A little more than a week had passed since the party. When they had gone back from their social break, they had been flooded in company. Severus knew they would never be popular, exactly, but money could make you very interesting indeed. And after Fred Weasley’s pranks on her, the Snake Girl had seemed much less intimidating.
Severus and Suneko had not mentioned their private conversation again. Very few things had changed. Severus figured that meant she had decided to forget the embarrassing parts of it. It was probably for the best. He had given her food for thought, perhaps. She would go on a quest for a husband when she would be ready. Someone she would really like, obviously. Severus was still feeling quite upset about the rejection, but then whatever that conversation had been, it had been uncalled for, in the first place, unplanned, and clumsy. She didn’t seem to be ill at ease with him, though. He was grateful for this much. Instead, she had had comments to make about everyone they had met. Being friends with a legilimens could be practical for gossip. And she seemed to feel like teasing him a little, these days, booping him every so often. Annoying, but better than side eyes and awkward silences, he guessed.
They would soon have a lot of work to do. She had obtained a permit to buy Spinner’s End from the ministry. Enough of her fortune was safe to allow her to acquire it, and they would have to clean the place, once the ministry had performed the suitable protection spells. The werewolves had shown interest. It was empty, available, and close to a wolf bane provider. They had threatened to squat it. Apparently, when you were struck with lycantropy, it became difficult to find a place to rent. Technically, Suneko would be the landlady, but she had decided it would be up to Severus to handle them. Just the thought of having to make the place safe in this context was already giving Severus a headache. She would share the factory with him, he knew. He could hardly believe it, but he would have to leave Weasley’s pretty soon, to set up his own Defence Against the Dark Arts shop. He really would be his own boss. It was really happening.
And Suneko expected to see his land, now. Obsessively so. This visit had been pretty much the only thing she had had in mind, lately. When Severus had drawn his card out of his pocket to open a portal to the place, she had been trampling with impatience. And here they were. The place felt next to abandonned, almost wild and foreign. There was no vampire to be seen. Just dried herbs all around, stones, and the shadow of some broken old castle in the distance. Birds were chirping happily in the countryside silence. The climb among the bushes to the top of the hill was steep. Every once in a while, Suneko reached down to touch the soil, make some of it roll in between her fingers, and smell it. It was odd. She was hopping to and fro, sniffing the air, observing the surroundings.
« Look ! Honeysuckle, over here ! » she pointed.
-Camomille ! Wild oxalis ! A lot of interesting herbs are growing here naturally. I’ll only need to get proper seed, and I’m sure it would all grow easily. I figure greenhouses would be in order, for more exotic species, though. But I could really get to work ! »
The butterflies were flying off at her approach. She had the widest smile, and her eyes were glimmering like saphires. They had to stop, panting, when they reached the top of the hill. Dried herbs had been growing all around and in between the remains of ancient stairs, which slippery stones had been eroded by time. The view from the wall before the main entrance was breathtaking : the greenery spread all the way to the horizon, fields and fields of it, surrounded by rustic little forests. And beyond, the mountains.
« And the land is all yours? » she mused, visibly impressed.
-Technically. » he replied.
-The contract says I own those deserted fields, over here, before the mountains. So, I’ve been told. I own the space. And the dried herbs and the crumbling old stones. » She gave him a rough nudge.
-Ouch! » he protested.
-Respect the land! » Then, she let her hand slide from one side of his hips to the other, so as to give him a side hug. His heart stopped. He breathed in and out, as he tried to control his… Reaction.
-This is it. This is where I get my raw material. » she chuckled in glee.
-My husband! » she teased. He rolled his eyes. If she was going to take it like this.
-If you think you can make anything out of this place. » He put his hand around her shoulders, and they strolled in.
The towers were more of less intact. Apart from this, only one side of the building seemed to be graced with a roof. They entered. Stone and dirt and weeds was all that was left from whatever had been a room. There seemed to be the remains of a staircase on a corner. That must have led to a cellar.
Severus thought about the vampires. They were still nowhere to be seen. No trace of anything dead or living. This place was clearly impracticable. His dead uncle had probably agonized somewhere else, he figured.
All of a sudden, he realized she was staring at him.
« What? » he snapped, a little uneasy.
-You’re not perfect, you know. » she started.
-You’re grumpy all the time, short tempered, and you can be petty, sometimes even mean, and… And you can neglect yourself when I don’t pay attention. That’s annoying. » Severus scoffed.
-Because you think YOU are? You’re messy, bossy, work obsessive… »
-At least, we share that ! »
-Not mentioning downright invasive, when you’re ‘friends’ are around. »
-They like you! »
-They steal from my plate at dinner! »
-It’s called sharing! »
-Without my consent? Rude! »
-Well, you always close the shutters, and it’s dark in your place. »
-You always hang from the ceilings and startle me at night. »
-Why, excuse me for keeping you company! »
-Excuse me for protecting us from sunburns! »
-You can’t be this fragile! »
-You’re a wildling! » She hissed in between her teeth.
-Oh, don’t be vulgar! » she burst out laughing. A warm, raspy, guttural sound.
-What are you laughing at? »
-I don’t know. I’m just happy. I think. » she had this strange, intense little smile.
-It’s quiet, here. The soil is fertile, and you’ll let me work here, won’t you. » Severus schrugged.
-Perfect people are the worst anyway. » She pinched his cheek lightly.
-You never demand anything. That’s something I like about you. »
That was certainly a strange conversation.
All of a sudden, a long series of whoosh aparating sounds could be heard from the courtyard. Severus frowned. That was a lot of people suddenly appearing in that isolated place. He looked at Suneko :
« Were we expecting visitors? »
She looked worried. She shook her head. He reached for his pocket. In half a second, his wand was in his hand. They could hear feet stomping on the grass, going their direction. They obviously had been tracked, followed. Why?
« Suneko, I think your lover found us. »
A man entered, followed by a dozen others. All colour had left Suneko’s face. So, he had come for her. He was stunning. His face was finely lined, he was tall and lean, and muscular. He was wearing a dazzling dark blue and golden armor. He looked powerful, determined, self confident. He looked like a prince, come straight from a woman’s vivid imagination. But his eyes were dangerous. They were almond shaped, amethyst colored, fixed and keen like a cat’s. And the men behind him were also wearing an armor. And two of these soldiers moved forward. They were surrounding a third man. He looked older and slightly distraught, wearing a tunic and messy white hair.
They started talking in Li. Severus cast a lingua spell upon himself to understand.
« Father… » Suneko gasped. The prince’s smile was angry, and his voice was cold when he replied :
-We had to pay him a visit to collect personal belongings of yours for the tracking spell. I do hope his presence reminds you that you have loved ones in Li. » Suneko looked left and right for a solution, for an escape.
-Darling, you wouldn’t dare running away from me, again? »
-I don’t believe we’ve ever had the pleasure. » Severus said. One of the guards, the tallest, barked at him :
-You’re in the presence of his Highness the noble brother of His Majesty the Light of the Realm of Li. You will bow down and speak when spoken to. »
-Will I? » The guard drew his sword. The prince vaguely waved his hands, in a condescending appeasing gesture.
-There, there, Cuan. No need to kill this poor man. After all, his heart will soon be broken. »
-Broken by whom? » Suneko said.
-Broken by you. He should be warned. That’s what you do. »
-What I do. » There was steel in her eyes.
-Yes he needs to know we are betrothed, for one. » Betrothed. Severus didn’t know why it hurt this bad. He might as well have been struck.
-I never gave you my hand. » The prince decided to utterly ignore the observation. Instead, he turned to Severus, and looked at him up and down.
-My, my… He doesn’t look like much. I hope he doesn’t think he has any chance… »
-I don’t. » Severus confirmed. The prince made a disgusted pout, as if a cockroach had just spoken.
-Look at who you’ve been reduced to spend time with, after the palace. » the prince scoffed.
-After having served the queen consort! After having been invited to MY table! » He was so furious.
-You must have lost your mind, to run from the palace and end up wasting your time in the company of some… Repulsive little clerc! » he waved disdainfully in Severus’s direction.
-Who could turn down such an enviable position? » Severus mumbled. The guard growled. The prince threw him a sharp look :
-Indeed. And now good sir, I would advise you to be quiet. For your own protection. » Severus didn’t know if he would manage.
-Do you realize how far I had to go, to get your attention? What I had to do to get through you? You have been so cold. I don’t understand you. » the handsome prince went on pleading to Suneko.
A lover scorned, then. Severus wasn’t sure he liked the sudden change of tone. It sounded manipulative. And indeed, she didn’t seem to be moved at all.
« Oh, but I’m sure I’m not that important, your Highness. There are more than enough toys to keep you busy, around the palace. »
-What are you talking about? Why this jealousy, my dear? You know I have responsabilities at the inner court. Then, you know why I’ve been working with hundreds of women for years. I can hardly remember everyone. You’re the only one I have eyes for. »
-Is that what you generally tell them, your Highness? Is this what you told to Lady Choko, Lady Etsuko, Lady Fuyoko, Lady Jun… »
-Is this a way to answer my grievances? By giving me a list of names? What is the meaning of this? »
-You don’t remember them, do you? »
-There, there, my love. What a vivid imagination. I’ve never had any… Toys, if that was your worry. I’ve only had eyes for you, since I met you. I swear it. I gave you my heart, Suneko chan! I don’t understand! I offered you my hand! I lay my life at your feet! Why did you get away from me? » She rolled her eyes. But he pressed on.
-Can’t you see? I’ve been looking for you everywhere in Li! Everywhere beyond the seas! You’ve been on my mind every second! For three years, you were away! For three years, I could hardly sleep! You should have told me, you were jealous. I would have told you there was no reason! Instead, you just left and broke my heart. Why are you so distrustful? Why won’t you understand that I cannot live without you? »
The prince did look utterly distressed and lost. But then, it was easy for some people to play pretend. Not mentionning the little detail of Suneko’s father being held hostage. His attitude didn’t match his words, and if Severus had learned anything throughout the years he’d spent with the Dark Lord, it was that all in all, words never really mattered. I hope she doesn’t fall for his acting skills… He thought. But she didn’t seem to be impressed.
« What have you even done away from me for three long years? » This time, Severus couldn’t help himself.
-Let’s see… She received a heritage that made her immensely rich, she earned an official diploma from the Healing Institute, she saved a couple of lives, and she now intends to run an apothecary factory. So, yes. She has been busy. »
The prince frowned, and the guard growled.
-Oh, I see, then. You were jealous, and ashamed of your lower status. So, you left to try and be worthy of me. Suneko chan, these years without you have been torture. Why did you stay away, so long? You did not need that heritage. I do not care for it! My love is so much deeper than this ! I need you by my side! Come back to Li! Come back to the palace! »
-You need me by your side. » she answered flatly.
-But did you ever wonder about my needs? Never, I suppose. I’ve always been but a servant. »
-My dear love. You know you’re more than just a servant to me. And you know I would do anything to make you happy. You would just have to ask me… »
-I could not work, though, could I? That would breech the protocol. I would be forced to abandon my job, to carry your babies. »
-Suneko chan… » the prince’s voice was weak. Hurt.
-You would be a wonderful mother, I’m sure of it. The queen consort loves you dearly. She would be so happy for you. Would it be so bad, to have my babies? »
-It would kill me to give up on my job. By now, you should know it’s my reason to live. »
-But I’m sure the queen consort would have no other counsel for her children but yours. And your skills would be really needed for your job as a mother. I’m sure you would find sense in this life, if only… » He was interrupted by her bitter chuckle.
-Of course. You did not come here to ask, but to demand. »
-That’s not what it is! What are you imagining? » the prince now seemed to be close to tears. I mean : her father being held hostage might be a little clue, Severus thought.
-Did you know Lady Choko took time forgetting you? Her father was insightful when he married her off. She is happy now, I hear. And Lady Etsuko lost all joy when she had to abort your baby. Lady Fuyoko’s father was too proud to forgive her disgrace. She was disinherited. Last time I checked, she was working at a brothel. And I believe Lady Jun killed herself. » There was a cold, heavy silence. There was a bitter edge in her sullen voice.
-I know what love is worth. All my life, I’ve seen my sisters deal with men like you. I know that passion has a price. Of course, you wouldn’t care. You never had to pay it. Only your toys had to. »
-You’re not a toy! I never treated you as one! Why are you so cruel? I… I want to marry you… I… I don’t want to hurt you… »
-You don’t, but you would forget my name all the same. You will end up marrying someone worthy of your status, one day, when you’re wiser. I would just be a spare wife, trapped in the palace, deprived of my job, deprived of my beauty, deprived of your attention. I would end up miserable and unsafe. So, but for your respect, I’m just trying to protect myself, your Highness. »
-Suneko chan… »
-Hyo sama! I will not come back to Li, and I will not marry you. I think you want me because I declined. You must see me as a difficult chase. Such was not my intention. I’m sorry if it causes you displeasure. And, I know I did you wrong as a servant and as a citizen. So, I will pay for the years of servitude I owe you, if you will let me. I’m afraid that’s the only honorable solution. »
The handsome prince’s warm worried expression turned into a cold smile in less than half a second. Here it is. His true face. thought Severus.
« You are right about one thing, my dear. » he purred.
-You did me wrong indeed, running away. I am offended. And you are a Li citizen. I dare hope you don’t think you would redeem yourself by throwing me gold, do you? That would not be a suitable payment. »
-If you wish to take my life, I suggest you do it now, your Highness. » Severus had put his hands in his pocket again, and he was gripping his wand. The prince shook his head.
-I could never lay a hand on you, my dearest. »
-You did try to choke me, once. » Severus could not believe his ears. Oh, dear. A regular gentleman. He was holding his wand so tight it hurt.
-And yet, you will come back to the palace. » Suneko hissed.
-Your repeating yourself is not going to change her mind, princeling. » Severus growled. The prince threw him a brief, murderous look, and looked back at Suneko :
-My love, I did not come all this way to come back empty handed. I’m losing my patience. You’ll get used to your new life, of course. I will have you. I will burn the world if i need to. »
The prince looked sideways at the captain of his guard, and made a series of gestures, which as Severus came to find out a couple of seconds later, had meant : seize her, kill them. Suneko screamed.
Severus didn’t have time to react. The muscular brute that had been glaring at him the whole time threw himself at him, and the world turned red. The shifting of the air. The bite of the steel. The pain.
The pain. Was the only thing. That existed.
And the pulse of his heart. P-dum. P-dum. P-dum.
The ringing in his ears. Hiiiiiii…
The music.
Saturated guitars. Light drums. Heavy drums. Heavy bases. Growl. Home made sound. Severus opened his eyes, as if waking up from a fevered dream.
The scene was frozen. One of the guards that were holding Suneko’s father hostage was coming for his throat. The blade was suspended, about to plunge in. The prince had crossed his arms in an authoritative fashion while he was observing his soldiers follow his orders. He had a hard, but quiet expression. He made Severus think about someone he had known years ago, cold, collected, and proud.
Bad idea. He could hardly recognize Suneko’s face, as it was altered by fear, and hatred. Her eyes were a deep purple turning magenta on the sides. « If my eyes turn red, run. » she had said. Severus knew that she would be lost if her father died.
Severus pushed the captain of the guard that had stabbed him, and winced while pulling the bloody sword from his chest. It was bad. He would probably die from his wound at some point. But he wanted to hold on just a little to see if he could salvage anything from this situation. Her father needs to live, he thought. He has to.
He advanced towards the old man, stumbling at first, wincing in pain, and then walking, and wondering why the pain wasn’t getting any worse, why the bleeding was stopping, why the dizziness was receding, why it no longer really hurt. Why he was just healing. But he knew he didn’t have time to be puzzled. So, he cleared Suneko’s father free from his guards, and drew his card out of his pocket, held it firmly, and waved it. The sensation was overwhelming. The portal sucked them out of the ruin, and right back into Spinners End.
Back home, even though Severus was in his musical magic state, time was its natural self. Severus realized this when the old man blinked, and looked wildly around. Severus knew he had to come back to Suneko quickly, if he wanted to take her out of this situation. His magical time freezing clock was ticking. So, he pat the bewildered old man on the back right before crossing the portal the other way :
« I have to go back to your daughter. Welcome to England. I hope you’re enjoying your stay. »
He set foot in the room, by her side. By the look in her eyes, she would massacre all these men, he knew. He hoped he would have time to talk to her, to tell her that her father was safe, or something, anything that might help her stay human. But time kicked back in.
She had drawn her wand out of her pocket. This is not good, Severus thought. Worse still, his throat was so dry that no sound could get out. He had never seen her like this. Monstrous. Powerful. Huge. Like a nightmarish dark witch. He realized he was terrified. And he felt useless. She whispered a name.
« Moretsu. »
There was a faint sound, like a sigh, when the shadow slid out and started to fill the room. Severus was shaking. So, that’s why she rarely used her wand. It was holding an obscurus. Where had she found it? How had she trapped it? It could not be hers, surely. Obscurus magic was tricky. Should you improperly separate a child from their shadow, they would die. Should you let the shadow in, they would die. Should you kill it, you would eventually kill the child with it. And the thing was huge… She could not have survived it.
The shadow moved, and swept the room, and disappeard back into the wand. The guards of the prince had fallen almost instantaneously, face torn, skin cracked, gone. The prince was alone, wildly looking at his dead protectors. A cold, cold voice seeping like a hiss filled the silence :
« You were saying? »
It was the prince’s turn, now, to look for an escape. He tried to apparate, but Severus partially stupefied him. It was a reflex. He was so angry. You’ve just found your betrothed, he thought. Why were you leaving? You brought us into this mess. Now, deal with it.
« You are… Very strong… My darling. You need not lose your temper. » the prince pleaded.
-I understand you fear to lose your autonomy. I would never deprive you of your freedom. You know me. I just thought you could do so much better than work as a mere healer, becoming the empress of Li. You would become the most respected queen consort that has ever lived. Imagine!… You know, I’m merely third in line. That would be a possibility… »
-You had my friend stabbed. » she hissed.
-Of course not! It was… A mere… Misunderstanding. I would never dare hurting you, my love… Or your loved ones… »
-Where is my father? »
Severus was frozen, speechless. He knew he ought to say something. But he couldn’t.
« Where… Is my… FATHER?! »
She hissed, and Severus gulped, and the even the air ceased moving down his throat. Time was suspended by the wave of terror sweeping through, as no one could answer her.
« WHERE IS HE?!! » she screamed.
To Severus’s horror the handsome prince rigidified in front of his very eyes. He was turning to stone. Litterally. Instantly, Severus knew what was happening. And he knew what she was. A basilisk. Quite the maledictus, indeed. He thought to himself : If she eats his flesh, she will never turn back to human. He was losing his friend. There was nothing he could do about it.
But the handsome prince was soon turned to smithereens by a blasting curse. The room was filled by a grave, sharp silence.
She stood there, in shock, frozen. She was shaking violently. Severus didn’t know what to do. He somehow instinctively felt that no word would help, no attempt would quiet down the storm that was coming. She was just about to explode, he knew. I should tell her, he thought. Why can’t I say anything? Why can’t I say it? Say it! SAY IT! She had been tempted to fall for that man, hadn’t she? Before she’d known who he really was? How difficult it must have been. Severus knew love could break you. Yet, she had kept level headed. She had resisted. She had left to avoid being mistreated. And most importantly, she had left to avoid having to kill him. How brave she had been to leave. How right, too.
Severus thought about his own mother, decades ago, who hadn’t had the strength. He remembered his father’s sorry eyes, when he had told him about « the accident ». Severus had known what that meant. The old man had killed her. Now, he had thought, back then. Now, I will become a death eater. I will show him. I will show them all. He remembered that day when he, himself, had broken. And now, it was her turn. Severus cast a bullesco spell, and waited. The silence was dark and deafening. Then, she screamed. And it hardly sounded human.
The thick walls exploded all around them. In his magical protective bubble, Severus observed, as the stones were reduced to dust, one explosion at a time. He shook and stood his ground, in the middle of a world suddenly turned to chaos. He was terrified, of course. But he couldn’t leave her. Because he remembered how it felt when you were breaking. When you had no one else to turn to. So, however much his survival instincts were screaming at him to run, he refused to. He would not leave her to break alone. Not knowing what he had been through.
After long minutes of terrifying rampage, a different kind of silence floated in the room. The air was significantly colder, now, because there was no room left for anything to float in. And no walls left to shield Severus and her. A mournful wind was moaning in each and every direction, now. Beyond the disorderly piles of broken stones spread in the distance, lay the wild, unkempt garden, all filled with weeds, and thorns, high prickly grass, and twisted bushes and trees. The ruins, now fully exposed to the wilderness, were looming over the hill. It was a sorry sight to behold. Severus just thought : She must be exhausted. At that point, he heard himself unwisely blurt out :
« How kind of you to help redecorate the place. »
She did not turn around or look up. Severus heard a rumble as stones were being moved. He decided to keep his bullesco on, as he didn’t know if she was going to throw them at him, or not. He soon realized such had not been her intention. She had meant to clear a way to the underground stairs. Oh, I still do have the undergrounds, he thought to himself. At least, he did have dusty caves under his impracticable gardens. He had to follow her, of course. Let’s see what else she will need to break.
The lower floor was surprisingly big. Thick pillars were holding the huge, arched ceilings, and a massive stone basin was fixed in the middle. She stopped by, and leaned on it. She was breathing heavily. Panting. She’s going to turn, he realized. She was obviously fighting it. From where he was, he could have a glimpse of the colour of her eyes. They were a purplish magenta. If my eyes turn red, she had said, if my eyes turn red, run. Magenta. Was not. A good colour.
« Your father is safe. » he finally managed to blurt out. She must have been so worried. In her place, he would have.
« He’s in Spinner’s End. He’s alright. I brought him there without you seeing. »
She let out a hiss. Cold sweat ran down his spine. She would be a big snake, he knew. This hiss sounded nothing like Nagini’s. Obviously : had she not just killed her ex lover with her eyes?
« I should have told… »
-He would have had you both killed. » She winced.
« You should leave this insssstant. » she managed in between her teeth. But her eyes were a darker purple, now. The colour was less concerning. The information must have reassured her, a bit.
He cursed his stubborn self, as he stayed. He was taking a stupid risk, he knew, but he was not going to leave her in this state. How do you comfort a big snake? he thought.
Water, perhaps, for a start. He started filling the basin. The aguamenti spell took ages.
« You should leave, now. » she insisted.
« I’m dangeroussss. »
Oh, but he wouldn’t. Her breathing was getting ever heavier. Another gut rigidifying hiss filled the room like a cold wave of sound. Severus found this thick spot, in his mind, that spot that put life at a distance, turned everything into neutral information, and prevented the panick from spilling. Think rationally, he thought. Think. What else would be needed? Food, perhaps. Food could be helpful, with wild beasts. It would just be some big snake, he expected. It would not need to attack, just yet, if it managed to be fed. There was one tiny problem : How in the hell would he get food, at this point, in this god forsaken place?
The question almost answered itself. Her elves. Were they anywhere close? Had they fled? Could they answer his call? Could they help?
He apparated upstairs, among the piles of broken stones, and called :
« Elves! Your mistress needs you! » he informed the cold, silent void.
« She’s turning! She will need to be fed! Answer, now! Show yourselves! »
He had never seen her elves. They had been serving the Dark Lord, once, he knew. They were terrified. They were keeping to themselves, invisible, and quiet. A few excruciatingly long seconds of stillness scraped on his thin stretched nerves. Then, he heard a stone rumble in a corner. He hoped to the gods it was them.
« I think a roasted guinea fowl would do… Make it two… «
A third monstrous hiss slithered up from the dark undergrounds.
« Make it six! Ten! Don’t you hear? She will be a big, big snake! She will need to eat very soon! Get the ginea to cook now! NOW! MOVE! »
He sighed with relief, when he saw the meat appear out of nowhere, and quietly roast in front of his very eyes, suspended in the chill air.
« Thank you. » he barked dryly.
« I’ll get them there. »
He did not leave the roasted birds time to drop. He made them levitate down the dusty, broken stairs, and followed. A terrible fourth hiss came out of the little figure in the distance.
Oh, no.
The rustling intensified. There was a dizziying blur of shimmering dark teal, and white, and silver. Faster and faster it moved, the world was made of scales, floating on a long, endless hissing sound. Severus had quickly dropped his gaze. He felt not only horror-struck, but also shameful and wretched, as though he had caught the young woman in a most inappropriate, intimate moment. Then, the noise receided.
The beast, lying in a cinnamon roll, was filling the great hall of the lower floor with glistening, rusteling, white and teal scales. It had silver horns. It was beautiful and terrifying. Severus Snape gulped, and clung on his wand. Thankfully, the slit pupils of the huge purple eye seemed to avoid slipping his way. The beast was clearly aware of his presence. It was ostensibly ignoring him, Severus realized. It was deliberate.
Good news, he thought. She’s still herself.
He heard himself whistle in awe.
« No wonder you tend to eat this much. » he noticed.
« I thought you might be in the mood for dinner. »
He sent the ten roasted guinea fowls her way, near her eyes, somewhere. They disappeared in about half a second. He tried to approach her. But he hesitated. He didn’t want to talk about the very recent death of her ex lover, just yet. She had had to kill him just minutes ago. She was probably not ready to tackle the subject. He wanted to sound reassuring. Friendly.
« I think you were right to leave, for what it’s worth. » was the very first thing that slipped out of his throat.
Oops, he thought. Let’s dive straight into the difficult subjects, and get killed now, I suppose.
« Perhaps, he was in love, in his own way. But… What happened to those other ladies… And his tone with you… I think you deserve better… And when you’re ready, you’ll surely find someone who won’t strangle and threaten you to appease their frustration. » He sighed.
« Love should be effortless. Just : why is it never? »
She hissed something back, but of course, he couldn’t understand.
« Oh, and that too. » he pretended.
« That special someone should obviously have very sturdy furniture. »
Half a second after having said that, he heard a splash, and found himself covered in cold water. He levitated just to make sure. And as he thought, from up here, that giant snake looked extremely smug. A knot untied itself in his guts. He gently floated back down, and patted her on whatever part of her tail that was :
« Take your time. I’m leaving the card by the fountain. I’m going back to Spinner’s. »
Les pattes de mouche de la puce polichinelle 