They spend the night in the safety of a dark forest, a bed of leaves for comfort, but no fire. Charlotte is wary again, rightfully so since the smoke could give their position away.
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Clementine sleeps snuggled up against her like the first days of when Charlotte found her. The demigod curls up against Charlotte to hide away from the night chill and Charlotte kept her hidden underneath her wings, not wishing to have the girl away from her for even a moment.
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Charlotte can't sleep, only listens to Clem's quiet breathing as she stares up at the stars, plagued with strategy and worries.
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Being surrounded by the townspeople like that, chances of her child being ripped away from the safety of her embrace, it brought out bad memories. Memories of the children she had long ago, opening up and tearing her heart to pieces. Killed because she was young and naive, believing that monster hunters could change their ways and actually–
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She got rid of these thoughts, not wishing for her mind to spiral out of control in guilt.
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She's lived for a long time, she's seen and done a lot. She's nearly died countless times, although killed countless more. Those moments with her heart racing, badly wounded or burnt being absolutely nothing compared to the horror of losing a child. She couldn't deal with that grief again. She wouldn't deal with that grief again.
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Clementine had been so vulnerable too. She had been crying and whimpering in Charlotte's arms, yet the townsfolk still had the audacity to look at Charlotte has if she's been given a burden, a cursed child. Looks of pity. As if Charlotte had no choice to give her child up, because certainly nobody would keep a cursed child safe?
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Charlotte doesn't care of such things. She's given birth to cursed children before, she had no care for curses or prophecies.
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Determination spreads in her heart, Charlotte holding Clem tighter to her chest, the primal urge to protect her flock growing. She should be scared or wary of Clementine becoming exactly what everyone warns of. She should be thinking of the greater good. Clementine shows potential to kill, to hurt, and she should be terrified of the kid in her arms turning against her one day.
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She can't feel fear of this child though, finding she would rather burn the entire world, with herself in the heat of the flames, rather than give this slumbering child over to anyone.
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The worst she can feel is fear of having Clem ripped away from her arms, having no say on if Clem gets to live. She begs and begs in her head, to the skies, to the gods she knows are out there, don't let that happen.
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Even with the pleads in the world, Charlotte knows tears and begging are useless when attempting to protect something.
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She decides to make a vow that night.
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As she holds Clem close that night, mind thinking of her and of the other three children that needed just as much help as Clem did. She vows to never let the world kill them.
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If the world refuses and continues trying to hurt Clem and the other children, Charlotte won't hesitate to give them the violence they crave. She's a demon, the bloodlust is completely in her nature, but she picked mercy despite's it. The feeling of taking a life with her hands was terrible.
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She would easily do so if she has to. She'd kill thousands of men. Millions if she has to.
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It's too late to think about what she would be willing to do for her child, and for the other three children. So she adjusts her hold on Clementine close to her chest, smiling lightly when she hears her mumble something quietly in her sleep, although tried thinking of something else.
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Her mind wanders to the next child.
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The town they were in had been bliss, growing and having a peaceful, content life for what seemed like so long. Even with the growth it gave, the safety it had held, fear stabs Charlotte's heart as she wonders if she was too late.
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There weren't any priests in the village, nor any magic users or monsters. Travelers came and went, but they never brought tales of the prophecy with them, so she was oblivious to anything about the next child.
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It had been a blessing, having an escape from the prophecy. Now Charlotte feels like an incompetent fool, because what if she was too late?
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She had to find them. Quickly.
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Clementine's lack of ability to control her newfound powers would cause a bit of an issue, but Charlotte can multitask. Clem already had control of her voice, so she could help Clem with the rest of her powers and search, learning on the way.
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Charlotte pauses for a moment, wondering when exactly she became so willing to be becoming a mother again. Even after vowing to avoid such attachments.
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That revelation causes her heart to ache, not entirely in a bad way, but makes her wish to cry and be emotional. Memories of her children's corpses from long ago pop into her mind, so she closes her eyes and tries to get some slumber, praying she won't get nightmares.
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She wakes to daylight and Clem creating small braids in her hair, already wide awake with her head resting on Charlotte's chest. The demigod was staring off into the trees, bored yet content nonetheless.
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She smiles before quickly sitting up, scooping Clem up into her arms and ignoring the shriek of surprise that comes with it. She hugs Clem while letting out coos of affection, pressing a kiss into her hair.
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"Wait, mama–" Clem stammers out as Charlotte wraps her wings around her, practically drowning her in feathers as she hugs her tightly. "Mama– You're–You're squishing me."
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"I know." Charlotte mumbles, relaxing at the familiar flowery scent that Clem carried on her now, amused when Clem let out a huff. "Good morning, darling."
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Clem let's out a hum that sounds between annoyance and confusion. "What's with the squishing?"
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"Can't I hug my daughter?" Charlotte asked in a lighthearted manner, knowing Clem feels embarrassed at those words when she feels the demigod freeze.
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"Alright..." Clem grumbles out, nuzzling her face into Charlotte's neck shyly.
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Charlotte chuckles when she spots a bit of redness on Clem's ears, although decides not to tease for now. "We'll be busy for the next few weeks."
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"Why?"
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Charlotte hesitates, trying to think of a good way to approach this. She's already told Clem that she's being hunted, how people want to kill her because they believe she's dangerous, but she never told the entire picture. She taught Clem to be cautious, to be careful, but not the fact there were more children like her.
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It hurt a bit that Clem had to be perfectly aware as to why that attack from yesterday happened, Charlotte knowing her daughter had to understand she isn't like the other people they've ever met.
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"Mama?" Clem asks, Charlotte realizing she's been quiet for too long. She lets out a soft sigh before folding back her wings behind her.
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"We have to find someone." Charlotte starts, Clem raising a brow in curiosity. "You know why those men attacked you yesterday, right?"
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"'Cause I'm a danger to others?" Clem guessed, sounding too calm about that.
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"Just a bit, I'll admit." Charlotte says, Clem scoffing in response.
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"I have a voice in my head demanding I go commit terrorism." She deadpans, Charlotte blinking her eyes in surprise at the child's bluntness. "He's quiet now, so I'm gonna make fun of him."
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"You can do that." Charlotte grins, eyes twinkling. "Sounds a good way to keep him quiet."
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"It's better than, you know." Clem falters, averting her eyes and fidgeting with her fingers.
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"Anarchy and chaos?"
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"I don't wanna do it like that again."
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Charlotte hums softly in though, a hand going down to the dagger strapped to her hip. "I can teach you how to use a weapon, if you'd like? Even with the ability to control plant life, you need training just in case. I'll get a proper weapon for you in the next town we go to, so there aren't anymore repeats of yesterday."
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"I can't!" Clem exclaims, shaking her head. "I don't– what if–" She stops, staring intensely into Charlotte's shoulder.
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"Why not? I don't want anything happening to you when my back is turned."
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"Because–" Clem stops again, cheeks flushing as red as her hair. "What if I hurt you?"
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Clem looked at her sincerely, worried eyes bright and caring, and Charlotte really can't help how her heart squeezes. Clem goes on.
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"Back at the town, my mind went blank. I-I don't know what happened, but he, he grabbed me, and then the voice started to scream–" She quiets a moment, looking down in shame. "I just wanted him to be quiet and I didn't wanna leave you all alone, so–"
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"It's alright." Charlotte says softly, Clem staring up at her and taking slow and shaky breaths. "It's okay."
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"It's not!" Clem yells, Charlotte raising her eyebrow slightly. "It's not about them, I could care less about those men I killed, I'd do it again in fact, but what about you?!"
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Charlotte feels the air is taken from her lungs, so she takes a steady intake of air, trying to give an example of what Clem had to follow, deep, calming breathes.
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"You won't hurt me." Charlotte reassures softly, Clem face filled with distress.
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"How do you know that?"
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"I just do." Charlotte said simply, stroking Clem's cheeks gently with her thumbs, Clem taking shaky breathes as she tries not to get worked up even more. "I know you'd never want to hurt me. You just have to do everything to make sure that it won't get that bad again."
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Clem lowers her eyes to the ring that Charlotte had as a necklace, noticing how it faintly glowed. She bit her bottom lip in thought a moment, Charlotte waiting patiently for what the child wished to say.
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"It was scary." Clem mumbled, and Charlotte wonders how she dealt with it. Why her sweet daughter had to deal with so much danger and madness in this world. How this world wished to turn this small girl into a villain filled with madness and malicious intent. Charlotte wished she could force them to stop, but the most she could do was protect Clem as best she could.
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"I know, darling." Charlotte says, Clem looking back up at her. "The voice is gone now after fighting in the field?"
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"It's not death or vengeance, but he'll take it." Clem mutters, annoyance in her voice. "He's quiet right now."
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"That's good, we can work with that." Charlotte says, Clem sticking her tongue out slightly. "You can handle a weapon of your own, and I know I'll be protected."
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Clem looks to the forest floor, vines and small flowers growing from beneath her feet.
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"Is that something you think you can work with?" Charlotte asks, patiently waiting.
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Clem doesn't respond for awhile, seeming to think the idea over in her head, before eventually settling on a realization and nodding. "Okay, I can do that."
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Charlotte perks at the sudden mood shift, Clem changing from hesitant and scared to determined. "You're sure?"
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"Uh-huh." Clem nods, rolling off of Charlotte and getting to her feet.
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Charlotte looks at Clem with an amused smile before shaking her head. "Okay. We'd best get going then."
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"Who are we looking for?" Clem asks, Charlotte standing up and stretching her wings out with a yawn. "You mentioned earlier that we're trying to find someone... why?"
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"You are Clementine, the ever so feared demigod child of a Greek God known for his Madness and Wine..." Charlotte starts off, not even trying to hide the sarcasm, although grins as she pokes Clem on the side lightly. Clem squeals, struggling to get away as Charlotte grabs at her. "Who also likes soft materials and gold."
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"Okay, so?" Clem huff, taking several steps back with her hands out, getting into a stance so she'll be ready to run if Charlotte tries poking her again.
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"You happen to be the first of four in a certain prophecy." Charlotte says, hesitating as she thinks of how to explain. "That being why people are scared of you, and why those men attacked you yesterday."
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"People want me dead because of a dumb prophecy?" Clementine asks, looking very unimpressed. "What prophecy?"
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Charlotte hums softly, clasping her hands together and holding them in front of her mouth. "Just a bit before you were born, every priest, magic user, or really anyone who had a way to know about legends and all that–"
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"Legends like the Elder Demons?" Clem asks. "That's a really interesting legend." She had read everything she could get her hands on in the library. One of the first Demons created, the most strongest and largest of their kind. Only two have ever been killed, and that was only after many have been killed in those attempts.
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"Correct. All of them heard about a new story, with some hybrids. Four hybrids, meant to grow up and destroy the entire world as we know it." Charlotte says quickly, trying to put it all in one blow. "You're the first and the oldest of those four hybrids."
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Clem stares at her. Mouth open in shock.
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"Eh!" She suddenly exclaims, and Charlotte can't stop the snicker from leaving her lips. "Why would I wanna do that?! That sounds like so much effort! Sure I don't regret killing those men, but I don't wanna kill everyone!"
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"Exactly." Charlotte snickers, Clem scowling. "That's why you have to be careful and we need to search for the next child. I've waited a lot longer than I meant to. And everyone must know about them by now. They could be in danger."
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"What do we do when we find them?"
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"Take care of them." Charlotte answers easily. "Like how I take care of you."
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Clem thought it over for a bit, frowning at the ground. She then gives a slow nod. "Okay."
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_____________________
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They move across the land, using a dirt path in the forest and eventually entering a new town, one that was bigger and more livelier than the one they stayed in the past few years. Charlotte decides to carry Clem as they walk since the demigod left flowers and such each step, a hood hiding Clem's head with her face tucked into Charlotte's shoulder as they go down the street.
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Charlotte is confident nobody would recognize her even without her cloak hiding her wings, but it was still a matter of time until people realize she's the one on the run with Clementine, so she would enjoy the anonymity while she could. Clem stayed hidden in Charlotte's arms, it not seeming suspicious since Clem was small for her age, and parents holding a slumbering child in their arms were common enough.
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People are scattered throughout the street as Charlotte makes her way through, her sharp ears catching passing conversations and shop owners yelling out deals. Clem let out a soft grumble, tightening her grip on Charlotte's collar.
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She's nervous, and Charlotte understands why. New people meant new risks, and it's obvious Clem wouldn't want a repeat of yesterday, wary of anyone who so much as turns their head in their general direction.
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Charlotte rubs a gentle hand onto Clem's back and a friendly smile as she walks, some people giving knowing looks, parents with their own children. She had a feeling they wouldn't be looking so kind if they knew that Clem was a child of the prophecy, though.
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Walking past multiple shops, Charlotte heads to a blacksmith, pushing open the door and letting out a relaxed sigh at the wave of heat she feels. It's nothing compared to Hell, but it still brings a sense of familiarity. Clem let's out a soft whine of annoyance at the hot air circling around them, but she merely smiles at the demigod, figuring it made sense Clem hated both the intensity of heat and cold. She was the child of a spring god, it wasn't surprising.
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Maybe not, it was probably because Clem was a picky sort of child who was used to more neutral temperature and weather.
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It's thankfully mostly empty inside, with a couple off to the side who seemed lost in their own world as they speak to each other. There's plenty of weapons lining the walls, swords, axes, crossbows. There's also normal tools for everyday use, a crate of pickaxes put to the side, another crate of what seems to be iron bars tucked in the corner, besides the counter made of black stone.
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Charlotte places Clem onto the floor while Clem holds her hand, the demigod looking around to take in the new environment. Wine purple eyes narrow at the people off to the side, quickly looking up at Charlotte with a pout, and Charlotte smiles back.
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"It won't be long." Charlotte promises, tugging Clem along to the counter, making her way around a table in the middle of the room holding multiple tools on display.
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The blacksmith is a smiley young man, with dirty blonde hair tied back in a short ponytail and a friendly voice that greets Charlotte as soon as she walks close enough.
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"Hello! I didn't hear the front door ring, just gimme a moment." He calls out as Clem hides behind Charlotte's leg, running off into the backroom. The sound of clanging and smashing is heard, and Charlotte rose a brow when she hears the male cursing softly.
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The commotion continues for a minute before he comes back out, circling around the counter and placing his hands onto the stone with a grin.
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"Hey! How are ya, what do you–" He goes to say, but pauses at the sight of Charlotte's wings folded on her back. Charlotte winces at the spark of intrigue in his eyes, her feathers ruffling when the man slams his hands onto the counter again, leaning himself over to try getting a better look. "Holy shit, wings! You have actual wings! I've never seen those before, god."
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Charlotte chuckles in amusement, smiling. "Got them when I was a young." She responds, a bit of sarcasm in her voice.
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"Shit, that was rude of me, I'm sorry. I'm just–" He waves his hands. "Wings! That's just so cool– but moving on, moving on. Whaddya need ma'am?"
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"We're here for weapons, mainly. Simple ones, maybe a sword and a crossbow so we can get back on the road with some protection."
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"We?" He asks in confusion, leaning forward on the counter once again, Clem taking a step back to hide into Charlotte's wings.
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"Aw, a kid! Oh–!" He slaps a hand over his mouth, laughing behind it. "So sorry about swearing earlier, I didn't know. I usually don't get little kids here, weapons within the vicinity and all."
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He gives a friendly grin and a wave of greeting to Clem, who merely keeps herself tucked away behind Charlotte, just out of sight. "Hey, kiddo!"
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Clem tugs on the back of Charlotte's dress, not saying a word.
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"She's shy." Charlotte offers with a nod, giving a smile she knows make men blush. "She's not used to strangers, so sorry."
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The male's cheeks turn a slight pink at her smile, letting out a sheepish chuckle. "Right, that makes sense. She'll grow out of her shell, don't worry about it." He reassures Charlotte, leaning back. "Sorry if she repeats what I say, I say stupid shit all the time." He winces. "I suck with kids."
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"It's okay." Charlotte snickers.
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"Uh, how about I give you a discount as apology for swearin' in front of your kid? What are you here for again? Sword and a crossbow? You want a custom made one? All you have to do is place an order and wait a few weeks."
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Charlotte turns his question over in her head, looking across the walls, at the amount of swords hanging up, leaning against the wall. They were rather impressive, made of strong metals and finely crafted, especially since the male didn't look very old, maybe mid-20's.
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"I'll definitely get a crossbow since my dagger is perfectly fine still, but what I'm concerned about is hers." She points a thumb behind her, where Clem still was.
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"A weapon for the little one?" He tilts his head and tries getting a good look at Clem again, only for Clem to stay in Charlotte's wings. "I guess as long as she has proper guidance, a little fighting never hurt anyone. Well, it does hurt, actually, it's fighting– okay, I need to ask, you're sure?"
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Charlotte holds back a snort. "There's nothing wrong with her learning young. She could use it as a hobby and defend herself when she's older."
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"A'right, that sounds a good reason. I wouldn't do it, but you seem to know your shi– stuff." He shrugs, walking around the counters to make his way to the array of crossbows on the wall. "I don't think I got any swords small or light enough for her, I got all of these– you can pick one out if ya want, browse– but she ain't gonna carry any of the swords up on display comfortably, hm–"
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He looks up and down the wall, scanning the variety of weapons as Charlotte slowly walks over and browses through the options of weapons like he suggested, Clem grabbing her hand again. The demigod practically curled into Charlotte's side, eyes glued curiously to all the arrows woven into sharp blades in front of her.
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"What do you think Clem?" Charlotte murmurs, Clem looking up to a crossbow placed higher up. "Any of them you think would look good enough for me to use?"
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Clem's large eyes glance to Charlotte's face before looking back at the wall, eyes narrowed and her head tilted as she seems to actually look for one.
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"Let me check the back, be right back!" The blacksmith calls out, jogging to the backroom in hopes for something suiting of Clementine.
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As he leaves, Clem tugs on Charlotte's dress lightly, searching for the perfect crossbow and Charlotte waits patiently. She could use any of these weapons in this shop, if she's being honest, even the heavier looking swords and axes that look close to her size, but she's curious of which of them Clem would pick.
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After a moment, Clem perks up, pointing a finger at one that sits just out of her reach. Charlotte's eyes went to it, and she laughs before taking it off the wall.
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"Are you sure?" Charlotte asks, holding the crossbow in her hand. It was a simple crossbow with a golden tilt, the arrowhead made of obsidian. "Did you pick this one because it had gold?"
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Clem blushed lightly, although shook her head. "No."
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"No?"
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"The, um... black matches your dress." Clem answers shyly, Charlotte snickering.
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"The arrowhead?" Charlotte asks, leaning the crossbow downward so Clem could get a better look.
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"Mhm." Clem agrees, staring at the black stone before looking up at Charlotte, large eyes expectant and eager.
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Charlotte grins, reaching out and ruffling her hair. "It's a good choice, darling, good eye." Clem beams.
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"I'm back!" Charlotte hears, so she pulls Clem's hood back on as the man comes back, holding three swords in his hands. The blacksmith kneels to the floor and lays the weapons down in front of Clem. "Here are a few choices, see if you like any."
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Clem steps back to Charlotte, hands grasping onto the end of her sleeve, the woman having to nudge the demigod so she could step forward and pick. Clem pouted her lip before she looked down at the smaller swords in front of her. They're thinner and lighter, no doubt about that. It will take awhile for Clem to get used to them, but they looked good.
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"Made 'hem awhile back, so they've been collecting dust, ain't gonna lie, I actually forgot about them in the corner of the workbench. Go ahead though, pick whichever one you think is best, kiddo." The male grins, leaning back on his knees and holding his palms out.
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Clementine states at them, tugging on Charlotte's skirt again.
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"I want you to pick." She says quietly, Charlotte nudging her shoulder lightly in response.
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"It's going to be your sword, darling."
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"Yeah, but I picked your weapon. It's only fair if you pick mine." Clem insisted, puffing her cheeks out at Charlotte, who gives a fond sigh in response.
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"If you insist." She looks down at the swords on the floor, it taking less than a moment to make a choice. "Get the one on the right."
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Clem gives a wary glance to the blacksmith as she picks up the weapon, noticing how he didn't sit too far. She takes an immediate step back to Charlotte's side, looking up the weapon and staring at it in interest.
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"It's still a bit heavy I imagine, but you'll get strong as long as you practice." The blacksmith said, leaning forward with a smile. Clem goes to hide into Charlotte's wings again, but she takes a step to the side. Clem looked absolutely betrayed.
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"Does it feel alright?" Charlotte asks, Clem holding the sword upside down so the handle was to her chest and a little frown still on her face from when Charlotte stepped away.
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She hums in answer before nodding her head.
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"Quiet, aren't you?" The blacksmith asks in amusement, Clem looking down at her boots, as if they're the most intriguing thing at the moment. "Sorry, you'll grow into it."
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"How much?" Charlotte asks curiously, taking the sword from Clem, who immediately went behind her, small hands grabbing at her feathers gently.
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"How much do you have?" He responds, raising his brows before laughing slightly. "Kidding. Fifteen gold sound like a fair trade?"
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Charlotte reaches into her pocket to hand over mentioned amount, although Clem pokes her head out, small hand swiping out at Charlotte's sleeve.
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"Just one?" She requests in a whisper, Charlotte smiling in response.
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"Are you keeping it?" Charlotte inquires, Clem making a face before shaking her head. She hands a coin over to Clem after that, who holds it close to her chest with a happy smile.
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They leave a few minutes later, new weapons at their sides and generally pleasant moods. There's a church that Charlotte could see from there, tall and made of pure white planks. There is bound to be information from the priest about the next child, and Charlotte tries to calm the nervous feel starting to form in her chest.
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Clem walks to to her side, one hand holding Charlotte's hand while she held her gold coin in the other, purple eyes glancing carefully around the street.
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Charlotte smiles when she realizes Clem will be seeing quite a lot, at least for the next few months. What with them traveling to eventually locate the next two children and for safety. It was dangerous being on the run, and Charlotte was planning on helping Clem learn how to use that sword, and on how to properly use her powers.
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A bell rings at the top of the church, chiming loud as Charlotte raised her head to it, humming softly to herself. She wonders the time it was, how quickly news of yesterday reaches this town, then the next, and the next, until Charlotte makes a name for herself. Clem was recognizable, what with her hair and eyes, but Charlotte, not so much. But with her wings and the incident from those hunters, Charlotte knows her face will be well known.
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They walk to the church, Charlotte determined to get to the wooden doors. She's stopped when Clem pauses in her steps, hand nearly slipping out of Charlotte's.
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Charlotte turns around, the clink of a coin catching her attention, the gleam of gold falling at Clem's feet, who pays no mind to it.
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"Clem?" Charlotte asks, eyes following Clem, to the wall of the church. Flyers were put up, hanging and occasionally fluttering with the wind, words out for everyone to see.
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Her breath hitches when she sees what Clem was looking at.
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"I'm guessing we're looking for them?" Clem asks quietly, staring at the wanted poster with wide eyes. It was a messy drawing of creatures not quite human, something deadly with the features overdramatized and scary. It doesn't take a genius to realize there's no way that's how they look like. It was too artificial, warped under the influence of someone's fear and ignorance.
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'TWO MONSTERS DESTINED TO CAUSE APOCALYPSE' it says in big, bold letters at the top. Charlotte feels nauseous and squeezes Clem's hand in a way she hopes was comforting. 'WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE'.
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