Two Days Later
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(Michael's POV)
Two days had passed since I'd first properly spent time with Lavi.
And in those two days,Lavi, and I had been practically inseparable.
Considering we'd gone to cafés trying out different food, going to the ice cream shop again , we even visited a small museum the town had, which actually had way more knight armor than I expected (Grandpa's influence, probably).
It was... nice.
Really nice.
Currently Me, Mom, and Lavi more often than not was going around town,
But I wasn't stupid.
Something's going on.
Not to mention Mom had been with us every single time. While yes me saying that may sound weird to hear. Since afterall you need an adult for supervision that's correct, what i meant is her being super close like watching us like a hawk and also her often looking around and staring at the ice doll.
That also somewhat erased my theory on the ice doll can only be seen by age,so it lead me to believe it's due to magic sensory and also knowledge about the supernatural, like if you know about it being real, your more likely to see the supernatural.
So mom can see it , because she knows the supernatural exist,and i could see it due to both.
Moving on from that.
I also very much noticed the glances she exchanged with Grandma when she thought I wasn't looking back at home, with mom often talking to Grandma. ( I can't hear it due to grandma having set up a soundproofing spell,so i can't hear them,and also mom would probably sent me to my room being wrapped like a cocoon again )
Dad and Grandpa also kept disappearing for "errands" and returning late at night,couldn't be a coincidence.
They're planning something.
Or preparing for something.
Probably related to Lavinia and the ice doll.
And whatever danger apparently comes with having a super-rare supernatural power.
But I decided to trust them.
Since well.... Why not, i mean I'm still technically a child.
Physically, anyway,and i can't really say I'm an adult.
And not to mention they're adults with connections, knowledge, and definitely know what to do in this world, while i do have knowledge of being adult that was in my world,not this world,so in some way I'm practically restarting with my memories of the first playthrough but in a different environment.
So If anyone can handle this, it's them.
So I focused on what I could do:
Make sure Lavinia had a good time.
Yeah basically that.
Anyway we're now currently at an arcade,
Yeah turns out the town actually had an arcade.
I'd been genuinely surprised when Mom suggested it. The town was small, quiet, residential not exactly the kind of place I'd expect to have flashing lights and game machines.
But here we were.
And it was great.
The arcade wasn't huge, but it had the essentials: racing games, fighting games, a couple of old-school cabinets, and of course the typical claw machines.
A bird nearby was watching us from the roof, meanwhile it's soon flies a way, when I looked at it.
Huh that's weird. I don't know why but i felt I've seen the bird before. Eh probably someone own the bird and it lives around the town.
Anyways Lavinia had immediately gravitated toward one of the claw machines, her eyes lighting up at the sight of a blue cat plushie sitting near the top of the pile of the many pushies.
"Um can i get that one," she'd said, pointing while also somewhat shy asking towards mom.
"Go for it then Lavinia" mom encouraged.
So she did and begin playing the claw machine inserting the credit.
And promptly failed.
Again.
And again.
And again.
I watched as the claw descended, grabbed at the plushie, almost had it....
and dropped it.
Lavinia frowned.
"It's okay," mom replied giving lavinia another coin into the machine. "You can do this"
"Okay" meanwhile lavinia encouraged herself
"Come on lavinia you can do this,you can get it this time."
She won't.
That machine is rigged afterall,all clas machine we're made to be very weak,and loose. Designed to look like it was about to win but engineered to fail to make arcade more profit.
Classic claw machine scam.
In my past life, I'd avoided these things like the plague for exactly this reason.
But, i'd also watched a lot of YouTube videos
On how to atleast in some way increase my chance to win.
I know the tricks.
Meanwhile Lavinia tried again.
The claw grabbed the cat's ear, lifted it slightly and dropped it.
She sighed, with her shoulders slumping.
"It's okay, Lavi," I said, stepping closer. "Let me try."
She looked at me, surprised. "You want to try?"
"Yeah. I think I can get it."
She hesitated on giving it, but then nodded and stepped aside.
I fed a coin into the machine and studied the setup.
Lavinia wanted the blue cat plushie, it's located in the top-right corner of the pile. Slightly tilted.
The Claw strength is very weak, but the position is good.
If I time it right...
Mom was nearby, watching us with a faint smile. But I noticed her eyes occasionally flicking toward the entrance, the windows, the other people in the arcade.
I focused back on the claw machine.
Alright.
Let's do this.
I positioned the claw directly above the cat's center of mass not the head, not the tail, but the body.
Maximizing the surface area for the claw to grip.
I then hit the button.
And the claw descended.
It then proceeded to grabbed the doll, locking it,and the cat begin lifting it.
Come on...
Come on...
The claw swung slightly as it moved toward the chute.
Lavinia held her breath.
I held mine too, even though I was trying to act casual and i don't know why I'm also keeping my breath.
The claw reached the drop zone and was released.
The blue cat plushie tumbled into the chute with a satisfying thunk.
"YES!" Lavinia cheered, clapping her hands.
I grinned and reached into the chute, pulling out the plushie.
It was soft, squishy, and had big, dopey eyes that made it look perpetually surprised.
I turned and held it out to Lavinia.
"Here. For you."
Her eyes went wide.
"Really?"
"Really."
She took the plushie carefully, like it was made of glass, and hugged it tightly to her chest.
"Thank you, Michael," she said, smiling so wide it made my heart hurt in the best way. "I love it."
"I'm glad."
She looked at the plushie, then at me, then back at the plushie.
"I'm going to name him Mochi."
"Mochi?" I raised an eyebrow. Which on her naming sense, considering mochi is a Japanese snack. Though it also could be a pet name considering its practically mean fluffy and soft in a way.
"Yeah! Because he's soft and squishy."
Can't argue with that logic.
"Mochi it is, then."
Mom walked over, smiling warmly. "That was very sweet of you, Michael."
"It's just a plushie," I said, trying to downplay it.
"It's more than that," Mom said softly, glancing at Lavinia who was still hugging Mochi like her life depended on it.
Yeah.
I guess it is.
We spent another hour at the arcade.
Lavinia tried a few more games some racing game, the classic whack-a-mole, even a dancing game that she was surprisingly good at.
I stuck mostly to the fighting games, winning a few rounds and losing a few others.
Mom watched us the whole time, smiling but vigilant.
And through it all, just outside the arcade, barely visible through the window , a bird was watching them.
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Later - Walking Home
-----------
As we walked back toward Grandma and Grandpa's house, Lavinia clutched Mochi tightly, still smiling.
"Today was really fun," she said.
"I'm glad," I said.
"Me too," Mom added. "You're a lovely girl, Lavinia. I'm so happy Michael made such a good friend."
Lavinia looked up at her, eyes shining. "Thank you for taking me with you. I... I don't get to do things like this very often."
Mom's expression softened. "Well, we'll have to change that, won't we?"
Lavinia nodded eagerly.
We walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence.
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Later - At Grandparents' House
--------------
We walked through the front door, and Lavinia hesitated at the threshold, clutching Mochi the plushie tightly.
"It's okay," I said, taking her hand. "Come on."
She nodded but still looked very nervous. I can't blamed her though.
Meeting someone else family is going to give you anxiety.
Not to mention considering Lavinia has not been used to being welcomed into homes after her parents death from the looks of it.
Probably used to being tolerated at best.
Mom placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You're our guest, Lavinia. There's nothing to be nervous about."
Lavinia took a breath and stepped inside.
Grandma was in the living room, reading a book. She looked up as we entered and smiled warmly.
"Well, hello there," she said, setting her book aside. "You must be Lavinia."
Lavinia nodded shyly. "Yes, ma'am. It's... it's nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, dear." Grandma stood and walked over, her expression kind. "Michael's told us about you. I'm his grandmother, Vivienne. But you can call me Grandma if you'd like."
Lavinia's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
"Of course." Grandma smiled. "Any friend of Michael's is family here."
Grandma's good at this.
Making people feel welcome.
Making them feel safe.
Grandpa emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. He paused when he saw Lavinia, then nodded approvingly.
"So you're the girl Michael's been spending all his time with," he said gruffly, but not unkindly.
Lavinia nodded nervously. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Grandpa crossed his arms. "He needed a friend his age. Well you're our older than him, but close enough."
"Grandpa," I muttered, embarrassed.
He ignored me. "I'm Edgar. Michael's grandfather. Welcome to our home."
"Thank you, sir."
Dad walked in from the other room, carrying a cup of tea. He stopped when he saw Lavinia, blinking in surprise.
"Oh. Hello."
"Dad, this is Lavinia," I said. "Lavi, this is my dad, Edward."
Lavinia gave a small, polite wave. "Hello, Mr. de Montfort."
Dad smiled. "Just Edward is fine. Nice to meet you, Lavinia."
He looked at her curiously.
Taking in her blonde hair, blue eyes, the way she held herself with a mix of shyness and quiet strength
.
Then his eyes flicked to me.
And I saw it.
That look.
I don't want to know what he's thinking.
(Edward's POV)
Well My son certainly has good luck with friends particularly female ones.
I looked at Lavinia,the kid's really polite, sweet, clearly a good kid and then i look at Michael.
who was doing his best to look casual and not like he was worried about what I was thinking.
First his friend Jeanne back in France energetic, loyal, always dragging him into adventures.
Now Lavinia a quiet, kind, clearly someone who needs support.
Both blonde.
Both blue-eyed.
Both very close to him.
I took a sip of tea to hide my smile.
He's five.
And somehow already catching girls at a young age.
It must be because of his old man,he really got my gene and charisma.
I don't know whether to be proud or concerned.
Probably both.
I was about to say something but....
Giulia shot me a look. don't you dare say anything embarrassing mister and I quickly composed myself. Since i don't want sleeping on the couch.
"It's nice to meet you, Lavinia," I said warmly.
"Michael's mentioned you. I'm glad he's made such a good friend."
Lavinia smiled shyly. "Thank you. He's been really kind to me."
"That's good to hear." I glanced at Michael again. "He's a good kid."
Michael meanwhile looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him..
(Michael's POV)
Why is Dad looking at me like that.
Why.
I know that look.
That's the 'my son is going to be a lady's man' look.
I cleared my throat. "Um. Lavi wanted to meet everyone, so Mom brought her over."
"Of course," Grandma said, gesturing to the couch. "Please, sit down, Lavinia. Make yourself comfortable."
Lavinia sat carefully on the edge of the couch, still clutching Mochi.
Grandma sat beside her, her expression gentle. "That's a lovely plushie. Did Michael win it for you?"
Lavinia nodded, smiling. "Yes! At the arcade. I tried so many times, but Michael got it on his first try."
"Did he now?" Grandma glanced at me with an amused smile. "How impressive."
"It was just luck," I muttered.
"It was skill," Lavinia insisted. "He knew exactly where to position the claw."
Okay, fine.
It was skill.
But I'm not bragging about my claw machine expertise.
Mom sat down across from them, looking relaxed but still watchful.
Grandpa leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, observing quietly.
And Dad... Dad was still giving me that look.
I'm going to hear about this later.
Aren't I.
Sighed....
Grandma chatted with Lavinia for a while asking gentle questions about where she was from, what she liked to do, if she enjoyed the arcade.
Lavinia answered softly, but more openly than I'd seen before.
After a while, Mom stood and stretched. "Alright, you two. Why don't you go play outside for a bit? It's still light out."
I looked at Lavinia. "Want to?"
She nodded eagerly.
We headed outside into the garden, leaving the adults inside.
Inside - The Adults
The moment the door closed behind the children, the atmosphere shifted.
Vivienne's expression grew serious.
"So," she said quietly. "That's Lavinia."
Edward nodded. "She seems like a sweet kid."
"She is," Giulia confirmed. "But she's also carrying a Longinus. And someone's watching her."
Edgar straightened. "Any sign of movement?"
"Not yet," Vivienne said. "But I've made preparations. Contacted some relatives in the government. Set up Alarm around the town. If anyone tries anything..."
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We're leaving in two days."
"I know," Giulia said quietly. "And Lavinia will be alone again."
Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "Not if I can help it."
Everyone looked at her.
"I've been planning on something and making arrangements," she said. "Quietly. Discreetly. If things go the way I think it will "
She paused.
"We may need to act soon."
Edgar nodded. "I'll be ready."
Edward looked at his mother. "What are you planning?"
Vivienne smiled faintly.
"Insurance."
And maybe some papers regarding on adoption.
Outside - Michael and Lavinia
We sat on the grass in the garden, watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink.
A bird meanwhile passed by.
Lavinia hugged Mochi, looking content.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For today. For everything."
"You don't have to keep thanking me," I said.
"I know. But I want to."
I smiled. "Then you're welcome."
She looked at me, her expression suddenly serious.
"Michael... you're leaving soon, aren't you?"
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Yeah. In two days."
Her face fell.
"Oh."
"But," I said quickly, "I'll visit you again. I promise. And we'll stay in touch. Somehow."
She looked at me, hope flickering in her eyes.
"Really?"
"Really."
She smiled, but genuine.
"Okay."
We sat together in comfortable silence.
And behind us, barely visible in the fading light.
A bird nearby was watching us from the roof, meanwhile it's soon flies a way, when I looked at it.
___________
....
....
Yeah I don't have much to say, considering things has been going so well, sooo.....
See ya next chapter 👋
- AgentByteGOC