Ch.4: Truth!


Author's Note:

Hey guys! Welcome back to How I Found You! I can't believe how long it's been since I last updated this. But since this is my five year anniversary on the site, I figured I'd go ahead and finish it early and post it today! Of course since I finished it early, one of the scenes got pushed back to next chapter, but all is well since the topic of that chapter is best written by my co-writer. Quality first.

That being said, this chapter is short and sweet. I hope you guys like it, cause like I've said before I love Valerie as a character. XD


After a while of walking, I started to regret not stopping to get a drink at the lake. I slumped over Tide's back and sighed. "Ugh. I'm thirsty... Please tell me a great adventurer like you remembered to pack water." I whined, tapping Tide's shoulder to get his attention.

He shook his head. "You've gotta whine about everything don't you? And would ya quit it with the 'great adventurer' thing? I like adventure. Never said I was famous."

"Yeah yeah... Same thing." I replied, resting my head on his shoulder. He began searching for something before holding what looked to be a water skin in front of my face. "Is this water?" I asked him, staring at the container inquisitively.

"Not really. It's ale. The keeper of the inn we're heading to brewed it." He explained.

I stiffened slightly. "Ale? You mean, as in alcohol?"

He nodded. "Yep. Finest around. Well, at least that's what the inn keeper said..."

Theoretical camera zooms out:

"Heiiiiya!"

Zooms back in:

I felt kinda bad for knocking Tide halfway across the path and into a tree, but offering a girl alcohol like that was pretty rude. I held the water skin up, shaking it slightly. "No alcohol on our adventure. Got it?"

"Ugh... Fine." He moaned, rubbing his head. "Ya didn't have to hit me though!"

I smiled apologetically. "Heh, sorry..."

Outskirts of Corsair Village:

"So... What's the name of this inn again?" I asked Tide after a moment of silence. "You said it was really close to town right? Which town? Do they have anything cool?"

He sighed. "What's with the questions all of a sudden? Slow down."

My face grew red with embarrassment. "Sorry. I just haven't seen many towns. That's all."

"Well, first things first. The inn we're heading to is called The Wooded Bond. Like I said, it's run by this nice lady and she's been having a bit of trouble with some thugs lately." He explained. "As for the town, I believe we're already on the outskirts of it. It's called Corsair. Haven't been here much but from what I've seen, the locals are pretty friendly."

I frowned. "The Wooded Bond? That's a weird name..."

He chuckled. "That's what I thought too. I dunno. Might have some kind of meaning behind it or something. Who knows?"

"Hmm... You said you ran those thugs off right? What exactly were they?" I asked him curiously.

"Well... I think one of them was a grovyle. The other two... possibly a raichu and charmeleon? Anyway, I took em all down myself, so they're nothing special." He elaborated.

"Oh."


Wooded Bond Inn:

Pretty soon an old, yet cozy looking building came into view. Just above what I assumed was the entrance, there hung a wooden sign with the name of the inn neatly carved into it.

"Looks like we're here." Tide stated, looking around. "Looks like nothing's changed since I was here last time. That's good at least. Better check on the keeper."

Upon going inside, it became apparent that today had been a slow day. No one was there. "Well this place is empty..."

"Is someone there?" A voice asked before a quilava appeared from a room behind the reception desk.

Tide carefully sat me down on a nearby chair and approached the quilava. "Why hello again miss. Looking just as lovely as before I see?"

She rolled her eyes. "Tide right? What brings you back here so fast? I don't get too many return customers these days."

I frowned. Lovely? What was he playing at? She wasn't that good looking...

"Oh just checking in on the thug situation. Those guys show up at all while I was gone?" He asked her.

She shrugged. "Not that I've noticed, though I suppose I should be glad. Things have been a lot more calm around here lately."

Unknowingly, I had cast a glare at the inn keeper. Before I realized, she had already picked up on it. Shrinking back in my seat, I looked away, my face feeling a bit warm.

"By the way. Who's your friend over there? I don't believe I've met her before." She asked about me.

Tide turned back to me. "Oh. That's just Valerie. I'm helping her get home."

I found myself frowning yet again. Just Valerie? What the heck did that mean?

"I see... Well it was nice seeing you again. Are you two thinking of staying here, or did you just come to check on the inn?" She questioned.

"Oh. Well actually, Val and I were just headed for town when we decided to stop here. She broke her foot, so we're trying to find someone who can treat it." He replied.

"A broken foot? I might be able to help with that some. I'm no doctor, but I've had my fair share of experiences with injuries. Long story short, I have a reckless little brother." She chuckled, searching around for some sort of first aid kit. "Speaking of reckless, you two look like you've been through a lot. How about you stay here for the night? On the house?" She offered, handing Tide a key.

"Umm... sure I guess. Thanks." Tide accepted the key. He then turned to me. "Hey Val. I'm gonna go set our stuff down while you get your foot tended to. Just shout when you need me." He turned around and walked off down a hallway.

Just as he left, the inn keeper approached me with the first aid kit and began treating my wound. "So, your name's Valerie right?"

I just stared at her, not knowing what to say.

She smiled. "Don't worry. He's cute, but he's too young for me."

I was caught off guard. "Huh?! What do you mean?"

She chuckled. "Sorry. From the glare you were sending me earlier, I figured you were into him."

"What?! That idiot? No way!" I denied, yet my cheeks told a different story.

She smirked. "So... How long?"

"Whuh... How long what?" I looked away stubbornly. "I'm not into anyone. Hmph!" I denied.

She laughed. "Heh, your secret's safe with me. Anyway, looks like you're all fixed up. I don't think it's broken. Probably just a sprain. Still, try not to put much weight on it. Ok?"

I blushed. "Why'd it have to be that obvious?" I complained. "Alright, I'll be careful. Anyway, what's your name?"

She smiled. "Name's Willow. Nice to meet you Valerie."


Inn Room:

The room wasn't too far away, so I decided to make my way there myself. Walking on three legs wasn't as hard as I thought, so it didn't take too long.

When I reached the room however, Tide looked annoyed. "I told you to shout for me. I would've carried you here ya know."

I turned my nose up at him. "Hmph! I don't have to depend on you. Besides, it's just a sprain. Not much to worry about."

He sighed. "Look. You're the princess. If I take you back all battered and bruised, your parents would have my head!"

I rolled my eyes. "Relax. I wouldn't let them do that. You're my fr... You're escorting me home. I don't wanna owe you."

He produced an annoyingly sly grin. "Excuse me? What was that?" He teased. "I'm your what?"

"Forget it! It was nothing!" I replied in an attempt to deny everything.

"No no. You were about to say friend weren't you?"

I frowned. "I was not! Ugh, you're so annoying!"

"Oh I'm annoying? Says the girl who can't go a minute without complaining about something." He argued.

I shot him a glare. "You try being kidnapped then!"

He sighed. "Hey. At least I'm kind enough to help you get home. As spoiled as you may be."

"Spoiled!? I'm not spoiled! I'm trying to help this place by fighting for it. Then I'll get my parents to see how much they're missing." I argued.

He shrugged. "Like that'll change much. Sure they might protect this place, but then what? You'll just go back to your perfect life while the rest of the kingdom suffers."

I gasped, stepping back a bit. I just stared at him, not sure what to say.

His angered expression seemed to drop instantly once he considered what he had said, but I didn't care at the moment.

"You think my life is perfect?! My parents have kept me locked up in that stupid castle my entire life! The first time I ever set foot outside the castle was when I got kidnapped! They tried to marry me off to someone I didn't even know!" I shouted, tears streaming down my face. "They don't even wake me up in the morning! They send servants to do it, and they never listen to how I feel about it! It's always about what's good for the kingdom, and they don't even see the problems with that!" I sighed.

"Everything else comes second..." I sobbed.

He stayed silent, not knowing what to say for the longest time. "I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't know that, and I didn't mean what I said..."

I didn't reply. I just looked away and out the window of our room.

"Alright. Maybe we should just take a breather. Rest a bit." He suggested. "I uhh... I'll just be on the bed if you need me."

A couple minutes passed of me just staring out the window before I gave in. "T-Tide?"

"Hmm?" He asked, peering over the side of the bed.

"I-I don't wanna go h-home anymore..." I told him, my voice quivering.

He sighed, taking a moment to respond. "Alright then..."

"I guess, maybe... You are kinda my umm...friend." I managed to say through my embarrassment.

After that, nothing else was said. I climbed into bed next to him and quickly fell asleep. Somehow, I felt lighter.