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The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VI.VII Sleepless Beauty
"I'm first!""I won!"Did they finish at the same time!? No way. She's sure she had it in the bag!"I finished fir-" *Hic* "-first Eremes!" The confident author proclaimed. "I saw you still chewing before-" *Hic* "-you shouted!" *Hic* It was so painful even to speak, her lungs set on fire as the hiccups continued to come in full force."You lie!" *Hic* "You can barely see any-" *Hic* "-thing!" Her opponent retorted. "I refuse to-" *Hic* "-pay for your drinks!" Come now.. Just accept defeat already."Uhmm.. If I may?" The waitress on-demand meekly interjected, catching both competitors' attention. "Judging from both of your performances, you both finished at the same time, in my opinion." Really? "But enough about that! Kudos for beating the first half of the challenge!" Wait...First half!? It's not over?!Here it comes~"It's not-" *Hic* "Over?!" The flabbergasted author can only fan at her mouth as Eremes barked at the waitress in disbelief. "Haven't you-" *Hic* "Tortured us enough?!
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VI.VIII Sleepless Beauty
That was so awkward! Him and Athena? A couple? Not in a million years!Dragging the stunned author by her feet, Eremes high tailed out of the offending stall, his bundled up t-shirt in tow as he beelined towards an empty bench to sit on. "...uple....h.t...feel.." Behind him, his charge was talking to herself, an indescribable aura emanating off of her as she mindlessly followed along. What was this menacing pressure he was feeling? Sitting her down on a well-lit bench, the repairman sat beside her, not knowing his next move for the unplanned night."Hey." He waved to a muttering Athena, her eyes as open as it would currently get as she mumbled to herself. That's not foreboding at all. "'Thena.""...el...wh....co..." Was she having... "Hey!""Yes?" The lucid author asked, turning to him as if nothing was ever wrong in the first place. "Is there something the matter?"Eremes let out an unconscious sigh as Athena was once more back to the world of the living, looking no worse for wear b
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter Interlude IV: Basco
A small glimpse...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛Deep beneath the ground floor of the Green Star Hotel, a beary, real estate tycoon sat comfortably in his upholstered seat, smoke-filled lungs exhaling with blissful satisfaction as he eyed his latest acquisition. It may have cost him a small fortune, but with the addition of the Macallan 64-Year-Old Scotch, his prized collection rare alcohols grew ever so closer to being complete. "So tantalizingly close..."The businessman will always remember the first-ever taste of alcohol he's ever had in his life. He was but a small child back then, merely at the tender age of ten when he first took a sip from the familiar green-tinged bottle that the young man always saw his father drink from. A curious child, he always wondered what his parents were always drinking whenever they looked sad or had what they called a 'rough day', so much as a sip being denied whenever he asked for a taste."I've come this far..." Tobacco smoke permeated the cool, musty air of the win
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VII.I Uplifting Spirits
"This is the place." In front of the pair, a familiar building stood, its facade now emitting a cool neon glow as it beckoned for potential costumers. "Right on time too.""Here again? Seriously?" Eremes knew that there was a bar in there, but still.. "Aren't the drinks here just as expensive as the food?""Nonsense. It's reasonably priced for the quality." His imminent drinking partner rebuked as she pulled him into the establishment. "And the drinks here are really good."As its name implied, the Sun and Moon also had a bar at the backside of the establishment; a blue nondescript mahogany door being the divider between the warm, rustic cafe at the front, and the cool azure velveted room at the back. The reluctant repairman followed closely as she led him through the majority of the cafe, the front counter extending towards and seemingly past the wall as they approached their destination."May I see some I.D. miss?" Behind the counter, a heavily bearded man who looked to be in his thi
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VII.II Uplifting Spirits
"I'm just excited to be back here." Athena retorted as she all but dragged him through the door and towards the main bar, her hooded figure leading him deeper into the room. "I haven't had alcohol in almost a year I think."The first thing that crossed Eremes's mind as they entered the bar was that the place looked too high brow for his simple tastes; the atmosphere feeling a tad bit more sophisticated than what the repairman was used to. The room sported ten open tables, a corner that looked like it was a lounge of some sort, and what seemed to be two private rooms hidden behind large blue curtains. At the center of it all hung a dazzling chandelier, giving the bar a mystical kind of feel to it. All in all, a very formidable establishment amidst the numerous bars scattered throughout Midas. And as the pair approached the main bar, there was just one thing that Eremes can comment about that he can maybe count as a negative.."This is a lot of blue in one place isn't it?" He joked as th
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VII.III Uplifting Spirits
"One 'Death' please." Death?"Glad to see your tastes haven't changed."With practiced precision and flair, Zofia's hands blurred as she went on to prepare this 'Death' that Athena ordered. Taking what looked to be a martini glass from the shelf, the bartender then placed a small white fruit inside.. was that lychee? She then mixed together what looked like vodka, some syrup and another alcoholic beverage in the shaker; pouring the finished product over the lychee to make what looked like lychee martini. Zofia slid the glass over to the waiting novelist, not once breaking eye contact with her as she settled back behind the counter."One Death.." The bartender morosely recited. "For those who seek renewal.""Thanks."Athena lightly held the glass in front of her; delicate hands holding the glass with practiced finesse. "You don't have to say that line every time you know?""It's part of my gimmick, miss Athena, Can't stop me~"So that's what the Death drink had. Huh, if that's the case
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VII.IV Uplifting Spirits
The girl he was with.. Athena? Seriously? How did that even relate to stuff like Midasean politics?"I know very little about her circumstances, but I do know that she'll need all the help she can get." Huh?"I-I don't understand.." Wasn't he doing that already? "Why her?""I don't know everything, sir Eremes... I wish I did." The bartender's eyes softened as they gazed over the novelist's sleeping form, a faint smile adorning her face as Athena quietly dozed off in her alcohol-induced slumber. "I remember the first time she ever came here.. alone, shaking, red-eyed, still wearing her college uniform... Her face showing so much fear and paranoia it was heartbreaking." The bartender recounted, opening another bottle of vodka as she continued. "She kept going on about the 'infernal voices in her head'.. or at least that's what my husband told me she kept screaming in Greek about."Empty drink forgotten, Eremes let his curiosity lead him. "When was this?" All this time..."If I recall cor
The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter VII.V Uplifting Spirits
"Remind me again why we're getting shitfaced drunk on a workday?" Agreeing to this was a bad idea. "You do know I still have work tomorrow right?" The tired head complained as he downed another shot of what he counted as drink number ten. The Hermit, was it called? He honestly couldn't remember anymore, a headache already brewing as he lamented the fact that he still had work in maybe eight to nine hours or so. Why did he agree to this? "Cause honestly, even your presence can't even justify it anymore.""You agreed to my offer anyway, so why are you blaming me?" To his side, Athena was wide awake and raring to go drinking again. It seemed that her alcohol-induced nap gave her more energy instead of a crippling hangover.He would kill for that kind of power."It's not like you didn't have the chance to turn me down or anything~" The rejuvenated novelist slurred. "And you didn't tell Zofia to stop serving you stuff!~""Right you are!~" Oh god.. Now there's two of them. "Youu don't blame
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- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
Extra: A Collection of Poems
Extra I: No MotiveWracked with fear, I stood still,Gazing endlessly into the void.Eyes dull and uninterested,Contemplating what I will.I fear my own mind, question my sanity.Am I insane or merely delusional?You may know, but I never will.I'll never escape my vanity.Staring down the precipice of darkness,Swarmed by thoughts of ending it all.I fought valiantly for what seemed like an eternity,Clinging to whatever shred of reason for happiness.Dangling on the edge of my limit,My conviction
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
The Flow of Time
A vision from the distant past, an intrepid detective and her unlikely partner...A tale of crime and wits, Project Name: Noire⬛⬛⬛A beige coated woman walked the dimly lit concrete ports of the city, a flashlight in hand as brown eyes scanned her surroundings. The damp docks of Riverside surely stank with seawater, but it was where she was based, and thus she had to live with it."Heeeyy~ Found anything, Liz?~" A young woman in a white coat waved at her from the other side of the pier, her childish tone hiding what was undoubtedly the most intelligent mind she had ever come across. "I want to have some fun already~"Sadistic brat.With the same annoyed expression she sported ever since her reluctant return to active duty, the detective waved back at the black-haired woman. With her flashlight, Liz motioned the youngest coroner to ever work in this city to her location, her lips parting as if she still had the ability to speak."Okaaayyy~ Be right there in a sec!~"Sighing to herself,
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XIII Epilogue
Time moves forward. And while this tale slowly comes to an end, their story continues to unfold behind the scenes...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛It's been a month and a half since that fateful day. A month and a half since that unassuming maintenance guy saved her from her own demise. Ever since then, Aletheia has begun to acclimatize once more to a rather, lavish lifestyle than the year and a half that she spent on the run.Not only have you acclimatized, you've already excelled~Oh shut up. She can still live off of instant ramen and chump change just fine should the need arise.Says the girl that now spends over a thousand drachma a day on food alone~The novelist chuckled to herself at the thought as she saved another word document on her laptop. Well, she was quite a hefty spender back then no? You blew a whole talent for every arcade session. You're more than a hefty spender~Come now.. Well, she did do that back in the day huh.You're clearly cut out for a lavish lifestyle~She stifled a yawn as
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XII.II Ending Ceremony
"Lady Mendel, I propose one more bid."Hoho~ What does he have up his sleeve to be this bold?~Aletheia's eyes widened as Eremes began his opening gambit, his left hand holding his smartphone as he stared at Mother dead in the eye. What was he planning?"An interesting proposal Mr. Patillo." Mother humored, her tone clearly not taking his offer seriously. "While we both know that you have nothing in terms of bargaining power, I'll humor you, just this once." A dangerous game, he's playing, no?Far too dangerous for her liking. Sweat trickled down her lightly make-upped cheek as Mother leaned closer to the repairman, both hands clasped under her chin as a sickly sweet smile masked the malice hidden underneath. The novelist's hands trembled in her lap as she hoped to god that Eremes knew what he was doing."Okay.." The man in front of them began as he fiddled with the phone in his hand. "I have here, a recording of everything that happened here on this rooftop that Wednesday night." Wh
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XII.I Ending Ceremony
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"Where do you think you're going, Patillo?!" A deep booming voice shouted at him as he buttoned up his brown rented suit. "I've already told you-""I need to go to the rooftop now, Boss." Eremes ground out, his one hand already on the elevator panel as his boss refused to let him go. "After that, I'll be out of your hair forever.""You no longer have the authority to even board this elevator, Patillo!" Basco shouted as his one hand stopped the elevator door from closing. "I want you out of my hotel, right now!"Unemployment was the least of his worries as he took another glance at his wristwatch. Damn it, he needed to be on that rooftop by eight or he'll miss his last chance to get Athena back! "C'mon, boss!" Eremes pleaded, trying to avoid things getting a tad too physical. "Just this once-""One last chance, Patillo." The burly man spat, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Leave the premises, before I throw you out myself."Taking another glance at hi
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.V Midnight Auction
"Athena?"Peeking behind her disheveled hair, the hunched-up daughter struggled to hide her surprise as a familiar voice called out to her old name. Hopeless eyes feasted as the comforting familiarity of the repairman's visage eased the threatening abyss inside her. Eremes? What was he still doing here?Don't get your hopes up."Take us to the ground floor, Mr. Patillo." Mother stated still in front of her, anger audibly bubbling beneath the faux politeness. "I do expect that you won't fail even that.""Yes ma'am."The elevator lurched, before slowly beginning its descent back down towards the cold unforgiving ground. Aletheia merely kept to herself, hoping that if she made herself small enough, Mother wouldn't notice her presence. Useless."H-Hey-""Don't you dare talk to me, Mr. Patillo." The frightened child recoiled at her mother's tone, learned instincts taking over rationality as the older woman berated his once companion. "You had but a single order, and yet you chose to disob
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.IV Midnight Auction
"I bid a lifetime of servitude!" Eremes bravely announced as he intrepidly stood up from his seat. His back already in a cold sweat as he felt the cold stares from around the offended crowd, not to mention the murderous intent coming directly from his chaperone. Boy did he really shit the bed now. But seeing her in such a sad state.."Athena!"If it wasn't for her tilting her head upward, he might not have recognized her behind her hair. What was she doing on stage? With a different name no less? "I don't know what's going on-" Did Athena lie to him? Why hide her identity? Was this what she meant about not going back? Why then? Why lie?"But I'll get you out of there!"Steeling his resolve, the intrepid repairman shouted out his bold declaration. Explanations can come later. Right now, he needed to find a way to get to her. She clearly needed help, like during the time he first saw the novelist that fateful night. What was this feeling, a sense of protectiveness? Maybe it's because
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.III Midnight Auction
"I shall now begin the first trade.""Ugghhh..."The novelist woke up to the amplified sounds of a monotone announcement, groaning at the dull pain of a rising headache. Emerald eyes slowly blinked open, showing its owner a starless night sky. Where was she? How did she get here?Took your sweet time girly."Coming from my own sources, a complete detailed report on the 2015 projected 4th Quarter earnings of the Honn Maritime Company."Droning out the loud sounds behind her, the discombobulated author tried to get into a seated position, at least to get her bearings before assessing the situation she found herself in. Shaking off the last bits of sleep-induced grogginess, she willed her hands and-"Khhh!" A brief flash of pain shot up from her wrists and ankles. Huh? That was odd. "Ten billion from Alexandria. Do I hear-."Do try to remember girly~A voice echoed in her mind to try and remember. But what? And why couldn't she move her arms and feet? A dull throb beat rhythmically in h
- The Runaway is a Politician's Daughter
XI.II Midnight Auction
"I'm quite surprised, you clean up nicely, Mr. Patillo." "I'm surprised myself, Miss Mendel." Eremes hooked the tight of his collar as his contractee companion for the night admired his current appearance. "And thank you for the suit.""It's the least I could do for someone that's caught my eye~." A teasing tone escaped from the older woman's lips, a tone that sent foreboding shivers through the unwilling companion's spine. "It wouldn't do for a companion of mine to not be at their best."*Ding*The elevator chimed as it opened its doors to an unlikely pairing of humble repairman and honorable vice-mayor."Shall we?"Nodding to her pseudo command, the red-suited Eremes let his equally red hanfu clad benefactor onto the waiting elevator first, the older lady's gait as regal and commanding as it could be before boarding the elevator himself. The steel metal doors closed as their vertical carriage awaited input."Whe-""Rooftop, please." Lady Mendel chirped, but from his perspective, it
