As I continue to look around, I can see a few interesting artistic designs with the webs on the wall.

A few even seem to be a story, maybe like a journal? There was clearly was a lot of work done on them and the aesthetic of the room. Glancing back at Lin and Ai, it is easy to see that the further they get in, the worse their anxiety gets.

They don’t seem to see the traps, but the aesthetic definitely is creeping them out. Gong herself seemed to expect their reaction, but also looked a tad disappointed.

Sigh.

It’s always the little things that disappoint us. What am I going to do about this… why can’t I leave this alone?

Ah, well. This is just how I am.

Speaking up a bit, I say, “Huh, I kind of like this place. I really like this art piece here, actually.”

Her face clearly picks up as she looks at me, happy that I’m complimenting her place.

She freezes as she recognizes the piece I’m pointing to. A bit surprised, I look at the one I thought was one of the more detailed designs.

Appearing to be one of the more prominent pieces, the image is framed like a web of stories within a web frame, with a quad of characters as the centerpiece.

Two characters are facing away from the others to the left, with the other two facing each other on the right.

The first character is walking away from the group, oblivious, while the second character appears to be sneaking… pickpocketing the first.

The third character is on the ground, their hands folded and covering their body in defense.

The last character appears to be raising their fist… to strike…

Oh.

I guess this is showing the relationship between Rong, Ai, and Lin, isn’t it?

Ah.

As I look back at Gong, it’s clear she’s still frozen.

My eyes meet hers and it’s clear she really doesn’t want to talk about this right now.

Yep.

This is definitely what I thought it was.

Her eyes are practically begging me to move onto something else. I nod slightly, showing my understanding. With a silent agreement between the two of us, I move to another piece, but realize… all the pictures must be her journals.

Oh no. This is awkward. I’m honestly not sure how to approach this… Probably should just be honest about how these pictures make me feel. Hopefully that will get us past this situation.

AI and Lin look from the side at the two of us, clearly not understanding the artistic representation of these webs.

Choosing my words carefully, I say, “Gong, thank you for bringing us to your home. I meant it when I said I really like these art pieces. You have beautifully designed them and have a gift.

I’m sorry if I intruded in something personal, by viewing them.”

Her eyes blink slowly as if in a daze, “Art pieces?” Her human (and spider) back straightens quickly in realization, as she finally understands how I’m approaching this, to make it so Lin and Ai don’t understand it.

“Right! My art. You’re welcome… I mean, thank you!” After a pause, she seems to get her feelings in order. “Thank you for apprec-i-tin- --em.” Her voice trails off at the end, as she tucks a stringy piece of hair behind her ear. Her eyes seem to shake, not knowing where to look. That was so incredibly cute.

Though, it is becoming clearer on how Demi-humans are typically viewed in this society. So, she’s probably not used to compliments. Probably should get back to the main point though, to distract the two over there and not make this even more awkward.

“Sooo. I heard as part of our ‘rent’, you needed me to heal you?”

Her eyes focus again, glancing downward quickly, before looking back at me.

The original relaxed, but slightly teasing way of speaking reappears, “Yeah, I need you to help fix some wounds on me, that are a bit… inconvenient. Once you get settled in, we can look at it.”

Looking over at Lin and Ai, she gestures to one of the nearby rooms.

“You can use any of the spots here to stay in. Most people don’t come out here and the other demi-humans know not to come around here.” For a moment, she looks sad, “You’ll probably be more comfortable near the door.”

Continuing, her voice shakes, “I-if you guys want, you can stay as long as you like.”

Ai and Lin seem to relax more at this, their apprehensions lowering. They end up taking two of the rooms a bit of a distance from the door, sending a message of trust to Gong.

Seeing this, I can barely catch the emotion in Gongs eyes, as she turns to lead me to her room.

She must have wanted to help them earlier, based on her journal. I can’t imagine she can move freely as a demi-human.

If she were to harm a human, that could probably lead to a ‘hunt’ or something. Not only that, but Ai was already extremely weak and sick. There wouldn’t be much she could do. Thinking about it, it also makes sense in how she knew so quickly that something changed with her.

She was already paying attention to them.

As I continue in my thoughts, as Gong ends up taking me to her personal room, which is unsurprisingly deeper into the cave system that she’s created. As we arrive, there is another cavern like area.

Within this one, though, there are large pillars of web stretching from the floor to the ceiling in a circular pattern. Each of the pillars are ornately designed, with layers of web as support and adding to the aesthetic. In the center of the pillars is something that looks like a giant, fluffy, and webby haystack. Honestly, it looks amazingly comfortable and fits the room.

All along the walls and ceilings are more art pieces, though these look to be more artistic and interpretive. Going from corner to corner, it reminds me of the Catholic Cathedrals, as she’s even added glowing magic stones to some of them, adding back-light, that shines shadows onto different areas or reveals intricate designs. She’s even added dyes (of what, I can’t tell), giving color splashes to shake up the greys, blacks, and whites of the webs.

“It’s gorgeous…” I can’t help but to mutter, as I look around the room.

I hear a deep breath intake from Gong.

Realizing I said that out loud, I quickly glance at Gong. She’s facing away from me.

“T-this is my h-tch-hummel a-b-bode” she stumbles over her words as she bites her tongue.

Since she has pale skin, it’s easy to see how red she is from embarrassment… and maybe the slightest bit of happiness.

She really has a gift for this. I hope that one day, I’ll be able to make it so demi-humans like her, can do this freely.

It’s a crime to have this artistry unseen. Though, I am definitely biased.

Thinking this to myself, I see her raise up both of her hands and clasp her face.

Suddenly, she slaps both hands on her cheeks with a crisp sound.

“Woah, are you alright?” I ask as I run over to see if she’s alright. That must have hurt. She nods quickly, her cheeks now redder than her face. However, the redness hasn’t gone away, as it appears, she is about to try something.

“Y-you can sit on the bed, if you want.”

Don’t mind if I do. There’s no way I’m going to give up trying out a bed this comfy. It’s clear it isn’t sticky, plus this doesn’t seem like a situation where I need to worry about my life. As I climb up onto the large elevated bed-like web, she moves closer to the bed as well. Lowering her spider body to the floor, it appears I’m now at chest level to her. She lowers her body to reach eye level with me.

Then she gulps and seems to harden her resolve.

She stretches, like she did back in the alley, only this time she is on the same plane as me. A wonderful image appears before me, as it displays what she has. Now closer, it is clear they are even larger than I thought they were. Her eyes remain on mine as her blush continues. Her continued stare easily brings my eyes back to hers.

The first time she did this, she was more teasing and less self-conscious about it. Now she appears nervous and flustered. If I was a dense guy, I’d probably just assume that she is nervous and planning an important discussion. Since I’m not, it’s easy to tell that she has feelings for me. My best guess is that all the compliments have got her feeling something for me. I think she still has something to tell me, but from the look in her eyes…

She coughs lightly after her stretch.

Gazing at me with a puppy faced look, “Do y-y-you like me?”