“Is this what it’s going to be like every time I leave for a bit?” Will asked after he finished delivering all of Ben's kills to Wedrow, only to find he was being healed again and his arm was covered in blood.

“Never get engaged Will. Sure things may seem nice at first, but before you know it they’re asking you to bleed just so they can test their skills on you. The whole thing is a scam.”

“Pretty sure that’s just you buddy.”

“And we agreed to finish when he came back anyway,” Thera said in her defense before turning to Steph and giving her a small nod of gratitude. “I think I was able to get a fair bit from that, thank you.”

“No problem, I’m going to focus on regaining my mana a bit more, but if you need anything else just let me know.”

At that, Thera and Steph both left to sit by themselves, Steph to relax and Thera to practice and reflect on what she’d just felt from the connection. Ben was planning on going back to his carving but Will was still standing above him, looking like he wanted to ask something.

“What’s up man?”

“I was just curious about that mind skill of yours, wanted to see if you’d use it on me.”

“Connect?” He asked, getting a nod in response. “Sure, but any particular reason?”

“Just curious.”

He didn’t know why, but something about Will's attitude made it so he couldn’t completely believe that, but there was also no harm. Any chance to practice one of his main skills was valuable after all and he didn’t intend to pass it up. He held out his hand and when Will took it he connected.

Surprisingly, Will's mind seemed unusually disciplined, even more so than Thera’s, who at this point had plenty of experience trying to keep her thoughts under control. There were a few thoughts and feelings leaking from his friend, but he wasn’t letting everything out like Steph. However, he was unintentionally letting Ben be completely aware of the main thing he wanted to talk about.

Hey Ben, so I was hoping to have the chance to talk to you about this earlier, but seeing as how you already… Wait. He stopped his train of thought for a minute and looked around to confirm something. Sorry, before that, do you pay attention to where Thera is at all times?

Oh, you could feel that huh? It’s the effect of a skill, I’m aware in the back of my mind but it’s not something I really notice unless I think about it, kind of like breathing.

Sounds handy, don’t suppose you could teach me how to get it?

It was when Will asked that he felt part of his mind go blank, an effect of the covenant he’d made entering the trial. Even mind to mind he wouldn’t be allowed to reveal information about the trial he took, not even its rewards.

At the same time, he didn’t want to just not answer. This was his friend and it was obvious how he would use it if he could get it, the thoughts of the skills potential for keeping Steph safe were leaking from his mind. If he could keep the people he cared about safer by revealing a little, at least enough to be a hint, then he would do it.

As the moment stretched on in silence as Ben's every attempt to reveal it was blocked, Will spoke up.

If it’s something private just forget I asked.

No, it’s not that, just give me a minute or two. It would be good if I could tell you anything anyway.

Will could hear the determination in Ben's thoughts but couldn’t understand the struggle his friend seemed to be going through, but resolved to patiently wait for his answer.

At this point, Ben had activated hidden mind around one of his minds, so that one could think clearly on how to give Will a hint as the other was disrupted each time. The fact he was failing bothered him deeply. He understood he would be kept from talking about things like this when he left the trial, but to be kept from even thinking seemed like a much greater violation of personal freedoms, especially considering that he wasn’t trying to convey anything on the trial itself, just the reward it gave.

Everything I try and tell him is blocked out, what else am I supposed to do? He thought to himself in a blocked-off corner of his mind. I refuse to accept a god dictating what I can and can’t think in my own head, I just need to be indirect maybe? Or vague or broad? There’s got to be an option.

More minutes ticked by as they sat in silence until finally, Ben found a single thought that made it through. Retrace my steps.

…Oops. Well what Myriad doesn’t know won’t hurt him

He pushed the level-up aside as he heard Will’s thoughts on what he had been able to tell him. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make his friend curious that he had to work so hard for so long just to give him such a small amount of information. He let Will reflect on what he’d been told a bit already before getting him back to the topic he originally wanted to discuss.

So anyway, you wanted to tell me you started dating Steph?

His friend's mind briefly froze as a variety of thoughts passed through his head, but he was able to quickly calm them. Did I really give that away as soon as you started reading my mind?

You weren’t as bad as Steph who spilled that and more as soon as I connected to her. So what’s the deal, why are you guys keeping it hush hush?

We weren’t exactly keeping it secret. Will thought as he shifted about awkwardly. I just wanted to be the one to tell you and to talk about it is all.

Ben didn’t say anything, but he let a silent question hang between them in the feelings he was conveying.

Look, it’s a bit awkward to talk about, but there’s only about twenty humans on the world. I was just a little worried about how you’d feel about there being one less available, you know?

Ben stared at his friend for a minute before sighing and speaking aloud. “You’re an idiot.”

“Huh?”

Sorry, slipped out. But listen, I can’t even begin to express how little that matters.

But we aren’t the only ones who have gotten together you know, aren’t you even a little worried about winding up alone?

He could feel that Will's concern came from a place of genuine care, so he did his best to not let any of his exasperation at the conversation leak out.

Listen, I get where you’re coming from but I’m so not concerned. I’m not really looking to make romance a priority when we might all be dead in two years, and even if every human on the planet pairs up other than me, I don’t personally have any issues dating outside of my species.

Wait, so does that mean you and Thera are really-

Still no. He thought, cutting his friend off. It just means that enough races on this world are basically human anyway so if I ever get the urge to date I won’t be left with sea slugs or something. Anyway, is that why you didn’t just tell me immediately?

No. Well, maybe a little.

Will, you’re both my friends, of course I’m happy for you. Well, mostly happy for Steph.

What?

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. This entire conversation wasn’t one he’d been expecting to have, and the fact that his friend was still oblivious to this when they were now dating was a pain. Dude, she’s had a thing for you since we started high school. You’re just dumb.

…What?

Huh, ask her about it later. Since I have you now you can help me practice my connect until we leave.