Ersia: Raven Dawn

Lisabelle, Viena, and their guardian, Gwen, are walking home after they finished taking care of their business. Without them realizing it, they took a lot of detours and talked a lot with each other. Gwen is the most friendly knight the girls have ever seen. She talks with such casualty as if she had already forgotten everything that happened to Lisabelle, or maybe she doesn't even care that much at all in the first place. 

Soon after, the town hall bell rang sixteen times. Thanks to the coming autumn, the days are noticeably shorter, and darkness will come sooner than before. The three of them walked leisurely, enjoying the scenery of the city in the afternoon until suddenly Gwen stopped and hurriedly pushed Viena and Lisabelle to an alley.

"Good afternoon, Captain Rocco! It's good to see you in good health!"

An old man with a long mustache and small eyes turns his head on Gwen.

"Hm? Wait . . . Gwen? What in the world are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to watch over the kid with Jangir's lackey?"

"Sir, yes sir! I am currently on duty with Knight Alan from Captain Jangir's 2nd platoon!"

"You don't really seem on duty now that you are here, aren't you?"

"T-That's not . . . . My apology, captain, but I assure you that I am in no way neglecting my honor and duty!"

"Oh yeah? Let's hear your excuse then!"

Gwen gives her all to make the most heartwrenching alibi a man could ever hear. She told Captain Rocco that she was looking for cinnamon for Eleanor. She said that the old lady was so keen to welcome her only family with the best dish she could make. She even fakes out tears, saying that the small little joy of cooking for her beloved might be the only thing that could make Eleanor's frail health better, to make it even more believable.

"W-Well . . . so where's the cinnamon?" Captain Rocco said reluctantly.

"That's what I've been wondering about for hours now! I can name you every boutique and jewelry store that exists in Fleurin! But cinnamon? Sir, I don't even know what it looks like."

While Gwen is talking with the captain and his subordinates, Lisabelle and Viena are peeking from the edge of the alley wall. Lisabelle had to pull Viena's headband to the back of her head to make sure that it didn't poke out of where they were hiding.

"Wow. She's really good."

"Y-Yeah . . . ."

Suddenly, there is a sound of pebbles clacking behind Viena and Lisabelle.

"Finally! Found you!"

The two girls turn their heads and find a boy of the same age as Lisabelle standing up and walking closer to them. He is tan-skinned, much like Barbara, and he has round black eyes and absurdly thick eyebrows that Viena finds a little funny. He's no taller than Lisabelle but still much taller than Viena. His shoulder-long hair, ragged clothes, and oversized shoes indicate the strong probability of him not being among the privileged.

"Theo?" Lisabelle raised her eyebrow.

"Bella! What the fuck is going on?! The newspapers! The court! The whole shit with the military lady! What have you done?!"

"Bella?" Viena raised her eyebrow also.

There is so much confusion at once, and the way Theo keeps pushing around and raising his voice forces Lisabelle to take action. She took both Theo's and Viena's hands and dragged them deeper into the alley. Only when she felt they were in a safer place, did she stop running and release her hold on both of her companions.

"Bel! Explain!"

"Sigh. There is so much to explain, but we have so little time . . . and I'm not even sure where to begin."

"About the accusation, Bel! Did you really do that?!"

"Yes, Theo. Yes, I did. It was a big misunderstanding, but there's only me and myself to blame."

"Damn it! How come?! What about our plan?!"

Lisabelle turns silent for a moment. She looks like she is deep in thought, hence, Theo and Viena say nothing and decide to give her some time and space. Then, she removed the hood of her dark brown cloak and scratched the sides of her head with a sound of frustration.

"First, let me introduce you. This is Viena. She is my sister . . .  And Vivi, this is Theo. He is my friend."

"Bel - Dammit! Why would you choose to start with this shorty?! There are more important things to discuss!"

"Hey-!"

"Theo, this is the most important thing you need to know."

Just when Viena wanted to retort, Lisabelle cut her off with a dead serious look on her face. Thus, Theo takes a quick glance at Viena with the slightest interest on his face, before turning his sight on Lisabelle again.

"What do you mean? What's with her?"

"Remember her well. If you ever find her in trouble, help her. Even if you found me trapped in a house fire, you should find her instead of helping me out."

"That's fucking nonsense. Why would I-"

"Theo, please."

It's the first time Theo heard Lisabelle pleading with such a helpless, pitiful look. Thus, he went silent and took another look at Viena. This time he looks at the little girl carefully; her small stature, her cobalt blue eyes, and her short black hair.

"I would - a hundred percent - lose her in the crowd in mere seconds," Theo crossed his arms.

"I know, right? That's why I made those bunny ears for her. You should look out for that. That's an original design, and no one would wear the same thing - unless somehow it gets popular. After all, uninspired bastards are everywhere, and they are always on the lookout for ideas to steal and claim," Lisabelle nodded and crossed her arms also.

Then, Lisabelle noticed that Gwen was looking for them thanks to a piece of broken glass that was thrown away and neglected at the side of the alley. Although the knightess looks a little unsure and disoriented, she is walking closer and closer to the place where the three are talking. It was only a matter of time before she found them.

"So what about my question, Bel? You haven't-"

"Theo! Listen to me, okay? I will answer any of your questions two weeks from now. Tell the others that I'm doing fine, especially the twins."

Lisabelle grabbed Viena's hands and walked to the junction where Gwen was.

"I'll meet you at our place, and I'll bring some cookies. So, get some milk if you can, okay? Bye!"

"Wait . . .!"

As he watches Lisabelle and Viena turning to the alley where they came from, Theo lets out a sigh. He really couldn't handle the girl. To think that there are now two of a kind, he couldn't imagine what would happen next. Yet, he is now full of relief after seeing Lisabelle doing okay. Now, he can return with a piece of good news and a much much lighter heart.

Meanwhile, Viena and Lisabelle meet back with Gwen. The knightess asked a few questions about what they were doing and asked them not to get out of her sight. Yet, after explaining that they went deeper into the alley to minimize the risk of being found by the guard captain and his subordinate, Gwen looked like she was on the same page and decided to let it slide.