Manon was breathless as the veil shattered, revealing the true terrain of the area she was in.
A beach.
The water was still solid behind her as her shoes sunk into the fine grains of sand under her feet.
Of course- that was not all she saw.
Beyond the beach, past the sandy mounds, was a tall wall made of some type of natural rock or brick. But more than that- it was an indication that there were people nearby.
Her feet moved before she could stop herself.
Then she paused, knowing she only had so much time to find the door.
But…the wall stretched along the entire beach. Who was to say the door wasn't within the walls?
Deciding she wanted to proceed anyway, Manon walked through the sand, making her way to the rock wall.
It was the same color of the sand, and at least 2.5 times her height. Luckily, this was a no-brainer for her- she had spent her entire adolescence climbing literally whatever she saw outside in her reality. Manon grabbed onto a sturdy looking protrusion of the sandy rock, the strength of this body, while not ideal, was enough for her to climb up albeit with a struggling grunt.
She wished she had taken off her shoes, glancing down at her feet that were trying to latch onto the rock without enough traction.
But she would have to make it work.
The brunette girl huffed and puffed, arms nearly giving out by the time she made it to the top, but she made it.
Her fingers and palms were red and irritated, and as the girl sat down at the top of the wall to take a much needed break for the first time since she began this trial, she hissed softly, examining where she'd gotten a few scratches and scrapes.
Her black hair was long enough that she sat on it, having to untuck some of it to not yank on the back of her head. Her legs dangled off the edge of the wall, the girl catching her breath as she mentally prepared to jump down and roll, just as she had done in the orphanage that one time.
She paused again, thinking back on that time. She still wasn't able to tell Colette about it. She needed to find a way. She didn't show it- but hiding things ate her up inside. She wanted to see if Colette knew anything about those letters she saw. She didn't remember them word for word- just that one was from a J.A. and the other from some sort of church higher up who was talking to Anya about an adoption.
Shaking her head, Manon filed these thoughts away so she could focus on what was in front of her. As she finally looked up to register her surroundings, she gasped, nearly falling off the wall.
It was...a city.
She couldn't see where the island ended, only that there was a city behind an expanse of forestry by the wall in the distance. Behind the trees that somewhat blocked her vision, the town looked busy and bustling with life, children laughing and adults walking around.
She needed to get closer.
"Hey! What are you doing up there?"
Manon flinched, looking down to see a man. He was a bit older but not middle-aged. Maybe in his 30s?
He had dark brown hair, impeccably styled and dark eyes. He reminded her of Remy. Slightly slanted eyes and a mix of rounded and sharp features. He wore what appeared to be some kind of knight uniform, all black with gold embellishments. She had no idea what all the seals and designs meant but he looked pretty noble to her.
"Get down immediately. You aren't in trouble." He said evenly, looking up at Manon. He squinted, as if trying to get a good look at her. Then, his arms were outstretched as if he planned on catching her.
Manon cursed under her breath, too quiet for him to hear but for some reason his eyebrow quirked. She did not have any time to deal with this at the moment. She really needed to find that exit. She was going to open her mouth when she saw a wavering number atop the man's head. 10.
Huh?
This man had an AP system. That was uncommon. Usually from her experience during the outing trial- NPCs had intentions but rarely a whole AP system unless they were important characters or part of a group you needed to win over. At least that was what Colette said. That meant whatever she said could be used against her and she could very well die if she made the wrong choice.
The man continued to wait, undeterred.
Maybe she could get down with his help and run away?
Sounded like a plan to her.
Manon finally made eye contact, the man's eyes earnest and surprisingly warm. She didn't know why, but she trusted him.
With a small grunt, the girl leapt off the wall, her white dress parachuting, and her small frame falling perfectly into the man's arms. He handled her as if she were his own child, setting her down and ruffling her hair with a black leather gloved hand. He did not smile, but a kind expression showed in his eyes.
"Where are you from? Why did you climb the wall, little one?" He inquired, hand now resting on the ornate hilt of a sheathed sword, a circular medallion base with a gold embellished grip. He seemed to rest his hand not out of caution, but a casual habit. Manon should have run away immediately once he let her go, but for some reason, she could not bring herself to turn her back on the man. It was like she was facing a lion who had only temporarily decided to spare her. As if it would change as soon as she showed her back.
Luckily, as she struggled to answer and he studied her face, the man pulled back. His expression became even more stoic, gaze hardening. Not mean, but purposeful. And since she hadn't spoken, his AP did not waver.
"I won't interrogate you. But you should leave quickly. Don't let me find you again." He said.
And before Manon could even think about what he was implying, he was gone, as if the wind in the trees swept him away.
Peculiar. She could have sworn his eyes had widened with…fear when he got a closer look at her. Not a fear of her exactly…but something else.
No matter, Manon needed to move. As he said, she needed to leave quickly.
She was still in the forestry, the village in the distance. She wasn't sure how that man had even seen her, but she didn't have time for that.
Manon carefully approached the town, finding the closest building to where she was, so she didn't just randomly enter the city out in the open.
The sky was still a rosy pink, but slightly more saturated, the clouds like cotton candy but somehow not cutesy. Manon's eyes scanned downwards from the sky to right in front of her as she walked in between two buildings, now able to hear the townsfolk chatting, going about their business.
There was something strange about them. Not in a literal sense, but strange for this game's world. So far, she had never seen anything like it here, and Colette had never mentioned it either. Their clothing was all less frilly, more… minimal. Many women wore long maxi skirts and banded strapless tops, carrying baskets atop their heads. Young men were shirtless playing kickball in a circle in the square. Children wore the same kind of garments, usually some type of overalls or romper looking thing.
They all looked happy, but not loud and boisterous. Peaceful. Everyone was well groomed, no homeless looking beggars on the corner. No scrawny looking children. The streets were pristinely clean. But…
Manon stood out like a sore thumb in a stark white frilly dress. She could see how that man from earlier spotted her easily. Perhaps she should change? But she didn't have a lot of time. Likely only another 30 minutes max because she had to beat Remy to the exit.
But would she be able to move around without attracting attention?
Manon leaned her back against a store building in an alleyway. She probably needed to change.
The brunette girl suddenly jumped with a squeal as a woman swung open the door of the store across from her in the alleyway, holding an empty crate. The woman also jumped, yelping as she dropped the crate at her feet with a loud thud.
They made eye contact.
The woman had olive skin and long brown hair, her eyes a lustrous shade of grey. She looked to be in her late 20s, old enough to be a young mother. As if on cue, a child appeared behind her long red skirt, a boy with darker skin, like toasted caramel and her same grey eyes. His dark hair was braided back from his face close to his scalp.
"Mother?" He questioned, looking between his parents and then finally at Manon. He was about Manon's age, dressed differently from the children she had observed. Tan trousers and a loosely tucked blue top, sleeved pushed up to his elbows. His grey eyes widened but he didn't get a chance to say more as his mother shooed him inside the store.
"Go now, Percy. Now. Go inside and go help customers." The woman said, shutting the door on him to stay outside with Manon. But just before he was pushed out of view, Manon thought she saw something wavering above his head. His name was also familiar. Where had she heard it before?
She focused on the woman, who raked her long chestnut hair from her face with a sigh.
"Little one- what are you doing here?" She called her the same way the man she met earlier did, her silvery eyes searching her features as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Come with me quickly before you're spotted. Now." She opened the door, ushering her inside. Manon could not argue, as passersby were murmuring about hearing a lot of noise. The woman did not seem to be mean, and even though she didn't have an AP, Manon didn't see any reason not to take her aid when she was offering.
The woman opened the door and Manon ran inside. She took her hand in hers, warm and comforting, leading her to the right and up a flight of stairs. When Manon turned around, she could see the storefront, with "Percy" chatting with locals at the counter. There wasn't much up front, but behind him and as they went upstairs she caught glimpses of various chests, jewelry, furs, and other silks as well as mannequins.
Soon, she was brought to a quaint office room, with a simple desk and a few comfy looking seats. The woman sat her down on top of a sapphire blue loveseat and knelt by her, her face worried.
"My name is Venetia Lavigne. And you are?" She inquired, eyes searching Manon's brown one. She lingered on the eyepatch but did not move to touch it. She was politer than Remy. Something clicked with Manon, recalling something from the letters she had read in the office she snuck into just days prior. Her dry lips parted.
"Manon Aubert."
Manon watched as Venetia's eyes widened almost comically, her expression one of shock and discomfort as she looked at the young girl. Then she leaned back, pursing her lips.
"...Manon. May I know why you're in Martinique?" Venetia asked. So that was what this place was called. It had the same name as an Island she knew of in her original world. And was similarly tropical but this game world's version seemed to have a…stranger climate. Both cool and sunny instead of hot and tropical by temperature means.
"Um…I have to find an exit." Manon did not know quite how to explain her odd situation, but she needed to make it clear she needed to leave. "A portal door. But I need to go through the town. Can you help me?" She asked softly, trying not to plead but not having much of a choice. Venetia sighed as if breathless, her eyes still flitting up at the eyepatch as if she needed to know something. But she still didn't ask.
"Okay. Okay….I will help you get through the town, I know where the portals open. It may be in a similar area." She sighed, taking the small girl's hand in her own once more. "Wait here and I'll get you some clothes." She squeezed her hand before exiting the room, shutting the door quietly behind her. Manon listened as her footsteps faded before hopping down from the loveseat. Her feet met the ground with a soft tap, and she walked over to the office desk.
She didn't really want to snoop, but decided to look around while she waited.
This place was a real area in the game to her knowledge, as the man from earlier had an AP system. Martinique. An Island. How far was it from Dales, the location of the orphanage? Was there a branch of the church or orphanage here too? Was she even within the Empire still?
She stood on her tiptoes, peering at the papers littering the desk.
Documents, mostly for trade. Invoices, receipts, etc.
She was not lying. Her name really was Venetia Lavigne. She seemed to be a merchant of sorts. Manon lifted a particular paper as she saw a familiar looking seal.
Circular ornate design, with two sticks of bamboo.
Wait- the wax seal Colette gave her- the same seal on her norigae. Here it was again. She looked at the other documents. It was recurring particularly on trade deal documents. She scanned the pages, searching for the name. Who was the owner of the seal? Who….
"You shouldn't be snooping around," a voice came from the door of the office.
Standing there was Percy, arms crossed as his eyes narrowed at Manon. For the first time in a little while, the system spoke to Manon directly.
[AP: 3]
[...Affection with 'Perseus Lavigne' is too low. Please raise affection or risk failure.]
"Shit…" Manon said out loud. She covered her mouth with her hand immediately. But it was too late. Percy's face seemed to shift as he let out a scoff, a smile more akin to disbelief on his face. The air turned cold, Manon's heart thudding in her chest as she saw the system window turn scarlet red.
Danger.
[AP: 1]
[Player 2. Please raise affection with Percy or your game will definitively end.]
The window was flashing red like an alarm, something she had never seen before.
She almost felt like she was having an allergic reaction, her throat closing up.
Was it psychological?
Fear from Colette always telling her she'd die if AP fell to 0?
Ah. Manon thought. Just one little curse and suddenly she was about to die.
Her mouth opened but she stopped herself.
She couldn't just say whatever.
Not now.
This was bad. Very bad.
She needed to think this time.
As if her saving grace she never thought she would be so glad to see in her entire time here, a blue window appeared, stealing her breath away.
[A. I didn't do anything wrong]
[B. Why do you hate me?]
[C. Sorry. I was curious.]
[D. Sorry…I was scared.]
[E. Custom Response]