Subaru stared at the girl who just saved him.
But What caused his distraught was her face. He knows that face.
He used to comb those silver when they were young.
And those eyes, those beautiful amethyst eyes that looked at him with pity and sadness as he drove his hand through her chest, ripping her combat gear, breaking her sternum and crushing her heart.
'No, its not her. She looks like her but there are differences. She doesn't have holy but something weird. It looks likesomekind of circle. Even her ears are different. A elf?"
He also felt another aura around her. This was much more powerful than her.
Subaru thought before focusing on what she was saying. Her voice was also different, maria's voice had a slightly lower pitch.
"Are you okay! Were you hurt by these guys?"
She asked, her face showing concern for him. Yep, definitely not not maria.
"Nope! Not a scratch, thanks to your assist miss. But I must ask, why is someone so pretty and charming roaming around this dark and creepy alley?"
Subaru closed his eyes and smiled while answering her then asked aquestion of his own. After all, from what he's seen and from her clothing, she must be someone of high status.
So what could someone like her be doing here? And alone at that.
"Oh, uh. Someone stole something really important to me and I followed them here. Did you see someone with a small broach like object?"
Her cheeks turned a little red at his compliment before remembering why she came here and asked him about her insignia.
"Hmmm, nope. I myself simply wandered here while in deep thoughts."
"Oh..."
She looked dejected at his answer as she began to leave but was stopped by Subaru.
"But that doesn't mean that no one saw the thief? Am I right, buddy?"
Subaru said, his smile turning menacing as he picked up the little guy by the back of his sweater. He looked ready to keel over and die with a bump on his head, props to the girl.
"I-i don't k-know! I-it must be that girl!! S-he S-he went that way!!"
He yelled, trying to prove himself innocent as though his head was under the guillotine blade.
"Do you think he's telling the truth?
She asked, looking at Subaru who in turn shrugged his shoulders.
"Well. He doesn't seem to be lying. And its not like we have any other choice."
Subaru said as they both left the alley, following the direction he said."Uhmm, may I know why you're following me?"
She asked as she turned her head to look at Subaru who, in turn smiled at her and took out 2 juice boxes. Passing one to her.
She looked confused as her gaze flickered between him and at the small and cool box in her hands. It had a apple drawn on it.
"Well, you lost something pretty important right? And you did save me. So I thought I should repay you for the save. I thought I'll help you find your thing."
Subaru said, as he detached the straw and poked and hole into the box.
She seemed conflicted but suddenly, the strong aura around around began to condense and turned into....a cat?
"I think we should accept his help! He seems reliable to me!"
It said while placing both of its front paws on her face Which seemed to convince her as she nodded.
"Okay! Thanks for the help!"
She said smiling. Her smile was bright and innocent, just like maria's.
Subaru nodded and began drinking his juice. She looked at him curiously then copied his previous actions.
She took a sip as her eyes instantly lit up.
"Woah! This taste just like appa juice! Where did you get this from?"
"Really? Let me try some too!"
The little cat said as it also took a sip, its reaction was similar to her as it closed its eyes, put its paws on its cheeks and floated around her.
"Yummy!"
"It's a juice box, its quite common in the land from where I came from."
Subaru replied as finished his juice and and put empty box in a separate chain.
"Now then, since we'll be working together for some time, I suppose a introduction is in order."
He asked as the girl seemed to stiffen at that but hid it well. Hut not well enough to hide it from him.
The floating cat popped up in front of him with its arms wide open.
"I'll go first! My name is puck, I'm her contracted spirit!"
He said, shaking hands with Subaru. More like he simply layed on his hand.
"I...I'm satella. No family name of sort."
'Hmmm, she's lying. But why? Could it be she's someone of high status so she wants her identity to be a secret?'
"That's a beautiful name. I am peter. No last name either."
He said, making her look at him with surprise and confusion. No one from lugunica would think the name of the witch of envy is beautiful.
"Well, now that the introductions are out of the way, lets find your...you never told me what exactly are we looking for."
Subaru asked, staring st her.
"Oh! My insignia. It's this big and also has a pretty gem in the center."
Satella said, creating a small gap in between her finger and thumb.
"Welp, lets find your insignia!"
Subaru said enthusiastically and thus began the search for the thief and her insignia.
*****