•Time: 20 minutes after arriving
Pov: Nhazul
"S-shit, my cardio is definitely not good," I say between breaths, my full sprint turning into a pathetic jog.
"H-how are they so..huff.. fast?" I gasp, stopping to catch my breath while watching the girl still sprint ahead.
(This is not worth it... maybe I should just give up and focus on finding a way back.)
I bend over, still half wheezing but slowly calming down—when suddenly, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
"Huh?" I take it out and see… a notification from "error" that says: continue.
"What the fuck? How is there a message on my phone—it definitely has no signal" I look up from the screen and realize the girl is nowhere in sight.
"Ah, fuck!" I shove my phone into my pocket and start running again.
(The crash, then getting sent here, and now my phone… what the hell did I do to deserve this!?)
I keep searching until I bump into someone, making them fall while I barely keep my balance.
"Sorry!"
???:"Hey! Wait!"
The person shouts, but I'm already running off.
(Sorry, no time to argue.)
Meanwhile, the boy in the tracksuit just stares at my retreating figure in surprise.
After another minute of running, I finally find the girl standing in an alleyway, looking exhausted.
"I finally..sharp inhale..caught up to you," I pant, gripping the wall for support as I get a clearer look at her.
???:"W-who are you, and why are you following me?" she asks, her breathing labored and sweat glistening on her forehead.
"I just heard someone yell 'thief' and saw you running, so I thought I could help," I say, wiping my face and stepping closer into the alley.
???:"Oh, I see—you wanted to help…" she says normally, standing straighter—then quickly switches tone. "I mean! I don't need your help. I can handle this myself!"
She tries to sound cold and distant but just ends up looking like a grumpy child.
"Yeah, well… why refuse a free helping hand?" I chuckle slightly.
???:"But why would you do that? It has no merit for you," she asks, finally looking at me—less defensive this time.
"Well… you could say I am getting merit for helping you."
???:"Huh? How? You don't even know me—and you don't look like you're from Lugunica."
"Well, you see, I'm kinda lost here. So, in return for me helping you, you could help me too," I say, meeting her gaze.
???:"Ah, I see..." She tilts her head, thinking for a moment, then says, "That makes sense. So I guess I'll accept your he—"
Before she can finish, the gem on her chest glows, and a small cat-like creature floats out, looking directly at me with a "friendly" smile that honestly feels more unsettling than cute.
???:"Now now, Lia, you shouldn't just agree with anyone," the cat says to the girl before turning to me. "Even if the person seems to mean well."
It floats closer.
???:"So why don't you introduce yourself first?" it says cheerfully—way too cheerfully that it seems fake.
(A talking, flying cat… can this get any more absurd? And why is it so damn creepy?)
I straighten up and look at the girl.
"I'm Nhazul Hatake, 20 years old. I just arrived here, apparently have no money, and nothing except what fits in my pocket. Nice to meet you."
???:"Hey, Nhazul! Nice to meet you too! I'm Puck, and the cute girl behind me is—"
???:"Satella. My name's Satella," she says quietly, looking slightly sad and reserved.
(Satella… definitely a unique name, but honestly one of the least weird things I've seen today.)
"That's a nice and unique name. Nice to meet you both, Puck and Satella," I say with a smile.
Both of them look surprised—Puck mildly so, but Satella's reaction is much stronger.
Satella:"I… I'm also a half-elf," she says, almost like she was expecting me to react badly.
"Oh! So that's why you look so unique, and frankly—" Ipause for a moment, deciding whether to say it. "—beautiful."
The alley falls silent. Then suddenly, Satella crouches down, and turns away from me her hands on top of her head.
Satella:"You're such a dunderhead, Nhazul!" she says, turning to glare at me—cheeks tinted pink.
"Is that even an insult anymore? It sounds so outdated like something from the 1800s," I say, amused.
Out of nowhere, Puck lightly punches my cheek—though it feels more like being hit by a marshmallow.
"I mean, that didn't hurt, but why hit me?" Iask, turning to him.
Puck:"I don't know! I just felt this weird feeling and had to let it out!" he says, sounding unreasonably cheerful.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not into animals," Isay, smirking.
Puck:"It's not that! I'm just really happy!" he insists, floating up and sitting on my head like it's his personal throne.
(Huh. Never thought I'd have a cat—especially a talking, flying one—actually like me. Guess there's a first time for everything)
I glance at Satella, who's now standing again but a small smile is on her face.
"Well then, may I ask what exactly got stolen, so I can help?"
Satella:"It's my insignia. It has a red jewel about—" she motions with her fingers, "—this big in the middle."
I rub my chin, thinking
(Must be something valuable, either in worth or sentiment. The best place to start looking for any clues is where it got stolen.)
"Can we go to where it was taken? The thief might've left some clue there."
Puck:"Nice idea, Nhazul! You're really smart for someone who chases strangers down the street."
"Thanks Puck… wait, what did you just say?" My left eye twitches.
(Cute cat, sure, but he's getting on my nerves.)
Satella:"He's like that, Nhazul, don't take it to heart. I think it's wonderful that you're helping me—it shows how good of a person you are."
She smiles and yeah, I'm not afraid to admit she's damn beautiful like a angel.
"Uh… yeah, thanks, Satella. Anyway, let's get going."
Satella:"Of course! Follow me!" she says, way too cheerfully for someone who just got robbed.