Story Two: Large Company
It was a week after Star had moved in, and the boys couldn't be happier. Nothing gets you up in a better mood than a beautiful young woman making you breakfast. But the new joy was soon squashed as they realized they had to work again. One morning the two men were heading out to sell their latest batch of cow hides.
Star Elf came yawning down the stairs to see Derrick pacing nervously in the kitchen. She still didn't have any clothes of her own. At night she wore one of the guy's sweatshirts that fit her like a dress. She would always wear their brightly colored button up shirts. Derrick was in his black business suit. He had several bags full of hides in the corner.
"You're up early. What's going on?" she asked heading to the stove to put on some tea.
"I didn't tell you, did I?" he asked. "Dedrick and I are going to sell cow hides all day. You can just relax around the house if you'd like. You might be too embarrassed to go outside in my old clothes."
"Where is Dedrick?"
"I don't know. He disappeared before the sun rose. We need to get there quick before the sun gets high."
"Let me make you some tea."
"No, he'll be here any second now, I'd better not."
"Suit yourself." Star elf finished it off and began to drink at the table. After about ten minutes he got tired of waiting and had some. Just as they finished their cups Dedrick strode happily through the door decked out in new rune armor. He pulled off his full helm to show off his huge smile.
"Where did you get all of that?" asked Derrick in shock.
"There's more too!" he yelled happily holding out a huge leather sack completely filled to bursting point.
"Where did you get it?" repeated Derrick.
"King Roald. We got our pay today. He gives all of his disciples rune armor. He's that rich. But there is more!" he jumped inside and set down the bag on the table, obviously happy he didn't have to carry it's enormous weight any longer.
"Well where is the money?" asked Derrick excited. "We can use it to help buy a new house. We're going to need it with Star."
"It's my money, get your own."
"What?"
"I said it's my money get-"
"I heard you the first time! What is so important that you had to waste all of your money keeping us from buying a new house?"
"Star." Star looked up with shock. She blushed bright red. She didn't want them fighting because he bought something for her. But to her surprise, Derrick didn't protest. He sighed and sat back in his chair.
"What did you get?" asked Derrick calmly.
"Tadaa!" he yelled pulled out a bottle of pink liquid. "It's pink die so we can die her blanket and that night shirt. I also have a new pink dress, a new blue dress, and a new short little top and pants."
"Thank you so much!" she screamed in joy hugging him. Dedrick smiled over at Derrick who was in a very grumpy mood.
"It was nothing." He replied.
"Can we go now? We have merchandise to sell." Complained Derrick.
"Patience. I'm afraid I have some bad news." Everyone looked over at him with concern.
"What happened?" asked Star.
"The relatives are coming into town." He said solemnly.
"What! When?" screamed Derrick bolting up.
"They sent me a letter this morning from Goblin Village. They'll be here bright and early in the morning."
"Oh no! How are we going to afford this? How are we all going to sleep here?"
"Well, it's mom's side, so that includes Aunt Lisa, Uncle Jeff, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Georgia, cousins Jill, Bill, Ted, Norm, Katie, and baby Smith."
"Okay, we'll figure this out. We can pull two of the beds together for grandma and grandpa, and take out our extra bed to push together with the third for Lisa and Jeff. Then the rest of us can sleep in sleeping bags."
"Only one problem, we only have four sleeping bags." Derrick took a sharp intake of breath. Star sat down and tried to listen to see if she could help in any way.
"The twins can share, that's one. Smith can use a cradle."
"Ted and Norm can share one. You know Katie won't sleep anywhere unless it's with Cousin Derrick. Then that only leaves one for me and Star."
"No way! You are not using this as an excuse to sleep with Star!"
"I won't do anything! Will I Star?"
"It's okay Derrick," said Star soothingly, "I don't mind."
"Well that settles sleeping. But what about food and entertainment. Not to mention the house is filthy!"
"I'll take care of that." suggested Star "Just leave it to me. You two go make money."
"Are you sure?"
"How long will they be here?"
"Knowing them, a week," replied Dedrick "Maybe two."
"Just leave it to me."
So the guys took extra hides and picked some up along the way. Star got to work immediately. She wanted the guys to think of her as part of the family they can trust, she had to do this right. So she put on her new dress and got to work.
First off she went down to the chicken coops and killed as many chickens as she could, knowing how long they might be there. She also took the feathers. She used to feathers to make a mop and duster to clean the house. She got some flowers and berries. Then she went to the general store and got some eggs, cheese, chocolate and flour.
Everything was going smoothly. The guys arrived back home to a great smelling house full of food and flowers. It was pitch black when they returned, except for a candle Star left out.
"I'm glad to see you guys are back. How did you do?" she asked.
"We sold them all, if that's what you mean." Replied Dedrick falling into a chair. "It wasn't easy. Now we have to look forward to the family coming to our little cottage."
"Well, I'm off to bed." Announced Dedrick getting up. He went up the stairs and disappeared.
"I'm sorry we are making you do this." Apologized Derrick staring into the candle light.
"It's no problem at all, really. You guys have done so much, it's the least I can do."
"That's good Star."
"I like how you say that."
"What?"
"My name. Star. I really like my name. I was named after my grandmother. But the king hated her. Once I was named he made everyone swear not to call me by that name. They usually called me princess. I just love hearing you guys say it."
"That's too bad, I mean, that no one would say your name. Well, I'd better go off to bed." He got up and walked over to the stairs.
"Good night Derrick." Said Star Elf.
"Good night, Star Elf." He replied disappearing up the stairs. She smiled and turned back towards the candle light.
A faintish blue died the edge of the horizon. Everyone in Varrock was happily dreaming away. It was about five o'clock. The D-rick household was still snoozing, thinking that the company wouldn't be their until about seven, but they were wrong, so wrong.
Coming from the west entrance the family arrived at the gate. They all stood together, as if posing for a family portrait. They all wore bright colors and the men carried huge bags. They paid the toll and strolled through the empty streets. By this point the light was a dark blue.
They all bickered trying to figure out which way to go next. They stood in the town square. A boutique was to their right, a staff shop was to their left, and they could see a bank down the road in front of them.
"I clearly remember them saying it was past the bank." Explained Aunt Georgia.
"We came in the wrong entrance! He said the north!" protested Grandpa.
"He said the west!" replied Aunt Lisa.
"He said the north!" he yelled.
"There isn't anything north old man except the wilderness and a church!" yelled Uncle Jeff.
"Don't they live in Falador?" asked Grandma.
"Hey!" bellowed Zaff, the owner of the staff shop. "Do you mind? I'm trying to get some sleep!"
"We apologize, do you know a Derrick, or Dedrick?" asked Grandpa.
"No, now please be quiet!" he slammed the door to his shop.
"What do we do know?" asked Jill.
"Excuse me, good people, but perhaps I can help you." Said a man strolling towards them. He wore elaborate red clothing a large sword on his belt. His face was framed by waving brown hair and stubble.
"Well who are you?" asked Grandpa.
"I am Roald, Duke of Varrock." He explained.
"What are you doing in Lumbridge?" asked Grandma.
"Grandma, this is Varrock." Said Bill.
"Then where's Dedrick?" she asked looking around.
"I happen to know a Dedrick." Said the Duke. "About six feet tall, auburn hair."
"That's him." Said Jeff. "We're his relatives. We're trying to find him and his brother Derrick."
"I didn't know he had a brother. Well, head straight down this road," he point down the road between the boutique and the general store. "You'll come by a bar and another road. He lives in the house closest to the gate on the left side."
"Thank you." Said Jeff tipping his hat. They all began to move that way.
"I told you it was the north entrance." Said grandpa.
"That's the south entrance old man." Said uncle Jeff.
"No one asked you!" he yelled back.
There were three loud knocks on the door. Both Dedrick and Derrick opened their eyes and sat up. Dedrick groaned and turned over in his bed.
"I think it's them." Whispered Derrick trying not to wake up Star Elf. There were three more knocks.
"Open up in there!" they heard grandpa yell.
"No really?" said Dedrick sarcastically. They slowly rolled out of bed rubbing their eyes and hurried down the stairs. Neither of them could open their eyes up all of the way yet and had to hold onto things to keep from falling over and going back to sleep. Derrick wearily opened the door to reveal their wide awake relatives. Dedrick stood a few yards off with his arms cross and his eyes half closed.
The room exploded in noise as they all greeted each other and hugged. Derrick was too tired to even tell them to quiet down. They didn't think anyone else was their so they were as loud as they wanted to be.
"Cousin Derrick!" exclaimed Katie running up to him.
"Hey kiddo." He said bending down and hugging her.
"What's wrong Derrick?" she asked seeing how unenthusiastic he was.
"I'm just tired. Dedrick and I got in late last night from selling cow hides."
"Well you better wake up boy because we're here!" proclaimed grandpa lightly slapping him on the cheek.
"Hi Grandpa." He said hugging the old man.
"So," began Aunt Georgia squeezing the life out of Dedrick. "When are we going to start seeing you guys in a bigger house. You can't start families in this little place."
"Well, we had a minor set back." Explained Derrick. "Speaking of that, can you guys really keep your voices down?"
"Why, there's no one else here but us!" said Uncle Jeff hugging Dedrick.
"We are the only ones here, aren't we?" asked Grandma.
"Well, about that, I think Derrick should answer that question. Take it away brother." Said Dedrick sitting down.
"Thanks Dedrick." Sneered Derrick. "We have a, um, a friend staying here."
"A friend?" asked Aunt Georgia.
"Yeah, well our friend is kind of in the middle of healing right now," explained Dedrick. "And it would be really good if our friend had a few more hours of sleep. Our friends did a little too much work yesterday."
"What happened to him?" asked Jeff. "Your friend I mean."
"Our friend was a attacked by a bear two weeks ago." Said Derrick. "So just keep your voices down. I'll take your bags upstairs."
After an hour Star Elf was still asleep and the sun was almost all the way up. Everyone was fed, quiet, and happy. All of the kids were playing tag in the back yard.
"This is a pretty good place you got here." Said Jeff. Everyone was sitting at the table or leaning against the counter in the kitchen.
"We like it a lot." Replied Dedrick. "But with another person living with us it just makes another house a necessary."
"Living with you?" said Aunt Lisa. "How long is this friend staying here?"
"A while." Said Derrick.
"Can he work? You two can barely pay for yourselves." Explained Grandpa.
"Well actually, Dedrick just got a very good paying job. Tell them about it Dedrick." Insisted Derrick.
"I'm a disciple of the Duke. I just do jobs for him and I get lots of money. We can take care of ourselves very well." He explained.
"It was actually the Duke who told us where you live." Said Grandma.
"The duke knows where we live?" asked Derrick concerned.
"I had to tell him to get the job." Told Dedrick. "But don't worry, it's not like he knows about you."
"Oh no, we told him about Derrick." Said Jeff.
"You did what?" asked Derrick.
"Just calm down," said Dedrick. "We'll just make sure you never meet him."
"What's so wrong with meeting the duke?" asked Lisa.
"He'll want to enlist him." Explained Dedrick. "The duke likes young men with high levels like Derrick.
"We don't want to get you sent overseas." Said Grandpa.
"It's okay, Derrick won't be sent away." Said Dedrick. There was a playful scream from the back yard. Katie came running in.
She panted and laughed. The Bill chased her as she ran around the table She screamed again and ran upstairs. Dedrick and Derrick both leapt up.
"No!" screamed Dedrick. They both sprinted up the stairs after her.
"Katie! Stop!" yelled Derrick, but it was too late. When they reached the top of the stairs they found her standing there, staring at Star Elf who was still asleep.
"It's a girl!" screamed Katie pushing them aside and running down the stairs.
"Katie! No!" yelled Dedrick as they followed after her.
"It's a girl! It's a girl!" she screamed running downstairs.
"What's a girl?" asked Grandpa getting up.
"The friend! It's a girl! It's a girl!" she jumped up and down chanting it. Derrick grabbed her and pulled her aside.
"We can explain!" defended Dedrick.
"You two have a girl living here?" asked Georgia.
"What's going on?" asked Star Elf coming down the stairs.
"That's a girl alright." Said Jeff.
"Jeff!" scolded Lisa.
"Uh, everyone," said Derrick running up the stairs next to Star Elf. "This is Star Elf. She's staying us for a while."
"Now, before you say anything," said Dedrick standing up. "She is house broken, trained, and easy to take care of."
"She's not a dog." Grumbled Derrick.
"Now, I don't like the idea of a woman staying here." Said Lisa standing up.
"Auntie Lisa," began Dedrick. "I don't think you know how many women have stayed here."
"Yes brother, just go tell our aunt about every single woman!" yelled Derrick.
"I don't want to cause any trouble." Said Star Elf.
"It's not your fault Star," explained Derrick.
"Her fault or not, I know your father's family will not stand for this." Explained Georgia. "How many women have stayed here? And for what?"
"Ask Dedrick." Said Derrick.
"They were just friends spending the night." Explained Dedrick. Derrick rolled his eyes. "Okay, look. When I got this job I had to put those days behind me.:
"What about her?" asked Lisa.
"Look, Star has no where else to go." Explained Derrick coming off the stairs. "She was attacked by a bear when I was hunting. She is a favorite of the Duke of Falador. I think you can trust her."
"After what Dedrick just said I don't think I can listen to anything that comes out of your mouth." Said Georgia.
"Excuse me, but," said Star "These two men took me in as another of the family when I had no where else to go. They have been nothing but kind and generous since I have met them. Each of them has worked so hard to have enough money so we can move out of here. I am truly grateful for everything they have done for me. But, I don't want to come between them and their family. I'm going to go upstairs and pack. I'm sorry." She ran up the stairs and disappeared.
"Now look what you've done!" yelled Derrick running to the stairs.
"Derrick, stop." said Jeff firmly. He didn't listen and kept going up the stairs.
"Stop Derrick!" yelled Dedrick. Derrick froze. "They're right. We should have gotten their permission before we let a woman into our house." Derrick turned towards him with a look of disbelief and walked towards them.
"Since when do we need permission?" he asked with anger coursing through his speech "We are full grown adults with jobs."
"That doesn't make you mature!" pointed out Lisa standing up. "Go outside kids."
"But mom!" wined Bill.
"Now William!" the children left in a rush. "You still act like little children. How do we know what you're not taking advantage of this girl?"
"We have had to support ourselves since we were kids!" yelled Derrick. "We own our own house. We support ourselves. We do everything that you do and more. How can we not be mature? And how dare you ask if we are taking advantage of that girl."
"I agree with Derrick. Only a mindless fiend would do that to an innocent girl like Star." supported Dedrick.
"How do we know the girl isn't taking advantage of you?"
"Never say that again!" screamed Derrick. "She is the most kind giving woman we have ever met! She cleans this whole house and takes care of us! How can you think of somethin so sick! In our own home!"
"Calm down Derrick." said Georgia.
"No, this is our home. I say what happens." he said calmly. "You don't have control over us anymore. This is our house, we're not afraid to ask you to leave."
"Now wait just a minute there boy!" bellowed Grandpa.
"Dad!" scolded Lisa.
"This boy has the guts to say that to us! His own family!"
"If this girl is so good he has turned on us, maybe we should give her a chance." She said. Derrick expected the room to explode with controversy, but it fell silent. After a couple minutes of complete silence Derrick leaned down to the family.
"I'll make you a deal." he proposed calmly "Just let her stay for one day. If you don't fall in love with her, we'll ask her to leave. If not, she can stay."
"May I talk to you in the back yard brother?" asked Dedrick. Derrick looked at him with questioning eyes as they headed into the backyard. He closed the door behind them. "We can't ask her to leave." whispered Dedrick trying not to draw the attention of the children running around in the garden.
"We won't have to. They'll fall in love with her." He answered.
"What if they don't?"
"They will." Derrick walked back into the house. "Is it a deal?"
"It's a deal. Bring the girl down here." said Jeff. Derrick smiled and headed up the stairs. The first thing he saw was Star elf sniffling over her bags as she packed.
"Star." he said. "Don't cry." He sat next to her on the bed.
"I don't want you to fight with your family." she said.
"Don't worry. We settled at an agreement. They're going to give you a day to see how much help you are to our house."
"What if I don't impress them?"
"You will. Here, wipe your eyes before we head back down." He handed her a handkerchief. She took it gratefully and wiped her eyes before coming downstairs with Derrick. He pulled her to his side and put his arm around her shoulders and held onto the middle of her arm with his other hand.
"Okay everyone." began Derrick. "This is Star Elf."
"Hello." she said. They all nodded to acknowledge her. "Does anyone want some coffee?" she asked walking over to the counter.
"It's okay Star," said Dedrick "Derrick already took care of that."
"Oh, thank you." she said. "I'll run down to the general store and get the paper." She walked out smiling into the sunlight.
"See," gloated Dedrick. "She gets the paper." Everyone smirked and turned back to their coffee.
When she came out she went into the backyard and played wit the children. The family had taken to ignoring her until they had decided she was worthy. Derrick watched smiling as she ran around and laughed. She looked up at him and smiled. He waved his hand lightly and continued to watch.
The day continued the way it usually does only with many bitter people in the kitchen talking. It became apparent that Georgia liked Star Elf very soon. As she cleaned and smiled at all of them Georgia was the only one that smiled back.
Star was wiping off the table as Katie and the other children ran in. The others kept talking and ignored them.
"Starry!" yelled Katie tugging at her dress. Star looked down at her and smiled. "Can you help me make some berry juice for dinner?" she asked.
"Sure. We'll be right back." She left with the other children and head to the east gate.
"So…." prodded Dedrick sitting down with them "How do you like her?"
"We can't make any judgment yet." said Jeff reading the paper. "But Katie sure likes her."
Derrick turned to Dedrick and smiled. Dedrick winked at him.
When Star Elf and the children came back everyone was already around the table getting ready for dinner. Star Elf hurriedly washed the chicken and began to cook it in the range. She looked back at everyone else and saw how eager they were to eat. She hurried into the back yard and picked a few vegetables.
In her hurry she cut them in different shapes and forms. She was almost finished when suddenly a foul odor filled the cottage.
"Is something burning?" asked Grandpa.
"Oh no!" gasped Star Elf pulling out the pan from the range. She coughed as smoked billowed out.
"Let me help you with that." insisted Derrick grabbing onto the pan. He yelped as he burnt himself and the pan fell to the floor. It rolled across the wood next to grandma's foot. Star Elf picked it up panicking and put it on the counter. She put it onto a big plate with the vegetables and some bread and put it before all of them.
Everyone rolled their eyes trying to ignore what had just happened. They all put a small amount of food on their plates wary of how safe it was.
"This chicken is burnt to a crisp!" exclaimed Grandpa poking at it.
"There is a chunk of dirt on my carrot." Complained Lisa.
"This bread isn't even cooked!" cried Jeff in disbelief.
"Uh, sorry!" yelled Star Elf scooping up all of the food. In her attempt she accidentally pushed Grandpa off of his chair. When she finally got all of the food she dumped it all in the sink. Complaints exploded toward Derrick and Dedrick. She tried to think of something she could do.
That's when it hit her.
Just as Derrick was about to reach across the table and strangle Jeff they heard the range open. A savoring smell filled the room.
"Kebobs?" she asked holding them up. They all looked at each other questioningly. She served them to everyone. They cut them up and took a bite. They whispered amongst each other and kept eating.
Star Elf just stood there for the rest of the dinner. She smiled as much as she could. Dedrick and Derrick would looked up at her every once in a while with worried glances.
"Well, this has been a long day. I'm off to bed." Announced Grandpa getting up.
"The rest of us had better go to bed, too." agreed Lisa.
"Aw." Moaned the children.
"To bed." Scolded Grandpa. They all got up and headed to the stairs.
"See you tomorrow Star Elf!" called Katie.
"Hopefully." whispered Star Elf.
"I'm off to bed. Don't worry about waking me up when you come Star." said Dedrick disappearing. Derrick sat at the table. Star Elf sat down and began to gorge on the leftovers.
"I hope the kebobs were enough to please them." confessed Derrick.
"I do too." she said. "I don't want to leave. I really like it here."
"We like having you here. I'm going to bed. You coming?"
"Yeah."
Everyone had their sleeping bags laid out on the floor and covered themselves in blankets. Star Elf slipped into the one she was sharing with Dedrick. Dedrick was already sound asleep. Star Elf peered out the window at the blanket of stars outside before closing her eyes.
With the break of day Star Elf was up. She didn't like how they let her sleep in yesterday. She loved the morning. In her pale pink dress she prepared breakfast ready for the worst.
She looked down at the table she was setting. She closed her eyes at the thought of leaving. She thought she was going to stay there forever.
There was a creak from the stairs.
She gasped as she saw Grandpa heading down. She turned around and ran to the counter.
"Good morning Star Elf." He said cheerfully seating himself at the table.
"Good morning sir." She muttered without turning around.
"Call me grandpa."
"Oh, good morning, grandpa." She smiled. "Eat anything you want. I'm just heading out to pick up the paper."
She couldn't help but skip as she re-entered the house. Everyone had condensed around the table and greeted her with merry good mornings and smiles. She was welcomed into the group to look at the paper and have breakfast. Derrick look up at her with the most relieved smile during the whole visit.
After breakfast the kids went back outside to play. Star Elf washed all of the plates and headed upstairs to make the beds. When she got up there she found Georgia looking through her drawers.
"Oh, Star Elf. I wanted to talk to you." she said joyfully. "Come here. I really want to see you in this dress." She held up the blue one Dedrick had bought for her.
"Oh, I-"
"Blue really compliments your hair and your eyes."
"It's to fancy, I can't even get it on."
"Nonsense. I'll help you."
She helped her tie up the back of the gown. It was royal blue with purple on the ties in the front and long sweeping sleeves.
"I've always wanted a girl to help." told Aunt Georgia. "Katie and Jill are too young to appreciate dresses and looks. Besides, when they do, they have Lisa to help them. I was a little disappointed when Dedrick and Derrick ended up boys. I'm really happy to have you around."
"I'm happy you're around too." she said. "Thank you aunt Georgia."
Once again Star accompanied the children while they played in the back yard and once again Derrick leaned against the door and stared at her.
"Come play cousin Derrick!" cried Katie grabbing onto his hand and pulling him out to play with them.
"Looks like someone has a crush." noticed Lisa.
"Who?" asked Dedrick.
"You see the way Derrick watches Star Elf. They way they are always smiling at each other. Don't be surprised if you see them getting a lot closer."
Dedrick looked outside concerned and saw that they did in fact smile at each other a lot. But who was he to stop it?
"Thank you for coming!" said Star Elf as the huge group squeezed themselves out the door.
"Any time you need us, we're there for you Star." Said Grandpa.
"See you soon." Said Derrick closing the door. There was a flurry of good byes and silence as the door closed. Everyone sighed and sat down in a chair.
"Silence." said Dedrick. "What a blissful sound."
TBC
I decided to put up the whole second chapter instead of in two parts. Tell me if it's too long and excessive. Thanks for the positive feed back! God bless you all!
