I felt my body go numb. I couldn't feel my finger tips…. Toes… everything. My thoughts ceased as I stared at two specific papers.
"Like I said, read them later…" Shen squeezed me one more time. "I have other gifts for you, so please pay attention over here."
Shen looked to be sulking about me not looking at her other gifts, You wouldn't believe she was formerly a man..
"Al-Alright…"
After some time I turned around. Shen was standing a bit ways from me— both hands were behind her back as a smile formed on her face.
"Are you ready?" She tilted her head.
"Y-Yes…" I replied whilst feeling my already racing heart intensify.
"Alright, alright…" She moved one hand out, and had me look down at it. "This is from your dad to me… Well one of many."
On the palm of her hand was a gold coin. It looked… really similar to another one I was given; however, it was encrusted with diamonds around the edge. But… in the center was a fox curled into a ball. It had a curved tail just like someone in front of me.
"He made it based on Gaia's logo… A fox that isn't meant to be like someone…" Shen explained as a smile, and a higher tone of her voice told me otherwise. She read my mind a little there. "I want to give this to you; it can pay for virtually anything in this world.
Keep this noted though… Do not spend it on something useless. Do not spend it on something cheap. Use it for something that is out of your budget!"
With each point she cornered me. Her finger was extending towards my nose— Why is she so passionate about this?! Is she in love with it…? Or is she in love with my dad who made it…
Moments later she let out a loud huff and shoved the coin into my hand.
"Th-Thank you…" I mumbled whilst staring at the coin. "Um…"
"What?"
"This random foxkin… tried to pay for something with the same gold coin…" I grabbed into my back pocket and pulled out the coin from earlier.
Shen stared at it for a while. Near the later half her body started to shake violently.
"W-Why do you have that?" Shen shakily questioned me. "Wh-Why do you have that? Was it a white hair- haired foxkin?"
I nodded my head, then she started to grab her head and messed with her hair.
She repeated, "no, no, no that's not good!" When I asked she ignored my question and kept ruffling her hair.
It only took till my sixth time asking that she finally answered my question.
"That foxkin— she's someone close to your dad. Also— also a saint for a popular church in Gaia. Noa's her name… She is quite… angry all the time."
I could tell… Her words still echoed in my mind. The shrill voice… I shuddered at the thought of her. And did she have to mention my hair…?
Brushing long hair is a pain in the ass… I'm sure quite a few people… even Shen could agree.
"Keep that coin too."
Shen made me close my hand and sighed. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but she kept her mouth shut.
We slid from talking about the coin.. To her last gift, something I was not expecting. And thereforth it confirmed my suspicion…
They really went ALL in black!
I couldn't contain myself from showing my displeasure… even Shen in her current hyperactive state noticed.
She explained quickly, defending herself and everyone else. They all agreed I look best in black… or red. Hence… the cloak, this— choker for my neck apparently.
Shen's reasoning so I could hide the deep marks and the bite from her. It'll draw in less attention to me from outside. In response I could only groan before taking it. So basically an apology gift..
At least it's thoughtful… I rolled my eyes before setting it on my desk. Eventually Shen pulled me back into the dining room.
Everyone was talking until then.
My head was empty… and I didn't feel like myself for the rest of it. I couldn't get my head straight. I tried acting happy, smiling…
But, everything felt dull— No one seemed to notice even when we did cake. Even Shen partied with the most energy. Allisa and the two kids were being chased around by her.
I just sat down watching it all; people started getting tired. Even Shen started slowing down talking and sat down next to me near the end. She rested her head on her arms. Melinda and James took Allisa to her bed, Verd and Sage with their kids went back home.
Steph, Zephy and Verschund cleaned the dining room before retiring to their rooms. This only left Shen and I.
"Tired yourself out?" I asked Shen out of nowhere whilst looking at her.
"Mmmhhm…" Shen let out before lifting her head. "It was worth it. Seeing you and having fun here. Although I don't know why you all won't let me leave here…"
Look at you… and how you have been acting. I thought before responding. I don't think any logical person would let her out in her condition. At best she'd make it home somehow… and at worst is something I don't want to think about.
Sure Ard's good… But this world isn't exactly the nicest. I scratched my neck whilst trying to avoid thoughts Though she probably knows that already…
"Can I sleep in your room?" Shen curiously asked. Her eyes were already near closed, her voice sounded airy during her enunciation of words. "Or I can sleep here… Table's… comfortable…"
"Let me help you get to my room." I let out a sigh as I grabbed her arm. "Get up…"
"Mm… Five-"
I sighed before yanking her up.