Cleo’s truth

We started washing ourselves, again without saying a word. At least she hadn't insisted on taking off our undergarments! If I said anything, things might get worse and she might take them off as well. Cleo started talking while washing our backs which finally gave me some insight of Cleo's complete lack of embarrassment in this situation.

"In my village, it was my job to wash the kids. So don't you worry, I know how to make you guys squeaky clean!"

Now it made sense. In her eyes, we were just like the kids in her village and she didn't see anything awkward about all this. The thing that I didn't understand thought, while I looked like a kid, Turek certainly did not look like one. Why was she fine about that?

"I used to wash my brother as well. He was around Turek's age. He hated when I did it but I loved doing it. He was just so adorable!"

I didn't miss the use of past tense. It seemed her brother had died or left the village. Maybe the two of us were reminding her of the old days and this was just her way of trying to get back to the old days.

I looked at Turek who seemed to have thought of the same thing and we simply nodded at each other. We decided to let Cleo do as she wished. Cleo continued to talk about her brother and other kids she used to take care of and how she was missing them already. It reminded me again that while Cleo was in my party be she was much older than me. Seven year difference is not that small. She had to have been bearing a lot of responsibility.

"I promised that I will earn a lot of money and come back. That I will make their lives better." Cleo finally seemed like she couldn't hold back and started choking up.

"I promise we will make a lot of money Cleo. You will be able to take care of those kids" I said trying not to reassure her.

"Alright. You two are clean. Now it's my turn. Wait outside!" Cleo finally stopped crying after a minute and said this.

Our clothes were still outside the shack. We used the one towel that I had brought to dry ourselves. After I put on my clothes I gave the towel to Turek to allow him to change clothes. Then we waited for Cleo to come out.

"There is no water." she said quietly. It seemed that she still hadn't started taking a bath.

It seemed she had forgotten about that. I decided to draw the water as Turek held on to the clothes. Cleo didn't seem to have come back to normal yet considering she wasn't drawing the water herself. I am more than glad to help out but I didn't have the strength to carry the full bucket. I filled it up and tried to lift it with all my strength. I was able to lift it up but taking each step was an ordeal.

Cleo finally realized what was happening and she came over and grabbed the bucket from he using a single arm. I could barely lift it with both my arms but held it easily with just one! She then patted my head with her free arm and said "You are such a good kid Ren."

She carried the bucket to the bathroom and started taking off her clothes. I hit my hand on my face and turned around quickly. Turek turned around as well.

"Cleo, Close the door!" I shouted angrily

"Oh sorry…. Hahaha"

I turned around when I heard the door closing and breathed a sigh of relief. Cleo is really airheaded sometimes. I didn't know what I was going to do with these two.

We stood there silently waiting for Cleo to finish her bath. Both of us had a lot to think about after this. It seems Cleo had replaced her brother and the kids she took care of Turek and me. That is why she was so protective of us and that was also why she was so free with us. She didn't really see us as outsiders. For her, we were just like the little kids in her village. That illusion might have broken this morning which had embarrassed her a little. But now she was back to the same Cleo we saw yesterday. A lot of her behavior now made sense.

"Cleo seems to be missing her home" said Turek quitely.

"Yeah." I replied.

"We should earn money as quickly as possible."

"Yeah…. We could even find quests near her village so that she can go visit it."

"That's a good idea Ren. I am not sure where her village is though. Did she tell you the name of her village or how far it is when I was out?"

"No. We were really just focussed on bringing you back and didn't have time for chit chat yesterday. We can ask her later."

Just then I heard Cleo's voice.

"Turek, can you pass me my clothes?"

From what I had seen, the clothes were the same as yesterday. I suppose that's all she was able to bring to the city after she was attacked by the bandit. Now that I think about it, how were to bandits able to beat Cleo? There were actually stronger than her? That was hard to believe.

I thought again about how poor we were and sighed. Lets just hope today goes well and we are actually able to make some money and buy clothes for all of us.

Cleo changed into her clothes from yesterday and came out of the bathroom. She came up to us and asked, "Should we get going?"

We were all changed and ready to go. I considered her for a moment and said

"Like we decided, I will go to the market and get supplied. The of you can go register for the Kura quest. The amount required for the reward will be doubled if both of you register. I think registering just one person for the quest should be good."

"Alright, lets go Turek" said Cleo

"We will meet you at the guild then. Be careful" Turek seemed to think that I will get in some kind of trouble if I go alone.

I wasn't really worried since I was familiar with the market area, even if I didn't buy much.