Absolutely gullible, the lot of them.
They were waiting at the edge of the meadow, squinting in the direction they knew I would come from. Glancing over the small group of men that shuffled about and tried to tidy up their haggard appearance, I sighed, but stepped out from the cover of the forest. A couple more steps and my lavender-colored dress would be easier to distinguish from the browns and greens of the forest.
As soon as I was easily spotted, they rushed over. I plastered a gentle smile and waved excitedly at them. They trampled and stomped over to me, sounding like the cattle they were. The strong scent of wind drifted underneath my nose from the left, slightly turning my face right I waited for the wind to blow a long scarlet strand of hair across my face. I halted mid-step and let out soft laughter as I trucked the strand back behind my ear again. With my sight no longer obstructed I was pleased by the awe-expressions and enamored looks on their faces.
"M-Miss Rose, please allow me to carry the basket, you've walked long enough with it." Stammered out a dark-haired boy with shaggy hair, wringing his hat in his hands he held out a hand to me. The faces of those around him grew dark as they glared.
"Oh," I gaped, lifting a hand to cover my mouth with. "How could I dare?"
"It's no problem." He reached out, a moments lingering touch, brushing his fingers over the skin of my wrist before taking the basket from me. There was a slight grunt from him and a frown that he was quick to hide when he took hold of the full basket.
"If you insisted." I gave him a thankful smile and turned away as he trailed beside me with a proud smile that seemed to annoy the others.
"Miss Rose," A broad-shouldered man with a thin blouse and shoulder-length hair called out to me, bushy brows furrowed as he looked down at me with a somewhat strained expression and worried eyes. "I do believe we had spoken of this. It makes me feel terribly ill to know that you come out here to pick flowers for the shop-"
"If you ever have to do that, please call upon me to escort you safely. Nothing is more important than your safety to me." A gruff voice spoke from behind me, glancing over my shoulder I caught eyes with a scruffy but well built man.
"And me." Someone else chimed in, trying not to be left out.
"I await your call, Miss."
"You all flatter me, but how could I take up the time of the men who help make this city run right?" Taking a few steps in front of them, I turned to face them all with my hands behind my back as I walked backward. "But I do promise to call upon someone for the next trip, to not worry you all."
"Miss Rose..."
Seeing the tips of their ears and cheeks turn a soft pink or darkening their complexion made the smile I had in place harder to hold. A few cleared their throats as they looked away momentarily.
"It was a truly wonderful walk today, I even managed to find some of the rare flowers Melissa has trouble finding." I gushed, before turning back around. For the brief moment where no one was in front or beside me, I let the smile drop before, tuning the corners of my lips up slightly.
"You are absolutely wonderful Miss Rose!"
"It's no wonder that you did, beauty finds beauty."
"I'm sure she will be pleased to have such a hard worker with her, you are the best in the shop at finding the prettiest flowers after."
The walk back to the flower shop was excruciating, as I smiled and laughed at the appropriate times, commented, and praised them for this or that. Making sure not to get too physically close or mention anything compromising that might steer the thin balance they all walked upon when it came to me. Every now and then one would try to get ahead of the others and would reach out in what I'm sure was to be an intimate touch, but the others would handle that before I had to do anything.
The closer we got to the shop, the more they fumbled for reasons to remain, when their business or places of work neared, others calling out their names in greetings and warnings. As it was early morning, only those opening shops were out and about, with the exception of a few small children running around. It was a nice city, Steppington, with all of its bustling stores right next to each other painted bright and cheery, with living arrangements above that towered over those who chatted with the residents who lingered by an open window. The place I worked was located around the town center where a large water fountain was located, the statue of some gran founder on a horse. Male of course.
The sun was taken into account when positioning the white marle statue so that no matter where you were standing you would always be greeted with a view of the sun coming from behind or outlining the magnificent figure. Resisting the urge to make a face, I glanced about as the men around me continued to prattle on about themselves, but a rugged figure with tangled locks of brown hair and mud-stained shoes caught my eye. At once, I slowed my walk to see what she was up to. It didn't take long to realize she was stopping anyone who was unlucky enough to get close by to speak with fevered movements, brows furrowed and lips chapped and split. Before she finished speaking, the people pulled away with awkward faces and shook their heads, scurrying away from what appeared to be a madwoman.
She wasn't mad, she was simply desperate. The reason why annoyed me.
"I see Jamous is still missing if poor Veronica is out and about." I murmured in a saddened breath, interrupting the conversation. "Poor child."
At my words, the lot turned to see what had stolen my attention away from them. At first there were uneasy looks but after a moment someone sighed and shook his head.
"Perhaps he finally did her good and left." I tilted my head to the side and shrugged, not denying his claim, but not accepting it either.
"Good riddance, we all know how much he followed you around Miss Rose. He was a drunkard and a waste as a father." Behind me, the gruff voice spit out the words in lingering anger. An echo of his own?
"Perhaps someone did us all a favor and got rid of him." Someone else agreed, but his words, spoken under his breath, were loud enough for us all to hear.
There was an uneasy moment where I could feel the tension as a new suspicion arose from everyone around me, eyeing one another, a new question on the rise. The corners of my lips twitched, but I maintained the concerned frown and wide eyes that made me look so doe-like.
"It's true that he was a bit persistent, but I do hope he's all right, at least for Veronica's sake." My words, like Miss Rose, were as fake as could be, but I couldn't tell them that. As we walked the curve of the center, I knew that we would be spotted, or rather my flamboyant red locks would stand out being surrounded by so many people. Miss Rose was never alone, after all.
"Or perhaps he ran into justice and stumbled off a cliff or was mugged in an ally. Either way, good riddance." The boy who carried my basket input, trying to shake the uneasy quiet.
"Oh, Henry-" I began to admonish, but was cut off by a shout. Slowly turning over and peaking in between the bodies on my right, I caught sight of the drunkard's daughter marching over to me with burning eyes.
Veronica was quite pretty, she had long brown hair that fell past her mid-back and a light covering of freckles that dusted over her face that blended well with her slightly darkened complexion, a heart-shaped face with her father's wide bridge nose and rather thin lips, hazel eyes and long lashes that must have come from her absentee mother. Her frame was not at all slender or petite because of the long hours I'm sure she gained from working further out with the town's crops, but she was overall a pretty mixture. Of course, with how her family situation was and a wasteful father, she didn't have time in the day to care about her appearance or take care of herself, so she walked around looking one step away from dropping. But that was a beautiful look as well, at least in my opinion. Others tended to lean much more towards the docile and submissive look.
"You," she began with a shaky finger gabbed in my direction. She stopped a few steps away from us, immediately the men formed a rather pathetic shield, puffing their chests like shields against the young maiden. "I beg of you, if you know something about my father, please speak."
I opened my mouth and then closed it, pursing my lips as I frowned at her, before closing my eyes with a heavy sigh. When I finally opened my eyes, I blinked repeatedly, looking her way, looking away and then back before I finally answered her. I clasped a hand over above my left elbow, over my chest and tucked my neck down a bit.
"I'm truly sorry, but I do not know the whereabouts of your father. As I told you the last I saw of him was of the incident two days ago." My words were a nervous murmur that carried to her an apologetic touch, information that could not help but that wanted too.
"Please, you must have seen him afterwards, we all know how obsessed he was with you-"
"Yes, we do." In front of me, the best-dressed fellow spoke coldly, cutting her off with ire. "He constantly followed her and said the most horrid things. How dare you come up to her after all the trouble he caused her!"
At his words, Veronica's shoulders dropped a bit, a shamed expression crossed over her face. Oh yes, her father was a troublesome man and she knew it. We all did. Her hands fisted at her sides as she bit her lip and looked towards the ground.
"Not to mention how he destroyed the Wellvers property for banning him from their Inn after he tried to break in. Are you not in debt for his drunken actions?" Someone threw out, a scathing remark that made her turn red for a moment before she looked back up with the same desperation that drove her to march our way.
"Yes, yes! He was a horrible man, but he is still my father." Her lips trembled, but her words held true and strong. Enough so that some heads began to turn and remain in our direction. This displeased me. "But what of you all, how do I not know one of you decided to take matters into your own hands and disposed of him. Who's next? Thinning out the competition?"
"I would never!"
"You wretched-"
"Gentlemen, please calm yourselves, can you not see these are the words of a daughter's heart in pain from the disappearance of her father, perhaps not the best, but a father nonetheless." As the men trembled in rage at her daring accusation, I caught sight of some women nodding their heads and looking over at me with displeased looks. Ugh. "I do not know what happened to Jamous, but I can tell you with certainty that these men are not capable of what you blame them of. They are fine men of this town."
"You say so, but how do I know it was not you who did something to my father? You've been here no longer than two months and have caused quite the stir. The last I saw of him he spoke only praises and curses with your name spilling from his lips before he stumbled out the door." Her glare was focused and unmoving on me, not buying the saddened face I put on before her. I held her stare but did not twitch or change my pose. An intelligent woman, oh how I wished to smile.
The others, not at all on the same train of thought as I was, latched onto her words for a different meaning. One that in the past, I too would have felt infuriated with, but cared very little for now.
"You come here with unpleasant accusations all the while you state that you did not attempt to stop your father when you must have realized that he might have headed out to hurt Miss Rose. Seeing as how Miss Rose is without incident and never saw Jamous, then your father must have crossed paths with destiny."
"I really do hope you find Jamous." I whispered and turned to walk away from her, not enjoying this form of attention, it was unlucky, I knew from experience.
As soon as she saw me turning, steps rang as she tried to run in front of me, but the wall of men shifted, so all she managed to do was stand further in front, her chest lifting rapidly.
"Am I to simply believe that you did not order them to hurt my father? They surround you like dogs waiting for scraps, it's pathetic, but I bet you relish in the attention you receive from the men."
"I would never have another do something I..." Raising both hands to cover my face, I shook my head back and forth, my words coming out chopped and in disbelief. A slight confession, but nothing solid. I could give her that much. "could do-no-harm. Never, w-why would I even think of that? It's terrible what you are going through, but please do not accuse me of something so atrocious."
An arm wrapped around my shoulder, I slanted my eyes to the side, catching sight of the hero who deemed himself as such. At once he pulled me close to his chest and began walking forward and away from the direction of the least of my troubles. In his chest, the fast-paced thumping of his heart, the blood rushing through his body, the next shudder that overcame my frame wasn't false this time.
"Come now Miss Rose, it's best to get going from this bad atmosphere." The man spoke over my head as he reached across with his other arm to cradle my head as if protecting me from the onslaught of some vicious attack. If I removed my hands, I knew that his bicep would be right there...flesh was so easy...to tear into...I bit my lip as a familiar impulse began to loosen.
"Yes, a crowd is starting to gather, and you don't need this kind of attention." Someone else called from behind me, hurrying along beside us. I let them pull me along since they were doing most of the work for me. "Really Veronica, we feel for your troubles, but do not act so hastily as to point fingers to someone who was a victim of your father's shortcomings."
Veronica might have replied back with something, but whatever said was lost to me by the murmuring and comforting words the men around me spoke of. Pulling away from the man who was wrapped around me like honey, I pretended to wipe at my eyes before giving a pathetic smile that wobbled as I looked all around me.
"Thank you for your kind words, I'm not sure what I would have done if not for your strength walking me through that." Fully untangling myself from the limbs that surrounded me, I noted that I was close to the flower shop when the scent of flowers outside in-display greeted me. The bright blue walls and yellow window shutters opened, there stood my boss watching with a knowing expression.
"Say nothing more of it, we were merely doing what was right. She had no right to accuse you of such things."
"I see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Oh, the apple falls very far from the tree, but at this point, the tree was no longer important.
"She's just going through a tough time-"
"How could you be so kind-hearted after the trouble that family has put you through, even the people of this city. I don't know what their problem-"
"It's the women of this town who are the problem, they're just jealous of her beauty and kind nature. Those women have tongues of snakes when it comes to Miss Rose." For once, all the men looked at one another and agreed, nodding their heads to one another.
I remained quiet, letting them have their moment. It was so peculiar how a pretty face and a few words could turn the men away from women they've probably known their whole lives. After finally reaching the flower shop, I turned and faced them all with a large smile as if nothing in the world could trouble me, teeth bared.
"Once more thank you, gentlemen, you have been very...helpful, in everything." More than they would ever get to know, at least not until they came around. "If you may hand me the basket, I do believe I am running a bit late." I asked almost apologetically as if saddened to break this small gathering.
"Of course, of course." The boy rushed up to me, handing me the basket as if presenting a silver platter, raising it almost above his chest, I had to reach up a bit to bring it down. I took it from him and patted him on the hand.
"If you have any trouble from Melissa, just let me know and I'll explain the situation to her." The closest one next to me spoke matter of factly, the answer to all my problems. He took hold of my hand and brought it to his lips.
It was ridiculous, as we were all commoners, and I was no lady. Holding in a chuckle, I batted my eyes at him and nodded shyly.
"As will I."
After maneuvering myself out of getting kissed once more and walking further away from the group and as Veronica said some tried to trail after me, taking a step forward, but with a small shake of my head they understood the subtle hint. Desolate expression painted their faces, but they remained in place.
"Good day to you all." I said and turned to walk into the flower shop. I didn't remove the smile from my face, but it turned friendlier, warmer.
Melissa was a woman in her late fifties with dull brown hair that was graying fairly quickly, and wrinkles all over her round and filled out face. She had a slight frame, but was on the wider wide. Dark eyes and wide features, but her no-nonsense stare was comforting to those who were on the mischievous side. Which is why I liked her so much. She had taken over the family business after her husband passing away a couple of years ago and it was visible on her face just how hard she took his passing, but the business didn't lose a dime. Her children stopped in time to time but didn't help in as much as they should or could have. She didn't seem to mind. She had offered me the job when I first began looking around town for one, it was easy, convenient, and matched my...persona. Not that she knew, but she might have suspected that I was some sort of trouble magnet, for she kept me in the front attract clients, but kept a watchful eye on what I said or did.
She was less tiring than all the other people outside, but still one to be wary about. No one knew you best, like the person who paid you. Or at least they liked to think so.
"Who was it this time? Another upset wife? An unhappy lover who accuses you of being the reason her man is no longer content with her?" She questioned, not at all sarcastic, as she moved away from the window and uncrossed her arms to the hold of the basket. She stared at me hard instead of opening the basket and inspecting it.
"Veronica seems to think I have something to do with Jamous disappearing." I shrugged and leaned back against the desk near the middle of the room where everything was written or completed. I kept my expression petulant as this time I was the one to cross my arms over my chest and shook my head.
It was a spacious place with the display of flowers spread out all across the room according to color rather than the side, so it made for an interesting view once entering. The desk near the middle wall was beside the back room where important things were stored or kept. A few green seating chairs were placed near the window for those who wished to wait or whatnot. There was a decent-sized mirror in between two bouquets of flowers in case a flower crown was requested. Two tables on either side of the room with smaller displays set for explained of bouquets, and where we kept some of the wrapping paper and ribbons. I liked the ribbons.
"Hmm." She looked me up and down for a moment, her left brow drooping slightly as her eyelids half shut. "Did you?"
"Have something to do with his disappearance?" I continued her question, holding her hard stare before giving her an amused look. "I'm pretty, not stupid. A nice face and figure wouldn't be enough to keep me out of prison. Of course not." On anyone else at least.
After a moment, she nodded and looked down to check out the basket. My expression cleared as I looked down at her, my fingers drumming along my arms. Before she looked up, I plastered my usual disinterest look and walked around the desk and sat where I would have to wait until someone walked in.
"Well, did you find anything exciting today?" Walking past me, she placed the basket on the edge of the table and took a glance under the blanket, moving some and nodding her head slowly.
"Of course, how could I disappoint you?" I asked sweetly, placing my hands over the table and leaning forward.
"Why don't you tell me where you get these 'eh? Then I won't be as disappointed when they run out." Glancing my way she lifted a brow and waited.
"But if I tell you where they are, how do I know you won't fire me and go look for them yourself? I do need a place of work too." Grinning, I wiggled my brows at her and leaned back, moving a stack of paper and swiping my hand across the desk as if to clean it.
"These new flowers aren't the only reason people come by nowadays." She said pointedly, before walking off with the basket to the back.
"Hmm." Was all I responded with.
"Well, as expected, these will sell nicely." Shutting the door behind her as she went to arrange and clean the flowers off. I sighed and leaned back.
I knew I would have a few minutes before the store filled up for one reason or another. I stood up and began to tidy around, not that Melissa allowed for much of a mess to be made left unattended. Like always, I found myself in front of the mirror, any mirror, staring.
It was true that I caused a lot of trouble no matter where I went, but the majority of the time it wasn't me, but my appearance. The woman in the mirror pulled a vicious look that was...pitiful.
Pushing my hair away from my face, I took in the decent-sized forehead, finely shaped brows that had a slight arch, the large green apple colored eyes with flecks of brown around my pupils, long dark lashes, skin the shade of sand under the sun's blessing, the long but slender nose that came out buttoned at the end, the slightly fuller top lips and pointed out chin. Turning to the side, I looked over the full face with prominent dimples when I moved my mouth or bared my teeth, the careful rounding of my jaw, my cheeks at the perfect placement where there was a slight rise, enough to slim down and emphasize a healthy weight. Dropping my hands, I let the scarlet hair drop around my shoulders and down my back, feeling its weight. I was a good height, not too short or tall, slender with a modest chest. There was an angelic quality about this face, feminine, and softness to the skin that often made me look years younger than I was, childlike even. With my hair this shade of red, the odd darker strands, and thickness of it that shined and beckoned in the sunlight, it was captivating and alluring when putting together with my eyes and skin. I had taken a little too well to this new color. I was a delicate balance of forbidden fruit.
I glared at the face in the mirror, at the representation she cast upon me. This was not the face I chose, it was not one of my favorite faces. No, the face that represents me was elsewhere, hidden for special occasions. I reached up with a finger and tapped on the cooled mirror, stroking along the lines that made my face, smiled softly, watching as it made my eyes gleam and shine, tenderness everywhere, a warmth lived within me when I stared ahead. I dropped the smile and frowned, watching as those lips pouted in a childish way. I bared my teeth in a snarl and she grimaced.
Oh, how I loathed this appearance of mine. Nice to the eye, a joy to have around, something to show off or something to desire, but never me. It had brought me more trouble than it was worth, but I suppose in a way it also blessed me with something no other would ever receive.
With a sigh, I turned away from the mirror and clasped my hands behind my back. Trekking further down, I wasn't sure how, but I found myself staring into hazel eyes from outside, Veronica glaring from across the statue at me with conviction in her eyes. It was but for a moment, but it was enough for me to let out a quiet groan of discontent.
It would be time for me to move again.
I walked over to the desk, ready for the day to start as I began to plan what I would need for my next settlement. I was always ready to go on short notice, but it was always a pain to do so in a rush. At least this time I would have a bit more time to perfect my disappearance. It was a bit sooner than I had expected, but better now than later when they caught up. Not that they ever would. No one ever caught on, not until it was too late at least. Drumming my finger on the desk I tilted my head back for a moment, my hair fell from off my shoulders.
"... she'll need it back for the funeral then." I muttered under my breath.
There were two rapid knocks on the door before a young woman bustled in. I stood up with my hands clasped in front of me and greeted her with a welcoming smile. For a moment, she blinked, frozen in my gaze, before she smiled back and shuffled closer.
"Welcome to Petals, how may I brighten your day?"
*** 🥀 ***
As the two men loaded the wagon with the goods they were promised, one sighed and leaned against the back wheel, hands on his knees as he took a break. Standing straight, he raised his hands over his head and stretched, groaning at the satisfying crack that came from his back. Ambling over to the head he patted the brown-haired horse, butting his nose into the man's hand.
"Did ya' hear of the case going down in the center? The man who was found broken to pieces outside Wailers Cliff?" He turned to face his companion, lifting a brow in confusion as he went over his words.
"Another jumper?" He guessed. That was an infamous space for those who, well, the name was much more famous for the wails it ripped out of those related to the jumpers.
"A drunk." The other man responded with a shake of his head, walking to the back of the wagon to secure the last of the things needed for the journey.
"Ah, poor bastard probably stumbled off. That's why I have drinking buddies, you would never let me die so poorly. His mates were probably shit." Striding away from the mare, he began to climb atop the seat and took hold of the reins. Kicking out, he stretched out his left foot and shook out, feeling an old familiar strain.
"I hear the daughter's calling it foul play, something about a pretty little lass." The younger of the two spoke in disbelief. Once everything was secure, he walked up front and hopped onto the hard seat with a show of his youth.
"Lover's dispute?" Asked the older man, beginning to move the wagon. They began their journey out of the city, pulling away from the late-night business still bustling about and the night dwellers.
"Competition apparently." The grave tone made the man look away for a moment to check out his friend's face, only to see him raise a hand to his throat and make a slicing motion. He made a face.
"Ouh, that's nasty." He tisked at the thought of being off'd by another man for a woman, but remembered that he at least knew he didn't have to fight for his wife's attention, but there was a time when he might have done the same thing. Maybe.
"Not as nasty as they say, his body wound up a complete mess I heard. Poor bastard probably hit every rock on his way down." The young man closed his eyes and imagined how it would have taken place, the sound of bones shattering, flesh-ripping, all of that blood...and shuddered violently, crossing his arms over his chest as if making sure all of his limbs were still well and put together.
"What of the woman?"
"Hmm," He paused to recall what the gossiping woman behind the counter had been chattering about. "I think one of the rejects took her and ran."
"He napped her?" The man spluttered, momentarily surprised, wild brows raising to his hairline. The other nodded. "Well, if he was willing to kill, I suppose he wasn't going to take a no from her after all he did."
"Must have been one hell of a beauty." Burring deeper into his coat, the man closed his eyes and enjoyed the comfort his limbs provided him. Blessed them.
"Must have." The other replied, an uneasy sensation twisting his stomach.