The Azure Dragon & Co Atelier

by Enchanters Nightshade (Abstract_Apotheosis)

Summary:

Willa had long accepted who she was. Her family loved her and so did her one brave friend. However, she also understood by how others outside her small circle treated her that she wasn’t to everyone’s taste. Especially the radically devote members of the Church of the Light faith. Even at Atara University, all her fellow builder classmates had let her know by their treatment of her that she’d be outcasted at any workshops she attempted to apply to. So, despite Willa’s peerless grades and awards for her many accomplishments thus far, her options were limited. Either be an independent workshop somewhere crazy, like The Peripheries, where a one woman large assemblies workshop like herself would be put to work in a harsh and thankless environment, or she could see if the folks in Sandrock, where guns weren’t prohibited and the Church of the Light branch there seemed looser in their standings, had thicker skin for a woman most folks described in the most unkind ways as a storybook dragon in need of slaying.

Never did she think her choice would change her life so vastly and so quickly.

Never did she think she’d have so many people who’d cherish her.

Never did she think love wasn’t truly out of her reach.

Chapter 1

“Okay, you got this Mi-an,” she whispered nervously to herself, fiddling with her hair and trying not to fidget too much with the sign she had made for the occasion.

She glanced down at the sign for the umpteeth time to make sure she wasn’t holding it upside down. How embarrassing would that have been, meeting her new coworker with a sign flipped the wrong way round? That would have made her look like some sort of-

“Heya Mi-an! Whatcha doin’ here?”

“Ahh!” She couldn’t stop herself from throwing up her hands in her shock and, well, tossing the sign up and away from the station floor. From the rustle she heard behind her, it landed in the shrubbery right next to the end of the platform. She already knew who had startled her, so she took a moment to press a hand to her overall covered chest and take a long breath.

“Elsie, don’t do that!” She begged the slightly younger woman as she turned to look at the redhead in her deep purple eyes. They were dancing with unshed laughter and amusement, but Mi-an could tell it was more mirthful because it hadn’t been intentional. She was wearing her usual get up for work- a yellow shirt, short dark jeans, and that blue scarf. The brown cap on top of her head hiding the bun Mi-an knew she kept her hair up in, giving the illusion that Elsie had short hair to match her tomboy nature.

“Gee, sorry, Mi-an.” She offered her a lighthearted apology, only a small bubble of laughter escaping her throat as she spoke. “I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. Was jest curious why you were hangin’ ‘round the station. My pa sent me here fer a job, so I didn’t expect to see anyone local here.”

“Oh, well,” Mi-an tried to explain what she had been doing, her hands grabbing thin air for the sign she had tossed in her shock. “I heard Yan and Mason talking the other day about how the new builder was coming on the next train, I figured I’d welcome her! Wasn’t like Yan or Mason would think of doing that and I didn’t want her to feel unwelcome.”

“Shoot, fer real? We’re gettin’ another builder? But didn’t ya jest get here ta be our builder? I don get it. Sandrock can’t really afford two builders, cannit?”

“Oh, well, actually, we get paid on commission. The top three members of the commerce guild get a little extra something each month and a big sum of money at the end of each year depending on where one places in the big three- to make it more fun and competitive, I guess. While we do have to have to sign a contract with the city and the commerce guild and get a local license to run our workshop, that’s more to make sure we all take this seriously. Nobody taking off before a contract is completed, the guild backing us up as a go between for a small percentage of our commission, and a city promising that there will be work to be had. That sorta thing.” Mi-an happily explained to the redhead as she wandered off the platform to go find her sign.

“Bo-rin’.” Elsie, Mi-an had figured out, was not very much interested in jobs that required a ton of paperwork.

“Well, it can be, but it also is really fun once you get past that part.” The young builder promised her, finally finding her sign with an ‘aha!’. Wasn’t even dented and the other builder’s name hadn’t been smeared. Mi-an looked back up at Elsie, still standing on the station’s platform with a curious look. “So what are you doing here? You said your dad asked you to come here for a job? Can I ask what kind of job?”

“Oh,” the younger yakgirl’s face lit up with excitement, “Ya see, pa gotta letter awhile back ‘bout some horses that needed temporary lodgin’. ‘Parently the owner is movin’ this direction soon, but don gotta stable fer her horses yet, so she asked about rentin’ space in ours. Pa and Ma had ta talk about it a bit, but they think itsa good deal. I was sent cause one of them horses gets spooked easy, so Pa wanted someone more experienced than what them trains hire on as handlers to help get the fella off the loadin’ bay. He woulda come out hisself, but the yakmel broke parta the gate this mornin’ and he’s busy roundin’ ‘em all back up. He was really disappointed, seein’ as this here fella that needs a little extra care is an actual Draught!”

Mi-an had no clue what that meant. But she smiled and gave the appropriate ooh and ahh. If Elsie was excited, it had to be a gorgeous breed of horse.

“Mi-an, what are ya doing standin’ in the bushes?”

“Ah!!” Why was she like this? She managed this time to fumble around with her handmade sign and didn’t throw it, but her face was now a rosy pink from how embarrassed she was having done it again.

Elsie was bent over laughing this time, unable to keep it in this time. At least, when Mi-an managed to turn around to look at the newcomer, Heidi actually looked sheepish and apologetic.

“Sorry suga’.” She drawled as she approached her. “Didn’t mean to frighten you none, but I was on my way to go check on my daddy and saw ya jest standing there conversin’ with Elsie while standing in a bush. Curiosity got the best of me.”

“Oh, well, I got spooked by Elsie asking me about the same thing a little earlier and I accidentally tossed my sign and it landed in the bushes. Elsie was in the middle of telling me why she was waiting for the train and I kinda didn’t think to move after finding my sign.”

“She said that the new builder’s on this next train.” Elsie exclaimed rather excitedly. “I still don’t get why we are gettin’ two though. Not a bad thing, but we have Mi-an and she’s already way better than Mason.”

“Now hush Elsie,” Heidi said in a mild scolding tone. “Mason has served our community fer 50 years. These last few ones were jest… hard fer him.”

Mi-an was climbing back up onto the platform while Heidi moved to join them. The lovely woman was dressed more professionally than either Mi-an or Elsie and her short dark purple curls and her dark blue and light pinstriped blazer and clean white skirt gave her an air of authority while her unique black toolkit wrapped around her waist spoke of a willingness to work hard and dirty. However, she was nothing short of sweet and thoughtful, nothing like how Mi-an’s well dressed boss was like. She pursed her lips as she pondered over warning the new builder about him before she met him. She sorta wished somebody had warned her…

“Ah come on Heidi, I don think I’ve ever seen Mason try. In fact, does he even know how ta build? Cause all I’ve ever seen in his yard issa heap of trash!” Elsie folded her arms and widened her stance, as if daring Heidi to fight her on that one.

Heidi, in fact, did not. She quickly changed the subject to spare herself defending a man that probably caused her a multitude of headaches. “So Mi-an said there’s a new builder comin’ today? I remember Trudy tellin’ me that ‘fore she headed off ta do her research a month ago, but I wasn’t told when she was arriving.”

“I heard Yan talking to Mason about making sure all his things were moved out of his property before the next passenger train showed up, because he wanted her starting A-S-A-P. I took that as her date of arrival.”

“Wow, that Yan sure is somethin’.” Heidi didn’t look impressed at all at hearing that. “I was supposed ta be informed when she was arriving and he sat on it? Heck, what’s even her name? Trudy was in a tissy getting ready fer her trip and couldn’t remember it off the top of her head or even what she specialized in. Wasn’t sure even how ta pronounce it without maybe messin’ it up.”

“Oh uh,” Mi-an honestly wasn’t sure she wanted to take a swing at it before being introduced. It was… unique. Not that hers wasn’t mispronounced all the time by people who didn’t know how to read the inflections. Which is why she was here, wanting to meet the other builder before Yan could call her Goggles or worse, Mini again. So instead of trying to butcher her way through the pronunciation she showed Heidi her little sign with the other builder’s name on it.

Heidi dropped the notebook she had been carrying, mouth falling ajar and her pretty brown eyes wide. Mi-an looked over to Elsie, but she was equally perplexed at Heidi’s reaction.

“Shut the front door.” She shouted, eyes narrowing as she studied Mi-an with a hard look, “Ya ain’t messing with me, are ya? That’s her name? Wilhelmina?”

Mi-an blinked. “Yes? That’s the name that was on the, er, paperwork Yan left on his desk.”

Heidi kindly chose to ignore the whole indications that Mi-an had nosed around in Yan’s desk to get that name. Instead she let out an elated squealing laugh and gave a quick fist pump. “Oh my Light, yes! I had hoped maybe… But never in a million years did I think we’d actually get this lucky!”

“Oh, uh,” Mi-an was a little shocked at how excited Heidi looked. Had she been this excited when Mi-an had decided to accept a contract way out here in Sandrock? She felt a little part of her shrink at that thought. “I mean, I’m guessing you know her?”

“While she was at Atara University, no, I never personally met her. I graduated over a year ago and took classes at a specialized branch of the uni that was located elsewhere, sweetie. But oh, I like looking at all the folk graduating and their specialties… and I jest saw hers and knew we’d be doing great things if we had someone like her.” She blinked, realizing who she was talking to and let out a little appalled gasp. “Oh, Mi-an, I hope you don’t think I ain’t happy ta have you here! You were this unexpected gift that dropped inta our laps! We’re all mighty glad ya chose Sandrock.”

That did make Mi-an feel much better and her smile, that she now realized had been slowly slipping from her face, was renewed. “Thanks Heidi, that means a lot from you. But now I’m curious, why’d you pick her out from among the rest of the other builder graduates as a ‘game changer’?”

“Oh that’s cuz she specializes in large builds. Independently.”

Now it was Mi-an’s turn to gasp, “What! That’s insane!!”

“Whut? Whut is?! I don get it.” Elsie was now reinterested in this new builder when moments prior all she could think about was that horse she was trying to explain to Mi-an.

“Oh, well, while I can do large jobs, I’d have to collaborate with the other local builders. Our guild only has about… hm… six builders? Not including Yan or Mason mind you-”

“Who’d ever include Yan?” Heidi huffed.

“Again, never seen Mason even build.” Elsie also muttered her own dismissal.

Mi-an chose to continue without commenting on those two further. “Well, anyways, the other builders live in different, smaller villages around the Eufaula Desert, so it's a little hard to collaborate on bigger builds locally since there’s really no one local to work with. I can do smaller builds and material production and abandon ruin diving, but nothing too fancy by my lonesome.”

“Wilhelmina, on the other hand, specializes in larger builds.” Heidi cut in to help Elsie get the picture faster. “Yanno our water tower? Took Mason and a whole group of builders collaboratin’ on that structure to get it up. Our new builder, according ta what I’ve heard, can do the same exact thing alone.”

“Woah!” Elsie’s eyes were now wide too. “That sounds so cool! So like she could build a whole building by her lonesome?”

“Oh…” Mi-an felt her heart sink a little bit as she listened to the tales of this other builder. “Does she, uh, not like working with others?”

She had been hoping to make a builder friend. None of the other builders in the region that she had met, thus far, really had a passion for building. It kinda bummed her out, because building was a large part of her identity.

“I don’t think that’s the case, necessarily. Never met her though.” Heidi shook her head, trying to soothe Mi-an’s worrying the best she could, but she was still rather excited. “But I promise ya, itsa sign of good things ta come if Wilhelmina is comin’ our way. Golly, the only other person who’d get me this giddy in meetin’ would be Mr. Musa. Wilhelmina… I am just… shaken.”

A feeling of doubt began to bubble up in Mi-an as a thought came to her mind. “Uh, are we, um, sure that it’s even the same person?” Mi-an asked nervously. “I mean, it's not a common name, sure, but I only managed to dig up her first name when I, um, checked to see what her name was. I don’t wanna get you hyped up for one person and end up being sad it’s another person altogether…”

“There is no other Wilhelmina that’s a builder that I know of.” Heidi told her. “Golly, I think I’ll join ya in welcoming her! If ya’ll don’t mind.”

“I don’t!” Mi-an smiled, but shook her head while gesturing to the young redhead next to her. “But Elsie’s not really here for Wil… hell… mi-na?” Heidi gave her a nod. So it did sound as it read. “She’s here because of a horse.”

“Uh, not jest a horse, Mi-an!” Elsie sounded rather offended about that. “I told ya! Itsa Draught!”

“Wait, like a Drought horse? Them big fellers? As big as a camel?” Heidi was now interested in this bit of news. “How’d yer Pa talk his way inta gettin’ his hands on a prize like that?”

Mi-an’s eyes got a little round. As big as a camel? She caught a glance at Sandy who was meandering down the street nice and slow. A horse as big as Sandy. 

“Oh, my pa has his ways.” Elsie said smugly, but then added, “Even if he is a ramblin’ ole coot most of the time!”

“Oh, that’s not fair, Elsie! I gotta know! It’d make such a pretty article for the Tumbleweed Standard! Shoot, where is my camera! I gotta snap at least one shot of that horse too! Fer the paper.”

“Oh, don’t.” Elsie turned back, eyes wide and shaking her head. “I’m here coz my Pa couldn’t be here ta make sure everythin’ went smooth, but the big fella’s timid. He’s prolly already antsy being on a train as long as he has. Though he’s well trained, ya never know what will set a horse that’s already uneasy off the deep end. Best wait until he’s been brushed, fed, and wound down ‘fore risking a photo.”

“Oh geez, thanks fer the heads up.” Heidi nodded. “Don’t wanna spook the poor boy on his first day here.”

“Ya. T’s why I’m gonna try my best ta make sure them knucklehead city slickers that handle the loading carts don’t muck up.” Elsie puffed her chest up a little at that. “Pa’s better, but I’m pretty good myself.”

“Wow. Can’t believe ya’ll gotta Drought.” Heidi was still shaking her head. “That there fella can change a lot of things fer us.”

Mi-an frowned a bit, recalling a bit of information from before Heidi had joined. “Hey, didn’t you tell me that you guys are leasing your stables to the owner of that horse? Cause she’s… moving… here- oh…” Something clicked inside her head. “You don’t think that…”

Heidi’s eyes sparkled. “Oh I don’t believe in coincidences like this. A Draught horse and a large assembly builder comin’ in on the same day? Gotta be hers. Oh~!! Wait until I write ta Trudy ‘bout this!”

“Yeah! That might cheer her up a bit. Has she toldja if them trees of hers are workin’ out?” Elsie decided to ask after their currently absent mayor.  

She had told Mi-an a few days ago when the young builder had asked after what the mayor was like that she kinda missed Trudy’s more warbly, soft spoken voice at the fireside meetings. Mostly because it didn’t feel like when her Pa dragged her to all the Light sermons. Mi-an could sympathize. Matilda was a very nice lady, but the way this Church of Light handled things was a far cry different than back in Tallsky.

“Oh, uh, I don’t think things are looking too good in that regard, Elsie.” Heidi’s expression dimmed a bit. “But she’ll be out there till the last of them trees dies, ta gather as much scientific data as she can fer Zeke. The two of them are feeling closer than years prior, but there’s still a bump or two they can’t seem ta get over ta succeed.”

“Bummer.” Elsie shook her head. “Feels almost like a waste of her time if it ain’t workin’ out.”

“Science ain’t always about the successes, more like the variables that caused the failures and tryin’ ta remove them from the process.” Heidi shook her head. It seemed that the failures ranged in the hundreds, if Mi-an could follow along with her limited knowledge of Sandrock history. It was one thing to have a world geography or world history class in school that covered the basics of a territory and actually hearing about the history in person as it still affected the area still.

She was about to ask more about what Mayor Trudy was trying to do, absolutely fascinated by what she had heard in broken parts, but was unable to get her question out before a loud horn interrupted the conversation. 

“Oh boy!” Heidi took the opportunity to stand closer to the other two girls. She rose a hand up to visor her chocolate brown eyes from the bright afternoon sun and couldn’t hide the eager grin on her face. “This must be her train!”

Elsie was now also excited. “I wonder what she looks like. Gotta be as big as Pen! Like maybe even taller than him with more muscles than him too! Ha, that’d show that dumb boxing jack wannabe if someone came ‘round that could outdo him at every turn without even tryin’.”

Mi-an was starting to feel a little nervous again, checking her sign in her hands and making sure, once more, that it was the right way round. “I hope she’s nice… I was kinda hoping to have a coworker I actually want to talk to.”

“Well,” Heidi was giving her a gentle pat on the back, “I can’t say for sure about what kinda of person she is, but I have a lotta hope that she’s a good lady.” She wrinkled her nose as she thought a bit more. “Maybe not as big and muscle-y as Pen, I hope.”

Mi-an couldn’t help that laugh that bubbled out of her lips. “Yeah. Could you imagine a female Pen? No thanks. I have had to turn down a commission for a mirror every other day from that guy- and I’ve only been here a week! Last thing Sandrock needs is a builder equally as obsessed with themselves as Pen.”

“True,” Heidi hummed, then whispered conspiratorially, “We already got Yan for that, though at least Pen’s easier on the eyes than that sleazy bandirat.”

Elsie huffed out a laugh, rolling her eyes. “Barely!”

The three of them chuckled to themselves for a bit, but soon all three stood there, focused on the train now come over the horizon. Mi-an found herself in a weird state of being in that moment. Both excited and dreading who would be stepping off the platform to be their newest Sandrock builder. She imagined for a hot minute some faceless, giant woman coming off the train and proceeding to put her into a headlock and giving her a hard noogie. But she also could imagine someone just like Yan coming off the train, uninterested in actually building, despite what Heidi had said about Wilhelmina being some sort of one woman army in terms of doing big jobs.

The train rolled in and slowed to a stop, steam hissing out in short bursts that gave Mi-an this image of the train almost slumping in relief at the brief rest that being at a train stop might allow it- like it was sentient and capable of feeling exhaustion.

She held up her sign, trying to peek into the train windows to see if there was any movement, but the windows were tinted for privacy. Someone hollered out “Sandrock Station! Sandrock Station! Please dismount if this is your stop! Tickets will be checked before our departure!!”

“Ah, Peach, I gotta go make sure them horses ain’t being manhandled or my pa will never let me hear the end of it.” Elsie waved a fast goodbye and ran off before their new builder disembarked the train. She was jumping off the passenger platform onto the loading bay a small ways off, already waving and hollering at the men moving to open up the carry carts.

Mi-an didn’t have time to call out goodbye. She had caught movement from the double doors of the passenger cart as they opened. She did hear the sounds of boots clicking as someone began their descent off the train. She first caught sight of black heeled boots, then the person those boots were attached to pulled herself into view.

She was… Mi-an blinked as if it was her vision that was mistaken. But no, her vision didn’t clear and the countenance of the woman before her and Heidi, who seemed equally dumbfounded, did not dissipate like how some believed desert mirages behaved.

Before the two of them was no towering behemoth of a woman similar to Pen or someone that screamed lazy, good-for-nothing like Yan. Instead, stood a small, petite woman dressed head to toe in black, wearing knee high black leather high heeled boots, dark, opaque pantyhose, a simple black fitted dress with a pleated skirt, a black blazer jacket, black leather gloves, the darkest sunglasses that Mi-an had ever seen (that seemed to have sides to prevent any sun blasting into her eyes or allow anyone the chance to see her eyes), a black silk scarf wrapped around her hairline, and a black 10-gallon hat. She had skin as warm as Amirah’s over at Ceramic Gate, though perhaps a shade darker. Across her face were a multitude of dark freckles and, on her lips, the darkest shade of lipstick Mi-an had ever seen someone daring enough to try to pull off (and succeed, in her opinion). Oh and there was no doubt in Mi-an’s mind that the only people that were shorter than this woman was Elsie and her ma, Mabel.

The one thing that kept Mi-an from leaning over to Heidi and muttering between her teeth about if she was positive that this was the same Wilhelmina that Heidi had been talking about was the absurd amount of luggage the sturdy, petite framed woman was totting about without even looking the least bit put out. Three hard-covered black suitcases, pretty much one handle between two fingers, a large glass terrarium of some sort in the other, and at least six bags strapped onto her, three for each shoulder. And the woman was walking off the train so casually that Mi-an half wondered if maybe it was all filled with feathers.

It seemed she noticed their presence (and the fact that her name was written onto the handmade sign Mi-an had in her hands) and she started to approach them. The Tallsky builder had thought about what she would say, practiced even the night before, but all her words got lost at the very aura this woman exuded. Her lips were pulled downward with a sure look of disdain on her visible features and, even though without those heeled boots of hers making her barely smaller than Mi-an, the raven haired woman felt like she was nothing but a bug beneath this woman’s boot. She felt herself shrink a little, but upon approaching them, the newest builder tilted her head and spoke.

“You seem rather young to be a guild commissioner… Did Yan send you on his behalf?” Her tones were polite but stern, but there was no malice in them at all, regardless of how her lips remained downturned. Somehow, her tones managed to return back to Mi-an a bit of her pep.

“Oh no! I’m Mi-an! I’m the other new builder here at Sandrock! I got here sometime last week, but, haha,” She winced a bit, not really liking that Heidi was about to learn of this, because it had made her feel very… unwelcome as a new citizen of Sandrock, but she didn’t want to seem weird to this new builder. “I, uh, well, no one was here from the guild to greet me and, well, I didn’t want you to go through the same thing, so I decided I’d welcome you myself!”

“Yan didn’t come get you from the train station?” Heidi nearly roared at that revelation. “That nit! I swear! If I had known when either of you were showing up, I would have made sure each of you got a welcome party at the Blue Moon!”

“I take it that means nobody was informed of my arrival?” Wilhelmina interrupted, her brows furrowing down a bit under her sunglasses. Mi-an felt a little nervous at how pissed the woman seemed to be.

“Oh, uh, I think Cooper from the Wandering Y knew you were on this train- or at least your horses were.” Mi-an rushed to explain, trying to quell some of her temper with the knowledge her horses had not been forgotten at the very least. “He had an incident this morning though, so his daughter, Elsie, is here to help unload your horses and take them to where they will be boarded for the interim. She was right here talking to us- up until the train stopped.”

Wilhelmina nodded, her lips still downturned, and she turned her head to glance to where the young red head was scolding the handlers and taking the lead on easing the horse out of the carrier cart. Elsie had not been exaggerating, that horse was huge. Next to it, the twenty year old yakgirl looked like a small child more like Jasmine’s age.

Mi-an wasn’t sure if she had been placated, but she didn’t shout. Actually, her voice sounded quite pleased, regardless of how she still looked displeased. It was giving the younger Tallsky builder such a headache. 

“Looks like she’s got a handle on Ol’ Ty. Good technique, well experienced, and,” Mi-an watched as one of the corner’s of her mouth twitched up into something akin to a smirk, “she’s got that something needed when handling animals like Ty.”

“Elsie’s young and kinda aimless right now, still figurin’ out what being an adult is, but she’s always had that somethin’ with animals.” Heidi agreed before she thought of something. “Hey, do ya need any help with your baggage?”

“Hmm?” Wilhelmina’s attention turned back to them, that seemingly ever present downturn of her lips (not quite a frown, Mi-an decided, but a distant cousin of one) back on her face. “If you wouldn’t mind watching my things, I can probably go make sure all my other things are properly unloaded and signed for.”

“I’ll watch yer stuff, how about you and Mi-an go get the rest of yer things? Seein’ as she’s a builder n’ all too and will know the proper protocols fer handlin’ anything ya may have brought with ya.” Heidi suggested, looking down at Mi-an with a wink and snatching up her sign. “I’ll hold onta that too, so ya don’t hafta worry ‘bout it Mi-an.”

“I appreciate it.” Wilhelmina nodded, moving closer to set down her things. She set the terrarium down first, then proceeded to slowly set her briefcases down and then her bags around her shoulders while she continued to speak. “I hope you don’t mind reptiles?”

“I’d be foolish ta live in a desert if I did mind them.” Heidi laughed. Mi-an wondered why she was the only one of the two that seemed intimidated by this new woman. “What ya got anyhow? Looks pretty cute.”

Mi-an glanced down and into the clear walls of the terrarium properly for the first time. There, restlessly shifting about in the glass cage was the cutest green reptile she had ever seen. Wide blue eyes, big round tail with greens and yellows and spots. It looked her way and she nearly melted as she let out a small ‘awww’.

“Cleopatra is a leopard gecko variant.” Wilhelmina explained, a grin pulling up her lips, though if anything, it did nothing to make her look more friendly. It was like staring at an alpha rockenaroll as its cornered prey. Intense, alarming, and disquieting. But the woman continued like she wasn’t giving them a threatening look. Perhaps, Mi-an was starting to realize, she wasn’t. “I tend to let her out and about, so if you see her skittering about, I’m well aware.”

“She’s really cute!” Mi-an told her, trying her best to keep up her cheeriness.

Wilhelmina let out a laugh and it surprised both Mi-an and Heidi. “That’s half of why I keep her.” She peered at both of them before adding. “I’m well aware I have one of those intense, contemptuous faces and sometimes having something cute can help people think I’m more approachable.” She let out one of those feral looking smirks again, as if proving a point.

“Oh so you aren’t angry? I thought you might be mad at us…” Mi-an took a deep breath out, more tension than she cared to admit slipping from her body at that realization.

“No Ma’am.” She shook her head, trying hard to soften her looks. “You were nice enough to show up and welcome me. Sorry no one was able to do the same for you. I’ll give our guild commissioner a good shake or two for that, hm?”

“Sounds like something I’d like ta watch!” Heidi laughed, offering out her hand to the other woman. “I’m Heidi. I’m the owner, engineer, and architect of Construction Junction. I will be hopefully workin’ with ya a lot in the comin’ years.”

“Wilhelmina.” The smaller woman took her hand and gave it a firm shake, her brow rose up and Mi-an, now that they were close enough, could see that it was drawn on. The other builder’s next words had her coming back to the conversation. “Firm grip. Impressive.”

“Ha! I could say the same thing about you, but I guess ya’d have to be a powerhouse if ya’re that Wilhelmina.”

That disarming smirk with a few too many sharp teeth poking out was once more on display. “Ah, you’re that Heidi. I thought I recognized that name, but I didn’t think I’d be that lucky. Yes, we will work well together.”

“I think so too!” Heidi agreed before letting go and making a shoo-ing motion with her hands, no longer, in any way, nervous about their newest builder. “Now you and Mi-an go make sure yer other things are properly unloaded. I’ll wait here with yer bags until then.”

“Alright, my fellow builder, let’s go see a man about my bigger luggage, hmm?” Wilhelmina turned and slowly meandered her way over to where things were being unloaded. Elsie was cooing at that giant behemoth of a horse, petting its muzzle and offering him gentle words as she drew him further away from the train.

“Oh, yes, sure!” Mi-an chirped, still a little nervous, but determined to be as fearless as Heidi. She quickly caught up to the other builder. “I’m Mi-an, by the way.” Wait, she had already said that. “I, uh, come from Tallsky!”

Wilhelmina’s lips quirked upwards into what Mi-an was coming to realize was how she smiled. “Oh that explains it. Never been to Tallsky and most builders from Highwind go study in Atara.”

“Oh you’re from Highwind?” Mi-an perked up at that. “Never met someone from Highwind, but, well, haha, I’ve never really traveled this far from Tallsky.”

“Pretty brave of you to travel this far for a contract then.” Wilhelmina seemed to be looking her up and down, appraising her.

“Oh well, you see, I come from a family of builders and, well, I could have stayed at home, yes, but I… I wanted to go somewhere where I could truly make a difference by being there with my skill set, not just another builder where there are plenty to be had. Somewhere that needed a builder and where I’m not just...” She kicked a random pebble that had found itself onto the platform. “Sandrock seemed like they were in real need of builders, so, even though I’m not as impressive on paper as some like, well, you seem to be, I want to do my best to help make Sandrock a viable city again. It’s… haha… been a lot more intense here than I expected, even in this short week, but I like to think I can adapt.”

Wilhelmina was quiet as Mi-an spoke and her face was pretty much unreadable to the other woman, but before they walked off the passenger platform to go to the loading platform, Wilhelmina seemed to have decided on what her response would be. 

“I would rather you not try to compare yourself to me, Ms Mi-an.” Her voice was stern with a slight rumble to her deeper tones. Nothing high and sweet like Heidi’s voice or her own, but on the lower aspect for a woman’s vocal range. It was a little raspy too. Gruff. Though her words could be interpreted as aggressive, Mi-an could hear the kindness hidden within. “Simply because I am capable of doing things other people rightly can’t, doesn’t mean that you don’t have admirable qualities that I lack. I cannot say as I have yet to see your building skills (I don’t rightly know what Tallsky standards are for builders as of yet either) but the same could be said about me for you. However, if you are here and you are eager to help a dying city knowing its on the verge of vanishing because you feel that your presence might make a difference and are determined to work hard towards its restoration without knowing if any of your time and labor will bear fruits, then… then you and I will get along fine.” And with a firm nod, she waited a moment to observe Mi-an’s face.

It was then that she got it. She finally got what Heidi was seeing in Wilhelmina- past her very intimidating looks and aura, past her feral smirks and odd dressage head to toe in black. Wilhelmina got it. She got it. Exactly what Mi-an felt. She felt it too. It made the younger woman’s lips curl up in an elated grin, no longer timid around this other woman.

“Right!” She agreed, stopping for a brief moment and offering out her hand, much like Heidi had earlier. “I look forward to having the chance to work with you, Ms Wilhelmina.”

“Call me Willa, if you would.” Willa took her hand, her skin tone a rich color compared to Mi-an’s paler skin. Her grip was strong but felt controlled.

“Only if you call me Mi-an.” She crinkled her nose a bit as a sudden thought occurred to her. “I’d offer up a diminutive of my name or a nickname, but I’ve never had one.”

Willa let out another one of those smirks that should have made her stomach twist nervously, but knowing that it wasn’t the intention lessened that feeling within the Tallsky builder. Willa was trying to be friendly and was incredibly awkward in her own way- just like Mi-an knew she, herself, was awkward at times in social situations. They released each other’s grip and made their way the short distance where Elsie was, cooing and coaxing the large horse into a calmer state.

Mi-an blinked when the train’s hired help were trying to lead another, much smaller in comparison to the Draught, horse off the port. It looked a little annoyed, but with a single, loud, and commanding whistle from Willa’s lips, it changed from an agitated state to completely calm. It didn’t need the train’s handlers to even coax it or assist it as the other black horse, which had the most beautiful wavy mane Mi-an had ever seen, trotted rather theatrically off the ramp and over to Willa.

“Oh wow!” Elsie gapped at the actions of the well trained horse. “That was amazing! I was gonna go back for the littler lady as soon as this big feller here felt safer, but, shoot, that was sumtin’.”

“I raised Midnight since she was a little filly. She knows my call as I know every one of her sounds and their meanings.” Willa gave her smaller horse a gentle pet for her behavior. “Ty, on the other hand… well… he’s second-hand. A rescue if I am to be honest. I’m still working out all the bad quirks imprinted on him from his… previous owners. Lucky I even got my hands on such a fine stallion, all his issues aside.”

The train’s employers looked a little relieved at both horses’ exit from their carrier cart and one with a clipboard came up to Willa before she could continue speaking to the residents of Sandrock.

“Both horses have been safely removed. Please sign here so they are officially released from our care.” He quickly, nervously mumbled.

“My horses are off the train, but I have yet to see any of my luggage that wasn’t with me personally be unloaded.”

“Uh,” The man flipped the papers around on the clipboard and nodded. “Yes, we will get to those next. The first two documents are for the horses. One for each. If you would be so kind as to sign that the transfer has been completed for them, we can begin unloading…” He quickly glanced through several pages to find an itemized list. “These are your belongings, yes?”

She glanced down at the proffered papers and stood quiet for a few heartbeats before nodding. “That is everything.”

“It will be unloaded within the next half an hour.”

Mi-an blinked. How much luggage did this woman have? Mi-an had come pretty much with a suitcase or two of belongings she could haul into the passenger cart with her and built most of her machines here. The cost for taking any of her family’s older machines had not been worth the shipping price.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult. I installed two wheels on the bottom right side of each crate and a bar to lift them on the other end. Make sure your men aren’t trying to lift them and that they mind the ones that are marked fragile. Those items are stupid heavy or even possibly volatile and I don’t want any of you hurting- that’s why I installed an easier transport method onto my crates in the first place.” She took the clipboard from him and pulled a pen out of somewhere on her person and flipped back to the two pages for releasing her horses’ custody back into her care. “As for my carriage, there’s a ramp that pulls out and you can place the smaller ones into its flatbed.”

“Uh, yes Ma’am.” The man blinked, still rather intimidated as the woman quickly read and proceeded to scribble her signature onto the bottom of the top to papers.

“Oh and, tell your men I am well pleased with the care they put towards my horses. I told them about Ty’s timid nature and they handled him with as much care as they could. ‘Preciate it.” She attempted a smile, which only seemed to serve to make the man more nervous as he nodded quickly and promised her cargo would be unloaded within the half an hour.

“Dang!” Elsie couldn’t help but say. “My pa can barely get them ta unload one item in that amounta time and you got lotsa things comin’ off that train. And a carriage ta boot!”

“Your pa doesn’t have a mean enough looking face, apparently. Can’t tell you how many times that’s expedited my efforts.” Willa turned to look at Elsie, who was just a mite smaller than her if her heels hadn’t made her taller.

Elsie looked startled for a second and Mi-an was slightly worried for a moment that she’d be intimidated just like that train worker, but it seemed that the long-time residents of Sandrock were made of sturdier stuff. Not easily intimidated by an intense looking individual like Willa.

“Haha! Maybe, but the ol’ coot is prone to long winded rambles, so it might be more that they can’t stop him from yammerin’ so they can get a move on.” Elsie admitted, finally giving Willa a good up and down inspection. Her brows furrowed. “Say, not ta be rude, but are ya in mournin’ or sumtin’?”

Mi-an blinked, turning to look at Willa with a distraught look. Tallsky didn’t wear black for mourning, so she didn’t even think of making that kind of correlation. Willa stood there for a moment, perhaps processing what had been said before she threw her head back and let out a loud, amused cackle.

“Mourning?” She slid a gloved hand under her dark shades to wipe away an apparent tear that her laugher had manifested. “Well, that’s a new one. And such a straightforward manner of asking it too!” She let out a breathy chuckle before shaking her head. “Nah, I’m not in mourning. You are well and good to go spreading that verdict around too. Don’t want people thinking I’m wearing these colors for any other reason than I like ‘em.”

“So itsa choice?” Elsie seemed rather perplexed by that.

“Yup.” Willa gave her a grin and Mi-an could quickly see the good humor in it, though her canines were a little sharper than what she was familiar with, but not as sharp as a dog or cats. Just a little uncanny for a human. “While I typically don’t wear dresses when I’m working, I do like to make a professional impression when I’m dealing with more of the business aspect of my job. And don’t worry, I do have some articles with some brighter colors, but I favor black the most. It’s accepting of all colors in the light spectrum and thus compliments them all.”

“Huh.” Elsie blinked at her rather perplexed and Willa took it for her not understanding. Mi-an kinda understood- it was a science-y reference to how the eyes perceived colors- but not enough to fully grasp the context either.

Willa didn’t seem deterred. “Once I’m fully set up, you’ll have to swing by and I’ll show you some fun science.” She tilted her head to Mi-an. “You too, if you’d like.”

“I donno how any sorta long winded science-y stuff could be fun.” Elsie shook her head skeptically, “But I’ll take ya up on that offer one day, if anything jest ta hide from my ol’ coot of a pa fer a bit.”

“That’s all the chance I need to change your mind.” Willa gave a confident smirk. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind taking Midnight, I’ll monitor Ty until I can hitch him up to the carriage. Your father has agreed, as a part of our arrangement, to let me store my belongings in his barn until I can fully sort out my paperwork in regards to my builder’s license, the transfer of the land deed from Mister Mason to me, among a few other things.” She raised up one of her arms to take a good whiff of herself. “I’ve also been on a train for several days straight riding second class and would like nothing more than to get preliminarily settled into my new abode and shower.”

“Ohhhh, so that’s why Yan and Mason were talking about you.” Mi-an was finally able to connect those dots as to why Mason of all people had been the only person that Yan had deigned to tell of Willa’s arrival.

“Aw man, you bought Mason’s shack?” Elsie couldn’t help but wince a bit with sympathy. Mi-an didn’t really blame her. She’d seen how Mason chose to keep his land. It was really more of a miniature dumping ground. An eyesore compared to the rest of Sandrock’s visage. Even Mi-an’s worn little house that she had been leased (she’d be buying the property as soon as she had saved enough to outright buy the place) was in better condition than Mason’s shack. 

Willa’s lips quirked from an already downturn pull that seemed to be her neutral expression into a deeper frown. “Can you… elaborate your apprehension towards my purchase of his property?”

“Er… well…” Elsie couldn’t seem to figure out a good enough way to explain it tactfully and instead gestured over to the other side of the train tracks where Mason’s shack of a place laid on the far outskirts of town. “I mean, jest take a gander. Ain’t hard ta see from here…”

Willa’s head turned and her already downturned lips found a way to turn even further south. She turned to look at Mi-an while handing off the reigns of her smaller horse over to Elsie as she spoke. “Change of plans. Ms Elsie, Mi-an, would you two mind too terribly if I quickly go speak to Heidi? Mi-an, can you come get me once the men finish unloading and I’ll sign off on all of that before perhaps you can introduce me to Commissioner Yan and then perhaps you can proceed to guide me to City Hall? I’d appreciate the help.”

Mi-an nodded mutely, noticing how the other builder was doing her best not to let her seething anger slip past her control. Elsie was nodding mutely too, even though she hadn’t been asked to do anything more than what she had previously been doing. The two watched her hurried, long steps as she made her way back up to where Heidi was watching her things.

“So…” Elsie couldn’t help but whisper over to her. “Shoulda we have mentioned that Mayor Trudy ain’t here at City Hall or let her find out that Minister Matilda is our acting mayor while Mayor Trudy ain’t here?”

“Uh…” Mi-an had blanked on the possibility that Willa was as uninformed about things here as they had been about her arrival. “I’m still wondering if I should warn her a bit more about Commissioner Yan first.”

“Ah man, that’s right… He ain’t sumtin’ ya wanna jest let her walk inta without a warning’.” Elsie trailed off, subconsciously petting the large Draught’s muzzle as she watched Willa and Heidi speaking in the not too far off distance with serious faces. What the young yakgirl said next was both very Elsie and yet still something so shocking to Mi-an that she couldn’t help but gasp in abject horror at the notion. 

“So who ya think’s finally gonna clock Yan first? Rocky, Heidi, or Wilhelmina? 50 Gol on Rocky, cuz itsa long time comin’. But this Wilhelmina lady seems lika close second. Heidi prolly will only throw a punch if she feels she can get away with it.”

“Elsie!”

“Whut? I’m jest sayin’.”

Notes:

So I wrote this because, well, I had just finished Sandrock and had a ton of fun with the story. I enjoyed the idea of a character more assured in herself, intelligent, strong, and successful and started to really develop Wilhelmina.

I started off through Mi-an’s persepective on this story, even though a majority of it would be more through Willa’s perspective because I wanted to drive home the fact that Willa, though she doesn’t mean to and tries not to, is naturally intimidating. She has a bad case of resting bitch-face and her tones are gruff. I didn’t think that would get through if I focused more through her perspective, since the best she can tell if she’s not staring in a mirror is she’s smiling but ‘oh no someone looks unsettled, she must look like she’s plotting their murder’ kind of understanding.

I do want to do a few other perspectives, but hers is the strongest narrative perspective in my head at this time with Mi-an a close second.

I would love to hear what you all think so far. This story is not going to be jumping right into the romance. I love building up the characters first before digging into their attraction for one another. Just how I am. But I hope you all will enjoy the route I take.

Chapter 2

Wilhelmina (though she didn’t mind others calling her Willa, called herself that even in her own head, since it was such a mouthful, albeit memorable, of a name) always expected hitches in any well laid out plan. It was almost a law of the universe that things never fully went according to plan. In fact, she got suspicious if any of her plans went off without a single random variable suddenly popping up in her way. Life was full of obstacles and she had to be flexible when they did occur. Either it meant reevaluating her current data set or going along with the flow of things. She didn’t always like these… hitches in her plans, but only a fool tried to keep a plan intact when it was obvious it was no longer viable.

That was how, after a very long first day in Sandrock, she found herself plopping into the sofa chair of her hotel room the floor above the Blue Moon Saloon with an exhaustive sigh. She had tossed her hat and dark sunglasses onto the bed almost immediately upon entering the room, but hadn’t bothered with the scarf that kept her hair from her face. Too eager to stop standing and take some time to be off her feet.

She allowed herself a moment to decompress from all the day’s unexpected and expected twists and turns. She tried hard to let the irritation of which she had been locking up tight through half her trials of the day melt away, but, even now, she was still rather mad about a few of them.

“Deep breaths.” She told herself, eyes having been closed since she had collapsed into the chair. “Focus on how the breath feels as you inhale… and exhale…”

She attempted to start walking herself through the process her father had taught her in order to regulate her temper when she had been nothing more than a recently rescued waif. One filled to the brim with major trust and anger issues. She took a couple of deep breaths and slowly let them out before doing so with more intention than focusing solely on how it expanded and contracted her lungs. Using the breaths, she began to focus her simmering anger, acknowledging why she was angry in the first place, and… choosing to let it go. She let the feeling of the next deep breath fill her chest cavity and allow the fullness of her lungs to sit for a moment before exhaling all the tension and anger out with a slow, deep breath. She observed internally at how the anger seemingly eased her as her lungs no longer burned or put pressure on her ribs.

She then proceeded onto the next part of cooling her temperament further.

“Today I am grateful for Heidi, Mi-an, Elsie, Mabel, and Cooper and all their assistance in making this situation less difficult. I am grateful that Owen has been very accommodating in boarding me for the night while I figure out a new plan.” She began to peel away the gloves from her hands as she continued to list off what she could think of to feel gratitude about, her black nails drawing her gaze for a moment as she freed her hands from their confinements. The negative feelings slowly being overtaken by the more positive things Willa chose to focus on. 

“I am grateful this place has a private tub with hot water. I am grateful my horses are safe, that my equipment and supplies have taken no damage in the long journey, and that I got all my paperwork regarding my license, my guild registration, and land purchase finalized- at a reduced price due to discrepancies in the information provided to me.” She almost grew irritated once more at that sentence, but she acknowledged the feeling, the thoughts that bubbled up with them, and let them pass. She continued to list off the things she could come up with that she had been grateful for. 

“I am grateful that the people around here are kind. I am grateful that I didn’t seem to intimidate or put off most, if any, of the locals I have met thus far.” She smiled as she thought of how Mi-an, who had at first been nervous and shy with her, like she was a cornered rabbit facing down a hungry fox, had been warmed up to her. “I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with another builder. So what if the shack on the property I purchased is basically a condemned building? I was going to tear it down anyways. Sooner now than I was planning on doing so, but eh. And my boss being a sleazebag? Ha! I’ve dealt with worse people in Atara who were fellow students.”

That dirt bag Higgins came to mind when she recalled some of the worst failed collaboration projects she had been forced to partake in for class credit. That man didn’t understand the idea of teamwork and was a glory hog. Yan was merely another Higgins to her, which now made her grateful for all the techniques Higgins had forced her to develop in making sure he didn’t steal credit for her work and ideas. She’d deal with Commissioner Yan in the same manner she had dealt with the other builder and make it impossible for him to claim any of her efforts as his.

Feeling better, she verbally threw out into the room a small pep talk as she lifted a leg to begin to undo the laces of her knee high boots. “Come on Willa, you have never been afraid to roll up your sleeves and get dirty when it comes down to it. Tomorrow will be dedicated to getting more settled in and meeting some of the other townsfolk before your official welcome at that Fireside event on Friday. Tonight is all about getting clean, relaxed, and fed. Maybe even risk socializing a little.”

She kicked off one boot, enjoying the feeling of her aching foot freed from the confines of the black leather, three inch heeled boot. She spread the toes of that foot as she focused on the other boot, uncaring at how unladylike she looked on that sofa chair- one leg up high as the other one was straight out and she reveled in the feeling of its freedom. As soon as the other foot was freed and stretched like the other one had, she wasted no time shimming out of her pantyhose. She stood up, once her legs were fully freed of any article of clothing, and she stretched, making a little happy mewling sound at the pleasant burn of her muscles. Willa then meandered to where she had dumped her personal luggage.

“Hot water will feel divine after a three day train ride.” She promised herself, reaching up to undo the scarf tied around the circumference of her skull. As she undid it, the long length of her hair, which was a peculiar yet natural shock of oceanic blue in coloring, that had been wrapped within slipped out, falling into a single long braid at the nape of her neck. She dug her fingers into her own scalp, massaging some of the feeling back in and loosening that tight sensation that having had her hair that tightly wrapped up had created. She let out a small sigh at the tingling feeling it caused. Though she made a face as she pulled her hand away and inspected the amount of oil that had accumulated in the three days she had forgone a hair washing. She had a lot of hair, soft and thick, but oh so prone to getting oily after a time. Yes, she indeed needed this bath.

She slowly continued to undress, even as she opened up her bags and started to investigate where her toiletry bag had disappeared to during the bustle of the train ride. The blazer jacket was the next to go and soon all she had on was her simple short-sleeve black dress and undergarments. Upon locating her toiletry bag with an ‘Aha!’ and threw one of her towels around her neck, Willa moved towards the private bathing room that this suite had, shimming out of her black dress after having used her teeth to hold onto her bag and unzipped the hidden zipper on the right side of her outfit.

She removed the bag from her mouth and went into the room, sitting on the lip of the copper bathtub and leaned down to pug up the bottom with the fitted stopper chained right under the faucet of the tub. She turned on the water and began to adjust the settings until it was the right amount of heat for her muscles to relax in. She set a few items by the tub, within reach for later when she discarded her undergarments and got in. Willa, for the time being, moved over to the sink as the bathtub filled and set her bag there, catching a glance at the mirror they had hung in behind the sink for the customer to utilize. 

Her pupils were wide, nearly making it impossible to see the color of her iris, like her pupils were completely blown out, and it hit her that she had forgotten to flick the lights on. She debated it for a moment. It wasn’t necessary for her to enjoy her bath, but… she huffed, rolled her eyes, turned away and found the light switch by the door and put in the effort to flick it on. It was a good habit to keep up, regardless of if she actually needed light to see. That particular trait had freaked out a lot of roommates back in Atara with how she could see in the dark. It had also caused her to scare, more than a few, of her own family members, her childhood bestie- Nia- included, when they would open a door to an unlit room and surprise! Willa’s in there working in the dark and her eyes would do that eerie glow much like a cat or dog’s eyes would in a dark space.

She hissed at the sudden flood of light, but her eyes quickly adjusted and she once more turned to face the mirror, her pupils had dilated into thin slits in the reflection now and her lilac colored irises with the yellowish hued center were now more dominant. She narrowed her eyes, her black painted lips pulling further down on her face, but soon she sighed and broke eye contact with herself to dig out her makeup removal. She had accepted her more unique features long ago, but it didn’t mean she liked staring at herself for more than she had to.

She wondered if her evidently unique genetics would tip the friendly reception she had gotten thus far into something more strained and uncomfortable. Other than the newer immigrants to this city, like Mi-an, no one seemed put off by her (what did her younger brother, Walt, call it? A bad case of ‘resting bitch face’ and ‘feral beast chic’ when she attempted to smile on command?) surly looks. However, would that change if they realized she was one of those individuals with the more mutated genetics? Not everyone was so openly welcoming of descendants of humans who had modified their genetics in any sort of way, especially the more radical believers of the Church of the Light. 

Though rare to see someone as unique as her, there were some wild stories- half documented, part story, and part deduced that was cobbled together through casual conversations left over from the Old World- about how such things had been rather commonplace. Purple irises were once a rare mutant gene in the world prior to genetic manipulation. There was even some rather perturbing documentation of people casually turning their skin green or purple for fun through easily accessible skin products before the Day of Calamity. Genetics, by that era, had merely been a playground for the very bored and creative members of humanity. Something their descendants had to deal with the consequences of in this mostly technophobic world.

“They permit the use of guns here, Willa.” She decided to remind herself in a low mutter as she cleaned her face free of her makeup, “So the believers here can’t be too radical in their dogma here. If they were, they would have never allowed that.”

Despite how she knew that to be true, she reminded herself to keep wearing her dark sunglasses outside the comforts of her own space and claim (the very true condition, although not for the same reasons of someone who suffered from photophobia) of light sensitivity. Until she could decide how devoted to the Church of Light everyone was, she wouldn’t risk her eyes being seen by someone she didn’t trust.

Her hair was a different matter. Having met Heidi, she deduced that they weren’t fearful or outright aggressive towards unique hair coloring, seeing as the other woman’s hair was a lovely hue of purple and no roots to be seen despite the local barber apparently currently visiting Walnut Groove. That meant her blue hair would be… attention grabbing, but not something to worry about receiving disgust or malice over.

With the last of her make up cleaned off and having quickly brushed her teeth, she was about done looking at herself in the mirror for a time, and turned to the bathtub, it was just about full enough to submerge her full figure into without wasting the precious resource. She moved over to it and turned off the faucet. She stooped down a little bit to collect an item of her own making (though not a recipe of her own invention) and dropped it into the water. Willa enjoyed watching the chemical reaction of the humble, skin safe ingredients activate with the introduction of water.

Though she still found the name of the item silly- a bath bomb- she enjoyed the effects as she decompressed after a very stressful day. A treat to herself. She didn’t undo her hair from the braid she had put it in, instead keeping her head above the water and her long hair over the rim of the tub and, after slipping out of the last of her undergarments, hissing relief as she was at last freed from her restrictive bra, allowed herself to enjoy the heat, the fizzing sensation of the chemical reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate to water, and chosen scents of her bath bomb. Her eyes drifted closed and she focused on the present, restful moment she found herself in.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today, right now, is a gift.” She repeated the mantra her grandfather had loved to tell his students when they got too overly obsessed with anything that wasn’t the here or now. “That’s why it’s called the present.”

So she focused on reveling in the heat of the bath, allowing all her tired muscles to loosen and finally being able to unwind and distress.

“Hmmm,” she rumbled to herself, “I wonder what sort of spirits the Blue Moon Saloon offers…”

She hadn’t eaten yet, but it wasn’t too much after eight. She lifted an arm up and out and grabbed the next two items she’d need. Her luffa and Gardenia’s, one of her little sisters, homemade soap bars. She had made a huge batch for Willa alone. Her little sister had even shipped them to Atara when she had learned her eldest sister was not planning to return home to Highwind before moving to Sandrock. Gardenia had written her a whole letter about why she was a big stinky meanie for doing so as well as to also justify why she even made Willa her favorite scent.

She scrubbed her skin well, taking off the dead layer that had accumulated, and proceeded to take up her brush and began the arduous task of unbraiding her hair. She took the effort of combing out the knots before soaking her newly groom locks in the water. Willa proceeded to drain the water a bit so she could set herself to the task of using her bar of shampoo to clean her hair. It took a good while, seeing as she hadn’t washed it in days and her hair was dirty with dust and oil, but it was oddly meditative and calming. Something she needed when her mind wanted to race through ideas and ways to patch up her previous plans and to make back up plans when, in truth, she simply required time away from doing anything of the sort. She’d come back stronger if she had a chance to take a step away and return with a fresh perspective. So, despite the temptation, the young woman focused on her bathroom routine. She finished draining the water before dipping her head under the faucet and dousing herself under a low stream of water, rinsing it free of the shampoo, being mindful of the request to conserve water given to her by Owen. She turned it off quickly, washed it again, repeated, and conditioned the tips of her hair and did one final quickly rinse before calling it good.

She had been made aware that the folks here tried their best to conserve water, but she had needed that bath. Now clean, she toweled off and proceeded to wrap her hair up in said towel and wore the twisted item on top of her head like an odd hat. Willa left the bathroom right after to find something a tad more comfortable to wear downstairs so she could grab dinner and a decent drink. The summer time light, while not present in the windowless bathroom, flitted into the room through the privacy window that lay right above her borrowed bed. It was warm and golden in the near twilight hues of the sky. It was a soothing part of summer. Something Willa always enjoyed at the rather peaceful time of day and season.

She hummed a little ditty as she went through her luggage, in a pleasant mood now, for something she could wear casually. She had a few items she thought about, but discarded or dismissed when the idea of her skin showing. She’d ease the folks here into it, see where they stood on body art and scars, before admitting the fact that she had (m)any. Most would always be covered if she chose modesty anyways, so only close friends would see them if she wore more skin showing outfits, like a midriff blouse or halter top.

In the end she wore a long sleeve button up, with one of her sports bras, and a pair of black jeans with ballet flats- all various hues of black, of course. She undid her towel crown and combed her hair a bit to get it looking a bit less stringy and snarly before simply leaving it down for now. Her scalp was tired from the tight braid she had it up in for days. She made sure her drawn on eyebrows were touched up before leaving as well, having avoided removing them yet for the night. Grabbing her sunglasses and returning them to their spot on her face, she moved to leave the room.

Time to get a better feel for the folks of Sandrock…

---

“Based on how tired you had looked heading up, I didn’t think we’d be seeing you again tonight,” Owen called up to her when her footsteps could be heard on the stairs.

“I’ve been stuck eating nothing but whatever the second class passenger cart offers its customers.” Willa told him as she continued her descent to the Saloon portion of the place. “Which were mainly cold cut sandwiches with very little flavor. It’s palatable, but I was told, on good authority, that your cooking is leagues better than ‘palatable’ and I could do with something like that after a very long trip.”

By that point she had made her way to the ground level and caught the end tail of Owen’s shocked look at her hair. With how she had kept it up and under her hat for travel and her attraction to the color black, no one would have guessed its vibrant coloring. She could see him going back to the matter at hand without even another thought to her wild blue hair.

“Well, I would hate to disappoint you after my skills were so kindly spoken of,” He didn’t even lose track of the conversation at all, which impressed her. He hadn’t even seemed unnerved or agitated by her upon their first introduction as well. “I’ve done quite a bit of traveling in my younger years and I have picked up quite an eclectic menu of food, but, how about for your first night in Sandrock, I cook you a traditional Sandrock dish? Have any particular preferences in taste?”

She gave him an upward quirk of her lips to let him know she was pleased at this thoughtfulness and proceeded to name the first two things she craved. “Something spicy and a good sweet hard cider that pairs well with it.”

He let out a laugh and that easy smile on his face seemed to reach his eyes. “Alrighty then. I don’t get too many folks that like a good spicy dish, but after a few years of our local doctor going home looking disappointed with the spiciness level of my dishes, I’ve managed to find a good heat level to appease real spice lover's taste buds.”

“I look forward to it then.” She told him with a nod. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good spicy dish, seeing as Atara folks are wimps in that regard and real Seesai chili are a nightmare to get imported there.”

“Sandrock can’t get too many good Seesai chili, I’m afraid- only what ‘The Mask Salesman’, who wanders through for two days right before the change of the seasons, can supply. But Sandrock does have its own unique hot peppers, if you are willing to try.”

It was good to know that the Masked Salesman had a route through here. His short time in Atara had been her only access to Seesai chilis previously too.

“Ha! I’ve done rather ridiculous things for spicy food,” Willa promised him as she finally approached the counter, she barely was tall enough to lean on it without first climbing onto a barstool. “Yet here you are, hospitably offering me to make me something I might possibly agree is the proper amount of spicy at no outrageous price that can’t be met through monetary means. Please, I’ll happily try.”

He laughed at her words, having easily followed them. “Then let me set you up with a gentle pear cider I managed to get my hands on while I go prepare you your first, albeit spicier than typical, Sandrock meal. It might take me a while, my employee had to take off some time this week for a family emergency, so I’m a little short handed.”

“Nah, I can wait. I appreciate it.” She thanked him, dipping her head and her lips quirked into a satisfied smirk. She hopped into a bar chair as he turned to fetch her the drink he had suggested.

“Also, must say,” Owen casually mentioned, “You look a whole lot more relaxed than when you retired up to your room earlier.” His eyes flickered to her hair. “I must confess, I did not expect your hair to be such a lovely color either. Met a lot of folks when I used to travel before taking over my father’s saloon, but I think you have the nicest shade of blue. Reminds me of the warmer oceans further south.”

“I’ve been told that before, but it's always nice to hear.” She hummed, accepting the comment. “I didn’t even understand the concept of the ocean or why people loved to compare my hair to its hue until my father brought me into his home. Highwind isn’t too far off from Portia, so he took our whole family on a small vacation there just so I understood the concept of a body of water being so vast that you could not see, at any height, the end of it. That and so I understood that when people told me such things- that my hair reminded them of the ocean- it was a compliment.”

“Oh?” He studied her as he listened to her little tale, taking in her hints into her background. He set the glass before her, the pear cider a light, gentle yellow with carbonation bubbles excitedly fizzing. “Seems like both our new builders have quite the tales to tell. I’d love to hear yours one day, if you are ever up to retelling how and why you chose Sandrock of all places to be a Builder for.”

“I’ll think about it.” She gave him no more than that, taking up the glass and sipping at the hard cider. She hummed her appreciation at the gentle sweetness and flavor. Yes. Perfect. She sighed a bit in her contentment and a rare smile tugged on her lips as she closed her eyes in bliss. Owen chuckled a bit at her expression, but he walked off to go make her meal rather than disturb her moment.

“So ya don’t always look like ya sucked a lemon.” It was the melodious tones of Heidi that had Willa opening her eyes again and noticing from the corner of her eye where Heidi was sitting further in by the stage. She had a little girl with short orange tresses peering at her curiously sitting quietly next to her. The two had books, toothpicks, and papers scattered around the table, but also two empty glasses. Willa’s lips quirked into one of her smirks and she lifted her glass.

“I’m bad at smiling, is all. Can’t outright do it consciously, but it doesn't mean I’m only happy when I manage it.” She hopped out of the seat she had chosen to approach Heidi and her young ward, drink still in hand. “And who is this little lady?”

She recalled an image to two men in city hall when she had spoken with Minister Matilda about some of her paperwork alongside Heidi. This girl had a striking resemblance to the ginger haired man in that photograph.

Heidi didn’t get the chance to answer Willa, instead the young girl (of whom Willa was positive was no older than 10) spoke up on her own behalf. “My name is Jasmine. My mom’s the actual mayor.”

“Ah, Mayor Trudy’s kid.” Wilhelmina took a seat cross from the young girl, doing her best to soften her features a bit. “I only had the pleasure of corresponding with your mom through letters. I liked her. Very nice and very professional.”

The girl brightened at that. “Yeah! Mom’s great, but…” She frowned a bit, a pout on her lips as she sulkily added, “She always seems to get overlooked.”

Heidi winced, putting a gentle hand on Jasmine’s head. She glanced at Willa with a pained look. “Trudy’s really good at what she does, but she’s not what one would call… confident or necessarily charismatic. She’s come a long way after taking up the mantle of mayor and is stellar with handlin’ all the paperwork and written correspondences… but other people sometimes…. outdo her in terms of speakin’ and… er… natural charisma and she gets… overlooked despite her station.”

The new builder winced empathetically, quickly coming to the conclusion of who was the culprit that outshined the government official in terms of charisma and authoritative command. “Well, that explains a few things- like the interim mayor.”

“Ha, yeah.” Heidi looked a little uncomfortable about the subject, so Willa changed it.

“So Jazzy, what are you and Ms Heidi doing?” She noticed toothpicks and glue and the basic shapes of their little models. “Are you guys making model trusses?”

Heidi’s face lit up more than Jasmine’s did, but it was the little girl that replied first. “Yeah! Auntie Heidi was teaching me about load bearing structures and we were trying to come up with the best one that would take the most effort to smash!”

“Our last one could take 25g of pressure ‘fore it broke.” Heidi boasted.

“Well that’s really neat!” She reached out a hand and raised a brow as she met Heidi’s eyes with an unspoken ‘may I?’. Heidi nodded her acquess and Willa snatched up a paper and charcoal pen and quickly started to sketch out a pattern as she spoke. “Did you try this one yet?”

Jasmine stood up on her chair and leaned over the table to see what Willa was drawing. Her eyes got wide at the amount of triangles the builder’s sketch had. She plopped back down on her chair as she shook her head energetically. “No! I didn’t even think of something like that!”

“It’s actually an Old World design. I chose it because it’s called ‘the camelback’.” She sniggered at her own dumb humor. She felt slightly validated when Jasmine laughed too.

“Cause Sandrock’s got camels, right?”

“That’s right! Though, until today, I’ve never seen one until I went over to the Wandering Y to make sure my horses were boarded right, to be honest. Camels are pretty interesting looking!”

“Lots of tourists say that, ‘specially when they see Sandy wandering around town.” Jasmine nodded sagely. She paused and gave Willa a thoughtful look. “What’s yer name? Nobody’s told me.”

“My goodness, where are my manners?” Willa set down the charcoal pen and held out her hand for the young girl to take. “I am Wilhelmina. I’m here to be one of the city’s builders. You may call me Willa, though, if you want.”

The little girl put her fairer, more delicate hand in Willa’s and squeezed it tight as she shook it. “I’m Jasmine, but you already knew that. I noticed you’re wearing a lotta black. My mom and I did that for the year after my dad died. Are you in mourning?”

The older woman would have laughed at the question had the child not correlated the concept with a personal, sad memory of her own. Instead she shook her head and decided to parrot her answer from when Elsie had asked. “Nah, I like the color a lot, is all.”

“Oh good. You look really pretty in your outfit and it would be sad if our newest builder moved here while in mourning. My mom was really sad for a long time after my dad died. I was too, but… she was sadder. Wore black for a whole year. That was the longest she wore black too, because she only wore them for a month or so last time someone died.” Jasmine seemed relieved that Willa was not in the same situation as she had been, but didn’t give Heidi the chance to change the subject from the probing questions.

“So why’re you wearing those glasses inside? Can you even see through them? Cause I can barely see when your eyes blink through the lens.”

“Jasmine. We don’t ask strangers those sorts of things.”

“But she’s not a stranger. Her name is Willa and she’s our newest builder. That means she’s going to be around for a while and so isn’t really a stranger, only a new member of our city that we haven’t gotten to know yet! So I’m trying to get to know her.”

Leave it to the mouths of babes to get all the hard questions out into the open. Owen was approaching the table as this was all happening and Willa took it as an opportunity to remove the rumors for her eyewear here and now.

She let out a genuine chuckle, though Nia had always told her it sounded sinister if one wasn’t familiar enough with her. “No worries, no worries. Nothing touchy about the matter. I have light sensitive eyes, so I wear them to keep my environment at a more controlled light level.” She turned to thank Owen as he served up her meal. It was some sort of marinated fish dish and her mouth watered at the spicy aroma. Though, rather than tuck into the meal she turned to address Heidi, who still looked mortified. “Don’t worry about it, Heidi. I’m sure everyone will be wondering about it, might as well nip it in the bud now and besides, Jazzy here’s pretty fun. She reminds me of my youngest sister.”

“You’re our only reporter in Sandrock!” Jasmine seemed keen to remind Heidi. “You should be asking these questions!”

The other adult woman at the table opened and closed her mouth a few times while Owen let out an amused chuckle. “She’s got you there, Heidi.”

“But-” Heidi started, looking at her as if trying to convey her hesitation, knowing that Willa had already had a bit of a shit show day, dealing with the misinformation, Yan attempting to backslide on certain promises made to her, some temporarily ‘missing’ documents, and the paperwork nightmare that the whole affair had caused so shortly after getting into Sandrock. Willa waved it off with a hand and Jasmine let out a huff.

“Fine! I’ll interview Ms Willa!” She grabbed one of her notebooks and a pink sparkly pen and gave her the most serious look a ten year old could produce, poorly but humorously mimicking what she thought was a ‘serious business face’. It reminded Willa more of a grumpy scowl than professional stoicism. She did her best not to laugh. When out came the questions, Willa quickly, bemusedly discovered that Jasmine didn’t hold back her punches.

“You have siblings? How many? How old is the youngest? The oldest? Do they have blue hair too?”

That did cause Willa to throw her head back and let out a mad cackle, disturbing a few other customers with her laugh. 

“Oh! I adore kids.” Willa admitted between a few more chortles. “Never afraid to go for it.” She took a sip of her cider before deciding to take a quick bit of her food. She hummed in delight as the mouthful set a lovely fire to her taste buds. “This is perfect. Thank you Owen.”

He let out his much more restrained laugh, pleased at her words. “I’m glad it meets your standards. Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.”

“Mm, nothing, this is wonderful.” Willa took another forkful. “The only thing that could make this better is more of this pear cider.”

“I’ll come top you off later then.”

“I appreciate that. Now, I have to get back to my interview with the little lady.” She nudged her head at Jasmine before returning her full attention back to the girl. Owen smiled as he left and Heidi too was bemused now that Willa had shown that Jasmine’s exuberant youth didn’t bother her.

She ate while she answered the multitude of questions the girl could think of.

Q: How many siblings did she have?

A: Eight. The one right under her in age and three of the middle ones were actually biologically related to their parents and the other four were grafted in.

A: Yes, she is adopted. Don’t need to bother even wasting time asking that follow up question. She had been eight. Her adopted parents’ oldest son had been six and he accepted her as his sister eventually.

“Why didn’t he accept you right away?” Jasmine demanded, looking very angry.

“Well, first off, cooties, duh.” Willa smirked at the nod that got from Jasmine, a viable answer to a ten year old. She even saw Heidi’s lips twitch as she smothered an amused smile at that. 

“Secondly, imagine having to share your toys, your parents, and your home with someone who never had things like that before and didn’t understand that people weren’t going to take back or steal the things that had been given to them.” Willa’s lips deepened into a forlorn frown. “Up until they had taken me in, I had nothing. I was living on the streets of Seesai for years and spent all my time fighting for my food and protecting the very little I had to call my own with the ferocity of a feral beast. I couldn’t comprehend for the first few months that this family wanted me and weren’t going to toss me out after a time. So I took things. My brother’s things usually, because I thought they were nice and I wanted something nice. The streets teach you that if you want something nice or otherwise, you have to take it and fight for it. But homes aren’t the same as the streets, I found.”

She trailed off there, taking a bite of her food, relishing the flavor. Jasmine was looking at her with that gentle, sad look kids got when they were sympathizing with the speaker but didn’t know how to fix things, despite their urge to want to fix it.

“Don’t worry, after I realized they weren’t going to get rid of me and that I didn’t have to take his things to have nice things- he and I got along great. I even learned to share and the joys that come with sharing.” She promised. “In fact, he and I got really excited when our mom declared that she was going to have a baby and we both spoiled the ever loving shhh- life out of her. If I wasn’t holding her, he was, and if he or I weren’t- it's because our parents had finally demanded that they have a turn with their own baby.”

Jasmine looked mollified by that and she turned to her next statement. “So only you have blue hair?”

“Yup. Though Charlize, she’s fifteen, has the deepest red hair you’d ever see. Darker and more vibrant than even Ms Elsie’s. And then Gardenia who is fourteen- oh boy, I think her hair is green because she’s so dang good with plants. I know there was an Old World phrase about people who are good with plants having a proverbial green thumb, but I fancy the notion of her thumb unable to contain her affinity with plants in its entirety, so her hair decided to be that outlet.”

“Are they adopted too?”

“Yes. Mom and Dad are pretty normal looking. Mom’s hair is a deep dark brown and Dad has black hair, though, now that he’s getting up there in age, it's starting to streak silver. Walt’s got dad’s coloring (he’s 24 now), he’s the eldest son, and Silvia’s got Mom’s hair (she’s eighteen), but with grandma’s curls. Phineas and Philip are identical twins, they are eleven, and they have dark brown hair, but dad’s eye coloring. And then, the baby of the family, Cosette, we call her Cozy, who they adopted back when she was this tiny little newborn baby, is this cute little girl with the prettiest platinum wisps of hair and the brightest light blue eyes. She’s maybe a year younger than you?”

Wilhelmina pretended not to see the note Jasmine was writing in her notebook that read: Try to convince Ms Willa to have her little sister visit at a later date. Maybe twins. Must find out if they have cooties first. The young girl seemed like a very determined child and well, she’d be interested in what ‘convincing’ looked like to a ten year old.

After that, Jasmine went right back into interviewing her.

Q: Why did she want to be a builder?

A: She has always liked working with her hands and, with her skill set, she thought it was the best field to go into.

Q: Why Sandrock?

A: Why not Sandrock?

“No! You have to give a real answer!”

She let out her cackle, amused at the cute little glare she was being given. “Fine, fine…”

A: Because Sandrock fit a lot of the prerequisites that she had made when she decided to look for a builder’s contract. Including, and not limited to, the fact that they didn’t have builders around every nook and cranny. While an oversaturated hiring market was an issue for some of the other free cities, Sandrock seemed to have the opposite problem. Which meant they direly needed someone like her since it was obvious a company of builders weren’t likely to ever settle here for bigger builds. One of the biggest reasons, though, was that Sandrock was a little more lax about following the dogma of the Church of Light to the letter.

Jasmine furrowed her brows in confusion. “What’s that mean?”

“Well, you know how your Civil Corps folks are armed with guns?”

The little girl nodded vigorously, quickly understanding what Willa was alluding to. “Oh, yeah, other places don’t like Old World technology like that, right? Mom and Minister Matilda one time got into an argument with another Minister- I think his name was Minister Lee and he was from Portia? Anyways, he was so mad that our church let us get away with that, not that our church has governmental authority to make any rules against it- Mom said so. Pastor Miguel actually argued that Minister Lee was right, because he doesn’t like that we use Old World technology at all. He hates that the relic rush pretty much destroyed Sandrock all those years ago when Mr. Mort and his wife, Martel, were young and Mr. Zeke was a little kid like me. But- but Mom always stresses that we’d be set further back in important things like medicine and botany and resources in general without Old World knowledge. 

“She says it's what you choose to do with that knowledge and… and… ‘We are now the custodians of our planet, so we have a… a responsibility to take care of it and the folks that live here too. Using science and technology willy-nilly is dangerous, but it’s dangerous to throw out all of that learned stuff too. We hafta… hafta learn from the mistakes of our… pred-decess-sors and… uh… go forth with their knowledge ‘nd do our best not to repeat their obvious mistakes.’” Her nose scrunched up as she took a moment to think. “There’s more, but Mom gets really long winded sometimes and the rest changes a bit.”

Willa leaned back, her meal finished and now she was nursing her hard cider as she listened to the little girl recite a very thoughtful lesson her mother had imparted upon her. She found a smile slipping onto her lips. Mayor Trudy sounded like her kind of lady.

“I agree with your mother. To outright fear technology is foolish. The AI robots that have all lost their All Source or are even taking corrupt signals from one- yes, they are dangerous. But after you decommission them, their parts can be useful. I personally am on board for destroying the AI processor of corrupt machines, but I am open minded to the notion of there being the rare uncorrupted AI that had been disconnected to their All Source during the Day of Calamity. But that’s a case by case situation that requires hard evidence.” She coughed, realizing she was slipping into some serious what if scenarios that builders and other folks at her university used to debate vehemently and returned to her point. “Anyways, other than the AIs, I think there’s a lot to learn from the Old World folks- even if it's learning ‘what not to do’. But, I moved here because Sandrock’s use of Old World technology seems to be a case by case situation, meaning that I align with the base values of Sandrock.”

Heidi let out an amused snort, causing Willa to slip her gaze at the other woman after so long of having focused on the young girl. She didn’t look disgusted at Willa’s personal policies, rather, she looked pleased. “Well, I see who I’m gonna send as an in-between fer me and Director Qi from now on. You can get your head chatted off about Old World science and the ‘probabilities’ they present and ‘starships’ and ‘space stuff’ and long winded, overly verbose science stuff. You’ll actually enjoy it.” She admitted with a playful roll of her eyes.

“Oh,” Willa cracked a feral smile, “Heck yes, I will. And since you’ve been kind enough to tell me where I can get my science itch scratched, I’ll give you a warning that the equation of me plus an intake of too much alcohol plus the introduction of science as the main topic equals long, slurring rambles about science and even sometimes actual live demonstrations of the topic at hand. It can get…. Chaotic. Depending on what we are talking about. Chemistry, the laws of thermodynamics, and even the laws of motion have turned out to be… potentially dangerous.” Willa leaned in a bit as she decided to emphasize, “Especially my live demonstrations of the laws of motion.”

Heidi’s eyes widened. “Noted.”

Jasmine leaned over to Heidi and whispered a little too loudly, “Aunt Heidi, what does that mean?”

Heidi whispered back after taking a fast glance about the room for perhaps a potential someone that she seemed not to see. “It means she can potentially get inta brawls when drunk ta demonstrate how the laws of motion work.”

“A rare occurrence, I promise.” Willa admitted lifting her glass of cider. It was her second cup and she had been nursing it for a while, already having turned down a refill a while earlier from Owen. “I like sobriety more and I’m not a pushover in my tolerance. But it has occurred… around four separate occasions and mostly because my brother and best friend growing up egged me into it.”

“Well, I already know who I’m talkin’ ta now ‘fore we ever throw an adult party with you on the invite list.” Heidi laughed nervously, but was mollified. “There will be no eggin’ on of any builders, on or off duty, inta partakin’ in more than she should.”

Jasmine pouted a bit. “It’s not fair that adults get to have parties that I can’t join.”

“Most of the time, Jazzy, it's mostly a buncha folks chatting about their crushes, exchanging gossip, stuck listening to someone they don’t like talk for hours and hours about themselves, eating their host’s burnt cooking and having to politely say its good, or, worse, sometimes they kiss if they like like each other.”

Jasmine gasped in horror. “But that’s how you get cooties.”

The builder nodded solemnly, “That’s a risk some adults are willing to take. Weird, I know.”

Jasmine turned to look at Heidi in a critical manner, as if seeking out from a trusted adult if that sorta thing was true. Heidi let out an amused chortle. “Wellll, my friends and I here don’t do the kissy part, but we do talk ‘bout things like boys and girls we like and all those obey-gooey feelin’s. Then we listen to Pablo gossip about who has the cutest butt.”

Jasmine gagged. “Gross.”

Willa loved ten year olds, they were such a fun and wild mood.

“Right?” Heidi acted like she agreed. “But Pablo’s my friend, so I bear with it.”

“Not as fun as a kid’s party.” Willa tossed out there.

From there, the conversation began to wind down, Jasmine getting sleepy as the hour started to crawl closer to waaay past her bedtime. Heidi had been willing to let her stay up longer because of their conversation with Willa, but soon the young girl was tuckering out.

“Time ta get someone ta bed.” Heidi decided at last and began to clean up their mess.

“Need help with the kiddo?” Willa gestured with her chin at Jasmine who had pretty much passed out at the table.

“Nah, I’m more than good ta carry her.” Heidi dismissed her offer, finishing up the last of her clean up before turning and effortlessly hauling Jasmine into her hold.

Willa couldn’t resist the urge to raise a surprised brow at the action, unfamiliar to seeing anyone tote a child Jasmine’s age up into their arms without at least a grunt at the effort. Heidi did have to bounce her a bit to get her in a better hold, but didn’t look put out by the effort at all. She caught the surprised expression and gave the other woman a toothy grin.

“Something you’ll surely hafta get used ta, but, ’round here, there are plenty of folks with a surprising amount of strength. I grew up watchin’ Zeke, our city’s botanist, bodily throw ‘round rocks thrice the size of my pa like they were nothing but pebbles. I went ‘round thinkin’ for the longest time that such a feat was typical ‘til I went ta Atara and found out it was considered outrageous. Rocky’s pretty impressive too, but me’n’my daddy are typically hard ta beat when the town gets rowdy enough ta declare an arm wrestlin’ match.” Her eyes flickered over to where Owen was cleaning up the counter of the bar before calling it a night and muttered, “Even Owen can last a good long while in one of them contests, though, most days now, Pen wins and then spends hours gloating over us. Ugh. Was more fun back when Howlett’n’Lo…” Her words cut off and a hurt look crossed her face. She bounced Jasmine one more time as she cleared her throat. “Excuse me… I need ta get this little one ta bed. My grandma is probably debating whether or not to send my pa out ta fetch us.”

Wilhelmina could have asked, sure, but she had seen the pain flash in Heidi’s kind chocolate eyes at her own slip up and, instead, gave the architect a curt nod. “Thanks for dining with me. I had fun.” She decided to throw in there, “Might have to try my hand in any impromptu arm wrestling competition, if the chance ever arises. Would be fun to see where I stand in that particular pecking order. Goodnight Heidi.”

“Goodnight Willa.” Heidi returned with a grateful look, before adding with a slightly cattish grin, “and welcome ta Sandrock.”

With that, she left and Willa got up, stretched, walked her empty glass over to where Owen was patiently lingering, paid her tab in full, and with a loose smirk, bid the man goodnight before heading up to her rented room and readied for bed.

Sandrock, she was quickly deducing, might actually tick more of her boxes than she had initially thought. Maybe this place really would be a welcoming home to a person like herself.

More things to add to her gratitude journal, it seemed.

Notes:

I decided that even though I posted the day before, I wanted another of the chapters I have already written posted sooner than later. This one was more because I wanted a chapter with Willa’s POV so that you, the reader, could get a better feel for who she is behind the her aggressive looks. I was tempted to write a little insert of Logan spying on the town, but I think I have a better idea for that scenario way later down the road. Right now, I want to see if I can paint a picture of how Logan’s ‘betrayal’ and Howlett’s death has affected the citizens of Sandrock, more in depth than what we are given in the game. It always bothered me that, even though Hugo says he felt like an uncle to Logan, that Heidi didn’t really act like she knew Logan, even though I can see him having been at her house a lot as kids to be watched when his dad was out monster hunting, seeing as Vivi is the go too lady for kids. But a game that only allows one reaction line for each event can’t get too too deep, so I will.

For now I’m going to first establish Willa’s place among Sandrockers before delving more into most of the core plot. Some parts might seem slow, but I promise, it will all be enjoyable if you aren’t just looking for romantic moments between Willa and Logan- WHICH I WILL ADD I PROMISE. But it won’t be for a while, sorry. I’m a world builder first and foremost, but I will make it worth your wait.

Chapter 3

The first week, no, the first day of her arrival in Sandrock had not been what she had expected. She had thought she’d take the first week to settle into her place in Sandrock, tour about the city a bit to get her bearings, and maybe fit in a commission or two at the end of the week, after feeling a tad more organized and prepared.

Nope.

She had only set foot into the Commerce Guild, a relatively decent building other than that Light awful advertisement with the commissioner’s likeness pointing out at the passersby with a rather… questionable call for builders, because she was going to hand in the duplicates of her license over to her new boss so he could have time to file it properly. Mi-an had waved an eager good morning greeting at Willa as she walked out of Blue Moon Saloon, eyes bright and that bubbly smile on her lips. After giving her an acknowledging nod to let her know she saw her, she slowed her gait so that the other builder had time to catch up and they could enter the guild together.

Willa had not been impressed with Yan or even Mason, the man she was replacing, in her initial meeting with them the other day. She’d rather have Mi-an as a buffer between her and her new… boss as often as she could or she had the feeling she’d slug him in the face before too long. The less she spoke to him, the better for his health and the longevity of her career here.

It seemed, Willa mused, as soon as Mi-an and she opened the door, that she was not alone in that sentiment. And thus both new builders were now left scrambling because their boss threw them a job he had obviously been avoiding with the local salvager company.

Two lifts, as soon as possible.

Willa knew how to say no. She’d told better people than Yan ‘no’ before, especially when the situation was the result of the commissioner’s own poor management. However, she could see that the client was trying his best to keep his temper. From what she had heard of his tirade about why he was done waiting, he had been outstandingly patient. She and Mi-an were merely witnessing the tail end of his tried patience dissolving into a violent outburst.

She noticed quickly that the scoreboard that sat in sight of the door had Yan as the top workshop with Mi-an barely in fifth due to her having just arrived a week prior. The younger woman must have hit the ground running the moment she got here if she was already accumulating points. Oh, she'd be sure to do her best to debunk that man from his throne on that scoreboard and keep stealing away any hopes he had of ever seeing his name there again for this.

So, rather than tell this man, Rocky, she learned his name to be, ‘no’, she instead put a hand on Mi-an’s shoulder as she devised a solution, sensing the other woman was eager to help yet in a bit of a bind with her own inability to take on big assemblies by herself.

“Mr. Rocky,” Willa tried to meet his eyes the best she could with her dark shades obscuring her eyes, making it hard for him to fully see the empathy in her eyes. She tried her best to keep her tone calm and formal. “Typically, I would be outright saying no. I arrived only yesterday and my workshop is not up and running at all. In fact, I have an appointment with Ms Heidi later this afternoon about knocking over that hideous shack that the previous tenant used as a house.”

She nudged her head at Mi-an. “Mi-an here is also in a situation where she can’t outright tell you yes either.”

“I'm a small assemblies and material maker if I am not collaborating. Even if I could, I don’t have the space to hammer out the parts for a build as big as that.” Mi-an told him with a very sorry expression on her face, explaining her inability to jump up and say yes.

Willa nodded at the other woman’s words before turning back to Rocky, who watched them with a great amount of frustration but he didn’t seem upset at their reason. Before he could say anything though, be it a pass for not accepting a commission that he desperately needed or to turn his attention back onto Yan and give him a black eye for lying about the sick turtle, Willa continued to speak.

“It would be a rather inefficient collaboration job, where we would be forced to use Mi-an’s tools and equipment in lue of my own for a time and my property to fashion the bigger parts, but if you don’t mind the time it would take us to scrounge up what we needed and haul what we need to make the pieces over to my property, I think we could take up that commission. It might be at a snail’s pace though. The best I can commit to is four, maybe five, hours a day to the project at this time. But since, from what I understand, my property is on your way to the salvage yard, you can check in on our progress daily until it is complete. Does that sound like a deal?”

Rocky had looked at her, blinking a few times to figure out what she had conveyed to him, but soon he wasn’t about ready to deck her boss for all he had probably deserved, and instead held out a hand. “Lady, that’s the best news I’ve heard in the three months I’ve been trying to get these things built. I can waita ‘nother coupla weeks.”

Three fucking months? “We’ll have, at bare minimum, one ready and operational by the end of two weeks, at worst.” Willa took his hand and shook it. “Be sure to tell me what my commissioner tells you the commission price is and I’ll make sure that it's accurate to the level of materials and labor cost that a build like this should be.”

Rocky seemed rather pleased at this, tipped his hat as he thanked her, asked for both her and Mi-an’s names, before telling her that Yan already had the diagrams and wrangled them out of the charlatan for them before he left. Willa didn’t bother talking with the commissioner as he righted himself, Rocky taking his leave for the time being, and tried to make it sound like her kindness was a result of his good managerial skills. She slapped her duplicate paperwork on his desk, grabbed the other builder by the hand, and got the two of them out of there before she ended up thrusting her fist into his jawbone violently.

“Oh my Light!” Mi-an gapped as the two of them were now out in the quiet Main Street of Sandrock. Willa turned to look at her, wincing as she realized she had volunteered the other builder without her consent, but instead of looking angry, there was a dazzling gleam in her brown eyes. “Are we… do I get to work with you!? Our first collaborative commission~!?”

Willa blinked at her elation. It was so… nobody had ever looked excited to work with her. Right, she cleared her throat, she had forgotten to mention…

“I don’t know if you’ll be excited for very long…” She looked away, tipping her hat downwards as the morning sun suddenly tried to blind her.

While not in a dress today, she had bound up her hair, wrapped her silk scarf around her head once more, and donned her black ten-gallon hat. She wore more work appropriate clothes, seeing as she thought she was going to be hustling to unpack, not take on her first huge assemblies commission that morning. She felt on guard though, with how she kept her more unique features concealed. Even this fact about herself felt a little more raw than usual. Perhaps due to everyone in Atara’s builder program having been told by others rather than her personally.

With a heave, she reminded herself that this was who she was and she held herself to a standard. Mi-an would learn this, but it was only polite to tell her that, “I’m known to be a hard ass when it comes to any commissions I take on. I expect quality work, no half-assery or tomfoolery when it comes to the quality of my builds- a collaboration or not. I expect my fellow coworkers to take things as seriously as I do. Most others find me a task master and too tedious for their liking. I signed both of us up for this large assemblies commission without even speaking to you about any of this prior. I apologize. If you do not wish to work alongside me, I would like to see about renting your equipment for the interim-”

“No.” Mi-an cut her off as she tried to offer her an out. “No! I would like to do this with you! I don’t mind if you are all that. I am the same.” She admitted, placing a hand on her chest as she gave her an encouraging smile. “I’m excited. I get to be a part of this. I get to help and I get to work with you!”

Willa stared at the raven haired builder like she had caught a glimpse of a rare creature. In a way, Willa felt like she had. Too often the others she had been forced to work with had simply wanted to do ‘well enough’ or try to get out of doing any of the hard work themselves, but, at last, she had met someone like her. Someone who would throw in their all and give only the best they could manage. It was all she could ask for.

The Highwind builder let slide that rare smile as she offered out a hand. “I look forward to our collaboration then.”

“So do I.” Mi-an beamed even more than before as she eagerly took her hand.

The two agreed shortly after to head to the Blue Moon Saloon for a brunch and start going over their plans. Mi-an was going to check over her current supplies and equipment and Willa was going to go talk to Heidi about that shack being destroyed before the day’s end then head over to speak to Cooper down at the Wandering Y about elongating the timetable of her renting his barn space.

Willa nearly had to run to get there for a late brunch, but the day had been spent well, in her opinion. 

She had been able to give Heidi her plans for her property (after asking her to get rid of the current monstrosity on the property). The builder had saved a lot of gol in her younger years from various competitions she had entered or even a few patents that she had created with the help of Old World references and her younger siblings’ wild imaginations (she had set aside plenty for them when they were old enough to need it) and had always planned on investing it into her own comfort in her home/workshop. She knew she’d see a return eventually in the amount of gols she was about to spend, though, from what she had figured out through her collection of data, it would take about three years to see the return. And if she found that Sandrock suited her well after those three years, she’d decide if she’d like to sign a longer contract and put down roots here or move on to more challenging areas like The Peripheries.

She did make Heidi promise not to laugh at her design. While rather unique of a concept, it lacked… creativity.

“Willa, as good at diagrams and blueprints ya seem ta be, this is, at its bare base, a square in a square.”

“You’re the architect, Heidi. You’re the creative one in this business. I simply laid out the floor plans and a base of what I want in the end result. I figured you could… refine it so I don’t look like I’m living in a… a quadrate.”

Heidi stared at her with this flat look before bluntly saying, “Yeah. A Square.”

The architect giggled a bit when Willa gave her a grime look. “Creativity isn’t my strong suit. I’m better at running with wild ideas than coming up with any of my own.”

Heidi gave a gentle, consoling pat at that admittance, reminding her without words that was why she was there. The two talked over the details of the home. A design loosely based off of a house that Willa had seen in one of those Old World cartoons her siblings liked watching. A courtyard house, Heidi told her, was the type of the Old World structure Willa had loosely based her idea after. 

“And really, notta bad pick ta build out inna desert, ta be fair.” Heidi hummed to herself as she kept looking at it.

They talked about some of the design points that Willa was most interested in. Heidi really started to get into it as the two of them spoke, already coming up with some interesting ideas for some of the builder’s needs and personal requests. A generous amount of windows facing the inner part of the courtyard while the exterior of the building would have mostly blank windows to prevent any window shattering with random debris being tossed about in a sandstorm, all the while not making the building look uninviting or odd with the lack of windows facing outwards. That wasn’t the intent of the design.

“Most of our windows in the city are pretty much in protected places- except Owen’s.” Heidi informed her. “If ya look up high enough on his house, ya’ll see how he was forced ta board it up less it be broken by somethin’ comin’ loose in a sandstorm and shatterin’ it. Shame. When that buildin’ was built, there were no severe sandstorms ta deter that design and now it's a bit of an eyesore and a relic of a time lost.”

Once they went over most of the details and materials, Heidi let the builder get on with her day, promising to write up a cost quote for the labor and materials.

“And since ya’re buyin’ up all that land and have a three year contract with Sandrock as a builder, I could put ya on a three year payment plan, as long as ya gotta good down payment ta front the cost.”

While she probably had the gol, it wouldn’t hurt to do a payment plan. Willa didn’t want to look too wealthy, she wasn’t. Not really. She was clever with her money, is all. She could invest her extra gol elsewhere to work for her for a time. Something she would consider.

“Give me a quote for the labor and materials, we’ll go see what materials I have available at that time to donate to the project, and we’ll see then if I need that payment plan or not.” Willa stood up, putting her hat back on her head. “But please, get rid of that eyesore on my property before too long.”

“Gone by tomorrow. Promise. And at no charge.” Heidi drawled cheerily and winked at her. “Been wantin’ ta bulldoze that trash heap since I came back. I ain’t waitin’ for Mason’s train ta leave before I do it neither, since he’s already staying at the Blue Moon til then. I’ll get yer new property line all outlined too, since I wanna start takin’ measurements.”

Willa was grateful that she had the forethought to work out a huge land purchase with Mayor Trudy before the older woman had taken off for her science project. Until Trudy returned, Willa would be making small payments to Heidi to ‘lease’ the land. That sum would be added to her large down payment later and the rest would be in steady payments throughout her initial three year contract here.

From what she had gleaned from their correspondence, Trudy hadn’t been keen to give the church a large sum of money to handle on the city’s behalf in her absence. Though the mayor seemed to trust the Minister and her people to manage the day to day affairs of the city while she was gone, it seems she already had projects planned for that money. She didn’t seem keen to risk the church coming up with some other project for that money. There were emergency funds for a wide range of scenarios available if one occurred, but it seemed that sometimes Matilda would overstep her boundaries and this was one fight Trudy simply didn’t want to deal with.

Willa had actually offered her this solution in one of their letters, based on her hesitation to accept the land purchase at that time, and Mayor Trudy readily agreed. After having met Minister Matilda the other day and having talked a bit with Heidi last night about Mayor Trudy, the new builder was glad that she and the mayor had set up that arrangement. Minister Matilda seemed nice enough, but she could sense the other woman viewed the whole of Sandrock as her city. She would probably take whatever furniture wasn’t bolted down and specifically owned by City Hall when Trudy did return as some sort of weird power move- Willa would put good money on it.

After saying their goodbyes, the busy builder made her way over to the Wandering Y to talk to Cooper and his family about extending her rental agreement with them. She also wanted to check up on her horses, see how Ty and Midnight had handled their first night. It appeared that she had gotten lucky yesterday when Elsie had shown up to handle the horses over Cooper, because his daughter had not been wrong with how long he liked to yammer on. At first, she quietly allowed him to chitter away at her, finding his long way to the point fascinating, but she had promised to meet up with Mi-an for a brunch to start making plans for the commission that had been dropped into their laps.

“Yew in mournin’ or sumtin’, little lady?” Had been the first few words out of Cooper’s mouth when he caught sight of her and then proceeded to explain how Sandrockers mourned.

Somehow she managed to introduce herself and inform him, no, she merely liked the color. It was starting to become a topic broached more than she had initially expected with her. She pondered the total count before every indigenous Sandrocker knew the answer to the repeated question.

Upon learning she was the new builder, that opened a whole new slew of topics from Cooper’s mouth and it took his wife wandering into the area to realize her husband had taken Willa hostage with his ramblings and took over negotiating. She waved off Willa’s information about extending the rental of the space and the inconvenience it may cause.

“No worries there hun, ya need some time and it’s surely a blessin’ that our little town’s getting two builders! Take all the time ya need and if money’s tight, maybe we can trade our space fer some chores, small favor or two, and time.”

Mabel, bless her soul, invited her to have breakfast with them, to which Willa politely declined and explained how she was probably already running late to a promised brunch with Mi-an. Ushering Cooper away from the young woman before he could start chatting at her again, Mabel did manage to lean in to Willa and whisper. 

“Now, I don’t wanna seem nosy, but, I couldn’t help but notice yer wearin’ black. I don know much about other areas though, but I don wanna be insensitive and not help out if yer in mournin’ hun.”

Add one more than before to that tally. She did her best not to cackle and tried to give a polite smile and assure the smaller woman that no, she wasn’t mourning, and yes, she really had a thing for the color black.

“Well, explains yer horses’ color palette sum then.” Mabel nodded at her own statement, but kindly offered to send some of her famous cake so she and Mi-an could enjoy a post brunch treat.

Willa ended up accepting the gesture, which, while it did make her late, made it easier to feel like she made up for her tardiness when Mi-an was already sitting at a table with papers and notebooks at the ready to work.

It was absolutely delicious and Willa swore then and there to somehow get Mabel to give her that recipe, even if she had to swap one of her own family recipes for it.

One of the nice things this unexpected commission did solidify was the fact that Mi-an and she would have no issues working collaboratively at all. The Tallsky builder’s notes on her inventory were immaculate and well organized, she even had a detailed list of the equipment she had up and running and the morning’s water level for her tank. 

It was decided that they’d have to take turns bellowing the furnaces, as their first step in the process, and melting the raw ores into ingots to make sure they had the amount they estimated for the build and then some for unexpected hitches. It turned out that Mi-an was naturally a very early riser.

“I’m up by five. Can’t help it.” She shrugged. “So I spend a few hours waking up, eating, and stretching. By seven, I’m pretty much ready to tackle the day. Our Commissions Guild has a nifty time lock on it, so even if Yan’s not up yet, the building unlocks at seven anyways.”

Willa mentally filed that tidbit away. Easier to deal with Yan if she never saw the slimy charlatan. She had been writing down a work schedule so that the two of them weren’t necessarily trying to work around each other.

“Typically I do my best work later in the evening.” Willa admitted. “I don’t get tired until three in the morning and even then I’m not capable of winding down for another hour or two afterwards. Drove some of my roommates nuts. But if I go back to my older schedule, we could be pumping out materials nearly nonstop. Not give your furnaces a chance to cool and lose out on production time.”

However that would mean going back on her claim of only being able to dedicate 4 hours a day on this project. Rocky had already agreed that it was fine as long as visible progress was being made. Mi-an also shook her head.

“I have neighbors. One of the cons of living in the city proper. While it's easy to walk everywhere in town, I have quiet hours I’m obligated to honor.”

“Yeah, best not make your neighbors regret having a builder around.” She conceded.

“Besides, you are busy settling in right now.” Mi-an shook her head. “I took a day to do that and then started making my equipment and taking on easy commissions the next day once I had settled into my home. You don’t even have a home to do that in right now.”

She gave Mi-an that. Right now she was going to have to live out of the room she was renting from the Blue Moon and that meant she couldn’t necessarily use her equipment or work if it wasn’t over at Mi-an’s little house. She couldn’t go back to her natural sleeping patterns just yet either because she had a lot of businesses to visit daily until things were settled and she could begin moving over to her property.

Messy. She wrinkled her nose at how unideal the circumstances were, but, if she couldn’t deal with the occasional hiccups, it meant she wasn’t qualified to be a builder in a city like this. She closed her eyes, pushing up her shades a bit to rub at the bridge of her nose before removing her hand and her eyewear dropping back into place. That reminded her, she would need to dig out her safety goggles before they began anything. They were specially tinted as well since the blaze of furnaces and welders gave her migraines otherwise and these were not shatter proof like her safety goggles. She opened her eyes to see Mi-an staring at her curiously.

“Yes?”

She realized she had been caught staring and blushed crimson red, “Oh, no I just… you have freckles and, well, I was just thinking…” Her ears turned pink too, but she didn’t stop simply because it seemed to embarrass her. “My mom prides herself for her flawless skin, but I have always thought that freckles made people look pretty and unique. I’ve already noticed around Sandrock that people don’t put on concealer to hide their freckles, like everyone does back in Tallsky, and I really like that. You don’t either, even though you're from Highwind and studied in Atara…”

Willa blinked. “I was born with some unique… coloring, of which kids and even adults easily latch onto to criticize, so I guess having freckles never seemed like a blemish to cover up. It felt… normal in comparison.”

“Is… that why you are wearing your hat indoors and why you wear all the black?” Mi-an risked asking, looking very small as she did.

Willa blinked again before reaching up and realizing that her hat still sat on her head. She let out a small bark of laughter at her realized faux pas. 

“Oh, nah, I have bad manners, apparently. Excuse me. Forgot that was even on my head.” She took it off and decided to unwrap the scarf too, let her hair down while not running around outdoors.

“Oh wow! It’s pretty. And it’s naturally that color?” Some people did like dying their hair and while it wasn’t outright out there in the cities for folks to have wild coloring, it wasn’t necessarily as common as the typical browns, yellows, blacks, and even reds of the world of hair.

“It was luckily a bit darker,” or perhaps it had been simply too dirty to have known otherwise, “when I was a child, but, yup. Easier fodder for other kids around me to tease me with than freckles, I’ll tell you.” She held the end of her braid in her hand, examining her own coloring with a shrug. She hadn’t always liked her hair’s color, but her family had taught her to own it because it was hers.

“Well that explains your workshop name.” Mi-an let out a little snort of amusement. “I was kinda confused when I saw Yan add it up to the Guild Commerce’s workshop listing until now. Because, you know, you seem to really like the color black.”

“Yeah,” Willa chuckled with an overly toothy grin on her lips, one she tried to hide behind the cup of coffee she was drawing to her lips to drink. “I’ve been asked about my color preference over five times now.”

“Really?” Mi-an nearly laughed, but managed to smother her amusement as best as she could. She turned back to the topic of Willa’s workshop name. “So… I can get the first half of the name, but… The Azure Dragon Atelier… why’d you name it that?”

“It’s that whole owning thing I was talking about. My family adopted me as a young girl and I was very… rough around the edges at that time. My father couldn’t even send me to school for almost the whole first year because I was too feral. Eventually, I did shape up enough to where he could send me to school with Walt without worrying that I’d try to mark my territory like I did back in my street days or with Walt when I had first been brought home, but… I didn’t put up with any bullying, harassment, or other kids trying to express dominance over me. They wanted a pecking order? I put myself at the top of it by week’s end. My father wasn’t thrilled over the amount of times the principal called, but each time it turned out I wasn’t the instigator, I never was because bullying was beneath me. I was merely the one who ended the issue the best my diplomacy back then allowed- violently.”

Mi-an’s eyes got wide at that admittance, but she didn’t seem scared of Willa. Perhaps it was that she was aghast that the other builder even had problems like that. She stayed silent though as the older woman continued her story behind her workshop’s name.

“I ended up being called a similar thing the kids in the slums back in Seesai used to call me- all because one day our teacher read us some Old World fairy tales about a knight slaying a beastly and vicious dragon. From then on, kids would point at me and my features and proclaim I was a dragon.” Willa let out a low chortle as she remembered what happened next. “I think that was the first time I was sent to the office because I had to bodily haul Walt off of another kid. The brat he had attacked had been making fun of me to my brother while I had been further off. Too scared to say it anywhere near me, but thought he could get away with saying jeers like that to my brother. We were still on shaky relations back then, but, after that, I knew he had my back, so I had his. It got easier to adapt to life outside of the streets after that, which was good because not too long after my little sister was born and… I don’t think I could have been gentle enough prior to that point in time to even hold a baby and I found that I loved holding her.”

“You know, you kinda look scary more times than not…” Mi-an admitted to Willa, but she wasn’t looking at her sheepishly or shyly, instead she was looking at her with something like admiration, “But you are really a big softy, aren’t you?”

“Ha! Maybe to my friends and children, yes, I’m ooey-gooey.” She admitted shamelessly with a confident smirk. One that tended to make others around her shrink back a bit in nervousness if they didn’t know her well enough, but Mi-an seemed to get it more and more that Willa simply had intense, often villainous or cold looking, expressions. It was how she was.

There was a feeling squeezing her chest at how quickly her new coworker seemed to have figured her out. It was like when one of her little siblings would run up to her and hug her in public when all others around her seemed to shrink back in fear. Happiness. It made her happy that Mi-an wasn’t afraid. She sipped at her coffee, deciding to add to her own statement, a threat, a promise, a proclaimation all rolled into one. 

“But as for my enemies… I am that beastly and vicious dragon. I don’t pretend to hide it either. I own up to that name. I don’t balk and shrink away from it. So I named my workshop that name as an open warning. And well, the ‘Atelier’ part? I liked how that word rolls off the tongue better. Means the same thing, only in another of the Free City languages. Walnut Groove folks speak it mainly though.” She leaned back, setting down her mug as watched her coworker’s expression.

“Oh.” Was all Mi-an could seem to process to say in regards to her little statement. “I will… ha… remember that.”

“Think of it more as an offer of protection.” Willa watched her through her shades. “If Yan ever gives you any shit you can’t handle, you come get me. He will change his attitude or suffer the consequences. And don’t ever hesitate to tell me in fear of me using violence. Physical violence, to me nowadays, is for self-defense, monster material hunting, and hazardous ruin-diving only. I’m a business owner first and foremost and in the world of business, it's more dangerous for folks like Yan if I use the system against them rather than lay hands on them.”

That seemed to cool whatever simmering fears Mi-an seemed to have been brewing in her own head and her shoulders relaxed from their tense posture prior. “Right. I don’t know why I forgot that. I’ve already seen you handle Yan yesterday and how you got Mr. Rocky cooled off too. Sorry~.”

Willa laughed, not offended in the least. “I literally had just told you where the name of my workshop stemmed from. It’s perfectly normal to be a little hesitant when someone tells you that they used to be so feral that other children called them an actual dragon. My family worked hard with me to sand down all those rough edges and I think did a wonderful job.” Left a few sharp corners, but those had been carefully, intentionally left. They didn’t want to destroy the original design of her nature, only make it so she could get through life peaceable, happily, and more than capable of handling herself and any situation that came up.

“It sounds like you really love them. And that they love you a lot too.”

“Though not initially blessed with good parents or a loving family, I did, in the end, receive that blessing, I like to think, tenfold- for the wait.” And with that, Willa was done sharing for the day. 

She took a pen with her freehand and, while she lifted her coffee cup for another sip, tapped the back of it onto one of the planning journals that was on the table. She restarted the conversation about their actual business, which Mi-an latched on to quickly enough, and promised herself she’d get another casual moment later to ask Mi-an more about herself. 

Notes:

I like my notes at the end because I know that, when I see something’s updated, I’m too excited to read notes up top.

This will probably be my last ‘within a few days’ sort of update and I will probably start updating this weekly instead so I have time to write out more of the story. Reason I have so much already written is because I had gotten hurt at work and couldn’t go to work. Now I’m back on light duty starting next week, so my updates will be slower.

This is where the title starts making sense, lol. Sorta. I really enjoy writing characters with plot points in mind and seeing where their personality will go with it, like any other writer, I would hope. Willa’s fun for me to write because she’s just the obscene amount of confident in herself while still having her own insecurities. I did manage to draw a doodle of her, and I will eventually figure out how to post it here. I don’t have things like DA or anything where I can just say ‘follow me here’. Also, I have drawn a whole ass blueprint (the final draft that Heidi would have given her) of what her house would look like. I’ll see about trying to get those posted around here for context too.

I always welcome feedback! I am actually trying to write chapter 10 or 11 (can’t recall at the moment) through the eyes of Zeke because why not? Anyways, thanks for enjoying my work. Drop a comment, if you want, and tell me something that made you laugh or even what you are enjoying. It feeds the muse and lets me know what folks are interested in.

Have a wonderful Saturday!!

Chapter 4

The week had been long and bumpy. Heidi had lived up to her promise and before sun down that night, Mason’s old shack was gone. She had caught sight of the retiring builder staring at the now empty lot by the entrance of the Blue Moon with this… forlorn look on his face, but upon catching sight of her, turned to head back inside without a word. She found him inside already drinking more of that fermented, boozie Yakmel milk Owen had told her about at lunch.

Cleopatra had started getting antsy about being in her terrarium by the second day there, but Elsie happily convinced her pa to let the gecko out and explore their property. The little reptile had already proven her worth to the old yakboy when he noticed, even in the small span of that day, there were less bugs bothering his yaks. Willa would have to keep an eye on the older man, seeing now as he really seemed to like her little gecko- and he wasn’t even utilizing her the way she did.

The commission was slowly coming along. A small hitch had Willa and Mi-an heading over to the Wandering Y with two crowbars to dig out the more advanced pickhammers and axes Willa had on top of a finding where her spinning wheel and lathe had been tucked away. Owen had been kind enough to let her set that up on his saloon’s stage for the time being, since Mi-an didn’t have the room. She was allowed to use it in the slow hours, so as not to disturb guests during mealtimes.

She also, through a quick run to the general store to help out Owen for all his kindness, met the very friendly owner, Arvio, and discovered his sister did ceramic work and had a kiln. It was exciting to learn. She would definitely catch up with Amirah to talk to her about if she was willing to try her hands at a few out there projects with her, including ceramic molds for some more delicate building parts and perhaps doing some ceramic or terracotta tiles for some of Willa’s home’s floors. And decorative pieces.

Though not very creative herself, she enjoyed supporting others who were. If Amirah had talent, then it would be nice to own a few of her personal pieces to enjoy. Maybe even an entire dish set or two. She hadn’t brought much in terms of eatery with her, being too fragile for the trip.

When it came time to call it quits on the commission for the day, Willa having to pull Mi-an away because she would put in way too many hours if she let her, the two of them would use a tarp to cover up the work in progress over at her land, in the spaces that Heidi wasn’t starting to lay down a foundation for Willa’s future home, and leave it over the night. It would have been a whole lot of running back and forth between Mi-an’s machines and her property had she not had that cart and a big horse like Ty to haul their needed materials two and fro. Though Mi-an’s jaw had definitely dropped the first time she saw Willa pick up something she looked like she had no right being able to lift and heft it up into her arms or over her shoulder easily like it wasn’t something that typically called for two or more men to deposit onto the back of the cart. Quickly the Tallsky builder was starting to understand why Willa was a one woman large assemblies workshop.

When one part was completed, they’d haul it up to the scrap yard in a designated area where all the workers knew not to touch. Rocky had gotten one of his folks, a young thin whip of a woman named Venti, to help them out of the scrapyard side. The workers there sometimes watched them install the parts bit by bit on their breaks. Rocky must have spoken to them prior, because none of them offered any unsolicited assistance. Willa didn’t let folks untrained help unless it was an emergency, but with Mi-an’s assistance, that never had to happen.

By the end of their first real work day together, Willa knew that there would never be any issues with future collaborations and, at this rate, was looking forward to asking Mi-an to collaborate with her more.

After Willa put in her few hours of work, she went off to take care of the other things that needed her attention. She had sorted out her luggage at the Blue Moon, gone through her inventory in the barns, and took time to give her animals attention, though Elsie seemed to be spoiling Ty and Midnight at any spare moment they were at the ranch. She’d take Midnight out for a trot, trying to slowly meet the locals as she went out and about. She hadn’t met them all yet. If there was still time before Construction Junction closed up for the night, she’d swing by to talk to Heidi about any changes and design ideas for her home that the architect had come up with. Though starting the footwork for the foundation of the home, the two were still working out a lot of details and costs for the final design.

The first day she had taken Midnight out for a trip like this, Justice and Unsuur had thought to say hello to her. Justice was pretty easy going, clever in speech too, though he looked a little unsure of his young partner, Unsuur, whenever his playful tongue-in-cheek humor went over the other man’s head. Wilhelmina only heard the other man say a few sentences to understand. Her father worked with plenty of folks just like the younger man at his job. Unsuur, she was certain, was a higher functioning autistic savant. The ones she’d met back in Highwind when she’d go meet up with her father at his workplace were all nice enough, but tended to be a little awkward in the social department. While not her father and able to properly identify his level of competency, Unsuur presented to her as rather straightforward in his manner of speech, sharp as a whip in things like observation and memorization, vast in his knowledge in his field of interest, facideous in his daily routines, yet all witticism lost on him. Justice seemed very surprised when Wilhelmina quickly took everything Unsuur said in an easy stride and gave her a genuine smile for making the interaction a little easier. From what she gleaned, Unsuur had only moved there a year earlier but had only so far really connected with Justice.

Too soon after they said their goodbyes, a man who introduced himself loudly and self-importantly as Pen dramatically dropped down in front of her horse from the top of City Hall and well… she decided to play nice and let him think he was higher than her on the pecking order… for now. She tolerated his butchering of her name ‘Willy-millie’ (how he came up with that, she had no fucking clue), and proceeded to decide that she was too small and skinny for being a builder. She didn’t bother correcting him that simply because she wore a shirt with sleeves that didn’t cling to her muscles, like his sleeves were better designed to do, did not mean she had no muscle mass. She did and when she had them as peacocked as his muscles currently were (seriously, did he catch sight of her while she was talking to the Civil Corpsmen, run to his place, pump iron for a few sets, and then come rushing back to do this whole show?), looked impressive. Though hers were more dense due to her genetics and didn’t necessarily give away how much strength her body had. 

He quickly dubbed her ‘Skinny Arms’ and laughed, changing it a bit to ‘Skinny Minnie’ since not only was she skinny (this man needed his eyes, or hubris, checked, because, while lean, her muscles made her sturdy in a way non-athletic women weren’t), she was so obviously small, ‘regardless of how she tried to make herself look taller with that horse of hers’ (Taller? She was on Midnight, not Ty). He had wanted to give her a ‘fighting tutorial’ (who even said tutorial? Most folks would have said something like a lesson or demonstration), but she quickly declined. She wasn’t some novice with a sword, but, for some reason, she preferred him thinking she was.

She returned Midnight back to the Wandering Y shortly after and went up to her room for the rest of the night after that. Done with socializing until her stomach reminded her that Owen and his cooking was worth another hour of at least socializing with him.

The next morning, Jasmine, on her way over to Mi-an’s, had run up to her with letters (she was the city’s postgirl apparently) and reminded her there was a fireside meeting on Friday to introduce her and Mi-an properly to the townsfolk and to inform them of the goodbye celebration they’d be having at the Blue Moon’s stage on Saturday. She offered a tour, to which Wilhelmina thanked her for, patted her kindly on the head, and asked for a raincheck on that. Wilhelmina took things at her own pace.

She met Burgess later that same day when he swung by Mi-an’s to say hello to Wilhelmina, seeing as she was easier to find first thing there rather than hope to catch her on the construction site that was her property at this time. Though she had been a little apprehensive at first, seeing as the acolytes of the church tended to rub her wrong typically (even back in Highwind and Atara and after meeting Matilda and Pen? Especially Pen. Blegh. She didn’t have high hopes for this branch either). However, though a little too chipper for her (and another mental tally mark for her newfound game of ‘Are you mourning? No, I like black’), Burgess seemed rather sincere in his eagerness and altruism. He supplied her with 5 gallons of water- on the house as a welcome from Minister Matilda (though she found it rather weird that the church was managing the water in lieu of the city’s government). She thanked him and decided he was tolerable to speak to, if there had to be one acolyte she had to choose. Two, after she met a just-as-enthusiastic Dan-bi.

Friday came about fast, Willa still getting the hang of Sandrock’s slow and easy then quick and fast flow. It was unlike anything she’d ever witnessed before because when things happened, oh boy it nearly felt like whiplash. However, there was also this slow, almost sleepy flow to how everything else operated outside of those quick happening events. She pondered if her sister, Silvia, with her fascination with sociology and cultural anthropology, would find Sandrock’s way of life study worthy.

Mi-an, with the gentle persuading of Owen and the playful cajoling of Heidi, managed to drag Willa to the Fireside event. She wore one of her nicer, business formal dresses. Her thick blue hair was in a high ponytail for a change, the long length of it still reaching far down her back. She kept her shades on though, the setting sun still blaring brightly over the horizon and peaking through the spaces between the buildings facing the City Hall.

Before Matilda could even start, Willa could already hear folks whispering about her blue hair and full black attire. That whisper of ‘is she mourning or sumtin’?’ she had caught and the returning hushed answer of ‘no, she likes them colors is all, I asked already’ totally counted towards that final tally in her books. It made her a little less put out about being all but dragged there.

Minister Matilda spoke nicely about the two of them, calling them up shortly after the meeting started. Both women were given the chance to introduce themselves, Rocky giving them an eager hoot from his spot in the crowd, once they had said their brief ‘I am glad to be here and look forward to a good long working relationship with this city’ speech. Willa had to do her best not to crack one of her toothy smirks at his call. The folks who she had yet to meet were looking a little nervous already at her own introduction.

After reminding everyone about Mason’s goodbye party tomorrow (Mason hadn’t even bothered to show up for this fireside meeting, which made how the Minister even addressed his role in this community a hair less awkward), Matilda released them and Heidi practically dragged Willa to introduce her to her father and her grandmother. Mi-an giggling at her before Elsie got her caught up in one of Cooper’s long winded bouts that he dared called a brief conversation.

After meeting Hugo and Vivi- who decidedly told her she could just call her ‘Grandma’ because all the youngins did- Owen quickly called over to her with a blonde young woman standing next to him.

“Willa! I want you to meet my employee, Grace. She returned sometime after you had left for Mi-an’s for the day and I had her running errands for me since. Barely made it here in time to hear you speak.” Owen, as always, spoke in such warm and kind tones. “She’s actually a student from Atara University doing some archeology studies here in Sandrock, but helps me out to pay the bills between her research.”

Willa reached out her hand with a hello, careful not to let how she noticed the other woman giving her a more than critical look over. Willa hadn’t dealt with a lot of folks from the historical departments of Atara University. Did she know Willa through her reputations among the other builder majors? Was she sizing her up for some reason or trying to decide if she recalled her from somewhere? Didn’t matter, the gesture had irritated Willa for some reason and her instincts on this sort of thing were typically good. When Grace finally decided to play nice and give her own hello, a little too constructed to sound really earnest about being ‘excited to meet her’ to her practiced ears, and put her hand in Willa’s… Well, Walt always whined that she had a playful yet vindictive streak that typically fell on the subtle yet aggressive side. Too tight grip for handshakes, rather hard ‘friendly’ back pats, random body checks when walking past, and the like. Dominate behavior she could never shake from being out in the streets as a child. She pretended not to notice Grace try to discreetly shake the feeling back into her hand after that or that look of promised revenge for the stunt.

It then occurred to her what she had been reacting to. Another woman akin to her. Rough and tough and more than willing to get into petty wars like this for fun. Willa was now actually rather keen to see how the part-time fry cook would dish out her petty revenge. It’d been a long time since someone had the right personality to play this game with. 

Nia and she had hit it off so well as children because Nia, while not able to keep up with the more physical aspect of the game that Willa liked to add, enjoyed mind games and winning them despite her outwardly sweet and bubbly nature. She had watched Nia make grown men and even the hardest of bitches cry with a few clipped words with that sweet as pie smile never leaving her face. Walt tolerated their games, but typically tried to crawl his way out of any situation that even hinted at them being in the middle of their antics. It had possibly made Walt a master of reading a room and escaping any situation he didn’t want to be in, albeit unintentionally.

She was rather tempted to write to Nia that, at last, she found yet another woman to play their games. She only withheld from doing so that very night because something told her that Grace didn’t want others knowing that side of her.

So, despite all the craziness, her first Saturday at Sandrock did finally arrive. 

Now, Willa had a rule about her Saturdays, even back at Atara and before then at Highwind. Saturdays were her day off to mull about and enjoy. Work would be there every other day of the week, but Saturdays were for rest, for reading, and any other fun thing she could think of to plan. 

Back when she had lived in Highwind, she and Nia would take long horse rides on the outskirts of the city or even rent gliders or hike through some of the nearby trails. In Atara, it was a lot more lonely. More going to the stables where Ty and Midnight had been kept and taking both horses out to pasture. She sometimes would simply sit on Ty’s massive back, bare of any saddle, and let him graze as she read or studied. The giant horse hardly noticed her on his back, but her presence there calmed him. Back then he had been more twitchy with the hired staff at the stables she rented space from, still getting familiar to his new owner after she had rescued him, but he always calmed to her presence.

Sundays were another thing entirely. She didn’t work those days either. Well, not work work. It was Chore Day. It meant taking care of laundry, cleaning her space, decluttering accumulated junk, taking inventory, checking her expenses and income, a weekly menu selection, and food prepping. Often she didn’t leave her place of residence that day, unless it had been planned prior and she did personal research and projects that day after all her chores were completed.

Willa had informed Mi-an that their commission would have to take a pause those days. Though the other builder looked rather shocked, she decided that it would probably be a good idea if she gave herself the same time off. She even caught up with Rocky when she caught sight of him heading up his scrapyard on Wednesday and made sure he understood too. She took weekends off. The most work related thing she would do is the guild inspections. He had simply nodded and gave her a huge grin. He sounded pretty happy that she knew to give herself time outside of work.

Initially, she had been a little worried that Mi-an would try to work by herself, like try to get ahead of their dwindling material supply, but, all that concern was put to rest when somewhere around four in the morning, Willa was woken to the violent sounds of the wind and the beating of sand against her suite’s window. There were various other noises, like the warbling of the corrugated galvanized metal roofing of a patio. 

Highwind had similar sounds, seeing as her hometown had strong wind gusts often, but there was a distinct lack of leaves rustling here in Sandrock. If she listened hard enough, she maybe would hear the branches and leaves of the far off trees by the oasis, but barely and muted comparatively. It was odd.

She tried to sleep through the noise, not at all put out by the sudden weather, but after a howling gust ripped through the city, it felt like her senses turned more towards the sounds inside and caught the faint, tail end creak of a door opening further back.

She heaved a sigh, trying not to be annoyed at how her instincts chased away any hope of drowsing. Grace stayed here, right. She listened to the foot falls of the other woman instead of the weather outside. Her brain picking out how quiet they were, nearly nonexistent if she had not been purposely listening to them. A few floorboards creaking under the weight of her body. Most of the noisier ones though- ones Willa had personally noted herself on her first few climbs upstairs to her room- didn’t even let out a groan.

Willa scrubbed at her face with her left hand as her brain chased away any hope at resettling for the morning far, far away. She got out of her own bed, stretching her limbs and withholding that urge to let out a mewl of happiness at the odd pleasure the sensation wrought. She made sure to put her dark sunglasses on before she snatched up her bra from where she had flung it last night after getting changed into her loungewear (she didn’t have sleep clothes per say, but rather something more fit to lounge in when not planning to leave the privacy of her space). She pulled an arm into her shirt and maneuvered her casual bra back on. Her girls were a little too much to leave unbound when not sleeping, but she wouldn’t try shoving them into her high impact bra if she wasn’t going to be actively working.

Besides that, she needed to wash her couple of pairs clean from the sweat that made them smell rather bad from her first, very hot work week here in Sandrock while doing her commission work. She typically assigned this bra to social functions and, well, home life. A way to remind herself from time to time she had rather nice assets.

She debated leaving Grace alone as she quickly went into the bathroom to use the mirror to draw on her eyebrows (ugh, she was already heavily considering quitting this habit and letting them grow back in at this rate), but her stomach churned hungrily, deciding if she was not to sleep, it wanted breakfast before she started any of her exercise routines. She left her own suite, eyes scanning the area below and catching sight of no one. Seeing as the kitchen was confined to a space beyond the counter, she wasn’t too concerned about where Grace might be. She yawned soundlessly and began to head down, skipping over the noiser spots on the floor and making her way down without having made a single one groan or squeak.

Her eyes caught sight of her lathe on the stage and she made plans for her day confined indoors. Owen had taken care to warn her that during days like this, it was ill advised to leave the safety of indoors at all. Best to always have projects at the ready or a book especially picked out, because it would be dull without one. Willa had a morning exercise routine she’d run through on top of a few down weekend ones, but it wouldn’t last her past noon. Playing with her lathe would be a perfect way to pass the sandstorm.

She moved to the kitchen, Owen having given her blanket permission to do so while staying here if ever a sandstorm occurred. Well, after he looked at her nervously and asked if she could cook. She promised him, rather jokingly, that she had yet to burn down a kitchen and he had looked visibly relieved. He changed the subject quickly after and she had decided to ignore the deflection, despite sensing a story there.

It became, too quickly, apparent why he had looked relieved, when she pushed open the door and caught sight of whatever was in the pan Grace was not paying attention to alight. The blonde woman nearly jumped out her skin when Willa all but materialized beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist, hoisting her away, snatching up the first lid she saw, slamming said oversized lid on the pan, smothering the fire, and snapping off the heat to that burner.

“Peach’s fucking balls!” Grace cussed inelegantly as she slammed a hand on her chest and jolted away from Willa’s proximity like a spooked cat. She hadn’t had too tight of a hold where it would prevent her from being able to pull away. “Where the fuck did you come from!”

“A womb, like most folk.” Willa churlishly snapped before giving Grace a rather unamused look, hands on her hips. “So was the plan to set fire to the building? Asphyxiate us to death with the smoke while a Peach damn sandstorm is brewing outside, making it impossible to get proper help?”

“What? No!” Grace snapped before her face started to turn mildly pink. “I wanted breakfast…”

“First rule of the kitchen- if you have to split your attention, it’s best to stop one task entirely and focus only on one. Simmering a stock is one thing. Reading the instructions while leaving the gas stove on full blast with testy ingredients is another.” Willa lifted the whole pan, not daring to lift the lid to see if it was done smoldering and placed it safely on a granite tile by the sink to let the pan cool.

“I was trying to make an omelet, not trying my hand at a soufflé!” Grace snapped but her defensive look melted away to a pitiful hunch of her shoulders and sigh of defeat. “I don’t understand what I keep doing wrong.”

“Well for starters, try monotasking when cooking. If reading simple instructions takes too long, then read them prior and take glancing looks if you need guidance.” She snapped, moving about the kitchen to see what was available.

“Ugh. I’ve tried that.”

“And?”

“Crunchy omelets. Every time.” Grace grumbled. “I put the milk in, add the salt, mix in the eggs, whisk, pour. All that. Still crunchy.”

“Better than on fire.” Willa gestured at the pan by the sink.

“Easy for you to say,  you don’t have a job where everybody gives you this pained, pitiful look when they try eating your cooking.”

“Well, for starters, it's probably because I don’t have job where I’m hired to cook for other folks.”

“Someone hasn’t seen the general commissions board at the commerce guild then.” Grace harrumphed sourly. Her arms were crossed, glaring at the cookbook laid out by the stove, as if it was the cause of her pain.

Willa paused in her rummaging to give Grace a confused look. “The what now?”

Grace turned to look at her with a skeptical eye. “The second commissions board for general items, like cooked food or raw food materials or monster items. Owen sometimes asks me to submit commissions to Yan for that board.”

“Fucking Yan can’t do his fucking job.” The builder nearly gnashed her teeth. Mi-an and her were doing a commission he was supposed to be doing and, because she was putting all the time into that and settling in, she hadn’t even looked at the regular commissions board and no one even mentioned a secondary one. She took a deep breath and released it, acknowledging her anger and releasing it. “Thanks for telling me. Would have been embarrassing if I got told much later about it after looking like I was outright ignoring it.”

Grace looked a little less testy herself and shrugged. “Yeah, uh, no problem…. So, uh, what are you doing?”

Willa had quit rummaging and was now starting to pull out items, having decided on what to make. “Making us breakfast?”

“Us?”

“Do you want to make breakfast?”

“No.”

“Then yes, I am making breakfast.” Willa announced, finding the flour store and checking to make sure it smelled good. She glanced back at Grace with a skeptical look. “You aren’t one of those girls who is against carbs, right?”

“I burn a ton of carbs a day just running around here. No, in fact, if I thought I could make pancakes without turning them smoky black or so runny that they get stuck to the bottom of the pan, I’d have tried that instead.”

Willa gave her a long, evaluating stare before tapping the counter space next to her. “Oooookay. New plan. Let me wash up and we’ll start with me explaining basic chem and why it relates to cooking. You’ve done chemistry projects, right?”

Instead of looking annoyed, the blonde archaeology student asked, “does the baking soda volcano count?”

“Yes, yes it does.” She could start there. “And the important lesson we can start off with from that project is ratios. Too much or too little of either ingredient made for a sad chemical reaction, no?” She gestured at the items she had started collecting to make pancakes. “Cooking pancakes is similar. Too little liquids to pair with dry ingredients makes it too thick and chewy. Too much and you get a slurry. Now, crepes rely on a higher liquid ratio, but you need to be very, very exact on the ratio- you can’t eyeball it and expect good results.”

Grace came closer and Willa started talking her through the basics to cooking as she quickly washed her hands. She had picked up cooking relatively fast as a child, it hadn’t been hard for her. Her mother was a baker and, when she had been that feral child still not house broken, she would spend her ‘time outs’ sitting on a stool by her mother and watched as she baked.

“Baking is more of an exact science while cooking is a lot more loose.” She explained. “Not quite measurements like ‘a dash of this’ or ‘a splash of that’ and everybody’s favorite ‘pinch of’ are found more in cooking. Baking is all about measuring. You can be a tad off and still get the consistency you were looking for, but the more delicate the treat, the more you need to be exact.”

“Okay.” Grace seemed to be following. “That’s… I can follow that. Definitely explains a few things. Oh, why does Owen have all these notes in his books? Like people’s names and then he adds stars to a word- like here.” She pointed to Willa’s name (he had written down ‘Willa’ rather than her full name of ‘Wilhelmina’ and she did not blame him one iota) and it had the word spicy and umami and had multiple stars next to them. Then she pointed to Cooper’s name and his had the word salty with two stars, spicy had a dash, and umami had a one star.

“Clever.” Willa was amused at his little notes. “Looks like he keeps track of people's personal preferences. While cooking is a science, it’s an edible science, meaning that taste preferences change the way a dish would be prepared. Owen’s made notes so that folks here don’t necessarily have to suffer a single taste standard. Say that Cooper and I ordered the same dish. He’d specify to you who got what because he’d make Cooper’s more salty and a tad blander while mine would be spicier and more flavorful. Cooper doesn’t seem to like spicy hot flavors, so he’s added the dash to signify none should ever be added.”

Grace turned the notes back to her. “Really? That’s what it means? I thought it was a weird cipher. What’s ‘umami’?”

“The flavor of savor.” Willa told her, having finally finished collecting the ingredients they’d need. “Now scooch your butt over, I want to watch you follow directions.”

Grace remained where she had been standing. “I thought… you said you’d be making breakfast.”

“I want to see how you measure and prepare dry ingredients, how you add your eggs, and the liquid ingredients. I’ll fix whatever you mess up and I’ll be the one actually using the heat to cook it.” The builder promised, trying to coax the woman over.

Grace slowly approached, looking unsure of if this was going to even work. Willa didn’t even need to look at Owen’s own recipe for pancakes, having memorized her family’s own version which included vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. 

“Now remember, too much cinnamon is a fucking nightmare. It’s overwhelmingly spicy. It flavors well in small amounts, but too much and you’ll regret it. If anyone ever dares you to put a spoonful in your mouth, skip the dare and kick their ass.” Grace gave a light chuckle until she realized that Willa was not joking. Her eyes got a little wide at that. “Nutmeg is also the same. Fine in the controlled quantities a recipe asks for, but excess is dangerous. It has toxins in it that can make someone sick if too much is added, like hallucinations, dizziness, vomiting. It can be dangerous to adults, but especially small children. But the small quantities that are used in baking won’t do that- as long as you pay attention. Hence the monotasking rule to the kitchen.”

The blonde woman was now looking at what she had once thought as innocent bottles of spice in a new, more uneasy manner. “Uh, why do we eat this stuff then?”

“Because it tastes good and in controlled quantities can be healthy or beneficial to the body?”

“It sounds more like poison to me!” Grace argued her point.

Willa wasn’t flustered in the least. Rather, she gave a rather nonchalant shrug. “Most medications are poisonous in excess. In fact some of the best medication is basically known poisons in controlled amounts. In chemistry, it's all about the quantities. Cooking science or pharmaceuticals are just understanding chemistry and how base components react to the body. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend trying to put anything that thermochemistry produces in your mouth though.”

Grace sent a skeptical look at her. “I mean, yeah?” Her eyes got a little wide, “Don’t tell me you’ve known people to do that.”

“My little twin brothers are fast devils that are entirely too resourceful and scary good with chemistry.” Willa shrugged again, too familiar with her brothers’ shenanigans to drum up any emotional distress about them. “The school nurse and local doctor are on a first name basis with my parents. In fact, I’m pretty sure they get invited to holiday dinner parties my parents host. Them and the school principal.”

Before they could start talking more about Willa’s wild family, she returned them back onto the task of making breakfast. Now with having the fear of chemistry put into her, Grace was a little less haphazard when she began to listen to Willa give her instructions and dole out the measured dry ingredients into the mixing bowl. Other than how she was putting things into the measuring cups (“never pack down the ingredients, you are compressing it. It’s as is, use the back of a knife to remove the top excess if you need it concise.”), the only issue Willa was catching was her poor egg cracking skills. A lot of shell fragments found their way into the bowl.

She looked at Grace’s frustrated face. “I’ve solved your crunchy omelet mystery.”

“Ugh. I can’t figure it out and I can never fish out the egg shells.”

Willa shook her head, snatching up one of the larger shell pieces that hadn’t gotten crumbled and started using it to easily collect the small fragments from the egg white’s thick, slimy texture.

“What in Peach’s name… How does that work? How? You got it all in no time at all!!” Grace couldn’t help but gape as she pulled out the eggshell she had made into a tool to collect the rest.

“My mother is a baker and knows all the tricks of the trade. From how I understand it, the outer membrane of the egg shell’s whole job is to protect the inner membrane but keep them separate. So it’s easier to use it to scoop because it won’t latch onto it.” She explained calmly, though very amused at how one simple trick was making the other woman nearly throw in the towel and quit. “As for cracking the egg, you are going too hard.”

Willa took her time explaining her method, cracking their second needed egg as she spoke and opening it with her two thumbs. While some of the eggshell looked like it might want to go with the egg, it didn’t, the outer membrane still connecting them to the main body.

After that, she let Grace mix it all together and turned her attention to readying the hot pan. After Willa explained the concept of heat application as she cooked the first few pancakes, pointing at the signs the fry cook needed to look out for before flipping the pancake, she watched as Grace tried her own hand at it.

By the end of the whole affair, the two women had their breakfast- golden brown pancakes and no fires to put out. They raided the refrigerator of its orange juice and Grace took the liberty of snagging the half empty Prosecco bottle. She made them mimosas to enjoy with their super early breakfast. 

They moved to sit at the bar area to enjoy their meal. Willa having snagged up some peanut butter she had found to add to her own pancakes rather than the bumbleant honey Grace was smothering hers in. With her lifestyle, the builder needed a lot more protein and peanut butter was a good resource for that nutrient. She had also managed to make them coffee.

“Shit, this is good.” Grace was dumbfounded at the result of their teamwork. “Has cooking always been so… easy?”

“It’s a practiced skill, like anything else. You can have natural talent to expedite the skill, but for the most part, it takes a shit ton of practice to hone it.”

“Ugh, you are one of those types that’s good at everything, aren’t you.” Grace wrinkled her nose at Wilhelmina, but the accompanying scowl that had gone with it had lost its edge with how she was cramming a huge slice into her mouth.

Seeing as her mouth was currently full, she chose, instead of answering verbally, to raise her hand and give her a shaky hand motion. Kinda. She was fast on the uptake and had deft, diligent fingers, but it didn’t mean she could do things easily without practice. She poured hours into her skills and demanded her personal best from herself every time.

“I’m hardworking and strong, but I am also too smart in too many fields of interest.” She explained after having swallowed her previous bite. “I’m not a master at any one of them, but I am high on the mastery level. That’s how Walt, my other brother, not either the twins mind you, often put it when we were kids. Probably why I enjoy being a builder- a field where being a jack of all trades is the bare base requirement.”

“Humble too.” Grace tossed out there, but there was no venom in those words. Rather, she seemed to be having fun with her.

“Pfft,” Willa flubbed her lips as she scoffed playfully. “Humility has its time and place. I don’t see the point of pretending I don’t have a skill set or belittling myself to mollify others. I mean, I’m not about to needlessly or cruelly rub someone’s nose in it, unless I need to. And that’s usually because some idiot thinks they know better than me, a trained professional, and thinks they can do what I do but usually sans all the safety precautions or ignore quality control to save some time or money.”

“Kinda wish I could watch that dressing down.” Grace admitted, mouth full again of her breakfast.

“I don’t like doing it, to be honest.”

She remembered the look on the young man’s face when she had laid into another builder- an underclassman she had been assigned to as a teacher’s assistant for a work lab- when he thought that he knew better than some tiny bluenette and tried to show others how his ‘methods’ were faster and easier. She had noticed his attitude, marked it down, gave him a verbal warning, and when he dismissed her words- she took a step back and let the shit show happen. True to her warnings, his ‘method’ didn’t pan out- and in a very dangerous way. Though, other than his structure collapsing, no one had gotten hurt because she had been there. After the dust settled, the young man ashen white from the shock of how quickly and dangerously his build had collapsed, she laid into him and put the fear of the Light into him.

He changed professions by the end of the week and she had yet another whispered rumor about her making its rotation on the campus.

“However, I’m not about to let someone be a hazard to themselves and others, if I can do something about it.” She finished the last bit of her food and tossed the fork onto the plate, snatching up her mimosa to nurse after she cleared out her mouth a bit.

“I can support that.” The blonde woman couldn’t disagree with the philosophy. “If anything, I think you’re not terrible. Hell of a handshake though.” She clenched and unclenched her dominant hand at her own remark. Willa let out a cackle at the admittance and Grace decided to add in an annoyed tone, “No, for real, I thought you were going to break my hand and I was trying not to panic.”

“Serves you right for the attitude you were copping when Owen introduced us. But props for not flinching. I only went as hard as I did because you kept calm.”

“Attitude? Excuse me? I gave you no such thing.” She acted aghast, but the indignation didn’t fully meet her eyes.

“Liar. You gave me that ‘could I take her’ kinda look so I let you know as subtly as I could, that no, you couldn’t.”

“I wasn’t trying to decide if I could take you on! I was trying to remember where I’ve seen you before!”

Willa gave her a long, hard stare, making Grace fidget a bit before she threw her hands up and admitted, “Fine. I thought I’d seen you before and I was wondering how you’d measure up if I had to take you in a fight.” She winced as she wiggled the fingers of that hand. “The answer is: I would not be able to handle you.”

The blue haired woman gave her a cocky smirk, leaning forward a bit to rest an elbow on the counter and her chin in her hand as she studied Grace. She was around her age, maybe a year or so younger. Short blonde hair that was getting sun streaks in it from her prolonged stay in Sandrock. A nice light tan and a little smattering of freckles coming in from all the sun exposure. She had a nice body and decent musculature for an archeologist-to-be… there was something familiar now that Wilhelmina was studying her. She’d seen those sharp eyes before… She had a unique round spot on her left iris, a deeper blue than the rest of that layer. Hmm, not at Atara, not in Highwind… hmmmmm the only other places she’d gone that she met a ton of folks and maybe not fully remember their faces would be when she’d compete in- ah.

“The Gauntlet about…. Four years ago? Yeah, I remember your eyes. Nice color to them, sharp. You have a hunting dog too. You took… uh… twenty-fifth place? I remember  that because I thought that it was a little low. You had performed more competently than a few of the people who had placed higher than you, so I figured you were playing a number game or something.”

Grace’s eyes grew round, surprised and a little frightened. Ah. Didn’t want that getting around.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, as long as you don’t tell anyone I was there either.” Willa took another sip of her mimosa. Fuck, Grace had mixed this ratio nicely.

“You remembered me by my eyes alone?”

In the Gauntlet, nobody’s identities were disclosed. The participants would basically wear a full ninja regalia recreated from Old World references, including cartoons, movies, and historical references. The Gauntlet was an intense survival competition where the goal wasn’t to take out other participants, but to see if one could get from point A to point B where the distance between was littered with traps, dangers, an underground labyrinth of tunnels, and monsters.

The hosts of this wild event would hire experts of all sorts, like monster hunters, professional explorers from the peripheries, and anyone qualified that were not interested in participating, to monitor the event. While dangerous and one had to sign a waiver to partake, the hosts did their best to mitigate deaths in their game and the payout for the top 20 contenders was handsome. Top 10 being even more outrageous of a winning. Even The Free Cities military liked to send some of their people in as survival training, from what she heard. Willa had entered for a few reasons, including the prize money. It was an every other year affair, though she had already decided the year prior was her last season.

Wilhelmina shrugged. “You were letting folks pet your dog two hours beforehand. I was with my little sister and you let us approach and give him some pets. You were already all dressed up in your Gauntlet attire, but you have a dark spot in your left iris. Makes your eyes unique. I liked it.”

Grace was still trying to place Willa, her eyes narrowed and her hands clenched tightly to her cutlery, so, since she seemed to have overstepped, she decided to throw the other woman a bone. She reached up a hand and pushed her shades up higher onto her forehead, allowing Grace a chance to see her violet colored irises and how, in this light, her pupils were cat like slits.

Recognition hit Grace hard and while her eyes got even wider, her grip on her fork relaxed. “Oh shit. You! Peach! I can’t believe you…” Her sentence died in her throat and she opened and closed her mouth a few times before whispering harshly, “why are you here in a backwater place like this?”

“Because I studied to be a builder and this place needed a builder like me?”

“You were one of the participants though, right? I remember you telling your sister you had to go get ready after. Why would a builder compete in the Gauntlet?”

“To prove I can do Hazardous Ruin Dives alone.” Willa decided to tell her, a frown on her face. “I figured if I could run the Gauntlet, nobody could tell me I was under qualified to go into dangerous places to collect my own materials. In case you didn’t pick it up, I am accustomed to people not liking me because of my-” She gestured at her eyes and hair color, “unique genetics.”

She plopped her shades back down and sipped bitterly at her drink. “Until recently, I’ve never even met another builder I could collaborate with. I studied to be a large assemblies builder by my lonesome because I knew I had the strength to do it and was pretty damn certain nobody would even work with me anyways.”

“So you came to Sandrock, to what, make a difference?”

“Is that so bad?” She defended the stance with a deep frown, making Grace realize, yes, that very much had been a part of her reasoning. “This place needs someone like me and I need a place that has folks with thicker skin, strong backbone, and hardy nature. This last week might have been crazy and bumpy and frustrating at times, but, let me tell you, not once has anyone who has lived here all their lives balked at being near me. Even the immigrants that I’ve met have been rather nonplussed with me. I’ve been asked more times than I expected if I was in mourning and if there was anything I needed help with than when I lived in Highwind and was actually struggling with something…” 

She bit her lip as it hit her. Despite how her family and Nia had always been there, she had been lonely. She had always craved a community who didn’t tremble or shift nervously because she had an intense, bitchy face, looked like some kind of villainous creature, cackled like a storybook witch, and had exotic modified genetics, like her eyes. She blinked back the tears that welled up at the epiphany. She didn’t know for certain if Sandrock would end up being that community for her, but, so far, the people she had met hadn’t rejected her or run off scared.

“I want a place to belong.” She finally finished, peering at Grace, daring her to scoff or mock her reasoning.

Instead of those things, she saw a brief flash of understanding in the blonde’s eyes. It was not there long and instead of trying to empathize, the younger woman nodded. “If you’d, uh, not ever mention that little tidbit, I’d happily do the same. And, uh, Max… my… my dog… he’s gone, so… don’t bring him up around others either, if you would.”

“My condolences. Must have been a damn great dog, if you brought him there as your backup.”

“Thanks… He… he was.”

The two sat there in silence for a while. Not quite sure where to go from there, but the mood was not so awkward that they wanted to flee from it exactly. The weather outside was still so violent and the clock barely read 6:45. The pleasant mood was broken when the last occupant, his presence almost forgotten with how he preferred the company of no one, of the inn started stomping around in his room and by 7:00 was out of his room and stomping down the stairs, grunting at Grace for some of that Yakmel milk he seemed keen to drown in until the day he left.

Grace discreetly rolled her eyes so only Willa had seen it and the other woman got up and cleared the table while she went to ‘fetch’ his order. He sat as far as he could away from Willa. Not because he was intimidated by her, but because he had no intention to be sociable to anyone here in Sandrock more than he was forced to be. 

It allowed her the excuse to leave the counter and, rather than hole herself up into her room, Willa spent the rest of the morning playing with her lathe and hammering out some designs for her second floor banisters. Heidi had suggested at least one balcony looking down into the courtyard to take siestas in or even entertain guests at. The architect didn’t even hide the insinuation that she would very much enjoy being invited to share an evening or more like that getting to know her new friend more. The builder very much liked the idea herself. Having more friends other than Nia and her brother was… exciting and put her in a good mood.

When Grace later showed interest in her lathe and what she was doing, well, she decided it’d be fun to teach her that too. Needless to say, Willa found out fast that the part-time fry cook was a natural with her chisels and knives. She made a rather lovely looking candle holder from the wood scrap that she had been given and spent the rest of the day learning how to sand it down, oil it up nice, and add small finishing touches.

The winds died down sometime around ten that night, Owen slipping over from his home next door to see how his guests were holding up (perhaps a tad too relieved that his place of business hadn’t gone up in flame while his not-so-great-at-cooking part-time fry cook had been there unsupervised in his kitchen) and Grace gave her day’s project to him as thanks for being a great boss. He happily accepted it and put it on display, where his incoming guests could see, putting a decorative candle on it and everything, making Grace blush a little at all his fussing.

Despite how unexpected her Saturday had been, Willa saw it as a good day. She went to bed that night a little more sure of her choice coming here.

When she jolted away later that night from the loud bang at her door, it took her a hot minute to realize what had happened and did her best not to bust out laughing. It seemed that Grace would be fun to play with, if that was her idea of petty revenge for the handshake. Yeah. They’d get along great.

---

Notes:

Happy Juneteenth, ya’ll! Thought I’d give you a surprise chapter today!

No seriously, thank you all that have been leaving me comments, the uplifting feeling I get knowing people read my work has helped me a lot! Especially knowing you all took my questions to heart in the comments and told me what you enjoyed! It always helps me knowing what is working in my story and I’ve never felt so supported in a long while.

I have also added a profile picture of Willa. I’ll try to sketch out more pictures as time goes on, but I quite enjoyed how it turned out. Again, she’s more of the golden skin tone like Amirah and I tried to match that color, but I am never sure I convey that right.

Again, feedback is loved and welcomed! Even constructive thoughts. I have some of the chapter I am about to write all plotted out (Chapter 12), but I’d love to hear if you have any suggestions or, heck, keep telling me what you enjoyed about this chapter so I know to keep going that direction!

Have a wonderful day!!

Chapter 5

Sandstorms had been a part of Sandrock’s history for over sixty years, she had learned prior to coming here. Their severity ranged from mild inconvenience to huge destructive disasters. Though not completely familiar with each previous case of when the sandstorms did hit this category, Willa was soon to discover that property damage was definitely something to expect from the harsher categorical sandstorms.

Sandblasting was a technique that she had been researching, an Old World technique that used high pressurized air and granulated sand to strip paint off of metal. It made her a little more than morbidly curious about how quickly a sandstorm, with its high wind speeds and endless amount of sand, could potentially tear through bare skin and leave the site raw and bleeding. She thought better than to find out and mentally decided to make sure she had the right materials to make an impromptu shelter if she ever got caught out in a sandstorm with Midnight. She’d go to City Hall and research the subject as well.

Luckily nobody in Sandrock had been foolish enough to attempt to venture out in a sandstorm. New residents and any tourists that checked into Blue Moon Saloon, were all quickly informed and drilled in what to do and not do if it occurred during their stay. There had been no tourists yesterday. They apparently were rarer and rarer as the days went on, but that didn’t mean Sandrock didn’t have contingencies for if they did have tourists.

Willa had gotten up earlier than usual on Sunday. While she typically didn’t work on that day, rather using it for chores and home time, she needed to check on a few things due to the storm. First was Mi-an. She knew the woman got up typically at the unholy hour of five in the morning, so around six, Wilhelmina was at her door knocking. Mi-an looked so happy to see her, this having been her first sandstorm as well.

“I wanted to check on you, seeing that you were by your lonesome, but I also figured you and I needed to check on the condition of our commission. I need to check in with Mabel about Cleo, Ty, and Midnight too. It’s new to them too and Ty’s a nervous one.” Willa explained.

Mi-an was already dressed for the day and quickly agreed. They left through the tunnel and Willa winced a bit as she caught sight of Owen looking on rather distressed over the state of his old wooden stage. What’s more, his large neon sign with the glowing blue moon was also missing from the side of the building. It seemed it had crashed into the stage, breaking it, and then blown off eastward since it was missing.

The two builders shared a look before changing their direction from heading to the Wandering Y over to Owen.

“My stage…” They heard him mutter miserably.

“Well, as far as damages go, I’d have to say, it wasn’t the worst thing that could have been destroyed in that sandstorm.” Willa tried to console him.

“Yeah…” He heaved out a sigh. “I could have lost my kitchen to a fire too.”

Mi-an looked at her in confusion when she cackled at his little joke, very aware he almost had. “So, I don’t know what you're going to do yet, with the stage and all, but if I get Ty and his carriage out, would you like Mi-an and me to hunt down your missing moon?”

“That would be great. Maybe by then I’ll have figured out what to do.” He winced again. “Mason’s going away party was going to be outdoors.”

“And it was going to be yesterday. Throw it inside and make it drinks and live music. The lathe and spinner can be moved to the side for that. He’s going to hate it either way.” Because as little as she had gotten to know Mason- he was not looking forward to his own party. He was on the train out tonight and she was certain he was counting the minutes at this point.

Owen sighed again. “He’s been a part of this community for decades. It feels like a real shame if we don’t at least honor that, but I see your point. He’s not going to delay and if I want him to know we are grateful for his… earlier service to Sandrock, then I best spread the word that it's been moved inside and I’ll figure out what to do with this tomorrow. Thanks Willa.”

She gave him a nod and a thumbs up. “We’ll try to get back in time, but I’m not so sure he’d be keen on seeing his replacements there. Come on Mi-an.”

“Let us know how we can help!” Mi-an threw out there as she waved her goodbye and both builders returned to their trek over to the Wandering Y.

Elsie was in the stables, brushing down Ty when they got there, cooing gentle encouragement to the big horse, trying to soothe his nerves.

“How’s my Tyrant?” Wilhelmina called out to her horse, her voice, while loud enough to carry, held a gentle tone reserved for her big horse. His ears swiveled around and she knew he was looking at her. He pulled away from Elsie and quickly ambled over to her, pressing his muzzle into her hands, his lips fluttering as if looking for something. She rolled her eyes and pulled out a few cubes of sugar. “There’s my big baby. Did the wind scare you, Ty?”

He let out a nickering noise and she rolled her tongue over her breath to make a chuffing sound in return. His ears pointed at her and he soaked up her attention.

“Tyrant? Izzat Ty’s full name?” Elsie asked, laying a hand on his side so he was aware of her presence there.

“He came with the name and knows his name. I shortened it to Ty for daily use because I’d get looks calling him Tyrant in public. I only call him that when he needs a little extra comfort.”

“Well that explains why he wasn’t respondin’ to my callin’ him earlier. Was too distressed to settle for jest a nickname. Wanted ta hear his right full name.”

“Big baby.” Wilhelmina cooed at him, watching him settle more and more as she spoiled him. She kept her tone gentle and playful, but changed the subject from him. “How’s Midnight and Cleo?”

“Aw, gee, Cleo was with us back at the house. I fed her and she was fine flittin’ ‘round my room and her little home. I brushed Midnight ‘fore gettin’ ta Ty, coz he was too wound up. Calmed seein’ me dote on her and she took the whole thing like it bugged her none.”

Midnight tended to be rather unflappable. It was why Willa could bring her to Sandrock without worrying too much about how she’d acclimate. Because she was the kind of horse who acclimated well to any circumstance. It helped Ty a lot too, having such a fearless horse as his companion.

“Mi-an and I need to go check on a few things, but I figured we’d need ol’ Ty here and his might to help us. Is my carriage still around or did that blow away like Owen’s sign?”

“Shoot, Owen’s moon blew away?” Elsie’s eyes got wide.

“Smashed his stage too, from what it looks like.” Mi-an added with a nod.

“Shoot dang. Well, Pa felt sumtin’ in his bones night ‘fore and had me help him put yer carriage in the barn. Didn’t shut up about it none either yesterday when it proved ta be the right move.” Elsie told her. “I’ll help ya get it out. Want any help searchin’ for Owen’s moon?”

“Nah.” Wilhelmina declined. “Should probably tell your dad to talk to Owen though. He and Hugo were going to play for the party right? I think Owen’s just going to host it indoors.”

“Good thinkin’.” Elsie nodded, though she made a face. “Not sure why we are givin’ Ol’ Mason a party though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him even build sumtin’. I swear I never saw him even ruin dive. He always got Logan ta do…” She stopped, not finishing her sentence. A look of loss on her face as she tried to figure a way around that particular subject. It was like watching the stages of grief on Heidi’s face all over again.

Logan. Howlett and Logan. She wasn’t entirely sure what had happened to these two fellows, but by the looks that passed on the faces of the folks that slipped up and spoke their names, it was ill fated and their loss had left a scar on the good folks of Sandrock.

“I think he used to build a lot more in his youth.” Willa helped her out and brought the subject back to the old retired builder. “He looks burned out and hopeless. Like he tried his best and his best didn’t do anything but delay things.”

“Tch. I’m aware that Sandrock is dyin’. I’m not too thrilled I was even born here in the middle of nowhere where people try ta avoid goin’. I get we’re better off than other villages and folks who caravan out in the Eufaula desert, but don’t mean I wanna be here neither.” She gestured at the two builders she was speaking to. “You two’s the most excitin’ thing that’s happened in ferever. Two builders! That’s been the talk since Willa’s got here. B’fore it was all about us even gettin’ Mi-an! Gah.”

She took a deep breath and let it out, “come on, let’s get Ty all hooked up ta yer cart so ya two can go out and work.”

“Trust me, not thrilled to be working on my Sunday. I don’t do weekends typically, but I figured I’d lend a hand to Owen since I’ve been staying there while my house is being built.”

Elsie perked at that. “Really? So, like, yer free on weekends?”

“Sunday mornings are for chores, but you might be able to convince me to go do something on Saturdays or Sunday evenings.”

Mi-an blinked. “Wait, what about church? I mean, I figured we would probably swing by after we checked the damage and maybe found Owen’s sign?”

Wilhelmina did her best not to look so utterly disgusted. “I don’t get along typically with the folks who run the Church of the Light. I am very well versed in their dogma and scriptures, though, don’t worry. However, I don’t feel the need to sit there and waste my time being told to ‘be a nice person’ and how ‘being proactive and helpful in my community is important’. I’d rather take the time wasted on sermons and do the damn charity than be told that charity is important fifty-two different ways in the span of a year.”

Elsie, rather unhelpful, though there was a mad glee in her eyes, threw out, “Don’t forget the part about where ‘technology is bad and evil and should be avoided,’ blah, blah, blah.”

“I’m a builder. I am more than aware of how the Church of the Light views my job as a necessary evil.”

Mi-an winced. “Yeah… I guess my family kinda… always went as a way to placate the ministers. Guess I don’t really have to do that here, but I’m kinda interested in how Minister Matilda preaches, seeing as Sandrock doesn’t prohibit guns and all.”

“I won’t stop you, but don’t expect to ever see me in or near that building if I can help it.” Wilhelmina firmly but not unkindly told Mi-an. “Should I make sure I get you back in town for the church sermon though?”

“I think they’ll understand if I miss this one.” Mi-an shook her head. “I think it’s more important to, as you say, ‘do the charity’ rather than be told that it's important to make time to be charitable.”

Wilhelmina gave her a curt nod and the three dropped the subject and focused on getting the cart out of the barn and Ty hooked up to it. Elsie did get one small jab in there about how, of course, the big fancy carriage that Wilhelmina owned was black. 

“I don’t understand why no one understands the supremacy of black.” Willa grumped, though there was no real heat to her words. It was a fact that she had become accustomed to. The world as a whole didn’t necessarily share her views on the color.

“Willa, ya’re a weirdo sometimes.” Elsie told her, rolling her eyes, but there was a gentle smile on her face as she added, “But I don’t think that’s necessarily bad neither. You could be borin’.”

“Me? Boring? Perish the thought.” She scoffed. “As soon as you think you have me figured out, I’ll find something new to throw your way.”

“Good. Folks ‘round here need someone like that. Been too quiet and dull since…” There was that pause and look of grief, but this time Elsie managed herself better. “A-anyways. I’ve been bored. Heidi’s too goodie goodie n’ busy, Arvio’s boring with how much he works at his shop, Jas is too little, Pablo’s borin’ even when he is here, ain’t sure ‘bout Unsuur, and Amirah’s don’t like things I like. You two’s all I got in hopes of havin’ friends.”

“I thought the Director of the science lab and the doctor were around our age too?” Mi-an asked, confused about Elsie skipping over the two men. Oddly enough, all the acolytes of the church were already discarded as potential friends for these three.

“Qi don leave his lab and he talks funnier than Willa and the doc don talk at all! His bird talks more than him!!” Elsie threw up her hands in exasperation.

“Thanks for reminding me about needing to meet the Director.” She had forgotten in all the chaos to find a chance to travel down that direction and see what that part of town was all about.

“Look, I ain’t askin’ fer much, jest… I’d like to spend some time with ya’ll when ya ain’t workin’, so invite me to do stuff when ya got the time.” Was the last the young yakgirl said about the matter before they got to the barn.

They made quick work of getting it out and Ty all harnessed up after that. Mi-an and Willa waved their goodbyes to Elsie and set off to check on their current project and see about spotting Owen’s Blue Moon. They waved hello to Hugo, who was working hard to fix up a piece of his workshop’s roofing that had come loose with the hard winds from yesterday.

“Folks sure are nice around here.” Mi-an noted. “I don’t think Tallsky citizens are this friendly or hardy. What about Highwind or Ataran residents?”

“Ha!” Wilhelmina scoffed, “Timid bunch that fancy themselves tough and hotshit.”

Mi-an looked at her with a little uncertainty. “Atarans or Highwinders?”

“Yes.” She would admit some had spines, but it was a limited amount and her parents typically brought those folks into their circle. But typically, there weren’t a lot of people her age with enough spine to be her friend. Nia had been a rare find and she had been forced to share her with Walt, seeing as he too struggled with making friends since he was so protective of his unique looking siblings.

When they got to Wilhelmina’s property, she was pleased to find that their extra steps to secure their project each night had bore fruit. Nothing was missing and even Heidi’s work in hardening and leveling the area would only take a few minutes of sweeping to remove the fine layer of sand that had accumulated where she was establishing the foundation. They headed up to Rocky’s salvage and were pretty pleased that, other than having to dust off and grease a few bearings, their work had remained strong.

“Once we finish the cords, I think this first lift will be ready for initial testing and calibration.” Wilhelmina was still rather proud of how quickly they had knocked out the machine without sacrificing quality to get it made.

They spoke to Rocky, letting him know that by Tuesday, he’d have the first of his two lifts ready and operational. He looked so happy at the update and told them that he’d happily give them a week’s access to the ruins below at no cost.

“And you’d be welcome ta as much scrap as you can take from the scrapyard too!” He told them enthusiastically. “You two have really saved my business doing this, ya know.”

After he thanked them again, he mentioned Mason, which led to Willa mentioning Owen’s going away party that would be around noon possibly, and that turned into mentioning how Owen’s sign had flown off in the storm, which led to Rocky saying how he had seen it a little past his scrapyard, past Paradise Lost, and on the cliffs where the Cock-a-doodle-booms roosted.

Wilhelmina made quick work of the pyrokinetic obsessed little fowl monsters that were loitering on top of the sign and, after managing to get the sign in the flatbed and secured the best it could be, threw their carcasses onto the back of the carriage to take over to Owen so he could pluck, gut, and cook the fowls.

By the time noon rolled around, Owen’s sign was back in its place, better secured than before, with Mi-an and Wilhelmina still raring to go. Neither really wanted to join in on the go away party. The small amount that they had heard back at the Fireside meeting Friday night had been too awkward to want to risk a round two, so, instead, Mi-an suggested taking some of the scrap wood from Owen’s ruined stage and turning it into something else- something nice for Sandrock.

When Willa ducked in to give Owen the roosters, she quickly asked about the wood and if they could reuse it elsewhere, seeing as wood was a pricy commodity and he kindly agreed.

“Probably can’t reuse it to fix my stage, but if you’ll consider giving me a discount for the material, I’d appreciate it. Go ahead though and reclaim as much of it as you can and put it to good use in town elsewhere, you hear me?” He told her before scurrying off to keep the drinks rolling while Minister Matilda started trying to draw all present citizens’ attention to ‘give a little speech about their dear Mason’.

She got out fast before that happened.

The rest of her Sunday ended up being her doing a few fun projects with Mi-an. They made a few wooden benches for further down Main Street, near By the Stairs, repaired the fence near the oasis, and finished up their little charity tour by replacing the worst of the train station’s floorboards with the planks they had rescued from Owen’s destroyed stage. The aged and worn wood fitting in well with the other planks.

Mi-an was hammering in the last nail when, to their surprise, in walked Mason. It appeared that he had escaped his own party sooner than needed to hide in the waiting area of the train station. He saw what they were doing and shook his head with a sigh.

“It won’t amount to much, in the end.” He told them. “You are just delaying the inevitable.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Willa shrugged, not caring for his words. “You’ve been at it a long time, old man, and I can appreciate that, but maybe it's time for some new blood to try their hands at this. You’ve become too tired, too apathetic to care anymore. We’re not. Not yet. At least, let us see how far our hard work can take us before we decide if you are right or wrong.”

He didn’t argue with her, instead heaving a sigh and sitting down in one of the chairs in the little space. “Maybe you’re right. Guess I’ll jest hafta keep an eye in the papers to see how far a younger generation can go. But if it don’t work out, don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

“Duly noted.” Willa snapped, before turning to look at the other young builder, “Come on Mi-an, looks like we’re done here. Wanna go rescue Elsie and see what that game place is like?”

“Oh! I saw it has a whack-a-mole game! I wanted to try it out, but it’s not as fun alone.” She eagerly took the out Willa presented to her. 

She scurried out first as Willa followed her. The blue haired woman paused, looking over her shoulder and slowly pulling off her shades to give Mason one final look, their eyes meeting at last. “For what it’s worth, I hope retirement restores to you some of your vigor for life. I appreciate you selling your land to me, even though you thought it was nonsense. Take care, Mr. Mason. Find a place where you can be happy.”

She returned her shades onto her face and walked back to her carriage where Mi-an sat patiently for her to join her. “So, we taking Ty back to the Wandering Y and dumping off the carriage now that we’re done or we throwing Elsie in the back of the cart ‘cause she’s too rowdy to walk with.”

“Oh I’m definitely alright with not walking, as long as Ty’s fine to keep going.”

“Pretty sure the big guy hasn’t even noticed pulling us since we used him to pulley the sign back in place. We could always just ditch the cart and take him. Don’t even need a saddle if we don’t want to, since we won’t be riding him too hard or long.”

“You can ride bareback?”

“Yeah, I’ll teach you. Tyrant’s a sweetheart with new riders, aren’t you boy?”

The rest of their evening was spent pretending that they didn’t remember there was a party taking place over at the Blue Moon, where the guest of honor was completely missing, and that Elsie hadn’t booed their idea originally then completely got obsessed with trying to win against Willa- who stood as queen of whack-a-mole. Then, suddenly Heidi was wandering up to them, having heard the echoes from their merrymaking when she had gone out to grab some fresh air back at the Saloon (her pa and Elsie’s pa had started an argument again over music midsong and Heidi had needed a break) and challenged Willa for her title. Things got even rowdier when Grace showed up with two growlers of Owen’s own stash of draft beer, courtesy of the Saloon owner, then proceeded to accept a issued challenge from Heidi.

All in all, a pretty fun night. And a good first week in Sandrock.

Yeah, Willa was sure that she’d picked well coming here.

Notes:

Alright! We are now getting to the point where I am slowly going to slowly get further into the time. Not fast, because I feel like everything felt like a whirlwind due to the fact that the game only has, uh, 4 seasons and 30 days in each, about. So putting this into 12 months it will stretch out the events more, allowing me more time to play with the characters and Willa’s connection to them all.

Hope you all have a good weekend! Next chapter will be introducing Fang~ I hope I will be able to do him justice, he is one of my favorites.

Again, always happy to hear what people think! It really give me inspiration and ideas of what to focus on in later chapters! I will be trying to keep to posting only on special holidays and Saturdays from now on. But I really appreciate all the support you’ve all given me! If you want more pictures of Willa, let me know, I’ll work on it. I’m not the greatest at drawing scenes or couples, but I can always make an attempt.

Chapter 6

Mi-an let out a sharp, startled cry before a hiss of pain escaped her throat, distancing herself away from where she had been collecting scrap and landing hard on her rump, alerting Willa to the situation. The other builder approached her, surveying the area around them to see what had happened. She was clutching her wrist.

“Sc-scorpion. Sm-all.” Mi-an gritted out, pointing to the little insect that had surprised her and stung her.

While Mi-an wore the proper safety gloves and wore her thick long sleeve jacket while scraping, the little critter had managed to land its stinger when her sleeve had slightly ridden up her arm.

“Keep an eye on it.” Willa quickly darted off to her carriage to snag up an insect cage she had for such situations and made sure her own sleeves were tucked safely into her leather gloves and she quickly made her way back to her friend.

Mi-an was in pain, a little paler than normal, sweating a bit, but managed to point at where the scorpion had tried to scurry off to, giving Willa the opportunity to snatch it up and throw its little form into the cage and secure it. Bigger scorpions, as the two had been warned by Owen, would hurt if they stung, but nobody would be in danger of dying. However, he had stressed, the smaller ones were more potent and would probably need a trip to the clinic. He had told them it would be wise if they could snatch up the one that did the stinging for a stronger anti-venom, if such a thing were to happen. She made her way over to the younger builder, taking a look at the injury site and pulling out a basic first aid kit from her pack.

“Here.” She popped open a medicine container and Mi-an held out a hand. A basic anti-venom Owen had kindly supplied them with, as a part of a little ‘welcome to Sandrock’ care package he put together for all new residents, to slow it down enough to get proper help. “Do you need me to help you drink?”

“Y-yes.” She acknowledged, her eyes tight as she tried to manage her pain. Willa leaned over her, grabbed her canteen, popped the lid open, and, after Mi-an popped the tablet in her mouth, helped her drink.

“I’m going to pick you up and get you in the cart, okay?”

“O…okay.” Mi-an nodded, not bothering to try to argue about Willa allowing her to walk. The less she moved with poison, the better, they both knew.

With Willa’s strength, there wasn’t even a question of if she could, anyways. Mi-an was up in the woman’s arms and they were quickly moving to the carriage’s flatbed before she could even process the sensation of being so effortlessly carried. Willa had her secured in the back, her little assailant in his little jail cell next to her, and was egging Ty into a quick pace in a span of a minute.

“S…sorry…” Mi-an muttered miserably as she sat there in the back, still clutching her arm. The pain really was intense. “It’s probably… not too bad.”

“You and I are new to this area, I’m not going to risk tempting fate on whether this is a little guy or a big guy. We’re heading to the doctor and he can tell us if it’s not too bad or not.” There was no room to argue with the tone Willa was taking. She looked back at Mi-an though, who met her shaded gaze miserably. “You also have no reason to apologize. It surprised you. You had your safety gear on, were wearing the proper length of sleeve for this situation made of the right material.”

“But it still got me.”

“These things happen. We can be vigilant, but we can’t control every little detail every second of the day. That’s unrealistic. We controlled the elements we could and it simply slipped through a small weak spot. It happens. That’s why we also go over what to do when it does happen.” Willa reminded her.

“But I shoulda-”

“Your sleeve rolled up at the wrong time.” The older of the two of them firmly reminded her, shaking her head and returning to drive her cart hurriedly over the tracks and towards the tunnel near the Wandering Y. “So, you should have what? Been able to see the future? You have to accept that there are things we can’t control, this was one of them.”

Mi-an deflated a bit, but she didn’t look mollified. She still looked so guilty and upset. “I’m now slowing us down…”

“Don’t think like it. Production time isn’t worth your health or life. I’d rather have Mi-an than finish a commission sooner. Rocky’s happy with our progress. We got one of his lifts up and running before two weeks’ time, like our original quote. We are doing great at getting the second one built in a timely manner too. This is a small hitch, but I planned for possible problems slowing us down when I give time frames to customers.”

They were getting closer to the tunnel and Willa glanced back to see her coworker and friend hunched over with tears starting to bead up in her eyes. “Are you upset or are in you pain?”

“Both.” Mi-an answered with a warble and sniffle. “It’s really starting to hurt.”

“We’re almost there, you’re doing great Mi-an.” Though that didn’t mean Willa didn’t try to get Ty to move a mite faster. He was already going a pretty fast speed for having a carriage attached and she didn’t want to jar Mi-an too much or make too much of a scene.

By the time they had gotten to the Golden Goose Game Center, Willa was able to spot the clinic, which sorta reminded her of a medicinal gourd sitting neatly on top of an old repurposed building. She hissed when she noticed the stone stairs and pulled Ty to a stop. “Shit.” She had forgotten about the few steps and while she probably could just have Ty go down them, she rather not rattle Mi-an that much.

She abandoned her spot in the front to hop into the back of her carriage to get to Mi-an. She, as gentle as she could, handed her coworker the insect cage to hold before scooping her up once more. “Looks like we’ll be hoofing it the rest of the way, Mimi.”

She didn’t get a reaction to the sudden nickname, just a tight nod as Mi-an could only focus on the throbbing in her arm now. She hopped out the flatbed and, despite being rather short, took quick, long strides towards the clinic building.

Upon getting closer, Willa noticed a table to the side of the building with a display that read ‘clinical trials’. There, standing behind the makeshift stand, was a tall, willowy man with long, dark hair pulled over his shoulder in a teal hooded jacket. He was now watching them with caution as she carried her friend and coworker closer to the proximity of his building. He caught on quickly enough that something was wrong and abandoned his spot behind the table to approach.

“Hey, you’re the city’s doc, right?” Willa called out to him as she kept her quick pace towards his approaching form.

“…Yes…” She had barely heard his reply. His voice was weak and timid, but his eyes, such sad blue eyes, held concern.

“Good.” Willa said, not stopping to hand off her friend to the man and instead gestured for him to follow. “I’m Willa, this is Mi-an. We haven’t gotten to meet you yet, but we’re the new builders here in town. Mi-an got stung by a scorpion and, since we are new, we weren’t sure if the thing was one of your big ones or little ones. Figured I’d just bring her to you and you could decide. Were over by the scrapyard when it happened. Got her a dose of anti-venom Owen supplied for us for our first aid kits. Got her in my carriage and went as fast as I could in it over here without causing a ruckus. She’s been pale, sweating, and the pain’s getting to her.”

The man seemed to have switched over from being timid to professional, though his voice was still weak. He marched a little faster, easily outpacing Willa’s shorter legs as he reached for the door of his clinic. “Bring her… in. Bed.”

“Figured.” Willa nodded, gesturing at the insect container still in Mi-an’s lap. “Also got the little shit that stung her, if that helps. You can grab it and I’ll get her in.”

“Good.” He affirmed, relieving Mi-an of having to hold the little plastic cage, and held the door open for Willa to go through.

Willa turned her attention to Mi-an for the brief time it took her to enter and walk her to the bed across the room. “Still doing okay?”

“Hurts…” Mi-an sniffled, “S…sorry.”

“We’re here, you’re going to be fine, and you’ll just have to deal with it a liiiiiittle longer.” She tried soothing her. She had dealt plenty of times with her siblings tumbling, getting hurt, and then there was the time with Cozy and the beehive. She had always been the one they clung to oddly when they were upset, like her calm yet scary countenance could chase away their trauma.

“Put on… bed.” The doctor ordered as he out paced her to reach his work table, placing the contained scorpion there for the time. “Little.” He then took a shaky breath and called out. “X.”

Willa heard the rustle of feathers and the flapping of wings from a corner of the room and a black raven swooped down and landed on the doctor’s shoulder.

“Fang, Fang, who’s that?” The raven chanted, tilting his head to look over both Willa and Mi-an from his perch on the doctor.

“New builders… patient.” He replied, his voice a little calmer when speaking to the bird. He was already pulling things out of different spots on his table, grabbing a pair of white medical gloves to snap onto his hands.

Willa tried her best not to raise an eyebrow at him. She did a quick cursory glance at the clinic, noting the Infographic posters on acupuncture, the eclectic apocrathy tools on his work table, the Seesai medicine cabinet, and the oh so large banners with the rules of the clinic. 

There were two. The red one covered the easier questions typically asked at the beginning of an exam while the blue one seemed to read the rules of the clinic.

It read like:

 

Clinic Rules:

No nonsense

No small talk

No back talk

No refunds

Don’t make me tap the sign.

 

“Elsie was not joking about you not talking much.” Willa noted with a hum, hands on her hips as she glanced about the room a little more. There was a wooden tub just behind a humble curtain. For patients or himself, she wondered. 

“Not… good… with talking.” He was fussing with a few more things at his table, but his bird was watching her intently.

“Is it a language barrier thing or more of a distaste for verbal communication in general?” She ventured to ask.

As he moved away from his table to make his way to Mi-an’s side, he quickly took the effort to tap the very blue banner she had read moments ago.

“Uh-oh Mimi, I’m getting myself into trouble with my mouth.” Willa couldn’t resist saying, a teasing lit in her tone as she turned her attention to her friend sitting hunched in the bed, still clutching her wrist.

“Don’t get kicked out.” Mi-an nearly sobbed and laughed at the same time. “I want you here.”

“Okay, okay.” She relented. She removed her leather gloves and moved to sit in the available chair by the bed. “Here, bet some violence might help. Squeeze my hand with the best you got while the doc here starts doing his job.”

She had barely held out her hand when Mi-an snatched it up, releasing her own wrist, which the doctor took advantage of to examine, and squeezed as hard as she could.

“Not a bad grip.” Willa hummed playfully, “Could maybe make a grown man cry. Gonna have to try harder if you want me to think you’re being serious though. I used to play ‘Mercy’ as a kid and even Walt was better than this.”

“Shut up.” Mi-an’s words had no heat to them. While her voice was tight and her eyes shined with unshed tears due to her pain, she looked amused. She seemed to latch onto any details to distract her from her own pain. “Of course your nails are black too.”

“I like black.” Willa tossed back, gesturing at her various shades of black that made up her work clothes. Her jeans a more faded black than her long sleeve shirt and very rich black leather jacket. “When are people going to stop being surprised at my color choices?”

“At least… everyone’s stopped asking you if you’re… in mourning? OW!”

“Need to… disinfect.” The young doctor was in the middle of using antiseptics on the wound sight. Once done, he applied something else on the sight and began to tape some gauze over the sight. “You will feel… bad… but should… not be in danger. Put… numbing agent… to help pain… for now.”

“So the antivenom I gave her will take care of it?”

“Best to… make more…” He seemed to be struggling to explain, so Willa took the prerogative to switch languages. His eyes got wide when she spoke to him in Seesainese, but, after a shaky breath, he spoke back. His voice was weak and his ability to articulate his thoughts into words was still dismal, but in his mother tongue, he was able to explain a little faster.

When they finished their quick words with each other, he turned to go over to his work table once more to start preparing something. Willa returned her full attention to her friend, now starting to help Mi-an remove her gloves, undo her shoes, and even help remove her cap and goggles from her head. She eased her down too, so she could be more comfortable.

“He’s going to make up one more antivenom for you- from the little shit that got you. It’ll be more effective than a standard antivenom dose.” She explained to her friend as she did so. “However, you're not in life-threatening danger, though you aren’t going to feel great for the rest of the day. You’ll need to be monitored, kept from doing anything strenuous, and drink plenty of fluids. Doc wants you to stay here.”

“You… you speak Seesainese?” Mi-an gaped at her.

“I was born in Seesai. Lived in Seesai till I was eight.” Willa rolled her eyes, though her shades did make it harder for the other woman to see the action. “It would be weirder if I didn’t speak it.”

“People forget languages if they don’t practice.” Mi-an sulked at her, but the conversation seemed to be distracting her from her own discomfort. Willa decided to take advantage of that.

“Well, I may have also had a mentor of sorts who was a grumpy old Seesai man that refused to speak in any of the Free Cities’ languages to me. He’d talk to my father  and mother in perfect common and speak only the most formal of Seesainese to me and Walt and whack us with his cane if we didn’t, which was a lot for me because, even though I spoke Seesainese as my first language, I didn’t speak formal Seesainese.” A small laugh escaped her throat as she recalled, “It was never enough to hurt me, just irritate the shit out of me. Ha. I remember being nine and losing my temper with him and his cane. I don’t know if he just wasn’t expecting it or if he had given me the chance to see what I’d do with it, but I snatched that cane one day and snapped it in half. It was mahogany.”

“You broke his cane?” Mi-an’s eyes got wide in horror. “What did he do?”

“Him? Walked, perfectly fine, over to where he kept his spare to taunt me with it.” She remembered standing there completely shocked at the audacity of the old man, the pieces of his broken cane still in both of her hands. “He went inside after that and the next morning, my father was informing me I had kendo and martial art lessons with the old coot from that morning on. After that, I got whacked with a wooden shinai nearly everyday, on top of a good ass kicking, but I was given equal opportunity to try to whack him back. Took five years to even land one hit on him.”

Mi-an gave her a watery smile. “So you still talk to him?”

Willa raised an eyebrow, a smirk on her face at the question. “My grandfather? Yeah, it’d be kinda weird not to at least speak to him when we’re sitting at the breakfast table.”

Mi-an got a little snippy at her teasing. “You didn’t say he was your grandfather! Geez, Willa, you're so mean sometimes! I thought he was some elderly neighbor that you developed some sort of mentor/student relationship with!”

“Did you just recite to me the opening act to the play ‘The Karate Kid’?”

“Shut up!” Her face was pink from embarrassment. She stuck out her tongue. “Meanie head!”

“Oh no,” she dramatically clasped at her chest. “How can I possibly live knowing Mimi thinks I’m mean?”

“Shush.” Mi-an snapped, smacking at her hand with her own, a rare stern look on her face. It didn’t last, soon dissolving into a shaky smile. “Goodness, you seem to know just what to say and do to make me feel better.”

Willa chortled lowly with a ‘too many sharp teeth on display’ kind of smirk on her lips, but her eyes felt soft as she looked down at her friend. “Anytime, Mimi.”

“Mimi… I like that.” Mi-an smiled at her, though her breath came out shaky and she winced a bit. “Sorry I’ve kinda gummed up our work day.”

“Eh. I’d rather you be okay than ‘be on schedule’ or whatever bullshit line Yan might pull. We were close to calling it quits for lunch anyways. I’ll go pick up an easy commission I can spend the evening doing, like making rope or a spool of thread or something. No biggie.”

“Oh… lunch…” Mi-an heaved a sad sigh. “I’m hungry now, thinking about it.”

“No food.” The doctor was approaching them again. “Won’t… settle well.”

His raven seemed to have more to say than that, in a slightly deeper tone than before, “You’ll puke if you eat like that.” The bird then spoke in a higher pitch. “Take it easy dear. You don’t want to feel worse.”

“Broth and crackers?” Willa asked, easily piecing together what was being said between the doctor and his bird. It appeared as though he relied on the raven to make up for his inadequacies in the speaking department. However, the bird used mainly phrases and words he had heard before and cobbled them together to speak.

“Hmmm. It might be crazy enough to work!” The raven proclaimed then turned to nuzzle its beak against the doctor’s hair. It’s tone higher again. “Fang. Fang. That’s good, right dear?”

“Yes…” He looked so exhausted with even how little he had spoken. “Treatment… then I make… broth. Tea too. Need to stay… hydrated.”

Willa wasn’t one to sit idle. “I know how to set a kettle. Can I help?”

“No.” The doctor shook his head, rather distressed. “Don’t… touch.”

“Alright then.” She conceded. He seemed socially spent and the last thing he needed was her rifling through his set up- because she could tell he was extremely particular about where his things were and went. Best to retreat for now, seeing as Mi-an was being taken care of and at rest.

“I should probably go get back to Ty. I left him in the middle of the street and who knows what some dumb rando will do seeing a big boy like him. Probably get him back to the Wandering Y and grab a bite to eat myself.” Willa started to pull herself up to a stand. “Mimi, want me to grab you something from your place? A book, a particular blanket or pillow?”

“No. I think I’m going to rest, once Doctor Fang here is finished treating me. Thanks for all your help, Willa.”

Willa gave her a nod, giving a tip of her hat, before snatching up her gloves and shoving them in her back pocket. She gave a solemn nod towards the doctor too.

“Thanks for your help, Doc.” She made eye contact with his raven and pitched her voice up a bit. “Pretty bird~.”

“You’re a good birdie!” The raven chanted in a higher tone. Seeming very pleased by her praise.

“I’ll be back later and we’ll settle debts then.” He nodded, turning his attention to the supine form of his patient in his clinic’s bed.

“Fang… X…” She heard him say, though faint and shy. “Not… Doc… not… pretty bird.”

“Well, first off, Doctor Fang, X is a pretty bird, but I’ll be sure to use your names, since you seem keen on it. But that means you got to call me Willa and her Mi-an. We might be builders, but I think we’d like to know you are aware of our names.”

He gave a huff. “Goodbye. Willa.”

“Goodbye Fang.” She shot back, although more kindly.

She heard a croaky voice, perhaps X’s own when he wasn’t mimicking others. “GoodBYE Willaaa…”

She cackled a bit, amused at how the bird sounded so put out by her unintentional exclusion of him. “Bye bye X. You beautiful black bird.”

“Of course she likes the bird. He’s black.” Mi-an sounded both exasperated and amused.

Willa cackled loudly as she left.

Notes:

Not my longest chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed. I will be updating I think twice this coming week. One for the American holiday coming up and one on Saturday. Those chapters will be fun! We’ll meet Qi! And the L word will show up again (Logan. The L word is Logan). We’re getting closer and closer to more of the plot I want to start digging into, but there are still a few characters and matters I want to address before we do.

I hope that you all have a great week!

Feel free to drop me a comment! I always love hearing what you guys think or felt about the chapter. If I struck a funny bone, feel free to tell me when I did or what you enjoyed. Feedback is always welcome and it makes my day if you have the time!

See you all on Wednesday this week!!

Chapter 7

Once she had gotten over the two week mark into her stay at Sandrock and Willa felt like she really was starting to feel at home. Not actually at home- that was still in the process of being designed and built, but she was able to navigate the city without getting turned around, had met just about every member of the city at one point or another, she felt, and, though she wouldn’t take a ton of commissions just yet, was getting a few done on top of the next big commission she had been hired to do.

Mi-an and she had been hired by Owen to rebuild his stage. Since they were one day away from finishing up Rocky’s other lift- which meant a few hours of testing and calibrations to make sure it worked right- both builders felt alright in accepting yet another bigger commission. While Willa wouldn’t necessarily say that stage building counted as a large assembly build, it also couldn’t be considered small. Yan didn’t care as long as he wasn’t the one who was going to do it but that he got the percentage owed to the commissions guild for the job. Greedy bastard.

So, while Willa was still living out of her suitcases, she had to accept that her house was not going to be done any time soon. Heidi had promised as soon as they had finalized the design, she’d get Willa one of the two of the little casitas, which Heidi had suggested having one during the second rough draft (“So yer ma n’ pa can visit ya, but not overtake yer space, or yanno, anyone who’s stayin’ a while but wants ta feel independent.” “Ha, with this, Walt can’t say no to coming around to stay for a while. He really values his independence. Put two of them over by there so I can host Walt and whoever else might want to visit. My younger siblings will stay in the main house with me, but I have a few family members who’d appreciate the space for their own purposes.”), built as quickly as possible, so the builder could live there during the construction instead. However, in the interim, she signed a day to day lease on a studio apartment behind City Hall. First room on the right on the first floor, shared amenities, including the bathroom.

She fucking hated it. There was little to no privacy and, while she didn’t mind the folks (she had met Catori and Jensen and they were both quite pleasant folks, though Catori kept pitching her weird business ideas. She had given a hard pass at most of them. Somehow though, the taller Atarian woman had at least convinced her to donate some Old World relics to her museum. Willa had oddly agreed), she had no space to do her own things- not even basic kata. She missed the space of the inn suite and Grace as neighbor, but wouldn’t eat up one of Owen’s suites for an unknown time frame. Not when it prevented other folks that might need the temporary space from having it available. Cheaper too, though she missed the easy walk over to Mi-an’s or to the guild or the Wandering Y or even the straight shot to her own property. While not a huge city, it was a twenty minute walk from the apartments to just Mi-an’s and forty to Wandering Y and over an hour and a half to even get to her property.

However, it did give her the opportunity to finally walk past the Ceramic Gate and meet Amirah. Skin as warm as her own, though no freckles on her face and her hair was a natural color of rich brown that warmed even more when bathed in sunlight. Her eyes… her eyes though were a deep purple shade, far deeper than Willa’s own violet coloring. The major difference was her pupils were normal and not at all prone to narrowing into slits like a cat’s or a reptile. Willa did her best to acknowledge and release the jealous streak that spiked through her as fast as possible. It wouldn’t do.

Indeed, Amirah was a very beautiful woman, though quite reserved and had a cold look on her face when she first approached her. Upon hearing that she was actually interested in commissioning work from her though, she warmed up to her. It made her ponder how many tourists pestered her due to her looks and had no interest in her work as an artist or business owner.

She showed Willa some of her current pieces that were on hand and even gestured at her old kiln that she used to fire her ceramics in. It was… very old but serviceable.

“You ever consider making one of those even older fashion kilns, get it nice and crazy hot, and fire your pieces that way?” 

“It’s hard to get the kindling for a kiln like that, especially in a location where wood is a precious commodity.” Amirah shook her head. “The only reason I’d want something like that is to make bigger pieces. I have a size limit with my current kiln.”

Willa looked again and, indeed she did. Nothing bigger than the pots and urns she was turning out. The more modern kilns that Walnut Groove folks had could fit something larger than hers, but still nothing extraordinary large.

“What kind of clay do you have?”

“Earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Sandrock has deposits of all, but mainly earthenware clay. I have good stock of the others depending on the commissions I get, but if I am in a rush to get more and haven’t found a new deposit of clay I’m using, I’m forced to import from Walnut Groove. It drives up the cost a bit.” She explained.

Since she didn’t yet have a place to store anything she wanted to commission for her home, or what she was exactly looking for in the pieces, Willa didn’t yet want to outright start a commission. However, she did ask if Amirah, if she did pay for concept pieces and sketches, would be interested in starting to think about a huge upcoming commission. If Willa liked the concepts, she’d commission even more from her.

The two shook on it and Willa left their first interaction with a lighter money purse.

The issue that the two builders were realizing when they sat down with Owen one afternoon to sketch out the basic design of his new stage was materials. Long nice wood planks that the old stage had were from a time when trees weren’t considered pretty much sacred to Sandrockers and not so scarce a resource to boot. It had the two of them scratching their heads a bit, because the last thing they wanted was to make it anything less than nice. They would pick and choose what little they could get their mitts on, but the boards would look wonky and-

“I would rather die than have my name attached to anything that looked like shit.” Willa finally explained and Mi-an, while not as comfortable with speaking profanity as easily, nodded her head in tandem to her admittance.

“Yeah, but I can’t really afford anything too outrageous either. I’m… not hurting for cash, like some other shops, but I am very on top of my budget to make sure I have plenty for sandstroming days.” Owen had told them when Willa expressed her distaste for using low-end pieces. She understood and she and Mi-an went off to brainstorm.

The two women spent another day trying to think up a solution when it finally hit Willa. “What if we fake it? Like, it’s a stage, so you don’t want uneven surfaces or knots tripping up your stage guests anyways.”

“So, make it look like wood planks in a basic form, but, what, be… something else?”

“People used to make wood boards like that by taking wood fiber and compressing it together with resins and glues to make fibreboard.”

“That could work… especially if we make a mix of hardwood and softwood…” Mi-an was starting to scribble notes down fast in her notebook during their brainstorming lunch session. “We can collect plenty of materials if we don’t have to need a specific size… there is still plenty of deadwood that we are sanctioned to use as long as we remove the stumps… Which, with Ty, is no issue… We’d have to experiment with resins though and need to build a mold and a method of compressing the wood tight enough…”

Willa was already scribbling out a few resin formulas that sprang to mind and even sketching out a basic mold. The issue now was the weight being evenly as distributed as possible. She hummed a moment before laughing. “Think we can use the bricks Heidi’s dropped off on my property?”

From that point on, things started coming together for Owen’s stage. He loved the idea of the cost effective wood. The two women had presented him with the winning sample plank they had created. Willa had put the board through as many tests as she could think of to make sure it could handle the stress of the job they were using it for, even going as far as making Ty put his front weight on the thing and holding his position there.

“And since we’re painting and sealing the stage anyways, you won’t see the ugly pattern of the wood.” Willa reminded him, seeing as, though he liked the price, he looked a little unhappy about how the wood itself looked. That sold him.

“Make it a blue stage with a nice backdrop and speaker system and I’ll have no complaints.”

Willa agreed and, the next time she saw Heidi to go over the final designs for her house (the last, finalized draft!!!), saw fit to let Jasmine, who had been sitting in the upstairs area doing her homework, try her hand at making the concept art for the backdrop. Mi-an, the remarkable woman, took the little girl’s ideas and brought it to life.

The longest part of the whole process was making the fibreboards. They had to make the molds for it. The two had cobbled together a few test molds from Willa’s small supply of sheet metal she had brought with her, but they needed to make them bigger. She had considered ceramics, but there was no kiln big enough to cook it and there was a risk it couldn’t keep up with the pressures. They needed to use alloys.

Luckily for them, they had recently finished both lifts for Rocky and he was so happy he waived another week of permit fines so the two builders could finally go ruin diving and collect materials. It was pretty exciting, to be honest. Willa had been ruin diving before with a class, all having to wait and take turns with the jetpack to get a feel for using the item as well as the relic goggles. It was a very basic, hand holding experience, but, the biggest rule of ruin diving when one was still getting accustomed to it, was to never go alone.

Well, not alone alone.

There were very strong rules to ruin diving. First off, there was always a guide that accompanied the client to their designated area. Before entering, they would help fill out a form that had the known areas designated and they’d have to circle, timestamp, and initial the area they and their client were going to be in. If no one returned by a certain hour, the scavenge yard that took care of the facilities would go looking for the missing people. The guide, for the most part, didn’t necessarily escort the client too far in, usually mulling around the entrance of the area, in case something happened and help needed to be fetched. 

It was suggested to always ruin dive though with a buddy, because if something immediate happened, it could take the yard worker a while to realize something was amiss. So, having Mi-an go with her, made her feel a little safer as she finally got to explore a ruin outside of a class environment.

“Seriously, I still can’t believe how big the ruins are around here.” Mi-an marveled after some time.

They had decided to go pretty deep because they needed the tin as well as the copper for their molds. The two would test to see what worked best, bronze or copper, before producing a wide batch of their plank molds.

“This area was… a shopping mall, right?” Willa double checked her trivia of the area, still so surprised at how buried the structure had gotten over the span of time the Day of Calamity had occurred to when Peach had, approximately 100 years prior, used his machine to disable the nanotechnology that had been causing perpetual darkness. Her grandfather wasn’t that old, but he had mentioned how much had changed in the little span of time since his own childhood.

“Can you imagine shopping in a place with floors as nice as these must have been once?”

“I’m considering taking the floor tiles that have the least amount of damage and refurbishing them.” Willa admitted, admiring a nice slab of black marble under their feet.

Mi-an rolled her eyes but there was still a smile on her face. “I guess that works too.”

“Why not? It doesn’t have technology cooties and even if it did, I’m a builder, not an acolyte of the Light.”

“Speaking of light, how can you see with your shades on? Isn’t that a little dangerous, seeing as the light quality down here is poor?”

Well fuck, she forgot she was wearing them. She pulled them off her face, and inspected them. She pretended that Mi-an wasn’t doing a poor job of hiding her look of interest. It was only natural she’d be curious about her eye color since Willa never took off her shades. She shot her a look, one that had Mi-an straightening a bit and looking a little abash, but she hadn’t been angry, she was… deciding.

“Okay.” Willa started, folding up the arms of her sunglasses and pulling out their hard case from her leg pouch to put them securely away. “You have a very good point and I have to respect that. However, I would like to ask that you don’t mention… some unique traits you may witness my eyes doing.”

“Unique traits?” Mi-an asked in confusion, her head tilting to the side as she squinted at Willa’s face, but soon her eyes widened at a realization. “Wait.” Her voice took a low hush, so the yard worker far far off wouldn’t overhear even the sound of her hushed tones. “Willa, are you one of those individuals with the inherited modified genetics?”

She didn’t answer, but that spoke volumes too. She tightened her jaw, unsure of what reaction Mi-an would have. She was positive it wouldn’t be negative, but she was more familiar with people balking and giving her distance more often than not.

“That… that makes a lot of things make more sense. The surprising strength, your unique coloring, and even the dragon comments you mentioned.” Mi-an nodded to herself, she even laughed. “Especially the distaste for going to the temple for anything. Bet you had a hard time with the more hardcore church folks growing up then even I did.”

“I did.” She admitted, a tension releasing in her shoulders that she hadn’t even realized had been there. Mi-an wasn’t looking at her like she was a monster. “So… it doesn’t bother you?”

“No.” Mi-an shook her head, no sign of apprehension at all in her form. “I might have been a little nervous back at the train station if you had not eased into this as slowly as you did, but I’d like to think that I would have gotten over it fast enough. Working with you is fun and you’ve even saved my life already. I’d be pretty dumb to be scared of someone so ooey-gooey sweet like you, your intimidating looks aside.”

Willa let out a cackle, rather surprised at her words. “Then, Mimi, I’ve met a shit ton of dumb folks in my life.”

Mi-an seemed like she was about to say one thing, but quickly her mind clicked over to another thing. “You don’t wear nail polish, do you?”

Ah, she remembered when one of her nails tore during their first tests of the molds on one of the bricks and she had cussed, finished tearing it off, filed it, and shoved it angrily back into her work gloves grumbling about reshaping it.

“Nope. Favorite part of the whole thing.” She raised up a hand and waggled her fingers, regardless of if she had her black work gloves on. “They’re naturally black, thick, hard, and if I file them right, sharp.”

“You very well might be a dragon. Or as close as your ancestors could get.” Mi-an scoffed, though not cruelly but rather playfully.

“Kids at school were pretty sure.”

Now that that particular fact about her had been cleared up, they carried on. Willa felt oddly lighter about it. Mi-an and her carried on like nothing changed, though the other builder eventually looked at her and spoke one more time on the matter.

“Hey, not saying you have to tell everyone in Sandrock, but I think you’ll hurt Heidi’s feelings if you hold off too long at telling her. She should have probably been the first person you told, though I’m not disappointed you told me.” She cut her off with a wave and a stern look from saying anything. “I’m not even saying you have to, but I will ask you to think about it. Heidi’s cool. I’d even say to tell Elsie, but… this is your private matter and I can’t tell you who to tell, but give your budding friendships a chance.”

Willa stared at her, her eyes studying Mi-an’s sincerity as she gave her a noncommittal hum. She could at least think about it. Seeing the builder from Tallsky not balk away at her features was helping. “Thanks Mimi.”

“Any time, pardner.” Mi-an beamed, doing her best to properly imitate the long time locals’ drawl on that last word.

It wasn’t even fifteen minutes later that Willa was sharing her more unique features with someone else when she took a step and the floor below her gave way. She heard Mi-an’s alarmed shout, but, other than take a few hard tumbles, she didn’t break anything. She was pretty sure her ego had taken the worst hit.

“Woof. That step was a doozy.” She grumbled to herself, trying to shake out the feeling of adrenaline that buzzed through her.

“I concur. Though my own misstep wasn’t anywhere near where your misstep had occurred.” She heard a rather calm, stoic voice speak out from a little bit further in. “It was, though, as you proclaimed a moment ago, ‘a doozy’.”

“Ooph.” Willa grunted as she got up and patted off the rubble and dust that had covered her clothes. “I think my pride was salvaged a bit knowing that I wasn’t the only one that took an unexpected trip.”

She looked up from where she had fallen from and, though she couldn’t see exactly where she had fallen from, she shouted up. “I’M OKAY, MIMI. I’M GOING TO LOOK AROUND THE AREA TO SEE IF THERE’S A WAY UP. GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES AND IF I DON’T CALL UP, GET HELP.”

She strained her ears, but eventually heard a weak “okay…” in the distance.

“Ah. It appears as though my hopes of you being my own rescue have been dashed. Instead, you are a victim trapped alongside me in this purgatory. Well, at least there appears to be someone above that can begin facilitating our rescue.”

“That’s the plan.” Willa commented coolly as she nodded, walking towards where she caught sight of a flash of bright color from behind a bit of rebar and concrete debris. Her fellow victim came into view as she passed the rubble and she winced.

“I apologize for not getting up, but, as I understand the situation, it is wiser to stay still.” She was now rather impressed at how calm his voice was, but she now could pick up the minute undertones of pain.

“Yep.” Willa agreed, heaving a sigh and bending down to examine him, slinging her backpack off of its secured place on her back as she did. He had a large bit of rebar piercing through his upper leg. “You’re lucky. Missed the main arteries and while it will keep you from ever participating in marathons or fights, you’ll be fine once it's taken care of. A hobble for a long while though.” She looked up to meet his eyes as she tried to reassure him. He stared down at her with a mildly curious look. He didn’t seem to emote as much as other folks, rather, his expressions were rather subdued and it gave him a look of placidity despite the circumstances.

“Fortuitous that I am not interested in such laborious tasks.” He pushed the bridge of his glasses up his face and observed her. “I was informed that one of our new city builders had blue hair, but the part about you having altered genetics somehow was not included in that initial information.”

“Well, I don’t like publicizing it.” She told him, slapping her knees and hauling herself back up to a standing position. She went back to where she had fallen to shout up to Mi-an.

“MIMI, GO GET HELP. SOMEONE ELSE IS DOWN HERE AND HE’S HURT. MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM TO BRING DOCTOR FANG ALONG. HE’LL NEED SOME SERIOUS STITCHES.”

“O…okay…” She heard before the careful footsteps as Mi-an left the area.

“Ah, yes. Doctor Fang is a good call.” Her companion acknowledged. She wondered if he even had the capacity to feel fear. “Though he’s not particularly thrilled to be in large groups. And, from what I have observed, a group consisting of more people than himself alone is what he considers large.”

“Well, I’m not pulling the rebar out without him here.” She told him. “Best I can do for you is cut the bottom part so you aren’t stuck and secure the sights for a professional’s hand.”

She returned to him and kneeled down once more, reaching into her backpack to pull out her first aid kit. It was getting a lot more action than she ever expected it would.

“I can imagine it will be a rather unpleasant feeling, cutting the rebar, more so than right now?”

“So you do feel it.” Willa reached out and took his hand, feeling his pulse. Weak. Perhaps he was experiencing shock and was trying to talk as a method to staying lucid.

“Very. That is, after all, the point of pain receptors within the body. To inform the brain when some part of the vessel is damaged or unable to function at full capacity.”

“You seem to be a bit of a brainiac.” Willa noted, looking up and noticing the white shirt and the loosened tie that’s tail had been flung haphazardly over his shoulder. She met his eyes, seeing how they were indeed glassy and the sheen of sweat around his dark hairline. “If I had to make a guess, I would say you must be Director Qi.”

“And you would be correct in that conclusion.” He nodded. “Names are not my specialty, but I recall being given, at minimum, a three syllable word that was your name.”

She pulled out a few more things from her supplies, including her smaller set of bolt cutters. She always brought some along in case she ran into something with a lock or a flimsy chain. With her strength, she could manage rebar with this, but she’d be needing new bolt cutters after.

She kept talking to Qi though, seeing as she wanted him to keep focus and not fall into shock. “Oh, someone gave you my full name. Not Heidi then.” 

“No. While I do see Ms Heidi from time to time, since she is the city’s civil engineer and on occasion requires something from me, we prefer not to interrupt each other’s work as much as possible.”

“Did Mayor Trudy tell you? Before she left for her botanical field experiment?” Willa guessed, going back to her first aid kit to retrieve sanitary gloves so she could touch gently around the underside of his leg and see how much room she had to work with.

“Yes. She likes to keep all government members apprised of such things.”

“Heidi insinuated she didn’t know my arrival date or even my name.”

“The mayor has a tendency to not give out the same information twice when she is in a hurry. I hypothesize that she forgets which individual she’s already relayed that information to and makes poor assumptions on the identity of that individual. This inefficient trait only occurs when she’s overwhelmed, fortuitously.” He explained, wincing when Willa slid two fingers under his injured leg to see about the space. “My pain receptors are reacting poorly to your investigative prodding.”

“On a scale from one to ten. Tell me where your pain level sits.”

“Shouldn’t it be zero to ten, if we were going to properly chart the pain?”

“Zero signifies there is no pain and from what your body’s natural reactions tell me, there is pain. We can thus not include the option of zero, since it feels insulting to even offer it.”

“Six.”

“And when I agitated it?”

“Eight.”

“Thank you for your honesty.” She told him. Rifling through her first aid for a possible solution.

“So, since I will no doubt be writing an incident report about this event, I feel like I will be needing your name.”

“For the incident report, you will have to use Wilhelmina. Wil-hel-mi-na.”

“I seemed to have misremembered the syllable count. Apologies.”

“I will forgive you since you are doing such a great job at being a calm, easy patient.” She found what she was looking for and grabbed it with an ‘aha’.

“While I am aware that most builders have strong first aid knowledge, you seem to show signs of having more than base level knowledge.”

“Advanced emergency medical aid training was fascinating.” She gave him a toothy grin.

“Poor ability to express friendliness. Hostility not intentionally implied, though the baring of teeth shows predatory nature.” He muttered to himself.

“Most people just tell me I have a mean resting bitch face and don’t elaborate further.” She told him with a blunt tone, her smile instantly souring into a small frown.

“I will remember that. It seems to cause you emotional distress leaning towards the base feeling of sorrow when the subject is brought up. Apologies. I am not frightened. I have been told that I am poor at, what was the turn of phrase again, ‘reading the room’. I hope that my observations didn’t harm you and I will attempt to not verbally notate them again. However, in my current state, I find it hard to, as others say, ‘shut up’.”

“No, I want you talking. Talking means you are conscious and conscious means you aren’t in shock, and we don’t want you going into shock. Not until we have you in a safer environment.” She lifted up the bottle she had retrieved. “Hold out your hand. I’m going to give you a stronger one. First off though, known medicinal allergies?”

“None.”

“Can you dry swallow? Or do you need water.”

“Seeing as my water canteen has been lost, water would be a wonderful accommodation.”

She helped him as he took the medicine and drank the water. As soon as he stated, about fifteen minutes later, that the pain had regressed significantly, she pulled out a rawhide strip she kept in her first aid kit and helped him put it between his teeth.

“Don’t want tooth pain with your current pain by cracking any teeth.” She told him, lifting his leg a bit and fitting the bolt cutters underneath. “Now, deep breath, focus on either the natural number sequence or the full number for pi. Take a deep breath in, hold it.” She forced the bolt cutters to clamp shut and even gave a sharp jerk to the side. It was the only time she heard the director make a sound of discomfort. “And out.”

He was free to be moved when the time came. “Congratulations Director Qi, you have proven you're a hardass. Seen bigger, stronger, scarier men cry for less. Now, let’s get this as treated as I can before our help arrives.”

The director removed the rawhide looking pale and miserable, but he managed to ask, “Can I get that verdict in writing?”

“Sure, but since that isn’t an official document, I’m going to sign it ‘Willa’.” She gave him a smirk as she looked up at him. “That’s what you may call me, by the way. Willa.”

“Then, in an informal setting such as this or, perhaps in a more agreeable yet still informal setting, you may call me Qi.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Qi.”

“No, it is I who find myself very glad to have met you, Willa. Otherwise, I fear, my situation would have been even more dire.”

While they waited, Willa had to take some time and acknowledge that her shades would look downright stupid and come to terms that more folks might catch on due to this incident while they had been waiting. Her temporary companion seemed to notice her dilemma and, despite not being great at ‘reading the room’, came to the proper conclusion of her internal conflict, meaning that, perhaps, she had been quite obvious with her insecurities at that moment.

“I don’t understand your apprehension.” Qi had outright told her. “Your inherited genetic traits that give you such features are not something to be feared. They are beneficial to your daily lives and I find it regrettable that most, including myself, lack enhanced genetics. I would have liked ninja speeds.” He paused. “Though, if it is due to the church and their stance on technology, yes, I can see your apprehension to share any information on such traits. The pastor has gotten over 257 of my innovative ideas for Sandrock denied during town meetings. The minister agreed with him on 256 of those ideas. Vexing. Not to forget the oversized, muscular one will no doubt harass you over your differences. I have glasses and he’s constantly acting like it is a weakness to rely on such accessories.” He took another moment to think before coming to the conclusion, “Yes, I can understand your predicament and will exercise discretion on your behalf.”

She was grateful.

By the time help arrived, Fang and Justice having to have been harnessed to properly get down the same hole Willa had fallen through, the builder had found a better exit route and even used the various amounts of scrap and debris to make a ladder up.

“Good evening Doctor Fang, Sheriff Justice.” Willa calmly addressed them, having hopped down the ladder after checking the last of her repairs.

“Good evening.” Justice rumbled. “I’ve brought Doctor Fang, as requested.”

“Great!” Willa gestured at Qi. “He fell through a different level, it would appear, and, on his landing, got a good chunk of rebar in his leg. I’ve given him basic first aid, clipped the bottom of the rebar that was attached to cement, and I gave him some strong painkillers to help with the pain. We’ve managed to get him through the opening symptoms of shock. Didn’t pull out the rebar, that’s on you, Doc.”

Fang heaved out a sigh, tired already, though perhaps a little relieved she wasn’t stupid enough to pull the fucking steel rod out of the director’s leg. “Good.”

“Would you like assistance?” She asked him calmly.

He struggled for a moment before nodding yes. She turned to Justice.

“I found another route out of here. Maybe.” She threw the thumb in the direction of the ladder she had put together mere minutes ago. “Do you want to go check it out while I help the doc here?”

“If I don’t have to help with that, I’ll happily do anything else.” Justice told her, doing his best not to look at where Qi’s temporary white bandages were oozing red.

“Don’t tell me the law man’s squeamish.” She teased him.

He made a face and gave a squeamish bodily shake. “This sort of emergency was Logan’s specialty, not mine. Man knew how to do all this medical stuff. Necessary for his trade. B3 knew that I hate seeing blood if I could help it. Heck, if I was positive Unsuur could have done this right, I would have sent him. He’s as stone faced and as unmoving as all those rocks he likes collecting in these sorts of situations.”

“What kept you from doing that, then?” Willa was pulling off her dirty gloves and reached her bag for new, sanitary ones.

“I haven’t really had the time to walk him through these scenarios.” Justice admitted. “Which is fine. Because Cooper and Hugo got inta another argument right before we came down here. Someone need ta take the report once they settled their squabble and I don’t hafta this time. It balanced out.”

“You and him seem like you’ll go far -if you can figure out where each of you can balance out the other.” Willa said.

“Yeah, I’m starting to figure that much out. Wasn’t sure what to do with him at first, never met a guy like him, but he has some really amazing skills. He needs some practice, but he’s shaping out.” Justice said, moving over to the ladder. “Damn. You already put this together? In this lighting?”

“While my eyes are sensitive to light, that means I have great dark vision.” Willa shrugged off his comment. She looked at Fang who was in the process of determining the next steps he wanted to take.

“Good job.” He muttered.

“I try.” Willa said calmly. “Now, is this a matter we can hold off and get him in a safer environment, or do you need to take care of the rebar now.”

“Prefer… infirmary.” He shook his head. “Cleaner. Sanitary. Less… infection…” He glanced at her, unsure. “Carry?”

“Him?” She gestured at Director Qi. “He’s leggy, not heavy.”

“Perhaps it's not that I am leggy, as you say, but that you are smaller in stature than average?” He pushed his glasses up his nose as he said this.

Willa looked at Fang with a flat, irked look. “How many times can I drop him before you get mad though?”

The doctor pulled a thoughtful face and replied. “Twice.”

“Remember that Qi and consider your words and my probabile reactions to them before you say them. I got blanket forgiveness for two drops.”

“Ah…Duly noted .”

Notes:

At long last I’m getting to where we have a real discussion about Logan!!! Qi is both fun and hard to write. I did enjoy redoing that encounter a bit and I always have wondered, from a realistic perspective, how Ruin Dives would go for the safety of the divers. Hazard Ruins aren’t necessarily the same as other mining ruins so I figured the rules and licenses would be different.

I had a pretty rough day today, so I almost didn’t update today, but I was able to feel good enough to do so now that my roommate helped me loosen up my neck muscles. So I hope this update can make some of folks’ day!!

I will probably be uploading the blueprints I designed for the house sooner or later. Maybe in the next chapter.

As always, I appreciate feedback! I always enjoy hearing your thoughts or what you enjoyed! It brings me a little bit of life every time!

You all take care! Those in America, have a nice holiday tomorrow, and everyone else, I hope your day is filled with bliss or a little extra luck!

Chapter 8

After a very long day, there wasn’t much more that Willa wanted to do than go and soak in a tub until the hot water turned cold on her. She swung by the Blue Moon Saloon to order a meal to go, and a little extra something to help make her soak a little more relaxing. Yes, a good long soak was exactly what she needed after an adventure she had today. However, that would mean that she would have to be able to get back to her humble bumble apartment room first- which she didn’t. 

Instead, Willa found herself coming into the middle of a very loud spat between Heidi and Pen, of all people. Right there, in front of both Construction Junction and City Hall and nobody was coming to stop them. The architect’s native Sandrock accent a tad stronger than usual with her proverbial hackles seemingly all raised up.

“I’ve toldja before! Keep yer posters off my shit! Ya’ve been told before that I ain’t gonna acquiesce ta them being posted ‘round my property!”

“And I’ve told you before that he’s a criminal and people need to know that! You need to stop being so pathetic and accept that!”

“I don care wut ya say!” She screamed, stomping a foot, anger bright in her eyes. “What ya’ll pulled was bullshit and now Logan’s a criminal coz ya’ll wouldn’t let him even see…” Her eyes grew sad and cloudy with all the pain the subject brought up. “How dare ya’ll do that. So no, ya ain’t posting those anywhere ‘round me.”

Willa wasn’t sure what was going on entirely, but she understood her friend needed help. “Hey Pen, do you even have authorization to post those? Last I checked, you are an acolyte of the church, not a corpsman.”

Both individuals turned to look at her as she came strolling up the street, a stern look on her face as she stared down Pen with a face that usually had even the twins shrinking back with fear. He was carrying an armful of rolled up posters and Heidi had one torn in her hands, chest heaving at her outburst.

“Of course I’m not a Civil Corpsman, but I am the ‘Protector of Sandrock’! It is a part of my duties to make the general public aware of potential threats and-”

“Then you are outside of your jurisdiction and could be arrested for potentially spreading misinformation or information that has not been cleared to be shared.” She cut off his rant, almost pleased at how his eyes narrowed.

His smug smirk that had been hanging from his lips as he had tormented her friend left his lips. Though what took its place looked borderline dangerous and, if Willa didn’t know she could handle herself, would have been more careful about poking this proverbial bear. But, he had upset Heidi, she’d sink her teeth into him a bit and give him a verbal licking so he’d think twice at doing so again.

“I get that Sandrock does things slightly different, but last I checked, the Church of the Light is not a government entity and, while a few of their higher ups are sometimes invited to partake of our government’s meetings as a moral and ethical compass, they lack any sort of authority to dictate or enforce the law. You post those and I’ll report you to Sheriff Justice myself for hindering their work. Fuck, I could even probably elevate this little incident to the higher authorizes within the Alliance if you ignore our government’s obvious chain of command again.”

That got him. He narrowed his eyes, let out an arrogant little sniff, and turned away from Heidi to retreat.

“Fine. I’ll see to it that the Civil Corps does their job.” He bit out shortly. However he wasn’t done. As he walked down the stairs of City Hall, where Willa had stopped short during her threat, he paused right in her personal space to look down his nose at her. She, being so small, was forced to look up at him, a deep frown on her lips. “A warning though, Skinny Minnie, I’m not doing anything illegal. Not really. I’m merely warning the good folks around here of a known criminal still at large even after a year of the Civil Corps inability to catch him.”

“Well bully for you.” Willa wasn’t impressed by his attempt to intimidate her or spread propaganda to her that visibly triggered her friend. “But, Mister ‘Protector of Sandrock’, if you are so invested in his capture, I’m surprised he hasn’t been caught yet. Must mean that either you are in the same boat as the Civil Corps and are ‘equally’ as incompetent as them, or, you haven’t even tried. All bark, no bite.”

She beat him to the power move she knew he had been about to pull, colliding her shoulder into his side as she moved past him and pushing him off balance. “Thanks for the warning there, Pen. Not too sure it holds much weight for me though. Have a nice evening.”

She didn’t look back at the man, eyes on Heidi’s form while she kept a sharp eye on Pen in Willa’s stead. If he tried anything, Heidi’s reaction would tip her off and she could get in a fast counter he wouldn’t be expecting. She made it to her friend, grabbed her by the hand (the torn poster pieces in her hands slipping from her fingers and onto the planked walkway) and drew her back inside her place of business, Construction Junction. Willa quickly locked the door as they entered, her shoulders easing a bit as the tension disappeared.

Heidi was taking deep breaths as she walked herself over to her little conference area with the nice green couches. She sat, put her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands and tried to calm down. Willa gave her time and slowly meandered closer before choosing to break up their typical seating, with her usually sitting in the other couch opposite of her, and sat herself next to the architect and laid an open hand on her back. She had pulled her backpack off her shoulders as she had done so, slipping it down beside her farthest out leg with a gentle clink.

“You alright?”

“Yes… no…” She rubbed her face miserably and sat up better to look at Willa. “Thanks fer stepping in. I… I was startin’ ta see red there fer a moment.”

“No problem. Don’t want you getting in trouble with the law because you hit an acolyte. It’s always messy if you do that, him being a complete dick or not.” She rubbed Heidi’s back and felt something in her ease up when the other woman released an amused snort.

“Sounds like someone has some experience with that.”

“Yeah…” She drawled before throwing out, “Surprisingly, Walt hit the guy first before I could remember how to even curl my hands into fists.”

“That’s a twist I wasn’t expecting. I kinda pictured him as a golden boy.”

“Walt’s kinda like that. Kept me out of trouble, but, as soon as trouble tried to get to me, his protective streak would pop up and surprise us all with a countermove no one saw coming.” She smiled fondly. “You’d like him.”

Heidi gave her a weak smile, but it faded soon enough. “Sorry ya had ta see that… I… I… get really upset about it. Like, really upset.” She wiped away a tear that had threatened to fall. “I feel like I owe ya an explanation on what happened too, that’s making me fight a Light acolyte like that.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Heidi.” Willa told her, rubbing circles on her back. “However, if you’d like to tell me, I’ve been told that I am an excellent listener.”

“No, I wanna tell ya, itsjest…” She leaned forward again and pressed her face into open hands again. She then spread her fingers and ran them through her short hair in a soothing motion. “It’s not a sober conversation.”

Willa opened up her backpack and procured a bottle of moonshine that Owen had suggested (she wasn’t a big wine drinker). “Well, guess this isn’t going to the bathroom with me tonight.”

Heidi stared at the bottle for a moment before her eyes crinkled in humor and a laugh found its way out of her mouth. She slapped her knees as she pulled herself up. “Right, I heard you’ve had a fun day. You alright?”

Willa watched as the dark purple haired woman walked over to a cabinet in the corner and grabbed two glasses.

“Well, I got to ruin dive for the first time in a professional setting, fell through a hole, found myself in a floor in between a lot of known floors, met Qi, gave Qi first aid while we waited for Mi-an to go get help, Doctor Fang and Justice showed up, and I got to carry the guy out. He is a very calm man, by the way, does anything phase him?”

“Mention Gungams, he might fluster.” Heidi suggested, sitting down again and setting both glasses on the coffee table in front of them. “Why, what happened to Qi that makes you say that?”

“When he had fallen into the hole, he somehow gotten rebar pierced through his outer left thigh. Other than showing signs of shock, he didn’t whine, cry, or act like he was in excruciating pain while I helped give him first aid.”

“Dear Light! What in Peach’s name was he even doin’ down there!”

“Oh, uh,” Willa had asked him that on the way to the clinic, “He said he was looking for an equatorial mount. He put a commission in over a year ago for a specific telescope and a mount and… well… it's been sitting there for a while. So he figured the probability of him getting the equatorial mount would be higher if he proactively went to search for it himself. I told him I’d keep an eye out and to refrain from going into the ruins again.”

Heidi closed her eyes, taking a deep, long, and very bitter sounding breath. “That Spacecase. Doesn’t think. Sorry about him, Willa, he’s got his head in the sky most days. You don’t have to go looking for that.”

Willa patted her consolingly on the shoulder. “If it keeps him out of the ruins, I don’t mind keeping an eye out. Besides, stargazing is nice. Charlize, my 2nd younger sister, enjoys it a lot, so, when she had nightmares back when she was littler, I’d take her up to our roof and help her chart constellations to help calm her down. I think it’d be great to have a public telescope in Sandrock.”

“Jasmine would love it.” Heidi agreed. She had been busy opening up the moonshine, the bottle showing two X’s on the front of it, and pouring a generous amount of the liquid into both.

Willa eyed it, before picking up a glass for herself. She remembered what Mi-an had told her and figured that perhaps a little liquid courage might help her as well. She took a long sip, watching as Heidi took a more generous gulp of her own.

“So whadya know about Logan?”

Logan. Wilhelmina pondered the fragments she had heard. “His name is often put after the name Howlett in conversations. So often a pair when thought of. He is fun at arm wrestling competitions. Not squeamish. Helped out a lot in the Civil Corps but was not a Corpsman himself but a trusted affiliate, making him probably a monster hunter, seeing as it was also casually mentioned to me at one point that he had good first aid training and a permit to ruin dive. And you look just about ready to cry if anyone mentions him.”

Heidi took another long sip, resting her glass against her forehead as she slumped forward. “Not bad. Yeah, Logan’s a monster hunter, like his daddy, Howlett. Not even three years older than me. Grew up with him ‘round my house ‘coz his daddy was always working n’ his Ma had run off when he was jest a tiny thing. Momma ended up with him a lot, but she didn’t mind it. Loved him like her own. He was jest as devastated as the rest of us when she passed. Always took time ta put flowers on her grave fer our Day of Memories. Anyways, Logan and I grew up together. We even bickered like siblings… heck, we never said it, but he was-is- my brother.” 

She took a shaky breath, eyes watery. “I… Sandrock has always been… small. Logan, Justice, Owen, and I were all the kids ‘round fer a long while. Suppose we had it better than Jas, she’s only got us adults ta play with until Pebbles is a tad older. Anyways, Haru eventually got brought in by Howlett fer an apprenticeship, but he was real shy, could only really talk ta Logan. N’ eventually Elsie was born, but… Logan was only about two’n’a halfish years older than me, so we played a lot growin’ up. Owen and Justice were much older and so, while they’d include Logan sometimes, I tended to only have Logan ‘round. As I said before, he treated me like a sister, watched out fer me, teased me, annoyed me, but he was also there ta see me off ta Atara with his pa, Grandma Vivi, and my daddy…”

She stopped talking, eyes sparkling with unshed tears as she grabbed the moonshine and poured herself more and took a deep gulp of it. Willa kept her eyes on her friend, watching the grief in her friend’s face as she finally found the middle ground of all her emotions to speak.

“I was still studying at Atara with Madam Verna when I got the letter.” She started, a tear finally falling down her face at the memory. “Howlett had… My pa didn’t know too much- there hadn’t been much time ta fer any sort of inquiries. He came back from one of his usual trips and looked… off… from what I was told, ‘cause I wasn’t there… the church told my daddy and the other folks, he had wandered inta some kinda unknown hazardous ruins and gotten infected with an Old World disease. 

“Pastor Miguel had him immediately quarantined within the temple and Doctor Fang was called in. Logan tried ta see his daddy, but they were so worried about the possibility of a contagion spreadin’, they wouldn’t let him. Doctor Fang… I don’t know, I was told he couldn’t do nothin’ fer Howlett, ‘n Logan didn’t like that answer. My daddy tried ta calm him down, but he was angry too that nobody was lettin’ them see Howlett. The doctor went in with jest a mask and he was fine! Why couldn’t they? Wasn’t like Logan or Haru didn't have medical training. Logan, I think, wanted ta take Howlett ta another doctor, see if someone else could help… but Pastor Miguel was being an arse and wouldn’t release him. So from what my pa could figure, Logan and Haru decided ta try and get him out- to go try other options if they could.”

“I… take it that didn’t go too well?” Willa’s face was tight and grim as this awful story continued to unfold.

“They had used bombs. Haru’s real good at making shit like that, was one of the reasons Howlett took him as an apprentice. Always careful, jest the fella he is. But, I don’t know, they caused that side of the temple ta collapse! They still managed ta grab Howlett, but come morning, B3 and Justice found… he was…” Her voice warbled out and she sat there sobbing into her hands. “He… he was like another pa ta me and it ain’t fair! Logan’s bein’ chased round like a criminal because he jest wanted ta get his daddy help and- and…” She dissolved into helpless sobs, wailing her sorrows as she lost all ability to speak. Willa pulled her to her shoulder and let her friend sob into her chest. She rubbed her back, allowing her the time she obviously needed to mourn.

“I-I left Atara n’ ca-me back here, after…” Heidi admitted in broken sentences, sobs breaking up her words. “Rebuilt th-at damn te-temple wing my… myself. I wanted… wan-tedta see… wan-tedta know… but don make no sense. H…Haru’s bombs! They couln’ta doneit. That much st-structural… dam-mage? Fer as little as he woulda used? Coulda gotten his hands on? Somethin’s rotten, but I jest can’t figure out what!”

Willa held her friend in a protected cradle as she dissolved once more into tears and sobs. She rubbed her back, familiar with the act of comforting by all the years her own siblings had gone to her. Being that she had grown up in the streets with hardly any trust for others, it was something she felt honored with, when someone trusted her at their most vulnerable. In fact, outside her family and Nia, she had never done this for another human being. Heidi trusting her really meant a lot to her and she, in return, took her duty as comforter and confidant seriously.

“That’s right.” She whispered as she gave her friend’s back gentle scratches. “Cry it out. Let it all out. You’re safe here.” She rocked her a bit as she kept up the familiar mantra. “Let it all out.”

Heidi clung to her like her life depending on it, her fists bunching up the leather of Willa’s outer jacket. Slowly, eventually, her breathing evened out and, with a very shaky inhale, slowly pulled away.

“Sorry, I… I don’t think I’ve been able ta actually cry like that since, well, not fer Howlett or Logan or even Haru…. ‘M so embarrassed I-”

“Let me stop you right there. My father is a psychiatrist and the first thing he taught me when I was young is that crying is necessary for coping, for healing. It’s important to cry when things like this happen. Your brain releases endorphins afterwards to help regulate, cope, and soothe. Getting trapped in a hysterical fit of crying? Not so much. But what you did? Healthy and very needed it seems.”

“Yeah… okay, but its… so… I don’t know, I cried all over you! That’s not what I meant ta do.” Heidi wiped at her face with her hand before Willa opened up a pocket in her side pouch and handed her a handkerchief. The other woman blinked, realized its coloring and let out a weak, pitiful laugh as she accepted it. “You really do like yer black.”

“Listen,” Willa decided to start with, putting a hand on her shoulder. “We are friends. You had a vulnerable moment and you shared with me your feelings. I am honored you would trust me with them. And, from what you said, I agree with you. The Church of the Light had no authority to do that. Most airborne contagions are less transferable in wide spaces, so Logan should have had every right to remove his father from their care and leave to seek help elsewhere.” She frowned as she thought more on it. “Frankly, it's suspicious. They wouldn’t let anyone see him?”

“Only Doctor Fang and after he said he couldn’t do nothin’ fer him, I don’t think they allowed anyone else in- other than their acolytes.” Heidi made a face, but still continued to clean up her face with the handkerchief. “Dear Peach, I don’t know what ta do. I go ta the temple every Sunday and I… hate it now. I only go ‘coz my daddy’s such a firm Light believer and, while I do believe a lot of it, I jest… Since I came back from Atara, I don know, Minister Matilda’s sermons fall… flat.” She shook her head, took a long breath and released it. “Thanks fer lisenin’ though. It really helped. ‘Specially since I couldn’t talk ta anyone else ‘bout it.”

“Well, I’m rather unbiased- sorta. I will admit: I’ve never been a fan of radicals Light believers. They’ve always… hated me.”

“I did pick up a little on your disinterest in going to the temple on Sundays. The first time Mi-an missed it with ya, so I thought ya’ll were jest busy with work, but when Mi-an showed up and ya didn’t… I kinda noticed. Not to mention the little conversation we had yer first night here… Is it ta do with yer hair? Cause folks round here don’t mind it. I think it’s pretty. Reminds me of the ocean.”

This was the moment, Willa realized, that she could use to segue into her own vulnerability. She poured herself a little more moonshine and took a good gulp of it, her face scrunching up a bit at the intensity of the taste. Peach above, where did Owen get this good shit?

Heidi must have picked up on her hesitation. “Look, jest cause I dumped all my problems on ya, doesn’t mean you have ta feel like yer forced ta share anything.”

“It’ll come out eventually and I’d prefer you being one of the first people I tell.” Willa cut her off, taking a deep breath and promising herself that Heidi was even quicker to like her than Mi-an had been. This would go fine.

“So, while I wasn’t lying about the light sensitivity,” Willa started, “I wasn’t necessarily honest about what that meant or all that particular trait encompassed. I, uh, came here because I… I wanted to find people a little less intimidated by me and, well, my inherited genetics.”

She slowly removed her sunshades and set them on the glass coffee table, staring away from her friend for a moment, before returning to meet her eyes. Those big round chocolate eyes widened a fraction and her jaw slacked a bit, but after a moment, she didn’t cringe back in fear or disgust, instead, she leaned forward and even touched one of her hands to Willa’s face.

“Lookit ya.” She marveled at her eyes. “I’ve heard about folks like ya, but never thought I’d get to be friends with someone as unique as ya. Yer one of those folks with the ancestors who played around with their genes, right?”

“Best I can tell,” She blinked, trying to get used to the brighter light of the room as she finally got to see it without the colors being altered by her glasses. The green of the couch was a lot brighter than she had originally assumed. “My birth mother, I recall, didn’t have any unique traits.  I figured they were either regressive genes or my birth father had been the carrier.”

“Right, yer adopted. At eight right?”

“You remembered. Yes.” Willa nodded, taking another sip of her drink. “Before that I was living in the streets of Seesai. I guess you can say that I have one thing in common with Logan, my mother didn’t stick around.” Her lips pulled into a tight grimace as that flash of memory from all those years ago. “From what I put together from fragments of my memory and what people used to whisper in the streets, I was a baby trap. My birth mother wanted my birth father to be hers and tried using me as a way to have him… stick around? I don’t know if it worked and he, at some point died or got wise and disappeared, but after he was gone- any love for my uniqueness turned sour until she abandoned me.”

Heidi’s hand found its way on top of her free hand and Willa glanced her way, noting the sorrow and empathy in her eyes as she told the other woman her childhood trauma. She narrowed her eyes, in hopefully a warm manner, and tried to stretch her lips into a small smile.

“It wasn’t right of her, but I am grateful she did, crazy as it sounds.” Willa admitted. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the life and opportunities I do. No parents who love me, no brothers or sisters to love, tease, and enjoy, and my life would have been entirely different. Probably wouldn’t be here.” She gestured with the hand occupied with her drink as she gave a vague wave of her glass to her surroundings. She lowered it, staring at the golden liquid with a somber, thoughtful look. “Probably wouldn’t be happy.”

“Still don’t make it any less sad. How long were you living on the streets?”

“Oh, I was…” She clicked her tongue a few times as she tried to even recall. “We figured out I was eight-ish because of my baby to adult teeth ratio and physical development… I don’t remember losing teeth prior to being abandoned… I’ll guess five, almost six. So about two-three years? My birth mother didn’t celebrate milestones, so I didn’t understand the concept of timekeeping before I was adopted.”

Heidi looked horrified. “Oh Willa…”

“Not an easy childhood, but I survived it due to my own tenacity and the help of some other kids and a few helpful adults.” She shrugged. “Trust me, my parents did their best to make up for those years and also to help me heal.” She set her drink down and patted the hand Heidi still had on hers. “I would appreciate you not going around and spreading word of this.” A quick gesture to her face and eyes. “I know it’ll eventually get out, but… I’d prefer to wait a while until folks are more accustomed to me. Also, not too thrilled to let people like Pen know.”

Heidi made a disgusted sound and her face turned a little sour at the mention of the man. “Ugh, I get it. If he finds out you're unique in any way… Not jest him, but I can put good money on Pastor Miguel having a few choice words about your ancestors and shit. I’ve seen him tear inta Burgess for less.”

“If he does kick up a fuss, the minister will do that little charisma trick of hers and ‘save the day’.”

Heidi blinked. “Charisma trick?”

Willa laughed a little as she met Heidi’s eyes, “you mean you haven’t noticed? She’s in charge here. She speaks and all those acolytes, even Pen, heel at her feet. Listen to her words a bit more intently next time we have any sort of meeting.”

“Huh,” Heidi looked intrigued. “Ya know, I think I will. You’ve only been here barely two weeks and I swear you keep as little contact with Minister Matilda as possible. How’d you pick up on that?”

“Oh, her accent bothered me since I got here.” Willa shrugged off the other woman’s amazement. “From what I’ve heard, she isn’t native here. Pastor Miguel has been here longer than her and he doesn’t have a Sandrockian accent, from the little I’ve heard him say, nor does Burgess- and he’s from an Eufaula village somewhere. But she does.”

“You know, I never realized…” It seemed now that Heidi was now thinking over all her initial interactions with the minister to maybe see if she remembered when the transition happened. “She definitely didn’t have the accent her first day here…”

“My dad calls individuals like her chameleons. They gain trust through mimicry, grafting themselves into the community, start climbing the social ladder, and then start asserting themselves through their charismatic charms. Matilda is also pretty damn good at being friendly and inviting. But if you listen well enough, she says things that please the crowd the most but also aligns with her agenda.”

“That’s kinda… sinister sounding.” Heidi looked somewhat alarmed. Willa shrugged and lifted her dominant hand, flattening her hand and giving it a little shake.

“It’s not necessarily an intentional thing. It could be connected to the pathological need to people please or even a traumatic response of fawning as a way to feel safe and in control of her environment. She could be empathic and want to relate to others best she can.” She took another sip. “Or she could be a psychopath and wants to be in control of Sandrock’s every little move or she could even be a dark empath- I’m not a psychiatrist, so I can’t tell you which Matilda might be.” Willa took another drink of her moonshine. “Heck, she might simply be a nice old busybody who wants everyone to be happy. Can’t tell you. All I know is, something about her bothers me.”

She could see she had made Heidi a little worried and she felt bad. It wasn’t her intention to make her suspicious of Matilda’s actions, but it seemed that’s where the conversation had flowed. She tried to settle her again.

“Again, I’m no psychologist, my dad is, so I only know what he’s told me through casual conversations. Silvia would know more, seeing as she’s the one who wants to study folks in their natural habitats.” She threw a quick smirk in there as she added, “I think she got herself a scholarship to Atara University by doing a paper on us, her own family, and the social hierarchy in our own abode.”

Heidi snorted and gave into the temptation of the new subject. “I’m curious to know where you sat in that pecking order.”

“Oh, third or forth.” She shrugged.

“What, not the top? Woulda bet good money on that too.”

“Ha, among the siblings, yes, you’d be correct. I am that top dog in that setting, but add in my parents and grandpa? Third or forth depending on if I can beat out dad that day for the seat.”

“Oh? He ain’t at the top?”

Willa burst out laughing. “Oh, no, he’s a sweet man, very scatterbrained at times, very involved in his work and his family, but he has a higher power he answers to… and that’d be my mother. Even our grandfather will lower his head ultimately to her.”

“Your mama? What does she do fer a livin’?”

“Oh, she’s been a bakery owner since I can remember, but, oh boy, even I, back when I was practically a feral little shit, submitted to her when she took that tone. It’s all sugary and sweet, but it has this threatening aura wafting around it. It’s an unspoken warning laced into that tone and I could sense it just fine, no need for her to go past that.” A fond smile found its way onto her lips. “Despite the few times she had to remind me of my place, Mama was a sweetheart. Seems a little airy and likes to gossip when the chance arises. She’s affectionate and intuitive. She always knew when I needed time to myself. When I misbehaved in the beginning and acted out, she’d tell me things like ‘you don’t need to do that to get my attention, I’d happily give it to you if you simply asked’ or ‘in this household, that’s not how we do things, if you need something or want attention, talk to me and I see your needs met’ or even ‘keep it up and you’ll get attention, but not the kind you are wanting’. Took me a while to get the last one, but I found out there was positive attention and negative attention and, well, she was right, I starved for the positive attention.”

Heidi laughed a bit. “I think my mama usta say something similar. Ha… I jest had this memory pop up of her hopping mad, hands balled into fists on her hips, face jest about looking like she’d burst a vein. I remember her saying ‘Seems like yer lookin’ fer attention, child, well, congratulations, ya got it, but it ain’t the attention ya were wantin’, let me tell ya’.”

Willa cackled at the dramatized recreation of that moment. Heidi had done a half mocked version of her mother’s stance and expression while changing her tone a bit. Willa enjoyed it.

 “Wow, what did little Heidi do to get her so mad?”

“Me?!” Heidi gasped in mock disbelief. “Ha! It was Logan! He was being a little shit at the table. I think… I think he had been upset ‘coz his daddy left him there ta go do a job ‘n he was actin’ out. Mama sure put him back in place…” She scrunched up her brows a bit, trying hard to remember what happened after. “I think later, after he had to go sit in the corner fer a while, I caught the tail end of Mama talkin’ ta him about his bad attitude at breakfast. I remember seeing her givin’ him a hug and, I ain’t sure, but he was hugging her and I think he was cryin’. Left ‘em alone ta go back ta my room. Mama use ta tell me sometimes we all need a little moments like that and we shouldn’t tease folks fer needin’ them.”

She played the lip of her glass as her eyes got teary again. “I… I know it sounds silly, but… I think something ‘bout the whole ‘Logan gone crazy thing’ the Church folks have been sellin’ the city is wrong. He was always a tad impulsive, stubborn as a mule, bit of a grouch somedays, outright oblivious at times, and jest socially awkward enough to be outright hilarious (I loved teasing him ‘bout how bad at folks he was), but Logan grew up ta be such a goodie two shoes- more than me, even. I jest… I don’t know… I want you ta know that, ‘specially now that Pen’s diggin’ in his heels about the wanted posters. I don’t want others to taint his reputation like that. I don’t want folks who don’t know him, didn’t get ta meet the real Logan, thinking him jest a scoundrel.”

Heidi gave a shaky breath again, but she righted herself and wiped under her eyes with the pad of her right thumb. “There I go again. Gonna cry if I keep talkin’. Ha, forgot how weepy good alcohol can make me.”

Willa kindly said nothing about how the other woman was only moderately tipsy, not even a slur yet developing in her speech. She mentally filed away that Heidi could hold her drink and not bet against the woman if ever a drinking contest arose. She, though, was starting to feel the twice distilled moonshine. It was loosening her up and she felt the weariness from the day’s wild events. She sank a bit more into the couch and used the low back cushions as a head rest.

Heidi noticed and gave her an amused chuckle. “You look jest about ready to fall asleep. Need to cut this little impromptu evening short to get some sleep?”

“It’s been a day.” She admitted, but instead of sagging further into the comforts of the couch (why was this damn couch more comfortable than her bed back at her damn apartment?), she forced herself to sit up a bit. “I should probably take a shower before I head off to bed, but I’m happy to have had this conversation.”

“Yeah, so am I. Thanks fer listenin’ to me, Willa.”

“Anytime…” She gave her a crooked smirk. “And I should be thanking you for… well…” She gestured at her face, her eyes. She remembered then to snatch up her shades and put them back onto her face, sighing a bit.

“What? Thank me fer not being an ass and rejectin’ ya fer yer differences? Very bare bottom of the barrel minimum that I could do fer such a good friend.” Heidi told her as she got up and put her hands on her hips. “If anyone in town gives you shit ‘bout it, lemme know. I’ll happily put others in their place fer trying to bully someone fer being a little different.”

Willa’s lips curled into a smile as she too got herself up. “Thank’s Heidi… I… really needed that.”

“Willa, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I already think of ya as a dear friend. I’m sorry others never gave ya a chance, but it's them missin’ out, not you.”

“Same.” Willa leaned close to her and wrapped her taller friend in a strong hug. “If you ever need help with Pen, let me know. I’m great with assholes, got a lot of practice throughout the years.”

She let out a weak laugh, returning the hug. “So do I, but yeah, Pen’s a little harder fer me. Thanks fer listenin’. It really helped.”

“Anytime, pardner.” Willa said as the two pulled apart. Heidi rolled her eyes, hitting the other woman’s shoulder playfully.

“Yer better off jest not tryin’.”

“I assumed, but I also couldn’t resist.” Willa grabbed her backpack and slung it onto her shoulder. As she did so, Heidi recapped the moonshine and handed it back to her.

“If you ever need help finishin’ this off, by all means, please ask. Hooo-boy, Owen did a good job with this batch.”

Willa let out a chuckle, “I’ll hold you to that offer. This one has a kick to it and I should not drink it alone.”

She then wandered slowly towards the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Damn straight. All the paperwork is done, the foundations settled, and my workforce are all finally here. We’re breaking ground tomorrow on your property, you better be there to see it.”

Willa waved her confirmation as she kept heading towards the door. She left quietly, the sun having set since she had been in there and, as she glanced down, she could see the two pieces of the poster that Pen had been trying to deface the wall with. It wasn’t even an actual photograph, but rather a well done sketch. There wasn’t much to actually see of his face, a bandana worn around his face to keep his facial features hidden, but there were some obvious characteristics that would make the man obvious to spot. The moonlight white hair, the icy blue eyes, and a small scar that ran through his left eyebrow. She picked up the scraps and crumpled them up as she walked home, depositing the two wadded up poster pieces in the nearest trash as she did.

She was new here, and, so far, she was enjoying the city and the people she was getting to know. Yet there was a part of her that was wondering if she had walked into something. Her instincts, honed sharp since her days as a street waif, were telling her that there was some sort of shit going on. Old World diseases didn’t just… reappear and Howlett would have been a shit monster hunter if he didn’t know how to approach a new potentially hazardous ruin. There were guidelines and rules that all good Monster Hunters abided by- or they wouldn’t live as long as Howlett had.

She was broken out of her thoughts when she reached the apartment’s outer door and she swung it open. She noticed her neighbor Jensen and gave him a nod of her head and a short grunt hello, tired. He was still a little skittish around her, but he waved hello and returned to reading in the community area. She kept walking until she was back in her room. She closed the door and made it as far as her bed before letting herself collapse into it.

She did manage to slip her backpack off of her after a moment, but didn’t do much else for a time. The day’s events finally caught up to her.

“Just a nap. Then a nice hot shower,” she told herself.

She didn’t wake up until the early hours of the morning, half on her bed, still in her bra, arm completely numb, her shoes still on her tingling toes, and her shades pushed off her face in her sleep. She managed to slip off the shoes, put her dark tinted glasses somewhere safe, and shimmy her bra off before muttering ‘Fuck it’ and curled up on her comforter to keep sleeping.

She was not even that mad at herself come later that morning. Not even for the slight hangover.

It was worth it.

Notes:

As per my promise to you all. Your Saturday update. This is perhaps one of my favorite chapters. Usually I like starting to read from here on out when I’m bored because this one really gets into the Logan part of the story.

As I’ve hinted, Heidi has some pretty big feelings about Logan’s whole fall into banditry. She was only a few years younger than him (in my story because I know that everyone sees everyone’s age so differently), so even if they weren’t purposely close, they were probably the only kids their age at that time. And I always subscribed to the notion that Grandma Vivi’s family used to watch Logan when Howlett couldn’t.

Now the one thing that has always bothered me was that Miguel had quarantined Howlett up at the temple. Not in the clinic with Fang, not at home where his son could take care of him, but the temple. He said it was to protect everyone from contamination, but far more people head into a temple on a weekly basis than those other two locations. Only after the reveal do we know why. Another thing that had always bugged me was the Church of the Light has been shown not to have any government authority. But everyone just listened to Miguel’s ruling without hesitation. I understand that he might be on the board, but ultimately, I don’t think he has that sort of governmental authority.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT HE BASICALLY WAS THE ONE THAT DOOMED HOWLETT!!! Nobody talks about how Howlett’s death is on the shoulders of the Church heads. They wanted him dead. Pen and Miguel saw to that, but Logan always took the brunt of that guilt because his and Haru’s ‘bomb’ idea didn’t work- but outrageous damages were caused by Pen. He admitted it! Logan blames himself for his dad dying, but even then, it didn’t seem like he was ever going to make it. At least with his sons getting him out, he was able to give them that warning before passing.

Ugh. I have other things I want to shout out into the voice, but I will stop there.

I would also like to thank Meowshouse for talking me through some plot points. She’s been an awesome help!

Chapter 9

Owen was in love with how his stage was turning out. He admitted as much each time she and Mi-an showed up to chip away at the project. They had made the base of the stage out of stacked flat gray stone and mortar. They had made sure that while it sat almost flat, it was angled just a smidge one way to help with the rare rainstorm runoff. Standing puddles were the bane of any long term building project. However, it was at such a slight angle, the only way to see it was by using a leveler.

After making sure the foundation was well built, the two builders got to work with the frame and stage floor. At the moment they were lining up the planks with the back ones in perfect alignment and the front would need a touch up. At Mi-an’s suggestion the other day, they had taken the time to paint and seal the bottom and sides of the planks. Owen had chosen a rich blue- deeper than her own hair color, but not sky blue either. It was a fitting color for the Blue Moon Saloon.

“Wow, I can’t believe how wonderful it’s turning out.” Owen told them as they hauled and aligned the back planks. He had come out when he had heard the noise of construction coming from the other side of the kitchen, bringing with him a pitcher of something cold as an offering.

Today was turning out to be rather hot. Mi-an had discarded her long sleeve jacket and had rolled up her sleeves a bit. Her first few buttons on her blouse undone to let the warm breeze cool her sweaty skin. Willa too looked hot, her hat traded out for a scarf she wore like a headband, a little above where her bright blue fringe began. She too had some sweat trickling down, but she was wearing tinted safety goggles on her face to keep any sort of debris or sand from getting into her eyes.

“It really did come out great! Right now we’re simply seeing how many planks we’ll need.” Mi-an acknowledged as she gestured to where they had laid out the wooden fibreboard planks they had made. “After that, comes the tricker part. We have to drill and screw in all the boards. Then make a straight line and saw off and sand the front of the stage before we even try painting the rest of it. However, with how the timeline’s been going, everything should be finished by sunset tonight!”

Willa looked up from her spot by the far end of the stage. “I got some tools and tricks for that. I’ll need to run over quickly to the Wandering Y to dig them out though.” She turned to nod at Owen though, “But yeah, Mi-an’s right. Unless something big happens, your stage is in the final stages of being built.”

“Boo!” Mi-an sassed at her, unimpressed at her pun.

Owen, though, found it within himself to laugh in good nature as he set down the pitcher of cold drink down as well as two glasses. “Seeing as it was so hot, I thought you two might enjoy some refreshing iced sand tea. A Sandrock special.”

“Ooh!” Mi-an marveled as she abandoned her spot near the back and carefully walked on where the spine of their base was over the loose planks. “That sounds wonderful. I’m practically melting in this heat. Does Sandrock always get this hot?”

“Summers here can be a little intense the further into the season we get. You’ll definitely need to mind your water consumption with all your machines as well as remember to stay hydrated. But once autumn and winter come around, it’ll still be warmer than other places, but more manageable. Spring can be a bit erratic in temperature.”

“That’s good to know.” Willa acknowledged as she too abandoned her spot to get a drink. 

They had been at it for a while, but, with this heat wave, a while was a smidge too long without a hydration break. Mi-an was hopping off the stage while Owen kindly filled two glasses for them to the near brim of the cold drink. The two happily took the offered beverage and, while Mi-an took a cautious sip before her eyes brightened in delight and began gulping it down, Willa simply went for it. It was sweet, flavorful, and cold. A hint of lemon zest to it as well.

“That’s good.” Willa told him, holding out her cup for him to top her off. “Just what we needed today.”

Owen smiled, but it was a little tight. “You know you can wait for the sun to go down a bit and things to cool off before going back at it. I don’t want either of you to get sunstroke.”

Willa took a few long swallows of her second drink, contemplating it. “I’m fine to continue.” She glanced over at Mi-an. “Do you want to postpone?”

She had finished her own first glass, Owen topping her off as she thought about it, but she shook her head no. “I have a few other commissions I need to finish tonight, so I’d rather finish this one sooner than later. Besides, while it is hot, I’m okay to keep going.”

“Guess there’s your answer.” Willa said to him. “Thanks though for worrying about us, but tomorrow’s Saturday and I don’t work weekends. I would like to get this done by tonight.”

Owen’s brow rose. “Oh that’s right. What are your plans for your weekend then?”

“Elsie and I are dragging Mi-an off to do a little riding Saturday morning. We’ll probably get lunch at the Blue Moon after. Then I’m catching up with Heidi for a bit.”

“Oh and what about your Sunday?” Owen asked curiously. “I didn’t see you at the Temple the last few weeks, so I take it you don’t go?”

“Sundays are chore days. But, yeah, Temples and I don’t fully agree with one another.” Willa shrugged. “Comes with being a builder. Mi-an’s being a good girl and going, but I don’t have a good temper to withstand so many potshots about how my occupation is a ‘necessary evil’. Since my apartment is small and laundry won’t take too long, I figured I’d go check out the graveyard and see if I can’t do some charity there instead.”

“Actually…” Mi-an trailed off, her face scrunched up into an uncomfortable look. “I was thinking about doing some charity work instead of going too. Minister Matilda’s nice and all, but Pastor Miguel and Pen make me… uncomfortable. Especially Pastor Miguel, he kept throwing glares my way every time technology was even hinted at.”

Owen had the decency to look aghast on their behalf. “I’m so sorry about that. Yeah, Pastor Miguel’s pretty firm in his anti-technology stance, but I side more on the philosophy that it’s fine to have technology, but there are limits on how far we should take it. AI has proven to be a dangerous line, though I’ve heard rumors about a few that didn’t get infected and prove to be helpful. Even genetic modifications can be a little dicey. However, I do see the pros of it, what with how we’ve modified certain plants and there are even folks with modified genetics that have proven to be helpful, but with how haphazard our ancestors were with it? That I’m all for avoiding. We shouldn’t play with it like it’s a toy. What’s already out there is out there and not the fault of anyone born with the inherited modifications, but the idea of trying to recreate such things… makes me uncomfortable.”

Something in Willa eased a bit at hearing Owen say that. In recent days, he’d proven to be a good friend to her. Always welcoming when she came to eat, always aware of her food preferences and happy to trade stories with her. It would have really wounded her to hear him against genetic modification as a whole, rather than simply the notion of it being misused any further than it already had been.

She gave him a small smirk, handing back her empty glass. “I’m glad you don’t disapprove of us not being where we don’t feel comfortable.”

“Not at all. Each person’s faith is their own. I like going for the community there, but I know it’s not for everyone. Elsie only comes because her Pa manages to drag her there sometimes. Doctor Fang is from Seesai and they have different views on the Light. Mort and Zeke don’t even head up there anymore, not since Pastor Miguel took Zeke’s place as pastor.”

“Zeke?” Willa cocked her head to the side. “Haven’t met him, met Mort though when Granny Vivi asked me to take him a lunch one day. Nice fellow. Seemed lonely.” She crinkled her nose a bit at the memory of the graveyard. 

One of the reason’s she wanted to start doing some charity over there was because the place looked dismal. The wooden grave markers were already wearing and Mort had mentioned that Sandrock wasn’t even a century old yet. If nothing was done, those folk and their stake in their world would be lost once Mort passed on.

“Oh, Zeke is a bit of a hermit. Not good with a lot of folks, but he’s a knowledgeable botanist. Crossbred multiple plant species so they could thrive in Sandrock’s dry environment with the right amount of attention, and even manages our local moisture farm. If I remember correctly, he’s been developing something called a ‘biocrust’? He’d be able to tell you more if you ask him. Zeke is an incredible guy though. He’s pretty much why we have fresh produce outside of what’s forageable. You should try heading down and meeting him.” Owen told her enthusiastically. “He’s probably been interested in meeting you, but simply too shy to do it. He’s more proactive about seeing folks once he’s gotten to know them.”

“Well I’ve been interested in talking to a desert botanist about the local plant life around here to try growing at my place once Heidi’s gotten it all finished. It wouldn’t hurt to get a head start on that. I’ll see about heading that way after I see what I can do for Mort.” Willa nodded, her interest in the unknown Sandrocker now piqued.

“I wouldn’t mind doing that too!” Mi-an agreed. “I’ve always enjoyed botany back at school. It’s a little hobby of mine when I’m not building.”

“Glad to hear that Mimi. You can join me if you want to this Sunday and we’ll go meet him together.” Willa was quite grateful to have someone a little sunnier come with her. She wasn’t sure what Zeke was like, but she was kinda worried she’d make him clam up with her gruff looks.

“I’m glad you two are hitting it off so well.” Owen seemed so pleased by their friendship. “I was a little nervous since Yan’s not typically a team player and Mason hasn’t liked other folk for years. So seeing you two get along is so great.” He lifted the pitcher and its dwindling contents. “I’m going to let you two get back to it, do either of you want one last refill?”

Both held out their cups to be topped off. Owen laughed and kindly refilled them before heading back inside. Willa finished hers first, licking her lips a bit as she set the glass near the banister of the deck and moved to finish laying out the amount of planks needed. She was guessing three more, then she’d run over to her storage in Wandering Y to dig out the tools she was thinking of. She briefly wondered about Mi-an’s reaction to them.

Mi-an only finished half of her drink, setting hers next to Willa’s as she made her way back to her spot. “So, this is our last big commission for a while.”

“Unless one pops out of nowhere, sure is. I’ll still need to borrow a few of your machines for commissions until my workshop’s up and running, but I will probably be focusing more on helping Heidi and her crew with my home for a bit. At least until I can get one of the tiny guest houses finished so I can live there instead, then I’ll focus on the part that’ll eventually be my workspace all outfitted and then I’ll start installing the furnaces and slowly start hauling my tools into the courtyard area.” Willa rambled off, her eyes flashing up to look at Mi-an’s expression. She looked a little… sad. “What’s wrong?”

“I, uh, will kinda miss this.” She gestured at the stage they were assembling. “You and I, building together. I really have enjoyed working with you.”

Willa blinked up at her in surprise, “Really now? You enjoy working with me? Most folks call me a hardass and a slave driver.”

“Oh, you have standards. High standards, which I actually like. I like the challenge they present and the words of praise you give me when I meet them. And I mean, sure, you don’t let me work weekends when on a job with you,” Mi-an said in a teasing tone. However, her expression grew serious and she fiddled with the alignment of the planks. “But I think I need that. Back home, my folks were all about the next job. Work, work, work. Staying busy all the time. No weekends. No hobbies outside of building. I had to keep my interest in botany a secret.”

“Sounds like my standards are easier than what you were already accustomed to.” Willa acknowledged.

She felt bad that Mi-an’s whole young life seemed to have revolved around building. She could understand it to a point, but her father had emphasized that his children chasing their own interests far outweighed any idea of them taking after him and his profession. Her mother had agreed with him and she was the one that demonstrated the importance of work life balance with her own job.

“Sorta. My parents aren’t as picky about things as you are, but the way you do things and the reasons why you want them the way you do make sense to me.” Mi-an explained. “In fact, I really like the way you work.”

Willa didn’t know what to do, so she kept working, though she did admit. “That’s very kind of you Mi-an. I will say I’ve never gotten to work with someone like you either. You show up, you give it your all, and you are happy and excited for the work, even when I’m being persnickety about the quality. I know I made you redo your work a few times and, well, you surprised me when you did. I’ve had more than a few classmates throw hissy fits at me for making them redo their work.”

“Yeah, but you weren’t wrong about the issues. I redid that work because I wouldn’t have been okay knowing that it was less than it should have been and I got better because you talked me through my mistakes.” She raised a hand and shook her head when Willa tried to open her mouth to respond. “I… I have a point to all of this and it’s not me fishing for praise. You told me right off the bat how you were and I take the fact that you keep working with me as a compliment. You are somewhat stuck with me for the time being, but not so much that you couldn’t have excluded me if I was a pain in your side. What I’m trying to convey is… I… I don’t want to stop doing commissions with you.” 

She took a deep breath and let it out, Willa stunned into place at the admission. “In fact,” Mi-an looked nervous, a little afraid at the moment, but she persisted. “In fact, I was wondering if maybe I could… if you would… I want to be a part of your workshop. If you’d consider having me. I know it's a big ask.”

Willa stared up at her, shifting her goggles up onto the top of her headscarf that was wrapped around her head just past her fringes, so that she could look the other woman in the eyes. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the bright light and she knew that the pupils were just slivers, but Mi-an didn’t balk or tear her eyes away. Instead, she did her best to puff out her chest and, from what Willa could tell, was holding her breath, like she was waiting for her to reject her.

“You want to be a part of my workshop?” Willa was genuinely mystified, though she wasn’t sure if her face properly showed that. “What about yours?”

“Mine? What about it? It’s not much of a name. In fact, I messed up the registration because I was so nervous and named it Mi-an. It’s so embarrassing. It sounds like so unoriginal or something.” She admitted with a self-deprecating blush, but she shook her head and continued. “I don’t mind losing my workshop’s reputation and identity if it means I can keep working with you. Also, that way we can take on more commissions if we want and we’ll always have each other to rely on as coworkers!”

“So, you want to be a part of The Azure Dragon Atelier. You want to work under me?”

“If that’s what it takes to keep working with you, I’d call you Boss.”

Willa took a deep breath as she looked down at her booted feet, momentarily at a loss of what to think or even feel. A hand finding her fringes and pushing them out of her face as she thought about what Mi-an was suggesting. Her, operating her big assemblies workshop, not as a solo independent, but rather as a two person team. It wasn’t even about the impressive claim of being a single man large assemblies workforce. Being on a team never been in the cards for her prior to now. No one liked her back in Atara enough, too intimidated by her looks, her reputation, and her stern work philosophies. Group projects had been the bane of Willa’s whole school career- especially with the Higgins incidents. But, not even a full month into her stay at Sandrock, she had been able to work on several commissions with another young woman who, while a little skittish of her at first, had turned out to work hard, loved being challenged, willing to go the extra mile, threw herself wholly into everything she did. What’s more, she didn’t shun Willa for her known genetic modifications, she accepted her fully, whole-heartedly.

“Well… I…” She looked back up into Mi-an nervous, hopeful expression. Resolution took over her own uneasiness and her lips thinned into a tight line and her eyes narrowed as she met her eyes. “I will not accept anything less than your personal best each day, you will have to accept you’re not working weekends unless there’s a very good reason, we will be establishing a weekly work schedule later, I’ll be the one negotiating with Yan about each commission from now on, and that our work hours might not always line up when we’re experiencing a slurry of smaller commissions.” Mi-an’s face grew more and more brighter as she spoke. She kept on going. “If that’s alright with you, then I am willing to give this idea a trial period and if we both are still feeling good about it, then I will re-register the workshop’s name from ‘The Azure Dragon Atelier’ to The Azure Dragon & Company Atelier. How’s that sound?”

“Yes!” Mi-an practically leapt up for joy, but quickly remembered none of the boards were actually secured yet. She did a quick one-two tiptoe step off the stage to continue jumping about on the sturdy ground. “Oh yes, yes, yes! I’m more than okay with that! I’ve never been so excited about working with someone before! And this means I can keep doing big assembly work! This is really more than I could hope for.”

Willa blushed, not sure how to feel. Other than Nia, no one had ever been this enthusiastic to be around her. Her siblings loved her, sure, but they all had their own ways of showing their happiness about hanging with her, even Walt would bemoan his participation when she asked for his company but never tried to wiggle out of it. But to have someone so gung-ho about the opportunity to work with her? The last time had been Nia for a class project when they were kids.

She let out a rare blush and pulled her goggles back down, trying to figure out how to emote all the giddiness she felt. Eventually her lips twisted into a toothy smirk. Probably too much teeth and a little feral looking, but Mi-an didn’t balk away. “Well, can’t say I’m not excited myself. Bet with our powers combined, Sandrock’ll see a whole lot more progress than if we had been two individual workshops.” She held out her hand for Mi-an to take. “Put her there, pardner.”

Mi-an laughed, putting her hand into hers with no hesitation. “Has anyone told you that you're pretty bad at that?”

“Heidi might’ve.” She laughed too, “then again, she said the same thing about your attempts.”

Mi-an made an overdramatized gasp, a faux look of affront on her face. “What? I’m bad at it?”

“I know, right? But she’s the expert, seeing as she’s from here and all.” Willa gave her hand a good squeeze and shake before letting go. “Come on then, let’s get this job done. I have a few tools we can go get that’ll help us right along.”

She wondered how much Mi-an’s eyes would light up at the discovery that Willa had portable power tools. They were still relatively new in the builder’s community, seeing as Willa had only released the patents for the things three months prior to her move here. Their creation accredited to her littlest sister’s curiosity about why Willa didn’t have something portable when she had been building her a tree house and had to keep climbing up and down and measuring and cutting the measured lengths with her civil cutter. It had taken her a year or so to get the cordless circular saw the way she wanted, but it had been worth it. She moved on to a few other mobile power tools that would help her in everyday commissions, like the power drill with the interchangeable bits. Not to mention the patents for the inventions had landed her with more gol than she had originally known what to do with (it’s all invested or donated now and a good chunk went into the land purchase she had made).

“Aye aye, Boss!” Mi-an cheered, with a little salute to her.

“Yeah, keep calling me Willa.” She told her.

Notes:

Hey all! Sorry about no update last week. Emotionally I was so spent I couldn’t even muster up the strength to post. I had the chapter, but I was having a hard time. Thank you for your patience!

So, we’ve finally reached to reason why the title has that & Co. This was about the point when I realized that Mi-an and Willa would be great actual coworkers and not simple independants that work for the same guild. And it’s probably not going to stop at Mi-an, really. But we’ll see who gets added to the Azure Dragon Atelier & Co as we keep going. However this is also a turning point for Willa. She’s always been alone and now she’s not. Her family loves her, even Walt, but their sibling dynamic is he likes to bitch and moan about all the things and Willa teases him and loves to give him shit, as siblings close in age tend to do. But she only had Nia and Walt as friends her age and now getting more and more folks wanting to be friends with her is allowing her to feel like she belongs. Be more social. Be more willing to stick her neck out for people she doesn’t know as much.

We are a few chapters away from the Train robbery and the Geeglers! It’s actually where I’ve slowed down to, sadly with all the things going on in my life, but I have a plan for it once I can get to it.

As usual, thank you to all those people that take a few moments of their time to leave me a comment. They feed my muse and soul. Pop in a small comment about your favorite part or even what you speculate will happen next. Heck tell me your theories on who you think I’ll add to Willa’s company, if you want! I love hearing what you all think.

Have a wonderful Day!!!

Chapter 10

Zeke was not a people person. He didn’t hate people and wasn’t begrudging when folks stayed to chat after swinging by the moisture farm for their purchases. He’d grunt out an awkward hello, nod quietly to their chatter as a way to signal he was following along, and give them some clipped but polite answers to their attempts at small talk. They’d all leave after a few easy questions most times, like ‘have you been well’ and ‘how is your father doing’. Most had learned not to ask after his research, which was fine with him, seeing as he always felt awkward talking about it.

He understood why. He wasn’t eloquent or well spoken, his tones hardly changing, even when he spoke of something he was enthused about, and, at the end of the day, he was talking about dirt. Not a lot of folks around really were interested in dirt. Zeke had learned to condense it to something short and to the point. “It’s not where I want it yet, but I haven’t given up.”

That was about as much as folks (other than little Trudy and his father) really wanted, he guessed, when they asked after his research.

He was a rather reclusive man, he knew. Zeke didn’t much like leaving the company of his research and his plants. However, every once in a while, he’d gather up his social stamina and take the ten minute walk up the hill to where his father had decided to live in his older years. The disquieting fact that his father lived in a cemetery in his dotage was not lost on the man, but he chose to ignore it if his father was content to tend to what remained of those he had once known in life.

Last week he had come up to share an impromptu dinner with his father. His last harvest had resulted in a vast amount more produce than he had expected, so he had made extra food and wanted to share his humble results with his father. He had found his father in high spirits and more lively than usual. He asked after what had him so happy, interested in his father’s minor day to day activities, and found out about the new builder. He had heard a bit about the other one the week she had shown up, but apparently there was now another one.

“Vivi had apparently asked her to swing by with a lunch for me and took the time to visit the graves, asking about the folks resting here. Kind young woman. Wore mourning colors, but she assured me it was a preference, rather than a statement. She sat with me for a while and even listened to the ramblings of this old man.” His dad had told him. “It was nice to recount some of Sandrock’s earlier years to someone actually interested.”

He had given his father a grunt, pleased to hear him so happy. He then eyed Zeke and gave a gentle shake of his walking stick as he proceeded to give him that fatherly tone. “Now Zeke, make sure you are good to that young lady when you meet her. Give her a chance to surprise you, you hear me?”

“Yes Dad.” Zeke promised, not entirely sure what that would even entail, but supposed he’d do his best regardless. He then distracted his father from further lecturing by showing him what he had come there to announce and the two went in to enjoy a quiet meal in each other’s company.

He didn’t expect that hardly a week later on a Sunday morning, during the time when Minister Matilda would be giving her sermon, as he was in the middle of weeding around his Pomatoes plants, to meet both builders. 

He had heard the double doors of the moisture farm open, a loud creaking sound he never bothered to put in a commission for Mason or Yan to fix because it allowed him to know when other folks were entering. Zeke wasn’t disgruntled by the idea of someone coming in, the moisture farm he managed was technically a government facility for local crop production and botanical research. Sandrockers were more than welcomed to enter within its operating hours to purchase or inquire after his expertise. It was his job. It was merely odd to have company at this hour. He turned to look over his shoulder, still on his hands and knees and listened with interest to who was visiting the moisture farm.

“Oh wow!” He heard one of them gush in awe. A woman, he could guess with how high her tones were. She spoke with an exuberance towards the place that Zeke wasn’t familiar with outside of little Trudy. “Willa! This place is so cool! Do you think Mister Zeke gives tours?”

“Wouldn’t hurt to ask.” The lower, more gruff voice responded with a subtle tone of amusement. Another woman, he could surmise, though her tones were on the lower spectrum. “Glad Owen told us about the place.”

The two stopped speaking for a moment and he could hear the clicking of their shoes as they came further in. The clicks of heels noticeable on the metal flooring and the quieter taps of work boots were the only sounds for a moment as they meandered slowly towards the center of the moisture farm where the hydrogel sprinkler system stood. He heard one of them whistle.

“I’d love to see how this baby was designed. Think Qi has the diagram?” The lower voiced woman asked her companion.

“If you can convince him, I want to see it. I wonder how it works.”

“Probably involves a compressor, if I am to make any guess at what is used internally.”

There was a pause in the conversation between the two, and, for a moment, he wondered if they were taking in the humble sights of his workplace before one of them spoke again.

“Hello? Mister Zeke? Are you here?”

He almost grunted, but realized that these were two voices he didn’t know. He had a pretty good idea of who they might be, based on their interest in the hydrogel, but he figured his first interaction should be a little more substantial.

“A moment.” He called out, grunting a bit as he pulled himself up to his full height and ambled out of where he had been in the middle of his pomato plants. He didn’t see them, even as he turned around and could guess that they were on the opposite side of the mechanical column, just out of sight. He ambled slowly over, doing his best to clap the dirt off of his hands as the two women came into his view.

Both were tiny in comparison to him (not really a new concept to him, yet he made note of it like always), but the taller of the two was a black haired woman with an eager expression with wide, honest brown eyes. She wore sand goggles on top of a hat, white overalls over a mint green blouse and a yellow undershirt peeking through a bit where her buttons weren’t clasped shut near the neckline of the green blouse. She was rather pale, even more so than Mabel and her daughter, though he noticed a healthy coloring from the sun. Upon seeing him, she seemed to brighten more, undeterred by his more stoic expression.

The other woman, smaller in height (despite the illusion she was trying to create with her heels) yet more robust in her petite frame than the other, was much darker in her skin tones: a lovely warm olive. Golden and sun kissed with a good helping of freckles across her cheeks and bridge of her nose. He knew exactly who she was upon taking in her attire, black from the scarf she was utilizing as a headband to her high heeled boots. She was wearing a simple long sleeve dress, despite the heat. He wondered the reasoning, seeing as even the other woman had rolled up her blouse’s long sleeves to her elbows due to the weather, but didn’t pry.

However, her hair, done in an intricate braid that he didn’t know the name of, was a shock of blue. It was a very pretty color, but not what he had been expecting. She also was choosing to leave her dark sunshades, which he noticed even had side shields, preventing him from seeing her eyes well. He could barely make out their shape, never mind her eye color. However, he could understand why his own stern counternace had not been a deterrent to the other young lady, for no matter how morose folks may have found him, this woman’s at rest expression was even more fierce.

He blinked at her, taking in the rare individual (she probably more misunderstood than even him by strangers) before him, completely unaffected by the formidable aura she seemed to unintentionally yet naturally exude. He could tell she wasn’t exactly what her outward perception would make one believe. Though her lips had a naturally strong downturn, he could tell she was a gentle, kind lady. Anyone willing to spend time with an old man and patiently listen to him tell her the history of Sandrock could not be anything less.

“You must be the new builders.” Zeke was surprised that he was the first to speak. He often wasn’t.

“Yes!” The taller one gushed, her face open and expressive in a way that his and her companions did not seem capable of. “My name is Mi-an. I’m the one that came from Tallsky.”

“Wilhelmina.” The other woman nodded, her dark painted lips twitching up into a misleading smirk. He managed to overlook the unintended unnerving twist it took to see what was truly behind the fallacy of her expression: she was attempting to be friendly. She held out her gloved hand to him and he accepted the gesture as she continued to speak. “But, please, call me Willa. I come from Highwind. Both of us got here a good while ago, so, please, forgive us for the tardiness in our introduction.”

“Don’t worry too much ‘bout it. I am Zeke.” He gave her a firm clasp of his hand, which he found returned in equal strength. She released his hand and the other one, Mi-an, offered hers to shake as well. “Though I guess you already knew that.” They had called out his name right beforehand, after all. He grunted out more words as he gave Mi-an’s hand a shake. “I’m the caretaker of this place. How may I help you ladies?”

“I am not sure how much you know, but I am the one who bought Mason’s property,” Willa easily dove into the heart of the matter. 

She gave a toothy smile, too many sharp teeth showing in that one gesture, when he caught himself involuntarily wincing at that news. He hadn’t gone to Mason’s goodbye party- knew the older man didn’t want a fuss. Hadn’t really headed up that way in a while since Mayor Trudy hadn’t been around to go see, but he knew the sight of Mason’s property the last time he had wandered up that way. It had been pretty bad. 

She gave a short, sharp laugh, trying to show good humor towards the situation. “Yeah. I bought that sight unseen. I wasn't too happy when I got here and saw it, I’ll admit. I expected more from a builder, but Ol’ Mason was more burned out than I had realized. I had to expedite all my plans to build a proper home on the land. While nowhere near moving in, I wanted to plan the garden and its contents in advance. Owen encouraged me to come talk to you, seeing as Sandrock agriculture vastly different from Highwind’s.”

“And I am interested in botany, so I asked Willa if I could join her.” Mi-an added with a bright smile. “Owen said you’ve managed to cross-breed a lot of plants so they were able to survive the climate here and were even working on making what he was only able to sorta explain as a ‘biocrust’. It sounded so fascinating, I couldn’t just not join Willa when she said she’d swing by today.”

“Oh.” Zeke watched her for a moment more before he shuffled a bit. “‘Coz of how the topsoil here is so sandy, it ain’t good ‘nough to grow things here in the Eufaula. My father, Mort,” he gestured at Willa and looked at her sunglasses in an attempt to make eye contact. “Whom you met, Ms Willa.” She nodded and twitched her lips up again in her version of a small smile. “Was the one to come up with the use of a straw grid as a way to combat some of the hurtles desert farming presents. I’ll be honest, ain’t easy to grow things ‘round here without the use of the straw grid. It supplies a windbreak for the new plant as it sprouts and helps the soil within to collect nutrients that the plants put into the ground. Overtime the soil, if you use it over an’ over again will become healthier an’ stronger. It, unfortunately, takes a long while to accumulate healthy, nutrient rich soil. That’s where the concept of the biocrust comes in. It helps expedite the whole slow process of nature to a more stable layer of topsoil.”

That was usually where he started to lose people and he rubbed the back of his neck as he was about to add ‘I won’t bore you with it’, but these two builders surprised him.

Willa had her hand on her chin, a finger tapping near the junction where her jaw curved to meet her ear. Her other hand cupped her elbow as her brows furrowed thoughtfully. “I see. So I’m guessing that the development of the biocrust was not necessarily simply to make farming an easier feat outside of an enclosed space like this area,” she gestured at the moisture farm as a whole, “and possibly as a means to reverse the desertification that this area has suffered since the relic rush?”

He had to blink a few times, an unexpected feeling of surprise overtaking him. “Uh, yes.”

“Oh, oh, is the biocrust a part of the reforestation project that Mayor Trudy is currently conducting further out in the Eufaula desert?” Mi-an also surprised him as her eyes shone with excitement at their conversation topic.

“Uh, yes.” He mumbled out again, still unable to shake off the fullness of his stupor to find more words. They were tracking what he was saying and were interested enough to come up with questions. This was… new.

“If the trees can be regrown in the area, then there would be the ability to create a windbreak and lessen the likelihood of sandstorms, since there wouldn’t be clear level grounds for wind speeds to garner even more ferocity.” Willa speculated out loud. “However, the tricky part is making a topsoil that meets the requirements of something like a tree, not to mention the water intake trees require… However, if what Old World documentation says can be trusted, humans back then managed to do this decades before the Day of Calamity. The trick is ample water and manipulating the soil just so.”

“Right.” Zeke agreed. He found himself speaking more on the topic before he could put too much thought on the action. “I’ve been looking for any sorta Old World documentation or research that would pair well with what I’ve already developed of the biocrust. I have come a long way, but it takes too long to make ‘nough batches of biocrust to be useful an’, even then, Trudy has been using my latest adaptation of the biocrust… The results, while better than prior, are still resulting in the eventual decline an’ death of the saplings we fostered here an’ replanted in the Eufaula Desert. The nutrient levels aren’t ‘nough an’ the headway I can make by myself have slowed to a crawl compared to the leaps it took in the beginning.”

“Is it the chemistry tools that you have now that are insufficient or simply one of those things that either needs Old World knowledge to speed up the process of with some ‘aha’ inventions or secrets?” Willa once again was the one to ask, an eyebrow raised as she gave him what he realized was a curious look.

“A little of both.” Zeke admitted, getting really involved in the conversation the more Willa drilled him over the subject. “The Alliance is kind ‘nough to give us funding for the issue, but I’m not utilizing the latest an’ greatest equipment. However, I feel like it is also a hurdle that can only be overcome with digging up the right information. I know my father has found agricultural documentation ‘round here before, an’ the relic rush was able to provide us with some more… but I feel like we’ve yet to uncover that one big thing that will be able to catapult us over this obstacle.”

“Okay.” Willa nodded, having easily followed his explanation. “Then I’ll keep my eye out for such things in future ruin dives. Never know when it's all about uncovering or digging up the right data disc. Any key words I should keep a look out for or pass along to Director Qi when I give him data discs to analyze?”

“I’ve come across a few documents myself talking about a strain of algae that was in development by scientists. Ain’t sure if it's what I’m looking for, but it alluded to being high in nutrients an’ I’m curious ‘bout it as an ingredient in making a richer bio-crust.”

“Oh, oh, so what do you do to even create a bio-crust?” Mi-an raised her hand, interest shining in her eyes. “I know that fertilizer can be made up of biodegradable materials or manure, but what process do you use in particular to even make yours more viable?”

Zeke had to think for a moment, mentally comparing the two processes to give her an answer. The two small women didn’t rush him for a response as he thought and eventually he managed to come up with a reply. As soon as he finished answering one question, it seemed one of the two women would find another question for him to ponder. They spoke for a good while, going from the topic of biocrust and eventually landing at desert farming and the means of making a straw grid. He walked the two of them through it, answering any questions as they arose. Between the two, the questions never seem to run dry, but at one point, he heard a chiming sound and noticed Willa looking down at a small pouch she wore on her thigh and dug out a little clock that was making the chirping sound. It read 12:00 and it was then that he realized he had been speaking nonstop to these two builders for the better part of three hours.

“Noon already?” Willa was blinking in surprise. “Damn.”

Mi-an didn’t seem as surprised, she turned to look at Willa with a curious look. “Meeting up with Heidi?”

“Yup. Going over a few things with her today over lunch. Maybe run over to see how Qi is holding up. He’s still on crutches.” Willa nodded, her expression returning to its naturally steely expression. “Then I was going to do the guild inspection work.”

Zeke felt a brow raise high as he heard that tidbit. Director Qi was on crutches. Mi-an seemed to read his expression and she turned to smile at him. “Director Qi had an accident in the local ruins and Willa saved him.”

“Damn lucky I fell through a hole to the same floor as him. Would have taken a while for anyone to realize something was amiss.” Willa shook her head with a huff.

“Also lucky you have such good first aid skills. If it had been me, he would have been in more trouble.” Mi-an shook her head. She smiled brightly as Willa rolled her eyes at her.

“Don’t dismiss yourself. You are full of surprises.” She checked her clock again. “Anyways, as fun as this has been, and I really mean that, Mister Zeke, I have to go.” She looked over at Mi-an. “You want a ride or are you not quite done here?”

“Oh, I want to stay a little longer.” Mi-an told her, glancing over his way with her big brown eyes full of gentle askance. “If that’s alright with you, Mister Zeke? I’d hate to get underfoot if you have things you need to be doing.”

“I don’t mind.” He found himself admitting, and truly meaning it. “You are welcome to stay, as long as you don’t mind me working. You are free to ask more questions, but I have some plants I need to tend to.”

“Oh! Please, allow me to help!” Mi-an practically jumped as she offered her services.

“Best to tell her yes, I’ve found. She’s a hard one to deter.” Willa laughed at him.

It took him a moment to realize how dumbfounded he must have looked. The offer was so alien to him, seeing as most folks left him be or spoke only the most superficial topics with him. It had been the first time in a long while that he had spoken at such lengths and, though his throat was a little tired from all the talking, he didn’t find that he hated it.

“Very well. I could always use help in weeding an’ taking soil samples. However, if you two would, I am not much interested in being addressed as Mister Zeke. I hardly tolerate little Jasmine calling me such, but I understand Trudy wants her daughter to practice good manners.”

“Alright, but you can’t be calling me Miss Willa then.”

“Call me Mi-an then.”

He agreed to their terms. He watched as the two women exchanged goodbyes and the smaller one made her way out with a promise to come back when her garden was ready to be planted for another lesson. He grunted his acceptance and turned to go back to his work.

“Thanks.” Mi-an caught him by surprise with that one word and he glanced back at her.

“What for?”

Her lips curled slightly impishly as she tucked her hands behind her back and latched them together. She rolled back on her heels a few times as she looked immensely proud of herself.

“Oh, it might sound a little silly but… I bet Willa on if you’d ask her if she’s in mourning. Nearly everyone does. I figured you’d maybe heard from Mort, since he’s your dad and you were bound to have talked to him.” She let out a laugh, the smile reaching her eyes. “She owes me a whole plot in her garden to plan and keep now. I’m excited.”

“Well then,” he couldn’t resist the amusement that bubbled deep in his chest at her playful admission. “Glad I could help you out.”

Like how his biocrust could benefit from the introduction of something new, these two builders, he decided, might be the new variables needed to help foster a richer, more sustaining Sandrock. Only time would tell, but…

Maybe he’d venture out more to see what effects these two would bring in their coming years as here.

Notes:

I am so happy with how receptive people were on the idea of Willa basically starting a company with Mi-an as her employee. I wasn’t sure how people would feel about that, but it sounded like all the folks who did comment had wanted something like that even in game! I do enjoy it when the characters have more reason to work together and I’m going to be stretching my brain a bit on some of her employees. But you all had some fun ideas! Ideas I will have to consider even!

Now this one is pretty short and mild, but I wanted to have an outsider like Zeke who is also all gruff and intimidating to the untrained eye have a talk with Willa and from his perspective. There will be a few chapters like this from time to time where it’s not through Willa’s perspective and I hope it adds to the narrative. I have been pretty busy IRL, so I haven’t had much energy to write, but I have not given up on this story, it’s just slowed a mite.

Hope you enjoy it as I try to get a little further in the chapters- which we area about two weeks to catching up on.

Let me know your thoughts or what you liked or what made you laught or where you felt needed a little more oomph. Constructive criticism is as important to me as knowing what you enjoyed.

Have a lovely week!!!

Chapter 11

The next few weeks of living in Sandrock were quite a whirlwind. For the most part, things in the city itself were uneventful, which served Willa just fine. She had her hands full with all the other things that she was managing at the moment. 

First off was her home. Foundations had all been laid and the men Heidi hired focused on two things first. One was the small guest houses that Heidi and Willa had decided to include during the 2nd draft. They were for her more independent guests who might need a little extra space when visiting. Walt, with his needs, had been first and foremost in Willa’s mind for having at least one, but she then decided it never hurt to have two. However, having one of them up and functional as a home would prove to be beneficial to Willa, seeing as she could move in there and live on her own land and get out of the apartments. As much as she didn’t mind her neighbors there, she hated sharing facilities. She wanted a bathroom and a kitchen all to herself. And space to do her morning exercises and kata routines!

The contractors were also focusing on the western side of the to-be house where the sables and office would be built. The sooner Willa could get her machines and horses settled, the less money she’d be bleeding out during this long period it would take for Heidi to build the house as a whole. She was barely making enough money in commissions to come out ahead and while she wasn’t hurting for cash, she liked to keep her expenditures within the black.

So, even though Heidi had told her it wasn’t necessary, she joined in on helping build her own home. Anytime that wasn’t dedicated to commission work was instead thrown into getting her home up and running. What’s more, upon realizing what Willa was doing, Mi-an begged to be allowed to assist as well. She had tried to turn her down or at least offer her payment, but the woman wouldn’t even accept that.

“It’s an investment!” Mi-an proclaimed with her hands on her hips. “The sooner this gets done, the better work environment and tools I’ll have available to me. I have no doubt that I’ll have more money than I’ll know what to do with your business skills, so I’m investing time and energy now.”

And with that, she stopped a contractor from installing the wrong type of pipe and started to take charge of it herself, leaving Willa a little stupefied for a hot minute until Heidi’s sniggering pulled her out of it.

“Willa’s got friends~.” She teased her with a smile. “Doesn’t know what ta do with that~”

Willa gave a low chuckle as she shoved gently at Heidi’s shoulder. “I do have friends elsewhere, you know.”

“Yeah, but ya’ve more than double that number since gettin’ here, didcha?” Heidi teased her, lifting a hand and ticking off fingers as she listed names. “Ya’ve got Walt ‘n Nia back at home, but here you’ve got me, Mi-an, Elsie, Grace, Owen, you’ve been visiting Director Qi and he’s talking ta ya, and don’t think I haven’t seen you talking to Fang.”

Willa shrugged at the friendly accusation, “He has clinical trials Wednesdays and Fridays and I enjoy talking to him about what chemical reactions he’s hoping for and the ingredients he’s mixing to attain those reactions. It took a while since he’s so determined to stay at an arm’s length with people, but he’s serious about medicine and, if talking to me helps him make faster progress on his medicines, he’s willing to endure speaking. Plus, X lets me preen his feathers and give him scritches while I talk shop with the doc.”

“And what about Director Qi, hmmm?”

“Well, since he’s on crutches, he’s been needing a little extra assistance and the government keeps sending him duds. Grace begged me a few times to deliver in her stead. He drives her nuts, apparently. I will admit I did drop by last Saturday and deliver him the parts of the equatorial mount I’d found diving with Mi-an. Ended up staying longer than I intended to help him catch up with his work. Wouldn’t say we’re friends, necessarily.”

“For Qi, anyone who doesn’t run after an hour of dealing with him is a good friend.” Heidi waved off her denial. “He ain’t about ta admit it though and it seems like ya ain’t either, but it looks like friendship ta me.”

“Funny,” Willa hummed, “if that makes us friends, than you and him must be close friends. Seeing as you fall within those requisites as well.”

“Ha!” Heidi gave her such a smug look. “He and I are friends. I’m jest waitin’ fer him ta figure it out. In the meantime, I’ll keep teasin’ him ‘bout gungams every chance I get. I find it funnier than all get out that he hasn’t once questioned why I even know what gungams are. Shoot, he keeps denyin’ he knows what they are.”

She shook her head as Heidi flashed her a smug smile and winked at her before her attention was redirected on something one of her hired men was doing and off she went, barking orders at them. It left Willa standing there for a while, amazed, before she too went to go assist Mi-an with the plumbing. 

She really couldn’t help but appreciate how Sandrock seemed to gather folks, all different, all unique, and all too damn stubborn or kindhearted in their own rights to be much afraid of an intimidating looking woman like herself. She felt blessed by it. She’d find a way much later, perhaps during the last month of summer, to take the time to thank the city for its blessings to her.

After a few more weeks of throwing in extra time and energy into the building of her home, the first of the casitas was ready. The stable had about two more days until Heidi would be performing a final inspection. Willa would then be able to bring Ty and Midnight into the stables and no longer have to rent their stall space from the Wandering Y. Even her storage could be moved into the spare stalls of her stable, if she wanted. She thought about waiting for the casita’s final inspection, but she quickly gave up that notion. She wanted out of those apartments yesterday.

The building was rather bare bones, but that allowed Willa to finesse it into something more at home than a typical guest house would feel. Once Heidi had okayed the building in her final inspection of the little building, Willa, with tools and supplies in hand, built herself a bed frame. She later headed over to Arvio’s By the Stairs General Store in her carriage and bought herself a new mattress. By the end of the day, she had moved out of and cleaned her temporary apartment, ended her day-to-day contract for renting the place, and was soaking in her own tub in her own casita drinking a bumbleant honey mead Owen had recommended until the water went cold. Then she went about the rest of her night in nothing but her own skin because she could (She did preemptively set up and close the curtains on the ground floor because the last thing she needed was some possible well wisher coming to her door to catch sight of her having naked time through a window).

One of the other things that took her by surprise in this whirlwind of weeks was how easily Mi-an and she fell in together as a team. 

Once the two of them, with Willa having been convinced by Mi-an, decided to see what it would be like to work as one workshop instead of under the notion of collaborating as two independents, things actually started moving faster and smoother. Willa was better with the paperwork than Mi-an, having taken a few business classes back in her university days so she could run her workshop independently. While she was now going to attempt to run things as ‘the boss’, her classes had covered what was needed for that aspect as well.

Mi-an had a sweeter disposition and it balanced well with Willa’s more serious and intimidating looks. While everyone in Sandrock were now familiar with Willa’s gruff nature and pretty much immune to her aggressive looks (even Yan, though he still froze up with a stiff spine if Willa actually gave him a mean look for his bullshittery), outsiders weren’t. Sometimes people from the villages in the Eufaula or caravans passing through Sandrock would commission work and it was easier to send Mi-an to negotiate than for Willa to attempt it.

Willa had been a bit annoyed, but Mi-an had patted her arm and promised her, “You’re the big guns for the clients who think that I am an easy target to try to strongarm into unreasonable terms. I’m more confident in my negotiations because I know I have you to fall back on in a bad situation.”

It also meant that, since they were sharing Mi-an’s workspace on her little home’s patio, that they weren’t getting in each other’s way for their own individual commissions. They could split the work and trade machines when one of them needed a change to stave off mental fatigue or boredom. Yan had tried to limit their commissions because they were now ‘a single workshop’ but Willa and he… negotiated the issue.

Also, due to Mayor Trudy being out, there weren’t a lot of big assembly commissions being asked of Willa, so small commissions (most easily done within a day or two with her and Mi-an’s team work) and the building of her house was where most of her weekday time was dedicated to. While Minister Matilda was the interim Mayor, she wasn’t actually allowed access to any of the funds unless it was for a state of emergency or from the festival funds, and Willa was going to be a stickler about that rule. The woman had already tried once to test the waters, so to say, with where Willa was willing to bend the rules, but, oh boy, did she quickly find out that Willa wouldn’t be having it. Mi-an felt a little bad, but once the other builder had explained her reasoning, she found herself agreeing.

“What Minister Matilda wanted to use those funds for didn’t fit either an emergency or even a planned festival. If she wanted to create a new festival, she could. However, she would first have to fill out the proper paperwork, create a working budget for said event, and get it publicly voted on with a majority leaning towards her suggestion. But, what she wanted to use government money on, fit none of the scenarios, and, if there was ever an audit by the Free Alliances, we could get in trouble for accepting the pay at all. Everything the government officials ask us to work on has to be very transparent with the city denizens and documented with the right signatures and official stamps. If it’s government money, we can’t accept it without the proper paperwork and seals of approval.”

Mi-an’s eyes had gotten so wide at her explanation and she marveled at Willa’s knowledge. Willa shrugged off the awed look with a comment. “With what I am, I’ve had to assume that people will try to set traps for me, and the best way would be ignorance of procedure and law. So I made sure I was properly prepared for shysters of all sorts trying to sully my name through business means.”

It was almost a month into their test run, the day after Willa had finally moved into the tiny guest house on her land, a Saturday of all days, when Willa showed up early to Mi-an’s place, dressed in her weekend casual and her hair done up in a high ponytail, with a ton of paperwork in hand, asking for a few signatures to make things official. Mi-an had been groggy, having woken up from her Saturday morning nap, but her puzzlement was quickly replaced by excitement and joy upon realizing what the other builder was indicating. By the afternoon, Mi-an Worshop was no more and Willa’s workshop was upgraded to The Azure Dragon and Co. Atelier. 

The two women decided to celebrate the occasion by quickly nabbing Heidi from Construction Junction, stealing Elsie from any of her current going ons, and once at the Blue Moon, sweet talk Owen and Grace into joining them in the slow moments. On their way over to the Blue Moon Saloon, Willa caught sight of a familiar mask and, though they had only managed to collect Heidi thus far, stopped to say hello to the Mysterious Man.

“I was wondering where you disappeared to.” He hummed lazily. “Last time I was in Atara, you never showed up and I was rather upset, seeing as I had made sure to stock up well on your favorites.”

“You know I’m going to take it all off your hands.” Willa said bluntly, digging out her wallet. “What you got for me, my dear friend?”

“I have some of the usual. Seesai spices, garlic, and a few other things I thought you’d be interested in.” He undid his pack and Willa selected her purchases.

“I knew you traveled around a lot, but I don’t think I realized you were around Atara.” Heidi also browsed his wares, curious to know what Willa was so intent on purchasing. She quickly picked up a book she was interested in and exchanged the gols written on the label.

“Oh, I get around.” The Mysterious Man hummed proudly. “But I typically have a specific route I walk in every city. In Atara, it goes by rather close to the builders’ dormitory, which is where I met this fierce lady. While somewhat familiar with folks that like their Seesai ingredients, Ms Willa here likes to bulk buy. She’s a very serious customer, so I like to make sure I’m well stocked when I run into her.”

“I did tell you I was graduating last time we saw each other.” She had selected mostly his food wares, but had decided she liked his storage containers and was buying three of them. She also selected some seeds, herbs, soaps, a whole bolt of black cloth, and picked up a blade that he had available to appraise.

“I suppose you did, but I took a gamble that, while I initially worried it wasn't going to pay out, seems to be finally going in my favor.”

“In your favor indeed.” She stood up and pulled the blade a bit out of the scabbard that contained it. The thing wasn’t like that from Sandrock, big and bulky. Rather it was sleek and long and thin. “Who did you convince to sell you this?”

“Oh, that was a hard buy, let me tell you, but I saw it and knew that it needed to find its way into your hands. So I convinced that old Seesai blacksmith by telling him a renowned swordswoman would no doubt become this blade’s owner if he chose to sell his wares to me from this point on. I’ll need proof of who ended up with it though, to satisfy him so he’ll continue to sell to me.”

“Well,” Willa hummed as she took in the blade’s sharpness and took a well practiced stance. The blade was light and well balanced. She admired it with a practiced eye. “He’s right not to want to give it to just any ol’ sword user. This better be in my price range, sir, or I might have to commit a felony.”

The masked salesman laughed, unperturbed by her insincere threat, though Heidi hissed her name in a scolding manner. “Since I have a contract riding on you taking that blade, I, of course, will make sure it's a good deal. Five thousand gol and your autograph.”

“F-Five thousand…” Mi-an was gapping at the number.

“Autograph?” Heidi echoed that part, a little surprised.

“Deal.” Willa returned the blade into its scabbard and tied it to her hip. She undid her purse and handed over to him 5 large golden gols for the one item. He then held out a flat piece of paper and a thick pen and, in a foreign written language that neither Mi-an or Heidi could read, Willa wrote out her autograph and gingerly returned it to him. “How much for the rest of the wares I want?”

Numbers were quickly calculated and coins exchanged hands and soon they were heading over quickly to Willa’s home to drop off her new purchases.

Mi-an had been put in a stupor at Willa’s spending spree, though Heidi was a little more aware of how much money the older builder woman was willing to toss around, seeing as she had given her the final sum for the land purchase and the cost of building her courtyard house. Willa hadn’t even balked or blinked at the number, and, even though she was also set up on a payment plan, she easily fished out gol to exchange for unexpected fees. Heidi, though, was more interested in the autograph request.

“So what’s got ya’ll famous that folk want yer autograph?” Heidi finally burst out when the lot of them were far enough out of town to where the only other ears around were critters. The last thing Willa wanted would be for Pen to hear them talking about this particular matter and Heidi knew it. The guy already bothered her from time to time for a match she’d never give him or trying to commission her for small things, peacocking his muscles for her all the while.

“Oh, uh, I’ve mentioned my grandfather to you both right?”

“You did ta me.” Heidi nodded.

“He taught you… kendo, I think?” Mi-an was less sure of her answer.

“Yep! He taught me one of the Seesai sword arts. His is a sword style that uses katana, like this one.” She nudged her chin to the sword still tied at her hip. “Seesai is, from what scholars that wrote the historical sociology books about Seesai can glean, a mix of different cultures that were similar enough. They blended and mixed during the 300 years of darkness and developed more into what it is today over the last 110 years after Peach returned the light to the world. Anyways, since before the light was returned, Seesai has held a special tournament every…. Thirty years?” She shrugged, still walking towards her home with her arms full of her things. “It’s to see how far the art of swordsmanship has come and to honor those who had refined the skill with renown. I participated in the last event, since I was old enough to enroll, on my grandfather’s wishes. My mother, Walt (this was two years before his accident), and grandfather also all took part in the tournament as well. I got lucky and took a pretty good place for being as young as I was, enough to make me a respected swordsman in the eyes of folk like that blacksmith. He won’t be disappointed when the Mysterious Man gives him that paper and can probably brag about it, but that’s about it in terms of being famous. It’s really a Seesai thing. You have to be from an established sword art style and have an established master to participate. Grandpa counted apparently, so he and all of those who he taught over a certain age, with his blessing, could participate.”

“That’s really neat! I could tell ya knew how ta handle yerself, jest didn’t realize that ya were so good that yer famous.”

Willa shrugged off the notion. “Only in Seesai and, even then, only the hardcore sword enthusiasts. While the Mysterious Man is well traveled enough to know that little tidbit about me, I’d appreciate it if we didn’t spread that fact about me around here.”

“So, if you don’t mind me asking,” Mi-an caught up to her with a curious look, “Where did you end up placing in that tournament? Please don’t tell me it was first place.”

Willa looked at her with such a bemused look. Mirth bubbling up in her chest as she forced herself not to cackle like a mad woman. “First? Ha! No, Mimi. I did not place first. Or second or third or fourth or fifth! Geez, I was fifteen! No fifteen year old is gonna end up as first! Or even the top five! Those placings are for individuals that've spent decades of their life honing their craft, not for some little shit that was full of herself. Grandfather had hoped that by me losing, I’d see I was a long way off from mastery and humble myself to my proper station, so that I could truly see where I was on that long road to mastery.” She laughed a little, rolling her eyes as she scoffed at the idea. “First.”

“Well… what did you end up placing?” Mi-an was curious, though relief was evident that Willa was not so perfect in every task she did. Which she wasn’t. She had some strong skill sets, yes, but she also had pretty big shortcomings.

Instead of answering, Willa began to hum a little ditty from her childhood. One that her sisters had loved hearing the tune of when they were wee things. She finally hummed out. “I did well enough that my grandfather was annoyed, because he feared I wouldn’t understand the lesson he wanted me to learn. But I did, don’t you worry.”

“Ya aren’t gonna tell us, are ya?” Heidi asked, both wholly amused and mildly miffed. As someone who chose to do reporting work as a side gig, she was more than a little curious, but also knew that nothing she learned of Willa would ever be written about to the community. Not without her permission.

“No, because it’s not important anymore.” She shook her head. “That was something I did at fifteen. A little more than a decade ago now. My ideology, life goals, and motivations have changed drastically since then. Heck, I didn’t even know what I wanted to be yet.”

“Okay, fine be that way,” Mi-an gave a playful huff before blurting out, “At least tell us what’s important to Willa of today.”

“Hmm, probably being a good builder to Sandrock, making strong friendships to last for years, a good sister and daughter, and being a great boss to her atelier’s staff. I don’t know, let’s toss, ‘fall in love and be loved in return’ in there too. I’ll aim high.” Willa returned in equal measure of playfulness, though sincere in her words. She was pretty sure that the last one wasn’t for her though, but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t be open to it. If it happened.

“I can’t even be mad at you for that! Those are great answers!” Mi-an bemoaned, knowing that she’d never get the one answer from her now.

They were finally at her casita’s door and she fished out her key and let herself in. Heidi and Mi-an opted to stay outside for the short amount of time it would take her. She dropped her three new storage boxes near the entrance to deal with later and she properly hid the katana from view. On her way out, though, she opened up the top container and grabbed a few Seesai chili peppers she had stored in it for the walk home and stuffed them in her backpack she always had on her person, weekend or not. She turned to her two friends after shutting and locking her door again and nudged her head over to the Wandering Y.

“Let’s go get Elsie. Light knows she’s ready to run away if her Pa’s caught her up in one of his long winded stories.”

“I swear, the only person crazy ‘nough ta listen ta his whole story with rapt attention is you, Willa. And my daddy is one of his best friends.” Heidi rolled her eyes as they began the trek over to the Wandering Y.

“Oooph, yeah, I don’t know how you manage it, Willa, I fell asleep standing one time he caught me in conversation and when I woke up, he was still talking.” Mi-an waved her hands about in her dictation of her utter dismay when she realized he hadn’t even realized he had bored her to sleep.

“I find his way of talking as an interesting route to the point.” Willa defended her choice of letting Cooper ramble at her if she had the time to spare. “It’s like a peek into how his mind works. My little sister, Silvia, and my dad would be fascinated by him. Besides, if you let him know you're pressed for time or distract him with something else, he wraps up fast.”

“Nuh-uh.” Mi-an looked so upset at her simple suggestion. “I’ve tried to tell him I had to go and he didn’t even hear me.”

“Ha, you’re too nice when you say it, I bet. You’re better off with diversion tactics than telling him to cut to the chase.” Willa laughed at her.

“Ha, the only folks that’s actually managed that, other than Willa here, would have been Lo and his pa. Howlett was a master of it. We usta beg him inta having ta tell Ol’ Coop anything cause we knew it wouldn’t take him all day ta try. Lo had ta learn cause his pa usta give him over ta Coop as a hired hand when he wasn’t out learning monster huntin’ from his pa. He woulda never gotten any of his chores done if Cooper yammered all day at him and then he’d get it from both his pa and Coop fer taking so long- even though it was Cooper’s fault!” Heidi laughed as a bittersweet smile took over her lips.

Willa observed that Heidi’s eyes got a little sad, but it was remarkable how she was able to finally speak about the now bandit and his deceased father without choking up or shutting down. Sharing with Willa had allowed her to finally be able to talk about the good times again.

“Lo?” Mi-an didn’t recognize the diminutive of his name.

“Yeah, uh, Logan.” Heidi corrected herself. “He’s the… he’s the… the same fella from the wanted posters ‘round town...”

Because Pen had made the Civil Corps finally put up those posters around town, despite how long Heidi had waylayed it since the last round of posters had mysteriously disappeared- according to Heidi. She swore up and down too that it hadn’t even been her to Willa and she believed her friend.

“Oh.” Mi-an blinked, unsure as to how to even respond to that. “I did see a wanted poster for him on the commission’s building. May I ask what happened?”

“It’s a messy story, but I suppose I’d rather ya hear it from me rather than anyone else, ‘specially Pen or Miguel.” Heidi admitted before she took a long deep breath and retold, albeit a little more condensed, what had happened to make Logan become a wanted man.

“That’s kinda messed up.” Mi-an agreed, as the three of them came up upon the Wandering Y’s front gate. “I can see why you’d rather tell me before someone else did.”

“Yer gonna hear a lot of versions while yer here, but, truth be told, both of ya are the only two I can even talk ta about him now, not without gettin’ hurt feelin’s all roused up in others. It’s really nice, ta be honest, ta share memories of Lo, Haru, an’ Howlett without feeling like I’m walkin’ ‘round on eggshells. Even Jas gets all upset. Blames him fer being the only kid in town in her age group, but it's been like that since she was born. I think a group of caravanners with children were thinkin’ of movin’ in ‘round that time and it didn’t work out after that.”

Maybe getting Cosette to visit her soon wouldn’t be the worst idea to pitch to her folks in her next letter. Especially if she could convince Walt to visit as well. She’d need that second guest house up and finished first though. Cosette could stay with her in the other casita, but she traveled better with family or at the very least Nia. Someone who could translate for her little sister. And there was also getting Jasmine up to speed on that tiny matter too…

Before Willa could think too deeply into that idea, Mabel caught sight of the three of them and approached them with a warm welcome. “Well, ain’t it lovely ta see ya’ll here again! Ya’ll lookin’ fer Elsie?”

“Yes ma’am.” Willa nodded, reaching up and giving a tip of her hat as a greeting. “What with parts of my home completed enough for me to move into, the stable being completed and having it’s final inspection tomorrow, and Mi-an and I having merged into one workshop as of today, we felt like celebrating and wanted to get Elsie to join in on the festivities- she’s been so good to my animals, after all.”

“Oh that’s wonderful news! Congratulations! I’m glad that ya’re now living on yer land. Musta been hard ta wait so patiently fer it, but ya did!” Mabel was so sweet that she was instantly joyous to hear any good news. “I knew ya and Ms Mi-an here got along swell, but I didn’t know ya’ll were considering teaming up for the long haul! And yer stable will be finished tomorrow? That means Ty and Midnight and even little Cleo will be finally with ya rather than us. I’m a little sad to see ‘em go, especially with how sweet Ty is, but I bet it’ll be nicer for ya in the long run not ta have ta walk here everyday ta spend time with ‘em. I’m happy things are working out fer ya, Ms Willa, Ms Mi-an, ya’ll have both been such a good influence on our Elsie.”

“She’s a lot like some of my siblings,” Willa admitted. “I miss them a lot, so it's fun to hang around Else. And don’t worry, even though we’ll be drinking, I’ll make sure she keeps to her limit and gets home safe.”

“That makes me feel better, knowin’ she’s with folks who’ll have her best interests at heart. She’s further up the hill, prolly pretendin’ ta work. Best take her with ya ‘fore Coop finds her. I’ll let him know I said she could go.” Mabel waved them off and Willa tipped her hat to the smaller lady.

“Ya know, I think that Mabel might very well be the only person in town that’s smaller than Willa.” Heidi mused aloud rather teasingly once they were out of earshot. “I mean, if we could manage ta get them heels off of her ta measure her properly.”

Willa let out a short warning growl when Mi-an started looking at her anew with this information. “Hey, wait… are you shorter than Elsie?”

“No, thank the Light.” Willa admitted. “I’m short, yes, I will admit it. But Elsie is barely an inch shorter. And I am grateful that she’s a full grown adult because it means there will be no day coming where she’ll have a final growth spurt and make endless short jokes at me.”

“What, does Willa not like being a tiny kickass?” Heidi asked rather bemused.

“I don’t mind being a pipsqueak, I actually enjoy being able to shut up men like Pen who taunt me for being small.” She let a small, rather feral grin slip at that thought, though it melted quickly back into a frown as she admitted the next part. “However, I don’t particularly like being the smallest around. So it’s nice to have Elsie and her mom as that buffer.”

“Don’t worry, Trudy’s smaller than ya.” Heidi decided to be kind and let her shorter friend know. “So you can rest assured, even if Elsie goes off one day or has a growth spurt, there will always be two women ‘round here smaller than ya.”

“Thanks.” Willa rolled her eyes behind her dark sunshades. Though both women knew of her unique eyes, she still was slowly getting folks accustomed to her before revealing the most obvious of her unique quirks.

They caught sight of Elsie napping under the tree by the yakmel barn. Willa took the lead and kicked at the younger woman’s foot to startle her awake and, before Elsie could even whine about them waking her, she barked out a playful call. “Get up, we’ve been given permission by your mom to kidnap you for a fun time out. So let’s go! We’re going out to celebrate!”

Didn’t have to tell the younger woman more than that, she was on her feet raring to go.

“We doin’ a rematch with that wack-a-mole?” Elsie pondered aloud. 

“Let’s get some food and drink in us first and then we’ll decide what sounds fun.” Willa laughed at her eagerness, still too amused at how a game Elsie had once called ‘boring’ was now considered a part of a ‘fun time’.

“Ya’d have ta beat me ‘fore ya tried taking on the champion.” Heidi teased the younger woman, giving her a nudge as she and Mi-an caught up. “Fer now, the plan’s ta go ta the Blue Moon, get food, get some nice drinks, try ta tempt Owen and Grace from workin’ from time ta time, and figure it out from there.”

“Shoot, sounds fun ta me.” She gave them a quick studying eye, the one that wrinkled her nose as made her squint an eye. “Ya’ll are gonna let me drink, right?”

“I’m not going to let you drink yourself silly, no, but I didn’t stop you last time from partaking of the beer, did I?” Though she had made sure to make sure Elsie had been cut off when she showed signs of becoming more than a little buzzed.

“No.”

“Then why would I now?” Willa raised a brow at her.

“Guess I’m not usta folks treatin’ me like anythin’ but ta kid.” Elsie shrugged, looking a little glum at her admission.

“I suspect that’s coz ya still are keen on the pranks, Else.” Heidi told her, rolling her eyes though a bemused smile was on her lips. “If ya want folks ta take ya seriously, you have ta read the room a bit better. Know when pranks would be welcomed and when ya should prolly not.”

“Yeah, like when you say you have a gift for someone and scare them with a fake jumping snake!” Mi-an put her hands on her hips, still sore about that one time.

“Actually, that was funny.” Willa chortled at the memory.

“It was not.” Mi-an affirmed more sternly than she typically did, even giving a put upon scowl.

Elsie tried her best not to look too proud when even Heidi had to fight a smile at the image of Mi-an letting out an undignified yelp infiltrated her head. “I mean… it sounds funny.”

Mi-an’s tone turned even more stern, a rare, scolding frown on her face as she spoke with finality. “It. Was. Not.”

“Fine.” Elsie gave in, still looking a little amused but understood the issue. “Wasn’t funny cause Mi-an didn’t like it none and she’s too good a friend ta tease that way. Next time, I’ll be more choosy ‘bout it. Better, Mi-an?”

“Yes.” And she was once again back to her sweet cheery smiling self.

“Alright, let’s get going before Coop catches us chitchatting away on his property and teaches us how a real yakboy yammers.” Willa told the three of them, ushering them back the way they came. “Because I’m certain I’d be the only one entertained.”

“Because yer the only one of us that knows how ta get him ta stop.” Heidi accused, though there was a playful smirk on her lips.

“Please,” Elsie put her hands together in a pleading motion, a dramatic look of desperation on her face, “As his daughter, I need ta know how ya do ittttt.”

“Sorry, Else,” Willa gave a low chuckle as the headed towards the Blue Moon at long last. “The first and most important prerequisite for my technique to work is that I’m not his kid.”

“No!! Don’t say that! Ya hafta know a way!”

“I do, but you aren’t going to like it none.”

“I sense a ‘ya gotta be a responsible adult in his eyes’ sorta response.” Heidi looked wholly amused.

“Aw! He don’t see me as nuthin’ but his little girl.” Elsie kicked at the ground sulkily. “Heck, up until Willa n’ Mi-an came ‘round, even Heidi here was treatin’ me like a kid.”

“Else, before they moved in ya either didn’t want to bother with any of us ‘borin’ folks’ or were off doing yer own thing and ditchin’ yer work. Heck, ya acted like a kid up till ya had new folks to interact with.” Heidi snatched at Elsie’s hat and used it to smack the top on her head with it. Elsie snatched it up and fixed her hair back under it with a grumpy look. “But I can see yer figurin’ yerself out now. Been real impressed with ya the last few weeks, ta be honest.”

Elsie blinked in surprise at that admission. “Really?”

“Yer still a bit hardheaded and impetuous at times, but I’ve seen ya do yer best when it come ta taken care of Ty, Cleo, and Midnight on Willa’s behalf. Ty’s a skittish boy and I’ve notice the only other folk he eases and responds positively to when he’s all uppity, besides Willa, is you, Else.” That revelation, which was obvious to all three other women in the group, surprised Elsie and her slight annoyance at Heidi messing with her cooled to something more shy, eager to hear what the older woman thought. “And ya’ve been willing to spend yer free time hangin’ out n’ tryin’ new things insteada jest writin’ things off automatically as ‘borin’’ coz its not something ya thought’d be fun. How couldn’t I be impressed upon? Yer growin’ inta a fine young woman.”

“Gee…” Elsie blushed a bit as she fiddled with her cap. “I didn’t think… ya even noticed me, Heidi. What with all yer hustlin’ ‘n bustlin’ about since ya got back.”

“I know I’ve been busy and, even as kids, we kinda had different interests, but don’t think I don’t notice ya, Else. Town this small and with our daddies being close friends n’ all, ya were like that mischievous little sister I had ta keep an eye out fer.” Heidi gave her a smile. “I was countin’ myself lucky that Lo had ta keep mindin’ ya when he was at the ranch, or I woulda prolly had ta babysit ya more. Ya were a little more wild than I could handle most times, I’ll be honest. Too fast fer me.”

Elsie’s smile turned bittersweet at the memory. “He taught me how ta ride Yakmel, ya know. If only so I’d be outta underfoot when he was trying ta get the herd movin’. I’d be happily sittin’ on Nellie, coz she was mellow enough to not mind a child on her back kickin’ and hollerin’ fer her ta ‘gitty up’ and not toss me.”

“Ya know I had always wondered that. I had seen ya ridin’ on her back as she grazed and thought ya so bold!”

“Nah, just how Lo would keep me outta trouble. Tossed me onto her and minded the herd while I thought I was on toppa the world. He did teach me fer real when I was older how ta ride. Pa got me Belle, but it was Lo that got her all trained up fer me coz he was better at it. More patient with me too, prolly coz he was usta me pesterin’ him as a little tyke.” Elsie took a long, shaky breath and looked at Heidi. “Nice talkin’ ‘bout him. My pa ‘n ma don’t wanna no more. Act like he’s some kinda charlatan now an’ are embarrassed ta have known him. Pa more than Ma. Ma jest looks ready ta cry.”

Heidi pulled Elsie into a strong side hug while Willa and Mi-an kept their silence, understanding that this was not a moment for them to interrupt. They were nearly at the Blue Moon Saloon though, so Willa changed their pace to something even slower.

“Ya can always come ta me. I miss him too.” Heidi whispered to her. “Or ya can go to Willa or Mi-an. I’ve let them know what happened- my understandin’ of it, not that muck the church has everyone else believin’- and they ain’t gonna villainize him.”

Willa held her tongue, seeing as they were in town and she wasn’t about to vocalize some very controversial opinions where just anybody could overhear. She did give Elsie an encouraging nod when she looked over at them curiously. Mi-an’s kind smile amplified to assure her friend of her support as well. The youngest member of their group looked up at Heidi and gave her a quick hug, squeezing her hard in thanks.

“I… thank you… Di.” Elsie sniffled a little before she righted herself and grabbed Heidi’s closest hand to hold. “Well, let’s not get me all weepy! I thought we were celebratin’ or something!” She paused and realized at that moment, “Hey, what are we celebrating again?”

Willa let out one of her loud cackles, shaking her head in bemusement. “Let’s get inside and I’ll tell you while I share with Owen and Grace. That way I don’t have to repeat it more than once.”

“Works fer me. I hate having ta hear the same thing over ‘n over anyways. If I wanted that, coulda stayed back home and talked ta my ol’ man.” Elsie disengaged from Heidi’s side and took lead of the group, trotting up the new stage that Mi-an and Willa had built to dance across the boards and dismounting on the other side.

The other three followed at their own pace, Mi-an a little faster to keep up with Elsie while Heidi and Willa brought up the rear. The blue haired woman glanced up at her friend’s face to check how she seemed to be. Heidi caught her looking and gave her a small smile. She took Willa’s hand and held it tight for a second.

“Thanks.” She whispered.

“Don’t know what for. That was all you.” Willa gestured gently with her chin over to where Elsie and Mi-an were now laughing about something by the Saloon’s doors.

“Coz up until ya showed up, I couldn’t even talk ‘bout it.” Heidi admitted. “Didn’t even have the courage ta talk about it with other folk. If not for ya listenin’ ta me that night, Willa, I woulda never connected with Else this way and realized she’s hurtin’ too. And maybe I need ta talk about it more ta the folks I think are hurtin’. Coz, I can think of a few that maybe need someone they can talk ‘bout it ta as well.” She squeezed the smaller woman’s hand tightly as she admitted, “I think I needed a friend like ya fer a long time ‘n I think I’m real lucky ya moved here. I think all of us Sandrockers are lucky ta have ya.”

Willa felt something in her twist up as she touched her shades with her free hand. It was so conflicting of a feeling because she had never had someone tell her that. Well, not someone outside her family or Nia, but they were all eclectic themselves. And Nia was Nia, brave and outgoing. Willa knew how she looked to others, how she sounded to others, how her smiles seemed to others. It had been a fact she had thought she had come to terms with. She had a contentious looking face, she sounded hostile when she spoke, her laugh was more like a witch’s cackle, and her smiles only seemed to put people on edge. Not to mention her inherited modified genetics and how that set people, typically followers of the Light, off. She’d been ill treated by most folks for so long that it felt… odd to hear someone admit that to her.

“I’m the lucky one.” Willa whispered, her voice for the first time in a long time felt weak. She cleared her throat and recovered her normal tone. “I’m lucky I found a place like this. Yeah, it’s a little worse for wear, a little rough around the edges, and it’s not the most glamorous place I’ve been… but… I think I’m falling in love with this little piece of the Eufaula.”

“It’s a beautiful place, in its own way. Nowhere else like it in all the Free Cities.” Heidi agreed. “Guess that makes us both lucky then. That we chose ta be here and that it brought us more fortune than we expected.”

It occurred to Willa at that moment that while Heidi had been born here, she had, for a time, gotten out of Sandrock to study in Atara. It was obvious to her that the architect was talented, her home’s final draft was gorgeous and innovative and practical. Heidi could have gone anywhere and she chose Sandrock just as much as Willa had.

“Yeah.” Willa agreed to that. “Guess that means we’re going to have to work hard to keep it from withering, this little oasis.”

“Well, between you, me, and Mi-an, I feel that a goal like that ain’t so impossible.” Heidi agreed, pausing to wrinkle her nose up a bit. “Maybe Director Qi. He’s handy with designing diagrams and some wildly creative solutions at times.”

Willa cackled at her remark.

“Hey! Slowpokes! Ya heading our way or are ya gonna jest stand there whisperin’? Me ‘n Mi-an wanna be in on the conversation, ya know!” Elsie reminded them that the two of them had stopped.

“Right, right.” Willa gave a loose smile, “Just talking about Sandrock and its future.”

“I want to talk about that too!” Mi-an whined as the two women finally caught up to them. “I have so many ideas about how to make it feel so much less run down.”

“We’ll swap ideas more later,” Heidi promised. “I thought we were here to celebrate and have a good time, not work.”

“We would if ya two slowpoke could move a little faster!!” Elsie started to herd the group into the Saloon at last, Willa digging in her heels a bit to tease Elsie as the youngest member of their group tried to push her in. “Come on Willa~! Ya’re the one who invited us out!”

Willa laughed and stopped fighting her on moving. She caught the girl by the shoulder as Elsie lost balance when the older woman finally moved and nearly took a dive to the ground. Once the young yakgirl was properly righted, still a little gobsmacked at how easily Willa could pull her about, they made their way up to the counter. Willa’s smirk widened as she caught sight of a teal jacket at the far end of the serving counter. The owner was trying valiantly to look small and inconspicuous at the sudden surge of people in the quiet space.

“Hey Doc!” Willa waved at him, not willing to let him have his way. She took a few steps over to him while they waited for Owen or Grace to come to the counter. “Here for a meal?”

“Yes… Usually…. Quiet… at this time.” He looked so uncomfortable and the other three women were doing their best to stay farther off, knowing the doctor wasn’t fond of crowds.

“Sorry, I invited a few of my friends to celebrate with me and Mi-an over some good circumstances.” Willa explained. She would have invited him to join them, but knew it would only cause him suffering. However, she wanted to share in her joy. “Have you ordered yet?”

“No… not yet.” Fang looked afraid of whatever she’d do with that knowledge.

“Owen!” Willa called out, catching sight of the bigger man as he came out from the back kitchen, probably unaware that Fang was even out there waiting.

“Good evening Willa.” He then noticed who she was standing with. “Oh, Doctor Fang. Did you come in with Willa?”

“Nah,” Willa answered for him. “He was already waiting here.” She jabbed a thumb over to where her group was. “I’m with that lot, but I saw the doc and wanted to say hello. By the way, put his meal on my tab, okay? I’m celebrating and I want to share the goodwill a bit.” 

She turned to look at Fang, ignoring the shock on his face at her offer. She raised a brow as she asked, “Do you drink? Cause feel free to order any liquor you like too.”

“I… don’t… need…”

“Yeah, I get that you can pay for it, but I’m not going to let you tonight. Scowl at me later if you must, but I want to share my happiness with you and since you don’t like crowds, this is the only way I can think of doing it.”

She perked up as she suddenly remembered what she had shoved into her backpack on the way to the Wandering Y. She slung it off her back and onto the counter as she once more addressed Owen, who looked entirely amused by her good mood.

“By the way, I ran into the Masked Salesman and he had these babies!” She pulled out the Seesai chilis that she had thought to snatch up on her way out. She handed them over to Owen, who appraised the items like a rare gift. “Could you use these in cooking up something tonight?” She caught a glance of Fang, remembering an offhand remark Owen had made the first time they had talked about her food preferences. “For me and Fang?” She turned to look at him. “You like spicy food, right? It’s one of the few things I do miss about home. My mum knew I liked my dishes spicy.”

He looked so torn at her words, but he managed out, surprising both her and Owen with his words. “Yes… I like it very spicy… it… tastes like home. Reminds me… of my mom.”

It was the first time that Fang had ever shared anything about himself with her and she gave him an understanding smile. “It’s good sometimes to reminisce about home, isn’t it?”

“Sometimes.” Fang allowed, though his eyes looked sadder than they typically did but less hollow than other times.

“Maybe one day, once I get my kitchen up and running, I can cook you an authentic Seesai dish! For now, you’ll just have to settle for good ol’ Seesai spicy.”

He nodded, not committing to her offer, but letting her know he heard her. “…Thank you.”

“Anytime Doc! Hope you know that.”

“Fang.” He muttered, giving her that annoyed look he had given her multiple times before. Each time when she fell into the urge to call him doc.

“Right, right,” Willa nodded, “Fang. Oh and give X some extra scritches. From me, okay?”

She didn’t need an answer and he knew it, so she turned to look at Owen who was staring down at her a little mystified. She pretended not to notice. “So, the ladies and I are coming in to celebrate a few things, so if you and Grace get a chance to slip away from the kitchen, come join us!”

“Oh?” That snapped Owen out of his previous look, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Sad to say, Grace isn’t here at the moment, off doing her own thing tonight, but I will be more than happy to swing by your table.” He glanced over at the other three, “You want to order here now or…?”

“Nah, choose a bottle of something you think we’ll enjoy, maybe an easy group appetizer, and come join us- once you’ve helped Doctor Fang, okay? And use the chilis on my and his dishes only. Elsie’s just sad to watch when she tries anything slightly hot.”

“Oh, oh, me too?” Mi-an was waving her hand up and down. “I love spicy.”

“You heard the lady.” Willa turned to look at them, “Heidi? Elsie?”

“No. I can, at the very least, tolerate our own local hot peppers.” Heidi laughed nervously. “I am not ‘bout ta try Seesai chilis.”

“Willa, I’d die.” Elsie outright admitted.

“Alright then, I’ll make note of it then.” Owen smiled jovially. “You ladies go sit and I’ll be over in a moment.” 

Willa gave Fang a gentle pat on the shoulder as she moved away from him and back to her group, hearing as Owen addressed the quiet man. “What would you like, Doctor Fang?”

The three women had at least the decency to wait until they all got to the table before they began whispering conspiratorially at her.

“What the heck Willa!” Elsie hissed out with wide eyes. “Ya got the doc ta talk! He never talks ta my family.”

“Your dad is Cooper. Do you think a man who doesn’t like conversations much will willingly set himself up to be caught up in a situation where Cooper can hold him hostage with his ramblings?”

“Ah…” Elsie took a moment to blink as she realized, “Yeah, ya got a point. I’m prolly also a risk, coz my pa ain’t usually too far off if I’m in his parta the city, so is my ma. Huh. Never thought ‘bout that.”

“Okay, but I was in the infirmary for a whole day and he barely said more than he had to. His bird talks more than him.” Mi-an argued. “I even tried to give him a thank you gift for all his help and he would not take it.”

“Yeah, he’s not very comfortable with accepting things. Give X things, he’ll take shinies.” She conveniently left out the fact that she had slipped a few little gold nuggets she had found ruin diving with Mi-an to the bird just to watch him go ga-ga over the little pieces of shiny metal. “But I didn’t give him anything. I am paying for his meal and Owen’s not going to let him pay.”

“Okay, but that’s the first time I’ve heard him share anything ‘bout himself.” Heidi argued.

“Heidi, that was the first time I have too.” Willa told her honestly. “As I’ve said, I like to chat with him during his clinical trials to guess the chemical reaction of his medications. It’s fun. But he and I are both from Seesai and I figured, if he likes spicy food, he probably misses the taste of it. The hot peppers here are pretty good, but there’s just something about Seesai chilis.”

“How is it that, ‘round here, ya can pretty much make friends with any of us?”

“Because you’re all some sort of strange for being here, same as me.” Willa shot back with a smug smirk, she turned a little more serious as she shrugged. “I told you, I’m lucky to have come here. The people that have chosen Sandrock as home are… different. Tougher in ways other people in the other territories of the Free Cities aren’t. You lot don’t see me and my natural mean looks as intimidating- after you all figured out I wasn’t mad about something. Heck, none of you seem to do more than go ‘oh that’s nice’ when I even…” She sat up and quickly shifted her attention about the room to see who might have been there. Other than Fang and Owen, who was on his way over to them with a platter of glasses and a growler of something, no one else was in the Saloon at that time. She returned to her words. “I’ve been rejected more times than I can count because of my looks. I’m ‘too intimidating’ or ‘too scary’.”

“Sure yer a little intense looking, but ya ain’t ugly or nuthin’.” Elsie scoffed. “Donno what’s got all them city folk cryin’ if that’s how they treat ya.”

Owen was now setting down the platter and his hands were momentarily empty when Willa decided, why the hell not and went for it. She took off her shades for good measure and blinked a few times for her eyes to adjust before she looked Elsie right in the eyes. “Because I’m one of those folks with inherited modified genetics.”

Owen fumbled a glass he had just grabbed, but luckily didn’t break it or spill anything. It made a loud rattling noise as he and Elsie gaped openenly at her. Though, perhaps for two different reasons.

Elsie’s jaw opened and shut a couple of times before her eyes started to shine bright. “That’s so frickin’ awesome!”

Owen also started talking right after, not allowing Willa a moment to fully process either comment right away. He looked horrified, but not because of her, but rather- “I am so sorry! I didn’t realize! That time we were talking about the church and- and- I hope I didn’t offend you or hurt you with that subject!”

As Willa stared a little dumbfounded, her eyes darting from Elsie to Owen, something clicked a little faster in Elsie’s head. She looked at both Mi-an and Heidi’s expressions, noticing a lack of surprise at Willa’s announcement and more shocked she went for it like that.

“Wait, did both ya know already? Why am I jest learning this? Who else got ta know before me!”

It was then that Willa burst out with her loud cackling laugh, her body leaning forward, hands now on the table in front of her, as she gasped for air, tears pearling in the corner of her eyes. Everyone at the table froze in shock, never having seen the typically serious looking woman laugh this hard.

“Wahahahahaha! Light… haha… Light above,” She managed between her guffaws, “S-sand…ahaha… Sandrockers are… ahahahaha… you’re all so….. hahahahaha…. Different.” She wheezed out a few more laughs before she rested her head on the table, arms wrapping around her head and hiding her face, even as she kept giggling. “Damn, I love it here.”

Owen recovered first. “I assume our respective reactions aren’t… typical?” He looked at her with a sadness in his eyes as she calmed herself to mad giggles, shaking her head as her answer while she kept her head resting in her arms on the table.

“What? I don get it. Ya look real cool! What’s there to be all upset about?”

“Else.” Heidi whispered to her low, “Folks typically see her altered genetics as a sin of the time before the Great Calamity. Her ancestors modified themselves through technology. The more radical Light believers, ‘specially ministers and pastors and acolytes… ain’t kind about it.”

“Ugh. It’s that damn mantra ‘gain. Technology is bad, blah, blah, blah. I get the parts ‘bout being good ta other folks and doing nice things, but never ‘bout that. We have builders ‘n trains ’n stoves with ovens ta cook! Ya hafta be careful on how ya use it all, but I don’t see why technology is ta blame when it’s all ‘bout the person usin’ it ‘n if they use it responsibly. Like, just coz Justice has a gun doesn’t automatically make him bad. And we use bombs to scare off monsters! Ya can’t cherry-pick whut tech ya want and whut tech is ‘too dangerous’. Coz all tech can be lethal if misused! AI, I get, coz yer puttin’ trust in somethin’ that don compute like us in thoughts, but ya could say that ‘bout strangers too! Those folks who are that judgy can jest shove it, fer all I care.” She finished her little tirade and noticed the surprised looks of the others at the table. She blinked. “Whut?”

“Wow, Else, never expected ta hear such a well thought out rant from ya about this topic.” Heidi looked at her with a sense of pride. “Shows that yer really turning into a fine young woman.”

“Yeah, well, Lo and I usta talk about it when my old man got me all uppity ‘bout going ta church. Howlett didn’t force Lo or Haru ta go and I got mad n’ we ended up talkin’ bout why.”

“That’s right.” Owen decided to slip into a chair as he gave a sad little chuckle. “He always got you calmed down, which always surprised me, seeing as he was always a little hot-headed and impulsive himself. But around you, he really reigned it in, I suppose.”

“Lo was always good with kids.” Heidi reminded him. “Elsie since she was a wee thing, Jasmine, and Pebbles too. Kids loved Logan, and he had such a soft spot fer them too.”

“Yeah… I sorta… forgot about that.” Owen said with a bitter smile. Willa had since calmed her laughter and was now resting her chin on her arms as she observed Owen as he spoke. “I don’t know why, but I just can’t… I… I don’t understand what happened… It all happened so fast and I still don’t…” He rubbed his face with one of his hands and shook his head, choosing to stop. “Let’s not get into that right now. Isn’t this supposed to be a celebration?”

“Yeah.” Willa decided that it would be best to let him change the subject for now. She looked over to Mi-an who was also watching with empathy. “Wanna tell them your news first?”

“Oh? Me? Okay!” Mi-an cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter. “As of this afternoon, Mi-an Workshop has been dissolved. I am no longer an independant workshop owner.”

Elsie’s eyes got wide with shock and worry. “What?! What do ya mean? Ya still a builder, ain’t ya?!”

“Oh, I’m still a licensed builder! I got a job offer though to work under another workshop’s employment and it was too good of an offer to refuse.”

“Wha- what? I… I thought ya said this was a celebration!” Elsie was downright flustered by the news.

“It is!” Mi-an assured her friend. “I got a really good boss and job opportunity and everything!”

Elsie looked so upset, worried about something that was running through her mind, so Willa decided to finally add in her part. They had teased poor Elsie enough.

“Yeah, and I got a great new employee. Which leads me to my good news.” Willa sat up and gave a smug smirk, “I have officially updated my workshop from an independent to a company and I hired my first employee this afternoon.” She gestured over to Mi-an. “I’ve become the boss of my own small workshop.”

Elsie took a moment before she cottoned on to the news. Heidi, Willa, and Owen all burst out laughing at her expression and the perfect delivery of the news to the redhead. Mi-an glowed with satisfaction.

“Ya ain’t movin’ away? Ya jest decided ta work with Willa as her employee?”

“I don’t have to deal with Yan ever again.” Mi-an said cheerily. “No more paperwork for the most part too! And I have weekends~! Unless there is an emergency, but Willa’s adamant I get paid overtime for those.”

Elsie blistered a little, even though she was smiling, the laughter around her contagious. “I thought ya were leaving! Ya tricked me!!”

“A trick for a trick. Remember that next time you wanna scare me with a fake snake.” Mi-an said in perhaps too pleasant of a tone. Willa was impressed by the way she managed to sound threatening all the same.

“Ye…yeah…” Elsie deflated, looking a little terrified. “I’ll remember that.”

“Well, I definitely agree that’s something to celebrate!” Owen cheered. He heard a ding go off in his apron he wore around his waist and got up. “I’ll be right back, but when I get back, let’s toast to the happy occasion and then I’ll take your orders.”

“Hurry back, I still have some extra news to toss in there.” Willa said, but they all let him take his leave.

“Geez.” Elsie shook her head, though there was a smile on her face, “Got me good. Can’t believe I fell fer that.” She looked to Mi-an and then to Willa. “I am happy fer ya two. I thought ya were hanging ‘round each other a lot, but I didn’t know if that’s jest how builders worked. Never knew Mason ta do his job, so I wasn’t sure. Kinda jealous ya two always get to hang out.”

A sudden idea came to the older builder’s mind and she took such a liking to the thought, she wasted no time deliberating it.

“Well, seeing as I’m about to get my stables cleared tomorrow, let’s talk about some stable work.” Willa decided to tell her. “I will sometimes be too busy with work to give both my steeds the attention they deserve, so I figured I could hire you to come give whichever one is left at home some loving. Heck, maybe even more if you take a shine to the work. We can talk specifics later, but you’ll be seeing a lot of us if you do.”

“Yes! I’d love ta!” Elsie jumped at the idea immediately.

“Very well. I’ll swing by tomorrow afternoon and talk to you and your dad about the idea while I’m picking up the horses, Cleo, and my stored property.” Willa reached over and grabbed at the growler and a glass, uncapping it to take a whiff of what seemed to be a spiced mead. Owen was always excellent in his picks. She started to pour a glass. “Until then, let’s enjoy the evening together and see where the night takes us, hm?”

The lot of them agreed and soon fell into new topics, sharing more of the good news once Owen came back, having served Fang his meal that had needed time to simmer and a good glass of alcohol to pair with it. Willa wondered if he had overheard any of their conversations, but decided it ultimately didn’t matter. She knew he was a safe individual and wasn’t bothered if he knew.

The night went on and, at one point, dissolved into teaching Else and Mi-an the finer parts of playing poker. Willa had a scary good poker face, but Heidi had good hands. Owen bluffed his way into several wins himself though. He eventually had more customers and said his farewells, Willa slipping her shades back on when she caught a glimmer of yellow vestiges by the counter. Somehow, after a few rounds of poker, where all of them were pleasantly buzzed, the topic of firearms came up and Elsie tipsily bemoaned how she had yet learned.

“What?” Heidi gasped, realizing that- “Do none of ya know how ta use a pistol?”

“Lo said he’d teach me fer my birthday.” Which had come and gone long after he had been labeled a wanted criminal.

Heidi sat there a little silent for a moment before she heft herself up. “Okay. Willa, go pay and then we’re gonna go over ta Civil Corps an’ I’m gonna teach ya’ll how ta shoot!”

They got Justice’s permission, of course, and so, the rest of their evening was spent with Heidi and Justice giving a surprise firearms course to them all, with Unsuur joining the impromptu event to better brush up on his own skills. They all had a blast with it, even Mi-an who had been nervous at first (Her being ever so slightly tipsy did help her loosen up enough to try though), but quickly got past it once she had gotten her first bullseye with Justice’s help. Willa checked in quickly with Unsuur about the sound levels, but since they all had put earplugs in prior to starting, he assured her the noise didn’t bother him.

“Thanks for checking though. That was really thoughtful of you.” He told her bluntly before turning away to focus on what Justice was telling Mi-an.

It soon dissolved into a competition once Willa got a handle of it and next thing they all knew, Justice was having to defend his crown as best shot with Heidi and Willa eagerly behind and Elsie not too far off herself. Things got even crazier when Grace walked past, on her way back from wherever she had been, and was pulled into the merriment. Her competitive nature didn’t allow her to be left behind and all of them crooned when Justice’s crown was swiped by the unexpected newcomer.

Justice promised he’d fill out all their paperwork so they could own a pistol, if they so wanted, seeing as they’d all passed the evenings course with flying colors.

Their way home was filled with laughter, teasing, and Willa, in an uncommon playful mood, took each of them in hand at one point and led them in classical dances she knew, humming out a cheerful tune to go along with the movements. Heidi accepted first, laughing as Willa took the lead on a salsa. She was the first stop and said her goodbyes first. Grace rolled her eyes once it was her turn and accepted the foxtrot and met her step for step until she was on the porch steps of the Blue Moon. Mi-an tittered a bit when Willa swooped her into graceful waltz movements all the way up to her home’s property. Elsie squealed a bit when Willa took her in hand and dipped her before Mi-an had gotten into her house, but laughed when she realized the other woman had a safe, strong grip on her. She gave Elsie one last few dance steps closer to the Ranch and twirled her away, getting more happy laughter from the younger woman.

After making sure everyone got home safely, Willa walked herself towards her little casita, humming a ditty to herself and making playful sweeps of her legs as she half-danced her way home. A rare smile on her lips at how her night had gone. She couldn’t wait to write home and tell her family that, at long last, it seemed that there really was a place for her.

Here. In Sandrock.

Notes:

This is still one of my longest and most favorite chapters. I had so much fun writing this chapters and I go back to this chapter as one to enjoy when I want to read a bit about Willa and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. It was really a chapter that got away from me and I have no regrets because I feel like it really captured an important moment of time. Right before the whole plot starts to take off. There will be two more chapters before the main storyline plot points start to be incorporated and I hope you enjoy those.

As usual, I love hearing from you all! Tell me, if you have the spare time and energy, what you liked, what made you cackle, and any speculations you might have. If you see an inconsistency in my world building, by all means, let me know!

I hope you all have a good rest of your weekend!!!

Chapter 12

Unlike some of the residents of Sandrock, Amirah had not lived long in this city. However, despite the hardships that had fallen onto them, including the loss of residence as more and more tourists stopped taking the train from Atara to Highwind now that the expressway had been established between the two cities or even the fallout over Mister Howlett’s death with the city and his sons, Amirah had not even thought once about closing shop and leaving. Compared to the life she had in Barnarock, these hardships were, while sad in some regard, small in comparison.

Here she had food and water at decent enough prices. She had a place to call her own and was even allowed to pursue her own passion in ceramics for a living. It wasn’t a luxurious life, far more humble than if she had chosen to live somewhere like Walnut Groove or even Atara, but gol went pretty far in Sandrock proper and her commissions didn’t dry up simply because tourists frequented less and less. She had managed to carve out a decent reputation as a ceramist through hard work and dedication.

She had even saved enough money to send for her brother and help him establish himself in the city when the old general store owners had decided to leave. Her brother had made a few mistakes, including misunderstanding what the phrase ‘General store’ meant, but, albeit the rare blunder, he was getting along fine as a business owner. In fact, sometimes her overly friendly and chatty little brother even managed to find her commission opportunities.

Like when he had told the newest builder about her. When she had first met her, it had been early in the morning as the woman had been passing through to go meet up with the other new builder. Both their names were a little hazy to her at that time, seeing as she hadn’t really been listening to Arvio and his endless chatter at that exact moment. A little too involved with the piece she was currently turning at that time.

The newer builder was shorter than Amirah. A petite thing but Amirah could see the power in her robust frame with strength hidden under her modest clothing- all of which had been various shades of black. Her hair a lovely shade of blue that she found herself pondering if she could make a glaze to match the exact shade and her skin barely a shade darker than Amirah’s own golden hues, though the builder’s face had a smattering of freckles across her cheeks that the ceramist’s did not. While her eyes had been hidden by those dark shades, nothing could hide the ferocity that her expression held, and yet, Amirah could only sense gentleness from her. She likened it to a shepherd dog among sheep and cattle, who used its power to protect and guide its herds. Its true fangs and ferocity only laid bare in the face of those out to harm those it cared for. While she wouldn’t necessarily equate this exotic woman to a dog, per say, the metaphor rang true to her. A guardian spirit.

It was that initial meeting where Amirah had properly been introduced to the new builder. Wilhelmina, she had given her full name to Amirah as they exchanged hellos, names, and identities, but she preferred to be called Willa. Her voice had a rumble to it, a low alto with a hint of smoke. It was pleasant to listen to, Amirah found. That first day they had met, Willa had taken her time to inspect her work with a critical eye. She took her time pausing and observing each of her display pieces, studying the pieces for the tedious level of technique Amirah poured into all of them. While Amirah had been the student of ceramist back in Barnarock, she had worked hard at perfecting her craft, reading every book she could get her hands on and listening to any other ceramist she had the opportunity to meet. She found herself releasing a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding when Willa turned to her and complimented her.

“I have no creative talent to speak of, but I do know good technique when I see it.” Willa had told her, her lips pulling up into a smirk where her sharper canines painted the expression rather predatory. “Yours is strong, though I am noticing that your firing seems limited. What sort of kiln are you using?”

Amirah pointed at what she currently had. A modest, very old model that she had managed to save up and purchase back when she had opened her store. The builder’s lips pursed a bit as she examined it critically. Amirah knew that it wasn’t the latest and greatest and it often ruined the quality of her pieces, but it was all she had. The other woman didn’t press too much about that detail, but rather went into four topics. The first had been an inquiry about if she had ever considered a traditional kiln built out of stone and mud and ran on kindling. Amirah had, to be honest. It would possibly widen the opportunities for trying her hand at different styles of ceramics, but alas, with how precious of a commodity wood was out here, it wasn’t viable. The bluenette nodded in understanding.

She then spoke of three possible commissions she was interested in ordering. One being more long term with Willa talking about the idea of making ceramic molds for more delicate pieces that builder tools could not make easily. The idea of it sparked interest in Amirah because it meant a long term business revenue if she could help make molds, however, the only hitch was that these pieces would need to be able to fit into her kiln. That gave the other woman something to consider and she moved on to her next two ideas. One had been possibly making terracotta or ceramic tiles for the house project that Heidi and Willa were currently in the middle of negotiating. While it would be easy work, it would require a lot of repetition. Amirah wasn’t necessarily keen on that, but wouldn’t mind seeing if it wasn’t a good way of making easier money if things got tight. Her own pieces took hours and hours of work and she sometimes felt like she sold them at a loss with how much work she poured into each of them. The final commission idea ended up with Willa giving her a down payment fee. Amirah had tried to argue it, but Willa had shaken her head at her, wanting to make sure that Amirah knew that her time was not being wasted.

“Concept designs take time. And I have no place for any dishes at the moment, so I’m not expecting anything anytime soon.” She had told her. “But, to show that I am serious about commissioning my tableware from you, I am willing to start by commissioning you to design some concept designs for the pieces. Especially since some of them will be… very Seesai in design.”

Amirah was very tempted to toss the gol back at her, so close to salivating at the idea of trying her hand at Seesai tableware, but Willa was not wrong. It was good business to ask for a price for concept art for the pieces she’d be making and, if things fell through, she was still paid for her time and not out a pay day. For the most part, Willa spoke of what sort of dishes she’d like and what she was looking for in her tableware.

“What color should I focus on?” Amirah had asked.

“While I do like black for myself, I will let you choose how you want the colors for your vision to be. We can always talk about the color palette for the concept art if it truly bothers me.”

Amirah’s hands were excited to find a charcoal pencil and her sketchbook as soon as Willa bid her a good morning and paid her a fair amount upfront for her concept drawings.

It had been sometime since then, though Amirah noticed that Willa always kept herself busy-though her weekends seemed to be busy with things other than work. Amirah heard more from Heidi about what the builder was up to during their bi-monthly meet ups at the Blue Moon for lunch. Her friend had been commissioned to build Willa’s home. She had been only too happy to share her blueprint designs when Amirah had asked to see them- to see if she couldn’t draw inspiration for her latest concept designs from what Heidi had done.

“It’s really surprisin’ how much fun I’m having with designin’ the place.” Heidi had told her, her tone upbeat as she pointed to a few parts. “Don think I coulda done the archways without her assistance. It’s amazin’ what a competent builder can do fer an architect’s ideas. Most times I hafta oversimplify my designs coz of cost an’ materials or coz its tricky, but that ain’t how Willa works. If she likes it, she’ll want it as close to as is as reality will allow fer it. Even if she hasta ta do it herself- which most times, she can. It’s rather excitin’.”

While Heidi didn’t say anything in particular, the ceramist could see how lighter her friend carried herself in recent days. The invisible wound in her heart that had been silently festering in her since her return seemed to at last be mending itself. However, the only recent change to Heidi’s daily life seemed to be the new builder, so Amirah quickly deduced it was her doing, making her all the more grateful to her friend’s new friend.

A guardian spirit indeed.

This notion only grew more distinct in her mind when said woman happened to pass by when Amirah was finding herself in need of an ally.

It had started off like a usual morning. Wake up, get ready for the day, start taking her display pieces outside. She had, at one point, kept them outside, but after one too many of them had turned up broken (she knew who was doing it but he refused to admit to it and his fellow church members were starting to get tired of her relentless accusations without any hard evidence that Justice could actually use against the hulking brute.), she opted to keep her wares in the safety of her home. It always took a good few minutes, but better time spent toting them to and fro then risk hours of work broken.

She was bringing out her final piece when the moment happened. Amirah even paused nervously at her threshold, her best piece in her arms, when she caught a glimpse of the Mysterious Salesman looking at her pieces. She tried to swallow down the feeling of nervousness that threatened to choke her and forced her feet forward. This was it. She had been hoping for some time now that he would take notice of her shop and maybe, just maybe, strike a business deal with her over her wares. He traveled everywhere and deals made by him could get someone recognition in all the places he chose to wander.

“Good morning.” Amirah was able to find her voice, steady and calm, unlike the fast beating of her heart in her chest. “Is there anything I can help you with today?”

She approached him, not necessarily to approach him, but because he was standing by where her last vase needed to be placed. As strong as Amirah had to be for prepping clay, it didn’t mean that she could hold her bigger pieces indefinitely. He shuffled a bit out of her way, when he noticed her needs and watched in silence as he observed her last piece.

“Hmmm…” That one nonverbal noise had the hairs on Amirah’s arms prickling upwards. It wasn’t a pleased sounding hum, but more… calculating. Like he wasn’t sure how he wanted to word his answer.

At last he spoke. “Is this… all your display pieces?”

“There were more yesterday, but those were finished commission pieces and they went off to their respective homes.” Amirah told him, trying not to sound so guarded. “These ones are not commissions, so they are available for purchase.”

“Oh. I see…” He gave that humming sound again and Amirah was finding she hated how condescending it sounded the second time. “I don’t know… I feel like it’s missing that certain something- quality, I think it’s called. And the aesthetics all change from piece to piece. You have no distinct style.”

That set Amirah’s temper ablaze a bit, though she did her best not to let it show as much as she wanted. Unfortunately, she now found herself on the defensive. “I have never once tried to box myself into a singular style of aesthetics, but I assure you that all my work is quality. If that is all you have to say about my work, then I rather you be gone. I have actual clients with whom have commissioned actual work from me.”

So much for that chance. She highly doubted he’d ever return now and, at this moment, she was torn on whether she regretted that or not.

“Really?” The Mysterious Man seemed very unbelieving of her words. “You know, none of your clients are actually coming here for the ‘quality’ of your goods, right? You do know why they come here, don’t you…?”

His eyes flickered to her feet and slowly back up to her face, though, unlike most of the people she had to suffer this sort of humiliation with, never lingered anywhere as his eye’s traveled back to her own gaze. Still, the insinuation was very clear and it was making her see red. She was about ready to explode on him for the comment, not at all happy at the very idea. She poured hours and hours into her work.

“See, that’s where I disagree, dear friend.” Both of them startled at the unexpected third voice in their discussion and the masked salesman whipped around to allow himself to see who had spoken. His mask prevented him from seeing at certain angles.

There, coming from the archway, was Willa. She had on a simple long sleeve dress, the sleeves on this one a bit more looser than her other one Amirah had seen but still tapered at the cuffs which reached her wrist, it had a v-neckline to give her bosom more space than a closed neckline would have, hugged her robust waistline, and the skirt of the dress was pleated and ran down to her calves. She had her usual pantyhose on when she wore a dress, never barelegged despite the heat, and some tall round toe pumps. In her hand was a clutch purse and her typical backpack was nowhere to be seen. Of course, as Amirah had come to learn, all of her outfits were always in shades of black. She didn’t have the silk scarf today around her head like a headband and instead had chosen a rather full braid similar to what Pablo had told Amirah was called a French braid, though the front had so much more volume it looked like a little poof. Though, despite the lack of her familiar scarf, her dark shades were still ever present on her face.

“Oh, Ms Willa. Waiting for a dramatic entrance or something?” He breathed. He seemed completely unaffected by the ever present scowl the woman seemed to carry and chose to speak to her jovially. “Jokes aside. What brings you this way and so early too?”

Amirah found herself suddenly forgotten by the man who had, not even a minute ago, scoffed at her and insinuated rude things to her.

“I moved out of the apartment I was renting very recently. In my rush to leave, I seemed to have taken the spare key given. So I was on my way to return it before I started checking off the things on my todo list.” She told him, approaching the two of them as she spoke. “I came this way to say hello to Ms Amirah, actually, and, while I was around this area, check in on the status of the commission I hired her for.”

“Wait.” The man blinked, a surprised tone in his voice. “You commissioned her?”

“Yes. I did. Weeks ago.” Willa spoke in sharp, clipped tones, her stance changing from casual to something a little more on task. “So imagine my surprise when a man I trust for his expert eye in quality can’t see what I see.” Her lips twisted down further. “It’s giving me pause, my friend, on whether I can trust your insight after all.”

He stood flummoxed for a bit before he recovered. “I am not wrong in what I said.”

“Art is all about experimenting and change. She’s not a machine to mass produce items. Nor does she work in a production line expected to turn out the same thing over and over. She’s trying new things and testing the limitations of her skills. All talented artists do that.”

Amirah felt a shyness overcome her at such praise. It wasn’t superficial words, much like those tourists’ words when they thought flattering her would warm her heart to their effort to woo her. No, Willa had taken a lot of time to observe her work, to notice the details, and her efforts. She was calling her a talented artist. She could feel her cheeks pink a bit as she watched as the other woman overtook her losing battle with the well traveled salesman.

“Her vases are not that high of quality. Half of them lack a decent glaze-” The Mysterious Man started but was quickly cut off.

Willa pointed at her kiln, her brows pitched together and her tone still sharp, but controlled in a way that Amirah’s couldn’t be at the moment. She wasn’t shouting, but aggressively debating with the man. “She’s working with a piece of shit and producing rather surprising quality work regardless of her poor tools of trade. Glazing requires vast amounts of temperature control that hers can't produce and she has found a work around for it. And look harder at her pieces. Her technique is strong and you can see that it will survive. Yes, it might not be as colorful and vibrant as something from Walnut Groove, but they have kilns leagues better and can afford to be sloppier and still produce quality work.”

Amirah hadn’t thought that she could feel even more flattered until now. Willa had admitted that she had no creativity to create such things as Amirah, but she didn’t realize the woman had such a keen eye. One that had looked at what Amirah was producing, could see where the problems lied but could see that Amirah was still producing good quality work.

“Oh come on, Ms Willa! I may have been a little wrong, but I am not recanting the reason why she gets clients. She’s beautiful.” He spoke back in his own firm tones, though a hint flustered.

“That will always be a part of it, sadly. Because people are drawn in by beauty and repelled by things they considered ugly or intimidating. So what if she gets some clients that way. Most of her commissions don’t even come in locally- so they commission her sight unseen because they can tell her work is quality and at a fair price. It’s more simple because of her kiln’s restrictions, but the technique is there and it’s strong.”

Amirah stood nearly forgotten as a presence as the two individuals bickered. Willa had taken the lead of the conversation and seemed to be backing the Mysterious Man into a corner of his own making and she couldn’t help but feel vindicated by the woman’s words.

“Alright.” Willa suddenly put her hands on her hips and stared up at the masked salesman. “I can see that this argument won’t reach a good conclusion without some sort of wager.”

“Oh?” The Mysterious Man seemed very interested in this turn of events. “What sort of wager, Ms Willa?”

“Get me the diagram for a newer kiln. I’ll build one for Ms Amirah here and I have no doubt after a short adjustment period, she’ll be producing finer quality ceramics than most of your suppliers in Walnut Groove. You’ll then have to admit you were wrong and take her pieces at her terms.”

He sputtered and Amirah’s eyes went wide. “Are you kidding me! Their construction is still a tightly kept secret! Do you know how impossible it would be to even get my hands on a diagram!”

“So you aren’t a master of trade? Where’s that silver tongue that got me that shiny katana the other day? Wasn’t that a hard bargain? Or were you blowing smoke up my ass about it?”

“It was!” He defended himself, his fists tightening as he let her egging get the better of his sense. “Fine! You want me to get you a diagram? I can do that! Beats trying to bring back a whole kiln! But you have to pay a fee upfront for it! I won’t be able to get one without a little gol to grease some palms and if you are so adamant that you are right, that won’t matter in the long run, will it?”

“Invest in an artist I like? Hardly a hassle.” Willa nodded to his condition. “But if I prove right? Not only does Ms Amirah get to name her terms for you to buy her wares, I get a discount for the next three years from you and no request will be ‘too impossible’ again, got it? If I lose, I’ll have to pay at least five percent more than market price on all my future purchases.”

“Deal.” They shook on it. Amirah thought that would be the end of it, but the Mysterious Man had one more condition up his sleeve. “I’ll need at the very least five thousand gol to accomplish this.”

Amirah gapped, her voice finally returning for her to shout. “That’s too much!”

“Hardly.” The salesman huffed. “I will barely have a finder’s fee with how much those greedy fools down in Walnut Groove will try to extort me for that one schematic.”

“I can’t afford that though.” Amirah admitted. She made enough to live in comfort here. Enough to feed herself well, have her basic needs met without fear, and buy the occasional bauble. Not that much though. Not even with the gol that Willa had given her for her concept art.

“Shh.” Willa was suddenly by her side, hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry. This is my bet. I don’t expect you to pay for my words.”

She glanced Amirah’s way with a feral smirk, perhaps something that was meant to be assuring, but turned out a little too hostile if one didn’t know her. Amirah found herself admiring the other woman at that moment. That ferocity that she carried with her as easily as she breathed was something that the artist couldn’t help but find beautiful. It wasn’t angelic, like men would croon to her about Amirah’s beauty. It wasn’t gentle like Willa’s controlled touch belayed her soul to be. It was raw and powerful and it shouted ‘beware’ like a brightly colored creature that was deadly when messed with. That was Willa. Deadly beautiful. Fierce yet controlled, strong yet gentle, calculative and careful but in full command of her situations. Even now, she had spun Amirah’s bad interaction into a brazen business opportunity with a mild amount of goading in the right areas.

Perhaps her awe of this woman hadn’t been read right by her or perhaps it had looked too much like her fretting (of which she possibly would have transitioned over to if she was not so awestruck), whatever it was, Willa added on in a low tone. “Please, consider this an investment in an individual I am hoping to do further business with in the near future.”

That… that made some sense. “It doesn't feel right. Please. I… I can probably provide at least two-”

“Nah.” Willa removed her hand from Amirah’s shoulder as she waved off her attempt at helping pay this exuberant amount. “I got it.”

She zipped open her clutch purse, dug out her coin pouch and quickly pulled out six large gold gol. Amirah nearly had a panic attack at seeing that amount of money so casually kept around like it was spare change.

“You are wiping me out of my fun money, dear friend.” Willa hummed in amusement. “First the katana, now this? You might start being a menace to my monthly expenses if you keep this up.”

“Right now, you’re the menace with your outrageous wager!” The Mysterious Man huffed as he snatched the gol out of her hand. He glanced at the extra large coin. “What’s this one for?”

“I still have to see you if I want my usual wares, so that’s for hurt feelings.”

“Hmph.” He closed his hand around the amount. “I’m not so petty as to need money thrown at me when I decide to accept a difficult task. But I will take it for the headache this challenge will be giving me. I’ll send you the schematic as soon as I get my hands on it. The Azure Dragon and Co. Atelier, right?”

“That’s me.” Willa gave a very wide smile, her sharp canines on display in a rather hostile grin. Ah. She was trying to be playful, Amirah quickly interpreted, catching on to how to properly read Willa’s expressions now. It seemed the Mysterious Man had long since decoded her expressions, seeing as he wasn’t in the least flustered by it.

“Then, hopefully, you’ll be getting it by the time I leave Walnut Groove.” He leaned down a bit, reaching up and tipping his hat. “Good day, Ms Willa.” He glanced at her, his eyes reading as both annoyed and amused. She kept her face as unreadable as she could. She was still angry at him, but he did have some annoyingly valid points about her work, even if she hated it. The kiln would solve all her issues though, she knew that. “Ms Amirah. Despite my earlier words, I am interested in being proven wrong. Don’t let Ms Willa’s faith be ill-placed.”

And like that, he turned and walked away. As soon as he was gone from sight, Amirah breathed out a heavy sigh and her knees suddenly felt weak. Willa had a hand around a bicep as if ready to grab her if her knees actually gave out.

“Let’s go have you sit a moment on your porch.” The other woman suggested and Amirah could find no fault in the idea. She sat, nearly collapsing the moment she attempted to even bend her knees, but was kept from falling too harshly by her company.

“You doing okay?”

“Okay?” Amirah managed to wheeze out. “You just casually dropped six thousand gol on a wager! A wager over me. And I don’t have that kind of money to pay you back!”

“Okay, I see that this is stressing you out a bit. My apologies, I didn’t think about that. However, I'm not sure why you keep expecting me to suddenly demand gol from you. It was my own ambition that inspired that wager and it was my choice to accept his price. Ms Amirah, I am not going to ask you to pay for my calculated actions.” Willa seemed rather unperturbed by the whole thing, though Amirah could sense she was genuine in her apology. The other woman pondered her actions for a moment more before shrugging. “Alright, I did place a bet based off of your skills. I can see that’s upsetting now. I can’t erase that, but you can look at it like this- I basically bought myself a diagram. It’ll be mine to keep and use as I see fit. And, since I want to do business with you and all that, I think it would be prudent of me to build you a kiln either similar to whatever is on that diagram or whatever more advanced one I can create based on that diagram. This opportunity serves me as much as it serves you, Ms Amirah.”

The notion that Willa had bought the diagram for six thousand gol over dropping six thousand gol on a bet about her was a little less nerve wracking to her. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t pleased when I walked into your conversation with him. Pretty much saw red when he implied it was simply your looks drawing in your customers. That had been out of line.” She shook her head with a stern frown. “You work hard for your art, anyone who actually pays attention can see that. He knew that too, but my friend also likes to goad at times and, well, I like goading back, so I decided to make him put his own talents to the test.” Willa admitted as she sat down next to Amirah. She quickly ran her hands down her own legs to tuck the dress’s skirt neatly to her sides. “I… kinda walked in on your fight with him and took over, didn’t I?”

“I wasn’t winning, so it’s fine. I was in need of some help with that situation.” Amirah felt all her irritation start to fizzle out at that admittance. In fact, it was actually kind of shameful how out of her depth she had been in that conversation. “I was about to tell him to get lost and never come back. At least with your intervention I may get a chance at a newer kiln.” Her brows furrowed a bit as she gave Willa a distressed look. “You know I can’t afford to pay you for a better kiln, right? I mean, I have my savings, a tidy two thousand gol- but nowhere near how much one of those kilns cost. The best I can do is waive the price of your dinnerware and give you a mark down on all my prices for the foreseeable future.”

Willa stared at her for a moment. Amirah could barely catch the shifting of her eyes behind her sunglasses as she observed the artist before heaving a sigh as if surrendering to something.

“Alright then. I’ll take the mark down and maybe priority rights for future commissions.” Willa haggled, uninterested in the free labor for her dishes. Amirah found herself relieved. Those, depending on which concept she chose and which materials she wanted, would cost a pretty sum at the end of the day. “I wasn’t kidding about wanting to hire you from time to time to make ceramic molds for the more delicate machinery pieces. Mark down the price for the next few years- something that’s still fair but where you actually have some takeaway profits- and we can call it good.”

“I really don’t like feeling like I’m in your debt. Anybody’s, really.”

She hated accepting help. She had built her life up by her own hard effort. She had brought her brother here and got him a job. She supported her family and made her own life better than it had been before with little to no help. She didn’t like the idea of someone else swooping in and saving her like she was some sort of damsel in need of saving.

“Then consider this a business proposition.” Willa shot back in return. Amirah blinked, struck dumb once more by this woman and her words. “You and I could do great things by working cooperatively. If it would put you at ease, I could draw up a contract that solidifies my intentions of using your services as a ceramist pretty much exclusively for the next three years and at the negotiated fair price. I could build that kiln for you as a part of the contract, as a sign-on bonus.”

“What if I lose you this bet?” Amirah blurted out. This sounded way too good to be true. This woman wanted to draw up a contract to basically hire her as a freelancer? For three years?! And the kiln given to her as an initial signing bonus?! This felt too good to be true.

“I’ll have the diagram. I won’t be out much money, though I will have to suffer my dear friend being a smug ass for the next few years as I have to pay a loser’s tax anytime I want his wares. Nothing I haven’t done before.” Her lips pursed for a moment before she sniggered, a toothy smirk on her black painted lips as she considered her next words. “Though… betting on an acquaintance is pretty new for me. But it’ll be fine. Your skills are more than enough to win me the bet.”

Amirah’s face felt like it was burning at Willa’s confidence in her. Her skills were more than enough to win? It was rather humbling to be so highly thought of and, for once, not because of some sideways notion that her beauty equated skill. She wasn’t sure why it was then of all times, but her brain had decided to notice how exact opposites she and Willa were aesthetically. She could probably find more with their personalities the more she got to know the other woman, but Amirah felt like, at least on the outside, they looked like the opposite sides of a coin. 

While they were similar enough in skin tones, Willa’s face was decorated with a sprinkling of freckles while her own was clear. Amirah chose lighter shades of makeup to accentuate her features, even going with a glossy pink for her lips, while the other woman chose bold, dark colors, like the smoky gray eyeshadow just barely peeking out from the corner of her shades and her dark, matte black lipstick. While she had a dark shade of hair, a deep dark brown where only its true color revealed in the bright Sandrock sun, Willa’s hair was an oceanic blue with a slightly darker shade of blue that made up her well manicured eyebrows. The builder woman also wore various shades of black at all times while Amirah chose white and a variety of cool colors to compliment her deep purple eyes. She wondered what color Willa’s eyes even were.

The biggest contrast though was how Amirah always seemed to attract unwanted attention through her natural beauty. Even if she showed her unwelcome callers the iciest attitude she could, it only seemed to spur them on. Willa, on the other hand, oozed such ferocious intensity that she frightened those same people despite her best intentions of being causal. Amirah was grossly popular by people she didn’t even know and Willa was just as unpopular- until people got to know the both of them. 

Amirah could already tell, socially, Willa would be the more popular among the city’s residents in the long run. She was more interested in others, in being a part of this community, more willing to interact and talk and ask after their lives. She was more likely to draw people into action than Amirah, even without intending to. Amirah who only worked, worked, worked, and occasionally allowed Pablo and Heidi to drag her away enough to gossip over tea. Sometimes maybe even her brother could pull her away, but if she wasn’t working, she was usually hiding away in her home reading or drawing or simply being alone.

“So, do you find that agreeable?” Willa’s words forced her back into the here and now, making her blink as she tried to remember what they were discussing not even seconds ago.

Right. The contract. “I, uh…” This wasn’t a hand out, she had to tell herself. Nobody signed up for three years of a contract as a means of a hand out nor was there any way that this was some weird gesture of affection. Willa spent money casually on her friends, yes, much like Owen did, but she was also very serious when it came to her business dealings.

“I find it agreeable.” Amirah finally finished, offering her hand to the other woman.

“I’ll have the contract written and available for you to check within… five days? I don’t work weekends, so I won’t be starting until tomorrow.” Willa told her, reaching out her own hand and giving Amirah a firm squeeze.

Perhaps the one thing the two of them had in common was how strong their fingers were and how, despite the best care they both could provide their hands, there were minor calluses from their individual professions- proof of their hard work and dedication.

“That is fine by me. I look forward to reading it.” Amirah agreed.

“Well,” Willa started getting up, dusting off the fabric of her skirt that had touched her dusty steps. “Let me drop off this key and get that off the top of my to-do and I’ll swing back by and we can review those concept drawings?”

“Yes, of course. I need to finish setting up shop anyways.” Amirah got up herself and dusted off the back of her skirt as well.

Willa nodded and gave her a short flick of her hand in a two finger wave to let her know she heard her and started to head off to the apartment building in her unhurried gait. Like she hadn’t simply wandered into a bad interaction Amirah was having and saved her whole day and then promised her stronger financial stability in the form of a business contract with a ridiculous ‘signing’ bonus of a newer kiln.

Though that brute Pen proclaimed himself the ‘Protector of Sandrock’, Amirah couldn’t help but think with a rather sick twist of glee, he’d fall into obscurity very quickly now that this guardian spirit was slowly overtaking the city as her own. Soon enough, she’d have her own title, given to her by the residence through her endless actions to help and aid their city. However, Amirah was certain that she’d always know that little woman as a ‘Guardian Spirit’, regardless of what everyone else ended up calling her.

While Amirah didn’t like to depend on other people, she found herself wanting to at least put some faith in Willa. She’d see how well her association with the woman went in the coming days and how that contract was written out. She wasn’t about to sign it without making sure it read fair. If she was a good client, then perhaps she could try to ask her for help on things out of her own scope.

Maybe, she pondered, if the church leaders weren’t going to deal with her pot breaker, she should mention her dilemma to Willa the next time it occurred. She doubted she’d ever have to say anything ever again after that. Not having to lug her wares in and out of her home was a very tempting thought.

She shook her head as she cleared her thoughts of that rather petty revenge against Pen. No. For now, she needed to go get those concept drawings! Willa would need to pick a design out so that Amirah had them well and ready before she got the new kiln- because she would be using it to make those pieces!

She darted inside, excited.

Notes:

I am so sorry for the delay. Things have been getting hard since I returned to work and am trying to recover from the injury I got. I have had this chapter at the ready and have been meaning to get it out, but all my energy has been sucked out of me for a while. Updates will probably come slower, but I will try to make an effort to get them out in a timely basis. My goal is hopefully once a month at the very least.

Thank you all for your wonderful words about my story! I am glad it’s something you all have been enjoying. I have really enjoyed writing it and want to continue to do so! Each time I received a comment, it did make a hard day a little better! So thank you for that! So I hope this chapter is a treat!

After the next chapter, I think the plot is going to start taking off and I hope I do it justice for you all! It won’t be canon, because, let’s be honest, plenty of folks have done strict ‘keep to canon’ and we all can play the game if we want the same song and dance. There will be some of the same events, but none of them will play out exactly the same because I don’t see Willa taking the same actions necessarily as others would.

Hope this made your weekend! Take care all!!

Chapter 13

Notes:

Thank you all for your patience! I have been working on this chapter for so long that I had to take a quick break from it at one point to re-read what I had already posted and I am so lucky I did because I would have messed up my timeline!! Caught that! But it means that some parts got removed, rewritten multiple times, and I now remember why I don’t necessarily write chapters like this much! I’m a forward writing person. I try not to do big flashbacks of any sort because it can mess up so much if you aren’t careful and I’m the type of person who develops the character the more I write them, so having flashbacks are dangerous for me because past character might accidentally end up more developed than ‘at the start of the story’ of that same character. I managed to make this more like snippets though of in-between chapters, so that should work.

So, even though I probably wrote more than is being posted, I get the make the ‘IT’S OVER 9000’ joke now! Final work count was 9500ish for this one chapter and I have no regrets! I lovingly call this chapter ‘Letters’ and I hope you enjoy Willa’s relationship with her family through these letters.

Dear Willa,

I hope this arrives not too long after you finally get to Sandrock. I specifically timed it so that I could be your very first letter! Congratulations my dear daughter! I am so very proud of you. 

When your father brought you into our home, I had no clue what sort of life you’d choose for yourself. You seemed capable in every field you applied yourself in, but now I can see that being a builder should have been a viable guess. Excuse your mother’s sentimentality. I still remember you as this little child who needed her mother (and your father, I suppose) to guide her through her troubles. However, you’ve grown up and you’re making it in the world all by yourself. You’ve always had a powerful determination that proved detrimental to all that stood in the way of your chosen path. 

I hope that Atara has not waned your spirit too much. I always could sense you were dreadfully lonely there through your correspondences, even if you never outright wrote it. I hope that this new venture of yours proves rewarding. You can do anything you set yourself to do, I know that, but don’t forget to allow yourself to be vulnerable to any people who’ve chosen to befriend you. Not right away, but when they’ve proven themselves, like your Nia.

Write soon,

Mom

P.S. Charlize reminded me to tell you something. I can’t believe I forgot. We may not know too much about Sandrock, but we have heard it gets terribly cold at night. The girls and I spent some time making you quilts! Charlize designed them, though Gardenia mentioned they look peculiar. I stopped that squabble before it got too out of hand, don’t worry. Silvia was unhelpful and instead started to take notes as the two bickered! I know her paper about our household’s dynamics is what landed her such an impressive scholarship, but I feel like I would appreciate more help when those two fight! Anyways, I digress. They should be arriving in a few days after this letter, since the parcel was on the bigger side and needed to be sent via train.

Willa had still been in the Blue Moon at the time when Jasmine had delivered this letter and it had sat for over a week with, not only how busy Willa had found herself, but because of one other factor. 

However, that night, she found herself a little extra energy. Possibly because Grace had ‘accidentally’ given her some highly caffeinated tea with her dinner. She might have deserved it after the comment about how her crunchy omelets were doing and if she had considered just putting them on the menu as such- to embrace and own her omelets’ little quirk.

So she dug out some stationary and began to, at last, pen her mother a reply.

To my sweet Mother,

I made it to Sandrock and, can you believe it, nothing has gone according to my original plan. I am finding all your little lessons about what to do when plans fall apart really coming into play right now. I’ve chosen not to get too angry, though, I will admit, I was quite pissed initially, but I managed to keep my temper. Thank you for that.

Needless to say, the property I bought off the retiring builder is more of a landfill at this time. Ugh. The local Commission’s Guild’s commissioner, if one could really call that idiot such (He likes to call himself our boss and I like to call him a fool), forgot to show up to greet me (or more like he didn’t give one iota of care to the fact that I was even arriving), but my new coworker and the city’s civil engineer/architect were there to say hello. Poor Mi-an looked like she was so nervous. She was the other builder who had gotten there a week prior (he pulled the same stunt on her, poor thing, but no one had even been there to greet her. So she made sure that I didn’t have the same experience, what a sweetheart). However, the other person there, Heidi -the architect- wasn’t at all timid around me. She was excited to meet me, Mom. Me. She didn’t even look like she was disappointed when she saw me.

Mi-an even quickly got over her nervousness when she figured out I wasn’t angry at her. We then met up with Elsie, her father was the man I had been corresponding to about keeping Midnight and Ty while I got settled in and a stable built. And I tell you, not only did she not flinch at me like all the folks at the horse stables I used to keep Ty and Midnight at in Atara, she was asking me if I was in mourning!

Apparently, they dress in black garbs here to signify when they are in mourning. Almost everyone I’ve met here has proven kind. I’ve been asked about the mourning thing and if there’s anything they can do to help over and over again now by adults and the only local child. Her name is Jasmine. She’s the mayor’s daughter and a real sweetie. I’d place her somewhere in between the twins’ age and Cozy’s. I may have mentioned Cozy and I swear her eyes started twinkling. Once I’ve gotten better settled, and that’s going to be a while, though I have already hired Heidi to design and build my home, prepare for me to bring up the subject of her visiting. I think Jasmine might be a wonderful potential friend for Cozy. I think she might need a friend too.

I delayed writing this letter for about a week, hoping that those quilts would show up, but, so far, nothing. Tell the girls that, despite them not showing up yet, I am so happy they put in so much work and effort as a surprise to me. I’ll use them often enough with how cold it can get here.

Also Silvia is an angel and can do no wrong, you cannot change my mind. But if it would help, remind her, if you must, what I would do if in that situation and maybe I’d be prouder of her if she helped our dear mother rather than use her family as a study. If. You. Must.

Has Walt written to you since he went off to his apprenticeship? I know his master’s place is pretty off the beaten path, but I hate how little I’ve heard from him. Use your motherly powers to get him to write to me, will you Mom? For your favorite child? So I can nag at him? He’s probably forgetting to eat.

Oh and forward my address to Nia. I may have forgotten. Does she still live with her folks next door?

Tell everyone I love them. Torture my little siblings a bit with my absolute love and adoration for them. You know, like I would. Only let them go when they beg for mercy.

Tell Dad that I love him and not to overwork himself. Jiji too, please assure him I’m still doing my daily katas.

Love you Mom,

Willa

She set the pen aside, folded the letter up, and sealed it in an envelope. She properly addressed it and set it aside to hand off to Jasmine in the morning. Until then though…

Well, she wondered how many pieces of furniture she could put in front of the other woman’s door before she cottoned on to her doing so. Owen would understand and she’d help put them back after the prank was done.

---

Jasmine had given her a rather large pile of letters that evening. Mi-an and she were eating dinner over at the Saloon after a rather hot day of working out in the Sandrock sun. Willa was very tempted to go back to her apartment and take a cold shower. She had sweated quite profusely and now her tightly bound chest felt wet and uncomfortable from all the sweat that had dripped into her cleavage. She had caught Mi-an also looking pretty uncomfortable in that regard and wondered what Tallsky builder women used to keep their chest bound. Regular bras didn’t work with their job, so, builder women had started designing their own. Willa had her own modified version that helped keep her girls in place, but, Light, it did not help when she sweated this much.

She had only meant to glance at the senders of her letters, but a particular name had her ripping open the envelope then and there to read.

Willa, you fiend,

The opening lines caused her to snort as she could practically imagine the sender’s voice dripping with venom now.

How dare you tell mother I’m not sending you letters? I know it has been a while, but I send them when I have the spare time and energy. I had to walk six miles into the little village and pay for this to be sent out to you. Six. Miles. Willa.

So here. Your proof of life. I am alive. I am not dead. And now I have had to walk twelve miles to send one damn letter. If that is not proof of my brotherly love, then you are dead to me.

So now, are the people there treating you right? Mother made it sound like you’ve been having rather positive interactions. Something about how they all keep asking if you’re in mourning as well? She did mention something about the property that you had purchased was having issues? Have you resolved them? How is this place treating you? If you are having any issues, make sure you tell me, and I’ll start making my way over there. You’ll have to tend to me after I get off that damnable train because it will be a six day trip of hell for me to get there, but I will come to your aid if you so need it.

Also, fair warning, if mother mentions anything about quilts- just say they are lovely. Charlize designed them, but I’m not convinced that she hasn’t woven some kind of weird spell into them. That girl. She’s so into fashion you’d think her design skills would be better, but, they are, in fact, odd. I use them regardless. They smell of home and she made them with weight, so it feels calming.

Do me a favor, in the future, when you write to me, put some extra coins in my letter so I can pay the mailboy then and there to sit and wait for me to write a letter. I am not spending a whole day walking down a mountain to send a letter anytime soon. It takes me twice as long because of all the breaks I have to take and don’t even ask me about my horse. She’s weeks away from having a little foal. I don’t want to get too into it, but one of the other apprentices didn’t do his due diligence at keeping his damn stallion away from her and I’ve suffered for it. I’m half tempted to write to Nia and let her come up here and rain her unholy vengeance upon the nitwit for me. She’d put the fear of the Light back into him real fast.

She paused at the black scribbles in his letter as it seemed he had gotten into it, past what she could read about Nia. Something about how the idiot had the gall to even demand the unborn foal and the scribbles got so damn hostile she knew he didn’t want her to even read it. But paper was scarce up on the mountain and he couldn’t waste it. Her eyes followed down the letter back into the readable script.

Anyways. I am alive. I am fine. Don’t snitch to mother or father that I’ve been stuck walking. I know I could ‘borrow’ other horses, but I don’t trust them or their owners to have trained them right. I can walk fine. It takes a while because of the terrain, but I’m not that disabled. Yes I am. It fucking hurts in the rainy weather, worse than back home. But don’t tell them. 

Your brother,

Walter

She scoffed at the letter, causing Mi-an to shoot her a curious look but she waved it off, mumbling something along the lines of her brother being a dimwit. She put his letter back into the envelope and checked the next letter. Nia.

Once again she was opening the letter and reading its contents.

To my dearest, darlingest Willa,

I punched Jonathan today. You know, the tall guy with the blonde hair and always has that dumb sportsball tucked under his arm like it's the very source of his identity as a human? He said something about how Highwind has really become a better place now that the ‘dragon’ is gone, so I reminded him that maybe he should always do a better job at looking around first before opening his big, fat mouth. And don’t worry, he’s too scared to say anything. I warned him and his friend what would happen if they did.

I’m really glad you taught me how to throw a punch or that might have broken my hand. His eye is black and he’s been going around telling people he caught his ball with his face during a casual game. How sad is he?

Anywho, how are you settling in? Do you need me to come and put anyone in their place? I can. I will. Your mom gave me your new address and now there’s nothing to stop me from coming to check on you and make sure that no one’s being mean to you. Well, other than me. Speaking of which, I’m obligated, as your bestie, to see if you’ve had any time to read that book I sent you last time. Did you cry? I know I was close to tears by the end chapter when Enrique-

There was a dead stop to the sentence and some deep ink blots right next to the last word. Willa had a feeling that Nia had realized then and there that she might not have yet read the aforementioned book (she did- thrice). She tried to not show her annoyance at the jab Nia had strategically put in there just to tease her. She’d get her back for that little barb later. For now, she continued reading.

Sorry, I almost spoiled it!! Not sure if you read it yet, so I shall refrain as much as it pains me! But if you’ve been putting it off- READ IT!!! I want to gush about it with you!

As for me, I’m doing fine. I know I went to Highwind University while you chose to try to strike it out at Atara- to see if maybe you could find a more welcoming community there. I’ve missed you a lot. I know we write, but it's different than being near each other. Oh! I’m now a part of a grad study that Professor Lou is leading. You know, Dr. Lou, the leading botanist specialist in Highwind? The guy with like twenty botanical patents? Him. I get to work with him every single day in my grad program and it's so fulfilling. I told Gardenia last time I was visiting your family and she practically screamed bloody murder! She looked both excited and totally jealous. Don’t worry, I plan on introducing them as soon as I’ve teased her a bit longer.

Currently, he’s actually trying to revive that one tree by the school’s park. You remember the one. It’s the tree you were sitting in when we first became friends. Now that I think about it, you had finished putting Jonathan- Johnny we called him back then- back in his place after he had tried to bully me for my pigtails. I still can’t believe the teacher said ‘that’s just how boys act when they like someone’ and I remember you saying something along the lines of ‘if I act like that to anyone, like or dislike, I get in trouble because it’s bad manners, so why should he get away with bad manners when I can’t?’. Oh I knew then you were something awesome. Anyways, the tree has started withering and Dr. Lou is actually looking into ways to reverse the effect and its working.

Speaking of botany, I hear that Sandrock’s personal flora biome is unique. I’ll have to visit to see it for myself one day.

Have you gotten a hold of Walt? That arse won’t write me. Do something or I’m getting a visa to Seesai, scaling that damnable mountain he’s holed up in, and dragging him off of it with or without his legs attached. Tell him that.

Write back soon or I’m hopping on a train and coming to check on you myself too.

With lots of love,

Your bestie,

Nia

That one left her chuckling a bit. Enough to get Mi-an’s interest up high enough.

“Did you get good news?”

“Nia and Walt.” She told her. “Nia’s a big personality and I love it. Walt’s a bit grumpy at times, but he cares a lot. Both are big worrywarts.”

“Sounds like they care a lot.”

“They do.” Willa promised, a rare smile pulling at her lips as she thought of the two. “Both said they’d drop anything and everything to come here if I needed any help.”

“Wow.” Mi-an’s eyes sparkled a bit. “You’re so lucky to have people like that in your life!” Her eyes dimmed a bit as she pondered for a moment. “I don’t think I have anyone who’d necessarily do that for me.”

“Meet Nia and Walt when they visit and you will.” Willa promised. “And while it won’t take me as long, do know I’d come to your aid if you so need it.”

That got Mi-an all bright again, her cheeks a slight pink at Willa’s remark, happy. The two of them went back to talking, falling into the topic of bras after Willa couldn’t take the feeling of sweat anymore and, after Owen had turned away after serving them drinks, stuffed a few napkins down her cleavage to absorb the excess.

She didn’t touch the other letters until later when she got back to her little rented apartment. She took a shower first and cleaned up from her very hot day outside before plopping down at the chair in front of the desk the apartment had provided to look at the rest of her mail. Her other letters were from a few clients and one from her mother, reporting happily about her success in sending out her address to Nia and Walt with mild threats to the latter so he’d actually write to her.

She did give a slight update to the quilts though, that, because of the odd design Charlize had made, they had been temporarily confiscated as the Alliance thought that they might be a Duvos cipher. Willa could see her mother’s hand writing quivered a bit, probably laughing as she wrote it. Apparently Charlize was upset about the information but Gardenia had laughed so hard that she nearly pulled a muscle. Needless to say, the two girls were not talking to each other. Charlize being quite vexed and Gardenia still bursting out with laughter every time she caught sight of her slightly older sister’s pouting face.

Cosette is struggling at school.

Her mother thought to include. It hurt her to read that.

I’m thinking of pulling her if things don’t improve. Apparently a new child has turned her relatively comfortable situation upside-down and is turning her other classmates against her. It was already shaky, seeing as our darling Cosette communicates differently. Her teachers aren’t necessarily helping either. Your father and I are about at wits end on what to do, but we will figure it out. Cosette needs us to. 

Her heart did ache for her littlest sister, being outcasted like that for a trait she couldn’t help. It was probably why Cozy clung to her family because a lot of them were very different, Willa especially. She needed to start thinking of getting Cosette for her summer break. Maybe her meeting Jasmine could be a game changer for her sister? She’d have to consider it.

She caught sight of the twins’ names as she kept reading.

Phineus and Philip are doing fine. They did pull a switch again at school, but none of their teachers were able to determine how long they’ve been doing it, seeing as they got caught when they switched back. Those boys, honestly. We did have to restart their count of ‘days without being in trouble with pyrotechnics’ again, but it had gotten up to a hundred fifty this time! Either they are doing better or better at not being caught. Haven’t fully deduced which one yet, but I’m leaning more towards the latter. Your sweet father is trying to be optimistic, so we’ve made a wager. If I win, he’s taking me out dancing.

She chortled at that. Dad probably wasn’t optimistic but rather opportunist. He was a big scatterbrain at times, but he loved her mom something fierce and took every opportunity he could to sweep her off her feet, especially alongside the rhythm of music.

The rest was her mother catching her up on the local gossip and Willa read it dutifully. When she finished reading her mother’s letter, she dug out more stationary and began penning letters in response.

First to Walt.

What the fuck, Walt?

She chose to start her letter, knowing she’d get a rise out of him.

While I am glad of proof of life, I am not thrilled to hear that your only mode of easy transportation into town has been cut off from you. I know how to take care of that stallion so he never mounts your mare again. I could do it in the dead of night. Do you need me to?

It might take me a while, seeing as Sandrock has been keeping me busy- but you say the word and I’ll start plotting my undercover trip out there to fix that problem for you. 

The reason it may take a while is because of how much work is around Sandrock. The place is in need of some serious TLC. My guild’s commissioner is something else, let me tell you. First off, the guy demands us to all call him the ‘guild president’, like he isn’t just the guy paid to accept commissions and post them out on the client’s behalf to the folks who pay the fucking guild a percentage of our commission for his services. On top of that, Yan is a lazy nitwit with the strangest delusions of grandeur and popularity. Nobody likes him! Yet he somehow fancies himself a great leader when everything around him is at a standstill of his own creation. What a damn narassicit! I swear he is! When I came in on my first morning here, a Saturday of all days, I found out he had been commissioned to make two lifts for the scavenger yard three months prior. I, alongside the other new builder in town, got that done in less than a month. The boss over at the scrapyard was nearly in tears, shaking my hand with such gratitude.

Other than the oh mighty guild ‘president’, I only have a beef with one person- a guy named Pen. Don’t like him. Gives me weird vibes. He also has taken to calling me ‘Skinny Minnie’. I swear he’s another delusional case of ‘head up his ass syndrome’ and he is constantly peacocking his muscles to flex needlessly at me and drives me batshit crazy. He’s asked me for a mirror three times already. I will not be liable for the day I finally lose my patience and slug the guy. Bad news is, he’s an acolyte of the Light, so I have to refrain the best I can.

But other than those few, I’m settling well here. I took your advice from a year ago and started off by wearing those dark sunglasses. I think that’s helping ease folks into who I am. Mi-an, my co-worker, Qi, the science Director, Grace, the local archeologist student/part-time fry cook, and Heidi, the civil engineer, have all seen me without my shades and they have accepted me. Heidi was pretty mad on my behalf and Mi-an was kind and even encouraged me to have more faith in Sandrockers. I very well might.

As for my housing situation- I have no house. I’m living in an apartment at the moment because the property I bought from the old retired builder was a trash heap with a condemnable shack on the land. I got rid of that fast. Heidi even got the shack demolished free of charge because ‘she always wanted to do that’. You’d enjoy her.

But her designs for my home are wonderful. She did tease me a bit for my original concept art, but she was able to take my very basic idea and morph it into something beautiful. It’s going to have little houses in the outer garden for guests. For you. So when you finish that apprenticeship, Walt, you are coming to visit me. That’s final. Bring you, your tools, your belongings, your horse, and her foal. I’ll take you for as long as you want to stay and then longer. 

And before you argue, do you really think I don’t know that you’re probably forgetting to eat and take care of yourself? You lose yourself to your work, you always have. I’ll get you looking better before sending you back to Highwind so Mom can fuss at you.

Heck, it’s so dry here you might end up liking it in Sandrock. I know the weather there upsets your constitution.

Nia’s asked after you. Use the time that the gol I am sending you can afford you and write both me and her a letter. And be nice. You know she’s probably just as worried about you. She told me to include that she will hunt you down and drag you off with or without your legs depending on how well you behave, so best write to her that you’re fine. Ask after her and her grad studies with Dr. Lou. She’s so excited about it. I know you care more about stone than plants, but she’s listened to you talk about how you can tell if a particular cut of marble is good for hours, so let her gush over her plants.

Also, how do you feel about making gravestones?

Your big sister,

Willa

She made sure when she sealed that envelope to add enough gol to the letter to bribe any child to sit and wait for at least an hour for her brother to write. It wasn’t like her brother didn’t have the gol, but begging a child to sit and wait without immediate proof of pay? Ha. This was faster. She was a little pissed that he was without his horse, but knew he didn’t like to leave the mountain much even with her available because it was such a journey. She hoped he wasn’t too skinny. He was terrible at minding his own hunger and she doubted his master was actually doing as much as he had promised he would.

She took out another paper and addressed it to Nia.

Dearest, sweetest Nia,

I am so proud of you! I taught you how to throw a punch without ever expecting to hear about that afternoon coming to any fruition. Do be careful though, seeing as eventually folks will start connecting dots if you become some sort of vigilante of justice for my honor of all things. Johnny won’t breathe a word of it because he won’t want people to know that tiny, sweet Nia laid violent hands on him. Use that to your advantage.

Also, yes, I read that book you sent my way several times by now. I really did enjoy it and next time we see each other, I will bake us a cake, brew some tea, and allow you to properly gush over the whole story with me, ending especially. You no longer need to keep the rules of our sacred Spoiler Free Pact in mind when speaking to me of this book. However, don’t think that little joke at my expense you tossed in there has been overlooked, you brat. I know where you sleep and the train trip is not that long nor would you know when to expect my vengeance! Be wary of that in the future, my sweet, sweet Nia.

Or else I might be inclined to remind you my threats are not empty. Mayhaps I’ll have to tickle you soundly until you beg for mercy.

Willa chuckled at her own threat and lifted her pen for a moment as she stared at her friend’s name with an endearing look. She then proceeded to write to Nia just about the same thing she had told Walt about her time here at Sandrock so far.

Mi-an and I working great together. I’ve never gotten along with another builder before and I feel pretty giddy at times about it. You’ll love her the moment you meet her. Then there is Grace. I don’t a hundred percent know what her deal is. She says she’s an archeologist major from Atara but she doesn’t act like other archeologist I’ve met. You’d have fun playing mind games on her with me. She gives as good as she gets. I put a ton of furniture outside her bedroom door and oh boy that had been a fun morning! I helped put them all back, of course, but that’s what she got for giving me highly caffeinated tea late at night.

She admitted in her letter. She paused and thought for a moment.

Walt got back to me. Wasn’t too pleased that I weaponized Mom against him to get him to write to me, but I did relay to him to write to you while he was writing back to me. He’s a little stranded on the top of that mountain because his mare got knocked up by a stallion another apprentice brought up. They aren’t supposed to have stallions anywhere in that field for that reason, but somehow this guy’s horse knocked up Moonstone. She’s weeks away from delivering a foal, so Walt’s stuck walking.

Don’t tell my mother. I’m going to convince him after Moonstone’s had her foal to come visit me. His apprenticeship has got to be at the point where he’s doing self study anyways. I’m well aware he’ll probably be in a bad state, but I’ll get him nursed back to health before I send him mom’s way. Our local doctor is pretty good and, if I read the signs right, he knows acupuncture. I wonder how much that might help Walt. I’ll look into it, but maybe that can help with his chronic condition.

Anyways, I do remember that tree. I loved climbing it when I was younger and it makes me feel better that there is a possibility to save it. I know that it had been doing poorly before I left for Atara and I was well prepared for the update that they had at last removed its dead wood from the park. If Dr. Lou can bring it back, then I’d be interested in seeing what could be done here in Sandrock for our tree issues.

I miss you a lot Nia, but don’t worry about me. Sandrock has been a really nice place, the few problems aside. I’d love to see you make Yan cry though.

Go have fun terrorizing Highwind’s ‘finest’ generation for me, the spineless cowards. Don’t get caught. Also, have fun with your grad studies!

Give all my little siblings disgustingly wet kisses for me the next time you see them with no context.

Your best friend,

Willa

She set her pen down and re-read her letter before folding it up and prepping it for the mail. She turned to her last letter for the night, one to her mom, and took her time to give her an update on how things had been going.

She told her about the house Heidi was in the process of building. About her weird meeting of Director Qi and how she might have saved his life. About Heidi, Elsie, Mi-an, Owen, and Grace. Even a little about her temporary neighbors, the Civil Corpsmen, and about Fang and his lovely bird X.

My heart goes out to Cosette. I want to tell you here and now to send her my way, but I am currently staying in a tiny apartment and am already cramped as it is. I want to settle here a bit more and get into a regular routine with my job before I plan any of the kiddos visiting. But Cozy first. I think she needs a little one on one and I know you can’t afford to do that, but I can. Until then, I’ll try to think of something.

Sandrock’s been a pretty amazing move for me so far, Mom. I don’t know how else to describe it. These folks here are made of sturdy stuff and it shows. I don’t want to preemptively announce anything, but I am already feeling like this place is it for me. That home I’ve been looking for as an adult. I will always call the place you carved out for me back at your house ‘home’ as well, because where my family is, so is my home… However, Sandrock’s community has been far more inviting of me and I can almost risk saying that yeah, they accept me for me.

I hope I’m not jinxing it by saying that, but I want to be hopeful about this.

I love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him too. All the kiddos! And yeah, sure, tell Jiji too. I guess.

Tell Charlize that I’m excited to get my quilts and they will be even better when they finally show up because they are going to have one heck of a story attached to them because of her!

Until next time,

Willa

After that last letter had been written, Willa stacked all three letters and headed off to bed. She’d be sure to get them off into the mail, or at least hand them off to Jasmine, sooner rather than later.

Her and Mi-an were going to haul all the wooden planks they had made and painted and start putting Owen’s stage together tomorrow after all and it was already predicted to be a scorcher.

---

She opened up her own letters the very next night, grateful she had forgotten to slip the written letters into her backpack that morning in her rush to meet Mi-an (mornings were an adjustment to her, no matter how facidious she tried to be on being prompt in her regimen), uncaring if she would need to redo the envelopes to add a postscript note at the bottom of each letter.

P.S. Before I sent these off I wanted to add on what happened today, which is not the same day I wrote these letters- for a little bit of context. Mi-an, sweet, hardworking, and wonderful Mi-an, told me this afternoon that she enjoyed working alongside me. So much so that she wants to keep working with me under my workshop’s name and as my employee. It almost felt like a dream to hear her say that. I think this is the first time in a long time someone outside of our family and Nia has taken me by total surprise.

For now it’s going to be on a trial basis, to see how we’d work as a team rather than two independent collaborators. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, of course, but I feel like this change could potentially change a lot about how I do things around Sandrock. I’m more than a little hopeful that I’ll be writing home soon to tell you that I’m officially changing my workshop name from The Azure Dragon Atelier to The Azure Dragon & Company Atelier. Look forward to that day.

She smiled to herself as she lifted the pen from her last paper. Each time she had written this little P.S. in each of her letters, her heart swelled a little bigger. It felt more and more real to her that Mi-an had actually said it and meant it. She touched the corner of her eye gently as she sat there in a state of bliss she hadn’t felt since she had been much younger. The people here were kind. Mi-an had openly accepted her and wanted to work with her, even knowing about her mutated genetics as had Heidi. It gave her hope that maybe one day she wouldn’t have to roam around with sunglasses everywhere she went. While they did help outside, she preferred them off indoors, if she were to be at least honest to herself.

She dared to dream a bit more now, as she sealed up her letters once more. A dream of owning a workshop where she had employees as wonderful as Mi-an and diverse in their talents so that no job was too hard for them to tackle. That she had finally found a place to belong here in Sandrock, a place where people didn’t balk at her simply because her face always seemed to relax into a permanent glower. She was already on relatively friendly terms with most of the good folks and she wondered if they’d balk at her if they learned of her mutated genetics or merely give a similar response that Mi-an, Heidi, and Qi had given.

If Willa was to be honest with herself, that was what she wished for most. She didn’t mind if they originally might be in awe of it, but as long as that faded and they went back to treating her like before… she’d forever be grateful to this little city and do her best to keep it from being overtaken by any outside force that threatened to snuff it out.

She went to bed with a light heart, reveling in her joyful mood.

---

The next few weeks went by in a blur. Willa, of course, got constant communication from her family. Mostly it was Nia and her mother (who she dutifully responded to with great enthusiasm about the current events going on in her life), but on occasion one of her siblings’ names would in the sender’s place on the letter and she’d get to enjoy a treat hearing from one of her many younger siblings.

Silvia would tell her all about her studies and observations. She was always interested in how the community would turn out once Willa was removed from the social ecosystem and she consistently came to the same conclusion, one she always happily reported. The Highwind community was less without her.

It’s fascinating, Silvia had written to her, how quickly those kids, now young adults, I suppose, who had worked together against you and tried to bully you throughout your younger years, all turned against each other once you were out of the equation. It was like watching a delicate ecosystem cannibalize itself the moment its main food source dried up. First they all broke into factions, then some among their own alliances began to stage coups, and, oh, the endless cycle of social backstabs I have witnessed during communal events! Peak entertainment to witness.

Willa rolled her eyes a bit at how much Silvia adored watching societal dramas in real life. Theater with scripted scenes and moments? Books with murder plots and double crossing agents? Nah, give Silvia the real thing. The young lady was barely eighteen now, an adult in the eyes of Free Cities standards, but that didn’t mean this quirk of hers had changed at all. Growing up around her, Willa knew her sister to be the sweetest, most thoughtful child to have ever existed. However, there was something about watching other people having drama that caused Silvia to just light up at the chaos and emotional turmoil, watching in rapt attention as the scene unfolded. Their mother would give this affable smile upon catching her daughter’s antics and always commented, rather breezily, that if that didn’t prove that she was her father’s daughter, nothing would.

Cosette wrote to her as well. She asked after Sandrock, curious about what sort of place didn’t have a lot of trees and how sandstorms felt. She made inquiries about the local wildlife around there. Oh, and she snuck in a few questions about the local kids around the area and what they were like.

We only have two kiddos. The youngest, Pebbles, is nothing more than a toddler, though he is the sweetest baby around. He enjoys it when I pick him up and twirl him about, just like you did when you were his age. The older one is a young lady around your age. Her name is Jasmine. She’s a smart one too. She enjoys reading, journalism, and is a real hard worker. When you come to visit, I promise, I’ll be sure she’s one of the first individuals you meet.

She wrote a bit about the local wildlife that she had encountered so far on her rare solo rides around the Eufaula.

Recently though, Justice, our local Civil Corp head, has asked the civilians to try to not cross the Shonash Canyon Bridge on the western side of the Eufaula because of recent Geegler unrest. I hadn’t gotten around exploring over there as of yet, so I can’t tell you much about the critters in that area. Geeglers though look a lot like my Cleopatra, but mutated to be more bipedal animorph and, while intelligent enough to share our common language, wear clothing, and use tools, not quite at peak human intelligence just like the dumbass children you go to school with.

“Too mean, Willa.” She told herself as she only half-heartedly crossed out that line about the kids in Cosette’s school.

From the little he was able to tell me, the previous monster hunter that had resided here had an understanding with the local group of Geeglers. However, it might be that they have finally figured out that he passed away a year or so ago and are trying to figure out if we are a threat to them or not. So as to not show that we are a threat, we’ve been asked to keep our distance and not provoke them needlessly.

Because of that, I’ve been keeping to the eastern side- the parts that seem safe, and I have run into a breed of beast called a rockyenarolls that I’m positive you’d adore. The local yakgirl, Elsie, has also told me that there are these adorable beasts called Penskies that live on the western side of the Eufaula on the way to the Outback that are as friendly as they come and as dumb as rocks. Once the Geegler issue dies down, I’ll get a few pictures of them for you. Until then, I am including a few shots I’ve taken around town and the pictures of a Rockyenaroll pack I saw sleeping near the eastern valley.

And Cozy? The moment I can finally have the time and means to host you, you can bet your gol I’m sending word to Mom and Dad and demanding the right to have you visit me. Gardenia and Charlize have already told me that they will come out next year once I have more room, but they are on board for you visiting first. And if Philip and Phineus get all uptitty about it, remind them that I need to hear better things about their behavior first because I’ll be needing to trust them if they are to come visit me. We have too many pyrotechnic crazed fowl around here to add to the chaos with children with leagues higher IQ being just as crazed about the same thing. It doesn’t take a chef to know that’s a recipe for disaster. 

Though she knew that this wasn’t a real fix for her sister’s situation, it was honestly the only idea she had at the moment. Distract her with cool facts about things she was interested in, give her a goal to look forward to, and love her unconditionally. Until one of the adults in their family had an ‘ah-ha’ moment to turn the tides of Cosette’s bad situation, they had to show her how much she was loved by them and support her.

The one person who took the longest to get a reply to her was always Walt. The letters took a little over two weeks from where she sent a letter to him to getting a reply back. The previous letter he had written in reply to her own mostly grilled her about her potential company and Mi-an, making sure she wasn’t rushing into something she would regret (despite how aloof or snappish he tried to act, he had a protective streak miles long when it came to his family), but, by the time it had come, Willa was confident it was a good plan and was simply waiting for her move day to finalize the plan. She had told him as much in that letter, her heart full at the idea.

In fact, the day she had gone to get things all finalized with Mi-an and the two of them had officially become the Azure Dragon & Company Atelier, Willa had gotten a letter back from him. She had been heading out early to get ahead of how long the paperwork would take, so when she left her property that morning and saw there were letters for her in the mailbox, she grabbed the whole lot of them, took them back into her tiny guest house, and quickly dropped them off inside without taking the time to glance at any of them.

The young Highwind builder promised herself she’d take a look at them early tomorrow instead and headed off to surprise the Tallsky builder with the paperwork. However, her plans changed a bit when she got back that night, still in a pleasant mood from her night of celebration, mind racing of all the ideas that were inspired by some of tonight’s actions, she plopped down at her desk and started jotting down some of the better ones. Halfway through writing out all her argument points for trying to convince Cooper and Mabel to let her hire Elsie on part time, she noticed her letters she had dropped in the corner of her desk and spotted an envelope with her brother’s handwriting peeking out of the stack.

All other thoughts were abandoned as she snatched up that one letter and ripped it open to read the contents inside. 

His penmanship, while usually clean, elegant loops of cursive, looked a little more untidy and elongated. She quickly deduced that he must have been exhausted when he had written this because some parts of it were nonsensical too.

Almost done with this phase of the apprenticeship. Been fighting with that dumbass over Moonstone’s little filly. He wants her but doesn’t want to compensate me for the cost. It’s been getting more and more hostile around here as people are picking sides and our mentor is doing absolutely nothing to end this matter- calls it a trifling matter. Honestly, it should be, but the fact that the idiot keeps bringing it up, like I’ve inconvenienced him- my temper shoots up every time I think on the matter. 

He’s not getting the little foal (I’ve named her Opal). Moonstone’s breeding is thrice what he could have afforded and I will not pay him stud fees for his horse. It wasn’t even neutered- as our mentor’s own rule stated about horses. I will not reward his thoughtlessness with a foal that is worth three times what his horse even costs. I’m lucky that, despite ruling it a waste of time, my mentor, at the very least he could do, stated that because his rule was broken, I have full rights to the foal. It’s not much help, but I’ll take what I can get at this rate.

I am working different shifts (see: in the middle of the fucking night) to avoid him and his sycophants as well as taking on twice the amount of projects. It’s running me even more haggard than when the bastard’s choices got me fucking stranded up here less I have to walk.

Willa, I once was happy to have been chosen to work alongside my mentor as one of his apprentices and now all I can think of is being done with this place. I’m taking you up on your offer on visiting you, so that housing is hopefully done before the start of fall because I am planning to have finished up my apprenticeship by then and if my mentor doesn’t acknowledge me as a full fledged sculptor- fuck it. 

You’ll just have to hire me now that you have a company.

I’ll send you a letter on my arrival date.

Walt

She rummaged quickly for a paper to write a letter in reply. Though it wouldn’t get sent out until later tomorrow, it didn’t mean she was going to wait to reply to her brother’s words. Her pen scritched out her words in quick motions as she tried to keep her temper in check, rage barely being kept at bay as she focused on her brother and what he needed to hear.

Walt, you complete dumbass,

You’re hired. There. Now start packing. I don’t fucking care if your mentor gives you his blessing or not, your work is going to speak for itself regardless. It is clear to me that he has not upheld his side of our parents’ agreement with him about you apprenticing for him. From my viewpoint, your health, both physical and mental, are not being cared for at all.

By all means, leave as soon as you fucking can. The very second you are in the Free Cities again, send me a telegram with your arrival date. Take everything you can with you, even if you have to take a small loan with a reputable bank. We’ll pay it back within the first month of you arriving, so don’t sweat that. Focus on getting here safely.

I’m already moved into the finished casita and I’ll try to have the other casita ready for you, but know I don’t care if we have to fucking share space. We used to have to share all the time. I’ll take the upstairs and you can have the downstairs and we’ll use the bathroom to change. There. Problem solved.

You are my brother and I’m not letting you suffer longer than you have to. I’ve been vetting the local doctor the last few weeks for when I wanted you to visit and, though he’s a skittish fellow, he’s knowledgeable and talented in his field. I think you will thrive here better than at home or that hellhole your mentor has dared to call a home.

I don’t know much about the geology of Sandrock or the Eufaula Desert yet, but I’m positive I know a guy who might very well have the local mineralogy memorized- so I bet we can figure out a good medium for you to use locally. I have heard that there is even petrified wood somewhere just outside the city and will ask around about that too. I will have all this information ready for you the moment you get here, but, for the love of the Light, Walt- LEAVE THAT PLACE.

I’ll also take care of discussing this with Mom and Dad, so don’t stress anything more than getting here. Bring Moonstone and Opal and anything I can’t remake easily. I was going to hire a local yakgirl to be my stable hand for my own horses and she will adore the opportunity to mind after a little filly.

Sandrock is a good place. A verywonderful place. Yes, there are a few asshats around, but less so than Highwind or Atara. For the most part, it has good people. I love this place, Walt. I want to call this place home for as long as they will have me, which, it seems, is as long as I want to be here. Let me share that with you.

I’ve made so many good friends here. Friends that know about my genetics and, other that go ‘oooooh’ and ‘that’s really cool’, don’t give a single shit that I have mutated genes. What’s more, I can see you making good friends here too. A good life even! The air is dry and there’s hardly any humidity drops and rarely any rain. There are days that have some strong sandstorms, but they are perfect for resting and a change of pace.

Come live with me Walt. Build a life here in Sandrock instead of being absolutely miserable over there in Seesai with a mentor and his other apprentices that are not respecting you as a human.

I’ll be waiting for that arrival date, so get your ass moving.

Much love,

Willa

She set her pen down and rubbed the bridge of her nose as she took a few long breaths and focused on releasing the anger that burned in her chest with each exhale. How dare they? She took another breath, trying to break out of that mindset. She could be angry, it was valid to be angry upon hearing such news, but being angry this far away from the situation solved nothing for either her or Walt.

She chose to acknowledge her anger and, like she had with her own initial problems here in Sandrock (and the countless infuriating problems she had encountered throughout her entire life), chose to let it go. Okay. She began to fold up her letter and get it ready to be mailed out as priority mail early tomorrow morning. She had wanted to drop off the spare apartment key she had found last night in one of her work trouser’s pockets tomorrow anyways. She could now get the two tasks done one right after the other.

Once she got those two things done, she could swing over to the Wandering Y and talk Elsie’s parents into hiring their daughter part time at her place. She picked up her pen again and started adding to that list. Besides writing a letter back home about Walt, Willa now needed to talk to Unsuur as well about the local rocks that could be found naturally. Perhaps talk to Rocky about possibly hiring out one of his scrappers to pick out some quality rocks her brother could utilize or at least someone who could orchestrate getting any rocks he discovered at the scrapyard delivered to her courtyard? For some reason, Venti sprang to her mind. She was good with organization and got along with even the most churlish of characters. Walt would be easy comparatively, even if he was in a particularly picky mood.

Willa found herself scribbling out a few more ideas and thoughts out on her list from earlier. She wanted to talk to Jensen about the processes she’d need to take to modify the train platform too. Was that a City Hall petition or a petition for the railroad company? He’d know. And she’d have to start preparing some documents for the doctor about her brother’s health so he could be ready and-

It was then that Willa realized that tight clenching feeling that had been starting to grow in her chest the more she poured over her plans was because she had stopped breathing. The anger was still there, though she had tried to let it go. The feeling of fury was so strong and blinding to her that she had unconsciously began holding her breath as she wrote line after line of things that needed to get down for her brother to move here. She took a deep, gasping breath, coughing a bit at the relief her lungs felt as the feeling vanished. Though she hadn’t wanted to, the blunette removed herself from desk and sat on her bed, folding her legs in front of her and taking deep slow breaths while closing her eyes.

“Relax.” She hummed out, trying to uncoil her wound-up muscles while she spoke to herself. Her shoulders practically felt so high with tension and fury that they were nearly touching her ears. Light, she wished briefly that she had someone to hit at that moment. “Walt won’t be getting here tomorrow. You have time to prepare. Weeks, Willa. Everything will work out. You have a home that you can easily share with him if nothing else. The stables can still fit three more horses even with three stalls filled with your own unpacked crates. And a little filly won’t be away from her mother for the first year. Fang is a good doctor. Your friends are wonderful people who will be eager to help. Walt is better at making friends than you. Everything is going to be okay.”

Those reminders allowed her tension to loosen. She took some time to meditate after that, to calm her swirling and angry thoughts. She allowed her rushing mind to slow and focus on the here and now of her own body. How her lungs felt as she took deep breaths, following the airflow as she took in long breaths from the nose and exhaled from her mouth. Sure, some thoughts tried to impede her to which she acknowledged each intrusive thought and let it pass to return her full focus on her task until it wasn’t so difficult anymore.

She flopped back onto her pillows as she unwound herself from that position and stared at the ceiling, much calmer than before. Her nearly euphoric mood she had when she had gotten home had been sobered, but it wasn’t entirely gone. She had merely been focusing on the wrong parts of the situation, as her father often told them growing up. She needed to change her perspective on the whole thing.

“This will be a very good change. It was something you wanted anyways. Not ideal conditions as to why it's happening, but Sandrock will welcome Walt, just like it welcomed you, Willa. He will be safe and happy and wanted here.” She told herself, a hand sneaking up into her hair to undo her hair tie and loosen her hair.

A thought popped up unbidden into her mind and she gave a little snort to it. It was a good enough spin to the situation. “Yeah, let’s go with that. Walt down, Nia to go. Then Sandrock will be perfect.”

Truth be told, she already thought it was- rundown parts and all.

Chapter 14

Notes:

Sorry I’ve been gone! Life hits hard and fast and I had to run to keep up with it all. I have been trying to find time to write more. My goal is to work on this story little by little till I complete it. I also had to sit for a while and figure out how I wanted to write this. I would have to remove parts and rewrite scenes or even rearrange scenes but I finally got it the way I wanted.

Thank you for your wait on this. I hope the very long chapter makes up for the wait. I didn’t want to break it up into two smaller pieces, so I didn’t.

Walt was moving to Sandrock. She knew this even before his reply came. The moment he got her letter, he’d move. That’s how well she knew him.

The city of Sandrock was shaping up to be a wonderful home to her and she knew it’d welcome her brother just as easily as it had done for her, but, she quickly learned in her short time there so far, gossip traveled at neck break speed and this was one matter that needed time and space to acclimate. She didn’t need well wishers and a flurry of curious neighbors showing up right off the bat. Walt wouldn't like that.

In fact, she had only told a total of six folks, swearing them all to secrecy, as to what was going on.

Her brother needed that much of her, after all. He’d be so weak when he got here. No doubt in her mind that he’d be bedridden for days and the last thing he’d want is to have other people try to push their way into his convalescence with introductions and inquiries and unwarranted offerings of help. Her brother was very individualistic and liked to remain that way the best he could, so, until he was not feeling shaky on his legs, Willa was doing her best to keep his stay here quiet.

She had, at first, been very determined not to tell anyone at all, but, once she had gotten his reply letter, very quickly after his actual confirmation, that idea had been tossed out. Heidi, at one point, threw her hands up in frustration, as it seemed that Willa had been extra onery that day about construction, and demanded to know what bumbleant had bit her ass that morning. The Highwind builder realized then and there that she had been out of line and immediately settled.

She still remembered how that interaction had changed her whole plan going forward.

“Sorry.” She quickly apologized to her friend, closing her eyes, pulling off her shades, and dry washing her face with her free hand. She rubbed at the bridge of her nose as she continued to compose herself. “I got some news I suppose I should share with you and Mi-an, though.”

She ushered Elsie too from where she was brushing Ty when she collected Mi-an from where she was outfitting the plumbing in the main building, guiding all three into her little guest house for the additional privacy. She had closed the door, paced a bit as she thought of what to say, before going for it.

“My brother’s coming.” 

Mi-an was the first one to perk up at that, her face alight with joy, “He’s coming to visit you?”

Willa shook her head, much calmer now that she had released those words from her throat. It allowed her to admit, “to stay, actually. See if Sandrock is a good fit for his needs.”

“Wut sorta needs can Sandrock, of all places, be a good fit fer?” Elsie looked utterly befuddled at the idea. Willa didn’t blame her, knowing that the young lady had spent more time dreaming about getting out of Sandrock over staying there.

“It has a short rainy season, dry, warm weather almost all year round. Nights get cold, sure, but he’ll be inside by nightfall.” Willa ticked off fingers as she began to list why Sandrock would prove beneficial to her brother. “Sandrock also has a good doctor a decent walk away who studied acupuncture. That’ll be amazing for Walt, seeing as he has a lot of residual pain from when he…” She paused, took a long, deep breath, and continued. “That’s his story to tell, to be honest, but what I can say is that my brother got badly hurt when he was fifteen and he still carries the injuries from that day.”

“How… how bad are we talking?” Heidi asked her, her brow creasing with concern.

“Enough that his joints hurt before and during rainfall, he can tell you if there’s a thunderstorm on the horizon with how his body aches, some days he’s stuck in bed if he hurts too much, plenty of phantom pain still, and… well, there’s a lot more, but he will want to keep it to himself for a time. He’s private like that and I try to respect that best I can.”

“But yer thinkin’ that our weather might be better for his condition?”

“I think?” Willa shrugged. “Anywhere is going to be worlds better than up on a mountain where people don’t care enough to remind him of his basic needs. If he’s here, I can at least bug him to eat, to sleep, to exercise. Nobody up there probably is and he’s the sort that’ll really hyperfixate on his work and shut out everything else.”

“He one of them work-o-holics?” Elsie crossed her arms and wrinkled her nose at the idea. She couldn’t stand it when she saw people who worked and worked and worked and never made themselves available for anything fun.

“He’s better if people are around to remind him of time and place.” Willa promised, though there was a smile tugging on her lips as she spoke fondly of her younger brother, “but he enjoys his work.”

“So, is he going to try to find work around here?” Mi-an asked, her head cocking to the side in her curiosity.

“I’ve hired him.” Willa admitted. “He’s not a builder, but he’ll be an asset, even though it’ll only be mostly with stonework. He’s a sculptor, but he’s talented with stone in almost any category and he’s excellent with paperwork on his slower days.”

A stern frown found its way back onto her lips. “He’s going to be pretty weak when he gets here. He gets motion sick pretty fierce and he’ll be coming in on the train. I’ll ask all of you to keep his arrival to yourselves for now. I am telling you three now because you all work close enough with me that you’ve probably noticed I’ve been a bit more…”

“Persnickety.” Mi-an supplied with a bright, teasing smile on her face.

“Grouchy.” Elsie tossed out with a smirk, a hand settling on one of her hips.

“An arse.” Heidi boldly said as she crossed her arms, daring Willa to even try to argue against her statement.

“Yes, yes.” Willa huffed out. “All of that. And I’ll probably get worse before I get better. If I get too terrible, call me out, I’ll de-escalate myself the best I can.”

“Well,” Heidi sighed out, releasing her previous stance to a more relaxed one, “It helps ta know what’s got ya’ll hot under the collar. I’ll try being more patient with cha, but I ain’t taking bullshit. You best believe I’ll call yer ass out if yer being unreasonable.”

Willa gave her a toothy smirk, nodding. “I expect you to.”

“It doesn’t much bother me,” Mi-an shrugged, the least concerned about Willa being growly, though she worked most with her. “You’re still plenty professional when we do our jobs, but I think maybe you should let Else and me cover deliveries for a while.”

“Ah, Mi-an, don’t sign me up fer more work.” Elsie whined, sending a pleading look over to her builder friend.

“You’ll drive the carriage, I’ll do the deliveries.” Mi-an patted her shoulder. “You like driving the carriage with Ty anyways.”

“Fine…” The yakgirl relented. “Prolly better that way. Willa would prolly accidentally deck Pen or sumethin’ if he pushes her buttons anyways, then Pastor Miguel will get all uppity and Minister Matilda will have a Sunday sermon ‘bout it. I’d rather avoid that.” She looked at Willa with a playful grin. “I’ll not say nuthin’ ta my pa or ma either. An’ if they ask ‘bout anythin’ I’ll play dumb, doncha worry, Willa.”

“I won’t say anything to my family neither.” Heidi agreed. “I’ll also see about making sure we expedite the building of the second guest house now that I know yer need for it.”

She blinked, surprised at how quickly her employees and friends had quickly formulated a plan around her. They knew her nerves would be a tad bit strained, what with her brother moving their way, and how he would probably be weak and sick, which was making her anxious, and planned around it instead of telling her to ‘get a grip’. She felt a soft smile stretch across her lips and her eyes gentle as she watched the three of them working out how they could help her.

“I have a list of things that I could use some additional help with.” Willa admitted to the lot of them, less nervous energy now that she felt less isolated with the burden she had taken onto her shoulders. “I do need to talk to Doctor Fang and even head over and talk to Rocky about a few things, but if you guys could look it over and offer up some ideas on how to fine tune it?”

Mi-an was the first one of the three to visibly light up at the notion of a list, almost making Willa laugh. She calmed more, knowing things would be easier with their support.

After that, she had gone a few days later over to the clinic and notified Fang, making him the only individual other than her in the city to know the full scope of her brother’s injuries. She had provided him with a medical file she had written up, everything she had memorized about her brother’s condition and watched, one corner of her lips quirking up into a crooked humorless smirk, as his eyebrows shot up in disbelief the more he read.

“Lucky.” He finally announced. “Very lucky… to have… lived.”

“My family and I know it too.” 

She had known from the moment that they had gotten such a horrific message delivered to their doorstep by the way of a breathless Civil Corpsman begging her parents to come quickly to the hospital her brother had been rushed to. She knew her brother had been lucky to have even survived the gruesome incident.

She should have pushed to go with him that day instead of making plans with Nia. She should have questioned who he had been going with more than she had. Asked if they were really people he should be trusting. She should have-

She stopped that train of thought. No amount of ‘should haves’ or ‘would haves’ or ‘could haves’ would reverse the damage done. It had been unfortunate and it had been a disgusting truth about human nature her family had to come to terms with. It wasn’t her family’s fault. It wasn’t her fault. Some humans were simply stupid, reckless, and used fear or distaste as an excuse to do horrendous things to innocent people.

“When he… gets here… I’ll come to him. For first… check up.”

“I’ll let you know the date so you can get there as soon as he comes in. He’ll need it. He gets motion sickness quickly and fiercely. And he’s probably been barely eating with how stressed he’s been, won’t eat more than a few mouthfuls of something soft or gentle during train rides, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t vomit going over the Sonash Canyon Bridge.”

That admittance did nothing to ease her own worries. However, she reminded herself that her brother had survived worse. He’d not die on a train ride to Sandrock because Walt would think that an embarrassing way to go.

“Bad with… heights?” Fang guessed, trying to get a feel for his future patient, still thumbing through the detailed medical chart Willa had painstakingly written for him.

“Trauma with cliffs.” She corrected in a deadpan, gesturing at the file again.

“Ah. I… understand.” He flipped through the chart a few more times, his brows furrowing as he kept reading. “How… does he… remain mobile?”

“I’d rather not say, Doc.” Willa glanced around the area. It was a slow Wednesday afternoon and she had taken the time to meet Fang outside his clinic where he was doing his trials. While it seemed dead, she wasn’t sure how far their voices traveled.

Fang didn’t press her, though he did look up from his reading to shoot her a glance. Those pale blue eyes of his for once not looking meek or sad, but rather annoyed. “Fang.”

Willa did her best to look sheepish, though she didn’t doubt that her face looked more wolfish as she shot off a quick apology. It seemed he had gotten accustomed to her facial expressions though and didn’t balk back nervously. “I promise you, Doctor Fang, I really don’t do it on purpose. I am accustomed to calling the local doctor in Highwind ‘Doc’ as well. Would it be better if I called you ‘Sensei’ or ‘Yish-?”

“No. Fang.” He sounded so annoyed at that point, closing the file with a snap and looking about one mistake on Willa’s part away from going inside so he didn’t have to deal with people anymore that day.

“Just… Fang? Or Doctor Fang?”

He heaved an annoyed sigh. “Don’t care…. About titles… uncomfortable.”

Oh. Oh. “How about if I call you Fang when outside of patient-doctor situations and Doctor Fang or Doc when I’m relying on your medical expertise?”

He seemed to think about it before nodding “That’s… fine.”

Willa gave him a smile, probably too agitated to make it look kind, but she watched him from beyond her dark sunshades and mused how quickly her brother would start fussing over the timid younger man. While he was abysmal at taking care of himself, Walt had such a protective streak that, she mentally calculated, it would take approximately three minutes before he was claiming the younger Seesai man as a pseudo-sibling to fuss and look after.

Fang looked at her expression with an air of deep confusion and wariness. Like he could sense something within her mood was amiss, or, more like, about him. It made him nervous so she did her best to give him a smile, perhaps still too much teeth showing, doing more to make him concerned than calmed, and wished him a good rest of his day.

By the time she got her first telegraph from her brother- a short message that had both Moonstone and Opal’s names and a time and date with a short message stating ‘I sent them ahead’, Willa had already ironed out a lot of details with the people that would be in the know. Rocky agreed to let her have Venti work for her a few hours a day, Heidi was having construction focus on the second guest house as well as her workshop/office area of her home, Mi-an was dutifully making sure that clients got good customer service, and Elsie was an unexpected joy to work with. Her horses were always taken care of, her carriage and riding gear was constantly maintained, and the young lady happily took both her own horse and Willa’s out to graze in the cool mornings Sandrock sometimes had.

When she told her about the filly that was coming their way, Elsie practically squealed.

“Can ya teach me how ya trained Midnight? Ya are trainin’ the little filly, right?”

“She’s too little to do more than keep close to her mama at this point, but I can. There are some early day habits I’ll want her to learn so when she is old enough to train, things will go more smoothly.” Willa informed the younger woman. “I’ll show you all the various stages of training she’ll need, though, so long as you are around, Else.”

There were practically stars in Elsie’s eyes and she promised she’d stick around long enough to see the whole process. That was reassuring to Willa. It would take a few years and by the time the horse was old enough to ride, she had a feeling Elsie would be a little more ready to take on the world if she decided to venture out.

The day that Moonstone and Opal were scheduled to show up, Elsie was practically hopping from foot to foot at Willa’s doorstep, eager for the older woman to get a move on it so that they could pick up the horses. Instead, she pulled her in and promised they’d leave after she drank her coffee. They had time and Willa would not be rushed.

“Whut kinda horse does yer brother even have?” Elsie quizzed her as she sat there in her sparsely furnished temporary home, lucky that Willa had kept that stool that Rian had given her as a housewarming gift. As simple as it was, it was built to last. “I know ya got yer Draught and even yer pretty Friesian, but I never thought ta ask ‘bout yer brother’s ponies.”

“I don’t know what Opal’s sire was- common, so probably some sort of grade horse, if I were to consider Walt’s angry definition- but Moonstone’s an Andalusian.”

There were those stars in her eyes again as she practically jumped up and crossed to where Willa was leaning against her counters, sipping at her cup of joe.

“An Andalusian?! Really?”

“Yep. A real pretty dapple grey too.” Willa gave a toothy grin. “He didn’t know when he picked her how much of a lightsend she’d be. She quickly figured out something was amiss with him after his accident and adapted, by herself by the by, ways to help him. Smart as a whip, fast to train in any tricky technique, and her heart belongs to Walt. I’m hoping her filly will be just as smart, regardless of her sire’s unknown traits.”

“Wooow.” The younger woman stared at her in wonderment for a moment before sobering up a bit. “Walt ‘nd you are so lucky. Got nice fancy horses in all.”

“Walt and I have our hardships, but they are different from your hardships.” Willa calmly rebutted the yakgirl’s bemoaning. She righted herself and quickly pushed playfully at the other woman’s shoulder, making her nearly spill from her seat and flail a bit to catch herself as the builder reminded her. “My parents had friends with very good connections in the equestrian field and they wouldn’t allow us to have anything less than what they considered good horses. Belle might not be as fancy, but she’s a clever, beautiful girl.”

“Ah… right.” Elsie rubbed at her hip a bit, a little sheepish. “In both ways. Sorry. I jest gotta little, well, jealous. Ya’ll got freedom ta choose where ya’ll wanna be and I, well, I feel stuck here most days.”

“That’ll change one day.” Willa promised her. “But for now, focus on learning, on expanding your world through small changes. Consider your home here as a safe place to learn, to try new things, to fail, and how to cope with failure. You’ve got a safety net with this community that loves you when things don’t iron out the way you had hoped. I know everything here seems commonplace to you, but that doesn’t mean the skills you’ve learned here are common to others out there.”

Willa could see that the young red headed woman was thinking on her words, but she wasn’t quite ready to really let them seep in. She’d need more time to ruminate it. Alone. So instead of accepting the words as truth, she instead huffed a disbelieving laugh. 

“Pfffttt,” Elsie couldn’t help snorting, “What in Peach’s good name is so spectacular and not common ‘bout a place like Sandrock. In case ya didn’t notice, most folk avoid these them parts. Can’t have fancy knowledge here.”

Willa would have none of that. The things Elsie took for granted were things most folk in cities knew nothing about. So she began to list off the skill sets she could think of off the top of her head she felt weren’t common knowledge elsewhere. 

“The other day I saw you calm an agitated yak with humming and a few well placed pats. You whisper and coo in ways animals seem to understand- like you understand them and they, you. You know how to tie fifty different knots easily, you can sniff out clean water a mile away, know how to sense a change in the weather from how the wind blows alone, know how to conserve your energy in an unrelenting environment and still get shit done, and don’t think I don’t see you fish with sand traps and make getting a large haul look like it's as easy as breathing.” She then recalled, “Oh, and you can shoot a gun. Nothing common about any of that in Atara or Highwind. Not even in Portia.”

The younger woman flustered at Willa’s observations. “Everyone can do t’at ‘round here!”

“Mi-an and I are learning, yes, but we didn’t know necessarily how to do any of that prior to coming here.” Willa pointed out. “I doubt Grace knows half of those things you take for granted either. What’s old to you is very new to us, but, in the same manner, what’s old to us is new to you. We all have been raised with different perspectives and experiences. That’s why we can teach each other new things. Like training fillies in a way you didn’t think of before.”

Elsie thought about her words. She had come early, probably half because she was so excited to pick up the horses when the train got her and half because she was avoiding her father catching her and assigning her more chores than she felt willing to do on top of the ones she probably already did that morning. Willa doubted that even the wild young yakgirl had thought this is where their conversation would end up, but, as the older woman had learned early on in life- sometimes life throws one curveball life lessons one needed but never expected. This, the builder thought, seemed to be an important lesson Elsie needed to learn before she ever set off on her own- whether it be years away or even sometime this year.

“Say,” Willa drawled, an idea coming to her mind. “If- and this is a big if scenario, mind you- I’m ever called away to go into one of the bigger cities, I’ll talk your folks into letting me take you with me. Give you a basic breakdown of how to adapt fast to new environments. Maybe take you to see some sights so you know how not to gawk too much. And, if we never get that far, I’ll see to it that a few ladies’ nights are spent with Heidi, Mi-an, Grace, and me all telling you about other cities and their outlandish ways.”

Elsie’s eyes grew round and hopeful, “Really?!”

“Truly.” Willa gave her a few firm pats to the shoulder. “I’ll teach you how to handle yourself too. So you don’t get yourself in too much trouble when you finally go out and do some soul searching.”

“Promise!?” Elsie’s smile was as bright as the sun.

While the smile, Willa knew, was more like a cocky, crooked smirk, a set of her too sharp fangs on display. It didn’t mean she wasn’t honestly and thoroughly pleased to say: “Of course.”

The barely taller builder was quick enough to catch the slighter body suddenly lunging into her and wrapping her arms around the younger woman. Elsie’s cap fell to the wayside from the fast motion as she wrapped her arms tightly around Willa’s robust frame. The older woman chortled out in amusement, eyes tender as Elsie and she embraced in that hug. 

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!”

As quickly as she jumped in to hug Willa, Elsie pulled back, excitement still dancing in her eyes as she met the blunette’s violet gaze, not yet hidden from sight, seeing as she was in her own house. 

“I promise I’ll do my best! I’ll listen ‘nd everythin’! Oh Willa! Yer the first person ta ever tell me sumethin’ like that! Everyone else always issa tellin’ me I ain’t got what it takes or I’d never get far coz I’m jest a kid. O-or that I’m slow, coz I don know lotsa stuff. But you’ve always treated me like an adult! If I don know sumethin’, ya wrangle me in and teach me, ‘nd not like how my folks or… or them teachers do. Not like how my Pa always talks ta me, like I’m jest a lazy kid. I… I don know how ta thank ya. Ya don ignore my dreams of travelin’. Ya don dismiss me like Imma dumb brat, like some folks tend ta do, ‘specially Pastor Miguel. I… I…” 

There were tears now in her eyes, a more open and somber mood sneaking into her tone and face. She seemed moments away from those tears trickling down her face. Her voice warbled as she didn’t stop. 

“I don think I’ave felt seen or… or heard since… Since… Howlett died. Since Lo wen’ta’way.” 

Her nose started to redden as did her cheeks as tears spilled out. She kept on though, spilling her heart, even as her voice warbled and she hiccuped over words. 

“Ya hel… helped me c… connect with Heidi an… and… I… getta hang out with Mi… Mi-an and… and you and Grace’ll… she’ll chat with me now! An’ ‘Wen too! I even got… got the doc ta nod at me if I wave! From… from a distance, ‘course. I even figured a hand sign ta tell ‘im if my pa’s close so he can get away if he ain’t needed. ‘Nd Justice smiles at me ‘gain… And… and I don feel… nearly all alone no more.”

Willa pulled Elsie in once more, letting her rest her face into the nape of her neck as she rightfully began to bawl. She held her close, rocking her as she hummed out kind words. Words she’d use on all her siblings when they felt overwhelmed by their own emotions. 

“I’m here. You’re not alone anymore. Well done.” Willa started. These being the very words her own parents use to whisper to her in her own emotional meltdowns or crys. Words she knew by heart. Words she whispered to her siblings when they came to her for strength and consolation- from little Cosette all the way up to Walt. A spell of comfort meant to be shared, in Willa’s opinion. “You’ve gone through so much and came out of it stronger. And you’re going to keep getting better and stronger. You made it through. You’ve been so brave. Thank you for being so brave. Thank you for trusting me with this moment. I am honored.”

Willa didn’t try to stop Elsie’s tears. They weren’t really in a rush, despite Elsie having shown up early like they were. She let the younger woman- a young woman so close to her sweet Silvia’s age- cry until her emotions regulated themselves and she got the sorrow, hurt, and grief out of her system. Honestly, Willa wondered how long Elsie had needed to do that. Eventually, the red haired yakgirl pulled away, wiping at her eyes and running the length of her arm under her nose to wipe away the excess of snot. Not very polite, but Willa didn’t much care.

“Th-thanks.” Elsie’s face was still pink, but Willa had a feeling it was from embarrassment. She procured a handkerchief and handed it off to her. There was a snort of amusement that seemed to eat away at the residual melancholy as Elsie accepted the dark article of cloth.

“Even the embroidery…” Elsie let out a weak laugh, dabbing at her eyes first, then wiping her face before blowing her nose.

“Well, considering it made you laugh, I don’t mind that you haven’t yet figured out I go the extra mile for my favorite color.” Willa playfully tsked at her.

“Yer an awesome lady, ya know that boss?” Elsie lifted the fine silk item. “Lemme at least wash it ‘fore I give it back ta ya, mkay? As a token of thanks.”

“I’ll accept that.” Willa gently flicked her forehead before moving away and swooping up Elsie’s hat and plopping it back on top of her head before the younger woman had recovered from the flick, face still twisted up in annoyance and fingers rubbing the affronted spot. Elsie let out an annoyed ‘hey’, when Willa shoved the hat’s brim low on her face in her playful teasing. 

“Now. I want to make one thing clear. You aren’t slow or dumb. Maybe uninterested in certain subjects, but by no means unteachable. Don’t ever believe those lies, got it? You are smart in ways people haven’t yet discovered and you have amazing talents. Take them, raw as they are, and hone them till none can deny their existence within you.”

Elsie sniffled again, but there was a big smile on her face. “Yessum!”

Willa observed the younger woman, her blotchy face calming to normal tones. She smiled as she patted her shoulder, turning and snatching up her shades before placing them in their rightful place on her face. “Time to start heading out.”

Elsie nodded and they headed out, Willa slightly ahead of her as they started the thirty minute walk to station. They could have mounted the horses, but, Willa wanted to walk Moonstone and her filly, slowly introducing them to their new home and stretch their legs a bit.

About ten minutes in, Willa decided something else. “Come early tomorrow. During my morning exercises. Let’s see what you’ve already got in your arsenal, hone it, and add to it. So when you do decide to do a walkabout the world, I never have to worry about you being ill-equipped for it.” 

Willa didn’t catch Elsie’s expression, as she never once turned around, eyes focused on the slowly growing sight of the train station, but she couldn’t miss the loud whoop that escaped the yakgirl’s lips as she promised in a near shout, startling the wild life around them a bit with her volume, that she’d be there. It made Willa’s lips quirk and a small cackle escape her throat, thoroughly amused.

This was another thing Willa knew she’d be adding to her ever growing list of things to be happy and grateful for. The earnest respect of a budding talent like Elsie.

---

Willa shifted nervously on the train platform. It was late. Even Jensen was checking his pocket watch with a look of confoundment.

“In all my years of being this station’s master…” he trailed off, looking up and down the tracks as if the train would magically appear on either horizon if he simply looked hard enough. 

But his unfinished sentence disquieted Willa. It was obvious how he had intended to finish that sentence.

‘Never has it been so late.’

Willa barely managed another minute before she gave up waiting. “Jensen, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to ride out and check to see if there’s an issue.”

Of course. Of course it had to be the one train she needed to show up on time that was a no show. She had been getting, as Heidi had frustratedly put it just the other day, more and more restless as this day drew closer.

“Are you expecting another shipment?” Jensen’s curiosity finally got the best of him. Her more surly looks tended to keep him from prying, but, having watched her pace up and down his train platform for the last fifteen minutes had made him more curious than he was cautious.

“Something like that.” Willa dodge the question, not quite ready to share the news with many folks.

She whistled a long note then flicked it to a fast higher note, summoning Midnight next to the station platform. She mounted with no difficulties, grabbing her horse’s reigns and tapping her sides to spur her forward. “If I see them on the approach, I’ll come back, but if I see the train at a standstill, I’ll go check to see what’s going on. Maybe the engine seized or something.”

Today was rather hot, even for the early morning where it should have been the coolest. Willa could only hope that was the case, if the train wasn’t behind schedule for some other matter, like a VIP boarding late or the luggage taking longer than normal to stow.

“Please be something stupid. Please be something stupid.” Willa chanted as she and Midnight rode out, following the curves of the train track.

It didn’t take longer than that to see what was remiss. The train had halted completely on the tracks right on the Shonash Bridge.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Willa cursed, veering her horse to do a sharp roundabout and go down main street. It was still early in the morning and none of the shops, not even Owen’s restaurant, was open. She had planned to grab her brother early in the morning, get him home, right around the time Fang was to show up, and see to his needs without prying eyes. But now…

She didn’t even wait for Midnight to come to a complete stop in front of the Civil Corps headquarters. She didn’t bother knocking, knowing Justice was in the office from five in the morning till eight when the other shops began to open, going through his usual routines. It was a quarter before six, so he’d be there. Upon opening the door, she slipped in her hand and tapped against the wall something one of the Civil Corpsmen had taught her back at home universally meant ‘trouble, back me up’. He had been a family friend and was happy to impress the young kids at parties with simple knowledge like that. She was grateful for it now.

Without even waiting to understand if Justice got her message, Willa pulled her hand back out and didn’t bother to close the door. Most corpsmen would try to dissuade a civilian from getting involved and Willa wasn’t about to wait and see if the same rang true here. Her brother was in possible danger and, even if he wasn’t, he’d be in distress, seeing as the passenger cart was the spot that was stopped properly on the old bridge.

A part of her guts twisted when she heard the wood of the bridge groan under the continued weight of its burden. Willa growled to herself. There was nothing, not even trusses, to bear the majority of its weight and the thing had to have been built an age ago. The moment Trudy was back, she’d be pushing the mayor about getting that thing rebuilt. On Willa’s coin, if she had to. But she doubted, after this, if it’d be safe within another year of use. 

Willa was fast and silent in her approach, moving on quiet feet up the stairs and to the door, well trained to mind her movements. She was careful not to be seen as she stooped low, peeking up and through the windows in short flashes of moment. She noticed a tall man dressed in a faded blue cape, iron shoulder guard that had seen its fair share of action, a brown yakboy hat with horns displayed, and leather browns and dark, worn clothes, dusty from his feat of jumping onto what was probably a moving train at that point in time, guarding restlessly near the front of the cart where the handful of passengers were. He was close to her position, but, foolishly, his back was turned to the door. Then again, with what she had seen of this Civil Corps or even Pen, he didn’t need to worry about sneak attacks. Each man would have, albeit differently, announced their positions loudly before trying anything. However, the bandit’s attention seemed fixed elsewhere. She wondered if he had a partner or three, seeing as, even as empty of passengers the train woefully was, a train heist couldn’t be pulled off alone without some rather amazing skills, but she couldn’t see anyone else in there except him.

She risked a longer look, noticing the various degrees of fear in the other passengers, six, she counted, all comfortably spaced in the first few rows of seats. They sat frozen in their seats, eyes glued to the bandit who held a gun clear for all to see. She ducked back down and began to calculate how fast she could disarm him if she managed to take him by surprise and push him further down the aisle, away from his hostages.

Willa noticed Justice by then, having caught on to something afoot, slowly slipping closer in a low crouch with hands on his pistol. She waved at him to slip over to the back side of the cart. They’d pincer the lone man. Once he was apprehended, they’d search the other carts for any other members of this raid. Justice nodded, moving low and briskly to do as she directed, eyes focused on his task.

The small woman risked another glance, this time more to see if she could spot her brother among the people she’d already counted and maybe throw a few of their old signals to him from when she’d train for the Gauntlet. Maybe see if she couldn’t give him a warning to get down low before she caused a ruckus. He wouldn’t be much of an asset right now, weakened by his motion sickness and no doubt crippled with his trauma- seeing as the passenger car was parked on a bridge over a deep canyon. At best, he’d only be able to supply minimal support.

As she looked again, she noticed that the tall bandit had moved a bit. It granted her a glimpse of some identifying features, like he had sun-kissed tawny skin from his days out in the sun, very fair, sun-bleached locks of hair pulled into a short ponytail at the nape of his neck, almost like moonlight in coloring. Other than that, a kerchief was wrapped around his face to hide most of his other features, but he was a tall fellow, built sturdy with action in mind. She would have pinned him more of a hunter than a bandit if they had casually passed on a street. 

She refocused on what he was doing now, having memorized the best she could his details so if need be, she could point him out or describe him. He was leaning over a section of the passenger seating bit and was reaching out to someone contained within. Perhaps robbing them of their valuables? However, what caused her blood to suddenly boil and her feet to move her into action was the fact that she caught a glimpse of deep blue silks patterned with white hexagons on the fabric barely peeking past the bandit’s legs.

Her brother. 

He was hovering over her brother. Willa wasted no time to think or figure out a way to signal Justice. She burst into the carriage and immediately moved to grab and toss the man away from her brother. It was taking everything within her not to go overboard, reach up, and snap whatever body parts her fingers wrapped around. Luckily for her consciousness, his body reacted before she was certain his mind had caught up with the danger he was in, blocking her initial grab with a brusque pull of his arm, yanking it from initial danger.

He pulled away, but his stance made it seem he wasn’t taking her as the threat she was. If anything, he seemed a little amused at her attempt to break him in any way she could.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” He drawled, a little surprised at her appearance. His voice was deep, with a rich smoky husk to it and, if Willa hadn’t been so damn pissed at the man for daring to try to touch her brother, she might have considered it like a perfect roasted malt she’d enjoy to drink deep and smooth.

It did allow her a mite more control in her temper, now that her brother didn’t feel so much at risk, and she worked on stopping, driving back, and stunning over breaking and hurting. The small audience to their fight, cried and cowered as she began her flurry of palm strikes to drive him back towards the other door, closer to Justice.

As he deflected another one of her open handed palm strikes to his ribs, he spoke, bemused. “Seems like yer one helluva firecracker, little lady. Play ‘round them pyrotechnic fowls often?”

“Nah, but I do hunt them for a good chicken dinner.” Willa scoffed. She slammed her hands onto the tops of the booths she was lined up with and used them to haul herself up and swing her heeled feet into his chest cavity, pushing him back with a slide and an oomph. He leaned forward a bit, blinking back the aching pain that had probably accompanied her blow. However, she had felt the body armor well enough to know she probably only badly bruised him.

“Yer pretty tough fer someone so small.” He admitted, righting and now putting up a proper guarding stance.

“What?” Willa couldn’t help but smirk, her smile feral and eyes no doubt wild with the rush of adrenaline in her veins. “Never heard or seen a condensed can of whoop ass before?”

The man actually laughed. “Thought them only tall tales spread from hunter ta hunter ‘bout those crazy Gauntlet folks.”

So he had been a hunter. She wondered what turned him to a life of crime. While they exchanged a few more blows, Willa began to wonder where the hell Justice was and why he hadn’t come in to back her up. She countered a particularly rowdy blow with an open handed redirect as she decided the Corpsman was maybe trying to find his accomplices while Willa had this one preoccupied.

Eventually they were at a standstill. Both of Willa’s fists were caught in the bandit’s, though his arms trembled to keep up with the force she was putting into his palms, trying to break free from the pin.

“Say, yer real good, little lady, at all this, but I got ya, at the very least, matched on hand ta hand, it seems.”

“Hm.” Willa struggled, not at all bothered, her temper from earlier had cooled enough that now, now this was just play to her. Though she was sure her grin looked dangerous as she admitted. “Yeah. You’re pretty good, but, see here, Bandit, I usually play with swords.”

And, without even missing a beat, she pulled back a bit, freeing her fists from his grip, and spun, catching the cane flying at her from midair, her brother dutifully relinquishing his tool for mobility to aid her with only a passing clue in her words. On her return spin, she used the length of it to smack hard at the bandit’s long legs, near his ankle. Though she did her best not to break the bone, she knew he’d have a gimp for days.

“Ye-ouch!” He lifted his assaulted leg, a little surprised. She then proceeded to push him back with one blow after another.

He managed only for a moment to catch the cane and they were now holding each ends of it as he tried to prevent her from using it as a makeshift sword again. “Yew weren’t kiddin’! Yar downright mean wit’ that there walkin’ stick.”

She gave him a smug grin and narrowed her eyes as she focused hard on her next move. He was almost far enough to the back that she felt the passengers safe from being held hostage, so she tightened her stance, gripped the cane harder, and bulged her muscles under her jacket to pull off her feat of strength. It was almost comical watching as his blue eyes widened when his boots lost traction on the wooden planks on the floor and he was forced back farther and farther into the car.

He released his hold, risking a hard blow from her cane, and moved to grab his gun as a means to regain ground, maybe put a little fear in her to cause her to back up. Willa refused to give him even an inch back. She quickly smacked the tip of the cane against the back of his hand hard, enough that he’d have a purple welt on the top of his hand for weeks, crippling his hand with pain and causing him to drop the weapon as a result. She snatched it up with her free hand and, with one hand, secured the safety lock and dumped the bullets from the revolving chamber to avoid any accidental firing of the weapon. Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, she counted six heavy metallic sounds clatter to the floor of the train. She tucked the unloaded weapon into her belt as she regained a proper two handed hold on the cane.

With a haughty look on her face, her shaded eyes met his. The brief breath in their fight and her cleared bloodlust allowed her to really take in his surprised expression. Eyes a clear sky blue with a distinguishing cut running through one of his pale eyebrows.

The realization of who this was caused her to hesitate on swinging another hard blow and gaining the upper hand altogether. 

This bandit… This man… he was Logan. 

Her loathing at him even attempting to touch her brother was still there, but it now simmered into unhappiness rather than burning hatefulness. She didn’t know how long of a moment the two of them had, how long their eyes had met for, but the brief moment was over when Justice busted into the back. Finally.

“Freeze Logan!”

That seemed to also sober up Logan back into a collected cool as he swung his gaze over to Justice. He raised his hands as if surrendering. “Aw, seems like ya got yerself a great little helper with this darlin’ little lady here, Justice. Whut? No B3 ‘round to play law with cha?”

“He retired.” Justice said in clipped tones. “And she ain’t Civil Corps, so don’t go thinking she’ll play by my rules.”

“Aw, kinda a shame. She’s good.” Logan laughed, mocking and light. “She’s got a way with sticks.”

“Say that again and I’ll make sure I break your kneecap.” Willa threatened, moving so she now barred him from passing her and getting to his previous hostage passengers.

Logan dared to gander a look her way and his eyes told her the moment he realized something. After all, he had probably noticed where the cane had originated from. Her brother, as ill as he probably felt, was probably sitting up and watching best he could her fight, ready to look for ways to help. “Ah, ain’t it usually the other way ’round? Though ya do look more the knight than a fair maiden.”

Willa didn’t answer his taunts, instead switching to her mother tongue to quickly ask after her brother. He responded in kind. Assuring words, though weak. Walt was okay, just sick to his stomach and grumbling about the bridge.

Logan noticed, eyes bright with interest. 

As Willa held her ground, Justice started his approach, removing one hand to grab at the cuffs on his belt. Willa heard a creak and groan from the bridge and her brother’s accompanying shuddering breath to the noise. A rapping, tapping noise echoing into the passenger cart, as if something had been knocked at the outer walls in a code. Logan moved back a bit into a booth, lined up more with the window behind him.

“Ya know, maybe this was a little too big ofa job fer jest little old me. I can see when I ain’t welcome, so, I’ll jest take my leave then.”

“Oh, yer not leaving! Not without me escorting you off in cuffs, Lo.” Justice told him sternly, closing the distance too slow for Willa’s taste. He seemed intimidated, like Logan was a bigger threat than Willa had possibly given him credit for, which meant… he had been letting her land her hits, no matter if they really had hurt. Her brows furrowed.

“Nah, not my style.” Logan refused. “See ya!”

And, to Willa and Justice’s disbelief and her brother’s horror, the man threw himself out the window, the momentum flying him well past the bridge's dismal railings, and into a free fall into the canyon below. Justice and Willa both ran to the broken window in a reflex motion. Both individuals watched as the man free fell in the sky, twisting, and activating a hidden glider and soared away. While it was Justice that visibly heaved a sigh of both relief and frustration, Willa too felt her insides settle at not having to witness a man plummet to his death. She already had nightmares about her own brother having nearly done so himself years ago, she didn’t need the actual image of someone actually doing so seared into her memories. Justice turned to look at Willa.

“Sonofa- he had a glider. He’s gone.” He whispered. He added shortly after that, “Surely nobody’s gonna get mad at me for not giving chase, right?”

“I didn’t think to equip a hidden glider in my clothes this morning, so I don’t think anyone can begrudge you for not doing the same.” Willa sniffed, knowing already some of who would be the loudest naysayers to Logan having ‘gotten away’. “Also, you can always mention that you only had a builder for back-up.”

“Willa,” Justice gave her an earnest look as he whispered out his next words. “You weren’t back-up. I was. How did you even do that stuff? Logan’s a seasoned hunter, like his daddy was. I can’t even do half the shit he can.”

“Well,” Willa decided to deflect a bit, “How else am I supposed to get that hazardous ruin permit from your cautious fingers if I can whoop ass when need be?”

Justice shook his head in disbelief. “That ain’t an answer, but I’ll start on that paperwork. Can’t deny ya have what it takes to rummage our dangerous ruins easy. Logan’s leagues more dangerous than rampaging bots any day of the week.”

Willa didn’t realize that there had been a tightness in her chest until she and Justice causally talked, unwinding from what she had just witnessed and the tension slowly unknotting itself. What would she have told Heidi or Elsie or Owen if that hadn’t been the case. Her brother, however, folded over himself and vomited all over the train floor before him, reminding her of his existence and his condition. 

She wanted to run to him, but it was then that the reality of the situation loudly reminded her that she needed to address other matters of safety first. The bridge let out that audible groan again. Not good.

“Sorry Justice.” Willa started. “I recommend you evacuate the passengers first and foremost before getting the train immediately off the bridge.” She let out a specific whistle and heard Midnight’s replying whinny as the horse dashed past the window and moved towards the desert on the other side of the bridge. Willa knew she’d be coming round the other way. “I’d help, but I have to go. I was at the station earlier today because I have a guest on this train. One that gets motion sick easily and I need to get to Fang.”

“I will need to question everyone on this train as a follow up.” Justice told her, looking at her apologetically.

“I just helped you take control of a train heist. Can’t you interview us later? After Fang helps my guest, please? I’ll explain later, but…”

Justice cast an unsure look at her then to her brother’s waning expression, probably smelling the acidic scent of vomit still tainting the air, before sighing again, nodding his agreement. “Okay, go. Thanks for the heads up about this all. I’ll do as you suggested and catch up with you soon.”

“Thanks Justice.” Willa patted his shoulder. “I know you don’t think you did much, but you did good. You caught on fast and backed me up when the situation proved to favor the assist.”

Justice looked grateful for her words. She didn’t linger longer than that. Turning back and walking down to where her brother sat, skin pale and covered in a thin layer of sweat. She nearly rolled her eyes at the fact that he sat there in a fine yukata and haori. Leave it to her brother to dress exotically. This was common enough in the Ni providence of Seesai that he had been living in, but here? He looked too foreign.

“About damn time you remembered me.” He grumpily muttered low as he leaned towards her, arms moving to wrap around her shoulders. “Get me off this fucking train and off this fucking bridge.”

Willa wasted no time scooping him up. For as tall as he was compared to her, she never had an issue with carrying him in her arms. “Yeah, yeah, there was a bandit I had to fend off first, hime. Let’s get you out of here.”

He laid his head on her shoulder, relief in his expression as she hauled him away. By the time she was at the car’s exit, she could hear Midnight slowing her gallop into a full stop near the other train car door. Willa figured he’d like it better to not have to ride through the city and take the outskirts path back to her home.

On her way to the door though, she let her eyes peer over the other occupants of the train, noting the different levels of fear and relief on all their faces except for one. She did her best not to react, gliding her eyes back in front of her, and moving more briskly to the exit. However, there was a sense of dread running down her spine at the expression she had caught in one particular passenger with a mop of blonde hair wearing a purple zip up hoodie- a bright spark of interest mixed dangerously with curiosity. With how he had been dividing half his attention to scribbling in a near manic pace into his little notebook and casting fast, active looks towards her and her brother, Willa had an inkling to what sort of career this man claimed.

She pretended not to hear him, when he noticed her brush past his seat’s row, trying to call out to grab her attention. Fang was probably now worriedly waiting near her house- this being long since the hour she had planned to meet him there so he could check on her brother’s condition- and she wasn’t about to waste any more time on some Nosy Nellie looking for a story to write.

It wasn’t until they were on Midnight, Willa riding in the front with her brother settled side saddle behind her, body nearly slumped against her back as he held on to her biceps with his strong grip, that she felt like she could actually, privately talk to him. He also seemed to have recovered from his anxiety, though he still seemed exhausted. However, she wasn’t the one to break the silence. Her brother chose to, leaning close to her ear so she could hear his wane voice over the wind and galloping. It’d be at least ten minutes home still.

“So,” Walt drawled weakly, a hint of annoyance and amusement all wrapped up into his tone, “Sandrock always this exciting?”

“I have seen neither hide nor hair of that so-called bandit for the entirety of my residence here and he chose the one Light damned day you are riding into town to make  a show!” Willa vented, her tone sharp and her mood soured that her brother’s first experience here was so distressing. “I swear, you have the worst luck at the worst times, Walt!”

Her brother’s mirthless laugh was barely caught by her, even as he breathed it low near her ear. “Don’t I know it. However, I suppose I’ve had worse interactions with folks vastly less dangerous than him. Are all bandits around here so polite?”

That caught Willa’s attention and she turned her head to stare into her brother’s amber gold colored eyes. His face was so thin and the distinct, prominent angles of his cheekbones were cut sharp with lack of proper care and nourishment. His sharp eyes were heavy-lidded with his exhaustion and his usually immaculate hair was tied loose and low, tossing too and fro behind him in the wind. He reminded her a bit of the tale of the moon princess who was coveted by all men for her brief stay upon Earth’s surface. However, beyond the exhaustion and the teasing lilt to his voice, she couldn’t spot a hint of him not meaning his question.

She remembered Logan hovering over her brother’s chair and the fury and protectiveness that had boiled in her blood.

“What did he say to you? When he was looming over you like that?”

Walt chuckled, bemused. “He, in very poor Chi, was asking me if I was alright. I may have told him in Ni to kindly fuck off if he was going to hold me hostage in a train over a fucking cliff, seeing as I was both entirely motion sick and fighting off the urge to vomit.”

Willa couldn’t help the quirk of her lips to her brother’s response. “Did it look like he could catch your meaning?”

“I may have spoken too fast for someone who spoke Chi slower than a child, but he did seem to notice I wasn’t happy.” There was a hint of humor in her brother’s eyes, a vast improvement to how he had been moments ago. Though his eyes narrowed, “Can’t believe he fucking jumped. I hadn’t been prepared for that.”

“Seeing as you actually threw up, yeah, I didn’t figure you were too keen on that.”

However, Willa was surprised that Logan even knew any sort of Seesainese. The country had four different dialects that stemmed from the different provinces that its land contained, though not many people knew that and nobody from Seesai typically bothered to keep correcting the uninformed masses. Chi providence, Ni providence, and Kor providence with the capital of Seesai known as Sing being one of the few places that spoke mixed all three into one. Each variant was known according to their providence with Sing’s version of the dialect known as Harmony within Seesai’s lands. 

While Walt and Willa’s family spoke mostly formal Ni at home, their Jiji had made sure that they knew all the dialects. Willa had the upper hand of knowing Harmony as an orphan. She had started in Sing and, after her mother abandoned her, slowly meandered her way down the country where Chi and Ni’s borders blended, learning both dialects from the border cities as she went. Willa’s only problem, according to her Jiji, when it came to speaking the language originally, was that she used more slang than proper words. Something he was sure to fix, as scrupulous as he was with words. Being that his job, back in the day, was to translate for governmental affairs, he had to be a master polyglot and made sure all his children and grandchildren were too.

“Honestly Willa, if your local bandits are that polite, I doubt I’ll really have any issues here. That was tame compared to some of the cutthroat antics of other apprentices I’ve grown accustomed to for the last few years.” Walt hummed, though she felt him quiver a bit. “Could have done without being stuck over a fucking cliff with a bridge that was determined to let us know every three seconds of its discontent. Ugh.”

“Don’t remind yourself.” Willa lightly scolded her brother. “Or you’ll have to walk yourself through your calming mantra again.”

She knew he had probably walked himself through the words multiple times already in the span of this whole incident and no doubt uninterested in doing it again. He tightened his grip around her in mild protest to her rebuke. 

However, he relented the words, “fair point.”

He finally looked up, squinting a bit as he took in the scenery before him. “So. This is Sandrock? Lives up to its name. There is definitely more sand and rocks here than much else.”

Willa gasped in mock shock, “You’re upset to see a place full of rocks?”

“That’s not what I said.” He snapped. “It’s simply different from anything I’ve seen before… Do they have marble deposits?”

Of course her brother would immediately ask after rocks.

“I asked Unsuur- yes, that’s the fellow’s name-, and he said there are plenty of limestone deposits southwest of the canyon and around the badlands on the southeastern cliffs, so, there is a fair chance there is natural marble deposits, and, if not, there are plenty of good chunks that the Eufaula Salvage are willing to part with for some gol. He also mentioned granite, precious gems, and a few others you can sculpt. I’ve already set up an aide for you whenever you wish to go salvage hunting for materials too. Her name is Venti.”

He hummed, interested. “Like the very ancient word for wind?”

“Like the less ancient word used for a large cup of a caffeinated beverage.” Willa corrected with an amused snort, remembering how the woman had told her the meaning behind her name. “Picked it herself, I think.”

“Well, it’s pretty regardless.” Walt didn’t hate the name, though he now pondered what inspired its choosing.

He nudged his head to the front of them, the large construction zone coming ever closer. “That yours?”

“The makings of it, at the very least.” Willa acknowledged. “Heidi’s already got the western wall up and guarded from strong winds. We’ll have to go around a bit to get a better view, but the one on the far right is the finished one. There’s also a little door close to it that shortcuts into the stables. Moonstone and Opal have been happy there with the attention my part-time stablehand gives them. But, Moon is always happiest with you around.” She gave her brother’s still slumped form a light nudge, sensing a smile regardless of it she couldn’t see it. “Oh and I think Doctor Fang’s here. Great. He can help you dismount.”

“Hmm? How can you tell?” He couldn’t see much beyond the outer parts of the building. Curious as to how his sister could intuit such a thing.

She pointed up into the sky at a black bird that seemed to see her approach and dive back down past the wall. “That’s X. Doctor Fang’s mouthpiece.”

“Oh thank the Light.” Her brother sighed a dramatic breath of relief. “I thought you grabbed yourself a bird.”

“Woulda if he wasn’t already besotted.” Willa huffed.

She could feel her brother’s deep eye roll at her words. “What’s this about a bird being a mouthpiece? Can he not speak Alliance common?”

“Not much of a talker. Even in Chi, Ni, or Ni-Chi. Back at his clinic he has banners with rules and no small talk is near the top of it. He taps it if he’s giving you a warning.”

“Hm,” her brother lightly grunted, letting her know he heard her. He much have been getting tired now that his adrenaline was running down. “Have you… told him?”

“Gave him a folder of everything I could remember. Did have to skim a few topics, like how you literally walk, but he knows.” She slowed down Midnight now, leading her around the half finished brick and mortar wall to the hidden niche that was to be a garden for her guests to enjoy. She spoke softly. “Walt, give him a lot of patience. He’s talented but lacks the fortitude to socialize much.”

As promised, as soon as they took that turn, there was Fang, standing there looking rather impatient and fidgeting with X crooning words into his ear.

His ice blue eyes landed on Willa, a frown on his lips. “Late.”

“A little.” Willa conceded, unrepentant. “But seeing as I had to disrupt an actual train heist, I think I’m quite prompt.”

Fang’s eyes went wide at that, looking from her to her brother’s slumped form against her. “Hurt?”

“Other than the idiot I hit a few times with my brother’s cane? No one. However, the genius bandit decided to stop the train on Shanosh Canyon Bridge, so Walt here is having a trying day already.” Willa led her horse a little closer, looking down from her spot to Fang’s tall lean form. “Can you help me get him down? I’m a little worried he’ll slide right off if I get down first. I think you can take his weight for a brief minute.” 

“Damnit Jim, he’s a doctor, not a strongman.” X said in a low tone.

“X.” Fang rebuked, moving towards the pair of them on Midnight. “I can.”

It was an interesting sight, watching the two younger men interact. Both of them could easily fall into the category of elegant and beautiful. Long fingers, willowy frames, and both exuded nobility. However there were plenty of differences to be seen, Fang was definitely more rooted in Chi Providence traditions while Walt was more rooted in Ni Providence traditions. Even their attire spoke of the two different regions and social standings, especially how Walt’s silk blend yukata looked rich and fine in its solid coloring and sharp hexagonal pattern compared to Fang’s stitched up work clothes made him look a tad like a pauper. Willa wondered if he had nicer clothes and, if not, how to get his measurements to commission Vivi to make him more fitting, professional clothes.

Both had long hair, Fang’s a hint lighter, teasing warmer colors hidden within his dark locks under the sunlight while Walt’s hair was a matte black in comparison. Both had long hair and almost tied up the same way at the moment, though Walt had gone about doing a complicated wrap that took up a length of his hair to keep it in place while Fang had a loose side ponytail. Walt also had shorter fringe framing his face and, while both had sharp, cool eyes, Fang had sad icy blue eyes while Walt had an amber gold hue to his eyes with a look of boredom or constant annoyance.

Ironically, neither smiled much, but Walt had always been a serious child and Willa wasn’t sure Fang knew how to smile.

Fang held onto Walt’s waist as the older man held onto the doctor’s shoulders, slipping from his side saddle seat onto the hard ground below on unsteady feet. Willa handed him his cane the moment he was on the ground so as to free Fang from being his sole support. Walt took it graciously, thanking the doctor and used the tool to stand on his own merit. Or tried to at least. He was growing weaker and weaker as the last vestiges of his adrenaline ran dry. Fang noticed and pulled the other man’s free arm under his to give him support.

“Bed.” He ordered shortly.

“Agreed.” Walt hummed out.

Willa hopped off of Midnight and ran ahead of the two to get the door unlocked and open it before moving to help walk her brother there. It spoke of her brother’s waning energy if he wasn’t fighting the help he had gotten, arguing for his own independence. The three of them got him there, allowing him to settle on the edge of the bed, him flopping onto his back, relief evident in his face.

Willa looked to Fang. “Okay, Doc—tor Fang.” She caught herself when he sent an annoyed look her way, reminding her of her promise to try a little harder. “I sorta left Justice to deal with that fiasco and I definitely didn’t check for Walt’s luggage.”

“Three suitcases. One trunk in cargo. My leather side bag. I had to stow the bow, quiver, arrows, and my blades.” Her brother mumbled out helpfully as he pulled himself back up to look at her. “Kaiju is in a carrier.”

“Wait, you have Kaiju?” Willa shot a look of disbelief at him. “Mom didn’t tell me you had Kaiju!”

Walt winced. “I may have telegraphed Mom my intentions to move out here. You know how she is. Apparently, she decided that meant it was time to send Kaiju this way. He’s apparently missed us both a lot and with Silvia leaving the house, all his humans would be gone. I could never have him up at my master’s, so I think Mom thought you to be the next best solution. However, since he’s not a small dog and I don’t have the proper paperwork for him as a service dog yet, he had to go in a carrier in the cargo car.”

While Willa didn’t hate it, she didn’t necessarily have a ton of space just yet and she had worried about Kaiju getting underfoot in his meandering about the property. However, if he was accompanying Walt, well, he’d dutifully mind her brother wherever he went without too much risk of getting in the way.

“I didn’t set up a bed for him.”

“That’s one of the suitcases.” Walt told her. “I only had the space for two on Moonstone. Mom also had a trunk of some of our clothes and stuff we left at home loaded onto the train. Said she had a feeling we’d want some of it.”

Willa hadn’t left much behind but some of her fancier attire and even her gear for Gauntlet runs, but perhaps it would be nice to have it with her instead of collecting dust at home. She had to heave a sigh though. “I’ll go hitch Midnight up to the carriage then. Damn, thought you’d be easy.”

She had not been prepared for him to have more than what a single horse could carry. He gave her a shrug.

“With my luck?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Willa sighed, turning again to look at Fang. “I’ll be back. Walt here is a good patient, mostly. Ask him if you have questions and, Walt, Fang’s not much for conversation, so don’t worry about small talk.”

“Wonderful.” Her brother huffed. “I hate small talk anyhow.” He turned to look at Fang, holding out a hand. “Walter. Most call me Walt. And you are Doctor Fang and your bird is X, yes?”

Fang slowly took the offered hand, which Walt was the one to firmly shake. “Yes.”

Seeing as the two were now focusing on each other, Willa took that as a sign to start leaving.

“Good. I suppose my sister’s given you a thorough heads up about me.” She heard her brother say as she got to the door, waving a quick goodbye. He reciprocated with a shooing motion, eyes still focused on the timid doctor.

“Wrote it… Mostly… how… how do you walk?” Willa heard Fang’s quiet reply as she exited. 

She shut it just as her brother’s amused tone came in reply and began to walk away to where Midnight waited for her. “I’ll show you if you help me get them off… I need a break anyhow.”

She gave her horse a few loving pats as she hopped back onto her and turned her about so they could leave the small garden nook and go back to where the carriage was stored. Ty was usually better for pulling the carriage, but Midnight could do smaller trips.

By the time that she had her horse all hooked up, the train seemed to be sitting in the station now. A small hoard of people gathered in the space between the station and where the city began. Willa could see that Justice was dutifully taking down eye-witness accounts, even from a distance, and debated even getting near. There was that same guy within the small crowd of six people with that recognizable purple hoodie, scribbling quick notes even as they were being questioned. Again that sense of dread filled her, even as she guided Midnight past them with the carriage towards the loading dock for the train.

She had taken off her hat and had a scarf wrapped up, like usual around her like a headband, to keep the smaller wisps of hair from flying about. She had also shed her jacket, thrown it in the back of her carriage where she loaded things on top of her hat, to keep the wind from stealing it for the back.

She did her best to avoid eye contact from the scene, using her peripheral vision to see how tired Justice looked as he jotted down the loud complaints of one of the women in the group harassing him loudly. “You let other people leave without even taking their statements, why must we stay here? I have a very important appointment tomorrow that I need to get to and this is ruining my schedule!”

The blond man raised his hand, cutting her off, eyes all aglow with excitement as he spoke over her. “Excuse me, Captain? Sir? Ernest, Atara Times. Would you be able to comment on all the wild allegations surrounding this incident? Who is this ‘Logan’ and what are his motivations? Does it have to do with the exotic Seesai passenger he was seen talking to? What about the woman in black? You said she wasn’t a part of the Civil Corps when speaking to the bandit. Is she an ACI spy? A rumored New Age Knight potential? A ninja protecting her ward? Who is she to this city? Who is Logan to this city? Are they spurned ex-lovers? Was what we witnessed a ex-lovers quarrel? Do you believe he may be in possession of weapons of mass destruction?”

Willa nearly swung her head to gawk at the man at his outrageous questions. Spurned ex-lovers, excuse her?! What? Even Justice almost choked on his own spit at his words, mouth agape for only a microsecond. She could tell he knew she was nearby. He knew her horses and her cart, but the reporter didn’t seem to have realized she was close by. The lawman lifted his pencil from his notepad and rolled his wrist in an exaggerated motion.

A sign. Willa realized. A warning for her not to stop and to keep going. She heeded, straining her ears as she kept listening.

“Dang, you don’t get out much, do ya pardner?” Justice drawled out, trying to put up an air of authority. “First off, I’m the sheriff ‘round these parts. Captain’s the cat. Second, I’m the one askin’ the questions here, not the other way ’round. I will say this though: the bandit and the woman who saved ya’ll have never met other than today, so don’t be going ‘round tarnishing good reputations over wild speculations. Everything else is not information that is yet available to the public. When it is, it will be released in our local newspaper first and foremost. I can’t stop ya from writing your account, but don’t go spreading wild, outrageous speculation, less you are ready to destroy your career, kiddo. Because you cause undue slander to any of our citizens here for a story, I will make sure it costs you your job. And I will not be the only one making sure of that, let me tell you. Now—”

With that spoken, Justice refocused on what he had originally been doing and his voice faded away. Willa was eternally grateful though to him for diverting the subject away from her. She was just about to the loading station when she caught a glimpse of the familiar flash of red hair and a teal jacket and white overalls. She gave them a short whistle, urging her employees to her as she halted Midnight. She was disembarking her seat when she also noticed Jensen approaching her.

“Hey Jensen, need something?”

The older portly man looked a little shy, but there was gratitude in his expression. “I heard there had been a heist. I’m guessing your actions earlier this morning helped resolve it, thank you, Miss Willa.”

“No need to make a big deal about it. I had company on that train, is all. I’m glad I was here when I was.” Willa dismissed his gratitude with a wave, slightly embarrassed at receiving such words. She wasn’t accustomed to people thanking her and hardly knew what to do with such feelings. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Oh, well, uh,” Jensen fiddled a bit and Willa wanted to move on from this conversation before Mi-an and Elsie got too close and found out she had stopped a train heist. “You see… the train’s window is…”

“Ah.” Willa recalled how Logan had thrown himself out of it. “Yeah. I doubt it can leave with a broken window. Tempered glass?”

“I believe the train conductor was only looking for a quick fix to get back on schedule, but if you have that available here and now…”

“We do.” Willa nodded, noting how the two women were now standing beside her. “Mi-an and I will have it installed within the hour. Anything else? If not, I sort of have a few things I need to collect that were left on the train.”

Jensen’s eyes went wide with realization. “Oh, of course, you said you had company on the train, yes? Everyone was evacuated before the train was even pulled into the station, so no one’s collected their belongings. Yes, go ahead and collect whatever you need. I have no doubt you know what you are looking for?”

“Yeah, I was told what to grab. And Jensen? Can you keep it quiet for now? That I have company? Only for the next few days, of course, then it won’t be so… private.”

Jensen nodded. “Yes, yes, what with what happened, I don’t doubt your, uh, company needs some time to recover.”

Willa could feel the curiosity exuding from her employees, dying to ask what had happened, but she gave them a quick glance, promising to tell them later.

“Thanks Jensen.” She wrapped up the conversation. “I’ll let you know when we are done. Go, uh, talk to Yan so we can get the commission paperwork and fees all worked out and don’t let him swindle you. It should only cost about…” She clicked her tongue as she thought, rattling off a fair price that sprang to mind. “When we are done, I’ll write you a receipt and collect payment then. Don’t pay Yan anything more than his commission fees, which should only be fifteen percent of the price I rattled off. Got it?”

Jensen looked so grateful towards her as he nodded and headed off to do as she said. He thanked her again, for what, she wasn’t sure, but she waved off his thanks and motioned for the other two to follow.

“We’re picking up a trunk, a few weapons, three suitcases, a leather side satchel, and… a dog. His name is Kaiju.”

“A dog?” Elsie’s tone sounded worried. “Notta lotta dogs do good ‘round here in this heat.”

“Kaiju’s an Aussie Dal, he’ll be fine.” Willa waved off her warning. “He’s built for heat, herding, and movement. He was trained to be a support dog. Probably stir crazy at this point. He’s used to running. With Silvia moving to Atara soon, Mom apparently thought to send him my way, seeing as I’m one of his favorite humans and I own my own property.”

She approached the loading bay and Elsie followed her. Mi-an was climbing up the carriage to drive Midnight closer with the carriage. Though not as good as handling the carriage as Elsie, Willa thought her skills were growing with practice.

She approached a porter to talk. “I’m here on behalf of Walter. It’s possible my name is also on the paperwork. It’d be Wilhelmina.”

“Ah, yes. He did mention you’d probably be picking up his things on his behalf.” The porter acknowledged, throwing a thumb behind him. “Want to let the dog out? I’ve water him, but he seems eager to be let out.”

Willa blinked. “If you don’t mind.”

“Nah. I haven’t seen a well and proper Aussie Dal in years. They need movement, no?”

“That they do, sir.” Willa nodded and moved to enter the cargo cart. Elsie behind her.

“Whutsa Aussie Dal? Don ‘ave none ‘round here.”

“It’s short for Australian Shepherd Dalmatian. Australia was an old civilization before the fall, if I recall. The name stuck even as the entire place and its culture fell. The breed, though, is a mix between a herd dog and a carriage dog.” Willa told her, her lips quirking upwards when she heard eager happy whimpers echoing from a carrier. It seemed the dog had recognized her immediately upon hearing her voice. Willa couldn’t help but croon his name playfully. “Kaiju!! Hey boy!”

She approached a lone carrier and opened its door, a mostly white blur dashing out and dancing about her heels a moment before jumping up to rest paws on shoulders. The dog, a white furred animal peppered with sparse but noticeable groupings of black spots across his coat, wagged his whip like tail about, though it had a floof to its tail with only the barest of curl to it, and licked at her face with happiness. His ears were mostly black and one of his eyes had a rather impressive patch of black to it. Willa let him lick her a bit, dancing with him a few beats before snapping and the dog instantly back on all fours and standing at heel.

“Good boy,” Willa praised him, earning wild wagging as her dog stood dutifully by her side. She reached down to rub his ears affectionately. “I missed you something fierce, Kaiju. Now, be a good boy and go to the carriage?”

The dog gave a small whine but followed it up with a ruff and dashed out of the cargo car and all but leapt up into the back of the carriage and sat.

“WOAH!” Elsie couldn’t help but gape at his fast movements. “He’s so cool! Are all Aussie Dals like him?”

“Kaiju is well trained. Most aren’t. They are a stubborn breed and tend to think they are the boss, but Kai knows I’m boss and if not me, Walt or Silv. He has a harder time with any of the other kids back home, but I do know he adores Cosette. Usually tries to herd her around though. I might have to lend him to you to herd Yakmels if he gets too wound up while Walt’s convalescing.” Willa was lifting up his carrier and placed it on top of a trunk. “Grab the other side?”

Elsie nodded and with a bit of support, Willa got the trunk up and into the back of the carriage. Mi-an was eyeing her dog, but refraining from greeting him without permission. It was a general rule not to touch people’s animals without permission here, seeing as most animals were work animals and not pets.

Willa decided to fix that. She hopped into the back of the carriage and patted her side for Kaiju to draw near as she walked to right behind Mi-an. “Kaiju, Mimi. Mimi, Kaiju. He’s not working right now, so wanna pet him? Allow him your hand, but not from above. Yeah, like that. Good, let him sniff and he’ll ask you when he’s ready for some pets. You too Elsie. Kaiju, no biting, no barking, no herding, okay?”

And with that, the two women were occupied with the long-haired dog, his fur long enough to be considered such, but it wasn’t the longest strands of fur that Willa had seen on a dog breed, petting him and cooing excitedly at his unique fur and frame. His fur wasn’t soft, but it wasn’t unpleasant to pet, just a little on the coarse side, though his face and ears were the softest parts to rub fingers against.

“Yer nothin’ like Nemo. He’s so tiny compared ta ya. Though ya ain’t as big as a Rockyenaroll.” Willa heard Elsie muse at the dog.

She let the two of them give the dog plenty of attention as she finished collecting her brother’s things. The weapons from the cargo car, the suitcases, and his bag from the passenger car. She was a bit annoyed at the lack of his wheelchair, but, knowing how Walt probably left, he only took what he could carry on Moonstone’s back. Her brother had been too in a rush to leave to gather everything. He had wanted to avoid tipping off the other apprentice that he was having a mini war with about Opal about his upcoming departure with his horse and her filly. That would have delayed him further. Had he made more of an effort to pack, the other apprentice would know he was trying to leave with the little filly the idiot seemed to think of as ‘his right’.

Fine. She had better design ideas already floating around her head for a new one anyhow. He only used it mostly when his joints were bothering him too much anyways. That would hopefully happen less in this climate, Willa hoped.

Once everything was loaded up, Willa sat in the back of the carriage and allowed Mi-an to drive. Kaiju sitting right beside her, leaning against her in a silent plead for attention, which she delivered post haste.

She lightly snickered to herself about needing to purchase a lint roller sometime soon. The only issue she ever had with Kaiju was that her wardrobe was almost entirely black and his fur always showed up on her clothes. However, that didn’t matter much to her. Walt had picked this puppy after his accident as a companion and the dog bonded with him, Willa, and Sylvia. Walt was Kaiju’s priority, but he adored Willa almost as much. It would be great to see the dog buzz about Sandrock, trailing behind the man he was always meant to be around.

“So, uh… What happened?” Mi-an finally asked after they crossed the tracks. “Why is the train’s window broken?”

Willa cringed a bit, not really excited to admit this, especially with Elsie in the carriage with them, but there was no avoiding it. It’d come out within the next few hours anyhow. She did continue to pet Kaiju’s wavy fur, enjoying how it was both soft and coarse at the same time. He might end up more brown with all the dust and sand than white in this environment. Good thing he liked baths.

“So…” Willa finally started. “I may have… met… Logan today… on the train… that he was trying to rob. Else, you and Heidi did not prepare me for how tall he was. I thought Pen’s height, at the very least, but no, he’s fucking taller! And Light, he’s cocky!”

Both women were staring back at her wide eyed before the redhead erupted into loud demands for Willa to tell her everything.

So Willa did. Sure, she glossed over their fight, despite Elsie’s demands for a play by play, but by the time they got back to her property, her employees were filled in.

Willa did have a feeling though, even after she seemed to placate the two (no, she wasn’t hurt, maybe a few bruises where she blocked his blows; no, her brother wasn’t hurt either, though he wasn’t feeling well; and no, she did not throw Logan out a window over a cliff- he jumped himself. With a glider! He’s not dead, Elsie!) that this wasn’t the last time she’d have to live through her retelling.

Her hunch seemed right when Heidi practically marched up to where Mi-an and Willa were installing the new window a short while later and demanded to know what in Light’s name happened, to which her fellow builder and employee bubbly declared: “Willa stopped a train heist!”

She heaved a sigh, rolling her eyes, knowing it was going to be a very long week.

Notes:

You can bet your last Gol that when Logan came limping home Andy was all over him asking what happened “was it that Pen guy that did this to ya, Logan?!” and you can bet your best pickhammer that Haru teasingly laughed and told him, “Nah, he got beat up by a tiny girl.”

“She ain’t no girl! She was a full grown lady!” Logan would argue, angry and slightly annoyed. Haru didn’t get kicked in the chest. Haru’s chest plate didn’t get broken by the blow. HARU wasn’t going to be aching for days or have a swollen ankle- on the foot that finally, fully healed with all the bullshit he put it through for Light’s damn sake- to deal with for the next week!

To which Andy would declare, still rather unimpressed, “That doesn’t mean ya didn’t get beat by a girl! What kinda bandit are ya?! Ya at least tried to fight her, didncha?”

“She wasn’t no shrinking violet, ya know! Heck, she mighta been a Duvos spy fer all her ability and power! Prolly was! You try and see how far ya’ll get! I’m done. I’m going to sit on my chair, prop up my foot, and if any of ya’ll need something- get it yerself!”

And you can bet your favorite horse that’s right about the time when Grace dropped from the ceiling to reveal herself.

“Nah,” She’d tell them. “Willa’s no spy. But you did try to ‘rob’ a train her brother was on and that was never going to end well for you. I, on the other hand, am a spy- for the Alliance though. Let’s talk, you and me. About Duvos.”

Chapter 15

Notes:

I was able to get this chapter out fast because I’ve been working on making it a daily thing to write. Walt flowed from me so easily that I even had a few days to finesse the plot.

Thank all of you who took the time to give me Kudos and thank all of you that took even more time to write me a comment! Those really boosted my confidence and it was nice to hear what little details you all liked and picked out! It showed me what was noticed, what was working, and what you all were interested in seeing more of! So thank you!

Walt, according to the very stern words of Doctor Fang, was to be on bedrest for the next three days. He was too thin, frail from multiple stressors, and the trip had weakened his constitution too much to be doing more than small, clumsy trips to the bathroom and back to his bed. About what Willa had probably expected, all in all, if Walt was to be honest with himself. He never traveled well, even as a kid. Vehicle movement was the bane of his existence, unfortunately. The unfortunate events that drove him to moving here also probably had deteriorated his body’s ability to cope with the extra stress of traveling. Hopefully though, it would be a very long time before he ever had to get into an actual vehicle ever again.

When Willa had gotten back briefly before heading off to deal with the broken window with her employee, Doctor Fang had finished his exam with him. She had thanked him and asked a favor of him to mind Walt a little longer, to which the doctor actually agreed upon, understanding that he was in no condition to be left alone. He did let his bird leave. The chatterbox of a raven, his feathers that glistened like an iridescent rainbow obsidian, apparently wanted to go be with Coco- his bird friend. The doctor had grudgingly let him. He was well aware that while the bird wasn’t there, he’d have to work harder at speaking for himself. However, that fact didn’t deter him from remaining with his patient. Had he been well enough to get as far as the clinic, Walt had a feeling that Doctor Fang would have kept him there to monitor for the whole duration he deemed mandatory for rest. He looked to be the type that would testily fuss over him at his every premature attempt at reclaiming his independence over his life.

Luckily for him, Willa was a little more hands off, always respecting his need for autonomy where he could get it, so he’d be able to get away with more as the week progressed. He didn’t hate having the doctor there at the moment. There really were things he couldn’t do right now and they were things he preferred his sister not have to help him with, even if she had in their younger years. 

Doctor Fang had kindly assisted Walt in changing into something more comfortable, from the suitcases Walt had brought along with him (Willa had dropped them off quickly before leaving again. Her mood was better now that Kaiju followed dutifully, eagerly at her heels. He didn’t call for the spotted dog, as much as he yearned to, knowing that, after their long trip in a pet carrier, he’d need a chance to run), and tsked loudly at him when he realized that the stone sculptor had really pushed himself to get here, barely even able to do more than lift his arms now that all his adrenaline had left him dry of all his energy.

Walt had felt too dirty to really get dressed in clean clothes though, so, without hesitation or embarrassment from either party, the young doctor wiped down his arms, his back, his chest, oh, and what little of left he had of his legs. The very reason that Doctor Fang had been so curious as to how he had been walking, albeit rather dismally with how sapped he felt of his energy, earlier.

The doctor had gotten his answer though, which only seemed to make him even more curious. Well, they had time and Walt would want his doctor well versed in his medical history and such anyways. If there was an emergency and Willa wasn’t around, it was nice to know that a doctor knew his condition and how to take off his prostheses. 

His situation wasn’t too complicated when it came to how his prostheses were equipped. After all, his residual limbs went well past his knee. Mostly a few inches of his calf past his knee with a muscle neatly folded over his nub to protect the bone and cushion it a bit. It allowed a bit more ease since he still had knees to bend at his own accord, which he had always been grateful about. He wasn’t sure he would have coped better, back in those early days if he had lost either of his legs above where his knee was. The technology and designs had been so underdeveloped back then for leg prosthesis. All of them had been clunky and miserable. However, there were very intricate models now designed for those who had their leg amputated well past their knee that allowed the user to not feel like they were hopping about stiffly with a peg leg.

Even as he had helped him remove both his prosthetic legs, the young Seesainese doctor didn’t send him pitying looks, like the nurses or his doctor back in Highwind used to during his many check ups. His touch was professional and his eyes never lingered in misguided worry over something that had long since happened. If anything, the young doctor looked more interested in his prosthetics and how he attached and unattached the two pseudo-limbs than sorry that he had them. It was… oddly refreshing. The doctor had hidden depths to him, like a raw piece of malachite. If time and energy was put into the relationship, like if he took the time to clean, tumble, and polish a piece of the teal stone, he could possibly find those beautiful darker colored patterns that had been hidden within his rough exterior.

His eyes had widened a bit at Walt’s ink on his skin- when he had helped pull off the yukata- and the unpleasant scars he had covered up a bit with his designs, but there was no judgement on his choice. Walt approved. The ink and the designs he had chosen were his choice. His body had been marred significantly by his accident and the tattoos had been his way of controlling how he felt about his body. He made himself feel like a piece of art- a statement- rather than a tragedy. It had boosted his self-worth by leagues and he would not apologize for it. 

The fact that Willa had chosen to ink up her skin first, showing him it wasn’t selfish or wrong to do, had helped. She too had covered up past scars, showing him it wasn’t wrong to want to cover up the ugliness of it and what it represented to him (betrayal, hatred, and agony). He accepted the fall out of his accident, moved forward and was proud of his accomplishments and his path since then, but it didn’t mean he liked how his scars twisted and mangled his skin. He used to never want to show any skin more than he had to- ever grateful his face and hands had come out of the accident unmarred. Now he didn’t mind it. His body was a work of art. An expression of himself.

Walt didn’t miss how Doctor Fang studied his choice with a thoughtful look. Staring specifically at how he had chosen to address his unattractive puckered scars. It had been a bit of work, but the tattoo artist took his concept art and ran with it- inspired and moved by his determination to reclaim himself from his tragedy. The gouging skin had been completely inked to look like gleaming amethyst crystals peeking out from a cracked geode. The talented artist that had helped painstakingly design his vision and then render it on his skin had gone above and beyond, using up some of his very scarce and nearly sacred old world ink that allowed the ink to glint and shimmer in the light- like it was actually real crystal found within his gouges. 

The rest of his tattoos outside of his scars ran up and down his limbs and torso like cracks. Depth being added to the lines through meticulous work. Most of the scars were treated like where skin had fallen away and revealed those crystal geode designs. Along the black crack lines that ran the space of his body, the tattoo artist had managed to weave golden ink throughout all the various thicknesses of the black lines. The means of the trick being a rare metallic gold ink that the artist finished using up his last supply on Walt. It had taken a long time with multiple sessions, but the results had done his mental health good- the pain was nothing compared to his typical pain at that time.

Now, most people, even though Walt knew his skin looked worlds better this way, would catch glimpses of the tattoos and wrinkle their nose in disgust. As if it were more of a sin to decorate his already marred skin into something more appealing to the eyes than to leave nasty, horrendous blemishes that damaged his own mental health and made him feel dysphoric. However, that wasn’t what Doctor Fang was doing. It wasn’t a look of disgust but of deep contemplation. Like he never would have imagined someone doing what he had done to make his scars not so… hideous. He would never be able to fully cover up how his skin had gouges and pock marks, but he could change how he felt about them by altering their visual appearance.

“I survived something most thought impossible. Willa thought it would be cool to play off of that. Cracked and a little broken, but not irreparably shattered.” Walt let him know. “My sister has a dragon wrapped up and around her left arm and shoulder, among other things that mean something of import to her.”

Doctor Fang blinked at him in surprise. So Willa hadn’t ever needed to use the man’s services yet, seeing as that would have been very obvious with even a minor roll up of her sleeves. He pondered how careful she was being here. It was a little painful to think about. His sister didn’t often care what others thought of her, but he could sense she was trying to take it slow- perhaps too slow- here. She must really want this place to work out if she hasn’t yet flashed any of her tattoos. Did anyone even know her nails were naturally hard and black? That she could see in the dark? He knew some knew about her modified genetics… did the doctor?

He might need to have a talk with her…

Eventually Doctor Fang had returned to his work of helping wipe him down and dress into the loungewear.

“Lots of rest. Simple fluids. Easy foods. No work. At all. Need to gain weight. Too thin.” Doctor Fang had sternly told him in his clipped sentences, helping tie the sash of his jinbei securely, seeing as not even Walt’s dexterous fingers seemed to be working right.

Walt grunted out an affirmation, not pleased. At all. Perhaps he could weasel a few small stone projects to chisel and carve while stuck on bedrest. It was typically his go to tasks when he had been too weak to leave bed for long back at his Master’s statuary. He would work on tiles and toys and small baubles to, at the very least, keep his fingers diligent. At worst, Willa would have him doing paperwork, knowing his restlessness would make him grow mad.

“I’m not a creature of stillness.” 

He made such things, but he was someone who was meant to be at motion when he could be. Stillness made him feel… vulnerable and weak. Like that broken version of himself when he was fifteen and could barely hold a pen because of his endless pain and healing nerve damage. Five years of physical therapy and training to learn how to walk again, to move fluidly again, and to do what any other human did without even a thought towards the action again. He did not enjoy stillness.

“Then you have… the wrong concept inked into skin.”

Despite himself, Walt couldn’t help but laugh at that, utterly bemused at his comment. With how skittish and careful the doctor seemed to be, heavy silence overtaking most of their time together, he wasn’t sure if he knew how to make a joke. But that had been exactly what he had needed to escape the spiral of thoughts he had started to become entrapped in.

“You know the concept?” Walt hummed his approval.

“Kintsukuroi.” Doctor Fang nodded with a thoughtful expression on his face, eyes far away as if the memory of why he knew such an old mending technique was sad and maybe even sacred to him, and traced a gold line on Walt’s forearm, a few inches up his wrist where his sleeve had ridden up, with a gentle touch. “Usually… a means to… to repair broken vessels with gold. Mostly ceramics… Rarely old statues… not humans. All those… things… are still. And you should be too… for now.”

While Walt could argue that the point, though he was a sculptor and he did use the idea of statues with cracks as his original concept for his tattoos, that stillness was not what he had been going for. Endurance, fortitude, patience, and beauty found within brokenness, yes, but not stillness.

With that, Doctor Fang practically put him to bed, fluffing up the pillow once his head laid to rest and pulling the thin sheets up to his chin. 

“I’ll prepare medication… to help ease your nausea. Also some herbal tea. You’ll drink all of it.” His stern look left him no room to argue.

“I am supposing you aren’t leaving right away?” He wondered if he could at least get the tools and small stone he had been chiseling away at during his ride here to while away his hours on mandatory bedrest. He’d only be out, he could guess, for a small nap, regardless of how drained he felt. He didn’t sleep well in new places until he was accustomed to them.

“Willa says… you are… bad… at taking care of you. I… will stay… until she returns. Give her notes, a list of ingredients… to find… then leave.” Doctor Fang moved to the small kitchen across the room, noting how there was a tea kettle on the range and he peeked to see there was water already within.

While Walt didn’t argue, merely huffing under his breath at how quickly his plan was foiled, it didn’t mean he was able to sleep. His stomach was still too uneasy from his trip- though leagues better than when he had been on the train. His motion sickness took days for him to recover from though, so over the years he had built up a tolerance to the residual feelings. Pain was a part of his everyday life, so feeling a little icky on top of it didn’t deter him often. 

The only thing that kept him laying there was the fatigue from his already eventful day. He rolled his eyes as he mentally lamented that it had to be the day he rode a train into the city that a train heist had to occur on a bridge over a fucking cliff. Next time, no matter how polite and kind that bandit seemed to be despite his bad decision to try to rob a train, Walt was going to be the one delivering him some grief. Willa wasn’t the only one who preferred swords to play with. Though it had been interesting to observe an almost complete stranger cause his sister to blaze up like a well polished chunk chrysoprase in the sunlight, her aura bright despite her dark color choices and glittering in her natural talents, like flecks of gold.

Doctor Fang returned when the kettle was set to boil the water inside and fussed at him more. There weren’t many words between the two, which was fine. Willa had warned him the man didn’t like to converse much, so the air that would have been stifled with awkward silence if he had not known wasn’t. It was peaceful. It allowed Walt to study this other man with his keen eyes, noting small details and quirks otherwise lost with noise and hidden by the sound of conversation.

Walt stood by his initial stone comparison: Malachite- with its initial hidden depths and patterns. There was a deep sadness within the young man, Walt noted. If he had to guess, he had endured something so heartbreaking that he had yet to recover from. It lined up with what he had already observed earlier. He didn’t seem to know how to smile. His eyes were guarded and he often refused eye contact unless he was being stern in his doctoring. It wasn’t that he couldn’t speak, but there was something about speaking that hurt him on an emotional level. A fear of connecting, perhaps? His lingering eyes on Walt’s decorated scars… Did he carry some too? Abuse after heartbreak? It would be a reason why he’d fear new connections.

As if realizing he was being studied, Doctor Fang bristled and looked into Walt’s drooping eyes with agitation. His icy blue eyes searching poorly for a secret that Walt’s schooled expression would never give away. His golden gaze unwavering under the probing glower. He was a pro, after all, at stoicism and bluffs thanks to Willa and Nia’s endless shenanigans growing up. It was often he who got them out of trouble with his ability to act innocuous or naive to the matter at hand. Both women, though, could always spot his bullshittery easily due to their longstanding friendship with him, however, others, not so much. He used to clean up very nicely on poker nights up at the statuary thanks to that. Probably why at least half the apprentices there hated him, if he really thought about it.

“Stop.” Doctor Fang finally heaved out the words, annoyed that he couldn’t exactly put his finger on what the problem was, but knew it stemmed from his patient.

“Hm?” Walt bluffed confusion, however, he would quit his observations for now. People weren’t necessarily happy with being psychoanalyzed and he knew better than to keep doing so, no matter how privately. His dad had always told him it wasn’t worth digging into what made a person tick if it caused them to distance themselves from him because of it. Walt begrudgingly agreed not to do it to people he knew, but he still enjoyed people watching while he sketched on his slow days.

Doctor Fang tsked at him, eyes narrowing a bit as if in a silent warning, but no further statements were made.

Soon enough Walt was dosed with anti-nausea, encouraged to drain the cup of herbal tea after it cooled, and returned to a resting position. Doctor Fang was gentle throughout the whole process, if not a little forceful about how things were going to go. It was time for his patient to rest and that meant he had to be lying down, eyes closed, with a cool compress with a poultice adhered to his forehead. Apparently having developed a typical exhaustion fever during the short period of time.

---

Though he hadn’t felt like he had fallen asleep, his eyes were fluttering open sometime later to the smells of rice porridge and gentle clinking happening in the kitchen. He tried to lift a hand, not surprised to discover he could now pull it up and to his face with better grace than before. He honestly was already feeling better.

“You’re up,” came his sister’s voice from inside the kitchen. She must have caught the movement. He blinked a few times, noticing now the light had changed hue. No longer the morning light but… afternoon he’d guess.

“Hmm.” He licked his chapped lips, eyes slivers still as he woke up from his longer than expected nap. 

He couldn’t help but smile as he heard the jingle of dog tags when he responded to his sister’s words. Kaiju was instantly beside the bed, head on the mattress, tail wagging a mile a minute with little whines as he gazed at him like he hung the stars in the sky. He patted the spot next to him, giving the dog permission and he didn’t waste a moment to even allow Walt to rethink his permission. He was on the mattress, snuffling his nose at him up and down his body before curling up next to him, begging Walt with body wiggles and whines to lavish him with pets. The man did without hesitation, happy to feel the fur of his dog between his fingers again. 

He suddenly felt like a fool to have adhered to his master’s disallowance of him having his loyal dog by his side. He wondered how much easier his life would have been if Kaiju had been with him, reminding him to stop, care for the dog's needs, and, through that, take care of himself. It felt like his last few days upon the mountain had disillusioned him to his previous master’s magnificence, now all that remained was disappointment and enlightenment: Walt was not special to him- not enough to honor his word for more than a trifling few months to his parents or care enough about his well being. Though he was grateful for the training, he would never claim himself his student henceforth.

“Is Doctor Fang still here?” Walt decided to ask rather than continue that bitter thought trail. He had come to terms about his choice, steeled his resolve, chosen his new path forward, and didn’t need to keep replaying the details over and over like a broken record.

“Nah. He headed off once I told him I’d be with you the rest of the day.” Willa told him, waving the spoon in the air gently before going back to stirring with it. “He said something along the lines of you needing constant monitoring for today. He did give me a list of ingredients he wants me to track down for him. He said something about it being for a topical numbing agent for your bad days. Elsie is going to help me track them down early tomorrow morning. Mi-an is working with Heidi on the main house today, so I can afford to stay close.” There was a pause as a utensil clattered against a pot. A lid replaced with a deep sound. Calming cooking ambiance Walt hadn’t realized he had missed until now. He typically didn’t spend much time in the statuary’s kitchen, what with it being every man for himself cooking wise. 

Willa spoke again, unaware of his sudden homesickness. “Food’s almost ready for you.”

“Hm.” He gave a small grunt, grabbing at Kaiju’s black leather collar in quiet askance for help up. The dog responded according to his training and helped him sit up enough to slip a hand behind himself. He steadied himself first before letting go and then situated his upper body to rest against the headboard. It all took less than a minute, but it spent the little extra energy he had. He glanced his sister’s way to see her watching him with her sharp ametrine gaze, even as she said nothing.

“What’s for… lunch?” He assumed he had slept long past breakfast.

“Rice porridge for you.” Willa reached over and grabbed a bowl and ladled said porridge into the bowl. “I don’t have the traditional bowl for it, so don’t be offended. I have the local ceramist working on it, but until I get the schematics for that kiln she’ll need, she’s stuck making prototypes.”

“Poor me.” Walt hummed insincerely. “To be stuck with decent food in the wrong fucking bowl. A scandalous crime to food etiquette indeed.”

“Fuck food etiquette. My food doesn’t need fancy things to taste good.” Willa laughed at his dry delivery. He watched as her lips quirked into what most would have mistaken for a light sneer with one of her sharp canines bared, but he knew she wasn’t angry but rather happy. Her face had always scrunched up in ways that others decided incorrectly as hostile. It felt rather unfair because it was hardly ever the case. The trick was to look into her eyes if one was unsure. Her ametrine eyes, predominantly violet in hue but with a hint of a cheery bright yellow on the far edges of her iris in this sunlight, were dancing with mirth. She was happy to banter with him again.

“I suppose.” He played along. “You have always had a knack to make up for the lack of proper plating through taste.”

His words awarded him a rare smile, his sister letting out a small breathy chortle to his clever words.

Once she had set up the meal on a tray, she brought it over, beckoning Kaiju off the bed so as to not be tempted to eat Walt’s food. The agile dog leaping down and to his bed, following his training. Walt would call him back after he ate. The tray had more tea, a side of steamed sweet potatoes with a gentle glaze on it, and a bowl of his sister’s version of Okayu to eat with some garnishing he wasn’t familiar with. He glanced up at her with a raised brow, curious.

“Sandrock has this wild thing called sand fishing. Literal fish have adapted to surviving in spots of quicksand. The locals have the spots properly outlined and a net underneath- with holes big enough for fish to swim through but not humans to fall through- available in case someone accidentally falls in.” She revealed with a self-satisfied expression. “I know you always liked when Mom brought home salmon, so I was hoping that sandacuda met your taste preference. It’s pretty good. My friend Elsie, she works as my part-time stablehand, you’ll meet her later, caught it earlier today for you. I might have mentioned you were having a rough day and that you like fish.”

“Fuck.” Walt hissed, unable to come up with any witty return when his sister had gone above and beyond for him. He couldn’t find a way to churlishly rebuff the proffered dish. So he sourly relented, “you win. This looks amazing.”

“Ha-ha! My food once more reigns supreme over proper plating etiquette! Take that Jiji!” Willa pumped her fist in her victory, pleased at her brother’s admittance.

The two paused before bursting out with laughter. It was an inside joke between the kids of their family since their childhood when their grandfather would nitpick them on their table manners and quiz them on how to properly serve guests and which plates and bowls and cutlery to set and for which occasions. 

While everyone in the family did learn and answer his endless quizzing with proper answers, their mother may have accidentally sassed her father one day when she had been rushing through their breakfast, trying hard to get all her children out and to their respective places of learning that morning, and plated his meal incorrectly. He scrupulously pointed out the mistake, but, that morning, instead of humoring her father, she placed her fisted hands onto her hips and declared her cooking would still taste as good as it did on any other plate she served it on. Since then, her eldest children teased every time they didn’t follow etiquette exactly. With or without their grandfather present.

“Oh, it’s been a while since I got to do that.” Willa wiped away a joyful tear as she sobered up from her loud laughter. “Last time was when Nia visited me back in Atara, but, Light, she’s never been as good at it as you.”

“Same.” Walt agreed as his lips upturned into a small pleased grin. “Thank you for the food, Willa.”

“Anytime, little brother. Work on feeling better so I can put your ass to work, if you want to thank me.”

“I knew it. You only wanted me here for my labor. It’s my paperwork skills you’re after, isn’t it? Just admit it. We all know you're jealous of my secretarial skills.”

“Oh no, my terrible secret is out. I only missed you for your ability to grind through paperwork at neck break speeds.” Willa dramatically placed the back of her hand against her forehead, acting like an outed villain in one the their youngest sister’s cheesy murder mystery books. She slipped a smirk

The two laughed again, though not as boisterous while Willa rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his shoulder, finally moving away to go clean up the tiny kitchen. “Of course not, you brat. I want to make sure you don’t overwork yourself, if anything. But I’d be a moron to overlook having a master of stonework like yourself on my payroll.”

“I prefer sculpting, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know more than that.” Walt admitted, at last picking up his spoon and dipping it into his rice porridge. It had green scallions, roasted sesame seeds, and the flaky bits of cooked fish mixed into its contents. “You already have a project for me in mind? You mentioned something about gravestones in one of your letters.”

He took a bit of the food and had to repress the urge to groan. Delicious. The fish tasted nearly like Salmon, perhaps better, and his older sister had always had the talent of making fish succulent and flavorful. Last time she had cooked for him, he would have argued their mother still had the superior skills, but now, with a few more years of cooking under her belt, Willa’s was possibly on par or maybe even better than their mother. Not that he would be informing her of such a thing. Let her still think she had work to put in and she’d easily surpass their mother’s cooking. For now, Walt happily took another spoonful into his mouth and closed his eyes to savor the meal. His sister spoke to him as he enjoyed his meal.

“Recover first and I might just tell you what I was thinking. And please adhere to Fang’s directions. At least stay inside here if you are going to break them. If he catches you out and about before your three days are up, I’ll be in trouble too.”

He chose to hum out a reply and focused on his meal. The silence allowed him to decide on a few things he had picked up on. However, as their mother had taught all her children, mealtimes are to be enjoyed. It is a time for peace among the discord. So Walt savored his meal, eating as much as his stomach would allow. Willa hadn’t given him much, knowing he had basically been fasting the last few days, but it still took him a while.

That gesture of peace ended the moment he set down his spoon within the empty bowl.

“So…Fang, is it? Not Doc? Or Doctor Fang?” Walt could resist the urge to at last poke at the familiar use of the other man’s name.

“He asked me to call him Fang.” Willa huffed out, annoyed at his teasing. “He’ll probably ask it of you too if you call him doctor too much. He doesn’t seem comfortable with titles like that.”

“What about Sensei or Yīshī or Dàfū?” Walt’s brain scrambled over the different words he knew that might fit the bill for what Fang would be in Seesai.

“Nope.” Willa shook her head, the long aventurine blue locks she had painstakingly weaved into a fishtail braid waved to and fro behind her head with the motion. Had she redone her hair or had she pinned it up under her hat this morning, because he couldn’t recall seeing much of it, if any. He scowled to himself now, trying to recall if he saw more than skin tones and her black attire. Willa continued, unaware of his distracted thoughts. “He doesn’t like titles. I’ve agreed to call him Fang outside of professional interactions and that he’d suffer me calling him Doc or Doctor when he is working.”

“Do you often hide your hair under your hat?” Walt changed the subject quickly.

Willa’s eyes moved to look at his, blinking a few times before looking away. He knew by her tightening expression that she knew she was busted. His lips pulled into a tight frown. “Wilhelmina. Do. You. Or. Do. You. Not?”

“Only when I’m going to the train station to pick up deliveries, like horses or people.” His sister finally admitted, moving to put something away into the fridge she had gotten installed into the kitchen. “I typically don’t wear the hat unless it’s fucking hot and I don’t always tuck my hair up into it like that. I only tie up my hair to get it out of the way when I’m working- but I typically don’t cover it up much. Just a scarf I wear like a headband to keep the shorter hairs from my face.”

“What about your nails?” Walt pressed.

Willa approached him to snatch up the tray, her lips twisted into a churlish scowl. “People have seen them.”

“Your tattoos?” He patted the bed beside him, beckoning Kaiju to return to his side so he could pet him.

That’s where his sister paused from where she had been walking to deposit her burden on the counter and made a face. Her eyes darting back to his and her lips turned into one of her more stubborn frowns. Her response told him all he needed to know. 

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you’re getting at Walt.”

Leave it to his sister to do things outright backwards. Tattoos were much easier of a subject to broach than inherited modified genetics.

“Willa. Are you serious? You’ve written to me that the people know about your genetics. Maybe not all of them, but more than a handful! Yet you’ve hidden your tattoos?”

“No, but you know how judgemental people can get about them.” Willa slammed the cupboard shut as she snapped out the words, her usually comforting smokey, gravelly low tones, something he always had thought of like a dark, transparent smoky quartz, dancing dangerously on aggressive. “I’m not hiding them. I’m… warming people up to me.”

“What about having tattoos- beautiful ones like yours, by the by- required people being ‘warmed up to’?” Walt could not understand his sister’s logic at all. “I can understand if we are talking about people who aren’t aware of your genetics, but how does having tattoos tip the scale from fine to too much if you are merely showing them off to people who are already in the know about your genetics??” He changed his tone into something he used when mocking out the words another person would say, “‘What? Tattoos? Oh no that’s way too much! I was fine with you having inherited genetic modifications from your ancestors, barely- but tattoos? That’s where I draw my silly line! Where is your telesis? Your decency!’”

“Alright already, Walt! I just… I don’t want… I want… I’ve seen how people looked at me, at my tattoos, back at Atara. I thought maybe I had gone too fast. Your idea about the sunglasses really helped here and.. I… wanted to take things slower. Get people used to… well… my personality, my lack of… gentle expressions before, you know… And it was working! I didn’t even plan any of those times I spoke about my genetics, so I didn’t even think… I wasn’t sure how to really broach the subject without just throwing people into it haphazardly by showing them off and that didn’t seem right either.” His older sister was usually so sure of her words, of her choices, and of who she was, it hurt his soul a bit to see her so careful and unsure of how to even express what she wanted. What had Atara done to his sister and should he plan on figuring out a way to set it all aflame?

She dry washed her face with one of her hands as a way to reorient herself and her thoughts. She took a few long deep breaths in and out to regain control of her temper. Her eyes landed on his, the thin slits of her pupils seemed to read his body language better than he had hoped, because she spoke as if she could read his mind. “Before you go planning ways to get away with mass genocide, no, Atara was just like Highwind. The only difference was I didn’t have you or Nia or the family. It was me on my own and I dealt with it fine. But… I didn’t want to feel so lonely again. Not where I hoped to live long term.” She gestured around her, indicating Sandrock with it. “It was either this place was going to finally work out- or I moved to the Peripheries. They’d tolerate me at the very least, but life wouldn’t be easy there. It’s leagues easier here, which is saying something, I feel.”

She had been alone in a place that had rejected her just as much as her hometown, only this place didn’t have at least the bare minimum of a loving family or her two best friends (one that was family to her and the other that was as close to family she could get without adoption papers saying so) to support her. Fuck. No wonder she tried to ease people into her being her this time around. He remembered her letters sounded promising, how people seemed more relaxed, but after years of rejection, it seemed Willa was a little hesitant to take those good first steps as signs to keep pushing forward. Or maybe too nervous to break what already seemed perfect to her. He could only guess, seeing as, for as open as his sister tended to be, she carried her more fragile thoughts and feelings close to her heart.

“The sunshades I understand.” Walt admitted, deciding to use a rather low blow to snap her out of her own hesitation and anxieties. It was a trick their whole family probably employed on each other, but never admitted to actually doing. “But… your tattoos? I know you aren’t ashamed of them, so why hide them?”

Willa probably could hear the purposely crafted meaning hidden under his words. If you are ashamed of them, then are you ashamed of me too?

His sister’s expression pulled into one he identified as her balking at his words. It was only for a second before her lips turned downwards into that stubborn glower of hers and she marched right past him, out of the small house, and hollered for Mi-an to come over as soon as she could. She headed back inside, doing her best not to slam the door in the surly mood he had put her in and glared defiantly at him, hands on her hips and eyes narrowed. She was indignant at the very notion that she would ever be ashamed of him and it gave her the courage to broach a subject she seemed unsure how to handle by her lonesome. He decided it was up to him to help show her it wasn’t as frightening as she seemed to have built it up to be. He kept eye contact, never one to show submission before his point was made.

There was a knock on the door a few minutes into their battle of the wills and Walt could only guess it was Mi-an. He gestured at her to answer the door, a sign he wasn’t against someone seeing him like this, weak, legless with his prosthetics set to the side of his bed, and in his loungewear. Willa sighed, but moved to open the door.

“You called?” The woman at the door was a little taller than his sister if she forewent her heels. Her hair was long and dark and her skin surprisingly pale for how sunny Sandrock was but her clothes were bright and cheery, matching her tone, even if there was a hint of confusion as to why she was being summoned.

“Walt and I are… deciding who has the better point in a particular subject.” Willa admitted tightly. “Come in?”

“Is your brother okay with that? I don’t want to impose.”

As private as Walt preferred to be, he would forgo it. People were bound to find out about his disabilities eventually, so he may as well test the waters with the first person his sister trusted with her own secrets.

“I’d prefer to meet my sister’s first builder friend.” Walt spoke on his own behalf. “I will apologize for not getting up. However… I have… no legs to stand upon at the moment.”

Despite how annoyed she was with him, Willa couldn’t stop the snort of amusement at his terrible joke on his condition. He was allowed to make such awful jokes. It’s how he had learned to cope. Others would get used to the morbidity of his humor eventually.

“Oh uh, no worries. Willa said you’d probably be bedridden-” Mi-an cut herself off as she entered the small room that doubled as his bedroom and took notice of his affliction. Her eyes widened and, in what Walt guessed was word vomit, continued to speak without really thinking about what she was actually saying. “Oh wow, uh, you… literally meant it.” Her eyes grew wide and she placed a hand over her mouth at her own perceived misstep. “I am so sorry! That just came out. I didn’t mean to sound rude!”

Walt waved off her worries. “You’ve said nothing wrong. Don’t think you have to tiptoe around my disability like it's something that shouldn’t be spoken about. Willa knows I am private, but if she trusts you enough to ask you in, then I am not worried about your opinions.”

She nodded and she seemed to be calming down before her eyes flicked over to where his prostheses lay. Instantly her eyes were lighting up with interest. “Is… are those… can you walk with those??”

“Yes.” He smiled, the subject a bit derailed, but he was proud of his prosthetics. “I will happily let you look at them later, but, if we can have your opinion on the matter Willa and I are in disagreement on?”

Mi-an blinked, dispelling herself from her previous thoughts. “Oh, yes. Sure. What’s going on?”

“I have tattoos. A lot of tattoos. Does that make you uncomfortable if I were to wear clothes that would show them off?” Walt asked, deciding that he could use his own personal situation as a glamor for the real matter at hand.

“Oh wow, really?” Mi-an looked really intrigued. Her mood and tone was as bright as golden citrine. “I thought about getting one once, but, well, my mom would totally flip if I ever got any! That and I heard they can really hurt and I’m a bit of a baby when it comes to shots, which I heard if you don’t like needles than tattoos are awful to get. I don’t know about most people though but for me: it depends on the context of the tattoos? As long as there isn’t profanity or anything like, uh, naked people, or even bad AI robots hurting people depicted in it, I don’t really think I mind.” Walt nodded, trying his best not to send ‘I told you so’ looks at Willa next to her. However, it was then that this bubbly little woman threw both of them for a loop. “If anything, now I’m kinda curious. Heidi, Grace, Owen, Elsie and I have a bet actually about Willa’s. Grace says she’s definitely got some, which I concur on, but we don’t know what they look like. Heidi and Owen both say it's probably a dragon. Elsie thinks at least her horses’ names. Grace, I think she was being silly, said it was something like tally marks of her win count. And I think Heidi’s on the right track, but maybe more… a homage to things she loves? So something for you and Nia and maybe the rest of your family, but definitely you two.”

It took all of Walt’s ability to remain stoic, though he was sure there was bemusement slipping through his schooled expression, his throat tightened a bit as he repressed the urge to laugh long and hard. Instead he managed to slip a small smile on his face as he spoke as smoothly as he could with all the repressed laughter wanting to escape his throat.

“Well, Miss Mi-an, you’ve proved my point. Best you go get your winnings.”

Mi-an blinked for a moment before looking between the two. “Wait, I’m right?” She looked over and into Willa’s gapping expression with a gleaming expression. “I got it right?!”

“Ye… yeah…” Willa had to cough to clear her throat and rebalance herself. “You won. A dragon down my left arm, flowers for Nia, crystal clusters for Walt, and a few little things for my other siblings. And you can tell Elsie that she’s more than welcome to get her own horse’s name tattooed on her, but I am not that kinda lady. I prefer symbolism.”

Mi-an fisted both hands in front of her and struck a victorious pose. “Yes!” She seemed, at that moment, to forget that she was even there to settle a disagreement between the two of them. She was too excited about being right that she turned to take off. “I’m going to start with Elsie then! Maybe rub it in a bit that she was nowhere near close to right! Oh! Nice meeting you, uh, Mister Walt?”

“Walt is fine.” He acquiesced.

“Then it’s Mi-an.” She boldly established. “Nice meeting you Walt! Feel better!”

And with that, she was out the door, closing it behind her. The two of them stayed for a beat or two, hearing Mi-an hollering in the distance for Elsie’s attention, before Walt couldn’t contain his mirth anymore and began to howl with laughter, flopping further down on his new bed and even grabbing a pillow and shoving his face into it to try to muffle his unrestrained guffaws that bubbled unrelenting from his throat.

“You! You! Ahaha-ha ha! You worried for ahah-absolutely nothing! Ha-ha ha ha!” It had been so long since something really had struck his funny bone like this. He swore to later blame it on the exhaustion and his medication. Anti-nausea pills had some side effects, right? 

Oh, but he’d be writing to Nia about this! And Willa knew it! He’d have to find a way around her snatching his letters to prevent him from tattling this pure comedy gold moment to the last member of their childhood triage. He would not be stopped though! Nia would know how to haunt her with this for years to come! As she should!

He peeked a bit to stare at his sister’s face, a dusty pink glow on her cheeks, black painted lips frowning deeply, though he could spot her bottom lip jutting out a tad which indicated she was pouting, and her well maintained eyebrows furrowed deeply. “Shut up Walt.”

He didn’t. If anything, he was sure he was laughing harder, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes from the exertion. She chose to leave the small loft house to escape his mad laughter, her ears were also tinted that rare pink she got when she felt extremely embarrassed, and Kaiju had to lick his face to sober him up. Never. Never had he ever seen his sister taken so off guard by someone before! Their parents could do it on rare occasions, but not even he or Nia had surprised her so much that she made such a floundering face before!

He hummed a note to himself and, despite the lingering fatigue and pain that sat within his body, he was pleased. Dare he say happy.

Yes. Sandrock might be just the place his sister had needed for all these years. It might very well be the place he needed too. Time would tell if it truly would be for him, though he could tell by that interaction alone this was the place for Willa.

Now. He petted Kaiju, at last sobering up from his bout of laughter to his more plotting side.

How were they going to trick Nia into moving here?

Notes:

It didn’t take Willa too long after to catch up with Mi-an, though, she was certain her face wasn’t an obscene hue of pink anymore. She did her best to school her expression into one of indifference, but her curiosity was so strong that she couldn’t resist the pull of sating it.

Mi-an was humming as she was counting the gol coins in her hands, pleased as Peach when the clouds opened up to reveal blue sky.

“So… how did you figure out I had tattoos?” Willa finally let the words rumble out of her throat.

“Hm? Oh, uh, well, for me, personally,” Mi-an lifted a finger to tap her chin. “There was the time with the napkins, I usually catch a few lines on your upper forearms when you stretch after a long work session, oh, and, I think this is the one everyone else probably used to guess it too, you rolled up your sleeves at one point of playing poker back when we were celebrating our merge and you didn’t unroll them the rest of the night. Oh! And when you danced with us, your shirt was a tad unbuttoned and the black lines of your design were kinda obvious.”

Willa wanted to smack herself on the forehead. She instead rubbed at the bridge of her nose, realizing she had forgotten her sunshades inside when nothing obscured her fingers’ path, and exhaled a sound that was both annoyance at herself and awe at the whole situation. “So, You’ve known. For weeks. Way before you even asked to join my workshop?”

“Willa, boss, dear friend, you wear black and are very certain of yourself. WHILE, you can keep things to yourself very easily, you aren’t very subtle at times.” Mi-an told her, eyes glittering with humor. “Your tattoos? Not subtle when it’s, what? A quarter sleeve up your arms—s?” Willa nodded at the request for confirmation. “See? Not subtle. I haven’t actually seen what all the little pieces look like as a whole, but knowing you, it’s epic. A dragon, flowers, and gems sound like an interesting combination. I look forward to getting to see it- but only when YOU are ready to share it.”

Willa stared at the woman, feeling as astounded with her acceptance as the time she had gone ‘okay’ when she revealed her modified genetics to her. She let out a low laugh, hand reaching up and mussing at the silky straight hair of her employee, getting a small ‘hey!’ for her efforts.

“Never change Mi-an.”

“Oh, I probably will if I am going to stay friends with you, but it will probably only be for the better.” Mi-an sagely told her and returned to her counting. “I’ll be hitting Owen and Grace up for their part of the pot tomorrow. But do you wanna see Heidi’s face when I get to tell her I won?” There was now an impish smile to her expression. One that hadn’t existed before their friendship. It struck Willa how much Mi-an had grown from knowing her and how much she had grown in her accepting companionship as well.

Willa laughed, a toothy, impish grin on her lips. “Let me go grab my shades and I would love to witness your shining moment.”

She’d endure Walt’s insufferable laughter and gloating to go fetch them. He had been right to poke at her insecurities and call her out on being too careful when all she had ever received from these people was acceptance and it was well within his right to gloat. He had been right, after all.

Chapter 16

Notes:

I am so sorry it took so long! I had a big thing happen in my life, and while it wasn’t a devastating thing, it was a disruptive thing. So it has taken me quite a bit to get back on track. I will hopefully at least have one chapter out a month, that is my total end goal, but maybe more too.

Also, I had parts of this chapter that just didn’t want to write itself, so I had to slog through it with a 15 minute a day promise to at least try. That didn’t always happen, but it happened enough to write it.

Hopefully the next chapters won’t fight me as hard, but I make no promises. Some ideas flow and other ideas need tending to everyday to form and shape them, like this one.

Thanks for all the support, it really helped me come back to the chapter over and over again knowing it was worth it because other folks were waiting and enjoying my story! Thanks for that!! Hope you enjoy this long chapter. I think I started shaping Justice and Ernest in ways they hadn’t been like before in the game. I hope you all will enjoy their character progression!!

Willa was not a morning person. It had been stated right off the bat that she preferred to sleep in and work late into her nights. Her ability to see well in the dark made allowances that most humans typically didn’t get. That wasn’t the point though. The point was that Mi-an knew this important fact about her as did Elsie and Walt, which covered all members under her employment. Yet, at the same time, she had been finding herself up at hours she typically abhorred due to unresolved situations. 

One being her house’s construction. 

The noise they created was too loud for her to sleep through. She had always been a light sleeper due to her years on the street where sleeping too deeply could spell death if one didn’t wake when danger loomed. When she mentioned it to Heidi, the architect made sure to design her bedroom with better sound dampening than most of the common rooms, though not completely soundproof. She’d be able to hear if someone came too close to her room, which she was grateful the other woman understood without her having to outright tell her that she wanted that. Until its construction was complete though, the contract workers would come in bright and early with Heidi in the lead and leave later that day with a little more completed than the day before.

Since Willa couldn’t sleep with all the noise, it forced her to continue to stay on her dreaded daytime routine to optimize her time productively. Heidi did promise the builder that the progress was going well and within a few more weeks, the building as a whole would be built, though there would be parts left unfinished by them for her to install herself. All Willa wanted at this rate was for the walls, staircases, flooring, electrical wiring, and piping to be installed. She could easily build her own kitchen to her own preferences without assistance. Even Heidi admitted any cabinetry would be done better by a professional like Willa.

There were only a few added additions to the original blueprint, including a small factory room within the storage area for recyclers, a fermentation cellar built underneath her storage area, an exterior entrance for the office space for the Atelier, and the exterior gate being placed a little more central between the two sides of the building at large so it was an equal walk to either front entrance.

However, so far, the whole lower floor of the main building had been completed three days before Walt had gotten there, cellar included, and Heidi was going to do the last inspection of the second casita guest house the day after tomorrow, right when Walt’s mandatory bedrest was completed. Willa would move her things into that space so her brother could have his own privacy and independence once more.

All in all, everything was right on schedule and, once her home was fully built, Willa could start flexing the work hours so Mi-an had full control of the morning duties, like selecting their daily, smaller commissions each morning from the guild’s small commission’s board, dealing with initial clientele, and going over inventory, and Willa could use night hours to finish up paperwork, work on the time consuming production pieces of bigger builds, and finish any expedited commissions so they’d be ready to go the next morning for Elsie to deliver. Walt could manage paperwork, billing, and even budget calculations while he was recovering. He also could oversee any other work that needed supervision and input. Once he was recovered enough though, she’d make sure people knew he was available for small stone work commissions. After she told him her ideas for the graveyard, her and now his gift to the community would be his main focus for the interim. Her rudimentary ideas would shine best under her brother’s creative care.

But for now, Willa wished that her coffee actually made her feel like waking up at five-thirty in the fucking morning was worth leaving her bed. As much as she hated getting up that early, she knew there had been one thing she hadn’t resolved yesterday, what with her having to monitor her brother after his long ordeal and fatigue, and that was the very uncomfortable conversation she would need to have with Justice. He would be in his office at this ungodly hour, trying to resolve the paperwork that yesterday’s events would have brought, with Unsuur only showing up at eight to assist. The perfect time to talk alone and to… show him the needed identifications that she could handle Hazardous Ruin runs. Also, she could give him her statement about yesterday, explain who her guest is and why she had been so vague, and… give him Logan’s gun she had accidentally taken off with.

If he was anything like the stickler Corpsmen back in Highwind, she was in for a long winded scolding for removing a vital piece of evidence from the scene of the crime, yada, yada, yada. With how much paperwork Justice seemed to do on a daily basis, she was guessing she had a fifty-fifty on that lecture.

She wasn’t looking forward going, potential lecture notwithstanding, because it would require her trusting Justice with things she didn’t like to share about herself to anyone, but it had to happen, especially since she’d start needing parts from the Hazardous Ruins soon enough. Condensers, circuitry, engines, and rare mechanical parts builder technology simply didn’t have the means to recreate just yet would prove wonderful resources for a few inventions she was hankering to design. She also had a small gut feeling that the kiln blueprints she was going to get any day now would need parts she couldn’t simply make. She had been thinking about how she would go about designing a kiln in her free time and a condenser was always something that made it into her material list.

She was tempted to dawdle around the casita for a short while after she had dressed for the day, maybe set up the breakfast she had prepped for Walt out for when he woke up, but, seeing as she had heard him shuffling about last night, slow and steady on his way to the bathroom and then back to his bed where he kicked off his prosthetics and dropped them back where he had found them, Willa was positive he could search the refrigerator for his meal if she left him a note. He would appreciate the trust that he could mind his own limitations and ask if he needed more assistance than she was already giving.

She finished her last gulp of coffee after scribbling out a small note, to which she stuck to his legs so he would find it, and headed out. She smiled as she noted her horses already had their stalls mucked out, their food troughs topped off, water troughs full, and Midnight was already half prepped to be taken out with Elsie currently picking at one of her hooves to clean out the dirt.

“She’ll need her shoes done soon.” Elsie didn’t even look up from her work. “Hugo’s good at’t, so ya should ask him when he’s free ta do it.”

“Thanks. I’ll finish her up. I need to ride over to Civil Corps to talk to Justice.”

Her stablehand nodded and set her horse’s hoof down, finished anyways, before moving to pamper Ty with some TLC. Willa started to saddle up Midnight.

“Ya seeing him ‘bout how yer a kick ass lady and handed Loge his arse?” Elsie snickered at her own statement while Willa rolled her eyes at it. That wasn’t how she’d put it, though she did humble him a bit. “Man, woulda loved to be a fly on tha wall fer that. Lo ain’t never been easy to take out of a Showdown at High Noon festival. Only his Pa could usually yeet him outta the ring and that’s only coz those two got banned from teaming up!”

Willa raised a brow, forgetting to correct Elsie about how it hadn’t been a great time and place for an audience and she was half certain she now had a reporter somewhere out in Sandrock trying to write her as some sort of ninja guard that might also be in love with the bandit. “Showdown at High Noon? That’s a festival?”

“Oh yeah, ya missed this last one coz ya showed up tailenda springtime.” Elsie realized. “It’s, uh, a team battle competition. Two folks team up and fight other teams ta win. Ol’ Howlett came up with it. Think he said sumethin’ ‘bout how one of his early springtime job gets him all riled up fer a good fight. Uh, or is it every other year? Donno. He hadda lotta jobs in spring, what with how monsters get rowdier that time of year. We had one this year… but without Howlett’n’Lo, wasn’t the same. Pen won easy. Borin’.”

Willa did a quick mental calculation and yeah, the Gauntlet would have run, not this spring but last year. She wondered if the man had been one of the runners or the countless hired hunters that helped keep the run smooth and with minimal injuries and casualties. She’d have to look at the town’s event calendar to see if it lined up the way she thought it might.

Elsie wasn’t finished though. “You gonna enter next year’s competition?”

Willa hummed out a unsure sound. “I might be busy. I have an obligation this coming spring and I’m not sure if I’ll be back in time or up for anything like a Showdown.”

“Aw, but I wanna see ya hand Pen his arse and get that wannabe Boxing Jack all in a tisy that he can’t win easy no more.”

Willa couldn’t help the amused smirk that slipped up her face at that thought. “As fun as that would be, Else, I can also see him stalking me for rematch after rematch if he can’t seem to win. Besides, I’ve never fought the guy, can’t say I’d even win.”

“Oh, you’d win, Boss Lady.” Of that Elsie had every bit of confidence in. “But I see yer point. He’d chase after ya until the yaks came home and then some. Prolly best fer ya if ya let that sleepin’ Rockyenaroll be.”

She chuckled at the comparison and agreed. Having Pen’s attention sounded awful. She already felt harassed every time he waltzed up to her and demanded, not asked, for her to make him a mirror to ‘encapture his powerful physique properly within its field of vision’. She finished her saddling and hopped up onto Midnight, her items already tucking safely into her bag.

“Don’t work too hard. You need to be back home before breakfast or your Pa will come lecture my ass about how your priorities are the Wandering Y’s chores first and foremost and ‘let me give yew a brief history ‘bout how I came ta own this fair land and why my kin needs ta be ready fer takin’ over it’ speech that takes roughly an hour from start to finish.”

“Can’t believe ya listened fer that long. I woulda run five minutes inta it.” Elsie shook her head in disbelief.

“I listened to it properly the first time, so he knew I understood where he was coming from. All the other times, I cut him off and told him I’d go fetch you then and there so no time was wasted.” Willa smirked, taking up the reins and leading her horse out the gate. “Your mom puts in a lot of effort to still have a family breakfast with you and your dad, so go appreciate her efforts in a timely manner.”

“After I finish Ty’s brushin’, I’ll head on out. I’ll be back after I got all my morning chores done to help with the deliveries. At least I can sit fer a while doin’ that.” Elsie huffed out with a dramatic roll of her eyes. “My ma wanted ta talk ta ya ‘bout sumethin’, by the by, so swing by and save me from my pa when ya do?”

“Have your chores finished and I’ll rescue you from any ‘while yer still here’ chores.”

“Thank youuuu.” Elsie gave her such a look of gratitude, her hands clasped up by her face as she playfully batted her eyes up at Willa’s form up on Midnight with a teasing lilt to her tone. “Yer my hero, Boss Lady.”

Willa rolled her eyes at her antics and finally waved a farewell and set Midnight to a steady canter. There was no need for a full gallop, especially through town this early in the morning. She waved a hello as she passed Mi-an walking her way to the workshop and playfully flipped off Grace who was busy sweeping the porch of the Blue Moon. She returned the gesture in kind, after a quick glance around to make sure there was no one around to witness their offensive hand signs, though the smile on her face proved it wasn’t a sincere sentiment. The builder reminded herself that she needed to find a way to get back at Grace for her last play. She wondered if Owen would let her modify the menus to include ‘Grace’s Crunchy Omelets’ for a short time. To see how long it took Grace to notice its addition to the viable options.

She managed to slip by the nearly hidden road behind the town hall that was a straight shot up to the temple before Pen made his rounds. He tended to start his mornings with a strut around Main Street before meandering his way back up, past the Ceramic Gate, up the alleyway, and back into the Acolyte’s dormitories to pump iron for the next hour before he made another attempt at looking self-important while doing absolutely nothing. Willa only knew all this because Grace had memorized when not to be in view of the bastard, less he stand around her and bulge his muscles at her (while pretending to listen to the small talk he forced upon her) like it was impressive and she was capable of being impressed by such antics. Bless the fry-cook for sharing that information with the rest of the women folk last time they had gotten together. The builder knew all of them used it, Heidi especially.

After tying Midnight up next to Truth by the Civil Corp Headquarters, she headed in reluctantly. This wasn’t something she wanted to do necessarily, but it was not something she’d avoid simply because she didn’t like it. That was not how one accomplished anything in life- avoiding things one didn’t like. She found the door unlocked and entered after a gentle knock, simply so she didn’t startle Justice by suddenly appearing if he had his nose deep into his paperwork pile.

It was her first time really standing there and taking in the office that Justice and Unsurr called their headquarters. The place was old but well managed. It even had an upstairs, though it was more like how her loft at home worked. A sizable portion of the interior had high ceilings and the other part contained the second floor that was tucked up and into the far left corner of the building from the entrance. The ground floor was obviously where the Corpsmen spent their time. There were a total of three desks spread out, each with a various amount of clutter and paperwork on top of the surface. She spotted a neat and orderly one, of which Justice was not at, and would wager confidently that it was Unsurr’s. The raw quartz crystal sitting in the far corner as the sole decor also gave it away.

There was also a bulletin board by the sole door in and out with both wanted posters of every active bounty and monster subjugation requests that, in Willa’s opinion, seemed to be slowly overtaking the whole board. She did her best to ignore the large picture of the wanted bandit Logan, still a little miffed to really look at anything that held his image. Though, there was a mild curiosity running through her about who the heck had taken the time to hand draw the image before it had been mass produced. That individual was a talented artist. Again, if she wasn’t so pissed at either of the bandit duo for the most poorly timed train heist is all of history, she might have spent some time studying the details of the artist’s style and see if she couldn’t spot any sort of inconsistencies between the Logan she had met and his wanted picture. From a glance, there wasn’t much that the artist had gotten too far off. 

It was after another visual sweep of the room, where she spotted cute knick knacks that she could easily identify the owner of by their unique preferences (all the rocks were Unsurr’s or gifts given to Justice by Unsurr that never made their way out of the shared space. Or even all the various cat toys and the scratching post that obviously was Captain’s private property), Willa finally allowed her gaze to land on Justice’s hunched form, still working with a pen in hand at the rather complicated piece of paperwork in front of him.

His eyes did flicker up to hers briefly before he returned them to his task at hand. A low spoken good mornin’ the only acknowledgment that he knew she was there and a quiet askance for time to finish his current thought trail. She didn’t say anything, merely closed the door behind her and locked it, unwilling to have anyone outside of Justice come barging in when she talked about this… sensitive information.

“I was about to ask you to do that.” Justice drawled as he finished his writing, lifting his quill so no ink would blot on his freshly written document. “But I guess that means ya don want nosy fellows trying to write outlandish things over half heard words.”

Willa groaned as she remembered that blond idiot. “Please tell me that that reporter went away.”

“Still prowling about, looking for a scoop I won’t let him have.” Justice shook his head in annoyance. “I swear, some of the things he said! That’s the sort of gossip that ruins livelihoods. ‘Spurned ex-lovers’! You don’t even know who that man was. Uh… I mean, maybe aside from what you’ve seen on the, uh, wanted posters and all.”

Willa winced. Light, she had been trying to forget some of those wild notions. “I know his name is Logan, he used to be a hunter with his father, Howlett, and brother, Haru, and he became a bandit after a failed attempt at removing his sick and dying father from the custody of the Church of Light after they demanded he be quarantined due to Old World disease he had somehow contracted in one of his routine ruin runs.” As much as she wanted to add ‘that I highly doubt was contagious, seeing as no one caught it, even his sons after direct contact with him and his fluids after the botched rescue attempt’, she managed to refrain. Now was not the time to spit that out of her mouth like venom.

Justice blinked at her sudden, very run-on sentence. “Well, sounds like you do know who he was…”

Willa shrugged. “Heidi, Else, and Owen are my friends. Sometimes they want to talk about him and their feelings about what happened.” She moved further into the room and plopped down in the chair on the opposite side of his work desk, continuing all the while. “And sometimes it's easier to talk about with people who have no horse in the race.”

“Oh. Uh… Thank you for that.” Justice didn’t seem to know how to express himself at that moment. “I… he… it's been hard since Howlett died. Ol’ B3, that’s what we called him coz his name was sumethin’ long, he was my predecessor as head of this faction of the Civil Corps. Anyways, he retired pretty much right after he was forced to label Logan and Haru as bandits. Said it was the line in the sand he didn’t ever think he would hafta cross and, well, after he did, he couldn’t do the work no more. Didn’t think it was fair, seeing as he thought the whole thing was the Church of the Light folk’s fault in the first place. Hated it here so much after his friend died, he left not even a week after Howlett’s funeral.”

“Because they practically held Howlett hostage.” Willa supplied, irritation growing at how much damage had been down to the city with that one awful deed.

“They were worried, and fairly so, about the disease spreading. But yeah, other than the few times the doctor was let in ta treat him, Howlett was quarantined to an absurd degree.” Justice shook his head, a crease in his brow as he looked down at his paperwork in remorse. “They shoulda let Logan and Haru take Howlett to the next city over. They had a plan and it was even okayed by the doctor as a means to transport him with very low risk of spreading the disease, if it was spreadable, but the Light folks didn’t wanna risk it at all. Miguel argued that… well, it rightly doesn’t matter anymore. Not being able to see Howlett drove Logan to rash things and now he’s goin’ ‘round and causing mischief in retaliation.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure that banditry is a tad more complicated than mischief, Justice.” Willa pointed out, lifting one of her hands and gestured in the direction of where the bridge was. “He took a whole fucking train hostage on the oldest, worst bridge I have ever had the misfortune of being on.”

Justice gave her a sad look. One that spoke of something lost and damaged by events that led to Logan’s banditry. “Yeah… yeah… but…” He trailed off, brows pinched again in deep contemplation. When he spoke again, his voice was small yet there was confusion lacing his statement. “I’ve been over every damn thing in the ledgers, twice, checked with every witness on the train, save one, and… Logan might have held up the train, waved a gun around a bit, and told the folks not to move while Haru went to snatch something… but… nothing was snatched.” Justice looked up to meet her gaze through her sunshades, his face serious as he finished, “Nothing was missing. He took nothing. At least… nothing that had proper paperwork- which everything is supposed to have.”

“So either he snatched something that was being illegally shipped with the knowledge that it would be on that train on that day and that he needed to grab it before it got into Sandrock… or he was putting on a show of being a bandit?” Willa couldn’t help the sense of dread at that conclusion, remembering how badly her rage had flared up and how easily she could have snapped his bones in her grip if she had allowed herself to follow through. Her brother’s words about how he had only been asking him if he was okay flashed in her mind. She was glad her expression of anguish always looked more angry and exasperated to most. “I almost broke him over some Light damned show?”

“Well, he was stupid enough to loom over yer, uh, guest? So that’s on him, in my fair opinion.” Justice managed to lighten up her darkening mood with that reminder. “How is your guest, by the way? Wasn’t looking so great yesterday.”

“Ah, right, I owe you an answer for all your patience.” Willa heaved out a sigh as she temporarily lifted her sunglasses to rub at the bridge of her nose. “That was my younger brother Walt. He gets really sick on trains and I was hoping to introduce him more publically once he was better, so no one fussed over him. He kinda hates that. Especially from strangers.”

“And most of our gaggle are so damn friendly, you’d be getting constant well wishers with heaps of food in casserole dishes hoping to help.” Justice smiled at his own statement, his eyes crinkling in humor. “Yeah. I can see why you weren’t willing to explain all that when he was puking out his guts on the train. ‘Specially with that nosy reporter staring at ya with them stars in his eyes, like he had stumble across the biggest scoop of the ages.”

Willa winced that that. She ignored the last sentence in favor of explaining more about why her brother had ended up in that condition. “He also has a very well grounded dislike for cliffs. Of which we were parked over.”

“Ooph.” The Civil Corpsman winced in empathy to her brother’s plight. “Ta be honest, wasn’t too thrilled with how much that bridge groaned and creaked myself. Neither did one of the other fellas on the train. Turns out our bridge inspector was coming for his bi-annual inspection but for our other bridge- since Shanosh had just gotten a passing grade last time. And, according to his very angry lecture about ‘allowing’ the bridge to degrade to such ‘unsafe levels’ as quickly as ours had in the last year when I was getting his written testimony… We, uh, we’re gonna be hearin’ from the train station very soon about discontinuing the line from Atara to here to Highwind until we have resolved the issue. It’s not official yet, but… can ya do me a favor and maybe start whispering it into Heidi’s ear ta start, ya know, designing a new one? We’ll get no trains from Highwind to here soon enough ‘til we resolve the issue.”

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll talk to Heidi, get Director Qi prepared to run the numbers, and I’ll start gathering up the supplies to make the process easier when we do start. Which, I have a feeling, will be an emergency situation thus allowing Minister Matilda to take the lead rather than allow Mayor Trudy to enact her own plans for the bridge properly.”

“She chose the wrong time to leave fer that study.” Justice lamented, shaking his head with concern. “Don’t get me wrong, Minister Matilda has great leadership skills, but she ain’t one fer gettin’ the paperwork all sorted first. She likes ta… uh…” He struggled to put into polite words the rather big personality flaw of the older woman.

“She’s a glory hog.” Willa decided to give him the words he was trying so hard to not say. “She wants the honor of putting her ‘grand’ ideas into motion and being seen as the ‘leading factor’ for getting a job or task or huge undertaking done in the first place.”

Justice rubbed at the back of his head, guiltily looking to the side. “You, uh, met her kind before, have ya?”

“Yes.” Willa spoke the word shortly. “I am more than a little relieved that you can tell too. Other than a few other of my friends, I was worried that everyone was enamored by her personality.”

“B3 didn’t much like her either. Always told me and Howlett ta keep on our toes ‘round her. Said it was a gut feeling and he couldn’t explain why cuz he didn’t know. Didn’t get it really till he left and I was being used as a scapegoat fer, ya know, all the things goin’ wrong that usta be our local hunters tasks.” Justice admitted with a heavy sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, B3 always had me well trained on weaponry, hand-ta-hand defense, ‘nd marksmanship… I also am the fastest at dismantlin’ a gun and puttin’ it back together and trainin’ others in such fields… but he was also thought I wasn’t ready fer more than simple fieldwork, like handing disputes between Hugo ‘n Cooper or actin’ as an assist on bigger missions. I mostly handled all the paperwork too. But monster subjugation and that sorta thing? I… uh… sometimes still freeze in crisis, not as badly as when I was a fresh recruit, but B3 was still tryin’ ta get me outta the habit. Before he quit n’ all. Unsurr is much better at jumping inta action than I was at his age, so it's been a help ta see him move first. Unfreezes me fer some reason.”

Willa nodded. She understood some people froze in a moment of panic. When she had lived on the street, freezing up could lead to deadly consequences. She had seen it too many times where a kid would get scared, just stand there like a statue at the wrong moment and get eaten by starved feral dogs or monsters that got into the poorer cities or villages she was passing through. She remembers a few times where she had decided to step in and kill a few of the beasts with her bare hands, rescuing whatever poor soul they had decided looked like easy prey, and carrying off the corpses to eat herself later. Her father said that her success in surviving probably stemmed from her natural inclination to fight when in a situation of crisis. Not everyone naturally had that inclination though, and often needed training around it.

“Maybe you can come with me on a few of my Hazardous Ruin runs, get more familiar with action like that with someone more experienced around.” She finally offered after a moment’s thought.

“Really?” He sounded so surprised at her offer, even a little hopeful. She guessed nobody had ever offered to help him before. Other than B3 and possibly the hunters- all of whom were gone now, in one way or another. “Are you sure? I know yer busy with getting yer house built and yer brother taken care of ‘n all.”

“Yeah, we can go over some of the basic training my dad taught me about overcoming fears and working through the fight or flight instincts. His current study is all about how people can rewire their brain’s habits. I’m not as good as him, but if you’re willing to try, we could go into one of the ruins and practice sometime. You can think about it, I don’t need an answer right away, since I’m not planning a dive today or anything.” She explained, turning to rile through her bag to fish out a prevalent document. “Speaking of which- you said you’d start my paperwork for Hazardous Ruin Diving?”

He still seemed so surprised at her offer, brows raised high, creasing his forehead as he sat there a moment before his brain caught up with the last part of her sentence. “Paperwork? Oh! Yeah! I have most of it filled out, but, despite the spectacular display of yer, uh, competency against Logan, I still require some official proof. Otherwise, that offer of yers will have to be our workaround, since ya would only be ‘llowed in under my supervision.” He started digging and rifling through his stacks of documents on his desk. It looked to be a whole entire unorganized mess to an outsider, but Willa could see that he had a system and knew it well because it only took him carding through the ends of one particular stack with his thumb to find his desired documents. It pulled it out with a flourish, humming out, “Ah, yes, here it is…”

He turned it to face Willa so she could see his handiwork. Honestly, he had very nice handwriting and she could clearly read everything he had filled out. A blessing when compared to Yan’s sloppy handwriting. 

“I will need some form of proof, ideally a license that signifies you have formal training for this sort of matter. I might need more, depending on the type of license it is. Builder’s licenses and its accompanying Ruin Diving license will not be enough for Hazardous Ruin Dives. You need either a Hunter’s license, a Civil Corps license, a government military service card, or even a Gauntlet ID card as viable proof that you can handle a dive.”

Justice pointed out several places he had highlighted that needed her to fill out as he kept speaking, his voice clear and concise as he further explained Sandrock policies about Hazardous Ruin Diving.

“I will also need to be aware of any and all dives as well as your scheduled departure time and the ETA of your return. We have a policy of, if you fail to check in at the time you estimated as your return time, a Civil Corps member will be dispatched after an hour past that time to go looking for you. The first hour is typically us making sure you didn’t return and forget to properly log out. Not logging in or out will get you a fine and after three times in one year, a penalty. I’d typically say you’d be out of luck to Ruin Dive, but I don’t think Sandrock has that, uh, privilege of banning our sole builder potentially capable of Hazardous Ruin Diving from, well, diving. You would probably have to have me or Unsurr accompany you and on our timeframe.”

Justice might not have been confident in his ability to take action when action was immediately required, but the Highwind builder had to give it to him- he knew his procedures well.

“That sounds fair.” She finally fished out what she was looking for and returned her full visual attention onto the officer in front of her.

She had her wallet in hand. It held her citizen ID card among other necessary cards. Once upon a time, wallets like her had been used for carrying cards that were connected to virtual money, according to Charlize and her wellpool of knowledge on all matters about old world fashion culture, but not in this day and age. Now, it was a convenient way to keep all her issued IDs in one place. Though, most days the wallet was tucked into a safe she had hidden on her property- since none of them were everyday needed items in a city as small as Sandrock. She withdrew the one that she knew would get her what she wanted, no secondary or third authentication required.

Justice actually whistled upon seeing the card presented to him. “Well I’ll be.” He breathed out in gentle mystification, “Never thought I’d meet anyone with a Gauntlet ID.”

Willa managed to keep it to herself that he only needed to ask Grace if he wanted to see another one. However she knew that most people who had them were hush-hush about owning one. She easily fell into that category if she were to be honest with at least herself. But this was a matter of necessity, so she would have to hope Justice could be trusted to keep his yap shut.

“I don’t typically go waving it around, as you could probably guess. Will this be enough?” Willa couldn’t help the teasing lilt to her tone, nor the cocksure smirk on her lips.

“Damn,” Justice couldn’t stop marveling at it, even as he gently took it from her fingers to peruse the information written on it. “The more I getta know ya, the more astounded I am. Ye’re crazy enough ta run one of these?”

“Not just run, I place.” As much as Willa liked to keep her own placing close to her chest, it was important to her that he knew she always finished. That earned her another low whistle of awe from the man in front of her. Plenty of people, something like four hundred and seventy six participants last season, ran the Gauntlet, but only about a third of the runners actually completed the arduous task. “Next year will be my sixth season, if I choose to run again.”

Justice studied her card, reading each line. Before she forgot and got too into the conversation, she decided to ask. “I’ve been told that if requested, you can keep my tier level out of the paperwork as long as you, the head of the Civil Corps department, stamp your insignia over the area to signify that you are aware and alright with that being kept confidential? I… don’t… particularly like people knowing that information.”

“No worries, Willa. I can and will do that fer ya. It’s already impressive that ya run, no need fer yer tier level ta accidentally get out and be used against ya fer any reason. While I doubt that would happen, I can’t say fer sure that it won’t. I got nosey folks, like that reporter, ta think about.” He laughed a bit as he spoke gently to her. “It’s amazing that ya place at all. I doubt I’d even place if Ol’ B3 had ever forced me on that crazy run. Even if you have a low tier number, it's an impressive feat to simply make it to the finish line.” His eyes flickered up to hers, his voice a hushed whisper as he spoke his next words. “Is it true that there are giant Periphery beasts roaming some parts of the higher levels?”

“Yes. About six species. Various sizes too. From what I heard, it took the hunters the better part of six months to get the two biggest beastie of that time s in the Gauntlet. They all prowl around their given territories, but there are safety precautions in place because even though they have spent the better part of twenty or so years in captivity at this point, they are still wild animals. Most are dosed heavily during runs and muzzled. For runners to even cut through their territories they need to be level five at the very least. Well, all but Sovereign. She’s the biggest of the six now and she’s, well, majestic. She’s allowed to prowl freely, but that’s because she’s smart enough to know it's a game we humans like to play and her job is to impede, not harm. Never killed, but has ruined runs for more folks than you can shake a stick at. But she’s still not allowed in certain areas where the newbie runners are allowed to go.”

“Seriously? That’s absolutely wild! I’ve never heard of a creature like that before.”

“Oh, she’s a very rare breed of beast. I think folks call her a Sixteen Point Pronged Wolfdeer. It’s even said that one of their hired hunters at that time went out alone and brought her back without restraints. Mind you, this was way back when the Gauntlet was still in construction. The owner was commissioning hunters from all over to collect specimens for the different areas of the Peripheries. And so as not to waste opportunity during the off season, the beasts are studied by zoologists and the like. The architectural designers purposely made the Gauntlet areas the beasts inhabit like their original home habitats. Still, most of the beasts had to be dragged into their new territories, teams of hunters to accomplish any of the moves. But Sovereign? She just waltzed in like she owned the place after her one lone hunter escorted her there. She probably does- made the place her home. But she’s a frightening sight for people not familiar with her regality. So, after one too many newbies got spooked and froze at the sight of her, they decided to assign tier access to the different routes available.” 

“Then running up against monsters is not something a first year can do then.” Justice was, at this point, writing down the prevalent information from her card onto her paperwork, though Willa could see he was very interested in what she had to say.

“Small ones, yes. But not the bigger ones, no. Not anymore. It used to be that runners just signed a waiver acknowledging that what they were about to participate in was dangerous, could possibly have quality of life risks involved, and that they understood that nobody would be allowed to sue the owners or their staff due to maiming, injury, dismemberment, or death. But every year the team came up with safer and safer methods to avoid inexperienced, egotistical morons from getting themselves and others around them hurt or killed due to bad choices. When I started, there was so much training and orientation seminars to explain the rules. The season after that, the tiers were introduced.”

“Well,” Justice finished writing up what he needed and handed the card back to her, of which she instantly put away as he spoke. “I jest wantcha ta know, I think yer pretty cool to have gone in there and given it a good old honest try. It’s probably fer the best ya never got the clearance ta run ‘round those beasties. I mean, even Howlett was all against botherin’ critters if they weren’t causing a fuss. He was all about respectin’ their territory as long as their territory wasn’t infringin’ on human territory.”

Willa blinked as she stared at her wallet, having paused halfway into tucking her card back into her wallet to follow what Justice had said. She laughed softly to herself at what she realized and chose to answer the second half of his comment. “Not bad advice. Sadly, most times, humans expand their territories to where monsters and the like are forced out of their territories. It’s sad, but, with the more dangerous creatures, like Impliers, it's best to eradicate them before they can harm innocent people.”

Justice nodded, a worried look on his face at the mention of Impliers. “Those bunch are nasty ta take on. Hope we ain’t never get a situation with those mutants. Bad enough that Geeglers have been a bit rowdier since Howlett passed.”

That caught Willa’s attention. “Geegler.” She swore she’s heard that name before. This was a species of mutated lizard that only existed within the Eufaula, so she wasn’t sure why the name always tickled at a her brain. She had already been told about these critters, but this notion that their recent actions had elevated after Howlett’s death was new to her.

Justice seemed to notice her puzzlement. He furrowed his eyebrows, causing a crease in his brow, and raised a hand to wave off her concerns. “B3 never figured out how Howlett had done it, but he convinced the Geeglers inta a treaty with Sandrock. I think they’ve decided it was an understandin’ between them and him, because they’ve gotten rowdier and more darin’ with their attempts ta infringe on human territory since his passing became known ta them. Caught them multiple times now wandering around Shanosh Bridge when they know the train ain’t coming. Gonna be worse now that there’ll be no train crossing that bridge at all.”

That was… a tad alarming. “What’s so interesting about the bridge to them?”

“Not sure. While Geeglers are an intelligent species of mutated monsters… they ain’t that bright. Kinda like a group of, uh, ten year olds playing what they consider a business would be like, with presidents and managers and interns. Maybe they’ve decided they’re a construction business? That’s a scary thought…”

To her, that idea was on the frightening side. While most ten year olds were mainly only good at making mischief at that age, too immature and lacking in experience and intelligence to really cause too much lasting trouble, she knew that it only took one intelligent kid to cause real mayhem. Her twin brothers were proof that clever kids could cause older and more experienced adults massive headaches with their schemes. Fuck, Willa had caused plenty of purposeful upheaval when she deigned to and the only adults capable of stopping her only could stop her because she respected them.

Ergo, she hoped that the leader was an idiot as to keep the Geeglers from too much trouble. If they forced Sandrock’s hand, they would have to probably cull the scurry. She didn’t want to, not really. Maybe she could figure out the trick Howlett used? What did her hunter friend back at the Gauntlet always tell her? Lots of mutant monsters with the ability to speak and have cohesive thoughts, beyond the core survival needs all living things had, tended to use strength as a means of establishing dominance within their group.

Deciding that there wasn’t much she could do on that front, she decided to plunge into the next topic at hand, which was giving her statement. Justice was also grateful for the change of subject, he had given his overfilled subjugation board one final worried look before refocusing on her testament. She did her best to explain from the start about why she had been at the train station, why she had gone to investigate in the first place, her alerting Justice, and recounted her brief fight with Logan, best that she could. She, upon explaining the part where she disarmed him, pulled out the unloaded weapon from her bag.

“Sorry, I kinda took off with it in my haste.” She wasn’t sure if her tone gave off how sheepish she felt for doing such a thing, but she was honest in her remorse.

“I knew ya had it.” Justice nodded his head calmly, reaching over his desk to take the weapon, his soulful brown eyes sad and perhaps a little tired as he stared at the weapon. “Hate ta see it like this. This wassa gift from Howlett ta Lo on tha day he earned his rites to be called a hunter. Ol’ Howl had commissioned Hugo to make tha thing. Hugo had been so proud of his work. Considered Lo like a son to him. Helped watch over the boy with his wife when Howlett had to go off and work, raised him at points of his life when Howlett had been busy providing.”

He sighed, shaking his head, the ends of his tied up braids moving wildly with the motion. “I hate the idea of this thing havin’ ta be locked up in the evidence locker… I… I’m sorta afraid it’ll disappear.”

Willa frowned. “Disappear?”

Justice cringed at her parroted word, looking around as if to make sure it really was just the two of them in the room before admitting. “Those bullets you dumped onto the train floor? I photographed them, collected them, itemized them, did the forensics on them, wrote up the report, documented that they were non-lethal rubber bullets, put them into evidence, and… well… I went ta check on them again today fer a hunch and… they ain’t where I placed them. Nowhere to be found, if I were ta be honest. But I know I placed them in that spot.”

It took a moment for the woman to wrap her head around what had just been confessed to her. “You… think someone came in and… took it?”

“I… don’t want to assume that… but…” He shook his head, making another decision. “It’s not the first piece of evidence that’s disappeared as of late too. Lotsa stuff from Howlett’s and Logan’s cases seem ta disappear.” He looked at the gun forlornly. “I can’t handle this gun possibly disappearing too, never ta be found so… I need a favor.” His eyes flickered back up to meet hers.

She wasn’t entirely sure she knew where Justice was going with this, but she had an inkling it had to do with her taking the gun and possibly keeping it safe at her house. If that would make him feel better, she was fine with it. She already had the vault in her storage area secured and hidden. “I’m listening.”

“I have yer gun permit all filled out and officiated.” Justice set the gun on the desk and turned to his left, thumbed through his stacks and procured the document easily. He handed it to her, eyes resolute as he spoke his next words. “Let me register the gun under yer name.”

Willa blinked, having not thought that would be his move. Hold on to it, yes, put it in her name, no. “But it’s evidence? And a gun in an active crime?”

“I’m aware, but I’m also the sheriff ‘round these parts, remember?” There was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes as he said those words. “It’s well within my power ta do somethin’ like this. I know this gun. I can write up the paperwork and document the evidence without keeping it. The Eufala is a place where we don’t waste resources, so the Civil Corps has the right to redistribute the weapons we have apprehended from their previous owners. Besides,” he gave her a proud look, “I always know where it will be if I hand it over ta our local builder.”

“Safe, apparently.” Willa hummed, also bemused at the man’s plot. “And if I keep it on me and instead of locked away, it’ll be harder for someone to pinch it if you do end up needing it as evidence.”

“Exactly.” Justice snapped his fingers, a smug smirk on his lips. “I’ll let Hugo know that you have it and why, so he doesn’t make a ruckus. He’s the only one who’d be able to spot his work a mile away. But I doubt anyone else would be able to cotton on it usta be Logan’s. And, if I need it, I know where ta find it.”

Willa wasn’t sure if this was the right move, but she felt it was an entertaining one at the very least. “I suppose I’ll consider it a boon for whooping his ass for the trouble he caused. Fine. Re-register it under my name. I needed a gun anyways.” However, looking at the beautiful weapon, she considered talking to Hugo about adding at least one extra security measure for locking it.

The additional paperwork took very little time. Justice was a pro at it and in less than fifteen minutes, Willa had all her needed permits to do Hazardous Ruin runs, carry a firearm, and all proper documents submitted to the Civil Corps for her gun. Not how she expected her morning to go exactly, but fruitful nonetheless.

“I’ll see about Walt getting down here after the doc clears him to be up and about. Then you can finish up on this crazy ordeal with his statement.” Willa was standing at the door, hand on the knob. “And I’ll be sure to start whispering to Heidi and Director Qi to start working on what will be needed to either repair or replace the Shanosh bridge. Sooner the better. And when the time comes that we have to replace the damn thing, you’ll just have to stand far enough away in the Fireside meeting, like me, so Matilda doesn’t see your eyes roll when she ‘saves the day’ through her steadfast leadership and wonderful ideas.”

He gave an honest chuckle at her facetious words. A look of appreciation in his tired countenance.

“You have my thanks.” He placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head a bit to show his gratitude.

“And thanks for the discretion on the… you know.” Her Gauntlet information.

“Anytime Pardner. I’ll make sure to keep all that to myself. Last thing I want is fer ya to be pressured or bothered by folks ‘bout it.”

Her eyes gentled and her lips pulled up in a rare gentle way. “That means a lot. Thanks.”

And she left the office.

By then, the day had started for the other residents of the city. The sun was out and shining bright, the air warm yet dry against her skin. That didn’t fool her though, by the end of the day, she’d be having to take a long soak in the tub to wash because she would have sweated up a storm working hard on either commissions or her own future home.

After she lived up to her vow of rescuing Elsie from her father’s endless task list he’d no doubt be foisting onto his daughter, that is. 

It’s not like she didn’t believe family shouldn’t be helpful to each other, but Willa also believed that people should be paid for their efforts. Elsie had a dismal pay for all the work she did at home and that was with Willa factoring in rent and food. It was why the young woman probably liked working hourly for Willa. She got paid more for her efforts and the better a job she did, the more likely it was that Willa would throw in some sort of bonus. The basic benefit of working for the local building company, though, was that the yakgirl’s new boss had the capacity to tell her long winded father to get to the point and actually get the point the short way round.

As Willa made her way to the Wandering Y, having remounted Midnight and trotted her through the Main Street, waving good morning to Arvio as he opened up his general store, wish a good morning to Vivian who had come out to sweep up her porch from the accumulating sand, and wave at Jasmine who was flitting from building to building delivering her morning letters. It was still rather novel to her to watch as people actually lit up at seeing her and wave back, with honest faces belaying they were happy to see her. It warmed her heart into something cozy and comforting to know they liked her and wanted her to wave hello and be a part of their day.

It put her into a rather pleasant mood.

Which was almost instantly shattered upon turning towards the blacksmith shop after passing the new Blue Moon outdoor stage and catching sight of that familiar blond in the purple hoodie, pen and notebook in hand, talking to Mabel.

“Fuck.” Willa hissed between her teeth. 

She pulled at Midnight’s reins to ask her to stop as she tried to think a way around the nosy reporter. She patted her own head, checking to see if she had planted her black ten gallon hat on her head this morning- she couldn’t even recall at this point- and sighed out relief when she touched her own braided locks of hair and recalled she had done without her hat this morning.

She stared at the two of them chatting from a distance and tried to think up a plan. Ignoring Mabel was not ideal, especially since the woman was a sweet as honey and not shy about hollering out to her when she didn’t take a moment to say a quick, polite hello. Also, she wasn’t even sure what the reporter was doing at the Wandering Y, but, last time she had rode past him, he hadn’t recognized her as the lady who had taken on Logan in the train car. Her long blue locks of hair seemed to throw him, probably thinking her features more akin to her brother’s. That or he had been too focused on his interviewing that he hadn’t actually seen her thre. Either answer was at least working in her favor. 

Her plan was poor, but it was all she had. She’d ride up, wave a quick hello at Mabel while she was being interviewed so she’d know she wasn’t ignoring her, but not willing to interrupt her conversation. That way his attention wouldn’t be broken from Mabel to Willa. Then, she’d keep heading in to go rescue Elsie and get the heck out of there before the blond finally started adding up ‘black outfits and black horses’ up with ‘lady with the black attire and black horse but brilliant blue hair’.

It wasn’t the best plan, but the only other plan she could think of was to go the long way around and have Mabel think she was avoiding her. Not ideal. The Wandering Y matriarch was not someone anyone wanted to cross. She was one of the few women who had been born and raised in Sandrock and, despite the others moving on even in hard times, had stuck it out and refused to let bad times rob her of her sweetness, gentleness, and empathy. A woman she found herself respecting mightily.

So it was surprising to Willa when, as she made it into the woman’s proximity to see her whirl around to look at her with a look of shock and deep concern with a stern, tempered tone her mother had never ever used on her growing up. “Wilhelmina! What is this I’m hearin’ ‘bout you fightin’ off Logan in a train robbery! He’s a dangerous man! What were you thinking?!”

Willa did her best not to click her tongue, even as she narrowed her eyes at the dumb blond blinking owlishly up at her on her horse, totally lost on the very subject he brought up to Mabel. She was getting scolded now because of him. It felt odd to have someone smaller than her look up at her with such reproach because she cared. She saw Willa in a kind way, like another child under her care that she was willing to use her ‘mom voice’ on her to try to steer her clear of perceived dangers. As flattering as it was to be considered so much, Willa refused to kowtow to anyone’s understanding of her limitations save three individuals- of which Mabel was none of. Because they knew her limits. And this wasn’t one.

However, Willa also could spot the worry in the older woman’s eyes as she looked her up and down, like she had sudden developed X-ray vision and could spot any sort of injury past Willa’s conservative outfit. If she could, the blunette was positive she would have been squeaking a bit when she noticed her large array of tattoos underneath her sleeves. No x-ray vision then. 

Instead of dismissing her fears, she tried to placate the kind, motherly matriarch. “I wasn’t the one that tried to hold up an entire train on a rickety bridge! I just happened to see it parked on the bridge, went and got Justice, and helped him out a bit, is all.”

The blond didn’t help. Instead he added fuel to Mabel’s fretting. “Oh you should have seen it! She appeared like a ninja and bam, pow, bap! They were throwing fists! Then she had a stick, thrown to her by the traveler in Seesai attire, and was then hitting him with it like it was a ninja sword! And, and, and, when the bandit grabbed for his gun, she snatched it like he hadn’t even been holding it! And then! And then she emptied it contents all onto the ground before pushing him back further and further towards the sheriff and then he jumped out the window and-”

“He did what?!” Mabel looked so pale, moments away from fainting.

“He had a glider.” Willa quickly threw out into the conversation, to assure her that the boy she had watched grow up was indeed not dead.  She hopped off of Midnight to approach Mabel and put an assuring hand on her shoulder. “He got away with trading a few bruises with yours truly.” 

She shot the blond a hard look, clamming him up with an actual glare. He stood there frozen, like his instincts were telling him to run, but his desire for this ‘story’ kept him rooted. Reporters, Willa mentally scoffed. 

She turned back to Mabel, who was now calming at hearing that. She gave her a gentle squeeze and schooled her face into something she hoped conveyed gentleness and kindness. But she needed to get Mabel away from this menace. “Missus, can you go grab Elsie for me? I promised her I’d get her after breakfast before your husband got too wrapped up in loading her up with his chores. She already promised me some work time today, but I wanted to make sure you got your morning breakfast time with her first.”

“Oh that husband o’ mine.” That seemed to distract Mabel from the prior conversation a bit. “He knows Elsie’s gotta real job now, yet he keeps insistin’ on her doin’ work that ain’t hers ta do. He really thinks she’ll change her mind an’ follow his footsteps, though I can tell it ain’t happenin’. Sigh. I’ll fetch her fer ya, Willa, but don’ think fer a minute you got out of anythin’.”

There was going to be a conversation later, but it seemed Mabel’s nerves had hit their limits on what she could hear. “Glad yer alright though dear.”

“Yes Ma’am. I always land on my feet.” She promised before shifting her eyes to the blond. “I think I need to have a few words with this reporter though, before he stresses out anyone else with his wild retellings.”

Because that had been the worst way to tell anyone what had happened. She watched Mabel let out a little chuckle, say her goodbyes to the young reporter, wishing him safety on his travels, leaving him a little dumbfounded as she left, and as soon as the tinier woman was out of sight, Willa finally gave into the urge she had since seeing this idiot and his dumb bright hoodie and snatched at the article of clothing and yanked him away, uncaring if she could hear him cough as the collar of his jacket choked him a bit. Served him right for upsetting someone like Mabel. She tugged him halfway to the tunnel, still in sight of the Wandering Y’s gated property and pulled him down by that same dumb hoodie to meet her eye to eye.

“I think Sheriff Justice told you not to spread wild tales about what happened.” She all but growled at him, watching as his bright blue eyes grew wide with alarm. She had her sunshades on as always, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t a startling thing when provoked. And she had been provoked. She knew she had all but growled out those words, her sharp canines on display as she tried not to snarl.

Instead of following his instincts, which, Willa was discovering that he didn’t seem to be very in tune with, his fear melted into something akin to wonderment. “Oh wow! You really are the ninja lady from the train!” He all but sparkled and vibrated with excitement at his discovery.

It wasn’t something that she was particularly used to. People she didn’t know getting a first hand experience to her viciousness and ferocity and while showing bodily signs of fear… going straight into excitement rather than shirking back to get away from her snarls and fury. It… sorta shocked her right out of it in pure bafflement.

This guy would not live very long if he wasn’t returned to his sheltered home in Atara if he couldn’t pick up the fact that his whole body was trying to warn him of the danger in front of him.

However, he didn’t seem to even notice her appraising, baffled stare, diving right into the heart of the topic he was fixated on. “Did you know that man? The bandit? What about the Seesai traveler? I tried to talking to them on the ride, since its so rare to meet someone dressed in Seesai attire out in the Alliance. Didn’t speak a word, just snubbed my every attempt and then spoke so low I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Was that a noble you were sworn to protect? Why is a ninja in Sandrock? How long have you been a ninja? Can I even ask you that?”

“Who in Peach’s good name do you think you are? Nosing around things that are none of your business? Telling people wild, outlandish retellings of things that nobody asked you to go around spouting? Half of what you told Mabel made her sick with worry, you thoughtless twit.” Willa used the grip on his hoodie to toss him a bit, enjoying the moment he stumbled about, slamming a bit against the wood of the fence Cooper had built around his property and wince at the impact.

That seemed to get him out of whatever little bubble he had put himself into and he rubbed at his arm where he had hit the old sturdy wood to ease the smarting. “Oh, where are my manner? I’m Earnest, from Atara Times. I write the column called ‘Ernie’s World’. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?” 

She, in fact, had. Having lived in Atara during her studies had led her to reading their local papers to make sure she stayed out of it when any sort of incident at the university happened to drag her into it. Like that time with the idiot who had thought he knew how to build better than someone with more time and experience and training under their belt. That had almost made it in, a reporter nosing around shortly after, but the school had been ready to shut that down, seeing as Willa had saved them a real scandal should the idiot kid have been killed.

‘Ernie’s World’ was a piece in the newspaper that even the other students in the university would snigger at and ask each other what out-of-touch loony bird wrote the article. It was nicknamed by some of the history literature track students as this era’s ‘Penny Dreadfuls’ only actually ‘dreadful to suffer reading if you were older than twelve’.

And now she was face to face with its actual writer, him completely unaware that his column was considered an actual joke to his peers. He was indeed out-of-touch with reality and couldn’t read the mood around him for even his own personal safety, which made Willa wince a bit. The Ataran rich pretty boy type, she easily identified him as. Though ‘pretty’ was sort of a stretch… he wasn’t ugly, but he wasn’t her type, but he did fall into the typecast regardless of if she actually would deem him pretty in her eyes.

He seemed to be waiting for an answer to his inquiry and she huffed out, “I have seen your article column. Quite hard not to when I lived in Atara. The Atara Times is typically one of the larger produced newspapers there. Never bothered reading it though. Not what I was reading the newspaper for. And not a column I’m interested in being in. So. Quit.”

“I don’t believe in quitting!” He scrunched up his face defiantly. “I can tell there are good stories just waiting to be told out here! So I can’t quit!”

“You can write stories, sure.” Willa allowed, grabbing at his shoulder to bring him eye to eye with her again, “Just not this one. I don’t doubt for a second that anyone’s given you more than you already had anyways.”

He absolutely ignored her threatening tone and her sharp, pointed glare like it was merely polite posturing, latching more onto the final part of her statement. “That’s for sure! I’ve gone to the Minister, the Sheriff, and even your local news reporter here and all of them have said the same thing. ‘No comment’,” he bemoaned as his shoulders drooped.

“Then maybe consider it’s not for you to nose in on.” Willa made a mad grab at anything to talk him out of trying to write this article, damning her, further harming the members of this city who were mourning Howlett and their loss of Logan and Haru with the tragedy. “Do you like it when people poke in on your sensitive information like they have a damn right to it?”

That’s when she saw the slightest of shifts in him. He blinked, really considering what she was saying, but it faded a bit as he shook his head. “This isn’t private. It’s a train robbery! People deserve to know about it!”

Like it wasn’t something all the people around here were already aware of. Like it wasn’t personal and private and needed care because the story behind this incident was sad and horrible and a scar upon their hearts. Like it was something to be shared with Atarians- and whoever else got the Atara Times to read- who would read the article in the nicer homes, safe and far from the hardships a place like Sandrock suffered daily so they could tsk and judge their little dying community like it was their Light given right when, surely, it was none of their damned business if they weren’t planning to even come out here on the train. Their feats and accomplishments were one thing to share, but this felt like kicking the citizens at their lowest merely because a bad thing happened to them and they were still reeling from it.

Before Willa could decide if she wanted to shake him like a ragdoll or throw him to the ground or deck him so hard she broke his jaw or teeth, the choice was taken from her when she caught a glimpse of bright ginger locks just in the corner of her eye. She defused herself, letting go, trying to calm herself as quickly as possible as she turned her head over to where she could spot Jasmine on the other side of the tunnel peeking over to where she was doing her damn best to talk to someone denser than a pile of rocks..

“You need something, girlie?” Willa asked, her tones still belaying her agitation, but Jasmine knew her well enough to know she wasn’t angry at her.

“Uh…” Jasmine crept forward, at first a slow, unsure gait, but soon she picked up her pace and launched herself at Willa, wrapping arms around her and giving her a hug, peeking shyly at the blond that stood there, unaware that this very girl had saved him from the beating he deserved. Willa’s frayed nerves soothed a bit with that hug, but eventually Jasmine was shifting, using her like a shield as she shyly asked the blond. “Are you… Ernest the writer? You know, the one that wrote the Maltese Pigeon?”

Willa’s head whipped from looking curiously from the crown of Jasmine’s head over to the idiot man she had almost decked in abject surprise. He was that Ernest?? She had tried reading a few of his books to her sister, Cozy, back when he had been all the rage. She had managed all of that damned ‘Maltese Pigeon’ book, even though, not even a third of the book in, both she and Cosette had figured out this man, this novice writer with his daddy’s money, had gone down the old trope road with his mystery and written that the butler had done it. She had blessed the day when her sister had let her off the hook from ever doing another reading of this man’s books because they had gotten progressively worse as he wrote more. Willa had gone above and beyond to avoid reading his drivel by helping the local library gain a better, albeit more archaic reading selection written by people considered master writers of their time. None of them sounded, looked, or wrote like this idiot. 

She half wondered if her mother would send a few of Willa’s Agatha Christie books this way so the young woman could lend them to Jasmine and teach her what culture and talent looked like in the written word. Because Jasmine might not know better. There was an old saying that two cakes, even if one is professionally made with complex flavors and textures while the other was a lumpy misshapen thing overcooked and a little odd tasting, was better than having just one cake. Willa, being a survivor of living on the street, would typically agree. But that doesn’t mean that if there’s two cakes, one beautiful and delicious and the other okay, that she wasn’t going to grab for the good cake first and only eat the other cake when the first cake’s plate was licked clean. But that was cake. Written word? She would only read this man’s work if all the other books on the universe set on fire first and even then, she might consider trying her own hand at writing before giving into reading anything he wrote.

Ernest, as she was starting to notice, didn’t even pick up on her look of absolute horror at this revelation. Maybe he did but mistook it as her being worried that she had upset a celebrity (of which was a laughable idea, because to her, he was simply a bad writer in an era where the pursuit of culture and arts wasn’t the top priority or the norm of the general people. Survival was, which meant old money had obviously paid for his opportunity). His eyes glazed over a bit at her question, like he was disinterested, but he did his best to play the part. 

“Yep! That’s me! I didn’t realize I had a fan out here, or at least, one that’d recognize me!” He changed his tone to sound kind and engaged, like a decent human being would with a child, but Willa could see some odd calculations run through his mind. She already could tell he briefly wondered if asking a child would be too low a blow. Luckily, for him, he decided against it. Instead, he noticed a book in Jasmine’s hand. “Oh! I see you have a copy of my latest book! Would you like me to sign it?”

Jasmine nodded, holding out the book with an excited glint in her eyes. “To Jasmine! J-A-S-”

She began to spell her name dutifully as Ernest hastily wrote inside the book cover before handing it back. “Uh-huh. There you go kiddo. Now,” he turned his tone so sugary and condescending as he spoke to the nearly eleven year old like she was but a little baby. “What was your favorite part of the book, hmm?”

Willa couldn’t help the pride swell up in her when she noticed Jasmine narrow her eyes, knowing that she was being spoken down to and, instead of insisting her age, smirked for a bare hint of a moment before falling into a facade of what he thought of her, snatching the book back as she did. “Um, actuwally, I thought the stowy was a bit contwived.” She spoke in the most obvious baby talk, no longer latching to Willa as she kicked on of her feet against the dirt.

That caused Ernest to blink dumbly at her. “Uh, con-trived? Wow, that’s a rather big word for such a little girl, where did you-”

Jasmine wasn’t done in her slaughter of his pride. She raised her hand and sternly told him with all the politeness instilled in her for maximum strength in devastating deliveries, “I’m not finished yet.” She then switched back to her baby talk. “The chawacters are papar thin, and if anyone pays even the swightest of attention, you can see evewy twist and tuwn comin’ a league away… And I think you’ve weally been writing it in lately… your old stuff was way better, but only palettable.”

It took everything in Willa not to roar with laughter, too amused by the roasting this idiot had gotten by someone, while albeit younger than him, leagues smarter.

He sputtered, “Well, you’re just a kid! What do you know!”

Jasmine didn’t even bat an eyelash as she rocked back onto her heels and taunted him further. “I’m your pwimawy demogwaphic, silly!”

He seemed to be having enough and looked around. “Don’t you have a mom or dad or someone waiting for you to get back to?”

Jasmine rolled her eyes then, forgoing the baby talk. “My mom’s in the desert. My pa is in the graveyard, if you’re that nosy. And all of Sandrock is my home. But, yeah, I do have to get back to delivering letters, which is my job. Hope I don’t accidentally misread any addressed to you. Shame if they never get to you because I’m a kid who doesn’t know anything!”

With that, Jasmine turned to Willa, “Have a nice day Miss Willa! Thanks for being the best builder ever!” 

“I’m doing my best, but I’m not trying to be the best. Remember that’s important, Jazzy. Also,” she slipped a decently reasonable gol coin into her free hand. “It’s hot out, so go visit Owen and get a nice cold glass of sweet tea on me, alright sweetie?”

Jasmine brightened at the gift. “Kay!” She turned and stuck out her tongue at Ernest then, before taking off, her signed book a little more carelessly held as she went to go gather her reward for amusing Willa so thoroughly.

She had definitely helped the older woman’s temper quite a bit. She turned to observe Ernest who was now rubbing the back of his neck as he watched the ginger haired child zoom off. “Yikes. She’s more ruthless than the Walnut Groove critics. But,” he heaved a heavy sigh, “she wasn’t wrong. All my books, despite my best effort, only seem to catch the interest of kids under the age of twelve…”

“Children need amusement too, you know.” Willa told him. “Most people, in fact, have a harder time writing for children, but seems like you’re a natural at it.”

He winced at her backhanded compliment. “I’ve been  trying to break out of that typecast, to be honest, but my editors always hacked away at my books until all that’s left is… well… the patchwork books people read.”

“Are you writing adult scenes into those books, with your current established reputation?” Willa gapped a bit incredulously at him. “No wonder they read poorly. You know you can’t do that, right?”

“What? Why can’t I?” Ernest, to her horror, truly didn’t get it. He seemed so outraged at the idea that he couldn’t write anything he wanted into his books. Which, yes, Willa agreed probably felt awful when you didn’t get it, but she did.

“You are a name associated with books that are safe for children to read. Do you think parents keep screening the books if they trust that ‘this author writes child-friendly books’?”

“I… what? But it’d be in the adult section?”

“Like that stops people. If you want to write mature scenes, you’ll need to change your pen name to something not associated with Ernest the writer of the Maltese Pigeon.” She told him outright. 

She planted her hands on her hips as she stepped into his space, her tone stern and final. “Now, do us all a favor, write a bland story on how your train was held up by a bandit, that the occupants were rescued by Civil Corps, but, in the interest of protecting the passengers, they were unable at that time to capture the bandit who escaped via a glider into the Shanosh Canyon before they had time to apprehend him. It’s what your editors will want, what people will expect, and it will let Sandrock not feel fucking attacked because they are having bandit problems.” She turned to leave, also done with this man. “Don’t write about ninjas or stupid love affairs that don’t exist. You’ll ruin lives and reputations that way, you realize, right? For my part of it, I’m trained in martial arts to protect myself and others around me in bad situations. It’s not because I’m a ninja! It’s because I’ve trained hard to be able to defend myself! Please don’t make it something outrageous because you don’t like how dull the answer is. This is a newspaper article, not a… a… fanciful action-romance book. Facts steeped in reality are what people are expecting and want from their daily newspaper, not this hoopla you’ve been spouting.”

“But… but what about the Seesai traveler?” He weakly clung to the one loose thread of the story.

She groaned as she shook her head, lowering it a bit and sneaking her fingers to rub agitatedly at the bridge of her nose for a moment before looking back up at him with complete annoyance.

“That’s my little brother, okay?” She decided to just tell him because it would make the mystery lose its allure if he knew. “He has shit luck and he gets motion sick easily. He was coming here with the intention of resting at my home to recover and maybe decide if he wants to live here. He’s been training as an apprentice in Seesai, where they all wear clothes like that and he’s accustomed to them. Anything else?”

“Why keep that secret?” He was confused about that, but the information had done the damage Willa was hoping for.

Willa didn’t have to answer that, but, as she rubbed at the bridge of her nose again and heaved out a huge puff of air, realized with great annoyance that he wasn’t able to connect any of the dots himself. Some mystery writer he was. “People here are friendly and can be overwhelmingly welcoming. Which, while nice when you are ready for it, is too much when you aren’t. He’s not feeling well. Would you like people bothering you with heaps of undirected kindness when all you want is to be left alone to sleep and heal in private? Or do you like being fussed at at every second of every moment for even a single sneeze?”

“I…” His eyes flitted about as he really thought about what she had asked before he relented with a sad look,  “I don’t.”

“Well thank the Light, you’ve finally got it.” She threw her hands up into the air in her relief and annoyance that it had taken her spelling it out for him to get it. “You’re so obtuse that it’s a little frightening, I hope you know.”

“I…” He looked so deflated, a little lost as he stood there, the shine in his eyes having dimmed substantially. “I’ve… been told that, yes. But I didn’t think… I just thought… that they were being… overprotective.”

“No, you definitely are.” She told him outright, noticing that Elsie was running for the main gates of the Wandering Y’s gates like a panbat out of hell. It seemed her mother had finally found her and freed her. She began walking towards where she had left Midnight in the space between here and the ranch’s gates and thought to meet Elsie halfway. She decided to throw out one last thing.

“I’m going to be very real with you, Ernest. You can’t tell when you’re being threatened. You can’t tell when you’ve overstepped and angered someone. You couldn’t tell when you were in bodily danger. You couldn’t even tell when you were being rude and dismissive to a child. Think on that, Mister Ernest the writer. Maybe figure out a way to not be so fucking sheltered that you do know theses things. It would probably help your writing, I would even wager.”

Positive she wasn’t going to wake up anytime soon to a newspaper article with some outlandish tale, she finally walked far enough away to leave the brooding journalist who now had some important soul searching to do. She hoped she never had to see that idiot again.

Elsie caught notice of him when the Highwind builder was now within talking distance to the yakgirl, gesturing to him with the tip of her hat. She had Midnight’s reigns in one hand and leading the horse as she walked closer to her. “Who’s dat, Boss?”

Willa kept walking to meet her halfway. “That, my dear Elsie, is what even another Ataran would call ‘an idiot’. I’ve dealt with him. Ignoring him will move him along a bit faster.”

“Huh, wow, didn‘t know Catori could use such tame words like that. Must really want her ex-husband dead then if she hassa word that mild in her mix and ain’t using it.” Elsie studied him a bit more, unaware at how Willa was having to purse her lips hard together to keep from loudly cackling, having forgot that the taller, older woman was in fact from Atara and she would have, in fact, had harsher words as her default for a brat like Ernest.

“Else, I adore you, you know that right?”

“Well, duh,” Elsie smirked at her. “I’m amusin’. An’ I treat yer horses right an’ I ain’t afraid ta tell it like it is, even ta yer face. Can’t help but adore that, yeah?”

Willa laughed, her soured mood completely gone with her good company. “Keep growing, Else, yer blooming into something amazing. Now come along, those commissions won’t deliver themselves. And once you’re done, I’ll have some sweet tea and snacks waiting for you before I set you on your next task.”

“I getta sit, I get snacks, I get ta play with horses, and I get paid fer my… how’d ja put it? The ot’er day?”

Willa raised a brow, interested in where this was going, but the good nature of her employee made her mood improve and her lips quirk upwards a bit. “You're paid for the services rendered?”

“That’s it! I get paid fer my services rendered!” She laughed at her own cheekiness as she swung an arm around Willa’s shoulders to bring her into a loose hug. “Yer the best boss ever.”

Willa cackled at that, bemused. “I’ll remind you that you said that when I catch you whining about my worth ethics.”

“Nah, jest send my ungrateful ass back home and I’ll remember real fast workin’ with my Pa.” She paused a moment before glancing at Willa’s face. “Hey, uh, ya talk ta my ma? ‘Bout what she wanted ta talk ta ya ‘bout?”

Willa hissed out a sigh as she squeezed her eyes shut, suddenly remembering that Mabel had wanted to talk to her at all. “No. The idiot got her all riled up about the train heist that I sent her to get you. Why? Do you know what she was going to talk to me about.”

Now it was Elsie making a face as she seemed loathed to admit she did. “Now, don shoot the messenger, but, uh… Well… ya see… Pa mighta seen ya out riding yesterday wit’ yer… brother… and… uh… mistook the situation he only hadda glimpse of…”

Willa’s look told her to keep going, so, with a pained heave of her lungs, Elsie repeated what wild nonsense she had heard at breakfast from her father to her boss and friend.

Notes:

Walt had been having a peaceful morning. He had been woken up by the sounds of construction outside, but it didn’t necessarily perturb him like it would have his sister. He was use to waking early to tend to his horse Moonstone, especially when she had been rounded with a foal and was due to give birth at any time. It had been perhaps the only consistent thing to his days, other than work hard to sculpt whatever he had been tasked by his master to shape. However, instead of having to get up to take care of Moonstone and her sweet little filly, Opal, he had found the note his sister had left him and spent the morning reestablishing what his family had always insisted were good morning habits. He got up, put his legs on, made his bed, ate, and took some time in the bathroom to clean up. He couldn’t risk a soak, worried of possibly getting to worn out and drowning on accident, but he took that good stool that Willa had in this little Casita, which was to soon be his home here, and sat it by the bathtub as he wiped himself down and washed his hair.

He had barely had any time afterwards to sit back down on his bed and pull out a small crystal he had been chipping away at into the shape of a star when his sister returned, cackling loudly and a look of absolute mirth on her expression. She made eye contact with him, his face no doubt on of complete perplexity, and her lips curled upwards even more, her sharp canines on easy display and he could still recall the first time she had really smiled at him and all his young mind could think of is how even the bogey-man that Bobby claimed lived under all children’s beds would have fled at such a disquieting grin. Foolish child he was. He could now see the look of pure amusement twinkling in her eyes, even behind her dark shades.

“You have something funny you’d like to share?” Walt guessed, not at all afraid like he had been that first time as a little boy at his sister’s easily misread expressions. He noticed a young woman behind her, still outside the house, but just barely within eyeshot and was glad he washed earlier. Her other employee, Mi-an, had seen him in a rather run down state, but this other woman could at least see how he usually kept himself. This young girl, no older than Silvia, had to be Elsie, if he recalled what his sister had written to him about her employees.

Willa gave one of her dark giggles, eyes still shinning even though a stranger might have mistaken her laugh as a madman’s evil diabolical laugh. “You have got to hear this! So, Elsie’s dad, Cooper, saw us yesterday morning and… hahahaha, and!! Else! Tell him!!” She couldn’t even say it, heaving for air between her laughter.

Elsie heaved a long, tired sigh as she came closer to the threshold and grimly muttered. “My Pa thought ya were sum kinda… Do I HAVE ta??”

“Please.” Walt encouraged her, his expression flat as he watched rather annoyed at his sister doubling over at a joke he didn’t seem to get. “I’ll suffer longer if I have to wait for her to stop her mad giggling.”

That seemed to be all that Elsie needed to hear. She still sounded reluctant to say it again, her cheeks were flush with what Walt could only assume was embarrassment rather than heatstroke as she finally finished her explaination. “He thought ya were sume kinda… Mail-orderSeesaibride.” She rushed out the words, eyes shut with complete mortification as she waited for his own response.

It took him a good moment of time to dissect her run-on into proper words, but the moment he got it… He howled with laughter too, fueling his sister’s sobering laughs all over again.

“Mail-order Seesai bride!?” He wheezed out, trying to remember how to breathe.

“Right?! Right?!” Willa kept laughing.

“I’m sorry!!” Elsie looked so mortified. “He does this all the time! Peach! He usta go hollerin’ ‘round ‘bout ALIENS too!! So embarrasin’!”

“Am I THAT pretty? Pretty enough to be mistake as some sorta of BRIDE?” Walt asked Willa with rare mirthfulness he rarely let leak out, laughing at the preposterous notion.

He knew he had looks. Guys had been sure to let him know in mocking tones before, jealous at how girls their age always seemed to swoon at his natural good looks. But this was perhaps the first time someone had mistaken him as a mail-order bride!!

“Maybe if you don’t talk and they see you at a distance. HAHAHA, maybe if you let me put makeup on you, the illusion would last. You’d look a proper Geisha maybe.”

The two of them dissolved once more into giggles and, realizing they were more amused than angry, Elsie decided she couldn’t stand their hysterics anymore and left.

However, Walt knew, the moment he DID meet her father, this Cooper fellow, he’d probably accidentally make himself look like a lunatic with how hard he’d start laughing a new. Light, he couldn’t wait to see what else Sandrock had in store for him.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of The Azure Dragon & More Sandrock Tales