𝙳𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜? 𝚁𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚜?

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟼

"—Clark."

Was the first thing I heard, awakening from the slumber I wasn't aware I fell into.

"...Hm..?"

My speech came out groggily as my eyes fluttered open, foggy gaze trying to focus on the person who had spoken.

"Wake up, would you? I believe class is over, many are leaving."

And it wasn't a person — in fact, a demon.

As my gaze focused on Aesop, I looked around the room, and he was right, people were leaving. Class really was over, then.

"..How..long was I asleep? I don't remember falling asleep, that's..odd." I chuckled, rubbing at my eyes as I sat up straight.

"Not long after we entered. You seemed..tired, so I did not wake you. Of course, not until now." He stood abruptly, pushing in his chair as he looked down at me. "..Where are we going next?"

"Oh, thanks." I gave a nod, stumbling as I struggled to stand — trying to match Aesop's speed. "Mm, I think there's a break? There usually is, I mean the class was kinda long."

"Do not fall, imbecile." He muttered as he watched me struggle, giving a short sigh. "Shall we talk to your.. friends? I'm sure there is enough time, no?"

My breath hitched as I heard him say the word 'imbecile', grumbling slightly as he did so.
"..We can. A few of them don't have a break yet.. but we can just text them, probably."

He gave a nod, tugging at my sleeve as he stepped forward. "Very well, let us go."

"—Geez, your eager, huh?" I took a step in front of Aesop, to which he stopped walking completely. "...What?"

"..Nothing of importance. You are simply short, I did not take note of your height until just now."

... And then he began walking again. Like he hadn't said anything.

I stood idle, to which he pushed me forward as he continued walking.

"What do you mean short?! I'm not that much shorter than you!" I continued walking, quicker this time as I looked back towards Aesop.

"I mean you are rather short — shorter than me. I'm only being honest." He grinned as he spoke, again looking strictly past me.

"I—" I cut myself off, simply sighing instead. "...I'm taller than Emma and she's like.. 5'4 — you're just.. tall."
( roughly 165 cm !!)

"..Indeed." He gave a nod, voice laced with sarcasm. "Anyway, where should these companions — Er.. friends of yours be located? I would assume one would stay put by oneself until next class, but I have been proven wrong."

"Maybe just outside...? There's a park nearby and we usually just go there for break." I gave a shrug — I mean, I had essentially ignored them earlier, hopefully they wouldn't be too mad if I showed up.

"Very well, let us go then." He gave a nod as we stepped out of the classroom.

It wasn't that long of a walk, so it didn't take long to get there, and thankfully — they were there.

Norton, Fiona, and Emma.

"—Ooh, Eli!" Emma noticed me first, giving a wave as she skipped over towards both me and Aesop, the other two quickly followed her.

Aesop once again stepped behind me, gloved hands resting on my shoulders. "...You are sure they are trustworthy..?" He muttered lowly, glancing between me and my friends.

I gave a short nod in response, looking towards the three stood in front of me — quickly realizing Fiona had been glaring at me.

... Scary.

"U-Uhm, this is Aesop..!" I gestured to the demon stood behind me, to which he sunk down further behind me.. odd, he wanted to meet them.. I didn't question it.

"Hehe, hello! I'm Emma!" The girl stepped forward, gesturing to the two behind her similarly to what I did. "Fiona, and Norton!" She gave a smile, hands folded neatly in front of her. "—So! How'd you two meet..? We haven't seen Aesop around..~!"

"Ehe — about that, um.." I paused, fidgeting with my fingers as I thought about how to say it — this was definitely nerve wracking.. "Remember the ritual we did.. uh, yesterday?-"

"Yeah, but why's that important right now? How does it involve your new friend? And.. and, why'd you ignore us earlier..?!" Fiona asked as she crossed her arms, continuing her death glare towards me.

"..Okay, sorry, it'll.. um make sense soon—"

I couldn't finish my speech as I was cut off.. by Aesop.

"—Put bluntly, I am a demon. You all summoned me. There." He spoke with a shrug, hands retracting from their position on my shoulders.

... I suppose that's one way to do it..