Vivian had a lot on her mind as they walked back to the tavern.
Lauriel and Reinko were chatting with each other about home, and the words filled the streets, causing nearby vagrants to turn their heads and observe them with a scornful envy. Not everyone could look so happy these days, including Vivian.
"I can't help but miss the cool breeze of a spring morning, with shining sunlight. The sky here is always dark compared to Harmony."
Reinko put his hands against the back of his head and looked to the sky, which was already completely dark and filled with stars.
"I do agree, but every once in a while we get to see beautiful sights we never would in Harmony, such as a comet passing through the sky, or an aurora waving in the air."
Lauriel responded while looking up to the clear stars in the sky. This beauty was a unique trait of Eonis. Only here did the stars seem so bright.
"Yes that's true, but…"
The conversation began to blur in Vivian's ears as she continued to walk with them, but lost focus of the conversation as she battled the thoughts in her head.
"This country… it is so damaged. I always knew it was, but I only saw a few cracks that needed mending. Now, all I see is a massive split in the walls I once thought to be nearly indestructible. How could we let this happen?"
Vivian's thoughts were full of sorrow. She couldn't help but feel an immense shame, realizing her entire life's work accomplished nothing. With such shame also came a new motivation.
Vivian bit down on her lip and swore to herself that she would do her best to ensure she would bring justice. Be it a corrupt official, or a petty thief, she would not let anyone go so long as it means bettering Eonis.
This country is where she was born. She was raised to be absolutely loyal to the throne, but her loyalty always lied elsewhere. Vivian's loyalty was to the people, especially those who were willing to believe in her.
Vivian was suddenly snapped out of her deep thoughts by a hand touching her shoulder.
The hand patted her shoulder and a the familiar voice of Reinko followed, sounding like a nagging older brother.
"Are you just gonna stand in the doorway Vivian? Come on, answer the question!"
Vivian looked at him confused, but saw that him and Lauriel were both waiting in anticipation.
"Huh? What? Sorry, I'm very tired…"
Vivian was actually being completely honest. Her body had begun to feel sore again from all the walking, and her mental energy was completely drained, leaving her exhausted.
Lauriel seemed to smile and nodded her head, while turning to Reinko.
"Let's turn in for the night, that way she can recover and answer tomorrow in full confidence."
Reinko nodded in agreement and partially rubbed the side of his face while thinking.
"Alright, fine. I did rent the room out for over a week, so she can stay in it. We can rent a separate room."
Lauriel visibly looked displeased and narrowed her eyebrows.
"No you can rent a separate room. I'm not dealing with your incessant snoring. As her doctor, I also need to look after Vivian. I have many concerns regarding her state."
Vivian looked at the two with an exhausted nonchalance, not caring about their bickering, but she couldn't help but partially crack a smile at what Reinko said.
"Oh please! You're hardly a doctor. That's like calling me an eagle because I can see from high in the sky."
Reinko laughed, but quickly stopped when he saw Lauriel's gaze. She looked like she was piercing through his soul with a fiery rage.
"Right right… separate room for me. You two girls have fun… I'll be all alone in a separate room, crying pitifully."
Reinko let out an awkward laugh and pushed open the door to the tavern while walking up to the tavern keep to purchase a room.
Meanwhile, Vivian had already taken the initiative to begin heading up the stares to her room. Lauriel followed her at a slow pace.
Once Vivian got into the room, she let out a loud yawn with a creaking sound in her throat as if she was about to loudly caw like a bird. She then walked over to the bed and face planted onto it.
Lauriel watched this dramatic behavior with a smile, wondering when the last time Vivian had such a nice bed was. The truth was her bed was normally much nicer, but Lauriel had no way to know this.
"Vivian, I recommend at least taking off your coat and boots before you fall asleep. I'll wash them for you for when you wake. I still have some things to do before I sleep."
The things Lauriel mentioned were simply to watch Vivian and make sure she has no strange reactions throughout the night. Memory loss is treated as a delicate thing in this world.
Vivian slowly rolled over and sat up, beginning to unzip her coat and throw off her boots. She then folded her wings around herself and wrapped the blanket like a roll around her body.
Lauriel let out a laugh, and found this very relatable. She then walked over to the wall and twisting a round valve, which caused the light to slowly dim before going out.
Within moment, Vivian had fallen asleep.
Vivian awoke to a loud wind from outside. Due to her enhanced vision, she could easily see in the darkness.
She let out a yawn and got out of bed with a grumble, then stood up and walked to the grand window before her, attempting to shut it and latch it closed.
She tried repeatedly, but the latch didn't fit, and just loosely hanged, causing the window to still swing open.
In annoyance, the tall blonde lady whipped around and yelled with a booming voice;
"Maids! Come and fix my window latch! It's broken!"
Vivian waited, but no response came from outside the door.
Due to being suddenly awoken, she felt very annoyed and decided to go find someone to do the repairs herself.
She stomped towards the door in her night gown, and opened it, stepping out into the hallway.
A dark abyss filled the hallway, and Vivian turned around to glance into her room in confusion. However, the door to her room had vanished, and she was left in an abyss of darkness.
Vivian quickly turned around again, and she saw a figure in a pitch black cloak wielding an ordinary looking blade.
Suddenly, Vivian's heart began to beat with immense fear as the figure walked closer and closer to her. She began to back up, into the depths of this void around her, but as she backed up the figure began to get taller and larger, covering more space.
Eventually, the large cloaked figure was so tall its entire body blocked her vision, and its empty cloak seemed to fill the void with an even darker color somehow.
Vivian felt her breath get taken away, as her body began to shake in fear, and words stuttered out her mouth.
"N-No! P-Please spare me!"
The figure did not listen, and instead lunged forwards, wrapping its cape around her and plunging the knife forwards towards Vivian, causing her to let out a blood curdling scream.
Vivian felt her body entangled, as she let out a loud horrific scream.
She repeatedly began to push and punch at the cloak wrapping around her, but to no avail.
She found that each strike hurt her own body, like she was weak and frail. Her arms were shorter, and her voice was different. Tears clouded her vision as she repeatedly struck until she was out of breath.
The scene before her eyes became more clear, as Vivian regained consciousness and realized what she was striking at; Lauriel.
Lauriel had minor scrapes on her body from Vivian's talon-like fingers, but she didn't seem to care as she continuously held onto Vivian and stroked the back of her head.
"It's okay Vivian. I'm here, there's no one that's going to hurt you."
Though Vivian had regained consciousness, her heart beat was far too fast, and she could hardly breathe, and instead let out a gasp everytime she tried to speak. All she could do was firmly cling to Lauriel while tears fell down her eyes and snot fell out her nose.
"Hush now, it's okay. I'm here."
Lauriel's words of comfort were whispered into her ear, as the silence of the room was repeatedly interrupted by the gasps of air and crying from Vivian, that is until a loud sound startled her, causing her to scream again.
BANG!
The hinges to the door were forced open, and the silver glimmer of a revolver shone, as the light of a lantern filled the room. It was Reinko!
"Are you two alright?!"
Reinko quickly holstered his revolver and ran forwards to Vivian, who had just screamed for a second time.
"Little Bird! It's okay- it's me Reinko! Remember, from today? I know we just met- but no need to be scared!"
Lauriel looked at Reinko and slowly shook her head, causing Reinko to frown, and silently pull over a chair and sit down.
A few people had walked up the stairs, other customers, but Reinko quickly shooed them away and shut the door again, which barely still worked.
Moment of silence and crying passed, before Vivian had silently fallen asleep again in Lauriel's arms.
About an hour passed, and Lauriel had fallen asleep, still like a statue as she held Vivian. Reinko on the other hand was fully leaned back in the chair, but his hand was next to his revolver as if ready to draw it.
The night passed peacefully without any other disturbances.
As the sun rose, and filled the room with natural lighting, Vivian felt her eyes open, but she was staring at the olive skin of another person.
She was too tired to instantly piece it together, as she moved her head a bit, and then was startled to see Lauriel's face, who was very close to her own!
This caused her to physically jump backwards, pushing Lauriel who quickly stirred away with a loud "Huh?"
"Oh- Vivian, how are you feeling?"
Vivian's face felt a bit sticky, and her eyes had crust in them, but despite that she felt fine, and could only ask confused;
"I'm fine, why?"
From the sounds of voices, the sensitive Reinko shot awake and stood up, hand at the ready to shoot any enemies, but he quickly relaxed.
"Oh! She's awake! Awesome!"
Vivian's gaze turned into one of judgement, as she looked to Lauriel again.
"He seriously can't sleep alone?"
Lauriel opened her mouth to explain the situation, but Reinko got defensive and loudly spoke over her.
"No need to be so harsh Little Bird! If a person screams, I come to defend. What's so wrong with that?"
Vivian turned away from Lauriel again and towards Reinko, staring at him while rolling her eyes.
"Nobody called for your help…"
She found Reinko amusing most of the time, and liked him, but it's creepy when a guy you just met is in your room when you wake up. Lauriel had a good reason to be here.
"Vivian, do you not remember last night?"
Lauriel looked at Vivian with a concerned look, and reached a hand forwards and touched her forehead, then each of her cheeks. It was like she was a mother checking her child for a fever.
"I remember he said he was going to sleep alone… Did something happen while I was asleep?"
Lauriel and Reinko both frowned and looked to each other. At that moment they both had a mutual understanding. They just weren't sure how to explain it.
"You had a night terror… you were screaming and crying in your sleep."
Lauriel gently spoke and explained, but Vivian still felt a great shock in her heart. She doesn't remember that at all! She doesn't even remember having a dream!
"What, really?! Did I say anything?"
Reinko shook his head while fixing his ruffled hair with his hand.
"Nope, you didn't even recognize us. You were clinging to Lauriel like you'd fall to your death if you let go, and you screamed at the sight of me. I'm sorry lass, but whatever you dreamt about, it's best you don't try to remember."
Vivian felt her heart skip a beat, as she realized there was only one scene that'd scare her that bad. Regardless though, why was she so scared? That was an abnormal reaction for her… what if it wasn't her that was scared?
Theories began to form in Vivian's head, as she wondered if she was truly alone in this body, or if all the memories were just hers. Vivian was a warrior who could face death, but the original owner of this body was a starved homeless girl trying to survive. The reaction of screaming and crying wasn't befitting of Vivian, but neither were a lot of her reactions lately. Was she even still 100% herself?
Vivian began to feel down due to the stress of overthinking, but her thoughts were quickly put into check by a gentle hand patting her forehead.
"Reinko is right. Stop trying to remember it. Even while awake, sometimes we are asleep. If you don't remember it, there's a good reason for that, Vivian."
Vivian nodded her head slowly. For some reason she trusted Lauriel. She wasn't sure when she got so close to this high elf, but at some point she had. How strange…
"I'm sorry to have worried you guys… but I honestly have no clue what causes that. Nothing like that's ever happened before I done think… then again, I don't know a lot of what has happened with me…"
The two both nodded their heads and Reinko took a moment to speak out. His words were a bit comforting, but also a harsh sounding at the same time.
"For the first time I saw you as a young girl. Even when you were all battered and bruised you didn't cry, just winced and silently accepted the pain. Not even I could do that honestly."
Reinko nodded his head, and continued onwards, just with a more gentle tone.
"Even if you don't remember, that's not something anyone should be capable of. Only people who have had a harsh environment growing up could be like that. That or battle hardened warriors…"
Lauriel nodded in agreement, but Vivian felt saddened as she recalled the past.
The culture of Eonis promotes strength and honor. As such, from a young age she had been constantly working to improve herself, and with the death of her mother she lost all forms of female role models in her life.
Vivian had always hated the prejudice against women in Eonis, and wanted to do something about it. As a result she pushed herself to prove she could be just as good as men, and never cried or complained so as not to adhere to the stereotypes. At what point did she lose a part of herself?
Vivian came to a realization just then; in her attempt to suppress her emotions to appear strong, all she did was continuously fill a cup until it spilled over.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that guys… I'll try not to think about it, and focus on something else! Oh- you guys asked me something last night. What was it again?"
Lauriel and Reinko both shared a look, before smiling at each other nodding. Without words, they agreed to move on so as to let her recover.
"Vivian, how would you feel about learning the arts of natural energy from us?"
Vivian practically felt her heart skip a beat. An oppurtunity of grand scale just presented itself to her.
"I would be very grateful!"