Laris tugged at his hair, particularly but not obviously fixing the bangs that hid his emerald eye. He didn't feel any different despite the extremely vibrant dual color of nightshade blue and silver white.
"It suits you!" Ann exclaimed, pressing her two palms together in delight.
"You still didn't answer my question", Laris interjected. "Why did you save me?"
For the same reason, why would Ann come in his room to interact with him? In any sense, he was still a male, and a Lycan-kind, though half. Wouldn't it make sense that the Korrigan-kind would have hated the two despicable races with the exception of Felix? And yet, here they are, defying Laris' conjectures. Having met a lot of people, Laris naturally knew that whether pure and kind, or evil and scheming people, everyone had a motive that pushed them to act. So what was Ann's motive?
"I told you—", her words died by the time they reached her throat. She no longer insisted on her excuse. "Do I really have to have a reason just to save someone?" She stared at Laris.
This straight gaze cleared Laris' mind from any suspicion. Having no reason was her only valid reason. True kindness does not require a purpose.
"You're right." Laris smiled. "I'm sorry."
However, true kindness seldom comes by. Laris kept a small part of his guard up just in case.
Ann beamed and nodded. They talked about a few more things, with Laris imperceptibly directing the conversating to Felix. The clueless Ann was more than happy to talk about her savior.
Very soon, it was nighttime. They had lunch and snacks served to Laris' room. Since Laris was used to having a sister, he was relaxed at having to accompany Ann as he was taught how to do different Korrigan-styled braids. Mina came by halfway through, just when they called dinner to be served in Laris' room.
Seeing that the two pairs of upturned long ears didn't plan on letting him rest with any peace and quiet, Laris could only submit and talk. At least it was better than leaving him in a quiet room to brew his thoughts yet again.
It was only when the three of them heard the loud fireworks and exuberant voices by the window and had decided to come out of the room to join the festival, that they had seen Felix come back. He'd been gone the whole day, much longer than just having to return the rented ox cart.
"You're really not coming?"
"No. Pay attention to your safety while playing."
Felix declined Ann's invitation and climbed the stairs to his room to rest. Just as they were to separate, Laris crossed gazes with Felix just for a second. His body tensed for a second until Felix could no longer be seen at the staircase. Laris noted this incident at the back of his head.
The three of them lingered only for a moment before they left the inn to join the fun. The streets were crowded, the ocean of people in variegated rainbow-colored patches.
"Let's go over there", Ann pulled Mina and Laris by the hand.
"Here."
Laris looked down upon his hands at the feel of something round and hollow pushed to him. "This..."
"It's better to be safe." Mina familiarly placed the slave collar around her own neck with no psychological shadow. "In any case, this collar has Felix as the master. You don't really need to worry that we're tricking you into something."
"Don't be like that", Ann was quick to mediate.
Laris declined, "You won't be able to tell, but if other Lycan-kind find my scent and see me wearing a collar, I'd be a sitting duck."
"A sitting... what's the difference between a duck and a goose?" Ann whispered to Mina, only to be met by the eyes of her two companions.
Met with silence, Ann fidgeted uneasily until Laris spoke once more.
"I do appreciate the kind offer, but I also want to inquire about my missing companions. I hope you won't think ill of me. Some day, I promise to pay you back in kind."
Hearing this, the girls no longer pestered Laris. They guessed; now that he need not worry about himself, he must be anxious of his companions. After all, they'd been attacked by a lone Wendigo-kind. Anyone with good relations would be worried of their companions.
Upon the edges of the roaring crowd, the three of them bade their farewell. And when the backs of the two girls had vanished among the masses, Laris slipped away in between the buildings, not a trace to be found.
Unlike the wide streets, he was abit more familiar with the back alleys that people usually avoid. He'd had an excursion once or twice here a few years ago, though some routes had changed. He lingered for a moment at a corner alley to survey his surroundings, putting on a high-collared coat he stole from an innocent passerby. Even a city as bright as Evidna or Salciorne had dark gaps. No, maybe it was because they shown brightly that they attracted the dark.
Laris chose to stay in a rowdy bar. More than keeping a low profile, what he desperately needed was information. During The Great War, it was information that allowed the smaller races to continuously slip put of the fingers of the ambitious. With a glance and small sniff, he knew there weren't any familiar scents lingering about in the small business. He skillfully maneuvered out of a drunkard's way, a smile on his lips.
"Cheers", he slightly bowed sideways as he studied the drunkard's group.
This salutation prompted a more festive spirit around the small bar, as passerbys and strangers raised their glasses to each other. Despite his hood, Laris never looked out of place, as if he was a local. It was only when he sat at the bar counter that the bartender raised his brow at him.
"Hello~", Laris smiled at the bartender, his eyes half-closed.
"I've never seen your face here before. New?"
"You can say that." Laris glanced around, smiling at the silliness of the earlier drunkard that started dancing. However, he was observed the bunch of laughing Lycan guards that also watched the dancing drunkard.
"You got business in Evidna? What can I get you?"
Laris retracted his line of sight. The bartender smoothly sounded him out, playing the role of an unconcerned man.
"Anything will do as long as it's free. I'm a broke travelling merchant try to sell his goods, after all." Laris gently tilted his head, chin on his knuckles.
"What goods are you selling?" The bartender jerked his chin up at Laris, placing down the glass cup he just finished wiping.
"You're looking at it." Laris sweetly smiled.
The bartender was unfazed. "Not buying."
"What—not to your taste?" Laris smiled, a hint of disappointment in his tone.
The bartender simply did not reply. He eyed Laris up and down. Laris leaned back and spread his arms wide as if to let a customer inspect his merchandise. Sadly, the bartender turned around and left Laris to himself. He crossed his arms and leaned on the wooden water-stained counter, his ears trying hard to listen to the conversation between a certain table behind him.
Thonk—
Laris looked at the glass of warm milk placed near his face; the heat radiating through the glass and into his cheek.
"I thought you weren't interested in my goods", Laris smiled at the bartender who had resumed wiping some shot glasses.
"Not interested." He side-glanced at this boy who has barely passed his teenage years. Most human-kind had long life spans. Despite claiming adulthood at sixteen, the bartender still thought of Laris as a child. "It's hard to earn food for a living. Drink that and go."
Laris cupped the warm glass between his palms. Unlike his previous display, he quietly whispered his thanks, his smiling facade replaced by an expressionless one. It was hard to explain what he was thinking about. With one last glance at him, the bartender moved away to serve other customers.
Everybody had their own circumstances, the bartender thought to himself as he left this young but broke Lycan 'merchant'.