Sienna stood hand in hand with Seiya, where they found themselves back in the center of the village, the job posting board inches to their left. Neither one of them spoke, or seemed to know what to say to one another. Each one was in sheer overwhelming disbelief at what had just happened. What had transpired back in that cave? Was it all a part of some twisted dream? How could they have ended up entangled in a kidnapping conspiracy? Suddenly, Sienna found her mind strung up on a gentle voice, one she connected to be belonging to Seiya. ''S, talk to me. How are you feeling?'' he asked her. Sienna looked over at him, her eyes drawn into his eyes, just as her eyes began brimming with uncertainty. She tried to find the best way to describe her emotions, but the jumble of thoughts in her mind made it difficult to form a coherent response. Finally, after a few seconds, she managed to let out a small whisper. ''I...I don't even know, Seiya. This whole situation feels like a whirlwind.'' Seiya gave her a reassuring squeeze, his touch providing a sense of grounding amidst the chaos. ''I know, it's a lot to process.'' he said softly. ''But we need to stay strong, Sienna. Remember what we promised. We wouldn't allow the fear or confusion to consume us.''
Sienna nodded, grateful for his steady presence. She knew he was right. None of them had planed to stumble upon something this dangerous. Something that would not only threaten their lives, but many others if things went sour. How couldn't they? They were talking about kidnapping the child of a god? And not just any god, but the god of war - Athena. ''We should seek out some help. We need to find someone who'll be kind enough to give us some information about how to get to Alman.'' ''Shouldn't we think about getting off this island first? Surely, that elf creature intended for this to be hard for us. I doubt we'll find any information from anyone here, especially since most seem ''normal''
''You mean mortal?'' Seiya corrected.
''Yes, mortal.'' Sienna agreed, her voice tinged with intrigue. ''But let's ponder for a moment, shall we? What do we truly know about this enigmatic village and its inhabitants? Absolutely nothing. There could be untold secrets awaiting to be unraveled.'' With an air of secrecy, Sienna led them down the cobblestone streets, which seemed to posses a mysterious power to them, creating an eerie breeze that blew through their hair. The decaying bricks of some ancient houses exuded a palpable sense of history. They wandered together through the narrow, winding streets, their fingertips tracing the moss - covered walls of these time - worn dwellings, feeling the pulse of centuries past. It was evident that something extraordinary had occurred here, something historical. Broken windows stared back at them like empty eyes, beckoning them to dive deeper - into the forgotten realm of dreams. However, time was of the essence. ''Perhaps we should start there,'' Sienna suggested, her gaze fixated on a grand, vibrant building. Its colorful exterior irresistibly calling out to her, demanding to be explored as it pulled her in towards it. ''A bar?'' Seiya asked, confusion present in his voice as he found himself looking at the same building as Sienna, however he didn't seem to share the same feeling of exploring it as she did. ''Got any better ideas? A bar is great, it means there will be people inside! Maybe they can help us.'' Sienna turned to Seiya as she said this, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ''Oh Seiya, don't you see? A bar isn't just a place for drinks and merriment. It's a hub of stories, a treasure trove of information. The patrons who gather here, with their laughter and whispers, hold the key to unlocking the information we need to find Alman. Don't you understand?'' Seiya found himself hesitant, his gaze shifting from Sienna to the inviting entrance into the bar. He couldn't deny the logic of her words, and right now there didn't seem to be any other places near by, aside from some run down old houses. None of which looked exploitable - or livable. ''Alright, let's give it a try.'' he finally conceded, as he joined behind her, as she lead the way into the bar. As they stepped inside, the atmosphere enveloped them like a warm embrace. The air was thick with the aroma of aged wood with the lively chatter of the patrons. Sienna's eyes darted in all directions, taking in as much as the scenario as she could, scanning the room for any one who might seem like they'd be willing to help out two strangers.
Sienna felt her heart racing as she leaned into Seiya. She knew they had to be discreet, but part of her wanted to be bold and brave and take a risk. She wanted to reveal their intentions, to draw attention, they needed help, clearly. But the other part of her was too afraid of the consequences. She felt her stomach twist into knots as she asked Seiya if they should split up. She didn't want to be separated, but she also didn't want to put him in anymore danger. Especially when going into the bar was her idea. She was deeply conflicted, as she didn't know how to proceed. Seiya nodded in agreement, taking up Sienna's suggestion of splitting up, although he was a bit uneasy with the idea. He knew that splitting up was the smarter thing to do, but he couldn't help but feel a tiny bit guilty for leaving Sienna alone. He tried to put his own feelings aside and trust in her judgement, after all, she did seem like she had a plan up her sleeve. He'd trusted her this far. He nodded at her once more, his mind made up, as they both headed to opposite sides of the bar. Sienna quickly scanned the room, her eyes darting from one person to the next, searching for someone who might look like they were willing to help them. They needed someone who was trustworthy. someone who would understand their plight and be willing to help them find Alman. She was about to approach a group of people when she noticed the handsome, mysterious, young man, alone, seemingly nursing a drink of pure red. She quickly made her way past the crowd of people, her feet barely making a sound on the wooden floor beneath her as she walked. As she approached, she noticed the man's kind face, a tinge of mysterious intent behind his eyes. He smiled as she came closer. Hesitating for a moment, her mind racing, she found herself sitting down.
Her leg bounced nervously underneath the table, as she had no clue what to say to him, instead she just snatched up his drink, taking a long sip of the red liquid, before returning the cup to the table. ''Hi,'' she finally said. The man seemed to look her over, observing her movements till he let out a cool breath then spoke. ''Hello,'' he replied. Inside his eyes, there wasn't just mystery, but a sort of twinkle that held the potent-ion to lighten up any situation, and suddenly she found herself feeling as though they could seen into each other's souls, almost like they knew one another from a past life. For the first time since she'd been wrapped up in this mess, she felt like she was being connected all over again. Kind of like she'd felt with Seiya, only this time was different, that time she hadn't had the power of the pendant flowing through her body? Was it possible it was doing more than just protecting her? Could it be trying to show her who she could and could not trust? ''Want to tell me your name?'' he asked her. Sienna's body twitched for a moment as she was asked her name, she guessed in a way she owed him that much, seeing as she was a random woman who'd just taken a seat at a random stranger's table without asking? In this situation, she was definitely the strange one. ''How rude of me, my name is Sienna Kido. I came here with my-um?'' She wondered for a moment, would it blow their cover if she refereed to Seiya as her boyfriend, that was what they were? Weren't they?
I came here with my friend tonight,'' she said. We are looking for information about the whereabouts of a specific person.
Is that right? Who's the lucky one? '' He asked.
Sienna hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should reveal that information. But something about the young man's kind demeanor made her feel like she could trust him. Kind of like the way Seiya made her feel when they met. ''His name is Alman.'' She finally said. ''He's a good friend of ours. We've been trying to find him for a while now, but have no idea where he is, or even how to get there.'' The young man seemed to nod thoughtfully as he replied. ''I might be able to help you,'' ''I know a few people who might have some information. But first, tell me more about yourself, Sienna. Like what brought you to this place? What are you looking for?'' Sienna took a deep breath, feeling a sense of vulnerability wash over her. She had been so focused on finding Alman, she hadn't had time to think about what it was she wanted now that she's escaped the horrible hands of her adopted father. ''I don't know..'' she admitted. ''I feel like I've been lost for a long time now. Like I'm searching for something, but I don't know what it is. I thought by coming here, I'd finally find that answer. Sadly, all I found were more problems.'' As she said this, she'd only just realized the young man had his hand over hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze. ''I know that feeling,'' he said. ''But sometimes, the things we're searching for are right in front of us. We just have to be brave enough to see them.'' Sienna looked into his eyes for the second time, and inside them she found a sense of warmth that made it almost impossible to turn away. She didn't know what the future held for her, or for Seiya, but for the first time in a while, she suddenly felt not so alone. She remembered Seiya, and all the times they would have together, and right there, she promised that no matter what happened, there would be more. She felt a sudden sense of peace, and she knew that everything was going to be alright. Suddenly she found herself feeling a sense of peace, and she knew everything was going to be alright. Smiling at him, she felt her body begin to warm up, until the commotion around her began and all hell broke loose in screams and shouts, followed by shattering glass and furniture being thrown.
Sienna whispered, her voice filled with panic. The man, with a mix of curiosity and concern in his eyes, inquired if she was aware of the situation happening nearby. Despite her nerves, Sienna responded with uncertainty, rising from her seat at the table. Eventually, the chaos subsided and was relocated outside the bar. Sienna swiftly made her way to the door, briefly glancing over her shoulder. The man continued to gaze at her, his brow furrowed with worry. Suddenly, Sienna spotted the cause of the disturbance, causing her cheeks to flush crimson. She couldn't contain her frustration any longer and exclaimed, "What on earth is happening here!" Her eyes locked with Seiya's, and feeling embarrassed, she quickly averted her gaze. Attempting to maintain composure, she took a deep breath, stepped outside, and firmly pulled Seiya along with her.