Failing Grace

Adapting As Time Permits

And here is 19-04. No. Nine...

Nine

"Nine..."

Her own voice chanted the name within her, the syllables causing never ending ripples in her once stagnant waters. It felt as though she were being awakened — as though she might now be more. To the people within the chamber she might as well be. Unlike what she was for Mother Miranda, merely an experiment dummy, for the people gathered here she was a person, she was Nine. They all seemed to like it. And Cassandra was correct in her assumption. She did like that she was Nine. She truly did.

Movement drew her attention back to the world of the living and she watched as the brunette walked towards the door noticing how her usually confident gait was somehow muted. As if her personality had completely dimmed. For a moment, Cassandra had been excited about the name but now she was back to that downcast demeanor. Nine wondered if it had to do with what had happened to Daniela. She watched the brunette disappear into the hallway a few more seconds before Daniela interrupted her thoughts.

"I'll still call you Dulce, Nine." Daniela said from the bed, determination shining in her eyes.

"Lady Daniela, your hands?"

The redhead perked up at her voice and grinned happily. Despite her enthusiasm Nine's gaze landed on her gloved hands. Daniela pouted and sighed heavily pulling one of her gloves off.

"See? All healed. Mother said I was ok."

The redhead made her way towards Nine waving her hand at her but she only looked down at the remaining gloved hand. Daniela huffed and pulled the remaining glove off.

"Happy now?"

"You're healed." Nine simply said.

"Hmmm. Yeah, Dulce, fits." Daniela nodded before sprawling herself onto the bed once more.

"Umm Nine?" Nine turned at Bela's call and the blonde pointed at the food. "Eat. They sent a sandwich."

Elena eyed Daniela, who was now rolling around on the bed, before suggesting to all turn in for the night. Bela agreed with the older woman staring pointedly at the revolving redhead. Daniela began to whine but Bela seemed unmoved by her actions.

"You and Cass are no fun." Daniela huffed and burst into flies materializing into her human form at the doorway. "Elena, will you still read to me?"

"Of course, dear." Elena smiled and after bidding her a good night and instructing her on what to do with the fire she followed after a singing Daniela.

"Remember where everything is, Nine?" Bela spoke and she turned to face her, giving her a subtle nod. "Good. Enjoy your rest and be ready for tomorrow. I anticipate you'll be learning quite a lot. You can use this snuffer to extinguish the candles in the sconces. The rest you can blow out." The blonde pressed her lips together before she spoke once more, "are you certain you like that name?"

Nine nodded, "yes."

"I see. Well I guess it will stick. I do wonder if Mother Miranda would tell us should we ask. Did she ever tell you your name?"

Nine shook her head and memories which set the hairs of her neck up flooded her head. "No questions allowed." She muttered.

"That sounds about right now that I think about it. Forget my useless question. Now, have a good night."

"Goodnight." Nine mimicked as everyone had done before.

Bela walked towards her, handing her a metal rod with a bell-like object on top, before swarming out of the chamber. Some of which Nine supposed were her flies closed the door behind her swarm.