MPHFPC headcanons

Dance Lesson - E.O'C

The bird watched the boy all through the  day. Sweat clung to his forehead as he dragged bag after bag of clay out to his shed. It wasn't unusual for Enoch to restock his supply, but the large quantity was what caught Miss Peregrine's eye. The other children were peppered around the grass. Some played with dolls, others with footballs and even a skipping rope. The young boy however, had become a recluse in his work space. The woman watched the sun go down over the trees and cast a golden shadow onto the garden. The sky grew duller and the shed light turned on. The silhouette of a boy could be seen. Alma knew the boy was working hard. She hadn't seen him so focused on a project like that in a long time, so she left him to it.

•

She kept an eye on him at dinner that night. He was quiet. No sarcastic comments, no snide remarks. 

"There's a dance tomorrow, Miss P, as you know. I'm just informing you that I, will require your sating ribbon, I think it will look dashing on my hat, don't you think ?" Asked Horace. 

The Woman nodded.  "That's fine dear" she smiled. "Will everyone be at this dance then ?" She continued. There was an excited chorus of positive responses. Even Enoch, who had shovelled the food into his mouth quickly had given a quick nod before excusing himself  to go back to the shed.

• 

The Bird insisted that he get some sleep that night. Reluctantly, Enoch got under the covers and closed his eyes. Satisfied with her work, Alma retreated to her quarters and all was silent until around midnight. The sound of the shed door closing made the woman wake suddenly. At first she thought it might be a hollowgast, She crept to the window and peered out, her heart racing. She let out a little sigh when her eyes fell upon the sight unfolding.

"No you fool, I Said left, no, no, your left, not mine! " a voice whispered. Three figures stood in the garden. The faint moonlight told the woman that Enoch and Bronwyn were arguing about something. A third person had their arms draped on Enoch's neck. It wasn't until Alma squinted that she realised the third form was made from clay. It was all making sense now. 

The humunculus's feet were terribly battered and it looked like it had taken quite a few falls, as did the boy who held it's waist tightly. Grass stains littered his pyjamas and his hair was a fluffy mess. Dried clay could be seen on his hands. He wore a determined look on his face. 

As for Bronwyn, she looked tired, fed up even. She was standing a far bit away from the pair and had one hand on her hip. The other massaged her forehead as she watched Enoch and the Clay form begin to dance. "Okay.. And, one, two , three, one, two, three, yes that's it !, good job" she praised. Bronwyn watched her brother tiptoe across the dewy grass with the clay. A faint smile tugged at his lips. That was until he stepped on the clay's right foot just as it was about to bring the leg back. The motion took the leg off completely.

"Oh, for heaven's sake Enoch !" The girl scolded. The boy knelt down and began to rejoin the leg. "How will you ever dance  tomorrow with all this room for injury ? You need to be more careful".

The boy didn't respond. Instead, he stood up and offered the clay a hand up. The dance began again. Alma smiled as she watched her ward bow to his clay and begin to move along the grass, This time, Enoch's pale lips mouthed out the steps. A look of pure concentration was visible by his brows. As they twirled around, the clay hit the side of a shrub. A little mouse scurried out.

They continued their dance as Bronwyn kept the instructions flowing. The boy even threw in a little dip towards the end. When they were finished, the pair bowed again and Bronwyn cheered quietly in the moonlit garden. Alma let out a little gasp and clapped her hands together. 

"Amazing progress O'Conner" Bronwyn grinned. The boy felt his cheeks and ears heat up. "Yeah well, 'couldn't have done it with out my clay" He jested. This earned him a dig in the elbow. "And of course my lovely sister helped too" he winced. 

The pair tucked the humunculus back into the shed and began their stealthy way back into the house. As Alma saw them approach, she quickly fled back to her room, concluding they meant no harm and wern't causing too much trouble.

The pair delicately tiptoed up the stairs and made their way towards their rooms. Bronwyn was just about to open her door when a cold hand grabbed her wrist. "Bron, are you sure that my dance partner - my real dance partner will like me ?" He asked her. His tone wavered. The girl could sense his unease. Her eyes softened to look at him and she gave his hand a squeeze. 

"Little brother" she told him gently. 

"He's going to absolutely adore you"