The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

You're Not Alone

Song: You're Not Alone - Saosin

I asked to go alone in my search for Iladriel through the castle. As upset and skittish as she is already, the looming presence of knights searching for her would only make things worse. The only bad thing though is I have no idea where she could be. She's never been to the castle before so she has no idea where to go but she's small enough to hide almost anywhere. I start by checking all the rooms in the same corridor as Master's office, then ask a passing maid if she had seen anyone when my search turns up empty. Lila tells me that she saw a little blonde girl on the floor below but she went by so quickly she couldn't talk to her.

It's been over an hour now and I've gone through every inch of the castle itself looking for Iladriel. I go back to ask Mitsuhide if he will continue searching the castle for me while I check the grounds. She wouldn't be able to leave through any of the gates since she isn't being escorted, but I don't think it would be outside of the possibility that she'd be able to climb the walls. If she did, I'm not sure where she'd go because The Death Market is closed off through the tunnel. The only way she could get in now would be to barter a ride on a boat, but that would likely only lead to her being sold off as cargo. My eyes wander the the grounds, checking from the ground up to the tops of the trees for the blonde. So far I haven't seen any sign of her. I sigh and run a hand through my hair as I think of anywhere she could be that I haven't checked.

"Obi!" I turn at the sound of Shirayuki's voice and find her walking toward me from the greenhouses.

"Hello Miss, I have a question for you."

"Is it about a little girl? I came into the greenhouse and Ryuu asked me to find you. There's a little blonde girl inside and she's really upset but won't let us come near her."

"I've been looking for her. She came back with Mitsuhide and myself but when we talked to Master, she took off."

"What happened to her?"

"Her parents were taken from her last year by the castle and she hoped they were alive but-"

"They'd been executed." She sighs. "So what will happen to her now?"

"I'm going to try to find someone for her to stay with so she will be safe. Thank you for helping me but I need to go to her now."

I enter the greenhouse quietly and search the rows of plants for Ryuu. He can tell me where Iladriel may be hiding. Though she is unarmed, she could be deadly if she attacks Ryuu out of fear because he doesn't know how to fight or defend himself. I find Ryuu sitting in front of a row of planters at the back of the greenhouse, slowly picking some of the herbs and putting them in a basket. He's moving hesitantly though, has he been injured? As I draw closer I realize that isn't the case. I notice bright blonde hair peeking out on his other side. Perhaps she is holding him hostage. He looks up at me, his eyes pleading for me to help.

"Did she hurt you?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"S-She's asleep. I-I didn't want to wake her..." He mumbles as he glances back at his shoulder.

"How did you two end up like this? Shirayuki said that she wouldn't come near either of you."

"After Shirayuki left I returned to my herbs and noticed she kept slowly coming closer. She asked who I was and when I told her, she said you told her about me. She sat down a few minutes ago and watched me work but then she fell asleep."

"You're the first boy she's ever met." I chuckle. "I think the first person her age as well. I had told her that while she was here I might introduce her to you and she got nervous."

He looks back down at her head on his shoulder and asks why she's sad.

"Life hasn't been very kind to her. She is an orphan now."

I wake up to the sound of crying and look over from my spot curled up in the window toward my bed. I'd taken Iladriel from Ryuu's side a few hours ago and she stayed asleep even after I brought her in here. It's late now and the castle is still and silent except for the guards making their rounds. I reach over and light the lamp on the table, casting a dim glow through the room. Iladriel is awake, sitting up in bed with tears streaming down her face. I get to my feet and cross the room.

"I'm sorry Ila, I had no idea-" I cut off my sentence as she lunges at me.

"He killed them! Your precious Master killed my parents and now I have nothing! Torin might be dead too. Why did you let this happen!?" She yells as she swings wildly at me. With the height difference she can't quite hit my face, but I dodge most of her hits then cave and let her take out her anger on my torso. "Why did they have to die Obi? I'm alone again and I don't know what to do. I-I stayed at the Market waiting for them to come back... I'm scared Obi..."

Once her hits fade into light thuds I pull her into a hug as she starts to sob.

"I know Ila, I'm so sorry. I had no idea, but it's going to be okay. You'll stay with me for a couple of days, then we're going to head out together and figure out where to go from there."

"C-Can we try to see if Torin is okay?" Her voice comes out muffled as she buries her face in my stomach.

"I'll see what I can do."

"What about Miss Harlowe and Miss Molina?"

"We can check on them too. Now once you calm down, would you like to get some food? You haven't eaten much."

"I can have rich people food?"

"Food is food, Ila, but yes technically it's rich people food."