With early morning twilight painting the city in normally soothing hues of blue and purple, I straighten my dress for the thousandth time, feeling exactly the opposite. "How did I get myself into this...?"
Two days ago, I never would have imagined that my worry about Aria's job at the metal refinery would lead me through a whole series of ever higher class encounters culminating in an invitation to an impromptu social gathering for breakfast with a whole host of people so far above my social class that all I can think of are my poor parents' warnings about the rich and powerful from when I was still a girl.
"Kathy... Beth... Eryk..." I slowly review the names and proper manners I will need as I trot down the morning street in the nicest dress I own. It's a lovely lavender color that I spent a lot of time and work to get just right when dyeing it a few years ago. However, it was never intended for such social events, so the somewhat lower cut of the neckline made me extremely hesitant to choose it last night, much to Francis' amusement of course.
"It's great. It makes you look sexy," he'd said.
Please! A little propriety! The memory of his antics alone make me huff indignantly. If he had seen that woman's house, he certainly wouldn't have laughed like he did. I suppose my upbringing as a peasant isn't making matters any better, but there's no helping that.
I know Beth said she wanted to talk, but with Eryk and especially Kathy there too, how did I even merit an invitation?! Now, I don't know if there are any rules of dress or decorum I'm about to unknowingly break.
Even as the city rises with the sun, I continue on my way toward our meeting place. The buildings grow in both size and affluence as I delve into the heart of the central district. Thank the gods Kathy didn't put up somewhere even further outside of my class as our intended destination, I haven't the slightest idea how I might have managed! In fact, she chose with me in mind, the way she examined me before making her recommendation made that abundantly clear.
Nevertheless, I am clearly out of my element, in way over my head. But if I can scold a goddess for Aria, I can handle some divants! At least, that's what I keep telling myself.
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"Stanley Dining," I read off of the building. The sign in front of it swinging in the light breeze depicts a plate of nondescript food. The bright green paint and large windows, shutters swung wide, give it a very open and spacious appearance. Even the doors hang ajar, in a way that would appear sloppy if it weren't so intentional and inviting. In fact, there are a couple steps up into the restaurant, so floor level inside stands slightly above ground level outside. How curious.
Even though I left early, Francis was already out of the house before me today. I've been so worried for him lately with the crime and monster attacks going on. What did we do to deserve this? The church keeps telling us that the gods support us, so why are they letting all these bad things happen? I just want my husband to stay safe. I would pray for it, but after talking to Reena, I don't even know what to think of the gods anymore.
With that nag of worry I can't shake, I approach the building. I left home shortly after the first bell, and our meeting time is scheduled at the second, so I'm pretty early. It wouldn't do to be late for something such as this. When I walk through the front door into the well lit restaurant, a waiter approaches immediately.
"Welcome to Stanley Dining," he greets me politely, with a gesture I have to remind myself is to show respect. "I'm Jeff, I'll be your server this morning. Would you like a table by the window?" He gestures over to a table right near the front door, but my eyes are drawn to a different table past that one, not far from the corner of the restaurant.
Sitting there in a gorgeous green dress, with a cut even more bold than mine, sits Kathy. She's waving at me with a strangely friendly smile resting on her face, which also draws the server's attention.
"Actually, I'm here to meet someone," I offer, gesturing over to her.
"You're here with Kathy?"
"Eep!" I yelp when a new voice comes out of nowhere behind me. I spin back to find a big woman, very much on the heavy side, with round cheeks and curly red hair framing her face. Where did she come from?! Flushing a little at my reaction to the woman, neatly dressed in the dark set of jacket and trousers that unfortunately don't do her figure any favors, I clear my throat and respond, "Yes, I am."
"I'll take care of this, Jeff." She gives him a pat on the shoulder, and I finally realize just how tall she is, a head above me, and even a few centimeters on the man she's ushering away. Then she's back at my side, urging me forward. Still flustered, I go along as she continues speaking. "So, how long have you known my Kathy?"
"U-umm-"
"Your Kathy?" The woman herself speaks up, clearly having heard her in the otherwise empty restaurant. She is scowling, but with an odd, playful look about her.
Once the large woman deposits me into my seat, I perch, still rather off-balance, asking, "You two know each other?" Which is a ridiculous question, in retrospect.
"I'm basically her aunt," the woman laughs with a hearty smile. An odd claim, given her age, no more than a decade older than Kathy.
Still playfully exasperated, Kathy corrects her. "Second cousin, once removed - his wife," and gestures at her with a wave and a little head shake, clearly fighting a smile.
"Bonnie. Nice to meet you," she finally introduces herself, with an unexpectedly graceful curtsy for her size - an especially odd sight since she isn't even wearing a skirt.
"M-Marrianne, it's nice to meet you too." I sit moffishly, hands in my lap as I try not to bundle the skirt of my dress. Should I get up again to return the greeting?
Thankfully, the two women glide right past the possible transgression when I fail to move after a few moments. "So, how did you meet Kathy, how long have you known each other?" she asks.
"We actually just met on Nuvoday," Kathy answers before I have a chance to speak up.
"Yes, I was searching for her brother because I have some things to discuss with him."
"Ooh, with Eryk?" she coos, "anything juicy?"
"Juicy?" I arch an eyebrow at her.
"Oh, of course not," Kathy scoffs, chuckling and shaking her head.
"Then what is it?"
"Well..." I tilt my head to the side in consideration. His sister is one thing, but I'm extremely uncomfortable at the thought of broaching such a subject with this woman I've hardly just met, even if she is Eryk's distant relative. "My apologies, it may not be the most appropriate thing to mention..."
That draws surprised looks from both women. "You don't mean to say...?"
"Mean to say?" I've completely lost them, I don't know any of them, Eryk or these women, well enough to guess what they would be thinking about here. Should I mention Aria after all? Even if the topic of her employment is quite inappropriate, they are his family, so word probably shouldn't spread too much, right? They may even be able to tell me a little more about Eryk before he arrives so I can get a better idea of his character.
Then Kathy leans forward, breaking me from my considerations. She throws a meaningful glance around before cupping her hands around her mouth and whispering, "Are you pregnant?"
Blink blink.
"No?" What kind of question is that? If I was, I'd be months showing by now, she would have been able to tell at a glance. And even though things have been better between Francis and myself lately, I certainly haven't done without proper precautions. It's far too late in the year now, winter is nearly around the corner.
Of course I can't tell any of that to these women, I hardly even know them!
Wait, how does this even relate to what we were talking about?
Trying to get back on topic... I think I should ask them after all. "Anyway, I know it's a rather inappropriate, but I wanted to ask..." But I trail off when Kathy's eyes move off to something behind me. Turning in my seat, I see a man walking in. From his smooth black hair to his well cut jacket and dark pants, I remember him quickly enough. Yes, this is Eryk, the man Aria works for.
Aria talked all about Eryk. How she works for him and he feeds her and signed for her education. Even his attempted adoption, and how she trusts him with her secrets about her powers and being an angel for The Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom.
However, as uncanny as she is, Aria is just a small child, far too young to be doing work of any kind. Her unusual circumstances are the only reason I didn't go directly to the guard. Instead, I need to look into it more.
If a man like him wanted to take advantage of Aria, she's too young and naive for me to believe that she would be able to tell genuine care from manipulation and exploitation. So I want to talk to Eryk and make that determination for myself. If this 'job' is really just an excuse for him to help her, or if he really is exploiting her for her special abilities. That's what led me on this entire outrageous escapade in the first place.
Holding onto my determination, I stand as Eryk waves off the approaching server to head straight for our table. "Good morning, Eryk," I greet him, remembering to curtsy properly, head lowered in respect for the clear gap in our standings.
"Marrianne," he greets me with smoothly, tapping his chest in a casual salute. "I take it you're the reason for this little get-together?"
"Well... I suppose I am, though it was your sister who insisted on it..." I answer. Just keep calm, I can do this.
"In that case, I'm sure she wouldn't mind picking up the tab," Eryk suddenly suggests teasingly as he takes his seat directly across from me, next to Kathy. "By the way, good morning Bonnie," and he smirks, clearly ignoring the displeased reaction from his sister.
"Morning, Eryk, what'll you be having?" Bonnie asks, straightening up politely when she gets to her job.
"I'll have a sweet tea."
Then she turns to me. "And you?"
Since I've obviously never been here before, I ask, "What do you recommend?" After some thought, she recommends a few different drinks, and I decide on a sweet tea as well. Raising an eyebrow at me, Kathy already has a drink she's sipping at, a pale pink I can't place. After Bonnie goes to fill our order, I turn back and eye Eryk briefly, considering him, and how I might address my questions of him. However, my attention is drawn away when I notice Kathy peering at me intently.
Why did she even set up this meeting? Is she just some town gossip? I would almost think of her as a protective older sister, but she's clearly a good deal younger than Eryk, so that can't be it...
"So, Marrianne."
"Yes?" I try not to jump when Eryk suddenly speaks up while I'm distracted.
"I take it you have some questions for me, but first, I'd like to know how on Loqa we wound up here." His words are accompanied by a gesture to his sister, with an impish grin I can't help but return because it truly is an odd tale.
"Ahem," I clear my throat when I catch the odd, raised brow from Kathy, before explaining. "I initially just meant to speak with you, so I went to your workplace, but a man there told me you were out for the day, and directed me to your home instead."
"Who was it?" he suddenly asks.
"Well... Patrick, I believe he said."
With a dark, worrying chuckle and a shake of his head, Eryk mutters, "I knew it." Then he nods to me, and says, "Go on."
"Right-"
"Here are you drinks," Bonnie suddenly interrupts.
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"Eep!" I practically jump out of my chair when she seems to just appear directly behind me. I didn't hear her coming at all! My nerves certainly aren't helping either.
"A sweet tea for you, and another for you," she serves Eryk first, then places my drink in front of me, with a smile and wink for some reason.
"Th-thank you," I stumble a little, hoping no one addresses my fright a moment ago. Unless that's what the wink was for?
"Thanks, Bonnie," Eryk responds similarly, then turns to look at me again, taking a small sip from his glass as he does.
I take that as my cue to go on. "So, I went to your house, but you were not home. I meant to leave a message with your servants, but they said you had gone to your sister's earlier in the day, and led me there."
"So that's how Kathy got involved..." he sighs, eliciting another displeased look from his sister, which he promptly ignores.
"Yes." As I speak, I glance to the side. Once more, Bonnie is standing nearby to listen. Even if she's a distant relative, isn't she being a bit rude? Well, she doesn't have any other customers this early in the day, but still... "As it turned out, Beth was visiting her home at the time, so she proposed that the three of us should talk about things." I send another glance at Kathy and Bonnie, uncertain what I can say. Kathy is one thing, being his sister, but I can't imagine Aria knows or has divulged any of her secrets to one of Eryk's distant relatives... right?
Then my eyes are drawn back to Kathy. She clearly caught my look, but for some reason, she looks... happy? Her eyes are positively sparkling, what is she thinking about?
Eryk heaves a sigh, breaking me from my thoughts, then says, "I can probably guess the rest. Kathy took an interest in this meeting and took it from three members, to four?" I confirm with a small nod, and he shakes his head sadly. "Nosy nosy," he chides Kathy, suddenly ruffling her hair, before she bats his hand away, then has to work to smooth her hair down again.
As she does that, Kathy asks, "So, Marrianne, how do you know my brother exactly?" before taking another slow sip from her drink.
"Well..." I'm not sure how to answer. Our only real connection is Aria. I suppose that would be the most relevant point to make, so I answer, "I took care of Aria and tried to adopt her in the past."
For some reason, that answer sends Kathy's eyes shooting wide open. What's her connection to Aria? She even chokes on her drink a little, sputtering for a bit before she composes herself again. "I... I see. Well." She looks at Eryk, blinking a few times, and he raises a brow at her curiously. "I never would've thought..." she says to herself, though loud enough for us to hear.
But once more, our conversation is interrupted, when the siblings' attention is drawn past me, toward the door. I turn, and as expected, Beth just arrived. Her blond hair is drawn back into a loose ponytail, with a dress of deep, lustrous blue, no less impressive than Kathy's, drawing a clear class line between them and myself.
Even as she turns toward us, my eyes are drawn once more to her shockingly large bust, which her well fitted dress only serves to accentuate. As much as I'm sure her husband appreciates it, I do not envy her there... Bonnie walks over to greet the doctor, and I note that she makes almost no sound while she walks, despite her heavy frame. How odd...
From her reception alone, it's clear that Bonnie knows Beth as well. Then they return. After another round of proper greetings, Beth takes a seat just to my left, across from Kathy.
"So..." Kathy starts speaking, a hint of nervousness leaking into her tone for some reason. "Beth, it's good to see you. I was just getting introduced to Marrianne. How do you two know each other exactly?"
"We met a few weeks... about a month ago," Beth starts, before stopping uncertainly. The only time we met before was after the attack, when Aria told us all sorts of secrets. Here, even Beth hesitates, unable to go on. She sends a meaningful look Eryk's way, asking with her eyes how much Kathy already knows. When he shrugs uncertainly, she points a similar look my way, and I have to shrug as well. Why is she asking me? I don't even know Kathy!
Looking between us after the silent exchanges, Kathy frowns, and asks, "You... wouldn't happen to be involved, would you?" Her question sends another round of frantic, silent questioning between us. Does Kathy know after all? Is she being aloof because she doesn't know if we know, the same way we won't say because we are unsure of her? How would we even check without giving ourselves away?
Without warning, Eryk stands up. "Beth, Marrianne, may I speak with you privately for a moment?" Kathy's mouth falls open, but she can't say anything as we both respond with quick nods. The three of us stand from the table and walk a dozen paces away for privacy, Kathy and Bonnie's eyes boring into us from behind as we huddle close together and whisper conspiratorially.
Eryk starts. "No way she knows. Aria only met her once, I can't imagine she figured everything out from just that."
"Then why is she so suspicious?" Beth asks, anxiety clear in her voice.
"No clue, but I vote we play dumb. Don't talk about Aria much. Can you do that, Marrianne?" he asks me pointedly.
"Yes, I think I can manage," I answer, trying to project far more confidence than I feel.
"Good, just play it cool and we should be fine. We can ask Aria when she gets back, to clear things up."
All in agreement, we return to the table, but now Kathy is glaring daggers at Eryk. He mostly keeps his cool under her gaze, but a tense silence settles over the table. Trying to occupy my attention, I finally pick up my nearly forgotten drink to take a tentative sip. I ordered sweet tea, but the vibrant purple coloring makes it look more like a bitter fall tea than a sweet summer tea.
The first taste across my tongue explains things. The immediate sweet flavor, with an underlying bitterness, and especially the somewhat thicker texture, tells me they brewed it with fall tea leaves and mixed in sugar to sweeten it. That's why it's such a bright purple. Besides that, they allowed it to cool off somewhat, so it isn't particularly hot either.
My moments of distraction are painfully short, as Eryk speaks up once more, forcing me to swallow the pleasant drink and return my attention to the conversation. "So, Marrianne. You had questions for me?"
Even as I answer, I'm painfully aware of Kathy turning her irritation toward me, before returning it to Eryk. I have to clear my throat before I can form a coherent response. "Yes, well, I did."
He waits. When I don't go on, too flustered by the extra eyes, he prompts me, "And what would those questions be?"
That shocks me out of it. I have to remember why I'm here. I clamp my eyes shut and take a deep breath, shaking off my worries so I can do what I came here for: to find out whether or not Eryk is taking advantage of Aria. That just leaves the question... how do I actually determine that?
All at once, I realize I did not plan this well at all, and start to sweat nervously. The only question I can think of off the top of my head is something really obvious. "Is your workplace safe?" Wait, that isn't even the point!
Eryk's eyes narrow, because it's clear I'm asking for Aria. His answer follows just a moment later. "For the most part, yes. I do my best to ensure a safe work environment for my employees." Without warning, Beth clears her throat loudly, drawing everyone's attention. At first, I don't understand, but she gives Eryk this look, and he immediately sits up straighter, face stiff. "Alright, fine," he grumbles. "I'll admit there have been a couple... incidents."
"What do you mean, a couple?" Beth prods again, causing Eryk to hesitate. It's just for a moment before he recovers, hiding any nervousness with a response of, "It was a similar issue the second time, but we already took steps to mitigate the danger, so no one was hurt. Since then, we've eliminated the problem entirely, so there's no cause for concern anymore."
I purse my lips, not too happy with his overly formal answer, like he had it rehearsed. Beth relents though, apparently appeased. I guess I can take it that means it should be safe at least. But doesn't that also mean that he does have Aria doing real work? Kathy, for her part, is just watching us all speak, her apparent annoyance having cooled to an odd, sour look. Why is she still so put-off? Because we're trying not to mention Aria?
But now isn't the time to get distracted. I have to ask another question. That one didn't do much for my overall impression of him though. I don't know enough about his work to ask anything more specific though. And outright asking what he has Aria doing is off the table because even she only offered up that it's secret, and now we need to worry about his nosy sister, of all things.
Perhaps it would be better to get an idea of his character? My eyes wander over to Beth. Would she know more? They certainly give the impression of knowing each other well.
Thinking that, I turn my next question her way. "So, Beth... Do you think Eryk is trustworthy?"
"Trustworthy?" she repeats, but hardly needs to give it any consideration before answering. "Of course. I've known him for years, and he's never done anything... malicious. Never harmed anyone, not that I know of." I nod seriously. Then I sip slowly at my drink as I think. I can't say how much trust I can put in her evaluation since I don't know her very well either, but it's certainly worth something. Next...
"Marrianne," Eryk finally speaks up himself. "If you want to be sure of things, I'd have no problem letting you come by next week. You can meet Claire-"
"Claire?!" Kathy suddenly interrupts angrily.
"Yyyes?" Eryk answers slowly, uncertainly. "Do you know Claire?"
Ignoring his question, Kathy turns away, face going red as she crosses her arms over her chest in a huff. "I can't believe you!"
A heavy silence falls, all three of us glancing between each other. I don't know Kathy, but neither Beth nor Eryk seem to have any better understanding of her current mood, with shrugs and confused looks abound. Should we ask? I'm not sure, I still don't have a good grasp on the relationships between these three, and I never had any siblings of my own to judge by...
"Anyway..." Eryk tries to go on, purposely turning his attention away from Kathy, onto me. "You can meet Claire, Aria's instructor. I'm sure there's a lot you would like to discuss with her. I hope she will be able to clear up a lot of your concerns."
"That would be nice." Aria told me all about Claire, she sounds like a extremely caring instructor, she also told me how the woman has given her all sorts of useful life advice, so even if we've never met, I already have a much higher appraisal of her than Eryk, all things considered. "When would be a good time? You said next week?"
"Yes, we have things on hold for about a week while Aria is away." When he says that, I stop sipping my drink to frown deeply.
"A week?" When she said she had something to do, she didn't mention that it would take so long.
"What are you talking about?" Kathy comes back into the conversation. Her arms are still crossed with a puss on her face, but she looks confused by the direction of the discussion. That's right, we did slip into talking about Aria more directly without meaning to.
"Aria is busy right now, so everything with our current project is on hold. That's why I've been running all over town the last couple days." If that's the case, he does have her working?
Apparently, Kathy's curiosity finally beats out her annoyance, when she drops the look and asks, "So that's what you've been up to? What did you find out?" I'm glad that she isn't being so standoffish anymore, the mood at the table immediately feels lighter. As I sip my tea, I also thank Eryk silently for moving the topic away from Aria. Though his last comment does not inspire confidence, it definitely sounds like he's actually giving her real work to do. At her age! What is he thinking?!
However, the conversation is moving away from that topic, and I find myself immediately unfamiliar with where it's going when Eryk speaks. "Yeah, I found out why the guild has been no help. According to Molly, there's been a huge spike in glowstone moving through the city. Fred and Triga said the same thing when I asked about it."
Her eyebrows crease together. "More glowstone? What does that mean?"
"It means they found almost all glowstone in the mines. It must be that the deeper areas Bromunst excavated contained glowstone rather than ore." Looking back and forth between the siblings, I'm completely lost. Mines? Glowstone? And didn't he mention Bromunst?
"Well, I guess that explains things..." Kathy mutters, with a short silence following before Eryk changes topic, his eyes jumping between Beth and myself, silently saying that he's trying to keep her busy so she won't be so unnervingly irritated.
I just continue to listen and sip at my drink as Eryk humors his younger sister. "So, Thelia's feeling better, right?"
"Yes, she's all better, I think. She was a little ball of energy this morning." A gentle smile finally appears on her lips, a big relief with the way she's been acting.
"She had the cough, right? Mia had it this morning," Beth sighs, her face dropping.
"Little Mia?!" Nearly rising from their chairs, Eryk and Kathy respond in perfect unison. Even Bonnie takes a quick step forward with worry all over her face. Judging by their reactions, would that be her daughter?
"Don't worry too much," she assures them all, "I did what I could and put her to bed. Kara is watching over her today." With another sigh, she asks Kathy, "Do you have any advice? What did you do for Thelia?" Feeling very out of the loop with so many unfamiliar names flying back and forth, I just sit and sip my drink. I've been worried about the sudden illness that swept through the city, but knowing that Aria is immune thanks to her powers really puts my heart at ease.
Unfortunately, Kathy shakes her head. "I'm sorry, nothing special that I'm aware of. After Eryk visited the other day, she suddenly took a turn for the better."
I frown a little, if only there was some medicine for it, or if they could do the same sort of thing Aria-
Didn't she just say-
In an instant, two very different conversations shoot through my mind at once.
"Mister Fredricson, well... when he found out everyone was getting sick, he... he left us. But it turned out alright! I was able to use my powers to heal everyone!"
"That's different. There are reasons. Things I have to do. It wouldn't have worked."
Both of those things Aria told me overlap, shoving a conclusion to the front of my mind so suddenly that I inhale my drink, gagging and spraying it out with a painful hacking cough that I'm too shocked to even focus on fully as the spasms wrack my body.
It all lines up at once. Why Aria couldn't be adopted by me, but Eryk was fine. Why she's 'working' for him, and why it's secret. The same reason that Kathy's daughter recovered just like those other children.
Eryk must have powers like Aria.
When I finally recover from spluttering and hacking painfully, I look across the table, my eyes going wide as saucers. I just spit my drink all over Eryk.
"S-sorr..." I stammer, but can't even finish, as I watch him, with a perfectly calm countenance, wipe away the tea dripping from his face.
"Well, that was unexpected," he says, still the model of composure.
"I- I'm- I can-" The words, 'pay for that' die on my lips. There's no way I could possibly afford to reimburse someone of his class for clothing like that, they probably cost months worth of Francis' pay, and I don't even have a job anymore.
Eryk raises a hand. "No worries, this is no big deal. My servants have plenty of experience getting stains like this out of clothes. I do suppose it would be prudent to..." Just as I'm expecting him to say something like 'go get a change of clothes, he trails off as he turns to look out the window, probably in the direction of his home.
But the way his face registers shock, even after his unflappable response to me spraying tea all over him, I begin to follow his gaze, even as he shoots to his feet.
Then I see her, and rise along with both other women, at the same time.
Aria is sitting across the street, her hair disheveled and hanging loose across the cobbles, all covered in dirt and mud, bandages and blood.