Through a Masked Maiden's Eyes

Chapter 7: Riddled Destiny

I walked back to the refreshment table and grabbed a cup of water, deciding to stall a little till I met up with Hawkeye. After all he wouldn’t mind waiting on a woman, he’d had enough practice all evening.

I watched another dance and sipped my water. Once it ended I sauntered up to the island and Pan handed me my bag with a wink. I smiled at him coyly taking it and turned swiftly. As I exited the crowd of people the chill of the night air hit me full force as I walked away from the crowd’s body heat. I watched my breath fade away in the night and pulled my shawl out of my bag, wrapping it around my shoulders.

I thought over the town’s layout and walked down two streets to the library. I wandered to the back door and half smiled at how easily it opened, Hawkeye always was good with doors. He probably had all kinds of practice sneaking around, what with his profession and all.

I entered the dim wooden doorway the floor boards creaking at my sudden weight. I found myself wondering yet again whether I had gained weight. I was really going to have to ask Awa tomorrow. I stood still listening until I heard his heart beat, a steady rhythm that was calming in the clammy atmosphere with the lamp light casting flickering shadows. I sighed with relief when no other heart beats joined his except a few critters that were in the walls or beneath the floors.

I followed the sound relieved when the boards didn’t make a sound. I always enjoyed the process of sneaking up on someone, even if he did already know I was here, no thanks to the squeaky floorboards.  I found him sitting casually with a book open in his hands, seemingly unaware, but I knew better. I walked up and sat down at the table across from him, setting my bag on my lap as I studied him. This hit was going to have to last a while, I couldn’t risk another with my persona being plastered all over every town, so I’d have to be as firm as the Hail mountains and not let him bid me down to his price, I smothered a smirk at the thought, that had never been too much of a problem for me. I was very… persuasive.

Hawkeye’s eyes flashed up at me for a moment before he set the book aside, “You took long enough. I thought I might even finish the book before you arrived.”

I glanced down at the book sitting on the table between us. “Oh please Hawkeye, I bet you didn’t even finish the first page.” I gave him a lazy smile knowing I was right.

He sighed, “You know me too well, Foxy.”

“Yes, yes, now down to business.” I said with a casual wave of my hand. Hawkeye was fun to spar with but this was business.

“Right. Well, you do realize that you caused quite a stir this time don’t you?”

I gave a reluctant nod, not saying anything simply raising an eyebrow as if to say ‘so…’

“So, I won’t be able to sell them to our normal cliental, or if I do than I’ll have to wait a year. What happened exactly?”