While Medusa was scheming her little plans to hurt Risa and her companions, Vincent had gotten Risa her passport all ready for her while Rolando was doing some last-minute packing and double-checking. Risa didn't have anything to do so she just stood around and waited, she had asked many times what she could do to help but they insisted they had it.

As they were walking towards the docks, Vincent looked over at Risa's suitcase and tilted her head to the side. "Why do you have a suitcase if you are an orphan. I thought orphans had nothing." It was blunt and wasn't said in a nice tone, yet again he could care less how he sounded.

Risa rolled her eyes, this boy was going to be the death by annoyance for her. "For your information Vincent, I have accumulated processions growing up in the orphanage. When the orphans were sent out on their own, sometimes they would leave stuff behind. We would divide what we wanted so that everyone got something and we knew never to argue about it." She exclaimed to him in such a way she sounded like she was talking to a child.

Vincent nodded as he switched his suitcase to his other hand. "I see. That sounds very interesting." He wasn't interested and found it sad but he wasn't going to let anyone know he felt that way. Though when Risa said they knew not to fight he had a hard time believing that.

Risa rolled her eyes. He was something else, wasn't he? "You could sound at least enthused about it next time you ask something." She scoffed. He was just sticking his nose in her business and being an absolute jerk. Although so far he hasn't said anything, his cold shoulder towards her and the certain way he looked at her annoyed her since it was obvious he was scheming.

Vincent shook his head, he could never understand people like Risa. Yes, he was not being very nice and asking such dumb questions, but in his defense, he was normally that way. "Fine, next time I will be interested before I ask something." He gave her a fake smile and a thumbs up after having set down the suitcases for a brief moment.

They went up to the ticket booth and gave their tickets to the teller, glad that no one was in line so it would be rather quick. After he got done yelling at the guy in the back, he grabbed a stamper then heavily stamped their passports. You would think it would have made an indent into the paper and counter.

Herbert then looked up at Risa and noticed she was here before, so he smirked as he chewed on a toothpick. "So, you finally got a passport, didn't you? I hope it is legit or else you will be in big trouble." He chuckled, the only thing that brought joy to him was seeing people get hauled off to jail for fake passports, the way they would kick and scream trying to get away.

Risa looked at him puzzled and then realized he was the one who was yelling at her. "Yes I did -" She crossed her arms over her chest as she was so rudely cut off by Vincent. If he cut her off one more time she was going to give it to him and he would be left with a black eye.

Vincent cut in rather quickly wanting to shut up this old man. "It is very legit since Rolando here was the head military sergeant for the king when he was alive." He told him parting Rolando on the back and giving a smile. It was a real passport, he just filled in her name and picture, which was all he did.

Herbert grumbled something under his breath and handed them back the passports and punched out tickets. After he watched them thank him and leave he yelled for the next person to come since a few others had created a line behind the trio. He just wanted this day to be over with.

After they had been told what room they were staying in, they made a beeline straight to their room. Vincent and Rolando set the bags down on their beds, which they folded down from them being mounted on the walls. The space was quite big, and they had a small table and four chairs that were nailed to the floor, along with a small lavatory with a door.

Rolando still had Loyal in his arms, that pup had her tongue out panting and she was wagging her tail. He gave her a pat on the head, growing very fond of this little fluff ball. "Who's a good girl." He cooed as he rubbed her chin. He had his way with animals and he didn't get enough credit for how good he was with them.

Loyal let out a soft bark, enjoying the chin rub which moved up to her head and down her back. "Me! Oh wait, that's a rhetorical question." She giggled softly at her silliness as she laid down in the bed that Rolando had set her down on. It was comfy no doubt, very cozy, perfect for sleeping.

Risa let out a soft giggle at her dog, before sitting down on the bed. As if on cue her stomach began to rumble and a light dusting of pink grew on her cheeks. "Oh, um, I guess that means I am hungry." She sheepishly said, looking down at her feet. For some odd reason, it was embarrassing, yet she had no clue why. The only thing she realized was she was hungry but alas had no money for food, but she wasn't going to bring that up.

Vincent rolled his eyes, he still couldn't believe he had to be stuck with her. "I got a solution then: go get something to eat and stop whining." His voice dripping with sarcasm as he waved her off. He didn't know why he was being so snippy towards her, he just wasn't in a good mood for no particular reason.

Risa sighed softly, running a hand through her hair. Was he trying to treat her like a child? "I know that, Vincent. I am not stupid. I know when I am hungry and what I need to do." She huffed exasperated, throwing her hands in the air and letting them flop to her side. "Just, where do I go to eat?" She has no clue where the dining room was.

Vincent groaned flopping onto Rolando's bed. "To the dining room!" He exclaimed, exasperated himself at how dumb she was being. Of course, he wasn't picking up that it meant two things and she was wanting to know where the dining room was located on the ships.

Risa was a little hurt by his words but she was more so angry at him. "I know the dining room. Please be quiet and stop treating me like a child. I meant where is it located on the ship? I have never been on one and need directions because some of us are as privileged as you." She didn't like it and she knew she wasn't stupid, she was really smart.

Rolando stood up and glared at Vincent, very upset with how he was treating their quest. It was uncalled for. He then looked over at Risa. "I'll show you Risa and don't worry, Loyal, I'll bring you a doggie bag back." He kissed the top of Loyal's head before setting her down on the fluffy bedding.

Loyal barked happily, panting before getting comfy on the bed. "Thank you so much, I'm so hungry!" She wagged her tail and yawned, knowing she could sleep a while, while she was waiting on her food. Oh, the joy of wondering what he would bring her back.

Vincent hurried to his feet when everyone but him was going. "Wait, wait, I'm coming." He exclaimed, shoving his hands into his pockets and he walked over to the two. He was not going to be left behind and ended up having to eat alone. He wasn't going to admit he was also hungry because that would just make him look like an idiot and he didn't want that.

Risa scoffed crossing her arms over her chest shaking her head as she couldn't believe what he was trying to do. "Oh, now you wanna go since Rolando is coming? At least he offered to show me, you were just being a big jerk." She spat at him, not liking how he was treating her. Why was he having such a problem with her now and not when they met?

Vincent was shocked and he put his hand over his heart in mock hurt by what she said. "Oh, I'm a jerk, and pray tell how is that? Is Vincent not dashing enough to show you that he isn't a jerk? Have I not swooned you enough? Must I pull out some charm to woo you?" He asked condescendingly with a roll of his eyes.

Risa laughed, shaking her head. She couldn't believe that he kept on surprising her like this. "Your ego is the problem. I am not swooning over you, so try and get this through your thick skull: you are annoying and a jerk. So please do me a favor and leave me alone." She jabbed her finger at his chest but didn't touch it as she withdrew.

Rolando sighed pinching the bridge of his nose as he listened to the two go on about this. "Can we be civilized while we eat?" He said, stepping between the two hoping to cut them off from this little bickering match they were doing. He was in no mood to watch the fight anymore, he just wanted to eat.

Risa placed her hand on the door handle and opened it up, walking out. "I'm fine with it." She crossed her arms over her chest. She would have been happy if Vincent stopped talking to her altogether, that would make her happy. Of course, she knew he wouldn't do that being a jerk in all.

Vincent sighed following out behind her. "I agree." After he had said that he looked around the dining cart, seeing how many people were there. It was odd but enjoyable for everyone but Vincent now they had agreed to stop bickering like children. He wanted to comment on what Risa was doing but he couldn't do so, which made him grumpy.

Risa cheekily as she walked into the dining room. "I get a seat by the window since I am the guest." She told the two boys sitting down at the bottom and scooting to the seat by the window. She had never had a window seat, the table back home, they didn't eat at a table just sat on the floor in the living room.

Vincent rolled his eyes and huffed something under his breath. "I'll sit on the opposite side of you, so I can too have the window." He commented in a snarky way narrowing his eyes a bit at her. She thought she was something else huh? He loathed having to spend this whole time with this girl.

Rolando sat by Vincent and picked up the ordering menus that were laid neatly on the table. "Oh my, oh my, so many choices to choose from. I will pass on the French dishes since I will be having those when we get to Paris, so, hmm, maybe soup?" He pondered with a hearty chuckle.

Risa opened up the menu and blinked as she read over the dishes, she was quite surprised. "Some of these things I never heard of and all of these I've never eaten." She was shocked that they had so many to choose from. It was something she could only dream of never actually having to pick from them.

Vincent was amused at her surprise at all the food. "What did you eat in the orphanage? Nothing? Food that no one's ever heard of?" He teased in such a mean way. He was being a little jerk still and he didn't care one bit that he was. It was employment for him and what better way to pass the time?

Risa rolled her eyes and huffed, blowing her bangs from her forehead. "Bread, oat mill, vegetables but only in the spring, summer, and fall, and meat. The meat was free from the slaughterhouse since her brother worked there." She replied to him with a frown on her lips.

Vincent gasped with wide eyes all in mock since he truly wasn't surprised at all. "Wow, what a meal! You had no fruit? I can't imagine. What that would be like eating the same old things over and over." He was trying to make her uncomfortable.

Risa sighed heavily, resting her cheek in her hand. "Well first of all we did have fruit, but not as much as the others and it was a specialty, not sure why. You are dense, there were a lot of things you can do with what we had. Most of the time the older ones cooked for us, Mrs. Hemmingworth never really cooked. It wasn't her forte." She huffed.

Rolando was feeling bad for Risa and how the orphans were treated. He knew he was adopting, Stella was happy to adopt as well. "I feel sorry for you. No one deserves to grow up in an environment like that. I do not know how you guys managed that, though I do give you a bunch of respect."

Risa shrugged, it didn't bother her that much like it used to. "It is alright, it is beyond anyone's control. I am just glad to be away from her and I know I'm going to find my family. I'll show her and then she'll have to eat her words." She said the most defiant way, her face showing it.

Rolando beamed brightly at what she said, it touched him. That was how you looked at things, especially in Risa's case. "That is how you do it. I am glad you are looking at things that way." He hoped that Vincent could take some pointers from Risa to use so he wouldn't be such, well, how he is.

Vincent let out a big sigh as if he was frustrated. "Right, well, I don't know about you but I am ordering." He said, waving down one of the waiters and watching them come over. He ordered what he wanted then Rolando and Risa followed after he had come over. He watched him walk away and slouched in his seat like a child.

Risa looked out the window on the ship watching the rolling calm waves they sailed on the open sea. After a few minutes of gazing she saw a reflection of her when she was younger sitting on her parent's lap (It was the queen and king, although unbeknownst to her.) She rubbed her eyes after closing them wondering if she was just seeing things. She opened them back up and it was just a mere window.

She snapped her head at Vincent, who she saw out of the corner of her eye staring at her. "Why are you staring at me?" She asked, narrowing her eyes and frowning. That was a bit creepy the way he was looking at her, anyone looking at you made you feel uncomfortable and that was how it was for her.

Vincent was taken back and blinked a few times. "I'm not staring! Why - why would I be staring at you? I wouldn't have any reason to look at you." He exclaimed, getting all defensive as he put his hands in front of him. In truth, he was staring at her, only because her actions were odd.

Risa crossed her arms and frowned at his little reaction. "You know, Mrs. Hemmingworth always said that guys who make fun of girls like them. I don't believe that to be true, some are just jerks, then there is you." She was mainly teasing him because what else was she going to do?

Vincent let out a few high pitch gasps as he laced his fingers in his hair gripping onto it. "WHAT? What - I don't like you . . . not like that! How could you say something like that! What would make you think that? Not now, not ever!" He exclaimed in the same high pitch voice. He didn't like her, he just had no idea how to react.

Risa laughed, oh he was amusing, and watching him squirm was enjoyable. "I don't know for sure though I think it was the ambiance." She mused resting her cheek in her hand. She knew he didn't like her, she didn't like him either, though his reaction was a really funny one she would remember forever.

Vincent kept high-pitched gasping noises at what was said. "Ambiance? Ambiance?! Ambiance! Get this through your head: I don't like you, nor will I ever! Have you lost your mind?" He was feeling attacked by the right. He loathed the girl more than anything, how could she think he liked her?

Risa rolled her eyes with an amused smile on her lips. "Oh Vincent, I already know that. You are just a jerk I am stuck with while I get to Paris with the help of Rolando. I was merely just teasing you, trying to see how you would react because I was bored. It is so cute! I can see why girls can't say no, you're too cute." She teased with a smirk, clapping her hands together, lacing her fingers together, and then resting them against her cheek.

Vincent groaned leaning his head back on the headrest on the booth. "I'm not cute, cute is for babies and children, I, Vincent, am handsome, dashing, charming - never mind, the point is, stop implying things even if it is merely just teasing." He managed to get out through gritted teeth trying to calm down.

Rolando pitched the bridge of his nose once again. "Vincent, stop antagonizing Risa and be the bigger person. I would like to have a peaceful boat ride to Russia to catch a train to Paris and maybe stop at the edge of France to see my parents for a bit. That is all I ask." He pleaded with the boy wanting nothing more than to have quiet so he could think.

Vincent gasped in mock hurt, yes, he was being a little drama king per usual. "Me? Oh come on Rolando, it is her, she's the one who started it. She kept on antagonizing me for anything." He pointed over to the orphan girl like a child would tattling on their siblings to their mother.

Risa rolled her eyes then stuck out her tongue at Vincent. "Say what you whilst Vincent, in the end, Rolando is right. Be the bigger person and just keep that mouth of yours closed so we can have a peaceful ride. Learn a bit of self-control as well!" She politely said, forcing a fake smile.

Vincent looked over at Risa and sighed when he saw what she was doing, this was gonna be one long ride and he would keep saying so until they were there. "Risa please stop slouching, sit up straight, that is not how a lady sits." He scolded her like a common child. She was acting like a child and he was acting mature in his eyes.

Risa scoffed, the boy was bossy and she didn't appreciate him telling her what to do. Why was he so bossy? Who did he think he was? "You're not my mother, are you slouching a little bit ago while you threw your little hissy fit." She countered, hoping that would shut him up so he would leave her alone.

Vincent gasped, putting his hand over his chest again, but not in mock this time in real offense by her words. That was not - she had no right to bring that up and it didn't even pertain to him. "No, that isn't fair, wait, but- " He started to say as he was cut off.

Risa was having none of him trying to get in a word to justify his words towards her.  "How do you know how females are supposed to act? You're certainly not a woman nor have experienced what we go through, therefore you have no room to speak." She said matter-of-factly crossing her arms.

Vincent narrowed his eyes at her before fixing his collar on his shirt. "It's one of my specialties and I make it my job to know. It is part of my job you could say, so I must know all I can to be of help." She needed help alright to know how to act to be a notable lady in society and perhaps with the royal family.

Risa laughed, he was amusing and was a world treasure since she had never seen a guy like him before. It was laughable. Who did he think he was anyway? "Specialties? Please, your only specialty is being a thorn in my side and not knowing how to grow up." She shrugged her shoulders casually.

Vincent was bubbling with anger, though he kept it in, his harsh grip on his pants showed he was trying to suppress it. He swallowed his pride and looked back at the window then the waiter can with the plates of food. He would be the bigger person and not continue to go at her like cats.

Rolando sighed, perfect timing although it could have been a little earlier it was better late than never. "Just in the nick of time. Oh, how it couldn't have better timing." He said looking up at the waiter with a smile and thanking him as the waiter set the food in front of them, then he walked away.

Risa looked at the food before she never had never seen this much food before. She didn't hesitate one little bit before digging in and taking big bites to curve her hunger she was feeling. This tasted so good, so savory, so flavorful, oh how she felt like she was in a dream.

Vincent looked over at her and raised an eyebrow as he stuffed the corner of the napkin behind his collar as he picked up his silverware. " Risa, darling, take smaller bites. You look like you haven't eaten in a long time. Which isn't how a lady likes it." He told her to try to be polite.

Risa frowned glaring over at him and sighed. "Don't 'Risa, darling' me, Vincent. Fine! I will take smaller bites." She mocked sarcastically as she took smaller bites just out of spite for him to make him happy. "For your information, I haven't eaten in a long while. I haven't eaten since six o'clock this morning and it's what two in the afternoon?" She said, glancing up at one of many clocks on the ship.

Rolando watched Risa and was hoping to be much kinder to the orphan girl. "I see you can go far." He said, he took a spoon full of soup and put it into his mouth. He saw so much potential in the girl far more than anyone would ever see. He would

Risa looked up at him, not knowing who he meant by that. It certainly couldn't be here, could it? "Who?" She asked as she slowly ate her food doing her best not to stop and play with it. "Do you mean Vincent? I am not sure I can see him going too far with how he is." She mused sipping on her water.

Rolando let out a hearty chuckle and shook his head at what she had said. "You, Risa. I am talking about you. You are the one I will see will go far." He truly meant his words and hoped that he could do all in his power to show he is right.

Risa was dumbfounded, how on earth can he even think that way about her? She was an orphan nobody who only came along to get to Paris since she had no way to get a passport, so this was her only way. "Me? How? Why? What?" She stammered our furrowing her eyebrows.

Rolando smiled, sipping on some of his coffee as he set it down on the saucer. "You'll see soon enough." He had faith that soon she would realize what he was saying and he truly hoped it was sooner and not later, even though later may be just as good.

Risa furrowed her eyebrows. "Okay." She said drawing out the word as she gazed out the window. Of course, the waves weren't the only thing catching her attention: She caught Vincent staring at her out of the corner of her eye again. She was getting irritated with him staring at her. What was his problem? It was creepy.

She turned to him and kept a frown on her lips. "Do you need something?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. The only reason people looked at you was that they were because they recognized you, you have something wrong with your appearance or they are trying to figure out what to say.

Vincent paused as he was halfway through cutting his chicken breast in his place, finishing up chewing the bite of salad he had taken. "No, why?" He asked curiously, trying to play off the whole staring at her like nothing and truly it meant nothing to him. She was in the way of the clear and good view of the ocean.

Risa scoffed, wow, he was trying to play dumb, wasn't he? "You were staring at me again, why?" She asked him to answer her flat out why he felt the need to look at her. Did he not think it would make her uncomfortable? She barely even knew the boy.

Vincent had been caught, but he needed to play this in a cool fashion. "Who said I was staring at you?" He countered, trying to return the question to her and not answer her question. He was beating around the bush, something he always did and many thought he would enjoy.

Risa was not taking any of this from him, did he think she was that stupid? "You were looking in my direction! I caught you looking at me out of the corner of my eye!" She exclaimed softly, narrowing his eyes

Vincent scoffed, he was feeling a little caught and he knew he had to keep playing it off hoping she couldn't see right through him. "Maybe I was looking at the horizon that just so happens to be in your direction." He merely said, taking a bite of his chicken breast.

Risa was amused by his fickle words of trying to play it off as nothing. "Me? In my direction? Oh come on Vincent, why can't you just man up and admit you were looking at me. I don't care what the reason was, but don't lie about it." It was ridiculous he was lying about looking at her. What was the big deal?

Vincent rolled his eyes at Risa since her comment hurt his pride which he liked all too well. "I am done with this conversation." He said as he looked down at his plate and stuffed his face with food making sure he had an excuse for not speaking.

After a few moments of silence, Risa let out a sigh of boredom and then a devious smile crossed her face as she looked over at the younger boy. Oh, this was gonna be good. "Vincent I have a question for you." She stated in a sing/song way.

Vincent looked up at her with an expression that showed he was a mix of annoyed and bored. "Me? A question? Why on earth would I answer any questions you have for me?" He asked in a condescending way sitting back in the booth.

Risa rolled her eyes and sighed, resting her cheek in her hand. "Yes, a question, don't be so shocked. Do you think there is a slight chance I could be royalty? Now I am not one to dream of being a princess or anything, though I am curious about what you think." It was the perfect answer.

Vincent chewed on his lip, this question was a double-edged sword. "Well - I - oh dear this is not what I was expecting - there is a possibility that you could be - I mean it is silly to even think - though I can see it, I think." He paused a lot of the time to try to figure out the words.

Risa started to laugh at his whole pausing and stumbling over his words, it was cute. "So I take that as a yes, you think I could be the long-lost princess huh?" She teased and gave a cheeky smile. "I am kidding, in all honesty, I hoped you would say no because I already know I am not." She mused.

Vincent rolled his eyes and mocked laughed. "Haha, very funny, now can we finally eat in peace?" He asked as he went back to eating this food. He didn't have much left and he just wanted to finish what he had left without any drama. Of course, it was a fickle thing to think of because what had been planned to happen was only the beginning.

❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅

A/N:
Finally done with another chapter that has been half written for at least a month or half a month, idk, I do know it is finally done. I am actually really happy I didn't have to change much to this chapter. I did take a few things out but it is minor and didn't matter much since the plot of a few things has changed a bit.

I am working on more chapters just please have patience while I try and find time to get them up. I also have some short stories coming up which is for a contest the loveable Rory has created so please check it out if you are interested in it.

Chapter Talk:
I love writing the dynamic between Risa and Vincent, it just really is fun. Riss is this independent young woman and Vincent is so use to having girls fall for him at every little whim. They both get on each other's nerves, like siblings do which this beginning relationship is nothing more than siblings.

I feel bad for Rolando that he has to try and figure out how to keep these two at peace. They are, at times, like children and even though it may be amusing it really isn't for the ones dealing with them.

And lastly, anything else I forgot ask away my pals. I am happy to answer anything!

In closing, all rude, impolite and mean comments will be replied to in a diplomatic way, reported or deleted if I feel like it is attacking me personally.

Thanks for reading!