Among the festivities stood 5 people who seemed frozen in time. Those 5 were of course Roxanne, Lana, Luna, Derek and Jacob. Roxanne is the first one to snap back to reality and steps on stage after Yosif finish playing Katyusha.
Hmmm? Is that Roxanne coming? Why does she looks immensely pissed off, did i offend her?
Roxanne: WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?
Goddam calm down you banshee, my ears are bleeding... wait how does that work? really? noboy else notice this woman about to kill me? Maybe i can play dumb and she will forgive me for whatever it is i did wrong?
Me: Umm i wanted to make it a surprise?
Roxanne: YOU CAN'T KEEP OVERWORKING YOURSELF! WHY WON'T YOU LET ME HELP YOU!
Me: Hey it's fine really, i'm not tired at all *smack*
Roxanne: BAKA!!!
What the fuck is going on? where did i go wrong with doing charity for the people. Also ow, that fucking slap kinda hurts. *sniff* *sniff* nani? wait she's crying? This is some emotional rollercoaster right here.
Roxanne: i can't lose you like papa too...
Luna and the others are now out of the initial shock and make their way towards the drama on stage. Lana tries to calm Roxanne but she just runs off while Derek and Jacob just watch the celebration when Luna pats me on the shoulder.
Luna: It's okay Yosif, you didn't know what happened to Roxanne.
Me: did a tragedy occur to her?
Luna: sadly, yes... back then when the taxes weren't so high, Roxanne was still living with her father as farmers. Her mother passed away due to illness several years ago so her father was the only family left for her. He was kind and loveable, always taking care of Roxanne and cooks for her. But when the taxes were raised, her father couldn't keep up with it. He worked days and nights hardly resting just to pay for the daily meal. Working like that took a toll on him and his health slowly deteriorates. Roxanne begs him time after time to rest and let her work instead but his fatherly love just won't allow it. And soon after, he pass away from overworking utterly breaking Roxanne's heart. When we first see her after that she was miserable. Barely eating anything at all and cry her eyes dry every night. That's why she's mad at you. She's afraid that a good person like you will pass away the same as her father refusing to let her help.
Me: oh so that's why... i think i should apologize to her then.
I was about to go find Roxanne but i felt someone tugging at my feet. It was the same elf child from before trying to get my attention.
Me: what is it little one?
Elf girl: mister... can i pl-s st-ay with you?
The girl was stuttering and shaking with fear, something was really wrong here.
Me: but why would you want to do that, don't you have someone to stay with?
Elf girl: my mom a-nd dad are gone. The bad men t-ook them away with other child-ren like me. P-ls let me stay with you i don't w-ant to be ta-ken away too.
Racism AND slavery exist here huh? all the more reasons to storm that castle and shove the king's testicles down his throat and rip his spine out of his ass. I'm not using my inn room that much so i guess she can stays there for the time being and convincing Roxanne to let her stay won't be that hard. There's no sane woman out there can say no to such a cute precious cinnamon roll of a child.
[back at the inn in the kitchen]
Roxanne was thinking about how childish she acted and maybe Yosif would like her less because of that. Sighing, she pours herself some water wondering if she should find him to apologize. He helped all those people out there and she berated him for it, what was she thinking?
Me: hey Roxanne!
Roxanne chokes on water when she sees Yosif suddenly standing at the kitchen door calling her.
Me: listen... i'm sorry that i did that without telling you, i didn't know it would bring back bad memories.
Roxanne: *cough* *cough* it's fine Yosif, i was being selfish and inconsiderate, i should've thanked you for helping them but i just lashed out at you.
Me: hey it's ok Roxanne, no biggie.
Roxanne: sooo you forgive me?
Me: of course and well there's another thing i need to ask you.
Roxanne: what is it?
Me: well i found this little elf girl being hunted by slavers and separated from her parents, i was wondering if you could let her stay and work at the inn. You can come out now.
From behind Yosif came the adorable little girl that Roxanne immediately start fawning over the moment she saw her. I guess i was entirely right on that part with women being obsessed with cute children. It's unfair that they get to do it while men doing it gets called a pedophile or a lolicon.
Roxanne: awww aren't you the cutest little thing EVER! What's your name sweetie?
Elf girl: i-it's Isabelle.
Roxanne: just call me big sis Roxanne, i'll take care of you everyday from now.
Isabelle: yay! new family!
And now they're hugging with such purity that'll make demons sweat. I swear to all that's holy i will rather die than let Isabelle gets hurt and whoever dare to commit such an atrocious act... I will show them true despair. Actually, this could be a good chance to tell Roxanne about me being an undead.
Me: Isabelle dear why don't you go see your new room, i have something to say to Roxanne.
Isabelle nods excitedly and skips her way up the stairs to her room.
Roxanne: why do you look so serious now Yosif, is something the matter?
Me: *breath in* Roxanne do you know why i really wear all this armor?
Roxanne: to not scare away people with your real look?
Me: well yes but do you know why exactly i scare people away?
Roxanne: scars and ugliness?
Me: nope.
Roxanne: well you don't sound like an elf *gasp* are you a beast man from Lycathiel?
Me: i'm neither human nor elf nor a beast man.
Roxanne: eh? then what could you possibly be but those?
Me: that's because i'm an undead *lifts visor up*
Roxanne looks flabbergasted at my reveal and starts hyperventilating. I give her a moment to calm down herself, me trying to help her would probaly only make this a lot worse. She leans on a counter and slaps herself before looking me straight in the eyes again.
Roxanne: H-how are you an un-dead? A-re you cursed?
Me: nope, i'm just special.
Roxanne: But then why do you act so... kind? You are even more human than those sick nobles in the capital.
Me: humanity may have it's flaws but their is one thing i love about them. Compassion, the ability to feel emotions and spread love through the air, to be able to survive together and build a society where everybody lives in harmony. That's what i yearn for, a sanctuary where everything is accepted.
Roxanne: Do Lana and the others know?
Me: Yeah they already knew after i nearly kill them.
Roxanne: WHAT!
And just like that Roxanne turns the table and now i'm the one feeling scared under the fiery rage burning in her eyes.
Me: af-after they trespass on my home and tries to put a bounty on my head.
Roxanne: oh...
Me: so are you just fine with me being a skeleton?
Roxanne: pfft. I was scared at first but after seeing your sincerity in your words and actions, i couldn't see you as anything but human. You are a great person Yosif, don't let anybody says otherwise.
Me: thank you Roxanne... Although there's still another matter we need to discuss.
Roxanne: what else is there to talk about?
Me: The uniform for our new lovely Isabelle of course.
Roxanne has star in her eyes and gush over all the possibilities of how cute the little angel would be. That night, not only do the customers get to hear Yosif's new guitar performance while they eat but their hearts also melt at the sight of a little elf girl with straight combed black hair serving their meals in a tiny modest maid outfit.
Total inventory:
The iron castle
1 flintlock pistol (5 shots remaining)
12 iron daggers
Blood reaver
Warp dagger
Helm of clairvoyance
Old knight captain's armor
11 slime essence
20 bone powder
10 scrap metal
4 shard of decay
Leather accessories(pouch, belt, holster)
7 healing potions
Greater ironskin potion
Captain Lambert's journal entry #1
62 coppet 50 silver 11 gold