"You know, when I told you to go out and make friends, I didn't mean to kidnap somebody. What in the world were you thinking? Dragging a poor girl into one of your skirmishes…" Zenobia was…confused.
She had no idea where she was. One minute (or rather what felt like one) she was arguing with the boy that decided to carry her across town and the next she was thrown into what looked to be a doctor's office.
"She dragged herself, Nana. You should've seen the way she kicked ass." It was a small little place with the smell of flowers mixed with typical cleaning supplies. White tile floors with red and black streamed walls.
Zenobia was propped and prodded in a leather chair by an elderly woman with gray strands intermingling with brown. The woman in a white coat clucked her tongue, narrowing her wrinkled, glasses-wearing face the moment Zenobia winced. Pain shot right up her leg, causing her to recoil from the touch. Fortunately, the doctor took no offense to her movements, simply clucking her tongue again
"Most definitely a sprain. Elias, go get my ointment in the sphere jar in my room, and a bag of peas from the freezer!" The boy left in a hurry. His footsteps faded in the background before the elderly doctor offered her patient a small smile.
It was a bit strange to the teen. Seeing someone outside of her family without a mask. Considering she was being examined though, it made sense that her host needed to work without potential issues. Of course, she wouldn't know. She hadn't bothered going for any check-ups or appointments for the doctors in ages.
"As much as I wish he didn't get caught up in trouble, I'm grateful you were there to help him."
"Ah…no problem."
"What's your name? Seeing how that buffoon didn't bother to tell me."
"I'm Zenobia."
"A lovely name. A strong one, too. My name is Jennifer." Zenobia had no words for that. She liked her name, took pride in it even, but she wasn't sure how Jennifer could consider her name as strong. In the end that didn't matter. Zenobia was more concerned when she heard a series of thuds and quiet ows from down the hall. Even Rosette, who had been laying down on the floor next to Jennifer when she stepped inside, perked up from the noises.
"Honestly, what is that boy up to? Wait here, dear." All Zenobia could do was share a glance with her four-legged companion while Jennifer left out the back door. A sigh escaped her as she reached for her phone in her pocket. Turning it on, she glanced at the time, amazed that it wasn't broken or completely dead yet.
"School will be out soon…" She had to get her things and make it home before her mom found out she played hooky. The irritable old hag made her miserable enough, heavens forbid if she was caught. Her crimson eyes peered back over to the hall. Though it was faint, she heard hushed talking in the distance. Neither of her hosts were in sight.
As much as the teen appreciated their kindness, she couldn't stay there all day. Gritting her teeth Zenobia stood on her sprained leg, limping towards her bag by the counter. Rosette whined at her, now sitting up but she paid the pooch no mind. Instead, she ripped a random old page out of her sketchbook before grabbing a pencil. Quickly she wrote a note.
'Thank you for taking care of me and sorry for the trouble. Have a good day.'
-Zenobia
Then she brought out her wallet. Even though she was in too much of a rush to receive treatment, she still appreciated Elias going out of his way to help her (even though it was his fault in the first place.) She pulled out a twenty, leaving it there with the note. It wasn't much but she hoped it would at the very least convey her gratitude.
Then she reached for her mask that was on the table where Jennifer had some of her examination tools. Exactly where Elias put it when they first walked in. She picked it up, sighing once more at the awful state it was in. There was no excuse in the world she could come up with that could convince her mother that nothing happened today.
Still…she had to figure something out, something she would have plenty of time to work on as she made her way home. First, as dangerous as it was to wear, she had to get it strapped back on. Quickly she glanced down. For once she was glad that she had on her old sneakers.
With aching, nimble hands, she stripped the laces off her right shoe, replacing it where the leather cord was. Carefully, she tied it to the back of her head. It felt a bit loose but it was on without pressing against her skin. For the moment it would do the job of covering her face.
She just had to make it home. The teen was praying both her mask and her foot would last. Holding back a pained groan she made her way to the door. Rosette at this point was barking at her. Those whines grew and she even tried shielding the door from Zenobia, knowing the girl was trying to leave.
It didn't work since the teen was easily able to gently scooch her out of the way. She had to give it to the golden retriever for trying since the little assistant wasn't trying to hurt her. Her whines sounded louder and more frantic as Zenobia gripped the doorknob.
"Rosette what's—" By the time she heard footsteps rushing back into the office, Zenobia had already closed the door, briskly making her way onto the street. Cars honked at one another as they sped through the interchanging lights. People pushed past, camouflaging her with the masses. They shoved her giving her odd looks but otherwise paid her no mind while walking.
Every step made her flinch. The pain got worse, reminding her of a bell being smashed with a hammer as each gentle step she took. Pain or not, she carried on. Zenobia exhaled, finding a giant district map directory.
Maps like these were found all over Chizel, laminated over to prevent weather or people from ruining it. It rested on top of a little screwed in stand, perfect for her and several others to figure out their whereabouts. Little symbols were drawn in, revealing stars that represented direction posts for other maps, circles for district lines and diamonds to show bus stops scattered about. Much to her relief she found where she was quickly.
"I'm all the way in Vawushu…fantastic." Her crimson gaze next scanned for her home, only to frown when she didn't see it. She checked again, wincing as she strained her leg to gain some extra height. Her eyes brightened when she finally figured out where Momoka district.
It wasn't on the complete opposite side of town, but it was a long trek. If she was lucky and picked up the pace, she'd make it home within an hour. She would be cutting it close. Both her mother and Zora would question why it took her so long to pick her sister up even with the injured foot excuse.
That little ball of hope grew when she saw a bus pulling up to a little stop not even a minute away from her. The Boom Zoom Express was slapped on the side in shades of blue and white. Like a shining beacon it came to her in her time of need. It would cost some extra cash, but it would be worth it if she could get home with the least amount of questioning.
Dragging her limp foot she reached for the bus, waving towards the driver before he could put it in drive. He was an elderly gentleman, with tufts of white sticking out on the sides of his otherwise bald head. Wearing a black bear mask, he grunted as she made her way up the steps. His shaking, wrinkled finger pointed to the little container in front of him.
"Gotta bus pass? Otherwise, it's five bucks per stop."
"I need to get to Momoka district."
"That's fifteen." Her wallet was really going to be taking a hit today. She winced, sadly pulling out the amount before dropping the bills in a little container. Satisfied, the man pulled the lever, shutting the door.
Zenobia was barely able to find a seat before the bus zoomed forward, diving into the heavy traffic. Her back slammed into the seat, sending another wave of agony to shoot up her leg. Her hands fumbled, gripping for dear life to the seat in front of her as her transportation weaved and jerked her to her destination.