The hooded person wasn't a man at all. But a girl...
--In Hestia's bedroom--
I stood there, astounded. And here I thought that she was a man older than me. But looking at her right now, she seems to be around 11 or something. With her dark blue hair cut in a bob haircut and cold grey eyes, she really seemed like an Ice Queen.
'Who am I kidding? Focus Hestia! This isn't the time goggle around.' I thought as I snapped back out into reality, realizing that I've been staring at this girl.
"State your name and the one who sent you here?" I then asked in a menacing voice, tightening the ropes that bounded her.
"What if I don't tell you?" the assassin asked in a husky voice. This question made me feel dumbfounded, as it seems that the girl isn't a little bit intimidated by me. Well she has probably seen much more terrifying things by now. As I pondered about a threat to coerce her, I suddenly remembered my father's bizarre gifts that I have hidden under my bed. I walked over to my bedside and took something out. I then turned around, beaming.
"Then I will break your limbs." I said indicating the iron mallet I'm holding as I swung it about. Smirk*, and once again thank you dad!
Looks like the tables have turned hasn't it. And she seems to sense that as well. "Thana." the assassin abruptly said.
"Hm? What was that? " I asked her since I couldn't understand what she meant by 'Thana'. Was she referring the one who sent her or was it her name.
"That's my name." she bluntly said.
"Thana? Okay then, what about the one who sent you here?" I asked in an inquiring tone.
"I...I don't know.. that's weird. I can't seem to remember.. anything." Thana said this mostly to herself but I was able to get what she meant by that.
Can't remember anything? Can the Village Chief really pull that off? I doubt that. The old man may have held a grudge against our family, but who wouldn't stoop so low as to use Dark Magic. He's too fearful.
"Then, do you remember why you're here in my home in the first place?" I asked, hoping to get at least some leads on who dared harmed my family so I get to become the least bit prepared against them.
"I was ordered to retrieve the little girl whose affinity is very high in Nature Magic, unharmed." Thana said in a monotone voice.
So they were only planning on kidnapping Chiyo!? "For what?" I then inquired.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember..." Thana answered as she hung her head low.
Sigh*, she's pretty much thrown out by her superiors by now. What am I supposed to do now? I can't seem to let her go alone because she practically doesn't have a home to return to, seeing that someone as young as her is already sent to these kinds of missions.
I untied the ropes strapped around her and looked at my closet to see if I had some extra pillows and blankets. Aha! A sleeping bag! Perfect. I then laid it across the floor as I place some pillows to make it comfy.
"What are you doing?" Thana asked in bewilderment.
"What else? I'm setting up your bed for tonight." I replied as I went over my closet, taking out a nightgown and shoving it into her hands, who in return gave me a questioning look. "Change your clothes, you'll be staying here for the night. We'll decide what to do with you in the morning." I said nonchalantly as I drift back to sleep.
--The next morning--
"AHHHH!!!"
What was that?! I looked around hastily to see who screamed so loud early in the morning, forcing me to wake up. And the next thing I saw was Thana covering Chiyo's mouth. I then realized that it was Chiyo who screamed earlier. She must have been surprised when she saw Thana.
Soon our dad came along with our mom. "Hestia, what---Who are you!?" my mom inquired when she noticed Thana in my room.
Letting go of her, Chiyo instantly went behind our mom. Thana then introduced herself in her usual blunt tone, "My name is Thana."
"What are you doing in my daughter's room." dad was the one who asked this time. He was practically growling at her.
"I--" Thana paused and looked at me with a puzzled look. What's wrong? Why are you giving me that look? "I don't remember. Why am I here anyway? How did I end up here? What is this place?" Thana then said in confusion.
What? So you're saying that Thana just forgot everything overnight except her own name!?
"You don't remember? Give me a break. As if I'd believe you." my dad said in a threatening voice. He was actually flexing his arms.
Rushing forward, I blocked Thana from view. "Don't even think about hurting her!" I screamed, shocking both of my parents. Though there are times when I got angry at dad, this is my first time shouting back at him. "Dad! She's only a girl! So why are you acting so hostile towards her?! You're being no different from the villagers in the village!" I huffed, trying to defend Thana. I don't know why, but I've grown fond of Thana, even if it's just overnight. Probably because I pity her.
"H-Hestia...Dad didn't mean that. I'm just trying to be cautious for your safety..." dad begged me pleadingly.
"Acting cautious to a girl around MY age? I retorted, emphasizing the word 'my'. Dad looked affronted, that must have hit the spot.
"Hestia, please don't be like this. Your dad was just looking out for you, though I didn't like his way of conduct as well. If you'd like, I'd prefer to have a talk to Thana." mom then intervened. Considering this, I agreed. After all, I was planning let my parents handle these kind of affairs, since I don't have that much knowledge about them. Thana however, looked reluctant.
"Its ok. They're my parents." I reassured Thana as she followed our parents into another room, leaving me with Chiyo. Um...why is she staring at me so intently?