The Collector and Her Steed

Chapter 32

(A/N: Here is my thank you for 10k reads in such a short time. Out of the votes I did get, Alcina Dimitrescu won by a landslide. Thank you all so much for reading this and I do hope you all enjoy this chapter.)

The smell of roasted pork, potatoes, garlic, and plenty of herbs wafted through the village. Heads poked out of doors to see that the lights of the pub were on and the door was propped open. One by one, households all left their homes to go see where the owner of the pub had been. Luiza hadn't had the chance to tell everyone what had happened, but even then everyone wanted to know what was going on. People filed into the main gathering area and sat at the different tables. Before long Mira was coming out with platters of roasted pork with roasted potatoes and other veggies. As she made the rounds around the room, she was asked numerous times about her whereabouts and whatnot. All she stated was that she would be addressing everyone once they had their food and that she was glad to see everyone doing well.

Placing the last platter down, Mira made her way behind the bar. Everyone was whispering to themselves, but as they saw her waiting they all hushed. Clearing her throat, Mira started, "It's very pleasant to see all of your faces after not being in town for about a month. I know you're all wondering what really happened. Long story short, I trespassed into the factory in an attempt to make friends with Lord Heisenberg. He wasn't there and while I was wandering around I tripped and fell onto a metal pipe. Thankfully Lord Heisenberg returned shortly after I was injured, however he kept me there so he could make sure I made a full recovery." Clasping her hands together, her eyes scanned the crowded pub. Her dark brown eyes shone as she spoke, "I know it sounds like I should be dead right now, but Lord Heisenberg isn't the monster you all think of him as. Yes he's a bit strange, but really he just prefers being alone in his factory." Smiling brightly, she motioned to the platters of food sitting on all of the tables. "As you can see, I thought a welcome back feist was an ideal way of announcing my return back to the pub and as a celebration to my health. If you have any questions, I would love to answer them. Now please, dig in."

After a few prayers said around the room, everyone got to eating and chatting amongst themselves. Mira made the rounds, answering questions and getting everyone their drinks. Overall the night went smoothly and everyone enjoyed themselves and the food. One by one the tables emptied as people returned to their homes, until the very last group left. As she waved goodbye, she shut the door and locked it. She then started the task of cleaning up all of the dishes and grabbing up all of the lei people had left for her on the tables.

Finishing up her cleaning up around nine thirty, she made her way upstairs to freshen up before Heisenberg showed up. The minutes ticked away as she changed into a black floor length dress with floral embroidery. Doing a half fishtail braid, she made her way back downstairs to wait for him.

Right as the clock chimed 10 o'clock the door knob turned as Heisenberg slipped inside. Shutting the door, he turned to face Mira. "I see you haven't forgo-" he stopped mid sentence as his eyes landed on her. Grinning, he quickly closed the distance between the two of them, "My, my Mira, I don't know how you do it but every time I come in here you just look better and better." Wrapping his arms around her waist he picked her up, twirling the two of them around. Setting her back down gently, he let out a sigh. "How'd the dinner go?"
Holding up her finger, Mira rushed through the door that led to the kitchen and brought out two plates of food. Setting them down on the bar, Mira plopped herself on a stool. "It went alright, I avoided spilling too many beans and just told them the injury I got was from a metal pipe. They seemed to be okay with that answer." She waited for him to sit before she started eating. "How did the meeting go? Anything juicy come from it?"

Grimacing at the memory of the meeting, Heisenberg started eating. "Well, it was the usual stuff, however I guess I need to help lady supersized bitch with something in her castle. I know you want to meet her and discuss business plans so if you want to come along I won't stop you. We'd be leaving after we're done eating and we'd be there for at least a day." He was taking his time eating, clearly not excited about the idea of having to go to the castle.

"I would love to come along, do you think this dress will be nice enough to meet her?" Mira glanced down at the dress, doubting that someone who lived in a castle would think it was a very grand dress. Looking back up at Heisenberg, she laughed. He looked incredibly offended by the question.

"If anyone touches you or says some shit about you, they're dead. Not going to let anyone hurt you." Frowning, he reached over to pat her thigh in reassurance. "I won't let anyone do anything that is against you."

Rolling her eyes, Mira patted his hand. "Thank you Heisenberg, but I'm a big girl. I can handle myself. Just because I'm not like an electric eel that can control metal, doesn't mean I can't take care of myself." Taking her last bite of food, she smiled over at him. "Besides, I really doubt Lady Dimitrescu would do anything to me with you around. I probably won't be leaving your side other than during important family discussions and whatnot. She has three daughters, correct? I'll probably end up hanging out with them while you two are doing your family stuff." Sliding off of her stool, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to go grab some clothes so I'm not sleeping in this and so they don't judge me too hard."

Before he could reply, she was already headed up the stairs. It didn't take her too long to make her way back down with an overstuffed bag. The bulky fabric was stretched so tightly it was amazing that it hadn't burst open at the slightest jostle. "Okay, I'm going to get our dessert real fast and we can eat it on our way there." Slightly giddy at the idea of finally going inside of the castle, she sashayed her way into the kitchen. Hip checking the door back open, Mira carried out a basket of Fursecuri Piersicute Umplute (peach cookies with filling). "Good thing I made enough of these that we can give to the women of the castle, though I don't know if they can actually eat it since they're y'know, kinda vampires. Either way, I'm sure they'll like the gesture." Not giving Heisenberg any time to doddle, she had the bag and the basket on one arm and her hand clutching his as she practically dragged him away from his half full plate. Heisenberg barely had enough time to grab his hammer that he had left outside of the pub.

Heisenberg let Mira lead him up to the castle gates, which he easily forced open. It didn't take them long to make their way up to the castle. Making their way through the vineyards, Mira looked all about them excitedly. It had been her dream since she was a little girl to one day be able to visit the castle and now she was able to live that dream. Soon they were at the entrance, which Heisenberg promptly unlocked and opened. Leading Mira inside, he called out. "Oh dearest large bitch, where are you?"

Unintelligible mutterings were heard as Heisenberg led Mira through a door into what looked to be a fairly central area in the castle. Mira gazed around at the intricate carved wood and gold covered decor. She was almost too in awe with the decor to notice a door at the very top of the stairs open up. A very large woman ducked through the door, clutching onto her large hat to ensure it stayed in place. Standing up to her full height, the woman looked down from the balcony at the two. "Oh? Have you brought my daughters and I a present? Now, I wouldn't expect something of that nature coming from you, Heisenberg."