The Arcana ~ The Requiem of Lost Memories

X- Wheel of Fortune

1.Digging deeper

I groan and rub my eyes as I wake. Looking around, I don't have a clue where I am. Other than the fact that I sit in a bed somewhere, I don't recognize any of my surroundings. Morning lights pass through a small window into the dusty and rather small chamber I'm in. Beside the bed stands an old-looking side table.
Black leather gloves lay on it.
Wait.
I know these gloves.
These are the same as-
"Ah, finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?"
Julian's head pokes into the room, smiling at me.
"...I ... am. But... Er. Where am I?"
And when am I?
"How long was I...?"
"Well, we're at my place. And you were knocked out for the rest of yesterday until now."
At his place...
"I...
D-did you carry me all the way here?"
"Er, Yes. Couldn't just let you sleep there in the alley, you know."
...
That's...
"S-sorry..."
Julian blinks owlishly at me.
"Uh. Never mind it."
I bury my face in my hands.
Why, just why did I have to have a vision back there?
Wait. The vision.
I saw Julian in it.
Does that mean I knew him before?
And my likeness talked about the Plague... So I was here in Vesuvia while the disease raged?
Sharp pain blossoms behind my temples, making me groan.
Again this wall blocking me off the truth...
It's frustrating.
With the pain slowly easing, I stand up, stretching, and making my joints crack.
Turning to Julian, who now completely entered the room, I somehow muster up a smile.
"Thank you. I... Err. Ahem. Thanks."
Damn it. This is such a weird situation.
Clearing my throat, I change the topic.
"So. Today we go searching this keyhole you mentioned?"
Luckily for me, Julian nods.
"Jep. We'll meet Portia at her hut. Then we search the palace."
"Perfect. Then let's go. We've got a lot to do."
Julian rushes to my side, hovering over me like a worried mother hen.
"Julian. I'll be fine. I won't pass out anytime soon. Probably."
"But..."
"Well. If you are going to worry your pretty little head over it..."
I sweep his feet from the floor, throwing him off balance and catch him in a dip, smirking.
"I think I am pretty much able to handle myself, don't you think?"
He just stares at me, wide-eyed and cheeks flushed. His arms are wrapped around my neck in surprise.
"... Er. Ahem. Yes, I- well."
I pull him back to his feet with a chuckle.
"Come now.
It is safer when we go separately. I'll go on ahead, through the front door, while you take the lemonstone gate. Portia will wait at her cottage."

I hurry through the palace gardens, my head buzzing with anticipation.
A piece of Julian's memory returned.
He was locked in the dungeon on the night of the fire, searching a cure for the Plague.
By the time he got to the Count's room, it was already aflame.
He's innocent. He has been all along.
And somewhere in the palace, the dungeon holds his cure to the Plague. It might even have evidence of his innocence.
As soon as I come into view of the cottage, Julian leans out of the doorway, grinning.
"There you are. I-"
He is cut off by Portia's voice, and a hand at his collar, that yanks him back into the cottage.
"Ilya, shut up and come back in! You're gonna get spotted!"
Then, Portia steps out of the doorway searching for guards as she spots me.
"Ah phew, Akiko, it's you. Perfect timing. Come in, quick, we've got lots to do today!"
Portia's cottage is just as cosy inside as it looks from outside.
Warm sunlight falls through the large windows, though today the curtains are drawn for privacy.
A shovel with fresh dirt on the blade leans against the wall.
As I close the door behind me, Pepi emerges from a pile of cushions on a chair, turning her head towards me.
Then she curls up again. It looks like she's sleeping, but one of her eyes remains open, watching us.
"Aaalright! Today some of Milady's sisters arrive for the Masquerade, so she'll be distracted. So we just gotta sneak Ilya into the palace and search for that dungeon until we find it!"
"But how will I get into the palace? Another illusion, Akiko?"
I shake my head.
"No. Last time, the magic wore off too fast. We almost got caught."
"Hm. Well this might make things difficult."
Portia's face splits a brilliant grin.
"Lucky for you, I already have a plan.
Ian, you're hired!"
Julian blinks at her.
"Err... Come again?"
"Well. I told everyone that I hired a temp to be Akiko's assistant for the day. So today, you're Ian!"
"Ian? That's almost as bad as Jules, Pasha."
She sighs.
"Everyone's a critic."
Then, she pushes a bundle of clothes in Julian's hands.
"Here is a servant's uniform I...
Borrowed from the laundress.
I need to bring it back later, so make sure it stays undamaged and clean, got it?
If anything's missing, you'll probably find a spare in my closet.
Oh, wait! I almost forgot the finishing touch!"
Portia scoops up three wigs from the table and adds them to the bundle in Julian's arms.
"Pick whatever wig you like, just make sure it covers the right side of your face, okay? Now-"
A ragged screech from outside cuts her off.
"Oh, it's that bird again... It makes me so mad!"
Portia shoos Julian behind a wooden devider to change.
"I'll be right back. Behave, you two!"
Then, grumbling thunderously, she grabs the shovel from the wall and heads outside.