His senses were flaring with warning as he heard the metal behind them churn and twist. He could feel that whatever was behind them, whatever was causing the dread feeling was nothing natural. The suggestion to run was mostly well received, at least.
First or second in leading the others through, it was difficult to tell in the commotion that was the train. Passengers in panic, the rush through the aisles, the clattering and scraping sounds from above. He reached out towards the door to push it open, breaching into the next car, but there was nothing to step into. A hard stop - or so he wished - as he felt himself falling forward. Downward. Away. He tried to spin around to see where the rest of the group went but all he could see was darkness. His mouth opened to call out for any of them.
"-- DAD! Hellooo~ Are you even listening?!"
Fate spun towards his daughter's voice, blinking in confusion. "A-ah... Ohnia... Yes, apologies. I am here" a soft smile spread over his lips as he focused on her. When did she get so old? She was less than three just moments before, but that is what parenting is like, isn't it? One day you are changing their diapers, the next -
"Oh finally, I thought I lost you there." her bright smile reflected his with the similar features they shared, a little tease to her tone. "So what do you think?" His daughter stepped back, a flowing blue gown with white lace and embroidered flowers danced around her form.
Fate was taken aback for a moment, suddenly realizing what she was wearing. He mouthed words but there were no sounds. Ohnia let out a little giggle and nodded.
"Yeah, that's definitely the reaction I'm going for. Eli'a is going to faint. Or get another nosebleed... Or something." Another devious giggle. She swished around the dress a bit more before eagerly looking up at her father. "This one. This one please?"
Fate nodded and motioned for her to go change. "They may need to make a few alterations, especially if you choose any kind of heels."
Ohnia gave her father a look. "Me. In heels. Mama always tried to get me in them, and you know well enough they are not for me!" She laughed and padded back to a changing room to attempt to get out of the dress on her own. Fate sighed with a light chuckle, as he walked over to the counter to make the purchase.
"I am sorry sir, but it seems like you do not have the funds." Fate paused at those words, staring over at the woman behind the counter.
"Ah? Wh-" He blinked, confused at the statement. "Ah... That cannot be right..." his ears pressed back against his head as he thought something over. "Would it be possible to put a deposit on it then? There needs to be alterations done anyway. I will come back with the rest once I settle things with the bank." The woman nodded and Fate placed a bag of gil on the counter. She smiled it and squirreled it away, taking down the information needed.
Ohnia bolted out of the dressing room and practically tackled her father with excitement. "Thank you, thankyouthankyou!" She made a rather uncharacteristic sound as she squeezed him. Fate let out a grunt of protest at the squeeze and hugged her back.
"You are welcome" He smiled at her and attempted to pry his daughter free from him so they could walk out of the store. "Go on home to your mother, I know she will have a few things to ask you" Ohnia looked up at her father with her big starry eyes. "Do not worry" he chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I will be home in time for dinner. I just have a few errands to run."
"Okay! Don't you dare be late!" she beamed and gave him another tight hug before bounding away.
Fate watched his daughter - happy as she could be - rush off at full speed. The life he had wanted and hoped for, trailing behind her. He took in a deep breath of the desert city and shook his head as he made his way to the bank.
What could have possibly happened to his money? Insufficient to purchase a dress? That was rather suspicious. He was greeted with a smile and promptly directed off to a comfortable meeting room to discuss his account. It took a few bells before the door to the secluded room opened. Fate stood to greet those who entered with a smile that soon vanished and his eyes widened.
"Hello Fate." the female Lalafell beamed up at him. It was not a warm or comforting smile. The sensation of dread and warning flared at his senses.
"No." was the only thing that he could breathe.
"No? What do you mean 'No'? I have a right to be here you know." the blue Dunesfolk eyes stared him down causing him to straighten.
"What did you do?" he murmured. The woman let out a pitched laugh that caused Fate to look away. His heart was racing and he could feel... gods why did he have to feel? Panic.
"I am here, to reclaim what is mine, Fate." She took a few steps forward and offered up a box to Fate. Wordless, and seemingly out of his control, he reached for it. "I am here, for you." Her smile seemed to grow and worsen.
"No... No." Fate almost threw the box back at her. "I am a free man. I worked and bought my freedom. I belong to no one."
"Oh? Are you? Because, I recall my father giving you five years of freedom. Not all of them. And now since I own you, I own all your assets!"
"Own--" Fate went still, the panic that welled at the sight of her turned into a vice that gripped at his chest. "That is not what the contract said--"
"How would you know that, Fate? You cannot read. You are blind." At the mention of his sight his world vanished. "How could you have possibly seen the contract?" her tone was devious, her footsteps getting closer. "Kneel for me" Her voice seemed to echo in his ears and there was nothing he could do but comply.
"But I was... I was free. My daughter -- she -"
"Shhh..." fingers were placed over Fate's lips as he held onto the box. "Did you really think we would let you go? After all we have done for you, all you did for us?" A hand cupped at his cheek. "Freedom is too good to be true. Much too good for someone like you."
His foot hit metal as his vision returned into focus. The feeling of dread, the warning... The train. His other foot slammed down onto the aisle as he was still running, skidding himself to a stop so his mind could refocus on where he was.
The train.
Good.
