't stop giggling. Otter suspected that Von probably was the cause, but it didn't feel like a bad thing so Otter let it go.
Puppy and Owl took care of the majority of the fighting. Livvy used Water magic, so the group decided to conserve her strength in case of emergency. Von used Silver magic, and he was in case they needed emergency shelter. Ana used Plant magic, she was focused on overnight perimeter and surveillance. Otter was the commander and support fighter. If Owl or Puppy needed a break, he'd be the one to fight. His focus had to stay on leading first. He needed to stay free to adapt to any changes in their journey.
At the end of day two, the party was about an hour from starting their journey to Kodoku. The was setting and they'd have to do the last hour trek in the darkness. Each of them are strong enough to handle the type of monsters that live in this forest. However, when you add the limited visibility, the fact that pack monsters tend to roam, and they've been walking all day. Stopping and making camp was the safer option by far.
Von set up the tents, Ana set the perimeter, Puppy and Owl prepped the food, and Otter and Livvy went to gather fire wood. Von had been in a much friendlier mood today, and the girls were very suspicious. They wondered what changed from him leaving in a huff. To now being helpful and polite. Ana finished her part and went to see if the other two girls needed any help.
Owl bluntly asked "What's up with Von? He's been like actually friendly. It's kind of creepy."
Ana looked over at Von who was hammering a spike into the ground. She wouldn't call it creepy, but it definitely was out of the ordinary. She'd known Von for more than five years. They've traveled together and been practically joined at the hip since they met. Ana was wary of people she couldn't read. Von is like an open book. He tells you how he's feeling, what he wants, and what's on his mind. Ana felt comfortable around Von for that exact reason. However, the Von setting up the tents was not that Von. She couldn't read him, and that truly scared her.
"I don't know, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it real fast." Ana said determined
Ana marched over to Von and asked "Why are you so happy?"
Von stood there looking at Ana in confusion. His brain wasn't ready to think thoughts. "Um… sorry I guess. I'll try harder to be more miserable around you."
Ana didn't appreciate the sarcasm, and she made sure to let him know. "Funny, now answer the damn question. Why are you so happy?"
Von, having had a minute to process the words coming out of Ana's mouth, responded. "I had a productive talk with our ever trustworthy leader and…" Before he could finish Ana rushed off with fire and brimstone in her eyes. Von shook his head in confusion. He looked to the girls for answers, but they just shrugged and went back to work.
Otter hadn't gone too far, but in less than a second he wished he had. Ana cleared the distance between them before Otter could sense her. One second he was leisurely picking up wood, and the next the icy chill of death was breathing down his neck.
Otter spun so fast he dropped the fire wood. "Uh…hey…Ana…can I help you with anything?"
Ana's icy glare froze Otter in place. She wasted no time with the interrogation. "What did you do to Von? He was normal yesterday, and today he's broken. Whatever you did fix him."
Otter was scared and confused, and he hadn't a clue what she was talking about. "He's broken? How so, did he get hurt or something?"
Ana wasn't standing for any of Otter's BS. "You know what you did. Now you march your ass over there and fix my Von!"
Otter paused for a second, and with a wicked smirk said "Your Von huh? Pretty romantic of you to claim him."
Ana's face turned a crimson red with embarrassment. She spun away from him covering her face. Otter thought it was cute, but he found it less cute when a plant stem wrapped around his throat.
"Why… does… everyone… go… straight… to… choking? It… was… a… joke…" Otter strained to say
Ana released him and Otter quickly ran back to camp. When he got back panting and gasping for breath. Everyone looked at him like he was a wild man. Catching his breath he looked at Von saying "Ok bro, lets have a chat."
Ana stayed back cooling off her face, but completely forgetting that Livvy had joined Otter. Ana looked over and LIvvy was standing there holding a pile of wood, awkwardly smiling.
"How long have you been there, Livvy?" Ana asked, with a level of calm in her voice that triggered Livvy's flight response.
Livvy really didn't want to answer. "Um, the entire time, sorry."
Ana's face heated back up "Forget what you heard. Do I make myself clear?"
Livvy, fearing for her safety, answered "Yes ma'am!" A moment of silence wafted over them before Livvy asked her burning question. "Why do you think Von is broken?"
Ana sighed before answering "Von as you might have surmised is an open book. If he's unhappy he'll tell you. I need that in my life. Otter's so mysterious, and secretive. I can never tell what's going through his head. Today Von's been the same way. I want him to be an open book."
Livvy was confused by her answer "Did you ask Von what he's thinking about? Also, Otter's not that hard to read. Like today his stomach hurt thinking about the time we lost. Sorry about that, that one's on me. He was also concerned about going to Kodoku. He apparently doesn't like the place. Says it's too lonely there. Funny since the guy is loner. His whole thing is literally being alone. HAHAHA"
Ana was impressed by Livvy's intuitiveness. "How did you figure all that out?"
Livvy not missing a beat said chiperly "It was pretty obvious, he's taken four doses of his tummy pills. On top of that when he's stressed he rubs the back of his neck with his left hand. When he uses his right hand it means he's thinking about something that isn't stressing him out. As for him not liking the city. I just asked him and he told me."
Ana was even more impressed now. "Ok, but with Von I never needed to ask or even guess. He just told me with his words and actions."
Livvy rebuttaled trying to push Ana "Maybe it's because you're always so distant with him that he overcompensates. Now that we're all around he can just be normal."
Ana didn't like being pushed, but she did tend to be more walled off. "Ugh, what should I say to him then?"
Livvy shrugged, responding as she walked away. "How the hell should I know, but I'd start by trying to see the feelings beyond the words. Miss it for too long and he'll stop trying."
Livvy left Ana spiraling, Ana wasn't used to questioning herself, but Otter and now Livvy have both forced her to.
When Livvy returned to camp Otter and Von were nowhere to be found. Livvy looked around, but couldn't find them anywhere.
"Hey Puppy, Owl, where's Otter and Von?"
Owl was busy cutting vegetables, and didn't answer. Puppy thought about it for a moment and said "Otter said they needed to and then took Von somewhere. They'll be back eventually."
Ana returned soon after carrying the wood Otter dropped. Puppy was giggling to herself. She knew that Ana had probably done something embarrassing. Puppy considered joking with her, but decided against it. Puppy feared very few, but Ana fell into the category of people Puppy feared.
Owl on the other hand feared nobody. "So, I'm assuming you're the one that had Otter wheezing. Have you tried please and thank you? They go a lot farther than choking does… well most times."
Ana glared at Owl but said nothing just went inside the tent and pouted. Livvy was going to talk to Ana, but got the feeling it would be better if she didn't.
Otter and Von returned an hour later. They peaked around the camp before relaxing and settling in for dinner. Puppy guessed that their talk was less about whatever had Ana so upset, and more just two guys venting their complaints.
Owl called out, "Dinners ready, come and get it."
Ana stepped out, and Otter and Von tensed up immediately. Ana walked past the two as if they didn't exist. The two men shared a relieved look. Owl, Puppy, and Livvy looked at each other smirking.
"Von" Ana said sternly
Von shooting to attention answered "YES MA'AM!"
At this point the girls were clasping their mouths to keep from laughing.
"I'll be sleeping in your tent tonight. Understand?" Ana said matter of factly
Von's face went beat red, the girls stopped laughing and looked in shock, and Otter gave an approving nod.
"U… Um… Uh, are you sure Ana?" Von stumbled out
Ana spun on her heels and with a predatory look in her eyes responded "Did I sound unsure? I'm sleeping in your tent tonight and that's final."
Von nodded his understanding, but still seemed unsure of the whole thing.
That night Owl, Puppy and Livvy went into their tent. Otter got into his tent, and Ana and Von got into their tent. The atmosphere was awkward from the start. Von didn't know where to sit in the cramp space. Ana hadn't brought her sleeping bag, and neither one was saying anything. They just sat on the ground staring at each other.
Von took the first swing "So, welcome to my tent. Can I offer you any refreshments?" The joke was a swing and a miss.
Silence returned with no sign of stopping. Ana, who'd been gung-ho about sharing a tent, felt more and more embarrassed about it. She was hoping that if they shred a tent, maybe Von would have an open and honest talk about them. Ana was beginning to think it was a dumb idea, but Von surprised her.
"Ana, I love you. I've loved you since the day we met five years ago. I wanted to tell you, but with everything about Otter it always felt like the wrong time. Soon years passed and it became harder and harder to tell you. When you Otter made up I thought maybe it was finally the right time, but then I feared that maybe you only stayed close out of pain. I…" Von's rambling was stopped by Ana kissing him.
The kiss lasted several seconds before Ana pulled back and said "I love you too, you big dummy." kissing quickly escalated to something far more intimate. It was also far louder than the pair realized. Their friends though had no problem realizing how things had gone.
"Good for you buddy" Otter whispered as he rolled over and tried to block out the noise with his pillow.
The next morning everyone pretended they heard nothing, and packed up quietly. Ana was glowing and smiling from ear to ear. Von noticed the dark circles around everyone's eyes. A realization dawned on him, and his face reddened.
Von walked over to Otter and asked "Our fault?"
Otter putting a hand on his shoulder said "Congrats Von, I'm happy for you. Make sure you take care of her. Because, if you break her heart she will kill you, and us too probably."
That was all that was said of the previous night's activities, but nothing needed to be spoken of the change in the group. Ana and Von walked side by side so close they might as well be attached.
The next week went by in a flash. The group that at one point was nothing more than strangers of convenience, was now a party of friends ready to take on the world.