The little girl surprised me. Who is she? She's clearly from a tribe from the demon continent based in her characteristics. Is she from the orphanage? Maybe Mist and Celeste came with the children to play here?
Nonetheless, I quickly jumped off bed.
"Hello! Are you lost, dear?" I asked curiously. As she nodded timidly.
"Y-Yeah… Wow… Y-Your ears are pointy like the lady… Your skin is white too, very bright…" She said, slowly admiring me. "Red hair! Like mister Allan…"
"Huh? You want to touch me skin? Here." I said. I decided to let her satiate her curiosity, as her tiny blue hand touched my skin, I quickly realized her hands were rough and not soft at all, she was filled with scars.
"A-Anyways, what's your name? What are you doing here?" I wondered. The girl seemed to not have a clear focus, though she said she was looking for Shade.
"I-I… I was brought here by Mister Allan and Shade… T-They said they will bring mama back… S-So I have to be strong with Mister Teddy… And wait here… B-But I got lost…" She sighed.
Awww… She's so cute my heart is melting.
And… apparently my father and Shade brought her? So she's not from the orphanage? And also bring her mother back… Who is she?
"I see…! My name is Sylphy, I am Mister Allan's daughter! I am eight years old, and you?" I asked.
"Mister… Allan's daughter? Wow! …A-And my name's C-Celica… This is Mister Teddy…" Celica timidly hid behind her plushie, as she moved his little arm as if it were greeting me.
"Nice to meet you Mister Teddy, hehe." I giggled, as I gently petted Celica, she seemed timid and closed her eyes, but realized I meant no harm. "Don't be afraid, you're so cute I couldn't help but give you a pat."
"Hmm… C-Can you help me find Mister Allan, Sylphy?" Asked the little Celica, her eyes were like those of a puppy, I cannot resist.
"Yes, of course! Let's go outside, give me your hand so you won't get lost." I said.
"Hmm… B-But my hand is ugly…" She said.
"Sylphy's too pretty… My hands… rough…" She sighed.
"Eeeh? What are you talking about? Look, I got a ton of scars!" I said, showing Celica my belly and back, quickly finding out the large scars I had from Hell's battle several years ago.
"S-So many…" She said.
"Yeah, I went through my fair bit of challenges!" I said with a smile. "Honestly, I like my scars. It shows that I was strong enough to survive these challenges. Don't be shy about them, they're a trophy that shows you've survived until now!"
"Ooohh… Trophy…?" Celica said surprised.
"Yes, like something you're proud of. Instead of making it your weakness, why not make it your strength? Something to bring out courage?" I asked with a smirk.
"Courage… I-I don't know…" Celica said.
"Come on, give me your hand, I'll guide you. We are not so different." I said with a smile. "And you're not ugly, you're a cute girl! I'm sure you'll grow to be even prettier."
"Pwetty… Me?" Celica blushed, as her blue face turned slightly red. She shyly covered her face with her Mister Teddy.
"Yeah! Now, let's go, let's not keep ourselves here. I am super hungry! Are you hungry?" I wondered.
"Yeah… I'm hungy…" She said.
"Let's eat something yummy then!" I guided Celica as she finally trusted me enough to give her my hand. It was slightly rough due to her scars, but it was still soft for me.
We walked outside my tent after I put on my sandals. The morning was slightly cold but I could bear with it easier than before. Perhaps it might be because of my Physique.
Walking over the grass, we quickly reached the big tent where my parents were. In the way, I had noticed a whole lot of new people, none of them human, nor elf or dwarf. Some had horns, others more animalistic features, beast-kin, and demons, probably.
Filled with questions in my mind, I reached the large tent where my mother was cooking a large pot of stew with meat and potatoes and sharing it with everybody. The stew looked good, honestly. It had generous chunks of meat and big pieces of potatoes and carrots, the people was wolfing it down happily.
"Everyone is eating yummy food?" Celica wondered, sucking her thumb.
"Ah, Sylphy! You're here." My mother greeted me, as I noticed my father, Shade, and Nepheline giving out plates with stew and a piece of bread to the people.
"Y-Yeah, what happened? Who are these people? I also found this little treasure when she arrived at my tent…" I said, referring to Celica.
"Aunt Faylen, I'm hungy…" Celica slowly walked towards my mother.
"Here you go dear, come sit down with Sylphy to eat." My mother said, putting the food over the table, as Celica ran there and sat down. "These people are former slaves your father and his friend rescued last night. Sigh… For now they'll join us until they decide to either go on their own. I have already made up my mind that they might stick with us."
"My father did what?!" I asked in shock.
"Yeah I expected that response. Your father and Shade went out and rescued some slaves, not only that, those two also stomped over the organization holding them captives and now made them their underlings. They'll infiltrate other organizations to rescue more people. I think…" My mother sighed, she seemed slightly stressed out about the whole thing.
"My father is really reckless!" I said. I had to recognize it. He was more reckless than even me. There was no way I would just infilter another organization, especially as weak as I am. Ah, I guess it doesn't apply to my father and Shade, they're both monsters.
"SIGH! Finally someone agree with me! This is why you're my daughter." My mother said, kissing my forehead. "Here, go eat with Celica for now, we'll explain things to you later."
"Okay then…" I sighed. "By the way, where's Aquarina and Zack?"
"Both are helping in sharing food and helping getting clothes to the people, they already ate." My mother said. "You woke up a bit late today as usual…"
Maybe cultivating at night makes me more exhausted, so I end up oversleeping…