POV Connor
After we separated I couldn't help but ask the twins.
—Why did Anna act like that before we separated?
I asked remembering how she avoids eye contact and seemed a little down.
—Hmm?..... Oh that! — Max said, still smiling at the "victory" against Cali (he's so dead) — Nothing much, probably remembering when we met you a few weeks ago.
—Ahhh do you think she still feels guilty for planning to use me and discard me later? — I asked right away.
I may be several things, as Master Daimen says, mainly a hard-headed, naive person with a heart as soft as butter, but I'm not stupid. Since we first met I imagined that she, Cali, or the twins saw me as a tool for them to use and discard if they needed to.
I'm not happy about it, but it's also not like I don't understand, I would be the stranger they've never seen, between saving a friend and a stranger of course you would go for the friend.
I never complained because they were helping my master and helping me too, and I have a good confidence that if the worst happened I could manage somehow, after all I've always done that since my parents died.
To be honest, I would prefer it to be that way, since in the same way that they would abandon me if they needed to, I would abandon them. As I said, I may be naive, hard-headed with a soft heart, but I'm not stupid, I know that there are times when we have to make sacrifices to save what is important to us, be it life or who is important to you.
I'm sure none of us expected to grow so fond of each other in such a short period of time, but as they say, life is unpredictable.
—Don't you think I should tell her that I already knew everything?
—It's better not, even if you don't mind, Anna is still a very kind girl. She wouldn't like to know that you knew what was happening and still helped to help her master. Or that he also intended to leave us, if that's what the situation calls it. — Max said in his usual succinct tone, not seeming to care much about the fact.
—I agree, it's better for her to say it herself and then you say that you already knew, leave it like a cruel joke of fate and move on with your life on a clean slate. — Max said excitedly, but we know it wouldn't be that easy, I've been trying to talk about it for 3 days and I haven't managed anything.
Maybe it's better to leave the initiative to Anna, despite being young she is very mature and was raised by merchants, she would definitely know how to express herself better in this type of situation than a hunter's apprentice.
Chatting away with the twins, we soon arrived at the restaurant. As soon as we got close, the front door opened and a slightly chubby but undeniably strong middle-aged man came out and gave the three of us a bear hug.
— By the time you finally arrived, I was starting to think that I would have to go to that demonic jungle to get you out of something funny. — the twins' father said, smiling and taking the three of them off the ground.
—T-fine, dad... But now you can let us go... I can't do it — Max said, his red face already turning purple, just like us, although Mac in some inexplicable way remained expressionless.
— Oops, sorry, sorry. — he said, placing the three back on the ground, who greedily inhaled the air. — But you understand why we're worried, don't you? — It wasn't a question and the twins understood that well.
Mr. Gustav said in a more serious and concerned tone, looking into his children's eyes.
—It's okay dad, we're not going anywhere. You can trust us. — Mac said in a rare affectionate tone, which I even doubted came from Mac.
—"You can consider yourself lucky, even the macho woman and Anna have only heard that tone of his voice about 3 times each since we met." — Max whispered to me while Mac spoke to his father.
I was pretty sure I saw him looking at me for a moment, but probably not.... I hope.
— Ok ok, fine, but did you finally get what we asked for? — Mr. Gustav asked, removing his serious face and returning to smiling.
— You could have been worried for a little longer, old man. — Max said, rolling his eyes, but still having fun with his father. — And yes we did. He said pointing to the bracelet. — And it was much more than expected!
Max said, happy with the results of the fishing and unintentional hunting we did on the way back. It is always better to return on foot than to use a return crystal, it should only be used as a last resort, not because it is particularly rare, but because of the side effects it has on people, nausea would be the least.
— I humiliated the easy airhead in the river. —Mac said out of nowhere and in a neutral tone, but we could all see the gleam of superiority in his eyes.
—Hey, it was just for a few fish, no big deal!!!
—A few dozen perhaps. — Mac said with an even rarer smirk.
—I didn't exaggerate either, earthy head!! I still got the biggest ones and gave more finishing blows to the animals on the way back!!! — Max countered.
They both entered the restaurant still arguing, followed by me and Mr. Gustav.
From my point of view, they were both impressive, I had never seen anyone land so many fish as quickly as they both did. Honestly, I was worried if this amount could have a negative impact on the Ordeal (Kaio: not much actually), or if it would even be possible to use all the fish.
—You don't need to worry about that kid, I already imagined that something like this could happen so I asked for a tank with a cold and slowdown enchantment to keep the fish. — Mr. Gustav said, reading my mind.
—It's not that much really, you're actually easy to read. — he said, still smiling.
I thought I could put on a good landscape face, but I can never fool Mr. Gustav. He might have the same energy as Max, but he was as observant as Mac, well as he would be the father I think it would be better to say that they took these characteristics from their father.
—And then Connor, you're staying for dinner, it's on the house. — he said, taking a cloth that I imagine he was using to clean the tables before we arrived.
—Thanks but no, I still have to go back to the boss's house, I need to do my part there too since he's been letting me stay in the spare room for the last few days. — I replied
—Hmm, it would be nice to have some help here, especially with those two. — he said, pointing with his thumb at the twins in the kitchen, Max was taking things off his bracelet and Mac was putting them away. — You're one of the only people who can calm them down besides me, my wife and the girls.
I think it's an exaggeration to say that, they do listen to me. But to say that I can calm them down like Anna and Cali, or Mr. Gustav and Mrs. Anabel, then I can't agree.
—Well, whatever the case, you'll always have a room here waiting if you need it. For you and Daimen if you want. — he said in a slightly more serious tone, I could feel his honesty.
—Thank you..... You know, maybe I'll stay for dinner, but I'll pay for it myself, you don't have to worry about that. — I said, taking a small silver coin from the bag on my belt.
—Aaaahhhh, you're stubborn like your teacher, huh, boy. Very good, but next time you stay here, help with the dishes and you won't pay anything, understood. — From the way he said it, you could tell that this was non-negotiable.
But I can't help but comment that: Where have you ever seen a restaurant/inn owner (not really only for those who pay a lot or who are fond of them like me), refuse payment and insist that you stay in exchange for helping with things? ?!
Well, that's the kind of thing that makes people like Mr. Gustav, obviously including me.