When World's Collide (Oc)

Chapter 3: Finding Common Ground

She hummed thoughtfully. "I wonder why we were all brought here? Especially me?" The question nagged at her as she scratched behind Layla's ears.

"But hey, now that you're feeling better, we can get to know you better!" Mei announced, plopping down next to MK with her characteristic boundless energy.

"Oh... didn't I already explain about my world?"

"No silly!" Mei's grin was infectious. "I mean like what you're into, what makes you tick."

"Well, I like to draw," Krista said softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Your art is incredible, by the way," MK blurted out before immediately slapping both hands over his mouth, his face turning scarlet.

Krista looked at him in confusion while Mei shot him a pointed look. "MK might have... accidentally looked through your sketchbook while you were unconscious," Mei admitted with an apologetic grimace.

Krista's face went nuclear. He'd seen her drawings! Please let him not have flipped through the entire thing-especially not to those particular sketches.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to violate your privacy, but your artwork was just so detailed and amazing I got completely absorbed," MK said in a rush, looking genuinely mortified.

"It's... it's okay," she managed, her voice barely audible. "But you didn't look through the entire book, right?"

"No, why?" he asked with innocent curiosity.

Relief flooded through her. "Oh, no reason," she said with nervous laughter.

"So what else are you into? Video games?" Mei asked, smoothly steering the conversation away from dangerous territory.

"Actually, I've never really played video games before-"

"WHAT?!" Mei and MK shouted in perfect unison, their voices carrying across the entire guild hall.

Krista sweat-dropped as dozens of heads turned their way. "You've NEVER played video games?!" MK asked in absolute disbelief.

"No, I haven't."

"Oh man, you're missing out on so much! I wish we had some systems here so we could introduce you properly," Mei said with exaggerated despair that made Krista giggle.

"Wait, did someone say she's never played video games?" Jay had materialized at their table with the speed of lightning. When Mei confirmed it, he gasped like he'd witnessed a tragedy.

"Is it really that shocking?" Krista whispered to Wukong, who was trying and failing to hide his own surprised expression.

"Nah, it's not bad, just... unexpected," he assured her with a gentle smile.

"So what do you do for fun then?" Jay asked, genuinely curious.

"I read a lot."

"Comics?"

"Sometimes, but mostly mythology books," she said, and for the first time her face truly lit up with enthusiasm.

"Ah, so you're a total bookworm," Kai commented as he joined their expanding group.

Krista's expression immediately shut down, and she looked away, focusing intently on Layla in her lap.

The temperature around the table seemed to drop several degrees as everyone glared at Kai, while Layla let out a tiny but threatening hiss.

"No, wait! I meant that in a good way!" Kai backpedaled frantically. "Like, you're really smart! Super intelligent! Which is amazing!"

"What kind of mythology interests you most?" MK asked quickly, trying to salvage the conversation.

Krista looked up at him gratefully. "I absolutely love Journey to the West."

MK's eyes practically turned into stars. "You're into the Monkey King stories too?!"

For the first time since arriving, Krista's smile was completely genuine. "Yeah, it's probably my favorite story ever."

"Oho, another devoted admirer, Blossom?" Wukong grinned smugly, his tail swishing with obvious satisfaction.

Krista's cheeks flushed pink again, making Wukong's grin widen. Macaque just rolled his eyes and muttered something unflattering about "attention-seeking hog."

"What's your favorite part of the story?" MK asked, practically bouncing with excitement. Finally, someone who appreciated classical literature besides Tang!

"My favorite scene..." She started giggling just thinking about it. "It has to be when Tripitaka and Zhu Bajie accidentally drank from the Mother-Child River!" She dissolved into laughter, clutching her sides.

Wukong chuckled at the memory. "Oh, that was priceless. Poor Tripitaka was absolutely mortified."

"That scene is comedy gold," MK agreed, laughing along.

They continued discussing the classic tale, though Krista was careful to only mention parts that seemed appropriate. Her version of Journey to the West was considerably more violent and darker than what they might expect, and she didn't want to disturb anyone.

As the evening wore on, the guild gradually settled down for the night. Master Makarov had graciously offered them all shelter until they could figure out their next move.

Back in her temporary room, Krista sat on the bed with Layla curled in her lap and decided to inventory what had made the dimensional journey with her.

Her bag contained her drawing supplies, various pens and pencils, a small first aid kit, a tube of lipstick that belonged to Skye, and her earbuds. The only thing missing was her phone, and she groaned in frustration. She must have lost it in the forest during all the chaos.

"Just perfect," she thought. "Though it probably wouldn't work here anyway."

Layla's ears perked up at the sound of footsteps in the hallway, followed by an uncertain knock. Krista gently moved the kitten aside and opened the door, surprised to find Red Son standing there looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Hello... peasant girl."

"H-hi, Red Son," she said, unable to completely hide the nervous tremor in her voice. "What brings you here?"

Red Son studied her for a moment with narrowed eyes, then reluctantly reached into his pocket. He pulled out her phone, making her eyes widen in shock.

"You need to keep better track of your possessions," he said gruffly, essentially shoving the device at her. She took it hesitantly, still processing this unexpected kindness.

Before she could respond, he was already turning away. "W-wait!" she called out, and to her surprise, he actually paused.

Taking a deep breath, she found her courage. "Thank you." She said sincerely.

Red Son's face flushed slightly pink, and small sparks flickered at the tips of his fiery hair before he shook them off with obvious embarrassment. "Whatever, Stone Girl," he mumbled, walking away with marginally less attitude than usual.

Krista smiled softly, then blinked in confusion. "Stone Girl?" she wondered aloud, but Red Son had already disappeared around the corner, leaving her with yet another mystery to puzzle over.

---

To be continued...

Sorry if this chapter is short but honestly I'm happy how it turned out know. I was trying to get how the characters would actually talk and act in the story and I think I nailed it this time.

If any of you have any ideas for future chapters just let me know in the comments.