Chapter 10 Reception Shenanigans

With the coast cleared, me and Dmitri head out towards the front gardens of the manor, quickly exiting from The Grand Main Foyer as we speak since we really don't want to get caught sneaking away and venturing outside. Luckily, no one saw us and the area is deserted.

Outside, we're about to venture forward, but Dmitri has a plan all figured out and he has a lot to explain about it, but I intervened and said;

"Why not we start by going near Prigoria and get my signal there and then we could go back to the manor afterwards and lessen our suspicion of not being there ... That's a good plan" I said, chuckling lightheartedly.

Dmitri didn't appreciate my gesture and said, "No Theodore, this is not what we talked about earlier but I appreciate the enthusiasm you gave even though it's somewhat pathetic, if you will" He implied.

Well, at least I gave it a try but to no avail. He denies my plan and go on for his original instead, recalling himself before looking at me determined, saying;

"Our objective is to attain your situation by acquiring a signal for your device without compromising of going near or even step foot into human town territory, the main goal is to find a location that is an alternative of getting a signal elsewhere" He said.

Okay, I know he means well but this is getting ridiculous I'm afraid. Why is it he's protesting not to even go near that town, it's like Eleanore's response all over again. I look at him, eyes locked and determined, I burst an outcry and said;

"I know we already talked about this but we don't have all afternoon to find a decent signal and I feel as though we have to go to Prigoria's outskirts and hope for the best to find and get a signal there since people nowadays have phones so it's bound to have that reception we're looking for rather than scope the place and hope for the best ... What is so non-special about not going there or at least being near the town?" I retorted and responded to a question in the last bit.

He deeply sighs and replied, "Specifically, I'm done speaking about this but your still letting it on, even if the human town is just a few distance away, I will dictate again that we're not stepping or getting near that place and that's final ... if you wish to there be my guest but in the process I will not help your moving forward" Dmitri implied, crossing his arms.

I was about to debate with him about it but since we don't have all afternoon, I deeply sigh and will not argue further, Eleanore might notice us not in the manor anymore if we still keep standing at the front of the entrance and be spotted without question.

"Alright alright, Dmitri okay ... I'll not keep bring Prigonia any longer, we'll stick to your plan and go to this so called suggested areas you've known to have a decent reception and hope you have so because if you will then it proves I'm right and that you're wrong about your intuition" I said, challenging him.

Dmitri gave me a smug look, over confidently walking past me and said, "Gladly, I'll stage to outdo your admirable challenge and at the end you'll chew your own demise" He said.

We both went to approach the gated front entrance and safely got outside, with Dmitri carrying my weight as I held onto him. Dmitri suggested we go to his first location, one he might be of help to us on getting a signal for my phone. Branch after branch, we skid through thick trees and pine leaves, we first land on our first place and somehow this is very familiar.

The known open enclave, a big common looking tree and a plank wood with a name on it with a grave down below, I'm guessing it's Alessia's burial grounds, I have so many questions as to the 'why', 'what' and 'what the heck' on Dmitri. Confusion crosses over my face as Dmitri stands proud, looking at me determined.

"I have a hunch that within Alessia's land of remembrance, you'll be able to achieve your signal, where in thought Alessia in the afterlife will help us and specially you in this situation" He said rather proudly.

"Uh ... Uhm, you know I'll check if your hunch is right" I said, so weirded out.

I pull out my phone and walk slowly around the place, seeing if there's any signal popping out but for about a few minutes of encircling the premise and no signal was received.

I approached Dmitri, set the phone in front of him and said, "Dmitri, I hate to break it to you but ... I have some bad news, as you can see no signal whatsoever, so your hunch is wrong here and apologies to Alessia but she isn't been a help to us or me and if she wants she might be having a hard time right now, I'm not even a psychic to translate if she's talking to us or not" I said with a bit of sarcasm.

Dmitri scoffs and replies, "The reason why Alessia didn't give her your help is because you're being negatively approachable about her place of remembering and not see the broader picture of her helping you, that's why it didn't work out the way you intended ... And besides, that 'smartphone' of yours is stupid and you're stupid as well for not giving it a chance" He said, walking away from me.

Sigh. This is a rather bad start to the scavenger hunt of finding a signal. We move on to the next place of Dmitri's suggested places to get some reception and to my frightened self, I may have been regretting this right now already. We're on a giant tree by the branch, balancing to dear life and not plunge to our watery death below, even if the waterfall is nearby. Good thing Eleanore is not on the alleged balcony at the moment and not seen as dangling like the circus on the rope harness.

Dmitri balances as I hold onto him while raising my arm high, phone in hand to get a signal. It is high up so it's not a total waste and lost, not jeopardizing our safety at the expense of me being able to contact my parents. I can feel him struggle to carry me and balance at the same time, but I can't believe it's actually working.

One bar came up suddenly, I can't believe this is ACTUALLY WORKING! I'm even smiling at myself because I'm able to send my parents a decent message. I look down for a bit and said to Dmitri, "It's working, we have signal here"

But as he was about to reply, we heard a crack below and steadily we descended a milli-inch lower than usual. Then the crack got louder and I feel the branch isn't up to par on supporting our weight.

"Dmitri, what was that and can you confirm to me that's not the branch we're standing on breaking?" I asked him.

"It's nothing, if it's working please continue what you're doing and get those signals without hesitation ... Everything is under control and nothing is happening badly at the moment" He said reassuringly but his expression said otherwise.

As the crack of the branch gets even more obvious, without warning the branch broke and sending us to our fall, Dmitri reacted quickly and got us to safety by using his hex. Even after that, we still landed on the ground with a painful thud. He might've used his powers to save us but he didn't calculate where to have us reappear.

Face planted on the ground again, I grimace as I slowly stand up, brushing the dirt off my shirt and pants. I look at Dmitri and said, "I regret doing that and please we won't be doing that again ... not even this desperate to do that stunt"

I just noticed now that I felt a painful sting on my elbow and would you look at that, a wounded gash on there. Dmitri nods at my response and look at himself with some scratches of his own, he grunts at each one he sees and replies;

"Agreed, and this is your fault to begin with and that phone of yours for being a pain of not getting signal anywhere and anytime, I'm never picking this place nor doing that in a while or not ever" He said, dusting off himself.

So much so for that given time, the message didn't even send on time while I was risking myself up there. And somehow it's my fault now. SIGH! Note to self, get a new phone but built with military capability if I travel again outside the United States and its territories.

Moving on, Dmitri and I went to another place and I don't know if I'm going to get a signal around this part. Basically, we're near a lake, one that Dmitri mentioned days ago at the tower. And there's a boat there by the bay, I'm guessing this isn't about my reception why we're here.

"Theodore, I have a feeling you'll be getting your signal here, I can feel it" Dmitri said, rather pleasantly giddy.

I highly doubt it, so I gave him a questionable look and said, "Okay, how is being near the lake going to help us?" I asked.

"I thought we could go on the boat and sail across the lake and attain your signal there, I have a feeling you'll get yours if we cross to the waters" He said and was already pushing the boat to the water.

He jumps to the boat, extending a hand for me to step inside with him, I don't really have a choice just go with the flow. We row gently across the lake, eventually going to the middle of it. The water is as dark deep below and not much clearer, somehow making me anxious to even look at it. Pulling out my phone, I check if there's any signal reception here, back and forth my arms go seeing if there's any luck but none.

"Theodore, you're not doing it right! You're not holding your device properly" He said as I tried to perfectly hold my phone up high without falling to my watery grave.

Still no signal and eventually I gave up, I looked at Dmitri with a disappointing look and said, "I can literally see right through you that you only wanted to come here because of the boat ride and not the other way around ..." I said.

Dmitri was about to retort a response but he closes his mouth and nods sadly, saying instead, "Sadly, I must confess ... Yes, I wanted to ride the boat since we're already here, traversing outside in search of your signal and what better way to objectify both ends" He explained.

Dmitri dismisses his argument by sadly rowing back to shore. I just sigh through the journey back on land, with growing desperation of not even getting a decent signal for me to contact my parents. Even so, the afternoon is about to end and we haven't achieved anything as of late. As the sun slowly sets, Dmitri and I walk unhurriedly through the woods, kind of tired and starting to get hungry. It's been a long struggle of disappointment of not getting any reception in this place.

"Dmitri, I hate to tell you this but I'm starting to get hungry and the sun is about to set so let's just call it a day and go back to the manor, I don't want to risk ourselves from getting into deep trouble ... I'll rather skip contacting my parents for now, if it meant for us to lessen our losses" I said.

After that, I just slowly continue to walk to the forest even though I don't know where the manor is but still I would rather go forward than not find it before it gets dark. So much for getting my signal and telling my parents are okay and whatnot, they must've been worried so much and lessen my future travels because of my incompetence of even giving them a message.

"Theodore, stop. We're not done yet, I know another place that we might get a signal for your device" Dmitri called me over.

I stop to turn back at him, kind of hopeful if he knew there's another place. He approaches and pats his left shoulder, indicating for me to hold him. All set and secure, we traverse across the woods, jumping from branch to branch. I didn't recognize the path we're going, even if it's just trees and dirt. I have a good sense of navigation and can remember certain places that's why I'm skeptical of the place we're heading.

Then we stop on top of a branch of a tall tree and to my surprise, I can't believe the sight, view and what he just did. In the distance, overlooking more trees beyond is the town of Prigoria, a few distance away from us. I sat down, admiring the sun setting view and wouldn't believe my eyes. He broke his own word, not much surprise but he did.

"I thought you specifically don't want to go or even get near to Prigoria, Dmitri ... What changed your mind about it?" I asked.

"Theodore, first and foremost, we're not even near distance from that human town, we're far away from their actual territorial borders so in theory we can be here within acceptable distance away so you can contact your kinfolk and not give you any thought of me giving you any excuses to come here and please you ... And this is another objective to attain since we're in Pin Mare, while you do your thing, I can go check if pesky humans dared traverse to the woods" Dmitri said.

Yeah, an excuse still, yet I appreciate the unforwarded gesture. I nod at him and replied;

"Thanks Dmitri, even if you say that, I still appreciate what you just did" I said.

Dmitri scoffs, kind of getting embarrassed by my gesture of goodwill. I slowly moved to him and patted his shoulder, he liked the interaction we did, hiding that small smile he's trying not to expose.

Looking at my phone, I wouldn't presume but I did, my phone finally has three or full bars on screen. I can finally contact my parents. I started messaging them immediately.

THEO: 'Mom, I finally got some reception now, I'm okay and safe, please don't call the Embassy for a nationwide search and rescue, I'm alright so no need to panic, I missed you both and William'

MOM: 'HONEY! My sweet dear Theo, we're worried very sickly and we're about to notify them of a mission person if you hadn't messaged us sooner, I missed you too Dear! What a relief'

THEO: 'Don't worry Mom, halt the search and rescue plan, I'm fine and well, I'm in safe hands and I've meet a few nice people here along the way, they were kind people and they're a bunch of personality'

Right in the corner of my eye, I see a glimpse of Dmitri looking at my phone and see what I'm typing. As I look up, he quickly evades being seen and looks out the horizon instead. I chuckle and continue messaging.

MOM: 'That's good you're able to find and meet some nice people there in Romania and especially shocking they know how to communicate to you since I highly doubt English isn't relevant there, we were also thinking of going there to find you if you didn't respond sooner, I already had your brother researching and preparing us for the trip'

THEO: 'No no Mom, I'm fine really, I'm assuring you that I'm alright and in no need to travel here, William is busy to best not to interrupt him too, it's just had to get some signal here, that's why I only message just now'

MOM: 'Okay okay, we'll stop bothering you brother and everything we've planned so far, as long as your safe there Theo, just message us as soon as you can so we won't get worried'

THEO: 'Ofcourse Mom, I'll do anything I can to message you guys as I can ... Finding some signal here is a chore so bear in mind if I didn't respond soon'

MOM: 'Alright dear, keep yourself safe and sound so we won't worry too much, okay? We love you and William here alright, come home soon'

THEO: 'Yes Mom, I love you too and Dad and William, likewise back there and see you soon, message you again soon'

As I was about to put my phone back in my pocket. another beep of a message resounds and I check the last message from Mom.

MOM: 'Theo dear, if you needed some help if you're in trouble or whatsoever, remember to contact us okay, so we know what your doing or what's happening, also can you tell the nice folks you've met 'Thank you' for me, for taking care of you while we can't and express how fortunate you are to meet them and such'

THEO: 'Don't worry Mom, I'll pass them the message, I know how to speak Romanian a bit if I have to but English is better since they talk, understand and speak English when they interact with me so I'm good

MOM: 'Impressive dear, I didn't know you put some dedication into learning such language ... Alright, not to keep you any further, keep safe and sound there Theo and hope to see you home soon and enjoy yourself there, alright? I love you'

THEO: 'I love you too Mom, keep safe too while I'm gone, you and William too okay, I'll message you soon as I can'

After that, I put away my phone and gaze upon the horizon, feeling contented and happy. While I look at the scenery, Dmitri clears his throat, looking at me and asked;

"Have you accomplished what we came here for? And are you satisfied with the results?" He asked.

I nodded and said, "Yup! And it's all because of you Dmitri, thanks again for bringing me here, this view is a scene to behold and most especially a good place to get some reception" I smile.

He puts on his smug smile, rather confidently and said, "I told you so I'll deliver the results, expect to put more faith in me rather than bicker and speculate the worst" Dmitri said, still smug.

"Yeah yeah, I get you, I meant don't get smart with me since we went to some peculiar places, even went through the experience of falling on a dangerous peril and going on a lake ride, but regardless I enjoyed the tour so you're technically right" I said, smiling.

Dmitri weirdly looks at me as I smile and commented, "You know Theodore, I don't get your attribution of responding positively to every little thing, I somehow find it annoying most of the time like right now, finding joy in small aspects regardless, but you're welcome all the same" He said, joining me on looking the sun setting.

"Well, you're welcome too for this small adventure, and with every venture and this place being reminiscent, we should probably head back to the manor before your older sister might throw a fit when she finds out we're outside the grounds ... Luckily, Sebastian hasn't found us so that means we have time to go back" I said.

With that, we both head back to the manor, zipping to branch after branch. Landing safely on the front entrance grounds, we're in a conversation about our adventure while heading towards the front door when as we open it, Eleanore surprisingly appears, catching us off guard by her presence.

She walked out from the other room and saw us going inside mid-step and approached us with skeptics and growing rage in her eyes. She confronted us and ask;

"What are you two outside the front entrance veranda? I swore you two are in the gardens doing some mental games as Sebastian recalls to me of your whereabouts" Eleanore said, getting rather suspicious of us, those stares she's piercing to us, especially Dmitri.

I took a step forward to bid our case and said, "Countess Eleanore, the reason why we're out in the veranda is because not only we are doing the mental games there but also continuing our activity AND helping me cope on my situation earlier and I'm already better all because Dmitri right here, talking me out of it and being a GREAT help so far, you should give me more credit than you ever gave him for" I said, nudging Dmitri as I mention it.

Eleanore looks at Dmitri more closely and slowly nods at her. She's still doubting us and pacing around then asked another question;

"If that's the case, then explain why Sebastian isn't with you and observe the progress being made this far?" She said, eyes on us.

"I personally asked our Head Steward to trust us on doing the activity ourselves since he has more other matters to address to, that's why he's not with us at the moment and we wanted you to supervise us but Sebastian gave us a warning you're having a moment for yourself so we didn't bother you and relax" Dmitri said, surprising Eleanore by his response.

"I see, well this is a rare treat to witness, a first for Dmitri to respond to without any retort or witticism attached, I guess I have to agree that even if you both didn't lift the curse yourselves still you opt to continue whilst figures as myself are absent ..." She said.

But she notices my gash on the shoulder and Dmitri's smaller scratches around his arm and face. Eleanore got all psyched up again and asked;

"Care to explain why both of you are injured? And why is Lannister not present with you? I find this wary" She said.

Dmitri and I briefly look at each other and he mischievously smiled at me and call Eleanore's attention by implying, "Eleanore, the reason why my older brother isn't with us is because he has to quickly address something important and it involves a certain carcass he's been fermenting for days now, that's why he's not with us today" He said to her.

Oh no he did not! Eleanore began to show aggression and huffs in her breath. She look at us and ragingly said;

"Thank you for addressing my questions and please call Sebastian for assistance, I'll meet you two in the dining room shortly while I may immediately excuse myself and address a certain situation in our hands hastily as possible ... One that will be my personal business to take care of" Eleanore said and quickly ascended the staircase, loud heels clanking the floorboards.

She's mad. Lannister will have a bad time after this and I hope he's not going to come back for Dmitri's mistake.

As she disappears, I look at Dmitri with a surprised look and said, "Why did you say that Dmitri? You got Lannister in trouble because of your excuse" I said.

Dmitri responded by saying, "That is for the payback for what he did and it's just to do in return for what's coming for him and besides, it's also the time where Lannister is really fermenting his collective carcasses so they'll be in there for a while ... And also it's the perfect excuse to not get ourselves into trouble ... I'll take care of my older brother later"

"I can't believe you're so bad, that's low even for you" I responded.

He just gave his usual smug smile and said, "I am bad, I never pronounced that I'm kind ... And speaking of bad, if you didn't make it to the table in less than a few seconds before me then expect your portion to be eaten by me before Eleanore joins us for dinner ... I'll eat all your human food before you do" He challenged me.

But before I responded, he already had a head start and ran, laughing as he left me without warning. I shouted at him that he's unfair but he laughed even louder, mocking my slowness. I ran after him and gave my food a fighting chance before he eats it all if he's certain to do it. Smiling, I try to reach his speed, with both of us heading to the dining room.

It was an eventful day indeed, with our stomachs full ...

And hearing Eleanore scold a clueless Lannister somehow is music to Dmitri's ear.

Hard to believe he did that, he's such a delinquent.