A day at the Butchers

More than a week had passed since the ordeal between Luna and Mortred. Although they had settled things down, the relationship between the barista and the baker was back at square one, much to the dismay of the baker in question. Their conflict, and their past, spread to the rest of the Dark Moon.

Selemene had scolded Luna like a little girl for not only lapsing into an uncontrollable rage that she had fought hard to suppress, but also almost killing their most talented baker. Mirana made sure that she did not let out a sound during Selemene's lecture, despite how funny she thought the situation was, otherwise she would most likely be in Mortred's shoes.

Shendel, to Mortred's great relief, did not think of her any differently when she heard that Mortred use to be a 'Veiled Sister'. The waitress had not grown up in the surrounding areas, and thus did not hold any sort of ire for any of the gangs. She had, however, heard the 'Scourge of the Plains' before, but the things she heard about had painted a different picture than what she sees in Luna right now.

To Mirana's surprise, their custodian had barely reacted to the news. Her curiosity and nitpicking got the better of her and she ended up asking him why he didn't say anything of it.

"Nothing's surprises you when you reach my age, girl." He said, still treating her like a little girl.

Despite the tension, Lanaya was amazed that it barely hindered their work environment, envying their sense of professionalism. Mirana had told her that it was from the way Selemene had run things that made the gears turn in the coffee shop despite the minor rust.

And so, through it all, the Dark Moon continued operating without a hitch. Yet they hated it when the air of the room would change every time Luna and Mortred would be in the same room. They wondered when the two would go back to being like they used to. Especially Mirana.

Now Shendel had brought Mortred along to the new butcher that had opened across the street so her friend wouldn't stay cooped up in the kitchen. She had been in a somber mood ever since, despite the reassurance she got from the others. Inside the butcher's, they sat near the entrance, waiting for the butcher himself to appear.

Shendel turned to her friend. "So, how are you doing?"

Mortred let out a tired sigh. "I don't know. I thought things would get better between us. But now…" she brought her hands to her face. "Merde, Shendel. I don't know what to do."

Shendel brought an arm around Mortred's shoulder. "Normally, it would be me that's always broody." Mortred giggled at the remark.

"And I would be the one making cheering you up." She sighed again, dropping her hands. "It feels like we were dating and I cheated, and now she's giving me the cold shoulder."

"It does feel like that." Her gripped tightened on Mortred's shoulder. "Don't worry. That hard exterior will crack open one day."

"I hope so."

The sound of a door opening broke them out of their little personal space, tiny vibrations felt form the floor signaling that someone heavyweight was walking. They looked to see a pudgy man wearing a blood-splattered apron, his wide smile showing his crooked teeth. He wore nothing behind the apron, with piercings around his body being showcased. He held his arms wide open.

"Ah, welcome to my humble establishment!" he gestured the two women to approach him. "What can I get you?"

Both women stood up and approached the butcher's counter.

"My friend here is a baker. And she'd like to see your selection so she can make some pastries." Shendel said, gesturing to Mortred who was silently looking at the available meats.

The butcher's brows furrowed upon seeing Mortred's expression. "S'wrong with your friend here?"

"Relationship troubles." Shendel said.

Mortred faced Shendel, eyes wide and face red with embarrassment. "Shendel!"

"What? It's the truth."

"But people will think of something else!"

The butcher laughed, seeing the two woman bicker. "Right, how 'bout I offer you this." He took out a plate of sweetbread. "They're sweetbreads."

Mortred eyed the food suspiciously, slowly taking a bite out of it. Her face grimaced. "It's not sweet. And it's not bread." The butcher laughed again.

"And you need a butcher, not a baker."

Mortred sighed again. "Maybe you have some chicken filet?"

The butcher scratched his chin in thought. "I think I have some in the back. Hold on."

The butcher went to the back again, leaving the two women to themselves again.

"See? Going out helps. I know." Shendel said.

Mortred raised her eyebrow. "From experience?"

Shendel's expression turned into a more sullen look. "Yeah. Look, just don't dwell on it, alright?"

"Isn't this the type of thing I tell you?"

"Exactly."

Silence briefly took the air before the two women went into a giggling frenzy. It was cut off when they heard a sudden scream coming from the back. It shut them up till the butcher came back out, carrying a plastic bag with him. His face now had blood splattered on it.

"Here you go. Chicken filet." He said as he handed the bag to Mortred.

As Mortred inspected what's inside, Shendel started getting nervous. "Uh, what was that?"

"Hm?"

"That scream we just heard…"

"Oh. Telly is all."

"Really? It was so lifelike…"

The butcher laughed. "'Cause it's high-def."

"Then why is your face bloodied now?"

"Oh, must've splattered." He said, wiping the mess off.

Mortred looked up to him. "How much for this?"

"9 quid."

"Okay." Mortred took out her wallet and paid the butcher. "Merci."

"Thanks for coming by! Tell your friends, Pudge the Butcher is waiting!" he said as the two of them walked out.

As they crossed the street, Shendel looked back to the butcher's, wondering if everything really as simple as it seems. Seeing that Mortred still looked distressed as ever, she put her own thoughts on hold and went to comfort her friend.

"Mortred…" Mortred sighed.

"What?"

"What are you thinking?"

Mortred did not answer immediately. "…maybe I can make a pie with this chicken."

Shendel rolled her eyes. "You know that's not going to change anything. You have to just let her try to move on on her own."

"I guess."

Shendel stopped the both of them and gave Mortred a hug. "Everything will be fine. Luna's your friend. Things will get better, okay?"

Mortred nodded in Shendel's embrace. They continued on, heading back to the coffee shop. The Dark Moon was in a quiet phase, with Lanaya handling the customers on her own. Mirana perked up, seeing the two women enter the building.

"Hey girls, what did you get?"

"She got some chicken." Shendel said.

"That's it?" Mortred nodded. Mirana turned to face Shendel. "How was the butcher?"

"He seems pleasant. But he's very creepy." Mirana's brows furrowed.

"How so?" she asked, Shendel looked around nervously.

"I don't know. I think he's a cannibal." Mirana's eyes widened.

"What? You're crazy!" Shendel scoffed.

"Then why don't you go there on your own?"

Mirana rolled her eyes. "Fine, when I want to buy some meat, I'll go there. With you."

Mortred had tuned out their conversation, slowly heading towards the kitchen. She stopped momentarily, glancing towards Luna, who was engrossed with the newspaper. She decided on approaching the older woman.

"Hey, Luna…" she got no response. "How are you today?"

Luna turned a page on the newspaper.

"Would you like some chicken pie?" still no response. Mortred sighed, tears straining from her eyes as she made her way towards the kitchen.

"Mortred." She stopped, turning to face Luna who was still reading the newspaper. "Here you go." Luna gestured a cup of hot chocolate that she had prepared before.

Mortred made her way towards Luna's side, slowly taking the cup. She inhaled the sweet aroma before taking a sip of the hot beverage. A soft tear had broken free from her eye, but with the happiest smile she's had all week.

"Merci, Luna."

Luna tore her eyes from the newspaper, turning to face the baker. Indigo eyes met aquamarine. With her own smile, she said, "You're welcome, Mortred."

And with that, Mortred embraced Luna in a tight hug, almost spilling the cup. A hug that Luna reciprocated in kind. The others seeing the scene in front of them smiled empathetically, happy for them making up.