❝  I  PROTECT  THE  FOUNTAIN  FROM  BANDITS  LIKE  YOU.  ❞

canon  portrayal  of elaine  from  nanatsu  no  taizai  .

“ Yes, this is definitely where you can see fashion. Not that I’m a good judge but you might find something you’ll like - even shoes! “ He gave a rough chuckle, amused by how excited she was over something so simple. He assumed that it was the same for city people who saw the wonders of nature for once, probably a pretty normal sight for the woman cleaning up his pub right now.

   “ Damn, you sure you don’t need a part time job. This sure is convenient. ” He rested a hand on his hip, watching items float about and return to their original spots. Like this, cleaning took only half as long and within just an hour, he was about ready to end his shift and take the fearie to the mall.

  “ Since cleaning didn’t take long, we might as well grab some food while we’re there. “ 

there was a gentle laughter that trickled from the petite fairy who marveled less at the prospect of wearing human clothes ( for now ) but moreso at being with someone. bandit was treating her like an equal, even if she was half the size of him! “i trust a lycanthrope to know what good food is like!” and so once they were all done, the pair exited the pub, bare feet ever so slightly hovering above the ground so as to not make herself a circus attraction while avoiding dirtying her feet.

“ Well, I got a couple of people I know got my back. I ain’t takin’ that for granted either, trust me. “ He smirked at her, watching her features as he saw her clearly consider his suggestion. He wasn’t going to force her to wear anything different. if all, people might just think she was a cosplayer or something. But she seemed to genuinely consider it and that made him think in return.

   “ Uh… No, I don’t. And I doubt Red’s stuff would fit ya. We can just swing by a shop on our way to the fair. “

How long could it take to pick out a single outfit anyway? He wore the same kinda jeans and shirts and never took longer than five minutes to pick if he needed a new shirt, which happened far too often for his liking. 

“ Have you ever been to the mall? “ 

a ... mole ? mawl ? judging by elaine’s visible confusion, it’d be fair to assume that she had never been to one, the shake of her head only confirming that. the boar’s hat already had an animal-based name, so she figured the place’s owner would be a mole.

“ if this is where i can see human fashion, then please let’s go there first ! i would like to try on shoes very much ! ” elaine was confident in her body and choice of outfit, so it wasn’t by fear of being judged by humans that she’d agreed, but moreso out of personal curiosity

after making sure to gulp down the last drops of her beer, her form would bend over the counter to put the large glass inside the sink, and then --- she’d assist the bartender with a sway of her finger, as if guiding an orchestra, so that her wind powers would arrange the freshly cleaned variously-shaped cups & glasses onto their proper shelves.

Well wasn’t that adorable? She reminded him more of a child, sitting there like this, excited about the fair. If it wasn’t for the beer standing right in front of her. Either way, he wouldn’t be able to break her heart either way so he was going to make time for a little trip tonight.

      “ Tempting but I think I’ll clean up the old fashioned way. It shouldn’t take too long, Red’s around to take over the pub for me. “ 

Waving a hand in dismiss, the old wolf pushed himself back up and rested the hand on his hip, head tilting a little. “ Well, maybe if you had shoes, it wouldn’t be so bothersome. How about we get you a proper outfit to blend in? Wouldn’t want you to step into something that might end up hurtin’ you. “ Yeah, they definitely needed to get her a disguise. Around here, it was fine. But once they were surrounded by mostly humans, she could rise suspicion. 

bandit must have forgotten elaine’s ability to read hearts, his fleeting thought regarding her childish giddiness coaxing a mildly irritated huff from her. she’d let it slide, given that he seemed endeared by it if anything.

“ you must have lots of friends, i kind of envy you, bandit... ” a minute smile crossed her face, golden eyes reflecting against the glass that she looked at with solemnity. that was, before his comment brought attention to her own bare feet that had not been sullied by the dirty concrete of human grounds.

“ Take it easy there! We don’t want it goin’ straight to ya head. “ He smirked, quite enjoying the sight of someone actually indulging in a good drink and not just drowning their sorrows with it. As a man who was proud of the liquor he offered, he rather saw it being enjoyed than pissed away. 

   “ The happy human place?… Ahh you’re talkin’ about the fair? “

Bandit folded his arms over his chest, thinking for a moment. Obviously he had not planned to visit the fair anytime soon. Too cramped, too loud, too many humans. But the sparkle in her eyes was something that was hard to ignore. Not to mention the fact that he wouldn’t want her to be wandering around there on her own and get ripped off by some greedy fucker pretending to sell stuffed toys.

        “ I guess I could take an evening off to take ya there. It’s only  once a year after all. I’m actually surprised you have never been to one. “ 

“ s-sorry. ”

elaine prevented the gates that held her excited stream of words by shutting he mouth with a little pout. that didn’t mea that it would bury her giddiness however, her second sip drawing a bigger sigh from the depth of her chest.

“ yes ! so that’s what it is called... ” a fairy in a fair. surely an event to engrave inside her mind. despite her old age, happy memories were few for the lonely maiden stuck to a repetitive boring duty unjustly entrusted upon her.

a finger drew over the circular shape of the glass’s rim, golden eyes peeking above it with quiet serenity. she wondered what kind of reaction she’d have had if he had refused ; it’s not like she could’ve been irritated, but perhaps the doors to her heart would’ve closed shut altogether.

“ Nah, I was always optimistic that you were floatin’ about your forest somewhere. “ Bandit wiped his nose with a short snort, a smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. It was kinda cute to hear her talk like she had only ever been in the forest. Maybe she just didn’t care much about cities, still it never failed to humour the old wolf.

   “ A beer it is. “ Best not to get her something too bitter, so he filled a pint with light beer, not like she would notice the difference. And when he put the tall glass in front of the fairie, he folded his arms lazily. 

   “ I think I could hold myself back for a while. I know it might not look like it, but I know how to behave. “ 

elaine could hardly conceal her shock when the glass was presented to her ; it was roughly the size of her face, which appeared distorted looking through the bubbly drink.

“ you humans and your sizable servings ! ” bandit would be correct to assume that she was a complete novice at human customs, or werewolf ones for that matter. gripping the handle and chill side of the glass, she’d dip her lips to take one hearty gulp that shrunk the beer to half its size in content. with the traces of foam making for a ridiculous moustache, her speech came slightly blurred under the immediate effects of the intoxicating alcohol.

“ pwaaah... it feels all warm, heh. i wuz’ actually-- HIC, getting all cold with your temperature here...” the sleeveless fairy’s outfit was at fault, but the spring-like constant weather reigning over the forest never drew her to change her daisy-made white dress. “ whew...  i don’t know what’s gotten into me. i feel refreshed, at least. thank you, bandit. ” suddenly, she’d perk up with a vibrant look of curiosity onto her face.

“ I assumed as much. Glad to see you’re still kickin’. “ He smiled, putting the clean glass away so he could direct his attention fully towards her. The cigarette was plucked from his lips to flick the ashes into an ashtray, eyes scanning the dainty fairy that most likely exceeded him in age by a couple of thousand years.

        “ Same old with me. Just makin’ it through life the best way I can. “ A wolfish smirk spread across his features as he gave her a wink. “ What can I get ya? “ He wanted to make sure to serve her before taking a closer look at the gift. No one should say his customers would go thirsty. 

“ don’t bury me so soon, now. ” a light giggle enchanted the bar as it slipped past the fairy’s lips. over the years, nay centuries, elaine had come to realize that the number of species far exceeded her expectations — something she’d recently been able to discover by occasionally leaving the forest.

after all, her brother had returned and, although familial feuds had ensued, by now the initial bitterness had died down. yet elaine was still expected to protect the untouched fountain of youth, for the forest king had business outside of it.