9: In Which Maka Has Her Second Delivery

Soul came in on Friday with an envelope in his hand. Maka did a show of completely ignoring him from her seat at the counter, which made him chuckle.

"Good day, Miss Witch."

"Mr. Evans. What can I do for you?"

He pointed to the cookie in the nearest shelf. "One of those, please."

"For here or to go."

"To go. I parked my bike outside illegally, so a quick in-and-out would be appreciated."

"You talk a lot for someone who's only here for a quick 'in-and-out,'" Maka teased as she got him a cookie. Soul handed her a bill and Maka got the change out of the register. "But really Soul, how are you?"

"Doing well." Soul cleared his throat. "Actually, I was hoping you wo—"

The phone rang. Maka stopped him with her hand before answering.

"Maka's Delivery Service, how may I help you?"

Soul waited as Maka took the phone call. She sounded much more peppy and polite than usual, writing down the address of the place.

"A house with a blue roof? Yes, that helps a lot, thank you." She paused, listening. "I understand. Yes, I'll be there right at four thirty. Yes…yes, thank you. Goodbye."

Maka hung up before turning back to Soul. "I'm sorry, what were you saying? And you'll have to make it fast. I have a delivery in an hour."

Soul pushed down his nerves before putting on his usual smirk. "I was saying there's a party tonight at Jackie's place. She wanted me to give you the invitation."

He handed Maka the envelope. It was pink with a ribbon on it. The paper itself looked fancy. What kind of party was this?

"It's her birthday," he explained, "and her family's all about hosting big events to invite relatives and friends to. It's pretty fancy, but you don't need to dress up."

The door behind them opened. A burly man holding a very large box asked, "Is this the delivery service?"

Maka nodded as Soul stepped out of the way.

"How can I help you?"

"I've got this package here I want sent to me sister."

"Let me weigh this," Maka said. She took the box from the man and grunted as she did her best not to drop it. Whatever what in it weighed a ton!

"You got it, miss?"

"Yes sir."

"Want help?" offered Soul.

"M'fine."

Maka carried the package to the scale and set it down. Well, it was heavy! She took her hands off and made sure she got the weight correct before returning to the front of the store. Soul, who had finished his cookie off, was leaving.

"Party starts at five thirty," he announced, "but showing up on time is uncool. I'll pick you up at six."

"Wait, Soul—"

He waved as he walked out. "See you tonight."

Maka tried to call after him, but the white-haired boy was out before she could so much as utter a word. The man with the package cleared his throat.

"Um, how much will this cost miss?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me ring you up right here."

マカの宅急便

"Miss Marie!" Maka shouted as she ran into the sitting room. "Miss Marie, what should I do? I was invited to a party tonight!"

Marie looked up from her knitting, surprised. "Why don't you go then?"

"I'm not the closest of friends with Jackie. I don't have any presents for her. Besides, it's not like I have anything to wear. Not like some of the other girls."

"Is that really all your concerned about?" Miss Marie asked. "Looking pretty? Because I think there's more to a girl than her clothes. You've never worn anything fancier here in since getting here and you still have a lot of friends, right?"

"I guess so."

"Besides, you're a very pretty girl. You don't need anything to make you look better. And black is the most slimming color!" Marie winked. "Win them over with your charm, alright?"

"Got it!"

"And bring her some cookies. I'm sure Jackie will appreciate the thought of it, not the content."

"Okay." Maka took a deep breath. Then she panicked for a completely different reason. "Oh no! That package. And the call-in! I need to hurry. Blair! Oh, where is my broom? Blair! We have to go now!"

Miss Marie laughed a bit as Maka went dashing out. She came back a minute later with her broom in one hand, Blair on her shoulder, and a gigantic box beside her, huffing all the while.

"I'll…see you…tonight…before I…leave…" Maka gasped.

Marie nodded. "Good luck. And be careful. It's supposed to rain tonight."

Maka nodded before dragging the box out the back door and into the sky. Marie sighed and finished her knitting. She was getting a bit of a headache. Perhaps she could take a quick rest while Ox and Harvar were still working.

マカの宅急便

Maka was definitely flying much slower than usual. Her broom refused to fly any higher than the tallest buildings in Dödenstad, making for very slow progression. On top of it all the package wasn't balanced so Maka was forced to fly a bit to the right. The was constantly using her foot to kick off of buildings she was nearing. Blair watched from her seat on the box.

"Maka, are you going to make it to that second delivery on time?"

"Don't talk to me right now, Blair," the witch hissed through her teeth. "This package is really heavy. I need to concentrate."

After flying to the right building Maka had to carry the insanely-heavy package up five flights of stairs. Why in the world was the elevator broken on this day? Blair, thankfully, stayed silent. It was a battle to carry the package without breaking herself or her broom, but Maka made it. She had the waiting woman sign for it before dashing down the stairs, breathless.

We don't have much time, she thought as she took off, Blair on her head.

She ascended as fast as she could and zoomed towards the next district. It was just off the main roads the apartments were clustered into. Many old houses lined the street. They were surrounded by trees and high brick walls.

"House with a blue roof, house with a blue roof," Maka muttered as she flew over the street.

In the distance the bell struck the half hour toll. Maka cursed under her breath. She was late.

Blair suddenly pointed down. "There! That house with the big tree in the yard!"

Sure enough to their left was a three story home with a blue roof. Most of it was obscured by a great maple tree in the front yard, it's branches and leaves spreading over the home to create a shady canopy.

Maka sighed in relief as she landed. Only a couple minutes off then. She walked up to the doorbell and checked the house number. It matched. Taking a calming breath Maka rang the doorbell.

She was straightening her dress when it was opened by an elderly woman who was hunched over slightly. Her greying hair was tied back in a bun. Her beady eyes blinked up at Maka past her hooked nose. She smiled.

"Good day, Miss Witch. Please, come inside."

Maka followed her while the woman shouted, "Madam! Madam, the delivery girl is here!" She quieted and turned back to Maka. "Just this way. And I'll take your broom, dear."

"Thank you," Maka said, handing it gently to the woman. Blair followed her quickly.

The woman chuckled to herself. "Black dress, black cat, and a broom. A real witch!" Her curiosity got the better of her and she tried to mount the broom as Maka disappeared into the next room.

The doorway led to a very bright green-and-white kitchen. Another elderly woman wearing a yellow dress and lilac shawl turned around from an electric oven. Her clear blue eyes landed on Maka. Maka curtsied.

"Madam Dupré?"

"Yes. And you must be Miss Maka."

"At your service."

"Oh dear," the elderly woman said, back to the oven and turning the knobs. "Our dear delivery girl is on time, but I'm afraid I have called out here for nothing."

"Is something the matter, ma'am?"

"It's this new contraption here." She gestured towards the electric oven in front of her before continuing. "I wanted you to deliver a pie to my granddaughter's birthday party tonight. It's an old family recipe: herring and pumpkin. It should have been done by now, but the over just refuses to warm up. I called an electrician, but he told me he's unavailable until next week on Tuesday. I'm afraid I have nothing for you to deliver, my dear. I'll still pay you the full amount for your trouble."

"I couldn't possibly!" Maka exclaimed.

"Please," the madam insisted. "It's the least I can do. Bertha!"

The other woman, Bertha, appeared, still holding Maka's broom.

"Please get my purse from the next room and pay this kind young lady the full amount."

Bertha seemed surprised, but went to do as she was told. Maka felt guilty. She was scanning the kitchen when something caught her eye.

"Does that work, ma'am?"

Everyone in the room turned to the wall where Maka was pointing: a large iron door right above the stove. It was an old wood-burning oven.

"Oh!" Madam Dupré exclaimed. "Why, that old thing. It does, but I haven't used it in years."

Bertha returned. "I heard 'that old thing.' I hope you weren't talking about me!"

Her voice was entirely teasing. Maka laughed before explaining, "The oven there in the wall."

Bertha was very on-board with the idea. "Come now Madam, I'm sure we can bake your pie before the party is in full swing. Besides, I've hated that electric stove since the day we got it. Nothing like sweating for your food to make a good meal."

"Maybe if we were twenty years younger, Bertha!"

Maka was quick to speak. "I've used wood-burning ovens for many years, ma'am. I could set it up and we could give it a try. Please Madam."

"There is firewood in the back shed," Bertha added. "We have matches and newspaper too."

It seemed the Madam was convinced. "Oh, alright. Just this once though."

"Excellent! I'll get the matches."

Maka turned to Madam Dupré. "Which way to the shed?"

マカの宅急便

"You'll be late," Blair warned. "Wood stoves take a long time to get to the right temperature."

Maka shook her head. "Not that long. Besides, I would feel so guilty making the Madam pay me without making the delivery."

She gathered an armload of wood and dashed back into the house. The went out to get sticks and dry grass as well. Bertha had already gotten an old pair of bellows and the newspaper and matches. Maka prepared the oven before lighting the paper. It came to life on the first try.

"Oh my," Madam Dupré gasped as the flame danced to life. "I've forgotten how exciting a fire can be."

"I've always hated this electricity stuff," Bertha added sagely as she watched Maka work.

Maka worked up a sweat as she stirred the fire. It took quite a while before the wood had burned down to a comfortable temperature to bake the pie in. She slid it in and shut the door.

"It'll take a while until that pie is done," Madam Dupré announced. "Why don't you take a break? I'll have Bertha put in some tea."

"Tea sounds lovely," Maka said.

"Bertha!" The woman was there in an instant. "If you could please make some tea. Leave it in the drawing room when it's done."

"Of course, Madam."

After Bertha left, Maka asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with? I'd rather be doing something while we wait."

マカの宅急便

"I feel very bad for making you do this," Madam Dupré called up at Maka. The witch looked down from her perch on the ladder underneath the lights.

"Not at all! I'm glad I can be of assistance!"

"If you're late to your party it's all on you," Blair reminded her.

Maka took the old light bulb and handed it to Blair to hold. "I'm fine. I'm watching the time. Besides, I'm sure Soul can wait a few minutes for me if I'm late."

Blair would've protested if she didn't have a light bulb stuck in her mouth.

"What a coincidence, to think you are going to the same party I'm having you deliver to," Madam Dupré said. "Please let my granddaughter know I wish her happy birthday."

"I will!"

"Are you going straight there after this delivery then?"

"No! I have a friend picking me up. So I'll drop off the pie and go with him on foot."

Maka ended up replacing all the lights on the first floor. When she finished she was offered tea and cookies in the sitting room. Bertha was watching television. Maka found it funny how the elderly woman complained so much about the oven, but was perfectly content with the TV.

They sat down. Maka enjoyed the company of the two women. They seemed to be old friends from childhood, though Bertha had been serving the madam since she was a young woman. Bertha told Maka a story from when the women were children, which had Maka giggling. Blair had fallen asleep in Bertha's lap, content.

Madam Dupré glanced at the clock.

"Are you sure you'll be okay for the party? It's getting quite late."

Maka smiled and nodded. "My friend's not expecting me until six. I still have plenty of time."

True to Maka's word the clock read five thirty-two. It would only take ten minutes to get to the delivery destination, and another five to get home. She would have no problem at all.

The madam gasped. "Oh no! That clock runs slow."

"What?" Maka asked.

"It's about twenty minutes behind!"

They both stood. Bertha turned off the television.

"Bertha! Please get the young girl's broom. Maka, let's check on that pie."

The pie, contrary to the panicking people outside of the oven, was sizzling contently. Maka pulled on a thick pair of oven mitts and pulled it out. Madam Dupré nodded.

"It looks good. Here, the basket."

They put it in a basket. The lid to the dish was placed over the pie, and a thick towel over that to retain the heat. Maka carried it carefully to the front door. A drowsy Blair was running around her ankles.

"Told you you'd be late."

"Hush you!"

The madam took her purse from a table in the hallway. She stopped Maka before the door.

"Here."

Maka looked at the bills in her hand. "This much? No, it's much more than I can take."

"You've done so much to help. And you still need to deliver the pie."

"But Madam—"

"Miss Witch, the time!" Bertha called from the hallway.

Madam Dupré pushed Maka's shoulder. "Quickly now!"

The witch curtsied before taking her broom from Bertha's hand and running out the door. Maka called for Blair as she mounted her broom. The moment her familiar hopped on Maka kicked off and flew south towards the clouds.

The two women watched from the window as the rain began to fall.

Maka tucked the basket under her dress. She narrowed her eyes as the rain only came down harder. What was with her luck in these situations? Every time she needed to do something important it would go badly because of the weather. First the wind, now this.

Blair curled up under Maka's shoulder. "Do you know where you're going?"

"It's a bit white house on private property. I don't think I'll miss it."

She was right. The lamplight illuminated the driveway. Maka landed on the doorstep. Blair hopped off and shook her fur out, whining a bit about being wet. Even though she was dripping, Maka was happy to see the pie was still intact and warm. She rang the doorbell.

Jackie answered the door. She was definitely shocked to see Maka sopping wet on her doorstep.

"Maka! What's this?"

Maka held out the basket triumphantly. "A delivery from your grandmother. I know I look a right mess, but I promise the pie is perfectly fine."

Jacqueline groaned. "Don't tell me, it's her herring and pumpkin pie. I told her she didn't have to make such a thing. No one else eats it but me. And to make you deliver it through the rain too."

Maka shook her head. "It was no trouble. She and Bertha were wonderful people."

Jackie smiled. "Well, I'm glad you liked them. They can be very judgmental sometimes."

"Not at all. They were both very sweet."

"Then that means they liked you," she replied as she took the pie.

Maka dug around in her wet pocket. "Can I get your signature for the package?"

Jackie signed. "Do you want to come in? I can get you a towel and a hairdryer. And some warmer clothes."

"I'm fine."

Jackie looked her up and down. "Are you sure?"

Maka said, "I'd rather go home and wash up first. Soul's waiting for me so I should probably make sure he hasn't given up on me as soon as possible. I'll walk back with him when I'm clean."

"Okay then. We'll see you soon."

"See you!"

The door shut. Maka sighed, suddenly exhausted.

"Come on Blair. It'll only take a couple of minutes to get back."

The cat frowned. "Bu-tan really hates the rain."

"Oh quit whining! I don't like it either, but if we're going to make it before Soul gives up then we need to go back out there."

The flight back to the café was cold and miserable. Maka was slumping over slightly on the broom. If brooms could feel exhaustion, this old one was probably pretty fatigued too. It took a few minutes until the café came into view. She saw a familiar boy standing under the cover of the café scanning the skies. He looked down at the watch on his wrist. Maka felt a pang of guilt go through her. She had made him wait, and she was going to make him wait a little more now.

"Soul!"

The boy looked up from his watch and a relieved smile spread across his face.

"You made it!" he called as Maka landed. "I swore you were gonna ditch me."

"I have half a mind to now," she replied smoothly, dismounting. "Let me drop off my delivery stuff and dry off. Then we can go."

"Alright. I'll wait here."

Maka tried to open the front door, but found it was closed early. Strange. She pulled her extra key from the string around her neck and unlocked it. The café was dark. Maka ran through the building and to her bedroom. She dried off with a towel and hung her wet dress up, putting on the dry one. She gave Blair a quick pat down too before the two of them ran back into the main building.

"Miss Marie, I'm heading off!"

There was no response. Now Maka was worried. She climbed up the stairs to the bedrooms.

"Miss Marie?"

"Maka, dear? Is that you?"

Marie opened the door to her bedroom. She was already in her pajamas, and there was a flush to her face that didn't seem healthy. She waved weakly to Maka.

"Have fun."

"Miss Marie, are you okay?"

The woman shook her head. "I'm afraid it's a summer cold. I always get one, as annoying as it is. I'll probably be fine with a good night's rest."

She wobbled slightly. Maka was at her side. She helped the sick woman back into bed. Maka gnawed at her lip. She'd never had to take care of a sick person in her life. Should she stay and do something?

Maybe I can make a warm drink with herbs. There was a recipe in Mama's old book.

A voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Hey Maka, what's taking so long?"

"Soul," she gasped, looking up to find him in the doorway.

He shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry. I probably shouldn't be up here, but you were in here for almost ten minutes. I got worried."

Maka looked down at her feet and explained. "It's Miss Marie. She says she hasn't been feeling well all day and I think she's sick. Since Dr. Stein's out of town visiting some of his colleagues we have no way of contacting him. I'm not sure what to do."

"You should stay here."

"But the party—"

Soul shook his head. "It's fine. Take care of Miss Marie. I'll explain to everyone what's happening. Do you want me to come back after I do that?"

"It's fine. You should have fun tonight. And let everyone know I'm sorry I couldn't make it."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure." Maka smiled. "Thanks Soul."

"Of course." Maka walked him out of the café. "I expect you to hang out with me soon though. Think of it as a rain check."

"And on a rainy day too."

They laughed at the terrible joke before Soul opened his umbrella and headed down the street with one last goodbye.

"Eat the herring pumpkin pie!" Maka shouted at him as he left.

"I'll bring you back a slice!"

Once Soul was gone Maka turned and went into Stein's side of the shop. She gathered the ingredients she needed. She made a pot of the hot drink. Hopefully it would help.

Maka was up late taking care of Miss Marie until the woman insisted Maka take a hot shower and go to sleep herself.

"It won't help if both of us are sick," she said. "You should rest too. I can tell you're dead on your feet."

She wasn't wrong. Maka was tired. The witch excused herself for the night, making sure Marie was as comfortable as she could be before taking a long, hot shower. Her bed never looked more inviting. Forcing Blair off her pillow Maka fell face-first into the bed and was asleep in seconds.

Marie will be fine, no worries.

This is right around where I took a bunch of creative liberties and began tweaking the plot to fit my needs. i.e. dark. So the rest of the story won't quite map out how the movie went.

Next chapter: A fun filler. I felt we couldn't ignore Kilik forever.