It was a lot to take in, Angelina didn't speak much but allowed Francesco and Lolita to explain the situation as well as they could, they sat there for such a long time as the sun sank down and before any of them knew it it was late evening.
It was mostly Lolita whom talked though, whenever the conversation turned to the corrupt state of the city a shadow seemed to hang over Francesco's eyes and he looked away, his shoulders weirdly hanging down and his figure which Angelina only ever remembered as being proud seemed less so, nearly broken.
"The soldiers are checking any letters which is addressed to outside of the country, especially ours." Lolita admitted. "They are desperate to ensure that no word escapes of the corruption, that father wont contact any powerful people in Blakeney whom would aid him. I only managed to smuggle that one letter describing the situation unto the ship, if Monstrasio even knew word of his cruelty had left the country, well." she bit her lip. "So far our lands are relatively safe, we don't allow soldiers here so our workers are mostly safe. And we are concentrating on keeping it that way. We owe the people whom served us and helped us making this land into what it is now, we owe to try and keep them safe."
Angelina looked down at her hands, the more she heard about this situation the worse it became. Monstrasio only needed one single excuse and he wouldn't hesitate to punish the people who worked for this house. Or even her father and sister, their hands really were tied.
Angelinas father was a man of action, he always had been, to not be able to do anything couldn't possible sit well with him, Angelina glanced up at him then closed her eyes. "Isn't there anyone whom can help us?" she asked.
Lolita shook her head. "Believe me, I tried to think of something, anything. But we are alone, there's no one but us."
Francesco didn't respond but looked away.
"Father." Angelina breathed, her heart broken by the sight of her father looking this broken, that there wasn't even any fight left in him. He had fought a war to bring peace to this land, with his own bare hands he had made a wasteland into a beautiful heaven, this place was his lives work! He had put his very soul into the land itself.
And Francesco exhaled deeply. "My dear daughter, it fills me with such joy to see you again. But, it also fills me with fear." he admitted. "You must promise me something! Promise me you wont get in Captain Monstrasios way." he asked. "Swear to me, that you will keep your head down and never confront the soldiers here!"
Wide-eyed Angelina looked at her father and then she swallowed, her entire body screamed to protest, to shout that something had to be done even if it was for naught. Her fingers clutched her dress so tightly that it was cutting off any blood and her blood was boiling with sheer anger.
But Angelina took her time to take a deep breath and collect herself. "You don't have to worry father." she said. "I was taught a lot of things in Blakeney, a true lady must never search out confrontation, it is a ladies job to be like a flower. Delicate and precious, a true lady does not raise her voice nor question those whom knows better, we must pray to our god and hope he'll forgive this transgression." she said as she stood up. "Father, dearest sister. Please excuse me, i'm awfully tired she informed.
"Ah yes of course, you must be exhausted." Francesco exclaimed as he stood up. "Your room is just as you left it, do you need anything? I can send some servants up with a bite or something to drink."
Angelina smiled lightly. "No thank you father, I just need some sleep." she said and turned around leaving the living room.
Lolita sighed deeply as she looked down and Francesco turned to her. "Lolita, are you feeling well?" he asked.
"I suppose." Lolita commented rubbing her face. "I guess she took all this well, she didn't seem entirely well. I hope Angie is okay."
"She had a long journey to even get here, and this must all have been a lot to take in." Francesco commented. "She must have been exhausted already when she arrived, and of course we haven't seen her for so long. She was a girl last we both saw her, now she's a woman. Same as you." he said in a vague smile.
Lolita glanced at Francesco and Francesco shook his head as he stepped over to Lolita.
"You've been so strong, since the day your mother died." Francesco breathed. "Even when I lost my way in my grief, you kept sight of what is really important, you kept everything together, made sure that daily life kept running even when I was so unreasonable and such a terrible father. You've grown so much and I am so proud of you, please don't ever doubt that." he asked. "You sister, she is going to need your strength. Look after her." he asked.
And Lolita sighed deeply. "Of course father, she's my sister." she said standing up. "Father, as long as we protect our land and act wisely no one will be hurt, she will be okay. And so will I."
Francesco smiled vaguely. "Even when I try to assure you, you do assure me instead. How did I ever deserve such good daughters?" he asked as he reached out and gently touched her cheek, then he let go again. "I will retire to, you should as well." he commented. "This day has been tiring for all of us."
And Lolita nodded. "Yes father, good night. Sleep well." she asked in a light smile.
"You to." Francesco smiled lightly.
"Urghh!" Angelina groaned as she fell head first down unto her pillow in her old room, she felt exhausted. Stupidly so, her entire body seemed to be aching and her head thrubbing.
Yet somehow, Angelina already knew she couldn't possible get a wink of sleep that night!
The image of Monstrasio kept playing in her mind when she closed her eyes, he's smug smile, his disgusting lips on her hand. The way he had so casually threatened both her father and sister! WHO THE HELL DID HE THINK HE WAS?! And Angelina hissed as she sat up and send a flying fist into the innocent pillow. "You piece of shit!" she seethed angrily as she picked up the pillow and tossed it away. "ARGH!" she exclaimed and then sat down, then she closed her eyes and her thoughts turned to poor Eifreen. How casually Monstrasio had said it… Like hanging a man was something so easily down and it felt like Angelinas stomach was sinking.
Just then it knocked at the door and Angelina looked up. "Yes." she said, and the door entered to reveal a simply young woman with light brown hair and her simple dress, and Angelinas mouth widened in a actually genuine smile. "Bernadette!" she exclaimed. "Man am I glad to see you, get inside close the door." she asked.
Bernadette nodded and did as she was told, then turned to Angelina looking questioning at her.
"Can you believe this bullshit?" Angelina asked sourly as she crossed her arms. "Who does that Monstrasio think he is?! He's acting like he owns this country." she rolled her eyes. "Urgh! What a piece of shit!" she hissed grabbing her head then fell back down on the bed. "I wish I could kick his butt." she muttered annoyed then closed her eyes.
Bernadette glanced at Angelina with a gase that spoke for itself, why don't you? She simply asked.
"I can't." Angelina muttered. "If I cause any trouble anyone living at this land could be hurt, he is actively looking for an excuse to keep my father quiet." she stated looking up. "And he's not afraid of killing of that is what it takes." she said looking up meeting Bernadettes gaze.
Sadly Bernadette looked at her then nodded.
Angelina sighed deeply then she looked up. "Hey Bernadette, want to see something cool?" she asked as she rose from bed and walked to the wall. "Check this out!" she grinned pulling in what looked like a candelabra on the wall but proofed itself to be a lever that opened a small door leading to a tunnel. "Tada, cool isn't it?" she asked.
Wide-eyed Bernadette looked at it, then up at Angelina. "This cliff the mansion is on, there's a whole series of tunnels and caverns in it! The people of this land build it hundreds of years ago. When my father first build this mansion the country was still in a conflict, so he made tunnels leadng to the caverns where people could flee, hide and even store goods. Come on i'll show you." she said as she picked up a candle and stepped inside.
Quickly Bernadette followed, allowing the hidden door to easily fall in place behind them. Quickly they made their way through the narrow passageway before the way broadened turning into a big tunnel apparently inside of the cliff itself, the dim light from the candle in Angelinas hand shone on the walls and soon revealed ancient old paintings illustrating both humans and animals.
Angelina smiled by the sight of them. "My mother, Eifreen and some others. They used to tell me stories." she said. "They told me that some of these stories were older than the earth itself, Eifreen had been taught by his father, and his father by his! My mother was also told by her own mother and by telling these stories they wont die, they used to tell me that spirits are protecting this land." she said holding up the candle. "See there, the blue owl!" she smiled pointing up at the painting of a blue owl. "The spirit Noctara, he posses all the knowledge in the world but that also makes him incredible arrogant." she commented. "And that horse, his name is Torona. He's the strongest of all spirits, his hooves able to create earth quacks, but don't anger him, he is as short tempered as he's stubborn! Oh and there's Shivua." she pointed at a elegant white swan. "She's so beautiful that the moon itself tries to reflect her beauty, but she is also awfully full of herself. Ones she caught sight of her own mirror image in a stream of water and stood hypnotized for ten entire years." she smirked.
Bernadette smiled warmly as she listened to the stories, looking at the images that Angelina pointed out.
"Ah, and Rowani." Angelina pointed at a fox at the bottom, this fox painted in a bright scarlet red color. "She was always my favorite, the mischievous one, always up to no good. The one thing Rowani hates more than anything is boredom, so she'll search out adventure and trouble, often she's in over her head so the others must help her out." she chuckled. "Eifreen always told us. All that these spirits are always protecting the land, protecting the Akapaki as long as we keep them in our hearts and listen to their stories. That we must'n anger them or they will turn vengeful. I can see how he would get in trouble with Monstrasio. To bad spirits aren't real, they would have kicked out Monstrasio for sure." she sighed deeply and returned further down the tunnels.
Then finally the tunnel opened up in a huge cave, this cave though was not empty. Across the walls were several shells filled with crates, in a corner stood a stand with several swords, in the corner there was a small pile of robes. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust proving it hadn't been touched for decades.
"Remains of the war." Angelina informed as she stepped forward and opened a crate to look down. "Yup, decade old biscuits, I wouldn't really recommend trying to eat that though." she commented. "Any rations left here are just way to old, oh look uniforms." she commented pulling up in a shirt then smirked amused. "This was a hiding spot for soldiers at one point in the war, but then when the location had been compromised they all had to flee immediately, no one ever bothered to come back just to clean this mess up." she commented looking around. "To bad, this gun seems to work fine." Angelina commented picking up a gun.
Wide-eyed Bernadette looked around at the place, peeking into crates and picking up old items.
Angelina followed a similar pattern but then stopped by the swords, then she smirked as she picked up one of the swords and made a series of assaults with it out into the air. "HAH! Perfect balance! Man I wish I had this when that stupid captain threatened my family." she seethed. "HIYA!" she shouted launching the sword then stopped as she exhaled. "Wouldn't have done me much good though, my father would have paid the price." she muttered throwing the sword away so it clanged as it hit the ground. "It's like my sister said, we are alone."
Sadly Bernadette looked at Angelina, then looked at all the items.
"God! If just someone could stand up to that stupid Captain, anyone!" Angelina hissed grabbing her hair in frustration. "He thinks he can just do whatever he wants because no one can stop him. URGH! That boils my blood!" she seethed kicking the sword away so it flew further away. "If only the spirits would come help us, the captain couldn't blame my father for a spirits doing right?" she asked.
And Bernadette exhaled deeply.
"Wait… The spirits." Angelina blinked then turned to one of the walls which had one of the drawings visible, that of the fox painted in scarlet red colors. "If it was a spirit whom opposed him, he wouldn't be able to blame my father." she breathed reaching out a hand, touching the painting and her eyes widened. "Bernadette that's it!" she exclaimed turning around. "Monstrasio has miss used this land and the people who live here, the spirits are angered so it's them whom must stop him!" she beamed.
Questioning Bernadette looked at Angelina.
"You know ascending to the human realm." Angelina commented as she pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and then tore two holes in it. "Like this!" she stated putting the handkerchief over her face as a mask and Bernadettes eyes widened then she pointed at Angelina looked questioning at her.
"Yes Bernadette, it's so obvious!" Angelina smiled. "Angelina Pulido, she is a meek little delicate flower whom can't even handle her own luggage. But the spirits whom are angry." she turned to the painting again. "Rowani, the scarlet fox." she breathed touching the painting. "I always felt such a kinship to you Fox spirit." she commented. "Am I meant to become you? You know, I would like that." she smiled lightly then she sat down on her knees and put her hands together. "Spirit of my mothers land." she then said. "Please, forgive me for using your names. Allow me to lend your strength, to bring justice to this beautiful land you inhabit." she asked. "If just to show Captain Monstrasio, the man whom calls himself the guvernor of your land can know he will not go un-opposed."
Slowly Bernadette walked up behind Angelina looked up at the drawings and Angelina turned her head looking up at her. "I'm going to need help, will you help me? Bernadette?" she asked.
And Bernadette smiled lightly, then she walked beside Angelina and also fell down on her knees, putting her hands together in the same way Angelina had, bowing her head for the drawings.
Angelina smiled warmly. "Thank you." she breathed reaching out a hand touching Bernadette's shoulder. "It'll be very dangerous, but I think it'll be worth it just to give that stupid Captain a good scare." she smirked.
And Bernadette nodded then held a hand over her chest looking down. Angelina smiled amused.
"Unfortunately I can't just walk out there just yet, I will need a pretty good disguise." Angelina commented. "And a good settup." she stated as she walked towards the shelfs, thinking for a bit. "There'll be a blood moon in three days, can't ask for anything better than that. I'll go to the barracks and bust Eifreen out, then escort him out of the city where he can hide." she said turning to Bernadette. "Still with me?" she asked.
And Bernadette nodded as she smirked. Lifting up a fist ready to fight.
And Angelina grinned as she raised a fist as well. "Let's do this my friend!"