Lots of aches and pain

Why was everything so bright. Uh, I...

"Shh... don't move suddenly," Gemma said holding me. "It won't feel nice. Trust me. I got your inhaler, might need a preventive puff?"

My vision was a bit blurry, oh I had one eye shut. So my depth perception was off. She guided my inhaler into my hand. I took a puff. "So, bright, close window ple..."

I could hear well at least, because she was giggling at me. "It's nighttime sweetie. I have a few LEDs on. I suppose our Lord's eyes don't need much light, and your brain is light sensitive. Okay."

I could hear footsteps. Hard to think. LEDs? No way? It was like, noon level light. Ever muscle in my body was aching and screaming. I wanted to flop back in bed, but even falling felt too fast. I was scared I'd need the bathroom too, so if I was up, I'd.... oh thank my lord. Wait, I was doing it again. Saying lord. Oh wait. Gemma... was a demon. No, maybe all that was a dream?

"There, you can open your eye," she said.

I did and much better. It looked kind of like, twilight, like the grayscale. I could see everything clearly but no light source from any angle.

"My right eye, did I-"

"It is fine," she said. "Just strained, the patch is so you won't use it on accident. To think our Lord would give you the Trader's eye and the Appraiser's eye. And on your first day. I would be lying if I didn't say I was beyond jealous. It might have been a bit earlier for you to handle them, but wow you much have had a fun day."

"I... uh," I paused holding my stomach. Before I could even ask she carried me to the bathroom. All things aside. She was a good friend.

When I finished in there, she even offered to carry me back, but I wanted to stretch my muscles at least a bit. "So, wait... it wasn't a dream. So, you are a demon?" I asked.

She nodded, never once breaking her smile. "Yes. Admittedly, when I gave you the magic power of theft, I figured you would have considered it obvious. Perhaps it is the changing times," she said, rubbing her chin. "I was raised in a church in South Carolina in 1879. So, magic theft alone was enough for me to realize what deal I was making."

She's as old as Einstein! "And you still did it?" I asked. Like, how could she do that? How could I? Wait. "Trish! Theresa! You didn't-"

"Calm yourself," Gemma said stroking my hair. "You don't wanna slow your recovery. Theresa is a bit... odd. But they are both fine. I shall not harm them."

I looked down. I didn't have a lot of options. I didn't even know where they were. I couldn't even stand very well. "No tricks? No tricking them into demons or forcing them into slaves or anything while I recover."

She grabbed my book. Wait... dang it. "Why am I thinking of it as my book?" I asked looking at the Kyoei No Senban.

She just smiled. "He likes you."

"He? But-"

She touched my hand and placed it on the book. I felt this deep and powerful connection to her and our lord as she began speaking. "There is a lot to talk about. More than you can possible imagine or comprehend right now. But, there are two things I want you to understand. One, our Lord is a captain. His crew are what matter. That's me, and that's potentially you. I would never put that in harms way for some random people. They are comfortable, waiting for you to recover, so we can discuss what happens next."

I looked away. "I believe you." How could I not. It just felt so... real.

"Secondly," she began even while my back was turned. "You are not a demon. If you decide you don't want to join The Watchers officially. You will have that right soon. The necklace, and the eyes are yours. Gift from me and my Lord in either case."

So it wasn't to late. But... I wasn't sure what that meant. It was making my stomach groan just thinking about it really.

She set my book down and picked me up. "Okay, enough for now young lady. You don't have a demon body yet. So you still have asthma and are suffering the pain from returning what you stole. Time for bed. Okay?"

"Wait, then you were only hurt from the steal?" I asked.

She nodded. "My demon body was how I cured my asthma and polio. But I didn't mind taking on the asthma again for a few days for a future crew mate. Just as that man once took on my polio and asthma for me. One day at a time. Don't worry. I will still help you learn to control the necklace. Even if you turn us down."

I just hugged her as she carried me. "What about my eyes?" I asked.

"Hmm? Oh, come now? Don't tell me you didn't notice?" she asked. "I have yellow eyes. I tried, but well. Even with a demon body. I was not worthy to receive the eyes from our lord."

Huh? But... I gripped my fists so tightly against her. Over a hundred years. She served him, she tried, but... she didn't qualify. Even becoming a demon couldn't give her this and I... I just felt like crying. How is it that it was the demons that felt so kind? I... was this a trick? I... I didn't know what to do anymore.