In the southern part of the Capital, Sennan and Sythrik made their way through the lively street with a steady carriage. People from different paths and experience waddled their own way, some stood still and talked with another, while another gentleman was seen tying his shoelaces on the sidewalk.
Suddenly, Sythrik's carriage came to a halt and the driver quickly yet carefully went to open the door. Sennan walked out with a Sythrik in tow, and released a deep stretch.
Sythrik looked ahead and saw a rather small, yet an almost fancy building with words carved into the white wooden wall above the entrance, [Richard's tie].
Sythrik glanced at Sennan and said in a joking tone, "In all honesty, I expected a more... fancier place from you." Sennan walked ahead, reached out his right hand and opened the door, "Didn't I say it already? I like the more plain lifestyle." Sythrik chuckled to himself and walked inside as Sennan said, "After you."
After a few steps, he saw a white counter, two personell in fine clothing, walking elegantly throughout the store, one middle aged gentleman and young, blonde lady. There were only "formal" clothes there, some hung in display, covered by glass, others was hung neatly on tall racks, while some more "popular" ones, was put on light-brown wooden mannequins.
"This store really was made for formalities sake. I understand now why Sennan wanted to come here despite its ordinary, yet slightly fancy display on the outside." Sythrik thought to himself, scanning the area.
With deliberate steps, came a blonde, young lady with a fragrant smile. She tucked her hands together, and formally asked, "Does the gentlemen need any assistance?" Sennan compared her formality to that of when he was treated as a VIP at the theaters, the day his mentor passed away.
He didn't turn gloomy or sad, he simply gazed at her eyes for a moment... Suddenly, his vision turned blurry, twirling in circles, darkening with every second, and soon, all went black... As he regained his vision, he found himself out on the street, unable to move everything except his gaze and head. A few meters in front of him, about the length of the average carriage, he saw a blonde, young lady who's hair was neatly tucked in a bun.
Isn't that the girl from the store? What is she doing here? No... What, and how did I get here??? Wasn't I at the store just a minute ago!? And why can't I move my feet, hands, anything!
Suddenly, Sythrik was pulled by an external force as the girl kept her stride, seemingly following her. He did not hold any control, nor did he want to follow, yet his feet walked. "Just what is going on right now!?"
He looked around franticly for help, and was about to shout, but as he was preparing the alarm for help, he saw no one. Around him was only the blonde girl and himself. His face turned almost pale in panic, he felt alone, helpless, and the only one around him, whom his "body" was following seemed to disregard him, as if he wasn't there, as if he was merely a spectator...
Reminded of the occurrence with The Hanged Man and this scenario's similarities, he let go of his struggles and observed her. Suddenly, he saw something drop down to the ground.
As his form was gradually following the blonde young lady, it stopped right before the item. "What's this? I've regained control of my body again!" He stretched his arms up in the air and let out a deep breath. "Ah, that's right, the thing she lost. I regained control after she dropped it and when I ultimately reached it!" He thought as observed the item while standing. "Its... Just a wallet..."
Sythrik knelt down and picked it up, then, he looked around, trying to find the young blonde lady, but she too had vanished into thin air. Sythrik gazed confusedly at the wallet he was holding, seeing its red leather and silver edges. Suddenly, Sythrik's vision turned blurry and receded into nothingness. After a very small moment, did his vision return, albeit a bit blurry. However, gradually he could see the blonde woman again, facing him with a worried expression and asked, "Is everything alright sir?"
Sythrik, still confused and dumbfounded simply nodded with a slightly forced smile.
Sennan, whom had just looked at the time, hurriedly said, "Wait here as I prepare stuff for you to try out!" while pointing at a chair. Sythrik nodded as he saw Sennan walk from place to place to gather suits of different kinds with the blonde young girl following him.
"Was that real or was I just daydreaming?" He questioned. "And if it truly was real, then when did this happen? How did I come to be invisible, or unable to perceive?" "Why was she the only one there and how come I had no control of my own body?"... He thought for a while but to no prevail, interrupted by Sennan who launched a set of clothing for him to try out. "Try this at the wardrobe, I have more for you to try so be fast, we only have 36 more minutes!" Sythrik nodded and went to try it out.
...
After having tried out around 11 formal attires, did they conclude with a black vest, dark red linen shirt, a black bowtie, formal black trousers and a pair of black shoes.
"Perfect! This should do." Sennan approved. "It really does fit me quite well, must be because of the change I've experienced!... The change! When the young blonde girl lost her wallet, that must've been a "vision" I could see after the change!... However, how can I confirm it?" Sythrik thought and pondered, however, Sennan asked if he was happy with his choice and wanted it, thus interrupting his line of thought. Sythrik merely smiled and nodded, "Of course, I couldn't be happier." With that, Sennan smiled and said, "Then I'll go buy it."
As Sennan went to buy the dress for Sythrik, Sythrik signaled the young lady for help, "Is there something you need, sir?" Sythrik paused for a moment and asked, "Do you happen to... You know, have lost something recently?"
Her eyes widened as she said, "I do, but why do you ask, sir?" Sythrik swallowed his saliva, not wanting to pose as the thief and said, "I like to help those in need, so depending on what you have lost, I can give something similar, IF its within reason or my ability."
The girl thought for a moment, then, carefully asked, "Well, if that's the case, then yes, I did loose something. Earlier today, on my way to work, I lost my wallet. I think I might've dropped it somewhere, but I have no idea where..."
With that, Sythrik's eyes widened, and his questions was answered. Before he pondered further, he pulled out a pair of gold coins and handed it to the lady, "Here, take this, I hope it can somewhat replace what you've lost, miss." Her eyes sparkled, and she quickly bowed twice, "Thank you sir! I won't forget this!" He simply nodded before he locked eyes with Sennan, whom was ready to leave and stood next to the exit. He returned his gaze to the lady and bowed slightly, and bid farewell.
As he and Sennan made their way into the carriage and set out to the restaurant, he thought, "So what I saw really was a vision, one from the past. Considering the way it played out, its more accurate to say that I simply "observed" a moment in time... Does that mean that I can spectate previous occurrences? If that's the case, finding information about the impending fall, which I will call the upcoming fall of The Capital, will be a lot easier and possible.
"Did The Hanged Man really give me this power? No wonder he didn't care to explain how it would all play out, or who is behind the impending fall, after all, he has given me the resources to figure that out on my own... Almost as if he has put me in a trial, a test to prove my worthiness of some kind!" He crossed his fingers as he looked outside the carriage's window, "The Hanged Man... Just who is he really?"...
...
After 6 minutes of driving, did they finally reach the restaurant. It was on the southern upper part of the city, also known as the street of abundance, a place where most rich individuals come to waste their money on expensive items and food alike. The restaurant they were to meet at was of dark-brown wood, it was six stories high and held quite the royal presence in the restaurant industry.
Sythrik followed after Sennan whom walked ahead, holding a new expression, one to fit in with the masses of nobles. "You needn't mimic me, Sythrik. I'm simply following family rules, what you do is up to you, not the Reign family, got that?" Sythrik smiled and said, "I do, thanks for the concern."
Finally, after a few seconds, within the dark aroma, covered by some candlelights from corner to corner, hung by dark-brown wooden walls, did Sennan finally catch glimpse of them. "Ready to meet your sister after 5 years or so?" Sythrik nodded with a determined face, thus, he was told to ease up, relax and enjoy the evening.
Sythrik, despite having eased up a little, still felt nervous, still, he kept his thoughts to a minimum and focused on enjoying the evening, as per Sennan's suggestion.
Sennan walked ahead, smiling, then tapped Selena on shoulder, leaving the ones on the opposite side with a clear sense of anticipation.
"Oh, Sennan! Then that must mean that he's here too right!" Selena said aloud, having truly missed her brother. Her parents, which sat to her left, and sister whom sat to her right, smiled and awaited their precious family member's face. "That's right, he's right behind me... Did you really need me to point that out for you? What a bad sister you are, being unable to recognize your very own brother..."
Confused, she looked at the slightly tall man behind Sennan, his dark brown hair, styled into an almost fancy middle part, his dark attire, clear skin and "handsome" facial features.
"That... That's really him?" She asked, exuding a hint of fear.
"In the flesh." Sythrik said with a weak chuckle.
"I should've known this would happen as soon as The Hanged Man changed me!" Sythrik thought to himself, his expression in control.
Selena bore a face of pondering, her blue green eyes scanning the man Sennan called her "brother", then said, "It really is him... Time really does change someone!"
"Hey! You're making it sound like I'm an old man!" Sythrik let out instinctively. Selena was still a little taken aback, however, she stood up, tidied her formal, elegant dress, and walked up to her brother with her family in tow. A small moment passed, Sythrik stood there confused, simply gazing down at his sister, his sister who seemed so much smaller than before, so much prettier... No, she simply grew up and changed.
The air was somewhat tense, but then, suddenly, Sythrik felt two arms wrap around him, gripping him with a gentle, yet destructive force. It was none other than Selena, then, his other sister wrapped her small hands around his waist, closing in her cheeks to hug her brother.
"Danika was always such a quiet girl, she still is, but now she's more outgoing I believe is the right description." Sythrik thought to himself.
The two retracted their arms and Selena said, "We've wasted too much time, lets go eat dinner." Sythrik nodded and held Danika's hand as he followed her to their seats. He was placed between Selena and Danika, opposite of Sennan.
He let out a deep breath, and smiled.