Gathering Herbs.

Well it's not the most lucrative job, heck the reward might even be inadequate. But hey you already died in the other world and now your not alone, you have a companion with you, so it's best to play it safe or the very least at least for now.

The walk to the forest was uneventful, and your elf friend was silent during that time. She seems focused on the trail and lush green flora around you looking side to side, she seems eager to help you, making you think what else she would be eager for, remembering during breakfast when you picked that amongst the options collecting herbs to sell in the local market, Maribel immediately perk up, your almost certain a small smile escaped her expression followed by a cautious look, still probably that you could still be hurt if your not careful in the woods.

Reminiscing your gamer days you remember how in those games a walk through the woods even at the early chapters is that you could be attacked by wolves, or low level goblins heck if your really unlucky maybe bandits who will kill you and take all your loot. Or try would be a more fitting word.

"Oh please look here." You heard halting your train of thought as Maribel pointed at the plant barely noticeable beside a tree.

"Aloe Vera" There's no denying it, your not a genius with medicinal plants but you are knowledgeable enough to know the basics, well at the very least those readily available in your world. Still why is such a plant exist in this world or more importantly does it's medical properties the same.

Regardless, those are questions for another time, you have to focus on the task at hand taking a handful of the green herb with succulent leaves that are arranged in a rosette's, putting it in your backpack for selling.

You eyed towards Maribel, a small smile appeared in her face, a soft honest one making you do the same, expressing an innocent one to her.

"This brings me back, my parents would often take me here and teach me about plants, I didn't like to stay in the village but going places to place sure feels nice... Just..." Maribel looks down, it's clear she's afraid of going alone, afterall if this is based on the games you play with a mercenary guild no less with more information and details you don't know then this new world might be dangerous in more ways that one.

Your smile quickly turned into a sullen one, this was immediately sighted by Maribel as she quickly wave her hand in an effort to change the mood into a more cheerful one.

"Sorry sorry! I didn't mean to sound depressed it's just feels new that I have someone to talk to and I'm not good with socialising still thank you I promise to continue helping you."

It's clear your elf companion is doing an effort to focus on the task, despite her apprehensive behaviour you couldn't help but to smile once again to her, you begin to remember again, back then how socially insecure you are, sure you have a passion for playing games but talking to people sure feel like a chore, you don't have a tragic or sad backstory like Maribel but it's just difficult for you. Nonetheless you feel nice being with your elf friend, who stays by your side.

Without thinking your lone hand landed softly onto Maribel's head slightly moving as she eyed you with childish curiosity. Fingers glide through her lush green hair giving you an alien but soothing feeling. It feels like every single strand of it is like a smooth emerald that shine is polished evenly on every fiber.

"This feels..." She said unsure how to respond to your sudden actions. Maribel didn't move back or approved on what your doing to her but she just eyes you.

"Nice..." She continued earning another smile from her. An almost unnoticeable blush suddenly appeared in her face, and it gives you a warm feeling in your chest... And so does your hand..... Wait?!

You felt something odd! Within your palm you felt an undeniable feeling of heat, surprised with the sudden change in temperature you stop patting her head while her smile never left her look.

You eyed the hand that stroke her emerald coloured hair. Sweat formed on it as you dwell on what just happened. There Maribel just looked at you with a confused stare knowing nothing of what transpired as you mildly perspire. That was odd.

"Is there something wrong Mr. Traveler?"

Her words vocalise concern bringing you back to reality. With a shake of your head told her that it's nothing. An immediate lie you didn't want to say as a lingering feeling of uncertainty fill you.

With that day continues as you and Maribel gather more herbs for you to sell, until dawn finally sets in bringing the sun down as the bright sky slowly begun to darken as the night will surely come.

Maribel stepped into the market place of the small town where you are certain where you and her sleep in the inn, there in a stand in the edge of the market Florafall spoke of a warm greeting indicating she knows this person as she put the assorted herbs and plants in the table while the merchant placed a bag full of coins into her slender hands, with that the transaction is compete.

And thus with new funds in hand the both of you can access the two of you dine in a simple restaurant, with you a rather average meal of mashed potatoes and pork while Maribel is content with eggs and a hearty quantity of salad on the side.

As you dine moments of what happened in the forest flashed in your mind. Remembering the strange heat you jog your brain bringing the sensation to recollection. And then you recall it once again. The heat that can from her... It was calming yet strong, tender but potent. You felt it no doubt but how it happened exactly is what you fascinate you.

"Maribel I don't want to bring this up you said your not very good at healing magic and conjuring nature magic right?" You said earning a surprised look at her.

You saw her ears lower down, almost like her emotions, her eyes went downcast as she answer your question.

"Yes... I think I already mentioned it."

Remembering those RPG games you always play, each type of magicians can use a designated element with of course some can use more than one type but if this new world is different but the same time have some similarities to many games then maybe it's not so farfetched thus an idea got into your mind maybe Maribel isn't a healer or a druid of nature, maybe she's something else and it all have something to do with her emotions or something similar.

"I think I have an idea or more accurately a hypothesis... Back in the forest I felt something, I'm not sure if it's magic or something else but if what I think is correct then-" Maribel's ears straighten up, perking upwards as the bright smile you remembered in the forest re-emerge once again.

Mimicking her you continued.

"Could be the clan that sent you, the ones you claim you as the least of value is wrong,very wrong and we are just looking at this the wrong side."

You brought hope to this poor elf as you finish your meal... And then you remembered that you have no knowledge about magic, and also the fact your gambling in a hunch. But if your do succeed you will more than help this lady and maybe you just may unlock more than just a single spell.

Infront of the restaurant is a library, if you go there you can read and learn more, after all information is a resource of it's own that if used wisely is always beneficial.

Still there's no denying that the sensation you felt is bought by you and Maribel being closer, so why not start from there? The night is still young so why not explore it further?