Nick opened the door before Malak and Sosora could even make themselves known by either shouting or knocking. They hadn't decided what to do yet when Nick surprised them.
Nick raised an eyebrow when he saw Malak next to Sosora. The thick brow that stuck out from the rest of his face was a little odd. But Nick just figured there were more than birds and bears in the forest and moved on. He stepped out and closed the door behind him.
"Hello, Sosora, and...?" Nick said, looking curiously at the guy next to Sosora.
"This is Malak. He came to say hi. Malak, this is Nick. Say hi."
Malak snapped out of his stupor and awkwardly nodded.
"H-Hi, Nick. It's nice to meet you? I represent the Bawin tribe, and I'm here to tell you that we do not mind your presence in the forest."
"Uhh, thanks?" Nick was not sure what to think of that. What were they going to do if they did mind his presence? Ask him to move? Where?
'Does he not think it's nice to meet me or what?' Nick had also noticed the hesitation in Malak's voice.
Sosora lightly smacked Malak's shoulder.
"You're so blunt, Malak. There's no need to be so direct about it."
"But that's what the elders told me to say!"
"Did they order you to say those exact words? Or did they ask you to convey a non-aggressive attitude?"
"...The latter," Malak sighed.
"Are you two married?" Nick asked the bickering couple, interrupting them before they could get any worse.
The two turned to him like deer surprised to find a car on the highway.
"Ah-ahem. W-what ever do you mean?" Malak asked, blushing nervously.
"No," Sosora answered directly. Malak froze, disappointment soaking his heart. That answer was a little too quick and a little too negative.
"Not yet," Sosora clarified.
Malak's eyes lit up as he turned to Sosora to see if she was serious.
"Huh. Good for you, I guess." Nick rocked on his feet slightly as he glanced back at the door before leaning closer to Sosora.
"Any ideas on how to pacify a possible upset missus?" He asked in a whisper.
He wasn't sure what was going on with the tentacle monster being his wife. But his reaction had upset it. He was pretty sure of that, at least.
Since he didn't want to be demoted from husband to dinner, he needed to appease the tentacle monster as he would if she were his wife.
Sosora turned to Malak, who was daydreaming again. She narrowed her eyes and thought for a while before eventually shaking her head.
"Sorry, Nick, I can't imagine myself being upset with Malak, so I don't know what he would need to do to soothe my wrath," She apologized.
Nick felt odd. It was the first time his teeth ached after receiving a sincere apology. Did they have to be so sickengly sweet these two lovebirds?
"It's fine. I was just asking since I was desperate. But, well, since I don't know anyone else around here...If you don't see me around for a few days, assume teh worst and pray for me or something," Nick said lightly. He turned to Malak.
"And...your elders, was it? Tell them that I have received their message. I'll try to stay on good terms with all my neighbors. Um, actually, do you mind telling the other tribes that as well? I assume there are other tribes."
Malak nodded. He glanced at Sosora. She also nodded.
"I'll try to tell the Thirteen Tribes of Tiabe about your well-meaning intentions, Nick, the Outsider. But I will also tell you that not all of them will hear you."
"I guess it has nothing to do with whether they are deaf or not," Nick said, sighing. Unfriendly neighbors in a fantasy world. Great.
'Please, no dragons,' he prayed in his heart.
"No. They can hear perfectly well. Some of the residents in this forest are just skeptical of outsiders, especially human and human-appearing ones."
"I see. Thanks for the heads-up." Nick nodded.
Sosora and Malak bid farewell before leaving together.
Nick sighed as he watched them leave.
Monster kings around him and thirteen sentient tribes outside them.
It didn't look like it at first, but it seemed this neighborhood was a lot more active than his old one, even considering the size. He was a little worried.
The other tribes...
If they weren't friendly, it could mean anything from glaring at him during the neighborhood barbecues to throwing eggs at his house.
Nick just hoped nothing bad would happen, whether it be the tribes or the monster kings.
The tribes felt like they were manageable, though. They were intelligent people who could be reasoned with.
It would be bad if they were violent or aggressive like the monster kings were rumored to be. If someone like Sosora wanted his blood, Nick wasn't sure he could do much about it.
If she flew at him from behind when he was out on a walk, he wouldn't notice anything until his head was up in the air, looking at his body still on the ground.
Nick shuddered and shook the thought of his head and glanced at the door back inside his house. He then looked at the forest beyond his porch.
It would probably take a while until he took a walk in the forest, though, even if it was tense inside the house. He still remembered that Vasr Bird. It wasn't a monster king or a member of a tribe, but it had still almost done him in.
With another sigh, he got up from the stairs and entered his house.
Instantly, he came face-to-face...Face-to-tentacle with the tentacle poking out of the basement. It was a finger's length from poking him between the eyes.
It felt like it had heard every last word they exchanged out there, including him asking for advice.
"S-sausage?" He asked sheepishly.
The tentacle nodded slowly and then took out not just the sausage but the eggs as well. It looked at Nick.
Nick nodded.
Rationing food was for those who lived long enough to eat it.