"You really are a slave driver sire," Orval observed as they stepped into the carriage. "Albeit an efficient one.
"Thank you Orval," Emerick yawned. "I can only imagine what they all think, being woken at ungodly hours and forced to prepare transportation, meals, clothes, bathes, clinics, shelter, and beds for a couple hundred kids that are about to be displaced. I may just turn out to be a bigger tyrant than my father." Thanks to his efforts the day before, he already had a number of homes lined up for the orphans of the Honey Pot institute, and fully expected there to be a number more once the dust settled.
"Doubtful," Orval chuckled darkly, "Especially with the display I suspect your father will put on in making an example of the jack asses involved in all this… this… ludicrousness!"
"I had heard my mothers have all left for another estate," Emerick couldn't help but grin. "Is that true?"
"Lady Esmyria's exact words were, and I quote, 'we will return once the heads are off the pikes, and not a moment sooner.'" Orval shook his head he was laughing so hard.
"That does sound like her," Emerick agreed. "How long do you think that will take?"
"For him to take the heads down?" Orval shrugged. "I couldn't say. It could take anywhere between a week to a month… maybe two depending."
"Let's hope sooner than later," Emerick sighed. "I am not particularly fond of these people, so I don't really fancy having to look at their stupid faces every time I pass through the gates."
"I wonder how the kids would feel," Orval mused. The thought brought a sharp pain to Emerick's chest. He was still kicking himself for missing his rendezvous with Trixie, even if the work he had been caught up in was for her benefit, as well as all who attended the institute with her. Good excuse or not, it was poor form to reschedule a commitment last minute.
"I wonder if Trixie and her group will accept my offer," Emerick clenched his fists, anxious about the thought.
There were certainly enough displaced bodies that, one way or another, he could easily fill his staff. That said, he didn't just want anybody. Thinking on his morning with the orc brothers and his previous night with Trixie, he knew it had to be them. The fact that there were even more of her group with more talents he'd yet to discover only solidified his opinion. That said, he could want them blue in the face, but if she refused him that was that.
"I can't imagine why they would," Orval shrugged. "I mean, no matter how you look at it, they'd be crazy not to want to work for you."
"You can say that, because you know me," Emerick chuckled. "To them, I'm still a virtual stranger. And they're coming from a very, very bad situation. It's only natural for them to be suspicious and distrustful… maybe even to the point they'd refuse."
"You're over thinking things," Orval shook his head. "The fact you're asking and not ordering already does a lot. You're letting them make the decision. Not like you to be this big a worry wort. This girl really that special?"
"You have no idea," Emerick smiled softly.
"I have an idea that you're crazy," Orval scoffed. "Fooling around with someone so young at your age, all it can bring is heartache."
"Think what you like old man, but the heart wants what the heart wants," Emerick replied. "And stop making me sound so old. I am only 18."
"Not by the mortal's time measurements," Orval grumbled.
"There's a reason why we dragons, and others like us measure time differently," Emerick rolled his eyes. "Now who's overthinking things? It's not like I'm going to marry the girl tomorrow."
He wasn't necessarily opposed to the idea, but he had a feeling that Trixie had some more growing up to do before she'd be ready to make that kind of commitment, and he was content to wait and get to know her better in the process. Rushing would do no good for anyone.
Orval voiced a few more concerns which Emerick ignored. They made a number of stops through the evening, and late into the night in their efforts to prepare for the following morning. It was the wee hours of the morning when Emerick finally felt they'd reached a reasonable enough pausing point.
"Orval, I have some private business to attend to," Emerick spoke as he inspected one of the designated receiving sights the children would be brought to after the sun rose. Everything was coming together nicely, despite the short notice and the grumpy participants. He knew seeing the children properly cared for would doubtless sooth even the crabbiest of hearts present, it was part of why he'd requested certain individuals specifically.
"You going to sneak off to snog your little girlfriend?" Orval frowned.
"What's with you, Jacoby, and that word?" Emerick shook his head. "Seriously? Well, I guess I should expect it from you, you're an old fogy, but Jacoby is only a year older than me!"
"Hey! I'm only twenty-five you impudent welp!" Orval growled.
"Not by the 'mortals' years," Emerick teased. "And 'welp?' really? Way to prove my point!"
Laughing, Emerick ducked a swing from Orval, then leapt on the nearest horse which was, thankfully, not strapped to a carriage, and took off. One way or another, he really needed to see Trixie. Maybe, just maybe, he'd get lucky and she'd be waiting for him at the designated meeting spot, assuming Rathus had actually told her about it. If not, well he wasn't opposed to sneaking into her orphanage to speak with her, assuming he could figure out which one it was.
When he first set out, he felt confident and excited. As time progressed and he drew nearer and nearer to the slums and, consequently, Trixie, that confidence faded. By the time the institute was in view, Emerick felt like he was nothing but raw nerves. He worried more and more that, for one reason or another, she wouldn't be there. The fact he hadn't been very clear with a time when he'd passed his message on to the orc brothers, or that they'd seemed reluctant to deliver it didn't help.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Emerick nearly burst out laughing in relief when he heard the familiar voice and Trixie's head poked over the edge of the wall of the institute.
"I could say the same thing beautiful," He winked. He wasn't sure if she could tell, it was still pretty dark out.
"Beautiful am I?" She laughed. Something about it sounded strained, but she seemed genuinely amused at the same time.
"Captivating... as always," Emerick nodded. He couldn't get a good look at her, but something seemed off, and he was pretty sure he could smell blood coming off her. "I can't tell you how glad I am that you're here."
"Yeah, I guess I was missing your dumb face too," Trixie replied. After a moment, she carefully climbed down the wall. He noticed she was moving much slower than she had last he'd seen her, and though she dropped lower to be closer, she still maintained some distance from him.
"You're here pretty early," he commented. "I thought I'd have to wait at least an hour."
"I wasn't waiting," Trixie replied. "I was just here to think."
"Weren't you expecting me?" Emerick questioned.
"Not really," Trixie shrugged.
"So Rathus never told you that I rescheduled?" Emerick sighed. "I really feel like a jack-ass now…"
"You rescheduled?" Trixie laughed. "Well, actually that makes me feel a little better, because I thought I stood you up. And… he may have attempted. I think he was trying to tell me something, but things got… well… crazy."
"Well, I'm glad everything worked out then," Emerick smiled.
"Me too," Trixie smiled back, but suddenly grimaced.
It was still difficult to make anything out, but based on her posture she seemed to be nursing some kind of injury on her hand. He was also sure he could make out some scratches and discoloration against her skin. He worried what had happened, but wasn't sure if it was his place to ask.
"Are you ok?" He questioned. It took a great deal of self-restraint not to move closer. He just wanted to hold her, but she didn't seem keen on physical contact at the moment.
"I don't really want to talk about it," Was the response. He wished she'd elaborate, but at least she wasn't outright lying to him. "So what did you want to see me about?"
"I was hoping for an answer," Emerick replied.
"Look, we had a lot of fun, it was a great night… but I don't know," Trixie shook her head. "It's hard to say what's going to happen in the next few days. Things are… complicated… right now."
He considered her for a moment. He was half tempted to remind her of the offer that he'd extended to Rathus and Titus earlier, but he was willing to bet she'd turn it down on the spot. It was pretty clear that they were hell bent on making it on their own. That said, he wasn't going to give up on them. Not yet at least.
Emerick just needed a new perspective. He had to think, what was something they needed, that he had? Trixie wasn't overtly forthcoming with details of her or her family, but it was clear she and her fellows were lacking a lot of essential needs. He thought back on the things that attracted her attention during the date, and at once an idea began forming.
"How about I up the stakes?" Emerick suggested.
"Can you think about anything past your cock?!" Trixie demanded impatiently. "I don't care how much gold you offer me, I've got other problems right now!"
"Who says I was going to offer gold?" Emerick countered. "I mean, that's certainly on the table if you want to negotiate some side arrangements, but I had something… bigger in mind."
"Like what?" Trixie huffed. He had never seen her look so defeated. It was time to change that.
"Well, I just so happen to have a house," Emerick replied, studying his nails. "It's much too large for me and Jacoby alone, so I figured I'd offer it to you."
"You're just going to give me a house?" Trixie eyed him dubiously.
"Of course I'm not just going to give it to you," Emerick chuckled. "This is a trade my dear. I'm offering the house to you."
"And what, exactly do you want in return?" She demanded. He was pleased to see that keen glint return to her eyes. They were in territory she could understand now, so even though she really wasn't in a position to refuse, she felt more in control.
"You," He replied simply.
"Me?" Trixie's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think you know exactly what I mean," Emerick fluttered his eye lashes.
"I'm not selling myself into slavery," Trixie glowered.
"I would never want you to," Emerick replied. "Do you always insist on being so willfully obstinate? I am a client, am I not? I want to hire your services on a permanent basis in exchange for the deed to my house."
"You're seriously offering me a house for sex?" Her eyebrows rose.
"Not just sex," He wagged a finger. "And not just a house, but if you like we can work those details out later."
"Is it big enough to house twenty-seven?" Trixie questioned.
"Frankly, as long as there were fewer than a hundred, we'd be just fine." Emerick replied. "Oh, and I would hope this goes without saying, but I would fully intend to remain there as well, though I'm perfectly happy to discuss who gets what room."
"I guess…" Trixie studied him shrewdly, likely trying to think of any drawbacks or pitfalls of such an agreement. Based on the way she would anxiously glance at the sky, he sensed there was some urgency for time, especially with a solution to whatever problems she faced dangling in front of her. "Yeah. I'll take you up on your offer."
"Excellent!" Emerick beamed and extended a hand.
"One thing," Trixie said as she took his hand. "We need to be out of the orphanage today. This morning ideally."
"I will make sure it is so," Emerick agreed. It had been presumptuous on his part, but he had already ordered Jacoby to hire carriages to pick Trixie and the others up. Now that he had a number, he could relay more accurate information to the butler.
"And we will go over the agreement at length when we arrive at the house," Trixie confirmed.
"It's really more of an estate," Emerick shrugged. "But yes, we'll arrange something more formal if it so pleases you."
"Thank you," For a moment, it seemed like she might cry, but she composed herself quickly.
"Should we celebrate your new home with a kiss?" He teased. She considered him for a moment.
"I'll think about it after we finish drafting that contract," She replied, tapping him flirtatiously on the nose. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bunch of kids to get packed and ready to go."
He watched in a daze as she hurried off down the road. Once she was out of sight, he couldn't help but celebrate with a little dance, before he hopped back onto his borrowed stead and galloped off. Now that he had gotten Trixie to agree to move in, so to speak, there were other matters to attend to. He had an entire faculty of instructors to intercept.