Chapter 3
She pondered. Bookman's voice was unsure or rather hesitating. She knew it. He was still hesitating and probably deciding like always that he had to leave her. He was just unsure how to tell her.
She sighed. She expected this to be a possible happening. She may not want it but decided that she won't be stubborn anymore and accept the truth. There was no need to force herself on others. She would just go back to that place whatever one would call it to be since it's obviously not home. She didn't have one.
She should be thankful enough that Bookman was really kind to her despite trying not to. It was just sad that she couldn't take on that journey he promised her. The freedom to go to different places forced itself in her mind as a wish.
Bookman sat on his chair and gave a deep long sigh. He wondered and pondered if he really should just take her as an apprentice despite what others might say. He really wanted to but hindering him from that decision was the fact that he didn't need one yet.
He'll find ways to get through it. He just can't leave the girl anymore. Her stubbornness or rather perseverance was captivating, it just caught him in a fix. He has taken an interest with the girl's ability.
How did she even manage to track him down? She proved her worth well and he'll have to prove his as well as a bookman. He could find a way. He would. He didn't feel like leaving the girl just anywhere. She had the ability, character and wit.
He smiled to himself. He would keep the girl as an apprentice but there were certain things that still needed to be done. He needed to test her.
The little girl started drying herself after the bath. She put on the clothing he left for her then went outside. She looked around and saw that Bookman was already sleeping by the chair.
She thought that it won't really do to sleep on the chair so she woke him up.
"Bookman. Bookman, wake up," she said.
The young man blinked his eye a few times before finally waking up.
"Lia, you're done?" he asked still sounding sleepy.
"Yes. Aren't you going to sleep on the bed? I'll sleep there on the chair," she said.
"You take the bed," he said.
"But you're the one who paid for it."
"No complaining," said the red head as he carried the little girl and placed her on the bed.
He was about to leave when he felt her pull his sleeve.
"I'm cold," she tried to reason.
The red head smiled.
"I thought you were used to that type of thing."
"The bed is big enough for the two of us. I trust you even if you look like you have a shady character," she said while trying to sound calm and indifferent like her usual tone.
The bookman almost laughed at the way she said it. It might seem uncaring and insulting along with the look on her face but he could tell her lies and feeling of loneliness. He felt it too when he was a child even when his predecessor has taken him in. He doubted the old man at first but came to trust him.
"Am I supposed to be honored by your gratifying compliment?" he said smiling.
"An old man needs his rest. You should sleep."
The little girl said it with the same usual tone. He couldn't help himself and chuckled at her statements.
"Fine, the old man will have his rest and so should the little girl," said the red head as he lay beside the little girl.
He closed his eyes to sleep and before drifting into the other world, he heard a soft whisper that he almost missed.
"Goodnight, Bookman and thank you," her soft and childish voice said before sleeping.
The bookman smiled to himself then drifted off along with the little girl into slumber.
Morning came with its warmth. The young man woke up with the little girl in his arms unexpectedly. She must have been that cold. The little girl had a small figure which gave the cold a chance to come more effectively. He did remember seeing her slightly shiver despite the warm bath.
His hand cleared the strands of hair on the little girl's face while remembering the one time his predecessor hesitantly let him stay by his side when he was so cold and scared of a thundering storm as a little boy. The old man did show affection at times despite not being so obvious. He must have gotten it from him.
He let go of the little girl gently as to not wake her up. He should focus on things that needed to be focused on. He got up to fix his things and arranged everything.
Their clothes were already dry and will do despite being crumpled like paper. The red head changed into his then waited for the little girl to wake up while reading a book.
In a few moments, her eyes slowly fluttered until they were completely open to show mismatched eyes. She wasn't wearing the eye patch like he did. It was wet just as her clothes were the night before.
"Your clothes are already dry. Get up if you don't want to miss breakfast," he said.
"Okay," she said while sitting up before leaving the bed.
She went into the bathroom holding the now dry clothing to change. She forgot the black cloth on the table. She went out after changing to retrieve it.
Her eyes blinked in confusion for its lack of appearance on the side table.
The cloth was suddenly placed from behind to her eye. With the knot placed, she faced the young man wearing the same thing.
"Ready to eat? I bet you're famished," he wore a smile while saying that.
His moods often changed. She wondered which was his true character but didn't bother to ask him directly. Instead, she focused on a different matter.
"Bookman."
As if hearing her thoughts, he answered quickly, "I'll tell you my decision later."
"Okay," she replied.
They went down catching attention due to the identical cloths found on their eyes. The two merely ignored the looks given and ordered their food.
"You feelin' better, Lia?" he said.
"Yes," she replied.
"Is the food good?" he asked.
"Better than what I usually eat."
They casually spoke in a conversation while eating and seemed to avoid the topic of apprenticeship for now. They finished within an hour then walked back to the room.
"Have a seat," he said while pointing to the chair opposite the place he sat.
She hesitantly took it and no one spoke until she dared herself to.
"Bookman, it's fine. I'm sorry if I bothered you. I just came to return the book. Thank you for breakfast. I'll look for a job then leave."
She tried to remain indifferent but her voice sounded sad.
The young man smiled and ruffled her hair.
"You sure about that? You don't want to see the world?" he said with a cheerful smile.
"Of course, I'd want to," she replied trying not to sound too excited.
"Then come with me."
"Really?" she looked at him carefully making sure that he wasn't lying this time.
"You'll have to take a test though," he tried explaining.
"What type of test?"
"I'll tell you when you're willing to take it."
"I am," she said with a determined voice. "As long as you're not lying."
"I'm telling the truth this time," he said.
"Really? Cause I hid another one of your books," she replied with a tone of mischief.
"I knew I couldn't have just left it. I'm serious so you better give it back, little girl," he played along.
"Okay, old man," she replied with a mischievous grin.
To: ThorongilAnime - Thanks for reviewing and twice at that. It will focus on the two main characters for now and if they'll be meeting people from the order, let's see :) The girl does not and will not have innocence. It doesn't focus on romance but it depends on the development of the story if there will be one. Thank you so much ^_^ it made me so happy seeing that someone reviewed.
Ezekeel: I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Edited: Monday, August 4, 2014
