"Xiaoyu, you are certain of this?" Alisa practically ripped the shower curtains from the rod as they were pulled aside in haste, revealing a shrieking brunette who moved to cover herself and turn away.
"Alisa! Why didn't you knock or something!"
"O-Oh, forgive me," pulling the curtains back into place, her urgent and worried expression remained.
"...It's alright." With a sigh on the other side, Xiaoyu calmed and moved to turn off the water. "Just don't freak me out like that again!"
"Yes, of course. I was simply worried seeing as you did not respond to my text messages nor answer my phone calls. I wished to speak with you right away."
"Huh? About what?"
"Well... I... overheard Miss Nina speaking of Jin--and you. Is it true?"
Xiaoyu slowly peered from behind the curtains. "U-Uh, is what true?"
"That you are currently in a relationship?" Though Alisa always reasoned logically and waited until all information was gathered to make an educated guess, her friend's expression said enough and she gasped. "It is!"
"Please don't freak out! I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner! Just don't tell anyone else, okay? Even though I don't get how Nina possibly found out but please just keep it a secret!"
There was a long pause as Alisa attempted to even process the possibility of this situation. But she would nod dismally, "Understood."
Frowning now, Xiaoyu reached a wet hand to place upon her friend's shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?" But when she didn't answer, Xiaoyu pulled on a comforting smile. "How about you pass me that towel over there and we can talk in my room, okay?"
Xiaoyu patted the mattress beside her and Alisa moved to obey her silent request. She sat tall, hands placed gingerly upon her lap, but her expression shown worry still which contrasted with elegant movement.
"I know something I said upset you," the brunette pried gently. "But what?"
Silence again. But eventually Alisa turned to her friend, expression grave and voice saddened. "Xiaoyu, you are certain of this?"
Xiaoyu blinked. That question--she understood now. "About... me and Jin?"
"Yes, and Devil Jin as well. I worry greatly for you Xiaoyu, but I am also confident that you will help him like no one else can. There is so much darkness within him after all..." Her gaze fell to the floor. "Perhaps I fear that he may one day treat you, use you as he does me. His motives have never been quite clear to anyone."
Xiaoyu seemed hesitant, as if reluctantly considering all of this. Though she knew Alisa had many valid points, as she often found herself deep in thought over Jin, she was much too happy for their relationship for it to trouble her much anymore. "So I guess you don't approve then?" she asked quietly.
Alisa looked back to her, a small smile showing itself. "Not particularly, however," her gloved hand was placed upon Xiaoyu's, "I certainly approve of our friendship, and your happiness. Always."
Xiaoyu smiled and nodded, giving a reassuring squeeze. She would take what she could get. "Alright. And same with you, okay? So if you ever wanna go out with Lars, I'm all for it--"
Alisa gasped, hands raising to her cheeks. "E-Excuse me?"
"You know~" she mocked, fingers forming the heart-shaped symbol her friend had shown the other day.
“That’s alright. The Royal Protector is out attending to other matters, and Mother hasn’t been around for quite some time now.” The child offered a small, reassuring smile to the florid-haired stranger.
“But you’ve already met Gristol’s Empress as it is, so don’t worry about it!”
Hands planted upon her hips, Emily beamed up at Alisa; “My name’s Emily Kaldwin, by the way—it’s nice to meet you.”
The Royal Protector, gone? As well as her mother? Well that seemed reason enough for Alisa to accompany her, with exploring simply a bonus! The mention of royal however made the cyborg contemplative and soon her suspicions were confirmed when the girl spoke again.
"Oh my!" Gloved hands shot to her cheeks in excitement only for them to fall against her lap quickly after, bowing deeply. "And you as well, Miss Emily!" Giggling, she straightened, "I am Alisa Bosconovitch," before gesturing politely ahead with both hands. "Shall we then?"
“This is Gristol,” the petite girl chirped kindly, brown eyes full of child-like wonder as she stared up at the stranger. From head to toe, everything about her seemed completely foreign to Emily.
Tilting her dark head, the young empress’ brows shot up; “I can show you around, if you’d like, maybe that would help you find where you’re trying to get—is that your real hair?” It was very clear which of the two portions of her spiel she was more interesting in.
A quick search initiated of this Gristol but as she suspected no matches could be found. Peculiar. Though judging by many factors, it could quite possibly be located within or nearby English borders. The proposal of a tour was readily accepted by the cyborg who couldn't refrain from girlish laughter just then, their conversation taking a sudden turn.
"Why yes it is," she answered as rosy lips formed an enthused smile. With Gristol's customs seeming rather old-fashioned, the girl's intrigue was only natural and so Alisa prepared herself for many inquires to come. "And your assistance would be much appreciated," she offered a bow of her head, "however I would not wish your parents to worry. Shall we be acquainted first?"
Blinking curiously at the smaller person before her, as she could not recall a time it was ever necessary to interact with children, the cyborg soon offered a smile of greeting and nod of her head. "Oh, hello there. Would you... happen to know where we are? I seem to be a little lost," she explained rather sheepishly. With the girl's style of dress however and the city's architecture, it was safe to assume she was very far from home.
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