Evie came to with a low groan, the lingering echo of the Bell making her heart thud. Or maybe her heart was thudding because Finn's familiar panicking and bell-trilling was nowhere around, and yet she was still very much in the mine ruins. Alone. The light seemed a bit brighter, and there was still a ruby glow washed over the walls from the Arch and Bell, but otherwise it was completely silent. Until a loud, groaning, creaking, scraping noise had Evie shoving herself up onto her elbows to glance around with wide, terrified eyes. Just past the Bell, she could just barely make out a large stone slab sliding itself back to reveal a pitch-black pit beneath. She hurriedly, gasping and hissing, rolled onto her back and pushed herself into a sprawled, but upright position.
Evie muttered to herself, "This place is filled with fairies. I very much doubt there's a Balrog hiding down there." Only to frown the moment she finished. "This place is filled with fairies, of course there could be a Balrog down there! What the fuck am I saying?"
Despite the sense of satisfaction finally letting out a good cuss word gave her, she was still about two seconds from real panic or arguing wildly with herself. Fortunately for her sanity, another sound came from behind her and had her mouth snapping shut. It was coming from the stairs that led up to the ninth floor. It sounded like steps?
"Owen?" Evie called out hopefully. She tried to turn a bit to see better, but only succeeded in causing searing pain to run up and down her leg like fire. "Holy barnacles, MermaidMan," she seethed as she clutched at her knee uselessly, just above the strange, frightening twist of her shin.
"Did I just hear you say MermaidMan?" asked a very unfamiliar voice. Evie winced, then slowly and more carefully looked back over to see a young woman with short, teal hair and round, red glasses step into the ruins. "Oh. I don't know you at all." The stranger adjusted her spectacles with a confused frown.
"New here. Never met you either. Leg broken, by the way," Evie greeted with a pained smile and a short wave. The stranger's catlike grey eyes widened.
"Oh my! That does not look good. Do you mind if I look?" she asked, already hurrying to Evie's side and kneeling.
"Look away. Please… don't touch... though. Are you… Barbara's daughter? Fi…on…a?" Evie tried, sucking in a sharp breath while the woman turned on a headlamp and peered closer.
"Not quite. It's Phoebe. Phoebe Kettles, that's me. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to touch it. I know a lot of emergency first aid, I tend to get in a lot of explosions and scrapes," Phoebe said cheerfully as she swung a rucksack around and opened it up.
"That's not… exactly… reassuring…"
"Let's just say I've made a splint before, and I've got everything we need in my pack. You're gonna have deal with a bit more pain, but you can holler all you want if you'd like. Just please don't hit me," Phoebe requested with a pleasant smile. Evie blinked and then snorted softly.
"My name is… Evelyn Tallesin. I'm the… new rancher. Your mom and dad… have been worried… 'bout you. You've been gone for… two…weeks," Evie informed her past pained huffs. Her eyes narrowed on the supplies Phoebe was setting out, but nothing looked torture device-y thus far.
"Really? That long?" Phoebe asked, eyes a little wide in surprise. She shrugged a moment later. "I found this amazing cache of rare ore in the Upper Mine, and I just couldn't tear myself away. I always pack enough non-perishables, such as soba noodles and dried fruits and veggies to sustain myself… Ah, brace yourself."
Evie squinted at her. "Whu- Aurgh!" she bellowed. Her fingers dug into rock and dirt as Phoebe gently straightened out her leg and laid two slender sticks alongside the shin. She was already wrapping the bandage around by the time Evie was catching her breath.
"I heard this amazing, beautiful sound just a little while ago and it finally broke my concentration," Phoebe continued as if Evie hadn't just screamed in pain. The rancher gawped at her, wheezing, but the jade-haired woman had her eyes on Evie's leg, looking pensive and serious. "I felt as if my whole body was warm and full of happiness... and fire. Then, all the lights just flashed on. I figured it was time to go home and was heading out when I heard this crash and a scream from the lower mines. I'm glad I decided to check it out. I thought I'd imagined it and look at that. We're all done," Phoebe said with relish, sitting back on her heels and dusting off her palms. "It's a patchy job, but it'll do you till you get to the Clinic."
Evie blinked down at her legs, fingers touching the thick, white padding on her shin. Having the disgusting, panic-inducing twist hidden away helped even more than Phoebe's soothing ramble had. She glanced up and attempted a wobbly smile.
"Oh…wow. That's… you're amazing. Thank you, Phoebe. Really, thank you so much," Evie breathed out, grateful and exhausted. She stared down at the bright, white gauze again wrapped tightly around her leg, from ankle to knee. The pain was still there, a bright sharpness hovering at the edges of her senses, but she felt better at the sight of the wrapping and splint.
"Your ankle had a brace on it, too, so I left it on. Was that all right?" Phoebe asked, returning her supplies to her pack.
"Uh, yeah. I just twisted it pretty bad yesterday. Probably how I managed to mess it up so much. It gave out under me when I fell, like, three floors down, I guess. I'm gonna get a whole lot of 'I told you so's from everyone when I get out of here," Evie muttered with a loud, gusty sigh.
Phoebe chuckled. "It just means they love you."
"EEEEVVIIIEEE!"
Evie jumped and turned towards the loud, high-pitched, and panicky shriek. It was quickly followed by a booming bark and a chorus of other voices that thankfully even Phoebe could hear. Phoebe peered curiously at Evie, but the rancher kept her eyes on the stairs. Boss and Finn, clutching tightly at Boss's fur on top his head, barreled through the opening and straight at Evie.
"Whoa! Whoa! Calm down, I'm okay. Woozy, but okay," Evie murmured with a goofy, lopsided grin. She wobbled back onto her elbows as Boss snuffled eagerly at her face. Poor Finn was gripping her throat and sobbing in great, heaving gulps.
"I was so worried, Evie! You fell down and wouldn't wake up. Stupid Luke wouldn't hear me, so I had to get Boss to drag him down here. And those girls, your friends, were there, too, and they all came running as fast as Boss could herd," Finn babbled on.
"Evie! Oh my Goddess, what happened?" Renee's voice said, fearful and trembling.
Phoebe and Evie turned back to the entrance to see Renee, Luke, and Candace all rushing down the stairs. They all had pale, drawn faces with high spots of color on their cheeks. Candace stumbled into the frame of the staircase, hands gripping the worn out wood as she gasped in relief. Renee and Luke didn't stop running though, both at the two women's and the dog's side a few heartbeats later. The unseen fairy cuddled close under Evie's chin, sniffling and whimpering.
"Evie, what were you thinking? You shoulda waited!" Luke sounded furious, gold eyes flashing while he hauled Boss away and took a knee next to her. "You said you were going to rest."
She had managed to get Luke to that state twice in as many days. She would've been proud of herself if she didn't feel wretchedly guilty. And well, just wretched. Especially when Renee dropped down on her other side, and Candace knelt silently just behind them when she'd recollected herself. It was Renee and Candace's guilty and anxious faces that had shame really asserting itself. They shouldn't feel guilty for her mistake, nor so quickly forgiving. Candace was already holding one of Evie's hand in both of hers as tears filmed her blueberry-blue eyes. Evie's eyes dropped to her knees as her own brand of shame and guilt dried out her throat.
"As touching as this all is, she needs to see Irene as soon as possible. She definitely broke her leg-" "Oh, Evie," Renee and Candace gasped. "Really, Evie?!" Luke exclaimed. "-and she needs a real cast," Phoebe said with exasperated humor.
Evie stared at the ground and drew circles in the dirt with her fingertips. "Oops?" she offered with a wince.
Luke sighed melodramatically. "Well, lucky for us, Bo actually finished the cart. I'll take you in that and carry you to the Clinic. You're a real pain in the butt, Princess."
"Worth it," Evie muttered, her eyes darting to the Bell where it still glowed mutely. Phoebe and Candace seemed to catch her murmur, glancing in the direction before looking back at her with almost identical, pensive expressions.
"It was not worth it, Evie! You scared the magic right out of me!" Finn scolded, making Evie laugh out loud.
"Oh great, now you're stupid with pain. Stupider anyway. Let's go," Luke groaned. Evie guffawed, becoming downright breathless and wheezy with it, and definitely feeling stupid with pain.
"Here, careful with her leg, Luke!" Renee admonished, hurrying to lift said-limb and steady it.
Candace hovered at Luke's other side, biting her lip and wondering how to help. Phoebe shook her head, smirking slightly, then picked up the pack they all seemed to have forgotten. Boss and Finn darted around the group, first at the rear, then leaping ahead to the front. The way up to the first floor was slow and awkward, but Evie was sure she must have missed some of it. Fuzzy moments of walking past large, crystalline rocks, only to blink and be at the top of another flight of stairs had her constantly befuddled. Time seemed to have no meaning until they left the mine at last and the late morning sunlight pierced her pupils.
"Ow, motherlovin' sun, I feel like a cave troll," Evie mumbled woozily. Luke's chuckle next to her ear had her smiling dumbly. If he was laughing at her stupid jokes again, he'd probably already forgiven her.
"We're almost to the mine cart now. You and Luke and, I think, me can all fit. Candace, Phoebe, do you mind following us?" Renee planned out anxiously.
"Sure, I can do that," Phoebe agreed amiably.
"Yes, of course. Sh-should I walk Boss back t-to your house, Luke?" Candace stuttered. Luke grunted, shifting Evie's weight and making her giggle drunkenly, her head lolling against his shoulder.
"CaveLuke ughn," Evie slurred against his throat. Then, went completely limp and the world went dark again. She never did hear his answer about Boss.
She came to, for the second time that day, smacking her lips against the fuzzy taste in her mouth. Instead of the red-washed walls of the gloomy mine, she saw the blindingly white walls of… somewhere. The blanket laid over her scratched at her bare arms and leg as she sat up, head swaying unsteadily. Her other leg felt… heavy, so with arms that seemed to move slower than they should, she pulled the pastel blue blanket away to reveal a real hard-cast, from just below her knee down to her foot where it wrapped around like a toeless, heelless sock. Evie glanced around, eyes half-lidded, and realized she was probably at the clinic. Most hospital rooms did tend to look exactly alike; the various diagrams of bodies and intestinal tracts and the like on the walls helped clue her in. There was a quiet, echoing, tinkling noise of a small bell and Evie turned towards the door on the far side of the recovery room. It was left open, and the tinkling bell noise grew louder and louder just before Finn appeared in the doorway.
"Evie!" he exclaimed in giddy relief. He flung himself across the room, thudding against her chest so hard she actually fell back slightly. She cupped her hand around his quivering little body, still sluggish and slow.
"Heya, Tinkers. I'm okay, calm down," she slurred.
"You weren't, though. You broke your leg! And you fell asleep again! I was so scared, Evie, and no one could see me or hear me and I didn't understand everything and I missed you! Don't do that again!" Finn demanded tearfully.
"I promise. No more broken bones. Where is everyone?" she asked then, frowning confusedly.
"Talking with that old lady about how to take care of you. I listened for a bit, but I thought I felt you wake up, so I came back," Finn explained, sniffling.
"Felt me-" she broke off her bewildered question when she heard quick steps and rustling clothes coming from the hallway.
Expecting any of the four people who'd helped her, she was surprised when none of them half-fell through the door. Instead Toby, looking wide-eyed and flustered, barrelled through, distinctly disheveled and concerned. He'd barely caught himself against the doorway, drawing up short seeing her awake and sitting up. Evie blinked listlessly and managed to pull her lips up into a smile.
"Heya, Tobes. You heard the news," Evie stated obviously. Toby's shoulders slumped for a moment in relief, then a frown darkened his face as he marched over to her.
"Just what in the world were you thinking?" he demanded. He even reached out to grasp her shoulders, eyes darting over her probably still grey face and dilated-wide pupils. "First I hear you fell through a hole but were fine, and before I know it, you're unconscious here? With a broken leg?"
"Are you mad at me?" Evie asked, even more mystified. It was… obvious he was, but it seemed so out of character for mellow, leisurely Toby that it sounded strange leaving her mouth. The muzzy mess her head was in wasn't helping much, either.
His grip tightened for just a second; not enough to hurt, just a discernible pressure. He all but yanked himself away, crossed his arms over his chest, and scowled at her. "I might be," Toby admitted, needlessly at this point.
"But I was just- I'm an adult. Why does everyone treat me like I can't take care of myself?" Evie exclaimed, wobbling off balance where she sat when she lifted her arms to gesticulate with her point.
Toby's eyebrows shot up so high they were in danger of disappearing in his hairline. She'd never seen so much sarcasm in a single look before.
"Case in point notwithstanding," Evie mumbled, gaze dropping to her lap.
"I think case in point is definitely 'withstanding'," Toby told her, his voice whiplash tight and sharp. "Evvy, you could've been down there for hours, maybe all day, if you hadn't gotten lucky. No one knows how Boss knew what was wrong, but most of them weren't even sure if you'd gone down there since no one had seen you." Her shoulders tensed up around her ears as her frown turned mulish and guilty. With a soft exhale, he carefully dropped to the bed next to her and dragged a hand through his hair. "Why couldn't you have waited until your ankle was better? You might not have fallen if you hadn't already been hurt."
Evie chewed her lips as her outrage weakened in response to his genuine concern. The soft way he spoke that last bit- the logic behind it, as if he couldn't fathom her lack thereof, or her choices, had her feeling small and childish. "I didn't mean to fall, Toby. I can't… I can't explain why it was so important, but it was," Evie evaded. She lifted her eyes, met Toby's earnestly, and said, "It was . You have to believe me."
Toby stared at her, still frowning, but nodded slowly. "Of course I believe you, Evelyn. But why-"
"I didn't want to worry anyone," Evelyn interjected and clenched her fingers into fists, resting them on her thighs. "I know how lucky I am to have such good friends, and how lucky I am they found me so fast. And I- ...I understand if you don't wanna be friends with me because I'm such an idiot-"
"This is not about that. Of course I'm still your friend. I wish you would tell me why, but," Toby sighed and smiled gently. "I'll be here. Just… if you need to do something stupid, take me with you?" he offered. She let out a quiet chuckle at that.
"I can do that." They shared a smile- a little shaky for whatever reasons, but genuine nonetheless.
"Evie! You're awake! Oh, thank the Goddess!" Renee cried from the doorway.
Evie and Toby both jumped in shock and turned to the door. Renee, with Candace on her heels, rushed into the room. They threw their arms around Evie, completely ignoring Toby who just barely managed to get out of the way in time. "Don't you ever do that again!"
"P-Please, worry about yourself m-more, Evie," Candace pleaded softly, though her embrace was just as fierce as Renee's.
"Move back now, girls. Let me give her a look," a brisk-voiced older woman ordered kindly. Candace and Renee stood up, sniffling quietly and wiping at their eyes. Even Evie felt her eyes stinging a little.
"Glad to see you up again, Princess," Luke said from where he leaned against the doorjamb. He gave her a thumbs-up, which she returned with an amused huff. Next to him, Phoebe stood with her hands shoved in her pockets. She waved at Evie minutely, which made the new patient smile in response.
"Follow the light, please, Ms. Tallesin," the woman said, snapping Evie's focus back to her.
"Uh, you remember my name?" Evie asked lamely, doing as she was told. She remembered meeting this woman once before, and seeing her around the Flower Festival, but they'd never had a real conversation since that first introduction.
"Of course. You've been here longer than two weeks, child. You think an old woman like me doesn't hear things?" the woman questioned with a snort. "Now, let's see you scooch over a bit and swing your good leg over the side. Very good, take it slow now. We're gonna do that reflex test, make sure this leg is as good as it looks, all right?"
"Um, yes, okay. Could I… uh… could you repeat your name?" Evie asked, shame-faced and blushing as she huffed and heaved her legs over the side of the bed.
"Irene Erble. Thank you for asking so politely," Irene replied with a thin, but genuine smile. Evie smiled tremulously back. Irene abruptly continued on with business, going through a simple exam that obediently followed along with while her friends watched on carefully.
"Well, that's that," Irene stated minutes later. "You're all checked out. We don't charge for treatment here, but you'll need some medicine for the pain. You shouldn't need to take the first dose for a few hours yet."
"I'm still pretty doped up, yeah. Pain meds work really well on me," Evie agreed with a goofy grin for emphasis. A few snickers and snorts sounded from beyond Irene that Evie ignored with composure. Hopefully. She might look constipated instead.
"Your friends agreed to help you get home. So, let me explain how your medicine works and you can go get rest," Irene told her with a stern look in her eye. Evie gulped. "I'm not an actual doctor, young lady, you're lucky I can fix up simple broken bones."
"Okay, thank you, really," Evie breathed out wearily and gratefully. She listened to all of Irene's instructions carefully as her friends hovered at the door. With one more admonishment to take care, Irene saw the rather large group out.
"Looks like you have to rest, whether you want it or not," Renee tutted fretfully. Evie grimaced over at Renee from where she was leaning heavily against Luke and limping carefully over the cobblestones.
"Looks like. I think you all should leave me to wallow in my misery for the weeks it's gonna take to heal up. I'm a terrible patient," Evie warned, swallowing down a yelp when her foot hit the ground too roughly. Toby appeared and wrapped her free arm over his shoulders. She exhaled ruefully, but didn't protest. This time.
Luke protested vehemently, "What? No way! I'm gonna be down at your house as much as I can, helping wherever I can. Count on it."
"I'm going to ask my papa and mama to let me stay with you until you can get that cast off, too," Renee said stoutly.
"Oh no, please, Renee. Your ranch is way too busy for that," Evie disagreed, heart bursting and eyes wide.
"I already asked Gra'mama. The shop's mostly closed these days, so I can stay with you the whole time, to help cook and clean and whatever chores I can do," Candace informed Evie, her soft, quiet voice resolute. Evie blinked over at Candace.
"It's always the quiet ones that surprise you," Evie muttered with a chuckle.
"If you'd like, I could come and visit, too. I've got some TV shows on DVD I could bring down. If you like… um, Star Trek or Doctor Who…" Phoebe offered diffidently.
"I love Doctor Who. Is it New Who or Old? Cuz I haven't seen any of the Old Who and I'd love to see it!" Evie exclaimed, eyes glinting. Phoebe smiled.
"I've got them all."
Evie whooped, then shrieked when she, of course, threw herself off balance. Both the men holding her up let out wordless yells, grabbing her around the waist and hauling her up as she laughed breathlessly. "Sorry!"
"We still have half the way left to go. Let's try not to pitch you over the bridge," Toby muttered dryly. Evie chuckled guiltily as everyone else laughed outright.
…
Evie flopped onto the grass with a loud, exasperated, over-dramatic groan. The new chick- named Eris-, 'Dite, and Hera all came over to snuffle and crawl over her. Clotho the lamb was too busy snuffling at Candace to care about Evie's antics, though. From the plot, Luke glanced over from hoeing. Candace looked up from her knitting, raising a hand to absently stroke Clotho smooth, sweet face. Then, the two bluenettes glanced at each other with matching dry smiles.
"Yes, Evie?" Candace asked sweetly. Evie groaned again.
"I'm so tired of hanging around my own house and you all doing my stuff for me. Lemme water at least, c'mon," Evie begged.
"What if you brain yourself with the can, Princess? Can't let that happen," Luke mocked.
Candace hid a smile behind her hand as Evie glared over at him. She banged her fists together twice, which made Luke burst out in guffaws. That Friends marathon they'd had the other night was still fresh in their minds.
"I don't think it'd be so bad. I'll fill the can for you," Candace offered.
Evie wrenched her mouth open to argue snappishly, but Candace's big, blueberry-blue eyes were friggin' kryptonite. Everyone had learned within the second day of convalescence that as rude and snarly as Evie could get, Candace was the only one she never turned her acerbic mood on. Candace had begun to be the only one to offer to do things, or allow others to do so without Evie's request, to prevent putting Evie's back up. The worst part, Evie knew she was being had, but she still couldn't make herself snap at Candace. Stupidly adorable blunettes were cheaters.
"Thanks, Candy," Evie muttered mulishly. Luke was laughing even harder. "I'm gonna get that hoe back and get you under it one of these days, Carpenter," she snarled viciously at him the moment Candace left with the can.
"You'll have to catch me first, gimpy," Luke said cheerfully. She narrowed her auburn eyes at him.
"That's very politically incorrect and rude."
"Oops."
"I hate you so much, Lu."
"That hurts, Princess."
"Are you riling each other up again?" Candace queried mildly when she returned. Both Luke and Evie shook their heads quickly. Maybe Evie hated it, but taking care of a friend seemed to bring out something sweet and strong in Candace. She never stammered around just Evie or Renee, and rarely so around Toby or Luke.
Evie slowly limped her way around her plot of lettuces and turnips and the newly planted strawberries with her brand-new wooden crutch, courtesy of Luke, under her arm. Luke hovered nearby, taking her sarcastic jabs with unruffled grins. Once watered, she managed to talk them into letting her weed her field clear and hobble around her property for herbs and berries and mushrooms. Which is when she found the steaming hot spring.
"Luke! Candy! Look!" Evie yelled, waving her un-occupied arm. They jogged over and gasped. "It's a hot springs! And it's definitely hot. I thought none of them were hot these days?"
"They… weren't," Luke replied slowly. "I used to go to this one in the ruins deeper down in the mines with Owen, 'specially during the winter. But 'round the time we were fourteen, they just got stone cold."
"How old are you now?" Evie asked curiously.
"Twenty, almost."
"Six years?!"
He shrugged indifferently. "Uh… I guess?"
"I would suggest taking some time to enjoy it, but with your cast…" Candace trailed off hesitantly.
"Well, that's a real pain. It looks pretty awesome. A free spa right behind my house and I can't even use it- Don't you say anything, Luke," Evie barked at him when she saw his mouth open. He snapped it shut and grinned brazenly at her.
"It'll be the first thing you do the moment the cast gets off. Something to look forward to," Candace suggested soothingly. Evie nodded, chewing her lip.
"Fine, then I wanna go to the Goddess Spring," she announced. "And I'm not asking!" she continued loudly over the beginning of their protests. They sighed.
"I could call Renee and see about her riding a horse over?" Luke offered gamely enough.
"… nah, all that jostling hurts about as much as using my crutch. We'll just take it slow," Evie decided. She hadn't seen the Goddess in days, and Finn had gone up to join her and Alana once it became clear Evie would be with another human the entire time she was healing.
"If you're sure, but you must tell us if you need to rest," Candace instructed anxiously.
"I promise."
"I'll walk you up, at least. My dad will be glad I'm back in the shop early today. I'm sure you won't drown yourself. You won't, will you?" Luke teased. Evie rolled her eyes and glared at him. "That's some real love shining in your eyes, isn't it? I'm your favoritest in the whole world."
"No, Candace is. You're just a pain in my ass."
Luke belly-laughed as Candace stammered and blushed. Putting up all her tools was a work of a moment, and they gradually made their way to Garmon soon after. Every once in a while, Candace or Luke would have to grab whatever nearest bit of Evie they could get to keep her from tipping over while collecting berries or mushrooms, but mostly they kept it slow to talk. A circus was coming into town that very weekend, and both Candace and Luke were dredging up memories of their childhood.
"I remember the lions! They're so awesome! But so are the elephants," Luke enthused.
"When I was a little girl, I was sc-scared of the lions. My gra'mama and sister tried to help, but when we went to the circus and the lions… r-roared. It was just so loud, that I b-burst into tears," Candace confessed quietly.
Luke wrapped an arm around Candace's shoulders, tugging her into a one-armed hug much more gently than he would have to Evie. "Don't you worry, Candy. Those lions are always super well-trained. They're only s'pposed to look scary."
"I-If y-you s-s-say s-so," Candace stuttered horribly as her face flushed scarlet. Despite Luke's gentle touch, it was the first time he used his exuberant affection on her. Evie had to smother a laugh behind her hand.
"Well, what animals do you like at the circus?" Luke asked with a concentrated little frown.
"I always liked the g-giraffe. Not to ride, just to p-pet. It has s-such a s-sweet face," Candace told him with her eyes still glued to the ground.
"Awesome! Then we'll see the giraffe," Luke pronounced with a soft clap to her shoulder.
"N-No, d-don't ruin your d-day b-b-because of me! I c-could s-stay for the lion," Candace protested even as she shuddered.
"Candy, our day won't be ruined because of you. That's impossible," Evie argued while linking her arm with Candace's.
"Yeah, it's no fun if one person is terrified. Okay, well, scaring the crap outta Bo is kinda fun, and Evie-"
"Hey!"
"-but not you. Scaring you wouldn't be fun at all," Luke said stoutly.
"Th-thank you," Candace whispered in an amazed sort of voice.
They were fast approaching the Carpenter's and Evie glanced between her two friends. Though Candace had gotten used to Luke's wildness, the two of them hadn't really clicked until after she'd gone and snapped her leg bone. The idea of all her friends getting along, especially Candace with everyone else, was probably the best outcome she could've foreseen. Maybe she could… push this camaraderie a little further… Besides, Candace following her to the Spring would be a little awkward.
"Hey, so I'm gonna head up to the Spring now. Would you mind staying with Luke, Candace?" Evie pleaded with her biggest puppy eyes. They had nothing on Candace's, but it seemed to work when Candace wavered.
"But what if you fall in? Or your crutch slips? Or you need any help?" Candace flustered worriedly.
"I'll be fine, really. I walked most this way without falling. We can meet at the accessory shop, so I can finally meet this Ms. Mira and Julius," Evie offered.
Instead of calming Candace, the idea seemed to fluster her even further. Her face paled, then flushed blotchily, and her hands shook. "Oh, I-I'll j-j-just m-meet y-you here aft-t-terward. I-If you p-promise to b-be c-careful?" Candace stammered horribly. Luke and Evie glanced at each other in mild confusion, but Evie nodded.
"Yeah, sure. Sounds good to me," Evie conceded, rather perplexed at Candace's one-eighty.
"C'mon in, Candace. You can meet Boss properly." The two blunettes went into the shop as Evie limped her way towards the Spring.
The closer she got to the Spring, the lighter she seemed to feel. Her leg even felt stronger, her limp evening out so well that by the time she caught sight of the smooth, white glow of the marble, she was merely holding the crutch like a prop. Velveteen grass brushed pleasantly along her arms and legs before she stepped onto the marble. The surface was smooth and slick enough with dew that she had to use the crutch again to keep balance, but she made it across with barely a stumble.
"Evie!" screeched Finn, overjoyed. His tiny body collided into her breastbone, making her grunt out a laugh as she cupped a hand around him.
"Hey, Tinkers. Ya miss me?" she teased happily.
Finn wailed, actually sobbing into her shirt, "Yeah, I really did! I missed you so much!"
"Good morning, Evie!" Alana called over cheerfully. She was resting on the Goddess's shoulder, waving eagerly.
"Good morning, Alana. And good morning to you, too, Goddess," Evie greeted in a solemn but joyful voice.
"Welcome back, dear heart. Finn told me of your adventures," the Harvest Goddess murmured sedately, gloriously blue eyes trailing over the cast. "How goes your recovery?"
"Agonizingly slow. Irene, the lady who fixed me up, said I'll be like this for four to six weeks, maybe longer! I mean, it could've been worse. Irene seemed kinda surprised it wasn't as bad off as it could've been, but I've never a broken a bone in my life, so maybe I'm just a tough cookie," Evie complained good-naturedly as she struggled to sit near the Goddess's feet.
"A tough cookie… how amusing," the Goddess mused with a small smile. "I have some good news for you, dear heart." Evie glanced up with eyebrows high. "I know how hard waiting so long would be for you, so I'll confess a secret. The water in my pond is just as magical as I," she professed with a wave of her pale, elegant hand towards the gleaming water. "Bathe in its waters for a short time each day, and you'll heal much faster."
"Wha- really?" Evie gaped, eyes on the innocuous ripples lapping at the marble.
"Yes, really. Just walk in and believe," the Goddess replied gently.
"Just… like this?" Evie asked. She waved a hand towards her clothes and cast. The Goddess nodded.
Evie grunted and huffed as she got back to her feet and hobble-dragged her way over to the stairs. She paused long enough to take off her one boot and socks (the second sock she wore to keep the cast from getting too dirty), and awkwardly sat down again. The marble was cool, but not cold against the thick material of her skort. With a deep breath, she lifted her good leg and slowly dipped it into the water. She exhaled long and low as the cool water enveloped her leg, but it didn't feel wet. Slowly, she dragged her other leg over and, inch-by-inch, sunk her whole body into the glistening Spring. She floated on the surface, eyes closed and hair tickling her cheeks and neck in the gentle waves of the Spring. Her hands trailed over and through the water, feeling it slip through her fingers and glide over her skin, but when she lifted her arms free, the droplets rolled off like water over oil, leaving her skin dry and almost shining.
"Rest, dear one. Rest and heal," the Goddess whispered soothingly. A moment later, her spring's warmth of a voice began to hum the melody of the Red Bell. Alana' sweet soprano joined in, then an overly-eager Finn, and embers burned deep in Evie's chest as the three fey hummed together. Evie sighed happily, pressing her hands to her heart, and fell into the restful embrace of the Spring.
Wrenching herself away from the comfort and cool warmth of the Goddess and the Spring was really harder than it should have been, but wrench herself away Evie did after enough time had passed. She cuddled Finn one last time, then waved farewell until the Goddess, her sprites, and her Spring disappeared behind the tall velvet grasses of the path. Her leg felt so much better, she honestly forgot to use her crutch until she got to the steps of the Accessory Shop. Chuckling to herself, Evie stuck it back under her arm and made her way inside.
Only to stop and stare, wondering in shock if she'd walked into the wrong town.
Everything about the little shop was elegant and luxuriant without being gauche. Thick, handsomely dyed carpets, beautifully intricately carved furniture all expertly smoothed and varnished and polished to gleaming, glass cases that shined like diamonds with plush burgundy velvet paddings inside, potted plants perfectly placed around the room for pops of color and life. It took Evie's breath away while reminding her of some of the beautiful rooms in the university's designated historical and visitor areas. She was so busy staring slack-jawed at the room, she missed the equally opulent occupant until his movement caught her eye. She almost tripped over her crutch as the man rose from the exquisitely designed lounge-chaise smoothly and elegantly, like a dancer from pose to pose.
His clothes were as fancy as Hamilton's- a dark maroon suit with fur cuffs and collar, a silk (or was it satin?) blouse under the fitted coat with ruffles spilling down the chest, and highly polished black leather boots with short heels. Not that he needed the heels, as he was already a foot taller than her, slender and lithe rather than gawky. His long, fabulously-styled hair was a light pretty purple, highlighted throughout with streaks of gold, green, blue, and darker purple. His face was beautiful rather than handsome with his alabaster complexion, winged-tipped kohl-lined eyes, and eyeshadow perfectly applied and made to match his multi-colored hair without looking clownish. Even his lips were pretty- curved, pouting, and just the right shade of pink. Evie stood in the doorway, listing slightly on her crutch and feeling downright dowdy in comparison.
He walked up to her with a beatific smile, his elegantly pale hand reaching out to clasp hers where it hung gracelessly at her side. His lips brushed the air over the back of her glove and an untamable blush flamed over her face.
"Hello there, darling. Welcome to my dear aunt's shop. You must be that new rancher I've been hearing about. It's so lovely to finally meet you," he gushed with a sly wink. Evie stammered wordlessly for a moment before lapsing into befuddled silence. "My name is Julius Rosens. My aunt is Mira Finer."
"H-hello," Evie squeaked. "I'm Evelyn Tallesin."
"Evelyn?! Why, that's a lovely name. So old-fashioned and quaint."
Evie scrunched up her nose in a perplexed kind of grimace, torn between pleasure and offense at her name being called lovely, but also old-fashioned and quaint. "I was hoping… I mean, I was wondering… did you refine things- uh, rocks- uh, ores and wonderfuls here?" Evie stuttered and blundered to her utter mortification.
Julius tapped his long fingers to his lips. He wore rings on a few fingers, not enough to seem gaudy, but enough to accentuate the length and beauty of his hands and fingers.
"Yes, we do offer those services, but I'm afraid I won't be able to help you," Julius confessed with a sad sigh.
"Uh…"
"My dear aunt is the one who works the machine and handles the finances of the shop. I am an artisan," he explained with a flourish and a French accent to the word. "I only returned to Castanet when…" he broke off, his ruby eyes devastated. "When my dear aunt's terrible tragedy happened a year ago. Her husband… passed away. I came to offer my support and services for the shop, but I'm afraid my aunt just doesn't have a heart for it any longer. I have thought often of leaving and convincing her to come with me, but I don't want to hurt her feelings or step on any toes, you see. So I stay to provide what company and comfort I can. I'm concerned that it is not enough, though. I don't know if she'll ever be well enough to return to work here."
Evie blinked at the lost-looking man with his beautiful hands pressed to his forehead and his opposite hand cupping his elbow. So basically you came to help with her shop and have actively done nothing to actually help? Why do I feel empathy for someone who literally sits around waiting for something to happen? Her nose scrunched up in confusion, but she couldn't bring herself to outright dislike this melodramatic, gorgeous man. There was something sincere about his inept sensitivity for his aunt's situation.
"I'm… uh… sorry?" Evie apologized hesitantly.
"It's quite all right," Julius waved away expansively. "There's really nothing to do. I had hoped my presence would be of some assistance, but my aunt instead spends more and more time at the Church, rather than staying home or in the shop. Grief is a terrible affliction and I have no way of understanding what she needs. So here I am, at a loss, and useless," he admitted, genuinely troubled.
"That's not true!" Evie protested, despite a small part of her actually agreeing. It was not a part of her she really liked listening to, anyway. "I'm sure just being here is enough for her. That's the most someone could ask for while they're grieving, right?" That much, at least, she could agree with and support wholly.
"Thank you, darling, I shall remember that. Perhaps if you see my aunt, your optimism will do her a world of good as it has done for me," Julius proposed earnestly.
Evie shrugged uncomfortably. "I… keep that in mind, thank you. But, um, I better get going. My friends are waiting for me."
"Yes, of course. Come again soon, Evelyn. We'll have coffee and pumpkin pie!" he offered gaily. Evie smiled lopsidedly.
"Yeah, that sounds good." She left and made her way to the Carpenter's. At least she could now hypothesize just why Candace didn't want to come- Julius didn't seem like someone whose company Candace would enjoy. A man like that probably baffled her even more than he did Evie.
A/N: Update! This story will be posting every two weeks! The next chapter will be February 18th. When I finish the whole story, I will start posting every week. (I'm currently halfway through chapter 24/26 (because doesn't do "series" the extra "side" chapters will be posted as regular chapters. Ugh, ffnet, so annoying.).
See you on the 18th! lessthan3
PS: Toby has an "as you wish" sort of phrase for Evie, and it makes its second appearance in this chapter. Xp AND there's hints for another ship, my darkhorse FAVE ship, so kudos if you catch it! (though I won't tell you if you do hahaha)
