When I awoke in the morning, I was greeted by the small person from last night standing in front of my face. Startled slightly, I shot away, falling off the bed. After calming down, I got up and stared at her.
She looked at me with a confused expression, as if trying to figure out what I was doing. She seemed rather calm and unbothered by the situation.
"Sophie? Is everything alright?" Nana called out to me, coming up the stairs.
The pixie seemed frightened by this, tensing at the sound. Nana opened the door, first looking at me, before noticing the small being on my bed.
We were all silent for a bit before Nana sighed and turned away from the door. "If you're staying here, pixie, don't cause trouble." she before leaving.
Nana walked downstairs again and we just watched the door for a bit. Eventually, I got up, looked at the pixie again, and started getting ready for the day. She just watched me from the sidelines. It was a bit unnerving but I didn't think she meant anything by it.
Once I was dressed, I looked at her again. "Want… breakfast…?" I gestured to the door.
She seemed startled by my words, backing up slightly. When I made no movements towards her, she eventually nodded and started to float towards the door. She kept a distance from me, out of my reach, always having an eye on me.
I only smiled before going down to the table. Nana had already made breakfast, baken, eggs, and toast, with a side of blueberries. On the other side of the table, was a small place set up.
Nana turned around when she heard me, ushering me to the table. I gladly sat down and waited for the pixie to sit down at her spot. She did so cautiously, glaring at me and Nana nonstop.
"If you don't want to be here then leave. I don't want an ungrateful guest." Nana said with crossed arms.
I glanced between the two, worried about the glares they were giving.
"Calm… down…" I say trying to smooth things over.
Nana had huffed. "Don't think you're off the hook either, young lady. You should have told me about the little intruder when she entered your room."
I bow my head in apology. "S-sorry…" I mumble, causing Nana to sigh.
"You need to be more vigilant…" she muttered, before looking back at our guest. "You better not have done anything to the girl when she was sleeping."
The pixie only glared before sighing and shaking her head no.
"Good, then let's eat before it gets cold."
I nodded and started eating.
"You- be grateful- smite you."
I froze slightly and glanced over to the pixie but she was eating the berries, ignoring us.
"You good, Sophie?" Nana asked to which I waved her off. I was unaware of what I heard so I just let it be.
After breakfast, I helped clean the dishes before getting my shoes on.
"Where- going?" a whisper said, causing me to jump.
I looked around and saw the pixie staring at me. She had a raised eyebrow as if suspecting something.
"Are you about to go?" Nana asked, bringing me back to focus.
I nod. "Going… work…"
She nodded, before gesturing to the pixie. "Bring her with you. Theabie may know what to do about her."
The pixie hissed and glared at the old woman but glanced at me cautiously. Nana then approached me, giving me a letter then taking a cloak and putting it on my shoulders. "It will be raining today and you will need a place to hide her. Be sure that no one finds her, it will only cause more trouble. Is that understood?"
I nodded. "Yes… Ma'am…" I say before approaching the pixie. She backed off, suspicious of my actions. I simply put out my hand and waited for her to come with me.
She hesitated, before walking onto my hand and settling on the crook of my neck. I put up the hood to hide her before bidding Nana goodbye.
The walk to the guild was quiet until the small voice was heard again.
"You- me."
I jump slightly searching for its origins, only to find no one else around. I looked at the pixie who stared at me astonished.
"You do!" She exclaimed flying in front of my face. "You- hear me! How-? Why-? What is-?"
She started saying a bunch of things but her words kept going in between words I recognized and ones I didn't. The voice was also much louder than before, making me slightly overwhelmed.
"S-slow… d-down…" I say waving my hands in distress. I felt like I was being interrogated but not understanding what my integrator was saying.
Her eyes seemed to widen, realizing her mistake. "Sorry- but- strange. need- assures."
Getting the gist of it, I nod in agreement. "Don't… know… talking… about?" I strain to say but become frustrated by my words. I tried to explain myself again but the words wouldn't form and I eventually gave up.
The pixie watched my plight in silence, patiently watching me. "Go- town-," she said when I eventually stopped, pointing down the road.
I nodded, having her resituate herself under my hood again before continuing.
"Name- Nova-" she said, surprising me.
I turned to her and smiled. "My… name… Sophie…"
She smirked at me as if already knowing, before pointing to the road again. Realizing what she was asking, I quickened my pace to the guild.
Walking into the building, I made sure Nova was covered and went straight to Felix's station.
"Hey kid, you're early." He said, with a bright smile. "Everything alright, you don't usually wear your hood."
"Emergency…" I say quietly. "Need… Theabie…"
He looks confused before nodding, allowing me to enter through the back.
Theabie didn't look too happy when I entered her office, but she seemed more tired than anything.
"What is it, Sophie? It better be important."
With that, I removed my hood revealing Nova to her and Felix. Both jumped in surprise, startled by the revile.
"Felix, lock the doors now! Let no one in!" She instructed, to which the man instantly complied.
Nova seemed shaken by her words, shooting from off my shoulder to above us, ready to dart out of the building.
"I'll let you know right now I have no intention of capturing you. But if others find out you're here I won't be able to protect you."
The pixie was still tense but came back down to my shoulder. She was glaring at Theabie, gripping a strand of my hair tightly.
Theabie then looked at me. "You better have a good explanation," she said.
I was slightly intimidated but I took out the letter Nana gave me and handed it to her. Theabie took it from me and opened it, reading over its contents. At first, she was glaring but then her gray eyes softened.
"So she's the pixie from the other day," she mumbled before looking at me sharply. "Did you make a wish from her?"
My eyes widened in surprise and I instantly shook my head. The idea never even crossed my mind. "Scary…" I mumbled, reiterating the words from last night.
Theabie giggled, relaxing slightly. "Didn't think so, you're not that type of person," she said with a smile, before turning to Nova. "Why do you stay by her?"
Nova glared before glancing at me. Her eyes seemed to relent, and she turned back to the guild master.
"Owe- life- her.- Saved- from-."
Like before her voice kept going in and out of words I could understand an unintelligible language. Theabie only nodded along as the pixie explained.
Then Theabie began speaking in the same dialect seeming to surprise Nova. With that, they began to have a full conversation with each other. I didn't know much of what was being said.
Nova eventually was sitting on the desk talking with Theabie and Felix took me aside and sat me on a couch. He gave me some tea and some sweets.
"This might take a bit, so it's best to wait it out." He whispered, giving me a sympathetic smile.
I nod in understanding, eating the snacks. After eating, I took out the worksheets from yesterday and began doing them.
Eventually, the two finished their conversation and Theabie cleared her throat to gain our attention. "It would seem that Nova here, will be joining our guild for the time being," she said calmly.
Felix nodded. "Had a feeling," he said, putting his hands behind his head. He then glanced at me. "What does Sophie have to do with this? If I remember correctly, fae doesn't usually follow humans without a good reason."
I glanced at him, then back at the guild master before looking at Nova. The pixie only looked away from me and Theabie looked at her a bit annoyed.
"Sophie had intervened in the chase after Nova, preventing anyone from getting to her. Because of this, Nova now owes her a debt."
I glanced at them confused. "Debt…" I asked, looking between all of them.
"You see sweetheart, Fae, demons, and spirits have special laws that limit their impact on the world. For this instance, it is an equal exchange. Because you saved her, she must now give you something equal to the support you gave."
"In this case, you can demand anything you want. Of course, it has to be within reason." Theabie explained further, causing Nova to become bright red and start yelling in that unknown language.
I stared at them for a long time before becoming extremely uncomfortable. "No… don't want… return…" I say as quickly as possible, waking my hands in defense. "Only… did… good…"
Theabie giggled while Felix full on laughed, patting me on the back. "You sure did, sweetheart. But this is non-negotiable. It is Fae law so until she can return the debt she won't be able to leave you."
I felt so disheartened by his words, thinking that now Nova would be forced to stay here. "No…" I mumbled, not wanting to force her against her will. Regardless of what the reason would be, it felt wrong to take advantage of her.
Maybe noticing my distress, but Nova went to Theabie and whispered in her ear. Theabie listened and nodded along. She then smiled and looked at me.
"What about this Sophie," she said, gaining my attention. "What if in exchange for staying with you and Mar, Nova here will teach you magic."
I perked up slightly, glancing at the pixie. "Magic…?"
Theabie nodded. "Nova believes you have the capacity for it so I don't see why not. She also says you're able to understand her. Is this true?"
I nod in confirmation, confused about why that would be reinventing.
The blond woman only smiled. "Very few people know the language of the fae from which is the language of magic. To be able to understand even a little at your age is quite remarkable."
I began to worry, thinking there was something wrong. "Not… good…?"
Theabie only shakes her head with a close-eyed smile. "This may not be normal but it isn't bad so you don't need to worry. If anything it makes me trust you more now. It also gives me another good reason to leave her with you and Mar."
"Why…?" I ask, not understanding how she came to that conclusion.
Sighing, the guild master got up and went to the couch across from me, Nova following suit. "Unfortunately the only people in this town that can understand fae, other than you and myself, are Felix and Mar. Everyone else will only hear gibberish unless Nova explicitly allows them to understand her."
Theabie sits down and begins pouring tea for herself while glancing at Nova. The pixie had taken her place on my shoulder again, glaring slightly at the other, but almost looked to be pouting.
Theabie then laughed slightly, sipping her tea. "I trust very few people to deal with this situation, Sophie. While Nova will be registered as an adventurer and will thus be protected by the guild, others will seek to exploit her. Though you are not of age, Mar is your guardian, making it difficult for people to mess with you."
"Nana…?" I asked, not knowing what my caretaker had to do with this.
Felix laughed again, before patting my head. "It's nothing you should worry about, kid. Mar is a force to be reckoned with is all. Everyone would think twice before messing with her." he had a smile on his face but there was a bit of fear in his eyes.
"That's one way of putting it." Theabie continued, putting down her tea cup. "In any case, Nova will be under her protection and Nova would be a good teacher for you. It will pay her debt and you will gain information. It is a win-win."
I looked at her, then a Nova, nervously. "Not… against… will…"
Both seemed confused by what I was saying but then Theabie's eyes widened and she chuckled slightly. "It is rare…" she mumbled before looking at me. "This is what Nova wanted and she is determined to stick to her word so don't worry. This is her choice."
I sigh in relief and look at Nova with a smile. "Thank… you…" I say brightly. "Hope… get… along…"
She looked at me confused before smiling as well.
"Well now," Theabie interjected, bringing back our attention. "Nova has to stay here so she can register. Felix, bring Sophie downstairs so she can start a job. I'll send Nova to help soon after."
I nod and place Nova on the table. "See… later…" I say waving goodbye, before leaving with Felix.