MASSIVE DISCLAIMER SEEING AS I EASILY FORGET TO WRITE THIS IN EVERY CHAPTER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE ORIGINAL D'GRAY-MAN CHARACTERS. ALL CREDIT IS DUE TO MS. KATSURA HOSHINO! I'M JUST A SUPER FAN WRITING TO SHOW MY FAN GEEKNESS!
Please enjoy the story :)
It was early in the morning as the landowner rose from her bed. The sun had yet to rise over the horizon but she found it the perfect time to do her chores since all three of the guests were still asleep and out of her hair. She washed her face with the cold water from her basin, choosing to dress in her dark green and brown worn clothed dress, and picking the worst pair of shoes in her closet to wear for the work in the yard, she stepped out on the landing and headed down stairs.
She went first to the chickens and hogs, feeding them their daily grain. Slipping into the barn, she milked the lone cow and mucked the horses' pens before taking the fresh milk inside to begin baking the morning bread. It took nearly two hours to bake the bread but by the time she was done, the first guest was… coming in from outdoors.
The landlady looked at the young girl as she entered into the building. She was wearing loose, dirty clothing and a dark cloth around her dark brown hair. Her eyes were the color of warm chocolate. "Good morning," she cheerfully directed at the older woman.
"Good morning lass," the older woman returned, "Where the briny blue blazes did you come from? I know this is the only door in and out of the house and I've been outside all morning. I didn't hear nor see you come out." The girl smiled.
"I was up early. I think it was three hours before the sun rose?"
Three hours? The landlady scratched her head. "My lass, that's a bit early for anyone to be gettin' up now isn't it?" The girl shook her head.
"I have a weird sleeping habit." She moved towards the stairs. "I'll be back soon." Before the landlady could answer, the girl was already up the stairs. Shaking her head, she returned to finishing the bread.
It couldn't have been ten minutes later when the young guest returned. She was dressed now in a long dark overcoat, the same dark cloth on her head, and her suitcase in the other. The landlady passed her a cup of milk and a thick chunk of bread. "Leavin' already lass? You just got here the other night. Why don't you rest a bit?" The girl took a big bite of bread, swallowed and took the same size gulp out of the milk.
"I wish I could," she finally said when her mouth was cleared, "Your house is very lovely and the scene is phenomenal but I am on a tight schedule. I have to reach my destination in the next two days."
"Oh? How much farther do you have to go?" She shrugged.
"As far as I can tell, not far but the sooner I get there, the better." The landlady smiled softly and handed the girl a wrapped bread roll.
"Well, here, take this. You'll be needin' it for the road ahead. Consider your night here paid for considering you chopped my wood for me the other night. Ol' Will out back is about to head into London to sell his vegetables. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you a lift if that's where you're headin'." She nodded her head vigorously and almost choked on a piece of bread. The landlady smiled. "By the way Alice," she asked, "just where are you heading to anyway?"
Alice smiled. She picked up her lone bag and stood from the table. "Ma'am," she started, "I'm heading to a place called The Black Order."
"Never heard of it."
"I wouldn't expect you to," Alice replied cheerfully. She dipped her head in salutation and stepped out the door into the sunlight.