-Leor's pov-
"Tell me something… Do you know why Vane was being so suspicious of you?" I finally asked Johan something that was bothering me for a while.
'He's a friendly person, even with complete strangers, Something was weird about his reaction—Like he knew something I didn't.
Johan shrugged, his expression calm, though his tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "I have no idea. By the way, thank God you finally remember I exist."
"I know I know," I said with a sheepish grin, trying to defuse the situation "But you can't really blame me can you?"
"Of course, I can," he shot back. "you could've just nodded to what I was saying or added something I missed. But no you stayed completely silent, It was the worst thing you could do at the moment. Naturally, No one would believe a complete stranger they just met." His tone blaming.
"I see, So you're saying I shouldn't believe you…" My comment completely shut his complaining, forcing him to focus back on how beautiful nature is.
We reached the bustling hub, the whole road for carriages was made of cobblestone bricks, and the rest of the parts were filled with dirt, where beautiful yellow dandelions were planted, Giving the whole square an elegant look. We were walking on the stoned footpath where pedestrians are designated to walk. There were not many shops there, just three on the right side of the footpath. A telegraph office, a descent looking bar from where some shouts of men were coming, and A flower shop that had many kinds of beautiful flowers like dandelions, jasmine, and roses planted in little pots. Nervous young men crowded around, likely planning heartfelt confessions to their sweethearts.
The square itself was dominated by a wooden pavilion with an open design. Its curved roof, weathered but sturdy, shielded people from the sun, supported by a ring of evenly spaced stone columns. Beneath its shelter, long wooden benches were bolted to the cobblestone floor. People occupied these benches: some smoking cigarettes, others deeply engrossed in political debates, while a group of young students laughed and teased each other to pass the time. All of them were waiting for carriages heading in their desired directions.
As Johan and I walked toward the coach stations, I noticed a familiar face waiting for a carriage as well. I made my way toward her, with Johan trailing silently behind me.
"Hey, Georgia! Where you headed?" I called out to her. Georgia worked at a bakery and lived in the neighborhood, so I often saw her around. She appeared to be in her twenties—probably older than Clara.
Her pale white skin and long black hair, tied back in a ponytail with a few loose strands falling across her forehead, gave her a slightly disheveled look. A small mole on her right cheek added to her mature charm. She wore a grey woolen ankle-length gown with black floral patterns. Though the gown looked a bit worn out, her well-proportioned figure and refined features gave her an understated allure.
"Leor! What a pleasant surprise. I am going back to the bakery, Old lady must be going nuts without me haha," Her brown eyes softened as she recognized me. Then she turned her gaze to Johan. "And who's your handsome friend? Won't you introduce him to me?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
'She has a strong reputation for making everyone she talks to regularly fall in love with her, both men and women, mostly women as she talks with women more. Not that I hate it, but I myself was dangerously close to being charmed by her. I guess all people have some kind of nature with which they're born with…'
Ahh! As I was thinking I felt a splitting headache, like a hammer hit me at the back of my head, my vision slightly blurred, like I was staring at the afternoon sun for hours, My eyes felt unbearably dry. Surprisingly No one noticed my cries for help.
"Name's Johan Mam" Johan smiled charmingly, reaching out his hand towards her.
Georgia blushed, covering her lips with her hands. "What a straightforward young man you are…"
"Um?" Johan felt utterly confused, He just tried to do a handshake. His face saying 'what's she on about'
"I guess you're new in this country haha," Georgia laughed moving her right hand which was covering her mouth "Offering your hand to someone of the opposite sex is basically asking for their hand, Not that I mind…" She smirked teasingly as she shook Johan's hand making his face go blank. "My name's Georgia, Nice to meet you too."
"Ah Leor, why are you so quiet all of a sudden? What're you thinking, tell us too!" she nudged me with her left elbow.
'I felt like my chest weighed two tons, But for some reason I felt an intense desire to reply to her. I looked straight into her eyes and blurted out something which made me wish I was dead. "I was thinking about which position I'd fuck you in!" I yelled aloud.
The low hum of chatter around us fell into a sudden hush. Heads turned one by one, their gazes locking onto the three of us like we were performers who had stumbled onto the wrong stage. Johan froze beside me, his lips parting slightly as the color drained from his face, leaving him pale as a ghost. His hand twitched, as if tempted to run away. Georgia's usual playful smirk vanished, her eyes darting nervously to the crowd, and then to Leor and Johan, before settling on the ground. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, her posture stiffening.
'Please kill me now, why the fuck I said that. I wanna disappear'
"That's not funny Leor…" Her face finally turned towards me, a slight tint of anger, and half looked like she was about to cry. 'Of course, she was, Gossip spread, So many people heard us, Her reputation will be completely ruined. How can I get out of this…and also save her, Most old folks already don't like her much."
"I am really sorry, I didn't mean to say that Georgia." I bowed full ninety degrees, apologizing. 'The first thing to do is probably beg for forgiveness. But seriously, What the fuck is wrong with me today? First at Barbara's and Nowhere. People will stone me to death if I keep at it.'
To be continued...
Author's Note: I believe I can fly....you bet I can. You can call me PF for short, Sounds cool right? Why don't you support me :(
TYATE Extras:
Telegraph
The Telegraph is a system used to send messages across the country. In major cities like Wellington, the capital, telegraph offices are commonly found in nearly every square, facilitating easy access. However, in smaller towns, the presence of these offices is much more limited, with only one or two at most. The process involves gathering messages at the telegraph office, where postmen collect them and deliver them to the designated addresses.
Lightning Telegraph
The Lightning Telegraph is an expedited version of the standard telegraph service. Although it is more expensive, it offers significantly faster delivery. When someone sends a Lightning Telegraph, it bypasses the slower processing system. Instead of being grouped with other messages, it is prioritized for immediate collection and delivery.
Specialized postmen, known as "lightning postmen," handle these messages. To ensure speed, each lightning postman carries a limited number of letters, usually no more than 20–25 at a time, delivering them with urgency. The exclusivity and efficiency of the Lightning Telegraph make it a preferred option for sending critical messages.