Chapter Eighteen

MR. V

They stepped through the portal again and left a Realm that had light in it and returned to the Anti-Realm. With each step they took forward, the laughter and jazz music was slowly replaced by murderous screams and rain; the warmth of the night was replaced by a never ending chill; the welcoming feeling of trusting other humans was replaced by the feeling of paranoia and ready to be attacked when walking around the corner. When the news hit them that he was the new Shadowman, those worried looks in the faces of people he wanted to call his friends was enough to remind him that he did not belong there. Mr. V never belonged in a place of Light like that. Although it was nice to visit Tiana and the others, as odd as it sounded, it was somewhat good to come home in the Anti-Realm.

Ms. Scatter had pulled out a small handheld umbrella and pushed it open over them. Mr. V, being the gentleman that he was, carefully took the umbrella from her smaller hand to hold it above them; he was also taller, and he did not like the umbrella just resting over his hat. Ms. Scatter offered him a quick smile of thanks before turning those brown eyes to the rain.

"I know this may be an odd thing to say," she sighed and rested her hands in front of her as she looked up at the thick black sky, "but I have always secretly loved the rain."

"I don't think it is that odd," he gave a shrug as he glanced down at her. She seemed to be entranced by the falling water droplets. "It can be pretty calming."

"Well yes, but that's not why I like it." She hummed and held her hand out, palm up, in the rain. It was almost as if time itself stopped to gently touch her skin as the droplets slowly landed in her hand. "I have always loved how cool it has felt on my skin. It rarely rains in my Realm . . ."

Entranced by the magical air about her, Mr. V watched as the raindrops fell on her palm and he could see steam and hear a small little hiss whenever they touched her skin. He had never known she was that physically and biologically hot to make the rain immediately steam and dissipate like that. There was a small smile on her face, and she twisted her hand over to allow more rain to fall on her skin. As fascinating as it was, he knew better than to stare for too long, it would raise too many questions and pique his curiosity too much. He didn't want to risk the flash of gold in her eyes on such a lovely evening.

Mr. V cleared his throat and gently nudged her with his elbow, "Are you ready to meet this mystery Villain?"

In a daze she blinked up at him, as if she forgot what she was doing and where they were. "Oh, yes," She laughed ever so softly, almost fairy-like. "We should probably get going before it gets too late."

"Well, the good news is that it isn't too far from us." He hummed as she looped her arm through his, standing closer to be better protected from the rain. The pads of her fingers just barely grazed the top of his hand and a sensation he only felt for Tiana a long time ago dared to rise up at the touch. He tightened his hold on the handle of the umbrella and kept his eyes forward, "We just have to make sure that we don't sink in any of the puddles along the way."

He felt her eyes blinking up at him in disbelief, "You can't be serious?"

"Oh I most certainly am," He chuckled, glad for the slight distraction, though the familiar sensation remained on his hand. "Some of these puddles are so deep they act like catfish holes where they suck you in and shoot you out someplace else."

"How do you know?" The flutter of eyelashes caused a fluttering in his chest he hoped would die away soon."

"Well, Facilier had two apprentices once. . ." He coughed and cleared his throat. "Let's just say he got sucked in faster than a clown slipping on a banana."

"That makes no sense," she laughed, light and airy and like a fairy. It was a sweet melody that he nearly choked on as his ears longed to hear it more. It was such a more sincere laugh than the ones she offered to his subpar jokes.

He couldn't help but smirk and hoped to encourage the laughter. "He got sucked in so fast that I'm pretty sure it was Monstro yawning and he ate him."

Again, the laugh sounded, and he found himself trying to think of what to say more to prolong it. "That is terrible!"

"But that is life here in the Anti-Realm." He gave a shrug and hoped the ridiculous feelings that rose within him would shrug away too. "Looking back on it though, it was rather funny."

"You're terrible," she snorted and smacked his arm. He desperately wished that the smack would have done more to offend the feelings rising within him rather than encourage their heat.

"Hey, what can I say?" He shrugged. "I'm a Villain, Scatter."

"Not the most villainous person that I know," she smiled up at him, "but I do believe that you could possibly have it in you if you truly wanted to."

He looked down at her and a small smirk grew on her face, "Is that a challenge I hear?"

"Not this time," she shook her head as they walked. "Not before we find out who the mystery Villain is."

Ah, yes, the topic of work. The best way to kill most things except for the creeping fire from his hand ascending his elbow. " He asked thoughtfully, "Who do you think it is?"

"I have no idea," she hummed but the way she clenched at his elbow told him otherwise. "It could literally be anyone," her voice slightly shook as she took a deep breath, "and then again, no one."

He could hear the plea in her voice that whoever this mystery Villain was that it was truly no one of consequence. With how lovely the evening was, Mr. V found himself hoping for the same thing. "Tis true, my dear," he sighed. "Tis true."

"What would you do if it were Facilier?" She suddenly stopped in her tracks, and in turn caused Mr. V to awkwardly stop. As he looked down at her, a pensive look wrinkled her brow.

"Good question." He paused. Of all the names and all the Villains that could possibly be readmitting themselves to the society of the Anti-Realm, that was not one that was very high on his list. Mr. V was sure that there was no chance Dr. Facilier would ever leave his eternal prison with his Friends on the Other Side, not with the amount of debts he'd managed to wrack up over the years. Still, it wasn't entirely unheard of for one or two poor unfortunate souls to wiggle their way out with the rest of the worms; though he severely doubted it. Dr. Facilier was a very charismatic man, but he had more debt than charisma. "I don't rightly know. . ."

"Do you think he would be happy to see us?" He could see the worry rooting itself deeper in her eyes. He needed to dissuade her worries so that flash of gold didn't turn up again.

"You, undoubtedly. Me, on the other hand," He shrugged, "I would more than likely be screwed. He'd kill me in a heartbeat - that is if he still has one - and probably use me as his replacement to pay off his debts for his Friends on the Other Side."

"His debts. . ." She mused. "Do tell me, now that I'm curious, have you ever made a deal with those on the Other Side?"

Mr. V suddenly felt a chill go down his spine, but his face felt flushed as though he had too much alcohol; but the light stuff that they drank tonight was not enough to have these sorts of effects. All the fluttering feelings were slaughtered with that question and left a more unnerving feeling brewing within himself. Shame? Regret? Anguish? Well, it was hard to tell, either way, he found it rather difficult to answer her. "It is rather complicated. . ." he murmured, his throat tight, his lungs suddenly finding difficulty in swallowing clean air. "But yes. . . Yes I have."

Ms. Scatter merely hummed in reply, more than likely trying to be polite in this situation. A Shadowman was never supposed to reveal his deals, it was always hidden within the fine prints of the contracts, nor was he supposed to reveal how much it cost either. One man's soul never weighed the same as another's did, nor did their sins. Mr. V found himself respecting Ms. Scatter's lack of questioning regarding his past and quickly regretted wanting to bombard her with questions about her own past. All good things will come in time, while others should be buried twelve feet under.

The rain continued to pitter patter on the umbrella and Mr. V could see why she enjoyed the rain. He found it calming, soothing, a way to distract himself from the things threatening to escape. She spoke up and slowed their walking, "Did it cost you greatly?"

"Almost as much as Facilier." He kept his eyes forward as they walked. "But there is always a cost to everything; just a limit."

"Is that why you weren't able to get your Happy Ending?" She cast him a knowing look that formed a knot in his stomach upon seeing it.

"Not. . ." His throat felt tight and he couldn't bring himself to look at her. Too much pain, too many memories, too much loss. "Not entirely; though it probably had a helping hand in it. Not that it matters now though, she's safe and happy; that's all that matters."

She bit her lip, as if trying to keep the argument and questions within her. "But - "

"Ashe." He sighed and she visibly tensed as he spoke her name. "I know you're curious. I know you have every right to question me. I know you're wanting to help in some way, but the way my mission ended doesn't matter." He dared a glance down at those brown eyes searching his own for the truth that wanted to shrivel up inside him. "I am happy with the way it ended. I couldn't give Tiana anything she wanted. I couldn't give her the restaurant, I can't give her kids, I more than likely would not have given her a happy marriage due to all of my complicated things that go on in my life, and I despite everything that I tried, I couldn't bring her daddy back. . . . ."

His hand tightened on his cane, his teeth gritted so hard it hurt, and his nose was so wrinkled he could feel the pores begging for air. The necklace around his neck felt heavy, and the pendant almost burned his skin with how cold it was. He had to turn his gaze away from her, she meant no harm, and with all the digging that he had been doing, she had every right to question him the way she was; however he probably would have been able to have handled it better if she were not so sweet about it. If she were yelling at him it would have been easier to brush off even ignore all the knotted feels that were wrapped around his heart. But she was being kind. She could kill people with that kindness; it was already killing him.

Her small hand slid around his middle and before he could stop her, she was hugging him from his left side. Both of her slim arms were wrapped around him and it took him a moment to realize that she was hugging him.

"Scatter. . ." He whispered, trying to regain his voice.

"I know you're not used to this." She spoke softly. "I know this is technically against all protocols. I also know that this is my fault that whatever is going on in your head caused it. So . . . Let me at least do this. I know this is probably weird and it will only be for a few more seconds."

"All right. . ." He sighed and tipped his head back. He stared up at the metal lines on the inside of the umbrella and suddenly wanted the rain to touch his face. He didn't move the umbrella because he didn't want to ruin her attire. He did agree that this was odd, hugs were odd in the Anti-Realm. Even though the two of them already did not exactly fit in with the rest of the Villains, it was still odd to see them hugging - well, Mr. V being hugged- if someone was passing by.

"Are you good now?" she asked, hesitant from withdrawing herself from the hug.

"As good as I can be, Scatter," he chuckled and lightly patted her shoulder. "You can let me go now."

She slowly released him, and her ears immediately flushed as she put her hands in front of her. They stood there for a few moments, for them both to gather themselves together. Having regained his composure, he held his arm out to her again. He suddenly felt very tired, but he wouldn't disappoint on such a lovely night, "Shall we?"

"We shall." She sounded just as polite, and possibly just as tired. With that, they continued on their way. There was no lighthearted laughter nor curious conversation to keep them entertained as they walked, instead they continued in silence and just enjoyed the sound of rain falling all around them.

It did not take them very long until they appeared in front of the Anti-Realm House of Mouse. The House of Mouse was the only building in the entire Anti-Realm that was directly connected to the World of Disney where the high-pitched mouse would get on stage, make his announcements, and allow the shows to file through. It was actually one of the few entertaining things to do in all of the Anti-Realm. The best part was that there was no need for tickets, just an ID to verify your Villain title.

There was a steady flow of Villains walking, swaggering, strutting, wobbling, hobbling, and sauntering into the House of Mouse. Still with their arms locked they pulled out their ID's and entered in easily past the ghost bouncers that were there to solidify and prevent their entry. Mr. V leaned over and spoke in her ear, "Do you have a preference where you would like to sit?"

"I like being up high," she admitted.

"Balcony it is." He nodded and they took the first right and made their way up to the balconies. "I have my own box."

"What do you mean you have your own box?" She blinked at him. "No one really has their own spot."

"Oh, I do." He chuckled and showed her his platinum card. "I have my own table wherever I go."

She blinked up at him, "Is that always necessary?"

"I like to have my own space," he gave a shrug as he led them up to his box.

Two bulky ghosts stepped aside and moved the red velvet rope to his small balcony table and sitting area. They entered his space and as soon as they got comfortable, a ghost hostess appeared through the wall. "Evenin' Mista V," she smacked her gum and gave him a wink. "Whatcha want ta-night?"

"Want anythin'?" He asked Ms. Scatter as she was looking over the edge, eagerly looking for the mystery Villain.

She turned her head in his direction, but not her attention. "Do you have a menu?"

"Nope." The ghost hostess popped her gum before she rolled her eyes. Ms. Scatter looked taken aback. "Of course, we gotta menu."

"Sammy," Mr. V snapped. "Why don't you get us some waters and give me a minute to decide."

"Whatever you say, Mista V," She winked with a snap and disappeared. The waters appeared on the table and Ms. Scatter merely blinked at the drinks that appeared on the table.

"You'd think I'd have gotten used to that," she murmured and looked at the drink. "it happens all the time at the Castle."

"It's a little different when you have a Salty Sammy as your hostess." he groaned and slouched, his hat falling over the top of his eyes. "She can be a little overwhelming. . . She also doesn't like it when I have company with me."

She blinked, looking somewhat hurt, "You have actually taken others to your box?"

"Only for business matters." he waved it off and took a sip of the water. "I used to come up here to get away from Facilier, he had a nasty habit of keeping . . . unwanted company." He was going to need something stronger if she kept asking all these questions. "Wouldn't you know it, he hated heights. . . I kinda do too."

"Why didn't you say so?" She gasped getting ready to jump up. "I wouldn't have said to -"

"Don't worry about it, Scatter." He waved her off. "I'm used to it. So long as I only pay attention to the shows, I don't get the dizzy spells anymore."

"You used to get dizzy spells?" He didn't like the guilt in her voice.

"Used to." He sat up and looked at her. "I got used to it so I could sit up here."

"I wished I wouldn't have said anything. . ." Her hand went to her mouth and Mr. V frowned.

"You wanted to be up high, we're up high." He said flatly, annoyed at her guilt when he wanted to ensure she had a nice evening. "You did nothing wrong, you're good, Scatter."

Her brow furrowed and those brown eyes looked ready to flash yellow, but instead she snatched up her water and sipped on it and turned her gaze to the waves of people down below. He sat back and set his hat beside him on the seat, "Why do you like being up high anyways?"

"I like to make sure I can't be ambushed." She said keeping her shoulder and back to him. "I'd rather be ready to make an ambush than to be ambushed."

"That sounds like a story." He pointed, brow raised, tongue ready to pop a question if given the chance.

"Not for tonight," she shook her head and her shoulders tensed. He would allow that. He'd pried enough into her private life lately, he wouldn't press it further.

"Did ya decide what ya wanted?" Sammy asked as she popped out of nowhere. Scatter nearly screamed and it took everything in Mr. V not to laugh, though he was still struggling to hide his hiccups of laughter.

"Get me a Jack Daniels," He snorted.

"And get me a mint chocolate chip ice cream sundae." Ms. Scatter sniffed, sounding rather miffed.

Sammy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "You can't be serious,"

"Hey," Mr. V snapped. "You heard her. Get her what she wants, Sammy."

"Whateva you say, Mista V," She stuck her tongue out before disappearing with another snap and the wanted items appeared on the table.

Ms. Scatter huffed and pulled the ice cream towards her. "Does she always do that?"

"Begrudgingly, yes," he grimaced and drank his Jack Daniels. "I can't even say that I've gotten used to it so much as I've learned not to react. She gets excited whenever she gets a reaction."

"How quaint." She hissed and began to eat her ice cream. It was rather cute to see her a little frazzled, though he could understand why she was a little on edge. Sammy isn't always the best at getting a hint or just leaving things alone.

He took another gulp of his drink and loved the way it burned down his throat. It had an odd calming effect that revived his health; he always believed that a good shot of whiskey or bourbon could cure any illness, even prevent them. As he sat back and glanced at Ms. Scatter, he noticed that her ice cream sundae was already half-way gone. He would never understand a woman's sugar addiction or how they could even inhale that much frozen sugar in one go. They never truly paced themselves. All girls, ladies, and women were made out of sugar, spice, and everything nice; it was just that some more of the third than others.

Tiana always had that sugar to go into her baking, that spice to ward off imbeciles and stupid people, and everything nice came in her naturally good nature. Ms. Scatter, in an odd comparison had more sugar in her personality to make sure she was kind to everyone, her spice was only when her temper was flared, and in all honesty - if he were truly honest with himself - everything nice went into her figure and her hard work. However, since she was a coworker, he avoided such thoughts because that would only complicate things, and after this evening he was not entirely in the mood for any kind of sugar. Suddenly the lights flickered and dimmed, and Mr. V turned his gaze to the stage down below.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, gods and goddesses, animals and sea creatures, fairies and demons," Mickey Mouse chuckled as he did his usual announcement. Mr. V could only roll his eyes and sip his drink to keep him from groaning. No man, whether mouse or not, should ever have a pitch that high; it just grated on his nerves. "Welcome to the House of Mouse! By now I know many of you have already heard that a long-lost Villain will be returning to the scene. However, while he is still waking up and getting ready, here are a few shows to keep you entertained."

Clapping echoed throughout the House of Mouse, and much to his surprise he heard cheers coming from Lady Tremaine, Yzma, and the other ladies that were apparently well acquainted with this mystery Villain.

"How interesting. . ." He murmured as he boredly watched Goofy and Donald roll out on stage to do their usual comedic performances. All the while, Ms. Scatter seemed to be enjoying the shows, nonetheless. Her laughter was soft and quiet in amusement, but it wasn't the fairy laugh that tickled his ears. He casually drank more of his drink and raised a brow at her. "Have you ever been here?"

"No," She admitted and set her empty sundae glass on the small table. Her voice was quiet, and she rested her chin on her arms as she leaned on the edge of the ledge. "I have always been too busy with my work. . ."

Sure, he gave her plenty to do, but surely, she had some sort of free time; unless Ms. Villa or Mr. Po was giving her extra work without his knowing. His brows furrowed. "Surely I don't give you that much work."

"No," she finally looked back at him and gave him a small smile. "You really don't, I just add on a few things to keep me distracted. . . Plus with every other employer I have ever had they either weren't close enough, or we were on the other side of the Realm. They didn't like the idea of an employee going to the House of Mouse."

He grunted, "That's rather stupid."

"Well," she shrugged with a nervous laugh, "it's not like I'm exactly the best of Villains."

"Are you kidding me?" He chuckled at her. "You have the ability to kill with kindness, it's pretty evil to me."

"It's only because you don't know how to use it," she giggled slightly, the fairy almost coming out, and stuck her tongue out.

"It's still very powerful," he reassured. "Most people don't know how to use it, and many don't know how to take it."

She hummed as she turned her attention back to the shows that went on, "It's not the only thing I can do."

Mr. V merely sat back in his seat and allowed his head to rest against the wall to allow her to enjoy the show. He would lay back and catch a few 'Z's before the grand reveal. There was singing, clanging, clapping, and laughing and Mr. V could not exactly sleep, but he allowed himself to keep his eyes closed to relax a little; and then that annoying mouse came back on stage.

"Now everyone, I know that you've all been ready and waiting for him." He chuckled over the microphone. "Now everyone get your hands, claws, tentacles, wings, hooves, and appendages and clap them together -"

Mr. V was surprised by the great build up that Mickey Mouse was putting to this. He noted that Ms. Scatter was no longer relaxed and enjoying the show. Something was off. Ms. Scatter gripped the rails as Mickey Mouse continued, "To welcome the Demon King from the Volcanoes of the long-lost Fantasia Realm -"

"No." She whispered and shook her head. Mr. V's eyes too were wide at the mere mention of the Fantasia Realm.

"The Great," Mickey laughed, "the Terrible Chernabog!"

Screams and cackles echoed throughout the House of Mouse as a giant Demon with his wings draped over his shoulders to be a natural cape. He had to have been over eight feet high, tail not included. He walked out and glared out into the audience, his yellow eyes scanning the crowd. Mr. V was alarmed, and Ms. Scatter immediately dove underneath the balcony edge, laying on the floor. She was in the fetal position, holding her head in her hands, her knees curled up in the chest, she could practically hide underneath the small coffee table that was there. "No," she barely whispered, her lips moving too quickly. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!"

Her breathing was fast and was hitching high. Mr. V didn't like this, he didn't like this at all. Whatever, whoever this Chernabog was, he did not like him. He kneeled and reached his hand towards her, "Scatter?"

Her eyes kept switching between brown to gold. Brown, gold; brown, gold; brown, gold. Her eyes darted around the small space and just couldn't focus on him. "Help." She whimpered and immediately with his hat and cane in his hand he scooped her up and they disappeared through a quick portal to take them back to the Anti-Castle. His feet couldn't move fast enough, and the portal seemed strangely long. Mr. V had never realized how petite she was until he held her tightly in his arms, cradling her like a scared child. While they traveled through the portal, she clung to him as if she needed him to escape death. Her entire body trembled no matter how tightly he held her to him, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he whispered to her and held her close, wanting to do anything to sooth her fears. "It's okay, I've got you."

This was a situation he was all too familiar with. It was far too similar to what happened with Tiana and Dr. Facilier when he wanted the amulet back. He had managed to protect Tiana then; he would protect Ashe Scatter now from whatever demons from her past were coming back to haunt her. She began to sniffle, and Mr. V was relieved whenever they exited the portal and appeared in her room. "I'm sorry." She kept murmuring. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Varuo, who had his leg outstretched in the middle of a bath, stared at them in shock. Ms. Scatter crying in Mr. V's arms and him looking at Varuo in desperation. She, in her anxious and frantic state, kept apologizing. Mr. V set her on her bed and Varuo puffed up like he was in the middle of a lightning storm. "What the hell happened?!" Varuo demanded as he rubbed his head against Scatter's arms, trying to sooth her fears and calm her down.

"I don't know!" Mr. V raised his voice as the situation was getting to him. "Everything was fine at dinner, then we went to the House of Mouse and the mystery Villain turned out to be Chernabog –"

Varuo roared more like a lion than a house cat, back arched, and his fur standing on end. "DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT NAME!"

"But that's who was there at the House of Mouse!" Mr. V countered.

Varuo pounced on Mr. V, growing in size midair, and tackled him to the ground, "Are you serious?"

"Blood hell," Mr. V gasped for air and tried to push Varuo off of him, but the cat was growing and was the size of a tiger. "What are you?"

"Are you serious?" Another roar, not a soft voice came from him as his claws held his shoulders down. "He is here?!"

"Yes!" Mr. V shouted trying to pull the giant fluffy cat off of him. "Yes, he is here!"

"Shit!" Varuo growled as he hopped off of him and went over to Scatter who was now sitting up, tears streaming down her face, mascara ruined, her hair falling in disarray around her shoulder. Varuo circled himself around Scatter, and she held him in her arms with her head on top of his head.

"He's here. . ." Her voice was cracked, and her eyes were still flickering from brown to gold and back to brown again. "He. Is. Here. Varuo. What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Ashe. . ." His tail flicked and he cast his glaring green eyes on Mr. V who was still laying on the floor trying to push himself up. On the other side of the door he could just barely hear the oncoming sound of feet running down the hall; Ms. Villa and Mr. Po would be here shortly. Mr. V quietly stood up and dusted himself off. He tried to keep quiet until he knew that she was calmed down enough to speak, however, her eyes just wouldn't quit changing colors. He would do almost anything to take away that terrified look on her face. After such a lovely evening, hearing a more honest and sincere laugh from her, sharing parts of his past with her – this was not how he wanted this night to end.

"I'm sorry," her brow furrowed, her lips quivered, and her shoulders shook as she looked over to Mr. V. "I'm so, so, so sorry, Mr. V."

"Hey," Mr. V shushed as he walked over to her. "It's alright. . ." He had his arms out, and although Varuo was glaring at him, Ms. Scatter allowed him to approach her. He wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her face in his chest. He didn't know what to do, what to say, but he just did what she had tried to do to him. He had no words of comfort because he did not know how to comfort her, but sometimes silence was all that was needed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again. He'd never heard her so weak and he hated the way it hurt his own heart to hear it.

"Stop that," he patted her back gently, rubbing small circles on her back. "Stop apologizing. You didn't do anything."

"But I'm here. . ." She pulled back and looked up at him, her eyes finally settled on the brown color, but they had flecks of gold in them. "And he is here. . ." Her eyes darted back and forth between Mr. V's, as if trying to convey the severity of this strange situation and how it was her fault somehow. "That means something has happened."

His own eyes searched hers, waiting for some sort of an answer. "Like what?"

"The Realm . . ." She blinked, the clarity coming back to her eyes, brown settling in and the gold dissipating. "Maybe it fixed itself. . ." She suddenly pushed him aside and paced around her room. "No, he said it was a lost Realm. . ."

"Ashe." Varuo hopped up from the bed and shrunk to the size of a house cat again and rubbed up against her. As he looped through her ankles, he glared at Mr. V, "Stop thinking about it. . ."

Mr. V wasn't sure if Varuo truly was telling him to stop thinking about this situation, or if he was trying to distract Scatter. "I can't Varuo," she hissed and reached for her feet to snatch her heels from her feet. "I have to know."

"Ashe, no." Varuo followed her. "You can't, remember?"

She kept her back to him as she paced around her room gathering clothes. "I'm going, Varuo."

Varuo called, "But the amulet -"

"I know about the amulet." She hissed and those eyes flashed gold and there were a few burn marks in the floor from her pacing, Mr. V noticed. "But I still have to go!"

"Um." Mr. V coughed and cleared his throat. They both snapped their heads at him. "I know I don't exactly have a right or say in this -"

"You don't." Varuo agreed.

"But may I please know what is going on?" He looked specifically at Ms. Scatter. He could see the growing conflict in her eyes, that she wanted to tell him, but she for some unspeakable reason could not or would not tell him.

She gave him a sad smile and pinched the inside of her arms, and pursed her lips, "It is really complicated, Mr. V, and I have no idea what to make of all of this myself." She let out a heavy sigh and roughly ran a hand through her hair, "I know there is so much that you, and the others, want to know, a-and I know you've been trying to get answers to your questions behind my back."

She cast those gold eyes on him, and he sucked in a breath. He couldn't deny this truth or even formulate a proper lie to charm himself out of this situation. He had been digging, even though he told the others not to, he more or less was in the shadows when he could. He let out a nervous laugh and opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand and silenced him.

"I'm not mad." She said rather flatly. "Though, I'm not particularly happy about it. Don't worry, Varuo didn't tell me, but I know." Even Varuo tensed and they shared a surprised look. "You're not the only one who can manipulate the shadows, Mr. V." She smirked and the surprises just seemed to keep coming. "I know you just wanted to know, and I thank you for keeping the other two out of most of my business," She offered a weak smile, "but there are quite a few things from my past that I have not wanted to share with you. I told you that I destroyed my Realm; well at least I thought I did. . ."

"If he is here, then that means there is a chance the Realm is fine -" Varuo sounded somewhat hopeful.

"It can't be fine, Varuo." She shook her head, her fingers pinching the crooks of her elbows tighter. "Not after what I did to it! To the Amulet. To the Door Between Realms. . ." She heaved a sigh and pressed her hands to her eyes. "But I still need to know. . ."

Mr. V remained quiet as he carefully watched the two of them. Curiosity was gnawing on his better sense of judgment to her past, part of him felt as though he deserved it after what she learned about him this evening; but now was obviously not the time or place for such things. Her face was red and splotchy from the roller coaster of emotions and heavy tears she shed tonight; she still looked lovely to him despite all this. Just looking at her, and Varuo for that matter, told him that even if he were to ask there would truly be no answer to his questions, just more vague answers or roundabout ways of avoiding the problem. Ms. Scatter's brow was furrowed, her body tense like she was deep in a trancelike thought.

"Ms. Scatter." Mr. V didn't dare move from his spot. "May I know what it is that you're thinking?"

She sighed and turned those clear and determined brown eyes to him. "I'm thinking that I need to submit my two weeks' notice, Mr. V."

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying it so far!

If you've liked what you've read so far, why don't you tell me about it in the comments? Even if you don't like it, please share your thoughts with me and leave me a review. If you like this story enough, maybe share it on your own platforms. If you haven't already, right about now would be a good idea to go and check out the backstory I wrote for Ashe Scatter, the Firebird. I will be correlating it with this story as it progresses.

Thanks for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!

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