Great news for Qrihl, of course.
I chuckle a little before I tell her some more restrictions, "Okay. Okay. Settle down. How about I get her, and fill her in on what's going on. Since this isn't fair for the other groups, I'll give them the same incentives as well. I'll need to let them know so, go ahead and grab a set of ten random cards."
I start to turn around and am just about to leave when I remember to give her a warning before I go, "You can't peek at them though, okay?! But yes, for now, you can pick ten random ones from that pile over there. How about you go do that for now? I'll be right back.
"Sure!" Fiorret begins to hum happily before walking off.
With both our backs turned, we begin to leave and head for different directions.
I excitedly let Qrihl in on my plan and her face looks hilarious right now. It looks like she can't decide if she should be excited, nervous, or if she's feeling sick enough to barf.
Either way, being able to be in such close proximity with the person you're crushing on, it must be a dream come true.
The corner of my mouth shifts into a devious smirk, as I imagine my plan coming together in the near future.
Now that that's pretty much in the 'works', I leave and make my way towards the other groups so I can help them prepare for the next game.
[...]
"AHAHAHAH...!!! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! Can anyone even tell what that is anymore?!" Someone yells out as they roar in laughter.
Byrka has helped me set up the enchanted glass containers in the middle of each group. It is able to collect tears within a certain radius and it's going quite well.
I swear, if no one was around, I could've laughed like an evil mastermind, complete with the hand and finger twitching.
Finally! Things are FINALLY going my way!
I place my hands on my hips and I look around. Not only is there enough for an oka of tears, but it also seems like I've collected enough to last an average human's lifetime.
...
But guess what, not only did I collect more tears than I've ever dreamed of, things are going well on the 'Operation Cupid' front, too.
Like a proud mama, I watch over the two have loads of fun as they draw and let their group guess whatever the heck it is that Fiorette's managed to mutilate this time.
Even if they're no longer in the lead, they could really care less about the results.
Laughing their guts out and having an awesome time with each other is enough of a reward. Qhril looks positively glowing.
If only I could give myself a pat on the back for a job well done, I would. Crossing my arms while feeling greatly satisfied, I do a quick nod, acknowledging that both missions have been successfully accomplished, no questions asked.
[A few hours later]
"Are you seeing what I'M seeing, Byrka?!" My eyes glimmer as they flit from one end of the line to another.
I've certainly collected way more than an oka of tears. There might even be closer to 50 okas here?!
Even if I shrink them with magic, there'd still be too much of it to carry. I've decided to ask Byrka to keep it for me for now.
Since I've two more errands, I've decided to take three okas with me that I've shrunk with magic, just in case. I suppose I'll come back for the rest later on if they ever need some more.
Now that that's all over and done, I decide to leave this area so I can go on to my next challenge.
I start to walk until I realize something and hit my head lightly as I do a facepalm. I should create a marker here so I can teleport to this area, whenever. I never had to do this in the past so I didn't bother.
Teleportation or Warp points are not something I specialize in, so I can only warp to only one place at a time.
I can technically do this for two, but I avoid it as it's dangerous in a way. I have heard some rumors about some people being stuck in a void where no one could ever find them ever again... SCARY!
My thoughts and anxieties start to swirl around my head, so I shake it vigorously to break it up. My long, wavy, sun-like hair whips about, as I try to stop myself from overthinking.
Anyway, this is the reason why I try to avoid using it as much as possible, as not only is it extremely limited, it can be very dangerous, too.
This area seems good enough and it's somewhere I can immediately run to for help if there's an emergency of any sort.
Not to mention it's also close enough to everything so, hmm, I've decided! I'll make this my base teleportation point.
Without any further ado, I bend my body slightly to the side and I swing my bag over. I immediately grab hold of it in my hand and pull.
Rummaging through my small rucksack, I find an ancient mirror. Its most stunning feature is the intricate floral carving that's tastefully done all over its rose gold exterior.
I sometimes forget how pretty it is that I end up being mesmerized by it.
A male voice clears their throat as they approach me.
I spin around to check who it is, and I smile at him.
...
The expression I get in return though is something that isn't so positive, unfortunately.
After realizing that I've already packed up, which most likely means that I'm all done here, Byrka looks at me with a face that's full of melancholy and bittersweetness.
"All set and ready to leave for your next one, huh?" Byrka manages to say without choking up. He sniffs somewhat sharply and rubs the underside of his long, chiseled nose out of habit.
"You've no idea how much I want to be able to leave this place and accompany you for a little while longer." My dearest friend looks up at me, with a slight dip to the edges of his eyebrows.
His face clearly shows that he is both happy and sad that I am able to complete this task, as it's for something very important to me after all.
"... Don't worry, Byrka. Who knows, maybe on my second or third visit, I'll be able to show off my husband to you then." As I tease him, I give him a few gentle pats on the cheek.
Ahhh! The mirror! I need to give it to him before I forget!
"Here, guard this with your life. I'll be able to teleport to this place, wherever you may be." I hesitate and pause for a little bit, "... Just make sure that you leave this outside your room if you're showering or taking a poop, though." I tease him, a bit mercilessly, I might add.
His eyes are glued at the pretty hand mirror he's holding in both hands. Not reacting to what I said last, he breaks out into a huge grin.
Byrka looks right up at me, and out of excitement, he inhales sharply; his lifeless eyes regaining some of its lost energy back. "You better...! Or you're making me look forward to nothing if you don't!"
"Have I ever let you down yet, Byrka?"
"No, my goddess."
"How many times have I told yo... Urgh, nevermind. Anyway, be good. I'll most likely be back before you know it!"
Waving goodbye to my dear friend, I set off and fly to my next destination at crazy speeds.
...