"Well, she's lookin' right nice." Daniel drawled, glancing at Belladonna as they walked into the camp, spying Poppy in the distance as she carried an armful of bandages into her tent. "I suppose this sun and warmth did her some good. Certainly a far cry from our English weather," Belladonna remarked with a smirk, wondering if she could bet on Daniel's making a reference to his American homeland. "Y'know, it kind of makes me miss the weather back home in Nevada," he said, prompting Belladonna to laugh. She shook her head and took his hand. "I knew you were going to say that, really, you are so predictable," she chided, but inwardly, she knew he wasn't at all predictable.
Their laughter could be heard through the camp, and consequently from the tent Poppy had disappeared into. She stepped out, curious as to the cause of the merriment. She stopped, surprised at seeing her two friends there. "Mon mot! What are you two doing here?" Poppy gasped as she waited for them to approach before embracing the two.
"We just came to see how you was doing, check up on you, y'know?" Daniel laughed and spun her 'round a moment, before setting her down on her feet. Belladonna rolled her eyes, trying not to be so amused with his antics. "How are things, Poppy?" Belladonna asked as Poppy gestured for them to come inside the tent and make themselves comfortable. Poppy sat down on her cot, glancing at them. "Things are fine, as fine as things can be," she paused before asking, "and things with you?"
Belladonna exchanged a glance with Daniel, taking a moment before answering. "Dreadfully tedious, as paperwork always is," she responded, settling back in her chair, brushing a stray golden lock from her eyes. It was the truth of sorts, she had been doing quite a deal of paperwork in addition to her double agent role, which consequently know one knew about, not even those she worked with. Not even Daniel knew.
"Things are right fine, Poppy. I've sent in my series of photographs along with the article back to headquarters, and I've earned myself a few days off. I'll be taking Rilla out once I get back. Been a while since she stretched her legs and all." Daniel smiled widely, referring to his feisty Palomino horse, who's full name just happened to be Sarsaparilla, after Daniel's preferred drink. Belladonna had to admit to herself, she was developing quite a fondness for the drink, but she wasn't about to tell him that.
Smiling, Poppy sat forward a little, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. "Yes, I imagine she hasn't been taken out for a ride for quite some time. Do tell her I said hello," she chuckled, that soft smile playing upon her lips. Belladonna rolled her eyes, thinking that Daniel hardly needed yet another excuse to converse with the horse. As it was, he spent half an hour out of everyday sitting out in the stable talking to the horse like a best friend. "Trust me, Poppy, you needn't worry. He'll give Rilla your regards," she smirked. Daniel tipped an imaginary hat, which in his mind was probably a cowboy hat, and smiled his easy smile. "Yes, ma'am. I most certainly will," he assured.
"So tell me, has Stephen found anything interesting on his visits out here? Merlin knows Egypt affords many native beetles which would amuse him, after all," Belladonna mused, smirking a bit. It was common knowledge among their friends that Stephen was quite the naturalist and was always at home among insects and animals, as it were, far more than with people in general. "He has, actually. He managed to procure a Goliath Beetle just this past visit." Poppy informed her, nodding her head.
Goliath Beetle? Don't like the sound of that.
Daniel's eyebrows lifted at that. "Sounds rather like a small monster," he remarked, with a low whistle. "It does, doesn't it? I believe it was this size," here she indicated with her thumb and index finger, "and the way Stephen had reacted, you'd have thought he'd found a cauldron of galleons," Poppy laughed, her eyes sparkling. Belladonna rolled her eyes at that, imagining perfectly well what would be the naturalist's response. "That's Stephen for you," she nodded.
Eventually Poppy asked how their other mutual friends were, at which time it was Belladonna who had to narrate the goings on, since Daniel had just barely gotten back to England the previous evening and consequently did not know much of the past weeks. "Last but not least, we have our friend Arabelle changing jobs. She's no longer the Ministry translator. She's finished Auror training and wouldn't you know, she is now to be Alastor's partner," Belladonna related after going down the list of their mutual friends.
"Really now? I'm not entirely surprised, I imagine that is a job better suited for Arabelle," Poppy remarked, tilting her head thoughtfully. Belladonna nodded in agreement, thinking on how the Germanic/French former Slytherin had been quite skilled in Defense classes and not to mention makes and restored her own weapons, muggle historical relics and the like, which astounded and intrigued Belladonna since she herself knew of such fighting implements and had a few of her own.
However, she was quite surprised that Poppy hadn't expressed surprise that she would be partnered by Alastor, hadn't revealed a trace of jealousy. Granted, Poppy had her peaches and cream sort of beauty, fresh and breezy, but Arabelle... she was refined in structure, ravens haired, and very elegant, surprising for someone who had her own forge and worked quite a bit in it. If their places had been traded, Belladonna would have been a trifle jealous, even if she didn't reveal it by way of facial expression.
"Not surprised that she'll be partner to Alastor, in the least?" Belladonna inquired, adjusting her black vest a little. She lifted her eyes to glance at Poppy, to gauge her reaction. "A little surprised, yes," Poppy answered smiling good-naturedly, before adding, "and no, I am not jealous in the least."
Bloody hell! Why does she do that?!
"Did I ask if you were?" Belladonna blinked. Laughing, Poppy shook her head with that wicked grin on her face. "No, but I know you were thinking it," she responded with a mischievous smile. "Really, Poppy, must you use your Empathic powers on me?" Belladonna smirked and rolled her eyes. She did not quite like being able to be read, to be sensed out. It unsettled her. "Who said I did? I just know you and guessed that was what you were thinking, and I was right, was I not?" Poppy told her airily as Daniel chuckled. Belladonna sighed in exasperation. She threw a mock glare to Daniel before turning her gaze back to Poppy. "Yes, fine, you were right," she answered grudgingly even though she was inwardly amused.
At that point Poppy was called upon to help serve lunch to the soldiers out on the east side of camp. Daniel and Belladonna smiled and waved her away, watching her form disappear among the many tents just beyond. "Well, a pleasant visit, and she is safe. I can rest easy with my promise now," Daniel remarked to Belladonna, offering his arm to her with a warm sunny smile. She returned the smile and took the offered arm. "Yes, I agree with you there," she responded, beginning to walk with him to the edge of camp.
Just as they passed the camp gates, out of the corner of her eyes she saw a flash of eyes. She turned her head to glance over her shoulder as she walked, spotting a lone soldier on a little blanket on the sand. His sable colored hair was rather short, curly, and unkempt, and he had a faded scar running over his left eye. It was his eyes, a hazy sort of golden hazel that caught her. Their eyes met and she a trace of defiance in his eyes. She turned her head and frowned, then did a double take and looked back at the soldier.
There was something so familiar about him. She had never seen the likes of him at all in her life, but there was something that made her feel uneasy. Was it his eyes? Had she seen them before? She had, but she knew not where. Just to make sure of what she felt, she glanced back again only to find his retreating back as he went away among the tents.
There's something not right about him... but what is it?
"Danny, wait here, I'll be right back," she told him, letting go of his arm just as he took her hand. "What? Where are you going?" He asked, glancing at her concernedly. "Trust me. Just wait here and I'll be right back," she repeated and dashed away before he could say anything to stop or delay her.
She made her way through the maze of tents, stopping the first soldier that she came upon. "Can you tell me where to find a Theodosia Mellers, please?" She asked of him, her voice firm and brooking no tomfoolery. The blond soldier looked her up and down and merely shrugged, pointing away to his right. "She'll be in that tent yonder," he told her and walked away. Belladonna didn't bother thanking him, since he had turned his back on her before she could say anything and that obviously meant he wanted nothing to do with her.
Moving up to the tent he'd indicated, she pulled back the flap to peek inside. "Theodosia Mellers?" She asked, hoping the soldier hadn't lied to her. Just then she moved back as a petite chestnut haired woman stepped outside to face her. Belladonna found herself staring into light blue eyes, which were alight with curiosity. "Yes, can I help you?" Theodosia responded, tilting her head.
"I am to understand you are a friend of Poppy's. Is that true?" Belladonna queried, crossing her arms across her chest. This only made Theodosia frown, a little wary. "Yes, and who wants to know?" Theodosia replied, a hint of feistiness in her eyes.
This one's got spirit. Good for her.
Belladonna found herself smiling in approval. "I do. I wanted to ask if you could be prevailed upon to keep an eye on Poppy, and to keep an eye out for a sable haired soldier with a scar across his left eye. He is tall, lean, and has golden hazel eyes. See that he goes nowhere near Poppy, would you? If something happens," here Belladonna handed her a little hand mirror that barely fit in the palm of her hand, "just ask for me and tell me what's happened and I'll be here quicker than you can say 'huzzah!' all right?" Theodosia turned the mirror over in her hands before glancing up at the golden curly haired Belladonna. "I will do this, gladly, but what's going on?"
Good question, though I don't think I can really tell you.
"I can't tell you that, but as a friend to Poppy, I will say this, someone wants her hurt. So keep an eye out and keep that with you at all times." Belladonna responded and reiterated the point before she turned away, calling over her shoulder, "We'll be in touch. Tell no one."
Now as she found Daniel again and as they made it back to England, to her home in Blakeney, she mused to herself that she would also have to see Stephen. Since he did visit Poppy regularly, once a week, she would need to ask him for help also. She would ask him to contrive a reason to be placed in Egypt for a short time, to keep close to Poppy, while she in turn did research on Aurelius and this mysterious scarred soldier.
There is no such thing as a quiet life, is there?