While eating, Senna remained silent and didn't say a word. She had this forlorn face that was in complete contrast with her proud demeanor. Iris even wondered how such characteristics could have been displayed at the same time.
"I don't care if you're not used to eating only bread. If you won't eat properly, I won't let you leave, you know. AND OR maybe if you're thinking that by eating your fill will leave me with nothing to eat later: I won't. I live alone but I do enough jobs to feed a family."
He said all he wanted to say in one go. He had two things in mind but both still clung to the idea that Senna was from a rich family. The latter part of what he said was the idea he hated the most.
If ever he was right about Senna not eating out of pity, he would really be angry. He hated people like that the most. In his mind, they are nothing but pretentious hypocrites. 'If they really felt pity, why not give up a land or two to feed even only the children in these areas?'
Iris' statement seemed to have brought back Senna from her trance. The girl looked at Iris and returned a gentle smile.
It was all Senna could do at the moment. Unknown to the man on the opposite side of the table, she was trying her best to sort things out. She couldn't exactly remember what happened before she was frozen and why she had to be. There was an all out war at that time. What happened to the world after that? And more importantly, what happened to her people?
Aside from fleeting memories of years long gone, she also had her powers to worry about. It was something that concerned her the most.
Angels are supposed to be beings that can command magic as if it was breathing. Before, she could do wondrous things in succession without tiring her out but now, not even a simple ripple appeared in the surface of the water filled cup she was directly holding.
'How can this be?'
She remembered that after waking up, she still had her powers. She even used it to ask the gargantuan tree of Ark to bring her to the surface.
'It's pointless to dwell in these thoughts right now. I need information first.'
"Iris…"
Senna called out the name of the man in front of her. "Is it ok for me to call you that?"
"Well, it is my name."
"After this, could you please accompany me to a library?"
Iris sighed. 'What is going on in this girl's head?'
"I need to read on a few things."
"Well, I am going to one later but it'd quite dangerous if we'd be found out."
Senna put on a face that doubted Iris' words. Why would going to a library be dangerous?
"I don't know where you're from but it sure looks like a nice place."
Senna would only realize later the reason behind Iris' remark.
After eating, Iris stood up first and said, "I'll be gone for a moment."
Unintentionally, Senna let out a worrying vibe that Iris interpreted perfectly as he looked down on her.
"It'll only be a few minutes…"
Iris walked out of his house and left Senna alone. She felt sorry for bothering a man she just met but he was the only one she could rely on at the moment. She was really thankful how Iris didn't ask anything about her. The young man probably sensed how she didn't want to say anything judging from her limited replies. Given her circumstances, she didn't want to disclose her identity to anyone until she had a better grasp on her situation.
Iris went to his neighbor five houses away from his. A big man opened the door and then a small boy came running towards his father to greet Iris. It was the house of one of his students.
Iris came to say sorry about how he wouldn't be able to come with him for work later. They were supposed to finish the job they were doing the other day.
The man sighed, put on a contemplating expression but then quickly shifted to a wide grin. "It can't be helped…"
Iris moved his eyebrows together in wonder. He tried to digest if he said anything funny.
This man, the one he's talking to was named Saevus and the little kid hiding behind his leg was Pacem. It was an odd combination. The former meant 'wild man' while the latter, 'peace'.
Regardless of his name, Saevus was a very jolly person which was scary in some perspectives because of his size. Along with his family, he was really close with Iris. He would always hire Iris as an additional help every now and then which the other greatly appreciated.
"…If I had the chance to marry someone pretty as well, I'd probably also spend days alone with her." The big man continued as he patted Iris' shoulder.
"Ah yes," Iris remembered what happened earlier in his house. "I'm not married!"
Iris replied with a grumpy look but Saevus still returned a cheery giggle. The big man knew Iris long enough to know how he wasn't ready yet to have his own family so Iris just brushed it off as a lame excuse for a joke.
"But seriously, you're just too lucky, you know?"
Saevus continued on with his joke but Iris only retorted in a bitterer manner. "You know me long enough to know that's not true." Iris said as he brushed Saevus' hand of his shoulder.
Saevus became serious after hearing Iris' reply. He stretched his lips to a frown and looked at Iris.
"You know, no one──"
"My, my, Iris…"
Before Saevus could finish what he was about to say, a woman appeared behind him and interrupted them.
"…What brings you here?"
It was Saevus' wife Risus. Unlike him, his wife's name fit her perfectly. She was a slightly plump middle aged woman that always had a gentle smile. The two of them always looked ridiculous together seeing as how they were polar opposites in appearance. But once you get to know them, they were the type of people who would probably enjoy life together till the end.
Risus was cleaning near the door while the two men were talking. She was very perceptive in nature so when she thought their conversation earlier was going in a bad direction, she decided to intervene.
"Yes! Risus, finally!" Iris said in a relieved manner.
Risus came closer to the door and stood behind her husband.
"Do you need anything?"
"Yes, can I borrow an extra pair of sandals?"
"Certainly." Risus said smiling. "Pacem, get my extra pair and give them to your antenato."
Pacem ran inside the house and then came out again after a few moments. He gave Iris a pair of woven straw sandals.
Iris thanked the couple along with Pacem and walked back to his house.
The couple watched Iris' back as his distance became farther.
"You're too forward on him dear." Risus explained
"No, he's just too hard on his self."
Risus put out a wider smile. She was happy how she was with a very good-natured man.
The couple observed the walking Iris' in silence and wished for him the best.