"Are those apples?!" Ria exclaid excitedly as she gazed at Serena’s basket with wide eyes. "Where did you find them?"
Serena had just returned from the forest and was heading back to her hut when Wilma spotted her. The rabbit beastwoman waved at her, calling for her to join the group.
She planned to refuse, but next thing she knew, she was sitting in front of the beastwon group as they checked out what she had harvested. She wasn’t even sure how she landed up agreeing to this.
Still, seeing Ria’s excited face at the sight of the red apples she had harvested did give her an idea.
"They are apples." Serena confird, grabbing a few from her basket. "I found a few apple trees south west from here. I can show you where they are if you’d like."
That way at least so of her debt towards these beastwon was paid. They had given her ample knowledge despite her wariness of them and it would be wrong to not pay it back.
"That would be amazing!" Ria exclaid. "I haven’t had apples in forever."
"It’s only been three seasons since you’ve had them last." Emma muttered dryly. "After all, they’re only in season right now. It’s no surprise Serena found so."
Ria turned to look at the older beastwoman, about to say sothing, but Serena interrupted and added, "Here. You can all have one. I have several with , so I don’t mind sparing a few if you enjoy them."
"Are you sure, Serena?" Wilma suddenly asked. "It must’ve been hard to harvest them all. Surely, you want to keep them for your family."
"Theo doesn’t eat plants and I’m not sure if Kiro will like them." Serena answered honestly. "He might eat one or two like . The rest might get wasted before they’re eaten. So, it’s fine if you have so now. Besides, this pays so of my debt to you all and I can always go get more later."
Originally, if they hadn’t eaten all of the ones she had in her harvest basket, she would’ve just added them to her subspace as ergency food.
But seeing how the rabbit beastwon were looking at the apples in her hands, she decided to just let them have it. They’d probably enjoy it more than she would anyway.
Because even if they didn’t show their excitent like Ria had, Serena definitely noticed the gleam in their eyes. Especially Fay. She was practically drooling from the far corner where she was sitting.
Of course, the beastwon were hesitating despite her words, so Serena added, "If you don’t like them then please refuse. Otherwise, I won’t take no for an answer."
"It’s not that we don’t like apples, but..." Grace paused, looking to find the right words.
"You shouldn’t think that you have any debt towards us." Emma finished for her. "We help you because we like you. I’m sure you’d do the sa if any of us were in your position. Besides, it is the duty of elders to pass down knowledge to the younger ones. If anything, you’re letting do my duty well."
She chuckled at the last part, but Serena could barely keep the smile on her face at Emma’s words. Because Emma’s judgent of her was wrong. She’d never help anyone.
Not unless it benefited her. That was the kind of person she was.
Which was why she was trying to keep this relationship with the other beastwon transactional. It drew clear lines that no one crossed. Sothing she needed because feelings made things ssy.
She didn’t want to make their relationship complicated. She didn’t want to get entangled with emotions. And most of all, she didn’t want to get hurt.
Not again.
Serena gulped down the massive lump in her throat, steeling her resolve as she murmured, "I’m not sure that’s the right judgent of . I’m not a good person..."
Confusion spread though the other beastwon, but Serena didn’t elaborate on her words. She was too much of a coward to say anything more. This was all the warning she was willing to give.
"Anyway, I need to head back now." Serena stated before they could say another word, setting down the apples in front of them. She then straightened up and added, "Enjoy the apples. I’ll show you the route tomorrow."
And with that she hurried back to her hut, ignoring the shock and bewildernt radiating behind her. Instead, she did the one thing she was good at - she buried the feelings within her.
Friendship was not sothing she could do. Ever.
She was rounding the corner to her hut when she suddenly bumped into soone. Serena winced a little and glanced over at the other person to see if they were fine.
"Elder Samuel?!" Serena exclaid in surprise, watching the older beastman rub his chin. "Are you alright?"
"I’m fine." Elder Samuel waved a hand. "I should’ve probably been looking where I was going. I didn’t hurt you, did I?"
As he spoke, he looked over her, checking for any injuries. Serena shook her head and answered, "I’m fine too... Um, did sothing happen?"
It was quite strange to see Elder Samuel in such a hurry. For the most part, he was quite a calm person. Unless there was an ergency that needed his attention. Which was never a good sign.
"Oh it’s nothing much." Elder Samuel smiled warily. "Just so things I need to take care of..."
Serena frowned. "Is that so?"
"Yip." Elder Samuel nodded his head. "You really don’t need to worry. I’m just doing so routine checks. Making sure everything is in order."
Right, Theo had told her that Elder Samuel got his help chopping wood to do so repairs on the periter walls. Guess, Elder Samuel was just checking that everything was fine in preparation for the cold season.
Which suddenly brought a question in mind.
"Elder Samuel..." Serena said aloud. "I’ve been aning to ask sothing."
Elder Samuel raised an eyebrow, curious about what Serena was about to ask. "Oh, what is it?"
"I was wondering why the walls are made of wood." Serena finally asked. "I understand the need to lay low, but aren’t there better defenses that could be put in place? Perhaps clay similar to what the huts are made of."
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