Private Isulus The Things You Don't Forget

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

No crimes please.

With a smile, Kamala gave her friend a reassuring nod, agreeing with his sentiment. He was one of the first few people she'd ever met in the game, and they'd shared more than their fair share of intimate moments, leading to knowing each other more than others knew them, or dare she think even they knew themselves. They would never always agree with each other 100%, but they cared enough not to just outright humiliate or know each other. Friends take care of friends, and even with differences in opinion, they'd always watch each other's back.

"Oh?"

She stole a quick glimpse of @Chrys before looking forward as they continued on their way to Viridian Fields. Kamala wondered what kind of business someone like him would be into. Hopefully nothing illegal or terrible for the landers of this world. She winced at the thought, awkwardly chucking in her head to force herself to treat that wonder as a joke. There was still a bit of concern within her, though. But in the end, she willed herself to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"That sounds...very exciting, Chrys. I'm excited for you. What kind of businesses, though?"

Please don't say anything criminal! Please don't say anything criminal! Please don't say anything criminal! She persistently whispered in her mind the same wish over and over and over again.

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

A fond farewell.

Chrys heaved a sigh of relief, hands clasped behind his back, as he continued walking beside his friend. Her question came as no surprise to him. If they had exchanged shoes, he would have asked the same of her, though he would not be concerned with the legality of her pursuits. After all, he made a living bending the laws to his whims.

"Just the Tavern in Stokbon and perhaps a mining company in Lyrwick."

He omitted the part about the funeral parlor attached to the tavern as well as the fact that both businesses were heavily bankrolled by a lander noble, a woman who reminded him of his lost love yet dared not wish they were one and the same. How cruel of a joke would it be to find her again, after all those years, in such a game?

"I may have to consult another friend regarding that second part."

A vision of Ayna Nietzsche, another member of her so-called Astra Alpha, came to his mind, with a confident grin and a hand on her hip, her weapon held by a hand but resting on her shoulder. She had spent the most time in the region. Thus, Chrys believed she would be of great help to his ventures there. Hasn't she recently traded all that earth for the sea, however?

"All in all, I strangely feel more at ease, laying down the burden I have borne for years."

He heaved another sigh, head looking up at the sky, his eyes intentionally avoiding @Kamala Graham. It was not because he was hiding anything worrisome. It was simply that he felt he could not yet share with her his vulnerable side. Not to anyone for that matter. He could share his past, his other life, through words, but he still felt unable to share them all with his own facial expressions, as if he was being watched, spied on, by enemies in the court of law.

"Back where we came from, I spent more time working than living. In here, I feel ready to retire."

Chrys had managed to acquire all he needed, wanted, from the other world. He has since become bored of everything else it had to offer. Nothing was new. Everything had become derivative of days gone by. If he hadn't come across this game, he feared he would have doomed himself to a life shackled to routine. Or worse. He quickly tried to change their topic of conversation.

"Right, if you can spare the time, I should treat you to a meal at Wicked's Rest."

I also owe that other woman a meal. He lamented his misfortune. Must he now become a caterer for his friends and acquaintances? Chrys chuckled at the thought. If all of them are beautiful, then why not? These eyes could welcome such wondrous views as payment.

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Goodbye is just another word for hello!

Kamala could not even imagine herself being caught up in a single business let alone two. In that regard, she respected and admired @Chrys for having the mind and body for such endeavors. She respected and admired him for a lot of other things as well, but sustaining a tavern and a mining company in this world and in different regions sounded like a whole lot of work, which meant to her that he'd be taking more than he should be. Plus, he'd be creating jobs for the landers, right? That's always a good thing!

"Well, it sure sounds like you'll be busy for quite a while, even without adventuring!"

His revelation about retirement saddened her, however, though it was more of a surprise than anything else, really. If she remembered correctly, Chrys wasn't that old. In this world and where they came from. But then again, he did sound like he was always working. Maybe he does deserve to retire, even if just in this game.

"Retire? Already? I don't think you're that age yet, but I suppose to each their own. If you feel like you're ready to settle down, then you should. It's your life, your feelings, and no one has the right to tell you differently."

Those were the same words, values, and virtues, her parents had taught her, and Kamala was only too pleased to be able to share the same wisdom from those before her with one of her best friends in the game. Anytime she gets to do that is a win, she believed. Also another win? Free food, with food coming from her own farm! It doesn't get any better than that.

"It's a date! I've always been curious how you prepare our crops from the Fields. They're of quality standard, so I'm expecting the same with the food you make from them."

She chuckled, slapping him playfully on his arm, as they continued to make their way to her aforementioned farm. With luck, Tim would be preparing them a hearty meal from their vegetables, and that would be another welcome back she'd appreciate so greatly. These things, the acts of kindness and the bountiful possibilities, are the things you never truly forget.

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧
THE END