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Adrien's P.O.V
I walk around the busy marketplace and keep alert for that certain scent I smelled only twice. I have been coming here every day since the day I was with my friends. Yet, I am still having no luck in finding the spy. Whoever it was, they do not come to the market very often.
I have not even had a whiff of them around the poor section. Wherever I wander on these dusty roads, I do not catch the peculiar odor. There must be a reason they hardly come to the market. This is the only place the poor come for food.
"Is that person a servant of a wealthy family? Why would they shop in this part of Paris when there are higher quality markets in the other? Unless they were not looking for something. They could have been looking for someone." I wondered, making no sense to me. The only people who pass through the gates are the guards and exiled wealthy children.
Even so, who would be able to pass through the gates and return to the rich section as they please? Maybe, the mayor's lackeys? Yet, for whatever reason would he want to deal with less fortunate people? It cannot be for the merchandise or money.
Could it be…another miraculous holder or sorcery user?
"Please! I will do anything you wish out of my service! I beg of you, do not take away my daughter! She is all I have left in this world!"
My thoughts vanished in an instant. I turned toward the beggar's voice and see a small crowd of people watching the sprawl from a distance. My gaze lands on a short woman wearing a bandanna and talking to some rich scum's assistant.
"Be quiet, dirty rat!" the assistant hissed. He shoved the woman into the side of her stand. A few dried fruits and vegetables fall onto the ground. The prestigious male quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe the very hand he touched the female with like he had touched something disgusting. I scowl at this putrid monster.
"Why is this jerk even here?" I questioned in my mind. A growl rumbled from the back of my throat.
"Your kind has no right to even speak to higher-ups like me. Mayor Bourgeois has been very lenient with you out of the kindness of his heart, for some reason. But he is becoming very impatient and is not amused by your lack of payment," the assistant huffed.
"Payment?" I questioned, the wheel in my head beginning to turn, "I know he is not talking about the stand or money. I did catch the woman saying something about her daughter..."
My eyes widen before rage started to boil within me. I finally realize what the mayor's assistant wants. Of course, he does not want something from the woman. He wants someone. Another servant.
Is the mayor starting to abuse his powers like the last dictator of Paris?
I pray to God that is not the case.
The woman stood up, her stature is tall and firm. A definite look etched her face, glaring at the unfazed man.
"I will refuse every offer you and your heinous tyrant give me," the woman spat, earning a slap from the assistant. I cannot watch this go on any longer. I begin to stomp my way over with my fists ready to hit this awful excuse of a limp noodle.
He is a foolish man for not bringing any protection with him.
"You will not speak to me like that, filthy vermin!" the rich scum yelled, "I will have you hanged for running your mouth-"
I punched the assistant. He stumbled and fell to the ground. Tears of pain shed from his eyes while furiously shot a dagger-like glare straight at me. His cheek was beginning to change color from the forming bruise.
I walked over and squatted in front of him. I took a fistful of his shirt and brought his disgusting face closer to mine to intimidate him. I can see the fury on his face turn into sudden terror.
"And I will find a horse to drag your sorry-of-an-excuse self around the poor section for running your mouth," I spoke under my breath in a menacing tone. The other male gulped and sweat began to form on his brow.
"You listen to me, dirty rat. You will keep your grimy hands away from this woman, her daughter, and everyone else in the poor section. If I see you here again, there will be worse consequences. Do you understand?" I concluded my threat.
The assistant vigorously nodded. I shoved him away and stood back up. The male stumbled to his feet and scampered away. A few people that were watching applauded me before returning to their business.
I understand if they did not want to get involved with the mayor's assistant. No good will probably come out of this later. I am sure he will be wiser and bring assistance next time he visits.
"Thank you, kind sir," the woman genuinely said, "How can I ever repay you for your kindness?"
"There is no need for that," I replied.
"Please, how about you come over for dinner tonight?" The woman offered.
"You really do not have to go to that much trouble for me," I told her.
"It is no trouble at all if I am assisting," she kindly explained, "I feel indebted to you."
I scratch the back of my neck, looking away for a moment. I have nothing else going on later and it is a free meal. I suppose it would not hurt.
"Alright," I gave in, "Where am I to find you?"
"Meet me here an hour before the sunsets. Then, we can head to my hut," the woman explained.
"I understand. I will see you later," I said, waving goodbye. The woman bid me a farewell before returning herself to her stand.
I let out a long sigh.
"What have I gotten myself into?" I thought, walking through the crowds of people.
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"I am delighted you accepted my invitation, dear," the woman chirped, a cheery smile on her face.
This woman is sweet but kind of annoying.
After she closed her stand for the night, we began to head to her residence. She grabbed a few fruits and vegetables from her display, having placed them in a basket she is carrying. She told me she plans on making her special soup or salad. I do not recall nor do I care to remember.
I hummed in acknowledgment.
"You are a man of few words, are you not?" She knowingly said. I glanced down at her for a moment before looking ahead again. I shrug my shoulders.
"I am not a very social person," I explained.
"So it seems," she replied, "Maybe, you will lighten up to my daughter. You look around the same age as she is."
"This better not be some sort of scheme to set me up with her daughter," I begrudgingly thought. I hope it is just a quick meal and do not have to bother-
I stop short when the woman approached a familiar hut covered with voodoo totems and spell tags.
"Why are we at Lady Olympia's hut?" I asked. The woman came to a halt in front of the door. She giggled before a puff of light blue smoke covered her. I immediately took a fighting stance, unsure of who my magical foe truly is. Is this the spy? Are they after Olympia, for some reason (of, course, who is not after her)?
In the woman's stead stood Lady Olympia herself, giggling. I relaxed, becoming slightly irritated with the old woman.
"I cannot believe yous did not figure me out? I thought my geeza pal taught ya betta' than dat," Olympia joked, gesturing for me to follow her inside, "Come on in! I did promise ya a meal. Maybe some good ole' gumbo with a bit of ah zing!"
Olympia walked into her hut. Letting out an annoyed sigh, I trail behind her. We pass through her main work area and went behind some curtains to a back room. Everything in the hut seemed to be in this one big room.
There are two mats on the floor, each with a pillow and a blanket. Beds. Why would she need two beds?
Olympia is standing in a small kitchenette located in the far left corner and the nearest corner to me is a tiny living room area. My answer to why there are two beds is revealed, seeing a girl around my age.
She has blonde, shoulder-length hair and sky blue eyes. She is wearing a long, raggedy gown and a bandanna. She is sitting in some kind of chair with wheels.
"Hello," she welcomed. I raise an eyebrow in confusion, never having seen this woman in the poor section before. Who is she and why is she within Lady Olympia's home?
"Take a seat, deary! Do not worry abou' ma daughte'! She only be hurtin' dem flies," Olympia said, kidding around and stirring something in a pot. My eyes nearly pop out of my head and nearly snap my neck when facing Olympia.
"Wait! You actually have a daughter!" I exclaimed, "Are you not...too old? You seem past the age of having a child this young."
"You betta' watch dat mouth of yours before you regret whatcha say to me next, youngin'" Lady Olympia warned.
"I apologize. I suppose what I said was very offensive but how?" I questioned, gesturing to the woman in the weird seat (which is pointless since the elder woman is blind).
"I don't think you realize that you and she have somethin' in common," Olympia explained, confusing me.
"What on earth are you talking about? I do not understand your riddles," I said, looking over at the blonde woman. From what I have noticed, she has not moved at all.
The girl gives me a saddened smile, "You have an elder guardian as well?"
"Oh, that is what Olympia meant," I thought, feeling dumb for not realizing it earlier. I do not really see Fu as my adoptive father but merely as my mentor who took me in. But that does not mean that these two females have a similar relationship to mine. This woman sees her adoptive guardian as an actual parental figure.
"I see..." I awkwardly said, "Excuse my stupidity, what may I call you?"
"You are not ignorant. You were just unknowing of circumstances," she reassured, "My name is Zamora Olympia but most prefer to call me Zoé."
"Adrien," I introduced myself, holding out my hand to shake. Much to my befuddlement, she still did not move and stared at my hand with a frown. I placed my hand back at my side. Zoé shifted her gaze over at the wall with a downcast haze looming over her features.
I wanted to ask what the problem was when Lady Olympia called me, "Boy, can ya help me? I cannot reach somethin' on the high shelf!"
With one last glance at Zoé, I headed toward the kitchen and wondered what happened with her. Did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong? I was just trying to give her a friendly handshake. I do not see any issue with that.
"What do you need?" I asked before feeling something hit the side of my leg hard. I grunted in pain.
"What was that for?" I snarled, glaring at the old woman holding a wooden spoon (probably the weapon she used to assault me).
"For bein' a blind fool and ah dumb one too," she answered, waving the spoon and summoning a jar from the highest shelf to float down onto the counter.
"What did I even do wrong?" I asked, a bit snippy.
"Could ya not see the obvious signs in front of ya, boy? From the time ya first laid your eyes on ma daughte' to now, have ya not noticed somethin'?" She huffed.
I pause for a moment to think and look over at the blonde girl. Well, she seems nice and has a pleasant personality. She has been sitting in that chair with wheels and has not yet moved. Also, she kind of speaks like-
My thoughts came to an immediate stop when realizing what Lady Olympia meant. The signs were so blatantly clear but I was inconsiderate of her situation.
The reason why Zoé is sitting on a chair with wheels. Why she has not moved the entire time since I arrived. Why she looks so devastated when I reached out to shake her hand.
Zoé is incapable of moving her body.
She is paralyzed from the neck down.
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