บท 39: First meeting
Tanya was viewed by the original Brick as someone who had a good upbringing, looked cold on the outside, was warm on the inside, was helpful to others in need and was the perfect lady of the Reed household.
He worshipped her so much that the cousin that was Tanya was overlooked by him along with many others that were in the surroundings.
The only times that he started to take notice was when people got close to her, were involved in the households matters or had ill intentions towards her.
If they fit into those categories them it was worth him learning about them so that he could watch over her during the dangers she would face.
The story of Tanya was originally that she survived on her own abilities before being saved then those abilities went to waste once she was brought back into the surroundings of her father.
Most of her time was wasted meeting potential allies of her father just like before the apocalypse as he tried to sell her off to those that could guarantee a better deal and if the match was perfect enough.
Her own talents to survive and her awakened power went to the background for a long time and she lived as the protected young miss once again.
She lost her freedom and the initial experiences she faced could not be put to use for her own or others use.
Her fire power was just a small tiny flame that did not see much growth until the day that the announcements were made for the method of using the crystal nucleus but it was not put to use after that.
She was someone with potential but could not use it and the reason was her own father.
The time that she regained her freedom was when she lost her father.
Her cousin killed her father brutally and left her behind to grieve alone with very little support and resources so she had every right to take revenge.
She was not the main character so her revenge was destined to fail and her ending was one where many betrayed her and she was stabbed by many small icicles.
That was the person who was sitting opposite Brick, the person the original had failed to protect and the person that his heart or soul had been tied to.
It was the person whose fate he had to intervene in and could not let die.
The cold and familiar voice of Tanya had stirred up his protective instinct that came from the original owner that was a part of him but Brick did not like the feeling of being completely controlled so he just listened silently as she spoke. "So father sent you? Why did he only send two?"
Brick coughed embarrassedly. "I volunteered to come first to bring you back safely and your father sent someone to 'assist' me but it feels more like they only came to watch over me. He is in the parking lot across the road, hopefully he is not causing any problems that may prevent our escape."
Tanya knit her brows. "Should you really be talking about your superiors in this way? If father sent him then he should be trustworthy."
Brick shrugged and showed a sarcastic look. "The world has changed and you should already be aware that status means little now unless you have the means to defend that status. By my count, I outrank him now in terms of superiority or whatever. Tell me Tanya… how many of the living dead have you killed since this has begun?"
Tanya frowned and paused for a moment taking in what he said. "It has changed a lot.. I think I have killed six. What does that have to do with anything?"
Brick nodded. "Not bad. You are probably about the same or better than the guy that has followed me. He may have racked up some kills to protect your father and to clear the main house but he has made no efforts since. Can you perhaps guess how many I have killed to let your father send me to get you?"
Tanya was very patient with him even though he was not behaving appropriately towards her. "Twenty? Thirty?"
Brick shook his head and sighed. "Probably a lot more than that by now, I have lost count but the amount of those things are definitely above your guesses. You may be wondering why someone like me would be coming all this way and risking his life at your father's request if he has some confidence to survive but I have to tell you the honest truth."
Tanya was a little flustered. "What do you mean?"
She felt like a confession or something strange was about to be said by Brick all of a sudden.
She had many people confess to her and she turned them all down, they were not compatible with her or they failed to see beyond her looks, wealth and status.
It felt like those times where she would have to let them down easy and was preparing herself for that what was coming.
Brick spoke up and said. "I do not follow anyone, not even your father. The only person who can keep my by their side and make me follow them is you who helped me when I was without any parents or support. I would have come get you even if your father declined it and I am only here for you. What you ask of me I will do it even if it is outside of your father's wishes. If you want to run, we run and find a safe haven but if we cannot then we build one. If you wish to return, we return but I will be there when you need me. If you wish to remain here, we take this place and make it our own personal fortress."
He went into more detail of how she would be brought back and told her about how he and Homer had been given orders to prioritise her over others and to prioritise other people of influence over her friends.
Tanya stood up from her seat and walked to face the wall with her back to him and her fists gripped. 'Father.. they are my friends. To you they mean nothing but to me..'
Tanya calmed herself down and said. "You said your name is Brick correct? You sure have come on strong. This almost sounds like a marriage proposal."
Brick coughed awkwardly. "Ahem.. everything I have said, you do not have to take too seriously but just know that I have chosen my path. If you wish to be a queen then I will be your loyal knight. I will guard you from the dangers ahead and work myself hard to let you achieve what you desire."
Inwardly he thought to himself. 'So cringe.. can I take that back? No please.. just take it all back.. restart! Restart button! Help! GM! God?! Why did I start and end like that? Aaah I want to dig myself a hole to place my head in! This is what happens when you only have two peoples experiences in life that only amounts to having one romantic partner…'
The cold look broke away from the face of Tanya and she let out a soft laugh. "Hahaha are you an idiot? Who believes in knights and vows in this day and age? What is it that you want from me that makes you make such an oath? There must be something you want?"
In her experience, there were usually things others would request of her so even if her guard was dropped a little, Tanya couldn't help but doubt Brick's intentions and what he was aiming for or what she could give him.
It was a defensive instinct that came from her many experiences where people let her down in the end.
Brick replied in a heavy tone. "Do not die and I will do my best to stay by your side and protect you. Even if I am not by your side, I will try my best to have trustworthy people by you that can look out for you. If you wish to be protected then stay like that but if you find a purpose in this world that has changed then I will use everything to let you achieve that without being harmed."
He thought of something and said. "Oh yeah… that bow of yours looks good but I found you a newer and better one. Hopefully it will be put to use as it was intended. I am going out to patrol a little so you think things over."
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