The first sight left in quite a hurry after granting the blessing and a name. It all feels rather peculiar, still, we shouldn't look a gifted horse in the mouth.
"Eloisa Calliope Aurora" I mutter under my breath, looking at Eli and trying to fit this new name upon her.
"What do you think of it?" She asks, clearly looking for compliments.
"Its..." I start to talk before pausing, creating a sense of anticipation for my next words. Eli's darker green eyes sparkle with anticipation and enthusiasm.
"Unnecessarily long." I finish my sentence, mixing my honest thoughts with a teasing tone. So that she doesn't actually take my words too seriously.
"Your one to talk, Secessus Solum Luciel." She answers with a comeback of her own, pouting because of my response.
"Oh my, someone's gotten quite cheeky. Haven't they? " I respond with a smile on my face whilst giving her a quick pat on her head.
Eli gives me a glare, the typical "I'm not a kid anymore" look. It's quite cute, to be honest, but treating this glare lightly could make her moody for some days. Thus, I quickly hide my thoughts and decide to ask her a question.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes." She answers short and firm.
"Then that's all that matters. You don't have to look at others to like something. If you like it, then you like it, my opinion should have no influence." I explain to my little sister, hoping that she can become more assertive and sure of herself.
My words seem to have satisfied the small devil girl, her pouty face has a clear smile upon it now. Besides, she looks proud in a way, perhaps even a bit smug.
"Why do you like it?" I ask, genuinely curious about Eli's proud visage and smug look.
"Because I like it, isn't that enough of an explanation." She responds, her smug look getting even more fervent as she decides to use my own words against me.
Seeing that, Eli's trying to be cheeky and elicit a response. I decide to respond in a manner that she wouldn't expect.
"Indeed, I guess you're right. Now, since my little sister doesn't want to explain it. Then that probably means that she doesn't want to join me later today at the market district. What a shame, I heard that a new shop has decided to sell candies." I say purposefully, acting way more sad and theatrical than usual.
"I guess, I can tell you." Eli responds, giving in to my performance.
"I like it because it means I can move on. Just like you said, the past is the past. I want to live for my future, not wallow in agony of what happened before." She says in her serious tone, shedding clarity on her state of mind.
"I'm still going to call you, Eli." I respond, seeing that she has made up her mind.
"Fine." The small devil girl replies, acting if she's not entirely happy about that.
"Let's go to the market district. I did say we would, after all."
Walking side by side, Eli and I make out towards the market district. Idrilth follows swiftly, her duties as Eli's mentor and guardian still in full effect. Eli of course notices Idrilth's awkward chase and beckons her to walk next to her.
***
The market district was in its typical busy atmosphere. It is considered one of the few safe havens after all, besides all relevant shops are located here. I've personally not needed much of a safe haven these past years. The Talvit estate seems to be impregnable, seeing that I've not heard anything about assassinations attempts these past years.
But still, I shouldn't forget the time that I almost got myself killed by that pale orc leader. Which consequently led to everything that happened these past few years. Some would probably call something like this destiny or fate. I don't really have a lot of love for these terms. It would mean that I was always fated to be bedridden in my previous life, and it would mean that Eli was fated to be killed when she was still merely a child.
Speaking of which, it has been quite a while since that Eli and Idrilth have been browsing the shops looking for all sort of different items. I believe they're currently looking for the dark blood of some large twin headed bestial snake demon. No clue why anyone would want it or what its purpose is. Still, Eli seemed unnaturally keen and thus she and Idrilth are looking for it whilst I'm just rummaging through the market district.
Distracted in thought, I bump against another demon. Stunning us both for a moment.
"Sorry about that, I was quite distracted." I say quickly, apologizing so that the situation doesn't become a headache.
"I was also at fault, so let's just call us even." The seemingly whispering but clearly audible voice responds.
The person that I've bumped into seems to be a man from the church. He wears the familiar robe, but I've not met him before. He wears a white oval mask that has one vertical black stripe splitting it in 2 halves. A sloshing sound can constantly be heard as it's tentacle like feet cannot seem to stop moving. I use the term tentacle like because whilst they do seem to have the structure of tentacles. They seem decayed and rotten, puss and mold quite prevalent. The rest of his body is entirely hidden by the robe, as even his hands are not visible. Peeking at his eyes that can be spotted thanks to the 2 holes on his mask so that he can see. They are pure gray without any pupils, unfamiliar violet veins run through them.
"Your Secessus Solum Luciel, right?" The man asks, breaking me out of my investigation of his appearance.
"That's right." I respond leisurely.
"It's an honor to make your acquaintance, I've heard a lot about you. Hahaha, especially lately." He says in this still whispering yet clearly audible voice.
"Can I have your name? It fells weird being the only one in the conversation who's not aware of the other." I say calmly, making sure that it doesn't come over as a threat.
"Of course, my name is Hudan Hakel, also a member of the council and considered the fourth sight of Luciel. But alas, I have places to be."
"..."
"Let's meet again someday." Hudan Hakel says before walking off.
Not eager to continue this conversation, I simply keep my mouth shut and continue rummaging through the market district.