Xhez stirred as she felt her surroundings shaking. Upon opening her eyes, she looked up and found Rin peering into her bag.
"Hey," Rin greeted her softly. "Had a nice rest?"
Tired, Xhez hummed a quick "mhm" as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
It had been a dreamless rest for her, ever since they were nearing Libera and Xhez decided that she wanted to catch up on sleep for the rest of the way. Xhez considered that a minor blessing, given what she'd seen visions of lately.
Her actions remained in the back of her mind, but she couldn't even feel too sad about it given what those humans had done to her mother. Taking lives, however, wasn't something Xhez wanted to get used to. She decided that she'd try her hardest to focus on other things, which led her mind to hone in on the current moment.
She guessed that Rin was waking her up now either because she got lost or...
"Are we in Libera?" Xhez asked quietly.
"Yeah. It's been a couple of days since we arrived," Rin let her know. "Just checking to see if maybe you wanted to stretch your legs or something."
Grateful for the opportunity, Xhez nodded.
Really, however, she wanted to know something.
As soon as she was out of the bag and standing in the middle of Rin's room at the academy, Xhez asked:
"Has your semester begun?
"Uh, no, not yet. Still about a week off. Honestly, I've been pretty stressed about that because-"
It hadn't been Xhez's intention to be rude, but she couldn't keep herself from interrupting Rin.
"Then, m-may I ask for something?"
"Huh?" Rin tilted her head. "Sure. What is it?"
"I..." Xhez hesitated for just a second before saying, "I need to become stronger."
Her words made Rin's brows shoot up. Xhez added:
"We were successful against the ones who kidnapped my mother, but, what if they had been stronger?" Xhez asked. "What if something had happened to you? I would not want that. I feel like I still need to become more powerful still."
Perhaps Rin had been expecting something else, as Xhez noticed some disappointment flash briefly on her face. She traded that disappointment, however, for a smile and said:
"Well... I guess I could ask around to see if you can spend more time in the library. No one's had a problem with it yet, but, if you really start spending entire days in there, I might get a complaint or two."
Xhez smiled in return.
"Thank you. I am blessed to receive your kindness."
Rin blushed slightly, as she sat down at the edge of her bed. Xhez followed her and sat down next to her.
"Well, I did tell your parents I'd take care of you. Having two angry sprites coming after me seems kinda scary, you know? Of course, I'll keep being nice to you."
Xhez giggled. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Xhez gave Rin a warm smile as they looked into each other's eyes. The radio at the corner of the room played some music that Xhez could feel becoming lower, the longer the moment stretched on.
Until, finally, Rin coughed and looked away.
"So, uh, yeah," she said as her cheeks reddened. "I was gonna say, ehm, I'm a little stressed."
"Oh, right. Why is that?" Xhez asked.
"I still haven't reached the fee for the next semester," Rin answered with a shrug. "I'm trying to figure that stuff out."
A monetary issue.
To Xhez, this seemed simple enough. Currency was one of the aspects of human society that Xhez felt was the easiest to understand, despite her initial confusion upon hearing about it. Objects were sold amongst humans, these objects had values placed on them, and one needed varols in order to get them.
Because it was so simple, to Xhez, the solution seemed obvious.
"Can you not accept more fights at the Arena?" She asked. "Although I do not like that place, it does generate varols for you, right?"
"I can, but I would have to fight a ton. I'll have to try, though. Just means I'll be busy."
"You sound sad to say that," Xhez noted.
"Well, yeah..." Rin hunched over a bit. "I wanted to spend a little more time with you." As Xhez's eyes widened, Rin continued. "We haven't gotten to do too much in the city, lately. Besides, after everything that happened, I'd like it if I could show you some of humanity's good sides, you know?"
Xhez realized she had been even more correct than she thought she'd be when she suggested to herself that all she needed to do to get rid of the darkness within her was spend more time with Rin.
The way her Spirit shone was... intense, in a good way.
However, getting back to the matter at hand, if that was why Rin was reluctant to take more fights at the Arena, then Xhez would help her find a solution.
Immediately, one came to her mind.
"Why do you not take a mission then?"
"..." Rin looked back at Xhez. Feeling some surprise, Xhez added:
"You already have the right. There may be an adventuring mission that pays the amount you are looking for. How many varols do you need?"
"I'm off by like 3 plats," Rin replied.
"Surely, there must be a mission that takes you close to that amount," Xhez argued. "How about you go and check?"
Rin made her mind up quickly.
"Yeah... I should. I just- well, yeah..." Rin looked away. She tried to hide her hesitance but Xhez could still feel it. "I should."
Leaning on Rin's shoulder, Xhez tried to keep her Spirit in the confident state it had been while they'd been traveling.
"Whatever you decide to do, I believe it will work out. Besides," she looked up at Rin. "If you do go on a mission, you can just take me with you. You and me... I believe we can do anything together."