"Let me guess, is it about Stillwater and Silverstream?"

Lin says "Yes! How did you know?"

"I may have seen something, but first tell me the rumor."

Lin says "Someone claims to have seen Stillwater leaving Silverstream's cabin in the middle of the night."

"It is probably true. When I went looking for Stillwater to ask about the kids he was with Silverstream."

Lin says "What? Why didn't you tell me? This is really juicy!"

"I didn't know you were this interested in gossip and at the time I was angry and didn't pay it any attention."

Lin says "Gossip is fun and I enjoy it. I never had much chance to gossip before, I couldn't trust anyone enough. Now, with the elves, I have found it to be a harmless hobby that helps me relax. Do you have any hobbies that help you relax?"

"In my old world my hobbies were watching anime and reading. I haven't really had time for hobbies since I came here. Unless you count experimenting with magic as a hobby."

Lin says "Not the way you do it! What about crafting? Do you ever craft something just for fun?"

"No. I've never had the free time or extra materials. The closest I've come would be when the other summoned crafters were teaching me. That was fairly fun."

Lin says "That isn't nearly enough. We need to find you a hobby and you need to start taking some time for yourself. Today was a good start."

"True, I am feeling pretty relaxed right now."

Lin blushes and says "That does not count as a hobby!"

"Maybe not, but it is something I want to do as often as possible! When we get back to the tower I need to study the time altering enchantments."

Lin says "What for?"

"So that I can literally make more time for relaxing and other things."

Lin blushes harder and says "You!"

"Actually, it is fairly important. Once we are back I am going to have a lot of things to deal with. I don't want to ever get to the point where I don't spend enough time with you."

That was apparently the right thing to say, because Lin's response is to kiss me. The kiss is not meant to restart other activities, but I can feel her love through it. That more than anything else helps to make my doubts shut up and leave me alone.

People can lie about anything, but some things that come through actions can't be faked. Of course, that doesn't mean I couldn't be wrong in how I interpret the actions. In this case, I am one hundred percent sure that I am not misreading the situation.

Lin says "You look like your mood suddenly improved?"

"Just thinking that I love you."

Lin smiles and says "I love you too. So, getting back to the subject, what kind of books did you read to relax?"

"Mostly fantasy, stories about worlds like this one."

Lin says "Well, that would explain how you adapted to this world. Do you feel like you are living out one of the stories you read?"

"The thought has crossed my mind a few times, but if so then the author is really sick in the head."

Lin says "Well, I don't have stories of other worlds, but there are some books of adventure stories among what we stole. Maybe reading them would be a good way for you to relax."

"Sure, I'm willing to give it a try. Are they true stories?"

Lin says "Some might be. It is hard to tell if it is a true story that has been embellished or one that is made up. It is one of those books that I have been using to read to the kids when they can't settle down."

"Well, we still have some time until dinner, let's give it a shot."

Lin smiles as she waves her hand towards the bookcases and two books come floating over. She hands one of them to me then curls up against my side and opens the other. I open the book she handed me and start reading, before I know it Athena is telling us the kids are hungry.

Lin says "We will be right there, Athena. How do you feel, Ash?"

"Pretty good."

Lin says "I thought so. I could feel your muscles relaxing as I lay against you."

As I get out of bed and stretch I realize that Lin is right, my body feels much more relaxed. I hadn't realized just how much I had missed reading for pleasure. I can't help but smile at Lin in gratitude as we get dressed and go to join the kids.

"Albion, Nala, how was training?"

Albion says "A little odd, but with some good results."

Nala says "O...okay."

"Oh, you learned to talk, that's great! Does that mean you ranked up?"

Nala says "Y..es."

"Don't worry, speaking gets easier the more you do it."

As Lin sets out dinner, Albion tells us about the training with Nala occasionally adding a word. When no one makes fun of her struggles she relaxes and starts talking more. Soon she is saying complete sentences and only having trouble with some words.

Nala says "Is it okay for me to call you dad?"

"Of course it is!"

Nala says "And can I call you mom?"

Lin says "I would like that."

After we are done eating I spend some time playing with the kids while Lin copies books. Since I can recreate anime and movies in the soulscape, I can probably do books as well. However, that wouldn't work as well since it takes longer to read a book. So, I walk over to Lin, take human form, and take one of the chunks of wood she uses for copies.

After firmly picturing the book in my mind, including the text, I try the spell Lin is using. To my delight the spells works and I end up holding a paperback book in my hand.

Lin says "Did you just recreate a book from memory?!"

"Yes. I thought you might want to try reading some books from my world."

Lin says "Of course I would!"

"Unfortunately, I can't create all the books I have read. Only my favorites, that I read multiple times, can I remember in enough detail to recreate."

Lin says "If they were your favorites then I want to read them even more. However, this is the last of the wood I have for copies, we will need more."

"We can pick up more on the way to the city."

Lin says "Oh, speaking of that, I asked Brightfire if she will watch the kids while we are gone and she said yes."

"That's good. She shouldn't need to do much, Athena will also be helping."

Lin says "What are we going to do about food? Leave the pouch here?"

"Nope. I will fill the chest with food for them. I want the pouch with us so we can add any tasty new foods that we find."