-Ophilanna

In the morning, Grandma Lis woke me up.

"Watch the shop for me, kiddo.", her raspy voice echoed throughout the building.

Getting up was rough, but she was already gone when I got the shop ready. During my cleaning, my thoughts lingered on mundane things.

Though nothing much happened.

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It's been a few hours since Granny Lis had me take over the shop. I was put on watch while she was out, for god-knows-what.

Madame Lisette's General Store sells various goods and little trinkets, it's not exactly somewhere you go without... knowing about its background. That is, a store to gather information.

The way it's done, customers enter and tell the clerk the codeword corresponding to whatever they need. Information is categorised in a few ways, the codewords circulate in the underworld every few weeks, which the Madame changes to make sure her business doesn't go under by impersonators and the like.

Which I get. I did something similar when I was just scraping by.

Eh? That brings back memories. Just a year or two ago, I was still crawling on the streets.

Begging for food and coin by day, petty thievery and listening into other's conversations by night. That life was tiring. Of course, being in this store, where I'm given warm food and water is more cozy. Though it's no less exhausting. Especially since my nightmares have been acting up a lot lately.

The reason why? I suspect it's guilt eating away at my mind. For being too weak. The entire reason I'm still going through this instead of giving up is for revenge and to become someone my loved ones can depend on.

Not that I have any friends, though, or peers. One. That's how many people I am unafraid to talk to. Granny Lis.

Yeah, yeah, I think deep down, I hold her dear like I would a motherly figure. She is, in essence. But she cannot take the place of my... actual mother. Not that she'd like to, either. We're not... like that.

What I'm glad for, though, is the peace and quiet today. The shop's running smoothly, there's little going on. Best of all, I've managed to forget about last night, that was super embarassing. I messed up letting that creep escape.

If I catch 'em again though... God. I'll fuck you up!.. is what I'd like to say, but I'm physically about as strong as a child. Figures, I am one.

Could still beat up that weirdo.. he didn't look that big, was pretty skinny... well.. anyway.

In the corner of my eye, I notice a customer. The door's bell was ringing before I turned my head completely, which was when I started stuttering, instead of saying the usual "Good morning, what can we do for you today?".

Promise! There's a good reason. Yeah. I felt like the person that came in was familiar. Though I couldn't place a finger on it..?

"H-Hello!", a small-ish figure bowed. Not wearing a hood, I'd have mistaken him for an errand boy, sporting a black cape. The only thing that threw me off, however, was his ears. Elf, he's an elf. Like me.

"W-What can we get you today, Sir?", I muttered while trying to muster him.

He didn't seem like much of anything, to be frank. What's his purpose here?

Trying to calm his breathing and anxiety, he asked me: "Is Madame Lisette here? I have a message for her.. and if possible, can I talk to you away from prying eyes?"

My eyes widened. Who's this kid? No way he's the one from last night..? That's pretty brazen. Waltzing into the store to stalk someone close-up. I'll give you a fistful, just you wait. But this felt awkward.

"Uhhh..", I scratched my cheek and turned around to look, "the Granny- I mean Madame Lisette - isn't here, unfortunately. I'm sorry, but you should come back another time. Plus, I don't even know you.."

His eyes.. just became sort of glassy. That looks frightening, you know... Don't make me feel bad.

Who are you anyway?!

"A-Alright.. I see..", his body slumped as he turned around. I guess he gave up? That easily?

Now I'm curious. What's his purpose for coming here? The real target?

"Actually", I started talking, but had a hard time picking the conversation back up, settling on an answer that seemed unsure: "why do you want to talk to me? I understand that you have a message for the Madame, but can't you tell me? She trusts me, I can relay messages to her."

From what I could see, even while his back was turned towards me, his eyes started glowing when he turned to face me. Talk about odd. Spill it and zip it!

Motioning him to the back of the shop, I quickly turned around our "Open!" sign and followed the kid. There, I gestured him to sit down opposite of me at a table we prepared in case guests came by. "Special" guests.

Finally I could get a look to size him up. Far away, he just looks mediocre. But, in fairness, he's got quite the muscular build for a young boy. Around my age, too? Don't know. Elves are notorious for their youth. I probably could take him in a physical fight if I put my life on the line. Would be hard, though.

Yeah, yeah. Enough procrastinating. Definitely got some training, that kid. So I can't just fight him, if it comes down to it. Shame.

"Uhm.. s-so..", his lips parted only to reveal stuttering. Staring at him with mild resentment and eyes that were practically telling him to spit it out, I sighed and softened up a little.

"W-..Well...", he paused, "the Madame has visited my Master this morning. I missed her by a few minutes, and wanted to tell her something in person.."

I got curious now, resting my chin on my hand: "So? What is it?", pausing to sip on my tea, "Care to explain?"

He spilled, revealed his wish to thank Granny Lis. What for, I'm not sure, but I guess she'd know.

Fair enough, that's a good reason. Wouldn't make him reveal something like that, it's the Madame's problem.

Nervously, his eyes were darting around the room, seemingly evading mine.

It's not like I'm going to grab you by your collar, you know?! Relax a bit.

Relaxing my posture, I suppose that signalled to him he could calm down, too. Then, the boy began talking once more, taking a long breath.

"S-So.. I want to apologise first.. Please don't hit me or hate me."

Huh? Why's that? Wait. You're the spy, then? I looked him in the eyes. Yeah, that kid knows exactly what.

"Were you the one spying on me the other day?", I prodded him.

Reasonably, one would deny tha-

"Yes. There's a reason for that."

This fucker just admitted to being a creep.

But I'll listen to his story before losing my cool. Who knows, maybe there's a good reason behind his actions.

"Alright. I'll listen to your explanation. But first... how long?"

Huh, he said, out loud. "How long? What.. do you mean?"

Dumbass, I snorted. "How long have you been watching me? How often? Are you some kind of pervert that watches others change or bathe too?"

His face, shocked, just fell out of frame. Haha, that looked pretty funny. Is he scared or something?

"N-No. I wouldn't. Never. And.. uh... m-mhm.. I've only kept watch on what you do o-once.."

Man, he was shaking! Poor kid. I intimidated him with my behaviour. Makes me feel bad.. given he's not doing things for a malicious reason, is what I'd like to say.

Let's wait before we judge this.

"So if you're not some weirdo that likes watching others for a funny reason", my fingers were tapping on the table, "what for, then? Pray tell?"

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Looking around, he was a bundle of nerves, alright. Repeatedly, the kid tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. N o t h i n g.

I can understand that, but it was excruciating to watch. Slowly, I was starting to lose my patience. Right, I can only tolerate so much of someone's antics, given they're a stranger and spy.

His answer shocked me, though, when his lips moved and began to utter a single word. H-Huh??

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-Eric

W-Well.. seems I really made a mess this time. Master can't fix it for me. I need to do this myself.

Or maybe I'm just doing this to prove to myself I can be useful for once.. without entirely ruining it..

Either way, when I entered the shop - Madame Lisette's General Store - I didn't expect to see Ophilanna at the counter. Apparently, she was the store clerk for today.

But her eyes really stung, maybe she was wary of strangers. Or she recognized me, which was far more likely. And well, that'd be a bummer, since I hoped to start fresh with her.. and befriend Ophilanna.

Somehow, I convinced her to let me talk to her, despite a thick wall between us.

Quickly, though, I could notice a hint of hostility from her during our conversation. It was just fair to say she recognized me? Sadly.

Eventually, as I stuttered my way through it all, she cornered me. Sweating profusely and feeling scared she would kick me out if I didn't speak my mind honestly, I uttered, to her question, "You!", rather loudly, almost like I was screaming it, then acting embarassed.

Which looked.. well like a girl would, given my position.

She asked me why I was watching her. So.. I only had one choice, right? To honestly tell her.. because it's her.

"Huh?", puzzled, she stared at me. Her eyes were wide, as if she didn't expect that. Not in a bad way.. just in a, hmm, confused manner?

"W-What..? Me?", she muttered, losing her earlier hostility entirely, "Wh-Why me?"

I didn't want her to get the wrong idea again, so I proactively told her Master told me to keep watch over her, to make sure she was safe.

Yeah, that was the best thing I could say.

"S-So..", she was blushing a little, "your Master is someone that.. wants you to keep me safe? From what, or who?"

"Just.. safe. You know, to care.. about you.", I paused, twirling my thumbs, "...like a friend."

She contemplated my words for a moment, before opening her mouth again, words parting her lips:

"A friend? So you were sent to become my friend?"

Uhh.. that sounds bad.. let me t-try..

"Not like that!", I exclaimed. It seemed a bit over the top, and that was a mess-up.

"So how then?", she sounded a little angry now.

"W-Well.. I mean.. I'm sorry..", I started to sob a little, but swallowed it. At the sight of me nearly sobbing, her anger cooled down.

Ophilanna emerged from the table and switched places, sitting down next to me instead.

Intensely, she was looking me up and down. Wow.. You're close, Ophilanna..

"No.. I'm sorry.", she put her hand on my shoulder, "You're probably trying your best to tell me and I keep flying off the handle.. My bad."

I understand that, I really do... I'm just... scared to talk. People are scary, you know?

"M-Mhm.. I'm sorry.. for spying on you. W-Well..", I stuttered while avoiding her eyes, "can we.. be friends?"

Mustering up the courage to look into her eyes, I can see some contemplation. Fingers crossed she says yes, I catch myself thinking.

On the other hand, it's not like I have a right to demand that of her.. after spying on Ophilanna.

"Hmm...", she was lost in thought, but her lips moved and words came out, one after the other, "sure. But in return, tell me everything. No secrets between friends, right?"

In that very moment, it would have been an understatement to call me happy. Really, I was relieved. Thinking of how I was supposed to fix the situation and be able to stay close to her was painful.

Now that Master allowed me to befriend her, that was my main worry. If she'd... accept being friends with me in the first place. It seems I succeeded? So it all worked out in the end?

I nodded, taking a second to answer, which prompted her to touch my hand. It made me blush, but I could pick myself up from that and gave her an answer that would hopefully satisfy her.

"For all the details.. uh.. I need to ask my Master. Or, perhaps, it'd be best if you meet her..? Is it okay if I talk to her first and arrange for that? The Madame may also want that, so you should talk to her. I'm not sure.. We'll see."

Ophilanna just nodded at my rambling without saying anything, so I took that as an "okay", and moved on to explain.

"S-So... Master is someone rather powerful in status here. You'll see that soon enough."

I paused to take a deep breath before launching my abridged explanation:

"She's an elf, like you, and has her reasons to care about your well-being and success. Actually... she wants you to come work under her guise, I guess. Of course, I'm just an errand boy. You know.. So I don't know all the little details.. I'm sorry."

Ophilanna's hand kept touching mine. She looked deep in thought, when I took her hand, which pulled her out of her contemplation. Instead of being angry at me, like before, she seemed rather understanding and pleasant about it all.

We kept talking about how amazing Master and the Madame were. Right, if anything, that was a connection we forged that very day.

Two sides of the same coin, in a way...

That's what I like about her, being so intelligent and understanding, but it's not like I can predict her moves. She's more outgoing.. than me. Well.. I admire Ophilanna a lot. Hopefully we can become good friends..

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-Ophilanna

Turns out, the boy was called Eric. Instead of a weirdo that was creeping on the low after me, he's actually got solid reasons under his belt. Wow.. I feel a bit ashamed for all that ruckus. Granny will scold me for my stupidity. But it's water under the bridge, since I made a friend today.

He seems genuinely shy and timid, that kid. I like him. Some time after we started having a deeper conversation, I could notice... uh.. feel, his sincerity and genuine care and interest in being my friend.

It was like nothing I'd ever felt, to be honest. All the strangers approaching me so far were either scammers or crooks that wanted at me or people who wanted to use me. Can you blame me for being suspicious, though? I hope not..

Eric is different. That's what I think. My chest was beating rather loudly at the end, since our hands kept touching for a while, even when I was thinking about giving him a chance. Being my friend and all.

Of course, I'll stay vigilant, who knows what he's after. Chances are, it's genuine. And this Master of his, some friend in high places, I'd like to meet, too.

Never have I heard of an elf being high in status... or even a noble. That's weird, though. Was he.. lying..?

After Eric thanked me for the productive conversation and left, I couldn't help but notice longing for a friend in my heart. So this is what I've been wanting. Huh. It's more intense than expected, this friendship feeling. Like I want to meet him every day.

Some hours passed with little to no customer appearing, until it was time to close the shop. Just after I've turned around the open sign and wanted to close the door, I saw the Madame enter from the back.

"'m back, kid", echoed through the hall, in a raspy voice, "'s all well? Nothin' happened while I's gone, hm?"

Remembering Eric's words, I only told her that it was uneventful, except for the spy from last night appearing in the store.

"So? Did you's whack it out, or what? Seein' all the furniture safe means.. you talked? Hahaha! You's an interesting one. So, did he smoothtalk ya?"

With crimson cheeks, I pouted, and she apologised for all the teasing. I'd ignored that and told her of wanting to meet his Master, and how I would do so.

"Granny, who is his Master, anyway? I've never heard of a noble elf before here.."

With a troubled gaze, she stared at the ceiling, all of a sudden.

"So he's gone ahead and said that, huh?", with confusion plastered across my face.

"Well, ain't wrong, the boy.", Granny Lis patted her leg and tried to stand up. My eyes were entirely fixated on her.

"Y'see, kiddo, his Master's the Baroness."

Huh? Oh? OH?!

My face fell out. Like that.

Isn't the Baroness the right-hand woman of the Queen?!

"The right-hand wom-", I blurted out, but Grandma Lis told me to keep quiet. Outside, footsteps could be heard. I don't think this was Eric. So...

"Be quiet now, go to the cellar.", she hushed me, motioning me to the hatch. I held back any sounds and tears while sneaking towards it. She went to her room to fetch.. what I thought was a weapon.

I did as told, opened the secret hatch to the underground cellar.. leaving Grandma Lis upstairs, and vanished into the dark, closing it above me.

I know.. she's reliable.. but I'm still worried about her. If only I was stronger... and didn't need to rely on others all the time.

In the dark of the underground, sobbing could be heard, all so quiet, but yet so noisy and loud.