Dave exited the Lee home slightly more somber than before seeing the looks of fear on the faces of the only 2 people he knew. "know I went overboard, but I can't let people like that go...ever again."
"Lilly is sorry, Lilly knows you got mad for Lilly, you even made Lilly more healthy than ever you just scare Lilly when you're mad."
"She's right master, you are more force of nature than man. The strong do as they will and the weak do as they must that is simply the way of things." At this Dong bowed at the waist hand over fist Lilly scrambled to copy him.
Dave let out a deep breath he hadn't realized he was holding "Right, Dong I think it's time we left before more stupid hits us upside the head. Lilly, you should head home or wherever someone is waiting for you." correcting his mistake midsentence realizing how callus telling a homeless girl to go home was. he turned north out of the city when he felt a tug on the back of his cloke.
"Please don't throw Lilly away, Lilly has no one, only you are ever nice to Lilly!" the words almost a whisper carried her desperation.
Dave knew the journey would be dangerous and difficult for a full-grown man near impossible for a child even more so for one so young and malnourished. on the other hand, it was evident her life here was no better. He knew he could not meet the girls' eyes regardless of what he answered so hands on hips he again looked to the sky.
"my lord this girl has strong spiritual roots but if we leave her behind the best she can hope for is a short life as a servant in a lower-class tavern or some such." Dong only speaking for Lilly after having lived in the slums for years.
"O.K. o.k. let's go little matchgirl you get the upgrade to a little orphan Annie" Dave took her tiny hand in his like he had his daughters in all three previous lives. they began heading to the gate
"Lilly's name is Lilly, not Annie" She was clearly upset but the reason eluded Dave. Her last memory of her mother was her saying ' I'm sorry I can't give you anything more than a pretty name my little Lilly.' shortly before she died. she cherished it even more than her life.
"I know kiddo, Annie was an orphan who got adopted by a wealthy man in a story from my homeland, the little match girl froze to death I think so it's an upgrade your name is yours." His tone is one of a long-practiced teacher and father. "MN!" and other happy loli noises were the reply.
"master it's evening and it will be late before we make it to the gate I suggest we find refuge for the evening and something to eat if we can find it." the journey to and fro had eaten the day far more than his 'police action' to use an American euphemism.
Dave looked over his companions both were unmistakably slum dwellers, His smile was almost a cartoonish Chesher cat "I said orphan Annie for a reason." as he pulled out a sack of gold coins. "let's find a nice hotel." Dong raised an eyebrow and shrugged, Lilly was so flabbergasted she could be the dictionary picture for it.
"clean!" Dave waved his hand at them removing all the dirt and dust from their body and clothes He knew they would still need a good soak but it was at least good enough to get them in the door. The diverting cloke would work for Dong but he had nothing for Lilly oh well gold speaks loud and magick is silent.
"Welcome to Golden Crow you want food or room, Aiya, shoo shoo no beggars!" the man at the desk tried to drive Lilly out but as soon as Dave placed a hand on her shoulder he stopped. "Sir you think you do good thing but unless you keep not help." he spoke broken 'English' which was weird Dave's translation skill worked for literally any spoken or written language even some animals.
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"It's okay bud I plan on keeping her for a long time, I just picked her up so I wanna feed her give her a bath and get her some clothes, if you can help with that I would 'appreciate' that." a gold coin now in front of the mans face.
"Oh! oh my, you speak jigu, my huwan is. . . well a work in progress. adopting such a cute little one is the privilege of the wealthy." the coin disappeared faster than you could blink. "Tabel for two or..."
cute? Dave thought. For the first time, he took a good long look at Lilly she was so tiny that alone did make a kid cute, her ruby red hair was still dull having only been cleaned with magic, but her bright emerald eyes shone with such beauty where she just an average woman... her skin was sickly pale probably due to malnutrition so it would take time.
"A private room for three, full-course meal or no wait make it three of everything and then a sweet with a bath." the man was visibly confused for a second but you just don't question the choices of a customer flashing gold like that. "Right away sir this way, if you need anything more this Jueyan will be at your service." Dave just nodded.
The three sat as platter after platter was brought in fried, steamed, and roasted a full range of meat and vegetables the smells almost visible. Lilly rather than happy looked dumbfounded and somehow a little sad. Dave's brain kicked into high gear and "Lilly, sweetheart you can try anything you want and eat your fill you'll never go hungry again" Dave's warm smile was met with sniffling and tears as soon as Dave stroked her hair he saw the smile he just nodded. Lilly ate with gusto making happy loli noises the whole time. Dong ate silently.
"Lilly never ate so much, not in her whole life." sated and sleepy after a long day she yawned. Dave simultaneously scooped the little girl in one arm and stored all the leftovers with a wave of the other. Dave left a handful of silver coins on the table as he left the room. "Jueyan the room please."
Lilly dozed on Dave's shoulder until he lay her on the couch. "Dong you can use the bath first, use this." Tossing Dong some 'high quality' soap, Dave proceeded to pull out some odd-looking materials silver thread, shiny black snakeskin, and poofy rainbow wool. Not going to ask was the thing he finally decided was best. In the time Dong took to get clean Dave had sewn a cute nighty and some fine-looking traveling clothes for Lilly. "level 100 sewing skill kinna busted huh?" smirking at Dong.
gently stroking Lilly's hair "Hey kiddo, wake up time for a bath." he spoke softly but her response could almost be described as fear or dread "Yes Master Lilly will wash you, Lilly is a good girl." Dave didn't quite follow "Nah sweetness well clean you up good I can wash myself, you're not a servant o.k.?" Her eyes watered a little as she nodded. without a word, Lilly took off her rags and waited for Dave to take the lead. He collected her rags thinking he would repair them later took her by the hand and led her to the bath. She sat rigid on the washing stool and waited. The scrubbing went with only 2 odd instances She giggled at the scalp massage, and in the brief moment Dave was scrubbing her groin and backside Lilly started to grind into his hand which he didn't notice. After toweling her off Dave handed her the nighty rainbow wool feeling like the best mix of satan and fleece.
"This is for Lilly?! thank you, master, Lilly loves it, Lilly has never had new clothes, can Lilly where them now?" Lilly was nearly vibrating and running the whole gamut of facial expressions. Dave only chuckled and nodded. gave her a little pat on the bottom. "ok off to bed" She froze for a moment and nodded her face now blank. Dave washed up equipped some boxers and hopped into bed only to find Lilly already there 'presenting' herself "Wohw their sweetie come here a sec." "Sleep!" Dave held her in his arms covered them both snuggled tight and went to sleep.
Dave woke up to a tiny hand trying to excise him from his boxers leaving him more confused than anything "Lilly is sorry, Lilly didn't mean to fall asleep, Lilly is a good girl, Lilly knows all the good things, please master don't hurt Lilly, Lilly will do a good job." she was frantic Dave did the only thing he could think of and just pulled her into a hug. they both cried silently.
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