An Alchemist's Journal

05/III

Hello! I guess you're supposed to greet your journal when you start writing on it, right? Maybe introduce yourself? My name's Sophia, anddddd yeah this is silly, I'm the only one who's going to read this anyways. Mom thought it would be good to keep an adventure journal, and it sounded like a good idea at the time, so I guess here we are.

Anyways. Speaking of. I finally finished my training on the adventurer's guild! That's exciting! So, as soon as they find a group for me, the adventuring will officially start. I'm still kind of nervous, to be honest. They did teach me the basics of healing magic at the guild, but I feel like a dedicated healer needs to know more than just the basics, right? Ideally I would have loved to just do alchemy, which is the one thing I can actually do well enough, but I guess you can't just lob healing potions at your friends, so you do need some healing magic for fights. Oh well. I just hope I won't be the only newbie in the group.

Or maybe it would be better if I was, because if they're more experienced maybe they won't have to rely on me to keep them safe? Ugh, I don't know. I should be more patient, it's probably going to be a while before they find a group. I'm just really excited to get started! I should at least go and prepare some supplies, so I'm not holding everyone up when we actually have to leave.

07/III

Well! So the guild found a group already! That was way faster than I expected! We got introduced today. Also, hi journal.

First is this guy called Mino. A human, just like me! Big guy, muscular, almost twice my height. Kind of intimidating to be honest! But he's a real softie when you start talking to him. I like him a lot. Actually, judging from his name and how his skin is as dark as mine, maybe we're from the same area? I should make a note to ask him later. I guess this counts as a note. Will future Sophia read this? Hi future Sophia. Hope the adventuring is going well.

Then there's Ilya, a snow leopard. Very mysterious! Always wears a big hood that kinda obscures its face, and speaks very quietly. I kinda get the feeling that it doesn't like me very much? It wouldn't even look at me while we were talking. I hope it doesn't mind that I'm new to the whole magic thing. It's a mage too, but an offensive one. And very strong, from what it sounds like. So that's always good to have on the team.

And finally. We have Hakk. Um. I don't even know where to begin with Hakk. He's a black drake, which aren't very common around here. He says he's had a lot of knight training but it's going to be his first real adventure. Since he's a tank I'm probably going to be focusing on him a lot and yeah okay so seriously though he's SO handsome I swear to the gods I don't understand how anyone can be so pretty. His scales are deep black and smooth and they shimmer in the light when he moves and he has a long tail covered in thin little spikes and his eyes are bright orange with vertical slits and earlier when Mino was talking he SMILED and he looks so good when he smiles and you could see his fangs and

Alright Sophia I think that's enough of that. You just met the guy, give it a break. Very wise, journal, you're right, I will accept your wisdom. So. Change of topic. They're giving us a couple more days to prepare our stuff, so I guess all that work I did in advance wasn't necessary. Never hurts to be prepared I guess. That will give me the time to shop for more potion ingredients! I have no idea how hard it is to find herbs while adventuring, I guess I'll find out. Mom told me that even if I couldn't make my own, hormone potions are very easy to come across in nearly every town, but I should pack some extra just in case.

I'm excited! And not just because of the aforementioned focusing on the tank I'll be expected to do. Nuh-uh.

10/III

We finished our first quest today, so I guess we're officially an adventuring party now!

The guild directed us to a farmer guy on the outskirts who was having problems with beasts eating his animals. I know, it's a very stereotypical first quest, but they do hand them out to beginners for a reason. No need to be so judgmental, journal. Also, hi. I keep forgetting to greet you. Hope you don't mind.

So basically, we followed the trail of clues (Hakk is apparently very good at this, but I couldn't tell you which branches were snapped from something stepping on them and which weren't), and found our way to the wolves' den. We had gone over our battle plans of course: Mino at the front to punch, Hakk in front of Ilya and me for cover, the usual. The wolves got the jump on us, though. I think we were kind of careless. Probably should have been quiet instead of making small talk. Oh yeah, I asked Mino, and he's from the village right next to mine! We even know a few of the same people. Small world.

Anyways, wolves. They attacked us from behind before we even saw or heard them. Fortunately only I got hurt, and it was pretty minor. Hakk jumped in front of me right away to repel the wolf. He's SO fast for someone wearing all that armor! I could get used to having Hakk protect me like that, heh.

The fight was over before I knew it, honestly. Only two wolves. Hakk and Ilya took one, and Mino the other. I barely had anything to do, Hakk's shield didn't even get chipped! I gave Mino a healing potion for his scratches after it was all done, though. Potions are less mana intensive than magic, so they're better when time isn't a factor.

Oh, turns out? Ilya knows healing magic too. My wound was on the back of my shoulder, which was kind of hard to get to, so it healed me instead during the fight. Honestly, it makes me feel a little redundant. I... wouldn't blame them for kicking me out of the party, since all I can do is heal, and Ilya can do that better than me. Bleh.

At least it didn't seem mad about me getting careless with the wolves. I don't think it was ever angry at me or anything, I think that's just how it is. It's surprisingly funny too! Very dry and sarcastic and deadpan.

This is a pretty great party I've found myself in. I only hope I can pull my weight!

04/IV

Wow, it's been a while. Hi journal. Hope you've been keeping well. I know you have, because you were in my bag the entire time, but yeah.

I should write on you more. Honestly, I got pretty distracted with the adventuring. We decided to set out for another region, as is tradition with the guild. Crossing through a pretty dense forest. I knew it would involve a lot of walking, and I don't mind! What I didn't expect is that it would also involve. So many. Gods damned. Slimes.

You know what they say about slimes being everywhere when you're out adventuring? I thought that was exaggerating. Turns out? No. Not in the slightest. You can't walk three steps without bumping into five slimes. They're not even that threatening! The worst they do is charge at you and give you a little bruise. But wow, they're annoying to deal with. Ilya taught me a weak ice spell I could use to deal with them easier, at least. I'd still prefer to save my mana for healing spells, but. There's just. So many slimes.

So, I'm writing on you because I wanted to take my mind off what happened today. Turns out, even if slimes aren't very threatening, they do get all over you if you let them get too close, and they're an absolute PAIN to clean off your clothes. Apparently they corrode armor too? Who knew. But yeah, things got a bit hectic earlier and Hakk ended up surrounded by slimes. After the fight was done, his armor was covered in the stuff, and Ilya suggested to clean it as soon as possible. So. When we got to a nearby river. Hakk just kind of. Took off his armor and clothes? And started washing them? Right then and there?? In front of us?? Without warning???

Mino and I were just looking at each other going "uuuuuuuuh" and awkwardly trying to not look. Gods I'm sure my face has never been that red before. Ilya was chuckling though, which I think is the first time I've seen it actually smile? When Hakk came back Ilya had to patiently explain that in our culture being nude in front of others isn't common and people usually change clothes in private, which... I guess is not a thing for drakes? Anyways Hakk looked all flustered after that and quickly dressed up and apologized for making us uncomfortable. Gods he's so cute I wanted to hug him and tell him that it's alright and I didn't mind.

... I REALLY didn't mind. I said earlier that we were trying to not look? Yeah I wasn't very successful at it.

He's just. Okay. So first of all. Cute butt? Cute butt. It's probably not a surprise to say he has an excellent butt. Moving on. I thought his scales would be the same color all over, but it turns out, he has patches of grey scales on his arms and chest and thighs that look kinda like plate armor?? I didn't know that was a thing for drakes! There's a row of those scales running up his back from the base of his tail too. I keep thinking about them! They're probably so hard and smooth to the touch. Not like I touched them of course! That's just. What I imagine.

Oh, and his wings are HUGE! I didn't realize how big drake wings are! When he spread them out to shake the water off, they were like, as wide as I am tall! It's so cool!

Also, between his legs is, um... Well I thought he was trans at first, because there's nothing but a slit, but now that I'm thinking about it, I seem to remember that a lot of species are like that, where the penis is usually hidden inside and only comes out, like... when excited, or something? Which, journal, I think we can both agree is adorable, but also, I suppose it makes sense with drakes being famously sturdy and good at physical combat and such. You want all the soft bits inside. And I guess that explains the armor scales too?

Anyways, I should probably stop fantasizing about my friend's body without telling him. It's probably starting to get kinda creepy, isn't it?

... Hopefully I can stop myself from thinking about it anymore. That quest has been unsuccessful so far.

Maybe working on alchemy for a little bit will help me take my mind off Hakk. We have about two billion tons of slime lying around anyways. Has to be good for something.

19/IV

We made a startling discovery today.

Remember Hakk? Our Hakk? Yeah, he's a big nerd.

Also, hi journal. Wow I'm bad at this.

We were on a quest to gather materials for a local blacksmith today. There's a volcanic cave pretty close to the city, full of precious minerals but also lousy with fire breathing lizards and bats and worms, yadda yadda, the usual.

So we're in there, taking a break around a little campfire. (Is it still a campfire if it's blue fire that keeps the temperature down? Ilya knows some cool stuff.) Mino asks if we know what the mineral that we're looking for actually looks like. "Of course!", says Hakk, in that cute southern isles accent. Apparently it's common knowledge, which Ilya agrees with, but I also didn't know. So he starts going on a long ramble about the properties of this mineral, why it's so good for armor, why it's found specifically in volcanic areas, all the other things that drakes use it for, and so on and so forth. I can't believe I've been crushing so hard on such a big rock nerd. Gods help my soul.

Not like I'm complaining of course. I could listen to him for hours! His face lights up when he's talking about something he likes and he keeps stumbling over his words from talking so fast, it's so cute.

And! In my defense! I wasn't the only one paying attention! Ilya was learning some new stuff, from the looks of it. I guess I shouldn't be surprised when there's something it doesn't know, I've already taught it a thing or two about potion brewing. And Mino... well, Mino was being Mino. He'd give you his full, undivided attention and smile the entire time even if you were telling him about

... I was trying to think of a funny example of something boring but all I could think was "rocks". Sorry, Hakk.

Speaking of. We've all been sleeping in our own tents so far, but this is a big city and getting in and out for quests was a pain, so we decided to get two rooms at the local inn. We flipped for it and decided that Mino and I would be sharing a bed, as would Hakk and Ilya. I'll admit I was maybe hoping for a different outcome, maybe, just a tiny bit. But as it turns out Mino is such a fun roommate! We stayed up late last night talking and telling each other stories about our lives back at the village. Did you know, he was actually tiny as a kid, and some other kids used to make fun of him for wanting to join the adventurers guild? Looking at him now, it's hard to imagine!

I should finish up for the day, he's looking at me expectantly right now. Yes, Mino, I'm writing about you. No, you can't see. The enchantment on this journal wouldn't let you read it anyways. <3

14/V

Hi journal! Hi Sophia, how's it going! Pretty terrible, if I had to say! Hey, Sophia? Yes, journal? Did you know that you're the biggest idiot in the entire continent? Why yes journal, I knew! Thanks for pointing it out!

Ugh. Okay. So.

About ten days ago. We were at the inn. Everything packed up to leave for another city the next morning. Mino and I are having our usual bedtime chat. And he says he has something he wants to confess but it's kind of embarrassing. I tell him it's okay, I'm his friend and he can talk to me about anything.

And you wanna know what he says?

He confesses he's had a thing for Hakk for a while now, and thinking about asking him out, but he's been too shy and is kinda scared of being rejected, because it could make things awkward for the whole group.

So. At this point I am, naturally, screaming internally, but keep my composure, smile at him, and try to be reassuring.

And. You wanna know what I say?

I say. And I kid you not.

"You should go for it anyways. Tell him how you feel. Worst case, he just says no, and we're all adults here, right? It's not going to make anything weird."

Gods.

So, turns out? Hakk does feel the same. And they're dating now! And they're fucking adorable and I hate every second of my life and when I see them kissing and holding hands I want to take every bottle of poison in my bag and chug them all at once and

Okay. Okay. Took a moment to calm down. I'm fine.

I'm relatively fine.

We're travelling again, so we're all in our own tents. Except Mino and Hakk share a tent now, obviously. The others are all asleep. I should go out for a night walk around the forest. Maybe let a slime eat me or something.

Honestly, I don't even know WHY I'm so mad. I did the correct thing. If I could go back in time, I'd do the exact same thing. And yet, what I want to do right now is go back in time and punch my past self.

It will pass. My thing with Hakk is just a little crush. Infatuation. It will pass, and then I'll be able to be genuinely happy for him and Mino, since they clearly love each other a lot. I've never seen Hakk smiling this much.

Just have to wait it out. It will pass.

17/V

Hey journal. Things are... not great.

As it turns out, I'm very very bad at keeping things out of my mind. Especially when they're in front of me, and during critical moments of actual danger, I have to focus on them extra hard.

"Them" being Hakk of course.

The whole group has noticed that I'm underperforming. Fights with monsters aren't going particularly well, and we're taking more hits than we need to. They've asked me what's wrong, but I can't just tell them, of course. I'm trying to smile and tell them that everything's fine. And I do think everything WILL be fine, once I get over this whole thing. I just hope that it will happen before they all realize how expendable I am.

Maybe I can find another party? I've been getting better at alchemy. My stat boosting potions are doing some good work. Of course, it's not like the rest of the party couldn't handle the monsters without me. Heck, Ilya is a better healer than I am.

You know what the worst part of this whole thing is? Mino is, quite possibly, the hardest person to be mad at in the whole continent. You simply cannot get angry at Mino. He's the sweetest, most caring, and most compassionate guy I know. If Hakk has to be with someone, I'm glad it's him.

So if I can't get angry at Mino, who's left to get angry at? Myself, of course.

Bleh.

19/V

Well. Today was probably the weirdest day of my life.

Also, hi journal.

I had a chat with Ilya earlier. Wow, that was this morning? Feels like days ago. The others were concerned about me, and decided that Ilya is probably the best person to check on me. Which is probably correct.

We talked about a lot of things. Apparently, the others don't feel like I'm useless or dragging them down. Quite the opposite. Remember how I said that we were taking lots of unnecessary hits? According to Ilya, that's because everyone sees me as a... leader of sorts. Apparently during fights I tend to tell everyone what to do and improvise plans. I didn't realize I was doing that. And when I'm not giving them a solid strategy because I'm distracted, they perform worse? I guess that makes some kind of sense, but it's still hard to believe. I'm probably the least leader-like person in our group, and I think Ilya would make a much better strategist, but it disagrees.

Anyways. After a lengthy chat I ended up telling it about my feelings for Hakk. It said it knew already, which... okay, fair, I'm not exactly a closed book, but I'm allowed to feel a little insulted anyways, right?

So Ilya's advice was to... tell them. Just straight up tell Hakk and Mino how I feel. Which, at the time, sounded like the worst possible idea anyone has ever had, and like it could only go horribly wrong and end up destroying the group. In retrospect, I suppose I should have seen the irony in that, given what I told Mino last time. You're allowed to laugh at me, journal. One chuckle. No more.

Ilya offered to tell them on my behalf, but I said no. I guess I felt like I couldn't keep dragging more people into my problems, and I needed to finally take responsibility.

So I did it. I sat down with Hakk and Mino, and explained how I felt.

I don't know how long that conversation was. It felt like hours but it was probably only a few minutes. I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. Hakk was clearly troubled. It looked like he wanted to say something to make me feel better but kept looking over at Mino to make sure he didn't hurt his feelings in the process. That's our knight, always trying to protect everyone. He just apologized in the end.

And.

You wanna know.

What Mino says.

"If you feel the same way about her, you should date her."

Which is, in retrospect, the Mino-est possible thing to say.

Hakk immediately said that he didn't want to leave Mino. To which Mino responded with, "Who said anything about leaving?"

It took us both a while to process what he was suggesting. We just kind of looked at each other. (Gods, those orange eyes.) He exchanged a few more words with Mino, trying to make absolutely sure he was certain about this. Which, yeah. I've never wanted something so much in my whole life, and even I wasn't certain.

So after some deliberation. Hakk takes my hand. And he says that he does feel the same way about me and he wants to give it a try, whatever "it" even means in this case. Mino was just smiling at us.

So uh.

I guess? I have a boyfriend now??

I think????????

9/VI

Hey journal. Been a few days. I've had a lot of things on my mind. Things are definitely back to normal now! For some definition of "normal", at least.

Our work as a party is better than ever, we're solving monster problems left and right. Turns out, yeah, I am in fact pretty okay as a strategist. I'm still getting used to it, but it does feel very natural to lead everyone else during fights. Which I guess makes sense, I've been doing it for a while now. I just didn't realize it!

Things with Hakk are... I think "amazing" doesn't really do it justice. I want to be close to him all the time and hug him and kiss him oh man it feels SO good to kiss him, I was not prepared for this. And I know this is silly, but when he defends me during fights it just feels more special, like he's actually doing it for ME. The other day we were fighting a giant bear and I caught him winking at me after blocking an attack directed at me, the dork. And sleeping together! Mino and I each get a day in Hakk's tent. I love holding him close and feeling the texture of his scales under his clothes and he feels pleasantly cold to the touch, it's like hugging the cool side of the pillow all night. The only downside is that he's not much of a talker like Mino is, he's out like a light the instant he closes his eyes. I don't know how he does it. But it does give me more cuddle time, so I'm not complaining too much.

It's also great with Mino! I expected things to be awkward between us, but that's not the case at all. If anything he seems more at ease around me now. He's smiling even more than usual and he keeps encouraging Hakk to spend time with me and I love Mino so much, how could anyone not love Mino, oh my gods.

Unfortunately, I don't really love Mino THAT way. I've been thinking about it, and it would be very cool if the three of us were together like that, but... I just don't really feel that way about him. He's just a very good friend to me. I've talked to him about it, and he seems to feel the same way, so that's a relief. I do want to spend more time with him, though. I miss our late night chats. It's going to be hard for us to not be constantly gushing to each other about Hakk, so we'll see how that goes.

I was also a little concerned about Ilya at first, but it doesn't seem to care? Which is great. It does make jokes about feeling left out of the whole Thing we have going, and if anyone else was making those jokes I would be worried, but this is Ilya we're talking about. If it was upset, we would know.

So, yeah. My life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately. It's funny, I think Ilya is the one anchoring all of us. Without it, I'd still feel like I'm dreaming. Heh.

I'll try to find more time for journalling though. I missed it.

11/VI

Hi journal. Sorry if I'm not very coherent right now, my head is still spinning a little. I guess I should write about tonight, huh?

It's been a long day doing quests, but we're also all a little restless, because tomorrow we're heading back to our main guild headquarters for our performance evaluation. All other guild branches will be sending them reports on how we've been doing! So yeah, weird energy right now. Tired but restless at the same time.

I dunno if that's why, but... well, it's my turn in Hakk's tent tonight, and he asked me if I wanted to get a little more... intimate with him. It took all my restraint to not yell YES at him, since I may or may not have wanted the same for many days now but was too shy to ask. But that's neither here nor there. I don't know why we're talking about this. Listen, who's telling the story here, journal? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Anyways, yeah, I know nudity is not a big deal for drakes, but sexual contact is, or at least it is for Hakk. So we took off our clothes and started just kinda... touching each other's bodies. Taking it slow. Gods, I don't think I can even describe the feeling of his scaled hands stroking my breasts and my belly. I couldn't help but push against him, like my body was moving on its own. I got to feel his body too, and... wow. The scales on his chest feel exactly the way I imagined, hard as a rock. I stroked them and kissed them and I could hear him letting out little sounds and oh my gods, the sounds he made! Because of ME, touching him! I could tell that he was trying to keep quiet to not bother the others, but, wow. I don't think I've been that turned on in my life.

I was right about his dick, too! It does come out of his slit when he's excited. And it's perfect! Warmer to the touch than the rest of his body. I spent some time playing with it, getting familiar with its shape. It's a bit different from a human's! Which I guess is to be expected. It's considerably smaller than my own, but, well, that's definitely a good thing, because I'd like to take it at some point. Not tonight, though. We were both way too tired to take it any further.

Speaking of, I've slept with other people before, but it's amazing to finally be with someone who, like... doesn't treat my dick like a special thing? He didn't try to stay away from it, or hyperfixate on it, he just touched it like any other part of my body, and... gods, I don't think anyone else has made me feel wanted in this way. I love him so much and I want to hold onto him and never let him go and

So. Anyways. Yeah. Got a bit emotional there.

He fell asleep with his face between my boobs. I'm going to cut this entry short I think, writing in this position is a little awkward, and I don't have the heart to move him.

16/VI

We did it!! The guild evaluation went great! Journal, you are now owned by a proud C rank adventurer's guild member!

Also, hi!

It's time for us to decide on our next destination. We'll vote on it tomorrow, but I'm hoping we can go back to my village and maybe Mino's as well. That would be fun. In the meantime, we had a big celebration today. Hakk suggested we could spend some of that gold on a fancy meal at the tavern, buuuut well, let's say Mino and I can cook better than any city folk!

Long story short, everyone loved it. Yes, journal, we high fived. Yes, it was awesome.

Also... As a little extra celebration gift, I took Hakk aside and gave him a little something he could use with Mino tonight if he wanted.

What was it, you ask, journal?

Oh, just the results of my tireless work. A bottle full of lubricant of the best quality, and easy to clean too. I said all that slime had to be good for something, didn't I?

... I mean, slime is also a very good sweetener if you boil it to remove toxins. We used some of it for cooking. But this is the more fun use, in my opinion. I've been using it myself for a while now.

Anyways. He thanked me with a deep kiss while pushing me back against a wall. Gods I love the feeling of his forked tongue.

<3

18/VI

Well! I didn't expect THAT.

Okay. Let me start at the beginning.

We're on our way to my home region now (yay!). Today we gathered around the campfire and played some Gold or Slime. I didn't know Mino brought cards with him! I don't know if he gets just how transparent he's being in trying to include Ilya in our group activities, but it's cute. In any case it's appropriate, since it's a very popular game where we're going. We taught Ilya and Hakk how to play, and they were both... pretty terrible at it. Which is normal! It's a hard game. Poor Ilya didn't score a single Gold.

After it excused itself and went off to sleep in its own tent, Mino (who was VERY happy about my gift, by the way) invited me to their tent tonight?? I think it's kind of his way of giving thanks! I have to admit, the idea HAD crossed my mind before. I'm not particularly attracted to Mino, or at least I don't think I am? Just, thinking of them together is... kind of arousing, if I'm being honest? I mean, two of the most important people in my life, getting intimate and... I don't know, this whole thing is very new to me!

In any case, he was very clear that it was only if I felt comfortable with it. Which, I was a little hesitant at first, but oh my gods I'm glad I said yes.

I thought they were just going to let me watch, but. They were both. Very eager for me to participate?? Apparently they talked about it on their own and they're just as much into it as I am! Which I didn't expect! Maybe one of these days I'll learn to actually tell them about what's going through my mind before they ask.

Being naked around Mino felt weirdly... natural? We touched each other's bodies a bit too and, it felt nice! His body is at the same time softer and rougher than Hakk's. His muscles are hard too, but they have a nice bit of squish to them, and the hair on his chest feels so different from Hakk's smooth scales. I didn't feel the same... attraction and lust as I felt about Hakk though.

Speaking of. Mino let me go first with Hakk and, gods. <3

Just. The feeling of him entering me for the first time. Looking down right into my eyes. I almost came right then and there.

Not like I lasted a whole lot longer. He was clearly very worked up too, thrusting into me hard, spreading my legs open with his hands. Gods, the feeling of his scales against my skin. I couldn't stop staring at his beautiful orange eyes, and I think at some point I forgot completely about Mino's presence. It was just me and Hakk and nothing else mattered and just before he came he leaned in and kissed me and I wrapped my arms around his neck while he filled me up and that pushed me over the edge too and wow, I'm not going to forget that moment anytime soon.

So anyways. No I didn't get myself horny again writing all of that, shut up, journal.

We were both exhausted after that, of course. Mino (having enjoyed the show a LOT, apparently!) insisted that he was fine and we should go to sleep now, but I felt really bad about leaving him hanging, especially when it was supposed to be HIS night with Hakk! I swear Mino is just too nice sometimes. Aggressively nice. Will nice you to death.

So naturally, I did the only thing I could think of, and whipped up a quick stamina potion for Hakk! One sip and he was ready to go again right away. You're welcome, Mino. (Quick tip: a little pinch of black spice can turn a health or mana potion into a stamina potion! Not like you're going to need it I guess. You're a book.)

When THEY did it together it was, a completely different kind of amazing. They are absurdly cute together! Just, watching them kiss and touch and explore each other's bodies... wow, if I wasn't already extremely spent it would have really gotten me going. Also, uh, I guess my battle instincts kicked in and I started kinda, telling them what to do? Which they were both very very into?? So, add that to the pile of discoveries about my sex life I guess.

They're both asleep now, and when I'm done writing this I'll join the cuddle pile. Mino is a very nice bed companion too, even when he's not chatty. Like a big plush bear that's twice my size. So I'm going to just, casually lodge myself somewhere in there.

... I could get used to this.

1/VII

So!

Turns out! My mom already knew Mino through HIS mom! What the heck!

Anyways, hi journal, etc etc. We're back at the village! It feels kinda weird to be here with Ilya and Hakk. Everyone's looking at them kinda funny. A few of the kids are asking Hakk to touch his tail spikes. He's not thrilled about it. It's very funny, you're just gonna have to trust me on this one.

I think this entire relationship thing would have been worth it just to see my mom's face when I introduced Mino as my boyfriend's boyfriend. Just. Absolutely priceless.

In any case, we've completed a few quests for the people around here. Everyone here knows me, so they insisted on paying a little extra, but guild rules forbid that. Unfortunate, but it makes sense.

Turns out, monsters around here aren't nearly as tough as some of the stuff we've taken on! Or maybe we're just working better together as a party. I'm starting to feel pretty confident about this whole adventuring thing.

... Maybe I'll propose taking a ship to the southern isles next.