-- I didn't ask to be called here, to this world. I used to think it was completely at random, that i was dragged here, but now? Now i know that i have a purpose here, a fate driven purpose. And i intend to fulfill it.
[???]: "Hello?.... Hello?... Mister? Can you hear me? How many fingers am i holding up?"
Where am i? I'm on my back. How did i get here? Who does this voice belong to?... These are the questions that are going through his head right now, but his raging headache and concussion overshadow his desire to speak.
Instead he looks up to where the voice is coming from.Â
Through his blurry vision, he can barely make out the outline of a woman, leaning over him with her hands on her knees.
She seems short, her hair is blond, and even if he cant make out any features of her face yet, he knows she is beautiful.
[???]: "U-um.... Its... Three?"
[???]: "Totally wrong! Its four. See that? Four!"
The woman presses her hand up to his face, showing him closer that she is indeed holding up four fingers.
[???]: "Right, i do see that now."
[???]: "You must be really messed up mister. Too many drinks at the tavern last night? You look pretty young for a drunk you know."
[???]: "Tavern? What? I'm not a drunk, i don't even drink. And I'm only 19!"
The mans vision starts to clear up, he brings his hand up to cover the bright light from the sun to try and get a better look at the woman.
Before him is a short, blonde girl with medium length hair, wearing a white outfit and cloak, fitted with the occasional gem or two.
The sight of her beauty takes him by surprise, his breathing becomes slightly heavier and he is left speechless on the ground.
[???]: "You okay Mister? Here, let me help you up."
[???]: "Gah-"
She pulls him up causing a little bit of pain that fades fast. Now sitting up on the ground, he can get a good look around.
I'm in some sort of alleyway, the floor is made of stone and i can hear the busy streets around me. All the thoughts that he is taking in, that just confuse his brain even further.
[???]: "Why are you dressed like that? And where am i?"
[???]: "Dressed like this? These are normal clothes. Are you really okay? Now that im getting a closer look at you, you don't seem like your from around here. Your dressed all weirdly."
[???]: "---"
The girl once more takes his hand, pulling him onto his feet with a grunt from both of them.
Now on his feet, he turns his attention to the girl, who is a lot shorter than she seemed from the ground.
[???]: "Agh. Thanks for helping me up. Whats your name?"
The girl giggles softly and smiles, reaching out her hand in front of her to invite him into a handshake.
[???]: "Its Lisa. Nice to meet you Mister."
He accepts her offered hand, shaking it firmly but gently.
[???]: "Hn-? Your hand is.. quite small and soft. Wait, how old are you?"
[Lisa]: "Huh? Why should i go telling strangers my age Mister?"
He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand, smiling as if asking for forgiveness.
[???]: "Right, right sorry. My name is Julius. Julius Rogers. But please call me just 'J' to make it easier."
Shaking her hand still while smiling warmly, before Lisa breaks the contact.
[Lisa]: "J huh? Okay then, its nice to meet you J."
[Julius]: "Its good to meet you too, Lisa. Now we aren't strangers, so... Your age is?"
Lisa giggles at his friendliness. She had never quite seen someone like him, like he didn't fit in with anyone from this world, an anomaly.
[Lisa]: "I'm 13"
Quickly taking a wide stance and pointing her finger at Julius, her personality ignites, and her face shines far brighter than before.
[Lisa]: "But don't go underestimating me! I'm far smarter and mature than i seem, hmph!"
He is taken off guard by the sudden fire that was lit within her, but he was far more shocked at her age, letting out a Disbelieving "Eh?".
There's no way this girl could be that young, she seems so...energetic? he thought. The way she dressed, the way she spoke and was so passionate, it wasn't something he was used to, being from where he was before waking up here. But if anything, he found it rather adorable.
[Lisa]: "What do you mean "Eh"? I assure you I'm not lying! You believe me right J? Right?"
Her sudden questioning bringing him back into reality, and snapping him out his distant thoughts.
[Julius]: "U-uh, Its nothing, I um, was caught off guard i suppose. You don't really seem that young to me, but i guess you are quite short."
He says while placing his hand on her head, smiling and softly chuckling while petting her hair, getting a flustered and irritated reaction out of her, swatting away his hand.
[Lisa]: "Hey! Don't go teasing me like that out of nowhere!"
[Julius]: "Sorry, i guess i couldn't resist it."
[Lisa]: "Its fine, i guess. Just warn me next time."
She pouts with her arms crossed, but secretly hopes she didn't discourage him from doing it again.
With another long look around, Julius gathers in his surroundings.
Dark brick walls. Damp stone floor. Several crates and chests piled around the place. It all looks so strange to him.Â
Could this place be a sort of medieval or even fantasy area? it all just looks so real, and this girl here too. Nothing makes sense, its nothing like back home- are all things he thought to himself while looking around.
[Julius]: "Hey Lisa. Do you think you could show me around? I have zero clue where i am after all, maybe you could take me to somewhere with a phone or something."
He says all with a warm smile, once again rubbing his neck, a habit that he's had his whole life. He hopes that maybe if he can find a way of communicating with his family, he could get some answers from them about why he is here, and they can come get him.
[Lisa]: "I'd be happy to show you around, you do seem genuinely lost so... i would be a bad person if i just walked off and left you here all by yourself. But i don't really know what this 'phone' thing is you speak of, so i cant guarantee that i can help you there. Your really strange, you know that?"
She seems genuinely confused and there's a little bit of concern in her eyes, but she agrees to show him around.
 She reaches her hand out, silently asking him to hold it as they walk. She averts her gaze to the ground, hiding her face as she raises her hand, closing and opening it as if to give him a hint of what she wants.
[Julius]: "You really don't know what a phone is? I guess ill have to explain it on the way then, though I'm still not sure your not just messing with me and this is all just some big prank or something."
He takes her hand in his own, interlocking his fingers with hers. The sudden closeness and unexpetancy of the entwining of fingers cause her to softly shriek and jolt, her eyes widen.
[Lisa]: "I-i-i didn't t-think you'd take it that f-far."
Her breathing turns inconsistent, and her face a bright red hue. Her voice lowers into almost silence at her next words.
[Lisa]: "I mean....I-i don't m-mind, but....i didn't expect it is all."
[Julius]: "Did you not want it? I'm sorry i startled you. Ill take my hand away"
His actions are only met with her tightening her grip on his hand, as if to say- don't let go.
[Lisa]: "N-no! I-its okay, really."
His face soften into a slight smile, a relieved look washes over him. He leans his hand back into hers, which loosens its grip, albeit only slightly. She looks down again, hiding her face out of embarrassment.
Julius resists the urge to tease her over it, but fears what she will do this time if he goes through with it. After a few seconds of thought, he decides to let it go for now, finding her already flustered state cute enough to make up for it.
[Julius]: "I see. Alright, which way do we go first then?"
Still recovering from The sudden contact, she stops trying as hard to hide her flustered face, and leads Julius down one of the alleys.
[Lisa]: "T-this way. Come with me."
[Julius]: "Very well, ill be right by your side, lead the way."
Lisa cant help but flush an even deeper red color, but doesn't say anything. Hand in hand, They both walk down the alley, where most of the noise is coming from, the noise of countless crowds and people shouting, advertising their wares.
Slowly, they approach the bright light at the end of the alleyway. Julius takes a deep breath, preparing to take in the sight of where he has ended up.
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