The two companions went on their way, the once bright day is almost coming to an end, the sun is about to fall, and the moon is about to rise. They've been searching for hours, yet, luck is not on their side. Valeria sigh "I told you this was pointless, we've been searching for hours! Yet the boy is nowhere to be found." She sigh again, deeper this time "We are wasting our time ,Celeste."
"Ngh.. maybe you're right.. and the day is about to end, it's best if we call it a day here." Valeria nods, searching for any place they might be able to get some rest. Suddenly, Valeria eyes landed on a farm near them. "Look, Celeste, there's a farm nearby, maybe we could ask them if we could stay for the night. At least there won't be a need for us to sleep on the ground." Celeste nods in agreement and follow Valeria from behind.
Upon reaching the doorway, Valeria knock on the door "Hello, anyone home?" She continue to knock on the door until someone opened it, to their surprised, it was Noir, the boy they found earlier in the market. "Noir! There you are! We've been searching for you the entirely day!" Celeste leaned closer "Looking.. for me? Why?" The boy asked "Uh.. we'll discussed that tomorrow, right now, can we sleep at your place? Anywhere is fine. Please?" Valeria plead to Noir to let them rest at his place. "Uh.. sure miss Valeria, come in." The boy invited the two girls inside.
Both of them stepped inside the house, the atmosphere is cozy, and it feels like home. "This place isn't much, but it's home." The boy said humbly "Grandpa, I brought friends to come over, can they stay for the night?" Noir's grandpa gaze slowly turns to the girls "Of course , Noir, remember what I told you, a friend in need, is a friend indeed. Treat them as you would any guests." Noir nodded.
"You guys get cozy first, I will return with some tea" Noir rushed off to the kitchen. "He is.. very active, isn't he?" Celeste said warmly, there's a hint of compliment in her words. "Indeed, he is. But enough about him, I can tell that you have other reason for your visit, mind telling me?" Noir's grandpa raised a question, both of them were taken aback, that their intention was quickly discovered by the old man.
"With all due respect, sir. We are currently looking for a new adventuring partner, your.. grandson, may just be the person we are looking for." Valeria said firmly to avoid any confusion "Hm.. is that so? And what makes you think he would have wanted that? What makes you think that's the best for him?" Once again, the old raised a question, spreading the seed of doubt even further.
With a deep breath, Celeste replied with a firm tone "Sir, we might not know what best for someone, but I can see it in him, the spark in his eyes, the urge to be free, to venture into the unknown, and to bring a new dawn to light. That's what I see in him. So.. I beg of you, give him a chance, to travel with us. I believe.. he is meant to set the dawn anew." Celeste announce her words with pride and conviction.
"You made a bold claim girl, one that is hard to deny, but even harder to accept. But, I'm willing to give you, a chance. And giving my grandson a chance, to follow the footstep of his father. You have my permission, outsiders from a far." The old man agrees to Celeste's demands, knowing the great challenges his grandson will face in the near future.
"Thank you, thank you so much, sir! We promised we'll take care-" Celeste's words were cut off short "No need dear, I want him to learn, because I know, not even I can protect him forever." Celeste was taken aback by the old man's words, but she doesn't press the issue further, instead she nods, understanding the gravity of his words.
"I'm back with the tea." The conversation was interrupted by Noir's voice, he is carrying a tray with three cups of tea. "Ah Noir, you're just right in time, we have a question to asked you." The boy tilt his head "What is it miss Celeste?" Asked the boy with curiosity "Would you.. like to go on an adventure?" The boy drops the tray, tea spilled on the floor, for a second, the boy looks confused, but then, his eyes light's up with joy "Really?!"
[---To be Continued---]