Nicolette

I think I've been here for seven hours now. Patricia's house was a bit run-down, but it was warm and had that sense of home that I've never had.

Nicolette was just bursting with more energy after our afternoon snack. We've been through every single part of the house, each with a bit of a playful story.

I've finally got my bit of rest and I've cleared my mind off whatever the king said. My only concern right now is how I'd be able distract Nicolette enough so that Patricia and Ben could make something special for her birthday tomorrow.

"Come here, Elicit!" She grabbed my right hand. "Come on!"

Nicolette kept pointing at the ladder to their roof.

"Be careful, now! I haven't fixed the roof yet!" Ben shouted from below.

We carefully tread the ladder. After reaching the wooden roof-lid, Nicolette blissfully showed her favorite spot on the roof. From there, one could see the entire slums, some of the common's row-houses and inns, and only the castle's front gate and towers were visible from the distance.

"Look!" Nicolette pointed up in the sky. "Patricia said my parents became stars when they left me."

I gave a sympathetic smile. Nicolette didn't seem to notice.

"What was the last memory you had of them?"

The violin that Nicolette almost never leaves, the one strapped behind her back somewhat called my attention. It seemed like it was trying to talk.

"I don't know. I was only two years-old. But I'm sure my instrument is from them." she said,

"....I'm sorry. I didn't know" I lied, hoping I'd get a bit more information.

She "It's like when I play, it feels like I'm hugging them, and they hug back."

"I never knew mine." I lied again. It was somewhat a habit for me to lie, having been trained to.

"Wow. I... didn't know that Elicit." she tried to console me. "But then, you're a good guy, right?"

I couldn't face the innocent child, so I looked away. I gazed above instead, hoping she'd take a glance at it too.

"If everyone who died becomes stars... Then..." Nicolette made a puzzled face.

For a second there, I remembered a few people that I've 'turned to stars'.

"Wouldn't the night sky eventually be bright like... in the morning...?"

I shook my head. "You're too young for that."

A running man from below took my attention. His attire says he's with the city guards, but doesn't look like the ones that I "turned to heavenly bodies", or so I thought.

The man gave a wave to Nicolette, still catching his breath. He tries to reach his pocket, and grabbing paper out of it.

"Howdy do, Lettie! A've you seen this man?" He shows Nicolette a wanted poster. The photo wasn't so clear, but I could see a young man with dull, red hair. He looked decent, but probably a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"it doesn't look like anyone I know."

"I think I saw him earlier this morning! Hours before I met Elicit! He bought one from me, too!"

"You there" he pointed at me.

"....?"

"What 'bout you, kiddo?"

I've got no idea why he called me a kid, but it was kinda refreshing to hear it.

"A've you seen this person?"

I shook my head

"Take care of Lettie then, y'hear?!" he immediately placed the poster, slightly creasing it with his haste to pocket it. We watched him as He runs off to the next few houses past Patricia's.

"He's one heck of a guard" Nicolette smiled. "Patt'e said he's been one for ten years now. And he was just the town mi....mili....mitia before." She said, trying hard to remember.

"That's impressive"

"yeah! He likes my music too!" Nicolette giggled. "Like that man on the poster!"

"you talked to the guy?"

"he wasn't a bad guy...I think."

"You said he bought one from you, right?"

"yeah! And he listened to me play too! Like you did!" she smiled again.

"could you play right now?"

"okay!" her eyes glistened with excitement.

"do you know what his name was?" I asked her nicely.

"I asked him." she frowned. "he didn't say what, but he told me that if I ever meet a Ne...on...awge?" Nicolette said with much effort.

"Neunauge."

"Right! How'd you know, Elcit?"

I could not tell her how much I did. How many of their own paid to kill, and how much I've avoided contact to any of them. They are a dangerous bunch, especially the ones with the flower crest. I quickly shook my head and smiled in response instead.

"Anyways...." She paused. "He told me to play a melody for them, too. He said they love music as much as I do."