Clara had originally been delivering festival gifts to the prospectors in the camp.
They included little machines she had made from scavenged parts, as well as sun cakes she had baked with Svarog, an indispensable treat for the Aurum Alley Festival.
It was only when she arrived at Old Blue's place that she discovered there was actually a stranger here.
Bai Heng and Clara both sized each other up.
However, the emotions in their gazes were quite different.
Bai Heng showed little more than gentleness.
Clara, on the other hand, was wary of an outsider.
"Don't be nervous. I know Miss Natasha—I suppose you could call me her guest." To dispel her vigilance, Bai Heng brought up the name of the Underworld's leader.
He believed that, since she was a child from the Underworld, she most likely knew Natasha.
His assumption was quickly confirmed.
"Natasha's guest?" Clara blinked her wine-red eyes, gave a polite little bow, and spoke in a voice carrying a young girl's softness and innocence:
"Hello, big brother... My name is Clara. What is your name?"
Bai Heng scooped at his bowl with a wooden spoon and said,
"Just call me Bai Heng."
"Hello, Big Brother Bai Heng."
As the two spoke, Old Blue called out to Clara as well.
"Clara, come over here. It's warmer by the bonfire."
"Mm, I'm coming."
She walked over to Old Blue's side and handed him a small glowing object.
"Grandpa Blue, this is a lighting device loaded with Ground Marrow energy components. You can use it to light your way when you patrol in the future. It's more stable and safer than a torch."
"And..." She took out a stack of sun cakes wrapped in cloth from inside her red hooded coat and handed them to Old Blue. "These are