Welcome to the recording doc for the Date Auction! Copy and paste everything from Chatzy here, and remember to make sure someone is recording before things get thrown into the Chatzy abyss. -------------------------------------- START -------------------------------------- Celia sighed a breath...
Believe it or not Harris signed himself up for the date auction.
It was for a good cause after all. The Explorer’s Guild needed the money to expand the islands’ resources. It would bring prosperity to everyone really and he planned on helping the community in any way he can.
Of course... it took a while for him to work up the gumption to put his name on the paper. He couldn’t get Celia out of his head. But who could blame him? He was ready to spend the rest of his life with her and she threw it all in his face. There had been a small hope within him that she’d wake up and realize she was making a mistake. That she’d take the ferry over to Leuda and say she was ready to go through with their wedding.
But that never happened. And with each passing day he supposed more and more it never would. He had to move on. This auction would be a step in the right direction. He was sure of it.
Plus, with Celia off on the other island there was no reason for it to be awkward.
[ 🍩 ] Excuse after excuse. That’s all he heard. And it pissed him off. Why shouldn’t it? Being lied to this whole time, strung along like a dumb-ass, and believing it every second. He watched as she dipped her head, letting her hair cover her face. A trait he’d once found cute and endearing suddenly looked like an act of cowardice to him.
“You did more than disappoint me,” he replied, scoffing at the word she chose. As if she’d made some small insignificant mistake that didn’t ruin entire lives.
Then his answer came. The one he knew was coming and never wanted to hear. There was no pretending now. No matter how much he’d expected it there was no way to be prepared for it. Not now. Not after all this time searching for her–loving her with all his heart and expecting to live their lives together two minutes ago.
Her words cut him deep. Deeper than he’d ever admit to her nor himself. It hurt so much and she looked like she didn’t care that she practically ripped his heart out and stomped all over it. It wasn’t fair that he was hurting so much and she wasn’t.
“You don’t have to pretend anymore,” he said coolly as he glared at her, “You never cared. Don’t insult me by saying you were my friend.” Gods! He hated her–more than he hated anyone before. At least his family had the decency to be upfront with their dislike of him.
His eyes started to sting and he took it as his cue to go. The last thing he wanted was to give her the satisfaction of seeing him fucking cry over her. Taking a step back he shook his head, “Goodbye Celia–” he cut his sentence short, fear of his voice beginning to tremble.
Celia felt numb. She would have never pretended to like him. She always thought he was nice and kind to her. She would never have stayed for him longer than a week otherwise. But maybe that’s why it made it so hard to admit her true feelings. Everything about her situation was perfect, and she was too afraid to give it away for a selfish reason: not disappointing everyone.
“H-Harris, I wasn’t…” the air caught in her throat as she looked back up only to see his back as he walked away with a curt goodbye. All she could do was stand there, staring at him as he left her. What was he going to do? He came out all this way for nothing.
Was he going to tell her family she was here?
Celia stood there, not noticing the spilled water muddying the dirt around her.
Finally, Violet was down to her last letter. This one to Harris, who Violet hoped was doing alright after the entire fight they had gone through. She remembered him getting hit one too many times. Though, to be fair, in Violet’s mind getting hit even once was too many times. Violet sighed, knowing that being a dead-weight after the battle was the worst thing that could have happened.
But still, she didn’t know. She could only worry about it. And part of the reason why she was writing letters was to know what happened.
She hoped that it was appropriate to send personal letters to a police station. Well, Violet didn’t know where else to send it so that’s what she was writing on the envelope. Hopefully someone wouldn’t mistake it as something else. There were probably more important things being sent to the police station…
Dear Harris,
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to say goodbye to you before I left the island. I had to go back to Arcadia soon after the voyage to go back to work, and after taking the time to leave the hospital I didn’t have time to find anyone on Leuda. Everything is fine, though! After using so much of my magic…I was mentally exhausted. I’m sorry if I caused any trouble for the group after I passed out. I honestly don’t remember anything shortly after I healed Iroha…so if I was a burden then I apologize. I don’t remember who brought me to the hospital, but I would like to thank you for taking me.
When I arrived back on Arcadia, the statue was already situated in the Arcadian Explorer’s Guild. I’m chosing not to investigate it myself…but I’m sure that more experienced mages on the island will handle it.
How are you feeling after the battle? There were a few…scary things I felt during the battle with everyone getting hurt. I can only hope my healing spells helped you out while I was able to cast them. I’m going to do my best so I can cast more spells for the next time I go out on a voyage.
I would also like to thank you again for helping me when I was lost when I first got to Leuda. I’m actually considering moving there. I hope that we can meet without me getting lost! And if you plan on visiting Arcadia, then I would like to meet up with you again! I’m sure I can show you around instead!
[ 🍩 ] Harris was filing some paperwork at the police station when one of his colleagues came into the room with a smug smile on his face. Unimpressed with the mischevious undertone the man’s eyes had Harris told him not to bother him unless it was important before looking back to his work.
“Oh, that’s fine, but I thought you’d like to see the love letter that was mailed to you here,” the other man said nonchalantly but with an evil grin. Harris’ eyes snapped back up to his colleague, an image of Celia flashing through his mind a brief second. Seeing he struck a chord with Harris, he continued to speak, “Let’s see, what does Violet Brunel have to say~♪”
Violet--the Little Miss? The last he’d seen her was when he dropped her off at the hospital. He had hoped to visit her again to check up on her, but she’d been discharged before he had the chance. All he could hope was that she was doing okay. And now she sent him a letter? He had a couple ideas what the contents would be, but couldn’t tell if they’d be good or bad.
Tired of the games Harris’ eyes grew cold as he frowned at the man, outstretching his hand as he said, “Hand it over.” His colleague pouted, but did as asked. Harris was ready to tear open the envelope right then, but glared at his coworker until he left, muttering something along the lines of Harris being a kill-joy.
Harris read the letter over and sighed in relief after knowing she was all right. A pang of guilt ran through him still for how horrible the voyage went. He still recounted the things he could have done better. Instead he was just a bigger failure.
Not one to make someone worry, Harris thought it best to write the miss a letter in reply. When he finally got some time to himself he mailed off his reply.
Dear Miss Brunel,
Thank you for your letter. It’s a great relief to me that you are safe. I worried when I came to visit you in the hospital and you’d gone, so you have my appreciation for following up with me.
Be rest assured that I am perfectly fine after our voyage. Much to your efforts. I apologize if I came off as indignant regarding your abilities. I was truly wrong in my presumptions. if it weren’t for you I’m sure things could have ended most dire.
I know you had your reservations about the statue, but I’m glad to hear it made its destination safely. I shall come by to visit our sister guild and see how the investigation is going. Perhaps while I’m there you can show me the sights?
If you do move to Leuda I hope you enjoy it here. If you ever need me don’t hesitate to ask, after all I owe you my life.
Celia’s eyes were glued to the ground, wide and afraid after what she just admitted. She could feel his eyes on her, examining her. Like he was seeing the real her for the first time, the Celia that didn’t love him.
She was silent when he began to ask questions, all of which made her freeze in place. Beside her feet was the old watering can, now empty and gently rocking along with the breeze. Why did it have to be this way? Why couldn’t Harris have gotten the message when she ran away, or at least given up after an entire year? She could have lived her entire life uncertain about what happened on the mainland after she ran to a place she had only seen in flyers in town.
This was her fault, but it only made her a mixture of angry and depressed. Angry at herself and her Aunt for making her into such a passive woman. Anger from Harris acting like this. And depression because she knew that Harris didn’t deserve this in the end.
“I didn’t want to disappoint anyone,” Celia spoke quietly, hair falling in front of her face, “Everyone was so happy about us…I thought I would be happy. But I couldn’t…” She paused, taking in a deep breath.
There was no use hiding it now.
“Harris…I don’t…or ever was,” she stiffened, afraid, “I’ve only felt friendship for you. I-I’m sorry.”
[ 🍩 ] Excuse after excuse. That’s all he heard. And it pissed him off. Why shouldn’t it? Being lied to this whole time, strung along like a dumb-ass, and believing it every second. He watched as she dipped her head, letting her hair cover her face. A trait he’d once found cute and endearing suddenly looked like an act of cowardice to him.
“You did more than disappoint me,” he replied, scoffing at the word she chose. As if she’d made some small insignificant mistake that didn’t ruin entire lives.
Then his answer came. The one he knew was coming and never wanted to hear. There was no pretending now. No matter how much he’d expected it there was no way to be prepared for it. Not now. Not after all this time searching for her--loving her with all his heart and expecting to live their lives together two minutes ago.
Her words cut him deep. Deeper than he’d ever admit to her nor himself. It hurt so much and she looked like she didn’t care that she practically ripped his heart out and stomped all over it. It wasn’t fair that he was hurting so much and she wasn’t.
“You don’t have to pretend anymore,” he said coolly as he glared at her, “You never cared. Don’t insult me by saying you were my friend.” Gods! He hated her--more than he hated anyone before. At least his family had the decency to be upfront with their dislike of him.
His eyes started to sting and he took it as his cue to go. The last thing he wanted was to give her the satisfaction of seeing him fucking cry over her. Taking a step back he shook his head, “Goodbye Celia--” he cut his sentence short, fear of his voice beginning to tremble.
She couldn’t hold it in anymore. When he asked her what was wrong, she looked up with wide eyes, scared, like a deer in headlights. Celia took in a shaky breath, afraid of everything that would come afterwards. Afraid of how Harris would feel, afraid of what would happen if he went back to tell Aunt Vesta, afraid of everything she had ran away from. There was the option to go back, but she couldn’t. Celia closed her eyes tightly and let the confession fly from her mouth.
“I couldn’t marry you, Harris,” her words were quiet, barely audible even between the two of them, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you…so I ran away instead. But now you’re here and I didn’t know that you had…well…thought anything other than me running from the wedding. I’m so sorry…”
[ 🍩 ] As she uttered the words it felt like she pulled a rug from out under him. It took out all his breath as he felt his chest constrict. He couldn’t fathom it. All this time he spent searching for her to bring them together again, for nothing. She didn’t even care about him. This whole time...
He stared down at her, realizing that the past years he’d spent with this person was all a lie. Had she even loved him? Did she even care? What kind of person would do that to someone?
And on top of that she was blaming him. It was his fault that she left without a word and he was supposed to read her mind on the matter. But how could he have? When up to that point he’d thought she was ready for them to spend the rest of their life together. How was he supposed to know what she wanted when all she’d been telling him were lies?
Harris took a step back from Celia, taking her appearance in again but this time in a very different light.
“... Why?” he finally responded, a vile taste filling his mouth. There were so many unanswered questions in his mind, but looking at her wasn’t providing any answers. The one person that he’d felt the safest around was the one who’d lodged a knife squarely in his back.
“Why lie this whole time?” he finally asked. Anger started to churn in his stomach as his expression turned into a deep frown and his brow furrowing. He didn’t raise his voice, but it was stern as if scolding a child.
And before he could stop himself he asked the one question he both wanted to ask and didn’t want the answer to, “Did you even love me?”
Celia was frozen, eyes wide as she dropped the watering can, spilling the water that remained onto the field. She didn’t know what to say, it was like her mind blanked out and her throat was becoming too dry to say anything. It was like she was back in the inn room, fearing the day when her family would trace her to where she had fled. Only now it was here. And now he was approaching.
When Harris spoke, she felt a shock go through her body. He…didn’t know why she left? He thought she was dead? Then, this whole time…he didn’t even know that she had left him to reject the marriage.
Oh Goddess, no.
Celia was still in his arms, not finding the strength to push him away or anything else. But her eyes avoided him, keeping them focused on his chest as she tried to slowly work her brain around this. In the back of her mind, the urge to fall back into her complacent attitude was pricking her in the back of her mind. She didn’t want to hurt Harris in this way. Let him think that something had happened, and not disclose that his worries was for the woman who didn’t love him.
She couldn’t do that. Not again. If she lied, then she would reach the breaking point again.
“I’m fine, Harris. I…have been fine for a while, actually,” Celia backed up, pulling away from his suffocating grasp, “I-I’m…sorry for worrying you.” She opened her mouth again to say the right words only to find her mouth dry. Celia grabbed the edge of her apron, holding it tight enough to turn her knuckles white. She traced them with her eyes before looking back up at Harris. He looked so happy. But his happiness wouldn’t be her happiness.
“L-Listen, about last year…” Celia started, but only drifted off, face turning red as she feared what was to come, “I…well…I couldn’t…” Her breath ran out, trailing off like the wind. Celia couldn’t bring herself to bring herself to tell him.
[ 🍩 ] Feeling her back in his arms felt so right. It’d been too long since he’d been able to see her, to feel her head on his chest, to smell her scent. Everything was going back to normal, exactly the way it should be.
Celia pulled from his grasp and although the last thing he wanted was her to leave their embrace he knew this must be hard for her to process as well. If she was half as shocked to see him as he her then some air would be needed. He beamed down at her, his broad smile ready to take on the world once more now with Celia by his side.
“Thank goodness,” he said, when she alleviated any suspicious of her being hurt. “Don’t you worry about that now, Honey. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
He beamed down at her, but it didn’t take long for him to realize something was wrong. The way she avoided his gaze and clung to her apron. Harris couldn’t keep his eyes off her--not after being deprived for a whole year. But she stood there like she couldn’t bear the sight of him.
“Celia... is everything okay?” he asked gently before she started to talk about last year.
“I…well…I couldn’t…”
He could hardly make out what she was saying, much less she was getting at. Last year, back when she first disappeared on the eve of their wedding. Was she talking about that? But surely... surely the word “couldn’t” and their marriage wouldn’t be in the same sentence, right?
His hold from her dropped as he searched her face for any clue as to what she was getting at, a panic settling within his chest, “What are you saying?”
One year since Celia arrived at Arcadia Island, and she found herself doing farm-work once again.
It felt like she was at home, doing the daily grind at the farm with her aunt. Watering the fields just brought her back to those days. Even after all that had happened, with running away last minute from her marriage, the farm made her feel at ease. It was a miracle that she had been hired at the farm. Her year had gone from panicking and questioning herself alone in an inn room to hesitantly working at a restaurant to finally getting hired as a farmhand a few weeks ago.
And though the owner was hesitant to hire a waitress, as she was reluctant to tell her about her experience in case he would want to call Aunt Vesta, she had proved herself a hundred times over since he agreed. She was worried that he would question why a simple waitress knew so much about farming, but he thankfully just thought she was a quick learner. It seemed like there was nothing to worry about.
She stood up and wiped from dirt from her apron, smile falling at the thought of a year passing by. Her last memories from the mainland was everyone smiling. Aunt Vesta had been like a madwoman, making sure that her dress was perfect and she would have all the ‘four somethings’ for when she walked down the aisle. Her few friends had been equally excited, taking her out to a nice restaurant a few days prior to celebrate.
And Harris…she couldn’t imagine how Harris felt after she left. He was always kind to her, but she couldn’t marry him. She tried to love him to make everyone happy, but everything just snapped the night before their wedding. Celia felt like she was choking, and running away to a faraway land seemed like her only option.
All because she couldn’t say no to him. That was why she was here.
Celia heard footsteps from the edge of the farm. Thinking it was the farm owner, she put a smile on her face and finished watering the row of seeds she was working on.
“I’m just about done with the field. I can finish up in a few more minutes, if you’re…” Celia turned to the direction of the footsteps and froze, feeling a spark of cold snap through her entire body. Even after all this time, after everything Celia had gone through, there he was, standing on the edge of the field with eyes locked on her own.
“H…Harris?” Celia weakly called out, feeling the blood drain from her face.
[ 🍩 ] It’d been a whole year. A whole year since he last saw her.
Not a single day went by without her consuming his thoughts. Ever since their wedding day he’d been searching for her, the woman who disappeared from right out of his life. The fact of no note instantly led Harris to believe that something horrible had happened to her. He had to find her and until he did there was no rest.
Harris was no stranger to traveling and followed the small trace Celia had left behind. As the days stretched into days then into months his worry only grew. He dreaded to find what waited for him at the end of such a goose chase. The worst plagued his mind, but he was steadfast against it. No matter the cost he’d find out what happened to his fiance.
Doubt started to drown his thoughts with the year mark closing in. Especially with his leads bringing him to islands in the middle of the ocean. He could barely see Celia anywhere that didn’t have enough land to use her green thumb. If anything she probably passed through and headed to somewhere else. Just another stop on the endless search.
Until today.
A restaurant had told him that a waitress that looked like Celia worked on a farm not too far from there. He was on his way to question the owner when he saw a silhouette that until now had been in his dreams the past year. His footsteps came to a stop as he stared at her back. She was tending the plants and for a moment it felt like nothing had changed and the last year hadn’t happened. She was just at Vesta’s farm all along.
She started to speak to him, but not aware of who he really was. Not until she turned to see him and the breath caught in Harris’ throat. She was as beautiful as the day they’d met.
“Celia...” her name escaped his lips in a whisper as the smile crawled across his features. Gods, please don’t be a dream. Without another moment’s hesitation he closed the gap between them, his arms outstretched.
“Thank the Gods you’re alive!” he said as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to his chest. She felt so real.
Giving her another squeeze he pulled back, still keeping her in his arms as he inspected her, “Are you all right? I’ve been so worried about you. I thought the worst... But here you are...” his words drifted off as he stared down at her beautiful brown eyes, his emotions starting to become too much for him.
What made Angela assume pickpocketing the island’s law enforcement was a good idea? If she had a shred of reasoning for it, it’s already floated away far from sight. There was no turning back now, was there? After all, the more money she had on hand, the better.
She had to be even more careful than usual, dealing with someone who knew the island and its criminals like the back of his hand. Being cautious took longer than her usual ‘grab and take’ but she felt a healthy wad of cash just loose enough to pull out easily.
Okay now.
On the count of three, she was to pull and make a run for it.
The voyage disaster wore heavy on the paladin’s heart as he walked the streets. He adjusted his police cap, as he exited the diner. In the other hand he had a bag of doughnuts. Hopefully the extra sugar would give him at least a little pick me up. He had to shake off the devastation and focus on work. There were still people he had to protect after all.
Harris sighed putting his hand in his pocket, ready to make his rounds again. But... where was the change he just put in there? He dug deeper into his pocket, but there wasn’t any money left. He checked his other pockets before realizing what had just happened.
He spun on his heel, trying to look for anyone running away, but the street was crowded and the perp was long gone.
These words swarmed around in his head as he entered his apartment, the world weighing heavy on his shoulder.
He couldn’t believe the disaster that happened on the expedition. Sure the overall goal was achieved, but at what cost? He could barely keep the ladies alive. What the hell was wrong with him?
Harris threw he shield and sword at the ground in a rage, cussing as he did so. He slumped onto his bed and held his head in his hands.
The memories replayed in his mind’s eye as he recounted every single mistake he’d made and by the Elder Dragons there were a lot. The only saving grace was that they all made it out alive. Even that had barely been a victory. Miss Violet, the little mage from Arcadia, passed out on their way back.
He’d made sure to see her to the hospital, carrying her himself not only from the scene of attack but to the nearest hospital bed. The doctors had assured Harris they could take it from there as they set out to treat anything that was wrong with her. He left her in their care, promising to visit later.
The rest of the crew disbanded, no one keen on talking about what exactly transpired. Harris was grateful for this, but at the same time he could only think of how much he failed each of those girls. It was supposed to be a fun expedition, something easy for them to do. He was their guide and he failed them.
Gods, he needed a beer...
Previous Balance: 5,000 G
[ - 2,500 G ] Paid for his portion of the boat
[ + 3,500 G ] Reward for finding the island
Paladin Harris: "You're safe with me, ladies." 22:45 Iroha: "It calms my heart immensely to know that we have such a reliable partner on our side." 22:46 Violet: "O-Oh...t-thank you. I-I'll try not to be a burden" 22:47 Mary: "Thank you so much, Sir!" 22:47 Paladin Harris: "You can always...
Exploration Voyage Log 1: Forest Haven
Involves Harris, Iroha, Mary, and Violet
Results: Mysterious Statue (Pandora) found and recovered by the Explorer’s Guild. Forest Haven to be added to the map by Explorer’s Guild.
Active Mission, Rumor on the Southern Seas, is complete!
CLASSES REQUIRED: Anyone will do, but I would prefer those who know how to heal or defend themselves, in case we run into any trouble.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE: I would like up to three people, though less than that would also be fine.
REWARD: A free upgrade or tool/weapon purchase at the blacksmith’s, as well as a share of any treasure or money we may acquire.
DETAILS: Hello. My name is Iroha Mikazuchi, and I am very interested in going on one of the voyages so extensively advertised by the Guild. I have always wondered about the unexplored lands out in the sea, and I would very much like to go out and see if I could find any for myself. The only thing that’s stopping me is the lack of a boat. Apparently it costs 10,000G to rent a boat at the Explorer’s Guild, and I just spent that exact amount of money on my business, so I am rather low on funds. I also have my rent to worry about as well, so I would rather not spend any more money than I need to. That is why I was wondering if anyone else would like to accompany me on my journey, and split the boat’s price. It would be beneficial for all parties involved, so I thought it would be the best solution.
If you are interested in taking me up on my offer, please come see me at the Steel Edge Blacksmith’s, or contact me through the Explorer’s Guild. I thank you for your cooperation.
Working at the Explorer’s Guild it was no surprise that Harris would have access to the requests that go up on the board. He was always keeping an eye out for people who needed a paladin or some kind of defender in their party. Which was why this one caught his eye. It seemed like the might be in need of saving. Granted there was no immediate danger, but that was exactly what he aimed to avoid.
That and a free upgrade to his shield couldn’t hurt. The thing was becoming a bit battered. Of course he wouldn’t take anything damaged out onto the field, but an upgrade wouldn’t hurt their chances of survival. With that in mind he headed to the island’s blacksmith, a place he was quite familiar with.
Entering Steel Edge, Harris looked around for the familiar raven-haired woman that listed the posting. While they may have not been on a first name basis prior, it did help that he just read her name on the request. He found her behind the counter instead of busy filling an order. He’d hate to interrupt.
“Ms. Mikazuchi?” Harris asked to get her attention, “I’m here about your voyage listing. I’d like to offer my services as paladin. Can’t let the town blacksmith get in trouble,” he said with a half-smile.
Harris gave the girl a once-over. She hardly looked like one about to commit a crime, but she did showcase the tell-tale signs of pre-criminal act jitters. The smile she attempted was a pretty pitiful, too.
Hearing the stutter come out of her mouth wasn’t all that surprising to Harris. She looked quite flustered in her predicament and probably feeling overwhelmed with it all, especially if this was her first time to the city island. And then she confirmed his suspicions.
Arcadia. Just as he’d thought. It certainly explained the apprehensiveness. But he couldn’t put it past her that she was some new wide-eyed pirate recruit they were able to dupe. Their sister island seemed to churn out the gullible types. Even as she presented a picture of Leuda’s university it didn’t deter him. Perhaps they were scoping the place out? It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on her just in case. And on the off chance she was just a new kid from little Arcadia it was his duty to see her to her destination safely.
“I do in fact,” he said with his smile still present, “You made excellent progress toward it so far. I’ll walk you there to make sure you don’t take a wrong turn. I know these roads can get confusing.”
Harris rose his arm in a gesture toward the university, allowing Violet to take the first steps before taking the lead himself. He looked down at her as they walked and continued talking, “So, your first time in Leuda? What about the university brings you here?”
“O-Oh, t-thank you very much, s-sir! I-I didn’t even know I was going the right way!” Violet spoke up and began walking, hesitantly at first, and followed the tall police man between huge buildings. She looked down to the picture and occasionally looked at the buildings they passed, trying to see if any of them matched. She nearly jumped when the police man addressed her again.
“Y-Yes…i-it’s my first time off Arcadia, actually. I-I’m sad that I can’t even go around by myself without help…” she sighed, “I-I’ve always wanted to visit the university because everyone form here seems so smart…I-I want to see what their medial program is like…b-but I-I can’t even navigate this place. I-It’s so different. I-Is it always this busy?” She nearly avoided bumping into someone and practically hid behind the police officer to avoid anyone else.
“It’s no problem at all, I assure you, Little Miss,” Harris responded.
He listened to her stutter-filled speech as she explained what she was doing in the city. The more she spoke the less he started to think she’d have any kind of malicious intent in her. She didn’t have the fortitude. Even if she was jumping at nearly everything he began to realize it was less of a guilty conscious and more of her being a church mouse lost from its cubby.
When she moved to hide behind him a smile more genuine than before formed on his lips albeit small. He wasn’t bothered by the action. Quite frankly he was used to it, being a paladin. It was his job to be the human shield so to speak. His suspicions of her were starting to melt away more and more with each passing second. It seemed the poor girl was genuinely frightened by the big city.
“If you’re looking for intelligent people the university is the best place to start,” he said, a bit of humor in his voice, “And no need to be so hard on yourself. Everyone needs help now and again. Nothing wrong with that. Denying it, that’s where the problem lies.”
He paused for a moment to redirect them down another road before speaking again, “Not all the time. After a boat docks in port it tends to get more crowded. That and we’ll be having more traffic with the warmer months to come, but you get used to it after a while.
“Do you plan on attending the university then?” After all she made the trip to come see it. Must have made the impression on her if it was the cause to venture from her home island.
It was a police officer, or at least that’s what she thought. Arcadia didn’t have many people in the way of a police force, at least not enough for them to have their own building. Violet felt a small wave of relief wash over her, though she was still feeling at odds with the bustling atmosphere. She gave him a very polite smile, though it pulled awkwardly at the corners of her mouth: forced. Violet avoided eye contact, feeling more comfortable looking at the edges of her pink dress.
“O-Oh…I-I’m a little…lost. I-i didn’t expect for this i-island to be s-so…big…” Violet quietly answered, nervous and unsure, “I-I’m from A-Arcadia and…t-the buildings aren’t so big there…” She let out a nervous chuckle and thought for a second. Maybe she could ask him where the University was? But then she wouldn’t know how to get to a hotel…or the port again. But she didn’t want to ask him for too much. Maybe one at a time…and then she could ask someone else? But what if people were scary at the university and looked down on her because she’s two years out of high school and never went to community college?
This was beginning to be an even bigger mistake.
Violet fished out the picture of the university and held it out to him, “D-Do y-you know where the University is…? I-I’m t-trying to find it…”
Harris gave the girl a once-over. She hardly looked like one about to commit a crime, but she did showcase the tell-tale signs of pre-criminal act jitters. The smile she attempted was a pretty pitiful, too.
Hearing the stutter come out of her mouth wasn’t all that surprising to Harris. She looked quite flustered in her predicament and probably feeling overwhelmed with it all, especially if this was her first time to the city island. And then she confirmed his suspicions.
Arcadia. Just as he’d thought. It certainly explained the apprehensiveness. But he couldn’t put it past her that she was some new wide-eyed pirate recruit they were able to dupe. Their sister island seemed to churn out the gullible types. Even as she presented a picture of Leuda’s university it didn’t deter him. Perhaps they were scoping the place out? It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on her just in case. And on the off chance she was just a new kid from little Arcadia it was his duty to see her to her destination safely.
“I do in fact,” he said with his smile still present, “You made excellent progress toward it so far. I’ll walk you there to make sure you don’t take a wrong turn. I know these roads can get confusing.”
Harris rose his arm in a gesture toward the university, allowing Violet to take the first steps before taking the lead himself. He looked down at her as they walked and continued talking, “So, your first time in Leuda? What about the university brings you here?”
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