AFK - Away From Keyboard

Chapter 3:

Emica's POV:

The girl, who introduced herself as Rey, led the boy and I through a curtained doorway into an examination room. I slipped off my cloak, as it was unnecessary to wear indoors, tightened my ponytail, and brushed back my side-sweep. The boy was staring at me, which made me squirm uncomfortably.

"Help him onto the table please, yes thank you." Rey beamed as I helped the boy onto the table. She ripped off his shirt a little too roughly. "I have half a mind to let you die this time."

"Then I'd rather she bandaged me up." The boy moaned and nodded his head towards me. "She put something on me that felt good."

"Are you a nurse?" Rey asked curiously.

"Well...I was training to be an herbalist and I'm pretty good but..."

"Show me." Rey threw a roll of bandages at me. I looked at the boy who smiled painfully.

Rey gestured for me to come behind the boy where his wound was. I took the tool Rey handed to me and cut the arrow with it, waiting for the damage to take its toll. Soon the arrow dissolved into light and I applied a few disinfecting ointments to the wound.

I glanced at Rey. She smiled approvingly to show I was doing a good job.

"Hello!? R...Rey?" Called a voice.

"I'll be right back." Rey announced and ducked through the curtain.

I began winding the bandages around the boy's chest. He held his arms up awkwardly so I could hand the bandage roll to myself.

I kept my breath slow and quiet to calm myself. It was always hard to see a bloody wound.

I was passing the bandage roll from one hand to the other, when the boy let his arms fall down and placed his hands on mine. Effectively preventing me from moving. I felt myself turn pink.

"I just need to rest my arms a bit." The boy explained smugly. He waited another minute before lifting his arms again.

I finished wrapping the bandages as quickly as I could. Rey came back just as I was finishing. She took one look at me and then glared at the boy. "No flirting with the nurses."

The boy rolled his eyes and winked at me.

I mutely handed Rey the bandage roll, which she put away.

"I swear to goodness Ren, that if you get hurt again I'm letting you die."

The boy, Ren, smirked. "I'll just have someone else fix me up. She did a better job with the bandages than you do."

"That's because she isn't trying to strangle you...yet." Rey shot back.

"Well, seeing as she didn't let the girl who was trying to steal my stuff kill me, I think I'm okay for now." Ren smirked. "So now you know Rey and I, it only seems fair that you tell us your fake name too."

"My fake name is Yue." I laughed. Rey and Ren looked very different. Ren had jet black hair and was wearing a long black coat of midnight. He looked like he would kill people if pushed to it.

Rey on the other hand, had strawberry blonde hair and was clothed in pastels.

Despite these differences, I am positive they're siblings.

Out of a strange habit I never understood, I looked into their eyes to see what they were like. Everytime I did this I felt like I was being lied to. People's eyes looked sort of...fake. However a reassuring voice in my mind told me to forget about it.

"Well Yue, here's a survival tip: Stay away from my brother. He has a talent for trying to die." Rey declared.

I raised my eyebrows worriedly. Why would Ren be trying to die!?

"You mean I have a talent for being a boss and getting all the rare items. It's not my fault the girls go all yandere and the guys get jealous." Ren laughed arrogantly.

"I think they're just trying to protect the world from you." Rey countered.

"Right. Because the world needs protection since there just isn't enough of me to go around."

"That didn't even make sense you idiotic flirt." Rey snapped.

"You're an orange loving freal." Ren shot back.

"Says the banan..." Rey paused and looked at me. "Um..."

"It's okay." I laughed.

"So Yue, why were you so worked up over making sure I would live? To the point of threatening that crazy girl?" Ren asked curiously.

"I'm not going to just turn my back on someone I have the ability to help. Could you ever let someone die?" I tried to explain.

"I was waiting for her to say something like: Yeah you're welcome, that'll be fifty gold." Ren declared to his sister. I tried my best not to look outraged at such a statement.

"Where are you headed?" Rey asked, changing the subject.

"I don't really know. I'm sort of travelling around right now, trying to figure out where I belong." I admitted. "It seems easiest to keep going until I find the right place."

"Are you part of a guild or are you on your own?" Ren inquired. "I personally like to go solo. Then I'm not responsible for anyone else."

"I'm on my own for now." I nodded.

"You were in the woods...BY YOURSELF!" Rey went wide eyed. "I mean sure, my idiot brother would do that, but there are groups of people who are just waiting to pounce!"

"I know. I'm not defenseless. I am pretty handy with a dagger, although I prefer the bow."

"Never would have suspected that." Ren laughed.

I decided not to take offense at that.

"I'm travelling around too. Who knows, maybe we'll cross paths again." Ren hopped off the table, procured a new shirt, and left the building.

"For your sake I hope you don't "cross paths" with him." Rey smiled. "He is super annoying and the biggest flirt. I hope you drop by again though. It was so nice to meet you! Good luck on your journey and may you rarely ever see my brother."

I laughed and left the building. I had walked enough for one day. At the inn I would figure out where to go next before heading to bed early. I was beyond exhausted, but maybe that was just one of my unpredictable moods. Sometimes I don't even think I'm the one feeling my emotions.