Following behind Allura, Alice was unsure of where they are. It didn't seem like the coliseum from the way people was dressed and how well maintained the corridor was.
With the way how Alice was trying her best to keep as close to Allura as she could without colliding into her was almost as though she was a lost kid. This was more evident while they stood next to each other.
Alice was a little on the short side at 5ft 2 but it was still rather average. Yet compared to Allura who looked giant to her, it was no surprise that she was seem like a child in comparison. After all, Allura was a giant 6ft 6.
'Pft, cute.' Allura thought to herself seeing Alice's eyes dart from left to right. Her curiosity knows no bounds as she practically left her thoughts through her eyes while her face was unreactive. Just one glance at the eyes told Allura everything she needed to know.
"After buying you from that place, I brought you to a healer to get checked out. And once I was sure you were okay, I rented a room for the night so you could have a good sleep." Allura explained while patting her head, taking Alice by surprise.
She was to absorbed in her surroundings to react to the head pat causing her to jerk up from the sudden touch.
"Why do both you and Kaden action?" Alice asked with a frown, unsure as to what this action achieved.
"Hmm… We're just old b*stards. Don't mind it. And I suppose it's just a way to express what we find adorable? You're like a small rabbit right now, scared and curious of your surroundings." Allura laughed as they reached the front desk.
While Allura was returning the keys for the rooms, Alice couldn't help but notice the stares being directed her way. With her only wearing a dress, it was simple compared to what others were wearing not to mention the fact that she had no shoes.
"We can just say your hair and eye are side effects if anyone asks." Allura smiled, knowing it was a result of the Eye.
"Now come on, let's get you some clothes. Do you want me to carry you there?" She offered since walking around bare foot was going to be rather painful.
They don't know if there was going to be anything sharp on the roads.
"No is okay. Don't need more eyes on me." Alice shook her head rapidly. With how many eyes were staring at her, it gave her a sense of discomfort. They were all observing and silently judging. It reminded her of a time where her father and her other family members would just stand there and stare at her during the experiment.
Seeing this, Allura nodded her head and took off her jacket. With its size, Alice could easily hide her body within.
"Use this for now. Once we get you something to wear, you can be less conspicuous okay?"
Receiving the jacket, Alice felt grateful as she nodded her head and followed behind closely.
Walking onto the streets, she could feel the cold smooth stone coated in water beneath her. The different textures of the world against her body. The gust of wind, the smells of sea beasts, sweaty sailors and different smokes, while not pleasant, showed that she was outside in the world. She was not constrained or locked away.
She walked with her own feet, made her own choices and was allowed to do whatever she wanted.
She had told herself the same words over and over when she was sent to the coliseums. But it was hard to truly believe those words when a collar was chained against her neck. But now she could truly believe in her own freedom.
"I never asked, but how are you feeling? Kaden gave you the Eye and sent you into the Abyss without telling you much. And honestly, even without you knowing what you must do in the future it's quite the big task. If you don't think you can handle it, feel free to tell me okay?" Allura assured, giving Alice a path out if she couldn't continue.
"What happens if I stop?"
'Would they take away my freedom? Send me back to the Zenia's?' Alice thought to herself with a frown.
"Nothing will happen. I'll help you get a new Eye and things will stay as they are. I won't force you to do anything against your will, everything you earned up to that point is yours and yours alone. I suppose you can do whatever you want." Allura shrugged. She wasn't one to force their mission on a girl they've just met. It was not how she did things.
Hearing this, Alice nodded in understanding. She was glad that she was allowed a way out but that's not what she was going to do. After all, the price of freedom was steep. As long as its not something that violates what she believed was right, she didn't mind carrying out the task.
She wasn't someone who'll just forget about her debts just because someone said it was okay to do so.
"I'll continue. But just to make sure, it's nothing… Evil right?" Alice asked, causing Allura to laugh.
"PFT, if it was evil do you think I would tell you? But no, don't worry it's nothing evil. I swear that upon my name, which I know doesn't sound like much but trust me, you'll see in the future." Allura winked.
Realising how stupid of a question she had just asked, Alice gave herself a face palm internally.
Following behind Allura, they soon arrived at an inconspicuous building located in an alley way. There was a single main door and a window display that showed luxurious clothing for Hunters and Nobles alike.
Walking through the main doorway, the sound of bells echoed out as a woman poked her head out from behind the store. She had dark tanned skin, a pair of golden eyes and long black hair that was tied into a high pony tail.
The layout of the store was neat and tidy with one half being reserved for male outfits while the other for females. Several tables in the middle of the store displayed outfits for the common citizen.
"Sera! How's it going?" Allura called out with a smile.
"Oh for f*ck sake. Allura! I told you to not drag your smoke into my store urg." Sera rolled her eyes in annoyance as Allura still had her cigarette in her mouth.
Walking over, she jumped up slightly and snatched the cigarette before extinguishing it on the floor outside her shop.
"You know I hate the smell of smoke inside." Sera huffed causing Allura to shrug.
"Sorry sorry, I was excited to see my favourite tailor and I forgot about the cigarette."
"Stop with the tone. Makes my skin crawl hearing it from you of all people. So what do you want? You never visit me unless its something you need. So do I have to deal with my old crew again? Rogue pirates or something else entirely." Sera asked, sitting down on the table and leaned back slightly.
"Nothing to do with pirates. You might not believe it but I'm actually here to hire your talent as a tailor. I recently picked up this kid and she's gonna be following me around for a bit. Can't have her walking around in her bare feet now can I?" Allura smiled, gesturing to Alice beside her.
"I'm not a kid. I'm…20? I think." Alice frowned, trying to recall if she was 20 or 21. She barely remembered her birthday when her family was being nice to her, never mind the period where she was locked up. The only way she could tell her passing of age was based on how many winters passed by.
"Trust me kid, it doesn't matter if you're 20 or 50 you're still a kid compared to me." Allura chuckled while patting Alice's head.
"So what do you think?" Allura asked, turning her attention to Sera who was watching silently.
"What do I think? I think I can adjust a product of mine to suit her. A client had cancelled their order due to the unfortunate circumstance of death. They already made a payment for the materials so all you have to pay for is the effort it takes me. Which is around 15 platina." Sera smirked.
"Perfect, I have 15 on hand right now."
Sorting out some coins into a separate bag, Allura tossed it over to Sera before taking a seat in the shop.
"Thank you for your patronage. Now then, what's your name young lady?"
"Follow me to the back. I'll need to take some measurements quickly and you'll be able to wait out here with Allura." Sera smiled as she gestured to the back of the shop.
Giving Allura quick glance, Alice followed Sera to the back while Allura only closed her eyes and tilted her head back to relax herself.
Now that she has taken Alice under her wing, there will be a period of calm before things start getting out of control. She could only hope that others won't take long to realise the Eye has been passed down.
How much time did she have to teach Alice everything she needs to know? How much time did she had to prepare Alice? To help her hunt for Sigils? She didn't know.
"Let's just hope Sun Moon and Eclipse are too preoccupied with one another to notice." She muttered softly while thinking back to an forgotten era.