They finally reached the house to a ruckus. As they approached the door Ivy hung back. Butcher turned to look at her "well come on". Steeling her courage Ivy ducked into the entryway. Inside six others and a young woman with black hair, skin the color of porcelain sat at a table chattering away without pause. Butcher strode in after giving a brief hug to the young woman, which caused a brief twinge in Ivy's stomach, took a place at the table.
"What happened" asked one of the men. "She bolted" Butcher replied.
"What did you do to frighten her?
"Nothing. All I did was ask why she was tied up and if she was hungry."
"Guys. It's quite rude to talk about someone when they are standing in the room."
At this the men stopped arguing amongst themselves. The young woman stood from the table and approached Ivy. "My apologies for their manners. I'm Snow White." She said. "The Princess?" Ivy gasped. "Yes, but don't let that stand in the way of us becoming friends." Snow teased.
"Oh and let's introduce you to the guys."
The one who had questioned Butcher stood up, "Will Grimm", then sat back down. The others followed his lead.
One with a scarf around his neck stood, "Napoleon".
One covered in furs stood "I'm Wolf" he howled making Ivy smile, she noticed that Butcher frowned at her smile.
One with a piece of food in both hands stood "Grub".
One with a top hat stood next with a giggle "Chuck". Grub chimed in "Chuckles is more appropriate." Chuck giggled at this which made Ivy want to giggle herself.
The last to stand actually bounded out of his seat and over to Ivy taking her hand "I'm Half-pint" kissing her hand. Ivy blushed at this and didn't even notice Butcher looking daggers at Half-pint.
"What is your name?" Half-pint asked still holding onto her hand.
"I'm Ivy" she said.
"Well, now that we have gotten you acquainted with everyone. The boys tell me that you have some wounds that need tending." Handing a satchel to Napoleon, Snow bustled Ivy over to a small alcove as she gave instructions to Napoleon as to what to do with the items in the satchel. Pulling a curtain behind them she helped Ivy to remove her shirt and chemise top. A small gasp escaped Snow's lips as she looked upon the young woman's back.
Ivy clutched her top to her chest as she felt shame sting her face. Tears gathered in her eyes.
(Butcher's POV)
Why does Half-pint have to be such a flirt? First Snow now Ivy when will he stop trying to court every woman who comes through the door. Can't he keep his lips to himself and Wolf being such a show-off? There goes Half-pint trying to take a bowl of steaming rags and water to the curtain. I head him off taking the bowl roughly from his hands. Half-pint starts to say something when I cut him off "Go help Napoleon prepare the medicine". Taking the bowl I move toward the curtain trying to decide what to do part of me knows I should say something but another part of me wants to see what is behind the curtain. I take a breath and step around the curtain. Ivy and Snow have their backs to me. It's what I see on Ivy's back that make me inhale sharply. There are scars on her back there are a few new ones and many older ones. I feel myself becoming angry that someone did this to her.
Suddenly Snow notices my presence. "Butcher!" She exclaims. Ivy's head whips around and I find her eyes widening at the sight of me standing there staring at her back.
"Get OUT!"
"I just brought some rags"
"Leave"
"I didn't mean to"
"NOW"
Snow takes the bowl from me and shoos me out of the curtain. I turn to find the others staring at me. "What are you looking at?" I snarl as I stride over to the door and bang outside climbing to my favorite spot on the roof.
(Regular)
Time passes as Snow tends to Ivy's wounds. The others become involved in their own activities. Snow tries to gently nudge Ivy for information about her wounds and her past but Ivy blocks her inquiries at every turn. Finally, Snow is finished dressing the wounds and Ivy dons a loose blouse that Napoleon produced for her to use that would not slow the healing of her back.
Ivy tries to sit in the room watching the activities of the others and enjoy their conversation yet she longs to escape to the outdoors. Shortly, when everyone else is engrossed in a conversation about who is the best fighter she makes a quiet retreat to the door and draws a relieved breath of fresh air. The weather is not very cold but there is a distinct nip in the air. Ivy though finds the chill refreshing after being inside with everyone. As she stands in the clearing before the house she tilts her head back the better to gaze at the stars. Finding this to be inadequate she wanders about the clearing looking for a suitable spot to lay down unaware that she is being observed.
Butcher had finally decided that females' especially tall females were trouble and best put out of one's mind when he heard the door open. Thinking it is one of the others he barely paid any attention until a flash of red over the top of the roof's edge catches his attention. Silently cursing himself he prays she won't stay. Yet, he realizes her intent to stay as he watches her tilt her head to the sky.
Ivy was just really thinking of laying down when she heard a noise behind her. She whirled around taking a crouching stance. Her eyes scanning the surrounding trees and the house. Slowly, as nothing stirred she eased her muscles letting her breath come easier. Rising again to a standing position she notices the yard more closely with barrels, bo staffs, rocks, a mattress, and other assorted things she starts to think it is time to start training again. Moving across the yard she picks up a barrel and places a can on top of it taking a stance several feet away she starts to move her right hand over her head in an arc and moves her feet in a circle rotating her body as her arm comes down with a snap.
Watching her movements Butcher starts to wonder just how crazy women can get. Easy as the movements and fluid her body movements what she is doing is a baffling puzzle. After several passes of different movements she relaxes her arm and walks over to the barrel just as she closes in she turns in a roundhouse kick and knocks the can off the barrel sending it soaring into the trees. His jaw dropping Butcher tries not to make any noise as Ivy returns to the inside of the house.
What have we gotten ourselves into? A woman who could take off my head. Then what did that idiot have over her that she didn't fight back? No, no. Stop right there. You are not going to try to find answers to these questions. Let her get healed up quickly and then she can be on her way. Good riddance. Right? Right.
