"Alaire, my dear. I'm not someone anyone can see or hear. Since I'm a spirit tied to you, and you only, nobody else can see or hear me. Well, unless they're a very powerful spiritualist or an ancient magic user."
Hewie just says that out of nowhere, like it's second nature to her to say things like these. She settles down on my shoulder and lets out a small sigh.
I look at her in surprise, processing what she just said. 'She's a spirit? Tied to me? That explains as to why nobody ever reacts to whatever she says or does... But tied to me? What does that mean? How and why?'
Thoughts race through my head. I try to figure everything out. This just makes it all the more confusing! What am I supposed to think of her now?! Just how... Why?
Meanwhile, Hewie looks at me and chirps quietly. It's almost like she's comforting me in some kind of way. I snap out of it and stare at her for a long moment.
'I've always just accepted things about her. I've always acted ignorant just for my own comfort. I didn't want to lose someone again. I couldn't accept the truth that nothing was as easy as it seemed. That life can't be all sunshine and rainbows.'
'Ican'tdoit this way anymore. I need to accept it and confront it.' "Hewie, tell me honestly. Who are you? And don't dodge the question. I want a clear answer."
My stern tone, focused gaze, and serious expression make it clear that I won't allow her to beat around the bush.
Picking her up from my shoulder and placing her in my palms, my gaze focuses on her and her only. There's no way that I'm going to allow her to dodge the question now. I need to know!
She always knows so much about everything, even the mirror, which is not from Elarion, but my world. It's way too suspicious.
Still, I need her for my journey exactly because she knows so much about everything. Sure, she's a bit off her head at times, but she's useful. Although I need to be sure that I can trust her fully. That she won't harm me in any way.
"Please, Hewie... If I can even call you that." I plead her, sincerely wanting to hear her answer. There are so many questions that I want to ask, but I don't want to overwhelm her. One question at a time. Let's take it slow.
"I'm a spirit, as I've said earlier. To be specific, I'm actually y-" She begins explaining, and I listen intently, finally getting an answer from her.
But just then, a voice cuts her off, and my head turns in the direction of where the familiar voice came from.
'Merle... He always finds the best time to interrupt in the damn most important moments!'
"Alaire! About your new bow..." He stars, but he trails off once he notices my troubled and annoyed expression. "Did I disturb something?" He asks, looking slightly worried.
His bright blue eyes flicker around us in worry and confusion, but they narrow slightly once he doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary except the tension.
"No, not really..." Despite my answer, my voice carries a slightly reluctant undertone. I look at him and then spare a glance at Hewie. 'Right, he can't see her... I forgot.'
Merle looks at me and nods. However, I notice his eyebrow twitch a bit in presumably doubt or speculation.
'His shadow is gone. And his markings also turned black, just like the ends of his hair. How come? The Life Tree? It's possible... But he's not from an elf, is he? Mayhap he has elven ancestors. Then it'd make sense.'
"Is something the matter, Merle?" A quieter yet clear question that breaks him from his rain of thoughts. I cock my head to the side, awaiting his answer. "Nah, it's nothing. Let's get you a new bow."
He quickly answers, changing the topic whilst wearing a small grin, almost like a sly fox.
'When he grins like that, I just get the urge to smack that look off his face!' I calm myself down and place Hewie back on my shoulder without him noticing.
"Haa... alright. Let's go." I answer and then glance at Hewie, giving her a silent look that clearly tells that I'm not going to let this slide. She's lucky that Merle interrupted us.
Then, I return my attention back towards Merle and notice how he seems to be curious about something. Yet another expression that makes me feel uneasy...
"If you want to ask something, spit it out." Without a warning, I say this and walk towards him. 'Jeez. He's so curious.'
A small, annoyed scowl forms on my face whilst waiting for him to ask whatever is making him oh so curious.