In 16 Daffodil Street. Second floor of the respective terrace house.
Selina, head lying peacefully on the wooden desk. Eyes closed, her untied white hair glistens under the illumination of the crimson moonlight coursing from the veiled windows.
Behind her left palm, just beneath her wrist. Sparks of light began to coalesced into a shape, forming a vertical, downward crescent, with patterns of rays reaching outward from a circle inside of the strange symbol.
It glowed with heinous blood-colored light, before dispersing into her skin and slightly increasing the scarlet hues at the ends of her silver-white hair.
...
The dreamy and illusory world collapsed like time glass. Shattering in an instant.
Beneath the nauseating scenery of flesh and organs forming as a floor. A pulsating mound began to emerge from the surroundings.
The congested large mound of flesh sculpted itself into a woman with white gown, silver-white hair, pointed ears, face obscured by a blinding light.
Once again. The vile world terraformed into a luscious green meadow. Stretching far to what seems like infinity.
It was accompanied by dense vines spreading from a circling mural or itself with the sculpture of the woman at its center.
The woman's closed eyes opened.
Selina saw the green pastures of Milo once more and the dense verdant vines orbiting her in a circling manner.
I'm here again... Because of fatigue... Selina muttered under her breath, a hint of melancholy surfaced on her expression.
But at least now I can confirm that this dream is a repeating occurrence triggered by a sense of... She paused. Lost to what word she could use.
Then, moments later, she said. "Maternal presence..."
Cold breeze glides through the soft blades of the field. With a subtle blow. Her dress fluttered along with the winds. Striding off towards the deep horizon.
Selina shook her head from silence and proclaimed. "This dream is dangerous..."
"... I should only use this until I establish a chance to break that faction of the Rose School of Thought." She added with a tinge of fear. "Afterwards, I will prevent any interaction with this dream...
"And never spoke of it again."
She already have the Tarot Club as her primary source of information about the world. She wouldn't mind having another, but if it leads to a much riskier attempt without any certainty, she'd rather discard any connections with it and search for an alternative. Especially to something she can't comprehend.
With this in mind, she then mimicked what she did from her last visit. Reaching her right hand toward one of the extending vines and phasing out of existence.
This time. She saw a young man, wearing a plain clothes similar to the attire, highlanders usually wear. The young man staggered and just like before, he exhibited paranoia and intense fear towards her.
They always do this... Why? Isn't She their goddess? Shouldn't they give their utmost faith to Her? Selina couldn't help but address the consistency of expressions being showed by people she had summoned.
Seeing the man's legs slowly giving up. Selina waved her hand to the air in dismissal and phased both her and the man out of existence.
Sigh... They couldn't last enough to pose questions. Selina released a sounding breath of resignation.
Then, just as she simulates the sensation of waking, just like before. She suddenly noticed sparks of light dangling and moving from the corner of her eye.
They all resembled fireflies from Earth.
Fireflies? It wasn't there before... Did this world created it? Just as Selina began to notice patterns for its existence. The fireflies fled and dispersed. Vanishing into the thin air, as if returning back to the soil.
Selina couldn't react timely, but she saw that the fireflies follows a certain trail that to leads to one of the extending vines. Let's see if it appears again in the future... Next time, we'll figure out why it appeared.
Then, Selina resumed her stimuli as she recalled the sensation of falling back into her body and waking up...
The world shattered into illusory shards, accompanying it was the sculpture of Selina, gradually crumbling into a pile before succumbing into the environment.
...
After coming back from a local bakery, situated near the Municipal Square.
Selina quickly ascended to the second floor after entering the house, took a spare clothes and a towel from the bedroom before proceeding to take a shower.
Gushing sounds of water echoed from the short hall.
Minutes later, she walked out of the bathroom, hair soaked with water and towel clinging to her body.
With a dripping body, she briskly entered the bedroom while keeping herself from leaving a trail on the floor.
Having been finished showering. Selina first dried herself before changing into another pair of clothes.
With her hair still damped, she decided to wrapped it with a towel for now as she proceeded with her attire of a fitted white bodice, accompanied by a long mildly frilled dress that conceals a thin trouser along with a pair of slim black boots.
After changing, she quickly tied her crudely-made gun holster on her thighs before going to the kitchen. Her breakfast consists of a sliced Lemon Cake followed by a hot milk. A simple yet effective way for her to start the day.
The reason why she didn't add coffee was because of her preference. Simply put, she doesn't like its bitter taste and isn't fond of the stimulation it gives.
Coffee was my most go to during my days as a secretary... Where did it go?Was it because this isn't my body? Selina mused silently as she took a small portion of the Lemon Cake with a fork.
Even at this moment. Selina's body subconsciously took on an elegant posture, her back straightened and arms seated above the table. Her portions are minimal, enough to establish propriety.
Now that she's seeing herself more. Displaying formality even when she's alone. She first gave herself a self-deprecating sigh before letting her behavior pass by.
...
Light permits through the veils of the curtains, revealing a timeless scenery of intricate designs, bearing the vintage tapestry of an early era.
Selina, having finished her breakfast, arrived at the short corridor. She looked at the grand clock, turning with a soft dangling chime, indicating:
"7:13... It's still early." She muttered.
Initially, she ought to return early to the Lawson's Herbal Shop to begin her trial as an assistant and afterwards, wonder the streets of Tingen to visualize its layout and geography. Where the nearest cathedral is, routes that can aid her in gaining distance, and the shortest path that can lead the Rose School of Thought's members to the officials.
Then, when afternoon arrives, her next destination would the Evil Dragon's Bar. Probing Swain in accepting her and finally visiting the underground market for materials for her make-shift grenade, clues for the Spectator potion and leads to her next Sequence potion.
I also need to ask Mr. Darkwill for a leave of absence tomorrow... With contrite, Selina added inwardly. It hasn't been another day... And now I'm already asking to be kicked out because of my request...
She heaved a low melancholic breath, brooding over her current situation. If only I wasn't bluffing about having allies...
With a small denomination of money in her pockets. Selina turned for the door, and exited her residence.
Outside, Marl Heath carrying Little Odelle with both of his hands silently watched Martha tending a flower bed by their entrance. Today is Tuesday and although he needs to manage a plantation under his name in the outskirts of Tingen as well as monitor his stocks. He instead, chose to spend a quality time with this daughter, as tomorrow he assumes he won't be able to again.
As Marl hums a tune to the best of his abilities for his daughter, from the corner of his eyes, he noticed Selina opening the door of her house and walking out.
Marl raised his hand after placing Odelle to his right and said enthusiastically. "Ms. Roy! Good Morning!"
Hearing her husband's sudden voice, Martha was startled for a bit before shifting her attention to their neighbor's residence. From there she saw the silver-haired Selina, waving back with an impeccable polite smile on her face.
Seeing this, she waved back and said, "Good Morning sweety! Have you had breakfast?"
Maintaining her soft smile, Selina replied. "Yes Mrs. Heath, I'm just about to head out. Thank you for concern."
"Hm? Where to?" Martha asked out of curiosity. Before realizing that she appearing to be too nosy and almost impolite.
But regardless, Selina replied amiably. "I've found a job just recently Mrs. Heath."
"Just southeast of Municipal Square..."
Martha lowered her gaze. "Southeast..."
"That's the area of University District... Dear, did you become a professor?" Martha's face brightened. "Mhm... That is most certainly the most appropriate profession for you dear."
"Oh I would love to have you as Odelle's professor someday."
The corner of Selina's mouth twitched after hearing her. Mrs. Heath, I'm sorry to disappoint you... But that's not the case...
Noticing Selina's expression. Marl casted his gaze to his wife and said. "Martha, I don't think that's what she meant.
"She said, just southeast of Municipal Square. Remember?"
"You're right..." This made Martha thought for a moment. And with it, she resumed. "Perhaps a Salon Directress? People of class often initiates this kinds of gatherings near the Municipal Square!
"And with your well-educated mannerism and appearance. I wouldn't be surprised if even now, you've already been offered to curate a small gathering! Or..."
Just before Martha could add another word. Marl placed his available hand to her shoulder and said wearily. "Martha, dear, I think we're delaying Ms. Roy for too long."
Selina kept her poise. Her polite faint smile still visible. "I wouldn't mind hearing more, Mrs. Heath. But given my time, I love to personally learn from you when occasions brought me to."
Martha nodded with slight guilt. "Very well dear, have a safe trip."
Selina waved her hand limited to the level of her waist.
Marl and Martha returned the farewell as they watch Selina walked out of her front porch and gradually vanished from their sight.
...
After reaching the edge of Daffodil Street. Selina slowly visualized the road and narrow alleyways of the street.
To be concise, the alleyways connects to one linear path, each connecting to the road from the sides of the buildings.
The road is too wide to be used and the alleyways of the terrace houses doesn't contain any directive paths that could delay the Rose School of Thought members.
Considering the capabilities of her enemies. The chances of failing outweighs her success by ten folds.
But after reaching the edge of Daffodil Street. Clustered buildings form a maze-like alleyways that can hinder the member's progress at reaching her.
Entering the boundary between Daffodil Street and the North District is her chance at increasing the likelihood of her escape.
What I need is to delay them further with grenades... Selina's expression casted down. Grenades shouldn't be my only weapon...
As she walk at a steady pace. Her right hand reached her dress, straining to sense her revolver and makeshift gun holster from her thigh.
The avenue was filled in congestion. The load beckoning of the stationed mobile hawkers mixed with occasional voices paints a lively and bustling city.
Shops and carts slid pass her periphery as she waved off any call from the surrounding merchants.
Selina soon arrived at the Municipal Square, where she saw the erected wide tents, pasted with bright red visuals.
People with faces smudged with colorful pastels ranging from low red to bright yellow and white paint are distributing fliers for the upcoming circus show.
Occasionally, some would perform acrobatic tricks for the passing pedestrians. Encouraging the people to buy tickets while also providing a mild entertainment as they walk.
Children would rise a chorus laughter, as their parents watched in soft and bright expressions.
Then, from the corner of eye, she caught glimpse of a group of performers. They each wore a bright red tail-coats and high black top hats.
On their hand, wields a long slender lash as they present animals locked behind carts to the tourists. They range from a particular set of species that can be related to modern zoo animals.
A lion with a larger body structure. Tigers that are leaner and more agile, and gorillas with a large tail and silver to black body in contrast to the modern's black to silver fur.
How interesting... Selina muttered silently as she gaze at the performers promoting their future acts.
This world contains species similar from Earth as well... What more would it reveal?
After gazing for a short while. Selina resumed her pace across the crowded avenue.