The Hermit's Retreat

Chapter 3

Mumbo sat in the living room across from Xisuma. Now that most of the hermits were there safely, they were discussing plans.

"A few of us will need to go to the shop to get food and some other stuff." Said Xisuma.

Mumbo nodded. "Maybe we should wait for that until the girls get here. That probably needs someone responsible."

"Yes, because trusting us to do the shopping is so smart." Xisuma said, but without much vitriol.

Suddenly their conversation was interrupted by Iskall calling out from upstairs.

"Can I get someone tall up here to help me?"

"I've got it." Said Mumbo, to no one in particular.

He walked up the stairs and into Iskall's room to find him bent over the desk trying to reach something. Mumbo shifted in the door and he stood up, looking flustered.

"What did you need?" Mumbo asked.

Iskall waved the cable he was holding in one hand. "Can you plug this in?"

Mumbo took the cable, resolutely not looking at Iskall when their hands brushed, and easily plugged it into the wall.

"Thanks." Said Iskall.

Silence fell over the two of them until Mumbo finally spoke.

"Uh, I'm just gonna- I mean, if that's it... I think Xisuma- yeah..." He said lamely while pointing at the door.

"Oh. Yeah, go ahead.." Iskall said.

Mumbo turned and walked out of the room. When they were recording, it was fine, but whenever he was with Iskall in person he was an awkward, red-faced mess. Mumbo hoped this month would help. He must have still been blushing when he entered the living room, because Xisuma gave him a look.

"You've got it bad, don't you?" He joked.

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to say it. You look like you've just been out in the sun all day."

"Yeah, yeah. Can we move on?"

"Sure. Anyways, the girls should be getting here at about six tomorrow morning. Then maybe Joe and a couple more people can go to the shop. After that everything should be set. All the PCs are set up, right?"

"That's what I just helped Iskall with, actually. I think so."

Xisuma looked confused. "Why did he need you to help him set up his PC?"

"He couldn't reach the outlet behind the desk."

"Ah."

Xisuma's phone vibrated on the table next to him, and Mumbo saw a small smile cross his face as he picked it up.

"Who's that?" He asked.

Without thinking, Xisuma answered "False."

"So are you two..." Mumbo trailed off.

Xisuma finally came to his senses. "Oh, no, it's not like that."

"Right. Got it."

"I'm serious. She was just letting me know their flight is boarding."

"And that had you smiling like an absolute dippy? Man, you're in deep."

"You're one to talk."

"You should tell her while you'll actually be able to talk in person."

"Again, look who's talking."

"How about this? If you tell False, I'll tell Iskall. You can't just smile like that every time she opens her mouth, she'll think you're a creep or something."

"Yeah, you're right..." Xisuma groaned.

"Anyways, we should have everything set up and ready to go."

"Great. That makes me feel at least a little better."

At some point Doc had wandered into the kitchen behind where they were sitting, and Mumbo looked up at the sound of him rummaging through the cabinets.

"Where's the food in this house?" He asked.

Xisuma let his head fall forward onto his knees, and Mumbo laughed.