[url=https://fontmeme.com/fonts/elegant-signature-font/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220315/00be254f5711b3d50cc35b1fe2bf0fff.png[/img][/url] [right][sub]Locations: Ballroom -> Sorian Library -> Near the Alleyway[/sub][/right][hr] [hider=An old friend] After parting ways with Nahir, John once again blended back into the crowd, finding for himself a corner of solitude. The dance was actually pretty good for the most part until that incident with the servant happened. Layla was quite right, he did do a lot better when he just went with the flow and let himself go loose. He did consider the prospect of becoming a dancer for five seconds until he realized that his work was going to be the investigation of the Cataris Galnus outbreak...in the indigenous population of Gall off the western coast...Yes, off the coast. He wouldn't be attending any balls or parties anytime soon after this season. [color=5486ae][i]'So many things to worry about.'[/i][/color] That's the nature of being an actual working citizen now, and quite an important one at that. But he couldn't help but sometimes thought of a simpler life, one that he once had but was taken away a little too soon. That would be the one thing that he did envy the nobles for, one of the few things. Speaking of them, he felt a nudge on his coat by someone from behind. He turned around to see a shoulder-length white-haired lady wearing a pleasant light yellow traditional styled Caesonian dress. But what caught his attention was her slightly roundish face, striking a particular chord in his memories. [color=fff79a]"Meet me outside ok?"[/color] She whispered softly to him before heading past him...[hr] He was sure that was her. It couldn't be anyone else. John followed the lady outside, away from the ball that was going to wrap up, keeping a distance from her. She stopped after she was far enough from the ballroom, and turned around. [color=fff79a]"John..."[/color] She said gently under her breathe, her eyes looking up at the doctor, her two hands cupped together in front of her chest. [color=fff79a]"Do you remember me?"[/color] John stood silent for a few seconds before giving a slight smile. [color=5486ae]"Catherine..."[/color] He said. [color=5486ae]"It's been so long."[/color] [color=fff79a]"I can't believe you are still alive..."[/color] She replied, her gold eyes getting teary. [color=fff79a]"Where have you been all these years?"[/color] [color=5486ae]"It's a long story..."[/color] John looked away briefly, before approaching Catherine. [color=5486ae]"But I'm here now. I know it's been rough for you, but I have always wanted you to know this..."[/color] He consciously took a deep breath, and closed his eyes before locking them with her. For what might be considered forever, was in fact only a few seconds, he gathered all the courage he could for the confession. [color=5486ae][i]"Callum was the one who stole your marbles."[/i][/color] Perplexed, Catherine pushed her head back with furrowed eyebrows and blurted out, [color=fff79a]"That's not true..."[/color] Before realizing her mistake there. All her act and uptightness crumbled in front of him as she rubbed her temple in disappointment. [color=5486ae]"Come on, it only took five sentences."[/color] John gave Catherine a mischievous smirk. [color=fff79a]"To be fair, you kind of cheated."[/color] She replied with a lighthearted chuckle. [color=fff79a]"You knew I was going to do this."[/color] [color=5486ae]"True, just as I knew about your marble interests."[/color] Catherine shifted her hand to lay her forehead on it instead. John couldn't help but laugh for real. For a second there, he thought she was truly a changed gentlewoman, but at the end of the day, she was still the old Catherine. [color=5486ae]"Seriously now, how've you been doing?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"We're doing ok all things considered."[/color] She replied, smiling and lifting her head. [color=fff79a]"How much do you know about me though, after that whole ordeal?"[/color] [color=5486ae]"Umm, not at all really. I've pretty much lost contact with everyone."[/color] [color=fff79a]"I see. Alrighty, care for a walk then?"[/color] She invited. [color=fff79a]"I'll catch you up."[/color][hr] [color=5486ae]"So Anson became the heir of Hopton after his brother died, right as he came of age?"[/color] John said. [color=5486ae]"Doesn't sound suspicious at all."[/color] [color=fff79a]"Yeah right? Nobody would think the favored son would...I don't know..."[/color] She shrugged, not finishing her sentence, letting John fill in the blank. [color=fff79a]"Now here's the part where it becomes weird. I am assigned as an inspector to the region where he is governing."[/color] [color=5486ae]"Oh you're inspector now?"[/color] John asked. [color=fff79a]"I mean, had to follow the family business you know."[/color] Catherine shrugged again. [color=fff79a]"It's pretty fun though, watching people like him trying to weasel his way out of an obvious crime."[/color] John shook his head with an amused smile. This woman enjoyed a bit too much of her expertise right there. Catherine had always been the craftiest of his friend groups, and perhaps one of the toughest opponents in any game that involved lying or secrecy. Perhaps it ran in the blood? But her father was not this much of a cutthroat bitch. [color=fff79a]"But yeah, that's pretty much how things went in your absence."[/color] She concluded. [color=fff79a]"Now, how about you? I know what you'll ask: yes, I know you became a doctor in Kolonivka. That one's pretty easy once you follow the records."[/color] [color=5486ae]"Hmm, sly..."[/color] John remarked. [color=5486ae]"Pretty good too. After the outbreak, I got into the Varian Science Institute and then a member of their royal physicians. It's been over a year now, a year and a half almost?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"Well done."[/color] Catherine congratulated, patting John on the back. [color=fff79a]"How's the work?"[/color] [color=5486ae]"If I'm going to be honest, around six out of ten are proud contributions to society. The other four are exercises in despair and self-loathing."[/color] Catherine couldn't help but break out a laugh. [color=fff79a]"Got a problem patient?"[/color] John sighed. [color=5486ae]"One of the four, yeah."[/color] He looked away for a second, [color=5486ae]"Mind if I..."[/color] He turned back and Catherine gestured with her head tilted slightly, her smile disappearing instantly. [color=5486ae]"It's not really her usual antics that's the problem. It's that she doesn't change at all. She comes in every month with the same exact preventable condition that she just refuses to correct. And I get it, her father just went poof, and now she's grieving. But it worries me greatly."[/color] [color=fff79a]"Where's her family?"[/color] Catherine asked solemnly. [color=5486ae]"...There? They don't seem to do anything about it. They just let her get away with it."[/color] The doctor lamented, his voice getting more and more exasperated. [color=5486ae]"In fact, I don't trust any of them to do anything about it, until something happens."[/color] [color=fff79a]"Something?"[/color] [color=5486ae]"Something."[/color] Something... [color=5486ae]"Anyway, sorry for bringing up such a topic on our first meeting in a long time."[/color] John said, after a brief moment of silence. His childhood friend though didn't seem to mind. [color=5486ae]"Work can be a little stressful."[/color] [color=fff79a]"No worries. Mine as well. You can always go to me for an ear if need be."[/color] Catherine replied, as she looked around and realized they have walked quite far now. She looked up and before her was the Library of Sorian. [color=fff79a]"Anyway, it was nice to see you again finally. I have to go. I'll see you later!"[/color] She flashed him a wave before leaving. [color=5486ae]"Later."[/color] And too did John [/hider] [hider=Dangerous Witness] The walk-and-talk with Catherine took John to the Sorian Library without his knowledge. The ball was probably over by that point, but he remembered that he didn't have to relink with the Physicians. He was kind of a special case considering his position in the Institute, so he didn't have to stick by the royals all the time. He still would need to be there if something big happened, but overall he had a lot more freedom than the rest. The night was still young, so he decided to go into the library now that he was there. John heard that 'Shattered Oaths', the sequel to the book 'The Princess and her Unorthodox Prince', is in one of these libraries. He didn't think that would wound up being his favorite book, but it kept him company for quite a time in his life. To his delight, the book was indeed in there. Like any ecstatic little child, he spent a good portion of the remainder of the evening consuming the book. It was a lot better than he expected it to be. Usually, sequels weren't as good as the original work, but the characters, the portrayal, the dialogues and the chemistry were enticing enough to keep the doctor engaged for the entirety of the 137 pages. Probably a little too engaged, considering after he closed the book and stood up, he had to grapple his chair for a few seconds to stabilize himself. [color=5486ae]"Ahh, this again?"[/color] He groaned, gripping onto the chair tighter, shutting his eyes tight for a moment. It got better soon, but this had been happening quite a bit recently since he had to work long hours. It probably was due to long intense focus, it shouldn't be too big of an issue long term. [color=5486ae][i]'I should go for a walk.'[/i][/color] John returned the book to where he found the book before exiting the library. He went around, enjoying the speck of cold evening air on his face, brushing over his hair and letting out long exhales, recounting his memories if he had seen these sights before. It wasn't long until his daydream (or nightdream?) was interrupted when someone in dark clothes ran out of an alleyway and right past him, almost colliding into him if he hadn't stepped out of the way in time. The doctor was naturally curious as he looked in the direction she was running from. It was too dark to see, however, but he saw some footsteps that were edged into the cobblestone walkway. It didn't last very long, tracing back into the alleyway she went into. John was getting suspicious. Why was there footsteps around to begin with? He walked over to the footstep that was left behind, crouched down and took out his handkerchief, wiping a bit of it and sniffed it. The metallic smell gave it away instantly. He felt like that time at Kolonivka again. His muscles tensed up, his breath heavy, and a sense of impending doom, but calm enough to stand up, pull out his pocket watch and take a look around. He saw a few guards on patrols. [color=5486ae]"Hey!"[/color] Something was up in that alleyway... [/hider]