Under the cotton ball and bandaging holding it in place, Seren’s arm burned. They felt sick, their head spun and emptied entirely.

“Here, try this.” Mr. Asche returned to their side with a hot thick paper cup. It smelled thick and sweet.

“Wha’sit?” Seren tried to speak but even their tongue felt numb.

“Try it,”

Seren sniffed it, the sludge inside had a chocolatey smell with something sharp somewhere inside the scent. They raised the cup to their mouth and sipped it. It was hot and thick, the chocolate taste was overpoweringly strong but there was also something bitter in it.

“Wha’sit?” Seren said again. Looking into the cup. “Cocoa? Why’sit bitter?”

“I found a coffee station and mixed some cocoa powder into coffee. That should help you feel a bit better.” Mr. Asche said. “When you can walk, we’ll find a place to grab lunch.” Seren stared into the cup. Their thoughts were finding their ways back onto the train of thought. They finished up the contents of the cup in three large gulps. They handed back the cup to Mr. Asche and found themselves wanting a drink of water.

“Better?” He asked.

“Bit.” Seren said, still finding it hard to talk or think straight.

“Good, I know of a little breakfast place near here.” Mr. Asche stood up and held his hand out for Seren to take. Which they took and let him pull them up onto their feet.

“Thank you, but I can’t go.” Seren said, looking down at the stained carpet and trying not to think about what the stain was caused by. “I gotta stay with dad.”

“No, you don’t.” Mr. Asche said, keeping a hold on Seren’s hand and leading them toward the doors. The simplicity of his statement threw Seren off balance.

“Wait, yes I do.” Seren tried to insist, but they didn’t try to resist.

“No,” He said. “What would you do? Just sit at his side and starve and worry yourself sick? You will never help others if you can’t, or won’t, help yourself.”

“That sounds selfish,” Seren said quietly as they were led out the doors. It felt odd to be on the street holding the hand of an adult that wasn’t their dad.

“If someone tells you caring for your own needs is selfish, that’s a red flag and you should cut them out of your life.” Mr. Asche pulled them down the Summer district streets. Seren found the lack of emotion in his voice a bit unnerving. Seren kicked at the clumps of mud filled snow. They let Mr. Asche walk them down the streets, letting go of his hand and just walking beside him with their head down.

“Head up.” He said, causing Seren to look up. “People are watching you, and they will see your head dropped like that and won’t take you seriously. Keep your head up and watch the road, back straight so people know you are serious.” Seren tried to straighten their back and walk straight but it made their spine ache.

The little hole in the wall bakery smelled divine. It awoken the hunger in Seren’s stomach and their mouth watered as Mr. Asche opened the door and the warmth and smell cradled them. They stepped inside and kicked the snow off their boots and looked at all the little tables that had a glassy look to them. With upholstered chairs without any worn spots or cuts or even chunks out of the wood.

“Welcome in! Feel free to seat yourselves, someone will be right out!” The barista called from behind the bar. Seren looked up and Mr. Asche gestured for them to pick a place to sit. They looked around, hesitant by all the choice. They chose a booth by the window and slid into the seat, hugging the wall. The table had a neat little ceramic platform with floral patterns, holding sugar, condiments, and napkins.

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“Wow,” Seren breathed.

“Hi! I brought you two some menus” A waiter came and placed down a pair of paper menus in front of the two diners and the waiter then pulled out a pad and pencil. “Can I grab something to drink for you?”

“Coffee.” Mr. Asche said and looked at Seren who was still looking at the squiggly words on the menu.

“Uhm…” Seren tried to think of something.

“Do you have apple juice?” Mr. Asche jumped in,

“Yes, we do.”

“They’ll have that then.” The waiter jotted that down and zipped off, leaving the two to look over the menus.

“Can you actually read that?” Mr. Asche asked, watching them.

“No,” Seren admitted quietly.

“We’re going to fix that,” He said. Seren put the menu down curiously.

“We are?” Seren asked.

“Yes. Hold on.”

The waitress came and put down the drinks and took their order, Seren didn’t get to order. Mr. Asche ordered for them, which Seren didn’t mind as they didn’t know what they were looking at in any case.

“I have elected to ignore your resignation,” He said diplomatically. “Instead, as your guardian, I am afforded new options. As is customary when taking on an apprentice, I have brought you this.” Seren heard the gift before they saw the little box. It made a little ringing noise.

“Wait. What did you say?” Seren asked. Feeling like they’d been hit by a runaway carriage.

“I said. I brought you this as is customary when taking on an apprentice.” He said and placed the box on the table in front of them. The silvery ringing from inside piqued Seren’s curiosity, they carefully picked up the thick velvet covered box. It felt ice cold on their fingertips. They carefully pulled the lid off to reveal the enchanting fae-silver pocket watch. Listening, they could hear it tick with a chime only they could hear. Each little piece of the bigger puzzle struggled into place and confused Seren further.

“I don’t understand,” Seren said. Putting the watch back in the box. “I thought you told my grandmother that-”

“It’s a legal loophole,” Mr. Asche shrugged. “There’s legalities, ones I’m sure Mrs. Winters is looking through right now, that dictates children shouldn’t be left in the care of employers for obvious reasons. However there are precedents for working off debts. So, it’s a little magic trick done to keep you out of the Winters household. Does that suit you?”

“Does that mean my dad does actually owe you?” Seren winced.

“Yes,” Mr. Asche said, Seren stared blankly as their thoughts raced to backtrack. Mr. Asche sipped at his coffee. They looked at the watch in confusion.

“I don’t know what this means,” Seren said.

“It means…” Mr. Asche took a minute to think about his words. “You’re getting promoted, in a sense. I’m taking you on as my apprentice, teaching you the trade.” Seren helped move things to the side as their breakfast came. The whole thing felt flat. Like it should have been big, emotional, but instead it felt flat.

All of it was quickly forgotten when their stomach smelled the fresh made pancakes. Covered in powdered sugar and whipped cream and maple syrup. Seren nearly dove in face first but paused long enough to place the top back on the box and place it in their coat pocket. They rolled up their sleeves and focused all their attention on the stacks. Not a word was exchanged again until the plate was clean.

Seren wiped their hands on a napkin, glaring at the sticky syrup that had found its way onto their fingers.

“You about finished?” Mr. Asche asked as he put down his now empty mug.

“I think so, yes.” Seren nodded and finished off their apple juice.

“Good, we’ll make a stop at the hospital and then we’ll head home and see what needs doing.” Mr. Asche said, standing up and walking over to the coffee bar. Seren slid into their coats and hear the box in their pocket. Suddenly their coat felt heavier.

They got to their feet as Mr. Asche returned from paying the bill. He stopped for only a brief second before heading for the exit. The cafe had filled up for lunch and the whole room buzzed. Which had Seren’s head fuzzy and unable to focus.

“Actually, before we head home you need new clothes. Ones that fit you and are half decent for the weather.” Mr. Asche said looking at Seren who frowned and looked down at their clothes, wondering what was wrong with them. But after a few moments looking at the worn spots, the patches and frayed holes, Seren nodded and then a panicked thought crossed their mind.

“But I can’t afford-”

“I’m aware,” Mr. Asche said. “And as your guardian, I’m in charge of caring for your needs. Which means you get the clothes I deem appropriate for you and whatever else you want is yours to buy.” Seren sighed in relief, though there was still an itch of anxiety in the back of their head. Wondering if what was ‘deemed appropriate’ would be something they even wanted to wear.