JP - The Keep - Dining Hall - Time for Dinner

Bjorn would be in the kitchen helping out as usual.

Lek woke up about an hour before dinner time. Physically he was mostly recovered from earlier, but inside he was feeling terrible and guilty. He got dressed and left his room.

Bjorn was helping set out some food and noticed Lek on his way. “Hello, friend Lek!” He called with a friendly wave.

“Hi, Bjorn.” Lek greeted the unicorn man with little feeling. He did not have much of an appetite either, though he knew he needed to eat after that workout.

"What is wrong, friend Lek?" The unicorn man asked, worry in his tone.

"I broke Miyuki's heart. I was just trying to be her friend." Lek said.

“Why did you break her heart?” Bjorn seemed confused. “She seems like such a nice woman…”

“I love Pinja.” Lek said, realizing that Bjorn had probably never seen her.

“You mean that lady I’ve heard that doesn’t love you?” Bjorn looked even more confused. “Why love someone who does not love you? That is very one sided and makes no sense to me, friend Lek…”

Lek’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t help who I love.”

"I suppose, but isn't it a painful love? Seems redundant and full of misery." Bjorn shrugged and set down the last of the food for everyone. He then went to make sure all was well in the kitchen.

“I guess.” Lek shrugged. “But what would you do? In love with someone, a good friend has feelings for you that you just don’t have?”

Bjorn had to think for a moment, trying to wrack his brain. “Well, if the one I love refuses to love me, I would at least attempt to move on. I admit, I do like the pretty lady that just waltzed into this place like she owned it, but if she does not return my feelings in due time, I will leave her be. There is no point in forcing things.” He explained with a shrug. “But I am far less pushy than most. I just wish to see her happy…just like I wish for my friend, Ila to be happy. She is very sweet and deserves some happiness, even if it just my baking.” He chuckled.

“I’m not forcing anything.” Lek said. “I’ve been patient and giving her space.”

“Still, if a lady ain’t gonna return the feelings, it’s better to just let her go and do her own thing.” Bjorn shrugged. “I mean, are you sure she’s ever gonna return those feelings? Have you really ever asked her? Some people never change their mind in this regard.” How he knew that, Bjorn had no clue…

“I’m willing to wait forever for Pinja.” Lek sighed.

“And if she never returns those feelings?” Bjorn inquired. “What then? Are you going to follow her and wish for her to return the feelings forever? That’s a lonely path to travel, friend Lek.”

“I know, but I knew I could end up that way when I decided to wait for her.” Lek said.

“And you hurt others along the way,” Bjorn shrugged and set down the last of the food. He smiled and let someone step up to get their dinner.

“I tried to let her down without hurting her.” Lek said miserably.

“No matter what she was going to be hurt. When someone has feelings for another, they will be hurt by the rejection…were you not hurt by Pinja’s rejection?” Bjorn inquired.

Lek nodded and sighed. It still hurts. “What can I do for Miyuki though?”

“That is what you must figure out on your own, friend Lek.” Bjorn replied and returned to the kitchen to help Ila.

Lek got some bread and sat at a table, not feeling very hungry.

It would be a bit before Bjorn came back out, setting down clean dishes that Ila had helped him with. His horn was sparking again, a sign of joy and contentment, but there was also that hint of something darker in his eyes. The other half of him had been a bit more present over the past week due to a fool that had tried to invade the place.

That darker half had taken care of the problem and gone back into sleeping, but he would surface quite often now, making sure everyone was okay. He posed not threat to the people here - in fact, he was very protective over everyone, even Piritta, and would have full conversations with her in her language. If only he knew what the language was…

Jacob would walk into the dining hall and wave at Lek.

Lek waved at Jacob, still feeling terrible. He had a feeling she would feel bad for a long time.

Miyuki would soon follow Jacob inside, getting a lot of stares from people as she went to get some food.