Chapter 3: Morning with Blue

Next morning came by like a blast. The morning sunshine entered my curtains like a sharp knife, forcing me to open my eyes and wake. I got up feeling tired, as if weights had been cuffed around my limbs when I was asleep. Thinking about it, it was because I was up reading about various medicines that I ended up sleeping so late. When was the last time I agreed to something ridiculous? I didn’t know. I just knew that the look Blue gave me wasn’t that of a liar. However, a part of me still don’t believe that such a cute face could belong to a guy. Most definitely not. She must’ve her reasons for hiding some information away from me. But even with that thick, mysterious cloud misting around her, I decided to place my trust on her.

After getting up and about to get my day started, I went downstairs to check on Blue. She was already up when I got there, folding the sheeting and blankets I lent her last night.

“How was the couch?”

Blue let out a small yawn before saying, “Good enough.”

“You know there’s a free room upstairs, right?” I said, continuing to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea.

“I’m fine. It’s nice and quiet I kinda like it down here.”

“If you say so.”

While the tea was brewing, Blue followed me to the kitchen and sat on one of the stools across my wooden counter.

“So what’s your plan for today?” she asked.

“Hmm, I’ll probably stop by at Gramps first.”

“Gramps?”

“Yes. He owns the equipment shop next door. We need to get you geared before we leave the city walls after all.”

“Booo. Do we really have to leave today? I want to go sightseeing. Still, a trip to a real blacksmith store doesn’t sound too bad; I’ve always wanted to see one.”

“Sorry, there’s a schedule that I have to meet or else this workshop would have to close down.” I grabbed two wooden cups from the drawer on my right and poured tea for us both. Nudging away from the stove, I set the cups down and sat beside Blue. “That’s how strict the alchemist guild is. They don’t want lazy alchemists.”

Blue looked at me for a moment before taking a sip of her tea. “Come to think of it, this is a pretty big house. Do you live with your parents or somebody else?”

“I used to,” was all I said. A time of silence ensued between the two of us, so to keep the atmosphere from getting awkward, I continued. “Pops was an adventurous man, always dragging mother in his experiments. Eventually, however, his thirst for knowledge got ahead of him as he went and pursued forbidden knowledge, to which he paid for something dear — his and my mother’s life.” Looking at the speechless Blue, I sighed a big one and gulped my hot tea in one go before I resumed talking. “Ever since then I promised to myself that I would achieve something greater, but I wouldn’t take the same path.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it, Blue. I’m long over it.” I smiled to reassure her, but it didn’t seem like it helped, as the gloom on her face remained. I didn’t want to see her make that kind of face. It pained me in a different way, as her pitying was the last damn thing I wanted.

After a few more seconds in silence, Blue finally asked, “Do you miss them?”

“I’d be lying if I say I don’t. What about you? How long have you been trapped in that body?”

Blue held her head like she couldn’t remember. “I honestly don’t know. All I could I remember was me walking from school with my friends and then… that was it.”

“School? Are you talking about that famous magic school? You must be a noble then.”

Blue vigorously shook her head. “No, no. Just a regular school where we learn arithmetic, history, language and some more.”

“First time I’ve heard of that.”

“Really? You didn’t have to go to school here to learn your skills?”

“No. It was Gramps who taught me how to smith and the others I acquired after apprenticing from different mentors, but most of what I learned is self taught. That’s why it took me a while to get my license.”

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“I see. Must be why this workshop is so important to you. I admire that.” Blue sent me a smile with a hint of dimples, causing me to momentarily lose my focus.

I shook my head to get her cute face out of my mind. “Thanks. Well, we should go and finish breakfast so we could leave as soon as we can.”

Blue responded with a salute and said, “Aye-aye, sir!”

I proposed the idea on getting her new clothes but Blue disagreed, saying it wasn’t her style. So after scouring through my mother’s closet, I found the perfect change of clothes for Blue. They were a size smaller, especially on the chest area, but it was good enough to make her feel comfortable.

As soon as we got that out of the way, we hit Gramps’s place next door.

Entering through the front door, I called out, “Gramps, are you awake?”

No response, so Blue and I continued inside. I rang the bell on his counter to see if he was awake. After the third ring, a man with bulging arms and muscular stature came out from the back — it was Gramps. It seemed like he was busy working, as he stunk of sweat when he greeted me.

“Getting ready to leave, Claude?”

“Yep.”

“Who’s the young lady?” he asked, moving his gaze to Blue. But before I could even utter an answer, Blue grabbed me on my collar and dragged me outside the shop.

“What the hell, Claude?! That old man’s ogling me like I’m some kinda girl.”

“You are a girl, Blue. Now you better start getting used to it if you don’t want to attract even more attention.”

“But…”

“If something were to happen, I’ll take care of you. Just trust me.” My words managed to convince her, so I fixed my collar and re-entered the shop. I could never understand her worries and insecurities. Though after placing myself in her position, I did find it awkward. Have I ever made her feel that way? I wanted to ask, but decided to forgo and just go on with what we came there for.

“Sorry about that, Gramps. My friend here, Blue, is a little shy.”

“I don’t mind, but make it quick. The furnace is waiting.”  

“Absolutely.” I began to explain what I have in mind for Blue after seeing her fight yesterday. Gramps threw a few suggestions, which led us into choosing a pair of combat boots.

“What’s her name?” I asked Gramps.

“Umm, the boots has a name?” Cut Blue out of nowhere.

“No, silly. It’s not the boots, Blue. It’s the spirit stone.” I pointed my chin to the silver stone engraved on the toe box.

Blue stared into it, like she was entranced. I couldn’t blame her. The spirit stone completed the boots and made it a masterpiece. Then again, it didn't seem like that was what she was asking about.

“You don’t know about spirit stones?”

“Obviously. Didn’t I told you before? I’m not from here,” scoffed Blue.

I sighed. “Sorry. We’ll take the boots, Gramps. How much is it?”

“Hah! Worry about money when you have a real client. I’ll put it in your tab for now.”

“Thanks.”

But after laughing out loud, Gramps narrowed his eyes at me. “Claude, make sure to bring your wood spirit. It’s especially helpful to where you’re headed at.”

I tapped the wooden sword hanging on my waist. “I have her here.”

“Good. Also, remember that Blade hounds wouldn’t hesitate to slice your throat. So strike before they do. Catching them unprepared would also help in taking them out.”

“I’ll remember. Thanks for all the advice, Gramps. I’ll stay some more, but clock’s ticking and we have to go.”

“Just make sure you have that medicine you brew last time when you visit again.”

“You mean it actually worked?”

“For a whole night.”

“Interesting. I’ll add it on my log then. I might have to make some adjustment to make it last longer than intended.”

“As long as it works.”

Gramps headed back inside after bidding us both farewell for the day. As for us, it was time to get ready to head out and finish this request myself.