As we walk for a while I decide to ask her if she knows of an elf by the name of Ariel and know if I can find her somewhere.
"Hey Lilith," I turn to her
she walks tight into my chest without paying attention. She looks up to me surprised and blushes.
"S-sorry, what did you want to ask me?"
I looks down at her and she, in all honesty, is pretty cute close up. Sort of making me a little uncomfortable now because being this close to a girl scares me.
But I am a man right, I can handle this!
I take 2 steps back to give her space and decide to ask her. Shouldn't hurt but to ask right?
"Hey Lilith? Do you know of an Elf named Ariel who lives around town? It is really important."
She puts her hand to her chin and starts thinking. Maybe she knows something finally!
"You know what, I think I heard the name Ariel before around the tavern before. I do recall an elf working voluntarily at the church." she says
Finally! Some information about her whereabouts! Or at least where she might be. Better than the vague "oh she is somewhere around here" or "Oh I think I have seen an elf" and nothing else.
"Awesome! Thank you so much! I have asked around and my answers have been so vague."
I bend forward a bit to get to eye high and take her hands. I give her my warmest regard and get ready to leave her. I walk away but instead I get called out.
"H-hey wait! What's your name?" she calls out not more than 10 feet away.
Wait I never said my name to her? Impossible! Right? Well it wouldn't hurt to give her my name after all we seemed to get along well. Who knows maybe we will hang out together in town since I never had friends other than Lara.
I turn around and give a warm smile without showing my teeth to much not to flash them. The feather behind my head sticks up a bit for some reason maybe reflex or something.
"Coda, no last name. Cya around!" I start running but realize something majorly important...I have no idea where the church is...
"Uhm actually can you direct me to the church" I start feeling embarrassed.
I start rubbing the back of my head and grin and bit looking away in shame of my negligence. How could I forget such a simple but yet important part?
She looks at me in shock but pays no mind to it and smiles back at me with her ends of her mouth raising up in a cute curve.
-Lilith POV-
Well, at least he seems nice enough to admit his mistakes and asks. Compared to Ugmand he seems like a real gentleman. I have no doubt he must have a girl back home where he lives maybe. Actually, he seems young for lizardmen so maybe he has folks he lives with. Regardless I bet he has someone.
My heart start bumping really fsat to the point my breathing becomes more noticeably louder. My chest expanded in and out more and more. Why am I feeling this? Don't tell me I'm...
"Hey? Did you hear me? Are you okay Lilith?"
"What? Oh yeah I am fine just dealt dizzy for a moment! Sure I can help you find your way to the church. But I will have to return to work afterwards.
"Sure thing thanks a lot!" he says while closing his eyes with a smile. His smile isn't human but I can tell her has such joy behind it. It is unique and genuine. Something I think I forgot with Ugmand.
-Coda POV-
She seems to be in thought. Wonder why. She seems to just be dozing off a bit more often. I take my hand and wave it in front of me to gesture if she is still with me.
"Oh sorry I keep dozing off lets go now!" she says while taking my hand
She seems so joyful and lively after crying.
-3 minutes later-
"Hey Coda?" she turns to me while continuing to walk forward.
"Yeah"
"Why do you have a scar on your right cheek did you fall over as a kid and leave it like that?" Scars don't often show for beasfolk due to their healing factor unless it was severe, infected, or cuts that were not healed by magic soon enough."
Oh right I sometimes forget I have a minor scar on my cheek from my childhood. I remember the event that took place. Where Lara was kidnapped and I was beaten slightly and cut. Should I tell her the truth I don't want her to be afraid of me. But I like telling the truth. Makes me feel truthful to who I am without weight on me.
"Ieah I got it from a fight years ago as a child. Sort of vague to me since then sorry"
"Oh it's okay I just wondered since I noticed it in the restaurant and in all honesty was afraid of going to you. I sort of sucked in my gut and put on a perky attitude to apease you."
Well I guess I came across as scary a bit for her. But my scar is minor compared to Mr. Uchida's scar hahaha.
"It's fine let's keep walking now."
We walk for a few more minutes and we finally arrive west of the town where the church lays open about 100 meters from the town gates in a field. Interesting place for it to be isolated. I expected it to be close to the center of the town or something.
"Wow. Seems smaller than I expected" I say out loud under my breath
"Well we are a small town as well and not everyone goes to church either so. Most kids are sent here for daycare when the parents can't keep an eye out."
Hmm good point there. Ariel was said to have been volunteering. So that might mean they need the support of donations. I still have some of the coins from that woman from the tavern who paid me after my nose bleed.
We walk forward towards the church and it does get slightly bigger but not majorly. It is about 50 feet tall with a cross at the top with a single door at the front. I see some stained glass of what appears to be a sun rising over a blue sky and green field. not to look at but I think that is the point.
"So do you have time to stay or do you need to head back to your job? I wouldn't mind if you stay. You might learn more about me actually." I say bring my hand forward for her to take if she pleases.
She looks at my head thinking for a moment and decides. She reaches out and takes me hand with hers.
"I think Ugmand and my father can deal with customers for the day without me." she smiles warmly at me with her eyes glittering. in the sunlight.
"Awesome! Lets go!" I say with joy
We walk inside the church and the sunlight gleams through the stained glass giving it a colorful aura inside.
As we continue inside we see rows of seat where likely prayer took place where the far end of the building has a stand with a large cross under a golden sun model of some sort.
I walk inside and notice it is empt so likely it isn't church day if that makes sense. Or still early for those visiting.
I walk for about 20 feet inside and then take notice of a box. The box intigues me and I start walking left of the entrance and look inside of it. It has a sign that says donations. I guess they are in need of funds.
I take my hand and pull out the coins I received not that long ago today and place them inside the box as donations. Hope it means something.
-Lilith POV-
Is that a donation box? Been a while since I have seen those as well. Is Coda donating? He must care for others well being to do that. Either that or he is stealing it. I start walking closer in proximity to Coda to see what he is doing.
As I get right behind him I stand on my toes and see him pull out a few coins from out of nowhere oddly enough. He has no pockets. What kind of witchcraft is it? Not hat it is a bad thing just don't know how he did it.
-Coda POV-
As I place some of the coins given to me by that woman from the tavern, I sense being watched or monitored somehow. My animal side of my starts to kick in and my feathers start sticking up. I turn around fast and there in front of me now is Lilith. She gets startled by me and starts backing up tripping over the footing and falling backwards.
"Eek!" she yelps while tipping backward.
I catch her and take her hand. she receives my hand and I pull her forward back to a standing upright position now.
"Th-thanks...I nearly lost my footing haha" she says while rubbing the back of her head with one arm and the other arm rubbing her hips.
She is clumsy, but she is cute while doing so.
"It's fine," I say, "as long as you are fine and not hurt I am glad."
I say while smiling and relaxing. My tail straightened in confidence.