We are heading back towards the celebration, when I remember I haven’t even known the name of the man who walks slightly in front me.

“Sorry, I didn’t quite catch your name?”

“It’s Patir, though most just call me old man.” He laughs a little. I study him a little. He has a messy full beard, no hair on his head and dozens of scratches and scars showing all over the skin.

“You don’t look that old” I add. He smiles. “Flattering words coming from a youngster like yourself.” There it is again, youngster. I feel like people think I am too young. I think a little about how old I could pass as. Then I think I have never really seen my own face in this world. It’s not like there are many mirrors around. I end up ignoring it and just try to shoot for an age.

“I am not that young either. I should be around three decades old” It was bizzare for adults in this world to keep an exact age.

Patir’s eyes widen a little. “Really? You look to no older than two, at most.” He says, then laughs about it. “It got something to do with your gift? Sure is a weird set of abilities to look young, be strong and not need food” He scratches his beard a little.

As we return I notice something with my read-sight once again. Patir throws the crowd, who seemed to be a little impatient, a few handsign, upon which they seem to either feel relief or maybe a bit of joy. Maybe it was just his way of telling that everything went according to plan.

I don’t think he was necessarily wrong, but this secrecy makes me feel like I am being played and that makes me want to act cross for no other reason than knowing I am being played. I won’t though. At least not until they give me a reason.

People have dragged out furniture and populated the center of the village with it. It is all a mish-mash and most of it looks a little rickety. There is no tablecloth or anything to disguise the mismatched appearances. In the center of it all a great bonfire has been made, upon which a large cauldron is situated, alongside several spears skewered with meat. It smells good.

Patir seats me and Kassa down at one end of the horseshoe and soon, people start coming by, confirming that I will stay. I simply tell “at least for now”, but they it doesn’t really seem to curb their enthusiasm.

After being accosted by the previous fathers, trying to mix in talk about their daughters in casual conversation, like they are trying a softer approach once they learned the harder one didn’t work, the food is finally being served.

Stolen story; please report.

“Do you want anything, or?” One of the guys ask me, as he is running around with a large piece of meat, that he is cutting from to distribute.

“Yes please. I might not need food, but I love eating it nonetheless.” I say and smile. I bite into it. It tastes good. Much better than anything I have made, during my wanderings or camps.

Kassa is also tearing into it. She soon removes the hood since it gets in the way. Seriously, this kid is so troublesome! I panic a little, but I decide to use this opportunity to gauge reactions, now that her undeniably Silvestri hair and ears are in full display. I notice quite a few looks, but I can’t quite discern them. Are they confused, nervous, afraid? I don’t know. I do notice Patir miming with my read-sight once again, upon which many of the people adapt the same friendly attitude as before.

The mood felt like it cooled a little, but people didn’t suddenly attack her or bring attention to it. Or so I thought, until a few kids notice.

“Look, look! She got weird hair!”

And another little one joins in. “And weird ears too!”. Kassa notices the attention and drags the hood over her once again, looking embarrassed.

I pan back to the kids and it seems their parents are reprimanding them. It really seems my presence, the promise of what I can bring to this village, is great enough for the adults to accept it, but kids will not understand those rules.

“Ahaha, kids will be kids, but you see? Noone is going to oppose you here.” Patir says, as he pats my shoulder.

“Ah, this is a wonderful day. So wonderful, in fact, I may have something special for it. Wait here a bit.” He says as he leaves us. I check up on Kassa. I tell her it’s okay and gently peel back the hood from her. She looks at me a little confused, but starts smiling shyly. I can’t help but pet her head a little, though it feels weird since my hand touches a lot of bare skin.

“Ah, hey, Yian! Knew you’d come around!” One of the men I went out with earlier says, as he approaches me.

“Brought you this! Good soup made by my daughter, she really is a talent at housework, that one”. Geez, this again. Kassa eyes it up hungrily and his sucking up pivots.

“Of course I also brought a portion for the young miss!” he says and gives her a bowl. I had a suspicion it was initially intended for himself. Kassa just fiercely grabs it and start eating voraciously.

“Ahaha, is it good, little one?” He says.

“MM” Kassa gives an utterance of approval with her mouth full, before swallowing and saying “Much better than anything Yian ever made.” This little…. I know I thought it myself, but it isn’t good when you do it.

“Haha, we knew you’d come around. At least since the old man fetched you!”

“Is he that good at convincing people?” I ask as I try the soup. It really is good.

“Yeah, that old man is one hell of a force to be reckoned with. He might be weak in a fight, but whenever he speaks to people alone like that, they end up coming back agreeing with him!”

I really feel played now, that it is being put as the latest victim in a long list by Patir.

“Go away, you!” I hear Patir’s voice coming from behind us. The man merely smiles and retreats. “Honestly, some people don’t know when they have said too much… Now, feast your eyes on this.” A small barrel, maybe a foot tall and six inches wide is being presented.

“This here is some damn good liquor I saved for a day worth celebrating. Here, let me pour you a glass!” He eagerly pushes it on to me.