Gians of Giri

Vikki's Holiday: Part 8

The next evening, Mayna talked with Mama Rosa privately. "We can't have Venia stay here."

"She is staying, Mayna, even if you don't like her."

"She could stay at an inn nearby."

"She is leaving after the holidays anyway. I don't see why she can't stay." At this point in the conversation, Venia was passing by on the way to bed. "Mayna, I don't see why you can't forgive her."

"Olina, Carlos, Aryn, and Tomano got kidnapped because of her."

"She is going to be leaving. And besides, it's not her fault."

"Yes it is! If she never came here, if she resisted against Olina when they first met, then it wouldn't have happened. They wouldn't have been taken."

"Mayna! It is not your decision for whether she stays or she goes. I will not force her to leave. And you do not have permission to make her leave. I will expect that you show her the same respectfulness that you showed her before we learned about her past."

"Mama Rosa, she has killed before. For all we know, the scene was a set up. She might not be innocent."

"Mayna, please-"

"No! You listen. We both know that Xar isn't exactly who people think he is. Teacher of Fire Karki thought he was a Knight of Air. He is a Knight of Mind, can't you tell! Stop being so trusting."

"Mayna Eleanor Rosen! I will not fight on this matter. Go to your room and get some sleep. Let's hope that it calms you down enough to think straight." Mayna stormed out of the room, not noticing Venia. Venia could hear Mama Rosa sigh and sit down in a chair. Venia left to her room. She wrote a note before going to bed. She couldn't stay a day longer.

The next morning, Venia made sure all of her things were in her bag. She paused when she saw the ticket jar, dress, and painting. She decided to leave all but the ticket jar with the note. In the note, she had put that the presents she had formally prepared were wrapped, labelled, and hidden in the wardrobe. She put on her cloak. Wrapping it around herself, she went downstairs and into the kitchen. Venia took a few bananas, and put them in her bag. She went to the shoe area and put on her boots. She opened the door, quickly stepping through and closing it. The street was silent; it was still pretty early.

For one last time, she looked at the orphanage. She remembered the first time she had seen it. Well, the second time. The first she didn't know it was an orphanage. The second she was being lead by a hummingbird who was kidnapped because of her. Venia sighed and turned away. Her feet began to move her toward the edge of town. With luck, the Zikor would be tracking her, and so would take her to Zokun. It was for the best. Maybe Daek would be there, and the Zikor had failed to tell her. That was the real reason that she was in Phankes anyway. Not because she wanted to see the girites for herself. After all, all she could do is observe them from a distance. Any real relationship, and their unity could suffer. No, it was better this way. She would finally be home. She wasn't an orphan; she wasn't Viki.

Meanwhile, Olina flung open the door to the room Venia had occupied. She found that her friend wasn't here. She walked over and read the note. Outside of the room, Mayna heard Olina. She walked into the room to see Olina crying. The raven walked up to the humming bird. When she went to hug her, the little girl pushed her away. Olina looked at her angrily. "This is all your fault!"

"Wait, Olina!" Mayna watched as a crying Olina rushed out of the room. Mayna picked up the note and read it.

"Oh no." Mayna let the note fall to the floor as she ran after Olina.