"Hey wake up, it's time to go to the marketplace!" shouts Ebina as she gently shakes Bale. (Today's the big day! How can brother be sleeping so soundy?!) Ebina pouts.
"GRAAAAAAAAA!" Bale quickly sits upwards as if waking from a nightmare. "UWAHH!!" Ebina falls on her butt in surprise. "Huff...Huff...Huff..." Bale gathers himself and looks at the silver Zodiac stone in his hand. "...." He closes his eyes.
"A-are you okay little brother?" Ebina asks worriedly while rubbing her butt.
(Look like I'm back in Etheria) "Fuu....." He takes a deep breath and opens his eyes. He then puts a hand on Ebina's shoulder. "I'm fine sister, I was just having a bad dream."
And so, young Bale washes up and eats breakfast with his family. His day getting better by the minute just from being away from the hell called Earth.
As they approach the marketplace, Ebina and Bale's eyes sparkle in anticipation at what looked like a maze made of wooden sheds, tables, and leather roofs - with a backbone made of brown mud bricks as far as the eye can see. One can easily get lost in this marketplace - And that's before any customers even start packing the place with their frantic bodies, looking for the best bargains.
After setting up the products of clothing, jewels, vegetables and seeds inside a 10x15 feet wide stall, Tora, Milly, and Garrus settle down under its shade. Next to them is a tiny open space rented for Bale and Ebina. They are standing under an umbrella that only provides shade when the sun is directly overhead. And in front of them is a small white clay bowl to collect donations.
"Eh? Demonkin are going to sing?" says a passerby. "Huh, it's gonna be bad I bet." says another passerby. "Oh god why'd they have to be so close to my stall?" a nearby stall owner could be heard grumbling.
"..." The grownups look at the siblings worriedly. Wondering if they could weather the criticism.
"Don't worry Ebina, we'll make them eat their words." grins Bale. (I'm going to be trolling them and they won't even know it!). He then begins to strum the lute.
Ebina then gazes at Bale. (My little brother is so young, where is his confidence coming from?) She then takes a deep breath. (...but if he believes in me, then I'll also believe in myself...).
With determination in her eyes, Ebina finally finds the rhythm of Bale's strumming and parts her lips to sing. "♫ We're no strangers to loooove, you know the rules and so do I...♫"
As they continue to play the 2 songs that they practiced, a large crowd of people quickly gathered around the siblings like bees to honey. "Wow, such a heavenly voice." says a passerby as he tosses a coin into the bowl. "I've never heard music like this!" says another person. "She can't be a demonkin, that wing must be fake!" says another one. "I have this amazing urge to dance...!" In fact, the crowds got so large that the guards had to come in and disperse the crowd several times.
And just within the hour, the bowl was filled to the brim with copper Zenny.
When they were done, the siblings bowed as they were met with thunderous applause so loud, you'd think there was a festival going on.
Ebina wasn't used to the loud roars and cheering, and Bale could see that she wasn't used to such attention. So he did what any brother would do and grabbed her hand to assure her that everything would be fine. Happy at the chance to imitate his other sister Emily.
"This is what stardom is, Ebina." He smiles at her. "Don't be scared, this is your power." "I-I'll try my best, brother." Ebina stammers. (I couldn't sing like that even if I wanted to, I'm tone-deaf after all.)
As the sun sets, the marketplace comes to a close. Garrus and several of the caravan party fighters are loading boxes and gear onto the wagon, getting ready to cut it short for the day. "Wow you both exceeded our expectations, I'm so proud of you!" Milly scoops up her children for an embrace.
"It was nothing, mother." Bale smiles (Really, no effort on my part, heh). "Brother Bale helped out a lot." Ebina hugs her mother back. "Alright we're done packing, lets go!" Garrus waves at them.
After Bale and his family gets into the wagon, A ponytailed Elven woman who looks to be about 17 years of age, clad in armor also climbs in with them. Bale unconciously takes note of her sword that she lays down. She was one of the guards that helped protect the caravan yesterday. "Hiya Milly. Looks like it was a good day." She smiles. "That's right, Anne."
Toma then takes the reign of the wagon as the horses begin trotting along. Garrus is sitting next to him having a good chat.
"Your name was Ebina, right?" Anne smiles as she focuses her attention on Ebina. "Y-yes." Ebina nods shyly.
"Kuuu! I can't believe there was such an amazing songstress in our village!" She pats Ebina's head "You're really from Mardane, right? How come I never see you around?" She asks. "Ebina's pretty shy" Milly chimes in.
"That's just how demonkin are I guess." Anne scratches her cheeks awkwardly.
"And this little boy must be your son." Anne pats Bales head. "Nice to meet you, I'm Bale." Bale smiles. "How old are you, 12?" She asks. "I'm 8 years old" Bale grins, proud of his body's development.
"Wow, you're so big and muscular!" Anne can't help but lean in to analyze Bale's muscles. "T-that's just how demonkin are, you know?" Bale smiles awkwardly, feeling unsure of whether or not he's being oogled. "Hmm really?" Anne rubs her chin deep in thought. "But you're pretty muscular even for an 8 year old demonkin."
"My brother exercises a lot." Ebina nods, proud of her brother.
"Ehhh, you do? That's interesting. Are you trying to be an adventurer?"
"Do they make good money?" If the money was good enough, he would think about it. But it would have to be really good money since in his mind there are plenty of other ways to make money.
"The income isn't steady, but sometimes if you kill a really dangerous monster, find a good relic, or a golden Zodiac stone... BAM!!! you get a lot of money all at once!" Anne raises her hands in excitement.
"How often does that happen?"
"N-not often. Only the strongest adventurer unions can kill the really strong monsters, which are usually the ones that drop relics and golden Zodiac stones..." Anne puts her index fingers together as she sheds a tear.
"Oh, then I probably won't aim to be an adventurer." Bale shrugs (The risk to reward ratio doesn't seem to be worth it. Besides, I'm not delusional enough to think I'm super strong or anything).
"Oh, I see. But if you ever want to go adventuring, I can make space for you in our party, okay?" Anne smiles.
"I'll keep that in mind. But from today's results, I think it's safe to say that I'm probably going to continue performing music with my sister instead." Bale crosses his arms and nods.
"What are you going to do with all that money, if you don't mind me asking?" Anne asks.
"Nothing, I'll let my parents have it. They are taking care of us after all." "Well, that's what parents are supposed to do though?" Anne big-sweats. "..." (Amazing, my brother/son can talk to adults so easily...) Ebina and Milly thinks in unsion. "Well, I am curious about how much Zodiac stones cost." says Bale after some thought.
"Oh, they're not expensive at all. They're very common, except for the golden Zodiac stones." Anne explains.
"How much do you think it would cost to buy one of each, other than the gold one?" asks Bale.
"They're only about 2,000 Zenny each." says Anne with an index finger held high.
"So that's 12,000 Zenny for 6." Bale quickly calculates.
Anne then interrupts "You mean 14,000 for 7?" "Toma already gave me the Silver one." Bale then continues "So subtract that from the 33,000 Zenny in donations today, that'd leave us with 19,000 zen." "Wow, you're so young and you can do math so quickly!" Anne says while impressed. "Perhaps being an adventurer really isn't your calling."
"My brother has always been very smart." Ebina smiles as she pats her brother on the back. "My son can also do multiplication, division, and even calculate angles." smiles Milly. "Wow! That's amazing!!!!" Anne reels back.
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"Anyways mom, can I use the money we made today to buy 6 Zodiac stones?" asks Bale. "Anything you want, son." Milly kisses Bale on the cheeks.
"Why do you want Zodiac stones anyway?" Anne leans forward towards Bale. "Didn't you know demonkin can only use the expensive golden ones?"
"I just wanna study them and test their limits." (I wonder how they compare to Earth's weapons) "Well, I'm willing to help you with your tests whenever I'm free. You'll have to pay though." "Looking forward to it then." Bale gives her a salesman-like smile.
They arrive at a large fancy building inside the city. It has a red slanted roof, and large marble columns at the two entrances. Each entrance is a large red double door with a golden guild crest plastered above. The crest is a depiction of a quill pen resting on some sacks of wheat.
"I'll guard the carriage." Anne waves as they leave her sight and enter the building. "Owa...." Ebina is stares up in awe at the the fancy chandeliers up in the ceiling. (Does Ebina like fancy things?) Bale thinks to himself. They get in line as Ebina holds her father's hand. "Here, hold my hand so you won't get lost." smiles Milly to Bale. "Ok." Bale obliges with a smile. (This reminds me of when my mother would take me out in my past life, before she ran off with another man.)
They eventually reach the front counter as Toma smiles at the receptionist. The receptionist is wearing a red uniformed dress and a barret. Her notable features are a pair of snake-like eyes and tongue. "Hello, I'd like to make a deposit on behalf of the Mardane village trust." He hands her a bag of coins and sets a metallic square tag with inscriptions on the counter. "Alright, please wait here a minute Mr. Sparkson." She then walks away with the bag.
(In this world, only nobles, wealthy families, and people of importance have last names).
"Sparkson?" asks Bale. "Ah, well yes." Toma scratches his cheeks. "My father traded most of his business for the hand of my mother, who was a noble."
He then smiles "But the family name will probably end with me since I couldn't have children." "Oh, I hope I didn't offend you." says Bale worriedly. "Don't worry about it." Toma pats Bale on the head.
After a while the receptionist returns with 3 pieces of paper "Please sign these to confirm the transaction, Mr. Sparkson." Toma quickly grabs a quill pen and scribbles on the reciepts. "Here you go." "Thank you." the receptionist then quickly walks away again as she puts the 3 sheets into 3 separate baskets.
"Hi, how may I help you?" asks the receptionist to Garrus as she returns. "Hello, I'd like to make a deposit under the account of Toma and Milly of Mardane village." Garrus also lays a bag of coins on the table, as well as a nameplate.
"Oh I'm sorry dear, but I forgot to ask you to set aside some money for Bale." says Milly. "Did you want something Bale?" asks Garrus. "I wanna buy 6 more Zodiac stones."
"Oh alright, it's your money anyway." smiles Garrus, wanting to spoil his son.
"Wait, I'll get those Zodiac stones for him." says Toma. "What? Really?" asks Milly and Bale simultaneously. "I've been listening to their wonderful music, and hadn't paid for it." Toma winks at Bale. "Well, I'll accept your kindness then Toma." Garrus smiles gratefully. "What do you say to him, son?" Garrus continues as he pats Bales head.
"Thank you, Sir Toma." Bale bows deeply. "No problem. Consider it an investment!" Toma winks again.
Bale and his family then get dropped off at a tavern. "Thanks again!" waves Garrus to Toma and Anne as the wagon leaves. "What are we doing here?" asks Bale. "We're celebrating, of course!" smiles Garrus.
"Celebrating what?" asks Ebina. Garrus rubs Bale and Ebina's heads "My childrens first performance, and their first zenny!" He then continues "I also want my children to eat good food once in a while." "Lets go on in!" Milly shouts excitedly.
Bale looks around as they enter the tavern. It's lit up with candles and torches in various places. There are various wooden tables and benches set up in the center. And and at one end is a long polished wood counter where orders are taken, and also stools for those who are by themselves. And on the opposite of that is a small raised stage decorated with red curtains for performers. The tavern is only about half full so there's plenty of space.
"Wow, so this is what a tavern looks like inside." says Ebina. "Come on, lets take a seat." Garrus then sits at a table with seat benches as the rest of the family join him.
A waitress with a big smile approaches after a minute. She is a demonkin with long spiky purple hair with cat ears, and what looks like a cats tail poking out from her back. "Milly! When was the last time I've seen you in this tavern?"
"Is the world ending?!"
"Hehe. We're just celebrating, Leena." giggles Milly. "Hello Garus." Leena waves at the husband. "Hi there." Garrus waves back.
"These must be the two children you talk about so much at the mansion." Milly nods as she motions to the siblings "These are my children, Bale and Ebina."
"Nice to meet you." smiles Bale. (So cat girls don't really say 'Nya', guess that answers that). "H-hello." Ebina slightly bows. "Hi, I'm Leena. I work with your mother at the Arnvir estate, and I also work here with my husband on my days off."
"By the way, what are you celebrating? Is it a birthday?" Leena inquires. "We may have discounts, depending on the situation." "We're celebrating our childrens first successful music performance!" Milly clasps her hands together. "..." Ebina blushes in embarassment. "Ehh? Really?!" Leena says wide-eyed like a deer stuck in headlights. She then whispers to Garrus and Milly as if walking on eggshells.
"Uh...how successful? Like 10 zenny successful?" She asks, knowing that the only musicians who get a decent salary are government and church officials. And they only perform boring traditional music for ceremonies.
"The bowl was filled within 2 hours." Garrus whispers back proudly. "Whaaa?!" Leena shouts excitedly. "T-that's unheard of! That's definitely something to celebrate!" She then puts her finger on her lower lip
"Now that I think about it, I did hear some patrons earlier raving about singers at the marketplace." She then eyes the siblings "That must've been you two, right?" "I hope so." smiles Bale politely.
"Hmmm..." Leena has a pained look on her face. "I really wanna hear it too."
She then puts her hands together as she pleads "How would you like to make a deal?" "Everything on the menu is free. Order whatever you like." She then points at the stage "And in exchange, your children will give us a performance!" "Wow! Free?!" asks Garrus. "E-even lobster?!" Milly's eyes light up.
"That's right, even lobster." Leena says confidently.
"Is your husband ok with that though?" asks Milly. "We're always looking for performers but they're really hard to find - they usually have better things to do." "I'll leave the decision up to my children." Garrus drools as he opens up the menu.
"What do you think, Ebina? Bale?" Milly asks. "I'm okay with it." Bale gives a thumbs up. "Y-yes. It'll be good practice." Ebina then smiles "Maybe it might put our names out there." "Hmm, there is a problem though." says Bale. "What's that?" asks Leena. "I left my fathers lute in the wagon." "Oh that's fine. We have backup instruments just for ocassions like this." Leena smiles.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight is your lucky night!" shouts Leena as she stands in front of the stage. "We have 2 musicians here whose performance at the marketplace was the talk of the town!" Leena motions to Bale and Ebina standing on the wooden stage.
"Eeeh?" the patrons begin to cast their gaze upon the siblings. "Please enjoy their performance!" She shouts as she walks away. "Demonkin?" says a patron. "Why would I wanna listen to some nobody sing?" says another person. "Woah I heard them earlier, they were pretty good!" shouts another patron.
Ebina is nervously holding her hands to her chest as Bale begins strumming the Lute. "It's alright Ebina." Bale winks at her. "You'll change their opions just like earlier." "Right." Ebina takes a deep breath.
She then begins singing just as they had practiced several days before, just like they had done earlier that day. "♫ When the night ...has come, and the land is dark..♫"
Milly and Garrus hold hands as they watch their childrens performance. Tears welling up in their eyes. They were able to hold back this time because they've heard it a few times already. However the patrons were different. Their tears flowed freely as Ebina sang on. Their mouths dry, and they were planted into their seats, captivated.
For the duration of the performance, they let their food become cold and forgot their hunger. In the corner near the kitchen, Leena has her mouth covered as tears flow down her face. Her husband, a regular human man with spiky black hair embraces her. He's also very teary eyed. (Hopefully nothing is burning. I'm kinda hungry.) Bale thinks as he glances at them.
When they were finished, they bowed in silence for a few seconds. Then everyone in the tavern stood up, cheering and shouting suddenly errupt from every corner of the tavern. They clapped as hard as they could, and shouted as loud as they could. "WOOOOH!!" The boisterous roars bring in curious onlookers. "Can I adopt you?!" some of them shout. "This is life changing!" shouts another person. "This is the first time that I liked music!"
As Bale and Ebina returned to the table with their parents, the patrons surrounded them and offer all sorts of praise and support. Bale looked at Ebina and smiled as he saw her trying her best to break out of her shell. It seemed as if his life in this new world will be a fulfilling one.
After eating their fill, and performing once more, the family left the tavern while the patrons praised and cheered them. "Come back and perform anytime!" shouts Leena as she waves them goodbye.
When they arrived at the stable where the wagon was parked, Bale finds the other 6 Zodiac stones waiting on his bed. "Thanks a lot, Toma!" Bale excitedly shouts as he starts playing with the crystals. After some freshining up, the family turn off the candles and turn in for the night.
Bale lays in bed with a Zodiac stone in each hand, and 5 Zodiac stones laying on his chest and stomach. "Haha you look so stupid." Ebina in the next bed over chuckles at him. "What're you trying to do anyway?" She asks as she combs her hair. "I'm experimenting." says Bale with his eyes closed.
He remained that way until he finally fell asleep.
◈━◈━◈━◈━◈
Bale squints as the morning sunlight hits him. He then sits up and looks at the Zodiac stones on his body. "!!!" (I'm still in Etheria!!) He thinks. He then looks over to see Ebina still sleeping peacefully. "..." he looks downwards. (Was that really my last time on Earth?). He thinks. He then recalls Toma's words
〘 "Some people are compatible with more than one Zodiac stone. But they can usually only use one at any time. If one tries to use both, they usually end up just being unable to activate either one."〙
(Yesterday when I returned to Earth, I had only 1 Zodiac stone on my body) He looks at the Zodiac stones scattered across his bed. (Could it be? The condition to go back to earth is to sleep with only what I can activate?) (And on that note, is 1 the most I can activate?)
(Anyway, it's been over 24 hours here in Etheria, I wonder if my other self is still sleeping.)
Bale then imagines Johar laying in bed with his eyes open blankly "Or maybe he's awake, but with nobody home?"
"Or maybe the previous me from the past took over and is now confused as hell?" He then imagines Johar waking up in the orphanage's bed saying 'Where the hell am I?'
After eating breakfast, Toma and Anne arrived to escort them, and they all went to the marketplace as usual. This time Toma has left to attend some other business.
As their parents were selling the village goods, the siblings continued to sing the same 2 songs once an hour. Although it was repetitive - and less people crowded as a result, there were still plenty of admirers who didn't know better. It didn't matter though, as they've already filled the ceramic bowl with donations.
In the crowd, a suspicious hooded individual watched the siblings and waited patiently for an opportunity to strike. And once they were done, they sat down and relaxed, having a quiet conversation amongst themselves.
The hooded individual then quickly approaches, peeling away the white hood. "Excuse me." A female voice interrupts the siblings as they turn in her direction. A blonde human woman with long hair and rounded glasses slightly bows before them. She is wearing what looks like plated armor and a long beige skirt underneath the white hooded cloak. On her side, half hidden, is a lightly decorated sword.
"!!!" Ebina suddenly clams up. Unsure of why a knight from the Arnvir estate would approach them. "How may we help you?" Bale asks, on guard.
"I had heard that there were a pair of demonkin children singing in the marketplace." She says with a stern face. Unable to make out her intentions, Bale makes a short and calculated response. "And?" "I came here to verify it myself, you two were exceptional." She continues to say with a stern face. "Uh, thanks?" Bale says with confusion in his voice.
"Captain Fiotta Vainlash! What are you doing here?" asks Milly as she approaches from the adjacent stand. "Milly? What are you doing here?" She asks. "My husband's peddling the village wares here." "Oh I see." the captain nods sternly as she adjusts her glasses.
"Did my children do something wrong?" asks Milly as Garrus can be seen looking over worriedly from inside the stall.
"Oh? These are your children?" asks Captain Vainlash. "Yes." Milly smiles. "Why didn't you tell me your children were so talented?" asks the captain still with a stern face. "Er...we only ever greeted each other in passing." Milly big-sweats.
"I am Captain Fiotta Vainlash from the barony house of Arnvir." She faces the siblings and kneels down on one knee.
The captain then presents an envelope with a red seal on it. "Baroness Veena Aine Arnvir would like to invite you to her daughters birthday party." She then turns her head to Milly. "You and your husband are invited too."
(A baroness? That could be our lucky break...) Bale then thinks (But it could also be bad if we screw up somehow?).