Christ, the sun is almost blinding. The three of us make a little small talk about the day til the carriage arrives. Just before we all jump on, Lia smiles. "I shall be travelling seperately. I wish to see a friend whilst I am here."
I grin "If it's alright with the Boss, I'll come with. Keep an eye on."
Roswaal just returns my grin and nods. I want to clear my head a little too. As we walk off, Lia asks me "How do you mean 'keep an eye on'?"
"Remember the last time you were here? Considering Elsa got away, I don't want a possible replay."
She frowns. "You are right. I thank you."
I wave her thanks off. "Ain't a problem. I know how even the quietest places can hold some danger. Plus, I know you said not to but I wanted to apologize. I really, really should have tried to keep myself from losing it. I hope you can forgive me."
She smiles. "As I said earlier, we both knew the risk. I am honestly glad you were able to break yourself from your rage."
I look back on that with a frown of my own. "Me too. Good job with making me think of Ram."
Her smile grows. "Thank Puck. He was the one who thought of it. If it had not worked, I was going to get Reinhard."
I raise an hand to the fruit stall as we pass. The guys daughter spots us and runs over "Is it true that you're a half elf?"
Again, I leave Lia and the kid to talk. Instead, I walk to the stall. Kadomon chuckles as I approach. "You look like you've had a rough day."
I grin. I honestly like this guy. "Little bit. How's yours been?"
He looks over to his daughter. "Well, apart from being constantly asked if there was a way to become a half elf, pretty quiet."
I laugh. "Looks like Lia gained an admirer."
He grins again. "Yeah, ever since she helped her out Plum's been talking about the cool, silver haired lady."
Plum, huh? That's kinda adorable. "It's something Lia needs. She spends a surprising amount of time worrying about reactions to her being what she is."
He nods. "I get that. Way I see it, you don't brand all humans the same way so why should you with other races. Look at demons. Pretty much all you hear about them is they were savages. I'll bet there were some good ones."
If only you knew buddy. "World needs more like you, man."
Just then Lia and Plum walk over, Plum looking thoroughly pleased. She comes over to me. "Are you a half elf too?"
I push my hair back, exposing my ears. "Nope. I'm something different."
She pouts. "You're just a person! You're boring."
I burst into laughter, looking to Lia after a few moments. "D'you mind?"
Thankfully I don't have to spell it out. A look of concern etches her face. "Are you sure you should?"
"A few seconds won't hurt. And every time I use it, even if it is for a short time, gives me a chance to learn more."
Emilia nods and Plum pulls my sleeve. "What're you talking about?"
I grin and look to Kadomon. "You're right about demons. We ain't so bad."
As he frowns in confusion, I summon my horn. Plums eyes light up and his widen in surprise. I dismiss it and Plum almost jumps on me. "How did you do that?"
I kneel to her level. "You heard about demons, right?" She nods. "Well, just like Emilia is a half elf, I'm a half demon."
She leans in and whispers. "Can I do that? I asked Daddy about being an elf but he keeps saying you can't learn it."
I smile. "Sorry little dude. For both, you have to be born as it."
She pouts again. "Really?"
"Really."
With a slightly sad expression, she turns back to Kad. "They're both really cool!"
He seems to have recovered and grins at her. "Yeah, they are."
I stand and chuckle. "Sorry about the surprise."
He shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. Was more surprised cause I didn't think any of you survived. How d'you do it?"
"By not being there."
His grin returns. "That's fair. Now, because you've caused me more questions, buy something or scram."
Lia laughs. "It would seem like a good time to head on. Good day."
As we continue I nudge Lia. "Ya hear that? We're really cool."
She has a huge smile. "That we are."
"Gotta say, even using it for a few seconds has made me feel better."
She nods. "That would be your horn absorbing mana. In hindsight, and considering how much you used earlier, it was a good idea."
I grin. "Anyways, what's your plan after this?"
A light blush colours her cheeks. "I actually want to talk with Rem some more. I am unsure if I want to tell her how I feel just yet but this morning was wonderful. How about you?"
I smile. "Work. What I actually want to do is take Ram out for the night. Might ask the boss."
"I think she would enjoy that."
We head on and Lia takes a side street, eventually stopping at a door. "Ah, looks like she is here." She looks back at me. "Are you coming in?"
I shake my head. "If you trust her, I have no reason to. Plus, I'm armed so I don't wanna make her feel uncomfortable. I'll wait here and keep an eye out."
She nods with a smile. "As you wish. I shall not be too long."
With that, she enters and I lean against the wall, rolling a smoke. As I light, I reflect. It's been a fucking long day. It looks like, at the moment at least, I have about fifteen minutes in demon mode before I start to lose it. Gotta work on that. I'm glad I was able to actually talk with Julius. Least I didn't run round screaming at people like a dumbass. Well, only way I can redo it is by dying. Which really ain't high on my list of interesting things to do. I'm just glad we're headed back after this. I plan to tell the twins about everything. Maybe they can help me control it better. At least I know a way to calm myself. I slump against the wall with a heavy sigh. I just wanna get back to Ram.
I hear a light voice from inside "Emilia! What brings you to my slice of fun?"
She sounds familiar. Hmm. Probably someone I've walked past. They banter back and forth for a couple of minutes before the woman says something that really catches my attention.
"You remember me talking about my little girl?"
Emilia replies, seemingly thoughtful. "I do. Uuhh, Kara, yes?"
The woman again. "Yeah. Well, it's her birthday tomorrow."
With a gasp of delight, Emilia speaks "That is wonderful! How old is she?"
Please tell me…
The woman carries on, a touch of sadness in her tone, and time stops. "Twenty three. Almost impossible to believe I haven't seen her in so long."
I don't hear Lia reply to that. My mind's a fucking whirlwind right now. If I'm right, it is literally the one thing I've been looking for all these years. What do I do? I almost want to walk away. I'm pulled from my minor breakdown when I hear Emilia exclaim.
"Oh, I have a friend with me today. I think you will like her, she reminds me of you."
I can almost hear the woman smile. "I can't wait to meet her."
A chair moves. "She is just outside. I shall get her. Takara!"
I barely hear the woman repeat my name. I step in, hands trembling, and… Gods, it is! Just as I remember. Long black hair, the scar across her nose. Eyes the mirror of mine. Neither of us say a word, just staring in disbelief. I can't hold back the tears. Emilia looks between us. "Is something wrong?"
She finds her voice first. "Kara?"
I can barely get the word out. "M-momma."
