The words that Elata just spoke were confusing to say the least.
Vigil had known for a while that dragons as a species were quite neutral in their ways for whatever reason, but even then, how would that explain what she had just said.
The dragons had lived together in harmony with other races, but when there was a threat, they just... didn't help?
Not being able to control his curiosity, Vigil asked questioningly:
"What do you mean by they refused to help? The dragons had lived in harmony with all kinds of other people in Zulnaba. There had to be at least a few of them that were friends. I wouldn't even doubt that some of them had made families with one another. And yet, the dragons just abandoned them? That can't be right."
While giving a friendly wave to one of the store clerks Elata responded in a neutral tone.
"It is exactly as I said, they did not provide any aid to the country or its people... I am sure that even you, as a country bumpkin, have learned about the dragons and their standoffish behavior. It is something that no one besides the dragons can understand, so do yourself a favor, and don't think too hard about it."
She paused for a moment with a contemplative look on her face, then continued in a voice filled with confusion.
"Although... Even I must admit that the whole situation is quite odd. They decided not to help defend the people and their home's but now they want to hire us mercenaries to try and save them. What could be going on in those giant heads of theirs? Well it doesn't matter, thinking about it would just be a waste of time. Now, let's move on and get you some clothes!"
After saying this, the tanned dwarf walked over to one of the store's many clothing racks and began sifting through it, trying to find a nice top for the young boy.
Vigil really wanted to continue with their conversation about the dragons. But he already knew that, even if he did press on, he would get no better answers out of the dwarf standing in front of him.
So instead, he decided to try and take his mind off of the subject by picking out some clothes for himself.
***
It went exactly as he expected.
A few hours have passed since the duo entered the clothing shop and they were only now at checkout.
But why?
Well it was because, as Vigil had already predicted, Elata kept insisting that he try out the clothes that she'd picked out over and over again.
And in the end, he was now carrying five bags in each hand, all filled with clothes. While some were professional, others were modest. There were some comfy outfits for home and some stylish ones for going out.
In short, a lot of different clothes.
The only upside to this whole thing, for Vigil at least, was that he was not the one that had to pay for the whole thing, Elata did... And she was now feeling the burden.
"There goes the entirety of my spending money for the rest of the month."
She said with a deflated tone followed by a weary sigh.
...It had only been a week since a new month started, by the way.
Walking a few feet behind her, Vigil looked at Elata with an almost pitying gaze whilst slowly shaking his head.
'I kept trying to tell her that there was no need for more, but look at her now.'
Although he did want to feel even the slightest bit bad for her, he just couldn't bring himself to do it. She had brought this upon herself after all.
Soon after they had finished shopping for clothes, they entered the closest convenience store to get some household goods.
Thankfully, they were actually able to buy them even though Elata was now pretty much broke. That was because of one of the other special privileges that Children of War have within the walls of Mercy. Up until the point that they turn eighteen, the city itself gives them all a weekly allowance, even if they are working.
And due to the fact that Vigil hasn't spent a dime from the past week's allotted allowance, he had a decent amount on hand, more than enough for everyday items, at least.
It had been almost half an hour since their day of shopping had come to an end, and as of right now, the pair was walking on the skybridge that was connected to the hanging island on which their abode was situated.
Although the pair had been making small talk with one another while they were traveling back to their abode, Elata was the one that kept on starting new conversations when an old one would end.
So, it came as a bit of a shock to her when Vigil had started one whilst walking across the bridge.
"Hey, Elata... What exactly do I do now? What I am trying to say is, I have just gotten registered as a mercenary so I can work now and there is no more need to go shopping so... What's next?"
Hearing the young boy's question, Elata gently turned her head in his direction, tilted it slightly to the left then responded.
"Hmm... Well, there is nothing that you have to do per se, but there are some things that I think you should do before you go on your first job. Oh, and by the way, you will be going on your first job with the rest of the Warband and I."
She said as she hopped up the few steps that connected the skybridge to the island in the sky.
As she did so, Vigil followed closely behind while inquiring about what she had just meant.
"...You just said that there are some things that you think I should do before everyone comes back, without actually telling me anything... Care to elaborate?"
By the time that he had finished his sentence, they had already made it back to the house.
With Elata holding her government issued wristband up to the door handle, hence unlocking it, she responded in a lighthearted tone.
"Oh! I did not tell you anything? Sorry about that, it has just been a long day, you know?"
'Yeah, long for me...'
He said as they entered through the doorway.
"So anyway, what I'd like you to do is study up on some things about War Field and mercenaries. It doesn't have to be anything too specific, just the basics would work, really. And when you are not studying, you should be working out in order to stay in shape."
Vigil slowly raised an eyebrow.
"So what I have already been doing plus some exercise on the side?"
Hearing this, as she was taking off her heels, Elata energetically nodded her head up and down in agreement.
"Yep! Also, try to make some time for yourself to unwind. It's never too good to be tense all the time and I have noticed that, even after making it here, you still seem to be quite on edge."
She then walked up to Vigil and patted him on the shoulder, or at least tried to but sadly, due to her short stature as a dwarf, she was unable to reach it. So instead, she opted to just patting him on his upper arm.
After doing so, Elata walked away as she was telling him to go and get all of his new belongings situated while she got started on dinner.
About forty minutes later, Vigil was now sitting across from Elata at a big wooden table while wearing one of his new outfits; a plain grey pair of sweatpants with a cotton shirt.
Resting in front of him on the table with some steam still rising off of it was an impeccable looking chicken and rice dish.
Before the two could start digging into their dinner, Elata had spoken, grabbing the hungry boy's attention.
"Hey Dread, I have been thinking, and there is something that I want you to know. There is no need for you to take on everything alone, I am here for you. If there is anything that you want to get off of your chest, just tell me and I'll listen, I swear."
Hearing this, Vigil quietly looked at the dwarf sitting in front of him and asked in a questioning tone.
"Why? Why is it that everyone that I have met in the past few weeks has been so gung-ho on 'helping me'?"
He said while doing air quotes with his fingers. He then continued soon after, still with the same questioning gaze.
"Is everyone expecting to get something out of me? If not then it has to be some form of pity and if it is, then I don't want it. I would prefer if you all just left me alone, got it?"
Just the way people acted around him did something to Vigil, and it wasn't something that made him happy.
Elata just stared at her with a sad look on her face, looked down at her food then spoke.
"Honestly... it's a bit of both. I feel bad for you and everything that you've gone through... So yes, I am taking pity on you."
Slowly looking up from her food and casting her sorrowful gaze at the young boy before her, she lingered for a bit before continuing what she wanted to say.
"And even after knowing that you have probably gone through plenty of horrifying moments, I still want something from you... In case you are wondering, the thing that I want from you, is for you to see me as an elder sister. Now, I can't say anything about anyone else, but that's... my reason at least."
After hearing the last sentence that Elata said, Vigil just silently stared at her for a few moments before repeating what he had just heard.
"You... just want me to see you as a sibling? That's it...? How stupid."
He said as he grabbed the utensils sitting next to his plate of food, then began eating. Elata, seeing him do this, proceeded to follow along in his footsteps and do the same.
When Vigil finished eating, he stood up, went to the sink in the kitchen, then cleaned off his plate.
Afterwards, as he was walking away from the dining room, as well as Elata who was still sitting in it, eating, Vigil said one last sentence to her before going up the stairs and towards the room that he had now temporarily claimed as his own.
"By the way, I am not entirely opposed to having a sibling of my own... Just don't expect anything for a while."
When Elata heard this, she looked towards him and at his now distancing back.
Then, she smiled.
"I see..."
Just like that, a month and a half had passed.