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The soft scent and fragrance of roses wafted through the air, reaching her nostrils. Eepop was there, standing within the dense fog in the middle of a field of roses. She didn't know how or why she got there.. Ever since Popee left, she has been feeling like a ghost, oblivious to her niche' surroundings, forever haunting the earth simply due to the fact that she couldn't leave the world that she had previously known so well behind her.

Perhaps she was looking for any means of escape by forcing herself to forget those moments. It most certainly seemed so.. Eepop felt numb, and no longer felt those heartfelt sparks of joy in spite of her comfortable life. Popee provided her companionship, and that friendship and respect can only be won, not bought; by boundless and plentiful riches and wealth, which she had in great abundance.

Regardless, all that she knew was that she wanted to pick some flowers from her flower field, and so here she was. Eepop peered above, seeing while that indeed the fog cannot be penetrated, there were rays of sunlight here and there which was able to pierce the thick fog. Meanwhile, down at torso level, there were bushels of roses branching out as if they were leaning out to touch her from their sharp and prickly stems. Down by the end of her gown and slippers were dying patches of withering ivy and grass that shied away from any available sunlight mercilessly beating down from above.

She didn't know exactly where she was in order to pick her desired bushels, since her field was long and vast, but Eepop knew at once that she had to move otherwise she'll fall over from the moist, humid heat. Hence, she made the decision to walk forward despite the unwavering unfamiliarity of her environment. As she traversed through the dense field, it seemed.. So strange, yet so familiar. Was this the flower field that mother kept so near their home? She wasn't so sure. Oddly enough, the roses began to become larger and their smell much stronger as she delved deeper and deeper into the rose patches.. Which eventually towered over her on both sides like a darkening hedge maze.

Eepop felt a hint of nausea curling up her throat. The smell of the roses were so entrancing and languid, yet remotely unbearable. Thorns and spikes protruding from the fallen ivy and leaves scratched and pricked at Eepop's gown down below at knee level, especially at her ankles, causing them to become irritated and bleed. After some trudging through, some of her wounds started to excrete some stinky, watery fluid due to the pressure she exerted while walking.

Her tongue suddenly dried, and her body felt so tired and worn. Where was she going? An even better question, what was she doing here? Eepop didn't have an at least an inkling or clue concerning her current location. All that she was aware of was that she was becoming tired and thirsty. The dense fog seemed endless, as if there was no escaping from the barrier that they begrudgingly presented themselves to her. The sunshine began to dim, and a cool, fair wind blew behind her dark, caramel blonde tresses, making her feel rather drowsy.

Finally, after some clueless wandering and walking groggily about, she found herself bumping into a wall, in which the impact jolted her awake. Touching the crumbly brick wall and getting at least familiar with her bearings, Eepop focused her line of vision on her house. And, glancing both left and right... The walls, like the fog, was apparently endless. Or perhaps, the murky white fog made it seem so. Unbounded and immeasurable.

Eepop softly placed her hand upon the musty wooden wall, tracing particles of dust across her fingers as she wearily dragged her feet across the side lawn. Soon she had to make a stop.. There was an overgrown hedge blocking her trail. Instead, she went around the weed patch. But now the mansion wall took a sharp turn- revealing the towering mansion walls to be further covered by ivy and other types of foliage. She closely regarded the wall for a while. It was covered by hanging vines and overgrowth on the surface.. But it led to a completely narrow notch- No, a pitch black hole, that led into the large estate. The only obstacles that was in the way were overhead wooden planks that were about to give way at any given moment.

Lifting off the planks with all her might, she managed to get through with a splinter or two. Crawling through the hole she found that the makeshift tunnel led into one of the many utility rooms the mansion boasted. Mountains of dirty laundry and other torn articles of clothing were piled on countless bins crowding the rusty silver wash basins.. She knew that the room was obviously hidden away as a place for all the clothing of the members of the household to be cleaned, judging by how dimly lit and worn down the room was. Strips of peeling, striped, plum purple and pink wallpaper lined on the walls complimented its dingy look.

Quite suddenly, she remembered. The tunnel in which she unearthed was actually the place where she has chosen to escape through during her girlhood, ever since mother has decided to provide her lessons indoors instead of letting her venture outside to the warm, welcoming world beyond.

Spotting a doorway below the overhead rafters, her dainty silken slippers squeaked across the tiled floor of the room.. Making the door creak loudly as she applied some pressure to the great oaken door, pushing it forwards. Particles of light and dust danced around the windows of the great estate, in beams of one or two fractals of light that beamed across the marble floor of the main portal.

Upon entrance, Eepop was able to spot a dark figure that watched her from the upper deck of the staircase. Startled, yet curious, she climbed up the carpet-covered stair to pursue the figure. Her unexpected guest didn't seem intimidating, just.. Familiar. As he quickly dashed from room to room, she was able to capture some of his features. Tall, dark coat.. Slouching back and striped vest... Eventually both Eepop and the mysterious stranger ended up in one of the back cathedral-like rooms that had a library and large stained-glass windows. Finally, a shed of light cast its warm glow on his head as the stranger whizzed past her, revealing that he had blonde hair. He was smirking, and his ocean blue eyes twinkled as they exchanged glances.

'Eepop.. Come with me.' His firm gaze seemed to say.

'Popee..?!'

"W-wait..! Popee!"

"Don't leave me-!" Eepop screamed as she reached out her arm.

Eepop nearly tumbled over backwards, and chased after Popee as he bounded over the banister and slid down the staircase. Hastily seating herself down on the top of the stair rail and sliding down, she swiftly took to her feet despite her wounds and bodily fatigue. He headed towards the exit into the rose garden, and so did she. Eepop knew then and there, that she cannot lose her friend once again.

In spite of her high hopes and determination to pursue him, she spotted Popee glancing back at her, finally disappearing behind the thorniest part of the gardens.

"H-huh..? How... H-how is he.."

Her dreams were suddenly dashed. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should dare follow. Eepop looked at herself, at her open, gaping wounds that scathed across her fair, pale skin, upon both of her arms and shoulders. Her scars down on the back of her left ankle were proven to be the very worst. Leaning down and squeezing them tightly with her palm, horrified- she found out that water and pus leaked out of them, which she identified as an unknown and foul-smelling substance that was smeared on her hand.

Looking back behind her, and back into the fog and the house, Eepop knew that she has made her decision. She wouldn't go back there, in a world full of uncertainty and disquiet. Never again.

'I must... I must follow him.'

"With whatever it takes." She said aloud.

Taking a deep breath, Eepop fumbled through the dark green foliage, ignoring the sharp pricks that the thorns have torn against her quivering flesh. Trembling, she struggled through the deep brush, her unscathed skin tearing wide open with fresh cuts as they were greeted by the protruding briars and leaves. In some instances, she swore that she saw him, over there, with his fair blonde head, just right in front of her and within arm's reach. But no matter how much she trailed close behind him and called out to him, it was like he was violently torn yet farther away from her.

'Eepop, follow me.' He whispered.

Disheartened, she went down on her knees, and cried out,

"Popee! P-Popee! But y-you're- you're so far!" Eepop sobbed bitterly.

('Away from me...' )

"H-how do you expect me to follow you..?!" She said, breaking down.

('I-I've done all that I can, a-and-' )

"Y-you're way.. Way too o-out of my reach..." Eepop weakly stuttered, ending her sentence with a pant.

Defeated, Eepop fell down into a pathetic heap, unmistakably exhausted by her efforts which were all done in vain. Her legs were throbbing intensely from the pain. And now, not only water and substance trickled out of her wounds, but blood began pouring out as well. She began to feel an uncontrollable desire to fall asleep, drowsily trying to shake herself awake so as to not prick herself further with the thorns below. Her dress was in tatters, and she felt smothered by the humid air by the ground... It was as if she was close to .

"Don't worry, love. It will all be over soon." A calming voice vibrated from overhead, the shadowy figure looming over her.

'L-love..?' Eepop thought to herself, profoundly confused. 'Wh...'

A strong force pulled her left arm up and held her hand tenderly, giving a gentle kiss upon her knuckles which made her face heat up, taking her breath away. As her vision faded to black, she saw Popee coming even closer, down on all fours. He had his back arched and his body was towering over her, his head leaning forward to give her a kiss.

"M-mmmh.." She mumbled as she felt his lips softly brush against her own.

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Eepop gasps, shaking herself awake. It was just a dream.

'Wh.. What was that..?' She silently pondered to herself.

She quickly shifted her eyes over to Kedamono, who was snoozing cozily on top of the covers. 'R-right. I haven't really gone outside ever since Popee left. I-I have been hiding out here indoors. And Kedamono was trying to accompany and comfort me.' Laying her back down on the bed, she quietly recounted all the past events she could remember from the dream to the best of her abilities. It felt real.. And-

The kiss. Eepop felt the blood rush to her cheeks, warming them very thoroughly. She.. Eepop, being loved by Popee? This couldn't be possible.

'A-and, he left me.' Eepop thought in straight out denial. She couldn't see how she could fall for him. And she didn't want to. Eepop was his best friend, and nothing romantic ever happened between them, although they were both extremely close to each other and admired one another deeply. Just thinking about this made Eepop feel fresh tears well up in her eyes yet again, the tips of her fingers grazing her crusty, tear-stained cheek. Wiping her eyes and cheeks with the back of her forearm, she gazed straight up at the ceiling, trying to convince herself that she couldn't be in love with him.

But just thinking about the dream, the way he kissed her, the way that spark ignited between them.. She so desired that feeling of love, to be cherished, protected, and admired, only by him and him alone. The very thought of him made her blush so very intensely.

'I-if he does love me.. Then what shall I do..?'

Perhaps a thousand, or maybe even more, outcomes bursted forth from her head. Love becomes romance, and romance into courtship. Courtship brings along marriage, and upon that they should be considering the thought of having children. Eepop thoughtfully looked back on his words during the dream.

"Don't worry, love. It will all be over soon."

" ... Okay, Popee. Then I will wait." Eepop whispered, softly.

A deep feeling of newfound hope and longing promptly grew within her heart, now thumping, beating hard and fast. She felt herself glow under its influence, this new strain of love vigorously pumping forth in her veins.

"So until then, I shall wait for you to come for me."

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About five days have passed since that fateful day. Popee was seated down by his desk, holding out a pen and quill, writing a letter to Papi. He was planning on letting his father know about his whereabouts, and where he was about to travel and open up shop soon. He dipped the sharp, pointed, shining tip of his quill pen into the inkwell, which was filled with semi-wet and crumply, brittle, and dried up ink from the past.

'Dear Father...'

Despite being remarkably estranged from his dad, he still wanted to tell him everything. About his inventions, his science experiments, and the logbook in his journals that he has used to catalogue his ideas and inventing prowess. He wanted to let him know about his growing archive of books, the pipes he tried, the tobacco he smoked, the tavern meetings he attended, and the customers whom he dutifully served along with the pay he received... But no matter how hard he tried, the subject of topic would somehow always turn back to Eepop. Aggravated and ashamed, he found himself making constant revisions to his script, his pen scratching the sheet, going back and forth with the words that he unintentionally chose.

'There was this one time, when I was out in the gardens, surveying the place for dead creatures to dissect for the scientific newsletter. But then I saw this girl, Eepop, was out in the field with a family of ducks. Along with having some breadcrumbs, she fed them, and...'

( '. Scratch that. Take that out of the letter completely. Anything but that.' )

'I was wondering one day, maybe I should get a haircut. I know you have been complaining that I have been allowing my hair to grow a bit long. I wasn't able to cut my hair, since you know that my hair is terribly messy and tussled. I was in need of a brush. But then, Eepop came along at my door with scissors and a comb, and with that she was able to...'

( 'Wha-what the..? This again? What is wrong with me...?' )

One way or another, Popee found himself always mentioning Eepop in the events that he so fondly recalled. But alas, he figured that he shouldn't be surprised. He eventually found out the fondest memories that he so lovingly cherished were moments spent with her, allowing the hours to slip by to be carelessly given to her because deep down he felt that it was all worth it. On the other hand, that was surprising for his character, considering that he was a no-nonsense, hardworking scientist and inventor and the rare individual that wasn't one to give away his spare time that easily.

He roughly slapped his sweaty forehead with his palm. At this rate, his letter wasn't going anywhere, and it was pointless. Neither was his thoughts successfully averted from her, although he tried his very hardest to forget. It wasn't good progress either, as it was finally turning to four o' clock in the morning and he hasn't even slept yet. For the morning train went along to pick up passengers early on the railways, and will be able to take him out of the shire and to the countryside in due time.

Popee glanced over at his suitcase, which really was a dark brown box tied up together with two sturdy and beige leather belts. It was now set and ready on the bed, packed with clothes and the complex machinery that he was able to fit, pack, and carry.

He was ready, and there was no mistaking it. Popee was more than ready to leave, away from that irritable woman Ipap, that stubborn dog Keda, along with those gossiping townsfolk that swarmed the mansion's residence and throughout the entire neighborhood. He had enough of them, and was pretty sure that it made his life worse for him to bear.

But leaving all that behind him means he had to give up Eepop.

Conflicted, Popee sighed loudly and pulled at his blonde curls with his hands. It's like putting metal weights on a weighing scale. He appeared to be not too content with its condiments, nor its results. Overall, he was undoubtably hindered by these people.

" ... That settles it. I'm leaving for the train in an hour's time."

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It was at the train station where Popee was forced to make his momentous decision, unbeknownst to his sharp perception. He looked down at the sheet of paper that he firmly held in his hand. His ticket. Accompanying the ticket is some sort of brochure, printed down with all the times the train is set to enter and leave. Upon scanning all the times laid out on the sheet, he spotted one train ride that was set to arrive in the station at mid-noon for some fuel and leave promptly thereafter. It's destination was in fact, two stops, and the first stop led to the quaint countryside where Popee was to arrive.. In the final stop, was the place where people would conglomerate and do as they pleased, free to practice whatever religion they wished, and where circumstances, wealth, and status was not too strict in that area. Most importantly, it was a location that was devoutly infamous for allowing young couples to elope and marry.

Silently eyeing the timestamp, Popee loudly crumpled the brochure with his fist, not letting go. No. Stop thinking like that, he told himself. There's no solution to his dilemma. No ray of sunshine nor hope, nor grains of sand left in the timeglass. All of that.. Has already run out. He placed his only luggage down by his side, for the train finally arrived, and the carriage door was opened, ready to release and accept passengers. The bustle of the commuters, along with some angry people shouting, whistled back and forth between his ears, and there was plenty of smoke puffed from the engine and now wafting through the muggy gray air.