Alice was dreaming.
„Hey. You slept like a log. I was wondering if you are ever going to wake up.” An angel was leaning above alice. The angel’s long blonde hair were touching her and she was gazing at her with deep, emerald eyes. The angel was holding her arms. Alice took her hand. It was a splendid dream indeed. She was in heaven. In the back of her mind there was this thought of being hit by a truck. Oh, of course, because getting killed is what it takes to find a nice girl nowadays.
„I was about to pour a bucket of cold water on you. '' There was a wooden bucket full of water next to the Angel. This was truly a very weird dream. But didn’t even weirder things happen in dreams? Like for example that traffic accident. It was really terrible. Suddenly an image of her girlfriend sprang up to mind. She wondered how did she take her death. Considering how it was between them recently, probably not very badly. AAAGH! Why did she keep thinking about it anyway? She thought she should’ve dumped her decades ago. After a second of contemplation, she decided she’s going to do exactly that after waking up. For now though, she should enjoy herself. She pulled the angel towards herself.
„What are you doing?! That is too much! I’m getting you out of bed whether you like it or not!” The angel exclaimed and pushed her away with more force than she looked capable of exerting. And a moment later Alice was splashed with water.
„Aaghh!” Alice jumped frozen to the marrow. Immediately, she regained her senses. Marisa was standing next to the bed she slept in, holding the bucket of water in her hands. The room… It looked eerie. The floor and the furniture was made of some dark wood and there was a fireplace on the other side of it, which actually made it look pretty comfy, but why were the walls plastered with carpets? Even after living in this door for the last few days, Alice still couldn’t get used to it.
Alice glared at Marisa, who wore pajamas and had a towel slung over her shoulder.
„It’s freezing! I didn’t know you hated me so much! You’re definitely not an angel. You’re an evil demon”. Alice screamed. She, her bed and the bedding were soaked throughout.
„You know, I thought Simon is an epitome of laziness, but it turns out you’re so much worse than him.” Marisa put down the bucket and took the towel trying to towel Alice off, but she wasn’t very cooperative.
”Sit down so I can…”
„Wait, wait, who’s Simon?„ She questioned, almost jumping on Marisa. ”I’ve met too many people recently and I can’t remember them all. The crazy lady, the professor and your dad. Your dad’s name was Albert, not Simon, right?” Alice asked, almost throwing a tantrum. It got awkward. Marisa looked at Alice inquiringly but their eyes didn't meet. Alice was avoiding her stare by looking at the fireplace.
Marisa sighted, there was no need to push it. She put her hands on Alice's arms and gently pulled her down. Surprisingly, Alice sat down obediently.
She took the towel and slowly began to dry her. It felt good. She took down Alice's pajamas and prepared a new set of clothes.
„He’s an idiot and you should dump him…” Alice’s voice stuttered. She hesitated for a moment and changed her tone.
„I’m sorry, but it's the truth, he’s literally the worst. He’s a douchebag, everyone here hates him, and just… I don’t get why you keep being together…” Alice noticed she said too much. She didn’t notice however Marisa cover her eyes for a moment, discreetly wiping away a few tears.
“I’m sorry.. you’re so helpful and I've been awful to you right from the very morning… '' Well, it wasn’t morning actually. It was still dark outside. It was only now that Alice noticed it. At first she felt an urge to complain about being woken up in the middle of the night… but she somehow managed to keep her mouth shut.
„Yeah, I’m helping you, you know. Without me you’d oversleep, waste the day and not make it to the adventurer’s guild on time. „ Even though they were open until 10PM, she was actually right... ” And by the way, what do you people have against him? You seriously believe these rumours?” She quickly helped her change her clothes into a cutesy and frilly pink dress, more fitting for a ball than a visit to the guild. And besides, Alice thought it didn’t suit her. It was way too flashy, definitely not her style. And most importantly, it was completely impractical and difficult to walk. The dress could hook onto things and get stuck.
„Hey, I asked you a question, didn’t I?” she nodged Alice who started to doze off.
„OK, sure, I think the dress looks stupid, I won’t fight no goblins in this” Alice didn’t want to reveal why the reason behind her hatred for Simon. For a second Marisa looked at the bucket, sadly it was already empty. Marisa played along.
„What? No… Why would you fight goblins? They’d wipe the floor with you in no time. And besides, they're super peaceful and nice. Except the one in this room who doesn’t like the prettiest dress from my wardrobe and my awesome boyfriend. ”
„Oh, seriously? Well, whatever I was going to fight I can’t… agh look at this…” Alice was in the middle of the sentence, pointing her fingers on the frills, when marisa interrupted her.
„Very cute, just like Simon .”
Alice took a deep breath, and metaly prepared herself.
„I don’t know about any rumours, but he does seem like the type to use you and then leave” Alice made a shattering announcement.
„Oh, so that’s why you’re like this. Getting dumped once or twice is not the end of the world, you know?” Marisa hugged Alice tenderly from behind.
„There’ll be more chances for you.” She ran her fingers through her hair and then she stood up. It was… unexpectedly sensual. She felt Marisa's well endowed body touch hers from behind spreading warmth throughout her body. She put her head on Marisa’s shoulder.
„Alice, you know, I’ll show you the way to the guild right, and…” Marisa said slowly with a warm voice, gently rubbing Alice's head. She was putting a lot of stress on the last word but fell silent as if hesitating to speak any further. Alice got a clue, she didn’t want this to feel awkward.
„I don’t know what I would do without you to be honest, you’re a real lifesaver. You’re kind of like my older sister I’ve never had.” She was telling the truth. She felt that in these few days she’s been in Westende she got very attached to her. „I should start acting like someone worthy of all this kindness for once,” she added in her head.
„ Well, I wanted to say I need your help.” Marisa said as her embrace tightened. ” I’m meeting with Simon today, could you pretend we spent the whole day together?” There was no way Alice could say no in these circumstances. That was something Marisa was already vaguely aware of.
„Everything for you I guess” Alice’s response came a moment later.
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„You can be really awesome sometimes, you know? Well, we should get going.” Marisa exclaimed , beginning to get up, but Alice was still leaning on her.
„Hey, ahm... can we stay like this for five more minutes?” Alice was basically begging for that.
„Yeah, for you I can make it ten.” Marisa said, chuckling.
-
Having spent these few minutes in an embrace, it was time to leave. Mairsa dashed out for something first. Alice was more sluggish and left her room dragging her feet… but she felt much better. She also was ashamed about her behaviour earlier.
„Finally up, huh? Took you long enough. Marisa will take you to the guild and help with everything you need. The quest is already registered and you’ll even have a few teammates. Formalities require you to sign a few papers personally there.” Albert greeted her from a corner, engrossed in some letters.
„I know how it works… I’ve done that already” Alice replied.
„Don’t be like that, I’m only trying to help. Anyway, I’m off to do business…” He finally looked at her and then he noticed Alice's clothes.
” Is this my daughter’s dress? It is very cute but no one will take you seriously there if you look like that. Go change it right now.” Albert commanded.
„But it is very cute.” Marisa’s voice was heard from below. She quickly ran up the stairs and embraced Alice „ I can’t stand these gloomy clothes she had when she came here. You’re not changing back to them.”
„They weren’t so bad.” Alice objected quietly, but was ignored.
„And besides, Have you ever seen Agapos? He wears the most ridiculous stuff possible and no one minds it. You’ll be fine Alice, you finally look good.” Hearing that Alice blushed.
Albert hesitated for what seemed to be eternity. Marisa looked at him pleadingly. He sighed in resignation.
„I… I’ve been absent for some time and Westende really changed out of all recognition in such a short period of time. You’re probably fine as you are.” Albert gave in.
„Awesome! OK, I need to check one more thing in the restaurant, and then we can go.” Marisa left as fast as she came.
Albert waited for her to walk away a little bit, and when he decided she probably wouldn't hear him, he suddenly got much more serious.
„Do you have your pistol ready? Show it to me.” He ordered unhesitatingly. Alice complied. He quickly inspected it and then gave it back.
„It looks alright, If you see that delinquent brat, make sure he knows he’s not welcome here, you get this?” Albert today seemed like a different man. She could understand he was worried about his daughter, but right now he made her scared, she tensed and her eyebrows raised and pulled together.
„I’m not shooting anyone.” She said unfalteringly.
„No, I just wanted you to scare him away” He softened up, just realising what he had just implied. „The police have an eye on him... I want him to stay away from Marisa.”
„I don’t know what I can do. I’m not very good at this… But I...I’ll figure something out if he shows up.” She said fully aware that she wouldn’t do anything about it, even though she wanted to. She also decided not to ask about the police. Marisa mentioned something about rumours about Simon.
„That’s great!” Albert gave her a pat on the back „I’m sorry for scaring you, I don’t know what came over me. I wish you a great day and I’m off to do business.” Albert said in an attempt to defuse the situation and awkwardly went down the stairs.
He bid farewell to his daughter. She shouted from the basement, where all of the supplies for the restaurant were, something about rats destroying… Alice didn’t hear what, but she didn’t care either. Then ‘bye dad’ was heard and Albert left the house.
Marisa came out from the basement putting a beer bottle in her bag. It clunk. She must’ve had more inside.
„We’re ready. Let’s go, let’s go!”
When they came out from the house it was already dawning. Despite how early in the morning it was, there were already people on the street. It was a well regarded part of the city, close to the city hall the red, brick tower of which was sticking out high above the nearby 3 to 4 stories high, well ornamented buildings that were facing each other On both sides of the street.
She didn’t really notice at first but now she’s realised Albert’s business must have been going great if he could afford living in a place like that. Looking at the people around, indeed, they did look wealthy. Well dressed and confident, often moving around in carriages. These were probably bankers, industrialists, merchants and… did she just see homeless people? Alice blank at the occasional glimpse of people wearing striped blue and red rags, some with ridiculous square hats, sleeping out in the open in the back alleys, some in improvised tents made out of sticks and cloth sewn together, and some just under blankets. She saw them frantically get up, wake those still asleep and pack their belongings. The contrast they made with their surroundings was astounding. It was surreal. She felt bad for them, but it’s not like she was capable of helping them.
„Recently there was a huge influx of refugees from the northern parts of the empire. The police usually kick them out from here but they come back every morning. Don’t mind them” Marisa explained, anticipating questions.
„What are they even doing here? Like in this part of the city.” Alice wondered.
„I guess if you’re going to sleep somewhere out in the open, at least you want to do it in a relatively safe area, like a rich people’s district next to a governmental building and not, say, a slum known for high crime rates.”
„Oh, yes, you’re always smart like this. It’s almost like you knew them.”
„No, of course I don’t know them… Simon has a place to stay and was actually born here, don’t believe everything dad tells you.” Marisa denied that after a very short hesitation. So short, Alice didn’t even notice.
„Yeah, yeah I meant figuratively. Because you see, I’m not really smart enough, or empathetic enough to realise something so simple. And the irony is, if you didn’t take me in I’d probably sleep on the street just like them. That’s why I love you so much, you know. More than Simon actually.” Alice’s expression brightened.
„I wish you showed it. And, it was dad who took you in, not me. Honestly I don’t know if I’d let some unknown girl sleep in my house”
„That’s harsh.” Alice's voice was wavering a little „and I am showing that. I’m covering for your date, it’s out of love.”
„Of course darling. That’s really sweet of you.” Marisa said mockingly, but Alice blushed anyway.
„Why are you hurrying this much?” She asked. She was surprised to see Marisa walk faster than she jogged.
„No it’s you who’s slow. Walk faster!” she called out in a playful voice, taking Alice’s hand and pulling her forward. Alice smiled, and complied.
They walked like that for twenty minutes, until they reached an intersection of two main streets. To Alice’s disappointment Simon was already waiting there standing next to a woman with a long rifle slung over her shoulder. He looked very pedestrian. It was almost as if he worked hard to look like the most ordinary man in Westende.
„Hello sweetie, hello missy” He greeted them. For some reason he referred to Alice as ‘missy’. Marisa let go of Alice’s hand and basically just jumped into Simon’s embrace.
„I’ve been missing you! I’ve prepared a surprise for you. It’ll be so awesome!” Marisa exclaimed elated.
„About your friend…”
„Right, Alice you just go along the long street for like a little bit and you’ll get there. I’ll make it up for you. Come on, it's not like you can’t walk in a straight line. Getting there is that simple.”
„Yeah, sure, I… I think I can do it…” Alice was dumbfounded. Was it really happening? For a moment she even considered trying to scare him off just like Albert wanted, but she knew it was hopeless.
„Awesome! See you later.” She took Simon’s hand and pulled him towards herself and talked to him about a new spot she found to hang out. They began going away from her. He waved his hand at Alice but said nothing.
„Hey, ehm, where’s the long street?” Alice asked, confused. None of the streets here were called like that.
„You turn right, it should be written on the sign, you know.”
„The Emperor Adras the fifth’s street?”
„Oh, yeah sorry, I forgot it was renamed some time ago, yeah that one.” Marisa shouted from a distance.
„Told you, the bastard has a screw loose, the way it is right now, we’re the Westende’s going to be renamed the city of the emperor Adras the fifth soon.” Simon remarked.
„Oh, shh with the politics, let’s have fun together!” Alice could hear Marisa say as she was walking away from her. She then watched her disappear in the distance.