“Did you say the church?”

Joan believed she heard the man correctly. Of course, it made sense that the accursed thing would likely be there. The church was a few centuries old, making it a perfect anchor to ensure a safer journey through time. Hopefully, it would still be there. She didn’t want to risk stealing the watch back if someone else got a hold of it.

She was on the watch list of the time-travelers because of the last close call.

“No need to repeat myself.” Julius shrugged, yet politely smiled as he was careful to not be rather standoffish. 

First came the sound of roaring thunder, booming and shaking the floor with a minor rattle. A chill air tickled at ivory skin, arousing the boy from what felt like a black out. Black fluttered away in favor of visible vision, a flash of lightning greeted him and he held a hand over his face, closing shut his eyes. 

He breathed, a fog escaped his lips and he sat, rising forward from the cold floor. Alone was utterly perplexed...he slowly rose, glancing about the gregorian interior with the towering windows to his left. Faint shadows of trickling rainwater on the window reflected on him and wherever else the light could touch. 

That made the youth smile. An amused gleam appeared in her eyes for a moment. “Uncle! Do you really think that I have grown so sensitive as a proper lady?”

It was a jest that she had not used with Manigoldo before. Mostly, their encounters had been with her as a toddler, allowed by the use of time travel. But her father and eldest brother had heard this plenty of times.

Her family was rather odd, aside from being hunters that defended Romania and other places from evil and creatures of legend. Simon Belmont never forced his daughters to follow traditional women views that society often expected. He just made sure they could defend themselves while following their hearts, if possible.

That was why Joan was here. She had taken after her mother, though why she choose to travel happened on much better terms.

“Besides, I wouldn’t offer you a meal if I didn’t enjoy your company.” Joan looked around, checking her surroundings.

Manigoldo would have to lead her to a pub or shop for food, but it never hurt to take in view of the village. It felt strange, to recall this place from youthful memory and then to visit it now that she was older.

Manigoldo took a moment to pause and think albeit it wasn’t necessary. His lips curled delighted, “More like a sensitive itty-bitty baby!” He cupped his hands side by side emphasizing the size of an infant to tease her.       Though Manigoldo had to be thankful for the girl’s father. He already knew the Belmont family weren’t of the norm from what he heard from Joan’s mother, but it was pleasing to think they preferred everyone in the family to be trained and fully equipped. And the amount of freedom Joan had, it wasn’t common for women of their time, but such common old traditions didn’t linger with Joan’s family. There was still choice.

“I expect you to enjoy my accompany all the time,” His ego spoke quite brightly. And with that the Saint started to take the lead, excited for a meal. Though he walked calmly and slowly, letting the girl take as much view of the village as possible.