[68.3] Do as I say, Not as I Do

Once we got close enough to a town, I lowered us down and helped him climb off the ice chunk. We walked on the abandoned, wooded path until we came to the first sign of human life. I saw a temple with a woman in a cloak and quickly grabbed Asmonious and hid in the woods. 

That's a Holy Temple and a Holy Priestess, isn't it?!

He looked at me in confusion, "What is it?"

I glanced down at him anxiously, "Can you do a human disguise?"

His skin was still clearly an unnatural gray, but he might be able to pass as a human deprived of sun. However, nothing could hide those orange eyes.

"Um… How do I do that?"

"I… I don't know. Don't you know?"

He shook his head.

Ugh… What did Zephyr always do?

"Oh! I know! You can pretend to be my familiar. What form animal do you take?"

An uncomfortable expression came over his face and he looked away. He mumbled under his breath something ineligible.

I leaned down, "What was that?"

"-can't…"

"You can't? What do you mean?"

He turned away from me and shrunk into himself, "I… I don't like it..."

Did I say something offensive?

I bit down on my lip and tousled his hair, "Don't worry about it… We can figure something else out."

He slowly turned back to look at me, "Like what?"

"Like…" I thought for a moment until I caught sight of my ripped dress. I tore off a piece and tied it over his eyes, "How's that? Can you still see?"

He nodded, "Yes…"

"Great! We can just pretend you're a sick, blind child. It might attract a bit of attention, but if we act natural it should be fine."

"But what about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't have a face."

My expression dropped, "I didn't even think about that."

That would surely attract attention…

I looked around, trying to find a solution when my eyes were caught on a laundry line. I smiled to myself and pulled Asmonious with me over to the line. Looking around to make sure we were alone, I grabbed a cloak and rushed away.

As we walked to the town I mumbled, "...I wonder why the Holy Priestesses are always hiding their face or identity."

When the townspeople saw me, they all bowed and paid respects. Asmonious whispered to me, "It's attracting attention…"

I didn't know being a Holy Priestess would make people this interested!

"We need to find an alternative outfit."

"Do you have… Money?"

My footsteps suddenly halted, "...Money?"

"We need to buy clothes somehow right?"

I don't have any money!!!

I looked around in a panic before my gaze stopped on a distant house. I quickly pulled him over to it and hid in an alley nearby.

I gave him a wink, "I have an idea."

I created a small ice dragon and whispered to it, "Don't get caught."

It jumped over the wall, sneaking into the house of the rich person who owned it. After a bit, the ice dragon snuck back over to me, completely unseen. The ice dragon hopped into my hand, dropping a bag of coins.

I paused, turning to the boy who was watching me commit a crime with large, naive eyes.

"Um… Stealing is wrong."

Asmonious tilted his head, "But you just-"

"-No, no. Do as I say, not as I do."

"Oh… Okay."

"And…" I added with lesser confidence, "If you have to steal, only steal from the rich. Never EVER take from the poor… Do you understand?"

He nodded quickly.

I pat his head, "Good boy."

We made our way to the main street where the majority of the businesses were operating. After searching for a clothing store, I finally found a suitable one. I led Asmonious inside where we were immediately accosted by the clerks.

"Wow! What a cute boy!"

"Is he a priest in training, Priestess?"

I nodded, being careful to hide my face, "That's right."

"How cute!"

"I need to buy clothes for him… Oh, and if you have any clothes for a woman of my size."

They looked at me suspiciously, "I thought Holy Priestesses only wore the robes given to you from the church…"

I laughed awkwardly, "Did I say woman? I meant man. It's for our priest. He needs to go undercover."

They both gave each other a glance, a look of suspicion was clearly on their faces.

Wait!! What am I doing?!

Holy priestesses would never speak politely!!

I harshened my tone, "Do it before I get angry."

That jumped them into action as they rushed to pack up our things. I felt Asmonious tense up at my tone so I quickly reached down to rub his head. After soothing him, I looked around the shop. My gaze stopped on a simple hat with a white veil covering it. I touched the fabric, silently appreciating it.

Wouldn't this be perfect? It's transparent enough to see through, but dark enough that no one would notice I didn't have a face.

A clerk called to me, "We finished packing the clothes up. Is there anything else you'd like, Holy Priestess?"

I pointed at the hat, "Oh. I would like that veil."

"Right away!"

After paying, we hid off the main street and placed the new clothes in the interspatial bag. I smiled at Asmonious, "Are you ready to go home now?"

He nodded.

I took his hand and as I did, a savory smell reached my nose. I took a deep breath, "That restaurant smells amazing…"

Asmonious turned his chin up to look at me, "Do you want to go?"

"I do, but-" I paused and looked at him anxiously, "But it's clear they serve meat…"

He bit down on his lip, realizing the issue. His complexion turned pale, but he looked away to hide it. He started leading me, "If you want to eat there, I don't mind."

I assessed his attitude quickly, "Are you sure you can handle it?"

"I can…"

It would be better for him to get over his trauma by exposure therapy…

"Then… Let's go?"

We entered the restaurant where we immediately came face-to-face with bloodied steaks, chicken, and any other visibly sickening piece of meat that would traumatize any vegetarian. The cook was visible from the dining area, and swung his large knife down, completely cutting off the head of a chicken. 

Asmonious fell back into my arms, trembling as he stared in horror at the meat stacking everyone's plate. Unable to handle it, he buried his face into my thigh to avoid vomiting. Seeing him cowering as he held onto my thigh, I let out a sigh.

I guess it was too soon for him.

I bent down to him and rubbed his head, "Let's return, shall we?"

He stared back at me, "B-But… Didn't you want to eat it? You even got money…"

"You don't have to worry about me." Unable to keep my hands off his adorable face, I pinched his cheeks, "We can always come back when you feel more comfortable to be around such things."

I pulled him away and started the long walk back to the mountain. I heard his feeble voice mumble, "I'm sorry…"

"For what?"

He stared at his feet as he walked, "I'm too… Sensitive."

I pressed my lips together before pulling him off to the side. As he stared at his feet, I removed my hood and kneeled down to become at eye level with him.

"Want to know a secret?"

He slowly raised his orange eyes, "Hm?"

I gently pushed a strand of his hair behind his ear as I spoke, "I once was with a man who hurt me. I stayed with him because I thought he was the only one who could ever love me. Even when I got to run away, just one sweet word from him would drag me back… It took me a while to finally break free. Even then, I wasn't really free. I was scared to meet new people… And it took me years… Sooo many years- even a new lifetime- before I could ever allow someone to hug me without feeling as if my bones were being broken."

Ah. Is such a topic suitable for a child this age?

I cleared my throat, "Um. What I'm trying to say is that you're not alone. Just like you, I know what it's like trying to heal after such a terrible ordeal… So, you don't ever have to apologize. Instead, if there is anything I can do to help, please feel comfortable to ask. We are a family now."

When I finally looked back into his eyes, I noticed they were staring at me as if entranced by my words.

I could only chuckle and mess up his hair, "Isn't that right?"

"Mother!" Asmonious wrapped his arms around me with a large smile, grabbing onto my skirt as he hugged me tightly.

I panicked as he held onto me, "N-No no! Don't call me that!"

His tearful eyes looked up at me, making him look just like an injured puppy.

I forced myself to look away, "You're my disciple…"

"But… But I thought you said we were family?"

Hearing his sniffles, I felt my resolve weaken.

"Okay, okay! Don't cry!! How about this? You can call me whatever you'd like, but when people are around just call me Master okay?"

He looked up at me, "D-Do you not want me as a son?"

"No- NO! I do!" I picked him up and hugged him, "It just… That word makes me feel-"

-Uncomfortable.

I mulled over another word, "Old."

"S-So… That means… You do want me?"

I planted a kiss on his forehead, "Of course I do! Who wouldn't want to keep around such a sweet boy like you?! You're such an obedient child. Never throwing a tantrum, always listening… You really are the perfect kid!"

A small, gentle smile crawled across his lips as he rested his head on my shoulder.