Albert grit his teeth in a smile as he served the drinks. The thin,mousy girl flushed in remark, as expected, and became oddly interested in her lap. The scarfed one gave a slight tilt of her head as the placed the tray as if asking why the hell did you take this long. Albert felt an urgent desire to puke on their tray after seeking the undeniable act of arrogance. It was a miracle that his could still keep his smile until he bowed for the final time and excused himself. After shutting the staff lounge door as gently as he could, he shakily exhaled the held up breath.
Someone laughed from beside.
"Oh, were those girls really that scary Al?"
"Shut up" Albert said shooting a filthy glare in the direction of the voice. It was a man slightly taller than himself with purple dyed hair tied down in a silky ponytail. He had sleepy eyes and a loose smile befitting of a playboy. Glaring at him never needed a reason.
"You know very well, if not too much , about my ordeal. So, I'd advise you to not behave so casually, Ron."
The one mentioned smirked in return. "Hmmm.... I'll consider. But tell me was the money really okay?"
Albert clicked his tongue audiblly. "It's not fake that's for sure. But those bastard's could've stolen it. Or, plucked it from a corner- I dunno about that." He paused a little to intensify his frown. "And the boss said we couldn't go smuggling our customers anytime we want, especially if they gave legal money."
Ron chuckled slightly at Al's reaction. "You didn't buy that, did you."
"Tch, the folk at the Sea Pearl must already have more than they can handle. There could be no other reason. Those little wenches just got lucky today."
"Mhmm? But there could be another story."
"What!"
Albert's eyes shot wide. Meanwhile, Ron casually stroked his shaved chin, enjoying the reaction.
"I heard that the someone from the Danaë branch is coming tonight. However, I thought you'd know even more information about this. They are from Vaselia and aren't they quite close with the Edgers? Oh dear-" Ron decided to stop there as Albert had already begun trembling visibly. "I really shouldn't have provoked him to this point" he thought while a bead of sweat trickled down his face.
Because Albert was so easy to toy with, he sometimes forgot that he was actually a native noble, from Vaselia,no less. Well, the damage had already been dealt. Ron silently slept away from the furious Albert before the commotion hardened.
On the other hand, all Albert could do was stomp his foot in frustration. "Cheeky bastard."
There was a prominent sound as Cellentine dropped her finished cup on the wooden board. As much as she'd like to deny it, the latte indeed was worth its came. Heck, look at Cara. She never wiped that idiotic grin off her face ever since the first sip. Truly, sugar must be much more intoxicating than alcohol for poor people like them. Celly sighed softly as she watched Cara smack her lips in regret after picking the last crumbs off her lips.
She raised her cheeks in aknowing smile drawing in a slight blush from her friend.
"Let's move."
Soon the illusory world of fragrances and comfort was left behind, swapped with the fishy sea breeze and the darkening Ash sky. Most of the fisherman had just ported in so the hustle that was absent in afternoon was there. Probably because of the deafening calls and chatters or the stiffness lingering of their actions on Cara's behalf of the conflicting emotions slowly surging inside of Celly, the walk home was oddly silent.
But for two short exchanges.
"Apart from me, is there anyone? You know what I mean."
Pretty taken aback by the sudden confrontation, Cara took a while to reply.
"I don't need anyone else."
Was there a soft hint of melancholy in her voice? Or loneliness, wistful perhaps?
Cellentine frowned.
"That's not right. You should have more friends."
"....."
After that none of them made any further remarks on striking a conversation. Because both of them understood the weight of their words and both of them wanted to be the part of the noble sacrifice.
"I'm dropping off here today."
"I understand." Cara nodded. She then looked up at Cellen and smiled.
"Up for another boring lazy stroll tomorrow. There won't be coffee or sweets though."
Cellen grinned.
"Don't need them as long as you're there."
She gave Cara a thumbs up before drawing the scarf close to her face and disappearing into one of the countless cramped in alleys.
Cara stared after her long, with an unknown pressure on her chest.
"Dreams again?" She softly whispered. A sigh escaped out of her lips before she knew it.
"Just how many secrets are you planning to hide, Cell?"
A gust of wind whistled past sweeping her skirt leftwards.f she could count, Cellentine would still never figure out how many things were seriously messed up in her life. That is why the best way to live for her was to stare blankly at whatever came up and let the emotions pass like some breeze that just happened to brush her face.
If anybody asked her whether she felt shock at what happened last night, she'd say no.
Because from the moment she'd opened her eyes, she'd seen the world class in gray.
But if anybody asked if she was hurt, then... Maybe she won't be able to give a straightforward no. And she hated herself for it.
The faraway clouds grumbled and a thin arc of lightning swept passthe corner of her eye.
The blue shadows of the evening suddenly darkened.
However, no particular haste was made.
A gap there, a strip of path on the left, cross the broken fences and ignore the rotting gardens. Pinch your nose and quickly stroll past the open sewer. When the stench has become mild,
"Turn left again and lo."
A shaggard and broken looking wooden cottage that seemed to tremble at the meerest thunder.
Cellen went forward and knocked the door before she could think of anything else.
There was a great deal of shaking and tinkering before the door cautiously was opened.
"My,my, Dear! I was starting to worry you'd been bolted of to some Blacksmen! Isn't it nice to see you, in one piece no less!"
Aunt Callida's bony features broke into a grin.
"Now now, in you come! The rain isn't gonna tarry all day y'know!"
*****
It was a fortunate fact that Cellentine didn't mind the homely chatters. Or the musty smell of overaged wood. Or the lack of oxygen due to the cramming of too many people.
Cause otherwise it'd become so so tougher to maintain the smiley composition.
"I'm sorry about this." Aunt Callida offered a rueful smile as she entered the cupboard like room with a small bowl in hand. She placed the bowl in front of Cellen and sat down.
"I thought you'd be hungry, so I saved this. I know it's not much but it's all we have to offer."
She gave the food a little shove. Cellen recognized the contents.
It was a soupy condition of yesterday's leftover rice soaked overnight, boiled with seaweed and some dried sardines and then left in the open to cool. It was a regular meal for the typical families living by the harbour.
Cellen ran her tongue inside her mouth savouring the lingering taste of coffee.
"Thank you. This graciousness is more than anyone can expect."
Cellentine picked up the bowl and brought it to her lips. She hadn't eaten anything except the coffee since morning. Though it should be enough to keep her alive, she possibly couldn't refuse this kind meal. The energy would come in handy anyway.
"May this meal be blessed."
Callida silently watched the young lady sip away the meal. She had thrown away the scarf now letting out shoulder length blonde hair. Her eyes were well concealed under bangs, but a peering gaze could discern their unique vermillion colour. If one could ignore the dust and fatigue imbued with her poor appearance, they could surely understand that she was a beauty.
Cellen was panting slightly after she finished the food. She hadn't meant to eat it in one breath but she couldn't help it. For some reason the dish tasted strongly bitter. Well, it was supposed to be bitter and have a pungent smell because of the dried sardines....but to this extent?!
"Gosh my expression! What would she think! Especially after all she did for me...."
However, contrary to her imaginations, Callira smiled and conjured up a glass of water from somewhere.
"Ah, you must have been starving, dear ....to gulp down thefood like that."
"Ahaahaaa.... Thank you again aunt Callida."
The older women kept smiling in an understanding way as Cellentine emptied the glass in a breath as well.
"Whew... Was it my imagination or is the water sweet?"
"Cellentine, you know...you've got a sort of charm around you....one that tends to attract people."
Cellentine blushed as aunt Callida said this to her.
"Well, your mom's the same if you think about it...not many people are favoured with such luck when they come here."
Cellen unconsciously ended up nodding. Though her mother almost never spoke of it, she knew this much that her mother was not a native at this port and Cellentine was born right here. Which kinda makes her a native...
" Oh, I still remember the day she first came falling on my doorsteps...thin,weak,starving and dangerously pregnant,,no less!" Callida smiled wryly.
" Who could have imagined that she'd survive....and make you survive right along. Gosh, she was so happy to see your face when you were born. Even though she had no breath to spare after the painful labour, she kept whispering about how you looked starkingly like father..."
Cellentine had nearly dozed off somewhere around Callida's speech but the last part sent an electric iolt through her brain.
"I...resemble my father?"
It was something she had never heard from her mother.....though she'd be an idiot no to speculate it since she bore little likeness to her mother except her slightly wavy hair.
"You were the light of her life ,Cellen, you know... Someone like her... even though odds were heavily in her favour, it's miraculous that she has remained this untainted..."
What's with this direction? Cellen lazily thought. Aunt Callida was obviously rambling but it was a burden alone to decipher the words. Her eyelids were constantly dropping, her thoughts turning into a slur.....
Callida sighed from other side.
"She is well, yes, but it would be spectacle to see how long."
"What?"..Cellen couldonlyform the words in her head, barely. What thehell's with this sleepiness anyway. Could it be thefatigue... Last night,she barely slept. And to top it up she'd been on her feet nearly the whole day. Being tired enough to immediately want to take a nap wouldn't be abnormal.
"Mhmmmm..."
"Irene is naive,far too naive....not to say vulnerable.."
Ugh! Shut with this chatter. Lemme sleeeeep
"..... So, it is for the best that we do this... you are a charm after all, Cellen, a despicable charm of I'll fate. Irene may not have the guts to do this but I say you've hurt her enough... It's time she cut off literally every time from her past....even if she needs a little nudge."
In her state , it was impossible to draw a clear thought train. Nevertheless, Cellen still could remember the sinister expression on Callida's face as she felt her skin tighten. There was slight confusion.....and irritation...But, strangely no fear..
The words Callida last spoke to her....she could only recall them long after she woke up. Only then could connect all the puzzle dots...the bitter rice soup,the sweet water....and the imminent drowsiness.....
But all for now she could just remember drifting off to sleep Ina very annoyed and uncomfortable state of mind. She was abnormally sleepy.