4
Simon leaned closer, the merchant whispering quickly. "I-I'm sorry, but would you mind speaking up?" The merchant stopped, his mouth snapping closed into a grimace. "Well well. If you'd listen closely I wouldn't have to repeat myself. That will be one more coin."
His hand dug deeper into his pocket, gripping his final coin. Simon flicked it across the table, "It's my last one. Now speak up." He was growing impatient.
"Of course, yes. The Lady Brittney," the man nodded, his long nails clacking softly on his pointed chin, "Trouble that one is. She is always bringing trouble around. Her family was cursed, all dead now. Sad tale, but one worth more coins." The merchant paused, waiting for his offer to be taken up. Simon rolled his eyes, "but that's not all. She has a gift… I'm guess you've experienced it? I sense her in the market… Maybe you'll be lucky enough to find her. You're searching for her after all… And you aren't the only one searching for her."
Above the merchant on a rickety, old roof, Lloyd huffed. The merchant's words were of no help to his cause. "Let's go," he gripped his partner's shoulder, dragging him away from the exchange.
"So that's it, hm?" Simon glared. He rubbed his chin, giving the man a stiff smile, "Thank you, so much. Really." He hoped his sarcasm was obvious. With a quick push of his legs, Simon briskly walked off.
"I hate this place.. I can't believe I've been dragged into this…" Simon was mumbling, his gaze on the cold stone that paved the market. He missed London, more than he would like to admit. He thought he hated it, his heart even beginning to miss America and what it had offered him. But this place? Yeah, he missed London. "Like seriously? All because I thought I was being a good perso-"
"Hey! Watch where you're going, glasses." Simon felt his body bump into another. He glanced up to mutter an apology, "Sorry…" He let himself take in the man he ran into. Simon has ran into too many strange characters since his arrival in Reigndom to not take note. His hair was brown and bushy, his frame taller than his own and… And was that… "Brittany?" He asked.
The auburn haired woman gave him a soft smile from behind the man's shoulder. "O-Oh Simon. You were able to cross the bridge?" She chuckled, noting the glare coming from his steal blue eyes. Why does she sound so surprised? Did she expect me to die?
"Yeah… I've been looking for you," Simon said through clenched teeth, "You're not easy to find." He was done, his patience wasted on the vendor who conned him out of his coins.
"That's the point," Brittney nudged past her tall companion, "I'm not in the place to be easily tracked. I have unfinished business is all…" Simon sighed, "Right. That's what the vendor was saying."
Brittney blinked, confused, "Vendor?… Oh! This is Alvin." She moved to the side, motioning to the man who stood protectively over her. The man's eyes swept up the others body, scaling him down to what he really was. Simon shifted uncomfortably, jumping in surprise as he extended his hand. "Pleasure to meet you. So sorry Brittney has dragged you into this." Simon glanced at Brittney, the woman rolling her eyes as she brushed Alvin's hand from her shoulder.
"Thanks…" Simon shook his hand. "Now that we've all met," Brittney said, "I think it's time Alvin and I get going… We have a guide to find."
Simon scowled, gripping Brittney's arm as she turned to leave, "Oh no no. You aren't leaving me alone again. It's your fault I'm here anyway! The least you could do is get me my old life back."
Alvin stepped between them, "Hate to break it to you, but as far as we can tell," his fingers pointed to him and Brittney, "you're stuck here until further notice." Simon didn't like the answer. He crossed his arms in frustration, I'm not sure how much I like this guy… His glare followed a smirking Alvin as the man grabbed Brittney's shoulders and guided her away. The redhead looked over her shoulder, giving Simon another apologetic smile.
"Oh I don't think so…" Simon growled as he followed them closely. His shoulders pushed bustling strangers aside. Good thing this guy's hair is obnoxious. It's impossible to lose sight of him. Simon smirked as the two slowed in front of a small merchant's table in a far corner of the market.
"Hello," he stopped in his steps as a familiar voice greeted the two he was following. He craned his neck around Alvin's body. His blue eyes darted to the sign of her booth. What could she be selling.
"Guidance," the sign read. "And how may I help you two?"
Simon stepped up next to Alvin, "Us three. We're traveling." He gave her a toothy grin before flashing a victorious smirk at Alvin. Alvin's lip turned up in an annoyed glare, "I thought we said our goodbyes… Otherworlder." This earned him a nudge from the small woman, "Alvin… Stop. Maybe Reigndom wants him to come with us."
Alvin put his hands on his hips, his voice mocking Brittney, "Maybe Reigndom wants hi- Fine," he ran his hand through his hair, "But I'm not helping him if he gets into trouble…" Alvin mumbled, his eyes sending a warning to the other man. Simon chuckled, "I promise to be on my best behavior."
Brittney smiled at Simon. His cheeks flushed a light red, Brittney's sweet smile making his heart jump. The change of color in his cheeks earned the man another glare from the frustrated Alvin. This'll be fun, thought Simon.
"Can we just get a guide already." Alvin groaned, turning his attention back on the woman behind the stand. The woman chuckled, nodding. "Yes! I'm afraid our usual guides have been assigned already…" Brittney sighed, "But I can assist you." The brunette woman added.
Simon's eyes widened at the idea of being guided by the brunette beauty. "Where are you three hoping to get?" She asked as she began to close up her small shop. "O-Oh," she chuckled shyly, "I'm Jeanette."
"Well…" Sora said, tapping her chin, "The journal said Bliston… But I'm not sure if even the guides know how to get to Bliston…"
Jeanette chuckled, "I'm not the usual guide, Lady Brittney." Simon glanced at her booth, the contents gone with only a table remaining. He shook his head, deciding not to waste time with questions. "Please," said Brittney, "Just call me Brittney. No need for formalities on our journey."
Jeanette nodded, "Very well. Shall we?" She began to walk out of the market. Simon failed to notice that the sun had began to fall.
—
The streets of Reigndom mirrored those of London. The sun had fallen and the nightly chill passed through Simon's body. He shivered, his hands rubbing his arms.
"Cold?" Jeanette asked him as she walked next to him. Alvin and Brittney were arguing quietly a few feet back. Simon glanced over his shoulder, "A bit… What's their problem?"
Jeanette shrugged as she moved her arm to link with his, "I'm not too sure… You don't mind if I do this? I'm a bit cold as well… I'm never ready for nightfall." He blushed, nodding as he tried to play it off. "I-It's fine. Get as close as you want."
The woman smiled, giggling. "Reigndom at night isn't the safest. Yes, otherworlders pass by and we remain unnoticed, but the ones who notice us are usually followed by danger…" Her eyes followed a couple as they walked through the park and sat on a bench. She smiled, "Ah… Love. It's always so sweet…"
The couple sat on a dark wooden bench, the two looking to be in their early twenties. The girl giggled, nudging the man playfully. He smiled back, pulling her closer as the fog of their breath formed a cloud in the cool air. Simon sighed, thinking of Tiffany and how they would walk in the cool night air…
"Isn't it sweet and innocent? How he looks at her… And how she leans into him," Jeanette sighed, "But there's always an ugly side to it, isn't there…" Her head nodded towards Alvin and Brittney. An obviously angry Brittney had her arms crossed. A flustered Alvin quietly trying to make his case. "Have you ever experienced love, Si?"
He blinked, "Hm? What did you call me?" Jeanette smiled, "Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought it suited you more… I hope you don't mind?" He shook his head, "Nah. Call me what you want." She nodded, "But love. Have you ever been in it?"
"Love? I… I think so… Well, the ugly side of it at least. I was going to propose to a woman I thought I loved," he scratched his neck, the couple on the bench exchanging soft kisses, "But the more I think about it, it wasn't love. Not like that," he nodded towards the bench, "or even that," his head shifted towards the two others.
Jeanette nodded, taking in his words. "What about you, Jeanette the Guide? I shared… I think it's only fair that you do too." Her lips formed a secretive look, "I am in love… But I can't share more!" She chuckled, covering her mouth, "I'm afraid I'll lose it if I talk about it out loud." He felt his lips tug up, joining in on her contagious laughter.
"So Jeanette," he said, "What exactly does a Guide do?"
Jeanette pursed her lips, choosing her words wisely, "Hmmm… Well we guide, obviously." She rolled her eyes playfully, "But I'm special." She smirked, examining her nails as she pinned him under her gaze, "Do you want to know why I'm special?" Her words were barely above a whisper.
Simon nodded quickly, his breath hitching as she leaned closer. She smiled, noting how her teasing made him squirm. "Okay, I'll share," she said as she turned to continue walking, leaving the couple on the bench to their loving. "I know my ins and outs… I have ways of getting into places… And I know people." She shrugged, "For example, Brittney's Talent is finding doors… My Talent is finding ways." She wiggled her fingers playfully. "Pretty cool, huh." He smiled.
"I don't have any talents," he shrugged, "I mean, I can play the guitar mediocrely and crunch numbers quickly." Jeanette gave him a nod, "You'll see. I'm not sure if you've figured it out…"
He raised an eyebrow, "Figured what out?" She shrugged, "Reigndom doesn't take otherworlders by accident. I think you found Brittney in that ally for a reason…"
Her words died down as Alvin and Brittney caught up, "Where are we headed again, Jeanette?" Brittney asked, her eyes looked red from the cold… Or maybe crying, Simon noted.
"Oh! You two caught up just in time," she giggled, grabbing Brittney's hand to pull her forward to walk with her, "Only a few more minutes. We're almost to the train station." Brittney blinked, not attempting to pull free from Jeanette's grip on her hand.
"Wow… She's eccentric," Alvin mumbled to Simon as the two women began to walk in the front. Simon nodded, "Yeah… Sweet as can be though." Alvin shrugged as he picked up his feet to follow.
"Sooo…" Simon said, his hands stuffed deep in the pockets of his coat, "You two always fight like this?" He heard Alvin sigh.
"No," Alvin shook his head, "Believe it or not. We actually haven't seen each other in a few years… She kind of cut me out after I made a comment awhile back." Simon nodded, not pushing for more.
"Basically," Simon was surprised when Alvin continued, "I told her she wasn't… Nah. You don't want my drama." The man's gaze was forward, watching the petite woman as she laughed at something the Jeanette said. "We always end up okay. I'm just happy she needs me again, even if it's because of shitty circumstances." He smirked.
"Why does she need you?" Simon asked, "Wait I mean, what's your Talent?" Alvin gave him a confused look, Simon wanting to punch the look from his face. He had never felt more stupid. "Talent? Is that what Jeanette is calling it these days?" He chuckled, "Don't call it a Talent if you want to avoid getting the shit knocked out of you. It sounds dumb."
"Noted…" Simon mumbled.
"I protect," Alvin said. Simon waited for him to continue, but he didn't. "Okay… Protect what?" Why was this guy being so difficult.
"Right now, I protect Britt," he pointed to the woman, "Meaning if anything tries to ruin her day by killing her, I step in."
Simon shook his head, "I get that, but how exactly?" Alvin smirked, giving the man a pat on the head, "Let's hope you never have to find out."
Simon smacked his hand away. "Whoa whoa don't bite… Didn't mean to mess up your pretty do," Alvin ended his statement with a wink.
"Yeah, don't touch it. It's the only thing about myself I'm certain about anymore," he smirked as the women came to a stop in front of a familiar building.
"The train station…" Simon said. Jeanette nodded, "Mhm! See?" She motioned to the station. Otherworlders quickly bustled around the outside. Some in a hurry, some not so much. One man dropped his briefcase, the contents tumbling to the floor.
Simon knelt down, picking up a few papers for him. He handed them over, realization hitting him as the man continued to fill his own case and ignore Simon. "He can't see me… Huh…" Alvin chuckled, "Thought you'd learn by now. It looks like we're in London, but we are faaaar from it pretty boy." He patted Simon on the back, earning a giggle from Jeanette.
Looking down to hide the blush on his cheeks, Simon stood to join the others. "So why are we at the station?" Brittney asked Jeanette. Jeanette smiled, "How else would we make it to Kendrig?"
Simon rubbed his eyes, "Not to be the otherworlder or anything, but what's Kendrig?" Alvin let out a dramatic sigh, "Kendrig is where the rich people meet to show each other how rich they are. Actually, Brittney's family is from there," this earned him an eye roll, "wait, why do we need to go to Kendrig?"
Jeanette gave the man an innocent smile, "I… Have some unfinished business…" Brittney interrupted, "And I need a key… For Bliston," her eyes darted to Alvin's, "And no, I'm not explaining why now." Alvin didn't push, he already tried his luck with her on the long walk over.
The group headed in, following Jeanette to a train Simon thought had stopped running. "Before you ask, Simon," Jeanette said, "The train no longer runs in London. It's used by us!" She smiled, standing far back from the platform as the train pulled up.
Brittney and Jeanette boarded the train. Simon hesitated. "C'mon, glasses," he heard Alvin from behind him, "Don't wimp out now." Those words were enough to push Simon forward, "What? Wimp out?" Simon smirked, "I was just being polite…" He stepped to the side, motioning for Alvin to board, "Ladies first, Alvin."
—
Lloyd took a long sniff of the air, chuckling as him and Varnet passed a couple on a park bench. "Ah," he said, "They are so close. I thought the Lady Brittney would be harder to catch…" He chuckled.
"Yes boss," said Varnet, close behind Lloyd, "Very close, yes."
The two made their way to the station, stopping as Lloyd tried again and again to pick up the scent of roses that mean Sora was near. "Hm… The scent ends here…" Lloyd sighed. "Boss," mumbled Varnet, "Does this mean they boarded the train?"
A thin smile spread across Lloyd's face. He tossed a frog leg to Varnet, patting him on his head, "Very good. Yes, the train." They slinked off towards the station, waiting to board.
*Author's Note*
… UM WOW HELLO. I was sitting in bed the other night and it hit me that I started writing this and then just let it be for years on end. I would try to apologize, but I'm not sure if it would be accepted.
Please do not bank on me updating this regularly. I am still digging for my outline and I have a few details I need to work out.
Again, hello! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed in my absence! Your kind words really motivated me to finish and post this chapter.