Chapter 33.5: Portia Part 2

Continuing on with my list I follow the map my client had given me. Past the commercial area, the restaurants, I walk all the way to other end of the city. From the outside, it’s a house that looks like it belonged to a witch.

Dark theme, a location where not many people frequent to, and a worn out looking house. The only uncharacteristic thing about it is that it’s near the sea, and from what I’ve seen back in my world - in movies - witches avoid salt like a plague.

Nevertheless I steel myself and knock. None. No answer even after waiting for a single minute, so I knock again. Still no reply. Since I don’t have much time to dawdle, I continue inside the creepy home. Damn even this wooden door seems like it’ll crack due to old age.

As I make my way inside I recall what my client had told me; that no matter what happens, do not be rude.

Inside, it’s as gloomy as I expected. Layers of dust and sticky cobwebs cover every surface that I can visibly see. Because there’s not much natural light flowing in, the interior is really dark despite the time being past noon.

“Hmmm?”

A calm and soft voice reverberates from within the darkness. Then a small light flares from where I heard the voice, revealing the visage of a girl no older than fifteen. Before I can even open my mouth to greet, the light intensifies, bright enough to have me cover my eyes.

Rubbing my eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness, there I find a girl - a pale skinned girl - levitating off the ground with her legs folded on top of the other. Her milky blue hair is hidden by the giant hood she wears, making it hard to estimate the length outside of her bangs and curly side hair sticking out. She approaches me, vermilion pupils looking straight into my own.

“What’s your name, boy?”

“It’s Reimuz,” I answer instinctively.

Thought she calls me boy, her looks are definitely younger compared to mine. Maybe younger than me by a few years. So why is a girl acting like this as if she’s older? Which reminds me of my client’s words; that no matter what happens, do not be rude. Besides she’s more cute rather than scary, although the two goat-sized horns protruding out of the holes of her hood are quite menacing.

“Fufufu, you’re an interesting human,” she murmurs, laughing out of the blue.

I cock my head on one side and scratch my cheek. “Umm, meaning?”

“It’s been a few hundred years since somebody called me cute.”

She doesn’t seem like she’s lying about her age. And did she just read my mind?

“Yes, I can read minds.” Damn, she looks amused saying that.

“So I don’t need to explain then?”

“Indeed you don’t, but before we continue in that regard, show me your left hand first.”

It doesn’t seem like she’ll bite it off, so I offer my left hand as instructed. She turns it over and inspect my palm, using her fingers to trace something I don’t know. My good lord, she’s even tickling me.

A moment later, she murmurs, “Hmm… Dragon Killer… You have an interesting future, boy.”

I blink. “Dragon Killer?”

“You seek to inherit his legacy, don’t you?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.”

“You’re quite dumb,” she says, shaking her head.

If you murmur some phrases I don’t know, of course I’d be confused.

She drops my hand and raise her fingers to my cheek. Like she stiffened in something, her finger stills on my face. A moment later she softens and backs away, like something pulled her, and she disappears into the deeper part of her home. The light slowly dies until it’s dark once more.

“I hate waking up at this time of the day. Come back anytime the sun is down.” Her voice booms from within. Now she’s sounding like her age. Lazy and selfish.

“Wait, what about the medicine?”

Shit, I almost forgot my purpose for coming here.

“Just mention my name, Sasara, and they’ll know what to do with it.” I can hear her giggling on the background. “Now leave before my patience runs out. I need my beauty sleep.”

“Umm, what about my payment?” Even with her oppressive presence, I stand strong. I ain’t leaving here until I get my money.

“Oh, that…” She sounds surprised.

A brown pouch comes flying at my direction. I catch it and count the contents on my palm. When my I saw the coins’s golden coatings, my eyes widen. Wow, this is way more than what I accepted this job for.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Delighted with the extra cash, I grasp the coins in my hand and bow my head. After making sure to close the door behind me, I trudge back to my designated meeting point.

The arrogant worker from before scrambles the moment I mention the name “Sasara.” Two more men follow after him and they each load a cart full of those medicines. Desperate shouting echoes from one and the other before they leave in posthaste, dragging the carts behind them.

“I wonder what those medicines are for?” I ask myself.

I turn around and notice the orange sky seeping on the horizon. It’s about time for the others to return. I look for a place to sit, waiting, listening to the sound of the waves and seagulls nearby. As I spread my arms wide on this wooden bench, I have a brief view of Celes in her swimsuit.

She’s standing there, looking out at the water, walking over the sand, feeling the sun, the breeze. She’s bare feeted, her skin tanned, and she’s wearing this silk dress on top of her two piece. Damn, she looks terrific. I see her smiling at me, gesturing me to follow. But the time I reach my hand out, her figure disappears.

Whenever I’m alone like this, my consciousness drifts to Celes right away. I use my sleeve to wipe tears from my eyes. Then I squeeze them shut, because I do not want to see mirages, but my mind conjures up an image of her smiling face, waking me up.

When I open my eyes, I see a different person.

“Something wrong, Reimuz?” Emily asks, and I’m tempted to gather her in my arms.

“Oh… Nothing,” I say. I look behind her, and I see the figure of my beloved brothers. Not sure how long they’ve been there, but I hope they didn’t see such an embarrassing moment.

Emily reaches out a hand. I grasp it, use her force to pull me back up, and whatever loneliness that was lingering in my heart went away.

“Are you sure it’s nothing?” she asks again, and I feel a sense of comfort in her voice.

I shake my head and laugh. “If there is, I think I’m hungry. Let’s find a place to eat?”

They all nod. Looking for a place to eat, we head to the commercial part of town. And with these three by my side, it feels a lot more vibrant and lively than before.