Elania, Arachne in a different world

How did she do it?

I don鈥檛 know.

I followed the elf to the dining area and then to the hallway. As usual, she had Elly help her with her armor.

I considered for a second putting mine on and ultimately decided I would do it, just in case. It would be quite surprising if the goblins decided to attack again, but one could never know. I have a feeling that this was exactly what caused Velariah to always go out in armor.

I would not be surprised again.

I picked up my weapon, and Velariah opened the doors to the outside. We had something of a plan set up for the day. We would start with a hearty lunch, followed by a quick visit to the tailoring shop. After that, we would go out and relax in the grass for a couple of hours while Velariah worked on filling the spools she鈥檇 got.

I remained quiet for the entire journey. I was glad that our companions weren鈥檛 in the guild hall. I wasn鈥檛 feeling much like talking at the moment. I鈥檇 rather have some time alone with the elf right now.

I guess it was somewhat like a date. I smiled at the thought.

I was not that hungry, but I figured I should eat some if I were to provide as much silk as I could.

We sat down in our usual spots and had to wait a bit before we could order. There were a couple of people ahead of us.

I was glad when I was told that somebody had brought in a Saibon Boar. I ordered a double portion of pork chops before I even realized it.

I ate quietly. Too quietly apparently, because Velariah asked me if I was okay.

鈥淵eah, I鈥檓 alright. I鈥檓 just a bit鈥?you know鈥︹€?I answered.

鈥淐onflicting emotions?鈥?She asked earnestly.

I nodded. 鈥淚 guess you could call it that.鈥?br>
鈥淎re you worried?鈥?br>
I nodded again. I was more than worried.

She put down her fork and took hold of one of my hands on the table.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 the matter, Elania?鈥?She asked quietly.

鈥淚鈥檓 scared to death, Vel. I鈥檓 starting to fall in love and I don鈥檛 know how to deal with it. I feel so happy when I鈥檓 around you, it makes me worry I will slip up when we are out in combat and cause you harm鈥?or worse鈥︹€?br>
鈥淚 guess that鈥檚 normal.鈥?She said with a neutral expression. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing wrong with feeling that way. All I can say is try to keep things together when we鈥檙e in a fight. It gets easier over time.鈥?br>
I put a pedipalp on her lap as she held onto my hand.

鈥淭hank you, Velariah, I needed that.鈥?br>
鈥淚t鈥檚 alright. I fell in love a while ago, already. I felt the same way, I still do. It does get easier, just don鈥檛 allow it to overwhelm you.鈥?br>
She paused for a second. 鈥淚鈥檓 scared as well. You鈥檙e not alone.鈥?br>
鈥淭hank you.鈥?br>
I still held on to her hand as I continued eating.

鈥淵ou mind giving me my hand back, though? Unlike you, I do need this one to eat.鈥?br>
Oops.

I let go and earned a chuckle from the elf.

During our breakfast, Nira walked in and took notice of us. She made a quick stop by the Lore keeper and had some coins handed to her before she made her way to us.

鈥淲elcome back, Elania.鈥欌€?She said with a smile. 鈥淕lad to have you back.鈥?br>
鈥淭hank you, Nira. It鈥檚 good to see you again. How have you been?鈥?br>
鈥淢uch better, thank you. I can fly properly again, too.鈥?br>
鈥淚 hate to ask, but are you okay, mentally? I imagine you took quite the blow while you were captured.鈥?br>
Her face looked down at the table and, for a moment, I thought I had made a mistake by asking that.

鈥淚鈥檝e been dealing with it, it鈥檚 getting better. Draco has been of great help to me in handling it. We just finished a quest together, I imagine he will be here soon - he was just off to get some new supplies.鈥?br>
That lizardman, always reliable. It was good to hear she was doing better.

鈥淗ow about you?鈥?She asked. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e been out for a few days. How are you?鈥?br>
鈥淚鈥檓 okay. I鈥檒l just need some time to allow the carapace to harden. Once that鈥檚 all set and done, we can look for more quests.鈥?br>
鈥淵our carapace, it looks more鈥?how do you call it?鈥?br>
鈥淏ald.鈥?Velariah chimed in.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 one way to put it, I guess,鈥?I said in response. 鈥淚 seem to have lost quite a bit of hair. Not sure if I dig the new look.鈥?br>
鈥淚 like it,鈥?Velariah said.

鈥淥f course you do,鈥?I replied with a wicked smile.

鈥淵ou guys sure get along well, don鈥檛 you?鈥?Nira smiled slightly.

鈥淎 little too well,鈥?I answered.

Velariah grinned.

Nira gave me a confused look.

Draco entered the building at the same time and sat down at the table.

鈥淲elcome back, Miss Elania. I assume everything went well?鈥?br>
鈥淵up, no issues. Just took longer than before. Also...鈥?br>
I raised the furthest back rear leg.

鈥淪eems I did in fact, get my leg back.鈥?br>
Nira gasped. 鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 even noticed...鈥?br>
鈥淚 get it, there are too many limbs to keep track of. Imagine walking with these.鈥?br>
I contracted and retracted the joints of my raised leg.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛...鈥?Nira said softly.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 great news,鈥?Draco suddenly said.

He seemed to get a certain fire back in his eyes at the sight of my recovered leg. I knew the loss had probably affected him more than me. I was glad we could close that chapter.

Nira laid her wand on the table and beckoned over the waiter. She and Draco ordered as Velariah and I finished up.

鈥淗ave there been any good quests?鈥?I asked, as I drank the last of my juice.

鈥淚 grabbed one yesterday and held on to it for when you returned,鈥?Draco said. 鈥淪ir Valtheril sent a missive. We are going on the offensive soon regarding the village鈥檚 goblin problem. There are all sorts of quests going out right now to aid in the final assault.鈥?br>
I thought Valtheril was out to talk to artisans about the canal? Why would he suddenly decide to mount an assault on the goblins in the forest?

I doubted my companions had the answer to that question.

鈥淭he quest I picked up is to clear one of their caves. The area has already been scouted and we鈥檝e got a fairly good idea of what awaits us. It鈥檚 just that there鈥檚 a bunch of them and they have access to fresh poisons, it makes this quest significantly more dangerous.鈥?br>
鈥淪ounds like an excellent quest for us,鈥?I noted.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I thought as well.鈥?Draco finished.

I hoped Valtheril had a plan to completely wipe out the goblins. It was going to be the only way to ensure Dawnleaf鈥檚 safety.

鈥淪ounds good. If Elania is okay with it, we could start tomorrow.鈥?Velariah said.

鈥淚f I feel okay, then sure,鈥?I answered.

I was going to have to pick up my armor from Dworag and probably practice the way I would walk with Velariah on my back. If I could manage to walk and run properly with my legs in the positions that I tried before, I could have Dworag start working on the saddle and stirrups. I felt confident now that I had my leg back, that should make things much easier.

鈥淚f you鈥檒l excuse us, we will be picking up something from the tailor and then relaxing in the fields near the east exit. If you need us for any reason, you can find us there.鈥?br>
Velariah paused for a second. 鈥淥h, and please don鈥檛 tell Seralyn where we are.鈥?br>
Good idea, Vel.

She stood up and waved to Draco and Nira. I waved goodbye to them as well and followed the elf outside.

The sun was shining brightly once more and I could feel its effects on my fresh carapace almost immediately. I could just fall asleep right here, right now.

We walked through the village to the tailoring shop. The increase in humans walking around became all the more apparent. None of them threw angry glances at me, though. In fact, some even waved.

It confused me, but it also made me happy. It made me feel recognized as a person instead of a monster. It seemed the elves were completely familiar with me at this point too.

Life was looking up.

We came to a halt at the tailoring shop where I鈥檇 gotten my first real clothing and Velariah entered. It would seem they were prepared for her visit because, not long after, she exited.

鈥淕ot me ten spools.鈥?She patted the pack at her side. 鈥淛ust see how many you can fill.鈥?br>
鈥淪ure,鈥?I said. 鈥淏y the way, what does the tailor make with this silk, did he share that info?鈥?br>
鈥淚鈥檓 pretty sure he uses it for noble鈥檚 clothing. Expensive party and special occasion dresses and the like are among the most expensive kinds of clothing one can find here. He has the luck that people come from afar for his goods. I imagine the value of your silk would be quite a bit less if he had to transport it first.鈥?br>
鈥淐an鈥檛 believe there鈥檚 going to be nobles wearing something that came out of my butt.鈥?I grinned as we walked towards the village鈥檚 eastern exit.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 quite the odd thought indeed.鈥?Velariah joined me in grinning. 鈥淏ut hey, money is money.鈥?br>
鈥淭rue,鈥?I admitted.

I moved in the manner that Dworag had pointed out, with two legs far forward and two far back on each side of my body. The cobblestones were a bit tricky to navigate across, but once we were out in the grass, things became easier.

鈥淪tarting to look good, El.鈥?Velariah praised me.

鈥淎n extra leg makes all the difference, let me tell you.鈥?br>
鈥淚鈥檓 always impressed seeing you navigate with that many limbs and joints. Nira mentioned it as well. I don鈥檛 know how you do it.鈥?br>
鈥淧ractice... you think I knew how to do it when I found myself in that cave? Guess again: I still learn more every day.鈥?br>
鈥淢ust be quite the switch, from two to eight,鈥?Velariah referred to my previous life.

鈥淵ou鈥檇 probably laugh at me if I had to walk on two again. I imagine I鈥檇 fall quite often trying to lift both my legs at the same time.鈥?br>
I thought about what it would be like to be human. I actually don鈥檛 know if I would want to be one anymore, strange as it may sound. The main reason for that was the answer I got in the dungeon.

My life was quickly being filled with adventure and love. If Velariah and I managed to get far together, this body would allow me to stay with her, where a human one would eventually fall short.

Or so I thought.

I never imagined I would, but it would seem I had fully accepted this body as my own now.

I tripped and fell to the ground.

鈥淪eems you still need some more鈥?practice.鈥?br>
Velariah extended a hand to help me up.

鈥淭hat won鈥檛 do much and you know it.鈥?I smiled at the gesture. 鈥淎nd yes, I do need more practice, but that was just me not focusing.鈥?br>
鈥淟ost in thought?鈥?Velariah asked.

鈥淵eah, I was thinking about what that dungeon told me.鈥?br>
鈥淵ou mind sharing it with me?鈥?br>
We were quite far out from the checkpoint now and Velariah decided to sit down on the grass. The past few days have been sunny and rain has been absent - the grass was completely dry again.

I lowered myself onto the grass as well.

鈥淎pparently my aging resets every time I molt. That鈥檚 what it said, at least.鈥?br>
鈥淭hat鈥檚...鈥?Velariah paused for a second. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 actually wonderful news. I think?鈥?br>
She leaned against me and stared at the forest.

鈥淚n a way, I guess. Turned out it was the correct question to ask, huh?鈥?I smiled.

鈥淔or sure.鈥?The elf replied.

I spread my legs so they lay spread out and flat on the grass. Velariah took a look at them and asked a question.

鈥淎ny idea why all those hairs are gone?鈥?br>
I shook my head. 鈥淣o idea. I wonder if it鈥檚 because of preference? They were quite sensitive.鈥?I paused for a moment. 鈥淎lthough, that actually doesn鈥檛 make sense. For some reason, my chitin without hair is just as sensitive now as it was before with hair. I鈥檓 actually at a loss here.鈥?br>
I wrapped my right arms around the elf鈥檚 frame before I continued.

鈥淪ame thing with the area between my fangs. It鈥檚 a bit awkward to talk about, but when we first met, my privates were more鈥?superficial, to put it delicately. They were just covered with hair, so they were impossible to see.鈥?br>
鈥淕ood thing I never knew that.鈥?Velariah chuckled.

I sighed. 鈥淎 good thing indeed.鈥?br>
鈥淵ou think your body is adjusting itself to your preferences? Maybe environment?鈥?br>
鈥淚鈥檝e thought about that as well, but I don鈥檛 see how any of this would make sense in that regard,鈥?I answered. 鈥淏esides, my rear isn鈥檛 getting any smaller.鈥?I laughed at my own joke.

鈥淪peaking about your rear鈥︹€?Velariah pulled an empty spool out of her pack. 鈥淪hall we get started?鈥?br>
鈥淵eah, go for it. Just be gentle, please,鈥?I said, as I laid my arms on the grass and rested my face on them.

I felt Velariah鈥檚 touch on my sensitive spinnerets and just completely relaxed. As long as I didn鈥檛 clench, it would just keep coming when the strings were pulled.

I couldn鈥檛 believe I was making money doing this.

I felt stupid for not doing it before. I guess I had other priorities to take care of.

鈥淰el, how much silk did you give those traders again for that crate of iron?鈥?I asked while relaxing.

鈥淚 think that was about three spools worth of silk, why?鈥?br>
鈥淚 was just thinking. Wasn鈥檛 that a bit of a bargain? It seemed Coldanus was far too happy to take the ore as payment.鈥?br>
鈥淵ou forget that it was blessed by a dragon.鈥?br>
Oh, yeah, there was that.

鈥淧lus, they put a very high value on raw silk. It鈥檚 far rarer in their region.鈥?br>
Supply and demand. The basics of trade. I wasn鈥檛 new to the concept, far from it. I just didn鈥檛 know what different villages valued yet. Iron for silk could be a useful thing in the future.

I was slowly building my knowledge of this world in my head. This was certainly something I鈥檇 have to remember.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 one,鈥?Velariah said after some time.

I had to admit, this felt much better than the instance with the traders where she literally yanked it out of me as if she was trying to launch a Beyblade.

Nice and easy wins the race. Or well, it saved me from having pain in my butt.

鈥淗ow does this feel for you, El?鈥?Velariah asked.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 with the creepy question?鈥?br>
鈥淚 was just wondering, you said you were quite sensitive down here. Does this feel nice to you?鈥?br>
鈥淒o you have plans to use this in the bedroom or something?鈥?I asked with a chuckle. 鈥淎s long as you do it nice and easy, it feels kinda鈥?nice, I guess.鈥?br>
That was still such an awkward question, though!

鈥淲ho knows? I actually might, some time.鈥?br>
鈥淵ou鈥檙e evil, you know that?鈥?br>
I heard Velariah giggle behind me.

I relaxed again and turned my head to the right. Far in the distance, I could see the towers of the checkpoint next to the dirt road leading to the forest. Right in front of me was a pedipalp. For lack of anything better to do, I observed it as I contracted and released it.

It was quite fascinating to look at. All the moving parts mesmerized me. On its outer end were three small hooks that I knew could grab into things. I put a finger in them and contracted to see if it would hurt.

Fortunately, it didn鈥檛. I assumed those were simply for grip and not to actually hurt something, or someone.

I yawned.

The sun was just too lovely on my fresh body. I was still observing and playing with my pedipalp for god knows how long when I heard Velariah鈥檚 voice call out optimistically.聽

鈥淎nd that鈥檚 ten.鈥?br>
I shook my head and refocused.

鈥淭en? Already?鈥?br>
鈥淵up,鈥?Velariah called. 鈥淚t goes pretty fast once you get the hang of it.鈥?br>
I looked behind me and saw the elf put away the last of the spools in her pack. I hadn鈥檛 focused on her work behind me, but now that I did, I felt some of my strength was drained.聽

鈥淣ow, it鈥檚 time for me to relax as well.鈥?br>
She laid herself down on her back next to where I was still looking and eyed the pedipalp that I was still toying around with. I contracted it a few times before suddenly putting it on her shoulder.

鈥淩awr, I鈥檓 a nightmare monster coming to eat ya.鈥?I smiled as I ran the limb up her shoulder to her face.

鈥淥h, no. Whatever will I do?鈥?Velariah played her part.

鈥淭ip, tip, tip.鈥?I ran it up to her face with three steps before I planted it on her nose. 鈥淏oop!鈥?br>
I pinched the small claws before I quickly brought the limb to my hands and covered the end with my hands.

鈥淕ot your nose!鈥?br>
Velariah laughed. 鈥淰ery playful today, aren鈥檛 you?鈥?br>
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 like me showing affection?鈥?I smiled.

鈥淚 do, actually. A lot, even.鈥?She smiled back.

So cute鈥?br>
鈥淚f only all days could be like this鈥︹€?I sighed with a smile.

Velariah took hold of one of my hands and interlocked our fingers.聽

鈥淗opefully one day.鈥?She smiled. 鈥淭hough, I think I鈥檇 miss adventuring then.鈥?br>
鈥淚t does have a certain allure, doesn鈥檛 it?鈥?I asked. 鈥淚 think you鈥檙e right. I doubt I could do without one or the other.鈥?br>
I put my right legs around her back and dragged her closer.聽

鈥淭o think I never saw more blood than a simple scrape would produce before coming to this world. I could never have imagined killing anything more than a fly or mosquito, nor having the need to.鈥?br>
Velariah grinned wickedly.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 so funny?鈥?I asked.聽

鈥淒on鈥檛 you get it? Fly, mosquito - it鈥檚 funny because you鈥檙e half spider.鈥?br>
I chuckled. 鈥淚 guess it is, huh?鈥?br>
鈥淚 do feel a bit bad for dragging you into all this,鈥?Velariah said as she looked up to the sky.

鈥淚鈥檓 actually thankful you did. Thanks to you, I discovered ways to grow stronger which I鈥檒l likely need to survive and so much more. That guy your father blasted before, I reckon he wasn鈥檛 the first, and he won鈥檛 be the last, who tried to kill me. Besides, you didn鈥檛 think I planned to live in a cave the rest of my life, did you?鈥?br>
鈥淗eh, thanks, El.鈥?br>
I shuffled a bit forward and brought my face to her side. I pressed my lips together and anticipated her kissing me. Instead of that she slightly raised her upper torso and looked into the distance with shock in her eyes.

I could feel shock start to fill my body.

鈥淧lease tell me it鈥檚 not her...鈥?I pleaded quietly.

Of all the times she could show up, this would literally be the single worst one.

Velariah laughed.

鈥淗ahaha, just kidding.鈥?br>
She lowered herself again with a huge smile on her face. She then took hold of my head with her free arm and brought my face to hers before kissing me gently.

Faragi

There is still a bit of fluff here with another adventure coming up and then some fluff after that mixed with some worldbuilding. My only issue is that I'm writing quite far ahead of what I'm publishing atm so it may take some time before you see the requests made in comments appear.聽

Worldbuilding is high on my list at the moment but I may make some more polls going forward to gauge things.

I do read the comments and I do try to act on them. Hell, I love reading comments to see what people think or what they think should be explained further, etc.

There's also some money-gathering coming up and I hope I'll be able to show everyone Elania's inherities soon, I feel like I have them quite worked out now :)

As always, thanks for your support!

And a special shoutout to my new Patrons

Theredscare

TromJH2424

If you'd like to support me in writing this story as well, you can find me on the link that is provided under the donate button on RR and the tip button on SH. I appreciate all the support I get and since I am still in the middle of getting a proper external website set up to host this story, I actually provide a lot right now.聽

There are 65 chapters done on it right now.

Thanks a lot!

Faragi