Her wrist was being held by a sweaty palm. Face of the visitor was concealed by a cloak. The stranger led Ceris inside an inn while signalling for her to be silent and follow closely.
After the footsteps stopped, the stranger opened the cloak while keeping an ear out for any movement outside. A girl with purple eyes surfaced.
She was also speaking in an unknown language with an enthusiastic look. Only with her hand gestures could Ceris understand her, she seemed to be introducing herself. Unsure of how to react, Ceris remained silent with a warm smile.
With teary eyes, the girl poked Ceris for lack of reaction. Ceris indicated with a hand that she is unable to hear or speak. She fabricated an excuse since she didn't know how to explain to others that she didn't understand the language.
Thankfully, the girl stayed quiet, but her eyes were filled with curiosity and excitement.
The green-eyed girl brought her out of the back door once more by holding the wrist, led her to a lonely spot, and whistled.
A horse approached them while galloping. After grabbing the rein, the girl mounted the horse and pulled Ceris up to join her. The horse then bolted, dodging the crowd.
They came to a little cabin situated near a hillside. Although Ceris wasn't sure why she was following the stranger, the girl didn't give her any bad vibes.
The girl entered a room while passing a water bottle and started to talk in a barely audible voice. Maybe she was conversing with someone.
"Do you know why the girl brought you here, Ceris? She doesn't appear to be an ordinary person. This time, I'm telling you, your arrival in this setting may cause a serious issue. I have had peculiar feelings ever since I woke up on this strange planet; I'm not sure why." Eri began to complain.
"I share your sentiments, but am I free to choose? My instinct says that somewhere in this place I will discover the answers I need; to end my nightmares and torment. You are in pain while I suffer too. Do not be concerned about the future; a solution will be found." The cat was convinced by Ceris.
"Yes, but only if we could comprehend what they were saying." Eri sighed.
Looking around the cabin, something caught Ceris's attention. A drop-shaped fist size object was glowing softly in a pile of dirt. She was so attracted to it and subconsciously reached out to touch it, suddenly something cool entered through her finger, the tear shaped object was nowhere to be found.
Thinking it was an illusion, Ceris sat back in her seat. Eri suddenly felt dizzy.
"Bang…" Suddenly, the door of the emerald eyed girl's room opened out loud. She was out with changed clothing.
The girl sat in front of Ceris and stared her in the eyes while whispering something like a spell. In daze, Ceris nodded her head. A misunderstanding was created, maybe the emerald eyed girl thought Ceris approved the approach and maintained eye contact, the girl moved her hand to indicate Ceris to be silent and placed it on her head.
She was attempting to hypnotise Ceris. But the girl was drenched in sweat, and in barely a minute, her face had gone pale and nothing happened to Ceris.
From within Ceris, an unclear, foreign voice other than Eri's could be heard.
"The young woman is attempting to investigate you through her soul, Ceris. She will experience a backlash if it goes on like that. Break physical and eye contact with her. Even if you don't understand what she is saying, talk to her to get your message through. Let's hope she will grasp it."
Not dwindling about the voice, Ceris responded without waiting for the emerald eye girl to initiate conversation, "Friend, stop wasting your time on me because if you continue whatever you are doing, you'll perish. I am not worth your life." Ceris removed the girl's hand from her head.
The girl spat blood out of her mouth when the contact broke. The girl wiped her mouth and treated herself first. Later, she opened a brown box, tossed the things aside, and hurriedly looked through it for something.
Keeping a pill in mouth, the emerald eyed girl stood still after spotting something before beginning to murmur and placed an old hairpin on Ceris's hand.
The girl pointed to the pin and asked to wear it and gazed at Ceris with anticipation. Ceris chose to wear it so as not to upset her.
"I am sorry for what I did. I wanted to find your condition to help you but acted without your approval. Will you please forgive me?" The girl asked, blinking her teary eyes.
Ceris showed a smile while shaking her head. Maybe it was luck or what, Eri who was dizzy was wide awake and suddenly began to understand the new language and transmitted it to Ceris.
"Are you feeling any discomfort? You must be hurt from the earlier treatment." The girl with emerald eyes showed her teeth to hide the awkwardness.
Ceris shakes in denial.
"Do you understand what I am saying?" the girl asked with a surprise look.
Ceris pointed to the lips indicating she understands some of the lip movements. "Excellent job. Ivy here. The hairpin is my apology gift. Umm, can we be friends? Perhaps you are unaware, but I have absolutely no friends." Ivy adopted a dejected look. She was giving lonely vibes which couldn't be fake.
Ceris reassured Ivy by holding her hand and smiling. Ceris looked all over her body for something to give before abruptly giving a firm hug, remembering she had nothing right now.
"Oh, how will we continue our conversation then? Sigh. We can't stay here for very long, though. We have to get out of here. On the way, let's get to know one another." Ivy led Ceris out of the house.
Ceris was astounded by the abrupt experience of being able to understand a new language. Being friends with Ivy made her feel as though a dream had come true. Other than Eri, she didn't have any acquaintances either.
Ivy made the house disappear with a snap of her finger. After that, both once more took horse riding.
Ceris was so shocked by what she saw but acted to be calm so as to not show any abnormality.