RRPG Chapter 8 Outcome

CHAPTER 8 OUTCOME Outcome: C). RNG results: 14. Georg’s courage test, normal: 14 (passed, adequate) Renate is picking berries one after another with skillful finger moves, humming silently with a light smile on her face. She does a bit of taste testing too, and, judging by her expression, the fruit are quite tasty. Georg steels himself. There is something that needs to be said, and now – because there is a lie that must be dispelled. He kneels by Renate’s side and starts to pick berries from the nearby bush. -Miss Renate- he finally speaks. No more than a dozen seconds have passed, but for him, it was already too many. He had the courage to stand up to a Fire Fiend. Before, they fought a Wyvern together with Rudy. So why can’t he muster up courage now? -Yes?- Renate looks at him, not understanding the sudden formality, tilting her head so sweetly that the boy almost loses his mind. He does not, though. He knows that he’s charmed by her; that much is obvious. But it goes far deeper than just simple infatuation. -I remember when I heard you saying that you are not sweet nor pretty. And- he shakes his head -I have to tell you this. It’s not true. Because… you are. Renate blinks. His way of speaking is broken and roundabout, and it takes her a few seconds to understand what he’s saying. -Georg!- she hides her face in her hands, her cheeks bright red. -Please! Why are you telling me such things? -I’m sorry- Georg is shaken by her reaction, just as the girl herself is shaken. -But whoever had told you that you’re ugly was either lying or blind. It hurts when people say wrong things about you, Renate. But it hurts more when you say it yourself. Because… it hurts you too. And you are precious to us. To me. And I want you to never, ever get hurt, you know? For a moment, none of them can say anything. They are kneeling by the bush, unable to face one another, let alone look straight into other one’s eyes. -Georg… Thank you- Renate whispers after a while. She almost manages to convince herself it’s just the boy’s concern. Almost. -Just like miss Anthenea… You really care about someone like me, even about my feelings, don’t you?- she turns towards him with a bright smile, though embarrassment can still be seen on her face. -Really, I’m so glad that you found me and took me in. I don’t think I was ever that happy before- she bites her lip. She remembers Rudy and Georg talking to her about them, the Protectors, and the sudden, almost ridiculous thought that the “Cute” they wanted to protect was her spring to her mind. It’s stupid. Ridiculous. Probably false. But… Warm. So, so warm. And maybe not even false if Anthenea and Sosenka told her the very same thing, and the village boys looked at her like yesterday… -I do- Georg smiles back at her. They look each other in the eyes for a moment before turning away in embarrassment. Renate doesn’t know what to do next. She starts to whisper that those who told her such words Georg spoke of did not lie, for they were strong enough not to need it, and that they were all-seeing, certainly not blind, and that Georg would not, with all his strength, be able to stop them… but she reconsiders, stops halfway and asks a question which was bugging her since they met. -I know it might sound strange, but… why did you even think about taking me in? You and sir Rudy? And how did you know about someone small like me? -Oh, I really wanted to tell you this sooner, you know, Renate?- the boy smiles, his eyes sparkling. -It was more than a year ago, so you probably don’t remember. I had longer hair back then and wasn’t a soldier at all. But… [Fourteen years old Renate stands patiently in the shop behind a particularly burly and particularly angry customer. The man is venting his anger on the shopkeeper for his apparent clumsiness. Renate’s heart feels heavy, but there’s nothing she can do. Standing up to someone much older and stronger than her is impossible – and still, the whole situation makes her feel terrible. She has tears in her eyes by the time the man walks away and Renate stands before the shopkeeper. -I’m sorry, young miss- the man, or rather a young boy, is visibly shaken, but smiles weakly at Renate. -I can try to get you something you want… if it’s something very simple, I guess, or you can just wait until my father comes back. It won’t be more than a hour, I promise- the boy seems desperate. Renate clenches her hands. This poor boy, not much older than her, seems just so hopelessly lost, and yet he still tries to be kind towards her, which is not something that happens often. She suddenly gets an idea; a crazy one, but maybe not that bad, considering that she has some time. -If you need some help, dear sir… I can try, I think?- she smiles back at him bashfully. The boy looks at her as if an angel visited him. -Really? Can you? -I think so- the girl tries to smile in an encouraging way. She rolls up her sleeves and goes behind the counter by the boy’s side. -Okay, boy, so now if you have a helper, then would you please get me some fine salt? Fine, mind it!- an elderly lady with visibly little patience gives Renate and Georg a stink eye. -Of course!- they answer together and run to the support area. They find it more by luck than anything else, but they find it, and quite fast to boot. -Thank you, milady- Georg smiles a Renate once again. -I was away for maybe a week and when I came back, dad had expanded the warehouse and shuffled everything around, and now I have to learn where everything is once more- he looks down. -Oh, it must’ve been hard for you- Renate sighs. -But I’m sure you’ll get used to it, mister. Georg looks at her while carrying a jar of salt. She looked unremarkable when she first spoke to him. Her clothes are worn, plain and ugly. Her figure is frail and scrawny. And with every second, he understands more and more that she’s the most lovely girl to walk the face of this world. She looks exactly like kindness would look if it was a girl. And she learns quickly. She’s bright; not an intellectual, but someone who is used to thankless menial tasks and knows how to handle them with little to no instructions. They don’t have much time to talk, as the customers are many and their patience is usually limited, but it does not stop him from looking at her whenever he has a chance. And when his father comes back – fast, too fast – he almost wishes him to remember that he has an urgent task that needs to be done now and personally. -How was it, son? I hope the new layout of my warehouse wasn’t too problematic?- the father pats his back. -And who is this little lass? A friend of yours? -I wish she was- Georg whispers. -Oh, good evening, sir!- Reate straightens up and follows with a deep if just a bit clumsy bow. -I hope I can buy those few things my party leader needs?- she tilts her head and looks at a small pile of adventuring supplies she had collected in the meantime. -So, who was she?- his father asks Georg once more when Renate has left the shop. -An angel- the boy can’t wipe a smile off his face] …-I didn’t even thank you properly back then- Georg looks down. -Oh, it was not much- Renate shakes her head. -Not that people other than you thank me a lot. -You weren’t yelled at for being late?- Georg sighs. Renate blinks and, as if not hearing the question, returns to picking berries. Redberries, some local brightberries that are already ripe, blueberries… -You were, huh- the boy kneels by her side and helps her with picking fruit. -But… nothing worse? -No, of course not. Georg feels his heart skip a beat. He understands he starts to know when she’s lying. -Renate…- his voice shivers. -Just a slap in the face- the girl whispers. Georg takes her hand and holds it tightly. His eyes suddenly get wet and itchy. -But… With you here, I really don’t have to fear anyone, you know, Georg? Those are only memories now. Hero’s Party might have been stronger, but… I feel safe here. Now. Thanks to you. Georg does not let go of her hand, and Renate does not push his hand away. Her fingers are long and thin and her skin is warm. Just as his. -When I go back, I’ll have to introduce you to my little sister- Georg smiles. -She will surely love to get to know you, Renate! -You have a little sister? -Yup! And two big brothers, and a big sister. But really, my little Lena is the only one I get along with well- Georg looks at Renate and understands that he’s still holding her hand. -Oh, sorry!- he lets it go. -You don’t have to apologise for anything, Georg. It embarrasses me- Renate blushes. -And it must feel nice to have siblings… They don’t stop talking until the basket is full. -Aww, they are going back- Sosenka pouts behind a tree. -And I thought they would kiss… -What?- Jabłonka looks at the little Dryad. -You thought what… Oh, for the forest’s sake! Go to them and lead them back to the village, you naughty sapling! [RENATE’S RESOLVE: +3] RENATE’S RESOLVE: 21. RENATE’S LEVEL: 3. Level up available soon! RENATE’S EXP: 0 (5 needed to advance) RUDY’S LEVEL: 2 RUDY’S EXP: 1 (3 needed to advance) GEORG’S LEVEL: 2 GEORG’S EXP: 2 (2 needed to advance)