The Exchange - Chapter 0.4

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The Exchange - Chapter 0.4 - "Shadowed"

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I arrive at the tea-house a short while later. Death has followed me in his... truck. It was very strange to have such a being driving his vehicle beside me as I went. Somewhat comical, I suppose. But, well, he did say I couldn't leave it once I went in. It's probably best to take all things literally with godlike persons.

Marriane is disappointed when I tell her that I must leave, but she isn't very upset. Predictable for her.
Marriane is the type of woman who is never angry or bereft. She believes the best is always possible, and the worst is never true. I am always amazed that a person such as she can continue to exist in the world I ruined.
"But where are you going, anyway?" She politely asks. The soft light from the shop's windows highlights her features nicely. I cannot help but notice.

I won't tell her the truth. She'd think me mad, or try to prevent me at the least. Neither outcome is desireable to me, and so I avoid the subject.
"I'm going... ah, well... I can't exactly..." I feign my hesitation. If it were anyone else, I would simply relay the entire story, but not to Marriane. She needn't get mixed up in this. I'd rather she didn't worry about me.
"Work again, hmm?" She infers. Inwardly, I am thankful for her willingness to accept almost anything that I tell her as fact. "I swear it, they'll never let you stop until you drop over dead!" She says with a strange smile.
"Well... yes." I say quietly. "It is somewhat like that."
She smiles wider, thinking it all a joke.

We are sitting across from one another at the table closest the shopfront, and, out of habit, she begins to pour two cups of tea. She never makes me pay for it, as she gets very few customers anyway. And yet, I'd feel terrible having her waste it.
"I'm afraid I don't have time for tea, Marriane." I say apologetically.
"Oh, well that's fine." She says, replacing the pot in the center of the table.
"In fact, I think it would be best if I left as soon as possible..." I don't want to simply scamper off, and so I wait for her response.
She purses her lips in thought, then abruptly stands up.

"Well." She begins. "You're always saying that work makes you do all sorts of dangerous things. I suppose you'll need some luck." Despite what she's saying, her voice is high and joyful. Her freckles stand out when she smiles.
"I suppose I will." I'm not quite sure what she means by this, but whatever it is, it must be something favorable.
"Here then." She takes my shoulder, stands me up, and gently turns me around. I feel her hands in my hair, tugging slightly. It takes only seconds, and then she allows me to feel what it is. A ribbon.
How strange of you, Marriane.
"I wore it myself the other day." She announces. "Don't worry, it's nothing too fancy. It's black. You like that color, don't you?"
"... I do. Thank you, Marriane." I say as I look up at her. I do mean it, but it's somewhat difficult to convey. I've never been good at that sort of thing.
She smiles yet again and nods once. Her little red ringlets do a jig. "You're welcome." Her big blue eyes say that she means it, too.
"I should be leaving now." I say. Wasting time is probably not the best idea.
"I'll walk you out." She says, flashing perfect white teeth at me.

We exit her little tea shop into yet another slight rain. She stands under the awning as I go ahead, eyeing the parked truck with curiosity, and not a hint of suspicion. We're so opposite, I sometimes have difficulty fathoming our friendship.
"When do you suppose you'll be back?" She calls after me.
"Oh..." I turn partially. "I'm not sure."
I'm not even sure if I am coming back, Marriane.
"Oh, well that's fine." She says. "Goodbye then!" She waves.
"Goodbye." I say. I turn to leave.

"Oh, wait just a moment!" Marriane says suddenly.
I am almost to the door of the truck, but I stop and turn yet again. "Yes?"
"Isn't that the woman from the Sorcery Bureau?" She points down the road a ways. "The lady you report to?"
I turn and follow her finger, spotting a very familiar black-clad figure moving toward us.
Vivian Wolt.
I frown a bit more visibly than usual.

I open the door to the truck (after a moment of trying to figure out how to do so), and lean in.
"I'll need just another moment." I inform the man named Death.
He nods, not even bothering to look over. "Take your time."
I shut the door and begin toward Vivian. Marriane has gone inside and waves from behind the long window. I wave back and continue.

"Going somewhere?" She asks as soon as I'm close enough. She sounds both skeptical and, underneath, worried.
"Yes, Madam Wolt." I say. "I am going out of town for a time."
She looks past me toward the waiting green vehicle.
"With him?" She asks, slightly gesturing with her umbrella.
I give her a questioning look. Or at least, my equivalent.
"I was unaware that the two of you had met."
She glares at me. "We haven't." She says flatly. "But I'm positive at this point that he's the dangerous thing I was feeling earlier."
"Well he is, I suppose, a 'dangerous thing'." I say. "But honestly, I haven't got the time to stand around and discuss it with you. Is there some pressing item that you needed to speak with me about?"
"This is it." She says. "I saw that you were being followed by... that, and I knew I should come and investigate."
"Once again, I appreciate your concern, but-" She interrupts me.
"I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about what you're planning." She hisses.
"I'm not planning anything, Vivian." I tell her quickly. "Rest assured. You checked the seal yourself less than an hour ago. Now really, I don't have time." I turn and attempt to go back to the truck.
This was a pointless conversation.

"Hold on just one minute!" Vivian follows me, her heels clicking on the cobblestones. "You aren't allowed to take leave without consulting me first!"
"Well then, consider this a consultation." I continue to walk.
Honestly Vivian, why did you bother?
"Damn you, stop!" She reaches out and snatches my shoulder. I shrug her off.
"Please don't touch me, Vivian."
"Then explain yourself!" She insists.
I turn on one heel.
"I'm going to Hell, Vivian." I state. I keep my voice down. Marriane mustn't hear. "I'm going to Hell with Death. I'm competing in a tournament to bring back the soul of the boy they killed to seal me. Now, if you please, I'll be going."
She gapes at me.

"Damnit, you and your fucking jokes!" She shouts as I turn away again. "Don't play with me, where are you going!?"
"I just told you, Vivian." I say.
"Don't be cute, you bastard!" She yells after me.
"And since when have you ever thought of me as 'cute'?" I ask idly.
I reach the truck and clutch the handle, opening the door.

"Just what the hell are you planning!?" Vivian reaches the truck as well. In fact, she is preventing me from closing the door behind me with a well-placed hand.
"Please, Madam Wolt. Not now." I refrain from pleading, but she really is getting on my nerves at this point.
"Not now, my ass!" She growls.
"If you are truly dying to know, then you may join us." I immediately regret the accidental joke. "I'm sure he won't mind."
I look at Death out of the corner of my eyes to be sure. He doesn't seem to be objecting.
She gives me a harsh glare, and for a long moment, she is silent. "Fine." She spits out at last. "I'm going to find out what the devil you're up to, and I'm going to put an end to it. And don't think anything funny. It's my job."
She slams the door and moves away.

For a moment, I assume that she is going to leave. Or, rather, that she is going to stay behind. Instead, however, she climbs awkwardly into the back compartment of the truck, doing her best to keep from hurting herself in the process. Easier said than done with high-heeled boots and a long skirt. I watch her, unamused, via the mirror mounted in the center of the largest window.

"Alright, we're off." Death says. He seems satisfied. "Buckle up."
"... How do I... ?" I start to ask.
"It's the strap to your right." He says with a smile, bringing the machine to a roaring start.
I pull the belt across, noticing immediately that it was designed for taller passengers, and secure it.
Well. That's that then. Here we go.