Trickles of light shone at the window frames of the Inn room. The lights stretched beyond thier usual length which came, interrupted and disturbed my sleep. My eyes woke up. They flinched through the dawn of day, as I got up and still seated on the bed.
"Morning all ready," I said with a loud moan.
I adjust the vision of my eyes. The light made me want to go blind. It really did have that blinding effect when your eyes weren't as clear to focus.
Surely enough I got up pretty well. I moved to the side and my legs fell to the cold floor that sent a shock through me. An agitated crippling effect as well.
Away from the bed, I walked over to the window and watched as I looked outside. It wasn't even seven yet, and still the place became highly anticipated with a cool breeze that swept the air, the sun's light, and the countless chirps of birds chattering in the forest trees and bushes.
"What a day," I said again refreshed, "Anyways, I better get ready. I'm not gonna be here all day."
That's right.
This is the day that I'll be leaving Shonna Town. A small town that has a vibrant background of people and beauty, or should I be calling them that after what I had to go through.
Again, it won't be the talk of the town as far as I'm concerned. I'll finally leave this place and into the big city.
Inn's backyard
There weren't any proper bathing place to get a shower and again, I have to consider that this reality is a medieval fantasy land. Things like your ordinary gadgets don't exist here, not yet they will. I had a spare of clothes, a tooth brush with some Colgate, and a clean black towel by the way that I could use at my disposal.
I took it upon myself to bathe at the backyard.
Thankfully they had that - a wooden shower room that's barely covered on all sides for anyone's own privacy. But it did cover the big body. Only problem it lack was the roof, and that the legs were exposed on both sides of the rectangular perimeter.
Before continuing, I had to scoop a bucket load of water at the nearest well and carry it to the wooden bathe room.
The cold water did me a favour. A cold wash meant for a one awakened brain and body. I had this thought to myself while bathe.
When I went down to bathe I was intercepted by the one of the Inn keeper. Her named was Aria. Nothing was wrong or anything, she wanted to know where I was headed. Quite the early person she was: this made the two of us.
l said I was going to have a bathe which made her expression filled with confusion. This confusion I knew for sure. It wasn't common practice for someone to bathe early in the morning, rather the people here would do it around nine to ten considering how cold it still is in the morning. It was also unspoken of.
I then slightly moved passed her, "Sorry but I have to go. I've got a long day ahead of me," I told her. This made her confusion the more curious and intrigued.
Most particularly to me.
After 5 minutes of a cold bathe, l finished up and changed within the confines of the wooden enclosure.
When I came out, I wore a firm buttoned shirt and a nice trousers. The outfit did the best to hide it's features. By contrast, this outfit was way better than the common folk. I hope that I don't attract attention, besides the other day the same clothes were the same, kind of. Maybe I'll think about it more when your in a fantasy land.
Crack!
Out of nowhere, a sudden crack of a piece of wood popped in the air. If I'd known better I'd say that someone is spying on me. And that person hid just within range and where I clearly saw it's silhouette behind a wooden barrel.
"Aria," I called out the name of the person in a mild angered tone not pissed but upsetting, "I know your there, you can't hide any longer."
From the shadows, a girl came out of her hiding spot. It is Aria. She is the daughter of the Inn keeper, and an employee of the Inn. She held her hands together infront a bit shaken and embarrassed.
She then took her time before she said, "How? How did you know it was me," she tried to test me up against her own words, "Why me? Besides it could have been anyone else, I'm not spying....I'm just here to...ahh-"
"Please you can stop."
"N-No you got it all wrong."
"You can stop, it's done."
"I...ahhh...uhuhhh.no.nonnon."
Aria's voice shifted. Her body and expression became shaky as she mumbles gibberish monologue, and a foul play of words that I could deter from her fearful demeanour.
I walked up to appear big and strong before her height. I reach a hand and patted her head gently to reassure herself that their was nothing to hide.
"I'll have a word with the Manager, but first.... answer me this question first.."
I then added in the question fully relaxed and not wanting to seek any form of violence. Took off the arm and placed it on my head; more precisely on my wet hair, accompanied by looking at the opposite direction waving it off.
"Do I really look that handsome?"
.
.
.
.
.
Aria heard the question. To put it in perspective, she got her hopes tied like a knot. She did not expect the outcome.
Her previously hanging head looked up and her clenched fists loosen. She became awfully dotted with a 'Huh' type of scenario. It prolonged quite a bit then.
This moment had to turn around somehow. Then I went on to thoroughly bend amends to seeth off the unappealing awkwardness.
"Though I get reactions like this back at home, but nothing is as more potent as this."
"....."
"Besides I've known that you've been eyeing me none stop lately, if you haven't noticed," I told Aria giving her a heads up, "People in the Town also see me differently like some creature just emerged from the woods. So I don't think you can be blamed. When I think about it, someone that I don't know can and will do the same thing."
"Really," Aria's voice started to settle.
"Yeah," I said calmer than usual, and then I asked twice this time, "So I'll ask again, Do I really look that handsome."
I waited for the girl's response. Maybe this time I won't be causing something irrelevant assuming that I suceed.
"I..."
"I-I...think.."
"I think that your.."
The girl was obviously trying to construct a sentence just by sheer luck. What I could hear was the mere affiliations of the words from her mouth demanding release. When I did hear the full sentence, I got my answer. An answer that is as big as poetry.
"I THINK THAT YOUR THE MOST HANDSOME PERSON IN ALL OF ÈRTHAI!" Aria finally said it.
She continued, "YOUR BLACK HAIR APPEASES THE DARKNESS IN IT'S COMFORT FOR EXISTENCE. YOUR SMOOTH SKIN SMILES BRIGHTER THAN ANY PERSON I'VE SEEN. YOUR KINDNESS AND AFFIRMATION GRADUALLY EXCEED THAT; MOST THAT IS THE SAME BALANCE OF BEING BLESSED BY THE GODS. AND YOUR FACE BRINGS A NEW PLEASURE TO ENTICE AN UNKNOWN FORCE! TOGETHER YOUR MORE TO ME OR ALL."
Her voice soon settled to a lower volume, "I thought you'd be someone entirely, but when I saw you I saw something different. I don't know what it is, but it is how you treat others and accompanied by your exhilarating beauty, that I know only to stay within the shadows, to watch this glamouress beast wonder the town."
Her response is as wild as being ramped over by a burstling wrecking balls. Her eyes and face drenched in an enormous array of colours. I'm quite speechless to examine that her enthusiasm appeared so suddenly. Yet, She did so too with her hands raised close to her chest, clenched again, and nodded in excitement.
A response of that caliber would likely be reserved for mostly nobles and royals, since they are the epitome of status in all it's glory. Then again that's not true. How I see it. How I feel it are way different.
And I'm pretty sure Aria has the same idea. An unusual girl, age 16, who was actually kind enough to me when I first arrived at the Inn, though she was quiet the shy type sometimes, and most times talked when she was needed; that her energy be recuperated through rest after tireless labour.
"Well, I've never thought of myself as a glamoures beast," I pointed out one of the lines in her response, "But that is something....sure a description."
"It is," Aria said and nodded again, honestly excited to relie her words to me. For a girl her age, I thought they would keep to themselves their own personal secrets. Incoherently, it is because she is from here and, not from Earth. Huge difference.
Thank God Social Media doesn't exist.
Or I'll have to scout out her secret by forced power and, violence of privacy through a complaint report.
"The other girls were also saying many things that didn't fit in, of course I discouraged...." Then Aria went on to explain her output of stories.
Ten minutes later.
Aria finally finished her storytime before rounding it off, "....and that's how it became that."
My head hurts really bad as of now. I rubbed it off with one hand.
"Are you okay Mister," Aria asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied.
'Why did I let this slide?'
Before I forget, I did say something about her punishment not by me, but a shuttle talk with the manager. This conversation I started needed only to capture the person who was looking at me strangely. It is also a way for me to find a solution by extracting information from her as to why she would watch me from afar weirdly. Now I know.
"Before we head of, I did say that I'll have to see the manager," I said aloud enough that she heard it, "Remember, that something like this can't just be ignored."
Her movements stood stiff. I knew the feeling.
"Come on now, lets go," as I walked over to the backdoor, and from behind I spoke again, "Don't worry it won't be that bad."
Inside the Inn
In the front of the check table, a lady stood inside the fitted table like counter.
She had brown hair. Hair that was mostly brown laced with light strips of other variations. Her hair tied into a bun while her excess hair fell to her nape, that it stretched for some length to her shoulders.
Her face by the way looked young, but in absolute honesty her face still faced a twist of ringcals cast upon her. Of course, that would be the case.
She is old after all (not that I would want to say it outright). She is also the Inn keeper, Manager, and lastly if I didn't forget she is the Mother of Aria.
On our way from the backdoor hallway, Aria and I walked over to the counter. Aria wore an old common folk dress while I had some type of privilege wearing clothes that's not the common dress code in town.
When we reached the counter we were greeted - mostly me from Aria's mother. She exited the counter when she came close. There I held my ground.
"Oh Mr. Syzoth Good morning to you," she said to convey her greetings, "You look very charming indeed."
"Good morning...and I'll take that as a compliment," I said back in reply, "If you don't mind, I would like to talk to you privately."
As she focused her sight on me she asked, "Why is something wrong?" and then she followed and switched her gaze to look at Aria who was just behind me.
"huh!"
"Aria! What did you do?!"
"Please if you don't mind, let's talk privately."
Aria's Mother sighed.
She then turned around and pointed towards her main officer which was close to the counter. I headed in first. Second the mother went in, but before she could, she looked at Aria with an over the top strict demeanour.
"You stay, I'll attend to you later."
Manager's Office Room
The both of us stood strongly together, one on the side left and other to the right, as I went on to explain the situation that happened just recently. This particular incident included the other times Aria has been following me around the Town.
Aria's Mother, who goes by the the name Mrs. Vlinee, stood with me indiscriminately focused as she heard all the details I described to her.
I know that this must be a lot. So to make it fair, I added some incidents that weren't correlated in Aria's absence.
I told her many things. I told her that people in the town looked at me with discriminating eyes, while some others looked at me with awe, fascination, and curiosity. I added that when I arrived in town, I had it a tough life. That was when I was saved by the Vlande Family, which she knew quite well for their reputation.
I told her that anyone in town would do the same exact act, and that Aria was just intrigued by me. Someone who is foreign.
"That girl is something else isn't she," Mrs. Vlinee said with a chuckle.
"So what would you do as punishment," I asked Mrs. Vlinee on her course of action directly to Aria.
What I heard from the mouth of Mrs. Vlinee's answer, it gave me the chills.
A bone chilling exercise and payload of labour that's unheard off. Now I feel bad for Aria. Maybe there could be something that she could do in return for haboring such a sneaky intent.
"Maybe that's too far fetched, isn't it."
"Well I'll hear from you since your the victim."
"How about this."
Counter Area
While we were inside dicussing about the issue confidentially, Aria on the other hand sat on a wooden stool really thinking hard about her actions. She did so mumbling. Quite the small chattering whispers she invoked.
"Why? Why? Why? Why did you do something so stupid, Aria? Why?"
Creak.
The sound of the office door immediately opened eerily, echoing in the empty counter waiting room.
The two of us walked out of the office room. We exchanged some words then we split our ways.
I went up to the Inn room hurriedly, stepping on the wooden staircase. Hereafter, I left the Mother to handle Aria.
"So Aria what am I going to do," Lady Vlinee said after she had her talk and closed some distance to Aria.
"......"
"Nothing I hear, alright. First of all you'll do the first three lot of work and then report back to me, okay."
"Yes mama," Aria's body squirmed lightly, so as her voice.
"I say again, do you understand girl," Mrs. Vlinee said aloud.
"Yes mama I do!" Aria confirmed her response.
"Good. Now get going then."
The girl stood proudly stiffened from where she sat and headed straight into the kitchen without hesitation.
Most likely she felt relieved to know that she is reassured. Because when Mrs. Vlinee talked about long hours of work in the office previously, that would've probably been a nightmare for Aria if she ever got her Mother's attention.
In the Inn room, I continued with what other things I needed to prepare.
Everything was in the carriages by now, and all I had was a black bag. School type of bag. Bag that's used for outdoors. I put the remainders of necessities back into the bag, taking the time whole heartedly. Then I walked back to the lower level floor.
The first floor looked a bit too quite. Maybe because all the clients are still asleep.
At the counter area, I was faced with the view of Aria dressed in a maid uniform.
She kept a firm composure as she did some cleaning around the tables and wooden stools parallel to the counter table.
She looked very focused.
She did not even recognise me when I stood on guard. She swiftly walked over to the other room not even glancing at me.
'Maybe that's a good thing.'
Outside the Inn
I then continued where I left off. I was outside, after turning the nob of the door, and exiting out of the Inn.
The thing I wanted to check were the carriages - the content insided needed to be safe and ready for the long trip.
The carriages were just closeby. They were held at a carriage house next to the Inn. Pretty decent for an Inn to carry two businesses at the same time. Since this Inn was one of the best Inn in the Town.
The house measured half the size of the Inn. It featured foreign designs not native to european medievial styles, but instead it housed some special patterns. The architecture could be described as a combination from Asia and the Middle East.
Usually I would take a picture, but were can I start when I don't even have the device. To be exact, when I did some logistics from Earth to Èrthai, I didn't expect to be trapped here forever.
That's right. I knew how I arrived here but the problem was how will I ever return back. That's why all I have left is to leave Shonna Town and move to Rosetta.
Finding someone who is capably versed is difficult. Maybe I'll find exceptional assistance there.
Anyways, I checked the carriages and they all seemed check for the trip. From canned goods, small portable goods, books, clothes, and other common Earth goods. I wished I could've gotten more but alas time caught up with.
Checked the rear. Checked the sides. And checked the front.
'Now that's all settled, I'll just wait outside for that person of interest.'
Back in the Inn
The Counter Area - to the Empty rooms - to the kitchen were spot on clean; not a speck of dust gathered. Even the walls, set a high standard of luxury. A Fresh brush of paint renewed. The walls from their natural wooden colour proved to enchant the first, and second floors, of the Inn.
At one of the stock room full of wares, a diligent supposed maid followed in through her hands, a pile of light shaped wooden boxes.
"Why did I spend my time daydreaming, when I should have done this chores first," the maid said to herself, "Now all this boxes have to be moved."
The maid carefully moved a mountainous top of wares from one location to the stock locker room. Such a heavy duty for a lone maid to do.
Nonetheless, it was a guaranteed punishment. One that is payed off through hard determination.
After a long prolong phase of work, she finished the deed. All chores were done. From setting up the laundry; the ingredients for the cook; sweep the floor, cleaning it, scrubbing it until perfection, and the halls, tables, empty rooms; finally stocking up on wares from the delivery man.
Those were the few chores set by Lady Vlinee.
The maid then fell to the floor exhausted from the weight of labour. Her bodily limps fribbleshly shook thinly.
'Mother doesn't lie does she'
She breathed in and out to calm herself. She knew that the deed was only paused momentarily. She'll need to report back to her.
What will she give her? More chores. A slap to the cheeks. Grounded for the rest of eternity to come until death.
Whatever it could be, it didn't matter. She is already out of her league to explain anything. The moment that she got the hold of the words from Lady Vlinee, she instinctively ran to the kitchen, not caring for a short type of explanation on her side.
The maid stood up. Her energy steadily returned from her little rest from the mean time. Not that she'll ever get any from here-on-out.
Ready for the worst to come, Aria Vlinee, an employee maid of the Lady Inn and daughter of Rena Vlinee, leaned forward and walked to the main office. The Manager's Office.
Aria was inside the room.
Lady Vlinee's Office fell to the ground in absolute silence. No words. No movements. Not even a single gesture.
Aria knelt on her knees, the sort of honorary respect Japanese people they encompass while being seated on the floor. Knees to the ground, and the butt seated on the back of the lower legs, as the feets sprawl from behind.
Lady Vlinee sat on her desk chair near her table while she observed Aria on the floor - Where a head hanged firmly unbalanced not looking straight up, and arms pinned to the thighs.
Dramatic effect?
"Aria Vlinee, do you know what you've done," Lady Vlinee spoke first.
"Yes I do,"
"Do you know what you did, and why you did it"
"Yes I do"
"And that is"
"..........." Aria's response said nothing.
She knew for a fact that she is about to tell her own Mother things that will taint her image of her. It's not like she had a choice. She needed to say it outright.
Her mouth shook uneasily unable to release a word.
"If you do not talk, I'll-"
"I Aria Vlinee secretly watched our client Sir Syzoth without his consent," Aria's voice loosened, breaking the unsettling talk.
"From afar, I saw Sir Syzoth as a man that I did not know of, and so I secretly watch him when I first met him."
"How long."
"For the past couple of weeks."
"I never wanted to seek others privacy, but ever since I've heard rumors from the neighbouring girls, I became curious."
"This curiosity led me to spy on Sir Syzoth."
"What else?"
"Else?"
"Sir Syzoth says you find him attractive, is that true."
"Yes I do."
"Why do you find that so compelling?"
Then Aria's voice softened to express her thoughts about Sir Syzoth.
"He-He is unlike anything that I've encountered."
"He is kind."
"Peaceful."
"Smart."
"Funny."
"Talented."
"Even friendly to anyone that comes around him, and presents himself like a true knight."
To hear this words from Aria, Lady Vlinee's thoughts pressed uncertainty of the mouthful of expressive descriptions Aria levelled herself. Yet, she continued to listen.
Masses of people also knew that Sir Syzoth's appearance wouldn't get unnoticed. It caught her attention, too.
"When I saw him the other week, he put himself to protect the local orphanage kids."
"You mean St. Clez Orphanage."
"Yes that's the one."
"Continue."
"I was on the way to the market, that it happened."
"Like most people here in Shonnna Town, there aren't many decent people to help the poor."
Lady Vlinee thought maybe Aria got too far, then she spoke her mind just for the shake of correction, "You forget that the Orphanage is runned by the Vluteźchid Company."
"I know," Aria said in low kin voice, not wanting to compensate any strikes
Before Aria could continue her explanation, Lady Vlinee held her hand up signalling that there be silence. Aria stopped entirely.
"That is enough," She said steeply, "I don't want to her anymore, it's just going to take longer how I see it."
"Now for your punishment."
"But I still have so much to say, if you-" Aria waved her head up trying to explain her situation, but got inevitably stopped.
"Did you not hear me girl."
"....."
"I say again girl."
"YES MY LADY!"
Again, her head fell low to the floor.
"Good. Now listen."
She knew that a day like this would arise somehow. For a long time, she's been always a loyal and listener to her Mother. Those that interfere pay a regrettable price.
Her Mother did what she could. Besides, Her Mother was the only person that raised her. The father left. So there had to be rules. One's to keep the place running.
Staff employees. Residents. Neighbours. They all have the experience of Lady Inn - proof that sets her different from other establishments.
This fine establishment aided a reputation that proved a phrase mostly used around town 'men could not achieve solely by sheer strength.' But she's not your typical woman. She is part of family that are regarded as respectable figures, and yet, she hides it from the crowd of people she lives with.
"Your."
Praying is the only thing Aria's thoughts remembered to do in times of dire situation.
She hopes not to be punished baddly.
"Punishment."
"Is to...."
.
.
.
.
.
"It is to assist Sir Syzoth with his wares before departs from the Town, is that clear."