The Mask of Needs
Neatly setting aside the tools into their proper place in several drawers, the clockmaker took out a small hammer and chisel. The delicate engraving process had to be done all at once, or it would have to be redone. Just as he was about to make the first mark, he heard faint coughing from the room overhead. Setting the two tools down, he quickly made his way upstairs, avoiding his many custom­made clocks scattered around the untidy workroom.
He hurried up the well­worn stairs. The large upstairs room seemed more like someone had knocked down the wall separating two separate bedrooms. On one side, matching wooden furniture was arranged carefully; the only item of clutter being a pile of cloths next to the bed. The other side looked more like a sea of metal than a room; casings, cogs and tiny screws coated the floor. Decks of cards were sitting in neat piles on top of a small chest of drawers. Only the two beds in the center of the space held the two halves apart, as if the sides of the room were opposing forces being held back by a physical barrier.
On the closer bed lay a girl with black hair, pale skin and a white night dress. Her eyes were blue but looked green or gray depending on the light; her nose was small but fit her face nicely, while her lips were a faint red colour.
The clockmaker gave her the glass of water on the bedside table. “Here, drink this,” he said in a soft voice, helping her to sit up enough to drink.
“Thank you, brother,” she said in a voice that was quiet as if it was being taken away by the wind. “I’m sorry if I took you from something important.”
“Now now, nothing is more important than looking after you. And I was pretty much done with what I was doing,” he smiled at her. “So no worries.”
The clockmaker wasn’t very tall, taller than most but not too tall, and he was quite thin for a 20­year­old. He was dressed smartly, as if he were visiting the elegant manor at the end of town. His hair was slightly scruffy, which would make you think that he stayed up late working. Despite his profession, he never carried a watch with him; he could always tell what time it was.
“How are you feeling?” he asked with a tilt of his head.
“Better than yesterday. I think I could go for a walk if I’m careful.” She sat up and smiled at him; her smile made her look prettier and it was one that could make any man do as she asked. The clockmaker looked at her for a second and thought about her response.
“Su, I know you would like to, but you do remember what happened last time.”
“I haven’t felt dizzy today and I won’t go near the fountain. I’ll also get Lusia to look after me.” At the sound of her name he blushed and coughed slightly.
“I guess you can go out, as long as she is with you.” He stopped and
thought for a moment. “Bring her over for lunch too. I haven’t thanked her for looking after you while I was away.”
“I will!” her voice was so happy and thankful that someone wouldn’t know she was ill if they were listening from outside the room.
“Do you need help getting ready, or do you need anything while you’re out?” he asked, standing.
“No I’ll be fine today, you get back to your work.” She smiled and slowly slid out of bed. She was small for a 17 year old, but no one questioned this due to her illness. He walked downstairs and made no delay in getting back to his work; the owner would be here soon.
He engraved the name of the owner, William Elden, onto it as well as his signature C.C.; Mr. Elden ran a well­known company that did business all over the country. The clockmaker sat back with the watch in his hand and admired how it turned out, looking at it as if he himself were the owner.
The door opened with a ring and the clockmaker rose to greet the customer. A tall man in a fashionable suit and large top hat stood there. His face was thin, with a long nose, well­kept eyebrows and sharp cheekbones. From his long, pointy ears he knew he was an elf.
He looked around the shop. While he wasn’t Mr. Elden, this man was also wellknowninthistown.HewasthedukeEralGrovenwho livedinthemanor at the end of town./
“You are Cornelious Clocksworth?” He said in a deep voice as he looked the clockmaker over.
“I am, what can I do for you?” Cornelious bowed to him and adjusted his clothes slightly, a habit he picked up from his father.
“I was told your timepieces are outstanding, even better than your father.” He walked over to the one of clocks at the side of the room, a large but simple clock in Cornelious’s opinion.
“I wouldn’t say that, but yes. Mine are indeed known for some miles out of the town.” Duke Groven turned back to him.
“One of the dukes in a neighbouring town says that he has had watches from this very shop as gifts, and I want to know why I hadn’t heard of your watches before this.” He looked down his nose at Cornelious arrogantly.
“I have already received an order for a watch from one of your servants, and I was to finish it on July 23, in two days’ time, sir.” he straightened his back and returned his gaze.
Just then the door opened again and in came Mr. Elden. He was short, stout and balding slightly. He had a large round nose with a pair of glasses sitting on it, making his eyes look a bit bigger. His cheeks were red as if he had run from somewhere and he had a slight black beard. His clothes were neat and fitted well.
“Hello gents, am I interrupting anything?” He said as he put his hands in his pockets.
“No, I was just leaving.” Duke Groven turned back to Cornelious. “I will come by and collect the watch myself. I will see you in 2 days, Clocksworth.” He turned and exited the shop. William looked back at the door.
“I never expected the duke to come pay you a visit himself. You’re going places, my boy,” he said with a chuckle.
“Hardly, I only get orders for small things lately. Come autumn things will be busier here.”
There was a big festival in autumn that happened in town where people from towns all over came to celebrate the founder of several towns in the country, Garnode Ferrlin. This festival was a great time for Cornelious to sell his clocks and watches. With towns growing in population each year, in addition to travelers, there were always new people to look over his wares.
Su came down the stairs one step at a time and weaved through the clocks.
“Good morning, Mr. Elden.” She curtsied and smiled at him. He blushed and bowed lower than he normally would and almost toppled over.
“Good morning to you too, and call me William. How are you feeling Susan?” She frowned slightly and looked at Cornelious.
“Could you refrain from calling her that, Mr. Elden? It’s one of the things I ask all my clients to do before they order something.” Cornelious turned Mr. Elden away so he didn’t see her tears.
Mr. Elden looked abashed.
“I’m deadly sorry, it slipped my mind. I have been busy organizing a trade of a shipment of apples.”
“It’s fine. Just remember to remember what she likes to be named.” Cornelious slipped the watch into Mr. Elden’s hand and stepped over to Su to hand her a cloth for her eyes. Mr. Elden looked at his watch.
“This is marvelous! I couldn’t have imagined it would turn out this good. Ifyouwouldmakeseveralhundredoftheseformetoselloff,we could be partners.” He said as he patted Cornelious on the back with his large fingers.
“Only if you buy every one of them from me, and give me the profit of what you make from them.” He smiled cheekily as he and Mr. Elden laughed.
“You really do want me out of business, don’t you? How much will this be?”
“150 gold. It’s made of all new components and it can’t be replicated.” His demeanor changed to that of a businessman right out of his training.
“Well at least you are trying to get your money’s worth out of me.” Mr. Elden smiled to himself with that little joke as he handed the money to him and headed out the shop door, holding it open for Lusia with a polite bow as she entered the shop.
Cornelious straightened himself up and adjusted his suit more noticeably than normal, as he always did when he was around her. He looked over at Su, who looked better now that William had left, then turned back to Lusia who was a foot away from him.
Lusia was a cheerful feline girl and was about a foot shorter than Cornelious. She had light brown hair with a side fringe that was tied up, a wide cat like nose, lips that seemed to stay in a smile despite what went on around her and yellowy green eyes. Her cat ears are atop of her head and tail comes out a hole in her dress.
“You’re always on edge around me, Mr. Watch. I hope you don’t see me as
an enemy,” she said with a large smile. Lusia was their childhood friend; she was always there to help look after Su. She called him Mr. Watch not because of his name, but from how he could tell the time just like any clock; in addition, he put watches together with ease, like they were part of his being.
Lusia rubbed his cheek then moved quickly over to Su, before Cornelious could respond properly, and held her hands.
“You look wonderful in that dress.” She had already seen the dress when she came in, so she kept looking at Su’s eyes. “I bet you could make everyone turn their heads.”
“You really think so?” She did a little twirl and her green and blue dress followed her movement. “Cornelious got it for me not too long ago; I never get to wear any of the things he gets me that often.” She looked a little shy as she said it.
“Well now you can show this one off to all the townspeople,” she said quickly, trying to cheer her up. Su smiled at her friend’s words and thanked her with a hug. Cornelious opened the safe hidden in the largest clock where the clockwork should be. He collected and counted the gold before handing it to Su.
“There is 50 gold there, it should be enough for anything you need. I you need more than just come back an­”
“I don’t think I need anymore, I still have the money from last time.” Su interrupted and offered it back. He shook his head and pushed her hand back.
“You keep it. Get anything you like, my treat.” He smiled as her face lit up and she hugged him
“Thank you so much! You get some sleep, brother, I know you haven’t been.” Su said with a concerned look. “When was the last time you slept?”
“I um, around 2 days I would say but I did have to get that watch finished. I also have another one to get finished in 2 days as well.” he said quickly trying to make it seem like it wasn’t his fault.
“You mean the one for the Duke? I did a little of that in bed, one sec.” With that said, she went upstairs. They heard her rummage around a little then she came down with a small chest. She opened it to show a watch made out of high quality parts, the inner workings almost done, but without a casing to hold everything in.
“Wow,” he said a little speechless, taking it out of the chest. “I haven’t seen workmanship like this since, uh well, our father when he made that watch for the man in Kevlyn city.” Everyone went silent. It was Lusia that spoke first.
“So when did you start it?” she said as she looked at it.
“3 weeks ago when he got the order, I worked on it an hour a night when he thought I was sleeping.” She looked proud of herself at what she had made.
“Thank you, but you should have been sleeping. I can get it done faster now that it’s close to completion.” He smiled at Su and patted her on the head; she was smiling much wider now.
“So, yeah we should get going then,” Lucia said impatiently. “I’ll have her home before it gets late, don’t you worry, Mr. Watch.” She took Su’s hand and led her out of the shop, giving them both time to wave goodbye to each other.
“Hmm, sleep doesn’t seem too bad right now” he said to himself as he looked at the watch his sister had pieced together, and put it back in the chest.“Nooneelseshouldturnuptoday.” Heputthechestinthesafeand went upstairs to get some well­earned rest.
The town was called Ferrlin, some people said Garnode Ferrlin named it after himself, while others said the townspeople named it after him later; no one is completely sure. It was larger than most and had several rivers running through it, separating the different parts of the town. To the east was the living quarters where most of the people in town lived, the centre was the main plaza and shops where Su and Cornelious lived, and lastly the west was where the upper class lived.
Su and Lusia were sitting under a tree with a basket of apples that they had bought.
“You need to tell him someday that you don’t like guys that way.” Su said as she bit into her apple.
“We’ve been through this. I can’t just waltz up to him and say, ‘hey there, Mr. Watch; no offence, but I find your genitals repulsive and I find your sister attractive.’ It won’t end well for anyone.” Lusia sighed at her apple like it was the problem. “And besides, he is too nice of a guy to make sad. He liked me for most of his life after all, so I can at least let him have that.” Su looked at her and set her finished apple aside.
“Well teasing him like you do will only make him want to ask you to be his in time.”
“Not if you make sure he doesn’t.” Lusia took a big bite out of her apple.
“Shall we go look around town? There might be something great lurking around a shop or two,” Su said to change the subject, “and you can’t have me you know, I don’t like girls that way.” she got up and collected the apple basket.
“Yes, yes, I know,” she said with a mouth full of apple. “Let’s get going.” she got up and smiled at her, a bit more cheerful.
As they made their way around the market district, they bought a few items at various shops: some food, a necklace, a hat for Cornelious (Su knew he owned some but hid them), a new pack of cards and a new pair of shoes.
When they left the last shop they looked at a stray cat that they sometimesfed. Lusiawentoveritrightawayandoffereditapieceoffish. She took the fish and mewed her thanks to her which made her happy.
“Here you go Kunvora, I got it just for you.” she said happily to her. “How are you today?” Su crouched and asked her friend. And the cat meowed at them.
Kunvora was brown and white with a black patch on her side. Her fur was
slightly unkempt on her back and legs. She was not very large and had a little bit off her ear from a fight was another cat or a dog.
“She said she is fine and thank you for the fish.” Lusia said as she sneakily put her hand on Su. She looked at her and smiles and Su only smiled back, might as well let her have hold her hand she thought. “Su, you should take her to your house I’m sure she would like to live there.” she turned to Kunvora whose ears perked up with interest.
“Oh, I don’t know she might get lost in something, or get hurt on something.” She protested thinking of things that could happen to her in the cluttered area that is her home.
“She’ll be fine.” Lusia picked Kunovra up and petted her between her ears, she got a purr in response and smiled. “I would but I can’t because of my parents and the orphanage rules.”
Su thought about keeping the cat. Lusia lived in a orphanage and looked after the children with her parents. She was one once but was adopted by the humans that own the orphanage, she looks after them as much as the children at their old age.
“I guess I should let her live at my house.” Su sighed and scratches Kunvora behind the ear and she leaned into her fingers. “it will be nice to have someone keep me company when everyone is busy.” A smile broke across her their faces as Kunvora jumps into Su’s arms and nuzzles against her and purrs deeply.
After they bought some food and cat toys they sat down at a bench.
“How much do you have left?” Lusia checked to make sure everything they bought was there.
“15 gold left. We almost spent it all... But I guess it’s ok though, it is mine after all.” Su said after counting the money and putting it away.
“Yet you spent a lot of it on Mr. Watch,” she said as she poked at the hat and shoes. “Can he even fit in those? I don’t think anyone looks at his feet, and they look a little, weird.”
“I had the shoemaker come and measure his feet and asked him what he wanted them to look like.” she said picking them up. They were shaped like normal but had lines around the sides, different shades of brown and black and a circle at the front. “but for some reason Cornelious wanted them like this.” Lusia shrugged.
“He has a reason for everything he does I guess.” she said as she moved a little closer to Su.
With Su being in bed of her illness most of her life, Lusia told her what happened around the town even ever she had time. They didn’t know what she had, but they know she is lucky to have lived as long as she has. A doctor comes to her house every week to check how she’s been doing and make sure her illness hasn’t gotten worse in any way.
Lusia told her about what she sees as she goes about her days, anything she sees Su might like and the local news and gossip. Su would also talk about what happened at home; what she had gotten up to and about her brother working on watches, she watches him from time to time while he works. Other towns folk walk past and give Su a polite greeting and ask how she’s feeling. No one brings up that the last time Su went out she felt dizzy and fell into a fountain.
Kunvora slept between them in the warm sun as it moved slowly across the sky.
When they finish talking about things Su looks up at the sky, there wasn‘t very many clouds out but the ones that were moved slowly in the wind.
“It’s such a nice day today.” she kicked her feet a little. Lusia was looking at her and smiling when her ear prickled up and looked over at someone coming closer. Kunvora jumped off the bench and ran behind a tree. Su went after her but didn’t take her eyes off the man. When the man thought she was out of hearing range she spoke in a low voice.
“Su Clocksworth I presume.” Said a tall man with pointy ears, a top hat and a long nose walked up to them with snigger of a smile. His eyes were like emeralds shining in the sunlight that drew Su in. “I am yes, can I help you?” she stood and looked up at him and he smiled down at her.
“A matter of fact yes, yes you can.” he offered her his hand and she took it, they want for a walk and left Lusia with the shopping.
The manor was big, bigger then their house. It strained Corneliouses neck as he looked up at it. There were many windows, a garden with trees and many different plants and a large door.
“Now Cornelious, I need you to be on your bes­+t behaviour while you’re in there. If something goes whole while we are in there it could cost me a client, a very important one at that.” As he said that the door was opened and greeted by a servant who lead them into the entrance hall where they were told to wait. There were small tables with plants on them at the sides, large doors, a large painting on the roof and a blue carpet. Cornilious looked up at his father as they waited.
His father was a tall man and in dark blue suit. His hair styled so it goes back over his head, his eyes were blue, his nose large with a small scar on it. He looked back and Cornilious and smiled at him, it was full of life and cheerful, a smile that could make anyone happy. For some reason he didn’t feel very happy, he was happy at looking at his father but there was sadness to, as if he missed him while he was right there. Despite this feeling he smiled back.
They waited ten minutes and then they were taken to a large room with bookcases at the far end, paintings between windows that look upon the garden and large couch in the centre. At the very end there was a man at a desk.
The man was the duke. He was an elf so despite his age he looked handsome; a strong jaw long nose, bright green eyes, blond hair and long ears. He smiled at his guests.
“Hello Mr. Clocksworth!” he said getting up and looked at Cornelious, “Oh and another Clocksworth, I must be in good hands with this then.” At that Cornelious blushed, he didn’t think he was that great at making clocks. he wasn’t even there to help make the clock. He was only there to see how some jobs are accepted.
His father moved closer to the duke and shook his hand.
“What clock would you have me make duke?” Cornilious couldn’t hear what they said as everything went dark and he all he could hear was a faint hum. The next thing he knew his father was preparing for a trip to deliver some watches to another town.
“You watch the shop while I’m gone, and look after your sister. If you need anything ask Lusia’s parents.” His father said to him just before he left and said with a smile. “I wont be long, don‘t you worry.“ Cornelious wanted him not to go, he wanted him to stay here where it’s safe. No matter how much Cornelious wanted to say something, he couldn’t. His Father left him and Su, soon after he left was attacked by bandits and died.
Cornelious woke up with tears running across his face. He sat up and looked at the wall for a minute to think about what just happened.
“Adream,justadream,butwhydidIdreamofthattimeall ofa sudden?” he said to himself. Talking to himself always calmed him down at times like this.
After their father died they managed to get by with Cornelious’s watch making. As he got better more people noticed his works and very quickly he became well renowned in many towns across the country.
He sat there for a while thinking of the past. His mother died while giving birth to Su and how she wanted her to be called Susan. His mother looked like an older Su so he didn’t need to know what she could have looked like if she wasn’t ill. Su thinks it’s her fault for her dieing and only uses part of her name despite how many times he tells her she couldn‘t have done anything to her to kill her. As Su got the age of 11 she stopped growing, her face looks looked her age, but the rest of her body didn’t change much. Because of her illness she often needed to stay in bed. When she was feeling well enough to get out of bed she watched Cornelious make watches, played with Lusia and learned how to cook and make clothes. She looked after her brother as much as he looked after her, he wouldn’t eat or sleep without her reminding him.
Cornelious came back from his thoughts when he heard voices and he smell the chicken coming from down steers. Wiping his face on his sleeve he got out of bed and headed down to see who Su was talking to.
The ground floor was a large room with many clocks on one side. It was separated into 3 sections. The first was his working area, which was close to thedoor.Inthecenterof theroomhadenoughspacetowalkbetweensomeof theclocks.totheendoftheroom therewasakitchenwithaloweredroof sutible for Only Su to stande properly.
When he got there he found Su and Lusia getting dinner ready. They both smiled at him and giggled. “You look cute when you sleep.” Lusia joked as she chopped some vegetables. He blushed and straightened up, a little embarrassed that she seen him sleeping. She laughed at his reaction.
“Brother could you get the table ready?“ Su said as she watching the chicken cook hungrily.
He went to the table and moved his tools off of it, found a good spot for them where nothing could happen to them, put a clean table cloth over it and started to put down the cutlery.
“How long have you been home?” Cornelious asked Su from the table as he set down cutlery.
“A few hours ago, we had some fun looking around town.” she took out the chicken and put it on the counter. “we also met some people too.” Lusia looked at her then went back to the vegetable.
“That’s good to hear.” he looked at the basket they took with them. “What did you get today?” he asked interestedly to them both.
“Some food, nothing that I wouldn’t get.” Su pushed the question away, not wanting to say about the things she got him. “we talked more then shopped.” She smiled at Lusia who was busy in thought. Kunvora jumped onto the table and sat next to Cornelious. He looked at her and petted her.
“Why is there a cat here?” Kunvora leaned into his hand. “Did we always have a cat?” He stopped to think about that, could he have had a cat and not notice? Surely he would have caught glimpse of it if they did.
“That’s Kunvora.” Lusia said, finally back in the room from where ever her thoughts took her. “Su decided she needed a good home.” Su looked at friend with a thankful smile and she returned the smile, a little sadder than she hoped it would be.
He nodded and picked her up. “It will be good to have a cat around.” he scratches behind her ear and she leaned into it and started to purr. “It will make this place more lively.” He understood well that Su needed something to get her spirits up when she’s feeling her worst.
Su and Lusia put the food on the table then Cornelious served the food while they sat and talked.
“The children then hid the food they didn’t like in the floorboards and forgot about it, when they did remember it had gotten all rotten and everyone had to clean it up,” Lusia said with a smile. “they now eat anything put in front of them and only complaint.”
Su giggled and picked up her knife and fork. She turned her attention to her brother. “Thank you for serving the food.”
“You’re welcome.” Cornelious bowed and took his seat. “What did you see in town?”
“There was a wolfman in town called Phierl and he made bubbles out of water and soap!” Su said in a slightly louder voice full of excitement. “He’s leaving soon though, did you know that wolf people travel the world and don’t live in one place? he told me that. We also met the nice lady down the street and she got married a few weeks ago. The man at the food shop gave us some apples, I think I’ll make apple pie.” she wiggled a little in her seat a little out of breath. “It was a very exciting day.”
Lusia looked at Su then went back to her food. “What did you dream of?”
she asked changing the subject.
Cornelious did his best to hide any expression from his face. “I was
maid of gears and ticked with every movement and had to be wound up every few hours. It was hard getting a hat on, or even a good suit.” He shook his head. That was a dream he had a few nights ago, he didn’t want to bring up his father right now.
“Aren’t you already a clock person, Mr Watch?” Lusia said with a broad smile and Su giggled. “We need to wind you up every time you sleep.” Both Lucia and Su started to laugh.
Cornelious smiled wide and showed his teeth. “That would be pretty interesting if it were true. You both know how light I sleep so you couldn’t be able to get close without me waking up.” He poked at the tomatoes with his fork.
Cornelious didn’t always use to be a light sleeper. He slept heavily until his and Su’s dad died. From then on he didn’t get much sleep at all and when he did it was only a light sleep.
“Eat your tomatoes you won't get big and strong s me if you don’t.” Su said jokingly and showed him her bicep.
“They taste terrible and help me in no way that I know of.” he poked it closer to Kunvora and she looked at him and nosed it back across to him.
They sat there and stared at each other for a moment then he dropped his head and slowly ate them. Su and Lusia looked from Cornelious and Kunvora in astonishment.
He looked up at them both. “She has a persuasive argument.” he said with a small not to the cat as she proudly walked off the table and across the room , looking around the house more.
Lusia spoke slowly to him. “She didn’t say anything, I would have heard it.”
All felines can understand there animal cousins as if they were actual cats themselves. It’s like that with every animal person, some can even understand animals close to the animal family that they belong to. Only people closely related to humans can’t understand animals like dwarfs and half elves. Full elves are in tone with the forests and the animals that live there, some elves however no longer live in forests and forget how to keep in contact with their old roots.
Cornelious nodded. “She might not have spoken but it doesn’t mean she didn’t talk. She’s a clever cat, I can read her mind slightly.” They both looked at him as if he were mad. “Don’t give me that look. It’s a gift from our mother.” He looked at Su. “You should also have the same power. You just need to try and learn how to use it.”
Silence filled the room. Very few knew about his power, he didn’t intend to say anything about his power to anyone without reason, but especially not Su.
“Our mother was a very special lady, not many people have the power thatshe had.” he looked at the wall and scratches the back of his neck. “We inherited that power from her, we only need to awaken it inside us. I can’t read the minds of the humanoids but i can read the minds of cat's or a dogs.”
He paused and looked at su who was staring back with a shocked face. He excused himself from the table without a word to them and went outside for a walk. Best to leave them to talk about it amongst themselves, he thought, things would just get worse if I spoke further.
It was dark outside. The moon stood out, surrounded by a sea of bright stars. The wind blew small clouds though the sky as if they were leaves being swept away. Street lamps were being lit to add a soft golden glow to the street.
The few people who roamed the streets were hunched over under their coats to block the early autumn chill; ears and tails tucked away into warm hoods and pockets. They smiled at him as he passed and he politely smiled and nodded in response.
He enjoyed night walks; they often helped him relax after a full day’s work. The wind cooled his face gently and made his hair blow back.
Cornelious was heading to the market. Not many humans went there at night; mostly because they don’t find many things they like but Cornelious usually finds everything he needs there. After all, at night the market is a lot different than in the day.
When he entered the market square, there were new stalls manned by felines, a few canines and a wolfman.
In Ferrlin there were normally 2 types of Otherkin; felines, canines and the occasional wolfman from time to time. Draconians normally lived farther south in the deserts; the feathered, in the high treetops of the east. All manner of Otherkin lived around the world. A few hundred years ago humans often attacked them for resources. There was a treaty to keep humans to their respected lands unless they get permission to enter at a town in another's territory. Ever since then humans were seen as Otherkin as well.
When Cornelious walked around the market, after some time looking, he found the stall he was looking for, they often changed their position every night.
“If it isn’t the master clock men, late as normal!” Laughed the large feline behind the stall. “Did you fall asleep at the desk again, or was it Su bating your ear off about not eating right.”
“It’s another matter that doesn’t have anything to do with those.” He said, looking at him sternly. “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t talk about it Gromar.”
Gromar was large for a feline; his fur was striped and larger than other felines and he had bigger muscles too. He said his mother was from the south beyond the desert.
Gromar scratched the back of his neck. “So you told her about that, did it slip or?”
“It slipped.” Cornelius's shoulders dropped, feeling a little defeated.“I tried so hard hiding it from her, and we get a cat and it, well, was let out of the bag.” He smiled and Gromar laughed.
“Don’t worry you will make it through the night without things going sour between you. You always come back from bad things stronger I say.”
“Yet you haven’t managed to win over Mareen.” Replied Cornelious teasingly.
“Ah, well maybe it isn’t strength I need to get her.” Gromar's shoulders slouched. “She made it clear that she wants a smart guy.”
“I thought you were with how you manage to get money out of people. And how you manage to build that tree a new house.”
“Hey I didn’t mean to have it fall and you know it.” Gromar protested raising a finger.
“Then next time don’t try to show someone how things work.” Cornelious laughed.
“If you came here to make fun of me then beat it, I have customers to attend to.” He hold out his arms to empty space around Cornelious.
“You know me better than that, Gromar. You were one of the people I was looking for.” Cornelious says looking around. “Have you seen Marty and Leeval? They owe me something and tonight I intend to get it.”
Gromar looks around. “They were over at the east entrance last I saw them. They looked like they had something suspicious on them, the way the moved.”
“That will be for me. I have no idea why they would be acting like that unle­” Cornelioses face dropped. “They better not have.”
“What?”
“I’ll be back.” Cornelios turned and ran through the crowd.
Cornelious looked at every stall as he ran towards the eastern entrance.
Onlookers looked at him with surprise on their face, Cornelious has never been seen running; at least not away from his house at night, so they assumed can only assume the worst.
He kept running until he saw 2 sets of small ears keeping over a stall and slowed as she neared.
“Where did you steal it.” he said loud enough for them to hear but not for anyone else around him.
Marty and Leeval jumped and peeked their heads over the stall and relaxed when they saw him. They both climbed up onto the stall counter.
The twins were both little felines with small noses and big smiles revealing little sharp teeth. Their fur was a light grown with black patches on it, as well as a black ring around opposite eyes. They manned a stall and “gathered” things for people for money, half the time it was stolen and only half of their customers cared.
“We did nothing wrong” Marty said puffing his chest out.
“We got all the things we have fair and square this time.” Said Leeval hiding behind her brother.
“Then why were you seen looking suspicious tonight?” Crossing his arms, Cornelious raised an eyebrow at them.They both looked at each other and said at the same time. “We were being chased for taking some bread from the bakers.” They looked at there feet.
“We just wanted something to eat.” Leeval cried as she started to tear up. Marty was holding back his tears and put a comforting arm around her.
People were looking now, Cornelious always ended up making these two cry somehow. So this sight wasn’t too rare to most of them, but others didn’t want to get involved with him too much.
Kneeling down so he was at eye level with them he said calmly. “No one is telling you off, it was a misunderstanding. For that I’m sorry.” That was always true when dealing with the twins, they always never know what is wrong or others see what they are doing as such.
They were both now crying, Leeval was sobbing and wiping tears away just to need to more. Marty was crying silently on his sister's shoulder.
“How about you come with me, I’ll give you some food. you don’t need to be alone, I’m always willing to help you.” Cornelious gathered them in his arms and they both presses close and cried louder. A small crowd was watching them now. “But first could you give me the thing I wanted?”
Marty moved out of his arms and jumped off of the stall, Leeval clung to him and she didn’t look like she was about to let go. Marty jumped up and held out a small sack. He took it and looked in then put it into his pocket. “Where did you get them?” He asked a little concerned.
“We worked very hard and used all our savings, we know she shouldn’t have. But your money wasn’t enough.” Marty was crying more and he pressed against him again.
Feeling guilty Cornelious held them both close. “Will pay you as well when we get to my house. You earned it.” He picked them up and they held onto his shirt. When he turned there was a few angry faces in the crowd. He steeled himself and walked through them, holding his head high. Asking these children to get what he wanted was a bad choice but he will make it right.
A lot of people hated Cornelious, and there was a good reason. People called him the cursed clock. If you have ever been close to him in any way you will have terrible happen to you. They think his family being dead or ill was his fault. They can think that all they want. It was nothing more than a coincidence and they know it. He headed over to Gromar only to find he was very busy with customers. He decided to call it a night and head home with the twins.
Leaving the market without the things he needed will cause some problems but Cornelious could make do with what he had lying around his house.
“You should know Lusia is at my house right now, you need to talk with her sooner or later.” They both nodded slowly and presses close to his warm body.
Cornelious stopped and sighed when he reached his house, looked at the front door for a few seconds and headed in. Su and Lusia went silent when he entered. He walked over to the table and set Marty on his chair, Leeval didn’t want to let go of him.
Letting out a gasp Lusia moved over to them. “You’re both ok! Everyone has been so worried.” She gathered Marty in her arms and held him close. Marty pressed close to her. “We missed you too but we don’t like living
there. Everyone is mean and smell annoying.” He hides his face in ger chest. “Even you sometimes.”
“Oh.” She stroked his head and sat with him on her lap. “I didn’t know.”
“Is there any food left,” Cornelious broke the drawing silence before it could begin. “They are hungry and need some food.” He rocked Leeval gently to calm her.
Su nodded and started to make them a plate each. “It’s a bit cold.” Her voice had the hint of puzzlement.
Setting Leeval down next to her brother to eat he went off to his desk to start working on the watch for the duke.
He looked over the work his sister did on the watch he gave her and smiled at it, It was very well made indeed, and began to finish the watch. A little time passed and he had no idea what people were doing or saying in the house. The only thing that mattered was the watch he was making, it had to get done or the duke won't be happy and he was never kind to whoever got him like that.
After an hour of carefully completing the watch, he was disturbed by someone tugging on his shirt. Looking around him with blinking eyes he found that the room was empty and heard talking from upstairs; best he not try to find out what about. He noticed Leeval standing next to him holding his shirt.
“Hello, Leeval,” Cornelious smiled softly at her. “Is there anything I can help you with.”
“I want to sit with you.” She replied in a small voice.
“I’m a little busy right now, why don’t you get some sleep, or play with your brother?” No one bothered him with work so Cornelious didn’t know how to respond.
Leeval shook her head. “He is sleeping in your bed and Su and Lusia are being too loud for me to sleep.” Her eyes started to tear up slowly.
Picking her up gently Cornelious set her on his lap in view of what he was working on. “You can watch me finish the watch, try not to touch anything until I say. You get to help me with this watch.” He smiled down at her as she looked up at him with a big smile on her face.
Cornelious showed Leeval the parts as he put them onto the watch, moving his hands slowly and ever so slightly to get the pieces into place. She happily watched and took in every piece like it was the most important thing in the world.
“Now it’s your turn.” He put the finished workings down and took the casing out from a draw. It was far more extravagant looking then any other watch he sold recently; a few rubies, pattern engraved onto it, all put on by hand. “I want you to slot it into the casing.” he handed her the workings.
She now looked worried. “W­what if I break it?” her voice trembled.
“You wont. Here i’ll help you.” he took her hands and gently guided them over the casing and lowered the workings. All you need to do is let go now and it will go into it’s place.”
She let go and closed her eyes.
Cornelious pressed it into place and screwed it in. “There, see, you did
great.” He said putting the class piece in place before holding it up to admire it.
Leeval opened her eyes and looked at it. A small smile lined across her face. She reached to it and felt the glass.
“Now it’s all ready for it to be picked up.”Cornelious said putting it into a draw. He gently put Leeval onto the floor and got up. “I’m sorry about what happened with the errand I sent you and your brother on, I didn’t think they would cost so much.” He walked across the room to his clock safe and opened it.
Leeval moved closer to see what he was doing. “Its ok, you didn’t know it would be more than you gave us.” she said in a small voice.
“And for that I am sorry. Because of this I will give you something for that.” Cornelious turned and handed her a sack of gold, compared to her it looked like more than it actually was. “The same amount I gave you for the errand.”
Her eyes widened and her lip quivered a little. “B­but you don’t need to give us more money,” her voice now higher than when she started talking. “You already gave us the money.”
Leeval held up the money to Cornelious and blocked her face from him. A slight sniffle could be heard from her.
Cornelious thought for a minute and looked at the ceiling, the familiar wood stretched out before him. The muffled laughter from upstairs making Leevals sniffing sound even louder.
He took the money from her and put it back into the safe and turned to her, knelt down and gave her the small bag they had given her only a few hours ago. “Take this.” She looked up at him with wide eyes and opened her mouth to speak but he cut in before she could. “You bought them so they are now yours, I’m not in need of them anymore.”
Leeval held the bag close with a little smile and cried quietly to herself. “Thank you, Corneliou.” she said happily though the tears.
The door opened suddenly and Leeval jumped when the bell rang and hid behind Cornelious who made his way closer to his guest.
“Hello, how may I help you.” he said to the stranger at the door.
He was wearing a dark gray cloak and had big heavy boots. His shirt was a blue with some silver across the chest. His face was hidden behind the shadow of his hood like a dark mask. “I’m here for a watch Mr Clocksworth.”
“Then you came to the right place, is there anything in particular that you had in mind?” Cornelious came closer to the mad but this only made him feel uneasy.
“Just a standard watch will do, nothing special.” there was a pause. “I can only pay you in a painting, it’s worth a lot of money, and is all I have.”
Cornelious looked him over, he hadn’t moved in the slightest since he came in, like a statue had came into his shop and decided this is where it will live. “That might not do on it’s own sir, I can’t just ma­”
“This is a very important painting and you will see why in the future.” There was a long pause from the stranger. “I can give you 10 gold along with the painting, but you must take the painting.”
It didn’t look like Cornelious would get a better deal from him. “It seems I have no choice then, I can have it done in 2 days.” The stranger stood there like he was processing in this information then nodded.
“I shall be back for the watch by midday.” and without another word he turned and walked out the shop.
Everything was quiet aside from Leeval breathing nervously. Cornelious turned to find Su and Lusia standing there watching Cornelious. It was Lusia that broke the silence.
“You aren’t serious about taking that job are you?” she said with a wave at the door. “For all we know he it up to no good and that painting is stolen.”
“And if it is I will need to give it back when the time comes.”