"Here, this one's my car." Mortimer said, unlocking his car and getting in the driver's seat. Desi followed, sitting in the passenger seat. As they drove, they both remained silent, the tension between them thick. They hadn't talked since Desi visited him in the hospital, aside from taking his order at THoM, so this was pretty awkward. What do you even say?
("Hey, remember the time you kidnapped me away from my family?")
As they pulled up into the driveway, Mortimer cleared his throat.
"Alright, we're here. Do you need help gathering your things?" Mortimer asked, leaning back in his seat.
"U-umm… No, I should be fine." Desi nervously answered, her nose twitching and her eyes not meeting Mortimers.
Mortimer sighed out, taking his seat belt off and getting out of the car. He opened Desi's door. Desi looks up at him nervously.
"Don't lie kid. Come on, I can carry whatever." Mortimer said with a roll of his eyes, offering a hand to Desi and helping her out of the car. Desi walked over and unlocked the door to let them in, feeling guilty for the way she was acting.
"Umm, I didn't mean to… Lie or anything Mr. Mortimer." Desi started as they approached her room.
"Every time you lie you twiddle your fingers, your nose twitches, and your eyes shift around without looking at the person you're lying to. Don't even try to lie to me." Mortimer snapped, leaning against the wall of her room.
"Gather your stuff and tell me what to carry." Mortimer said, looking off into her room to avoid eye contact. Desi looked at Mortimer curiously, but decided to just gather her things.
Mortimer watched as she quickly went to pack some things, noticing some stress as she worked. Sighing out, Mortimer makes a clicking sound with his mouth, catching Desi's attention.
"Relax, we're not in a rush. Take your time, okay?"
Desi looked at Mortimer, a small amount of blush warming her face.
"T-Thank you..."
Desi went on to pack, much more at ease at this point. Mortimer looked around her room, it was quite large. Beautiful looking. A room for a princess. Well, she certainly was one.
"Nice... Room ya got here Bu- uh, Desi."
"O-oh, why, thank you Mr. Mortimer. I've really gotten to decorate it slowly." Desi smiled.
Mortimer walked over to a lone shelf, a small snow globe was resting on a small cloth. He picked it up and frowned.
"Is there something wrong?" Desi asked when she caught his gaze.
"Naw it's just... I expected it to have a music box."
"Oh, I've seen those in stores! I was hoping to get one sometime. But I don't know any of the melodies yet that I have found in stores. One I find one with a song I know and like, I'll get it!" Desi sheepishly explained. Mortimer nodded and thought a moment, setting the globe down gently.
"Could you carry this box please and I can carry my bag. Should I grab pillows and blankets?" Desi asked as she handed him a box.
"Only if you want them for comfort, because I have plenty at my place." Mortimer answered, watching as Desi looked around her room.
He suddenly shook his head as he remembered.
"Oh, I'll grab your heating blanket." Mortimer said, quickly retrieving it from her bed. He wound up the cord gently and threw the blanket over his back.
"Umm… One blanket and pillow." Desi said under her breath, grabbing a warm fluffy blanket and soft pillow. Mortimer followed her out of the room. He put the stuff in the back of his car, and got back in. Once again, Desi stayed silent as they drove up to Mortimer's house, it's a good thing he was right next door, so the drive in awkward silence wasn't long. She grabbed her bag and Mortimer grabbed his briefcase and Desi's box. Unlocking his front door, Mortimer walked into his home.
"Alright, I have a guest room that you can take. Let's take your stuff up there." Mortimer explained, guiding her to the second floor. Desi looked around the room, Mortimer setting Desi's things in a chair at a small table.
"Here, give me your blanket and pillow." Mortimer instructed, taking them from Desi's arms. He made them up in the bed, checking to make sure there was enough blankets, the heating blanket in between. It was a small gesture, but Desi thought it was oddly nice of him to make her bed up like that.
("He really is misunderstood.") Desi thought to herself.
"Okay, so if you need any more blankets, closet in the hall to the left. If in the middle of the night you need me, my room is to the right at the end of the hall." Mortimer explained.
"Okay, t-thank you…" Desi quietly replied, looking down. Mortimer looked down at Desi, the smaller mouse looking sad. Her optimism from earlier was gone.
"Hey so umm… You ne-… You want food? I can make dinner?" Mortimer tried, looking at Desi with a gentle expression.
"Oh umm… Yes please?" Desi replied, looking up at the taller mouse. Mortimer rubbed the back of his neck, turning his back over to the door.
"Go ahead and change into PJs if you want and come down when you're ready. I'll make some Mac and cheese." Mortimer said, starting to close the door.
"Oh, uhh, bathroom is left, down the hall, and to the left again. Wash your hands." Mortimer stated, closing the door. Desi set her bag down, grabbing out her clothes and setting up her PJs. She felt tears well up in her eyes. They silently fell from her eyes as she dressed. She tried to push her feelings aside, leaving for the bathroom to wash her hands.
She took a while, but she eventually went downstairs, seeing Mortimer in the kitchen cooking. Mortimer turned, clearing his throat and gestured for Desi to sit. She did and Desi could sense something is wrong.
"Hey Desi, I uhh… Your parents called. They figured out a way to get the paperwork filed and looked at quicker, but they'll have to go to a place out-of-town for a few days. We'll visit them in the morning before they leave, don't worry." Mortimer explained, mixing the ingredients into the pot he was cooking from.
"Oh umm, okay. Thank you for this Mr. Mortimer." Desi thanked.
"Look, please stop with the Mr. Thing, it's just Mortimer alright?" Mortimer suddenly snapped, continuing to stir the pot.
"But Miss Brooks said-... Uhhh... O-okay…" Desi said, looking down at the table.
"Hey M-Mortimer, how umm… Why did you have the paperwork for everything for this?" Desi asked, looking back at the mouse.
"It's a long story. It's personal." Mortimer responded quietly. He walked over and grabbed some plates out of a drawer before setting one in front of Desi, one next to an empty spot, and turning back to grab the pot.
"Also, how did you know I was lying back there at the car." Mortimer started to serve some of the Mac and cheese on her plate.
"Look, it's complicated, I'm just really good at reading people. I am a con man, remember? It's my thing to figure people out." Mortimer said as he went to get himself some food.
"But, if you're a con man how did-" A small squeak escaped Desi as Mortimer set the pot down loudly on the counter.
"Why are you so curious about everything?" Mortimer interrupts as he takes his place at the table. Desi moved down slightly in her seat, looking at her food.
"I just… I'm sorry." Desi apologized weakly. Mortimer looked at her sadly, sighing out and poking his food.
"Look, it's fine. Maybe I'll explain to you certain stuff someday, alright? Right now, I just can't." Mortimer stated, taking a bite of his food. Desi continued to look sad, her down mood clearly getting to Mortimer.
"Please, let's just eat. Afterward, do you want to see the rest of my house?" Mortimer asked, looking away from Desi as he talked.
"Umm, okay. Sure." Desi responded, picking up her fork to eat. She admired how good it tasted, Mortimer appeared to be a great cook. After she finished she stood from the table, Mortimer taking their plates.
"Alright, house tour! Follow me." Mortimer said in a more cheery tone. If there's one thing he's good at, it's bragging.
"Alright, so you've been in my kitchen and some of the rooms upstairs, let me show you the living room. Like the giant Hd tv, very comfortable recliner, and sofa. Along with a giant DVD and VHS set collection. And over here is my hobby room. It's where my piano is and my many other instruments." Mortimer bragged with a smile. Desi giggled softly, looking at the beautiful instruments.
"Can you play all of these?" Desi asked, pushing a key of the piano, the beautiful sound echoing out.
"Yup, of course I can doll. I am a master." Mortimer laughed, pulling his vest to straighten it out as he smiled with pride.
"You know how to play the ukulele?" Desi questioned as she spotted the instrument. Mortimer froze a moment looking to the side away from the mouse.
"Uhhh, well yeah… It's actually my favorite but uhhh anyway! Rest of the house." Mortimer nervously laughed, proceeding to move out of the room. Desi gave a curious look before following behind him.
He walked over to the kitchen back door, leading to his backyard.
"This is my garden, real vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers." Mortimer explained. Desi looked around, it really was beautiful. Mortimer bent down, picking a beautiful white flower and holding it out to Desi.
"A white lily. I know they're your fav-… Uhhh, I mean, uhh, here." Mortimer quickly said, putting the flower in Desi's hair, clearing his throat and proceeding to go back inside. Desi tilting her head, looked at Mortimer confused. Was he about to say this was her favorite flower? Which was true, she had always admired them in her books and the first time she actually saw them she fell in love. How would he know this though? Desi tried to ignore this and followed Mortimer inside, it staying in the back of her mind. She was probably over thinking.
"Uhh, anyway, want some ice cream?" Mortimer offered, going over to his freezer.
"Oh umm, thanks, yes please." Desi answered, sitting down at the table.
"So uhh, why was Pete so steamed at ya anyway?" Mortimer asked as he gave them their bowls and sitting down at the table.
"O-oh, umm… He started it!" Desi started, her voice cracking.
"What happened?" Mortimer asked, intrigued.
"I… I used my powers on him. I didn't mean to! I just haven't gotten control of them yet. He kept pushing me, and making fun of me. He picked me up and I panicked. I threw him away from me with a blast of energy or something…" Desi explained, looking at her hands.
"Your powers are Darkness Manipulation, kid. It has many names, but that's to my knowledge the most common one. User of this power can create, shape and manipulate darkness and shadows. By itself, darkness is mostly used to cloud everything into total darkness, but by accessing a dimension of dark energy it can be channeled to a variety of effects, both as an absence of light and a solid substance. One can also control and manipulate the beings that exist there, create and dispel shields and areas of total darkness, create constructs, and weapons, teleport one's self through massive distances via shadows, etc. It can also be harnessed from the darkest in ones heart. Great amount or small, everyone has some." Mortimer explained suddenly. Desi shook her head. He spoke calmly and with nonchalant confidence.
"How did you know that? How do you know all that?!" Desi asked, shocked.
"I learned a lot from Grendel. Remember when I explained to you how o use 'shield'? I read all the documents he had on you. That was what he documented he was stealing from you. You might have quite a lot of trouble learning to control it. Especially since no one is sucking it away anymore. Emotional distress can activate them when you least expect as well. Ha, remember?" Mortimer said with a laugh, finishing his bowl of ice cream.
"So... My powers really are all evil..."
"Woah, no. No they are not. Darkness can be used for evil, but that doesn't mean it is evil. You have ways to do more than just damage. Believe me. You'll figure it out."
Desi gave a small smile.
"Whoa... Guess I should tell Dad about this." Desi said, standing up and grabbing their bowls.
"Here, I'll put these away." Desi smiled.
"Why that's nice of yo-"
*crash* Desi suddenly falls, the bowls falling and braking on the ground.
"Kid!" Mortimer got down quickly, helping Desi up from the ground.
"I'm so sorry! I slipped! I didn't mean to break your bowls!" Desi apologized, holding her now bruised arm.
"Look that doesn't matter, are you okay?" Mortimer asked, uncharacteristically concerned. This surprised Desi, her face confused as Mortimer lifted her off the ground. He set her on the counter so he could look at her. He grabbed her arm, looking at the large cut near her elbow. He walked over to a tall cabinet, taking out a med kit.
"Here, this might sting." Mortimer warned, cleaning the cut gently and putting a wrapping it.
"T-thank you Mortimer. You're very kind. Umm, so sorry about the bowls. " Desi apologized again, Mortimer picking her up and setting her down on her feet back on the ground.
"Hey, don't worry about it, accidents happen. Here, I'll hand you a broom, be careful while sweeping up the glass, and I'll go get a box from my attic of my extra bowls. Sound good?" Mortimer asked, grabbing a broom and handing it to Desi.
"Yeah, sounds good." Desi replied, taking the broom and watching as Mortimer proceeded upstairs. She heard the sound of an attic door opening as she began to sweep.
("Weird, why didn't he show me the attic.") Desi thought, but decided maybe nothing interesting was up there to show. Once she finished up, she sat down and waited for Mortimer to come back. She began to grow a bit curious, walking up to the second floor. Desi curiously looked up the stairs to the attic, starting to slowly walk up them.
"Mortimer? You up here? " Desi asked, as she reached the top. She looked around, hearing some shifting from the back. Her eyes caught something, leaning in closer to read the box's front.
"Childhood -" she couldn't finish trying to make it out before she was suddenly lifted up.
"Heeeey, you should not be up here. There's some things up here a kid like you shouldn't see." Mortimer quickly said, carrying Desi downstairs.
"But-. Umm, what about the bowls?" Desi asked looking up at the attic with even more curiosity.
"Couldn't find them, doesn't matter! Time for bed." Mortimer said quickly with a faked laughed, flopping Desi on her bed.
"But I could look with you." Desi tried, but was quickly tucked into her blankets.
"No it's fine haha." Mortimer looked at Desi, realizing how crazy he was sounding. He took a deep breath.
"Look, it's fine. Just please get some rest. Umm… One rule of my house, no going into my attic. There are things in there you shouldn't see." Mortimer said seriously, turning to leave out the door.
"Wait, M-Mortimer. Umm… Can you, u-umm…" Desi blushed, gripping her blanket tight.
"Yeah, what is it?" Mortimer sighed, leaning against the door with another roll of his eyes.
"I umm… I'm used to my parents brushing my hair, and giving me a kiss goodnight before I go to sleep. It would be hard for me to get to sleep since I'm so used to it." Desi explained, looking down at her hands.
"Uhh, I uhh…" Mortimer rubbed his neck uncomfortably, looking back at Desi. She looked pretty down, clearly missing her parents. Her hair fell in front of her face and Mortimer felt his chest hurt. He didn't want to see her so down. He walked over to her, hugging her gently. Desi felt surprised, not expecting him to suddenly hug her. Desi hugged back, taking in a deep breath. He was warm, and smelled of a nice cologne. Desi wanted to giggle.
("It must be something he does when he goes to the club to flirt with ladies.") Desi thought and relaxed, nuzzling her head into Mortimer's chest. She couldn't explain it, but this felt almost familiar.
"How about I brush your hair in the morning?"
"That's... Fine" Desi smiled.
Mortimer laid her back, pulling the blankets up and getting her comfortable. He gave a small smile, softly stroked the hair out of Desi's face, rubbing her head softly. Desi looked up at him with glossy eyes, feeling safe and relaxed in his touch. He was acting so kind to her.
("He's being so nice. No wonder he was approved to be capable of taking care of a child.") Desi thought. She relaxed, feeling her eyes closed from suddenly feeling sleepy. Mortimer smiled and stood up, walking over to the door and flipped out the light.
"Goodnight." Mortimer said, closing the door softly.
