Chapitre 4: Chapter 4: Can I Use It to Paint a Picture?
"Mom…"
"?"
"???"
Griseo's calling Alina "mom" completely stunned both of them, especially Tallulah, who looked shocked and confused. Even the infected guards standing nearby turned their curious gazes toward them.
"Little Griseo… you're really something."
Seeing the shocked expression on her friend's face, Alina felt a bit helpless about the little girl she was holding. She bent down and gently pinched Griseo's smooth, cute cheeks as a playful punishment.
"Alina… really…" Griseo didn't mind her cheeks being pinched. A helpless look flashed across her face as her demeanor shifted from innocent to gentle, her words slightly muffled.
However, Alina didn't notice this small change in Griseo. After another gentle pinch of the girl's soft cheeks, she let go and explained to Tallulah, "Alright, Tallulah, don't listen to little Griseo. It's complicated. I'll explain later."
"Alright, Tallulah, don't listen to Alina. It's complicated. I'll explain later…"
As soon as Alina finished, Griseo looked up with her violet eyes and, with a helpless expression, echoed her words to Tallulah. Their expressions were eerily similar, as if they were cast from the same mold.
It was clear that Griseo had completely absorbed Alina's "color", resembling her in every way.
"…You, why are you suddenly mimicking me?" Alina asked, unable to hold back a laugh at Griseo's adorable behavior.
At this moment, Alina finally realized that Griseo was different, but she didn't think too much about it, assuming it was just child's play.
"…You, why are you suddenly mimicking me?"
Griseo's eyes showed a flicker of confusion, clearly not understanding.
Alina didn't dwell on it. She handed the supplies over to Tallulah and then picked up Griseo, heading toward the camp.
She hadn't forgotten that the little one in her arms was still hungry. Besides, it was cold outside; any conversation could wait until they were inside.
"…"
Tallulah glanced at the supplies in her arms and decided not to say anything more. She quickly followed them inside. She didn't know exactly what Alina had gone through this time, but at least she was safe, which was a relief. Alina's injuries were minor compared to what she had feared.
However this resupply, Alina had taken longer than usual to exchange supplies, and Tallulah had feared the worst…
---
It wasn't until Griseo was carried into the warm tent that the mechanical voice of the system sounded in her mind again.
[Task Completed]
[Rewards have been delivered to the system space and can be retrieved at any time]
"Stay here and don't run off, little Griseo. I'll get you something to eat." After putting down the little girl, Alina squatted down and seriously instructed her.
Although she hadn't conducted a thorough examination, Alina was fairly certain Griseo was not infected with Oripathy based on her observations.
It wasn't that she distrusted the people here, but the camp was filled with all kinds of infected individuals, some of whom weren't necessarily kind-hearted. Though Griseo's identity was somewhat suspicious and they hadn't known each other long, Alina didn't want the little girl who saved her to get hurt.
"Um… Your color… is beautiful. Can I use it to paint a picture?"
Barely able to pull herself away from Alina's warmth, Griseo didn't respond to her instructions but instead asked a serious and unrelated question.
Previously, she hadn't had the tools to paint, but now she did. Griseo just wanted to capture Alina's colors on canvas.
"Paint a picture?"
"Mm…"
Griseo nodded slightly, then retrieved a set of painting tools from the system space. She looked at Alina again, waiting for her response.
"?"
"?"
Seeing the painting tools suddenly appear in front of Griseo, both Alina and Tallulah, who had just entered the tent, were slightly stunned, question marks practically floating over their heads.
"Where did you get these things, little Griseo?"
"I just… took them out."
Griseo thought for a moment before explaining.
"Took them out?… Never mind, you go ahead and paint. I'll get you something to eat. Stay here and be good."
After ruffling Griseo's hair again, Alina gave up on asking more questions.
To her, the little girl was mysterious and special, so having some secrets was understandable. Besides, Alina wasn't one to pry.
"Tallulah, keep an eye on little Griseo. I'll be back soon." Standing up, Alina gently spoke to her friend at the door.
"Wait, Alina, you haven't bandaged your wound yet!"
"I'll do it when I get back. It won't take long."
"…"
While Alina and Tallulah exchanged these words, Griseo had already picked up her brush and started painting, completely immersed in her work, oblivious to her surroundings.
As Alina left, Tallulah cautiously moved to stand behind Griseo, watching her and her painting process.
…
"Alina, what happened to you? And what's the rumor about you suddenly having a child?"
Sitting by the campfire, a member of the Yeti Squadron asked curiously as Alina approached, a hint of gossip in his eyes.
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't." Before Alina could respond, a white-haired, rabbit-eared girl sitting nearby spoke up first. She looked at her squad member with exasperation before turning to Alina, "Go tend to your wound first, so it doesn't get infected."
"Jeez, big sis is so strict. I was just curious," the squad member muttered, scratching his nose.
"Pfft, got it, Yelena. I'll take care of it." Alina couldn't help but laugh at their interaction and agreed.
But remembering the little one in the tent, she added, "Could you do me a favor, Yelena? I need you to take some food to the tent for Griseo while I bandage up."
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Bismarck_Imperia
Bismarck_Imperia No advanced chapters yet. June 31-July 6 drops Chapters 6-50 in Patréon./PorterOfSomething
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone