Maybe Lora said the wrong thing… We were just about to leave the dungeon— ever since Lora pointed out James's obvious grey hair he kept his hood up.
He'd hold it tight when speaking, not answering Lora's questions. Yukina and I had to answer questions which were two.
One, why do we all look so young? One of James's spells removes wrinkles permanently, by the time my parents were my age they looked at least fifty.
Second, why was James so self conscious of his hair… Well… I had to answer that too. Ever since he was a teenager he had confidence in his looks, especially his hair.
So, as a man nearing his forties, it definitely hurt his ego a little bit.
James only responded… when we stepped foot outside.
"Listen, please don't stare at it too much…" He stated as he lifted the hood slightly. "I don't know what I'll look like in the future…"
"Doesn't everyone?" Lora asked, I felt her weight shift and arms on my head. "People age differently."
"I know. But generally people have an idea from their parents. And I can only remember my father having grey hair when I was a kid."
"Then it's probably a miracle you started greying now!"
"... Probably."
The air felt heavy to me, and James went quiet alongside Yukina. As a result so did I, and we silently agreed to keep going.
Thankfully we had Yukina, Lora was shivering on my back. We felt warmth from the magic Yukina had used. She was probably getting cold from all the blood she lost. And she wasn't really wearing something heavy.
One orb was next to me, and an orb between her dad and her.
Pretty quickly the cold disappeared even for me. As someone who lived in Ard for their lives… it's not bad.
As for Lora, I believe she rarely leaves the kingdom. Otherwise she wouldn't be shivering out here.
"I forgot how far Ard was…" Lora mumbled.
"This is what happens when you leave without researching." I stated.
There was an awkward silence and I felt my gut tighten.
"Shaun, you really should not be saying that."
"You really shouldn't…"
I felt my face warm up as I too let my head down. They aren't wrong…
"Listen, Miss Lora, take it as a lesson from Shaun— Do your research if you continue to adventure. That's the key to not dying or being stranded."
I felt Lora shake her head and she answered.
"I don't plan on adventuring… My body's too fragile for this. And I don't see how a girl can do it."
James and I met eyes before we all looked at Yukina. This girl really doesn't think before she speaks.
"It's an occupation for anyone… "
Yukina stayed silent at her comment.
Eventually we just kept going, there was a moment when Yukina had to stop her fireballs. But that was just before we went through the gates.
Lora and I made sure they made it home; I noticed something when we started to leave. She kept her eyes on their home… and I could see a light fall from her eyes.
"Let's get you home."
"... Okay…" Were the last words we exchanged then we left.
It didn't take long, and we made it to her shop. On the front, there was a metal plate.
[ Lora's apparel shop has been under renovation and replaced. Opening soon.] The sign on the front door read… The door knob that was there was replaced by a shiny, bronze one.
"I knew it…"
"... Did it already…" I sighed as I covered my face.
"... I'll find a place to sleep…" Lora covered her mouth and dropped her head. "I think… There's nowhere for me to go…"
I also let my head down whilst hearing her dejected voice. It's rare to see homeless people in Ard… They're usually taken to jail if found out.
Before I let her leave, I grabbed her hand— she looked at me with eyes full of tears and a sad look.
"What…? Mister Shaun, what do you want?"
"Come to where I live."
"No."
"Why?"
"You already- already saved my life… I'll figure out something."
Again she tried leaving, but I grabbed her hand.
More times she did, but I kept my hand firm… and she eventually turned to look at me with tears streaming down her face.
"Why won't you let me go?!"
"Lo-"
"Mister Shaun I have nothing! And I lost the place I held on for over a year!"
I couldn't say anything, she got in my face-
"Do you know how long I saved up?! I saved up for four years! I slept on the streets and hid from the guards! I worked at a cafe! No one cared there! They didn't care when I showed up to work, and they don't speak to me anymore. I wasn't lying when you were the first person to save me… I was only going to bleed to death there…"
She started to cry again, I only froze again.
"I'll be okay… I promise you Mister Shaun… I'll… I'll just find a job and save up, that's a good idea, that's… the best I can come up with…
"Lora, just come home with me."
"... I'll be a burden…"
"You won't, just come with me."
Time after time, I tried and tried to get her to come with me. And it worked after that I don't know how many attempts. But the moon was in the middle of the sky. The moonlight shone upon us by the time I did.
When we got back to Melinda's house she looked shocked again even more when she got inside. Her hands were clasped in front of her and down to her legs.
I helped her up the staircase and into my room.
"You can sleep on my bed, I'll sleep in the dining room." I proclaimed and opened the bedroom door. "In the drawer I have clothes you can change into."
She looks shocked.
Lora stood in the center of the room, quiet and head focused on the bed.
"Mister… mister Shaun…"
"Sleep well."
"Mister Shaun… why do you want to help me?" She asked weakly… "We barely know each other."
I shrugged at her question. "I don't know myself."
"..."
"Get some sleep, we can talk more in the morning."