A Man for Himself (Norton X Eli) [Identity V] *UNEDITED*

Chapter 15 - Ribbons

But the seer didn't enter alone much to Norton's disappointment. Following after Eli was none other than his guard dog, Naib.

Norton was brought back to a point in his memory when he saw the two wearing clothes of the same color and pattern. It was pleasant to see Eli again with those beautiful star patterns on his face.

"You're finally awake. Good morning!" Eli greeted with a warm smile as he set folded clothes on top of Norton's bedside table together with a helmet that looked similar to his. "How's your head?"

Norton wanted to be surprised that Eli was greeting him without any sign of awkwardness, but he was more confused at the fact that these two people were in his room.

"It's fine, I guess," he answered with a small smile.

"We can't have that kind of answer," Naib hissed.

The mercenary remained standing at the door, leaning against the doorframe. He was dressed in fancy and frilly blue clothes that matched his blue hair. The scowl on his face didn't go with them very well.

"You don't have to be rude to him," Eli reminded with an apologetic smile to Norton. "By the way, Miss Nightingale asked me to bring those to you." He pointed to the folded clothes. "Those are yours. She said they'd look better on you if you'd dye your hair blond. Personally, I think she's right. Might not look so bad."

"Let's go," Naib snorted.

"Anyway, join us for breakfast. We'll be at the pavilion," Eli said before making his way to the door. "See you there!"

The door slammed close. Norton figured it was Naib who did it. Once the two were gone, the prospector sat in his bed for a minute or two, thinking about how strange the encounter was. Perhaps he's thinking too much into it. After all, Eli was kind. He's usually polite to people, so it's only appropriate for him to behave that way around him.

With a heavy sigh, Norton slowly stood up to check the clothes that were given to him. Unfolding them piece by piece, he found a new pair of black pants, a vest with several patches, a yellow scarf and a clean white button-down. There was a small bottle as well that was hidden inside the pocket of the pants which he assumed was a hair dye based from its description. He didn't think Eli was serious about it.

Delighted at the new clothes that he received, Norton took the bottle of dye and went to the bathroom to experiment with it on his hair. Its effect wouldn't last long, but it would last long enough for him to flaunt his new look. After half an hour or less, the prospector came out of the bathroom, freshly bathed and with freshly dyed golden locks. He put on his new set of clothes immediately and examined himself in front of a whole body mirror. Much to his surprise, he looked different. It's still him, but he didn't look grimy; and he loved it.

After his final preparations, Norton headed to the pavilion where he found Eli and Naib sitting at a table with Aesop who seemed to be dressed up in dark blue pajamas with yellow moon patterns. They didn't match his personality.

"Good morning, gentlemen!" he greeted as he approached the table.

"Good morning, Mr. Campbell! Please take a seat," Eli greeted back, pointing to a vacant seat across from him.

Aesop didn't seem to mind Norton's presence as if he'd completely forgotten the events that had taken place the previous day. Naib had a scowl on his face as usual.

"Thank you." Norton smiled and took a seat.

Today's breakfast was different. It was a stack of pancakes covered in honey coupled with a cup of hot chocolate. He didn't know what he did to deserve it, but he wasn't going to refuse it. After all, breakfast like this was already considered luxury to him.