66. Italian Adventures: Part 2.
Omniscient POV
On the fourth day, their journey to Florence was a seamless transition from Rome's ancient wonders to the city's Renaissance opulence. Arriving at the train station, they were greeted by the grandeur of Florence, with its cobbled streets and towering cathedrals.
Their first stop was the renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance art. Lavinia's eyes widened in wonder as they beheld masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, each painting a window into the soul of the Renaissance. From there, they made their way to the iconic Florence Cathedral, its magnificent dome dominating the city skyline. Climbing to the top of the Duomo, they were rewarded with sweeping views of Florence, a patchwork of terracotta rooftops, and ancient bell towers.
The following day dawned with a sense of anticipation as they set out to explore more of Florence's treasures. Their first stop was the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's iconic David sculpture. They stood in awe before the towering figure, marveling at its lifelike proportions and exquisite detail.
Eager to experience the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, they embarked on a bike tour through the rolling hills and vineyards surrounding Florence. Pausing at local wineries along the way, they indulged in wine tastings and savored the flavors of Tuscan cuisine, although Lavinia and Elle were not allowed any. Kouske tasted some, avoiding Elle and Lavinia's sight, afraid of any drama.
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On the sixth day of their journey, Kouske suddenly remembered his original reason for coming to Italy and realized he still hadn't contacted Esri, despite getting her number and expressing interest in a date. Feeling nervous, he acknowledged his oversight and wondered how to proceed.
Kouske: Hey Esri, sorry for the delay. It's Akatsuki. How have you been? đ
Esri: Huh? Who's this? đŸ
Kouske: We met at your art exhibition just two days ago. Did you forget me already? đŁđ„ș
Esri (sarcastically): Heh, you're the one who disappeared after asking me out? đĄ
Kouske (nervously): Ha ha ha.. You got the wrong idea. I've just been busy. How about we meet up tomorrow for that date? đ
Esri: Busy enough to stand me up? đ
Kouske: "...." đ¶
Esri: You left me hanging, so I'm not sure if I want to go on that date anymore. đ
Kouske: I messed up, Esri. I'm really sorry. But I promise, I'll make it up to you. Let's still meet up tomorrow and see how it goes? đ„ș
Esri: Fine, but you owe me big time! đ
Kouske: Deal! I'll make sure it's worth your while. Looking forward to it! đ
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While the girls visited Venice, the city of canals and palaces, Kouske teleported back to Rome, where Esri was still attending her art exhibition.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Kouske and Esri stood on the bustling streets of Rome, their hearts beating in sync with the rhythm of the city. Esri looked radiant in her flowing white dress, her hair catching the last rays of sunlight, giving her an ethereal glow.
"Hmph! At least you're not late," Esri mumbled with a cute pout, though her words were barely audible. Kouske, with his enhanced hearing, caught her complaint loud and clear. In response, he smiled wryly, acknowledging his fault for her irritation.
Kouske handed her a bouquet of roses and lilies, each flower carefully selected to match her beauty. "For you, Esri. A bouquet of flowers for a beautiful flower," he said softly.
Esri's lips curved into a faint smile as she accepted the flowers, her pout evaporating, the soft scent of the blooms filling the air around them. "Thank you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"At least you know how to make a girl feel special. Pretty experienced, are we?" Esri said with a knowing look.
In response, Kouske chose to be wise and remained silent on that particular topic for now, offering only a kind, infectious smile in return.
"So, what's the plan?" Esri asked with a snort, her curiosity evident as Kouske remained silent.
Kouske extended his hand towards Esri, who hesitated for a moment before finally accepting it.
"Now, let's stroll for a while, embracing the beauty of the city. After all, I'm here on a tour," Kouske suggested, intertwining their fingers as they walked shoulder to shoulder, their closeness palpable. He caught a whiff of her sweet fragrance, a subtle reminder of her presence.
Initially reluctant, Esri's demeanor gradually shifted back to her cheerful self as they walked hand in hand through the bustling streets of Rome, admiring the various stalls and unique products on display, chatting, and laughing together. The city was alive with the sounds of laughter and music. The aroma of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread filled the air, adding to the romantic ambiance of the evening.
The soft glow of the street lamps cast a warm light around them, accentuating Esri's radiant beauty as they strolled along the cobblestone alleyways. They passed street vendors selling gelato and handmade crafts, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling city. Kouske found himself enchanted by Esri's contagious laughter, stealing glances at her that filled him with a sense of happiness and contentment.
After a while, Kouske suggested they watch a movie, so they headed to a nearby theater. When it came time to choose a movie, Kouske proposed a romantic Italian film, but to his surprise, Esri expressed her desire to see the latest action movie.
Kouske: "Really? I was thinking of something more romantic."
Esri (innocently): "I'm in the mood for some excitement tonight!"
Despite his initial surprise, Kouske secretly arranged for the entire theater to be reserved for their private viewing.
Esri was taken aback when they arrived at the empty theater, wondering aloud why no one else was there.
Esri: "Why is the theater empty? Did you book it just for us?"
Kouske: "Maybe they're hosting a private screening later. Let's enjoy the solitude while we can."
Esri (excitedly): "This is amazing! I've never had a whole theater to myself before."
Kouske simply smiled, keeping his plan a secret as they settled in to enjoy the movie.
Throughout the film, Esri was filled with excitement like a child, and Kouske couldn't help but watch her fondly.
Esri: "Wow! Did you see that? That was incredible!"
After the movie, Kouske whisked Esri away in a sleek and elegant Bentley Continental GT to a luxurious rooftop restaurant overlooking the breathtaking beauty of Rome. The rooftop offered panoramic views of the city, with twinkling lights illuminating the historic landmarks and ancient architecture.
Esri: "This place is stunning! How did you find it?"
Kouske: "Just a little something I arranged. I wanted our evening to be perfect."
They enjoyed a candlelit dinner with soft music playing in the background, savoring each moment together.
Following their romantic dinner, they took a leisurely stroll along the shore of the picturesque Lake Albano, basking in the tranquility of the night and each other's company.
After a while, as they walked along the shore quietly, the atmosphere suddenly grew heavier and more serious. Esri turned towards Kouske, her innocent and cheery demeanor replaced by a serious expression.
"I really enjoyed this small date of ours, I really did. But how about you tell me your real intention for approaching me now, Black Dragon King?" Esri's tone was initially fond, but it quickly turned serious.
"You knew? How?" Kouske asked, genuinely surprised and curious about how Esri had discovered his identity as Vritra's host.
"You really don't know, huh? You've been pretty famous since a few days ago. The fighting video of you and the Ouryuu against the Grigory Cadres is spreading all over the DeviNet. It's the hottest topic right now," Esri said, laughing a bit.
The only reason she had accepted his invitation was that she didn't sense anything malicious from him, and it was amusing to her how he was still clueless about the video while the whole supernatural world was talking about him. Esri considered herself a pretty good judge of people.
"Oh," was the only response Esri got from Kouske, which was a bit disappointing for her as she expected more of a reaction.
"So, you know about the supernatural, huh?" Kouske asked curiously.
"Well, duh. My family has come into contact with the supernatural multiple times, so I'm aware of it," Esri replied as she gazed at the calm water surface.
"Are you affiliated with anyone?" Kouske asked.
"No. We try to keep our distance from all this insanity," Esri replied with a bit of melancholy.
"Then, who's teaching magic to your niece?" Kouske inquired.
"What do you mean?" Esri asked.
"Your niece has a powerful mage-type sacred gear. Did you perhaps not know? From her mana levels and all, it looks like she has already awakened and is practicing using it," Kouske explained, surprising Esri completely. It seemed she really didn't know.
"No, I..." Esri mumbled, looking tensed and troubled.
"Her power is quite apparent. You will have to join a faction. Otherwise, it will become a problem for you guys. You are also in close proximity to the church. You should ask her if someone is teaching her or if she's just trying things out herself," Kouske advised.
Esri was quiet for a long time, thinking things over.
"For now, I will drop you home. It would be best if you talked things through with your niece properly. I actually came to Italy to recruit your niece. I can teach her magic properly. I hope you will consider it. And it really was a pleasant night with you," Kouske said fondly as he took her to his car.
Esri just absentmindedly followed him.
"Your address?" Kouske asked.
"Nn?"
Kouske had to repeat himself to get her attention and drive her home, but not before giving her a gentle goodbye hug.
"Contact me soon," Kouske left a stunned Esri, leaving only those words behind.
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In a certain house, a young blonde girl with greenish-yellow eyes, her thin frame outlined by nothing but bones, woke up to the sound of commotion. It was dark, and she felt a pang of fear and hunger. Despite her trembling, she mustered the courage to investigate the noise, driven by childlike curiosity.
To find one grown man over another beating his face in with bloody knuckles over and over again, while people cheered.
She called for her mother, but nobody cared to answer. Scared of the violence she went to her mother's bedroom, only to find a friend of her mother's and a woman she didn't know in her bed, having violent, drunken, drugged sex. Her childish self still didn't know what was happening.
Clouds of smoke from people smoking lined the ceilings, and people outright out cold slumped in the corners of rooms.
Nobody paid her any attention as she left, checking the third bedroom, only to find an orgy going on in it, disgusting and horrible, yet not understanding it at all as a child.
From there, she tiptoed towards the living room, which was connected to the kitchen, in search of food and her mother. However, she found neither. Instead, she discovered the unconscious, bleeding form of the man who had been beaten earlier, along with his attacker and more people partying in the living room. Her eyes filled with tears when they landed on a small, broken grey box, with wires leading to an odd handgrip thing beside a large black screen resembling a window.
Her eyes lit up when she turned around and saw an indent in the wall, a carved-out square space with shelves filled with all manners of items at the entrance to the living room. She specifically picked up a large glass bottle filled with orange liquid.
As she opened it and took a sip, excitement turned to horror and disgust. The liquid didn't taste as she expected; instead, it burned her throatâit was alcohol, a strong one. Despite this, she was so thirsty that she drank it anyway, stealing away to her bedroom with the pilfered bottle of orange liquid. Alone, scared, lonely, and hungry, she drank it all. Her throat burned, her vision swam, and everything went black.
[Author's Note: What did you think of the chapter? Feel free to share your thoughts, leave a review, and even drop some power stones. Add it to your collection if you enjoyed it. I'm open to constructive critiques that help me improve and grow as a writer, so don't hesitate to provide feedback. Thank you for reading!
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[A/N: I have also posted many pictures of Griselda, Xenovia, Dia, and Esri in the previous chapter. So check it out.]