Survival Mode

Chapter One

It was an early Sunday morning. Burkland was only starting to open its eyes as the sun rose into the bright blue sky. Although, it wasn't any special day to Dashi Smith. She saw every single day as a heavy burden upon her shoulders. Thus, it was occasional she had jubilant days. Dashi was only rising out of bed when her servant and best friend, Peso Garcia, came about knocking on her bedroom door. "Dashi, I made you breakfast! It's your favorite!" Dashi licked her lips at the sound of that. She quickly dressed and pulled a brush through her long, thick, auburn hair. After a quick look over her appearance, Dashi left the bedroom. She ran down the many flights of stairs. Her father owned a mansion - it was quite big for only the three of them. Dashi would prefer living in a smaller home. She arrived to the kitchen, giving Peso a brief smile.

"Good morning, Peso. Lovely day, is it not? Forget that. Where is this special breakfast?"

He chuckled. "On the table. Your father is awaiting your arrival."

Dashi sighed. She and her father were never the closest. It was too, a burden, just having to think about him. "Thank you. I will see to what he wants." Dashi left Peso for the colossal dinning room - much too big for possibly even a banquet party. She gave a small wave to her father, who was preoccupied with the daily paper and coffee. "Morning father."

He lowered the newspaper. "Good morning, my dear. Have a seat."

She did as told. Dashi situated herself in a seat beside him. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Dashi, you are getting much too old to continue living with me. Don't you think it is about time you looked for another love interest? Do not get me wrong, my dear, I still love you dearly. But Dashi, you are -"

Dashi interrupted him with a dissatisfied groan. "Yes, father, I know. We have this conversation twice every week! Do you think I need to hear it again?"

He gave her an annoyed glance. "Dashi Smith, you mustn't ever interrupt me. I am your father."

She rolled her chocolate brown eyes. "Yes sir. I know. Now, may I have a peaceful breakfast without your constant blabbering?" That shut him up. Dashi took up a fork and knife, sliced her strata in half, and set a small amount into her mouth. Her father, still beside her, covered up his wrinkled face with the paper. Dashi smirked to herself, continuing to eat her delightful breakfast.

Peso entered the dinning room, a concerned look upon his face. "Doctor Wilson, a visitor wishes to seek your presence."

He looked up from his paper. "Bring them to my office. I will speak with them from there." Peso gave him a nod and left the room. Doctor Wilson stood from his chair, giving his daughter an unimpressed look. "I expect you to be on your best behavior if you happen to meet our guest. It is highly rare we have visitors."

Dashi gave him an insulted scoff. "Father, I am twenty-two. I do not need any of your obnoxious scolding."

Doctor Wilson clenched his teeth. "We will continue this conversation later. I am very disappointed in you, my dear. If you'll excuse me, I am going to introduce our guests."

After he left the room, Dashi let out an annoyed cry. A foolish man he was - they used to be the best of friends! Dashi slumped back in her chair and sighed to herself. "Does he really believe I am still a child?" Dashi gave herself a physical slap in the forehead. She refocused on the delicious strata before her. Dashi finished the portion, then left the dinning room. As she slowly climbed up the million steps leading to the second floor, she heard arguing. Without a doubt, it was her father. But who was the other man? Dashi retreated down the stairs and came to her father's office.

"Barnacles, I can assure you it was a complete accident!"

"No! No, it was certainly not an accident! You purposely made a potion and spilled it! What more could I expect, Carter?"

Dashi chided herself for eavesdropping in the conversation, but she intended to listen further. The man - known as Carter - spoke up again. "Erm... Actually Barnacles, I didn't necessarily spill it."

Doctor Wilson was silent for several moments. "Then, where is it?"

"I forced Cedric to drink it."

"You did what!"

Carter gave Doctor Wilson a sad nod. "I am so sorry, Barnacles. I didn't think it would hurt him -"

Doctor Wilson let out a horrified gasp. "It hurt him? You are telling me it hurt him! Carter, what on earth were you thinking? Did he seek medical attention?"

"Of course! Did you really think I would leave him there, dying? The doctors believe they will need to preform surgery. I will receive news later on tonight."

Doctor Wilson gave him a sadden sigh. "Carter, what kind of potion was it exactly?"

Carter hesitated before continuing. "Honestly, I'm not sure, Barnacles. I only threw a bunch of ingredients together, mixed them up, and accidentally spilled it. End of story." Dashi covered up her dropped mouth with a hand. Cedric was a kind man; the most likable amongst the other scientists.

"Carter, you will have some heavy explaining to do after we hear Cedric's update. For now, you are dismissed." Dashi's eyes widened as she heard footsteps nearing the door. She rushed away. Though, to her astonishment, Dashi collided into someone. She pulled away to regain her senses, then looked to the person.

"Peso! Oh my good gracious, I am terribly sorry!"

"No worries." Peso waved his hand in nonchalance. His genuine smile slowly turned to a hysterical smirk. "I don't suppose you were the one I happened to see eavesdropping on Doctor Wilson's conversation with Mister Carter Mason?"

Dashi blushed a light pink. She dropped her head slowly and twisted her feet. "Erm - No, I believe - Um - Yes. Yes, it was me."

Peso gave her a brief chuckle. "I solemnly promise I will not tell your father. Now, I believe we are running low on our food supply. I am off to the market in town. Do tell your father once he is finished with his meeting."

Dashi gave him a nod. He turned to leave. Dashi thought quickly before jumping in front of the shorter man. "Wait! Allow me to run to the market for you. I must clear my head - besides, it is such a wonderful day out!"

Peso considered this, then nodded assent. "It wouldn't do any harm, now would it? Here -" He handed her two small bagfuls of coins. "- Use this to pay. I will notify your father of your whereabouts."

Dashi nodded. "Thank you very much, Peso. I will return shortly." After a brief wave, she was out the door. In this neighborhood, everyone knew Dashi and Doctor Wilson. Partly because Dashi's father was a famous scientist and owned his very own laboratory. Dashi was mostly known for - well - she preferred not to speak of it. Dashi continued her stroll through the streets of Burkland. Numerous people gifted her with waves, some with hellos. She, of course, would wave back. Dashi came to the popular market place - a very successful one, actually. As she entered the store, she was immediately greeted by many store clerks, even casual customers. This wasn't anything unusual to Dashi - it happened almost every single day. She slowly had grown used to it.

After Dashi had finished up her shopping, she came to a cash register. The older woman running it gave her an excessive smile. "Why, Ms. Dashi Smith! What a pleasant surprise. I would usually expect to see your servant scurrying about."

Dashi returned the genuine smile. "Hmm, I don't quite refer to Peso as a servant - more like my best friend."

The woman looked down in embarrassment. "Pardon me."

"No, no! It's quite alright." Dashi looked to the groceries which the older woman had finished scanning. She pulled out the two coin bags that Peso had offered to her earlier that morning. "Here you are."

The woman took it gratefully, looking up ever so slowly as the humiliated blush upon her cheeks disappeared. "Thank you very much, Ms. Smith. You have a great rest of the day!"

"You too." Dashi gifted her with a brief wave before taking off with the several groceries. She paused to look around her busy town. A slight smile slowly brushed against her lips. Then, she continued her return to the immense mansion she shared with her best friend and - well - her bothersome father.