Chapter 5: Then She Goes Out

Sleep was something she valued. Today, it felt even more refreshing than normal. A smile winked her cheeks as she rose from the bed. Bright sun was seeping inside the closed curtain and into the vacant space beside her bed.

As her eyes searched for Jude, a gust of wind blew and a figure possessing a hair that flowed down like the silent breeze appeared. The figure wore a short ceremonial dress - a usual attire spirits wore when they materialized.

The first thing she did was wrapped her arms on her waist. Sylphie pressed their cheeks together then gave her cheek a sweet good-morning kiss. The two mounds squishing on her back furrowed her eyebrows.

“Where’s Jude?” asked Celes.

“Downstairs.”

Celes glanced at their dresser and saw his clothes neatly folded on top of the sheeting he used last night.

“Doing what?”

“Various things.” Sylphie grabbed the wet towel she prepared and began to rub her master’s face, her armpits, her foot - everywhere she deemed necessary.

Her spirit helped her get up, pulled her nightgown overhead, then slipped her arms into the silk tunic that she held up for her. As she tinkered on what bracelet to wear, Sylphie tugged on her hair and fixed it like she normally do.

“I have to wear sandals with these shorts, Sylphie.” Celes instructed as she belted her knife.

“Yes, my lady.” Sylphie grabbed the appropriate sandals for her Master to wear.

“How is father?”

“He requested for your return.”

Celes sighed. She knew it would result in this outcome the moment she volunteered on getting the sword of promise fixed. Due to her father's disagreement she had to run away. She didn’t want to be treated like an animal or pet to be caged.

She smiled as she imagined her father’s dumbstruck face. That ought to teach him a lesson not to underestimate his little girl.

Celes bounced on the bed again. “I see. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“Will you return?”

“Not anytime soon. I want to stay until the sword is fixed at least. But I’m glad to see you back, Sylphie. Now I won't have to worry about Jude attacking me tonight.”

“But you two were holding hands when I got here.”

That made her flush. “Ugh, don’t even remind me about it.”

“How is he?”

“He’s stupid, an idiot, a jerk, but… he’s kinder and sweeter than anyone else.”

The spirit lightened up, gave Celes a hurried and curious smile. “Oh?”

“He’s very mysterious I can’t describe it. Like he always has something going on in his head.”

Sylphie crossed her arms and exhaled a sigh. “I have to say he has a strong mental fortitude to not attack you after seeing you wear such a revealing outfit.”

“It wasn’t my intention, Sylphie. You know I’m used to sleeping like this.”

“I know. So what’s the plan for today?”

“Let’s see.” Celes returned her gaze to Jude’s clothes and it gave her an idea. He did say something about him not having any spare clothes. But when she saw her spirit smirked, she had to shrugged it off. The last thing she wanted was her spirit's teasing.

* * *

The wooden steps produced a faint creaking noise as Celes trudged down the stairs. To prevent others from having a heart attack, she instructed her spirit to hide herself in the meantime. Maybe when the time was right, she would explain. For now she looked for Jude.

She found him, stirring a pot in the kitchen. She didn’t even have the faintest idea of what he was cooking, but she did like the idea of looking at his back, seeing what he was up to in the morning.

Jude turned around. “Yo, good morning, Celes.”

“Morning, Jude. What are you cooking?”

He snorted then pressed his gaze back to his simmering pot. “Eggs. You have any plans today?”

“Plenty.” What made him think she didn’t have any plans? This jerk, Celes spat in her mind as she frowned.

“I see. That’s good. Anyways let’s eat first before you go.”

Jude went for the table and pulled a chair for her. Nevermind being mad, she was sucked into his pace. There were loaves of bread on the table along with some tea and plates. When Jude came back and sat beside her, he placed a bigger plate filled of poached eggs in the center.

“Did you made all this?”

“The tea and the eggs, yeah. But the breads were delivered in the shop earlier, not too long ago.”

Jude explained as he reached for a loaf and cut it in half. He put one half on her plate and ate the other half in three big mouthfuls.

“Damn, tastes like wine bread. I can eat this all day.”

“You eat like a pig, Jude.” She smiled, but it was a smile that mocked him.

Jude slung an arm on her chair. “I’d blame it on my growing hormones.”

His arm didn’t do anything. It simply remained on the chair. But its close proximity was enough to make her take a deep breath. She wanted to eat her food and get the hell out.

As she sliced her bread to thin little pieces, Jude gently pulled her hair. “This ponytail looks good on you, Celes. I like it.”

He looked straight into her, his eyes warm and his voice enticing, and coupled by his praise it was enough to make a girl’s heart skip a beat.

“Stop teasing me, Jude.” Celes pulled her hair to the side and kept it away from his reach.

But his gaze remained even when she looked away. “I’m not.”

“Then mind your distance.” With one sharp move, she knocked his hand aside.

He took her cup and helped himself to her tea. “Alright. I guess I’ll see you later.”

Jude stood up and gathered the items resting within his arm’s reach.

“Where are you headed to?” Her voice managed to stop him before he strode out of the kitchen.

“I still have to return this knife, you see. Need to do it before the shop opens up. Just leave the dishes over there. I’ll clean it when I return.”

Celes nodded. It was all she could do at the moment. The blood rushed to her face as realization hits in, and in less than ten steps Jude was out of the door.

“I hate him after all.”

* * *

Bilford, a city part of the trade city alliance formed by human merchants for the sole purpose of trading. A place for aspiring merchants to start their dream. Its main attraction is the free marketplace, a big separated space of land for merchants to set up their shop.

There was a curious kitten wandering around, lost in a den of lions. Hidden by her grey hood, Celes visited the marketplace in hopes to get Jude some spare clothes.

It was her first time visiting a crowded area and also the first time she went out by herself. But with her trusted companion - visible only to her - by her side, she never felt so secure and safer than before.

As she walked around the streets wide enough for a wagon to pass by, Celes started to notice the growing crowd. The food stalls were beginning to pack with housewives it turned turbulent wherever she looked.

Celes was lost on what to do with the ensuing chaos. Then someone bumped her shoulder. She turned around, wanting to glare at the person who didn’t even offer an apology, to give him a piece of her mind, but a moment’s notice and he was gone.

Annoyed, Celes moved on and fought her way inside. It was a little harder than she thought, but she persevered. Finally she found a stall that sold what she wanted to buy. But as she looked at the clothes in display, Celes bit on her lip.

It was an insult to call them proper clothing and the shirt's plainness irritated her. Then again, she didn’t want to come back inside that crowd. She apologized to Jude in her head as she bought him a few pairs.

* * *

It was late afternoon when she returned. As Celes took the stone steps back to shop, a figure wearing a mischievous smile stopped her on her track.

“Cliona, stop stalking us and go back to the forest,” said Celes.

“Aww, Lady Celes. I’m not here to ruin your fun,” said the mysterious figure, strands of crimson hair sticking out of her hood.

Celes glared back. “Then get out of my way.”

Following what she said, Sylphie appeared behind the figure, arms crossed, lips tight. It was a cold warning.

“As you command, my lady.” The figure bowed and walked away.

Fearing for Jude’s safety, Celes sighed. What is it about him that attracts these spirits? Since they traveled together, he was stalked and haunted by multiple spirits which she had to drove away.

Continuing on inside the shop, she saw Jude jotting down some notes, alternating his gaze from a sword on display back to his little notebook.

Jude gave her a swift sidelong glance. “Celes? You look worn out. Are you okay?”

“I am.” Not wanting to worry him, she forced a smile on her face. A sweet smile with a twitching eyebrow.

“Celes, you should at least be honest if you’re tired. Come, I’ll take you upstairs so you can rest.”

It seemed like her attempt at lying didn’t work. Jude scooped her up off her feet, took the short flight of stairs, then kicked his way through their room. She felt comfortable, but what surprised her so much was how she wrapped her arms on his neck so casually. Right after setting her down, he knelt and unstrapped her sandals.

“Just take a nap or whatever. I’ll bring your dinner here,” said Jude.

“Hey, Jude… Umm… How was your day?” asked Celes.

“Busy. But it’s fun.”

Hearing him say that delighted her. “That’s great… And ah, I got you some clothes.”

Celes showed him the results of her hard earned fight. Although she found the results a little unsatisfactory, it was still better than nothing. After Jude opened the bag she handed to him, he smiled.

“Clothes?”

‘Well yeah… You said you don’t have a spare so… I had this idea. I’m not sure if it fits and it is a little plain… so yeah. Sorry.”

“No, what are you talking about? This is great.”

Jude squished her closer and kissed hair. That got her blood rising on her cheeks and she moaned a little. But more than anything else, she liked how she melted inside the security of his arms. It was damn sensational.

Then Jude held her hand, his dark eyes locked into hers. “Actually, I know this is selfish of me to ask, but I’m also wondering if Celes could teach me how to read and write?”

She let out a short laugh. “You can’t read?”

“I can’t, and I’m embarrassed to say, but I don’t have anyone to run to. I only have you, Celes.”

Her heart stuttered, an almost painful reaction. Poor Jude. What kind of life did he lived to not even know the basic necessities?

Now she knew the reason why he acted so confused when he looked at her map. It was an understandable reaction, but mysterious in its regard. Then again, there were similarities to how they lived their lives, but she was still unsure on how kids were raised in this type of society.

“I don’t mind teaching you, Jude.”

As soon as those reassuring words left her throat, his lips were on her hand. Celes flushed, but did not pull away. She sat where she was as he released her, as he walked out and shut the door.

She heard him utter a small thanks, but her mind wasn’t able to process it fast enough.

Celes rolled onto the bed, buried her face into her pillow and pulled the coverlet over shoulder. Jude wasn’t anything she’d known. And she would give it her all just to find out who and what he was.