{Hey guys, sorry for the lack of posting! Alas, school has started once again (boo.) and I'm swamped with homework ( recently, the city Science Fair, haha.) And have been tied up. I'll try to post every week though! I'm going to attempt to make a routine for this fanfiction! ^_^ As always, feel free to post or pm questions and suggestions! Toodles.
"Alright. Let's go. " Heidi stated, hands on hips. A determind spark twinkled in her blue eyes, as she gazed towards her friends, inside of the inn.
"I'm a bit nervous, is there anything in paticular I should say?" Nelson asked, biting his pale pink lips, curly dark brown hair lazily moving with the breeze.
"Just act natural, and smile."
Heidi grabbed his wrist, pulling him gently through the door. A homey aroma flooded into Heidi's nose, making her feel more relaxed, and at home. It reminded her of her mother's yummy, brewed stew, which made her mouth water. Walking over to her friends, she caught onto Nelson's quick, nervous breathing. Heidi hadn't thought he would be this nervous- Nelson seemed like the type of guy to be pretty laid back. But she figured she could be wrong- after all, Heidi had only met the guy that day. In real life, she would have never brought a guy she had just met to her friends, but this wasn't real life... This was Sword Art Online.
Max and Remi noticed Heidi and Nelson almost as soon as they entered the inn- the bell chime that went off when they entered gave them away. Remi gave Heidi a questioning look, motioning towards Nelson, while Max looked angry. Both of them, however refrained from saying anything until Heidi and Nelson reached the table. Heidi couldn't help but notice the vibrant red cheescake they were eating (Heidi's favourite).
"Where have you been! You're late by three hours!" Max scolded, crossing her arms, looking at Heidi like an angered parent.
Heidi couldn't help but answer like a reprimanded child, "Sorry... I lost track of time.."
"You could have at least sent us a message so we wouldn't worry... " Remi pointed out, sighing. "Who's this, anyways?"
"I'd like to know the answer to that too, actually." Max added, turning her cold gaze towards the boy, as if he was the one who was starting all the problems.
Nelson took a step back, raising his hands in a submissive positon. "Ah, nice to meet you, Max and Remi. I am Nelson." At the last minute, he remembered his manners, and gave a small greeting bow.
Heidi couldn't surpress a giggle- most people in SAO didn't use customary Japanese greetings, since it was a game. Remi laughed too, but Max continued to gaze at him with an icy stare, her peircing blue eyes shooting daggers.
"Well, nice to meet you too, Nelson. I'm Remi." The red-head stated, also giving a small bow, just for fun. "What makes you come here with Heidi?" Remi shot Heidi a questioning glace, raising her eyebrows.
A blush formed on Heidi's cheeks, and she opened her mouth to answer for him, "Nelson wants to join the Guild."
Remi's mouth formed a small "oh," while Max's jaw dropped open, her scowl growing deeper. It actually scared Heidi; if looks could kill, Nelson would be seeing the big, red "You Are Dead" sign infront of him.
"Ah, yeah. That's right; I could be a good sparring partner, and a great asset to the guild!" Nelson piped up, looking hopeful. "I'm a B.E.T.A like you guys, and I'm also level 21."
"So, I thought I'd ask what you guys think, first."
"No." Glowered Max.
"I don't see what not." Responded Remi, with a soft smile.
The two turned to look at eachother, raising their eyebrows. Heidi rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh.
"How about you guys vote?" Nelson suggested, biting his lip.
"Ugh." Max sighed, but nodded. She already knew she had lost the fight.
"I vote for Nelson to be in the Guild." Heidi said quickly, pushing her hair behind her ears.
"I do too." Remi murmured.
"Ugh."
"It's settled then. Nelson, welcome to the Wanderers." Remi smiled, sticking out her hand for him to shake.
"I'll still have to get used to you." Max said, hands on hips.
"Haha, alright. I'll show you i'm a good guy, don't worry." Nelson responed, flashing her a smile.
Heidi walked up to him, offering her hand as well. "I'm glad you got in. I'll send you a request in a second."
Nelson nodded, shaking her hand, looking down to it. "Y..You have really small hands, Heidi. They're kind of cold, are you okay?"
With a some-what nevous laugh, Heidi nodded. "U-um, yeah.. My hands have always been like that, so..." She looked at the ground, shuffling her feet, awkwardly.
Dropping her hand, Nelson smiled. "Oh, okay." He rubbed the back of his head, looking towards the ceiling.
After a few moments of awkwardly standing there, the two decided to sit down with Max and Remi, ordering food, and cheescake with them. The four of them digged in, Max going for a second helping afterwards. Heidi felt relieved she wasn't as mad. Still, Max sat furthest away from him, and responded to him with curt responses. At least she wasn't killing him, right? Mouth watering when Heidi reached dessert, she marvelled at the sight of the superb, glistening red cake. Cheesecake was her favourite treat. Even though it wasn't as good as the cheesecake in real life, Heidi found it satisfactory, eating the whole piece. It was amazing.
The sun was well down, when everybody was finished; most of the people dining had left, and the group was beginning to get sleepy.
"Well, guys, think we should go to sleep?" Heidi suggested, smoothing down her uniform.
Remi, Max, and Nelson nodded, stifling yawns.
"O-kay, I'll go and rent us a room for the night- Nelson you come up too, to rent your own."
Sighing, Nelson heaved himself and followed her to the counter, stretching his arms out. Heidi went up first, briskly requesting a room for herself, Max and Remi. It was really expensive for an inn, but she managed to scrape by with it, the guild's bank overflowing with Col from the boss-fight. Being given the key, she stepped back, to allow Nelson to pay for a room. He requested the smallest room there was, but once he heard the price, his face paled, then turned beet red. He turned to Heidi, sheepishly.
"Heidi... I don't have enough.. I hate to ask this, but could you lend me some Col? I'll pay you back once I gain more from monster raiding."
She nodded, trusting that Nelson would do as he said. Checking the Col amount, she went to see if she had enough. Heidi didn't.
"Ah..... Nelson. I don't have enough, either......." She let out a sigh, biting her lip. "Normally, I wouldn't suggesy this, but if you really need a place to stay, you can bunk in our room."
Nelson's mouth dropped open for a second or two, before he abruptly closed, it, going a bit red. "I-I'm really sorry.. I forgot how expensive it was here, but I guess I'll have to." He rubbed the back of his head, looking towards the ground. "Max is going to kill me, huh?"
"I'd sleep with a knife under the pillow." Heidi responded, only half joking. "Let's go face them, then."
"NO. WAY." Max responded, apon hearing the news.
"I'm a little uncomfortable, but if that's what must be done, I'll accept." Remi said, leaning back in her chair, pigtails hanging over the top of it.
"So am I, but it's only for one night, so." Heidi pointed out, crossing her arms.
Realizing that she had lost the battle yet again, Max let out a loud sigh. "You. Guys. Suck."
"Well, let's head on up. Nelson, you wait while we change, then we'll do the same."
"By the way, Heidi, if you're going to do that whole sleep on the other side of the room thing, you normally, do, he's" Max jabbed her thumb in Nelson's general direction, "going on your side."
Heidi bit her lip, but nodded, looking away. "...Fine."
Nelson looked awkward, his warm brown eyes looking towards the ground, as he waited for everyone. With a nod, all three of the girls accepted everything, and began to go upstairs, Nelson trailing behind, stopping at the door for them to change. Heidi changed into her normal sleeping clothes, along with everyone else. They stepped out for a few seconds for Nelson to do the same, before walking back in. Laying out her futon (there wasn't any beds) that she had bought a few weeks earlier, on the other side of the room, Max and Remi settled down opposite from her. Nelson stood there awkwardly for a minute, before laying his sleepware down on the same side as Heidi, a few meters away from her. She felt awkward, but not to the point where she couldn't sleep. Watching Nelson, as he flipped around, his back facing towards her, head rested on his arm, Heidi felt a blush coming on. He really reminded her of Hiroki; her heart throbbed.
Nelson seemedd to sense her staring at him, and he flipped over, his dark brown hair falling over his eyes, as he stared back at her. This made Heidi blush even deeper; she hoped he couldn't it in the dark.
"I still can't get over how small and cold your hands are, Heidi." He whispered, to not wake the now sleeping Max and Remi.
"... Really?" She answered quietly, lifting them up, to look at them. They were kind of small, to be honest.
"They just feel so... Delicate, like they're going to break if i'm not careful with them." Nelson confided, looking up at the ceiling.
"Hey, I'm not that weak!" Heidi protested, pursing her lips.
"I know.... " He sighed, biting his lip. "You... Just remind me of someone back home...."
"Y'know what? You remind me of someone too. It's kind of weird." She whispered, resting her hands back down.
"Goodnight, Heidi."
".....Night Nelson."