Author's Notes

I'm sorry about the story being a little hard to follow. I had to scroll back up and down too, so no worries. Thanks to anyone who read. BTW, when Maria says poulet, that normally means chicken in French, but in the context she calls the woman a whore.

Cast – In order of appearance

Maria Vera – mezzo-soprano – indicated by italics

Toby Ragg – Tenor – indicated by bolded italics

Johanna – Soprano – indicated by underlined italics

Anthony – Tenor – indicated by bold

The Ghost of Sweeney Todd – Baritone – indicated by bold underlines

The Ghost of Nellie Lovett - ? – indicated by underlines

All spoken lines are in regular font

(Also, I'm sorry that Maria's surname was different in the cast list, but I changed it halfway through the chapter because I didn't like Jimenez. I changed it above. And Johnny Depp is apparently a Baritone, don't remember where I found that, but yeah.)

Disclaimer: Wow people… if you don't get that I don't own Sweeney Todd, I got two questions… What are you smoking? And Can I have some?

Nothing's Gonna Harm You

Chapter Two

Stay

"Why do you stay here? So many terrible things happened here."

"The house rightfully belonged to Toby and I. We couldn't sell it, and we didn't have the money to get a new place. With some new furnishings and some renovations, the place feels more like home."

"It is nice."

Johanna and Maria were talking over a cup of tea. The shook from the events of the afternoon had worn off, and the ghosts had quieted themselves. Maria still hadn't gotten her color back, but she didn't have much color to begin with anyway. Toby and Anthony had gone out to find dinner for the group of them, as Johanna had asked Maria to stay for dinner.

"You know, you're the first girl Toby's brought home."

"Really? He didn't bring me in for dinner. I wanted to meet the ghosts."

"He mentioned that you have a pie shop."

"Well, I did. I couldn't pay my rent anymore, so I'm being evicted."

"That's terrible."

"It could've been worse. It could be winter."

"Yes."

"What exactly happened here, ten years ago? I know some things, just rumors really."

"Terrible things, my father was a barber, but he lost his mind. He killed anyone who came in for a shave." Johanna told her the whole story. By the time she finished, the tea was gone, and Toby and Anthony had returned.

Johanna made a dinner of pork and vegetables, and there were apples for dessert. It was one of the best meals Maria had ever had, and she could tell that Anthony and Toby ate like this every day. "That was delicious. Molte Grazie!"

"I'm sorry?" replied Johanna.

"Oh, thank you very much."

"Is that Italian?" asked Anthony.

"Yes, but I don't speak fluently. I know some French and Spanish, but they're all mixed together in my head."

"Being able to speak English, French, Italian, and Spanish all at once, that's talent!" Toby announced. The four of them broke out in laughter. Maria's cheeks turned scarlet. "And she can sing!"

"No, I don't sing!" Maria insisted.

"Yes, I heard you," Toby reminded her.

"I'm never singing again."

"I'll wager a shilling that she will by the end of the month," Anthony interjected.

"Deal," Toby replied.

The two men shook on it and returned to their respective parts of the table. Johanna rose from her place, "Anthony will you help me tidy up. Toby, take Maria into the sitting room and give her a cup of tea. There's some on the stove there." Johanna gave Anthony a look that only he could see, and it told him that he'd better stay in the kitchen.

Toby did as he was asked, and he got himself a cup while he was at it. "So, it seems that you fit in here," he said in a feeble attempt at making conversation.

"Yes. Tell me, you were here when the ghosts were alive, n'est pas?" Maria asked.

"Yes, it's not exactly a pleasant memory. The only person who gave me a proper home was killed because of the things that happened here."

"Lo siento."

"It's nothing." Toby at least knew that she had said she was sorry in Spanish.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Johanna was arguing with Anthony. "She has nowhere to go, and we have room. Besides, she could run the shop."

"You saw the ghosts Johanna; do we want her in this house?" Anthony replied.

"Please, we could use another woman around the house. The ghosts seemed to leave her alone later."

"You want to have Toby give up his bed to a stranger?"

"No, I won't make Toby give up the space unless he agrees to this arrangement as well."

"I still don't like it."

"Anthony, she has nowhere else to go. I saw ghosts once too, and I have a good feeling about her."

"Alright, I wouldn't want anyone to be out on the streets. If she causes trouble, she has to leave."

"Thank you!"

"Only if Toby agrees," Anthony called Toby into the kitchen.

"What is it?" Toby asked.

"Anthony and I were talking, and I think that it would be nice to let Ms. Vera stay with us," Johanna explained.

"Really? Could she? I'll give up my bed!"

"I guess it's decided. Of course, it's up to Ms. Vera."

The threesome exited the kitchen, where Maria was waiting on the sofa. They all took seats, with their cups of tea. "Maria, would you like to stay here with us?" Johanna offered.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Maria protested. "I seem to make the ghosts restless."

"Maria, I insist. It will be no problem," Anthony assured her. He didn't know if Maria knew that he was lying or not, but he tried to seem sincere.

"I don't know."

"Maria, you are being evicted from your pie shop, and we have a pie shop that needs managing. You can have my bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa here," Toby said.

"Do you really want me to stay?"

"Yes," Johanna replied. "Stay."

"Oh, Grazi! Grazi!" Maria cried.

But a chill hung in the air. Toby, who didn't join in the conversation that started about decorating the shop, knew that this was only the beginning. He could feel the ghost of Mr. Todd's breath on the back of his neck. He didn't mention that he had been the one that had killed Mr. Todd, and he knew that if the ghosts spoke to her, she would soon find out. For now, she didn't need to know.

Johanna was overjoyed to have another woman in the house. Ghosts or not, she now had someone to chatter with, to shop with, and to be a kindred spirit. Of course, she had every intention of setting up Maria with Toby, as he showed a certain liking for her so far. She, who knew what men's eyes looked like when they were taking that certain liking for a woman, recognized that look as the one Anthony gave her. It was undeniable.

Anthony was uncertain about Maria, but as he saw how Johanna and Maria got along, he knew that taking in Maria was better than putting her out. Even after mere minutes of taking in the poor girl, a weight in the air seemed to shift, like the weight was being taken off one shoulder, but set down on the other.

A/N: Just a shorter chapter with a big point in the story included. I just wanted a little bit of pleasant chatter, along with some thoughts from the characters. I do so love putting in these little paragraphs about each character at present. I find them helpful, and they bring chapters or parts of the story to a conclusion. Please read and review, and don't visit any barbers who sing to their knives!