43 The Doppelganger (1/2)

Fang: ”Mister Omeo, did you really want to accompany me?”

Steven: ”Yeah, and I wanted to get out of the lodge more.”

I trailed along with Fang on a short shopping trip. Of course, it wasn't required of me, but I'm doing it to get away from Mei and mostly Bao. She'll blow up on me like I just placed a lit match in a box of fireworks. I can't figure her out, she's friendly one minute and angry the next. If I try defending myself, Mei inevitably comes in on Bao's side.

I know that they're family and all but it really does piss me off.

Fang: ”It's fine, I understand.”

She smiles smugly, seemingly knowing why I'm really with her.

Fang: ”But why don't you spend your time with Lian?”

Steven: ”Well, we're not exactly friends, and I don't want to put her in danger.”

No doubt that if the Old Guard, the Lord's personal elite guard that we found out to be investigating the Lord's death, finds out about us and Lian, they'll get back at us by attacking her.

Fang: ”I can't say I would agree, she's more than capable of taking care of herself. But, it is your choice.”

I know that we're at the edge of the town, but the streets around us are surprisingly quiet. I expected some form of martial law and increased patrols. Hell, the Old Guard has yet to come into Fang's lodge while their investigation is ongoing. Perhaps I'm just letting my guard down, but we could've been long gone by now if Mei had chosen to leave.

Fang: ”Oh, Mister Omeo, have you heard that Mei has considered you to be a potential inamorato?”

Steven: ”Has she?”

I don't even know what she means by it.

Though, I do wonder what the sisters are up to back at the lodge. I left with such a short notice that it might've interrupted Mei's plans. Bao did look visibly annoyed, then again, she usually does look like that.

Steven: ”Fang, why does Bao always get mad at me?”

Fang: ”Bao? Bao… Bao doesn't exactly trust men. I blame it on her father, he was quite a well known womanizer.”

It would explain why they all look different. Bao's soft red skin, Biyu's blue with the Queen, Mei and Lilith are half-Elven. Huian is supposedly also a pure blooded Eastern Demon with horns, like Lian, but I haven't seen her in person.

Fang: ”But please don't go and ask them, it's a sensitive topic for them.”

Steven: ”No, I don't plan to.”

We turn a corner on the street and enter a small general store. The bell rings when I'm the first to enter and it sort of reminds me of the potion shop in Everhand. Only without the potions; there's a small arrangement of herbs on the walls, with a large round table in the middle holding a wide assortment of goods from candies to vegetables. I naturally find myself drawn to the herbs. I don't know Alchemy, but I'm eager to learn.

Fang: ”Do you have an interest with Alchemy?”

Fang: ”So I've heard. With the same people you served for as a servant?”

I've never told her I was a servant. Looks like Mei has been talking about me behind my back. Whether that's a good or bad thing will be something to contemplate.

Steven: ”Yeah, how did you know?”

Fang: ”Mei told me.”

The individual in charge slowly came through the open door in the back and welcomes us. To my surprise, it was Lian, welcoming us both by name. She was dressed in an apron, red flannel shirt, and had her hair in a ponytail.

Lian: ”Fang, and—Steven? Welcome.”

Fang: ”Good morning, Miss Bai.”

Steven: ”Oh, Lian, I didn't expect to see you here! Since when did you 2 know each other?”

Fang: ”Well, you never asked, so I didn't expect you to care.”

Steven: ”Girl…”

Fang: ”Now that I recollect, I forgot something across the street. Can you wait here, Steven?”

Never asked, my ass! Fang and Lian had just collaborated together and set me up!

She walks out of the store with haste. I had half the mind to follow her but my hesitation made it seconds too late. The front door shut and it was me and Lian, alone in a store filled with an awkward silence. I may as well try and make small talk, it's almost guaranteed that Fang will be a while.

Steven: ”Well, Lian, how do you know Fang?”

Lian: ”You won't judge?”

Steven: ”I won't; I'm not exactly perfect either, Lian.”

Lian: ”Then… she's my girlfriend.”

Steven: ”Girlfriend?”

Love is really something special. I never would've expected them to be an item! It also means we've committed the unforgivable!

Steven: ”Wait, you cheated?!”

Lian: ”No, don't say that… it's just an open relationship.”

As if things couldn't get more interesting, Mei just then walks into the store by herself and looking a bit off. I assumed it was because she wasn't wearing any makeup because she normally looks a bit paler, and with less wrinkles. The power of makeup can really make someone look younger!

Steven: ”Mei, did you forget to put makeup on?”

Odd-looking Mei: ”I… yes, I did, sorry.”

Steven: ”And shouldn't you be at the lodge? What if someone sees you?”

Odd-looking Mei: ”I'll be gone, but I have something for you to hold onto.”

She walks up to me, a little closer than she usually does and it makes me back into a counter. Only a mere couple of feet away from me, she slips an aged folder stacked with paper into my arms.

Odd-looking Mei: ”And, could I see your hand?”

Steven: ”What are you doing, Mei?”

I obliged her and she actually holds it, interlocking our hands together. I'm uncomfortable at this point and Lian is watching from behind the door to the backroom. I'm holding hands with Mei, who doesn't plan on letting my hand go anytime soon.

It didn't take long to notice the grey strands of hair on her scalp. This isn't the Mei I know, she's far too old!

Holy fuck, what if she's with the Old Guard?!

Steven: ”Umm, excuse me?”

Odd-looking Mei snaps back into reality and quickly lets go of me. Looking around the store, and spotting Lian in the doorway. I was about to prepare for a fight when she leaps back and runs out of the store, finally disappearing. I chased after her, but she really vanished outside. Any direction I looked, there wasn't even a single footprint. Confused, I head back in and pick up the folder she left.

It was obvious someone like Lian would be worried and slowly steps out of the door, concerned for me. I really don't want her to be worried, so I just play it off as Mei being weird.

Lian: ”What was that about? Are you alright?”

Steven: ”I'm really sorry about this, Lian. I don't know what my friend was doing.”

Lian: ”Would you like to sit down back here? It'll be safer.”

Steven: ”I… sure, I'd like to.”

I don't know what kind of danger we're in but Fang will need to know unless they're messing with me.

In the backroom of the store, I sit down on a couch and Lian pulls out a bottle of red wine from one of the the cabinets.

Steven: ”Wine?”

Lian: ”Sorry, it's all I have to offer. I keep all my water at home.”

Steven: ”I could use a drink after what happened.”

Together, we go through about half of the bottle. Working ourselves up to a nice buzz. It wasn't as strong of a drink, but it made us both have loose lips, telling each other stuff normal ”sober” people wouldn't divulge.

Lian: ”Can you stay with me tonight?”

Steven: ”Wh-what about Fang?”

Lian: ”I told you it's fine. Do you really hate cheaters?”

Steven: ”I can't say that. I've been dating this married woman back home, y'know.”

Lian: ”Oh, do you regret it?”

Steven: ”No, I just wish I went about it better. It's pretty hard to keep it a secret from everyone.”

Lian: ”Without the hardships, we wouldn't be so happy with life, Steven.”

Steven: ”Is it? It's pretty hard to look up in life when the people you care for the most are suddenly gone.”

I really can't seem to catch a break, if I can call it that. I lost my friends and my mom, at first. Now, I'm on the other side of the world from Kanna and Yuuna.

Lian: ”Well, I'm a single parent, Kang's father was abusive and told both me and Kang that we were holding him back in life.”

Steven: ”Are you fucking serious? What happened to him?”

Lian: ”Bandits attacked on a delivery of his and held him for ransom. I couldn't pay it then, and they… they…”

She stops momentarily and takes a deep breath.

Lian: ”But… I'm happy. I have Kang and Fang.”

Dang, the more she mentions Fang, the more I'm convinced that she is in a relationship with her. Lian scoots closer and rests against me. Her cold hands were wrapped around my arm and snatching my warmth.

Lian: ”You're very warm. I could use you as a pillow.”

Steven: ”I guess it's the wine, right?”

Lian: ”I'll get us some more wine then!”

Steven: ”I don't want to drink too much, Lian.”

The room falls into a calming silence and suddenly the couch feels like a good place to rest. I glance down at Lian and see the sparkle of curiosity in her eye.

Lian: ”What was your father like?”

Steven: ”My dad? Hmm… he was a really good chef. I learned a lot about cooking from him before he passed away and my mom took the responsibility of teaching me.”

All this talk about family is really bringing the mood down. We sat, making small talk and finishing the rest of the bottle down to the last drop. Fang returns and comes in the backroom. It came almost surprisingly as the bell to the front didn't ring.

I must've been too drunk to notice…

Fang: ”Oh, am I interrupting?”

Steven: ”No, where's Mei? I thought she'd be with you.”

Fang: ”What are you talking about? She's not supposed to be outside and you know that.”

Lian: ”Oh, I remember. She came in and gave Steven some folder.”

She grabs the folder that we were using as a coaster for the wine bottle. Using the folder as such drew some criticism from Fang.

Fang: ”You should set your priorities right, the both you.”

Steven: ”You ran off, so we waited.”

Fang: ”Oh, you sure did, half drunk with each other. I fear what I would've walked in on if I waited another hour.”

Lian: ”Yeah, I can't run a shop like this. I'll be closing early.”

Fang: ”Are you sure, Lian? Your struggling with money as it is.”

Lian is struggling with money?

Steven: ”How much do you owe?”

Lian: ”Almost 60,000 Yingbi. I make around 17,000 monthly, but it all goes to every bill you can think of from Kang's schooling and food. I have little left over to pay it off.”

I reach into wallet and pull out exactly 60,000 Yingbi. Making it was said amount of money by counting it before handing it off to her.

Steven: ”Here.”

Lian: ”Oh, no! I couldn't make you do that, Steven.”

I'm doing this because it just feels like the right thing to do…

Steven: ”I insist! I have far more in Shouyi.”

Lian: ”But… are you sure?”

Steven: ”I'm eventually going to spend it on liquor, so I may as well put it to a better use.”

Fang: ”If he's offering Lian, you should take him up on it.”

She hesitantly takes my money and pockets it.

Lian: ”Th-thank you, Steven. It really means a lot to me and Kang.”

Fang: ”And I hate the break the moment up but we have to head back to my lodge. Mei needs to explain why she came all the way out here.”

Lian: ”Hold on, I'm coming with you.”

After Lian closes up the shop, we made haste to the lodge as an overcast was barely starting to roll in and by the looks of it, rain will be following real soon.

Fang: ”Will Kang be fine at school? Those clouds don't seem good.”

Lian: ”I should pick up Kang first then come over to the lodge.”

Fang: ”I'd be happy to see Kang again. He's such a sweetheart.”

Lian splits off from us and heads in her own direction. With just me and Fang, I tried using the opportunity to chat with her and ask about her relationship with Lian.

Steven: ”What's with you and Lian?”

Fang: ”You already know.”

Steven: ”Yeah, but why an open one?”

Fang: ”By choice.”

I found it preferable that I were to remain silent. Not another word was uttered until we arrived inside the lodge. Mei had essentially converted one of the tables into a desk area where everything related to Lord Abram is located.

If there were more of her, she'd turn the lodge into an office. She already has a doppelganger.

Mei: ”Steven, good, you're back.”

Fang: ”Yeah, and why were you walking around outside in the open?”

Mei: ”What are you talking about?”

Steven: ”You walked into a shop we were in and handed me the folder Fang has.”

She denied doing so, and Mei in the lodge was looking a lot younger. It became clear that it was indeed some kind of doppelganger had stolen Mei's identity but she wasn't believing anything until Lian came in with Kang and backed us up.

Mei: ”You let strangers in on this?”