Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/02/2018
The sky had gone completely dark by the time Alina reached the castle front. She looked up toward the large, intimidating oak door. Behind her, the stars twinkled in the sky like a carpet of jewels. Although Alina bundled herself in one of Anja's smaller jackets, the sleeves still extended past her hands where they hung like a couple of elephant trunks.

"Uhm... Hellooooooo?"

Alina looked around warily, hoping no one would come out and scold her. She shivered a bit, and pulled her hood over her head more.

"Hello? Bernard told me to ask for Healer Bernard!"

Realizing her voice probably wasn't loud enough she looked around for another way to get their attention. Above her head was a large iron knocker, but it clearly wasn't made for someone her size.

"Nnnnnnnnnnnng!"

Standing on her tippy-toes Alina reached out a sleeved hand for the handle. But unfortunately she barely missed it, causing her to pout.

"Stupid Knockers!"

She jumped at the knocker, swiping her sleeves at the wrought iron rod. This managed to make a few small knocks, but it probably still wasn't loud enough.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/02/2018
Coming down the main hall, Beth looked around, confused, as they approached the main door. "I thought... why are we here? We were going towards the stables, sis."

Bella, still with a squawking chicken in her hand, laughed at that. "It's quicka' if we go dis way, ya? Just gotta pop out da front, run 'round da side, clear da little side moat, den slip in through dat servant door to da stables. Donna 'ave ta deal wit' all dem halls and stairs and stuff."

Beth frowned at her. "What? That would only be faster if... wait you run all the way around the castle?!"

Her wayward sister shrugged, shoving open the large, iron bound front door. "Ya, why not? I told ya, it's quicka'!"

Beth groaned. "I am not going to run all the way around the- hey, did you hit someone?"

Glancing out the door, there appeared to be a girl in a huge coat on the ground, where the big iron door slammed open into her face.(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/02/2018
”EEP!”

As right as Alina managed grab onto the iron handle the door opened abruptly. The poor little clung on for dear life as she flew into the air, and then back. Upon hitting the door for the second time she collapsed to the floor on her bum.

Sniff

Alina lay dazed on the cobbled stone floor, tears streaming from her eyes.

“W-w-wa”

After wiping her nose with her sleeve she looked up to the 2 girls that opened the door with her tear stained eyes.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

She burst into tears as the adrenaline wore off and the pain burned throughout her body.(edited)
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/02/2018
Beth's eyes went wide at the girl crying suddenly at their feet. "Wha- what did you do, sis?!"

"Oh 'ey, it's a little girl! Whoops, dinna mean ta hit a kid..."

Bella tossed the madly flapping chicken over her shoulder to Beth, then leaned down, an easy smile coming onto her face. "Oh 'ey dere, you ok?"

She helped he girl sit up a little, wiping her face with the edge of the girl's own coat. "Sorry dere, I dinna mean ta hit ya..."

Meanwhile Beth desperately tried to prevent her own face getting pecked off behind her.(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/02/2018
“Sniffle My nose hurts.”

Alina pulled Cookie from under her jacket again and gave him a squeeze.

The pain had already began to numb, and for the most part she looked fine, except for her teary face.

“I wish Anja was here.”(edited)
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/02/2018
"'ey, dats alright, ya gonna be ok, ya?" Bella petted her hair with her palm.

"Who's dis Anja? Ya mom?"

She turned to look back at Beth, who had finally managed to wrestle the chicken into a bag, and tied it to her hip. She shrugged and came over.

"Is Anja one of the palace servants? I am afraid we simply do not know them all by name, but we could see if she is on shift tonight."(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/02/2018
“She’s my...”

Alina paused as she considered what Anja was to her. She already had a mom, but she was probably very far away. Could she have 2 moms?”

“Uhmm...I don’t think so. She brings me with her hunting since I’m helpful.”

She looked around and noticed the chicken assaulting lighter colored girl’s face.

“Oh yea! Bernard told me to come here and ask for Healer Bernard if she didn’t come back by the day’s end!”

Alina seemed mostly fine now.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/02/2018
Beth stood up, helping the other girl to her feet. "Ah, you are... A hunter?"

She shot Bella a confused look. She doesn't look like a hunter...

Bella shrugged at the unspoken confusion. "Ya know Old Man Bernard? How do ya... Wait. Woah! Ya ears! Dere cool, are ya a shifter, like Hichi?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/02/2018
“Nuh uh! I just help with traps and carrying meat!”

Alina proudly held Cookie in the air as she said so. Upon mentioning Bernard Alina nodded, but stopped halfway when they noticed the ears.

“Ah-uh-awawawawawa”

She quickly pulled her hood over hear ears, whimpering softly. Anja was going to be super grumpy if she found out how many people found out today.
September 3, 2018
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Nonono, dey look cute, ya shouldn't-" Bella reached out to touch them before the hood could come back up.

"Oh stop it, quit bothering the poor thing." Beth came over, a firm tone to her voice, cutting her sister off.

"You say you know Bernard? How did you know he was here, we have been moving around a lot lately. Are you... family or something? His granddaughter or something?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina shook her head.

“Bernard told me to come to the castle if Anja didn’t come back by the day’s end!”

Alina puffed her cheeks and held Cookie above her head.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Beth shrugged. "Well... we can help there... Alright, come along now, we shall go find him."

Bella followed along, half ducking to see the stuffed animal Alina was carrying around with her. "'ey, wats dis guy? 'e looks cool, did ya make dat?"

She reached out to touch it, running a finger along the tail.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
“His name is Cookie!”

Alina handed Bella the narwhal, happy that she seemed to like him.

“He’s a narwhal! Momma made him!”
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Woah, dis guy's pretty cool!" Bella squeezed Cookie, tossed him up a little once, then caught him and handed him back. "I used ta have one like dis, it was... like... a bear or somesuch... but den our town burned down, so dat was dat."

"It was a rabbit, Bella." Beth called back, amused at how well Bella seemed to get along with the girl. Children always seemed to like her sister more, maybe she could get on their mental level, or something. Though...

She glanced back, with a frown. How old was this kid, anyway?
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
“Burned... down?”

Alina shivered as she tried to not imagine her loosing Cookie from a burning town, and hugged him closer. Once she felt a bit better she stuffed him under her jacket, where he disappeared as if Alina never had him.

Noticing the lighter colored girl was frowning Alina moved over to tug on her sleeve.

“Hey hey! Is that our chicken? Does she have a name?”
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"It was along time back, dese tings 'appen tho, right?" Bella shrugged, clearly unconcerned about the past.

"...yes... they... they just happen, who knows why..." Beth frowned a the memory, clearly concerned about the past.

"Your chicken? Uh..." She looked down at her hip, where the bag with the chicken in it bucked and kicked every so often.

"I'ma gonna make it inta bacon!" Bella called out.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Bacon?"

Alina tilted her head to the side, causing her hood to flop with it.

"I thought bacon was from pigs. But maybe it can be from chicken too!"

Alina liked bacon and chicken, maybe they't taste better together!
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Ya, ya! See, dats what I was thinkin', ya take a chicken, and ya... I dunno... turn it... inta bacon! And then bam! Chicken Bacon!"

Bella bounced excitedly at someone else agreeing with her. Beth just rolled her eyes.

"So... how do you know Bernard, then?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Chicken Bacon Chicken Bacon!"

Alina bounced along with Bella in excitement. She wondered why Beth didn't seem as excited but didn't worry about to much.

"Eh? Bernard. I dunno he found me after a big pirate guy carried me out of the slums. He tried to help find Anja but she wasn't at the arena."
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Wait... big... pirate guy? Salt Beard? Who are you?" Beth gave the girl a hard look, mind racing. How long has this girl been following us? How does she know everyone already? Is she an assassin?

Beth dropped back a step, outwardly smiling, waving Bella to take the lead.

Bella continued on, bouncing along with her new friend. "See, first we was down gettin' food for Impulse, den we decided ta make bacon, but pork bacon is lameo, so I saw dat chicken and though, 'Why not chicken bacon!'"

She grinned, looking towards Alina. "So... what do ya hunt? Like dragons and stuff? I hear dere pretty good eatin', if ya can find one!"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Huh huh! Salty Beard!"

Alina bobbed her head happily. But blanched when she mentioned hunting dragons. She shook her head quickly, almost letting her hood fall back, which she quickly pulled over again.

"No dragons! Hunting dragons is mean!"
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Huh. I dunno, I knows a dragon, she's kinda cool, but kinda mean, too, ya know? 'least she's got a cool hat, but still..." Bella pushed her hat up, scratching her head.

"Why, you know a dragon, or something? Ohh... you know Old Man Bernard, and Salty Boi, so maybe you know Zums, too! Do you know Zums?"

Bella grabbed her hand, almost knocking the hood askew again.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina tried to remember if she knew any mean dragons with hats. Plenty were mean, but none of them wore hats, especially cool ones.

“Zums?”

Alina didn’t know any Zums, but it sounded like a fun name.

“Zum Zums!”
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"See? She knows Zums, too, sis! I told ya I dinna make her up!"

"Yes, Bella, I know, I met her myself, remember?"

"Oh... oh ya. When ya went off on dat little side trip wit' Old Man Bernard."

They continued to bicker back and forth good naturedly as the entered the castle, beginning the long sets of stairs that would take them up to the Kingsguard quarters. Not as high as the King's chambers, but still above the barracks, to keep them close to the Royal Quarters as needed.

As the reached the last hall to take them to their rooms, Beth called up to Alina, from her spot behind the girl. "So your friend hunts? Is she a guard? Does she work for the castle? We have taken some losses, perhaps she came to try out to help fill spots?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina tilted her head the other way and thought about what they hunted.

“Uhmm... bears, wolves, deer, Anja said she hunted a direwolf once!”

Alina bounced along behind the 2 and wondered what other kind of animals they could hunt.

“Saltbeard asked if she could join too but I haven’t asked. She might, she’s always grumbling about finding a job!”
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Mmm... I see... those do not go down easily..." Beth mused as they walked.

Reaching the room in question, Bella looked down the hall, glancing towards Albert's room.  "Ya tink Felix knows where da Old Man is?"

Beth shrugged, knocking on the door once, twice. "Best not bother him, he is... busy... after all, today."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
“Busy with what?”

Alina asked at Beth innocently.
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
Bernard finally answered the door. He heard a certain name from the other side as he was walking over.

"What has the boy done this time- he's been gone all-" he blinked.

"Miss Bethany. Miss Belladonna?" He saw their companion and became grave.

"Ah I understand the situation."
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"He has some... Rather notable interests, nothing for you to worry over. Best you not get involved there." Beth frowned, what Bella cracked up behind her.

"Ah, Mister Bernard, there you are. Is... This girl... Your charge? She came to the castle looking for you specifically."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
“Hi Bernard!”

Alina jumped up and waved.
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
Bernard smiled warmly.

"Well met, although I wish it were under better circumstances. She did not come I take it?"

Turning to the girls. "It seems so, for the moment."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina shook her head and took out Cookie again.
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
"Did you leave a note for her?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
“Yup Yup!”

——

Cuts to a flashback of the hotel room. 60 or so penguins are arranged in the room, each holding a single letter. Together they spell

[Went to castle. Bernard said so if you didn’t get back by the day’s end.]
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Bella perked up, a grin on her face. "Ahh, don't ya worry, Old Man, we'll take 'er, right sis? Just gotta show her 'round until her mom comes ta find 'er, right? Maybe I'll show 'er 'ow to kill a chicken, or somethin', dat'll be fun, ya?"

Beth sighed, rubbing her forehead. I was not looking forward to babysitting duty today...
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
Bernard looked relieved at Alina having left a note, unaware of the details.

Bernard blinked, Miss Belladonna taking charge of the situation.

“I-yes. If she is okay with this, and you would, that would be a relief. Unless she wishes to sit with me while I read.” He smiled softly, aware his tastes were rather boring.

He did note Beth’s reluctance however and paused over her.

“Are you tired Miss Bethany? If you wish to retire I understand.”
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Ehhhh? I thought she was going to help make chicken bacon!?"
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Beth perked up. "No, no, I am fine. Thank you for your concern. What are you reading?"

It was Bella's time to roll her eyes at the topic of books, snatching the chicken-in-a-bag off her sister's side. "'ave  ya eva plucked a chicken, Alina? It's kinda cool, ya just take it and den you-"

Beth swatted her on the hat. "Not. In. The hallway. Wait until we get outside, first."(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina shook her head.

"Anja does all the plucking."

Noticing the book Alina craned her head over to see.
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
He chuckled. “Oh, old stories of the gods. I know it is not your topic of choice but...perhaps it would be due reading given ... certain circumstances. This is why I returned to it. This is not, as you would say, pleasure reading.” He tilted his head to see if Bethany understood.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"I wanna read it!"

Alina put her hands together and stared at Bernard expectantly.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Beth stiffened, then sighed, reluctantly nodding her head. "Yeah, I suppose that... could be good information to know. Maybe... You can give me a summery, later, if you would not mind."

Bella contented herself with poking the chicken-bag, chuckling a little at the squawking noises. "He he, gonna get my bacon on wit' you lata..."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina flipped through the book with surprising dexterity. Her mother had kept quite a few books back home, and she had pretty much read all of them. There was one book that was similar, but the dialect was completely different.

"Yup! I can probably finish it in half a week!"

She happily closed the book and stuffed it under her parka as well. But unlike Cookie the book did create a block shaped outline in the fabric.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Ah, ah! Hold, fine, I will take it." Beth reached out, grabbing the book before Alina could pocket it. "I will get you another to read, but you should not take things without asking, first. Would you like to go to the castle library? We can find something for you to read, there."

Bella frowned, really not liking the sound of this. "I ah... ya know... I uh... ya know, I gotta go talk wit', uh... Hichi, or somethin'..."

She started to edge back, away from the conversation that was rapidly taking a decidedly unfun turn. Ugh, books, why are you such a nerd Beth?!(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Sowwwy."

Alina hung her head in shame. But the mentioning of library slightly cheered her up.

"Library?"

Alina used her sleeved hand to scratch her head. On one hand, she wanted to try some chicken bacon. But on the other hand new books sounded fun too.
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
"Thank you Miss Bethany, feel free to read at your leisure. It is a personal copy."

"The library sounds the superb idea."

He looked quite surprised at Bell. "You wish to find Miss Hichi at this hour?"

And here I was to be impressed she was excited to help attend someone in need! To bail out with such excuses...reminds me of Felix. I see Beth deals with a lot.

"I see, would you like me to send down Felix Miss Bethany? I'm afraid he has been avoiding me all day however, but if you need help..."(edited)
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Beth shrugged, used to this. "No need, he seems... ah... busy over in Albert's chambers, last I saw of him."

She tucked the book into her pouch, firmly securing it shut.

"Come now, we can find you something fun to read, no need to worry about stuffy, boring gods and such."

Bella took another step back, then suddenly tossed the chicken-in-a-bag to Alina. "Uhh... ya can have dis, for now. Ya can hold onto it for me! I uh, should go. I'd just, uh, make a mess of the library, yeah? Can't trust good ol' Bella 'round books, right?!"

She gave a fake, toothy grin, to which Beth merely sighed, then shoo'd her off. "Fine, fine. Go and... talk. You have a key, you can let yourself back into the room when you need to."(edited)
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
“Ah, would you like me to keep the chicken company? I think taking that to the library is unwise.”

He nods to Bell. “Goodnight Miss Belladonna.”
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"No! My chicken! I wanna make chicken bacon!"

Alina clutched the chicken to her chest, doing her best to make sure it didn't scratch her.
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
“Young Miss. You may not bring this chicken to the library.” He scolds her firmly.

“Allow me to take care of the poor thing, you shouldn’t jostle it around back and forth. Treat life with respect, even if you want to fill your belly.”
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Uuuuuu."

Alina pouted and gently gave Bernard the chicken.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Beth petted her on her head, through the hood. "There we go, do you want to stop by the kitchen on the way down? I think we can probably find you something to eat before we go to the library."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Ehehehe"

Alina liked it when she got headpats. They made her feel happy.

"I want to go to library first."

She had already gotten a meat skewer from Saltbeard earlier so she wasn't that hungry. She just wanted to know what chicken bacon tasted like.(edited)
ExcaliburShines09/03/2018
Bernard took the chicken, extracting it from the bag and he nodded goodbye to Bethany and Alina.

“Thank you Miss Bethany. I shall see you all another time. Felix hiding with Albert all day...” he muttered as he disappeared back into the door with the chicken.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Bye bye Bernard! Bye bye chicken!"

Alina waved her sleeved hand over her hand as they left.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
Beth nodded her goodbye, then turned to lead Alina off. "So what sort of books do you like? The royal library is fairly vast, I believe we can find things to suit your interest."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Books about animals! But I like novels too. Especially the ones about saving the world!"

Alina bounced along to the library happily, her hood and sleeves bouncing around with her.
Artemi☆, Unmoving Great Library09/03/2018
"Oh yeah? Well, once we get down there, I can show you where the biology section is, and there is probably an area for old tales and legends that might catch your eye..."

Reaching the doors of the library, Beth pushed them open, nodding to the servant inside who's job it was to keep track of things going in and out and keep the place clean.

"I will keep an eye on this one, no need to worry!"

And so they spent the time, finding fun things to read in the big comfy window seats of the library. And if she was a good girl, Alina might earn herself a few more headpats, even.