"Time to explain yourself, Arra. What did you mean when you said you were getting married?"
Blood, sweat, and dirt dripped from my forehead and into my mask as I carried Esmeralda behind my back. Everyone's clothes were dirty, and we smelled worse than warriors who just came back from the front lines. Arra tapped thrice on her friend's right cheek, but she's not responding. There we are, in the middle of the market area, dragging two unconscious females and looking like we just committed murder, but no one's approaching. Chimerians definitely had their eye on us, sure, but they didn't knew what we were up to... Yet.
"Let's focus on getting back for now. It'll only be a matter of time before they start questioning us." Arra hastens her walk.
"Don't dodge the topic. So tell me... You knew you were getting married and yet you still dated me? I don't understand."
"Please. I'll tell you once we're clear. Just wait, okay?"
"Hey! What's going on there?!"
That was our cue to run. Arra cursed under her breath and carried Nelen, and a casual walk turned into a sprint race as soon as we turned the first corner. As for the direction, we both worked together. I followed Arra when she was ahead, and she did the same when my pride didn't accept it. The officer's screams echoed through the limestone walls of buildings as we turned corner after corner, and after a few more minutes of running and shifting, we finally got out. A vendor selling fruit juice looks at us and drops his wooden cart, so I smile my most reassuring smile despite the mask blocking my face. By the time we were done, Arra's dress and my shirt are covered in sweat, so the two of us decided to buy something.
"What part of the city do you think this is?" I ask as I sip some of my apple juice.
"North-east. I'm familiar with this place. We'll get to the orphanage at around four to five. Is Esmeralda okay?" Arra pants and slurps on her grape juice.
"Yeah. She's sound asleep right here. How about Nelen?"
"She's doing good."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"..... So why didn't you tell me you were getting married?"
"You're very persistent, aren't you?"
"Why wouldn't I be? It's interesting."
"I thought you were mad."
"I am. Now, spill it out."
"... Alright. I'll tell you. Just promise me you won't tell anyone."
"That you're getting married?"
"No. The reason why I'm doing this."
She feels around the pockets of her mini dress, takes a candy out of it, and downs it in a single gulp. I asked for some, but she shakes her head, saying that it's her medicine. Medicine for what, though? She looks healthy. Maybe she just doesn't want to share?
"There's a price to pay for people who get adopted by nobles." She tosses her drink on a bin and orders another one.
"What's that?"
"Freedom. They get to decide on how you should live your live. Father actually wants me to marry the prince here because he knows that his social standing will be promoted. He may appear to be planning for my future, but he knows I can't disobey him."
"What makes you think that?"
"Unlike me, Aldwynn gets to choose what he wants. He gets to go travelling, eat exotic foods, sleep on foreign lands. I don't have the luxury like that."
"So you're jealous of your brother? Is that it?"
"In a way, yes. I may be a bit jealous of my little brother, but that's not the reason I'm doing this."
"Tell me, then. Why are you rebelling? Why did you use me?"
"I don't know. I just wanted to try it, I guess. Not following their orders every time. Going on dates with the people I like. It's really fun, but it's probably the last time I'll be doing this."
"Is it, though?"
"I honestly think it is."
She talked, as if she was whispering to herself. Brothels, flower shops, and bakeries surrounded this part of the city, and I couldn't help but cringe at the people here being all lovey-dovey. People swooning over the gift of chocolates. Fake couples going inside for a quick fling. Flowers. There's just something about them that ticked me off. They're kind of... Easy to get, I guess? Maybe I'm jealous of their happiness? I'm not really sure anymore. Arra implied that she liked me, yes, but I couldn't help but think if her feelings were true.
"The orphanage is this way." Arra goads me into the street Jean and I came from.
"So we came from the north, huh?"
"What's that?"
"Nothing. So, tell me. What are your plans after this? Will you get married just like what daddy told?" I tease, but she's not laughing.
"That's insensitive."
"Sorry."
"But yes. I can't do anything about it."
"I've been telling you. Come with us."
"I said I can't. I still have to do something here, and no, I'm not telling you about it."
"Where's Aldwynn, by the way?"
"Doing some work at his quarter in the North. He's been burying himself with work ever since Aldwynn died. I've been telling him to slow it down, but he wouldn't."
"Just how close were they?"
"They were already inseparable when I was brought in. I can understand where he's coming from."
She sighs and sits Nelen down to a chair outside a potion shop, so I did the same with Esmeralda. The lovers laid next to each other as Arra went inside, and I passed the time looking at my surroundings. Some teenagers summoned small pets and started battling, the other kids screaming in joy as the water sprite extinguishes the one made with flames... Hmm. This place still feels foreign. I wonder why?... Yep. I can't wait to get those cleansing crystals. I don't care if I sound like a junkie.
"I'm back." Arra closes the door behind her and holds two bottles similar to what Esmeralda's been throwing.
"Isn't that--"
"Yes. It's the same bottle as Esmeralda's. It cures drunkenness."
"Don't tell me..."
"Yes. Esmeralda's been throwing her stock instead of using it."
"Didn't she have five in her bag? Ah, shit. I can't wait to tell her that." I chuckle.
"Oh, guys! There you are!"
The high-pitched call of a young man. It's very familiar, too. Jean exaggerates his wave as he walks over to us. Behind him, Arra's brother makes his way inside the building with the Legion's logo. Gods. Why is he here?
"Gods. Why are you here?"
"Hey, that's just mean! What are the masks for?"
"I'm surprised you recognized us." Arra coos.
"I recognized your clothes. What happened to them?"
"What are you doing here?"
I question him as Arra helps the couple. Some of the citizens murmured and frowned at us, while some got closer. I think they're curious. Good thing there are no officers around. Jean also notices this, so he shouts, takes a whiskey bottle from his new bag, and drinks it. It's so weird. Why shout? Why does he have so many bags?
"Business. You guys go and have your date now. Aldwynn and I need to go somewhere. Can I leave the girls to you?" He coughs from his drink. "This is horrible."
"Go and take a break, man. I feel kind of bad for you, having no date and all." I grin wider than usual.
"Don't worry about me. I've already taken her to bed. A few minutes after you guys went out, actually."
"Oh, wow. Damn you. Was it Danella?"
"Toodles!"
"Hey, wait! I want to know!"
"Where is Jean going?" Arra asks.
"He said something about work and that he's going with your brother. I don't know what they'll do, though."
"Where are they headed?"
"I don't know. How about we get the couple to the orphanage first? The mask is making my head itch."
"Oh, yes. I was about to talk to you about that. It's funny how you got to it first."
We both laugh at our little chat as we watch the couple to see who wakes up first. I don't know why, but for the first time, I felt as if she's having real fun. There's always been something about her that created a tension. Something uncertain. Something worrying. Like she's worrying that something will go wrong, or someone would find out. I understand her, though. Her expressions are stiff, but I will melt it away. I'll try to, at least. Nelen's crimson eye opened first, asking us if she did anything stupid.
"You thought that a brawl was a good idea, and you're right. It was fun." I laugh.
"Zee? Toldja."
"Are you still drunk?"
"I was just joking with you. I'm good now. A bit dizzy, sure, but not drunk." Nelen goes to Esmeralda and whistles on her face.
"Please watch your alcohol, Arra. I worry about the things you do." Arra pleads.
"Oh, yeah. You also groped Arra and puked all over the dwarves." I said.
"You don't have to tell her t--"
"Oh, Gods. I'm so sorry, Arra. Please don't be mad at me. I didn't mean to."
"... It's o--"
"I'll even cut my own hand just to stay friends with you. Please don't leave me. You're the only true friend I have. Just tell me which hand."
"You don't have to go there, sheesh. You're fine, Nel. Don't worry."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Thank the gods."
"Can I call you Nel, too?" I ask.
"No."
The walk back to the orphanage was relatively easier after Nelen woke up. It still took a few more minutes, but the burden of having to carry the two wasn't present anymore. She thanked us for our efforts and insisted on carrying Esmeralda herself, occasionally readjusting as we walked. Diana swept the front of the house, and after seeing us, rushed over to help Nelen. I went straight to the bathroom after that, scrubbing all the impurities off my body. Gods. I smell worse than a thousand warriors in the middle of summer heat. That's the second simile towards warriors today. Nice one, me... What's that? Voices. Oh. It's Arra. She's chanting something in the bathroom. The walls are this thin?
"Are you trying to heal yourself?" I shout.
"Sol?! You're taking a bath, too?" She gasps.
"I don't see the reason why I shouldn't. We both came from a brawl, after all. You healing yourself?"
"Yes. Want me to teach you?"
"Sure."
"Just visualize the spell alphabets and arrange the words 'Ssana'. Double S."
"Alright. Do I have to shout it?"
"Some people can remember better by chanting it, yes, but you can do it even without saying it."
"Thanks... SSANA!!! Oh... It's working through my entire body! Thanks, Arra! I love you!"
She snorts and laughs at my sarcasm, and I laugh along her, dropping my soap and seeing the layout in the process. The bathroom was small for an orphanage, totaling up to three shower heads and two sinks. Three small stalls of toilet sat on the far left corner of the room, and a clock near the window pointed its hands at five. Is the layout same as the female's? I want to know, but at the same time, I don't. I wonder if Arra... Gods. Something about hearing a naked girl talk is... Fuck. I'm starting to think like an old man.
"I'll go on ahead." She grabs my attention. "What time will we do the picnic?"
"Wanna wait for the couple to recover?"
"Oh. They won't recover that easily. The bottles containing the alcohol are designed to strengthen its taste and effect. It might take them tomorrow."
"So the drinking contest is cancelled, then? What now?"
"Now, it's only the two of us. What do you plan on doing?"
"Picnic?"
"Picnic."
And so it was decided. Arra got off the bathroom first, telling me that she'll go and borrow clothes from Diana. I was halfway done on finishing my bath, when a grim realization came into view. Clothes. Again... Okay. Maybe it wasn't as serious as I thought. Should I just borrow from old Jayce again? Maybe my clothes in the washer are dry now. I'll go ask Danella... I'm getting nervous. It's only the two of us now.
I wonder how this will turn out?