Vienna had gone to the Capital with her father. Pop suggested she check out the trade school that she would go to after she turned sixteen, while he attended his council meeting. Vienna was escorted through the cobblestone streets of the capital by Ezzie's flame-haired sister. The central area consisted mostly of what looked like old noble structures and palaces that had been converted into community buildings in wonder.

The trade school was very interesting. In the years since its establishment after the war, slowly but surely more and more trades were added and now there were more intriguing areas of study for Vienna than farming and blacksmithing. Now there was a program for artificer apprenticeship, Ôkren stewardship of the land, steelwork, merchants guild calculation courses, apprentice scouts, and even the occasional architectural student. The Capital Academy showed signs of steady growth, year over year, in the way new buildings were slowly spiraling out from the older central institution. Vienna knew that other kingdoms had their academies - with their specialties - and it seemed the Capital Academy had plans to create a collegiate atmosphere with regular visiting professors. It was a worthy goal. Vienna couldn't stop smiling at the work that the Capital was doing to make the day-to-day quality of life the best it could be. Of course, they were also hopeful to put a strong guardrail down so that there wouldn't be a repeat of the Dark Age anytime soon.

It was when Vienna was in one of the newly opened shops by the wharf that she first caught a flash of something golden out of the corner of her eye. A few years ago she might not have shrugged it off; she was no longer as paranoid as she once was. It wasn't until she was looking at a hand-embroidered linen that she noticed the girl who had walked up to her right side. Her fingertips were following the vine-like patterns on an embroidered linen and she had just raised her head to ask the shopkeeper about it. The fabric was heavy enough that it could be made into multiple pieces of clothing as well as some household items. She had been entrusted with a healthy budget that day which she could spend in one of these newer stores. Vienna looked forward to supporting a small business - she remembered her father smiling out over the bustling Capital Square, clearly pleased with the activity.

As she looked up, Vienna's brown eyes suddenly met a set of piercing sky blue framed in golden eyelashes. The girl in front of her also had placed a possessive hand on the linen and scowled intensely as soon as she met Vienna's gaze.

Vienna dropped the cloth and stumbled back, her breath caught in her throat and turned into a gasp when she bumped into someone behind her.

"You stepped on my dress, you silly girl!"

Her tree bark eyes turned and raised tentatively in apology, "Pardon me, Merchant Florinteus."

Vienna's mind was still reeling about the girl she'd seen while the woman who was on the merchant council stared down over her nose at Vienna.

"You are Duke Thorne's child, aren't you?"

Vienna could feel the back of her head itch as she sensed an intense stare she was receiving from behind. She hid her clenched hands in her pockets to stop herself from reaching back and scratching the back of her head.

"Yes." Vienna nodded furtively, "I apologize for bumping into you. If you like I could have your dress cleaned?"

The woman gestured away the notion. "I noticed you admiring the new linen. Fine work isn't it? I was the sponsor for this shop, it's quite promising." The woman looked around the area at several dress forms here and there, her hand caressing an almost silken textured cloth. "I would have allowed your first pick, however, I promised my companion already."

"Oh." Vienna mouthed, giving a verbal shrug, "Then I must take my leave, good day." Vienna took steps to get away and leave the store. Quickly. She needed to circle away from this place without attracting any more attention.

"Adeena, was there anything that caught your eye?"

The voice that followed was what one would expect from a story's protagonist; musical, softer tones with an elegance that prevailed over each syllable.

"This cloth, though rather simple, has an interesting design."

Vienna by this time had made a full circle around the edges of the store. She made her way quickly towards the exit without drawing too much attention to herself. However, just as she made it to the door, the 'heroine's' gaze met hers and brought her to a sudden halt.

"I'm sure I could elevate it."

Merchant Florinteus spoke from behind them, "How much would you like, Lady Nesrin?" Fluttering her golden lashes over almond-shaped eyes, a small smirk formed on the opposing twelve-year-old's lips, "I'll take all of it."

The merchant let out a small gasp and laughter, "Oh to be young again! Surely you could leave at least something behind for Lady Thorne."

Vienna shook her head, "Please take it all!"

She ran outside searching for the crimson hair of Ezzie's sister. She was supposed to be shopping nearby along the wharf, but she was nowhere in sight.

Vienna could feel as her heart began to flutter erratically in her chest.

"This can't be happening." Her voice was coming out strangled from her throat and she felt as if she could not breathe. Suddenly all she could think about was getting away but before she could a hand clamped down upon her own tightly.

"Merchant Florinteus, I think I am going to have a light tea with Lady Thorne while my wares are prepared."

The hand upon Vienna's own tightened as Vienna tried to get away and an almost sickly sweet voice whispered in her ear, "It's best not to make a scene. Won't you join me for some tea?"

The 'heroine' pulled her down the lane to a small eatery that was next to one of the custom seamstress shops.

Despite the panic flooding her system Vienna knew she needed to stay calm, at least until she had another chance to run away. Taking a deep breath she straightened as the girl named Adeena Nesrin took her by the hand to a small spot in the eatery to the prime table by the window.

Vienna reminded herself; she had learned that things weren't as they seemed in this world. The 'game' had been merely a game inspired by a real dimension that she had lived in for twelve years. It was lush with beauty and history; Vienna had come to love it dearly.

Now she sat before another person who once had been just a character to her and Vienna wasn't sure what to make of her.

Adeena Nesrin was a beauty even at the tender age of twelve, not quite a teen or even at the cusp of womanhood. Yet her cheeks were alight with a subtle peach tint, her hair looked like spun strands of gold curled neatly on framing her cheeks, and her clear blue eyes reflected the light in an almost eerie sort of way. Her already full lips were pulled in what others might have thought to be a smile but the more Vienna looked she could see the tenseness in the corner of her eyes and the slight twitch of her pinky finger as she lifted her teacup up to her lips, before she wrinkled her nose from the taste.

Vienna broke their locked gaze to look outside, brown eyes still searching for a sign of Ezzie's sister or perhaps even her father. "I'm not who you think I am."

Adeena's head tilted to the side as she peered across the distance at Vienna. Her dainty fingers took a small wooden spoon with pursed lips of dissatisfaction before stirring in some crystalized sugar into her tea. A small satisfied sound escaped her as she took a sip of the sweeter tea, her teacup hovered partially in the air as a bitter tilt appeared upon her lips, "I don't care."

Vienna gazed almost straight at the girl, her voice quiet but desperate, "I won't get in your way. I just want to live happily with my father. I'll stay away from everyone else."

The 'heroine's' spoon clinked against her saucer, "You are already in my way." Her eyes narrowed across the way and her small delicate piece of pottery teacup cracked in her hands.

"I don't like things in my way."

Vienna could feel her heart hammer in her throat, she swallowed thickly and this time she ran away and she didn't look back. Her heart felt like it was breaking and she found her thoughts were all jumbling together, as old fears started to eclipse her world once more.

[Special POV of Adeena Nesrin]

The world was duller than she remembered it once upon a time.

It had seemed so much brighter and new when she was younger and more innocent.

Let out of her gilded cage the world outside of it meant new experiences, faces, and new things to possess.

The girl was smaller than she remembered, so tiny and unassuming. Hardly a threat at all, but as soon as her eyes met those deep brown something clawed itself up her throat and a growl nearly ripped from her throat. How she wished she could have reached across the aisle just then and finished it then and there. It would have been so simple. She was so tiny. A simple fall most likely could do it.

It didn't matter that she wasn't the same Vienna Thorne from before, she had seen other memories when she'd met her eyes for the first time this time.

A strange silver room. A disturbing being with a multitude of arms. A little girl crying about how she didn't want to cross paths with the 'heroine'.

A grim smile came upon Adeena's lips.

Vienna would always be a thorn in Adeena's side.

Close to the royal family through her father, Duke Winden Thorne, she was always in the way. Adeena barely refrained from clenching her teeth as she looked out the window of the eatery before glancing back at the empty chair in front of her.

Perhaps if she played her cards just right the girl would disappear entirely.

[End of Special POV]