Triiffic-Soul: Can I Be In Control?

Chapter 130 – How Have You Been?

Compared to before, Elly seemed better, while still tired like when they left the first time. She was noticeably less exhausted, and her face at least looked like she tried to take it. 

They didn’t stay in the streets and instead went inside the house. The place appeared messier, but everything was in organised piles. There were also more proper beddings placed out evenly, but some had clearly been moved closer to each other.

Luna asked, “Has anyone been troubling you?”  

This time they were talking at the downstairs table; the room they had used last time had been completely converted into a storage room. 

“No small talk first?” Elly said, acting offended. “You are looking a little different this time.”

“My attribute has stabilised.” Luna smiled, “And, it does look like you are in better health.”

Elly groaned, “Not much choice in the matter, but your support has for sure helped.”  

“It’s not much."

“Heh, nothing much, she says. Anything helps, and some months I was getting worried if you were even eating.” 

“I can hunt my own food just fine if I did ever get that low.”  

“With a sword that large, you better be able to do it. I don’t want someone I know to be overcompensating for something.”

Anlesa chuckled, “Heh, sure.” 

Syrus opened up their bag and pulled out another small sack of coins. “The newest payment, hand-delivered.”

Elly smiled. “Thank you.” She accepted the offering. “I’m happy you came personally… It’s been so long.”

“That… it has…” Said Eva, reminiscing on that time. It had been a few months at this point since they had last seen each other, which occurred at the end of the previous year. It was already well into mid-to-late autumn after the new year's summer ended. 

For many people this wasn’t that long of a time; many people like Lavender would stay working in a place for years at a time before visiting family. Though Lavender only gave a small portion of her paycheck to her family as a thanks, she was purely working and living her life away from her starting home. But for Elly and Anlesa, who last saw each other after that major incident, this short time apart felt like forever.

“So any issues?”

“Still poking around, are we?”

“Well, are there any problems?” 

Elly shook her head. “Nothing major, just the everyday life troubles.”

Elly took a sip of the drink she brought with her. “You know, I never thought about being a mother or caregiver, but here I am… And it's been hard, a physical and mental burden that has even haunted my sleep on a few occasions.”

Luna asked, “Are you fine saying that aloud?”

“Yeah...” Elly smiled and turned her head to a child who was peeking through the upstairs' door. “Peeking is bad behaviour.” 

The kid poked out their tongue and closed the door behind them. 

Elly continued, “I needed to be honest–” Elly saw the glint in Anlesa’s eye, “–with my personal feelings and the situation.” 

Anlesa didn’t necessarily doubt Elly’s ability to keep Anlesa’s identity as Anna a secret, but the reassurance was appreciated.

“That’s…” Eva’s words mumbled out of her mouth. Luna continued, “A brave thing to do.”

“Ha.. ha… mayhaps. It was hard, but… I think it was the right decision,” Elly affirmed. She was very open with the kids about their current predicament and her own thoughts on nearly everything.

Luna asked, “So… how is everyone?”

“As a group..? They are okay; they try to find ways to help me and each other; they also try to have fun whenever they can.” Elly smiled. “A few of the kids got together to ensure that they would get together to play some games every now and again.”

“Individually?”

“Complicated… Everyone has their issues and burdens, but they are trying, some worse than others, but I am here for each one of them.”

Luna replied, “That’s all as people we can really do.”

“Maybe…”

Elly explained more about their current living condition. 

Everyone got used to the house, even if there were times being in the same room caused stress. However, they were able to set up some small rooms if people needed time alone or just not to interact with everyone all at once.

The children did try to help with the finances. Some even went directly to learn under Elly about wood carving while others tried to look in other directions. The fourteen children were all trying their best. Elly made it known for the time being they didn’t have to help with the finances and would be allowed to learn whatever they wanted, but these kids were stubborn; many had already spent many years working under their parents on the farms so they had skills and were used to working.

Elly did let it slip that there were some more pressing concerns; some of the children had been harassed, but they always stuck in groups, which saved them. Ella, who was now thirteen, took command of ‘security’ and wrote down everyone who negatively interacted with the children and talked with everyone to check if anything bad ever happened. 

Once their conversation was nearing the end, a few of the children wobbled out. Their eyes were on the prize that could grant them more money.

Billy, the shy son of Mern and still seven years old, said, “Ms. Hunter.” 

“Yes?” Anlesa turned to the child, who was the first other kid she had ever met in the village all those years ago. Seeing him stand massively below her in height was a complicated feeling, as she was only slightly taller than him in recent memories.

“Can... you take me on as your apprentice?” 

“No, me!”  

“No! Me!” 

Immediately following was a large assortment of children who wanted that role instead.

“Why, and I already have one?”

“You're rich!” 

“I’ve seen the bags of money in the mail! They are from you?! They are always so full; please teach us.”

“I want to be able to protect everyone…”

Syrus awkwardly smiled, “All valid reasons… but no.”

“Come on…” 

Syrus’ heart couldn’t handle the pleading eyes. “I will teach you some self-defence and give you tips about your attributes, but fighting is dangerous, okay?”

“Yay!”

“But, please!” 

The kids were now split on Syrus’ answer. 

“No kids, she is right; it is dangerous, and sometimes luck is the only reason people survive.”

Syrus added, darkening the mood, “True, too many people died recently because they were simply unlucky.”

This grabbed the kids' attention.

“I’m sure some of you heard the recent rumours about Arisea Station?”

“The country next door?”

“Yes,” Elly replied. Initially, she was surprised to see Anlesa, but came to the realisation of what happened recently and where Anlesa worked. She understood her coming here was just for their comfort. “It got attacked; many died.”

“Did everyone–”

“No, we won, but that still came at a cost.”

The children were silent; Syrus didn’t want to hold back on the bad that happened. She didn’t want any of these people to run off into danger.

The familiar voice of Tom was heard. “I understand…”

Elly said, “Anlesa, can we talk privately again later?”

One of the youngest children asked, “Didn’t you two already have a private talk?” 

“No, considering I was spied on.”

Another child muttered, “Wow… who could do such a thing?”

The children's mood shifted back to a positive one.

Syrus giggled, “Sure we can.”

Elly asked. “Do you need lodging?” 

“No, I already have a place sorted; speaking of which, I have a couple of tasks on my to-do list to complete.” Their transformation would be running out of time within the next few hours, and trying to keep their true form a secret from a whole house didn’t seem possible.

“You will be back later?”

“Of course, I will be around for at least a few days.”

Ella asked, her eyes serious as she stared at Anlesa, “Do you really have to go now?”

“Yes, be safe, everyone. You can all introduce yourself to me when I am back.”

Anlesa left the building, and Elly made sure no one tried to follow her.

[It… was good to see them.] (Eva)

[Yes.] (Syrus)

[There was a lot of pain in their eyes… but there was a light that wasn’t there before.] (Luna)

When they had left and were ready to find a place to stay.

“Hey…” Leah walked up to Anlesa alone; she had managed to sneak out.

“Yes..?” Syrus talked around to look at the child. She was still just as small as before, but her light ginger hair had a small shine of blue now, and her blue eyes were no longer mucky.

Leah asked, remembering the conversation they had long ago. “Have… you been able to get revenge?”

Eva answered, “Have you been trying to enjoy your life?”

“I’m… trying.” Leah nodded.

Eva continued, “It has begun, and it won’t be stopping. So, don’t worry.”