Story Reader / Affection / Lamia: Lost Lullaby / Story
Huh?
The question catches her completely off guard and her jaw drops. Like a stranded fish, she's unable to say a word.
Uhm... I beg your pardon?
The human sounds dead serious as they stare straight into Lamia's soul.
I... uhh...
(Geez, talk about being sensitive... Stop acting like a manga protagonist already.)
(C'mon, think, Lamia...)
I... just paid you a little more attention since we're both new here.
The human sounds deeply skeptical.
Well... you just don't see people wrapped in bandages every day, do you?
...
(Tsk, not letting me off the hook here, are you... I didn't see this coming at all.)
Lamia might be an expert at disguising, but she's terrible at lying.
She never really bothered honing the art of verbal deceit when her disguises never raised any suspicion.
And to begin with, she's never been good at spinning webs of lies to cover her tracks.
Like a cold, scrutinizing light, the interrogative gaze meticulously scans Lamia.
Um... I've solved the problem. Can I go outside now?
You're lying. Did you see the answer beforehand?
I'm feeling a bit unwell... Can we skip the books today?
You're lying. According to your vital signs, you're perfectly healthy...
I'm very hungry... Can I have a bit more to eat, maybe just an energy bar...?
You're lying. Your caloric intake has been precisely calculated...
I don't feel well. Please don't add more pressure...
You're lying. Continue to apply pressure...
Don't come any closer. I don't have what you want!
You're lying...
I just want to live. Stop asking.
You're lying...
Faced with those pressing questions, what did she do back then?
Uhm...
Tears well up in her eyes, slowly tracing a path down her cheeks, only to shatter into droplets upon landing on the rocks.
Sob...
Lamia presses her tiny fists against the corners of her eyes, repeatedly brushing away the tears flowing down her cheeks.
Sob... Wah...
What begins as subdued sobs gradually intensifies, like a compressed spring suddenly released, bursting into resounding wails.
I... I just... wanted to find a chance to talk to you.
This is true, as she initially wanted to find out the intentions of the Gray Raven Commandant.
But... for someone... someone like me... sob... I didn't know how to do it...
This is also true. After all, one of them is an undercover Ascendant, and the other is an undercover elite commandant.
I've been... I've been thinking about what I should do...
This is still true. Caught in a prolonged dilemma, Lamia finds herself torn between completely ignoring the situation or conducting a kidnapping for later merits.
So I just kept... kept watching you... Sob... I'm sorry... I won't do it anymore...
But I really wasn't instructed by anyone... No one in the camp would use someone like me...
Whether she is referring to the present or the past, even she herself cannot tell.
Lamia keeps wiping her tears but fails in her attempt, not that she intends to anyway.
By doing so, she can attract the attention of the camp people, and the Gray Raven Commandant would be forced to stop the interrogation.
To her surprise, the previously stern human now seems rather inhibited.
In an almost cautious demeanor, the human offers her a clean handkerchief, their voice softening.
The unexpected turn of events catches Lamia off guard, ceasing her cry and turning it into rhythmic sobs.
Sob... Eh?
However, the human seems to have misinterpreted her reaction, responding with a sarcastic, bitter laugh.
Experiences?
Lamia stops her sobbing and takes the handkerchief to wipe her tears. As she is about to give it back...
Okay...
Lamia suddenly recalls a book she had read long ago.
It's mentioned in the book that the horizon is twisty on land because there are these things called mountains over there.
That the plants in greenhouses that grow together in large patches on land are called "forests."
And that...
Could you... give me a hug?
What is she longing for at this moment?
The human in front of her hesitates for a moment, then slowly moves closer.
As those hands are extended, Lamia notices they are also wrapped in bandages.
The arms tenderly encircle Lamia's petite body, gradually enveloping her.
A palm gently rests on Lamia's back, its warmth seeping through as she senses a soft push.
The next second, she falls into a warm embrace, while the human gently pats her back.
Lamia leans against the human's chest, sensing a soothing calmness along with rhythmic heartbeats.
It's mentioned in the book that over there, a warm hug and comfort will be given to every weeping child.
By the time Lamia could come to the surface, she was no longer a child, her time already frozen.
What came with crying would not be hugs and comfort but rather the Corrupted or ill-intentioned Scavengers.
Um...
So, even though it's only for "Elene", this experience brings enough warmth to Lamia, who has never received a hug or any comfort from others.
(Maybe I can also...)
Lamia raises her arms, intending to wrap them around the commandant's waist...
Hey! I heard someone crying. Is there anything... What's going on with you two?
A beam of flashlight illuminates the scene, and Lamia's hands freeze midway in the air.
I fell down just now, and it hurt... so I started crying.
Lamia gently pushes the person in front of her away, explaining.
Sorry for disturbing everyone.
Seriously... It's dark at night, so be careful out here. Probably best to head back soon.
Says the guard impatiently before turning back to his post.
(It was just to avoid more questioning. I shouldn't get so carried away...)
Recalling the urge she felt just now, Lamia lets out a sigh inwardly.
The human's voice comes behind Lamia, expressing gratitude.
You should go to sleep soon, too.
As if trying to escape the gaze behind her, Lamia quickly strides away.
(There probably won't be a next time to be hugged like this, I guess.)
