My Adventures In Philia

Their Names

"Where are we going?" The sword kid raised a question for the third time as we were walking for ages and it was already evening. The lanterns glowed warmly, showing our surroundings through the dark streets.

I supposed it would be nice to show them to my home for the night because I couldn't let them roam around in this chilly nighttime. I know that it sounds suspicious but I guarantee, that I wouldn't do any like that.

I then said to her in a calming way, "You will see, just be patient."

"Is this a kidnapping?" The little archer asked me as she crossed her arms.

"No, it isn't. I am taking you to somewhere you could sleep for tonight." I answered back her,

"With a stranger? I'll pass."

"Then, my name is Ria Bane. An adventurer Mage."

"I didn't ask for your name."

"Well, too bad then."

We eventually reached an inn, it had a wooden sign hanging in front of it. It wrote "Ann's Bed and Breakfast Inn: Opened 24 hours". The inn is made out of dark oak wood and sturdy white concrete.

This is the place where I have stayed since last year. I once stayed in another inn across the street but they kicked me out because I was sneaking into their pantry to get something to eat. Don't ask why.

After I was kicked out, Miss Ann who owns the B&B offered me to stay in her inn because she is running low on adventurer guests. She even tried to beg me to come with her even though I didn't refuse. And in return, she asks for 10 gold coins every month. I thought of her as an odd person but she is quite caring. Sometimes she wants me to call her Momma.

Opening the front door, I entered the inn with the two kids behind and saw Miss Ann was removing the stain on her new white carpet.

She had her garnet-red hair dropping down from her head, her sky blue eyes focus on the carpet, as well as her dark skin glowing from the light that radiates from the room.

As I was about to greet her, Miss Ann looked up and welcomed me as she got up from the floor,

"Ohh Ria, welcome back and who are those kids?"

"They are-" Before I could respond, Miss Ann let out a surprised gasp as she placed her hand over her mouth.

"Don't tell me that they are your children?!"

That's a little too far to believe that.

I once again, try to reason with Miss Ann however I was cut off as she continued saying, "Miss An-"

"I can't believe it! You are still so young and fresh to the world!! Who exactly-"

"They are not mine! They are only here to sleep for tonight."

"Yes, Yes, I see. I guess they could stay and make no payment. But know this, I want to become a grandmother so you better get yourself a ma-"

"Okay! Geez, we will be in my room if you need me."

" I will not rest until my soon-to-be grandbabies are born!" She yelled crossing the room as I chose to ignore her.

After that weird scenario, we went upstairs to where my room is. I took my room key and unlocked the door. As we entered the room, the two children's eyes were just wandering around without saying a word. Eventually, it started to get more awkward every second. Until the sword kid said,

"So, Big Sister how are you gonna heal us?"

Did she just call me big sister? I was a little shocked about it because I never knew she would call me that. It made me feel at ease but not the little archer. She snapped at the sword kid.

"Lexi! You don't even know her! What happened when I said don't talk to strangers!"

"So your name is Lexi huh? That's cute. What about you?" I finally spoke.

"Her name is Nean!"The sword kid said.

Nean who is furious at this point- yelled,

"Don't tell her that?!"

I went over to my drawer and went through the stuff that was tucked away inside the drawers.

"If you guys don't stay quiet, I will hit your heads again," I warned as my eyes glared at them slightly.

In a matter of seconds, they both stopped talking maybe because their heads are already hurt as it is.

After 2 minutes passed, I finally found 6 healing potions that were stuffed into the back of the drawer. I then gave Nean and Lexi 3 potions each and told them to drink them. They did what they were told and they seemed to be feeling better.

"Are you good now?" I asked them while sitting in a criss-cross position on my bed.

They both nodded in response. I smiled at them and said,

"Why don't we chat for a bit? I want to get to know you two better."

Then, Nean and Lexi looked at each other with hesitation but eventually decided to talk.

We talked about ourselves and I discovered that they are not related. They were orphans. Nean and Lexi were together ever since they met in an orphanage far away from here.

They both decided to escape their boring lives with no parents and become adventurers instead. I understand what they've been through, a long time ago I was just like them when I was only 5 years old. But things suddenly started changing ever since my master took me in and taught me everything I can to become a Mage.

As we were chatting, they both started to get sleepy and were exhausted from today's match. I decided to let them both sleep together on my bed since it is big enough for the two of them.

I let their heads fall softly onto my cotton-filled pillows and cover them with a long green blanket to stay warm. I stared at them with relief in my eyes. Children these days were always so peaceful when sleeping.

Then, I turned my head to see Miss Ann standing against the door frame with a cheeky smirk. Was she watching me? I raised my eyebrow and walked toward her.

Miss Ann said, "You are quite the mother figure, aren't you?"

"I learned from the best.." I mumbled a little but Miss Ann could still hear me.

"Is it me?"

"Um...I'm not sure..."