Chapter 6: By your side
'To be open minded is easier said than done.
Most people believe they can accept anything that comes across their path just because they have seen it from another one´s perspective.
That is of course, till the day they encounter the only factor that scares human beings the most – change.
Truth is, not all of us are capable of completely adapting to new circumstances, some can even reject them to a whole or consider the ones who adapt and move forward total anomalies. I know this, I´ve been there.
But… have they ever considered that, within change, some facts we thought to have lost remain the same… just hidden to the nayer´s eye?'
They had pirates in this world.
Kim didn´t exactly know what to think about that, but being honest, part of her almost felt relieved.
Could someone blame her? Was she having second thoughts about her view of illegal businesses?
Hell no.
She still was very much against anything that happened to be related to crime and piracy was, without a doubt, within that jurisdiction, but after nearly four years of being out of her element something was at last making sense in a place trapped somewhere between the 15th and the 21st century.
Truth be told, the girl could have acknowledged this sooner. Many of the books Franz had briefly touched the subject, but always in a past tense that made Kimberly consider her information sources were not as updated as she thought they were, so her attention span in those parts was not the best. It wasn´t until one of her and Monique´s trips to Ariatte´s shop when she noticed a pair of pedestrians talking over a newspaper article that it began to be important.
("Roger is at it again!" – Kim just happened to be looking in the man´s direction when he started showing the paper to his companion with a tone of absolute glee in his voice – "He escaped a full Marine fleet unscratched! I tell you, it is just a matter of time before his bounty rises once more!"
"Really?" - The other person, a woman, made a face of surprise and leaned in to take a better look at the printed words – "And it was The Hero of the Marine´s fleet!? The man is really something else. No one has been out of the government´s hands for that long"
"I know right?" – answered the man with a laugh – "I wish I could have seen their faces when they found out"
The purpled eyed girl immediately realized they were happily conversing about an outlaw, a famous one at that it seemed, and her mood just darkened. As much as she hated it, some people –no matter the world apparently- view those who loved doing wrong as some kind of celebrities and acted like their fans or 'cause followers'. Both types leaded to chaos, especially when being together in the same space. She really didn´t want to listen to them swooning over a man who pretty much belonged to the same kind the asshole who brought her here was from.
"What´s got you so gloomy?" – it was her female caretaker's voice what made Kim realize she was boring holes straight into the pair´s faces and so she tried to calm herself down. It was not worth her time getting mad at every single person who somehow reminded her of the past, even if her love for justice said otherwise. However, the girl was still curious and voiced the question that surely was going to bug her if it went unsaid.
"Who is Roger?"
The brunette woman looked confused at first, but a quick peek at the still excited couple had her making an 'oh' face – "You mean Gold Roger" – she said more than asked – "He is a famous pirate"
Kimberly blinked…and blinked again – "Pirate?" – was she going deaf?
Monique smiled a little at her confusion – "Yes, one of many actually. The Grand Line is full of those"
…
…
"Oh")
The girl was surprised of how little the news shocked her. Maybe she was finally getting used to the bizarreness of everything around her being. That, or the fact the mailman who brought the newspaper in which she went deeper into the topic was not 'a man' per se but a huge freaking bird scared the shit out of her more.
…
Kim likes to think it was the former statement.
…
So here she was now, lying on the living room´s floor reading about the outside and trying to forget she had the same horrible nightmare the night before. That it hadn't disappeared but just subsided was making it really hard to conceal some sleep in her bedroom, but it wasn't as taxing as long as she could take an afternoon nap on the couch. She'd been doing it for almost five weeks.
True to Monique´s words pirates were infesting all the Blues, the so called Roger being trending topic. The man had quite the history with the government´s forces, and even if the news announced not to worry for he would soon be apprehended, the girl knew better. He was turning out to be more than they could handle, the fact the media was paying him enough attention was sufficient proof of that.
There were other mentions too, a woman called Charlotte Linlin and some of her children – 'Talk about family business' – Silvers Rayleigh, a man who was part of Roger´s crew, Kaido of the Beasts, former apprentice of the Rocks Pirates – whoever the hell those were – it was a non-stop list.
Then there were the political affairs. Kim realized this world´s bigwigs belonged to the monarchy – 'Again, not surprised by that, this is the 15th century' – and were getting ready for the year´s Reverie, which was pretty much their version of the UN´s gatherings. Who the members were, the girl didn´t know, but she would soon find out.
Just when she was about to read an article about the qualities of Flevance´s famous amber lead the door opened with a loud bang.
"MONIQUE, CHRI-CHAN, I´M HOME!"
Kim almost turned the pages to shreds because of how strong the grip of her tiny hands was.
…
She was going to kill the weirdo.
Everything happened in a blur. One second Franz was squeezing the life out of her body while his wife giggled in the background at the – obviously not wanted – affectionate display, and the next the man was dragging her out of the house for a 'little father-daughter bonding time'.
Needless to say when the cinnamon haired girl blinked again, she was no longer in the safety of the living room, not even in the streets of the neighborhood.
She was sitting on a stool, a bar stool, with her companion looking proudly at her form and a bespectacled bartender staring with rather annoying amusement in his eyes.
"I have to say, it is a relief she took after her mother more" – Franz´s acquaintance was a middle aged man. His arms were crossed and a smirk was showed at the guy seated next to her, still finding something funny about her looks – "I would not have been able to stand another you"
Said guy´s proud aura suddenly vanished, and he started gaping like a fish – "That´s cruel Louie-san! And you call yourself a friend of mine?"
"Who said I was? You just assumed it" – the auburn haired man gawked even more at the statement and then went to a corner to…to mope. God was he an overgrown child.
A small chuckle had her eyes move to the bartender called Louie again, and the girl realized that he didn´t actually mean it. The man was just messing with Franz as a good old friend would.
…
She liked this guy.
"Excuse me" – Kim began in almost a whisper, and mentally cursed herself for her decrease in social skills. It didn´t matter though, she managed to catch Louie´s attention – "Who are you?"
Eyes as dark as the night, slightly wrinkled at the edges, blinked at her purple ones twice, this being followed by a warm smile – "Ah yes! Where are my manners" – he extended a calloused hand in her direction to introduce himself, which se awkwardly grasped in her own – "The name is Louie Lawrence. I have known your father since he was a brat. Nice to finally meet you Christa-chan."
"…likewise" – Kim could do nothing but stare at her caretaker´s friend, especially when this one gave her a glass of fresh orange juice saying it was on the house and started yelling at the still sulking man to 'stop being a crybaby and drag his sorry ass back to where they were seated'. What a colorful language he had. He was all about using it, not even caring when Franz tried to scold him for talking in such a way in front of 'a minor'. For this she was thankful, someone was finally speaking to her in a normal way, not treating her as though she were a baby.
The juice was also good. She liked the guy for sure.
When Franz was once again at her side, the bespectacled man quirked a brow – "This is the first time you are here sooner than expected. Are you chasing someone? Maybe the ship that docked here two days ago?" – he looked confused for some reason – "I mean, I know it is your job and everything but those pirates have done nothing but look for supplies"
At this Kim stopped sipping at her juicy treat to look wide eyed at both men. There were two things wrong with what Louie said. One – there were pirates, criminals, currently walking around Silver Road and everyone was acting without a care in the world – and two – just what the hell Franz´s job was that he was expected to chase them?
…
Was he-
"What? No! I came because it´s Chri-chan´s b-"
"You work for the government" – he was. Kimberly didn't want to make it sound like a question because it was more than clear, another thing she could have realized sooner if it weren't for her post-reincarnation depressing dilemma.
Both adults stared at her serious expression as though not expecting someone 'her age' to ask that kind of question. Fortunately, the moment was fleeting thanks to Louie – "Franz-bo, you haven't told your daughter you are a Marine Lieutenant yet?"
'So that's what he is' – her thoughts made her feel even stupider. Franz was always traveling, he even had his own ship - a military ship now that she thought about it. Although not completely, he wore uniform parts such as white coats or cargo pants. Heck, even in more than one of those creepy snail calls some guy or another addressed him as sir – 'Kimberly Liam, you are losing faculties'
The discovered Marine just scratched the back of his head smiling in his usual goofy manner – "I…forgot?" – his friend just looked at him like he was stupid – "Give me a break, it´s not like she´s ever asked before! Chri-chan is still too young!"
'I am twenty five!' – it was the first time the girl had to bite her lower lip to stop herself from talking. The age variable was becoming a total pain in the ass.
Louie shrugged uninterested – "She just did"
Franz pursed his lips as if he had eaten something sour, remaining silent for a few seconds until his body made a ninety degree turn to his right when he made up his mind about something, startling her in the process.
He looked down at her, placing his left hand flat on the counter – "Then I´ll just tell her now" – Why was he so serious? Kim already knew what he did, respected it even. Franz looked like he were struggling to put his thoughts into words and Kim couldn´t help but compare the situation to the one in which her parents gave her 'the talk'.
…
'Yeah…not going through that again'
…
"You see Chri-chan" - Bell continued - "There are people in this world that aren´t good. Not all of us respect law and peace. There are some…individuals out there that prefer doing and taking what they want, to the point where harming those who they think are in their way is normal and right to them." –there was a small pause.
…
'Go ahead, you´re almost there…'
…
"Daddy´s job is to prevent bad people from running free, to impart justice and protect those who cannot do it themselves. That´s what a Marine is…that´s what I am"
It was at that moment - when eyes the color of fresh grapes stared at their own older reflection - that Kim realized Franz honestly believed what he was saying. He loved what he did; the man was a soldier through and through.
All of a sudden, she wasn´t seeing an auburn haired man with purple eyes anymore. No…she was seeing a dark-brown, blue eyed soldier, a sweet man that used to talk about his job with the same passion and love. She was seeing her father staring back at her…and she felt awful.
She was not going to cry, not again. She needed something to divert the conversation with– 'Think brain, THINK. Franz is a Marine. Marines have fleets, which means he must have a crew somewh- Wait a minute…' – That was it!
Kim blinked back the tears that wanted to come out and voiced her diversion – "If you are a Lieutenant that means you have those who follow you and those who you respond to. How come the only Marine I´ve ever seen in the island is you?" – there was literally nothing that indicated signs of Marine troupes in Silver Road, not even a base. It was like they didn´t exist there.
...
The atmosphere tensed.
Both men stared at the girl with surprised faces, and it was clear her caretaker wanted to say something but couldn´t. Kimberly was beginning to think she might have made the wrong question when Louie finally smirked.
"Hah! She is a sharp one isn´t she?" – he laughed a bit, then pointed at Franz – "You´re right cinnamon roll, there ain´t Marines around here but this idiot" - there was a tone of…satisfaction? in his voice. For some reason he seemed almost glad there was only one government soldier around, and that both confused and worried her to no end.
"You see Christa-chan" – the bespectacled man addressed her again – "No matter how much people tell Silver Road is 'The Paradise of Merchandising', a place for pirates and Marines alike," – he leaned on the counter with intertwined fingers. A quick glance told Kim Franz didn´t like where this was going as much as she did– "the government is not exactly…allowed in this part of the North"
…
…
…
'What?'
"I mean, if Marine forces decide to come around only for a little shopping detour, then it´s all dandy. But the only one who´s permitted to operate here, and because he is a resident, is your father, and even he has his limits, like being the only one to get off his ship while visiting" – Louie then turned around and headed to the liquor stands, being completely oblivious of the girl´s awe-struck face.
The government was not allowed in the island´s perimeters? Its forces couldn´t do his job here? Just what in the world did that mean?
"Why is that?" – the whole thing reeked of politics, bad ones. Of that, she was sure of.
The bartender turned his head a little. If his eyes happened to seem a little darker than before, Kim pretended she didn´t notice– "Ah well, the truth is-"
It was then that the other man present in the conversation decided it was enough – "LOUIE-SAN!"
She was glad the cantina was empty at that hour. Less people to witness how scared she got at seeing a man she dubbed as childish and easy-going so angry. The man she now knew as Louie Lawrence looked like he had been snapped back to reality with just a yell, and soon realized the anger was directed at his being.
"I think we should leave it there for now" – his aura was serious. Franz didn´t think the conversation was over…he was finishing it.
And so, his friend´s demeanor changed back to normal. Looking at Kimberly with an apologetic face, he sighed – "Man…I´m sorry Christa-chan, I didn´t mean to scare you" – he rubbed the back of his head– "Forget what I said, it´s not important" – he then looked at Franz – "I´m sorry Franz-bo, please don´t take it personal"
There were a couple minutes of awkward silence making Kim want to be anywhere but there. When the auburn haired man gave him a little smile she felt herself like fainting – "..alright"
It took some time for Franz to go back being his usual goofy self, and when he did, it was like nothing had ever happened in the first place. Both adults talked for a little while longer before her caretaker decided it was best they headed out, and when they did it was past noon.
The streets were crawling with people as usual at that hour, making it really hard to walk without being bumped around. Franz offered to carry her but she refused entirely. She could walk again at last and she sure as hell would do it.
While heading home her mind wondered back to what Louie told her at the bar. Kim could not help it. That she decided not to bring the topic back so Franz could calm down a bit didn´t mean she would let it go.
Pirates were freely allowed in Silver Road yet the government couldn´t even be around for operative issues. It was all upside down. If Louie´s behavior was anything to go by, just what could have gone so wrong that a whole island - dare she say it – hated their current representation?
Kim was not naïve. She knew demagogy was the number one card of politicians this being followed by a good amount of corruption which more than often ended with several oppositions. However, she got the impression her mind was still missing the main tidbit that was causing all the bad blood.
She pondered this for a few more minutes, biting her inner cheeks when her thoughts began going into circles.
'This is getting me nowhere!' – her frustrated sigh was loud enough for some people to turn their heads in her direction. Kimberly was sure Franz would make some remark or another about it and so she waited for his voice.
…
Only…it never came.
…
In fact, the weirdo was nowhere around.
'Where did he go!?' – The girl frantically started searching with her eyes for some sign of dark reddish-brown. It was quite the pointless affair though, there were too many people in the streets and she was the size of a pony, making it really hard to find one short attention spanned idiot.
To make it all worse, the zone she was in was not even near her neighborhood. Kim didn´t recognize neither the houses nor the commercial stands, so she couldn´t try getting to the Bells´ alone without wasting a lot of time or getting lost.
Kim sighed again.
…
She needed to find Franz.
…
The girl asked pedestrians around if they had seen a man who matched the weirdo´s description. Some of them told her they had and politely pointed the direction where he was last spotted, to which she would say her thanks and continue her search.
Many walkers approached her little form wondering if she was lost and needed help going home but Kim always said no. True, she looked like a wondering baby with no protection, but going with a stranger was no better choice.
…
That her pride got hit each time they asked had absolutely nothing to do with it.
…
Just when she was beginning to rethink her choices, Kim saw a flash of auburn hair in the distance that disappeared as soon as it showed.
'There he is!' – she was not about to lose him again so her legs started running fast.
Her body took several turns searching for the man to the point each one of them made the streets less and less known to her. These ones were empty and her nose could feel a subtle presence of salt in the air, which meant she was nearing the docks. That could be a plus, even if the girl didn´t get to Franz his ship should be somewhere in the vicinity. She could ask there or even see him.
Her pace went faster and she began to feel excited. She was managing to do something by herself again and it was the best feeling ever. She could do this.
So much was the euphoria and the speed, that when her body took another turn to the right she didn´t catch herself in time before bumping into something, or rather someone, with enough force to bend their legs and make them drop whatever their hands were carrying.
A surprised sound left the person´s – a man – lips, followed by a loud crash that indicated something broke beyond repair. Kim still wasn´t paying much attention though, the impact made her fall on her butt with force.
"Captain! – Many yells were heard at once, and this made purple eyes look up sharply.
Occupying the whole place that was some sort of alleyway, there were several rough looking men staring wide eyed at the display. With further inspection Kim realized their attention wasn´t directed at her but at a round figure in front of hers. They were on high alert for some reason, and when she took a look at their hands her heart jumped to her throat.
…
They were holding guns.
…
"What the hell just happened?" – grunted said figure as it started to slowly get up from the floor and shake his head a few times. Kim then acknowledged the man was huge, around seven feet tall give or take, making her stay completely paralyzed on the cobbled ground.
His back was still turned to her when he spotted something in front of him that made him go livid – "What the- OUR SAKE! IT´S COMPLETELY WASTED!"
Kim knew she needed to get out of there as soon as her eyes saw the boxes´ contents. The situation was escalating quickly and she got the feeling a simple apology wouldn´t be enough
'If only my legs would freaking move!'
"Who did it?" – he growled – "WHO THE FUCK DID IT!?"
She was finally rising when one of the furious man´s underlings spoke – "Behind you captain!"
Kimberly felt a terrifying chill run down her spine the moment the brute – because there was no other way to describe him – turned around. His face was almost barbarian, with a long beard that needed some trimming with urgency and several scars going around his eyes. Eyes that first searched at the giant´s level, and then went down to be laid on hers.
…
'Shit'
…
Not a moment later Kimberly had her feet dangling midair. The brute had grabbed the collar of her shirt in a non-gentle manner to lift all her weight as though it was nothing. She could feel the beginnings of a gagging sound in the back of her throat. His grip was too strong.
"Oi brat, do you know what you just fucking did uh!?" – she had to scrunch her nose because his breath was hideous. The animal obviously wasn´t aware of the meaning of personal hygiene and the fact his monstrous hand kept shaking her while talking made the sensation of nausea kick in with force– "You made me drop a whole set of expensive rice beer!"
"Look at her, the brat´s ´bout to pee herself!" – said another with clear mockery in his voice, and a chorus of laughter was heard after – "That´ll show you not to mess ´round with the Viking Pirates you twit!"
Of course they had to be pirates…that or fair monkeys, maybe something in between. Kimberly´s initial fear slowly turned into anger when she heard the word. She was getting sick of criminals doing whatever the hell they wanted.
"Tell you what midget" – the grip on her collar tightened and she let out a strangled cry. The pirate brought her close to his face, an evil smirk showing over a row of disgusting yellow teeth and she closed her eyes shut while struggling to get herself free but with no vain - "since you are just still wearing diapers, I´ll let you go unscathed if you properly say sorry" – his grin turned vicious – "That, or you can tell us where you live so my men here can compensate for losses"
…
…
…
'WHAT'
Kim opened her eyes immediately, purple orbs seething nothing but rage at what he was suggesting. She was seeing red because how dare he. Anger issues be dammed, she wasn´t letting this fucker daunt her, much less place one single hand on Monique´s being.
Gathering all the bravery and nonexistent balls she had, the girl slowly opened her mouth….and spitted on the asshole´s face.
The effect was instantaneous; Kim felt the world rushing around her as she was harshly tossed to the ground. The cobblestone hit her like a slap to the face, throbbing pain going through all her spine as though it were electricity. She could feel tears already forming in the corner of her eyes but she didn´t care. It was worth it.
"YOU UNGRATEFUL BITCH!" – the giant was viciously wiping his face with one of his sleeves. His aura was murderous.
The girl blinked a little dazed as the rest of the men started moving around him, some of them holding crowbars obtained from somewhere she didn´t see.
"You should have apologized sunshine" – the captain grabbed one of the pries offered to him with impatience. The whole crew was giggling and laughing at her weakened state on the floor – "It would have made you live longer"
It was the last thing he said before going for the first strike. Kimberly had her eyes shut by that time, not really caring about what was about to happen to her. She had it coming, just like that time in her apartment. It was her decision to take this path and she didn´t regret it because Monique was going to be safe. There was even this morbid part of her which believed that if she died a second time she would wake up in her world again, no matter how fucked up that sounded. So she embraced herself and waited for the first hit like a grown woman.
…
…
And again…it never came.
There was a rush of air, barely breaking through the silence when the man before her suddenly let out a pained cry, followed by a 'clank' and the voiced shock of his crew.
Kim opened one eye to study her surroundings…and couldn´t believe what she saw.
Franz had grabbed the pirate´s arm, having it placed behind his back with a vice grip, and suddenly, faster than any normal human could, his fist collided with the bastard´s face, sending him flying to a wall nearby with a loud 'crack' and a cloud of debris.
Her eyes widened and her jaw almost hit the floor. If Kim though Franz was angry before she had no idea at all. This Franz…was livid.
"Captain!"
"Who the hell are you!?"
"Where did he come from!?"
"Wait a minute, that coat…ma-MARINE!"
"Impossible! They are not allowed in here!"
No one dared moving a single muscle. They were all on guard, sweating bullets at the yet fuming man before them. Kim could just gawk, she couldn´t believe what had just happened in front of her.
And then…Franz disappeared.
There was a faint flutter in the air when all the men started going down or flying around. A single figure, moving so fast the human eye couldn´t catch it, punched, kicked and slammed his way into the pirates. The ones that had guns immediately started firing in all directions with the hope of hitting…something, but it was useless.
All men were unconscious within seconds, the Marine being the only one left standing.
…
Kim stopped correctly functioning.
…
She got to react when firm, warm arms hugged her in a protecting manner, not wanting to let her go anytime soon.
"Chri-chan…" – it was Franz´s voice. Why did he sound as though a strong weight had been lifted off his shoulders? Wha-what just happened? – "Oh god Chri-chan I´m so sorry. Are you okay baby? Were you hurt anywhere?"
When Kim finally saw his face, how worried he looked, she felt awful. The purple eyed man looked like he had aged ten years on a whim, all because he saw his daughter, his baby, in extreme danger.
…
She really was a terrible person.
…
"…I´m fine"
He held her even tighter to his being, she did the same.
…
'A horrible one'
She was in a daze.
The girl remembers her lips didn´t mutter one single word, not when her male caretaker made a den den mushi call – was that even the name? – to ask for permission so a few of his subordinates on the ship could apprehend the unconscious pirates on the floor, not when Franz carried her close to his chest back home, not even when Monique did the same once they got there and the situation was explained.
No…she finally talked once the three of them were seated at the dining table with a big cake in the middle.
"Happy Fourth Birthday Chri-chan?" – Was it second of March today?
Monique gave her a motherly smile – "I assumed we both had to be for this one, so I called daddy"
Monique called Franz? She never does that.
"My angel is growing so fast, I couldn´t possibly miss another birthday of hers could I?" – he was smiling too.
And it was at that moment, that fleeting yet special moment of peace and…happiness, with the light of four small candles before her and a happy couple looking at her being like she was their whole world…that Kimberly understood she was impersonating the daughter of the Bells. They loved her deeply and they just wanted the same love back. She owed them at least that; even if her heart just had room for one father and one mother, even if her name wasn´t Christa Bell…she could give it a try.
The cinnamon haired girl stared at both parents with wide purple eyes…and for the first time, the ghost of a smile formed on her lips.
"Thank you…mama…papa"
Both adults stared shocked, not knowing what to say or do, until the first tears started going down their cheeks.
"B-Baby…"
"Chri-chan…"
…
The three of them slept together that night.
For the first time in what felt like ages…there were no nightmares.
Holy Land Mariejois, year 1491
There was surprise in their faces.
No, not surprise…horror. They were all horrified at the words of his father. Like what he just voiced was a terrible sin.
And he did not comprehend why.
"Have you taken leave of your senses, Saint Homing!?" – said one of them in complete alarm – "I never deemed you capable of doing such a thing!"
The others seemed to share the same opinion – "You intend to leave the land of the gods and degrade yourself to mere humanity!?"
That could not be right. They were above those filthy creatures, they were gods destined to rule over other beings. They must have misunderstood his father. Yes, that was it. Even he and his mother remained calm despite all the accusations.
"But I am human. I have always been"
Eyes behind sunglasses looked up at his paternal figure confused.
'Father, I believe you are not explaining yourself correctly' – And he better fix it, for their equals were beginning to rile up.
"Are you trying to say we are the same as well!?" – yelled one.
"BLASPHEMY" – roared another – "What do you take us Celestial Dragons for!?"
…
'For what they are of course, supreme beings' – the situation was getting more confusing with each word. He still had hope that his father would voice his thoughts in a more understandable way.
…
However, they were still yelling. Maybe he thought it inappropriate to interrupt.
"You bloody traitor! You must have always been a heretic!"
He did not know what heretic meant but it could not have been something good.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his little brother hiding behind the fabric of their mother´s dress. He too was beginning to be nervous with all this.
A warm smile appeared on his father´s lips and he felt himself relax. He was finally going to say what he really meant.
"You may think as you wish" – he started – "Humans are wonderful beings. Nothing would please me more than live as one of them. This is my opinion"
They kept screaming at him for his words, telling him to leave and never come back. The child with sunglasses could only look up at the tall figure beside him.
…
His father was still smiling.
…
…
He felt a little twinge of annoyance.
…
'Father…you have not explained yourself correctly…have you?'
'…maybe…'
A/N
*curiously pokes head out of a corner**rises shield to protect body from rotten tomatoes and toilet paper*
Okay, okay I know. To those who were really interested in this story, I owe you a giant apology for the almost two year gap. I won´t justify myself. I was simply being lazy.
Even I can´t believe chapter six is finally out. I have literally spent three days finishing it –quick shout out to spring break here.
I´ve changed minor things in the previous chapters, like some grammar errors and the year of the story. Christa is not born in 1488 anymore, but in 1484.
I´d also like to thank everyone who had faved and followed How to Pull the Strings so far, and give Red raspberries, arapyanime and Kyrin all my virtual hugs and kisses for reviewing.
I hope you liked this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please review and tell me your thoughts.
PS: there are some fun facts in this chapter I´d like to mention:
-Kim blames Franz of getting so distracted that he lost sight of her on the streets when in fact, she got herself so immersed in her musing that she didn´t realize where she was going either.
-Kim has little to no self-preservation instincts, she tends to act in a reckless way when stressed out, more if she is angry. This has to change, especially if she wants to get along with a certain someone ;)
-Monique actually called Franz so they could both find a way to help her daughter get rid of her nightmares.
That´s all for now, tell me if you want more of these facts.
Majopi out!