by Victoria Sheridan 1st April 2024, 12:28 am
-Oak Town, the ruins of Abigail's house, 12:47 P.M.-
Dressed in a green t-shirt and black skirt with white tennis shoes, Victoria stood beside her longtime friend Abigail Windstrider, who was wearing a blue t-shirt and blue jean short shorts with white tennis shoes that had been bought for her by Victoria's sister Lorelei. Victoria's DH-40 Centaur was parked and waiting a short distance behind them. They were standing outside the space Abigail's house once occupied, which had been cleared of debris and was now sitting empty. Victoria had brought her friend here at the latter's request because she wanted to see where her home used to be one last time.
"I can't believe it's gone. That was the place I lived for my entire life. I lived there with my parents and I lived there after they were killed." Abigail said to Victoria, her voice showing the emotion that was not showing on her face.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Abigail." Victoria told her friend with total sincerity.
"Don't be, Victoria. You weren't the one who torched the place, so you have nothing to apologize for." Abigail assured her friend that the latter was not responsible for the tragedy. Victoria noticed the use of the full version of her name and knew that the blonde was serious. The brunette would use the full version of the blonde's name in return.
"I know that this won't bring back your house, but I killed forty or so of those cultists who sent the guy who did the deed. I don't think they'll be paying us a visit in Capital Crocus any time soon. If they're dumb enough to target my place after the beating I gave them I've got Larry and my uncle watching for them." Victoria told Abigail what she had done to make sure the blonde's new home did not suffer the fate of her original one. The blonde mage looked towards her with a look of concern.
"I'm grateful that you went to such lengths to get revenge for what happened to my home, but I don't want you to get yourself into trouble, Victoria. Based on what you told me about that cult they're bad news. They're probably gonna come after you with everything they've got for you being such a thorn in their side." Abigail expressed her concern that Victoria might have only angered her enemies instead of deterring them like she believed she did. The brunette took a moment to think before she replied to her friend, gazing at the empty plot of land as she did so.
"I've already been marked for death, so I'm not too worried about me. I'm more worried about you, my uncle, and my sisters." Victoria confessed that the conflict with the cult had long ago passed the point she was worried about getting on their bad side. They had tried to kill her during the first encounter long ago and the Sabertooth mage had been trying to kill them ever since. Abigail's concern did not let up.
"I don't want you to get killed because of me." Abigail told her. Victoria looked towards her friend.
"I'll be fine, Abigail. I'm fighting those guys not only for you, but for everyone in Earthland. They have plans for this world that aren't good and they need to be stopped before it's too late." Victoria told Abigail her purpose for fighting a demon-worshiping cult despite the risks. The blonde gave a smile.
"You've changed a lot since we first met, Vic." Abigail said, using the brunette's nickname. Victoria simply grinned.
"Yeah. And you're the reason, Abby." Victoria replied. The blonde looked surprised to hear that.
"When we took that job to Lycan Woods a few years ago and we got into an argument about my only being in the mage business for money you told me that there were better things to fight for than money and an adrenaline rush. You were right." Victoria got straight to the point. Upon hearing that the blonde soon recovered from her surprise and smiled at her.
"I remember us meeting in Sakuramori Forest long ago back when you were still in your short and boyish form. When we first met I didn't think we'd end up being friends. When we started working together I thought we'd end up killing each other." The blonde reminded the brunette of how they had first met and alluded to the clashes they had had before finally becoming friends. Victoria laughed.
"Yeah, our relationship definitely got off to a rough start. I didn't think we'd become friends either." The brunette remarked while thinking about the arguments they had gotten into.
"But here we are. Several years and several adventures later we're close friends. We're such close friends that I'm living in your house now." Abigail remarked on how time had changed their relationship.
"And you'll always have a place in my house, Abby." Victoria replied with an assurance. The blonde had no words... instead she smiled. A minute or two passed as the blonde took one last look at the vacant land in front of her. Once she had looked to her heart's content she faced Victoria.
"There's nothing here for me in Oak Town now except for the gravestones of my family. Speaking of that, do you mind taking me to the cemetery for a few minutes before we go back to Capital Crocus?" Abigail asked another favor of Victoria. The brunette smiled.
"Yeah, sure thing." Victoria agreed to grant the favor.
"Thanks, Vic. You're a real friend." Abigail told the Sabertooth mage. The pair then turned around and headed for the Centaur. Victoria climbed on first and put the key in the ignition once Abigail was seated behind her. Once the blonde was securely on board Victoria cranked up the Centaur and headed for Oak Town's cemetery.
[Post Word Count: 980]
[Total Word Count: 980/11,000]