Author's note: Thank you very much for reviewing and please continue to review! I'm very sorry for VERY late update of the story.
I will try my best to check on my grammar. I am always in hurry. Geez… I have a hectic schedule!
Disclaimer: Do we really need to do this? Fine… I do not own Ragnarok online; however, I own this story. Thank you…
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Chapter 4: What a world!
She slowly opens her eyes and started to feel the surroundings. It wasn't hot. She must have left Morroc. After a while, she remembers… That irritating priest 'warp', as he called it, her to Geffen. Now, where is she?
"Are you awake?"
She looks at the direction of the voice just to see a strange girl standing beside her. She has another weird dress. What kind of world is this to require its people wear strange clothing?
"Are you fine?"
She nodded her head. "Yes, yes.. Thank you. May I know where am I?" She asked as she slowly sits down.
"Oh, yes… I'm Maileen Arviole, Ken's younger sister and you are in our house. You know him, right?" Maileen cheerfully answered with a giggle.
What a coincidence… "Ah, I know him." She scans the room. Well, it wasn't an ordinary room. It was a huge room and she's on a king-sized bed! Every furniture in this room resembles prosperity. What did you expect on a high priest in the palace?
"You must be Crystal Heatherford, right?"
"Right. How did you-?"
"My brother told me." She let out a soft giggle. "He talks a lot about you and he described you perfectly."
She doesn't know if she would be flattered or irritated. Let's see what kind of Crystal Heatherford he's saying. "I didn't know. Did he tell you something against me?"
"Why would he do that?"
"Because he loves to tease me."
Maileen giggles again. Geez… she loves to giggle… Then, she whispers "Yes, he loves you."
"What?"
Maileen smiles so sweetly at her that makes her sick. "Nothing… Why won't you stand up there? You need to eat. You're sleeping for two days straight!"
"Two days? That was… long."
"Yes, long… Wouldn't you mind tasting my specialties? They are waiting in the dining room." And then she giggled…. Again. "And besides, my brother will sure kill me if he saw you at that state!"
She smiled. "You love playing matchmaking, don't you?"
"You bet!" then her eyes go wide. "You… you heard all of it?"
It's Crystal turn to giggle. "Loud and clear."
Maileen's face reddened. "Why don't you tell me earlier? Geez… my brother will definitely kills me…"
"Don't worry.." She opens the door and winked at her. "I won't tell a soul!" Then she walks her way in the mansion when she remembers something. "Ms. Arviole! Help me in direction! I would be lost!"
Maileen laughed. "Yes, mademoiselle!" And she follows Crystal and leads her to the dining room.
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"Wow, that was really funny Crystal!" Maileen laughed before eating the steak on her fork.
"Yes, it was! I am so glad I didn't miss it. I mean my brother is really embarrassed!" Crystal laughed together with Maileen.
Maileen smiled. "Why, we're the same. You know what, I feel I know you before. Look, we became very close just this morning. I don't know if it was because we're the last child and have an older brother. We are really compatible, don't you think?"
"Yes, yes… Unlike Ken. We are always quarrelling. We are exactly opposite!"
"Opposite attracts!"
Crystal pouted. "Only in magnets…"
"I've heard that Maileen."
The two girls both looked at the door to see Ken standing and beside him was Carlo. Crystal eyes shimmered and her day is almost complete seeing him. He is so handsome…
Ken smiled. "Good morning… May we join you in breakfast?"
"Sure brother!"
Ken looked at Crystal. "Wouldn't you mind?"
"It's your house anyways…"
Ken sits beside Maileen. Carlo sits beside her and smiled at her. "Good morning Crystal. May I sit here?"
"S-sure…" Crystal answers blushing.
Carlo tastes the nearest dish to him. "This was nice." He looked at Crystal who isn't eating. "Are you alright? The food is good…"
"Um… Carlo…" Carlo stares at her curiously while Ken is looking at her worried and somewhat… hurt to the closeness… Well, it was Maileen's thoughts at the same moment. Crystal is a bit nervous…
"I-I thought R-Rosemarie is h-here?"
"Oh… she?" his eyes saddened and so Crystal. "She would be late… But I already show her this place. She would be here in any minute… You already miss you best friend aren't you?" Carlo chuckled a bit. "I hope she's alright."
'Yes, she would! I hate her! She makes you worried, Carlo!' Crystal thought and she let a deep sigh escape on her. There was silence not until a lady barged in hugged Carlo beside her. This was very… nice for Crystal.
"Oh, Carlo. I miss you!" Rosemarie looks at Crystal. "Crystal, you're here?"
"Yes, safe and sound. How about you, perfectly fine?"
Rosemarie chuckled. "Still the same, Crystal? So casual? Let's stop pretending, shall we?"
Crystal stood up. "Who is pretending here, Ms. Salmiere?"
Carlo stood up also. "Can you stop that? You're friends. Why are you quarrelling?"
Rosemarie smiled so sweetly. Maileen looks away irritated while Ken is still staring at Crystal not even noticing Rosemarie. Crystal, hurt and angry, yelled at Carlo. "As if you are not quarrelling with Michael!"
"Alright, stop it! I have news. I saw Michael here!" Crystal and Carlo look at Rosemarie who just laughed. "I'm serious! I saw him… Where did it again?... Yes, the one they called Prontera. And he has a big bag around him. I tried to call him but he lost in the crowd. There are many people at that place."
"He's a merchant." Ken said matter-of-factly manner. He stands up. "I need to go there and see him. My mission."
"Wait, brother. How about these three?" Maileen asked a little bit shocked.
"I'm going back here. I'll just need to clarify things and after that…" He looks sadly at Crystal. "We can formulate a way to bring you back to your own world. But as long as you're here, please feel free to enjoy Midgard."
"I need a break." Crystal said as she walks away to outside. Ken tried to stop her but he loses courage. And besides, he thought that she really needed a break. She was not totally recovered of what happened some months ago. The blame is still there. And that problem was mixed up with Carlo, Rosemarie and the newly-arrived Michael. He just stared to her retreating figure.
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"I can't believe this is all happening to me… Geez… I know I am bad but goodness, do I deserve this punishment? It was far from too much!" Crystal thought silent. She is so depressed. Well, who wouldn't be? So many people, things, places and all weird! Let's enumerate.
First of all, that irritating high priest. He always enjoys making fun of her. He always smile… She hates it! But strangely, he hadn't call her 'my lady' when Carlo is around, as she observed. She secretly had a smile on her face. He must not really bad at all. Oh… weird…
Maileen, Ken's younger sister. She was so fun to be with. Very friendly, smart and frank. She is also a carefree person. She was a lot different with his brother. Well, they slightly looks a like but mostly, they have their own looks. She can sense that Maileen is naturally kind-hearted person yet a little annoying. Well, at least she's true to herself.
Her dearest Carlo. She always wishing that he would comfort her in this world. Wishing that he would protect her, makes her smile and always think of her. The more she thinks of it, it become more frustrating. Who wouldn't be in the first place? She's Crystal Heatherford, the famous and glamorous playgirl. And look at her now, she is crazily in love with the genius, Carlo. Her Carlo who loves her best friend.
Rosemarie, her BEST FRIEND. Yes, she was the best! Oh, how many she can't remember cursing her. Why? Why did she do it? Why is she here? She feels very happy to see Carlo but that didn't live so long because at that same place and the same moment, she also heard that Rosemarie is there. Is this Rune-Midgard is her worst nightmare?
Michael… Haven't seen him yet. Skip that part…
And finally herself! Look at her. She's so different. She also loses pride. One day, she promised she wouldn't turn in any job but here she was… an archer. A very talented yet arrogant and stubborn archer. And there is also a lot of weird persons around her. Even the world itself.
Just reminiscing these facts turns her, undeniably, insane…