Colette had watched Manon exit the office and immediately sensed something was off. The smaller girl walked slowly, as if in a trance, her expression far, far away as she was led out of the room by Maria, who appeared to be similarly concerned even if she didn't look it.
She could tell by the way the woman held Manon's hand the entirety of the way back to their bedroom. The attendants had left after giving them their lunch, by Colette's request because Manon was still….acting weird. Colette spooned a mouthful of rice, chewing slowly as she watched her carefully, pale eyes scanning for any bruises or hits. None. She thought that perhaps she had heard something awful from Sir Lionel.
The brunette girl picked at her food as they sat at a small table, the risotto cooling quickly.
"....Do you want to talk about it?" She had asked, not able to eat while staring at the girl in front of her. Manon looked up then, her right eye, brown and round, boring into Colette. She felt ill at ease.
The redhead stood up, reaching over the table to take off Manon's eyepatch since they were alone. Her left eye blinked to life, adjusting to the light as Colette sat back down. The blue hue was duller than usual, leaning grey.
"...I got another choice window, Colette." Manon's voice was quiet, her dark lashes tickling the top of her cheeks.
"...I see…" Colette responded, mind racing with the different possibilities that could have transpired. She felt so stupid for not remembering that Manon got the choice windows; a false sense of security had permeated the both of them due to the noble's arrogance, but that did not mean they never expected answers. Especially in a literal test. They had been foolish not to prepare. Colette almost asked. Was it a bad answer? Did Sir Lionel react terribly? But Manon explained first.
"The options…they weren't lies. They were all true- just not to this NPC. True to me. And the only one I could think of that wasn't absurd was…" She trailed off, swirling her spoon over her rice dish. She didn't need to say anything more. Colette knew.
In all the years Colette knew Manon, she had only seen the girl truly hauntingly sad three times. 2 of those three times were due to…her father's accident. She wondered why she hadn't assumed it earlier- but of course she wouldn't have assumed that would come up under these circumstances. Colette immediately reached out to hold Manon's hand, their fingers lacing.
"The system forced you? I remember you mentioned it felt like you weren't in control of yourself when you used the system's answers. Did it feel that way again?"
Manon nodded slowly, her eyes fully closing. She squeezed them shut when Colette squeezed her hand. "It was disgusting. It made me relive what I told...you. I wanted to scream but I couldn't."
Colette nodded, understanding. This was not very good. The system seemed to enjoy restricting Manon and it was taking a toll on her psyche. Colette knew for a fact that this could only spell worse things. She needed to stabilize her as soon as possible.
….
....
....
The outing came after lunch. Not all attendants could be present, and Sister Anya herself had a prior engagement. Therefore, it was Maria and Sir Lionel himself who stood in front of the children as they filed into the front yard of the noble orphanage building.
It was every child's first time seeing it since arriving at the facility- aside from Remy.
Shockingly, the front yard was right off of a busy main street of the town. Just following the brick road trail of the house led to the orphanage's entry gates, which were open today. Carriages and townspeople passed by leisurely, going about their day without much curiosity towards the orphanage.
Colette found herself hypnotized by the hustle and bustle even as Maria explained what was happening soon. Her outfit was the same aside from a small white fur over her shoulders, tied with a ribbon around her neckline, and satin white gloves she was given. Manon had been given the same warming accessories but black. The boys had been dressed similarly with warmer garments for the slightly chilly weather.
[New Mission- The Outing]
[Objectives:]
[Complete Sir Lionel's test]
[Interact with 4 locals]
[Purchase a braise without getting caught, and do not lose the borrowed braise]
[Failure: -15 AP with Sir Lionel, Maria, and Sister Anya]
[Success: +5 AP with Sir Lionel and Maria]
"We will be conducting the 3rd test as an outing." Maria spoke sharply, in great contrast to her usual neutral tone as she stood slightly behind Sir Lionel on the steps of the house while all the children faced them in a line.
"Each of you have been given exactly 1000 Thions," Maria referred to the magic currency within the palm sized crystals each child had. Remy examined his own, a light grey, smoothed and flattened crystal with a peculiar etching that identified the object as something called a braise. They were connected to bank accounts, and functioned like the debit cards Colette and Manon knew of from their original world- with a few other features. They came in a variety of colors, as mages used any type of crystal to perform the enchantment.
"Your braise is borrowed and shall be returned after this outing. Lose it- and you'll answer to the manager." Maria stepped back further, bowing her head to Sir Lionel. The man was dressed in long brown fur, luxurious and shiny. His cane slammed onto the ground as he eyed the children, scowling.
"The test is to conduct yourself. Be proper. Be back before the sun sets."
The man did not say they would be watching, but it was clear that is what was implied. He and Maria walked the children to the entrance gate of the orphanage and sent them on their way.
Almost immediately, Terrence and Beckham ran off towards the square. Right off to the right, there was a weapons shop with a group of mercenaries loitering outside. The boys ducked their heads and ran for it, hoping to avoid their gazes. Remy followed at a slower pace behind, unperturbed by the burly men, even making conversation with them.
"I'm shocked he didn't stick to us like a leech." Manon commented as the girls walked side by side. Colette turned over the braise in her hand. It was red carnelian and warm from her body heat.
"He never does in this scene. He does watch us though." The redhead replied absentmindedly, glancing back as they passed the shop the boys walked into. Sure enough, Remy waved at them from afar, his cynical smile ever so annoying. Manon shook her head in disbelief. They were now nearing a farmer's market where lots of vendors were selling goods from stands.
"You know, he reminded me of someone from the moment I saw him." the brunette said, strolling towards a fruit stand. The shop owner, an old man, smiled at them. Manon didn't know, but it was because the children looked like they had money. Still, Colette watched the man's smile twitch as Manon touched several green apples before finally choosing one. Colette held in a laugh as the old man scowled at her.
"You should buy at least five- to be polite." Colette urged. The only man nodded insistently.
"Your friend is right. Here, I'll even throw in a basket to carry them if you buy 10 fruits. 150 Thions!" He thrusted a woven basket at the dark haired girl. Manon rose an eyebrow at the suggestion. Colette sighed as she knew what was coming.
"Sir, that's extortion. Most of these are bruised-"
"Ah what's with this disabled girl- leave! I won't do business with someone so blind!" The old man grew angry, his face bitter as he turned to Colette. "Miss, you seem to know better. How about it? 170 for the basket and 10 fruits." Colette had a line ready, about to respond politely.
"Thank you sir, but I find that pric-"
"No, I think we'll go buy fruit from the lady across the street. Her sign says 10 fruits for 60 Thions with a free bag. A shop owner like you can sell your fruits to the less intelligent." Manon said sweetly, and Colette could tell how hard she was trying to stay sweet. Manon dropped the only unbruised apple back in the pile much to the owner's dismay. It was a small little encounter, but the few shoppers around that heard the exchange walked towards the other side of the street as well, making the old man's face burn with rage.
[Old Man Richard hates noble children that are too smart mouthed for their own good. He intends to teach them a lesson about respect towards the elderly]
Manon pulled Colette away before he began yelling at them, her hand over her mouth to hide a devious little smirk. Colette….couldn't help it. She laughed loudly as they retreated, lightly freckled face shining brightly. He laughter was abrupt, startling even Manon who linked their arms together.
It felt easy, falling for the refreshing way Manon dealt with minor inconveniences. The original Manon had hidden behind Colette in the game. Having someone very familiar but so different next to her for these moments was…interesting. It wasn't so boring. Manon smiled, her lips closed and brown eye glinting.
The girls carried on, buying a bag of apples and peaches, as well as a leather satchel for Colette to carry their items in, before wandering down the main road of the town. Eventually they'd found the stop Colette had been adamant about needing to visit. Not just for their visit, but because very soon, they'd be meeting someone important.