I spent days thinking about my encounter with the three gods. I wonder if the other gods are like them.
As my I let my mind wonder on my past encounters, a thought crossed my mind. Why didn't I saw my grandfather's body when he left this world? A day before I knew about my grandfather's passing, I was told to become strong and learn to stand on my own two feet when troubles may push me down. He told me that before he bid me that he's going to the supermarket. I insisted on accompanying him that day, but my grandfather didn't allow me. I didn't push any further. Knowing him, he'll just shoo me away and tell me countless times that he's still young to do his shopping alone. Letting the matter go, I let him go and I went into my usual school routine.
I arrived late that night, and I was hoping to find him dozing off his old rocking chair waiting for me, but I went home and found not a trace of him inside the house. I began to panic when I realized he's not home. Though it's late, I went on asking our neighbors of my grandfather's whereabout, hoping that he might told them something about his plans or his daily routines. I searched the whole neighborhood, not bothering that I'm causing disturbance already. All I know is that I need to find him. He's never been this late before. And if he plans to he'll tell me if he's planning something about his arrival at home. My heart throbbed wildly, stress is getting into me, and my eyes felt hot with tears. I've been holding back all the while I searched for him. He's the only family I got. I can't lose him too.
In the morning, I received a phone call. I was sitting sleepily on the table when it happened. The person behind the other line introduced himself as a doctor. My heart quenched, and for a moment I stopped breathing.
I still remember the exact words that the doctor had told me back then.
"Are you a relative of Hiro Aihsenhart?" The doctor asked.
"Yes, I am. I'm his granddaughter," I replied.
There was a long pause before a heavy sigh followed.
"Miss, I am sorry to tell you, but you're grandfather is gone."
My eyes widened in shock and I unconsciously dropped the phone. The doctor's voice echoed throughout my ears but all I could hear was my weeping. This can't be true. He was so strong yesterday. He just went missing for a night and now what? I desperately calmed myself down as I frantically made my way towards the hospital with my yesterday's clothes. I hastily went and asked the counter. The nurse told me that my grandfather's gone due to an accident. I was not allowed to see his dead body said the doctor. After hearing that, I burst out. Why can't I see own grandfather? I insisted yet they still didn't let me, even resorting into dragging me out of the hospital. I can't understand why they sent me out. I know I have the right to see him. But the doctor told me, "I am sorry, but due to certain circumstances, you are not allowed to see him. Although you can still set the date for his burial."
I cried my heart out. I still remember how painful it was. And so, I told the doctor to bury him the day after tomorrow.
"Nina? What's wrong? Are you okay?"
I looked up and saw Michaelis' panicked face. I blinked and felt that my cheeks are wet. Am I crying?
"I'm okay. Just some random thought," I said and laughed it off.
He looked at me looking so unconvince. His brows knot together as he tried to analyze me.
"If you're that tired of making talismans, you should have told me so, instead of crying," he snapped.
I laughed and dropped the brush on the side of the table. I looked down and saw that I was able to make quite a number of talismans. Although I don't know if they all seem correct. Michaelis is probably gonna check them on later.
"Michaelis," I called out.
"What?" He snapped.
Oh, as usual he's still grumpy.
"We've done a lot things already that relates on my current entity," I started.
"And we still have a lot to do after that," he continued.
Well, you don't have to remind me.
"Can we just take a little break?" I asked.
"Yeah sure."
My mood instantly lighten up by his words.
" I can make you anything you want to eat. So, what do you want to eat?" He asked.
It feels like my happy spirit just went poof and deflate after hearing his words. I almost want to punch him.
"What I mean is, can we go around town? Do some shopping and fun stuffs?" I said.
He went quite for a moment. His tails swayed side to side and his ears twitched as I watch him comtemplate about the idea. I noticed that the will-o-wisps is not showing today. I wonder where they went into.
"I guess I'll let you off today," he asked.
A wide smile creeps its way into my face and I instantly jumped in my place. I happily ran around the room as I yell 'yey'. I took a stopped behind Michaelis and dropped to hug his tails.
"You're the best, Michaelis!" I exclaimed as I nuzzle myself on his smooth tails before running out of the room and going back to my closet for a change of clothes. The moment my hand had reached a fabric, I quickly pulled it out and wore it over my body. I'm so excited that I don't care what clothes I was wearing. I ran outside the house, calling Michaelis out.
"Aye! Quiet it down. I'm coming," he muttered as he sigh exasperatedly.
"Come on, you slowpoke."
I grabbed his hand and dragged him out. I heard him muttered an objection, but I didn't paid much attention about it. We descended the shrine in a hasty pace, thanks to my excitement. As we reached the town, I noticed how crowdy it was. It was almost like there's an occasion being held. I ran through the crowd and I eagerly checked each stalls beside the aisle as I waltz myself through the crowd. I saw an ice cream stall and decided to buy one. The clerk handed me a chocolate and strawberry flavored ice cream in a barquellious cone. The other half of the ice cream is of that a chocolate and the other half is of that a strawberry. I was about to lick it when I suddenly remembered Michaelis. Oh right, I have to let him taste this. I ran to where he was standing and reached out my hand that held the ice cream.
"What's that?" He asked.
"It's for you," I said as I looked at him.
He looked at me with an arched eyebrow. It was almost like he's asking if I poisoned it. I giggled.
"Come on. Try it," I urged.
He sighed, looking so defeated before dropping his head low to take a bite. It felt like I watched him took a bite in a recorded tape played in slow motion. My cheeks heat up as I watched him savor the ice cream.
"This is good!" He beamed.
His hand grabbed mine, taking away the ice cream from me.
"See? I told you."
I laughed as I watched him devour the ice cream. I notice a speck of the ice cream on his left cheek and I unconsciously reached up to wipe it away. He stopped and his eyes followed my retreating hands before stopping to meet my eyes.
"Just cleaning your face," I stated and shrugged my shoulders.
I hurriredly turned around as I felt my heart beats so fast. I ran back at the group of food stalls to look for something that can distract me from what I'm feeling right now. I don't know but I feel so embarrassed—embarrassed in a very good way. As I walked away, I can feel like he's staring at me. I sighed. As I bounced around happily, a stall that sells sweets caught my attention. How I love sweets.
I eagerly went and ordered some handful of chocolate bars and lolipops. Well, I like lolipops more than chocolates. I almost ordered two boxes of cake. One for the will-o-wisps when we get back home, and the other is for the two of us. I don't know if Michaelis likes sweets, though if he did not, I have no problem having the whole cake for myself at all.
I marched my way out of the query line for sweets after getting my order when I bumped into someone familiar.
"Lucas?" I asked.
He looked up and recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Oh great! It's Nina," he said.
I pouted.
"Why do you sound like you're not happy to see me?" I asked.
He laughed.
"You've got a handful there, I see. Here, let me give you a hand," he said and offered to carry some of the boxed sweets.
"Thanks," I said.
"So, where's your jerk of a familiar?" He spat.
"He's just over there somewhere," I said.
We're actually going to where he is. I silently laughed. It seems like Lucas still haven't get over of his encounter with Michaelis. Well, that was a very painful encounter. Who knew Michaelis would throw him away that powerful.
"That's odd. He's not with you. Did he grown tired of baby sitting you?" He said.
"I actually left him there, Lucas. And correction, he's not baby sitting me. He's my familiar."
"Familiar my ass. He smells like a demon to me," he said.
"Demon? Are you for real?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes. Like demons from hell," he said.
I laughed. I can't believe he went on thinking that. He must have a grudge about him.
"Why are you laughing? I'm telling the truth," he stated.
"Yes, I believe you, Lucas," I laughed.
He continue to push the matter as I laugh my eyes out. Yeah, Michaelis is a demon,and I've experience hell everytime he gets mad.
As we continue to walk, a picture of Michaelis talking to a child came into view. Lucas stopped talking as we approached them. When we got near, I could hear Michaelis strong voice. My brows knotted together. Is he arguing with a child? The child spat back, not backing down.
"Why are you calling me a dog, human child?" Michaelis warned.
"It's not my fault you look like one. After all, you have those ears above your head," the child said.
"I am not a dog," Michaelis said through gritted teeth.
"Yes you are. If not, then what makes you? A cat perhaps," said the child.
"Take it back," Michaelis hissed.
"I will not. Mommy said lying is bad," he said.
"I said, take it back!" Michaelis grabbed the childs collar, lifting him up.
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped in surprise. Lucas seems to have the fastest initiative between the two of us, so he rushed towards Michaelis, grabbing his arm. Michaelis glared at him angrily. The child started crying as he hanged on Michaelis' hand. The crowd started to form around them, and whispers went flying in the air. Oh shoot. I ran towards the furious Michaelis.
"Michaelis," I calmly called out.
He seems not to hear me as he banter on Lucas while holding the crying child. Lucas looks so pissed at Michaelis that he looks like he wants to punch him.
"Don't you touch me, you filth,"Michaelis spat causing Lucas to clicked his tongue.
The boy started crying hysterically, throwing and thrashing under Michaelis' grip. Anger ignited inside me and I rushed in front of Michaelis.
"Michaelis, stop this instance!" I demanded in a loud voice.
Michaelis' ears twitched and his shocked eyes met mine. I grabbed the child away from his grip as he stood frozen in his place, his head held low. I carefully dropped the child and tried to comfort him to stop his hysterics. I hushed him away, whispering sweet promises to his ears to calm him down. After for a while, the crowd dispersed and I apologized on the child's mother for causing such a thing. The mother snapped at me before embracing her child and turning away.
I turned back at Michaelis and I found him silently standing with his ears bend downwards. Lucas stood behind him as he hold my sweets. I sighed. He looks terribly behaved.
"Michaelis."
At the mention of his name, he instantly stiffened.
"What's wrong with you? You look so aghast," I asked.
He remained silent and didn't looked at me.
"Effects of your binding words," Lucas sighed.
"What?" I asked.
"Since you have a contract, he is bound to obey your words. And the more will you put into it, the more obedient he becomes," he explained and I heard Michaelis sighed.
My eyes widened. Oh, I have that effect on him. I blinked. So that's why he looks so aghast.
"Michaelis, it's okay already." I said, hoping to somehow comfort him.
Lucas walked us through the stairs of the shrine before Michaelis swiftly grabbed my sweets away from his hold. I thanked Lucas for the help before proceeding to ascend the stairs. Michaelis was silent the whole time. I sighed. He must have been that bothered of the binding words. It's not that I'm gonna use it against him, so why bother so much about it? As we arrived at the shrine, I watched him placed my sweets on the table as Aka and Ao feast on it. He silently passed by me and went into his room, closing his door behind him. He looks so dejected.
I ended up eating my sweets alone. I wonder if he's upset about me. Maybe I should left this cake for him. A token of apology.