New Chapter!
Yay!
"Millie, wake up," a voice practically shouted. Millie opened her eyes and sat up. Ivor was standing next to her bed, Patty glaring at him from behind. Clearly she didn't enjoy being woken up. "My dad is looking to talk to you."
"Alright," Millie said with a yawn. She stretched, swinging her legs off the side of her bed.
"Ivor? What are you doing waking Millie up?" Erinn asked as she entered the inn, carrying a pitcher of water, two cups, and a rag.
"The Mayor wants to have a chat with her, apparently," Patty said, rolling her eyes. "Couldn't you have come in here a little more quietly, Igor? Some of us were trying to sleep."
"Ivor. It's Ivor," he said, frowning at her. Millie stood up, relieving Erinn of the tray that she was carrying.
"I'll be ready to go in a few minutes," she said as she started pulling off her shirt. Ivor started shouting in alarm, turning and hurrying out of the inn.
"Millie!" Erinn said in alarm. "Don't do that to Ivor! You're scaring him!"
"You could always go comfort your lover boy," Patty said, head resting on her hand. "Or just let him see yours. He's gotta know what breasts look like eventually." At that, Erinn turned slightly pink, backing out of the room as well and saying something about having breakfast ready in an hour.
"That was a bit much," Millie commented, pulling off her shirt while Patty poured water onto the rag.
"Ah, I'm just poking a bit of fun," Patty said, smiling cheekily. She used the wet rag to wipe away the left over healing leaves. The angry red gashes had healed overnight, leaving faint pink lines. "Those herbs worked really well," she said, impressed as Millie put her shirt back on, followed by her long tunic and boots.
"I'm going to go now," Millie said, strapping her sword to her back. "I'll see you later."
"Good luck with the Mayor," Patty said.
...
"...and then you decided to go into the Hexagon to find Miss. Patty on your own," Mayor Litlun said. Millie nodded, her mouth feeling a little dry. She had never been scrutinized by someone this much, especially not someone younger than her who looked older. "Did you not consider the danger?" Litlun asked.
"I took into account that there would be monsters stronger than those in the forest," Millie said. "I did not take into account that a giant monster would be there, though. No one told me about it."
"Why did you go?" Mayor Litlun asked.
"Someone needed help," Millie said with a shrug. "I was equipped to help her. And I was repaying some of the debt I owe to Erinn."
"Well, I'd say that you've repaid most of your debt to Erinn," Mayor Litlun. "You've also proved that you are well enough to start pulling your weight around here, especially if you plan on staying."
"I'll probably be leaving in a few days," Millie said. "I need to get back to my people."
"I wish you luck then," Mayor Litlun said. "You are dismissed." Millie turned away, sharing a surprised look with Ivor as they left together.
"He didn't yell at you!" Ivor practically shouted once they were out of the house.
"Probably because I said that I was leaving," Millie said. "I won't be a problem of his."
"Are you really going to leave?" Ivor asked as they started walking.
"Yeah," Millie said, glancing at him. "Don't look so disappointed."
"What? I'm not disappointed!" Ivor said indignantly. "I'd be glad to see you go."
"Please. You'd miss me!" Millie said, poking his chest. They walked up to the inn and Millie opened the door. Erinn was behind the counter, talking to Patty. Millie caught parts of their conversation as she and Ivor came in.
"-is no longer with us, I'm afraid. It's been two years since he passed," Erinn was saying, looking sad. Patty looked taken aback by the news. Millie glanced at Ivor, who was standing behind her. His face looked a little tight.
"Old Edwinn, the Inncredible... gone? What does that mean for my old inn?" Patty muttered, looking disappointed.
"I'm sorry," Erinn said, but Patty wasn't listening. She was looking around the inn.
"That must mean you've been running this quaint little place on your own then," she mused.
"Uh, yes?" Erinn seemed slightly confused by the question. "I've had a little help from my grandfather. He watches the inn for me sometimes, but it's usually me."
"I bet guests feel more welcome here than they do in their own homes!" Patty declared with a smile, turning back to Erinn.
"That's nice of you to say," Erinn said sweetly. "I try to keep it running smoothly in my dad's honor."
"I wouldn't expect anything else from the daughter of the Inncredible Inntertainer, honey," she said.
"What do you mean 'Inncredible'-"
"How would you like to run an inn in Stornway?" Patty asked loudly, pointing at her. Millie and Ivor shared looks of alarm and confusion
"I-I beg your pardon?" Erinn squeaked, jumping.
"Follow in your father's footsteps!" Patty said, pulling her out from behind the counter and dragging her to a seat. She gestured to Millie and Ivor. "Come on in, you two! I'm going to tell a story about Erinn's father!"
...
"So my dad used to run an inn in Stornway. And people would call him the 'Inncredible Inntertainer' because of it," Erinn mumbled. She was staring at a flowerpot sitting on the table. Ivor and Millie stood behind her. Ivor was shocked by the news, just like Erinn. Millie was just confused about the whole thing.
"You better believe it, sweetie-pie!" Patty said, her arms crossed and eyes glittering. "He was the best of the best. Started an inn from scratch when he was just a young man. Put all of his competitors out of business!"
"That doesn't sound like my dad," Erinn said, still giving the plant her undivided attention. "He always said that he was happy to run the smallest of inns as long as he was with me."
"It's strange that a successful guy like him would decided to come out to a boondocks like Angel Falls,"Patty said. Millie felt a frown grow on her face. She liked Angel Falls. These people were her flock. She watched Patty shrug her shoulders. "Eh, whatever the reason was, it's water under the bridge now. We were hoping the Inncredible Inntertainer would make a comeback and fix up the old Stornway inn. It's not doing too hot right now. I can't believe he died two years ago. I'm so sorry, sweetie."
"It's fine," Erinn said. "I'm just sorry that you came out here for nothing."
"Not at all. I got to meet you, remember?" Patty said with a smile. "You're coming back with me to Stornway." Erinn looked up at her, swallowing.
"Uh, I don't think that's possible," she said, standing up so abruptly that her chair fell over. "I have my hands full with the inn here. I couldn't possibly leave it alone."
"Erinn," Ivor said, seeing that her hands were shaking.
"Also I find it kind of hard to believe that my dad was some sort of legendary innkeeper," she said.
"You can't argue with facts, honey!" Patty said quickly, seeing that she was losing Erinn. "I can see that you're just like your father, a chip off the old block! And I have a knack for seeing people's strengths, trust me-"
"Oh my, look at how dark it is. I really must get started on supper," she said, turning away from Patty. "And I can't go with you to Stornway so please stop trying to make me!" she said, practically running from the room. Ivor tried to go after her, but Millie grabbed his arm. She had the feeling that Erinn would want some time alone.
"She might take a little convincing, but she'll come around," Patty muttered. Ivor glared at her but, before he could say anything, Millie dragged him from the room and out the door.
"She can't just drop something like that on Erinn!" Ivor hissed once the door closed behind them. "And she can't just take Erinn away."
"This is a big opportunity for Erinn," Millie said. She could recall when Erinn was much younger that she had told her grandfather that she wanted to run a giant inn one day. That was back when Aquila was still in charge of Angel Falls, teaching Millie everything there was to know about the flock that would one day be hers. It only felt like a little while ago to her, but Erinn had grown and matured in that time, from child to a teenager. It was a weird feeling. "You shouldn't let your feelings for her hold her back from it. Running a big inn is a dream of hers," Millie said quietly. Ivor just stared at her.
"What are you talking about? Erinn wants to stay here and run the inn. Didn't you just hear her?" Ivor asked, sounding flabbergasted. Millie said nothing. "I'm going home. I'll come by and see how Erinn is tomorrow." He walked off and Millie turned to head towards Erinn's house.
She spotted the shop as she crossed the bridge, reminding herself to check in later to see if her magical bags were finished. She was curious to see how they worked. She face the front of Erinn's house...
And saw the ghost of an man peeking in.
Huh.
Millie stepped up carefully behind the man, who was watching Erinn dash about in the house as her grandfather tried to calm her down. Something about the man seemed familiar. She tapped him carefully on the shoulder.
"Waaaah!" the ghost-man yelped, turning around. "You gave me a fright! Don't do that again!" he exclaimed before facing his attention back to the window. This lasted for a few seconds before he was spinning back to look at her. "You can see me?"
Millie didn't really know what to do, so she just nodded as she observed the ghost-man. He wore a bright orange fez, a blue shirt, and brown pants tucked into boots. He was relatively young, maybe in his thirties (not that Millie was a great guesser). His dark hair was so amazing that it would have made Aquila cry.
"I knew you saw me back at the Hexagon!" the ghost-man said, looking like he just won a bet with himself. He gave Millie a strange look. "That's quite a peculiar talent of yours."
"It's inherited," Millie said honestly. She was pretty sure that it was true. "Who are you?"
"Oh! Silly me! I haven't spoken to anyone in a while so it seems that I've forgotten my manners! I am Edwinn, Erinn's father," he said with a smile, holding out a hand to shake. Millie reached for it tentatively, unsure how it'd work. This was only her second encounter with a restless spirit, and the first time she ever tried touching one. His hand felt like a regular hand, though. She was surprised.
She now realized where she recognized him from. Not only did she see him at the Hexagon, but she saw him around Angel Falls when he was alive. She just never took much interest in him.
"I died two years ago from an illness. I haven't managed to move on yet," he said, sounding a little sad as he glanced back in the window. He shook himself a little. "What did you say your name was?" he asked politely.
"I'm Millie. I just got to Angel Falls last week," she said. Edwinn's eyes widened.
"M-Millie? As in the village Guardian Millie?" he asked. She was about to answer when a shout interrupted her.
"Hey! Wait one flapping minute!"
Chapter done!
I wonder who this flapping person could be.