In which elder and younger Viki confront Yun regarding her resurrection.
"Viki & Viki" would make for a compelling sitcom.
"So... so you're saying it's not my fault you're here, right?"
Yun nodded and gave the young woman sitting opposite her a reassuring smile. "I promise, Viki. It has nothing to do with you."
Viki choked back tears and clung closer to her wand lying across her lap. "Uwaah...I'm so relieved to hear that," she sniffled, "It's just...more and more people keep arriving at Budehuc, and some of them say it's my fault they're here! I recognize them but… I promise, I don't remember sneezing anyone here!"
The two of them sat at a table by Mamie's cafe. When the mage requested a meeting, Yun couldn't help but suspect the reasons for her invitation had something to do with her own miraculous circumstances. "It's all right, Viki. I don't really know why I'm here either."
"That's just it!" Viki's lower lip quivered as she pushed back her mousy brown hair over her shoulder. "But now there are more people coming back! And just yesterday I heard even Yuber came back! He was so stabby and scary...do you think I sneezed him here too?"
"Yuber? Ah...no, I don't think so." Yun was aware of the demon's return. He quickly made himself at home in the lower castle sublevels. Although his presence was unsettling, he had yet to actually cause any problems, and the castle master was graciously accepting of new residents, even if they had a troubled past. Yun couldn't help but admire the young man's ability to forgive. "I actually...was curious about that though. Do you know if he's said how long he's staying?"
"I don't know," Viki hiccuped. "Why did Thomas let him come back!? We should've just turned him away…"
"I'm sure he had his reasons," Yun answered gently. "But not everyone returning is bad, right? I've met so many new people. And if you had anything to do with their arrivals...well, you're helping us all make new friends, right?"
"I suppose…" Viki sniffled again. "Clive said I sneezed him here, and Kinnison too...I'm starting to lose count. Maybe I just need to stop sneezing…"
A sour voice came from behind them. "I believe that would be wise."
"Wah!" Viki stood from her seat, the chair toppling behind her. "How long have you been here?!"
A smaller, younger Viki stood by their table holding a chocolate parfait. She looked to be no older than eight years, but her aura had the domineering presence of an old, wise woman. "Long enough," she answered. Her tone was cold and her eyes cheerless as she darted a look at her older counterpart. "You never fail to surprise me. But sneezing people from other time periods is a new one."
Yun glanced between the two of them. "I'm sorry, have we met?"
"I'm Viki."
"You're…"
"We're both Viki!"
Yun giggled uncomfortably. "You're… both Viki?"
"The logistics are too much to explain," the younger Viki answered cooly. "But for now, simply accept it as fact," she set the parfait down and narrowed her eyes. "Please. Enjoy. It is my treat."
"Oooh, Viki—! This is so nice of you!" the elder Viki wiggled with excitement. "And chocolate, my favorite!"
"Consider it advance payment," she replied, still looking at Yun. "I wish to have an audience with the shaman at a later time. There are things I want to discuss."
Things to discuss?
"Does that mean I can't eat it if it's meant for Yun…?"
The younger Viki sighed. "Do as you wish."
Yun stiffened slightly in her chair as she watched the younger Viki teleport herself away with a blink. The meaning behind her words were clear. While the elder Viki was mostly concerned with her sneezing predicament, it was undeniable the younger Viki was more interested in hearing about the details surrounding Yun's mysterious resurrection.
Unfortunately for her, there's not much information I have to share...