Featherfall.
Known for its sea-gryphons and its seaside cliffs. Serendipity, known for its acceptance for magic and magic-users.
It had seemed like the perfect place. The mercenary remembered how the love of his life once told him she loved the sea. Maybe the sight of sea-gulls could bring a smile to her face? A small smile, just a tug on her lower lip would be enough for Hendrick. It really had seemed like an ideal place for him and Marilyn. The problem? The weather.
The rain tore through the clouds, lightning splitting the sky open. Hendrick shuddered from the cold. The water had found its way through every uneven seam in his clothing, through the sole in his leather shoes and his hair hung dripping and wet in his face. Hendrick could have lived through all of this. True, it was messy, it was cold and it was very miserable. The white/grey-haired man could have survived it all and probably would have found a stable to rest in, but for one thing.
Or person was probably more accurate. At least it had been once before. Hendrick looked to his side. There draped with his own and her cape stood a red haired young woman. Pale skin and a beautiful face. A small body with the loveliest curves. A pair of dark blue eyes with no life in them. They could have been made of glass for all the emotion the emitted. Nothing.
"Come on here", Hendrick said quietly. His voice was rough but calm and caring. The mercenary looked around. He was in a city, but all the windows were closed and the Inns way too rowdy and no place for a sweet girl like Marilyn. Hendrick was in no mood to fight. It had happened too many times that someone tried to lay their hands on the docile girl while Hendrick was busy keeping others at bay. As his hope to find shelter faded more and more he saw something. A light. Hendrick quickened his pace and held Marilyn close to himself.
"Just a little more now", he mumbled, just as much to Marilyn as to himself.
His hope rekindled when he saw that the light came from a window. Close to it was a door. Without caring for what kind of house it was, Hendrick knocked on the door.
"Hello? Anybody home? I seek shelter for the night! Please! If not for me, so please for my sister!"
Marilyn wasn't his sister, but it was far easier to say so. People couldn't understand why he took care of her otherwise. Hendrick waited, and part of him prayed. If no shelter for him, then please for her.
Tired eyes blinked slowly as they examined the flower arrangement before them. Another blink and the colors all blurred together. Ladybird banged her fist down on the worktable in frustration. She had been at this for hours and still could not get the bundle to give the meaning she wanted it to. "Oh it's no use!"
The young woman let her head fall forward to bang against the table with a thunk. But, the sound she heard was much louder than it should have been. Sitting up, she stared at the table in surprise until a voice sounded from her door. "Oh!" Ladybird scrambled to her feet, looking for her robe that she had carelessly cast away.
"Coming!" she shouted as she ran to the door, throwing the article of clothing on. It took her a few moments to get the wooden bolt to move as it tended to stick in place with the humidity. At last the door swung open and the light of her warm room spilled out into the wet night.
For a moment she froze as she caught sight of the man, the harsh light making his scars and wrinkles appear more sinister. But, then she was stepping away from the entrance and ushering the pair in. "Come in, come in! Let's get you out of that rain before you catch a cold. You can state your business once you're out from that awful weather," she urged with a warm smile.
Truth was, Hendrick wasn't a pretty sight to behold. It worked as a mixed blessing. It was easier to find mercenary work since the scars made him look "professional". It was harder to get lodging at a respectable tavern, since they all thought he looked like a trouble-maker. The door opened and Hendrick squinted. He was just about to explain himself and that he absolutely didn't have to come in, when the girl welcomed the odd pair into her home. Without second though, Hendrick stepped in. He wouldn't start arguing.
Stepping inside the house was a relief. He was still cold and wet, but now the wind was gone. Soon he would be warm and so would Marilyn and that was all that mattered. A hoarse "Thank you" slipped Hendrick's lips. His boots made small puddles on the floor, but Hendrick would gladly deal with them. In a moment.
Hendrick pulled out a chair and gently lowered the red-haired girl into it.
"Hey, Marilyn", he whispered. It wasn't so that he didn't want anyone to hear, it was just an old habit "I need to take your cloak, girl. Can you give it to me, please?"
Without an expression, Marilyn pulled off her cloak and let it fall to the floor. She was mostly dry underneath, since Hendrick had given her his own cape. Hendrick picked up the wet fabric and turned around to face the woman who had so graciously invited them into her home.
"Thank you again. Would you mind if I dried these", Hendrick held up the wet cloaks "Above your fireplace?" Only then it hit him.
"I am Hendrick from Cannerburgh. This is my sister ..." Hendrick gestured towards the red-haired girl "... Marilyn. She's ... Not well. In the head. But she's not dangerous I assure you". The words had stopped tasted bitter long ago. He had hated uttering them and had fiercely objected if anyone asked. Now he didn't care as much. It was easier this way. This way he didn't have to tell his life story or embarrass himself. Not everyone took it well if he told him that the shell of a girl once had been the love of his life. How can you love a simpleton?
Ladybird looked at the pair, her eyes following their actions in silence and without judgement. "Not well in the head? Oh that's not trouble. After all, we're all a little crazy. Makes the world more fun I think." She gave a wink. "Isn't that right Marilyn."
Smiling, she took the cloak from Hendrick and before he could protest moved to hang it by the fire. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. You may call me Petal, for it is a far better name than my given. Please, please," she beckoned, "do sit down." Ladybird chuckled nervously, running her hand through her hair.
"You'll have to forgive me, I wasn't expecting company. My other guests if you will, are not so neat and tidy themselves." The woman nodded her head to some of the animals, peeking their heads out from their respective spots about the room. Ladybird had a wide variety of visitors tonight. The autumn rains always seemed to bring them to her garden and her door.
Still bustling about the room, to clean off areas and tripping over several cats in the process, she continued chattering. "Make yourself comfortable, you both are quite welcome to stay as long as you need. Although, careful with the chair by the fire. The uh," she giggled, covering her mouth and blushing, "hedgehog likes to sit in it. I would just check the seat before I settle in."
Gasping, her eyes widened as she remembered something. "Towels! Oh how silly of me. I don't know where my head is. Just give me a moment," she exclaimed dashing off to the closet by her workspace. Ladybird, hurried to try and make her guests comfortable, tripping and stubbing her toes along the way and still continuing without a care.
Unfortunate for her though, was the fact that the towels had been placed on the highest shelf just out of her reach, and that of her "little visitors," and the stool was nowhere to be found. Speculating that she looked like a fool, the young botanist jumped up and down in an attempt to grab the elusive fabric. Her fingers would skim the soft surface but were never quite able to latch on. In her head, she could hear Fern's amused hisses at her plight.
The girl gained instant approval from Hendrick when she spoke to Marilyn. Most people would ignore the redhead when they learned she wasn't ... well. Either that or if they were more prone to aggression they would try to use her. A small smile touched the Mercenary's lips.
"She doesn't talk much, but I think she would agree with you. The Earth needs everyone to make a world after all", he said as he began walking to the fireplace, the cloaks a bundle in his grasp. He didn't come far however before he had to avoid a little scuttling creature. When he was busy looking at the floor he felt the cloaks disappear. When he looked up he saw them already hanging over the fire.
The girl urged him to sit down so he pulled out a chair in front of the fire ...
"... Although, careful with the chair by the fire. The uh, hedgehog likes to sit in it. I would just check the seat before I settle in."
... and quickly checked if said hedgehog already had claimed the chair. The girl was quite right in her assumption. A brown hedgehog dozed on its seat. Hendrick backed slowly away so he would not wake the little fella. He glanced across the room. Every now and then he saw an animal looking back at him. A grey cat walked up to Marilyn, purring. When it got no response from stroking itself around her legs it jumped into her lap. The smile which Hendrick had been wearing turned sad. If Marilyn still had been herself, she would have been cuddling with the cat now. He could picture the whole scene in his head, from the moment Petal had opened the door. Marilyn would have chatted away with the other girl, wanting to see all the animals and flowers (Hendrick saw now what kind of shop this was). She would have asked a million questions and happily answered all given to her. Hendrick swallowed and turned his back to the redhead and the cat.
"You have quite the number of visitors. Are they regulars or here for the first time like us?"
Before he could say anything else the girl gasped as if she remembered something. Another warm smile reached Hendrick when she went away in pursuit of towels. A small chuckle escaped him. When she was on her way to the cabinet, Hendrick took the opportunity to get rid of his swordbelt and swords. He hung them on the chair, pulled off his jacket, vest and boots. The boots he placed close to the fire (under the chair with the hedgehog) and the other garments he hung besides his cloak. Beneath all this he wore a simple white shirt.
He heard a low 'thump' and looked in the direction of the sound. The hedgehog looked lazily in the same direction and Hendrick followed its stare. He held back his smile when he saw Petal trying to reach the towels, jumping up and down.
"Let me help you with that", said Hendrick and made his way over to the other woman. With ease he pulled down two of the towels. He was after all taller which made it easier.
"I suppose they are for me and Marilyn. Thank you Petal. We couldn't have hoped for better lodging tonight".
He meant it. Right now he was just wondering how in the whole world he would be able to repay the woman.
"Is there any way I can repay you?" he asked while giving one of the towels to Marilyn and rubbing his own hair with the other.
The woman blushed heavily at being helped with the towels by her own guest. "Thank you," she mumbled, before waving him back to the fire. "Would either of you like some tea?" Ladybird was already flitting about to make it anyway. "To answer your question of before I would say it's about half and half. Some of my visitors are permanent additions to my home, some are returning freeloaders, and some are newcomers such as yourselves. My home is always open to welcome anyone or anything in need. My only rule is no causing trouble and no fighting with the others."
She paused in her movements to eye the man sternly. "I will have to ask the same of you. I know some of my guests are less appealing, my own familiar included. I assure you that none of mine will harm either of you unless severely provoked, in which case they are not responsible." A smile lit up her features again though as she continued on. "Not that I believe that will be a problem. The two of you seem to have your hearts in the right place."
Ladybird fell quiet for a bit, working comfortably about her home, completely unconcerned when a cat jumped down to land on her shoulder or a pair of kittens tumbled out of the cupboard when she opened it. To the young woman it was normal life. In her mind she was never really alone as long as she had these friends making her life interesting and her home chaotic.
"As for repayment, I expect none Hendrick. My doors are always open to things of all walks of life. Call it fate, the goddess, the weather, whatever you want but, I believe in this moment we were meant to meet for whatever reason. That's good enough for me. My repayment is that I was able to be of help. I hope you alright with that, because I would have it no other way."
"No, you are the one who shall have thanks, for being such a good host".
He went back to the chair and when Ladybird mentioned tea he gave her an eager nod. Something warm would be divine right now. If you are cold and wet it is also important to warm up yourself from the inside. Just holding a steaming cup and warm his hands sounded like a really good idea. He continued to listen while she talked. It seemed like a good rule; everyone could be here if they caused no trouble. Hendrick looked down at his hands, the skin worn and leathery from the many years he had spent "causing trouble" if you could put it that way. When she turned her glare to him he met it.
"If I would ever provoke anyone into such rage that they would attack me, then by all means they have the right to. But you needn't worry. The only chance for me angering anyone tonight would be if I stumbled or took someone's favorite chair. If I can, I will avoid it. If not, then I hope I will be pardoned. Hopefully the regulars can point me in the right direction", he said with a playful twinkle in his eyes, looking at the grey cat. It stretched and looked very comfortable in Marilyn's lap. Right now she had pulled off her own boots and had begun drying herself. Sometimes Hendrick wondered. She was capable enough to take care of her own needs and do easy chores. It was the social part, the part that made a person a person that was lacking.
Hendrick turned back to continue watching Petal flit around in the room, seeing how cats tumbled out of cupboards, falling on their four feet and walking away to play with some old yarn.
Meant to meet? Hendrick didn't know. He had stopped believing in a higher power long ago. After what happened to Marilyn he could not bring himself to believe that any power would let something like that happen. That was what he said at least. Deep down, he wished there was something watching over him and everyone else in the world. For surely, if there was nothing, how could he then have had such luck to find Petal a rainy and horrible night like this?
He was just about to answer her when there was a flash, followed by thunder. One of the kittens yelped and ran across the floor to its mother. The lightning made him think of something.
"I have a question Petal. What happens if there ever is someone who would cause trouble? With the risk of sounding disrespectful, but you don't look like someone who would fight back. Do have any neighbor who helps you out in a pinch or do you use ... magic?"
He said the word with a second of hesitation. He was after all born and raised in Connloath and they were not known for their love of magic. No matter how long he had been gone, but magic was still something he feared, respected and was extremely curious about. I mean, who wouldn't be? To rain fire upon your enemies, heal broken bones and weave powerful illusions. Hendrick wouldn't say no to any of that, but he was still cautions when on the subject. He wouldn't want anyone to do those things to him. That would be bad for his health.
The teacups rattled in Ladybird's hands as the clash of thunder made her tense and freeze in place. Her childhood fear of thunderstorms had never been outgrown even now. Swallowing away her fear, she smiled and passed a cup to each of her guests. "I manage," she replied cryptically to his question. In her mind she could see many of the precautions she had taken over time, the thorny plants by the windows, the lack of glass on the first floor, the way she presented herself without ever saying anything too important or revealing.
It was a lonely way to live, but it was what she had always done to survive and prosper. "I do not often have trouble and so far have been able to handle that I have endured. And no, I do not possess magic, you may relax your stance now. I am not going to cast a spell on you," she teased with a wink. Ladybird had caught the hesitation in his voice and had tried to assuage his concerns if there were any as quickly as she could.
Another crash of thunder had her inhaling sharper than she had intended and gripping the arm of Marilyn's chair briefly. Rushing to hide her discomfort, the woman plopped down on some cushions by the fire and sipped at her tea. "If you are tired, I can show you both to my guestroom. I'm afraid though you will have to share the small bed. It's the best I can do. Unless your...sister would not mind sharing my room with me? I would not mind as long as you two do not."
There was something about the pair in Ladybird's mind that made her feel Hendrick had not been completely truthful about their relationship. Something seemed off but in no way sinister. There was deep love there but, different than the love Ladybird shared with her own siblings. Recognizing it as none of business though she said nothing other than her small hesitation at calling Marilyn his sister.
When she offered him the cup of tea, Hendrick gladly accepted it. The warmth seeped into his hands and already after the first swallow he felt much warmer. He didn't mind that he burned his tongue a little on the liquid, it was well worth it. Marilyn took her cup and drank way more carefully than Hendrick. Just a sip every now and then.
Hendrick noticed how Petal froze in place when the thunder started. He didn't say anything though. He himself was not afraid of lightning, but he was afraid of other things which people might think were ridiculous. He was actually afraid of ghosts (Always wondering if he would one day meet his father in shape of one) even though he had never seen one.
When Ladybird said she possessed no magic Hendrick lowered his shoulders. He had been a little worried. Not that he thought Petal would harm him or Marilyn, but still ... Magic was something he didn't know how to handle.
"I thank you for that. I wouldn't do well as a toad."
Another lightningbolt tore through the sky, making Hendrick look through the window. He didn't like how close the storm was. Hopefully the lightning would stay where it belonged, in the sky. Worst case scenario would be if it struck a house and started a fire. Hendrick looked back to Petal only to find her on the floor on some cushions. When she gave her proposal Hendrick looked down in his cup, thinking. It would be lovely to have a night for himself. Not having to worry about Marilyn and just ... be alone, knowing she would be safe. But he always had her close during the nights. Just in case anything would happen.
"I ... I don't know."
He looked towards Marilyn again. She was quietly drinking her tea, the grey cat in her lap, looking as if she didn't a single problem. He tried to imagine what she would do if she hadn't been like this.
"She would ... have wanted me by her side", he said, thinking out loud "I mean ... I think we will take the guestroom. Thank you Petal. Please, when the storm is over, allow me to buy you breakfast in the morning. We could maybe go together. But only if you want to. It is the least I can do for all the good you have done for me and Marilyn. And for all of your other companions. I bet those kittens wouldn't say no to some milk".
Quietly, she watched the man from over the rim of her cup. 'So troubled and so cautious, what life have you known?' From one to the other her eyes drifted until she was pulled back by Hendrick's words. "Smart man," she chuckled, "to know a woman's desires before she has voiced him. I must say Marilynn you have him well trained. Even after decades upon decades my own father hasn't figured that out, and with four women in the house too."
Ladybird laughed and shook her head with a sigh. "Finish your tea and I can show you upstairs. You might have to share the room though. I can't always control some of my little friends." Her eyes danced as true to her words a tiny bat fell from the rafters above her right into her cup. The splash surprised her and she hurried to fish the little thing out. "Never a dull moment."
Gently, she coaxed the wet wings out, cooing at it as it chittered and squirmed. "I know. I know, but if you don't stretch your wings you'll never learn to fly. Come on, you can do it." After a few more repetitions, Ladybird cupped the little creature in her palm and wrapped it in one of her hand-towels that was lying close by.
"Best be careful with that offer of milk though, Hendrick," she then commented. "You have yet to see just how many kittens I house at this moment. However, weather permitting I will allow breakfast if that is what you feel you must do. I do hope the weather lets up for you though," she said rising to her feet. "One drawback of living close to the sea is all the wind and rain it sides up onto our cliffs and shores."
For a moment she hesitated, her mouth open to say more before she closed it and smiled. A gentle hand rested briefly on his forearm as she looked at him with kind eyes. "You are both welcome to stay here as long as you need." Giving the arm a squeeze, Ladybird smiled again and pulled away to scoop up the kittens into a basket as their mother moved to climb the stairs.
If Marilyn had been more of the talkative type these days, she would have given Hendrick a small push and a knowing wink to Petal, showing how she heartily had agreed. Now Hendrick was the one to stand for the communication. He chuckled.
"Agreed. But every man needs to have a good woman, to get somewhere in this world. Your father should be happy he has four of them", he said with a smile.
Sharing a room would be no problem, this Hendrick was sure of. Animal companions tended to be a lot more courteous than the rowdy crowd he was used sharing quarters with. Mercenaries and bandits seldom had very good hygiene unlike most animals. That might sound crazy, but few were the creatures who didn't clean themselves in some way. Birds polish their feathers and monkeys eat the lice of their comrades. Therefore keeping themselves clean and more healthy. All in all, sharing the room with a pair of bats or rabbits would be like a walk in the park. That was Hendrick's thoughts. He probably didn't think it could be more than just one pair.
When the bat fell into the cup, Hendrick held up his arms to protect himself from the sloshing water, with little effect. He still got wet, but he didn't care. The important part was that the little battered creature got up and dry again. The rough features in the mercenary's face softened when he saw how much care and concern Petal gave the bat. He had seldom met a girl so compassionate. Buying and making breakfast was the least he could do, and he felt that this woman really deserved some appreciation. He had only been her for a short time and in this short time she had convinced him without trying that there still existed beauty in this world. Not just skin-beauty, but the kind that goes deeper.
"I'm certain, just because I said I'd be getting milk, the house will be crawling with cats and kittens tomorrow. I'll stick to my word however and if the challenge proves to be to mighty for me to handle, well, then I'll just admit defeat".
He looked out through the window. The storm was still going strong and didn't show even the slightest hint of letting up soon.
"I've always wanted to live by the sea. I grew up in a city and the closest thing I ever had for a view were the nights I and Marilyn snuck up on the city walls and looked over the valley. Every other night was nothing but chimneys, brick and smoke."
Marilyn turned her head. Hendrick saw it in the corner of his eye and looked straight at her.
"What is it Marilyn? Is something wrong?"
He followed her glare to the window again and saw nothing but the storm. Puzzled he looked back at Petal.
"Are you expecting more company tonight?"
Just after he finished two large thumps were heard on the front door.
"Hey, da'ling, lemme in! Hick! Ol' Tom and his boys wanna see ya!"
Whoever was standing on the other side was apparently very drunk. Without knowing Hendrick had stood up and his body had taken a more defensive stance, shoulders tensing.
"Is it someone you know, or have they just hit the wrong door?" he asked Petal.
[[OFF: I thought Tom could either be someone who has been bothering Petal for some time or just a random drunk knocking on the wrong door. Your choice! :) ]]
Ladybird also looked curiously towards the door until she heard the drunken slurring from the other side. A heavy sigh released from her chest as she rose to her feet and placed a gentle hand on Hendrick's arm. She shook her head and placed a finger to her lips before in a singsong voice replying, "no one's home!"
There was a pause as the words began to permeate the drunkard's head. "Oh really? Hic! But I was 'oping to be talkin's to hic 'Pe'al. I gots somet'in fer 'er. Boys been in another scrap again. Hic! Ya sure no one ain't hic 'ome?"
The woman shook her head in frustration and leaned close to her guest. "Town drunk, not too bright but makes a hell of a lot of trouble. Doesn't stop him from skulking his way back here though. He usually goes away pretty quick though," she assured him.
Mentally though she was praying. Praying that Tom would do just that. The last time she had not been so lucky and he and his "boys" had broken into her house and wrecked some things. The drunker he was the worse he got. There was nothing she could do about it really though. He worked for the apothecary, who was a slimy but very influential man. There were some battles she had decided that were just not worth fighting. This in her mind, was one of them.
Drunks were seldom such a big problem to handle. Hendrick relaxed his stance and carefully squeezed Petal's hand, showing he understood he should be quiet. Hopefully the drunkard would go away to bother someone else.
If Hendrick had known more about Featherfall and known that Tom worked for a slimy apothecary, then he would have tried really hard to come to a peaceful solution.
So when the silence was interrupted by a forceful tremor from the door, Hendrick once again felt his shoulder tense and he moved in front of Petal.
"Marilyn, go away from the door!" he snapped at the red-head who obediently rose from her chair and walked into the furthest away corner. Inside, Hendrick's mind razed. A town-drunk shouldn't be so strong, to make a door shake in its hinges that way. Could it be his 'boys'?
"Tha's the 'pirit! At it boys! Hic!"
The door shook again and splinters fell from around the hinges. A vicious snarl and barking was heard. Hendrick felt his confusion grow. Could Tom's boys be dogs?
The mercenary didn't have to wonder for very long, because the door fell off its hinges and connected with the floor with a loud 'bam!'. On the other side, there was indeed two majestic dogs. In this modern day we would say the looked like Rottweilers. Between the two dogs stood (quite unsteadily, mind you) another shape, dressed in a fine green coat which could have looked nice if it wasn't so full of mud and wet from the inside out.
Tom's grey hair hung all over his face and he grinned when he saw Petal, showing yellow and missing teeth.
"Ol' Jerry hurt his foot, ya see. Hic! Knew only of...", he took a sip out of bottle "... one girl who can fisch him up!" He gave Petal a little wink and Hendrick frankly didn't know what to do. He didn't know much about dogs. Was one of them actually hurt or was it a trick? If they still were strong enough to knock a door off it hinges it couldn't be that bad.
"Who's yer frien' there? I ain't seen tha' fella befo'e! Hic! He's a nasty face, that one." Tom said and pointed at Hendrick with his bottle. Hendrick looked with a bewildered expression at Petal. What was he supposed to do?
The botanist was furious. Pushing past Hendrick, she marched straight up to Tom and slapped him clear across the face. Even as she did so the dogs swarmed on her. One of them jumping up to place his paws on her shoulders, forcing her to take a step back to keep her balance. The other butted his head repeatedly against her legging whining and barking.
"Down Jeff!" she barked, uselessly pushing at the beast as he licked her face before lowering. "How many times do I have to tell you that you are not welcome here? I don't care if you're bleeding out your eyes. You break the rules and you are no longer welcome here and you've broken them on multiple occasions. Breaking down my door in the middle of a storm? Why don't you going skulking off to Agehneim? I'm sure he'd be more than willing to care for his lackey's needs!"
"Aye but 'e charges and the boys always hic bites 'im. Please Lady? I'mma'skin' ya as a man down on 'is luck, I'm beggin' please."
No matter how much she wanted to, Ladybird could not hold her ground. She gave in with a sigh and a strict order. "Stay out of my hair and keep your mouth shut. Oh and you leave when I'm done." The young woman moved over to her worktable calling the injured dog over to her. Jerry barreled towards her, yipping like a pup as he hopped up onto the table in a single jump and laid down on his back.
Ladybird absentmindedly rubbed his belly as she examined each paw, finally finding the injury on one of the back paws and beginning to treat it. Jeff on the other hand could not stay still. First he followed his brother and kept getting in Ladybird's way until he grew bored and raced towards Hendrick. Stopping halfway, the large dog changed directions as he spotted Marilyn and slunk off greet her.
"Ya know, ya never told me who 'e is, Petal!" Tom called, plopping himself down into one of her chairs and making himself at home. "He hic your boyfriend? No, your secret lover. With a face like that I bets 'e ain't married. You sure know how to pick 'em. Hic! She's good in the sack, ain't she," he leered, making the woman feel sick and refuse to meet Hendrick's eye. "Aye, she has excellent prowess that one. Reminds me of the ol' days when I was a youngin'!"
The more he went on the angrier Ladybird got. They were all lies of course but it was embarrassing none the less. Looking up, her eyes caught sight of Jeff and tried to come him back to her but, he was having none of it. He stood a few paces away from Marilyn and barked and growled at her.
"Ooo! What ya find boy? Wha's Petally dear hidin' over there?" Shakily standing to his feet, Tom tried to peer into the far shadows, completely oblivious to everyone and everything in his path. This included and explained his sudden running into Hendrick. "Well move ya big oaf! I gots to investigates!"
As said earlier, had Hendrick known that Tom had some influential friends he would have tried to reason more with Tom. But when the dog – Jeff – just couldn't stay away from Marilyn and how it drew Tom's attention to her, Hendrick didn't feel like being so friendly. He grabbed the dog by the scruff of its neck moving it away from Marilyn. In response the dog begun thrashing about and barking even more. The cats that had been brave enough to stay in the room scattered away.
"This dog was fine? Then he can wait outside".
Jeff was a big dog but Hendrick was stronger. Hendrick went to the still functional back-door and threw him out. He wasn't trying to hurt the hound but his patience was slipping. No one messed around with Marilyn. Hendrick was too used to people doing things to her when he wasn't around to get a reaction. Luckily he had always been able to get back in time before anything serious happened. It still didn't make the mercenary feel any better. He cared too much.
Hendrick closed the door shut and Jeff threw himself at it, howling. All this while, Tom had been talking about Petal. Just when Hendrick turned around to face the other people in the room the other man bumped into him.
"Well move ya big oaf! I gots to investigates!"
"No you don't."
Hendrick's voice was low, but it brimmed with reined-in anger.
"I have no problem with you speaking ill of me. But you should watch your tongue when in the company of a lady", Hendrick continued and took a step forward, coming even closer to the other, smaller man. Alcohol makes a man brave, but every man has his limits, drink or no drink. Hendrick was determined to let Tom know this.
"As for whom I am. I am Hendrick of Cannerburgh, Sword-for-hire. The girl back there is Marilyn and you leave her alone".
The last part was just a whisper. Without being entirely aware of it, Hendrick had taken hold of Tom's cape and was now holding him so his soles barely touched the ground. Jeff whined from outside.
"Now, apologise and thank Petal for taking such good care of your dogs. You should treat this woman better, for trust me, had I been master of this house I'd have you beaten into a pulp right now", Hendrick threw the drunkard to the floor close to Petal. Tom scrambled to his feet and his haggardly face showed all his teeth as he growled forth his words;
"I'll make ya pay! Ya hearin' me?! I've influ... influnti ... powerful! Powe'ul friends! Ya gonna regret 'is!" He turned around, facing Petal, suddenly seeming so much more sober: "And you! Lettin' wild men like that in?! Ya be glad I like ya so much, misch Petal or else I'd make ya suffer you too!"
While Tom said this he slowly backed towards the broken front door, his eyes looking everywhere as if he was afraid that there would be more 'wild men' inside, just waiting for their chance to jump at him.
"I be back in the mornin'! Then ya'll see, you freakish ..." a pause while he struggled for a good enough insult "... bastard!"
With those words he was out, back in the rain, whistling for Jeff, leaving Petal, Hendrick, Marilyn and Jerry (and all those other creatures).
Hendrick breathed out and checked Marilyn. She looked okay, expressionless as usual. He led her to the chair by the fire before turning to Petal.
"I'm ... I'm so sorry. I just ... when he went to Marilyn, I ... " A flash of thunder interrupted him. Hendrick looked back. The door was lying there on the floor.
"I'll help you repair the door tomorrow. For now", he went to the door, picked it up and tried to make it fit as well as he could in the door hole " ... I hope this will do ..."
"I hope I haven't caused you too much trouble. I am truly, sorry."
[[I hope not too much happened in this post. Tell me if you want to react to something, then I'll change it for you :) Sorry for the long wait! ]]
Jerry had whined pitifully at being left behind but a soothing rub of his belly and he was silent once more. Ladybird finished her work in stony silence, refusing to acknowledge that Tom's words had greatly disturbed her or that Hendrick had probably gotten her into a boatload of trouble with the local apothecary.
"Down Jerry," she softly called, helping the large dog hop off the table. He stayed close to her, refusing to leave her side as she moved to clean things up. When at last there was nothing left to clean up, nothing more to use as an excuse to avoid her guest's questions, Ladybird sighed and nodded her head back to the seats by the fire.
After plopping down on her pillow and pulling the rather large dog into her lap, she finally began to explain the severity of the entire situation. "I don't believe you have caused me an irreparable amount of trouble. It is just that as drunk as Tom is, he really does work for someone that could cause me a bit of trouble. You see in our little town we each our own little shops and things. I own the flower shop, surprise, surprise. My biggest buyer happens to also be my greatest competition at times, our apothecary, Agehneim. I won't go into detail about his character because really that is gossip and I don't condone such things. However, this is a man with a lot of money that in part comes from shady yet, lucrative business deals. The problem is he does his trade among the higher officials so he is well protected from the law."
She sighed and shook her head. "Frankly, I could care less what he does as long as he stays away from me. Unfortunately though I am in some ways dependent upon his business. If I could ever get the shop to no longer need him I still would not be in the clear so to speak because he has enough power in his hands to shut down my shop and take away my home. This place has been in my family for five generations. I am not about to be the one that lost it all because of petty disagreements between businesses. So, did you do anything wrong? Well, it's not the best thing but Tom is the local drunk and everyone knows that. Probably the worst I'm going to have to do is kiss Agehneim's rear for the rest of the year and sell him a few poisonous plants I have been trying not to.
"Really though dearie don't trouble yourself. Your help with the door is all I can feel comfortable asking for." Ladybird frowned slightly but it was still playful. "If I wasn't so short I'd it myself. Go shrubs!" she cheered slightly throwing a fist in the air before blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry about that, family joke. Um, can I get you anything?"
Her last words brought a laugh out of Hendrick. This girl was so cheerful despite what had just happened. In a way, she reminded him of the girl Marilyn had once been. This made his heart ache and he had sworn to protect Marilyn. Some part of him wanted to protect this girl too.
So when she told him about the apothecary his first instinct was to ask if she wanted him killed. He didn't however. Something told him it wouldn't make the sitaution any better. Besides he guessed Petal would never be able to live with herself for making such a request. His other thought was that he could go to that man and make his life uncomfortable. Problem was, Hendrick couldn't stay around forever. Mercenary work was seldom found for very long in the same city. On the other hand, Hendrick was still a wanted criminal in Connloath. If that apothecary was so influential and powerful as he appeared to be, it would be no problem to dig in Hendrick's past and send a little letter to the Mordecai. They would be more than happy at a chance to catch him.
Dilemmas, dilemmas. Hendrick tried not to let his thoughts show on his face. How well he hid them, he didn't know.
"I'm certain, being a little short has other advantages. You probably won't risk walking into low-hanging branches", he said with a smile.
"I ... haven't been complete honest with you Petal", Hendrick suddenly blurped out. He hadn't meant to say this, but he felt he had to. This girl had probably gotten into trouble because of him. She deserved the truth.
Part of it atleast.
"Marilyn here, is not my sister. She isn't sick either ... Not really. When we were younger we were actually engaged. But some bad men didn't like her. And they", he gestured toward the red-head, "made her like this. So I left my town and turned to mercenary work. So ... if you ever, by chance, would have use for someone like me, let the word out and I'll come". He took hold of Petal's hands.
"I promise".
Not so far from there, the part of Marilyn's soul which she had lost, smiled.
She listened calmly and quietly as Hendrick shared the truth with her. When at last he was done she smiled softly and gave his hands a reassuring squeeze. "I understand. I said you were both welcome here and I still hold true to that. I do not agree with your choices but who am I as a stranger to say such things? I thank you for your honesty and your kindness. That is all I can ever ask of you."
Ladybird did not tell him how she suspected the truth or that she had been right in some respect. She was not one to pry and she preferred to leave him with the sense that she was oblivious. It was not like she was about to tell the world about him. The woman was not spiteful and believed that everyone deserves a chance. They had done nothing wrong in her mind and had been nothing but kind to her.
"I am afraid that I cannot take you up on your offer. While I would not say I'm a pacifist, I have enjoyed beating up my fair share of my sister's heart-breakers in the past to be called such a thing, I cannot in good conscience accept such a thing. I still believe that peace is best with the least amount of fear or bloodshed. Thank you anyway though. You are very sweet. Perhaps if I have need of another door-hanging I will call for you though," she jested, winking and beaming up at him.
[[I don't have a spellchecking program while writing this. Sorry for any mistakes ^^']]
"Had I've had other choices in life, I wouldn't have chosen this path either. The things I can't change, I won't dwell upon on. The only real good thing about it, is that the pay's good and it gives me the opportunity to travel, doing what I can to search for a cure for Marilyn", he continued.
He looked towards the door. He'd have to replace the board with the hinges, maybe some part of the frame. Right now he didn't bother to think more about it. He was tired and warm. As if to emphasize how tired he was, his thoughts were accompanied by a yawn. Hendrick covered his mouth with his hand and gave Petal an apologizing look.
"Pardon me lady"
He thought back. The little talk about his past had triggered some memories which should have been best left forgotten. How he had begun his life as a mercenary, going against all the teachings he had as a child.
"Violence should be used to protect"
"Do things for the right thing, not for coin"
"Don't let your feelings get hold of your judgement. Ever."
Nowadays it was all he did. He was hired to protect wealthy merchants and their Caravans, yes, or a village from monsters during a perilious night. Mostly however people wanted muscle to beat up innocent people or to intimidate. Hendrick tried to stay away from those kind of deals and he always regretted taking up the contracts afterwards. More than once he had gone away from such a mission, not taking his share or fulfilling his part. That always felt better.
So yeah, maybe he hadn't abandoned everything. But he would never again be able to visit Cannerburgh again and only briefly Connloath. Say whatever you want to say about that land, but Hendrick was born and raised there. He would always miss it. He had given up everything because of his emotions. Hendrick looked towards Marilyn. For that girl he had given his world. And the World had taken her away from him. Sometimes, deep deep down, Hendrick wondered if it had been better if Marilyn had died. The way she was now, she was dead but her body moved. She breathed, but she didn't think. All that he had loved was taken away. Some days, the darkest days, he wondered if he ought to just leave her behind and go on with his life. He never did. He still hoped he would be able to restore her, to take back what she had lost. That was the reason he had come to Serendipity in the first place.
"I think I'll take that offer of a bed now, if it wouldn't be to much trouble?" he said and smiled "If I'm gonna feed all your kittens tomorrow I believe I'll be needing my full strenght".
Observant eyes caught the yawn and a small shake of her head dismissed his apology. "It would be no trouble at all kind sir." Rising fluidly from her pillow, the dog now hopping at her side, Ladybird moved and took Marilyn's hand to guide her to her feet.
"Come sweetheart, best put the little boy to bed, eh? Don't want any temper tantrums in the morrow when instead of chickens he feeds kittens." She gave the other woman a gentle hug and began to lead her and also Hendrick upstairs, Jerry close on their heels.
The walk up the stairs was a bit tricky with cats weaving in and out of their legs but Ladybird made sure to keep a firm yet gentle hand on the woman's elbow. The guest room was small but would serve them well. "Again I apologize for the accommodations." Nervously she rubbed at her neck. I would take a look around before you go to sleep just to make sure there isn't anyone you would rather not have in here. I think the bats have got out for the night but you never know. Also if you need anything I'm just down the hall. Is there anything I can get you now though? Some more blankets, some tea?"
Normally Hendrick wouldn't have let someone he didn't know well be allowed to touch Marilyn and guide her like Petal did. But during this one night, she already had gained his trust, so he didn't even flinch when the girl took Marilyn's hand. Hendrick just nodded, acknowledging that he had heard her.
He smiled at her comment and suppressed a small laugh. If he knew himself at all, he'd be up first in the morning (He hadn't considered the fact that he usually slept on hard and rocky soil and this time would be in a bed). The climb up the stair proved to be more challenging, because of Petal's many 'guests'. The fact that Jerry was a big dog and equally interested in sniffing on all the newcomers as he was interested in following Petal and just plainly being in the way. Hendrick managed to dance out of the dog and cats way. Before he knew it, Petal had stopped and the white-haired mercenary almost walked into Marilyn.
A nervous Petal apologized. Hendrick waved away her apology. This was far better than an in. Which probably would be full of drunkards like Tom. So a few bats, yeah, he could handle those.
"No need to worry Petal. This is just fine. It's a safe place for Marilyn, it's clean and dry. I can't and won't ask for anything more. So ..." he gave her a friendly pat on her shoulder "... don't worry. If anything would happen you're just down the hall, right?" He smiled reassuringly. He'd be happy tomorrow when he could give her something in return. A little food for the animals and some small repairs for the door. If Tom came back with 'reinforcement' he'd just have to come up with something.
"Sleep tight Petal", he said quietly before ushering Marilyn into the room and closing the door gently behind the pair. He quickly searched the bed and room for eventual freeriders, found some and picking them up from the bed, placing them outside the door. The cats scratched however, and Hendrick surrendered by letting the door stay slightly open.
"Now you can go as you please. Don't disturb me or Marilyn. Understood?"
He didn't Think the cats or pigeon cared about what he said (Or understood either) but it couldn't hurt. He had warned them!
He helped Marilyn out of her clothes and helped her change into her nightgown. Not so much helping as showing the clothes and giving them to her. Things like this she comprehended. Going through the motions, forwards and backwards. Was it the body remembering or was their still some part of her soul left in there? Hendrick didn't know and if anyone knew they really should tell him.
You'd be a cruel person otherwise.
Soon both he and the red-haired, beautiful girl had a blanket above them and a soft mattress beneath them. It was small but comfortable and despite Hendrick's warning a small cat made her way up to sleep close to Hendrick's feet. Some other guests nestled elsewhere in the room and Hendrick let their chittering and Marilyn's breathing lull him into sleep.
"Pleasant dreams, Hendrick, Marilyn," she bid with a bob of her head to each before retreating across the hall to her own room. Her door was shut but could still be opened with a nudge by any animal that desired to come and go as it pleased.
Ladybird's head fell heavily to the pillow as soon as she had crawled under the soft, warm covers. It took a few moments for everyone to settle down again. Jerry's presence had disturbed some of the nesting birds and gave a baby rabbit a mighty fright.
With cats draped around her her head and sides, Jerry at her feet and Fern curled around the headboard, the botanist finally plunged deep into sleep where both dreams and nightmares awaited her. Images of benighn things such as flower arrangements greeted her sleeping eyes before quickly turning into the angry and slimy face of the apothecary. Over and over she would start to have a pleasant dream before it always ended the same.
Just as dawn began to break Ladybird emerged from her bed, drenched in sweat and wide awake. With some difficulty she made it out of her room, trying to keep quiet even as her light weight made the floor groan in protest and the stairs shriek. When she had at last made it to the bottom she was sure she had woken not only the whole house but the neighborhood too. The ringing in her ears and pounding in her head was driving her insane. Even the tea she put on the regrowing fire was not as appealing to her as it normally was. There was anticipation and tension in the air. Anything could happen.
Hendrick felt it too when he woke up, from the sound of creaking floor boards. This was a day when anything could happen. Tom would be back. He had to come back for his dog. Question was; Would he be bringing with him trouble or would he sober up a bit and decide it wasn't worth fighting? Hendrick hoped for the latter. Not for his own sake (He could take if everyone in a city disliked him. He didn't have to come back. It was different for Petal who had lived her whole life here. She couldn't just leave her shop or family, Hendrick guessed).
He sat up, stretched and yawned. Looking lazily to his side he saw Marilyn curled up into a ball. A red and orange cat had draped itself over Marilyns neck and both were sleeping soundly. The White-haired mercenary smiled and placed a feather light kiss on top of Marilyn's head before carefully stepping out of the bed.
He quickly dressed before descending down. He looked cautiously around. He had thought he had heard something. It was probably just Jerry or another big guest, but Hendrick was a careful man by nature. You didn't live long as a mercenary if you rushed into rooms without at least glancing about. When he came down in the early dawn he saw Petal. Hendrick thought she looked distressed. Her eyes looked tired and was that her hands shaking? Hendrick wasn't sure if he was imagining things, because he thought she'd react in one way. Seeing no point in hiding he took the last step down from the stair and held up his hand in a greeting.
"Morning"
Making himself at home he pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. He didn't look directly at Petal, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. Some women preferred to keep their fears and anxieties hidden or if they couldn't hide them, hope the audience was polite enought to pretend not to notice.
"How' you doing Petal? I mean with everything that happened yesterday?"
Her head came up sharply but a smile quickly lit up her face once she saw who it was. "Good morning Hendrick. Did you sleep well?" she questioned warmly and quietly. Ladybird did not see Marilyn and feared waking her should the other woman still be sleeping. "Was everything alright for the both of you?"
The shopkeeper continued to bustle about the downstairs, never stopping as she flitted from one thing to the next. At last though the tea was ready and two cups were filled. Ladybird had no choice but to sit down and share the moment.
"I am quite well thank you. The storm bothered me for a bit last night but then I slept like a lamb. No other complaints though from me. I didn't wake you though did I? I tried to be quiet but the house is so very old and, well you get it I suppose."
He narrowed his eyes, looking suspiciously at Petal. He didn't really believe her, but he was not going to push. He was a guest after all and it would be horrendously impolite of him. So instead he smiled and relaxed back in the chair.
"Yeah, I slept well. As did Marilyn. She's still asleep and will probably be so until someone gives her a nudge".
He gave her a nod as 'thank you' when she passed him the cup. He held it and let the warmth seep into his hands. The skin was worn from the many years of holding a sword and small scars from minor cuts. Hendrick spent some time looking down. Those hands, which had held a woman close, riding like mad, away from the soldiers he once called comrades, away from the place which he would always call home. He was not welcome there, not anymore. He would never be.
"I like this old house. It has character and a history", he smiled and looked up "Each bump and scratch tell a little of its history and today you can tell your guests a new one. You can point at the door and say 'Those new boards are from when Hendrick and Marilyn came over' ", he continued and took a sip of the tea. He liked the flavour he concluded. Yesterday he hadn't thought of it much (Being more focused on getting warm). Today he had the time.
"Know any good shops around here, lady? Wouldn't want to be fooled by a merchant's honeyed words".
He put the cup down and looked at Petal.
"Do you want to come with me for a stroll or would you rather stay here and get everything in order for opening today?"
To Hendrick it didn't really matter. He was more worried what would be best if Tom came back with his powerful 'friends'. Would it be better if Petal was home or not? If Hendrick could have any say in the matter he'd prefer to be here if things got ugly. But then again, it couldn't be that much of a problem. Petal had talked a little about the apothecary. Surely he couldn't be such a bitter man?
Ladybird chuckled and shook her head slightly. "Aye, I'll be sure to remember that and smile every time I do. But, really now Hendrick I don't think it's necessary. Surely it can just be put back on its hinges with a bit of elbow grease." The blush that colored her cheeks when the door promptly crashed to the floor from a gale wind could not be concealed no matter how much she bit her lip and looked to the side.
"Well then I guess that changes things. The only two places I could think where you can buy wood are either down by the docks which is a mighty hike or," she took a long draw of her tea, her foot bouncing nervously under the table as she did so. "Or you could go to Luke our carpenter whose shop is conveniently located right next to Agehneim's. Now then, would you like more tea? It's a lavender brew, a bit girly perhaps but very soothing in my opinion. Helps start the day on the right foot."
She stood up anyway, disregarding whether his answer had been negative or not and nearly tripped over Jerry along the way to the fire. "Besides shouldn't you let Marilyn rest? I do not suppose with your kind of work you always get even as humble accommodations as my own. I would be more than willing to stay with her. Unless of course you prefer her with you. I don't know your preference, I know that she is very special to you."
The smile Ladybird gave him was a kind one with no malice or ill-will towards him. She really did not mind if they stayed with her. They had been wonderful company aside from the incident with Tom but that was no one's fault really save his own. The idea of seeing the apothecary though was setting her a little bit on edge. If she did not go to him then it was only a matter of time before he came to her. Ladybird only hoped though that his arrival would be long after Hendrick's departure.
The door fell to the floor. Hendrick felt the tug at the edge of his lip and tried to keep a serious and cool expression while sipping his tea;
"Yes indeed. A little grease and it will be just as new", he teased. He did his best to keep from laughing (Not wanting to embarrass Petal any further) but he couldn't hold back his smile.
She begun talking about the different carpenters in town. She seemed very distressed while mentioning the second carpenter. Hendrick tried to remember. She had been talking about trouble with the Apothecary, but had she said his name? Hendrick couldn't remember.
"No thank you, no more tea. I'll be on my way to buy groceries", he said while standing up and giving Petal a knightly bow. In his town the Mordecai were taught manners besides just hunting magic. You need to be courteous while dealing with a powerful magic-user, so that said magic-user didn't decide you were not worth the trouble and turn you into a pile of ash.
"You are right. I'll let Marilyn stay here while I go out shopping. Who knows, maybe you can get her to talk?" he added the last part jokingly but some part of him still hoped. Petal was very much alike Marilyn in her personality. Maybe, just maybe, it could help? It was a stupid thought. Marilyn hadn't said a word for seven years, why should she begin now?
If Hendrick just knew that Marilyn's soul (or her ghost) was in the very same room and was by some magic unable to talk to him, well ... He probably would be a little more hopeful.
Without further due, Hendrick lifted the fallen door and put it against the wall.
"So customers won't walk on it", he smiled before heading out into the city of Featherfall. He decided to take a walk, buying food on the way. He wanted to see the city, not just rush through it like he had yesterday. His first thought was that Serendipity was very alike Connloath and at the same time, nothing at all. There was a bakery, a butchery and a pottery shop. Merchants trying to attract customers with exotic wares
"The best you'll ever buy!"
"Connloathian steel!"
"Cheap, cheap shoes over here!"
And beggers trying to earn an extra copper.
"Please sir, help a fellow down on his luck?"
Not many beggers came close to Hendrick. Having a nasty scar could prove useful sometimes. He continued Walking, stopping every now and then to exchange money with merchants for their wares. Soon he had all he needed in way of food. He stopped a young boy and told him to carry the wares back to lady Petal. The boy - who had blonde hair, a to big red cap and was missing a tooth - were eager to help for the two coppers Hendrick offered as payment. With a stern glare Hendrick made sure the boy wouldn't go somewhere else with the wares. A little afraid the boy scuttled away. But the man was with Lady Hornsworth, so he couldn't be all bad, he reasoned while hurriyng off.
Hendrick found himself having walked in a circle coming the other way to Luke's carpenter shop. Not far from there, the town drunk was spilling his problems to his employer. Now way more sober than yesterday, but nothing without slurring the words every now and then.
" ... 'nd you see sir, that ox o' a man, he can't be good for Petal. You really ought to go there, you now makin' sure everything is all right", Tom said. He had just told Agehneim the story of how he, Tom, had politely knocked on the door yesterday because his dog was hurt. How sweet lady Petal, barely had dared to say anything, and the things she had said had been very mean, but it was probably because she was afraid. How that scarred man, refused to introduce Tom to the red-headed girl and barely allowed Tom into the house. He couldn't be good for Petal. And what if Petal learned from his bad behavoiur?
Hendrick was happily unaware of this conversation, but held one of his own with Luke. It was a pleasant day-to-day chatter while Luke measured the new boards.
During all this time, the ghost of Marilyn followed Petal with great interest. She liked this girl. She was sweet, kind and nice. If Petal noticed, she'd feel like there was someone in the room with her (apart from all the animals) and maybe notice how things she needed suddenly just appeared close to her. Marilyn was merely trying to help by bringing scissors, seeds and other things to the flowergirl.
"Thank you, that is very thoughtful of you. It would be quite embarrassing to try to explain how foot prints got on the door. Someone might think there is a wall-walker in town or something," she jested back in turn. "Take care Hendrick!"
No longer able to use excuses to dawdle, Ladybird hopped to her feet and bustled about once more in preparation for the day. The floor needed sweeping, the counters wiping, the flowers watering, and the orders finishing. By nine everything was in pristine condition once more and the first of her customers were bustling on their ways in.
Ladybird did find it odd though as things she was sure she had left in one place turned up right next to her hand the next time she looked down. She wrote it off as exhaustion and stress from the previous night's storm as well as the trouble that had come with it.
Once she had peeked in on Marilyn upstairs, concerned that the girl was alright without Hendrick around. The shopkeeper had no way of knowing whether she would feel safe enough to venture out on her own or not and so had quietly come and go, leaving a pale blue dress on a chair and a plate of food and drink beside it should she awake. The sight of the cats curled around the other woman did bring a smile to Ladybird's face, especially since one of her more territorial felines was curled protectively near the silent woman's head and looking ready to bite Ladybird should the botanist get too close. "Peace Akira," she had whispered before sneaking back downstairs to the shop once more.
Jacks' loud entrance drew her attention away from a rather haughty customer who was unsatisfied with the ribbon used on her flower arrangement. With a huff and a few parting comments the overbearing woman finally left Ladybird to handle the young vagabond.
"And how may I help you young sir?"
"Some bloke with a ugly scar said you be wantin' these. 'e also said you be payin' me for me efforts. So uh," he fidgeted about, rubbing at his jaw and looking off to the side, "that'll be a sun and I'll be on me way now."
The botanist giggled and ruffled the boy's hair, picking up his hat for him after she knocked it down, and sending him away with two suns for his trouble. 'Boys,' she sighed as she went about putting the purchases away, completely unaware that her happy mood was going to be ruined by the approaching apothecary and his drunken lackey.
[[Sorry for the long wait!]]
"Thank you Luke. T'is exactly what I'll need", Hendrick said and dropped the coins into the carpenters hand. Luke nodded his thanks and smiled in return. The carpenter had to admit he had felt a bit awkward when the other scarred man had entered. I mean, how do you talk to someone who looks like he has a permanent deathglare? Just like an ordinary person, Luke learned during the conversation. After all Hendrick didn't have a flying mirror showing all of his expressions, so he couldn't really know if he looked scary or not. Oh well, let us not bother ourself with these things.
To sum it up, Luke and the Mercenary had a pleasant conversation, and Hendrick got the planks he needed in order to repair Petal's door. Without further due, the white-haired man turned around and left the carpenter's shop.
So let us talk about Marilyn. We already know she was following the botanist around and when Petal walked up the stairs, Marilyn happily followed. Let me just tell you, it is a very weird experience to see your own body. No, not in that way, but from the wrong perspective. From the outside it is a very weird experience. Marilyn however had gotten used to it by now. Seven years had past since the last time she had used her very own eyes. Now she was exiled from the one thing that was rightly hers, granted by her parents and God. Or whatever power people choosed to believe in. In Marilyn's case a lot of spirits and Mother Earth.
It warmed her heart to see all the little animals cuddle around her helpless form. She suspected they could feel that a small part of her still lingered inside of their or that she at least maintained a feeble connection with her body. In life, Marilyn had always had an affinity for animals, part of it because of her childhood and her own arcane powers. Marilyn watched how the other woman put down food and drink. The Body continued to lie down without moving. No reaction, no expression. When Petal had left Marilyn moved closer to her body and gave it a Nudge. First food then the dress. The part of Marilyn that still was a woman wanted to wear something nice for a change. Hendrick's choice of clothing was practical, yes, but he didn't think much of fashion. Sometimes a girl doesn't want sturdy shoes. Sometimes she just wants pretty feet. The body slowly rose and ate the food and drank the water. Marilyn gave the body another Nudge. The body turned its head towards the dress and slowly pulled it over its head. Marilyn continued to Nudge it in the right direction until she was satiesfied with how it looked.
She froze however when she felt someone enter the building. She didn't like the feeling of this one. She had felt many of the different customers today and hadn't thought much about them. This one felt like ... it came with malice in mind. The Ghost of Marilyn hurried down. Where was Hendrick?
Agehneim looked at the hole. The door was neatly placed on the wall beside it but to him it still looked ridiculous. The whole situation felt bizarre. Why was he here? Because one of his most foul "workers" had come to him, blabbering about a scarred man being here. He wasn't worried that Petal would change her thinking as Tom had mentioned. No, Agehneim knew he had sweet Petal in his pocket as long as her sister still was in need of her medicine. Petal wouldn't afterall want anything bad to happend to the baby. Just a little too much of that and a little too less of that. A horrible accident, but mistakes and accidents do happen.
No what bothered the Apothecary most was not business. It was the fact that someone he didn't know was there. Who was this scarred man? And more importantly, who was he to Petal? Someone she knew well? Just another stray she helped - again? It was no secret that not only small animals had found shelter in the botanist's house but also weary travellers.
Without waiting for an invitation the older man stepped over the threshold and into the house. Right on his heels came Tom, fiddling nervously with his hands. The apothecary looked around until he found the person he sought.
"Ah, Petal dearest!" he said with a voice dipped in too much honey "I come here waiting for my supplies. I thought this would be a good time to pick them up from you".
Agehneim strolled over to the counter not noticing the chill in the air. Marilyn didn't like this man and her malcontent seeped into this reality in the shape of a cold breeze. Agehneim put down both his hands on the counter with a thump, looking at the botanist and scaring some of the small animals. One cat hissed from across the room.
"And I also came to ask you about last night. I have heard rumours. I thought it best to go to the source directly, rather than spreading any lies further. I'd hate to tarnish your reputation, so tell me. What happened to your door last night? And who spent the night here?"
((I hope it is okay that I took Control of Agenheim. I tried to make him as he his in your other posts. Just tell me if I should erase/change anything :) ))
Ladybird was sitting quietly working on an arrangement when her least wanted customer sauntered in through her door with all the grace of a sick porcupine. Dearest he had called her as he had many times before and she was sure she was going to be sick as soon as he left. The botanist was too strong-willed to allow him to see the smallest ounce of weakness from her.
Without looking up she addressed the snake in human's skin. "I hand-delivered your supplies to you last week Agenheim. If however, you would like to make another request you can do so now. The forms are to your left; I am sure you understand how they work by now. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask, I am at your service."
She kept the unfortunately that was fighting to roll off her tongue to herself, allowing only Fern to the acidity of the word, much to his own amusement. From his place coiled around her neck, he hissed softly and soothingly in an attempt to keep his human's temper from unleashing.
It was not to be though as the apothecary came up to her counter and shoved the arrangement out of her sight and hands. "You cannot ignore me forever lovely, surely you know that by now," he countered, reaching forward to play with one of her stray locks of hair. "Now how about letting your dear friend know all about your misfortunes of this evening past?"
At last Ladybird was forced to look up, wanting nothing more than to spit in this cruel man's eye. "If there was but a friend around to tell then I would. But alas, I see no one here who fits that description. Now, if you are quite done, I have work to be doing."
The sudden feeling of a cold, clammy hand clamping upon her tiny wrist with a crushing force, had the young woman inhaling sharply as her eyes flashed up to meet those of the man before her. "Unhand me sir or I'll-"
"Or you'll what? Call for your dear knight in tarnished armor? I am counting on that. You see no man enters your home without permission and-"
"And he already had mine. I thank you for your concern however my business is my own and what I do outside of our contracts with each other is none of yours, Agenheim. Release me, now," she hissed angrily, in time with her familiar's own angry sputtering.
At least Fern was honest about what he was. Agenheim was not. Marilyn didn't need to be a former-witch to see that. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to be back in her body so that she could walk down the stairs and chastize this despicable man. She wanted to stand beside Petal and give the botanist some comfort and strenght with her company. It was always easier to stand up against somebody when you knew you had someone to back you up or at least pick you up when the fight was done. Not that this would come to blows. This wasn't the kind of fight.
Marilyn was just happy that the botanist had her snake. Maybe that was the reason the other girl dared to stand up to this man? Because she knew she had the support of her scaly friend? This insight didn't give much comfort to Marilyn however. She felt useless. She wanted to help so badly but what could she do? So she did what seemed best to her. When Agenheim sauntered to the disk like he owned the place Marilyn stood behind Petal. If you could say that a ghostly presence could stand behind somebody.
Marilyn's ghost actually 'jumped', startled by Agenheim's behaviour. The flower arrangment fell to the floor, ruined. Marilyn wanted to bang her fists on the counter and scream in his face. But she couldn't. She couldn't do anything as that horrible man played with Petal's stray curls.
Marilyn wasn't the only one who felt useless. Tom stood at the back of the shop (Or front really, close to the door) rubbing his elbows and looking down at the floor. He had sobered up quite a bit now and the guilt was slowly creeping down on him. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything to Agenheim. How many times had not Petal helped him and his dogs? Far more times than he deserved. How had he paid her back? With wrecking her shop whenever he was in one of his drunken stupors. He tentatively reached out with his hand;
" 'Ey, boss. No need 'o go so hard on 'er. Ain't her fault that buffon was 'ere yesterday".
Now when he thought about he felt more and more guilty. He had been rather rude actually. Oh, why couldn't he just had thought this over a bit more? Why did he have to run with everything to Agenheim? Why didn't he just think more?
This my ladies and gentlemen was also the reason why Tom was the town-drunk. To get rid of the shame he downed himself in alcohol. Then he did something he'd regret the next day and so the cycle kept going.
Agenheim took hold of Petal's wrist and Marilyn couldn't stand it. Her rage at being kept out of her body for seven years, her rage for being unable to help and her rage for being worthless took hold of her. The Ghost of Marilyn threw herself against Agenheim, delivering a ghostly blow before her soul stormed away to one of her three anchors: Hendrick.
He was walking on the road, distracted by the crowd. Marilyn looked at him. So scarred. So bitter. She just wanted to talk to him, tell him she was alright. But she couldn't do that. She could only do this. Marilyn gave Hendrick a Nudge. She Nudged on some of his already existing thoughts, those who were always there in the back of his mind.
"Marilyn is in danger".
The thought came unbidden to Hendrick and he didn't know why but he knew it was true. His instincts had never been wrong before but he couldn't fathom why. Marilyn should be safe with Petal. If not ... that meant something must have happened. Not wasting anymore time the Mercenary broke into a run, pushing himself through the mass of people not caring of their angry shouts. He soon reached the shop, taking one step over the doorstep, his eyes not really taking the room in before he uttered the question:
"Is Marilyn hurt?"
The Ghost of Marilyn could have slapped him. He was a Mercenary. Shouldn't he be a little more concerned with the unknown man who was holding on to Petal's wrist while her snake looked ready to bite? Oh well. A Nudge could only affect people so much and she had Nudged on his protective feelings over herself. He'd gather his wits soon enough.
The dark shadow that was Hendrick, darkening her doorstep served to both calm and worry Ladybird's nerves. She did not wish to drag him into her own personal affairs but she also hoped that in the same vein, Agenheim would see the situation as not a time to be bringing their feuds out for others to see. A slippery fellow was he, but also a cunning one. He knew when to use which weapon. Her only prayer was that it would be in as much her favor as his.
"Maril-"
"Marilyn, who pray tell is this Marilyn Petal? Or better yet who is this man that would barge in here unannounced?" The apothecary exclaimed, yanking Ladybird close behind him as if to protect her. The woman in turn growled and stepped around him, her arm still firmly in cased in his own biting grip.
"As I was saying, Marilyn is upstairs getting changed. You are more than welcome to go upstairs and look in on her provided she is decent."
"As if a ruffian like him would even understand the term decent," Agenheim growled back, interrupting her again. "Why the creature positively exudes feral nature. I'm surprised he hasn't come over and bit me already. So this is the dog you crossed paths with, is it Tom? Mm, yes I can certainly see why you two would tussle. He is a bit of nasty chap isn't he? Not too pretty to look at either. Well run along Tom, no use for you skulking around here. Or perhaps stay and see what it takes to be a real man, and save the lady in distress."
Disgusted and distraught, Ladybird rolled her eyes and hoped that Hendrick would stay out of the situation long enough for her to diffuse it. However, given her experience with men, she had a sick feeling within her belly that she would be dead wrong on this one.