Norman x Reader || SAUDADE

18-N-onchalant

The next morning came a lot quicker, and we were just making sure everything is set for the journey. I have my bows on a bag slung across my back. Before going out, I decided to pay Chris a little visit. Just as I was about to enter, I noticed that it was slightly opened. I peered inside a little gently, to see what was actually happening inside beforehand. To my astonishment, Barbara and Cislo were surprisingly inside, holding Chris' small hand. 

"You can do this kid, you're strong!" I heard Barbara muttered, as I can't really see their face from my position. I sighed softly at the memory of what happened back at Norman's office, they must have been through a lot, that I would never personally experience myself. 

"Oh, _______." Cislo's voice cut my train of thoughts. 

"Hey Cislo, Barbara," I smiled at them and pushed the door even wider. 

"I'm sorry to have interrupted, I didn't know you two are visiting." I bowed apologetically. 

"Not at all, we just wanted to see the wounded kid. Vincent told us a kid hasn't even woken up from his coma." Cislo brushed my apologies off lightly. 

"The Ratri clan did this right?" Barbara furrowed her brows as she looked at Chris with a very gentle gaze. 

I stayed silent for I know that we're all aware of the answer to that question already, and I slowly made my way to the bed. 

"I just wanted to drop by to Chris before I leave today." I smiled and stroked his hair. 

"He's a very brave soul, and a strong one that is. Grace Field kids are not one to back down with just this. Do not worry." I faced them with a reassuring smile. 

"Then, I'll take my leave now." I kissed Chris' hand before fixing my cloak and made my way out. 

"Ah right, be careful in the expedition, ________." Cislo said. 

"Yes, you better get back soon else the boss will definitely lose it." Barbara added with a smirk. 

"You'll see that it'll be a victory for us all." She added. 

I laughed and nodded in agreement. 

"Of course, but I won't say for sure. Emma and Ray will definitely come back and then we'll have a true victory in the end." I grinned at them, trusting Ray and Emma completely. 

"And Cislo, Barbara, I leave the boss to all of you while Emma, Ray, Gilda, Don and I left alright? Don't let him do any stupid stunts, though I highly doubt someone like him would ever do such thing." I chuckled before closing the door behind me.

"________! Don and Gilda are asking whether you're ready to go?" I heard Jemima's voice called out to me.  Along with Yvette, I saw her run towards me just as I exited the room. 

"Mhm! I'll be there soon." I crouched down and hugged her. 

"________, you're leaving?" Yvette furrowed her brows. 

"I am, but I promise I'll be back really soon! In the meantime, you can take care of the rest in our stead right?" I asked the two girls. 

They've grown a lot these past years. Yvette grew to be a more tough, independent, mature and courageous soul and it shows in her actions and decisions, Jemima has a personality that reminds me of myself, a softer kind of person, but would do anything for the people she loves. 

"Of course!" They nodded while I held their hands as we made our way to the entrance. They rambled about the chores they've helped along lately. 

"You'll come back soon right?" Jemima looked up to me as we neared the entrance. I can tell that she felt a little nervous as she saw Don and Gilda outside getting ready. 

"Don't worry Jemima, _______ will return, she promised us right? For now, we'd have to do our best until all of them return! We'll do it together." Yvette smiled at Jemima reassuring her. 

"That's right!" I chuckled and engulfed them in a very tight hug. 

"You two, cute and strong girls!" I smiled against the hug. 

"Oh, _______! Come quick, we need to introduce you to someone!" Don waved as he spotted us on the doorway. 

Ah, it must be the possibly 'other spy' that Norman sent along to ensure that we still act accordingly with his plan, whatever it might be. 

"Coming!" I responded immediately, taking Yvette and Jemima along with me outside.

Furry. Soft. White. I have never seen dogs in my life. I can feel my excitement bubbled up at the sight of a girl with three dogs around her. 

"Are-are those what I think they are?" I squealed in front of Gilda. 

"Well yes they're dogs. But, they're," she chuckled nervously at my reaction, "Not exactly that friendly towards others I guess." she sighed as she told me about how they chased Don around. 

"Oh, by the way, this is Ayshe, she's an excellent shooter and will act as an escort throughout the way." Hayato greeted me. 

"Hello Ayshe, it's nice to meet you." I smiled and offered my hand for a handshake. 

Her eyes saw my hand for a split second before looking away in disinterest. Her blue eyes were very striking in comparison to her deep skin tone and in addition her blonde hair just held everything in perfect harmony. I was so astonished at her visual that I just didn't realize she was rejecting my handshake. 

"Please don't take it the wrong way, Ayshe's not accustomed to human interactions. She was held captive by a demon before the boss saved her." I looked at Hayato in surprise. 

"Captive?" Then I looked back at Ayshe who was tending to her dogs. 

"Yes, she can't really speak our language either. But thankfully the boss saved her. She really despises demons and would help us eradicate them." Hayato smiled at me.

Hate the demons, huh? Well it's understandable if someone was brought up in captive and treated very inhumanely. However, I can't really understand why demons would capture her without devouring her, for what reason? Either way, demons are scary enough and it was beyond me to be able to understand what they're thinking. So I decided not to press further on the matter. 

"Well I hope we'd get along throughout the journey then Ayshe." I smiled and offered her my gestures even though I know she wouldn't be able to understand the words. I hope she could at least know that I meant no harm.

We then bid our goodbye and made our way into the wilderness once again. This time, we were given a map showing possible paths that Mujika and Sonju might be travelling at. So he understood that they must've been avoiding the demon towns and other crowded areas to stay below the radar. And judging by the last place we met them, it's most likely that they'd be making their way in such a pattern. I sighed and smiled silently, this boy just keeps on surprising me to no end by each passing day. Just when I thought he couldn't top the whole grand escape plan back then at Grace Field. 

"So Ayshe and Hayato." Don muttered closely as we took a short rest to refill our bottle while Hayato and Ayshe were on guard for any possible demons. 

"Well, if I think about it, Hayato might be less of a threat. Even though the two of them are obviously sent to watch our every move." Gilda furrowed her brows. 

"It's true that Ayshe is more capable if she were to betray us. But, we have to keep a close eye on both of them. And try to conceal as many hints about Mujika and Sonju as we can." I nodded. 

"I agree, we don't know what Norman might be planning after all." Don sighed in frustration.