Vale
Olwen Clodeil
Now that I've got even more time to reflect. I seem to look like that kid back in gramps office. But why? I wonder who this person in the mirror from earlier really is?
Olwen kept thinking about how he found himself in this body. In one hand, it felt like this was his body from when he was born, like he lived and breathed in this body. But then from his memories, he had brown hair and brown eyes and was born in the UK and he was certain that this wasn't his body. There was also why he looks like that kid in the office and also why he looks like him but there wasn't any obvious answer or reason he could gleam from his memories.
It was just one moment where he collapsed and the next he was in this body, in a world that was Remnant he knew from a show of all things. How does it even happened? No clue at all.
Now, Olwen was on a limousine to his new home with his now adoptive mother, Ehketh. Who was sitting just in front of him and was checking something on her scroll. They were currently in a traffic jam on a skyway and the trips been at least 4 hours long. When were they gonna get to Ehketh's house?
Vale wasn't that big was it? Olwen remembered that it was comprised of four large districts from a rough map he remembered seeing in the show. Which episode was it, darn he couldn't remember but he was sure there was four. At least he had some prior knowledge, albeit not much of it was useful cause the show focused on the huntsman side of things, which didn't really show much of how society as a whole worked in Vale here.
Maybe listening to the radio was probably one way of trying to close that knowledge gap.
"Welcome back to VNN! Today just a few hours ago, a devastating explosion decimated the Volii Companies District 20 branch. No deaths have been reported as of yet thankfully. As for the cause of the explosion, it is still being investigated by the Falch Department of the VPD."
District 20? Falch? What is that? That definitely wasn't in the show. I'm sure…. I think?
"Hey, can I ask something Ehketh?" Olwen said.
It seemed like there was already a discrepancy from what he knew.
Ehketh immediately closed down the scroll she was holding and looked at him.
"Sure, I will try to answer as best I can."
"The guy in the radio mentioned district 20… does that mean there are about 20 districts here in Vale?"
"There are actually 23 districts. My home is located in District 9, a residential district."
"Ok nice. Who are the Falch? I didn't know the VPD had a department like that?"
"The Falch are a special department of the VPD that specialize in dealing with criminals who have aura and semblances. They handle things since most hunters protect Vale from threats like the grimm outside."
This was undoubtedly the world of rwby by the way people dress up here, some huntsman students going around the streets, and the stores labeled which sold dust where the things he was looking for while around the car and they were there. Which helped him confirm that this was Remnant, but somethings were different.
"How is this not a dream?" Olwen said in a low voice, which Ehketh managed to pick up.
"I could give you 13 reasons as to why this isn't a dream. Here's one." Ehketh said, as she stood up a little from her chair and her hand went towards my arm.
"Wai—" He started to take back what he said, but a sharp pain on lower right arm cut him off.
He shook off the pinching after a few seconds then said. "Ok, Ok! Now I know this is real. You proved your point."
A few minutes later, the limousine had arrived at a quieter and calm place that looked like a neighborhood. There were houses that looked relatively normal, like middle class level and what you'd see normally. But then they were houses that looked absurdly out of place with the others.
"What is this, why are the houses like this?" He whispered.
There was a Japanese styled house in a small courtyard walled in. It was such a contrast to the modern looking houses. Another was a Classic European style house just a few houses away from the Japanese one. They passed by a few more out of place looking houses in terms of architecture.
"Vale is quite lenient with allowing people to build whatever they want," Ehketh spoke up. "You can buy as much of the available land as you want if you have the money and also build a custom house that costs more than the typical designs."
"It looks so weird looking at one house that looks standard then a rich household with a lot land just next to it. So Anachronistic…" He said, looking at awe at the disparity.
After a few minutes of driving deep into the neighborhood, they stopped beside one place that had a completely solid gate, it had no bars in between. The walls connected to the gate were also tall and with it was some vegetation that came from the inside, it was some sort of tall tree actually but he wasn't sure. It seems like his adoptive mother really likes her privacy quite a bit, nothing wrong with that.
The limousine door slid open and a man dressed in formal attire, like a butler was there.
"Madam Ehketh, welcome back home. Ermm…. may I ask something?" The butler said with confusion in his voice.
"I will explain once we're inside the house, Soleil."
"I see…." The butler said.
The butler moved ahead of them, opening the side gate.
Olwen followed behind both Ehketh and the butler as they head deeper. A loud clank comes from behind as the gate closes. Just further ahead was a luxurious villa house. The word mediterranean came to mind when he saw it. The red tiled roofs on the house, the symmetrical exterior, wrought iron on the windows, and warm toned walls.
This was too much, too much. Was he really gonna live here? He was just a middle class level doctor, who'd been living simply without spending much on anything.
"Olwen?" Ehketh said, who was standing just by the front door.
"Y-Yeah. This house of yours just caught me off guard. Lets go in."
It was dark inside, he couldn't really see much of anything but that changed quickly. He squinted as at the bright light that suddenly appeared. He had prepared himself outside, but he couldn't help but let out a gasp at the intricately decorated lobby.
So this is what rich people's houses look like in the inside.
The tiled floor was made out of this shiny looking wood along with the neutral toned walls with all the expensive looking furnishings. He didn't get to look as much as he followed Ehketh.
They entered the living room. The standards here was just something else, this is definitely gonna take some time to get used to.
"Could you prepare both of us some tea, Soleil?" Ehketh sat down on the opposite sofa across him.
"With pleasure Madam."
The butler he now knew as Soleil, quietly left the living room. Leaving the two of them just there.
"…"
"…"
This silence went on until he could hear sounds coming from wheel of sorts. From the other entrance, Soleil arrived with a tea wagon. He silently brews two cups of hot tea before putting the tray on the table.
"Here is the tea, Madam." Soleil said, before standing behind her with a neutral expression.
"…"
"…"
I better think of something to ask. Maybe that's why she's silent? She's just waiting for me to ask something?
"Uhm… Ms. Ehketh, I have a question."
"Speak up."
He took a deep breath before saying.
"So where did you find me, you promised me to give me an idea at least right?"
"We found you during an expedition, in some ruins.
"Yes, we found you during the end of our last expedition. In a ruin deep underground. I work for a company that does expeditions beyond the blue sky zone."
Expedition? Blue Sky what?
"Blue sky zone… what's that?"
Uhhh don't think I ever heard that in the show ever. I'm sure about this.
"Your gaps in common knowledge is something we'll have to work on. we'll be talking about that after I explain other things." Ehketh sighed.
"So I'm guessing that you found me at one of those ruins then?"
"Exactly. I'd tell you more about the details but I'm waiting for something to be decided. My higher ups are cautious of you so they're discussing what they should do with you."
Right…. I think I can at least guess why they're like that. After all, you don't just find a human alive in an ancient temple. But why bring me here if they were so cautious of me?
"But then if they think I might be dangerous, why bring me to Vale?" Olwen asked.
"The expeditionary team had run tests on you and you passed with flying colors but still, they want me to monitor you for the time being. It's protocol for them to be wary since our department has the most risk because of the unknown danger that might be present in the ruins, including artifacts or anything else retrieved from there."
Ehketh gazed emotionlessly at him, while Olwen took a deep breathe and closed his eyes. When he spoke, he spoke in a resigned but also as understanding tone as he could.
"Hah….. just tell me when you can as soon as possible okay?"
It didn't seem like she was lying at all. He honestly didn't understand most of what she said. His brain had just barely understood what she said. But it seemed like she wasn't in a position to talk about it yet. He can wait. She seemed to have his best interest in mind so he chose to believe her.
"Moving on, we'll be talking about the Identity you'll be taking on here in Vale,"
Ehketh let a breathe out before continuing.
"First, You're to refer to yourself as Olwen Clodeil."
Clodeil? Sounds neat.
"Second, there will be a handful of rules and regulations to follow. I'll give you a list on a paper about it later."
"Lastly, don't hesitate to ask Soleil for anything. He is my butler and he would be more than happy to help you with anything ok?"
"Clear."
"Okay then. Soleil, bring him to one of the vacant bedrooms. I have some business to attend to."
Ehketh directed her gaze towards the butler.
"As you wish, Madam."
Since this seemed like the ending of their talk. Olwen stood up. The butler slowly but gracefully walked and stood in front of him.
"I will show you to your room, Sir Olwen."
"Thanks…"
Olwen left the living room and onto the lobby was again. they went up the stairs and went west once they climbed the stairs. HIs room was on the second floor. It was already dark outside from what he could see from one of the windows they passed by.
"This is my room…?"
"Yes. Do you want a different room?"
Olwen didn't know too much about construction but this room was obviously really high quality. No matter how many times he told himself to not be surprised, there was just no helping it at all when it comes to this place.
"No… this is fine. A room like this is more than enough for me."
"All right. Well, I will be knocking on your door after an hour."
"…..Dinner?"
"Yes. For now, please rest up."
Soleil nods then puts his hand on the door knob. He bows before quietly leaving the room. Olwen collapsed onto the bed. This bed is soo soft. Felt like he was in a hotel.
Olwen sat at the dining table, face to face with Ehketh on the other side of it. Right now, the butler Soleil and a maid he didn't know was quietly serving us our food. The maid had short black shoulder length hair and red eyes, and was wearing the traditional maid attire you'd see in the old movies.
This setup was a bit much, as someone who ate together with family on the same table. It feels more like he was in a restaurant or a hotel because of the servants. Cos of that atmosphere, he tried his best to display proper table manners, which he thought was passable.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Ehketh glancing his way every now and then. It seemed like she wanted to say something but was unsure. Was it his table manners or something else.
Soon, dinner ended without a single word exchanged between them. The maid and Soleil started cleaning the dining table and when they were just done.
"So about the topic of your education from earlier. I'll be sending someone over here to educate you, it'll take some time to find someone but I'll notify you in the coming days of it."
"Why not just send me to a school or someth-"
Olwen closed his mouth right before he could finish that sentence.
"A school, Do you really want to go to a school?"
"On second thought, a tutor is probably better."
Olwen did not want to go to school for the second time. The first time was enough for him. The idea of getting homeschooled didn't seem too bad, he could probably handle it. Maybe.
"Then a tutor it is then. You may go back to your room if you want to sleep."
With that, Olwen stood up and was about to exit the living room when he was called.
"Umm… Olwen. Before you go, I want to give something to you."
Huh, what is she gonna give me?
Ehketh quietly but quickly walked over to him and gave him a small box.
"What's this?"
"A scroll, the latest model from the Index brand. It's what most people you're age have. If you have any questions on how to use it, you may ask Lune or Soleil."
"Thanks… for this."
"You're welcome."
Ehketh then left the dining room and probably headed to her room.
Olwen also went back to his room, with the box in his hand. He was pleasantly surprised by the sudden gift. Going with his gut seemed to work out in his favor in this case. He never expected a gift at all but here was one in his hands.
It seemed quite expensive, he could tell just from the box alone that it was a premium product. It wasn't surprising when the person who gave him this was obviously well off, but was still something that he appreciated. It's been a while since someone had gifted him something he wasn't expecting at all.
Olwen placed the box for now inside one of the drawers and checked the time.
9:00 PM…. should probably sleep now. But I don't have a change of clothes. I should've ask-
Knock Knock!
"Can I come in, Sir Olwen?"
A feminine voice called out.
"Uh, sure?"
Olwen answered the unknown voice on the other side of his room's door. The door swung open and there was that same maid from earlier at the dining table along with Soleil. She was holding a bundle of clothes that looked like it was for him.
"Here are some clothes for you, Sir Olwen. Madam Ehketh requested for me to shop for your clothes earlier. That it why I wasn't present to welcome you into the house."
"That's fine. Also thanks for the clothes, I was just looking for some."
The maid quietly put his clothes in the closet.
"There's a basket in the bathroom you can use to put any used clothes into, just put the basket and leave it just by your door outside. That would be helpful."
"I'll definitely do that…"
The maid bowed before she was about to head out. Olwen called out to her.
"Excuse me, I wasn't informed about you earlier so can I ask for your name?"
The maid looked at him with a hint of surprise in her eyes before smiling.
"My name is Lune. In this beautiful house, I serve Madam Ehketh."
She bowed in such a graceful motion, like that of a swan before leaving and closing the door gently.
As soon as she left. His fatigue from all the travelling and the change of life hit him.
I thought I rested up a lot earlier. Seems like I was a lot more tired than I thought. Time to have some sleep in this nice bed.
Olwen turned of the lights before changing his clothes and lying down on bed, covering himself with the soft sheets. He is slowly lulled to sleep by his body. But he tried to at least resist a little to reflect on what had happened so far and staring at the ceiling.
It's going to be almost two days since I found myself in a different body in a place that was obviously not my family's house. Met Ehketh who told me that they found me during an expedition of hers, before shortly making the decision to be in her care cause of a gut feeling. Found out he was apparently in Remnant and not Earth anymore and now he has to live here unless there was a way back to Earth.
Was this one of those dreams that people brain's make when they are about to die? It was just so hard to believe in, that I was more surprised about the house Ehketh has than the city of vale or the fact that grimm actually exist because that was more believable. This was something that should have been not possible at all, but here he was.
"I'm actually here, right?"
Olwen said to himself, to try and accept that this was definitely reality.
With that, he finally drifted asleep.
