VIVIAN THE EXPLORER

"You might have to find another way to get home today."

Countess Della says, stopping me from entering Letitia's carriage.

"I'm expecting a guest today so I sent my carriage to pick her up."

She gives a sneaky smile and enters the carriage.

"But that carriage can fit 4 more people."

I face Letitia demanding an answer. But she simply smiles and answers;

"You know mother gets inconvenient in closed spaces with crowds. This isn't even the first time, I'll see you at home."

She turns and enters the carriage leaving me speechless. Is this what Vivian went through all her life? She even said it wasn't the first time, so they make her walk while they take fancy carriages!! That woman seems not to spend any money on her even though she's entitled to it!

"Poor Vivian, It must have been hard to live like this all her life. I can't even endure it for a day."

"She should have brought the author instead of me! The author is the root of her problems, not me!"

I look around before bringing out a small pouch inside my dress pocket. Ruby gave me some money before I left the house, she must have seen this coming.

"What am I supposed to do with all these coins? Is this even up to a dollar?"

After returning the money, I decided to explore the city and walk towards the place most people are going.

There're small shops left and small houses left and right. This seems to be quite an okay part of town as the city and everyone is clean. It's quite chilly and there are fallen leaves everywhere insinuating it's autumn.

There seems to be a celebration of some sort as there're different attractions and food stands.

"Is there something going on or is this a daily life thing? It wouldn't hurt to try some food."

Deciding to try out a spicy chicken breast food stand, I put my hand to bring out my money but...

"It's empty? It must be the wrong pocket."

I put my hand in the second pocket but there's nothing there. I look around in panic and try to look for holes in my pocket but there's none. I look around to see if the pouch fell around me, then I see something.

A girl is running away with something in her hand that looks just like my pouch.

"You little twit! You'd better give that back!!"

I run after but couldn't catch up because she seems to know the place better. She suddenly turns into a right corner and I did the same but she's gone. It seems to be an alleyway.

"What am I supposed to do now? I really wanted to try that spicy chicken! I'm finally craving spicy food in a long time."

"And how am I supposed to get home!!"

I start shivering a little seems it's evening.

"Hey! Weren't you chasing her because you wanted your money back?"

A crook shows up all of a sudden, holding the little girl's hand. He starts approaching me and brings out a small pocket knife.

"Excuse me, I'm a very chill person and I hate violence very much. Why don't you take the money and let me go my way?"

I reply to the man stepping back slowly.

"Of course." The crook says

"Really?" I reply

"Of course not!" He says now running towards me with the knife.

I lucky dodge it in time only getting my clothes ripped.

"You bastard!"

"Why are you trying to stab me? You've taken all I have!!"

I notice the crooks eye go to my wrist and realize I'm wearing a silver and emerald bracelet. I wasn't paying attention when I got dressed in the morning so I'm as surprised as the crook.

"Oh my, this looks very expensive. I'll give this to you so let me go like a normal peaceful citizen that we are. OK?"

Slowly taking off the bracelet I put the bracelet in the air but the crook runs towards me launching the knife at me.

"Is this the end?"

"Am I going to be murdered in cold blood in an entirely different world?"

lying on the floor with my eyes closed expecting my end to come, I feel something shaking me. Slowly opening my eyes, I see a guy hovering over my head looking at me weirdly.

"I took him to the ground before the knife could touch you though."

I stand up slowly to see the crook knocked out beside me on the floor.

"This is yours right?"

He throws my pouch towards me. I catch it in time and put it in my pocket with my hand remaining there.

"You shouldn't just run after pickpockets without any means of protection. You should think of yourself first."

He starts walking away and I quickly follow him.

One word, HOT.

This man is extremely handsome even though his silver hair looks unkept, he has a black mustache slightly covering his chin and an athletic body. Some hair is covering his face so I can't see his eyes.

"Are you perhaps a soldier? you seem to be good at martial arts judging by the fact that he's still unconscious."

I say trying to match his walking pace and scanning the man.

"I'm not a soldier and I'll advise you to go home."

Before I can reply, he walks away after stopping a rickshaw for me.

"How did he know I needed one? He's so handsome and will be a good match with Vivian."

"Only if he wasn't jobless like me. He would be very famous if he's a real person."

About to board the rickshaw, I notice someone staring at me. It turns out to be the girl who stole my purse.

"Little kid, come a little closer."

The girl walks towards me hesitantly. I bring out my pouch and divide my coins into two. I give half of the money to the kid and she looks surprised.

"I don't know your situation but, hanging out with people like that will land you in trouble. You also shouldn't steal from others or you'll end up in jail."

"A cutie like you doesn't deserve to be in such a place. Buy yourself some food and get a good night's sleep."

The kid gives me a small smile as I pat her head. Watching the kid walk away, I get on the rickshaw.

"Can you take me to Count Sullivan's mansion?"

The man nods and takes me home.

~~~~~

"What!!!"

"That means you nearly died! All that wouldn't have happened if they didn't leave you behind.!"

Ruby examines the clothes looking through the hole.

"I even offered him this bracelet but he still launched at me."

I finish changing into my night dress and realize Ruby is looking at me weirdly.

"You really offered him the bracelet?" Ruby says looking at me in dismay.

I nod and climb the bed.

"You never take off that bracelet because it's the only thing your mother left you. But you offered it to a thief?"

~Silence~

"You've been acting weird the whole day. Are you okay my lady?"

Ruby walks towards the bed and touches my forehead.

"Are you like this because you don't have many people to talk to?"

Ruby says with tears in her eyes.

"I know things have been hard for you nowadays because of the Countess and Lady Letitia but you know you can always talk to me right?

I stare at Ruby not knowing how to respond.

"Of course. You're...You're my friend after all."

The brown-haired girl smiles and leaves the room.

"It's best to leave before I get attached."

"Someone likes you this much, just where are you, Vivian?"

I adjust myself on the bed and close my eyes to dreamland.

~~~~~

What's this?

Something seems to be pressing on my face.

Am I back to my house?

"I knew it! There's nothing a good night's sleep can't.....fix..."

I rise up in joy to look around the room and realize I'm still in Vivian's room.

"Meow"

I look down to see an orange creature looking at me. The cat stares at me for a while then it uses one of its paws to touch my hand.

"Meow..."

The cat stares at me some more then it leaves the bed.

"Vivian...Just what have I done to deserve this from you!"

"Does this mean I'm stuck here?

"Forever!"