Ines grabs my wrist before I can even move.
"You're him, aren't you?"
"You should be more concerned about the dark infestation sweeping this place." I state as Ines releases her grip.
"How did you...?" She stops, dropping her head with a bite to her lip. "Being a doctor is a struggle. I've spent more than half of my life devoting myself to research of medicine and magic to help those of various species and race alongside my teacher..."
"I can not imagine the strain it puts on your body, mind, and aura."
"Yes, I'm afraid it's no easy task. Balancing work, education, and my family. This is why I did not fight against my parents selling Striker..." She sighs as she holds out her hand, a small wooden, cubed box appearing on her palm. Which she places in mine. "I would appreciate if you could give this to my master. Her name is Lake."
By the feel of the box, I immediately recognize it as a sample of the dark magic from this hotel. "You supported selling Striker to get her far from here." I realize.
"It was a gamble. I postponed the sale for a while because most of the buyers I did not trust."
"How do you know you can trust me?"
"I know you're a good person, your highness." Ines says with such boldness. "Although you're in the middle of a conspiracy, and being a Prince of an unjustified slaughter. Still, my master holds you in high regard. And your aura is rather human."
Lies. She fears me and she can see through the mask I put over my aura. It was meant to trick magic users into thinking I am not completely Sin. Especially the fairy and dragon. It takes little to trick the weak but it takes so much to convince the strong. Perhaps they all have noticed by now.
"Never trust your eyes." I tell her, putting the box away into my pocket realm. "Sometimes people cheat and lie to get what they want. Especially humans."
Ines drops her head. "I suppose you aren't wrong..." She then looks at me again, this time wiping the sadness off her face with a fake smile. "Let's get you healed up."
With a hand over my face, Ines shuts her eyes and opens her lips. But stops, as if noticing skmething.
"Wait a minute..." She presses her palm on my face and swipes across. "Your wounds are healed."
I give her a small smile. "Look at you. Such a wonderful and talented doctor that you already healed me when I wasn't looking."
Ines widens her eyes, brushing a stand of her dark brown hair from out of her face. "Aha~ I didn't do anything, silly."
I take that split second to make notes about her that I haven't considered before: Ines shares not a single physical similarity with Striker. Instead of blue eyes, Ines and her parents hold brown ones. Instead of doe eyes, they either have a varied degree of down-turned or slanted eyes. Through these obvious differences, I can see why they don't share as much magical potential as Striker does.
"I suppose I'll deliver this to your master then. Do you happen to know where she is now?" I asks and Ines nods.
"At this hour she's usually at the bar near the castle called Blueshire. No matter the day or conditions." She sighs, as if remembering something unpleasant. "I'm sure you'll be able to spot her. Let her know I sent you and she'll treat you nicely. I hope."
We say our goodbyes. And as I walk out of the hotel with my mask on, Striker holds out her arm in front of me.
"Be on alert, Mr horns. For some reason security is tight right now." She warns, dropping her arm. "So whatever quest my sister sent you on, you best do it fast."
I give her a small smile. "Thank you, dearest Striker. If danger rises, I'll be sure to call out to you for protection." And then I give her head a quick pat. Watching as her sadness turns into pride.
"I won't fail you!" She calls out after me excitedly before disappearing.
What a curious child. So determined and headstrong. It would be difficult to imagine she'd ever back away from a fight if it ever came to it.
I look up at the building, Moonshire, with a huff. It's quite bland in style but I can already tell through smell how lively it is.
Without hesitation, I walk in. And having done so made all eyes fall onto me.
"What ya got 'ere, lad?" A drunkard slurs, failing to correctly point at me.
"He's here for me, Stewey. So sit yer ass down."
"Roger."
After the drunkard collapses onto the ground, a woman walks into my view. She's quite muscular, pale, with these dark green eyes and very short white hair. Her clothing just like a doctors in Art's world with a hint of ours embedded in the style.
"You must be Lake."
"That I am. Take a seat. Have a drink, it's on me."
I take a seat beside her, watching silently as the bartender-- a rather aging butler guy with synthetic arms--serves us our beverages.
"Could I have Thorn Kiss instead?"
The bartender stops moving, as if shocked, but continues to serve Lake with a nod. Turning to his shelf of liquor in search for my request.
"Wow, Thorn Kiss is quite strong. Barely anyone can handle it." Lake whistles, taking her drink without a second thought as she chugs it down. "Ahhh. I'm the type of lady that prefers it rough but also brisky. Ya know?"
"A doctor that drinks. What is the story behind that?" I ask. Perhaps this question may be poking too much in terms of personal, but I want to know how much a person can handle. Whether or not they are true to themselves.
Lake sighs. "Can't say much."
"Please, do enlighten me. I am interested in medicine. Even though I won't understand a bit, I am still curious."
"I've heard. Apparently you were the one behind the catastrophic event that made my career as a doctor, all the more frustrating."
"You know about it?" I ask and she lets out a more strained breath.
"Aha...well..." Lake turns to her the breast pocket of her white coat and hands me a transparent rainbow leaf the size of my hand.
I take it, intrigued by its looks and size. But most importantly, how it feels. It's like holding a feather from a tursle's shell. In other words, it looked soft but felt like the smoothest rock you could ever find.
"What is this?" I ask.
"It's one of the 3 only official badges granted by the six kingdoms of this age. It's a sign that I am the most treasured and furnished living figure."
"Wow." I breathe. "I assume it's because of what you have accomplished, correct?"
Lake nods rather solemnly. "Yes. I am the world-wide known number one healer mage. Bestowed the honor through acknowledgement from my life's work. No other living being can amount to my abilities, nor replicate them."
"You make yourself sound like a God."
Lake's brows furrow, her sharp eyes looking at me as if I had struck a nerve. But it immediately disappears. Replaced by a fake blush, holding her face with a shy smile. "Jeez, I wouldn't put myself so high up there."
I'm not surprised. The merge of two different worlds was bound to have changed the physiology and anatomy of all beings that resided here. Not only did it change her knowledge, but also her very career.
"Say, this change would have been to your benefit. Would it have not?" I begin, reaching out for the box.
"Oi, whatcha doing there?"
"Your student asked me to deliver this to you."
Lake lowers her guard. And apparently so does the entire bar. I didn't think they would act solely on her actions. I understand now just how much respect that leaf can give.
"That hotel is big trouble." She states in seriousness, taking the box I hand to her. "Almost every patient I have had in this capital--this city-- have succumb to mysterious symptoms that reek of dark magic."
"She's right." The bartender confirms, handing me my drink. "I have...had a niece who died from it."
"I see." I murmur, taking a sip.
The taste of Thorn Kiss immediately brings me back to memories. Soothing me at first, with the tranquility. But as the strong bitterness kicks in, I'm forced to remember the unpleasantries. The smell of iron and sizzling blood. The scorching screams and cries as light dispersed into the air--
I force the entire drink down and make sure to cover my face properly, to hide my pain.
"I wish you luck on your studies. I'm sure we'll see each other again, Doctor."
And I leave without staying to hear any more.
Yes, I have a feeling I'll see the doctor again. During a catastrophic event of sorts that I have no part in. That I can confirm.