~ Road to Redemption ~ [DarkZeroHyrule]

[Ciroton]

“Find yourself a real reason to fight, miss.” Ever since that day two months ago, she could not stop the words echoing in her tormented and strewn brain. Every time she slay, it came. Every time she followed orders, it came. How long would she have to endure the endless distraction? How long would it be until she found her reason to fight?

*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*

A cold howl of wind passed the caravan. Hundreds of people all migrating to the nearest city after famine and pestilence left their village for dead. Not many dared to make such a pilgrimage while winter embraced the land, however the villagers had little choice. They traveled for miles, forming a large train of wagons and buggies stocked with only the essentials. Little did they know that one among them caused all the horrors that seemed to follow.

Sitting on the edge of a wagon was a rather strange woman muttering something about snow nymphs. Protected from the falling snow, she felt safe under the canvas of the rickety wagon. She swung her legs back and forth, as thought trying to push the wagon on. Despite joining the wagon train, she had no idea where exactly they were going.

“It doesn’t matter,” she spoke aloud. “No matter where we go, the people there are in for some fun.” Stroking a sword on her lap like a small animal, she gave a small giggle that could send a chill down even a hardened warrior’s spine.

When she dropped her guard, a hideous creature made of snow popped out from the ground, looking hungry and malicious. The strange woman let out a shriek of surprise, falling backwards onto the blanket she slept under. Quickly, she flung it over herself, hiding from the figment of her imagination. She could not hear the exasperated sigh of the driver over the turning wheels and the sounds of the horses that pulled it.

She remained hidden for the better part of the day, still scared that more snow nymphs might appear if she revealed herself. However, when a sudden cheer erupted from the wagon train, she could not help but venture a peek outside to see the cause of the commotion. Sticking her head out the front of the wagon, she saw a large, wooden sign. Royal Capital of Mistalin: Madorian City, it said.

“Madorian City?” Questioned the disturbed woman. “It sounds … so familiar.”

*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*

Over the next few days the woman traveled around the cobblestone streets of the large city. With each passing day, she became adamant in her earlier suspicions. She combed the city, looking for a small job to help pay for a place to stay. Killing and robbing where not going to go unnoticed in a place like this, so the woman figured it would be best to abide by the law, for now at least.

Alas, she found herself unable to find work outside of begging, prostitution, or as a maid. With her choices severely limited, she resigned herself to working in the service department.

Waking in a box that served as her home for the past five days, she pushed the smell of liquor and urine out of her mind as she climbed, her eyes greeted to some of the city’s homeless. If only she could kill them and end both her and their suffering.

Trudging out of the ally, she quietly walked over to a nearby restaurant. Summoning what little dignity she had, the woman pushed on the old wooden door and entered the establishment.

[DarkZeroHyrule]

The wind blew snow around the land. The scene was like a snow globe that someone was shaking every few seconds. On the horizon was a motorcycle, operated by a woman with a smaller passenger. Well, right now Maria wished she had some goggles, along with some directions. Sophia was asleep, but not peacefully. They were full of dreams of flames. Burning homes and buildings. Souls screaming for mercy. Souls silenced. She awoke in a silent fright.

"You okay back there?"

"Yeah," she answered.

Just fine.

It wasn't the first time Sophia had those dreams and it wasn't the first time she hid the truth from her. There was a wagon up ahead and the bike slowed down as to not pass them.

"Excuse me!" she asked the man in front, "How much farther until we reach the next town?"

"Next city's Madorian. We'll be there by nightfall."

Maria nodded to the man and accelerated slowly as to not startle their horses. When she figured that they were far enough away, she pushed the bike to its limits, happy that the bike survived the fall. Sophia, however, was too busy trying to stave off sleep, fearing that nightmare would return.

Indeed, it took no time at all. Instead of the estimated six hours the driver mentioned, it took only an hour at top speed. The little one was hungry and wasn't too shy to mention that to her sister. Maria agreed to it, but was having trouble finding a place to park her bike. Odds were that she had the only motorbike in the city, but she wasn't going to take that shot.

At any rate, the two found a restaurant to stop at. It looked nice, but Maria had to choose whether to leave Sophia with the bike so she could set up arrangements to park and eat or let her go into the restaurant while she found a place to park, leaving Sophia alone in the restaurant for an undetermined amount of time.

"I'll go in the restaurant," Sophia offered, "It looks safe enough. It'll be fine."

Maria shook her head and responded, "Oh no. We're looking for a place to park the bike first. Then we'll go in."

"Face it. There's no place to leave the bike."

That's when they found a dark alley. She propped the bike against a wall and tied the chain on the back of the bike to a metal stake she had found in another village. Finally, she set her theft alarm. Meanwhile, Sophia walked into the restaurant without Maria's permission and reserved a table close to where they "parked" the bike. When Maria ran in, someone had come to show them to their table.

Why couldn't you wait?, Maria thought, heading towards the table.

[Ciroton]

“So, what are your qualifications,” spoke the man from behind the deck. For a second or two, the young woman could not keep her eyes off the man. Not for good looks or charm, but for sheer repulsiveness. He was a fat, extremely ugly, and sweaty middle-aged man. Actually, a more accurate description would be that he looked like a boulder with hair, limbs, and a face. His heavy, laboured breathing echoed hundreds of possible conditions, each one more heinous then the next.

Sucking up her sheer disgust, she calmly answered the blimp’s question. “Well, I can read and write and I’m good with people.” This was all true, but not in the sense he interpreted. She was, in fact, good with people, but only at manipulation and trickery.

“Will you be willing to start at the standard minimum wage of eight rupees an hour?” Asked the obese man, satisfied with her previous answer.

“Yes, I am,” she replied. “As long as it’s a paycheck, I’ll be happy with it.” Even from such a distance, she could hear her master’s scorns from the ally where she lived. Sure, this wouldn’t be a glamorous job, but it was the best she could do without presenting papers of her education.

“Very good then,” stated the man. “You can start immediately miss…?”

“Just call me Mioska,” the woman replied.

“Okay. Now, there are some ground rules. One, always wear a white apron while on duty. Two; steer clear of the kitchen because the head chef is not really a people person. Finally, if you have a weapon of any kind, you can wear it to work because of recent tragedies in villages and cities across the country. Now then, go see Miss Rose to get your training, apron, pen, and notepad.”

“Yes,” said the woman, hastily adding, “Sir.”

*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*

A few hours later, Mioska found herself more bored then she ever had been. Business slowed to naught but a crawl as shoppers passed by the fogged windows, eager to get home for some food. Sitting at a table in the middle of the room, Vaskalen at her side, she let her eyes wander around the rather large room. At the large counter by the check out, numerous salt and peppershakers tangoed while the napkins form various instruments, playing for them. On her own table, the ketchup and mustard intimately danced to the tune of a slow waltz, courtesy of the nearby napkins.

Basically, nothing out of the ordinary transpired until abut 12:30, when a young girl entered the restaurant and took a seat along the wall closest to the door. Obviously, either a parent or guardian came with her, so Mioska refused to budge until said person arrived. Alas, a few minutes later, a young woman, possibly around her mid twenties, entered the restaurant and took a seat opposite the little girl. Sighing, the disturbed woman left her seat, and walked toward the table.

“Good afternoon,” she said with fake enthusiasm. “Welcome to Jolly Bear restaurant. My name is Mioska and I will be your server today. If you wish me to, I can retrieve the menu for you now.”

The little girl smiled and nodded her head up and down rapidly while the older woman just simply replied, “Yes, please.” Turning around, she walked over to the counter where the menu’s lay waiting on the table. Four of them sung like in a barbershop quartet to the entertainment of the others. Grabbing two of them, the other shouted in indignation, to which the woman simple cursed them off mentally.

“Here you are. I’ll be over there when you are ready to order.” With that, she left the duo the menus and retreated to her table to watch the drama unfold. Apparently, Mr. Ketchup cheated on Ms Mustard with Ms Mayonnaise.

[DarkZeroHyrule]

OoC: Sorry about the late post.

BiC: That is one strange waitress, Maria thought, comparing her to the ways of other waitresses at every restaurant back at where they used to live. Sophia, however, was busy looking through the menu. Maria could only smile at how determined her little sister was to get something to eat. Maria called the waitress over.

"Are you ready to order?" she asked.

"I'm not, but I do have a question? What currency does this restaurant take?" Maria asked, ashamed she overlooked something so obvious.

"Rupees of course."

Sophia giggled and Maria looked at the waitress as if this person was from another world, which could likely be the case.

"Rupees?" she asked.

"Rupees." the waitress repeated.

Sophia burst out in laughter. If anyone else was there at the time, they would be looking at the little one with her head on the table. Maria was better at holding in the laughter, not because she was older, but because this was a serious matter. She knew that she held no rupees, only dollars from their own world. The older one silently panicked when Sophia raised her head, red from laughter.

"Don't worry," she said between laughs, "I have her rupees. I took them from her on the way here. Did you see her face? It was priceless!"

Sophia continued to laugh while Maria looked at her little sister in anger. The waitress walked back to her table, leaving the two alone.

"What were you thinking? Lying to her?" Maria whispered.

Sophia calmed herself and whispered back, "I do have some rupees."

Maria was shocked to see the currency in the young one's hand.

"You're not the only one who works." Sophia said.

"I'm more worried in what line of work you took," Maria answered back.

Confused by this statement, she returned to reading the menu. Maria looked at it, decided, and called her over.

"We'd like to order now." Maria said.

"I'll have a-"

A loud beeping sound was emitted from some unknown source. Then there was a thud on the wall behind the sisters.

"Miss? Would you be so kind as to have my sister sit with you? I've got... business to take care of. Be back in a minute."

Maria shooed Sophia to the waitress as she went outside to check on the ones who started the alarm. The alarm was quieted, but Sophia knew it would be a while before her sister returned, so she looked at the waitress.

"I'm Sophia!" she shouted, holding out her hand, "What's your name?"

[Ciroton]

What a strange little girl, the waitress thought when she extended her hand to her. Was I ever that strange when I was young? Alas, she could not answer. Dwelling on such subjects meant nothing to her, so pushing them out of her mind, she replied to the young girl’s query. “My name is Mioska, why do you ask?” She replied.

“Well…” she started. “My older sister went outside to check on her bike because she thinks someone tried to steal it, so she won’t be back for a while, so I wanted to know your name so we wouldn’t be strangers so we can talk until she comes back.” The disturbed woman found herself slightly awed by the speed at which the young girl spoke, as though the words came out of her mouth like water from the tap. Shaking her head to clear out the thoughts, she turned her attention back to the girl.

“I think I just barely understood what you just said,” Mioska replied. “Next time, maybe you can speak a little slower?”

“Okay,” Sophia said; smiling at the waitress before a look of awe came across her face. “You have purple hair!” She exclaimed. “Why is it purple? Please, tell me!” Watering her eyes and scrunching up her face in an impression of a puppy, the woman could not help but answer her, although it was more to make her stop then anything else.

“I dyed it,” she stated despite not being able to remember.

“Oh,” Sophia replied in understanding. “How did you do it?”

“Um…” Mioska mumbled under her breath. “I did it when I was very young, so I forget how I did it exactly.” What was this, and interrogation? It sure felt like it to her. People where just supposed to tell her what they wanted to eat, and thank her when she delivered the food to them. Nothing in the job description mentioned babysitting.

About a minute of silence passed as they waited for the older sibling to return. However, when that minute expired, the little girl began talking in an incoherent jumble of words, phrases, and sounds that only she seemed to understand. Mioska humored her at this point, nodding her head and thanking the forces that be she did not pose a question.

Grabbing one of the chairs at their table, the woman continued her charade while resting her feet. Meanwhile, the various utensils on the table’s surface looked between the two, unable to continue with their various activities over the motor-mouth child. Shrugging at them, thankful the girl didn’t really notice her mind began to wonder on various objects in the room, namely her tattered, old shoes. When will her sister be back? Mioska thought in impatience.

[DarkZeroHyrule]

And so Sophia went on and on about various misadventures she and her sister had gone on before reaching the restaurant. At times, she would slip in and out of Spanish. It wasn't a mistake, the slipping of the tongue. It was a test, and by the looks of Mioska, Sophia knew the outcome. With the result clear as day, she stopped speaking abruptly. Fate was keeping its mark today.

Three loud gunshots were fired behind the wall. Then the sound of a bike revving up and getting away. She knew the situation. Quick, panicky steps were heading towards the door. Sophia stayed with Mioska as her sister entered, one hand holding a handgun and the other holding the grenade launcher.

It was her countenance that scared Maria. It was the look of a person fueled by flames of hate. It was quick to change, but Sophia knew that face meant bad news. To someone. Somewhere.

"I'm sorry miss, but could you please look after my sister," Maria asked.

Sophia smiled and readily answered, "It's okay with me."

She looked at Mioska with the same puppy-like face. Maria sighed and added, "I'll pay you extra for this. I really need to catch those crooks. Thank you!"

Maria exited the door as a horse drawn carriage entered the view. Some yelling. The sound of someone falling and ropes slashing the ground. The horse galloped away with no carriage behind it. The man from before chased the horse, yelling at the top of his lungs. He returned, discouraged.

Sophia looked back up at Mioska.

"You really should just tell me when I should stop talking Miss Mioska," Sophia informed her with her critical voice, "I don't want to mention how you pretended to listen to what I was saying. Seeing as you didn't respond when I said 'I'm being threatened' and 'Yo soy loca'"

She could hear a faint gunshot and clutched at her heart in a wince of pain. She understood what happened and why and that there would probably be more during the time she stayed with Mioska. And all she'd be able to do was watch, listen, and slowly die.

[Ciroton]

The situation could not get anymore inconvenient at that point. Mioska had no experience whatsoever in dealing with children, never mind the sister of a client currently chasing after bandits. A sigh could not help but pass her lips as she became aware she now found herself responsible for another human being for the first time in her life. Looking away from the door and down to the youth now in her charge, the woman quickly came to the conclusion that this was not the best neighborhood in the city for a child.

I guess there’s nothing else I can do, the disturbed woman thought. “So, how long do you thing your sister will be?” Mioska asked the little girl.

“I have no idea. It could take days to find them since they stole her motorcycle,” Sophia replied.

The servant had no idea what on earth a ‘motor-cycle’ was, but from the tone in her voice, she could at least conclude that a ‘motor-cycle’ could outrun a horse. There could be no alternative now, the girl had to stick with her until the older sister, Maria, or something, returned to claim her. “Alright,” Mioska spoke. “I guess you have to stick around me until your sister comes back for you. I wish I could say this place was more exciting, but…”

Gesturing to the empty restaurant, the disturbed woman took back her old seat, now joined by the unexpected youth. The sword attached to her belt vibrated a little as she made contact with the seat, causing her to speak suddenly. “No, I don’t think we will be doing that. Besides, I need to make some money. I can’t charm all the innkeepers into letting me stay for free, now can I?”

Looking over to the girl, Mioska saw her look around quickly before settling back on her. “Were you talking to me, Miss Mioska?” Sophia asked politely.

“No, I wasn’t. Just to myself,” she lied. Guessing what her reaction might be if she said she conversed with her sword, the woman decided to keep it a secret. For now, anyway. Letting out another sigh, the woman figured she might as well be partially honest with her, since they would be together for whom knows how long. “I guess I should say sorry for not listening to you earlier. I’m just not used to dealing with kids.”

[DarkZeroHyrule]

OoC: Sorry about doing this so late. Many things came up since the last post. I don't know if you want to continue this, but I'm posting anyway.

BiC: "It's okay Miss Mioska," the little one replied, "My sister sometimes does the same thing, especially when we're traveling for long periods of time."

A period of silence. I guess I ran out of conversation ideas besides the usual, she thought. Sophia believed it was her duty to avoid the most common conversation starting questions like weather, purpose of why one is doing what he/she is currently doing, their plans for the future, et cetera. As the situation seemed hopeless for her, an idea crept into her head. A question similar to those she dreaded. but not very common. At least, that's what she thought. Then she reviewed the question to find out that the answer would not be very entertaining for either side. So she sighed.

I guess there's really nothing to talk about. And then she saw the sword attached to Mioska's belt.

"So I take from your weapon that you've been traveling for quite some time," she reported, pointing at it, "Do you also know magic?"

Her hand flew to where her heart was, feeling great pain. On the verge of being labeled immense. Her eyes were closed and she tried hard not to make a sound. After all, it was probably her sister getting the motorcycle back. However, the more she thought that over, the less likely it was that Maria would be the one causing the pain. She took a deep breath, hoping it would relieve the pain. What's going on?, she thought, Do I just have some sort of heart problem? That isn't what the doctor said though. Does that mean-

"Someone was just murdered?" she asked in a whisper.

[Ciroton]

OoC: I didn't think Soifa could handle a dead body. Not to mention one in this condition. =P

BiC:
“Yeah, a litt-.” However, before she could finish her sentence she saw the little girl’s hand fly up to her chest, clutching her heart. If she didn’t know better, Mioska would’ve assumed she was about to have a heart attack. She looked around, not sure if she should get help, or stay put. It could’ve been an act, for all she knew: a childish prank.

“Someone was just murdered?” Sofia asked in nothing more then a whisper.

Indeed, whispered the sword to its wielder. There shall only be one murderer in this town while I am here. Others can’t spill blood that can power me instead. Mioska, seek out this killer and have him drained.

“Understood,” Mioska replied aloud. Sofia opened her eyes and looked at her, tears nearly flowing due to the pain. Although, I can’t kill them in front of her. She would likely die from the pain if she is that sensitive. She looked back into the expressional eyes of the youth, only to awaken a strange feeling… could it be… pity?

“Listen,” the servant started. “If someone did murder another person, I’d need to inform the authorities. Can you wait here while I go search?” She nodded her head silently, allowing the disturbed woman at least a few minutes of peace.

Outside of the building she could see no one in sight, which made her grow suspicious since the noon hour had yet to die. The smell of blood met her nostrils as she turned to go down the ally that made her home for the past five days. Sure enough, lying in the middle of the dingy ally lay the body of one of the homeless men.

Walking over with little contempt, she stabbed the corpse with her sword and lifted it into the air so she could examine it. A bloody wound to the head, and two missing eyes, scooped out by the looks of it, met her cold, tired eyes. “Head trauma from a blunt instrument,” she’d seen this kind of death many times before, having dealt the majority of them.

Sheathing her master, she turned around and ran into the restaurant, making sure to but on her best, most terrified face for her boss.

*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*/\/\/\*

Two hours later, she sat at the table once more, nursing a cup of coffee her boss gave her to settle her nerves. Of course, as soon as the both he and the police went back to talk she dumped her act. “Well, I must say I can certainly act.”

“Y-you mean… you weren’t really scared?” Sofia asked, surprised at the revelation.

“I’ve seen much worse… sadly,” Mioska added, not willing to arouse suspicion.