The return of the storm had the colorful storeroom floor, normally so cheerful and bright, looking downright gloomy. Although it might have just been her mood. Candace would be the first to admit that wild storms, with their constant darkness and sudden flashes and loud booms, overwrought her nerves. She straightened a pile of pinstripe slacks needlessly and wished she had something to do. Maybe going up to Evie's, making sure the reoccurring typhoon hadn't gotten her too down, would be allowable. Though… who knew if Evie would be home by the time Candace got up there?
The door swung open behind her just as she turned towards the phone, and Kathy strolled in. Rain splattered across the floor from her long, waterproof, leather jacket and her blonde hair stuck to her cheeks and neck. Luna came in from the kitchen, eyes bright and business smile on her face, only to scowl a second later.
"Oh. You. Tell me if real customers show up," Luna told Candace with an eyeroll.
"Hey now, I could be buyin' somethin'!" Kathy protested with an affronted little gasp. Luna's eyebrow went up incredulously as the blonde woman winked.
"You're always welcome, Kathy," Candace murmured quietly. Kathy grinned widely while Luna walked out with an exaggerated sigh. "Do you want some tea?"
"Nah, I'm just comin' to say hidy," Kathy said with a chuckle. She hung her coat on the rack by the door and made her way over to her usual stool. "You won' believe the day I had yesterday."
Candace felt her eyebrows rising in surprise. She settled on her own stool behind the counter, the well-worn padding thin under her bum, and clasped her hands on her lap. "Oh? What happened?"
"I had mimosas with the Witch Princess," Kathy said, looking rather shell-shocked and excited at the same time.
"The… the Witch Princess? The one no one's seen since we were still primary school age?" Candace asked with a hand over her mouth.
"The one n' same! She's a real strange thing, but damn is she pretty. Papa used t'say the prettiest, most contrary woman in the world was the Witch. He were right about that," Kathy said with a smirk. "I got invited along by Rey, 'cuz yanno she'd be the first t'be too friendly with a witch."
Candace giggled. "Renee is one of the friendliest people in Castanet."
"Hmph, she'd make friends with a badger if'n she could," Kathy retorted, looking fondly exasperated. She then shrugged and threw up her hands. "A'course, my day ended even weirder. For once it weren't Owen I had to kick out on his ass. Luke showed up and got drunk outta his mind. Tried t'flirt badly with Selena, sang a song without the karaoke machine, and then cried into his moonshine for the rest o' the night."
"Oh… oh my Goddess. Why– how– Is he all right?" Candace asked, feeling lightheaded from worry and dread.
"I actu'lly don' know. He's not one to get hammered like that. Got real morose, talkin' about how he's a failure n' a joke. I felt so bad fer 'im, I set him up in one o' the rooms in the back. O-bro's comin' down t'drag him home in a few. Though, get this, not only was Owen not at Brass las' night, but he weren't home, either! Ramsey said he's been spendin' a lot of nights over at Chase's. They meet up after Grumpy's shift n' Ramsey says they're videogame buddies or somethin'. Can you believe it? You think they're…?" Kathy trailed off and waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Candace blinked at her, nonplussed, her mind still a thousand miles away. Well, more like just a few meters away: in Brass Bar. Where Luke was apparently sleeping off too much liquor.
"Is Luke up? Has he had breakfast yet?"
Kathy stared at her, green eyes darting over Candace's pale face and fidgeting hands and blue eyes staring towards the front door. After a moment, her expression morphed into something a bit more knowing and soft.
"I dunno… why don' you come over with me n' check on the dumbass? I'm not much o' a nurse."
"Yes! I… Oh, I need a few things. Just one moment?" Candace was already on her feet and running for the kitchen. She didn't notice Kathy's quiet scoff or headshake, instead she was writing a list in her mind. Aspirin, blue tea, what was left of the blueberry jam, would jam be all right? Maybe some fresh clothes from the shop to change into? Would that be too forward?
She threw what she could into her sewing kit after dumping the contents onto her bed. Luna and Shelly, both sitting in the bedroom and discussing the website Luna was creating, watched with mouths gaping.
"Where's the fire, sweetie?" Shelly asked at last.
"Seriously," Luna agreed vehemently.
Candace glanced up as she swung the bag onto her shoulder. "Fire? There's no fire. I'm sorry, I c-can't watch the shop for a little while. I'll b-be back soon! I'm so sorry, I p-promise I won't be long!" She rushed out a moment later, stopping only to grab the few things she needed in the kitchen.
Kathy was waiting at the door, her jacket back on and Candace's slicker held out for her. With thanks, Candace slipped into the raincoat and stepped into her galoshes. They were out the door, heads bent low against the wind, by the time Luna and Shelly entered the shop, still baffled and speechless.
"What in the world?" Shelly gasped.
"I bet Evie's behind this. I don't know how or why, but I know it's her fault," Luna declared, arms crossed over her chest as she scowled.
"Luna, please."
Candace shuffled behind Kathy, almost standing on her heels, as the blonde cracked open a door. There was a low groan and the rustle of sheets, and Kathy entered with a smirk.
"So Mr. Bad Decisions is up, is he?" she joked, leaning against the doorjamb.
"Stob shoutin'," Luke slurred irritably. Candace's hands tightened around the strap of her bag. "I wa' real shtupid lash night, wadn't I?"
"Yup!" Kathy agreed cheerfully. "Lucky fer you, the sweetest soul in Castanet volunteered 'er services."
"Huh? Wait, Can'y?" Luke yelped, only to groan a second later. Kathy moved out of the way with a snicker so Candace could rush in. Luke was sitting on the small bed, blanket half over his lap and his head in his hands. Only his vest and bandanna were missing (thankfully for Candace's nerves), but he looked sloppy. When he peered past his fingers with bloodshot eyes, and saw Candace kneeling next to him, he groaned again.
"Is the light too bright? I brought you aspirin and some water. I can make you some breakfast…?" Candace offered, shoving the water bottle she'd grabbed from her kitchen into his hands and opened the aspirin bottle herself. He sounded wretched, but there was a healthy flush rising on his face when she watched him gulp down water.
"Nah, 'm good. Brea'fast sounds horrible," he replied with a pained grimace. She nodded and picked up his free hand to shake a few pills onto his palm.
"How about just some tea? To help with the headache?" Candace suggested, reaching up to brush his sweaty, lank hair out of his face while frowning in concern.
Luke swallowed the pills dry and glanced away, his ears tomato red. Candace felt her own face flush as she quickly pulled her hands away. Her fingers twisted and fidgeted on her lap instead.
"Yeh don' need t'worry 'bout me, Candy. 'm just hungover and stupid," Luke said, turning back to her with a weary chuckle. "I'll deserve my Pops reamin' me out when I get home."
"D-don't say that," Candace murmured, frowning even more. "Just wait a moment and drink that water, and I'll be right back with tea. Are you sure you don't want anything to eat? I b-brought some blueberry jam for toast…?"
His face greyed a little, but his mouth twitched up. "Yeah, tha' sounds good. Maybe a li'l. Thanks, Candy."
She shook her head and got to her feet. "Rest right there, I'll be right back." She hurried past Kathy, who was still standing in the doorway and smirking oddly.
"Well, ain't you got a real angel o' mercy, you lucky blockhead," Candace heard before she rushed through the swinging door into the kitchen. She didn't pause to hear Luke's reply.
Sitting in the kitchen, looking pristine and gorgeous as usual, Selena sipped at a cup of hot cocoa. She was wearing shiny pink pajamas, fluffy green slippers, and an even fluffier pink robe, obviously not expecting strangers to be running around the bar at less than 9 in the morning. Her eyebrows flew up at Candace quickly making her home in the kitchen, toasting bread and rooting through drawers for utensils and plates.
"I don't think we've properly met before. And I definitely don't remember you ever being in here, 'specially this early. Katie or Catherine or something, right?" Selena asked curiously.
Candace blushed at her own rudeness and quickly bowed. "I'm C-Candace Sonata. I w-work at the t-t-tailor's."
"Right, you're Evie's friend, too? 'Course who isn't friends with her," Selena giggled. "You didn't answer why you're here?"
"Uh… um…" Candace glanced towards the back door. "I came to help a friend." All too suddenly and clearly, Candace remembered something she'd barely registered before: Tried t'flirt badly with Selena. Her fingers slipped on the jam jar lid.
"That idiot. He doesn't deserve such a sweet friend like you," Selena said with a delicate scoff.
Such a sweet friend. Candace stared at the jar in her hands, heart beating too fast and hands shaking.
Why was it suddenly so hard to breathe? Why did she feel so hurt? Just one wrong word from crying? Or… did she feel… angry? Shocked, Candace blinked rapidly and carefully set the jar down.
"So, um, just between us girls," Selena said, abruptly sounding shy as her finger traced the rim of her mug. "He and Evie… they're not a thing, are they?" she asked with her Elizabeth-Taylor-eyes pinning Candace in place.
"N-no, they're j-just g-good f-f-friends," Candace stammered. And again, that strange anger swept through her when Selena looked relieved and smiled to herself. Candace turned to pour water into a mug to hide her own face. She moved on autopilot as words churned in her mind.
She, Candace, was here just minutes after eight. She was the one bringing him medicine and tea and toast. She was the one worried about him after a night of out-of-character indulgence. But it didn't even cross this girl's mind that she, Candace, could be "a thing" with Luke?
The rude and downright bewildering thought had the knife she'd just dipped into the jam falling from Candace's fingers. Blueberry splattered over the counter and Selena jumped.
"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost! Maybe you should see to yourself instead of that stupid boy back there?" Selena said, setting down her cocoa with worry etched over her pretty face.
"He's not a stupid boy," Candace whispered. Selena leaned forward.
"What was that, um… Candace?"
"N-nothing. I'm f-fine. He's w-waiting for me," she said, barely louder. She gathered up the tray of toast and tea and hurried away. She couldn't bring herself to look that girl in the eyes while such uncharitable and unjustified feelings boiled inside her.
When she got to the room Luke was resting in, Kathy was gone and Luke was laid out across the bed, one arm thrown over his face. Candace set the tray down and Luke startled. He rose to his elbows while Candace moved to his side. He looked even more flushed, and his eyes– his bright, golden eyes– seemed clearer, if still very red.
"Hey, I didn't hear you come in," he said, voice still a little rough and low. He winced as he sat up, one hand on his head. Candace sat next to him, hands hovering and falling uselessly. "That tea actually smells great. You really shouldna worried 'bout me."
"Everyone's saying that, but I like to take care of– of m-my f-friends," Candace stuttered, mildly horrified at the word she'd almost let slip.
Take care of you.
"I wish I could do something…" she said quickly, eyes dropping to her lap as she blushed hotly.
"You're doin' more'n enough. I got drunk and stupid last night, that's it. Thanks, uh, yanno, for comin' to take care of me," Luke mumbled, picking up the tea and sipping it gingerly. He grimaced at the taste, but took another sip anyway.
"You don't… you didn't even drink this much on your birthday. What happened?" Candace asked, reaching over to touch his knee. His eyes dropped and his knuckles whitened around the mug he held. Feeling bolder when he didn't pull away, Candace squeezed his knee gently. "You don't have to answer, b-but I'd like to help."
"You'll figger it out soon enough. Me n' Evie got into a big fight yesterday. Some shitty things were said and… I dunno. I felt shitty afterwards," Luke explained succinctly, with an uncomfortable one-armed shrug. "I went to work it off in Fugue, but it didn't help."
"You and Evie ? Had a fight ? But… it's you and Evie ," Candace said, appalled at the very idea.
"Yeah, 'zactly. It was… it was pretty bad. So I came here n' made a mess of myself. I should prob'ly apologize to… shit, what's her name? Serena? I was such an ass last night," he chuckled and rubbed a hand over his face.
Candace did not feel better after Luke forgot Selena's name. That would be just petty and ridiculous. "Selena. You should use her name to apologize," Candace admonished as she pulled her hand away. "I'll go ask Evie to come and–"
She gasped quietly when his hand snatched hers, fast as snake, and pulled it back. His hand, bigger and rougher than she'd realized, completely engulfed hers. She met his bloodshot gaze and he smiled weakly.
"I really… I really just don't wanna face her right now. Maybe later, 'kay? Let's just… sit here for a minute? Till Owen shows up?"
Candace scooted closer, nodding. "Yes, that's… I'll stay."
His weak smile grew and he sipped at his tea again. The disgusted grimace he made had her giggling behind her (free) hand.
"I dunno how y'all drink this for fun. It's just hot leaf juice. And gross ," he whined.
"Drink a bit more and then see if you can keep the toast down."
"All right, all right," he grumbled, gulping some more down as quickly as possible.
She giggled again and entwined her fingers with his. He didn't seem to notice the motion, or the way her heart beat sped up.
.
Pages covered in numbers written in barely legible chicken-scratch were laid out over her dining room table. The light overhead stayed true and steady, even as the tiny house fairly rocked with each roll of thunder. Evie sat at the table, head in her hand, teeth cutting into her bottom lip, brows tight and furled. Her pen scratched sloppily over the paper, stopping only when she recounted some auree or stared out the window to think.
"What are you doing?" Finn asked, hovering at her shoulder.
"What I should've done when I first got here and realized how much I would need to spend. Tallying up receipts to keep track of it all," Evie said with a weary little sigh.
She really hated lists, but these she'd forced herself to do for three whole years. She came to Castanet acting like it was an exciting sort of vacation, ready for it to end and for her to walk out the other side back to real life again. But maybe this was real life after all… She tapped the pen on the corner of the paper and watched the ink spatter in tiny black spots. Despite spending money like a "Sweet 16" star, Evie had managed to save almost enough. She'd talked so much about getting her place fixed up before the storms, imagining what it might look like if given a little TLC, what a home might look like, that she'd actually managed to squirrel away a lot more than she'd thought.
Until she'd balked and… Succinctly put, choked like a cat on a hairball.
She snorted softly and looked up, eying the patchwork on her ceiling. It hadn't leaked this time around, and she remembered how easily and excitedly she'd agreed to get her house done once the storms ebbed. How Luke had laughed and sputtered under her relieved teasing.
How could she have let it get away from her so quickly? So… badly?
"You should be going to the Carpenter's," Finn said stoutly.
She would've been impressed with how eerily close to her own line of thought that was, if Finn hadn't been saying that every chance he got all morning. Evie exhaled roughly, somehow wanting to smile and snarl at once. She capped her pen, set it on the notebook, and looked at her own literal fairy on her shoulder.
"There's a lot of things I should do. Like talking to Phoebe about Vivi's house, and going up to the Spring to spend some time with the Goddess and ask her about Edge, and I also should finish Gill's notes so I can give the notebook back."
"Then, finding Luke and saying sorry!" Finn exclaimed. "What you said was so mean, Evie. Why did you say it?"
Evie bit down on her lip and slapped her inventory book shut. She took her time putting everything neatly away on the shelves with a level of composure she normally didn't possess; honestly, it took all that (too much) effort to keep waspish words in check. When she turned, Finn was sitting smack-dab in the middle of the table while gazing imploringly up at her. Sighing inwardly, Evie slunk back into her chair.
"Finn," she started slowly. His eyes lit up, wings twinkling. "Sometimes saying 'I'm sorry' isn't enough. I kinda already did that."
The hopeful look was replaced too quickly with a sad kind of confusion. He held up his fiercely clenched fists and said decisively, "Then, you just gotta try harder! You told me not to give up, remember?"
"I could do without the shade, little man," Evie muttered with a wry smirk. Finn's head cocked to the side. "Never mind. Look, me and Luke… we'll figure it out." Or not. "You shouldn't worry about it."
Just as Finn opened his mouth, the phone rang and startled them both. Half-laughing, Evie walked over… Then, hesitated with her hand hovering over the machine. It rang once more before she swallowed hard and yanked it up.
"Hey, it's Evie."
"Evie, morning!" Renee chirped happily down the line. " It's too bad the storm's already back, ain't it?"
"Uh, yeah, it definitely sucks. I wonder if I'll have any crops left by the time it's done," Evie agreed absently, eyes drifting towards the rain battering against her windows. "What's going on? Another picnic with Vivi?"
Renee giggled. "No, no. Knowing Ms. Vivi, I'm planning t'stagger out my impromptu ideas. I wanted you to know a couple kids have just been born! You should come meet them, see if you wanna take one home!"
"Kids? Who's just giving away– Oh! Wait, goats? Kid goats?" Evie interrupted herself, facepalming and laughing out loud as Renee all but cackled in her mirth.
"Yes, goat kids."
Evie snorted a little and nodded unthinkingly. "Yeah, I'll do that. Come by, I mean. I've always liked sheep and goats. Tomorrow, maybe?"
"Of course. That works for me, too. Kathy actually offered to go fishin' with me today. Even called me up to remind me! Whodathunk it?" Renee's voice sounded a little baffled, but overwhelmingly pleased. It had Evie smiling despite herself. Renee always managed to brighten up her worst moods. " Plus, Toby said he wanted to adopt a kid of his own. You two can fight over them. They're darlings."
"Kathy, fishing in a storm and waking up early, and Toby adopting a goat ? What did the storm drag in ?"
"That's not even the craziest bit! …oh, I prob'ly shouldn't gossip, but… it's you." Renee's voice dropped an octave and became muffled, as if her hand had come up to her mouth. "Kat told me Luke got drunker'n a skunk last night. Luke. All by himself. Owen wasn't even there!"
Evie's hand tightened around the phone. "What?" she wheezed as guilt pinched at her throat.
"Yeah. Wouldn't tell her what was wrong, but he got real moody at the end. Then, he ended up sleepin' in one of the extra rooms in the back."
"I…"
"Can't believe it, right?"
"Right…"
"Neither can I. Luke's never been a lonely drinker. Do you have any-"
"He'll be right as rain soon enough," Evie said, a little too loudly and with an ironic twist to her mouth as she glanced out the window. "He's never down for long. I gotta get up to Garmon and catch Phoebe before she disappears into the Mines."
"Oh, yes… good idea. I'm sure you could just call her, though, if you wanna go talk to Luke?"
"He just drank a little too much. He'll be fine after some extra sleep. I'll chase him down later," Evie lied through her teeth said.
"Who's fine? Is someone sick?" Finn asked curiously. Evie shook her head at him.
"Okay, if you're sure… I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, for sure. Bye, Rey."
"Bye!"
The line went dead and Evie dropped the phone with a guilt-laden sigh.
"So, we're going to see Phoebe?" Finn asked.
"Yup, lemme grab my stuff and we'll get going now," Evie told him, moving with unnecessary haste. When she slipped the hammer into the loop on her pack, but put the axe away, Finn groaned.
"Are we mining?" he whined.
"With Phoebe, hopefully. I wanna fill up my wallet a bit before the festival," Evie said, checking the fridge for snacks.
"And for the house, too!"
Evie rolled her eyes at the bowl of hard-boiled eggs, but her tone was pleasant as she answered a noncommittal hum. She shoved some eggs and leftover cornbread into her pack, then, thankfully, rushed out the door with Finn tucked under her collar and grumbling. She stopped just long enough to shake the cherry trees that were heavy with fruit– the only profit she could make today. Most of the cherries were just good enough to sell, but a handful were so perfectly round and red and plump, they fairly shined through the gloom. She wrapped them in a handkerchief on the bottom of her rucksack and put them safely away. The rest went into the tradebox.
The walk to Garmon was wet, obviously, but also faster than her usual. Mud splashed onto her ankles and calves and, despite the damp chill, she was sweating along her hairline and at the small of her back by the time she made it to the general store. Thunder crashed as the door snapped too hard behind her, the wind tearing it from her slick hand.
"Oh my! Is that Evelyn?" Barbara gasped from where she stood behind the counter.
Evie spread her arms with a flourish and a grimace as she dripped over the entrance. "The one and only! Did I miss Pheebs?"
"You might've just called," Barbara said in baffled amusement. "But no. She's still in her lab, tinkering away. Will you be distractin' her till lunchtime? It'll be good news for Simon. He doesn't like her knockin' about the mines in these storms, daft, worrisome, old man," she said with a fond sigh.
Evie grinned and shook her head, unbuttoning her slicker. Finn sprang forth and shook himself all over. Barbara's cheerful smile wavered, confusion flickering over her face as Finn's bell-like trilling filled the shop.
"I'm hoping to go 'knockin' about' the mines with her, actually. Sorry to let Simon down," Evie joked and successfully pulled Barbara's attention back to her.
The older woman pfft'ed loudly and flapped a hand. "He'll survive. Go on now. She needs a good distraction in or out of the mine. She'll get lost in her machines elsewise."
"I'll do my best," Evie replied, saluting lazily.
"See that you do." Barbara smirked as she said it, an odd gleam to her eye that had Evie's amused smile faltering as she turned away.
She stumbled past the shelves, feeling like a bug under a pin, strangely. The feeling hurried her pace to the door leading into the first private living area, then onto the laboratory. Bangs and muffled curses came from the metal-lined door. Evie stopped and knocked with Finn at her ear.
"Yes? Come on in!"
Hesitantly, she slipped into the room to see Phoebe crouched by what looked like another Maker, though without a sign to indicate what it made. Long, fat, oddly-tipped needles were scattered over the workbench, and a book of… knitting patterns was lying open. (Why? Evie wondered in silent shock.) Phoebe glanced absently towards her, then jerked back to face her directly. Eyes wide and blinking behind her safety goggles, she got to her feet.
"Those look like things from Candace's basket," Finn said, sitting on Evie's shoulder. Evie nodded in agreement as she realized belatedly those needles were knitting needles.
"Hey, Evelyn! I wasn't expecting you… was I?" Phoebe asked, a little unsure while pulling off her work gloves.
"Oh, nah, just came to poke my nose in your business and ask a favor."
"Another birthday party?"
Evie laughed. "Actually, a job. Can you wire a house for electricity?"
Phoebe lifted her goggles off and slipped on her glasses. "I'm sorry, you want me to what?"
"You know, set up a house for electricity– lights, outlets, water heater, central air, the works? Maybe, not go crazy and add in wifi just yet, though," Evie said with a wry smirk.
"What's wifi?" Finn whispered curiously.
Phoebe blinked. "What's wrong with your house?"
"Not mine!" Evie snorted loudly. "And only if you can, I don't actually know what all you can do. Classics major meet… this," Evie waved around the lab and Phoebe's mouth twitched. "So, yeah, not really sure what you're capable of, but if you can, and then if you want to, maybe you can help us out?" she asked as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"I could hypothetically do it… but the Carpenters have a lot more experience…"
Her jaw tightened before she could stop it, and she had to concentrate to relax her muscles into a blithe smile. "True, but your potential client would rather just one person take their time and she's not too fond of our boy, Lu-Lu. Bad first impression," she said with a halfhearted chuckle.
Phoebe frowned pensively. "Are you all right?"
"I bet she'll say you should apologize, too," Finn said, almost snootily, as he hovered over the tools and pieces of equipment scattered on the counter.
The corner of Evie's eye twitched, hard. "Yup! Fit as a fiddle! So… whaddaya think? You gonna help out our socially awkward witch friend?"
"I could– wait… did you say witch friend?"
Evie held up her hands and shook them in a classic jazz-hands motion. "Ta-da! Your client will be the Witch Princess!"
After a long moment of staring, Phoebe shook her head and glanced upwards. "Sure. Why not? Just going to wire a witch princess's house. Nothing strange about that."
"There's definitely something strange about that," Evie retorted.
They both burst out laughing.
"But really, thanks! I'm sure she'll really appreciate it. I'll call up Rey tonight and let her know. Do you mind if I tag along with you to the mines before then?"
Finn whined wordlessly.
Phoebe smiled softly. "Not a bit, you move fast for a novice, and you work hard. It's… enjoyable mining with you."
"Aw jeez, Pheebs, laying it on thick," Evie said, bumping Phoebe's shoulder with a fist as her cheeks burned suspiciously hot.
"It's just a compliment. Not even, just a fact." Phoebe huffed past her smile, her own face looking pink. Which made Evie wonder why giving a compliment embarrassed Phoebe as much as it did for her getting one. "You think you'll be working through lunch?"
"I'll probably stay right through dinner… well, or have a bit of a late dinner. And, uh, really, thanks for helping with the Witch Princess."
"I actually like the idea of taking on a new project. This one is giving me trouble, so I need the break," Phoebe admitted with a wry smirk at the unfinished Maker next to her workbench.
She led Evie away and out the door that she shut neatly behind them. They walked into the main shop to almost run right into Barbara, so abruptly Finn pinwheeled through the air to avoid smacking right into her face. She was lingering close to the entryway, face a little flushed, as she dusted the books on the shelf very carefully. She jumped in place when they entered.
"Oh! Oh my, you quite startled me! Didn't hear you coming at all," she exclaimed with her hand pressed to her chest. Everything about her reaction seemed… over the top, and Evie stopped dead, bewildered and staring.
Next to her, Phoebe slapped a hand over her face and groaned.
Recovering quickly, Barbara smiled. "Heading out together again? It's not often Pheebs likes to mine with others. She complains about that doctor man, you know. But then again, Pheebs would prefer going with a nice girl like you," Barbara said, emphasizing 'nice girl' strangely.
"Mom," Phoebe hissed.
"I… uh, like going with Phoebe, too? I don't feel like much of a nice girl today, but thanks, anyway," Evie added with a slight grimace.
Barbara's gaze went sharp. "Oh? Trouble in paradise?"
"Excuse me?" Evie blurted. Is she talking about my house? But why "paradise"? Everyone knows Serenity is a trash heap… except for the barn and coop.
"Well, everyone knows about you and that Fisher being an item," Barbara said instead, overly blithe and nonchalant. Evie's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Phoebe hissed another warning ' mother! ', but Barbara chattered on. "I was surprised to hear it. You're so active and busy, and so educated, too, just like my Phoebe. Why, you two are like peas in a pod, really, someone like my girl would suit you so much better, I thought."
"I– uh– thanks? But… um, we're not, Toby isn't…" Evie stammered wildly. Finn glanced between the three humans in increasing puzzlement.
Phoebe clasped Evie's shoulders and pushed her towards the door. Evie eeped and let herself be pushed. "Please, for the love of fairies and Trees, ignore my busybody mother. She likes to meddle in my–everybody's personal life. Bye, Mom."
"I don't know how I'm supposed to help you ignore her?" Finn said with a baffled look at Phoebe. Evie ducked her head and pressed a knuckle to her mouth to press back laughter.
"You know I just care too much, don't be rude," Barbara tutted. Evie twisted around to see her waving and smiling cheerfully. "Be careful in those mines, now!"
"Yeah, thanks. You, too," Evie said dumbly. The door closed while Barbara chortled.
"I'm really sorry about that," Phoebe repeated as they trudged through rain towards the mines. They were both bent almost double behind Phoebe's giant red umbrella.
"It's fine! I'm more… shell-shocked than offended. I wasn't expecting that barrage," Evie said with an awkward chuckle.
"That's my mom for you," Phoebe said with an eyeroll. Thunder cracked and they raced the rest of the way. They shook off the worst of the rain in the strangely warm interior of the mines. Even with the thunder and lightning booming outside, the lanterns on the walls cast a reddish-orange glow over everything.
"Up or down?" Phoebe asked, handing over a faded handkerchief, just barely damp from Phoebe's hands and glasses.
Evie wrung out her hair and took the cloth gratefully. "I think up. Rare ores show up more often, plus White Wonderfuls are better money."
"Gotta save up for those house repairs," Phoebe agreed. Confusion flitted over her face at whatever crossed Evie's at the reminder. "Okay, what's going on? You're not acting like yourself at all."
"You really should tell her," Finn said. He floated just behind Phoebe's head, his arms actually crossed over his chest while he squinted– as close as he could get to glaring.
Evie sighed roughly and rubbed the back of her neck. "Talk and walk?"
At Phoebe's nod, the two headed into the upper mine. It took about three or four floors before she slowed down to walk beside the patiently waiting and silent Phoebe. And then, she mumbled out the sordid details of her fight with Luke, in front of Gill (who'd left shortly after with only an offer to come by for tea at his place soon). They got to the ninth floor and Phoebe stopped.
Evie took a breath, then slowly turned to face her. She wasn't immediately harsh or judgey, her expression was more pensive, and even worse, disappointed. Evie flinched and looked away.
"So, today you're avoiding him," Phoebe stated. Evie wrenched open her mouth to argue, but snapped it shut a second later.
"Maybe a little," she said mulishly.
"Evelyn, don't you both deserve better than that?" Phoebe asked solemnly.
"You're, like, two years older than me. Don't talk to me like you're my father," Evie retorted sharply.
Phoebe's eyebrows rose wryly. "Actually, closer to three years older," she replied coolly. Evie flushed to her hairline.
"Sorry," she muttered without eye contact.
"I can't see why Luke didn't immediately accept your apology. It's so heartfelt," Phoebe mused, gaze rising to the cavern ceiling.
Evie barked out a laugh. "Screw you! I get it, okay? I know I messed up. I know Luke deserves better than that."
Finn gasped. "Hey! That's what I've been saying!"
"Then, why are you here? You're not exactly a beat-around-the-bush person," Phoebe pointed out.
Evie threw up her hands. "'Cuz I shouldn't have said it! It was a crappy, horrible thing to say. I don't have any reason for it and me just saying sorry won't take it back."
"No, it won't," Phoebe agreed slowly. "But isn't it the right thing to do anyway?"
Evie and Phoebe's gazes locked; Phoebe neutral and patient, Evie fuming and guilty. Finally, Evie looked away and gnashed on her bottom lip, teeth cutting through skin. A sigh ripped from her as her shoulders slumped.
"Yeah, it is the right thing to do. His face, Pheebs… I never meant to hurt him like that. All I've been doing this week is blodge up." Evie rubbed her face over her hands.
Phoebe nudged her shoulder with her own. "Everyone… 'blodges' up. You're not special. Also, blodge?"
"Gee, thanks," Evie muttered, mouth pulling up on one side.
Phoebe laughed and Evie couldn't help but follow suit. When they caught their breath, Evie shrugged and worked her hammer free.
"Well, I'm already here, and I know Luke is gonna nurse that hangover all day. Let's get mining and I'll really apologize tomorrow.
A/N: So sorry for the long wait! There was just one disaster after another since June. I had a summer vacation with friends travelling, and when I get back it just sorta snowballed painfully for the past month, culminating in both computer and VPN malfunctions. By the time my chapter was ready to be beta'd, BOTH my betas were busy! Anyway! The next three chapters are already in the works and should be updated in a timely manner. Let's see if we can finish this before the year ends!
Next Update: 8/22/2018
