Valentine

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"You want me to tattoo an enchantment onto you? Are you crazy?"

"I thought we'd already established that was the case."

"Val, what if I make a mistake?"

Wally gestured at the books he'd laid out on the table before him. Working at the dinner table, he had both of our communications books open and was enchanting three new pages into each. Those pages would then be able to communicate with the three smaller books he was preparing. One for each of Parabuteo, Caniforma, and Pelignos.

"If I screw up with one of these, I can throw it away. Or maybe tear out the page," he gestured across the table to where I sat wrapped in a silk sheet, "Obviously not an option with you. This seems like the sort of thing we'd want a professional to do."

"Any enchanter could make a mistake, Wally, but I don't trust just any enchanter. You speak the truth. This would be an enchantment etched onto my body. Perhaps there are enchanters with more skill, but none I trust more. How am I to know that whoever I hire won't put something extra in the enchantment? But if you put something extra in the enchantment, that's just part of the fun."

Wally shook his head in exasperation, "What would you even want?"

"Surprise me," I giggled and gestured down at myself, "You can do whatever you want with all this."

Wally rolled his eyes, "No, I mean enhancements. Strength, speed, agility, whatever. God, do you think of anything else?"

"Well considering you haven't given me a good tumble in days-"

"Enchantments!"

I bowed my head slightly and looked at him through my lashes, "I've been a very dutiful lover. You seemed to like how I woke you up this morning, and last night in the bath, and-"

Wally flipped his notebook to one of the pages near the back and took up the stylus, "Alright, first on the list is a mute button," he scribbled, "Now what else would you like. Regarding enchantments," he added upon noticing my grin.

"Healing," I answered, "I can't heal naturally when I'm wearing the strengthen amulet, and as you note, the tattoos can't simply come off once enchanted."

Wally nodded, and scribbled in the notebook, "Diamond for Body and Strengthen, and pearl for Heal. Together we should get something that strengthens the body's natural healing."

"Beyond that, I don't know, Wallace. I'd like to be more like you."

Wally made a few more notes, "Hopefully without all the downsides. We'll start small though. Once we know the regeneration- and mute button," he muttered, "-works, we can start ramping up strength."

I put my elbows on the table and rested my chin in my hands, "What sort of design do you think I should get?"

Wallace shrugged, "I don't know. I've still got some questions for Felicity, but from what she's told me so far the design doesn't matter."

"Maybe I could get your family crest- do you have a family crest? -at the base of my spine," I mused, "Or would that be too on the nose? Perhaps just a 'W' on the inside of my thigh."

"Or maybe a warning label."

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My clever ploy to lounge around wearing only the silk sheet, or even less, until Wally gave me what I wanted was foiled when he finished enchanting the notebooks and headed to the elevator.

I threw off the sheet, gathered up my voluminous hair in my arms, and leapt up the stairs to the bed. I found my flight suit and wriggled into it. I hurriedly stuffed my hair into the neck of the suit and then ran to the front door. I stooped to scoop up my shoes as I passed and scurried to the elevator, slipping inside just as the doors closed.

Wally looked down at me and cocked an eyebrow.

I shot back with a glower, finished zipping up the front of my suit, and pulled on my shoes.

"I'm not doing anything interesting," he admitted, "I'm just going to check in with Cassius and Amity."

"I know," I replied earnestly, "But I thought I'd tag along. You seem to spend every free minute on your magical little gadgets, and I want to be a part of it. I hope you don't mind."

Wally rewarded me with a bright smile and ruffled my hair, "Of course I don't mind."

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Wally's smile faded the moment the doors opened.

"Goddammit," he swore.

My eyes tracked to the source of his consternation, and I too couldn't help but feel a little tired of the matter.

There were Rohesia and Aldith, arguing with Amity just under the portico. Rohesia was making a great many gestures towards Felicity and Cassius who stood nearby, though both were very pointedly not acknowledging the other.

"If Cassie is going to be a pigheaded brute, then fine," Rohesia raged, tears in her eyes, "but I'm not going back to the village."

"I know you're frustrated, but Wally promised your father he'd send you both back," Amity insisted, "They're already going to be worrying about you, I was supposed to have you back last night, and it's nearly noon."

"I'm not returning either," Aldith, "With my family dead I'm not even a person, just a badge of rank. They'll expect Lord Wallace to marry me to solidify his claim, and if that doesn't happen, there will be a fight to decide who speaks for the village and that idiot will expect to have me. I refuse."

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Rohesia saw Wally approaching and jabbed a finger at Cassius, "Why won't you do anything about him? Were you truly ready to send me away? Am I just a bother to you?"

Wallace stopped and slowly swept his gaze across the group. Rohesia, angry and upset, with tears in her eyes. Aldith, who regarded Wally with stern defiance. Cassius, who looked embarrassed and guilty. Phoebe, disappointed in Cassius with a touch of guilt herself. And there was Amity, caught in the middle and trying her best to keep everyone happy.

"Cassius, Phoebe, I think the ramp could still use some work," Wallace said quietly.

The pair took the hint and shuffled off like a pair of guilty children, leaving Wally to deal with Cassius' mess.

"I'm not going back," Aldith repeated.

"You are absolutely going back, even if-" Wally raised his voice as both girls began to speak, "Even if it's just to let your parents know."

"Mine are dead, as you well know," Aldith retorted.

"I'm a woman grown," Rohesia blurted, at the same time.

"Fine, then at least to let the others in the village know. The last thing I need is for your people to think I'm kidnaping their daughters. So you will go home, even if only to check-in. The question is, what do you want to do after?"

Rohesia's face coloured and it appeared that she was about to look out the way Cassius had gone, but she stopped herself.

"I don't know," she replied with a shake of her head.

"You spoke of other cities," Aldith replied, "Perhaps we'll there's a place for us there."

"I'll be honest, that's not going to be easy for you."

"It can't be harder than the village," Aldith replied.

Wallace shrugged, "True enough."

Rohesia balled her fists and looked down, holding herself rigid, "It's not fair. This is all wrong. It's just not fair."

"Rohesia..." Aldith began.

"It's not fair. Two years, and he just casts me aside when someone prettier comes along? And she's not even prettier. She's an ugly bitch who got half her-"

"HEY."

Wallace's shout startled Rohesia so completely that it took her right off her feet.

Wallace stepped forward and offered Rohesia a hand, "I get that you're upset," he continued in a softer tone, "and you're right to be upset. It feels pretty shitty to be treated like that, I know. But I'm afraid there's nothing to be done about it."

"What am I supposed to do, how am I supposed to make a life for myself?" she asked.

Aldith clenched her jaw, but when she spoke, her tone belied no frustration, "You still have a family, Rohesia. I don't think there's anyone in town more well-off than your father. Go home. You have a family that loves you. You're acting as if losing Cassie has turned your whole world upside down, but the truth is you never had him. Or have you forgotten that he spent nearly as much time with me as he did with you?"

"Then why aren't you angry?" Rohesia demanded.

"I was angry. So angry I told my brute of a father, starting all this mess. I've had time to cool down. I know you were closer to him, but the truth is, we both saw him as a way out of our personal quagmires. You wanted to keep my father's hands off of you, and I wanted a future. Well, my father is dead and yours will be- well not the chieftain, but at least the leader. Go home. I'm sure your father is worried sick about you. And if you still want a man, well no doubt you'll have your pick once there is more trade between the village and these cities Lord Wallace has spoken of."

Rohesia hugged herself tightly and looked away.

I felt sympathy for the girl, but Aldith spoke the truth. It was no cure for a broken heart, but there was less hardship in her future than Aldith's.

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Wally and I saw them off, following the girls and Amity to the truck. I noted that Phoebe and Cassius were conspicuously absent when we descended the ramp, but perhaps that was for the best.

Amity promised to return in time to make us dinner, and when Wally protested that he could manage the evening meal, she drove off, unwilling to hear a word.

"Everyone keeps calling me Lord Wallace," he mused, watching them go, "But I'm pretty sure it's Amity we can't do without."

"Amity makes the present pleasant," I told him, "But you're the reason there's a future."

"Heh, thanks, Val."

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Cassius and Phoebe had reappeared from wherever they'd been hiding by the time we summited the ramp, and though they stood by the foundation of what I took to be the gatehouse, they didn't seem to be doing much beyond look guilty.

"Cassius," Wally sighed.

"Yeah?"

"What the fuck man?"

"Yeah."

"You're an adult, fucking act like it."

"Yeah."

Phoebe and I found ourselves exchanging confused glances. I think we were both expecting that to be a much longer conversation, but both men seemed to consider it settled. Wally, already on his way back to the hotel, seemed satisfied with the outcome, and Cassius appeared suitably chastised.

I paused long enough to give Fee a little shrug and then hurried after Wally.

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Constance was coming out of the restaurant just as we returned to the hotel, and called out when she saw us.

"Lord Wallace, where is that servant girl?

"Excuse me?"

"The human-looking one with the extra arms. I haven't been brought my afternoon tea, my bed has not been turned down, and my quarters are a shambles. Does she do nothing around here?"

The air filled with the odour of human fury and Wally narrowed his eyes, but after a moment, his expression softened and the fury began to fade, "Amity is not a servant. What she is, is our mechanic, doctor, chef, and yes, sometimes housekeeper. But you're right," he agreed, a faint smile on his lips, "She's quite overworked, it would be good to get her some help."

"The tattooed girl," Constance suggested, "Her presentation leaves much to be desired, but she is common and used to such tasks. She could act as maid. Phoebe as well, perhaps as a governess? She's much better spoken than the tattooed one, but still of low breeding. Her deformity is unpleasant to view, but I suppose I could overlook it given the circumstances."

"No."

"No? Whatever do you mean?"

"No, Felicity- that's her name -is useful. She's teaching magic to Regina and Amity. Phoebe is helping Cassius fortify the base's defences, and she'll have plenty to do after that considering she's our most skilled spellcaster. But you? Well, we don't particularly need a knight in shining armour at the moment, and you know no magic. I said you'd be safe here, and that's a promise, but you need to contribute something. So you can be Amity's little helper. I'm guessing you're not the best cook?"

"Excuse me?"

"Probably had all your meals prepared by someone else. And it wouldn't be fair to expect you to help with anything medical or mechanical. Housekeeping then. You can start with your own room, and then set to work on the rest of the building."

"You cannot be serious," she wavered.

"By all means, if you've got some other way you can help out, share."

Constance glanced at me, but I bit my lip and shook my head.

Wally's already had a taste of elf, and you are no Temerity.

"I am serious," Wally continued, "The most helpful thing I can find for you to do is free up more of Amity's time. So you'll be the one tidying up the place from now on."

Constance bowed her head to hide her face, but the flush could be seen in the tips of her ears.

My face was flushed as well, but it wasn't shame I felt.

"Say that you understand."

"I understand," Constance mumbled.

Oh god yes.

"Good. Oh, and one more thing," he added, catching himself as he turned to leave, "When you've got some free time, you might be able to find yourself a trowel down in the basement. We need a herb garden dug. I'll let you know once I've picked out a spot."

Gods, I'm going to faint.

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"W-wally," I smouldered, once we were safe in the privacy of the elevator, "Were you just doing that to wind me up?"

"No, I knew you'd like that," he smirked, "but no. Constance is still a wildcard. I'm just trying to make sure she's manageable."

"Please put the herb garden in sight of the balcony. I want to watch her dig in the dirt while I lounge."