"Crap, I totally forgot to tell you all. Dorian and Camilla are here with their youngest son, Jubelle. He's going to join our party. Apparently, his vampiric ability allows him to track really well. Also, he's allegedly a genius that doesn't interact with anyone at school and could use some friends, so be nice, please," Sora said.
Sasha playfully nudged Levi and said, "Oooooh, Camilla's here. She's gorgeous Levi, just don't let Dorian catch you checking her out or you're a dead Uthra."
"Never! I would never disrespect the Original vampires!" Levi bragged.
"Typical Levi," Sasha thought.
Brie sprinted off. "I'm sorry, I'll meet you all inside, I'm going to get changed," Brie yelled and her voice trailed off in the distance.
Sora frowned. He didn't like the tone of Brie's voice. She sounded like she was really upset.
"Damnit, there's nothing I can do right now because I have to meet Jubelle. This sucks. I wanted to spend just a little bit longer with her. This sunset is beautiful. We would have enjoyed it... together."
"Nice going Sora, way to screw that one up." Sasha said.
"Wait, what did I do wrong?" Sora asked.
"Nothing, relax. She'll be fine. I'll talk to her later. I'm sorry, I really didn't think it was getting serious between you two. Apparently… I was wrong." Sasha teased.
"Ah, young love!" Levi declared. "It's so beautiful to watch unfold."
"Aren't you like, 25?" Sasha asked.
"Yes. Clearly, you're still 18! Teasing your poor friend like that..." Levi laughed.
"Something like that." Sasha said as they all walked toward the front door.
****
"Hey Jubelle, it's nice to meet you! This is Sasha, who I believe you already know, and this is Levi Stelle, an Uthra. Brie just went to change, she'll be back shortly," Sora said.
"Hey, nice to meet you all…" Jubelle said.
"Hm, I wonder why he doesn't look anyone in the eyes," Sora thought. "Maybe he's just really introverted like his dad said?"
"System, please initiate the party seal with Jubelle Ashwood."
Conditions set. Initiating the seal now.
A curious expression crossed Jubelle's face, as Camilla and Dorian smiled.
"Yes, I accept these conditions. Thanks for having me in your party! You won't believe how much lore I have on the Monolith!" Jubelle said excitedly.
"I told you Sora, there's nothing this young man can't track or figure out. Be patient, from what he told us on the way here, it's not a dungeon you want to rush into." Dorian said with a smile.
"Well, it was nice meeting you Levi, give our best to Brie. Sasha, your Father says he loves and misses you and it wouldn't hurt you to return his calls."
"Really King Ashwood? Do you REALLY have to say that in front of my party?" Sasha complained.
"Now, now dear, my husband's right. Your Father worries about you and he has no idea you're in the hands of Sora Lockheart." Camilla reiterated.
Levi burst out in laughter for a moment, then cleared his throat. "Apologies, I never thought Sasha would be so sentimental is all!"
Dorian returned the laugh and said, "You have no idea! She's a total Daddy's girl!"
"Hey! What happened to vampire secrecy?" Sasha complained.
"Just call your Father, dear, for me?" Camilla asked.
Sasha nodded and bowed to both of them.
They said their goodbyes, and Sora asked Levi and Sasha to show Jubelle around.
"Sorry Jubelle, I haven't seen Brie since you arrived, so I just want to go check on her. We'll catch up and go over this Monolith plan tomorrow? Pick any room you want. What's mine is yours, we're all in this together." Sora said.
"Yeah, no problem. Thanks again, Master Sora!" Jubelle exclaimed.
"Please, just call me Sora." Sora said.
"Ok, Sora! Thank you again!" Jubelle said.
As Jubelle went off with Levi, Sasha stayed back for a moment.
"Hey, tell Brie I'm really sorry about ruining your big moment earlier. I am sorry. I really didn't think you two were like that." Sasha said sincerely.
"I don't know what we are. It's just nice to have all of you around. You all mean a lot to me, so don't ever feel like I'm playing favorites," Sora said with a smile.
"This is why everyone loves you. You're a selfless guy Sora. If my best friend had to choose someone, she could do worse," she said and gave Sora a hug. "We know you'd save each one of us, like you did with Brie in the elemental fiend fight. Don't ever worry about us feeling like you don't value us all equally."
He definitely didn't expect the hug, and before he could hug her back, she disappeared.
"She's quick." Sora laughed, as he watched her appear by Levi and Jubelle. That's why everyone loves me? They all know I'd risk my life for them too. That's great to hear," Sora smiled.
That reminds me of something Nurse Jackie said back on Earth… Sora thought. "Everyone loves you for saving all those children with no regard for your own personal well-being!"
"I think in this life, I'm going to have to do a better job of making sure I don't rush into action alone. I don't regret my decisions on Earth, but this is different. Here I have people I can rely on and trust. It's a second chance and I'm here to help save the world." Sora reassured himself.
Sora paced for a bit, just to calm down. "I'm all worked up over nothing. I should just talk to her," he thought.
Sora scanned his system and located Brie, still located in her room. She'd been there for at least an hour by now. He walked up to her room and tried to listen but couldn't hear anything.
Knock, Knock.
"Who is it?" Brie asked.
"It's Sora, can you come out here for a second please? I just wanted to talk to you about something before I head to bed."
Brie peaked her head out of her room and smiled.
"Sure!" she said.
She stepped out wearing no make-up, her hair tied up neatly in a bun and in pajamas. Sora didn't care, every time he looked at her, he just felt happy.
Sora smiled, "You look just as gorgeous as you did earlier today, maybe even gorgeous."
"Stop lying. I looked way better earlier." Brie bragged. "What's up?"
Sora hugged Brie tightly, "Hey, whatever you say. But listen, I know today totally wasn't a date, but it's a day I needed, so thanks," he said. She returned the hug and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Hey Sora?" she asked.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Do you think the party would be upset if we actually went on another date?" Brie nervously asked.
"No, I don't… hey… didn't you say today wasn't a date?!" Sora asked.
Brie leaned in, kissed him on the cheek.
"Maybe I lied!" she said while she slammed the door in his face.
"What am I doing? I was sent to save the world… or potentially destroy it, and I'm over here falling for the first person I met when I got here," Sora thought.
New System Goal: Achieve a successful Date with your love interest, Brie Reinhardt. Reward: Unique magic.
"You too system? Apparently, everyone thinks I'm falling in love."
That's because you are Sora. Embrace it but don't let it defer you from your main goals or cause any rifts between you and your party.
"Don't worry system, I won't. Actually, I think if anything, having these wonderful people around me will keep me on track. I don't want to destroy a world with people I care about in it."
Error. System cannot distinguish between the path of destruction or path of savior.
"Well, I guess not even my system is perfect." Sora thought, as he crawled into bed.
"Tomorrow's going to be another long day. I just hope we finally get to clear another dungeon!" he thought as he closed his eyes and fell asleep.