Not my pic but that smile still creeps me out...

I tried to meet King Regis yesterday but Cor stopped me for questioning and I remembered our deal. Noctis seemed relief that I wasn't going to talk to the King but immediately got worried when I went with Cor for his questioning. The three days of my recovery, Cor began ask questions about my origins and master. Mainly, his questions were about me and my abilities. Cor would even ask about my family because every time he did, I sense his aura had a hint of sorrow within that seemed to grow when asking the question. I answered in lies with a hint of truth and curiosity. I gave Cor my cover story of my master and me traveling together for a time. Even showing him documents of my travels and photos. It has to be Medusa's work, she wants my cover story to be real after all. During the second day of recovery, Cor was done with his questions. He seemed satisfied for the time being but he was always watching. Today's outfit is a navy tee with vertical white lines, a black skirt with ripped leggings and black boots since the weather is to be a sunny day. The clothes were given to me by the maids that said I might look hot in it to attach men? Why would I attach men? I will investigate this odd matter another time and ask Ignis about it too. Right now, I must complete my mission today.

"What? You are leaving, Alice? Why?" Noctis asked
"I'm overstaying my welcome, goth. I can't stay here. Plus, I need to find my master." I said
"At least, let me come with you."
"You can't come, goth."
"Why not?"
"Four eyes says you need to do some damn paperwork." I replied as Noctis shivered at the word 'paperwork', he took my hand and we started to leave the palace.

"Hey vegetable hater, didn't you hear me? You got paperwork."

"I hear you, Alice but I want to help you and plus, I want to see your master." Noctis replied as I sighed knowing well he won't take no for an answer, we left the palace into the city of Insomnia.

He's probably avoid Ignis...Basterd.

It is not what I was expecting, my thoughts of this place were supposed dark and evil. Why do I think that way? Machines have told me about this place to be the birth of evil or such. Also, telling me the people were nothing but scums and beggars. Medusa had told me many horrible stories about Insomnia and told me to destroy when I had chances. However, my eyes didn't see that at all. I see many people happy and going about their day. Some people looked rich while others were middle-class. Many people were out because of the beautiful weather that is sunny yet cool. Many vendors were open to display their goods of food or products. Noctis and I stopped by a few of them to see what they have. My favorite vendor is the ice cream man that gave me four scoops of mint and chocolate. Noctis had chocolate and strawberry ice cream. We still explored this mysterious place called the vendor distract. My mind for the first time, is having a conflict.

Why was I taught negative things about Insomnia that are not true since I'm seeing it with my own eyes? Why was Medusa so mad about this place? Why is my name...ÁSTRÍÐR

"So Alice, do you think that your master is here?" Noctis asked as he snapped me out of my contention, I sighed and replied,

"Yes, goth. I can feel it."

"You can feel your master???" he immediately got confused

"Mhm, his presence is here without a doubt. However, my master is masking his identity..." I said as my head began to rang, I stopped walking and closed my eyes.

"Alice, is something-"

"Quiet, goth. I'm listening." I said as Noctis kept his mouth closed, my ears heard a message from Medusa that had repeated words of 'Eddy's bar to crossword' and I opened my eyes. Noctis gave me a worried look as my feet lead the way to Eddy's bar and we exited out of the vendor distract. We found Eddy's bar a few blocks up as I about to entered the bar, Noctis stopped me and I gave him 'wtf' look.

"Alice, this...is a tough crowd. I don't think you want to be inside."

"Shut up, vegetable hater. My master's presence is here. I'm certain." I replied as I dragged him inside the bar, all eyes were on us and then we started to walk to the bar area. It looked to be elegant but with a rustic kind of look with pictures of the old to new generation. The people here look to be in their 20s to late 40s. Many were bikers, smokers and hookers. That type of crowd. Once again, the men were eyeing me as if I was the sweetest candy in the room and Noctis suddenly grabbed my hand while glaring at the other males. What is with men and their horomones lately? Noctis and I sat at the bar as the bartender came to us and asked,

"What will you be having, babe?"

"I want information." I replied as the bartender continued to look at me with a lustful gaze, I raised an eyebrow of this man's motive and Noctis gritted his teeth.

"Information about what, beautiful? I have a lot information for you but it comes with a price."

"I'm looking for my master, Death." I said as the bartender's smile dropped to a frown, he prepared our drinks that looked to be water but I smell something off and he place a crossword puzzle that is filled out.

"A man came earlier today working on this crossword puzzle. He said to give it to the hottest girl that came through the doors and to give...you a message."

"What message?"

"They...are coming." When the bartender said that, he left us alone and Noctis looked at the crossword puzzle.

"Alice, what's that mean? What's with this crossword puzzle?" Noctis asked as I was thinking fast in my head of what the bartender said and thinking of the message given to me. 'They are coming'? What kind of message is that? Niflheim wouldn't leave me a stupid message like that unless...someone is here watching me. My eyes spotted a man that is close to Noctis's age across from the bar area and he is seating at the table. He had short brown hair with green eyes. He wore a black tee shirt with a dragon design on it and blue jeans with sneakers. The stranger looked at me and smirked with a playful gaze. Out of reaction, I squeezed Noctis's hand out of anger when the stranger looking at me. My hands took the crossword puzzle and dragged Noctis out of Eddy's bar.

"Alice, what's wrong?" Noctis asked as he looked at me with much worry again, I felt the stranger's aura following us and replied,

"We have a tail. Don't look back."

"Ok, let's go this way." Noctis said as he tighten his hand grip on me, we walk-jog through the people to avoid the stranger tailing us but still his odd aura lingering behind. Noctis lead me to another turn on the block and we hit a dead end. We turned around to see the stranger in front of us with his smirking look.

"Why are you following us?" Noctis asked as he pulled me behind him, the stranger chuckled a bit and answered,

"I'm not here for you, Prince of Insomnia. You're not worth my time but the girl behind you is."

"Are you with the Mafia?" Noctis said sternly

"Who knows. I can't deal with you right now, you're wasting my time and job."

"Job? What job?" Noctis said as it was too late for the stranger threw a glass tube on the ground, it release a heavy scent into the air and Noctis began to fell to the ground.

"Hey goth, what's wrong?" I asked as Noctis slumped on me as if he is losing energy

"Alice...run..." Noctis said no more as he is knocked out, my nose identified the smell as a sleeping scent and I placed Noctis on the ground. I glared at the stranger with anger of getting in my way of my mission.

"Finally, we are alone, ÁSTRÍÐR." The stranger said as my eyes widened of his words and I asked,

"How do you know that name? Are you with Niflheim?"

"Depends on your point of view, ÁSTRÍÐR. I'm curious about you."

"Why? Who are you?" I asked impatiently

"Heh, my name is not important right now. What's important that I know you really are, ÁSTRÍÐR and I want to make a deal with you."

Finally, another moment where I can type up this story! We got another character in the story that knows the reader's name, uh-oh. Sorry for the late update for you guys, I know I'm slow and working is becoming a nightmare. Please comment and give me feedback on what you think, thank you.