Avaria stirred as a piercing scream shattered the silence of the morning. Her eyes fluttered open, the bright morning sun obscuring her view, and her senses immediately alert as she registered the sound. With a jolt, she sat up, scanning the room for the source of the disturbance.
Her gaze landed on her mother, petrified against the door, hand pressed to her chest as she struggled to catch her breath. Avaria's heart raced as she rushed to her mother's side, concern etched into her features.
"Mom, are you okay?" Avaria's voice was laced with urgency as she reached out to comfort her mother. Poppy's stern voice cut through the tension, scolding Avaria for startling her, as she wasn't aware of her return. With a sigh of relief, Avaria helped her mother regain her composure, patting her back gently.
As Avaria began to pick up the scattered clothes that had fallen during the commotion, Poppy bombarded her with questions. "Where on earth did you get back? Why didn't you wake me? Where were you? Why did you come home so late? You've been gone for three days! No word from you! You left without any warning. I can't do this anymore, I worry!"
Avaria struggled to keep up with the barrage of questions, her mind still foggy from sleep. Still dressed in her attire from the night before, she met Poppy's gaze, her own expression a mix of guilt and exhaustion.
Before she could respond, Poppy grabbed Avaria's chin, examining her dirty face. "You are disgusting, dear. You need a shower," she scolded, shooing Avaria's dirty hands away from the clean clothes. With a sigh, she tossed Avaria a clean towel and ushered her towards the bathroom.
Avaria managed a weary smile as she kissed her mother on the cheek, causing Poppy to rub her cheek in a playful reaction. "I'm sorry, Mom. I love you," she said in a sing-song voice, attempting to lighten the mood.
Poppy's shout followed Avaria into the bathroom as she warned her that breakfast would be ready in 20 minutes. With a smile, Avaria stepped into the shower, the hot water washing away the remnants of the night's adventures, but the weight of her mother's worry lingered in her mind as she thought about her desire to change professions.
As Avaria stepped out of the shower, the warm steam enveloped her, providing a momentary respite from the chaos of last night. With a towel wrapped around her body, she reached to wipe down the steamed mirror, her reflection obscured by the condensation. As the mirror cleared, she examined her appearance, her gaze drawn to the bruise marking her soft chin, stark against her fair complexion.
With a sigh, Avaria ran her fingers through her wet, tangled curls, remnants of the three days of dirt and grime now washed away. Too lazy to style it, she gave it a quick brush and clipped it back, allowing it to air dry as she checked her body for any more bruises. With a nod of assurance that there was nothing too serious and no new punctures, she proceeded to get dressed.
Opting for a light blue fitted dress with long bishop sleeves adorned with lace at the cuff and a flowing ankle-length skirt, Avaria decided to forgo the corset her mother had laid out, prioritising comfort over style at that moment. Once dressed in her attire and slippers, she headed to the kitchen, where the aroma of breakfast filled the air, providing a soothing sense of home.
As Avaria enters the kitchen, she is greeted by the warmth of the lit fire and the cozy atmosphere. She sits at the dining table, which is adorned with a fresh apple, and casually asks, "What's for breakfast?" Poppy waves her hand, indicating that Avaria will get what she cooks.
Avaria leans back in her chair, taking in the sights and sounds of the kitchen. The room is filled with wood accents, creating a homey and inviting feel. The kitchen island separates the dining area from the kitchen, and the fireplace provides warmth and comfort to the space. A wooden door leading to Avaria's mother's dress shop is visible in front of her, and she hopes she won't have to help out in the shop today due to her exhaustion today.
Avaria lets out a sigh as she drops the front legs of the chair, resting her head between her arms on the table, letting out a groan of exhaustion. Before Poppy could ask what's wrong, a cheery voice bursts through the door.
"I'm back! I have the lace and the tulle, oh, and the emerald fabric you asked..." The voice trails off as the girl enters the room, her eyes lighting up as she sees Avaria. With a crooked smile, Avaria greets Odelia, her very best friend.
"Delia, you're a sight for sore eyes," Avaria says, sitting up straighter in her chair and rubbing her eyes to chase away the last remnants of sleep. Poppy greets Odiela with thanks “You're a lifesaver, as always.
Odelia swiftly crosses the room, her energy infectious as she places the fabric on the kitchen counter. "Of course, anything for you, Pops," she says, affectionately using the nickname she's had for Poppy since childhood. With a bright smile, she turns towards Avaria, her arms outstretched in a gesture of familiarity. "And Ava, my dear, it's been far too long!" she exclaims sarcastically, moving to give Avaria a warm hug.
Poppy watches the exchange with a warm smile, pleased to see Avaria lifted by Odelia's presence. "It's wonderful to have you here, Odelia," she says warmly. "How was your trip to the market?"
Odelia launches into an animated recounting of her morning adventures, describing the bustling market stalls and the colourful characters. Avaria listens with a small smile, feeling grateful for the simple joy of Odelia's company and the familiar rhythm of their friendship.
As Odelia finishes her tale, Avaria nods approvingly. "Well, it sounds like you had quite the morning," she says.
As Odelia finishes her tale, Avaria nods in approval. "It sounds like you had quite the morning," she remarks.
Odelia's expression shifts to a raised brow, her sharp features a stark contrast to her bright personality. "And now, Miss Ava, where on earth have you been?" she questions with furrowed brows.
Avaria leans back, her gaze drifting towards Poppy as she busies herself in the kitchen. In a hushed tone, she gestures towards Poppy, warning Odelia that she'll explain everything later. Before Odelia could pester her any further, Poppy extended the invitation to breakfast to Odelia.
Avaria and Odelia exchange a knowing glance, their stomachs rumbling in anticipation at the mention of food. With a shared grin, they settle into their chairs, ready to enjoy a hearty meal and the comfort of each other's company.
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As Poppy serves and joins them for breakfast, Avaria inquires about the emergency dress supplies, gesturing towards the basket Odelia brought. Poppy's face lights up with excitement as she explains, "There's going to be a welcoming back ball at the Changing of Seasons festival in the capital, and I'm tasked with making all the dresses for the best of the best." Odelia interjects playfully, "Oh, but of course, who else but the best in the kingdom is only fit to make dresses for the royals?" She nudges Poppy, who blushes at the compliment. Avaria can't help but giggle at the banter between her best friend and her mother, cherishing their close relationship.
Turning to Odelia, Avaria asks if her parents were invited. Odelia rolls her eyes but nods, resigned to playing happy families. Avaria offers her hand to Odelia in a gesture of support, giving it a slight squeeze and a reassuring smile. Poppy, eager to share her news, interrupts their conversation with excitement. "Not only am I making dresses for the royals and the duke's family," she nods towards Odelia, "but I'll need to make you a dress too." She then turns to Avaria, proclaiming, "Yes, because we've also been invited personally by Her Majesty Cecile!" Avaria is taken aback, her mind racing with questions. "Wait, who are we even welcoming back?" she asks, eager to know more about the upcoming event.
Poppy hesitates for a moment, glancing at Odelia for confirmation before continuing. Avaria senses the weight of the conversation, her confusion growing with each passing second. "They are welcoming back the soldiers who were tasked to stop the demon invading in the south," Poppy explains solemnly, her voice tinged with a mixture of pride and sorrow.
Realisation dawns on Avaria as she turns to Odelia, her eyes widening with surprise. "Kairos is coming home?" she asks, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and anticipation.
Odelia nods in resignation, understanding the weight of Avaria's emotions. Avaria then turns back to Poppy as she continues speaking. "Well, he's actually a guest of honour," Poppy says, her voice tinged with excitement. "The duke can't stop talking about it."
Avaria's voice carries a hint of bitterness as she interrupts Poppy with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I don't want to hear any more," she declares firmly, her hands folded tightly in front of her. "If I never hear his name again, it will be too soon." Her tone is resolute, leaving no room for further discussion on the matter.
With a mutual understanding of Avaria's and Odelia’s feelings, they decide to shift the conversation to lighter topics, discussing trivial matters over their meal. As they eat, the atmosphere lightens, filled with laughter and casual banter. Despite the weight of the news about Kairos, they find solace in each other's company.
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Avaria sighs as she finds herself behind the counter, assisting her mother with the shop's setup. Looking more presentable after Odelia's help styling her hair before she set off, Avaria leans her chin in her hands, watching as a line forms outside the shop. Upper-class ladies and less important noblewomen wait patiently, eager to enter the establishment.
Feeling exhausted and questioning how she got roped into helping her mother, Avaria finally speaks up. "When are you going to hire more help?" she asks, her frustration evident. Poppy looks at her daughter with adoring eyes, batting her lashes playfully. "Why would I pay for labour when I have my beautiful, sweet daughter to help me?" she replies, her tone light. "Besides, I can't find anyone up to my standard. You and my dear Delia set it far too high," she muses, causing Avaria to roll her eyes at her mother's affectionate words.
Suddenly, Avaria's attention is caught by the sight of a tall, thick-framed man with dirty blond hair making his way through the crowd of elegantly dressed ladies and parasols. His urgent expression and sorry-looking demeanour stand out amidst the pastel-clad women.
The man, Talbot, bursts through the door of the dress shop, panting heavily. "Avaria, we need to talk now," he insists urgently. Poppy greets Talbot with a warm smile, his cheeks flushing bright red at her presence. "Hello, Miss Poppy. I'm so sorry, but I need to steal your daughter," he says quickly.
Poppy nods understandingly, gesturing to the clock, which shows it's five minutes to ten. "Five minutes before the shop is swarmed with ladies," she remarks. Talbot nods in agreement, grabbing Avaria's wrist and rushing her into the house through the adjoining door.
Back in the kitchen, Talbot produces the wanted poster from his back pocket, mentioning the one discussed last night by Blackthorne.
Avaria's hands tremble as she grabs the wanted poster, horror washing over her as she sees her own likeness depicted in her Nightwing attire. Her cloak, bandana, and round eyes are accurately portrayed, glaring back at her from the page.
"What is this?" she screeches in panic, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I know," Talbot replies, his expression grim as he watches her reaction.
Avaria scans the page, her eyes widening in disbelief as she reads the words:
"Fabled hunter Nightwing ( real name unknown), wanted for 25,000 gold."
"Twenty-five thousand gold?" Avaria repeats incredulously, her voice trembling with fear. "Who the hell is after me? What the hell is this?"
Talbot's expression remains sombre as he responds, "I don't know, but that's not all. Read the details of how they want you."
Avaria's gaze follows his instruction, her eyes darting down the page to read the fine print:
"Wanted alive under no circumstances dead. Minor injuries accepted. No missing limbs."
A chill runs down Avaria's spine as the gravity of the situation sinks in. Someone is hunting her, and they want her alive.
Avaria's mind races with questions and uncertainty as she tries to make sense of the situation. "What could this possibly mean? This is so weird. Who do they report to?" she murmurs, her voice tinged with unease.
Talbot nods in agreement, his expression mirroring her concern. He reaches out and turns the page over in her hand, revealing a handwritten location on the back, along with a time and place, and numerous dates. "I think this is the drop-off location. They will show up until you are brought to them. I've asked around, and in the next town over, I got this one," he explains, producing another wanted poster.
Avaria grabs the poster and scans the writing, her confusion growing as she notices the different location and times. She looks up at Talbot, searching for answers in his eyes.
"Whoever is looking for you is targeting a certain type of person, someone who knows what to do in this situation," Talbot explains, his voice grave.
Avaria nods, contemplating the situation. "I think you should lay low for a while," Talbot suggests, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Before they can continue their conversation, the door swings open, cutting their discussion short. Poppy's voice rings out, calling for Avaria to return. Avaria quickly hides the posters behind her back, nodding in response. "Coming!" she calls back.
As Poppy opens the shop, Avaria shoves the posters back into Talbot's hand. "We'll talk later. Find out more," she urges, pushing him out the kitchen door. He nods in agreement, understanding the urgency of the situation.
With a playful glint in her eyes, Avaria wags her finger at Talbot. "Don't forget to pay a visit to Delia. She was quite concerned about us," she chides him, her tone laced with teasing and a hint of playful mockery. Before he can respond, she deftly closes the door, leaving Talbot to contemplate her words and their underlying implications. As she heads back to assist Poppy in the shop, Avaria can't help but wonder if her message will resonate with Talbot as intended.