A hollowness filled Gwyn's chest as she sat alone in the room. The creak of the door startled her.
"I'm back."
The elf's voice was alluring. She stepped into the bathroom to fill the glass of water.
Gwyn let out a sigh of relief at the sound of her voice. She now lay on the bed. A nagging thought was suddenly realized.
"How's the toilet in there?"
"What?! Um… why do you ask?"
"The Head Whisperer made a big deal about it."
The woman was silent for a moment as if no words were correct for this situation.
"...Looks normal to me."
"Okay, just wondering."
The stranger tried to pretend the question had never been asked.
The Chosen One had a brief moment of realization. Why were there modern amenities within this world? A toilet? Her hands pressed against the firm and uncomfortable mattress—the opposite of the Head Whisperer's description.
Soft my ass.
"Here you go."
The bed lightly compressed as she sat beside her. The elf passed her the glass, and Gwyn's hands trembled as she dragged it to her lips. But then she stopped.
"How do I know it's not poisoned?"
The elf chuckled.
"Poisoned? Really?"
Gwyn eyed her seriously.
"Wait... you aren't joking right now?"
Gwyn continued to eye the glass suspiciously.
The elf sighed, snatched the glass from her, and took a large swig.
Still, she remained skeptical.
"What if it's not poison for you?"
"Are you…?" A sigh. "I'll fetch someone else to drink it, if that's what it takes."
"What if I have a unique allergy to this specific water within your hands right now?"
This time, Gwyn failed to hide her smile.
"Oh, I see… you're fucking with me. Guess you won't need this."
She swirled the liquid around tauntingly.
Gwyn desperately reached her hands out for the glass.
"Wait, wait. It was a prank!"
"No, no. You aren't thirsty, obviously."
She held the glass out of the hole where the window used to be.
"You wouldn't…"
"Wouldn't I?"
The glass fell. Gwyn's mouth was agape as the glass disappeared from sight.
"I was just—"
"Kidding!"
The elf revealed a dagger from behind her back, and the glass slowly floated back into her empty hand.
"How did you…" Blood was trickling from the elf's nose. "You're bleeding…"
"Oh?" The elf laughed softly, dabbing her upper lip with a handkerchief. "What just happened is totally normal." The elf appeared to be sweating. "But don't worry about me, this glass is much lighter than you are. I'll be fine."
"Wait… did you just call me fat?"
"I don't know, Chosen One, did I?"
The women glared at one another, then burst out laughing.
"Okay, I suppose I was being a little paranoid about the poison."
"A little?" A stifled laugh. "Serves you right, honestly. You almost just had an appointment with the pavement, and you're cracking jokes?" She cocked her head. "You're at least… interesting. If not a complete moron."
Gwyn feigned offense and smiled as the elf passed her the glass. No water had spilled despite the elf dropping it. She took a small sip of water. It was divine.
Her gaze lifted from the glass. The hood that hung over the elf's head was no longer obscuring her appearance.
She saw the stranger in all her beauty.
Her eyes were like lavender skies. Her soft features gave her a regal appearance. Gwyn immediately shot her eyes downward as though she wasn't allowed to perceive someone so beautiful.
She went to sip from the glass to ease some of the tension, but it was empty. Her face turned a velvety red.
"Do you need more water?"
The elf lowered herself to be in Gwyn's vision.
Her pink hair dangled downward, and the elf's genuine interest in her made the embarrassment build. The elf pushed a few stray locks of hair behind her pointed ears. Her lavender eyes shattered something within Gwynevere.
This was the most beautiful woman the human had ever seen.
Was she being this cute on purpose?
Her heart felt as though it might leap out of her chest at any moment. She had to turn her head, for she might be caught staring at those voluptuous t...
"Totally! Yes, please. I'd like some more..."
Water... focus on the water.
"Water... if you can."
The elf raised an eyebrow at her.
"Sure thing."
She gently took the glass and returned to the bathroom.
When she did, Gwyn couldn't help but sneak a peek at the elf's behind. A moment of envy as she wished her body were more like this stranger's.
When she faded from view, Gwyn let out a deep breath. The sound of rushing water filled the silence as her soft footsteps returned to the Chosen One.
Guilt had made itself known as the human avoided eye contact with the beautiful elf.
"Thanks for the..."
Dreamy eyes? Beautiful body? Gentle touch? Wonderful posterior...
Gwyn did a double-take in her own mind.
Posterior? What am I... sixty-seven? Why don't I just say—
"My pleasure, Gwynevere."
"Huh? How do you…?"
"Word travels fast around Keceo, even faster in the Gilded Towers. Being trapped in a bubble will do that to you."
"I'm sorry? A bubble?"
"Oh, yes. The Wall. Forgot you weren't from around here. Several thousand years ago, a magical barrier was erected to protect us from the Red Death. They call it 'The Wall' for simplicity's sake."
She spoke in a manner so casual that you would think she was talking about the weather.
"How do you live like that?"
She shrugged.
"We don't have much of a choice."
Gwyn's mind temporarily left the gutter.
What else does she know?
"Who's this King of Terror?"
"Ah." The elf's face turned sorrowful momentarily, but quickly returned to a much happier expression. "The last Chosen One, the one before you. Number twenty-four."
Gwyn looked up at the elf, but every time her eyes made contact with hers, her heart seemed as though it might start spewing gross and sappy poetry and declaring an undying romance for the woman.
Elves. A real-life elf was before her, not one who called her "a worthless nomage." Or one that said she should "take a long walk off a short floating platform."
Everyone else was rude or wanted her to wear a bonnet, but this elf—this elf was something else.
"What's your name?"
The elf looked embarrassed, just now realizing she hadn't declared who she was.
"Oh, how cliché of me... My name is Elise Syli—" she stopped at her last name. "You can call me Elise."
"Gwyn," she held out her hand, and Elise grabbed it, shaking it daintily. Her hands were as soft as silk. "B-but you already know that."
The thought of those soft hands running through Gwyn's hair was... another averted gaze shortly after that desire reared its ugly head.
What is wrong with me?
"Indeed." Elise sat beside Gwyn. "I knew something was wrong when you walked away. You were stumbling around, your eyes were… not normal. I didn't think I'd be able to save you."
"How long..."
Gwyn had to know.
"How long, what? What are you asking?"
"How long... did you wait for me to wake up?"
The tips of the elf's ears turned a bright shade of pink.
"Oh... um..." She started counting on her fingers. "A few hours, at most."
"Why?"
"Why?" Surprise in the elf's voice. "I... I didn't know if you'd be fine on your own. You held on to me so tight. Your breathing was troubled, so I healed you as best as I could. You needed the rest. I didn't know if someone did this to you or..."
What she implied was obvious to Gwyn.
"I don't know what came over me."
Gwyn's gaze lifted. Elise was flawless, kind, and caring. She wouldn't be surprised if people secretly worshipped the pink-haired woman before her. Something about her was so incredibly breathtaking.
"Thanks! For uh... saving your worthless Chosen One."
Elise put a hand over her mouth and tried, but failed to stop the laughter.
She laughed. She laughed for a long time. She laughed so long that Gwyn became concerned for her mental sanity.
"Oh, Gods! I didn't know I needed that." She wiped a tear from her eye and gave Gwyn a sly smirk. "All of the Chosen Ones are worthless."
"Huh?"
Gwyn's confusion must have been evident because Elise immediately answered the question on her mind.
"There hasn't been an honest to Gods useful 'Chosen One'." Elise air quoted. "Since before my father was born." Elise pointed at Gwyn and asked a question that only seemed obvious once it was asked. "How long have you been here, Gwynevere?"
Another rush filled Gwyn; more heat and embarrassment.
Is my face red? What am I feeling?
Gwyn shook her head and answered.
"A few hours, maybe… I… I don't know how time works here."
"Exactly. Then give yourself time, Gwynevere."
The sound of her name, said in that way... was intoxicating. She couldn't recall ever having this strange feeling. The thought of her being next to her, whispering "Gwynevere" into her ear, sent shivers up her spine.
"Thanks… for…"
Elise knew what she was going to say and nodded in response.
"Don't mention it." She smiled as she stood and looked down at Gwyn. "You would've done the same for me. Right, Chosen One?"
More blushing, more… embarrassment?
Don't tell me I have a...
The frustration built as her face grew red hot. If she stuck her head in a pot of water, Gwyn was pretty sure it would boil. Speaking seemed to be impossible.
"It's getting late. Although you just woke up, I think you should get some more rest. You look exhausted; your face keeps turning red whenever you look at me." Elise looked lost in thought. "Is that normal for your species?"
Gwyn was dumbfounded.
"Uh…"
What was the best thing to say here?
"No, just… um. I…"
She kept hesitating; she kept envisioning her mouth on Elise's.
The elf playfully laughed. Her tone was soothing and sounded genuine. She leaned in close.
"Would you like me to watch over you for tonight, Gwynevere?"
"I…"
Gwyn wanted nothing more at this moment. Although they'd just met, Gwyn felt she had known her for several lifetimes.
In reality, her expression made the young woman seem indecisive. She couldn't even look at the elf, let alone form a coherent thought.
Elise let out a soft laugh as she touched Gwyn's face.
"It's been a little fun toying with you, but in all sincerity, I'll be down the hall if you need me. You remember my room, correct?"
Toying? Does that mean she's interested?
Gwyn shook her head and tried to focus on the conversation.
"T-the messy one… right?"
Elise looked mock-offended.
"It's not that messy... Is it?"
Gwyn gave the ground an unsure look, cheeks flushed.
Elise shook her head as she exited the room. She glanced back at the gaping hole where the window had been.
"I'll send someone to fix that. Try not to have any more windows mysteriously vanish in the meantime, okay? Chosen One?"
Gwyn couldn't stop blushing, no matter how hard she tried. Pressing her hands to her cheeks didn't seem to help. How Elise used her words seemed to ruin the Chosen One completely.
The elf leaned back inside the room one last time.
"Oh, and by the way."
"Yes?"
Gwyn tried not to sound too eager and failed.
"You look adorable when you blush."