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the-fools-route · 2 years ago

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THE FOOLS ROUTE

THE ARCANA: fanfic 4,169 words

Chapter 2

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It's warm, very warm. I'm swaddled in fluffy blankets, but only in a particular fashion. Soft blankets on the bottom, covered in comforters. I'm on my side, holding Candlewick. I hear shuffling above me, it seems I'm not the only one awake. I hesitantly crawl out of bed toward the trapdoor, I hear talking. It's too muffled, even with the door ajar. I peek to see Julian leaning his back against the kitchen counter eating an apple. He is now wearing a strange black outfit with lots of buttons. And I can't even make sense of his coat. Cape? It's just resting on his shoulders, how is it staying there? He's talking to Mazelinka, but I can't see her. I attempt to eavesdrop but Candlewick decides to blow my cover. He sprints up the ladder, scaring me. I accidentally push the trapdoor open all the way, causing it to slam on the wood floor.

Good job, me.

Julian yelps, then covers his mouth in embarrassment. Mazelinka is unfazed.

" Sorry. "

We go about the morning in a normal fashion. I eat an orange, struggling to clean off the pulp. Julian finishes his apple and Candlewick sits on the table, waiting for more attention. Mazelinka packs me a small bag of snacks.

" Well- "

Julian starts.

" Time for us to resume our journey. "

" Journey huh. Where are you two going? " Mazelinka questions.

Julian raises his hands in defense.

" Nowhere bad, she's lost. I'm simply helping her find a friend. "

I guess that's not entirely wrong. He told me we would try to find Asra, and that he might be able to help me.

The streets are busy. People walking to who knows where, work probably. It's misty out, wisps of condensation swirls around as we walk.

" I wonder what the weather will be like today. " Julian begins.

" Wait. "

Why haven't I thought of this before?

" My phone! "

I toss my backpack on the ground and fumble with the zippers. I raise my phone proudly above my head, I hope it isn't dead.

Julian looks lost.

" Your…um, what? "

" My phone. It's a common device used where I'm from. You can check the weather and- "

I pause for dramatic effect.

" Your location! "

My phone is still at 96%, it hasn't gone down since I was on the bus. I turn my location on in hopes something will happen. But nothing does, my phone doesn't know where I am.

" Did it work? "

" No. "

He attempts to change the subject.

" What else can your " phoone " do? "

" Phone. " I correct him.

" Yes, that is what I said. "

" Well. " I pick up my bag, Candlewick taking his respective spot on top.

" I can take pictures, watch. "

I face my phone toward him.

" What are you doing? Do I have to hold still? " Julian fidgets.

" That's preferred for a clear picture. "

I give him my phone and face the screen to him.

" Look. "

His eye widened. He tilts the phone every which way for a better look.

"That's incredible! It's like looking in a mirror. "

As we walk around Julian continues to ask questions about my phone.

" How are they made? "

" Can it give directions like a map? "

" Are they flammable? "

The questions only cease when we stop at a door. It looks like a store. Julian pulls a key ring out from one of his pockets and flips through it until he finds a small brass key. It fits the door. We walk inside and freeze. Asra is sitting in a chair with that purple snake wrapped around their arm. He just kinda stares back in an awkward silence.

He just smiles.

" Well well well. Been a while since you broke into my store Ilya. "

There's that name again. Ilya.

" It's not breaking in if I have a key. "

" Julian, you stole my spare key. "

They continue talking in a playful manner. I was right, old friends. The purple snake props herself up from Asra's arm. She sways around for a minute, then greets me.

" Hello! "

I wave my hand back.

" Hello, good to see you again."

Asra turns his head to look at me.

" Seems you have taken up some company since I saw you yesterday. "

Julian throws his arm over my shoulder, though he has to bend over to do so.

" We've become bosom friends I think. "

Asra and Julian have their own conversation while I have one with the snake. We both sway side to side. I thought it was very insightful.

" A journey to the palace. " Asra begins.

" How fun. "

They grab a colorful cloak and a bag in which the snake slides into. Julian strides to the door to leave.

" Oh no, not you. "

Julian dramaticly gasps.

" You mean I can't go with you? Asra, your words sting. "

They flick his nose.

" You know exactly why you can't come with us. Go through the back door."

Julian sighs wistfully and bows.

" Until we meet again. "

And he leaves.

" He is so dramatic. "

Asra nods.

" So, mind sharing your strange story? "

Here we go again.

" Ok so, long story short. From what I understand I'm from another world/realm or something. And now I am here, I don't know how I got here. "

" I knew you were different. "

I look at him weird.

" What? "

We walk around what Asra called the Heart District, weaving through buildings and people until we come across a large beautiful gate. It is guarded by two large men, they move aside as soon as they see Asra. A long bridge leads us to the entrance, I like the bridge, I think it has alot of character. Asra takes me inside, I am in complete awe. Long stained glass windows line the marble walls, and the floors are so clean I can practically see my own reflection.

" There you are. "

A small woman walks up to Asra. She's practically my height, beautiful thick red hair wrapped skillfully in a bandana.

" I've been looking all over for you! You weren't in the library, your room, or the gardens! I was almost about to send a search party. "

She stops ranting when she notices me.

" Oh, hello. I'm Portia, the head servant. "

I wave, I don't want to say anything wrong. So I'll try not to speak much.

She gasps loudly.

" Oh my goodness, you have a cat with you! "

She is practically rolling on the floor with excitement.

" What's his name? "

I pick him up for introductions, much to his protests.

" This is Candlewick, the best cat of them all. "

She laughs.

" I beg to differ, my cat is the best. "

I smile.

" We will see. "

Asra coughs in his hand.

" She's here to speak to the Countess. "

Portia claps her hands together.

" Perfect, she needs to talk to you anyway. Follow me. "

She immediately takes off down a hall. She is really fast for her height. My heart is racing, what if I upset the Countess.

" I feel kinda bad being here. It's beautiful, nice, neat, and clean. And I'm, well - "

I gesture at my clothes.

" Not that. Will that upset her? "

Asra side eyes me and smiles.

" You make Nadia out to be a cruel woman, you haven even met her yet. "

" Sorry. "

*Pick*

We are led through large glass doors to a large terrace of some sort. Gorgeous lush gardens lay just below, golden light fills the scene beautifully like you couldn't imagine. To the left lies a small table filled with small pastries and empty glass cups. One side has two vacant stools, and the other sits the Countess. She's an ethereal being, adorned with jewels and silks. She radiates intelligence, beauty, and authority. Yet her eyes are kind, reassuring.

Portia addresses us as " Asra the magician and guest", I thought that was odd.

Magician.

Is magic real? It couldn't be. Right?

The Countess and Asra converse as I observe my surroundings. The light breeze smells of nostalgia and flowers. It whistles through the trees catching leaves, reminds me of home. But I'm not home, I'm in a palace. I'm with an important person and I'm too busy daydreaming. I don't belong here.

*Pick*

" Excuse me. "

I snap back to reality. The Countess is talking to me.

" Are you alright, you look pale. "

" O-oh, um. "

My heart is pounding, what if she thinks I'm a lier? Asra nudges me.

" I- "

" I don't think you will believe me, but this is the truth. "

I explain what had happened in the last 24 or so hours. Waking up, finding Candlewick, the market, I skip the stolen fish, meeting Asra, and finding a bar. Asra cuts me off before I can mention Julian, and how he helped me. Why is Asra avoiding Julian? He couldn't come with us, and they won't even mention him.

What did Julian do?

" She stayed at my shop last night. " Asra begins.

That's a lie. I wasn't at the shop.

" So she was safe. "

The Countess was resting her chin on her hands. But now she fidgets with a tea cup. She seems concerned.

" Asra is working for me, so he is unlikely to be home often. You will have nowhere to stay. "

She smiles, truly a kind smile.

" Would you like to stay with me? I have everything you could ever want here. I can have a room prepared for you."

*Pick*

" But you don't know me, I really don't want to be a bother. I don't want to take up your valuable time. Besides, I just told you an impossible story. You can't possibly believe me. "

She narrows her eyes.

" Yes, Your story is implausible. But I have reason to believe you are telling the truth. "

I don't argue back, I really don't want to upset her. She takes my hands and holds them, reassuringly.

" I want you to be here with me. It's been a long time since I had a guest quite like you. "

Nadia beckons Portia over, she had been standing by the door behind me. She whispers in her ear, I couldn't understand what she said. Portia smiles enthusiastically. Portia grabs my hand and leads me to the double doors. As I leave, I hear Asra and Nadia talking about finding someone. But who?

I'm led to a large door and pushed inside. I think I heard Portia say " have fun " before she closed the door. The room is huge. There is a rack with robes toward the front of the room, along with a few chairs. A bath the size a swimming pool fills the room. A huge mirror sits in the leftmost wall. It's maybe 7 feet high, I feel so small in its reflection. My hoodie is wrinkled, my pants are dirt stained. What am I doing here? I take a purple-ish silky robe and change into that. I can see scars on my knees from a rambunctious childhood, each telling a different story. Steam lazily rises from the bath, beckoning me. A golden tray is filled with gleaming bottles and jars, I feel bad using any of it. But one thing does catch my eye. It's a small simple clear bottle, I can hold it between my pointer finger and thumb. The black fluid sloshes around like ink in a well. How familiar. I open the vial, it smells like the forest.

It smells like home.

A set of clothes were set out for me to wear. A loose cream blouse with dark pants, incredibly different from what I'm used to wearing. I try my best to dry my hair before I leave, I don't want to drip water in the hallway. I knock on the door so Portia knows I'm finished.

" Aww, you look so cute in that. Don't worry about your old clothes, someone will take care of them. "

She leads me down a hallway or two and stops me in front of a door.

" Ma'lady is in a meeting and she wants you to join. She is with the courters inside this room. I'll be right outside. "

Oh lovely, strangers.

Cackling fills my ears as I enter, 5 people sit on armchairs and couches not including the Countess. All the attention is brought to me as I walk in, wonderful.

" This is Leigh, my guest. " Nadia announces.

A pale man gasps enthusiastically and clasps his hands together.

" Yes, we have been hearing so much about you. It's absolutely delightful to put a face to your name! My name is Vlastomil, I am the Praetor. "

The larger person on the couch practically screams at me.

" Sit next to me! Everyone wants to sit next to the Pontifex. "

A very small woman on the right of the couch speaks next, with a quivering voice.

" Oh yes, you and your cat are so cute! Please sit next to us. "

Her very small hand pats the couch cushion. I sit into the plush seat between the two while Candlewick sits in the small woman's lap. Her eyes sparkle at the sight of such a majestic creature. I'm too focused on Candlewick being absolutely adorable to realize someone is standing over me. Their red eyes are fixated on my face, unmoving. They don't blink, not once. Bandaged Horns loom over me casting a shadow. They are dressed is some sort of a surgans outfit, black gloves, an apron and a mask. The look is finished with a red brooch shaped as a beatle fixed on the neck.

" Quaestor please. Stop staring at her. "

A very wealthy looking man looking increasingly unimpressed, takes a sip from a wine glass. His hair is in a perfect braid, not a single stray strand. He likely thinks very highly of himself.

" I'm just inspecting her Consul, no harm done. "

He scoffs.

" Sit down before you scare her away. "

The Quaestor strides to their arm chair in a very fluid motion. No extra movement are wasted.

" Now before we get down to business. " The Consul began.

" I'd like to discuss the elephant in the room. "

He looks at me.

" Why is she here. "

Nadia seems slightly annoyed by the question.

" She is an honored guest, and you will treat her as such. "

" Yes, of course Countess. "

He didn't mean it.

I mainly observed as they talked politics or reconstruction of the city. I eventually learned everyone's names. Vlademar, Vlastomil, Volgora, Volta, and Valerius. I held up conversations with almost of them. I talked about worms, favorite foods, knives, and what a lobotomy was. Vlademar's eyes never left me, not once. Always inspecting, never blinking. Eventually everyone left, only I was left with the Countess. She seems happy.

" What did you think of the courters. "

I think very carefully about my answer.

" One word, strange. "

She seems strangely satisfied with my answer.

" Yes, they are- "

She generously pauses.

" Odd. "

She smiles.

" Come sit by me. "

She rubs her perfect smooth hands over my ravaged fingers. I don't understand why she is so kind to me.

" You held up well today. I'm proud of you. "

Proud? Of me?

She stands up, and takes me with her. She leads me out the door to Portia.

" Take her to her new bedroom. "

I look at the Countess weird. A room for me? She takes my hand one last time before departing.

" You deserve it. And please, call me Nadia. "

The room is lit by candles and hanging lanterns. A large bed lies to my right, and next to it is a desk with a mirror. There are a few dressers and knickknacks lying about. The back wall has a huge window overlooking the gardens. It's beautiful. My original clothes lie on a dresser, neatly folded. My backpack is on the floor next to the desk. Candlewick immediately makes himself at home on the bed.

" This is where you will be staying. If you ever need anything, just ask. "

And she leaves. Wick has the right idea, I'd like to rest for a bit. I lay next to him, as I sink into the soft mattress I wonder what will become of me. Where will the world take me?

Warm golden light streams through stained glass windows, the colored glass paints the clean cut marble floor like a gorgeous paint palette. The floor is warm under my bare feet, I feel fuzzy. I'm in a beautiful cathedral filled with marble columns and open windows inviting a cool breeze. A painted ram lies in the ceiling above me, watching me with curiosity. I blink and I am gone.

My bed is cushy and warm, but the room is cool and dark. Wait, it's dark. I sit up and realize I fell asleep, I can't tell what time it is. Well I'm not tired anymore so I might as well explore. Candlewick stole my pillow while I was sleeping, maybe he wants to join me. I poke him but all he does is roll over and squeak at me. He isn't interested.

" Come on, don't you want to hear about my weird dream? "

No answer. I recall the golden light on my face, what a strange dream. My feet hit the cold floor, sending a chill up my spine. But with each step I take, I get used to the chill. I open the door without making a sound. The hall is dark and empty, it's almost eerie. It feels like nothing but me exists in the whole world. Moonlight illuminates the halls with a brilliant silver, lighting a path for me to take. Although, I didn't expect it till take me here. A staircase lies in front of me, and two dogs lie on the second step. They both raise their heads and watch me. I whisper to myself.

" Horse dogs. "

The borzoi, also known as the horse dog. They are a beautiful white color. One of the dogs walk up to me. She tilts her head, I tilt mine back. The second dog joins and they both circle me, inspecting. They grab my pants and take me up the stairs, I almost trip up a few. The hall is dark and cold, more so than the rest of the palace. Noone had been here in a while. A few doors hang open, I look in one of the rooms. Its a Parlor filled with abandoned expensive looking couches and strangely, torn up paintings. Not one is intact. They look like the same person was on all of them. But I cant tell who. I'm pulled out of the room by the dog with the torn ear. The halls seem sad, as if nothing good has ever happened here. Each hallway is decorated differently. Occasional suits of armor line the walls along with more paintings likely related to someone wearing said armor. All torn. I'm lead to a wide hall, it's different then the rest. Dusty complete pictures line the walls, each skillfully painted. They all depict Albino animals at their best, they all have gold collars and rich cloths.

" Hey, it's you two. "

A portrait of Lucio's hunting dogs sticks out from the rest, it looks much newer. They are lounging on overstuffed pillows. They are both in gold jeweled collars. I trace the picture frame, dust collects on my finger. The frame reads " Mercedes and Melchior. "

" Beautiful aren't they. "

A thin voice whispers in my ear. I whip around expecting someone, anyone. But nothing is there. Mercedes and Melchior wag their tails and sniff around. Mercedes lifts her head and howls. She bounds down a hallway, Melchior chasing after her.

" Hey wait! "

I chase them down a few halls till they stop at a door at the very end of a dusty corridor. They paw on the door till I cautiously open it myself for them.

" Hello? "

The room is large and dark, and unmistakably coated with ash. It was a bedroom once, a nice one too. First thing when you walk in is a bed, it's large enough to fit 3 adults at the very least. A frame lines it holding a curtain around the bed for privacy. The source of the fire damage surrounds the bed. Spreading to the carpet under and the wall behind the bed. The wallpaper melted and the red curtains practically disintegrated. The room is larger on the left side. Large wardrobes line the back wall, likely still filled with furs and outfits. A Lavish brick fireplace lies across on the opposite wall. The mantle has small shiny trinkets sprinkled with ash and dust. Two plush armchairs sit in front of the fireplace. The far left wall has a tall Multi-paned window hidden behind red felt curtains. This guy really liked the color red. To the right of the bed, a painting takes up almost the entire wall. It's of a young man, golden blonde. Emitting pure pride. The dogs sit in front of the painted man next to me.

" Was this him? "

The door slams shut causing ash and soot to whirl around the room.

" Was? "

The voice speaks in an offended tone. Melchior jumps around with excitement. Mercedes wags her tail, but stays seated next to me. I pull my blouse over my face so I don't inhale any unwanted debris, the room is ice cold now.

" Who are you? " My voice is muffled.

" Who am I? How dare Vesuvia forget me, their own beloved Count! They forget about me while I rot! Alone and unwanted, how dare they! "

He sounds livid

" I'm sorry. "

" Are you? " He bellows.

" Yes. I am. "

The room grows silent, but it doesn't last.

" Why are you here? I've never seen you before. "

The room's temp slowly returns to normal.

" I was exploring, I couldn't sleep. I found your dogs and they brought me here. I think they miss you. "

Melchior and Mercedes both perk up at being mentioned.

" Can I see you? "

He walks into the moonlight shining through the window causing him to glow like a strange bedside night light. He's taken the form of some sort of goat. He's maybe 7 feet tall and covered in white fur. His hooves and Horns are onyx and he has but one clawed arm, the apparition is complete with ruby red eyes.

" This is what I have been reduced to. "

He sounds somber. He looks down at me and narrows his eyes.

" Are you afraid of me? Are you going to run away like everyone else and call me a monster? "

" I don't think you are a monster. "

His eyes soften.

" How long have you been like this? "

The atmosphere finally calms.

" You don't know? I thought everyone knew. I died three years ago at my own party. "

He attempts to pet Melchior, but his hand phases through. He sighs in defeat.

" I'm sorry, I'm not from here. "

His nose wrinkles.

" Surely you've heard about me from somewhere. About my battles, or tales of great courage. Do people not talk about how great I am anymore? "

Wow, this guy is kinda full of himself.

" I'm sure people still share your stories. But when I say I'm not from here, I really mean I'm not from here. "

We sat and talked for a while, about everything. About my strange predicament or about Lucio's life as the Count. We talked for a few hours about our lives and experiences, Lucio is actually a very interesting person. He used to control the city, which sounds like a huge job. He used to house parties almost daily. And once, he was a mercenary. I also learned a bit about how he lives as a ghost. He can kinda feel, but he really can't touch anything. Or how he can't eat, but he can smell. So I promised to bring him a nice candle, he liked that idea. Lucio looks toward the window and sighs.

" It's pretty late. Don't you need to sleep or something? "

" Probably. "

I stand up to leave, we were laying on the carpet by the window. He stops me before I open the door.

" You will come back, right? "

" I will, promise. "

I felt eyes on me the entire walk back to my room. He's watching me. My room is colder than it was when I left, Candlewick hasn't moved an inch. I lay back down in my bed and try to go back to sleep.

Golden light bathes my face with warmth. I open my eyes to see the painted ram again, watching me. The distant birds fill my ears with such beautiful music, I hum with them. The stained glass windows whistle from the wind. I hear wind chimes from somewhere close by. I must be dreaming again.

" Well well well. "

I hear what sounds like heels walking toward me, clicking on the floor. But then they stop, right behind me. I slowly turn around to see a ram, the one that was painted on the ceiling. He raises a brow at me.

" It's been a while since I had a guest. "

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