Chapter Six-Off to a Carnival

Christien stood for ages outside of Victoria's window, contemplating his choices. He didn't want to go on his search alone. He knew Victoria would more than likely want to go if he asked. But he also remembered another occasion when they had run away before, and it had almost cost them their friendship. He couldn't think of anything more horrible than losing Victoria. But if I don't ask her,and she goes to look for me, she'll worry! With that in mind, Christien flicked pebbles at Tori's window, until the raven haired girl opened it, looking worried.

"What's wrong?" Victoria's voice was full of concern.

"I want to talk to you. Can you come away with me for a little while?" He looked up at her, pleading silently. He knew she had semi-psychic vibes, but he was afraid to give it a shot,since she was still getting used to theirs.

"Of course I will come." She looked away from him for a moment, before appearing in the window again. "Meet me in Egypt in half an hour. I have to eat dinner with my siblings."

"Right." Christien disappeared into the hedge he'd been propped in.

"Have you talked to Christien lately?" Marik asked Victoria, as he helped himself to more salad.

"Well,yeah......I have to meet him in Egypt in thirty minutes."

"I see. Are you guys going to play another episode?" Ishizu asked.

"Well, I'm not sure..." She wasn't lying. Christien was acting strange, and that made her wonder. "Probably." It was a safe answer.

"Oh. Just be home before it gets too dark, alright?"

"I will." Victoria washed her plate off, and on instinct, went upstairs to get her pack. If Christien was planning to go away, she'd definitely go with him. "I'll be home soon." She said to her brothers and sister, and to her cat, before leaving.

"Be safe." Marik told her. He had the feeling there was going to be more going on than a mere episode of their game.

"I will be." Victoria assured him, before walking out the door.

As she walked to the lot, she wondered how everything had ended after she'd left. Christien seemed unusually edgy. As she walked in, she saw him kick at the dirt. "Christien?"

"Hey...I thought you weren't going to come...." He looked up at her. "Victoria, I want to get out of this place. I want to know where we came from."

"Why don't you just ask Espa then?" Victoria asked, sitting beside him on the fountain in the center of the lot.

"Because Espa wouldn't tell me. He never tells us anything about the past. I wish I knew a lot more than I do."

Victoria sighed. "Where do you want to go?" She knew she'd probably be dragged into it, as was always the case with Christien.

"I want to go to Sykesville. That's where the nearest one is." Christien told her.

"Nearest what?" Victoria wanted to know. Her voice was shaking a little.

"Carnival. I want to know about our origins." Christien stood up. "I got us train tickets. We should probably get going."

"I can't." Victoria told him. She saw the surprise in his eyes.

"You have to!" He ordered. Christien was using suggestion on her, a skill he learned quite useful to get what he wants. "You know you want to."

"But Chris!" Victoria felt her mind numbing a little. "I c-can't.......Marik......"

"Will understand. Come with me,Victoria. You'll love it." He took her hand,beginning to drag her towards the back exit to the lot they'd made.

With a sigh, Victoria gave in. "Alright......." She hated saying no to him ever.

"I promise you won't regret this." The middle Roba smiled. "I love you, Victoria. Do you think I'd ever do anything that would hurt you?"

"No......." She sighed.

"Don't worry, Tori. We're going to have a blast, just you and me, without Espa to stop us."

She smiled now. Come to think of it, she was tired of the elder siblings playing twenty questions every time she and Christien went out. "Right! No sibling interference."

Christien put a hand on her shoulder. "See? Everything's going to be fine." And at least I'll have someone with me to discover my past with. Someone who I know will appreciate it all. He smiles, as they approach the train station. "Well, here goes nothing...."