Leaving nature

I'm walking with Water for a few hours already.
It's pretty silent most of the time.
She didn't even play her instrument for that long.

It's really a nice landscape here.
Hills, rivers, rocks, lakes, cliffs, waterfalls.
And everything looks really organic.

When walking along some beautiful lake, I finally decide to put my arm around her and pull her closer to me.
She's a good friend after all. Probably not just that.

But after a few minutes I look at her and she really doesn't seem comfortable.

I immediately let go of her.

I'm really sorry.
I shouldn't have touched you that night.
And I also shouldn't just have taken your reward.

It's okay, I like you anyway.
I offered you the reward after all. You earned it.
I expected it to be different this time, but I'm not mad at you.

But you still feel uncomfortble when I'm close to you.
You are scared around me, even if you know you don't have to.

Yeah, I know I don't have to be scared.
But maybe there's some truth to it.
I'm sure it will go away when we spend more time together.
I love you after all.

How can she say something like that so casually?

But I don't think this will ever go away.
I really regret it now.
But it's too late.

After a while, I have to think about my amulet.

Maybe I can help. After all I got healing powers now.
Maybe it allows me to heal your fear as well?

That would be great! Would you like to try?

I have no idea how to do it.
I just get close to her again and hug her.
That's what helped the last time.

I think it works already. I still feel comfortable.

She really looks happy, but she still doesn't look completely comfortable.
She's probably just saying it to make me feel better.
Maybe she's really happy to be hugged, since she loves me, but her fear won't go away so quickly.

Sorry, I think it didn't work.
I still don't know how to use it.

Don't worry. I think it worked well enough.

I think I could do better.
Maybe the princess will tell me more about that.

That would be cool.

We keep walking for a while.

I think I should go back now.
It will be late when I come back already.
Besides that, I don't even really know this place anymore.
I'm not really a help for you here.

Do you think I can make it to the castle today?

I don't know. But there should be pretty advanced civilizations as you get closer to the edge of the forest.
You also get along on your own, right?

Sure, I will be fine.

Cool...

Water gives me another hug and then leaves.

I start to feel sad.
Even if it was just a few days, it already feels like I spent more time with her than with any other girl.
It almost feels similar to the day, Sina didn't want to spend time with me anymore.
But this time, I could come back to her.

Why do I even leave this place? This could have been such a good life here.
Whatever, I have to keep going.
I'll go to the princess and give her the amulet.
And then I'm out. No need to finish this mission.

I still keep going. And soon I'll find a small village. It even has real wooden houses.
I just look for an inn there, so I have a place to sleep.
It's pretty expensive. I'm slowly running out of money.
But at least it's a real house. I really needed such a comfortable place to sleep again.

Finally alone in a real house after all these days.
This will be a relaxing night.