Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 3: Burn

The Dollmaker sat in her workshop, trying to distract herself, the muscles in her chest feeling tight. Her guest, Lex, had gone down to the village to buy groceries. When Lex presented her question early that morning, it made Donna nervous. Afraid, actually. It wasn't common she'd get new people to visit, but they typically wouldn't last long. At first, she didn't want Lex to go even when she had given the mysterious woman permission to leave. She managed to convince herself she'd be back. Angie at one point, even assured her she'd be back. But as the minutes ticked on, Angie got bored and began to make jokes and propose outlandish scenarios about what might have happened to Lex.

''Maybe she got attacked by a giant rock-climbing catfish, or has been taken prisoner and got married to a dragon disguised as a handsome noble man!'' Angie at one point decided to blurt out.

Donna knew it was impossible, but then again, maybe it was. After all, a rock climbing catfish or a dragon disguised noble man couldn't have been too far outside the realm of possibility with all the strange things Mother Miranda, Karl or Salvatore created.

Donna knew Angie was only joking but still, she couldn't keep down the fear of her guest somehow never coming back. She didn't want what had happened to her parents to happen again. She didn't want someone in her life to disappear on her. It hurt when she remembered people leaving her and she never wanted to feel it again.

''Lady Beneviento?'' Donna's head snapped up, startled by the flat voice that had came out of nowhere. She looked to her right and saw the blindfolded woman. She had a small bruise on her cheek, a saucer and tea cup in her hands, steam emanating from the top of the cup. The snowy haired woman stepped inside the doll workshop, it took her only a few steps to get to the table in the middle of the room. She placed the tea down in the only clear spot on the table. ''I thought you'd might like some tea, I apologize for taking so long to get back, please forgive me.''

''Oh, i-it's quite alright, n-no need to apologize.'' Donna spoke shyly as her hands rested on the hot cup. Her cheeks were red, due to her veil sitting off to the side and her mutated scar exposed. Lex gave the woman a small bow, and went to step to the side, but Donna stopped her in her tracks with a single question.

''What happened to your face? T-That spot on your cheek, I mean.'' she saw Lex looked back at her, touching her cheek with her finger tips.

''A man attacked me in the village. But I don't think he'll be bothering me anytime soon.'' Lex stated, no emotion in her voice.

''Does it... Does it hurt?'' Donna shyly turned to the woman, a few strands of hair falling in front of her face.

''No, it doesn't. I didn't even feel it.'' she explained before clearing her throat. ''I apologized if I had worried you, Lady Beneviento. I'll try to refrain from doing it again in the future.''

The Dollmaker felt a strange feeling of warmth wash over her chest like gentle waves, the tightness in her chest subsiding.

''You're tea will get cold if you don't drink it.'' The corner of Lex's lips twitched upwards, like her body wanted to smile but she forced herself to keep a neutral face. Donna looked down at her tea cup and let her hands rest on the cup. It had cooled down to a comfortably warm temperature. She brought the tea cup to her lips but her eyes caught Lex's red palm. The Dollmaker turned her head to Lex, setting her tea cup down.

''Is something wrong with you tea, Lady Beneviento?'' Lex asked, worry loosely clinging to her words.

''Did you burn yourself on the cup? Your hand is red.'' Donna state which caused the snowy haired woman to look at her reddened hand.

''It appears that I did.''

''Ha ha! Loser!'' Angie laughed, pointing at the much taller woman. They didn't even realize Angie had slipped into the workshop.

Donna stood from her chair and hesitantly approached the woman. Lex didn't move an inch. Due to Lex's lack of actions, the ravenette held Lex's hand and turned it over to inspect the injury. It was only a first degree burn so it wouldn't scar, but it was warm to the touch. But the rest of her hand...

''We better get your hand cooled down. I don't imagine it feels all the comfortable, and it probably hurts.'' the quiet woman stated, gently tugging Lex's hand towards the medicine room since there was a sink in there. Lex didn't say a word as she followed the Dollmaker into the room.

Donna turned on the faucet, allowing the cool water to flow delicately in order to treat Lex's wound. The Dollmaker guided Lex's hand to the water, letting the burn cool down. The blindfolded woman didn't react at all. Not a single sound left her throat, not even a quiet whimper during the few minutes her hand was under the water. The last Beneviento caught herself staring at Lex's blindfold, wondering what her eyes looked like and what she was thinking about.

''Thank you, Lady Beneviento. You're too kind.'' Lex suddenly said.

''It's not a problem. Does your hand feel better?'' she asked, turning off the flowing water and walking over to one of the cabinets to look for a towel to dry the hand and a bandage to protect it from further damage.

''It feels more comfortable.'' Lex answered in the same flat tone she always had.

Once Donna found the towel and bandage, she went back to Lex, sitting her down at the small table that was in the middle of the room. Lex didn't say anything as Donna dried her hand with tender dabs. Once the hand was dry, she wrapped and bandage around it. When the Dollmaker finished, she looked at the injured woman. Even if Lex's eyes were covered, Donna had a feeling their eyes locked.

''You make sure to keep this hand bandaged, I'll check it in the morning, alright?''

''Yes, Lady Beneviento. And thank you again.'' The corner of Lex's lip curled up a little. Donna couldn't help but let a small smile cross her lips.

They stayed like that for a long moment, just enjoying each others' company. It was strange to Donna, but she liked it. Is it possible for a moment to feel warm? Because that's the only way she was able to describe it. Donna was pulled back to reality when Lex looked towards the general direction of the front door.

''Someone's knocking.'' she said, allowing Donna to know what's happening. Donna pulled her hand away from Lex and gestured towards the exit.

''I suppose you best answer it, I'll be up in a minute.'' The Dollmaker told her, her shy demeanour returning.

''Of course, Lady Beneviento.'' Lex stood up and bowed before leaving the room without another word. Donna let out a quiet sigh and looked down at her hands.

''What's up with you, Donna?'' Angie asked, clutching onto Donna's funeral garb. She was trying to heave herself up and onto Donna's lap. The Dollmaker let out a quiet chuckle and picked up her friend, resting her on her lap.

''Nothing Angie, just thinking.'' she answered as her mind wandered back to Lex's hand. The burn had been warm to the touch but thanks to the water, had cooled down. But the rest of Lex's hand was cold. Freezing, actually.

Lex's hands were as cold as the grave.