It was the smell of freshly baked corn bread that really brought Shelly's stomach to a downright uproar.
Charlot kindly led them through his shop and out to officially show Shelly the court, of which she was very familiar with. However now, it was a very different and at a new angle. Without the added stress now, she began to take in the solid simplicity and beauty of this place~ There were doors that led to different homes on the upper and lower floors. Small flowers pots and troughs decorated the place, besides that natural vibe that grew all over the aged walls. This was the size of a common apartment complex- very tiny. But filled with welcome, all because of the rotten treatment of the government beforehand. Given his background, it was stunning that Charlot remained such a soft hearted man. How none of this hardened him so was beyond Shelly.
"Madame Jeakel surprises everyone with her baking," the Barber announced. "Do carry on, ladies~ I conclude my day at 5:30."
"Thank you, sir... So much!"
And the blonde certainly meant that. Shelly kept hold on Anya's hand while Hannah lightly knocked on the Jeakel couple's kitchen door.
"Come in!" came a lovely little old voice from inside. Hannah lightly opened the little door with all smiles with the two behind her.
Inside, Shelly was met with a fairly quaint little place that suited a tiny stove top and oven made of old steel. Metal pots and pans, along with ladles and oven mits all hung on the walls. A single round wooden table stood in the middle of the tiny kitchen, draped over with an old but sweet little floral designed table cloth. On top was a bowl that was full of freshly picked plums. Mary was a plump, sweet little woman with rosy cheeks and deep caring eyes and she took the fresh loaf right out of the oven after her call for them to enter. Placing the sheet on the table to cool, Mary Jeakel looked up to see a brand new face beside Anya's. In all honesty, she looked very surprised, at first meeting Shelly's eyes before looking to Anya's. This was the second step now and with Anya guiding her, Shelly smiled as hopeful as could be before she was then showered with welcome come again.
"My goodness, Anya~ Who is…?"
"Forgive me, Mrs. Jeakel, but I ran into a good friend of mine today…" Anya spoke first.
"Oh! Is she?"
"Yes~"
"My name is Michelle Grey. I have just met your neighborhood Barber, Charlot ~"
"Oh my! He sees the good in everyone… Why, dear child~ Anya has spoken of you, expressed great worry~" the woman spoke and Shelly found her taking her hand. "Lo and behold… do tell me that you have been here a while?"
"No. Not quite. I have only arrived this morning…"
"Goodness, dear, you looked peckish. Come, do come and have a seat…" the little woman ushered and the anxious two were too eager to please.
Shelly sat herself down as she was told. now having to fabricate however able to listen to these people, face to face.
"I will handle the dries, Anya…" Hannah offered after hearing her name called from up top. "Take a few off for her. I will return soon."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, yet she will need someone who knows this courtyard." Hannah winked, while taking a basket in hand. Eventually, the two were in the quiet kitchen alone.
"Oh, well… how silly am I. My name is Mary Jeakel, Miss Grey."
"I am so pleased to meet you! Everyone here is so kind~" Shelly smiled.
"As we are to have you! My husband is out on a fishing run and should return in time for supper. While the bread cools, please help yourself to a plum or two.
Shelly was beginning to feel the pressure settling, not used to all this talk but she guessed that was the struggle Anya endured, being so chatty… while she herself was the total opposite. Shelly took a plum from the bowl and bit into it, savoring the taste. Fish and lukewarm cream was not very fascintating for meals…
"You poor thing~"
"Oh, I am fine and dandy. Mostly I am accustomed to being frugal. I only spend on what I needed before landing in the Ghetto. Anya a-and I… mostly ate dates for a while. Hearty but… they are for sure dry~" Shelly began to laugh as she ate.
That warmed up the room, right there. All that helped poor Shelly begin to feel less pressure.
"Yet, I am glad that Anya stayed here with you though… Because, after the circus fiasco, the raids got worse in the outskirts… So I did what I could I just began searching towns for work, none of which wished to have me."
"You managed to come to largest of cities… and the right one to boot." Anya spoke, finally. "I thought it could never be possible for this to happen."
"Dears, life has its own little sweet ways." Mary began. "Take sir Elden, for instance, he never had a penny to his name when he first arrived."
"You mean Charlot? The sweet Barber?" Shelly asked.
"Yes." Mary nodded. "Besides my husband, he's become the patriarch of this corner… but he seldom realizes it." Mary lightly chuckled. "For him, he was never given a sporting chance to start anew, and his age was beginning to slow him down. That shop was rented and we had him under our wing for a time, despite Charlot politely arguing that he should not stay. However… he did stay. He realized that it was time to stop and found that he did have a gift in grooming and so, the Barbershop was settled right beside our vendor. Charlot surely has a stubborn streak in him!"
"As we all well know," Anya grinned.
Please! Do eat, child…" Mary softly pressed, after serving up the cooled cornbread onto a couple of nice white glass plates.
The taste was excellent to Shelly; it was so warm and moist as it coated her tongue. Almost seemed like a sweet bread pudding, yet she could hardly place it… Either, it was the butter used or the cream poured in but there was a purity to it that meant home, truly. This was better than anything she had ever tasted… Food back in their time was constantly processed and meddled with to the point that there absolutely no value left.
One thing was proving difficult though, and that was getting a moment of privacy to speak. The girls were among the gaggle of women around the tiny community, while being the youngest no doubt. If the modern world would be just the same as this, most of the world's problems would be solved ~ Gentleness, kindness, no matter how small, would make the greatest difference. The Speech was far more than a historical bookmark… It was a simple, yet difficult guideline to live by… Something some minorities couldn't stomach.
It was something that fated this minority in general. It was a little hilarious that so much danger surrounded individuals who had no choice in the matter~ Lyra, Neville, Orpheus and the first being Charlot. All of which had begun with rags… That could not be a mere coincidence.
After much laundry collecting, the duo found themselves a moment to share a thought or two the second they both went to a backroom to fold them… Anya politely shut the door behind her and that was the moment when the girls both locked eyes. Anya looked severely apologetic while Shelly was biting her tongue…
"We jumped right in, didn't we?" Shelly started. "Funny that I was the one who found you first~"
"Heh, well, we're both here now, aren't we?" Anya shrugged, coming to help fold.
"I am not as extroverted as you but, wow… you are not kidding about the hospitality. Did you see the way he looked at me? Like he knew me my whole life."
"That is just how he is…"
"Yeah, he reminds me of Lyra."
"In a way… you can even state that she is literally here with us." Anya hinted.
"…which makes the stakes here even higher." Shelly remarked. "Protecting the Evan's line… Those green eyes shoot out just the same~ it's like looking directly at a passed down heirloom."
"It's uncanny, yes…" Anya agreed.
"I thought this wouldn't work out… Still, one thing is bothering me."
"Don't think I've forgotten about him — the death eater." Anya hinted outright. "That's why I sang. Somehow someway, things will keep on a straight path."
"It was last night," Shelly told. "It was so quiet that I could hear like a firecracker in the distance. He's trying to get in."
"Emphasis on trying. And he won't. Not while we're around." Anya determinely began to stack her folds back into the basket.
"Anya! Hannah!" sang a lady from upstairs. alerting Shelly.
"Oh that is Mrs. Morris. Delightful old biddies around," Anya joked. "Its her machine that we use. It may have sprung a leak again~ I'll be right back!" Anya tapped Shelly's shoulder before she had to see what was going on.
Shelly was then left to contemplate, with a pile of laundry waiting to be folded up and delivered… As soon as she left, Shelly had to take a deep breath to will herself to simply keep finishing until each cloth was in its place. Indeed, it felt safe enough to tend to even the most trivial of matters, such as malfunctional washing machines. The day was glorious, the town was bustling, not a upset word or glance from anyone walking by their businesses. Charlot was happily enduring small talk with his customers and these would seem to go on for hours. Who needed a newspaper when the whole town talked your ear off? It was something this mensch truly loved, to be accepted by others. People loved to speak, as he would listen — He would speak and so would they listen. Oh, they surely did…
After a simple climb up the stairs to the second floor to three other homes above, Anya came in tow with Hannah to the home on the left side of the complex, closest to Charlot's window. The little room with a single bedroom and washroom held one little machine right by the door. The roll had simply escaped its post and was handled by another lady with silvery hair in a flowery gown. From that, the floor was wet with spilled water and suds. Anya wryly chuckled as she reached for a pin in her hair, the one Charlot so sweetly gave her earlier.
"Stubborn little goat, this thing~" she grinned at Hannah. "My last one snapped, huh?"
"Eventually, we will have enough to purchase a new one, but neither of us know when… One more snap, and we have to resort to doing linens all by hand. More time, more hands, oh goodness…" Mrs. Morris grieved, almost.
"It isn't all bad," Hannah spoke while Anya got to her knees, taking the doused roll. "We have more hands, so if this poor thing does push up daisies, we're here to help."
"Makes the hours pass by nicely," Anya said, slipping the pin through a nail hole that connected the roll back onto the mechanism and it slipped back into place like a puzzle piece.
"Thank you ever so much, dears~ So much to do, so little time…"
"One girl can only have so many pins~" Anya joked. "Please, Mrs. Morris, do not worry…"
"I know, I know… All this uncertainty, the papers stating the most confusing things…"
Anya's face fell at that, so did Hannah's. "Stating things like what?" Anya asked.
"Oh ~ have you not read yet? Oh dear… it is silly, miss. Perhaps my eyes are just horrid in my old age… but it stated that the Ghetto is off the Tomanian maps."
"What?" Anya gaped at that.
"Off the map?"
"Here, do read for yourselves…" the little lady picked up the Gazette from the table and gave it to the two.
It read that 'Tomania is thrown into a state of confusion when soldiers had noted that a certain corner of the capital to house the Jewish minorities has been said to have vanished into thin air. All that have been able to find were a set of abandoned buildings, as though the people previous meant to live there had gone and fled without a trace. Commander Garbisch awaits and plans an investigation in this matter. The numbers await for a modest reason…'
Anya bit her lip, nervously before she exchanged a look of concern with Hannah. Placing the paper down, Anya shook her head at this. "It makes no sense…"
"It goes in line in how strange everything has been lately," Hannah added. "Not a soldier has come to bother, not a single word from the radios. All we hear is static… What could all this mean?"
"I do not know…"
As the afternoon began to bleed on to the evening, Anya helped with the rest of the laundry in time to get them delivered back to their customers before it began to get too dark. Shelly knew something was off because Anya was hyperfocused. Whenever she was hyperfocused, that meant that she knew something crucial. Charlot was about to conclude his day and was currently cleaning and the two remained helping with supper…
"What do we tell Charlot?" Anya asked Hannah. "Do you think he knows?"
"What do you think he knows?" Shelly prodded.
"The Gazette spouted news that the Ghetto being off the map…" Anya whispered and Shelly's olive eyes went wide at that. Anya got this half glare from her as she tensely smiled back, sarcastically whispering "…great."
At that given moment, there was his light knock on the Jeakel's door who Mary opened for him.
"Good evening, Master Elden~" the heard Mary as well as his voice.
"Good evening, ma'am!"
"The city is off the map, why are 'we' the last to know?" Shelly sharpened as she passive aggressively rolled over the dough on the table.
"Be nice~" Anya whispered.
"I am being nice…"
The sarcastic spat in silence ceased just in time when the Barber entered. When he did, he did look mentally spent, however, he still held that warm smile for the ladies. They all joined in by saying 'Good evening,' anyhow.
"How was your day?" Anya asked.
"Oh, you know Mr. Shomoker. He can run his tongue a mile a minute,' he began, earning a laugh from that. "… May I ask the same for you ladies…?"
Shelly felt a little better at once when he began to talk. It was as if he was the peace keeper of the town. Nonetheless, they were still left with the matter at hand, but given this solitary feeling, this was a conversation laying in wait. Of course, there was that air of nervousness but they held a trust with these people, well rooted as it became so far.
"Very good for us — busy!" Anya told him after finishing the dough. "Made another 20 today~"
"How wonderful it is to hear that, Anya!" he cheered right on, bringing it upon himself to help set the table after the dough was taken off.
"Thank you, bless you, Charlot~" Mary praised as supper had just been prepared on the stove.
"How of you, Michelle?" was the sudden question that hit Shelly like a ton a bricks, despite how sweetly it was spoken to her.
"I-I've been a hand around, getting to know this place has been splendid," Shelly spoke for herself.
"That blasted machine spat the roll out again," Mary complained, a little exasperated.
"It was not so bad," Anya whispered to the man. "Stuck a pin in to hold it," her wry comment made him stifle some laughter.
"Oh woe that stubborn little thing~ Not to worry though. I have been on the hunt for a new one, anyhow." Charlot offered, with no qualms in his tone at all. It was all a matter of fact to him.
"Oh, sir!" Mary stated in surprise. "… Charlot, you mustn't."
"Ah-ah, correction, dear." he neatly inclined. "I must."
Once the Barber was dead set on something, there was no stopping him. Which was a fine reminder of how things came to be to the girls, that they were solely grateful for. The table was set eventually, set round to serve seven people, in total. There was Mary, and her husband, who was soon to come. Of course, Shelly and Anya, then of course Charlie and Hannah. Last but not least, it was heard that Mr. Mann was going to be joining them tonight. All this preparation had gone by so quickly because of the extra hands, which was very nice to have, indeed.
The girls were just happy that nothing had gone on at all, until that murmur of notice from the headlines. One good thing about being among now was being absolutely sure that Charlot was untouched and unharmed, and stayed that way. Tiny spells spat here and there was the least concern. The love enriched song, the Confundus both rested over the minds of the town, even over theirs to a point, because there were a few things the girls were starting to forget… Only miniscule things like the name of the town they were born in, or old streets they knew and people's names. All that meant nothing compared to their mission, which could not fail… Anya was daringly determined to keep that from happening…
So speaking of things like old washing machines and local chitchat kept the ones they were with safer and free of fear. The more fear there was, the spells would weaken. So far the Confundus was not doing so well. The girls had to have a back up plan of some kind which meant that would be compelled to give the truth to their family; especially to the Elden couple.
"… are you sure you're all right?" Hannah asked him, as they were all beginning to sit.
"Me? I am fine… Truly."
"The day was dreary, I agree with that…" Mr. Jeakel spoke out, upon entering.
Shelly became more wary, right then, even as she took her own seat.
"Good evening, Mr. Jeakel!"
"… mr. Jeakel…" Shelly whispered to Anya.
"Don't worry," she reassured.
"Sit down, all of you. Stand up for an old bird like me, I wouldn't hear of it." the elder said, hanging his hat and jacket by the door.
"How goes your fishing trip?" Mary asked and they all sat.
The girls found their chairs as they were pushed in for them and soon it was only one placing left that was vacant.
"Caught a good seven - not decently sized though." the old man lowly replied, having the Gazette in hand again. "Better than none at all. Earned us close to a franc." he was saying before his eye caught onto a difference among the family~ belonging to one blonde, olive eyed young lady beside the brunette, the former Tramp and Gamin.
At first, it appeared that he was not very keen on accepting of this new news, that was until he spoke.
"Do my eyes decieve me?" he asked.
"No, Mr. Jeakel…" Mary answered.
Shelly stood from her chair a moment and curtsied as best she could. Anya stood too.
"Sir, this is the friend I intended to meet half way to Osterlitch…" Anya began to introduce her, although, with some gentle nudges, Anya and Charlot both encouraged the blonde one to fight through her shyness.
"Sorry to come in such short notice, but my name is Michelle Grey, sir… A travelling spinster, really… No dowry."
"Oh, as we are with hardly much, child," Mr. Jeakel tapped his pipe on the top of his hand, his wrinkly face holding hue of warmth towards her. "How do you do?"
"Very well now that I'm found, thank you." Shelly smiled as she shook his hand.
At once when Mr. Jeakel sat down, so did the rest of them. "So…" the elder continued. "… I take it that you know a thing or two upon your travels. This is offered to you as well, Miss Anya… Of heard tale of the missing Ghetto?"
Charlot leaned his elbow upon the arm of his seat, awkwardly, only to have it slip a bit upon hearing that mentioned. Hannah began nibbling on her thumbnail with the same emotion…
"Am I not wrong in this? After all, we are a family," Mr. Jeakel stated, straight forwardly. "And as one we need to not avoid happenings such as these…"
Something in those words touched Anya, but Shelly was naturally curious of where this was going to go…
"It seems to be what has all of us a little on edge~" Charlot finally found it in himself to speak.
Everyone fixed their eyes to their bowls, neatly eating after the prayer, one after the other. It felt like time had stopped for a moment. The meal was full of chicken, slightly dry, however, well cooked. Shelly could tell the meat was fresh… Shelly had no complaint. The food filled her stomach with warmth.
"Even so~ I cannot help thinking that this blunder has something to do with our own emotions, as if something is out of place." Mr. Jeakel mentioned. "Off the maps, they say?"
"Maybe it is inciting a change?" Anya spoke up. "Perhaps we won't need Ghettos any longer?" she asked with hope.
"Hardly, child. Propaganda and prejudice have too long a lifespan." Mr. Jeakel scoffed.
"How can it be possible? It has been puzzling me all day…" Charlot expressed.
Before this could have been dug into some more, there was a knock at the kitchen door.
"Oh, do open it, will you, Anya?" Mary had to ask, as she was busy tending to the oven.
Obliged, Anya did and courteously opened the door for Mr. Mann, their formerly missing guest.
"Good evening! Good evening, Mrs. Jeakel— Mr. Jeakel — Charlot, hello!" greeted the little man, seemingly all at once.
The show had to keep going on, however, to keep peace over the home. Although this little man was the well known captain of the gossip chain in the Ghetto. Oh, were the girls ready for an onslaught.
"Oh, certainly — come on in…" Mr. Jeakel dully replied, in no mood for gabbling.
"Thank you — I have only just read ~" Mr. Mann came right through nearly confronting — (well, not confronting but he was very much in his face, so mind as well call it that…) — Charlot who nearly sat up from his seat in surprise. "Have you just read of the Ghetto appearing off the charts? As if it done gone disappeared~?" "I—I-I've had the pleasure…" Charlot stammered. "… more or less."
"He is a bit rude…" Shelly whispered to Anya as all this went down.
"Yes, but that's the least of our problems…" Anya hinted, spying the level of severity in everyone else.
"We have heard tell, Mr. Mann — Leave the old boy alone~" Mr. Jeakel flapped the paper down to the table.
The couple gladly relaxed a little more beside them, even as Charlot held this estrange look on his face while watching the two fellows talk in earshot. Anya confidently rested her hand over the top of his to get his attention back. Charlot felt the touch over his hand, and he soon turning his attention towards the young ladies, genuinely just as worried as they were.
"Did not like that go he had at you..." Shelly remarked, like a mother overprotecting her child.
"It is all old habit though..." the Barber mentioned, in his own sweet way, of course. "Perhaps not too agreeable of the charitable choices I've made as of late."
"So what? It isn't his problem..." Anya defended, softly noticing the insecurity in those shockingly green eyes of his. "... besides, he might be jealous of how much everyone listens to you..."
That made him smile. "Oh, don't be silly~ Listen to an old tramp like me,"
"Oh don't sell yourself short..." Shelly comfortingly spoke.
Absolutely those words were entirely true. Soon enough he will (as they all shall) see the real reasons why things seemed like some wonderland dream or what other, even to them… it was beginning to become apparent that this awry feeling would open the veil to the true matter at hand. Keeping his heart in check was just as important — if not proving fatal should they fail at that. Anya felt compelled once again to have that part of his past take root once more, spell or no spell. After all, it was all beginning to unravel, little by little…
"Perhaps we need that Old Tramp back…" Anya whispered, much to Shelly's shock.
Charlot blinked. "… I beg your pardon?" That estranged look of caution caught up with him.
"It's too soon," Shelly whispered.
"No, it's not…"