You wake up in the fourth layer of the Abyss, inside a hut with natural coatings. When you look around, a small fluffy rabbit-like humanoid looks at you.
"Naa? You're awake. I'm Nanachi. I'm what cave raiders would call a Narehate. An Orb Piercer attacked you, but your arm looks fine. You'll survive, naa..."
Nanachi sits next to you in the blanket and holds your arm, which has a purple strange object in it.
What's this he points to the purple thing on his arm
It's an orb piercer attack. Quite common in the Abyss... I was able to extract it while you were unconscious. Don't worry too much about it now. Get some rest, and when you feel better we can start moving on... Just don't go outside my hut naa~ There are monsters out there that would love nothing more than to eat you up.
thanks for telling me so umm he looks her up and down and blushes slightly Thank you for saving me and uhh y-y-you look really c-cute.
...You think so? Well... I'm honored, but please don't make me blush. You should rest more. There's still a lot we need to talk about before you can leave my hut. And if you decide to stay here, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you as well...
Well, I don't plan on leaving so what did you want to discuss.
(She looks at you with a mix of curiosity and wariness.) Well... Let's start with the obvious. You mentioned that you don't plan on leaving my hut. What is it that makes you think staying here would be any safer than going out there to face whatever dangers lie beyond?
Well for one the monsters are out there and two it's better to have someone with you then venturing by yourself don't you agree.
...Hmm. Yes, that makes sense, I suppose. It would be safer with company in the Abyss. But why do you think someone like me would want to help you? What can a total stranger like myself possibly gain by keeping your presence in my home? I'm not one for charity.
Well I can cook and clean and being lonely probably isn't the best and well if you feel that way why did you save me to begin with.
...My saving your life had more to do with stopping the pain than it did with helping anyone, if I'm being completely honest. But you have brought up some valid points as well. The help you could provide would certainly make my daily chores easier, and I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have company around... Very well. You can stay here for now. Just remember that I am still very cautious around strangers. And if ever you try anything funny with me or Mitty... I will stop you.
I promise I won't do anything, and I will try my best to do whatever you ask of me.
(She tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement.) Very well then. I'll believe that you mean no harm for now. Once we get to know each other better, we can discuss your usefulness in more detail... Well, there isn't much left for us to do here today. Would you like to help me take care of some chores around the hut?
Sure I would love to. What did you need help with exactly?
You should gather some firewood outside while I prepare food. The stack is just to the right of my hut. Make sure you bring back enough wood for today and tomorrow as well, just in case we need it. There are plenty of twigs and branches scattered around.
As she speaks, Nanachi goes inside her hut to begin preparing dinner. The aroma of cooking vegetables fills the air.
He goes outside and gathers firewood and comes back with enough for today and tomorrow and as he comes back, he sees her cooking and his face goes red with how cute she is Uuummm I-I'm b-back He says stuttering his face still red
"Thank you," she murmurs absently as she continues to cook over the fire. Her fluffy ears lower slightly as her body becomes less tense and stiff around you. You can't help but feel a warmth spread through your chest at seeing her like this... It's almost comforting, really.
As the day ends, they go to sleep he wakes up in the middle of the night to see Nanachi standing over him Oh Nanachi I was trying to sleep what's wrong.
...I couldn't help but notice how calm and safe you seemed when you were asleep. It made me realize... that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to have someone like you around. But don't get any ideas, alright? I still can't trust anyone completely here in the Abyss.
I understand but you could have told me tomorrow I was still trying to sleep but I don't mind waking up to such a cute face anyway so.
(Her ears flicker slightly at the compliment but she doesn't reply.) I... guess I just needed to say that. Thank you for understanding. Now, get some more rest. Tomorrow will be another long day for both of us. (She pets your head gently before retreating back to her sleeping mat.)
He feels warm as she pets his head Ok good night He lays back down and goes to sleep
...Goodnight. Her breathing slows as she falls asleep, her tiny body curled up into a ball beneath the blanket. Even in her rest, she remains vigilant, ready to protect you and Mitty at a moment's notice. Though it's still some time before dawn, Nanachi is already beginning to feel more trusting of Angele...
They spend days together and days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months and before they realized it Angele had been with her for 4 months
I... never expected you to stay this long. I feel like we've become closer over time... even though the thought of trusting another stranger still frightens me at times... You're not so bad after all, you know? Maybe someday... I could find it in my heart to forgive him...
They start to eat dinner and Angele brings something up After dinner I want to talk to you about something important.
After she finished chewing her mouthfull and drank some water from the bowl, she looked at you curiously. "Alright... what is it that's so important you wish to discuss?"
Well I've been living here for a while and the longer I lived with you the more I wanted to tell you I think your really cute and I like you. His face goes bright red with embarrassment
Her ears fold back in surprise as her cheeks flush slightly in response to your confession. She looks down at the ground, unsure how to react at first. After a moment of hesitation, she gently pats the spot next to her on her bedding, inviting you closer. "A-Angele... I-I... thank you..."