When Kei opens her eyes, she’s lying on something soft and can feel a gentle motion beneath her. Am I in a car? She asks herself, before finally sitting upright and confirming that she is.
“She lives!” Nadia playfully announces this, though it appears to only be the two of them in this fancy car. “Are you feeling better? You gave us quite the scare for a while there, you know?”
“Yes, I think so. I’m not sure I completely remember what happened. The porter took my suitcase and then came back for my backpack and I-.” It all comes rushing back to her, down to every detail. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I did that!” She covers her face with her hands, wanting to hide away in shame. “I didn’t mean to lash out like that, I swear! I was upset, but still….”
“Yeah, that was quite the shock for us too. I didn’t know you had such violent intent in you.”
“That’s not! I mean, that’s not how I am normally. It’s just, that backpack and the things inside...I just don’t like anyone touching them. It’s all I have that’s really mine. All I’ve ever had. It holds my precious things, especially-.” She suddenly becomes panicked. “The doll! Where is-!” Nadia places her hand on her shoulder and encourages her to relax.
“No worries, it’s been safely returned to its proper home on your backpack, which I personally brought along with us, so I can vouch for the security of its contents.” She holds the bag up and passes it to Kei. Her eyes light up like she’d just handed her the entire world.
Kei eagerly takes the bag and turning away slightly, she quickly scans through the bag, sighing in relief once she’s presumably accounted for everything. She strokes her finger across the doll, and she holds it tenderly in her palm as it hangs from the top strap of the bag. Turning back to Nadia, she says, “Thank you. This bag and its contents are the most important things I own. That’s why I’m so protective of them. It holds a lot of memories, not all good, but mine.”
Nadia nods. “I figured as much. I didn’t think you’d threaten someone so seriously over an insignificant item. I can’t begin to imagine the significance it holds to bring you to violence.”
“Ugh, I feel terrible about that. I’ll need to apologize to him later. He must despise me now.”
“No need, we have already handled it. He certainly won’t be your friend, but he won’t retaliate.”
“How? I think anyone who was attacked so viciously without known cause would be resentful.”
“Well, let’s just say that Katia really knows how to smooth over unpleasant situations in the simplest manner. Not to mention, she can be pretty scary when she wants to be. Believe me.”
“I see.... Well, Lowell is probably disappointed in me, huh? I’m probably banned now, right?”
“Eh, he’ll live. Why should we worry about what he thinks anyway? Not like he considers our feelings. He may always smile in our faces, but he can be a monster when displeased with you.”
“I guess, but I didn’t want to leave them with any hard feelings. I mean, we have to come back here once the year is up, don’t we? I don’t want to make things tense between us upon return.”
“No, I’m never going back there.” She speaks in a matter-of-fact tone. “I’ve said my goodbyes, and when Katia can, she’ll come visit us in the city every so often. Nothing else ties me there anymore. Until the day I die, I will never take a step back on those grounds. Not even after.”
“I see. It seems like you’re already looking towards your future. I’m happy for you. I hope that one day I’ll be able to look forward with such certainty too. I still don’t feel like I have a place to settle in. When I’m finally free to explore this big, expansive world, who can I even turn to?”
“Hey, you have me, don’t you? Or were you planning on skipping town as soon as we arrive?”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant...well, I’m not sure exactly, but I know I’ve been my happiest ever since I’ve been with you. If I can, I’d like to stay by your side, but I feel like that’s impossible. I can’t help but feel I’ll only drag you down and keep you from your full potential.”
“That’s not for you to worry about. I told you before, didn’t I? Stay with me, until I say to go.”
“Yes...but that’s easy to say when I was your best option. Surely the city will open so many doors for you and introduce you to so many new people. I think you’ll outgrow your need for me. There’s nothing particularly interesting about me other than my powers, and that’s old news for you anyway. I have nothing to offer. I’m not even that attractive, so what’s keeping you?”
“If you keep talking like that, I’ll boot you from this car myself.” She sounds slightly annoyed. “This isn’t just a new start for me, but for you as well. You’re not my servant and you’re not being kept. You’re you Keiko. One day, when ready, tell me the story behind that doll, ok?”
“Thanks, Nadia. One day, I promise.” Kei leans against her, and Nadia casually takes her hand.