The Puppeteer's Assistant

Chapter 8: Gifts

Vanessa began to roam around the streets with Lolli upon the lovely town they were currently in. She got introduced to shops, people around town, and even some new kinds of things she's never seen before.

"Wow Lolli.." Vanessa began. "This really is a lovely town.." "Hehe, I knew you'd like it!" Lolli says, giggling cheerfully. "This place is just full of excitement!"

"Y-yeah.."

"Hey, I'm going to stop by the clothing store over there." Lolli points out. "Could you wait outside for me? Your welcome to take a look at some more stands if you'd like." Vanessa looked around at all the shops opened and then looked back at Lolli. "Alright, that's fine with me."

"Hehe, okay~!" And with that, Lolli skipped right into the clothing store. "Okay.. Now let's see.." Vanessa says quietly to herself, walking through crowds of people. "Where should I go.." She took a few glances around here and there, but then bumped into a few passerbys- making her trip in the process. "Ey, watch where your going lady!" One of them shouted. "A.. Ah oh my goodness! I'm so sorry..!!" She began to quickly scurry away. Little did she know there was a person right behind her..

"Ouch!"

"Sorry, sir.." Vanessa bowed her head apologetically. "Oh don't worry your pretty little head about a thing, miss." The man said kindly. "I was just heading to my shop.." He walked over to a stand that flourished with beautiful flowers lavished in reds and oranges, along with some blues and pinks here and there. All Vanessa could do was stand there and stare in awe at the glorious sight..

"Haha, can I help you ma'am?" The man asked. "Oh..! It's nothing, just.. These flowers are truly remarkable.."  Vanessa looks back up at him and tilts her head. "Huh, so that would make you a florist..?" "Haha! Indeed I am, miss!" 

"Wonderful.."

"Would you be interested in buying a few by any chance?" He asked. "Hmm.. Well, alright. I did almost cause you to have a pretty nasty spill back there, so it would be the least I could do after that." 

"Okay miss. What strikes your fancy?" "Hmm let's see.." Vanessa took a closer look at all of the flowers in front of her. Turning over to her right, she found a stash of pink roses that sat there bunched together, giving off a nice and soft glow. "Now that I think about it.. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to get Lolli something, now would it? After all, she has helped me so much.." 

"Uh, miss? Have you decided on what you'll be buying today?" The florist had interrupted her thoughts. "Oh! Why um.. Yes!" Vanessa points at her choice. "I'd like a small bouquet of your pink roses please, sir!"

"Excellent, I'll get that for you right away." The florist wrapped up a small bouquet of pink roses like his customer had asked, and Vanessa paid immediately- leaving happily afterwards. She took some more stops at some shops, until late evening broke out and the sun began to set. 

"Man what a day," Vanessa sighs, sitting down on a bench. She felt exhausted after running around all day. Despite that all however, there was still something on her mind..

The weapon, Sebastian, the truth and most importantly.. The Puppeteer and how far he'll get in his evil doings..

"I still don't get it though.." She began to speak softly to herself. "What did he mean by the weapon though..? What, a pair of scissors or something..? Oh come on Vanessa, think! You aren't a dumb girl after all.. Well, despite the fact you fell for the false statements and accusations Puppeteer made, and you directly fell for his manipulation trap.. And just after you started falling for him, more than an assistant.. Or.." Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue just thinking about it. She looked down at the bouquet in her arms..

"As his best friend.. Did I really love that man..? Goddamnit, how did I fall for it? What did I see in him that made me feel this way..? And now.. I feel.. So alone, not just that.. But betrayed.. After all this time I thought I-"

"Vanessa!" A voice had shouted her name, bringing Vanessa right out of her thoughts once again.

".. Could trust him.." Lolli ran right up to Vanessa, panting. "There you are! I was looking all over for you, girl!" Vanessa raised an eyebrow and stared at Lolli directly into her eyes "Really now?"

"Yes! Where have you been? And uh.." Lolli's eyes became glued to the bouquet of roses, staring at them oddly "What's up with the flowers? You have some lover you wanna tell me about or something?"

"What? Pfft, no! I got these for you silly, here!" Vanessa laughs, handing Lolli the precious gift. "I got them from the florist's stand in town.." The fox plush grasped the bouquet in her paws gingerly and smiled. "Why, these are lovely.. Thank you, Vanessa.. That was very thoughtful of you to think of me like this.. No one has really got me a gift before or thought to even- Ah! I'm so sorry, I'm rambling again.." Vanessa smiles back and shakes her head. "It's fine.. And your welcome. I just couldn't help but get you something nice after what you've done for me. Even though, it may not seem like much.." 

"Don't say that now! I love my gift! Here, I got you a little something too~" Lolli hands over to Vanessa a rectangular box nicely gift wrapped and packaged just for her. "What is it..?" Vanessa asks, shaking the box curiously wanting to know what was inside. "You'll try it on later." Lolli responds with a wink. "It's getting late, so why don't we begin our walk back to my place?"