Snippet #2703086

Rick’s intimating presence often causes two different responses. Both responses generally correspond with opposing personalities. Tough, take-no-shit kind of people respond with anger and defiance. Meek, I’ll-do-whatever-you-say types of people flee. This woman, Viv, responded differently than that.

On the one hand she moved, which was exactly what Rick told her to do. But she also didn’t panic and leave. She definitely was still blocking the exit. Her posture, tone, and fluttered speech all pointed to Viv being the meek type of person. Meaning she should’ve run off to a safe place by now, or so thought Rick.

The question is why is she still here? Is she planning some sort of scheme? Does she want something from him? Could she be an Erubesco Knight setting him up for an ambush? What if she was just so frightened that she could barely move? Fear does make people lose all common sense. The far least likely possibility was perhaps the most disturbing to Rick. What if she was genuinely concerned for his wellbeing?

‘That can’t be possible. No one cares about me, definitely not anymore,’ Rick thought to himself. ‘Then again…’ he pondered on the situation some more. ‘This whole city…town…whatever, has been full of people who’ve been helpful and concerned about me. The people I’ve come in contact with have legitimately been good people. Maybe Viv is too.’

It was bizarre. Rick was touched by it all the same. Some of his distrust brushed off him, his heart felt lighter, and his world view shifted. ‘Maybe Erubesco isn’t as evil as I thought. I mean what do I actually know about them? Just that they were intent on capturing Dawn by any means necessary. Also, that their soldiers can be ruthless. Abducting a young girl is pretty bad, but the soldiers were just following orders. Maybe the person or people pulling the strings is/are evil but not the rest of them? I know I’ve done plenty of things that come off as evil. Things that I justify as necessary for the betterment of the world.’ It was hard to believe that he was giving the benefit of the doubt to an organization that has caused him and his “friends” so much trouble.

Nothing made complete sense to Rick. Her voice, for instance. The more he heard it the more it sounded familiar. Like he’s heard it before. Still, it was different enough that he could be confusing it with someone else’s voice. His memory showed her face, it was identical to the one that was staring at him right now. And yet the person in his memory wasn’t named Viv, what her name was he couldn’t be sure but he vaguely remembered the name on the card attached to the gift he gave her. The memory was too long gone to remember it. Something that began with ‘L’ or ‘J’ but not ‘V’.

Then again was that even a memory at all? Was it all some fever dream his warped brain cooked up? Rick couldn’t help but emotionally deflate. This was getting him nowhere. All this speculation is a move for chumps. Once again it seemed that Rick needed to rely on his most comfortable approach…the straight forward approach.

Before he did anything, Rick decided to listen and then consider what she had to say next. The first thing she told him was scattered. Mostly choppy half-finished thoughts about wanting to help him. Clearly she wasn’t sure of what to say to him. Rick got the feeling that she felt like she needed to keep talking and what was said didn’t really matter. The next thing she said was more coherent and detailed. She rattled off details about herself without hesitation and with the most amount of confidence so far.

‘I guess she is who she says she is,’ Rick thought to himself. But then Viv just started throwing letters at him ‘BTSP? What was that?’ the small amount of schooling Rick had never covered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He did understand that she worked with soldiers who had flashbacks. It sounded like this Viv person would be the perfect person to help him deal with his nightmares but again Rick couldn’t allow that to happen. Especially since it was clear now that there was no way he could know her. She was an Erubesco civilian through and through, no reason for him to ever know her.

Rick softened his demeanor on purpose. He wanted her to realize his concern for her.

“Look. You can’t help me. Trying will only ruin your life…probably get you killed. I don’t want that to happen to you, okay? Do yourself a favor and pretend you never even saw me. If anyone asks, you don’t know me, you didn’t try to help me, and you don’t like me. Just trust me on this.”

Just then a young man approached them. He tried to get into the library but couldn’t because of Vivianne.

‘At least I now know that I wasn’t imagining her being in the way of the exit,’ he thought to himself. It then struck Rick that this was the perfect opportunity to gauge Viv, her reaction to this stranger could give some insight into what her motives are.

“You seem to be in the way, you should let us pass.” Rick studied her response but he kept speaking, “This guy seems like he’s had a long day, you should probably help him.” Pawning him off on Viv was an unexpected borderline genius idea. It was another opportunity to gain insight what her motives were.

Something about that flashback kept bugging him. Now he was in a weird spot. He was uncomfortable about how much he’s spoken to this stranger despite how helpful she seems. So any chance to get away from her, so he didn’t have to talk to her anymore, was preferable. However, he couldn’t deny that he desperately needed to know if there was any truth behind that festive scene his brain showed him.

In a few moments the battle waged and a winner was declared. Rick’s need for the truth outweighed his discomfort about talking to strangers. Still he wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. Being blind to proper social etiquette is really putting him at a disadvantage.

‘Better just try something, I should probably leave this place soon.’

“Quick question… for the both of you…” Rick thought that maybe asking both strangers would make it more appropriate. “If you were to get a present from someone and the present was a Desert Eagle with a thousand rounds of ammunition…how would you react?” If there was any truth to his “memory” then maybe his awkward question would bring some light to it.