Timeless Ties || Volturi Kings

32. Scoundrel Days

I lift my head up from uneasy pillows
Put my feet on the floor
Cut my wrist on a bad thought
And head for the door

— a-ha

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Over the next few days, Alessia dedicated herself to honing her gift, delved into the subjects she needed for the upcoming semester, and sought out activities to do in the past.

It seemed somewhat peculiar to her, as she felt as though a substantial amount of time had elapsed since the conclusion of the first semester, yet she was still in the middle of her holiday, knowing that the new semester wouldn't commence until August 12th. Time truly proved to be one of the most enigmatic aspects of the universe, never conforming to expectations and always contingent upon the perspective and focus of the observer.

On August 1st, a Tuesday, as the clock struck 9 am, she made a conscious effort to cease dwelling on her recent finding in Tiryns, where she had observed someone carrying a sword — a deviation from her previous experiences, indicating a shift in her route, one she had hoped would lead to crossing paths with Didyme (though, unfortunately, it didn't).

Instead, Alessia redirected her focus and took action. She phoned both the Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu academies, resolute to ascertain which martial art suited her best before broaching the subject with her father. This discussion had to happen a week from the upcoming Friday, as he would be working shifts that weekend and therefore hopefully sober on Friday. Setting up trial classes at both venues within the same week, with the first scheduled for the next day, was a stroke of luck for her. Afterward, she dove into online searches for affordable pepper spray and possibly even a taser.

At nightfall, Alessia once again attempted to concentrate on the mulberry tree, only to find herself beside Caius. However, this time, Aro had just persuaded him to embark on a hunt, and Caius was making his way out. Refusing to remain confined within the house, Alessia exited simultaneously with him. As she did, she witnessed the precise moment when Caius halted, his gaze fixed on the trees in front of his home. He just stood there, occupying the very spot where the tree provided shade.

Alessia departed before witnessing anything further. She had a new agenda in mind, one she was resolute in pursuing. She didn't care about Caius' actions or inactions. Her focus was now on locating the city's administrative center, where she anticipated encountering politicians and military figures. With any luck, she hoped to glean information about the Trojan War.  ̶H̶o̶p̶e̶f̶u̶l̶l̶y̶,̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶T̶y̶r̶i̶n̶s̶'̶ ̶a̶d̶m̶i̶n̶i̶s̶t̶r̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶i̶n̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶c̶h̶.̶

On Wednesday, Alessia attended the test class for Jiu-Jitsu. She had conversed with the instructor, who informed her that while the beginner classes were on Monday, she could participate in the Wednesday class for the trial if she wanted. Alessia boarded a bus and followed her usual route to the university, which was conveniently located just one kilometer away from the Jiu-Jitsu academy.

Upon arrival, she encountered a male instructor adorned in the customary attire she associated with karate Olympians, sporting a red belt. The class proved engaging, with the instructor intermittently conversing with Alessia while supervising the session and issuing directives. He took the opportunity to explain the significance of the different belt levels, subtly conveying his advanced status. He then elaborated on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, detailing its emphasis on bringing opponents to the ground, assuming a dominant position, and applying various techniques to secure submission through joint locks or chokeholds.

Alessia found the lesson intriguing, though she reserved her judgment for later.

That evening, Alessia delved into her search for information about Tiryns. She managed to locate a map that provided a general layout of the city, allowing her to estimate where Caius' house might be situated. Although she couldn't pinpoint the exact spot, she had a strong hunch. As she suspected, the administrative center, which encompassed the palace, altar, and other key structures, was indeed in that vicinity. In spite of that, she couldn't figure out the exact location of the agora on the map, leaving her unsure whether the administrative center was closer to or farther from Caius' residence.