V - 0

It was there beside the road that V found herself reconsidering if Virgus was right after all. The baby was wrapped in a piece of cloth no better than a rag along with a pouch of silver that amounted to about a gold coin.

“Not Crying?” She asked the kid, “you are tough, aren’t you? People wouldn’t notice you if you are too quiet.”

The boy grabbed her finger and sucked on it.

“I’m sorry, kid. I have no milk for you right now.” A gold coin… She bit her lips… That’s all you can do?

V sat down beside the road and started rocking the baby while singing a song that DeDe would sing for her when she held V in her arms.

“You are the wind of sky, ever-flowing tirelessly through the world that is unknown

You are the light of dawn, shining down on the broken world and wipe away the dark

Hear me sing a song of Death and Rebirth, The past you shall remember

The Thrones of bygone ages looms behind the small of your back

Hear me sing a song of Loneliness and Love, your will breaks through the tranquil sea

Embrace your Freedom, Embrace the will to build the future.

You are the wave of fate, ever-moving restlessly through the path of destiny

You are the darkness within, ever-spreading throughout the sea of souls

Hear me sing a song of Tragedy and Lie, your mind you shall deny

The ocean of feelings piles heavy on the small of your shoulder

Hear me sing a song of Love and Loneliness, the mind cracks beneath its own solitude.

Embrace the caress of Unity, Embrace paradise.”

The baby made a joyous sound when he heard the music. That made her happy, “Soothing, right? Strange, don’t you think? It’s a sad song, yet it’s so soothing and… warm.”

She kept singing the song until the boy fell asleep.

V gently put him down behind a rock for cover and raised.

He should be hungry when he wakes up. What do I do? The orphanage is quite a distance away… Should I look for a wet nurse? Don’t want to leave him like this either…

“How can you be so cruel?” A voice came from behind V. She turned around to see who it was.

The couple still seemed young enough to raise children.

“That’s your child. How can you abandon them?” Said the woman.

Ah, I just got an idea.

“He is my child, so what I do with him is my own business.” She studied the couple. They weren’t farmers. Their clothing was too fine for that, and that cart they were pulling seemed to be filled with goods.

“You… ”

She didn’t let them speak, “How about you raise him? a Hundred Gold coins I will give you.”

“What?”

“It’s a deal. If you agree to raise the boy, I will give you a hundred gold coins. It’s a lot, even for traveling merchants such as you.”

“Why? If you have that amount of money… You’re capable of raising the child.”

I wish things were that simple. “It’s a hassle, and children are very annoying.”

The woman gave her a disdainful look, “People like you disgust me.” She said, then turned to her husband, “We need to help him.”

Her husband nodded. They dismounted and went over to the kid. The woman picked him up gently enough to not wake him.

“A deal is a deal. Here’s your…” She was too busy looking for her porch that she didn’t see the slap coming.

“Keep your money, young lady. I hope you never have another child.” The woman said.

You are wrong, Virgus. That thought made V laugh, perhaps a bit too loudly as the kid woke and started crying.

The couple took a few steps away from her, “What’s so funny?”

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry for waking the boy.” She took a deep breath:

“You are the light of the end, ever-seeking the touch of purpose

You are the dark of the start, ever-spreading throughout the path of creation

Hear me sing a song of Kindness and Sacrifice, yours shall build the world

Embrace your calling.”

That helped calm the baby down. With that done, V walked away, past the boy and his new parents, and onto the road.

“You know I’m surprised those two didn’t just hop on their horse and high tail out of there when you let out that laugh.” It didn’t even take long for the voice to echo inside her head, “I would, thinking I just slapped a psycho.”

V chuckled, “It just came. Couldn’t quite control it.”

“Did I just hear that right? The mighty V failed to control her emotions? What is it that could do such a daunting task?”

“I was thinking about something someone told me a long time ago.”

“Who would that be?”

When V ignored that question, Anna manifested beside her with a devious smile on her face, “What’s wrong? Did I hit a sensitive nerve? This someone must be very special.”

V sighed, “I won’t tell you, Anna.”

The specter made a face, “How mean. You shouldn’t keep secrets from your partner.”
“What can I say? There are things so messed up that you’d rather die than talk about them.” V returned the smile to the specter, “Don’t you agree?”

“Those are my words.” Anna lowered her eyes.

“Words aren’t property. I just happen to say the same words to you in a relatively similar context. That is all.”

“You must think you are very smart.” Anna disappeared and reappeared a moment later right in her face, so close that if she walked just a bit faster, V would phase through her.

“Think? I don’t. For simply existing, I am.”

The specter clicked her tongue, “I suppose you are. Is it worth it though? I don’t think so.”

“Me too, Anna. me too.” She lowered her eyes. It always hurt when she thought about it.

“That song was nice though. Sing it for me sometimes, will ya?” Anna grinned.

“Maybe, if you behave.”

The girl made a face again, “I always behave!”

“Sure, Princess.” V chuckled.