Chapter 41 - Coincidence

Her words propel me into a state of shock but I do not let it show.

'Just one day where nothing happens, is that too much to ask for?!!'

I spoke to several people at the lounge and all of their identities were concealed. I have no clue as to which one she could be. I decide to play dumb.

"I have no idea what you're talking about lady."

Uncaring for my reply, she finds a seat at my table, sets her handbag down and removes her sunglasses. She seductively re-applies a smidge of lipstick, smacks her lips and continues. Her ravenous black hair flutters in the wind as she speaks.

"I was waiting for your call, you know, but it never came, do you know how disappointed I was?"

I see who she is now. The woman with the red dress who got a hold of the rainbow rabbit. I now recall that I did take her number before ending our conversation with no ulterior motives whatsoever.

'Yes, I only did that because you never know when you might need an ally, no other reason..!!'

Putting aside the fact that I have her contact information, us meeting in this place is a strange coincidence, a bit too strange to my liking. Has she been tracking my movements somehow, or is this really just a fateful encounter? Unsure, I maintain my clueless act. A smirk grows on my face and I lean forward, inching my face closer to hers.I play the part of a man attempting to court her.

"I'm not sure who you are…. But, I'll call you if you give me your number madam."

She imitates me and brings her face closer to mine. I can now feel her breath caressing my skin. A few inches closer and our lips might touch. Since I started this act, I cannot back down, but I wish I could, my body can barely handle this.

'Way too close!'

"Well aren't you the charmer, boy? Just like back then… You know, I heard a story the other day. About a man who ran away with one of the auction prizes from that night. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to see it. I applied some pressure on the staff to leave with my prize early, I tend to dislike the items shown towards the end. I've been wondering who could have done something so outrageous."

My nerves tense and my suspicion grows. I am now afraid that she might have approached me to gain insight on Calliope's location. If that is the case, this conversation may turn sour very quickly. I shed my act and a threatening expression covers my face. I might as well announce that I am the man she is looking for, but I do not care. I've already understood that our meeting was not a mere stroke of luck. I do not know how she found me considering that my presence in this restaurant in a district so far from home is a pure coincidence, but at this very moment, I do not care. She retreats, slightly startled by the sudden change and waves her hand in the air dismissively.

"No need to get so angry, and before you think I've been stalking you, that's not the case. I simply recognized you as I was on the verge of having a meal at my favorite restaurant. I'm especially proficient at identifying those I've met before, it's an aspect of my abilities."

"...How strangely convenient."

"I hear that a lot."

Neither of us utters another word for a moment. We simply stare at each other. Her grin has not left and my wariness only grows. Eventually, she lets out a long sigh.

"Listen, I'm not here for any particular reason, I really just recognized you and noticed that you were in a bit of a predicament, you really don't need to be on guard."

"Someone like you wouldn't help me for no reason."

"Someone like me? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Am I wrong?"

Another sigh escapes her mouth.

"No, You're right, but this time I really do not have anything I need from you. I just wanted to confirm something. Plus, you should be thanking me if we're being honest here."

'Well, she isn't wrong…'

"...Thank you, but that doesn't change how I feel about this"

She rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll take my leave now, but please do give me a call if you need anything. I have a feeling we'd get along."

She stands up, retrieves her handbag from the table and prepares to depart. She makes sure to fix her hair, to put her sunglasses back on and to apply lipstick once more. Right before leaving, she shares parting words.

 "My name's Ivy by the way, Ivy Frost. We'd make better friends than you think, Alden."

A frown forms on my face. In response, she winks and blows a kiss in my direction. She then turns around and leaves the restaurant, disappearing among crowded streets.

'I thought you were here to eat, liar…'

The fact that she knows my name is concerning but if she wanted to harm me she already would have. While I will not lower my guard just yet, if the chance presents itself I might contact her. As she said, we might become better friends than I'd think. I do wonder, however, why she is so interested in me. What does she gain by forming a connection with someone who hasn't even graduated DaiKar yet? Her motivations elude me. I shift the memory of this conversation to the back of my mind to revisit later when the moment is right.

'Talking about calling, I should probably call home'

I decide to contact Aurora who, in my experience, is more likely to answer my call than Asher. As it is the middle of the day, my siblings should be awake and about. There is no real reason for them to not answer. 

I use S.O.N.G. which can nearly do anything and contact aurora through the communicator located in her watch. On top of being used for transactions, they can also act as modes of communications. In fact, the watches that Melodicans wear are generally used for several tasks. In today's society, they are essential. Every Melodican must possess one but It is not strange for some to not consistently wear theirs. Those who do not wear it are simply viewed as old-fashioned. There are other special conditions where they cannot be worn, such as in prison, or at Daikar, which is frankly not that different.

The first attempt to connect my younger sister and I fails. I am given the option to leave a message. I proceed to do exactly that, but I doubt she will see it. I tell her that I am okay and that I will be home soon. I also ask her to send me some funds through a specific account I give her which is connected to the suit. I call again, hoping to talk to her directly, and the same thing happens. I try this five more times, but she does not answer. Dejected, I then attempt to call Asher, with the same result. 

'That's weird… They never ignore my calls…'

If neither of them answers, I have no other choice but to get home as quickly as I can. I cannot call Calliope as she does not have a watch yet. Before last week, she was not even registered as a living human being of Melodica. This tends to happen to children born in the 'outskirts' which are really just slums. No matter where you go or what the era is, the rich and the poor will always exist.

A sense of urgency sets in and I realize that I will have to cut my stroll short. Since I have no notes, I will not be able to ride a form of transportation. Therefore, I will simply run as fast as I can towards my destination. Ideally, It would be nice if I could shorten the two days to one day or one and a half days.

'Sigh, no rest for me I guess.'