[|Nier/ACIV: BF|] Things Worth Fighting For [|1-on-1 RP|]

She didn’t know where she was or what the thing chasing her was. The area was large enough that she could see for quite a distance but none of that mattered now, there wasn’t anywhere to hide from the thing after her. It made no noise as it chased her but Reks could swear that it was breathing down her neck. Her lungs were on fire and her legs felt like jelly with how long she’d been running but she couldn’t stop.

’Go the hell away!’ she shouted silently, as if the thought alone would somehow will the creature away.

Reks clutched her injured arm tighter, attempting to stem the blood flow. Her jacket hadn’t helped to stop that thing’s attack but then Reks didn’t even know how she’d gotten here either. How could she have known that something like this even existed in this weird place?

Sheep were running away too though they didn’t do a thing to draw that demon’s attention to them. Whatever had it so focused on her Reks couldn’t say but any kind of distraction would have been better than nothing. Her breaths were coming in great, ragged gasps and she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold out for much longer. She didn’t have any kind of weapon to fight with much less any opening to find a rock or something to throw at it.

She stumbled, her heart racing up into her throat as she tumbled to the ground hard. If her bare feet ached from how fast she’d been running Reks couldn’t feel it on top of the injury and the new bruises. Instead of focusing on this, Reks grit her teeth and rolled away, narrowly dodging a new attack. Getting to her feet was another matter entirely and later, when she was safe, Reks would swear it was only the adrenaline that had kept her going, able to get back to her feet despite nearly collapsing again.

She blinked, swearing she could see someone up ahead. Reks couldn’t be sure but it looked like some kind of a sword in the guy’s hand too… Without bothering to wonder why anyone would wander around with one of those any more Reks finally managed to force herself to call out.

“S-Sword guy! A little help!”

Nier tried not to let himself be overwhelmed with urgency. His daughter was sick and in some vain hope, there might have been a way to cure her. He just needed to keep level headed about it all. That was difficult in and of itself when it was lodged in his head.

"Perhaps if you took the time to clear your head you wouldn't spend so much time fretting," Weiss pointed out.

Nier grunted in response to those words. Weiss was a wise old person, or rather, book. He knew what he was talking about. Still it wasn't so simple.

"I'll worry less when my daughter is safe," he commented in return.

Stopping only briefly, Nier scanned the area. Hills and mountains were seen for miles. It was normally a pretty sight. He worried about the shades that had been coming closer to the village as of recent.

Things had been peaceful up to this point. Aside from the wildlife roaming about, there hadn't been much call for alarm. Nier was a little surprised by the lack of shades he'd seen. That was until someone called out to him.

"It appears you have company,"

Nier shot the book a quick look before he rushed forward. "Stay behind me!" he called out to the girl. He didn't get a good look at her as he ran passed. He'd have time for that later.

The shade wasn't small but it would be easily dealt with. Not only did he have his weapon, he also had Weiss. Things would be fine.

Nier lunged forward, striking the shade to gather it's attention, drawing it away from the girl. It was only a matter of taking the thing down from there.

The shade was quick but Nier had experience with these demons. Rolling out of the way, he was back on his feet and swiped at the thing again. Blow after blow, he brought the beast down without the help of Weiss.

It was then he glanced over that the young woman. She looked worse for wear, still breathless and wide eyed.

"Are you alright?" Nier asked as he approached her.

"Is she alright? Of all the things you could, that was the best you could come up with?" Weiss scolded, appearing once again,"How about asking who the girl is? Or more importantly, about the strange clothes, hmmm?"

"Don't mind him," Nier informed, ignoring the book, "he's always like this."

---- [x] ----

Cerise wasn't sure how she ended up waking up on a sandy beach days ago. She'd been on her way home when she found a strange object. Upon picking it up, it started glowing, blinding her. She recalled passing out but when she woke, she wasn't home anymore.

The only thing she could do was gather herself and try to find help. She wandered the place for hours near the ocean. A little village sat there, so many people looking different then what she was used to. Most spoke in a language she didn't know either.

By the time evening had drawn on, she'd given up trying to find someone who spoke English. When she was going to settle down for the night was when she was attacked, knocked unconscious. The next she woke, she found herself cuffed and barely able to move.

It took her a long time to realize she was on a ship. The motion sickness she felt had settled in and on many occasions, she threw up what little food she had in her. She was provided a bucket but nothing more.

There were others with her down there, women and men. Some were children as well but most of them were of color. Cerise, she had heard, was taken for her odd looks and clothing. She was on a slave traders ship, going to who knew where.

A few days felt like months. Cerise was exhausted, felt worse for wear despite any rest she might have gotten. The heat was unbearable and her near constant sea sickness didn't help matters. Despite this she, as well as many others, was forced to her feet and made to walk.

She swayed on several occasions. Cerise didn't want to know the state her body was in right now. It couldn't have been good though, no one looked in particular good shape. Even stepping outside, squinting against the harsh light, was difficult.

Cerise could do nothing but continue walking in this place she wasn't even certain of. It was the tropics, that's all she could figure out. As for the time or this place, she was just as lost as she was days before.

She couldn't shake her thoughts. What was going to happen to her? Cerise was afraid to find out what that answer might be.

Reks thanked whatever god or gods might exist that the guy she called out to was quick to help, calling to her to stay out of the way. She had no problems with this plan, so long as he knew how to use that sword he had with him. She all but collapsed to the ground, watching the short fight and ready to try to run again if the man was overwhelmed but she came to see another sight entirely.

The man was quick on his feet, rolling out of the way of any attacks from the thing and striking at it when he had an opportunity. For several long seconds Reks found her eyes glued to the sight, somewhere between impressed and shocked. Only when the thing had been felled, vanishing from sight entirely and leaving no carcass behind did Reks snap out of this.

Before this man had even finished his question Reks had managed to get to her feet but just barely. She’d rather not appear weak even if she was a scrawny thing and was still clutching tightly to her injured arm.

Before she could answer his question a book had appeared, floating alongside this man and, of all things, began to speak. Reks halted before she’d even spoken a word, staring at the book as it all but rambled on with various questions about her person. It wouldn’t be for several minutes longer would she realize what he was talking about, her focus on the fact that it was floating and talking.

“Don’t mind—“she echoed, cutting herself off before she’d finished. “Sir, that is a floating book, a floating, talking book no less! Am I high right now?”

Reks shook her head, standing her ground all the same. Her legs were shaky and she felt like she might collapse again at any moment. Hell, her lungs still burned and she hadn’t quite caught her breath but at least that thing that had hurt her was gone now. She couldn’t be sure if there were more out there though. ’If there’s one… What kind of place is this?’ she wondered.

“Besides, where I’m from you two are the strange ones,” she scoffed finally, steeling herself. She must have looked ridiculous having run for dear life and calling out for help before all but panicking about a book. ’A magic book that looks like it came from hell,’ she reminded herself.

----[x]----

It had been some weeks since Rhona’s death and even now it hurt to think about. The weight was heavy on his shoulders and chest and try as he might Hilary found it hard to ignore. He had been the cause of it after all though there had been no other way; Rhona had refused to see reason and come to his side, she had been a threat.

He shook his head trying to clear the memory away. Now was no time to think about such things when he was out and about, tending to business. With Rhona gone there would surely be a new assassin to take her place here, it was only a matter of time. Hilary had to keep on his toes now that he would need to learn about someone new.

Glancing around it took some time to find something that took his thoughts away from his dear deceased Rhona but when it did it was a success. It wasn’t so unusual to see slaves being traded around though in Havana it wasn’t that common but to see it now did wonders for his heavy heart for there was something strange about the ones being carted; or rather, about one of the women.

She had fair skin and dressed oddly, nothing like Hilary had ever seen. He could only wonder what the trader hoped to gain by selling someone like her though maybe he was out to sell her for that oddity that permeated everything about it. Hilary scoffed though nonetheless followed. Perhaps he was onto something…

It wasn’t until they all came to a halt that Hilary did as well, keeping his distance. Already there were many others gathering around, some with mild curiosity while others looked to be sizing up the slaves for sale. Hilary kept his eyes on that woman, wondering when she would be put up for sale. If it cost him a few coins to find out what was so interesting about her that she’d be sold into slavery than Hilary wouldn’t complain. He had more than enough to spare at the moment.

’Perhaps there is something I am missing from afar…’ he mused. It wasn’t like he could make out the details of her face or what might be hidden on her arms or legs. Her clothes hid much of her away even in this humid air.

It was a simple matter to outbid anyone else, no one else seemed to really want to take him on with the amount of coin he ended up bidding on that odd woman. By the end of things he would be able to gather her though it was a long enough wait as it was. When it came time for that he was already nearby, striding forward to collect her.

He ignored the trader to instead smile at the woman, gesturing to himself as he said, “My name is Hilary Flint. Who might you be?”

Nier tried to wave off Weiss's ramblings. Despite not being with him long, Nier had gotten used to how he ranted and spoke. Honestly, it was a bit of a light hearted thing at times. He was growing a little fond of it.

This young woman, however, didn't seem too fond of it at all. Her jaw hung open for a long moment, as if searching for something to say. It was only a few minutes later did she start to speak, calling the both of them crazy.

"What a delusional, under educated girl!" Weiss cried out, "Not only to lack any knowledge of the dangers of shades but to be so ignorant to someone such as myself! It's quite the insult!"

"The last time I checked, most people only considered you a story, Weiss," Nier pointed out. He ignored whatever the book had to say in retort, favoring his attention toward the woman, "But he does have some point. All of this is real."

The woman, whoever she was, had been hurt running from the shade. Nier wondered how far she had been going. She still looked like she had trouble catching her breath, after all.

"Where are you from, then?" Nier countered easily. He wasn't wary of her. She didn't look like she'd be able to hold her own against him, after all.

"Yes, I find myself wondering that as well,"

"We can sit for a short time, take care of your wounds." Nier suggested a moment after, "From there, well...we'll figure something out."

What could he loss on this young woman? She looked harmless, especially so weak and injured as she was. Wherever she was from didn't seem so important compared to her current state.

---- [x] ----

Time moved slowly for Cerise, standing about and waiting to be pushed up to a stand where a price would be offered. She didn't pretend to understand the currency being called. She didn't understand much here as it was.

She was in a haze, barely taking notice to what was being called out. Minutes ticked by and eventually, another took her place. At one point, she wished she could tug off her jacket just to deal with the heat.

However much time passed, she couldn't say. It wasn't until a man strode up to her did any of her attention really gather on him. He had a friendly face, a smile, something she hadn't seen in days. Even his voice was the friendly sort. Cerise took a relief in that fact, fully expecting something different.

Her gaze drifted to the trader, his expression souring for a moment. The man still made her nervous but his work was done. He'd done his uncuffing, gathered his pay and was off to the next.

"My name is Cerise," she finally managed to speak, glancing back toward the red head before her. Her throat hurt and sounded hoarse, no doubt. She hadn't done much talking in that time. Throwing up and dry heaving most days hadn't helped.

"Who are you?" she finally braved to ask. She swallowed thickly, trying to clear the scratchiness in her throat, "Where is this?"

For the most part, all she wanted was some answers and rest. A bath would have done wonders as well. Cerise tried not to rush anything. She wasn't so certain this man would turn on her or not. Friendless could easily have been an act, after all.

Still, that didn't seem to be the case. Despite obviously bidding on her, there might have been some good intentions. Honestly, she'd rather be whisked away than paraded around for her 'oddity', so she wouldn't complain.

It wasn’t hard to ignore feeling as if she were weak or inadequate compared to this capable man when the book took to insulting her. This man didn’t seem to think this was unusual, speaking to it like it was just another person. Through this Reks at least learned that the book was called Weiss.

“Under-educated?” she echoed, disbelief written on her face as she rounded on the book again. “I’ll have you know I have a college degree—“

She wouldn’t have mentioned that it was only in design even if she’d had the chance. That white-haired man was speaking again, probably trying to keep the peace between her and Weiss. Reks huffed quietly though complied, dropping the argument. It was tiring as it was, her head buzzing with the onset of a headache as it was and her legs still shook beneath her weight.

There wasn’t an easy way to take the news that all of this was real. On some level she’d already known that, the pain that she felt was enough of an indicator of that though Reks still had no clue how she’d come to be here. She remembered rummaging around the library for the first time in years, looking through some new books they’d had and then she’d woken up here. She shook her head. That memory wouldn’t do her much good without figuring out what had happened between that time.

“Not anywhere that has shades,” she grumbled, more to herself than to either of them. Louder she answered carefully, “I’m from the U.S. … The United States? … Nothing?”

Reks heaved a sigh at that, her shoulders sagging a little. ’Where the hell am I? Everyone knows about the U.S.’ At least she’d thought so or maybe something more had happened than just waking up in some new place with strangely-dressed men and talking books. She hoped she’d be able to adjust to all of this.

For a second or two Reks debated his offer. Her hand was sticky with blood and she had no doubts that it’d get infected if it wasn’t treated but she didn’t have any kind of plant knowledge to know if any of the kinds that grew here would help or if there was clean water to use. It still throbbed horribly as well…

“I… I don’t know if I can walk far,” she admitted reluctantly, glancing away stubbornly. She didn’t like to admit it but it was hard enough just standing there after running and tripping all that way.

----[x]----

It had been a quick and simple affair to hand over the reales bid on this woman to the trader. Though he still looked like a surly fellow that trader did as he was paid to and uncuffed the woman at Hilary’s behest before shuffling away to tend to the other bidders. Hilary spared him no further mind.

A chuckle left him at as the woman spoke, giving her name in return. “Cerise, hmm? An interesting name for an odd woman.” A shake of the head followed. “I believe I told you; I am Hilary Flint! I am not much more than I appear to be, I assure you.”

With that said he gestured for Cerise to follow him along. There was no point in staying here when she was so obviously skittish around these traders. If it made her more at ease to be away from them and somewhere else in Havana than Hilary could comply. Something in his gut told him to keep her near now that she was at his side. Hilary would trust that instinct.

“Perhaps you are hungry? You do not look as if you’ve been properly fed for some time,” Hilary observed. He didn’t mention it but she also looked to be in need of a bath. “We can deal with your questions after you’ve been tended to.”

If nothing else she was following him albeit cautiously. No doubt she would be wary and Hilary did not blame her for such a thing. From his knowledge slave traders did not tend to treat their cargo with much care.

Glancing at her again he tried to judge where she might be from or what was telling him that she was more than she appeared to be. Perhaps it was a mistaken feeling but he wouldn’t brush it aside so quickly. He’d learn to hone that feeling over the years, after all.

The girl looked affronted by Weiss's words. Weiss wasn't exactly the polite type to those who he felt didn't deserve it. In that case, just about everyone was due for verbal abuse. If Nier could quiet Weiss to keep the peace, he would.

"Deaf as well, are you?" Weiss continued, "Whatever 'college' is, it has done you little good!"

"Weiss, that's enough. Leave the poor girl be."

It was obvious enough that she was distressed and confused. Anymore of this prodding might not do her good. Nier wanted to avoid any other problems. Injured as she was, there was no point in making things worse.

Thankfully that was enough to quiet Weiss for the time being. He grumbled something and nothing more. Nier didn't pay mind to it, favoring this young woman's words.

When she spoke of where she came from, Nier paused. That was nothing like he'd ever heard before. For a long moment, he simply stared at her before he shook his head.

"I've never heard of such a place," he replied.

"That's because there is no place by such a name. Funny one at that. I would have known about it if it did exist."

Nier heaved a sigh, waving off the book again. By the looks of things, they wouldn't be going far. Her words only confirmed that a moment later.

"We won't go far," he replied, "just out of the way into some cover. I'd rather not have us ambushed by more shades. If you need help, I can easily carry you."

She was a scrawny thing. Noting that, Nier was glad he'd managed to help her in time. It wouldn't have taken much for that shade to finish her off.

---- [x] ----

Cerise rubbed her wrists, more then happy to be free of those bindings. She couldn't recall how many days passed she'd been stuck in them. They felt sore and sensitive to the touch even now. The weight that had disappeared from them was a relief however.

If anything, the man was chuckling and seemed friendly. She was wary regardless. As long as things didn't take a turn however, she saw no reason to be ill toward him.

In her wariness or cautiousness, she must have missed his name. She cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to recover from the brief mistake.

"Hilary, right. Sorry," she replied, "I'm just tired, is all."

Cerise still felt in a fog, as if none of this was real. She had days worth of sea sickness to disprove that. This wasn't a dream even if she wanted to convince herself that it was.

It wasn't long before he was suggesting they started walking. That would give a chance for her to stretch her limbs. She'd been in cramped conditions, worse then what she'd read in books.

Eventually, she did follow after. Her limbs still felt stiff and tired but she didn't voice those complaints. What good would that do her? For the moment, it seemed like she was safe.

"It wasn't exactly the best treatment, no," she answered him, confirming the obvious. He only needed to look at her to figure that much out, no doubt, "But yes, something to eat would be nice..."

The words almost came out hesitant, surprising her a little. She'd only been on that ship a few days yet the amount of trust she was extending wasn't much. Hilary couldn't be like those slavers, right? Cerise prayed that wasn't the case.

Irritation bubbled up inside her as Weiss continued to argue, insult after insult coming from him. He made little attempt to hide them. It seemed this man, whatever his name was, was intent on keeping the peace however. For that Reks could find herself thankful though she wouldn’t say it out loud.

It of course did little good when she finally spit out where she was from. Weiss took it upon himself to start on about how the U.S. didn’t exist. Instead of arguing back Reks’s brow furrowed. ’No U.S.? Where the hell am I?’ The thought left a tinge of fear running through her, leaving her warier than before. If there wasn’t a United States here than what else wasn’t here?

Reks didn’t bother to argue back this time. It seemed Weiss thought he knew it all so what was the point? Even if she was quite sure the United States had to exist somewhere out there Reks didn’t need the headache of another argument.

It was a relief when that strange man offered to lead them somewhere possibly safer. It saved Reks the time of trying to talk around an argument or to ignore it entirely. Still, now she had to deal with just how weak-kneed she felt. From the looks of things there wasn’t much in this area to take cover around, at least not anything that was nearby.

She shook her head though if this was in response to being carried or to her thoughts even Reks couldn’t tell. “Just lead the way…”

When he did just that she found it hard to even start forward. Her knees wanted to buckle under her weight and she stumbled once or twice. All the same Reks couldn’t bring herself to ask to be carried even if it would be the best option, at this rate she was just slowing them down.

“You never gave your name,” she pointed out cautiously. It was an attempt to both sate her curiosity and to try to keep him from noticing just how much trouble she was having walking right now. She wasn’t sure it was a successful tactic, however.

----[x]----

When he repeated his name he noted the way she’d ducked her head and apologized quickly. Hilary resisted shaking his own head at that. If she was this timid he’d never learn much about her from her own mouth. This could be problematic.

“It is no trouble, I assure you. A bit of food and rest seems to be in order then,” he told her.

Her words had been hesitant though this didn’t surprise Hilary much. From where she’d just been it was to be expected, slave traders did not tend to the slaves in their care well. Many seemed to die on the long trips over seas as far as Hilary knew. He didn’t mention that out loud however, no doubt she’d already come to that conclusion herself. That was assuming she hadn’t witnessed it.

Eyeing her again Hilary took in the strange clothing. She looked far too hot in those; perhaps something cooler would have helped though first things were first. The matter of what she was going to wear to blend in could be taken care of after she’d eaten.

All the same he said, “perhaps later we might find you some more suitable clothing. You stick out quite a bit dressed like that.”

Cerise had glanced over herself then as if surprised by this assessment, or maybe she was just taking in her clothes once more before they found her something new. Perhaps she was fond of the ones she had one. It wasn’t Hilary’s place to say either way.

He gestured to her then. “When you are feeling up to it, of course. I’d rather you pick out something you like rather than having to guess myself.” ’Besides, I don’ even know what size you are.’ he added silently.

It was easy to see the impatience written on her face. In that regard, Nier felt a little bad. She was distressed and Weiss wasn't helping things. The book normally acted in this manner so he hoped it was something that she could get used to with time.

For the moment, that was put aside. Weiss finally quieted after he stated that this odd 'U.S.' place didn't exist. Yet this girl looked strange, like nothing Nier had seen before.

She had to have come for another country. That was the only explanation Nier could come up with, at least for now. He dismissed any other answer that might come into his head.

"Well, just let me know if you need help," he pointed out as he started to lead them. The last thing they needed was her passing out.

"Quite the proud one, staying on your own two feet," Weiss said, "though, not at all smart tactic."

"Weiss," Nier warned carefully as they walked. He glanced down at the woman when she asked for his name. Nier didn't quite have a moments notice to give it beforehand.

"My name is Nier," he finally introduced, "the chatty book, as you know is Weiss."

"Will you pleased refrain from referring me to something like 'chatty book'?"

Weiss went ignored despite his complaints. "I don't believe I caught your name either," Nier replied, "What are we to call you?"

---- [x] ----

Cerise nodded in response to his words. Honestly, that would do wonders right about now. She could sleep like the dead if she really wanted to. The days spent in the bowels of the ship were sickening and she rather just forget about them.

The humidity was unbearable in the hoodie she wore. She was ready for autumn weather back home. These were the tropics, from what she could tell. There wouldn't be any cool weather her.

When Hilary pointed out her attire, she glanced down at it. Her clothes were dirty and god only knew what was on them now. She knew she'd sweated quite a bit in the ship. Thinking about it made her feel rather unappealing.

It was only when she glanced upward, noting that most women wore dresses, did she realize what he was really talking about. She was convinced this wasn't even her timeline anymore.

"Oh...uh," she started, "that's probably a good idea...I probably look like a mess."

She knew she did. Still, something to eat was on the front of her mind. She could hardly keep anything down on the ship. In a few days, she didn't want to think about the weight she lost. Besides, a bath and some rest seemed more important for the time being.

"It's ridiculously hot here as well..." she pointed out.

Cerise wasn't one for heat at all. She loved the cold air and was looking forward to autumn and winter. If she was stuck here, she had little idea if she'd ever get used to this kind of heat.

It wasn’t surprising anymore that the book was insulting her again though a little more subtly this time. It seemed he had a knack for picking at her intelligence though Reks tried to ignore it this time. The man with that weird book was quick to try to make peace again either way.

Reks was glad to finally have a name to place to each of them. Nier’s name was a strange one, sounding more like something that had been made up though. She shook that thought away. He was the only one of the pair being kind and Reks would rather not ruin that. There wasn’t anyone else here she could rely on for the time being.

She followed Nier’s example and ignored Weiss’s complaints. Instead she blinked up at Nier when she was asked for her own name. “Reks, my name is Reks,” she said quietly.

As predicted Weiss was quick to comment on her name though Reks ignored him entirely. It helped when her knee buckled again and though she managed to stop herself from falling entirely she did sit herself down afterwards. At this rate there was no way she’d be able to keep walking for much longer, not until she got some rest.

“I… I need some help…” she admitted reluctantly. “And if that hell book of yours says anything I’m going to rip his fucking pages out and make him eat them.”

It was embarrassing to have to admit that but it was better than falling right over. She probably wouldn’t have heard the end of it from Weiss if that had happened.

----[x]----

Hilary couldn’t help but chuckle at Cerise’s response. It seemed she was well aware of the how she might look to others given her state of well-being though that hadn’t been Hilary’s concern right away. No, she stuck out just by the clothes she wore alone. If they fixed that then she would better blend in though that accent of hers would give her away soon enough.

“Yes, but those are things to be tended to after you’ve eaten,” Hilary pointed out. “First we’ll stop by my home, it’s not far from here.”

Though he had to keep his pace slowed for Cerise’s sake it still wouldn’t be a long trip. If he had been able to he’d walk more quickly but he wasn’t sure if she’d be able to keep up then. It was best to be cautious at the moment.

A chuckle left him again when she took to complaining about the heat. It would seem she was from someplace cooler if her clothes alone were any indication. There wasn’t much he could do about that.

“You may not like it but you’ll come to grow used to it,” Hilary assured her. “Especially so if you do not over exert yourself.”

For a short few minutes, it was quiet. Whatever Reks was mulling over, Nier planned on letting her to it. She appeared confused in this place, lost even. If there was something she was trying to recall, he didn't want to interrupt.

He was curious. What had happened out here? It was just another question on top of many he had. Even Weiss couldn't offer many answers to him at the given moment.

"Reks it is," he finally replied.

They hadn't walked very far. Nier tried to keep his pace slow for her but despite this, her legs seemed to give out anyways. He halted, turning his head to gaze down at her.

"No shame in asking for help," he informed, glancing back at the book. If anything, he'd only be hurt over the fact that she continued to call him 'hell book'.

"Now listen here, you foul mouthed hussy!" he shouted, "That is no way to speak to such a great magical being as I! You could due to learn some manners!"

"I couldn't ask you to swallow your pride for two seconds, could I Weiss?" Nier inquired as he approach Reks. Already, he'd easily leaned down, scooping her up as if she weighed nothing, "Just for a little while?"

"I did not start this! She's the one going about throwing out insults and threatening me!"

Nier sighed again but let it go. As he started off again, he glanced down at Reks and said, "like I said, you get used to him."

---- [x] ----

What she said must have brought some amount of amusement to him. He chuckled again, something she was finding he did quite a bit. She'd only just met him so that much was assumption but in a way, she didn't care. Someone treating her so kindly seemed like a miracle in and of itself.

She blinked up at him when he spoke of his home. Briefly, she wondered what that would be like. He held himself well, that much she could see. Until she knew him a little better, most of it was all based on assumption.

"You're not what I imagined," she pointed out briefly, "but I'm grateful for that fact."

Cerise could have been in worse conditions and she was well aware of it. With no place to go, no home. If she had been sold into slavery, she couldn't imagine what she'd do. Cerise didn't even want to think of the other possibilities women faced.

Her short hair would have normally brought some relief to the heat. Instead, it stuck to her forehead and felt greasy, much to her displeasure. It was funny how she worried not long ago about being sold. Now, a weight was lifting off her shoulders.

She brushed her bangs from her face, trying to ignore how hot it was. "I'll take your word on that," she replied. She wasn't so sure though. She was the type who walked around in a short sleeved shirt during the dead of winter.

Cerise followed him to his home, a rather bigger place compared to the places she was seeing. It was a pretty place, well organized and furnished, though much of it reminded her of what she might find in an antique store.

She had a look about, only following after Hilary again when he asked her to.

It was a relief that Nier wasn’t about to go about teasing her for something like this, maybe it was against his nature. From what she could see he seemed like the helpful type even if Weiss often snarked about it. She wasn’t sure what the book might’ve said in response to having asked for help though he took to insulting her yet again for the threat.

She merely listened as Nier and Weiss spoke, Weiss sounded appalled at the very idea of swallowing his pride for the time being. Reks didn’t bother saying anything. Even if she had anything in mind to say it was lost the moment Nier lifted her up.

Despite the fact that he looked more than capable of carrying her for quite some time Reks’s heart felt like it leapt into her throat. Before she knew it she’d wrapped an arm around his neck to stop from falling if he did decide he had a sudden mean streak in him. If Nier minded the bit of blood that got on him when this happened he didn’t show it.

“I’ll take your word for it,” she muttered, her face feeling hot. She didn’t quite like the idea of being carted around but it was better than stumbling all over the place.

Now that a monster wasn’t chasing her she was able to take a moment to look around them, able to take it in now. The place wasn’t anything to scoff at, a large expanse of plains stretching out in either direction. Here and there she could make out small herds of sheep, large curved horns poking out form their heads. It was a relief when she didn’t see any more of those strange dark creatures around. In the very distance mountains could be seen, raising up in all directions and locking the plains in on all sides, or so it appeared.

“What place is this…?” she wondered.

----[x]----

It didn’t take long to reach his home, the conversation drawing to a close long before then. Hilary didn’t mind this, allowing Cerise the time to observe her surroundings and the people therein. Many of them stared at her curiously though only long enough to sate their curiosity to some degree before returning to their own agenda.

Inside his home it wasn’t much cooler and rather stuffy. This didn’t seem to bother Cerise as much as it did Hilary though maybe that was because she was busy studying the things he owned. He allowed her the time to do just that, wandering about the room and looking at things close up.

Several minutes passed in this fashion before he wandered into the kitchen, retrieving a chunk of bread. He didn’t want to overfill her stomach after who knew how long of not eating properly.

“Surely you want to eat and bath first, hmm?” Hilary noted. “Take the time you need as there is little I have to tend to today.”

For that he was thankful. He’d rather not have to leave Cerise alone so soon, especially when he didn’t know how trustworthy she might be. She might be something of a thief for all Hilary knew.

“If you would like I could lead you to the bath right now though I’m afraid I have nothing for you to change into,” he pointed out. It wasn’t like he was in the habit of having female guests over for long durations.

Cerise still seemed a little fascinated with what he owned, wandering about his living room as she munched slowly on the offered bread. Hilary would not rush her today; no, she needed the time to adjust to normal life again. Or rather, adjust to life as was normal for Hilary.

She was surprisingly light for her age. Reks was a scrawny one and he wondered if she had eaten anything throughout the days she was out here. He couldn't even guess if she'd been out here long anyways.

It was a fleeting thought and nothing more. Perhaps she was just a naturally skinny one. Some women were, he had noticed.

The trek back wasn't long. He was able to pick up his pace a little more now that he was carrying Reks. Nier did his best not to jostle any of her wounds. The shade had done a number on her arm after all.

Weiss had at least quieted for a time. He did that sometimes, speaking only when he felt it was most important. In that regard, Nier was a little grateful.

When they finally arrived nearer the village, he could see Reks looking about. Her question followed after, seeming surprised by it all.

"We're near my home now," Nier finally replied, "most of the fields that stretch across here are used for hunting, farming, the like. It's a good place to be near."

"All things considered, you seem surprised to be seeing such fields," Weiss pointed out, "I don't exactly think them uncommon. Where were you from? Some desert?"

Wherever she was from, she was silent on the matter. Nier didn't push even if Weiss wanted to learn about her mystery.

So close to the village now, it was easy to find a safe route. The shades hadn't come this far thankfully. Nier hoped it would stay that way. The rest of the trek was silent though he did gather quite a bit of attention inside the village. He was glad when he was home and able to shut the door.

Setting Reks down at the nearby table, he sighed, "You'll be the talk of the town for quite some time," he pointed. He sat down, carefully tugging her arm to sit on the table. "Now lets see if we can't get this fixed up."

---- [x] ----

Cerise was a little fascinated with his home. Once again, she found herself sure of it. This wasn't anywhere near her time. There were no electric lights. Instead, she caught sight of a few candles here and there. There was an old kerosene lamp too.
Unless she'd been dragged to an island where people lived without electricity, she was convinced that object she picked up did something strange.

The thought left her mind when Hilary returned, a bit of bread in his hand. She gladly took it. The thought of actually eating and being able to hold something down was a good one.

She ate slowly, had to force herself to. The bread was the best thing she'd eaten in days. It was fresh and not at all rotten smelling like she'd seen in the ship. She shook that thought as soon as it came.

Cerise munched on the bread carefully, glad to be filling her stomach. It seemed to go too fast but she didn't care. At least it was something. She'd take another bit if she could.

"No, that's alright," she finally replied, sparing a small smile, "I'd like to take a bath if I could."

Mostly, she just wanted to feel like that place was off her completely. She felt dirtier then she ever had been before. It would be nice just to feel normal again.

When Hilary led the way, she tried to get a feel for the rooms and halls. If she was residing here, then she needed to learn them. That seemed like her best move for the moment. She'd worry about the rest when the time came.

When asked where they were Nier was able to answer with a rather lengthy reply though it still gave her no idea where she was. If this place had a name he didn’t mention it and it caused her to wonder about that. If she had no name to place then she’d be unable to figure out where in the world she’d ended up. The thought that she might not even be in the same world was a fleeting one, a thought she pushed away.

“No, nowhere near a desert. The fields I lived near were always farming fields that went on for acres,” Reks explained. She had to remind herself that wherever she ended up it was far from home and the ideas of how land was used might be different here than in the States.

She glanced up in time to catch the surprise that crossed Nier’s face at that answer. Was this place one where using large fields was uncommon then? She could only guess as much by the reaction she’d just witnessed.

It wasn’t until they’d reached this village he called home did Reks really have any sort of understanding of the differences in this place and the one she’d called home. There seemed to be buildings off in the short distance after they passed a gate of sorts, and Reks could see the tops of some buildings from here. Nearer still was a fountain with broken walls near it, children playing around it while pigs wandered about the grassy land several yards away.

Some people wandered here and there, some glancing their way and waving hello to Nier though Reks couldn’t mistake the curiosity on the faces of those closer to them. She remained silent, taking notice of the fact that there didn’t seem to be any sort of light posts or telephone poles. In fact, when they reached Nier’s home and were inside she couldn’t even see any sort of outlet or electrically run object around.

It was only when Nier spoke again did she break away from her observations and broodings. She was finally set down and while she still felt a little weak kneed it wasn’t nearly as bad as before. When prodded she sat, turning to fuss at her jacket and to try to pry the fabric around the gash away. The blood had stuck it to her tightly.

“I’m not sure how to feel about that,” she admitted. Seconds later she managed to pry the sleeve away from the injury despite the way it aggravated the wound further and took to removing her jacket. It’d only get in the way for the moment.

----[x]----

Hilary couldn’t help but not how fascinated she really was. Occasionally it looked like she wished to pick something up and study it further though restrained herself. In time this would all be normal for her, assuming Hilary’s gut feeling was correct about her. He still wasn’t sure what use she might be or if she’d wish to help the Templar cause though in time he would find out.

For some minutes he allowed her to roam about the main room as she wished, just taking it all in. This would be her home for a while at least; it would be best for her to grow accustomed to it as quickly as possible.

“Of course,” Hilary answered, gesturing for her to follow.

The bath wouldn’t be far on this first floor and it would give her some more time to learn the layout of his home. Hilary kept his pace even, their footfalls thumping softly on the wooden floor. Hers were softer than his own, he noticed, though this wasn’t unusual. Many women stepped daintily, after all.

It was a silent walk down that hall though Hilary did not mind this. In time he had no doubt that Cerise might open up and become more talkative. An affair such as being sold after traveling in a slaver’s ship would do that to a person. He shook the thought away for the time being.

Coming to the bathroom door he halted, gesturing for her to go inside. “As I said, I have nothing for you to change in as of the moment though we’ll remedy that in time. For now take as long as you need in the bath.”

A good washing might help make her feel better, at least, and make her more at home here. With that done Hilary might be able to gather some answers. Slave traders didn’t pick up just anyone after all.

The wound looked nasty as she tugged the odd fabric away from it. The gashes were deep and her whole arm looked red. She really was lucky that he had found her in time. If he hadn't, he very well might have just been dealing with a body.

"They'll get used to it in time," he answered her as he got up. Fishing for some herbs and something he could wrap her arm with, he returned to the table, "We're not so used to getting visitors all the way out here."

The dangers were coming closer to the village, concerning him. Nier didn't mention that to Reks. For the time being, he just wanted her to relax.

He started grinding down the herbs to make a salve. After doing this so long, he'd gotten used to it. He often had to tend to his own wounds out in the fields.

"They're friendly people," he continued as he applied the salve. He glanced up once to make sure she wasn't in any immediate pain, "I doubt anyone will really hassle you."

"If they accept a magical book, they'll accept anyone," Weiss agreed easily.

"Even with is mouth," Nier joked, ignoring whatever words Weiss threw at him in retaliation.

Carefully, Nier kept tending to the wound. He hoped this would help in time. He'd never gotten this bad out in the fields so for her, he could only assume. If it got worse, he'd speak with a a doctor.

After he was satisfied, he began wrapping her arm. "If you're in anymore pain," he started, "or it feels like it's getting worse, just tell me. I may have to find a doctor who knows more about this kind of thing than I do."

---- [x] ----

Hilary's pace had been quick. Cerise didn't mind it though her limbs still complained a little. It would take some time before they felt any better again. A bath might have very well helped that.

She listened to him speak before nodding. "I will. Thank you Hilary."

With that said and done, she'd peeled off her clothing, discarding them for the time being. She wasted no time getting into the bath. The water was warm against her skin and she gladly started to rub away any dirt or sweat that clung to her.

That was when she noticed the dark markings on her right forearm. She stopped for a long moment, her fingers running over them. The mark snaked around her arm like a tendril. She didn't have a tattoo, had considered it at one point, but never went through with it.

Did the slavers mark her when she was unconscious? It was clearly some kind of writing or at least that's what it looked like to her. Whatever language it was, she couldn't say.

That theory was discarded when she realized she felt no pain on her arm in the ship. For a long while, she just sat and thought about it, trying to figure out where it came from. When no answer came, she tried to put it from her mind until she could ask Hilary.

She took her time washing and when she felt clean again, grabbed her discarded clothing. She kept her hoodie off in favor of just tossing it over her forearm. Only after she was dressed did she wander the halls, trying to find him.

Several minutes would pass before she did. "Hilary," she called out, "do...slavers often mark their 'cargo', per say? Like a tattoo or something like that?"

For the time being Weiss had grown silent though Reks didn’t mind this. She still wasn’t comfortable with the idea of a living object talking to her especially so soon after being attacked by a monster. It left her on edge a little when she had no idea where she was or how and why she’d gotten here.

“I see,” she murmured, watching him curiously as he’d taken to gathering something or other. It wasn’t a minute later had Nier started grinding down what looked like herbs confusing her further. ’Am I in some third world country or something?’ The question was left unasked for the time being.

Only when Nier took to applying this salve he’d taken to preparing did he strike up conversation again. Though the wound stung horribly when he tended to it Reks could tell he was trying to be gentle. This was almost surprising from someone with so much muscle but it was just another thought that Reks kept to herself.

The banter between Weiss and Nier was enough to draw a small smile from her though Reks was quite sure neither noticed. Perhaps the book wasn’t so bad though she still held reservations about that. The task of bandaging her up was finished in silence even as the injury throbbed dully under the bandage. It was better now than it was before at least and she hoped it wouldn’t get infected.

“That’s really not necessary, you’ve done more than enough!” she protested. Reks wasn’t even sure how she’d be able to properly thank and repay him with nothing but the clothes on her back to call her own.

Before Nier could really answer her he was interrupted by another voice. This one was a young girl’s, the owner of which had appeared at the foot of a set of stairs nearby. In her arms she held a book close to her, perhaps having drawn away from her reading to investigate.

“Dad? Who’re you talking to?” she wondered, glancing at Reks. The young girl’s hair was the same shade of white as Nier’s though shorter, framing her round face.

’Dad?’ Reks echoed to herself, glancing between the girl and Nier.

----[x]----

Hilary had gone back to the main room, seating himself and taking to reading a long neglected book. He’d had little time to indulge in such things while he’d been running an arms race against Rhona. The reminder sobered him briefly and it took several minutes to shake her from his thoughts.

’She’s dead now, there is little reason to keep mourning her now,’ he chastised himself. It did little good all the same.

Throwing himself into his reading helped to pass the time. Occasionally he found his thoughts drifting to both Rhona and to Cerise and to that mystery in a whole. Due to this he got very little reading done no matter how long it took Cerise to finish bathing.

Glancing up when he heard her voice, he blinked. Why she’d be asking about markings now was a curious thing indeed. Raising an eyebrow he studied her without that jacket of hers on. He saw no marking but it might have been hidden on her leg or hip or on that arm she had draped her jacket on.

“Not usually, that is usually left to the slave owners discretion,” Hilary told her carefully. “Why do you ask?”

He set his book aside, not bothering to mark his place. He’d hardly made any progress in it anyways. Instead his attention was on Cerise now as she shuffled from foot to foot. This piqued his attention further; was she hiding something?

Nier could only do so much for her. He worried about that wound. He wasn't a doctor, as much as he hated to admit that. He could take care of himself but not his daughter and not this woman. There was only so much he could do.

"Don't worry about that," he finally replied, waving her off, "We all look out for each other here. It's nothing you need to concern yourself with."

"At least you're proving to have some manners," Weiss commented as well, sounding a little pleased with that notion, "Perhaps we may get along yet."

Nothing more could really be said in between. The sound of soft footsteps caught his attention. He glanced at the stairway before she even called out to him.

"Yonah," he started, getting from his seat, "you shouldn't be up and about. You should be resting."

It was hard knowing the young girl only wanted to be free from her illness. Nier had no power to change that before but now, now he hoped he could. It was a grain of hope that he latched onto.

"This is Reks," he introduced, motioning toward her when it was clear Yonah wasn't moving, "We found her in the fields. She was injured so I brought her here."

Yonah looked to be processing this information carefully. As long as she wasn't at risk of collapsing, Nier would allow it. He'd feel better if she was back in bed, however.

---- [x] ----

Hilary had snapped his book shut, seeming interested in what she had to say. She didn't ask why or for what reason. All she knew was she had a strange marking on her arm now. She looked down at it, tugging the hoodie off of it a little.

"I never had this marking before," she finally explained, stroding forward a little. She stuck her arm out so he could study the odd characters, "I didn't notice it until now...I couldn't tug my jacket off in the ship."

Whatever the markings meant, she could only assume. There was no pain there, as if it was inflicted with a needle. It had just appeared out of thin air, it seemed.

"I was knocked unconscious before I was put in the ship, so I figured maybe they might have put the mark there," she continued.

Still, if Hilary spoke right and it was left to the person who owned the slave, then that didn't make sense either. So where did the mark come from? It wasn't as if these things appeared out of thin air.

Even more so, Cerise was hesitant to speak on how she got here in the first place. Picking up that strange metal ball, witnessing it glow so brightly. To her, that all sounded crazy. How was she supposed to explain that?

For now, she shoved it aside. One thing at a time might have been for the best and Hilary looked like he was interested in the mark though, she could only assume why.

Despite her protests Nier waved them away assuring her that they all took care of one another here. By the sounds of it even he sounded grateful about that information though Reks couldn’t be entirely sure. There wasn’t a chance to protest further about it either or to offer to find some way to pay him back before Weiss was commenting on the change of pace.

“Just keep your insults to yourself and we’ll see,” she muttered in return.

That had been about the time the young girl had called out, halting the conversation for the time being. Despite Nier’s insistence that she be resting the girl, Yonah, didn’t move and instead looked to patiently be waiting for an answer. Nier eventually gave one.

”Reks?” Yonah echoed, turning back to the older woman. Reks was busy trying to tug her jacket back on to answer though this didn’t seem to deter Yonah. “Are you new here? It’s nice to meet you.”

Reks hesitated before she answered. Being new here implied having a home here but there was no way she’d be able to afford one or even have the funds to build one. She hadn’t the know-how to just construct her own either. She had nowhere else to go though…

“Er, yeah… I guess I am,” Reks answered slowly, “It’s nice to meet you, honey.”

Yonah beamed at this, turning to her father again. “Hey, Dad, are you gonna be friends with her too? You’re always working really hard but if you have more friends maybe you’ll stay home more often.”

----[x]----

Cerise had taken to fussing with her jacket, producing some sort of dark marking on her arm. Hilary didn’t stride forward just yet seeing no reason to. For all he knew it might have just been some sort of a tattoo. At least that was his first impression, it wasn’t until she’d kept talking did his opinion change.

“Slavers brand their property,” he said simply. If she had been marked to show she was owned then she would have known it, there would be none of these questions involved.

He strode forward then, observing the mark. She still seemed hesitant on really showing him though Hilary didn’t need to use force to see it. The odd image wasn’t anything like he’d seen personally though it was very interesting to observe. If he had to guess it looked very old in nature though where she’d have gotten this was beyond him.

His frown deepened, unable to figure out where this would have come from. Eventually he shook his head, having to give up on it. There would need to be some research involved behind this that was for sure.

“I’m afraid this mystery has no answer, not yet at least.” It was all he could tell her and it wasn’t hard to see she’d wanted some other answer. Her shoulders had sagged at that and she looked crestfallen.

Hilary made a note to himself to get a hold of the grand master. This looked like something he might have knowledge about though it would be difficult with that Kenway man causing problems among their ranks.

Reks looked a little awkward with the conversation, as if uncertain how to answer. If anything, she at least recovered well, managing to reply. There was no doubt still a lot to take in, Yonah appearing adding more to that list.

"We're hashing out arrangements," Nier answered, his gaze turning back to his daughter, "For now, I just want to make sure she's well."

Yonah knew of the dangers that lurked outside. Due to that, she no doubt figured out why Reks arm was bandaged so much. In that regard, Nier hoped that Yonah would understand just how dangerous it could be out there.

It wasn't long after did Yonah ask about what Reks would mean to him. He glanced back, sparing an awkward smile. It wasn't as if he didn't like the thought. There was just so much work.

"We'll see," he assured, "I think it's best if we just let Reks relax a little. She's had a long trip."

Indeed, that seemed to be the case. Where she was from and how she got here was still unknown. It was best to let her gather herself before they settled on anything else.

"I'm sure she'd love to talk to you sometime," Nier continued, "Isn't that right, Reks?"

---- [x] ----

She worried that was the case but the lack of pain she felt said otherwise. It was as if this mark had been there forever. That fact concerned her all the more.

She glanced at him, wondering what he thought. Cerise didn't miss the look that crossed his face, how his eyebrows knitted together. He was thinking about it, at least there was that.

When he could provide no answer in turn, her shoulders sagged a little. There was no hint nor clue for her to go by. That in and of itself was a little disheartening.

"But there may be something?" she asked after he'd spoken. The way he made it sound, it could be possible. She just wanted to know what this brand meant.

She listened to the answer she got, covering the mark again. Cerise wasn't comfortable with seeing it there. It was dark and caused worry to ebb through her. She'd been worried quite a bit these last few days however.

Cerise couldn't say much more on the issue. If there was no answer to be had, she'd just have to live with it. She'd have to learn to live with a lot of unexplainable things, it seemed.

"I suppose there's no sense of worrying about it," she finally said, "there isn't much that's going to do."

Reks sat back quietly, merely watching father and daughter talk. From the sounds of it Nier was often away and if Yonah’s mother was still around she hadn’t made an appearance yet. It wasn’t her place to ask about that sort of thing though.

Even Weiss had remained quiet during this time, perhaps seeing no need to speak up about any of this. It left Reks with little else to focus on but Nier and Yonah even when the topic was about her and what was going on with her. It was a little awkward to be asked about like that when she was sitting right there though.

Reks blinked, turning to Nier when a question was aimed at her. For a moment Reks didn’t realize what was being asked though when she did she finally offered a shrug in turn.

“Uh, yeah. I don’t mind,” she said.

This seemed to be all Yonah needed to hear before she smiled at Reks and then bid her father a good afternoon before disappearing back up stairs. Her steps were careful and the young girl had taken to trailing her and along the stone wall as she went. Only when Yonah was out of view did Reks say anything.

“We’re hashing out arrangements?” she wondered, brow furrowing. The last thing that had been said before Yonah had appeared had been Reks’s protests to Nier doing so much for her.

----[x]----

Despite having a lack of an answer Cerise was still prodding for some possibility even now. Hilary could only offer up a shrug as he stepped back. He’d seen what he could of her strange marking and that was all that could be done now. Unless there were books out there or knowledge passed down from the inner circle of the Templars then they had nothing.

“I can’t promise anything.” It was a simple answer though one that still had a lot of weight behind it. That much was clear to Hilary by the way it did little to ease Cerise’s worries.

Hilary shook his head. There was no point in being concerned about it now. That mark didn’t seem to be doing much to trouble her so he would take his time to gather the facts that might be in his reach.

“Do not concern yourself over it further. Come, sit and relax!” Hilary insisted, gesturing to the couch he’d previously occupied.

Even if Cerise did not follow his advise Hilary sat himself back down, taking his book back in hand. If Cerise did not wish to talk further than he could go about reading. New clothes for her could be dealt with tomorrow when she’d had rest.

Perhaps Cerise had hobbies that she could indulge in, assuming Hilary had the supplies for them. He wouldn’t know unless she spoke up about them however. Hilary hoped she would, he’d rather not need to interrogate them out of her. If she was going to trust him then she’d need to be able to speak up of her own accord at some point.

Yonah finally seemed satisfied with the answers she'd been given. Nier was glad about that much. Yonah didn't quite like staying in bed and often times found her way out. He'd tried to stress the fact that she couldn't do as such but rarely did she listen.

When she finally went back upstairs to bed, Nier heaved a sigh and wandered back to the table. He sat down, glancing back toward Reks when she spoke.

"You don't have any place to go, do you?" he inquired after a moment, "At least, that's what I had figured."

"Yes, and there's still the matter of where you're from to inquire about."

For the moment, Nier waved that off. She was tired enough, had a rough time honestly. They could worry about where she might have been from later one.

"That's not important now," he said, "let Reks relax a little. No doubt you've had a rough time as it is."

It wasn't hard to see. Weiss might have been pushing simply because he was curious. Nier couldn't deny that he was curious as well. For now, he would allow her time to clear her head.

---- [x] ----

Hilary couldn't offer much in ways of words about the mark. Cerise would put it off for now. There was no sense worrying about it unless something strange happened. She hoped that wouldn't be the case however.

It wasn't a moment later was he urging her to sit down, worry a little less. She spared a little smile, shuffling her weight. She'd done enough sitting for a while now.

"I will, thank you," she finally said.

She tried to think about something that she could for a time. Hilary seemed to focus on that book of his for the time being. She thought about charcoal and paper, partly wondering if he had any.

"Do you perhaps have anything to draw on?" she asked after a moment, "to pass some time."

It would help her clear her head. She would gladly sit down if she had something to attend to. She just wanted to get the last few days out of her head. That would be a great help before she would rest for the night.

Nier had spared little time in seating himself at the small table again after Yonah had gone back upstairs. Only then did he answer Reks again sounding as if finding some boarding arrangements for her had been the most logical course of action for them to focus on next. She shook her head at this, more out of disbelief than in denial. She couldn’t believe that she’d run into someone who was this helpful to a total stranger!

“I told you where I’m from, you don’t believe me,” she both pointed out and accused. She shook her head again, sighing. “But no, I suppose I don’t… I hope someone’s feeding my rabbit...”

She’d hope that Sophie or her mother and father might realize something was wrong if they didn’t get any sort of text or call from her in weeks. Wherever she was though Reks couldn’t be sure that she’d ever be able to make it home. It wasn’t a thought that left her with much hope.

At the mention of how rough she might’ve had it since arriving in this place Reks’s clutched at her bandaged arm loosely. It had seemed to throb in reminder though that might just be because she’d been reminded of it entirely.

“The sentiment is nice and all but I’m not really sure what a guy does around here to relax or have fun or anything… I guess the living standards where I’m from allow for more,” Reks wondered, hoping that didn’t come across as snobby. It was simply the truth especially so since if what she’d seen coming to Nier’s home and what he had here was any indication there were no electronics to occupy her time here.

----[x]----

It was with relief that Cerise agreed to relax for the rest of the day. An afternoon could wear on otherwise especially so if she continued to fret about things that had no answers. At least this way Hilary might learn something about her as well. Really, it would kill two birds with one stone.

Eventually she did agree to that plan, asking where he might have something to draw with hidden there. Glancing up from his book he gesture to a nearby desk. It had many desks along its front and just as many books and pens scattered over its top. Many were for Hilary to take notes in as he dabbled in explosives.

“I believe I’ll have enough supplies for sketching hidden in those drawers there,” he told her. “An artsy one, hmm?”

As she tended to that Hilary took to finding is place again. It wasn’t a hard task, only a few pages in. If he’d been any further he would have just restarted the book entirely. At least this way he’d have something to do as well in the same room.

“I’m afraid I never had the skill for such things,” Hilary noted after a moment.

At least in this way she might ease up further. Already she seemed to be growing a little more comfortable though still quite conscious of herself. Perhaps she wondered when his behavior might turn or if he’d discipline her for stepping out of line. So long as she did not cause trouble then Hilary would see no need to do just that.

Reks didn't seem quite certain of the current course of action. Like before, she seemed she thought they were giving her too much. Nier was only doing what any person would do for him and his daughter.

Before Nier could say anything more, Weiss beat him to the punch. "And I'm telling you, there is no such place. I've been around for hundreds of years. I would have known about it."

Nier shook his head at that. There was no time to worry about these things. He'd rather see Reks rested and clear her head. He waved off the books words.

"Wherever your from doesn't matter now," he pointed out, "You're here and that's what's important. I can't very well let you leave knowing you have no place to go."

Still she seemed to argue about the idea. Nier tried to think of other places she could stay if not here. Popola might take her in if she had to. The woman was a kind one.

That thought was pushed aside when Reks spoke again. Nier's eyebrows knitted together slightly after she spoke. "What do you mean?" he inquired curiously.

---- [x] ----

Hilary looked pleased that she decided to relax a little. Out of the ship and safe, honestly, the weight had lifted from her shoulders. There were still things she didn't know but for the moment, she tried to shove them aside.

He pointed out some paper and fountain pens for her to use as he tended to his book. Cerise gladly found what she needed before seating herself comfortable.

"I used to draw quite a bit," she replied, "but I feel out of the hobby after I graduated from school."

She often tried to pick it back up in the past. It was difficult trying to get that old feeling back, being pleased with her work. She figured now, in a place like this, it might have been the best time to recapture that hobby.

Cerise hummed to show she was listening. She really didn't want to interrupt his reading but what he said left her a little curious.

"So what do you do?" she asked a few minutes after, partly wondering what a man like him took up as hobbies and a career.

As expected Weiss was quick to argue, telling her yet again that the place she’d lived for over two decades simply didn’t exist. Her home, her family and friends, none of them would exist either if that was the case. Though she wasn’t always that close to her family or even to many of them at that it wasn’t a thought she could bear to think about. They were familiar to her, people she knew she could rely on and now they were out of her reach and unable to be contacted. To think they might not even exist too…

“And I’m telling you, that’s where I lived! Are you saying all of my memories of that place are false?” she accused in return.

Before anything more could be said Nier was trying to reestablish the peace before the argument got out of hand. It was hard to ignore the feelings that had bubbled up in her chest at the things Weiss insinuated even if he wasn’t aware of it. All the same she tried, pushing them away or rather to the back of her mind for later.

Reks realized that she might have said more than she should have when she asked about what there was to do around here. Nier’s brow had furrowed and he regarded her carefully as he asked for elaboration. Reks took a long moment to try to figure out how to explain it. Weiss hovered nearby and she imagined that if he could form expressions he might have mirrored the one Nier adorned.

“Well… there doesn’t seem to be any sort of power here. The sorta things I liked to do were done on machines,” she explained finally, opting for the simple answer. It was the best that she could manage.

Glancing between Nier and Weiss she scoffed, face growing hot already. She could just feel the accusation that Weiss was ready to fire at her, probably going to insult her intelligence again. It was embarrassing. It wasn’t her fault that she was lost and clueless in this faraway place.

“What?”

----[x]----

He could hear her rummaging about along his desk for several minutes, probably trying to find paper that hadn’t been sketched or written on. Oftentimes those sketches were poorly done, recognizable only to Hilary for a short time. Even he had to take time to decipher them later.

“Hmm?” Hilary glanced back up at Cerise as she questioned him. “School? You’ve had schooling then?”

That was a surprise, slaves weren’t educated and if this woman had been than what else did she have that stood her apart from slaves? It was an odd situation indeed. The trader must have seen something in her to think she’d fetch enough coin to try selling her off after all.

Cerise eventually wondered what it was that Hilary did either for fun or for work though Hilary couldn’t tell which. For a second he mulled over what to tell her. Templar business was left quiet for a reason, it was easier to work when no one suspected him of being part of some grander scheme.

“Why, I do quite a bit around Havana. It would be unwise to try to pin it all down on just one job or hobby,” Hilary said finally. “I do dabble in quite a bit though I suppose I have an affinity for things that explode.”

He’d glanced up from his book just in time to see the horrified look that crossed Cerise’s face at that. Hilary couldn’t help but laugh at that, not expecting such a reaction. Really, was it that bad? Hilary didn’t think it was.

Her expression changed after Weiss spoke up. There was a flicker of worry there and something else. Nier couldn't say what that expression was. He wouldn't ask for the time being either.

It wasn't a moment after did she snap at Weiss, quieting the book for a short time. No doubt both would remain stubborn on their individual claims. Nier saw no point in arguing about it now.

When she did speak about her memories and what she had before, he expressed confusion. As she continued to explain things, albeit hesitantly, Nier grew surprised by what she had to say.

"Machines?" Nier echoed, sparing a quick glance toward Weiss, "There's only one place with any kind of strange things like that..."

"Yes, but those things haven't been active in years. No one knows how to use them."

Nier glanced back toward Reks, watching as she glanced in between the two of them. There was sinuosity there. No doubt this caught her interest as well.

"If we take you to this place, do you think it would help?" he asked after a moment, waiting on her answer.

---- [x] ----

Cerise glanced back at him after retrieving a pen. Did that sound strange that she'd been to school? She still had little knowledge of what era or even where she was. Perhaps it was strange.

"Yes, I have," she replied, "Doesn't everyone?"

After she sat down, she started sketching things, mostly that of winged creatures. She'd always had a fascination for such things, loved the idea of wings. In those few moments, she let him mull over what she'd asked.

She lifted her gaze a little, watching his expression. There was a bit of a somber look to him but eventually he answered, that expression disappearing just as quickly as it had come.

When he mentioned explosives, she paused. The expression on her face must have been something if he laughed. Still, the sound of someone taking so much interest in such things was a little alarming.

"You...don't have anything in here that would be like that?" she asked. If that was the case, she definitely wouldn't be touching anything.

Out of all of it though, at least she knew where she was. Havana was in the Caribbean, that she recalled. Now it was just the era that she had to worry about.

It was uncomfortably quiet for a long while after Reks explained what sorts of things she had done in her free time. She didn’t miss the way that Nier had glanced at Weiss again, as if expecting the book to have some kind of an answer. Eventually it was confirmed for her that this village had no sort of power and that nowhere nearby seemed to have anything of the sort either.

Reks shrugged at the offer of exploring some unknown place. She wasn’t sure what good that’d do her if she still had no idea where she was.

“How would I know?” She sighed and shook her head before she said anything more. “Just… forget I said anything; it’s not important.”

At this rate there would be no answers for her much less a way home. Reks hated to admit that she was feeling defeated but what else could she do? It seemed the only option she had right now was to try to find a way to make it here in this village. The thought was a sobering one.

Besides, from the sounds of thing, anything she said about her life before this place would only be met with odd looks and affirmations that no such things existed at all.

“Aren’t there more important things to worry about anyways?” she proposed. It was just easier this way she figured.

----[x]----

The surprise that Cerise showed upon the topic of schooling was curious. Why would she assume that everyone could afford schooling? It was an odd thought indeed and if everyone could get that under his belt many would be far better off. Hilary shook his head.

“They do not,” he said simply.

That topic hadn’t lasted long though Hilary hadn’t expected it to. Honestly she seemed more inclined to learn as much about him as he could in a short time. Hilary didn’t mind this too much so long as she did not pry into personal matters. Hilary didn’t think that would be a problem however.

His laughter subsided quickly enough though Cerise’s look of horror did not. It was always amusing to see such a response though Hilary also didn’t often go around broadcasting his likes anymore. Too much publicity might make it harder to do his job. He’d rather not have to deal with that sort of a fuss.

“Perhaps I do. You’ll just have to be careful where you poke your nose into things around here, hmm?” he answered. Another chuckle followed suit.

» |Nier| Reks
» |DMC RP| Fighting the Good Fight |Reserved|
» {|ACIV:BF|} Over and Out {1-on-1 rp}
» {|ACIV:BF|} Justify {|1-on-1 rp|}
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