Inside of a bedroom, two teenagers in casual clothing are sitting across from each other on beanbags. The mini table that is between them is covered in various school materials.
"Wow Gene, I'm still shocked that you actually came over to my house."
"Why would you be? How could I turn down my friend's request?"
"To be honest, you usually make up some excuse as to why you can't come over, suggesting we meet at some dorky place like a library or something."
"Hey, don't diss libraries! They are one of the greatest places for optimal studying, you know."
"Yeah, whatever. Nothing beats the comfort of my bedroom!"
We already have to sit in boring classes all day, so why would anyone want to spend personal time in another boring place? I find it much easier to concentrate when I am at ease.
"My brother stopped by to see our parents. He just so happened to be travelling to this side of town, so I convinced him to take me here on the way to his destination."
"Oh yeah? How did you manage to do that?"
"It took a lot of begging and pleading. Heck, I don't even think that's what worked. He told me, 'Happy belated birthday.', when he dropped me off."
"He wished you a happy belated birthday for your birthday that was months ago?"
"Yeah, but it's the thought that counts, right? Anyway, we should get on with the project."
Whenever the topic of his brother comes up, Gene becomes unusually dismissive and hurries to change the subject. I'm curious about the reason, but it seems to be a very personal matter that he doesn't want others to pry into. Can't judge him for that–what person could without being a hypocrite?
"Right, that's what's most important right now. So you remember the place I told you about?"
"The Meandering Cave? How could I forget such a ridiculous idea?"
"This is the best we've got. I need to do something extreme to pass the class, so you better believe I'll risk anything!"
I absolutely refuse to spend another year of my life listening to Miss Honey!
"We'll need more party members to even stand a chance. How are amateurs like us gonna avoid wandering aimlessly inside the Meandering Cave?"
"My sister is an experienced treasure hunter, remember? She promised to help us with this expedition, though I have no idea why she's so late."
Last time I checked in on her, she was on track to arrive here by now. Knowing her, she either found something random to hunt or she's probably messing around with men again. I don't know what's so satisfying about teasing, but that's my sister's kink I suppose.
"We should ask your parents to join us too."
Hearing those words so casually spill from his lips almost made the drink in my mouth spill from mine.
"No way, do you know how cringe that sounds?"
My sudden response startled Gene a bit, causing him to shuffle in his beanbag. I didn't mean to do that, but his suggestion is a big no-no. Every treasure hunter in our family must prove herself by leading her own treasure expedition at some point. If I get my parents involved, then they would just take over. Where's the satisfaction in that?
"I don't find shame in that. Just saying…"
Knock Knock
"Hey sweetie, the cookies are ready."
From the other side of my door, I can hear mom's voice breaking through. I've already anticipated her intrusion, so I made preparations beforehand to prevent me from losing my comfort.
"Come in mom, the door's unlocked this time."
"Really? How mindful of you."
Mom slides open my door with her left hand, her right hand carrying a basket of cookies. The scent makes my mouth water, but I swallow it to keep my drool from leaking. I can't let Gene see something so embarrassing!
"Here you go, don't be afraid to indulge. It's peanut butter with peanut chunks, your favorite!"
Mom looks at me with a devious smile as she waves the basket near my nose. She sees right through me, but I won't give in…completely.
"Got it, I'll share with Gene."
I swiftly grab the cookie basket from mom's hands and pass it to Gene. He looks at me bewilderedly, so I gesture to him to take some cookies. I swear, he can be so dense sometimes despite being academically smart.
"Oh, for me? Thanks Thena."
"My pleasure, best friend."
As Gene grabs some cookies, I slightly pull the backet away from him after each one. Once he grabbed one-third, I gave him a big smile.
"I think that this is enough for me."
Ah, he's learning. Now I can give my mouth what it's been craving!
"Thena is sharing? Willingly sharing? Why, that's new. That must be from your father's side of the family!"
"Thank you for the treat and allowing me over, Mrs. Tackle. I'm sure Thena gets such traits from you."
"Oh, there's no need to flatter me. We're a family of treasure hunters, do you honestly think that we like to share?"
"Oh. My apologies then…"
Gene adjusts his glasses and looks away. Despite being friends for years, he still has much to learn about our family culture. I'm sure he's silently judging us, and is trying to avoid showing it on his face.
"No hard feelings, I appreciate the thought. Anyway, what are you two talking about?"
"It's about that project I already told you about."
"Wait, so you told her that you plan on going to Meandering Cave?"
"Hmm? You're going to the Meandering Cave?"
"Gene!"
"Oops, I didn't know that was supposed to be a secret. My bad, Thena."
You idiot, read the room!
"That sounds wonderful sweetie! Your father and I had our 3rd date there. Well, it technically was not an official date, but it felt like one to me. Brings back sweet painful memories…"
Mom closes her eyes and starts swooning. Oh god no, she isn't gonna seriously gush about her romance with dad in front of my friend. There's just no way.
"So you have explored the cave before? Do you have advice for us? We could really use it."
"Yeah mom, we could really use your practical advice!"
I wink at Gene and give him a thumbs-up. Nice save!
"Apparently, there's a hidden area within the cave that's behind some sort of supernatural veil. The area beyond that veil leads to an oasis the goddess used to dwell. I suppose that's believable since Apostle Nazz taught us about it, but we had no idea about that back in the day. My hunch is that there's some treasure at that oasis. You feel the same way, don't you Thena?"
Our family has some kind of sixth sense for detecting potential treasure spots. Mine is still not as sharp as my parents' or even my sister's, but I'll get there eventually before I surpass them all.
"Exactly. That's why we are going to discover it alone!"
"With Aisha's help too. Don't forget that part."
"Sounds interesting, but how are you going to find that veil? Without any sense of direction, you will experience first-hand why it's called 'Meandering Cave'."
"..."
And just like that, the mood is ruined. Reality can be such a jerk.
"Just one more thing before I go. I could never confirm this myself, but apparently the path to the oasis has a unique scent. The smell is so faint, only a person cursed with a strong sense of smell could detect it. That or a demi-human. Don't mind me, I'm just spit balling. Make of that what you will. Good luck!"
Mom shuts my door and finally leaves. I love her, but sometimes she can be too nosey for my liking.
"Thena, I think your mom was trying to give us some advice."
"No duh, genius. I hate it when she does that, but at least she only gave us a hint instead of spoiling the answer like usual."
Huh, I guess mom is trying to give me more independence after all. Still not as much as I'd like, but it's progress.
"That scent trail is obviously the key to finding the hidden area. If all three of us worked together, surely, we would be able to smell it?"
"I don't know about that. None of us have a sense of smell on the level that your mother was implying. We need to find a party member with a strong sense of smell."
The only person I know of that has a smell curse is Cindy, but I'd be caught dead before I ever ask her for anything. She can keep her big nose in her own project!
"The odds of that are zero. I don't know anyone whom I could ask from school."
"Me neither. So that only leaves us with the final option…"
"..."
A demi-human party member? We have a few demi-human transfers at our academy, but most of them attend their own school outside the capital. I don't know any of them personally…
"Unless you have connections, the odds of us finding a demi-human to assist us is lower than our odds of succeeding the expedition without one."
"I only know Jackal and his cousin Carrie who transferred last semester. Though they are occupied with their own projects, I assume."
"Dang it, this is frustrating! We keep going in circles, but I refuse to give up this idea."
I want to quit and take the easy way, but I have no choice–my graduation depends on it!
"Well, I think there's potentially another option we are overlooking."
"Go on…"
"I mean, your sister is an experienced treasure hunter, right? That means she travels to many places all over Gannet and other countries…"
"... and she is returning from an expedition in Erosy…"
"Which means that she likely knows a demi-human who can help us!"
Thump
"Ow, what was that for, Thena?"
"Jinx. You know the rules."
"You are supposed to say 'jinx' first before hitting me!"
"I couldn't give you the chance to say it before me. Besides, you won last time, so the score is even now."
That's a lie. I've been keeping track since the very first time we first met as little kids, but it's more thrilling when he thinks he has a chance of winning.
"Okay, thanks for letting me know that, I guess."
BUZZ
The sound of vibration and flashing catches our attention. It's coming from my bed.
"Hey Thena, did you leave your insignia under your pillow case again?"
"What? It helps me not to forget it…most of the time. "
I get up from my comfortable bean bag heaven to pick up my insignia. Who could be calling me at this time? It'd better be–
"Thena, sorry I'm late. I've been a little caught up with an interesting guy I met!"
A hologram of my dearest sister emits from my insignia. She seems more upbeat than usual…yep, she's been teasing men again. Go figure.
"Yeah yeah, are you in town yet?"
"Yes, I've just made it. Are you ready for the expedition?"
"No, not yet. There's still one more thing we need."
"What is it? I'd be more than happy to help my little sister and your cute friend!"
"Have you met any demi-humans that could join our party? We can't succeed without one."
Aisha thinks for a moment, then smirks. An expression I'm all too familiar with.
"Understood. We'll meet up soon and discuss the details, sis!"
I end the transmission, returning my attention to Gene. He must have been watching us awkwardly.
"Thena…are we really doing this?"
"Was there ever room for doubt?"
That "A" will be mine!