100 Brewer Estate (1/2)

Rayna: ”There's this estate I had my eye on. It's perfect and it's in the Linden District.”

I've been finding myself in the Linden District more and more often. It's a nice little district that's a lot more open than the Historic, but I wouldn't come out here unless I have a reason to. However, today Rayna wants to show an estate that's in the area.

Steven: ”A lot of that area is parks and residential. Where is this place exactly?”

Lilith: ”Oh no…”

Rayna: ”I don't know where exactly, but I know the way.”

She takes the lead, guiding us into the district and a few familiar turns later, we end up at our destination.

Rayna: ”This is my first choice. Brewer Estate.”

Goddamnit.

A dreaded destination.

Of all the places in the world, it has to be the one where Lilith and I first fought.

Lilith: ”Why here?”

She groaned.

Steven: ”How about we go for the second choice?”

Rayna: ”Why?”

Steven: ”Brewer Estate… is kinda… y'know?”

Rayna: ”No, I don't know. What's going on with you?”

I sigh heavily.

I was about to ask for Lilith's input, but even she's uncomfortable about being near here. Maybe it's not too late to just leave and go elsewhere. It's not like the estate was necessary, to begin with.

Steven: ”It's the spot where Lilith and I tried killing each other.”

Rayna: ”Oh my—I didn't know this was that place!”

The look of shock was enough for me to convince me that she was ignorant about the estate's history. It makes even more sense because it's something I don't want to talk about.

Madelyn: ”Why would this be your first choice?”

Rayna: ”I mean—There are 7 bedrooms. It was built for an extended family to live in… I seriously didn't know this was that same place!”

Madelyn: ”If it's just the bedrooms, we can just build our own house, right? There has to be more to it.”

Rayna: ”The fences can be replaced with ones for privacy which would let Dai-tai walk around outside without having to use illusion spells.”

Steven: ”She's not a dog, Rayna.”

Madelyn: ”Sure, it's big on the outside, but what if the inside is all closed up and suffocating?”

Rayna: ”It's not like the townhouse you live in. The entire first floor should be wide open.”

She's not wrong, but I'm pretty sure Lilith and I wrecked the inside of the place.

Madelyn: ”Can we have a look inside?”

Rayna: ”Yeah, the owner should be nearby. I'll go get him, stay here.”

I haven't even thought about the estate in so long and I'm worried old memories will start flooding in.

Madelyn: ”So, uh… what do you guys think of this estate?”

Steven: ”I guess it looks nice…”

Lilith: ”I don't want to live in Everhand.”

Madelyn: ”What? Why not?”

Madelyn: ”That's bullshit, you have as much—”

Lilith: ”You're not changing my mind, Madelyn.”

Madelyn crosses her arms.

Madelyn: ”What are you going to do then?”

Lilith: ”I took residence inside a tower at the castle. I've already moved my things from the palace in Hei'an.”

Steven: ”…You could have one of the castle rooms, Lilith. I told you that you're one of us…”

Lilith: ”There won't be enough space. The tower I chose is almost the same as the one I had which had 3 roomy floors.”

Rayna returns, sooner than expected, twirling a key around her finger. She finally raises the key and smiles.

Rayna: ”The owner's wife lent us a key to the place.”

Madelyn: ”Let's check it out.”

Steven: ”Try not to be too long.”

Rayna: ”Aren't you coming?”

Steven: ”No, I don't really want to go in there…”

Lilith: ”Me neither.”

Rayna: ”Steven…”

Steven: ”Rayna…”

Rayna: ”Look… we're all here. You're not going to be alone again…”

Madelyn: ”Nothing will happen if we're together.”

Well… if they insist so much.

I held Rayna's hand as we all walked into the estate and noticed that the interior was renovated. I guess the place was damaged enough for this to happen.

Rayna: ”See, the entire first floor is wide open.”

The walls in here were taken out and now there are decorated columns where they once stood.

Steven: ”They tore down the walls.”

Madelyn: ”I think it was to let more light in.”