Leonardo continues following both Anna and Elara through the increasingly desolate city streets as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that intertwined with the cityscape.
The occasional purple glow of the train passing overhead illuminated the dimming surroundings, creating a surreal contrast against the encroaching darkness.
The dwindling populace parted like the Red Sea to avoid the fumbling Elara, her floral dress proving to be an ongoing obstacle.
"Have you never walked on pavement before?" Leonardo asked, his voice tinged with genuine bewilderment.
Elara steadied herself, cheeks flushing. "First time outside the tower, actually. The ground here... it's different than what I'm used to."
"Speaking of which, where exactly are we headed?" Anna cut in, her patience wearing thin.
"It's my first time in this place too," Leonardo confessed, his eyes darting to the numerous intersections and the seemingly endless expanse of the city.
"What do you mean, your first time?" Anna queried, suspicion lacing her tone.
Leonardo's shoulders tensed. "Truth be told, I'm not familiar with this area either."
"What do you mean, 'not familiar'?" Anna's eyes narrowed.
"I, uh, just started the job," Leonardo admitted, scratching his cheek nervously.
"Started what job?" Elara asked, still fighting with her dress hem.
"And how old are you anyway?" Anna pressed.
Leonardo straightened his posture. "Look, we never properly introduced ourselves—"
"Because you basically kidnapped me with that guard threat," he continued, suddenly realizing, "which was a lie, wasn't it?"
He clenched his fist, voice softer. "I was supposed to be a butler. I needed the draws"
They both watched as Leonardo wrestled with his inner monologue. "I may not know this city," he admitted, stopping in his tracks.
The sun like Light, now perfectly aligned with the horizon, casting a deep orange hue over the city. His amber eyes glowed, blending seamlessly with the sunset, and his brown skin took on a tan shade that harmonized with his brown hair, creating a picture of serene beauty.
"I may not know this city, but I promise to do my best as a tour guide practical officer."
"A what now?" Elara blinked.
"That was... surprisingly dramatic," she added with a small laugh.
"Tour guide prac—" Leonardo stumbled over the words.
Anna waved dismissively. "Everyone knows what a tour guide is. Well, almost everyone."
"There's a café right there," Elara pointed. "Maybe we should sort this out over drinks?"
"Or we could head back to the tower and deal with this tomorrow," Anna suggested flatly.
"Sister, please," Elara sighed.
"Ca-fre?" Leonardo tested the unfamiliar word.
"Where are you really from?" Anna asked, leading the way. "Because it's definitely not the tower."
The café in question was not far off, just two streets away. As they walked, Leonardo continued talking to himself, sighing each time a car passed by.
Anna watched him with growing dismay, muttering under her breath, "This was a mistake, Father's going to have my head."
Upon closer inspection, the café looked very much like a relic from the Victorian era, its aesthetics paying homage to the classical period.
The sign above the entrance was in the language they all spoke, but unlike spoken language, Leonardo had to ask for a translation.
At the café entrance, Leonardo squinted at the sign. "What does that say?"
"What do you mean 'what does it say'?" Elara asked, bewildered.
"It's Kol-nic, plain as day," she added, growing more confused.
[Kol-nic, a language used in this realm of the museum made by one of the sages to communicate with the god.]
Finally, a translation appeared, replacing the words on the sign: [La Belleza del Pasado]. Leonardo squinted at the translation until it changed to [The Beauty of the Past].
"Uh, seems like you got it," Anna said.
"Yeah, I think I do," Leonardo replied, a smile creeping onto his face.
The inside of the café was a testament to the past, with rich mahogany furniture and plush velvet upholstery that created an air of opulence.
The walls were adorned with vintage paintings and ornate mirrors, reflecting the warm glow of the antique chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The curtains and tables were designed to capture the essence of medieval royalty, with intricate lace tablecloths and polished silverware adding to the grandeur.
Approaching the counter, Leonardo said, "Hi, welcome to La Belleza del Pasado. What would you like for today's order?"
"Two café almendra for both of us and," Elara said, turning to Leonardo, "what would you like?"
The interior was fantastic, though not quite up to the museum's standard; the decoration was amazing nonetheless.
"Hello, care to come back to realm 21?" Anna said in a mocking tone.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Leonardo said, looking over at the translated menu board before finally deciding randomly. "Café del Pasado," he ordered.
"That's our most famous coffee. Hope you enjoy," the barista said, her smile warm and welcoming.
They made their way to the couch-based chairs with two on each side facing each other and a table in between.
The cushions were plush, and the ambiance was cozy, inviting them to relax and enjoy their drinks.
As they sat down, Anna first raised the question, "What's your name?"
"It's Leonardo, Leonardo Hatcher," he said.
"It seems you already know our names, but for courtesy's sake, my name is Elara, and she, my sister, is Anna."
She then asked Leonardo his age. "I'm still in my youth," he said flatly.
"Huh, we know you're a youth. You're 5'1," Anna said, laughing a bit.
[16]
"16?" Leonardo said, looking at the glowing floating text.
"Oh, you're 16" Anna said, snickering. Then, continuing to say, "I'm a year older than you," she abruptly leaned in, both hands on the table. "I suppose you know what that means."
"No," Leonardo replied flatly. He wouldn't take this type of tomfoolery from anyone. He may joke a few times, but that doesn't make him a clown.
"Well, Elara, at least we picked one with a spine," Anna lay back into her seat.
"Don't mind her," Elara said in a secondhand embarrassment tone, continuing to say, "It appears I'm the youngest. I'm 15," she said politely.
The darkness finally seeped in.
"Isn't the night amazing?" Leonardo said, staring through the window.
"Hey, are those stars?" he continued to say.
"You're definitely not from here. They are different cities in this realm," Anna said as she, too, watched them.
"Wait, what?" Leonardo turned in a fast movement.
"Did he just give you the job without explaining anything?" Elara said.
"Still, try the coffee," she finally said.
"You're hiding things," Anna muttered, looking at Leonardo with deadly accuracy.
Leonardo obliged, holding it steady as he sipped a bit. The former atmosphere of Q&A changed to one of pure happiness as Leonardo expressed his joy upon tasting the coffee.
"How is this made?" His eyes practically gleamed with curiosity.
Anna scoffed, and Elara proceeded to say, "You really are weird," as she laughed.