Italics = Actions.
Bold= end of chapter or emphasizing.
------= scene change
____= Flashback
• Time: 1 hour after arriving
"Well, we've looked everywhere. The only thing left is to go back in the direction the thief ran."
I say as me and Satella keep moving through the streets.
Satella: "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble, Nhazul."
"No worries. Like I said, I also need help, so it's a two-way thing—don't stress it."
Satella: "Alright… if it's okay with you, then it's fine."
As we continue walking, Satella suddenly stops. I take a few more steps, then turn back to look at her.
"Is something wrong, Satella? Why the sudden stop?"
Satella: "Look there. That child—she's looking around like she wants help," she says, pointing at a small green-haired girl who keeps scanning the passerbys nervously.
"Shouldn't we report it to the guards? They can help her."
Satella: "No, we can't just ignore her."
She turns to me.
Satella: "I'm grateful for your help, Nhazul… but if you don't want to help the child, you're free to wait for me—or you can leave."
She says that, then jogs toward the child.
(She's kind… way too kind. Every second is important right now, but she still chose to help someone else instead of herself.)
I sigh and walk toward Satella and the child, who looks clearly scared of her.
(Okay, there's definitely something wrong she's not telling me. Why is everyone either so hostile towards her or scared of her?)
I crouch down beside them, positioning myself slightly between Satella and the girl.
"Hey there, want to see something cool?"
The girl hesitates, then nods.
"What do you see on this?" I say, pulling out my phone and showing her the black screen.
Child: "I-It's just black…"
I place my hand over the screen, then press the power button so my wallpaper lights up.
"Now?"
Her eyes widen.
Child: "It's you, mister! The box! It has your face!"
I smile and ruffle her hair before slipping the phone back into my pocket.
"Yup, that's me. Now, can you tell us why you were alone? Maybe me and—" I point at Satella. "—this lady can help you."
Child: "I was walking with my mom but… but I got lost," she says, voice shaking.
"Hey, don't worry. We'll get you to your mom, okay? Come on."
I stand and gently take her hand. Satella takes her other hand, and we start walking.
Satella: "Hey, Nhazul."
"Yeah? What is it?"
Satella: "Thank you… again."
"For what?" I ask, caught a bit off guard.
Satella: "For helping me. And now for helping the child." She smiles faintly.
"Ah, that's no problem. I did tell you I'd help you, so I can't just up and leave."
I glance down at the little girl walking between us.
"Plus, I'd feel like a jerk leaving you to reunite a lost child with her family alone."
Satella: "That's… nice of you, Nhazul." She pauses, like she's debating something.
Satella: "I'm glad I met you today. You're… a nice person."
"Oh—uh… thanks."
We keep walking through the street, scanning for anyone looking frantic.
----------------------------------------------------------
• Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes after arriving
"I think we should ask her for a description or something that might help us find her mother."
Satella nods and crouches again.
Satella: "Hey, can you tell us anything that could help us find your mother?"
Child: "I—yes, miss, I can. My mother, she's ar—"
She gasps and suddenly bolts away.
"Hey! Don't do that—get back he—!"
Before I can finish shouting, I see where she's running: a woman, kneeling with arms wide open.
Child: "Mom! I found you! These nice mister and miss helped me—they even showed me an amazing trick!" she says, throwing herself into the woman's arms.
Mother: "Thank you. Thank you both so much, I thought I'd never see my baby again."
She approaches us, still holding her child, wiping tears.
I glance at Satella — she's frozen, eyes wide in disbelief at being thanked.
"No worries. It wasn't anything big," I say, smiling at the child, who smiles back.
Satella: "...We couldn't leave her alone like that. I'm just glad we found you so soon." Her voice sounds soft but shaken—like simple gratitude hit her harder than it should have.
(It must be because of the whole 'witch' thing… poor girl. How much has she gone through for basic kindness to surprise her this much?)
After saying goodbye to the mother and child, we walk away and resume our search.
"You know… it actually feels good. Helping others—even if it inconveniences us a bit."
Satella: "Right! I felt so happy when that child found her mother… and when she thanked us." She smiles looking down at her feet.
"You deserved the praise, Satella. If it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't have even noticed her."
Satella: "O-Oh, it's nothing. I just caught a glimpse of her, that's all. What you did was way more amazing!" She looks at me curiously. "That weird box that showed your face… what was that?"
"Ah… I don't know how to explain that. Maybe after we find your insignia, we can talk about it."
Satella: "Oh… that's alright." There's a slight disappointment in her tone.
??? : "Come on, cough up everything you have or we'll beat you to a pulp!"
We both freeze.
I hear the dull thud of fists inside the alley we're passing.
??? : "I told you I don't have anythin—"
A harsh impact. "Gah!"
"Hey, Satella," I say, stopping before we walk past.
I step into the alleyway.
"Hey. Maybe you shouldn't beat someone while he's on the ground… especially when there's three of you."
I glance at the one on the ground—he looks up and. His eyes widen like he's seen a ghost.
(Isn't this the guy I bumped into before meeting Satella?)
"Hey there. We meet again," I say to him, then shift my gaze back to the thugs.
"want some help?"