Chapter 14 part 1 A White Rose.


'Millie' a voice utters, and she opens her eyes and looks into Meir's hazel brown eyes as the sun shines over the flower field in which she lies. With his hand on her forehead, as he recently checked up on her, a gentle warm breeze flows past them, carrying the sweet scent of flowers.

"You are awake. Good, we should head back before anyone starts to worry," he says and leaves her vision. She looks to the side, seeing Meir's back as his silhouette walks towards a bright light between the trees. He stops and turns to her. "Are you coming, Millie?" She blinks, sits up, and looks at his welcoming smile. (Everything is so bright and warm here.)

"Millie, Millie, hey, wake up so I know that you're okay," she cocks an eyebrow at him as his voice is no longer his.

"Millie, are you coming?" his voice returns and looks at her with such warmth, extending his hand to her. "Let us start a new chapter," he utters, and the field of flowers grows taller and sprouts white roses.

As she looks at his hand and reaches out to grab it, the white rose petals flow through the kind wind, and as she touches Meir's hand, the white light intensifies.

Everything fades, and she feels an easy shaking, a hand being placed on her forehead, and her eyes open, looking at a dark sky with heavy clouds. (This touch feels so familiar...)

"Millie, are you coming?" Meir's voice goes through her, and she shoots up to a sit. "Meir!" she exclaims, finding nothing between the dark forest in front of her.

"Whoa! Hey, take it easy. Don't push yourself," Asta utters, but Millie does not register his words as she looks around to try and gather her surroundings. But the land around her is dark, as the new moon does little to provide light.

She hears a wooden thud and looks at a dead tree that somehow made it through at the edge of the crater that the battle has made. (It is so dark here), she thinks, as a cold and harsh breeze goes by, and the hint of sulfur hangs in the air.

(Her ki feels so weak right now compared to earlier, and when I checked her pulse when she was passed out, it was barely beating), Asta thinks to himself, concerned.

"Uh, Millie, are you okay?" she finally registers Asta's presence and turns her head, her eyes meeting his emerald gaze.

"Millie?" "Uh, apologies, Master Asta. I..." she trails off and looks around, her eyes searching for someone.
"What is going on?... Are you okay?"
"I am. I-I feel better now. I am just confused."
"Confused? Confused about what?" Asta asks.
"I do not know, sir. I..."
"Uuuh," Asta utters and looks at Liebe, who has zero clue as to what is going on either.

"Are you sure that you are okay?" She turns to him. "Yes, sir."

"That would be more believable if you weren't pale as a corpse. What is wrong? Did you see a ghost or something?" Zora says, crouching down next to Asta as Millie's doe-eyed expression looks at them both before turning her eyes towards the woods in the distance, and her hand goes to her brooch. "I am good, sir. Thank you," she utters gently, but it is clear that her mind isn't entirely here.

"Well, I, for one, have a million questions, but you look a little bit too lost to really give any good answers, so I will leave it for now. We should check up on the other Magic Knights anyway," Zora says and stands up.

Millie stares off into space, and Asta is about to open his mouth. "I am all right, sir, thank you truly" she says gently and turns her gaze to him.

"Well, if you are all right, then let us head back," he says, and she looks at him, standing up. He extends his hand to her to aid her up.

She looks at his hand for a moment and up at his green eyes, which, despite the dim light, look so bright... "Y-yes, sir," she replies and turns into her cat form, getting on his shoulder. He looks at her and over to Liebe.

"So everything around here is okay? No debris got anywhere?" Asta asks, turning to Zora.

"I looked around, and everything seems dandy. So we are good to go."

"Right," Asta says and gets on his Demon Slayer sword, and they fly up. He looks down. "Woah, from the sky, one can tell that there isn't a single thing outside the crater that has been touched! But how?" he asks and looks at Millie.

"No debris gets past my shielded battleground spell, which is why I cast it in the first place so the battle will not harm anyone." "Woah, that is so cool," Asta utters.

Zora, who stands on his broom flying next to them, looks over to her. "Well, if that is the case, why did you have me check for any debris that could be a nuisance?" he asks.

Millie looks over to him and forward, and she sees that Asta has the same question on his face. "Forgive me for being blunt, sir. I was just hoping that I would get to pass out in peace," she replies.

"Uh, wait... What? Who does that?" Asta loudly asks.
"I just..." Millie looks away as her mind trails off.
"Uh," he utters and turns to Liebe, who narrows his eyes, looking at Millie as more questions pop up.

"Well, anyway, the battle was way awesome, and who knew you had that much power and white flames too? Aw, man, that was cool," he tells her. "Yeah, how did you get them?" Liebe asks, and Zora and Asta look at her.

"Master Asta, those are really good questions, and the answer is a long story. Besides, we have Magic Knights to check up on," she replies.

"Alright," he utters, and Liebe and Asta share a glance. Some time later, they see a few Magic Knights in red robes with the Vermillion crest on them.

"Hi, guys! Wait up!" he yells over. "I know that loud yell," the knights wearing red robes from the Crimson Lion Kings. "Vice Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, Randall Luftair, what is up?" Asta asks. "Asta, we are heading back as we just got word from HQ that the crisis is over for now," he replies. "What? Seriously?"

'I know it is strange too. It was almost like the wolves retreated for some reason. We have been spending time trying to figure out where they came from but found nothing,' Luft Ari explains.

'Oh, that is too bad,' Asta replies.

'Yeah, we might get more intel at HQ if everyone gives their report of what happened in their designated areas. We might get more of a clue as to why this is happening,' the vice captain continues.

'Good thinking,' Asta replies, and Liebe looks at Millie, who has a pale expression on her face. She does her best to keep the dizziness back, and her primary focus is to stay on Asta's shoulder without falling.

Back at HQ, the Crimson Lion Kings give their report first. 'Well, it is not the first area reporting in where the wolves seem to be adapting,' 'Well, it is the only real change that we can report, sir. Sadly, we could not figure out the cause,' Ragnall explains.

'I see, well, regardless, you did a good job,' Marx replies and notes the last bit of it down. 'Thank you, sir,' Ragnall says, and Marx places the paper into the pile with the rest of the reports.

'Now Asta, I would like to hear your squad's report.' 'Right, pretty much the similar thing happened,' Asta tells him and goes on to explain everything.

'A devil?' Marx asks.
'Yeah, and she was super tough, but Millie took care of it. She can probably tell you more,' Asta utters and looks over at Millie, who hangs over his shoulder and breathes heavily and calmly. 'Wait, you are sleeping, now!?' Asta says in comedic surprise.

'Millie? Is she a new friend?' Marx asks.
'Yeah, she is a familiar,' Asta replies.
'Right, you can tell me more about that later,' Marx says. 'I am surprised that there even was a devil there,' Marx says. 'You think some may have escaped the battle in Spade?' Zora asks. 'It is highly likely, but if so,' Marx trails off as he goes into his thoughts.

'You don't suppose the devil was the cause,' Zora asks. 'It could be a possibility, if the beasts really retreated around the time she was defeated,' Marx utters, bringing his hand to his chin to think.

'Well, regardless, King Julius and I will go through the details in case there is anything that we are missing. For now, you should all head back to your designated mage squads and get some rest. You are all dismissed,' Marx orders.

'Right, yes, sir,' they all say in unison and do a Clover salute and head out.

They land by the hideout, and the lights are on. As Asta jumps off his sword and lands in the grass, Millie is jolted awake and sits up, yawning before jumping down from his shoulder. 'It seems everyone else is back already,' Zora utters.

'Right, I hope Charmy has some food ready. I am starving.' 'You and your stomach,' Zora retorts and heads inside first. 'What? I am hungry,' Asta replies and stops, looking behind him.

'Uh, Millie, where are you going?' She stops and looks behind herself at Astas face. 'To get some rest, Master Asta,' she answers.
'Outside? Don't you want some food first?' he asks.

'I, uh...'
'Come on,' he says and holds the door open for her. Her heart begins to beat rapidly, which makes her more dizzy. (Come on, calm down. Now is not the time to freak out. Your heart is running low already), she tells herself and looks at the dark woods ahead. She turns while swallowing the lump in her throat and walks inside, with her gut heavy and a big icy cold shard of grey ice twisting within her.

Asta continues inside after her and closes the door behind them. She turns her head towards the big wooden door as he walks past her.

'Hi, everyone,' he says.

'Hi, Asta,' they all reply. 'Wow, you all look rather tired. The hideout is rarely this quiet with everyone inside,' he tells them. 'Well, no wonder. We have been at different parts of the border fighting off those spectral wolves after our missions,' Magna answers.

Millie walks to the nearest window and lies down.

'Wait, you too, Magna?'
'Yep, all of us did. It isn't too long ago that we all got back, and now I can finally enjoy this,' Vanessa says, pouring a glass of wine.
'From your question, I bet that you had to go to the border too?' Noelle asks.

'Sure did, and you won't believe what happened.'
'Oh, do tell,' Magna says.
'Right, we fought a whole bunch of those wolfy things, and then we encountered a devil and then...'
'Wait, hold on. There was a devil?' Finral says with worry.
'Yeah, but it was taken care of thanks to Millie.'

'Millie did it? It must not have been a seriously powerful one then,' Magna says with a slight laugh. 'No, it was really strong, and apparently, she has a lot of power.'
'What? No way. Now I know you are pulling my leg. She has about as much mana as me,' Magna teases.
'No, I'm telling you she does, and she can show you, right, Millie?' he asks and looks around.

'Wait, where is she?' His face looks in every direction until it lands on the windowsill where she lies.
'Wait, she is sleeping again.'
'What do you mean again? You don't mean to say she snored the devil to death,' Magna teases further.

'No, not at all,' he pushes. 'I actually have to agree with Magna. That sounds like a far stretch that someone with her powers did it on her own.'

'But she did, I swear. Zora can back me up,' he says and turns to him.
'I hate to say it, but the shorty is right. She did it. It seems her belt has a spell on it that masks the amount of power she really has,' Zora explains.

'Woah, really?' they all say in unison. 'That is awesome. I hope she will let me spar with her,' Luck says.

Then a rustling of a newspaper being put down has everyone look at Yami as he takes the cigarette out of his mouth. 'The only surprise is why you are all surprised. You all saw how she fought under her trial. Power or not, that girl adjusted her battle strategy and kept on her toes with all three of you. And from the way she handled herself, it should have made it clear to all of you. That girl knows her way around the battlefield and utilizes it to the fullest. She used low-level spells with a high level of technique to do so, meaning she has a firm understanding and grasp over one important key element. It does not matter how strong her opponent is. If you can get them to lower their guard and/ or ambush them, then your difference in strength is meaningless.' everyone looks at each other and to the fur ball in the window.

'Hehehe, what do you know? I guess she is smarter than she looks,' Zora breaks the silence, thinking about the things he can do despite not having the strongest magic. He can still go up against nearly anyone.

'You are right. Gaah, I need to train way harder now,' Asta exclaims and looks at Liebe. 'You're in, right?' he asks.

'Eh, I suppose so, if I am to help you become the Wizard King,' he says and blushes a little. 'Right!' Asta says excitedly and extends a finger to Liebe on his shoulder, who fist bumps it.

'Well, everyone, I hope your tummies are ready, for the food is ready for eating.' 'Oh, wonderful, Charmy,' Asta excitedly spins to her, and the gang heads into the mess hall with chatter and delight.

Some time later, Millie opens her eyes and hears the chatting from the other room. She gets up and heads outside, climbing up to her usual branch and touching her bell. Out comes her Rabbit meat.

She eats for a bit and goes back to resting, but like every night, she hardly gets to sleep, but keeps still and rests regardless as her body needs it.

the hours pass and dawn breaks over the horizon.

'AAAAAH YEAH!' The front door bursts open, and Asta runs past Millie on the branch and heads into the woods for his daily training. She looks after him and goes back to resting. Everything is still too fuzzy to do much else, she thinks to herself and closes her eyes but keeps her ears peeled as the front of the base soon fills with the Black Bulls' rambunctious shenanigans and loud way of being fills the morning with friendly banter and rivalry.

'Hey, knuckleheads! Get over here, will ya!' the leader yells, and everyone stops what they are doing and gathers around the entrance. 'What is it, Yami? Oh, is there a mission? Please let there be a mission.' 'Shut up, and I will tell ya,' Yami utters and clears his throat.

'Now, everyone knows about what happened last night, and the Wizard King asks all knights to be on higher alert on missions, and that every mission will require at least two members to tag along, in case there are more Devils about,' he explains.

'What? I have to have two knuckleheads with me? I am sorry, Captain, but that won't do. I do missions so that Mari will be proud of me, and only me, so I can't tag anyone along.'

'I can't believe you just said that. Refuse to do it, and I will kill you myself,' Yami threatens, and Gauche gulps. 'On second thought, I guess I can bring someone along as long as they are willing to give me the credit,' he states.

'What? How is that fair?' Asta tells him. 'Actually, it would be fine with me as I get less attention that way,' Grey fusses. 'I agree. It works well for me too because I am still a little bad with that kind of thing,' Gordon mumbles.

'Seems like we've got a good group already,' Yami chuckles and looks at the gang. 'All right, now that's settled, Asta and Zora,' he continues. 'Yeah?' Zora asks. 'Go to the capital and...' 'Wait, aren't we supposed to be three to go on missions?' Zora asks.

'This isn't a mission. I was told you did not give a report on a mission involving a girl named Sky or something,' he tells them. 'Oh, that's right. I totally forgot about her.' 'Right, we should go and report it in,' Zora laughs a little, humbled as he forgot it too.

'We should probably check up on her too. I am sure it would make her happy,' he says with a smile and brings out his grimoire. And Millie, who has listened in, stretches on the branch and, in her cat form, brings out her wings and glides over to his shoulder. They are off.

They head indoors and see Marx working at the desk with tired eyes. 'Mushroom head, you are here. You look tired. Don't tell me you worked all night?' he asks.

'I did, Asta. There were a lot of reports to go through, and something on this scale needs to be dealt with as soon as possible,' he explains, putting some papers neatly into a pile on the desk. 'Anyways, the name is Marx.'

'Wow, I had no idea,' Asta says, looking at all the stacks of papers around the room.

'Well, now for your report,' Marx says, grabbing a new paper and dipping the quill in ink. 'Right,' Asta says, and they explain everything. 'Right, I did get some of the details from Owen, our head healer, but now I have filled in the blanks. Thank you.'

'Sure thing. Now, to the medical ward to check up on Sky,' Asta says, and Zora nods. 'Right, the sooner we do it, the sooner we are done,' he says, and they head outside.

'Hey, Asta!' they hear and turn their gaze to a short-haired guy with vermilion hair and a red robe. 'Leo! Good to see you,' Asta excitedly greets.

'How did last night's event go? Heard there was a devil involved,' he says, getting up, and they do their usual greeting of bumping the back of their fists against each other.

'There was,' Asta says. 'Great, you shall tell me more about it later. I need to bring these in for my big brother, Fuegoleon,' he explains, holding some papers.

'Right, see you around,' Asta smiles, and they say their goodbyes and head to the medical ward. As they head inside, they pass the desk, and Millie looks at the many white roses used for decoration alongside some neatly arranged blue flowers.

(That's right, the old lady I met before we went to Hage said that there were many in bloom this year.) she thinks to herself, going back to her glimpse when she was unconscious this morning.

They enter a room, and Sky looks at the group. 'What are dumb and dumber doing here?' she asks. her hair is brushed and is wearing a simple white dress with a red ribbon around her belly and black flat shoes and she has a white Rose in her red hair. she looks tame compared to the day before.

'Wow, that is some greeting for someone who comes to visit you on your sickbed,' Zora defends. 'What is wrong? Did you forget that manners exist?' he asks.

'Tsk, like you would care about that, with a mouth like that on you,' she retorts.
Zora laughs a little. 'Well, I guess you will have to be taught it, and I reckon you will be taught that very soon,' he tells her, and she looks away with a scoff.

'Anyway, if you were to come, I figured you would bring Millie along too,' she says, hiding her dissapointment.

'But I am here, miss,' Millie utters and jumps into the bed, landing in front of the girl.

Sky looks at the cat. 'What? How?' she asks, and Millie smiles and transforms into her human form, sitting on her knees in the bed.

'Cool,' she whispers, and Millie smiles.
'Wait, what the heck is wrong with you?' 'Huh? What is it?' 'You are way pale. Are you okay?'

'Huh, oh that? Yes, I am fine. I only lost a little bit of blood, is all.'
'What? And how can you say that like it is supposed to be reassuring or something, especially when you look like death?'
'I am fine, truly. I swear it,' Millie says as a cold worry creeps in on her.

'The hell you are.'
'It is just a little blood loss. I have been through worse, miss.'
'Just a little? ...Are you insane?'

'I actually agree with Sky. Maybe let one of the nurses check up on you or something,' Asta tells her.

'Master Asta, I appreciate the sentiment, I really do, and I am all right, truly. I know how to handle my current condition without being a bother, so do not truble your self or anyone with it, please' she states, and Sky looks at her, remembering her words ('Someone like you knows nothing about surviving on your own,' 'I know everything about it'. The conviction in her voice and her way she said it.) Sky clutches her hand with her other hand.

'It isn't a bother, especially now when you look like you really need it.' Millie tightens her fists.
'Please, sir, I really do not need it,' she says even softer while gripping her hand until her knuckles turn white. (I might begin to panic again. Calm down already.) Millies mind screams.

The door swings open, and they all turn and look at whoever enters. 'Oh, it's mushroom head and Leo,' Asta says, and they greet each other.

'What are you doing here?' he asks.
'I brought him along since I knew you were going to be here because I have a task for you three. But first, I will need to talk with Sky.'

'Huh, what is it?'
'Well, we have assessed your situation, and we have decided to pardon your crimes in exchange for community service for a few months.'

'That sounds like an awesome offer, and who knows, maybe you could be a Magic Knight when it is all over,' he says. 'A commoner, a Magic Knight? Right,' she scoffs.

'Uh, actually, these two are commoners and Magic Knights,' Marx explains.
'Really?'
'yes or did you forget what we told you yesterday' Zora asks.
'Yeah, and Zora's dad was even the first commoner to become a Magic Knight.' Asta tells her.

'Wait, he did? That must have taken some dedication to impress a noble to accept a commoner to get in. He must be a truly amazing person.' Millie says softly looking at Zora.

'Wow, that sure is some praise.'
'Zora utters,' trying to end it sooner than possible before it gets awkward.

'I mean it. I have been around a long time and I have seen many commoners fail and give up, and left the coliseum with lost hope. He must have kept going, and that takes dedication, and a strong spirit. And now because of his action, it must opened other nobles up to the idea of accepting commoners into their ranks and normalized the thought of a commoner joining. It must have given hope to so manny and made them try harder. It is clear to see that he has opened a door for many people and given hope and courage to keep trying and to be accepted. He must be a truly amazing person. I would love and be honored to meet him,' she tells him.

'My, if someone with your power is able to say that, it is safe to say it hasn't gone to your head at least. And as for meeting him, I will have to disappoint you as he is dead,' Zora explains.
'My apologies. It was never my intention to open up an old wound,' she says with a deep graceful bow.

'It is cool. You are correct, though. He was an amazing man,' Zora says, and she lifts her eyes to his gaze and sits back up with straight posture, despite her sitting on her knees.

'That is right, and I have witnessed these two in action, and they are way awesome!' Leopold says, bumping their shoulders and putting his hand on them. 'You bet we are,' Asta replies.

'Well now, that is settled. We will need an answer, Sky. Will you do some community service, or face the alternative? The choice is yours,' Marx asks.

Sky puts her gaze on Millie, and Millie turns to the girl in front of her, and their eyes meet. 'I will agree to it on one condition.'

'A condition?' everyone asks. 'Seriously, you think that you are in a position to come with something like that,' Zora tells her.
'Let us hear her out first,' Marx offers.
'Now, do tell us the terms?'
'I will agree to it on the condition that Millie gets a check-up,' she says, and Millie freezes in her tracks (A-a-a check up!) her min screams.

(She knows I can't refuse that,) she thinks to herself, seeing Sky give a clever smile as everyone turns to her. "Haha, checkmate," Sky whispers and muses.

"It is all right with me," Millie says and takes a deep breath.
(If this is what it takes for her to accept the offer and help, then I would walk on fire without any mana or shoes)

"Then it is settled," Marx says and turns to Asta. "Now for you three, I have a border patrol mission."

"Border patrol sounds fine with me," Leo smiles.

"Me too," Asta replies, while Zora sighs. "I guess there is no cutting away, so sure," he tells them.

"I guess we are heading out then. You game, Asta?" "Of course, I am," he replies, and Millie transforms and jumps onto his shoulder.

"Uh, Millie, I think it would be best if you sat this one out," he tells her and places her on the bed. "You should rest up a bit more."

"Oh, all right, sir," she respectfully replies and watches the guys leave.

"Thought you could get out of the check-up, huh?"
"No, of course not. You just never stated when I had to do it."
"Right." Sky gigles and Millie looks away.

The door opens. "Hi, Sky. Oh, Marx is here too, and...?"
"Millie, sir," she tells him.
"Wait, the girl that was here yesterday?"
"Correct, sir."
"What are you, even?" Sky asks.
"A familiar, miss."

"Right. Anyways, I am just here to tell Sky that her leg is fully healed, so she can be relieved from this facility right now if she wants to. Of course, if you want to rest up a bit more, you can," he explains.

"Oh, right. Well, the ones that have agreed to take her in won't be able to come until the evening, so..."
"I can stick around," she says.

"Right, just head to HQ about around when the sun sets. As for me, I will need some rest, and then it is back to work," Marx tells them.
"Good thinking. You clearly need it," Owen replies.

"Either way, Owen, have a look at Millie if you don't mind," she says.
"Huh?"
"I know that you are confused, but if she transforms, you will know what I am talking about," she says and looks at Millie, who takes a deep breath and transforms.

"My, she does look pale," he says and moves closer.
"It is just from a lack of blood, nothing to worry about."

"Well, you definitely need a check-up to make sure that you are fine," he says and takes a stool close to the bed.
"Now, water magic coala operation," he utters, and big blobs of jellyfish form around him, with their tentacles reaching out to her.

"My, you are clearly fatigued, and there is a great sign of blood loss, and, uh..." he stops and looks at her.
"What is it?" Millie asks.
"It's just your left eye doesn't seem right somehow."
"because it is not right, sir"

"Huh?"
"It happened a long time ago, so, you know, it is nothing to worry about now."
"Can you see out of it?"
"Huh, uh, yes, a little. Mostly shapes and fuzzy colors," she replies.

"Well, you seem to be mostly fine. All you need is rest and nourishment."
"I am aware, thank you, sir."
"You can rest here, and we will treat you for a faster recovery."
"There is no need. I can get the herbs and stuff for that myself, and do not't worry, I will not overdo it," she replies.

"What? That wasn't the deal," Sky tells her.
"yes, it was the deal. You said to get a check-up, not treatment, so I have already held up my end of the bargain, miss."
"You can't take me on a technicality."
"Of course, I can. You are not my boss, miss."
"Gah, but she should have it, right?" Sky asks, turning her gaze to Owen, who looks at Millie.

"I cannot force her to take the treatment, so she is free to choose, but I will tell her to take things easy."
"Right, doctor. Thank you, Owen, sir," she says gratefully and transforms into her cat form and jumps off the bed.

"Where are you going?"
"Huh? Oh, to the library, miss."
"The library? Fine, I am tagging along," she says and jumps out of bed, picking Millie up and carrying her out of the room.
"Oh, all right."

Inside the capital's library, Millie looks through the shelves up and down until she finds what she is searching for. She sits down, opens it, and Sky sits down on the opposite side.
"Rules and legislation? You're seriously going to read through that?" she asks.

"Why, yes. There are many things that have changed since I was here last, so I would like to catch up and be up to speed," Millie replies, and Sky leans over the desk.
"I see, hmmm," she taps her fingers on the table and looks up at all the books. "I am actually amazed that this library is this big. It is huge with two floors," Sky mentions, looking at the chandelier above them.

Millie looks around too. "You're right. It is big. It is amazing that the royal library is even bigger," she says.
"Wait, you have been to the royal library?"
"Well, yes. a long time ago miss"
"But isn't that just for nobility and the magic knights?"
"I, eh..." Millie blushes a little and looks at Sky.

"Wait, don't tell me you snuck in?"
"What? How did you...?"
"You are an open book, well, as soon as someone asks the right questions," Sky giggles.
"Well, I would like to shut that book someday," Millie blushes with a warm smile and goes back to her book.

Sky looks at Millie for a moment, and her mind goes back to the medical ward. ("There is no need for treatment, sir. I can gather the herbs and food myself, so please keep the reserves for someone who needs it more.")

Sky thinks to her brother's kindness "You really are used to being on your own, aren't you?"
"Huh? I... I suppose so. Why do you ask? miss."
"Well, the way you acted when offered help and what you said to Owen about treatment, well, it just... reminds me of my brother and... me. What I am trying to say is, I am uncomfortable with people caring about me too," she says, avoiding eye contact with Millie, who looks at her.

"I must agree. It does make me uncomfortable."
"Right. I mean, people haven't really cared to aid you when you really needed it, so why care now? They might as well not do it," she rolls her eyes and looks away, then back at Millie, whose eyes are full of an attempt to understand Sky.

"I see. I can understand the bitterness that can come with people seeing you in need and turning away. It makes one feel more alone." Sky's eyes widen, and she smiles. "Right, I am glad that you see it my way."

"I admit I have felt that way. However, I never saw it as a reason to not give people the reason to at least try to care and understand."
"Uh..." sky is at a loss...
"My reasons for getting nervous are... well, I guess I am just not used to it, so it seems and feels scary, and I..." her mind trails off.
"I guess that comes with doing everything by yourself," Sky replies, looking down a little saddened. Millie looks at her.

"Well, regardless, the best one can hope to do is to try to understand others so that they can understand you and hopefully get out of a situation like that," she says with an encouraging smile.
"I, eh... I guess it is better than giving up," she says, looking a bit hopeful, and Millie offers a warm smile and goes back to her book.

Sky looks around and gets up, starting to look for a book to read. ("Understand someone," she looks at a few books.) As she gets back to the table, she stops and looks at Millie, who is laying on the table in her cat form.

A moment of silence passes, and she looks up. "Something on your mind, miss?"
"No, it's just kind of fun seeing a cat reading, is all," she says and sits down.
"I suppose it would," Millie replies, and they sit down and read for a good while.

Then a guy with grey hair and purple lines in a light blue hoodie walks in. He goes through the shelves, slumps down on the table, and skims through the papers, reading some of the pages and loudly sighs before he gets up and walks behind Sky, bumping into her chair, and keeps going.

''Excuse me'' she says.