Eldritch

So, how am I going to go about this?
I got myself back into this town.
Of course, in disguise.
A slightly older body, so I won't get questioned by any adults seeing an unsupervised minor, which I colored violet, walking about on the similarly colored ground.

A quick look around told me already a bunch of interesting trivia.
As there is still no day-night rhythm, it seems like life is still defined here by eating times and the different working shifts.
This results in the fascinating arrangement that the city basically has People who simply exist next to each other without interacting all that much, because they wake and work at different times.
Well, while interesting, it doesn't seem too bad and doesn't help me solve my current challenge.

The crux is, I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for here.
To find a particular individual among the People, I'd have to narrow them down.
The search criteria "Cultist" doesn't quite cut it in this regard, as it's too abstract to actually bear results.

I start scanning the town, but find a certain fault in my plan.
I have no idea about any of the cultists.
There's no distinguishing feature I'd know of, so I can't really tell them apart, even if I can theoretically spot any single person in my dream if I were to concentrate on them.

So for now, I didn't quite come up with a particular plan other than to stroll the streets.
Though I really need to say, seeing in person what they built here is impressive.
The many huge constructs, mostly of the violet ground that is native to here, the white marble of Soraja's special buildings, and how well the streets are maintained.
Truly special.
Even more special if you think that this civilization developed here, completely cut off, because of nothing but a stray thought of mine.
Though it doesn't quite help me with the fact that this is pointless.
It's not like I will just stumble over a hint.

"Thump"

"Uff!" (I)

Someone just ran into me!

"Hold her! Hold the thief!" (merchant)

A thief?
Here?
Didn't Soraja say that everyone in this city is able to care for themselves due to her workings?

The supposed thief, meanwhile, doesn't even look all that proficient in their occupation.
They are staggering, and apparently, quite slow with their load.
Thus, the shopkeeper eventually catches up and tackles the runner from behind.

"Urgh!" (thief)

Uh, that didn't look good.
The guy was probably double the girl's weight.
Yep, girl.
That voice was clear enough.
The shopkeeper naturally gets far quicker back on his feet.

"Whomp"

Did he have to kick her!?!

Even more, so hard that she rolled over?
I'm pretty sure that wasn't about the stuff she got in her hands.
She even let go of it by now, and he doesn't seem as much inclined to retrieve it, as he is in favor of punishing his victim.
Who is, by the way, a young woman in a more reddish purple color.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Also, regarding what she has stolen.
Let's see...
That's a coroca!
That girl was stealing food.
Okay, now I'm feeling conflicted.

"Whack"

"Ackh!" (thief)

Alright, that's enough.
I seriously have no intention of watching while someone is beaten to death in front of me.
I approach, maybe getting a little taller on the way.

"Excuse me, I think that goes a little out of bounds." (I)

Maybe I infused my voice a little.
He seemed pretty hard into it, so I wasn't sure if he'd care.

"What!?! Mind your own damn business!" (shopkeeper)

Okay, Iori, don't let your sociophobia get the better of you.
You are an eldritch being of unimaginable power and don't have to be intimidated by one big and noisy guy.

"I'd like to, but I can't ignore that you'd kick someone on the ground like this. I'm very sure Aureas and Soraja wouldn't approve." (I)

Let's hope that their gods' names carry a little bit of weight.

"How typical! You violetters just have to stick together! This girl stole my goods!" (shopkeeper)

That sounds a lot like racism to me.
Makes me not too favorable to take his side.
Urgh, that is problematic if the absolute god of a realm is taking sides, isn't it?
I should try being a bit more diplomatic.

"And you got them back. So can't you just let it go?" (I)

"As if I could put that dirty thing back into my merchandise!" (shopkeeper)

"Whack"

Okay, that's enough!

I let a bit of my power drift into my voice and wish myself to be more convincing.

"I thought we should avoid causing greater misery. If you keep hitting her, this might be the cause of Oroi's return. Do you really want this?" (I)

While a lie, this should be pretty convincing for a native to this world.

"Grmph! Don't ever let your color show at my shop!" (shopkeeper)

Seems like I got this handled.
Urgh, but I feel bad that I used what basically amounts to mind control.
I mean, it wasn't outright mind control, but at least the equivalent of doing a persuasion roll with maxed out charisma and extra bonuses.
Still, it was for a good cause, somewhat.

As good as saving an obvious thief can be.
Speaking of which, now that the shopkeeper has trotted away, I should look for her.

"Groan!" (thief)

Uh, she doesn't look great.

A quick touch of my hand, coupled with the fact that everything in this world is basically a part of me, tells me that some of her ribs got cracked, one even broken.
Well... not anymore.
With a single thought, in proximity to my hand, her ribs pull themselves back into place and mend themselves in their original position.
Though, not quite, as they were apparently broken prior to this event, so it would be more correct that I place them the way they should be aligned.

"Scrk"

"Ieeeegh!" (thief)

Didn't seem too great for her.
On the other side, they might be even sturdier now than before.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't want to hurt you, I was just checking if you're alright. Are you alright?" (I)

As she couldn't have had any assessment about her medical condition, I'll just act as if she was fine the whole time, and the pain was simply the lingering shock.
It's not like her not-cracked ribs could give me away.

"Urgh, that hurt badly, but..." (thief)

She's still rubbing her chest.
As well-endowed as she is, I have to wonder how that impact could do such a number on her, with that kind of cushioning.
Finally, she focuses on me and, uh, looks a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, ehm, this is awkward. Thanks, I guess. I heard you speaking up for me. Kinda wished we'd have met in a more favorable situation." (thief)

"I guess the worst could be avoided. That's probably a good thing." (I)

"Yep. Not only that, but I get to keep the coroka!" (thief)

Sure... her loot.

"Ehm, right. But I really don't think you should steal." (I)

Never mind the moral implications, it's obviously not healthy for you.
But surely she's now going to be all agitated about me saying this.
I guess I can't deny being pretty privileged.

"Of course! That was a one-time thing! Among others. Thanks again for your help! I'm Mela, by the way." (Mela, apparently)

"Uh, Iori." (I)

Damn, should I have given a fake name?
It was just the polite thing to do, so I forgot to think about it.

"Wow, what a great name! You're truly awesome!" (M)

Seriously, she reminds me all too much of a certain someone.

"Well, I'm glad I could help and that you're okay." (I)

"I sure am. Better than yesterday even. Can barely feel where he punched me the other day." (thief)

Damnit!

"Well, I don't have anything to do with that. But great that you're fine." (I)

Now I should just be on my way.
I have to find those cultists after all.

"Sure, don't let yourself get caught up by me! Goodbye then, and may Oroi bless you!" (Mela)

.
.
.

"Excuse me!?!" (I)