Memories of the Dark: "You Remind Me Of Him"

Peronell Keen,

"I can't believe that you have a thing for Cedany." I said to Gavin, while Lief was snickering.

"Who told you that?!" Gavin shrieked as Lief couldn't stop himself anymore so he ended up laughing out loud.

When he did, he earned a smack from Gavin.

"You didn't even try to deny it." Lief teased Gavin and soon he was red as a tomato.

"It's because I was taken aback by your words!" Gavin tried to make excuses, however, we just looked at him with a teasing look.

"Oh~ you were?" I teased once more.

"No, seriously. What do you think of Cedany?" Lief stopped laughing and asked Gavin, who just sat there with a red face.

I just got to say that he is rocking the red look.

"I don't know. However, she does seem familiar." Gavin suddenly became serious as Lief and I looked at each other. Lief gave me a confused look as I just shrugged.

All of a sudden we heard a yawn, and I just realized that we have another person with us inside the carriage. He was so quiet the whole time that it made me forget his existence. It was a blondie with a lifeless look on his face. It seems like he was sleeping the whole time. He was sitting next to Gavin, and it should've made him noticeable.

"Don't mind me, I'll just sleep peacefully here." The blondie said as he went back to sleep.

All I could say is I applaud this dude for his carefree lifestyle. It is both a compliment and an insult in some way.

Lianna Morris,

I didn't even notice that we were already at our destination because I was lost in my train of thoughts throughout the ride. Arthur opened the door to the carriage and went out. I followed behind him but soon stopped when he suddenly brought out his hand for me to hold as a support when I climb down. I pretended to not notice it as I got out of the carriage. I didn't wanna make things awkward by having physical contact with a son of a Grand Duke, I shouldn't make myself involved with him in any way.

Arthur just stood there in disbelief while his hand was still in the same position as I stood beside him, waiting for the other two to get out. William was first to go out before Cedany, he saw that Arthur's hand was extended for him. And so he held it as he got down from the carriage. Arthur and I stared at him in shock.

Inside I'm laughing, however, I can't possibly laugh out loud because these two might kill me. They are men from Andraste, not just any kind. They are royalty. Once it was Cedany's turn to go out, I quickly came to her aid and helped her get out of the carriage.

"Thank you, Lianna." Cedany smiled at me and I mouthed no problem.

"Thank you, Arthur." William thanked Arthur.

I accidentally snorted and I immediately put my hand on my mouth to not let my laugh out.

"What's so amusing that made you laugh?" William looked at me curiously.

I don't know if it's just me or is he kind of intimidating right now?

"I just thought about something humorous that happened to me earlier. You wouldn't want to know." I replied with an innocent smile.

"No, I want to know. Amuse me, what is it that happened earlier?" William continued to ask.

His face looked like it was shooting me death glares, it probably isn't. However, that is what his face looks like.

"Well, my friend earlier said that our carriage might crash into a large rock and it might send us both to heaven. Now that we're here safe and sound. I just find it funny that it didn't occur at all." I made Peronell's statement earlier as an excuse for my carelessness.

"Is that so? She is an awful friend for saying that. I wouldn't want to think that Arthur might go dying when he goes somewhere. I'd rather wish for him to be safe and sound. What I would've said is 'Come back safe to me.' or 'I wish for you to come back to me in one piece with your whole body parts still attached.', that would make him joyful." William said it so seriously that I couldn't stop myself from laughing anymore.

"I wouldn't be really happy about it. Could you be less embarrassing and weird?" Arthur was caught off guard this time as he hide his face away from shame.

"What's so embarrassing about it? Nothing is embarrassing if you truly mean what you say or do. Plus with confidence, of course." William smiled as he looked at the bright sun.

"I don't think that's how it works, but suit yourself, your royal Highness." Cedany said as William just looked at us in confusion.

Cedany Shaw,

Our dumb conversation was interrupted by Arthur. Arthur whispered something to William and they excused themselves. They proceeded to do their stuff. I looked at Lianna, who seemed to be thinking about something.

"What's on your mind?" I asked her as she finally got back to her senses.

"I was just thinking about how a lot of things have already occurred in just a few days since we've been far from home. Home is a prison for both of us, I don't want to return. Ever." Lianna's tone was sentimental, however, she was smiling at me.

"I will not let them take us back once again. We will be free and content with our life. I promise you that."

I smiled gently at her and she smiled back. It was enough to make my heart feel the warmth that she always gives. All of a sudden she linked her arm with mine.

"Anyhow, let's go and meet up with the others!"

Lianna pulled my arm as she started to run towards the humongous academy right in front of us. I end up running with her towards the building.

"This place is massive." We stopped at the gate where all the other representatives are. We were both panting because of how much energy we used from running.

"It's beautiful!" Lianna stated as if she was correcting my statement.

Lianna's eyes sparkled as she looked around trying to see the beauty in every part of the academy.

"Hey, guys!" We looked at the owner of the voice. It was Peronell, the two other guys were following her.

"Glad you guys came here alive." Lief joked.

"Don't ever joke about it anymore. It just leads us to some kind of rant from a talkative person." I held my forehead, it was aching just from remembering William's words.

"What now?" Gavin asked as I noticed that they were with another person. It seems they made another friend.

"Who's this?" Lianna pointed at the guy. It seems that she noticed what I noticed too.

"This guy slept the whole ride and somehow woke up. He then followed us..." Gavin answered. They looked at the guy next to him weirdly. I guess it's not a friend then.

"I don't know anything about this kind of stuff, so I followed you." The guy looks like he was just about to fall asleep and he still managed to say that.

"Are you not feeling well?" Peronell asked and of course, she was expecting a good enough answer.

"No, just tired." The guy says bluntly.

Peronell's face dropped to the ground at his answer.

"You can say I'm amused by your bluntness." I was being possessed by William's spirit. What even made me say that?

"If you don't mind us asking what your name is?" Lief joined in the conversation.

"Charles, Charles Blanc." Charles introduced, "I'll go now, I think I'll just go where I can peacefully." as he went away.

"Well, that was—" Peronell seemed to have run out of words.

"Different?" I finished her words.

"Guys, where is Lianna?" Lief suddenly asked out of nowhere.

I looked around to see if she was there, however she was nowhere to be found.

"Maybe she went to relieve herself?" Gavin suggested.

"I'll go look for her, just in case." Lief proposed and Peronell followed him to find Lianna.

I looked at Gavin and I saw that he was staring at me, it was as if we were having a staring contest. Not until Gavin broke off the 'staring contest'.

"I guess it's just you and me." I looked at Gavin who seemed to be embarrassed that I caught him looking. I held his arm as I slightly tilted my head to see him. "You don't have to be embarrassed you know, we slept together." I said straightforwardly.

"Shhh! People will get the wrong idea..." Gavin hid from me using both his hands to cover his blushing face.

"I apologize for being rude." Gavin finally calmed down.

"No, it's not your fault. I've always been sensitive, it was in my nature as a child. I've always thought that it was a bad thing since the other boys always teased me about it. Nevertheless, someone taught me that—"

"Sensitivity is not a weakness, it is a strength that not many possess. You should treasure the gift of sensitivity, for it gives you the right to know your true self." I continued Gavin's sentence.

"H— how did you know what I was gonna say?" Gavin looked surprised.

"I once told this to a boy, who later became my saviour."

I remembered my childhood friend. I didn't see him again when he moved out of Norstow, however, not a day I didn't wonder where he is or when I will meet him again.

"That boy you're speaking about sounded like me when a chubby boy once said it to me. He was hilarious and unique from all the people I've met throughout my life. You kind of remind me of him, don't take it in a bad way though!"

"Why would I take it in a bad way? He sounded like a nice child." I laughed.

When I think about it now, I used to be chubby as well, people usually call me fat when I was young.

"Well, you're a lady. Ladies usually wouldn't want to be compared to a chubby boy."

"In this world, we live in women are usually prim and proper. So it's easy for men to assume that all of us are feminine and proper. However, I do wish that this kind of mindset would soon disappear. I wish for men to treat us, women, as equals, and have respect for them such as what they have for their fellow men. Women are not objects to be carried around, we are a lot more than what people tend to make us be." I may have said a lot, but it must be told. One man down I guess.

"I am not very fond of women. I wasn't able to fit in with anyone, not until Lief though. Even so, I try to educate myself about women. Even though I'm not interested in them. I do respect women and never have I seen them as an object." Gavin looked so serious when he said that. I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"That's good to hear. I'll have someone to back me up when a man stands in my way then?" It was a joke.

"Yes, I'm willing to help when a man won't listen to your opinions." Gavin smiled.

Oh? How come he is adapting to my nature this fast?

Lianna Morris,

"Hey, wait up!" I yelled to Charles who was walking like a sloth, but somehow I can't get to him since there were a lot of people in the way.

I suddenly bumped into someone, I saw that it was a girl with a petite figure. She extended a hand to help me and I accepted it as she help me get up. Once I got up she dusted the dirt out of my dress with her handkerchief, it was an adorable sight to see. I giggled, however, I immediately tried to hide it because I don't want her to feel offended by my sudden laugh.

"I'm sorry for bumping into you." She finally spoke.

"You didn't bump into me, I was the one who did. If it is not so rude to ask, what is your name?" I can't help the friendly nature that I have when it comes to people who are as adorable as my holiness, Cedany.

"I am Beatrix Angmar. What about you?"

"My name is Lianna Morris, it's nice to meet you!" I took both her hands and shook them since I was excited.

"I like you." Beatrix giggled when I heard her say that I blushed. No! I can't cheat on Cedany. I let go of her hand and shook my head. "Is there something wrong?" She asked, her voice was beautiful and soothing. It was music to my ears, I bet this girl has a lot of men courting her.

"No! Nothing's wrong. Let's meet again soon!"

I went to find Charles. He left his brooch, it had a crest on it and so I thought it was an important thing. I kept looking around I saw the blondie who was just sitting on a bench and he looked like he was ready to fall asleep.

"Charles?" I poke him on the cheek. He didn't respond, his eyes were already closed. "Boop!" I said as I poked him another time on his nose.

However, it seems like it wasn't a great idea as he pulled me toward him. In the process, I fell on top of him. Charles did not even respond to the impact of my heavy weight.

"Let me sleep for a while." His voice was a bit raspy, probably from his sleepiness.

"Oh, hell no mister! Did you know how terrible the journey was just to follow you and get this brooch back to you? Well, of course, the Beatrix part wasn't bad, nevertheless— is this how you repay kindness now?!" I pulled myself away from him and Charles looked at me with a tired look on his face. "Please don't look at me that way, at least say something. I demand that you say something!" I demanded and pointed at him.

"What should I say?" Charles asked and he suddenly passed out on the bench.

"Hey! Are you alright?" I checked his forehead. Temperature normal, check. I leaned toward his chest to check his heartbeat. Heart still beating, check. Before I could move away, he suddenly hugged my neck. I tried to get out of his grasp, but the more I budged the more I was choking. "Are you trying to kill me, you punk!?" And soon I successfully got away.

"You're too loud." Charles turned to me with an annoyed look.

"Who wouldn't be loud when someone is trying to kill them?! Why were you even choking me?!" I massaged my neck.

"I didn't. I was using you as a pillow." Charles sat up and I flinched.

After all that? This is the time you choose to sit up and talk properly?

"I will sue you for sexual harassment and attempted murder! Double case and it will surely be enough to bring you down, Charles the Great!"

I ran as far as I can go. I will tell this to my holiness! She will sue you!