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Passage
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Unhurriedly, a periwinkle aster opened its drooping petals to the morning dawn. Around its tepid position in the fissures on the stone building, people were rustling up and about. An elderly lady was hanging laundry outside the two storied home. Her granddaughter busy spooling thread at her feet, as her grandson tried to shine the shoes of his father. From inside the house the smell of eggs wafted out. Elsewhere on the street, neighbors were busy completing similar routines. Before long, women would be out on the streets to complete their shopping, as men went to find work. A routine as innate as the asters raising their heads to the sun.
Smiling softly at the sight, hidden in his shadows he thought this aspect of humanity wasn't bad. Here in this rustic impoverished neighborhood, everything was quieter and simpler. People didn't seek to complicate their lives with power, riches or immortality. No meaningless battles or unnecessary fights occurred. Not like in his memories. Nightmares filled with hate, disdain, envy, detachment, anger, fear and many other callous emotions, but mainly fear, that people felt for other people. All the time forgetting to cherish what was there. Yet in this quaint rusting quarter, people simply lived.
******
What was so special about birthdays? So one was another year older? Was that really a reason to hold elaborate celebrations against the will of the person having the birthday?
Rosalina and Alexandria seemed to think so. His Holiness too, considering the packages filling the table. Catherina most certainly did not. Nobody noticed her seething in the study though. Must be all the guests, thirty-four at last count, who had been invading her residence for the past two days. Or maybe it was because she was only an ornament meant to be seen when it was time to toast and open gifts. This party was only for the nobility anyways. Here they had a chance to parade around ascertaining 'friendships' with one another, all the while confirming their loyalty to His Holiness by celebrating the anniversary of his daughter's birth. She hated today.
Which is why she locked herself in the study. The boring, dusty study. Her refuge. At least until the servants came to find her whenever Rosalina or Alexandria noted her absence. Sometime before dinner surely. After all, they had to make sure she was fit to be seen. Catherina thought a jester's suit would be most appropriate. Blueblood nobility coming to celebrate the bastard child of the Pope's birthday, while his mistress carrying his other bastard child played hostess. A laudable jest in Catherina's opinion.
Twirling a strand of her hair around her finger, she scowled down at the religious text she was reading from. The nuns had assigned her reading about the all the popes since the Armageddon occurred, thinking that as His Holiness's daughter she should have knowledge on them. All her reading had so far led her to believe they were all hypocrites. Praises were showered on them, underlying all the achievements and charitable deeds they had accomplished. Nothing was mentioned about their private lives. Nothing about their personalities when they weren't in front of the public. Nothing about their greedy, self-centered, sinful or uncaring behaviors. And certainly, nothing about their many mistresses and bastards.
"Miss Catherina, I don't know if anyone has ever told you this…but you look quite frightening when you scowl like that."
Dropping her book, Catherina jumped in surprise at the voice, twisting around in her seat to see the silver haired man sitting in the windowsill. A goofy look on his face as his finger tapped his chin and he observed her.
"Plus it causes wrinkles."
He added looking pleased with himself. Catherina stared at him like he was crazy. Abel just stooped over and picked up her history book.
"Pope Augustus XVII: The Canonizer."
Pondering over her book, Abel shook his head disapprovingly.
"The books you read. I just can't understand how a young girl your age can find the actions of an old man who wore a silly red hat entertaining."
"Its homework Abel."
Catherina deadpanned. Sometimes he had the weirdest thoughts….and actions. Like now, mouthing 'oh' at her. Shaking her curls, she held her hand out to take the book back.
"What are you doing here? You usually come at night. Or wait for me to go out alone. I know its Saturday, but we have 'guests' today and I can't leave them, or I risk being labeled a bad hostess."
Grimacing in distaste at the last of her statement, she tugged at her curls. Raising a silvery eyebrow at her, Abel looked around the study in exaggerated seriousness.
"Oh no! Miss Catherina I think I've gone blind! I don't see any other people in here."
His wide eyes looked at her with grave urgency. Catherina bit off a snort.
"Either do I Abel. I happen to be enjoying my peace away from them."
Tilting his head at her, he pushed up his glasses.
"So how are you being a good hostess…?"
Smiling cherubically at him she chirped,
"I'm not!"
Putting his index finger on his lips, he nodded thoughtfully.
"Ah. Neither Rosalina nor Alexandria have bothered you about this?"
"I locked myself in here. And they haven't noticed I'm missing yet. Five hours before they will is my guess."
She added nonchalantly as he examined her door. After a good moment of this, he turned around and grinned congenially at her.
"Since they don't know you're gone, and you are protesting being a good hostess, how about we go for a walk?"
"A walk..? There is no way they would let me…and I doubt I could talk Havel into it."
She responded frowning. Abel grinned smugly at her, tapping a finger to his lips.
"That's why we sneak out while they think you're locked in here."
This time she stared at him mouthing out an 'oh'. He just his a laugh as she tossed her book on the desk and jumped up onto her feet sprinting to the window.
"The window right?"
"Unless you would rather go out the door?"
She shook her head wildly. His shoulders trembled as moved to join her at the window. Since it was mid autumn, the courtyard beneath her window was empty due to the cold. And there was no snow it slip on as of yet. Abel climbed onto the windowsill and straddled it, motioning for her to join him. Taking his hand, he pulled her up before grabbing her waist and lifting her over to the branch so he could grab it. Mentally cursing her clothes, she was glad she hadn't tried this before. He was tall enough that he could join her on the branch easily, but she was short enough she would have fallen if she attempted it on her own. Crawling over to the trunk of the tree, she watched Abel squirrel his way down to the ground. Down there, he held his arms up to catch her. Obliging him, she hopped down while squeezing her eyes shut tight. A moment later she opened them to see two ice blue eyes peering at her in annoyance.
"You thought I wouldn't catch you. Didn't you Miss Catherina?"
Copying his earlier action, she put her finger to her lips.
"Shh…you don't want to be caught do you?"
His gulp was audible, as he hastily set her down. Before she could brush all the leaves off herself, he was tugging her arm away from the small manse. Scowling at his back a moment, she quickly matched his pace glancing around furtively. It would be very bad if she was caught…Especially with a strange adult male. If she knew where they were heading, she would be dragging him away at the moment. As it was he was keeping to a steady brisk walk. Soon they were in sight of the gardener's shed, which he promptly pulled her over to. Opening the door, he shoved her inside standing in the doorway himself. He pointed to a chair that had clothes hanging on it.
"Sorry Miss Catherina, but you stand out too much in the clothes you're wearing so I found some less noticeable clothes I thought might fit you. I'll wait outside until you finish dressing."
Abel hurriedly spat out, slightly red faced before slamming the door shut. Catherina stared in shock at the door, before she moved to look at the chair. A worn gray long sleeved blouse, a long gray skirt, a pair of wool stockings, a white apron, a pair of used button boots and a gray habit lay on the chair. The standard attire of an initiate nun or a ward of the cloisters. Glancing back at the door, she bit her lip before she methodically started unbuttoning her own dress. Goosebumps ran along her arms in the brisk air as she rushed to get the warmer initiate attire on. Frowning she slipped off her house slippers and stockings, quickly pulling the scratchy wool ones on. Slipping her foot into the boot, she noticed it pinched at her toes, but she continued to button them up anyways. After she managed to get both of them on, she pulled her hair out of her face and tugged the habit on struggling to get all her hair inside it.
Everything fully on, she laid her dress out on the chair to avoid too many wrinkles. Nobody would come to the gardening shed this time of year, so she didn't have to worry about it being discovered. Straightening out any creases, she walked over to the door and opened it. Abel had his back to it, steadfastly staring at the tree a few meters away. She shut the door, tiptoed over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Starting, he jumped up into the air before turning to look at her aghast.
"Miss Catherina! Don't scare me like that! I almost died of fright."
She giggled before twirling around.
"So…do I look nunish?"
Sniffing at her, he carefully examined her before nodding.
"You pass. Now let's go."
Narrowing her eyes, she followed him as he walked away. Instead of taking her out the main entry, he walked towards the service entrance. While she looked around surreptitiously, Abel walked calmly forward like he had nothing to hide. Reaching the service entry, Catherina saw no one. Strange. She had assumed that it would be the busiest gate because of all the guests. Or at least the guard would be more responsible about watching the gate. Abel noticed her confused expression.
"Unlike the main entry, the service entrance is unguarded. Mostly because servants and craftsmen are always coming and going. At night your gardener or butler comes to lock the gate, and then one of the cook's helpers open it before dawn in the morning. "
Catherina frowned, pondering over his explanation. Abel let her think it over, but he kept them moving out of the gate. The street wasn't packed because of the district they were in, and the few servants out on errands were too busy to look their way.
"What if someone were to get in? A burglar? Or an assassin?.... It can't be safe to do that?"
Without regarding her, Abel continued to lead them through the streets.
"Your town house is large, but not that immense Miss Catherina. The number of servants employed isn't more than twenty, so they are all very familiar with one another. They are also very familiar with the people who regularly visit at your manse, so no strangers enter without their notice."
Eyeing him, she huffed.
"None of them have noticed you yet. Else they'd be gossiping about a tall silver haired clown."
Sweatdropping at her observation, he refused to look her in the eye. Instead he took them down an alleyway.
"That is because I haven't wanted their attention. Yet…Besides with all the guards stationed at your home, they know the interior of the home will be safe."
Cloudy eyes considered his words.
"Just because there are guards doesn't mean they can defend the people in the house."
The image of bloody bodies and lifeless eyes came to mind. Two headless bodies dressed in standard guard uniform. Catherina's eyes clenched at her sides.
"True…but I wouldn't be so quick to doubt young Father Havel, Miss Catherina. His body movements are those of someone trained highly in the defensive arts. Even young as he is."
Catherina stared up at a thoughtful Abel. He smiled gently at her. Turning her head away quickly, she picked up her pace.
"That's because he trained with the Inquisition. They are the Vatican's elite killer hounds."
Taking another few steps forward, Catherina realized she didn't feel Abel following her. Turning her head, she saw him staring at her in astonishment, his mouth hanging wide open.
"What?"
"I always thought Father Havel looked puppyish! Since when has the Vatican been training werewolves to be their Inquisition?"
Regarding him in her own state of horrified disbelief, Catherina shook her head.
"It was an idiom Abel. The Vatican would never allow werewolves to serve them. And I didn't think they actually existed."
Straightening his robes out, Abel readjusted his glasses as he walked over to her.
"Of course it was. I knew that, I was only testing you. Now come on, let's be on our way."
He stated arrogantly, brushing aside her earlier question. Sticking her tongue out at his, she looked around at their surroundings. None of the rickety, decaying buildings were familiar to her. There were also a lot more people wandering around now. Slightly alarmed, she looked back to Abel who was several strides away from her. Sprinting and dodging past passerby, she caught up with him grabbing a hold of his sleeve.
"Where are we?"
Twisting his head to the side, he stared at her out of the corner of his eye. His smile was sympathetic.
"We're in one of the markets. A little quieter than some of the others, but it's the fastest way to get us to our destination."
Frowning at him, she put herself closer to his side. She was far from used to this many people wandering around.
"I thought we were just taking a walk."
Abel shook his head and tsked at her.
"Ah, but Miss Catherina, every walk must have a destination."
She threw a glower at him, before she had to start paying attention to her surroundings. People kept running into her.
"Since when?"
Abel just gave her a knowing grin, before it turned slightly mischievous.
"Always. You aren't afraid are you Miss Catherina?"
Stopping she stared at him in affront. How dare he say she was afraid? So maybe she was a little nervous, but she was by no means scared!
"Let's go Abel. I have a curfew today, so we better get there and back before anyone notices I've disappeared."
Catherina stated tersely, dragging Abel's sleeve forward as she outpace him. It went on like this for several minutes before she halted, realizing she had no idea where they were going. Plus people were watching.
"Keep going straight until we come to the next crossway, then take a left."
Abel piped up behind her. She could tell he was laughing at her, so she didn't deign to glance back at him as she went forward. Coming upon the crossway, she attempted to dodge between the bustling people. Growling, she notice a few people stare at her oddly, before getting out of her way.
"Sorry Sister. Didn't see you there."
They mumble regarding Abel curiously the entire time. Catherina was just glad she could break through the crowd long enough to go left. Still glaring at random people she managed to bump into far less of them. After awhile, the streets became a lot clearer of people. Instead she saw more residences decaying more and more as she kept going forward. The street began to wind around, but she didn't stop as Abel hadn't said anything. Furtively, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He was examining the buildings they were passing, so she turned her attention to them. All she was old houses stacked two or three stories high. Ivy was taking root in the stone, and cracks were visible all along the homes. Not something she associated with a modern city like Genoa. More like the country villages she grew up around.
"Father Nightroad! Father Nightroad!"
Catherina turned around to see a small brunette running towards them. Thirteen or fourteen she guessed. Her outfit was very ordinary, and well worn. It was also very similar to what Catherina was wearing, except it was brown. And she was carrying a covered basket. Abel was smiling at her in greeting.
"Hello Elise. How are you today?"
"Very good, Father. I didn't think I would see you here today."
Elise said cheerily, she had managed to catch up to them. Abel pointed to Catherina, who Elise seemed to just notice at the moment.
"I am showing Miss Catherina around. She is new to Genoa, and was curious to see the city."
Elise moved her attention from Catherina to Abel.
"And you brought her here?"
Abel rubbed his head sheepishly.
"Well…She said she wanted to see all the churches and some of the orphanages being run by nuns."
In a flash Elise was focused on Catherina again.
"Really?"
For a moment Catherina just stared at her in surprise. She was curious that Abel had introduced himself to someone besides her. And that he was being called Father. Then she realized Elise was waiting for a response, and she flushed trying to think of something.
"U-Y-yes. I am an initiate nun right now, and am looking for a place to settle when I take my vows in a couple years. A-Father Nightroad offered me to show me some of the places I might be interested in."
Catherina stated awkwardly. Elise only regarded her for a moment before nodding. Smiling at her.
"That's nice. A bit early to be looking I would think, but the earlier you prepare the better you are to get stationed somewhere you like I suppose. Follow me, I can show you the orphanage."
Elise said taking one of Catherina's hands. She threw Abel a devious glance.
"Father Nightroad is likely to get you lost anyways. He hasn't been here that longer than you, and I've already experience his horrid sense of direction."
Blinking in surprise at Elise, Catherina finally let out a wan smile.
"The Sisters at my cloister warned me about him….He almost got us trampled in the marketplace."
Elise grinned widened at her remark. Abel shouted indignant.
"I can believe that. The first time I tried to walk through a crowded street with him, he was almost run over fifteen different times."
Catherina giggled a little. Elise nodded encouragingly at her. Before Catherina noticed, they were walking into a rundown courtyard full of children of different ages. An elderly man with sun worn skin was sitting with them.
"Father Buscalgia!"
The man glanced over at them, smiling fondly at a waving Elise.
"Hello Elise. Good to see your back. I was wondering what was taking you."
She frowned pouting at some imaginary being.
"The baker wasn't giving me the deal I wanted. He was trying to charge me twenty-five dinari for six pieces of bread! I manage to get him down to nineteen dinari for five pieces."
The old- Father Buscalgia just shook his head disgustedly.
"I'll try to talk to him later. Right now, why don't you introduce your guest?"
He said waving a hand in Catherina's direction. Elise smiled at her.
"This is Miss Catherina. She's an initiate nun, and Father Nightroad is showing her the churches and orphanages."
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Has he got you completely lost yet? I would think you would be better showing him around."
Father Buscalgia told her dryly. Catherina smirked a little at the indignant, pouting Abel she could feel him making behind her back. Stepping forward, she gave a light bow towards the Father.
"Ah. I'm not sure about that Father. He may have, but I am not very familiar to Genoa. Only recently did I move here, and this is the first time I am caught up enough in my studies to view the city."
"Oh? From where did you come from then?"
"A small village. There was a tiny chapel there, and two nuns. They told me to go study in Genoa when I expressed an interest in taking vows myself."
Father Buscalgia nodded at her words. Elise was trying to listen but busy dealing with a toddler that wanted her to play. She tenderly shooed him off before motioning at Catherina.
"Why don't you follow me? I need to prepare supper for these tykes, but I can show you our little place at the same time. Leave Father Nightroad. He's always trying to raid the cupboards."
Elise said tartly looking behind Catherina to Abel.
"Hey! Stop picking on me!"
Abel yelled tired of being picked on. Catherina really grinned at this.
"Does he try and talk you out of tea with thirteen spoonfuls of sugar too?"
Catherina asked Elise as they strolled inside the building. Elise stared at her with wide eyes, flushing.
"N-no. He asks for that? What cloister are you located at? We rarely have sugar here. It's only reserved for special occasions. Christmas and Easter."
Staring at Elise, Catherina winced internally. Of course this place didn't have that kind of money to spare for a delicacy like sugar. They couldn't afford six loaves of bread!
"L-la Rosa."
"Ah. Makes sense now."
Elise murmured under her breath. Catherina regarded her questioningly.
"What makes sense?"
Blushing a deep rosy red, Elise glanced away from her towards the walls.
"It's...well…you don't seem like someone who would be a nun."
Blinking, Catherina frowned at her.
"Why not?"
Gulping, Elise looked at her a bit sheepish.
"You…Your hands aren't calloused. Most nuns have calloused hands from the work they do. Especially if they're from the country."
Reflecting back on it, Catherina remembered she seemed startled when she took her hand.
"Why does it make sense that I am from La Rosa though?"
Shaking her head Elise smiled less embarrassed now.
"Well…highborn girls go there when they don't want to get married. Or wealthy merchant's daughters."
Catherina blinked, thinking it over. In the meantime Elise led her into the kitchen where she set down her basket full of food. Removing the white cloth cover, she pulled out some five baguettes, a chunk of cheese and some vegetables. Next Elise went and brought out a large pot, and filled it with water. Glancing up at Catherina, she examined her for a moment.
"Want to help me? You can cut up the vegetables?"
Elise asked, before taking the vegetables and rinsing them off. She then put them in front of Catherina along with a chopping knife. Carefully, Catherina picked it holding it lightly as she would a pencil. Staring at her, Elise shook her head before coming around to stand next to her.
"Here. Hold it like this. It will fall if you hold it loosely. There."
She instructed, securing Catherina's grip firmly around the knife, chopping a carrot for her. Trying a few more times, Catherina nodded that she got it. Elise went back to making her stew, but she kept an eye on Catherina. Flushing faintly, Catherina supposed it made sense. She had only seen the cooks preparing vegetables a few times before they would rush her out. And that was when she lived with her mother….
"So…why have you decided to become a nun? Is your family forcing you to be one?"
Elise attempted to ask nonchalantly, but Catherina could see the curiosity in her eyes. Lowering her head, she focused on trying to cut the carrot in small even pieces.
"No. It…it is my decision."
"Oh. Why? If you don't mind me asking that is."
Catherina was silent. What should she say? She had no intention of becoming a nun, but Abel had told Elise she was an initiate. Trusting her strange companion, she decided to continue with the deception. After all, if he could lie about being a priest, she could lie about planning to become a nun.
"My m…mother was…killed awhile back."
Licking her lips, Catherina tried to focus on the blurry carrot in front of her. It was still something she had difficulty talking about.
"It's okay. You don't have to say anything more."
Shaking her head, Catherina glanced up at her. She shrugged a bit as if the topic didn't bother her.
"Um...no…it's okay. We…we were very close. I guess I am still having trouble adjusting to the thought of her being gone."
Catherina managed to say shakily. Elise gazed at her in empathy.
"My father…we have never been close. After mother's death he decided to move me here. At first I thought it would be good to be away from the place where she was m-murdered. Then I found out he only wanted me here so his mistress could watch over me. I couldn't take being in the house with her. She was trying to replace my mother. And I couldn't stop thinking father never appreciated mother…so I entered the convent. Like A-Father Nightroad said, I am really knew to this place."
With the back of her right hand, she rubbed her eyes trying to stop the tears that wanted to fall. Elise came over and rested a hand on her should. Glancing at her, Catherina saw her eyes full of understanding. Slowly she rubbed Catherina's shoulder.
"It's okay. This is an orphanage…we've all had some of the same experience as you. My parent's abandoned me here when I was four. I cried for days for them to come back. They didn't. Two years later they died in an accident. The warden at the time thought I should go, even if they had abandoned me. I went but was really confused about it for a long time. As I grew older, I witnessed other younger orphans, and a few older ones, coming in and found that it made me feel wonderful to help them. I'm sure you will be able to find that when you become a Sister."
Catherina stared at the girl in front of her smiling so jovially even with what happened to her. It made her feel a bit guilty that she lied.
"I hope so."
Elise nodded, patting her one last time before heading back to the pot.
"Don't worry I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for sooner than you expect. Something you can be passionate about."
Catherina nodded returning to cutting up her carrot.
"Why don't you stay for dinner? I'll give you a good tour."
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tiptoeing towards the shed, Catherina opened the door lightly. She had stayed at the orphanage longer than she had planned, but she was glad. About an hour ago Abel had decided to return but gotten the lost on the way to the townhouse. At the time, she accused him of doing it on purpose for everybody's comments earlier. He denied it adamantly in his shrill, idiot voice. That side of his personality was beginning to annoy her. When they had finally got on the right path, she realized how late it was. Walking as quickly as possible in her pinched boots, Catherina snuck through the service entrance alone. Abel had turned around once they made it to the right street. Now she needed to get dressed and sneak back into the study somehow.
"Stupid!"
Catherina swore under her tongue. He'd gotten away before he could help her into the study, and she hadn't had time to ask him about being called Father! Annoyed she walked into the room, but stopped dead in her tracks at the scowling figure in front of her.
"Young ladies shouldn't swear, Lady Sforza. They also shouldn't be sneaking off to who knows where disguised as a Sister without taking their bodyguard with them."
Havel stated ominously. His stare was boring into her skin. She straightened her posture refusing to be intimidated by him. He walked up to her, towering over her.
"Havel…what are you doing here?"
"Looking for my charge, who I am supposed to be guarding. A difficult thing to do when she disappears at her own birthday celebration."
Pulling her habit off, she shook her hair out.
"Rosalina noticed I was gone then?"
A deeper frown.
"No."
"Alexandria then."
His fingers started twitching.
"No."
Going over to the chair, she set the habit on it.
"Then how?"
"I noticed you weren't entertaining your guests as you should be doing. So I went looking for you. One of the servants admitted they saw you lock yourself in the study. I picked the lock, and learned you were not there. Apparently, you snuck out the window and down the tree. A lack of a body being beneath the tree told me you hadn't manage to kill yourself so I followed your shoe tracks to the shed. Inside I found all your garments neatly hanging on the chair. You were nowhere in sight. I figured I would give you until after nightfall to return. If you hadn't, I was gone to send out a search. Now where were you? And what were you doing that you needed to dress as a nun?"
Catherina knelt down and unhurriedly unbuttoned her boots.
"I was taking a walk. The party was boring me, and I figured you were under orders not to let me go out. So I decided to disguise myself as a nun, and take a walk."
Pulling her boot off, she looked up at him. He was glowering at her. She returned his gaze with a blank stare.
"So where did this walk take you?"
She started on her next boot.
"The streets of Genoa. I ran into a market at some point. It was interesting."
Havel came closer, standing directly in front of her.
"I have been patient with all of you rebellious issues Lady Sforza. I have even let you run away from my watch for a few hours each weekend without informing my superiors. If you do not tell me where you were, I will no longer aid you in your escapades. In fact, I will inform everyone of your 'walk' this afternoon."
Pulling off the other boot, Catherina proceeded to rid herself of her stockings. After that she stood up, and grabbed Havel by the arm. She attempted to tug him to the door. He stood firmly in his spot. Catherina glared up at him.
"I am cold Havel. I want to change my clothes quickly and get back in the house before I catch cold. Go stand in front of the door and play guard dog like a good boy. I will be finished dressing in a few moments."
A stare off started between the two. After several minutes, Havel looked away and went to stand outside the door slamming the door behind him. Catherina waited until the door was shut, before she finished undressing. She hadn't been joking about being cold. Hurriedly, she threw on her clothes leaving the initiate uniform folded up where it was. She sneezed, and frowned at the action. Abel was going to hear about it if she was catching a cold. Sluggishly she walked to the door, opening it forcefully. Stepping out, her knees gave out as the world went blank around her.
……………………………………………………………………………
Moonlight shone through the lightly curtained window, giving away the outline of her guest. He was careful not to make a sound as he sat in the windowsill.
"It's okay Abel…I'm awake."
For a moment he didn't answer her, but she noticed the dark outline fidgeting.
"Miss Catherina…I apologize…I shouldn't have kept you away for so long."
A burst of coughing caught her before she could speak. When it subsided, she licked her lips starring at Abel's shadow.
"Don't be. I enjoyed it. How did you find out?"
The figure sat in silence. She assumed he wasn't going to answer her like usual.
"The servants were talking."
"Ah."
She knew through experience, the servants loved to gossip. Learning she had fainted, and come down with a cold before she could attend the dinner for her party was likely to keep them entertained for weeks. Especially all the reaction's of the party goers when they learned she came down with a cold. Rosalina had been furious when she had awoken. Alexandria was in tears. However, she had learned Havel hadn't said a thing about her disappearance. They all thought she'd been walking the grounds.
"Why did you come back?"
She asked him curious. Abel usually only visited her once in a day.
"I told you before Miss Catherina…I am always watching you. The 'guests' as you call them all left much too early for my taste, so I came to see if you'd gotten caught."
"Oh."
Silence filled the air. Reminiscent of when they were first getting to know each other. Back then she had asked all the questions if she wanted a conversation. In the past few months, Abel had begun to offer his own to the conversation. When he wasn't being secretive.
"Abel…why did you take me to that orphanage today? And why did you dress me up as a nun? Why do they all call you father?"
For a while she listened to the wind.
"I never told them to call me Father. My clothes at the time gave them the idea that I was a priest. At the time I didn't feel like explaining why someone who isn't a priest dresses like one. When you are at the convent for studies I wander around getting to know the city."
The outline shrugged.
"And I figured nun would be the most believable. Initiates at the higher convents are more sheltered. Genoa houses a lot of Sisters, so I knew it would be the best thing for getting you around unnoticed."
She attempted to nod at this, but gave up as another coughing fit hit her. Sometimes she hated the fact that she inherited her mother's weak constitution. He was silent as she waited to get her breath back.
"Havel noticed I was missing. He was waiting at the shed. I managed to avoid answering his questions, but I think I may not be able to sneak off. At least for awhile."
"Ah, well I suppose he was bound to stop with it at some point. I can visit you at night when you are alone then."
"Abel…Elise invited me back again. I would like to go."
One of his arms moved to his glasses. She often wondered why he wore them when he didn't need them.
"I am glad you enjoyed your visit. Elise was angry when she learned today was your birthday. She threw several shoes at me."
Catherina giggled a little at the thought. One had most likely hit him straight on.
"Was it okay then…?"
Glancing at the shadow, Catherina frowned.
"Was what okay?"
"Your birthday."
Reflecting back on it, Catherina's eyes opened wide. After Abel had taken her off, she hadn't thought about it much. And then she had fainted, and skipped out on the entire party.
"Maybe…it feels like I didn't really celebrate it at all. And I didn't want to in the first place, so I guess it was alright."
He was quiet again as she finished her musing. Staring at the curtains billowing in the wind, she started to doze off.
"The reason I took you there was because I thought they would make it easier for you…I know that this was the first year your mother wasn't here to celebrate with you, and you were upset about that. Obviously, no one else considered that. I wanted you to be near others that could understand your situation. Sorry I didn't tell you before, but Happy Birthday Catherina."
Her sleepy mind managed to catch his words. Staring at the outline of his figure, her eyes began to get heavier.
"Than-k y-you 'bel."
Another chapter! It's now autumn, and the spring long gone. Abel and Catherina have had more time to become acquainted. And Havel is one step closer to being a part of their camaraderie.
Hope you like this chapter!
Thanks for Reading,
False Sourires