"Dad," I said, standing my ground. "It's a dance. If it were a date, she would have asked with flowers in hand."
I didn't need to turn because in the corner of my eye, I could see Mano holding a black rose in her hand, dressed in her stunning dress, and her hair done nicely. I quickly left before my parents could say anything. Mano tucked the rose in my hair, then we headed out to the carriage. I avoided looking at her, my face was a little red. Once inside the carriage I sat across from her.
"Your father looked displeased." Mano said as the carriage started moving.
"Yeah, he'svery protective of me." I said, looking out the window. "I'm his only daughter, so he has a good reason to be."
"You sure it's not because you're a trouble magnet?"
I gave her a feigned offense expression. She laughed, I laughed too. We kept talking as we rode to the slave auction. It felt like minutes. Turns out she dresses a specific way to hide her missing courset. She hates them. I told her I can't walk in dresses so I wear men's suits. She asked my opinion on corset fashion and how uncomfortable it is. I told her it's hard to breathe in a corset, so I avoid them as best I can. She agreed with me. She asked where I get mine. I told her I get them custom ordered from the east farmers for materia and the seamstress family. Mano said she knew them and would consider requesting something like my clothing taste from them to try out. I said I'd love to see it one day. She laughed and agreed.
We kept talking till we arrived at the location of the slave auction. So, we got out and made our way inside. There were many inside. More than I'd like to see, coming here to buy slaves. For whatever they want. Entertainment, sadistic torture, or their own pleasures. Mano and I got seated. I could smell the demons they have trapped here. I can't let them be sold off as slaves. Then I heard a child crying. I snapped my head to the stage. A little girl, no older than five at most, was in a cage, her draconian features trembled. I stood up, my chair sent flying, ice and snow swarmed me, swallowing the event in winters cold rage. Men and women screamed in terror.
"Gia!" I felt Mano place her hand on my arm, using flame to melt ice creeping up on my skin.
"Get everyone here in ristraints, I'mgetting that child." I spoke with a distorted voice, then leaped off the overhead floor we were on, laughing myself to the stage. The announcer went flying in the winter wind. I landed just before the cage. Poor girl was sniffling and sobbing. I kneeled down, and yanked the cage door, the lock shattered. The girl jumped, curling up in a ball.
"It's okay," I said quietly, being as gentle as I can. "I'm here to help, you're safe."
The girl trembled, looking up at me. Then she looked at me, sniffing me. She scoots over, sniffing me.
"...demon blessing?" Her voice was quiet and shakey.
"That's right, I'm demon blessed." I held my hands out for her to take. I felt flames behind me. Mano must be using fire as apart of her blessing.