Vol 2. Chapter 2: Easy to Coax
'Virtue +100.'
'Current Virtue: 8804.'
"The dish got burnt? It's fine, it's just a few leaves. We're not short on money. I'm the least short on money. Alright, don't be so upset." Thinking that Shikondell was sad because she had messed up cooking, Vinny stepped forward to comfort her.
Shikondell didn't speak. Her toes, encased in white socks, curled slightly as she stood motionless in place.
"Tsk, why are you so stubborn? I said don't worry about it, so don't worry about it. Why are you just standing there? Come on, open the window to let the smoke out, and let's go out to eat at a restaurant." Vinny said, opening the window and beckoning Shikondell to go out with him.
Shikondell still didn't speak, standing in place with her head down, like a scarecrow.
What's going on today??
Vinny observed Shikondell, and after half a semester, still couldn't figure out the habits of this pointy-eared creature.
Could it be that she's also on her period??
Vinny felt a bit frustrated, as it seemed all the girls around him were on their periods. Aesphyra seemed to be, Mirexia seemed to be, and now even Shikondell was.
Did their cycles just happen to align??
"Vinny, I'm sorry..."
"? What are you sorry for? What are you even talking about? No wonder it hasn't rained these past few days, it's because you've left me speechless." Vinny was genuinely confused. Where was this sudden apology coming from??
He hadn't been back for long, and his recent interactions with Shikondell had been fine. Why was her attitude changing so abruptly, getting all emotional??
Shikondell's mental resilience was too weak.
In other words, her ability to handle pressure was too weak.
It seemed like all elves had weak mental resilience. Milian was the same, easily provoked with just a few mental attacks.
The difference was that when Milian broke down, she attacked him, while Shikondell attacked herself, tormenting herself, and internalizing her struggles.
You elves are really something, huh?
"Can you tell me what you're sorry about? Where is this even coming from??" Vinny asked with a strange expression.
"I'm sorry."