Chapter 2: Piagrado, Alone At Last

Genevieve woke up by being greeted by the sun. She took a peek at her watch to see that it was eight in the morning. She had gotten back to the room at around three in the morning, so she had more than enough sleep.

"Another wonderful morning isn't it, dearest sister?" As usual, her words were given no answer. "I wonder if Lizbeth dear has left for the marketplace?"

Not wanting to waste any time, she got up from her bed and entered her personal bath. While taking a shower might've been quicker, she'd much rather just take a nice hot bath.

After leaving the bath, she immediately wore the rings that were used to control her doll. "Dearest sister, if you would." She motioned her hands gracefully while still being naked, safe for her underwear.

The doll sprung to life and moved quickly and efficiently to clothe her. From the dress that she was wearing, to the shoulder cape that she seemed attached to, and even the half boots that she refuses to sit down to wear.

After her morning preparations, she put on her watch to check the time. "Oh my, it's nine already! I suppose I was indulging myself too much huh, dearest sister?" Again, no answer would ever come.

The two left the room and made their way towards the marketplace. In contrast to last night, when she was taken by her doll, Genevieve decided to pay for the services of a carriage.

One such carriage was using a velocipede which had a bigger frame and four wheels, looking like a cart instead with only a single seat. It also had a much bigger carriage that was capable of carrying four to six people. Seeing that, Genevieve also guessed it was probably much more expensive.

"Excuse me, good sir. May I inquire you regarding that velocipede?" She walked up to the driver.

"Forgive me, madam, but time is quite valuable and I wouldn't like to waste mine on non-clients." While she did saw it coming, she found it to be annoying.

"If that is the case, I would like t0 hire your services to go to the marketplace, please."

"That'll be one silver madam."

She gave the man the singular coin, "May I sit on the driver's seat?"

The man took her coin and put it away into his own coin purse. "It wouldn't be a problem, but most folks wouldn't want to waste so much money to sit up front. Folks would want the comfort of sitting in the carriages."

"I suppose I'm not most people." She motioned for her doll to enter the carriage and immediately plopped herself behind the driver. While she has had experience with sitting on velocipedes, she had never sat on one so wide and bulky.

The driver didn't want to comment anything regarding his clients, but he was convinced that he just accepted a deranged person as a client. While he pushed the thought aside, he activated the velocipede by winding it up.

While making their way, Genevieve decided to ask all the questions that popped into her mind. "Who made this velocipede, good sir?"

"An Artisan, madam."

"Their original work?"

"No, I gave him the specifications and blueprint for the design. He simply made it in accordance with it." Hearing that statement, Genevieve's brow raised.

"You made the blueprint? Are you an Artisan as well?"

"No, madam. I'm a Forger. Sometimes, I get ideas for such opuses so I design them. Unfortunately, I lack the necessary proficiency to actually act on them."

Genevieve examined the velocipede beneath her and continued with one final question. "Would you be willing to attempt to become an Artisan?"

The man thought about it for a moment or two, leaving her in silence. Then he answered, "No, madam. I'm quite content with being a Forger."

Genevieve cannot help but smile at his words. "If that is your wish."

After arriving at the outskirts of the marketplace, Genevieve noted how crowded it was compared to last night. The way people moved about, the pace in which they took, and even the Keepers all seemed much different.

She motioned her hands to make her doll leave the carriage and turned to the driver. "Thank you, good sir, and might I say something?"

The driver gave an indifferent shrug. "That velocipede. While at its current state, it can be called a modification, if you develop the idea, it might become a Magnum Opus."

He raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

She got closer to the man and lowered her voice, "Velocipedes' require a bit of proficiency. Something that I sadly lack. However, your velocipede has four wheels instead of the two, making it easier to balance. If you were to add more to the idea, it would definitely become something that can change the world of traversal, much in the same way a carriage would."

He nodded along to her words, taken by the idea. "How would you suggest?"

However, Genevieve pulled herself back. "That is not something for me to figure out, I'm quite disinterested in it. However, some ideas would be similar to how carriages or the train works. Perhaps, some inspiration from that would be the step forward?"

Once again, the man nodded, taken by her words. He thought for a moment that perhaps, he might be able to change the world ever so slightly. "Well, I must be off, then. Thank you, good sir." Genevieve gave a curtsy as she turned to leave.

The man watched her leave without saying much, just curiosity on his face. Once she was out of sight, blended with the rest of the residents, he realized that he forgot to ask her name. Then again, the chances of them meeting again might be slim.

Genevieve walked around the marketplace with her doll following her. She didn't particularly enjoy crowded places, which is why she always go to the abandoned theater in the first level, but this kind of atmosphere was enjoyable. Forger and Artisans walking amongst themselves, looking for whatever it was they needed.

Even as she walked amidst the crowd, some of their voices reached her ears. A specific gear, some important metal, even customized axles and bars. It all bounced around in her head, giving her a mental picture of what they wanted to make – whether they're accurate or not remains to be seen.

After a couple of minutes of walking, Genevieve was able to spot the familiar blue of Lizbeth's hair. Next to her, looking slightly annoyed, was Julianne. Her puffy auburn hair made it easier to spot her amongst the crowd too.

Genevieve walked towards the two and when they noticed her, she curtsied, "Good morning, Lizbeth dear. Julienne dear."

Lizbeth gave an energetic wave. "Morning, Miss Gen!"

"Good morning, though judging from the sun, it's almost noon, isn't it?"

"My apologies, Julienne dear. I was taking a bath and ran a bit late because of it." She raised a finger towards Julienne who recoiled at the gesture. "Before you say anything, as the daughter of Lady Vivienne Laurent, I must always look presentable. If she were to find out I wasn't, she'd hung me."

Julienne didn't particularly feel the need to ask for her lateness. But she did wanted to know if all of her family members were as…eccentric as she was. However, she held her tongue and let the question rest.

"Have you found what you're looking for, Lizbeth dear?" Genevieve asked.

Lizbeth immediately made pouty expression at the question, giving Genevieve all the answer she needed. "Apparently, there's been some trouble down in the mines. There's not been a shipment of Mozium in weeks." Julienne added.

"Oh my! Such a shame…" Genevieve scrutinized the marketplace, seeing its buyers. "It seems that's not the only one, judging from everyone's reaction."

Julienne had the same thought as she did, but Lizbeth wanted to deny it. "Perhaps, there's one with actual Mozium?" She looked up at Genevieve with stars in her eyes.

Genevieve looked back into her hopeful eyes before turning to Julienne. "What time is the next train?"

"We have the tickets for the noon train." Julienne answered, ignoring Lizbeth's pout. "I'm afraid we cannot fulfill her wishes before then, judging from the state of things."

Genevieve lowered herself to Lizbeth's height, "You hear her, Lizbeth dear. Will you be a good girl and go home by then?"

While still pouting, she answered, "Fine, sure. I don't care."

While Genevieve can understand her dislike of the idea, she wanted to praise her for being cooperative. "Lizbeth dear, thank you for being understanding." She then leaned in closer. "If I find a Mozium, the first thing I'm going to do is send it to you, okay?"

"Really?" Lizbeth's eyes widened.

"Of course, I told you I was going to help, right?"

"You promised to help with today, not consequent days." Julienne cut in. "However, I thank you for your assistance, Miss Laurent."

"I explained to you, just call me Gen." She smiled and stood up. "However, don't expect anything, Lizbeth dear. I cannot promise anything."

Lizbeth smiled still. "It's fine! I'm simply happy that you'd try to help me, regardless."

Watching the girl getting attached to Genevieve made even Julienne smiled, "Children seems to like you, Gen."

"Of course! I am a wonderful elder sister, after all."

The four wandered through the marketplace one last time to test their luck. Sadly, nothing came out of it and they left without gaining anything. Except for Genevieve – she and she alone was able to get information out of the endeavor.

Time ticked away and before they knew it, it was almost noon. Julienne reminded the two that they needed to leave for the station. With a Lizbeth pouting, they took a velocipede carriage towards it. It wasn't the same carriage as before but instead it had a normal Velocipede in the front, losing Genevieve's interest.

During the ride, Genevieve let her mind wander to formulate her next move. From her observation of the day and night of the marketplace, there were a few things that she understood. In the morning, they would sell the usual pieces – nothing out of place. At night, they sell things that are more experimental, something that are not common.

If they were to sell custom items, why would they do it at night? That's not the case, there were patrons with custom orders. She started to form a theory. It's not just Counterfeiters in the night. There is something more, something much different than Modrata.

Julienne and Lizbeth saw the look on her face, an expression of pure joy whilst looking outside of the window. What they fail to notice, was that expression was not of a maiden who had experience something new. It was the joy that Genevieve felt by slowly figuring out how this city works.

The four stood on the station, suspended in the air with Magick, waiting for the train. The whole time, Lizbeth's foul was slowly getting better and by this point, she was much happier now. Even so, her mind was still lingering towards the marketplace.

"Lizbeth dear, you know it's not there." Genevieve patted her head.

"I know…I'm just annoyed." Looking at her, Genevieve can't help but think what her sister would do in such a situation. "You'll try to help me, right Miss Gen?"

"I will try, but don't get your hopes up."

Lizbeth placed her arms around Genevieve, giving her a warm and tender hug. "Your words are enough, Miss Gen."

Feeling somewhat accomplished, Genevieve hugged her back, squeezing her tightly and warmly. "Thank you, Lizbeth dear."

"The train's arriving, are you ready, Lizbeth?" Julianne cut their hugging time short.

Lizbeth looked up at her and pulled herself away from Genevieve. "Yeah, I'm ready." She then turned to Genevieve, "Am I going to see you again, Miss Gen?"

"Lizbeth dear, I will come back to Modrata when I'm done. So, you can wait for me until then, or you can travel in the future. If it is in the stars, then we will meet again."

Hearing her words, Lizbeth's eyes lit up. "It is in our rights to take the stars. We simply have to reach it." She muttered.

"Yes. You are an Artisan after all." Once more, Genevieve's words warmed Lizbeth's heart.

"Until we meet again, Miss Gen." Lizbeth gave a wave.

"It was…an experience meeting you, Gen." Julienne bowed.

With a bright, prideful smile on her face, Genevieve gave a curtsy. "It has been a wonderful time, spent on two lovely friends such as yourselves. I hope our paths cross again."

After saying their farewell, Genevieve wave as the silhouette of the train disappeared beyond the horizon. "Well, it was nice having companions, but freedom of moment is much better. Wouldn't you agree, dearest sister?"

She turned around and walked towards the railing to overlook the city. "Now, how should we go about this?"